The Heir

by Edwina Osborne

It's time to breathe new life into an old organization.

With my father now retired, the bratva is mine to command and things are going to change. Everyone will understand the meaning of brotherhood or be eliminated.

My leadership will be challenged by internal and external forces who would see me fail.

My heart will be tested by the innocent girl who is unknowingly thrown into the middle of a conflict she won't understand.

I have claimed her as mine and promised to keep her safe. Those promises mean nothing when my enemies come to collect on a debt she doesn't owe.


The Heir is the first book in the Kiselyov Bratva, a series of interconnected standalone stories. You'll get a possessive hero with an innocent FMC, spicy content, dark moments, and a guaranteed HEA.

272 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 2026

Reviews

[Findapassion1114]

"𝑨𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆, 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒘𝒉𝒐𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒓."

Special thanks to @author.edwina.osborne @lovenotes.pr for the #gifted epub in exchange for an honest review.

👉🏼 swipe for synopsis ➡️

𝙈𝙔 𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

👑Strangers x lovers
👑Mafia
👑Mine
👑He falls first
👑Fast paced
👑Virgin fmc

How the relationship morphs is so cute in my opinion.
Although Emma has gone through it enough to find out what the Irish mob wants in return for her father's debt is astronomical. Im glad Ivan is there for her when unfortunately she has no one else. We'll besides boris. Id love to learn from him. I'm jealous of all the recipes. I also lov to cook and its always been my love language.

I loved this one. It mixes the sweetness w the dark side of the mafia world and ends just perfectly. I cant believe this is a debut. The spice was great and so was the murders lol

𝙋𝙐𝘽 𝘿𝘼𝙔:
June 25, 2026

ℚ𝕆𝕋𝔻❓️⁉️❓️What fictional character do you have beef with?

.
.
.

🏷
Edwina Osbourne . LoveNotes PR . Dark Romance . Mafia Romance . Dark Mafia Romance . He Falls First .

#lovenotespr #theheir #darkromance #mafiaromance
.

[Emmy Wong]

love a mafia romance and this was a very refreshing and light version of the trope. I wouldn’t even consider this a dark romance if there wasn’t “mafia business”, and mentions of torture. It was a very enlightening experience since Ivan is such a green flag, and it’s not everyday you see a mafia boss be such a sweetheart (and use the words “make love”). He gives total golden retriever vibes, he says I love you first and is undoubtably whipped for Emma from the second they met. But he does show his dangerous mafia side when someone dares to threaten and hurt his love. Emma was also such a fun character, I love her sparky personality but I do wish we got to know a little more about her and that she didn’t have so much of that oblivious innocence. This book was very short and fun but didn’t have much character development. The plot was a very typical mafia romance type plot with the “heroine in danger” trope and the mmc being unbearably protective (which was adorable btw). The authors writing also wasn’t my favourite and apart from the unexpected cuteness of this book nothing really stood out to me. However, if you just want a fun light read with some dark mafia elements you should pick this up. I give it a 3.5/5

[Sharon Gaugler]

Great story and can’t wait for the next book.

[Falon Hahn]

I loved it! For me it was a quick read that held my attention the whole time. I loved that it was more fast paced and not drawn out! So excited for the next one.

[Darkromancearabia Jin]

A solid debut dark mafia romance that follows a familiar formula and delivers exactly what you'd expect from the genre; a textbook mafia romance, you could say.
Ivan is the new Pakhan of the Bratva, while Emma is an innocent young woman struggling to make ends meet after her parents' death and caring for her grandmother. She is caught in the middle of a debt she never owed and loses the only family she has left. Ivan steps in to protect her, and the story revolves around his determination to keep her safe at all costs.
The book is fast-paced, easy to read, and packed with protective hero energy, forced proximity, and mafia drama. The action and found-family elements were enjoyable. Ivan's devotion to Emma was obvious, and Emma's passion for cooking and caring for others was heartfelt.
I liked them together, but I would have enjoyed seeing a bit more chemistry and emotional development between them. The romance felt a little rushed at times...
Still, this was an entertaining read. It may not offer much depth or reinvent the genre, but if you're looking for a quick, enjoyable mafia romance with a possessive Bratva hero, an innocent heroine, and a guaranteed HEA, it does the job well.

[Janelle Chevalier]

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5)

Thank you to Loves Notes PR and Edwina Osborne for the ARC! 🤍

The Heir was a fun and quick read that hooked me right from the beginning. I flew through the first part of the book because the story felt interesting, fast-paced, and had me wanting to know what would happen next.

