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Roots & Ruin
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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April 15, 2026Part 1
I like when the alpha hero falls hard but when he becomes swoony and soft it’s my time to exit.
Dnf @ 55%
I like when the alpha hero falls hard but when he becomes swoony and soft it’s my time to exit.
Dnf @ 55%
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Your soul is like fucking sunshine and I would kiss the ground you walk on."
You're telling me this is a debut novel? A first time author wrote this masterpiece?
From the very moment I laid eyes on the first chapter I knew it was going to be one of those stories that stuck with me. The devotion that has went into the plot, characters and each and every word throughout this book is clear from the very first page.
We have Willow - a very naive, happy-go-lucky girl living out every dark romance readers dream. From her very job and lifestyle, to her meet-cute (or rather, meet-annoyed) with the delicious Dragna, leader of the Russian Mafia, who would take nothing short of a bullet for her. Then we have Dragna (this man!!!!) - while he is not a morally grey man, we still get to see his ruthless side throughout whilst dealing with typical mafia business, he is however nothing but a doting lover boy towards Willow.
"Kissing her is realising my heart is beating for something other than to just pump blood through my body."
These two main characters are somehow complete opposites but it fully works in their favour and the way in which they come together is nothing if not perfect. Granted, they are met with struggles throughout but what great love story is without hardships? Their biggest being Willow's ingenuousness towards Dragna's world and Dragna's inability to explain it all to her for fear she would leave him.
With all the fan favourite tropes included, this book is destined to be your next 5 star read. We have found family, age gap (12 years), he falls first, billionaire mafia, protective MMC alongside microtropes such as anxiety attacks, he takes care of her, buys her books, nicknames her in his native language, talks her through it (iykyk🌶️), "No God. No Saint. Nobody but me."🌶️, side characters to die for (Lev, I'm looking at YOU🫵🏻).
This book is filled with passion, spice and plot twists that will keep you gasping for more! It is truly an emotional rollercoaster that will have you crying, laughing, kicking your feet and giggling and looking to the invisible camera in your room (The Office, Jim Halpert style, yes) at every turn! With the perfect set up for further books in the series down the line, which I can confirm you will be begging for come the end of this amazing novel! I know I cannot wait for MORE. I feel like I truly know each character as if they are my friends now and I'm rooting for every single one of them. Amber truly captured a reader-character bond and I don't think I'll ever stop thinking about Willow and Dragna's story.
If you're a fan of Rina Kent like myself, you are going to EAT THIS UP!!! 🙌🏻🙂↕️
ugh that ending!!!! I'm so ready for book 2😩🫶🏻
I can't describe how grateful I am to our lovely author, Amber, for letting me be apart of her journey from the very start. Being an Alpha Reader for this sensational book has been so much fun and knowing Amber as well as I do, this is truly her passion project which she has spent long hours, days and nights thinking about, writing and editing to perfection. This book is a credit to you and I hope every reader out there can appreciate and love it as much as myself and all your other BETA/ARC readers have! Here's to Willow and Dragna for finally coming to fruition from your mind and Pinterest boards - here's to all the other amazing characters you created from their best friends Lev and Alina, down to Dragna's mother Milena and even his top bodyguard Mikhail - here's to the whole storyline, no stone has went unturned! Here's to YOU!
You're telling me this is a debut novel? A first time author wrote this masterpiece?
From the very moment I laid eyes on the first chapter I knew it was going to be one of those stories that stuck with me. The devotion that has went into the plot, characters and each and every word throughout this book is clear from the very first page.
We have Willow - a very naive, happy-go-lucky girl living out every dark romance readers dream. From her very job and lifestyle, to her meet-cute (or rather, meet-annoyed) with the delicious Dragna, leader of the Russian Mafia, who would take nothing short of a bullet for her. Then we have Dragna (this man!!!!) - while he is not a morally grey man, we still get to see his ruthless side throughout whilst dealing with typical mafia business, he is however nothing but a doting lover boy towards Willow.
"Kissing her is realising my heart is beating for something other than to just pump blood through my body."
These two main characters are somehow complete opposites but it fully works in their favour and the way in which they come together is nothing if not perfect. Granted, they are met with struggles throughout but what great love story is without hardships? Their biggest being Willow's ingenuousness towards Dragna's world and Dragna's inability to explain it all to her for fear she would leave him.
With all the fan favourite tropes included, this book is destined to be your next 5 star read. We have found family, age gap (12 years), he falls first, billionaire mafia, protective MMC alongside microtropes such as anxiety attacks, he takes care of her, buys her books, nicknames her in his native language, talks her through it (iykyk🌶️), "No God. No Saint. Nobody but me."🌶️, side characters to die for (Lev, I'm looking at YOU🫵🏻).
This book is filled with passion, spice and plot twists that will keep you gasping for more! It is truly an emotional rollercoaster that will have you crying, laughing, kicking your feet and giggling and looking to the invisible camera in your room (The Office, Jim Halpert style, yes) at every turn! With the perfect set up for further books in the series down the line, which I can confirm you will be begging for come the end of this amazing novel! I know I cannot wait for MORE. I feel like I truly know each character as if they are my friends now and I'm rooting for every single one of them. Amber truly captured a reader-character bond and I don't think I'll ever stop thinking about Willow and Dragna's story.
If you're a fan of Rina Kent like myself, you are going to EAT THIS UP!!! 🙌🏻🙂↕️
ugh that ending!!!! I'm so ready for book 2😩🫶🏻
I can't describe how grateful I am to our lovely author, Amber, for letting me be apart of her journey from the very start. Being an Alpha Reader for this sensational book has been so much fun and knowing Amber as well as I do, this is truly her passion project which she has spent long hours, days and nights thinking about, writing and editing to perfection. This book is a credit to you and I hope every reader out there can appreciate and love it as much as myself and all your other BETA/ARC readers have! Here's to Willow and Dragna for finally coming to fruition from your mind and Pinterest boards - here's to all the other amazing characters you created from their best friends Lev and Alina, down to Dragna's mother Milena and even his top bodyguard Mikhail - here's to the whole storyline, no stone has went unturned! Here's to YOU!
March 6, 2026
I loved this SO much!!
March 1, 2026
Roots & Ruin ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
First of all, what a fantastic debut novel! Well done you! You have created a captivating story that had me itching to read more. Definitely a recommended read for anyone who loves a mafia romance! This was my first and certainly won’t be my last! When is book 2 out?!? Can’t wait to delve deeper again in to this world you have envisioned.
Amber has created characters impossible not to love, my particular favourite was Lev! The twists and turns had me shook, caught me off guard and I enjoyed seeing the romance form between your two main characters, Willow and Dragna.
“…with tattoos, muscles that don’t end and who looks like he will ruin your life and you would thank him afterwards.”
“As he stands there, he leans against the car, arms folded with his shirt sleeves rolled up looking just as dangerous as he is beautiful.”
What utterly fabulous descriptions!
It was so lovely getting to be a part of this journey as one of your ARC readers!
This girl does not disappoint!! Hop on this bandwagon!!💛
First of all, what a fantastic debut novel! Well done you! You have created a captivating story that had me itching to read more. Definitely a recommended read for anyone who loves a mafia romance! This was my first and certainly won’t be my last! When is book 2 out?!? Can’t wait to delve deeper again in to this world you have envisioned.
Amber has created characters impossible not to love, my particular favourite was Lev! The twists and turns had me shook, caught me off guard and I enjoyed seeing the romance form between your two main characters, Willow and Dragna.
“…with tattoos, muscles that don’t end and who looks like he will ruin your life and you would thank him afterwards.”
“As he stands there, he leans against the car, arms folded with his shirt sleeves rolled up looking just as dangerous as he is beautiful.”
What utterly fabulous descriptions!
It was so lovely getting to be a part of this journey as one of your ARC readers!
This girl does not disappoint!! Hop on this bandwagon!!💛
March 1, 2026
Brilliant Read
I have been so lucky to read this first book by this new Author, believe me this book will pull you in from the very first page. Her characters come to life in your mind and you can picture rmeverything that is happening in Technicolour. I had to read it in one sitting as I had to know what was going to happen not just to Dragna and Willow but all the other characters in the book. I'm glad to know they will be having their own stories which I'm sure will be just as good as this first Novel. Be prepared for laughter tears and definitely a few interesting twists that will catch you out, everything a good Bratva book should have. We'll done to this New Author and I can honestly say I can't wait for her next book.
I have been so lucky to read this first book by this new Author, believe me this book will pull you in from the very first page. Her characters come to life in your mind and you can picture rmeverything that is happening in Technicolour. I had to read it in one sitting as I had to know what was going to happen not just to Dragna and Willow but all the other characters in the book. I'm glad to know they will be having their own stories which I'm sure will be just as good as this first Novel. Be prepared for laughter tears and definitely a few interesting twists that will catch you out, everything a good Bratva book should have. We'll done to this New Author and I can honestly say I can't wait for her next book.
March 12, 2026
I am a mafia romance convert! I’m obsessed with the characters and could not put the book down. It had me kicking my feet giggling, gasping in fear, AND gave me butterflies. I’ve felt all the emotions.
March 13, 2026
“Your soul is like fucking sunshine, and I would kiss the ground you walk on.”
This book truly felt like a dark romance dream.
Willow is the definition of sunshine a little naïve, happy-go-lucky, and somehow finding herself in the middle of a world most people would run from. From her lifestyle to her chaotic meet-annoyed moment with Dragna, everything about her story feels like something straight out of a dark romance fantasy.
Then there’s Dragna… and honestly, this man. The leader of the Russian mafia who is ruthless when it comes to business, but when it comes to Willow? He turns into the most devoted, protective lover. He’s grumpy, possessive, and completely dangerous to everyone else yet with her he’s basically a total softie.
What makes this story work so well is how opposite these two are. Willow’s light and innocence balance Dragna’s dark world perfectly. Their relationship builds in such a natural way, even while they face the challenges that come with being from completely different worlds. Willow doesn’t fully understand the life Dragna lives, and Dragna struggles to explain it to her because he’s terrified of losing her.
From the moment they meet, it’s impossible not to feel pulled into their story. Dragna is exactly what you expect from a mafia MMC grumpy, possessive, powerful but Willow isn’t afraid to stand her ground and challenge him. Watching her push back against the “big bad wolf” made their dynamic even better.
The story delivers laughs, suspense, shocking moments, and just the right amount of spice, making it such a fun and addictive read.
And the best part? This is only the beginning. The story sets up a full series where each book focuses on the other characters and honestly, I already love them all. As much as I adored Dragna, I’m so excited for Lev’s book next. 📚🔥
Tropes:
✦ Mafia Romance
✦ Possessive Hero
✦ Touch Her and Die Energy
✦ Dangerous Love Story
✦ Underground Crime World
This book truly felt like a dark romance dream.
Willow is the definition of sunshine a little naïve, happy-go-lucky, and somehow finding herself in the middle of a world most people would run from. From her lifestyle to her chaotic meet-annoyed moment with Dragna, everything about her story feels like something straight out of a dark romance fantasy.
Then there’s Dragna… and honestly, this man. The leader of the Russian mafia who is ruthless when it comes to business, but when it comes to Willow? He turns into the most devoted, protective lover. He’s grumpy, possessive, and completely dangerous to everyone else yet with her he’s basically a total softie.
What makes this story work so well is how opposite these two are. Willow’s light and innocence balance Dragna’s dark world perfectly. Their relationship builds in such a natural way, even while they face the challenges that come with being from completely different worlds. Willow doesn’t fully understand the life Dragna lives, and Dragna struggles to explain it to her because he’s terrified of losing her.
From the moment they meet, it’s impossible not to feel pulled into their story. Dragna is exactly what you expect from a mafia MMC grumpy, possessive, powerful but Willow isn’t afraid to stand her ground and challenge him. Watching her push back against the “big bad wolf” made their dynamic even better.
The story delivers laughs, suspense, shocking moments, and just the right amount of spice, making it such a fun and addictive read.
And the best part? This is only the beginning. The story sets up a full series where each book focuses on the other characters and honestly, I already love them all. As much as I adored Dragna, I’m so excited for Lev’s book next. 📚🔥
Tropes:
✦ Mafia Romance
✦ Possessive Hero
✦ Touch Her and Die Energy
✦ Dangerous Love Story
✦ Underground Crime World
Review of advance copy received from Author
Every so often… we just need a damn good mafia romance book. And this one hit the spot!
From the first meeting of Dragna and Willow you can’t help but feel a connection to the characters. Dragna is everything you expect him to be. Posessive & grumpy but an absolute puppy dog for Willow, and she is the one not afraid to stand up to the big bad wolf. Every girls dream!
The story contains laughs, shock, suspense and spice making it a brilliant all round book to read.
And even better? It’s going to be a series with the each book focusing on the other main characters.
You can’t help but love them all as the story unfolds. And as much as I loved Dragna I’m so excited for Levs book.
For a first time author, this book has went above and beyond and I sit in anticipation for the next book of the series. Thank you so much for bringing me on as an ARC reader and letting me be a part of this journey with you.
From the first meeting of Dragna and Willow you can’t help but feel a connection to the characters. Dragna is everything you expect him to be. Posessive & grumpy but an absolute puppy dog for Willow, and she is the one not afraid to stand up to the big bad wolf. Every girls dream!
The story contains laughs, shock, suspense and spice making it a brilliant all round book to read.
And even better? It’s going to be a series with the each book focusing on the other main characters.
You can’t help but love them all as the story unfolds. And as much as I loved Dragna I’m so excited for Levs book.
For a first time author, this book has went above and beyond and I sit in anticipation for the next book of the series. Thank you so much for bringing me on as an ARC reader and letting me be a part of this journey with you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely love a mafia romance so I was very excited to read this… little did I know that it was one of the best books I’ve ever read!
The way that the author had written each character is incredible and it feels like you’ve known them forever.
The twists and turns in these pages and how everything thing links together so seamlessly and the fact that this is her FIRST EVER BOOK!!!! I can’t even imagine what’s to come.
If you love a book with beautifully written characters, strong friendships and family, a story with so many intertwining layers and a man who would burn the world down for his woman then this is the book for you!
✨“Kissing her is realising my heart is beating for something other than to just pump blood”✨
The way that the author had written each character is incredible and it feels like you’ve known them forever.
The twists and turns in these pages and how everything thing links together so seamlessly and the fact that this is her FIRST EVER BOOK!!!! I can’t even imagine what’s to come.
If you love a book with beautifully written characters, strong friendships and family, a story with so many intertwining layers and a man who would burn the world down for his woman then this is the book for you!
✨“Kissing her is realising my heart is beating for something other than to just pump blood”✨
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews