SHE’S A SERIAL KILLER. HE’S A RUTHLESS MAFIA BOSS. THEY’RE HUNTING EACH OTHER.
They destroyed me, and they will die. Ten years ago, members of a powerful cult carved their sins into my body and called it holy. They thought I would disappear.
Instead, I learned how to break them.
I study my targets until I know how they breathe, whom they love, and what keeps them awake at night. Then I begin—quietly dismantling their lives until paranoia replaces sleep and fear replaces air. By the time I strike, they’re grateful to die. Every name goes into my black ledger. One name is saved for last.
Severin Volkov.
My ex. The heir to the Russian mafia and the man who betrayed me. When his turn comes, I won’t be merciful.
⸻
For years, powerful men in the Russian underworld have been disappearing without a trace. It looks random—until I inherit my father’s empire and uncover a pattern.
Someone is hunting us.
Whoever is behind it knows our secrets—and how to destroy us from the inside. I will find her. And when I do, she will learn exactly what kind of man I am. I expect resistance. I don’t expect obsession.
As the truth unravels about my father, my empire… and her, one thing becomes clear: this war won’t end in surrender. It will end with one of us on our knees.
Hazel St. Lewis is a Dark Romance and Romantasy author. Diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age, she struggled to read and write, but fantasy stories inspired her to start storytelling. Unfortunately, now, she is a little too obsessed with morally grey characters. When she isn’t writing, she can be found playing with her hoard of cats (too many to count…it’s a problem), singing songs to said cats—like Cinderella—or painting.
Mafia romances aren’t usually my thing, but this one??? Loved it. I could not put it down. I wasn’t expecting the ending at all, and I can’t wait for the second book. Huge shoutout to Hazel St Lewis for the opportunity to read this arc.
I read this in less than 24 hours and I can honestly say I would NEVER have guessed that ending. I could not put this down - did I have to suspend belief? Absolutely. Did I still eat this up? 100000% and I cannot wait for book 2 after that ending!!!
WOW! What an absolute wild ride. Xeniya Morozova is out for revenge. The way this story pulled me in and wouldn't let go was almost embarrassing. THIS is what all Bratva/Mafia stories SHOULD be! (Okay maybe not all of them because I'm not sure my heart or my blood pressure could survive that!) It was a rollercoaster of emotions from page 1! You get to know who all these people are and where they fit in. This being book 1 has me feeling like this rabbit hole is going much deeper than I can even begin to imagine.
The back and forth between Xeniya and Severin Volkov is intense. I love how this story drops you off in the present, but pulls you back to the past. It shows the reader first hand the trauma and the events that happened to lead us to today and not in a flashback way. It's also not in a 'memory' way either. We aren't reading what the FMC or MMC "remembered". The reader is back in that moment with them and forming our own opinions and feelings on what happened. I LOVE how this author evokes me, but doesn't force me one way or the other by the thoughts or the dialogue of the characters. She lets you stew in your own thoughts and feelings that the events have on you.
Sometimes when I read Bratva themed books, they are almost predictable. I can tell what type of personality all the characters will have. NOT this one. There were so many twists and turns and so many different personalities in this story, it was refreshing.
With that being said, it is a LOT of trauma. This is definitely DARK on the Dark Romance side of things. If you have any triggers, PLEASE read the warnings. This story isn't for the faint of heart and your mental health matters. It's not fun to read something you weren't prepared for and end up not enjoying it because this book is HEAVY.
Revenge and vengeance is my all time favorite trope. Make it the FMC and throw vigilante in there... you have my entire heart and my complete attention. Xeniya had it rough. There seem to be a lot of life lessons in her story which for me is completely relatable. My childhood wasn't all sunshine and rainbows no matter how it appeared to an outsider looking in. You truly never know what people are going through. Is it enough to break a person? Would you be able to handle the same situations? A lot of people think they would be able to let things go or that its "not worth it." To "not worry" isn't something everyone is capable of. Some people SHOULD worry.
You know what they say "Love and hate are the opposite sides of the same coin." Passion is passion whether its negative or positive. It's all consuming. Love and vengeance aren't far off from one another. 1 action. 1 word. It can all change in a blink of an eye. Sometimes that takes longer. Even years. The biggest take away from Black Ledger that I have is never let things go unsaid. Make sure your actions and your words align. Intentions don't always matter. And always let the people you love know that you love them.
I need more!! 😍 This book hooked me from the very beginning. The story starts right away and throws you straight into everything. Severin even had me laughing in his first chapter, love a character who can make me laugh from the start.
One of the main reasons I wanted to read this ARC was Xeniya and her revenge driven storyline. Give me a strong FMC and I‘m in.
