Brutal Games: Enemies To Lovers Mafia Romance

by Lila Sharp

First he murdered my brother.

Then he vowed to break me.

Some reputations are exaggerated in the Bratva. Dmitri Novikov’s is not.

Brutal. Sadistic. Unrepentant.

And now his sights are set on me.

Electricity scorches across my skin with each domineering glance. Hatred wars against searing need as he pushes me to my breaking point.

He’s going to have to fight for every inch of my submission.

But the night I’m dragged into an alley, Dmitri appears from the shadows like a demented guardian angel.

He erases the man for the sin of touching something that belongs to him.

His prey. His kitten. His obsession.

As he stalks me through the city while my enemies close in…

I realize I need the biggest monster of them all to stay alive.

“All you have to do is beg, kotenok, and I’ll give you everything you’re craving.”

Brutal Games is a scorching hot mafia romance standalone with forced proximity, a morally gray obsessed MMC, and the only woman who can break down his walls.

Genres: Dark Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Mafia Romance

396 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 21, 2026

About the author

Lila Sharp is a dark mafia romance author who crafts moments so hot you’ll feel like you’re biting a jalapeño. She loves creating characters who grapple with their inner demons on their way to a happily ever after. When she isn’t writing about morally grey men that make you question your morals or ruthless mobsters who'd burn the world down for their woman, she’s devouring another book on her never-ending TBR.

Reviews

[Julia Curtis 🌷 · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC READ
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was my first ever read by Lila Sharp and I'm soooo happy she picked me to be one of her arc readers!! The tension between Alisa and Dmitri was hottttt 🔥🔥 the back and forth from the beginning literally kept me flipping the page until 3 A.M! I absolutely loved the tension but what I loved more was when these enemies finally became lovers, the way Dmitri would burn the world down for Alisa was EVERYTHING. I loved how possessive yet caring he was because Alisa had never really had that in her life. I also loved how Alisa would truly do anything for Dmitri, these two truly had a love like no other. I'm personally not an enemies to lovers girl but this made me rethink all my decisions because this was definitely a 5 star read for me. These two were just everything and I can't wait to read more by Lila Sharp!!!

TROPES
✨Dark romance
✨Bravata romance
✨Enemies to Lovers
✨HES OBSESSED

SPICY REVIEW - 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

❤️‍🔥PRAISE KINK
❤️‍🔥LIGHT PAIN KINK
❤️‍🔥ONE BED
❤️‍🔥HE LOVES GIVING HICKEYS

[NicolBackBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to collect my thoughts before I come back here with my official review. I gotta breathe.

Ok here we are phewwwww

**ARC**

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Brutal Games – Lila Sharp

This was a five-star read for me, no hesitation.

Brutal Games is a dark, brutal mafia romance that throws you straight into an enemies-to-lovers dynamic and never lets you breathe. The story opens with the MMC, Dmitri, killing the FMC’s brother — and somehow, against all logic, that moment becomes the foundation of one of the most intense and emotionally charged relationships I’ve read in a while.

Alisa has grown up inside the Bratva, shaped by violence, control, and fear. Her upbringing was traumatic in every sense of the word — including a father who broke her down physically and emotionally until survival became instinct. Dmitri’s past is no gentler. He’s feared for a reason: a killer, a monster in the eyes of the mafia, hardened by his own brutal childhood. What struck me most was how their shared trauma quietly mirrors each other, creating a connection that feels raw, damaged, and painfully real.

The premise of the brutal competition — where members of the Bratva complete deadly missions to earn points toward becoming the Pakhan’s heir — adds constant tension and stakes. Dmitri is already leading, completely untouchable, while Alisa is struggling to survive in a system designed to crush her. She hates him, rightfully so, and yet he cannot stop thinking about her. His obsession begins as something dark and dangerous… and slowly turns into protection, loyalty, and something far deeper than either of them wants to admit.

What made this book stand out for me wasn’t just the violence or the spice — it was the emotional evolution. Watching Dmitri crack, watching him learn how to care, how to protect without destroying, and how to love someone when he’s never been shown love himself was incredibly compelling. His obsession with Alisa is absolute: no one touches her, no one looks at her, no one even breathes too close without consequences. And yet, beneath all of that brutality is a man learning what it means to choose someone.

Alisa doesn’t come to him weak or submissive — she comes broken but resilient, angry but strong, and unwilling to forgive easily. Their relationship earns every shift from hatred to desire to devotion, and that slow, painful transition is what makes it so satisfying.

Dmitri is officially a new book boyfriend for me — dark, dangerous, obsessive, and fiercely protective in a way that feels earned, not performative. This book is violent, intense, and emotionally heavy, but it also delivers a love story that feels forged in fire rather than convenience.

If you love dark mafia romance with high stakes, morally gray characters, and an enemies-to-lovers arc that actually hurts before it heals, Brutal Games is absolutely worth the read.

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another mafia romance for me, which I already love, and Brutal Games absolutely did not disappoint. Dark, intense, and addictive, this was the kind of story that pulls you into a brutal world and refuses to let go.

The atmosphere is ruthless and heavy from the start—full of power plays, violence, and morally gray choices. Dmitri is exactly the type of dangerous, obsessive mafia lead you expect going into a book like this, and the story never tries to soften him into something he isn’t. The tension between him and Alisa is built on control, resistance, and survival, which made their dynamic feel volatile, layered, and constantly charged.

What really worked for me was how relentless the pacing felt. There was always something happening, another confrontation, another shift in power, another moment that twisted the emotional knife. It’s dark romance through and through, but it still had enough emotional weight beneath the brutality to keep me invested in both characters, not just the shock factor.

Overall, this was a solid mafia romance that delivers exactly what it promises: darkness, obsession, intensity, and high-stakes tension. If you love your romances brutal, morally gray, and unapologetically intense, this one is definitely worth picking up. Thanks to the author for the gifted ARC.

[Kyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

Let me just say a huge thank you to the author for letting me read this because I devoured this it. I read this book in one sitting. I love the mafia competition she used, the hate and attraction of the MC, and oh how the spice hit just right. This book didn't have a dull moment it just kept you wanting more.
Alisa battles to stay in the competition while trying to stay under the radar. Dimitri is living at the top as heir apparent and a man who is feared. They are both trying to survive the Pakhan and his games while fighting an attraction they don't want. Thrust together for a mission leaves them both trying to get done before one of them break. Emotions are high and things keep getting more tangled up as the competition gets closer to it's end.
Lila Sharp has wrote an amazing fast paced enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and touch her and die book. This is my first ever book of her and I can't wait to see what she has in store next. This is definitely a book I highly recommend reading and is one of my new favorites.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the twist on how the hierarchy is established in brutal games! Alisa and Dmitri go through so many personal challenges in a world full of violence, manipulation, and betrayal. He is unhinged in the best way! Their HEA was full of everything they never got in this world to begin with and they clawed for every moment of it!

[Tyesha Nauslar · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW.
I absolutely loved this book. Before I knew it I was on Chapter 30. It was a book I picked up and the absolutely couldn’t put down. The spice was 💫amazing💫 I mean if you’re wanting to read something for the SMUT this is the book for that! If you love a man who will burn the world down for his woman then you will absolutely adore Dimitri. We also love a women who will accept help from the man with money without questioning it or telling him he can’t help. Probably my favorite attributes of Alisa. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone !

[Nikkia Iovanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Reader + Purchased Physical Copy

Brutal Games is a dark mafia romance that snapped me out of a reading slump almost immediately. It’s intense, fast-paced, and layered with dark power dynamics that kept me turning pages. I appreciated that the world had real stakes outside of the romance, and the author leaned into the mafia elements instead of softening them.

The romance takes a darker enemies-to-lovers route, featuring a possessive MMC and a resilient FMC who can hold her own. I especially loved that the heroine is active in her world — capable, strategic, and loyal in a way that made her feel genuinely multidimensional rather than just decorative. Their chemistry and tension delivered, and the spice level lands at a personal 4–5 peppers

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted more from this book. The tropes were there and screaming but they flipped way too fast. She went from being this bad ass woman who was a poisoner to a victim of her father. She was portrayed as a no holds barred type and yet when faced with conflict literally ran. I’m also sick of women not believing other women so that entire scene pissed me right off. She killed his brother in front of her and yes eventually we come to understand his reasoning but that was in maybe 2 sentences and he never speaks the real truth to her. They go from feeling nothing and borderline hating each other to being each others soulmates. I hate the way she just falls to him for support and guidance but never proves her strength on her own two feet.

The ending was good plot wise.

[Cristina Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to be an ARC reader for this book. I truly enjoyed this as one of my first reads of the New Year. A mafia trope will do it for me every time. The FMC having the internal war she’s going through just makes me put myself in her situation and though I may have made a few different decisions the biggest choice she made is one I would have also made. The bad boy. Thank you Lila!

