Vicious Reign

Bratva Kings #4

by Monica Kayne

Kirill Baronov is the vicious heir to a Bratva empire, and there's nothing I won't do to destroy him.

Getting hired as a server at his exclusive club wasn't an accident—it was the first move in my plan to get revenge.

His family stole my mother from me. Now, I'll take everything from them.

Seducing him was part of my strategy. His obsession with me wasn’t.

Now, there’s no escaping Kirill’s claim on me. He watches from the shadows, spilling blood to keep me safe.

But when he slips a ring on my finger and vows to protect me forever, I fear he’s the one I’ll need protection from.

Because when the truth comes out, a man like him will show no mercy.

Vicious Reign can be read as a complete standalone. It has no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Marriage Of Convenience, Forced Proximity, Touch Her and Die

430 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2026

About the author

Monica Kayne is a TV producer turned proud romance writer. She writes dark and swoony romance novels with a liberal dose of sass and humor.

Her favorite characters to write are sweetly possessive bad boys and the feisty, smart-mouthed heroines that they can’t resist.

When she’s not dreaming up sexy plots, she can be found searching for the perfect negroni and her next K-drama fix. She lives with her family in Toronto, Canada.

Join Monica Kayne's newsletter for a FREE short story:
https://linktr.ee/monicakayne

Reviews

[Kursed Reads]

Despite being the lead hacker for the Belov Syndicate, Moscow’s most powerful Bratva, Dinara Potapova enrolls in Manhattan Tech Institute as a cover to track down the Kupola Network, a trafficking ring that stole women from Russia and brought them to the US.

Falling for Kirill Baronov, owner of Velour, the high-end gentlemen’s club and heir to the Baronov Bratva, was not part of the plan. Yet, it happened all the same.

Some of you know I am trying to read new authors in 2026. Monica was another new author to me and I have to say, I can’t wait to read more from her. I loved everything about this book. Obviously, the tropes or what prompted me to read. The characters, storyline, flow, writing style, and everything in between we’re all excellent!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Format: 📱

🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): Action, Dark-ish, Mystery/Suspense, New Adult

Ending: 💗 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual | Present}
Emotions: 🫣🥵😳🫠😍
Darkness: 🖤
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

✨ Tropes: Forced Marriage, Heroine in Danger, Hidden Identity, Insta-Obsession, Mafia/Bratva/Organized Crime, Workplace
 
💫 Microtropes: Boy Obsessed, Caretaker/Protective MMC, “Good Girl”, Grey Sweatpants, Hand Necklace, Pet Name (Solnyshko, Milaya Moya), Sassy FMC, Secrets & Lies, Tattooed FMC Tattooed MMC

🔆 Character: Hacker, Illegal Enterprises

💋 Kinks: 🍑, Bondage/Restraints, Crawl, Domination, Finger Licking Good, Forced O’s, Impact Play (Flogger), Pearl Necklace/Spunk Art, Praise, Spanking, Squirting, Toys as Teammates

🤰🏻 Pregnancy: n/a

🚩 Red Flags: Alphahole, Dominant MMC, Drugged (by MMC), Jealous/Possessive/Obsessive, MINE!, “My Wife”, Touch-Her-and-💀, Tracking/Spying

⛔️ Safety Squad: Unaliving, Violence, and other potentially triggering elements. Triggers may appear both on- and off-page and in the past and/or present. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!

📍 Setting: Strip Club, New York City, New York 🇺🇸

📣 Type: Vicious Reign is part of the Bratva Kings series of interconnected standalones. While no other books need to be read in order to follow the story, reading prior books may enhance the experience.

⚠️ Warning: This steamy read will leave your panties damp and your cheeks flushed.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.

[Sarah]

Catch me like grandpa Simpson at the burlesque house after reading this absolute fuckery- where do I even start? Character description inconsistencies, one minute the fmc is described as blond and the next her “dark hair brushes her shoulders” ??? Then they had to mention Krav Maga, because lord knows only Israeli propaganda can save this absolute bs. Then the fmc contradicts her self every five minutes

“I’m writing my resignation letter”
“Why”
“Maybe because I realized I don’t want to work for such an asshole of a boss”
“No you need the money don’t quit because of me”
“Whoever said I’m quitting because of you?”

… BITCH YOU DID? AM I MISSING SOMETHING CAUSE??? Also I’m pretty sure every single person who’s read this, has seen that plot twist coming, I mean it was practically like a big fat elephant wearing a neon yellow tutu- in other words HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT LIKE, DID WE EVEN TRY HERE??
To make matters infinitely worse, the leads had ABSOLUTELY no love for each other it was just lust since literally chapter 1. I’m beginning to realize that me reading this all the way through might’ve been self harm.

[mary ♡⋆ ࣪₊ꫂ᭪݁⋆˙]

If there’s one thing that I like to do, it’s reading about badass women 🤭🤭

RTC 🖤

[Ash]

Secret Identity books always eattt

[Liz | Bookslizreads90]

Amazing!! 6 stars!!
Tropes-
Brava Romance
Hacker FMC
Secret identity
Forced Marriage
Workplace romance
Touch her and ☠️

“Let me leave and you’ll never see me again. I promise, I’ll walk out of your life and never look back.”
“It’s cute you think there’s a chance in hell I’d let you go.”

Thank you so much to Monica for this ARC! I am absolutely OBSESSED with this book and this couple! From the first page I couldn't put it down. The chemistry between Dinara and Kirill was off the charts. The suspense had me on the edge of my seat, and the twist at the end had my jaw on the floor. I even shed some tears both happy and sad. I can't wait to see what Monica writes next. This was a 6 star read for me! I definitely recommend!

[bella.s_stuff]

✨ARC Review✨

I’m actually obsessed with this book.

First of all, thank you so much to Monica Kayne for the ARC. I’m so grateful I got the chance to read this story early 🖤

I was so excited to finally get Dinara’s story after the previous book, and let me tell you… I was hooked from the very first page. I loved every single second of this story.

Dinara is such a strong FMC. Smart, determined, willing to risk everything to uncover the truth about her mother, and I loved that she never lost herself even after falling into Kirill’s world.

And Kirill… yeah, I’m unwell over this man. Possessive, protective, ruthless, completely obsessed with her — exactly the kind of MMC I can never resist. But what made me love him even more was seeing the softer side underneath all that darkness, especially with his siblings and with Dinara. The way this man loved her was actually insane.

Their chemistry was absolutely addictive. The tension, the banter, the obsession, the emotional moments… Monica Kayne really knows how to write couples that completely consume you. And somehow, between all the chaos, danger, secrets, and spice, their relationship still felt so emotional and real.

I also loved how plot-heavy this book was. The mystery surrounding Dinara’s mother kept me fully invested, and those twists?? I genuinely did not see some of them coming.

Monica Kayne is honestly one of my favorite authors when it comes to this genre. I love all of her couples, but Dinara and Kirill might actually be one of my favorites.

I’m also so curious about the other Baronov brothers now. Monica, please tell me they’re getting books too because I’m not ready to leave this family yet 😭

I just know I’m not ready to let them go. I need more of them immediately 🖤

Tropes:
• Bratva Romance
• Hacker Heroine
• Forced Marriage
• Secret Identity
• Boss x Employee
• Forced Proximity
• Protective/Obsessive Hero
• Touch Her and D!e

[Court Small]

Monica has done it again, delivering a dark Bratva romance, with pages packed full of action, family drama, and spice whilst captivating you with a page turning plot. I really did enjoy the plot of this book and Dinara was a fierce FMC.
If you haven’t started this series yet, pick it up, you won’t be disappointed

[Angela]

6 ⭐️
amazing spice 🌶️

This was by far my favorite book of this series! 📚

✨ Kirill "I want you as my forever“ Baranov ✨ the man that you are!

Kirill is so obsessed with Dinara (as he should be) and not in a superficial way. He’s so appreciative of her 🥹 Love him!
Dinara's so smart, brave and beautiful. He didn’t get a choice than to fall in love with her 💕

The chemistry between them 🥵 insta attraction at its finest 👌🏼🔥
The spice! The praise! Super hot ✨🔥

This was such a good mafia romance + suspense! ♥️ The plot was so well written and it wasn’t possible at all to know where the story was going. Seriously.. 10 out of 10 🤌🏼

I love the relationship we get to see between Dinara and her family. They’re so cute! 🥹

Thank you sooo much for the chance to read this book before the release date 🫶🏼💕

[Haleigh]

Dnf 60%

Holy shit are we all reading the same book???? How are there so many 5 star reviews? Like genuinely.

There's so many inconsistencies I don't even think this qualifies as a book. One second she's blonde. The next she has dark hair. One second she's resigning because he's an ass. The next second she's saying not everything revolves around him. It's seriously giving me whiplash. I got to the "marriage" and just couldn't take it anymore.

The pacing is atrocious and the "plot" is extremely uninspired. The characters have no chemistry and for a romance that's kind of essential. It's just insta-lust based on nothing.

[Amora]

"I used to think marriage was a cage, love was a weakness, attachment got you killed. But with her, it doesn’t feel like a noose tightening around my neck the way I always imagined.
I like calling her ‘my wife.’
I like seeing my mother’s ring on her hand.
I like the idea of her being mine in a way that has nothing to do with strategy or alliances."

I love obsessed mmc and capable, smart and beautiful fmc. So entertaining!!

[destiny]

arc review to come

[WinkingReads]

Have you ever finished a book and just sat there feeling content, awed and wanting reread it immediately?
Yes, that is exactly how i felt after finishing 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻. It's absolute 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻!

Saying i loved everything about this book is an understatement. I'm Obsessed. The plot delivered, the characters 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘥, the turn of events were jaw-dropping, the romance? 𝘊𝘩𝘦𝘧'𝘴 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴, the spice was hoottt and steamy (I swear by Kirill's filthy mouth🥵). The balance of all these in this book was a 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲.

The chemistry and tension between Kirill and Dinara were explosive.. 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘱 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘵. I've read hot scenes before (𝘚𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘦, 𝘙𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘙𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘚** 𝘊𝘭𝘶𝘣 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘦) but the 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗹𝗮𝗽 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗲 takes the win. The spice and the plot in these series keep getting better and better.

Anyway, Kirill Baronov has officially made it onto the list of fictional men who could tell me to jump and I'd ask how high without hesitation, I love that man😩, his thoughtfulness, confidence, compassion, dominance, darkness, emotional side, possessiveness, protectiveness.. i love it ALL.

And Dinara!! I couldn’t imagine of a better match for him because she's just everything he never knew he needed, smart, perfect and badass. A perfect couple. She matches him in every way. Both Possessive and protective i ate it up.

Now the plot twist at the end, hands down Monica, I didn’t see that coming... Dark Bratva Romance done to perfection. If you love mafia romance this book is for you.

