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London Mafia Bosses #11
Nabbed by the Bratva
“If I catch you, I keep you. Now
run
.”
I get caught up in a mafia shootout, and I guess I should have kept my eyes shut, because I end up looking a terrifying and gorgeous man in the face. Gray eyes. A scowl. And when the bullets stop flying, I expect to be left for dead.
But the next thing I know, the Bratva boss has taken me to his country estate, and I’m his captive. He says it’s for my protection, but I’m not so sure.
I beg my captor, but he’s stone. I try to escape, but he anticipates my every move.
Finally, he gives me a choice.
Play his game. I’m the prey, he’s the hunter.
If I can get away, I win my freedom. If he catches me, he’ll hold me down and take everything.
Run.
Nabbed by the Bratva is a sweet and spicy age gap instalove romance with an obsessed and possessive Bratva kingpin and his innocent girl.
I get caught up in a mafia shootout, and I guess I should have kept my eyes shut, because I end up looking a terrifying and gorgeous man in the face. Gray eyes. A scowl. And when the bullets stop flying, I expect to be left for dead.
But the next thing I know, the Bratva boss has taken me to his country estate, and I’m his captive. He says it’s for my protection, but I’m not so sure.
I beg my captor, but he’s stone. I try to escape, but he anticipates my every move.
Finally, he gives me a choice.
Play his game. I’m the prey, he’s the hunter.
If I can get away, I win my freedom. If he catches me, he’ll hold me down and take everything.
Run.
Nabbed by the Bratva is a sweet and spicy age gap instalove romance with an obsessed and possessive Bratva kingpin and his innocent girl.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2026
About the author
Evie Rose
37 books581 followersIf you stop at sane, you miss all the best stuff.
Evie Rose writes gleefully improbable instalove short mafia-lite romances, with heroes who are all-in obsessed for their heroines.
You’ll find all her books packed with age gap, tons of spice, virgin heroines, praise, good girl, breeding kink, forced proximity, pining, possessive and protective alpha kingpin heroes, and swoony romantic bits.
Evie Rose writes gleefully improbable instalove short mafia-lite romances, with heroes who are all-in obsessed for their heroines.
You’ll find all her books packed with age gap, tons of spice, virgin heroines, praise, good girl, breeding kink, forced proximity, pining, possessive and protective alpha kingpin heroes, and swoony romantic bits.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
May 25, 2026
This is exactly what a mafia romance reader’s fantasy is. He kidnaps her and then buys her an ereader loaded with every book she’s wanted to read (even ARCs)? SOMEONE POINT OUT THE ISSUE! I DARE YOU.
This is book 11 in the London Mafia Bosses series, but I haven’t read any of the others and still very much enjoyed this and was able to follow along.
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
▹Format: 📱 eReader / 🎧Audiobook (Duet narration by Brandon Francis and Lucy Rivers; narration rating: 4.5/5)
I was given an ALC courtesy of Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op in exchange for my honest review. This is now available.
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– FMC: Tess Summerfield (aka “lapochka”). 20-year-old romance book reader who finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time
– MMC: Kirill Yakovlev. 38-year-old pakhan of the Blackfen mafia who also knows how to hack a computer
– Location: London
– POV: Dual first-person
– Spice: 3-4 open-door spicy scenes
– Tropes: captor/captive turned fake dating, mafia romance, primal play (he chases her), grumpy x sunshine, virgin FMC, masked MMC, morally grey MMC, millionaire MMC, he’s pierced and tattooed, slight degradation mixed with praise, breeding kink
– Content warning: being held against your will, mention of torture
– Representation: nothing notable
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
This is a quick, funny, spicy read for someone that is dipping their toes into mafia romance. Out of the mafia romances I’ve read, this is fairly low stakes (not quite dark, but not fluffy) and reads a lot like the daydream of a mafia-romance reader.
It does try to pack in a handful of tropes, but it’s not too overwhelming, and sometimes even comes off a little campy (which is so fun). The plotline leans heavily on the romance/spice but, given the shorter length, is well balanced with some backstory and intrigue.
I highly recommend the audiobook version. Brandon Francis and Lucy Rivers bring a fun personality to the characters. I loved how well they played off each other and how swoony Brandon’s voice is! The production was also well done--balanced volumes and crystal clarity.
Would I Recommend?: Heck yes! Especially if you don’t love dark romance but want a taste of mafia romance with banter and spice.
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven—✧——————————Plot Driven
Fast Burn————✧———————Slow Burn
Sweet———————✧————Spicy
Light/Fluffy——✧—————————Heavy/Emotional
•♥Consider following me on Instagram @kelseyreviewsbooks for more visual content and bookish discussions.♥•
This is book 11 in the London Mafia Bosses series, but I haven’t read any of the others and still very much enjoyed this and was able to follow along.
▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
▹Format: 📱 eReader / 🎧Audiobook (Duet narration by Brandon Francis and Lucy Rivers; narration rating: 4.5/5)
I was given an ALC courtesy of Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op in exchange for my honest review. This is now available.
─────────────────────────
○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○
– FMC: Tess Summerfield (aka “lapochka”). 20-year-old romance book reader who finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time
– MMC: Kirill Yakovlev. 38-year-old pakhan of the Blackfen mafia who also knows how to hack a computer
– Location: London
– POV: Dual first-person
– Spice: 3-4 open-door spicy scenes
– Tropes: captor/captive turned fake dating, mafia romance, primal play (he chases her), grumpy x sunshine, virgin FMC, masked MMC, morally grey MMC, millionaire MMC, he’s pierced and tattooed, slight degradation mixed with praise, breeding kink
– Content warning: being held against your will, mention of torture
– Representation: nothing notable
─────────────────────────
🎯 My Thoughts:
This is a quick, funny, spicy read for someone that is dipping their toes into mafia romance. Out of the mafia romances I’ve read, this is fairly low stakes (not quite dark, but not fluffy) and reads a lot like the daydream of a mafia-romance reader.
It does try to pack in a handful of tropes, but it’s not too overwhelming, and sometimes even comes off a little campy (which is so fun). The plotline leans heavily on the romance/spice but, given the shorter length, is well balanced with some backstory and intrigue.
I highly recommend the audiobook version. Brandon Francis and Lucy Rivers bring a fun personality to the characters. I loved how well they played off each other and how swoony Brandon’s voice is! The production was also well done--balanced volumes and crystal clarity.
Would I Recommend?: Heck yes! Especially if you don’t love dark romance but want a taste of mafia romance with banter and spice.
─────────────────────────
⍟»This or That«⍟
Character Driven—✧——————————Plot Driven
Fast Burn————✧———————Slow Burn
Sweet———————✧————Spicy
Light/Fluffy——✧—————————Heavy/Emotional
•♥Consider following me on Instagram @kelseyreviewsbooks for more visual content and bookish discussions.♥•
May 13, 2026
Completely smashable and unputdownable. This is a total vibe read and I’m now running on feel good endorphins. Playful, sweet, spicy and deliciously naughty. The male narrator growls. GROWLS. Like a panty melting growl. But the dirty talk in that accent is where I really melted. Kirill is so stalkery and cute but only for Tess. She may be innocent but she’s level headed and a fellow smut loving book gremlin. He makes the PERFECT husband for a book girlie. At first I didn’t like the female narrator but she grew on me as the book progressed.
“I apologise for not abducting you at a time more to your liking”
🖤 Bratva Boss x innocent bookish heroine
🗝️ Captive x Obsessed Kidnapper
♟️ Flirty games
🌑 Primal Masked play
👀 Online Stalking
🩶 Russian nickname lapochka | лапочка
🎧 Sinful dirty talk & praise
🎙️Duet Narration | 3hrs 59
🆕 Release Date | 14 May 2026
📖Thanks for the spicy ARC! Provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Coop & NetGalley
“I apologise for not abducting you at a time more to your liking”
🖤 Bratva Boss x innocent bookish heroine
🗝️ Captive x Obsessed Kidnapper
♟️ Flirty games
🌑 Primal Masked play
👀 Online Stalking
🩶 Russian nickname lapochka | лапочка
🎧 Sinful dirty talk & praise
🎙️Duet Narration | 3hrs 59
🆕 Release Date | 14 May 2026
📖Thanks for the spicy ARC! Provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Coop & NetGalley
May 16, 2026
Nabbed by the Bratva by Evie Rose
London Mafia Bosses Eleven
Narrated by Brandon Francis and Lucy Rivers
Great narration by both performers especially the accents - drawing the listener into the story
Kirill is forced to kidnap Tess after she witnesses him engaging in his ‘hobby’.
A well-paced novella.
We see the MCs feelings grow as they spend time together and get to know each other.
Kidnapping, Mafia Boss, Innocent FMC, Age Gap Possessive Hero, Instalove
Thanks to Netgalley, Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op and Evie Rose for the ARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
London Mafia Bosses Eleven
Narrated by Brandon Francis and Lucy Rivers
Great narration by both performers especially the accents - drawing the listener into the story
Kirill is forced to kidnap Tess after she witnesses him engaging in his ‘hobby’.
A well-paced novella.
We see the MCs feelings grow as they spend time together and get to know each other.
Kidnapping, Mafia Boss, Innocent FMC, Age Gap Possessive Hero, Instalove
Thanks to Netgalley, Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op and Evie Rose for the ARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
May 13, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🫦Kidnapped
🫦Mafia
🫦Masked Man
🫦Age Gap
I am so down for instalust every time. And these narrators🤤. Lucy Rivers was the perfect Tess and Brandon Francis and his growly Russian was exactly what this audiobook needed to bring Kirill to life. The banter was top notch and the spicy was spicy. Thank you to Evie Rose and NetGalley for the ALC! I cannot wait to explore more of Evie’s books!
🫦Kidnapped
🫦Mafia
🫦Masked Man
🫦Age Gap
I am so down for instalust every time. And these narrators🤤. Lucy Rivers was the perfect Tess and Brandon Francis and his growly Russian was exactly what this audiobook needed to bring Kirill to life. The banter was top notch and the spicy was spicy. Thank you to Evie Rose and NetGalley for the ALC! I cannot wait to explore more of Evie’s books!
May 17, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the free advance listening copy of Nabbed by the Bratva by Evie Rose. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This definitely falls outside my usual reading comfort zone. Dark romance, mafia romance, and some of the tropes here aren't typically what I gravitate toward, but lately I've been trying to push my reading boundaries a bit and sample genres I wouldn't normally pick up.
Going in, I was a little nervous that this was book 11 in a series, but it actually worked surprisingly well as a standalone. I never felt lost or like I was missing huge pieces of context.
I don't think I'm necessarily the target audience for dark romance, so I wanted to approach this from the perspective of someone trying something different rather than being overly critical of a genre that just isn't my usual lane. With a little suspension of disbelief and by going into it knowing exactly what kind of story it was aiming to be, I ended up finding it really entertaining.
I'm generally not someone who gravitates toward insta-love or insta-family dynamics, but this novella still managed to deliver both the spice and emotional moments it promised. The more I listened, the more the story actually grew on me.
Favorite quote:
"I'm here for you. I'll be your shelter in the storm... as well as being the storm itself." — Kirill
Narration: As others have mentioned, the male narrator really had the perfect voice for this type of story and added a lot to the overall atmosphere. The female narration was more mixed for me personally. Her performance leaned younger and more energetic, which may have been an intentional choice considering the character dynamics and age gap in the story, but it wasn't fully my preference as a listener. I found myself more tolerating that narration style than connecting with it, although I did settle into it more as the audiobook continued.
This definitely falls outside my usual reading comfort zone. Dark romance, mafia romance, and some of the tropes here aren't typically what I gravitate toward, but lately I've been trying to push my reading boundaries a bit and sample genres I wouldn't normally pick up.
Going in, I was a little nervous that this was book 11 in a series, but it actually worked surprisingly well as a standalone. I never felt lost or like I was missing huge pieces of context.
I don't think I'm necessarily the target audience for dark romance, so I wanted to approach this from the perspective of someone trying something different rather than being overly critical of a genre that just isn't my usual lane. With a little suspension of disbelief and by going into it knowing exactly what kind of story it was aiming to be, I ended up finding it really entertaining.
I'm generally not someone who gravitates toward insta-love or insta-family dynamics, but this novella still managed to deliver both the spice and emotional moments it promised. The more I listened, the more the story actually grew on me.
Favorite quote:
"I'm here for you. I'll be your shelter in the storm... as well as being the storm itself." — Kirill
Narration: As others have mentioned, the male narrator really had the perfect voice for this type of story and added a lot to the overall atmosphere. The female narration was more mixed for me personally. Her performance leaned younger and more energetic, which may have been an intentional choice considering the character dynamics and age gap in the story, but it wasn't fully my preference as a listener. I found myself more tolerating that narration style than connecting with it, although I did settle into it more as the audiobook continued.
May 17, 2026
4.5/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️
4/5 🎙️
I received a free ALC from Victory Editing through NetGalley, which allowed me to share my honest thoughts.
This is a fun, fast paced spicy novella that is perfect for when you really want just a hint of plot. Do you like your dark, mafia romances to have an older MMC who is absolutely obsessed with the FMC while being absolutely lethal around his enemies? Are you a big fan of primal play with a masked MMC? Well, this might be for you.
Our love story starts out with a kidnapping, naturally, so you know we’re off to a good start. Honestly, this was such a fun time. They’re obviously obsessed with one another. I enjoyed that even though it’s a novella, we do get a full story. The epilogue wraps everything up really nicely with a bow, but even before then both characters have grown a lot.
The audiobook was done really well. It’s a duet style narration. Accents in audiobooks aren’t usually my favorite, but I think the production was really good. I would recommend the audiobook for sure. It added to the experience for me and it’s such a fast paced book that time really flew by.
3/5 🌶️
4/5 🎙️
I received a free ALC from Victory Editing through NetGalley, which allowed me to share my honest thoughts.
This is a fun, fast paced spicy novella that is perfect for when you really want just a hint of plot. Do you like your dark, mafia romances to have an older MMC who is absolutely obsessed with the FMC while being absolutely lethal around his enemies? Are you a big fan of primal play with a masked MMC? Well, this might be for you.
Our love story starts out with a kidnapping, naturally, so you know we’re off to a good start. Honestly, this was such a fun time. They’re obviously obsessed with one another. I enjoyed that even though it’s a novella, we do get a full story. The epilogue wraps everything up really nicely with a bow, but even before then both characters have grown a lot.
The audiobook was done really well. It’s a duet style narration. Accents in audiobooks aren’t usually my favorite, but I think the production was really good. I would recommend the audiobook for sure. It added to the experience for me and it’s such a fast paced book that time really flew by.
May 19, 2026
I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher, in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.
Overall rating: 3*
Writing: 3*
Characters: 2*
Pace: 4*
Spice: 4*
This was a really quick read, and a good introduction into mafia romance (of which I am a novice). The spice was really good, and the pace quick. There was some serious Insta-Love of which I am a bit dubious but it seemed to work. The audio was OK, the female narrater was excellent, but the Males fake russian accent was at times very comical. Would read more from this series and author as a whole.
Overall rating: 3*
Writing: 3*
Characters: 2*
Pace: 4*
Spice: 4*
This was a really quick read, and a good introduction into mafia romance (of which I am a novice). The spice was really good, and the pace quick. There was some serious Insta-Love of which I am a bit dubious but it seemed to work. The audio was OK, the female narrater was excellent, but the Males fake russian accent was at times very comical. Would read more from this series and author as a whole.
May 25, 2026
Very quick spicy mafia romance. Loved the dual POV and dual narration on the audiobook. This is #11 in a series, but can be read as a standalone. I’ve not read any of the others, but felt like I wasn’t missing anything having jumped in here.
The MMC captures the FMC and holds her telling her if she can run from him and get to a certain point he will let her go. This was an insta-love, kinky, spicy, with a bit of a plot, but not much character development. It’s still a great time. Honestly what I expect from a short novella like this. It also gave me some Beauty and the Beast vibes.
The MMC captures the FMC and holds her telling her if she can run from him and get to a certain point he will let her go. This was an insta-love, kinky, spicy, with a bit of a plot, but not much character development. It’s still a great time. Honestly what I expect from a short novella like this. It also gave me some Beauty and the Beast vibes.
May 22, 2026
I knew exactly what I was getting into here but still managed to be surprised. I wanting something naughty and unrealistic and apparently there's a whole series just with stories like this. It's spicy but so over-the-top. The voices are perfect for the characters, the innocent young lady and the growling bad guy with an accent.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this
This is a review of the audiobook.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this
This is a review of the audiobook.
April 5, 2026
-=- DNF: 42% -=-
I feel like me DNFing a novella is just sacrilegious 😭😭- I'm sorry, but I couldn't finish it. I feel like all the novellas by ER recently have started to read the same (ie. mafia guy with a girl who likes books). I miss when she used to experiment more with her characters and stories 😞.
I feel like me DNFing a novella is just sacrilegious 😭😭- I'm sorry, but I couldn't finish it. I feel like all the novellas by ER recently have started to read the same (ie. mafia guy with a girl who likes books). I miss when she used to experiment more with her characters and stories 😞.
May 19, 2026
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Quick and easy book. Insta love, typical mafia themes although he was technically morally gray, it was one of those morally grays that were "for a good cause" reasons.
I received the audiobook and it was okay. I didn't love the female narration.
Overall, just a basic mafia romance that didn't move the needle one way or the other.
Quick and easy book. Insta love, typical mafia themes although he was technically morally gray, it was one of those morally grays that were "for a good cause" reasons.
I received the audiobook and it was okay. I didn't love the female narration.
Overall, just a basic mafia romance that didn't move the needle one way or the other.
March 11, 2026
Tess and Kirill, their story is sweet, addictive and STEAMY. It starts with her walking home from work and she witnesses him unaliving someone. He takes her home with him and even though he won’t let her leave he takes great care of her. Emotions come into play, as does mask wearing, chasing and eventually lots of intimacy. A great read, that also includes wit, friendship and catching up with other mafia couples.
Ms Rose is the absolute queen of HEA epilogues.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ms Rose is the absolute queen of HEA epilogues.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 12, 2026
Reading this book was like watching a movie. It’s written in a way I can practically see it happening before my inner eye and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!
It’s fun, steamy, exciting, captivating and sweet (in its own way).
Go grab it for an afternoon/night of fun!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It’s fun, steamy, exciting, captivating and sweet (in its own way).
Go grab it for an afternoon/night of fun!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 27, 2026
(I received an ARC for this book)
Trigger Warnings include:
this is a captive/captor situation, mafia/Bratva violence on page included torture and murder, primal play
I randomly pick up books from this series, and I always know I’m going to enjoy these novellas. This is now my favorite of the series! There’s kidnapping, chasing it the woods with rewards, and most importantly: a vigilante kingpin who spoils the bookworm by taking care of her favorite indie authors and booksta-besties! Kirill is equal parts morally grey and gentle giant. And Tess saw that first hand. They weren’t off to the best start. She witnessed him about to kill someone, he takes her as his prisoner for safe keeping. And then we enter a modernized version of Beauty and the Beast territory. Kirill is like a grumpy billionaire in a Pakhan body. He shows his emotions by spoiling her in ways that are personal to her. He’s not a people person, but he is a Tess person. And Kirill is willing to do whatever needs to be done to ensure she stays by his side.
My Favorite Quotes:
• “I apologise for not abducting you at a time more to your liking.”
• “I won’t break you like that until you beg me to. But I’m going to make you desperate.”
• “Oh god!” “Your god isn’t here. Scream my name.”
• “I won’t tell anyone what a little sl!t you are for me. How you need to come after I catch you.”
• “Such a good girl. That’s it. You’re my good girl, taking my c!ck so well.”
• “You think I’d let the woman I love get away from me?”
• “I’ve been waiting forever for you.”
8/10 Dirty Birdy
3/10 Age Gap
3/10 Fake Relationship
6/10 Forced Proximity
5/10 Instalove
6/10 Mafia Romance
6/10 Series
This is my review for Stolen by the Mafia King
This is my review for Caught by the Kingpin
This is my review for Snatched by the Bratva
This is my review for Kidnapped by the Mafia Boss
This is my review for Held by the Bratva
This is my review for Nabbed by the Bratva
Trigger Warnings include:
this is a captive/captor situation, mafia/Bratva violence on page included torture and murder, primal play
I randomly pick up books from this series, and I always know I’m going to enjoy these novellas. This is now my favorite of the series! There’s kidnapping, chasing it the woods with rewards, and most importantly: a vigilante kingpin who spoils the bookworm by taking care of her favorite indie authors and booksta-besties! Kirill is equal parts morally grey and gentle giant. And Tess saw that first hand. They weren’t off to the best start. She witnessed him about to kill someone, he takes her as his prisoner for safe keeping. And then we enter a modernized version of Beauty and the Beast territory. Kirill is like a grumpy billionaire in a Pakhan body. He shows his emotions by spoiling her in ways that are personal to her. He’s not a people person, but he is a Tess person. And Kirill is willing to do whatever needs to be done to ensure she stays by his side.
My Favorite Quotes:
• “I apologise for not abducting you at a time more to your liking.”
• “I won’t break you like that until you beg me to. But I’m going to make you desperate.”
• “Oh god!” “Your god isn’t here. Scream my name.”
• “I won’t tell anyone what a little sl!t you are for me. How you need to come after I catch you.”
• “Such a good girl. That’s it. You’re my good girl, taking my c!ck so well.”
• “You think I’d let the woman I love get away from me?”
• “I’ve been waiting forever for you.”
8/10 Dirty Birdy
3/10 Age Gap
3/10 Fake Relationship
6/10 Forced Proximity
5/10 Instalove
6/10 Mafia Romance
6/10 Series
This is my review for Stolen by the Mafia King
This is my review for Caught by the Kingpin
This is my review for Snatched by the Bratva
This is my review for Kidnapped by the Mafia Boss
This is my review for Held by the Bratva
This is my review for Nabbed by the Bratva
March 13, 2026
"I'm going to kiss you, and it's going to feel like I'm claiming your soul."~Kirill😈
"Call me Stockholm Syndrome, because I'm in love with my kidnapper."~Tess🙀
"If I catch you, I keep you. Now run."~Kirill🫨
What a wild and unhinged story.😏🙃 It's crazy bananas, off the wall, but for these 2 characters, it kind of makes sense. Tess, 20, is walking home late from her job at the pub, and wellll.... she saw something peculiar. 2 men, struggling and fighting each other 🤼♂️, and let's just say, that one man, the bigger one, had a certain mask that lights up and it fell revealing his face. And Tess just had to look back and see his attractiveness and his long eyelashes.😍 Girl!! Ruun. Of course, she would notice how hot he looks.😳😄 And then he noticed her. Now she's running. Hard. Fast. Panicking. Keys are out. One path. Turn down another. There's her front door.... 🚪 Need to unlock it.🗝️ Ahhhhh. Nope!! Too late.😫☠️ Nabbed!!! She's going into his creepy van with the unalived guy.🚐 It's a serious and scary situation. And away they go.👋🏻 To the countryside, away from London and people.🥀🧱🧱🏰🧱🧱🥀 That's nerve-wracking.😬
You think you know what will happen next. Well, Ms Rose is about to put a twist in the plot and skate along the edge of romance, impulsivity, and forbidden lust.
🚩🚩Read the TWs. 18+ (maybe) read.🚩🚩
There's a lot of chaser and runner dynamics in this fast moving dark romance.🌳🌲🏃♀️💨💨🪵🏃🏻♂️💨💨🌲🌳 I'm not kidding. Tess runs and Kirill chases her. It's definitely foreplay.🤣🤣 I cracked up. It's a game. To gain the upper hand for wishes, exchanges between them. That man doesn't need anyone. But with Tess Summerfield, his lapochka, something snapped into place. Maybe his heart grew 3 sizes that night.😁✨🖤❤️✨ It can happen.lol
There's reasons why this Pakhan, this vigilante k!ll3r does the things that he does. Think Dexter Morgan.🔪 🩸🩸And Tess asks questions and Kirill, 38, shares them. Imagine a mobster monster, wealthy, powerful, a leader, spilling his secrets. He buys her things like books ((which I personally love, don't judge me😂)) and clothes. He cooks for her, makes her comfortable. Tess is crushing. They bond. They flirt. They get down and dirty in the forest. On his desk.😝🔥🌋🥵🌋🔥
The London's Maths Club and their wives. It's great to see them again.🥳 Kirill has been invited to join. Will he? He wants to share his extracurricular activities with Tess. Does she accept him fully? It's OTT insta but that's what makes it fun like a dark comedy, and a fast read. It's kooky and weird but not uncomfortable. One last run before making demands?👟👟😏 Tess, a young woman who always felt left out and behind, finds a person who needs her to stay. I can't get over that one demand. Half.🙉 Dangg. The epilogue is cute. If you want to read something different, check this book out. Nice book cover. Happy reading.*•>§<•*💖💖💖💖
👨🏻🔬🍭👩🏫Thank you to Ms Rose and Booksprout. The opinions shared here are my own.👩🏫🍭👨🏻🔬
"Call me Stockholm Syndrome, because I'm in love with my kidnapper."~Tess🙀
"If I catch you, I keep you. Now run."~Kirill🫨
What a wild and unhinged story.😏🙃 It's crazy bananas, off the wall, but for these 2 characters, it kind of makes sense. Tess, 20, is walking home late from her job at the pub, and wellll.... she saw something peculiar. 2 men, struggling and fighting each other 🤼♂️, and let's just say, that one man, the bigger one, had a certain mask that lights up and it fell revealing his face. And Tess just had to look back and see his attractiveness and his long eyelashes.😍 Girl!! Ruun. Of course, she would notice how hot he looks.😳😄 And then he noticed her. Now she's running. Hard. Fast. Panicking. Keys are out. One path. Turn down another. There's her front door.... 🚪 Need to unlock it.🗝️ Ahhhhh. Nope!! Too late.😫☠️ Nabbed!!! She's going into his creepy van with the unalived guy.🚐 It's a serious and scary situation. And away they go.👋🏻 To the countryside, away from London and people.🥀🧱🧱🏰🧱🧱🥀 That's nerve-wracking.😬
You think you know what will happen next. Well, Ms Rose is about to put a twist in the plot and skate along the edge of romance, impulsivity, and forbidden lust.
🚩🚩Read the TWs. 18+ (maybe) read.🚩🚩
There's a lot of chaser and runner dynamics in this fast moving dark romance.🌳🌲🏃♀️💨💨🪵🏃🏻♂️💨💨🌲🌳 I'm not kidding. Tess runs and Kirill chases her. It's definitely foreplay.🤣🤣 I cracked up. It's a game. To gain the upper hand for wishes, exchanges between them. That man doesn't need anyone. But with Tess Summerfield, his lapochka, something snapped into place. Maybe his heart grew 3 sizes that night.😁✨🖤❤️✨ It can happen.lol
There's reasons why this Pakhan, this vigilante k!ll3r does the things that he does. Think Dexter Morgan.🔪 🩸🩸And Tess asks questions and Kirill, 38, shares them. Imagine a mobster monster, wealthy, powerful, a leader, spilling his secrets. He buys her things like books ((which I personally love, don't judge me😂)) and clothes. He cooks for her, makes her comfortable. Tess is crushing. They bond. They flirt. They get down and dirty in the forest. On his desk.😝🔥🌋🥵🌋🔥
The London's Maths Club and their wives. It's great to see them again.🥳 Kirill has been invited to join. Will he? He wants to share his extracurricular activities with Tess. Does she accept him fully? It's OTT insta but that's what makes it fun like a dark comedy, and a fast read. It's kooky and weird but not uncomfortable. One last run before making demands?👟👟😏 Tess, a young woman who always felt left out and behind, finds a person who needs her to stay. I can't get over that one demand. Half.🙉 Dangg. The epilogue is cute. If you want to read something different, check this book out. Nice book cover. Happy reading.*•>§<•*💖💖💖💖
👨🏻🔬🍭👩🏫Thank you to Ms Rose and Booksprout. The opinions shared here are my own.👩🏫🍭👨🏻🔬
April 3, 2026
Nabbed by the Bratva is the twelfth book in the London Mafia Bosses. A sweet and spicy age gap instalove romance with an obsessed and possessive Bratva kingpin and his innocent girl. A woman caught in a mafia shootout becomes captive to a Bratva boss who forces her into a dangerous game of hunter and prey. Contains mature themes. This Tess and Kirill story which is told from a dual point of view. An unputdownable and absorbing addictive read. An amazing written story with two unlikely individuals and a twisty and complex storyline that captures the reader attention from the beginning and keeps you riveted and turning the pages until the end. Immerse yourself in this mesmerizing story filled with scorching hot panty-melting passion, longing, high-octane adventures, non-stop twists and turns, pulse-pounding drama and suspense.
A forced proximity romance, virgin heroine story, grumpy sunshine romance, billionaire romance, spicy romance, dark romance, he-falls-first-and the-hardest romance, Bratva romance, organize crime story, contemporary romance, protective alpha hero romance, morally-grey antihero romance, good girl x bad boy story, lust-at-first-sight romance, prey-predator romance, insta-everything romance, insta-love romance, taboo romance, off-limits romance, aged gap trope story, serial killer story, OTT possessive alpha hero romance with primal play, consensual intense rough sex, praise, bets and deals, fake date, DUB-CON, masked MMC, dirty talking, submission, dominance, jealous and possessive, laugh-out-loud-moments, obsession, power play, kidnapping, captivity, witty banter, humor, steamy, chase through the woods, Rom-Com, Stockholm syndrome and love.
Twenty-one year old Tess Summerfield is a struggling college student working several jobs including a pub at night to help herself through school and to make ends meet regardless of having roommates. She's studying to become a psychologist. She's a beautiful, blue-eyed, brown-hair curvy girl.
Late one night she was leaving her shift at the pub when she came upon a man in a neon mask with crossed out eyes with a grinning mouth unaliving a man. But the mask slips and she sees his face, gray-eyes and a scowl. In fear that she might be next she took off running, which led to a chase. Kirill Blackfen was the man who was killing the other man. He caught her and instead of killing her he kidnapped her and take her home his country estate and she became his captive. He didn't want to hurt her because he doesn't hurt the innocent only the perverts.
Kirill is a thirty-eight year old billionaire, morally-grey mafia boss, gorgeous and deranged. He's also the pakhan of the Blackfen Bratva and part of the London Mafia Syndicate. An unhinged vigilante justice killer who hunts and kill people who harm and rape children which irrevocably changes their lives. She begged and pleaded. But he was stone and tried to escape. But he anticipated her every move. Then finally he gives her a choice, play his game. She's the prey, he's the hunter. If she get away she wins her freedom. But if he catches her he'll hold her down and take everything. "Run if I catch you, I'll own you. Now run." He chased her through the woods and he caught her. Their chemistry was electrifying and scorching hot in the bedroom. They were each other soulmate. She's a book lover and he buys her book that she likes. Tess was feeling alone in this world until she meets Kirill. She accepts him for the man who he is and it got to the point where she joins him in his hobbies. She was the light to his darkness and the two fell hard for each other. We even had the guys from the London Maths Club which made the story more hilarious.
I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
A forced proximity romance, virgin heroine story, grumpy sunshine romance, billionaire romance, spicy romance, dark romance, he-falls-first-and the-hardest romance, Bratva romance, organize crime story, contemporary romance, protective alpha hero romance, morally-grey antihero romance, good girl x bad boy story, lust-at-first-sight romance, prey-predator romance, insta-everything romance, insta-love romance, taboo romance, off-limits romance, aged gap trope story, serial killer story, OTT possessive alpha hero romance with primal play, consensual intense rough sex, praise, bets and deals, fake date, DUB-CON, masked MMC, dirty talking, submission, dominance, jealous and possessive, laugh-out-loud-moments, obsession, power play, kidnapping, captivity, witty banter, humor, steamy, chase through the woods, Rom-Com, Stockholm syndrome and love.
Twenty-one year old Tess Summerfield is a struggling college student working several jobs including a pub at night to help herself through school and to make ends meet regardless of having roommates. She's studying to become a psychologist. She's a beautiful, blue-eyed, brown-hair curvy girl.
Late one night she was leaving her shift at the pub when she came upon a man in a neon mask with crossed out eyes with a grinning mouth unaliving a man. But the mask slips and she sees his face, gray-eyes and a scowl. In fear that she might be next she took off running, which led to a chase. Kirill Blackfen was the man who was killing the other man. He caught her and instead of killing her he kidnapped her and take her home his country estate and she became his captive. He didn't want to hurt her because he doesn't hurt the innocent only the perverts.
Kirill is a thirty-eight year old billionaire, morally-grey mafia boss, gorgeous and deranged. He's also the pakhan of the Blackfen Bratva and part of the London Mafia Syndicate. An unhinged vigilante justice killer who hunts and kill people who harm and rape children which irrevocably changes their lives. She begged and pleaded. But he was stone and tried to escape. But he anticipated her every move. Then finally he gives her a choice, play his game. She's the prey, he's the hunter. If she get away she wins her freedom. But if he catches her he'll hold her down and take everything. "Run if I catch you, I'll own you. Now run." He chased her through the woods and he caught her. Their chemistry was electrifying and scorching hot in the bedroom. They were each other soulmate. She's a book lover and he buys her book that she likes. Tess was feeling alone in this world until she meets Kirill. She accepts him for the man who he is and it got to the point where she joins him in his hobbies. She was the light to his darkness and the two fell hard for each other. We even had the guys from the London Maths Club which made the story more hilarious.
I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 20, 2026
ALC REVIEW: “Nabbed by the Bratva” Ahead Listeners Copy by Evie Rose and narrated by Brandon Francis and Lucy Rivers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I beg my captor, but he’s stone. I try to escape, but he anticipates my every move.
Finally, he gives me a choice.
Play his game. I’m the prey, he’s the hunter.
If I can get away, I win my freedom. If he catches me, he’ll hold me down and take everything.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot:
“Nabbed by the Bratva” follows Tess & Kirill as their story begins in London. When Tess is making her way home special circumstances put her in the eyes of Kirill, a mafia kingpin who is caught off guard by Tess. When he sees her, he decides right then and there, he was going to keep her forever.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SPOILERS AHEAD:
I enjoyed the story but I do have to say that I truly believe this story to its barebones was extremely superficial. The story premise is interesting, Kirill kidnaps Tess when she sees him without his mask- he states that he can’t let her go because she saw him but really he just wants to keep her. He stalks all her socials, amazon carts and what she likes to read and wear. He locks her in his compound and buys her everything. Tess genuinely thinks it is all a coincidence and that being held captive “ isn’t that bad.” While her naivety is part of her character, I found it to be a major eye roll. Tess is given an opportunity to escape every day to race to the outer edge of the compound, if she wins she can have three wishes/favors. If Kirill wins he gets the same. Needless to say she tries and fails to get to the edge- sometimes on purpose because she enjoys captivity. She falls in love within two days and the story ends with her reaching the edge and her wish being to stay with him. It was a very superficial story, falling in love immediately- but with a lot of spice. Even though Tess’s story is lackluster itself, It was fast and spicy and still enjoyable to listen to.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NO MORE SPOILERS:
Characters:
Tess for me wasn’t my favorite FMC. Although she really wasn’t necessarily bad or annoying, she was extremely naive and had no idea what was going on half the time. She truly believed a lot of what was happening to her was coincidence and it was insufferable to listen to. Unfortunately I highly disliked the narration for Tess’s character. It was high pitched, squeaky and aloof. It was hard to listen to because of all the terrible decisions she was making.
Kirill was an absolute pleasure as a MMC. His Russian accent was so good, the tone throughout the whole book was astoundingly good and he was so enticing! As well as his plot and background as a character was so good. The vocals, the actor for the character themselves did an amazing job and I’d happily listen to their voice in any other book!
PACING
The pacing was fast and enjoyable. It wasn’t drawn out and it was very easy to follow. I enjoyed the pacing except I believed the “time to fall in love” was WAY too short and unreasonable. They were in love and planning for the future within 48 hours of meeting, and it was immersion breaking.
THOUGHTS & CONCLUSION:
I am very grateful to NetGalley for providing the opportunity to listen to “Nabbed by the Bratva” and I have to say I had a great time listening to it. Was it completely unrealistic? Yes. Would anything that happened in this book remotely be possible? No. But I genuinely enjoyed the mmc, and I loved the premise of the “cat & mouse” chase games they play. I just felt the timeline was too short, and the fmc was annoying and her voice was not likeable. A very strong 3.5 star story that was worth the 4 hours of listening!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I beg my captor, but he’s stone. I try to escape, but he anticipates my every move.
Finally, he gives me a choice.
Play his game. I’m the prey, he’s the hunter.
If I can get away, I win my freedom. If he catches me, he’ll hold me down and take everything.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot:
“Nabbed by the Bratva” follows Tess & Kirill as their story begins in London. When Tess is making her way home special circumstances put her in the eyes of Kirill, a mafia kingpin who is caught off guard by Tess. When he sees her, he decides right then and there, he was going to keep her forever.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SPOILERS AHEAD:
I enjoyed the story but I do have to say that I truly believe this story to its barebones was extremely superficial. The story premise is interesting, Kirill kidnaps Tess when she sees him without his mask- he states that he can’t let her go because she saw him but really he just wants to keep her. He stalks all her socials, amazon carts and what she likes to read and wear. He locks her in his compound and buys her everything. Tess genuinely thinks it is all a coincidence and that being held captive “ isn’t that bad.” While her naivety is part of her character, I found it to be a major eye roll. Tess is given an opportunity to escape every day to race to the outer edge of the compound, if she wins she can have three wishes/favors. If Kirill wins he gets the same. Needless to say she tries and fails to get to the edge- sometimes on purpose because she enjoys captivity. She falls in love within two days and the story ends with her reaching the edge and her wish being to stay with him. It was a very superficial story, falling in love immediately- but with a lot of spice. Even though Tess’s story is lackluster itself, It was fast and spicy and still enjoyable to listen to.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NO MORE SPOILERS:
Characters:
Tess for me wasn’t my favorite FMC. Although she really wasn’t necessarily bad or annoying, she was extremely naive and had no idea what was going on half the time. She truly believed a lot of what was happening to her was coincidence and it was insufferable to listen to. Unfortunately I highly disliked the narration for Tess’s character. It was high pitched, squeaky and aloof. It was hard to listen to because of all the terrible decisions she was making.
Kirill was an absolute pleasure as a MMC. His Russian accent was so good, the tone throughout the whole book was astoundingly good and he was so enticing! As well as his plot and background as a character was so good. The vocals, the actor for the character themselves did an amazing job and I’d happily listen to their voice in any other book!
PACING
The pacing was fast and enjoyable. It wasn’t drawn out and it was very easy to follow. I enjoyed the pacing except I believed the “time to fall in love” was WAY too short and unreasonable. They were in love and planning for the future within 48 hours of meeting, and it was immersion breaking.
THOUGHTS & CONCLUSION:
I am very grateful to NetGalley for providing the opportunity to listen to “Nabbed by the Bratva” and I have to say I had a great time listening to it. Was it completely unrealistic? Yes. Would anything that happened in this book remotely be possible? No. But I genuinely enjoyed the mmc, and I loved the premise of the “cat & mouse” chase games they play. I just felt the timeline was too short, and the fmc was annoying and her voice was not likeable. A very strong 3.5 star story that was worth the 4 hours of listening!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2026
Tess Summerfield works at a pub late into the night, dreaming about the future that awaits once she finishes her psychology degree. The walk home is never exactly relaxing, but one night, it turns downright dangerous when she stumbles upon something she was never meant to see: a masked man doing something he shouldn’t. Tess runs. Unfortunately, she doesn’t get far. She soon finds herself the captive of Kirill Yakoviev, the Pakhan of Blackfen. Not exactly the kind of man you want to bump into on a dark street. What I love most about Evie’s books is her ability to sneak humor into the most unexpected situations, and this story delivers from the start. Because Kirill, terrifying mafia boss and vigilante killer, is also—very proudly—a computer geek (sorry, he prefers the term nerd.) So, what exactly is a self-proclaimed nerd doing out at night murdering people? Well, that would be related to his little “hobby.” However, when Tess accidentally sees his face, Kirill has no choice but to take her with him. The real question becomes: what do you do with a sweet, innocent girl you can’t simply release? Kirill’s answer is surprising—he spoils her. I loved how he hacked into her phone to see exactly what she liked. New clothes, her favorite foods, and, most importantly, books. So many books. In fact, pretty much every book Tess has ever wanted. It’s honestly hard to hate a man like that. Once the initial shock wears off, the dynamic between Tess and Kirill really shines. Their witty banter is delightful, especially when Tess insists, she absolutely could have escaped if she’d just had some warning. That claim leads to my absolute favorite element of the book: the chase. The rules are simple. Tess tries to escape, Kirill tries to catch her. The winner gets three favors—anything they want. You can probably guess who usually wins. As both a vigilante and a proud nerd, Kirill is far more comfortable with computers than people and frankly a bit of a recluse. I loved Tess’s attempts to “socialize” him by encouraging friendships with the other members of the London Mafia Syndicate. Their meeting was wonderfully awkward. She even tries convincing him to delegate the more gruesome parts of his nighttime hobby, though interestingly, she never actually asks him to stop entirely and later even finds herself joining him. While the name Blackfen had inspired fear among the other mafia bosses in previous books, Kirill didn’t feel quite as ruthless as I expected. I’d argue that Tess had something to do with that. It might sound strange to describe a mafia romance as a feel-good read, but that’s exactly how I always feel after finishing one of Evie’s London Mafia books. So, sit back and enjoy!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 13, 2026
He turns her fear into hunger, and his control into devotion.
Tess is used to feeling invisible, so when one terrible night puts her in the path of a man she should never have seen, her whole life cracks open. Kirill is ruthless, watchful, and impossible to escape, and once he takes her to his remote estate, fear starts bleeding into something darker, more intimate, and much harder to resist.
What begins as captivity turns into a brutal game of pursuit, restraint, and need, where Tess keeps testing the edges of her own courage while Kirill loses ground to an obsession he can't contain. The closer they get, the more the real danger shifts from what he might do to her to what happens when desire, control, and emotional hunger stop pretending to be separate things.
Tess grows from a frightened, lonely young woman trying to survive into someone more honest about her own desire and more certain about what she needs to feel secure and chosen. Kirill shifts from a controlled, isolated man who treats himself like a monster into someone whose obsession deepens into real vulnerability, devotion, and the terrifying reality of needing another person. Their bond moves from coercive tension and uneven power into something darker and more mutual, where pursuit becomes intimacy and possession starts giving way to choice.
Ultra-steamy, dark, age gap, captive and captor, primal play, morally gray, possessive hero, grumpy sunshine, forced proximity, Bratva romance, where fear, control, and desire tangle into a twisted path toward intimacy. At its core, it's about a lonely woman who wants to be chosen, a brutal man learning that devotion asks more of him than possession ever could, and a love story where danger and tenderness reshape them both.
The Elevator Pitch: After witnessing something she was never meant to see, a lonely young woman is taken by a dangerous man who should terrify her, yet every attempt to resist him draws her deeper into his dark and obsessive orbit. Trapped in his isolated world, she finds herself caught between fear and desire as control, hunger, and intimacy begin to blur. What starts as a ruthless act of possession becomes a volatile bond between two damaged people who may destroy each other or become the one place the other finally belongs.
Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥 Ultra-Steamy / Erotic Romance
Tess is used to feeling invisible, so when one terrible night puts her in the path of a man she should never have seen, her whole life cracks open. Kirill is ruthless, watchful, and impossible to escape, and once he takes her to his remote estate, fear starts bleeding into something darker, more intimate, and much harder to resist.
What begins as captivity turns into a brutal game of pursuit, restraint, and need, where Tess keeps testing the edges of her own courage while Kirill loses ground to an obsession he can't contain. The closer they get, the more the real danger shifts from what he might do to her to what happens when desire, control, and emotional hunger stop pretending to be separate things.
Tess grows from a frightened, lonely young woman trying to survive into someone more honest about her own desire and more certain about what she needs to feel secure and chosen. Kirill shifts from a controlled, isolated man who treats himself like a monster into someone whose obsession deepens into real vulnerability, devotion, and the terrifying reality of needing another person. Their bond moves from coercive tension and uneven power into something darker and more mutual, where pursuit becomes intimacy and possession starts giving way to choice.
Ultra-steamy, dark, age gap, captive and captor, primal play, morally gray, possessive hero, grumpy sunshine, forced proximity, Bratva romance, where fear, control, and desire tangle into a twisted path toward intimacy. At its core, it's about a lonely woman who wants to be chosen, a brutal man learning that devotion asks more of him than possession ever could, and a love story where danger and tenderness reshape them both.
The Elevator Pitch: After witnessing something she was never meant to see, a lonely young woman is taken by a dangerous man who should terrify her, yet every attempt to resist him draws her deeper into his dark and obsessive orbit. Trapped in his isolated world, she finds herself caught between fear and desire as control, hunger, and intimacy begin to blur. What starts as a ruthless act of possession becomes a volatile bond between two damaged people who may destroy each other or become the one place the other finally belongs.
Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥 Ultra-Steamy / Erotic Romance
May 25, 2026
Bookish Mafia Vibes That Never Miss 📖💣
If Evie Rose writes it, I’m automatically hitting play - and Nabbed by the Bratva is no exception. Her audiobooks are my comfort binge at this point. I adore the way she weaves in those signature bookish touches: mafia wives with book clubs, heroes secretly indulging in her “smut” reads, wishlist gifts… it just works.
Going in, I already expect a solid 4-star experience from her, and this one delivered. For me, that elusive fifth star always comes down to something extra - either a standout, unique twist in the storyline or narration that completely knocks it out of the park.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the story by Evie Rose
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 for the narration by Lucy Rivers🎙️
🔥🔥🔥 for the narration by Brandon Francis 🎙️
My all-time favorite audiobooks:
1️⃣Kingpin's Baby, with the 'death or donuts' game 🤣
2️⃣Accidentally Kidnapping the Mafia Boss, with Connor Crais speaking with an Irish accent 🥵
3️⃣Groom Gamble: Marrying the Boss
My favorite quotes:
What I loved:
🌶️the D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S. spice, duh, it's Evie Rose!
🏃➡️the mutual negotiation through primal play 👀
😁how he disses the London Maths Club
🪆he keeps throwing out Russian nicknames #swoon
💸when he buys her all.the.things: clothes, books,.. and cooks for her... 🫠
🎧their daughter's voice, his growls,... 🫠
🔚extended epilogue via the author's website
What I struggled with:
🪆the OTT (fake) Russian accent, I just... cannot 😬
What you need to know:
📚interconnected standalone, part of the London Mafia Bosses series
⌛novella (3 hrs and 59 mins)
🫂dual POV, 1st person
🎙️duet narration
❤️instalove
🧑💻online hacking/stalking
🖤rich bratva pakhan x struggling college student (with a 1001 jobs)
💖he falls first
🏠forced proximity
❌fake relationship
🧓age gap
😇virgin FMC
🛟low angst
❤️HEA
For the safety squad:
🌶️kinks: masked primal play, dirty talk, breeding kink,...
If Evie Rose writes it, I’m automatically hitting play - and Nabbed by the Bratva is no exception. Her audiobooks are my comfort binge at this point. I adore the way she weaves in those signature bookish touches: mafia wives with book clubs, heroes secretly indulging in her “smut” reads, wishlist gifts… it just works.
Going in, I already expect a solid 4-star experience from her, and this one delivered. For me, that elusive fifth star always comes down to something extra - either a standout, unique twist in the storyline or narration that completely knocks it out of the park.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the story by Evie Rose
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 for the narration by Lucy Rivers🎙️
🔥🔥🔥 for the narration by Brandon Francis 🎙️
My all-time favorite audiobooks:
1️⃣Kingpin's Baby, with the 'death or donuts' game 🤣
2️⃣Accidentally Kidnapping the Mafia Boss, with Connor Crais speaking with an Irish accent 🥵
3️⃣Groom Gamble: Marrying the Boss
My favorite quotes:
I can't help but smile. "No, I mean, why are they called the London Maths Club?" "Because it takes all of them to put two-and-two together."
What I loved:
🌶️the D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S. spice, duh, it's Evie Rose!
🏃➡️the mutual negotiation through primal play 👀
😁how he disses the London Maths Club
🪆he keeps throwing out Russian nicknames #swoon
💸when he buys her all.the.things: clothes, books,.. and cooks for her... 🫠
🎧their daughter's voice, his growls,... 🫠
🔚extended epilogue via the author's website
What I struggled with:
🪆the OTT (fake) Russian accent, I just... cannot 😬
What you need to know:
📚interconnected standalone, part of the London Mafia Bosses series
⌛novella (3 hrs and 59 mins)
🫂dual POV, 1st person
🎙️duet narration
❤️instalove
🧑💻online hacking/stalking
🖤rich bratva pakhan x struggling college student (with a 1001 jobs)
💖he falls first
🏠forced proximity
❌fake relationship
🧓age gap
😇virgin FMC
🛟low angst
❤️HEA
For the safety squad:
🌶️kinks: masked primal play, dirty talk, breeding kink,...
Review of advance copy
SPOILER ALERT: This review contains details that will ruin the story for those who haven’t read it yet. Proceed with caution!
The Quick & The Intense:
If you are looking for a "one-sitting" read, Napped by the Bratva definitely delivers. I flew through this in about two hours. It’s perfect for those moments when you want a high-octane romance that doesn’t demand a week-long commitment. The pace is relentless, and the excitement level stays high from the first page to the last.
The Characters and the Heat:
Despite the dark world they inhabit, the characters are surprisingly likable. Evie Rose has a knack for making you root for people you probably shouldn't. Even the hero—a murderous mob boss—has a certain charm that makes him hard to hate.
I also really enjoyed the steamy romance scenes; they were well-executed and added a lot of tension to the story. Their chemistry is undeniable, and seeing them reach that Happy Ending was easily my favorite part. I’m a sucker for a solid, satisfying conclusion, and this delivered exactly the closure I wanted.
The "Insta-Love" Factor:
However, the book isn't without its flaws. My main issue was that it jumps right into the action. There is almost no character building or buildup beforehand—you are dropped right into the kidnapping on page one.
It also felt a little unbelievable that the protagonist would fall in love with her captor after only two days. While I enjoy a fast-paced story, it was a bit of a stretch to see her fall so hard after:
Learning he is a professional killer.
Having her privacy completely invaded by his computer hacking.
Final Verdict:
If you can lean into the "insta-love" trope and don't mind a story that skips the preamble to get straight to the action, you’ll enjoy this. It’s a fast, spicy escape into the underworld.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Quick & The Intense:
If you are looking for a "one-sitting" read, Napped by the Bratva definitely delivers. I flew through this in about two hours. It’s perfect for those moments when you want a high-octane romance that doesn’t demand a week-long commitment. The pace is relentless, and the excitement level stays high from the first page to the last.
The Characters and the Heat:
Despite the dark world they inhabit, the characters are surprisingly likable. Evie Rose has a knack for making you root for people you probably shouldn't. Even the hero—a murderous mob boss—has a certain charm that makes him hard to hate.
I also really enjoyed the steamy romance scenes; they were well-executed and added a lot of tension to the story. Their chemistry is undeniable, and seeing them reach that Happy Ending was easily my favorite part. I’m a sucker for a solid, satisfying conclusion, and this delivered exactly the closure I wanted.
The "Insta-Love" Factor:
However, the book isn't without its flaws. My main issue was that it jumps right into the action. There is almost no character building or buildup beforehand—you are dropped right into the kidnapping on page one.
It also felt a little unbelievable that the protagonist would fall in love with her captor after only two days. While I enjoy a fast-paced story, it was a bit of a stretch to see her fall so hard after:
Learning he is a professional killer.
Having her privacy completely invaded by his computer hacking.
Final Verdict:
If you can lean into the "insta-love" trope and don't mind a story that skips the preamble to get straight to the action, you’ll enjoy this. It’s a fast, spicy escape into the underworld.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2026
Thank you Netgalley for the audio for review
Tess really did just try to mind her business… until she accidentally witnessed Kirill doing his very illegal extracurricular activities. So yes, he kidnaps her but only because she saw too much. The problem is that the second he gets her alone, he realizes he’s instantly, hopelessly attracted to her, and suddenly this whole “tie up loose ends” situation becomes “protect her with my life and also maybe buy her everything she’s ever wanted.”
The audiobook makes it even better. Brandon Francis gives Kirill that deep, accented, “I will kill for you but also make you breakfast” energy, and Lucy Rivers nails Tess’s perfect blend of panic, curiosity, and “why is this man kind of irresistible.” Together, they make the tension feel deliciously intimate.
Kirill is the best kind of murder‑cinnamon‑roll hybrid:
- Morally gray protector — terrifying to everyone except Tess
- Ethical‑ish violence — yes, he kills people, but they’re genuinely awful
- Restitution king — he literally compensates victims to make things right
- Bookish boyfriend energy — buys Tess every book on her wish list
- Acts of service overload — she admires a dress once and it magically appears in her closet
- Obsessed but gentle — he’d burn down a building, but he’ll also carry her tote bag
He’s a 10… but a little murdery.
👌🏾💯😂
Tess is smart, overwhelmed, and absolutely not prepared for this man who treats her with more care and devotion than anyone else ever has. She’s giving “I should be terrified… but he bought me the special‑edition hardcover I’ve been stalking for months.”
Overall, this audiobook is a fast, spicy, morally gray fever dream with danger, devotion, and a man who handles violence and gift‑giving with equal enthusiasm. If you want a quick listen where the kidnapping is accidental, the obsession is instant, and the romance is surprisingly tender, Nabbed by the Bratva delivers.
Tess really did just try to mind her business… until she accidentally witnessed Kirill doing his very illegal extracurricular activities. So yes, he kidnaps her but only because she saw too much. The problem is that the second he gets her alone, he realizes he’s instantly, hopelessly attracted to her, and suddenly this whole “tie up loose ends” situation becomes “protect her with my life and also maybe buy her everything she’s ever wanted.”
The audiobook makes it even better. Brandon Francis gives Kirill that deep, accented, “I will kill for you but also make you breakfast” energy, and Lucy Rivers nails Tess’s perfect blend of panic, curiosity, and “why is this man kind of irresistible.” Together, they make the tension feel deliciously intimate.
Kirill is the best kind of murder‑cinnamon‑roll hybrid:
- Morally gray protector — terrifying to everyone except Tess
- Ethical‑ish violence — yes, he kills people, but they’re genuinely awful
- Restitution king — he literally compensates victims to make things right
- Bookish boyfriend energy — buys Tess every book on her wish list
- Acts of service overload — she admires a dress once and it magically appears in her closet
- Obsessed but gentle — he’d burn down a building, but he’ll also carry her tote bag
He’s a 10… but a little murdery.
👌🏾💯😂
Tess is smart, overwhelmed, and absolutely not prepared for this man who treats her with more care and devotion than anyone else ever has. She’s giving “I should be terrified… but he bought me the special‑edition hardcover I’ve been stalking for months.”
Overall, this audiobook is a fast, spicy, morally gray fever dream with danger, devotion, and a man who handles violence and gift‑giving with equal enthusiasm. If you want a quick listen where the kidnapping is accidental, the obsession is instant, and the romance is surprisingly tender, Nabbed by the Bratva delivers.
May 26, 2026
This book is the dark romance fever dream that every villain obsessed girl needs in her life!
The opening immediately pulls you with the kidnapping of Tess (the FMC). The dual narrators do a fantastic job of illustrating the fear and tension building between the two characters in this scene. We are held on the edge of our seat as we find out just what the Kirill (the MMC) has in store for his little captive.
What follows is a fun and surprisingly adorable romance that blossoms between the “soft only for her” MMC and the book-loving, full of sunshine FMC. The plot feels very “beauty and the beast” with the captor/captive dynamic. The fake dating trope was a lovely twist, and with no third act break up typical for most romances, you are left with a quite satisfying happily ever after!
The relationship between the two main characters is every dark romance lovers dream. The MMC is dark and twisted, absolutely loves a chase, and the narrators leave you with no doubt that you are 100% his and his alone. He spoils the FMC rotten (he buys her a new e-reader and fills it with her favorite books!!) and is quite a reader himself (he loves to be “inspired”). Also, we love a consent king!
To the authors credit, this is a perfect example of how to write spice for spice sake, but unfortunately I personally prefer a little more plot with this amount of spice. The breeding/pregnancy trope was unfortunately just not for me.
Fans of dark and twisty MMCs that are only soft for her, need to meet this Kirill in your life. Dark romance lovers who prefer audiobooks that make you blush and kick your heels in the same chapter, consider this for your next spicy listen!
Thank you to the author Evie Rose, NetGalley, and Victory Editing Co-op for allowing me to listen to this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily, all opinions are my own.
Expect
🖤 captive/captor
🖤 only soft for her
🖤 mafia romance
🖤 forced proximity
🖤 fake dating
🖤 no third act break up
The opening immediately pulls you with the kidnapping of Tess (the FMC). The dual narrators do a fantastic job of illustrating the fear and tension building between the two characters in this scene. We are held on the edge of our seat as we find out just what the Kirill (the MMC) has in store for his little captive.
What follows is a fun and surprisingly adorable romance that blossoms between the “soft only for her” MMC and the book-loving, full of sunshine FMC. The plot feels very “beauty and the beast” with the captor/captive dynamic. The fake dating trope was a lovely twist, and with no third act break up typical for most romances, you are left with a quite satisfying happily ever after!
The relationship between the two main characters is every dark romance lovers dream. The MMC is dark and twisted, absolutely loves a chase, and the narrators leave you with no doubt that you are 100% his and his alone. He spoils the FMC rotten (he buys her a new e-reader and fills it with her favorite books!!) and is quite a reader himself (he loves to be “inspired”). Also, we love a consent king!
To the authors credit, this is a perfect example of how to write spice for spice sake, but unfortunately I personally prefer a little more plot with this amount of spice. The breeding/pregnancy trope was unfortunately just not for me.
Fans of dark and twisty MMCs that are only soft for her, need to meet this Kirill in your life. Dark romance lovers who prefer audiobooks that make you blush and kick your heels in the same chapter, consider this for your next spicy listen!
Thank you to the author Evie Rose, NetGalley, and Victory Editing Co-op for allowing me to listen to this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily, all opinions are my own.
Expect
🖤 captive/captor
🖤 only soft for her
🖤 mafia romance
🖤 forced proximity
🖤 fake dating
🖤 no third act break up
May 25, 2026
I received this ARC copy from Net Galley
Morally Black But Make It Bookish 👀🔪
This was the BEST kind of short dark romance…spicy, ridiculous, entertaining, and fully aware of what it was. If you’re here for realism? Wrong place. If you’re here for “my kidnapper is gorgeous” energy? Welcome. LOLOL
The chemistry absolutely carried this. I loved that the FMC wasn’t timid or silently terrified the entire time. She actually bantered back, which made the forced proximity dynamic way more fun. And honestly? Him hacking systems just to get her access to books was somehow both unhinged and weirdly adorable.
The trope lineup here was STACKED:
• Kidnapper/captive
• Forced proximity
• Age gap
• Virgin FMC
• Breeding kink 🌶️
• Morally black MMC who only softens for her
• Serial killer… but only for bad people 😭
The pacing worked really well for a shorter story too. The spice-to-plot ratio felt balanced enough that neither side overwhelmed the other.
The only thing that almost lost me was the narration. The accents took a while to adjust to, especially the MMC’s. At first it pulled me out of the story a little — though eventually it started giving strong Dimitri from Vampire Academy vibes which honestly helped, lol. The female narrator also had a slightly airy delivery that may not work for everyone, but overall I still liked the characters enough to stay invested.
Emotionally this wasn’t deep, but I also don’t think it was trying to be. This is a fast, spicy mafia fantasy read first and foremost — and it succeeds at that REALLY well.
Who should read/listen: If you love morally grey (or morally black 😅) mafia men, obsessive “only soft for her” energy, forced proximity, and high spice with banter — this is absolutely your lane. Just be prepared for the accents if you go the audiobook route.
Morally Black But Make It Bookish 👀🔪
This was the BEST kind of short dark romance…spicy, ridiculous, entertaining, and fully aware of what it was. If you’re here for realism? Wrong place. If you’re here for “my kidnapper is gorgeous” energy? Welcome. LOLOL
The chemistry absolutely carried this. I loved that the FMC wasn’t timid or silently terrified the entire time. She actually bantered back, which made the forced proximity dynamic way more fun. And honestly? Him hacking systems just to get her access to books was somehow both unhinged and weirdly adorable.
The trope lineup here was STACKED:
• Kidnapper/captive
• Forced proximity
• Age gap
• Virgin FMC
• Breeding kink 🌶️
• Morally black MMC who only softens for her
• Serial killer… but only for bad people 😭
The pacing worked really well for a shorter story too. The spice-to-plot ratio felt balanced enough that neither side overwhelmed the other.
The only thing that almost lost me was the narration. The accents took a while to adjust to, especially the MMC’s. At first it pulled me out of the story a little — though eventually it started giving strong Dimitri from Vampire Academy vibes which honestly helped, lol. The female narrator also had a slightly airy delivery that may not work for everyone, but overall I still liked the characters enough to stay invested.
Emotionally this wasn’t deep, but I also don’t think it was trying to be. This is a fast, spicy mafia fantasy read first and foremost — and it succeeds at that REALLY well.
Who should read/listen: If you love morally grey (or morally black 😅) mafia men, obsessive “only soft for her” energy, forced proximity, and high spice with banter — this is absolutely your lane. Just be prepared for the accents if you go the audiobook route.
March 12, 2026
Another excellent mafia romance by Evie Rose, who always comes up with another unique take of the London Mafia Syndicate gang and manages to make me laugh, swoon, and gasp with each fresh new version. It is amazing how she can write the Kingpins to be a combination of sweet and brutal and make it believable. In this book, the sweet and naïve virgin is Tess Summerfield, who works hard to make ends meet, including working at a pub at night. Tess was on her way home from work late one night when she happened upon something she shouldn’t have seen. A man wearing a mask was unaliving another. Not sure what to do, she ran, not knowing that the unaliver was into primal play. Tess ran but was caught by Kirill Blackfen, the Pakhan of Blackfen. Kirill kidnapped her and took her to his estate. Tess was afraid of Kirill, but was also fascinated by him, too. Kirill, in turn, was fascinated by Tess. The book follows their story from enemies to lovers as they engage in their shared love for kinky running games.
The book is a steamy, dark, mafia, age-gap romance that features a well-crafted storyline. Rose excels with character development and world building. I adore the dynamics of the London Maths Club/London Mafia Syndicate. Their meeting was one of my favorite parts of the story. I could not stop laughing as Blackfen tried to socialize. The author’s descriptive prose is so good you feel like you are in the moment with the characters. Overall, this was another fantastic book by Rose, and I definitely recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The book is a steamy, dark, mafia, age-gap romance that features a well-crafted storyline. Rose excels with character development and world building. I adore the dynamics of the London Maths Club/London Mafia Syndicate. Their meeting was one of my favorite parts of the story. I could not stop laughing as Blackfen tried to socialize. The author’s descriptive prose is so good you feel like you are in the moment with the characters. Overall, this was another fantastic book by Rose, and I definitely recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 15, 2026
Nabbed by the Bratva was a faced-paced, insta-love, he's in the mafia but focuses on the tech size of the business and unalives people who take advantage of others, and the FMC is a relatively naive go with the flow personality. Overall I rated this a three-star story, and it would have been a four-star if there was just a touch more about why the MMC felt drawn to the FMC. The story opens with the MMC kidnaping the FMC because she saw him unalive someone. However, he instantly treats her better, orders her the books she likes, an e-reader, clothes she has saved on social media sites, etc., and calls her a pet name from the very start. There was spice mixed in throughout the whole story, some chasing through the woods surrounding his property, but nothing against her will or that would cause the FMC harm. I was gifted a ALC of Nabbed by the Bratva and thought the narrators did a great job, 5-stars on that account. I do not speak Russian at all, and so I have no clear reference point for what exactly a Russian-English speaking accent would be......BUT I think the male narrator did a fantastic job and the accent he used while narrating was good in my opinion. I also like the female narrator spoke with a slight British accent since the story is set in England just outside of London. So overall this was a fun, fast read and one I definitely recommend listening to! Thank you to author Evie Rose, NetGalley, and Audio ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for allowing me to be a part of the ALC team.
#NabbedByTheBratva #EvieRose #NetGalley #MafiaRomanceBooks
#NabbedByTheBratva #EvieRose #NetGalley #MafiaRomanceBooks
May 20, 2026
Story 3/5
Spice 3.5/5
Audiobook Narration 4/5
Tropes: Mafia Romance, Captor/Captive, Age Gap, Opposites Attract, Stockholm Syndrome, Instalove, Masked MMC, Morally Grey MMC, Chase
Overall, this is a fun story, its fast paced, not too dark, not too serious, possibly the "lightest" mafia romance I have ever read. If you want something quick and easy to read this is a good choice.
Where this book lost points for me is that the timeline of the relationship from the FMC being kidnapped to falling in love with her captor is very fast, I am not big on the instalove trope. I wanted more fight from the FMC, but nope, she had Stockholm syndrome after day one... girl make him work for it. When I am reading a book where the FMC falls for her captor I want a slow burn, I want HATE to love, this one was lacking all of it. All the MMC had to do was a little hacker research into her interests and she gave in, he didn't even grovel, and there was little to no resistance from her when things started to get spicy. The MMC is morally grey, but it was a lot more tell than show, maybe I read too much dark romance, but as a reader I didn't get to experience the brutality that I expect of someone in the Bratva.
The story is not terrible, but there are better mafia romances out there.
The audiobook is duet narration, which was the main reason I chose this book. Personally, I just wasn't a big fan of the main character's accents. The FMCs very posh British accent and the MMCs Russian accent were more stereotypical than authentic. I have listened to other books performed by these narrators and this was not their best work.
Spice 3.5/5
Audiobook Narration 4/5
Tropes: Mafia Romance, Captor/Captive, Age Gap, Opposites Attract, Stockholm Syndrome, Instalove, Masked MMC, Morally Grey MMC, Chase
Overall, this is a fun story, its fast paced, not too dark, not too serious, possibly the "lightest" mafia romance I have ever read. If you want something quick and easy to read this is a good choice.
Where this book lost points for me is that the timeline of the relationship from the FMC being kidnapped to falling in love with her captor is very fast, I am not big on the instalove trope. I wanted more fight from the FMC, but nope, she had Stockholm syndrome after day one... girl make him work for it. When I am reading a book where the FMC falls for her captor I want a slow burn, I want HATE to love, this one was lacking all of it. All the MMC had to do was a little hacker research into her interests and she gave in, he didn't even grovel, and there was little to no resistance from her when things started to get spicy. The MMC is morally grey, but it was a lot more tell than show, maybe I read too much dark romance, but as a reader I didn't get to experience the brutality that I expect of someone in the Bratva.
The story is not terrible, but there are better mafia romances out there.
The audiobook is duet narration, which was the main reason I chose this book. Personally, I just wasn't a big fan of the main character's accents. The FMCs very posh British accent and the MMCs Russian accent were more stereotypical than authentic. I have listened to other books performed by these narrators and this was not their best work.
March 16, 2026
Okay romance readers… this one had me hooked from page one. If you love a dangerous mafia man paired with a completely relatable heroine, Nabbed by the Bratva delivers that delicious mix of tension, danger, and unexpected heat.
Tess is just trying to survive life—working, going to school, and spending her limited free time lost in her Kindle romance reads (honestly… relatable queen behavior). One late walk home changes everything when she accidentally witnesses something she definitely wasn’t meant to see. Enter Kirill, the ruthless Bratva boss who solves problems permanently… except this time.
Instead of eliminating the witness, Kirill kidnaps Tess and offers her a twisted deal: if she can outrun him across his secluded estate, she earns her freedom. What begins as a dangerous game quickly ignites into something far more intense. The chase becomes charged with tension, curiosity, and a magnetic pull neither of them expected.
Kirill is the perfect dark-romance antihero—cold, calculating, and terrifying to everyone except the woman he suddenly can’t stop watching. And Tess? She’s the quiet, introverted heroine who doesn’t believe someone like him could ever truly want someone like her… which makes their dynamic even more addictive to read.
If you enjoy mafia romances where the villain becomes hopelessly intrigued with the woman he should never keep, this one is an absolute binge-read.
And honestly… a heroine who reads romance novels getting swept into her own dark Bratva fantasy? I was sold immediately.
Tess is just trying to survive life—working, going to school, and spending her limited free time lost in her Kindle romance reads (honestly… relatable queen behavior). One late walk home changes everything when she accidentally witnesses something she definitely wasn’t meant to see. Enter Kirill, the ruthless Bratva boss who solves problems permanently… except this time.
Instead of eliminating the witness, Kirill kidnaps Tess and offers her a twisted deal: if she can outrun him across his secluded estate, she earns her freedom. What begins as a dangerous game quickly ignites into something far more intense. The chase becomes charged with tension, curiosity, and a magnetic pull neither of them expected.
Kirill is the perfect dark-romance antihero—cold, calculating, and terrifying to everyone except the woman he suddenly can’t stop watching. And Tess? She’s the quiet, introverted heroine who doesn’t believe someone like him could ever truly want someone like her… which makes their dynamic even more addictive to read.
If you enjoy mafia romances where the villain becomes hopelessly intrigued with the woman he should never keep, this one is an absolute binge-read.
And honestly… a heroine who reads romance novels getting swept into her own dark Bratva fantasy? I was sold immediately.
May 20, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing Co-op for providing me with an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
I enjoyed this audiobook. The narrators did great character work and overall the listening experience was good.
Tess is taken by Kirill after being in the wrong place at the wrong time and witnessing him kill someone. Suddenly Kirill has to find a way to keep a captive to keep his secret when he's very much used to just killing people.
The Stockholm Syndrome is strong in this. The plot takes a backseat to the romance. This is a fast burn, be ready for the spice🥵🌶️. I'll be honest, I wanted a bit more character development. There's a trope where red flags start to look green and the red flags were waving but was I left wanting more buildup to make me believe those flags were green. So instead of thinking "This love is toxic but I love it, I'm rooting for them." I kept thinking "Danger, Will Robinson! Girl, get out of there!" 😅
This audiobook is a novella. It's fast, spicy, and dramatic. The narrators accent work kept me in the story. Reading this felt like having a summer vacay fling, fun and light.
That said, I gave it 3/5 stars, which Goodreads defines as "liked it"because I did. As mafia romances go, I personally like mine darker, with more violence, threats, and shows of power. This one was lighter on all of that.
I think this is for readers who like insta-lust/love, are new to mafia romance, fans of age gap, captive/captor dynamics, and low angst/tension. If that sounds like you, give it a shot!
I enjoyed this audiobook. The narrators did great character work and overall the listening experience was good.
Tess is taken by Kirill after being in the wrong place at the wrong time and witnessing him kill someone. Suddenly Kirill has to find a way to keep a captive to keep his secret when he's very much used to just killing people.
The Stockholm Syndrome is strong in this. The plot takes a backseat to the romance. This is a fast burn, be ready for the spice🥵🌶️. I'll be honest, I wanted a bit more character development. There's a trope where red flags start to look green and the red flags were waving but was I left wanting more buildup to make me believe those flags were green. So instead of thinking "This love is toxic but I love it, I'm rooting for them." I kept thinking "Danger, Will Robinson! Girl, get out of there!" 😅
This audiobook is a novella. It's fast, spicy, and dramatic. The narrators accent work kept me in the story. Reading this felt like having a summer vacay fling, fun and light.
That said, I gave it 3/5 stars, which Goodreads defines as "liked it"because I did. As mafia romances go, I personally like mine darker, with more violence, threats, and shows of power. This one was lighter on all of that.
I think this is for readers who like insta-lust/love, are new to mafia romance, fans of age gap, captive/captor dynamics, and low angst/tension. If that sounds like you, give it a shot!
May 20, 2026
Nabbed by the Bratva by Evie Rose was such a fun, short listen that definitely lands on the lighter side of mafia romance. The setup is classic romance logic: girl witnesses a murder ➝ mobster kidnaps girl so she can’t talk ➝ mobster decides to keep her ➝ girl is absolutely NOT upset about this arrangement. 😂
You know all those TikToks about the bookworm who gets kidnapped by a masked stranger and instead of reacting like a normal terrified human, she immediately turns into an eager little chaos gremlin because she’s read 700 mafia romances and has mentally prepared for this exact situation? That is Tess. (and me- yes- I totally relate to Tess) Honestly, Tess is the embodiment of every romance reader secretly convinced they could survive a fictional kidnapping because they’ve consumed enough smutty mafia books to qualify for a “Stockholm Syndrome Survival Manual.” And let’s be real… this mobster buys her books, so obviously he’s husband material. 📚🔪❤️ (He's a Keeper!!)
I genuinely loved the banter in this one. It stayed spicy and playful without leaning too heavily into the super dark side that mafia romance can sometimes dive into. And the narration? SO GOOD. Duet narration is already one of my favorite formats, but pairing Lucy Rivers and Brandon Francis was a killer combination (yes, pun absolutely intended 😏). Lucy’s prim-and-proper British accent for Tess contrasted perfectly against Brandon’s deep Russian accent that basically melted Tess’s panties on contact. Definitely an excellent read and will recommend.
You know all those TikToks about the bookworm who gets kidnapped by a masked stranger and instead of reacting like a normal terrified human, she immediately turns into an eager little chaos gremlin because she’s read 700 mafia romances and has mentally prepared for this exact situation? That is Tess. (and me- yes- I totally relate to Tess) Honestly, Tess is the embodiment of every romance reader secretly convinced they could survive a fictional kidnapping because they’ve consumed enough smutty mafia books to qualify for a “Stockholm Syndrome Survival Manual.” And let’s be real… this mobster buys her books, so obviously he’s husband material. 📚🔪❤️ (He's a Keeper!!)
I genuinely loved the banter in this one. It stayed spicy and playful without leaning too heavily into the super dark side that mafia romance can sometimes dive into. And the narration? SO GOOD. Duet narration is already one of my favorite formats, but pairing Lucy Rivers and Brandon Francis was a killer combination (yes, pun absolutely intended 😏). Lucy’s prim-and-proper British accent for Tess contrasted perfectly against Brandon’s deep Russian accent that basically melted Tess’s panties on contact. Definitely an excellent read and will recommend.
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