Kirill

3,75/5 ⭐️

---- Can't wait for this release (and i pray that he isn't a manwh*re) ----

Bri

4,438 reviews2,404 followers

Get it here:
Amazon US * Amazon UK

I think I got myself too hyped for this one and it didn't meet my expectations. I've enjoyed this series so far, and I did enjoy this one as well, but it lacked compared to the previous books. There was a lot going on between these two characters that didn't feel like it really came together in a great way. I saw another reviewer that said there was a lot of telling and not showing, and I heavily agree with that. The whole situation with Sloane's past deserved more page time in my opinion and it made it hard to truly connect with her since we never got that.

Overall, I liked the characters together and I did see a connection between them that was fun to read.

mafia-crime-boss

Sonia

394 reviews2 followers

All of these 5 star reviewers have me baffled. We def did not read the same thing. I’ll give it a 2.5. Maybe 3. Bc it had some tropes and I couldn’t stop reading it. But execution and the actual writing and details were bad.

This is my first book by this author - I did try to read book 1 of this series while waiting for this one to come out but I couldn’t get behind the premise. I do not like stories that focus on sex, lust as the drivers for the romance. That books premise is that FMC applies to work at the MMCs sex club and one of the first scenes is him “auditioning” her. Hard. Pass. I made it to 10%. Then he makes her masturbate with his gun. 🙄 I know some people love this stuff. Go for it. But for me it was cheesy and just done to add more smut.

So this book - I was really intrigued by this book bc MMCs son is autistic and FMC js a struggling single mom and so I liked the premise! And the author herself has an autistic child so I had high hopes on the representation - tbf the book does do a pretty good job imo but it is overshadowed by all the crap of the actual book that it feels like an afterthought. Lev, the son, feels like an afterthought and just a piece to drive the plot and source of conflict. It’s a shame. It’s a bit better by the end of it but in general it all just felt too convenient in how FMC and his kid bond (we actually never see it in this book. Maybe it happens in past books? But we’re just told about it and they’re already bonded and she already loves him while she is their waitress every Monday pretty early on)

This is really poorly written. It’s mediocre wattpad at best. This author does a whole lot of telling, definitely not showing. And repetitively!!! I specifically went on TikTok to see if the author and book are mentioned a lot - they are! I’ve almost never liked any rec from booktok. This book (like so many on booktok) tend to be superficial, more focus on the spice and physical attraction, with the rest being filler.

In this book - it seems like almost every other chapter has the MCs thinking how attractive the other is, fantasising about the other, how hard his cock is, how wet she is, blah blah. It goes on and on and on. It’s SO excessive and exhausting bc it’s constant.

The conflict feels stupid and just goes on for far too long. It’s miscommunication and extended secret withholding for fucking ever. The angst and conflict is annoying. This book with all the major premise could’ve been done but just better without falling into the usual romance book tropes. Yo it’s 2026 and this is like your 20th + book so come on. It’s lazy to do the stereotypical sources of conflict. It’s exhausting waiting until 85% for the shoe to drop - and it being this whole betrayal that is forgiven very quickly a quick intense bang. I could not for the life me understand why she did not just ask for help at some point - any point. There’s being strong. Then there’s being reckless and TSTL.

There were also soooo many plot holes and just pieces that didn’t really make sense. I’d be spoiled even more if I shared details and I’m tired of writing this review.

Also when the two kids meet it’s just so easy and already done. Again these kids weren’t genuine characters but just little auxiliary details for the not so exciting or deep romance. It’s a shame bc I would’ve imagined that the author would’ve been a bit more intentional in the autistic child being a fuller character. For example cate c wells in hitting a wall has an autistic child where MMC meets her when she’s already 4-5 or so and that was done really well. She wasnt just a show piece but there was a process in learning to be in her life and wasn’t just so “natural” and “easy” - even without the autistic child - the MMC meets fmcs child and it’s like already a done deal for both of them. It’s a 400 page + book. No excuse for there not to be.

0-series-new-releases

Jen ♥

1,829 reviews1,114 followers

Read

May 12, 2026

Ehhh, everything is instant. Insta-lust/love, instant family, and instant bonding between their kids. The resolution of the problem was quick, as was finding out what really happened to her mom. It's kind of hard to get invested in the story when everything falls into place so easily without much buildup. Add in the fact that the book is 460+ pages with some scenes that feel a bit like more of a filter. Idk, it just didn't work for me.

read.with.marianne

14 reviews

May 12, 2026

I would be such a good mafia wife. 🤣♥️ That’s the review.

Single dad and single mom in a dark mafia world? Yes please and thank you! 😍 This was such a fun thrilling ride with unique twists and turns starring an unhinged Russian single daddy mafia man who is obsessed. 🤩

This is my brand of crazy. It’s stalking and violence with a clever smirk making it so much fun to read. Never ever cringe. 🙌

Kirill was beyond passionate. I loved how he was only soft her and his beautiful autistic son, Lev, but hard as nails to everyone else. Literally perfect “touch her or die” and “she’s mine” vibes to a tee which are my favorite micro tropes. 😍 He gave her everything and more which was simply so wonderful to read and had me kicking my feet. 💕

Sloane had a rough start in life but she starts living the dream. I was so happy (and relieved) for her. This girl’s situation was stressing me out and reminded me why I chase happily ever afters. ♥️

We get introduce to a new cowboy mafia family and I CANNOT WAIT. 🤠Anton is our quiet, dark, broody Russian brother and let’s just say, I do no think he is not ready for this cowgirl. 🤩 I always love how you try something different each time, Lilian. 💕 Also, I need a story for Mandy (loved her sidekick energy!) and a Lev and Rue mafia cowboy childhood friends to lovers story ASAP. No pressure. 🤣♥️

Kristy Cohen

211 reviews3 followers

Enjoyable, but 200 pages could have been cut from this book if Sloane had just talked to Kirill.

Brittany ⭑ Book lover

324 reviews22 followers

Do you love…
❥Mafia romance
❥Slow burn
❥Single dad
❥She’s his nanny
❥Single mom
❥Secret identity
❥Age gap
❥Auction
❥Sta!king

⭑Blurb⭑
Sloane Maddox is the only woman I want and the one I can’t have.

I walk into a diner with my autistic son and leave with a problem.
He becomes attached to the quiet waitress who shows him more patience than the world ever has.

He looks for her. Trusts her.
And God help me…so do I.

She’s too young. Too gentle.
Everything a man like me should stay away from.

I’m Bratva. The kind of man she should fear.

But Sloane isn’t a stranger. I’ve known her longer than she realizes.
Watching from the shadows, protecting her when she didn’t even know.

Then she appears at my club’s auction, selling herself to the highest bidder.
So I do the only thing I can.

I buy her.

She becomes my son’s nanny,
but wanting her was never part of the deal.

I wasn’t supposed to touch her.
And once I cross that line, I can’t let her go.

Until I discover why she stepped onto that stage,
and my world crashes.

Because in the Bratva, betrayal isn’t forgiven.
It’s buried.
Even if it’s her.

Tatiana Sayodi

183 reviews2 followers

May 12, 2026

He had been watching her since she was fourteen, ever since she stole from his store.
What began as curiosity slowly turned into something far more dangerous. Without Sloane ever knowing, Kirill became her silent guardian angel.
Her life was nothing but a chain of disasters, one tragedy after another, until fate placed her directly in his path again—this time as a waitress in his restaurant.
She should have been forbidden to him. Untouchable.
But her relationship with Lev only made Kirill more possessive, more protective, and dangerously reckless enough to start dreaming about a future he had no right to want.
When Sloane’s past finally catches up with her, she’s forced to betray the only man who has ever made her feel safe.
But Kirill is always one step ahead.
And when he derails her plans, the truth comes crashing into the light… exposing secrets powerful enough to destroy them both.
4⭐for the story and one big⭐for Lev and Milo

Han

88 reviews1 follower

Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth)

Age gap 41/23, single mom, single dad.

She only had sex the one time when she got pregnant.
he didn’t seem like a manwhore, he’d been celibate for over a year by the time they got together.
he was married to his son’s mom until she left them. He didn’t love her he married her because she was pregnant.
H knew the h/of her since she was fourteen

2,323 reviews1,568 followers

May 14, 2026

Loved it!

Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trope: poor, homeless heroine
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥

Overall, this was a sweet-ish romance with a couple of really dark elements. It paced well and fans of the genre will find it wholly entertaining. I can't wait to read the next story in the series!

Marnie

1,305 reviews31 followers

KIRILL made this mafia alpha possessive single dad romance next level amazing.