🎀𝕱𝖆𝖛 𝕼𝖚𝖔𝖙𝖊𝖘:
✨️“You look hot as fuck,”
“Like temptation wrapped in Armani. I’m not sure I want to leave you alone.”
“I hate to tell you, solnyshko, but no other woman exists for me. Just you. My wife.”
✨️“So fucking perfect. Mine. This counts as consummation, wife.” “All yours.”
✨️I like calling her ‘my wife.’ I like seeing my mother’s ring on her hand. I like the idea of her being mine in a way that has nothing to do with strategy or alliances. And I think it’s time she understands that..
“We’re as real as it gets, solnyshko.”
✨️He tastes like mine. My husband.
✨️We’re married. This is my husband.
✨️“Dinara Baronova. My wife. Mine.”
✨️I want all of her, and there’s nothing that will stop me.
✨️but I couldn’t concentrate on anything other than the pretty little liar who makes me want to burn down everything just to see what she’d look like in the flames.
✨️This was supposed to be about finding my mother. Kirill was supposed to be a means to an end, a way in, nothing more. But somewhere between the lap dance and the taco shop and tonight, the lines blurred.
✨️I want him. I’ve wanted him from the beginning, and using that desire to distract him doesn’t make it any less true.
✨️Fuck staying away from her. I tried that, and it turns out I don’t like it.
✨️She’s a complication I can’t afford. A distraction that could cost me everything. And I still can’t fucking stay away.
✨️I’m already searching the crowd for the only woman who’s ever mattered enough to chase.
✨️“This doesn’t have to be complicated, Evelina. In fact, I’ll make it very simple. When it comes to your safety, I’m going to be an overbearing asshole, and you’ll have to deal with it.”

🤎𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
🌸Dark Bratva Romance
🌸Forced Marriage
🌸Secret Identity
🌸Boss/Employee
🌸Forced Proximity
🌸Touch her and d!e
🌸Hacker Heroine
🌸Obsessed MMC

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 𝓛𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓵: 🌶🌶🌶🌶.5

[Michellelovesreading]

This book was really good. I enjoyed reading it. I recommend reading this book and the whole series.

Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Rachel Santillan]

This was an entertaining read for me. It had the drama, tension, danger, and chemistry that make mafia roms so addictive, and I found myself really invested in Dinara and Kirill’s story.

I love a strong FMC. Dinara was no damsel in distress, and I loved that. She was capable, intelligent, and able to hold her own in a world full of dangerous men. I always appreciate a heroine who can fight back and actively shape the story instead of just being dragged through it.

As far as Kirill? I will always eat up a possessive, completely smitten, can’t live without her MMC. That dynamic gets me every time, and this book definitely delivered on that front. He was intense, protective, obsessive in the best dark rom, mafia book way, and I loved how gone he was for her.

Overall, this was entertaining, had the romantic tension, and a strong heroine with a hero who was absolutely down bad. If you love dark mafia romance with a competent FMC and a possessive MMC, this one is worth picking up.

[Emmy Wong]

This book completely blew my mind with the amount of insane plot twists, hot as hell smut scenes and characters that were beautiful and readers can emotionally connect with. There’s something about this book, the writing, the characters, plot, that sucked my entire soul into it and held me captive. Let’s start from the top, with Kirill and Dinaras not so meet cute, in which she racially gives him a lap dance to get a job? I mean that’s an attention grabber if I’ve ever seen one. But it’s just the start of a complex, and insanely good plot. She’s a tech genius pretending to be a poor waitress to get closer to the Baranov family to find out the truth about her mother, and he’s a mafia heir who needs to hunt down a “ghost” destroying all their stuff, but can’t stop getting distracted… This man was done for from the first time their eyes met, because he never let her get the pole dancing job because he was soo jealous and possessive, and that was only the start of his march towards being insanely whipped. This man is the definition of touch her and die, like someone stands a little too close to her and he’s seeing red and pulling out the glock. However I do love an fmc who can hold her own, and Dinara is not only a tech genius, but also a talented fighter and the queen of sarcastic witty comments. I loved their banter and the will they or won’t they moments. But she’s hiding secrets and when they get discovered…it’s safe to say he’ll never let her go, EVER. I just gotta warn yall if the CRAZY plot twists, because I totally did not see that last one coming, and there are some incredibly emotional scenes where I bawled my eyes out. This book was a wonderful experience and I’m definitely revisiting this series later. I give this a 5/5

[Aurora Ash]

I ended up giving Vicious Reign around 3 to 3.5 stars. Overall, I had a really fun time reading it, but it wasn't without its frustrations. This book had me stressed, shocked, entertained, and occasionally yelling at the characters through my Kindle. 😂🖤

Going into this, I was excited for a strong hacker heroine, a dangerous Bratva hero, and a mystery surrounding Dinara's mother. And honestly? The suspense absolutely delivered.

But let's start with my biggest issue.

Very early on, I wasn't sold on Kirill.

Like... at all. 😅

Two chapters in and all I could see was lust. Not love. Not emotional connection. Just pure physical attraction. Their first meeting didn't really work for me either. I never got that instant spark that makes me swoon. Instead, I was sitting there thinking, "Girl, aren't you here to investigate your mother's disappearance? Why are we already getting distracted?" 😂

Dinara supposedly enters Kirill's world with a very specific mission. She believes his world may hold answers about what happened to her mother, so naturally I expected her to keep her guard up. Instead, she seemed to fall into his orbit pretty quickly. There were several moments early on where I wanted her to push back more and remember why she came there in the first place.

That being said, Kirill did slowly grow on me.

One thing I appreciated from the start was how protective he was of his family. His relationship with his siblings showed a different side to him, especially when it came to his sister. He may be part of a brutal world, but seeing him reject the idea of treating her like some political bargaining chip earned him a few points in my eyes. 🖤

As the story progressed, I became much more invested in the mystery than the romance.

And wow, Monica Kayne knows how to write suspense.

There were multiple points where I genuinely had no clue what was coming next. The closer I got to the big reveals, the faster my heart was beating. This book had me sitting there thinking, "WHAT IS HAPPENING?!" every few chapters. 😭😂

The mystery surrounding Dinara's mother and the Ghost storyline kept me completely hooked. Even when I was frustrated with certain relationship choices, I still couldn't stop reading because I desperately needed answers.

One thing I was worried about was Dinara's secret identity.

I absolutely hate when a secret identity drags on forever and doesn't get revealed until the last ten pages. Thankfully, Monica Kayne didn't take that route. Around the 60% mark, Kirill discovers who Dinara really is, and I was genuinely relieved. 🙌

Even better, he didn't immediately jump to ridiculous conclusions or accuse her of being a spy every five seconds. That would've driven me insane.

However...

The romance and spice remained a bit of a mixed bag for me.

I love romance.
I love tension.
I love spicy scenes.

But I need the emotional connection to match the physical connection.

There were several moments where I found myself frustrated because Dinara seemed to give in too easily considering everything that was happening around her. After all the secrets, lies, forced marriage drama, and power imbalance between them, I wanted more resistance. More conversations. More honesty.

At one point I was literally thinking:

"Girl, make him work for it!" 😭

I wanted them to actually put everything on the table. Admit their feelings. Have the difficult conversations. Let the emotional intimacy catch up with the physical intimacy.

Because by that point, they were clearly falling for each other. We all knew it. They knew it. But I wanted that emotional payoff before some of the romantic moments happened.

That doesn't mean I disliked them together though.

Once Kirill learns the truth about Dinara, one of my favorite aspects of their relationship emerges. Instead of trying to control her abilities or diminish her skills, he actually values them. He recognizes how intelligent and capable she is and allows her to contribute. That's surprisingly rare in mafia romances where heroines are often sidelined.

Dinara herself was probably my favorite part of the entire book. 💻🔥

She's intelligent, brave, stubborn, and incredibly competent. Watching everyone underestimate her only for her to prove them wrong again and again was so satisfying. She never felt weak, even when I wanted her to make different decisions.

The pacing was another interesting aspect.

The first half felt good, but around the midpoint the story suddenly kicked into another gear entirely. Once the bigger twists started unfolding, I couldn't put it down. Some reveals I guessed beforehand, while others completely blindsided me.

And then we get to my biggest disappointment:

The ending.

Not because it was bad.

Because I wanted MORE.

So much more.

After spending nearly 500 pages building up these family secrets, betrayals, and emotional revelations, I desperately wanted more aftermath.

I wanted healing.

I wanted reunions.

I wanted conversations.

Most of all, I wanted more from Dinara's family storyline.

I wanted scenes of her reconnecting with her mother. I wanted to watch those wounds begin to heal. I wanted to see what happened when her parents came face-to-face again after everything they'd been through.

Honestly? I'd read an entire novella about Dinara's parents. 😭❤️

Give me the healing.
Give me the awkward reunions.
Give me the emotional conversations.
Give me the second chance romance.

I would've eaten that up so fast.

While I enjoyed the romance between Dinara and Kirill, I found myself almost equally invested in the family dynamics and emotional fallout. Unfortunately, I felt like some of those moments were rushed through when they deserved more page time.

Still, despite my complaints, I can't deny that I had fun.

This book kept me engaged from start to finish. The suspense was addictive, the twists kept coming, the characters were entertaining, and Dinara was an absolute badass.

### What I Loved ❤️

🖤 Dinara being an absolute genius hacker
🖤 Strong, capable heroine who could hold her own
🖤 Family dynamics and sibling relationships
🖤 The mystery surrounding her mother
🖤 The Ghost storyline
🖤 The suspense and constant twists
🖤 Kirill supporting Dinara's abilities
🖤 No unnecessary misunderstanding after her identity reveal
🖤 The side characters who made the world feel bigger

### What Didn't Work As Well For Me 💭

⚫ Didn't love Kirill at the beginning
⚫ Their first meeting wasn't my favorite
⚫ Too much lust, not enough emotional connection early on
⚫ Dinara gave in quicker than I would've liked
⚫ Some romantic moments needed more emotional buildup
⚫ Wanted more family healing scenes
⚫ Wanted more aftermath after the major reveals
⚫ Needed more closure for Dinara's parents' storyline

### Tropes 📚

💻 Hacker Heroine
🖤 Bratva Romance
💍 Forced Marriage
🎭 Secret Identity
🔥 Obsessive Hero
⚔️ Touch Her and Die
🏙️ Mafia Empire
❤️ Forced Proximity
🔍 Mystery & Suspense
👑 Powerful MMC

### Final Thoughts

Vicious Reign wasn't a perfect read for me, but it was definitely an entertaining one. The romance had its ups and downs, and there were moments where I wanted to shake both main characters and tell them to communicate properly. 😂

But the suspense? Outstanding.

The twists? Addictive.

Dinara? An absolute queen. 👑💻

Even when I was frustrated, I couldn't stop reading because I needed to know what was going to happen next. Monica Kayne created a story full of secrets, danger, family drama, obsession, and enough intrigue to keep me glued to the pages.

Would I have liked more emotional payoff and family healing at the end? Absolutely.

Did I still have fun? Also absolutely.

⭐⭐⭐✨ (3–3.5 Stars)

[Elsa Reyna]

Dinara was EVERYTHING I want in an FMC — strong, intelligent, fearless, and so determined to uncover the truth about her mother that she was willing to risk absolutely everything. What I loved most was that even after getting pulled into Kirill’s dark and dangerous world, she never lost herself. She stayed sharp, resilient, and completely unforgettable.

