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Blades and Blood #1
On the Verge: A Dark Hockey Mafia Romance
Teddy Williams was fine where he was. Settled in one city after a lifetime as a military brat, his career as an NHL goalie on the rise…until a mid-season trade throws everything for a loop. A new city and new team are manageable, but finding out you’re a Bratva heir to a ruthless empire just as the playoffs are about to begin is overwhelming. The only thing keeping him grounded is Elia. She comes into his life like a whirlwind but turns out to be his calm in the storm. The only problem? She’s his teammates’ little sister, and her brothers have made it clear she’s totally off limits. It’s impossible to stay apart, but when even more secrets come to light amidst tragedy, it leaves their relationship on the verge of catastrophe.
Elia Santori is the princess of her family, a bright light in their otherwise dark way of life. She has everything she could ever need as the only daughter of a Mafia boss, but yet…she yearns for more. When a tall, handsome stranger interrupts her usual shift volunteering, sparks fly, and even learning that he’s her brothers’ teammate isn’t enough to deny their attraction. This way of life has a way of catching up to you, though, and Elia isn’t immune to the secrets and tragedies that threaten everything she holds dear.
Elia Santori is the princess of her family, a bright light in their otherwise dark way of life. She has everything she could ever need as the only daughter of a Mafia boss, but yet…she yearns for more. When a tall, handsome stranger interrupts her usual shift volunteering, sparks fly, and even learning that he’s her brothers’ teammate isn’t enough to deny their attraction. This way of life has a way of catching up to you, though, and Elia isn’t immune to the secrets and tragedies that threaten everything she holds dear.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2026
27 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
April 16, 2026
3.5🌟, 3🌶️
This was such a fun, dramatic ride.
I went in expecting a hockey romance and ended up getting a mix of secrets, forbidden tension, and constant twists. From the very first meeting, Teddy and Elia pulled me in, and the whole rival mafia element kept things feeling unpredictable and engaging.
Teddy and Elia are messy in a way that keeps you invested. He starts off sweet and a little clueless, but there’s a darker, more intense side to him that slowly unfolds. Elia brings a quiet strength that balances him, and together their connection feels strong, even when everything around them is complicated. The forbidden aspect really stands out here, the secrecy, the tension, and that constant sense that everything could fall apart made their story hard to put down.
It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely addictive. There’s plenty of angst, twists, and emotion to keep you hooked, even when things feel a bit over the top. I found myself really enjoying the side characters too, and I’m already curious about where the series will go next.
A little chaotic, but still a really fun read.
~~~~
Special thanks to T. K. Drake and team for providing this Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. ✨
This was such a fun, dramatic ride.
I went in expecting a hockey romance and ended up getting a mix of secrets, forbidden tension, and constant twists. From the very first meeting, Teddy and Elia pulled me in, and the whole rival mafia element kept things feeling unpredictable and engaging.
Teddy and Elia are messy in a way that keeps you invested. He starts off sweet and a little clueless, but there’s a darker, more intense side to him that slowly unfolds. Elia brings a quiet strength that balances him, and together their connection feels strong, even when everything around them is complicated. The forbidden aspect really stands out here, the secrecy, the tension, and that constant sense that everything could fall apart made their story hard to put down.
It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely addictive. There’s plenty of angst, twists, and emotion to keep you hooked, even when things feel a bit over the top. I found myself really enjoying the side characters too, and I’m already curious about where the series will go next.
A little chaotic, but still a really fun read.
~~~~
Special thanks to T. K. Drake and team for providing this Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. ✨
April 4, 2026
I was really excited to pick this up. Intrigued by the premise of a hockey mafia romance. Only to be let down? I don’t know. This was not great but good enough to finish. Very middle of the road for me.
Why is he so stupid? I think the author was trying to be funny but I wasn’t laughing. Not even once. Like when he thought she was asking him to make babies, thought she had crabs and was asking him to look for her OR when he heard his teammates talking about fucking puck bunnies and he thought they meant real bunnies, not women. I was over him immediately.
The scene towards the end with the gun was so gross. It didn’t feel like him at ALL. He’s been a goofy ding dong idiot the whole book and all of sudden he’s fucking her with a gun, calling her all these terrible names? Doing a full 180 on his entire personality?? I get that he felt betrayed and was tortured but that was the last thing I imagined him doing. EEEYUCK
Also, the end of them fucking in the hospital bed after he was nearly killed. Be so freaking for real. That was ridiculous. The nurse? I was so irritated by both of them at that point and more than happy to be done with book.
All the did was miscommunicate and have unprotected sex. That’s literally the book in a nutshell. I felt it odd that they were both in the mafia and yet no one around them knew what they were up to? I know at one point her mom and grandma confront her about Teddy, saying they knew. But you’re telling me her mafia dad/brothers or even Mila/Sasha were clueless? Sure… At one point she says he might be gay because he didn’t stare at her chest. Didn’t like that. When she texted ‘le sigh’ I about dnf’d the book.
I feel like I liked the side characters more than Ellie and Teddy. Was more interested in her brothers or Mila. And of course Leo, rip to one of the only tolerable people in this book. I was so excited at the prospect of his forbidden love story only for him to die. SMH
Everyone in this book was so horny. For what? The old people she volunteered for. Her grandma stayed making me cringe.
I feel bad because I couldn’t put this book down. But I have nothing nice to say. And would possibly give the next book in this series a try. Especially if it’s Mila and Thatchers book. (Or if some how Leo is resurrected lol)
Thank you for the arc copy.
Why is he so stupid? I think the author was trying to be funny but I wasn’t laughing. Not even once. Like when he thought she was asking him to make babies, thought she had crabs and was asking him to look for her OR when he heard his teammates talking about fucking puck bunnies and he thought they meant real bunnies, not women. I was over him immediately.
The scene towards the end with the gun was so gross. It didn’t feel like him at ALL. He’s been a goofy ding dong idiot the whole book and all of sudden he’s fucking her with a gun, calling her all these terrible names? Doing a full 180 on his entire personality?? I get that he felt betrayed and was tortured but that was the last thing I imagined him doing. EEEYUCK
Also, the end of them fucking in the hospital bed after he was nearly killed. Be so freaking for real. That was ridiculous. The nurse? I was so irritated by both of them at that point and more than happy to be done with book.
All the did was miscommunicate and have unprotected sex. That’s literally the book in a nutshell. I felt it odd that they were both in the mafia and yet no one around them knew what they were up to? I know at one point her mom and grandma confront her about Teddy, saying they knew. But you’re telling me her mafia dad/brothers or even Mila/Sasha were clueless? Sure… At one point she says he might be gay because he didn’t stare at her chest. Didn’t like that. When she texted ‘le sigh’ I about dnf’d the book.
I feel like I liked the side characters more than Ellie and Teddy. Was more interested in her brothers or Mila. And of course Leo, rip to one of the only tolerable people in this book. I was so excited at the prospect of his forbidden love story only for him to die. SMH
Everyone in this book was so horny. For what? The old people she volunteered for. Her grandma stayed making me cringe.
I feel bad because I couldn’t put this book down. But I have nothing nice to say. And would possibly give the next book in this series a try. Especially if it’s Mila and Thatchers book. (Or if some how Leo is resurrected lol)
Thank you for the arc copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
hard-dnf-s
April 14, 2026DNFd on April 14th, 61 pages in (22%)
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this as an arc.
I think this just may be a me issue right now and might come back to it, but everything felt really clunky and too chaotic. A lot of show, don't tell, and it felt like we were missing a lot. Also, the MMC was just...too goofy stupid for me to take seriously (thinking the FMC wanted to make babies with him immediately, had crabs when talking about catching crabs, etc)
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this as an arc.
I think this just may be a me issue right now and might come back to it, but everything felt really clunky and too chaotic. A lot of show, don't tell, and it felt like we were missing a lot. Also, the MMC was just...too goofy stupid for me to take seriously (thinking the FMC wanted to make babies with him immediately, had crabs when talking about catching crabs, etc)
Did Not Finish
April 5, 2026Sadly not for me. Couldn't get into it. DNF at 25%. Therfore no rating.
April 18, 2026
ARC Review of On The Verge by T.K. Drake
Blades & Blood Book #1
A Dark Hockey Mafia Romance
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
🖤Hockey Romance
🏒Bratva v Mafia
🖤Forbidden
🏒Touch Her & ☠️
🖤Found Family
🏒Teammates Sister
🖤Rival Families
🏒Obsessive/Possessive MMC
🖤Breeding Kink
I will admit that I almost DNFd this book at 30%. This book follows the story of Teddy and Ellie, a Bratva heir and Mafia Princess. Teddy is a golden retriever MMC and has goofy moments that I felt were kind of dumb. For example, the part when he thought she was asking him to impregnate her or the crab's incident on their first date. The author was trying to be funny, but it came off making his character look like he was unintelligent and incompetent. Ellie on the other hand was smart, kind, caring and had a big heart. She spent all her days volunteering and spending time with the elderly. Teddy is an NHL goalie who was traded mid-season from New York to Florida (these rarely happen) and is trying to get settled in the new city. He finds out that he is the heir to the Bratva and it sends his world into a tailspin. On a chance encounter while volunteering at the hospital Teddy meets Ellie and the instalove/instalust between them is so palpable. They end up dating and keeping it a secret from their families, each for their own reasons. Secrets, character development and plot twists keep this book fast paced and I could not put it down. I was so hopeful for this read when I had read all the tropes (all of them being what I usually look for), it just did not hit with me. I would recommend this book to lovers of dark hockey organized crime romance lovers. Just because it did not hit with me (could be a personal thing) does not mean that it wont for you. It really does pull you in and keep you seated until the very end.
I would like to thank the author and The Author Agency for this early copy read.
Blades & Blood Book #1
A Dark Hockey Mafia Romance
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Tropes:
🖤Hockey Romance
🏒Bratva v Mafia
🖤Forbidden
🏒Touch Her & ☠️
🖤Found Family
🏒Teammates Sister
🖤Rival Families
🏒Obsessive/Possessive MMC
🖤Breeding Kink
I will admit that I almost DNFd this book at 30%. This book follows the story of Teddy and Ellie, a Bratva heir and Mafia Princess. Teddy is a golden retriever MMC and has goofy moments that I felt were kind of dumb. For example, the part when he thought she was asking him to impregnate her or the crab's incident on their first date. The author was trying to be funny, but it came off making his character look like he was unintelligent and incompetent. Ellie on the other hand was smart, kind, caring and had a big heart. She spent all her days volunteering and spending time with the elderly. Teddy is an NHL goalie who was traded mid-season from New York to Florida (these rarely happen) and is trying to get settled in the new city. He finds out that he is the heir to the Bratva and it sends his world into a tailspin. On a chance encounter while volunteering at the hospital Teddy meets Ellie and the instalove/instalust between them is so palpable. They end up dating and keeping it a secret from their families, each for their own reasons. Secrets, character development and plot twists keep this book fast paced and I could not put it down. I was so hopeful for this read when I had read all the tropes (all of them being what I usually look for), it just did not hit with me. I would recommend this book to lovers of dark hockey organized crime romance lovers. Just because it did not hit with me (could be a personal thing) does not mean that it wont for you. It really does pull you in and keep you seated until the very end.
I would like to thank the author and The Author Agency for this early copy read.
April 8, 2026
This book is a GOD TIER romance, so much amazing spice, a great plot line and literally the best characters. And I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with so much DUALITY. When I first started reading this I was like, Teddy’s adorable this man can’t be freaky…. But ohhhh boy how wrong I was. Because this man gets a b0ner and manifests one of the strongest and I mean strongest (because I’ve read a lot) br33ding kinks I have ever read from the second he first sees her. Teddy is new to town, meets this cute girl and they go on a date. And lemme tell you this man was OBSESSED from the start because he planned 3 different amazing first picnic dates and asked her to choose. Honestly, from there is where everything goes haywire. Their love is forbidden, they’re from rival mafias and he’s her brother’s hockey teammate (which means he’s strictly off limits). The angst, the secrecy and the tension builds up so well, until it explodes literally in your face. The plot twists were EVIL like so damn evil I literally was crying my entire way through the second half of the book because of it. It is a happy ending though, thank goodness and I can’t wait for the next couple. But also I wanted to stress how amazing the character development for both of them was. They both go through rough times when they aren’t really themselves and make terrible decisions, but through it came amazing development. And for a book short of 300 pages, this kind of development isn’t seen enough. I truly loved this book, dark romance hockey romance are my favourite genres and this one definitely is top 10. I give it a 5/5
April 22, 2026
On the Verge – T.K. Drake
Buddy read this with the girls and honestly… we spiraled 😭
Teddy is a goalie in the NHL, who just got traded, he is calm under pressure, protective, always watching everything unfold in front of him. Off the ice, he’s this soft, photography-loving, grandma’s-boy… but behind the scenes? He’s living a whole new second life tied to the Bratva. The duality of this man had me hooked.
And the way he falls for Ellie?? Immediately. No hesitation. He’s holding babies thinking about giving her babies, calling her a goddess in his head—I was kicking my feet.
Ellie is the sweetest, most selfless FMC. Always giving back, always surrounded by her loud, overprotective, Italian, hockey family—but somehow still lonely in it. So when Teddy comes in and sees her right away? Their connection felt instant but still intentional.
Their dates were EVERYTHING. The beach setup, the effort, the way he showed up early, planned every detail… like this man set the standard and then said “I can do more.”
But this isn’t just a soft hockey romance. It flips. Hard.
Secrets start unraveling, identities come out, and suddenly it’s messy, painful, and full of betrayal. Loss…That third act?? Actually hurt. The kind of miscommunication and angst that had me STRESSED.
Teddy being both the protective goalie on the ice and the pakhan off it added so much tension—because at his core, he’s still that soft man who just wants her.
They go THROUGH it. Like truly dragged through every emotional trench possible. But the love never disappears, even when everything else does.
And Nonna?? Absolute legend. She knew everything before anyone else and I loved her for it 😂
✨ Tropes:
• He falls first (and HARD)
• Hockey romance (goalie MMC)
• Secret identity / double life
• Mafia / Bratva
• Forbidden romance
• Pregnancy trope
• Touch her & die
• High angst / emotional damage
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Buddy read this with the girls and honestly… we spiraled 😭
Teddy is a goalie in the NHL, who just got traded, he is calm under pressure, protective, always watching everything unfold in front of him. Off the ice, he’s this soft, photography-loving, grandma’s-boy… but behind the scenes? He’s living a whole new second life tied to the Bratva. The duality of this man had me hooked.
And the way he falls for Ellie?? Immediately. No hesitation. He’s holding babies thinking about giving her babies, calling her a goddess in his head—I was kicking my feet.
Ellie is the sweetest, most selfless FMC. Always giving back, always surrounded by her loud, overprotective, Italian, hockey family—but somehow still lonely in it. So when Teddy comes in and sees her right away? Their connection felt instant but still intentional.
Their dates were EVERYTHING. The beach setup, the effort, the way he showed up early, planned every detail… like this man set the standard and then said “I can do more.”
But this isn’t just a soft hockey romance. It flips. Hard.
Secrets start unraveling, identities come out, and suddenly it’s messy, painful, and full of betrayal. Loss…That third act?? Actually hurt. The kind of miscommunication and angst that had me STRESSED.
Teddy being both the protective goalie on the ice and the pakhan off it added so much tension—because at his core, he’s still that soft man who just wants her.
They go THROUGH it. Like truly dragged through every emotional trench possible. But the love never disappears, even when everything else does.
And Nonna?? Absolute legend. She knew everything before anyone else and I loved her for it 😂
✨ Tropes:
• He falls first (and HARD)
• Hockey romance (goalie MMC)
• Secret identity / double life
• Mafia / Bratva
• Forbidden romance
• Pregnancy trope
• Touch her & die
• High angst / emotional damage
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 9, 2026
Book 1 in the Blades And Blood series: Teddy and Ellie. This is a hockey player MMC, “wants so badly to believe in love” MMC, bratva x mafia, forbidden love, rival families, found family, obsessive and possessive MMC, curvy FMC, touch her and d!e, teammate’s sister, bratva boss x mafia princess, forbidden romance, dark romance.
I don’t normally go for the “golden retriever” type of MMC but Teddy will forever be my “exception to the rule”. I can’t say anything bad about him. He is the epitome of “get yourself a man who can do both”, he is a sweetheart and funny but also has a filthy mouth and a side of him that is has no problem getting his way. Ellie was such a sweetheart with a big heart and was a really likable FMC.
There was so much going on behind the scenes with these characters, this book had a great balance between plot and romance, dark elements and light humor, and sports and organized crime plot. I can’t wait to continue this series and do the next book!
4/5⭐️
I don’t normally go for the “golden retriever” type of MMC but Teddy will forever be my “exception to the rule”. I can’t say anything bad about him. He is the epitome of “get yourself a man who can do both”, he is a sweetheart and funny but also has a filthy mouth and a side of him that is has no problem getting his way. Ellie was such a sweetheart with a big heart and was a really likable FMC.
There was so much going on behind the scenes with these characters, this book had a great balance between plot and romance, dark elements and light humor, and sports and organized crime plot. I can’t wait to continue this series and do the next book!
4/5⭐️
April 7, 2026
Ok this was AWESOME !!! Bratva Prince (nhl goalie) meets Mafia Princess?! Yep… sign me UP !! The drama, the teammates sister, the secret identities… this book gives you all of it and more! You get to see their sweet soft sides, their Bratva, and mafia sides. Epic ! I absolutely loved it.
April 17, 2026
This was my first time trying this author, and I was honestly really excited because dark hockey mafia romance sounded exactly like my kind of read. Sadly, it gave me none of that vibe at all.
Teddy was really off for me as a main character. I just could not connect with him, and a lot of his actions made me roll my eyes. Ellie was fine, but she felt pretty average and didn’t make me invested either.
I kept hoping it would get better, but I wasn’t enjoying myself, so I decided to DNF at 20%. Just not the right book for me.
Thank you The Author Agency and T.K. Drake for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Teddy was really off for me as a main character. I just could not connect with him, and a lot of his actions made me roll my eyes. Ellie was fine, but she felt pretty average and didn’t make me invested either.
I kept hoping it would get better, but I wasn’t enjoying myself, so I decided to DNF at 20%. Just not the right book for me.
Thank you The Author Agency and T.K. Drake for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Did Not Finish
April 16, 2026DNF at 30%… ummm… knew this wasn’t me when they kissed within the first 100 pages of the book and when the MMC was looking forward to their second date to sleep with her… too lustful :/
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️.5/5
🌶️🌶️.5/5
ARC read, thank you to the author and Smuthood PR for an early copy.
Reading the tropes list, this book should have been right up my street. Hockey romance? Mafia x Bratva? Sign me up! Unfortunately, it was a chaotic mess that tried to do far too much, resulting in none of it being done particularly well.
Ellie, our FMC, is the Mafia principessa, the only daughter of the head of the Mafia. She’s beyond sunny, and spends her time giving back to the community through various volunteering initiatives, from cuddling babies in the NICU to playing games with the residents of the local old age home. She recognises her immense privilege, but longs for a true love to share her life with (a bit like every Disney Princess 🙄).
Enter Teddy, our golden retriever MMC who develops a breeding k!nk the moment he sets eyes on Ellie when they’re both volunteering at the NICU. He’s unbelievably naïve and, frankly, often just stupid. He thought Ellie was asking him to impregnate her on their first meeting, that she was telling him she had crabs on their first date when she suggested crab hunting on the beach, and thought his teammates were f*ing actual bunnies when they talked about puck bunnies 🤦♀️
Teddy finds out right at the beginning of the book that he’s actually the new head of the local Bratva, when he’s kidnapped and whisked off to their compound and introduced to the half-sister he never knew he had. This sees him having to fit ‘Bratva training’ around his hockey schedule, as he’s the new goalie on the team that Ellie’s brothers play on as captain and alternate - and who have warned their teammates away from their little sister on pain of (literal) death.
What follows goes too far for even suspending disbelief. The Mafia principessa and the Bratva head are able to sneak around for months in a secret relationship and no one finds out? And that’s after them not realising who the other was after their initial meeting.
Ellie and Teddy were so unbelievably horny. All. The. Time! So many of their problems could have been resolved if they’d only talked instead of f*d.
And as for
There were parts I enjoyed, and I’m sure there are people who will love it but, unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me.
🌶️🌶️.5/5
ARC read, thank you to the author and Smuthood PR for an early copy.
Reading the tropes list, this book should have been right up my street. Hockey romance? Mafia x Bratva? Sign me up! Unfortunately, it was a chaotic mess that tried to do far too much, resulting in none of it being done particularly well.
Ellie, our FMC, is the Mafia principessa, the only daughter of the head of the Mafia. She’s beyond sunny, and spends her time giving back to the community through various volunteering initiatives, from cuddling babies in the NICU to playing games with the residents of the local old age home. She recognises her immense privilege, but longs for a true love to share her life with (a bit like every Disney Princess 🙄).
Enter Teddy, our golden retriever MMC who develops a breeding k!nk the moment he sets eyes on Ellie when they’re both volunteering at the NICU. He’s unbelievably naïve and, frankly, often just stupid. He thought Ellie was asking him to impregnate her on their first meeting, that she was telling him she had crabs on their first date when she suggested crab hunting on the beach, and thought his teammates were f*ing actual bunnies when they talked about puck bunnies 🤦♀️
Teddy finds out right at the beginning of the book that he’s actually the new head of the local Bratva, when he’s kidnapped and whisked off to their compound and introduced to the half-sister he never knew he had. This sees him having to fit ‘Bratva training’ around his hockey schedule, as he’s the new goalie on the team that Ellie’s brothers play on as captain and alternate - and who have warned their teammates away from their little sister on pain of (literal) death.
What follows goes too far for even suspending disbelief. The Mafia principessa and the Bratva head are able to sneak around for months in a secret relationship and no one finds out? And that’s after them not realising who the other was after their initial meeting.
Ellie and Teddy were so unbelievably horny. All. The. Time! So many of their problems could have been resolved if they’d only talked instead of f*d.
And as for
There were parts I enjoyed, and I’m sure there are people who will love it but, unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me.
April 17, 2026
Title: On the Verge
Author: T.K. Drake
Series: Blades and Blood #1
Can be read as standalone? Yes
Genre: Romance
Format: E-book/ARC
Platform: Kindle Unlimited
POV: First/DUal
⭐ Ratings
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3.5/5)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3/5)
🏷️ Tropes/Kinks
Hockey Romance
Mafia/Bratva Romance
Forbidden romance
Teammates sister
Breeding Kink
⚠️ Content Warnings / Triggers
Explicit scenes (sexual)
Mentions of torture
On page depiction of death
💭 Non-Spoiler Review
(ARC read — thank you to the author and Smuthood PR for the early copy)
This was a cute, fairly quick read, but overall it felt a little clunky and some parts didn’t fully make sense (which could totally be reader error, but still).
Teddy is a hockey player who gets unexpectedly traded and then finds out he has a secret half-sister and is suddenly the head of the Bratva. Elia is a mafia princess who spends a lot of time volunteering, and that’s how they meet.
Their romance leaned very heavily into instalust/instalove, which just isn’t my favorite trope—especially right now.
It wasn’t a bad read, just not one I’d pick up again or go out of my way to recommend.
📖 Would I Recommend?
No
Best for readers who love hockey romance with mafia/Bratva ties, secret family reveals, over-the-top drama, and fast-paced instalove relationships with pregnancy and high-stakes conflict.
Author: T.K. Drake
Series: Blades and Blood #1
Can be read as standalone? Yes
Genre: Romance
Format: E-book/ARC
Platform: Kindle Unlimited
POV: First/DUal
⭐ Ratings
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3.5/5)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3/5)
🏷️ Tropes/Kinks
Hockey Romance
Mafia/Bratva Romance
Forbidden romance
Teammates sister
Breeding Kink
⚠️ Content Warnings / Triggers
Explicit scenes (sexual)
Mentions of torture
On page depiction of death
💭 Non-Spoiler Review
(ARC read — thank you to the author and Smuthood PR for the early copy)
This was a cute, fairly quick read, but overall it felt a little clunky and some parts didn’t fully make sense (which could totally be reader error, but still).
Teddy is a hockey player who gets unexpectedly traded and then finds out he has a secret half-sister and is suddenly the head of the Bratva. Elia is a mafia princess who spends a lot of time volunteering, and that’s how they meet.
Their romance leaned very heavily into instalust/instalove, which just isn’t my favorite trope—especially right now.
It wasn’t a bad read, just not one I’d pick up again or go out of my way to recommend.
📖 Would I Recommend?
No
Best for readers who love hockey romance with mafia/Bratva ties, secret family reveals, over-the-top drama, and fast-paced instalove relationships with pregnancy and high-stakes conflict.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I went into this book completely intrigued by the mafia/bratva x hockey combination and honestly, that alone kept me hooked from the start. It’s not something you see often, and it created such a unique contrast between soft, wholesome moments and darker, more intense undertones.
We start with Teddy, who’s just been traded from his New York hockey team to Florida. He was raised by his grandmother, never knew his father, and had a distant relationship with his mom. From the beginning, you can feel how much he longs for a family of his own, which made his character really endearing to me. Then we meet Ellie, whose life is the complete opposite she’s surrounded by a big, chaotic, loving family, and those scenes brought so much warmth (and humor).
And then… things take a turn. Suddenly there’s a Bratva connection, unexpected family ties, and a whole new world opens up. It adds this layer of tension that sits underneath even the sweetest moments.
Speaking of sweet, Teddy has some of the cutest moments I’ve read in a while. The nerves, the effort, the way he plans things so carefully… it was giving golden retriever energy in the best way. At the same time, the instant intensity of his attraction to Ellie had me laughing he really goes from zero to obsessed real quick.
Ellie’s family, especially her Nonna and mom, added so much personality to the story—they absolutely stole scenes with their energy.
But this book definitely leans into drama. A lot of it. Miscommunication plays a big role, and there were multiple moments where I just wanted the characters to sit down and have an honest conversation. The tension builds quickly, and once things start to spiral, they really spiral.
Teddy’s character development was one of the most interesting parts for me. There’s a very clear duality to him, he can be soft, shy, and genuinely sweet, but there’s also a much darker, more intense side that comes out as the story progresses. That contrast is really what defines the tone of the book.
The pacing felt fast, especially in the second half, where a lot happens in a short amount of time. Some moments felt chaotic, but in a way that kept me turning pages because I needed to know what was going to happen next.
Overall, this was an intense mix of sweet romance, family chaos, and darker elements. It’s not a light, fluffy read, but it’s definitely entertaining and keeps you invested.
If you like sports romance with a darker edge, emotionally driven characters, and a story that leans into both softness and intensity, this one is worth picking up.
Thank you to the author for the ARC opportunity!
We start with Teddy, who’s just been traded from his New York hockey team to Florida. He was raised by his grandmother, never knew his father, and had a distant relationship with his mom. From the beginning, you can feel how much he longs for a family of his own, which made his character really endearing to me. Then we meet Ellie, whose life is the complete opposite she’s surrounded by a big, chaotic, loving family, and those scenes brought so much warmth (and humor).
And then… things take a turn. Suddenly there’s a Bratva connection, unexpected family ties, and a whole new world opens up. It adds this layer of tension that sits underneath even the sweetest moments.
Speaking of sweet, Teddy has some of the cutest moments I’ve read in a while. The nerves, the effort, the way he plans things so carefully… it was giving golden retriever energy in the best way. At the same time, the instant intensity of his attraction to Ellie had me laughing he really goes from zero to obsessed real quick.
Ellie’s family, especially her Nonna and mom, added so much personality to the story—they absolutely stole scenes with their energy.
But this book definitely leans into drama. A lot of it. Miscommunication plays a big role, and there were multiple moments where I just wanted the characters to sit down and have an honest conversation. The tension builds quickly, and once things start to spiral, they really spiral.
Teddy’s character development was one of the most interesting parts for me. There’s a very clear duality to him, he can be soft, shy, and genuinely sweet, but there’s also a much darker, more intense side that comes out as the story progresses. That contrast is really what defines the tone of the book.
The pacing felt fast, especially in the second half, where a lot happens in a short amount of time. Some moments felt chaotic, but in a way that kept me turning pages because I needed to know what was going to happen next.
Overall, this was an intense mix of sweet romance, family chaos, and darker elements. It’s not a light, fluffy read, but it’s definitely entertaining and keeps you invested.
If you like sports romance with a darker edge, emotionally driven characters, and a story that leans into both softness and intensity, this one is worth picking up.
Thank you to the author for the ARC opportunity!
April 27, 2026
4 ⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
If you told me I’d get hockey, mafia chaos, and a golden retriever MMC all in one book… I’d already be one-clicking. On the Verge delivers on the drama in a big way.
Teddy is an NHL goalie just trying to survive a mid-season trade when his life takes a hard left into Bratva territory—casual life update, truly. Ellie is a sweet, family-centered mafia princess who bakes, volunteers, and somehow exists in the calm before everything inevitably explodes. Their connection is immediate, intense, and honestly addictive to watch unfold.
One thing I really liked is that the story doesn’t drag out the build-up. We get them together fairly quickly, which means more time with their relationship instead of waiting around for it to start. Their chemistry is strong from the beginning—fun banter, genuine sweetness, and a dynamic that makes it easy to get attached.
Teddy was the standout for me. He’s soft, thoughtful, a little awkward—and then life forces him into something much darker. That contrast added a lot to his character and kept things interesting. Ellie balances him well with her warmth and loyalty, especially as everything around them starts to unravel.
The first half has a lighter tone—funny moments, swoony scenes, and a lot of heart. Then the second half shifts hard into drama, tension, and emotional hits. It definitely kept me hooked, but the pacing speeds up quite a bit toward the end, and things start to feel a little chaotic.
I will say—this book leans heavily on miscommunication in the later portion. If that trope isn’t your thing, it may be frustrating at times.
There are also some heavier elements that are important to be aware of going in. Certain intimate scenes blur the lines of consent and may not read comfortably for all readers. There’s a noticeable power imbalance at times, along with emotionally intense moments and darker themes tied to the mafia world. It walks a fine line that won’t work for everyone, so it’s definitely something to consider before picking it up.
Spice-wise, this book doesn’t hold back. It’s bold, intense, and fits the overall dramatic tone of the story—but again, depending on your preferences, some scenes may land differently.
Overall, this was a messy, emotional, drama-filled read that kept me turning pages. It’s got humor, tension, swoon, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting—even if a few elements didn’t fully work for me.
If you love:
Hockey + mafia mashups
Forbidden relationships
Golden retriever MMCs with a darker edge
Fast-paced, high-drama romance
…it’s worth checking out—just go in knowing what you’re getting.
Thank you to T.K. Drake & Smuthood for the ARC—opinions are my own
If you told me I’d get hockey, mafia chaos, and a golden retriever MMC all in one book… I’d already be one-clicking. On the Verge delivers on the drama in a big way.
Teddy is an NHL goalie just trying to survive a mid-season trade when his life takes a hard left into Bratva territory—casual life update, truly. Ellie is a sweet, family-centered mafia princess who bakes, volunteers, and somehow exists in the calm before everything inevitably explodes. Their connection is immediate, intense, and honestly addictive to watch unfold.
One thing I really liked is that the story doesn’t drag out the build-up. We get them together fairly quickly, which means more time with their relationship instead of waiting around for it to start. Their chemistry is strong from the beginning—fun banter, genuine sweetness, and a dynamic that makes it easy to get attached.
Teddy was the standout for me. He’s soft, thoughtful, a little awkward—and then life forces him into something much darker. That contrast added a lot to his character and kept things interesting. Ellie balances him well with her warmth and loyalty, especially as everything around them starts to unravel.
The first half has a lighter tone—funny moments, swoony scenes, and a lot of heart. Then the second half shifts hard into drama, tension, and emotional hits. It definitely kept me hooked, but the pacing speeds up quite a bit toward the end, and things start to feel a little chaotic.
I will say—this book leans heavily on miscommunication in the later portion. If that trope isn’t your thing, it may be frustrating at times.
There are also some heavier elements that are important to be aware of going in. Certain intimate scenes blur the lines of consent and may not read comfortably for all readers. There’s a noticeable power imbalance at times, along with emotionally intense moments and darker themes tied to the mafia world. It walks a fine line that won’t work for everyone, so it’s definitely something to consider before picking it up.
Spice-wise, this book doesn’t hold back. It’s bold, intense, and fits the overall dramatic tone of the story—but again, depending on your preferences, some scenes may land differently.
Overall, this was a messy, emotional, drama-filled read that kept me turning pages. It’s got humor, tension, swoon, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting—even if a few elements didn’t fully work for me.
If you love:
Hockey + mafia mashups
Forbidden relationships
Golden retriever MMCs with a darker edge
Fast-paced, high-drama romance
…it’s worth checking out—just go in knowing what you’re getting.
Thank you to T.K. Drake & Smuthood for the ARC—opinions are my own
April 18, 2026
On the Verge by T.K. Drake is a mafia/hockey, dark‑ish romance and the first book in a new series. At times, the story felt a bit all over the place, but overall it was an engaging start with plenty of elements that kept me turning pages—secrets, forbidden love, rivals (mafia vs. bratva), and even the introduction of another mysterious “gang.” I just wish there had been more explanation and world‑building, especially since this is the first book in the series.
Teddy is an NHL goalie who discovers he’s the heir to the bratva. He’s an endearing, almost teddy‑bear‑like character, but he also has a darker side that I wish the author had leaned into more. Without that deeper exploration, it sometimes felt like he was play‑acting rather than fully inhabiting that role.
Elia, on the other hand, is a mafia princess with a genuine heart of gold. She gives back to her community through charities, volunteering at a hospital and an old folks’ home, and generally lives her life in a grounded, compassionate way. Her sunny personality made her easy to like and root for.
The connection between Teddy and Elia is intense and forms quickly, though much of their conflict comes down to miscommunication. Because they don’t fully talk things through, they break up after realizing some of their issues too late—only to eventually get back together while keeping their relationship a secret. I understand that miscommunication is a common trope in mafia/bratva romances, but here it felt excessive.
Several unanswered questions pulled me out of the story:
How did Mila know who Teddy was to her when he had no idea himself? What exactly does Teddy’s grandmother know? How are so many NHL players managing to hide double lives in organized crime when one world is extremely public and the other is meant to exist completely in the shadows? The emotional shifts were also very fast—characters moved from distrust and confusion straight back into love and belief with little transition.
Leo’s role raised similar issues. His storyline mirrored Teddy and Elia’s struggles. I don't want to spoil anything so will just ask why Leo?
Is this book perfect? No. But despite its flaws, I was completely pulled in and genuinely couldn’t put it down. While I wish the characters communicated better and that some of the drama had been tightened or cut, I still enjoyed the experience. The over‑the‑top moments—twists, angst, drama, and emotional highs—kept me engaged, even when they stretched my suspension of disbelief.
Teddy is an NHL goalie who discovers he’s the heir to the bratva. He’s an endearing, almost teddy‑bear‑like character, but he also has a darker side that I wish the author had leaned into more. Without that deeper exploration, it sometimes felt like he was play‑acting rather than fully inhabiting that role.
Elia, on the other hand, is a mafia princess with a genuine heart of gold. She gives back to her community through charities, volunteering at a hospital and an old folks’ home, and generally lives her life in a grounded, compassionate way. Her sunny personality made her easy to like and root for.
The connection between Teddy and Elia is intense and forms quickly, though much of their conflict comes down to miscommunication. Because they don’t fully talk things through, they break up after realizing some of their issues too late—only to eventually get back together while keeping their relationship a secret. I understand that miscommunication is a common trope in mafia/bratva romances, but here it felt excessive.
Several unanswered questions pulled me out of the story:
How did Mila know who Teddy was to her when he had no idea himself? What exactly does Teddy’s grandmother know? How are so many NHL players managing to hide double lives in organized crime when one world is extremely public and the other is meant to exist completely in the shadows? The emotional shifts were also very fast—characters moved from distrust and confusion straight back into love and belief with little transition.
Leo’s role raised similar issues. His storyline mirrored Teddy and Elia’s struggles. I don't want to spoil anything so will just ask why Leo?
Is this book perfect? No. But despite its flaws, I was completely pulled in and genuinely couldn’t put it down. While I wish the characters communicated better and that some of the drama had been tightened or cut, I still enjoyed the experience. The over‑the‑top moments—twists, angst, drama, and emotional highs—kept me engaged, even when they stretched my suspension of disbelief.
Review of advance copy
I went into On the Verge by TK Drake expecting hockey romance vibes and maybe a little drama…
What I got was chaos, secrets, forbidden tension, emotional devastation, and me clutching my chest at 2am like “I am NOT equipped for this.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Teddy Williams??? Sir. Please. I need a moment.
This man is already dealing with a mid-season NHL trade (stress), trying to prove himself on a new team (more stress), and then BAM—surprise! You’re the heir to a whole Bratva empire. Like excuse me?? The whiplash??? I was spiraling FOR him.
And through all of that, he’s still this grounded, quietly intense, soft-under-the-armor kind of guy and I just—he owns my heart now. No take-backs.
Then Elia walks in and everything shifts.
She’s not just “mafia princess pretty girl energy.” She’s warm, kind, searching for something more than the life she was handed, and there’s this quiet strength in her that balances Teddy perfectly. The way she becomes his calm while her own world is anything but peaceful?? I ate that up.
But let’s talk about the forbidden aspect because WOW.
Teammate’s little sister.
Mafia family.
Secrets on secrets on secrets.
This relationship was basically built on a pile of “absolutely not” and they said “watch us anyway.” The tension??? Unreal. Every stolen moment felt risky, every glance felt loaded, and I was LIVING for it.
And the pacing?? Unhinged in the best way. Just when you think you can breathe, another secret drops. Then another. Then emotional trauma slides in like “miss me?” I did not, in fact, miss it, but I also could not look away.
There’s this constant push and pull between two worlds—hockey and crime, light and dark, safety and danger—and Teddy and Elia are right in the middle trying to hold onto each other while everything else threatens to rip them apart.
And when tragedy hits?? Yeah. That part hurt. Like physically hurt. The kind where you have to put the book down and stare at a wall for a minute.
But that’s what makes it so good. The stakes feel real. The emotions hit hard. Nothing is easy, nothing is clean, and the love story has to fight for every inch of ground it gets.
By the end I was a mess. Invested. Slightly unwell. Already thinking about a reread.
If you love hockey romance with a dark, dangerous edge, forbidden love that actually FEELS forbidden, and characters who are constantly one step away from everything falling apart…
This book will ruin you in the best possible way.
What I got was chaos, secrets, forbidden tension, emotional devastation, and me clutching my chest at 2am like “I am NOT equipped for this.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Teddy Williams??? Sir. Please. I need a moment.
This man is already dealing with a mid-season NHL trade (stress), trying to prove himself on a new team (more stress), and then BAM—surprise! You’re the heir to a whole Bratva empire. Like excuse me?? The whiplash??? I was spiraling FOR him.
And through all of that, he’s still this grounded, quietly intense, soft-under-the-armor kind of guy and I just—he owns my heart now. No take-backs.
Then Elia walks in and everything shifts.
She’s not just “mafia princess pretty girl energy.” She’s warm, kind, searching for something more than the life she was handed, and there’s this quiet strength in her that balances Teddy perfectly. The way she becomes his calm while her own world is anything but peaceful?? I ate that up.
But let’s talk about the forbidden aspect because WOW.
Teammate’s little sister.
Mafia family.
Secrets on secrets on secrets.
This relationship was basically built on a pile of “absolutely not” and they said “watch us anyway.” The tension??? Unreal. Every stolen moment felt risky, every glance felt loaded, and I was LIVING for it.
And the pacing?? Unhinged in the best way. Just when you think you can breathe, another secret drops. Then another. Then emotional trauma slides in like “miss me?” I did not, in fact, miss it, but I also could not look away.
There’s this constant push and pull between two worlds—hockey and crime, light and dark, safety and danger—and Teddy and Elia are right in the middle trying to hold onto each other while everything else threatens to rip them apart.
And when tragedy hits?? Yeah. That part hurt. Like physically hurt. The kind where you have to put the book down and stare at a wall for a minute.
But that’s what makes it so good. The stakes feel real. The emotions hit hard. Nothing is easy, nothing is clean, and the love story has to fight for every inch of ground it gets.
By the end I was a mess. Invested. Slightly unwell. Already thinking about a reread.
If you love hockey romance with a dark, dangerous edge, forbidden love that actually FEELS forbidden, and characters who are constantly one step away from everything falling apart…
This book will ruin you in the best possible way.
Review of advance copy
This was my first read from the authors of T.K Drake and it certainly did not disappoint. I went into this completely blind (this seems to be my vibe lately). I was hooked after the first chapter and was completely invested in Teddy and Ellie’s story. I found myself not wanting to put it down and wanting to keep on reading just to see how this story ended.
Ellie is a mafia princess. She’s the only daughter of the Santori family and her two older brothers Gabri and Nikki, are the captains of Teddys hockey team, meaning Ellie is completely off limits to everyone on the team. Hockey and Mafia run deep in Ellie’s family. All three of her brothers are hockey players by day and mafia hires by night. Ellie is the sweetest FMC ever. She counteracts her mafia family by volunteering and giving back to her community as much as possible. But after all of her selfless actions, she can’t help but feel like something is missing in her life. She wants more than anything to find true love and her person, but the family business and her 3 protective brothers make things a bit complicated.
Teddy is a professional hockey goalie who randomly gets traded in the middle of the season to another team. Leaving behind his best friend and grandma in New York. The only place that has felt like home since growing up in the military. As part of his unusual hazing process, Teddy discovers information about his father (who he never knew) and that he’s a bratva heir. It’s also during this hazing process where he meets Ellie while spending time volunteering in the NICU.
Teddy and Ellie’s connection is instant, and right away the chemistry between them is intense. Their first date was so cute! Teddy was an absolute Teddy bear with Ellie, but during those spicy scenes, he let out his darker side. The spicy scenes in this book were so spicy 🥵. From the beginning of their relationship, Teddy and Ellie keep secrets from one another. As the secrets get revealed throughout the book, there’s heartache and despite that, Teddy and Ellie can’t keep away from one another and always find their way back to one another.
This book had everything for me, hockey, a touch of mafia x bratva, and forbidden love. It was certainly fast paced with lots of tension. There were parts of this book that had me laughing and then parts that had my heart breaking. My emotions were all over the place. It was such a fun and wild roller coaster ride, it was such a great read for me and I highly recommend! I am so ready for the rest of the Blades & Blood series!
Ellie is a mafia princess. She’s the only daughter of the Santori family and her two older brothers Gabri and Nikki, are the captains of Teddys hockey team, meaning Ellie is completely off limits to everyone on the team. Hockey and Mafia run deep in Ellie’s family. All three of her brothers are hockey players by day and mafia hires by night. Ellie is the sweetest FMC ever. She counteracts her mafia family by volunteering and giving back to her community as much as possible. But after all of her selfless actions, she can’t help but feel like something is missing in her life. She wants more than anything to find true love and her person, but the family business and her 3 protective brothers make things a bit complicated.
Teddy is a professional hockey goalie who randomly gets traded in the middle of the season to another team. Leaving behind his best friend and grandma in New York. The only place that has felt like home since growing up in the military. As part of his unusual hazing process, Teddy discovers information about his father (who he never knew) and that he’s a bratva heir. It’s also during this hazing process where he meets Ellie while spending time volunteering in the NICU.
Teddy and Ellie’s connection is instant, and right away the chemistry between them is intense. Their first date was so cute! Teddy was an absolute Teddy bear with Ellie, but during those spicy scenes, he let out his darker side. The spicy scenes in this book were so spicy 🥵. From the beginning of their relationship, Teddy and Ellie keep secrets from one another. As the secrets get revealed throughout the book, there’s heartache and despite that, Teddy and Ellie can’t keep away from one another and always find their way back to one another.
This book had everything for me, hockey, a touch of mafia x bratva, and forbidden love. It was certainly fast paced with lots of tension. There were parts of this book that had me laughing and then parts that had my heart breaking. My emotions were all over the place. It was such a fun and wild roller coaster ride, it was such a great read for me and I highly recommend! I am so ready for the rest of the Blades & Blood series!
April 27, 2026
There was too much going on and not enough . . .
On the Verge is Teddy and Ellie's story. They both meet by accident and instantly hit it off. Teddy is a green flag hero who is 100% devoted to Ellie and vice versa. They are very cute together in the first half when they are still in their little bubble of bliss. But then we find out (all in the background) that Teddy's estranged sperm donor father is actually a Bratva leader and somehow - without any previous knowledge or training - is now the Pakhan. He is also a professional hockey player who happens to play with Ellie's two older brothers, on the same team.
And this is where things get overly complicated. Ellie is daughter of an overly protective and old school Mafia family. Her brothers have warned all teammates and friends away from her and it's an unwritten rule that she cannot date any teammate/friend.
So not only do they keep their Bratva/Mafia ties a secret from each other, they initially lie about their work and agree to date in secret. Things reach the boiling point with a surprise pregnancy, murder, kidnapping and torture.
It all just felt too rushed and overwhelming. Major plot twists were vaguely described or skimmed over. The romance was very insta-love without a lot of on page showing and more telling. All the tropes and subplots made everything too convoluted and messy. I honestly was starting to loose interest and then we started getting more of Leo and I finally started feeling engaged again only to have the rug pulled out from under me. It was not what I was expecting and it pretty much pulled me out of the story so much it was a struggle to finish it.
Overall a good idea but maybe a simpler outline would worked better here.
SAFETY INFO:
On the Verge is Teddy and Ellie's story. They both meet by accident and instantly hit it off. Teddy is a green flag hero who is 100% devoted to Ellie and vice versa. They are very cute together in the first half when they are still in their little bubble of bliss. But then we find out (all in the background) that Teddy's estranged sperm donor father is actually a Bratva leader and somehow - without any previous knowledge or training - is now the Pakhan. He is also a professional hockey player who happens to play with Ellie's two older brothers, on the same team.
And this is where things get overly complicated. Ellie is daughter of an overly protective and old school Mafia family. Her brothers have warned all teammates and friends away from her and it's an unwritten rule that she cannot date any teammate/friend.
So not only do they keep their Bratva/Mafia ties a secret from each other, they initially lie about their work and agree to date in secret. Things reach the boiling point with a surprise pregnancy, murder, kidnapping and torture.
It all just felt too rushed and overwhelming. Major plot twists were vaguely described or skimmed over. The romance was very insta-love without a lot of on page showing and more telling. All the tropes and subplots made everything too convoluted and messy. I honestly was starting to loose interest and then we started getting more of Leo and I finally started feeling engaged again only to have the rug pulled out from under me. It was not what I was expecting and it pretty much pulled me out of the story so much it was a struggle to finish it.
Overall a good idea but maybe a simpler outline would worked better here.
SAFETY INFO:
April 16, 2026
𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙏.𝙆. 𝘿𝙧𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧 𝘼𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙮.
I’ve been reading this author duo’s work since their first book, and I’m so excited for them to move beyond their previous series, into the exciting world of Bratva/Mafia romance. With hockey thrown in, there’s something for everyone here!
In On the Verge, T. and K. continue creating laugh-out-loud banter, characters you can’t help getting attached to, and spicy scenes that will have you turning on the A.C. to cool down. The dynamics in Ellie’s close-knit family add to the fun, and the young-at-heart nursing home residents bring an endless supply of cackling-out-loud, “oh my god, did he really just say that??” energy.
Teddy and Ellie have great chemistry from the get-go and their first interactions are full of funny misunderstandings. Fans of bold, almost soapy (in a good way!) drama will love this, as well as readers who don’t want to wait around for things to get interesting— I was hooked from page one. We get immediate payoff from their chemistry, which allows for a bigger percentage of the story to be about their official relationship (as opposed to the build-up). It does lean a little to the instalove end of things, but it works well for the plot points that follow.
