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American Mafia #2
Bratva and Betrayal: Kirill
Not yet published
Expected 23 Sep 26Kirill's Story!
The cold and cruel Bratva Pakhan finds his missing wife after five years.
Only she doesn't remember him.
Sandrine:
I woke up in a hospital with no memory of who I am.
Not my name. Not my past.
And I lived that way for five years.
Alone in a mental rehabilitation center, surviving one day at a time.
Then Kirill Volkov, heir to the Chicago Bratva,
steals me from the only life I remember.
The lethally handsome older man says he’s my husband.
And I’m his missing wife.
He says I married him willingly.
That I loved how rough he was in the bedroom.
The problem?
I don't remember any of it.
That’s only a small inconvenience, because he’s ready to take his place as Pakhan.
And he needs his wife. Me.
But the man who once loved me is now cold and distant.
Focused on violence and war.
On securing his legacy.
Now, the pakhan who risked it all to bring me home,
thinks I’ll be the obedient wife from our past.
Kirill Volkov doesn’t realize his real war has just begun.
Bratva and Betrayal is the follow-up to Amazon Top 75 Bestselling Mafia Obsession and Book 2 in the American Mafia series.
Tropes:
Bratva Romance
Amnesia Romance
Age Gap
Disability Rep (TBI)
Missing Wife Found
Possessive Husband
*Secret Trope to be revealed*
Forced Proximity
It was always you
Hurt/Comfort
‘Why and Who’ Dunnit
Found Family
*Follow Deborah for Updates
The cold and cruel Bratva Pakhan finds his missing wife after five years.
Only she doesn't remember him.
Sandrine:
I woke up in a hospital with no memory of who I am.
Not my name. Not my past.
And I lived that way for five years.
Alone in a mental rehabilitation center, surviving one day at a time.
Then Kirill Volkov, heir to the Chicago Bratva,
steals me from the only life I remember.
The lethally handsome older man says he’s my husband.
And I’m his missing wife.
He says I married him willingly.
That I loved how rough he was in the bedroom.
The problem?
I don't remember any of it.
That’s only a small inconvenience, because he’s ready to take his place as Pakhan.
And he needs his wife. Me.
But the man who once loved me is now cold and distant.
Focused on violence and war.
On securing his legacy.
Now, the pakhan who risked it all to bring me home,
thinks I’ll be the obedient wife from our past.
Kirill Volkov doesn’t realize his real war has just begun.
Bratva and Betrayal is the follow-up to Amazon Top 75 Bestselling Mafia Obsession and Book 2 in the American Mafia series.
Tropes:
Bratva Romance
Amnesia Romance
Age Gap
Disability Rep (TBI)
Missing Wife Found
Possessive Husband
*Secret Trope to be revealed*
Forced Proximity
It was always you
Hurt/Comfort
‘Why and Who’ Dunnit
Found Family
*Follow Deborah for Updates
387 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 23, 2026
About the author
Deborah Garland
55 books917 followersDeborah Garland is a top 45 Amazon Bestselling and a 4x Award-Winning author of emotional, funny, and steamy romances!
She loves pugs, Friday night Cosmos, and that feeling when she publishes a new romance novel.
She lives on the beautiful North Shore of Long Island and in the summer, she escapes to Maine with her very patient husband.
She eats cheap mac and cheese with expensive red wine, her heroes are ALWAYS over six feet tall, and they fall hard, HARD for the girl.
Visit her website --> https://www.deborahgarlandauthor.com/... to join her newsletter and browse her little love stories.
New Releases are always featured, but all books can be read as standalones. Don’t be afraid to jump in. The water’s fine 😊
She loves pugs, Friday night Cosmos, and that feeling when she publishes a new romance novel.
She lives on the beautiful North Shore of Long Island and in the summer, she escapes to Maine with her very patient husband.
She eats cheap mac and cheese with expensive red wine, her heroes are ALWAYS over six feet tall, and they fall hard, HARD for the girl.
Visit her website --> https://www.deborahgarlandauthor.com/... to join her newsletter and browse her little love stories.
New Releases are always featured, but all books can be read as standalones. Don’t be afraid to jump in. The water’s fine 😊
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
ꍏꋪꏳ ꋪꏂ꒦ꀤꏂꅐ
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 - 𝖪𝗋𝗂𝗅𝗅
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 - 𝖲𝖺𝗇𝖽𝗋𝗂𝗇𝖾
♾️ 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬
𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧
Krill & Sandrine's book was an absolute rollercoaster.
It was packed with emotions, deception and so much damn betrayal.
Sandrine, at eighteen she fell in love, it was all consuming and beautiful. She knew were she stood in her man's life, and she would be at his side through everything. But one night, all it took was an hour for everything to collapse around her.
Krill, as the future heir to the Bratva, his future was already planned for him. But the minute he laid eyes on Sandrine, those plans went up in flames. There wasn't a doubt in his mind, she was his. Mind, body & soul. But one night everything changed.
For five years, Krill has torn his city apart, looking for his wife, she vanished without a trace. The years apart have made him more lethal & more angrier. And Sandrine has spent it with no memories of a childhood, or the love of her life.
When Krill eventually finds a lead, the thread starts unveiling. And even though he tries his best to keep a semblance of emotional distance, it never works out. He falls for his wife & mother of his child even harder.
Sandrine, she spent so many years without her memory, my heartbroke for her, but her strength!!!
Krills love for his daughter was so beautiful ♥️ and Violet & Sandrine...so many years apart for mum & daughter but Sandrine instant love♥️
The chemistry between of them was so hot from the beginning, the spice 🤌🏻 and the love was quick, reckless but beautiful...and then finding their way back to each other 💯♥️
....when Lachlan O'Rourke is mentioned 😍🔥
𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
Loved Krills sister & brother in law.
Ares & Lourdes
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 🔫🔫🔫🔫🔫
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 🎨🎨🎨🎨🎨
𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 🥵🌶️
𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭 ♾️
𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 💧💧💧
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 - 𝖪𝗋𝗂𝗅𝗅
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 - 𝖲𝖺𝗇𝖽𝗋𝗂𝗇𝖾
♾️ 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬
𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧
Krill & Sandrine's book was an absolute rollercoaster.
It was packed with emotions, deception and so much damn betrayal.
Sandrine, at eighteen she fell in love, it was all consuming and beautiful. She knew were she stood in her man's life, and she would be at his side through everything. But one night, all it took was an hour for everything to collapse around her.
Krill, as the future heir to the Bratva, his future was already planned for him. But the minute he laid eyes on Sandrine, those plans went up in flames. There wasn't a doubt in his mind, she was his. Mind, body & soul. But one night everything changed.
For five years, Krill has torn his city apart, looking for his wife, she vanished without a trace. The years apart have made him more lethal & more angrier. And Sandrine has spent it with no memories of a childhood, or the love of her life.
When Krill eventually finds a lead, the thread starts unveiling. And even though he tries his best to keep a semblance of emotional distance, it never works out. He falls for his wife & mother of his child even harder.
Sandrine, she spent so many years without her memory, my heartbroke for her, but her strength!!!
Krills love for his daughter was so beautiful ♥️ and Violet & Sandrine...so many years apart for mum & daughter but Sandrine instant love♥️
The chemistry between of them was so hot from the beginning, the spice 🤌🏻 and the love was quick, reckless but beautiful...and then finding their way back to each other 💯♥️
....when Lachlan O'Rourke is mentioned 😍🔥
𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
Loved Krills sister & brother in law.
Ares & Lourdes
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 🔫🔫🔫🔫🔫
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 🎨🎨🎨🎨🎨
𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 🥵🌶️
𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭 ♾️
𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 💧💧💧
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5 spice
Bratva & Betrayal is book two in the series, but it can be read as a standalone mafia romance.
I’ve read books that use amnesia as a plot point, but usually it’s a side plot or something that comes up along the way. In this book, the amnesia is basically the entire foundation of the story, and I honestly couldn’t imagine what Sandrine is going through.
Sandrine and Kirill met when she was barely 18/19 and he was around 30/31. Then she disappeared for five years without a trace. When Kirill finally finds her, she’s living in a care facility under the name Jessica, and he has no idea what happened to the woman he remembers. He basically kidnaps his wife and takes her back home, angry that she left him and very much needing his wife back.
What Kirill doesn't know is that Sandrine suffered a traumatic brain injury and lost her memories. Her father convinced her that she was Jessica and placed her in a care facility, and after his death she was left trying to survive in state care until her sister, the FMC from book one, and her husband Ares found her and brought her back into their lives.
And that's where things really get interesting.
The story moves pretty quickly, and I found myself constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. We know Sandrine didn't simply choose to walk away from Kirill, but we don't know what actually happened or why. There are complications, surprises, and plenty of things that get thrown into the mix along the way.
But underneath all of that, this is really a story about two people trying to find their way back to each other.
I really liked Sandrine. She isn't weak just because she's dealing with the aftermath of her trauma. She has episodes and struggles with her memory, but she still trusts her instincts, which is pretty much all she has to rely on. I liked seeing her hold onto that strength while trying to figure out who she is and what happened to her.
Kirill is exactly what you'd expect from a Bratva heir—dangerous, possessive, and very much on his way to becoming a Pakhan. But what I liked most about him was how fiercely he cares about his family, especially Sandrine. No matter how angry he is about the past, that love is still there.
The spice is definitely there 🌶️ and while I wouldn't have complained about more, I actually think the amount worked for this story. They're essentially rediscovering each other, so the intimate moments felt like they fit the emotional arc rather than being thrown in just for the sake of spice.
I also really enjoy an age-gap romance, so the age difference didn't bother me. That said, I can absolutely see it being a sticking point for some readers. The story takes place five years after Sandrine disappears, making Kirill about 36 and Sandrine about 24. A 12-year age gap isn't going to work for everyone, but for me, with the way their relationship and the whole fate aspect of their story played out, it worked.
Overall, this was a fast-paced, emotional mafia romance with a pretty unique take on the amnesia trope. I couldn't stop reading because I needed to know what happened and how these two were going to find their way back to each other.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5 spice
Bratva & Betrayal is book two in the series, but it can be read as a standalone mafia romance.
I’ve read books that use amnesia as a plot point, but usually it’s a side plot or something that comes up along the way. In this book, the amnesia is basically the entire foundation of the story, and I honestly couldn’t imagine what Sandrine is going through.
Sandrine and Kirill met when she was barely 18/19 and he was around 30/31. Then she disappeared for five years without a trace. When Kirill finally finds her, she’s living in a care facility under the name Jessica, and he has no idea what happened to the woman he remembers. He basically kidnaps his wife and takes her back home, angry that she left him and very much needing his wife back.
What Kirill doesn't know is that Sandrine suffered a traumatic brain injury and lost her memories. Her father convinced her that she was Jessica and placed her in a care facility, and after his death she was left trying to survive in state care until her sister, the FMC from book one, and her husband Ares found her and brought her back into their lives.
And that's where things really get interesting.
The story moves pretty quickly, and I found myself constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. We know Sandrine didn't simply choose to walk away from Kirill, but we don't know what actually happened or why. There are complications, surprises, and plenty of things that get thrown into the mix along the way.
But underneath all of that, this is really a story about two people trying to find their way back to each other.
I really liked Sandrine. She isn't weak just because she's dealing with the aftermath of her trauma. She has episodes and struggles with her memory, but she still trusts her instincts, which is pretty much all she has to rely on. I liked seeing her hold onto that strength while trying to figure out who she is and what happened to her.
Kirill is exactly what you'd expect from a Bratva heir—dangerous, possessive, and very much on his way to becoming a Pakhan. But what I liked most about him was how fiercely he cares about his family, especially Sandrine. No matter how angry he is about the past, that love is still there.
The spice is definitely there 🌶️ and while I wouldn't have complained about more, I actually think the amount worked for this story. They're essentially rediscovering each other, so the intimate moments felt like they fit the emotional arc rather than being thrown in just for the sake of spice.
I also really enjoy an age-gap romance, so the age difference didn't bother me. That said, I can absolutely see it being a sticking point for some readers. The story takes place five years after Sandrine disappears, making Kirill about 36 and Sandrine about 24. A 12-year age gap isn't going to work for everyone, but for me, with the way their relationship and the whole fate aspect of their story played out, it worked.
Overall, this was a fast-paced, emotional mafia romance with a pretty unique take on the amnesia trope. I couldn't stop reading because I needed to know what happened and how these two were going to find their way back to each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Arc review
2.5 stars but i’ll round up.
i’m not generally into amnesia but i was curious about this story since i read the first book. overall, it was okay. things didn’t drag much and they actually had chemistry. i always appreciate when there’s celibacy during separation.
the things i had issues with were certain plot points and the technical aspects.
we know from the very beginning that he’s mad cuz he thinks she willingly left him. imo, not only did he hold on to that anger for way too long after finding out the truth but it was never justified to begin with. never, and i mean NEVER was there any inclination that she would have wanted to leave him. she was so down bad for that man, literally all in and fought for him, and yet when she disappeared he assumed she left? not that she was kidnapped or that something happened to her, but that she genuinely wanted to leave him. she had every reason to stay. i honestly can’t justify his thought process, which is obviously a big part of the story, so it kinda ruins things. i also fail to see how he couldn’t find her after she went missing, for months she was being visited by her dad and sister, all anyone has to do was follow one of them ??
these are two pretty massive issues with the foundation of the story that i basically had to completely ignore to make any of these events plausible.
the way her recovery is handled was quite poor. it’s incredibly inconsistent. things being more dramatic is understandable but this isn’t even that, it’s like her TBI was used when convenient and ignored otherwise. she’s been recovering for 5 years with little to no progress, and has anxiety. but then within 2 days of her world being flipped upside down she’s fully adjusted and functioning normally? and none of her memories come back fully, only partially and blurred visions, except the ONE memory that ends up being necessary later on. it all sounds too ridiculous with how the author step up the story herself. even if you’re ignoring how amnesia and TBI recovery works (which you shouldn’t) the way things are handled completely goes against the character that was built up from the start.
there are some other minor things that rubbed me the wrong way, like comments about her body that somehow explain things that happened 5 years prior, as if how she looks hasn’t dramatically changed. or how her sister was just completely in the dark about what was going in her life even though they had a good relationship and there was no real reason to keep things hidden. it just wasn’t handled well or explained properly. him saying he needed a son every five minutes was annoying, like yea, we heard you the first time. unless things were going to shift into a breeding thing (which it didn’t) where they try and make said son, it didn’t need to be brought up so much. who was behind her fall was the most obvious thing ever and i can’t believe that the MMC never saw it. honestly, he came off a bit of a bitch. especially during certain conflicts, his reactions were so weird and not at all what you would expect from someone who cares about her. he held too much resentment against her. oh, and near the end of book, he calls another woman’s tits perfect….just… why
somehow, i did like things a bit. it’s cute that they fell in love all over again.
2.5 stars but i’ll round up.
i’m not generally into amnesia but i was curious about this story since i read the first book. overall, it was okay. things didn’t drag much and they actually had chemistry. i always appreciate when there’s celibacy during separation.
the things i had issues with were certain plot points and the technical aspects.
we know from the very beginning that he’s mad cuz he thinks she willingly left him. imo, not only did he hold on to that anger for way too long after finding out the truth but it was never justified to begin with. never, and i mean NEVER was there any inclination that she would have wanted to leave him. she was so down bad for that man, literally all in and fought for him, and yet when she disappeared he assumed she left? not that she was kidnapped or that something happened to her, but that she genuinely wanted to leave him. she had every reason to stay. i honestly can’t justify his thought process, which is obviously a big part of the story, so it kinda ruins things. i also fail to see how he couldn’t find her after she went missing, for months she was being visited by her dad and sister, all anyone has to do was follow one of them ??
these are two pretty massive issues with the foundation of the story that i basically had to completely ignore to make any of these events plausible.
the way her recovery is handled was quite poor. it’s incredibly inconsistent. things being more dramatic is understandable but this isn’t even that, it’s like her TBI was used when convenient and ignored otherwise. she’s been recovering for 5 years with little to no progress, and has anxiety. but then within 2 days of her world being flipped upside down she’s fully adjusted and functioning normally? and none of her memories come back fully, only partially and blurred visions, except the ONE memory that ends up being necessary later on. it all sounds too ridiculous with how the author step up the story herself. even if you’re ignoring how amnesia and TBI recovery works (which you shouldn’t) the way things are handled completely goes against the character that was built up from the start.
there are some other minor things that rubbed me the wrong way, like comments about her body that somehow explain things that happened 5 years prior, as if how she looks hasn’t dramatically changed. or how her sister was just completely in the dark about what was going in her life even though they had a good relationship and there was no real reason to keep things hidden. it just wasn’t handled well or explained properly. him saying he needed a son every five minutes was annoying, like yea, we heard you the first time. unless things were going to shift into a breeding thing (which it didn’t) where they try and make said son, it didn’t need to be brought up so much. who was behind her fall was the most obvious thing ever and i can’t believe that the MMC never saw it. honestly, he came off a bit of a bitch. especially during certain conflicts, his reactions were so weird and not at all what you would expect from someone who cares about her. he held too much resentment against her. oh, and near the end of book, he calls another woman’s tits perfect….just… why
somehow, i did like things a bit. it’s cute that they fell in love all over again.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review
I literally DEVOURED this book.
This is the second book in Deborah Garland’s American Mafia series, and somehow I’m walking away even more obsessed with Kilrill than I was before. I truly don’t know if I can love that man any more than I do now. 🖤
At first, Kilrill is in disbelief. I mean after 5 years, surely Sandrine is playing some kind of game with him. But the moment he realizes what has truly happened to his wife, something in him snaps into place. He becomes a man on a mission, and there is absolutely nothing that will stand between him and his wife now that she’s home. He will tear apart every secret, every lie, and every person standing in his way to uncover what happened five years ago.
And the lengths this man went to for his wife?! I was DONE. Completely gone. Because beneath all that darkness and power was a man who never stopped looking for the woman he loved. A man who refused to accept that she was simply gone.
Sweet, sweet Sandrine. 💔 Her entire world was ripped out from underneath her, and yet somehow, through all the heartbreak, betrayal, and unimaginable circumstances, she found her strength again. And watching her story unfold alongside Kilrill’s was everything. Their love goes through the wringer. Love. Heartbreak. Betrayal. Devastation. And then finding each other all over again.
There is something so powerful about watching two people who have already loved each other find their way back to that love. The yearning. The fierceness. The unwavering devotion. The strength they find in one another. It was everything I want in a dark mafia romance.
And then there’s Violet. 🥹 That sweet, strong little girl completely stole my heart. She never stopped believing her mama would come home, and seeing her family come back together, stronger than ever, was one of the most beautiful parts of this story.
It’s also a brutal reminder that sometimes the people who are supposed to protect you can be the very ones who betray you. But Kilrill? He was not going to let betrayal have the final word.
This book made me ache, rage, swoon, and absolutely melt. I wanted more, needed more, and honestly, I could probably read it over and over again just to experience their love story all over again.
Because let’s be honest…
We all need a Kilrill in our lives. 🥵🖤
Deborah Garland has given me another mafia man I will be thinking about long after I’ve turned the last page, and I am officially ALL IN for this series.
Passionate. Heartbreaking. Fierce. Devoted. Unforgettable.
I literally DEVOURED this book.
This is the second book in Deborah Garland’s American Mafia series, and somehow I’m walking away even more obsessed with Kilrill than I was before. I truly don’t know if I can love that man any more than I do now. 🖤
At first, Kilrill is in disbelief. I mean after 5 years, surely Sandrine is playing some kind of game with him. But the moment he realizes what has truly happened to his wife, something in him snaps into place. He becomes a man on a mission, and there is absolutely nothing that will stand between him and his wife now that she’s home. He will tear apart every secret, every lie, and every person standing in his way to uncover what happened five years ago.
And the lengths this man went to for his wife?! I was DONE. Completely gone. Because beneath all that darkness and power was a man who never stopped looking for the woman he loved. A man who refused to accept that she was simply gone.
Sweet, sweet Sandrine. 💔 Her entire world was ripped out from underneath her, and yet somehow, through all the heartbreak, betrayal, and unimaginable circumstances, she found her strength again. And watching her story unfold alongside Kilrill’s was everything. Their love goes through the wringer. Love. Heartbreak. Betrayal. Devastation. And then finding each other all over again.
There is something so powerful about watching two people who have already loved each other find their way back to that love. The yearning. The fierceness. The unwavering devotion. The strength they find in one another. It was everything I want in a dark mafia romance.
And then there’s Violet. 🥹 That sweet, strong little girl completely stole my heart. She never stopped believing her mama would come home, and seeing her family come back together, stronger than ever, was one of the most beautiful parts of this story.
It’s also a brutal reminder that sometimes the people who are supposed to protect you can be the very ones who betray you. But Kilrill? He was not going to let betrayal have the final word.
This book made me ache, rage, swoon, and absolutely melt. I wanted more, needed more, and honestly, I could probably read it over and over again just to experience their love story all over again.
Because let’s be honest…
We all need a Kilrill in our lives. 🥵🖤
Deborah Garland has given me another mafia man I will be thinking about long after I’ve turned the last page, and I am officially ALL IN for this series.
Passionate. Heartbreaking. Fierce. Devoted. Unforgettable.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⸻ARC Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Bratva and Betrayal by Deborah Garland
5/5 Stars | 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Spice | 100% Recommend
Deborah Garland hit the ground running with this one! From the very beginning, she had me rushing to Chapter 1.
If you love a good love story combined with dark mafia, family, secrets, suspense, yearning, and spice, Bratva and Betrayal is the book for you.
This is Book 2 in the American Mafia series, and we first meet Kirill and Sandrine in Mafia Obsession. Kirill is the future Pakhan, and Sandrine is his missing wife of five years. After an accident leaves Sandrine with amnesia, she wakes up without remembering the life she once had—or the love she left behind.
When love has been separated for five years, does that love still burn?
Well… you’re going to have to read it to find out! 😉
Deborah Garland has officially earned the title PLOT TWIST QUEEN! 👑 Every twist, every turn, every surprise had me wondering what was coming next. And just when you think you’ve figured it out…
BAM!
But this was not just a dark mafia romance. This was a dark mafia love story told like only Deborah Garland can tell it.
The family dynamics will melt your heart, and I absolutely love an FMC who has heart. Sandrine will definitely surprise you. You hear people say that a man is a man’s man—well, Sandrine is a woman’s woman. 🧡
And Kirill? A yearning man who knows how to love will always win me over, especially if he’s a mafia man. 😮💨
The storytelling, the events, the emotion, the yearning… and then BAM! Here comes the spice. The fire between this man and woman is OFF THE CHARTS! There were definitely a lot of “umm… WOW” moments for me. 🌶️🔥
And those words…
“You are undeniable, and we are irreversible.”
😮💨 CHILLS.
If I could read this book for the very first time all over again, I absolutely would. Every twist, every turn, every surprise, every smile, and every giggle—I would do it all again.
This book gave me everything I want in a love story, and I enjoyed every minute of the journey.
I recommend Bratva and Betrayal 100%. Five stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you haven’t read Mafia Obsession (Book 1), please start there. Then come back to Bratva and Betrayal and experience Kirill and Sandrine’s story.
And now…
We wait for Nico and Elodie in Blood and Ink, Book 3 of the American Mafia series. 🧡
Deborah Garland, you did THAT. 👏🏽📚🔥
Review of advance copy received from Author
Bratva and Betrayal was everything! I don't think I can adequately convey with words exactly how much I LOVED this book! From the moment we met Kirill in Book one of this series (Mafia Obsession - side note: read that one if you haven't already!), I knew I needed his story next, and boy, did Deborah come through with this one!
Kirill needed a wife to take his rightful place as pakhan when his father dies. He never thought that his wife would just disappear into thin air one day without warning. He spends five years searching for her, and finally finds her, hidden away under a different name. At first, he doesn't believe that she didn't betray him and can't remember him, but when he realizes all that Sandrine has been through since she's been gone, he is dead set on finding out what happened to her and who caused it.
From the moment Kirill finds Sandrine, she feels drawn to him, but doesn't know why, and doesn't remember anything about their relationship. He shows her a video from when they became engaged, so she knows it's true, but doesn't trust that their marriage was as perfect as Kirill claims - otherwise, why would she have left that fateful day? Just as she begins to accept that she needs to get to know Kirill and give things a chance, she is blindsided again when she is in the library a few days after arriving at the estate and a little girl appears and she realizes that this little girl - Violet - is her daughter and that she disappeared when Violet was only 3 weeks old.
As she gets to know Kirill and Violet, she starts to have little flashes of memory, but not enough to figure out what happened on the day she disappeared. When danger from her past reappears, Sandrine finds herself in another fight for her life, and Kirill will burn the world down to find her, because he refuses to lose her again.
If you love an alpha hero MMC with protective, touch-her-and-D!3 energy, and a strong, resilient FMC, you will love this story! Throw in a spunky, lovable five year old diva, and you won't be able to put it down! There is trauma, high emotion, betrayal, forgiveness, angst, yearning, healing - everything you could ask for, it's in this book! Deborah Garland has truly outdone herself with this one, and I can't wait for the next book in this exciting series!
Kirill needed a wife to take his rightful place as pakhan when his father dies. He never thought that his wife would just disappear into thin air one day without warning. He spends five years searching for her, and finally finds her, hidden away under a different name. At first, he doesn't believe that she didn't betray him and can't remember him, but when he realizes all that Sandrine has been through since she's been gone, he is dead set on finding out what happened to her and who caused it.
From the moment Kirill finds Sandrine, she feels drawn to him, but doesn't know why, and doesn't remember anything about their relationship. He shows her a video from when they became engaged, so she knows it's true, but doesn't trust that their marriage was as perfect as Kirill claims - otherwise, why would she have left that fateful day? Just as she begins to accept that she needs to get to know Kirill and give things a chance, she is blindsided again when she is in the library a few days after arriving at the estate and a little girl appears and she realizes that this little girl - Violet - is her daughter and that she disappeared when Violet was only 3 weeks old.
As she gets to know Kirill and Violet, she starts to have little flashes of memory, but not enough to figure out what happened on the day she disappeared. When danger from her past reappears, Sandrine finds herself in another fight for her life, and Kirill will burn the world down to find her, because he refuses to lose her again.
If you love an alpha hero MMC with protective, touch-her-and-D!3 energy, and a strong, resilient FMC, you will love this story! Throw in a spunky, lovable five year old diva, and you won't be able to put it down! There is trauma, high emotion, betrayal, forgiveness, angst, yearning, healing - everything you could ask for, it's in this book! Deborah Garland has truly outdone herself with this one, and I can't wait for the next book in this exciting series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
5 ⭐️
I don't know what else to say other than I loved everything about this!!
Honestly, if the hero is a tattooed Russian Pakhan, chances are I'm going to have an excellent time.
This was so different from Mafia Obsession and, dare I say it, I might have loved it even more? I'm honestly not sure how that's even possible, but this story and its characters have completely stolen my heart.
You've got a Bratva romance, age gap, retrograde amnesia, and a heroine who wakes up with no memory of the man claiming to be her husband after suffering a traumatic brain injury. It sounds chaotic on paper, but somehow it all works brilliantly. The tension, the uncertainty, and the constant question of who to trust had me absolutely hooked from the very beginning. I was wholly convinced that Sandrine's father was to blame for her accident (and, if I'm honest, he still is, in my eyes).
But what truly elevated this story for me was the secret trope this had, interwoven throughout, and why this rutheless Russian man has stolen his wife, not just because he wants her back, he needs her. Without giving anything away, there's a character at the heart of it all who completely stole the show for me. Every scene they were in brought so much warmth, emotion, and heart to the story, especially as it brought out a different side to Kirill not many got to see.
And can we talk about Kirill, the ruthless Russian Pakhan for a second? Omgg, watching this powerful, feared man absolutely unravel and fold when faced with what matters most was everything. I loved the tension that it brought, and even though I had wondered how Sandrine would possibly remember anything to do with her accident, it all came together in the end, rather dramatically, I was holding my breath in antcipation.
There was just so much to love here. The romance, the angst, the protectiveness, and the mystery behind Sandrine's accident, and the secret trope, which all came together, and I honestly couldn't put this down.
I'd like to thank Deborah and her team for kindly sending me an e-arc of Bratva and Betrayal in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
tropes
🩵 age gap (24/35)
🌼 forced proximity
✨ she's got retrograde amnesia
🫀 bratva romance
👩🦼 disability rep
🪻 secret trope
I don't know what else to say other than I loved everything about this!!
Honestly, if the hero is a tattooed Russian Pakhan, chances are I'm going to have an excellent time.
This was so different from Mafia Obsession and, dare I say it, I might have loved it even more? I'm honestly not sure how that's even possible, but this story and its characters have completely stolen my heart.
You've got a Bratva romance, age gap, retrograde amnesia, and a heroine who wakes up with no memory of the man claiming to be her husband after suffering a traumatic brain injury. It sounds chaotic on paper, but somehow it all works brilliantly. The tension, the uncertainty, and the constant question of who to trust had me absolutely hooked from the very beginning. I was wholly convinced that Sandrine's father was to blame for her accident (and, if I'm honest, he still is, in my eyes).
But what truly elevated this story for me was the secret trope this had, interwoven throughout, and why this rutheless Russian man has stolen his wife, not just because he wants her back, he needs her. Without giving anything away, there's a character at the heart of it all who completely stole the show for me. Every scene they were in brought so much warmth, emotion, and heart to the story, especially as it brought out a different side to Kirill not many got to see.
And can we talk about Kirill, the ruthless Russian Pakhan for a second? Omgg, watching this powerful, feared man absolutely unravel and fold when faced with what matters most was everything. I loved the tension that it brought, and even though I had wondered how Sandrine would possibly remember anything to do with her accident, it all came together in the end, rather dramatically, I was holding my breath in antcipation.
There was just so much to love here. The romance, the angst, the protectiveness, and the mystery behind Sandrine's accident, and the secret trope, which all came together, and I honestly couldn't put this down.
I'd like to thank Deborah and her team for kindly sending me an e-arc of Bratva and Betrayal in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
tropes
🩵 age gap (24/35)
🌼 forced proximity
✨ she's got retrograde amnesia
🫀 bratva romance
👩🦼 disability rep
🪻 secret trope
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advance copy received by the author.
This is Kirill and Sandrine’s story. Five years ago, all was well, with these two in love until a visit by Sandrine to her dad’s house separates them. Fast forward to now Sandrine is dealing with amnesia after a skull fracture and Kirill is leaving no stone unturned to find her. Was she forced to leave him or did she leave him on her own? He needs a wife by his side when he becomes Pakhan. Is this only reason he’s searching for Sandrine or is there more to it?
Kirill looks like a hard nut to crack from the outside but the love he has for Sandrine never really went away despite him having doubts that she walked away. Not a huge fan of how he treated her when he first got her back but since his thoughts on certain actions were explained they were easier to forgive. Sandrine was a strong woman despite all the curveballs that life had thrown at her. It was nice to see her take a stand for how involved she would be in Violet’s life and how easily she took to Violet and vice versa. Violet was the surprise package. She definitely knew how to play her parents against each other to get what she wanted. It was also nice to read the insecurities that Kirill had when Violet asks for Sandrine instead of him now that she has her mother back in her life. All the relationships were beautifully explored. I loved how nothing felt rushed even their first meeting or their marriage or the birth of Violet.
Absolutely loved this book. Was waiting for this ever since the first book was out and this was definitely worth the wait. The writing is exceptional. The backstory of the characters and the characters themselves were very well sketched but the way the writing made the story flow with certain scenes moving between the now and five years ago was brilliant. The book reeled you in from the first chapter (or rather the previous book in the series) and keeps you hooked till the end.
This is Kirill and Sandrine’s story. Five years ago, all was well, with these two in love until a visit by Sandrine to her dad’s house separates them. Fast forward to now Sandrine is dealing with amnesia after a skull fracture and Kirill is leaving no stone unturned to find her. Was she forced to leave him or did she leave him on her own? He needs a wife by his side when he becomes Pakhan. Is this only reason he’s searching for Sandrine or is there more to it?
Kirill looks like a hard nut to crack from the outside but the love he has for Sandrine never really went away despite him having doubts that she walked away. Not a huge fan of how he treated her when he first got her back but since his thoughts on certain actions were explained they were easier to forgive. Sandrine was a strong woman despite all the curveballs that life had thrown at her. It was nice to see her take a stand for how involved she would be in Violet’s life and how easily she took to Violet and vice versa. Violet was the surprise package. She definitely knew how to play her parents against each other to get what she wanted. It was also nice to read the insecurities that Kirill had when Violet asks for Sandrine instead of him now that she has her mother back in her life. All the relationships were beautifully explored. I loved how nothing felt rushed even their first meeting or their marriage or the birth of Violet.
Absolutely loved this book. Was waiting for this ever since the first book was out and this was definitely worth the wait. The writing is exceptional. The backstory of the characters and the characters themselves were very well sketched but the way the writing made the story flow with certain scenes moving between the now and five years ago was brilliant. The book reeled you in from the first chapter (or rather the previous book in the series) and keeps you hooked till the end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
🌶️🌶️
This series is turning out to be so good, and Bratva and Betrayal was such a great addition. This one follows Kirill and Sandrine, and if you read the first book, you’ll remember that Sandrine has been missing. What Kirill doesn’t know is that after an accident left her with amnesia, her family has been hiding her away.
I won’t get too much into the plot, but I really loved how Deborah Garland handled their story. When Kirill finally gets Sandrine back, he’s angry and convinced that she betrayed him. But I appreciated that the anger didn’t drag on unnecessarily. Once he learns about her amnesia, those feelings shift because, even through all the hurt and confusion, you can tell how deeply he still loves her.
I also thought the secret child storyline with Violet was such a smart plot device. Sandrine doesn’t remember Kirill or their marriage, so Violet gives her a believable reason to stay in this unfamiliar world with a man she doesn’t remember. It allows Sandrine and Kirill the time and space to slowly reconnect without falling into the typical mafia-romance setup of him simply forcing her to stay.
The character development was one of my favorite parts. Watching Kirill go from the angry, betrayed husband to the concerned, protective man who just wants his wife back was so good. And I loved watching Sandrine navigate this world she doesn’t remember, slowly regain pieces of her memory, and realize that even without those memories, there’s something about Kirill she’s always drawn to.
I really loved this one. The tension, the love story, Sandrine’s relationship with Violet, and especially watching Kirill and Sandrine find their way back to each other all worked for me. You still get the mafia elements from book one, and I have a feeling Nico is going to be a really interesting character down the line. Overall, such a great addition to the series.
🌟 thank you to Deborah Garland for the arc and the opportunity to read and provide my honest review.
This series is turning out to be so good, and Bratva and Betrayal was such a great addition. This one follows Kirill and Sandrine, and if you read the first book, you’ll remember that Sandrine has been missing. What Kirill doesn’t know is that after an accident left her with amnesia, her family has been hiding her away.
I won’t get too much into the plot, but I really loved how Deborah Garland handled their story. When Kirill finally gets Sandrine back, he’s angry and convinced that she betrayed him. But I appreciated that the anger didn’t drag on unnecessarily. Once he learns about her amnesia, those feelings shift because, even through all the hurt and confusion, you can tell how deeply he still loves her.
I also thought the secret child storyline with Violet was such a smart plot device. Sandrine doesn’t remember Kirill or their marriage, so Violet gives her a believable reason to stay in this unfamiliar world with a man she doesn’t remember. It allows Sandrine and Kirill the time and space to slowly reconnect without falling into the typical mafia-romance setup of him simply forcing her to stay.
The character development was one of my favorite parts. Watching Kirill go from the angry, betrayed husband to the concerned, protective man who just wants his wife back was so good. And I loved watching Sandrine navigate this world she doesn’t remember, slowly regain pieces of her memory, and realize that even without those memories, there’s something about Kirill she’s always drawn to.
I really loved this one. The tension, the love story, Sandrine’s relationship with Violet, and especially watching Kirill and Sandrine find their way back to each other all worked for me. You still get the mafia elements from book one, and I have a feeling Nico is going to be a really interesting character down the line. Overall, such a great addition to the series.
🌟 thank you to Deborah Garland for the arc and the opportunity to read and provide my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was provided an advanced reader copy by the author and my review is my honest opinion.
Sandrine and Kirill’s story was one I didn’t know I needed. This is the second book in Deborah Garland’s newest series of interconnected standalone novels. You can absolutely read it without reading anything else, however, for greater world building and another amazing mafia romance I highly recommend reading Mafia Obsession first.
Kirill has been searching for his lost wife for 5 years, but has no idea what happened to her and why she left. Sandrine suffered a fall down a flight of stairs that resulted in a traumatic brain injury and retrograde amnesia, with no recollection of anything that happened before her accident. The emotional rollercoaster is intense! Sandrine really shines as a strong FMC who won’t let her injuries and subsequent disabilities keep her from finding her strength and her voice. After years of trying to heal and regain her memories being reclaimed by her unknown husband is the catalyst she needs to start unlocking those mental doors. Kirill vacillates between love and hate for Sandrine as he navigates their new relationship dynamic. I may have yelled at my kindle a couple times when he was being stubborn and obtuse, but he wouldn’t be a ruthless pakhan if he wasn’t. In spite of it all he’s quickly made it to top tier book boyfriend for me. But I’m such a sucker for a morally grey MMC with a penchant for violence.
If you’ve made it this far in my review it should be obvious now, go read it! (As always please check any trigger warnings, your mental health matters!)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Sandrine and Kirill’s story was one I didn’t know I needed. This is the second book in Deborah Garland’s newest series of interconnected standalone novels. You can absolutely read it without reading anything else, however, for greater world building and another amazing mafia romance I highly recommend reading Mafia Obsession first.
Kirill has been searching for his lost wife for 5 years, but has no idea what happened to her and why she left. Sandrine suffered a fall down a flight of stairs that resulted in a traumatic brain injury and retrograde amnesia, with no recollection of anything that happened before her accident. The emotional rollercoaster is intense! Sandrine really shines as a strong FMC who won’t let her injuries and subsequent disabilities keep her from finding her strength and her voice. After years of trying to heal and regain her memories being reclaimed by her unknown husband is the catalyst she needs to start unlocking those mental doors. Kirill vacillates between love and hate for Sandrine as he navigates their new relationship dynamic. I may have yelled at my kindle a couple times when he was being stubborn and obtuse, but he wouldn’t be a ruthless pakhan if he wasn’t. In spite of it all he’s quickly made it to top tier book boyfriend for me. But I’m such a sucker for a morally grey MMC with a penchant for violence.
If you’ve made it this far in my review it should be obvious now, go read it! (As always please check any trigger warnings, your mental health matters!)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Review of advance copy received from Author
I devoured this book from start to finish.
Gosh, I did NOT expect the prologue to start with THAT. And knowing the tropes beforehand had me especially curious about how the secret baby trope would unfold after reading that opening.
And honestly? What a refreshing take on a secret-baby mafia romance.
As a sucker for mafia romance—and especially for MMCs who are ruthless to the world but soft only for their family—KIRILL, my man, is exactly that.
From the very beginning, their story had everything: love, betrayal, pain, secrets, and so much heartbreak. And the lengths this man went to for his wife?! I was DONE. Completely gone. Because underneath all that darkness, power, and ruthlessness was a man who never stopped searching for the woman he loved. He simply refused to believe she was truly gone, and watching just how far he was willing to go to find her had me absolutely wrecked.
And sweet, sweet Sandrine. 🥺 Her entire world was turned upside down, yet somehow, despite everything she endured—the heartbreak, betrayal, and circumstances that were completely beyond her control—she managed to find her strength again.
Seeing her journey unfold alongside Kirill’s was EVERYTHING. Their love is put through the absolute wringer. They go through love, heartbreak, betrayal, devastation, separation, and ultimately… finding their way back to each other.
And that journey? WHEW. It had me feeling ALL the emotions.
What a privilege it has been to read this book as an ARC. Thank you so much, Deborah, for trusting me with an early copy and allowing me to experience Kirill and Sandrine’s story before its release. I’m so grateful to have been part of this journey!
Gosh, I did NOT expect the prologue to start with THAT. And knowing the tropes beforehand had me especially curious about how the secret baby trope would unfold after reading that opening.
And honestly? What a refreshing take on a secret-baby mafia romance.
As a sucker for mafia romance—and especially for MMCs who are ruthless to the world but soft only for their family—KIRILL, my man, is exactly that.
From the very beginning, their story had everything: love, betrayal, pain, secrets, and so much heartbreak. And the lengths this man went to for his wife?! I was DONE. Completely gone. Because underneath all that darkness, power, and ruthlessness was a man who never stopped searching for the woman he loved. He simply refused to believe she was truly gone, and watching just how far he was willing to go to find her had me absolutely wrecked.
And sweet, sweet Sandrine. 🥺 Her entire world was turned upside down, yet somehow, despite everything she endured—the heartbreak, betrayal, and circumstances that were completely beyond her control—she managed to find her strength again.
Seeing her journey unfold alongside Kirill’s was EVERYTHING. Their love is put through the absolute wringer. They go through love, heartbreak, betrayal, devastation, separation, and ultimately… finding their way back to each other.
And that journey? WHEW. It had me feeling ALL the emotions.
What a privilege it has been to read this book as an ARC. Thank you so much, Deborah, for trusting me with an early copy and allowing me to experience Kirill and Sandrine’s story before its release. I’m so grateful to have been part of this journey!
Review of advance copy received from Author
First, there really needs to be a higher ranking because rarely do I give five stars and those usually deserve much more. Second, I realize her new series is American mafia but it's the women, not the men who really rule. I realize most everyone loved Ares and Lourdes but for me - Ava is the real Queen of the Greek mafia and Co Queen of the Irish mob. With that settled, we have Sandrine. Yes, she lost her memory due to a severe trauma but even so she's fire, sassy, strong (yes again ignore Ares book) and has a mean streak a mile wide. She loves just as fiercely as well. Anyone want to fly to Miami? Even her devious, strong domineering, overprotective husband is awed by her. Miami, cutting remarks to Tamara, overprotective of her daughter, driving a car - read the book - and when her memory returns...
That said let's address Kirill. The reader hates him, loves him, maybe hates him, really loves the devious side. He loves his wife but has doubts until her memory returns. Let's have a huge shout out to Ksenia who's an alpha queen in her own right. Oh, to have Violet, Sandrine, and her unite - they could rule the world. The fact he deliberately gives Ares so much grief makes his stock price rise even higher. Uniting husband and wife at the end is pure perfection.
Now let's say a bit about the next book. Elodie is leaning more to Sandrine - Queen in her own right and the strength behind the Italians. Nico is defiantly alpha, overprotective and devious. This one, I didn't devour but savored. The author is back on track. I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
That said let's address Kirill. The reader hates him, loves him, maybe hates him, really loves the devious side. He loves his wife but has doubts until her memory returns. Let's have a huge shout out to Ksenia who's an alpha queen in her own right. Oh, to have Violet, Sandrine, and her unite - they could rule the world. The fact he deliberately gives Ares so much grief makes his stock price rise even higher. Uniting husband and wife at the end is pure perfection.
Now let's say a bit about the next book. Elodie is leaning more to Sandrine - Queen in her own right and the strength behind the Italians. Nico is defiantly alpha, overprotective and devious. This one, I didn't devour but savored. The author is back on track. I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4
Bratva and Betrayal is the second book in the American Mafia series.
This book follows Sandrine and Krill. Sandrine is the sister of the FMC from the first book. In the first book, we learn that she lost all of her memories after a fall, and her name was changed afterward.
Krill has spent the last five years searching for Sandrine because she is his wife. She suddenly disappeared one night without leaving any trace of where she went. During those five years, Sandrine has no memory of her childhood or her husband, and she has been living in a hospital
Eventually, Krill finds her and takes her home with him. He is about to become the new Pakhan and he needs his wife by his side. Sandrine and Krill also have a five-year-old daughter together, which adds another layer to their complicated reunion.
Once they are reunited, the story slowly unravels, and we eventually find out how Sandrine lost her memory and what happened during the five years she was missing.
Overall, I thought the book was alright. I felt that Krill could be a bit unreasonable at times, which made it difficult for me to fully connect with his character. I also think the plot lost some of its momentum in the middle. The revelation of who was responsible for Sandrine's disappearance was also fairly obvious, so there wasn't much of a surprise when everything was finally revealed.
That being said, Krill and Sandrine's daughter was definitely the cutest part of the book. She brought a lot of sweetness to the story and was easily one of my favorite parts.
Overall, this was an okay second installment.
Bratva and Betrayal is the second book in the American Mafia series.
This book follows Sandrine and Krill. Sandrine is the sister of the FMC from the first book. In the first book, we learn that she lost all of her memories after a fall, and her name was changed afterward.
Krill has spent the last five years searching for Sandrine because she is his wife. She suddenly disappeared one night without leaving any trace of where she went. During those five years, Sandrine has no memory of her childhood or her husband, and she has been living in a hospital
Eventually, Krill finds her and takes her home with him. He is about to become the new Pakhan and he needs his wife by his side. Sandrine and Krill also have a five-year-old daughter together, which adds another layer to their complicated reunion.
Once they are reunited, the story slowly unravels, and we eventually find out how Sandrine lost her memory and what happened during the five years she was missing.
Overall, I thought the book was alright. I felt that Krill could be a bit unreasonable at times, which made it difficult for me to fully connect with his character. I also think the plot lost some of its momentum in the middle. The revelation of who was responsible for Sandrine's disappearance was also fairly obvious, so there wasn't much of a surprise when everything was finally revealed.
That being said, Krill and Sandrine's daughter was definitely the cutest part of the book. She brought a lot of sweetness to the story and was easily one of my favorite parts.
Overall, this was an okay second installment.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Bratva and Betrayal is the second book in the American Mafia series by Deborah Garland. Mafia, Amnesia, 12 year Age Gap, Forced Proximity is just some of the tropes in this book. Fast paced with and adorable little girl and lots of suspense that ends with a HEA and bonus epilogue.
TW: Graphic violence including murder on page, Murder of a parent on page, Explicit sex, Traumatic Brain Injury by FMC (shown on page), Retrograde Amnesia, Assault (Not SA, Kidnapping, Mention of newborn not breathing (recovers), Mention of death of death of a parent, Postpartum.
I would like to Thank Deborah Garland for my ARC and in return I voluntarily promised an honest review.
Kirill Volkov falls for the innocent Sandrine De La Vega with one look. He ignores the order of who he is supposed to marry and marries Sandrine instead.
Three weeks after giving birth Sandrine goes missing and Kirill never stops looking for her.
Five years later he finds her in a Mental Health Rehabilitation Center and takes her back home only to find out she had an accident and has amnesia and can't remember anything, not even her daughter.
Kirill is now the Bratva Pakhan and Sandrine has taken to motherhood like a natural. She is slowly remembering things and Kirill hopes that she really didn't want to leave him back then.
But Sandrine and her daughter become targets and when she sees the man responsible all of her memories come rushing back. Will the truth of what happened be betrayal or something sinister?
TW: Graphic violence including murder on page, Murder of a parent on page, Explicit sex, Traumatic Brain Injury by FMC (shown on page), Retrograde Amnesia, Assault (Not SA, Kidnapping, Mention of newborn not breathing (recovers), Mention of death of death of a parent, Postpartum.
I would like to Thank Deborah Garland for my ARC and in return I voluntarily promised an honest review.
Kirill Volkov falls for the innocent Sandrine De La Vega with one look. He ignores the order of who he is supposed to marry and marries Sandrine instead.
Three weeks after giving birth Sandrine goes missing and Kirill never stops looking for her.
Five years later he finds her in a Mental Health Rehabilitation Center and takes her back home only to find out she had an accident and has amnesia and can't remember anything, not even her daughter.
Kirill is now the Bratva Pakhan and Sandrine has taken to motherhood like a natural. She is slowly remembering things and Kirill hopes that she really didn't want to leave him back then.
But Sandrine and her daughter become targets and when she sees the man responsible all of her memories come rushing back. Will the truth of what happened be betrayal or something sinister?
Review of advance copy received from Author
Boy did I loose sleep over this book. I was OBSESSED with these characters and their story. Deborah has created an amazing Mafia world with some of the best writing I have ever read. Her work deserves a standing ovation because this book was PERFECTION!!!!
I loved every second of this book. Kirill and Sandrine were end game from the start. Sandrine has been missing for 5 years and Kirill has been never stop searching for her during that time. The lengths that man went through to get his wife back. The love and passion they have for each other, conquered so much.
When Kirill finds Sandrine, she doesn't remember him or the life they had before. She had gone through a bad head injury. This was a huge advantage for those that didn't want Kirill and Sandrine together. Her name was changed and with no memory, it was the perfect plan. Except, Kirill wouldn't stop looking for her. This man had me feeling butterflies. The way he saw her, loved her, made love to her, and even took care of her......SWOOOOON! Deborah also throws us a little sweet treat, Kirill and Sandrine have a daughter, Violet. She is the sweetest and cutest addition to this book.
Overall, if you are a Mafia Romance lover, THIS IS A MUST. This book was hands down probably some of the best work, writing and story I got the chance to read. Definitely my top read for this year so far. Thank you Deborah for such a wonderful series and another standing ovation for your work. Absolutely OBSESSED with this one.
I loved every second of this book. Kirill and Sandrine were end game from the start. Sandrine has been missing for 5 years and Kirill has been never stop searching for her during that time. The lengths that man went through to get his wife back. The love and passion they have for each other, conquered so much.
When Kirill finds Sandrine, she doesn't remember him or the life they had before. She had gone through a bad head injury. This was a huge advantage for those that didn't want Kirill and Sandrine together. Her name was changed and with no memory, it was the perfect plan. Except, Kirill wouldn't stop looking for her. This man had me feeling butterflies. The way he saw her, loved her, made love to her, and even took care of her......SWOOOOON! Deborah also throws us a little sweet treat, Kirill and Sandrine have a daughter, Violet. She is the sweetest and cutest addition to this book.
Overall, if you are a Mafia Romance lover, THIS IS A MUST. This book was hands down probably some of the best work, writing and story I got the chance to read. Definitely my top read for this year so far. Thank you Deborah for such a wonderful series and another standing ovation for your work. Absolutely OBSESSED with this one.
Review of advance copy received from Autorin bzw. Autor
ARC Review, thx Deborah Garland
This is the second book in the American Mafia series.
The protagonists are Kirill—a Chicago Bratva heir—and Sandrine, Lourdes’s sister.
Five years ago, Sandrine suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and has experienced total amnesia ever since.
I was really looking forward to this book, even though amnesia isn't one of my favorite tropes—and as a nurse, I tend to view its portrayal critically.
The storyline didn't quite live up to my expectations; I found my attention wandering while reading, which is never a good sign.
I couldn't really feel the chemistry between Kirill and Sandrine (or Jessica), and I fundamentally didn't understand why Kirill immediately assumed Sandrine had left voluntarily—abandoning him—after she disappeared. It never even crossed his mind that she might have been kidnapped or something similar. Why would she willingly leave behind her newborn daughter?
It’s also questionable that she suddenly regained her memory all at once, yet the epilogue mentions that she only knows about her childhood memories through her sister.
Furthermore, Kirill should have known who would want to harm him and Sandrine.
I also find it odd that he didn't know where Sandrine had been all those years, even though her sister visited her regularly.
I’m a bit disappointed overall. However, since I’m generally a fan of Deborah’s books, I’m still looking forward to Elodie and Nico’s story.
HEA, no cheating or sharing
⭐️ 3/5
🌶 2.5/5
This is the second book in the American Mafia series.
The protagonists are Kirill—a Chicago Bratva heir—and Sandrine, Lourdes’s sister.
Five years ago, Sandrine suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and has experienced total amnesia ever since.
I was really looking forward to this book, even though amnesia isn't one of my favorite tropes—and as a nurse, I tend to view its portrayal critically.
The storyline didn't quite live up to my expectations; I found my attention wandering while reading, which is never a good sign.
I couldn't really feel the chemistry between Kirill and Sandrine (or Jessica), and I fundamentally didn't understand why Kirill immediately assumed Sandrine had left voluntarily—abandoning him—after she disappeared. It never even crossed his mind that she might have been kidnapped or something similar. Why would she willingly leave behind her newborn daughter?
It’s also questionable that she suddenly regained her memory all at once, yet the epilogue mentions that she only knows about her childhood memories through her sister.
Furthermore, Kirill should have known who would want to harm him and Sandrine.
I also find it odd that he didn't know where Sandrine had been all those years, even though her sister visited her regularly.
I’m a bit disappointed overall. However, since I’m generally a fan of Deborah’s books, I’m still looking forward to Elodie and Nico’s story.
HEA, no cheating or sharing
⭐️ 3/5
🌶 2.5/5
Review of advance copy received from Author
RECEIVED AN ADVANCED COPY FROM THE AUTHOR.
Deborah Garland has once again KNOCKED IT OUT of the park with another phenomenal mafia romance, and I am totally on board for this entire series! The second book deep dives into Kirill’s character, who has a wild journey after being apart from Sandrine for five years. His determination to uncover the truth about her disappearance really demonstrates how strong of a character and person he is. Sandrine’s battle to find her strength after so much heartbreak is truly inspiring to me as a reader. Watching her reconnect with Kirill, filled with longing and devotion, is everything I love about dark mafia romance. Their daughter, Violet, adds an emotional touch with her unshakable belief that her mom would come back, making their reunion all the more powerful. This book had be experiencing such a range of emotions, joy, anger, and everything in between. I am definitely rereading this book and their incredible love story. Honestly, everyone needs a Kirill in their lives! 😉 I am already excited for the next book.
TROPES:
♥️Bratva Romance
♥️Retrograde Amnesia
♥️ Disability Representation
♥️Age Gap (Kirill is 35 and Sandrine is 24.
♥️Possessive and Obsessed Husband
♥️Secret Baby/Single Father
♥️Forced Proximity
♥️”It was always YOU.”
♥️Hurt/Comfort
♥️”MY WIFE”
♥️”Who and Why” Dunnit
♥️Found Family
I would highly recommend this book, if you love reading this genre! Preorder your copy today!
PLOT: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Deborah Garland has once again KNOCKED IT OUT of the park with another phenomenal mafia romance, and I am totally on board for this entire series! The second book deep dives into Kirill’s character, who has a wild journey after being apart from Sandrine for five years. His determination to uncover the truth about her disappearance really demonstrates how strong of a character and person he is. Sandrine’s battle to find her strength after so much heartbreak is truly inspiring to me as a reader. Watching her reconnect with Kirill, filled with longing and devotion, is everything I love about dark mafia romance. Their daughter, Violet, adds an emotional touch with her unshakable belief that her mom would come back, making their reunion all the more powerful. This book had be experiencing such a range of emotions, joy, anger, and everything in between. I am definitely rereading this book and their incredible love story. Honestly, everyone needs a Kirill in their lives! 😉 I am already excited for the next book.
TROPES:
♥️Bratva Romance
♥️Retrograde Amnesia
♥️ Disability Representation
♥️Age Gap (Kirill is 35 and Sandrine is 24.
♥️Possessive and Obsessed Husband
♥️Secret Baby/Single Father
♥️Forced Proximity
♥️”It was always YOU.”
♥️Hurt/Comfort
♥️”MY WIFE”
♥️”Who and Why” Dunnit
♥️Found Family
I would highly recommend this book, if you love reading this genre! Preorder your copy today!
PLOT: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ohhh wow! I knew Kirill and Sandrine’s story was going to be good, but I honestly didn’t expect to love it this much. I’m completely in love with these two, especially Kirill. His feelings are present in absolutely everything he does. You can feel how deeply he loves Sandrine, how much pain he carried during the years she was gone, and then the love and emotion when he finally has her back in his life. Sigh. This man completely got me.
I think that was probably my favorite part of the book, Kirill’s emotions felt so strong and real. Even though he’s supposed to be this cold, ruthless Bratva Pakhan, when it comes to Sandrine, you can see right through him. He loves that woman so much, and I loved every second of it.
The book itself was such a fast read. There was always something happening, plenty of action, and of course, some very good spicy scenes. And Kirill’s dirty mouth? Oh. My. God. 😂 Definitely no complaints from me there.
I also really enjoyed the banter between Kirill and Ares. Some of their conversations genuinely made me laugh and were such a fun addition to everything else going on.
Honestly, I loved this book even more than I expected to. It had the action, the emotions, the chemistry, the spice, and a MMC I completely fell for.
Five stars are simply not enough. I recommend this one with both hands... and if I had five hands, I’d recommend it with all five 😂 Now I seriously can’t wait for the next book!
I think that was probably my favorite part of the book, Kirill’s emotions felt so strong and real. Even though he’s supposed to be this cold, ruthless Bratva Pakhan, when it comes to Sandrine, you can see right through him. He loves that woman so much, and I loved every second of it.
The book itself was such a fast read. There was always something happening, plenty of action, and of course, some very good spicy scenes. And Kirill’s dirty mouth? Oh. My. God. 😂 Definitely no complaints from me there.
I also really enjoyed the banter between Kirill and Ares. Some of their conversations genuinely made me laugh and were such a fun addition to everything else going on.
Honestly, I loved this book even more than I expected to. It had the action, the emotions, the chemistry, the spice, and a MMC I completely fell for.
Five stars are simply not enough. I recommend this one with both hands... and if I had five hands, I’d recommend it with all five 😂 Now I seriously can’t wait for the next book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was heartbreaking and amazing all at the same time!
Kirill just wanted his wife back, and when he got a clue about her name change, he rushed to find her and bring her home. What he wasn't told by Ares and Loures was her condition, and that hadn't come up in his reports either. Sandrine, or Jessica as she's currently known, had an accident five years ago and forgot her life before that point. Now Kirill has to figure out what the truth, did she really lose her memories, or was she trying to run? There's another little secret that Kirill was keeping too: they have a daughter. But Kirill is about to take over a Pakhan and needs her by his side no matter what. So what happens when Sandrine's memories come back, and they all learn the truth?
Sandrine and Kirill get their happy ending in this standalone book in a series.
These two were fire together, and I loved how quickly Sandrine seemed to trust Kirill, even if she didn't remember him. I also loved how well she took to motherhood without having any experience over the past five years. It would be interesting to know if Ares and Kirill continued to bicker over the years, or if, because the sisters were on better terms and I could see Violet wanting to be around her cousin, they were forced to be civil-ish to one another. I can't wait to see how Nico and Eloise's story plays out and what their relationship is!
I received an advance review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Kirill just wanted his wife back, and when he got a clue about her name change, he rushed to find her and bring her home. What he wasn't told by Ares and Loures was her condition, and that hadn't come up in his reports either. Sandrine, or Jessica as she's currently known, had an accident five years ago and forgot her life before that point. Now Kirill has to figure out what the truth, did she really lose her memories, or was she trying to run? There's another little secret that Kirill was keeping too: they have a daughter. But Kirill is about to take over a Pakhan and needs her by his side no matter what. So what happens when Sandrine's memories come back, and they all learn the truth?
Sandrine and Kirill get their happy ending in this standalone book in a series.
These two were fire together, and I loved how quickly Sandrine seemed to trust Kirill, even if she didn't remember him. I also loved how well she took to motherhood without having any experience over the past five years. It would be interesting to know if Ares and Kirill continued to bicker over the years, or if, because the sisters were on better terms and I could see Violet wanting to be around her cousin, they were forced to be civil-ish to one another. I can't wait to see how Nico and Eloise's story plays out and what their relationship is!
I received an advance review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
He is a ruthless mafia king, she’s his wife who was missing for FIVE YEARS with amnesia and doesn’t even remember him, and he’s STILL out here ready to burn the whole world down for her?! I am NOT okay!
Deborah Garland goes straight into the heat from page one, the queen of steamy romance strikes again! Do NOT read this in public unless you want to get caught blushing!
Sandrine has spent five whole years in facilities trying to piece her memory back together, while Kirill has been searching for her nonstop. He’s preparing to take his throne as a brutal mob boss, but he softens completely for her. He literally believes she might have betrayed him, yet he STILL waited for her: “I’ve not touched another woman since you left.” 😭
The twist? There is SO SO SO MUCH MORE to the story! Sandrine’s journey to rebuild herself and find her strength despite her disability was incredible to watch.
The emotional rollercoaster had me straight-up ugly crying! My heart was broken into a million pieces and then put right back together. I am completely obsessed!
When this ARC dropped into my inbox let me tell you, I dropped every book and read it in 2 hours! if you want a ruthless mafia romance full of raw raw raw love, to be wrecked and rebuilt, to ugly cry then just read this series. READ IT!!!!
Deborah Garland goes straight into the heat from page one, the queen of steamy romance strikes again! Do NOT read this in public unless you want to get caught blushing!
Sandrine has spent five whole years in facilities trying to piece her memory back together, while Kirill has been searching for her nonstop. He’s preparing to take his throne as a brutal mob boss, but he softens completely for her. He literally believes she might have betrayed him, yet he STILL waited for her: “I’ve not touched another woman since you left.” 😭
The twist? There is SO SO SO MUCH MORE to the story! Sandrine’s journey to rebuild herself and find her strength despite her disability was incredible to watch.
The emotional rollercoaster had me straight-up ugly crying! My heart was broken into a million pieces and then put right back together. I am completely obsessed!
When this ARC dropped into my inbox let me tell you, I dropped every book and read it in 2 hours! if you want a ruthless mafia romance full of raw raw raw love, to be wrecked and rebuilt, to ugly cry then just read this series. READ IT!!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC received from the author:
Deborah Garland does it again! The way she pulls you in from page one, hooks you immediately, and then takes you on a roller coaster of twists and turns makes this book impossible to put down.
This book starts off spicy from the very first page. Kirill and Sandrine’s connection is instant and intense, creating a bond that keeps them intertwined throughout the entire story. But just when you think their life together is beginning, a twist occurs that changes everything and puts their love to the ultimate test.
When Kirill finds his missing wife, they’re faced with the impossible task of learning how to “love again.” But their love was never really lost. As their story unfolds, their past begins to come back together, long hidden truths about Sandrine’s family are revealed, and memories are rekindled in ways that bring even more depth and emotion to their relationship.
The twists, secrets, passion, and emotional connection between Kirill and Sandrine kept me turning the pages. This is another captivating addition to this series, and it quickly became one of my favorite reads!
If you love mafia romance, second chance love, secrets, twists, and plenty of spice this is a great addition to your TBR
Deborah Garland does it again! The way she pulls you in from page one, hooks you immediately, and then takes you on a roller coaster of twists and turns makes this book impossible to put down.
This book starts off spicy from the very first page. Kirill and Sandrine’s connection is instant and intense, creating a bond that keeps them intertwined throughout the entire story. But just when you think their life together is beginning, a twist occurs that changes everything and puts their love to the ultimate test.
When Kirill finds his missing wife, they’re faced with the impossible task of learning how to “love again.” But their love was never really lost. As their story unfolds, their past begins to come back together, long hidden truths about Sandrine’s family are revealed, and memories are rekindled in ways that bring even more depth and emotion to their relationship.
The twists, secrets, passion, and emotional connection between Kirill and Sandrine kept me turning the pages. This is another captivating addition to this series, and it quickly became one of my favorite reads!
If you love mafia romance, second chance love, secrets, twists, and plenty of spice this is a great addition to your TBR
Review of advance copy received from Author
Bratva Obsession Had Me
Besties... imagine waking up with no memory of your past, only to discover the terrifying Bratva boss who kidnapped you is actually your husband... and you have a 5 year old daughter together. WHAT?! 😲
Kirill has spent five years believing Sandrine abandoned him, so finding her should be everything he wanted. Except she doesn't remember him, their marriage, or sweet little Violet. Watching his anger collide with the realization of what Sandrine actually endured gave this story some serious emotional weight.
I loved watching Sandrine slowly reconnect with her family while pieces of her old life began feeling familiar. Meanwhile, the mystery surrounding her disappearance kept getting darker, and once the betrayals started unraveling... whew! Kirill definitely reminded everyone exactly why he's Bratva. And Besties, when these two finally reconnect? That spice came back with a VENGEANCE! 🥵
Dark, possessive, emotional, suspenseful, and packed with hurt/comfort... this one kept me invested.
My Ratings: ⭐ 4.5/5 ▪︎ 🥵 3/5
🥀 My ratings and review are my own. For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤
Besties... imagine waking up with no memory of your past, only to discover the terrifying Bratva boss who kidnapped you is actually your husband... and you have a 5 year old daughter together. WHAT?! 😲
Kirill has spent five years believing Sandrine abandoned him, so finding her should be everything he wanted. Except she doesn't remember him, their marriage, or sweet little Violet. Watching his anger collide with the realization of what Sandrine actually endured gave this story some serious emotional weight.
I loved watching Sandrine slowly reconnect with her family while pieces of her old life began feeling familiar. Meanwhile, the mystery surrounding her disappearance kept getting darker, and once the betrayals started unraveling... whew! Kirill definitely reminded everyone exactly why he's Bratva. And Besties, when these two finally reconnect? That spice came back with a VENGEANCE! 🥵
Dark, possessive, emotional, suspenseful, and packed with hurt/comfort... this one kept me invested.
My Ratings: ⭐ 4.5/5 ▪︎ 🥵 3/5
🥀 My ratings and review are my own. For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
This dark mafia romance included mystery, suspense and an emotional punch that had me finishing it in one sitting. Kirill and Sandrine’s story grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go, and I loved finally getting the story of Lourdes’ sister from book 1, Mafia Obsession.
Although Sandrine is at a disadvantage due to memory loss, she is not a pushover and gives Kirill a run for his money when he thinks his being the next Pakhan and her husband entitles him to have her follow his every command. The push and pull between these two creates a tension that sparks right off of the page. On the outside and toward Sandrine, he is cold and distant, but you can help but melt as he becomes an immediate teddy bear for his daughter.
The betrayal and secrets held by Kirill’s associates hold the key to him finding out what happened to his wife and kept me guessing until close to the end. When his wife or daughter is threatened, the dangerous Bratva Pakhan roars to the forefront, and I loved his fierce and deadly protective side!
With forced proximity, age gap and found family tropes added to the mix, this Chicago Bratva mafia romance checked all the boxes for another great read in the American Mafia Series!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/🌶️🌶️🌶️
Review of advance copy received from Author
OMG this book is freaking amazing. It's so much more than I could have wanted or expected. It's the second installment in this incredible series and it does not disappoint. Kirill is one of my favorites now and I loved the way he was albeit there was times that you know his motives were a little questionable when he didn't have the full picture of what really happened but when he did oh things took a turn. Then Sandrine she is just an incredible character with all that she had to endure and come back from she hands down is an incredibly strong FMC. These two characters were utter perfection. Their story is well thought out and well written. Plus their character growth is amazing. I loved the length that Kirill went to for his wife as well. This book definitely hit the ground running and did not stop till the very end. All kinds of twists with surprises littered throughout the narrative. It is perfectly balanced with tension, chemistry, love, spice, romance and darkness. And don't even get me started with it how it all ended because oh my goodness I wasn't even ready for that. I cannot wait for the next book to find out what's coming.
September 7, 2026
Thank you so much, Deborah, for the ARC! I have been waiting on pins and needles for Kirill and Sandrine’s story, and let me tell you… you did NOT disappoint! This book blew my mind.
The unraveling of what really happened with Sabrina’s accident had me hooked, and every little piece that came to light had me questioning everything. And Tamara… girl, you are a whole you-know-what. 😂 The karma that was served to her, nothing less than amazing.
But honestly, my favorite part? Watching Ares and Kirill walking around thinking they are the baddest men in town… only for Nico to enter the chat. 😂🔥
Can’t wait for Elodie and Nico’s story.
Deborah, you seriously know how to keep us coming back for more. The drama, the betrayal, the twists, the characters, and those moments that make you sit there thinking WHAT?!—you delivered it all.
And now, of course, I’m left wanting MORE. Because why would you let us have peace when you can leave us wondering what’s coming next?!
Definitely another win for this series! ❤️🔥
The unraveling of what really happened with Sabrina’s accident had me hooked, and every little piece that came to light had me questioning everything. And Tamara… girl, you are a whole you-know-what. 😂 The karma that was served to her, nothing less than amazing.
But honestly, my favorite part? Watching Ares and Kirill walking around thinking they are the baddest men in town… only for Nico to enter the chat. 😂🔥
Can’t wait for Elodie and Nico’s story.
Deborah, you seriously know how to keep us coming back for more. The drama, the betrayal, the twists, the characters, and those moments that make you sit there thinking WHAT?!—you delivered it all.
And now, of course, I’m left wanting MORE. Because why would you let us have peace when you can leave us wondering what’s coming next?!
Definitely another win for this series! ❤️🔥
Review of advance copy received from Author
He will do whatever it takes to find her....
This story had me biting my nails from the beginning. It just pulls you in the anger and frustration of the characters. Kirill, from his wife disappearing and not knowing if she left willingly, and then being unable to locate her. And Sandrine, who now suffers with amnesia and a traumatic brain injury, it's been five years, and progress has been slow and she's getting very frustrated with it all. And now finally, Kirill has a clue on his wife, and once she's back with him, just one short kidnapping later, all the threads start to slowly unravel. The lies that were spun, the betrayal that was endured by both characters, it all made for a suspenseful and exciting read. Definitely recommend this story, and it can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading Mafia's Obsession first to get more backstory from Sandrine's sister, Lourdes.
This story had me biting my nails from the beginning. It just pulls you in the anger and frustration of the characters. Kirill, from his wife disappearing and not knowing if she left willingly, and then being unable to locate her. And Sandrine, who now suffers with amnesia and a traumatic brain injury, it's been five years, and progress has been slow and she's getting very frustrated with it all. And now finally, Kirill has a clue on his wife, and once she's back with him, just one short kidnapping later, all the threads start to slowly unravel. The lies that were spun, the betrayal that was endured by both characters, it all made for a suspenseful and exciting read. Definitely recommend this story, and it can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading Mafia's Obsession first to get more backstory from Sandrine's sister, Lourdes.
Review of advance copy
What a wild ride! There were so many ups and downs throughout this entire story, I don’t think I ever felt complete relaxed! I was constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop, and it did several times!
I loved getting the memories back piece by piece with Sandrine. It felt just as frustrating for me to not know what really happened! This was a perfect example of “show don’t tell” because I felt every emotion right along with her.
Kirill was quite complex. I loved that I couldn’t get a read on him for most of the story. He would show bits and pieces of himself as a loving partner, but in a flash those emotions would be buried and he’d be back to the distant Bratva leader. His life was so disrupted and there was so much unknown for him it’s amazing that he wasn’t even more ruthless than he already was.
I loved this storyline and how everything unfolded. I am so curious about Elodie’s story and can’t wait to find out what happened with her!
I loved getting the memories back piece by piece with Sandrine. It felt just as frustrating for me to not know what really happened! This was a perfect example of “show don’t tell” because I felt every emotion right along with her.
Kirill was quite complex. I loved that I couldn’t get a read on him for most of the story. He would show bits and pieces of himself as a loving partner, but in a flash those emotions would be buried and he’d be back to the distant Bratva leader. His life was so disrupted and there was so much unknown for him it’s amazing that he wasn’t even more ruthless than he already was.
I loved this storyline and how everything unfolded. I am so curious about Elodie’s story and can’t wait to find out what happened with her!
September 16, 2026
✨ARC REVIEW✨
⭐️ 4/5 | 4/5🌶️
I’ve been looking forward to this book ever since Mafia Obsession, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. I had my own theory about Sandrine’s lost memory pretty early on, but the way everything actually unfolded still managed to surprise me. That plot twist was SO good, and the secret trope? OBSESSED.
I absolutely loved Kirill, even if he was quite rude at first. 😂 Watching these two find their way back to each other and fall in love all over again was one of my favorite parts of the book, and I loved how naturally Sandrine stepped into motherhood.
And Violet? This little firecracker completely won me over. 😂 I’m not usually a fan of kids in general, but I absolutely adore her!
I can’t wait to read Elodie’s story. I’m already curious to see what Deborah Garland has in store for her.
And then there’s Eduardo… 👀 I have to admit, I desperately need more lore about this man. There is clearly so much more to him, and I NEED to know everything!
⭐️ 4/5 | 4/5🌶️
I’ve been looking forward to this book ever since Mafia Obsession, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. I had my own theory about Sandrine’s lost memory pretty early on, but the way everything actually unfolded still managed to surprise me. That plot twist was SO good, and the secret trope? OBSESSED.
I absolutely loved Kirill, even if he was quite rude at first. 😂 Watching these two find their way back to each other and fall in love all over again was one of my favorite parts of the book, and I loved how naturally Sandrine stepped into motherhood.
And Violet? This little firecracker completely won me over. 😂 I’m not usually a fan of kids in general, but I absolutely adore her!
I can’t wait to read Elodie’s story. I’m already curious to see what Deborah Garland has in store for her.
And then there’s Eduardo… 👀 I have to admit, I desperately need more lore about this man. There is clearly so much more to him, and I NEED to know everything!
Review of advance copy received from Author
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿
💭 Okay, I’m OBSESSED with this book. 😮💨🥹 I honestly had such a hard time putting it down once I started.
Kirill and Sandrine completely pulled me in. Their story had so much hurt, betrayal, tension, and emotions, but I especially loved seeing those softer moments between them. Even with everything they had been through, you could still see how much they cared about each other underneath all the anger and hurt.
Sandrine’s journey really got to me too. Watching her try to piece together her memories, figure out who she is, and find where she belongs again made me feel for her so much.
And Kirill… the man you are. 😂 He can definitely be A LOT, but I loved his protective side and seeing how much his family meant to him. The little family moments honestly melted me. 🥹
This book seriously gave me everything I wanted, and I’m still thinking about Kirill and Sandrine even after finishing. So yeah… I’m obsessed. 😮💨😂
💭 Okay, I’m OBSESSED with this book. 😮💨🥹 I honestly had such a hard time putting it down once I started.
Kirill and Sandrine completely pulled me in. Their story had so much hurt, betrayal, tension, and emotions, but I especially loved seeing those softer moments between them. Even with everything they had been through, you could still see how much they cared about each other underneath all the anger and hurt.
Sandrine’s journey really got to me too. Watching her try to piece together her memories, figure out who she is, and find where she belongs again made me feel for her so much.
And Kirill… the man you are. 😂 He can definitely be A LOT, but I loved his protective side and seeing how much his family meant to him. The little family moments honestly melted me. 🥹
This book seriously gave me everything I wanted, and I’m still thinking about Kirill and Sandrine even after finishing. So yeah… I’m obsessed. 😮💨😂
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this book as ARC: thank you so much to Deborah and her team for entrusting me with this.
Overall I enjoyed this book a lot. It was a bit predictable. But some twists were a surprise.
Author warns you and I remind you of the same: this is her portrayal/imagining of TBI. so don’t go yelling that she misrepresented it, just remember that this is a book.
Spoiler:
Having said that, I felt that Sadrine’s return of her desire for Kirill was very quick and almost no angst so I feel like that was a missed opportunity for some tension and angst.
There are definitely Easter eggs for her other books in there and I’m sure that people appreciate those.
The spice is spicing, and the plot is plotting!
I would definitely recommend reading this as a light warm if predictable read with HEA!
Overall I enjoyed this book a lot. It was a bit predictable. But some twists were a surprise.
Author warns you and I remind you of the same: this is her portrayal/imagining of TBI. so don’t go yelling that she misrepresented it, just remember that this is a book.
Spoiler:
Having said that, I felt that Sadrine’s return of her desire for Kirill was very quick and almost no angst so I feel like that was a missed opportunity for some tension and angst.
There are definitely Easter eggs for her other books in there and I’m sure that people appreciate those.
The spice is spicing, and the plot is plotting!
I would definitely recommend reading this as a light warm if predictable read with HEA!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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