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Empire of Sins #1
Violent Devotion
Executioner. Monster. Butcher.
Nothing Alexei Avrorin hasn’t been called before. Born into Russia’s oldest and deadliest mafia family, now its most ruthless enforcer, Alexei has become numb, disillusioned. When a simple job goes sideways, he meets Kelly Mackey, who unexpectedly and discreetly saves his life instead of turning him in.
Unable to forget the guarded veterinarian who showed him compassion he didn’t deserve, Alexei watches him from afar. As his obsession grows, so does his certainty that Kelly has dangerous secrets buried deep. And Alexei won’t stop until he uncovers every single one.
Despite Alexei’s sexuality being a death sentence in his world, Kelly awakens something in him that he’s spent his entire life suppressing. Their connection may be forbidden, deadly, but by the time they let down their walls, escape is no longer an option.
Violent Devotion is L. Norell’s debut novel and the first in The Empire of Sins series—dark MM mafia romances where each Avrorin brother gets his own interconnected story. Come for the darkness and the forbidden, stay for the dark humor, shocking reveals, and a steamy romance with a guaranteed HEA.
This book is intended for mature audiences and explores dark themes that may make readers uncomfortable.
Unable to forget the guarded veterinarian who showed him compassion he didn’t deserve, Alexei watches him from afar. As his obsession grows, so does his certainty that Kelly has dangerous secrets buried deep. And Alexei won’t stop until he uncovers every single one.
Despite Alexei’s sexuality being a death sentence in his world, Kelly awakens something in him that he’s spent his entire life suppressing. Their connection may be forbidden, deadly, but by the time they let down their walls, escape is no longer an option.
Violent Devotion is L. Norell’s debut novel and the first in The Empire of Sins series—dark MM mafia romances where each Avrorin brother gets his own interconnected story. Come for the darkness and the forbidden, stay for the dark humor, shocking reveals, and a steamy romance with a guaranteed HEA.
This book is intended for mature audiences and explores dark themes that may make readers uncomfortable.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 2026
About the author
L. Norell
3 books294 followersL. Norell spends most of her time thinking about morally gray characters and the one person they're soft for.She writes dark romance filled with obsessive devotion, messy families, and guaranteed happy endings.(Even if the journey is unhinged)
She writes exclusively queer romance because that's where her heart is, and she wouldn't change it for anything. L. Norell lives in Sweden, where she juggles writing with university life, reads way too much, and has a serious energy drink problem.
Follow L. Norell on Instagram (@authorlnorell) for snippets, teasers, and all the chaos
She writes exclusively queer romance because that's where her heart is, and she wouldn't change it for anything. L. Norell lives in Sweden, where she juggles writing with university life, reads way too much, and has a serious energy drink problem.
Follow L. Norell on Instagram (@authorlnorell) for snippets, teasers, and all the chaos
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 727 reviews
May 15, 2026
Ugh. I’m so disappointed. I was really liking this in the beginning! My main gripe would be that I never got to see why they even liked each other that much. Suddenly they’re together and Alexei is a sex god even though he’s never been with another man before and Kelly is cool with them dating even though Alexei is a little suspicious due to ya know, him being in the mafia. But hey. Whatever. Suddenly they’re boyfriends but I thought that the route we were on was so much more interesting than where we ended up. Exploring Alexei’s character arc of being repressed and closeted but risking it all for the guy he loves. And Kelly’s arc of finding acceptance and love with someone after being in an abusive relationship that mentally and physically destroyed him. But after the first sex scene it’s almost like both characters unique traits disappear to a point. They’re still present but not the same as the beginning portion of the book. And again, I’m wondering…why him? (Directed at both guys.) Because it takes so few scenes for them to be “in love,” that I just lost ALL INTEREST! I was completely and totally done at that point. All the excitement of seeing how two people fall in love was taken away from me and quite frankly, I felt robbed! I’m extra disappointed because I was liking this so much due to the characters as individuals and the romantic tension but when both things I’m enjoying lessen to the degree they did as fast as they did, what am I left to enjoy? 😔
May 8, 2026
4.25**** stars
Not bad for a debut. Not bad at all.
Totally unhinged Russian mafia family. Five crazy brothers and a set of stoic parents.
In this series setup we have Alexei, just having been shot, breaking into a Vet clinic, holding Kelly at gun point and demanding he removes the bullet. Totally relatable meet-cute.
But yes, they were really cute together. And Alexei took the saying touch him and die to a whole new level, but who cares.
Overall I enjoyed reading this story a lot even though some plot pointes fell a bit flat for me and some were just too OTT.
I’m not at all a fan of friends to lovers (or rather brothers here, one’s adopted tho) but I’m looking forward to revisiting these guys and see what’s going on between Mikhail and Daniil who have been attached by the hip since early childhood.
************
Empire of Sins Series
Book 1 - Violent Devotion - 4.25 stars
Book 2 - tbd
Not bad for a debut. Not bad at all.
Totally unhinged Russian mafia family. Five crazy brothers and a set of stoic parents.
In this series setup we have Alexei, just having been shot, breaking into a Vet clinic, holding Kelly at gun point and demanding he removes the bullet. Totally relatable meet-cute.
The door clicks open. I walk in, lock it, then head straight for Clover. She’s in her pen, blinking up at me. I pick her up, kiss the top of her head, […] This is crossing every normal boundary. That thought lasts two seconds before I remember I don’t give a fuck.
But yes, they were really cute together. And Alexei took the saying touch him and die to a whole new level, but who cares.
“Will you say something in Russian to me?” “Ya pokazyvayu tebe chasti sebya, kotorye nikto ne vidit.” I’m showing you parts of myself no one else ever sees.
Overall I enjoyed reading this story a lot even though some plot pointes fell a bit flat for me and some were just too OTT.
I’m not at all a fan of friends to lovers (or rather brothers here, one’s adopted tho) but I’m looking forward to revisiting these guys and see what’s going on between Mikhail and Daniil who have been attached by the hip since early childhood.
************
Empire of Sins Series
Book 1 - Violent Devotion - 4.25 stars
Book 2 - tbd
April 30, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Really liked this debut, I think the author has a lot of potential going forward and I'm excited for the next one, because it got me interested in Mikhail and Daniil's story!
This book revolves around Kelly who is a veterinarian, who has also suffered emotionally and physically due to his ex, who keeps pestering him throughout the book, and it's also about Alexei who's a russian enforcer, part of a mafia family - he also has a filthy mouth so there's that - who falls hard for the tortured boy.
The sole reason as to why I didn't rate this higher, is because I think the editing done in this book took out a lot of the tension between the characters and the scenes, or at least that's what it felt to me reading it. Once I was getting into it and was reaching an immersive state, it would pull me out of it. And this felt more rather towards the half of the book instead of the first half. There were a couple of moments specifically where we would be in one place discussing something and then we would be shoved right into a dialogue related to that but with the characters in a different place with someone else so there was no smooth transition, and that unfortunately did break immersion for me. It also feels like some if not more of the tension between the main couple was left out or pulled, because it felt like it was going there, but then the sentences felt short and to the point, instead of illustrating their feelings.
I understand that the author wishes to expand the next book more, higher page count would hopefully mean a lot more in terms of building the tension, emotional connection and immersion potential. Otherwise the charatcters were very likeable both the boys and the brothers, love that we had some mafiaesque scenes and the typical father figure, that helped in building Alexei's charatcter. Really liked the banter between the brothers as well, and towards the ending the little teasers of the next couple were delightful.
Overall as a debut it met my expectations, just wish we had a bit more of some things over here and over there to wrap up nicely. But I will definitely be reading book 2. ❤️🖤
Really liked this debut, I think the author has a lot of potential going forward and I'm excited for the next one, because it got me interested in Mikhail and Daniil's story!
This book revolves around Kelly who is a veterinarian, who has also suffered emotionally and physically due to his ex, who keeps pestering him throughout the book, and it's also about Alexei who's a russian enforcer, part of a mafia family - he also has a filthy mouth so there's that - who falls hard for the tortured boy.
The sole reason as to why I didn't rate this higher, is because I think the editing done in this book took out a lot of the tension between the characters and the scenes, or at least that's what it felt to me reading it. Once I was getting into it and was reaching an immersive state, it would pull me out of it. And this felt more rather towards the half of the book instead of the first half. There were a couple of moments specifically where we would be in one place discussing something and then we would be shoved right into a dialogue related to that but with the characters in a different place with someone else so there was no smooth transition, and that unfortunately did break immersion for me. It also feels like some if not more of the tension between the main couple was left out or pulled, because it felt like it was going there, but then the sentences felt short and to the point, instead of illustrating their feelings.
I understand that the author wishes to expand the next book more, higher page count would hopefully mean a lot more in terms of building the tension, emotional connection and immersion potential. Otherwise the charatcters were very likeable both the boys and the brothers, love that we had some mafiaesque scenes and the typical father figure, that helped in building Alexei's charatcter. Really liked the banter between the brothers as well, and towards the ending the little teasers of the next couple were delightful.
Overall as a debut it met my expectations, just wish we had a bit more of some things over here and over there to wrap up nicely. But I will definitely be reading book 2. ❤️🖤
April 26, 2026
Now this is how you write a mafia romance!
The title is very apt, as Alexei certainly is violent in his absolute devotion to Kelly. Never to Kelly himself, no, he treats Kelly like he walks on water. But he'll hurt anyone and anything who looks at Kelly wrong, which isn't really much of an exaggeration.
This is a new author and I already can't wait for more from her because this was amazing! It was so well written, I zoomed through this within a day, I couldn't put it down, and I couldn't get enough of Alexei and Kelly.
Stuff like this is what I want from mafia romances. Maybe not every lead has to be quite as unhinged as Alexei, but to that degree, yes, gimme that and I'll eat it up.
This doesn't pull any punches either about how dangerous and fucked up these men in the mafia are, so heed that going into this. There are TWs, so really take those in, but also when the author says it shows violence and gore and doesn't shy away from that, listen because Alexei and his brothers are violent in extreme ways and we see a lot of that on page. What they can do to a human being without flinching is pretty awful. If that's too much for you, this is not the book for you.
But for me, I love that "will fuck up anyone and everyone except for you, you are the only exception to everything" trope and this had it in spades. I couldn't get enough of it!
Alexei becomes so obsessed and devoted to Kelly, to extremes. Obviously he's pretty much every red flag in the book so in real life run far away from him. But for this fictional story he's a red flag for anyone but Kelly - and their bunny, Clover. He does all he can to make sure Kelly is safe and happy and whole. Hell, he has red flags toward Kelly too, lbr, but just in that he literally will kill people for him, which Kelly just kind of doesn't want to know the details of.
But for such a hard man like Alexei, who has only known darkness and violence, Kelly is like a breath of fresh air. He's sweet and kind and sees more in Alexei than he or anyone else has ever seen in himself. Something human when he's never really felt fully human.
What I loved about this, though, is that it didn't pull its punches. Alexei doesn't have remorse or guilt about killing people, at all. The only one he would ever lose his mind over hurting or killing is Kelly. Literally only him. And maybe Clover. But mainly just Kelly. He literally is prepared to .
That doesn't mean he doesn't have relationships with others. He's somewhat close to his brothers - in a way. These are all fucked up men who ranged from sociopath to psychopath honestly - and his mother, but I think he could kill them too if he had too. Not that he necessarily wants to or cares to, but he'd be able to do it, is the thing. He'd never be able to kill Kelly.
I love how Kelly is his whole world. He basically lives and breathes for Kelly by the end of this.
I also loved how this didn't have his mother dead - I feel like a lot of mafia stories have the mother dead. If not both parents, at least the mother is the usual parent who is dead. So seeing their mother alive and well and badass in her own way was great to see, I loved it.
I also love how it followed through on Alexei's father being so homophobic and never really bending on it. They are Russian, after all, and the mafia at that, so not everyone is going to magically not be homophobic or get past it quickly. His father is actually disgusted and doesn't talk to Alexei again to the end and as far as we know, never will. I mean, I hate that he's like that, but I like that what was threatened to happen actually happened and actual consequences happened with it. These days stories will have characters be like "they're going to freak out and hate me" and then the person finds out and they're wonderful about it. Or they freak out initially and then get over that quickly. Which, great! But also not all humans work like that and some are just horribly nasty and it's okay for not everything to be wrapped up by the end. So I loved that nothing got better with the father.
Also the sex was so so well done. The chemistry between these two was amazing. I think it'll only get better with this author as well, because this was only her first book.
I'm looking forward to Mikhail and Daniil's story next. Adoptive brothers who have been in each other's lives since they were kids? Oh this is going to be all kinds of deliciously fucked up! I can't wait!
Until then! And read this one in the meantime, it's totally worth it! 😘
The title is very apt, as Alexei certainly is violent in his absolute devotion to Kelly. Never to Kelly himself, no, he treats Kelly like he walks on water. But he'll hurt anyone and anything who looks at Kelly wrong, which isn't really much of an exaggeration.
This is a new author and I already can't wait for more from her because this was amazing! It was so well written, I zoomed through this within a day, I couldn't put it down, and I couldn't get enough of Alexei and Kelly.
Stuff like this is what I want from mafia romances. Maybe not every lead has to be quite as unhinged as Alexei, but to that degree, yes, gimme that and I'll eat it up.
This doesn't pull any punches either about how dangerous and fucked up these men in the mafia are, so heed that going into this. There are TWs, so really take those in, but also when the author says it shows violence and gore and doesn't shy away from that, listen because Alexei and his brothers are violent in extreme ways and we see a lot of that on page. What they can do to a human being without flinching is pretty awful. If that's too much for you, this is not the book for you.
But for me, I love that "will fuck up anyone and everyone except for you, you are the only exception to everything" trope and this had it in spades. I couldn't get enough of it!
Alexei becomes so obsessed and devoted to Kelly, to extremes. Obviously he's pretty much every red flag in the book so in real life run far away from him. But for this fictional story he's a red flag for anyone but Kelly - and their bunny, Clover. He does all he can to make sure Kelly is safe and happy and whole. Hell, he has red flags toward Kelly too, lbr, but just in that he literally will kill people for him, which Kelly just kind of doesn't want to know the details of.
But for such a hard man like Alexei, who has only known darkness and violence, Kelly is like a breath of fresh air. He's sweet and kind and sees more in Alexei than he or anyone else has ever seen in himself. Something human when he's never really felt fully human.
What I loved about this, though, is that it didn't pull its punches. Alexei doesn't have remorse or guilt about killing people, at all. The only one he would ever lose his mind over hurting or killing is Kelly. Literally only him. And maybe Clover. But mainly just Kelly. He literally is prepared to .
That doesn't mean he doesn't have relationships with others. He's somewhat close to his brothers - in a way. These are all fucked up men who ranged from sociopath to psychopath honestly - and his mother, but I think he could kill them too if he had too. Not that he necessarily wants to or cares to, but he'd be able to do it, is the thing. He'd never be able to kill Kelly.
I love how Kelly is his whole world. He basically lives and breathes for Kelly by the end of this.
I also loved how this didn't have his mother dead - I feel like a lot of mafia stories have the mother dead. If not both parents, at least the mother is the usual parent who is dead. So seeing their mother alive and well and badass in her own way was great to see, I loved it.
I also love how it followed through on Alexei's father being so homophobic and never really bending on it. They are Russian, after all, and the mafia at that, so not everyone is going to magically not be homophobic or get past it quickly. His father is actually disgusted and doesn't talk to Alexei again to the end and as far as we know, never will. I mean, I hate that he's like that, but I like that what was threatened to happen actually happened and actual consequences happened with it. These days stories will have characters be like "they're going to freak out and hate me" and then the person finds out and they're wonderful about it. Or they freak out initially and then get over that quickly. Which, great! But also not all humans work like that and some are just horribly nasty and it's okay for not everything to be wrapped up by the end. So I loved that nothing got better with the father.
Also the sex was so so well done. The chemistry between these two was amazing. I think it'll only get better with this author as well, because this was only her first book.
I'm looking forward to Mikhail and Daniil's story next. Adoptive brothers who have been in each other's lives since they were kids? Oh this is going to be all kinds of deliciously fucked up! I can't wait!
Until then! And read this one in the meantime, it's totally worth it! 😘
April 24, 2026
✨I rcvd this as an ARC!✨
*sigh* I’ll take one unhinged Russian please 🙋♀️
*sigh* I’ll take one unhinged Russian please 🙋♀️
May 7, 2026
6 ⭐️
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
format: ebook
the illustrated cover of this caught my attention and had me metaphorically on my knees and it’s entirely the reason i threw my tbr away and picked this up immediately. and god, i am so happy i did.
these two were everything. someone messaged me and said that alexei is like adam mulvaney if adam grew up in a less strict household—LOL—and that’s totally accurate. i just loved how unhinged he was and so unapologetic of how he wanted kelly. his inner monologues are actually everything to me, i was in tears from laughing.
and i loved sweet kelly with his adorable as fuck rabbit and his sad eyes and his tragic secret backstory. and how he did not at all question an insane russian man barging his way into his life. like, that’s sadly so relatable to me.
i love them, and i need MORE. cannot wait for mikhail and daniil!
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
format: ebook
the illustrated cover of this caught my attention and had me metaphorically on my knees and it’s entirely the reason i threw my tbr away and picked this up immediately. and god, i am so happy i did.
these two were everything. someone messaged me and said that alexei is like adam mulvaney if adam grew up in a less strict household—LOL—and that’s totally accurate. i just loved how unhinged he was and so unapologetic of how he wanted kelly. his inner monologues are actually everything to me, i was in tears from laughing.
and i loved sweet kelly with his adorable as fuck rabbit and his sad eyes and his tragic secret backstory. and how he did not at all question an insane russian man barging his way into his life. like, that’s sadly so relatable to me.
i love them, and i need MORE. cannot wait for mikhail and daniil!
May 3, 2026
necesito el libro de mikhail y daniil para ayer 💳💥💳💥
June 5, 2026
Violent Devotion is book one in the Empire of Sins series. This dark MM mafia romance is about Alexei and Kelly.
I started off really enjoying this book. I absolutely loved Alexei’s unhinged character, especially his obsession with Kelly. He was all “touch him and die” and I was here for it. Alexei’s Russian mafia family was very chaotic and I found the brother’s banter entertaining. Kelly was a veterinarian with a sweet pet rabbit. His past made me feel bad for him, and I was glad that Alexei came into his life.
Unfortunately, I felt like the second half of this book didn’t pull me in like the first half. It just fell a bit flat for me. Overall, I think this was a great debut and start of a new series. I am definitely looking forward to Mikhail and Daniil’s story next!
I started off really enjoying this book. I absolutely loved Alexei’s unhinged character, especially his obsession with Kelly. He was all “touch him and die” and I was here for it. Alexei’s Russian mafia family was very chaotic and I found the brother’s banter entertaining. Kelly was a veterinarian with a sweet pet rabbit. His past made me feel bad for him, and I was glad that Alexei came into his life.
Unfortunately, I felt like the second half of this book didn’t pull me in like the first half. It just fell a bit flat for me. Overall, I think this was a great debut and start of a new series. I am definitely looking forward to Mikhail and Daniil’s story next!
April 30, 2026
Well, this is a debut… f*ck me sideways 🫢 First of all congrats to the author for creating this beautiful characters and solid world building! Damn, I loved Alexei and Kelly 🩷 I loved their “meet cute” and everything that follows. An unhinged mafia prince going all in. This is one of my favourites tropes (a complete matcho/alpha dude melts for his mate), also how unmovable Alexei was, how sure he is, how he met Kelly and said to himself that this is it. I loved how he reassures Kelly, how he gave him space, how gentle and sweet he is with him. Oh my god and the bunny, fluffy cutness!!! I hate the dad, I hope if he isn’t on board by the next book- he should be swimming with the fishes (that sounded gangsta enough).I want to know everything about Alexei’s family. I had an amazing time with this book 🌸
April 27, 2026
This was absolutely fantastic for a debut. If you are a fan of unhinged mafia stories then I highly recommend this one!
July 24, 2026
ARC Review: POTENTIAL SPOILERS. List of reasons Alexei is a 10 🤭🖤
5 ⭐️ 4 🌶️
Tropes:
Dark MM Mafia Romance
Hurt/comfort
Enforcer and Veterinarian
Dark humor
Breathe wrong in his direction & 💀 (absolutely perfect)
Both touch starved
Stalking
I had been WAITING to grab this ARC and it do not disappoint.
It moved at the perfect pace, following Alexei & Kelly.
I dont want to give much away but the way Alexei would do anything for kelly 😩🥹🖤 swoon hehehe
Reasons hes a 10
Answers the phone, even when he is “working” 😏
Carries you up the stairs when you are hurt
Takes care of your wounds
He Feeds your rabbit and cares for her while you are gone , even if you dont know that.
he made a copy of the key without you knowing just incase 🤭
Sets up a grocery delivery cause you have no food in the fridge
Always wants their name if they hurt you 🤭
He wants to know what you really think, never judges you
Runs you a bubble bath to make you feel better
Calls you bunny (zaychik) 🤭🤭
5 ⭐️ 4 🌶️
Tropes:
Dark MM Mafia Romance
Hurt/comfort
Enforcer and Veterinarian
Dark humor
Breathe wrong in his direction & 💀 (absolutely perfect)
Both touch starved
Stalking
I had been WAITING to grab this ARC and it do not disappoint.
It moved at the perfect pace, following Alexei & Kelly.
I dont want to give much away but the way Alexei would do anything for kelly 😩🥹🖤 swoon hehehe
Reasons hes a 10
Answers the phone, even when he is “working” 😏
Carries you up the stairs when you are hurt
Takes care of your wounds
He Feeds your rabbit and cares for her while you are gone , even if you dont know that.
he made a copy of the key without you knowing just incase 🤭
Sets up a grocery delivery cause you have no food in the fridge
Always wants their name if they hurt you 🤭
He wants to know what you really think, never judges you
Runs you a bubble bath to make you feel better
Calls you bunny (zaychik) 🤭🤭
Review of advance copy received from Author
“𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐟 𝐢𝐭 𝐤𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐳𝐚𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐤. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬. 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐱𝐲𝐠𝐞𝐧. 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠.”
Because who would say no to a completely unhinged Russian mafia enforcer who kills people for being a dick to you, calls you cute pet names while simultaneously being a complete softie who spoils your pet, and says shit like that ^^ like cmooooonnnnnn
Alexei has my whole heart forever and ever.
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧:
- dark MM mafia romance
- unhinged russian mafia enforcer + traumatized veterinarian
- stalking
- they’re both touch starved
- hurt x comfort
- breathe wrong in his direction and ☠️
Because who would say no to a completely unhinged Russian mafia enforcer who kills people for being a dick to you, calls you cute pet names while simultaneously being a complete softie who spoils your pet, and says shit like that ^^ like cmooooonnnnnn
Alexei has my whole heart forever and ever.
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧:
- dark MM mafia romance
- unhinged russian mafia enforcer + traumatized veterinarian
- stalking
- they’re both touch starved
- hurt x comfort
- breathe wrong in his direction and ☠️
August 1, 2026
Where do I even start with these two Kelly the poor broken soul he deserve so much more than what he was given, and I absolutely loved watching Alexi give that to him the big, tough mafia man who would literally give up everything in his life for his sweet bunny 😭 I also really loved the vet aspect of it. It’s so rare to see that I loved it and the way Kelly cares for all of the animals and speaks about them really adds such a beautiful touch. Also I seriously am clawing at my cage for book 2. I need to know more on the Dad.😩😩. Now onto the mafia aspect of this book absolutely fantastic. I do typically enjoy more darker mafia but this one I feel like even though it wasn’t as dark had so many other things that made it so so worth it genuinely one of my top five books of the year.
May 3, 2026
Dnf @62%
I wish MM dark romance authors would start writing something different instead of copying the same sentences, phrases, and storylines from other dark romances over and over again. None of these books feel distinctive anymore. Even the writing is so repetitive. It’s always a Russian mafia man paired with a naive, stupid white boy, with a story that has no real substance.
And I am so tired of pages-long, unnecessary, corny descriptions of these mafia men killing innocent people. There are better ways to show their ruthlessness than repeating the same blood-spattering scenes every three chapters.
I wish MM dark romance authors would start writing something different instead of copying the same sentences, phrases, and storylines from other dark romances over and over again. None of these books feel distinctive anymore. Even the writing is so repetitive. It’s always a Russian mafia man paired with a naive, stupid white boy, with a story that has no real substance.
And I am so tired of pages-long, unnecessary, corny descriptions of these mafia men killing innocent people. There are better ways to show their ruthlessness than repeating the same blood-spattering scenes every three chapters.
July 24, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this unhinged romance between Alexei and Kelley. They are from completely different worlds who, on the off chance, find themselves at a crossroads where their lives are at risk and the only person available is each other. This one night of unknown risk and mayhem leads both Kelley and Alexei on a crazy journey where they are intrinsically drawn to one another, and that shared connection leads to many insane moments that are both life-threatening and life-determining.
Overall, I really enjoyed this fast-moving romance that is both filled with thrills and heart. Alexei is absolutely obsessed with Kelley, who unknowingly has bewitched a madman, but to his shock, he completely owns him. This world was full of surprises, and I cannot wait to explore more of it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this fast-moving romance that is both filled with thrills and heart. Alexei is absolutely obsessed with Kelley, who unknowingly has bewitched a madman, but to his shock, he completely owns him. This world was full of surprises, and I cannot wait to explore more of it.
May 18, 2026
I loved this book so much 😭💓 Kelly and Alexei, my precious babies 🥹💗
Kelly is so sweet, caring, and lovable. I genuinely love him so much, and it broke my heart seeing how horribly people treated him 😭💔 he deserved so much better. I’m so happy to finally see him happy and safe with Alexei 💓
And Alexei being so protective over Kelly at all times?? I loved that so much 😭 they’re seriously adorable together.
Also Clover… this little bunny was SO cute 🤭🐰
I absolutely adored this book, BUT OH MY GOD — the next book is about Mikhail and Daniil!!! 😭🔥 when I found that out I was so happy. I’m already obsessed with them just from the little moments we got. The way they’re always attached to each other and how protective Mikhail is over Daniil?? ARGH I need their story immediately 😭💓📚
Kelly is so sweet, caring, and lovable. I genuinely love him so much, and it broke my heart seeing how horribly people treated him 😭💔 he deserved so much better. I’m so happy to finally see him happy and safe with Alexei 💓
And Alexei being so protective over Kelly at all times?? I loved that so much 😭 they’re seriously adorable together.
Also Clover… this little bunny was SO cute 🤭🐰
I absolutely adored this book, BUT OH MY GOD — the next book is about Mikhail and Daniil!!! 😭🔥 when I found that out I was so happy. I’m already obsessed with them just from the little moments we got. The way they’re always attached to each other and how protective Mikhail is over Daniil?? ARGH I need their story immediately 😭💓📚
April 28, 2026
I’m actually unwell. For a debut, this was insane in the best way, I flew through it in a day. This is exactly what I want from a mafia romance with a family: a bold and beautiful mother, a stubborn, old-school father who still folds for her, and a messy family dynamic between the siblings that somehow still promises a satisfying ending, somewhere along Book 123 lol. Listen, Alexei?? Fully deranged in the most hypnotizing way. He’ll destroy anyone who even breathes wrong near Kelly, but treats Kelly like his entire world, will invade his personal space byet give him space at the same damn time, swoon. Then Kelly, Mr zero self-preservation, Mr let me choose peace while my man is printing papers at the office 😭 the obsession, the banter, the chemistry… it just works.
@alis_reads_ your review on TikTok is literally why I picked this up and oh my GOD… thank you for ruining my life in the best way possible.
I went in blind, didn’t know the author, didn’t know the story and now I’m 24 hours out yet still thinking about it like I’m possessed. Because this family?? Pure chaos. Someone’s always in trouble, someone’s always plotting revenge, and somehow that’s their love language. Beat each other up and commit felonies together and for each other is their way of life and I've never loved anything more. The parents, the part when mom aimed her red heel at once of her sons? The bullets in the ceiling from Dad? I was eating it UP. It was giving dysfunction, danger, and “everyone needs therapy but instead they choose violence and familial love lol”
Friends, the genes in that family, the brothers? Whew.
The oldest son being this quiet, background bald mysterious MC… Lev, I see you. I see you babe, and I can't wait to learn more about you. And Calder?? Yeah, something is brewing there and I’m already locked in. Also I cannot stop thinking about Yulian because sir I love you so bad but start counting your days. The second that knife almost hit Dani? Ha! Time slowed, my jaw dropped,my eyes bulged and I was basically thriving off the incoming chaos because you just KNOW his brother, Mikhail, the scary one, so far if you ask me, is coming for him. Mikhail is not himself rn and everyone knows, especially you Yulian, you know! Next to Daniil you probably know more than everyone because the way you two fight makes me think you're closest to each other out of the brothers. Mark your hours Yulian, he's coming for you! hehe. And chaos is exactly what Mikhail delivers. That man is a full menace. His father definitely hates it for his plans with him, his mother is probably disappointed a little in him, and Dani’s feelings are...i don't know yet, actually, and honestly that just makes me need their story even more.
The point is, Book 1? Incredible, a masterpiece introduction into this new world with the best couple pairing ever. Because somehow, despite all his red flags, Alexei was soft, sweet, and such a man. I don’t even understand how that balance worked, but it did.
My only real issue was that one moment where Kelly reacts to Alexei finally sharing details, it felt off. Whether it was meant as praise or frustration, it came across unnecessary, especially since Kelly had been actively avoiding the gritty reality of what Alexei does as the family’s enforcer. It just felt like a small inconsistency that didn’t quite match his earlier stance. Also, while the spicy scenes were definitely hot, they felt a little lacking. It kind of came across like things finished too quickly, so the payoff didn’t fully match the buildup, you know what I mean. Not bad at all just left me wanting a bit more tension during, emphasis on during, the actual deed. I want to see hips gyrating, I need the feel of thrusts described, I want to see eyes rolling...I want....I want...I like to believe it a tangible sexy event, you know. It would’ve made those finish lines hit even harder. Lastly, can we unbraid mom's hair, I want to see it down and shiny at least once, though with large boys for kids it does make sense that she braids it. My heart certainly goes out to her.
Great book. Great debut. I’m officially hooked on the series and family.
Bonus: predictions for myself
1. Mikhail and Daniil are Promise by Bella Kay coded the whole chorus of ...'Cause if I tell you, you could say I'm not the one, You want, and I, I couldn't handle that, So if I tell you, then promise me I can take it back, Oh, I want you, but, I'll never tell you, 'Cause if I tell you, you could say I'm not the one
2. Yulian is always running his mouth, I'm stuck between shipping him with his best friend Calder and wanting him with a long lost brother of one of the girls that he saves, or maybe even a cop investigating them,One thing I know is that I don't want him ending up with a male sex worker because that's a little too predictable, it's tired and lazy tbh. I also want him topped tf out
2. Lev he's the oldest but he's too soft, I can scent it from here. Give him to competent Calder to fold, or...or...hear me out! to the oldest sibling of that other rival family that's questioning and about to coup de tat their father. Let it go there...take it there please...i wanna see something, I want to see him folded.
Ugh, this can't be healthy, I'm too obsessed...I haven't seen myself this way since Legacy of Gods and Frat Wars. Let me get a grip and go.
@alis_reads_ your review on TikTok is literally why I picked this up and oh my GOD… thank you for ruining my life in the best way possible.
I went in blind, didn’t know the author, didn’t know the story and now I’m 24 hours out yet still thinking about it like I’m possessed. Because this family?? Pure chaos. Someone’s always in trouble, someone’s always plotting revenge, and somehow that’s their love language. Beat each other up and commit felonies together and for each other is their way of life and I've never loved anything more. The parents, the part when mom aimed her red heel at once of her sons? The bullets in the ceiling from Dad? I was eating it UP. It was giving dysfunction, danger, and “everyone needs therapy but instead they choose violence and familial love lol”
Friends, the genes in that family, the brothers? Whew.
The oldest son being this quiet, background bald mysterious MC… Lev, I see you. I see you babe, and I can't wait to learn more about you. And Calder?? Yeah, something is brewing there and I’m already locked in. Also I cannot stop thinking about Yulian because sir I love you so bad but start counting your days. The second that knife almost hit Dani? Ha! Time slowed, my jaw dropped,my eyes bulged and I was basically thriving off the incoming chaos because you just KNOW his brother, Mikhail, the scary one, so far if you ask me, is coming for him. Mikhail is not himself rn and everyone knows, especially you Yulian, you know! Next to Daniil you probably know more than everyone because the way you two fight makes me think you're closest to each other out of the brothers. Mark your hours Yulian, he's coming for you! hehe. And chaos is exactly what Mikhail delivers. That man is a full menace. His father definitely hates it for his plans with him, his mother is probably disappointed a little in him, and Dani’s feelings are...i don't know yet, actually, and honestly that just makes me need their story even more.
The point is, Book 1? Incredible, a masterpiece introduction into this new world with the best couple pairing ever. Because somehow, despite all his red flags, Alexei was soft, sweet, and such a man. I don’t even understand how that balance worked, but it did.
My only real issue was that one moment where Kelly reacts to Alexei finally sharing details, it felt off. Whether it was meant as praise or frustration, it came across unnecessary, especially since Kelly had been actively avoiding the gritty reality of what Alexei does as the family’s enforcer. It just felt like a small inconsistency that didn’t quite match his earlier stance. Also, while the spicy scenes were definitely hot, they felt a little lacking. It kind of came across like things finished too quickly, so the payoff didn’t fully match the buildup, you know what I mean. Not bad at all just left me wanting a bit more tension during, emphasis on during, the actual deed. I want to see hips gyrating, I need the feel of thrusts described, I want to see eyes rolling...I want....I want...I like to believe it a tangible sexy event, you know. It would’ve made those finish lines hit even harder. Lastly, can we unbraid mom's hair, I want to see it down and shiny at least once, though with large boys for kids it does make sense that she braids it. My heart certainly goes out to her.
Great book. Great debut. I’m officially hooked on the series and family.
Bonus: predictions for myself
1. Mikhail and Daniil are Promise by Bella Kay coded the whole chorus of ...'Cause if I tell you, you could say I'm not the one, You want, and I, I couldn't handle that, So if I tell you, then promise me I can take it back, Oh, I want you, but, I'll never tell you, 'Cause if I tell you, you could say I'm not the one
2. Yulian is always running his mouth, I'm stuck between shipping him with his best friend Calder and wanting him with a long lost brother of one of the girls that he saves, or maybe even a cop investigating them,One thing I know is that I don't want him ending up with a male sex worker because that's a little too predictable, it's tired and lazy tbh. I also want him topped tf out
2. Lev he's the oldest but he's too soft, I can scent it from here. Give him to competent Calder to fold, or...or...hear me out! to the oldest sibling of that other rival family that's questioning and about to coup de tat their father. Let it go there...take it there please...i wanna see something, I want to see him folded.
Ugh, this can't be healthy, I'm too obsessed...I haven't seen myself this way since Legacy of Gods and Frat Wars. Let me get a grip and go.
June 19, 2026
Well… I just don’t know. It started really strong, and I was excited, but then it just lost me, and I can’t quite put my finger on why. And that makes me irritated because the further I got into the story, the more I found myself reading and thinking that I wanted it to end. Not enough to DNF it, but still, I wouldn’t say that I loved it. The weird thing is that it wasn’t even bad.
I mean, a scary mafia man becoming obsessed with a kind-hearted and traumatized veterinarian is such a good premise, and the mafia aspect wasn’t forgotten. We did get violence and action, we got some humor, and alongside all of that, it was so fun to see Alexie’s crazy behavior when it came to all things Kelly. It was completely insane behavior, but also weirdly cute.
I really did love both MMCs, and even though I would have liked more depth when it came to Alexie repressing his sexuality for so long, I still felt the heaviness of those emotions, as well as Kelly’s trauma and abuse.
All of this should have worked for me, but for whatever reason, it just didn’t. Not in a way that made me dislike the book, but in a way that left me feeling strangely indifferent by the end.
So yeah, I’m settling on a 3-star rating. But I have to say that I’m actually more excited for the second book in this series since it’s a stepbrother romance, and we got a glimpse of their dynamic, so of course I’ll be reading that one.
-------------------
Quotes:
“We’re both so fucked up by the people who were supposed to teach us how to be loved. He grew up thinking this was shameful, dangerous, something to hide. His whole family probably thinks the same way. But he keeps choosing me anyway, keeps coming back, keeps letting himself want this even when it scares him. Maybe we’re both just learning how to stop being ashamed of the parts of ourselves other people convinced us were wrong.”
“His thumb shifts against my fingers, brushing over my tattoos. Wrong. So wrong. I can’t move, can’t breathe. My chest feels clogged. I hate the way it sparks through me, hate that I don’t rip my hand back, hate that a touch this soft can hold me completely still. I’m terrified of how much I want more. I’ve been stabbed, shot, beaten half to death. None scared me like this does. Because those wounds close eventually. This one just keeps getting deeper.”
“You’re mine until I stop breathing. Maybe longer. I don’t know how death works, but I’ll figure out a way to haunt you if I have to. You’re never alone again. I won’t let you be.”
I mean, a scary mafia man becoming obsessed with a kind-hearted and traumatized veterinarian is such a good premise, and the mafia aspect wasn’t forgotten. We did get violence and action, we got some humor, and alongside all of that, it was so fun to see Alexie’s crazy behavior when it came to all things Kelly. It was completely insane behavior, but also weirdly cute.
I really did love both MMCs, and even though I would have liked more depth when it came to Alexie repressing his sexuality for so long, I still felt the heaviness of those emotions, as well as Kelly’s trauma and abuse.
All of this should have worked for me, but for whatever reason, it just didn’t. Not in a way that made me dislike the book, but in a way that left me feeling strangely indifferent by the end.
So yeah, I’m settling on a 3-star rating. But I have to say that I’m actually more excited for the second book in this series since it’s a stepbrother romance, and we got a glimpse of their dynamic, so of course I’ll be reading that one.
-------------------
Quotes:
“We’re both so fucked up by the people who were supposed to teach us how to be loved. He grew up thinking this was shameful, dangerous, something to hide. His whole family probably thinks the same way. But he keeps choosing me anyway, keeps coming back, keeps letting himself want this even when it scares him. Maybe we’re both just learning how to stop being ashamed of the parts of ourselves other people convinced us were wrong.”
“His thumb shifts against my fingers, brushing over my tattoos. Wrong. So wrong. I can’t move, can’t breathe. My chest feels clogged. I hate the way it sparks through me, hate that I don’t rip my hand back, hate that a touch this soft can hold me completely still. I’m terrified of how much I want more. I’ve been stabbed, shot, beaten half to death. None scared me like this does. Because those wounds close eventually. This one just keeps getting deeper.”
“You’re mine until I stop breathing. Maybe longer. I don’t know how death works, but I’ll figure out a way to haunt you if I have to. You’re never alone again. I won’t let you be.”
June 23, 2026
“If they open that door, I’ll put a bullet in them without pulling out of you. Let them watch me fuck you while they bleed out.”
Reading the triggers at the start, you would think you're about to get into something incredibly dark and difficult. This was nowhere near as dark as I thought it would be. In fact, it was fun and unhinged! Alexei, a killer and son of a mob boss, has become obsessed with Kelly, and now he is stalking Kelly, breaking into Kelly's apartment and stealing things that smell like him... and bringing carrots for his rabbit. Does he accept he's perhaps a tad sociopathic? Absolutely. Does he care? Absolutely not. And neither does Kelly!
I love Alexei! His obsession with Kelly was adorable, as was Kelly's quiet reluctance to accept what Alexei does for a living.
“Can we pretend you have a normal, boring desk job? Like you need to go to the office and handle paperwork or something?”
I blink at him. “My father’s about to ask me to shove someone into the paper shredder until it breaks.”
And...
“It’s a busy day at the office for me. I need to print a lot of papers.”
Honestly, I saved so many quotes to my Kindle whilst reading this, stuff that genuinely had me laughing out loud, and it's been so long since a book made that happen. Alexei's brand of violence was funny (the cookie was genius!) and something you could happily disconnect from (that's a good thing!) The author has a wonderfully dry sense of humour and that is ultimately what made this book for me. Cos unfortunately, fun stuff aside, there were some issues. The background characters all felt extremely flat and the background mafia plot was pretty much non-existent. There were parts where I felt like I had missed something because the narrative jumped without warning and it felt rushed, like it had needed to be done in under a certain amount of pages. This did distract me at times, but I'm so glad I stuck with it because the humour was delicious.
Will I read the next book? I'm not entirely sure. The next one is set to explore the relationship between Mikhail and Daniil, who are adopted brothers who have been raised together. Too much like incest/stepcest for my tastes, if that is where it is going. But I would absolutely dive into another about Alexei and Kelly.
Reading the triggers at the start, you would think you're about to get into something incredibly dark and difficult. This was nowhere near as dark as I thought it would be. In fact, it was fun and unhinged! Alexei, a killer and son of a mob boss, has become obsessed with Kelly, and now he is stalking Kelly, breaking into Kelly's apartment and stealing things that smell like him... and bringing carrots for his rabbit. Does he accept he's perhaps a tad sociopathic? Absolutely. Does he care? Absolutely not. And neither does Kelly!
I love Alexei! His obsession with Kelly was adorable, as was Kelly's quiet reluctance to accept what Alexei does for a living.
“Can we pretend you have a normal, boring desk job? Like you need to go to the office and handle paperwork or something?”
I blink at him. “My father’s about to ask me to shove someone into the paper shredder until it breaks.”
And...
“It’s a busy day at the office for me. I need to print a lot of papers.”
Honestly, I saved so many quotes to my Kindle whilst reading this, stuff that genuinely had me laughing out loud, and it's been so long since a book made that happen. Alexei's brand of violence was funny (the cookie was genius!) and something you could happily disconnect from (that's a good thing!) The author has a wonderfully dry sense of humour and that is ultimately what made this book for me. Cos unfortunately, fun stuff aside, there were some issues. The background characters all felt extremely flat and the background mafia plot was pretty much non-existent. There were parts where I felt like I had missed something because the narrative jumped without warning and it felt rushed, like it had needed to be done in under a certain amount of pages. This did distract me at times, but I'm so glad I stuck with it because the humour was delicious.
Will I read the next book? I'm not entirely sure. The next one is set to explore the relationship between Mikhail and Daniil, who are adopted brothers who have been raised together. Too much like incest/stepcest for my tastes, if that is where it is going. But I would absolutely dive into another about Alexei and Kelly.
April 24, 2026
MM romance | Mafia romance | Dark romance | Enforcer and Veterinarian | Dark humor | Stalking | Hurt/Comfort | Touch him and 💀 | Forced proximity
La verdad es que no fue lo que esperaba... o sea, sí pero no al mismo tiempo 😂. Es un libro sobre mafia? Sí. Tiene muerte, sangre y destrucción? También. Pero, por alguna razón, no me enganchó como yo quería.
Sinceramente, este libro tenía todo para convertirse en mi nueva obsesión, pero no logré conectar del todo con la historia ni con los personajes. No es un mal libro y está bien escrito, así que considero que el problema fui yo 100%. Quizás más adelante le dé una segunda oportunidad, porque de verdad me interesa ese ambiente familiar tan "cercano" que tienen entre todos guiño, guiño 😂😂.
Kelly me gustó mucho y Alexei también; de hecho, siento que el personaje de Alexei destaca muchísimo más hacia la última parte del libro.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
To be honest, it wasn’t quite what I expected... well, yes and no at the same time 😂. Is it a mafia book? Yes. Does it have action, blood, and destruction? Also yes. But for some reason, it just didn’t hook me the way I hoped it would.
This book had everything to become my next obsession, but I just couldn't fully connect with the story or the characters. It’s not a bad book, and it's actually well-written, so I’m 100% sure the problem was me. Maybe I’ll give it a second chance later on, because I’m genuinely interested in that "close-knit" family dynamic they all have wink, wink 😂😂.
I liked Kelly, and Alexei was great too—I feel like his character really starts to shine toward the end of the book.
La verdad es que no fue lo que esperaba... o sea, sí pero no al mismo tiempo 😂. Es un libro sobre mafia? Sí. Tiene muerte, sangre y destrucción? También. Pero, por alguna razón, no me enganchó como yo quería.
Sinceramente, este libro tenía todo para convertirse en mi nueva obsesión, pero no logré conectar del todo con la historia ni con los personajes. No es un mal libro y está bien escrito, así que considero que el problema fui yo 100%. Quizás más adelante le dé una segunda oportunidad, porque de verdad me interesa ese ambiente familiar tan "cercano" que tienen entre todos guiño, guiño 😂😂.
Kelly me gustó mucho y Alexei también; de hecho, siento que el personaje de Alexei destaca muchísimo más hacia la última parte del libro.
〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️
To be honest, it wasn’t quite what I expected... well, yes and no at the same time 😂. Is it a mafia book? Yes. Does it have action, blood, and destruction? Also yes. But for some reason, it just didn’t hook me the way I hoped it would.
This book had everything to become my next obsession, but I just couldn't fully connect with the story or the characters. It’s not a bad book, and it's actually well-written, so I’m 100% sure the problem was me. Maybe I’ll give it a second chance later on, because I’m genuinely interested in that "close-knit" family dynamic they all have wink, wink 😂😂.
I liked Kelly, and Alexei was great too—I feel like his character really starts to shine toward the end of the book.
April 25, 2026
100/5⭐️
Me encantó cada momento del libro 🥰
Me encantó cada momento del libro 🥰
July 24, 2026
Sometimes you just need to read about a crazy, sexually repressed Russian mafia man falling for a sweetheart veterinarian okay?
Alexei and his family are really damn crazy & unhinged but I kinda love it. He’ll do anything to protect Kelly & I liked that he was all in for him as soon as he met him. If you like “touch him & die” vibes this is def for you (includes accidental death by cookie & toilet swirly). My heart hurt for Kelly and all that he was going through. I loved that Alexei took care of him no matter what, and made him see that nothing that happened was his fault.
It was also cute seeing how much big scary Alexei adored Clover, Kelly’s lil rabbit. Glad they were able to get their happy ending! I’m looking forward to the next book which will be Mikhail & Daniil’s (which I clocked as soon as we learned Daniil is adopted & only talks to Mikhail 😂).
Fav parts:
He grew up thinking this was shameful. I’ll be patient while he unlearns that lie.
He looks at me like I’m something worth keeping. Like I matter beyond what I can kill. I don’t understand it. Can’t wrap my head around why he’d want someone like me. But whatever he cracked open inside my chest won’t close again. This desperate, aching thing that makes it hard to breathe sometimes. Makes me want things I don’t have words for.
“I love you so much it physically hurts. I’ve been completely lost to you from the start, and I wouldn’t change a single thing about how we got here. I want to spend forever showing you what love is supposed to feel like.”
Alexei and his family are really damn crazy & unhinged but I kinda love it. He’ll do anything to protect Kelly & I liked that he was all in for him as soon as he met him. If you like “touch him & die” vibes this is def for you (includes accidental death by cookie & toilet swirly). My heart hurt for Kelly and all that he was going through. I loved that Alexei took care of him no matter what, and made him see that nothing that happened was his fault.
It was also cute seeing how much big scary Alexei adored Clover, Kelly’s lil rabbit. Glad they were able to get their happy ending! I’m looking forward to the next book which will be Mikhail & Daniil’s (which I clocked as soon as we learned Daniil is adopted & only talks to Mikhail 😂).
Fav parts:
He grew up thinking this was shameful. I’ll be patient while he unlearns that lie.
He looks at me like I’m something worth keeping. Like I matter beyond what I can kill. I don’t understand it. Can’t wrap my head around why he’d want someone like me. But whatever he cracked open inside my chest won’t close again. This desperate, aching thing that makes it hard to breathe sometimes. Makes me want things I don’t have words for.
“I love you so much it physically hurts. I’ve been completely lost to you from the start, and I wouldn’t change a single thing about how we got here. I want to spend forever showing you what love is supposed to feel like.”
April 26, 2026
2.5 Stars
April 25, 2026
4,5 ⭐️I really enjoyed it, I connected with Alexei and Kelly very quickly; they were exactly what each other needed. 🥰 The only thing that didn't quite convince me was that they went from attraction to love very quickly. I'm really looking forward to reading Mikhail and Daniil's book, the interaction between the brothers. 👌🏻
May 7, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
May 14, 2026
Yea I love this!
May 3, 2026
Loved it
This was so good. Like good good. Had all the right vibes. Soft only for him gets me every time plus the carrying... im sold.
Was really good though
They are super sweet vulnerable hot and unhinged. With a side of chaotic found family lol
Loved it
Can't wait for the next book in the series !
This was so good. Like good good. Had all the right vibes. Soft only for him gets me every time plus the carrying... im sold.
Was really good though
They are super sweet vulnerable hot and unhinged. With a side of chaotic found family lol
Loved it
Can't wait for the next book in the series !
July 29, 2026
Wow!
This book was absolutely insane! It's everything I needed in a Mafia Romance. So excited for the future books!
This book was absolutely insane! It's everything I needed in a Mafia Romance. So excited for the future books!
July 25, 2026
This book is absolutely insane and I’m insane for gobbling it up the way I did.
What do you mean this Russia mafia enforcer stalks our main character, steals things from his apartment that he repeatedly breaks into, makes a key for Kelly’s apartment, uses his body wash, and literally kills anyone that makes Kelly’s life even a little bit inconvenient… And it made him charming???
This book and Alexei are completely unhinged and they make no apologies for it and it was very refreshing. He kills people and has absolutely no remorse and he will do it again and again and again. And I really enjoyed that aspect of the book, because I do feel like sometimes when authors make a morally gray character, they get a little nervous to make them fully morally gray… And this author did not hold back.
Alexei isn’t a full sociopath. He has the capacity to love, and he loves his brothers in his own way and his mother and he’s clearly very affected by his father, but once he meets Kelly and he falls for Kelly, no one comes close to him. He is prepared to do whatever it takes to make Kelly his and thankfully Kelly falls for him too, and never truly understands the lengths Alexei would’ve gone to keep him.
It should probably go without saying, but this man is a walking black flag in real life. If you meet a man like him, stay far far away! But in this book? Loved it! And I loved him! I like that he was himself, and he made no attempts to hide who he was or what he did for a living, except for when Kelly asked him to start lying about it. He had no qualms about killing people and he’s going to do it for the rest of his life and it doesn’t bother him.
I think what holds me back from giving us a full five stars is Kelly himself. There’s nothing inherently wrong with him, he just wasn’t as engaging as Alexei and I suppose I don’t really understand him as a character. We’re never really given a strong explanation or indication of his character as to why these things that Alexei does don’t bother him as much as they should. In this sense, Kelly is somewhat of a morally gray character himself. Seeing that he can just let these things slide and be blissfully ignorant.
We’re told a lot of things about Kelly’s past, but I wish we could’ve felt them more. In fact, I think that’s probably another big reason why I can’t give this story five stars, I didn’t find myself completely immersed into it. The romance was cute at parts, but it did feel very heavily based in smut for a lot of it.
I wish the emotional beats would’ve hit harder, especially considering that David was abusive to Kelly, but I didn’t really feel like there were any stakes because you knew that Alexei was gonna kill him eventually. I wish we had more insight into Kelly’s mom and the whole situation with his dad. We got so many scenes with Alexei and his family and I just wish we could’ve gotten the same for Kelly.
And speaking of Alexei’s family: the author is clearly setting up the other brothers to have their books eventually, but I think they did it in a good way that doesn’t feel like half the book was setting up for the second book of the series. We got just enough of Mikhail and Daniil’s dynamic to get us interested, but it didn’t feel like we were sharing space with them and getting half of their plot mixed into this one. This book felt entirely like Alexei and Kelly’s book which is very much so appreciated. But I found myself intrigued by all of the brothers, so as of right now, I’m very much looking forward to reading their stories!
Also, this may be like a small little thing: but I love that the author did not shy away from hard things. In both the violence of reading about a mafia family, and the centuries deep homophobia that’s within this family. I like that Alexei’s father didn’t magically change his tune in the book and decide that he was OK with his son being gay. It felt realistic, and it was hard to read about, and it hit a little harder than Kelly’s issues, because we got to see how much Alexei admires his dad and how hard it hit that his father won’t even talk to him anymore. It’s definitely going to be interesting to see how his father reacts to Mikhail and Daniil’s relationship in the next book, and I’m very curious to see if he’s going to start to bend a little bit toward Alexei or not!
I’ll definitely get this a solid four stars! I was very entertained the whole way through and I’m really looking forward to the next book, because I love a good best friends to lovers/codependent relationship romance!
What do you mean this Russia mafia enforcer stalks our main character, steals things from his apartment that he repeatedly breaks into, makes a key for Kelly’s apartment, uses his body wash, and literally kills anyone that makes Kelly’s life even a little bit inconvenient… And it made him charming???
This book and Alexei are completely unhinged and they make no apologies for it and it was very refreshing. He kills people and has absolutely no remorse and he will do it again and again and again. And I really enjoyed that aspect of the book, because I do feel like sometimes when authors make a morally gray character, they get a little nervous to make them fully morally gray… And this author did not hold back.
Alexei isn’t a full sociopath. He has the capacity to love, and he loves his brothers in his own way and his mother and he’s clearly very affected by his father, but once he meets Kelly and he falls for Kelly, no one comes close to him. He is prepared to do whatever it takes to make Kelly his and thankfully Kelly falls for him too, and never truly understands the lengths Alexei would’ve gone to keep him.
It should probably go without saying, but this man is a walking black flag in real life. If you meet a man like him, stay far far away! But in this book? Loved it! And I loved him! I like that he was himself, and he made no attempts to hide who he was or what he did for a living, except for when Kelly asked him to start lying about it. He had no qualms about killing people and he’s going to do it for the rest of his life and it doesn’t bother him.
I think what holds me back from giving us a full five stars is Kelly himself. There’s nothing inherently wrong with him, he just wasn’t as engaging as Alexei and I suppose I don’t really understand him as a character. We’re never really given a strong explanation or indication of his character as to why these things that Alexei does don’t bother him as much as they should. In this sense, Kelly is somewhat of a morally gray character himself. Seeing that he can just let these things slide and be blissfully ignorant.
We’re told a lot of things about Kelly’s past, but I wish we could’ve felt them more. In fact, I think that’s probably another big reason why I can’t give this story five stars, I didn’t find myself completely immersed into it. The romance was cute at parts, but it did feel very heavily based in smut for a lot of it.
I wish the emotional beats would’ve hit harder, especially considering that David was abusive to Kelly, but I didn’t really feel like there were any stakes because you knew that Alexei was gonna kill him eventually. I wish we had more insight into Kelly’s mom and the whole situation with his dad. We got so many scenes with Alexei and his family and I just wish we could’ve gotten the same for Kelly.
And speaking of Alexei’s family: the author is clearly setting up the other brothers to have their books eventually, but I think they did it in a good way that doesn’t feel like half the book was setting up for the second book of the series. We got just enough of Mikhail and Daniil’s dynamic to get us interested, but it didn’t feel like we were sharing space with them and getting half of their plot mixed into this one. This book felt entirely like Alexei and Kelly’s book which is very much so appreciated. But I found myself intrigued by all of the brothers, so as of right now, I’m very much looking forward to reading their stories!
Also, this may be like a small little thing: but I love that the author did not shy away from hard things. In both the violence of reading about a mafia family, and the centuries deep homophobia that’s within this family. I like that Alexei’s father didn’t magically change his tune in the book and decide that he was OK with his son being gay. It felt realistic, and it was hard to read about, and it hit a little harder than Kelly’s issues, because we got to see how much Alexei admires his dad and how hard it hit that his father won’t even talk to him anymore. It’s definitely going to be interesting to see how his father reacts to Mikhail and Daniil’s relationship in the next book, and I’m very curious to see if he’s going to start to bend a little bit toward Alexei or not!
I’ll definitely get this a solid four stars! I was very entertained the whole way through and I’m really looking forward to the next book, because I love a good best friends to lovers/codependent relationship romance!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2026
DNF @ 58%
I wanted this to work so badly. I’m always rooting for debut authors, and I genuinely loved the foreword:
“To everyone who’s been carrying stories inside them for years—all those characters demanding to be written, those worlds begging to exist. It took me years to find the courage to let mine live on these pages. When you’re ready, I hope you’ll let yours live too. Because your book will be someone’s favorite one day. Keep writing.”
Sigh. I really wanted them to nail it.
Alas, I finally threw in the towel during the first penetrative sex scene. It was so flat and lacking in chemistry, but more importantly, it completely broke from Alexei’s character for me.
We are told Alexei is deeply closeted. So repressed he supposedly hasn’t even admitted to himself that he’s gay. There’s no mention of past relationships with men, experimentation, gay porn, nothing. Just layers and layers of repression.
And then suddenly it’s: put me in, coach.
This man is immediately hitting prostates, rimming like a seasoned professional, prepping and expertly maneuvering Kelly into sophisticated positions, delivering porn-star dirty talk like “Look at you, ruined already and I’ve barely even started.” Be serious my dude.
It’s not remotely credible.
Kelly also needed to be fleshed out more. He never became fully dimensional to me, just kind of… nice. He’s clearly a good person, and major points for being a vet, but I never understood why Alexei was so consumed by him specifically beyond “deeply closeted man gets his first taste of dick and loses his mind.” I needed more emotional and physical specificity about what made Kelly irresistible.
Not gonna lie, I skimmed (okay, mostly skipped) almost all of the mafia plot from the beginning. I feel slightly guilty saying that because it’s obvious the author put a lot of effort into building a genuinely dark mafia world, but mafia content somehow manages to both bore and disgust me simultaneously. Pro tip from an experienced skimmer: in the majority of mafia books, you lose surprisingly little of the romance by skipping half the organized crime logistics.
I actually was optimistic at the start. I have a huge soft spot for unhinged psychopaths who are only soft for their obsession. And the image of this terrifying mafia enforcer finding comfort in a little artisanal bunny was a delightfully whimsical characterization. More sweet touches like that would have gone a long way.
I do think the author has potential. There are flashes of interesting instincts here. But the characters needed to go much deeper emotionally, and when I’m simultaneously cringing and eye-rolling during a sex scene, that’s usually my sign to call time of death.
I wanted this to work so badly. I’m always rooting for debut authors, and I genuinely loved the foreword:
“To everyone who’s been carrying stories inside them for years—all those characters demanding to be written, those worlds begging to exist. It took me years to find the courage to let mine live on these pages. When you’re ready, I hope you’ll let yours live too. Because your book will be someone’s favorite one day. Keep writing.”
Sigh. I really wanted them to nail it.
Alas, I finally threw in the towel during the first penetrative sex scene. It was so flat and lacking in chemistry, but more importantly, it completely broke from Alexei’s character for me.
We are told Alexei is deeply closeted. So repressed he supposedly hasn’t even admitted to himself that he’s gay. There’s no mention of past relationships with men, experimentation, gay porn, nothing. Just layers and layers of repression.
And then suddenly it’s: put me in, coach.
This man is immediately hitting prostates, rimming like a seasoned professional, prepping and expertly maneuvering Kelly into sophisticated positions, delivering porn-star dirty talk like “Look at you, ruined already and I’ve barely even started.” Be serious my dude.
It’s not remotely credible.
Kelly also needed to be fleshed out more. He never became fully dimensional to me, just kind of… nice. He’s clearly a good person, and major points for being a vet, but I never understood why Alexei was so consumed by him specifically beyond “deeply closeted man gets his first taste of dick and loses his mind.” I needed more emotional and physical specificity about what made Kelly irresistible.
Not gonna lie, I skimmed (okay, mostly skipped) almost all of the mafia plot from the beginning. I feel slightly guilty saying that because it’s obvious the author put a lot of effort into building a genuinely dark mafia world, but mafia content somehow manages to both bore and disgust me simultaneously. Pro tip from an experienced skimmer: in the majority of mafia books, you lose surprisingly little of the romance by skipping half the organized crime logistics.
I actually was optimistic at the start. I have a huge soft spot for unhinged psychopaths who are only soft for their obsession. And the image of this terrifying mafia enforcer finding comfort in a little artisanal bunny was a delightfully whimsical characterization. More sweet touches like that would have gone a long way.
I do think the author has potential. There are flashes of interesting instincts here. But the characters needed to go much deeper emotionally, and when I’m simultaneously cringing and eye-rolling during a sex scene, that’s usually my sign to call time of death.
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