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Gamble with Me: Dark, Mafia, Stalker Romance
After discovering that her husband lost all their money, Valeria makes a life-changing decision and is determined to leave him. However, she doesn't expect him to forbid her from taking their daughter with her. Valeria stays in a loveless relationship only because of her baby girl, but her life worsens when her once caring husband turns into a violent monster.
Zyon Zhumagulov is everything an actual crime lord should be. He's dangerous, violent, and ruthless, and he never cared for the consequences of his actions. As the head of an infamous crime family, he is a bloodthirsty alpha male who stops at nothing to reach his goal. And when his eyes land on the gorgeous manager in a casino, the terrifying hunt will start.
Zyon Zhumagulov is everything an actual crime lord should be. He's dangerous, violent, and ruthless, and he never cared for the consequences of his actions. As the head of an infamous crime family, he is a bloodthirsty alpha male who stops at nothing to reach his goal. And when his eyes land on the gorgeous manager in a casino, the terrifying hunt will start.
Audible Audio
Published January 27, 2026
4 people want to read
About the author
Sissi Grandeur
11 books42 followersSissi Grandeur is an author with a romantic heart and a passion for steamy, sexy stories. Her interest in different lifestyles and people’s desires inspired her to write a romance novel on her own. In her books, you mostly find dark, brooding men falling in love with ordinary, strong women who, despite their fears and insecurities, are ready to face the challenges that a new life could bring.
If you’re interested in newsletter, free e-book, or other informations about the author, visit this link: https://linktr.ee/sissi.k.grandeur
If you’re interested in newsletter, free e-book, or other informations about the author, visit this link: https://linktr.ee/sissi.k.grandeur
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 9, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Valeria is just stuck in a marriage with a terrible man and why because they have a daughter together. Zyon is the man who wanted to get her out and has an interesting method to try.
I loved the dynamic of Zyon and his brothers!
This audio was spectacular!!!! Valeria is ine strong woman and Michelle Sparks did the thing bringing it all to life. Joe Arden always does a good job at bringing different characters to life so east to distinct.
What to expect
Dark mafia romance
St@lker/masked man
Age gap
Fmc stuck in marriage
Touch her and 💀
Obsessiv and possessive mmc
Thank you Sissi and blue nose audio for the opportunity to listen to this book as an ALC💛
Valeria is just stuck in a marriage with a terrible man and why because they have a daughter together. Zyon is the man who wanted to get her out and has an interesting method to try.
I loved the dynamic of Zyon and his brothers!
This audio was spectacular!!!! Valeria is ine strong woman and Michelle Sparks did the thing bringing it all to life. Joe Arden always does a good job at bringing different characters to life so east to distinct.
What to expect
Dark mafia romance
St@lker/masked man
Age gap
Fmc stuck in marriage
Touch her and 💀
Obsessiv and possessive mmc
Thank you Sissi and blue nose audio for the opportunity to listen to this book as an ALC💛
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐-> ♾️🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶🌶.275
🖤 Dark Mafia Romance
✨️ Stalker/Masked Man
🖤 He Falls First
✨️ Obsessive/Possessive MMC
🖤 Age Gap
✨️ Billionaire
🖤 Touch Her & You ☠️
⚠️ CHECK YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS ⚠️
✨️ 🎧 ALC 🎧 REVIEW ✨️
🎙Narrators: Michelle Sparks & Joe Arden 🎙
Let me just say that if Michelle and Joe hadn't voiced this book I really don't think it would have been as good for me! They really gave us the emotion with every scene, and the angst!!!! Oh the angst between these two characters!!!
✨️📖 On To The Book Review 📖✨️
Where do I begin with these two characters? Valeria and were two of the most magnetic people that had the chemistry that really made you take a second and appreciate it!
Valeria was in such a bad predicament! I couldn't help but feel bad for her in every aspect. She wanted nothing more htan to be a good mom and not continually have to bail her husband out at times. He was a freaking nightmare of all nightmares!! I couldn't imagine being in the same room, much less be in a marriage with him.
I couldn't imagine what that would be line day in and day out. Especially with her daughter! That poor baby girl wanted nothing more than to be cherished and loved. I loved the realtionship that she had with Zyon! He truly wanted to love her and treat her like the princess she is!
Valeria truly went through it and fell for the masked stalker that came to find her time and time again! I loved this aspect of the book! I've never been a huge lover of the stalker trope but this really sold me on it!! Not to mention the things that they both do for the stalker aspect. The hidden camera, the texts, and whisking her away to their warehouse to have time "together.'"
Zyon was the obsessive and possessive man that you want after you, Baby!!! He would burnt he world down for Valeria, and not once feel bad for anything. Which is soo valid, especially when it comes to her husband. He deserved the worst of the worst, because he was the WORST! But Zyon went and did the MOST to make sure that Valeria and her baby girl were taken care of. Could it have been done earlier than it was? Yes, it could have shaved off like 50 pages. But that doesn't mean I wasn't on the edge of my seat the WHOLE time waiting to see what was happening next. I was grocery shopping and I had to stop mid-aisle so that I could wait for whatever to happen!
I have seen a ton of other reviews that weren't in favor of the book. I question did we read the same book? I think if they would have listened like I did, it would have been a better experience. I loved that I was on the edge of my seat with every chapter!!
I cannot wait to see what the next book brings us!!
Thank you 🫶🏻 to ✨️ Sissi Grandeur & Blue Nose Audio ✨️ for the complimentary 🎧 ALC 🎧. ✨️ All opinions are my own, honest, and voluntary✨️.
🌶️🌶️🌶🌶.275
🖤 Dark Mafia Romance
✨️ Stalker/Masked Man
🖤 He Falls First
✨️ Obsessive/Possessive MMC
🖤 Age Gap
✨️ Billionaire
🖤 Touch Her & You ☠️
⚠️ CHECK YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS ⚠️
✨️ 🎧 ALC 🎧 REVIEW ✨️
🎙Narrators: Michelle Sparks & Joe Arden 🎙
Let me just say that if Michelle and Joe hadn't voiced this book I really don't think it would have been as good for me! They really gave us the emotion with every scene, and the angst!!!! Oh the angst between these two characters!!!
✨️📖 On To The Book Review 📖✨️
Where do I begin with these two characters? Valeria and were two of the most magnetic people that had the chemistry that really made you take a second and appreciate it!
Valeria was in such a bad predicament! I couldn't help but feel bad for her in every aspect. She wanted nothing more htan to be a good mom and not continually have to bail her husband out at times. He was a freaking nightmare of all nightmares!! I couldn't imagine being in the same room, much less be in a marriage with him.
I couldn't imagine what that would be line day in and day out. Especially with her daughter! That poor baby girl wanted nothing more than to be cherished and loved. I loved the realtionship that she had with Zyon! He truly wanted to love her and treat her like the princess she is!
Valeria truly went through it and fell for the masked stalker that came to find her time and time again! I loved this aspect of the book! I've never been a huge lover of the stalker trope but this really sold me on it!! Not to mention the things that they both do for the stalker aspect. The hidden camera, the texts, and whisking her away to their warehouse to have time "together.'"
Zyon was the obsessive and possessive man that you want after you, Baby!!! He would burnt he world down for Valeria, and not once feel bad for anything. Which is soo valid, especially when it comes to her husband. He deserved the worst of the worst, because he was the WORST! But Zyon went and did the MOST to make sure that Valeria and her baby girl were taken care of. Could it have been done earlier than it was? Yes, it could have shaved off like 50 pages. But that doesn't mean I wasn't on the edge of my seat the WHOLE time waiting to see what was happening next. I was grocery shopping and I had to stop mid-aisle so that I could wait for whatever to happen!
I have seen a ton of other reviews that weren't in favor of the book. I question did we read the same book? I think if they would have listened like I did, it would have been a better experience. I loved that I was on the edge of my seat with every chapter!!
I cannot wait to see what the next book brings us!!
Thank you 🫶🏻 to ✨️ Sissi Grandeur & Blue Nose Audio ✨️ for the complimentary 🎧 ALC 🎧. ✨️ All opinions are my own, honest, and voluntary✨️.
Review of advance copy
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ // 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Gamble with Me by Sissi Grandeur (Audiobook ft Michelle Sparks and Joe Arden) absolutely blew me away. I was hesitant going in, because I never read the initial release of this book before it became an audio, and the reviews made me hesitant.
However, this story was far from a disappointment. The story was honestly so good. People complained that the daughter barely had an appearance, but she was there. She was constantly mentioned. People hated that as a DV victim, that she was annoying for going back to her husband, well... Her reasons were valid, and as unfortunate as it is, that's also reality for some. People complained about the MIL's allegiance with her son, well again, she never defended him, but her actions were always understandable as well. I'm glad I gave this book a chance. It was super good.
Michelle and Joe did an amazing job with this story. There were perfect inflections. Dialogue was truly so good, oh my god.
Anyway, thank you Sissi and Blue Nose Audio for giving me a chance to listen to this amazing book. I can only hope to see Book 2 of this series come into play.
Gamble with Me by Sissi Grandeur (Audiobook ft Michelle Sparks and Joe Arden) absolutely blew me away. I was hesitant going in, because I never read the initial release of this book before it became an audio, and the reviews made me hesitant.
However, this story was far from a disappointment. The story was honestly so good. People complained that the daughter barely had an appearance, but she was there. She was constantly mentioned. People hated that as a DV victim, that she was annoying for going back to her husband, well... Her reasons were valid, and as unfortunate as it is, that's also reality for some. People complained about the MIL's allegiance with her son, well again, she never defended him, but her actions were always understandable as well. I'm glad I gave this book a chance. It was super good.
Michelle and Joe did an amazing job with this story. There were perfect inflections. Dialogue was truly so good, oh my god.
Anyway, thank you Sissi and Blue Nose Audio for giving me a chance to listen to this amazing book. I can only hope to see Book 2 of this series come into play.
January 28, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🖤dark romance
🤍stalker romance
🖤mafia romance
🤍possessive MMC
VALERIA && ZYON
Audiobook:: Narrated by Michelle Sparks && Joe Arden
Two of my absolute favorite narrators!! Both did absolutely great in this duet. Both Michelle & Joe get into their characters and make the story more enjoyable when listening! It makes you feel all the emotions for each of the characters and I absolutely love it!!
I’ve been reading a lot of mafias lately and this one is probably my favorite I’ve listened to this year!
The story was very good and made you want better for Valeria and her husband. Never knowing what might happen next and all the twists and turns that Valeria and Zyon faced to get their HEA was amazing!
I cried and gasped often in this book, making it a great listen to in my opinion!
If you love masked men, a stalker MMC and mafia, this is one for you!
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🖤dark romance
🤍stalker romance
🖤mafia romance
🤍possessive MMC
VALERIA && ZYON
Audiobook:: Narrated by Michelle Sparks && Joe Arden
Two of my absolute favorite narrators!! Both did absolutely great in this duet. Both Michelle & Joe get into their characters and make the story more enjoyable when listening! It makes you feel all the emotions for each of the characters and I absolutely love it!!
I’ve been reading a lot of mafias lately and this one is probably my favorite I’ve listened to this year!
The story was very good and made you want better for Valeria and her husband. Never knowing what might happen next and all the twists and turns that Valeria and Zyon faced to get their HEA was amazing!
I cried and gasped often in this book, making it a great listen to in my opinion!
If you love masked men, a stalker MMC and mafia, this is one for you!
January 31, 2026
This audiobook was such a win for me. Gamble With Me hooked me early and never let go. The chemistry was on point, the tension was delicious, and the emotional beats landed exactly where they needed to. I was fully invested the whole way through.
The narration? Absolutely nailed it. Michelle Sparks brought so much heart and authenticity to the FMC, and Joe Arden, because he always understands the assignment, delivered that depth, intensity, and emotional pull that makes you lean in. Together, they made this story hit even harder. Michelle did a phenomenal job voicing the child in this story. Joe hits the mark everytime and this one is no different!
The push and ful in this story keeps you engaged, yes you are frustrated with the FMC at times however I understand why she was written this way. I loved this story. Check your triggers.
The narration? Absolutely nailed it. Michelle Sparks brought so much heart and authenticity to the FMC, and Joe Arden, because he always understands the assignment, delivered that depth, intensity, and emotional pull that makes you lean in. Together, they made this story hit even harder. Michelle did a phenomenal job voicing the child in this story. Joe hits the mark everytime and this one is no different!
The push and ful in this story keeps you engaged, yes you are frustrated with the FMC at times however I understand why she was written this way. I loved this story. Check your triggers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶🌶🌶
Dark mafia romance, his obsession, masked stalker. Check your triggers. Your mental health matters.
Valeria finds herself swept up in a world filled with a crime lord family, a masked stalker, and a husband who is manipulative, abusive and controlling. She endures all this for her small daughter Zara, who is adorable, smart and experiencing her own trials.
Zylon,a notorious crime lord, falls immediately for the clever redhead working at the casino. However there is a problem..she is married to a man with a gambling problem and friends in high dark places.
I fell in love with the Zhumagulov brothers. I can't wait to get Malin’s and Dorian’s stories.
Michelle Sparks and Joe Arden did wonderfully making these characters bloom from the page.
Dark mafia romance, his obsession, masked stalker. Check your triggers. Your mental health matters.
Valeria finds herself swept up in a world filled with a crime lord family, a masked stalker, and a husband who is manipulative, abusive and controlling. She endures all this for her small daughter Zara, who is adorable, smart and experiencing her own trials.
Zylon,a notorious crime lord, falls immediately for the clever redhead working at the casino. However there is a problem..she is married to a man with a gambling problem and friends in high dark places.
I fell in love with the Zhumagulov brothers. I can't wait to get Malin’s and Dorian’s stories.
Michelle Sparks and Joe Arden did wonderfully making these characters bloom from the page.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Gamble with me
This narration is freaking amazing. Joe Arden and Michelle Sparks are both in my top 10 and I’ve been obsessed with Sissi since I read his private assistant. 🥵
Valeria is in an abusive marriage with an asshat who really needs to be unalived. When she gets a job at a casino and starts to fall for the owner, she becomes caught in a very tangled web. Oh, and she has a masked stalker. 😈
This book is not small but I absolutely devoured it. After all, I would do just about anything to hear Joe Arden say “good girl.”
Also, who the fuck decided to mention giving the little girl pancakes?!?! Like come on!! 😭 IYKYK
This narration is freaking amazing. Joe Arden and Michelle Sparks are both in my top 10 and I’ve been obsessed with Sissi since I read his private assistant. 🥵
Valeria is in an abusive marriage with an asshat who really needs to be unalived. When she gets a job at a casino and starts to fall for the owner, she becomes caught in a very tangled web. Oh, and she has a masked stalker. 😈
This book is not small but I absolutely devoured it. After all, I would do just about anything to hear Joe Arden say “good girl.”
Also, who the fuck decided to mention giving the little girl pancakes?!?! Like come on!! 😭 IYKYK
February 3, 2026
This book was good but also I mostly hated the FMC. She was strong in the sense that she kept regrouping and making new plans.... really bad plans but atleast she didn't wallow in self pity.
This book was funny, it was interesting, and it also was cheesy. The FMC was a hot ass mess and the MMC was weird.
I enjoyed the hell out of it though
This book was funny, it was interesting, and it also was cheesy. The FMC was a hot ass mess and the MMC was weird.
I enjoyed the hell out of it though
February 1, 2026
This was a fantastic auidobook. I loved the different tropes and I got so immersed into it. The spice was really hot. The MC was deliciously dark. Make sure to check trigger warnings for DV.
March 18, 2026
🖤dark romance
🤍stalker romance
🖤mafia romance
🤍possessive MMC
Touch her and you die
Abusive husband
Single mother
🤍stalker romance
🖤mafia romance
🤍possessive MMC
Touch her and you die
Abusive husband
Single mother
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews