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Fury Verse #1
Black Ledger
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.
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.
268 pages, Paperback
Published September 17, 2026
About the author
Hazel St. Lewis
6 books202 followersHazel 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
September 15, 2026
Feminine rage ✔️ love love love a bad ass fmc and I also love when they are in their 30s. Honestly it’s my favorite thing. Theres flash backs that really help you understand the characters and why they do what they do. Oh and the ending?!?! Need book 2 immediately
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September 27, 2026DNF- no rating
I'm always on the hunt for a good revenge plot with some feminine rage thrown in. And when I read the blurb to this book, I was practically salivating to get my hands on it. Mafia and female serial killer bent on revenge? Count me SO in.
Sadly, I got about 30% when I realized that no matter how intrigued I was by the premise of the story, I just couldn't connect with the writing style. The writing felt clunky, overly descriptive, at times almost cringey, and just took me completely out of the story. I tried my hardest to look past it and concentrate on the story, but I just couldn't.
The dialogue between the characters, including the secondary ones was overly descriptive, where I wanted to be shown, not told those details.
Even the main characters inner monologue read overly descriptive.
And at times just flat out cringey...
Then there was the bad guys of this story, that also had an almost caricature like vibe to it.
The constant flashbacks didn't help and felt like a distraction rather than connecting the web.
Perhaps it was my mood at the time. I do want to try to get back to this story one more time because the story truly is intriguing.
But alas, even as I wanted to concentrate on the vibes, I just couldn't connect with the writing style to stick it out until the end.
But hey, I'm just one small opinion in a sea of readers. So give it a shot and judge for yourself ;)
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
The woman was dangerous. And she might become my newest obsession.
I'm always on the hunt for a good revenge plot with some feminine rage thrown in. And when I read the blurb to this book, I was practically salivating to get my hands on it. Mafia and female serial killer bent on revenge? Count me SO in.
Sadly, I got about 30% when I realized that no matter how intrigued I was by the premise of the story, I just couldn't connect with the writing style. The writing felt clunky, overly descriptive, at times almost cringey, and just took me completely out of the story. I tried my hardest to look past it and concentrate on the story, but I just couldn't.
The dialogue between the characters, including the secondary ones was overly descriptive, where I wanted to be shown, not told those details.
Even the main characters inner monologue read overly descriptive.
And at times just flat out cringey...
Then there was the bad guys of this story, that also had an almost caricature like vibe to it.
“Oh, I’m so glad you asked.” The White Mask—sorry, the Headmaster—stepped closer to me. “We are a society of the most powerful men in the world.” A large, self-righteous smile spread across his lips. “We own politicians, CEOs, and mafia bosses. We rule the world from the shadows,
The constant flashbacks didn't help and felt like a distraction rather than connecting the web.
Perhaps it was my mood at the time. I do want to try to get back to this story one more time because the story truly is intriguing.
But alas, even as I wanted to concentrate on the vibes, I just couldn't connect with the writing style to stick it out until the end.
But hey, I'm just one small opinion in a sea of readers. So give it a shot and judge for yourself ;)
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
September 24, 2026
I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review!! Wow just wow!! Loved this mafia romance i completely devoured this book and I need book 2 now!! That ending was not expected!! Wow!! Chefs kiss Hazel St. Lewis!!
“BLACK LEDGER is a dark romance featuring a female serial killer hunting the men who destroyed her life. This is an episodic series with five shorter books that combine to tell one larger story. Perfect for readers who loved the psychological intensity of the Mindf*ck Series and the dark mafia power dynamics of the Dark Verse series.”
“BLACK LEDGER is a dark romance featuring a female serial killer hunting the men who destroyed her life. This is an episodic series with five shorter books that combine to tell one larger story. Perfect for readers who loved the psychological intensity of the Mindf*ck Series and the dark mafia power dynamics of the Dark Verse series.”
August 28, 2026
ARC reader review
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!!!
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!!!
August 25, 2026
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.
September 25, 2026
First I want to say thanks for the amazing read! I loved it and the FMC she is Amazing!
August 29, 2026
🖤 ARC REVIEW — BLACK LEDGER 🖤
Okay… Black Ledger was A LOT. 😂
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. 🖤
Okay… Black Ledger was A LOT. 😂
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. 🖤
October 21, 2026
Alright I burned through this. It’s kind of a mix of Mindfuck, a mafia romance, Hunting Adeline and something else…. It was fast paced and flipped between past and present and hooked me. I also love a badass FMC who isn’t 20years old.
September 18, 2026
black ledger 🖤
- 5/5⭐️
this book had me so hooked. i loved the whole revenge aspect and the way everything slowly started coming together. the tension between her and severin was probably my favourite part because you KNOW there’s so much history there but you don’t get the full picture right away.
the whole book just had such a dark, unsettling vibe and that ending??!! definitely need to read the next one.
