What do you think?
Kings of Las Vegas #4
King of Corruption
Until death do us part.
When my father sells my sister to a cruel Mafia king, I know I need to escape before it’s my turn.
I’ll need money, so I do the only thing I’ve ever been good counting cards.
From the start, though, I make a huge mistake.
The Las Vegas casino I choose to steal from?
It belongs to my sister’s fiancé.
I’m hauled into his office, shoved into a chair by his goons as he stands above me, his stare cold enough to freeze my soul.
He’s a man who is above the law, he can do anything he wants.
But he does the worst thing of all…he makes me wait. Imagine. Stew.
He’ll decide how he wants to punish me after the wedding.
I barely pull myself together for the ceremony.
I just have to stand by my sister’s side.
Except, my sister is nowhere to be found.
Instead, a white dress hangs on the back of the rectory door.
Turns out, there’s been a change of plans.
He’s decided on my punishment after all.
And now…
I’m the bride.
When my father sells my sister to a cruel Mafia king, I know I need to escape before it’s my turn.
I’ll need money, so I do the only thing I’ve ever been good counting cards.
From the start, though, I make a huge mistake.
The Las Vegas casino I choose to steal from?
It belongs to my sister’s fiancé.
I’m hauled into his office, shoved into a chair by his goons as he stands above me, his stare cold enough to freeze my soul.
He’s a man who is above the law, he can do anything he wants.
But he does the worst thing of all…he makes me wait. Imagine. Stew.
He’ll decide how he wants to punish me after the wedding.
I barely pull myself together for the ceremony.
I just have to stand by my sister’s side.
Except, my sister is nowhere to be found.
Instead, a white dress hangs on the back of the rectory door.
Turns out, there’s been a change of plans.
He’s decided on my punishment after all.
And now…
I’m the bride.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 26, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
![Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1626057011i/10717098._UX200_CR0,33,200,200_.jpg)
July 12, 2026
King of Corruption is book four in the Kings of Las Vegas series by Tammy Andresen. This is Ryker and Sasha’s book. Although it’s not my favorite of the series, I still loved it. It’s not as suspenseful as the previous one but there are still some OMG moments and big reveals.
Ryker Smith has never felt like one of the Smith brothers. He’s always felt like an outsider. There’s a good reason for this. He and Killian share a different father than the other three Smith Brothers. Now is his moment to take what he feels is his and set himself apart from the rest. It has been arranged that he will marry Katarina Ivanov to tie their families together. But it’s not Katarina that Ryker wants to marry. It’s Sasha. And he will have her.
Sasha Ivanov is twenty one years old. She and her sister, Katarina were held captive by their evil father for five years to hold over the head of their older brother, Dimitri. Now they are free of their father, only to be held captive in a different way. All of the families are staying in what they say is a completely safe apartment building until their father can be dealt with. Her sister is supposed to marry Ryker. All Sasha wants is to be free from all of them. So, she escapes. She needs money and is an expert at counting cards so chooses a casino to earn what she needs to get away. Little did she know that the casino is owned by Ryker. When she’s caught, he says that he will tell her what her punishment is, after the wedding. Little did she know that the day of the wedding was going to be HER wedding day, not her sister’s.
Even with all that she has experienced, Sasha has such a big heart. She just wants to be loved and give love in return. Her sweet nature finally melts Ryker’s own heart. He can’t help but to fall in love with his wife. But he has done so many things to get to this point. Once she learns, she will never forgive him, let alone his brothers.
My heart was pounding with all the secrets Ryker was keeping. I just knew things were going to go off the rails once everything was found out. But I never expected what did happen. The next book is called King of Damnation and is going to be Win and Katarina’s book. I’m so excited for this one. I don’t know Win very well so am excited to see what his world is like. I’ve become obsessed with this series and this family.
Ryker Smith has never felt like one of the Smith brothers. He’s always felt like an outsider. There’s a good reason for this. He and Killian share a different father than the other three Smith Brothers. Now is his moment to take what he feels is his and set himself apart from the rest. It has been arranged that he will marry Katarina Ivanov to tie their families together. But it’s not Katarina that Ryker wants to marry. It’s Sasha. And he will have her.
Sasha Ivanov is twenty one years old. She and her sister, Katarina were held captive by their evil father for five years to hold over the head of their older brother, Dimitri. Now they are free of their father, only to be held captive in a different way. All of the families are staying in what they say is a completely safe apartment building until their father can be dealt with. Her sister is supposed to marry Ryker. All Sasha wants is to be free from all of them. So, she escapes. She needs money and is an expert at counting cards so chooses a casino to earn what she needs to get away. Little did she know that the casino is owned by Ryker. When she’s caught, he says that he will tell her what her punishment is, after the wedding. Little did she know that the day of the wedding was going to be HER wedding day, not her sister’s.
Even with all that she has experienced, Sasha has such a big heart. She just wants to be loved and give love in return. Her sweet nature finally melts Ryker’s own heart. He can’t help but to fall in love with his wife. But he has done so many things to get to this point. Once she learns, she will never forgive him, let alone his brothers.
My heart was pounding with all the secrets Ryker was keeping. I just knew things were going to go off the rails once everything was found out. But I never expected what did happen. The next book is called King of Damnation and is going to be Win and Katarina’s book. I’m so excited for this one. I don’t know Win very well so am excited to see what his world is like. I’ve become obsessed with this series and this family.
December 30, 2025
It was ok, I enjoyed it, but that's all.
Read
January 2, 2026DNF 20%
Craving a good mafia story, sadly picked the wrong one.
Craving a good mafia story, sadly picked the wrong one.
January 3, 2026
Could have done without the constant reminders of his past experiences and her lack there of. There was an opportunity for a really good and long grovel but it was sort of breezed over and just ended with a HFN (Yr later). He really hurt her and it was so easy to feel for her. I feel like the author could have done a lot with it.
I will say though I loved the neurodivergent FMC rep. She’s a V but it makes sense bc she is locked in a prison her whole life. I could tell she was on the spectrum before it was even told to us. Her character was written very well and you couldn’t help but love her. This could have easily been a 5 star without his constant past reminders and with a really good grovel. I was pretty invested and just wanted more.
I will say though I loved the neurodivergent FMC rep. She’s a V but it makes sense bc she is locked in a prison her whole life. I could tell she was on the spectrum before it was even told to us. Her character was written very well and you couldn’t help but love her. This could have easily been a 5 star without his constant past reminders and with a really good grovel. I was pretty invested and just wanted more.
January 13, 2026
Get it here:
Amazon US * Amazon UK
I've enjoyed this series so far, and I did enjoy this book as well but I have to say the pace was a little too fast for me. There was a lot that felt skimmed over too much and it didn't give the characters the attention I felt they needed. Overall, still a good read and I'll be continuing with the series.
Amazon US * Amazon UK
I've enjoyed this series so far, and I did enjoy this book as well but I have to say the pace was a little too fast for me. There was a lot that felt skimmed over too much and it didn't give the characters the attention I felt they needed. Overall, still a good read and I'll be continuing with the series.
January 23, 2026
It was okay,not the best entry in this series.
April 22, 2026
Was this book good? Did I thoroughly enjoy it? Two different things.
December 31, 2025
I’m rating this 3.5⭐️. Because it read like a smooth liquor sliding into my mind and filling it with the next installment in this series.
Next in the series is Ryker and Sasha. See Ryker was contracted to marry Katarina. But through some double dealing, he ended up marrying Sasha. Both are Dimitri’s sisters and he’s marrying them off to protect them from his father.
Sasha is interesting because she’s considered fragile but is a math genius. She’s the youngest daughter, the one that’s ignored and beaten by her father for being different.
Ryker feels like he’s an outsider in his family because while they share the same mother, he and his older brothers has different fathers. This causes him to make a series of bad decisions.
Sasha & Ryker marry and spend the week learning to love each other. Then several incidents happen that test their relationship. It leads to the ending which spins us into Book 5 of the series.
Borrowed this from Kindle Unlimited. And yes, I will read book 5 when it drops.
Next in the series is Ryker and Sasha. See Ryker was contracted to marry Katarina. But through some double dealing, he ended up marrying Sasha. Both are Dimitri’s sisters and he’s marrying them off to protect them from his father.
Sasha is interesting because she’s considered fragile but is a math genius. She’s the youngest daughter, the one that’s ignored and beaten by her father for being different.
Ryker feels like he’s an outsider in his family because while they share the same mother, he and his older brothers has different fathers. This causes him to make a series of bad decisions.
Sasha & Ryker marry and spend the week learning to love each other. Then several incidents happen that test their relationship. It leads to the ending which spins us into Book 5 of the series.
Borrowed this from Kindle Unlimited. And yes, I will read book 5 when it drops.
February 4, 2026
wow....
May 25, 2026
I refuse to apologize for my love of this series.
Bring me more.
Bring me more.
January 2, 2026
Sasha and Ryker
A little disappointed in Ryker’s story. He’s Killian’s brother and half brother to all the Smiths. He wants to make his own way, come out from the shadow of his Smith bros and manipulating marriage to Sasha is his way of getting what he wants. Ryker has a strong and very dark personality. He hides his ambition from his brothers. I thought he’d end up with someone equally ambitious.
The only time Sasha showed any strength is when she went to his casino to count cards so she can make money to escape. The rest of the book, Sasha is very fragile and delicate and requires a great deal of care. She’s incredibly insecure and trusts no one. To her, everyone has an agenda and it will usually hurt her. She never shows much more strength or growth through the rest of the book.
This is a short one so it feels rushed. Ryker develops feelings pretty quickly and spends most of his time getting Sasha to trust him and making sure she’s safe while still hiding his agenda from his brothers. The resolution to that was also rushed and not explained well. So disappointing. But there’s no real 3rd act breakup so that’s good.
A little disappointed in Ryker’s story. He’s Killian’s brother and half brother to all the Smiths. He wants to make his own way, come out from the shadow of his Smith bros and manipulating marriage to Sasha is his way of getting what he wants. Ryker has a strong and very dark personality. He hides his ambition from his brothers. I thought he’d end up with someone equally ambitious.
The only time Sasha showed any strength is when she went to his casino to count cards so she can make money to escape. The rest of the book, Sasha is very fragile and delicate and requires a great deal of care. She’s incredibly insecure and trusts no one. To her, everyone has an agenda and it will usually hurt her. She never shows much more strength or growth through the rest of the book.
This is a short one so it feels rushed. Ryker develops feelings pretty quickly and spends most of his time getting Sasha to trust him and making sure she’s safe while still hiding his agenda from his brothers. The resolution to that was also rushed and not explained well. So disappointing. But there’s no real 3rd act breakup so that’s good.
December 29, 2025
The fourth book in the Kings of Las Vegas series is an engrossing entry following Ryker Smith, a non-blood family member seeking to prove himself. To protect Dimitri Ivanov's sisters from their brutal father, Ryker initially agrees to an arranged marriage with Dimitri's sister, Katrina. However, after Sasha Ivanov attempts a fearless escape and ends up at Ryker’s casino, he changes the terms to marry her instead—a revelation Sasha only discovers upon arriving at the church. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 28, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ARC Review — King of Corruption by Tammy Andresen
Thank you to Tammy Andresen for the opportunity to read an ARC of King of Corruption, book four in the Kings of Las Vegas series.
This installment delivers exactly what I’ve come to expect from Tammy Andresen’s mafia world: sharp writing, high tension, and emotionally charged relationships all packed into a fast-paced, tightly written story that never drags.
Ryker Smith has always felt like the outsider among the Kings of Las Vegas. Though wealthy and included, he and his brother Killian know they aren’t blood and Ryker’s hunger to prove himself and step out of his brothers’ shadows drives many of his choices. When a deal is struck with Dimitri Ivanov to protect his sisters from their brutal father, Ryker agrees to an arranged marriage meant to keep one of them safe. But when Sasha—fearless, guarded, and desperate for freedom crosses Ryker’s path at his casino, everything changes.
Sasha is a standout heroine. Treated as a bargaining chip for most of her life, her distrust is completely justified, and her strength builds organically throughout the story. I loved watching her come into her own, especially as Ryker gives her space, protection, and eventually respect. Ryker himself is morally gray, calculating, and driven by secret motives, but his unexpectedly tender side with Sasha adds real depth to his character. Their chemistry is intense, layered with suspicion, attraction, and emotional tension that keeps the pages turning.
The mafia dynamics feel realistic and dark, highlighting the dangers women face in this world and making Sasha’s need for autonomy especially compelling. The suspense is constant, with twists that keep both the Smiths and Ivanovs on edge, and I appreciated how seamlessly this book ties into the larger series.
That said, the ending felt a bit abrupt and slightly open-ended. While I understand it’s meant to lead into the next book, it didn’t fully deliver the standalone sense of closure I was hoping for.
Overall, King of Corruption is a gripping, emotional, and addictive mafia romance that proves a powerful story doesn’t need hundreds of pages to work. Tammy Andresen’s writing is tight, engaging, and always worth picking up. Highly recommended for fans of dark mafia romance just be sure to check trigger warnings before diving in.
Thank you to Tammy Andresen for the opportunity to read an ARC of King of Corruption, book four in the Kings of Las Vegas series.
This installment delivers exactly what I’ve come to expect from Tammy Andresen’s mafia world: sharp writing, high tension, and emotionally charged relationships all packed into a fast-paced, tightly written story that never drags.
Ryker Smith has always felt like the outsider among the Kings of Las Vegas. Though wealthy and included, he and his brother Killian know they aren’t blood and Ryker’s hunger to prove himself and step out of his brothers’ shadows drives many of his choices. When a deal is struck with Dimitri Ivanov to protect his sisters from their brutal father, Ryker agrees to an arranged marriage meant to keep one of them safe. But when Sasha—fearless, guarded, and desperate for freedom crosses Ryker’s path at his casino, everything changes.
Sasha is a standout heroine. Treated as a bargaining chip for most of her life, her distrust is completely justified, and her strength builds organically throughout the story. I loved watching her come into her own, especially as Ryker gives her space, protection, and eventually respect. Ryker himself is morally gray, calculating, and driven by secret motives, but his unexpectedly tender side with Sasha adds real depth to his character. Their chemistry is intense, layered with suspicion, attraction, and emotional tension that keeps the pages turning.
The mafia dynamics feel realistic and dark, highlighting the dangers women face in this world and making Sasha’s need for autonomy especially compelling. The suspense is constant, with twists that keep both the Smiths and Ivanovs on edge, and I appreciated how seamlessly this book ties into the larger series.
That said, the ending felt a bit abrupt and slightly open-ended. While I understand it’s meant to lead into the next book, it didn’t fully deliver the standalone sense of closure I was hoping for.
Overall, King of Corruption is a gripping, emotional, and addictive mafia romance that proves a powerful story doesn’t need hundreds of pages to work. Tammy Andresen’s writing is tight, engaging, and always worth picking up. Highly recommended for fans of dark mafia romance just be sure to check trigger warnings before diving in.
July 21, 2026
So as you may have read from my previous reviews of this series, mafia dark romance is WAY outside my box. I average over 325 books a year and they are all historical romances. I had never really deviated from HR and definitely didn't read "mafia" books until recently. This is my 114th book by Tammy Andresen. She is one of my favorite authors. I have been reading her historical romances since 2017. I added Book 1 to my favorite books read list of July, 2026. Book 2 was a bit tamer but still a good read. So the few mafia books I have read have all been about brothers so it's interesting that this one is about the head of another Mafia family. Should be interesting.
I liked Sasha and Ryker. I loved the twist both at the beginning and the end. Looking forward to reading the remaining books.
I liked Sasha and Ryker. I loved the twist both at the beginning and the end. Looking forward to reading the remaining books.
January 3, 2026
“I promised you safety. Next to me is the safest place for you to be. ❌❌❌
King of Corruption (Kings of Las Vegas #4)
by Tammy Andresen
❌
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE
FORCED MARRIAGE
ANXIETY REP
FAMILY/ FOUND FAMILY
VULNERABLE HERIONE
POWERFUL MAN
ABOVE THE LAW
CASINO/LAS VEGAS
REOCCURRING CHARACTERS
❌
𝚂𝙷𝙾𝚁𝚃: 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚎. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚊 𝚏𝚎𝚠 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗 𝚒𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑. 𝙻𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚞𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚒𝚖𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚙𝚕𝚘𝚝𝚜. 𝚂𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚛'𝚜 𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚎 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝.
Unfortunately, this was bland and a bit corny. We will leave it at that.
❌
“Until death do us part.”
❌
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴.* :☆ﾟ. ───
King of Corruption (Kings of Las Vegas #4)
by Tammy Andresen
❌
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE
FORCED MARRIAGE
ANXIETY REP
FAMILY/ FOUND FAMILY
VULNERABLE HERIONE
POWERFUL MAN
ABOVE THE LAW
CASINO/LAS VEGAS
REOCCURRING CHARACTERS
❌
𝚂𝙷𝙾𝚁𝚃: 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚎. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚊 𝚏𝚎𝚠 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗 𝚒𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑. 𝙻𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚞𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚒𝚖𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚙𝚕𝚘𝚝𝚜. 𝚂𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚛'𝚜 𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚎 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝.
Unfortunately, this was bland and a bit corny. We will leave it at that.
❌
“Until death do us part.”
❌
─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴.* :☆ﾟ. ───
June 5, 2026
This is far too short for proper development of the characters, romance, and plot. Everything feels incredibly rushed. The grammatical errors are kind of distracting and occasionally there is some odd sentence structure. I’m still searching for the perfect forced marriage mafia romance.
September 13, 2026
Wow! Sasha and Ryker....did not see that coming...holy crap!!!
Love Ryker, but what a deceptive little sh@!
Sasha is the weaker sister or so everyone thinks, but she's smart and sweet, she just needs love.
Love Ryker, but what a deceptive little sh@!
Sasha is the weaker sister or so everyone thinks, but she's smart and sweet, she just needs love.
December 26, 2025
Another page turner
What a great story which fits perfectly into kings of Las Vegas universe! I feel mesmerized by this book - it’s was written so well and captivated my attention from the first pages. I loved to see Ryker getting his heart stolen, just like I felt so happy seeing Sasha in the right place with her perfect fiancé. Author did awesome job with this book - amazing romance without unnecessary drama. A must read for me.
What a great story which fits perfectly into kings of Las Vegas universe! I feel mesmerized by this book - it’s was written so well and captivated my attention from the first pages. I loved to see Ryker getting his heart stolen, just like I felt so happy seeing Sasha in the right place with her perfect fiancé. Author did awesome job with this book - amazing romance without unnecessary drama. A must read for me.
April 18, 2026
almost the entire book took place over the course of like a week and somehow so much and nothing happened at the same time
December 24, 2025
Oh Ryker! The “research and development” guy in the family who just wants to be more. And sweet Sasha who is just looking to escape because she can’t see herself being married off. Ryker sees her vulnerability and takes advantage of the opportunity to have her as his bride. She is just so fragile and it was so hard to see. But through his protection, she is able to find strength in herself and he finds purpose. They end up with a beautiful love story!
April 28, 2026
PSA: I am not great at articulating my thoughts. This is just my opinion. Love what you love!
I was honestly shocked with this book, coming out of no where to be a full five stars! Since I have had such a rough time with several of the previous novels in this series (and even in the end of the Lords of Las Vegas series), I wasn't expecting a big up tick. Of course, the book isn't without the usual Andersen insta-love trope but at least this time it...kinda worked? I loved the FMC, finally feeling like some kind of realistic reaction to the Kincaid/Smith family shannagains. This book really did hit all the spots for me.
Previous Reviews:
King of Depravity - 3.5 Stars
King of Desire - 4.5 Stars
King of Malice - 3.5 Stars
~*~*~*~Character Reviews~*~*~*~
The FMC:
Sasha Ivanova - 5 Stars
I adore Sasha. It was amazing to see autistic representation which I clocked on her right away. Having someone who wasn't all sassy or spunky but someone who felt like she could be a real person. She had a lot of deep and real thoughts and ideas that a normal woman would have in her situation. Seeing how she navigated things while scared made her brave in her own way. She was always putting her family first and loved hard despite not having been loved. The reason I give insta-love a pass in her case is because she was so sheltered and naive. I can see her thinking she was in love after finally getting the affection/attention she has been craving her whole life.
The MMC:
Ryker Smith - 4.5 Stars
I wasn't sure what to think of Ryker from previous novels, other than he had an interesting background due to being the child of an affair (along with Killian). It gave him more of an outsider perspective that shaped the way he did things and what motivated him. Always feeling on the outs, he craved to be loved in a way that he needed, something he didn't get from his family. I liked that he was more of a callous bad guy at first, not initially obsessed with Sasha. That he legit scared her, that he had this big lie/secret was all chefs kiss. While I wasn't keen on his insta-love later on, it felt less all consuming and a smidge more realistic.
The Antagonist(s):
I am not sure if there was even an antagonist in this novel. Of course, there is the over arching Ivan Ivanov - . He is more or less in the background here. Ryker is really set up as the main 'bad guy' in the book until Sasha is able to really see him as someone who isn't a scary tyrant. I liked that added shift to things, making this feel a bit more of an enemies-to-lovers trope. Sver "the Beast" is also lingering around, a hitman who works for Ivan and has come to claim Sasha back. This was a neat twist that I was definitely not expecting and ate it up.
The Supporting Cast:
Not going to go into too much with the supporting cast, as per usual, they were all people who have had or will have books of their own. The only person I want to touch on is Sver "the Beast," a hitman that works for Ivan. I was definitely getting bad vibes from this guy, though that shifted a little after Sasha explained Sver protected her from being assaulted back in Russia. When we discover that , everything just fell into place. I loved it.
~*~*~*~The Little Details~*~*~*~
The Plot:
When Ryker agrees to marry Katarina Ivanov, it is a way to make sure that his family can make good business deals and partnerships with the Russian Bratva and the Ivanov family. Meeting Katarina however, he realizes that she is going to be something of a problem. So, when Katarina's sister, Sasha, is caught stealing from his casino, he realizes she would be a much better partner and orchestrates a switcheroo. Marrying Sasha, he finds her temperament a lot less feisty, but gets more than he bargains for when she is more than meets the eye.
This was a great plot and it was executed really well. The first part of the book, how the switch happened and how it was revealed to the other characters was really well executed. I appreciated how real Sasha felt as a character. She had real reactions to the situation she was in. She didn't automatically want to jump Ryker's bones and was scared of him for a good while. There was a genuineness that added authenticity to the storyline which many of Andersen's book lack.
The Spice:
There was some good spice in this but it didn't seem over the time. I wouldn't' even say there was a lot in it (at least compared to other Andersen novels). While the descriptions were graphic, there weren't as many instances of the act itself. Ryker seemed sweet and understanding considering Sasha was a virgin and did his best to give her space when she needed it. I give this a 4/5 peppers.
Emotional Damage:
This one surprised me. I cried some in this book, but that has more to do with who I am as a person. I related hard to Sasha as a character, likely because I believe I am autistic and still trying to get confirmation. The way her brain worked, her calming taps, her love of math and numbers, it all resonated. What is more, we both crave real connection but find it difficult because of how strange we may be. Of course, I never had a crazy mafia man as a father so on that one we're way off.
Reading Experience:
This was a great experience. Part of me kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and have the end fizzle out but it kept the consistency. The drama at the end was really good, everything coming together, people misunderstanding at the best possible moments and twists galore, this was a fun one and likely my favourite Andersen novel out of all I have read so far.
Book Length & Pacing:
The pacing in this book was great. I was just into it when I suddenly realized I was well over 100 pages in. I really did get sucked in and absorbed. The book length, as always, was a good one, sitting just over 250 pages.
~*~*~*~Questions to Consider~*~*~*~
Would I Buy the Book?
Maybe. This isn't anything against this book but if I have one, I would like the whole series, but I can seem myself just getting this one because it was so good.
Would I Re-Read the Book?
Yes. One day I feel like I will return to the whole series and give it all another go.
Will I Continue the Series?
Yes! I am going to read all the books in Andersen's mafia series.
I was honestly shocked with this book, coming out of no where to be a full five stars! Since I have had such a rough time with several of the previous novels in this series (and even in the end of the Lords of Las Vegas series), I wasn't expecting a big up tick. Of course, the book isn't without the usual Andersen insta-love trope but at least this time it...kinda worked? I loved the FMC, finally feeling like some kind of realistic reaction to the Kincaid/Smith family shannagains. This book really did hit all the spots for me.
Previous Reviews:
King of Depravity - 3.5 Stars
King of Desire - 4.5 Stars
King of Malice - 3.5 Stars
~*~*~*~Character Reviews~*~*~*~
The FMC:
Sasha Ivanova - 5 Stars
I adore Sasha. It was amazing to see autistic representation which I clocked on her right away. Having someone who wasn't all sassy or spunky but someone who felt like she could be a real person. She had a lot of deep and real thoughts and ideas that a normal woman would have in her situation. Seeing how she navigated things while scared made her brave in her own way. She was always putting her family first and loved hard despite not having been loved. The reason I give insta-love a pass in her case is because she was so sheltered and naive. I can see her thinking she was in love after finally getting the affection/attention she has been craving her whole life.
The MMC:
Ryker Smith - 4.5 Stars
I wasn't sure what to think of Ryker from previous novels, other than he had an interesting background due to being the child of an affair (along with Killian). It gave him more of an outsider perspective that shaped the way he did things and what motivated him. Always feeling on the outs, he craved to be loved in a way that he needed, something he didn't get from his family. I liked that he was more of a callous bad guy at first, not initially obsessed with Sasha. That he legit scared her, that he had this big lie/secret was all chefs kiss. While I wasn't keen on his insta-love later on, it felt less all consuming and a smidge more realistic.
The Antagonist(s):
I am not sure if there was even an antagonist in this novel. Of course, there is the over arching Ivan Ivanov - . He is more or less in the background here. Ryker is really set up as the main 'bad guy' in the book until Sasha is able to really see him as someone who isn't a scary tyrant. I liked that added shift to things, making this feel a bit more of an enemies-to-lovers trope. Sver "the Beast" is also lingering around, a hitman who works for Ivan and has come to claim Sasha back. This was a neat twist that I was definitely not expecting and ate it up.
The Supporting Cast:
Not going to go into too much with the supporting cast, as per usual, they were all people who have had or will have books of their own. The only person I want to touch on is Sver "the Beast," a hitman that works for Ivan. I was definitely getting bad vibes from this guy, though that shifted a little after Sasha explained Sver protected her from being assaulted back in Russia. When we discover that , everything just fell into place. I loved it.
~*~*~*~The Little Details~*~*~*~
The Plot:
When Ryker agrees to marry Katarina Ivanov, it is a way to make sure that his family can make good business deals and partnerships with the Russian Bratva and the Ivanov family. Meeting Katarina however, he realizes that she is going to be something of a problem. So, when Katarina's sister, Sasha, is caught stealing from his casino, he realizes she would be a much better partner and orchestrates a switcheroo. Marrying Sasha, he finds her temperament a lot less feisty, but gets more than he bargains for when she is more than meets the eye.
This was a great plot and it was executed really well. The first part of the book, how the switch happened and how it was revealed to the other characters was really well executed. I appreciated how real Sasha felt as a character. She had real reactions to the situation she was in. She didn't automatically want to jump Ryker's bones and was scared of him for a good while. There was a genuineness that added authenticity to the storyline which many of Andersen's book lack.
The Spice:
There was some good spice in this but it didn't seem over the time. I wouldn't' even say there was a lot in it (at least compared to other Andersen novels). While the descriptions were graphic, there weren't as many instances of the act itself. Ryker seemed sweet and understanding considering Sasha was a virgin and did his best to give her space when she needed it. I give this a 4/5 peppers.
Emotional Damage:
This one surprised me. I cried some in this book, but that has more to do with who I am as a person. I related hard to Sasha as a character, likely because I believe I am autistic and still trying to get confirmation. The way her brain worked, her calming taps, her love of math and numbers, it all resonated. What is more, we both crave real connection but find it difficult because of how strange we may be. Of course, I never had a crazy mafia man as a father so on that one we're way off.
"But this one niggling question makes my stomach squeamish. What would it be like to be protected by a man who actually cared? One who could wrap me up in a way that didn’t feel like a prison, it would just feel…safe. I shake my head. It’s a stupid thought. I know that happens for other women, but they aren’t like me.".
Reading Experience:
This was a great experience. Part of me kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and have the end fizzle out but it kept the consistency. The drama at the end was really good, everything coming together, people misunderstanding at the best possible moments and twists galore, this was a fun one and likely my favourite Andersen novel out of all I have read so far.
Book Length & Pacing:
The pacing in this book was great. I was just into it when I suddenly realized I was well over 100 pages in. I really did get sucked in and absorbed. The book length, as always, was a good one, sitting just over 250 pages.
~*~*~*~Questions to Consider~*~*~*~
Would I Buy the Book?
Maybe. This isn't anything against this book but if I have one, I would like the whole series, but I can seem myself just getting this one because it was so good.
Would I Re-Read the Book?
Yes. One day I feel like I will return to the whole series and give it all another go.
Will I Continue the Series?
Yes! I am going to read all the books in Andersen's mafia series.
"Maybe what I wanted all along was to hold a place of value with a man who thinks I’m more than just a commodity."
December 27, 2025
.5 stars
I'm not going to rant, the .5 rating is enough because there's too much I didn't like and I'm honestly just triggered.
Major things:
This needs editing, and the lack of trigger warnings for the amount of triggers (some pretty big ones at that) was really awful.
So trigger warning: childhood abuse, suicide attempt !!!!!
Not including a trigger warning is really irritating to me and so I won't be reading any further books personally if the author doesn't care about her readers enough to provide a warning for something like that.
I'm not going to rant, the .5 rating is enough because there's too much I didn't like and I'm honestly just triggered.
Major things:
This needs editing, and the lack of trigger warnings for the amount of triggers (some pretty big ones at that) was really awful.
So trigger warning: childhood abuse, suicide attempt !!!!!
Not including a trigger warning is really irritating to me and so I won't be reading any further books personally if the author doesn't care about her readers enough to provide a warning for something like that.
December 31, 2025
Omg, what did I just force myself to do. I enjoyed the first books, and this one was not on the same level. Totally awful. It's like someone else wrote this. I will not be reading any more of this series! The pace of the book was too fast. There was a twist I wasn't expecting. But still... It's still a no.
June 14, 2026
As a huge mafia romance fan, King of Corruption was a book I was genuinely excited to read. The description immediately grabbed my attention: a dangerous arrangement involving two sisters, a powerful man, and a wedding-day bride swap. It sounded like exactly the kind of dark, high-stakes mafia romance I love, so naturally my expectations were high.
One thing I will say is that the book isn’t predictable. There are several twists throughout the story, and the premise itself is interesting enough to keep you reading. Ryker’s decision to switch brides on the wedding day was one of the things that initially hooked me, and I was eager to see how everything would unfold.
Unfortunately, the story wasn’t what I expected based on the description.
Going into this book, I expected a darker mafia romance with a ruthless, possessive, and obsessive male lead. Ryker works within the mafia world, but he isn’t the type of mafia hero I’m used to reading about. Instead of the intimidating, morally grey man who would burn the world down for his woman, Ryker is much softer, more emotionally vulnerable, and far less possessive than I anticipated.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing—it simply wasn’t what I expected. As someone who reads a lot of mafia romance, I love the tension that comes with the genre: the silent resentment, the distrust, the power struggles, the obsession, the possessiveness, and the overwhelming need to protect the person they love. Those elements are often what make mafia romances so addictive for me, and I felt like King of Corruption lacked much of that intensity.
My biggest issue, however, was the pacing.
The relationship developed so quickly that I struggled to fully believe in it. It felt as though Sasha and Ryker went from strangers in a forced marriage to being deeply in love within a matter of days. In my opinion, their emotional connection needed more time to develop. I wanted to see more resistance, more tension, more conflict, and more gradual trust-building before reaching the point where they were declaring their love for each other.
Because of how quickly everything happened, some of the emotional moments didn’t have the impact they could have had. The story seemed to skip over the stages of a relationship that are often the most enjoyable to read. I kept waiting for the slow burn, the longing, the obsession, and the possessiveness to kick in, but it never fully did.
Another thing that stood out to me was how long it took me to finish the book. Normally, when I find a book I truly love, I become completely obsessed and finish it within 24 to 48 hours. That’s usually a sign that I can’t put it down. With King of Corruption, it took me much longer to finish, which was surprising considering how excited I was after reading the description. While I remained interested enough to keep going, I never reached that stage where I was desperate to know what happened next.
I also think it’s important to mention that this review comes from the perspective of someone who regularly reads mafia romance. Because of that, I may have been expecting a much darker and more intense story than what the author intended to write.
In fact, I think King of Corruption would be an excellent beginner mafia romance. Readers who are new to the genre may appreciate that it isn’t as dark, toxic, or emotionally heavy as some traditional mafia romances. It introduces many of the genre’s themes while remaining relatively accessible and easier to digest for newcomers.
Overall, I don’t think King of Corruption is a bad book. I actually think it has a strong premise, some interesting twists, and characters that many readers will enjoy. My disappointment comes more from the gap between what I expected and what I received. I went in hoping for a dark, possessive, obsession-filled mafia romance, but what I got was a much softer, faster-paced love story.
If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly mafia romance with a more emotionally open hero, this may be the perfect book for you. If you’re looking for the intense slow-burn obsession, possessiveness, and tension that many seasoned mafia romance readers crave, you may find yourself wanting a little more.
One thing I will say is that the book isn’t predictable. There are several twists throughout the story, and the premise itself is interesting enough to keep you reading. Ryker’s decision to switch brides on the wedding day was one of the things that initially hooked me, and I was eager to see how everything would unfold.
Unfortunately, the story wasn’t what I expected based on the description.
Going into this book, I expected a darker mafia romance with a ruthless, possessive, and obsessive male lead. Ryker works within the mafia world, but he isn’t the type of mafia hero I’m used to reading about. Instead of the intimidating, morally grey man who would burn the world down for his woman, Ryker is much softer, more emotionally vulnerable, and far less possessive than I anticipated.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing—it simply wasn’t what I expected. As someone who reads a lot of mafia romance, I love the tension that comes with the genre: the silent resentment, the distrust, the power struggles, the obsession, the possessiveness, and the overwhelming need to protect the person they love. Those elements are often what make mafia romances so addictive for me, and I felt like King of Corruption lacked much of that intensity.
My biggest issue, however, was the pacing.
The relationship developed so quickly that I struggled to fully believe in it. It felt as though Sasha and Ryker went from strangers in a forced marriage to being deeply in love within a matter of days. In my opinion, their emotional connection needed more time to develop. I wanted to see more resistance, more tension, more conflict, and more gradual trust-building before reaching the point where they were declaring their love for each other.
Because of how quickly everything happened, some of the emotional moments didn’t have the impact they could have had. The story seemed to skip over the stages of a relationship that are often the most enjoyable to read. I kept waiting for the slow burn, the longing, the obsession, and the possessiveness to kick in, but it never fully did.
Another thing that stood out to me was how long it took me to finish the book. Normally, when I find a book I truly love, I become completely obsessed and finish it within 24 to 48 hours. That’s usually a sign that I can’t put it down. With King of Corruption, it took me much longer to finish, which was surprising considering how excited I was after reading the description. While I remained interested enough to keep going, I never reached that stage where I was desperate to know what happened next.
I also think it’s important to mention that this review comes from the perspective of someone who regularly reads mafia romance. Because of that, I may have been expecting a much darker and more intense story than what the author intended to write.
In fact, I think King of Corruption would be an excellent beginner mafia romance. Readers who are new to the genre may appreciate that it isn’t as dark, toxic, or emotionally heavy as some traditional mafia romances. It introduces many of the genre’s themes while remaining relatively accessible and easier to digest for newcomers.
Overall, I don’t think King of Corruption is a bad book. I actually think it has a strong premise, some interesting twists, and characters that many readers will enjoy. My disappointment comes more from the gap between what I expected and what I received. I went in hoping for a dark, possessive, obsession-filled mafia romance, but what I got was a much softer, faster-paced love story.
If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly mafia romance with a more emotionally open hero, this may be the perfect book for you. If you’re looking for the intense slow-burn obsession, possessiveness, and tension that many seasoned mafia romance readers crave, you may find yourself wanting a little more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2026
📖 After the events of the previous book, Sasha is desperately trying to escape yet another prison disguised as freedom. Her plans take an unexpected turn when she makes the mistake of counting cards in Ryker's casino, setting the stage for another fast-paced mafia romance filled with family drama, secrets, and unexpected twists.
What I Liked
❤️ Sasha was a likeable FMC, and I found myself rooting for her throughout the story.
❤️ The wedding twist was predictable, but I still enjoyed it.
❤️ Watching Sasha prepare to attend her sister's wedding, only to discover she was actually the bride, made for an entertaining moment.
❤️ Ryker started off as a ruthless and intimidating MMC, which initially caught my interest.
❤️ Like the rest of the series, this was a very easy book to binge.
❤️ The story moved quickly and kept me turning the pages.
❤️ I enjoyed seeing the continuing family connections and links to the previous books.
What Didn't Work For Me
😒 My biggest frustration wasn't actually with this book, but with the decisions made in the previous one.
😒 I really wish Dimitri had simply spoken to his sisters at the end of the last book and explained what was going on.
😒 A lot of the drama felt as though it could have been avoided with one honest conversation.
😒 Ryker started off strong, but he lost some of his edge as the story progressed.
😒 I expected him to remain more ruthless than he ultimately was.
😒 The romance developed very quickly.
😒 Much like the Kincaid books, the Smith men seem to fall hard and fast.
😒 Readers looking for a slower, more developed romance may find the relationship progression rushed.
⚖️ Overall
This was another quick, easy, entertaining read. Like the rest of the series, it's not trying to be a deep character study or a complex slow-burn romance. Instead, it's a fast-paced mafia romance packed with possessive heroes, family drama, and plenty of interconnected characters.
While I would have liked a little more communication and a slightly stronger MMC, I still enjoyed the story and found it very easy to read. If you've enjoyed the rest of the series, you'll probably have a good time with this one too.
What I Liked
❤️ Sasha was a likeable FMC, and I found myself rooting for her throughout the story.
❤️ The wedding twist was predictable, but I still enjoyed it.
❤️ Watching Sasha prepare to attend her sister's wedding, only to discover she was actually the bride, made for an entertaining moment.
❤️ Ryker started off as a ruthless and intimidating MMC, which initially caught my interest.
❤️ Like the rest of the series, this was a very easy book to binge.
❤️ The story moved quickly and kept me turning the pages.
❤️ I enjoyed seeing the continuing family connections and links to the previous books.
What Didn't Work For Me
😒 My biggest frustration wasn't actually with this book, but with the decisions made in the previous one.
😒 I really wish Dimitri had simply spoken to his sisters at the end of the last book and explained what was going on.
😒 A lot of the drama felt as though it could have been avoided with one honest conversation.
😒 Ryker started off strong, but he lost some of his edge as the story progressed.
😒 I expected him to remain more ruthless than he ultimately was.
😒 The romance developed very quickly.
😒 Much like the Kincaid books, the Smith men seem to fall hard and fast.
😒 Readers looking for a slower, more developed romance may find the relationship progression rushed.
⚖️ Overall
This was another quick, easy, entertaining read. Like the rest of the series, it's not trying to be a deep character study or a complex slow-burn romance. Instead, it's a fast-paced mafia romance packed with possessive heroes, family drama, and plenty of interconnected characters.
While I would have liked a little more communication and a slightly stronger MMC, I still enjoyed the story and found it very easy to read. If you've enjoyed the rest of the series, you'll probably have a good time with this one too.
Review of advance copy
King of Corruption: Dark, Mafia, Steamy Romance
(Kings of Las Vegas Book 4)
Ryker Smith has never really felt like his family worries about him. He knows the family secret, he knows his brother Killian and he aren’t truly Smith’s. Sure he is included but he feels he is on the outside…when in truth he wants to be on the inside…he deserves it.
In book 3, we met Dimitri Ivanov, he was trying to break away from his father and trying to get his sisters Katarina and Sasha out of his father’s hands. With the help of the Smith brothers and the Kincaid family Katarina and Sasha are now in Vegas. These ladies having been held by their father for years aren’t sure they are any safer with Dimitri. Understandable…because they just found out to keep them safe, one of them is going to marry Ryker Smith, yes for protection but there is more to the agreement.
These two sisters are not close by any means, it is going to come to who is left the day of the wedding. Sasha tried once to get away, while Katrina bided time!
Unfortunately, when Sasha tried her escape, she ended up at Ryker Smith’s Casino and in Ryker’s hands. Not good news for Sasha, Ryker on the other hand wanted the agreement changed…..Sasha however, only found out about the change at the Church.
A woman who has no trust has an option but will she make the first year of her marriage. Ryker is plans but he has promised her that he will give her time and protect her.
Will he and the Smith family really protect her? When he gives her as much space as he can, is he fooling her? The words he uses when they are alone, are they made up? And what happened to Katarina?
Suspense and tension and a surprise that no one had ever even thought of, keeps both the Smith/Kincaid/Ivanov group on their toes! I read this book in one sitting it was full of action and emotions. A five star read from me!
(Kings of Las Vegas Book 4)
Ryker Smith has never really felt like his family worries about him. He knows the family secret, he knows his brother Killian and he aren’t truly Smith’s. Sure he is included but he feels he is on the outside…when in truth he wants to be on the inside…he deserves it.
In book 3, we met Dimitri Ivanov, he was trying to break away from his father and trying to get his sisters Katarina and Sasha out of his father’s hands. With the help of the Smith brothers and the Kincaid family Katarina and Sasha are now in Vegas. These ladies having been held by their father for years aren’t sure they are any safer with Dimitri. Understandable…because they just found out to keep them safe, one of them is going to marry Ryker Smith, yes for protection but there is more to the agreement.
These two sisters are not close by any means, it is going to come to who is left the day of the wedding. Sasha tried once to get away, while Katrina bided time!
Unfortunately, when Sasha tried her escape, she ended up at Ryker Smith’s Casino and in Ryker’s hands. Not good news for Sasha, Ryker on the other hand wanted the agreement changed…..Sasha however, only found out about the change at the Church.
A woman who has no trust has an option but will she make the first year of her marriage. Ryker is plans but he has promised her that he will give her time and protect her.
Will he and the Smith family really protect her? When he gives her as much space as he can, is he fooling her? The words he uses when they are alone, are they made up? And what happened to Katarina?
Suspense and tension and a surprise that no one had ever even thought of, keeps both the Smith/Kincaid/Ivanov group on their toes! I read this book in one sitting it was full of action and emotions. A five star read from me!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Tammy Andresen delivers another irresistible installment in the "Lord of Las Vegas" series, masterfully weaving together the intricate ties between three Mafia families. In this captivating story, we meet Ryker Smith, a member of the powerful Smith family who has always felt like an outsider striving to prove his worth. Determined to carve his own path, Ryker strikes a deal with Dimitri to marry his sister, Katarina—but fate has other plans.
Enter Sasha, Dimitri’s other sister, who is desperate to escape the life her family has mapped out for her. Fearing she’ll be used as a pawn in a marriage arrangement, Sasha boldly heads to a casino to count cards, hoping to win enough money to secure her freedom. However, she chooses the wrong casino—one controlled by Ryker Smith, who now holds her future in his hands.
From the moment Ryker meets Sasha, he’s captivated, determined to make her his bride. What follows is a thrilling tale of underhanded deals and unexpected twists, as a bride switch sets tensions soaring. The passion and chemistry between Ryker and Sasha are undeniable, burning through the pages with intensity.
As Ryker’s secret dealings come to light, he risks losing everything—his family, his wife, and even his life. This electrifying Mafia series offers heart-pounding action, intense romance, and jaw-dropping betrayals, pulling readers into a dark underworld where nothing is as it seems and survival comes at a steep price.
"Lord of Las Vegas" is truly an edge-of-your-seat read, blending steamy romance with riveting action. The epilogue left me eager for more, and I can’t wait to dive into Katarina’s story. If you’re looking for a gripping tale filled with passion, danger, and unexpected twists, this series is a must-read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Enter Sasha, Dimitri’s other sister, who is desperate to escape the life her family has mapped out for her. Fearing she’ll be used as a pawn in a marriage arrangement, Sasha boldly heads to a casino to count cards, hoping to win enough money to secure her freedom. However, she chooses the wrong casino—one controlled by Ryker Smith, who now holds her future in his hands.
From the moment Ryker meets Sasha, he’s captivated, determined to make her his bride. What follows is a thrilling tale of underhanded deals and unexpected twists, as a bride switch sets tensions soaring. The passion and chemistry between Ryker and Sasha are undeniable, burning through the pages with intensity.
As Ryker’s secret dealings come to light, he risks losing everything—his family, his wife, and even his life. This electrifying Mafia series offers heart-pounding action, intense romance, and jaw-dropping betrayals, pulling readers into a dark underworld where nothing is as it seems and survival comes at a steep price.
"Lord of Las Vegas" is truly an edge-of-your-seat read, blending steamy romance with riveting action. The epilogue left me eager for more, and I can’t wait to dive into Katarina’s story. If you’re looking for a gripping tale filled with passion, danger, and unexpected twists, this series is a must-read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 3, 2026
This series blends three mafia families together, the Kincaid’s from America, the Smiths from Great Britain, and the Ivanovs from Russian with marriages and business dealings all centered around the Las Vegas casinos. In this book a reluctant bride, Katarina Ivanov, being forced to marry into a rival family makes a deal with her would-be groom, Ryker Smith, that has her sister, Sasha Ivanov, saying “I do” instead with a threat of blackmail hanging over the new bride’s head. Now Ryker may think he’s got what he wants but instead he may just have what he needs and it may be the hardest deal he’s ever made. All this while a hitman is trying to take them all out and the men are scrambling to keep their women safe. A marvelous blend of emotional trauma, dysfunctional family dynamics, loving, caring relationship with moments of hot, steamy chemistry, danger, intrigue, and bonding amongst families who aren’t sure they can trust each other completely but are there for each other if called. An interesting criminal caught-deal made scene, a first time taking scene done right, several protective, alpha scenes and one horrific self-hurting scene that ends with a broken, remorseful man, one damaged, love-seeking woman surrounded by supporting family members standing firm. This book is powerfully moving for anyone who is aching to be loved or finds themselves always on the outside looking in. I received an Advance Review Copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 26, 2026
King of Corruption
I really liked this MFC - the way she thinks, her deep feelings, the way she loves full out, all her quirks - she's lovely. The MMC starts out like the others - a misogynistic, self centered asshole. The author explains each of the MMCs’ trauma throughout the series, but I still find them difficult to take in the beginning. He's such an ass,
“But now…thanks to Sasha’s little visit this evening, now I have the perfect idea. And Sasha, she has no choice but to play along. Not unless she wishes to end up in a place way worse than tucked in my penthouse apartment. My little caged bird.”
It's really amazing how cold hearted he is. She endures so much shit because of him. Eventually he comes around to this,
“I’m in love with her. That is absolutely clear.
In fact, I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.
But in loving her, I’ve realized something really important. My life is hers. My job is to circle around her with both protection and support. She is the center.”
It really is a testament to the perversion of patriarchy that he could be so selfishly conniving in the beginning. This can be seen especially once his reality gets reframed around loving someone else (instead of just winning the capitalism game).
The wedding dress is a fabulous touch on the author's part. It stressed me out the entire time she had it on because it represents her complete powerlessness.
I really liked this MFC - the way she thinks, her deep feelings, the way she loves full out, all her quirks - she's lovely. The MMC starts out like the others - a misogynistic, self centered asshole. The author explains each of the MMCs’ trauma throughout the series, but I still find them difficult to take in the beginning. He's such an ass,
“But now…thanks to Sasha’s little visit this evening, now I have the perfect idea. And Sasha, she has no choice but to play along. Not unless she wishes to end up in a place way worse than tucked in my penthouse apartment. My little caged bird.”
It's really amazing how cold hearted he is. She endures so much shit because of him. Eventually he comes around to this,
“I’m in love with her. That is absolutely clear.
In fact, I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.
But in loving her, I’ve realized something really important. My life is hers. My job is to circle around her with both protection and support. She is the center.”
It really is a testament to the perversion of patriarchy that he could be so selfishly conniving in the beginning. This can be seen especially once his reality gets reframed around loving someone else (instead of just winning the capitalism game).
The wedding dress is a fabulous touch on the author's part. It stressed me out the entire time she had it on because it represents her complete powerlessness.
January 12, 2026
“I have this moment where I realize the feeling of drowning I feel around him isn’t death at all. It’s love.”
⭐️ 3.5/5
Sasha is a twenty one year old Brava princess who has grown up believing she has no value. Abused and isolated by her father, she assumes that everyone will use her the same way, including her own family. When her brother Dimitri brings her to Las Vegas, she expects another form of control, not realizing she is about to be pulled into a tangled web of mafia politics and an unexpected marriage.
Ryker Smith manipulates an arranged marriage meant for Sasha’s sister Katarina and ends up married to Sasha instead. What starts as a marriage of convenience quickly turns complicated as feelings grow on both sides. Ryker is not exactly a hero. He has his own agenda and has quietly altered contracts to cut himself off from his family and steal from Sasha’s, leaving him trapped in a mess of his own making.
This was a quick, fast paced mafia romance that hit all the familiar beats. The story is not especially believable, but it is entertaining and well written for its length. The looming threat of her father’s hitman added stakes, but I wanted more payoff there. The resolution came too quickly, which made the ending feel rushed instead of satisfying, but overall it worked as a solid installment in the larger series.
⭐️ 3.5/5
Sasha is a twenty one year old Brava princess who has grown up believing she has no value. Abused and isolated by her father, she assumes that everyone will use her the same way, including her own family. When her brother Dimitri brings her to Las Vegas, she expects another form of control, not realizing she is about to be pulled into a tangled web of mafia politics and an unexpected marriage.
Ryker Smith manipulates an arranged marriage meant for Sasha’s sister Katarina and ends up married to Sasha instead. What starts as a marriage of convenience quickly turns complicated as feelings grow on both sides. Ryker is not exactly a hero. He has his own agenda and has quietly altered contracts to cut himself off from his family and steal from Sasha’s, leaving him trapped in a mess of his own making.
This was a quick, fast paced mafia romance that hit all the familiar beats. The story is not especially believable, but it is entertaining and well written for its length. The looming threat of her father’s hitman added stakes, but I wanted more payoff there. The resolution came too quickly, which made the ending feel rushed instead of satisfying, but overall it worked as a solid installment in the larger series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews