Widowed

by S. Perez, Dani Staro (Narrator), Cassidy McColister - editor (Adapter)

Losing my husband was the most heartbreaking experience I could have ever gone through. I'm a widow now with only a son to care for. My husband's death has revealed truths I was not ready for. The life he lived as a mobster and now he has left me with a stranger who used to be his boss.

My best friend is gone. He left me wounded, scared, and broken. Now, he has left me his wife, and his son to care for in his stead. What do I know about being a husband or a father? I'm the leader of a Russian mob. I don't know the first thing about it, but I know punishment and fear...

Audible Audio

Published June 27, 2025

About the author

S. Perez is an indie author with an insatiable passion for reading and writing, often getting lost in worlds of her own creation. A connoisseur of taboo stories, she’s drawn to the darker, more unconventional sides of literature. When she’s not buried in a book, you’ll find her immersed in the vibrant world of anime and Asian dramas, she’s likely one of the biggest Otaku you’ll ever meet. Her love for these art forms is as intense as her creativity, always seeking out the next obsession to fuel her imagination.

Check Out my Linktree for all my socials <3

Reviews

[Bryckk Wilkes-DuBois · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kyro & Reyna: A Bizarre-Trainwreck of a Couple That I Just Couldn't Look Away From! LOL

This will be a very strange review to write because I'm not really sure if I love it. I enjoyed it but... for all intents and purposes, it was... bizarre. This review contains a few light spoilers so stop reading now if you want to go in blind!

Reyna is the mother of a brilliant 10-year-old son who has suffered the loss of her husband, Ivan. While still mourning the loss of her love, Reyna has resorted to becoming a paid escort. One day, she meets a new client, a man named Kyro who is Ivan's "brother"... Bratva brother that is. Reyna is stunned to learn that her deceased love was ex-Bratva and Kyro has returned to honor a promise to his fallen brother to take care of his wife and son. Reyna then marries Kyro and finds herself falling in love with the Bratva Pakhan.

Here's where it gets bizarre... Reyna is not your average widow. She is actually not what one would expect when reading a book like this. As it turns out, Ivan has no idea that his sweet wife is not the innocent, doe-eyed deer he tried to protect from his violent past. Reyna is dark and just as twisted as Kyro, sharing in his thirst for violence and bloodlust.

Reyna gives a new, twisted meaning to the term "Widowed". If you think she's sitting around brooding, kneeling at her husband's grave, and wearing black this entire book, think again. This woman becomes bizarrely unhinged as Kyro unlocks her inner demon and unleashes her into his world. Faithfully, these two descended together, both of them slipping deeper and deeper into the void of sex and violence. This book is an excellent depiction of two dark souls finally finding their match.

This book would have been phenomenal had it not been for the constant quantum leaps back and forth between past and present. The constant flashbacks really interrupted the flow of the story. Further, the scenes could have been a better flushed out with more details to better world-build.

There were many unanswered questions about characters and actions that took place in the story and its characters that could have been wrapped up rather than leading the reader to assume. What happened with Maeve? Did she ever continue to run for office? How did she react to her hubby's fate? What happened with Nikolai and Izzy? Was it even revealed if they were a couple? It's for these reasons that I cannot award the execution of this book five stars, but the engaging plot and main characters were enough to keep me interested to want to know how it will all end. Maybe the answers will be given in future books? I certainly hope so.

Overall, this was a very, VERY spicy, sexy-naughty, intriguing read so please check your triggers! I loved the inclusion and the diversity present between the characters. I'll admit, it wasn't what I thought it was going to be, but I promise you... in a good way! Definitely strayed from the formula usually found in books like these and I loved it! I look forward to reading more books from S. Perez.

Happy reading!

[MB · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for an intense, emotionally charged mafia romance that perfectly blends the heavy angst of a second-chance family dynamic with the dangerous world of organized crime, Widowed is an absolute page-turner. Perez delivers a beautiful, high-tension story focused on grief, shocking betrayals, and an alpha protector who is completely out of his depth but fiercely determined to guard what is his.

