Jace

Belles & Bratva Beasts #5

by Kelly Finley

His brothers assume Jace is the sweetest of them all.
Until he can't have the woman he loves.
He's watched every king claim his queen, and now he will kill for his.
He wants Vivian for all the right reasons.
Love. Friendship. Protection. A baby, they may not be his.
A future they may not have.
If Jace doesn't end the reign of terror from their Bratva father,
once and for all.

The fifth book about a secret society of escaped Bratva princes is coming. Official cover and blurb to be revealed.

Author’s JACE is the final in a series of dark, not-mafia-mafia romances set in a world of taboo traditions, biting banter, morally grey heroes in a band of brothers with some heavy themes, and very explicit scenes. This is an 18+, interconnected romance with a guaranteed HEA.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Secret Society, Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Found Family, Spicy, He Falls First

431 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2026

About the author

Kelly Finley is an author of contemporary romances featuring bada** women and grown-a** men.

She lives in the Carolinas with her husband and family. A rebel with many causes, she fancies black leather, dirty jokes, and smart mouths.

Thrilled by a flipped script, she gives us steamy, sexy heroines who are often missing, particularly from suspense and military romance. Her books feature heat we almost can't handle & shameless characters we champion and love.

She's most likely at her keyboard right now, putting the next heroine on the page.

Reviews

[Britt; footnotes+whimsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALPHA/ARC REVIEW: ♾️⭐️ Y’all Kelly saved the best for last. I was so emotional during the last 20% of this book. She should teach a course on how to wrap up a series while not losing focus on the couple’s story going on simultaneously. My BBs release on 6.1.2026.

Tropes:
Best friends to lovers
Mafia king × girl next door
Adult store coworkers
Yearning soulmates
Touch her & be tortured
Surprise baby
HEA for all

[Hayley Peckham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crying, screaming, throwing myself dramatically across the room… because HOW is this the final review for such a god tier series?! 😭 And Jace? Oh, I knew from the start this man was about to emotionally destroy me in the best way possible. Sweet, patient, attentive, protective…basically every green flag wrapped up in obsession, restraint, and devastating devotion. Over a YEAR of respecting Vivian’s boundaries, playing the supportive best friend, while secretly aching for her? The tension between these two was so thick it practically bled off the pages.

But the second he realized she was finally his for the taking? Ohhh, that pent up hunger snapped clean in half. No restraint. Just raw, filthy desperation and craving pouring out everywhere. And somehow this filthy man manages to still be thoughtful and attentive and patient 🥹 and Jace doesn’t just talk a BIG game, he delivers. Every promise, every dirty thought, every sinful little temptation? Fully backed up. Let’s just say with him, absolutely NOTHING is off limits. 😮‍💨

And the ex storyline?? The STRESS. I was holding my breath waiting for everything to implode at the end. It was the perfect ending to a perfectly sexy and addictive series. Now excuse me while I impatiently wait to see what Kelly destroys me with next.

Thank you Kelly for the advanced copy to read. I’m forever grateful for being on your team 🫶

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Chelsea Mansell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jace by Kelly Finley eARC Review 🖤

I have been absolutely feral for Jace’s book and my god, it was everything I could have hoped for and more.

Kelly brought the heat with this one and it was an incredible way to wrap up the series.

Jace and Vivian are truly soulmates. Best friends who are unable to be together but when the opportunity finally presents itself, man they are FIRE. He is truly a teddy bear that is so damn sweet but he can be ruthless and savage in order to protect those he loves. Vivian is such a badass. She is so brave and beautiful. Their love story truly had me feeling all the emotions and their chemistry was off the freaking charts.

I love how there is a happy ending for all the kings and I cannot wait for the next series after all the breadcrumbs throughout this book, like CANNOT WAIT!

Another absolute banger by Kelly. She is a new to me author as of this year and I’m so happy I found her and her books.

What to expect:
Best Friends to Lovers
Mafia King x Girl Next Door
Yearning Soulmates
Dark Secrets & Society
Touch Her and be Tortured
Surprise Baby

Thank you so much Kelly for the arc!

[Thorunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok gather up the tissues everyone, get ready to ugly cry because... *gasp*hiccup*snot-cry*... this is the finale of the Belles & Bratva Beasts series. Oh hum. It's so beyond sad, I know. HOWEVERRRRR, Kelly! My giiiiiiirl. Jace is yuuuuu-myyyyyyy. Somehow I just didn't expect all of that from him - I mean, I thought I knew what to expect but here you go - just blowing my socks (and undies) right off. Because... dang. Pardon me while I take a minute to collect myself.

So this whole series has just been a rollercoaster of epic proportions. I never truly knew what to expect - not with the overarching story taking place throughout the series, nor the story of each of the characters and their respective books. I have to give mad props to Kelly because she has managed to make every single story so unique... like, literally - she's blown my mind with her genius of how she's made each one so unique and special in its own way. All the while she's been threading the needle of the bigger story. And here with "Jace" all of the pieces come together.

If you haven't read the prior books, I mean... what's wrong with you? You're not living life to the fullest IMHO. You should definitely get on that. But if you just want to read this book, you will definitely enjoy the heck out of it. But for the full effect, the full surround sound of emotions and thriller, start at the beginning. You won't be sorry.

The end of a series is always so satisfying in that you get to see everyone's HEA, but at the same time it's bitter sweet because now these "people" are out of your life and you're out of their world. I may or may not have dreaded the last couple of chapters, because I didn't want it to end. But can I just say, how Kelly ended it just felt so right. .... I'm not crying, you're crying.

Ugh. This journey Kelly's taken me on has been so much. I've really - truly - enjoyed this series and all of its intricacies. But I will make a confession... Loch was my favorite book in the entire series, followed by this one: Jace. And having these two end the series was just beyond perfection. .... Oh hum. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to slide into Kelly's DM's and pester her about how she's coming along with the next series because... we don't want to live in a world that doesn't have more Kelly Finley stories.

[Michellelovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this series so much. I recommend reading all of the books.

Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️

[ashlee ❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jace + Vivian

-dark mafia vibes
-not so secret society
-friends to lovers
-adult store coworkers
-yearning soulmates
-surprise baby

this was an explosion of epic proportions from all the built up yearning from these two!! & then when we finally get pieces it was still SOOOOO HOTTT like i didnt even care if they finally 💥 all the way 😂😂 this one was full of just so much spicy kink i don’t even really know where to start!! viv got soooo much loving from her kings & we had pegging?!?! like yassss queeennn(literally) get it!!

[Rachel Guzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every. Single. Time. Idk how she does it but she continues to RUIN me each book & fall in love harder for a new mmc. This is the best mafia-not mafia series & I'II d!e on that hill. She is a spice QUEEN & you will not be disappointed with this one. You will kick your feet & blush the entire time.
This man is FILTHY & DOWN BADDDDD. My fave combo 🤭

[Siempre_sera2.0 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating:✨✨✨✨✨
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Just know I’m crying because the series is officially over and excited for the new series to come. Kelly Finley is such an amazing writer I’m so glad I was able to find you and your work starting with Nash.

I’ve loved Jace since the beginning, the sweetest giant, the security at delta, the man who fell in love with the one woman he couldn’t have. The trauma this one went through at the hands of his “father” the Pakhan. He’s a protector, and will do anything to save the woman he loves. Even if that means offering to k!ll that bastard who has her trapped.

Vivian is the daughter of prominent artist, she’s married to someone who doesn’t appreciate her, a man child. He blackmails her and keeps her trapped. She finds peace in her coworker, her best friend Jace. She confides in him not in hopes of him being able to do something but because she trust him. They have both secretly loved each other for a year between the stolen glances, this small smiles, when the opportunity finally arises there’s no holding back.

“I’m yours, Jace Ryan, forever. So always f*ck me until we can’t breathe.”

These Bratva Beast and their Queens have taken up space in my heart and my shelf thank you for such an incredible series, I can’t wait to read what’s next.

[Chasity Trimble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this is the fifth book in the Belles & Bratva Beasts series, it’s actually my first book by Kelly Finley and I had no trouble jumping right in. I never felt lost and now I’m definitely curious to go back and read the earlier books.

I always enjoy a good best friends-to-lovers romance and Jace and Vivian’s story delivered plenty of chemistry, emotion and that protective energy I love in a romance. Jace may come across as the sweet one, but when it comes to Vivian, his ruthless side definitely shines through. I loved seeing Vivian finally have someone firmly in her corner after everything she’d been through.

Kelly Finley’s writing kept me invested from beginning to end. She balanced the emotional moments, steam and suspense well and I found it easy to connect with these characters and what they were experiencing.

If you enjoy mafia romance, morally gray heroes, best friends to lovers, surprise pregnancy and protective MMCs, I think you’ll enjoy this one.

This may have been my first book by this author, I have a feeling it won’t be my last.

[Bookhookedmum📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Spoiler Free Review✨
I felt like this book was going to be big and I was right. It was the perfect last book for the Kings And Queens. Jace and Viv were perfect. So many swoony and angst filled moments. I am a huge fan of the best friend to lovers trope so this was right up my alley. Not going to lie, I teared up quite a lot in this one. Viv’s struggles were very easy to relate to and the way Kelly writes her characters it’s all too easy to feel what they feel and the subject matter was pretty heavy but it was written with care and of course there were plenty of soothing scenes to make up for it. I am pretty confident that if you’re going to read Jace then you are well aware of how top freaking tier Kelly’s spice is. It was absolutely phenomenal. I love how all partners involved go above and beyond to check in with each other. It’s so spicy and beautiful at the same time and I think that is one of the things that sets these books apart. I am giving this book Five Huge Stars and Five HUGE Chilis.

[HeyGirl_Whatcha_Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much Kelly Finley for the Advanced Reader Copy of Jace, the final book in your Belles and Bratva series.

If I could give this 6 stars I would.

“I wake every day to the promise and pain of secretly loving this woman.”

This was my MOST anticipated book of the year and it DELIVERED!!!!! Jace has been in love with Vivian and watching all his brothers find their queens while also having to watch Vivian in a loveless marriage and being unable to claim her as his own.
This is a best friends to lovers with the most beautiful love story of empowerment and trust. These kings don’t just take care of their women, they empower them and worship them. The boudoir shoots (yes plural!) with dangerous men in their Calvin’s 🥵 the planning, love, attention, the spiiice, the revenge, the closure… chef’s kisssssss.

“Is that what you want, Vivian? Dangerous men in their Calvins?”

This was the big finale to the series and it was everything. It paid attention to all the kings and queens while celebrating and welcoming Vivian into the fold. I really hope Kelly does a spin off or another series that includes Sasha so we can check in with our favorite vigilante bratva kings down the line.

“Oh, Jace.” Flinging her arms around my neck, she squeezes tightly. “You finally get the love of your life too. We’ve been waiting so long.”

[Buffy・❥・ · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I read the 4th book in this series awhile back and liked that enough.. I lowkey forgot about the secret society/royalty aspect of this storyline until I started reading this book and very quickly remembered why I wasn’t a fan. There was just too many aspects of this book that I wasn’t vibing with, specifically around the spicy scenes but to each their own— this just wasn’t for me 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Sooz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see why some people would love this book, but it was not for me. I love mafia romance but I don’t think I’m a rom com mafia kinda girly. I found the lines to be cheesy. It was very spicy and while I didn’t love this book I kept reading it 😂. So I suppose that says I still had fun.

[Christie Hardin · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 plus stars
Spice: 4/5

Jace and Vivian were everything and more. I’ve been jonesing for Jace’s story since reading book one in the series (Nash) and it did not disappoint. Highly recommend.

I’m so saddened for this series to end. However, fingers crossed that we get to revisit this crew with Sasha and Remi’s story. Excited for the next, new series to debut.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this without reading the rest of the series, because apparently I enjoy entering fictional criminal empires with no map, no context, and the survival instincts of a side character.

And I found it fascinating.

✔️ mafia romance
✔️ morally grey men behaving badly
✔️ dark themes
✔️ rom-com moments
✔️ hot banter
✔️ taboo traditions

This was dark, messy, intense, and wildly eye-opening. There were moments where I was intrigued, moments where I was concerned, and several moments where I had to casually look around to make sure nobody was reading my kindle over my shoulder.

Did I read the others first? No.
Should I have? Probably.
Did that stop me from being completely fascinated by the chaos? Absolutely not.

Thank you to Kelly Finley & Luna Literarly for the ARC.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Jace! This man has my whole heart. He is a big teddy bear-but don't mistake his sweetness - he is a ruthless mafia beast and he will do anything to protect those he loves. I love the whole concept of this series. Secret underground Russian mafia family where all the men treat their women like queens.

I am a sucker for friends to lovers trope and this one was just so sweet. The yearning, and the banter in this book was just perfection. I love Vivian and Jace together. Their chemistry was off the charts and their devotion to each other was just swoony and steamy. Prepare to clean up the puddle off the floor when you're done.

This was my first book by this author and I can't wait to go back and start this series from the beginning!

Thank you to Kelly Finley and Hambright PR for gifting me with this ARC.

[Trinket Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
I absolutely devoured Jace, and what a bittersweet goodbye to the Belles and Bratva series it was. This final instalment delivered everything I hoped for: incredibly sexy, spicy moments balanced perfectly with tenderness, devotion, action, and drama as Jace, his family, and Vivian navigate everything thrown their way.
Jace was so hopelessly gone for Vivian, and the best part was that the feeling was completely mutual. Together, they were sweetness and fire, bringing each other fully to life in a way that felt emotional, intimate, and deeply romantic. Their connection felt genuine even amid all the chaos surrounding them.
One of my favourite parts was how Jace empowered Vivian to embrace what she loved without shame, whatever kink, fantasy, or desire it might be, he met her with acceptance, enthusiasm, and unwavering support. After everything that made her feel judged or ashamed, seeing her loved, encouraged, and celebrated by him was honestly everything. Equally, Vivian gave Jace strength in some of his toughest moments and it was so tender and lovely, their connection meant she knew exactly what he needed to bring him out of his dark spaces.
Add in the taboo rituals, the close relationships..., the family intensity, and all the signature sultry tension, and Kelly truly delivers another addictive read that is as full of heart as it is heat. It was bittersweet saying goodbye to this world, but those little treats sprinkled throughout Jace have me absolutely begging for more and so excited to see what’s next.

[Kelsey Camp · Rating 4 out of 5]

honestly, LOVED how sweet Jace and Vivian were together throughout the entire book and how they did not judge eachother at all. I have read all the other books and it was bittersweet to see Jace finally get the girl

[Jayme Muraco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 5, and the last book in the Belles & Bratva Beasts series. What a great way to end this addicting and hot masterpiece. The characters are all amazing, this friends to lovers storyline is so heartwarming and exciting, and the spiceeeee is PHENOMENAL. Kelly is for sure a top tier spice Queen.

Jace has sat back and watched all of his brothers claim their Queens over the years, while the one girl he pines for, is already spoken for. Or is she really though?!

Vivian has a complicated relationship with her EX-husband, who is actually blackmailing her! All she wants is her freedom back and to be with the one guy she feels she’s never going to be able to escape to.

This book was EVERYTHING! The amount of patience, strength, love, and commitment that Jace has towards Vivian is so swoon worthy. He would do anything for her and won’t stop until he gets to call her “mine.”

[Paige (wingsandsmut) · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something so sweet and perfect about Jace & Vivian’s story! This man has been pining for so long and I love seeing how their friendship started and created a strong base for their relationship later on. He will quite literally burn the world to keep her safe, but Vivian is pretty dang fierce as well. I love that she never once had any hesitation as she learned more about Jace and his family. They truly are soulmates and I love them.

What to expect:
🖤best friends to lovers
🖤mafia
🖤secret society
🖤yearning
🖤surprise pregnancy
🖤HEA for all

Thank you to Kelly Finley & Hambright for letting me read an early copy. All opinions are my own!

[Britney Chavez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The storyline was great and the writing was good but something just didn’t click for me. That is just my reading style and nothing against the author or others who liked the book!
This was also the first book I have read by this author and I didn’t know going in that it was book 5 in the series, so maybe I should have started from 1 lol.

Thank you to Hambright and the author for the chance to arc read this book.

I am giving this a 3.75 star.

[Booze Boobs Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story to end this series on! I have loved Jace for this entire series and am so happy we finally get his story. He and Viv are truly the best and their sweet friendship turned love is what dreams are made of. A giant sweet sensitive but brutal man who will go to the ends of the earth, hell and back, for the woman he loves. I completely devoured this story and can’t stop thinking about it even now. Super spicy as always but heartbreaking and beautiful and just so captivating. 5 stars and so much more! ✨

[Jens_Book_Cubby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jace is the fifth and final book in the Belles and Bratva Beasts Series. It is a spicy, mafia-not-mafia, contemporary, workplace, best friends to lovers, surprise pregnancy romance. The story is told in first person, dual pov.

Kelly Finley has done it again, and boy did she save the best for last. To think that this book almost didn't happen is mind blowing. Jace and Vivian were absolute perfection.

Jace is the bodyguard at Delta's, the s@x shop where Vivian works as a boudoir photographer. Jace has such a huge heart, immense patience, and the willingness to wait as long as it takes to make Vivian his. Vivian is a sweet, yet strong woman from a prominent family and is being blackmailed by her cheating ex.

I could not have loved Jace and Vivian more. Their friendship was endearing and their transition to lovers was sizzling. You could have literally cut the s@xual tension between these two with a knife. The unique relationship that Jace had with Nash and Vale was one of my favorite parts of this story. The way they understood his pain and helped to relieve the tension of waiting for Vivian was both touching and hot.

This story was incredibly written with amazing characters, character development pace, plot, flow, storytelling, storyline, and world building. I really enjoyed how the ongoing series storyline was resolved and how everyone got their HEA. I loved the teasers for Kelly Finley's next series that we got in this book and am really looking forward to more from this incredible author.

Thank you so very much to Kelly Finley for the ARC; all thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

[Lisa Slone · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a way to end a series! This book is a testament to what can happen when fans of a series and/or author slide into DMs and beg for more. A book for Jace wasn’t originally on the docket for Kelly and the Belles and Bratva Beasts, but Queen Britt did the hard work of convincing Kelly that Jace needed his own story and we all benefitted in the end.

It’s safe to say I’ve been craving a story for Jace since he showed up guarding the door of Delta’s in Nash and Vale’s story. There was just something about his protective nature, but very clear soft side that made me want more and boy did Kelly deliver.

Jace has been in love with the resident Delta’s boudoir photographer, Vivian, since she strolled her blonde locks and camera into the store. He’s protected her, gone out of his way to show her friendship and loyalty, and has respectfully pined for her from his stool while she was, horror of horrors, MARRIED.

A truth comes out, followed by another, and Jace and Vivian cross the line from friends to lovers while (obviously) working to take down her slimy hubs.

I absolutely loved how the relationship developed between Jace and Vivian, not only in this book, but in the snippets we saw in previous books. The friendship they built first helped establish the trust needed for a precarious beginning to their intimate relationship and it was exactly what Viv needed to move forward.

As always, the Queen of Spice delivered ten fold with the heat between Jace, Viv, and the rest of the Belles and Bratva’s crew (iykyk). I can’t believe this era is over, but I am more than looking forward to what Kelly has in store for us next.

[Yazzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨✨✨
Firstly thank you to the author Kelly Finley and also the Luna Literary for allowing me to read this arc! I appreciate it very much and now that I have read it. I give it 3 and a half stars (goodreads need a half feature)

This is the story of Jace and Vivian, which is the 5th book of the Belle&Bratva Beast series. This is the first book I read in this particular series however was pleasantly surprised I could keep up with it as it can be read as a standalone.

It was not what I expected, it felt hit and miss in some places. I feel the first 40-50% was dragging a little because it was a lot of almost moments and I understood the plot but it was dragged on for quite a bit so it was hard to keep my attention. Once it started to progress I felt like it was rushed! It was so uneven and that way it was just mashed together once they got together so everything just blended.

There was so many sweet moments that they shared, and she deserves the love Jace gives to her, especially being trapped in a divorce by blackmail and he made her feel good about herself. Showed Vivian that her sexuality wasn’t something to be ashamed of it was something she should be proud of. Granted for me I didn’t enjoy the group scenes because they were so crammed together (no pun intended) and I didn’t get time to recover after each time because either was one after another….. but that’s just my preference.
✨✨✨

[Betty Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book by Kelly Finley. There is a great dynamic of chemistry in this book; between Jace and Vivian but also with the larger supporting cast. There is a lightness to this story even through there may be heavier undertones, it still leaves you laughing in certain places in the story.
Jace’s character is a myriad of facets: cute, romantic, protective for Vivian; powerful, rabid and no nonsense for everyone else.
The dynamic between Jace and his fellow kings is so much fun. The author does a great job of building a solid chemistry along this group.
Vivian is also an interesting character. The author gave her a strong resolve to survive a loveless marriage and continue to persevere for what she wants for herself.
It’s cute how these two pine for each other and the build up to their love match is really fun. And let me not forget the spice factor because it’s a hot one! You want a scorcher of a book? This is for you! Bring a fan and get ready to have the heat turned up.
Great book if you want to have fun with a story and get lost with these over the top characters!

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

4.5⭐️

Oh Jace, my sweet sweet Reacher Jace 🥹 my heart is soooo happy you finally got the ending and happiness that you deserve 🥹 Vivian is hands down your soulmate and you deserved this kind of love ❤️

Jace and Vivian’s love story was so well worth the wait and demonstrated how beautiful it is to be loved safely and without judgement for our desires. Both MCs are so selfless and have so much love to give it made my heart explode ❤️🥹

This was also INSANELY hot, and I absolutely loved the use of photography as an art but also as a kink 🤭 WHITE FKN CALVINS THOUGHHH 🥵🥵🥵❤️❤️

Thank you so much for the ARC, it honestly only took some time to read due to a very busy work and life schedule! ❤️

The loss of 0.5 for me were just some repetitive ick words that weren’t working for my mood at the time of reading this, but that’s a personal thing. Highly recommend this book, can’t believe it’s the end of an era 😭❤️

[Macie ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was really hard for me to read. and while i partially enjoyed them, all of them made me feel bored, uncomfortable, and the cringe factor was on another level.

the writing is bad, it's clunky, and the grammar is terrible. the spice sounds like a kid or ai wrote it and it does not flow at all. i tried to give it a fair go but i was not having a good time reading this one nor was i enjoying the characters or the story.

dnf at 31%. this book was not for me. honestly i feel like the past 4 books i read by this author was time i wasted because i didn't love them like your supposed to love a good romance book. all respect and love to the author, this one just wasn't for me.

thank you hambright & author for the early copy, sorry it wasn't for me. all the best for the author, you did the damn thing--publishing books & doing it all. 🫶🏻

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

HOLY SHIT. This book was very good but very spicy!!!

Bodyguard/photographer.
Friends to lovers
Her ex is a total dick who is blackmailing her
He is mafia and will do anything for this woman

Also they call their woman their "queens" SO HOT.

Also they have some spicy traditions.

Going to read some more of this author right nowww

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible !! The way Jace was OBSESSED with VIV - and did so much for her behind the scenes!! Ughhh — and the rituals — CLUTCHIN MY PEARLS - and fanning myself - CUZ I WAS HOTTTT!!!!

Epic story, incredible supporting characters! Strong FMCs and devoted and equally obsessed MMCs.

Such a great read