As much as I enjoyed it, I did find myself wishing certain parts had been developed a little more. The romance felt a bit too insta-love for my personal taste, and I would have loved to see the relationship build more gradually and it made it a little harder for me to fully connect with the romance.

I also really liked the mafia aspect of the story, but I found myself wanting more from it. It felt like there was a lot of potential there, and I would have loved to spend more time with that side of the plot and see it explored a bit deeper.

One character that definitely caught my attention towars the end was Grigory. He seemed so goofy and fun, and I’d honestly love to see more of him in future books.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read that kept me turning the pages and was easy to get through in just two sittings. While I would have loved a little more depth in both the romance and the plot, I still had a good time reading it and I’m curious to see where this world goes next. 🤍

[CassietheBookworm1401]

⭐️ Overall Rating: 4/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 3.5/5

I am very glad that I was chosen to read the arc on this book. Thank you Edwina and LoveNotesPR for the opportunity.

I am on a dark romance and/or dark mafia binge. So when the chance to apply appeared in my inbox, I jumped at the chance.

You get plenty of suspense, romance, and family loyalty.

Edwina did an amazing job with the character development adding wonderfully to the story.
Ivan steps into the role of the new Pakhan of the Bratva while trying to lead his organization through change. Emma is simply trying to survive after losing her parents while caring for her grandmother, making her an easy heroine to root for. Edwina had you rooting for both of them cause Ivan also had a suave and sophisticated side to him that had been swooning and drooling in equal measures.

The author did a great job in merging the dark mafia world of Ivan with the kind, caring world of Emma's. It was done very well and at a pace that i enjoyed reading.

The pace was great, character development superb, world building impeccable and a great book to read. This offers danger, romance, and a protective hero, this is one worth checking out.

[ljamison]

This is the first book in the Kiselyov Bratva book. It is also the first book I have ever read by this author. This story is about Ivan and Emma. Ivan is the phakan of the Bratva and he happens to be driving by when he sees a man assault Emma, he stops to help her. Coincidentally Ivan and his brothers all have lunch at the restaurant where Emma works the next day. Emma is all alone because her parents both died and unfortunately her grandmother is very sick. After Ivan keeps seeing Emma he decides to investigate her and finds out she is wanted by the Irish mob for a debt that her father had. This is a very fast paced, quick read. There is a lot of Russian used with translations wish is nice since it’s Ivan’s first language and Emma speaks it because of her mother. A major complaint I had as I do for all mafia books is when the MFC doesn’t believe they are in danger and refuses to comply it’s just so annoying. However, in this case I have to say I didn’t understand why Ivan didn’t warn her about people she couldn’t safe. Nonetheless the story is fine, characters are interesting, it’s almost an instalove between these two.

[Jasmine]

⭐️ Overall Rating: 4/5
🔥 Burn Level: 4/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 3.5/5
💧 Emotional: 3.5/5

Thank you to Edwina Osborne and Love Notes PR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As someone who enjoys dark mafia romances, I really liked The Heir. While it’s definitely on the lighter side of the mafia romance genre, it still delivers plenty of suspense, romance, and family loyalty.

Ivan steps into the role of the new Pakhan of the Bratva while trying to lead his organization through change. Emma is simply trying to survive after losing her parents while caring for her grandmother, making her an easy heroine to root for.

I enjoyed watching these two very different worlds collide. Ivan’s protective nature balanced well with Emma’s kindness and resilience, and their relationship developed at a nice pace.

The story moves quickly, making it an easy book to fly through in just a few sittings. If you’re looking for a mafia romance that isn’t quite as dark as some others in the genre but still offers danger, romance, and a protective hero, this is one worth checking out.

[Kendra White]

🖤📖 ARC REVIEW 📖🖤

This was such a solid mafia romance and an easy 4⭐ read for me.

Ivan might be the feared head of the Bratva, but underneath all that power and control is a man who would do absolutely anything to protect the woman he loves. I’m always a sucker for a possessive, protective MMC, and Ivan definitely delivered.

Emma was just as enjoyable to read. I loved watching her hold her own while being thrown into a world she never asked to be a part of. The chemistry between these two felt natural, and I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning.

The story moved at a great pace and kept me turning pages. It had a nice balance of mafia drama, romance, suspense, action, and family loyalty without feeling overly heavy. If you’re looking for an intense mafia romance but don’t necessarily want something that’s pitch black, this is a great one to pick up.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait to see where the Kiselyov Bratva series goes next.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tropes:
🖤 Mafia Romance
🕰️ Age Gap
🤍 Possessive MMC x Virgin FMC
💞 Forced Proximity
🩶 Morally Gray
❤️‍🩹 Hurt/Comfort
💀 Touch Her and Die

[Sara-Catalina]

2.75/5⭐️

First, I want to thank Love Notes PR and the author for this eARC.

To begin with, this book was a quick and fun read that had a good hook at the beginning. That is one thing I can say without a shadow of a doubt. The first part of the book was fast-paced and of course left me wanting to know more. That is exactly what everyone expects from any books they read. So far so good, me thought.

However, as I kept reading, I just wished it had more development. Their connection was insta-love which, all is good, but it seems based more on lust than actual emotional connection, so the romance lacked and dragged. I couldn't relate or connect with the characters, so I didn't really care for them.

The mafia plot lacked too. I'm not the one who likes mafia because sometimes it can be too cliche, especially for someone who read Wattpad since she was 12, but genuinely this could have been developed more. I really wanted to see more of the inner workings of this whole criminal organization.

So, in the end, I can't say I recommend this book. It was meh at its best. There are books with better execution out there.

[Kristen Reads]

I absolutely loved The Heir!

This was such an addictive, fast-paced dark romance with all the tension, danger, and possessive “touch her and die” energy I wanted. The story pulls you right into the world of the Kiselyov Bratva, with a powerful hero, an innocent FMC caught in the middle of something much bigger than herself, and plenty of suspense to keep the pages turning.

I really enjoyed the mix of danger, protection, spice, and emotional stakes. The romance had that intense, claiming kind of chemistry that dark romance readers love, but there was also enough heart underneath to make me invested in their connection. It gave all the protective hero vibes while still keeping the plot moving with enemies, conflict, and high-stakes moments.

This was a great start to the series, and I’m already excited to see where the Kiselyov Bratva books go next. I’d definitely recommend this to readers who love possessive heroes, bratva romance, dark romance tension, spicy scenes, and a guaranteed HEA.

[Harriet Boreham]

Where to start??

This book is amazing if you want a quick read that doesn’t waste time. It’s fast past with every chapter filled with an event that adds to the story.

It was really lovely to read a fast past mafia book that has all the showdown without having to read 600+ pages.

Ivan’s loyalty to Emma was so easy to read as a reader, we knew straight away he was all about her.

As someone who hasn’t experienced much Russian it was interesting to read all the inclusions of Russian and especially the food (that made me quite hungry whilst reading)

Without giving any spoilers, the book was full of emotion. Sadness, happiness, pride… I felt as though i was apart of the Kiselyov family at the end.

I highly recommend to people who love romance and are curious about mafia romance but don’t know where to start.

I’m looking forward to the second book in the season and focusing on Dmitri’s story.

[CO Ajumma Reads]

Received an ARC from Love Notes PR

As a fan of mafia romance, I enjoyed The Heir. While it's lighter on both the mafia storyline and the spice than I typically prefer, it still delivers an engaging romance with enough Bratva intrigue to keep the story moving. I enjoyed watching Ivan navigate the responsibilities of becoming Pakhan while trying to lead the Kiselyov Bratva in his own way.

The pacing kept me turning the pages, and I flew through this book in just a couple of sittings. I did find myself wanting more depth in the Bratva politics and a grittier mafia atmosphere, but it was still an enjoyable read.

Overall, the book a fast paced romance with likable characters, a protective hero, and just enough suspense to keep you invested. If you enjoy mafia romance that's more romance focused than dark or gritty, this is one to add to your TBR. I'm looking forward to seeing where the Kiselyov Bratva series goes next.

[Bryanna R. Lopez]

I absolutely adored The Heir! This book was definitely a 4.8 read for me❤️. This dark romance is an addictive rollercoaster of speed and tension, brimming with danger and possessive, "touch-her-and-die" energy that kept me hooked from start to finish. It plunges you into the gritty world of the Kiselyov Bratva, featuring a compelling hero, an innocent FMC caught in a web of much bigger stakes, and enough suspense to keep every page turning. I loved the mix of peril, protection, spicy moments, and emotional depth. The romance crackles with that intense, claiming chemistry dark romance fans crave, yet there's heart beneath the surface that makes their connection truly resonate. The protective hero vibe is balanced perfectly with enemies, conflict, and high-stakes drama. This was an outstanding start to the series, and I can't wait to see what the Kiselyov Bratva future holds. Highly recommended for lovers of possessive heroes, bratva romance, tense dark scenes, and spicy moments.

[Nicole]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you to Lovenotes PR for providing me with an eARC.

As a mafia romance lover, this was a quick and easy read that kept me entertained from start to finish. Ivan might have the dangerous mafia boss reputation, but underneath it all, he was an absolute softy when it came to the woman he loved, and I'm always here for that! ❤️

Emma was a strong female lead who held her own, which made their dynamic even more enjoyable to read. Add in the romance, the chemistry, and the mafia drama, and you've got a fun read that was easy to get through in one sitting.

If you're a fan of protective mafia men who turn into total marshmallows for their women, this one is worth picking up!

What to expect:
🖤 Mafia
🕰️ Age Gap
⛅️ Possessive MMC x Virgin FMC
💞 Forced Proximity
🩶 Morally Gray
❤️‍🩹 Hurt/Comfort
💀 Touch Her and Die

[Lyno]

I'd like to thank Love Notes PR and Edwina Osborne for providing me an ARC copy! This review is entirely my honest opinion.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

This is also the author’s debut novel, and I’m really grateful I got to experience it as one of my first reads from her.

I'd like to start this review off by saying how much I LOVED the wholesome scenes in the book. Ivan and his brothers are all true gentlemen, and throughout the story they often mention how their mother taught them better than to ever treat a woman poorly. Who said Chivalry was dead?
AND Ivan is completely WHIPPED for Emma; he actually fell first and HARDER.
Beyond the romance, I really loved Boris and Marina's relationship with Emma. They added so much heart to the story, and Boris's unwavering protectiveness made me smile more than once.
Although this book has a HEA, I still cried a lot during a particular scene because it hit so close to home and reflected something I've personally experienced.
It moves at a quick pace, but I really loved seeing Ivan and Emma’s story unfold.

If you like:
🎀 possessive hero x innocent FMC
🎀 bratva/mafia romance
🎀 spicy scenes
🎀 dark romance
🎀 guaranteed HEA
You'll definitely love this book.

[Jennifer]

The Heir is billed as a mafia romance, and it delivers on that front Ivan steps into his father’s shoes to run the family business, and he’s sharp, capable, and surrounded by a great cast of brothers who add real depth to the story. Emma, on the other hand, loses the one family member she has early on, and watching her get pulled into Ivan’s found family afterward is one of the book’s strongest threads.

My main critique is the pacing of the romance: it leans hard into insta-love, and the connection between the leads moves faster than I’d have liked. A few of the plot beats also felt fairly predictable I wish there’d been more tension built up before those moments landed, rather than seeing them coming.

This was my first book from this author and will continue the series.

[Charlie]

A super fun read. I really enjoyed the book and read it within 24 hours. It has the perfect amount of spice and a cute story line. Both main characters are really likeable and also the side characters are great additions. If you are into the trope and don’t want it to be dark but just a fun mafia read that’s the book for you. There were some parts were it was a little confusing or felt lacking like how come they didn’t start war with the Irish before there were clearly issues regarding territory and including the mayor. I don’t see how the Irish would risk everything for that one woman that in general has no specific meaning to them. They didn’t even try to get a business benefit out of the situation. But yea doesn’t matter in the end it was very fun and good read

[Wandely]

Review of Advanced Readers Copy:

The Heir is an easy to read mafia romance that never digs too deep into the dark side of the mafia. The main characters Ivan and Emma work well together. Emma is a sweet, hard working woman and Ivan is a strong and protective man towards the people he loves. Ivan will do anything for Emma and vice versa. I really enjoyed how cute they are as a couple and how grounded they are with each other even throughout the uncertain and harsh times of the mafia. This book is straight forward and a good in-between book to read for when you want that mafia romance fix without going too dark.

[Tasha Thrall]

I absolutely adore it! The Mafia Romance tropes captivate me, especially how those Mob Bosses are so obsessed and possessive over the female main character. There’s something intriguing about a morally ambiguous man who knows exactly what he desires.

This is the first book in the series, and at the end, you get a sneak peek of the next brother's story. I will definitely be following this series! Not only am I thrilled about the upcoming book, but I also genuinely love this one—it's the perfect way to kick off the series!

Thank you for this amazing opportunity to read the eARC, and I am happy to provide my honest review in return.

[Sophia]

This was an arc sent to me by the author and lovenotespr thank you for this opportunity.

I absolutely love mafia romances so when I saw this I was excited. This was definitely on the lighter side of ones that I have read before but it was still a great read. The relationship between the mcs is so cute and sweet, they communicated well, there was good spice and protectiveness from both. The mmc was obsessed and possessive of the fmc but was not completely overbearing and still let her have space when she needed it. The fmc also was not a complete push over, she was determined and strong even after everything she had been through.
Definitely a great read, thank you again for the book.

[Gemma (Bookishgem94)]

Ivan and Emma meet one night when Ivan saves her from an attack. The second their eyes meet, he knows she is his and will do anything to keep her safe. Ivan is the head of the Bratva and will use all his power to protect Emma and love her forever. This is a light mafia romance; it's not as dark as the usual ones and has a happy ending. I love how supportive Ivan is with Emma. After her loss, he spends days just being there for her. Their love is fast and addictive. Overall, a good mafia romance.

[Jordan Fiest]

The Heir is book one of the Kiselyov Bratva Series.

Emma and Ivan been by chance and then their fate together was set. As their friendship develops into something more, we see Ivan be the rock Emma needed in her life. She needed someone to help her and take care of her for a change, and Ivan does a fantastic job of that. I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop with the love and care Ivan shows Emma through every interaction. There is some intense moments near the end which keep you engaged and entertained.

[Emilie]

Arc Review

The Heir - Edwina Osborne 🩶

4,25/5

This book really came at the perfect time; it had been a while since I last read a mafia romance, and I truly loved it!!

I almost finished the book in a single day because I was so immersed in the story 🤭

We really get all the classic mafia elements—everything is there. I really enjoyed the characters Emma and Ivan, as well as the found family dynamic with the rest of the Kiselyov family members 🫂

Many thanks again to the author and to Love Notes PR for sending me an advance copy of the novel. 🫶

[♡Angelique♡]

This was a good start to a series for this author. While I liked Ivan and Emma's characters, I think there were quite a few moments where they either over reacted to a situation and the other partner made a fuss and then it was forgotten or they moved on together and it felt really quickly for how angry Emma was with the situation and it never felt settled.

Since this is book one and it is setting the stage for others in the series, it was a good attempt to build the world. I hope by book 2 the characters journey together feels a bit more smoother.

[EMILIE]

This book had the perfect balance of danger, tension, spice, and all the emotional feels. 😮‍💨❤️‍🔥 The romance delivered that possessive, all-consuming chemistry that dark romance readers crave, but it also had so much depth that I couldn't help but become completely invested in their relationship. The protective hero energy was EVERYTHING, and I loved that the romance never overshadowed the story. Between the enemies, constant tension, and high-stakes twists, the plot kept me hooked from beginning to end.

[Emily Knaus]

This is a slooooowwwww burn mafia romance that leans into tension and inevitability, The Heir follows Emma, who is an ordinary girl with half‑Irish, half‑Russian roots. She’s just trying to keep her life together after a series of hard losses. Ivan is the heir to the Russian mafia, and he notices Emma long before she realizes it. He watches her at the restaurant where she works, drawn to her in a way he can’t shake, and he’s the one who falls first…and hardest.

Once their paths finally collide, the connection between them is deep and immediate, the kind that simmers under every interaction. Ivan steps in to save her more than once, and each moment of danger pulls them closer. His protectiveness is intense in that classic mafia MMC way and not overbearing, but grounding, like he’s decided she’s his long before she knows she wants to be.

Emma’s past is revealed and it most definitely increases the tension; the Irish are after her for a debt her father left behind, and the threat feels real. It gives Ivan plenty of opportunities to show exactly how far he’ll go to keep her safe.

Was it predictable? Sure. But it was also comfortably addictive; there’s a solid slow burn, the danger, the loyalty, the way Ivan looks at Emma like she’s the only thing in his world worth protecting. It ticks all the boxes that a good a mafia romance should.

A huge thank you to Edwina Osborne & Love Notes PR for the early copy!

[alisho]

A dnf unfortunately as much as I love mafia romances this one was not it the writing style was cluttered, rushed super basic and surface level it didn’t have that much depth. I had such high expectations for it but it didn’t suffice and had to be a dnf there’s definitely better books in the market if your desperate to read a mafia romance you can find better ones on wattpad no hate to the author of course but this wasn’t for me it was a huge letdown 😭

[GoodLittleLibraryMouse]

Edwina Osborne's debut novel - a mafia romance - is a solid read! The MMC is the head of the Boston Bratva and the FMC is a civilian not involved in the criminal world.
The Heir is a great introduction to mafia romances if you're not looking for something too dark or heavy, it's truly a quick and easy read.

Thank you for gifting me an advanced reader copy. Review reflective of my personal opinions