What do you think?
Rate this book
Molotov Betrothal #3
Chained Fate: Molotov Betrothal, Book 3
A final war. A fate uncertain. A bond forged in fire.
Alina
My marriage began as a cage. Now, it may be my only sanctuary.
To survive, I must rely on the very monster I once feared. With every tender touch, every protective command, the line between love and hate dissolves further.
He thinks he’s chained me to him. He doesn’t realize... I may be the one who refuses to let go.
Alexei
She is finally mine. My wife. My obsession.
But a shadow looms over us, a vicious twist of fate that threatens to tear her away. I would burn down the world for her, but this is a battle I cannot win with violence.
Her brothers think our vows are her prison. They are a promise. One I will defy heaven and hell to keep.
Alina
My marriage began as a cage. Now, it may be my only sanctuary.
To survive, I must rely on the very monster I once feared. With every tender touch, every protective command, the line between love and hate dissolves further.
He thinks he’s chained me to him. He doesn’t realize... I may be the one who refuses to let go.
Alexei
She is finally mine. My wife. My obsession.
But a shadow looms over us, a vicious twist of fate that threatens to tear her away. I would burn down the world for her, but this is a battle I cannot win with violence.
Her brothers think our vows are her prison. They are a promise. One I will defy heaven and hell to keep.
Audible Audio
First published October 21, 2025
141 people are currently reading
1928 people want to read
About the author
Anna Zaires
100 books7,833 followersAnna Zaires fell in love with books at the age of five, when her grandmother taught her to read. She wrote her first story shortly thereafter. Since then, she has always lived partially in a fantasy world where the only limits were those of her imagination. Currently residing in Florida, Anna is happily married to Dima Zales (a science fiction and fantasy author) and closely collaborates with him on all their works.
After graduating from the University of Chicago with a degree in Economics, Anna spent eight years on Wall Street analyzing stocks and writing research reports. In 2013, she became a full-time author, pursuing her lifelong dream of writing romance novels.
Dima Zales is the love of her life and a huge inspiration in all aspects of her writing. Every book Anna writes is a product of their unique collaborative process.
In addition to reading and writing, Anna enjoys drinking tea (coconut oolong, anyone?), watching addictive TV shows, and discussing book ideas during long walks with her amazing husband.
She loves hearing from her readers, so please don't hesitate to contact her through her website or connect with her on Facebook, where she hangs out way too often. Also, please visit her husband and collaborator, Dima Zales, at www.dimazales.com and check out their fantasy & science fiction books.
After graduating from the University of Chicago with a degree in Economics, Anna spent eight years on Wall Street analyzing stocks and writing research reports. In 2013, she became a full-time author, pursuing her lifelong dream of writing romance novels.
Dima Zales is the love of her life and a huge inspiration in all aspects of her writing. Every book Anna writes is a product of their unique collaborative process.
In addition to reading and writing, Anna enjoys drinking tea (coconut oolong, anyone?), watching addictive TV shows, and discussing book ideas during long walks with her amazing husband.
She loves hearing from her readers, so please don't hesitate to contact her through her website or connect with her on Facebook, where she hangs out way too often. Also, please visit her husband and collaborator, Dima Zales, at www.dimazales.com and check out their fantasy & science fiction books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
October 20, 2025
4 Stars
I am a HUGE Ana Zaires fan and will literally read anything she writes. A feeling that had to sustain me through the long wait for this book.
I mean, seriously though, there was a substantial wait between this book and book one.
How long you ask?
Three YEARS, people.
Now, yes, yes, I know. Compared to a Patrick Rothfuss or G.R.R Martin wait, this is nothing.
But in the romance world?
It felt like an eternity.
I was fine, though. Totally stoic about it.
But I digress.
When this ARC hit my kindle, I was stoked. And also afraid, being that the wait build-up created a huge inner hype...which is not always good, as that's a hard thing to live up to.
But thankfully, while not as amazing as some of my favorite Zaires works (looking at you and you), it was still really good.
The story picks up right where the last book ended and I fell right back into the story. I was kind of worried where Zaires would go with it, being that she had kind of backed herself into a corner in the second book. But alas, fear not, trust in the Zaires.
I loved Alexei and Alina and I thought this was a great end to their story. It felt a lot shorter than some of Zaires' other final series books...and has a lot less angst. But again, I really enjoyed it and was happy with the way everything unfolded.
As always, can't wait for whatever she offers us next.
***ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review***
I am a HUGE Ana Zaires fan and will literally read anything she writes. A feeling that had to sustain me through the long wait for this book.
I mean, seriously though, there was a substantial wait between this book and book one.
How long you ask?
Three YEARS, people.
Now, yes, yes, I know. Compared to a Patrick Rothfuss or G.R.R Martin wait, this is nothing.
But in the romance world?
It felt like an eternity.
I was fine, though. Totally stoic about it.
But I digress.
When this ARC hit my kindle, I was stoked. And also afraid, being that the wait build-up created a huge inner hype...which is not always good, as that's a hard thing to live up to.
But thankfully, while not as amazing as some of my favorite Zaires works (looking at you and you), it was still really good.
The story picks up right where the last book ended and I fell right back into the story. I was kind of worried where Zaires would go with it, being that she had kind of backed herself into a corner in the second book. But alas, fear not, trust in the Zaires.
I loved Alexei and Alina and I thought this was a great end to their story. It felt a lot shorter than some of Zaires' other final series books...and has a lot less angst. But again, I really enjoyed it and was happy with the way everything unfolded.
As always, can't wait for whatever she offers us next.
***ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review***
Want to read
December 31, 2024Again another year and your readers are still waiting on book 3 with a release date of today and still no book and no word or update as to when the release date is. It would be nice if this Author would give her readers an update. I for one as are many other readers are waiting for this book.
June 24, 2024
Long time between first book and second and last book. Almost o e year, too much time to wait for read the final of this serie. If i know that, I never start to read it…
Read
July 16, 2025The third and final book in Alina and Alexei’s trilogy is coming on OCTOBER 21,2025!
- Anna via instagram🤩❤️
- Anna via instagram🤩❤️
November 26, 2025
Alexei’s obsession knows no bounds
I love me a hero who’ll do anything for his woman 🥹
Even if it means he’ll keep her all to himself 😅
At all times 🫶
He’s so swoony 😭
The book continues from where book 2 left off: Alina’s devastating diagnosis 😭. Alexei’s hired the best of everything in order to get this problem solved.
But Alina isn’t happy… not only because of the “baby girl” (😑😒😐😐😐😐), but because a lot of this is being dumped on her with Little processing time 😬.
So what does she do the day that she’s meeting doctors and is finding out about the procedures that are going to happen in order to save her life?
Well she runs of course 🤷🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🙄🙄
Sigh…😵💫
But don’t you worry, cause Alexei’s not gonna sit idly by without getting his woman back 🤷🏻♀️
Don’t say he didn’t warn you 🤣
What I liked/loved:
—the 🔥. Good lawd there’s definitely more than the other two 🥵 (or maybe I just don’t remember since it’s been years 😑 book one was released in 2022 and book 2 in 2023 😒). I mean. The first 🔥 scenes happens at 5% 💦 and it continues til basically the end (there’s a short time period when they’re not together)
—how obsessed he is with making Alina 💦. Ufff. 😮💨 she hit the jackpot 😉. I don’t know how her legs aren’t jelly 🤣
—everything Alexei is willing to do for Alina ❤️. He wants to make sure that his wife is going to be OK 🥹. Treatments, surgeries, diet, exercise, the works 🫶
—the side characters 👀. Obviously, I need to read some other books by AZ, but it seems like we’re gonna get other future books with other characters👀
—how utterly obsessed he is ❤️ and…
—MINEMINEMINE 😈
— the hair shaving scene 🥹🫶. Alina thought that he was going to be disappointed, but it only made him more obsessed 😉
—Alina taking care of the trash is the form of abusers 😮💨. That’s right Alina 😉. We don’t need bad people in this world 👏🏻🤷🏻♀️
—feeding her when she’s recovering 🥹 okay king 👏🏻 take care of your wife 🫶
What i didn’t like/wanted more of: SPOILERS SPOILERS
—a “chemical” pregnancy!? 😐 sigh 😒. It really felt like AZ didn’t know how to get herself out of the plotline. She created from book 2 and decided to go down this route 😒. For a book and a half, we keep thinking that she’s pregnant; in fact, Alina even thinks that she’s having a girl. But no. We get descriptions of what it means to have a chemical pregnancy 😒.
I. D. G. A. FFFF 😑. Give me my pregnancy!!! I want the babies!!! I think this was such a cop out 🤷🏻♀️. Because, of course, she needs to battle having a brain tumor, which is not compatible with a pregnancy unfortunately. Sigh.
— the ending 😐. If feels like an HFN 😑. Of course, we get told that Alina keeps trying to convince him to have a baby, but he doesn’t want to risk it, blah blah blah 🙄. So two years have passed in the epilogue and nothing. Nada. Zilch.
Again, why do we keep getting reminded that she feels She’s having a girl then? Even in the epilogue, she tells us that she thinks her first baby will be a girl.
— the way things get wrapped up way too quickly at the end 😒. Considering how expensive this book is, it really needed to have more of a solid ending 🤷🏻♀️
—Alexei still thinking of the worst of Alina 😒; while I get his hesitation and mistrust, I was getting annoyed at him not believing in her so much 😐
— whatever happened to Birgit? After her brothers try to stage a coup, we don’t get much info about her after
Overall, I didn’t hate it, but I definitely didn’t like it like the first two books
⚠️safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing/owd/omd
-cancer diagnosis/surgery/treatment
-bloodshed/murder
-attempted SA (but the h kills the man)
-death of loved ones recounted
-the H recounts his father raping his sister
-“miscarriage” diagnosis (chemical pregnancy)
-praise kink
-no condoms/condoms (the H is scared to get the h pg)
-HEA/HFN/epilogue/2 years
I love me a hero who’ll do anything for his woman 🥹
Even if it means he’ll keep her all to himself 😅
At all times 🫶
He’s so swoony 😭
The book continues from where book 2 left off: Alina’s devastating diagnosis 😭. Alexei’s hired the best of everything in order to get this problem solved.
But Alina isn’t happy… not only because of the “baby girl” (😑😒😐😐😐😐), but because a lot of this is being dumped on her with Little processing time 😬.
So what does she do the day that she’s meeting doctors and is finding out about the procedures that are going to happen in order to save her life?
Well she runs of course 🤷🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🙄🙄
Sigh…😵💫
But don’t you worry, cause Alexei’s not gonna sit idly by without getting his woman back 🤷🏻♀️
Don’t say he didn’t warn you 🤣
What I liked/loved:
—the 🔥. Good lawd there’s definitely more than the other two 🥵 (or maybe I just don’t remember since it’s been years 😑 book one was released in 2022 and book 2 in 2023 😒). I mean. The first 🔥 scenes happens at 5% 💦 and it continues til basically the end (there’s a short time period when they’re not together)
—how obsessed he is with making Alina 💦. Ufff. 😮💨 she hit the jackpot 😉. I don’t know how her legs aren’t jelly 🤣
—everything Alexei is willing to do for Alina ❤️. He wants to make sure that his wife is going to be OK 🥹. Treatments, surgeries, diet, exercise, the works 🫶
—the side characters 👀. Obviously, I need to read some other books by AZ, but it seems like we’re gonna get other future books with other characters👀
—how utterly obsessed he is ❤️ and…
—MINEMINEMINE 😈
— the hair shaving scene 🥹🫶. Alina thought that he was going to be disappointed, but it only made him more obsessed 😉
—Alina taking care of the trash is the form of abusers 😮💨. That’s right Alina 😉. We don’t need bad people in this world 👏🏻🤷🏻♀️
—feeding her when she’s recovering 🥹 okay king 👏🏻 take care of your wife 🫶
What i didn’t like/wanted more of: SPOILERS SPOILERS
—a “chemical” pregnancy!? 😐 sigh 😒. It really felt like AZ didn’t know how to get herself out of the plotline. She created from book 2 and decided to go down this route 😒. For a book and a half, we keep thinking that she’s pregnant; in fact, Alina even thinks that she’s having a girl. But no. We get descriptions of what it means to have a chemical pregnancy 😒.
I. D. G. A. FFFF 😑. Give me my pregnancy!!! I want the babies!!! I think this was such a cop out 🤷🏻♀️. Because, of course, she needs to battle having a brain tumor, which is not compatible with a pregnancy unfortunately. Sigh.
— the ending 😐. If feels like an HFN 😑. Of course, we get told that Alina keeps trying to convince him to have a baby, but he doesn’t want to risk it, blah blah blah 🙄. So two years have passed in the epilogue and nothing. Nada. Zilch.
Again, why do we keep getting reminded that she feels She’s having a girl then? Even in the epilogue, she tells us that she thinks her first baby will be a girl.
— the way things get wrapped up way too quickly at the end 😒. Considering how expensive this book is, it really needed to have more of a solid ending 🤷🏻♀️
—Alexei still thinking of the worst of Alina 😒; while I get his hesitation and mistrust, I was getting annoyed at him not believing in her so much 😐
— whatever happened to Birgit? After her brothers try to stage a coup, we don’t get much info about her after
Overall, I didn’t hate it, but I definitely didn’t like it like the first two books
⚠️safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing/owd/omd
-cancer diagnosis/surgery/treatment
-bloodshed/murder
-attempted SA (but the h kills the man)
-death of loved ones recounted
-the H recounts his father raping his sister
-“miscarriage” diagnosis (chemical pregnancy)
-praise kink
-no condoms/condoms (the H is scared to get the h pg)
-HEA/HFN/epilogue/2 years
Want to read
September 22, 2024waiting for this to get published
October 21, 2025
What a wild ride! This is the third book in the series, and it was the perfect way to end Alina and Alexei's intense journey. I loved how their arranged marriage, which started as a prison, evolved into something deeper and more complicated. As they faced external threats and internal struggles, their bond was tested in ways that kept me hooked until the very end.
This was a gripping conclusion that blended suspense, passion, and emotional depth. Newcomers to the series will want to start from the beginning to fully grasp the complexities of Alina and Alexei's relationship. Overall, I highly recommend Chained Fate as well as the previous books for those who enjoy their romance with a darker twist.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
This was a gripping conclusion that blended suspense, passion, and emotional depth. Newcomers to the series will want to start from the beginning to fully grasp the complexities of Alina and Alexei's relationship. Overall, I highly recommend Chained Fate as well as the previous books for those who enjoy their romance with a darker twist.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
August 19, 2025
3,5 stars! The wait for this final book in the trilogy was loooooooong! and although I really enjoyed myself, it was not spectaculair. Anna writes the best possessive, obsessive brutal morally gray men and Alexei is a great character. The plot of this book is a little thin though and I didn't feel the intense chemistry I felt in the previews books. It should have been a duet and not a trilogy. Still, a great couple and loved reading it!
January 12, 2025
Still waiting but I am sure it will be worth the wait! Love you Anna Zaires !!!!
October 19, 2025
This book has definitely been long awaited. I had mixed emotions about it going in. The second book left off on a killer cliffhanger. We had a pregnant heroine just diagnosed with brain cancer. I'm not a huge fan of having the h be ill in books. To be fair, Alina has suffered from migraines throughout the series but I never suspected it would culminate in brain cancer. Seeing as this is a romance novel and Anna Zaires was unlikely to kill off the heroine I had to assume that Alina would end up being ok.
I marked this for spoilers but in case you've changed your mind here is another warning. There are spoilers in this review.
Alina is, of course, ok. Her cancer ends up in remission. The doctors end up declaring her pregnancy to be a chemical pregnancy though so she doesn't stay pregnant. (A chemical pregnancy is one in which conception occurs but for whatever reason the embryo doesn't implant).
There is a fair bit of angst here. Alina running away, Alina being found, Alina finally accepting her feelings for Alexei, Alexei is warily untrusting given Alina's previous behavior. All in all, it was an amazing read and worth the wait.
No OW/OM drama, no cheating
I marked this for spoilers but in case you've changed your mind here is another warning. There are spoilers in this review.
Alina is, of course, ok. Her cancer ends up in remission. The doctors end up declaring her pregnancy to be a chemical pregnancy though so she doesn't stay pregnant. (A chemical pregnancy is one in which conception occurs but for whatever reason the embryo doesn't implant).
There is a fair bit of angst here. Alina running away, Alina being found, Alina finally accepting her feelings for Alexei, Alexei is warily untrusting given Alina's previous behavior. All in all, it was an amazing read and worth the wait.
No OW/OM drama, no cheating
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2025
4.25 STARS
A pretty good ending to the series.
A pretty good ending to the series.
October 25, 2025
not worth the wait
I was so excited for this book and normally love this author but this book felt like something slapped together and shoved out that we waited what seemed like forever for. I loved Alexei and Alina’s previous 2 books but this one left me disappointed.
I was so excited for this book and normally love this author but this book felt like something slapped together and shoved out that we waited what seemed like forever for. I loved Alexei and Alina’s previous 2 books but this one left me disappointed.
December 9, 2025
Ok end to the series . Didn't have those possessive hero kick I like about Anna Zaires book. But I am very looking forward to the sneak peek on Constantine and his girlfriend
October 13, 2025
***I received an A.R.C. of this Book (However, I only accept ARCs from my 1 click Authors)***
🖤 Contemporary
🖤 Mafia Romance
🖤 Jealous/Possessive Hero
🖤 Non-соn/dub-соn
🖤 Obsessed hero
🖤 Enemies to lovers
🖤 Stаlking
🖤 Fоrсеd proximity
🖤 Touch her & Die
🖤 Mine
Full review to come
🖤 Contemporary
🖤 Mafia Romance
🖤 Jealous/Possessive Hero
🖤 Non-соn/dub-соn
🖤 Obsessed hero
🖤 Enemies to lovers
🖤 Stаlking
🖤 Fоrсеd proximity
🖤 Touch her & Die
🖤 Mine
Full review to come
October 22, 2025
this is the long awaited 3rd book in this series! I have been waiting for what seems like forever! I was happy to finally get to the end and have everything work out! as usual when reading any book by Anna Zaires it wasn't what I was expecting but it was awesome anyways! I don't know how she writes like she does! I love all her books! Just not the cliff hangers!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2025
5 stars, 3.5 on the spice scale.
So… this trilogy nearly broke me. I went into books 1 and 2 thinking it was a duet, only to be left dangling on a brutal cliffhanger with no book 3 in sight. I was furious (at the time). But now that the final instalment is here, I can say that it was absolutely worth the wait.
I didn’t love book 1. There were too many flashbacks for me. But by the end of book 2, I was hooked. Book 3 delivered everything I needed: emotional payoff, character growth, and the kind of twisted devotion that makes you question your own moral compass.
Alina and Alexei’s relationship is complicated, toxic, and deeply compelling. While Alina is sick, Alexei cares for her. When she runs, he hunts her down — not to punish, but to protect. She could have called her brothers for help at any point… but she doesn’t. She tells herself it’s for their safety, but really? She just can’t bear to be apart from him.
It’s messy. It’s intense. And it’s exactly the kind of romance that I have come to expect from Anna Zaires. I highly recommend.
So… this trilogy nearly broke me. I went into books 1 and 2 thinking it was a duet, only to be left dangling on a brutal cliffhanger with no book 3 in sight. I was furious (at the time). But now that the final instalment is here, I can say that it was absolutely worth the wait.
I didn’t love book 1. There were too many flashbacks for me. But by the end of book 2, I was hooked. Book 3 delivered everything I needed: emotional payoff, character growth, and the kind of twisted devotion that makes you question your own moral compass.
Alina and Alexei’s relationship is complicated, toxic, and deeply compelling. While Alina is sick, Alexei cares for her. When she runs, he hunts her down — not to punish, but to protect. She could have called her brothers for help at any point… but she doesn’t. She tells herself it’s for their safety, but really? She just can’t bear to be apart from him.
It’s messy. It’s intense. And it’s exactly the kind of romance that I have come to expect from Anna Zaires. I highly recommend.
August 3, 2025
Chained Fate is the gripping conclusion to Alina and Alexei’s tumultuous love story—a saga of obsession, betrayal, and redemption. Zaires plunges readers into a world where emotional captivity is just as binding as physical chains. The stakes are higher, the choices more brutal, and the love more consuming than ever before.
Zaires continues to excel at crafting morally complex characters. Alina’s internal struggle between love and autonomy is raw, nuanced, and deeply relatable. The tension between her and Alexei crackles with intensity—their relationship dances on the edge of danger, never quite tipping into destruction, yet never fully safe.
With Chained Fate, Anna Zaires reaffirms her place as a master of dark romance. This isn’t just a love story—it’s a psychological deep dive into control, vulnerability, and the messy beauty of surrender. For readers who crave romance that challenges, consumes, and lingers long after the final page, this book is a must-read.
Zaires continues to excel at crafting morally complex characters. Alina’s internal struggle between love and autonomy is raw, nuanced, and deeply relatable. The tension between her and Alexei crackles with intensity—their relationship dances on the edge of danger, never quite tipping into destruction, yet never fully safe.
With Chained Fate, Anna Zaires reaffirms her place as a master of dark romance. This isn’t just a love story—it’s a psychological deep dive into control, vulnerability, and the messy beauty of surrender. For readers who crave romance that challenges, consumes, and lingers long after the final page, this book is a must-read.
Read
December 31, 2024Добър автор ,но това чакане ми убива настроението за четене.
Твърде дълъг период ,и корица няма дори....
Нищо чудно да чакаме книгата,още една година
Жалко за Анна,губи си читателите по този начин
Твърде дълъг период ,и корица няма дори....
Нищо чудно да чакаме книгата,още една година
Жалко за Анна,губи си читателите по този начин
October 11, 2025
With the previous book came almost two years ago, this last book in Alina and Alexei's story is one very much anticipated. And i have to say, its mix feelings for me.
In the second book ending, we knew the path is heading will be on Alina's illness as the main point. And for that part, i think Anna is doing a great job researching. Or perhaps in creating data, i'm not sure because i didnt check to see if everything she wrote here is factual on the illness and treatment. Just one question : i tought when we are undergoing a surgery, we are not allow nail polish to make sure the doctor see if the fingers are turning blue or not?
Anyway....
For Alina and Alexei's chemistry and the whole plot of their force marriage, i must say evolve. The family's tension is still there. The segs was still steamy. Interesting to see Alexei not 100% sure of her from his own trauma. Like i said, evolve.
Overall, its an okay ending after two years of waiting.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In the second book ending, we knew the path is heading will be on Alina's illness as the main point. And for that part, i think Anna is doing a great job researching. Or perhaps in creating data, i'm not sure because i didnt check to see if everything she wrote here is factual on the illness and treatment. Just one question : i tought when we are undergoing a surgery, we are not allow nail polish to make sure the doctor see if the fingers are turning blue or not?
Anyway....
For Alina and Alexei's chemistry and the whole plot of their force marriage, i must say evolve. The family's tension is still there. The segs was still steamy. Interesting to see Alexei not 100% sure of her from his own trauma. Like i said, evolve.
Overall, its an okay ending after two years of waiting.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5 Stars!!
The first part of this book had me on edge—it was so suspenseful! I couldn’t wait to see how everything would unfold, especially with such a possessive mafia alpha male leading the charge.
I absolutely loved the interactions with her brothers! I’m seriously chomping at the bit for their stories next—fingers crossed we get to see more of A & A along the way!
I’m so glad we got this final book to wrap up their journey. They’ve truly been through it all, and it was so satisfying to see them finally get their well-deserved HEA.
AZ absolutely nails mafia romance! 💘
Thank you to the author for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!
The first part of this book had me on edge—it was so suspenseful! I couldn’t wait to see how everything would unfold, especially with such a possessive mafia alpha male leading the charge.
I absolutely loved the interactions with her brothers! I’m seriously chomping at the bit for their stories next—fingers crossed we get to see more of A & A along the way!
I’m so glad we got this final book to wrap up their journey. They’ve truly been through it all, and it was so satisfying to see them finally get their well-deserved HEA.
AZ absolutely nails mafia romance! 💘
Thank you to the author for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!
October 30, 2025
4.25
Anna Zaires made us wait a bit to have this book but it was really worth it 😍😍
I read it in one sitting and i couldn't think about anything else.
This one made me so emotional because Alina and Alexei have to face so many challenges...
I loved how Alina made out of everything stronger than before and i loved seeing Alexei showing his vulnerability.
The mafia aspect is not very prominent in this trilogy but i liked it anyway. Everything turns around this love/obsession and i'm fine with it 😌😁
I'm really looking forward to read about Alina' brothers and maybe Ruslan too 🤩
Anna Zaires made us wait a bit to have this book but it was really worth it 😍😍
I read it in one sitting and i couldn't think about anything else.
This one made me so emotional because Alina and Alexei have to face so many challenges...
I loved how Alina made out of everything stronger than before and i loved seeing Alexei showing his vulnerability.
The mafia aspect is not very prominent in this trilogy but i liked it anyway. Everything turns around this love/obsession and i'm fine with it 😌😁
I'm really looking forward to read about Alina' brothers and maybe Ruslan too 🤩
October 18, 2025
While the third story may have taken longer than expected, it did allow me the chance to go back and reread from the beginning. And I believe that made this final in the trilogy all the more powerful. The evolution of Alina and Alexei's relationship, their struggles and their triumphs, the slow change from enemies to lovers, and the depth of caring for both during and after undergoing a traumatic illness, really brings to light how deep feelings go when least expected.
October 17, 2025
Finally the last chapter in Alexej and Alina's story. It's a very easy read and - without wanting to spoil too much - we get our HEA. The two of them have to overcome some steep hurdles and doubt is a constant companion for a while, but all's well that ends well. Hopefully we will meet them again in a potential spin-off about one or more of the brothers and learn that they did start a family.
I can recommend this book. Just felt a bit disappointed when it ended so soon.
I can recommend this book. Just felt a bit disappointed when it ended so soon.
October 27, 2025
This was definitely not worth the wait. The only entertaining part was Alexei‘s paranoia
October 24, 2025
Alexei knew Alina would be his from a very young age. He courted her for years from a distant and she kept pushing away. The twists and turns, the push amd pull of these two characters has the pages turning fast. The dark obsession finally pays off with understanding and Alina falling in love.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 22, 2025
What a super emotional end to this story! It has been a wide ride. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this series and I cannot wait to read the next book from Anna in the 'Molotov Betrothal' universe.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 22, 2025
Chained Fate is the final book in Alina and Alexei's trilogy so if you have been waiting for a complete series to start you're good to go now!
This series is technically a dark romance one though on my personal scale - which, granted, goes further than most - it is not all that dark. More of a gritty/edgy contemporary for me, especially in this third book. If you have read other dark romances by this author, I would say this is on the lighter side compared to those but if you have any concerns check for any trigger warnings if you need to.
I really liked that some of the main challenges this couple faced were not the typical ones for the organized crime trope. As someone who has drastically lessened the amount of organized crime romances I have read over the last several years (due to burnout on the trope), it was refreshing to see something new and different set within that kind of world.
Alexei also felt like a more sensitive and caring hero, and while that might sometimes be a turn off to me and the style of fictional hero I tend to like.... it really worked for me here. In fact, I found this whole read very comforting at a time I desperately needed that comfort.
Part of that is due to the author's writing too. I always know I am going to get a well-written, entertaining and polished product from Anna Zaires, and that always makes it easier to escape into the world and characters she has created.
Speaking of, just as I was intrigued by Alina and Alexei from just a few sentences when they first appeared in the Molotov Obsession duet (Alina's brother's story), I am intrigued by Alina and Alexei's siblings from their brief appearances, and hoping they eventually have stories coming too.
This series is technically a dark romance one though on my personal scale - which, granted, goes further than most - it is not all that dark. More of a gritty/edgy contemporary for me, especially in this third book. If you have read other dark romances by this author, I would say this is on the lighter side compared to those but if you have any concerns check for any trigger warnings if you need to.
I really liked that some of the main challenges this couple faced were not the typical ones for the organized crime trope. As someone who has drastically lessened the amount of organized crime romances I have read over the last several years (due to burnout on the trope), it was refreshing to see something new and different set within that kind of world.
Alexei also felt like a more sensitive and caring hero, and while that might sometimes be a turn off to me and the style of fictional hero I tend to like.... it really worked for me here. In fact, I found this whole read very comforting at a time I desperately needed that comfort.
Part of that is due to the author's writing too. I always know I am going to get a well-written, entertaining and polished product from Anna Zaires, and that always makes it easier to escape into the world and characters she has created.
Speaking of, just as I was intrigued by Alina and Alexei from just a few sentences when they first appeared in the Molotov Obsession duet (Alina's brother's story), I am intrigued by Alina and Alexei's siblings from their brief appearances, and hoping they eventually have stories coming too.
August 1, 2025
What if the fate you have been running from turns out to be the love you can't live without?
Alina Molotova has been running from Alexei Leonov for a decade. As the only daughter of a dangerous Russian oligarch, she knows what the powerful men in her social circle are capable of. Her three brothers have gone to extraordinary lengths to protect her, but they were unable to shield her from the trauma of their parents' vitriolic marriage. Blood and sorrow seems to follow Alina.
Alexei has wanted Alina from the day he set eyes on her. He hasn't stopped pursuing her since. Pursuing, and plotting, and murdering. When he finally captures her, Alina thinks she knows what Alexei is capable of, but she has no idea ...
Fans of Anna Zaires have waited years for this thrilling conclusion to Alina and Alexei's trilogy. It's been everything I hoped it to be. I anticipated that this couple would be her most compelling since Twist Me's Julian Esguerra and Nora Leston. I really feel that that level of chemistry and obsession has been achieved. Oh, what Alexei wouldn't do for Alina! And for her part, Alina has that eventual epiphany that transcends "Stockholm". The masterpiece is in the psychology, the character perspective, and the ability for the reader to follow each train of thought to its fitting resolution. It's sexy and it's satisfying. There were even some parts that made me laugh.
For those who have read Terrible Beauty and Beautiful Chains, the ending you longed for is finally here. Dive in. Trust in Anna. For those who have waited to start this trilogy, oh my! You are in for a wild ride of emotions!
Alina Molotova has been running from Alexei Leonov for a decade. As the only daughter of a dangerous Russian oligarch, she knows what the powerful men in her social circle are capable of. Her three brothers have gone to extraordinary lengths to protect her, but they were unable to shield her from the trauma of their parents' vitriolic marriage. Blood and sorrow seems to follow Alina.
Alexei has wanted Alina from the day he set eyes on her. He hasn't stopped pursuing her since. Pursuing, and plotting, and murdering. When he finally captures her, Alina thinks she knows what Alexei is capable of, but she has no idea ...
Fans of Anna Zaires have waited years for this thrilling conclusion to Alina and Alexei's trilogy. It's been everything I hoped it to be. I anticipated that this couple would be her most compelling since Twist Me's Julian Esguerra and Nora Leston. I really feel that that level of chemistry and obsession has been achieved. Oh, what Alexei wouldn't do for Alina! And for her part, Alina has that eventual epiphany that transcends "Stockholm". The masterpiece is in the psychology, the character perspective, and the ability for the reader to follow each train of thought to its fitting resolution. It's sexy and it's satisfying. There were even some parts that made me laugh.
For those who have read Terrible Beauty and Beautiful Chains, the ending you longed for is finally here. Dive in. Trust in Anna. For those who have waited to start this trilogy, oh my! You are in for a wild ride of emotions!
November 19, 2025
Enjoy it regardless of the long wait between the books.
August 10, 2025
ALEXEIALINA SURVIVORS NATION RISEE
I can't believe we finally have their conclusion, I've been obsessed with Alina and Alexei since forever, like from Molotov Obsession series, and Terrible Beauty came out in 2023 like omggg they are my people and will always defend Alexei lol.
I don't know if the book's length was short of I just finished quickly like I needed this conclusion asap. And I loved this series so much.
Ngl, I thought the worst was going to happen, I was scared af thinking we might not get a HEA but worries not, Alexei and Alina do get their HEA aww, I need more of them I can't believe their story came to an end.
Alexei, that's my man out there. To be honest, I thought AZ was going to make him more uncontrolled, which he was to be very honest but, I don't know, like when I read Terrible Beauty (and only got Alina's POV) I thought for sure we were getting another Lucas, Peter, Julian, you choose but I felt that author held back just a bit in the next books.
Perhaps because of the direction of the story but idk, I mean, Lucas still and will be my forever favourite because he was wild af, I mean all three were which was a bit let down because I was expecting more of Alexei, but needless to say he was the perfect man for Alina. They soulmates they even share the same birthday I cann000t I love them so much.
Alina is a strong survivor that I have so much respect for, because what she went thru is just wow. I was a bit annoyed with her in Beautiful Chains but in the end, Alina is a very strong heroine and love how she was first to say the I love yous words and was there for Alexei through hard times.
Noooow, Anna Zaires has just teases us with Konstantin's story. He is Alina's oldest brother the one that shares Alina's love with codes, computers, numbers, etc. I can't wait to read his story because him and Arielle (the heroine) interactions were strange, as if she was completely devoted to him or him controlling her? idk, I need more and even Valery was strange in that scene? Please Anna don't let us wait too long for his story and I'm also excited to know if Valery is also getting his book which I think yes? I don't know but I need it too.
So excited for what's to come!!
I can't believe we finally have their conclusion, I've been obsessed with Alina and Alexei since forever, like from Molotov Obsession series, and Terrible Beauty came out in 2023 like omggg they are my people and will always defend Alexei lol.
I don't know if the book's length was short of I just finished quickly like I needed this conclusion asap. And I loved this series so much.
Ngl, I thought the worst was going to happen, I was scared af thinking we might not get a HEA but worries not, Alexei and Alina do get their HEA aww, I need more of them I can't believe their story came to an end.
Alexei, that's my man out there. To be honest, I thought AZ was going to make him more uncontrolled, which he was to be very honest but, I don't know, like when I read Terrible Beauty (and only got Alina's POV) I thought for sure we were getting another Lucas, Peter, Julian, you choose but I felt that author held back just a bit in the next books.
Perhaps because of the direction of the story but idk, I mean, Lucas still and will be my forever favourite because he was wild af, I mean all three were which was a bit let down because I was expecting more of Alexei, but needless to say he was the perfect man for Alina. They soulmates they even share the same birthday I cann000t I love them so much.
Alina is a strong survivor that I have so much respect for, because what she went thru is just wow. I was a bit annoyed with her in Beautiful Chains but in the end, Alina is a very strong heroine and love how she was first to say the I love yous words and was there for Alexei through hard times.
Noooow, Anna Zaires has just teases us with Konstantin's story. He is Alina's oldest brother the one that shares Alina's love with codes, computers, numbers, etc. I can't wait to read his story because him and Arielle (the heroine) interactions were strange, as if she was completely devoted to him or him controlling her? idk, I need more and even Valery was strange in that scene? Please Anna don't let us wait too long for his story and I'm also excited to know if Valery is also getting his book which I think yes? I don't know but I need it too.
So excited for what's to come!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews