Ruinous Need

Heirs of Obsession #1

by Madison Juno

The captive ballerina was supposed to remain untouched. This Bratva hitman couldn't resist. Now he'll carve a bloody trail to keep her, and the secret heir inside her...

Viktor

I captured her. On the Pakhan's orders.
The dancer clad in bright silk.
With no place in this dark world of ours.

Defenceless. Innocent. Good.
The Pakhan thought I'd leave her untouched.
That would be unbearable agony.

I break his trust, knowing it means war.
A fiery meteor has nothing on the ruin I'll unleash to keep her.

Lisette

I'm precious cargo. Promised to another.
Locked in a penthouse with this lethal hitman.
A Bratva weapon of muscle and scars.

I think he's carved from marble. Until he touches me.
Risking war. Risking everything.
Under his dominant hands, I don't break. I become stronger.

And when he finds I'm carrying his heir, there's no turning back.
He'll burn down the world to keep me safe.
If we both die tomorrow, at least I'll be his.

*Ruinous Need is a full-length standalone mafia romance novel set in the Bratva (Russian mafia) with violence, plenty of open-door spice and a morally grey male lead. Please read the list of content warnings.

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Forced Proximity, Romance, Dark, BDSM, Enemies To Lovers

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2025

About the author

Bratva romance with equal parts angst and spice.

Currently writing the Heirs of Obsession series:
Ruinous Need - August 2025
Sweet Carnage - December 2025
...and more to come 👀

Reviews

[Wendy Marie (myrisingphoenixera.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
3🌶️
🔥Bratva
🔥Forced Proximity
🔥Age Gap
🔥Forbidden Love
🔥Endometriosis Rep
🔥Breeding

Ruinous Need is a fast paced fun read and a different take on a mafia romance. Viktor is the assassin for the Bratva and Lissette is a former ballerina. A few years ago she had no choice but to accept a marriage proposal from the current Pahkhan, Seymon. She’s been living in fear for the day that she has to marry him. Seymon has Viktor kidnap her and keep her safe while he is out of town. She isn’t afraid of Viktor even though she knows he’s dangerous. Their connection is instant, Lisette tests Viktor’s patience until it snaps and when it does things heat up. He is very possessive and doesn’t share. There is some delicious banter and spice between these two. Lisette doesn’t really understand the danger and sneaks out to do a performance and when Viktor finds out he’s furious and punishes her. Things get more dangerous as Viktor uncovers why every crime syndicate in New York is out to get Lisette. When the stakes are high and they’re both in danger things look bleak. This will have you turning the page to see how they get to their happy ending.

🚩Be sure to read the author’s note and content warnings before reading.
Thank you Madison Juno for the ARC.

📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦‍🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads 🐦‍🔥

A Few Favorite Quotes:
“The one thing I’m known for is being above it all. Uninvolved. Detached. That was always so easy until her.”

“I won’t be satisfied with wrecking her with pleasure. I want to destroy her with it. Until she’s nothing but a trembling, sweaty mess, naked and dripping on the floor of my apartment.”

“Because it is utter madness. But no matter the consequences, she will be mine, and damn the rest of the world to hell. Damn the Bratva and its rules. Damn my cousin and his engagement.”

“You’re mine. That means I want every part of you. The suffering, the pain, I want all of it. Let it out.”

“But this need to fill you up? That’s new to me as well.” He strokes his hand lightly along my belly. “I think it’s all you, Lisette. You make me want… forever.”

[Neapolitan670 📚🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure who ruined who 🤭Finished this book in one sitting even if it was into the early hours.


Lisette, was on her way to becoming a great ballet dancer until she wasn’t. Promised to a Pakhan, sold if you will but her life was also on the line from others. Kidnapped, held captive by the Pakhan’s enforcer, she settles into a life of solitude unless he is around, then things were a little different, her feistiness, her ability to draw him out and eventually sm3xy times. Through all this her life was still not her own, kept away from everyone she knows, she knew she would be forced to marry the Pakhan. Will they find a way out that doesn’t involve d3ath? Will her life ever be her own again? 


It kept me engrossed, there was a twist to the whole storyline that I didn’t see coming 😏At certain points I was like ffs what

[ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruinous Need

Meet Viktor + Lisette 💕

Ohhh this was so good. The character growth? Solid. The plot? Had me glued. And if you’re into a powerful, dominant man who gets off on the idea of breeding…yeah, this one’s absolutely for you, you filthy little animal 😉

✨ T r o p e s ✨
Mafia | Bratva MMC
Forced Proximity
Age Gap
Spicy | Breeding
Endometriosis Representation
Cousin Rivalry

Book Cover ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Would I recommend this book to you? Yes

[Buffy ❤️‍🔥💀 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Holy effing cringe fest 😒🤮🤮 if I could give this 0 stars I would

[Emmy Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much. Viktor was the true meaning of I’D LET THE WORLD BURN FOR YOU. It was short-ish, around 250 pages but I really connected and fell for the characters. I find a lot of times in shorter novels or novellas I don’t feel as much because the plot is a heavy focus and connecting with characters is neglected, but for me an important part that helps determine how I feel about the book. I love a good captive x captor romance, and the whole broody mafia assassin captor was a bonus. Lisette is a ballerina promised to the Pakhan, and his assassin cousin is assigned to kidnap and protect her. But when Viktor catches feelings and realises that many people are coming after her.. what will he do? This book had amazing good girl x bad boy energy, and I liked how she didn’t change too much at the end, because in lots of books (especially dark romance) with this trope, the fmc is filled with rage and the complete opposite of the person she was before. In this book, yes she’s stronger and more powerful, but most of the she’s still her sweet self, insisting to make food herself despite the many chefs they have. In lots of dark romance books, revenge is a very driving factor, as it is in this book, but I like how it didn’t overpower the rest of the plot. The plot was great, there were quite a few shockers (because I read a lot of mafia romance I more common plot twists don’t always hit), and showed the chemistry between them. My one problem is it really a surprise pregnancy trope if it’s literally in the blurb, at this point I was just like “oh there it is, it finally came”, and I find that’s very common now?? Either way I’m all in for br33ding kinks. I loved this so much and give it a 4.5/5

[Wilma · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5⭐️

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mafia, touch her and die feel. Kidnapping a ballerina who is forced to marry into the mafia. But to find out why this is being done makes it an amazing twist. Lots of spicy scenes in this book. There is a twist that I never saw coming and with a happy ending!! This book was amazing. It is definitely a must read. ARC reader.

[Amanda Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC for Ruinous Need and I loved it. This book was great! It had two of my favorite tropes, mafia romance and forced proximity. I loved Viktor and Lisette’s relationship. Everything about it was done perfectly. If you like Mafia Romance then I recommend this book to you! It’s a great read.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Viktors uncle tasks him with getting Lisette and keeping her pure for him, but she stokes a fire beneath him, and forbidden fruit never tasted so tempting! But can theucface thebfire thats ahead when war and loyalties are tested! Well written engaging steamy desires drama, captive, forced proximity and more.

I
and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lauren H · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an ARC reader for this book, I found it so good. She is taken from her family to be with her fiancé’s bodyguard, only to realize that the bodyguard is who she wants to be with. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ but not over the top. FMC wants it anywhere and everywhere, even while fighting for their lives. Must read. Congrats Madison Juno you did your big one!

[Aurora Ash · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 41%

[Read Like a Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥
Format: Ebook
A Dark romance depicting kidnapping, attempted m*rder, m*rder, and death.

I don’t know what it was about this one but I just couldn’t fully get into it. I’m all for a good dark mafia romance, but something about this one just didn’t quite click for me. While I did enjoy reading it, it wasn’t necessarily my favourite read for this genre. Though, I did find I was more into the later half of the novel compared to the first half.

When it comes to Lisette Du Pont and Viktor Zakharov, their relationship can been considered the definition of the grumpy/sunshine trope. Viktor is a stubborn, serious, no nonsense hitman for the Bratva, while Lisette is a women who tries to find the best in everyone, and every situation, even going so far as attempting to befriend the aforementioned hitman. The way the pair interact between each other throughout the novel is amusing and interesting to read.

