Cruel Obsession: A Russian Mafia Romance

by Lisa Lovell

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 11, 2026

About the author

Hopeless romantic.
Bestselling author (still can't get over this one).
Dark Mafia Romance enthusiast with a vivid fantasy and an urge to write and share her own stories. :-)
Sign up to her mailing list and get a free novella: https://BookHip.com/QANJJGW

Reviews

[Eva ˖๋ ࣭ ⭑ ㅤㅤㅤㅤ ‌ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2,9⭐️/5
Hmmm I have a lot of things to say, not all of those things being good.

I liked the idea of this story, the extremely lucky way they were able to meet again. The fact that the FMC isn’t a pushover and does her best to hold her own against such a mountain of a man. The MMC who has such a rare moral compass in this kind of story. And who constantly question himself regarding a lot of things but who still plays this “monster” role.

Even though the FMC is a good character, I found her way of doing things incredibly stupid at times. She’s kinda like those characters in horror movie that you scream at to not make that stupid choice and they still do it. And in the FMC case she does it, again and again and again. I understand that it’s a big part of her personality, but she still was kinda stupid regarding some choices 💀

The MMC was kind of a big ahole at times, it’s kinda normal seeing that he was created for us to hate/love a little. But still sometimes it was kinda too much.

Now my biggest problem with this book: the writing and proofreading 💀💀. The timeline was INCREDIBLY messy and blurry, we’re told about period of time that supposedly passed but then we’re told that no it was another amount of time that passed.
Discussion that happened where we’re told that some information were given, but then when the characters think back about those discussions there are additional info given that the characters didn’t give during said discussion?? Like the FMC talking about a man with his head covered, but when the MMC think back about that discussion he talks about a man with head tattoos ??? They talk about certain event but then we’re given different information than what we saw happening ? Some sort of gaslighting or an extreme lack of proofreading??
Their relationship timeline also didn’t make any sense ??

I’m going to read the second book because I want to get to the bottom of this. But the writing and lack of proofreading took me out so bad that I won’t even get to really enjoy it. I hope that it’ll be way better in the second book or else I’ll just have wasted my time on this duet.

[Tbascoebuzz · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are your father‘s last hope for cancer treatment and you land a job that will pay for his treatment, wouldn’t you do everything in your power to keep that job? Not Mirabel! When she’s desperate for money and is at the end of her rope, she lands a job sent from heaven. But what does she do? She purposely jeopardizes this primo opportunity at every turn. She gets the hots for her boss; snoops and infiltrates his privacy when he’s distinctly has set boundaries; she eavesdrops and sticks her nose in places that she knows to stay away from…constantly disobeying the simplest rules in the workplace over and over again. She’s not very smart at all and it begs the question, what did Arkady even see in her? Seriously, even if she were employee of the month every year for 10 years, what does he see in her?!? There’s very few character descriptions of Mirabel and if you blink, you’ll miss them. She’s not a remarkable or likable character. I certainly didn’t respect her. But putting all that aside, there’s other things that don’t add up with this story. For instance, Arkady confiscates Mirabel‘s phone, yet an hour later she reaches in her pocket to take a call. And when Mirabel‘s hands are zip tied in front of her how is she unable to rest her hands on her stomach? And why does she use her feet to try to kick a van’s doors open when her hands are right in front of her to turn the handle? After she’s kidnapped and her phone taken away from her, when and how does she get it back? It was things like this that were confusing, and didn’t add up. Other than all of that, okay story worth reading once.






[Michelle Mulvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cruel Obsession is part 1 of the duet.

Mirabel is a registrar who is the official at a wedding for Rosanna and Arkady. Before the wedding, Mirabel overhears Arkady telling Rosanna how man he is and betrayed he feels when he finds out she is pregnant.

Arkady decides to walk away from his vows. Instead of responding “ I do, he says I don’t ”

Now he can’t stop thinking about the registrar and that registrar can’t stop thinking about that big, tattooed, sexy bad boy from the wedding.

When Mirabel answers an add for a housekeeper online, she has no idea what she’s getting herself into.

Mirabel has been living the last 6 years without her twin sister who she lost one night after an argument with her. Arkady has his own demon he’s been living with for quite a while. For a pakhan, he tries to keep everything semi clean. He has limits. Lines he won’t cross. His father is the total
Opposite. Arkady has been there and shut down big things and will try once again when he finds out his father is still doing shady things. The cliffhanger left was crazy. I was expecting it though. Cannot wait to see what happens in Cruel Submission.

[Jayne limb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first story in the laurov bratva duet. I devoured this story. Mirabels is a registrar. She takes on a couple that no one else wants because its a bratva wedding but mirabel sees it as its her job so she does it. She overhears a heated conversation between the bride and groom which makes her dislike him from the start. When she sees the groom she is hypnotised by his good lucks and his eyes then she has an embarrassing moment when her dress rips showing more than she would like and everybody sees will the groom go through with his wedding?. Fast forward to mirabel getting some bad news about her father she applies for a job as a live in housemaid to pay for her father's treatment imagine her suprise when her boss is only the groom from the wedding arkady. Mirabel is still heartbroken over her twin sister disappearing six years ago. Arkady is very intimidating and likes loyalty,control and he is very protective of his staff. His dad is not a very nice person
He sees girls as merchandise and he takes the wrong ones so its up to arkady and his men to save them but will he find mirabel. I wasnt preprepared for that ending and i cant wait to start book 2.

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Lovell delivers a story that is one that will draw you in and keep you glued to it. Every story I have read by her has always kept me on the edge of my seat. This one is no different. It is a story that is packed with action, drama and suspense. I absolutely loved how this story started off with the cold, man and a wedding that shocks all. I have a tiny issue with Mirabel, which is most likely a personal issue only, but she tends to put her nose in places it shouldn’t be. To me that kind of threw me off on loving her 100 percent. Otherwise, she has this sweet personality that is also strong. Arkady is one that has walls upon walls, but for good reasons. We see so much drama and suspense. This story will have you on the edge of your seat. The story is extremely well written and developed. We get to the end of this book and we are left with a major cliffhanger. I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens next.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book in a duet and it starts off dramatically with Arkady saying "I don't" to his fiancé at the altar. And that is how he meets Mirabel as she is the registrar that was supposed to marry them.

He is infatuated with her and strikes a bargain with her that she cannot refuse to get her close to him and at his mansion.

I really like this story and the song that keeps running through my mind while reading this is "Talking in your Sleep" by the Romantics because it is about keeping secrets, and in this story both Arkady and Mirabel have many, many secrets as does some of the other characters.

🤫Arkady keeping secret about his family
🤫Mirabel keeping secret about what happened to her
🤫Arkady's father kept secret from him but it was discovered and resolved
🤫Mirabel's twin

I'm ready for the next book to see where their relationship goes and what obstacles they have to overcome to get their HEA.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

should be a good read but certain personality traits are a turn off…

I’m only on page 134 and I’ll edit my review when I get to the end (if I do). So far I like it well enough, but the Fmc has a snooping issue and she JUST can’t help herself. 🙄 honestly, it’s very childish. The mmc comes off as unrealistic as well for a mafia man. He’s very careless and rash with an arrogance that makes you question how smart he is. Plus, for the mafia world, so far there’s a lot of threats and “I’m gonna get ya” vibes where in other mafia romances things are more subtle and carefully calculated. So far his interactions with other mafia make me feel like there should have been more consequences with their interactions. So yeah, just for getting to this point in the book, I took away one star, by the end I’ll either keep it at 4 or take it down to 3 if anything else takes me away from the story.

[Maryjane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mirabel and Arkady's story is off the charts awesome! Mirabel presides over Arkady and Rosanna's wedding, but he doesn't follow through. However, he gets a glimpse of Mirabel he just can't forget. She gets a job as a housekeeper and doesn't know it's for Arkady but she takes it anyway. She needs the money for her fathers cancer treatment. Sergei threatens war after not going through with the arranged marriage to his daughter. But that's only the beginning. There is so much I would love to tell you about this book but I don't want to give anything else away. You just have to read it for yourself. It will capture your interest from page one and will leave you salivating for book two. You won't be disappointed. I give it FIVE HUGE STARS!
I was given a free copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary review.

[Nikki Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one gets you right from the start with a wedding disaster in more ways than one, including a wardrobe malfunction and the events that follow.

Mirabel finds herself applying for another job that pays more to help cover her father's medical bills. She discovers that she is now working for the man who was the groom at the disaster of a wedding she officiated at, Arkady. What follows is strong chemistry, lots of drama, action and suspense.

If you like a good Mafia romance with a FMC who can't stop looking into things she has been told to stay out of, a morally grey MMC who struggles with actions from his past and has to control everything around him and his feelings for Mirabel, with twists and turns that will surprise you and ends on a cliffhanger, then this is definitely for you.

[Tesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arkady is that special type of brutal gruff hero who doesn't know what he needs to be has it. I loved how smart and caring Mirabel was too.

Capturing Russian mobster Arkady's attention while officiating his marriage, Mirabel gets caught up in all his life while dealing with so many issues herself.

Arkady and Mirabel are so well suited. She stands up to him but also he bows to her as well. But that chemistry is so good.

So much suspense not just between them but the situations that are going on around them. As all as danger, drama and a steamy romance. I can't wait for the second book to come in the duet.

Fantastic book really great!

[Anika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this one! It had everything I enjoy in a mafia romance—strong chemistry, plenty of drama, an intense hero, and a storyline that kept me hooked.

The wedding disaster was such a fun and memorable start, and I enjoyed watching the relationship between the characters develop from there. I loved the mix of humor, romance, and darker mafia elements. The story kept me turning the pages as fast as I could.

Luckily, this is a duet and I already have both books, because after finishing this one, I needed to jump straight into the second book! I’m definitely not ready to leave these characters behind yet.
A fantastic and entertaining start to the duet!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cruel Obsession pulls you in from the first page and refuses to let go. Lisa Lowell crafts a story that's equal parts suspense, danger, and slow-burn intimacy, anchored by two unforgettable leads.

The ending, with Arkady left juggling the fallout of his father's crimes, his organization, and his relationship with Mirabel, sets up compelling questions without feeling like a cheap cliffhanger.

If you love dark romance with a strong heroine, a morally gray hero, and a plot twist you won't see coming, Cruel Obsession delivers on every front. Highly recommend.

[Angela Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Laurov Bratva - Book One of two.
This is Mirabel & Arkady’s story.
Wow! I was hooked from the description but once I read it I was done for.
The storyline was so addictive I couldn't get enough. I saw the cliffhanger coming and what was ahead but I still was hooked to every word.
The chemistry was top notch there was some steam 🌶🌶 but the set up and the storyline was front and center.
Can't wait to finish this duet and finish Mirabel & Arkady’s story!

[Lisa reads alot Hamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wedding wardrobe malfunction then a non wedding this started so good and the rest was even better.

Arkady is dark brooding and is troubled by the past, then he meets Mirabel who too has past trauma, I must admit I usually get frustrated with communication breakdowns and misunderstandings but it really worked in this one.

[JJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting!
Cliffhanger!
Arkady & Mirabel. Their first meeting was at his wedding when he said I don’t to his fiancée and leaves because she told him she was pregnant right before the wedding. Murabel needs to earn more money for her dad’s cancer treatment so, she applies to for a position as head care taker for Arkady’s mansion. When he interviews her and can’t refuse the salary she accepts. The story is very interesting, evenly paced, drama, mystery, suspense, missing twin sister, murder, and mayhem. There needs to be an audiobook.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. I loved the characters. Maribel and Arkady had lovely chemistry. It was in my opinion intense and very interesting. I enjoyed the way they met, and I think that the storyline was well done.
I received a complimentary copy of this story.

[Jessica Whittington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh cliff hangers!

This was a great read. Lisa keeps you on your toes the entire book. The relationship between the two main characters is so good. Of course it ends on a massive cliff hanger. Headed for part 2 now!

[Genevive Landry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story but no way am I waiting another 330 some pages for the end

Cliffhanger. Had I know I'd have skipped the book.
Good story. Stupid cliffhanger.
My time is precious. Gah! Stupid cliffhanger

[Susan Mollohan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this story....

I am so loving this story. It has made me think with so many different twists and turns. Mirabel kills me when she's snooping. Arkady just kills. Can't wait to read the next book.

[Genoveva · Rating 5 out of 5]

The start of this story was absolutely hilarious poor Mirabel was not expecting that her shirt to pop open while shes trying to wed Arkady to his fiance but thats exactly what happens! What happens next had me on the edge of my seat. The way these two are pulled back into each others world was unexpected. but holy wow I was not seeing some of the twists this story took.

[Patricia Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. The main characters had good chemistry and were a good match. All in all, a pretty good read.
This is a voluntary review.