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The Better Brother: An Age Gap, Bratva Romance
“My brother lost you. Be my Queen at his wedding… and let him watch while I ruin you for anyone else.”
My ex dumped me for a stick-thin socialite.
So I made a The next man who touched me would earn the privilege.
Then HE happened.
A stranger with cold eyes.
Filthy mouth. And lethal hands.
He dragged me into the bathroom of my Prague flight.
Fisted my hair.
Bit my throat.
Burned filthy Russian promises straight into my soul.
Then I learned his name.
Matvei Volkov.
Bratva kingpin.
Chicago’s deadliest shadow.
And my ex-fiancé’s estranged half-brother.
His offer?
Stand on his arm at my ex’s wedding.
Wear his diamonds.
Help him get revenge.
Walk away with enough money to build the life I’ve always wanted.
It should have been easy.
Until blood spills.
Enemies close in.
And two pink lines change everything. Twins.
And Matvei’s done pretending.
Now he says I’m his.
And God help anyone who tries to take me from him.
For readers who silver fox mafia bosses, a fierce heroine, and forbidden romance with the ex’s older brother. A curvy heroine finally worshipped the way she deserves. A dangerously possessive Bratva alpha who doesn’t know how to let go. Explosive family betrayal, high-stakes drama, and a man who would burn the world down to keep what’s his.
My ex dumped me for a stick-thin socialite.
So I made a The next man who touched me would earn the privilege.
Then HE happened.
A stranger with cold eyes.
Filthy mouth. And lethal hands.
He dragged me into the bathroom of my Prague flight.
Fisted my hair.
Bit my throat.
Burned filthy Russian promises straight into my soul.
Then I learned his name.
Matvei Volkov.
Bratva kingpin.
Chicago’s deadliest shadow.
And my ex-fiancé’s estranged half-brother.
His offer?
Stand on his arm at my ex’s wedding.
Wear his diamonds.
Help him get revenge.
Walk away with enough money to build the life I’ve always wanted.
It should have been easy.
Until blood spills.
Enemies close in.
And two pink lines change everything. Twins.
And Matvei’s done pretending.
Now he says I’m his.
And God help anyone who tries to take me from him.
For readers who silver fox mafia bosses, a fierce heroine, and forbidden romance with the ex’s older brother. A curvy heroine finally worshipped the way she deserves. A dangerously possessive Bratva alpha who doesn’t know how to let go. Explosive family betrayal, high-stakes drama, and a man who would burn the world down to keep what’s his.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2026
About the author
Kai Lesy
48 books492 followersInternational Bestselling Romance Author.
Amazon US Top 30 Author.
Kai Lesy thrives on abundance SO naturally menage and reverse harems with a multiple over-the-top alphas is her jam.
Outside of writing her next masterpiece, Kai loves baking an obnoxious amount of cookies, playing with her French bull dog, Hugo, and writing about herself in the third person - because it feels fancy.
All books FREE on Kindle Unlimited.
Lucky Lady Reverse Harem Series
1. Single Mom's SEALs
2. Tapped Out Single Mom
3. Three Daddies Under the Mistletoe
4. Christmas with my Best Friend's Brothers
5. Cowboy Daddies
6. Christmas with my Three Best Friends
7. Playing Pretend with my Brother's Best Friends
8. SEAL'd with a Kiss
9. Snow and the Seven Protectors
10. Her Royal Treatmen
Her Glow Up Reverse Harem Series
1. Single Mom's Glow Up
2. Single Mom's Sparkle
3. Baby Makes Seven
Over the Top Galactic Protectors SciFi Series
1. Claimed by Brothers
2. Barbarian Daddies
3. Twins for the Barbarians
4. Triplets for the Barbarians
Dirty Daddies Series
1. Savage Protector
2. Quadruple Daddy
3. Protecting the Nanny
Amazon US Top 30 Author.
Kai Lesy thrives on abundance SO naturally menage and reverse harems with a multiple over-the-top alphas is her jam.
Outside of writing her next masterpiece, Kai loves baking an obnoxious amount of cookies, playing with her French bull dog, Hugo, and writing about herself in the third person - because it feels fancy.
All books FREE on Kindle Unlimited.
Lucky Lady Reverse Harem Series
1. Single Mom's SEALs
2. Tapped Out Single Mom
3. Three Daddies Under the Mistletoe
4. Christmas with my Best Friend's Brothers
5. Cowboy Daddies
6. Christmas with my Three Best Friends
7. Playing Pretend with my Brother's Best Friends
8. SEAL'd with a Kiss
9. Snow and the Seven Protectors
10. Her Royal Treatmen
Her Glow Up Reverse Harem Series
1. Single Mom's Glow Up
2. Single Mom's Sparkle
3. Baby Makes Seven
Over the Top Galactic Protectors SciFi Series
1. Claimed by Brothers
2. Barbarian Daddies
3. Twins for the Barbarians
4. Triplets for the Barbarians
Dirty Daddies Series
1. Savage Protector
2. Quadruple Daddy
3. Protecting the Nanny
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews
Did Not Finish
May 25, 2026Tapping out on this one. The FMC is annoying the hell out of me. She’s a smart lawyer (good for her!), who makes dumb decision after dumb decision (Boo). I’m just not in the mood to read ‘Smart girls gone dumb’ at the moment.
Maybe I’ll pick it up again one day (doubtful). 🤷♀️
Maybe I’ll pick it up again one day (doubtful). 🤷♀️
May 2, 2026
FMC too stubborn
The basis of the story line was great, but I almost stopped several times because the FMC was so irritatingly stubborn. Refusing to stay with matvei so he could keep her safe because she has some twisted belief that staying with him puts her on the path to become a controlled abuse victim. It was annoying and everytime she didn’t listen, she got hurt, but still wanted to be ridiculous and do whatever she wanted. TBH I had the potential to be great but in the end I was just relieved it was over.
The basis of the story line was great, but I almost stopped several times because the FMC was so irritatingly stubborn. Refusing to stay with matvei so he could keep her safe because she has some twisted belief that staying with him puts her on the path to become a controlled abuse victim. It was annoying and everytime she didn’t listen, she got hurt, but still wanted to be ridiculous and do whatever she wanted. TBH I had the potential to be great but in the end I was just relieved it was over.
May 14, 2026
Caught in Between
Sonya was engaged to Samson, a man she realized too late could never love her and lived his life for power on the wrong side of the law. Sonya, an attorney for abused and desperate women leaned on her adopted sister Kelly who is a law enforcement officer.
Deciding to take a vacation away from her ex, she meets a gorgeous man at the airport who sits beside her on the fight to Europe. He comforts her, in more ways than one, to distract her from the turbulence of the aircraft.