And then we have our Severin… obsessed with her since childhood and still completely hung op on her. I absolutely loved, that even after her being gone, he remained loyal to her. Not wanting to be with other women or even be interested in one in all those years. I really appreciated that side of him because it showed just how much he was still in love with her.
My favorite parts were definitely the whole Mafia concept, since it was written sooo good!! And the flashbacks to when they were younger. I was always excited whenever we went back to their past. Some of those moments genuinely broke my heart, but I loved getting those little glimpses into their history.
I also loved the whole mystery surrounding the Embroiderer. The concept of the serial killer and the way he „brands“ his victims was so interesting and creepy, can‘t wait to find out what this whole thing is about.
Also, I really appreciated the way some things were described, like the way Xeniya was prepped while being captured, or how the author didn‘t shy away from using words like „shit“ in a literal sense. It made the whole writing feel more realistic to me.
The book wasn‘t overly spicy, but the scenes were written soooo good!!
I just wished we had gotten a little more of their relationship after they confessed their feelings but I‘m assuming we‘ll get more of that in the next book. And I have to admit, I was sometimes frustrated with Xeniya because I wanted her to be a little more petty about the whole situation with Severin and other girls. I understand why she reacted the way she did in certain scenes, but part of me was screaming „GIRL, SHOW HIM!!“ That‘s more of a personal preference than criticism though. 🤪
Overall, I REALLY enjoyed this book. It gave me a lot of Rina Kent vibes, in a really positive way!! The story hooked me immediately, I loved the characters and their history, and that ending?! What is happening?? It got me SO confused for a second. I she really a ghost now? I need answers!!
I need he next book. Like right now please!! 🥺
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Thank you to Hazel St. Lewis, Hidden Siren, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of Black Ledger. All opinions are my own.
I genuinely don’t even know where to begin because Black Ledger completely consumed me. This book was dark, intense, addictive, and the kind of story that makes you say, “Just one more chapter,” only to look up hours later wondering where the time went.
The atmosphere was everything. There’s something so compelling about a heroine who isn’t waiting around to be rescued. She’s the one people should be terrified of. Her determination, intelligence, ruthlessness, and the sheer amount of vengeance driving her forward made her impossible to look away from. I was completely invested in her story and needed to know just how far she was willing to go.
And then there’s Severin. 👀 The history, betrayal, tension, and obsession between these two had me absolutely hooked. Their dynamic is messy, dangerous, complicated, and SO addictive. Every interaction felt loaded, and I was constantly waiting for the next confrontation, revelation, or moment that would completely change everything.
I also loved how the story kept feeding me just enough information to make me think I understood what was happening and only to pull the rug out again. There’s a constant feeling that there are bigger secrets hiding underneath everything, and that made it ridiculously hard to put the book down.
The darker elements definitely aren’t for everyone, but if you love dark romance, morally grey characters, revenge, mafia dynamics, psychological tension, obsession, betrayal, and a heroine who can absolutely hold her own, this is one you need on your TBR.
And THAT ENDING?!?!
Excuse me, Hazel St. Lewis. I NEED THE NEXT BOOK. NOW. 😭
I am not emotionally prepared to wait after being left with all of these questions and that level of tension. I need answers. I need more Severin. I need more of her. I need to know what happens next, and preferably I need it immediately because apparently patience is no longer something I possess.
Black Ledger gets a very easy 5 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dark, twisted, addictive, and completely unputdownable. I went in curious and came out emotionally held hostage by this story.
Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for book two because I am NOT okay. 🖤
One of my favourite types of FMC is a revenge fueled, stabby, unhinged one and Xeniya Morozova is exactly that and I couldn’t love her more!
After a horrifically traumatic few years she escapes her captors and becomes the very thing that terrifies them more than their own misdeeds, rescuing girls facing the same torment she did and also torturing and dealing out justice in her own twisted and oh so satisfying way. The ultimate focus and target of her rage and revenge crusade, Severin Volkov, her childhood friend, the man she loved and who she thought loved her back. His betrayal cuts deep and is the biggest driving force keeping her going. But did he really betray her? Does she really know what happened when she was kidnapped? Why does Severin believe she’s dead? I NEED book 2 to find out the answer to all these questions!
This book is dark and has a lot of triggers, not to be taken lightly, make sure you check them out before diving into this book! You have been warned!
I absolutely fell for Xeniya and felt my heart breaking for her as she was going through her emotions and dealing with her trauma. But boy did her acts of revenge feel so satisfying. I’ve got theories about what really happened when she was kidnapped and I cannot wait to see if they play out in book 2!
I was not expecting the paranormal twist that came, but I’m not mad about it at all! It just makes me even more intrigued about what’s coming next!
The only thing that I wished for whilst reading was for more focus on the present day, there seemed to be an awful lot of flashbacks to different ages growing up with Xeniya and Severin, I can appreciate that these are necessary to build the relationship between the 2 characters and give the relationship context, I just feel like there was too much emphasis of the story on that and I wanted more if the present day with Xeniya’s retribution.
Overall a good dark story and I would recommend to anyone who likes the FMC’s strong willed, unhinged, slightly psychotic, revenge driven, sarcastic, determined and unapologetically themselves. With mafia themes, violence, dark pasts, mental health rep and a paranormal twist. I can’t wait to get the conclusion of the story!
Ten years ago, Xeniya survived her own version of hell on earth–and now, years later, she's determined to get revenge. Working her way down a list of names, she hunts down her tormentors, tortures them, and prepares for the culmination of her plan–targeting the man she believes to be the main perpetrator of all her suffering: Severin. He's also her former lover, and the leader of the Russian mafia, who has now opened a hunt for the "ghost" that's been kidnapping and killing his men.
I didn't connect with this story right away, but somewhere around the halfway mark, I simply couldn't put it down. There are two timelines here: one follows the current events of the heroine's revenge, while the other tells us about her youth, how she practically grew up in the mafia environment, went through brutal training, and where her friendship with Severin, the son of a Russian mafia family who had been obsessed with Xeniya since childhood, eventually led. On top of that, in the present, we periodically dive into the heroine's memories of her years trapped in the clutches of a cult that trafficked girls.
I really enjoyed the structure itself, and the way all the threads gradually came together into a single full picture. The main characters also hooked me, even if, at times, I wanted a bit more dynamic between them. Overall, though, I have no questions about their backstory and shared past. But the ending... Just: What. Was. That??? The second book won't be out until October, and I need answers right now. Because that twist at the end literally crashes into the plot like a wrecking ball. So either there's something mystical at play here, or the author is playing with the reader's mind very skillfully 😅 I absolutely love moments like this–when you start replaying all the previous events in your head, trying to figure out: was everything really as it seemed, or did we get completely fooled somewhere along the way?))
Thanks Netgalley, publisher and Hazel St.Lewis for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Starting off, this book heavily reminds me of the Mindfuck series, which is one of my all-time favs.
There are few things I love more than a vengeful woman. Xeniya is out on a mission & she is absolutely making these men tuck tail. After her kidnapping, torture, & ultimately her death (which I'll talk about), her revenge is something I would PAY to watch.
Severin is an interesting MMC. I can't say I loved him but growing up under your abusive father who meddled not only in your life but the life of the girl you loved would probably make anyone turn out to be fucked up. I could've definitely done without the entire teacher situation. It made me feel very icky.
The stakes are high & the mystery is juicy. Always hearing another name & finding out what they put Xeniya through makes the suspense feel worth it. Not knowing the ring leaders or even all of the men & women apart of this Order helps keep you on the edge of your seat. Always waiting, always hoping for one nugget of information to try to guess who is behind everything.
Xeniya's death did take me by surprise. Most of the book, I assumed she had somehow escaped with her life. But no! She died & became a Fury, a goddess of vengeance. This was the shining moment in this book for me. The mentions of Greek mythology throughout her time in the Order, to her reclaiming that & becoming an instrument of vengeance was too good. Applause.
My one main complain is the constant time jumping. I 100% understand why it happens & its purpose; just feels like some of it could've either been left out or taken down to make more room for our current plot. Nonetheless, it was very interesting to see how things had progressed throughout Xeniya's & Severin's lives.
All in all, this was a fantastic read. Dark, gritty, & intense. I cannot wait to find out more about the Order.
Thank you so much to the author for supplying me with an ARC. 🫶🏼
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is a fast-paced, dark read with a revenge-fuelled FMC, mafia, fighting, a serial killer, torture, cults, and two people who are both very much out for revenge.
The story jumps back and forth in time, which I actually really enjoyed because it slowly gives you more pieces of the story and the characters. There are quite a few misunderstandings along the way, and you definitely don’t get the full picture straight away.
And the dynamic between the two leads?? 👀
He wants revenge. She wants revenge. They’re hunting each other.
There are also some seriously dark moments throughout the book, including torture, loss of innocence, a serial killer, and a kidnapping involving a cult. So definitely check the content warnings before going in if those are things you need to be mindful of.
And then there’s the Ghost… 👀
I don’t want to say too much about that because I think it’s something you should experience for yourself, but let’s just say it definitely adds another layer to everything going on.