While I’m sure that this one may be of interest to some of you, I’m unsure about if I would recommend this one due to it not being my favourite, but that could very well just be because I’ve been on more of a contemporary romance kick as of late and haven’t been delving as much into the dark romance genre as I used to. That said, I’m willing to give this one another go when I get back into reading dark romance, but right now I think contemporary romances are where it’s at for me. Especially because I like Juno’s concept for Ruinous Need and from my perspective it is well written.

[Tawny McNeil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mafia. Burn-the-world-for-her. Family Betrayal.

This book has it all; mafia family drama, forbidden love, and brutal violence. What more could you possibly ask for in a mafia romance?

The story follows Lisette (FMC) and Viktor (MMC), whose forced proximity makes their connection impossible to ignore. The only problem? She’s promised to his cousin. Viktor had one job: don’t touch her.

With deep ties to the Russian Mafia, Viktor walked away from his title and handed it to his cousin instead to become the loyal henchman driven by vengeance. Haunted by his past, his life is all about control… until Lisette stumbles into the wrong place at the wrong time, changing her fate…and his…forever.

I really enjoyed this read. While there’s a certain level of predictability (as with most mafia romances), the tension, layered family dynamics, and sharp twists kept me hooked. Their contrasting life experiences don’t stop them from sharing — and surrendering to — that undeniable connection.

And honestly… doesn’t every girl want a man willing to burn the world for her? Or is that just me?

[eleanor hawkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

ARC review 🤍

This was a super fun read for me! I enjoyed the characters and the plot and would recommend for lovers of mafia romances.

I think I would’ve just liked to of seen a little more tension, or a little more build up between the two love interests. I think the MMC being so thoroughly obsessed from the first time he lays eyes on her was something I would’ve liked to of seen been built up instead, however I know some people love insta-obsession so defo recommend if that’s your vibe!!

Overall a fun, spicy and enjoyable read ☺️

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much was packed into this short story and I loved everything about it. Viktor is the truth when it comes to touch her & 💀 with a side of I’ll burn everything and everyone in my path to get to you. I will never stop being obsessed with men who believe their hearts are cold as ice and can’t ever love! The story between Lisette and Viktor is a wild ride and how love will conquer all plays out so well in this book!

I liked the endometriosis awareness in this book and how Viktor will do whatever he can to help Lisette. The betrayal that unfolds in this book is one I did not see coming!

If you like:
🖤breeding kink
🖤mafia
🩶forced proximity
🩶forbidden love
🖤age gap
🖤touch her & 💀
Add this book to your TBR today!

Thank you Madison Juno for sharing this ARC!

[Alisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the concept but the writing was a bit flat for me. Lots of telling and not showing. Some surface level conversations that required more nuance to make them believable. I think the bones are good though so I would read more from this author as she continues to grow.

[Solja]

It wasn’t giving for me so it’s DNF for me hihi

[Alina]

dnf
he went to a brothel to find a woman to sleep with. he " couldn't do it " but the intention was there and he acted on it.
i hate these stupid "i want to fuck ow but just can't " tropes.

[eria (lewis hamilton's version)✨️ · Rating 2 out of 5]

No. Just no.


2.5⭐️

[Sierra (shesgotstories) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark romance with endo rep? Say less! 😍

[enchantedmelreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Possessive captor ✅
Bratva ✅
Innocent FMC ✅
Spice ✅ 🥵


My naughty little screamer.


Madison Juno makes a bold entrance with her debut novel and it does not hold back.

If you’re into possessive, unhinged male leads with a dark streak, then Viktor will absolutely wreck you (in the best way). As an enforcer for the Bratva, he’s been tasked with watching over Lisette, a ballerina who sold herself to the Pakhan to cover her mother’s medical bills.

The chemistry? Instant. The tension? Off the charts. One thing leads to another… you will have to read to find out what happens.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3 stars for this one. Which is a travesty because I was really liking it at the beginning.

This review will contain spoilers!! Especially if you don't read the TW ahead of time. Most of the spoilers were the ones mentioned on the TW list.

So, this book started off good. Lisette was forced into a marriage with the Pakhan, the reason he wants her is unknown for a good amount of the book. Anyway, his cousin who is the MC, Viktor is tasked with kidnapping Lisette and keeping her "safe" from all of his enemies. And thus, we have the forced proximity.

I actually liked the characters at first. Viktor wasn't unlikable and Lisette seemed sweet but then the further I got along the less and less I liked the characters. The plot had so much potential to be good, but the characters actions ruined it for me. Viktor took one look at Lisette and was basically head over heels though he won't admit it. He feels like he's having a heart attack the minute he sees her and doesn't understand what this means. Anyway, after he captures her their relationship picks up really fast. There was none of the tension one would like or expect from a forced proximity book. One day he was trying to keep himself away from her and the next he had her bent over spanking her. It was really bizarre to me. Their personality shifts were so weird. Like Lisette was kidnapped by him but when he comes back after a few days from being gone she's like so happy to see him? I didn't understand that. With her being kidnapped from her family you would think maybe once or twice she would think about that and idk maybe ask if she could call them but nope. Not once did she ask to contact her family or wonder how they were. And when she does get the chance to escape for the day does she go and visit them? Nope she decides to go do a pole dancing show that she promised to do for her friend a while back. Her family all but forgotten. Priorities, I guess.

The shifts to different scenes were very sloppy. One minute a character would be doing something and then the next thing you know they are in the other room doing something else without us even being told there was a room change. Things like this happened a lot during the book and took me out of it too many times to count.

I was loving how possessive Viktor was over his girl but what ruined it for me was him going to a brothel to look for someone else to sleep with to get over her. And this isn't even at the beginning but really far in, after they had been sexual many times and him getting mad and possessive over her. Making her say she belongs to him and yet he goes to try and sleep with someone else. He isn't able to do it but the fact that he even thought about doing it just ruined the rest of the book for me. Also, she never found out about it, and I didn't like that at all. She had BBS which made me dislike her even more. There was a scene where Viktor said some horrible things to her and within the scene, she decided she was hurt but not hurt enough to not get aroused by him touching her. Touching her while he's saying these terrible things mind you. And no this wasn't a humiliation kink this was him being a complete asshole and her being very hurt by it but deciding to sleep with him anyway.

His nickname for her was also super cringy: "little screamer." Like really out of all the nicknames that's the one we are going with? They also did some BDSM that seemed to be thrown in there. It was never even discussed between the two of them. He just started doing shit that he liked when he'd done it with other partners. Never even checked if she was okay with it or anything. Safe words and aftercare were nonexistent, at least not on page. I'm not a fan of BDSM in my books but I've read enough to know that maybe a little more research should have been done before writing a character who claims to do that sort of stuff.

The FMC has endometriosis, and I was interested in reading about a character who struggles with that but even this was not expanded on. There were two scenes of her being in pain and that's about it. It’s barely even talked about and we don't even find out she has it until halfway through the book. I felt like something like this, that a lot of women struggle with would have been a good opportunity to showcase it through a character and how she deals with it. Such a missed opportunity in my opinion.

The secondary characters were meh. There were some that were decent. One of them ends up being a traitor and we don't even get closure on what happened to them. We find out they are a traitor and then they just vanish from the book. Never to be spoken of again. Like no repercussions for them at all? It was so unsatisfying.

So as you can see I did not like this book. The 2.5-3 stars were strictly for the first like 30% of the book and that's it.

SAFETY:

No cheating (not really, she's engaged to be married but has only met him one time)
OW (see above, it's very brief but he went to go sleep with someone else but just couldn't do it)
OM (She's engaged but he doesn't even want her sexually he just does it to prove he can, she also goes on a date at the beginning of the book, but she never tells us why she did it or anything about it. FMC also states that if she has to sleep with her arranged fiancé to make him think the baby she is carrying is his then she will do that even though it's the MMCs. This made me hate her even more)
Age Gap (14 yrs-21/35)
Murder
HEA

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not trying to be rude by starting off like this, but I genuinely don’t understand how this book is considered a 4–5 star read. I don’t quite want to give it 3 stars, because the idea of the story is good — the premise and the bones are there — but the execution fell flat.

There were so many moments where this book should have ignited, and it just… didn’t.

Viktor’s entire character is built around revenge, especially surrounding Lev, yet when the backstory was finally revealed, my reaction was honestly, “Oh… that’s it?” Yes, it was traumatic, but it didn’t justify the scope of his rage or why he was going after everyone when the person that caused the action was already dead. It left me confused rather than emotionally invested.

The relationship between Viktor and Lisette had no real foundation. It jumped from “I’m going to punish you” straight to “I’m going to get you pregnant” with no meaningful development in between. Their connection felt purely physical, with almost no deep or memorable conversations to support such drastic shifts.

Lisette’s conflict with the other syndicates was also a strange and underdeveloped storyline. It felt like it was introduced for tension but never fully explained or explored. The same goes for the Pakhan vs. Viktor conflict — it was incredibly anticlimactic. This should have been a major showdown, and instead it barely landed.

On top of that, there were so many plot holes that constantly pulled me out of the story. One moment Lisette is watching TV, the next she’s suddenly asleep on the couch laid across Viktor. Then they’re on the couch again, and suddenly he’s talking to her about getting onto the countertop — with no transition or clarity. I found myself stopping more than once just to figure out what was even happening in the scene.

There were also glaring logic gaps that made the character motivations hard to believe. What happened to Daria? Why does Viktor — a man defined by revenge — wait weeks to ask who betrayed him? That hesitation simply didn’t align with his character.

I finished the book hoping the ending would redeem the buildup, but unfortunately, it didn’t. While the concept itself had strong potential, the delivery, character development, and overall cohesion just weren’t there.

This could have been so much more — and that’s what makes it disappointing.

[Sabína · Rating 5 out of 5]

Byť v niečom najlepší nemusí byť vôbec super. Svoje o tom vedia Lisette a Viktor. Mladučká Lisette Du Pont ako primabalerína zaujala bossa ruskej mafie = Bratvy, Semyona. Ten jej výmenou za manželstvo s ním ponúkol liečbu pre jej vážne chorú matku. Lisette nevoľky súhlasila, no keď ani po troch rokoch nebola vydatá, myslela si, že nebezpečenstvo v podobe mafie je preč. Až do doby, kým ju neuniesol Viktor Zakharov. Ako najlepší hitman a zároveň bratranec bossa, je povinný udržať Lisette v bezpečí, kým Semyon vybaví biznis v Chicagu. Ich vzájomné spolužitie je plné napätia, túžby a prekonávanie samých seba. Postupne si k sebe nájdu cestu, no tá je lemovaná nebezpečenstvom, ktoré nečakali, nechutnou súťaživosťou a zradou. Dokáže Viktor udržať Lisette v bezpečí a zároveň si ju nechať pre seba?

TOTO ČO BOLO?! 🤯 Úplne milujem ten príbeh a chcem si ho hneď prečítať znovu.
V knihe nájdete obľúbené trópy, ako napr. mafia, age gap, possessive MMC, zakázaná láska… Trigger warning skoro ako check-list. No aj napriek tomu táto kniha nebola úplne dark. Prirovnala by som ju k sérii Habibi od @bajadolceautor, možno o odtieň svetlejší.
Dej bol prirodzený a rýchly, bez žiadnych veľkých skokov v čase, čo sa mi veľmi páčilo. Banter a chémia medzi Lisette a Viktorom boli 12/10! 🔥 Lisette nebola naivná blondínka a Viktor sa kvôli nej stával najlepšou verziou seba samého. A ten Viktor! 🥵 Dokonalý book boyfriend. Kúpil Lisette oblečenie, keď ju uniesol - od spodnej bielizne po posledný kabát, zbavil ju strachu zo psov, staral sa o ňu, keď ju kvárila endometrióza… ❗️Spolier ❗️Táto ich dôvera vyvrcholila v chcenom bábätku - plusový bod, že v knihe nebolo žiadne prekvapivé tehotenstvo (ten tróp nemusím). Viktor sa s Lisette o bábätku rozprávali a popritom si ten nezbedník naplno užíval svoj breeding kink.

Kniha bola plná milých scén, pri ktorých sa budete chichotať, no je tam aj dosť vážnych mafiánskych tém. Ale hlavne je tam Viktor!!!

P.S.: ❗️Spoiler❗️Ak vás nepresvedčilo toto, presvedčí vás scéna, v ktorej mali sex v kostole? 😶

[Han · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this mafia romance as it had a unique spin where the assassin of a mafia boss has to watch over his boss’ fiancée. The ending was unique as well as Viktor fought for power that he deserved.

Lisette is an average everyday woman who enters into an arranged marriage to help her mother. When the mafia boss’ is wanting to expedite the wedding, she soon realizes what she is involved in. When Viktor kidnaps her and holds her hostage in his apartment, tensions begin to build. Lisette is bound and determined to escape the apartment, live her life, and do what she wants. Her defiant attitude pushes Viktor’s buttons as he begins to realize he’s attracted to her.

Viktor never thought as being an assassin he would have to become a bodyguard for his boss’ new fiancée. When Viktor meets Lisette, she’s feisty, sassy, and not willing to go down without a fight. She pushes Viktor to the edge until eventually he surrenders to what he’s feeling. Viktor is deadly, unapologetic, and rough around the edges. When Lisette and him begin to grow close, he realizes what love can do to a person as he’s had his emotions turned off for so long.

When the fiery passion begins, boy does it not let up. Viktor and Lisette have a strong and intense connection together that Viktor refuses to let disappear so Lisette can marry another. When Viktor first gets a taste, he knows that he will stop at nothing to keep Lisette in his life. As they begin to bond, war starts to loom on the horizon as plans begin to unravel that neither Viktor nor Lisette were aware of. Viktor’s willingness to fight for Lisette and Lisette’s strong personality fit beautifully.

[Amber Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Book Review: Ruinous Need

⭐️⭐️☆ (2.5/5)

As a fan of slow burn romance, Ruinous Need had all the ingredients to become an unforgettable read—enemies-to-lovers tension, dangerous secrets, and a morally gray hero entangled with the Bratva. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to its potential.

The book introduces Viktor, a cold and calculating enforcer for the Bratva, and Lisette, who initially despises him. The setup promises a deliciously tense dynamic, but that tension fizzles out far too quickly. Viktor disappears on a work trip to gather intel, and by the time he returns, Lisette is somehow half-naked on the kitchen table. The jump from mutual disdain to full-on lust felt abrupt and unearned.

Where Ruinous Need stumbles most is in pacing and development. The sexual chemistry between Viktor and Lisette had so much room to simmer and explode—but instead of a slow, smoldering burn, we get a spark that skips straight to the fire. There were glimpses of deeper emotional complexity and raw attraction, but those moments were never given the space to breathe.
That’s not to say the book lacks strengths—the world-building is gritty and immersive, and there’s no shortage of high-stakes drama—but for readers who thrive on anticipation and emotional payoff, the rushed romance may leave you wanting.

If you’re in it for fast, intense heat and don’t mind skipping the foreplay (metaphorically and literally), Ruinous Need might scratch that itch. But if you’re like me and crave the slow, painful pull of unresolved tension, this one might feel like a missed opportunity.

[Cassi B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m turned on by my captive. Sue me. That’s how we are in the Bratva. We always want to hurt the prettiest, most vulnerable things.

🥀🖤🥀🖤🥀🖤

🖤 Forced proximity
🥀 Age Gap
🖤 Endo Rep
🥀 Forbidden
🖤 Breeding & Pregnancy
🥀 Touch Her and 💀
🖤 Morally Grey
🥀 Ballerina x Bratva

🥀🖤🥀🖤🥀🖤

Possessive and morally grey aren't even close enough to describing Viktor throughout this story! This man took it to another level even knowing that Lisette was engaged to his cousin through an arranged marriage.

Lisette never wanted any sort of arranged marriage let alone one to a dangerous Pahkhan like Seymon. She wanted to continue in her pursuits of being a ballerina & continuing to live her dream as one. Viktor is drawn to Lisette from THE moment he first sees her and then ultimately kidnaps her, at Seymon's direction, to keep her safe while he is away. What neither of them know is just how high the stakes run and the game being played around her future. The game that has been going on since her one & only professional ballet performance 3 years prior.

Viktor will do anything to keep her safe and tied to him alone without any regard of who gets in his way. He is quite literally willing to burn the world for her. Then again, with her bratty attitude, he wants to punish her just as much. 🥵 Their banter and chemistry is absolutely great.

There are a couple of freshman kinks to work out with pacing, but I felt this was an overall great first novel. I can't wait to see what this new author gives us in the future...especially mafia since that owns my heart.

Thank you to Madison for this ARC!

[The Literature Lizard · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Arc Review: Ruinous Need by Madison Juno✨
Dual POV • Standalone • 293 pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/🌶️🌶️🌶️
✔️ Mafia (Bratva) Romance
✔️ Arranged Marriage
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Forbidden Romance
✔️ Touch her and ☠️
✔️ Br33d!ng
✔️ Age gap
✔️ Captive x Captor
✔️ Possessive mmc

Huge thank you to Madison for providing me with an advanced copy of Ruinous Need. As always, my opinions are my own! ☺️

“There is nothing pretty about me, Lisette.”
“You try to hide it. With muscles and tattoos and frowns. But you have a kind face, Viktor.”

Lisette, engaged to the head of the Bratva, is taken away to honour her deal and is kept in the apartment of the Pakhan's enforcer. Viktor, the emotionally unavailable assassin has been tasked with keeping lisette safe and licked away to protect her from the Irish until the wedding,

But neither of them were prepared for was the instant chemistry, the tension and his possessive need to claim. She was supposed to remain untouched.. but he couldn’t resist and now he can’t let her go. Now they must go up against the other mafia families and the Pakhan.. will they survive it, or start a war?

My Thoughts ⬇️⬇️

While I did enjoy this one, I don’t know if it’s one of my favourite mafia romances. The heat between Viktor and Lisette was smoking and the tension was palpable but I wasn’t totally in love with the story. I felt like there was too much time spent with Lisette and Viktor inside the apartment and too little time spent on the story involving her arrangement with the Pakhan and it all felt a bit too rushed in at the end.

[Jaso Saeed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruinous Need pulled me in from the very first pages and never let go. The dark Bratva atmosphere, constant danger, and the tension between duty and desire made this a gripping and addictive read.

Viktor is exactly what you expect from a Bratva hitman—cold, lethal, and disciplined—but what makes him compelling is the internal conflict that tears him apart. He’s ordered to keep Lisette untouched, yet his need for her overrides loyalty, logic, and even the threat of war. His decision to betray the Pakhan isn’t impulsive romance; it’s a calculated, devastating choice that raises the stakes of the entire story.

Lisette surprised me in the best way. She begins as “precious cargo,” but she’s far from weak. Watching her grow stronger under impossible circumstances was one of my favorite parts of the book. The dynamic between her and Viktor is intense, possessive, and charged with danger, yet rooted in protection and survival rather than softness.

The chemistry is explosive, and the open-door scenes fit the brutal, obsessive tone of the story. The pregnancy reveal adds another layer of tension and solidifies Viktor’s willingness to burn the world down for her and their child. Nothing about their love is safe—and that’s exactly what makes it so compelling.

Dark, violent, and emotionally charged, Ruinous Need delivers a morally grey hero who will choose destruction over loss every time. A must-read for mafia romance lovers who enjoy high stakes, obsession, and ruthless devotion. 🖤🔥

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5 star
4 spice level

Ruinous Need by Madison Juno isn't your average mafia romance—it has a unique, high-stakes premise that had me hooked from the very first page.

This story has a unique spin where the mafia boss's assassin, the cold and deadly Viktor, has to watch over his boss’s fiery fiancée, Lisette. Lisette is just an everyday woman who got caught up in a dangerous world, but she's not a damsel in distress. She’s feisty, sassy, and refuses to go down without a fight. Watching her defiance push every one of Viktor’s buttons is pure entertainment.

Their chemistry is an absolute inferno. From the moment Viktor meets Lisette, he realizes he’s drawn to her, but he's a man who has had his emotions turned off for so long. As they're forced into close proximity, their tension builds and builds, transforming into an undeniable and intense connection. It’s the kind of passionate love story that makes you believe a hero will burn down the world for his woman.

This book is a non-stop thrill ride. The action is sharp, the violence is gripping, and the secrets are shocking, keeping you guessing until the very end. But let's be real—the spice level is off the charts. If you're looking for a book with a powerful love story, a hero who fights for what he deserves, and a whole lot of steam, then this is the one. I was totally engrossed from the start and could not put it down!