Matvei is a powerful man and head of Bratva, and more to the point, the brother of her ex, Samson. Sonya is drawn to the magnetic and often warm man who comes from a world she has opposed her entire life. Hoping that when he says he is trying to leave violence behind that he really means it.
This is a complicated story, with intrigue and betrayal as well as love that neither Sonya or Matvei ever expected to have. When Sonya finds herself pregnant to the Bratva Don, she is torn between the new love she found and her previous life helping desperate women in trouble.
This is a very well written book, the characters seem real, with the danger and drama woven into every chapter. This is a mildly spicy romantic suspense, and I thought it was well done enough for a five star review.
Sonya was engaged to Samson, a man she realized too late could never love her and lived his life for power on the wrong side of the law. Sonya, an attorney for abused and desperate women leaned on her adopted sister Kelly who is a law enforcement officer.
Deciding to take a vacation away from her ex, she meets a gorgeous man at the airport who sits beside her on the fight to Europe. He comforts her, in more ways than one, to distract her from the turbulence of the aircraft.
Matvei is a powerful man and head of Bratva, and more to the point, the brother of her ex, Samson. Sonya is drawn to the magnetic and often warm man who comes from a world she has opposed her entire life. Hoping that when he says he is trying to leave violence behind that he really means it.
This is a complicated story, with intrigue and betrayal as well as love that neither Sonya or Matvei ever expected to have. When Sonya finds herself pregnant to the Bratva Don, she is torn between the new love she found and her previous life helping desperate women in trouble.
This is a very well written book, the characters seem real, with the danger and drama woven into every chapter. This is a mildly spicy romantic suspense, and I thought it was well done enough for a five star review.
June 29, 2026
This was a okay read . Enough to keep my interest. Quite a bit happening. I liked both characters. Though Sonya was a bit too trusting of people. Which got her in trouble.
Good job she had her silver fox to look after her.
Some quite unhinged people in this story.
I like a good epilogue, and this book gave me one.
July 6, 2026
The Better Brother doesn’t just enter your life — it detonates like a family feud wrapped in a tailored suit, dripping with vengeance, obsession, and the kind of emotional chaos that makes your spine do interpretive dance.
This book is messy in the best way — the kind of feral, forbidden, “oh babe, this is going to ruin your week and you’ll thank it” romance that grabs your feelings by the throat and refuses to let go. It starts with heartbreak, humiliation, and an ex who deserves to be launched into the sun. Our heroine is done — absolutely done — with men who treat her like a placeholder. She swears the next man who gets close will have to earn it.
And then Matvei Volkov appears like a walking catastrophe with cheekbones sharp enough to commit crimes and a presence that feels like danger wrapped in silk. He’s cold, controlled, lethal, and radiates the kind of intensity that makes your soul sit up straight. And when she learns he’s the estranged half‑brother of her ex? Oh babe, that’s when the emotional fireworks start.
Matvei doesn’t ask — he declares. He wants her on his arm at the wedding, wants her wearing diamonds that glitter like threats, wants her beside him while he settles old scores. It’s supposed to be a deal, a performance, a revenge fantasy with a payout at the end. But nothing stays simple when a man like Matvei gets involved. He’s older, sharper, more dangerous, and absolutely incapable of pretending he doesn’t care.
The wedding becomes a battlefield. The family tension is thick enough to spread on toast. And the moment blood hits the ground, everything spirals into the kind of chaos that makes you mutter “oh sweetheart, you should’ve run the moment he looked at you.”
But she didn’t.
And now she’s in deep — deeper than she ever planned — especially when two pink lines appear and the world tilts. Twins. A future she never expected. A man who refuses to let her face any of it alone. Matvei stops playing games. He stops pretending. He stops holding back. He becomes the kind of feral, possessive, emotionally unhinged protector who would burn down continents just to keep her safe.
It’s forbidden.
It’s dramatic.
It’s addictive.
It’s the kind of romance that feels like standing too close to a bonfire — dangerous, overwhelming, and impossible to walk away from.
This story is pure chaos wrapped in devotion, betrayal wrapped in longing, and a heroine finally worshipped the way she deserves. It’s messy, it’s wild, it’s high‑stakes, and it’s absolutely drenched in the kind of emotional intensity that makes your heart do backflips.
A solid 4‑star feral, forbidden, family‑exploding, age‑gap Bratva romance that delivers drama, danger, and devotion in one gloriously unhinged package.
July 15, 2026
DNF page 79/276.
Sex is not the answer to everything and I hate books that are repetitive so I'm not even going to force myself to finish this one.
I had far too many issues with this book so I'll list them out to make it easier.
1. She's constantly thinking about her size while her ex called her fat over text and the dress shop ladies imply she's large. Look, I'm not usually a fan of this trope because I don't like weight and related stereotypes being dragged up while I'm reading. If a book is talking about being a twig or being larger than everyone else more than a few times I'm usually out. It's not something I care for and I don't like the constant judging for a woman's weight.
So that's partly on me but I ignored this issue as it's something I thought I could get over.
2. Sex being the answer to everything. She meets him on a plane and while she's having a panic attack he's like "we're having sex in the plane bathroom during a storm unless you say no" - that's a stranger?! You just met him?! Maybe ask for consent before dragging her to the bathroom?? Also during a storm while you're on a plane?!
Then they agree to have sex again but she panics after realising who he is so she leaves. The next day? He's at her hotel room and invites himself into her shower with her?! Excuse me?? Why is she not asking how tf he found her or setting boundaries??
Then the part where I DNFd? She's on the phone to a woman leaving her domestic abuse situation before ending the call and walking home with her food shopping. Suddenly she's shot at and the MMC is there with his lieutenant "protecting her". At first she doesn't even question why they were there so fast or who was shooting her or why they were. (She does after a few pages) Then they have sex because she's traumatised.
Either way, she's panicked = they're having sex.
3. The format of the pages and paragraphs?? Someone explain to me why it starts off as one line per paragraph then after a few chapters it's giant chunks of paragraphs that take up an entire kindle screen?? Stick to one and use it, really annoys me when authors just change things like that.
4. This isn't really a complaint about the book but I am confused how this author wrote over 20 books in just over a year. With the repetitiveness of this book and the publishing dates all being too close I was worried this might be AI. I don't want to throw rumours around while I have no solid proof but with how bad this book was it's suspicious. Hopefully, it's not because I hate AI and refuse to accept any forms of it.
I'll leave it at that for now as that all but sums everything up.
Sex is not the answer to everything and I hate books that are repetitive so I'm not even going to force myself to finish this one.
I had far too many issues with this book so I'll list them out to make it easier.
1. She's constantly thinking about her size while her ex called her fat over text and the dress shop ladies imply she's large. Look, I'm not usually a fan of this trope because I don't like weight and related stereotypes being dragged up while I'm reading. If a book is talking about being a twig or being larger than everyone else more than a few times I'm usually out. It's not something I care for and I don't like the constant judging for a woman's weight.
So that's partly on me but I ignored this issue as it's something I thought I could get over.
2. Sex being the answer to everything. She meets him on a plane and while she's having a panic attack he's like "we're having sex in the plane bathroom during a storm unless you say no" - that's a stranger?! You just met him?! Maybe ask for consent before dragging her to the bathroom?? Also during a storm while you're on a plane?!
Then they agree to have sex again but she panics after realising who he is so she leaves. The next day? He's at her hotel room and invites himself into her shower with her?! Excuse me?? Why is she not asking how tf he found her or setting boundaries??
Then the part where I DNFd? She's on the phone to a woman leaving her domestic abuse situation before ending the call and walking home with her food shopping. Suddenly she's shot at and the MMC is there with his lieutenant "protecting her". At first she doesn't even question why they were there so fast or who was shooting her or why they were. (She does after a few pages) Then they have sex because she's traumatised.
Either way, she's panicked = they're having sex.
3. The format of the pages and paragraphs?? Someone explain to me why it starts off as one line per paragraph then after a few chapters it's giant chunks of paragraphs that take up an entire kindle screen?? Stick to one and use it, really annoys me when authors just change things like that.
4. This isn't really a complaint about the book but I am confused how this author wrote over 20 books in just over a year. With the repetitiveness of this book and the publishing dates all being too close I was worried this might be AI. I don't want to throw rumours around while I have no solid proof but with how bad this book was it's suspicious. Hopefully, it's not because I hate AI and refuse to accept any forms of it.
I'll leave it at that for now as that all but sums everything up.
June 22, 2026
Dnf. Badly written
June 19, 2026
Enjoyed it.
Sometimes a girl just needs a bit of mafia romance in her life and I stumbled into this one. Instant attraction with your ex's older brother, yes please. She was having a panic attack on the plane and he took her to the bathroom to distract her. Color me distracted Mr. Matvei. They had so much chemistry. There was action, drama, and spice. I enjoyed this story.
Sometimes a girl just needs a bit of mafia romance in her life and I stumbled into this one. Instant attraction with your ex's older brother, yes please. She was having a panic attack on the plane and he took her to the bathroom to distract her. Color me distracted Mr. Matvei. They had so much chemistry. There was action, drama, and spice. I enjoyed this story.
June 1, 2026
⭐️.75 /🌶️.5 DNF
This started out good but the more I read the FMC was so annoying. She was in danger and she just kept refusing his help but when Sonya and her sister are almost killed she remembers him and try to contact him. I thought you could do this all on your own Sonya.
All he wants is for her to be safe especially since she’s pregnant with twins. It’s dangerous with one, image now with two and you still want to be stubborn and not let him help you. Is it mean of me to say that I hope something happens to her, so she gets her head out of her ass. But I won’t get my hopes up since she’s so stubborn that If something does that won’t help his case.
She’s just so stubborn that she’s willing to put her kids in danger.
So I stopped reading at page 183, 60% in cuz I can’t continue with this storyline.
This started out good but the more I read the FMC was so annoying. She was in danger and she just kept refusing his help but when Sonya and her sister are almost killed she remembers him and try to contact him. I thought you could do this all on your own Sonya.
All he wants is for her to be safe especially since she’s pregnant with twins. It’s dangerous with one, image now with two and you still want to be stubborn and not let him help you. Is it mean of me to say that I hope something happens to her, so she gets her head out of her ass. But I won’t get my hopes up since she’s so stubborn that If something does that won’t help his case.
She’s just so stubborn that she’s willing to put her kids in danger.
So I stopped reading at page 183, 60% in cuz I can’t continue with this storyline.
April 29, 2026
I hated the female protagonist. IMHO she was unlikeable. I am surprised I even finished this because I grew to loathe every time she was on the page.
June 19, 2026
DNF. Mafia. Not the best at all….in my opinion.
Boring. Stupid. 😵💫🙄🥱
Boring. Stupid. 😵💫🙄🥱
June 23, 2026
Sonja had her heart broken by her ex and instead of dwelling on it she decides on vacation for herself and ends up having an encounter with a man she just met Matvei Volkov. At the time she has no idea that Matvei is her ex's estranged brother. When she figures it out she gets as far away from him as possible. Matvei though hasn't forgotten her and seeks her out making her a deal she can't refuse, problem is she should stay away but they have a connection neither can resist.
Fantastic chemistry. I really liked Matvei a lot and Sonja is a great match for him, really entertaining.
Fantastic chemistry. I really liked Matvei a lot and Sonja is a great match for him, really entertaining.
May 27, 2026
DNF
I got almost to the end hoping they would have something interesting happen, but nope. I won't go into Sonya as more reviewers made the points for me. Her stupidity would make me question her ability to even get into law school let alone be the great lawyer they purport her to be. Every situation she got herself into was one of her own making because she wants to be independent even though someone is trying to kill her.
Which brings me to my main contention, the main driver of this book was that Samson wanted to destroy his brother. So Sonyas involvement in this story is simply coincidental as she gave him no advantage whatsoever until she happened to meet his brother one day. He supposedly was with her for years, proposed, then dumped her via text for someone he said fit him better because she's fat. Then after she sleeps with his brother he somehow knows about it and makes an attempt on her life which later is just part of Samsons attempt to hurt his brother, but why would he think a woman he just met would cause him hurt if she died??? This seems like a writing prompt where the story went sideways. Again there is no reason why he dated and then dumped Sonya. It serves to purpose at all.
I got almost to the end hoping they would have something interesting happen, but nope. I won't go into Sonya as more reviewers made the points for me. Her stupidity would make me question her ability to even get into law school let alone be the great lawyer they purport her to be. Every situation she got herself into was one of her own making because she wants to be independent even though someone is trying to kill her.
Which brings me to my main contention, the main driver of this book was that Samson wanted to destroy his brother. So Sonyas involvement in this story is simply coincidental as she gave him no advantage whatsoever until she happened to meet his brother one day. He supposedly was with her for years, proposed, then dumped her via text for someone he said fit him better because she's fat. Then after she sleeps with his brother he somehow knows about it and makes an attempt on her life which later is just part of Samsons attempt to hurt his brother, but why would he think a woman he just met would cause him hurt if she died??? This seems like a writing prompt where the story went sideways. Again there is no reason why he dated and then dumped Sonya. It serves to purpose at all.
June 16, 2026
Age gap, mafia, bad ex, silver fox... it ticks lots of boxes!
I was about to accidently spoil a part of this ending, but I will instead say this: This is one of the few books, if not the only one, I read where the mafia decides to take a turn in a particular direction at the end.
Sonya is a lawyer who helps abused women get away from their abusive husbands, no matter how powerful.
Matvei is the pakhan to the Russian mafia in Chicago, a killer, a dangerous man.
I have to give respect to Sonya's character. Throughout the entire book, she remained strong and determined to be her own person, even when she was starting to get serious with Matvei. He wanted her under his roof to keep her safe, not caring if other women were in danger because Sonya was inaccessible. Sonya stood firm, even if it put her life that much more in danger to be out and about, but she was not about to lose herself and become a prisoner of sorts just because she fell into bed with the Russian mafia.
Matvei is used to getting what he wants, I'm sure, and while it was hard, he finally learned to view Sonya as an equal partner. When he didn't, she essentially put him in his place.
I feel they were both overly stubborn at times, but a lawyer and a pakhan are found to have very strong personalities!
I enjoyed that in the end, no one's morals or attitudes really changed. They were all who they were before, but better versions of themselves, and they learned to blend together more seamlessly. There's action, conflict, a bit of mystery, supporting family, smexy scenes for those who love those, and I'd say everything is pretty evenly written (not too much of one thing and not enough of another).
If you're feeling up to a mafia, age gap, MF read where the guy will burn the world down for the FMC, this one should satisfy you.
NOTE: If you read the first epilogue, you'll find an inconsistency. In the main book, Sonya learns her parents died due to being tied to the Irish mafia. Vague memories surge back up of gunfire. In the first epilogue, she's told by a family member she didn't know that it was a car accident.
I was about to accidently spoil a part of this ending, but I will instead say this: This is one of the few books, if not the only one, I read where the mafia decides to take a turn in a particular direction at the end.
Sonya is a lawyer who helps abused women get away from their abusive husbands, no matter how powerful.
Matvei is the pakhan to the Russian mafia in Chicago, a killer, a dangerous man.
I have to give respect to Sonya's character. Throughout the entire book, she remained strong and determined to be her own person, even when she was starting to get serious with Matvei. He wanted her under his roof to keep her safe, not caring if other women were in danger because Sonya was inaccessible. Sonya stood firm, even if it put her life that much more in danger to be out and about, but she was not about to lose herself and become a prisoner of sorts just because she fell into bed with the Russian mafia.
Matvei is used to getting what he wants, I'm sure, and while it was hard, he finally learned to view Sonya as an equal partner. When he didn't, she essentially put him in his place.
I feel they were both overly stubborn at times, but a lawyer and a pakhan are found to have very strong personalities!
I enjoyed that in the end, no one's morals or attitudes really changed. They were all who they were before, but better versions of themselves, and they learned to blend together more seamlessly. There's action, conflict, a bit of mystery, supporting family, smexy scenes for those who love those, and I'd say everything is pretty evenly written (not too much of one thing and not enough of another).
If you're feeling up to a mafia, age gap, MF read where the guy will burn the world down for the FMC, this one should satisfy you.
NOTE: If you read the first epilogue, you'll find an inconsistency. In the main book, Sonya learns her parents died due to being tied to the Irish mafia. Vague memories surge back up of gunfire. In the first epilogue, she's told by a family member she didn't know that it was a car accident.
July 8, 2026
Excellent!
What can I say! An entertaining, undemanding, satisfying read. A solid story of betrayal, love, tenderness, excitement, intrigue, violence and danger.
Matvei is the powerful head of the Russian Bratva. He is ruthless, unyielding and merciless in protecting those he loves, and whatever belongs to him. He is attracted to and falls deeply in love with Sonya. Sonya is a strong, intelligent woman. She is a lawyer devoted to representing women who are in abusive relationships. Sonya is drawn to Matvei’s warm and affectionate nature and becomes devoted to him despite seeing his darker side - the initial chemistry and spice between them deepens into passionate and tender love.
This is a well written book filled with colourful, fully drawn characters that add to the excitement and drama. A thoroughly enjoyable piece of escapism with two extremely satisfying epilogues that give us a glimpse of their lives a few years into the future.
What can I say! An entertaining, undemanding, satisfying read. A solid story of betrayal, love, tenderness, excitement, intrigue, violence and danger.
Matvei is the powerful head of the Russian Bratva. He is ruthless, unyielding and merciless in protecting those he loves, and whatever belongs to him. He is attracted to and falls deeply in love with Sonya. Sonya is a strong, intelligent woman. She is a lawyer devoted to representing women who are in abusive relationships. Sonya is drawn to Matvei’s warm and affectionate nature and becomes devoted to him despite seeing his darker side - the initial chemistry and spice between them deepens into passionate and tender love.
This is a well written book filled with colourful, fully drawn characters that add to the excitement and drama. A thoroughly enjoyable piece of escapism with two extremely satisfying epilogues that give us a glimpse of their lives a few years into the future.
June 8, 2026
This whole book was just Meh. The age gap was pointless, I didn't get as much chemistry as I would have wanted, and our heroine is both stupid and stubborn. Not to mention, did he ever actually tell her that he loves her at all? I don't think so.
Having theage gap in there serves no purpose at all. It is barely mentioned once, and doesn't ever get mentioned again or factor in to anything. It certainly wasn't enough to make it a point to be mentioned in the title page.
This is yet another book where I find it very hard to believe our FMC h had anything to do with her ex. Granted, she is pretty stupid (secretly sneak into a rival family house to give legal help that they could easily afford from anyone), but if she is such an intelligent lawyer, there is no way she wouldn't have caught something from him about it while they were together. No way she would have agreed to marry him.
But then she is so stubborn and annoying with Matvei. She keeps pushing and pushing against what she knows he does. He keeps trying to make an effort to change for he, but what does she do? She keeps giving him crap. She needs to change, too. I didn't like her much.
I will go to the next book, but it needs to to be better.
Having theage gap in there serves no purpose at all. It is barely mentioned once, and doesn't ever get mentioned again or factor in to anything. It certainly wasn't enough to make it a point to be mentioned in the title page.
This is yet another book where I find it very hard to believe our FMC h had anything to do with her ex. Granted, she is pretty stupid (secretly sneak into a rival family house to give legal help that they could easily afford from anyone), but if she is such an intelligent lawyer, there is no way she wouldn't have caught something from him about it while they were together. No way she would have agreed to marry him.
But then she is so stubborn and annoying with Matvei. She keeps pushing and pushing against what she knows he does. He keeps trying to make an effort to change for he, but what does she do? She keeps giving him crap. She needs to change, too. I didn't like her much.
I will go to the next book, but it needs to to be better.
July 14, 2026
the better brother left me wanting more. It started off great with ridiculous happenings in 💀🤌🥵first class to Prauge. Focus was on characters. Sonya wanted a revenge hookup and Matvei’s half brother was her fiancé. Then the mobster violence started, it was okay at first but it got old, I skimmed. Plot twists and kick-ass sister Kelly were cartoonish. But at least it resolves in a single book without cliff hanger. Still enjoyed this steamy mafia romance despite flaws
June 11, 2026
So dark. So dangerous. So much to offer.
Was so much on the line, how can he walk away from her? How will he keep her safe and still in his life? Is there a way to end the wars between the families in his world? She is strong, but Is she strong enough to survive a life beside him? Danger looms at every corner and there’s no place to hide.
An excellent story I could easily see myself reading twice. An absolute definite must read!
Was so much on the line, how can he walk away from her? How will he keep her safe and still in his life? Is there a way to end the wars between the families in his world? She is strong, but Is she strong enough to survive a life beside him? Danger looms at every corner and there’s no place to hide.
An excellent story I could easily see myself reading twice. An absolute definite must read!
May 19, 2026
Great beginning
This story started hot and interesting. Although the structure of two sentences per paragraph drove me nuts.
The story did not flow well. There was an interesting "make my brother/ex boyfriend jealous" bit, but that quickly got overshadowed by death threats and overbearing mafia bossiness.
Things started just being said instead of shown. They had naked time like twice on page but talked about it TONS. There was always talk of mafia business, but we didn't really see it.
And I HATE when the mafia person leaves the mafia.. it's LAME in a mafia story.
Also how was Sonya an heir to two families.. the only one that was ever mentioned was her mother marrying her dad from an Irish mafia.
There was a lot of good ideas, but it didn't come out great.
Disappointing for me, so I will not be finishing this series.
This story started hot and interesting. Although the structure of two sentences per paragraph drove me nuts.
The story did not flow well. There was an interesting "make my brother/ex boyfriend jealous" bit, but that quickly got overshadowed by death threats and overbearing mafia bossiness.
Things started just being said instead of shown. They had naked time like twice on page but talked about it TONS. There was always talk of mafia business, but we didn't really see it.
And I HATE when the mafia person leaves the mafia.. it's LAME in a mafia story.
Also how was Sonya an heir to two families.. the only one that was ever mentioned was her mother marrying her dad from an Irish mafia.
There was a lot of good ideas, but it didn't come out great.
Disappointing for me, so I will not be finishing this series.
May 25, 2026
3/5 ⭐️
Classic Ex-finance’s brother trope.
I can't spell their names for the life of me, but this was a fun and quick read.
I'm usually not a fan of the "surprise pregnancy" trope, but this one was well done.
Classic Ex-finance’s brother trope.
I can't spell their names for the life of me, but this was a fun and quick read.
I'm usually not a fan of the "surprise pregnancy" trope, but this one was well done.
May 25, 2026
DNF
This book started out good but then the inevitable, predictable pregnancy happens. There are also things that don’t line up, like the author didn’t proofread their work. So I’m done with it 52% in.
This book started out good but then the inevitable, predictable pregnancy happens. There are also things that don’t line up, like the author didn’t proofread their work. So I’m done with it 52% in.
June 8, 2026
This got an extra star for getting her married name right
June 28, 2026
Predictable
I really liked the beginning but I saw where the story was headed too soon. No big surprises. This book is for those who enjoy a tame version of mafia love.
I really liked the beginning but I saw where the story was headed too soon. No big surprises. This book is for those who enjoy a tame version of mafia love.
May 19, 2026
Ok read. Matvei and Sonya have good chemistry from the get go, but once they're off the plane after their mile high tryst, it kind of got lost for me. Sonya is so wishy washy about Matvei and how "dangerous" he is even though she dated his crazy ass brother. I did love that she was a lawyer and was a strong woman in her own right. Lots of spice for sure!
May 15, 2026
The Better Brother is the second book in the Ruthless Bratva Daddies. A full-length standalone novel complete with a happily-ever-after. A woman attends her ex's wedding with his estranged half-brother, Bratva kingpin, but their revenge scheme spirals when enemies attack and she discovers she's pregnant with twins. Silver fox mafia bosses, a fierce heroine, and forbidden romance with the ex’s older brother. A curvy heroine finally worshipped the way she deserves. A dangerously possessive Bratva alpha who doesn’t know how to let go. Explosive family betrayal, high-stakes drama, and a man who would burn the world down to keep what’s his. A beautifully written story with two flawed individuals and a twisty and complex storyline that captures the reader attention from the first chapter and keeps you hooked and turning the pages. An unputdownable and absorbing addictive read. This is Sonya and Matvei story which is told from a dual point of view. Hang on to your seat and brace yourself for this tantalizing mind-blowing story filled with non-stop twists and turns, panty-melting passion, longing, suspense, mystery, pulse-pounding drama and angst.
A billionaires & millionaires romance, ex's- older-brother story, surprise pregnancy story, contemporary romance, Bratva romance, mile high club story, curvy girl story, off-limits romance, revenge romance, aged gap trope story, forbidden romance, romantic suspense story, taboo romance, dark mafia romance, organize crime story, morally-grey antihero romance, silver fox romance, lust-at-first-sight romance, insta-love romance, insta-everything romance with kidnapping, humor, captivity, friendship, obsession, praise, body shaming, possessiveness, power play, consensual intense rough sex, dominance, submission, dirty talking, revelations, survival, resilience, steam, tension, revenge, murder, retaliation, violence, enemies, sibling rivalry, acceptance, family dysfunction, attempted hurt and pain, determination, strength, fear, love and so much more.
This is a meet-cute revenge story with two unlikely individuals. Sonya is a beautiful curvy intelligent, independent, fierce woman. She's a brilliant attorney who specializes in helping desperate and abused women. She fights for the weak against powerful men who they were afraid of and was in desperate need to get away from. Sonya was engaged to Samson Volkov but he broke up with her over text message. He told her that he had found someone else who suited him much better than her because of her body. However, before he ended things they were already been dating for months prior. He dumped her for a stick thin socialite. She was devastated about the break up and decided to take a trip to Prague. After the break up she made a promise that the next man who touched her would earn the privilege. While on the plane to Prague she was having a melt down and panic attack during the turbulence when a handsome stranger with cold eyes, tall silver-haired fox came to her rescue. He calm her down and then dragged her into the bathroom of her Prague flight and introduced her to the mile high club. He had filthy mouth and lethal hands. He fisted her hair, and bit her throat. He burned filthy Russian promises straight into her soul. After their encounter they made plans to meet up later, then she learned his name. Matvei Volkov, her ex-fiancé’s Samson older estranged half-brother.
Matvei Volkov is the Russian Bratva kingpin, Chicago’s deadliest shadow. He's dangerous, powerful and feared. And when he found out that she was his brother's ex he concocted a plan for them to get revenge on him since he had always had a problem with him. She have spent her entire career defending women from man like him but she was attracted to him and can't seems to stay away. His made her an offer, stand on his arm at her ex’s wedding. "My brother lost you. Be my queen at his wedding and let him watch while I ruin you for anyone else." Wear his diamonds and help him get revenge and walk away with enough money to build the life that she had always wanted." Everything should've been easy until blood spills, enemies close in and two pink lines changed everything.
She was pregnant with twins. And Matvei's done pretending, now he says that she was his. And God help anyone who tries to take her from him. Samson didn't want her until he saw that his brother wanted her. Matvei worshipped her body and treats her like a queen. Their chemistry was electrifying and scorching hot. They're were some betrayal, hatred, jealousy, and more. I will stop here.
I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
A billionaires & millionaires romance, ex's- older-brother story, surprise pregnancy story, contemporary romance, Bratva romance, mile high club story, curvy girl story, off-limits romance, revenge romance, aged gap trope story, forbidden romance, romantic suspense story, taboo romance, dark mafia romance, organize crime story, morally-grey antihero romance, silver fox romance, lust-at-first-sight romance, insta-love romance, insta-everything romance with kidnapping, humor, captivity, friendship, obsession, praise, body shaming, possessiveness, power play, consensual intense rough sex, dominance, submission, dirty talking, revelations, survival, resilience, steam, tension, revenge, murder, retaliation, violence, enemies, sibling rivalry, acceptance, family dysfunction, attempted hurt and pain, determination, strength, fear, love and so much more.
This is a meet-cute revenge story with two unlikely individuals. Sonya is a beautiful curvy intelligent, independent, fierce woman. She's a brilliant attorney who specializes in helping desperate and abused women. She fights for the weak against powerful men who they were afraid of and was in desperate need to get away from. Sonya was engaged to Samson Volkov but he broke up with her over text message. He told her that he had found someone else who suited him much better than her because of her body. However, before he ended things they were already been dating for months prior. He dumped her for a stick thin socialite. She was devastated about the break up and decided to take a trip to Prague. After the break up she made a promise that the next man who touched her would earn the privilege. While on the plane to Prague she was having a melt down and panic attack during the turbulence when a handsome stranger with cold eyes, tall silver-haired fox came to her rescue. He calm her down and then dragged her into the bathroom of her Prague flight and introduced her to the mile high club. He had filthy mouth and lethal hands. He fisted her hair, and bit her throat. He burned filthy Russian promises straight into her soul. After their encounter they made plans to meet up later, then she learned his name. Matvei Volkov, her ex-fiancé’s Samson older estranged half-brother.
Matvei Volkov is the Russian Bratva kingpin, Chicago’s deadliest shadow. He's dangerous, powerful and feared. And when he found out that she was his brother's ex he concocted a plan for them to get revenge on him since he had always had a problem with him. She have spent her entire career defending women from man like him but she was attracted to him and can't seems to stay away. His made her an offer, stand on his arm at her ex’s wedding. "My brother lost you. Be my queen at his wedding and let him watch while I ruin you for anyone else." Wear his diamonds and help him get revenge and walk away with enough money to build the life that she had always wanted." Everything should've been easy until blood spills, enemies close in and two pink lines changed everything.
She was pregnant with twins. And Matvei's done pretending, now he says that she was his. And God help anyone who tries to take her from him. Samson didn't want her until he saw that his brother wanted her. Matvei worshipped her body and treats her like a queen. Their chemistry was electrifying and scorching hot. They're were some betrayal, hatred, jealousy, and more. I will stop here.
I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 1, 2026
The Better Brother
An Age Gap, Bratva Romance
Ruthless Bratva Daddies
Kai Lesy
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating System (as of 4.8.26):
⭐: DNF/Almost DNF
⭐⭐: Had Potential. Fell Short.
⭐⭐⭐: Good. Something Was Missing.
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Great Book. Strong Overall Story.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: Loved. Reread Worthy. Recommend.
One Sentence Summary/Review:
His brother took her for granted-he won't.
—-------------------
Tropes/Vibes:
💕Age Gap
💕Mafia/Bratva Romance
💕Brother's Ex/Ex's Brother
💕MF Romance
💕Silver Fox
💕Found Family
💕Silver Fox
💕Curvy Female
Triggers:
🚩Violence
Emotion Impact Rating: 😍💞
😢Crying/Heartbroken 🤯Shocked/Mind-blowing
😠Frustrated/Angry 💞Emotionally Invested/Obsessed
😍In Love/Swooning 😊Comfort/Cozy
Spice Level (as of 4.8.26): 🔥🔥🔥
🔥: Clean
🔥🔥: Mild
🔥🔥🔥: Spicy
🔥🔥🔥🔥: Very Spicy
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥: Explicit/Kink-Heavy
—----------------------
Quote From Book:
"My brother lost you. Be my Queen at his wedding...and let him watch while I ruin you for anyone else."
Writing Style Rating: Simple
Simple: Flows Quickly/Easy Reading
Descriptive: Lots of Imagery/Detailed
Lyrical: Feels Poetic/Pretty Sentences
Heavy: Dense/May Have to Reread Sentences
Pace Rating: ⚖
🐢: Slow/Takes Time to Build
⚖: Medium Pacing/Things Move Steadily
🚀: Fast/Things Happen Quickly
—-------------------------
Summary:
FMC meets MMC while on a vacation flight. They connect and he falls for her. They are unaware that the FMC is the MMCs half-brother's ex-fiancé. In fact, his brother dumped her prior to her getting on the plane.
Full Review:
I really loved the MMC. He knew what he wanted and went after it. The FMC had a great mindset. She was not to be pushed into anything. Two strong characters come together to create a great a story. The side characters of the sister and the assistant/capo were amazing. I really want a book were those two come together. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Want to read this for yourself? Grab your copy here:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/4cYhIOZ
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4t7PQhe
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Join the community and read with me: https://bibliodarling.substack.com
An Age Gap, Bratva Romance
Ruthless Bratva Daddies
Kai Lesy
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating System (as of 4.8.26):
⭐: DNF/Almost DNF
⭐⭐: Had Potential. Fell Short.
⭐⭐⭐: Good. Something Was Missing.
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Great Book. Strong Overall Story.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: Loved. Reread Worthy. Recommend.
One Sentence Summary/Review:
His brother took her for granted-he won't.
—-------------------
Tropes/Vibes:
💕Age Gap
💕Mafia/Bratva Romance
💕Brother's Ex/Ex's Brother
💕MF Romance
💕Silver Fox
💕Found Family
💕Silver Fox
💕Curvy Female
Triggers:
🚩Violence
Emotion Impact Rating: 😍💞
😢Crying/Heartbroken 🤯Shocked/Mind-blowing
😠Frustrated/Angry 💞Emotionally Invested/Obsessed
😍In Love/Swooning 😊Comfort/Cozy
Spice Level (as of 4.8.26): 🔥🔥🔥
🔥: Clean
🔥🔥: Mild
🔥🔥🔥: Spicy
🔥🔥🔥🔥: Very Spicy
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥: Explicit/Kink-Heavy
—----------------------
Quote From Book:
"My brother lost you. Be my Queen at his wedding...and let him watch while I ruin you for anyone else."
Writing Style Rating: Simple
Simple: Flows Quickly/Easy Reading
Descriptive: Lots of Imagery/Detailed
Lyrical: Feels Poetic/Pretty Sentences
Heavy: Dense/May Have to Reread Sentences
Pace Rating: ⚖
🐢: Slow/Takes Time to Build
⚖: Medium Pacing/Things Move Steadily
🚀: Fast/Things Happen Quickly
—-------------------------
Summary:
FMC meets MMC while on a vacation flight. They connect and he falls for her. They are unaware that the FMC is the MMCs half-brother's ex-fiancé. In fact, his brother dumped her prior to her getting on the plane.
Full Review:
I really loved the MMC. He knew what he wanted and went after it. The FMC had a great mindset. She was not to be pushed into anything. Two strong characters come together to create a great a story. The side characters of the sister and the assistant/capo were amazing. I really want a book were those two come together. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Want to read this for yourself? Grab your copy here:
Kindle: https://amzn.to/4cYhIOZ
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4t7PQhe
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Join the community and read with me: https://bibliodarling.substack.com
May 9, 2026
Age age…silver fox… say no more
The Better Brother is a Bratva romance that focuses heavily on the characters and the tension between them. What makes this kind of story interesting is not just the danger or the mafia-style world, but the personalities involved and how they react to love, loyalty, control, and conflict.
The male character has that strong Bratva energy: powerful, intense, protective, and used to being in control. He gives off the kind of presence that makes him stand out right away. He is not soft in the traditional sense, but that is part of what makes him fit the story. He has a darker edge, and his confidence makes him feel like someone who is hard to ignore. In a Bratva romance, I expect the male lead to be dominant and a little dangerous, and he definitely brings that type of energy.
The female character adds an important balance to the story. She is not just there to be protected; she has her own emotions, reactions, and inner conflict. I liked seeing how she handled being pulled into such an intense world. Her personality helps bring out different sides of the male lead, especially when the romance starts to build. Their connection works best when the tension between them feels emotional as well as physical.
The title, The Better Brother, also makes the character dynamics more interesting because it hints at comparison, rivalry, or complicated family relationships. That brother element adds another layer to the story. It makes you think about loyalty, jealousy, and what it really means to be “better.” I enjoyed that the characters were not just dealing with romance, but also the weight of family expectations and personal choices.
Overall, the characters are what give The Better Brother its Bratva romance appeal. The male lead brings intensity and possessive energy, while the female lead gives the story emotion and balance. Their dynamic, along with the family tension, makes the book a good choice for readers who enjoy dark romance with strong personalities and complicated relationships.
The Better Brother is a Bratva romance that focuses heavily on the characters and the tension between them. What makes this kind of story interesting is not just the danger or the mafia-style world, but the personalities involved and how they react to love, loyalty, control, and conflict.
The male character has that strong Bratva energy: powerful, intense, protective, and used to being in control. He gives off the kind of presence that makes him stand out right away. He is not soft in the traditional sense, but that is part of what makes him fit the story. He has a darker edge, and his confidence makes him feel like someone who is hard to ignore. In a Bratva romance, I expect the male lead to be dominant and a little dangerous, and he definitely brings that type of energy.
The female character adds an important balance to the story. She is not just there to be protected; she has her own emotions, reactions, and inner conflict. I liked seeing how she handled being pulled into such an intense world. Her personality helps bring out different sides of the male lead, especially when the romance starts to build. Their connection works best when the tension between them feels emotional as well as physical.
The title, The Better Brother, also makes the character dynamics more interesting because it hints at comparison, rivalry, or complicated family relationships. That brother element adds another layer to the story. It makes you think about loyalty, jealousy, and what it really means to be “better.” I enjoyed that the characters were not just dealing with romance, but also the weight of family expectations and personal choices.
Overall, the characters are what give The Better Brother its Bratva romance appeal. The male lead brings intensity and possessive energy, while the female lead gives the story emotion and balance. Their dynamic, along with the family tension, makes the book a good choice for readers who enjoy dark romance with strong personalities and complicated relationships.
July 9, 2026
I enjoyed the read, as it scratched the itch for a darker mafia story I needed after reading cutesy fluff.
However, there were several actions Kai Lesy had the FMC make that didn't stay true to characterization. Sonya is a lawyer for abused women in Chicago, not one of the nicer big cities. She regularly goes up against hot-headed, blow-hard, misogynistic men, but she didn't have common sense about putting herself in dangerous situations. For instance, she involves herself with a sexy stranger in Prague, the sex trafficking capital of the world. She agrees to help her crazy ex's new wife of two weeks, who is also the daughter of a crime lord, get a divorce AND doesn't even attempt to inform her own crime boss boyfriend that she's doing it. Then she evades detection of her bodyguard so she won't have to explain her actions. Sonya's sister is always accusing her of attracting trouble, but I think it's more basic than that. Kai Lesy wrote her as stupid!
This is a character with a bachelor's and a jurisprudence degree, practicing in Chicago, with aggressive husbands of clients, who didn't even practice safe sex!!!!!! Really? Listen up, authors: We don't live in a safe society anymore. With over 1 million people (mostly women and children) being sex trafficked, transported, abused and disposed of when their holes wear out, even our escape from reality, porno romance books, need to be written smarter. Please stop letting female characters act in unsafe ways. Most of our sex information comes from these books. You, writers, need to do a better job of writing safety into your stories!
Sorry, I got lost on a tangent, but it is becoming a pet peeve for me. And still, I did really enjoy the story in spite of Sonya. She had her fierce moments, standing up for her rights to her crime boss boyfriend, and that saved the character for me.
However, there were several actions Kai Lesy had the FMC make that didn't stay true to characterization. Sonya is a lawyer for abused women in Chicago, not one of the nicer big cities. She regularly goes up against hot-headed, blow-hard, misogynistic men, but she didn't have common sense about putting herself in dangerous situations. For instance, she involves herself with a sexy stranger in Prague, the sex trafficking capital of the world. She agrees to help her crazy ex's new wife of two weeks, who is also the daughter of a crime lord, get a divorce AND doesn't even attempt to inform her own crime boss boyfriend that she's doing it. Then she evades detection of her bodyguard so she won't have to explain her actions. Sonya's sister is always accusing her of attracting trouble, but I think it's more basic than that. Kai Lesy wrote her as stupid!
This is a character with a bachelor's and a jurisprudence degree, practicing in Chicago, with aggressive husbands of clients, who didn't even practice safe sex!!!!!! Really? Listen up, authors: We don't live in a safe society anymore. With over 1 million people (mostly women and children) being sex trafficked, transported, abused and disposed of when their holes wear out, even our escape from reality, porno romance books, need to be written smarter. Please stop letting female characters act in unsafe ways. Most of our sex information comes from these books. You, writers, need to do a better job of writing safety into your stories!
Sorry, I got lost on a tangent, but it is becoming a pet peeve for me. And still, I did really enjoy the story in spite of Sonya. She had her fierce moments, standing up for her rights to her crime boss boyfriend, and that saved the character for me.
July 14, 2026
Sonya and Matvei's story!!!!
Kai Lesy definitely knows how to write a possessive, dangerous alpha, and The Better Brother gives us a story filled with obsession, revenge, family drama, and a romance that burns from the very beginning.
Sonya is a woman who has been hurt and betrayed, left picking up the pieces after the man she thought she would spend her life with breaks her heart. She is strong, independent, and determined not to let anyone make her feel less than she is. Then she meets Matvei, a man who is everything she should stay away from… but also everything she can’t seem to resist.
Matvei Volkov is powerful, dangerous, and used to getting what he wants. As a Bratva kingpin, he lives in a world filled with enemies and violence, but when it comes to Sonya, he sees something worth protecting. What starts as a plan for revenge quickly turns into something neither of them expected.
I loved the chemistry between Matvei and Sonya. Their relationship had that perfect mix of tension, passion, and emotional moments that kept me invested in their story. Matvei is the kind of character who is intense and over-the-top, but underneath all that power is a man who knows what he wants and refuses to let the woman he cares about slip away.
Sonya was a great FMC because she wasn’t just someone who needed saving. She had her own strength, her own opinions, and she challenged Matvei in ways he wasn’t used to. Watching these two strong personalities collide made the story even more entertaining.
The Better Brother is a dark, dramatic, and addictive Bratva romance with betrayal, danger, and a man willing to fight for the woman he claims. If you love possessive mafia men, forbidden romance, and a couple with undeniable chemistry, this book is definitely worth picking up.
Kai Lesy definitely knows how to write a possessive, dangerous alpha, and The Better Brother gives us a story filled with obsession, revenge, family drama, and a romance that burns from the very beginning.
Sonya is a woman who has been hurt and betrayed, left picking up the pieces after the man she thought she would spend her life with breaks her heart. She is strong, independent, and determined not to let anyone make her feel less than she is. Then she meets Matvei, a man who is everything she should stay away from… but also everything she can’t seem to resist.
Matvei Volkov is powerful, dangerous, and used to getting what he wants. As a Bratva kingpin, he lives in a world filled with enemies and violence, but when it comes to Sonya, he sees something worth protecting. What starts as a plan for revenge quickly turns into something neither of them expected.
I loved the chemistry between Matvei and Sonya. Their relationship had that perfect mix of tension, passion, and emotional moments that kept me invested in their story. Matvei is the kind of character who is intense and over-the-top, but underneath all that power is a man who knows what he wants and refuses to let the woman he cares about slip away.
Sonya was a great FMC because she wasn’t just someone who needed saving. She had her own strength, her own opinions, and she challenged Matvei in ways he wasn’t used to. Watching these two strong personalities collide made the story even more entertaining.
The Better Brother is a dark, dramatic, and addictive Bratva romance with betrayal, danger, and a man willing to fight for the woman he claims. If you love possessive mafia men, forbidden romance, and a couple with undeniable chemistry, this book is definitely worth picking up.
June 5, 2026
This started good, they meet, have sex, then they got off the plane and it fell apart.
At first I liked Sonya she's supposedly a kickarse lawyer and speaks up. Unfortunately she's to stupid to live. Independence is confused with stubbornness. In danger but insists on being alone. When the inevitable pregnancy happens -never once use protection even as strangers- she's a weepy mess 'his annoyance irritates me' he's the huge and oh so dangerous man caring is irritating! I quit reading 43% she irritated me too much.
Matvei head of a Russian mob syndicate, which means he's dangerous. We know this because he's very tall and makes a scary face on occasion. On and he has a lieutenant, a bear of a man who despite being second in command of whatever they do sleeps on Sonya's sofa when she's refusing protection. He just turns up, looks scary then they have sex.
The sex - he grabs her boob's then jackhammers. It's ..underwhelming.
The plot - was there one? Nothing made sense. If Samson loved her but chose a political marriage maybe, but there was no reason he and Sonya would meet or be together years, or why she'd be paying for their wedding.
There's no reason for Matvei to take her as a date.
At one point all the important mafia heads and celebrities 'local and not' were standing around while the police came to look into an attack. Not specialist police either, Sonya's sister was one. And these powerful dangerous criminal people are standing casually chatting.
Author is out of her depth writing mafia and skipped out on writing smut. But gave us a truly annoying female lead.
At first I liked Sonya she's supposedly a kickarse lawyer and speaks up. Unfortunately she's to stupid to live. Independence is confused with stubbornness. In danger but insists on being alone. When the inevitable pregnancy happens -never once use protection even as strangers- she's a weepy mess 'his annoyance irritates me' he's the huge and oh so dangerous man caring is irritating! I quit reading 43% she irritated me too much.
Matvei head of a Russian mob syndicate, which means he's dangerous. We know this because he's very tall and makes a scary face on occasion. On and he has a lieutenant, a bear of a man who despite being second in command of whatever they do sleeps on Sonya's sofa when she's refusing protection. He just turns up, looks scary then they have sex.
The sex - he grabs her boob's then jackhammers. It's ..underwhelming.
The plot - was there one? Nothing made sense. If Samson loved her but chose a political marriage maybe, but there was no reason he and Sonya would meet or be together years, or why she'd be paying for their wedding.
There's no reason for Matvei to take her as a date.
At one point all the important mafia heads and celebrities 'local and not' were standing around while the police came to look into an attack. Not specialist police either, Sonya's sister was one. And these powerful dangerous criminal people are standing casually chatting.
Author is out of her depth writing mafia and skipped out on writing smut. But gave us a truly annoying female lead.
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