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The Bratva’s Captive
He calls me his captive. But I’m the one holding all the secrets!
I never thought I'd surrender myself to the Russian mob.
One private dance turned into his hands all over my skin.
I can still taste the vodka on his tongue when he claimed me,
his voice rough with desire and something far more dangerous.
Now I’m trapped in his mansion, drowning in silk and sin.
Maxim Ivanov. Bratva heir. Bratva executioner.
Older. Colder. Far too powerful for a girl like me—
and yet his touch brands me like fire.
His men call him the Butcher behind closed doors.
His grandmother looks at me like I’m a stain on the marble.
But when he ties me up and makes me beg,
I forget shame. I forget fear. I remember only him.
Enemies close in, circling like wolves.
Blood paints the walls. Secrets rot beneath the surface.
I should run. I should hide.
But I crave his punishment. His power. His protection.
And now, I’m hiding the biggest secret that could destroy us both.
I’m already carrying his child.
And he doesn’t know.
And, once he finds out…
Will he protect me?
Or destroy me all over again?
Author’s The Bratva’s Captive is a steamy dark mafia romance Possessive Bratva heir. Working-class heroine. Power games. Forced proximity. Surprise pregnancy. Enemies-to-lovers.
Book One in The Ivanov Syndicate—a standalone couple with an HEA.
I never thought I'd surrender myself to the Russian mob.
One private dance turned into his hands all over my skin.
I can still taste the vodka on his tongue when he claimed me,
his voice rough with desire and something far more dangerous.
Now I’m trapped in his mansion, drowning in silk and sin.
Maxim Ivanov. Bratva heir. Bratva executioner.
Older. Colder. Far too powerful for a girl like me—
and yet his touch brands me like fire.
His men call him the Butcher behind closed doors.
His grandmother looks at me like I’m a stain on the marble.
But when he ties me up and makes me beg,
I forget shame. I forget fear. I remember only him.
Enemies close in, circling like wolves.
Blood paints the walls. Secrets rot beneath the surface.
I should run. I should hide.
But I crave his punishment. His power. His protection.
And now, I’m hiding the biggest secret that could destroy us both.
I’m already carrying his child.
And he doesn’t know.
And, once he finds out…
Will he protect me?
Or destroy me all over again?
Author’s The Bratva’s Captive is a steamy dark mafia romance Possessive Bratva heir. Working-class heroine. Power games. Forced proximity. Surprise pregnancy. Enemies-to-lovers.
Book One in The Ivanov Syndicate—a standalone couple with an HEA.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2025
823 people are currently reading
333 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 7, 2025
One more time I hear good girl. I will faint!
June 16, 2025
⸻
ARC Review – The Bratva’s Captive by Scarlett Shelton
As a fan of Bratva romances, I went into The Bratva’s Captive hoping for an intense, gripping dynamic between Maxim and Sloane. Unfortunately, this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
The first few chapters felt incredibly repetitive—how many times can a character be told they need to settle down and marry? It was overemphasized to the point of distraction, and it made the pacing feel slow right out of the gate.
More than that, I struggled to connect with either of the main characters. There was little emotional depth or chemistry that pulled me in, and without that connection, the stakes never really landed.
By the time I reached the end, I was just glad to be finished. This one didn’t work for me.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 5, 2025
Lo acabé super rápido.
tiene sus pros sus contras, no se siente como una lectura super ilógica, dentro de lo posible hubo coherencia, porque ciertamente todos los problemas fueron causados por la miscommunication.
como suele ocurrir todo paso muy rápido no nos hablan mucho de fechas pero de la nada ya estaba embarazada.
Son varias cositas que restan puntos, una falta de romanticismo, construcción de la relación, pero a pesar de como fueron las circunstancias Maxim no fue un protagonista desagradable.
tiene sus pros sus contras, no se siente como una lectura super ilógica, dentro de lo posible hubo coherencia, porque ciertamente todos los problemas fueron causados por la miscommunication.
como suele ocurrir todo paso muy rápido no nos hablan mucho de fechas pero de la nada ya estaba embarazada.