And Kirill… I genuinely have not recovered from this man. Possessive, protective, ruthless, dangerously obsessive — exactly the kind of MMC that owns my soul every single time. But beneath all that darkness was this deeply loyal, caring side that completely ruined me, especially when it came to his siblings and Dinara. The way he loved her was intense, consuming, and honestly a little devastating in the best possible way.

Their chemistry was absolutely unreal. Every interaction crackled with tension, banter, obsession, and emotional depth. Monica Kayne has this incredible ability to write couples that feel all-consuming while still making their relationship feel raw, vulnerable, and real. Between the chaos, secrets, danger, heartbreak, and spice, I was completely addicted from beginning to end.

This book had everything — emotional intensity, explosive chemistry, high stakes, and characters I’m still thinking about long after finishing. Easily a five-star read for me.

[Katelynn]

Monica's mafia world is everything I hope for in a mafia branded romance book. Vicious Reign continues to showcase her amazing talent. I would read anything she writes because I have yet to read a book of hers I didnt like. Specifically Kirill is a top tier obsessed hero that is possessive, protective and everything we cheer for. I liked that he met his match with the feisty undercover hacker Dinara. Dinara was true to the cameos we've seen in other books. She's a boss that is a force to be reckoned with making it easy to see why Kirill can't get enough

[Katelin S]

Who doesn’t want a husband that just wants to make you o* over and over and over?!
You’ll easily fall in love with this man.
He’s obsessed. Possessive. And will stop at nothing to protect what is his. And boy has he claimed her as his.
Really enjoyed this one and can’t wait to see what’s next from her!
As always, a 10/10

[Halimaaa]

4.5

[Christie Wilcox]

• Bratva Romance
• Hacker Heroine
• Forced Marriage
• Secret Identity
• Boss/Employee
• Touch Her and D!e
• Protective Hero
• No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

[m e]

got bored abt 76% in 💤

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾]

5 STARS

It’s like she’s crawled under my skin and set fire to every nerve ending.

Oh the way this book hit the spot for me, in ways I didn't even know I needed. This was absolutely my favorite in this series so far! And if you're a fan of sexy dark mafia romance with a badass FMC, you're going to want to add this to your TBR expeditiously.

She’s not just someone I’m fucking. She’s mine in a way I don’t fully understand but can’t deny.

Our FMC, Dinara Potapova, is a Belov Syndicate hacker extraordinaire. And if you've read Brutal Reign, then you're already familiar with Pavel Belov. And if you haven't read it yet, change that immediately. But I digress.

Dinara leaves Moscow for New York to attend the renowned Manhattan Tech Institute. Or at least, on the surface. But unbeknownst to Pavel and her father, Dinara takes on a new name as Evelina Panova and poses a stripper for an audition in one of New York's high end clubs. To what end? To weave her way into the inner circle of Velour's owners; the Belovs. Who also happen to be New York's ruthless Bratva. But where she's hoping to skate under the radar, she immediately catches the attention of Kirill Belov and boy do the sparks fly here.

When I tell you that this was absolute trope candy to me, I mean it was UTTERLY DELICIOUS. We're talking forced arranged marriage here and I was gobbling it up with a spoon.

Tell me who this p*ssy belongs to.”
Silence. She presses her lips together stubbornly. “Dinara.” I withdraw my hand completely. “Answer me or I walk out of here right now.”
“You already know the answer,” she says, breathless.
“Say it anyway.”
“You.”
“And who am I to you?”
Her eyes flash with defiance as her body trembles with need. “You’re an asshole who drugged me and forced me into marriage.”
I lean down to her ear. “Try again. Who. Am. I.”
She turns her face away. “Kirill.”
“Keep going.”
“My...” She swallows hard. “My husband.”

I am UNWELL. Unwell I tell you.

Kirill is possessive and so intense in the best ways possible. This man's obsession begins the second he lays eyes on "Evelina". And let me tell you, that stripper audition definitely makes an impression. So much so that he refuses to let any other man see her that way and hires her as a server instead. But he can't seem to stay away from her.

And Dinara has every reason to hate Kirill and his family. After all, she thinks that his family knows the truth behind her mother's disappearance all those years ago. The disappearance that isn't what she once thought and is not determined to get to the bottom of. But the longer she spends time in Kirill's presence, the more difficult it becomes to ignore the pull between them.

I loved Kirill's possessiveness. There's just something about a jealous and obsessed fictional man that just hits. And Kirill was everything I had hoped he would be and so much more. Dinara was the perfect match for him in all ways. SHe's ruthless and vicious in her own right and I loved the way she fought her own battles. She was fierce and gave as good as she got.

The tension and chemistry was SIZZLING. The story was a non stop thrill ride and I couldn't put it down. I binge read it from cover to cover. For all my fellow lovers of dark mafia romance, I cannot recommend this one enough!

ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review

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[Faiza]

I did not expect to get this obsessed, but here we are 😭🔥 Vicious Reign easily became the standout of the series for me—Kirill Baranov and Dinara completely took over my brain and refused to leave.

Kirill? Absolutely gone for Dinara—and honestly, who can blame him? His admiration runs deep, not just surface-level attraction. The way he values her strength, intelligence, and resilience makes their dynamic even more addictive. And Dinara? She’s everything I want in a FMC—brilliant, fearless, and more than capable of handling herself in a world that constantly underestimates her 💻🖤

Dinara’s journey hit hard. Losing her mother so young and only recently unlocking those buried memories adds so much emotional weight to her mission. Watching her step into a new identity and leave Russia for New York, determined to uncover the truth, gave the story this constant sense of urgency and purpose. Her plan to infiltrate the Baronov bratva is bold—but of course, nothing goes smoothly 😏

Enter Kirill. From their first interaction, the tension is immediate and electric ⚡ The fact that she goes straight to him to secure her place? Iconic behavior. And Kirill being completely intrigued by her confidence? Even better. Him refusing to let anyone else see her dance? Possessive in the best way 👀

What really hooked me was how their relationship evolved alongside the chaos surrounding them. Between the looming threat of “Ghost,” the pressure from Kirill’s father, and the potential alliance involving his sister Katya, the stakes never drop. Kirill’s determination to protect his family—and especially his refusal to sacrifice his sister’s freedom—adds another layer to his character that I loved.

And when everything starts unraveling? That’s when it gets even better. The reveal of Dinara’s true identity and Kirill’s immediate solution—marriage—felt so perfectly in character 💍 Not even a hesitation, just “you’re mine and I’ll protect you.” The fact that he’s already completely gone for her makes it even more satisfying.

The balance between romance and mafia suspense was done so well. The plot keeps you guessing (even if you start to suspect certain things 👀), and there are enough twists to keep the tension high throughout. Plus, no unnecessary breakup drama—just them facing everything together, which I always appreciate 🙌

Also, can we talk about the emotional moments? Kirill’s past, especially the parts connected to Tasha and his mother, were genuinely heartbreaking 💔 Those scenes added so much depth and made him feel even more real.

And Dinara? Never once felt like a damsel. She’s in it, making moves, taking risks, and proving over and over again that she belongs right beside Kirill—not behind him.

The chemistry? Explosive. The tension? Constant. The spice? 🌶️🌶️🌶️ absolutely delivers.

If I had one tiny note, it’s that the beginning moves pretty quickly, especially with how intense Kirill’s feelings get right away—but honestly, once you’re in, you’re *in*.

By the end, I was completely hooked on their story and honestly curious about the rest of Kirill’s family too 👀 I’d read every single one of their books without hesitation.

Safe to say, Monica Kayne has a new fan—because this one? 10/10, no crumbs left 🖤🔥

[Katie Murphy]

What is about men named Kirill that I quite literally fall head over heels for. Vicious Reign is my favourite book of the series because I devoured Kirill and Dinara’s story and left no crumbs🤭.

Our FMC Dinara, is quite a talented hacker for the Belov syndicate and this woman has an agenda. She lost her mother when she was six years old and her memories of that night were quite vague until she realised her mind blocked the trauma until quite recently. Now with her memories returning her goal is to find out what happened to her mother and the possibility that she could quite still possibly be alive. This leads her to convince her family that she wants to study a computer program in the states and the next thing she is leaving Russia and go to New York under an elias that she built from the ground up.

The first piece of her plan is to gain intel on the Baronov bratva and to do this she plans to get a job in one of their clubs. When she goes for her interview she realises her way in is not so straight forward and decides to go to the top, this being Kirill who is the heir to the Baronov empire and convince him that she needs the job. Intrigued by her forwardness and feistiness Kirill gives Dinara (or Evelina as she goes by for this mission) a chance to impress him, and impressed he was that he does not give her the dancing job and actually a server job, because he wants to be the only person to ever witness her dancing.

From the moment Dinara comes into his life Kirill’s focus becomes split between protecting his new server and his bratva. Problems soon start to arise when a new player by the name of ‘Ghost’ has made themselves known and is stirring up so chaos. When Kirill’s father proposes an alliance between his sister Katya and a rival Italian family to help take down Ghost, Kirill won’t stand for his. He is utter most protective of his family wants his sister to have her freedom and not be forced to play a certain part to benefit others. This leads him to come to an agreement with his father that he will unmask Ghost himself and if he fails he himself will agree to an arranged marriage.

Kirill’s attempts to uncover Ghost is disastrous that is until he realises that he has one of the best hackers in his midst. Yes after uncovering Dinara’s identity Kirill comes to only one possible solution, he will protect her by giving her his name through marriage while also helping her to find her mother and in exchange she will help uncover Ghosts identity. And just to be clear the marriage scenario came quite quickly to Kirill’s mind because at this point he was so head over heels for this woman it would certainly be no hardship calling her his wife.

Overall I love this book and this couple. I favor Bratva romances where the FMC has a backbone and this most certainly is the case with Dinara as she is no damsel. Kirill is protective and possessive and but overall these two have chemistry like fireworks. There was quite a few twists and turns so the plot kept me quite engaged..

Thank you so much to the author who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭

[Kim Janey]

Dinara is a woman on a mission. Infiltrate the Baronov Bratva, find the person who kidnapped her mother all those years ago, and make them pay. But then she meets Kirill, the Baronov heir, and suddenly things get a lot more complicated…especially when the attraction between them is impossible to ignore.

This was my read during a 15-hour flight and I’m pretty sure I was the person having the most fun on that plane because I was deep into a Monica Kayne book. From the very start, everything just hit the ground running. I really wanted to ask the flight attendant to turn the AC up because why was this book so hot? Their first encounter alone, ugh yeah…the spice was intense. Instant attraction, like their bodies recognized each other before anything else did. Add in Dinara’s secrets and Kirill’s determination to make her his, and it was chef’s kiss the whole way through.

“Let me be the monster so you don’t have to be.”

Kirill was exactly the kind of Bratva MMC I fall for every single time. Rough exterior, but with a heart of gold underneath. He’s not only amazing to the woman he loves, but also to his family, which I always eat up. I loved how fierce his love and protectiveness were, but also how emotionally open he could be. Chapter 44 just really sealed it for me. A Bratva man is great, but a Bratva man who isn’t afraid of his feelings? Total keeper.

And Dinara…let me take a moment (actually many moments) to fangirl because WOW. This girl was such a baddie with a brain. Strong, smart, calculated, and not afraid to sacrifice for the people she loves. I loved that she matched Kirill’s energy and obsession so well. She was just as possessive, just as in love, and fully invested in their relationship, both physically and emotionally.

“I want you as my forever.”

All the little nicknames? STAHP MONICA, YOU’RE KILLING ME. Nicknames in any book are my weakness, my kryptonite but in this one it just was on a whole other level. It was so cute and added so much to their dynamic and the way they expressed their adoration for each other. And despite the relationship starting off with secrets and lies, it somehow felt so natural. Like they just fell into place. I loved that they didn’t spend forever denying their feelings or playing games. They leaned into it, explored it, and just took the leap of faith. Loved loved LOVED!

Huge shoutout to Monica Kayne, because she’s honestly one of the few authors where I finish a book and immediately start thinking about every single side character and needing their stories too. I need Oksana and Elio paired up with their own respective Baronov siblings ASAP and don’t even get me started on Marina…(QUEEEEEEEN IYKYK). I would actually kill for her book, even if it’s just a novella.

This entire series has been so much fun to read so far. The plots keep you hooked, the characters make you stay, and I’m always excited for what’s next. Another masterpiece in the Bratva Kings world for sure.

[ana lopes]

Vicious Reign
Monica Kayne

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

ARC Review

How freaking obsessed was I with this book?! Like… seriously obsessed. It had me in a chokehold from page one, and damn, it never let go until the very end! And that final plot twist? Absolutely did not see it coming, but it wraps up in the best possible way!

If I had any doubts about loving dark mafia romance, this book completely erased them. It has everything you want in a top-tier mafia romance, including marriage of convenience, but it’s written in a way that feels fresh and completely different from the usual mafia books. So freaking good.

First of all… what kind of man is Kirill?! This man absolutely wrecked me from the start. The way he slowly starts dealing with the love he feels for Dinara had me LOSING IT in the best way possible.

The quote: “Good. Be terrified. Because I'm never letting you out of my sight again. You're mine, for the rest of this life, your next life, and the one after that. I'm going to stalk you into the afterlife and beyond. You'll never get rid of me.”

And honestly? THAT is exactly what we want from a Russian mafia man.

But Dinara? Oh my God, what a woman. I love that she’s a nerd, that she knows exactly what she wants and goes after it, and that she’s not some helpless mafia princess waiting to be protected. Nope, she fights just as hard as the men do, better than some of them actually, and her intelligence is insanely attractive on every level. The way she chases what she wants is genuinely inspiring. And that very first scene where they meet? HOLY HELL. What an AMAZING scene. I love when books start with that kind of explosive chemistry that leaves you desperate for more.

This entire book is nonstop action. There’s never a dull moment, never a chance to put it down… that’s the level of intensity we’re talking about here! And don’t even get me started on the spicy scenes because OMD, they are HOT. Like seriously hot. But also different in the best way, with a level of sensuality that hits completely different. Thank you for the delicious moments of lust in the middle of all the chaos and action 🥰

Out of this series, even though I still haven’t read book three (yet!!), this one is definitely my favorite. And it opens the door for the next series set in the same universe, which makes me even more excited! I seriously cannot wait to meet the next King.

Monica, I am completely addicted to this book, this series, and especially your incredible writing!

🔥 BRATVA ROMANCE
💻 HACKER HEROINE
💍 FORCED MARRIAGE
🕶️ SECRET IDENTITY
🖤 BOSS / EMPLOYEE
🏠 FORCED PROXIMITY
⛓️ ABDUCTION
🔪 TOUCH HER AND DIE
😈 OBSESSED HER

[Amanda Nelson]

This is the fourth installment in the Bratva Kings series, and I believe it may be my favorite in the series.

Dinara relocated to New York City seeking answers. However, to uncover the truth, she must establish a connection with the Bratva's Pahkan and his sons. Kirill Baranov is not interested in relationships or complications; he is focused on proving to his father that he is prepared to lead the Baranov Bratva. He is willing to do whatever it takes to prevent himself and his younger sister from arranged marriage to their fathers business partners. When Dinara enters Velour, the gentleman’s club operated by the Baranov family, Kirill is immediately drawn to her and soon they are unable to deny the attraction brewing between them. As they navigate their undeniable attraction, hidden identities, and danger lurking around every corner, they discover that their pasts and futures may be more connected than either anticipated. Both are pursuing a ghost, one from the past, and the other haunting the present, forcing them to choose between love and revenge.

While Pavel may be my favorite Bratva king, Kirill is certainly close. He is intensely possessive, charismatic, and utterly obsessed with Dinara. The more time he spends with her, the more captivated he becomes.

Dinara maintains the strength and independence I appreciated in her portrayal in Pavel’s book. She is a resilient and capable character who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself. I enjoyed her character immensely. Unlike some of the other female characters in this series, who tend to be more timid and cautious, Dinara is a true badass who can hold her own when challenges arise. I hope to see more strong, capable characters like her in future installments. I also enjoyed getting to see Kin and Hope again, as well as meeting a new cast of characters that I hope to get to know in future books.

The pacing of the story was well-balanced, and the chemistry between the characters was palpable. My only small piece of frustration with this book was lack of continuity, there were quite a few instances where timelines and deadlines did not match up from page to page, and other small issues where something was described one way on one page and then different a few pages or chapters later. These discrepancies didn't have a real impact on the overall story though. I appreciated that both characters were honest about their feelings early on, which made the conclusion feel more genuine. I look forward to spending more time with the heirs in New York and hope we will see a story featuring Elio and Katya in the future!

[Dilara]

Arc copy!

I love the author’s writing style and I go through their books really fast, so I need another one already. It looks like a series centered around forced marriage, and honestly, it hasn’t bored me so far—I really enjoy that trope.
When the woman applies for a job as a dancer, Kirill asks her to show him her skills. But since he doesn’t want anyone else to see her dance, he hires her as a waitress instead. From their very first meeting, it feels like he’s taken it upon himself to protect her. He’s willing to kill anyone for her.
But weeks later, he finds out that the woman he thought he knew is actually someone completely different. In reality, she’s a talented hacker who infiltrated the Bratva to find out what happened to her mother. Meanwhile, there’s this elusive “ghost” who’s incredibly skilled with technology, constantly sabotaging Kirill’s operations and never getting caught.
Now, as a last resort to catch this ghost, Kirill needs Dinara. To uncover the truth about her mother, to capture the ghost, and also to make sure she doesn’t escape, he decides to marry her.
And when he’s forced to choose between the woman he loves and his family… you can probably guess who he’d burn the world for. I’d honestly take a bullet for characters like this.
Dinara, on the other hand, has the courage and strength to stand up to everyone—but when it comes to Kirill, the fact that she doesn’t resort to power and gives in easily says a lot. And don’t even get me started on their chemistry…
My only issue is that they start dealing with their problems through sex, and after a while, it gets repetitive. I wish there had been more emotional confrontations.

-

Yazarın kalemini seviyorum ve çok hızlı tüketiyoum. Bir yenisine daha ihtiyacım var. Zoraki evlilik üzerine devam eden bir seri gibi gözüküyor ve bu beni şuana kadar sıkmadı. Zorunlu evlilik içeriğini seviyorum. Kirill kadın direk dansçısı olarak iş başvuru yaptığında kendisi için yeteneklerini göstermesini ister. Ve kendisi dışında kimseye dans etmesini istemediği için kadını garson olarak işe alır. İlk görüşten sonra kadını korumak için kendine görev vermiş gibiydi. Onun için herkesi öldürmeyi göze alıyor. Ama haftalar sonra tanıdığı kadının bambaşka biri olduğunu öğrenecek. Gerçekte yetenekli bir hackerdır ve annesine neler olduğunu öğrenmek için bratvaya sızmaya çalışıyordur. Kirill'in peşinde teknolojiyi iyi kullanan ve tüm işlerine çomak sokan ama bir türlü yakalanmayan hayalet belası var. Şimdi son çare onu yakalamak için Dinara'ya ihtiyacı var. Hem kadının annesine olanları hem hayaleti yakalamak için aynı zamanda kadın kaçmasın diye onunla evlenmeye karar veriyor. Sevdiği kadın ve ailesi arasında seçim yapmak zorunda kaldığında da kimin için herkesi yok edebileceğini tahmin edersiniz. Böyle karakterler için kurşun yerim maalesef. Dinara da herkese kafa tutabilme cesareti ve gücü varken konu Kirill olduğunda güce başvurmayıp hemen pes etmesi de bir şeyler ifade ediyor. Aralarındaki elektriği söylemiyorum bile... Sadece sorunları cinsellikle baş etmeleri bir yerden sonra monotonlaştı. Duygusal yüzleşmeler isterdİm.

[Em Yardy]

I did not expect to spiral this hard over a man named Kirill, but here we are… emotionally attached, slightly unwell, and contemplating joining the Bratva just for the vibes 😭

Vicious Reign absolutely wrecked me in the best way possible. Kirill Baranov? Down catastrophically for Dinara and honestly, same. The man isn’t just obsessed, he’s appreciative. Like, he sees her intelligence, her strength, her resilience… and immediately decides, “yes, this one, I will burn the world for her.” Sir??? Relax. Or don’t. Actually, don’t.

Dinara is THAT girl. A hacker queen with a mission, a tragic past, and zero interest in being underestimated. She infiltrates the Bratva like it’s just another Tuesday, and even when things go sideways (which they absolutely do), she never loses her backbone. We love a competent queen who doesn’t need saving but also isn’t mad when a morally grey man offers to commit crimes in her honor 💅

Their chemistry? Immediate. Explosive. Illegal in at least 12 countries. From the second they meet, it’s giving tension, it’s giving eye contact that lasts too long, it’s giving he will not let another man perceive her. The man really said “you can dance… but only for me” and turned it into a whole career change. Respectfully, unhinged.

And the spice?? Oh it SPICES 🌶️ The praise, the obsession, the “touch her and die” energy everything was working overtime. But what really got me was how their relationship actually builds through all the chaos. No unnecessary drama, just two people facing danger, secrets, and a mysterious hacker called Ghost like a power couple.

Speaking of chaos the plot??? Twists. Turns. Me sitting there like 👁️👄👁️ every five chapters. Just when I thought I had it figured out, Monica Kayne said “absolutely not” and flipped the table.

AND THEN when Kirill finds out who Dinara really is?? His solution is marriage. Immediately. No hesitation. No discussion. Just “you’re mine now and also I will protect you forever.” The commitment??? The efficiency??? 10/10, no notes.

Also, can we talk about the emotional damage?? Kirill’s past had me in my feelings, and Dinara’s journey hit hard. It wasn’t just spice and chaos (though there was plenty of that), there was actual depth that made me care way too much.

I’m obsessed. This book owns me now. Kirill and Dinara live rent-free in my brain, redecorating, throwing parties, and refusing to leave. Easily my favorite in the series, and I will be reading anything remotely connected to this world like my life depends on it 🤭🔥