I'm addicted to Ms. Stone’s mafia-themed books, and this is one addiction I'm not prepared to give up. The story was intense, intriguing, and full of danger. Throw in humor and romance, and you have the complete package. I liked Mira and Rurik’s characters. Yes, they had flaws, but don't we all? To me, it made them all the more believable. Mira led Rurik on one heck of a roller coaster ride, and I loved going along with them.
Rurik is the quintessential Russian Bratva enforcer that I love. He is my ideal anti-hero: strong, silent, protective, and dangerous. Rurik craved Mira’s submission, but she made him earn it. He was sent to track Mira down and bring her home to safety. Finding her was not hard, but keeping her safe was challenging, especially when she didn't take the risks to her safety seriously. Mira fought Rurik, so what's a man to do but resort to a bit of kidnapping? I admired how Rurik didn't give up on Mira even after she gave up on herself and felt unworthy of his love.
Mira sometimes frustrated me as her impulsive behavior threw herself into harm's way. Being on the run and living on the edge will do that to a girl. Mira was no shrinking violet and was not intimidated by Rurik despite his size, although she should have been. Mira was a witness to her boyfriend's murder and was on the run from his killers, who somehow thought she was now responsible for repaying his debts. Mira was full of guilt and secrets, making her reckless and putting her in danger. She didn't think she was good enough or deserved Rurik’s love.
This book was a smooth transition from the previous book in the series, which is not always the case. The secondary characters played an essential role and added depth to the storyline. The narrative was enticing and caused tingles long after you had finished reading it. This book kept me entranced until the end, and I was left wanting more. Once again, I will try to wait patiently for the next book.