Welcome back to Author Lilian Harris’ Russian Mafia world!!! KIRILL was a book that I could not put down and I loved every moment that I spent reading it. He’s the third of the four Marinov brothers we’d already met in Ms Harris’ earlier Irish mob series and third to find love against all of their predictions and intentions. Betrayal is not tolerated nor forgiven in the Marinov family, yet these guys fall in so obsessively and possessively deep that I couldn’t help but love them all the more when they find the one woman who they will raze everything to ground level for just to keep them close and protected.

While KIRILL could be read as a stand-a-lone, I highly recommend reading the preceding two books and you will be doing yourself a favour by doing so. KONSTANTIN, ALEKSEI and KIRILL have a complicated and sad childhood backstory explaining why they believe that love is to be avoided at all costs, that readers will piece together throughout each book. Each time my heart broke for these four boys and what they endured growing up. Anton will be last and I am looking forward to reading his story next!

When Ms Harris through her own parenting challenges and personal experiences added Kirill’s nine-year-old autistic son Lev, and Sloane’s own son to the mix, she very clearly took this dark mafia romance to the next level. I’ve seen these parental challenges experienced by my own friends and I cried often during Lev’s scenes where he made any social progress, especially when he found a friendship with a child from a competitive adversarial family. Those scenes were funny and beautiful, the humour between the two rival fathers as they tried to cater to their children and arrange a play-date was irony at its best 😂😬

I admired Sloane and her strength. Her motivation was her young son, but we know that not all mothers stand strong in the face of such adversity, yet she did. She saw herself as the sum of the dark past she kept hidden from everyone, always continuing to pay more retribution than the sum of her mistakes and I intensely disliked her sister from the start. I was grateful for her friend Mandy’s joyful buoyant attitude in lifting Sloane’s spirit and keeping it real. Sloane deserved all the good things because I felt she was an inherently beautiful soul who drew people towards her and I loved her genuine patience and increasing affection for the young and awkward Lev as well as his hot and intense father. Age gap be dam(m)ed, KIRILL leaked dark and forbidding attractiveness from the pores of his skin!

KIRILL was an amazing father. His so was his first priority, which even with him being so much of a morally grey character, made him so much more romantic in my view. We already knew how much of a he loved his son from reading the first two books, and I was rapt to read how Ms Harris pulled his stalkery interest in Sloane together with her past, wondering just why he’d been keeping such a large interest in her well-being.

When she was forced into a position to betray him, my heart broke for her and I just wanted her to trust him, but, her strength and her independent spirit is what I loved about her and Ms Harris wrote her true. Sloane had learned not to trust, her beautiful soul didn’t like taking advantage of people and as a mother who loved her son above all else, would do everything within her ability to keep her child safe.

Surely KIRILL would agree, my romantic heart believed and Author Lilian Harris did not disappoint.

Let me just say that fact for me and my reading taste I believe she has only gotten better with each book release and is why I easily recommend them in dark mafia romance book groups across multiple tropes. If you love hot obsessive possessive alphas, mafia action, romance and suspense, then wrap your reading gear around this book!! For me it was easily 5-hot-dark-mafia-single-father-Stars 🩵💀♣️

Donna reads Romance

1,089 reviews45 followers

2026-reads-beat-2025-reads

A Dark, Obsessive Love Story That Wrecked Me Emotionally and Left Me Obsessed

This book didn’t just consume me…it emotionally destroyed me in the best possible way.

Dark, obsessive, emotionally devastating and sinfully addictive, this mafia romance had me completely hooked from the very first page. The tension between Kirill and Sloane was so intense I could barely breathe. Every glance felt dangerous. Every touch felt forbidden. And every moment between them carried this aching, unbearable need that had me desperate for them to finally explode.

Kirill is the kind of morally gray mafia man romance readers DREAM about…cold, ruthless, terrifying to everyone around him…yet completely undone by one woman. Watching this powerful Bratva man slowly lose control over Sloane while trying to fight his obsession with her was absolute perfection.

But the emotional heart of this story? Lev.

The bond Sloane develops with Kirill’s autistic son was breathtakingly beautiful. The patience, tenderness and safety she gives him made every scene between them feel deeply emotional and real. And the way Kirill watches his son become attached to the woman he can’t stop craving himself? GOD. IT HURT SO GOOD.

Then there’s Sloane’s love for her own son, Milo…and this absolutely wrecked me. Her desperation to get him back after the betrayal of her sister was heartbreaking, raw and so powerfully written. Every sacrifice, every painful choice, every ounce of fear and determination made me ache for her.

And when Milo finally comes to live with them? My entire heart melted. Watching Lev and Milo slowly form a bond brought so much warmth and healing into this brutal world of violence, bloodshed, and betrayal. The found family element in this story was EVERYTHING.

And the spice? HOLY HECK!!

This book BURNS. The chemistry between Kirill and Sloane was filthy, obsessive, possessive and emotionally charged in the most addictive way possible. Every intimate scene felt loaded with longing, control, vulnerability, and raw hunger. Kirill doesn’t fall softly…he falls like a man willing to destroy the world for the woman he loves.

What makes this story unforgettable is how flawlessly author Lilian Harris balances brutal darkness with emotional depth. One moment your heart is racing from the danger and tension, and the next you’re shattered by the tenderness between these characters.

I give author Lilian Harris massive praise for creating a story that felt consuming from beginning to end. The characters were unforgettable, the emotional payoff was incredible, and the romance delivered EVERYTHING…obsession, heartbreak, healing, spice and love fierce enough to burn down empires.

If you love possessive Bratva men, age-gap romance, single dad/single mom dynamics, emotional angst, explosive chemistry, found family, and heroes who become absolutely feral over their women…READ THIS BOOK IMMEDIATELY!!

One Loves Reading

1,180 reviews29 followers

May 13, 2026

🖤 Marinov Bravta 3

Sloane and Kirll love story starts with a routine which just makes me smile. Every Mondays Kirill and Lev his son goes to the cafe where Sloeane works. Them interaction they have together are her bright moments. HOWEVER, she doesn't know that Kirll has feelings for her and them Mondays are important to him too and Lev 💞 We learn how Lev views the world and Sloane his is own light outside his family that he feels comfortable with.

"At least it’s Monday, and Mondays mean Kirill and Lev. They are the only bright spots in a week that never seems to let up."

YES I am emotionally invested just after a few chapters. Diving straight in how they cherish these Mondays just makes me more excited to what's next beyond them Mondays...no spoliers 🥰

Lev is adorable little boy and he has autism. He has his amazing Dad that protects him from everything especially the past with his mother...no spoliers. NEVER mess with a Mafia Papa Bear that all am saying no matter how powerful your family 🐻💀...no spoliers

"Drawing is how he makes sense of the world when words don’t come, how he takes what’s too big in his head and puts it somewhere his hands can control."

There is another little boy important in Sloane life and, he is called Milo. This I can't spolier too much it is link with her past and...no spoliers. He just wants to be with his Mam but, his aunt just won't let her due to the past...no spoliers
I am just happy that she has Mandy in her corner

♟️Mafia politics is still complex and deadly !! Especially when it links with someone past that is still hunting her down...no spoliers

💗 NOW Kirill and Sloane romance is a slow burner. Building up the trust for each other and just falling i love. I LOVE both boys and their bound over Lego. A family is not just blood it's the connection you find. I wouldn't like to mess with this Papa and Mama Bear. They went through so much and they will fight to protect it 💞

"The good. The bad. The broken. The beautiful. And somehow, he loves me anyway."

Love. Trust. Overcome darkness. Family Love. BROTHERS banter is still insane 🤣

☆MUST READ & FAV☆
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶

📚 Book Tropes
👑 Mafia Romance
⏳️ Age Gap (20 years)
🔥 Slow Burn Romance
🖤 Touch Her You Die
🍼 Single Dad
🧩 Autism Son
🍼 Single Ma
💞 Waitress to Nanny
🗝 Secret Past

Rebecca Hill

817 reviews10 followers

May 10, 2026

Kirill is the third book in Harris' Marinov Bratva series. This age gap, single parent, Russian mafia romance features Sloane Maddox and Kirill Marinov.

Sloane is 23 years old. She has a tumultuous relationship with her older sister who is taking care of little Milo. Sloane, recently kicked out, is working hard to save up to both give her sister money to take care of Milo but also to hopefully be able to afford her own place and live under the same roof as her son once again. She works as a waitress at a little diner, which is where she met Kirill.

Kirill, 41, has a son named Lev. Lev is autistic and needs his routine. Part of their routine is having dinner at the diner once a week. Lev doesn't really connect with other people but for some reason, he has connected with Sloane. Sloane is always very kind to Lev and treats him as she would her own child. Kirill recognizes that he shouldn't have feelings for this woman, 18 years his junior. But knowing something doesn't change what is.

Sloane has been running from her past but when it catches up with her, she is forced to do something to protect her son. In so doing, she puts herself directly in the mafia man's path. His feelings for her cause Kirill to take action leaving her between a rock and a hard place. Can she betray the man who has been nothing but good to her? Who can she trust?

This was another fantastic dark romance by Harris. Her morally grey men are deliciously sinful. The things Kirill does are often downright gory and heartless, but he appears to act from a place of love and respect, always wanting the best for his family. He can be quite scary but then we also see his softer side and how he is with Lev and even with Sloane. There is no question that the man is intense. As for Sloane, I didn't connect with her as much but perhaps that is because I am no longer 23. Ideally I would have liked to have more about her past, perhaps as flashback scenes.

Overall I would rate it 4.5 stars. I definitely recommend Harris' books as they never fail to grab a hold of me, and keep me thoroughly captivated throughout. Before picking one up though, please be sure to read the trigger warnings as there is content which is not for the faint of heart.

Confessions of a Bookaholic

882 reviews37 followers

May 13, 2026

"I want to give you the world, solnishko. Because you are my world."

Sloane and Kirill were slightly different than I was expecting.....in a very good way. I feel the mafia aspect of life took kind of a back seat on this one. It was still there, obviously, but to me it seemed Lilian focused so much more on Sloane, Kirill, and Lev.

Sloane is different than Emilia and Fiona. She is just a waitress trying to get her life together. She has no room for distractions but Kirill and Lev are huge distractions for her. She has a past that haunts her and ends up reappearing.

Kirill knows he should not want Sloane but cannot stop himself. She is one of the very few people his son reacts to in a good way. He knows there is more to her than she lets on but he waits her out hoping she will give him the truth. No matter how many times he mentally berates himself for wanting her the time comes when he can no longer deny the pull between them and he acts on it even though she is hiding things. Then again, so is he.

These two fit together perfectly and she is the mother figure Lev deserves to have. Kirill loves her fiercely. I have always felt he was the least intense of the four brothers and he shows just how much of a softie he actually is with his loved ones. He is ready to give Sloane the world, she just needed to ask.

As is customary with any Lilian book she throws in some nice plot twists that you don't see coming. Kirill is the walking definition of "f around and find out" when it comes to certain characters. She also gives little teases of where her mafia world will be going next and I am just going to say that cowboy mafia is a thing and I cannot wait to experience how she writes it after the fnal Marinov brother gets his book.

age-gap arcs dark-romance

Kerry-Anne Nabb

241 reviews3 followers

May 5, 2026

I’ve being excited to get to Kirill story since Konstantin.

I have so much love for him. The way he stepped up to being a father after his childhood. Then even more once he got his son’s diagnosis, getting that little boy into a stable routine that is perfect for Lev. That keeps him safe and secure.

And when the meltdowns happen, he drops everything to be there for him and brings him back to calm.

I love that little boy. Seeing how he grew so fast to Sloane, allowing her to become another anchor for him. *Move aside Kirill, she’s taken all our hearts*

The push and pull between Kirill and Sloane was written so perfectly. You can feel it from both of them. Wanting each other but trying to keep one another at arms length. Sloane not wanting to bring him into her ‘damaged’ world and Kirill not wanting to bring her into his ‘violent’ world.

But they work together so well. They bring pieces out of each other that each another didn’t see.

I didn’t that their story to stop. I couldn’t stop reading, flying through the chapters like I need air.

I’m so glad Sloane got her happy ending with everything she’s ever wanted. Everything she has being fighting for, to finally have her son back.

Family isn’t what you’re born in, it’s who is around you that sticks when things get tough and love you anyways. That is always there for you and will walk through fire for you. And that is exactly what Mandy is to Sloane. She’s the sister she’s always wanted, needed, dreamed of.

But I was not expecting the twists towards to end. I was gripping my seat, heart pounding with tears rolling down my face.

Their story will be one I won’t forget. They are locked away in my heart.

•Cici• Theory of A Dreamer Book Blog♥

3,570 reviews157 followers

Having read book one and two I started looking forward to more from this series! I jumped right back into the Marinov Bratva world. I enjoyed this story so very much!

Sloane and Kirill's journey captured my attention right from the very start! Kirill is a single father to son, Lev, and he's part of the russian mafia. Sloane is a waitress and single mom to son, Milo. Kirill's son adores Sloane. When Sloane enters an auction at Kirill's club it leads to Sloane becoming the nanny. As things shake up between them, will they let each other in? Or will they be ripped apart?

Both Kirill and Sloane quickly had me turning the pages. I adored the fact that they were both single parents. Kirill's love for his son, Lev, and Sloane's for her son, Milo all showed throughout. I enjoyed that Sloane became Lev's nanny and it brought her and Kirill closer. I didn't know how everything was going to play out for these two.

There were many layers to both Sloane and Kirill. The way Kirill had a thing for Sloane from the get go made me so happy to see. Their chemistry was so good! I felt SO many things with Kirill and Sloane while reading.

I absolutely adored Lev! Through his character we got autism representation and I loved that. The moments that Kirill and Sloane both shared with him touched my heart! I adored Milo as well.

I was so glad that we get more of this world and it's characters!

With Kirill, Lilian Harris has created such a great single dad x single mom / Russian mafia romance that got to my heart and kept me turning the pages! 💙

Check out the author's content warnings.

*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from the author*

Bellas.bookworld

53 reviews

Review of advance copy received from Author

May 5, 2026

Kirill’s book felt different from his brothers’. While Alexski and Kostantine’s stories were faster-paced and heavier on scenes, Kirill’s leaned more into plot and love.
Let me start by saying I love Kirill. He was written so well, and I felt every emotion he faced. His constant overthinking and racing mind were a nice change of pace for a tough, badass mafia man. My boy did not make a move without letting it play out in eight different ways.
Sloane was also written differently than Lilian’s other female characters. She wasn’t the typical take-no-shit badass, but she was still equally strong. Her trauma could have made her bitter and confrontational, but instead she was softer—not weak, just more loving and still trying to see the world through rose-colored glasses. One thing I loved was that even though Sloane knew Kirill could wave his hand and fix everything, she never asked or expected him to do so.
In the end, you see how both Kirill and Sloane struggle to open up, each carrying their own secrets and trauma, and are eventually “forced” to confront the fact that they want each other in ways they shouldn’t. They both crave love, and eventually, they cave and let it all happen.
I loved how the story progressed—the twists and betrayals were woven in nicely. If you’re looking for an amazing story that will tug at your heart, this is it.

Marni Ortiz

3,542 reviews74 followers

Kirill ( Marinov Bratva Series Book 3 ) Tropes 💜Single Dad 🖤Mafia Romance 💜Age Gap 🖤Single Mom 💜Autistic Son 🖤Forbidden 💜Nanny / Employer What a truly phenomenal series that just keeps getting better and better . I have to start by saying how much I absolutely loved just loved the first two books so freaking much . This awesome world that Lillian has created really has exceeded all my expectations and just captivated me so completely. Each couple and their story really does own a piece of my heart ❤️. That being said Something about these two though , about Sloane and Kirills story and their character’s was so special . The connection I felt to both was so strong and unlike anything I’ve felt in a really long time . Sloane has so many insecurities and so much baggage she struggles with and to see that way Kirill supported her through it all , the way he helped her realize she was worthy of love and happiness- that was just so beautiful and emotional to watch . I loved how even with their differences they just complimented one another so well . The way their journey pulled on all my heartstrings, how it resonated with me in ways I never expected. The way I could not stop smiling, laughing, crying and cheering from beginning to end. Kirill is easily one of the best books I’ve read this year . Truly chefs kiss 💋 and a must read for absolutely everyone

Pip London

200 reviews

Stars: 3🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Mafia Romance, Age Gap (18 years - 41/23), Single Parent, Nanny, Secret Identity, Touch Her and Die
Couple: Sloane Maddox and Kirill Marinov

This one was just ok for me. It was a good quick read and had all the pieces to be a great read. I always see the teasers for this author and they hook me every time, but then I get into the books and they don’t pack the same punch for some reason.

I’m not giving up on the author, but this just didn’t hit as hard as I was hoping.

Fav Quotes:
“Whatever she thinks she’s done, whatever she’s survived, it’s nothing compared to what it means to be mine.”

“‘We’re not leaving until you have what you need. ‘ What I need is for my heart to stop racing every time he looks at me like that, but I don’t think they stock that here.”

“‘You have three seconds to walk out of here, Sloane. Because if you don’t…’ His hand comes up around my throat. ‘I won’t deny myself anymore.’”

“And then something cold and metallic presses to the back of my neck. Firm. Unmistakable. A gun. The blood drains from my body so fast, I nearly crumple. ‘My, my,’ a voice says from behind me, harsh with amusement. ‘Malenkaya vorovka.’”

What I Loved:
The kids in this are great. Kirill as a dad is top tier. My little thief. Piano playing. Kirill and Jace’s play date phone call.

Side note: Setting up a Whitlock series? I love Rue.

Pat Kelly

529 reviews19 followers

May 10, 2026

Kirill is the third book in Lilian Harris’s Marinov Bratva series. I loved the layers of secrets, the family betrayal, the compassionate portrayal of unhoused characters, the thoughtful representation of autism, and the characters’ fight to survive against the odds. It’s a true page-turner.

The main characters are Kirill (MMC) and Sloane, also known as Eden (MFC). They share a complicated past, and both endure difficult childhoods. Each are devoted to their sons, and the boys—Levi and Milo—are central to the story. Protecting them is what drives Kirill and Sloane; they want their sons to have a safer, better childhood than they did.

Kirill is deeply drawn to Sloane, but she doesn’t believe she’s good enough for him. He supports her quietly from the sidelines and is fiercely protective—very “touch her and die.” 🖤Their romance starts as a slow burn, but once they finally give in, it heats up fast.🔥🔥🔥🔥

Finally, the supporting cast adds real depth to the story, and the book also sets up characters for the next installment in the series. Overall, it’s a great read—I really enjoyed it.

Story - ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Steam/Spice - 🌶️🌶️🌶️

𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞
🖤 Russian Mafia
🖤 Single dad/Autistic son
🖤 Age Gap
🖤 Nanny
🖤 Obsessed with her
🖤 Light Stalker
🖤 Auction
🖤 Forehead kisses
🖤 Touch Her & D!e
🖤 Slow Burn
🖤 Secret Identity
🖤 Single Mom

Reader

52 reviews

May 13, 2026

I truly don’t understand such high rating for this book. The plot sounded so interesting, which is exactly why I picked it up in the first place. The beginning honestly hooked me and the dedication to the author’s son was so heartfelt that it genuinely made me emotional.

There were definitely moments I enjoyed, especially Lev’s scenes. He was incredibly sweet, although at times his behavior felt a little unrealistic to me. For most of the book, he seemed almost too cooperative, and it didn’t always feel believable.

Going into this, I had high expectations because of both the premise and the glowing reviews. Unfortunately, the more I read, the less invested I became. The story started strong, but somewhere in the middle it completely lost its grip on me. The execution just didn’t deliver the way I hoped it would.

What really ruined the book for me was Sloane’s reaction after killing her sister. The way she justified it so casually — basically acting like “she deserved it anyway” — made it impossible for me to care about the ending after that point. It completely disconnected me from the story emotionally.

By the end, I was skipping pages just trying to finish. This book had me at the start, interested me less through the middle, and lost me entirely by the end. Sadly, it ended up feeling unrealistic and unbelievable in too many places for me to enjoy overall.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

Robyn Corcoran

2,331 reviews94 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

May 4, 2026

Firstly, once I started reading this story I literally could not put it down. The storyline captivated me with its multiple facets.

Secondly, the characters are all insanely interesting, and having read Konstantin and Aleski’s books, ‘insane’ is quite close to the mark! 😀 I totally fell in love with Sloane from the beginning, my heart went out to her and I literally cheered in my head whenever something went her way.

Kirill is a character who I was intrigued by before but he totally enamoured me very quickly with how he spoke and acted towards Sloane and Lev. Also, Lev needs a special mention because he is such a darling. It is obvious that this author knows about autism and has an in-depth understanding. She accurately describes Lev in such a way that it is easy for readers to understand and visualise him. There are active lessons in this story, as well.

Some great humour, some very subtle that makes you chuckle, and some blatant that makes you laugh out loud. All adds to lighten and balance the storyline with the darker elements. And there are some very dark elements, but the way they are written, most aren’t brutally black. This is an example of how wonderful this author is at creating such dark atmospheric stories that have a broad spectrum.

Carly Fay

157 reviews4 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

May 4, 2026

Jeez, these Marinov brothers just get hotter & hotter!

Kirill is a single dad to autistic son, Lev. He would burn the world down for him & his family. Oh, & he’s also Russian Mafia!

Sloane is a single mum to Milo, whom she is trying to regain custody of after her sister removed him from her care. Sloane works hard at a diner; struggling to make ends meet, unable to afford roof over her head, let alone have somewhere stable for Milo.

After meeting at the diner, Lev takes a shine to Sloane, & Kirill knows she’s something special. After all, he’s kept tabs on her for nearly 10 years - getting her out of tight spots on several occasions. Sloane is oblivious to this, believing they met for the first time at the diner.

When Sloane’s past catches up with her; she is forced to take drastic measures to keep Milo safe - hoping that Kirill will be there to save her.

With them both lying to each other, their situation starts off very precarious; neither wanting to divulge information. But as the truths come out, are they able to look past them & focus on their relationship?

This age gap, secret identity, touch her & die dark mafia romance is not for the faint of heart - but it’s a delicious spicy tale of found family with obsession & forehead kisses (swoon!)

OooLaLa Reads

749 reviews47 followers

arc-read dark-romance ebook

Lev and Milo Completely Stole My Heart

Besties… "Kirill" had me emotionally attached, stressed out, swooning, AND clutching my Kindle all at once. Lilian Harris really said “here’s your dark mafia obsession” and delivered every single time.💯

First of all, little Lev and Milo absolutely stole the entire show for me. Lev especially had my heart in a chokehold from the very beginning. 🥰 The way Sloane connected with him so patiently and gently melted me completely. And lil Rue? Stopppp. I can't wait for the spin-off series with this family!

Sloane’s character development was one of my favorite parts of this story. She’s quiet and timid because of her traumatic upbringing, but underneath all that fear is something darker, stronger, and honestly kind of dangerous. Watching her slowly grow into her strength was so satisfying. Meanwhile, she and Kirill are over here painfully pining for each other while both acting like the feelings aren’t mutual… and I was internally screaming the entire time.🤭

And THE TWISTS. OH. MY. GOD. The suspense, the brutality, the betrayal… DAAAYYUUUM. This story kept escalating in the best way possible. Dark, emotional, protective, intense, and ridiculously addictive. This series continues to own me, and now I desperately need Anton and Thora’s book. Add this to your TBR! 😉

My Ratings: ⭐ 4.5/5 ▪︎ 🥵 3/5

🥀 My ratings and review are my own. For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤

Good Booking Girl

507 reviews19 followers

This book deserves every bit of praise it’s getting. The amount of heart poured into these characters and this story shines through on every single page. The angst was incredible, the emotional intensity was perfectly balanced, and Lilian Harris was incredible with Lev’s ASD representation. You can feel the care, tenderness, and understanding woven into every moment with him, in how he sees the world, how he processes it, and how the world so often misunderstands him. It felt authentic, emotional, and deeply impactful.

Sloane and the Kirill had a chemistry so consuming I could practically feel the tension pouring off the pages. Their connection was messy, forbidden, emotional, and completely addictive. The possessiveness, the protectiveness, the yearning. Every moment hit exactly the way a dark romance lover wants it to. But beneath all the danger and Bratva intensity was a story filled with vulnerability, healing, and aching love.

Lilian Harris also gave us the most delicious glimpse into what I already know is going to be another incredible series. IYKYK.

I could not put this book down and ended up reading it in a single day. Easily one of my favourite dark romances I’ve read this year. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kelchickbooklover

2,170 reviews68 followers

Looking for a best seller that will steal your heart and have you swooning over a dark, mysterious, and sexy man? Ms. Harris has the book for you. Kirill is one book that I could not put down. From the first page, she pulled me into a story like no other. I have to say that Kirill is my favourite male character of hers.
Can you imagine a Russian mafia man named Kirill, who has been brought up not to love anything or anyone and to show no emotions? Then, to have that man have a son, Levi, with autism, who melts your heart. To add to the mix is Sloane, a waitress at a diner that he and Levi visit, and he happens to own but nobody knows. Levi has taken to Sloane, which surprises Kirll, yet at the same time, it doesn't, because he, too, is drawn to her.
There is a history between Kirill and Sloane but it is one you would not expect. They both have a past filled with heartbreak and both are carrying a lot of baggage but even though they are complete opposites, they fit together like a puzzle.
As I turned the pages, I was riding a rollercoaster of emotions. Heartbreak and sadness because of
their pasts, then I was smiling at the protectiveness Kirill showed Sloane.
This is a book you do not want to miss reading.

Teany

65 reviews1 follower