The book kept me turning the pages because there was always something happening, and I never quite knew where things were going next.
And THAT ENDING. 😭
Why would you do that to me?!
The cliffhanger has me needing the next book immediately because I have questions and I need answers. 😂 (I read the whole bloody book in one afternoon, it was that good.)
Overall, if you’re into dark romance, mafia, revenge, enemies hunting each other, fighting, serial killers, morally grey characters and a whole lot of chaos, definitely give Black Ledger a try. 🖤
Xeniya Morozova has spent years turning everything that happened to her into a reason to keep going. She is back with a new identity, a plan for revenge, and a long list of people she wants to see pay for what they did. The problem is that getting closer to her goal means getting dangerously close to Severin Volkov, the man she once loved and the same man she believes betrayed her. Now they are on opposite sides, but the attraction and history between them are impossible to ignore.
I really enjoyed this book. Xeniya was definitely my favorite part because she is completely unhinged, strong, sarcastic, and very different from the typical heroine. I also liked the tension with Severin and how complicated their history is. Their reunion made the story much more interesting because there is so much anger, attraction, and unfinished business between them. The mafia politics and revenge plot also kept me curious about what would happen next.
That said, this is definitely not a book for everyone. It is extremely dark and includes graphic violence, torture, sexual violence, trauma, murder, and other disturbing content, so readers who are sensitive to those subjects should check the content warnings first.
This was very interesting! I didn't realize there was a paranormal aspect to this story, but I feel like that definitely made the story more unique and appealing.
So if you like revenge driven women who serial unalive very disgusting, bad men then this would be for you. I've been looking for a comp for the Mindf*ck series, and this is definitely along those lines, with some twists.
Some thoughts: there's a lot of past vs present, and I wish that we had less of that. I wanted to see more about what was happening in present day and think some of the past bits could have been edited down. I also did find myself a bit lost with the Russian names/nicknames. Rabbit and dandelion being the biggest two, though I don't think we even saw dandelion (the translation we got was weed which isn't the same). This is a pretty important reveal so I wish it would have been more prevalent leading up to that point in the story and making it more clear in translation.
Overall though I enjoyed this and ate it up. I'm looking forward to the next book. I have so many questions and I'm really wanting to see what happens when our MCs finally understand everything.
I knew this was a dark romance going into it but I did not expect that ending. If you have triggers check them before starting because this one is dark. Hazel does not shy away from the darkness and this one leans towards pitch black. While some people write a mafia romance and glaze over the violence not this author. She packs a punch and a head in a box and that’s the most romantic part. This book is the epitome of feminine rage and vengeance. I love an FMC that is ruthless and will do anything to seek her justice. This is the painstakingly slow revenge so gruesome you may duck behind your kindle. There is a little love story in this book a little childhood love (obsession) that’s so close but always out of reach. This book is bit more smolder than a spice but it fit the overall story. Mafia ties, a cult and the mystery determined to burn their empire to the ground. I cannot wait to get my hands on book 2. 4/5 stars 1.5/5 spice Tropes Mafia Revenge list He’s obsessed with her Childhood friends to lovers to enemies
I do not usually gravitate toward super dark romance books such as this one, but if Hazel St. Lewis writes it, you better believe I am going to read it no matter what. And let me tell you, this book was incredible. I was hooked from the start and knew it was going to be a wild ride. The characters were super unique and I was interested in seeing how they would cross paths throughout the story. Severin may be a big bad mafia boss, but when it comes to Xeniya he is still down bad for her to the point where no one will live up to her (and yet he somehow keeps getting forced into engagements to women he couldn't care less about 😂). The ending had me absolutely shocked that I actually had to pause and reread the part again to make sure I fully understood what was happening; although, I think there may have been subtle hints throughout the book. Guess I will have to reread and find out!
Thank you so much to Hazel St. Lewis for the advanced copy! Black Ledger releases on September 24, so be sure to check it out!
•6⭐️ Freaking. Stars!! •Dark Mafia Romance •Morally Gray vs Morally Worse •Best Friends to Lovers to Enemies •Obsessed MMC •Feminine Rage/Serial Unaliver •Past and Present Timeline •He's in her little black book •🌶🌶
Round. 👏🏻 Of. 👏🏻. APPLAUSE 👏🏻. This is my first 6 star read of the year!!! My mind, indeed, short circuited at the end of this book! I absolutely need the 2nd one in my hands right this instant! Back story... So the fmc was basically kidnâpped 13 years ago and she thinks it was her bf that gave her to this secret society/cult where she endured all the horrendous things you could think of. Then on the other side of things the mmc thinks she was unalived in a restaurant with his uncle by the Italians... (correct me if I'm wrong) The mmc has NO IDEA she's actually alive and is the one unaliving all of his men in the Bratva. But MAN.. all the WTF moments and Holy Sh*ts I said?? My husband was concerned 😂🤭 Seriously, I need the next book IMMEDIATELY!
OMFG!!!!!!! That was so gooooddddddd yall have so many questions. This book is not for the faint of heart so please check your triggers. We have an FMC hell bent on revenge, an MMC who is obsessed with one woman. The push and pull between these two is phenomenal. The heat, the tension, the looks of possessiveness and its not just him either. This book had me up well past my bedtime and the spice is spicen!!!!! Hazel does such an amazing job at immersing you in her stories that sometimes I forget im reading and that right there is a master at her craft, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and I will need book 2 pronto
Wow! This book left me with so many questions!! Follow along with a MFC who will stop at nothing to get her revenge on the men who hurt her. But what happens if she’s wrong about one of the men she trusted but betrayed her? The MMC has only loved one woman and now she’s gone… can her move on and find love again? Or does he just need to open his eyes and see what’s right in front of him. This is duel POV, jumps time lines, and leaves on a cliffhanger with so many questions! Definitely looking forward to book two!
When I tell you I loooooooves me a dark romance FMC who deals out revenge to those who deserve it....I ain't lyin'!!!
Starting the book cutting off some a**holes manly parts? ☑️ Sending said a**holes manly parts to his son, who could or could not be an a**hole himself?? ☑️ ☑️
I was totally feeling the Xeniya and Severin chemistry. They're both crazy as F*CK, which I can totally get with. And how sweet that he sent her the head of her assaulter as a gift! Now that's true love!! The romantic gesture was spectacular!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Feminine rage? ✅ Badass FMC? ✅ Morally grey vs. MORALLY WORSE? ✅ And SHE is the morally worse one?! EVEN FUCKING BETTER. 😮💨🔥
Thank you for officially unlocking my newest reading obsession because now I need MORE feminine rage. More unhinged women. More morally questionable FMCs. Immediately.
Apparently my new favorite genre is ✨women doing terrible things and me supporting their rights AND their wrongs✨ 😂
Follow Xeniya as she gets revenge on the men who had a hand in her torture. Top on her list is Severin, her first love. Read Back Ledger to see what could have been and what's happening now. I was hooked from the start. That ending has me screaming for book 2. As long as Hazel keeps writing stories I will keep reading them. Thank you for my arc. Black Ledger is a dark mafia romance please read content warnings before diving in.
This book was given to me via BookFunnel by the Author here is my voluntarily review. 4.5⭐️ Okay, THIS is much more my kind of dark romance. Black Ledger gave me revenge, obsession, a female serial killer, Russian Mafia, second chances, and two people who probably have absolutely no business being together…which obviously makes me want them together even more. 😂 it was eerie, dark and so addictive I need book 📕 2 .
If you like pitch black romance, this is for you. This book spends a lot of time in the past, but with more books coming, im not upset about it. And the ending?? You'll be screaming for the next book. Darkness and lust seep out of every page. I was absolutely engrossed in every word and could not believe where this one ended. I need the next one yesterday!
5 STARS FULL STOP. My only complaint is that I wanted it to be 500 pages because I can not get enough of fury and severin. THAT ENDING??? Beautifully written and exceeded every expectation I had going into black ledger. Do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK. I will be at the edge of my seat waiting for blood code to release
The ending! I received this as an ARC and could not be more grateful. While the story kept me stressed (in the best way) the whole time I loved it so much. It was so well written and had such a good plot including jaw dropping plot twist (like the ending) and I cannot wait for the second book to come out.
I was sucked in from page one. Xenyia Morozova is one hell of an FMC. It's very rare that I fall in love with the FMC because they are typically whiny or unworthy of the things the MMC will do for her but Xenyia is phenomenal and an absolute badass. This book ends on a cliffhanger and I am so ready for book 2 already.
I was given this as an ARC. What a surprise this book was. Had me going from the beginning. Ending was unexpected. Can’t wait for other books in series. I will be ordering this in paperback when I can. I read in one sitting. Well worth the read,
Omg! First of all I want to say how grateful I am to have received an arc of this book. This was totally not what I was expecting but I really loved every second of it, I cannot wait for book 2. I have so many questions omg!
SUCH A GOOD READ! I always long for a badass female lead and this is that! This was book had me gripped from the beginning. And the end? Astounding! I thought I knew what was happening but the end left me wondering. I can’t wait for the next one.