Kotik

by Alina Dobrova

The first time I met Vitali Konstantinov, he broke a man’s hand for touching me on the bus.

My name is Katya Petrovna.

Once, I was a girl who imagined a better life while navigating a gritty, cold, and economically depressed post-Soviet Russia ruled by political corruption and organized crime.

Then, Vitali came into my life.

I never thought this would be my story. What started out with roses and Mama greeting him at the door became my shaking fingers wrapped around the grip of a Makarov pistol.

Became caviar and fur coats.

Became watching a gangster get cooked on the floor.

Became a love the likes of which I’ve never known.

My name is Katya Petrovna, and this is the story of my best decisions and my worst mistakes.

Tropes (spoilers ahead!):

Crime / Dark Mafia RomanceMorally Grey MMCBad Boy / Good GirlHe Falls FirstSecret IdentityHurt/ComfortHealingFound Family‘Touch her and die’Obsessive / PossessiveStalkingThis title contains sensitive themes and sensual scenes with the background of an organized crime world that is both dark and exciting. Proceed at your own risk.

Genres: Dark Romance, Amazon, Dark, Romance

444 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2026

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that I never read books like this, so giving it 5 stars is a big deal. This is my first "mafia romance" book, and I was completely hooked with the "Acknowledgements" page. Maybe because I'm a "good girl" who fell in love with "the bad boy"... But I LOVE these characters! Maybe I identify with young Katya to a certain extent, and who doesn't love a crazy, possessive hot guy like Vitali?!! Maybe I'm a nut. Maybe I'm 53 years old now and just needed a reminder of young love/lust. Either way, I could not put this book down! Great ending also. Thank you Alina Dobrova.

[Leah E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man, I loved this book so much. And I need to start by saying that I am VERY picky when it comes to mafia romances.
The FMC was hilarious. Did she make some questionable choices? Absolutely. BUT, I think given the situation, her choices were justified.
Which brings me to the background. The story takes place IN Russia in the 90s and as a 90s child, I loved this aspect so so much. (The 90s were the best and I will die on that hill.) However, I did not grow up in Russia, but the author included very short summaries at the end of chapters that may have required an explanation for certain aspects for people who did not grow up in Russia. They were very insightful and not too long that they took away from the actual story.
Now the MMC. There are triggers of insinuated s*xual assault and let’s just say they were not done to our beloved FMC. Vitali had a very tragic backstory that has left him…damaged (to say nicely) and he is navigating how to become the person our FMC wants and needs, but he lacks the social ability to initiate a relationship with her in a way that we would consider normal. Thus, comes in our stalking trope.
My favorite part was the writing. The foreshadowing, the imagery of emotions, the humor, everything was so much fun to read and often read like a thriller.
Oh, and there are only about three or so chapters from the MMC’s POV, but they were some of my favorite chapters by far. The inner workings of Vitali were written so well and it really helped solidify my love of him and his tortured and broken soul.
The only issue I can understand some people having is a rushed ending. However, I think it was appropriate for the story and the genre.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Possessive/Obsessive MMC
Dark and tragic backgrounds
Mild gore
90’s backdrop
Dual-POV’s
Real historical connections and explanations

A huge thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this. My thoughts and comments are my own.

[Morena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC via BookSirens
I'll do something I've never done before. Give 4 stars to a book where I loved the first 35% and not so much the rest. I hesitated applying for this ARC because of the cover. I don't like mafia trope, russian thugs in tracksuits with two kilos of bling hanging off their necks and shallow, duck-lipped bimbos hanging on their arms. But after reading the sample pages I grew intrigued. The writing showed promise, the 1st POV was handled well, and above all, the book was offering a realistic and heartfelt glimpse into Russia during the 90s.
At first, the FMC, Katia, was sympathetic, her life a constant pink-pong between responsibilities and youthful stupidity. The MMC, Vitali was the tropy brooding, hot guy, but I liked the mystery that surrounded him. There was great humor, but also gloom and squalor that perpetually cling to Russia along with its brutal winters. Despite a few typos and paragraphs that could use more editing, I loved the first 10 chapters and since this is a dark romance, I started to dread that Vitali would pimp naive Katia or drag her into sex-trafficking by threatening her family.
But once the mafia tropes became the focus, Katia's personality shrank to the size of a horny magpie and my interest waned.