Son varias cositas que restan puntos, una falta de romanticismo, construcción de la relación, pero a pesar de como fueron las circunstancias Maxim no fue un protagonista desagradable.
October 13, 2025
Not a fan. Everything with the 2 MCs felt rushed and incomplete. There were some major events that happened where conversations should have been a thing that weren't. When Sloane met Maxim's family, it was discussed for line 4 sentences and that was it. It didnt seem like any of the characters were talking to each other. Plus with the ending, everything felt incomplete.
July 2, 2025
When a hit on his father leaves him in charge, he has to step up for the family. He is being pushed by family into an arranged marriage but he wants no part of it. Blowing off steam one night at a local club he sees her. She is only there because her ex left her with a mountain of debt and she needs a quick way to pay it off. He is drawn to her and they share a night of passion not expecting to see each other again. But when he finds her being beaten and rescues her, he doesn't expect to find out that she is carrying his child. When she found out, she never intended to tell him once she realized who he was and what kind of family he has, but he is taking her and not giving her a choice. These were fairly strong characters and a compelling storyline. There is continued mafia family drama to navigate while building a relationship. They have a lot to figure out but their chemistry isn't one of them.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 16, 2025
Sloanes mounting debts thanks to her ex, another rent hike and a pushy coworker lead her to take on the VIP work at the club, and that puts her in Maxims sights. Maxim had been under preasure by his grandmother to marry and continue the family legacy as bratva heir. He was never one for settling that is until Sloane, he's drawn to her like no other, but in taking her, he draws her into the fight with his enemies and even ones close to home, but could Sloane ever be with a man who keeps her captive, with a brutal reputation? Will she have a choice when he learns she's carrying his child? Well written engaging steamy action desires, captive, obsession and i can't wait for more or the series!
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July 2, 2025i dont know....maybe ive read mafia books so well written like cora reilly's books, that this one didnt look complete or well written. I do appreciate the hard work the author has put into this but there isnt any story, only fucking, trapping, growling, scowling, trapping again, and some more scowling. the author just wrote that sloane was conversating with the brothers and it was starting to get better and all between them, but she didnt show any plot of there conversation. There was no proper conversation between her and his grandmother, she was mentioned so much when she was forcing to have an heir then her character dissappeared, she should've been happy. This book was no stars for me...
November 17, 2025
Yeah, the beginning is definitely exciting. You can really picture the circumstances, and then their night together changes everything. The part with the heir feels like just a pretext, but the way it’s presented bothers me. I mean, I enjoy Mafia romance because it works in the story, but in real life there’s nothing romantic about it. Yet an heir is a child, and how little it’s talked about is shocking. A pregnancy, a birth, and lifelong responsibility shouldn’t be treated so lightly. In this context, the heir just feels like a thing that’s there because it has to be. Since the story is mostly about sex, it quickly gets lost. The grandma is also kind of off her rocker, and the fact that this isn’t resolved feels lacking.
December 29, 2025
This book was an okay read overall. It wasn’t bad, and I enjoyed the thrill and tension in the story. However, some parts were confusing, especially certain character decisions that didn’t fully make sense.
The pacing was uneven: several scenes and chapters felt abrupt, and it took nearly half the book for certain plot elements to fully come into play. There was also a lot of internal monologue, not unbearable, but unnecessary enough that I skipped parts of it.
The ending felt quite abrupt, and the cliffhanger didn’t really land. While there were areas that could have been explored more clearly, I still found it readable. I’m undecided about continuing the series, but I might try the next book.
The pacing was uneven: several scenes and chapters felt abrupt, and it took nearly half the book for certain plot elements to fully come into play. There was also a lot of internal monologue, not unbearable, but unnecessary enough that I skipped parts of it.
The ending felt quite abrupt, and the cliffhanger didn’t really land. While there were areas that could have been explored more clearly, I still found it readable. I’m undecided about continuing the series, but I might try the next book.
June 18, 2025
Sloan took the only job available to her when her ex boyfriend ran out on her and ran up debts she had to clear, working as a stripper.
One VIP party changed her life after a one night stand and finding out later she's pregnant, that's not all finding out who he is, Maxim Ivanov.
He's bratva and also known as the butcher and that terrified her for her and the baby, hopefully he will never find out.
Turning up just as she was being beaten by a man and unconscious he killed him and kidnapped Sloan.
Maxim found all about her and decided he needed an heir and will take her as a mistress for that purpose.
Not telling him she is already pregnant will ruin everything for them.
One VIP party changed her life after a one night stand and finding out later she's pregnant, that's not all finding out who he is, Maxim Ivanov.
He's bratva and also known as the butcher and that terrified her for her and the baby, hopefully he will never find out.
Turning up just as she was being beaten by a man and unconscious he killed him and kidnapped Sloan.
Maxim found all about her and decided he needed an heir and will take her as a mistress for that purpose.
Not telling him she is already pregnant will ruin everything for them.
July 19, 2025
Working hard to barely get by in life, Sloane is just trying to stay afloat. When she gets into a sticky situation she comes face to face with Maxim not knowing he is a part of the top family in the Mafia world. As the sparks fly, they both must learn how to trust the other to survive this unexpected pull between them. Sloane and Maxim’s story was so much fun to watch unfold!! Seeing them both learn to love and trust each other after the rough hand life had dealt them felt so rewarding in the best ways! I was so pleased to see the character development that took place throughout this book and I cannot wait to see what the series holds next for the Ivanov Family!!
July 1, 2025
He wasn't ready to run the family business but when a hit on his father means he has to step up, his past with women's betrayal toward his family makes it hard to open his heart. His grandmother is pushing him toward an arranged marriage, but one night blowing off steam in a strip club turns into so much more
This book was a twist on the mafia romances I normally read where the pregnancy isn't wanted, but it was still a secret. I liked the realness of the characters and the pull of things outside the relationship that keeps them from the insta-love.
Each character had depth and reasons for both wanted to only use one another and for being nervous about trust.
I loved their ability to learn to trust one another over everything else while still supporting the family and it's needs. You can read this as a stand alone but the arc into the next book leaving the end on a cliffhanger has me searching for the release date of the next installment!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book was a twist on the mafia romances I normally read where the pregnancy isn't wanted, but it was still a secret. I liked the realness of the characters and the pull of things outside the relationship that keeps them from the insta-love.
Each character had depth and reasons for both wanted to only use one another and for being nervous about trust.
I loved their ability to learn to trust one another over everything else while still supporting the family and it's needs. You can read this as a stand alone but the arc into the next book leaving the end on a cliffhanger has me searching for the release date of the next installment!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 8, 2025
Cliffhanger and rushed ending
It was an ok book. I can see where the author wanted to take the story, but it just didn’t work for me.
Honestly, I found myself bored because it was the same thing throughout the book: I can’t trust, I won’t love, I’m keeping this secret. The actual story besides those three things was all over the place and constant mood swings of characters was just annoying.
It was an ok book. I can see where the author wanted to take the story, but it just didn’t work for me.
Honestly, I found myself bored because it was the same thing throughout the book: I can’t trust, I won’t love, I’m keeping this secret. The actual story besides those three things was all over the place and constant mood swings of characters was just annoying.
June 21, 2025
This is an entertaining romance with Maxim and Sloane being the main characters. These two have intense chemistry from the start. The story is action-packed, with twists and turns, violence, danger, surprises, secrets, great characters and steam.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 25, 2025
4 STARS for The Bratva’s Captive by ( new for me author) Scarlett Shelton
This is a good story - Sloan and Maxim are strong - well written characters. The storyline is Sloan is trying to pay off her ex’s debt and when she works a VIP party it has life altering consequences!
Some great storytelling !.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a good story - Sloan and Maxim are strong - well written characters. The storyline is Sloan is trying to pay off her ex’s debt and when she works a VIP party it has life altering consequences!
Some great storytelling !.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 30, 2025
The Bratva Captive
I enjoyed this story. Sloane is a character who is sweet, and sassy, trying her best to claw her way out of a tough situation. Maxim is struggling with trying to fill his dad's shoes in the bratva, as well as over come his trust issues with women. Watching them circle each other made for a fun read.
I enjoyed this story. Sloane is a character who is sweet, and sassy, trying her best to claw her way out of a tough situation. Maxim is struggling with trying to fill his dad's shoes in the bratva, as well as over come his trust issues with women. Watching them circle each other made for a fun read.
July 8, 2025
Mistaken beliefs
Sloane is working herself to death as a stripper to pay off the loan sharks and debt left to her by her scrappy X. Maxim is the eldest of the brat a family that is slowly being attacked. Their mother was a brave princess that sold them out. Will maxim find true love or lose it to his hatred of all females?
Sloane is working herself to death as a stripper to pay off the loan sharks and debt left to her by her scrappy X. Maxim is the eldest of the brat a family that is slowly being attacked. Their mother was a brave princess that sold them out. Will maxim find true love or lose it to his hatred of all females?
August 4, 2025
Maxim and Sloane start off a new mafia family series featuring the four Ivanov brothers. A dark, spicy, protective and possessive read with a man determined to claim his woman amidst the secrets and power games being played out around them.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 26, 2025
Enjoyed this book, my first for this author. Good plot and flow until the end. It just ended????
There was no getting to know his family or how the awful grandmother suddenly liked her. Seemed like a chapter was missing. And why were they not worried about Nik?? Rather than being concerned they appeared quite pleased about his kidnap. Is that not weird?
There was no getting to know his family or how the awful grandmother suddenly liked her. Seemed like a chapter was missing. And why were they not worried about Nik?? Rather than being concerned they appeared quite pleased about his kidnap. Is that not weird?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2025
it was ok
It was ok. I didn’t like the reasons by the fmc lying. Or not telling him the truth. And the MMC had good qualities but he is a grown man to be holding on to something his mom did years ago! A lot of the book was the same. I did skip some. It was a little boring.
It was ok. I didn’t like the reasons by the fmc lying. Or not telling him the truth. And the MMC had good qualities but he is a grown man to be holding on to something his mom did years ago! A lot of the book was the same. I did skip some. It was a little boring.
August 13, 2025
Unfortunately, this mafia story lacks emotion. Nothing develops between MMC and FMC. MMC behaves like a Neanderthal. Even the grandmother is incredibly annoying. It's a shame, since the basic idea sounded promising.
November 8, 2025
makes no sense
I believe this author is lazy and have no respect for women’s intuition. Why would any woman who had survived all this time in New York City go back to the same place that she could’ve been almost kidnapped for sex slavery? This book is horrible. No creativity.
I believe this author is lazy and have no respect for women’s intuition. Why would any woman who had survived all this time in New York City go back to the same place that she could’ve been almost kidnapped for sex slavery? This book is horrible. No creativity.
July 1, 2025
Amazing book
Like how things started slowly and how in the end Maxin was able to love sloane. Looking foward for the brothers to find there true love
Like how things started slowly and how in the end Maxin was able to love sloane. Looking foward for the brothers to find there true love
July 7, 2025
he saw her in a strip club.
He knew she was different. He would never commit to a woman but he might want to keep her for a while. Mafia life is hard and he needs her softness
He knew she was different. He would never commit to a woman but he might want to keep her for a while. Mafia life is hard and he needs her softness
July 9, 2025
I enjoyed the bratva’s captive which was Maxim and Sloane’s story. I thought it was an intriguing, steamy read. I received an early copy of the book. And voluntarily leaving this review.
July 22, 2025
pacing was too fast
July 23, 2025
Love this book! Max and Sloane! 🥰
August 30, 2025
I really liked this one. I will probably read it again 5.
September 14, 2025
GREAT BOOK WAS AMAZING. LOVED IT.
FAST PACE AND LOTS OF ACTION.
📚🔥✨💓🔥✨🔥✨📚
FAST PACE AND LOTS OF ACTION.
📚🔥✨💓🔥✨🔥✨📚
September 16, 2025
Fantastic Read
First time reading a book from this author, I found it to be a really good book. Looking forward to reading more of her books.
First time reading a book from this author, I found it to be a really good book. Looking forward to reading more of her books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews