Gamble with Me

by Sissi Grandeur

After discovering that her husband lost all their money, Valeria makes a life-changing decision and is determined to leave him. However, she doesn't expect him to forbid her from taking their daughter with her. Valeria stays in a loveless relationship only because of her baby girl, but her life worsens when her once caring husband turns into a violent monster.

Zyon Zhumagulov is everything an actual crime lord should be. He's dangerous, violent, and ruthless, and he never cared for the consequences of his actions. As the head of an infamous crime family, he is a bloodthirsty alpha male who stops at nothing to reach his goal. And when his eyes land on the gorgeous manager in a casino, the terrifying hunt will start.


Zyon

Valeria Kellerman was a cutie and a stunning beauty, but I would never admit to anyone that she had made an impression and impact on my stone-cold heart, similar to a nuclear bomb in Nagasaki.
Even my sleep-deprived brain knew that if the rock in my chest started beating faster, looking into those wide grey-blue eyes, it was weird at best.
Nothing could bring me to life, but the redhead goddess who had just left was very close to waking up that stupid thing with feelings and emotions from a years-long slumber.

Valeria

Zyon Zhumagulov was like a fist, punched straight in the middle of the face. He was shocking and frightening, creepy and scary like he just walked out of some freak show; one glance into his sinister eyes could probably make me pee myself.
But at the same time, I found him oddly mesmerizing. I felt weird tingling in my stomach, traveling through my entire body, poisoning my cells, nerves, and thoughts.
He was like a dragon, ready to breathe fire and destroy everyone and everything in his path, yet maybe, just maybe, we were lucky enough, and he honored us with his presence because he was in a good mood.

Author's The book Gamble with Me is dark and contains heavy themes and scenes. Please check your triggers.

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Dark, Romance, Forced Proximity, Audiobook, M F Romance

465 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 2, 2025

About the author

Sissi Grandeur is an author with a romantic heart and a passion for steamy, sexy stories. Her interest in different lifestyles and people’s desires inspired her to write a romance novel on her own. In her books, you mostly find dark, brooding men falling in love with ordinary, strong women who, despite their fears and insecurities, are ready to face the challenges that a new life could bring.

If you’re interested in newsletter, free e-book, or other informations about the author, visit this link: https://linktr.ee/sissi.k.grandeur

Reviews

[Natalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have rated higher if the h wasn't so annoying. Her actions were so stupid at times it drove me nuts.

I've said it, and I'm saying it again, I CALL DIBS ON MALIN!!! I'm all in for the quiet, dark, and slightly psycho type!!!

Just hope he doesn't get settled with a Teen...

[Alexandra Doda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Actually I DNF this book, is a big no for me.
Oh, brilliant. H disguises himself as h, goes full body paint to hide his tattoos, and somehow — miracle of miracles — the paint stays perfectly intact during sex. Not even a smudge. And instead of being terrified that some random creep is impersonating someone she knows, she’s into it. Of course. Because nothing says ‘romance’ like sleeping with a total stranger you can’t even recognize. Genius. Absolute storytelling masterclass.

[Jaqui · Rating 1 out of 5]

The FMC was actually INSUFFERABLE

I don’t think I’ve hated a FMC more, she was so annoying, she made me want to bang my head against a wall. The two MC’s sucked at communicating literally 90% of everything could have been avoided in this book with them just speaking to one another, I get the miscommunication troupe, but to do it for 80% of the book BE FOR REAL. Also, I wish this book didn’t include a child whatsoever, the child felt like an accessory to the FMC, she showed limited consideration for the child, when the whole point of her being in her situation was because she apparently cared for her child so much. 90% of the time her child wasn’t even with her, the rest of the time she was allowing her child to be alone around a man who SA and physically ass*ulted her. I was so close to DNF this book and I wish I could get back the hours I spent yawning through the pages.

[Cole Branham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zyon and Valeria are perfect for each other!!

So dark mafia romance? stalker romance? and gambling/poker is involved? sign me up and boy did bluenose sign me up for a really great audiobook this time. We have gamble with me and just like it sounds it revolves around casinos and things of that nature, but we also have the dark mafia aspect with our MMC and his two brothers. This story falls Valeria and Zyon. Valeria is currently in a failing marriage. Her husband Chester is a absolutely awful person. He has basically used all their money for his gambling dance and has gotten involved with the wrong type of people in a rival mob gang. While working one night at the casino, she meets the Zhumagulov brothers, but catches the eye of Zyon. From that first moment, they’re both completely obsessed with one another. There are two things in this book after their first meeting they absolutely love because it’s just showing how powerful that first meeting was for both of them. Not only has Valeria, caught the eye of Zyon, she’s Kathy of a mystery stalker or is it a mystery you’ll have to read it to find out. This book is narrated in duet by the amazing Joe Arden and the phenomenal Michelle Sparks. Whenever I was listening to this, all I could think of Michelle‘s voice was Addie from haunting and Hunting Adaline. She just brings in that type of attitude with this book and she did absolutely great job with this. With Joe he goes through an range of characters in with one of the brothers, we get a little bit of that Jonas voice from shutter and speak so it’s nice to hear them both bringing out these familiar voices that we have all heard before. Growing up I absolutely loved playing poker so it was nice in this book to kind of get some of those casino games getting to be seen like poker, blackjack, roulette. just brought a little bit of a smile on my face when I saw the book name and I was like I really hope there’s like a big poker game in here or poker mentioned because that was one of my favorite card game is growing up, so it was really nice to get to see that in this book too. I just wanna take a quick moment to again say thank you so much to Blue Nose AUDIO for allowing me to get to listen to this early, thank you so much to the author for writing this amazing story and thank you so much to Joe and Michelle for doing such phenomenal freaking jobs when it came to narrating this!!

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be honest, I DNF'd this book at 21%. The premise of the story was good, but the writing was disappointing. The inner dialogue of all of the characters was cringey, full of cliches, had weird analogies, and rambled endlessly. The FMC would jump from being sassy and bold to meek and whiny in the same sentence. The transitions between scenes were jarring, and sometimes didnt make sense. There were times I would be confused about where the scene was, or if it had changed from the previous line.
Overall, a frustrating read that I couldn't even finish.

[fionatheresia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

The MMC‘s obsession with the FMC needs to be studied.

The way he stalked her? Chefs kiss if my men ain’t like that I don’t want him.

The scene when he won them at gambling? Where he asked her if the thing he offered where enough?

Also not him saying her daughter is his… literally swooning, he showed her what a real dad is like and I couldn’t love him more for that.

They deserve the world.

[meisha 📖🕯️🍰 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ I see the effort and vision but this book was just way too long and repetitive. It was extremely boring at times, wouldn’t read again. I also didn’t rlly like any of the main characters like how did y’all even fall in love????

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐-> ♾️🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶🌶.275


🖤 Dark Mafia Romance
✨️ Stalker/Masked Man
🖤 He Falls First
✨️ Obsessive/Possessive MMC
🖤 Age Gap
✨️ Billionaire
🖤 Touch Her & You ☠️

⚠️ CHECK YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS ⚠️


✨️📖 On To The Book Review 📖✨️

Where do I begin with these two characters? Valeria and were two of the most magnetic people that had the chemistry that really made you take a second and appreciate it!

Valeria was in such a bad predicament! I couldn't help but feel bad for her in every aspect. She wanted nothing more htan to be a good mom and not continually have to bail her husband out at times. He was a freaking nightmare of all nightmares!! I couldn't imagine being in the same room, much less be in a marriage with him.

I couldn't imagine what that would be line day in and day out. Especially with her daughter! That poor baby girl wanted nothing more than to be cherished and loved. I loved the realtionship that she had with Zyon! He truly wanted to love her and treat her like the princess she is!

Valeria truly went through it and fell for the masked stalker that came to find her time and time again! I loved this aspect of the book! I've never been a huge lover of the stalker trope but this really sold me on it!! Not to mention the things that they both do for the stalker aspect. The hidden camera, the texts, and whisking her away to their warehouse to have time "together.'"

Zyon was the obsessive and possessive man that you want after you, Baby!!! He would burnt he world down for Valeria, and not once feel bad for anything. Which is soo valid, especially when it comes to her husband. He deserved the worst of the worst, because he was the WORST! But Zyon went and did the MOST to make sure that Valeria and her baby girl were taken care of. Could it have been done earlier than it was? Yes, it could have shaved off like 50 pages. But that doesn't mean I wasn't on the edge of my seat the WHOLE time waiting to see what was happening next. I was grocery shopping and I had to stop mid-aisle so that I could wait for whatever to happen!

I have seen a ton of other reviews that weren't in favor of the book. I question did we read the same book? I think if they would have listened like I did, it would have been a better experience. I loved that I was on the edge of my seat with every chapter!!

I cannot wait to see what the next book brings us!!


✨️ All opinions are my own, honest, and voluntary✨️.

[Kayla Berger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book — I finished it in under 12 hours because I just couldn’t put it down. My heart broke for Valeria and Zara and everything they survived with Chester. Watching their pain made the story hit even harder.

But seeing the way Zyon stepped up, protected them, and claimed Zara as his own so quickly genuinely meant the world to me. The way he treated both Valeria and Zara felt like the first real safety they’d had in a long time, and it changed everything. It made their healing feel possible.

I’m really hoping we get to see more of their future — what their life looks like now, how Valeria adjusts to happiness, and how Zara grows with someone who finally chooses her. I’m especially excited for the second book with Nina and Dorian, and I’m hoping we get updates or scenes that show how Zyon, Valeria, and Zara are doing.

Definitely one of my favorite reads of the year.
Emotional, intense, heartbreaking, and healing in all the right places.

[Desi · Rating 1 out of 5]

This story was so forgettable that I have to look at the summary on google to rejog my brain on what happened and the feelings I had whilst reading this. It follows our FMC, Valeria a woman stuck in an abusive, loveless marriage and the MMC Zyon a businessman and rising mafia leader. What made me give this book one star are the dumb choices made by Valeria, she pissed me off at every turn with every decision she made. From meeting Zyon to the end of the book, it was chapter after chapter of stupidity. Her only justification for all the nonsensical actions was her doing it for her daughter but consistently putting her daughter in more danger which completely threw me out the window. Zyon was also stupid for falling for a woman hellbent on making dumb decisions that put them both in danger. Their love was nothing, but physical attraction enhanced by the forbidden aspect because she was marriage, nothing more. The spice was good though.

[AReadsBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75⭐️
The premise and the idea is good but the characters aren’t very likable and the plot is hole-y and it could use some editing. The biggest problem I have is the inner monologue and the dialogue is very…almost childish…like they’re supposed to be these 40 year old mafia men and they’re thinking and acting like 14 year olds.
So as far as stalker dark mafia books go the idea is good but the execution is kinda meh

[Miska · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I must say I was very pleased and surprised how this book and story was written. To answer probably the number one question: yes it is the most topical mafia romance… and no I don’t think it’s that realistic. On the other hand what is very realistic was domestic violence.. I must say that I almost felt everything and in this case it was pretty much real… the only thing I would point out as little bit annoying was the MC, specifically the way she handled things. She has literally a mob boss behind her and he told her he will help with anything and she still doesn’t ask for that help…

[Tannie🦋 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started another book of her and honestly didn’t like it, BUT this one wow! Amazing!

[Asha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Man

He may need therapy. Ok he does. But this man loves his woman and not just in the “I’ll burn the world down “ kind of way either.

[STXBookLover · Rating 4 out of 5]

4

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hated every second of it. The daughter Could have been nonexistent, she wasn’t practically there. Miss Girl Is being beated up and stalked but falling in love (not by the same men). Just do yourself a favor and read another book

[Janet Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gamble With Me
Sissi Grandeur
Wow wow wow!!! The chemistry between the two main characters is hot! Valeria is it a horrible marriage but there’s only there for one reason because of her daughter. Zyon is the leader of the Mob as well as the triplet. When Valeria meet Zyon at the casino that she works for which he owns their connection is instant, and the chemistry is unreal. Don’t let the number of pages scare you because trust me once you pick this book up, you won’t want to put it down. There are many ups downs all the way arounds lol she did a great job with this book! I will remember this one for sure!

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝖣𝖺𝗋𝗄 𝖬𝖺𝖿𝗂𝖺 𝖱𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾• 𝖲𝗍𝖺𝗅𝗄𝖾𝗋 𝖱𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾 • 𝖠𝗀𝖾 𝖦𝖺𝗉 𝖳𝗈𝗎𝖼𝗁 𝖧𝖾𝗋 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖣𝗂𝖾 • 𝖯𝗈𝗌𝗌𝖾𝗌𝗌𝗂𝗏𝖾 • 𝖬𝖬𝖢 𝖡𝗂𝗅𝗅𝗂𝗈𝗇𝖺𝗂𝗋𝖾 • 𝖪𝗂𝖽𝗇𝖺𝗉𝗉𝗂𝗇𝗀

"𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚 𝑮𝒐𝒅. 𝑰𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅, 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝑮𝒐𝒅, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕, 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆, 𝒎𝒚 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒅𝒐 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖.” 𝒚𝒐𝒖

Going into this book, I honestly wasn’t sure how I would feel or if I’d end up DNFing it altogether. Cheating is a hard no for me in books, and it’s usually the fastest way for me to walk away from a story. It was definitely challenging to get past at first, but as the story unfolded, I found myself actively wishing something terrible would happen to the husband… which says a lot.

"𝒀𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕, 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂," 𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅, 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒔 𝒃𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒌𝒔. "𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏'𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕."

I did receive the ALC for this book, and Sissi Grandeur is a new-to-me author I would absolutely read again. As always, Michelle Sparks and Joe Arden did a phenomenal job bringing this story to life. The pain and emotion were so intense that you could truly feel them, and that’s where the audiobook really shined. I was completely hooked from start to finish, so much so that I had to keep finding things to do around the house just to keep listening. Honestly, if I had read this instead of listened to it, I’m not sure it would have held my attention as well. I think the story could have benefited from a bit more plot development.

“𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒇 𝒊𝒕 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒎𝒐𝒏 𝒄œ𝒖𝒓. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑰'𝒎 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒕.”

At its core, this is a love story between a woman trapped in an abusive marriage and a mafia leader who falls in love with her, hides his identity, and stalks her. You’d think that through stalking her, he would learn about her abusive husband, but somehow, he doesn’t. What he does know is that he’ll do whatever it takes to get her away from him.

“𝑯𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒕 𝒎𝒚 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏.”

I absolutely fell in love with Zyon's character. This man is everything. He had me melting at every turn, especially when he was willing to bet 200 million dollars for Valeria in a poker game against her husband. I also loved that the brothers are triplets, making them hard to tell apart, and the little bit we got of them had me laughing and wanting more.

I did feel for Valeria’s character at times; however, as a mother myself, some moments didn’t fully add up. If I were in an abusive marriage, I would never leave my daughter alone with my husband; I would do everything possible to stay between them. Those inconsistencies pulled me out of the story at times.

“𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔, 𝒕𝒐𝒐. 𝑰 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒚 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒔.”

Overall, the story itself landed at 3.5 stars for me, while the audiobook experience was a solid 4 stars. The narrators truly elevated the material, making this an engaging listen despite a few plot gaps.

"𝑩𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒆, 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒛𝒚 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒊𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆, 𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒔 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒔 𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓." "𝑹𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒔, 𝑽𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂. 𝑰 𝒘𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒁𝒂𝒓𝒂 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆. 𝑾𝒉𝒐𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒊𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒅."

[Endi Carlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I ended up giving this one three stars, but honestly, it leaned more toward the lower end of three. The book kept my attention enough for me to finish, but there were a lot of things that just didn’t work for me.

First, the FMC, Valeria, was very frustrating to read. I understand flawed heroines, but the constant cycle of her going back to her abusive husband was hard to get through. It didn’t make her feel strong or sympathetic—it just made me annoyed and disconnected from her journey. It got repetitive, and instead of growth, I felt like she kept making the same painful choices.

Then there’s the whole situation with her mother-in-law. I never knew if she was supposed to be good or bad, helpful or manipulative. The writing around her was confusing, almost like even the author wasn’t sure where to take her character. That inconsistency pulled me out of the story.

The MMC, Zyon, was equally difficult for me to connect with. Out of nowhere, he started calling Valeria “mommy,” and it felt very forced and uncomfortable. His supposed love for her wasn’t really shown or developed—he never expressed it in a way that felt deep or believable. On top of that, the fact that he had been married before bugged me, not because of the marriage itself but because it made it seem like he had this pattern of “falling in love” with women, trying to keep them, and then letting them go when they didn’t want to be controlled. It kind of gave me the impression that his relationship with Valeria could easily end the same way, which undercut the romance for me.

The way Zyon bonded so quickly with Valeria’s daughter was also strange. It didn’t feel natural, and it was way too fast for me to buy into. The fact that the little girl suddenly wanted to call him “dad” was unrealistic and borderline uncomfortable. Those kinds of relationships usually take time, but here it just happened instantly, without buildup.

Another issue for me was how many side characters were mentioned but never went anywhere. The brother is talked about but never actually appears, which felt like wasted potential. Zyon’s mother was mentioned often, yet she only showed up once in the entire book for a very short moment, then disappeared from the story completely. These threads felt unfinished and left me wondering why they were even included in the first place.

Overall, Gamble With Me had potential, but it was confusing, rushed in places, and left a lot unresolved. I didn’t enjoy the reading experience as much as I hoped, and while I pushed myself to finish, I don’t think I’ll be continuing if there’s a second book.

[Emmalee Burford · Rating 4 out of 5]

CRAZY
Writing a lot of spoilers to remember details for the next book!!
Zyon mafia boss:
-married twice before no scenes of them he divorced them because they weren’t happy
-there is a scene of him getting a BJ from another girl early on in the book but it was right after they met and he pictures her then feels AWFUL.. he’s not with anyone after that
-stalks her wearing a mask for her protection from his enemies
-OBSESSED
-loves her daughter (there is a scene the daughter has night mares and pees the bed he hears her goes in and changes the bedding and she ask to sleep with mom and he takes her in there and she ask him to stay with them 🥹🥹)
-his brothers love her (they also get him fired up about her being hot it’s funny)
-shot multiple times he lives

Valeria:
-Works at a casino
-has a panda tattoo for her parents
-abusive ex husband hits her multiple times she moves out he threatens to take their daughter from her so she will come back (she has a bad past drugs/jail) he attempts to rape her twice.. beats her to a bloody pulp in the third act and shoots Dorian in the shoulder.
(Don’t worry Zyon pays people to rape him as punishment then when they go for Val to say buy he shoots him)
-best friend named Alicia her dad is sick


Zyons mom is mentioned as stunning


Next books for the brothers/triplets:
Dorian we don’t meet his love interest but it’s stated he’s a doctor, also a scene of him getting a BJ lol
He’s the happy go lucky brother

Malia the serious/“scary” brother the enforcer the MIT graduate Zyon states he has only ever known his brother to hook up with a handful of women he’s very picky about who he dates

[Christie Wilcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gamble with Me by Sissi Grandeur
MMC: Zyon Zhumagulov (40)
FMC: Valeria Kellerman (30)

🖤dark mafia romance
✨️pierced billionaire masked stalker
🖤he falls for her first
✨age-gap

AUDIOBOOK review:
This book is narrated in duet by the amazing Joe Arden and the phenomenal Michelle Sparks. I’m ABSOLUTELY OBSESSED with Joe Arden and whatever he narrates. He’s truly AMAZING in his narrations. I always love whenever he does the mafia male POV. Michelle is also a favorite female narrator of mine. They worked so well together creating this audio!
Now that I’ve raved about the narrators; let’s get into the story review. This one is an iffy for me. I LOVED the audio however; I wasn’t completely sold on the story. I couldn’t stand the FMC for half the story. She was always making the wrong decisions or dumb choices. YES! I understand she was stuck in an abusive loveless marriage BUT she got out once and willing went back because he threatened to take their daughter away from her. He used her not so clean past against her. Yes, I guess you’d do anything to protect your own child but she coulda had a little more backbone for the type of FMC I like. I’m not completing dissing her but my opinion fluctuates on this character. Now, Zyon…. Holy shit! Where can I get myself a big badass mafia man 😉🥵 he’s EVERYTHING you want in your MMC. Loved that he stalked her and made her fall in love with him. He was SO damn possessive and protective. Loved his character. I honestly can’t wait for more audios on the other brothers!

Narrators/audio: 5⭐️
Overall story: 3.5⭐️

[Kaely Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALC Review

Story:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:
🌶🌶🌶

Tropes:
🖤Mafia
🖤Masked Men
🖤Touch her and 💀
🖤Forbidden Love


**Please note this book does deal with some heavy themes, please check trigger warnings and protect your mental health**

This was my first book from Sissi Grandeur but it definitely will not be my last. This story weaves together a tale of two unlikely souls who find each other in complicated circumstances. Valeria, a wife and mother stuck in an abusive relationship that doesn’t feel like she has a way out, and Zyon, the head of a criminal organization who is dangerous and slightly unhinged, but only in the best way possible.

After a meeting, Valeria is aware of how dangerous Zyon is, but the attraction is there. Zyon knows Valeria is technically off the market, but he cannot get her out of his head. While he doesn’t know much about Valeria and her marriage, he can sense that something is off, but Valeria is not ready to share what happens behind closed doors. But Zyon is not someone who waits for what he wants, so he chooses to take action in a way a criminal lord would… but I won’t be spoiling that for you. You’ll just have to listen and find out. ;)

The voice acting was done in duet by the fantastic Michelle Sparks and Joe Arden. They really materialized these characters and breathed life into them. As a listener, I felt the emotions these characters felt. Some of my favorite moments are when Joe uses his tone to exude a softness to Valeria in her most vulnerable moments and with Valeria’s daughter. There’s something about a fictional man who dotes on a child that is not his own that makes a girl swoon.

Michelle as Valeria was amazing. She really embraced her character with her voice acting and the emotional journey that Valeria went through in this story. But my favorite moment was when Valeria was able to build trust in others who had survived similar trauma to hers, and how that community of strangers with a common thread helped her to heal and move on from that trauma.

Please do yourselves a favor and go pick up this fantastic audiobook to warm yourselves. Your ears will thank you.

[Nicole Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Gamble with Me

Author: Sisi Grandure

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧ALC REVIEW🎧

This story was a wild ride! The story line was different and very enjoyable. I loved that the FMC went from coward wife to strong feisty woman throughout the story. Zyon…..wow what a man! He knew what he wanted and went for it! He kept Valeria safe without her even knowing. He helped her from a toxic situation and gave her and Zara the world! The relationship between Zara and Zyon is absolute perfection. He helped her show that someone will always be there for her. The way he protected her and made her feel safe….SWOOON! Chester….even his name sucks he was an awful human being and deserved to be fed to the sharks! The mafia ties in this one were great! The Zhumagulov brothers are the strongest in the game and they will always fight for what’s theirs! I’m interested in what’s next in this series because this one held me captive. I couldn’t Stop listening to this story it was spicy and suspenseful which is a great combination if you ask me! Joe Arden as always was fantastic in this story. The emotion he puts into his work is flawless. Michelle sparks as always does not disappoint. She did fantastic at bringing Valeria’s character to life! The emotions she was able to shed through this role was fantastic! This paring is one I truly enjoyed!

[Kaelea Babner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had such a fun time with this audio! The three brothers were so different, but triplets (yesssss please) the plot had me sucked in from beginning to end. (I’ll admit I love a good stalker romance and Zyon did not disappoint!! I mean come on….who wouldn’t fall for a man who says such beautiful words one minute and filth the next?

I was literally obsessed when the Z brothers. I loved all three for different reason and I’m literally FERAL for the other men to find women to tie them down (I volunteer as tribute 😮‍💨) I am a sucker for the dark, broody, doesn’t talk a lot but loved to hurt people kind, so Malin is easily my first choice!! But Dorian has the sweeter side to him that really pulled at my heart strings even though he’s probably the most dangerous because of it! You all just really need to meet these men!!

Joe Arden did his thing!! His narration sucked me in and didn’t let me go til the very end. He is so talented when it comes to unhinged mafia men, and the way he portrayed Chester? Chefs kiss! Michelle Sparks did amazing for Valeria. You could really feel the emotions the entire time! Absolutely amazing!!

Zyon and Valeria had SUCH GOOD CHEMISTRY!! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time!! Be aware there is violence and abuse in this book, check your triggers! But if you enjoy mafia romances with stalker tendencies?? Add this one to your audio list!

[Nora Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!! I couldn’t put this book down! I loved all the characters dynamics and especially between the brothers. Zyon and Valeria made such an amazing pair and both really complement each other so well.

***Spoilers***




I felt like Sissi really kept true to how a woman would act in an abuse relationship. It’s real and raw and sadly this is a reality many women face with the shame and not wanting anyone to know and how staying might be easier than what could happen if you leave.


I wished we got to see more of Zyon and Valeria actually be a couple and not just in limbo for most of the book.

I’m not gonna lie I know Lisa was Chester mother but I’m not going to lie if my son put hands on me or his wife and child I would do everything in my power to get them to safety. That’s your grandchild what the f is your problem.

The only thing I wish would have ended differently was how Lisa got away with trying to wire the conversation in the hospital with Valeria and how Valeria was just okay with that and Lisa hiding that Chester hit Zara. I’m not saying they needed to hurt Lisa but stand up to her and say that wasn’t okay.

I hope in the next book we get to see a little more of Zyon and Valeria blossom as a family but I’m super excited for Dorian book!!

[NOUR · Rating 1 out of 5]

**I honestly didn’t like this book at all 😤**
I’ve had it on my TBR for so long because of all the hype on TikTok — everyone was talking about it like it was some kind of masterpiece. But once I started reading, I realized it was nothing but a shallow, ridiculous story. The writing was weak, the plot was dull, and the worst part of all was *Valeria*. Oh my god, she was unbearable! 😩 Every single decision she made was worse than the one before it. I swear I wanted to pull my hair out from frustration. There was absolutely no logic behind her actions — she felt like a character written with zero depth or sense.

What annoyed me the most was her constant refusal to open up or ask for help from Zion or “the masked guy,” even though she supposedly *trusted* them. Excuse me?! You trust them enough to sleep with them literally everywhere — even on your daughter’s bed while she’s sleeping in the next room with her father 😭 — but not enough to actually tell them what’s wrong? Make it make sense! 🙄

By the end, I just felt angry and disappointed. The book was full of contradictions, bad decisions, and empty drama. I honestly regret wasting my time on it. It didn’t deserve a single bit of the hype it got. 💔

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sexy stalker/mafia boss for the win! Check your trigger warnings because this book does not hold back on anything in anyway. Gamble with Me by new-to-me author Sissi Grandeur hits all the notes in a dark symphony of over-the-top MMC obsessed with his lady love from first glance. Who doesn’t love an obsessed stalker who has a soft spot only for her? Valeria is in a loveless, abusive marriage chained by her young daughter. But she quickly got the memo that morally grey men are the way to go! Zyon is ruthless and yet tender with her and her daughter. The story involves complicated mafia relationships and triplet brothers ruling the underground. I enjoyed the relationships, especially the adorable daughter and Zyon’s devotion to her and Valeria. I enjoyed the audio production of this book performed in duet style by Joe Arden and Michelle Sparks. Only Joe can do that many male voices AND convince you it’s ok that you fell in love with the stalker! Michelle did a wonderful job displaying Valeria’s heartbreak and fear while allowing her hidden strength and Mama Bear to come through. Overall, a 4-star read and 4 spicy peppers. Don’t forget to head to the Blue Nose Audio app for the extended epilogue!

[Erica Pauline · Rating 2 out of 5]

*spoilers*
I would've DNF'd this audiobook if it wasn't for Joe Arden and Michelle Sparks. Their voices were perfect and Joe's whispering gave me chills. But the FMC! ugh! Fortunately, I know nothing about an abusive husband but Valeria drove me batty. She has the IQ of a potato. She has a loser, gambling, abusive husband and a daughter. Zyon, one of the new owners of her casino who is powerful, rich, and connected, gives her a management job, a car, an apartment, and money to get away. Yet she keeps going back to her husband! Then she has a stalker with the exact physique and voice of Zyon, and she can't seem to figure who it could possibly be-- facepalm. Then she rejects her stalker after the best sex of her life. Her husband tries to threaten her leaving with using post partum depression against her (wha?) and Valeria claims she has no proof he gambled away their money (um, casino cameras?), and boo-hoos about wanting to be free of her husband. I know abusive marriages are complicated, especially with a child, but when you're given the resources, protection, and ability to leave, why wouldn't you? Her own daughter was afraid. I had no sympathy for her and the chapters dragged after hearing her groan about leaving after each beating.

[Obscura · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 🌶️ 5/5 🎧

Gamble with Me by Sissi Grandeur is a dark mafia romance fueled by obsession, power, and danger. The story leans into a tense, high stakes atmosphere that immediately pulls the reader into a morally gray world

Valeria is a resilient yet emotionally worn heroine, forced to make difficult choices while trying to survive circumstances beyond her control. Zyon Zhumagulov is dominant, calculating, and intensely magnetic, with a presence that commands attention and drives the tension of the story.

Themes of trauma, protection, and power imbalance run throughout the book, creating a relationship dynamic that is unsettling in ways that will appeal to fans of darker romance. The story does not shy away from uncomfortable territory and maintains a constant sense of unease.

The audiobook narration is a standout feature, with Michelle Sparks and Joe Arden delivering strong duet performances that elevate the material. While the writing itself can feel uneven at times, the atmosphere and narration make Gamble with Me a great start to the Chained in Obsession series.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook had me locked in from the beginning. It's dark, intense, spicy, and emotionally charged.

I feel like I can say all that needs to be said is Mon Coeur, but no, I shall continue.

Valeria... oh Valeria... I felt for her because she was going through so much with her POS husband, but I also wanted to shake her at the same time. Zyon Zhumagulov (hey... I can pronounce that now.. ha!) is the epitome of an unapologetically obsessed (but also completely devoted) mmc. He is intense in the way that makes you feel safe, but also kind of terrified at the same time.

The narration was phenomenal. Michelle Sparks gave Valeria so much depth, and you could feel the fear, exhaustion, and strength in her parts. I also loved her Zara bits, great kid voice!! Joe did an amazing job delivering Zyon's intensity and, of course, changing Chester's voice to the one we all love to hate.

If you enjoy dark mafia romance, protective antiheroes, masked stalkers, and high emotional stakes, this one is worth your time.