First of all — all sparkles but no shine — I was led to believe that Katia was smarter, at least that’s what poor Elena claimed. We were told by Vitali that Katia wrote (he forced someone (likely at a gun point) to publish some piece by her in a magazine) but the author never showed Katia writing anything, she never thought of any stories, I never got to see her read a book. Her wits and writing were lacking. Elena seemed smarter to me because she was able to find out more info about Vitali, she was realistic about her shitty circumstances, while Katia was too busy, aping hookers like Ana to appeal to a man she knew nothing about. I wouldn’t mind this, after all she was 23 and crushing on Vitali, so hard, her brain had dropped to her womb and it was sexy when she wore the choker and he ripped it off her because if she were to wear one, he was going to put it on her. I just wish that Katia wasn’t presented through other characters as something more than she was.
Here is another example that made Katia look dumb. She knew two Chechen thugs through Elena. She even commented on their Russian names, Dmitri and Lyosha, and how they must have been the second generation to have such names. Then a few months later Misha is telling her about Chechen Dmitri, and our smart girl says: "Wait that's not Chechen name, are you sure? Dmitri?" I believe this was an error that a beta reader could have caught or the author if she did another thorough edit. But since it wasn’t fixed, it made Katia sound very dumb, or maybe vodka wiped a few of her brain cells, in which case this should have been explored and Vitali could have told her what alcohol can do to the brain since she clearly had no idea about anything.
Second — spark of alcoholism — after her jealousy and hysteria driven adventure into the Elit club, and life in Russia worsens, she starts pounding vodka. This girl who didn't drink before starts chugging vodka every single day. By the end of a month she had tons of vodka bottles hiding under her bed. It made me feel physically ill that someone who never drank before would just start like that while her mother was sick, her brother neglected, and worst, she used Vitali’s blood money to buy herself vodka. This girl didn’t even get alcohol poisoning, didn’t puke, she just went straight from nondrinker to an alcoholic. Then just as abruptly as this started it ended when Vitali commanded her she must stop.
Third — sluttiness — The little respect I felt for Katia was wiped out when Vitali dressed her up like a hooker, and brought her to some meeting with bunch of old mafia thugs. Katia lost all decency and went full duck-lips and started pushing up her miny dress IN FRONT OF disgusting old men just to cock-tease Vitali. I don’t understand how fast this poor girl who seemed decent at first, became utterly shameless. How could someone as possessive and uptight as Vitali be OK with this behavior? If he wanted to use his woman to tease other men just so he could torture them later, it should have been explored.
Fourth — hollow box — Because the beginning of the book was so good and Katia so relatable, I was shocked later to see just how shallow Katia actually was. It never bothered her that all the sparkly bling and costly cars she loved and grew to expect, came at the cost of other people's livelihoods. She behaved like a callous gold digger. Yes sometimes she cutely reprimanded herself “Bad Katia” but she wasn’t feeling any guilt and never self-reflected on her shallowness in regard to these luxuries that Vitali bought with blood money or extorted. She even offered to pay Sergei with this same money. I was glad when he laughed at her. At this point I wouldn't be surprised if she expected gold toilet. It’s true that poor people become the worst when they come to a little more money, and if that’s what was happening to Katia’s character, it should have been explored.

I’ll leave poor Katia now and touch on other issues. I enjoyed the mystery that surrounded Vitali, but that was soon ruined when his backstory was quickly revealed not once but multiple times through several info dumpy dialogues. I think it would have been more effective if Misha only told her to take her mother and leave while she can because Vitali wasn't right in his head. Of course Katia was in love so she wasn't going to leave. While stying, she could have slowly discover bit by bit just how crazy Vitali was, how sadistic. Instead we were served everything through dialogues which didn't work as effectively. I also didn’t understand why he took her to watch him torture that fake police guy until I realized that he was a sadist and got off on torturing not just the guy but also horrifying Katia (though her horror wasn’t shown well) I wish she realized he was a sadist and I wish this side of him was developed more. I would like to see how she would deal with it. We only got one scene when he tried to rape her then snapped back to himself and she sat with him in the bathroom. That was good but it was just one scene.
For the longest time I didn’t understand why would a smart, good looking man like Vitali obsess about someone mediocre like Katia. I appreciated that it was clarified how there was no answer, he simply picked a woman and latched onto her like a madman. Maybe the women looked like his mother. Who knows. I also don’t understand why he kept the pictures of Vera. It would make sense if among them were also pictures of Katia, but then it would no longer be a romance but a psychological thriller. I don’t read thrillers, but in this case I think I would prefer this to be a psychological thriller with elements of dark romance. I find it hard to believe that someone as damaged as Vitali could settle so easily and become a family man just because he found “the right” woman.


Well this is the longest review I’ve ever written. I did this because the author has a talent and I would love to read a more serious work by her. As an example I recommend Daddy’s Girl by Janet Inglis.

[addictedtodarkromance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes place just after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Part of the reason I chose to read this was because of the book cover - it showed both the MCs in it (he was leaning over her with a building in the background, but it's changed since then).

The first time Vitali & Katya officially met was on a bus when he broke someone's hand for groping her. The second time was at a party of her best friend's cousin. At the end of the night, he drove her home. Her best friend, Elena, warned her that she had heard he was in the mafia.

Vitali was romantic and sweet on the outside (to Katya), but dominant and controlling underneath it all. He was not as he appeared. And Katya stayed strong for her family, was sweet and a kind soul. I really felt for the challenges they were facing and loved that Vitali stepped in to help. I really loved them as a couple; they fit so well together. Vitali not only showed that he wanted Katya, but also treated her family well; he knew they were important to her. The spice was super hot (I would have loved more scenes!) and descriptive.

I wish the two of them were together more often, as they had so much passion and chemistry that I felt it jump off the pages, but he had to go away so often (due to his job).

I really enjoyed this book and how it portrayed the economic fall and the struggles the people went through after the collapse. Jobs were not easy to find, pay was being withheld, and living day to day was a real challenge.

The ending moved faster than I would have liked, but they did get their HEA, and everything turned out well!!
 
 
Overall: 4 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice/Heat Intensity: 2.5 out of 5 🌶️🌶️.5
Main Characters: Vitali & Katya
Nickname: Kotik, Solnishko
Darkness: 5 out of 5 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Type of book: MF, Dual 1st Person POV
Reading Order: Standalone Novel
Title: Kotik
Epilogue: Yes
Ending Type: HEA
 
 
*OTT Possessive, obsessive, dominant, and protective MMC
*Eyes only for her
*Bratva
*In the 90's decade
*Bad Boy / Good Girl
*Light Dub-Con
*Gore & violence
*Sexual violence
*Human tr@fficking
*Trauma
*Past childhood abuse
*Mental illness
*Attempted sexual assault
*Drug-use, alcohol abuse
*He falls first
*Secret Identity
*Hurt/Comfort
*Found Family
*Healing
*Touch her and ☠️
*Stalking
*No cheating or sharing
 
 
⚠️ This book has descriptive parts that may be offensive or triggering to some. Please check all the authors' TW/CW before reading! 18+
 
*I received an early copy of this book and am voluntarily writing this review.

[Sammyll · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut book stole my heart. Living as a older teen, young twenty year old in the 1990's I remember hearing on the news about the hardship of the Russain People after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Yet to read this book, the actual visceral picture became so much more real, it captivated my heart and devoured it whole.

Vitali soon became obsessed with Katya after meeting her on a bus and breaking somebodies hand for touching her. They meet again at a party where Katya learned he may be in the mafia. This didn't put her off, as she was also drawn to his magnetic looks and aura.

Vitali became obsessed with Katya, his darkness never truly showed intself to Katya at first, but she soon learned that the man who was caring to her and her family was a wolf in sheeps clothing. His possessive ways, touch her and die vibes kept me gripped. I loved every second of it! Learnimg what made him tick, getting Katya out of her comfort zone to really demand attention, and become a confident young women was great.

Lots of corrupt dealings, with VItali and his 'boss' Sergei who often sent Vitali away to work . The hardship in Russia at the time, no work, no pay, no food or very little unless you knew the right people.

I especially appreciated the Russain translations at the end of each chapter, the details make the story more involving to the reader, especially if its not their native country.

Vitali clearly had issues with his mental health, tryimg his best to be natural and fit in with those around him. His traumatic childhood, his life in Russia under Sergei, all contributed to his mental state.

I was hooked on this book and so sad it came to an end. Despite the HEA it ended in the best posible way for Vitali and Katya to survive. The last few pages were traumatic, my heart was racing in a blind panic!

I look forward to reading more from this talented author, whether it be in the same world or another, whatever it may be I'm sure it will keep me hooked!

This book will stay with me for awhile, the author has excelled in the delivery!I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Chelsea Hackert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book, and I must preface this by saying I am extremely particular about mafia romances.

The main female character (FMC) was hysterical. While she certainly made some questionable decisions, I felt they were entirely justifiable given her circumstances.

The setting was a fantastic bonus. The story is set in Russia in the 90s, and as a 90s kid myself, I loved this nostalgic aspect. (The 90s were the best, and I will stand by that!) For readers who didn't grow up in Russia, the author thoughtfully included brief, insightful summaries at the end of relevant chapters to explain certain cultural or historical points. These were short enough not to disrupt the flow of the story.

Now, for the main male character (MMC). Be aware that there are triggers, including insinuated s*xual assault, though thankfully not inflicted on our beloved FMC. Vitali has a very tragic background that has left him significantly "damaged." He is trying to learn how to be the man the FMC needs and wants, but he completely lacks the social skills necessary to initiate a relationship normally, which leads to the inclusion of the stalking trope.

The writing was my absolute favorite element. The masterful foreshadowing, the evocative imagery of emotions, and the humor made it a thrilling and highly enjoyable read.

Another highlight was the few chapters (about three) written from the MMC's point of view. They were some of the best in the book. Getting inside Vitali's head was excellently done and truly cemented my love for his tortured, broken soul.

The only potential critique I can foresee is a sense of a rushed ending. However, I personally felt it was fitting for both the story and the genre.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Possessive/Obsessive MMC
Dark and tragic backgrounds
Mild gore
90’s backdrop
Dual-POV’s
Real historical connections and explanations

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading Kotik: A Russian Mafia Romance and I have to say that it blew me away! I really loved this book by Alina Dobrova and was so impressed with her writing throughout the story. Prior to reading this book, I never really read mafia romances or thought I would be super into it, but I loved every second of reading this book! The main characters, Katya and Vitali, are flawed people in a destructive relationship who are living in post-Soviet Russia. You cannot help but root for them to be together, even though their relationship is highly complicated and Vitali often demonstrates how possessive he is of Katya. Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down and found myself skipping forward to the next chapters because I was so excited to read about what was coming next. I really felt for Katya in the story and I also liked the chapters included from Vitali's point of view as we got more context to who he was as a person outside of his relationship with Katya, and all the difficult things he had been through that shaped him into the person he was. I also loved how the author added notes at the end of several of the chapters in the story as these notes added further background information on the lives of the characters as well as Russia in general. I was not too familiar with Russian society or culture prior to reading this book, so I feel as though I learned a lot more about the people there and how they live from these insightful notes. I loved everything about this book and the author is super talented. I am really hoping she continues to write more stories like this in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Akku · Rating 3 out of 5]

• 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 3✨

• 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - April 30, 2026

• 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 -
- russian mafia romance
- possessive hero
- obsessive love
- touch her and die
- dark romance
- morally grey hero

• 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
This story follows Katya, a simple girl trying to live a normal life in post-Soviet Russia. Her life changes when she meets Vitali, a mysterious and dangerous man connected to the Russian mafia. What starts as a protective and intense connection slowly pulls Katya into a dark world of crime, violence, and obsession. As the story moves forward, Katya starts seeing the real side of Vitali and the brutal reality of his life. Their relationship becomes complicated, intense, and morally grey as love and danger mix together.
The overall vibe of this book was very dark and intense. I liked the Russian mafia setting because it felt different and atmospheric. Vitali as a character was definitely interesting. He had that dangerous and protective energy that fits perfectly in dark romance stories. The possessive and obsessive side of him made the story feel intense and emotional.
However, some parts felt a little confusing to me. In several POV chapters the character name was not mentioned in the beginning, so at first it was hard to understand whose POV it was. The story also moved between past and present timelines but there was no clear mention of it sometimes, which made a few scenes confusing to follow.
Because of that, the reading experience felt a bit uneven for me. The concept and setup were great, but some moments felt just okay for me instead of amazing. Still, it was an good dark romance as a debut author!!
Thank you booksirens for the ARC!

[Morally_Gray_Nola · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m finding it very hard to believe KOTIK is author Alina Dobrova’s debut novel. Absolute immersive experience from page one, Katya’s voice speaks clearly as 1990s Russia, and the people within, blooms to life. Vitali is seen as a psychopath, but Katya looks deeper, sees his damaged soul. Vitali and Katya have many ups and downs, see lots of action—both good and bad—Vitali’s darkness to Katya’s light. At first glance, that is. Because Vitali, still has a shimmer of light reflecting in his sad green eyes. But perhaps the biggest surprise is the sliver of darkness that peeks through Katya’s good girl armor. This is where it really gets good. Because sometimes, no matter how careful you are, the monsters take notice and reach out from under the bed . . . *** Recommended***

MMC:
✨Vitali
FMC:
✨Katya
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Series:
✨Book 1: Russian Mafia Romance
Tropes:
👉dark mafia romance
👉touch her and ☠️
👉possessive mmc
👉obsessive mmc
👉bad boy x good girl
👉secret identity
👉he falls first
👉found family
👉hurt/comfort
👉healing
Triggers:🛑see content warning page/author’s website for full list🛑
💥18+
💥 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️, mf, open🚪sex
💥profanity
💥violence, gore, r ape, abuse, attempted SA,
💥stalking, human trafficking, past childhood abuse
💥death, murder
💥mental illness
💥alcoholism, drug use
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[OooLaLa Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

He Fell First… Then It Got Dark

Ohhhh Besties… "Kotik: A Russian Mafia Romance" had me in a chokehold from page one and did not let go. Set in gritty post-Soviet 90's Russia, the atmosphere alone? Chef’s kiss.🤌🏼 The nostalgia hit HARD with the music mentions (seriously, the 90s just did it better), and I was giggling over that Panasonic microwave moment because it personally called me out 🤭.

Katya and Vitali? Whew. What starts as soft, almost innocent young love quickly spirals into something darker, sharper, and dangerously addictive. Vitali is that morally grey, “touch her and you’re done” kind of man... and yes, he falls first, and yes, it’s as intense as you want it to be. Their relationship is an emotional rollercoaster... one minute you’re swooning, the next you’re clutching your Kindle like “wait… WHAT just happened?!"😳

The shift from roses and home-cooked dinners to guns, fur coats, and brutal mafia realities was seamless and haunting. It’s messy, obsessive, and full of questionable choices... but that’s what makes it so gripping.

This wasn’t just a read... it was an experience. Dark, intense, a little chaotic, but absolutely worth the ride. Definitely one to add to your TBR.😉

My Ratings:  ⭐ 4.5/5  ▪︎  🥵 3/5

🥀 My ratings and review are my own. For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤

[Hannah Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kotik consumed me. 100/10, I highly recommend.

Katya and Vitali are soulmates in the most unhinged, inevitable way. She does not realize it until years later, but Vitali has known for a long time. The second he sees her, it is over. What starts as interest spirals into obsession. He watches her, studies her, learns everything about her, and just keeps sinking deeper into it in a way that is not even close to sane.

When they finally cross paths at a party, when Katya introduces herself to him like she is not stepping straight into something dangerous, it is done.

Vitali is not a normal Bratva soldier. He is clinically insane, even if no one has ever properly diagnosed him. He has to practice being human, rehearse reactions, and force himself to act normal. Everything about him feels controlled and off at the same time. And Katya sees him for what he is and chooses him anyway.

There are so many plot twists, but they actually build the story instead of taking away from it. Every character mattered to me. Katya, Vitali, Misha, Mama, Maxim, Elena. I was invested in all of them.

I loved the 90s post-communism vibe. It was descriptive enough that I could picture everything clearly, but not so much that it slowed anything down.

I need more from this author immediately.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

#ARCReader from Pen Pinery

Kotik took me on a ride of the darker realities of 90's era Russia! Here we meet Katya, a young woman who works in government run business and Vitali, a man who works in the "import" business.

The book highlights the grit of the era like food and utility uncertainty, so that's a fun overview of the realities of the time. It also uses a lot of Russian slang.

But honestly? That's the good of it. The story is just so surface level. There is no development of the characters. None of Katya's decisions make sense because there is no background of why she would make these decisions. Likewise with Vitali, we dip our toes into the background and that is is.

It also has "explainers" at the end of chapters that explain the slang uses or realities of that time period, but it really just took me out of the story.

Toward the end there are some POV chapters of Vitali, but they are out of place and go backwards on the timeline without a need to go back. It could have been placed in a linear timeline.

There are also side characters, but they are so one dimensional that it isn't even worth mentioning beyond this paragraph.

Overall, its an interesting preview of that time, but that's all it is. A preview, a toe in the water and when I read, I want to be absorbed by the Book.

[Donna's Book Addiction Book review Arc Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kotik: A Russian Mafia Romance
by Alina Dobrova
Pub Date: 30 Apr 2026
This is not a soft romance. This is dark, consuming, and completely addictive from start to finish.
Set against the harsh, unforgiving backdrop of post-Soviet Russia, Kotik pulls you straight into a world of power, control, and survival. The setting alone adds such a gritty realism that makes everything feel sharper, heavier… more dangerous.
Katya’s journey is what really stands out. Watching her go from an ordinary girl with quiet dreams to someone caught deep in a life she can’t escape—it’s intense, unsettling, and strangely compelling. You feel that shift.
And then there’s Vitali.
He is the definition of morally grey—ruthless, obsessive, and completely unapologetic. The kind of character you know is dangerous, but you still find yourself drawn in by the way he operates, the way he chooses her, the way he refuses to let go.
The romance is dark, possessive, and not for the faint-hearted. It leans heavily into control, obsession, and that “no way out” dynamic, which will absolutely divide readers—but if you love mafia romance with high stakes and emotional tension, this delivers.
It’s heavy, it’s intense, and it doesn’t try to soften the edges.
A bold, dangerous read that fully embraces its darkness.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley.

A slow burn dark mafia romance, need I say more? This book is set in Russia in the 90s. It was quite amazing to step back through time and see the world through that lens. I enjoyed the various Russian facts and word definitions between the chapters.

This slow burn was full of tension. Katya is pulled to Vitali, but he is resisting her. He’s respectful, a perfect gentleman. We’re waiting, along with Katya, for something more. We learn later on why he held back. His POV chapters were enlightening, and a bit disturbing.

Vitali is completely unhinged, although is able to keep his composure around Katya quite well. It slips now and then, the control, the possessiveness. It’s intoxicating. Katya is pulled into this life of the Russian mob, seemingly falling into it. Was it by chance?

Vitali is dangerous, his history, his work. The possessiveness and touch-her-and-die was some of the best I have read.

Katya is telling the story from the future, she leaves tidbits along the way of things to come. This kept the book very engaging, the pacing was well done. The last few percent had me on the edge of my seat, heart racing, tears falling.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m always drawn to a good mafia romance, which is exactly what made me pick up Kotik. Overall, I’d rate this somewhere around a 3.25 to 3.5 stars.

The story follows Katya Petrova and Vitali Konstantinov, and while the premise was intriguing, I did find myself a bit confused at times. The transitions between timelines or scenes weren’t always clear, and I really think adding multiple POVs or at least clearer indicators when the timeline shifts would have made a big difference in the reading experience.

One thing I did really enjoy was the background detail. The setting and context added depth and helped me better understand the world, which made parts of the story more engaging.

As for the romance, it started off as a slower burn, which I was really enjoying but then the pacing suddenly sped up. I wish that transition had been more gradual. I also struggled to fully connect with Katya as the FMC, which made it harder to stay invested in the relationship.

Vitali, on the other hand, fits the classic mafia MMC mold very much “touch her and you die” which fans of the trope will likely appreciate.

Overall, this had strong elements and an interesting foundation.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katya & Vitali's story is interesting... I haven't read any books that are set in "economically depressed 1990s post-Soviet Russia" and found it a fascinating take on a dark mafia romance, very unique and a heartfelt & emotional read.

The book is well written & fast paced, with a happily ever after (as much as can be in dark, emotional books such as this). I do like how they find hope & healing together. There are good unexpected plot twists.

I am giving 5 stars because I think it took an immense amount of skill to write such a well written, emotional narrative and found it to be very deep & thought provoking. It's not a light read, but it's worth it!

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

*dark Russian mafia
*morally grey characters
*set in 1990s post-Soviet Russia
*her family is poor, he provides for her with seemingly infinite wealth & resources
*secret/hidden identities
*obsessive/possessive
*they find healing together
*he falls first
*Dual 1st person POV

Thank you to the author (Alina Dobrova), publisher & Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Kristy Roebuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

The best way I can describe this book is mafia fiction with strong romantic themes. This mafia slow burn romance is about two seriously flawed characters finding love and compassion with each other and having to actively choose each other every day. A true love story. The author’s writing is so unique and detailed you feel like you are experiencing their harsh life. Told mainly from the viewpoint of Katya the story is part mafia fiction, part love story and part mystery. The reader is discovering right along with Katya how all the pieces fit together. And wow! When everything falls in place you are like “Woah!”.

I look forward in reading more by this author.

The themes in this book are very dark. Vitali’s childhood is described on page in flashbacks and is very hard to read.

Tropes/CW: Mafia, Childhood trauma, PTSD, drug use, forced imprisonment, slow burn, possessive her, obsessive hero, stalking, virgin heroine, virgin hero, poverty, historical(1990s) and death of a loved one.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️

[Amber Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has so much potential! I loved the chemistry between the FMC and MMC, The storyline, even all the facts I learnt about Russia and the collapsed economy in the 90s. I truely learnt lot. There were somethings that could of made it better like breaks between scenes as some of them blended together and i had to go back multiple times to understandwhat was happening, some of the dialogue in the beginning got a little confusing and I wish we got to know more about what happened to MMC to cause his trauma. Like some is mentioned but not enough to create a bigger picture.

In saying all of that I truly enjoyed reading it still and wish I could of given it more stars. Please don't let my opinions get in the way of reading this though. For a debut book, it was still a good read. I do look forward to reading future books by Alina.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Merilu Keenum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alina Dobrova is a first time author for me and Kotik had me enthralled from the beginning! Katya and Vitali’s personalities are products of their own experiences: I could feel her confusion about him, her attraction to him, and her willingness to ignore some of the red flags. I would have liked more from Vitali’s POV because he’s so complex. The setting caught my attention when I read the blurb and Alina did a great job portraying the challenges, the hardships of life, and how the darker side thrived. TW should be noted in this dark romance: stalking, danger, cruelty, and violence associated with criminals. There’s so much drama, tension, and suspense that I couldn’t put their story down. The ending was a little rushed, but still an HEA.
4.5 plot
3 for 🌶️ but only because there wasn’t enough of their very sexy scenes!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Savannah Huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best mafia romance book I have ever read.

So first off, the writing is really good. It's clear, strong, and gripping. It is also very well researched and explained! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the footnotes at the end of chapters explaining Russian culture. I've never had that in a book before and I absolutely loved it. It was educational but in a really fun way because I was also getting in my romance fix!!
I love stories with a darker edge to them. And I'm not just talking about dark romance. I mean an actual darkness to the story. And this completely delivered. The characters were so REAL while I was reading. I've never felt so interested in a mafia character like I did with Vitali. They always come off so... cheesy. This character was not like that at all!!

PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!!! You will not regret it!! 🖤🖤🖤 new favorite mafia romance.

[Cat1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kotik is a very interesting mafia story. To me, it read like an historical biography told by mostly Katya's words. I know in the 1990's times were very tough in Russia. At times Kotik's (Katya) story is heart breaking and sad. They must have really been hard times. I can't imagine what it was like to live there then as a single woman. Vitali is definitely a very hard and broken man. Vitali cares for Katya deeply. Kotik is very much an historically written mafia love story. Kotik has strong feelings for Vitali. Kotik and Vitali will do anything for each other. Kotik is an interesting and intriguing story. I'm sure it's not the typical mafia story, you're use to. You'll be surprised and interested in the ending.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carly Miyake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC from NetGalley

This is a mafia romance, 1.5 chili pepper spice rating, good plot and interesting.

I really love dark, mafia based romances and I loved the way the characters were portrayed. I will say that it did get confusing at first when it randomly would switch POV via the chapters, but not that bad. I loved how the author added in clarification to Russian words or parts of the lifestyle, I just think they should have been placed at the beginning instead of at the end of random chapters.

The plot was good, I loved the obsessed, unhinged main male character. I loved Misha, he was a fun character when he was written in and I would love a book on him. Overall, good book, great plot and not that much spice.

[dmariie_sinfulreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book. I instantly knew I would love it because I love history. And this book took place late 80’s early 90’s “New” Russia era. That caught my attention right away. I also loved that this book isn’t your conventional read. As in it’s fast paced and doesn’t scream Bratva/Mafia. You definitely get the vibes of the Bratva/Mafia

Read , but it’s only ever mentioned once or twice & it’s not in your face. And I liked that. Vitali is a new book boyfriend. He’s BROODING, OBSESSIVE, POSSESSIVE- touch her & ☠️ , a little crazy but for good reasons 😝 Katya is fierce , loyal and she loves her little family. BUT definitely loves Vitali too. I definitely recommend this book !! And I would also loveee to see a book for Elena & Misha !! As always check your triggers & warnings.

[Shifty Bugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

OMG , Trigger Warning's.

Wow, talk about the adrenaline rush, the heart pumping, the gorgeous dangerous men, the dark mafia romance. Vitali Konstantinov, he has always been seen as a bad criminal and one to stay away from if you don't want to get involved with the Mafia. Katya Petrovna, has always been a selfless person, she works hard to help the family after her father passed, she catches the bus to work everyday.a man touched her on the backside that was when she had noticed him, he grabbed the other man's hand and made a funny noise with his hand. Vitali is watching her, following her even obsessed with her but it is the things he does to win her heart or not without feelings.

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚✨ Kotik by Alina Dobrova
⭐️ 4/5 | 🌶️ 2/5

LOVED LOVED LOVED… howeverrrr Katya forgave this man WAY too fast for me. Like girl… he literally made you witness murder and almost got you killed and you’re still like “I’m not leaving him” ??? PLEASE STAND UP.

The first 40% had me HOOKED. Katya felt realistic...stuck between responsibility, survival, and youthful recklessness. And Vitali? Mysterious, dangerous, broody… exactly the kind of morally grey man dark romance readers eat up. Their chemistry was intense, and I loved the mix of humor, bleakness, and emotional tension.

But once the heavy mafia plot took over, I started losing interest a bit. Katya’s personality kind of faded into “horny and obsessed.”

📖 Reading Mood: “Girl, run.”

[Munir · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won't call this the regular mafia romance. It isn't the good ol' "You're mine. Good girl. Crawl to me. It deeply explores some pretty heavy themes that I think the author did a great job portraying.
The world is immersive. You could feel the grayish winter and the squalor of the 90s Russia.
The narrator is likable for me and I enjoyed the story, however I didn't buy into the story in the first thirty percent but I understand why these chapters are necessary.
Overall, I would recommend.

[Magic book club · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I did not expect that this would be written in such a realistic and brutally honest manner, that it would faithfully depict the situation in Russia in the nineties and the phenomenon of newly composed rich people, aka New Russians. The story is quite difficult in some scenes because the details of torture and abuse are described, it was especially difficult for me when the main female character went through various situations of drinking and violence. All in all, this book is a pleasant surprise for me, I liked it, although I think that the original written in Russian (I hope it exists) would leave a better impression than this one in English.

Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity ♥️

[bonnie espinoza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure where to even begin with my review. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting in 1990’s Russia. Combined with the end of chapter factoids, it created a unique setting for the book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. It was definitely not your typical bratva story. It was hard to believe that the relationship between the two main characters held up like it did. The writer needed to somehow express things better between the two of them. Side characters like Misha and mama were wonderfully portrayed.

[Tiffany Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

REALLY enjoyed this book!! Was not what I expected and in the beginning felt like it was slow and drawn out. Soooo glad I stayed with it because in the end, all of that background was vital. The spice not plentiful but when it's there it is capital S spicy. The ending completely caught me off guard but I loved it all at the same time. I super appreciated the lessons on Russia's history during that time. I love history so adding that into the book was perfect. I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Michelle Shamy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vitali has an obsession with Katya that he’s not prepared to let go of. So instead, he pulls her into her world. He was as serious as a heart attack when it came to her. Don’t touch her, don’t mess with her, don’t even look at her sideways. Katya walked into a whole new world. Witnessing things are never thought possible. This was such an amazing story. Seeing these two come together. All the twists and turns. This was wild and one heck of a ride. This plays on your emotions and keeps you turning the pages.