El secreto navideño de la Bratva (Los votos navideños de la Bratva)

by Ava Gray, A Diaz (Translator)

Una noche.
Un error.
Me acosté con el hombre equivocado.

Maxim Krasnov — El príncipe de la Bratva.
Cruel. Tatuado. Letal.

Me tomó en el baño de una discoteca.
Ahora lo he visto ejecutar a un hombre.

Debería haberme matado.
En su lugar… me reclamó.
Me puso un anillo a la fuerza.
Me marcó como su esposa.

Su padre me quiere muerta.
La Bratva no deja testigos.

Pero Maxim no sigue las reglas.
Él las rompe.
Me rompe a mí.

Lo que él no sabe—
es que ya llevo dentro su secreto.
Un embarazo nacido del pecado y la nieve.

Y esta Navidad,
cuando la sangre manche la nieve de Nueva York,
¿protegerá a su heredero…
o ejecutará a su madre?

Nota de la Un romance mafioso navideño escandalosamente ardiente con diferencia de edad donde el peligro, el deseo y un embarazo prohibido colisionan bajo el brillo de las luces de invierno. Sin cliffhanger. Final feliz garantizado.

Genres: Christmas, Holiday, Dark Romance

388 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2025

Reviews

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Explosive, emotional, and completely addictive! Ava Gray delivers another heart-stopping Bratva romance filled with tension, danger, heat, and a surprisingly tender core. Hollie and Maxim grabbed me from the first page and refused to let go. Their story is the perfect blend of dark and romantic—exactly what I want in a mafia holiday romance.

Maxim is the kind of anti-hero you read mafia books for—ruthless to his enemies, fiercely protective of the woman he claims, and utterly obsessed in the best way. Hollie is strong, smart, and refuses to be a victim, and watching her go toe-to-toe with a Bratva prince was perfection. Their chemistry? Off-the-charts.

This book has everything I love:
🔥 Dangerous men with hearts only for one woman
❤️ Claimed-against-all-odds romance
💍 Forced marriage + fated vibes
✨ Christmas atmosphere with a dark twist
👶 Surprise baby with REAL emotions behind it
🔫 High stakes, betrayal, action, family, loyalty

I couldn’t get enough of the tension, the twists, or the moments where Maxim puts the entire world on fire to protect Hollie. The ending was satisfying, thrilling, and left me grinning. Ava Gray proves once again she’s the queen of mafia holiday romances.

If you love Bratva, forced proximity, surprise pregnancy, and powerful anti-heroes, this is a must-read.

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

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bratva's Christmas Bump is book one in the Bratva Christmas Vows Series. A scandalously steamy age-gap Christmas mafia romance where danger, desire, and a forbidden baby bump collide under the glitter of winter lights. No Cliffhanger. HEA Guaranteed! A beautiful crafted story with complex individuals and a twisty and fascinating storyline that grabs the reader attention from the start and keeps you hooked and on the edge of your seat until the end. A fast paced, thrilling, dark, and twisted story. An unputdownable and absorbing read. This is Maxim and Hollie story which is told from a dual point of view. Captivating. Sinful. Dirty. Dangerous. Hang on to your seat and brace yourself for this mind-blowing rollercoaster ride filled with high-octane adventures, non-stop twists and turns, panty-melting passion, bloodshed, mystery, and suspense.
A contemporary romance, touch-her-and-die romance, romantic suspense story, holiday romance, Christmas crime thriller story, aged gap trope story, taboo romance, off-limits romance, romance, forced proximity story, dark mafia romance, billionaire romance, alpha male romance, he-falls-first romance, protective alpha hero romance, morally-grey antihero romance, forced marriage romance, secret baby romance, with steam, tension, deep secrets, survival, consensual intense rough sex, dirty talking, revelations, power and control, drama, lies, murder, dominance, submission, danger, violence, violence, rivalry, revenge, angst, anger, love and so much more.
Maxim Krasnov is Bratva prince and heir to the throne of the Krasnov Bratva. He's a tall, tatted, blue-eyed, gorgeous, lethal, and ruthless Bratva boss. One night at Club Leviathan, Maxim meets the beautiful songtress Hollie Wolfe and it was lust-at-first-sight and he knew that he had to have her. They didn't exchanged names or numbers. They just had a mind-numbing passion-filled night together in the club's restroom and the encounter the two went their separate ways thinking that they would never see each other again. Fast forward, two months later she finds out that her little encounter and night of ecstasy as left lasting consequences in the form of a baby when she saw the two little pink lines. Hollie tried to locating her lover to inform him that he was going to be a dad but could not find him.
One day she had car troubles on her way to her parents. She saw a pizzeria and went inside hoping that she could get some help with her car. But what she walked in on would irrevocably changed her life ever. She learned that day that the father of her child was actually in the mafia. What she witnessed was her one night stand executing a man. The bratva doesn't believe in learning any witnesses and Maxim was suppose to kill her, instead he kidnapped her which angered his dad because he wanted her dead. He claimed her as his forcing a ring on her finger marking her as his wife to keep her safe and protect her from his dad's wrath or from someone else finishing the job. Thank God Maxim doesn't follow rules, he breaks them. He breaks her. And what he doesn't know is that she's already carrying a big secret. A baby bump born from their night of sin, pleasure and snow.
Hollie is not used to this type of relationship and fears for her because of what she had witnessed. But the more time that they spend together she come to reconcile with a different side of him, from the cold-blooded murderer she saw in the pizzeria. Things heat up for Maxim and Hollie when he never follow through with order from his pakhan by eliminating Hollie. And is dad still wants her dead regardless of her being his son's wife plus Krasnov enemies is lurking
with kidnapping, captivity, torture, resilience, survival, retaliation, blood and gore darkness, madness, love and more.

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

[Sonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

mafia Christmas bump fun 🥰

Hallie Wolfe (25) is a yung violinist trying to live out her dream job as a musician by playing various gigs around New York City… her job is very demanding, especially around the holidays because of this, she is running late to meet up with her parents for for Thanksgiving dinner at her family home her CAR breaks down 😭…. As she contemplating on what to do, she runs into the MAXIM the man that she meet 2️⃣ months earlier, which she had amazing wild and passionate connection with 🤭 she then decides to follow him and his friends into the Restaurant to ask for help to get back on the road, but as she tried to announce herself to MAXIM the man that she can’t keep out of her mind she witnesses a ☠️ which by the way he commits… HER WORLD gets turned upside down in matters of minutes by MAXIM 😱 1️⃣ minute she is a 🆓 woman and the next minute she has been kidnapped and being forced to MARRY Maxim… the question is will she survive MAXIM? Will she find out the truth on why he ☠️ that man? And most importantly will she tell him that she caring his baby and that she loves him? 🥰

Maxim Krasnov (36) is the son of the Pakhan of New York City… as the son of the Pakhan he now’s the RULES and TRADITIONS of the mafia life… You marry with in the mafia families and You don’t leave any WITNESSES! But when a young woman that MAXIM remembers from 2️⃣ months ago which he had amazing wild and passionate connection with enters a restaurant and WITNESSE him ☠️ a man… MAXIM has NO choice to turn her WORLD upside down by kidnapping her force her to MARRY him 🤭 the question is will he tell her why he ☠️ ed that man? Will Maxim be able to keep her safe? Will he ever omit to her that he really loves her even though she is the daughter of an ex police officer ? 🥰

The Bratva’s Christmas Bump is book 📕 2️⃣ in the Bratva Christmas Vows series and it will take you on light MAFIA Christmas romance with definitely GOLDEN RETRIEVER / cinnamon roll vibes from MAXIM… the 🌶️ lvl for me is 2/5 because of the vanillaIsh spicy and graphic content…. It’s actually 2 1/2 ⭐️ read because i wonted an epilogue for Hallie & Maxim life after the baby was born to see if both families got along with each other BUT I still gave this book three stars because of the Christmas vibes 🥰

Book 📕 = ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spicy 🌶️ lvl = 🌶️🌶️

😘

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simply wonder read, I guarantee that readers will love Maxim and Hollie the two main characters
Max had been carrying out an eradication of a man that had previously taken three of the girls from his club as captives, they had held them and attacked them over and over again over a three-week period. The atrocities they had inflicted had left two dead and the third close to death with horrific injuries that even with the best medical care would leave constant reminders via horrific scars.
Hollie had been searching for Maxim for several months since they had met and a club she been visiting, since then she had discovered that she was now pregnant with his baby and had been trying to find him but he had seemed elusive until the night she broke down.
Since Hollie had seen Maxim killing one of the men they had been searching for since the incident with his girls from the club he had known that the only way they could keep her safe was to actually marry her, this would hopefully ensure that she was safe from his father who had already arranged a wedding with another bratva family.
Susan and Donald are Hollie’s parents and they are as close as possible even though she is very busy during the holidays playing either her violin or piano for guests that are attending the various parties and functions she plays at especially during the holiday period.
I guarantee that as the man that has been attacking the women from Maxims club and also it seems that he has also become as totally fixated by Hollie and wants to harm her so that he can in fact harm Maxim, this is a highly charged chapter in the book and I guarantee that readers will be as captivated as I have been.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the wonderful writing.

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

[Shelley G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Hollie and maxim hook up one night in a hotel. 2 months later she’s pregnant can’t find him and breaks down on her way to her parents with a dead phone. Looking around she sees maxim entering a pizzeria so follows him to get help and tell him she’s pregnant but upon walking in sees maxim murder a man. She screams and runs but is caught and knocked out. Furious she’s fights upon waking as she’s forced to go with him. Maxim has to either kill her or marry her to keep her safe so forces her into a wedding then locks her in his penthouse where his father attacks her. He’s furious they are married, she fights and gets away later found by maxim and again forced back to penthouse. He’s furious then threatens her family and chaos reigns. Soon she learns maxim isn’t what she thought and maxim decides to trust her and life resumes somewhat but her parents are furious at the marriage and hollie must navigate threats her feelings hiding her pregnancy confusion and new info. Also a threat looms and Hollie is repeatedly put at risk. Maxim must save her once and for all, both of them fall for each other, navigate his fathers continued desire to get rid of her, her law enforcement father while he’s mafia and protecting others in his care. Frankly it’s a mess. There are plot twists, excitement, spice, forgiveness, reconciliation and more. Will keep u thrilled to the end.

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

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bratva’s Christmas Bump for MFC Hollie is a statement for, what are the odds? Hollie is late for Thanksgiving dinner at her mother’s after working an extra gig for a large payout, and of course her car breaks down when finally on the way.
Managing to call for help her phone battery dies before she can speak her plight.
THEN she recognizes the dude in a car that pulls up across the street as the man she had a brief encounter with months before, and has been trying to find without success.
Following him and his companions into a closed pizzeria she is just in time to witness an execution!
Maxim Krasnov decides to keep the girl he vaguely remembers in his penthouse until finding out why she was where she was to witness what she did because the Bratva doesn’t leave witnesses.
Whoosh!!! Lots going on here and watching it play out was interesting to say the least.
Wait till he finds out why she was looking for him… Ha Ha!
There were moments of levity and I did enjoy this nicely written Bratva romance with it’s
Interesting characters, surprises, passion, family dynamics, danger, action, and intrigue in a story that was an entertaining read.

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

[Catherine Budd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollie witnesses Maxim execute a man when she goes for help with her car. She recognizes Maxim after she had an intimate encounter with him two months earlier. She has been searching for him after finding out she is pregnant.
Maxim kidnaps her and secures her in his penthouse. He recognizes her but is suspicious of her intentions. In order to protect her he forces her to marry him. She wants to expose his crimes but no one in his world will listen to her claims. He threatens her family to gain her salience.
As time passes, she sees a different side to him. They start to develop a relationship which is also threatened by his father and an unknown assailant.
The story is quite complex with hidden agendas and twists. The ending is quite spectacular.
The main characters had instant attraction which grows with their interactions.
I binge read this story; it is a worthwhile read.

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

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 1st story in the Bratva Christmas Vows Series where Hollie and Maxim meet in a club, have an intimate moment and months later Hollie finds herself stranded on a dark road on Thanksgiving night late for dinner. Seeing a pizza store lights on she ventures in only to find Maxim killing a man. Hollie was in the wrong place and now is forced to marry Maxim to survive his dangerous Mafia life. Hollie is threatened multiple times and Maxim is there with vengeance against those out to cause her harm. The transformation of Maxim when asked to help with Christmas decorations at her parent’s home is priceless and builds confidence in their relationship finding more than a necessary marriage and putting their hearts on the line with hidden secrets be revealed. The passion, danger and intrigue takes us on a wild ride into Maxim’s World! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brooke Torrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava Gray has done it again with her dark Bratva romance series. This book is filled with drama, suspense, action, angst and spice. I love this genre and the tropes in this book were among my favorite. I love a ONS with a surprise, a MMC that is dark and broody with a little golden retriever mixed in.Maxim was intense and determined. I loved his possessiveness and obsession with Hollie. Hollie is independent, has a smart mouth and witty. I loved her devotion to making everyone happy. Their chemistry was undeniable and instant. I laughed, got a little teary eyed and was on the edge of my seat writhing for what would happen next. Am amazing book by an amazing author!!! I can’t wait to see what comes next from her!!.

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

[Reading is escaping reality · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story begins with one intense night that puts Hollie in the wrong place at the wrong time, and the aftermath forces her into a marriage meant to protect her, even from Maxim’s own father. The reveal of what his father did to her is shocking and adds real weight to the danger surrounding them. Both Hollie and Maxim are hiding secrets, and the slow unraveling of those truths keeps the tension high throughout the book. What surprised me most was how naturally the plot shifts when this hardened mafia boss finds himself pulled into Christmas traditions. Watching Maxim soften through simple holiday moments was unexpectedly heartwarming. This book blends danger, emotional depth, and charm in a way that makes it hard to put down.

[Patricia Ausmus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollie is a musician who met and had an intense time with an extremely handsome man in the bathroom of the bar where they met. When she discovers she's pregnant she tries to find him but she doesn't even know his last name.
But when her car breaks down on the way to her parents house for Thanksgiving she sees him go in to a pizza parlor.
But when she walks in she doesn't find him eating pizza but instead he is shooting a man. In his world witnesses get silenced but Maxim recognizes her and decides to save her by forcing her to marry him.
But between his father trying to stop it, her dad being a retired cop and a guy out to get Maxim anyway he can things are very crazy and dangerous.

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

[Meme · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a story full of surprises. Some "surprises" I could guess were coming, but others had me thinking ohhh dannng. This story had good action and violence and plenty of drama and humor. The story is about Hollie and Maxim and their relationship, but there's so much more going on that I had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen. The author did such a good job drawing me in that I felt like I was attached to most of the characters. I knew the story would have a HEA but how they got there, man that was a ride. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollie finds herself in the wrong place but could be the right time. Having meet before Maxim and Hollie left a permanent reminder of that night, looking for Maxim, Hollie sees Maxim dish out justice to three men who had hurt is female workers. Now the only way Maxim can protect her from his own family is too marry her marry her. These two have secrets and we slowly learn them. The suspense and tension is high.
Christmas is part of this story and we see how a hardened Mafia Boss shows a soft side
This book has twists, drama, chemistry and oh yes steam.
A great read.

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

[Linda Fairburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Ava Gray has done it again with this story with Hollie and Maxim, there one night stand resulted in a baby and she wants to find him.
Finding him killing another man is not exactly what she expected but from then in her life will never be her own anymore.
What a relationship these two are going to have, forced marriage is only the start of thus story and one that will capture your attention from the beginning.
I couldn't wait to find out what happens next that else nothing mattered but to read on.

[Didi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was instantly drawn in and held hostage by the complicated love journey of Maxim and Hollie. Finding herself stranded, Hollie seeks help at a pizzeria witnessing something she shouldn’t. Maxim takes the somewhat familiar young woman and forces a marriage to protect her. Hollie holds a secret that changes Maxim’s world. Full of intense fast paced action, family dynamics, slowburn to sizzle, sweetness, THYD vibes and so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed this and look forward to more.

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

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way Ava has written this mafia romance book delivers great depth, suspense and Hollie and Maxim are going to add some heat to your reading experience. I literally couldn't get enough of this book by Ava, and in fact it was the perfect weekend read while the weather was on the colder side. Nothing is better than staying in comfy clothes with my kindle in my hands, a cup of hot tea and reading the perfect 10-star romance story. Thank you, Ava, for making my weekend AWESOME with this book.

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bratva’s Christmas Bump is Maxim and Hollie's story and what a ride it is. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time puts Hollie in a world of danger. Max's only recourse in protecting her is to marry her. Their journey is anything but simple. Their journey is intense, dramatic, intriguing and consuming. Max's father leaves a lot to be desired and as truths begin to unravel it's even more consuming. I completely enjoyed their story!

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story. There is never a dull moment and there is constant suspense about happens next. The two main characters, Hollie and Maxim reconnect under the most undesirable circumstances but everything eventually works out. The story is fast paced and kept my attention because I was excited to read what was coming. It’s a great story and one that is definitely worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and are voluntarily leaving a review.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Bratva Christmas Vows.

The plot was filled with intrigue, danger, suspense and steamy goodness. World building was well developed and impressive. The characters were so very well matched and totally perfect for each other. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charged with Tension

Highly charged with sexual tension as well as danger, this story was intense and entertaining. Hollie and Maxim's night together was passionate and fruitful, but circumstances cause them to marry. It was well written with complex characters that complimented the plot. I could not put it down.

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

[Charlene Gaskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book because it was not only a story that includes an oops baby, but a story of two people from very different worlds colliding. Maxim and Hollie's story kept me interested and captivated throughout the entire book. No skimming or skipping chapters. It was well written with two opposing personalities that somehow find common ground when their worlds become an out of control train heading for the station.

Hollie was a strong female character that at times did some stupid things, but who went through several traumatic events where she not only grows as a woman, but as a main character. Maxim's world is turned upside down when Hollie sees him kill someone. As it turns out, the killing was an act of revenge on what this man did to three of his female club workers.

The author did a great job of pacing this book as well as giving the characters ample space to grow as the story progressed. A unique storyline with several twists and good characters both main and secondary.

This is one of the better Christmas/crime family stories this season.

[Thea Kubicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bratva's Xmas Bump

Maxim and Hollie

The MCs are such a good matchup and although they start off rocky, it doesn't take long for the heat to begin. Twists and turns throughout, this is a different Mafia holiday story with all the feels.

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

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollie finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time when she witnesses an execution. To protect her Max marries Hollie and their journey begins and what a ride it is. This action-packed story has thrilling twists and turns that had me all caught up in Max and Hollie from start to finish.

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

[Donna Nalbandian Woerner Homschek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava Gray never disappoints, always guaranteed a fantastic read. Surprises come one after another for Maxim and Hollie. Interesting, intriguing, with a rollercoaster thrown in, all with an HEA. Definite must read.

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

[RollTide.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the way this writer weaved this story. I found it hard to put down! The FMC and MMC were multilayered and the plot was very compelling.

This got me hooked on Ava’s writing and on mafia romances. I fear I am a fan of the tropes in this book!.

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

[Amy Hutchins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maxim and Hollie's story kept me on my toes. I couldn't put it down. Hollie ends up being in the wrong place at the wrong time in luck. Max's can only protect her by marriage. Their story is a wild and all consuming ride, with their chemistry being off the charts. I highly recommend.

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

[Hope Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falling out of love is easy, setting aside your pride to fix the future is not. She has run after fearing the worse, his pride won't let him ask why and bring them back together. Her pride a year later won't let her see reason. Will this pair - find love again or destroy both their families?

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

[Valettagirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Standalone read if required but connecting to other characters in the series if you’ve read those add to the enjoyment of this interesting Bratva romance. Of course it has its moments where indecision and duty impact the course of true love and high octane thrills but this is a great story and romance.

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

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic story! What began as witnessing a murder in the wrong place and at the wrong time sets the stage for the journey Max and Hollie embark on together after she witnesses the execution. There's suspense, action, danger, violence, and plenty of steamy, heated moments.



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

[Narelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maxim and Hollie sizzle on the pages in this fab read from Ava. A mafia/bratva prince, a baby and an arranged marriage is where she finds herself early on, with plenty more time left for more drama to follow. Loved it.

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