I despised him with every fiber of my being, and now he was coming after me. He was the monster who had taken my mama and papa from this world, and I was next on his list. The moment I stepped away from my childhood home, I understood that there was no going back. Larissa Zhukova had to vanish, and in her place, Sarah Jones emerged to navigate the shadows of a new life. That was until he tracked me down, his thirst for vengeance over what my father had done burning fiercely. But never did I imagine his revenge would involve binding me to him in marriage, compelling me to bear his heir. I had to find a way to flee, to escape his suffocating darkness before it consumed me entirely.
Dmitri
Vengeance had never tasted so intoxicatingly sweet, and there was nothing I desired more than to claim Lara as mine. She might believe her father had perished, but I knew the truth. Her family had ruthlessly stripped away everyone I loved, and it was time they faced the consequences. In the icy caverns of my heart, there was no room for love. Lara served a single to provide me with an heir. However, she had unexpectedly become an obsession, and with each passing day, she peeled away the layers of the dark armor I had encased my heart in, threatening to expose the vulnerability I had buried long ago.
Twisted Obsession is the first book in The Red Knights Series. Each book is a standalone with a HEA. This is a spicy Dark Mafia Romance which features scenes of a violent nature as well as those with explicit sexual nature with TW.
Award-winning author of the Independent Press Award for Distinguishing Favorite. Recipient of the National Indie Excellence Award for Erotica Romance.
My love for writing began several years ago after an early retirement from a demanding job that I loved and hated because it consumed so much of my time. Now, I can focus my time on what I love. Writing romance has been a lifelong dream and to actually say that I am a published author is beyond what I would have ever expected.
Even though some may say I have a little naughtiness in my books, I look at it as an added bonus for my readers. After all, what is a romance book without a little spice?
When I am not writing, I enjoy spending time with friends either at home or out on the town. Mostly, I enjoy a relaxing night at home where I can enjoy a glass of wine in the company of a good book.
Out of everything, she enjoys driving in her little convertible with the top down.
This felt just like a Wattpad story from 2015, and I loved it! It brought back so many memories of staying up late reading stories on my phone. The vibe was really nostalgic and fun. The writing was easy to understand and follow, which made it even better.
Okay 4.5 stars overall is WILD. I did not like this book, it was actually so hard for me to get through.
I’m always stoked for a good mafia romance but this felt super forced. Also hardly a romance. It was pretty much just him r*ping her every time she pissed him off, and her being like “oh no why do I like that I shouldn’t like him.” Like, no. There was almost no romance until she, of course, got kidnapped and realized she screwed up. And then they actually admitted their feelings like BRO. Maybe it was just like, too cliche? I don’t even know.
Also there was simultaneously too much information and also not enough information at the same time, somehow…. The story was too fast, so many characters were just /there/ and I had no idea who tf they were? I don’t know. His “shipments” were being taken but like we knew NOTHING about his business until they said guns like one time.
Honestly, it’s a no for me. I legitimately kept falling asleep because I was so bored and not engaged with this story at all.
Also if I ever read “winking eye” as a description for someone’s a** hole again I’ll probably gouge my eyeballs out. 🤮🤮🤢🤮
Super thankful I got to receive an ARC copy to read! This is definitely a dark mafia romance. More on the darker side I would say than a lot of mafia romance I’ve read. It was a really good book, but I couldn’t fully get to grasp the main characters, which is why I gave it a 4 stars. The plot was absolutely perfect, the writing was done really well, I love how everything came together in the end with all characters. Super spicy! It was just a really good read overall!
This is the first in this series which is a dark Mafia story, it's a little more intense than i usually read, but worth the read. Dimitri has hunted her for three years, and now he plans to marry her. Lara has been hiding since her parents died. She thought she was safe but still he found her. The story is compelling and twisted. Can she live a life forced on her. Will Dimitri actually admit his true feelings. This is a steamy rivalry enemies to lovers story that is definitely worth a read
I’m not sure how I feel about this one. I’ve read plenty of romantasy and darker romance before, but I struggled to connect with the love story in this dark mafia romance. The writing itself was easy to follow and the pacing worked well, though the paragraph spacing in my ARC copy felt a bit wide. Not a bad book at all if this is your type of thing — just not really my cup of tea.
If there was ever a more apt title for a book, Twisted Obsession is perfect! I absolutely loved the storyline and the beautifully written characters had such depth, it was incredibly easy to actually picture them all. Lara and Dmitri faced so many challenges starting with Dmitri hunting Lara down for 3 years before finally finding, kidnapping and marrying her! This is of course in retaliation for Lara’s father killing his mother and sister and Lara has remained hidden under a secret identity since her parents were killed. The story is filled with drama, danger, evil, betrayal, lies, secrets, brotherhood, friendships, steamy scenes, romance and love. I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book via BookFunnel and I am writing this review voluntarily
Unfortunately, this is yet another book in which the virgin bride is drugged, kidnapped, forced into marriage, and brutally r*ped on her wedding night. And of course, the young woman still had an org*sm. I can only roll my eyes; surely no woman has an org*sm during this. Oh, and as the story progresses, the sexual acts become still brutal. There are also hard spankings with a belt, as punishment, not for pleasure. But, surprise, surprise, after FMC Lara is kidnapped again by another person, MMC Dmitri realizes he loves the protagonist. Lara suddenly loves Dmitri too, although it's probably more of a case of Stockholm syndrome. Unfortunately, only one star, as even the plots don't help. Also, there's a lack of information about the Red Knights; everything is too vague. What's also strange is that even though Lara has a contraceptive implant under her skin that will last for at least three years, she is pregnant.
OMG! This was amazing! There are so many twists to this story it'll have you on the edge. Dimitri and Lara are great characters, you'll fall in love with ❤️ Dimitri now the Pakhan now the one Lara is promised to since his father is dead. Dimitri has vengeance in mind since Lara's father killed his. Lara over hears her parents arguing and then a shot fired, she flees and stays under the radar for 3 years and that's how long Dimitri has been searching for. He's found his bride and now his vengeance can begin. Great author and is wonderful at pulling you in and keeping you on edge till the end. This is now one of my favorites by A. L. Long! ~ARC provided in return for honest review~
Lara hides from her familial enemy. It only takes her car needing repairs to be found. This starts her captivity, torture, and secrets revealed for both her and Dimitri. Their story is suspenseful and spicy. Not for the feint of heart.
One fateful night, Lara wakes to overhear her father telling her mother that they must flee because he’s crossed Viktor Antonov, a powerful man and now their lives hang in the balance. Viktor wanted Lara to marry into his family to settle the debt her father owes, but Andrei refused. Moments later, Lara’s world is shattered, her parents are gunned down and she swears a vow to avenge their deaths. Forced into hiding under a new identity, Lara believes she’s escaped the nightmare, until Dmitri, Viktor’s son, tracks her down after three long years. Her illusion of safety crumbles as Dmitri kidnaps and marries her in a brutal act of retaliation for the sins of her family. What unfolds next is a dark, dangerous dance between two enemies, both consumed by betrayal, pain, and a thirst for revenge. As the story unravels, so do the lies that bind them. Lara and Dmitri each discover that the truths they’ve been living by are twisted deceptions and that the real enemy may not be who they thought. It’s a tale where vengeance meets obsession, and love burns through the cracks of hatred. Make no mistake, this is a dark mafia romance, and it doesn’t pull its punches. Dmitri’s actions early on are difficult to stomach: he’s cruel, cold, and consumed by anger. Lara, drugged and locked away, feels like a pawn in a game she never chose to play. These moments were uncomfortable, as they should be. They highlight the brutal reality of the mafia world the author builds. Yet, as their paths intertwine, the chemistry between them grows undeniable. The more they fight their feelings, the deeper they fall. Lara’s quiet strength and resilience slowly chip away at Dmitri’s icy armor, revealing the man beneath the monster. Their connection is fierce, volatile, and magnetic, filled with passion, rage, and heartbreak. The spice is intense, raw, and not always easy to