What do you think?
Blades and Blood #3
Pay the Piper
Misha: I’m meant to be at my best friend’s side, helping her root out the rot within our organization. Instead, she’s given me two impossible assignments: skate convincingly enough to be her hot-shot NHL boyfriend’s on-ice bodyguard and find a love of my own. The Bratva is my love, and not a thing in the world can convince me otherwise. Until she skates into my life like my very own fire-sprite, effortlessly earning my devotion and forcing me to reconsider my future. Everything I desire changes in a blink, but it isn’t long before she spins out of my life as quickly as she arrived. It’s too late for anyone who wants to keep us apart, though. Abby’s mine, and no man will stand between us and live.
Abby: Anything is better than the hell that I live in, even going undercover to infiltrate a Mafia family on the orders of my abusive husband. My first taste of freedom in a decade is intoxicating, but I have a mission to accomplish. The intense, obsessive man who’s my ticket into the organization seems like the perfect distraction from reality. Before long, he’s everywhere, and my commitment to my assignment goes up in smoke. It’s too good to be true, though, and even when he tells me all his secrets, I hold on to mine. Some things aren’t meant to be, no matter how badly we dream otherwise.
Abby: Anything is better than the hell that I live in, even going undercover to infiltrate a Mafia family on the orders of my abusive husband. My first taste of freedom in a decade is intoxicating, but I have a mission to accomplish. The intense, obsessive man who’s my ticket into the organization seems like the perfect distraction from reality. Before long, he’s everywhere, and my commitment to my assignment goes up in smoke. It’s too good to be true, though, and even when he tells me all his secrets, I hold on to mine. Some things aren’t meant to be, no matter how badly we dream otherwise.
343 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 20, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
August 24, 2026
5🌟 | 3.5🌶️
This was such an addictive read.
I flew through it, and the mix of dark mafia, hockey, humor, and an insanely obsessed MMC had me completely hooked. Misha and Abby were so easy to get invested in, especially as their relationship became about much more than attraction.
Misha absolutely stole the show. For someone so intimidating, he was incredibly patient and attentive with Abby, and I loved watching her slowly learn that she could feel safe, wanted, and free to make choices for herself. Their chemistry was intense, but Abby’s growth and Misha’s devotion gave their relationship so much more depth.
The darker turn in the second half had me stressed, emotional, and occasionally yelling at Abby to just tell Misha everything already. Still, I understood her choices, and seeing everything come together made the HEA feel so satisfying.
I loved this one and cannot wait for more from this series.
~~~~
A huge thank you to T.K. Drake and The Smuthood for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
This was such an addictive read.
I flew through it, and the mix of dark mafia, hockey, humor, and an insanely obsessed MMC had me completely hooked. Misha and Abby were so easy to get invested in, especially as their relationship became about much more than attraction.
Misha absolutely stole the show. For someone so intimidating, he was incredibly patient and attentive with Abby, and I loved watching her slowly learn that she could feel safe, wanted, and free to make choices for herself. Their chemistry was intense, but Abby’s growth and Misha’s devotion gave their relationship so much more depth.
The darker turn in the second half had me stressed, emotional, and occasionally yelling at Abby to just tell Misha everything already. Still, I understood her choices, and seeing everything come together made the HEA feel so satisfying.
I loved this one and cannot wait for more from this series.
~~~~
A huge thank you to T.K. Drake and The Smuthood for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
August 23, 2026
Dark romance? Check. Mafia? Check. Hockey? Check. A huge, tattooed, terrifying Bratva man who turns into an absolute golden retriever for his girl? CHECK. CHECK. CHECK. Misha and Abby completely stole my heart. He is dangerous, possessive, and very much touch her and die, but the patience and tenderness he shows Abby after everything she’s survived absolutely melted me. Watching her slowly realize that she deserves to feel safe, loved, protected, and cherished made their relationship hit so much harder.
This one definitely gets darker and more intense, so check those trigger warnings, but I devoured it. The chemistry, the skating, the sweet little moments, and Misha’s full-blown burn the world down for her energy were EVERYTHING. I laughed, I hurt for Abby, I swooned ridiculously hard, and by the end I was emotional over how perfect these two were for each other. That ending was so incredibly deserved. Easy 5 stars.
This one definitely gets darker and more intense, so check those trigger warnings, but I devoured it. The chemistry, the skating, the sweet little moments, and Misha’s full-blown burn the world down for her energy were EVERYTHING. I laughed, I hurt for Abby, I swooned ridiculously hard, and by the end I was emotional over how perfect these two were for each other. That ending was so incredibly deserved. Easy 5 stars.
August 14, 2026
Pay the Piper was one of those books where the romance ended up affecting me more than I expected. Beneath all the Bratva danger, hockey, secrets, and darker themes, what stayed with me most was watching Misha and Abby slowly find something neither of them really knew how to have before: a life that belonged to them.
Misha completely stole my attention. At first, he feels like the ultimate emotionally unavailable, hyper-competent Bratva man—dangerous, controlled, loyal, and completely convinced that love simply isn't something meant for him. His entire identity has been built around protecting Mila, following orders, and being useful. When that purpose starts shifting, I loved watching him struggle with the question of who he is when he isn't someone's weapon or protector.
And then Abby comes into his life.
Their first connection was so unexpected, and I loved how quickly Misha's entire world seemed to tilt on its axis. For a man who has spent his entire life controlling his emotions, Abby awakens something in him that he can't compartmentalize. His obsession with her isn't just about attraction—it becomes this almost overwhelming need to understand her, protect her, and eventually give her the choice and safety she was never allowed to have. Even Misha recognizes that something about Abby changes him completely.
What made their relationship work for me, though, was Abby's journey.
Abby has spent years being told who she should be, how she should look, what she should do, and what she is allowed to feel. Watching her step into her new identity initially feels like she's simply running away, but gradually it becomes something much more meaningful. She starts rediscovering pieces of the woman she was before her marriage took so much from her.
Her relationship with Misha becomes part of that rediscovery.
I really felt the emotional weight of Abby learning that attraction, desire, trust, and affection could exist without fear attached to them. Her sexual awakening never felt completely separate from her emotional journey because for Abby, allowing herself to want something—and eventually someone—means taking ownership of herself again. The book explores that process in a way that made me root for her not simply to fall in love with Misha, but to **find herself again.**
And I loved the contrast between them.
Misha is this tattooed, pierced, intimidating Bratva assassin who initially believes he was made to kill, not love. Abby is trying to rediscover the woman underneath years of manipulation and trauma. Yet somehow, they become exactly what the other person needs.
Misha gives Abby protection without trying to own her choices, while Abby gives Misha something he has never really allowed himself to imagine—a future that isn't centered around violence, duty, or someone else's expectations.
Their relationship also had this really interesting push and pull because **Misha falls hard first emotionally**, while Abby has to learn how to trust what she's feeling. There were moments where I wanted to reach through the pages and tell them to just communicate already, but I also understood why it couldn't be that simple. Abby has every reason to question the people around her, and Misha has to learn that protecting someone doesn't mean making every decision for them.
That emotional growth made their relationship much more satisfying for me.
I especially loved seeing Misha's emotional awakening. The man who once insisted that love wasn't in the cards for him eventually becomes someone who can't imagine his future without Abby. His obsession transforms from something almost frightening in its intensity into something deeply vulnerable because, for the first time, he has something he genuinely cannot bear to lose. When Abby is taken, the emotional devastation we see from him makes it painfully clear just how much she has changed his life.
And Abby's growth made me emotional in a completely different way. She goes from surviving one day at a time to actually imagining a future. By the end, she isn't simply grateful that she survived—she's looking forward to the life waiting for her. Seeing her surrounded by people who genuinely care about her and realizing that she finally has a home, family, and love was incredibly satisfying.
The hockey + Bratva combination was such a fun backdrop, too. I loved the contrast between Misha's brutal world and the lighter, almost chaotic hockey-family energy surrounding him. The skating lessons were especially fun because they gave Misha and Abby a reason to spend time together while also creating this unexpected softness between two people carrying so much baggage.
And yes, Misha being absolutely obsessed with Abby? I ate that up.
The chemistry between them was intense, but what I appreciated most was that their intimacy represented something bigger for Abby: discovering that she could experience pleasure, vulnerability, and desire on *her* terms. And for Misha, it became another way of learning how to be emotionally present rather than simply protective.
Overall, Pay the Piper gave me the combination I love in a dark romance: danger, obsession, found family, intense chemistry, and characters who genuinely change because of each other.
Misha and Abby didn't just fall in love.
They learned what it meant to be **safe enough to love, brave enough to trust, and finally free enough to choose the life they wanted.**
And honestly? That's what made this romance stick with me.
**Tropes:**
🖤 Bratva x Hockey
🏒 Hockey Romance
🔥 Forced Proximity
🖤 Obsessed MMC
🎭 Secret Identity
🖤 Tattooed & Pierced MMC
💭 Emotional Awakening
🔥 Sexual Discovery
🫶 Found Family
💋 Dark Romance
**Content note:** This is a dark, sexually explicit romance with heavy themes, so definitely check the author's content warnings before reading.
Misha completely stole my attention. At first, he feels like the ultimate emotionally unavailable, hyper-competent Bratva man—dangerous, controlled, loyal, and completely convinced that love simply isn't something meant for him. His entire identity has been built around protecting Mila, following orders, and being useful. When that purpose starts shifting, I loved watching him struggle with the question of who he is when he isn't someone's weapon or protector.
And then Abby comes into his life.
Their first connection was so unexpected, and I loved how quickly Misha's entire world seemed to tilt on its axis. For a man who has spent his entire life controlling his emotions, Abby awakens something in him that he can't compartmentalize. His obsession with her isn't just about attraction—it becomes this almost overwhelming need to understand her, protect her, and eventually give her the choice and safety she was never allowed to have. Even Misha recognizes that something about Abby changes him completely.
What made their relationship work for me, though, was Abby's journey.
Abby has spent years being told who she should be, how she should look, what she should do, and what she is allowed to feel. Watching her step into her new identity initially feels like she's simply running away, but gradually it becomes something much more meaningful. She starts rediscovering pieces of the woman she was before her marriage took so much from her.
Her relationship with Misha becomes part of that rediscovery.
I really felt the emotional weight of Abby learning that attraction, desire, trust, and affection could exist without fear attached to them. Her sexual awakening never felt completely separate from her emotional journey because for Abby, allowing herself to want something—and eventually someone—means taking ownership of herself again. The book explores that process in a way that made me root for her not simply to fall in love with Misha, but to **find herself again.**
And I loved the contrast between them.
Misha is this tattooed, pierced, intimidating Bratva assassin who initially believes he was made to kill, not love. Abby is trying to rediscover the woman underneath years of manipulation and trauma. Yet somehow, they become exactly what the other person needs.
Misha gives Abby protection without trying to own her choices, while Abby gives Misha something he has never really allowed himself to imagine—a future that isn't centered around violence, duty, or someone else's expectations.
Their relationship also had this really interesting push and pull because **Misha falls hard first emotionally**, while Abby has to learn how to trust what she's feeling. There were moments where I wanted to reach through the pages and tell them to just communicate already, but I also understood why it couldn't be that simple. Abby has every reason to question the people around her, and Misha has to learn that protecting someone doesn't mean making every decision for them.
That emotional growth made their relationship much more satisfying for me.
I especially loved seeing Misha's emotional awakening. The man who once insisted that love wasn't in the cards for him eventually becomes someone who can't imagine his future without Abby. His obsession transforms from something almost frightening in its intensity into something deeply vulnerable because, for the first time, he has something he genuinely cannot bear to lose. When Abby is taken, the emotional devastation we see from him makes it painfully clear just how much she has changed his life.
And Abby's growth made me emotional in a completely different way. She goes from surviving one day at a time to actually imagining a future. By the end, she isn't simply grateful that she survived—she's looking forward to the life waiting for her. Seeing her surrounded by people who genuinely care about her and realizing that she finally has a home, family, and love was incredibly satisfying.
The hockey + Bratva combination was such a fun backdrop, too. I loved the contrast between Misha's brutal world and the lighter, almost chaotic hockey-family energy surrounding him. The skating lessons were especially fun because they gave Misha and Abby a reason to spend time together while also creating this unexpected softness between two people carrying so much baggage.
And yes, Misha being absolutely obsessed with Abby? I ate that up.
The chemistry between them was intense, but what I appreciated most was that their intimacy represented something bigger for Abby: discovering that she could experience pleasure, vulnerability, and desire on *her* terms. And for Misha, it became another way of learning how to be emotionally present rather than simply protective.
Overall, Pay the Piper gave me the combination I love in a dark romance: danger, obsession, found family, intense chemistry, and characters who genuinely change because of each other.
Misha and Abby didn't just fall in love.
They learned what it meant to be **safe enough to love, brave enough to trust, and finally free enough to choose the life they wanted.**
And honestly? That's what made this romance stick with me.
**Tropes:**
🖤 Bratva x Hockey
🏒 Hockey Romance
🔥 Forced Proximity
🖤 Obsessed MMC
🎭 Secret Identity
🖤 Tattooed & Pierced MMC
💭 Emotional Awakening
🔥 Sexual Discovery
🫶 Found Family
💋 Dark Romance
**Content note:** This is a dark, sexually explicit romance with heavy themes, so definitely check the author's content warnings before reading.