[Naomi Ortiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is 🌶🌶🌶🌶

The pakhan has a competition to see who is going to be the next heir . This competition is based on a point system where they are required to either off people or get information . If you fail any mission given then you are offed as well.

Alisa is tasked with ending her own brother and when she cant and begs the #1 competitor in the competition to kill her instead , he decides to end ger brother for her because now he is obsessed with her. Obsessed with the fact that someone else can love someone so much to risk their own life.

Now Dmitri is obsessed and will follow her everywhere to make sure she is safe and will make sure everyone knows shes his ....no matter how much she fights it.

fav quotes:

"You aren't allowed to die yet, Alisa." Dmitri's gaze scorched against my skin. "Not before I break you."




"So you missed the fun part," he said flatly. "Fun part?" I said, certain his version of fun was the complete opposite of my own. "The part," he said, his eyes narrowing, "where I sliced off every single body part of the man who dared touch you."





"Should I cut off his right or left hand first?" I asked, tilting my head as I assessed the desperate look in the guy's eyes. "He touched you without permission, so it's only fair I deprive him of the use of them."






Why do I get the feeling that respectful is the last thing you want me to be?"





"For the rest of the weekend, I'm going to picture all these marks carefully hidden under your clothes." He bit down on the curve of my hip. "And every time you adjust your clothing or feel a ripple of soreness, you'll be reminded of who owns your entire body."




My grip tightened on her hips. "Careful kitten, or I'll make you come while Jayden breathes his last breaths." Her pupils dilated. Kinky girl. Just my type.




But people weren't just one action, one moment. They were the sum of the laughter, and silent solidarity, and quiet friendship. I couldn't hate her, couldn't bringmyself to come close to feeling that way about her. I didn't want to kill her. Didn't want to be the type of person who killed the people they cared about.



Our world was full of people like my mother who'd murdered my brother, because she thought he was weak. Or the men who ordered their mistresses killed when they grew tired of them. I never expected someone to tell me to kill them instead of their family member. To be willing to die for love. Loving so fully was dangerous.

[Samantha Alejandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read from Lila Sharp, and it came to me as an ARC and what an introduction. Violent, intense, and deeply emotional, Brutal Games took everything I thought I wanted from a dark romance and pushed it further.

From the beginning, the story throws you into a world of calculated violence, psychological control, and deep moral grayness. It gave me serious John Wick vibes only more layered with obsession, betrayal, and emotional warfare. But what really surprised me was the love story at the heart of it. Twisted? Absolutely. But also deeply compelling.

This isn’t your typical romance, and definitely not your typical enemies-to-lovers arc. Their connection is built on control, defiance, and emotional unraveling. It’s dark, but it’s not hollow. It’s a story about survival, dominance, and what love looks like when it’s filtered through trauma.

Some scenes genuinely stayed with me like Dmitri’s realization that he loves Alisa, even if he doesn’t say it the way most people would. His version of protection is obsessive and controlling, but also rooted in care. Sewing trackers into her clothes? Absolutely insane… and yet, somehow, I felt that love. That’s the tone of this entire story: every gesture is twisted, but never without purpose.

And then there’s Alisa, who completely carried the emotional arc for me. The only love she had ever known was the instinct to protect; first her mother, from an abusive father, and then her brother in a game that would ultimately reshape her forever. She never learned how to be loved, only how to survive for someone else. Watching her slowly realize she might be worthy of love, protection, and care even in the most unrecognizable form was heartbreaking and powerful.

The spice is there but never gratuitous. It never overshadows the story, only intensifies it. The pacing is sharp, the world-building clear, and the character work tight. Every decision, every emotional shift, feels earned.

This book made me question my morals. I caught myself rooting for choices I wouldn’t normally stand behind, but that’s the brilliance of it. It doesn’t ask for your approval, only your attention. And it gets it.

Lila Sharp made an impression and I’ll definitely be picking up more from her.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted enemies to lovers and that’s exactly what I got. He literally killed her brother…

There’s a competition between the members of the mafia in order to become the new leader so Alisa and Dimitri are also competing against each other. I’ve never seen that in a mafia book which I thought was so cool.

I love Alisa’s character so much. She’s seen as fragile and weak, but she doesn’t let that stop her. She drugs her targets, but she actually microdoses herself to make herself more immune to the drugs because the targets always notice when she poisons their drinks so she actually poisons her own. Like excuse me???

DIMITRI is literally stone cold and doesn’t take shit from no one. Then Alisa decides to defy him so what does he do?? He becomes obsessed with the one person who isn’t afraid of him. There’s a scene where she gets drugged at a club and he’s driving her home, but he asks her where she lives and the entire time he’s just thinking in his head “I already know this.” He’s also supposed to listen to every single thing the leader says (including not killing his men unless being told to do so), but when someone hurts Alisa he doesn’t even hesitate. EVEN THOUGH THAT MEANS HE WOULD LITERALLY DIE IF THE LEADER FOUND OUT IT WAS HIM. She’s literally his only weakness.

I don’t like that he calls her kitten, but that’s just a me thing. Also the beginning is a slower burn, but once it starts there is definitely A LOT of spice throughout the rest of the book so just be prepared. I do wish there was a longer buildup between them, but since there was a time jump in the beginning it kind of helped that.

[Betty Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good solida mafia romance! There are all the things you expect from a Bratva romance: dark tropes, violence, morally inept characters. And it does make for a delicious book.
What I found interesting is the dynamic of these two as competitors for the role of heir to the Pakhan (or boss) yet they seemed to be in two different levels of sinister-type behavior. Both were lethal in their own way.
Starting with Dmitri. He’s as ruthless as it comes: definitely a cold killer but his weakness is Alisa. And how does that make him way hot!!! He’ll crack skulls at a drop of a hat but no one better make her cry! I love that.
Then there’s Alisa. She’s pretty interesting in that she’s also a cold killer but there is a big lack of standing up for herself that I felt she hid from everyone including herself.
The book pacing is quick! And I will say I read this book quick even though there was a lot of content. There’s an underlying storyline as it relates to Dmitri and Alisa’s family and their self serving needs driving their upbringing which I really loved as it weaved with their own love story.
Spicy, steamy and a complete bad ass mafia romance!!

[Liz Martinek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first mafia romance in a minute and WOW did it hit the spot. I enjoyed it so much.

The preface immediately hooked me — all the “heirs” competing to become the next Pakhan? The tension was instant. Dmitri was already miles ahead, basically a guaranteed successor… until Alisa walked in and completely knocked him on his ass. And I loved every second of it.

Their back-and-forth was so good. Their banter and chemistry? YESS. And Dmitri’s level of obsession with Alisa — protective, possessive, completely gone for her — was exactly what I want in a mafia MMC. He was ruthless when he needed to be, but when it came to her? He was so down bad (and I ate it uppp).

The twists and turns toward the end kept things interesting without feeling over the top, and I flew through the last chunk of this book.

This was my first book by Lila Sharp, but it definitely won’t be my last. If you love mafia romance with competition, obsession, and high-stakes tension, this one is absolutely worth the read.

[Katie Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now this book is what I mean when I say I want an enemies to lovers romance 👏🏼

The first thing you need to know is our two main characters Alisa and Dimitri are both in competition with one another. Long story short the Pakhan has no heirs of his own and he has designed a competition where the winner will be his heir. Dimitri is currently the leader of this competition while our FMC would also be in the top rank.

Our main characters first encounter is very full on… Alisa is given an order from the Pakhan to remove her brother permanently, Dimitri walks in on the conversation she has with her brother and that she is going to refuse the order. Dimitri takes matters into his own hands and unalives Alisa’s brother. Yep these two were definitely not off to a good start👀.

Now Alisa is quite cunning and in order to take out her targets and move up in rank she poisons them. She has trained her body to become immune also - in short she is definitely not a woman to be underestimated. Now she has caught Dimitri’s eye which means he would deliberately show up on her missions or in places where she would specifically be. But that’s not all as while each competitor would have their own solo missions to fulfill the Pakhan has decided there will be duo missions and you guessed it Alisa and Dimitri are a perfect pair.

The tension between these two characters you could cut with a spoon and honestly this building tension was impeccable when it finally snapped. It’s quite clear these characters had good chemistry and I loved their back and forth banter. Alisa was certainly not afraid to give Dimitri a piece of her mind and he loved that about her.

Overall this is my first book by this author and it most certainly won’t be the last as I enjoyed Alisa and Dimitri’s story. Thank you to the author who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭

[thebeespot72 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think Hunger Games/Alias meets Mafia—that’s what was going through my mind as I was reading Lila Sharp’s upcoming release, Brutal Games. A mafia romance unlike anything I’ve ever read. It almost dives into the ugly side, though likely fictional, of the mafia world, but in a competitive style. It’s already a given that men dominate the mafia world, so having an FMC, Alisa, struggling to prove to her father and others in the Bratva that she is strong, is not unique. But what is unique is how her character shows significant vulnerability, self-doubt, and compassion. And at times, she may be perceived as not “brutal” enough.