read, with Dmitri’s possessive dominance taking center stage (though some of the descriptive choices—“winking hole,” for example—were… questionable at best!) Lara’s courage shines through, though at times I wished she had been a touch more assertive. When she’s kidnapped again, Dmitri’s transformation is complete. His love for her ignites a desperate determination to save her, no matter the cost. This story brims with betrayal, danger, sizzling tension, and unexpected tenderness. Beneath all the darkness lies a heartbeat of loyalty, brotherhood, and redemption. The emotional rollercoaster of Lara and Dmitri’s journey kept me hooked from start to finish. If you’re looking for an enemies-to-lovers story that’s unapologetically dark, emotionally charged, and scorchingly passionate, this one delivers every punch—and then some. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
OMG, I could not put this book down! Twisted Obsession by A.L. Long is perfectly named, as the story itself is an absolute whirlwind of passion and peril. The beautifully written characters have such depth that it was incredibly easy to picture every scene. The tension begins with the hero, Dmitri, hunting down, kidnapping, and marrying the heroine, Lara, a scheme driven by three years of relentless searching and a burning thirst for vengeance. This dramatic start is rooted in a brutal betrayal: Lara's father killed Dmitri's mother and sister, forcing Lara to live under the secret identity of "Sarah Jones" since her parents were also killed.
Lara's perspective is raw and intense: "I despised him with every fiber of my being, and now he was coming after me. He was the monster who had taken my mama and papa from this world, and I was next on his list." She had managed to vanish from her past as Larissa Zhukova, only for Dmitri to track her down, his vengeance fierce. She never imagined his revenge would escalate to forcing her into marriage to compel her to bear his heir, and she is desperate to flee his suffocating darkness before it consumes her entirely.
From Dmitri's side, vengeance has never tasted so intoxicatingly sweet, and there is nothing he desires more than to claim Lara as his. He knows the truth her family ruthlessly stripped away everyone he loved, and it is time they faced the consequences. Initially, he believes there is no room for love in the icy caverns of his heart; Lara serves a single purpose: to provide him with an heir. However, she unexpectedly becomes an all-consuming obsession, peeling away the layers of his dark armor and threatening to expose the vulnerability he had buried long ago.
Their complex dynamic creates a story filled with drama, danger, evil, unforgettable betrayal, and high-stakes lies and secrets. But beneath the darkness, the book delivers sharp romance, scorching steamy scenes, and touching moments of brotherhood, friendship, and genuine love. I absolutely loved the storyline, and the emotional journey of Lara and Dmitri facing so many challenges together. If you're looking for an enemies-to-lovers story packed with every emotional punch, this is it!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book definitely stirred up some strong opinions, and I can see why. For me, it was a good story with an engaging plot and plenty of twists that kept me turning the pages. It’s important to keep in mind that this is a dark mafia romance, so the content isn’t meant to be soft, sweet, or easy to digest.
We follow Lara, who is living under a false identity after her parents’ deaths, only to be tracked down by Dmitri, the man who believes vengeance is owed for what her family did to his. What follows is a twisted, dangerous push-and-pull dynamic between two characters carrying generational trauma, hatred, and the heavy weight of betrayal.
I’ll admit, some of Dmitri’s actions early on made me uncomfortable. The way he kidnapped, drugged, and forced Lara into marriage crossed lines that I personally don’t condone. However, I also understood that this is the essence of dark romance: it explores extremes of obsession, control, power, and blurred consent. As the story progressed, their relationship shifted into something more mutual, and the emotional layers began to shine through.
Beyond the romance, I really enjoyed the themes of revenge, found family, secrets, and betrayal. There were enough twists to keep me invested, and I especially liked how the layers of truth started to unravel for both characters.
This was my first read from A. L. Long, and I can say it won’t be my last. While it’s not a book for everyone and definitely not for readers uncomfortable with non-consent themes. It is a solid choice for fans of dark mafia romance who know what they’re stepping into.
Dmitri, Pakhan of the Antonov Bratva and part of The Red Knights Brotherhood, plans to take Larissa (Lara) as revenge for his family being unalived by her family.
But before he can take her, Lara wakes with a hangover from a night out and overhears her father (Andrei) telling her mother (Lidia) that they need to leave to stay safe. He crossed Viktor Antonov, Dmitri's father, and now, (her father) Andrei feared for their lives. Viktor wanted Lara to marry into his family to pay off the debt he owed them, but Andrei refused. The next thing Lara knows, her parents are shot, and she makes a promise to herself to enact vengeance on the people who murdered them. For now, she's going into hiding under a different name so no one can find her.
Dmitri had a hard time locating Lara (now Sarah), but he never gave up his search for her, and after 3 long years, he finally found her, held her captive, and has plans to force her into marriage, saying that she would give him an heir.
When she first arrived, after being drugged and locked in a room, Dmitri was angry at what her family did, so he was very cold and cruel. I didn't like how she was treated, not just by Dmitri but by some of the other characters, but at the time, she was just a pawn.
The more they spent time together, the stronger their need for each other grew. She started unconsciously submitting to him, and his stone wall started crumbling, forcing his emotions to break through, and they found themselves unable to live without each other. Their chemistry grew strong, and the spicy scenes were off the charts! He was very dominant, possessive (MINE) and the one in charge! Lara was courageous and strong in her own way; she was able to survive for 3 years undetected.
The story was filled with mystery, twists and left me in suspense. It didn't take me long to finish it!
Overall: 4.25 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25 Spice/Heat Intensity: 5 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Main Characters: Dmitri & Larissa (Sarah) Nickname: Lara Darkness: 3 out of 5 🖤🖤🖤 Type of book: MF, Fast Burn, Duel 1st Person POV Reading Order: Standalone Novel Title: The Red Knights Series- Twisted Obsession: Book 1 Epilogue: Yes Ending Type: HEA
*OTT Possessive, obsessive, dominant, and (eventually) protective MMC *Mafia *Forced Marriage *Kidnapping *Captive *Both Non & Dub-Con *Revenge *No cheating or sharing
⚠️ This book has descriptive parts that may be extremely offensive or triggering to some. Please check the TW/CW before reading! 18+
*I received an early copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving this review.
I could not put this book down! 📖 Twisted Obsession by A.L. Long is a dark mafia romance that pulls you in from the very first page and doesn’t let go. Dmitri has spent the last 3 years hunting for Lara as retribution for her father killing his own… while Lara believes Dmitri is responsible for her parents’ deaths. 😱
When he finally finds her and kidnaps her, he forces her into marriage 💍—and what follows is an intense game of hate, lust, and undeniable chemistry. 💣🔥 Their hatred runs deep, but so does the connection that begins to bloom between them… and watching it unfold is beautifully brutal.
This story is packed with betrayal, dark secrets, brotherhood loyalty 🤝, and oh yes—plenty of steamy scenes that will leave you breathless. 😈💋
I received an advanced reader copy of this book via BookFunnel and am leaving this review voluntarily. These thoughts are entirely my own. Thank you, A.L. Long, for such a gripping read—I’m already counting down to the next one! 📚❤️
Twisted obsession was well written in flow, had a good overall plot line and definitely fits into the DARK romance and mafia genres. Rated lower as a little more background on some characters would have improved the book as new characters would appear and I couldn’t figure out who they were or how they connected. I would recommend skipping this one if forced relationships and forced relations trigger you though. If this does not trigger you, it is action packed and includes multiple dark romance style spicy scenes. I did struggle at times with how often things were forced and the main character just accepted it - wait, what?! No girl, go fight like hell for yourself!
Dmitri would definitely not fit into my list of desired book boyfriends - because wow he’s a bit much and I really was longing for Lara to stand up for herself and protect herself more throughout the pages. I enjoyed the Red Knights hidden portion of the story and the action scenes that included them.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved reading this deliciously electric book I was hooked straight away, the story was written well and the characters were sensational. This story of hiding the pain so revenge comes out, Sarah Jones left her home and had to say goodbye to Larissa Zhukova, Sarah received a job and found somewhere to live, the place doesn't look like a place she would live in, she also made sure to tell the gentleman that if anyone comes looking for her to tell them she left. Dmitri Antonov, has been looking for the last Zhukova the one that got away for three years, and he will make sure they suffer locked in one oof his underground jail cage he has made sure there is nothing but a bed, a toilet and cameras everywhere. Dmitri always is in control until now watching her. There was so many twist and turns through out the book and just think the love and romance.
I am a sucker for a dark Mafia romance, and Twisted Obsession for the bill. Dimitri is the Pakhan of the Bratva and decides to avenge his father's death by kidnapping Lara, marrying her and forcing her to have his heir. I really liked the flow of this book, and it was an easy read.
The reason for my 4 stars instead of 5, is because there were some components that were introduced without any backstory or real explanation, so the story didn't seem as well rounded as it could be.
Dimitri business was unknown to me until over halfway in, and his shipments were mentioned quite a bit, but shipments of what?
Some characters were introduced as a pretty major plot point, but who were they in relation to the Bratva and Dimitri's life? They just came in and went away pretty quickly with zero backstory.
Overall, the story was a good, quick read and it was easy to finish.
I received this advanced review copy for free and am voluntarily leaving my review.
I really enjoyed this book, Lara & Dmitri's story is one of many twists and turns and whilst I really enjoyed it and can't wait for the next installment I feel like it could of been so much more than it was.
It could of given more back ground to the Red Knights and Lara. I feel like the ending was a little rushed and didn't answer all questions and whilst I know there is more books to come there are still loose ends in to Ivan, Angelo, Marta the house keeper etc.
What I did love was the relationship between the 2 main characters, I liked that Dmitri had one plan when he set out to find Lara but then that quickly changed as he fell for Lara. I like how Lara fought him at every step but still fell for him. Their love felt like it was destined from the beginning. Ivan was a good villain, his behaviour really creeped me out but that was the point.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Twisted Obsession is the first book in The Red Knights Series. Each book is a standalone with a HEA. This is a spicy Dark Mafia Romance with some triggers like violence, strong sexual content. A story of revenge and obsession. Larissa/Sarah and Dmitri will take you on an emotional roller coaster in his fast paced book. After her parents were killed she went into hiding under another name. It took him three years but he finally found her and forced her into marriage with the expectation of a heir. He wanted revenge since her father had killed his mother and sister. The characters are well developed and the story line is a page turner. Prepare to lose a little sleep because once you start reading, you won’t be able to put this book down. I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book via the Book Sirens and I am writing this review voluntarily
I loved Lara and Dmitri who were both characters that were realistic and life like.
Dmitri a Mafia man took Lara to bear an heir as revenge against her family.
He was so ultra possessive and obsessed with her. They hated each other from the start. He murdered her parents and he wanted her as revenge. Nothing she wanted was taken into account but she didn't cower to him after a while finding her voice.
That chemistry did come out eventually. A book full of danger, grief, secrets and lies. The danger ever present and the suspense took them on a journey.
I didn't like Dmitri at the start, too domineering but soon he showed his true ways.
So well done, a book I could get into. A first by this Author and I will be looking out for more. So good!!
An enjoyable start to the Red Knights series. A lighter mafia romance for me, which was a nice change. A good storyline that held my attention. I didn't connect to Lara as much as Dmitri as I felt she was immature and lacked personality.. She had been led to believe that Dmitri's family had killed her parents, but lies and betrayal's unfold to lead both of them realising everything they thought they knew was wrong. A few plot twists that I worked out, generally worth picking up as I feel the series will get better.
Well written romance, I just felt it lacked an oomph, somethimg missing to hold my attention. I'm sure the next book in the series will be a great read as the ending was HEA, but left with questions and new beginningsI received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
3 Stars! This is the first book in ‘The Red Knights’ series and can be read as a standalone. I’ve read & liked dark romance before but this one was a bit too dark for my tastes. The main characters are Larissa/Lara and Dmitri. There were times that I wanted to slap both of them. Their “relationship” felt more like it was a Stockholm syndrome relationship than actual love. I felt like some parts of the book were over explained and others were not explained enough. I really wanted to like this book and thought it would be better since it has such a high rating. The story was interesting and I enjoyed that part. The romance/relationship was just an ehh for me. *I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
Twisted Obsession gives us Dimitri and Lara's story and it was fairly interesting. It started out a bit confusing but I think the author did a decent job of tying everything together. I didn't really care for Dimitri and how he treated Lara, I don't understand why he felt the need to be like that with her. Lara was okay but there were times she frustrated me and I wished she had more of a backbone during certain moments. It was easy to follow along with but I wished the ending was a bit fleshed out more and that we got to see them actually be a happy couple together and her connecting with her family. I think an epilogue also would have been nice as well.
I received a free ARC of this book via BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Twisted Obsession is a dark Bratva romance between Lara/Sarah who takes on a new life and identity after the death of her Mafia parents, and Dmitri the Antonov Bratva Pakhan who has vowed revenge for the assassination of his father by their greatest rival, Lara's father Andrei. After three years of hiding, Dmitri finds Lara and forces her into marriage but all is not quite as it seems. This spicy enemies to lovers romance has well developed characters, unexpected plot twists, lies, deception, obsession, betrayal, and violence.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
know your triggers before you start reading this book as this is a dark romance story,
Lana 's only mistake is to have been born under her last name, it has marked her in Dimitri's eyes, as he is seeking revenge. He takes Lana as his wife with the idea to possess her, to control her, to break her. But did not account that with each encounter, he is in risk of losing his heart.
Be ready to feel raw and vulnerable after reading this book, the grit, the violence, the brutal possession and the reality that behind the monster facade there is man fearing for himself.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A delicious read. Full of twists and turns with unexpected surprises along the way. I need the next book now. This book is a quick read for me because I barely stopped reading. I’m a night owl and I love to read when the house is quiet. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you for allowing me to read the book! I really enjoyed watching the plot unfold as I dove deeper into the Mafia world. Definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in the other side of Mafia stories. Romance and trust issues unite in this intense love story.
★“My sole desire was to make Andrei pay for my father’s murder.”★
As Pakhan of the Antonov Bratva, Dmitri had only one goal to pursue, to make a rival enemy pay. If he couldn’t find Andrei Zhukov, he was going to find his daughter Larissa and make her pay in his place. But a three-year search has amount to nothing, until a lead finally pays out, Dmitri has her and does not intend to let her go until she is his wife. Now with a wife to control, and shipments getting hijacked, betrayals and lies were the next items they needed to weed through. A twisted mafia story!
I'm a reader of AL Long and she has definitely written a twisted tale. Lara escapes the night of her parents death, disappearing for 3 years until Dmitri Antonov finds her. His plan is to marry her and once she has given him heirs he will get rid of her. He is brutal in his punishment of her but Lara while vulnerable also has strengths. Secrets come to light and when she tells him who was there the night she saw her mother killed, he unfortunately pushes it aside. While not loving Dmitri's punishment ways, I couldn't put the book down. Another good one from Ms. Long.
This is book 1 in Long's new series The Red Knights. A great start to a new series, this book is well written and captivating with main characters Lara and Dmitri. I found the title fitting for the storyline which was full of challenges for these two. The story while smooth flowing is filled with drama, danger, secrets, betrayal, and of course steamy chemistry and romance. I loved this read and I can't wait for more from Long and this new series!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.