The last ~30% of their story relied a bit heavily on miscommunication for my personal taste, going along with the dramatic vibe earlier on in the book. Regardless, the story was wrapped up nicely and overall, I had a good time.
I will note that the second half of the plot heavily involves br33ding k!nk and pregnancy. Personally I was here for it, but if that’s not your cup of tea, this might not be the book for you.
I’m excited to read the next installment of the Blades & Blood series…no spoilers, but I have a hunch as to the next couple, and let me just say that I’m all in on their dynamic. I guess we’ll have to wait and see!
Overall: 4 ⭐️
Character chemistry: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Emotional damage: 💔💔💔
Darkness: 💀💀 (𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 “𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦” 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢 5-𝘱𝘦𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘳, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 🤭)
I’ve been reading this author duo’s work since their first book, and I’m so excited for them to move beyond their previous series, into the exciting world of Bratva/Mafia romance. With hockey thrown in, there’s something for everyone here!
In On the Verge, T. and K. continue creating laugh-out-loud banter, characters you can’t help getting attached to, and spicy scenes that will have you turning on the A.C. to cool down. The dynamics in Ellie’s close-knit family add to the fun, and the young-at-heart nursing home residents bring an endless supply of cackling-out-loud, “oh my god, did he really just say that??” energy.
Teddy and Ellie have great chemistry from the get-go and their first interactions are full of funny misunderstandings. Fans of bold, almost soapy (in a good way!) drama will love this, as well as readers who don’t want to wait around for things to get interesting— I was hooked from page one. We get immediate payoff from their chemistry, which allows for a bigger percentage of the story to be about their official relationship (as opposed to the build-up). It does lean a little to the instalove end of things, but it works well for the plot points that follow.
The last ~30% of their story relied a bit heavily on miscommunication for my personal taste, going along with the dramatic vibe earlier on in the book. Regardless, the story was wrapped up nicely and overall, I had a good time.
I will note that the second half of the plot heavily involves br33ding k!nk and pregnancy. Personally I was here for it, but if that’s not your cup of tea, this might not be the book for you.
I’m excited to read the next installment of the Blades & Blood series…no spoilers, but I have a hunch as to the next couple, and let me just say that I’m all in on their dynamic. I guess we’ll have to wait and see!
Overall: 4 ⭐️
Character chemistry: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Emotional damage: 💔💔💔
Darkness: 💀💀 (𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 “𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦” 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢 5-𝘱𝘦𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘳, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 🤭)
April 19, 2026
ARC Review of On The Verge Book 1 in the Blades and Blood Series by T.K Drake This is a 5 star read for me, I loved it. It has my three favorites things Dark Romance, Mafia, and Hockey who could ask for more. I loved the amount of hockey in this book I do wish there was more focus on the bratva part in the beginning but all the bratva/mafia drama towards the end makes up for it. This book also had a lot of funny moments that had me cracking up. The first half of this book is so sweet and adorable and hockey filled and I was waiting for the darkness and bam did it hit me in the second half it came on strong I did not see it coming I loved it. This is Teddy and Ellie's story. I love Teddy and Ellie so much they are so adorable together. This is a spicy, slow burn, teammates little sister, bratva heir, mafia princess, rival families, he falls first and hard, secret relationship, dark mafia, hockey romance. Theodore aka Teddy is a professional hockey goalie and has just been traded from New York to Florida. Teddy never knew his father but while in Florida he finds out that his father has died, that he has a half sister and that he’s heir to being head of the Bratva. Elia aka Ellie is from an Italian Mafia family. Teddy and Ellie meet while they are both volunteering at the hospital to hold babies. Teddy falls immediately for Ellie. They start seeing each other and go on the cutest dates but their relationship hits a snag when she realizes he’s her brothers teammate. Her brothers have made it clear to the team and Teddy that she’s off limits so they end things despite their feelings for each other. Shortly after Teddy realizes being apart is a mistake they are meant to be together and she is worth the risk and wrath from her brothers. They date again secretly and decide to tell her brothers after the playoffs. They have a lot going against them not just her brothers but their rival families that they were aware of. There is so much drama, angst, and suspense towards the end my heart breaks for Teddy and Ellie and all the tragedy they go through but love that they come out on the other side stronger together. I definitely recommend this book .
Review of advance copy
My girls are back with a brand new series! On The Verge by T.K. Drake is book one in the new Blades And Blood series. It's a hockey-meets-mafia romance with rival families, teammates’ sister, lots of angst and heat and plenty of secrets, tears and inevitable chemistry.
Teddy, the NHL goalie traded mid-season, is just this sweet guy. Hardworking and wanting to be part of a true team, leaving behind his best friend and grandmother, he’s ready for something real. Slowly we see there’s a darker, more dangerous side to him too. Ellie is the sweet and selfless daughter of a mafia family, she balances her world by giving back, even while surrounded by chaos. She’s never truly experienced true love, her family and brothers always pushing away anyone that takes interest in her. One chance meeting volunteering in the NICU and it’s instant, their connection and chemistry is unavoidable. But, these two have no idea they are from rival families or that he is her brothers’ teammate. When everything comes to light, things fall apart quickly, but their connection is too strong and what follows is a secret, intense relationship filled with tension, hidden truths, and emotional highs and lows. As deeper secrets come to light, especially surrounding Teddy’s unexpected ties to the Bratva and his role as the new Pakhan, everything begins happening bringing heartbreak, danger, and major twists. These two have a hot connection with much passion and heat.
I loved the side characters and can’t wait for more of their stories! I already see couples I would like together!
Hockey romance, steamy moments, the mafia and Bratva, tons of twists and turns, chaos and heartbreak. It has it all! I am ready for the next one!
Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️
❤️🔥Bratva x Mafia
❤️🔥Curvy FMC
❤️🔥Forbidden Love
❤️🔥Hockey Romance
❤️🔥Found Family
❤️🔥Touch Her and die
❤️🔥Obsessive/possessive MMC
❤️🔥Brothers’ Teammate
❤️🔥Rival Families
🎀THANK YOU T.K. Drake for being on your team and The Author Agency for my arc!
Teddy, the NHL goalie traded mid-season, is just this sweet guy. Hardworking and wanting to be part of a true team, leaving behind his best friend and grandmother, he’s ready for something real. Slowly we see there’s a darker, more dangerous side to him too. Ellie is the sweet and selfless daughter of a mafia family, she balances her world by giving back, even while surrounded by chaos. She’s never truly experienced true love, her family and brothers always pushing away anyone that takes interest in her. One chance meeting volunteering in the NICU and it’s instant, their connection and chemistry is unavoidable. But, these two have no idea they are from rival families or that he is her brothers’ teammate. When everything comes to light, things fall apart quickly, but their connection is too strong and what follows is a secret, intense relationship filled with tension, hidden truths, and emotional highs and lows. As deeper secrets come to light, especially surrounding Teddy’s unexpected ties to the Bratva and his role as the new Pakhan, everything begins happening bringing heartbreak, danger, and major twists. These two have a hot connection with much passion and heat.
I loved the side characters and can’t wait for more of their stories! I already see couples I would like together!
Hockey romance, steamy moments, the mafia and Bratva, tons of twists and turns, chaos and heartbreak. It has it all! I am ready for the next one!
Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️
❤️🔥Bratva x Mafia
❤️🔥Curvy FMC
❤️🔥Forbidden Love
❤️🔥Hockey Romance
❤️🔥Found Family
❤️🔥Touch Her and die
❤️🔥Obsessive/possessive MMC
❤️🔥Brothers’ Teammate
❤️🔥Rival Families
🎀THANK YOU T.K. Drake for being on your team and The Author Agency for my arc!
April 15, 2026
Tropes:
Bratva x Mafia
Hockey Romance
Obsessive/Possessive MMC
Curvy FMC
Forbidden Love
Touch Her & Die
Brothers' Teammate
Rival Families
Found Family
On the Verge is Book 1 in the Blades and Blood Series. This is Teddy and Ellie's story.
Teddy Williams, an NHL goalie who's career is on the rise has everything in his life going good for him until he is thrown for a loop when he get traded mid-season to a new team in a new city. But that's not the only thing throwing everything off, on top of that he finds out he is the heir to the Bratva's ruthless empire just as his hockey playoffs are about to begin. His life as been thrown into absolute chaos and the only person who seems to calm him down and keep him grounded is Elia Santori. The problem with Elia being the one to keep him grounded is that she is his teammates' little sister and completely off limits to him.
Elia Santori is a mafia princess, the one and only daughter of the Santori Family. She is sweet, kind, helpful and all around an amazing person. She isn't what you would expect when thinking of a mafia princess. She gets absolutely everything and wants for nothing in the world yet she wants more, not materialistic things, no she wants the one things she is not suppose to want her brothers' teammate.
When sparks fly, the magnetic pull between them keeps getting harder for Teddy and Elia to resist. They try to stay away from each other but they can't. The angst, the yearning, the build up to their love is so much fun to read. Their love may be forbidden but the chemistry and connection they have to one another is undeniable.
But when secrets, miscommunication and tragedies come to light will Teddy and Elia be able to save their relationship and love or will they be torn apart? Well you will just have to read it to find out what happens.
If you love a book with forbidden love, a MMC who is obsessive and possessive and rival mafia families then this is the book for you.
ARC read from the Author and Smuthood. Thank you so much for an early copy!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I went into On the Verge: A Dark Hockey Mafia Romance by T.K. Drake expecting chaos, tension, and a whole lot of forbidden energy… and it definitely delivered on that front.