August 11, 2026
T.K. Drake must have put something crazy into this book because I was soo addicted I couldn’t put in down and finished it in one sitting. It’s a dark mafia hockey romance, but it still has cute and funny touches that make me love this series so much. I will warn you that this may be significantly more intense and on the darker side than the other books, so please check the trigger warnings. But I loved this book so much and words cannot describe how much I adore Abby and Misha. It starts on a pretty heavy note with Abby’s trauma but soon turns into a cute romcom like scene where Misha, the huge tatted Bratva assassin, quite literally falls head over heels for his new skating coach. And yes, just like in the first book, he immediately has thoughts of her being pregnant with his child, soo warning he’s intense in that hot growly possessive way. But he never ever oversteps Abby’s boundaries (apart from subtle stalking) and is quite the consent king, which means a lot given Abby’s trauma. Abby is also such a sweet character but hides so many scars inside. I was awed at her determination and the courage it took to survive Conor and all he did for ten years. She and Mila definitely are my favourite fmcs of this series so far. What really made my eyes water was the connection and pure love between Abby and Misha and the way the man literally worships the ground she walks on and makes her feel safe for the first time in ten years (and their little fridge magnet thing is adorable too). The “plot twist” in the third act was pretty darn brutal but showcased his “burn the world for her” energy so well. I was crying by “the end” because they’re the definition of soulmates and the HEA was so cruelly well earned. I can’t wait for what comes next in this series, and I am hoping it’s Nikki! I give this a 5/5
August 21, 2026
I was lucky enough to be able to do an ARC read for this book, and this story didn't disappoint! I was hooked from the beginning, and wasn't ready to get the ending!
Our girl Abby has been through it, when her abusive husband sends her to Florida to infiltrate the Santorini family to bring them down by seducing one of the sons, Abby doesn't even care, she just sees a chance of freedom from the daily abuse even if it's just for a little bit.
What she doesn't expect to find instead is Mischa.
Mischa is immediately down bad for Abby after becoming his skating trainer. Now Mischa is doing everything he can to show Abby that he wants her in whatever way she will have him.
Mischa helps Abby own her sexual empowerment and also showing her that she's still allowed to be happy, have friends and family that love her unconditionally. That she should be treasured and protected by the man who loves her not abused.
Can Abby and Mischa have their happily ever after together? Or will her husband come back and destroy everything for the both of them...
Our girl Abby has been through it, when her abusive husband sends her to Florida to infiltrate the Santorini family to bring them down by seducing one of the sons, Abby doesn't even care, she just sees a chance of freedom from the daily abuse even if it's just for a little bit.
What she doesn't expect to find instead is Mischa.
Mischa is immediately down bad for Abby after becoming his skating trainer. Now Mischa is doing everything he can to show Abby that he wants her in whatever way she will have him.
Mischa helps Abby own her sexual empowerment and also showing her that she's still allowed to be happy, have friends and family that love her unconditionally. That she should be treasured and protected by the man who loves her not abused.
Can Abby and Mischa have their happily ever after together? Or will her husband come back and destroy everything for the both of them...
August 21, 2026
This is the third book in this amazing series, and this is Misha and Abby’s story,
Misha is a brutal mafia enforcer, who is assigned by his best friend to become bodyguard to her NHL boyfriend, and to find a love is his own, while Abby is forced by her abusive ex-husband to infiltrate a mafia family for information. Abby is hired to coach Misha to learn to skate, and the sparks fly.
This is a well written easy to read, raw, gritty, and action packed story, with found family, friendships, emotional awakening, trauma, drama, danger, suspense, intrigue, secrets, obsession, secret, identity, forced proximity, touch her and die, humour, witty banter, healing, revelations, devotion, explosive chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, twisted, unpredictable, and addictive dark romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Misha is a brutal mafia enforcer, who is assigned by his best friend to become bodyguard to her NHL boyfriend, and to find a love is his own, while Abby is forced by her abusive ex-husband to infiltrate a mafia family for information. Abby is hired to coach Misha to learn to skate, and the sparks fly.
This is a well written easy to read, raw, gritty, and action packed story, with found family, friendships, emotional awakening, trauma, drama, danger, suspense, intrigue, secrets, obsession, secret, identity, forced proximity, touch her and die, humour, witty banter, healing, revelations, devotion, explosive chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, twisted, unpredictable, and addictive dark romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
September 7, 2026
“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙪𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙. 𝘿𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚? 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤𝙭𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙪𝙨.”
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5
PAY THE PIPER by T.K. Drake
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I bow at the altar of T.K. Drake.
Hockey. Mafia. Dark romance. A tattooed and pierced Russian assassin who falls first, becomes violently obsessed, and will kill anyone who tries to keep him from his woman.
The holy grail has been located.
Ох, хорошо. Теперь ты говоришь на моём языке.
Миша, иди сюда и делай со мной всё, что хочешь.
Бабушка, не задавай вопросов.
Panties obliterated. Reduced to ash. There is nothing left to report.
That should be the entire review, but we’re going to dissect this properly like the GOOD GIRL I am.
See what I did there? 😉
✨ Bratva x Hockey
✨ Russian Assassin MMC
✨ He Falls First
✨ Obsessed MMC
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Secret Identity
✨ Heroine in Danger
✨ Tattooed and Pierced MMC
✨ Emotional and Sexual Awakening
✨ Found Family
✨ “Good Girl”
✨ Touch Her and Perish Painfully
Misha is the second-in-command to Mila, his childhood best friend and more sister than friend. His entire identity has been shaped around loyalty, duty, and protecting her. The Bratva is his life. He is controlled, brutally competent, and completely convinced that romantic love is not something he needs or even particularly wants.
Then Mila gives him two assignments.
First, Misha must protect her NHL-playing boyfriend, Thatcher, which requires him to pass convincingly as a professional hockey player.
One small problem: Misha cannot skate for sh*t.
This lethal Bratva assassin could probably dismantle a man with one hand while discussing dinner plans, but put blades on his feet and place him on some frozen water? Absolutely not. The dignity is gone. The man is fighting for his life.
His second assignment is somehow even more horrifying: find a love of his own.
Misha basically says, “No, thank you. I already have organized crime.”
Enter Abby—his very own fire-sprite and the woman about to derail every plan he has ever made.
Abby has spent a decade trapped in an abusive marriage to Connor, a Canadian mayor with criminal connections and all the redeeming qualities of an infected wound. He has controlled what she wears, how she behaves, what she’s allowed to feel, and nearly every aspect of her life until she barely recognizes the woman she used to be.
When Connor orders her to infiltrate the Santori family, Abby accepts because even a dangerous undercover assignment feels preferable to remaining in the hell he has created for her.
She arrives in Florida with a false identity and a mission. Then, through a series of events I could never have predicted, she becomes the woman responsible for teaching Misha how to skate.
A deeply traumatized woman with dangerous secrets and a Russian assassin impersonating an NHL player meet at an ice rink.
Romance is alive and well.
The attraction between them is immediate, but for Misha, it’s more than attraction. This man takes one look at Abby and his entire internal operating system reboots.
Suddenly, the assassin who doesn’t believe love is meant for him has located his person. He wants to understand her, protect her, keep her close, and eliminate anything that threatens her happiness.
Misha absolutely made this book for me. He is terrifying, obsessive, loyal, emotionally inexperienced, and capable of extreme violence without hesitation.
But with Abby? GOLDEN RETRIEVER.
A heavily armed golden retriever who knows how to dispose of a body, but still.
His patience with her had me in a chokehold. Misha recognizes that something is wrong long before Abby tells him the truth, but he never demands access to the parts of her she isn’t ready to share. He gives her safety without expecting obedience in return. He makes his interest unmistakable, but he allows her to decide what she wants and how quickly she wants it.
Protection without possession of her choices.
That distinction mattered so much because Abby has spent years having every choice taken from her. She doesn’t need another man controlling her life, even in the name of keeping her safe. She needs someone willing to stand beside her while she learns that her life belongs to her again.
Misha becomes part of that journey without becoming its sole purpose.
Abby’s story affected me more deeply than I expected. At first, her new identity feels like another mask—something created to survive Connor’s assignment. But as she builds friendships, experiences freedom, and grows closer to Misha, she begins rediscovering pieces of herself that her marriage tried to erase.
She learns that affection doesn’t have to be followed by pain. Desire doesn’t have to come with fear. Intimacy can be safe. Pleasure can belong to her.
Her sexual awakening is inseparable from her emotional one because allowing herself to want anything is an act of reclamation. Every choice Abby makes for her own happiness pulls her farther from the woman Connor tried to create and closer to who she truly is.
And Misha absolutely worships the woman she is becoming.
The spice?
FOUR PEPPERS AND A FIRE EXTINGUISHER.
T.K. Drake apparently looked at the hockey, murder, organized crime, trauma recovery, and emotional awakening and decided my remaining brain cells also needed to be taken out back.
The “good girl” situation alone nearly ended my career.
Again: panties gone. Please respect my privacy during this difficult time.
But what made their intimacy so powerful wasn’t only the heat. For Abby, it represents trust, agency, and discovering her body on her own terms. For Misha, physical intimacy becomes another way to be vulnerable and emotionally present instead of merely useful or protective.
He doesn’t simply want Abby’s body. He wants every guarded, wounded, brave piece of her—and he is willing to wait until she can believe that.
Their emotional dynamic was everything. Misha falls hard and fast, while Abby has to slowly learn that she can trust what exists between them. His obsession is immediate, but her hesitation makes complete sense after everything she has survived.
However.
ABBY, MY SISTER IN CHRIST.
TELL. MISHA. THE. TRUTH.
This man is handing her his secrets, his loyalty, his devotion, his entire homicidal little heart—and she keeps withholding the one piece of information that could get everyone killed.
Even when the Santoris discover who she is and why Connor sent her, AND OFFER TO HELP HER, she still doesn’t tell Misha.
I was pacing. I was yelling at my Kindle. I was prepared to enter the book as a court-appointed communication specialist.
But as frustrating as her choices were, they were also consistent with her trauma. Abby has spent years learning that honesty is dangerous and that the only way to protect people is to absorb the damage herself. When she ultimately returns to Connor, believing that sacrificing herself will save everyone else, she isn’t choosing him—she is falling back on the survival instincts that kept her alive.
And when Misha learns the truth?
He doesn’t blame her. He doesn’t punish her for lying. He doesn’t make her trauma about his wounded pride.
He understands why she did it and immediately enters “retrieve my woman and remove every obstacle from the mortal realm” mode.
Meanwhile, I’m still offended on his behalf, but Misha has no time for my grievances. He has a woman to recover and a husband to permanently inconvenience.
The contrast between his emotional devastation and his lethal focus was magnificent. For the first time, Misha has something he cannot bear to lose. Abby hasn’t merely changed his priorities; she has forced him to imagine an entire future beyond violence, duty, and being someone else’s weapon.
And Abby finally begins imagining a future too.
Not simply another day survived. Not gratitude for temporarily escaping Connor. A real life filled with safety, love, family, and choices that belong entirely to her.
THE EMOTIONAL DAMAGE.
I also loved the hockey-family chaos surrounding the darker Bratva plot. Misha attempting to blend in with the team was hysterical because that man does not blend. He looms. He assesses threats. He looks like he could turn a hockey stick into a murder weapon before the second intermission.
Then there’s Thatcher and his unique dynamic with Mila, which immediately told me I had entered this series in the middle of some glorious chaos. I accidentally started with book three, but T.K. Drake provided enough context for me to follow the overarching story without feeling completely lost.
That being said, I am absolutely going back for books one and two because I need to know what the hell I missed.
The found-family element worked beautifully. Watching Abby become surrounded by people who genuinely care for her added even more weight to her transformation. Meanwhile, Misha’s acceptance of Thatcher, the team, and everyone’s various antics showed a softer, funnier side of him without diminishing how dangerous he could be.
He contains multitudes.
Some of those multitudes are murder.
The final stretch was brutal, graphic, emotional, and gloriously mafia. Misha versus Connor delivered exactly the kind of reckoning I needed after watching that despicable man terrorize Abby. The confrontation had old-school Godfather energy, and I was seated with popcorn, holy water, and absolutely no objections.
PAY THE PIPER gave me everything I want from dark romance: danger, obsession, violence, intense chemistry, found family, emotional healing, and a hero who would burn the world down but understands that loving a woman means giving her the freedom to choose.
Misha and Abby didn’t simply fall in love.
They learned how to create lives that belonged to them. He discovered that he could be more than a weapon, and she reclaimed the woman buried beneath years of control and abuse. Together, they became safe enough to love, brave enough to trust, and finally free enough to choose their own future.
Five stars. Four peppers. One obliterated pair of panties.
T.K. Drake, I remain on my knees at your altar.
Respectfully, of course.
I am a GOOD GIRL.
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5
PAY THE PIPER by T.K. Drake
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I bow at the altar of T.K. Drake.
Hockey. Mafia. Dark romance. A tattooed and pierced Russian assassin who falls first, becomes violently obsessed, and will kill anyone who tries to keep him from his woman.
The holy grail has been located.
Ох, хорошо. Теперь ты говоришь на моём языке.
Миша, иди сюда и делай со мной всё, что хочешь.
Бабушка, не задавай вопросов.
Panties obliterated. Reduced to ash. There is nothing left to report.
That should be the entire review, but we’re going to dissect this properly like the GOOD GIRL I am.
See what I did there? 😉
✨ Bratva x Hockey
✨ Russian Assassin MMC
✨ He Falls First
✨ Obsessed MMC
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Secret Identity
✨ Heroine in Danger
✨ Tattooed and Pierced MMC
✨ Emotional and Sexual Awakening
✨ Found Family
✨ “Good Girl”
✨ Touch Her and Perish Painfully
Misha is the second-in-command to Mila, his childhood best friend and more sister than friend. His entire identity has been shaped around loyalty, duty, and protecting her. The Bratva is his life. He is controlled, brutally competent, and completely convinced that romantic love is not something he needs or even particularly wants.
Then Mila gives him two assignments.
First, Misha must protect her NHL-playing boyfriend, Thatcher, which requires him to pass convincingly as a professional hockey player.
One small problem: Misha cannot skate for sh*t.
This lethal Bratva assassin could probably dismantle a man with one hand while discussing dinner plans, but put blades on his feet and place him on some frozen water? Absolutely not. The dignity is gone. The man is fighting for his life.
His second assignment is somehow even more horrifying: find a love of his own.
Misha basically says, “No, thank you. I already have organized crime.”
Enter Abby—his very own fire-sprite and the woman about to derail every plan he has ever made.
Abby has spent a decade trapped in an abusive marriage to Connor, a Canadian mayor with criminal connections and all the redeeming qualities of an infected wound. He has controlled what she wears, how she behaves, what she’s allowed to feel, and nearly every aspect of her life until she barely recognizes the woman she used to be.
When Connor orders her to infiltrate the Santori family, Abby accepts because even a dangerous undercover assignment feels preferable to remaining in the hell he has created for her.
She arrives in Florida with a false identity and a mission. Then, through a series of events I could never have predicted, she becomes the woman responsible for teaching Misha how to skate.
A deeply traumatized woman with dangerous secrets and a Russian assassin impersonating an NHL player meet at an ice rink.
Romance is alive and well.
The attraction between them is immediate, but for Misha, it’s more than attraction. This man takes one look at Abby and his entire internal operating system reboots.
Suddenly, the assassin who doesn’t believe love is meant for him has located his person. He wants to understand her, protect her, keep her close, and eliminate anything that threatens her happiness.
Misha absolutely made this book for me. He is terrifying, obsessive, loyal, emotionally inexperienced, and capable of extreme violence without hesitation.
But with Abby? GOLDEN RETRIEVER.
A heavily armed golden retriever who knows how to dispose of a body, but still.
His patience with her had me in a chokehold. Misha recognizes that something is wrong long before Abby tells him the truth, but he never demands access to the parts of her she isn’t ready to share. He gives her safety without expecting obedience in return. He makes his interest unmistakable, but he allows her to decide what she wants and how quickly she wants it.
Protection without possession of her choices.
That distinction mattered so much because Abby has spent years having every choice taken from her. She doesn’t need another man controlling her life, even in the name of keeping her safe. She needs someone willing to stand beside her while she learns that her life belongs to her again.
Misha becomes part of that journey without becoming its sole purpose.
Abby’s story affected me more deeply than I expected. At first, her new identity feels like another mask—something created to survive Connor’s assignment. But as she builds friendships, experiences freedom, and grows closer to Misha, she begins rediscovering pieces of herself that her marriage tried to erase.
She learns that affection doesn’t have to be followed by pain. Desire doesn’t have to come with fear. Intimacy can be safe. Pleasure can belong to her.
Her sexual awakening is inseparable from her emotional one because allowing herself to want anything is an act of reclamation. Every choice Abby makes for her own happiness pulls her farther from the woman Connor tried to create and closer to who she truly is.
And Misha absolutely worships the woman she is becoming.
The spice?
FOUR PEPPERS AND A FIRE EXTINGUISHER.
T.K. Drake apparently looked at the hockey, murder, organized crime, trauma recovery, and emotional awakening and decided my remaining brain cells also needed to be taken out back.
The “good girl” situation alone nearly ended my career.
Again: panties gone. Please respect my privacy during this difficult time.
But what made their intimacy so powerful wasn’t only the heat. For Abby, it represents trust, agency, and discovering her body on her own terms. For Misha, physical intimacy becomes another way to be vulnerable and emotionally present instead of merely useful or protective.
He doesn’t simply want Abby’s body. He wants every guarded, wounded, brave piece of her—and he is willing to wait until she can believe that.
Their emotional dynamic was everything. Misha falls hard and fast, while Abby has to slowly learn that she can trust what exists between them. His obsession is immediate, but her hesitation makes complete sense after everything she has survived.
However.
ABBY, MY SISTER IN CHRIST.
TELL. MISHA. THE. TRUTH.
This man is handing her his secrets, his loyalty, his devotion, his entire homicidal little heart—and she keeps withholding the one piece of information that could get everyone killed.
Even when the Santoris discover who she is and why Connor sent her, AND OFFER TO HELP HER, she still doesn’t tell Misha.
I was pacing. I was yelling at my Kindle. I was prepared to enter the book as a court-appointed communication specialist.
But as frustrating as her choices were, they were also consistent with her trauma. Abby has spent years learning that honesty is dangerous and that the only way to protect people is to absorb the damage herself. When she ultimately returns to Connor, believing that sacrificing herself will save everyone else, she isn’t choosing him—she is falling back on the survival instincts that kept her alive.
And when Misha learns the truth?
He doesn’t blame her. He doesn’t punish her for lying. He doesn’t make her trauma about his wounded pride.
He understands why she did it and immediately enters “retrieve my woman and remove every obstacle from the mortal realm” mode.
Meanwhile, I’m still offended on his behalf, but Misha has no time for my grievances. He has a woman to recover and a husband to permanently inconvenience.
The contrast between his emotional devastation and his lethal focus was magnificent. For the first time, Misha has something he cannot bear to lose. Abby hasn’t merely changed his priorities; she has forced him to imagine an entire future beyond violence, duty, and being someone else’s weapon.
And Abby finally begins imagining a future too.
Not simply another day survived. Not gratitude for temporarily escaping Connor. A real life filled with safety, love, family, and choices that belong entirely to her.
THE EMOTIONAL DAMAGE.
I also loved the hockey-family chaos surrounding the darker Bratva plot. Misha attempting to blend in with the team was hysterical because that man does not blend. He looms. He assesses threats. He looks like he could turn a hockey stick into a murder weapon before the second intermission.
Then there’s Thatcher and his unique dynamic with Mila, which immediately told me I had entered this series in the middle of some glorious chaos. I accidentally started with book three, but T.K. Drake provided enough context for me to follow the overarching story without feeling completely lost.
That being said, I am absolutely going back for books one and two because I need to know what the hell I missed.
The found-family element worked beautifully. Watching Abby become surrounded by people who genuinely care for her added even more weight to her transformation. Meanwhile, Misha’s acceptance of Thatcher, the team, and everyone’s various antics showed a softer, funnier side of him without diminishing how dangerous he could be.
He contains multitudes.
Some of those multitudes are murder.
The final stretch was brutal, graphic, emotional, and gloriously mafia. Misha versus Connor delivered exactly the kind of reckoning I needed after watching that despicable man terrorize Abby. The confrontation had old-school Godfather energy, and I was seated with popcorn, holy water, and absolutely no objections.
PAY THE PIPER gave me everything I want from dark romance: danger, obsession, violence, intense chemistry, found family, emotional healing, and a hero who would burn the world down but understands that loving a woman means giving her the freedom to choose.
Misha and Abby didn’t simply fall in love.
They learned how to create lives that belonged to them. He discovered that he could be more than a weapon, and she reclaimed the woman buried beneath years of control and abuse. Together, they became safe enough to love, brave enough to trust, and finally free enough to choose their own future.
Five stars. Four peppers. One obliterated pair of panties.
T.K. Drake, I remain on my knees at your altar.
Respectfully, of course.
I am a GOOD GIRL.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hockey meets mafia romance?! Say less. 😂 I dove headfirst into Pay the Piper without realizing I was starting with book three of the series, but T.K. Drake did a really good job giving enough background that I could follow along. That being said… I’m absolutely going back for books one and two now because I NEED to know everything I missed.
This book focuses on Misha, a Bratva enforcer and second-in-command to his childhood best friend/more-like-sister, Mila. Misha is supposed to be cold as ice - literally a trained assassin—but when the book starts, Mila is off in Russia handling business and has entrusted Misha with arguably her most precious possession: Thatcher.
And this is where I realized this was NOT going to be your typical hockey/mafia romance. 😂
Thatcher isn’t your standard tough-guy hockey player. From what I gathered, he’s a bit of a sub, completely smitten with Mila, and their entire dynamic is… unique. Mila trusts basically no one with Thatcher except Misha, so when Thatcher has to return to America to play hockey, Misha goes with him as protection.
Which means our deadly Russian assassin now needs to blend in with a hockey team.
Spoiler: he does not blend. 😂
Meanwhile, all the way in Canada, we meet Abby. She’s married to Connor, the mayor of a Canadian town and an absolutely DESPICABLE human being who has used, controlled, and abused her until she’s basically become a shell of herself. Connor also happens to have some serious mafia connections of his own and wants to infiltrate the Italian Santori family.
His solution? Send Abby.
Abby honestly doesn’t even care what he wants her to do as long as it gets her away from him. So she relocates to Florida with a fake backstory, befriends the Santori family, and starts working her way into their circle. And then, through a series of events I could not have predicted, Abby gets hired to teach Misha how to skate. 😂 Because while Misha needs to pass as an NHL player, the man is an absolute disaster on ice.
Throw Abby and Misha together and the sparks are IMMEDIATE.
For Misha? This is basically love at first sight. This man takes one look at Abby and is like, Yep. Mine. How do I protect her, keep her in my orbit forever, and make sure nothing bad ever happens to her again?
And THIS is where Misha completely got me. I have read my fair share of OTT possessive mafia men, but Misha is something else. He’s a trained assassin and absolutely terrifying when he needs to be… but everywhere else?! GOLDEN RETRIEVER. 😂
His patience with Abby. His absolute devotion. The way he makes her feel safe without demanding anything from her. His acceptance of Thatcher and all the ridiculous antics happening around him. The way he just rolls with this completely chaotic friend group while simultaneously being capable of murdering someone without blinking?!
I was not prepared.
Abby slowly starts falling for him too because, probably for the first time in a very long time, she feels safe. She’s also becoming genuinely attached to the Santori family, which makes her original mission more and more impossible. And this is where Abby and I started fighting. 😂
GIRL. TELL. MISHA. THE. TRUTH.
Misha is over here spilling his guts, sharing his secrets, making it VERY clear that he would burn the entire world down for this woman…and Abby just keeps dragging her feet. Even when the Santoris discover who she really is and what Connor sent her there to do and THEY OFFER TO HELP HER she still doesn’t tell the one person who most deserves to know. Misha.
I was screaming at my Kindle.
Of course, Misha eventually finds out…after Abby leaves and goes back to Connor because she thinks sacrificing herself is the only way to protect Misha and everyone else. And how does Misha react to discovering everything? Does he blame Abby? Get angry that she lied? Throw a tantrum about being betrayed?
Nope.
This absolute GEM of a man basically understands why she did it and immediately goes into get my woman back mode. Meanwhile, I’m still mad at Abby on his behalf. 😂
And then that ending…
WHEW.
The spice throughout the book, Misha’s absolute devotion, Abby finally fighting for the life she wants, and the eventual Misha vs. Connor confrontation made for one WILD ride. Things get graphic, brutal, and very mafia - and the final showdown gave me serious old-school Godfather vibes.
Overall, I really enjoyed Pay the Piper. It gave me a mafia MMC I genuinely haven’t encountered before: terrifying assassin on one hand, patient golden retriever on the other. Misha absolutely made this book for me. And apparently reading book three first worked out because now I’m invested enough that I’m going straight back to the beginning of the series to figure out what the hell I missed. 😂
This book focuses on Misha, a Bratva enforcer and second-in-command to his childhood best friend/more-like-sister, Mila. Misha is supposed to be cold as ice - literally a trained assassin—but when the book starts, Mila is off in Russia handling business and has entrusted Misha with arguably her most precious possession: Thatcher.
And this is where I realized this was NOT going to be your typical hockey/mafia romance. 😂
Thatcher isn’t your standard tough-guy hockey player. From what I gathered, he’s a bit of a sub, completely smitten with Mila, and their entire dynamic is… unique. Mila trusts basically no one with Thatcher except Misha, so when Thatcher has to return to America to play hockey, Misha goes with him as protection.
Which means our deadly Russian assassin now needs to blend in with a hockey team.
Spoiler: he does not blend. 😂
Meanwhile, all the way in Canada, we meet Abby. She’s married to Connor, the mayor of a Canadian town and an absolutely DESPICABLE human being who has used, controlled, and abused her until she’s basically become a shell of herself. Connor also happens to have some serious mafia connections of his own and wants to infiltrate the Italian Santori family.
His solution? Send Abby.
Abby honestly doesn’t even care what he wants her to do as long as it gets her away from him. So she relocates to Florida with a fake backstory, befriends the Santori family, and starts working her way into their circle. And then, through a series of events I could not have predicted, Abby gets hired to teach Misha how to skate. 😂 Because while Misha needs to pass as an NHL player, the man is an absolute disaster on ice.
Throw Abby and Misha together and the sparks are IMMEDIATE.
For Misha? This is basically love at first sight. This man takes one look at Abby and is like, Yep. Mine. How do I protect her, keep her in my orbit forever, and make sure nothing bad ever happens to her again?
And THIS is where Misha completely got me. I have read my fair share of OTT possessive mafia men, but Misha is something else. He’s a trained assassin and absolutely terrifying when he needs to be… but everywhere else?! GOLDEN RETRIEVER. 😂
His patience with Abby. His absolute devotion. The way he makes her feel safe without demanding anything from her. His acceptance of Thatcher and all the ridiculous antics happening around him. The way he just rolls with this completely chaotic friend group while simultaneously being capable of murdering someone without blinking?!
