Marked & Bred by the Bratva

Bred by the Bratva

by Imani Jay

She didn’t just rent an apartment. She stepped into her stalker’s trap.

Ava thinks she’s alone. Safe. But I’ve been inside her walls since day one. Watching. Touching. Waiting. And the second I saw her spread those sweet thighs in her sleep? I was done waiting.

She doesn’t know I already own her. Doesn’t know she’s been mine from the second she walked through that door. And when she finally learns the truth? She’ll be too full of me to run.

If you like your monsters obsessive, your breeding raw, and your heroines ruined for any other man, this story’s your new addiction ;-)

PLEASE DO NOT READ THIS BOOK IF YOU EXPECT ANYTHING EVEN REMOTELY REALISTIC. THIS STORY IS 100% A TWISTED, DARK FANTASY THAT’S MEANT TO SWEEP YOU AWAY INTO A PLACE OF FILTHY, DEPRAVED FUN. NOTHING ELSE. JUST AN UNHINGED ESCAPE FROM REALITY & A WHOLE LOT OF ONE-HANDED PAGE-TURNING. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Genres: Novella, Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Erotica, Contemporary

119 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 22, 2025

Reviews

[Kkaaccyy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mmmeeeaaannnn...... 🥵 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 it did what it was supposed to do!!!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, sexy and hot novella. 🥵Great bedtime read, steamy and erotic. Great fun to read. Highly recommend.

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

[Ace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dark Fetish

This book would have worked better if it had taken itself a bit more seriously. The very distinctive kink in the story and quite frankly, a lot of stories in the series, is SA. That is a very prominent fetish in the story in particular and even though the author has the character wave it off, it still counts as essay. Everything that the MMC does is non-consensual and has no consequences. It fetishizes an older, powerful man specifically using his money and influence to manipulate and prey on a vulnerable, young Black woman.

Which is what this entire series of books is about, but it lacks the horror element of 'realization' that would make it more interesting and spicy. It just comes across as creepy.

I can't take the FMC seriously either. Her personality comes across as an archetype for youthful innocence, which can make this trope spicy, if it had an element of horror. Her unphased consent lacks impact because she's been manipulated so effortlessly. It's very distinct that she lacks a sense of self and survival instincts which makes what he does and what he purports to be very creepy. And the fact that she is a young black woman and he is a rich middle-aged man also emphasizes this.

I understand this kink with the stalking and the obsession, and while I'm not a big fan of age gaps, I just don't think this one worked. It would have been more interesting if she had actually been horrified and been seduced by him anyway. Which lends to the corrupted innocenceb and forbidden taboo, and I think would have overall enhanced the spiciness for this particular kind of fetish.

It still wouldn't have been consenual and he still would have been creepy, but the solidification of a predator-prey relationship would have been solidified had it felt earned.

MMC isn't morally grey, he's lacks nearly all of them (morals).

[YOLANDA V BALL · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good one. Lev was wayyy obsessed with Ava. To obsess the way he did would’ve been weird for some but for Ava she was fine with it. There was a lot of HEAT💦🔥🔥💦 and HEA!.

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

[Ianka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somno Kink...had to look it up and wasn't sure how I would feel about it. But holy cheese and crackers Batman!! This was hotter than hot!! Lev (may we all find someone with that kind of devotion) was man that knew what he wanted and went after it. Grant it, in the real world it would be a no no, but I dont live in reality when in my books! Ava, now sis was getting on my nerves in some (very small) parts but she got it together and got her bottom knocked. I love breed kink but this right here....took it to a WHOLE other level.

To say that I loved this story was an understatement. I enjoy the story, the spice and Lev, lol.

Keep them coming!!!.

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

[Michelle Frater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s be real, if this plot showed up in a true crime documentary, you’d be sleeping with the lights on. But wrapped in the deliciously twisted bow of a stalker romance? The vibe shifts entirely. This book is an unapologetic, pulse-pounding escape into obsession, taboo, and dark desire. One look, that’s all it takes for Lev to decide that Ava is his. From there, he weaves a meticulous web, inching her closer and closer until she’s caught in his orbit. That “too good to be true” affordable apartment Ava moves into has been designed as Lev’s perfect surveillance nest. She thinks he’s just the brooding, silent neighbor… little does she know, he’s been watching, waiting, and planning. Lev is far from a hero, he’s morally gray at best, a monster at worst, but his brand of obsession is hypnotic. It’s the kind of dark, addictive fixation that makes you want to look away, but you never do. And then comes the breeding kink, like the devilish cherry on top of this already decadent cake. Ava, for her part, may be naïve, but not annoyingly so. There’s an almost fairy-tale purity about her, a “Beauty and the Beast” energy that softens the jagged edges of Lev’s madness. By the time he drops that first “good girl,” Ava’s already halfway lost to him. And then she bakes him cookies as a neighborly thank-you for fixing a burst water pipe, but within two minutes of walking into his apartment, any pretense of polite small talk turns to straight-up, filthy chaos. From that point on, Lev doesn’t need to lurk in the shadows anymore, he claims her in every sense of the word. What follows is one long, scorching, no-holds-barred smut fest. Lev can’t keep his hands off Ava, and Ava… well, she’s not exactly putting up a fight. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill mafia romance, it’s hotter, dirtier, and tailored for readers who love their heroes unrelenting, obsessive, and just the right amount of unhinged. If you’re craving a dark, twisted stalker romance that pulls no punches, this one will ruin you in the best way possible.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tamarra Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you love an MMC that is obsessed with the FMC? Because if you do, this book is for you.

Lev and Ava set the pages of this book on fire, because now that he has set his sights on her, she is now his.

Lev is unapologetic, because what he feels for Ava is a consuming obsession that he will not deny, and the dark desires he feels within him, is all encompassing the need to own her, claim her visceral.

Ava doesn’t realise that her brooding neighbour is a morally gray man that has silently been biding his time, watching her, patiently waiting, planning for the moment when she is finally his.

Lev’s dark, addictive fixation will have you wanting to look away, but take it all in at the same time. Because when he claims her, it is straight up filthy chaos and the no holds barred smut fest, is so scorching, I mean talk about high heat, woo hoo, cause Lev and Ava cannot keep there hands off of each other and I was there for it all.

This mafia romance will leaving you feeling hot and dirty in all the right places, because it’s readers like me who love their heroes who are all the way unhinged, with the right amount of unrelenting obsession that will have you craving this dark twisted stalker romance that rolls with the punches, ruining you in all the right ways.

And that HEA, perfect!

[Charlene Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

This was a dark, intense. and addictive read that pulled me in from the very first page. Marked and Bred by the Bratva leans hard into the dark romance territory … with possessive obsession, stalking, and twisted love…but if that’s your thing, it delivers exactly what you’d hope for.


The male lead is bold and unrelenting. He stalks the heroine from the start, though she remains unaware for a while. Every time she steps out.. whether it’s to the store or to work… he’s there, watching, waiting. And of course, he just happens to live right across the hall. Creepy? Maybe. Hot?
Also yes. The tension builds fast, and the chemistry between them is undeniable.


I really enjoyed how the author created that claustrophobic, obsessive vibe without it feeling too repetitive. It’s definitely not a light or fluffy romance, so readers who need a morally gray, dominant antihero will find exactly that here.

Tropes :
Stalking, breeding kink, obsession. This is an dark romance, and the themes won’t be for everyone .

If you enjoy taboo, possessive heroes and fast- paced heat stories with a dark edge, this one is worth checking out. There is no cheating! HEA

Charlene Smith

[Ms. Le · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava can’t believe her luck at securing an apartment that is clean, with a proper bed, and a suspiciously low rent. After months of sleeping on floors and eating microwave meals, it is a huge luxury to her. She should be suspicious. Having attracted the attentions of Bratva boss Lev, he obsessively manipulates her into moving into the apartment block that he owns and has fitted out with cameras and access to her apartment via the wall space. The author gives us warnings at the beginning of the book, and you should heed them because we have Lev stalking, drugging, and molesting Ava while she sleeps. She knows him as her giant, silent, brooding neighbour and when she bakes him cookies to thank him for fixing her burst pipe, he drops all pretence and makes his move. Ravenous kisses lead to being filled with Lev and bred. He quickly moves her into his penthouse, and she soon realises the extent of his obsession and possessiveness. An OTT stalker romance between an innocent woman and her dangerous unhinged boyfriend. 4.5 stars

[Petunia Chmiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars really—Let’s start with the positives: nicely written—aka minimal grammatical errors, engaging story, LOTS of spice, and some interesting character development. Now, the not so positives—the FMC is extremely gullible and naive. She also doesn’t seem to mature much. Biggest issue—despite labeling the MMC’s behaviors as a “kink” there was an EXTREMELY fine line where it crossed into SA for me. I get these obsessed “morally gray” men make some questionable decisions regarding taking the women, but this was straight up DARK. I understand that once the FMC realized what occurred she didn’t mind, BUT…it felt a bit like if I was watching Sleeping Beauty and the prince showed up and groped (and more) her all before she woke up and realized she was naked. And then she smiled and said hell yeah! If you like that sort of story, this is for you. Me—I’m still questioning it.

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

[Eugenia Gwynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one definitely brings the spice! Lev is tall, dark, and handsome — everything you’d want in a book boyfriend — and he’s got that jealous/possessive vibe down. I also really appreciated the interracial character aspect. The internal dialogue, especially from Lev, cracked me up and kept things interesting (not sure if that was intentional on the author’s part, but I loved it!).

That said, I wish there had been more character development, and a few parts felt a little unbelievable (like early on when Ava convinces herself she’s imagining someone in her apartment). The writing was somewhat choppy and felt disjointed. But overall, the story had a lot of potential and plenty of entertaining moments.

If half-stars were an option, I’d give this a 3.5/5 — better than a 3 but not quite a 4. This is a new author to me, but I would definitely give her another try.

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

[Mafia Wife · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once he spotted her, there was no going back. He watches her, biting his time for preparing for the day that he can claim her and make her his. She feels like eyes are on her but she can’t seem to place it. She notices her handsome neighbor across the way though he seems to not be interested until the night she runs to him for help. Once he claims her he claims all of her. This is definitely a grumpy sunshine with his moody broody stalker vibes. He is intense and OTT, but he is also completely obsessed with her. She is attracted to the big Russian, but when he finally claims her she realizes that he is keeping her. He is full court press obsessive, possessive, and morally gray. If you like those “ oh no, he didn’t” panty, melting moments this brings it. If writing the edge of consent is not your cup of tea you might want to skip this one.

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

[Ashkenia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pass

H: Lev
h: Ava
This is the  1st book I have read from this author and to be honest I'm not impressed. We have this poor woman who's been couch surfing for the past 6mths (we don't know why) because later in this book we find out she has a mom and a younger brother- so why couldn't she stay with them? But anyways she found this place which is cheap and small but is all she can afford. Lev is a former Special Ops Bratva who has become obsessed with Ava (why? how? when?- maybe I missed that part) So he buys the building and sets up a way where she gets this rental agreement  to get her to move in.  While she is living there he pretty much a*used her  while she sleeps. So finally they meet and she really likes him and they s*eep together. Now she is his. He takes her to his condo, he lets her work but he controls EVERY aspect of her life. I felt like this story left a lot of unanswered questions.

[Michelle Starika · Rating 4 out of 5]

In real life, this book would scare the living crap out of people. Thankfully, it’s just an insane over the top book that was perfectly delicious.

Lev literally takes one look at Ava and is like yep, she’s the one. And Ava just couldn’t figure out how she got such a steal on her new apartment—one word—Lev! He literally makes all these moves that pulls her in right where he wants her. He watches her every move. And when she decides to bring him cookies one day to say thanks for fixing a burst pipe(that he caused), all bets are off. Lev claims the eff out of Ava. And Ava seems to be all for it. I mean she ain’t complaining!

This was a nice, unhinged, psycho, pretty much all smut after the cookie scene. Quite frankly, I liked it!.

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

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahh, I do love the romance book world where UTI’s don’t exist. Lev was a man obsessed. Did he go a bit beyond what you’d expect of the ordinary man, yes. Have I seen other MMC’s go further and be more twisted? Yes. But this was a short, (relatively) sweet read. To me, it was quite light on the Mafia, we only saw a few scenes where Lev was the ‘Mafia Boss’ he spent 95% of the book either in the walls of her apartment or having sex with her. There were some moments when she’s asleep and he’s in the room and touching her which feel a bit beyond where I’d have liked the book to go, there had been no prior consent (or particular interest displayed) from her.

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

[Praline 99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mafia romance.
Ava is a young woman who has just moved into her new apartment and started a new job. But shortly after moving in, strange things start happening. She feels like there's a presence; her underwear disappears while water bottles appear. The strangest thing is her new neighbor, who doesn't speak much and seems far too rich to live there.
Lev is a Bratva boss who has fallen for a beautiful stranger. He then decides to buy an old building to sublet an apartment to her. He takes the opportunity to observe her closely; he becomes her stalker, and she falls deeper and deeper into his trap.
Will Lev and Ava have a beautiful romance, will Ava run away from Lev when she learns what he's done….

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

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

MARKED & BRED BY THE BRATVA is part of the multi-authored Bred by the BRATVA series. This is a completely OTT, age-gap, stalker, instalove, smutty, kinky, noncon-dubcon, curvy virgin gets her Bratva monster romance. I swear, in real life it would be creepy, but in this series, it's hot steamy goodness that causes panty incinerations and Kindle explosions. Lev is a burly, hunky, somewhat unhinged and obsessed member of the Bratva. Ava is a sweet and innocent black curvy girl who works at a smoothie shop. When she moves into her new apartment, she doesn't know that she already has a hands on stalker... Holy hotness. Completely unrealistic, sexy escapism, with insane chemistry and a happy ending.

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

[Reba Densley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read but spicy and so good. I want a Lev in my life.

Ava has been down on her luck. That is until Lev see’s Ava in passing and instantly becomes obsesses with her. Lev then sets up everything all neat in a row to get Ava right where he wants her. And poor Ava falls right into Lev’s trap. He starts to notice little things but doesn’t really put it together that someone’s been in her apartment. She constantly is literally running into her neighbor. She soon takes over cookies to say thank you and it gets hot.

Soon Ava is as wrapped up in Lev as Lev is wrapped up in Ava. It’s got lots of spice, obsession, and breeding.

[Cheryl Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lev and Ava are so hot together! Lev is that fastest sexy stalker ever all want but are too afraid to have. To have someone who wants you so much…and not in a”I want to bathe in your blood “ type of way but in a “I can’t breathe without you, love of my life” type of way. Even the way he stalked her was sexy AF! And she wanted him too. He fueled her dreams and she loved it cuz she never called out told anyone. This is not your pink an
d blue cotton candy bubble gum love story. It’s the and gritty. It’s dirty and fantastic. This is not for the faint of heart. Heed her warnings!.

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

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imani Jay brings you her latest story with a warning. I highly recommend reading the warning before starting the book. Lev is an alpha hero that has a stalking problem for the woman he wants. Lev goes to extreme measures to get his girl. Ava is extremely innocent and in some instances you will find yourself wondering if she has been sheltered all of her life. The love scenes are incredibly hot, intense and frequent. Marked and Bred By The Bratva is not for the faint of heart and could be a trigger for some readers. However, if you like your males alpha and dangerous this is a must read.

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

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy the stalker trope and sleeping beauty kink, you'll love this fast paced, quick read. Lev is completely obsessed with Ava from the moment he sees her and has the means to move reality around like pieces on a chess board. Ava I'd so sweet and naive, you just can't help but love her while shaking your head at her obtuse innocence. Once Lev really puts the pieces into play, she didn't really stand a chance. The story was steamy and electric with an unspoken chemistry, but would he capture the ultimate prize of her heart?

I voluntarily reviewed a gift copy of this book. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Booksy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lev sees Ava, wants Ava so he manipulates and maneuvers until she’s close enough to touch but he’s not a good guy and patience is not his strong point. In his mind Ava is his, his to protect, his to have and just his in general. His methods are over the top but Ava is okay with it and this is her story so no judgment. Ava is young, inexperienced and thinks she’s finally found something good in world filled with wrong. She’s right. Sort of, because Lev isn’t soft or kind but he is all hers and good for as can be. Told from dual POV this is a high heat story.

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

[Lisa Petty (Book Bangers Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello, stalker romance right here. When Lev first laid eyes on Ava, he knew she was something he had to have. Ava has not had it easy, and now she's living on her own, trying to build a life outside of her past. When mysterious things start to happen, she begins to question it all. But when she asks for help from the neighbor, she's about to get more than she bargained for. Lev is out of his element when he decides to claim Ava as his own—moving puzzle pieces to guide her right where he wants her. When he makes a move on Ava, he's about to show her that he is the only one for her, and he will protect her with his life. I loved how this twisted masterpiece came together.

[Kyrie Masters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowzers! While "wowzers" might not be a word you'd find in the dictionary, that's exactly how I felt after reading this book! It was incredibly steamy, delivering exactly the kind of heat I was looking for. Beyond the passionate moments, though, the story itself was captivating, and the characters were well-developed and engaging. I found myself completely immersed in their world and their relationships. Overall, I truly enjoyed this read and would recommend it!.

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

["They Did What?" · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chemistry was instant between the characters. Lev may not be a “good” guy but for Ava he would burn down the world. His methods may be obsessive, possessive, OTT, and yes dominating but she knows without a doubt he cares for her as much as she cares for him. I found this was a quick read that had me absolutely hooked from the very beginning. A quick, filthy, spicy-red-hot, action on every page, don’t read in public, story that you won’t want to pass up. "This is my honest review of an advanced reader copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily."

[Selina Durio · Rating 4 out of 5]

The authors own blurb fit this story so appropriately, “THIS STORY IS 100% A TWISTED, DARK FANTASY THAT’S MEANT TO SWEEP YOU AWAY INTO A PLACE OF FILTHY, DEPRAVED FUN. NOTHING ELSE. JUST AN UNHINGED ESCAPE FROM REALITY & A WHOLE LOT OF ONE-HANDED PAGE-TURNING. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISk”. Lev epitomizes the true definition of a stalker and beyond. Ava is just clueless, and revels in her cluelessness. The story is overall a good read. It seemed to end a little too abruptly.

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

[Ljay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was everything the author promised it would be. Lev was too much! Of EVERYTHING!! I went to far on all fronts. Poor Ava never had a chance. And the way she just blew off some mighty weird things happening in her apartment, had me wondering about her a bit. Like that bottled water situation. Oh well.

Even with all the over the top-ness, and certain elements to it says I probably shouldn't, I still liked the story.

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

[Phaze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lev and Ava

Short and intense. A warning is giving befire reading the book, plesse consider it.

Lev bought a apartment building and rented an rented one to Ava aftet seeing her. After his fisrt initial time seeing he, he learned all he could.

Ava is taking steps to be a successful adult and her iwn place is goal. This apartment is the start of that. She notices odd things happening, like her clothing missing. But, never curious enough to dig deeper.

Lev lives in the nuilding and is always leaving when she is leaving. One minute she is single, the next she is not.

[Marlene Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lev becomes obsessed with an innocent girl who got a great deal on apartment...he saw her once at her work, and wanted her. He is hitman for Bratva, gives her great deal on apartment she can afford, but he owns building and can stalk her there...but she likes the attention of the formidable man and likes that he treats her well, despite what could be his profession...but the read was quick and very over-the-top with stalking...I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[PurpleLadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imani Jay's, Marked and Bread by the Bratva was a seriously intense, yet enjoyable story. I appreciated her straight forward, no nonsense "You've been Warned" trigger warning at the beginning of the book. It told you estacte what the book was about, what to expect, then allowed you to decide if you were comfortable reading the story. Lev took stalking and control to a whole new level. I alternately liked how he took care of Ava, and disliked his controlling, domineering, stalker ways.

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