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Empire
Every conquest starts with a betrayal, and every reign is built on the ruin it leaves behind.
Before Vincenzo Vieri and Nikolaj Dragovich ever bled for each other, there was Salvatore and Ruslan.
The golden heir to one of the original Five Families and the ruthless youngest son of the Dragovich Bratva were never meant to be anything but enemies in expensive suits, circling the same tables, the same territories, the same war. What starts as seduction and strategy turns into something far more dangerous when private meetings, stolen nights, and brutal devotion blur the line between ambition and love.
But in a world where legacy matters more than desire, love is never enough. Salvatore is forced to choose between the man who owns his heart and the bloodline that owns his name.
PLEASE This is a short prequel to Conquest and does not end in an HEA.
Before Vincenzo Vieri and Nikolaj Dragovich ever bled for each other, there was Salvatore and Ruslan.
The golden heir to one of the original Five Families and the ruthless youngest son of the Dragovich Bratva were never meant to be anything but enemies in expensive suits, circling the same tables, the same territories, the same war. What starts as seduction and strategy turns into something far more dangerous when private meetings, stolen nights, and brutal devotion blur the line between ambition and love.
But in a world where legacy matters more than desire, love is never enough. Salvatore is forced to choose between the man who owns his heart and the bloodline that owns his name.
PLEASE This is a short prequel to Conquest and does not end in an HEA.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 22, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 25, 2026
OMG THIS SERIES! IT’S A MUST READ IF YOU LOVE BROKEN BOYS WHO BECOME EVEN MORE BROKEN MEN!
So Empire is the prequel to the Of Ruin and Royalty MM dark mafia romance series that started with Conquest
I now need to go back and reread Conquest to put Empire into context.
And to say I cannot wait for Reign to come out on 1 June is an understatement!
This was heartbreaking but where there’s life there’s hope right?
All the stars!
So Empire is the prequel to the Of Ruin and Royalty MM dark mafia romance series that started with Conquest
I now need to go back and reread Conquest to put Empire into context.
And to say I cannot wait for Reign to come out on 1 June is an understatement!
This was heartbreaking but where there’s life there’s hope right?
All the stars!
April 25, 2026
Wow. Okay I knew what this was going into it and yet I still was so heartbroken for the boys that had to turn into men way to fast, boys that truly never really got to live for themselves and now as adults they are everything there fathers were even though they swore they wouldn’t. They passed on this hatred that the promised they’d leave behind. All there stolen moment had been so emotional as I knew it wasn’t going to end well.
Choosing between duty and true love such a hard decision when you’re brought up in hate, and brought up to despise the person you are falling for. These two had my whole soul, and I can wait for Reign to see what happens to these two. They deserve so freaking much.
Choosing between duty and true love such a hard decision when you’re brought up in hate, and brought up to despise the person you are falling for. These two had my whole soul, and I can wait for Reign to see what happens to these two. They deserve so freaking much.
May 23, 2026
Omg Avery. This was painful because you can tell how much they love each other and it literally destroys them and their lives to do so. I really hope we see them again in Reign. They deserve to be together 😭 five stars for 160 pages of my heart hurting.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow this absolutely wrecked me… and honestly, I should have known better.
I went into this prequel to Conquest expecting pain, but I still wasn’t prepared for just how devastating Ruslan and Salvatore’s story would be. Avery doesn’t just break your heart, she makes you feel every bit of it. And yes, there were tears.
This is where it all begins. Seeing the fathers of Nikolaj and Vincenzo, understanding their love, their choices, and how legacy shaped everything… it completely changed how I see them. After Conquest, I had very different feelings about these men, but after Empire? Just heartbreak. They’re products of the lives they were born into, and watching that play out was brutal.
Their story is full of love, tension, and inevitable betrayal. You can see exactly where things go wrong, and it makes it hurt even more because you just want to reach in and fix it.
Also, be warned—this is not a HEA. Not yet. And that makes it hit even harder.
This was a fantastic prequel that adds so much depth to the series and makes everything that comes after even more impactful. I’m already bracing myself for what’s next, because clearly I enjoy having my heart ripped out by Avery Collins.
And yes… I will absolutely keep coming back for more.
I went into this prequel to Conquest expecting pain, but I still wasn’t prepared for just how devastating Ruslan and Salvatore’s story would be. Avery doesn’t just break your heart, she makes you feel every bit of it. And yes, there were tears.
This is where it all begins. Seeing the fathers of Nikolaj and Vincenzo, understanding their love, their choices, and how legacy shaped everything… it completely changed how I see them. After Conquest, I had very different feelings about these men, but after Empire? Just heartbreak. They’re products of the lives they were born into, and watching that play out was brutal.
Their story is full of love, tension, and inevitable betrayal. You can see exactly where things go wrong, and it makes it hurt even more because you just want to reach in and fix it.
Also, be warned—this is not a HEA. Not yet. And that makes it hit even harder.
This was a fantastic prequel that adds so much depth to the series and makes everything that comes after even more impactful. I’m already bracing myself for what’s next, because clearly I enjoy having my heart ripped out by Avery Collins.
And yes… I will absolutely keep coming back for more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
First things first. Even though this is a prequel to Conquest I recommend reading Conquest first. Mainly because the first chapter hints and shows the effects of the ending of Conquest from another character’s point of view.
I’ll be the first to say it I had a very strong dislike towards Vincenzo and Nikolaj’s fathers in Conquest. Something about both of them just rubbed me the wrong way. The were hiding something from their sons and it bothered me.
I went into this was open eyes not expecting much and got freakin sucker punched. WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL!!!!
Ruslan and Salvatore. God, those men. Not only did they make me fall in love with their story but broke my heart so many times, it physically hurt to finish this.
For such a short book it grabbed you like a full-length novel. Knowing how alike their sons are to them was both beautiful and bloody painful.
I really want to say so much more about this story and express just how it made me feel but in doing that I’d spoil a lot of it. Something I refuse to do.
If you’ve read Conquest and this book has intrigued you. READ IT!! I swear its worth the heartache and emotional whiplash. Even if I questioned my own decision when I finished this.
*This review will appear elsewhere*
First things first. Even though this is a prequel to Conquest I recommend reading Conquest first. Mainly because the first chapter hints and shows the effects of the ending of Conquest from another character’s point of view.
I’ll be the first to say it I had a very strong dislike towards Vincenzo and Nikolaj’s fathers in Conquest. Something about both of them just rubbed me the wrong way. The were hiding something from their sons and it bothered me.
I went into this was open eyes not expecting much and got freakin sucker punched. WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL!!!!
Ruslan and Salvatore. God, those men. Not only did they make me fall in love with their story but broke my heart so many times, it physically hurt to finish this.
For such a short book it grabbed you like a full-length novel. Knowing how alike their sons are to them was both beautiful and bloody painful.
I really want to say so much more about this story and express just how it made me feel but in doing that I’d spoil a lot of it. Something I refuse to do.
If you’ve read Conquest and this book has intrigued you. READ IT!! I swear its worth the heartache and emotional whiplash. Even if I questioned my own decision when I finished this.
*This review will appear elsewhere*
May 8, 2026
You know that song love of my life by Taylor Swift?
Yeah, that about sums up the pain and suffering to come from this.
I knew it was going to be painful after reading Conquest but I wasn’t expecting full on sobs. With that being said, I absolutely adored this story so so much. Ruslan and Salvatore are end game and I won’t expect ANYTHING MORE THAN THAT. Both broken boys expected to fulfill legacy over love.
Their moments together had me kicking my feet and blushing, cause the mouth on both of them? SWOOOON. I was also terrified though cause I full on knew the other shoe was dropping and soon. It didn’t take away the effect from their love story though it just made it that much more important for the reader to understand what they’ve been through. And their nicknames for each other? My godddddddd stick a fork in me cause your girl is done.
I don’t want to give too much away but what you can expect from Empire:
Pain ✅
Spice ✅
Tears ✅
Amazing writing ✅
Love story that you want to never end and for them to just BE TOGETHER ✅
Avery pulled at my heart at every opportune moment in this novella and that ending? !!!!!!! Why !!!!!!!!
10/10 stars, no notes. GIVE MY BOYS THEIR HAPPY ENDING IN REIGN!!!!
Yeah, that about sums up the pain and suffering to come from this.
I knew it was going to be painful after reading Conquest but I wasn’t expecting full on sobs. With that being said, I absolutely adored this story so so much. Ruslan and Salvatore are end game and I won’t expect ANYTHING MORE THAN THAT. Both broken boys expected to fulfill legacy over love.
Their moments together had me kicking my feet and blushing, cause the mouth on both of them? SWOOOON. I was also terrified though cause I full on knew the other shoe was dropping and soon. It didn’t take away the effect from their love story though it just made it that much more important for the reader to understand what they’ve been through. And their nicknames for each other? My godddddddd stick a fork in me cause your girl is done.
I don’t want to give too much away but what you can expect from Empire:
Pain ✅
Spice ✅
Tears ✅
Amazing writing ✅
Love story that you want to never end and for them to just BE TOGETHER ✅
Avery pulled at my heart at every opportune moment in this novella and that ending? !!!!!!! Why !!!!!!!!
10/10 stars, no notes. GIVE MY BOYS THEIR HAPPY ENDING IN REIGN!!!!
May 2, 2026
OMG this is epically brilliant!
Even though this is a prequel, I highly recommend that you read Conquest first, or some context may be lost.
Geez, this one is a doozy, it’s been a couple of days and I’m still reeling! This is the story of the Father’s, Salvatore and Ruslan, it takes us on a heartbreaking journey into the history behind the fued between the two families. I love the way the story is told, the perspective of it is brilliant, but that’s all I will say or I’ll spoil it.
The story is a gut wrench from the start, after reading Conquest, we knew that the hatred between the two fathers and families ran deep. We had hints of why and that there was something there before, and in Empire it is all laid out for us.
Seeing the relationship develop is heartwarming, against all odds, against everything they were taught, against all expectations, love still blooms, and it is beautiful. What you don’t expect (but probably should) is the deception and ultimate betrayal, and it guts you. It’s been a while since a book made me cry!
This book will rip your heart to shreds and leave it bleeding. The ending is cruel, it will leave you with hope and longing and you standing there holding a part of your heart in your hands just staring at it. It’s the “must read” that you didn’t know you needed to read! After you have read Conquest of course, which will leave the other part of your heart hurting just as much.
Even though this is a prequel, I highly recommend that you read Conquest first, or some context may be lost.
Geez, this one is a doozy, it’s been a couple of days and I’m still reeling! This is the story of the Father’s, Salvatore and Ruslan, it takes us on a heartbreaking journey into the history behind the fued between the two families. I love the way the story is told, the perspective of it is brilliant, but that’s all I will say or I’ll spoil it.
The story is a gut wrench from the start, after reading Conquest, we knew that the hatred between the two fathers and families ran deep. We had hints of why and that there was something there before, and in Empire it is all laid out for us.
Seeing the relationship develop is heartwarming, against all odds, against everything they were taught, against all expectations, love still blooms, and it is beautiful. What you don’t expect (but probably should) is the deception and ultimate betrayal, and it guts you. It’s been a while since a book made me cry!
This book will rip your heart to shreds and leave it bleeding. The ending is cruel, it will leave you with hope and longing and you standing there holding a part of your heart in your hands just staring at it. It’s the “must read” that you didn’t know you needed to read! After you have read Conquest of course, which will leave the other part of your heart hurting just as much.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Empire is the prequel to Conquest, it’s the heartbreaking story of Ruslan and Salvatore, Nikolaj and Vincenzo’s fathers. This is where the story truly begins. The prequel gives us just enough of a look into the past to see their love for each other and how legacy led to betrayal. How these men are just products of the life they were born into, it’s not by choice but by blood.
I knew going into this book that it’s not a HEA … for now. I knew going into this book that Avery was going to break me. What I wasn’t expecting was to be so completely devastated with Ruslan and Salvatore’s story. Did I have few choice words for Avery? Yes. Did I scream at her WHY? Yes. Did I wanna track her down and demand their HEA right now? Also yes. Honestly at this point I truly believe Avery enjoys the pain she puts her readers through.
So I will sit here heartbroken, not only for Nikolaj and Vincenzo, but also for Ruslan and Salvatore until they all get the HEA they desperately deserve in Reign.
🌶️🌶️
Empire is the prequel to Conquest, it’s the heartbreaking story of Ruslan and Salvatore, Nikolaj and Vincenzo’s fathers. This is where the story truly begins. The prequel gives us just enough of a look into the past to see their love for each other and how legacy led to betrayal. How these men are just products of the life they were born into, it’s not by choice but by blood.
I knew going into this book that it’s not a HEA … for now. I knew going into this book that Avery was going to break me. What I wasn’t expecting was to be so completely devastated with Ruslan and Salvatore’s story. Did I have few choice words for Avery? Yes. Did I scream at her WHY? Yes. Did I wanna track her down and demand their HEA right now? Also yes. Honestly at this point I truly believe Avery enjoys the pain she puts her readers through.
So I will sit here heartbroken, not only for Nikolaj and Vincenzo, but also for Ruslan and Salvatore until they all get the HEA they desperately deserve in Reign.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Prequel to Conquest (available) Reign (coming soon)
Enemies to lovers to enemies
Forbidden love
No HEA
Mafia romance
How a short novella can give you everything you need and more and wreck you in around 146 pages like WHY??????….
Empire: 2 mafia princes the Italian golden prince Salvatore and the calculating “cold” Russian prince Ruslan.. family ties, a$sholes controlling mtf fathers (sorry still angry), enemies turned into lovers, secret relationship, and then everything just went to sht, what makes it worst is that we know that a lot of fkn time has passed and I want to cry again hahahahaha
Ok now My lit reaction: I was shocked, jaw lit on the floor, then came rage hahahaha what the actual fCK!! and I’m still trying to process this entire soul crushing moment
-“ Domestic. Morning. Kitchen. Us. Small, stupid things that feel harmless until you realize they´re the foundation of every life we´re not supposed to have…..”😭😭😩😩
-“I´ll never forgive you”, But I´ll love you until I die”- 😩😭😭😭😭😭
Enemies to lovers to enemies
Forbidden love
No HEA
Mafia romance
How a short novella can give you everything you need and more and wreck you in around 146 pages like WHY??????….
Empire: 2 mafia princes the Italian golden prince Salvatore and the calculating “cold” Russian prince Ruslan.. family ties, a$sholes controlling mtf fathers (sorry still angry), enemies turned into lovers, secret relationship, and then everything just went to sht, what makes it worst is that we know that a lot of fkn time has passed and I want to cry again hahahahaha
Ok now My lit reaction: I was shocked, jaw lit on the floor, then came rage hahahaha what the actual fCK!! and I’m still trying to process this entire soul crushing moment
-“ Domestic. Morning. Kitchen. Us. Small, stupid things that feel harmless until you realize they´re the foundation of every life we´re not supposed to have…..”😭😭😩😩
-“I´ll never forgive you”, But I´ll love you until I die”- 😩😭😭😭😭😭
May 25, 2026
I know they said it will hurt but I went for it anyways. I don't regret it one bit. This book goes to show how love can make and unmake.
Salvatore and Dylan's story showed exactly that. No matter how much you love a person, betrayal can come so easy and fast that you will never recover. And no matter how much you love a person, you might have to make decisions that hurt them.
I hate that I understand both sides. I want to blame one of them but we all know it's the men that thought their children were merely pawns that they can use and dispose. Daughters, Sons all of them because they share too selfish to expand even a silver of affection to them.
I am glad the author acknowledged the misogyny, some authors do not even realise that it is in fact misogyny to see women and girls as a bargaining tool. It made sick to read, a girl go through that.
This story is so good in a weird way. Not the happily ever after way but the way in you sit and think about it for days.
If you are ever picking up, do not forget to read trigger warnings!
Salvatore and Dylan's story showed exactly that. No matter how much you love a person, betrayal can come so easy and fast that you will never recover. And no matter how much you love a person, you might have to make decisions that hurt them.
I hate that I understand both sides. I want to blame one of them but we all know it's the men that thought their children were merely pawns that they can use and dispose. Daughters, Sons all of them because they share too selfish to expand even a silver of affection to them.
I am glad the author acknowledged the misogyny, some authors do not even realise that it is in fact misogyny to see women and girls as a bargaining tool. It made sick to read, a girl go through that.
This story is so good in a weird way. Not the happily ever after way but the way in you sit and think about it for days.
If you are ever picking up, do not forget to read trigger warnings!
April 22, 2026
Something this short shouldn't hurt so much.
"I'll never forgive you. But I'll love you until I die."
I recommend actually reading Conquest first even though this is a prequel I think it hits so much harder that way. The animosity between Ruslan and Salvatore always felt like there was more to their story. I definitely didn't expect this.
The sins of the fathers continue to be push onto the sons for generation after generation. Everything that happened at the end of this was so painful to read.
So here I sit absolutely heartbroken for not only Nikolaj and Vincenzo but also for Ruslan and Salvatore. I desperately need Reign because these men deserve so much better than life has given them.
"I learned that exile isn't loud. It's the sound of your own footsteps carrying you away from everything you build your name around. While the man you love stays standing in the wreckage because he chooses legacy over you and loses the very thing he thinks he's saving anyway."
"I'll never forgive you. But I'll love you until I die."
I recommend actually reading Conquest first even though this is a prequel I think it hits so much harder that way. The animosity between Ruslan and Salvatore always felt like there was more to their story. I definitely didn't expect this.
The sins of the fathers continue to be push onto the sons for generation after generation. Everything that happened at the end of this was so painful to read.
So here I sit absolutely heartbroken for not only Nikolaj and Vincenzo but also for Ruslan and Salvatore. I desperately need Reign because these men deserve so much better than life has given them.
"I learned that exile isn't loud. It's the sound of your own footsteps carrying you away from everything you build your name around. While the man you love stays standing in the wreckage because he chooses legacy over you and loses the very thing he thinks he's saving anyway."
Review of advance copy received from Author
Empire is the devastating prequel to the Conquest and Reign duet. It focuses on the fathers of Vincenzo and Nikolaj and how their broken betrayal set up the unfortunate curse that now their sons have inherited decades later.
Overall this is a fantastic prequel. It sets up the dynamics of Ruslan and Salvatore while giving you enough backstory to feel their connection and wallow in the devastation that is their doomed romance. I fell quickly for these two and cannot wait to see their eventual HEA, no matter how dark and devastating it will be. I loved returning to this world of mafia doom, while still rooting for these broken men to eventually find their redemption and second chance.
I cannot wait for Reign to see the continuation of Ruslan and Salvatore and their sons and how everything proceeds.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
Overall this is a fantastic prequel. It sets up the dynamics of Ruslan and Salvatore while giving you enough backstory to feel their connection and wallow in the devastation that is their doomed romance. I fell quickly for these two and cannot wait to see their eventual HEA, no matter how dark and devastating it will be. I loved returning to this world of mafia doom, while still rooting for these broken men to eventually find their redemption and second chance.
I cannot wait for Reign to see the continuation of Ruslan and Salvatore and their sons and how everything proceeds.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
April 20, 2026
Empire - Avery Collins
4/5✨🌟
* SPOILERS *
I have t read too many books by Avery but I knew this one was going to be epic and man, this one definitely did not disappoint me. Even though, I haven’t read Conquest, that book has been pushed on my tbr to the top because what in the world did I go through?!
From the moment we meet Ruslan and Salvatore, I was completely hooked from their first meet all the way to the end. My God, this book had me in all my feelings.
I knew this book did not have an HEA for now but I cannot wait to see what we get with these two. That last chapter had me in all my feels.
Ugh, Avery, why do you like to hurt us so much?! This definitely was so good for such a short book because you get so much and get to feel just as much feelings as well.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
4/5✨🌟
* SPOILERS *
I have t read too many books by Avery but I knew this one was going to be epic and man, this one definitely did not disappoint me. Even though, I haven’t read Conquest, that book has been pushed on my tbr to the top because what in the world did I go through?!
From the moment we meet Ruslan and Salvatore, I was completely hooked from their first meet all the way to the end. My God, this book had me in all my feelings.
I knew this book did not have an HEA for now but I cannot wait to see what we get with these two. That last chapter had me in all my feels.
Ugh, Avery, why do you like to hurt us so much?! This definitely was so good for such a short book because you get so much and get to feel just as much feelings as well.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
May 4, 2026
This might be one of the best prequels I have ever read.
Empire is the prequel to Conquest, the tragic love story of Ruslan and Salvatore. These men are the fathers of Nikolaj and Vincenzo.
Even though I knew going into this book it was not going to have an HEA, I could not help being captivated by the push and pull of their forbidden love for each other. It was all consuming and powerful even though they both knew it was not to be anything more they could not ignore their desire no stop their pull to each other.
This novella in its 146 of pure heartbreak was so beautifully written and so tragic. Never did I want a couple to be more than what was expected of them. What I like about this novella is it sets up the betrayal and the looming curse of their sons years later. If you loved Conquest, this is a must read to see where it al began.
Empire is the prequel to Conquest, the tragic love story of Ruslan and Salvatore. These men are the fathers of Nikolaj and Vincenzo.
Even though I knew going into this book it was not going to have an HEA, I could not help being captivated by the push and pull of their forbidden love for each other. It was all consuming and powerful even though they both knew it was not to be anything more they could not ignore their desire no stop their pull to each other.
This novella in its 146 of pure heartbreak was so beautifully written and so tragic. Never did I want a couple to be more than what was expected of them. What I like about this novella is it sets up the betrayal and the looming curse of their sons years later. If you loved Conquest, this is a must read to see where it al began.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Arc Review
Whoosh This prequel to conquest was just amazing, beautiful and just as heartbreaking.
Salvatore and Ruslan are supposed to be enemies. Part of the 5 families. But in reality they are their father’s pawns.
They start off in Vintmoor getting to know each other. 2 years later they are still in this secret relationship.
Salvatore and Ruslan go through it to prove loyalty to their fathers but also betrayal.
When I tell you by the end of this book my heart broke for both these men. To love your enemy is the biggest ruin, but the most beautiful love even if they break their own hearts.
Avery really knows how to just reel you in and then breaks your heart in the most beautiful way. Now I shall wait until June 😩
'”I’ll never forgive you,"
"But I'll love you until I die."
Whoosh This prequel to conquest was just amazing, beautiful and just as heartbreaking.
Salvatore and Ruslan are supposed to be enemies. Part of the 5 families. But in reality they are their father’s pawns.
They start off in Vintmoor getting to know each other. 2 years later they are still in this secret relationship.
Salvatore and Ruslan go through it to prove loyalty to their fathers but also betrayal.
When I tell you by the end of this book my heart broke for both these men. To love your enemy is the biggest ruin, but the most beautiful love even if they break their own hearts.
Avery really knows how to just reel you in and then breaks your heart in the most beautiful way. Now I shall wait until June 😩
'”I’ll never forgive you,"
"But I'll love you until I die."
Review of advance copy received from Author
I had to take a few days to gather my thoughts after this one. I knew going in that this was going to hurt, but those last few chapters were like a hard punch to the gut. No amount of preparation was going to stop those hits from coming. Ruslan and Salvatore had me crying with how their love was clawed at by the unfair world they were molded in. How legacy and blood were unbreakable chains keeping them just out of reach of each other.
Avery Collins continues to draw me in with her beautiful writing and complex characters. She doesn’t shy away from the ugliness that comes with being human. Each book I read from her has me desperate for the next.
I got an advanced copy and this is my voluntary review.
Avery Collins continues to draw me in with her beautiful writing and complex characters. She doesn’t shy away from the ugliness that comes with being human. Each book I read from her has me desperate for the next.
I got an advanced copy and this is my voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Well rip out my heart one more time! This gives some great background into the history behind the families of Conquest and their feud and hatred. But also is a story of horrible loss, and does not have an HEA (yet!) so know that going in. Their love story is much like their sons, but more pure almost, almost deeper. So the fact that there is no HEA hurts that much more.
I have a lot more compassion for Salvatore now, and even Ruslan, they are products of their lives just as their future sons will be. Did I yell at this book? Yes. Did I want Salvatore to just talk to Ruslan about everything? Yes. Will I let Avery Collins rip my heart out over and over again. Yes. 1000%.
I have a lot more compassion for Salvatore now, and even Ruslan, they are products of their lives just as their future sons will be. Did I yell at this book? Yes. Did I want Salvatore to just talk to Ruslan about everything? Yes. Will I let Avery Collins rip my heart out over and over again. Yes. 1000%.
Review of advance copy received from Author
MY OH MY AVERY!!
This book just broke my heart. Salvatore and Ruslan story just destroyed me. I need to just hug Salvatore. This book is the Prequel to Conquest. In Conquest we have Vincenzo and Nikolaj and it ended with a HUGE cliffhanger. This book are the fathers of our boys in Conquest. I did not want the book to end. I know it was just a novella but I could have kept on reading about these 2.
Averys writing is so dang good. I just get so invested in her books.
I can not wait for the next book in this series to come out.
This book just broke my heart. Salvatore and Ruslan story just destroyed me. I need to just hug Salvatore. This book is the Prequel to Conquest. In Conquest we have Vincenzo and Nikolaj and it ended with a HUGE cliffhanger. This book are the fathers of our boys in Conquest. I did not want the book to end. I know it was just a novella but I could have kept on reading about these 2.
Averys writing is so dang good. I just get so invested in her books.
I can not wait for the next book in this series to come out.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“I’ll never forgive you. But I’ll love you until I die.”
Did I know this was going to be painful? Yes, I did. But wow... this was so much more painful than I thought it would be. And the thing is that the moment you think that things can't get any worse, Avery throws a curve that in fact makes every 100 times more painful.
With all that being said, the story was worth every piece of my shattered heart.
Quote: “Maybe the ugliest weakness in any house is that boys never really stop being boys when their fathers say they’re proud of them.”
Did I know this was going to be painful? Yes, I did. But wow... this was so much more painful than I thought it would be. And the thing is that the moment you think that things can't get any worse, Avery throws a curve that in fact makes every 100 times more painful.
With all that being said, the story was worth every piece of my shattered heart.
Quote: “Maybe the ugliest weakness in any house is that boys never really stop being boys when their fathers say they’re proud of them.”
April 23, 2026
This one broke me in the best of ways. I knew walking into it that it was going to hurt - and I wasn't disappointed. Salvatore and Ruslan's past is tragic and heartbreaking...and truly does set the stage for the generational complexities in Conquest...and now I need to re-read Conquest with this history in mind. Yet again, Avery Collins has delivered emotional depth and devastation with her storytelling and has forced me to love characters who I was happy to hate. Another fantastic addition to the series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Empire is a prequel to the Of Ruin and Royalty Series.
I loved delving into the past events which led us to what happened in Conquest. The hatred between the families is developed and expanded within the relationship between Salvatore and Ruslan. We see that sometimes love cannot conquer all, and no matter what you try to do, things don't get a HEA. I am excited to see the story continue in Reign, and see if everyone can get a happy ending, or if it is all meant for destruction.
I loved delving into the past events which led us to what happened in Conquest. The hatred between the families is developed and expanded within the relationship between Salvatore and Ruslan. We see that sometimes love cannot conquer all, and no matter what you try to do, things don't get a HEA. I am excited to see the story continue in Reign, and see if everyone can get a happy ending, or if it is all meant for destruction.
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May 25, 2026⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/6.
🌶️🌶️/5.
This is a first that a 146 page story hits me so hard!
There’s so much that makes more sense now.
The ending really got to me!
Ruslan has been waiting for Salvatore all this time 🥺
Also Salvatore did everything and it was all for nothing. Thats what’s cruel about the whole situation. This hurts!
I’m wondering what decision did Nikolaj take there at the end and I also wonder where does this moment fits in Reign.
🌶️🌶️/5.
This is a first that a 146 page story hits me so hard!
There’s so much that makes more sense now.
The ending really got to me!
Ruslan has been waiting for Salvatore all this time 🥺
Also Salvatore did everything and it was all for nothing. Thats what’s cruel about the whole situation. This hurts!
I’m wondering what decision did Nikolaj take there at the end and I also wonder where does this moment fits in Reign.
Review of advance copy
Salvatore + Ruslan
-prequel novella
-doomed from the start
-the daddies
-enemies to lovers
-mm mafia
-no hea…for now
this whole thing...from start to finish...was pure & utter torture. especially knowing what we know...it was just devastatingly beautiful & tragically lovely.
-prequel novella
-doomed from the start
-the daddies
-enemies to lovers
-mm mafia
-no hea…for now
this whole thing...from start to finish...was pure & utter torture. especially knowing what we know...it was just devastatingly beautiful & tragically lovely.
April 23, 2026
Amazingly tragic
The story just got better with this peek into the past ... what an ending ... I knew it would be sad but damn. . It truly hurt. ... the parallels from father's and sons love story is devastatingly beautiful...
The story just got better with this peek into the past ... what an ending ... I knew it would be sad but damn. . It truly hurt. ... the parallels from father's and sons love story is devastatingly beautiful...
April 19, 2026
This book was such a good prequel. It gets really clear why the world is this way. What happend and it broke my heart🥺
April 30, 2026
This book made me cry so much and I can’t begin to explain how excited I am for them to have their happy ending
May 7, 2026
An amazing heartbreaking story I can’t wait till both Salvatore and Rusland
Get their HEA because they too deserve happiness. I’m loving this series can’t wait for Reign.
Get their HEA because they too deserve happiness. I’m loving this series can’t wait for Reign.
May 13, 2026
God damn! Ruslan! Beautifully written especially Ruslan's dialogues. It will make you cry buckets LOL
May 25, 2026
Ruslan and Salvatore
Heavy is the head that wears the crown.
As awful as thry are to their kids in Conquest, I still need them to have a HEA 🥹
Heavy is the head that wears the crown.
As awful as thry are to their kids in Conquest, I still need them to have a HEA 🥹
May 2, 2026
Need more!
I really have no words, this was such a tearjerker backstory that was just wonderful. This book is about the fathers from Conquest and so many tears. The past sins affects the future sons and just be prepared to cry.
I can’t wait for Reign and get more of Salvatore and Ruslan- I need to know the end of their story.
I really have no words, this was such a tearjerker backstory that was just wonderful. This book is about the fathers from Conquest and so many tears. The past sins affects the future sons and just be prepared to cry.
I can’t wait for Reign and get more of Salvatore and Ruslan- I need to know the end of their story.
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