Sold to the Cruel Bratva

Billionaire Dons #1

by A.J. Black

My most rebellious way to fight an arranged marriage?
A mile-high fling with an older stranger—
who turned out to be my fiancé, the billionaire Pakhan.

I was the one who invited him in—
into that tiny airplane bathroom,
where my legs wrapped around his solid waist
and I bit back my cries as pleasure consumed me.

I thought it ended when the plane landed.
Until I saw him sitting calmly in my house.
Roman Petrov—the king of the city’s underworld.
My forbidden stranger had become my husband-to-be.

But being his wife means living in a gilded cage,
guarded by the king who mistakes control for protection.
And just when I thought I’d finally broken free,
I fell straight into his enemies’ trap.

Worse yet,
I’m carrying one secret that could destroy us
His baby growing inside me.

Genres: Mafia Romance

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2025

About the author

A.J. Black writes stories for readers who crave dangerous thrills, dark love, and secrets too big to hide.

Her books are filled with fierce, dominant men who will stop at nothing to claim what's theirs—and heroines who fall for them, even when they know it’s dangerous.

Expect mafia bosses, contract marriages, and love that isn’t just about hearts—it’s about power, possession, and burning passion.

In A.J. Black’s world, survival and seduction collide in explosive, fiery moments.

When the dust settles, no one is the same.

Reviews

[JaneH · Rating 2 out of 5]

No real emotion, disjointed, struggled to finish

Sage and Roman…the synopsis of their story grabbed my attention however the reality was poor editing, timelines a bit off and no real emotion. Inner dialogue did indicate feelings might be growing between them..
Arranged marriage, mafia, strong and stubborn female and no true ending, the story just stopped.

[Shelley G · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out strong although title is complete opposite to actual book. Should have been my first clue. From middle to end book is filled with spelling mistakes, details wrong and then u get to the last few chapters and it’s nonsense. Stuff happening medically that is impossible in timeframe, condition way more severe than circumstances would have it then ending is completely cut off and reader is left hanging. Like she just ended the story and chopped off last 1-2 chapters. U get a great lead up to a fantastic ending and then nothing. What a waste of time to read a story which is so disappointing at the end. And I was going to rate it 5 stars until the author completely bombed entire book. Mistakes are bad enough but abrupt endings that don’t finish the plot are infuriating. Unless this author fixes this book and puts a properly fitting title don’t waste your time.

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

[Natalie Dees · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where oh where was the editors head on this one? I actually liked the story for the most part but the errors were mind blowing!

Switching between POV without a reason (going between first person narration to third randomly). Many grammatical/spelling errors throughout. Then at the end I feel like I completely missed how she was injured… I almost went back to see what I missed when she was all of a sudden dying but decided I didn’t care enough to puzzle it through.

Too bad. Oh well. Still entertaining but I won’t be reading more at this point.

[Steph G · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall the story had potential and a good plot line. That said there were spelling and / or editing errors on almost every page - the most frustrating of which would involve switching present / past tense, using "them" and "they" when it should have been "us" and "we", and mistakenly placing a scene in a location other than the one it was described in just paragraphs before. Given that the last chapter ended with a partial tragedy that I felt was left unresolved, I won't be reading the next ones in this series.

[Jacqueline R Setzer]

Errors too distracting to hold interest

I would like to rate this book higher than a 2, but it is impossible due to so many errors because of a lack of editing. I am not exaggerating when I say that EVERY page has glaring sentence errors, from verb tense to spelling to grammar to extra/missing words.
Story errors abound, with contradictions only a few paragraphs apart and easily noticed.

The actual storyline had alot going for it, but I found all of the above issues so distracting that this book was incredibly difficult to read. Would not recommend it.

[L KQ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanting the End

While I loved the premise of this story, the ending is abrupt. It ends on a cliffhanger or a chapter is missing. However, what was there was exciting and kept my interest. The chemistry between the characters was steamy hot which added to the romance part of the storyline. Wish there was an epilogue to wrap it all up.

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

[Christia A. Valentino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inconsistent characters behavior, but. still liked

This book grabbed me from the first chapter. What started with humor and intense attraction lost its way half way through. The many editorial mistakes, misspellings were a real distraction. Roman’s obsession with his wife that led him to loose his work focus was not that believable. And what happened to wife’s snarky and funny character? I finished the book but what the heck was that ending?? Is a follow book forthcoming?

[Betsy Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great storyline!

I really liked this storyline and characters. If I had any complaint, it would be that someone should have proofread this book before it was released. It had multiple misspellings and incorrect sentence structure. I'm kind of a fanatic when I come to these errors as I have to stop and try to figure out what the author actually meant. It stops the flow of the book! Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[bernadine carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

This was a beautiful love story , I love those fiesty women, I just feel like the end should have been the babies born the grandparents reconcile , and Roman being amazed with fatherhood I'm a romantic. AJ Black got me hooked your books is so captivating and the funny best friends really tickles me

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

So disappointed

So disappointed in this book. It started so well, I was really into Roman and the story had such expectations. Then it all went downhill, the grammar was dreadful. I wish these indie authors would find a good editor. I gave up after 66%, I don't usually give up on books, but I couldn't stand it any longer

[Tranese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sold

First book to be read by the author A.J. Black. I really enjoyed this novel. Especially where Roman confronted Sage's parents. I would like more author's to do that in their novels. The chemistry between Sage and Roman was amazing. Even though i feel like the ending was not complete still a good read.

[katiewaitie · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF at 49%

That doesn't mean there was anything wrong with it. I was enjoying it up until then, I kinda just went meh ... I'm over this.

I liked both characters, it was hot enough. The story was good I was just looking for something different.

Gave it 3 stars coz I might give it another go down the track (anything under 3 I know not to read again).

[Emily Jarvis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible Ending

It was a great book, but absolutely horrible ending with a cliffhanger and you can’t even get the extended epilogue. Don’t waste your time reading it. Awful and crappy of the writer to not give an ending to the book.

[Marilyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Roman makes a deal with her parents to marry her and her dads debts will be paid. They marry and fall in love but the Italian mafia and a Irish hacker are after Roman and his businesses. They kidnap his wife so Roman and his men go after them . Great story.I'm

[Bridget shaw · Rating 2 out of 5]

terrible ending, many typos

Story was good. But the typos and grammatical errors were annoying. In order to get the ending or epilogue you have to put in your email to sign up for some newsletter. That’s not what kindle usually allows. Disappointed.

[Dawn Pelikan · Rating 1 out of 5]

One star, leaves you hanging, No ending

great book till the end, which there isn’t one. No HEA, just leaves you hanging and says The end. Won’t read another book by Author, wasted 3 days reading this book.

[Kimberly Porter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed

Good until the ending. I absolutely despise a book that didn't have a ending and just falls off. It is a waste of my time to read. I will not read others in series because of this. And I will avoid reading others from this author.

[Virginia Bloucher White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book. No ending though. Don't it like thst.

I do not like "no ending" reason I don't read some Authors. I love their books, good writing. BUT you have to read 2 or 3 books to get an ending. These books have a habit of just dragging along, nothing really happening.

[Mary Stanford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terrible grammar

I never have left a review on a book before, but this author needs to have someone review her writing material and correct the grammar. The plot is well written; however the ending is very disappointing. I won't spoil it for future readers.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent story...

The story was good in the beginning, the FMC was strong and could hold her own. I felt the story thinned a lot after the middle, but the HEA made the read worth it.
Editors: Was this book even edited? Asking for a friend. Lots of errors throughout.

[Veronica Gaynor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read

I enjoyed this book and how everything turned out, but I will say there was a lot of misspelling in the epilogue. It’s like nobody read it and just typed it up and sent it out but other than that the book was pretty good.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

would have given 5 stars but…

I enjoyed the story, however it abruptly ended, and you had to jump through hoops to try to get the ‘bonus epilogue’. So…4 stars. Just finish the darn book.

[Mylene Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will flying ever be the same. When you give yourself to a stranger be very aware of the consequences.

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

[sheryl blaszczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story. But what the hell happened to the end. Please tell me there is a second book

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful story. Great characters and storyline.



I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary Ellen Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sold to the Cruel Bratva

This was confusing at times. I was also left with no ending. I know they loved each other. I know there are twins in their future.

[Sydney McCrady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast read, decent plot..

Wish there was a bit more depth to the story line but decent read for a finish in one sitting type of read.

[Claudia Espinoza · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst ending ever

Lots of grammatical errors. Hard to follow along. The ending is the worst ever!! Really disappointed. No epilogue no nothing.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read

Love the book it’s just some about the men in these books that just makes me wanna find on and never let go 🫣🫣🫣🤭🤭🥰

[A.B. Shepherd]

DNF: 23%

The author keeps going from first person POV to third person POV and back again - often in the same paragraph. It's driving me nuts.