Brutal Games is just that. Brutal. The competition aspect of the story was compelling. The romance between Alisa and Dmitri is a slow burn, and several steamy scenes work well. I enjoyed it!

Brutal Games by Lila Sharp releases tomorrow, Jan. 21st!

Thank you to Author Lila Sharp for the gifted e-copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jess Blanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew from the very last sentence of the first chapter that I was going to love these characters! I love a soft(ish) FMC that blatantly defies a big, bad alpha MMC 😆

I'm ALWAYS a sucker for a mafia romance, but I REALLY like how Brutal Games takes the Mafia trope and twists the plot. This is not your typical Mafia and I've never read of a competition like the one this story is built around. The offspring of the big players are NOT treated like Mafia Princes/Princesses.
Even though it is written so differently, it is still inundated with the Mafia life.

The song Theeeese Brutal Gaaames was in my head for 2 days! Then I remembered that Jewel sings These Foolish Games, not Brutal Games 😆....but Brutal Games definitely fits!

[Catherine M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 (rounded up)
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

Intense and thrilling, Brutal Games starts off quite intense and stays that way until the very end. It was filled with tension and high stakes moments that revolved around survival games to establish the new heir to the bravta.

Brutal Games was a beautiful mix enemies to lovers and touch her and die with an over the top possessive mmc and a badass fmc. These two knew how to push each other’s buttons and it made for electric moments that were as intense and they could be spicy. There were also sweeter moments that strengthened their connection. Dmitri and Alisa were definitely made for each other and proved it with their actions time and time again.

Overall, it was an enjoyable and intense read with a uniqueness to it!

I would like to thank Lila Sharp for the opportunity to read and review Brutal Games.

[Charlotte Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did NOT disappoint! It was full of suspense, violence and smut! It had me completely hooked until I finished it at 2am.

The twist on Mafia hierarchy was exceptional, a game to see who will take over and become the next Pakhan be it woman or man? Genius.

Alisa battles to survive the game by staying under the radar and not stepping on anyones toes, except for leading top scorer Dmitri, the feared heir apparent. If he's involved she's sure to push his buttons. Fighting against her haye and attract for Dmitri, she doesn't understand why he keeps showing up when she needs him too.

After doing something unforgivable in Alisa's eyes, Dmitri has tried to stay away for 2 years and has only become more obsessed with her. He is certain he can get Alisa out of his system and finally break her while doing so, but what happens when the two are paired on a mission together? Or when it comes out one was asked to keep track and report on what the other is upto? the tension was killing me!

Lila Sharp wrote a book that was fast paced and pulled you in, wanting more and more form the main characters. Im so grateful I was given the opportunity to read before release and look forward to future releases.

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
4.5 ⭐️

I absolutely loved this book—it’s the kind of story that grabs you from the very first page and doesn’t let go until the end. Dmitri’s obsession with the heroine is intense and all-consuming; he’s dominant, possessive, and would burn the world down just to keep her safe.

Packed with mafia drama, passion, and romance, the story unfolds as a brutal game of power led by a ruthless crime boss who constantly tests the protagonists’ loyalty.

Dark, addictive, and emotionally charged, this novel by Lila Sharp delivers everything you’d want in a gripping mafia romance.

[Elixabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review doesn't do the book justice

(Plot/Spice/Tears/Violence-Gore-Action)
📚 4/5 - 🌶 4/5 - 💧2/0 - 🗡 4/5

Dimitri and Alisa's story was so amazing! Both of them come from unloving parents, pawns in a game to be heir to the Pakhan.

The tension and banter between the two of them was so thick, and they were so cute and hot together! Alisa's hate towards him for killing her brother, and saving her at the same time, and Dimitri's instant obsession, and protectivenes for her. It had me devouring page after page. The ending made my heart so happy.

[Stepfani · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many things going on in this book …. The games , the spice , the heartache …. for this Cinnamon roll of Dimitri to make you fall in love with one of the most ruthless men in the Pakhans game!!! And he only has eyes for Alisa and no one else better cross her path because he may just very well burn the world to the ground to protect her because she’s the only one who has ever brought his heart back to beating status ….. You will not regret entering “The Brutal Games “

[Emily ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I came into the book in the midst of a reading slump but this mafia book was able to get me out of it! I think this book is pretty easy to read and is very spicy! However, I didn’t think it was anything too crazy and I wish our FMC was more independent. Don’t get me wrong, I love when the MMC comes in to save the day and actually need it in every book but in this one, it was just every single scenario. I really wanted to see her be badass especially since she talks about working so hard to get her placement in the competition.

[Kassie Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ this one was gooood and spicy. I would’ve like to see Alisa be more strong then a damsel in distress when she’s in the bratva, but i love our poison princess! Dmitri is our dark grumpy dirty mouthed bad ass.
He really was so hot! Loved the tension and character development.

The scene in the library? Come onnnnnnn 🥵🥵🥵

[Stephanie Matarazzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ Very fun read!

Having a hard time reviewing because most of my hold ups are my own problem — I haven’t read a lot of dark romance/mafia and I’m still figuring out if it’s for me.

BUT there’s something to be said that I still sped read through it!

(I received this book as an ARC without the promise of any timely review or recommendation)

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, I really loved this book. I've read plenty of mafia & bratva books, and this one was dang good. The premise is basically a contest among a group of assassins who's main goal is to earn enough points to become second in command. However, the current front runner is all things deadly, and one day, a crying girl wanted him to end her instead of her brother. But love is a weakness in this world. People start playing dirty and trying to find a way around everything. But these two get paired together, and sparks immediately start flying. Their chemistry is incredible, and I loved how the story evolved. Absolutely recommend if you want a good bratva read with plenty of banter and some good spice.

[Danielle Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharp’s writing keeps the tension high, blending emotional depth with gritty romance. While the themes may not be for everyone, fans of dark romance will find this book gripping and hard to put down.

[Seqqua · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review 3,5 ⭐️ a huge thank you to Lila for sending me this ARC. For it being my first one, I really enjoyed reading it.

❤️‍🔥mafia romance
❤️‍🔥touch her and die
❤️‍🔥possessive MMC
❤️‍🔥enemies to lovers (kinda)

Was this the best book ever? No, not really. Was it entertaining enough for me to binge read it? Definitely.

This book was pretty good actually. Aside from every single male character being somehow obsessed with Alissa’s breasts and besides Dmitri being able to break bones with his bare hands (sorry those two things were pretty funny to me) I enjoyed this book.

The idea of the Pakhan holding a competition to decide his heir was original and immediately drew me in. These Brutal Games were merciless and our characters had to do what was necessary to survive. One of them enjoyed it tho, don’t worry.

Alissa was a nice character. She had compassion and goodness about her that was severely lacking in the situation she was born into. She would do anything for the ones she loved, even if it put her into impossible situations. She did her best to survive, but I wouldn’t be mad if she was more badass. She gave off damsel in distress vibes. But I have to say her microdosing and poisoning her targets was sick (in a good way).

Dmitri on the other hand… oh I loved him. He was dark and ruthless and so obsessed and possessive, exactly what you want from a mafia romance MMC. I liked that he never pretended to be something he isn’t and remained the same until the end of the book. Massive touch her and die vibes and I ate it up.

Overall if you love mafia romance, you will enjoy this book. I most certainly did.

[Katie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooh I was SO excited to start this ARC read, this is my favorite genre, and it did not disappoint!!
This story has everything I want in a dark mafia book! Enemies to lovers, revenge, forced proximity, stalking, touch her and 💀, and plenty of spice🌶️
I was drawn into this book instantly! The pain and grief that both Dimitri and Alisa suffer at the hands of horrible and abusive parents, as a result of a cruel competition was heartbreaking. The Pakhan has no idea that forcing them to work together is his first mistake!
Dimitri is in first place in the Pakhan’s competition to become the heir apparent. He has fought his way to his position, ruthlessly. He is feared by all, and rightfully so!
Alisa is fierce and independent! She handles her missions with precision, and prefers to work alone. She is in quite the tizzy when she finds out she is being forced to work with the man that killed her brother.
Dimitri’s stalking of Alisa, and his conflicting emotions surrounding said stalking, had me squealing! Strong, dangerous Bratva man has no idea what he’s about to be faced with. The competition was easy compared to this challenge!

I didn’t want this book to end!!

[CoLett Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Read

Let’s talk about my new book boyfriend, Dmitri. He is literally the epitome of “touch her and die.” This hunk of a man had me swooning from the start. Alisa, the FMC, is a badass in her own unique way. Without giving too many spoilers, let’s just say she can be quite “poisonous.”

This was a great dark romance that I nearly devoured in a single day. The story was written well, though there are a few aspects that could be tightened up. Overall, this was a solid 4-star read for me, and I will certainly be checking out more books by Lila Sharp!