- 5/5⭐️
this book had me so hooked. i loved the whole revenge aspect and the way everything slowly started coming together. the tension between her and severin was probably my favourite part because you KNOW there’s so much history there but you don’t get the full picture right away.
the whole book just had such a dark, unsettling vibe and that ending??!! definitely need to read the next one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Xeniya Morozova is that girl, let me tell you!!
A baddie on a revenge tour??? i’m always going to eat it up
I really enjoyed this and i’m excited for book 2 and the rest of the story!
September 27, 2026
Black Ledger by Hazel St. Lewis
Wow, this was intense and not what I expected! I mean, yes, female rage and revenge, but there is
This is a strong start to the series, and I am looking forward to reading what will happen next. Please check your triggers, as our FMC goes through very traumatic events and exacts her revenge accordingly!
If you are into:
* Mafia Boss
* Dark Romance
* He’s on Her K List
* Enemies to ...
* Female Serial K
* Obsessive MMC
Definitely read this!
⭐ 4 stars story 🌶️ 2 chilis for now
Thank so much MTMC Tour for the review copy, all opinions are my own
Wow, this was intense and not what I expected! I mean, yes, female rage and revenge, but there is
This is a strong start to the series, and I am looking forward to reading what will happen next. Please check your triggers, as our FMC goes through very traumatic events and exacts her revenge accordingly!
If you are into:
* Mafia Boss
* Dark Romance
* He’s on Her K List
* Enemies to ...
* Female Serial K
* Obsessive MMC
Definitely read this!
⭐ 4 stars story 🌶️ 2 chilis for now
Thank so much MTMC Tour for the review copy, all opinions are my own
October 9, 2026
I love a FMC who’s full of rage that’s out for revenge for all the men that have wronged her!
She's a serial k!ller. He's a ruthless mafia boss. They're hunting each other. This is dark romance perfection!
Slow burn with yearning, tension and sexual chemistry.
An ending that blew my mind and had me thumbing my Kindle pages to make sure I didn’t skip a page. 😱
The good news is that the next book is coming 10-15-26 and 3 more each month afterwards.
She's a serial k!ller. He's a ruthless mafia boss. They're hunting each other. This is dark romance perfection!
Slow burn with yearning, tension and sexual chemistry.
An ending that blew my mind and had me thumbing my Kindle pages to make sure I didn’t skip a page. 😱
The good news is that the next book is coming 10-15-26 and 3 more each month afterwards.
September 24, 2026
2.5 stars
If you want a gritty dark romance then this will be up your alley!
Hazel St Lewis’ writing is some of my favorite but this one just didn’t hit for me. Will I read the next book? Probably.
It’s a short quick read but I struggled with the tone of the characters, they all seemed kind of flat to me even with the atrocities occurring. It felt like a lot of things were told instead of shown.
I also feel like the flashbacks were a little too long, I’m more interested in the characters as adults not their college days. I also didn’t love how often we read about Severin other escapades prior to being with Xeniya.
I did enjoy the parts with Xeniya and her friends and her preparing her revenge.
Overall I’d recommend this to anyone who likes a shorter fast paced story that’s filled with feminine rage.
Thank you Hazel St Lewis for the arc 🖤
If you want a gritty dark romance then this will be up your alley!
Hazel St Lewis’ writing is some of my favorite but this one just didn’t hit for me. Will I read the next book? Probably.
It’s a short quick read but I struggled with the tone of the characters, they all seemed kind of flat to me even with the atrocities occurring. It felt like a lot of things were told instead of shown.
I also feel like the flashbacks were a little too long, I’m more interested in the characters as adults not their college days. I also didn’t love how often we read about Severin other escapades prior to being with Xeniya.
I did enjoy the parts with Xeniya and her friends and her preparing her revenge.
Overall I’d recommend this to anyone who likes a shorter fast paced story that’s filled with feminine rage.
Thank you Hazel St Lewis for the arc 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
October 9, 2026
I was expecting this book to be full of angst and intensity as it’s a mafia story. In all honesty, I was more confused and let down the longer i read it.
The amount of flash backs confused me and then nothing was ever really fully explained in the present. The main female character is supposed to be dominating and fearful and yet I feel like I barely witnessed her do anything except write a message in lipstick and then disappear at the end for the cliffhanger.
The main male character just seemed whiney and clueless the entire time. He stated he wanted to find out who the “ghost” was but never really made any moves to do it.
It felt like this book was rushed, lots of plot holes, and overall was lackluster. I gave this book a chance, but I have no interest in reading the second if it’s anything like this first book.
The amount of flash backs confused me and then nothing was ever really fully explained in the present. The main female character is supposed to be dominating and fearful and yet I feel like I barely witnessed her do anything except write a message in lipstick and then disappear at the end for the cliffhanger.
The main male character just seemed whiney and clueless the entire time. He stated he wanted to find out who the “ghost” was but never really made any moves to do it.
It felt like this book was rushed, lots of plot holes, and overall was lackluster. I gave this book a chance, but I have no interest in reading the second if it’s anything like this first book.
October 4, 2026
Okay, I picked up Black Ledger and apparently decided that spending my free time watching a woman turn her trauma into feminine rage and revenge was exactly what I wanted. 😂
This book pulled me in pretty quickly, and whenever I actually had the time to sit down and read, I found myself wanting to keep going because I needed to know what the fuck was happening. There was this constant feeling that I was only getting part of the story, which made me want to keep turning the pages because I knew there had to be more underneath everything.
And honestly, the FMC had me fucking seated from the beginning.
Xeniya Morozova is our ruthless, angry, sarcastic FMC who has absolutely no interest in being anyone's damsel in distress. She's driven by revenge and more than willing to get her hands dirty, and I fucking loved that about her.
Severin Volkov is our morally questionable mafia MMC, and his complicated history with Xeniya is a huge part of what makes their dynamic so interesting. He's possessive, obsessive and very much the kind of man you'd expect to find in a dark romance.
Also, I need to address the fact that his surname is Volkov, because unfortunately, Rina Kent has permanently claimed the Volkov family in my brain. 😂
Xeniya's story unfolds through the present and different points in the past, gradually revealing more about her history, her relationship with Severin and the events that shaped who she is now. The timelines work together to slowly fill in the gaps, so you're constantly learning something new without being given the full picture immediately.
In the present, Xeniya is focused on revenge, while Severin is dealing with his own problems within the Russian mafia. Their paths are connected, and the further the story progresses, the more complicated their history becomes.
There's also a bigger mystery running underneath everything, with secrets, violence, disappearances and questions surrounding exactly what happened in the past and who can actually be trusted. The story gets progressively darker, and there are some seriously heavy scenes involving trauma, abuse, captivity and torture.
The time jumps are a big part of the reading experience, but they never felt completely random. Each section gives you another piece of information and lets you slowly work out how everything connects, rather than simply explaining the entire history at once.
And then there's the ending, which I'm obviously not touching because absolutely fucking not. 😂 Just know that if you like finishing a book with approximately seventeen questions and immediately needing the next one, you're going to have the best time.
I really fucking enjoyed this. Xeniya's feminine rage was probably my favourite part of the entire book because I will forever be here for a woman who has decided she's done taking shit and is going to make the people responsible pay. She isn't a perfect heroine and she's certainly not interested in taking the moral high ground, but that's exactly what made her so much fun to read.
I also really enjoyed the time jumps. They slowly revealed pieces of the story and made me question what I thought I knew, although I did find myself wanting more of Xeniya in the present towards the end. I understood why so much of her history needed to be explored, but I was invested in the revenge plot and wanted more of that side of the story.
My biggest criticism is that, despite how much fun I had, the overall plot didn't feel particularly new to me**. There are a lot of familiar dark-romance ingredients here, and while that didn't stop me enjoying the book, I wouldn't say it felt especially original. I still found myself wanting to pick it back up whenever I had the chance, though, which tells you everything you need to know about whether that actually mattered to me. 😂
And that ending? WHAT THE FUCK. I have theories, I have questions and I need book two. I genuinely have no idea whether I'm going to be completely right or completely fucking delusional, but either way, I'm continuing the series because I need answers.
Overall, this book gave me a revenge-driven FMC I was completely invested in, a complicated relationship, a mystery that kept me guessing and an ending that has guaranteed I'm coming back for book two.
Also, Hazel St. Lewis…
WHY DID YOU HAVE TO NAME HIM VOLKOV?! 😂🖤
Kidnapping, cult abuse, childhood trauma, sexual abuse, torture, physical and emotional abuse, trafficking, violence, murder/death, PTSD and trauma responses, grief, mental health struggles, captivity, mafia/gang violence, sexual content and other disturbing themes.
This book pulled me in pretty quickly, and whenever I actually had the time to sit down and read, I found myself wanting to keep going because I needed to know what the fuck was happening. There was this constant feeling that I was only getting part of the story, which made me want to keep turning the pages because I knew there had to be more underneath everything.
And honestly, the FMC had me fucking seated from the beginning.
Xeniya Morozova is our ruthless, angry, sarcastic FMC who has absolutely no interest in being anyone's damsel in distress. She's driven by revenge and more than willing to get her hands dirty, and I fucking loved that about her.
Severin Volkov is our morally questionable mafia MMC, and his complicated history with Xeniya is a huge part of what makes their dynamic so interesting. He's possessive, obsessive and very much the kind of man you'd expect to find in a dark romance.
Also, I need to address the fact that his surname is Volkov, because unfortunately, Rina Kent has permanently claimed the Volkov family in my brain. 😂
Xeniya's story unfolds through the present and different points in the past, gradually revealing more about her history, her relationship with Severin and the events that shaped who she is now. The timelines work together to slowly fill in the gaps, so you're constantly learning something new without being given the full picture immediately.
In the present, Xeniya is focused on revenge, while Severin is dealing with his own problems within the Russian mafia. Their paths are connected, and the further the story progresses, the more complicated their history becomes.
There's also a bigger mystery running underneath everything, with secrets, violence, disappearances and questions surrounding exactly what happened in the past and who can actually be trusted. The story gets progressively darker, and there are some seriously heavy scenes involving trauma, abuse, captivity and torture.
The time jumps are a big part of the reading experience, but they never felt completely random. Each section gives you another piece of information and lets you slowly work out how everything connects, rather than simply explaining the entire history at once.
And then there's the ending, which I'm obviously not touching because absolutely fucking not. 😂 Just know that if you like finishing a book with approximately seventeen questions and immediately needing the next one, you're going to have the best time.
I really fucking enjoyed this. Xeniya's feminine rage was probably my favourite part of the entire book because I will forever be here for a woman who has decided she's done taking shit and is going to make the people responsible pay. She isn't a perfect heroine and she's certainly not interested in taking the moral high ground, but that's exactly what made her so much fun to read.
I also really enjoyed the time jumps. They slowly revealed pieces of the story and made me question what I thought I knew, although I did find myself wanting more of Xeniya in the present towards the end. I understood why so much of her history needed to be explored, but I was invested in the revenge plot and wanted more of that side of the story.
My biggest criticism is that, despite how much fun I had, the overall plot didn't feel particularly new to me**. There are a lot of familiar dark-romance ingredients here, and while that didn't stop me enjoying the book, I wouldn't say it felt especially original. I still found myself wanting to pick it back up whenever I had the chance, though, which tells you everything you need to know about whether that actually mattered to me. 😂
And that ending? WHAT THE FUCK. I have theories, I have questions and I need book two. I genuinely have no idea whether I'm going to be completely right or completely fucking delusional, but either way, I'm continuing the series because I need answers.
Overall, this book gave me a revenge-driven FMC I was completely invested in, a complicated relationship, a mystery that kept me guessing and an ending that has guaranteed I'm coming back for book two.
Also, Hazel St. Lewis…
WHY DID YOU HAVE TO NAME HIM VOLKOV?! 😂🖤
Kidnapping, cult abuse, childhood trauma, sexual abuse, torture, physical and emotional abuse, trafficking, violence, murder/death, PTSD and trauma responses, grief, mental health struggles, captivity, mafia/gang violence, sexual content and other disturbing themes.
October 10, 2026
⭐️ 4.25 stars
This is a very late ARC review (sorry!), but HOLY SHIT! Book 2 is coming out, and I cannot fucking wait to support her and finally find out WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING TO HAPPEN!
This was so frikken FURIOUSLY GOOD! The fury? You can practically taste it. Xeniya is out for blood, and I couldn’t be happier. What can I say? I’m a vindictive bitch who enjoys justice served cold. (Like, bleeding-out-on-the-floor cold. 😌🔪)
This story is so Mindfck-coded that I felt genuinely liberated reading it. It’s similar yet completely different at the same time. Imagine if the Mindfck series and Rina Kent’s Monster Trilogy had a baby. :)
Both were 5 star reads for me, and this book certainly did not disappoint! Seriously, WHAT IS IT WITH ALL THESE BANGER NOVELLAS LATELY?! I feel so blessed. 😭
The story follows childhood friends turned lovers, with a touch of Romeo and Juliet-esque tragedy. Except Daddy Dearest basically tipped everything over the fucking edge.
Xeniya is subsequently trafficked, brutally raped, and tortured. But after escaping, she decides it’s time to give her tormentors a taste of their own medicine.
And oh, does she deliver.
It’s unhinged, seductive, vicious, and ridiculously sexy.
There were moments when I felt slightly confused, but for the most part, I was thoroughly engrossed. I particularly enjoyed the shifts between past and present. The time jumps provided context, gradually piecing everything together while keeping the story intriguing.
Now, let’s talk about Xeniya.
SHE IS THE FUCKING STAR OF THIS BOOK.
I adored her. Her innocence, strength, resilience, struggles, tenacity, and, most importantly, her FURY.
She’s beautifully unhinged and deliciously sexy. If Xeniya could be my spirit animal, I’d choose her in a heartbeat. No hesitation. 😂
And then there’s Severin.
The man is SUPER HOT. Devilishly delicious, dangerously obsessive, and utterly consumed by Xeniya.
However!! I really didn’t appreciate him fucking half the population when he already knew he was in love with and obsessed with her. Like, SIR?! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?!
Anyway… (grrr) Other than that little grievance, I found him absolutely delectable.
The plot was intriguing, the characters were compelling, and I’m now thoroughly invested in seeing how everything unfolds in Book 2.
With all the Cornell news lately, this book was exactly what I needed to channel some of my personal rage. The world needs more Xeniyas. Women who are unapologetically furious and refuse to let their tormentors walk away unscathed.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
And one final thought… I firmly believe Xeraphina, Lana Myers, and Xeniya would be the BEST of friends.
Just imagine those three women in the same room. The world wouldn’t stand a fucking chance. 💀
This is a very late ARC review (sorry!), but HOLY SHIT! Book 2 is coming out, and I cannot fucking wait to support her and finally find out WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING TO HAPPEN!
This was so frikken FURIOUSLY GOOD! The fury? You can practically taste it. Xeniya is out for blood, and I couldn’t be happier. What can I say? I’m a vindictive bitch who enjoys justice served cold. (Like, bleeding-out-on-the-floor cold. 😌🔪)
This story is so Mindfck-coded that I felt genuinely liberated reading it. It’s similar yet completely different at the same time. Imagine if the Mindfck series and Rina Kent’s Monster Trilogy had a baby. :)
Both were 5 star reads for me, and this book certainly did not disappoint! Seriously, WHAT IS IT WITH ALL THESE BANGER NOVELLAS LATELY?! I feel so blessed. 😭
The story follows childhood friends turned lovers, with a touch of Romeo and Juliet-esque tragedy. Except Daddy Dearest basically tipped everything over the fucking edge.
Xeniya is subsequently trafficked, brutally raped, and tortured. But after escaping, she decides it’s time to give her tormentors a taste of their own medicine.
And oh, does she deliver.
It’s unhinged, seductive, vicious, and ridiculously sexy.
There were moments when I felt slightly confused, but for the most part, I was thoroughly engrossed. I particularly enjoyed the shifts between past and present. The time jumps provided context, gradually piecing everything together while keeping the story intriguing.
Now, let’s talk about Xeniya.
SHE IS THE FUCKING STAR OF THIS BOOK.
I adored her. Her innocence, strength, resilience, struggles, tenacity, and, most importantly, her FURY.
She’s beautifully unhinged and deliciously sexy. If Xeniya could be my spirit animal, I’d choose her in a heartbeat. No hesitation. 😂
And then there’s Severin.
The man is SUPER HOT. Devilishly delicious, dangerously obsessive, and utterly consumed by Xeniya.
However!! I really didn’t appreciate him fucking half the population when he already knew he was in love with and obsessed with her. Like, SIR?! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?!
Anyway… (grrr) Other than that little grievance, I found him absolutely delectable.
The plot was intriguing, the characters were compelling, and I’m now thoroughly invested in seeing how everything unfolds in Book 2.
With all the Cornell news lately, this book was exactly what I needed to channel some of my personal rage. The world needs more Xeniyas. Women who are unapologetically furious and refuse to let their tormentors walk away unscathed.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
And one final thought… I firmly believe Xeraphina, Lana Myers, and Xeniya would be the BEST of friends.
Just imagine those three women in the same room. The world wouldn’t stand a fucking chance. 💀
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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!! 🥺
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.
August 29, 2026
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. 🖤
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. 🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from Author
💫ARC 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. 🫶🏼
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.
September 21, 2026
--ARC Review--
I was immediately captivated by the blurb for this book. I mean, she was wronged by the mafia and held captive for years only to finally seek her revenge once she's free. But now she is being hunted by the same group she's hunting, and the one leading the charge is none other than the former love of her life and the man that betrayed her all those years ago. Literally...say less, I'm sold.
However, the actual book didn't quite hit the way I had hoped it was. Now, do not misunderstand. Was this a good book? Absolutely, I just wanted more from certain aspects of it. Would I still recommend it to others that like this subgenre? Yes because it was a good book. Xeniya is a badass FMC with all the female rage one could ever hope to find in the character, and despite the years that have passed, it is clear that Severin still has it bad. Too bad there are too many lies and secrets surrounding them.
I liked the overall plot of the book; it did the blurb justice and hit the mark. What I wasn't as big of a fan of was what to me felt like an abrupt shift in the direction of the book with the reveal at the end. I wish there had been more inklings of it trickled in earlier to nudge readers into at least thinking about that side of things, rather than just dropping us into a ice bath. I know there was one scene specifically that did link to it, but it wasn't anything that could be connected really until that reveal. Even just having the characters mention could have made a difference. And on a much smaller note, I did not expect such a slow burn (this didn't impact my rating but I thought others should know). Black Ledger definitely takes the Low and Slow approach to heat seriously.
Stars: 3.5/5 (Rounded Up)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
THIS is how you do a mafia romance.
I absolutely DEVOURED this book. Finished it in less than a day because once I was in, there was absolutely no putting it down.
First of all, the FMC?! GIRL.
She was ruthless, calculated, terrifying, completely unhinged when necessary, and such a freaking badass. This woman wasn’t sitting around waiting for someone to save her. She had a mission, she had a plan, and some of the things she did had me sitting there like, DAMN GIRL… okay. 😂
I loved her.
But what really made this book hit was that underneath all of that rage and revenge was so much history and trauma. I loved how the story slowly gave us pieces of the past while everything was exploding in the present. It made the characters and their choices feel so much more layered because you weren’t just being told why they were damaged. You actually got to experience pieces of what made them who they are.
And the dynamic between the FMC and MMC?! INSANE.
The history. The hatred. The obsession. The tension. The constant feeling that either they were going to destroy each other or absolutely devour each other. I was here for ALL OF IT.
This also wasn’t one of those mafia romances where I had everything figured out halfway through. There were twists, secrets, betrayals, and moments that genuinely made me question where the story was going. Every time another layer got peeled back, the rabbit hole somehow got deeper.
And then…
THAT. ENDING.
WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL?!
Mind blown. Jaw on the floor.😂
I need the next book immediately because you cannot just leave me THERE.
Dark, ruthless, emotional, unpredictable, completely addictive, and led by an FMC who absolutely understood the assignment.
I ate this book UP.
I absolutely DEVOURED this book. Finished it in less than a day because once I was in, there was absolutely no putting it down.
First of all, the FMC?! GIRL.
She was ruthless, calculated, terrifying, completely unhinged when necessary, and such a freaking badass. This woman wasn’t sitting around waiting for someone to save her. She had a mission, she had a plan, and some of the things she did had me sitting there like, DAMN GIRL… okay. 😂
I loved her.
But what really made this book hit was that underneath all of that rage and revenge was so much history and trauma. I loved how the story slowly gave us pieces of the past while everything was exploding in the present. It made the characters and their choices feel so much more layered because you weren’t just being told why they were damaged. You actually got to experience pieces of what made them who they are.
And the dynamic between the FMC and MMC?! INSANE.
The history. The hatred. The obsession. The tension. The constant feeling that either they were going to destroy each other or absolutely devour each other. I was here for ALL OF IT.
This also wasn’t one of those mafia romances where I had everything figured out halfway through. There were twists, secrets, betrayals, and moments that genuinely made me question where the story was going. Every time another layer got peeled back, the rabbit hole somehow got deeper.
And then…
THAT. ENDING.
WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL?!
Mind blown. Jaw on the floor.😂
I need the next book immediately because you cannot just leave me THERE.
Dark, ruthless, emotional, unpredictable, completely addictive, and led by an FMC who absolutely understood the assignment.
I ate this book UP.
September 23, 2026
🔪Dark romance/mafia
🖤Childhood friends to lovers to enemies to lovers
🔪Second-chance romance
🖤Female serial killer
🔪Ruthless mafia boss
🖤Cat and mouse
🔪He's hunting her-She's hunting him
🖤She kidnaps him
🔪Obsessive MMC
♥️♥️Thank you to Hazel St. Lewis for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own♥️♥️
This story takes us on Xeniya’s journey of revenge against her ex-boyfriend and the people involved in her captivity over a decade ago, aided by others she freed from that same imprisonment.
It was intriguing from the start and hooked me, until I reached the parts revealing Severin and Xeniya’s past. Early on, Severin claims that he hasn’t slept with another woman in the thirteen years since Xeniya’s supposed death, yet it turns out he was a major red flag in the past. for one, he slept with many women and even took pleasure in having Xeniya watch him with one of them, all under the guise of trying to shake his obsession with her. ew... that boy irked me so much. my feelings about the book shifted immediately, and I couldn’t bring myself to give it a higher rating.
but overall, this book has a fascinating premise, with a dual timeline that allows you to get to know the characters, especially the strong fmc, whom you really root for to succeed in her revenge. plus the paranormal twist at the end was completely unexpected! recommended for fans of dark romance.
🖤Childhood friends to lovers to enemies to lovers
🔪Second-chance romance
🖤Female serial killer
🔪Ruthless mafia boss
🖤Cat and mouse
🔪He's hunting her-She's hunting him
🖤She kidnaps him
🔪Obsessive MMC
♥️♥️Thank you to Hazel St. Lewis for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own♥️♥️
"Your Order killed me, and I am not going to stop until I destroy you all."
This story takes us on Xeniya’s journey of revenge against her ex-boyfriend and the people involved in her captivity over a decade ago, aided by others she freed from that same imprisonment.
It was intriguing from the start and hooked me, until I reached the parts revealing Severin and Xeniya’s past. Early on, Severin claims that he hasn’t slept with another woman in the thirteen years since Xeniya’s supposed death, yet it turns out he was a major red flag in the past. for one, he slept with many women and even took pleasure in having Xeniya watch him with one of them, all under the guise of trying to shake his obsession with her. ew... that boy irked me so much. my feelings about the book shifted immediately, and I couldn’t bring myself to give it a higher rating.
I started fucking anyone who would let me, always trying to shake my obsession. It never worked. All I ever wanted was her, and she never even looked back at me.
But he didn't do what I expected. He didn't stop or get flustered. He simply smirked, gripped her hips, and moved harder, all while his eyes stayed latched to mine.
but overall, this book has a fascinating premise, with a dual timeline that allows you to get to know the characters, especially the strong fmc, whom you really root for to succeed in her revenge. plus the paranormal twist at the end was completely unexpected! recommended for fans of dark romance.
September 26, 2026
Oh my god, this book had me hooked from the very beginning. The way it pulls you into the story right away and then just keeps feeding you suspense, secrets, deception, and twists… I was constantly going, “WHAT is happening?!” followed by “WAIT—NO, WHAT?!” 😭💀
The tension between Severin and Xeniya was EVERYTHING. Their reunion, the spark, the heat, the tension between them… AHHH🫠🔥 And that childhood friendship-to-obsession arc? I absolutely loved it.
Xeniya is ONE HELL of a woman. She’s been through so much, and watching her step into her vengeance era was everything. She’s dangerous, ruthless, and honestly? Who says a woman can’t kill?😌 She is the devil woman, and I am HERE for it.
Severin is such an interesting morally grey MMC too. He’s definitely not your typical mafia man, and there’s something about him that makes him stand out👀🖤
I also loved the side characters because everyone felt important to this twisted, unhinged story in one way or another. Nobody felt like they were just there for the sake of being there.
And the flashbacks were SO important. They gave so much context to Severin and Xeniya’s history and helped piece together their past, making their present storyline hit even harder. The deception in this book was SO GOOD. Everyone feels suspicious, everything is twisted, and just when you think you might understand something, another question appears😭
And THAT ENDING??? Now I’m just sitting here waiting for the next book and for even more secrets to come out because I NEED TO KNOW THE TRUTH🫠 The suspense, the mystery, the obsession, the vengeance, the morally grey characters… this whole book was one unhinged ride.
The tension between Severin and Xeniya was EVERYTHING. Their reunion, the spark, the heat, the tension between them… AHHH🫠🔥 And that childhood friendship-to-obsession arc? I absolutely loved it.
Xeniya is ONE HELL of a woman. She’s been through so much, and watching her step into her vengeance era was everything. She’s dangerous, ruthless, and honestly? Who says a woman can’t kill?😌 She is the devil woman, and I am HERE for it.
Severin is such an interesting morally grey MMC too. He’s definitely not your typical mafia man, and there’s something about him that makes him stand out👀🖤
I also loved the side characters because everyone felt important to this twisted, unhinged story in one way or another. Nobody felt like they were just there for the sake of being there.
And the flashbacks were SO important. They gave so much context to Severin and Xeniya’s history and helped piece together their past, making their present storyline hit even harder. The deception in this book was SO GOOD. Everyone feels suspicious, everything is twisted, and just when you think you might understand something, another question appears😭
And THAT ENDING??? Now I’m just sitting here waiting for the next book and for even more secrets to come out because I NEED TO KNOW THE TRUTH🫠 The suspense, the mystery, the obsession, the vengeance, the morally grey characters… this whole book was one unhinged ride.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I devoured this book in record time – it was such a fun, fast-paced, dark & witty read! I really loved this Furyverse novel – it’s the first in a 5-book series, and the first I’ve read by this author. It’s definitely dark so do check your content warnings – Chapter One’s opening line – “Tormenting a man was truly underrated” – then Chapter Two … read this and you’ll get what I mean 🫣
It’s set in the dark, underground world of the Russian & Irish Mafia. Our FMC, Xeniya Morozova, has been the victim of a sinister human trafficking ring run by extremely cruel men sexually violating women. It’s gut-wrenching what she went through yet paves a path of understanding how she has evolved into this serial killer with a black ledger – primed to kill every last one of them.
So, we have this sassy and sarcastic, female serial killer coupled with our MMC, Severin Volkov, who’s this dark, obsessive – including light stalking – mafia boss. Hazel shares both their POVs knowing exactly when to switch between the two as well as when to move between the past and present. The chemistry between them is HOT yet they also care deeply about each other as we are privy to their relationship developing over the years. And I also love that our MCs are in their mid-30s in the present timeline.
Hazel possesses a clear-cut and precise writing style that really works interspersed with strong satiric elements. Maybe I should have been horrified considering the subject matter but instead I found myself giggling and laughing out aloud many times.
And that ending, a damn cliffhanger that has you screaming and wanting to know what the hell is going to happen – how is our MMC going to get out of this one?! I am so READY for Book 2, Blood Code ❤️
🥀 Thank you so much to the author for sharing an ARC with me. All thoughts are my own 🥀
It’s set in the dark, underground world of the Russian & Irish Mafia. Our FMC, Xeniya Morozova, has been the victim of a sinister human trafficking ring run by extremely cruel men sexually violating women. It’s gut-wrenching what she went through yet paves a path of understanding how she has evolved into this serial killer with a black ledger – primed to kill every last one of them.
So, we have this sassy and sarcastic, female serial killer coupled with our MMC, Severin Volkov, who’s this dark, obsessive – including light stalking – mafia boss. Hazel shares both their POVs knowing exactly when to switch between the two as well as when to move between the past and present. The chemistry between them is HOT yet they also care deeply about each other as we are privy to their relationship developing over the years. And I also love that our MCs are in their mid-30s in the present timeline.
Hazel possesses a clear-cut and precise writing style that really works interspersed with strong satiric elements. Maybe I should have been horrified considering the subject matter but instead I found myself giggling and laughing out aloud many times.
And that ending, a damn cliffhanger that has you screaming and wanting to know what the hell is going to happen – how is our MMC going to get out of this one?! I am so READY for Book 2, Blood Code ❤️
🥀 Thank you so much to the author for sharing an ARC with me. All thoughts are my own 🥀
September 18, 2026
This was a really good book and I am really looking forward to the entire series. This was a great into to their world where he is a Bratva Pakhan and she is a serial killer. But, in true female rage fashion, she is hunting all of the vile men who hurt her in so many different ways when she was taken. But, because she is killing some of his men, he is now hunting her - and she is taunting and hunting him.
This book contained a lot of flash backs and background story. I got super confused at one point and had to scroll back, which is when I realized you definitely need to be paying attention to the chapter headers when it says their ages. Learn from my mistake here and always make sure you read those!
Both of these characters have been traumatized by their upbringings by the former Pakhan (who def is getting what he deserves). Please ensure that you're reading the trigger warnings since some parts can be a bit overwhelming for some. However. If you're able to make it past the TW list and still get to read it, you are going to love this book. I have been on a huge kick of Romantic Thriller books, and this one's "thriller" portion is top notch. I was constantly guessing what would come next, and I would love to know how she has been able to accomplish some of her tricks! "The Mind Fuck Series" vibes in the best possible way!
Thank you so much to Hazel and the R&R Book Tours for allowing me to ARC Read this great book!
This book contained a lot of flash backs and background story. I got super confused at one point and had to scroll back, which is when I realized you definitely need to be paying attention to the chapter headers when it says their ages. Learn from my mistake here and always make sure you read those!
Both of these characters have been traumatized by their upbringings by the former Pakhan (who def is getting what he deserves). Please ensure that you're reading the trigger warnings since some parts can be a bit overwhelming for some. However. If you're able to make it past the TW list and still get to read it, you are going to love this book. I have been on a huge kick of Romantic Thriller books, and this one's "thriller" portion is top notch. I was constantly guessing what would come next, and I would love to know how she has been able to accomplish some of her tricks! "The Mind Fuck Series" vibes in the best possible way!
Thank you so much to Hazel and the R&R Book Tours for allowing me to ARC Read this great book!
September 21, 2026
(I received an ARC Copy of this book, all thoughts are my own)
Excuse me! That ending!
A slow to medium paced story. Moving between the past & the present. an easy read. I flew through in one day.
Xeniya, a woman with a tortured past and only one goal, revenge. She is a badass and a strong woman but without taking away from the consequences of all she has been through and the trauma she is left with. Following through her story relationship with Severin, her ex and target. In a story where all is not as it seems and alliances cannot be trusted. I liked them both, but I can’t wait to see more of the development between them. There isn't too much spice in this book, i think it would have been out of place for more.
The plot itself however is devastating and mysterious with quite a few characters, the question is who is a friend and who is foe? All these questions and more, some answers and more questions. Plenty of tension, with some very graphic and brutal violence, and a lot of unhinged behaviour. I just can’t wait to find out what happens in the next one.
Overall I enjoyed this story it was short and easy to read. There is a lot of background and set up in this book, but it isn’t too long and gives enough intrigue to make me want to read more and see everything unfold. I think because there are so many characters it would be helpful to have the family tree at the beginning rather than the end, at least for the ebook version. I did lose track a little. But this is a minor issue. I would recommend reading the triggers if you need since this book covers a lot of very dark themes and the graphic scenes.
Excuse me! That ending!
A slow to medium paced story. Moving between the past & the present. an easy read. I flew through in one day.
Xeniya, a woman with a tortured past and only one goal, revenge. She is a badass and a strong woman but without taking away from the consequences of all she has been through and the trauma she is left with. Following through her story relationship with Severin, her ex and target. In a story where all is not as it seems and alliances cannot be trusted. I liked them both, but I can’t wait to see more of the development between them. There isn't too much spice in this book, i think it would have been out of place for more.
The plot itself however is devastating and mysterious with quite a few characters, the question is who is a friend and who is foe? All these questions and more, some answers and more questions. Plenty of tension, with some very graphic and brutal violence, and a lot of unhinged behaviour. I just can’t wait to find out what happens in the next one.
Overall I enjoyed this story it was short and easy to read. There is a lot of background and set up in this book, but it isn’t too long and gives enough intrigue to make me want to read more and see everything unfold. I think because there are so many characters it would be helpful to have the family tree at the beginning rather than the end, at least for the ebook version. I did lose track a little. But this is a minor issue. I would recommend reading the triggers if you need since this book covers a lot of very dark themes and the graphic scenes.
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