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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.
- GenresDark RomanceRomance
268 pages, Paperback
Published September 17, 2026
About the author
Hazel St. Lewis
6 books183 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 84 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
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.
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. 🖤
September 18, 2026
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 i was constantly trying to figure out what was actually going on. and that ending?? definitely need to read the next one.
the whole book just had such a dark, unsettling vibe and i was constantly trying to figure out what was actually going on. and that ending?? definitely need to read the next one.
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.
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.
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 21, 2026
(I received an ARC Copy of this book, all thoughts are my own)
Excuse me! That ending!
I ploughed through this book in one sitting. An easy slow to medium paced build
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 of that. Follow through her story past and present especially her relationship with one of her targets Severin, her playboy ex. But maybe all is not as it seems. I liked them both. I can’t wait to see more of the development between them. There is some spice but not a lot between the main MCs yet, but it would have been out of place for more.
The plot is devastating and mysterious with many characters. But who is friend and who is enemy? All these questions and more, some answers and more questions. There is plenty of tension, some very graphic and brutal violence, along with lot of unhinged behaviour mostly from the MCs and some great villians. Some parts had me totally gripped and I 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 back ground and set up in this book, but it isn’t too long and gives enough intrigue to make me want to read more know all the answers. 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!
I ploughed through this book in one sitting. An easy slow to medium paced build
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 of that. Follow through her story past and present especially her relationship with one of her targets Severin, her playboy ex. But maybe all is not as it seems. I liked them both. I can’t wait to see more of the development between them. There is some spice but not a lot between the main MCs yet, but it would have been out of place for more.
The plot is devastating and mysterious with many characters. But who is friend and who is enemy? All these questions and more, some answers and more questions. There is plenty of tension, some very graphic and brutal violence, along with lot of unhinged behaviour mostly from the MCs and some great villians. Some parts had me totally gripped and I 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 back ground and set up in this book, but it isn’t too long and gives enough intrigue to make me want to read more know all the answers. 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.
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!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
I will say if you are new to dark romance or find things difficult to read please check your triggers.
I was lucky enough to receive this ARC and I finished it so quickly it was very well written and it was soo good.
This story starts off with Xenyia Morozova the FMC who is a silent killer getting revenge on the people who did awful things to her. Her latest victim is her exs dad who sold her to a ring where she was blackmailed with her sister but she is finally getting her revenge.
Severin Volkov is the MMC and the mafia leaderwe are introduced to him after he is sent an appendage that belonged to his father. He then calls a meeting with other mafia factions so they can find who is doing this and it is then discovered that doc workers and others have been taken and no one has looked into it cause his father didnt think it was a big deal.
They make a plan to make an alliance with the Irish mafia who is where Xeniya is hiding out with they agree to a marriage alliance where she pretends to be the Irish Mafia Princess and niece to the current leader so she can get close to Severin so she can take him out.
It is a very good story with flash backs to the past on both sides. It does have a lot of trauma so again please check the triggers. I couldnt have predicted the ending but it just means I need the next book.
Thank you for letting me be apart of the ARC Team
I will say if you are new to dark romance or find things difficult to read please check your triggers.
I was lucky enough to receive this ARC and I finished it so quickly it was very well written and it was soo good.
This story starts off with Xenyia Morozova the FMC who is a silent killer getting revenge on the people who did awful things to her. Her latest victim is her exs dad who sold her to a ring where she was blackmailed with her sister but she is finally getting her revenge.
Severin Volkov is the MMC and the mafia leaderwe are introduced to him after he is sent an appendage that belonged to his father. He then calls a meeting with other mafia factions so they can find who is doing this and it is then discovered that doc workers and others have been taken and no one has looked into it cause his father didnt think it was a big deal.
They make a plan to make an alliance with the Irish mafia who is where Xeniya is hiding out with they agree to a marriage alliance where she pretends to be the Irish Mafia Princess and niece to the current leader so she can get close to Severin so she can take him out.
It is a very good story with flash backs to the past on both sides. It does have a lot of trauma so again please check the triggers. I couldnt have predicted the ending but it just means I need the next book.
Thank you for letting me be apart of the ARC Team
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
Arc reader Review
Okay, THIS is the kind of FMC I want in my dark romance. 🖤
Black Ledger by Hazel St. Lewis gives us a female serial killer who isn't waiting around for someone to save her. She survived the men who destroyed her, wrote their names in her black ledger, and now she's hunting them down one by one.
She's calculating, ruthless, intelligent, and morally BLACK—and I loved her for it.
Then we have Severin Volkov: her ex, heir to the Russian mafia, the man who betrayed her... and the final name in her ledger.
Their dynamic had everything I wanted: revenge, betrayal, history, hatred, attraction, obsession, psychological mind games, and that delicious question of whether these two are going to destroy each other or become completely consumed by each other.
I also loved that her revenge isn't impulsive. She STUDIES these men. She learns their weaknesses and slowly dismantles their lives until they're terrified of the monster they helped create.
If you love the Mindf*ck Series, morally gray/black FMCs, female killers, Russian mafia, revenge, obsessive relationships, enemies with history, and psychological cat-and-mouse games, put this one on your TBR.
She survived them.
Now she's crossing their names out.
And she saved Severin for last. 🖤🔪📖
5 stars. Give me the next book.
Arc reader Review
Okay, THIS is the kind of FMC I want in my dark romance. 🖤
Black Ledger by Hazel St. Lewis gives us a female serial killer who isn't waiting around for someone to save her. She survived the men who destroyed her, wrote their names in her black ledger, and now she's hunting them down one by one.
She's calculating, ruthless, intelligent, and morally BLACK—and I loved her for it.
Then we have Severin Volkov: her ex, heir to the Russian mafia, the man who betrayed her... and the final name in her ledger.
Their dynamic had everything I wanted: revenge, betrayal, history, hatred, attraction, obsession, psychological mind games, and that delicious question of whether these two are going to destroy each other or become completely consumed by each other.
I also loved that her revenge isn't impulsive. She STUDIES these men. She learns their weaknesses and slowly dismantles their lives until they're terrified of the monster they helped create.
If you love the Mindf*ck Series, morally gray/black FMCs, female killers, Russian mafia, revenge, obsessive relationships, enemies with history, and psychological cat-and-mouse games, put this one on your TBR.
She survived them.
Now she's crossing their names out.
And she saved Severin for last. 🖤🔪📖
5 stars. Give me the next book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Omg, that ending!!! I need answers NOW. I need Book 2. Like, please, I cannot be left like this!!!
I honestly couldn’t put this book down, and now I’m also wondering why it was so short because I need more.
This is a mafia romance, but definitely a little different from what I usually read. Xeniya Moronova is our FMC, and she is completely unhinged. She’s out for brutal revenge, and I loved how ruthless she was.
I really liked the way the story switches between the past and present. We get to see what happened to Xeniya and slowly understand why she is the way she is now. Her past is filled with some really traumatic events, and seeing what she went through made it much easier to understand her and the person she became.
The tension and chemistry between Xeniya and Severin were everything. There’s so much yearning and that forbidden feeling between them, which made every interaction even more intense. You can feel how much they want each other, even when they absolutely shouldn’t, and I was completely hooked.
And then THAT ENDING. I have so many questions!!! WTH is going on? Seriously, what am I supposed to do now? I NEED to know what happens next.
Definitely check the trigger warnings before reading!
I honestly couldn’t put this book down, and now I’m also wondering why it was so short because I need more.
This is a mafia romance, but definitely a little different from what I usually read. Xeniya Moronova is our FMC, and she is completely unhinged. She’s out for brutal revenge, and I loved how ruthless she was.
I really liked the way the story switches between the past and present. We get to see what happened to Xeniya and slowly understand why she is the way she is now. Her past is filled with some really traumatic events, and seeing what she went through made it much easier to understand her and the person she became.
The tension and chemistry between Xeniya and Severin were everything. There’s so much yearning and that forbidden feeling between them, which made every interaction even more intense. You can feel how much they want each other, even when they absolutely shouldn’t, and I was completely hooked.
And then THAT ENDING. I have so many questions!!! WTH is going on? Seriously, what am I supposed to do now? I NEED to know what happens next.
Definitely check the trigger warnings before reading!
Review of advance copy
Iba bien, hasta que llegué a los capítulos del pasado que muestran cómo empieza el romance, porque ahí todo se vuelve horrible. Prácticamente, Severin se acuesta con todas porque quiere a Xeniya y no puede tenerla. En dos ocasiones, Xeniya lo encuentra con otras mujeres y se queda viendo cómo tienen sexo, mientras él disfruta al darse cuenta de que ella está mirando. La primera vez le mete el dedo con el que estaba tocando a la otra y en la segunda intento hacer lo mismo.
Obviamente, ella era virgen y él le espantaba a sus pretendientes.
En los capítulos del presente te venden la idea de que Severin lleva 13 años sufriendo por la pérdida del amor de su vida y luego vienen los capítulos del pasado donde muestran que, durante años, nunca la trató con respeto. La trataba como si fuera su propiedad mientras él tenía sexo con cuanta mujer se le ponía enfrente.
Xeniya tiene la idea de que Severin fue quien le dijo a su padre que se deshiciera de ella y durante años, lleva a cabo un plan para vengarse de todos aquellos que la violaron y torturaron. Le toma 13 años llegar hasta Severin y nada más verlo, empieza a dudar 🫠. De verdad esperaba que lo odiara y que por el cuarto libro, se enterara de que él no sabía lo que le había pasado.
Obviamente, ella era virgen y él le espantaba a sus pretendientes.
En los capítulos del presente te venden la idea de que Severin lleva 13 años sufriendo por la pérdida del amor de su vida y luego vienen los capítulos del pasado donde muestran que, durante años, nunca la trató con respeto. La trataba como si fuera su propiedad mientras él tenía sexo con cuanta mujer se le ponía enfrente.
Xeniya tiene la idea de que Severin fue quien le dijo a su padre que se deshiciera de ella y durante años, lleva a cabo un plan para vengarse de todos aquellos que la violaron y torturaron. Le toma 13 años llegar hasta Severin y nada más verlo, empieza a dudar 🫠. De verdad esperaba que lo odiara y que por el cuarto libro, se enterara de que él no sabía lo que le había pasado.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Black Ledger is the first volume in the Furyverse, a mafia dark romance series. I received an advance review copy and my thoughts are my own. Thank you to the author for my eARC.
What to expect:
✨Female serial killer
✨Ruthless mafia boss
✨Cat and mouse
✨Childhood friends to lovers to enemies to ?
✨Second chance romance
✨Obsessive MMC
✨Revenge-driven FMC
✨Russian Bratva
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars 2/5 Flames
The Lovely: I loved the FMC, and her sense of (morbid) humor was absolutely perfect. I also loved that she was totally unapologetic about who she was or what she did. I became so invested in her goals, and this kept me reading—all in one evening.
The Mundane: I struggled with the large chunks of time spent in flashbacks. While the backstory was important for understanding the characters and what happened between them, spending so long in the past at one time made it feel like the present-day story wasn’t moving forward.
Recommendation: That cliffhanger! I absolutely didn’t see that coming. Thankfully, the series is being rapid released in five books total between September 24 and January 7. If you’re in the mood for a dark story with a female serial killer and the Russian mafia, I think you would like this book.
What to expect:
✨Female serial killer
✨Ruthless mafia boss
✨Cat and mouse
✨Childhood friends to lovers to enemies to ?
✨Second chance romance
✨Obsessive MMC
✨Revenge-driven FMC
✨Russian Bratva
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars 2/5 Flames
The Lovely: I loved the FMC, and her sense of (morbid) humor was absolutely perfect. I also loved that she was totally unapologetic about who she was or what she did. I became so invested in her goals, and this kept me reading—all in one evening.
The Mundane: I struggled with the large chunks of time spent in flashbacks. While the backstory was important for understanding the characters and what happened between them, spending so long in the past at one time made it feel like the present-day story wasn’t moving forward.
Recommendation: That cliffhanger! I absolutely didn’t see that coming. Thankfully, the series is being rapid released in five books total between September 24 and January 7. If you’re in the mood for a dark story with a female serial killer and the Russian mafia, I think you would like this book.
September 15, 2026
If you are searching for an unputdownable female vengeance story, this is your next must read. The very first installment in an explosive five part series, this book immediately grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go and with a new book dropping every month, you won't be left hanging for long. I completely devoured this in a single day, captivated by the electric dynamic between Xeniya, our absolute badass FMC, and Severin, a dominant Russian mafia boss. Bound by childhood ties and a mutual, secret obsession with one another, their intense connection serves as the anchor for a wildly thrilling plot.
What makes this start so remarkable is how deeply it dives into Xeniya’s backstory, laying bare the brutal, dark tragedy she endured as a child to adult that shaped her into the force she is today. While it certainly isn't for the faint of heart, getting to uncover the raw history behind her drive for revenge makes her journey all the more compelling. The foundation laid here is incredible, the storyline is already phenomenal, and this was an immediate add to my favorites shelf. Book two cannot come fast enough!
5/5 ⭐️
📓 Revenge Plot
📓 Mafia Romance
📓 Serial Killer FMC
📓 Second Chance Romance
What makes this start so remarkable is how deeply it dives into Xeniya’s backstory, laying bare the brutal, dark tragedy she endured as a child to adult that shaped her into the force she is today. While it certainly isn't for the faint of heart, getting to uncover the raw history behind her drive for revenge makes her journey all the more compelling. The foundation laid here is incredible, the storyline is already phenomenal, and this was an immediate add to my favorites shelf. Book two cannot come fast enough!
5/5 ⭐️
📓 Revenge Plot
📓 Mafia Romance
📓 Serial Killer FMC
📓 Second Chance Romance
September 17, 2026
𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓. 𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒐𝒘𝒏.
I signed up for this ARC because my absolute favorite thing to read is mafia, but I am so conflicted about this book. I couldn't put it down because I kept hoping it would get better. But at the same time I was ready to be done with it.
I feel like we get absolutley everything and then nothing at all. There were way too many flash back chapters that were irrelevant and not enough present day chapters. The writing was a little all over the place and there really wasn't anything to the story. It's supposed to be a mafia story, but where? How?
The FMC is whiney and we honestly don't get enough of the MMC for me to have an opinion other than he's a red flag, he's toxic, and a man whore. He's supposed to "love" her yet he sleeps around? And his excuse is he can't have her/he thinks she doesn't want him? I'm sorry, but making her a voyeur and making it seem like she likes to watch him with other women? No.
The ending is a cliffhanger, and that's about the only thing that was exciting about this book. We were finally getting to the actual story and it just ends. I just don't know if that was enough to bring me back to book 2.
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
Happy Reading 🌻
I signed up for this ARC because my absolute favorite thing to read is mafia, but I am so conflicted about this book. I couldn't put it down because I kept hoping it would get better. But at the same time I was ready to be done with it.
I feel like we get absolutley everything and then nothing at all. There were way too many flash back chapters that were irrelevant and not enough present day chapters. The writing was a little all over the place and there really wasn't anything to the story. It's supposed to be a mafia story, but where? How?
The FMC is whiney and we honestly don't get enough of the MMC for me to have an opinion other than he's a red flag, he's toxic, and a man whore. He's supposed to "love" her yet he sleeps around? And his excuse is he can't have her/he thinks she doesn't want him? I'm sorry, but making her a voyeur and making it seem like she likes to watch him with other women? No.
The ending is a cliffhanger, and that's about the only thing that was exciting about this book. We were finally getting to the actual story and it just ends. I just don't know if that was enough to bring me back to book 2.
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
Happy Reading 🌻
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
September 17, 2026
OMG!! Black Ledger is a dark mafia romance with childhood friends to lovers to enemies and a whole lot of secrets. This is Xeniya and Severin’s story filled with femme fatale, revenge, and misinformed. Xeniya is one of the most impressive hackers in the mafia, she’s sweet and innocent, but a treachery has came to her and turned her whole world upside down. Severin is the son of one of the most dangerous mafia, but he has loved Xeniya all his life until he thought she was dead. I love how we get a glimpse of their friendship and then their love for each other over the years that lead to the present. I also love how fierce Xeniya is and the group of women she helped and who’ve had helped her to get their revenge on those that hurt them. I love how Severin wants nothing to do with his father and would do anything to figure out why “The Ghost” is after them. Their story has so much secrets to unravel but when things start to come to light more twists comes in the end making you want more. I really enjoyed their story and I need to know what happens next.
I voluntarily leave my honest thoughts about this gifted advance readers copy.
I voluntarily leave my honest thoughts about this gifted advance readers copy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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
4/5 stars 1.5/5 spice
Tropes
Mafia
Revenge list
He’s obsessed with her
Childhood friends to lovers to enemies
August 25, 2026
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!
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!
September 18, 2026
THIS is 100% how you start a revenge series. I went into this expecting dark, messy, and intense mafia romance, and somehow it still managed to catch me off guard. I flew through this book because every time I thought I had reached a good stopping point, something else happened and suddenly I was 50 pages deeper!!
Xeniya absolutely made this book for me. She’s ruthless and complicated, especially when she’s doing things that are completely unhinged. Learning what she went through and slowly seeing how those experiences shaped the woman she became made her revenge feel so much more personal to me. Her story is DARK, so definitely check your triggers!!!
And then there’s Severin. 😮💨 The history between these two, the TENSION, the OBSESSION that neither of them wants to admit to… yeah, I was EATIN IT UP. Their relationship definitely adds another layer to everything happening without taking away from Xeniya and her story which I appreciated!
For a first book in a five-part series, this did exactly what I needed to do and has left me NEEDING to know what happens next. 😭😭😭
Xeniya absolutely made this book for me. She’s ruthless and complicated, especially when she’s doing things that are completely unhinged. Learning what she went through and slowly seeing how those experiences shaped the woman she became made her revenge feel so much more personal to me. Her story is DARK, so definitely check your triggers!!!
And then there’s Severin. 😮💨 The history between these two, the TENSION, the OBSESSION that neither of them wants to admit to… yeah, I was EATIN IT UP. Their relationship definitely adds another layer to everything happening without taking away from Xeniya and her story which I appreciated!
For a first book in a five-part series, this did exactly what I needed to do and has left me NEEDING to know what happens next. 😭😭😭
Review of advance copy received from Author
•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!
•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!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow! This book blew my expectations out of the water…and I went into it fully expecting to enjoy it. This was so much more than the typical mafia dark romance. The FMC is a vengeance fueled serial killer, while the MMC is the new leader of the Russian Mafia hunting the person responsible for hunting his men. Their dynamic is intense and gripping, and the story races along with equal intensity that doesn’t let up. There’s also a paranormal element to this story that I wasn’t expecting, and that didn’t take away from the story at all. If anything it just made it more interesting. Not only was I so captivated that I read this entire book in one sitting, I was so engrossed in the story I didn’t even realize where I was at in the book until I read through the last page wand was dropped straight off a doozy of a cliffhanger ending. Rude! Just kidding, but I cannot wait for book 2: I NEED to know what happens next!
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