Teddy Williams pulled me in right away. There’s something about a hockey goalie with a suddenly complicated life that just works. Watching him navigate a mid-season trade while finding out he’s tied to the Bratva added so much pressure and intensity to his character. You could really feel that internal struggle between the life he thought he had and the one he was being pulled into. It made him easy to root for, even when things got messy.
Elia was such a bright contrast to all that darkness. I loved how she had this soft, hopeful side but still carried the weight of her family’s world. Her connection with Teddy felt natural and emotional, especially with that instant spark turning into something deeper. And the forbidden aspect with her brothers being his teammates added that tension that keeps you flipping pages.
The romance itself was strong and emotional, with moments that felt intense and heartfelt. There were definitely scenes that had me hooked and fully invested in them as a couple. At times, though, the pacing felt a little rushed, especially when bigger reveals and dramatic moments hit. I wanted just a bit more depth in those moments to really sit with the emotions and consequences.
The mix of hockey, mafia, and forbidden romance was such a fun combination. It brought both high stakes and softer, intimate moments that balanced each other really well. The twists and secrets kept things interesting, even if a few felt a little predictable.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read with great tension, solid chemistry, and that addictive dark romance vibe. It kept me engaged and gave me exactly the kind of drama I was in the mood for. Definitely worth picking up if you love hockey romance with a dangerous edge.
Teddy Williams pulled me in right away. There’s something about a hockey goalie with a suddenly complicated life that just works. Watching him navigate a mid-season trade while finding out he’s tied to the Bratva added so much pressure and intensity to his character. You could really feel that internal struggle between the life he thought he had and the one he was being pulled into. It made him easy to root for, even when things got messy.
Elia was such a bright contrast to all that darkness. I loved how she had this soft, hopeful side but still carried the weight of her family’s world. Her connection with Teddy felt natural and emotional, especially with that instant spark turning into something deeper. And the forbidden aspect with her brothers being his teammates added that tension that keeps you flipping pages.
The romance itself was strong and emotional, with moments that felt intense and heartfelt. There were definitely scenes that had me hooked and fully invested in them as a couple. At times, though, the pacing felt a little rushed, especially when bigger reveals and dramatic moments hit. I wanted just a bit more depth in those moments to really sit with the emotions and consequences.
The mix of hockey, mafia, and forbidden romance was such a fun combination. It brought both high stakes and softer, intimate moments that balanced each other really well. The twists and secrets kept things interesting, even if a few felt a little predictable.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read with great tension, solid chemistry, and that addictive dark romance vibe. It kept me engaged and gave me exactly the kind of drama I was in the mood for. Definitely worth picking up if you love hockey romance with a dangerous edge.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
OMG, YES, and YES!
"On the Verge" is the first book in the new series, "Blades and Blood." Teddy and Ellie are absolutely adorable, and I instantly fell in love with both of them. Teddy's story is compelling; he grew up with a military mom who was both a mother and father to him. He never knew who his father was, and his mother was quite standoffish, so he was really raised by his grandmother, whom he loves more than anything.
Teddy finds himself traded midseason to a new town, far from his grandmother and best friends. When he meets the girl of his dreams, he falls head over heels for her, wanting to have a future together—he even imagines having kids with her on their first day together. However, he faces two major problems: he’s afraid to tell her he’s a hockey player because of a past relationship, and he has just discovered that he has a long-lost sister who has kidnapped him and told him he is now the head of the Bratva.
Then we have Ellie, who is truly a sweetheart. She recognizes the importance of growing up with so much more than others, so she happily volunteers her time to give back. When she meets Teddy, she falls just as hard for him as he does for her. However, she isn't ready to reveal her family background, which includes two overprotective older brothers and a younger brother. Most importantly, she struggles with the fact that she is a Mafia Princess and that their families, although unaware, are rivals.
Let's just say that when everything hits the fan, my emotions were not prepared. T.K. Drake, I may not have been ready for that drama or that major twist, but I am absolutely excited for this amazing series. I cannot wait for the next book! Bring it on—these characters and this world are truly exceptional, and I look forward to seeing where you take us on this journey.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
"On the Verge" is the first book in the new series, "Blades and Blood." Teddy and Ellie are absolutely adorable, and I instantly fell in love with both of them. Teddy's story is compelling; he grew up with a military mom who was both a mother and father to him. He never knew who his father was, and his mother was quite standoffish, so he was really raised by his grandmother, whom he loves more than anything.
Teddy finds himself traded midseason to a new town, far from his grandmother and best friends. When he meets the girl of his dreams, he falls head over heels for her, wanting to have a future together—he even imagines having kids with her on their first day together. However, he faces two major problems: he’s afraid to tell her he’s a hockey player because of a past relationship, and he has just discovered that he has a long-lost sister who has kidnapped him and told him he is now the head of the Bratva.
Then we have Ellie, who is truly a sweetheart. She recognizes the importance of growing up with so much more than others, so she happily volunteers her time to give back. When she meets Teddy, she falls just as hard for him as he does for her. However, she isn't ready to reveal her family background, which includes two overprotective older brothers and a younger brother. Most importantly, she struggles with the fact that she is a Mafia Princess and that their families, although unaware, are rivals.
Let's just say that when everything hits the fan, my emotions were not prepared. T.K. Drake, I may not have been ready for that drama or that major twist, but I am absolutely excited for this amazing series. I cannot wait for the next book! Bring it on—these characters and this world are truly exceptional, and I look forward to seeing where you take us on this journey.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3⭐️ / 3.75-4🌶️
ARC REVIEW FROM AUTHOR:
I didn’t have a major hopes jumping into this book due to it only being 278 pages, but I was still excited nonetheless. When you have that little of pages, it’s hard to fit plot, a character background and spice all into one book. Then try to wrap it up successfully without it feeling rushed. I think the authors of T.K. Drake did that with the most success as they could.
Teddy the MMC gets thrown in to finding out he’s the Pakhan of the Russian Bratva but with no prior knowledge whatsoever from his grandmother he was living with? And then he just willingly dives right in, no questions asked? To me it was weird. I thought the whole premise of trying to mix this NHL star and the Mafia/Bratva is weird in general. It would have been different if he was raised in the Bratva and he grew up going to school learning hockey, but to just willingly join a group that kills criminals seems insane to me when you didn’t grow up that way.
Ellie the FMC is just all sorts of not levelheaded. But who am I to judge. You don’t get any background on the crabs from the beginning after that, and then you move on like it never happened. She also just turned on Teddy when she claims she loves him. This book doesn’t make sense half the time but I love the cheesy nonsense of it all anyway.
Also, can we talk about the fact that the authors basically stole the same gun scene from Haunting Adeline? Am I the only one who thought that when they read that scene?
If you like fast-paced, HEA mafia hockey dark romance books with dirty spice. Then this is for you. But this book has no world building, little character introductions and makes you want to read something with a more extended plot in it.
I am not 100% sure I will read the rest of the series. Time will tell.
ARC REVIEW FROM AUTHOR:
I didn’t have a major hopes jumping into this book due to it only being 278 pages, but I was still excited nonetheless. When you have that little of pages, it’s hard to fit plot, a character background and spice all into one book. Then try to wrap it up successfully without it feeling rushed. I think the authors of T.K. Drake did that with the most success as they could.
Teddy the MMC gets thrown in to finding out he’s the Pakhan of the Russian Bratva but with no prior knowledge whatsoever from his grandmother he was living with? And then he just willingly dives right in, no questions asked? To me it was weird. I thought the whole premise of trying to mix this NHL star and the Mafia/Bratva is weird in general. It would have been different if he was raised in the Bratva and he grew up going to school learning hockey, but to just willingly join a group that kills criminals seems insane to me when you didn’t grow up that way.
Ellie the FMC is just all sorts of not levelheaded. But who am I to judge. You don’t get any background on the crabs from the beginning after that, and then you move on like it never happened. She also just turned on Teddy when she claims she loves him. This book doesn’t make sense half the time but I love the cheesy nonsense of it all anyway.
Also, can we talk about the fact that the authors basically stole the same gun scene from Haunting Adeline? Am I the only one who thought that when they read that scene?
If you like fast-paced, HEA mafia hockey dark romance books with dirty spice. Then this is for you. But this book has no world building, little character introductions and makes you want to read something with a more extended plot in it.
I am not 100% sure I will read the rest of the series. Time will tell.
April 6, 2026
On the Verge follows Teddy Taranova (Williams) and Ellie Santori. Teddy is a professional hockey player who was traded from New York to Florida to play goalie. Even though this is unexpected, it is a better opportunity. While getting use to the flow of this change, Teddy finds himself in a pickle after trying to complete his tasks as a new member of the team, which reveals that he is the heir to the Bratva. After learning this, Teddy is off completely the rest of his tasks when Ellie comes walking into his life. Ellie is the mafia princess to the Santoris and the little sister to two of the hockey players that are on Teddy’s team. Ellie fills her days doing community service to give back and give herself purpose in life. While going to help in the NICU, she meets Teddy and the attraction is instant. Not knowing who each other are and not sharing all the details, they start to date, and the chemistry and infatuation is growing by the second.
After being surprised by his teammates on a morning that Ellie is with him, they both learn that they can’t date each other due to Ellie’s older brothers. They break it off, but Teddy and Ellie cannot stay away from each other which sparks their forbidden romance. As time goes on and secrets unfolds, tension rises between the two, but can their love be enough to survive?
This book was such a great read. I loved the chemistry between Teddy and Ellie. Do I wish they had better communication? Yes, I do, but I can’t deny the love they had for each other was real and pure. I did wish this book was longer to really dive into the mafia part of this book and to extend certain chapter of this book. Especially the ending because everything started heating up. My emotions were everywhere during this book, but overall, I do believe this is a great short read. I can’t wait to see whats in store for this series.
After being surprised by his teammates on a morning that Ellie is with him, they both learn that they can’t date each other due to Ellie’s older brothers. They break it off, but Teddy and Ellie cannot stay away from each other which sparks their forbidden romance. As time goes on and secrets unfolds, tension rises between the two, but can their love be enough to survive?
This book was such a great read. I loved the chemistry between Teddy and Ellie. Do I wish they had better communication? Yes, I do, but I can’t deny the love they had for each other was real and pure. I did wish this book was longer to really dive into the mafia part of this book and to extend certain chapter of this book. Especially the ending because everything started heating up. My emotions were everywhere during this book, but overall, I do believe this is a great short read. I can’t wait to see whats in store for this series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A new series by TK, with a Mafia set up, where we may see a character or two from the previous series.
Teddy ( short for Theodor ) a golden retriever with a secret identity, forced to join the Bratva and claim his inheritance. All while keeping a normal life, playing Hockey and attending college.
Elia is a Mafia princess with Massive over protective and over bearing brothers who also are in the same hockey team, and they live by one rule, no one is allowed to get near their baby sister .
their meet cute volunteering at a children's hospital, was a reason why Elia never questioned Teddy's true identity. They gave in to their explosive attraction and just couldn't keep their hand off of each other, not planning that there will be consequences...
Sneaking around behind her brothers, forbidden hotter than hot stolen moments. Her relationship with the mysterious new team mate was encouraged by her mom and grandma, she kept seeing Teddy risking her brothers'wrath.
Their relationship was doomed from the starts, after she finds out his connection to the Bratva , and then finding out that their steamy escapades resulted in a little tiny unplanned surprise ( I wasn't surprised with the way they were going at it )
When Elia's family is with a loss and someone is taken too soon from them ... their little bubble is popped. Elia didn't get a chance to let Teddy know about their little surprise. He is forced to stay away from her and her family, now that they believe him responsible for their loss.
There is a healthy amount of graveling, when she finds out who is planing her family's downfall. Elia tried to move on and accept the fact that they have to come to some sort of arrangement, since their future will forever be connected.
Teddy's complete transformation was so drastic, that golden retriever is replaced with a cold heartless Bratva heir overnight. I get that he felt betrayed because she believe he was trying to her her family, it just felt a bit rushed. the only scene that was somewhat rushed is the sex scene on the hospital bed right after he came out of unconsciousness...
Overall I enjoyed reading it, it is a fast paced and deliciously spoiiicy!
Thank you TK for providing me with the ARC,
Teddy ( short for Theodor ) a golden retriever with a secret identity, forced to join the Bratva and claim his inheritance. All while keeping a normal life, playing Hockey and attending college.
Elia is a Mafia princess with Massive over protective and over bearing brothers who also are in the same hockey team, and they live by one rule, no one is allowed to get near their baby sister .
their meet cute volunteering at a children's hospital, was a reason why Elia never questioned Teddy's true identity. They gave in to their explosive attraction and just couldn't keep their hand off of each other, not planning that there will be consequences...
Sneaking around behind her brothers, forbidden hotter than hot stolen moments. Her relationship with the mysterious new team mate was encouraged by her mom and grandma, she kept seeing Teddy risking her brothers'wrath.
Their relationship was doomed from the starts, after she finds out his connection to the Bratva , and then finding out that their steamy escapades resulted in a little tiny unplanned surprise ( I wasn't surprised with the way they were going at it )
When Elia's family is with a loss and someone is taken too soon from them ... their little bubble is popped. Elia didn't get a chance to let Teddy know about their little surprise. He is forced to stay away from her and her family, now that they believe him responsible for their loss.
There is a healthy amount of graveling, when she finds out who is planing her family's downfall. Elia tried to move on and accept the fact that they have to come to some sort of arrangement, since their future will forever be connected.
Teddy's complete transformation was so drastic, that golden retriever is replaced with a cold heartless Bratva heir overnight. I get that he felt betrayed because she believe he was trying to her her family, it just felt a bit rushed. the only scene that was somewhat rushed is the sex scene on the hospital bed right after he came out of unconsciousness...
Overall I enjoyed reading it, it is a fast paced and deliciously spoiiicy!
Thank you TK for providing me with the ARC,
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really wanted to like this book. I love Mafia and hockey romances, and so I thought that this would tie both of them up in a nice bow. But the bow was created by a toddler just learning how to tie a bow. Like I knew Ellie was in the Mafia, but you really didn't know. Nothing was really brought up about it other than she has a rich family, has bodyguards, and her brothers would kill anyone who touched her. And with Teddy, at first, I thought that it was cute that he was nervous and thought that Ellie wanted to have his kids when they first met. But then it just got to the point where it was just embarrassing. And how his connection to the mafia doesn't make sense. And the fact that he just accepted that he was the head of a mafia family, like, WTF? You would think that the other mafia families would know about his existence, but no, they didn't. And he really didn't bat an eye about it.
The second most terrible thing about this book was not talking about birth control, and Teddy just like I am no longer using condoms (at this point did not know that she was on the pill), and I just want you to have my babies. That just scratched me wrong. And the fact that they fucked right when he woke up from a medically induced coma and almost died. As a former ICU nurse, as soon as someone wakes up from sedation, especially after FUCKING dying, your room will be the hottest spot as the nurses and doctors will be checking up on you. And sure, after a while, they will leave you to rest, but they expect you to get some sleep because you are probably in a shit ton of pain (possibly have a broken rib or two from CPR), you lost a lot of blood, had surgery, and FUCKING died at one point. So sleeping with yo baby mama should be the last thing on your mind, even if she is horny as fuck.
And then the worst thing to happen is fucking Leo got killed off. He would have been an amazing uncle. I would have loved to see his story with Verinica. It is when McSteamy and McDreamy got killed off all over again.
The second most terrible thing about this book was not talking about birth control, and Teddy just like I am no longer using condoms (at this point did not know that she was on the pill), and I just want you to have my babies. That just scratched me wrong. And the fact that they fucked right when he woke up from a medically induced coma and almost died. As a former ICU nurse, as soon as someone wakes up from sedation, especially after FUCKING dying, your room will be the hottest spot as the nurses and doctors will be checking up on you. And sure, after a while, they will leave you to rest, but they expect you to get some sleep because you are probably in a shit ton of pain (possibly have a broken rib or two from CPR), you lost a lot of blood, had surgery, and FUCKING died at one point. So sleeping with yo baby mama should be the last thing on your mind, even if she is horny as fuck.
And then the worst thing to happen is fucking Leo got killed off. He would have been an amazing uncle. I would have loved to see his story with Verinica. It is when McSteamy and McDreamy got killed off all over again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Before reading, grab a box of tissues and prepare yourself for the crazy emotional ride.
I started off loving On The Verge by T.K. Drake as I love a good Dark Mafia & Sports Romance book. The beginning relationship between Ellie & Teddy was swoonworthy and sweet and I couldn't get enough.
Teddy was the ideal boyfriend & MMC very sweet, funny, kind, handsome, protective but not overly aggressive about it and of course he's an NHL goalie. Ellie is a very considerate, kind, sweet, Mafia Princess FMC who loves to bake, knit, volunteer, hold babies and visit senior living facilities. They have to date in secret because he plays on the same NHL hockey team as her brothers. He wants to keep doing so instead of them cashing in on their threat to put him six feet under. I love Ellie's family, and despite being head of the Italian Mafia, they are quite close and loyal to each other. Teddy's grandma and best friend are quite entertaining and also supportive of him.
My first struggle with the book was with the way the miscommunication trope was used. Seeing as the couple had already discussed the parameters surrounding their secret relationship, the response that happened in one scene seemed strange and also out of character for Teddy. Likewise I was quite confused when I reached a point in the book where the plot & timeline didn't add up. There is not enough context in this particular part of the plot as well.
Overall I would read it again but I will most likely be skipping those chapters on the re-reads. It is a good book and worth a read, but be warned it is very emotional. When reading it you will in fact cry, laugh, get angry, swoon, cry again, and laugh some more. Tissues are absolutely necessary.
This book has:
Mafia Princess FMC
Professional Hockey Goalie MMC
Secret Relationship
Teammates Sister
Brothers Teammate
Plot Twist
I started off loving On The Verge by T.K. Drake as I love a good Dark Mafia & Sports Romance book. The beginning relationship between Ellie & Teddy was swoonworthy and sweet and I couldn't get enough.
Teddy was the ideal boyfriend & MMC very sweet, funny, kind, handsome, protective but not overly aggressive about it and of course he's an NHL goalie. Ellie is a very considerate, kind, sweet, Mafia Princess FMC who loves to bake, knit, volunteer, hold babies and visit senior living facilities. They have to date in secret because he plays on the same NHL hockey team as her brothers. He wants to keep doing so instead of them cashing in on their threat to put him six feet under. I love Ellie's family, and despite being head of the Italian Mafia, they are quite close and loyal to each other. Teddy's grandma and best friend are quite entertaining and also supportive of him.
My first struggle with the book was with the way the miscommunication trope was used. Seeing as the couple had already discussed the parameters surrounding their secret relationship, the response that happened in one scene seemed strange and also out of character for Teddy. Likewise I was quite confused when I reached a point in the book where the plot & timeline didn't add up. There is not enough context in this particular part of the plot as well.
Overall I would read it again but I will most likely be skipping those chapters on the re-reads. It is a good book and worth a read, but be warned it is very emotional. When reading it you will in fact cry, laugh, get angry, swoon, cry again, and laugh some more. Tissues are absolutely necessary.
This book has:
Mafia Princess FMC
Professional Hockey Goalie MMC
Secret Relationship
Teammates Sister
Brothers Teammate
Plot Twist
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