Toxic Temptation

Krayev Bratva #1

by Naomi West

I'm a rule-follower. A good girl.
He’s a mob boss. A criminal.
I would never…

Kovan burst into my ER with a boy bleeding out in his arms.
I didn’t know he was a Bratva pakhan.
I only knew that child would die if I didn’t do something.

So I did.
But that was just the beginning.

Because the boy is Kovan's nephew.
And Kovan needs custody.

His solution?
Me.

He wants me to pretend to be his girlfriend in front of the courts.
That means thirty days of living in his house.
Thirty days raising his nephew like he’s ours.
Thirty days of pretending like I'm not irresistibly drawn to the most dangerous man in the city.

I saved his life.
He’s about to ruin mine.

TOXIC TEMPTATION is Book 1 in the Krayev Bratva duet. Kovan and Vesper’s story continues in Book 2, TOXIC SALVATION.

Genres: Romance, Dark Romance, Contemporary, Fake Dating, Enemies To Lovers, Crime, Mafia Romance

670 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2025

Reviews

[Booklover · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

I liked the writing, I liked that there was actually a plot. Vesper was actually a strong female lead for once. I liked the slow burn.

I didn't like Kovan. His change of mood gave me whiplash.
I feel like the development of their relationship needed more structuring. Sure it is supposed to show that Kovan was in a difficult place. But it was very bipolar. He was already pushing her away before they had something solid. Then he suddenly changes his mind and tells her he is all hers. Right the next chapter he is back to being indecisive again. Then he throws her away. Kovan was not an alpha. Just a boy who couldnt make up his mind.

I also didn't like that she was the first to fall and she fell hard, then she was also the first to confess.

The backstory is paperthin, not much going on regarding the Bratva. Kovan is fighting for custody and playing house with Vesper. That's basically it. He was under attack twice and did nothing about it. Why? Because he needed custody of his nephew (the proper way). Not very convincing since he is supposed to be the Pakhan. Also Vesper finding his laptop open so she can snoop around...I really don't like it when stupid things happen that just bring the plot down.

Extra cedits for no cheating, no other woman drama, no crazy ex from the past.

[fromthestudyof · Rating 3 out of 5]

i am so sorry i do not care about this man’s nephew

[Zen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Lots of drama, but I like how these two are from completely different places, but want each other anyway. It did get a bit laggy in the middle because it felt the MMC kept waffling back and forth about being together, but I'm excited to read the next one.

[Debs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very slow burn which left me feeling unsatisfied.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what I love to see from Nicole Fox! Vesper is an intelligent and successful pediatric surgeon who finds herself in the midst of a shootout at her hospital after running into the handsome Kovan who has brought his anaphylactic nephew in for emergency care. That one encounter turns into becoming Kovans fake girlfriend to help him get custody of his nephew from his abusive mother and step father.

I love that for the most part Vesper doesn’t make stupid decisions which is something I find annoying about other FMCs, and Kovan is stubbornly falling for her but has his own demons and wants to protect her while not getting too close.

I’ve started the second part and can’t wait to see how it ends!.

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

[Eva Raney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is probably a 3.5⭐️ for me, and it ended on a cliffhanger so guess what I’m reading next!

[Su · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was ok. Would have been a lot better if there wasn’t so much back & forth with the 2 main characters. (One of my bug bares of reading ) …. So many authors never get the right amount. Is either insta or to looonnnnnng.
That let this down for me. The story could of been so much more if there was more depth on others involved or the plot of the story was more to it than what it was. but to much time was spent will they won’t they …. It got boring after the 1st book. Although I will see though now I have invested and onto the 2nd which so far is similar to book 1
Not sure if you can say it warranted 2 books!!

[Krissie Mentzer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spicy, but I did not finish it. I just couldnt get into the story.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toxic Temptation is book one in the Krayev Bratva duet. Kovan and Vesper’s story continues and concludes in book two, Toxic Salvation. A full-length standalone novel with no cheating and ends on a mind-blowing cliffhanger. A fast paced, thrilling, twisted and dark read. An unputdownable and absorbing addicting read. A brilliantly written story with damaged, torture and flawed individuals and a twisty and complex storyline that captures the audience attention from the beginning and keeps you riveted and turning the pages. Hang on to your seat and prepare yourself for this tantalizing rollercoaster ride filled with high-octane suspense, non-stop twists and turns and mystery. A definite page turner with enticing erotic scenes that will have you gasping for more.
A billionaires & millionaires romance, dark mafia romance, contemporary romance, organize crime story, romantic suspense story, women's crime fiction story, crime thriller story, protective alpha hero romance, morally-grey antihero romance, secret baby romance, fake marriage romance, general romance, action & adventure romance, mob romance, Bratva romance, relationship-that-started-with-a-contract romance, polar opposite attracts story, fake relationship romance with lies, deception, darkness, love, madness, violence, rivalry, danger, bloodshed, passion, threats, shootout, steam, anger, dirty talking, revelations, consensual intense rough sex, dominance, submission, drama, power and control, possessiveness, power play, abduction, obsession and more.
Dr. Vespa Fairfax was working in the emergency room one night when Kovan Krayev burst into her ER with a young boy, whose is nephew Luca bleeding out in his arms. At the time she didn't know that he was a Bratva pakhan. All she knew was that the child would die if she didn't do something immediately. She did but that was just beginning of her life being irrevocably changing. Vespa is a rule follower, a good girl but when Kovan Krayev burst into her ER everything changed forever. It was an instant attraction between the two and when Kovan needed a built girlfriend to help him gain custody of his nephew she was the perfect fit.
Kovan asked her to pretend to be his girlfriend in front of the courts so that it would look like he can provide stability for his nephew. However, this deal would mean that she would have to be living in his house under his roof for thirty days. That means thirty days of raising and pretending that his nephew was theirs. This going to be a difficult task for her because it will require thirty days of her pretending like she's not tempted and captivated to the most dangerous man in the city. She saved his life but in the end he's about to ruin hers. Being under the same roof was push and pull between them fighting their attraction. But when they came together it was fireworks steamy and panty-melting hot. It took him awhile to win over the beautiful young doctor whose afraid of love just like him but eventually they realize that they shared connection of giving in to love. She was dragged into a world that she doesn't belong in. She saves life and he takes them. They're so many moving parts and things going on around them with lots of action, passion, secrets, enemies, angst, suspense and spicy scenes all the way up until that cliffhanger.

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

[Kim Cass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Vesper Fairfax is a busy woman. When she isn’t saving the lives of children in her hospital, she’s battling administrators for the resources her patients desperately need. So when Bratva Pakhan Kovan rushes in with his nephew Luka after an allergic reaction, the last thing she expects is how much these two will change her world. Both Kovan and Luka are captivated by this compassionate yet fiery woman with a heart of gold. But with Kovan fighting to gain custody of Luka, he proposes that Vesper fake a relationship with him to prove they can be a family. What begins as a practical arrangement soon turns into something neither of them can ignore.

Wake up babe, the newest Naomi West duet is here! When I saw this hit my inbox, you can’t even imagine how excited I was. Fake dating? Made men? FOUND FAMILY? Girl sign me up! And the true highlight of this series isn’t even the seriously engaging plot or emotional rollercoaster that Vesper and Kovan go on, but the way that these characters are just…awesome?

“Was I made for him or was he made for me?”

Kovan is a true gentle giant. This man wouldn’t hurt a fly (yes he would hurt men who would deserve it, he’s a Pakhan after all…but not a fly). He’s so fiercely protective of those he loves, his values are solid, and he’s a true parent to Luka. Most made men would focus on their “heir” being strong and tough but not Kovan. He was solely interested in bringing the ultimate comfort to Luka and being his support system. He doesn’t care that Luka isn’t his son, what matters most is being the dad that Luka wishes for.

So of course Vesper catches his eye. She’s no wilting FMC, this girl is a well established professional, with all the smarts and heart that. Vesper was so full of depth, I liked how she They disagree on many things but one thing that they’re both onboard with? Loving Luka as the parents he deserves. I adored how Vesper took on this pseudo mother role without even being asked to do so. This woman fights for what’s right and her determination to do the right thing made her so likeable.

And you know what really makes this duet stand out? The way that family plays such a huge role in their lives together. I love, love, loved Waylon for being the best brother to Vesper. Like seriously, I was in love with this man and if I don’t get a spinoff book with him starring me as the main FMC, I WILL revolt. A man that stands up for his sister, knows how to crack the best offhanded jokes and has introspective depth? Sign me up. But seriously though, the sibling petty fighting was absolutely hilarious.

And you know what was even more amazing? Luka and his bond with Vesper and Kovan. We see the evolution of his relationship with both and boy, it was rewarding to read. The way that Vesper and Kovan band together as his support system, the way they allow him to express himself and be emotionally intelligent, chefs kiss truly. Luka was definitely one of my favourite book kids ever, he’s just so darn loveable which is why I’m so happy that he has such amazing adults in his life to be there for him through the difficult childhood he’s been through.

“Nothing’s too good for you. I’ll keep showing you that until you decide to believe me.”

The book ends on a cliffhanger and I have no doubt that despite the challenges coming our way, the second book will bring the closure and happy ending that we all have come to expect from Naomi West.

[Joanne Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Toxic Temptation” is the first book in “Krayev Bratva” duet. Vespar Fairfax is a strong and dedicated paediatric surgeon at St. Raphael’s - it is her life. She works at the same hospital where her father worked, her role model. Kovan Krayev is the new Pakhan of the Krayev Bratva when is older brother Vitalii is brutally murdered. Their worlds literally collide when Kovan bursts into the ER carrying an unconscious child in his arms demanding a doctor to look at him now. “My first and extremely juvenile thought is, My God, he’s gorgeous.” Under fire, literally, she saves Luka’s life and Kovan saves hers.

Kovan. A dangerous name.
Kovan. A luxurious name.
Kovan. A name I probably ought to forget.

“I’ve spoken with… legal counsel… and they’ve advised me that the court system favors stability. Traditional family units.” He pauses, and I can see him choosing his words carefully. Which makes the next part all the more surprising for how blunt it is. “So I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend.”

Forty-five days of pretending to be his girlfriend; Forty-five days of playing house; Forty-five days of trying not to fall for someone who could destroy her; Forty-five days of heaven or Forty-five days of hell. Only time will tell…..she agrees for Luca’s sake or is it?

Prepare for a story full of twists, turns around every corner, forbidden love, loyalty and betrayal, power and control and sizzling heat. This is a story you won't be able to put down - you will be totally hooked! The story is very fast paced and full of twists and turns! You have danger, betrayal, love, tears, death, power, action and passion. These two will definitely keep you on your toes….

This book had me hooked from the start! Naomi has excelled with this duet! Being a Mafia Romance story, it is dark in places, violent at times, passionate in places, full of secrets, loyalties tested and let’s not forget the heat between them. You will fall in love with Kovan and Vester, hoping that everything with work out for them and if they have a future together. There is never a dull moment - you will be hooked! I know I was - just love these two! A thoroughly enjoyable read from page to page, one chapter to the next - at times you are metaphorical “on the edge of your chair” wondering what will happen next. Overall, I would highly recommend this book and you will not be disappointed 😊

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a rule-follower. A good girl.

... And then I met Kovan Krayev.


Kovan burst into my ER with a boy bleeding out in his arms.

I didn’t know he was a Bratva pakhan.

I only knew that child would die if I didn’t do something.


So I did.

But that was just the beginning.


Because the boy is Kovan's nephew.

And Kovan needs custody.


His solution?

Me.


He wants me to pretend to be his girlfriend in front of the courts.

That means thirty days of living in his house.

Thirty days raising his nephew like he’s ours.

Thirty days of pretending like I'm not irresistibly drawn to the most dangerous man in the city.


I saved his life.

He’s about to ruin mine.

This contemporary dark mafia mob fake marriage romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building that is engulfed by darkness, danger, violence, and grit, and characters who are an alpha Bratva mafia male who is exuding power/wealth, violence, brooding, dangerous, and a female doctor heroine who runs an ER, who are both captivating and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with toxic temptation, explicit romance that is consumed by steamy, sizzling passion, lust, desire, and spice with all the feelings to leave readers breathless and begging for more, romantic suspense that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, a fake marriage, a secret baby, Kovan and Vesper's story, heartfelt emotions/emotional depth, deception, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with toxic temptation and an explicit dark mafia romance that is sure to transport readers into a world that is wildly dangerous, lustful, and unforgettable.

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

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Repetitive & Frustrating… But Fine

This book had a handful of goods that were unfortunately outshined by all the bads. All the domestic stuff with the kid was good. And the hospital corruption storyline gave a nice blend of suspense and shock to the otherwise character-focused plot. It was just way, WAY too long of a book for the story it was trying to tell. That and the relationship between the MCs—both the fake and real versions—was messy and inconsistent from start to finish. Add in a handful of characters protected by plot armour and repetitive scenes that went nowhere, and the whole book just ended up feeling disappointing more than anything.

In my opinion, the problems came from how the book was written rather than the content inside it. The plot idea was solid; the foreshadowing was there, the stakes were high on multiple fronts, and the emotional points hit just as they were supposed to. But the frustratingly slow pacing paired with the unnecessary filler drowned out the interesting bits of the story. So much so that by the time the climax came around, everything was way too drawn out for it to feel satisfying. Not to mention how tough the wishy-washy nature of the MCs’ relationship was to get through—which, as a romance book, is not something you want to happen.

Having said that, the book wasn’t horrible. When the main plot points showed up, they were good. And the little found family worked well. Do I also think the whole thing could’ve benefitted from way more editing to trim and strengthen the story? Definitely. And while I’d have liked to know how this duet ended, I just can’t justify sitting through another 500+ pages of repetition and weak characterizations to get there.

[Charlene Gaskins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too long!

This story could have been much better with the unique plot the author was shooting for, but somehow got off the rails into a bickering match between two people who had entered into an agreement around a child that was Kovan's nephew. Too much time in the book was devoted to the story of his nephew., vs. the dangers that were lurking right under Kovan and Vesper's nose. Even when they knew of the danger with Anton, Kovan didn't deal with it head on. Once Anton began his quest to unseat Kovan, then it became an issue. The story was too repetitious in content and too long.

Vesper's character began as a strong addition to this book, but became a whiney character that managed to get HERSELF into more trouble as her father's role in the KERE's organ trafficking became obvious. A once enjoyable independent woman became a self-centered character that kept falling over her own feet. She may have been an accomplished children's surgeon, but had real issues with dealing with other complex issues such as her boss, hospital politics with a corrupt Bd. of directors and Kovan. Then she gets herself knocked up! I am tired of authors taking smart women who somehow should know better, turning into hired incubators, taking away any chance that female character in this genre will ever be free of the world she is now a prisoner of.

Kovan's character was that of a Pakhan in the Bratva that was always two steps behind his enemies. He was like a salmon swimming up stream. His timelines as well as his judgment seemed off for his character. His decision making came into question throughout book one. He and Vesper's relationship was one of bickering, confrontations and sex. I never felt a love story building, only two people who refused to actually communicate and trust each other leading to more grief and drama that wasn't needed in book one.

I will not be reading book 2.

[Eva ˖๋ ࣭ ⭑ ㅤㅤㅤㅤ ‌ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5⭐️/5
I really loved the first book of this duet, but as for the 2nd one… 🫩 let’s say that problems I have with the 1st book are present in the 2nd but like 10x worse.

I really liked the dynamic and chemistry between the MCs. The fact that the FMC had a real backbone, but at the same time still was emotional. But not so much so that she wasn’t being rational anymore, made her a good FMC. I really liked her humor and her temper.

The MMC was also a good one, pliant when needed but who wasn’t afraid to remind that he’s the one in charge . The perfect mix of obsessed/possessive and also protective/understanding.

I loved the fact that it was a real slowburn, (okay it was insta lust but not insta love, which is a huge win for me). And they didn’t start being a real couple up to, let’s say, the 50% mark if I remember well.

Now for the writing, it was simple and good enough for me. But those plot holes and inconsistency??
An example: Let’s say the MCs are supposed to be in one place, they stay there for a few chapters. And then all of sudden, like one chapter to the other sudden, they aren’t in that place anymore. They are in a completely different place, and we’re expected to just go with the flow. We don’t know why they’re not here anymore, there’s no reason as to why they would’ve suddenly, miraculously teleported and changed their living arrangement. Just a full 180 without ever being explained.

If only this was happening strictly in the 1st book, I could have turn a blind eye to it. But knowing how it’s 10x worse in the 2nd book made this duet so disappointing because it could have been so good. 🥲

[Grinning Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why are emotionally scarred men such catnip? Well, at least the heroine matches the hero in that they’re both afraid of love because they are afraid of loss. Which creates drama and we love that, otherwise we wouldn’t be reading Mafia Romance! Bratva Romance to be specific. This is, of course, book one in a duet because that seems to be what all the lemmings are doing… I strongly dislike duets because 90% of the time, with some judicious editing and less indulgence, they could be combined into one book.
That is not the case here. There is too much story for one book, too much character development. The author was very wise to make this a duet and in saying that, the equator must have just frozen over because those are words I didn’t expect to type. No, this duet was never boring. Frustrating at times because I wanted to clock both the hero and heroine upside the head.
MMC/FMC- Kovan and Vesper
Heat- open door, explicit, medium to slow burn speed.
Safety? Y
Triggers- oh, honey, this is a Bratva novel, so you know it’s going to be violent. In addition to that there’s child abuse and language in two languages. And a lot of the action takes place in a pediatric ward, so not every child makes it out alive.
Tropes- He Ain’t Heavy— He’s My Bratva, Fake Relationship, Secrets and Lies, Custody Battle, Dysfunctional Family FTW, Adorable Moppet, Monkey’s Uncle, Medical, Surprise Pregnancy.
About Book One: It was very exciting from the start. I was hooked.

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

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Krayev Bratva Book 1 Duet

Right from the first chapter I was thrown into the middle of the action and I was in the middle of the action and the excitement. I loved how the author introduced the main characters and their first meeting. I couldn't get enough. The book has some length to it but I still flew through the pages and devoured this story. The main characters were well developed and I also enjoyed the side characters. This mafia romance had a little bit of everything, suspense, action, steam, and of course the romance.

Tropes:
Mafia
Kidnapping
Fake Marriage
Secret Baby
Instant attraction

Dual POV
Kovan and Vesper’s verbal sparring was top-notch. They were absolute fire together. I loved how their relationship developed. The juicy build-up was fantastic!

She is feisty, confident, intelligent and her take-no-nonsense attitude is awesome.

He's protective, bossy, and a straight-up delicious giant of a man.

I can't wait for the second part of Kovan and Vesper’s story, which continues in Book 2, TOXIC SALVATION.

[Mafia Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

When he brings the boy in, she has no idea who he is only that she has to save him. The boy is his nephew and in order to show the court stability. He needs a mother figure in his home, so he makes a bargain with her. This is definitely a slow burn, even as you can feel the tension between them. There is a lot of push and pull as they navigate their relationship. I enjoyed the characters, both strong and determined in their own right. Their chemistry was spicy, which resulted in a lot of steam. I am not a fan of duets. I think that they tend to get tedious and that most stories can be completed in one book and for me that was the same here. At 600+ pages in this first volume I personally think it should’ve been a complete story. But if you are the kind of person that never wants the story to end and wants to continue to follow the same characters into the next book than this might be a great choice for you.

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

[Nina Diab · Rating 5 out of 5]

'I want to tell him something. Thank you is what’s rising to my lips, though heaven only knows what I’m thanking him for. Who are you is second on the list, because every time I think I have a handle on the man, he proves that I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface.
He’s gone from Angry Dad to Rambo to Gentle Uncle to Superman in a half-hour span. I can’t even begin to imagine what transformations he has in store next.'

I really loved this book. Great world building and wonderful characters. This story was a fast-paced with action, suspense, and danger right from the start and I was completely hooked. I loved both Kovan and Vesper. She was smart, collected, and caring. He was strong, in control, but also protective and could be tender. I loved the dynamic between them and the way their relationship developed. I also loved Luka and a number of other supporting characters.

This is the first story I've read by this author and I can't wait to finish their story in Toxic Salvation. 5 stars

[Buffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to say 4.25 stars.

This was better than I expected when I read the synopsis. It is a pretty lengthy book, and it does end on a cliffhanger. There was a good amount of tension and yearning throughout, and a surprisingly low amount of actual spice compared to the amount of plot (oh it's there, and it's a good time), and that's something I appreciated. For me, I am 100% on board for plot, the spice is the sprinkles on top.

That being said, I do feel the book could have been about 25% less and we would have still had a great story. The nephew, Luka, does feel like a bit of a prop, and his dialogue feels a bit stunted. The constant "this is just part of the deal" between the FMC and MMC got repetitive. And I know this is more of a me issue, but some of the chapter breaks didn't make sense...it was the middle of a scene, the pov didn't change, it's just....here's the next chapter picking right up where we left off on the previous page with the same character.

Still a fun read, and I'll pick up the next book for sure.

[Carina Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naomi West delivers another gripping mafia romance in Toxic Temptation, the first installment of the Karayev Bratva series.

Kovan needs custody of his nephew, but there’s a catch, he has to convince the courts he can provide a stable home. His solution? Vesper. She agrees to pose as his girlfriend, which means thirty days of living under his roof, raising his nephew as if he were theirs, and resisting the magnetic pull of the most dangerous man in the city.

What unfolds is a whirlwind of intensity, desire, and danger. Vesper may have saved Kovan’s life, but in return, he just might shatter hers.

This story has everything Naomi West fans crave mafia power plays, sizzling chemistry, emotional stakes, and of course, the infamous cliffhanger that leaves you desperate for the next book. I can’t wait to see how Kovan and Vesper’s story continues in book two!.

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

[Nesi · Rating 3 out of 5]

What started off as a promising mafia book turned into a boring piece of writing with endless repetition, predictable plot and unfortunately... another book at the end of the endless story?!

The enjoyable parts - the FMC who is a doctor, smart, quite likeable and kind. the plot which was predictable as hell but at least there was some. and the dynamic between the child and the 2 MCs (even though I would be fine with his part being cut in half)

The less enjoyable parts - repetition not only between the MCs but also the side characters, MMC being confused and acting like a teenager for most of the book, too much airtime for the child, predictable plot, relatively weak side characters, pretty weak spice.

I basically skimmed through the last 25% because I knew from like 15% in what the plot was gonna be and it was unimaginably long by 75%... I will not be reading part 2 because I simply don't care at all about the characters at this point.

[Anna M. Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vespar Fairfax/Kovan Kragev. Pediatric Surgeon/Bratva Pakhan. Luka Krayev - Kovan's nephew. Osip,Pavel and Vitalii Krayev - Jovan's brothers. Luka's parents - Vitalii and Yana Krayev-Makhov. Ihor Makhov - Luka's step-father. Annabella and Thomas Fairfax - Vespar's parents. Waylen Fairfax - Vespar's brother. St Raphael's hospital - Dr. Jeremy Fleming, director; Dr. Shana Reed, board of directors; etc. - Kere's employees. Pediatric Organ harvesting. Child abuse. Custody battle. Dangerous. Deadly. Violent. Intimidation. Blackmail. Secrets. Lies. Revelations. Kidnapped. Threatened. Attraction. Taboo. Affection. Consensual. Acceptance. Endearing characters and gripping story. Action-packed. Thrilling. Love? HEA? Entertaining.

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

[BusyM3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous read from Naomi West. This is book one on this series Krayev Bratva. This is the story of Kovan is a Bratva Pakhan and he comes crashing into the ER Room carrying a boy, where Vesper works. She takes control of the situation and saves the child. She thought she wouldn't see him again, but that all changes when Kovan needs help to get custody of his nephew. Dr. Vesper is the key to that. This is their story of pretending to be a family for the courts, but somewhere along the way it became real.
The story is full of drama, action, suspense and it will keep you interested till the end. The story continues in book two, which I can't wait to read.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a really mafia- Bratva story and this one has everything. Kovan is a strong Bratva leader. I feel in love with him right away when Kovan burst into my ER with a boy, his nephew Luka, is in trouble bleeding out in his arms yelling for a doctor. Rushing is Dr. Vespa Fairfax, and the sparks start flying. They are perfect for each other, they're both afraid of love, losing love, love makes you weak and alone when they leave you. I love this dark Bratva romance as Kovan is trying to save his Bratva, his nephew and finds something worth fighting for. Vespa is a hard woman to win over, she's a dedicated work alcoholic doctor, but Kovan everyone has a price when he needs her help. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy. Cow. I read a lot of mafia romance. I've read most of what Naomi West has written. I'm here to tell you that she has seriously outdone herself. I went into this book anticipating a well written story with likeable characters, including the perfect morally grey MMC. I did not go into this book thinking it was going to be the mafia romance I compare all others to going forward, but here we are. Vesper was the perfect FMC. Kovan was everything I could ever want in a MMC. Side characters? Top notch. Humor? Perfect. Plot line complete with unexpected.twists and turns? Present and voting. I seriously didn't anticipate finding a new favorite duology, but I did. Please, if you're on the fence, READ THIS BOOK. It's sooooo worth it.

[Judy Chestnutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story that starts off a bit slow, about a young female doctor who gets caught up in a custody battle with a mafia boss. The gradual development of their chemistry is really captivating and kept me hooked. As they navigate the situation—especially with the evaluation to take away his nephew—I kept hoping things would turn out okay. But the ending really pulled at my heartstrings; it was so emotional. I couldn't help but wonder how many people she might lose along the way. I understand why he acted the way he did, but witnessing how everything affected the boy and her was just so heart-wrenching.

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

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every girl needs a Kovan in their life! Maybe not exactly how Kovan arrived in Vesper's life. In a shoot-out in a pediatric ward, but the automatic attraction and the way he protected her was letting you know that this was going somewhere great. However, the fake relationship to win the award for guardianship of his nephew was downright brilliant to get her into his life, but soon the lines blur because not only does Vesper love the nephew, but she finds herself falling in love with Kovan while they are both fighting enemies.

The book is so good that when it ended, I automatically had to go read the sequel. Naomi West is one of favorite authors. She is a must-read!.

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

[R M · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
The story was very interesting. Not as Bratva as much as medical malpractice and protecting an innocent boy.
Luka, the boy, is nephew to the Pahkan, Kovan. Kovan is not a strong Pakhan imo. He waffles in his feelings for the good doctor, Vesper. He allows back hand undermining of his authority. Just like his brother did. And his brother was killed for that.
Vesper, however, is like an avenging angel in her wrath to protect her pediatric patients. In her growing love for Luka. She love Kovan and she waffles as much as he does.
Honestly, the book could have been a lot shorter if it didn’t repeat all the waffling and break up scenes, coupled with too many s3x scenes.
Let’s hope book 2 is better.
I had such high hopes for this one. It started so well.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book. The ending for this duet was exactly what I was expecting. Can’t wait for the rest.
The push and pull between these two is incredible. The character development is spot on. The connection, smoking hot.
I love the story line, not necessarily the subject of the trouble, but the storyline itself is perfectly intense. The stakes are high, but the reward will be everything.
Each character is so easy to connect with, even the skeezy bad guys and their accomplices.
Just a great story with lots of emotion.

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