The narrative shifts between Reyna, a woman entirely shattered by the heartbreaking loss of her husband, and Kyro, the formidable leader of a Russian mob. Following the death, Reyna is blindsided by a cascade of dark secrets—discovering that her late husband lived a double life as a mobster and has now effectively left her and their young son in the hands of his dangerous former boss. Kyro is equally broken, mourning the loss of his best friend while suddenly burdened with the responsibility of stepping into the roles of protector, husband, and father. Watching this ruthless Bratva boss—who admits he only knows “punishment and fear"—navigate his immediate, protective obsession for Reyna and her son is spectacular. Perez masterfully builds the narrative friction as Reyna tries to navigate her grief and fear of this imposing stranger, while Kyro's fierce, possessive instincts completely take over. It is a sultry, fast-paced, and deeply comforting dark romance about finding a safe haven in the most dangerous place imaginable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Widowed is the first book that I have read by S. Perez and I was completely hooked on the story. This book is definitely suspenseful and is a page turning mafia romance. Widowed is completely captivating from beginning to end, entertaining and an enjoyable read. I’m most certainly going to look into more of S. Perez’s work in the future to see what else they have to offer. This book follows the story of Reyna and Kyro. The chemistry between Reyna and Kyro is absolutely smoking hot and undeniably irresistible. Widowed is a book that I would recommend, but I would recommend reading the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book to decide if this book is the right one that you want to read. The characters of Widowed are well developed and beautifully executed throughout the story. I absolutely enjoyed getting to know who Reyna and Kyro were as the main characters. I also enjoyed seeing their relationship unfolding throughout the pages of the book. I love that Reyna and Kyro have a happy ending to their story with them being happy together as husband and wife and having a family. I can’t wait to see what will come next from S. Perez in the future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Victoria &#x1f4da; · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast paced SPICY Dark Mafia Romance ✅

Widowed Reyna makes her money as an escort while taking care of her son up until Kyro decides to grant his late brothers wishes to take care of the wife and child he left behind.

Reyna was in the dark with her husband about who he really was but Kyro doesn’t hide who he is. Not only does he give touch her & you die vibes but he’ll make her kill you so she can feel just as powerful as him.

They both are still working through their grief of losing Ivan but nothing can stop the chemistry they feel for each other.

Great story line & spicy scenes. 3.75 stars simply because the constant change of POV made it difficult to keep up with.

Love this indie author & her spiciness 🌶️

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Now, he has left me his wife, and his son to care for in his stead. What do I know about being a husband or a father? I'm the leader of a Russian mob. I don't know the first thing about it, but I know punishment and fear...'

The characters were very appealing and complex and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and expertly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend!

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy the read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[kariany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly always wait for S.perez to release a new Mafia romance I’ve found myself falling in love with the character s 💯 the book can get a bit Dark in just a few scenes but enough to make the book interesting I also love how short the chapters are which makes it pretty easy to read….I did get a bit confused with the multiple POVs and flashbacks and that’s the reason for the 4stars but other than that I loved it and I can’t wait for more releases from the author.

SMUT 🔞🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[JM G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the storyline of Widowed. It pulled me in from the very beginning and had me invested as I had to continue reading it. A definite page turner that I didn't want to put down. Great characters, and you can feel their connection as you read the story. Great!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anita Balthazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book by this author and I really enjoyed it. When the FMCs husband dies his best friend steps in to lighten the load. I loved the slow chemistry it made the book hard to put down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephanie Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I’ve read by S. Perez and it wont be my last.! This book had me hooked from the very beginning. Reyna loses her husband, but she had no idea the secrets he had. Kyro is the best friend of Reyna‘s husband, he’s also the leader of the Russian mob and he’s mourning the loss of his friend. This book will have you on your toes and it’s absolutely a page turner. Mafia books are one of my favorites in this book did not disappoint. Please check your trigger warnings before you start this book. Thank you. S. Perez and Booksprout for this arc.

[Abbies_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review coming!

[book ish · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 14%

[Lifes · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written