The Tsar's Obsession: A Bratva Dark Mafia Romance

by R. Alexander

"In my darkness there she was - divine light."


Kirill
I ruled the underworld. I wasn’t just Pakhan, I was The Tsar of the Bratva. Untouchable. Feared. Wealthier than I ever imagined. I had it all.

Almost.

Nine years. It took nine years to get to her. I tore through blood, lies, and bodies to get to the top and it was finally time to take what was mine. I wanted Mia, whether she felt the same way eventually or not. I would claim her. She would be my prize, my possession. My forever obsession.

But in my chase to have it all…I just might lose everything.


Mia
The question tormented me day and night. Who was Kirill? His green eyes screamed at me to remember, to realize that I was falling into a deep and dark world, and I should run away before it was too late.

But behind his mischievous smirk was a whole world of trouble that I wanted to get tangled up in. I wanted to be bound by my wrists and ankles - drown in it. I wanted to descend into the deepest level of hell - right by his side.

And when I fell in love with the devil…I should have known I would get burned.

The Tsar's Obsession is the first standalone in the interconnected Bratva Sinners Series.

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Romance, Adult, Dark, He Falls First, Forced Proximity

391 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2025

About the author

R. Alexander loves to write about bad men. Mafia men, to be exact. But all their power, all their ego, all their authority comes crashing down when they meet that one woman who brings them down to their knees. Power plays, mistakes, drama, plot twists, sacrifices, back arching spice - R Alexander's books will have you binging, screaming, laughing, and crying late into the night.

Reviews

[itsjustjasz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️ WHAT BEGINS AS OBSESSION, TURNS INTO A LOVE OF DEEPEST DEVOTION

This book… it felt so raw, so genuine. Like I wasn’t just reading a fictional story, but someone’s actual journal about their love story. So different from any other dark mafia romance I’ve read. Nothing about it was rushed or forced. It had this quiet authenticity, like I was truly reliving their love story page by page. How it began, how it blossomed & how it ends.

What struck me the most was how lifelike it felt. No dragged out silence, no endless miscommunication. Instead, they confronted things. They argued, they cried, they hurt each other, they healed & they love. Oh how they love 🥹 It was human & unfiltered, reminding me of the raw emotion I felt watching The Notebook.

The way Kirill’s infatuation with Mia began as obsession but grew into deepest devotion… how patient he was, how determined he was to be hers, not just to make her his, not to possess her, but to make her choose him. It’s so beautiful & it felt genuine somehow.

The first big action only comes around the 50% mark, but I didn’t mind. I was already consumed by their love story. The slower pacing felt intentional, letting us sink into every stage of their connection.

I’m still mesmerized by how this book made me feel, both while reading and after. An unforgettable experience that left me reeling in the best way ❤️

[morganinpages · Rating 2 out of 5]

He’s “obsessed” yet only stayed celibate for 4 years when he’s been obsessed with her for 9????????? Make it make sense. This book honestly started out so strong and amazing and I was absolutely loving it until this moment. How can he stalk her, be obsessed and possessive of her, yet go be with other women for FIVE YEARS before he calls it quits??? That just doesn’t make any sense to me at all. And why is there so much telling and barely any showing in this book? It makes me so mad when the story will skip around and just say what happened instead of showing us especially when it’s interesting stuff. Honestly I could look past the predictable plot, but absolutely cannot look past this man only being celibate for 4 years. I mean the FMC didn’t even know about him and was celibate for 2 years!!!! That’s just crazy to me. If you only wanted him to be celibate 4 years then don’t have such a long waiting period bc 9 years is honestly crazy in itself. Also I’m sorry but the “tsar” thing was so annoying bc it’s the Pakhan in Russia!!!!

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel a bit guilty about this one, because I dove in right after finishing a 5-star read I’d been waiting on forever. Honestly, whatever I picked up next was never going to hit the same.

That said, I really did love the story between Kirill and Mia. Around the 50–60% mark it felt like it lost a little spark for me, but then it picked back up and I was hooked again. The bratva drama was deliciously messy (even if a touch predictable), and let’s be real the wild obsession Kirill has? Hot. As. Fuck.

Overall, I think this one deserves a reread when I’m in a different headspace, because I just know I’ll appreciate it even more the second time around.

Thank you to the author for an ARC copy.

[The Literature Lizard · Rating 1 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

📚The Tsar’s Obsession by R. Alexander
📚 Bratva Sinners Book 1 | ? Pages
📚Releases September 15, 2025

⭐️/ 🌶️

DNF @ 44%

Huge thank you to the author for providing me with an advanced copy of The Tsar’s Obsession! As always, my opinions are my own. ☺️

I always feel so bad writing these reviews but I just couldn’t get into this book. It felt super repetitive and it hit a point where I had to force myself to continue reading and that was just game over for me!

[Ema · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to recieve an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. I honestly vozld not put the book down, seeing how much the MC sacrificed and how long he pinned for the FMC, also the FMC trying so hard to push him and ger feeling away was so good. The spicy scenes are top notch also, it has a very good storyline and even if it is kinda a insta low trope it is also a slow burn when they meet again. I dont want to spoil too much of the book but you should definately read it, it is one of the better ones i have read in the past year and i read a lot of books 🤣

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE TSARS OBSESSION BY R ALEXANDER
5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
Ohhhh damn did I love this book.
Perfectly paced throughout.
♥ 🔥 Kirrill and Mia ♥ 🔥
I highly highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a infatuation and obsessive kinda love (and its amazing) and loves the spice 😉.
What a fantastic book and I'm so glad I came across this amazing author.

[Harini Hutti · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC Review

The book started off strong and immediately pulled me in. However, once the leads got together, the story became quite predictable and started to drag. The plot twist, while present, was also easy to see coming.

That being said, I am grateful to have received this ARC.

[Emmy Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m always all in for a smutty, fun mafia read, with good girl x bad boy vibes, and major possessive alpha male mafia boss energy! If that’s your vibe then this book is for you, because it was definitely for me. This book is half stalking, yearning and angst, and half emotional heartwarming goodness. He met her when he was drunk on power, yet his life felt meaningless, but seeing her brought his life meaning). And I live for this type of plot. NINE YEARS! NINE! He planned, and bided his time, and perfectly inserted himself into her life. She’s a “sworn off relationships” girl but even she can’t resist his hot ass presence, and that p1erced c0ck. Most of this plot was focused on their relationship, with little bits of mafia plot. Their chemistry is pure indulgence. He’s a dominant mafia man brought to his damn knees for his girl. And Mia’s a cool character though I felt her transformation was too fast and too unrealistic. Honestly that third act breakup, although I expected it, and I guess it drove the plot, I was pretty pissed when I got to that part. Imma be real honest, Kirill is the realest definition of boy obsessed, like in a way that he literally notices nothing but her. I saw that betrayal creeping up on him from a mile away, and man was just living his best life fucking his girlfriend. And when he actually got into trouble and started to focus on work again, he still did nothing. If not for this man's love and dedication for his girl, I would have wondered how he got to be The Tsar in the first place. But alas I am forever weakened by my love for hot Russian mafia men with accents who love their girl so obsessively. I give this a 4/5

[Camryn Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

ᴛʜᴇ ᴛꜱᴀʀ’ꜱ ᴏʙꜱᴇꜱꜱɪᴏɴ ʙʏ ʀ. ᴀʟᴇxᴀɴᴅᴇʀ
(ʙʀᴀᴛᴠᴀ ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ #1)

#arcreview
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★★★★★

𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚝 ⋆˚✿˖°
𝜗𝜚𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘹 𝘉𝘢𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘺
𝜗𝜚𝘗𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘔𝘔𝘊
𝜗𝜚𝘖𝘣𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘔𝘔𝘊
𝜗𝜚𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳 & 𝘥!𝘦
𝜗𝜚𝘙𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘦 𝘍𝘔𝘊
𝜗𝜚𝘋𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘖𝘝
𝜗𝜚𝘗𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘦

ᴍʏ ᴏᴘɪɴɪᴏɴ ⤵

“ 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦; 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘨𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘷𝘦. 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴. 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭; 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘪𝘵, 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘪𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦.”

Oh how I devoured this book in one sitting, I couldn’t get enough of them and thier relationship and THE PLOT had me crashing out towards the ending, I lowkey saw it coming but I was prepared for what was about to go down

The slow burn was burninggg but with some heat. 9 years ago Mia & Kirill kissed at a couple while she was visting Russia and after that life changing kiss he descided she was the one. He keeps up with whats going on and his life while trying to put everything in order so he can come to americia to build his kingdom more.

The chemartiy and tension with the was just amamzingggg. Mia was hestiate in the begging because he was a her client but that didnt stop him at all.

these two were just chef kiss and the angst towards the end whe she found out what he did had me crashing out but I knew it was coming

They both helped and healed each other in so many different ways, I just love them and their relationship because no matter what they came back to eacher other

I can’t wait for the next book Roman definitely intrigued me real bad!

Thank you for giving me this arc it was amazing and congratulations on your debut

[Briana Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review ✨
First I would like to say a big thank you to R. Alexander for letting me be apart of this ARC Team!
Rate: 5/5⭐️
Spice: 3/5🌶️

What to expect when reading The Tsars Obsession ;
-Bad Boy x Good Girl
-Touch her and 💀
-Ride or Die FMC
-Obsessed MMC
-Dual POV

This is book one of the Bratva Sinners series! You get to follow Kirill and Mia and this just became a favorite book of mine. I love a man who hates everything but his woman. He was a man on a mission ready for her! I loved the plot I had no idea who the villain could be so I was shocked at the end. Their chemistry was perfect, honestly I need more of these two because they were so hot. What he dished out she did right back and it was such a fun, intense, hot read and I devoured it soooo fast!


Fav Quote:
•”You’re asking for husband treatment from a one-night stand , sunshine. You can’t wait to put a ring on me? “

Make sure you get your copy of the book when it releases Sept. 15th🤍
#bookstagram #romance #review

[Edna Ruiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review! Thank you for allowing me to be an ARC reader for this book!

Okay, I have read a lot of Mafia books and at one point they are all the same. This one is not! You get an awesome Female lead that you can tell is strong but once she’s confident in her relationship she really is a badass. The main male lead is strong, confident, funny and must say a little stalker psycho. The book has a great story line and I love everything he does to get her.

There are some spicy scenes but the plot and their banter it’s the best! The spicy scenes are not too dark and def add to their relationship. Author did a great job on when to insert them so it’s not just spice and spice with no plot.

Book kept me interested! Wondering what was going to happen next and really truly happy on how this book ended!

[enchantedmelreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ 4🌶️

- [ ] Man obsessed
- [ ] Bratva
- [ ] Good girl x bad boy
- [ ] Touch her and ☠️
- [ ] Dual POV


This was an amazing mafia romance! The way they met one night, and how he obsessed over her for years before they were reunited, was so good. Kirill is a badass Tsar leader, but when it comes to Mia, he completely melts for her. I’m keeping this spoiler free, but just know the last 20% of this book will slap you in the face. The twists toward the end? 🤯 Definitely a must read if you love mafia romance.


She was divine, and I was damned. She was life, and I was death’s messenger.


There was sin in his eyes. Dark, enticing, beautiful sin. And I wanted it. I wanted to taste it, fill my soul with it.

[Maureen Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

It took me a few chapters to settle into The Tsar’s Obsession. The writing flowed well, but the beginning felt a little flat for me—though that may have been more about my own headspace at the time.

I did like the main characters, Mia and Kirill. They had good chemistry, though it took me a while to really connect with them. Kirill definitely has that “touch her and die” obsession with Mia, which fit the title perfectly.

For me, the book felt a bit too long and repetitive in places, but the final third really picked up and became the most engaging part. I also would have loved an epilogue set a few years later to wrap things up.

Overall, it’s a very readable book, and I’m glad I had the chance to dive into it.

Thank you to the author for the ARC—this is my honest review.

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

Kirill falls for a girl who kissed him once a decade ago. He worked hard to get where he is a Bratva Tsar but it was through his obsession for this girl, he wanted to be someone. Mia is just plodding along in life, she has friends, a good job. Kirill’s obsession has prompted him to having her watched in all those years, he moves to her city and ensures they meet. The story builds from here, s3xy times, surprises, lies, deleting, v!0lence, secrets and betrayals abound.

"𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙖 𝙗𝙖𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙮. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙨...𝙪 𝙩𝙚𝙗𝙮𝙖 𝙤𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙠𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙚 𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙯𝙖,"
𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙍𝙪𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙖𝙣.

For me it was a bit of a trudge through, not unenjoyable but something I can’t quite name 🤷🏻‍♀️ This apart, the storyline for me was quite predictable and I’d find myself putting the book down and stepping away.

Conclusion: if you enjoy a smutty obsessive mafia read, you will probably like this one.

[Gem (bookscaffeinencurls) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fab debut from R. Alexander! A dark romance set in the world of the Bratva, from Russia to New York. When the man at the top falls irrevocably for the girl he meets by chance. Fast forward 9 years & he’s still desperately obsessed but, of course things don’t run smoothly.

I really enjoyed the dynamic between the two MC’s. You have to admire Kirill’s determination & perseverance in vying for Mia’s affections. And how his attention awakens something new in her. The spice was spicing & the plot picked up pace as the story progressed. Overall, a really good read and one I recommend for those darker mafia fans!

[jordyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this so much, i read it in one sitting 🙂‍↕️

The yearning and THE MOUTH ON THIS MAN 🤪 I couldnt contain my giddiness 🤭 He loved her, FOR YEARS ?! I love when a man is so beside himself with love, that he will literally do anything to become the man she wants and needs, yesss sirrrrr

Our mmc literally said, i see it, i like it, i want it, i got it 🤷🏻‍♀️🙂‍↕️

I loved how this story played out, the plot twist had me gobsmacked and the ending made me swoon🫶🏻
What a wild ride of emotions, i seriously couldn’t recommend a book enough, if you love a down bad mmc and a shit ton of action, what are you waiting for?!🤪

[Jess Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kirill had me in an absolute chokehold. The man is obsessed with Mia, and I ate up every second of it. 🤤 The pining? The longing? The way he talked about her like she hung the stars. He’s got it bad🥰And that mouth of his. Sweet words and filthy promises. Sir, you are dangerous🫠💋
I absolutely love Mia as a character. She’s head strong and knows what she wants🙌🏻
The plot had me hooked and the side characters were perfect. But that twist? I didn’t expect it😳🙃.
The ending was exactly what I needed it to be💖📚

[Zariareads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hated:
❌Annoying characters
❌The villain was so obvious that I’m actually so annoyed that the ml didn’t figure it out until it was to late🤦‍♀️
❌To long and so repetitive.
❌ Also a bit boring that it took me way to long to read. I had to fight to keep reading this.🥱

Loved:
❤️ I did love that he only looked at her.
❤️ I loved the stalking from the ml and his obsession of her
❤️Loved the mafia trope

[Natalie Myers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I love the obsession and passion the book felt slow paced for me. I couldn’t really get into it and found myself going a day or two without reading or thinking about reading which tells me I wasn’t stoked about this one. I think it has potential to be a great book for me but it just wasn’t doing it for me at the time I read it.

[Thembelani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of 'The Tsar's Obsession' by R. Alexander and was drawn into the world of the Russian Mafia. Kirill, the Tsar, is a powerful and captivating Pakhan who commands respect and desire. His obsession with Mia is palpable, and their dynamic is intense.

Mia is a strong character, but some of her interactions with Kirill felt a bit contrived, especially when she tried to assert her dominance. Still, the romance and tension between them kept me engaged.

If you enjoy Russian Mafia romance with alpha males and strong heroines, you might enjoy 'The Tsar's Obsession'. I'm eager to see how the story develops and the author's take on this genre.

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The obsession part was undeniable. He was completely head over heels for her, which was cute.

Overall enjoyed the characters and the arcs they went through. It was a classic mafia storyline.

However, the pacing of this one was just a little off for me and it kept pulling me out of the story.

[Katelynn Seaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mia and Kirill were so good the way the characters grew throughout the story was top tier. That man’s love for her was epic. Yes he was morally grey and OTT but who doesn’t love that.

[Sadan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kirill & Mia

[Abigail Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book was a very captivating, quick read with lots of dark elements and characters that hooked me in. The characters had great chemistry together and there was an excellent story following. Ultimately, I give 3.5 out of 5 stars. I would have loved to see more exploration of other characters but did love to see the depth that was provided, including the background of supporting characters and antagonists!

[Michelle Bentzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I tell you that I have lost count on how many times my jaw has dropped throughout this book. This book is amazing!

5 out of 5 ⭐️
4 out of 5 🌶️

This book made me feel like I had it all figured out and then I just hadn’t at all. The amount of twists in this book got me hooked! I was at the edge of my seat multiple times and I just loved it! 🫶🏼

Kirill is a big bad bratva guy who is madly obsessed with a girl he met shortly 9 years ago and their story is far from good - but it is perfect in its own way. ❤️‍🩹

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore a good mafia trope. I adore a dark devil of an MMC that oozes power and control. I adore watching said powerful MMC find the tiny pinprick of humanity in his soul through his obsession with his FMC

I adore this freaking book.

This was so fucking HOT and so fucking wholesome. This combined some of my favorite tropws and plot devices along with a hurricane of heat. I'm surprised I even have any of my bottom lip left.

These characters were honestly great, so well balanced with chemistry to BURN. I have been in the shoes of this FMC, just BEGGING for a bomb like our MMC to drop And what a bomb he is. One look would have me abandoning my life as I know it. I can feel it in my bones.

This plot is fast paced and full of tension both dramatic and spicy. I screeched, I sighed, I snorted and I loved every page. The ending satiated my desires for blood, and closure.

Also, bonus points for representing the authors of the great white white north. Love my Canadian creators.

20/10, I now have a new favorite in the Mafia biz.

[Rebecca Bushell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Im not much of a Mafia Romance kind of gal, but the Bratva? She dabbles..

This series really intrigued me. It will be a series of inter-connected stand alones. It is not necessary to read them in any particular order. But I like to read things in order, so of course, I have read this one first before diving into Book 2. But honestly.. I just dont know how i feel about this one... I didn't really connect with this one, but the storyline was good.

Okay, so this book follows Mia and Kirill (and yes, you bet i missed pronounced this several times before googling how to pronounce it... but anyway, this guy.. the Tsar of the Bratva.. has been in love with Mia since he first met her... and he waited 9 years... 9 YEARS!! for her ! (Husband material right there...) He spent those 9 years bettering himself and climbing to the top of the Russian underworld so that he could get to her. And that was all just from a look and a kiss. (So already, we are swooning) Now, not only did he wait for her, but he also spent those 9 years keeping tabs on her, because of course, it's the reasonable thing to do.

Mia.. honestly, I kind of hated this character... she just irritated me. For a kiss that she always remembered, and was a highlight of her younger years cause it was something she had never done. She did not remember him.. and the stuff he did in front of her.. like literally shooting a guy in the head... but what she chose to hate him for was something so small (in my opinion) she wasn't even a fan of the dude anyway.. but you break up of this guy.. and her dirty talk, for me personally, was just cringe..

I liked the idea of this book, i really just didn't like it as much as I thought i would, and they may just be the fact that I didn't really like the FMC. I will say that, in my opinion, it was a good storyline, but it was kind of predictable. I picked the plot twist straight away. But! I will still give the next book a go. Just because it wasn't my favourite, it doesn't mean i won't like the rest, because I have read different series where the first book wasn't my favourite but loved some of the others. So, I will definitely not give up on the series. Hello, it's the Bratva! There are hot, tatted bad boys, and we love that!

PLEASE CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING BECAUSE THIS EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A ROM-COM IT IS STILL A DARK ROMANCE AND WILL NOT BE FOR EVERYONE... SO KNOW YOUR LIMITS AND HAPPY READING!!  

[Anna Kratowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up and didn’t put it down until I finished. This book had me enraptured. I love that the book starts with the events that lead to Kirill’s obsession with Mia. The power and money Kirill has as the Tsar really gives him the chance to manipulate his surroundings to get everything he needs and wants, including Mia. I love this this is dual POV, because I love being able to see the behind the scenes and inner monologue to how all the manipulation happens. I also really liked that Mia has her own inner battles of mind and heart.

This may seem like a “silly” this to love, but I love that Mia is 5’10”. I’m 5’10” and so often I read these stories of these 5’2” women and there are many moments (especially spicy moments) that are not as relatable. Additionally, I love that Mia is not a damsel. She is independent and outspoken. When she has questions or concerns, she voices them. To her friends, to Kirill, etc.

I love how gentle Kirill’s approach with Mia is and how it develops into spice. And the spice is spicing. So hot and possessive.

This book was packed with spice, drama, plot twists, and danger. Highly recommend for anyone who loves dark romance or mafia books.

[Dalila Barrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review.💋🖤
Some of the many quotes that I literally fell in love with.💋🖤

“Nine years. That’s nine winters and nine summers spent without her. I missed nine of her birthdays. But it took time to get here.” ~Kirill.💋🖤 THE DETERMINATION.🧎🏻‍♀️🧎🏻‍♀️💋

“You. I have been looking for you for so long, Mia—for my entire life.” ~Kirill.💋🖤

“Mia was just as beautiful as I remembered her. A goddess among mortals. A goddess in front of the devil himself.” ~Kirill.💋🖤

“Sunshine. I called her sunshine because she was. She was the sunshine in my darkness. She was spring water in the desert. She was a summer breeze in a tomb.” ~Kirill.💋🖤🖤

“Her smile burned into my memory, casting a light on my otherwise dark and barren world.” ~Kirill.💋💋🖤

“I longed to get to know her and find out what she liked. I wanted to please her, not just take what I wanted. Yes, I wanted to serve her; I wanted to make her feel good both in bed and in life.” ~Kirill.💋🖤 THIS MAN.🥴💋💋💋💋💋

“So fucking beautiful, so mine.” ~Kirill.💋🖤

“Fuck me, this man was beautiful.” ~Mia.♥️

“That passion, her energy, her taste, and her scent lingered on my lips, and the memory of our kiss kept me alive in my darkest and most difficult moments.” ~Kirill.💋🖤

“I was always in control, and everyone knew their place. Everyone was beneath me. Except her.” ~Kirill.💋🖤

“I didn’t know what to do, like I was lost, just like the first time I saw her—powerless.” ~Kirill.💋🖤

“Fuck, I wanted her. I wanted her so badly. No one would stop me from having my way with her right here and now.” ~Kirill.💋🖤

“The temptation was standing across the room and eating me up with those large and interested eyes. Shamelessly sporting a small smile.” ~Mia.♥️♥️

“They say the eyes are the window to the soul. Well, her soul sucked me in like quicksand.” ~Kirill.💋🖤

Before I start I just wanted thank the author for giving me the wonderful opportunity to read this ARC. THANK YOU SO MUCH, BABES.💋 I LITERALLY FELL IN LOVE WITH ANOTHER FICTIONAL MAN.💋💋💋🖤

Words cannot express how I felt about this book. I swear to God that this book got me on a chokehold. I’m literally obsessed too.🖤 Right off the bat I knew I was going to devour deep into the story. I love Kirill so much. Whatever came out of his mouth made me melt. I NEED A MAN LIKE HIM IN MY LIFE. What he had for Mia was obsession that turned into deep love. And he was DETERMINED to get the girl.💋🖤 EVEN IF IT TOOK NINE YEARS. HOLY THIS MAN IS THE ONE.💋💋 The way these characters collided together, the tension, the way they captivated each other’s eyes and hearts. I swear I couldn’t get enough of them. Especially Kirill & those thoughts of his.🥴💋🖤 The romance, the plot, and the power this book carries is borderline addictive. This book, these characters got me hooked and addicted, aching for more when I was finished. I absolutely fell in love with their love story. Deliciously wild. I’m drowning in the love that I’ll forever think about, a man who was very devoted to be with the love of his life. Tattooed deep into my heart, holding a special space in my heart.💋🖤

Overall, I really enjoyed this beautiful story, I can’t wait for the rest of the series, and what the author has planned.💋💋🖤🖤

[Deborah Adedipe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Longing, Lust, and the Tsar: My Review of R. Alexander’s The Tsar’s Obsession
Genre: Dark/Mafia Romance
Date of publication: 15th September, 2025
Author: R. Alexander
Length: 376 pages (Kindle Edition)

The Tsar’s Obsession is R. Alexander’s debut novel and the first standalone book in the interconnected Bratva Sinners series. It’s a dark mafia romance that explores themes of power and longing. At its center are Kirill, the feared Tsar of the Bratva, and Mia, the woman who has haunted his every thought for almost a decade.

The book begins with a familiar setup in the mafia romance genre: a powerful man who sees a woman as his, no matter the cost. But what makes this story stand out is how Kirill’s obsession with Mia isn’t a fleeting attraction; it’s been quietly growing for nine years, shaping many of his decisions as he rises through the ranks of the Bratva. After he establishes himself in Russia, he moves to New York to finally be with the woman of his dreams.

Mia, for her part, is torn between the pull she cannot deny, how Kirill inserted himself into her life (and her work), and later, the danger he represents. But their chemistry is laced with longing and inevitability, the kind of dynamic where every stolen glance and heated exchange feels heavy with years of unsaid words, and it is as though no matter how far Mia runs, Kirill will always find her.

While the romance is central, the novel doesn’t shy away from reminding the reader that Kirill’s world is not built on roses but on blood. The drug trades, bloody deals, and eventually betrayal; all add a sharp edge to the book, ensuring that every choice carries high stakes.

The writing is a good fit for the genre, and though there were moments where I wanted more depth from Kirill and Mia both, the intensity between them carries the novel, and readers who crave possessive male leads will find Kirill’s character compelling.

This book won’t be for everyone. But if your taste runs toward dark, obsessive men and the push-pull of forbidden passion, R. Alexander delivers those tropes with all the drama and grit you’d expect.

As an ARC reader, I’m really happy to have had the chance to read this story early and write my honest review on it. And while The Tsar’s Obsession did not fully blow me away, it was a solid and entertaining read.