I was not prepared.
Abby slowly starts falling for him too because, probably for the first time in a very long time, she feels safe. She’s also becoming genuinely attached to the Santori family, which makes her original mission more and more impossible. And this is where Abby and I started fighting. 😂
GIRL. TELL. MISHA. THE. TRUTH.
Misha is over here spilling his guts, sharing his secrets, making it VERY clear that he would burn the entire world down for this woman…and Abby just keeps dragging her feet. Even when the Santoris discover who she really is and what Connor sent her there to do and THEY OFFER TO HELP HER she still doesn’t tell the one person who most deserves to know. Misha.
I was screaming at my Kindle.
Of course, Misha eventually finds out…after Abby leaves and goes back to Connor because she thinks sacrificing herself is the only way to protect Misha and everyone else. And how does Misha react to discovering everything? Does he blame Abby? Get angry that she lied? Throw a tantrum about being betrayed?
Nope.
This absolute GEM of a man basically understands why she did it and immediately goes into get my woman back mode. Meanwhile, I’m still mad at Abby on his behalf. 😂
And then that ending…
WHEW.
The spice throughout the book, Misha’s absolute devotion, Abby finally fighting for the life she wants, and the eventual Misha vs. Connor confrontation made for one WILD ride. Things get graphic, brutal, and very mafia - and the final showdown gave me serious old-school Godfather vibes.
Overall, I really enjoyed Pay the Piper. It gave me a mafia MMC I genuinely haven’t encountered before: terrifying assassin on one hand, patient golden retriever on the other. Misha absolutely made this book for me. And apparently reading book three first worked out because now I’m invested enough that I’m going straight back to the beginning of the series to figure out what the hell I missed. 😂
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book comes with some heavy content, so definitely pay attention to the trigger warnings before diving in. Abby’s story deals with assault, abuse, manipulation, and trauma, and some of those scenes were difficult to read.
I really enjoyed how TK did a great job re-establishing the world and reminding us what happened in the previous books without making it feel like an info dump. And of course, Thatcher is still pure chaos. I swear this man brings so much energy to every scene.
Enter Abby, or Niamh, who has endured ten years of abuse at the hands of an absolutely vile man. Her husband sends her to Thunder Bay undercover, expecting her to seduce one or both of the Santori brothers. The assignment gave her some freedom, and the possibility of finally having something of her own.
And then there is Misha.
I loved these two together. The attraction was immediate, and neither of them was particularly subtle about it. Abby is drawn to him despite his size and intimidating presence, while Misha becomes completely fascinated with her almost immediately. Their skating lessons were such a fun way to bring them together, especially because Misha went from absolutely hating the idea of learning to skate to suddenly wanting lessons every single day.
Misha was such a standout for me. He was protective without trying to control Abby, incredibly attentive, and the way he communicated with her was everything. Most importantly, when he realized that something had triggered her, he listened, adjusted, and made sure she felt safe. Watching Abby slowly learn to trust him after everything she had endured was probably my favorite part of their relationship.
And the Santori family dynamic continues to be entertaining. I loved seeing everyone trying to figure out who Misha was seeing, the matchmaking attempts, Thatcher being Thatcher, and the chaos that followed. Misha asking the guys how they knew they had found "the one" was hilarious.
I also really appreciated Abby’s journey. She starts the book feeling trapped, with very little sense of who she is outside of her marriage. She doesn't even have much of a personal identity because she was never allowed to develop one. Seeing her slowly realize that she could want things for herself, travel, have friends, fall in love, and potentially have a life outside of Conor was incredibly satisfying.
The second half definitely gets darker. Once Conor’s true level of depravity becomes clear, the story turns into a much more intense rescue and revenge situation. Abby's fear, guilt, and determination to protect the people she had come to care about made sense, even when I wanted to scream at her to just tell Misha everything already.
And Misha? That man was READY to burn the entire world down for her.
I loved that even after learning the truth about why Abby originally came to Thunder Bay, he never felt betrayed by her. He focused on getting her back. His reaction when he finally saw her safe absolutely broke me.
There were definitely moments where I wanted to shake Abby and yell, "GIRL, TELL HIM!" but I also understood why she struggled so much with trusting that she could actually escape Conor. Her trauma shaped so many of her decisions, and I thought that was handled well.
Overall, this was a solid addition to the series. It had the family chaos, protective men, banter, romance, spice, and darker Bratva elements I've come to expect, while also giving us a heroine whose journey was much more emotional and difficult.
I can't wait what's next!
Thank you to The Smuthood and author for the ARC!
I really enjoyed how TK did a great job re-establishing the world and reminding us what happened in the previous books without making it feel like an info dump. And of course, Thatcher is still pure chaos. I swear this man brings so much energy to every scene.
Enter Abby, or Niamh, who has endured ten years of abuse at the hands of an absolutely vile man. Her husband sends her to Thunder Bay undercover, expecting her to seduce one or both of the Santori brothers. The assignment gave her some freedom, and the possibility of finally having something of her own.
And then there is Misha.
I loved these two together. The attraction was immediate, and neither of them was particularly subtle about it. Abby is drawn to him despite his size and intimidating presence, while Misha becomes completely fascinated with her almost immediately. Their skating lessons were such a fun way to bring them together, especially because Misha went from absolutely hating the idea of learning to skate to suddenly wanting lessons every single day.
Misha was such a standout for me. He was protective without trying to control Abby, incredibly attentive, and the way he communicated with her was everything. Most importantly, when he realized that something had triggered her, he listened, adjusted, and made sure she felt safe. Watching Abby slowly learn to trust him after everything she had endured was probably my favorite part of their relationship.
And the Santori family dynamic continues to be entertaining. I loved seeing everyone trying to figure out who Misha was seeing, the matchmaking attempts, Thatcher being Thatcher, and the chaos that followed. Misha asking the guys how they knew they had found "the one" was hilarious.
I also really appreciated Abby’s journey. She starts the book feeling trapped, with very little sense of who she is outside of her marriage. She doesn't even have much of a personal identity because she was never allowed to develop one. Seeing her slowly realize that she could want things for herself, travel, have friends, fall in love, and potentially have a life outside of Conor was incredibly satisfying.
The second half definitely gets darker. Once Conor’s true level of depravity becomes clear, the story turns into a much more intense rescue and revenge situation. Abby's fear, guilt, and determination to protect the people she had come to care about made sense, even when I wanted to scream at her to just tell Misha everything already.
And Misha? That man was READY to burn the entire world down for her.
I loved that even after learning the truth about why Abby originally came to Thunder Bay, he never felt betrayed by her. He focused on getting her back. His reaction when he finally saw her safe absolutely broke me.
There were definitely moments where I wanted to shake Abby and yell, "GIRL, TELL HIM!" but I also understood why she struggled so much with trusting that she could actually escape Conor. Her trauma shaped so many of her decisions, and I thought that was handled well.
Overall, this was a solid addition to the series. It had the family chaos, protective men, banter, romance, spice, and darker Bratva elements I've come to expect, while also giving us a heroine whose journey was much more emotional and difficult.
I can't wait what's next!
Thank you to The Smuthood and author for the ARC!
August 21, 2026
*I received this book as an E-ARC from The Smuthood to provide an honest review.*
Pay the Piper is the third book in the Blades and Blood Series. I went into this book blind, without reading either of the first two books. I felt like in Pay the Piper, it was very easy to understand the bonds between the couples as well as the continuation of the series storylines. I can say with complete confidence that you do NOT need to read this series in chronological order to feel like you were immersed into the story.
Abby is a strong-willed, brave, resilient woman who will do anything to protect those who she cares about. When she takes the offer from her awful husband, (seriously he is truly awful) she jumps at the chance to escape a really terrible situation that she has been stuck in for a decade. Throughout the book you see her taking steps to overcome her past traumatic events within her life. When Abby meets Ellie she finally finds a friend to talk to and depends on, which she hadn’t had in a very long time. I feel like Ellie in a round about way is one of the unsung hero of Abby’s growth within the story. You can see Abby become more trusting of people and create the support system that she so desperately craved. Abby was so dedicated to keeping everyone in her new life in Florida, safe and protected (even though they are all so very capable of taking care of themselves) throughout many decisions and challenges that she faces. Abby’s attraction to Misha was so strong from the very beginning and only grew as she got to know him more.
Have you ever wanted a fiercely protective man to love you and take down ANYONE who even thinks about coming near you? If you have Misha is definitely the one for you. In the beginning of the book Misha didn’t want anything to do with dating and relationships because all he wanted to do was his duty within the bratva. However, the moment that he met Abby he decided that she was the ONLY one for him. Though Misha is obsessive, he hides it very well until they officially get together. As much as he is obsessive and protective he is also very kind (to those he loves), loyal, and very understanding. I loved reading the sweet moments between Abby and Misha just a much as I loved reading the dark depraved protective mode that Misha tends to go into. The lengths that he will go to ensure that Abby feels safe and loved is very endearing to watch happen and it makes you just really want someone to do all of that for you too.
This book will be living in my brain (rent free), especially one specific amusement park ride scene. I highly recommend that you read this book, though please read the trigger warnings before reading. If you love mafia books with overly possessive vibes, a whole lot of spice, and a touch of hockey then this is the book for you!
Pay the Piper is the third book in the Blades and Blood Series. I went into this book blind, without reading either of the first two books. I felt like in Pay the Piper, it was very easy to understand the bonds between the couples as well as the continuation of the series storylines. I can say with complete confidence that you do NOT need to read this series in chronological order to feel like you were immersed into the story.
Abby is a strong-willed, brave, resilient woman who will do anything to protect those who she cares about. When she takes the offer from her awful husband, (seriously he is truly awful) she jumps at the chance to escape a really terrible situation that she has been stuck in for a decade. Throughout the book you see her taking steps to overcome her past traumatic events within her life. When Abby meets Ellie she finally finds a friend to talk to and depends on, which she hadn’t had in a very long time. I feel like Ellie in a round about way is one of the unsung hero of Abby’s growth within the story. You can see Abby become more trusting of people and create the support system that she so desperately craved. Abby was so dedicated to keeping everyone in her new life in Florida, safe and protected (even though they are all so very capable of taking care of themselves) throughout many decisions and challenges that she faces. Abby’s attraction to Misha was so strong from the very beginning and only grew as she got to know him more.
Have you ever wanted a fiercely protective man to love you and take down ANYONE who even thinks about coming near you? If you have Misha is definitely the one for you. In the beginning of the book Misha didn’t want anything to do with dating and relationships because all he wanted to do was his duty within the bratva. However, the moment that he met Abby he decided that she was the ONLY one for him. Though Misha is obsessive, he hides it very well until they officially get together. As much as he is obsessive and protective he is also very kind (to those he loves), loyal, and very understanding. I loved reading the sweet moments between Abby and Misha just a much as I loved reading the dark depraved protective mode that Misha tends to go into. The lengths that he will go to ensure that Abby feels safe and loved is very endearing to watch happen and it makes you just really want someone to do all of that for you too.
This book will be living in my brain (rent free), especially one specific amusement park ride scene. I highly recommend that you read this book, though please read the trigger warnings before reading. If you love mafia books with overly possessive vibes, a whole lot of spice, and a touch of hockey then this is the book for you!
September 6, 2026
T.K. Drake really knows how to pull me into a story because I genuinely could not put this book down. I finished Misha and Abby’s story in one sitting, and honestly, I’m still thinking about it. 😭🔥
This one takes the dark mafia hockey romance to a much heavier place than the previous books, so definitely pay attention to the trigger warnings. ⚠️ Abby’s story begins with some incredibly difficult trauma, and watching her slowly find her strength again was one of my favourite parts of the book. She has been through so much, yet she never loses the softer side of herself. 🥺❤️
Then there’s Misha. A tattooed, terrifying Bratva assassin who somehow turns into the most devoted man when it comes to Abby. 😮💨🖤 Their first interactions had me smiling because there are these unexpectedly funny and adorable moments mixed into all the darkness. 😂 Misha is intense, possessive, and completely obsessed with her, but what I really appreciated was how much he respected Abby’s boundaries. Considering everything she has experienced, the way he made her feel protected rather than controlled meant so much. 🥹
Their relationship was easily the highlight for me. Misha doesn’t just fall for Abby—he absolutely worships her. 🫠❤️ The way he wants to give her safety, love, and a life where she doesn’t have to constantly be afraid was beautiful. Their little fridge magnet moments were ridiculously cute too. 🥰🧲
Abby’s history with Conor is heartbreaking, and seeing her finally have someone in her corner made her journey incredibly emotional. 💔 Seeing her slowly heal and learn what it feels like to be genuinely loved and protected was everything.
The third-act twist was BRUTAL. 😭💀 It had me stressed, but it also perfectly showed just how far Misha would go for her. When that man decides Abby is his, apparently the rest of the world just needs to accept it. 😂🔥
There’s so much packed into this story—mafia danger, hockey, suspense, secrets, trauma, healing, found family, friendship, humour, banter, obsession, betrayal, and insane chemistry. 🏒🖤🔥 Somehow, T.K. Drake manages to balance the darker elements with those softer moments that made me fall for this series in the first place.
By the end, I was emotional because Misha and Abby truly earned their happy ending. 😭❤️ Their relationship felt like two people who had been through hell finally finding somewhere safe to breathe.
I absolutely adored them. 🥹🖤 Misha and Abby are officially some of my favourites from this series, and now I desperately need to know what T.K. Drake has planned next.
PLEASE LET IT BE NIKKI! 👀🙏🏻🔥
This one takes the dark mafia hockey romance to a much heavier place than the previous books, so definitely pay attention to the trigger warnings. ⚠️ Abby’s story begins with some incredibly difficult trauma, and watching her slowly find her strength again was one of my favourite parts of the book. She has been through so much, yet she never loses the softer side of herself. 🥺❤️
Then there’s Misha. A tattooed, terrifying Bratva assassin who somehow turns into the most devoted man when it comes to Abby. 😮💨🖤 Their first interactions had me smiling because there are these unexpectedly funny and adorable moments mixed into all the darkness. 😂 Misha is intense, possessive, and completely obsessed with her, but what I really appreciated was how much he respected Abby’s boundaries. Considering everything she has experienced, the way he made her feel protected rather than controlled meant so much. 🥹
Their relationship was easily the highlight for me. Misha doesn’t just fall for Abby—he absolutely worships her. 🫠❤️ The way he wants to give her safety, love, and a life where she doesn’t have to constantly be afraid was beautiful. Their little fridge magnet moments were ridiculously cute too. 🥰🧲
Abby’s history with Conor is heartbreaking, and seeing her finally have someone in her corner made her journey incredibly emotional. 💔 Seeing her slowly heal and learn what it feels like to be genuinely loved and protected was everything.
The third-act twist was BRUTAL. 😭💀 It had me stressed, but it also perfectly showed just how far Misha would go for her. When that man decides Abby is his, apparently the rest of the world just needs to accept it. 😂🔥
There’s so much packed into this story—mafia danger, hockey, suspense, secrets, trauma, healing, found family, friendship, humour, banter, obsession, betrayal, and insane chemistry. 🏒🖤🔥 Somehow, T.K. Drake manages to balance the darker elements with those softer moments that made me fall for this series in the first place.
By the end, I was emotional because Misha and Abby truly earned their happy ending. 😭❤️ Their relationship felt like two people who had been through hell finally finding somewhere safe to breathe.
I absolutely adored them. 🥹🖤 Misha and Abby are officially some of my favourites from this series, and now I desperately need to know what T.K. Drake has planned next.
PLEASE LET IT BE NIKKI! 👀🙏🏻🔥
Review of advance copy received from Author
Well, this book was certainly something… and I loved it! And I have to say, I LOVE the title… Karma, baby!!!
Misha… well, Misha in the first two books was scary as hell. He was terrifying… He’s such an important, high-ranking figure in the Bratva, a ruthless, tattooed Bratva assassin, that I never would have thought he could be so gentle, loving, caring, thoughtful, and kind… but maybe he just needed the right person for that. He’s assigned to protect Thatcher since he’s the only one Mila trusts to protect the love of her life, and Misha would do anything for his friend. He ends up stuck babysitting and hanging around a bunch of hockey players. Upon agreeing to all that “nonsense,” he never thought he’d meet the love of his life. But when you know, you know!!
For ten years, Abby has been suffering abuse, manipulation, and trauma at the hands of the man she married. That was hard to read… painful. She finally gets a taste of freedom when she is sent undercover to infiltrate the Santori family. This assignment slowly becomes a chance for her to discover who she is outside of her abusive marriage and what freedom really means. She makes friends, experiences things she was never allowed to experience, and slowly realizes that she can actually have a life of her own and be happy… just because Misha entered her life.
It felt as if they were both transformed by meeting each other, as if they had been waiting for someone to change their fate and relieve them from everything they had endured. They dream of a future together, of a family… and Abby dares to hope for a life where she’s more than a pawn being tossed around.
This is hope. And hope has a way of helping you bear everything life throws at you… the hope of a better future.
Of course, there are secrets between them, and Abby is afraid Misha will stop loving her if he learns her truth. She also finds the best kind of found family: people who will stand by her and come to her rescue when she needs them.
Wow!! This was very emotional. I loved it. I rooted for them and their connection… it was so natural, so smooth. Their chemistry was off the charts… Their intimacy was so “gentle”, it made her change her mind about relationships. Hot, hot, hot… He made her heart feel happy, and she made his heart beat again.
Bratva, hockey, obsession, suspense, found family, intense chemistry, and a hero who would burn the world down for his woman.
Check the trigger warnings.
Misha… well, Misha in the first two books was scary as hell. He was terrifying… He’s such an important, high-ranking figure in the Bratva, a ruthless, tattooed Bratva assassin, that I never would have thought he could be so gentle, loving, caring, thoughtful, and kind… but maybe he just needed the right person for that. He’s assigned to protect Thatcher since he’s the only one Mila trusts to protect the love of her life, and Misha would do anything for his friend. He ends up stuck babysitting and hanging around a bunch of hockey players. Upon agreeing to all that “nonsense,” he never thought he’d meet the love of his life. But when you know, you know!!
For ten years, Abby has been suffering abuse, manipulation, and trauma at the hands of the man she married. That was hard to read… painful. She finally gets a taste of freedom when she is sent undercover to infiltrate the Santori family. This assignment slowly becomes a chance for her to discover who she is outside of her abusive marriage and what freedom really means. She makes friends, experiences things she was never allowed to experience, and slowly realizes that she can actually have a life of her own and be happy… just because Misha entered her life.
It felt as if they were both transformed by meeting each other, as if they had been waiting for someone to change their fate and relieve them from everything they had endured. They dream of a future together, of a family… and Abby dares to hope for a life where she’s more than a pawn being tossed around.
This is hope. And hope has a way of helping you bear everything life throws at you… the hope of a better future.
Of course, there are secrets between them, and Abby is afraid Misha will stop loving her if he learns her truth. She also finds the best kind of found family: people who will stand by her and come to her rescue when she needs them.
Wow!! This was very emotional. I loved it. I rooted for them and their connection… it was so natural, so smooth. Their chemistry was off the charts… Their intimacy was so “gentle”, it made her change her mind about relationships. Hot, hot, hot… He made her heart feel happy, and she made his heart beat again.
Bratva, hockey, obsession, suspense, found family, intense chemistry, and a hero who would burn the world down for his woman.
Check the trigger warnings.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was so excited to receive an ARC for a bratva/hockey romance book that I didn't realise it was actually the third book in the Blades and Blood series (runs to add to TBR 💨)
This was almost a 5 star for me so here goes....
Who knew being sent on a dangerous mission to infiltrate an Italian mob family would actually lead to safety. Abby our FMC is ordered to befriend the daughter of an Italian mob family 'Ellie' and seduce one of the brothers to get inside info. Ellie is engaged to Teddy who is the Pakhan of the Thunder Bay branch of the Taranov Bratva, who has recently discovered his half sister Mila, whose best friend is Misha our MMC. Mila is loved up with Thatcher who is the best friend of Teddy and teammate at Rising Tide Hockey Team. Mila gives Misha the task of protecting Thatcher, to do so he needs to 'fit in' with the hockey team and be on the ice for practices and warm ups. Problem is he's not as good as he thinks he is! Enter our FMC Abby who takes a job at the library to get close to Ellie, slips in conversation that she used to ice skate and Ellie asks her to tutor Misha.
He definitely falls first but she's not far behind. The way he protects her, is so attuned into everything about her and how she finds friends and family within the group is heart warming. Best of all is how she finds herself, after embracing her natural beauty that was so cruelly dulled by her husband. This book had me laughing, stamping my feet in excitement, smiling and definitely crying. The banter between the characters is top notch and they were so relatable and likeable. The details regarding ice hockey were also great.
I loved the story so much and how despite her fears she faced them to save those she had come to love.
The nickname he gave her too ❤️❤️❤️
So why is it not 5 stars?
The reason is that for me a very large portion of the book was Abby and Misha falling in love, Abby learning to love herself and Misha discovering he is capable of love (which don't get me wrong was great!) but there was also this great storyline around human trafficking, corrupt politicians and abuse that for me could have had more page time. I feel that a lot of the final chapters happened off page and I would love to have read it.
Basically I think this should have been a duet so that the full story could be told in as much detail as the romance side of it.
I am definitely adding T.K Drake to my followed authors and will be going back to books 1 and 2 very soon.
This was almost a 5 star for me so here goes....
Who knew being sent on a dangerous mission to infiltrate an Italian mob family would actually lead to safety. Abby our FMC is ordered to befriend the daughter of an Italian mob family 'Ellie' and seduce one of the brothers to get inside info. Ellie is engaged to Teddy who is the Pakhan of the Thunder Bay branch of the Taranov Bratva, who has recently discovered his half sister Mila, whose best friend is Misha our MMC. Mila is loved up with Thatcher who is the best friend of Teddy and teammate at Rising Tide Hockey Team. Mila gives Misha the task of protecting Thatcher, to do so he needs to 'fit in' with the hockey team and be on the ice for practices and warm ups. Problem is he's not as good as he thinks he is! Enter our FMC Abby who takes a job at the library to get close to Ellie, slips in conversation that she used to ice skate and Ellie asks her to tutor Misha.
He definitely falls first but she's not far behind. The way he protects her, is so attuned into everything about her and how she finds friends and family within the group is heart warming. Best of all is how she finds herself, after embracing her natural beauty that was so cruelly dulled by her husband. This book had me laughing, stamping my feet in excitement, smiling and definitely crying. The banter between the characters is top notch and they were so relatable and likeable. The details regarding ice hockey were also great.
I loved the story so much and how despite her fears she faced them to save those she had come to love.
The nickname he gave her too ❤️❤️❤️
So why is it not 5 stars?
The reason is that for me a very large portion of the book was Abby and Misha falling in love, Abby learning to love herself and Misha discovering he is capable of love (which don't get me wrong was great!) but there was also this great storyline around human trafficking, corrupt politicians and abuse that for me could have had more page time. I feel that a lot of the final chapters happened off page and I would love to have read it.
Basically I think this should have been a duet so that the full story could be told in as much detail as the romance side of it.
I am definitely adding T.K Drake to my followed authors and will be going back to books 1 and 2 very soon.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review of Pay The Piper Book 3 in the Blades & Blood Series by T.K Drake. This book is part of an interconnected series but can be read as a standalone. I love this series and I love this book so much I couldn’t put it down. This is a 5 star read for me. I love hockey, mafia and dark romance so the fact that this book is all 3 wrapped in one is the best of all worlds. I loved all the emotions, secrets, suspense, twists, hilarious moments, spice and romance in this book. This was an emotional read that broke my heart at times but also had me dying laughing and swooning while it put my heart back together. This is a slow burn, very spicy, forced proximity, 9 year age gap, hidden identity, morally grey obsessed tattooed and pierced bratva mmc, secret identity, emotional awakening, sexual rediscovery, found family, touch her and die, dark hockey mafia romance. This is Misha and Abby’s story. Misha Mavrin is 39 he’s in the Bratva and is in Thunder Bay, Florida being a bodyguard for his best friend’s boyfriend. Abby Reid is 30 she’s from Canada and is in Thunder Bay to get close to the Santori crime family. While in Thunder Bay Abby becomes Misha’s skating coach. Misha falls for Abby the second he sees her and he will do anything to make her his. Abby has trauma and Misha helps her through it and helps her rediscover the pleasure of sex. There are secrets that threaten to keep Misha and Abby apart but they make it through to the other side even when it’s a struggle. I love Misha and Abby together. I have loved Misha since book 1 and am so happy to see him get his HEA. Misha is everything I love in a mmc he is hot, morally grey, protective, obsessed, tattooed, pierced, loyal, caring, attentive, and funny without trying to be. I love how Misha falls immediately for Abby and that from the first time they meet he thinks of her as his future wife. I love the banter and chemistry between Misha and Abby. I love Abby, my heart absolutely breaks for her and everything she’s suffered and gone through. I love that Misha makes her feel safe and shows her how she deserves to be treated and loved. I love the emotional healing Abby goes through and I love how Misha and Abby accept each other past and all. I loved this book and definitely recommend it.
August 23, 2026
T.K. Drake has done it again, with Pay the Piper, book 3 of the Blades and Blood series. I’ve been patiently waiting for Misha’s book since he was first introduced in On the Verge, and OMG this book did not disappoint!
Misha was everything I expected him to be and so much more. He’s dangerous, lethal, extremely loyal, and fiercely protective. Some of my favorite tropes are when he falls first and when he’s soft only for her, and Misha was that man! As soon as he met Abby, he knew she was the one for him. He makes it his life mission to make her his. And he had so many swoon worthy moments throughout this book.
Abby has had it pretty rough and has been through it. Her abusive husband gives her a task, which results in her moving down to Florida to try and seduce one the Santori brothers in an attempt to infiltrate and bring down their family.
Shortly after arriving in Florida, Abby meets Ellie and not long after that she becomes Misha’s skate coach. As Abby spends more time with Ellie and her family and Misha, she realizes they’re not what she expected them to be. Abby begins to question everything, even her feelings for Misha. But eventually, her feelings for Misha win and she completely gives into him.
I enjoyed the roles the couples from the previous books played in this book. We got glimpses of Teddy and Ellie along with Thatcher and Mila.
Nikki Santori surprised me in this book. We got to see a different side to him. He had a surprisingly sweet side to him that we got glimpses of as his friendship with Abby developed. The relationship advice he was giving to both Misha and Abby had me wanting to know more about the younger Santori brother.
Just as in the previous books in this series, I was hooked from beginning to end. This book had a great blend of suspense and spice with a few hilarious moments thrown into there. The ending of this book was oh so good!!! I don’t want to spoil it, but I expected nothing less from Misha. I truly enjoyed this book and cant wait to see what’s next in this series!!
Misha was everything I expected him to be and so much more. He’s dangerous, lethal, extremely loyal, and fiercely protective. Some of my favorite tropes are when he falls first and when he’s soft only for her, and Misha was that man! As soon as he met Abby, he knew she was the one for him. He makes it his life mission to make her his. And he had so many swoon worthy moments throughout this book.
Abby has had it pretty rough and has been through it. Her abusive husband gives her a task, which results in her moving down to Florida to try and seduce one the Santori brothers in an attempt to infiltrate and bring down their family.
Shortly after arriving in Florida, Abby meets Ellie and not long after that she becomes Misha’s skate coach. As Abby spends more time with Ellie and her family and Misha, she realizes they’re not what she expected them to be. Abby begins to question everything, even her feelings for Misha. But eventually, her feelings for Misha win and she completely gives into him.
I enjoyed the roles the couples from the previous books played in this book. We got glimpses of Teddy and Ellie along with Thatcher and Mila.
Nikki Santori surprised me in this book. We got to see a different side to him. He had a surprisingly sweet side to him that we got glimpses of as his friendship with Abby developed. The relationship advice he was giving to both Misha and Abby had me wanting to know more about the younger Santori brother.
Just as in the previous books in this series, I was hooked from beginning to end. This book had a great blend of suspense and spice with a few hilarious moments thrown into there. The ending of this book was oh so good!!! I don’t want to spoil it, but I expected nothing less from Misha. I truly enjoyed this book and cant wait to see what’s next in this series!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Pay The Piper by T.K.Drake is book three in the Blades And Blood series. Misha is EVERYTHING I want in my mafia men! Tatted, pierced, protective, obsessed, and ridiculously possessive. 🥵🖤 The man saw Abby once and was basically like, yep, she’s mine. And I am there for it every time!!!! But this story was so much more than the spice and the mafia drama. Abby has survived unimaginable trauma, and watching her slowly learn what it feels like to be safe, cherished, and truly loved absolutely broke my heart and yet put it back together. This girl deserves EVERYTHING! Misha is just everything. He’s so funny, strong, fierce and that protectiveness, it is pure swoonworthy! Misha’s patience with Abby, his respect for her boundaries, and his whole “I’ll burn the entire world down for you” energy was EVERYTHING. 🥹 Add in their banter, and their passion, ummmm, yes please, this man’s mouth, the way he teaches her and ummm, he’s pierc$d, yes please!!!!
Add in the hockey, the plot twists, and OMG talk about some absolutely hilarious moments! And the found family, I LOVE when an author writes about such a close group of people who will be there and do everything for each other! And these guys, they will have you dying laughing the humor in their conversations are priceless!
This one is definitely darker and heavier than some of the previous books. Misha and Abby absolutely stole my heart. Their romance was emotional, healing, and honestly beautiful and their love was so deserved! And I can’t wait to see who the brothers end up with!!!
Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🔥Forced proximity
🔥Hockey
🔥Bratva
🔥Obsessed MMC
🔥Touch her and die
🔥Secret identity
🔥Biker mmc
🔥Tatted, Pierced mmc
🔥Emotional awakening
🔥Sexual rediscovery
🔥Found family
Thank you so much to T.K. Drake for the privilege of being a part of your team and The Author Agency for sending my arc!
Add in the hockey, the plot twists, and OMG talk about some absolutely hilarious moments! And the found family, I LOVE when an author writes about such a close group of people who will be there and do everything for each other! And these guys, they will have you dying laughing the humor in their conversations are priceless!
This one is definitely darker and heavier than some of the previous books. Misha and Abby absolutely stole my heart. Their romance was emotional, healing, and honestly beautiful and their love was so deserved! And I can’t wait to see who the brothers end up with!!!
Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🔥Forced proximity
🔥Hockey
🔥Bratva
🔥Obsessed MMC
🔥Touch her and die
🔥Secret identity
🔥Biker mmc
🔥Tatted, Pierced mmc
🔥Emotional awakening
🔥Sexual rediscovery
🔥Found family
Thank you so much to T.K. Drake for the privilege of being a part of your team and The Author Agency for sending my arc!
Review of advance copy received from Storygraph
As we enter book three of the Blades and Blood series, the writing duo behind TK Drake have once again delivered a dark romance that is anything but predictable. Hockey meets mafia, add in explosive chemistry, plenty of suspense and a storyline with a deliciously unexpected twist, and Pay the Piper is another gripping addition to this series.
While each book can be read as a standalone, one thing these authors do exceptionally well is give you just enough of the important details from the previous couples’ stories that you never feel like you’re playing catch-up. If anything, it will have you immediately wanting to grab books one and two!
I have to admit, I did wonder how they were going to create a heroine who could stand beside Misha. He has been such a huge presence throughout the previous books that the bar was set pretty high. But I really shouldn’t have worried, because Abby is everything he needed.
This woman has been living in a nightmare, forced to come to Thunder Bay to uncover secrets surrounding the Santori family. Yet, for the first time in what feels like forever, she starts to breathe again. She makes friends, begins to find a little happiness and then Misha enters the picture when she’s asked to help him learn to skate.
And the chemistry? Instant.
Misha falls hard and fast, but he also knows there is far more to Abby than she is letting him see. As those carefully built walls begin to crumble, the chemistry between these two goes from simmering to absolutely explosive. Trust me when I say have those ice cubes ready! 🧊🔥
But this is a dark romance, so of course the shadows haven’t disappeared. The very reason Abby came to Thunder Bay in the first place is still hanging over them, and the closer these two become, the more dangerous everything gets.
With its perfect blend of hockey, mafia, suspense, danger, emotion and seriously hot chemistry, Pay the Piper kept me turning the pages. TK Drake have once again created a romance that pulls you in, gives you characters you want to root for and keeps you guessing until the very end.
Another hot, gripping and deliciously dark addition to the Blades and Blood series.
While each book can be read as a standalone, one thing these authors do exceptionally well is give you just enough of the important details from the previous couples’ stories that you never feel like you’re playing catch-up. If anything, it will have you immediately wanting to grab books one and two!
I have to admit, I did wonder how they were going to create a heroine who could stand beside Misha. He has been such a huge presence throughout the previous books that the bar was set pretty high. But I really shouldn’t have worried, because Abby is everything he needed.
This woman has been living in a nightmare, forced to come to Thunder Bay to uncover secrets surrounding the Santori family. Yet, for the first time in what feels like forever, she starts to breathe again. She makes friends, begins to find a little happiness and then Misha enters the picture when she’s asked to help him learn to skate.
And the chemistry? Instant.
Misha falls hard and fast, but he also knows there is far more to Abby than she is letting him see. As those carefully built walls begin to crumble, the chemistry between these two goes from simmering to absolutely explosive. Trust me when I say have those ice cubes ready! 🧊🔥
But this is a dark romance, so of course the shadows haven’t disappeared. The very reason Abby came to Thunder Bay in the first place is still hanging over them, and the closer these two become, the more dangerous everything gets.
With its perfect blend of hockey, mafia, suspense, danger, emotion and seriously hot chemistry, Pay the Piper kept me turning the pages. TK Drake have once again created a romance that pulls you in, gives you characters you want to root for and keeps you guessing until the very end.
Another hot, gripping and deliciously dark addition to the Blades and Blood series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to @tkdrakeauthor and @thesmuthood for the opportunity to read this ARC.
This story follows the main characters, Abby and Misha. As the story begins, we are immediately thrown into the tortuous life that Abby has found herself in. She thought her life was going to be a fairy tale, but in the end, her husband turned out to be a monster.
When she's sent on a task for him, she's ready to escape. And well-deserving of the escape, in my opinion! (I'm sure you'll agree when you read).
We meet Misha and we know immediately that he is the most golden retriever-y man who has ever golden retreiver'd. He is this way in his friendships and relationships. Once he sets his eyes on Abby, he knows she is his person. He made her feel safe, immediately, which was so swoon worthy, it made my heart ache. Because of his love and support, she was able to open up more to others, including making actual friends, because she wasn't shut out from the world by him.
The way the story unfolded and led us into the suspense, you could feel it slowly building but it wasn't what I expected at all. It was intense and led me through a wild rollercoaster of emotions and events that led me to nearly screaming at my tablet, "save her!!!" The way the second half of this story was delivered, I was constantly waiting for the next shoe to drop. I was on the edge of my seat.
Overall, this is an excellent story written by two besties. The only thing I yearned more for was I wanted more and more of their love story.
Would I recommend? Absolutely.
TL:DR
⭐️ 4.25/5
🏒 Hockey adjacent romance
🔪 Bratva romance
🔗 Pierced and tattooed MMC
🩷 FMC on the run
🤫 Secret identity
🏠 Forced proximity
❤️🩹 Physical and emotional healing
❤️🔥 Sexual re-awakening
🫂 Found family
☠️ Touch her and die (and he means it)
🌶️ 2.5/5
This story follows the main characters, Abby and Misha. As the story begins, we are immediately thrown into the tortuous life that Abby has found herself in. She thought her life was going to be a fairy tale, but in the end, her husband turned out to be a monster.
When she's sent on a task for him, she's ready to escape. And well-deserving of the escape, in my opinion! (I'm sure you'll agree when you read).
We meet Misha and we know immediately that he is the most golden retriever-y man who has ever golden retreiver'd. He is this way in his friendships and relationships. Once he sets his eyes on Abby, he knows she is his person. He made her feel safe, immediately, which was so swoon worthy, it made my heart ache. Because of his love and support, she was able to open up more to others, including making actual friends, because she wasn't shut out from the world by him.
The way the story unfolded and led us into the suspense, you could feel it slowly building but it wasn't what I expected at all. It was intense and led me through a wild rollercoaster of emotions and events that led me to nearly screaming at my tablet, "save her!!!" The way the second half of this story was delivered, I was constantly waiting for the next shoe to drop. I was on the edge of my seat.
Overall, this is an excellent story written by two besties. The only thing I yearned more for was I wanted more and more of their love story.
Would I recommend? Absolutely.
TL:DR
⭐️ 4.25/5
🏒 Hockey adjacent romance
🔪 Bratva romance
🔗 Pierced and tattooed MMC
🩷 FMC on the run
🤫 Secret identity
🏠 Forced proximity
❤️🩹 Physical and emotional healing
❤️🔥 Sexual re-awakening
🫂 Found family
☠️ Touch her and die (and he means it)
🌶️ 2.5/5
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
**His Everything!**
"Pay the Piper" is the third book in the Blades and Blood series. I just knew that Misha was going to absolutely steal my heart; he is truly swoonworthy with his pierced, tatted, "I will burn the world down just for you" cinnamon roll self. From the moment he meets Abby, I was hooked and here for every moment of their love story. It was an unbelievable journey that took me through every possible emotion as I read about them.
As Misha learns to adjust to his new role—having always been Mila's right-hand man and now settling in as Thatcher’s new bodyguard—he must learn how to skate in order to be on the ice with the team. This is how he meets Abby. Abby is an amazing woman who is brave and strong, having endured significant trauma at the hands of someone who was supposed to love and cherish her, but instead betrayed and used her in the worst possible way.
Seeing Misha completely fall for Abby and show her how she deserves to be treated was heartwarming. He is patient with her, even though he knows she is hiding parts of her past. He never pushes her too far; instead, he creates a safe space for her so she can open up on her own.
When Abby’s estranged husband shows up to take her back, Misha and the others go after her, because that's what family does—they protect what is theirs. Misha would burn the world down for Abby, and that is exactly what he does for her.
T.K. Drake has once again left me with an emotional hangover in the best way possible. Misha and Abby are beautifully written, showcasing deep understanding, intense emotions, and significant growth along with healing. I loved the bromance and the banter between Misha, Thatcher, and Teddy; it had me laughing throughout. I honestly cannot wait to find out who will be next in this series!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
"Pay the Piper" is the third book in the Blades and Blood series. I just knew that Misha was going to absolutely steal my heart; he is truly swoonworthy with his pierced, tatted, "I will burn the world down just for you" cinnamon roll self. From the moment he meets Abby, I was hooked and here for every moment of their love story. It was an unbelievable journey that took me through every possible emotion as I read about them.
As Misha learns to adjust to his new role—having always been Mila's right-hand man and now settling in as Thatcher’s new bodyguard—he must learn how to skate in order to be on the ice with the team. This is how he meets Abby. Abby is an amazing woman who is brave and strong, having endured significant trauma at the hands of someone who was supposed to love and cherish her, but instead betrayed and used her in the worst possible way.
Seeing Misha completely fall for Abby and show her how she deserves to be treated was heartwarming. He is patient with her, even though he knows she is hiding parts of her past. He never pushes her too far; instead, he creates a safe space for her so she can open up on her own.
When Abby’s estranged husband shows up to take her back, Misha and the others go after her, because that's what family does—they protect what is theirs. Misha would burn the world down for Abby, and that is exactly what he does for her.
T.K. Drake has once again left me with an emotional hangover in the best way possible. Misha and Abby are beautifully written, showcasing deep understanding, intense emotions, and significant growth along with healing. I loved the bromance and the banter between Misha, Thatcher, and Teddy; it had me laughing throughout. I honestly cannot wait to find out who will be next in this series!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
REVIEW OF ADVANCE READER COPY FROM AUTHOR
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5/5
This was such a fun mix of dark romance, hockey romance, mafia, and suspense, and somehow it also managed to be ridiculously funny. 😭
Misha and Abby completely stole the show for me. Misha is this terrifying, highly trained killer who is absolutely clueless when it comes to feelings, and watching him slowly realize that Abby is his person was honestly adorable. The contrast between his dangerous side and the way he treats her was one of my favourite things about him. He goes from “I don't need love” to completely rearranging his entire life around this woman. 🖤
Abby had so much going on beneath the surface. She's trying to escape an incredibly abusive past while undercover, and I really liked seeing her slowly rediscover who she was outside of Conor's control. Her friendship with Ellie also became something really meaningful, especially because it started with Abby having an ulterior motive.
The romance was definitely the highlight for me. The skating lessons, the banter, Misha being completely gone for her while pretending he has everything under control... I ate it all up. Their relationship also had some genuinely sweet moments that balanced out the darker parts of the story.
And the suspense! Abby's mission, the trafficking investigation, the mole within the organization, and the danger surrounding her kept adding another layer to the romance. I was constantly waiting for everything to blow up once Misha discovered the truth.
Overall, Pay the Piper was dark, spicy, funny, emotional, and surprisingly wholesome in between all the chaos. Misha and Abby were such a fun couple to follow, and I absolutely loved watching this scary-ass assassin fall head over heels for his ice-skating teacher. 😂🖤
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5/5
This was such a fun mix of dark romance, hockey romance, mafia, and suspense, and somehow it also managed to be ridiculously funny. 😭
Misha and Abby completely stole the show for me. Misha is this terrifying, highly trained killer who is absolutely clueless when it comes to feelings, and watching him slowly realize that Abby is his person was honestly adorable. The contrast between his dangerous side and the way he treats her was one of my favourite things about him. He goes from “I don't need love” to completely rearranging his entire life around this woman. 🖤
Abby had so much going on beneath the surface. She's trying to escape an incredibly abusive past while undercover, and I really liked seeing her slowly rediscover who she was outside of Conor's control. Her friendship with Ellie also became something really meaningful, especially because it started with Abby having an ulterior motive.
The romance was definitely the highlight for me. The skating lessons, the banter, Misha being completely gone for her while pretending he has everything under control... I ate it all up. Their relationship also had some genuinely sweet moments that balanced out the darker parts of the story.
And the suspense! Abby's mission, the trafficking investigation, the mole within the organization, and the danger surrounding her kept adding another layer to the romance. I was constantly waiting for everything to blow up once Misha discovered the truth.
Overall, Pay the Piper was dark, spicy, funny, emotional, and surprisingly wholesome in between all the chaos. Misha and Abby were such a fun couple to follow, and I absolutely loved watching this scary-ass assassin fall head over heels for his ice-skating teacher. 😂🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
MF Dark Romance
4.5 ⭐️ Great read! This has been my favourite of the series so far!!
It was insta lust, with a med burn, there’s funny moments and absolutely heartbreaking ones and the spice was delicious when it hit. There’s such a great bromance with the other guys in the series. While a lot of darkness is mention and talked about, they are off page and not detailed…… but some is on page and detailed so make sure you check TWs.
Abby was tasked with infiltrating one mafia family but ended up falling in love with a Bratva man with close ties to the family she’s there for. While there she seems to find parts of herself again. She’s having second thoughts about what she’s there to do but it’s not like she had much of a choice in the first place. She wonders what she could do to help herself but she’s worried about letting the new people in her life know the real reason why she’s there…. But she wants to so she can ask for help…
Misha….. oh I knew you’d be amazing. He falls hard and fast….. he’s so patient and understanding with her…..there’s nothing he won’t do for Abby. He’s a red flag to those who are on his bad side….. but a complete green one for her…. And becomes a red flag for her too
No cheating, no OWD, no third act breakup with a HEA
Looking forward to Nikki and Gabri’s stories!
* Age Gap 39 / 30
* F0rced Proximity
* He Falls First
* Obsessed MMC
* Touch Her and ☠️
* Morally Grey MMC
* Tatted & Pierced 🍆 MMC
* Emotional Awakening
* Pleasure Coach
* $exual Rediscovery
* Found Family
* Magnets 🗺️
“The taste of us together is my favorite in the world. Do you want some? It’s intoxicating. It’s us.”
‘Mila and I are closer than ever, especially now that we can bond over being in love. And scheming about increasingly invasive ways to make sure our soulmates are always safe.’
4.5 ⭐️ Great read! This has been my favourite of the series so far!!
It was insta lust, with a med burn, there’s funny moments and absolutely heartbreaking ones and the spice was delicious when it hit. There’s such a great bromance with the other guys in the series. While a lot of darkness is mention and talked about, they are off page and not detailed…… but some is on page and detailed so make sure you check TWs.
Abby was tasked with infiltrating one mafia family but ended up falling in love with a Bratva man with close ties to the family she’s there for. While there she seems to find parts of herself again. She’s having second thoughts about what she’s there to do but it’s not like she had much of a choice in the first place. She wonders what she could do to help herself but she’s worried about letting the new people in her life know the real reason why she’s there…. But she wants to so she can ask for help…
Misha….. oh I knew you’d be amazing. He falls hard and fast….. he’s so patient and understanding with her…..there’s nothing he won’t do for Abby. He’s a red flag to those who are on his bad side….. but a complete green one for her…. And becomes a red flag for her too
No cheating, no OWD, no third act breakup with a HEA
Looking forward to Nikki and Gabri’s stories!
* Age Gap 39 / 30
* F0rced Proximity
* He Falls First
* Obsessed MMC
* Touch Her and ☠️
* Morally Grey MMC
* Tatted & Pierced 🍆 MMC
* Emotional Awakening
* Pleasure Coach
* $exual Rediscovery
* Found Family
* Magnets 🗺️
“The taste of us together is my favorite in the world. Do you want some? It’s intoxicating. It’s us.”
‘Mila and I are closer than ever, especially now that we can bond over being in love. And scheming about increasingly invasive ways to make sure our soulmates are always safe.’
August 22, 2026
Pay the Piper is the third book in the Blades and Blood series by T.K Drake. As someone who has devoured the first two books in this series, I couldn’t wait to dive back into the world of Thunder Bay; especially since this book was Misha’s story. And this book didn’t disappoint!! I loved this book. Once again, T.K Drake delivered a mafia romance full of action, suspense, drama, chemistry and spice. This book had me on a roller coaster of emotions. I was laughing, swooning and at times wanting to reach for a Kleenex.
Let me just talk about Misha and Abby. Since On the Verge, Misha has been one of my favorite characters, so I was extra excited to read his story. Misha has now set the gold standard for Bratva romance MMCs. On the surface, he is everything that I want in Bratva MMC. He is possessive, obsessive, covered with tattoos, and the perfect shade of morally grey. But what I really loved was that beneath the surface he had a gentle and caring side for Abby. And Abbys character growth and development throughout this book was 5 stars. I loved reading Abbys journey healing from her trauma. The connection between Misha and Abby was undeniable. I appreciate the fact that T.K Drake focused on their emotion connection between them just as much as their physical connection. Their chemistry had an intensity that good be felt radiating off of the pages. And the spice had me blushing.
T.K Drake did a good job of blending the romance plot line with the Bratva plot line. This book captivated me from the first page and kept my attention to the last page. I can’t wait to continue reading more from this author. Thanks Smuthood for giving me an opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Let me just talk about Misha and Abby. Since On the Verge, Misha has been one of my favorite characters, so I was extra excited to read his story. Misha has now set the gold standard for Bratva romance MMCs. On the surface, he is everything that I want in Bratva MMC. He is possessive, obsessive, covered with tattoos, and the perfect shade of morally grey. But what I really loved was that beneath the surface he had a gentle and caring side for Abby. And Abbys character growth and development throughout this book was 5 stars. I loved reading Abbys journey healing from her trauma. The connection between Misha and Abby was undeniable. I appreciate the fact that T.K Drake focused on their emotion connection between them just as much as their physical connection. Their chemistry had an intensity that good be felt radiating off of the pages. And the spice had me blushing.
T.K Drake did a good job of blending the romance plot line with the Bratva plot line. This book captivated me from the first page and kept my attention to the last page. I can’t wait to continue reading more from this author. Thanks Smuthood for giving me an opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
📖 Arc Pay the Piper by T.K. Drake
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
UMMMM… EXCUSE ME?! 🫠🫠🫠
I went into this book thinking I’d have a good time and instead T.K. Drake handed me an obsessed, tattooed, pierced, biker MMC who has “touch her and die” written across his entire soul and expected me to act NORMAL?! Absolutely not. 🚩🧎♀️
I was CONSTANTLY waiting for the other shoe to drop. The secrets, the tension, the little breadcrumbs… I spent half this book like 👁️👄👁️ “WHEN IS EVERYTHING GOING TO IMPLODE?!”
And the MMC?!
OBSESSED.
POSSESSIVE.
PROTECTIVE.
WILL ABSOLUTELY CHOOSE VIOLENCE FOR HER.
I have responsibilities. I cannot be expected to recover from this. 😭
It’s not quite a hockey romance, but there are definitely hockey elements, and honestly? I’ll take any excuse to put a hockey-adjacent man in my TBR. 🏒
The emotional awakening + sexual rediscovery + found family elements gave this so much more than just the romance, too. Watching everything unfold had me INVESTED. 🥹🖤
And that found family?! Inject it directly into my veins. I will ALWAYS fold for characters who accidentally become each other’s whole damn world.
Basically…
Did I enjoy the story? YES.
Was I stressed waiting for the other shoe to drop? CONSTANTLY.
Did the MMC permanently alter my fictional-man standards? UNFORTUNATELY.
Would I recommend it? ABSOLUTELY.
✨ Tropes:
🏒 Forced Proximity
🏒 Hockey Elements
🔫 Bratva
🖤 Obsessed MMC
☠️ Touch Her & Die
🎭 Secret Identity
🏍️ Biker MMC
🖋️ Tatted & Pierced MMC
💔 Emotional Awakening
🔥 Sexual Rediscovery
🫶 Found Family
5⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Now excuse me while I go stare into the void and wonder why real men aren’t written by romance authors. 🫠
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
UMMMM… EXCUSE ME?! 🫠🫠🫠
I went into this book thinking I’d have a good time and instead T.K. Drake handed me an obsessed, tattooed, pierced, biker MMC who has “touch her and die” written across his entire soul and expected me to act NORMAL?! Absolutely not. 🚩🧎♀️
I was CONSTANTLY waiting for the other shoe to drop. The secrets, the tension, the little breadcrumbs… I spent half this book like 👁️👄👁️ “WHEN IS EVERYTHING GOING TO IMPLODE?!”
And the MMC?!
OBSESSED.
POSSESSIVE.
PROTECTIVE.
WILL ABSOLUTELY CHOOSE VIOLENCE FOR HER.
I have responsibilities. I cannot be expected to recover from this. 😭
It’s not quite a hockey romance, but there are definitely hockey elements, and honestly? I’ll take any excuse to put a hockey-adjacent man in my TBR. 🏒
The emotional awakening + sexual rediscovery + found family elements gave this so much more than just the romance, too. Watching everything unfold had me INVESTED. 🥹🖤
And that found family?! Inject it directly into my veins. I will ALWAYS fold for characters who accidentally become each other’s whole damn world.
Basically…
Did I enjoy the story? YES.
Was I stressed waiting for the other shoe to drop? CONSTANTLY.
Did the MMC permanently alter my fictional-man standards? UNFORTUNATELY.
Would I recommend it? ABSOLUTELY.
✨ Tropes:
🏒 Forced Proximity
🏒 Hockey Elements
🔫 Bratva
🖤 Obsessed MMC
☠️ Touch Her & Die
🎭 Secret Identity
🏍️ Biker MMC
🖋️ Tatted & Pierced MMC
💔 Emotional Awakening
🔥 Sexual Rediscovery
🫶 Found Family
5⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Now excuse me while I go stare into the void and wonder why real men aren’t written by romance authors. 🫠
August 21, 2026
Pay the Piper by T.K. Drake
⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5)
Hockey meets Bratva and romance? What's not to like?
Misha is an enforcer and security for the Bratva, sent to Florida to protect the love of his best friend's life and hopefully find love for himself. Mission accomplished on both fronts. He meets Abby, aka Niamh, the abused wife of Canadian-Irish all-around bad guy Conor, who has sent her to Florida to spy on the Santorini family by seducing one of the brothers. Complicated? Most definitely, but also very intriguing.
Misha is hard on the outside—all tattoos and torturing those who go against the Bratva—but so soft for Abby. He lives to make her happy and show her how pleasurable sex can be. There is something so sweet about watching such a hard man daydream about having children and plan theme park dates. Given the way he was raised, it warmed my heart to see him find the kind of love he never believed would exist for him.
My heart broke for Abby. She was young and naive when she married Conor, who waited until they were wed to reveal the monster beneath the surface. After ten years of abuse, she deserves to find love and happiness with Misha. Her story is incredibly dark, which made it easy to understand some of her less palatable choices, particularly waiting to tell Misha the truth about who she really is even after he opens up to her about his role within the Bratva.
Pay the Piper is the third book in the Blades and Blood series, and while it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the previous books first, as the couples at their centers are heavily featured.
Thank you to the author and The Smuthood for providing an ARC.
⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5)
Hockey meets Bratva and romance? What's not to like?
Misha is an enforcer and security for the Bratva, sent to Florida to protect the love of his best friend's life and hopefully find love for himself. Mission accomplished on both fronts. He meets Abby, aka Niamh, the abused wife of Canadian-Irish all-around bad guy Conor, who has sent her to Florida to spy on the Santorini family by seducing one of the brothers. Complicated? Most definitely, but also very intriguing.
Misha is hard on the outside—all tattoos and torturing those who go against the Bratva—but so soft for Abby. He lives to make her happy and show her how pleasurable sex can be. There is something so sweet about watching such a hard man daydream about having children and plan theme park dates. Given the way he was raised, it warmed my heart to see him find the kind of love he never believed would exist for him.
My heart broke for Abby. She was young and naive when she married Conor, who waited until they were wed to reveal the monster beneath the surface. After ten years of abuse, she deserves to find love and happiness with Misha. Her story is incredibly dark, which made it easy to understand some of her less palatable choices, particularly waiting to tell Misha the truth about who she really is even after he opens up to her about his role within the Bratva.
Pay the Piper is the third book in the Blades and Blood series, and while it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the previous books first, as the couples at their centers are heavily featured.
Thank you to the author and The Smuthood for providing an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This series just keeps getting better and better with each book and character we unlock. This book is Misha's, and if you have read the other books, then you will know he is probably one of the most interesting characters that we all wanted to see get his HEA. And he gets just that when Abby appears out of the blue and ends up teaching him how to ice skate in order to better protect his best friends lover Thatcher.
Abby has had a hell of a life, she married someone who she never even really knew and the worst followed shortly after and for 10 plus years she endured some of the worst treatment until she could no longer recognise herself. But then one day its like she is given an out but in the form of going to Florida to try and get information that her husband can use against his enemies and so had to change herself back to her which is how she meets Misha.
I felt on edge while reading this book because I had no idea what the next chapter would reveal and what would happen to our main characters. Hence why I basically read it in one go... I seriously loved reading this book and getting to know our main characters and finding out how soft Misha can be was a pleasant suprise and just wanting Abby to tell him the truth so that he could help but nothing goes the way a reader wants it to!
Misha and Abby fell hard and fast for each other and watching that relationship blossom into something no one expected was just so good and I loved every second and only wished we got to see more of them in the end.
Abby has had a hell of a life, she married someone who she never even really knew and the worst followed shortly after and for 10 plus years she endured some of the worst treatment until she could no longer recognise herself. But then one day its like she is given an out but in the form of going to Florida to try and get information that her husband can use against his enemies and so had to change herself back to her which is how she meets Misha.
I felt on edge while reading this book because I had no idea what the next chapter would reveal and what would happen to our main characters. Hence why I basically read it in one go... I seriously loved reading this book and getting to know our main characters and finding out how soft Misha can be was a pleasant suprise and just wanting Abby to tell him the truth so that he could help but nothing goes the way a reader wants it to!
Misha and Abby fell hard and fast for each other and watching that relationship blossom into something no one expected was just so good and I loved every second and only wished we got to see more of them in the end.
August 27, 2026
Blades and Blood Book 3
This series has been so much fun. It's a blend of Mafia and Hockey, and I have been loving it! Once I picked this book up, I didn't want to put it down.
Misha and Abby were totally insta-lovey, but I really enjoyed how their relationship developed.
I'm so thrilled we got Misha's book. I knew it was going to be so freaking good. He absolutely stole the whole show. He's hot, he's totally obsessed with his woman and turns into a total mushy simp for her. I ate it up because he's this huge, tatooed, pierced mafia man, yet he's such a softie for Abby. And the mouth on this man has mercy.
His inner monologue alone had me laughing out loud, but the banter between all the characters was also hilarious.
Poor Abby went through some horrible things in her past. She's sweet and such a resilient character, just so perfect for Misha. Bet walls and defenses were no match for the Misha.
This was such an easy read for me, I couldn't get enough from beginning to end. The characters are fantastic, the plot is thrilling with the added mafia suspense, the spice is absolutely delicious, and the dark rom-com vibes make this a fun read even through the darker themes.
Tropes:
Mafia/Hockey
Insta-love
Found Family
Forced proximity
Obssesed MMC
He falls first
Hidden Identity
Dual POV
Check TW
This book can be read as a standalone, but I definitely recommend the whole series. it's just so good.
Thank you, T.K. Drake, thank you for the opportunity to read this book.
This series has been so much fun. It's a blend of Mafia and Hockey, and I have been loving it! Once I picked this book up, I didn't want to put it down.
Misha and Abby were totally insta-lovey, but I really enjoyed how their relationship developed.
I'm so thrilled we got Misha's book. I knew it was going to be so freaking good. He absolutely stole the whole show. He's hot, he's totally obsessed with his woman and turns into a total mushy simp for her. I ate it up because he's this huge, tatooed, pierced mafia man, yet he's such a softie for Abby. And the mouth on this man has mercy.
His inner monologue alone had me laughing out loud, but the banter between all the characters was also hilarious.
Poor Abby went through some horrible things in her past. She's sweet and such a resilient character, just so perfect for Misha. Bet walls and defenses were no match for the Misha.
This was such an easy read for me, I couldn't get enough from beginning to end. The characters are fantastic, the plot is thrilling with the added mafia suspense, the spice is absolutely delicious, and the dark rom-com vibes make this a fun read even through the darker themes.
Tropes:
Mafia/Hockey
Insta-love
Found Family
Forced proximity
Obssesed MMC
He falls first
Hidden Identity
Dual POV
Check TW
This book can be read as a standalone, but I definitely recommend the whole series. it's just so good.
Thank you, T.K. Drake, thank you for the opportunity to read this book.
August 30, 2026
The TK Drake duo has outdone themselves yet again with this 3rd book in the Blades & Blood Series. Misha and Abby are so addictive together, and I LOVED reading about their love.
I was thrown at first, but I am so glad at how this wrapped up so beautifully together. I feel so much for both characters, and along with all of the others in the series, I just wish I had them all as friends. Abby is such a freaking warrior, and I think that she is honestly my favorite characters of the series so far. She is so strong, and her healing and rediscovery is something that I wish so many would be able to find.
And Misha, ugh my mannnnnnnn..... I have loved him the entire series, and the fact that we finally got to read his story was so perfect. He deserves Abby, and the love and devotion that he gives her is something that is so beautifully green flag, I don't think any of his actions would ever give off even the slightest form of red.
Their story is beautiful and chaotic and I loved the whole thing. I love how intertwined the series is becoming. Yes, technically you could read this one and none of the others, but you would be missing such a huge chunk that gives this book the oomph it really has deserved.
I cannot wait for the next two books in the series. My need to know about Nikki and Gabri's stories is something that is so deep in my bones, I am honestly unsure how I plan to survive when the entire series is complete.
Thank you so much for having me as an ARC Reader!
I was thrown at first, but I am so glad at how this wrapped up so beautifully together. I feel so much for both characters, and along with all of the others in the series, I just wish I had them all as friends. Abby is such a freaking warrior, and I think that she is honestly my favorite characters of the series so far. She is so strong, and her healing and rediscovery is something that I wish so many would be able to find.
And Misha, ugh my mannnnnnnn..... I have loved him the entire series, and the fact that we finally got to read his story was so perfect. He deserves Abby, and the love and devotion that he gives her is something that is so beautifully green flag, I don't think any of his actions would ever give off even the slightest form of red.
Their story is beautiful and chaotic and I loved the whole thing. I love how intertwined the series is becoming. Yes, technically you could read this one and none of the others, but you would be missing such a huge chunk that gives this book the oomph it really has deserved.
I cannot wait for the next two books in the series. My need to know about Nikki and Gabri's stories is something that is so deep in my bones, I am honestly unsure how I plan to survive when the entire series is complete.
Thank you so much for having me as an ARC Reader!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I do have to admit, that when I saw there was an ARC available that was a hockey and mafia crossover, I was absolutely intrigued as to how this would be possible and Pay the Piper delivered that and more!
Our MMC is Misha, who is everything we love in a Mafia man: possessive, quick to fall, possessive, tall, possessive, tattooed and did I mention possessive? Misha is in trouble the first moment he lays eyes on our FMC Abby.
Abby herself has secrets galore, yet even though Misha can sense her hesitation, he never lets her break, just stoically and with perseverance continues to break down Abby's walls as they begin to build their lives together.
The trauma that Abby has endured in her past is beyond comprehension at times and the authors do a really incredible job of treating such matters with delicacy and honesty. Misha is able to deliver a safe space for Abby so that she is able to be more vulnerable and engage with the world in the ways that she wants.
Overall, Pay the Piper is an amazing book with fantastic characters, serious topics and a beautiful love story.
This book is perfect for fans of
🔪 Bratva romance
🏒 Hockey romance
💞 Forced proximity
💀 Touch her & die
🔐 Secret identity
🧷 Pierced and tattooed MMC
🫶🏻 Found family
😱 Romantic suspense
🌶️ Spice, spice and more spice!
I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this ARC by T.K. Drake and The Smuthood
I do have to admit, that when I saw there was an ARC available that was a hockey and mafia crossover, I was absolutely intrigued as to how this would be possible and Pay the Piper delivered that and more!
Our MMC is Misha, who is everything we love in a Mafia man: possessive, quick to fall, possessive, tall, possessive, tattooed and did I mention possessive? Misha is in trouble the first moment he lays eyes on our FMC Abby.
Abby herself has secrets galore, yet even though Misha can sense her hesitation, he never lets her break, just stoically and with perseverance continues to break down Abby's walls as they begin to build their lives together.
The trauma that Abby has endured in her past is beyond comprehension at times and the authors do a really incredible job of treating such matters with delicacy and honesty. Misha is able to deliver a safe space for Abby so that she is able to be more vulnerable and engage with the world in the ways that she wants.
Overall, Pay the Piper is an amazing book with fantastic characters, serious topics and a beautiful love story.
This book is perfect for fans of
🔪 Bratva romance
🏒 Hockey romance
💞 Forced proximity
💀 Touch her & die
🔐 Secret identity
🧷 Pierced and tattooed MMC
🫶🏻 Found family
😱 Romantic suspense
🌶️ Spice, spice and more spice!
I am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this ARC by T.K. Drake and The Smuthood
August 14, 2026
“He is my sun, my beacon. He’s the light and warmth giving life to a lost soul who never thought it would be found again.”
I recently discovered T.K. Drake but I swear their books never ever miss.
This book was about Misha and Abby and while both have very chaotic lives, it means so much more when the universe has a funny way of bringing them together despite their missions.
Misha who doesn’t let anyone ever too close and doesn’t believe a thing of love, gets his world rocked when it comes to him meeting Abby. Of course a grumpy man like him, thinks there’s not much to love besides how he feels about his best friend/sister, but of course that’s not the same.
Abby who doesn’t believe in love for very different reasons, doesn’t realize that love can be all consuming but also gentle and special until she meets Misha, when she was really there for a mission it turned into more.
Now with time running out,l and growing impatience she knows her time is running out but at what cost?
This book was so good I love the bratva vibes and I love the genuine plot the characters gave, kinda hoping we get a book on Nikki, because I’m so curious about him, but I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to see where everyone else is.
Definitely look into trigger warnings but it was good all the same. I’ll miss Misha and Abby.
Thank you to the smuthood and T.K. For letting me give an honest review.
I recently discovered T.K. Drake but I swear their books never ever miss.
This book was about Misha and Abby and while both have very chaotic lives, it means so much more when the universe has a funny way of bringing them together despite their missions.
Misha who doesn’t let anyone ever too close and doesn’t believe a thing of love, gets his world rocked when it comes to him meeting Abby. Of course a grumpy man like him, thinks there’s not much to love besides how he feels about his best friend/sister, but of course that’s not the same.
Abby who doesn’t believe in love for very different reasons, doesn’t realize that love can be all consuming but also gentle and special until she meets Misha, when she was really there for a mission it turned into more.
Now with time running out,l and growing impatience she knows her time is running out but at what cost?
This book was so good I love the bratva vibes and I love the genuine plot the characters gave, kinda hoping we get a book on Nikki, because I’m so curious about him, but I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to see where everyone else is.
Definitely look into trigger warnings but it was good all the same. I’ll miss Misha and Abby.
Thank you to the smuthood and T.K. For letting me give an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved the healing that took place in this book with the support of the mmc and other secondary characters. Although, at times, it was a little farfetched in that everything worked perfectly in regards to support; no arguments, no disagreements, no gridges after betrayal, conflict was resolved quickly in a positive manner. In an ideal world, it would go smoothly, but in reality, that just wouldn't work, but it was nice to see it expessed this way.
The devastating past that abby had gone through makes her such an incredible character, and she deserved to have the best for the future, and misha definitely gave his all to ensure she does. Her husbands downfall at his hands was epic, maybe a little too quick for my liking but epic nonetheless.
I especially liked how these big bad hockey/mafia/bratva men are just like a girl group with how much they gossip/chat/interact, its like having a teenage sleep over everytime they get together especially the shrek scene.
This book is my first introduction to T.K. Drakes work. Although i strongly suspect that previous books are linked with this one, you can just tell there is history and context to be experienced in other books.
Although it gives dark romance vibes, the romance aspect isnt dark, its sweet, supportive and protective, the themes around them and secrets are dark so please be sure to check trigger warnings if you have any issues.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to arc read your work.
The devastating past that abby had gone through makes her such an incredible character, and she deserved to have the best for the future, and misha definitely gave his all to ensure she does. Her husbands downfall at his hands was epic, maybe a little too quick for my liking but epic nonetheless.
I especially liked how these big bad hockey/mafia/bratva men are just like a girl group with how much they gossip/chat/interact, its like having a teenage sleep over everytime they get together especially the shrek scene.
This book is my first introduction to T.K. Drakes work. Although i strongly suspect that previous books are linked with this one, you can just tell there is history and context to be experienced in other books.
Although it gives dark romance vibes, the romance aspect isnt dark, its sweet, supportive and protective, the themes around them and secrets are dark so please be sure to check trigger warnings if you have any issues.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to arc read your work.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews