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From the moment Lev Leokov spots the young woman hiding behind her hair in the middle of the gentleman's club, he can't take his eyes off of her.
For the very first time in his life, he is affected. Having been told his entire life that he can't process or understand emotion, he considers it a big deal.
When Mina Harris gets caught red-handed with a wallet that isn't hers, she falls apart. She's tired, lonely and hasn't eaten in days.
Lev offers her an ultimatum... A nice warm bed, a hot meal and a job, or the cops.
Mina takes her chances with Lev.
After all, a person with nothing has nothing left to lose.
For the very first time in his life, he is affected. Having been told his entire life that he can't process or understand emotion, he considers it a big deal.
When Mina Harris gets caught red-handed with a wallet that isn't hers, she falls apart. She's tired, lonely and hasn't eaten in days.
Lev offers her an ultimatum... A nice warm bed, a hot meal and a job, or the cops.
Mina takes her chances with Lev.
After all, a person with nothing has nothing left to lose.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2015
943 people are currently reading
11694 people want to read
About the author
Belle Aurora
30 books12.2k followersBelle Aurora is thirty-something year old and was born in the land down under.
At an early age she fell in love with reading. Boredom one summer had her scouring the bookshelves at home. She stumbled across Sandra Brown’s Breath of Scandal and fell in love with romance.
Having been brought up in a loud and boisterous family of Croatian descent, she developed a natural love for dramatics and laughter. Only some years ago had she discovered a new love.
Humorous romance novels.
So many authors had opened a brand new world where she could lose herself yet feel safe and at home in their stories. Belle has been known to become a screeching banshee while anxiously awaiting their newest titles.
Belle never thought she would write. It had never interested her until recently. Friend-Zoned began to form and in February this year Belle typed the words Chapter One. And she fell in love.
With words.
With writing.
With a creative imagination she never knew she harbored.
Belle Aurora is a USA Today best-selling author.
At an early age she fell in love with reading. Boredom one summer had her scouring the bookshelves at home. She stumbled across Sandra Brown’s Breath of Scandal and fell in love with romance.
Having been brought up in a loud and boisterous family of Croatian descent, she developed a natural love for dramatics and laughter. Only some years ago had she discovered a new love.
Humorous romance novels.
So many authors had opened a brand new world where she could lose herself yet feel safe and at home in their stories. Belle has been known to become a screeching banshee while anxiously awaiting their newest titles.
Belle never thought she would write. It had never interested her until recently. Friend-Zoned began to form and in February this year Belle typed the words Chapter One. And she fell in love.
With words.
With writing.
With a creative imagination she never knew she harbored.
Belle Aurora is a USA Today best-selling author.
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October 13, 2015
Did you miss it??
LEV is now LIVE on all platforms!!!
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lev-b...
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebo...
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id10...
LEV is now LIVE on all platforms!!!
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lev-b...
Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebo...
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id10...
October 16, 2015
::: FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED ::: 4.5 stars
I LOVED this book!! It was perfect!!! SO HEART-WARMING!!!! My heart is overflowing with happy feels!! Seriously, if you want a UNIQUE story that is SWEET, SWOONY, and SEXY, with a romance that is downright freaking ADORABLE, then read this book!!! I loved EVERY single thing about it!!
First, here’s the blurb:
So basically, he’s wealthy and she’s homeless and absolutely at-the-end-of-her-rope starving! He catches her trying to just steal enough money to get a meal and instead of turning her over to the cops, he takes her home and offers her a chance at a new life.
Barely a few pages into the book and all my heart-strings were tugged!! By 6%, I could already tell that this book was going to deliver ALL THE FEELS. And it most certainly did! Again and again and again!
You guys, Lev will straight-up STEAL YOUR HEART. Ahhhh, this man!!!! I loved him!! He had such a heart of gold and I actually really appreciated his ‘directness’. He was a little socially awkward and didn’t understand emotions quite the same way as most people. He was somewhere on the Autism spectrum, displaying signs of I believe Asperger’s syndrome. But I loved the way his whole family and Mina just loved and accepted him exactly as he was. He just saw the world a little differently. Things that were normal to other people were incomprehensible to him, while other things that appeared logical and straightforward to him could often spark hurt or anger in the people around him. But I absolutely adored the way they showed endless respect for the fact that he wasn’t damaged, he was just different. They respected for being exactly who he was and never expected or wanted him to be anything other than himself. I really thought this whole element of the book was portrayed so beautifully!!! I LOVED HIM!!!!!!! He was so sweetly protective of Mina (and his family) that it melted me over and over again.
Ok I know that teeechnically what I’m about to say is a tiny bit of a reveal, but it’s something that’s shown to the reader quite early on AND it’s something that would have made me want to read the book even more if I’d known about it beforehand so I’m just going to tell you that… Lev is a dad. He’s a single father fighting for custody of his adorable little girl. ALL THE SWOON!!!! Could this man get any hotter?! *thud*
And Mina was such an awesome chick! You guys will love her! She’d been dealt a really shitty hand of cards in life and had ended up at the absolutely lowest place. But given a new opportunity, she grabbed it and worked hard to build her life back up. I’d totally be friends with her given the chance!
Another thing I loved about this book was the family. Lev was very close to his brother and sister and they had a large extended family so there are a lot of side characters in this book and I LOVED THEM ALL. Holy crap. I’m not usually the kind of reader who is all that interested in getting the stories of side characters but I WANT TO READ ALL THEIR STORIES! Every single one. And I’m not even exaggerating. If I had them all in front of me right now, I’d be putting my life right on hold to binge-read the lot of them!
There’s just so much in this book that I loved that I could seriously go on and on but I’m trying not to give away too much. But I most especially appreciated that there was really no stupid drama. Yes, there was certainly conflict. But there were several incidences where things could have easily turned stupid (a big pet peeve of mine), but the characters instead handled these situations so well that I couldn’t help but have respect for them. It’s such a good feeling when you genuinely can respect the decisions made in the story and that you want to just cheer them on instead of slapping them silly. SUCH a good feeling.
Oh and the story is told in alternating POVs, both in first person.
This is the first standalone in a new series of standalones. It has a fully resolved ending. NO cliffhanger. If you wanted to, you would be completely fine to stop reading at the end of this book. But there will be more books coming following different couples we’ve already met. And I can’t wait for them!
I loved everything about this book and I highly recommend you ALL pick it up and fall in love with Lev. It’s swoony, sweet, heart-warming, oh-so-sexyyyyyy, and positively awesome. It’s such a feel-good story with amazing characters and a really unique story. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!!!
Nawwwwww, how sweet is that?!
I have only one thing left to say…
Dear Belle Aurora…..
PLEASE WRITE FASTER!!!!!!
Love, Aestas.
Rating: 4.5+ stars! Standalone contemporary romance.
_______________________________________
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
✦ Facebook Blog Page
✦ Twitter
✦ Subscribe by email
“I don’t know what love is. But if I could love anyone…” I pressed a gentle kiss behind her ear, pulling her close. “I would love you. Very much.”
I LOVED this book!! It was perfect!!! SO HEART-WARMING!!!! My heart is overflowing with happy feels!! Seriously, if you want a UNIQUE story that is SWEET, SWOONY, and SEXY, with a romance that is downright freaking ADORABLE, then read this book!!! I loved EVERY single thing about it!!
First, here’s the blurb:
From the moment Lev Leokov spots the young woman hiding behind her hair in the middle of the gentleman’s club, he can’t take his eyes off of her. For the very first time in his life, he is affected. Having been told his entire life that he can’t process or understand emotion, he considers it a big deal.
When Mina Harris gets caught red-handed with a wallet that isn’t hers, she falls apart. She’s tired, lonely and hasn’t eaten in days.
Lev offers her an ultimatum… A nice warm bed, a hot meal and a job, or the cops.
Mina takes her chances with Lev.
After all, a person with nothing has nothing left to lose.
So basically, he’s wealthy and she’s homeless and absolutely at-the-end-of-her-rope starving! He catches her trying to just steal enough money to get a meal and instead of turning her over to the cops, he takes her home and offers her a chance at a new life.
I turned my face to look into his gorgeous eyes.”Tell me I can leave at any time.”
His eyes on me, I watched as they flashed. Finally, he lowered his face and muttered, “You can leave any time.” He stepped back and away from me. “Although I hope you choose to stay.”
Barely a few pages into the book and all my heart-strings were tugged!! By 6%, I could already tell that this book was going to deliver ALL THE FEELS. And it most certainly did! Again and again and again!
You guys, Lev will straight-up STEAL YOUR HEART. Ahhhh, this man!!!! I loved him!! He had such a heart of gold and I actually really appreciated his ‘directness’. He was a little socially awkward and didn’t understand emotions quite the same way as most people. He was somewhere on the Autism spectrum, displaying signs of I believe Asperger’s syndrome. But I loved the way his whole family and Mina just loved and accepted him exactly as he was. He just saw the world a little differently. Things that were normal to other people were incomprehensible to him, while other things that appeared logical and straightforward to him could often spark hurt or anger in the people around him. But I absolutely adored the way they showed endless respect for the fact that he wasn’t damaged, he was just different. They respected for being exactly who he was and never expected or wanted him to be anything other than himself. I really thought this whole element of the book was portrayed so beautifully!!! I LOVED HIM!!!!!!! He was so sweetly protective of Mina (and his family) that it melted me over and over again.
“Who sleeps in my bed at night?”
I buried my nose in his neck and mumbled, “I do.”
“You do,” he confirmed. “And who makes me smile?”
“I smiled against the stubble on his throat. “Me.”
“Exactly.” He turned to kiss my cheek. “No one else. It’s you. It’s always been you.” He spoke softly, “I just needed to find you. Now that I have you, I won’t be letting you go. Okay?”
“Okay,” I whispered.
Ok I know that teeechnically what I’m about to say is a tiny bit of a reveal, but it’s something that’s shown to the reader quite early on AND it’s something that would have made me want to read the book even more if I’d known about it beforehand so I’m just going to tell you that… Lev is a dad. He’s a single father fighting for custody of his adorable little girl. ALL THE SWOON!!!! Could this man get any hotter?! *thud*
And Mina was such an awesome chick! You guys will love her! She’d been dealt a really shitty hand of cards in life and had ended up at the absolutely lowest place. But given a new opportunity, she grabbed it and worked hard to build her life back up. I’d totally be friends with her given the chance!
Another thing I loved about this book was the family. Lev was very close to his brother and sister and they had a large extended family so there are a lot of side characters in this book and I LOVED THEM ALL. Holy crap. I’m not usually the kind of reader who is all that interested in getting the stories of side characters but I WANT TO READ ALL THEIR STORIES! Every single one. And I’m not even exaggerating. If I had them all in front of me right now, I’d be putting my life right on hold to binge-read the lot of them!
There’s just so much in this book that I loved that I could seriously go on and on but I’m trying not to give away too much. But I most especially appreciated that there was really no stupid drama. Yes, there was certainly conflict. But there were several incidences where things could have easily turned stupid (a big pet peeve of mine), but the characters instead handled these situations so well that I couldn’t help but have respect for them. It’s such a good feeling when you genuinely can respect the decisions made in the story and that you want to just cheer them on instead of slapping them silly. SUCH a good feeling.
Oh and the story is told in alternating POVs, both in first person.
This is the first standalone in a new series of standalones. It has a fully resolved ending. NO cliffhanger. If you wanted to, you would be completely fine to stop reading at the end of this book. But there will be more books coming following different couples we’ve already met. And I can’t wait for them!
I loved everything about this book and I highly recommend you ALL pick it up and fall in love with Lev. It’s swoony, sweet, heart-warming, oh-so-sexyyyyyy, and positively awesome. It’s such a feel-good story with amazing characters and a really unique story. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!!!
“They say penguins mate for life.”
He reached up again and jerked hard at his tie.
“And I want to be your penguin.”
Nawwwwww, how sweet is that?!
I have only one thing left to say…
Dear Belle Aurora…..
PLEASE WRITE FASTER!!!!!!
Love, Aestas.
Rating: 4.5+ stars! Standalone contemporary romance.
_______________________________________
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
✦ Facebook Blog Page
✦ Subscribe by email
Read
October 16, 2015No rating,DNF @ around 40%
Lev is obviously gorgeous just not enough for me to carry on with this...
I know it's fiction but this was totally unrealistic for me.
Mina has been on the streets for 7 years,when one night she goes into a club.She is hungry and desperate and attempts to steal a wallet from a man.
Enter Lev
He gives her 3 choices.She picks option 2 ( I've actually forgotten what the others were I was so disinterested)
Anyway he takes her back to his,of course,beautiful home.Gives her a job.She gets new clothes,has her hair and nails done...because of course that's totally believable (yawn)
She almost immediately bonds with his daughter and within a few weeks is best friends with his sister.
When she attempted to ' save the day' I'd totally had enough.
I loved the idea of Lev but really couldn't understand where the Author was going with his character.Was he meant to be a badass? Because from what I read he really didn't come across that way.
And I'm sorry but Mina started to annoy the shit out of me...
Yes,I know I'm in the minority as it's got great reviews but this book didn't engage me at all...
Lev is obviously gorgeous just not enough for me to carry on with this...
I know it's fiction but this was totally unrealistic for me.
Mina has been on the streets for 7 years,when one night she goes into a club.She is hungry and desperate and attempts to steal a wallet from a man.
Enter Lev
He gives her 3 choices.She picks option 2 ( I've actually forgotten what the others were I was so disinterested)
Anyway he takes her back to his,of course,beautiful home.Gives her a job.She gets new clothes,has her hair and nails done...because of course that's totally believable (yawn)
She almost immediately bonds with his daughter and within a few weeks is best friends with his sister.
When she attempted to ' save the day' I'd totally had enough.
I loved the idea of Lev but really couldn't understand where the Author was going with his character.Was he meant to be a badass? Because from what I read he really didn't come across that way.
And I'm sorry but Mina started to annoy the shit out of me...
Yes,I know I'm in the minority as it's got great reviews but this book didn't engage me at all...
March 11, 2016
Lev: A Shot Callers Novel
When I found out that Belle Aurora released a new book I was excited because I read her previous series friend zoned and loved it so much.
She has such a unique captivating writing style that makes you feel like you’re living the story not just reading it. So when I read the blurb I dropped EVERYTHING and couldn’t start reading fast enough.
And My God. It was so gripping, and I could NOT put it down IT ALL. From the very first line I was hooked line and sinker, I ended up staying awake all night reading till 5:30 AM because it was such a page turner.
I liked Mina a lot; she was kind, selfless, caring, and thoughtful. She survived 7 years on the streets and maintained her pride until she hit an all-time low starving, hopeless and decided to go to a gentleman’s club and steal someone’s wallet. I had tears in my eyes during this whole chapter; I could feel her pain, helplessness and desperation and it broke my heart to watch her go through that because she was such a kindhearted woman.
And that’s how she meets Lev; he caught her stealing his brother’s wallet. He was drawn to her immediately, intrigued by her he felt protective of her.
Lev…Lev, Lev, Lev. I fucking love Lev he is now one of my top book husbands. He is just the kind of man I love to death! Honest, raw, no games, straight forward,sweet, protective, loyal, alpha male. If I had one wish in my life I’d wish for him. He had a hard life growing up, he was different than “normal” people and didn’t understand emotions very well, he was sooo endearing and adorable I just wanted to eat him up and do other naughty things to him. Sigh …if I could have one wish…
“you don’t like people seeing you.”
“I beg your pardon?”
You can’t hide behind makeup. You can try, but you won’t succeed. Not with me…I see you”
Swooooon…..
“A face like yours make men stumble over themselves.
Faces like yours are carved into statues, immortalized in stone for the world to see over the ages.
You….are art”
He gave me butterflies and made me swoon so damn much and I want him now please dear God send him to me! He took a piece of my heart and he will forever stay with me.
there was no unnecessary angst, no stupidity, they communicated very well and I loved that about their relationship, they trusted each other and it was so passionate, intense and beautiful.
I felt so connected to the characters that I found myself having the same reactions that they did... like when someone would roll their eyes, or smile, or feel hurt, I went through it all with them.
I cared about Mina and Liv very much throughout the book and I loved all of the secondary characters, they had such a strong presence and I can’t wait for their books I will definitely be reading them.
It’s a beautiful heartwarming, captivating, gripping love story. And I highly recommend this book to EVERYONE.
Other Information:
Point of view: it was told in first person alternating between Lev and Mina.
Series: This is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. the other books will be about other characters.
❝They say penguins mate for life.❞ He reached up again and jerked hard at his tie. ❝And I want to be your penguin.❞
When I found out that Belle Aurora released a new book I was excited because I read her previous series friend zoned and loved it so much.
She has such a unique captivating writing style that makes you feel like you’re living the story not just reading it. So when I read the blurb I dropped EVERYTHING and couldn’t start reading fast enough.
“From the moment Lev Leokov spots the young woman hiding behind her hair in the middle of the gentleman's club, he can't take his eyes off of her.
For the very first time in his life, he is affected. Having been told his entire life that he can't process or understand emotion, he considers it a big deal.
When Mina Harris gets caught red-handed with a wallet that isn't hers, she falls apart. She's tired, lonely and hasn't eaten in days.
Lev offers her an ultimatum... A nice warm bed, a hot meal and a job, or the cops.
Mina takes her chances with Lev.
After all, a person with nothing has nothing left to lose.”
And My God. It was so gripping, and I could NOT put it down IT ALL. From the very first line I was hooked line and sinker, I ended up staying awake all night reading till 5:30 AM because it was such a page turner.
“I was dying. I hadn’t been surer of anything in my life.Mina
As I sat in the alley staring at the dirty brick wall stained with substances I’d rather not think of, I wondered if this was the place it would happen.”
I liked Mina a lot; she was kind, selfless, caring, and thoughtful. She survived 7 years on the streets and maintained her pride until she hit an all-time low starving, hopeless and decided to go to a gentleman’s club and steal someone’s wallet. I had tears in my eyes during this whole chapter; I could feel her pain, helplessness and desperation and it broke my heart to watch her go through that because she was such a kindhearted woman.
“I needed to eat. I felt ashamed that I would resort to low lengths to do that…”but she was a walking skeleton and if she didn’t eat soon she would die.
And that’s how she meets Lev; he caught her stealing his brother’s wallet. He was drawn to her immediately, intrigued by her he felt protective of her.
Lev…Lev, Lev, Lev. I fucking love Lev he is now one of my top book husbands. He is just the kind of man I love to death! Honest, raw, no games, straight forward,sweet, protective, loyal, alpha male. If I had one wish in my life I’d wish for him. He had a hard life growing up, he was different than “normal” people and didn’t understand emotions very well, he was sooo endearing and adorable I just wanted to eat him up and do other naughty things to him. Sigh …if I could have one wish…
“you don’t like people seeing you.”
“I beg your pardon?”
You can’t hide behind makeup. You can try, but you won’t succeed. Not with me…I see you”
Swooooon…..
“A face like yours make men stumble over themselves.
Faces like yours are carved into statues, immortalized in stone for the world to see over the ages.
You….are art”
He gave me butterflies and made me swoon so damn much and I want him now please dear God send him to me! He took a piece of my heart and he will forever stay with me.
there was no unnecessary angst, no stupidity, they communicated very well and I loved that about their relationship, they trusted each other and it was so passionate, intense and beautiful.
I felt so connected to the characters that I found myself having the same reactions that they did... like when someone would roll their eyes, or smile, or feel hurt, I went through it all with them.
I cared about Mina and Liv very much throughout the book and I loved all of the secondary characters, they had such a strong presence and I can’t wait for their books I will definitely be reading them.
It’s a beautiful heartwarming, captivating, gripping love story. And I highly recommend this book to EVERYONE.
Other Information:
Point of view: it was told in first person alternating between Lev and Mina.
Series: This is part of a series but can be read as a standalone. the other books will be about other characters.
November 15, 2015
I looked. He was already staring.
5 #ThatAssThough STARS
Mina and Lev .. ♥
Que the round of applause. Belle Aurora never seizes to amaze me. She has debuted a new series and if the installments to come are anything like the first .. it'll be a favourite of mine. Despite the factthat my body was fighting against exhaustion .. I could NOT put this novel down. I know if I did .. my mind would still be restless thus I devoured it in a sitting (#IsThereAnotherWay?). I was intrigued by the description and then captivated from the prologue to the epilogue. Belle Aurora is a superb story teller and an amazing writer which is why this was winner for me. It did have some familiar faces from my favorite series also by her which was a pleasant surprise. Lev .. I know he's a figment of Belle Aurora imagination however I need me a man like this! He's a complex individual with undeniable good looks (#ThatAssGRRR) and is quite badass if you ask me. I would recommend this even though it may not be everyone's cup of tea it may be their shot of whiskey.
Lev Belle Aurora
5 #ThatAssThough STARS
Mina and Lev .. ♥
Lev Leokov was the definition of the word man.
He'd earned it. He certainly acted like one.
He found me, whether he knew it or not,
I was his, in a way. You know what
they say ... Finders keepers.
How does she look, Lev?
"Like art," I responded sincerely.
Que the round of applause. Belle Aurora never seizes to amaze me. She has debuted a new series and if the installments to come are anything like the first .. it'll be a favourite of mine. Despite the fact
He was still mad. "Mina, let go of me. Please."
"Never," I whispered.
I would wait ten years if you asked me, Mina.
I feel like I've waited my whole life for you.
Until it ends, there is no end,
keep with me forward all through the night.. ►♫
Lev Belle Aurora
December 16, 2017
Re-read 12/15/17
Get it here:
Amazon
4.5 Stars
Warning: Lev Leokov will cause your ovaries to explode and your panties to go flying.
The moment Lev saw the small woman enter his strip club, he was interested. He didn't know why and couldn't comprehend what he was feeling just from seeing her, but he knew he had to have her. But then he see's her take his brothers wallet and swallows down the disappointment to confront her.
Mina was desperate and hungry when she walked into a strip club, planning on seducing some drunk fellow and stealing his money. Seeing an easier way, she takes a strangers wallet while he's distracted by the bartender. But she doesn't get away before being confronted by Lev and is given a choice: He can call the cops and have her arrested, give her the money in the wallet, or she can take a job at the club, bartending.
Deciding to take the job and having steady money is the easy choice - or so she thought.
I don't even think I have enough words to describe how much I liked Lev and Mina together. Seriously, they were the perfect couple and their story did some things to my emotions. Crazy things. This book is about two damaged people falling for one another and being damaged together. That was the brilliant thing about this story, they didn't fix each other, they just loved one another, flaws and everything.
Lev didn't have a good life growing up and he always knew that he was different than other people. He was highly intelligent but he couldn't comprehend the reasons other people did things and never understood their emotions. When he takes Mina into his life he doesn't even understand his own actions and feelings toward her. His character was completely swoon worthy, especially when he got in his protective mode and would go after anyone that even dared to hurt those he cared about. The dialogue between him and Mina made me fall head over heels for him. And if that didn't do it, Lev with his daughter definitely did!
There were many different sides to Mina and each of them were great. When we first saw her she was shy and kept to herself, but as the book went on she got sassy and funny and I loved it. Mina was so giving and generous, even when she had nothing, and I really admired that. I loved how she was with Lev and that she wasn't afraid to push him towards a deeper relationship.
I did want to learn more about Mina's time on the street but that is my one complaint. The rest of this story was amazing and I couldn't put it down. I loved all the secondary character we were introduced to and now I have so many more books that I will just be dying for. There were so many sweet things in this book that I loves, and you will just have to read this to see for yourself.
ARC kindly provided by Belle Aurora in exchange for an honest review
Get it here:
Amazon
4.5 Stars
Warning: Lev Leokov will cause your ovaries to explode and your panties to go flying.
The moment Lev saw the small woman enter his strip club, he was interested. He didn't know why and couldn't comprehend what he was feeling just from seeing her, but he knew he had to have her. But then he see's her take his brothers wallet and swallows down the disappointment to confront her.
Mina was desperate and hungry when she walked into a strip club, planning on seducing some drunk fellow and stealing his money. Seeing an easier way, she takes a strangers wallet while he's distracted by the bartender. But she doesn't get away before being confronted by Lev and is given a choice: He can call the cops and have her arrested, give her the money in the wallet, or she can take a job at the club, bartending.
Deciding to take the job and having steady money is the easy choice - or so she thought.
"I found her, and I was keeping her."
I don't even think I have enough words to describe how much I liked Lev and Mina together. Seriously, they were the perfect couple and their story did some things to my emotions. Crazy things. This book is about two damaged people falling for one another and being damaged together. That was the brilliant thing about this story, they didn't fix each other, they just loved one another, flaws and everything.
Lev didn't have a good life growing up and he always knew that he was different than other people. He was highly intelligent but he couldn't comprehend the reasons other people did things and never understood their emotions. When he takes Mina into his life he doesn't even understand his own actions and feelings toward her. His character was completely swoon worthy, especially when he got in his protective mode and would go after anyone that even dared to hurt those he cared about. The dialogue between him and Mina made me fall head over heels for him. And if that didn't do it, Lev with his daughter definitely did!
There were many different sides to Mina and each of them were great. When we first saw her she was shy and kept to herself, but as the book went on she got sassy and funny and I loved it. Mina was so giving and generous, even when she had nothing, and I really admired that. I loved how she was with Lev and that she wasn't afraid to push him towards a deeper relationship.
I did want to learn more about Mina's time on the street but that is my one complaint. The rest of this story was amazing and I couldn't put it down. I loved all the secondary character we were introduced to and now I have so many more books that I will just be dying for. There were so many sweet things in this book that I loves, and you will just have to read this to see for yourself.
ARC kindly provided by Belle Aurora in exchange for an honest review
December 4, 2015
4 "Mouse" stars
What would happen when you see that one of your all time favourite authors is having a new book? A book related to one of your favourite series?
Well that's an easy question:
In my case I couldn't drop everything because, you know .. DUTY CALLS! BUT as everytime after Belle Aurora's book (without one!) I was blown away by her writing style, humour and ideas!
Lev & Mina met in a inconvenient way but they saw something trust worthy in each other. They were like two souls that were waiting to meet in some way. They both had their stuggles in life but they understood each other in a way that they couldn't with others.
Mina had been homeless for years. Tired, hungry and sad she decided that stealing someone's wallet would help her live another couple of days. Little did she know that this desicion would lead her to the man who would change her life forever. Her life was gray but when she met Lev she starts seeing the colors on everything. She starts feeling happiness, something she hasn't felt in a long time.
Lev is perfectly imperfect ! He is a man who don't smile, don't laugh and don't talk to people unless they talk first. He is a man of his word but he doesn't show emotions. His start in live wasn't good. Not knowing what love is, not understand what people think, what people feel.. these things made him feel like a stranger on this world. Some who don't belong anywhere...
Mina helped Lev to open to the world. She understood that he didn't need to be fixed but understood . Their connection was instant and with time the became one person . They were like two pieces falling back together. Helping each other with their struggles and finding love again.
Reading Lev's words sometimes felt like reading poetry. So beautiful and honest. He never lie, about anything. That fact could only make you fall in love with him because he doesn't hide how his feels, his problem is that he had hard time showing it as an emotion. But when you found the right person for you everything is starting to change.
Every scenes when they were together were amazing. You can feel all the love they feel. All their unspoken out loud beautiful words. They were two people born to meet. Their chemistry was off charts hot because it wasn't about the lust it was because of the LOVE !
I had a few problems in the beginning. Lev cluelessness was something that bothered me but with time I learn that he was just the way he is. His heart was so good and for Mina.. I LOVED HER! She was so strong, smart and funny. The exact type of heroine I like! She never gave up on Lev and he never gave up on her. They would put their lives to save each other. No one couldn't separate them, no matter what!
I am dying to know Nas and Vik's story! I loved these two characters and I want to see their HEA!
Sasha and Anika were complicated characters and I wasn't a big fan of them but I guess their book will be interesting to read!
****************************************************
Wait a minute...
Leokov... FREAKING LEOKOV FAMILY AGAIN! I AM ONE DAMN HAPPY GIRL RIGHT THE HELL NOW !!!
THANK YOU SWEET JESUS & BELLE AURORA! YOU JUST MADE MY DAYYYYYY !!!
What would happen when you see that one of your all time favourite authors is having a new book? A book related to one of your favourite series?
Well that's an easy question:
In my case I couldn't drop everything because, you know .. DUTY CALLS! BUT as everytime after Belle Aurora's book (without one!) I was blown away by her writing style, humour and ideas!
Lev & Mina met in a inconvenient way but they saw something trust worthy in each other. They were like two souls that were waiting to meet in some way. They both had their stuggles in life but they understood each other in a way that they couldn't with others.
“You don’t like people seeing you.” My eyes met him then. “I beg your pardon?” His eyes roamed my fresh face. “You can’t hide behind makeup. You can try, but you won’t succeed. Not with me.” He paused then said, “I see you.”
Mina had been homeless for years. Tired, hungry and sad she decided that stealing someone's wallet would help her live another couple of days. Little did she know that this desicion would lead her to the man who would change her life forever. Her life was gray but when she met Lev she starts seeing the colors on everything. She starts feeling happiness, something she hasn't felt in a long time.
“Being alive was easy. Living, on the other hand…well, that was a little harder.”
Lev is perfectly imperfect ! He is a man who don't smile, don't laugh and don't talk to people unless they talk first. He is a man of his word but he doesn't show emotions. His start in live wasn't good. Not knowing what love is, not understand what people think, what people feel.. these things made him feel like a stranger on this world. Some who don't belong anywhere...
“I’m not ashamed of who you are. And the only time I would look down on you is if I were helping you back up.”
Mina helped Lev to open to the world. She understood that he didn't need to be fixed but understood . Their connection was instant and with time the became one person . They were like two pieces falling back together. Helping each other with their struggles and finding love again.
Reading Lev's words sometimes felt like reading poetry. So beautiful and honest. He never lie, about anything. That fact could only make you fall in love with him because he doesn't hide how his feels, his problem is that he had hard time showing it as an emotion. But when you found the right person for you everything is starting to change.
“My arms around her waist tightened a little. I never wanted to let go. “I don’t know what love is,” I started quietly. “But if I could love anyone…” I pressed a gentle kiss behind her ear, pulling her close. “I would love you. Very much.”
Every scenes when they were together were amazing. You can feel all the love they feel. All their unspoken out loud beautiful words. They were two people born to meet. Their chemistry was off charts hot because it wasn't about the lust it was because of the LOVE !
I had a few problems in the beginning. Lev cluelessness was something that bothered me but with time I learn that he was just the way he is. His heart was so good and for Mina.. I LOVED HER! She was so strong, smart and funny. The exact type of heroine I like! She never gave up on Lev and he never gave up on her. They would put their lives to save each other. No one couldn't separate them, no matter what!
“They say penguins mate for life.” He reached up again and jerked hard at his tie. “And I want to be your penguin.”
I am dying to know Nas and Vik's story! I loved these two characters and I want to see their HEA!
Sasha and Anika were complicated characters and I wasn't a big fan of them but I guess their book will be interesting to read!
****************************************************
Wait a minute...
Leokov... FREAKING LEOKOV FAMILY AGAIN! I AM ONE DAMN HAPPY GIRL RIGHT THE HELL NOW !!!
THANK YOU SWEET JESUS & BELLE AURORA! YOU JUST MADE MY DAYYYYYY !!!
August 12, 2016
AMAZON LIVE : http://amzn.to/1P9abxc
5 LEV <3 <3 <3 STARS
"You deserve better than the unfortunate life you were dealt."
Such an amazing story *sigh* I loved it so much!!Belle Aurora did an amazing job with this funny,emotional,intense story!I loved everything, the story,the characters even the secondary characters were so captivating that you can't stop yourself from loving them all!!Mina and Lev will be now a part of my heart!
Mina is homeless..she struggles to survive,she can't find a place to live and food.She decides to go on a strip club where she tries to steal a wallet for a man.. But she doesn't get away before Lev stops her.What Mina doesn't expect is to change her life after this incident!Lev wants to help her and protect her but he doesn't know why he feels like that for her.He decides to offer her a choice!A place to stay and a job or she can be arrested by the police.Mina decides to get the job!And as she works, she becomes a part of Lev's family.
"I found her, and I was keeping her."
I'm so in love with Lev,this man...he stole my heart!!He has everything I want in a male hero and much more!I can't stop thinking about him..He immediately become one of my top book boyfriends!It's been a long time since I felt like this about a book character ..He is cute,protective,smart,sweet,funny and super hot!I could talk about him for hours..Mina is one of the best heroines I have ever meet.Even though she has a tough life she is strong and she doesn't loose her humor!Also she is so sweet and cute! I loved how Mina and Lev start knowing one another.You can feel what an amazing connection they have!They are simply perfect for each other!!
Apart from the main characters I loved Lev's family and especially his sister!Nastasia is such a sweetheart and I like her moments with Mina!I love Belle's writing! She has the best sense of humor!So far I loved all the books I have read from her and each story is unique!I'm so excited for you guys,can't wait to meet Lev!He is going to stole your hearts!
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
5 LEV <3 <3 <3 STARS
"You deserve better than the unfortunate life you were dealt."
Such an amazing story *sigh* I loved it so much!!Belle Aurora did an amazing job with this funny,emotional,intense story!I loved everything, the story,the characters even the secondary characters were so captivating that you can't stop yourself from loving them all!!Mina and Lev will be now a part of my heart!
Mina is homeless..she struggles to survive,she can't find a place to live and food.She decides to go on a strip club where she tries to steal a wallet for a man.. But she doesn't get away before Lev stops her.What Mina doesn't expect is to change her life after this incident!Lev wants to help her and protect her but he doesn't know why he feels like that for her.He decides to offer her a choice!A place to stay and a job or she can be arrested by the police.Mina decides to get the job!And as she works, she becomes a part of Lev's family.
"I found her, and I was keeping her."
I'm so in love with Lev,this man...he stole my heart!!He has everything I want in a male hero and much more!I can't stop thinking about him..He immediately become one of my top book boyfriends!It's been a long time since I felt like this about a book character ..He is cute,protective,smart,sweet,funny and super hot!I could talk about him for hours..Mina is one of the best heroines I have ever meet.Even though she has a tough life she is strong and she doesn't loose her humor!Also she is so sweet and cute! I loved how Mina and Lev start knowing one another.You can feel what an amazing connection they have!They are simply perfect for each other!!
Apart from the main characters I loved Lev's family and especially his sister!Nastasia is such a sweetheart and I like her moments with Mina!I love Belle's writing! She has the best sense of humor!So far I loved all the books I have read from her and each story is unique!I'm so excited for you guys,can't wait to meet Lev!He is going to stole your hearts!
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
October 25, 2015
4 Mouse Stars.
At 24 years old, Mina has been living in the streets for the past seven, but yet she now feels like she reached the end of the road. Without any money and hungry she does the only think she can to be able to get some money for food, she tries to steal a wallet in a club.
But she chooses the wrong guy and when Lev catches her and finds out why she’s doing it he offers her a house and job.
With time feelings between Mina and Lev start to get stronger and even though Lev’s saved her life, maybe Mina will end up saving him as well.
For some reason, Belle Aurora’s always makes me fall in love with her stories. This one was no exception. A sweet and completely addictive romance story, full of second chances and twists, and just enough drama to keep us on our toes. Ad some steamy scenes and ladies and gentleman, we have a winner. Definitely a series to keep up with.
Rating: 4 Stars.
Characters Development: Mina was a really sweet woman. And after seven years living on the street she was incredibly strong and saw the world in a complete different way. A very easy to love heroine. Lev was also pretty amazing, yes, he was very introvert and had his special reserved temper, but he was so sweet and with such a good heart it was impossible not to fall for him. I can’t wait for Nas and Corinne’s story. Sasha and Viktor, despite their asshole ways appears to be in fact good guys so I’m waiting for their books as well. Especially Nas and Viktor’s one.
Steam: Hot.
Sensible Subjects:
Love Triangle:
Cheating:
HEA:
At 24 years old, Mina has been living in the streets for the past seven, but yet she now feels like she reached the end of the road. Without any money and hungry she does the only think she can to be able to get some money for food, she tries to steal a wallet in a club.
But she chooses the wrong guy and when Lev catches her and finds out why she’s doing it he offers her a house and job.
With time feelings between Mina and Lev start to get stronger and even though Lev’s saved her life, maybe Mina will end up saving him as well.
For some reason, Belle Aurora’s always makes me fall in love with her stories. This one was no exception. A sweet and completely addictive romance story, full of second chances and twists, and just enough drama to keep us on our toes. Ad some steamy scenes and ladies and gentleman, we have a winner. Definitely a series to keep up with.
Rating: 4 Stars.
Characters Development: Mina was a really sweet woman. And after seven years living on the street she was incredibly strong and saw the world in a complete different way. A very easy to love heroine. Lev was also pretty amazing, yes, he was very introvert and had his special reserved temper, but he was so sweet and with such a good heart it was impossible not to fall for him. I can’t wait for Nas and Corinne’s story. Sasha and Viktor, despite their asshole ways appears to be in fact good guys so I’m waiting for their books as well. Especially Nas and Viktor’s one.
Steam: Hot.
Sensible Subjects:
Love Triangle:
Cheating:
HEA:
October 21, 2015
*****5 ~My Lev~ Stars*****
(ARC kindly provided by Author in exchange for an honest review)
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVED Lev!!!!!!!! This book is so romantic, so well written, so fun, so dreamy and I can keep going on and on with positive adjectives to describe what an awesome read this was. If I was still changing my profile name depending on my favorite book boyfriend, I would call myself Lev's mouse; actually I'll carry that name in my heart forever.
Mina Harris was living on the streets, hungry and alone when Lev found her.
Lev Leokov is a scary and handsome man, who doesn't understand feelings but the moment he found Mina, he felt a fierce need to protect her.
Lev provides Mina a hot meal, a place to stay and a job as a bartender at the strip joint he and his brother own. He doesn't understand much about why people act the way they do, but Mina he can feel deep in his bones.
Mina knows there's something very special about the perfectly flawed man who has been her savior and she can't help but fall fast and hard for him. But Lev's brother Sasha doesn't like her very much and she knows between her and Lev, both have so much emotional baggage, making love a very uncertain thing between them.
Lev's reasoning is, he found Mina, he is keeping her and she is only happy to oblige.
Lev was such an amazing character. Honest to a fault, troubled but also very compassionate and even though he was feared by most due to his hard appearance, he won me over within minutes of reading this story. Mina's character was also wonderful. She's feisty and even though she's lived a very unfortunate life, she doesn't like to play victim, she's nothing but a survivor. The love they found in each other helped these two lost souls finally find a place where they belong.
Most of the secondary characters were Lev's family and I loved them all. They all had a troubled past but it only brought them closer. Family is everything to them.
I laughed and swooned like it was going out of style while reading this book. Very enjoyable read. I highly recommend it!!!!
(ARC kindly provided by Author in exchange for an honest review)
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVED Lev!!!!!!!! This book is so romantic, so well written, so fun, so dreamy and I can keep going on and on with positive adjectives to describe what an awesome read this was. If I was still changing my profile name depending on my favorite book boyfriend, I would call myself Lev's mouse; actually I'll carry that name in my heart forever.
Mina Harris was living on the streets, hungry and alone when Lev found her.
Lev Leokov is a scary and handsome man, who doesn't understand feelings but the moment he found Mina, he felt a fierce need to protect her.
Lev provides Mina a hot meal, a place to stay and a job as a bartender at the strip joint he and his brother own. He doesn't understand much about why people act the way they do, but Mina he can feel deep in his bones.
Mina knows there's something very special about the perfectly flawed man who has been her savior and she can't help but fall fast and hard for him. But Lev's brother Sasha doesn't like her very much and she knows between her and Lev, both have so much emotional baggage, making love a very uncertain thing between them.
Lev's reasoning is, he found Mina, he is keeping her and she is only happy to oblige.
Lev was such an amazing character. Honest to a fault, troubled but also very compassionate and even though he was feared by most due to his hard appearance, he won me over within minutes of reading this story. Mina's character was also wonderful. She's feisty and even though she's lived a very unfortunate life, she doesn't like to play victim, she's nothing but a survivor. The love they found in each other helped these two lost souls finally find a place where they belong.
Most of the secondary characters were Lev's family and I loved them all. They all had a troubled past but it only brought them closer. Family is everything to them.
I laughed and swooned like it was going out of style while reading this book. Very enjoyable read. I highly recommend it!!!!
June 26, 2021
WE WANT MORE...
Ok, I want more.
I can't believe there haven't been any additions to this series because I really loved it when I first read it. The audio was enjoyable, maybe not quite as enjoyable as my first read, but still really good. Jennifer Blom does a really great job bringing this story to life but I really think Edward Thomas absolutely ROCKED IT as Lev. Characters like Lev need to be performed in a certain way, and I think Edward Thomas was Lev.
I think my belief in the unbelievable has been rocked in the last year which made this storyline a wee bit too unrealistic for me. Still, it was a great trip down memory lane and I'm really excited that Vik is slated for release next year. I've waited this long, what's another 6 or so months? 😉
**********
I heard the buzz, so I went with the flow.
***4.5 Stars***
This book cover started popping up everywhere. Lev was the book everyone was talking about. I didn't know who wrote it, what it was about or even how long it was (novel or novella?). Sometimes I just get a feeling in my gut that tells me to just go for it. So I did. I don't always have success, but sometimes I get the sort of gem that reminds me of why I love reading romance. This was a rough cut diamond.
The story starts with us meeting Mina at her lowest. She's been living on the streets for seven years, but this felt like the end for her. Going days without food had left her weak and her judgment poor. It was a do or die situation and she wanted to live. Her first attempt was unsuccessful and made her feel even worse. She comes across a bar and decides to try her hand at flirting with a man, hoping he'd be drunk enough to not notice a couple of dollars missing. Flirting was the best decision she ever made. Without getting a chance to bat an eyelash she was under the scrutiny of Lev.
Lev saw the little mouse of a woman walk into his bar. He can't take his eyes off her. She's a scrawny little thing with the face of an angel. He watches her watch the men trying to work out what she'll do. His perseverance pays off when he sees her commit a crime. He follows and confronts her, hears her story and decides to keep his little mouse for himself.
I really enjoyed Lev and Mina together. They are a perfect match for each other's special needs. Mina needs some help to get on her feet and Lev is looking for someone to understand him, support him and let him do what he has to do. From the very start, they seem to be intuitive to each other's needs and instinctively acted so the other benefited. I enjoyed seeing them both grow.
The family dynamics were great and I loved meeting them all...the goodies and the baddies. We even got to catch up with the guys from The White Rabbit that we met in the Friend-Zone series. Turns out Nik and the boys are cousins to Lev, Sasha and Nas.
I did take off a half star for the few spelling and grammar issues and because some of the plot points seemed a little farfetched.
I really enjoyed reading Lev. There were some very intense scenes. Some were the sort that left you with a big goofy grin on your face, some that made me angry, and some that brought a tear to my eye. All of it was good.
I hope Belle Aurora has plans to gives us Alessio, Cora, Sasha, Nas, Vik and Anika's stories soon.
Ok, I want more.
I can't believe there haven't been any additions to this series because I really loved it when I first read it. The audio was enjoyable, maybe not quite as enjoyable as my first read, but still really good. Jennifer Blom does a really great job bringing this story to life but I really think Edward Thomas absolutely ROCKED IT as Lev. Characters like Lev need to be performed in a certain way, and I think Edward Thomas was Lev.
I think my belief in the unbelievable has been rocked in the last year which made this storyline a wee bit too unrealistic for me. Still, it was a great trip down memory lane and I'm really excited that Vik is slated for release next year. I've waited this long, what's another 6 or so months? 😉
**********
I heard the buzz, so I went with the flow.
***4.5 Stars***
This book cover started popping up everywhere. Lev was the book everyone was talking about. I didn't know who wrote it, what it was about or even how long it was (novel or novella?). Sometimes I just get a feeling in my gut that tells me to just go for it. So I did. I don't always have success, but sometimes I get the sort of gem that reminds me of why I love reading romance. This was a rough cut diamond.
The story starts with us meeting Mina at her lowest. She's been living on the streets for seven years, but this felt like the end for her. Going days without food had left her weak and her judgment poor. It was a do or die situation and she wanted to live. Her first attempt was unsuccessful and made her feel even worse. She comes across a bar and decides to try her hand at flirting with a man, hoping he'd be drunk enough to not notice a couple of dollars missing. Flirting was the best decision she ever made. Without getting a chance to bat an eyelash she was under the scrutiny of Lev.
Lev saw the little mouse of a woman walk into his bar. He can't take his eyes off her. She's a scrawny little thing with the face of an angel. He watches her watch the men trying to work out what she'll do. His perseverance pays off when he sees her commit a crime. He follows and confronts her, hears her story and decides to keep his little mouse for himself.
I really enjoyed Lev and Mina together. They are a perfect match for each other's special needs. Mina needs some help to get on her feet and Lev is looking for someone to understand him, support him and let him do what he has to do. From the very start, they seem to be intuitive to each other's needs and instinctively acted so the other benefited. I enjoyed seeing them both grow.
The family dynamics were great and I loved meeting them all...the goodies and the baddies. We even got to catch up with the guys from The White Rabbit that we met in the Friend-Zone series. Turns out Nik and the boys are cousins to Lev, Sasha and Nas.
I did take off a half star for the few spelling and grammar issues and because some of the plot points seemed a little farfetched.
I really enjoyed reading Lev. There were some very intense scenes. Some were the sort that left you with a big goofy grin on your face, some that made me angry, and some that brought a tear to my eye. All of it was good.
I hope Belle Aurora has plans to gives us Alessio, Cora, Sasha, Nas, Vik and Anika's stories soon.
November 3, 2015
OK I'm officially addicted Belle Aurora's books! :D First she got me with Twitch (He's from the book named : RAW) and now she got me with Lev Leokov. He was fucking amazing!!! I loved him a lot. :) And I'm definitely going to read Belle's other books asap! :D
--------------------------
”A face like yours makes men stumble over themselves.”…”faces like yours are carved into statues, immortalized in stone for the world to see over the ages.”…”You are art.”
”No one else. It’s you, Mina. It’s always been you.” He spoke softly, “I just needed to find you. Now that I have you, I won’t be letting you go. Okay?”
"They say penguins mate for life, and I want to be your penguin."
"I would give my life rather than dissapoint you and I would hurt anyone who tried to remove you from my side."
“I don’t know what love is,” I started quietly. “But if I could love anyone…” I pressed a gentle kiss behind her ear, pulling her close. “I would love you. Very much..."
"Lev could not be fixed. And I didn’t want to repair the broken part of him. He was perfectly imperfect, and I was his in heart and soul."
--------------------------
”A face like yours makes men stumble over themselves.”…”faces like yours are carved into statues, immortalized in stone for the world to see over the ages.”…”You are art.”
”No one else. It’s you, Mina. It’s always been you.” He spoke softly, “I just needed to find you. Now that I have you, I won’t be letting you go. Okay?”
"They say penguins mate for life, and I want to be your penguin."
"I would give my life rather than dissapoint you and I would hurt anyone who tried to remove you from my side."
“I don’t know what love is,” I started quietly. “But if I could love anyone…” I pressed a gentle kiss behind her ear, pulling her close. “I would love you. Very much..."
"Lev could not be fixed. And I didn’t want to repair the broken part of him. He was perfectly imperfect, and I was his in heart and soul."
March 31, 2021
3 Finders Keepers Stars ⭐
The premise of this story immediately captured my attention. Mina is a homeless girl beyond desperation. Starvation will have one doing unimaginable things such as offering blowjobs in exchange for food and pick pocketing. Frankly I didn't blame her.
It was funny how people who had nothing would offer everything to those in need, and people who had comfort scarcely offered it to people who needed it.
Lev is our tarnished hero. He is flawed, yet one of the best humans you would be lucky enough to encounter. And he's the only person in seven years who has offered Mina any kindness. Lev gets her off the streets and gives her a new beginning.
Lev was a clink in my armor, a crack in my wall, and I just knew that if he really tried, I would open myself to him completely in the hopes that he would do the same.
I would do that for him.
I would do that, because he was worthy.
Overnight, Mina has a new home, a job, security and a man worth gushing about. And the first half of this book sees Lev and Mina form a tentative bond which was beautiful until she develops a backbone and begins overstepping.
Okay here is where the decline kicks in. I have no issue with a heroine coming into their own, although mouse to tiger overnight didn't feel right. But interfering in matters that are not your business irritates me. Once we got to the second half I felt antsy. I could feel the soap opera unfolding. Long lost family members resurfacing, magical inheritances...it detracted from the story. Immediately, everything bothered me.
I wanted the sole focus to be about these two unlikely lovers. Lev Leokov was the standout. Kind, gorgeous, socially awkward, borderline autistic, I loved him fanatically. I just wish Mina had better attributes. More humble, gentler, less annoying. I'm sorry, dammit, I barely finished it.
The premise of this story immediately captured my attention. Mina is a homeless girl beyond desperation. Starvation will have one doing unimaginable things such as offering blowjobs in exchange for food and pick pocketing. Frankly I didn't blame her.
It was funny how people who had nothing would offer everything to those in need, and people who had comfort scarcely offered it to people who needed it.
Lev is our tarnished hero. He is flawed, yet one of the best humans you would be lucky enough to encounter. And he's the only person in seven years who has offered Mina any kindness. Lev gets her off the streets and gives her a new beginning.
Lev was a clink in my armor, a crack in my wall, and I just knew that if he really tried, I would open myself to him completely in the hopes that he would do the same.
I would do that for him.
I would do that, because he was worthy.
Overnight, Mina has a new home, a job, security and a man worth gushing about. And the first half of this book sees Lev and Mina form a tentative bond which was beautiful until she develops a backbone and begins overstepping.
Okay here is where the decline kicks in. I have no issue with a heroine coming into their own, although mouse to tiger overnight didn't feel right. But interfering in matters that are not your business irritates me. Once we got to the second half I felt antsy. I could feel the soap opera unfolding. Long lost family members resurfacing, magical inheritances...it detracted from the story. Immediately, everything bothered me.
I wanted the sole focus to be about these two unlikely lovers. Lev Leokov was the standout. Kind, gorgeous, socially awkward, borderline autistic, I loved him fanatically. I just wish Mina had better attributes. More humble, gentler, less annoying. I'm sorry, dammit, I barely finished it.
October 25, 2015
3.5 Sweeter than Candy Stars
“She’s a disaster,” I told her. “Trouble follows her everywhere. She corners me when I don’t wish to speak. She smiles and laughs at things that aren’t funny. She steals food right out of my hand.” I shook my head. “All of which makes her perfect.”
I'm keeping this short and sweet because better reviewers have already done a bang up job. I should start off by saying I really enjoyed the majority of this book. In fact, the first half had my hopes up that this would be a 5 star read. My icy heart broke for Mina and the circumstances she found herself in. Then it broke again for Lev and all he'd managed to endure. Lev overcoming his obstacles and opening up to Mina was a highlight of the book for me.
As I continued to roll along with the second half, a few things became obvious. The big one being the fact that each and every problem these two characters were confronted with seemed to magically disappear in the blink of an eye. I'm not going to spoil this so I'll just say I wish the conflicts would've been given more in depth action. Some of the side characters were set up nicely for future books, but for the most part it was hearts and flowers for Lev and Mina and it felt unrealistic to me.
Yeah, that pretty much sums up how I felt about the final chapters. While this didn't quite live up to my expectations, I still enjoyed my time spent reading Lev.
“She’s a disaster,” I told her. “Trouble follows her everywhere. She corners me when I don’t wish to speak. She smiles and laughs at things that aren’t funny. She steals food right out of my hand.” I shook my head. “All of which makes her perfect.”
I'm keeping this short and sweet because better reviewers have already done a bang up job. I should start off by saying I really enjoyed the majority of this book. In fact, the first half had my hopes up that this would be a 5 star read. My icy heart broke for Mina and the circumstances she found herself in. Then it broke again for Lev and all he'd managed to endure. Lev overcoming his obstacles and opening up to Mina was a highlight of the book for me.
As I continued to roll along with the second half, a few things became obvious. The big one being the fact that each and every problem these two characters were confronted with seemed to magically disappear in the blink of an eye. I'm not going to spoil this so I'll just say I wish the conflicts would've been given more in depth action. Some of the side characters were set up nicely for future books, but for the most part it was hearts and flowers for Lev and Mina and it felt unrealistic to me.
Yeah, that pretty much sums up how I felt about the final chapters. While this didn't quite live up to my expectations, I still enjoyed my time spent reading Lev.
February 15, 2016
6 AMAZING STARS
You can slap me now because I don’t know why it took me so long to read this book. This book was absolutely perfect. Why do you ask?
I read it in one sitting
I was hooked from page one
I kept on looking at my reading percentage and I got sad because it kept on going up, meaning my book was going to finish soon
It had everything I look forward to in a read with a lovable Heroine, alpha hero and top notch storyline
You did good Belle Aurora!
The book has a damsel in distress theme, but a sassy damsel in distress theme and that really sucked me. Mina is poor, she’s homeless and lives on the streets. She hasn’t eaten in a while and she’s willing to do almost anything for food. You feel for the girl and I LOVE the way the book starts. We get a pretty good idea of Mina’s situation and you just want to hug her!
She is so desperate that she steals a wallet, but she feels bad and tries to return it, but the owner’s brother Lev catches her.
I don’t even know how I will describe my love of Lev to you. He’s not your everyday Hero and I just love it. He seems a little autistic, in the sense he can’t lie and he has no filter. I really really really love him. He gives Mina the option of working for him at the club to make some money, she gladly accepts.
When Lev realizes Mina lives on the streets, he offers his home to her.
Totally cute right? Just wait, it gets better, he has a two year old daughter!!!! I know, just shoot me now, I’m a sucker for a single dad book. Gah I can’t tell you how much I love him. The best part of the book is that the author builds up the characters and it’s not insta-lust or insta-love, but a slow friendship forms between Mina and Lev and you just want them to kiss because it’s too cute!
I love the side characters too, there’s Lev’s family, his brother, sister and family friends. I can see their books in the future and I can’t wait!
As Lev and Mina get closer, there’s other things to watch out for, like Mina’s past coming back to haunt her and Lev’s family friend stirring up trouble because she has feelings for Lev.
I seriously couldn’t stop reading this book. It gave me a completely book hang over and Belle Aurora is an author to watch out for!
Read on Kindle Unlimited
AMAZON $3.99
You can slap me now because I don’t know why it took me so long to read this book. This book was absolutely perfect. Why do you ask?
I read it in one sitting
I was hooked from page one
I kept on looking at my reading percentage and I got sad because it kept on going up, meaning my book was going to finish soon
It had everything I look forward to in a read with a lovable Heroine, alpha hero and top notch storyline
You did good Belle Aurora!
The book has a damsel in distress theme, but a sassy damsel in distress theme and that really sucked me. Mina is poor, she’s homeless and lives on the streets. She hasn’t eaten in a while and she’s willing to do almost anything for food. You feel for the girl and I LOVE the way the book starts. We get a pretty good idea of Mina’s situation and you just want to hug her!
She is so desperate that she steals a wallet, but she feels bad and tries to return it, but the owner’s brother Lev catches her.
I don’t even know how I will describe my love of Lev to you. He’s not your everyday Hero and I just love it. He seems a little autistic, in the sense he can’t lie and he has no filter. I really really really love him. He gives Mina the option of working for him at the club to make some money, she gladly accepts.
When Lev realizes Mina lives on the streets, he offers his home to her.
Totally cute right? Just wait, it gets better, he has a two year old daughter!!!! I know, just shoot me now, I’m a sucker for a single dad book. Gah I can’t tell you how much I love him. The best part of the book is that the author builds up the characters and it’s not insta-lust or insta-love, but a slow friendship forms between Mina and Lev and you just want them to kiss because it’s too cute!
I love the side characters too, there’s Lev’s family, his brother, sister and family friends. I can see their books in the future and I can’t wait!
As Lev and Mina get closer, there’s other things to watch out for, like Mina’s past coming back to haunt her and Lev’s family friend stirring up trouble because she has feelings for Lev.
I seriously couldn’t stop reading this book. It gave me a completely book hang over and Belle Aurora is an author to watch out for!
Read on Kindle Unlimited
AMAZON $3.99
October 19, 2015
5 "I See You" Stars!
(BR with Patty & Dee)
Mina Harris is a 24 yr. old woman who has been living on the streets for the last seven years. After her mother died, she became an orphan & went into foster care. Things didn't work out and she's been homeless since the age of 17. Out of options she makes the decision to steal something & gets caught. Who knew this would be her lucky day.
She meets a gorgeous man named Lev Leokov, and instead of turning her in, Lev helps her. He co-owns the strip club Bleeding Hearts with his brother & offers Mina a job tending bar and a roof over her head. Without any options, Mina accepts Lev's offer & goes home with Lev.
Mina quickly realizes what a sincere person Lev is. He's this handsome, Russian guardian angel. She soon learns he's a bit damaged & broken too. He is an eccentric guy, who's a little different. He's never felt like he belonged, & doesn't know how to process emotions or read situations properly. This flawed, highly intelligent, beautiful man has a heart of gold, and Mina feels safe with him & trust him. She feels at home with him, and they begin to develop feelings for each other as they grow closer.
-"The only time I would look down on you is if I were helping you back up."
-I was coming to recognize that Lev Leokov was an open book. I only needed to discover the language in which his pages were written.
-I trusted him with every piece of my broken soul.
-I would be his rock when his reason floated away. And he would be the person I needed to remind me that I was no longer alone in the world.
-"Come on, Lev. You must know you're gorgeous. If your eyes couldn't hypnotize women, the rest of you would for sure."
-The man had no idea how dreamy he was.
-He was, by far, the most handsome man I had ever seen.
-Lev was sexy, plain and simple.
-"You're perfect , Lev. Your words are honest and colored beautifully. You make me feel things I thought were lost to me. And I'm in danger of losing my heart to you."
Lev doesn't judge Mina & is there for her. He accepts her as she is & Mina in return grows to love every broken part of Lev. He becomes her everything & we get a beautiful love story. This man was absolutely dreamy & the things he says are swoon worthy! I loved this book so much! Another fabulous book by Belle Aurora! Please give us a book for Alessio, Sasha, & Vik! I need more of these yummy men from this series! ;))
-Lev was mine.
-I see him.
-I wanted Lev in all the ways I could get him.
-When Lev held me, I felt like nothing could touch me.
-My heart belonged to him.
-I feel like I've waited my whole life for you.
-Mina Harris was the better part of me, and I would keep her happy for the rest of my life.
-"It's you, Mina. It's always been you."
-"You're everything to me."
(BR with Patty & Dee)
Mina Harris is a 24 yr. old woman who has been living on the streets for the last seven years. After her mother died, she became an orphan & went into foster care. Things didn't work out and she's been homeless since the age of 17. Out of options she makes the decision to steal something & gets caught. Who knew this would be her lucky day.
She meets a gorgeous man named Lev Leokov, and instead of turning her in, Lev helps her. He co-owns the strip club Bleeding Hearts with his brother & offers Mina a job tending bar and a roof over her head. Without any options, Mina accepts Lev's offer & goes home with Lev.
Mina quickly realizes what a sincere person Lev is. He's this handsome, Russian guardian angel. She soon learns he's a bit damaged & broken too. He is an eccentric guy, who's a little different. He's never felt like he belonged, & doesn't know how to process emotions or read situations properly. This flawed, highly intelligent, beautiful man has a heart of gold, and Mina feels safe with him & trust him. She feels at home with him, and they begin to develop feelings for each other as they grow closer.
-"The only time I would look down on you is if I were helping you back up."
-I was coming to recognize that Lev Leokov was an open book. I only needed to discover the language in which his pages were written.
-I trusted him with every piece of my broken soul.
-I would be his rock when his reason floated away. And he would be the person I needed to remind me that I was no longer alone in the world.
-"Come on, Lev. You must know you're gorgeous. If your eyes couldn't hypnotize women, the rest of you would for sure."
-The man had no idea how dreamy he was.
-He was, by far, the most handsome man I had ever seen.
-Lev was sexy, plain and simple.
-"You're perfect , Lev. Your words are honest and colored beautifully. You make me feel things I thought were lost to me. And I'm in danger of losing my heart to you."
Lev doesn't judge Mina & is there for her. He accepts her as she is & Mina in return grows to love every broken part of Lev. He becomes her everything & we get a beautiful love story. This man was absolutely dreamy & the things he says are swoon worthy! I loved this book so much! Another fabulous book by Belle Aurora! Please give us a book for Alessio, Sasha, & Vik! I need more of these yummy men from this series! ;))
-Lev was mine.
-I see him.
-I wanted Lev in all the ways I could get him.
-When Lev held me, I felt like nothing could touch me.
-My heart belonged to him.
-I feel like I've waited my whole life for you.
-Mina Harris was the better part of me, and I would keep her happy for the rest of my life.
-"It's you, Mina. It's always been you."
-"You're everything to me."
October 14, 2015
I'm a new Belle Aurora reader. LOVED LEV!
December 11, 2017
Since I didn't really love this wholeheartedly or hate it with the fiery of a thousand suns, a phone review is totally acceptable.
So my problem, is not really a problem per se. Just a personal inkling against these types of female characters. I just don't enjoy reading about broken female characters who then get all spunky and courageous when life's problems resolve. Like, yes, she needs to have a backbone but stop trying to resolve and meddle in everyone's problem. It's annoying and feels too false for my liking.
Also, had I known there was a kid in here, I would have not even thought about picking it up. That's what I get for not reading one stinkin review. I don't like reading about a main character with a kid. Like shit, kids are not cute ALL THE TIME! They cry, they fuss, they have tantrums, and they don't latch on to every person under the sun that appears. And I get that the baby talk is cute and all but she's three. Kids at that age know from 200 to a 1000 words. They form sentences! At least 2 word sentences and by the time they're 4 it's complete and understandable sentences. So in the end they baby here just felt like a tool used by the author from start to finish.
Then all the other loves stories included here...
- _-
All I can tell is this is going to be a long ass series.
And finally the saving grace... At least for me. Lev. I'm guessing he's supposed to be on the spectrum but... Like... Is he? Cause that was a really sucky way of portraying autism. Even if it was a mild form. I just felt like sometimes the author forgot she was going for that and he ended up coming across as something else entirely. But in the end, he was the only character I found interesting or at least not bonesucking boring.
So in the end it coulda been better. But it wasn't horrendous. So Yay?
So my problem, is not really a problem per se. Just a personal inkling against these types of female characters. I just don't enjoy reading about broken female characters who then get all spunky and courageous when life's problems resolve. Like, yes, she needs to have a backbone but stop trying to resolve and meddle in everyone's problem. It's annoying and feels too false for my liking.
Also, had I known there was a kid in here, I would have not even thought about picking it up. That's what I get for not reading one stinkin review. I don't like reading about a main character with a kid. Like shit, kids are not cute ALL THE TIME! They cry, they fuss, they have tantrums, and they don't latch on to every person under the sun that appears. And I get that the baby talk is cute and all but she's three. Kids at that age know from 200 to a 1000 words. They form sentences! At least 2 word sentences and by the time they're 4 it's complete and understandable sentences. So in the end they baby here just felt like a tool used by the author from start to finish.
Then all the other loves stories included here...
- _-
All I can tell is this is going to be a long ass series.
And finally the saving grace... At least for me. Lev. I'm guessing he's supposed to be on the spectrum but... Like... Is he? Cause that was a really sucky way of portraying autism. Even if it was a mild form. I just felt like sometimes the author forgot she was going for that and he ended up coming across as something else entirely. But in the end, he was the only character I found interesting or at least not bonesucking boring.
So in the end it coulda been better. But it wasn't horrendous. So Yay?
February 1, 2021
Oh Lev! Now he is the perfect mama boy type of boyfriend. He is so... swoony. He is also vulnerable. I do love vulnerable hero. Miss Aurora done a very good job with Lev. Praise God I finally read this book.
I do hope I can get the second of the book of this series.
This is more of mafia romance. Lev has some kind of autism. And socially challenged due to sever traumatic event on his past. Mina the heroine is a mother figure. She loves Lev with all her heart and be patience with him. Coaxing him slowly to connect with her in such tender and gentle way. I have to admit, I sniffled in some part. The tenderness between Lev and Mina is just... swoon and sexy.
The story is long but I never once feel it is dragging. In fact it is beautiful.
4 stars
I do hope I can get the second of the book of this series.
This is more of mafia romance. Lev has some kind of autism. And socially challenged due to sever traumatic event on his past. Mina the heroine is a mother figure. She loves Lev with all her heart and be patience with him. Coaxing him slowly to connect with her in such tender and gentle way. I have to admit, I sniffled in some part. The tenderness between Lev and Mina is just... swoon and sexy.
The story is long but I never once feel it is dragging. In fact it is beautiful.
4 stars
October 16, 2015
As much as I tried to, I couldn't get that WOW factor by reading this book. What I loved most was the way Lev's character progressed. Lev's character made this book. The complexity of this hero and history brought him to life and made the other aspects of the book better. In contrast, I thought I would love Mina, but I struggled to connect with her character. What didn't work for me was the plot and the way Mina's character developed near the end.
Lev is such a unique hero! This generally stoic person has a volatile side. He's always calm and impassive, he doesn't show what he's feeling and he doesn't appear to be shook up by much. Besides his heightened abilities and single-minded focus, Lev is capable of experiencing strong feelings and of loving, although he doesn't initially believe it. He is guarded and difficult to love.
Mina has been homeless for many years. When Lev first meets her, she is skinny and she's starving to death. He takes her under his wing, he gives her shelter, food and a job. Their relationship goes through several stages along the way. Mina will truly love him with the kind of unending devotion that will last, because he is the first person to ever treat her kindly. Lev cherishes her gentle and caring personality more than anything and falls deeply in love with her. Although he adopts a tough personality, Mina becomes his weakness and Lev shows he has a softer side, which is very cute.
Lots of backstory fills in all the deep dark holes. Still it was a good story. My heart strings were pull, the love story was good, although I wish there were more hot moments between Lev and Mina. Yes, I'm guilty of loving a good bad boy and Lev doesn't disappoint!
Lev is such a unique hero! This generally stoic person has a volatile side. He's always calm and impassive, he doesn't show what he's feeling and he doesn't appear to be shook up by much. Besides his heightened abilities and single-minded focus, Lev is capable of experiencing strong feelings and of loving, although he doesn't initially believe it. He is guarded and difficult to love.
Mina has been homeless for many years. When Lev first meets her, she is skinny and she's starving to death. He takes her under his wing, he gives her shelter, food and a job. Their relationship goes through several stages along the way. Mina will truly love him with the kind of unending devotion that will last, because he is the first person to ever treat her kindly. Lev cherishes her gentle and caring personality more than anything and falls deeply in love with her. Although he adopts a tough personality, Mina becomes his weakness and Lev shows he has a softer side, which is very cute.
Lots of backstory fills in all the deep dark holes. Still it was a good story. My heart strings were pull, the love story was good, although I wish there were more hot moments between Lev and Mina. Yes, I'm guilty of loving a good bad boy and Lev doesn't disappoint!
March 20, 2016
re-read my favorite parts 8/2/2016
I love you,Lev...<3
"This is Mina.She was homeless.I found her.I'm
keeping her.She loves me.So we're getting married."
"Not that it's your business Anika,but there would be
no point in Mina moving.Mina proposeed to me two days ago."
"And I've accepted"
Where the heck was I when this proposal was happening?"Um..."
"Remember?In the car.You told me that you planned to marry one
man,and that one man would be me.I agree with you.
I think you should marry me."
"That was hardly a proposal,sweetie."
"Sure it was,and I accepted.We're getting married."
"You know,we probably should have done this in private."
"Nonsense.Like Anika said,we're all friends here."
Ok guys this book was Gooooood....
And Lev was really sweet in his own kind of way...I liked that he had a hard time showing his feelings but for Mina he was all possessive and jealous.
So basically in this book Mina is a girl who lives in the streets.She is starving and goes in Lev's strip club and try to steal Sasha's wallet.Lev was watching her from the moment she walked in and he wanted her for some reason he couldn't understand.Lev takes her with him in his house and offeres her a job.
He helps her without waiting for something in return!
He is such a gentleman you guys!!!
And that's how the story begins....
BUT Mina isn't the only one who had a hard life.Lev had his own "issues" to deal.We learn why Lev is the way he is...because something happened when he was a little kid and that changed him!But also when he got older he got played and now he has trust issues which mean he learned his lesson!But in this book there isn't a dull monent always something is happening and not only between Mina&Lev but also with the other characters too...
Slowly we learn a lot of things about Mina&Lev who start to know each other and fall in love, something that Lev doesn't completly understand but with Mina's help he gets there.
AND they start to get intimate with each other.....
AND have some HOT sex....
Also Lev has a daughter who I loved because she was so cute and I liked that they slowly became a happy family which they deserved after all the awful things they've been through!
And don't get me started on the COVER of this book....
I love this author a lot and I've read some of her books...
And "Friend Zoned" is one of my favorite!!! HANDS DOWN!
Enjoy!xxx
I love you,Lev...<3
"This is Mina.She was homeless.I found her.I'm
keeping her.She loves me.So we're getting married."
"Not that it's your business Anika,but there would be
no point in Mina moving.Mina proposeed to me two days ago."
"And I've accepted"
Where the heck was I when this proposal was happening?"Um..."
"Remember?In the car.You told me that you planned to marry one
man,and that one man would be me.I agree with you.
I think you should marry me."
"That was hardly a proposal,sweetie."
"Sure it was,and I accepted.We're getting married."
"You know,we probably should have done this in private."
"Nonsense.Like Anika said,we're all friends here."
Ok guys this book was Gooooood....
And Lev was really sweet in his own kind of way...I liked that he had a hard time showing his feelings but for Mina he was all possessive and jealous.
So basically in this book Mina is a girl who lives in the streets.She is starving and goes in Lev's strip club and try to steal Sasha's wallet.Lev was watching her from the moment she walked in and he wanted her for some reason he couldn't understand.Lev takes her with him in his house and offeres her a job.
He helps her without waiting for something in return!
He is such a gentleman you guys!!!
And that's how the story begins....
BUT Mina isn't the only one who had a hard life.Lev had his own "issues" to deal.We learn why Lev is the way he is...because something happened when he was a little kid and that changed him!But also when he got older he got played and now he has trust issues which mean he learned his lesson!But in this book there isn't a dull monent always something is happening and not only between Mina&Lev but also with the other characters too...
Slowly we learn a lot of things about Mina&Lev who start to know each other and fall in love, something that Lev doesn't completly understand but with Mina's help he gets there.
AND they start to get intimate with each other.....
AND have some HOT sex....
Also Lev has a daughter who I loved because she was so cute and I liked that they slowly became a happy family which they deserved after all the awful things they've been through!
And don't get me started on the COVER of this book....
I love this author a lot and I've read some of her books...
And "Friend Zoned" is one of my favorite!!! HANDS DOWN!
Enjoy!xxx
February 17, 2018
3.5 stars
I have absolutely no idea why I didn't like this one more. I can't pin-point what exactly didn't wow me.
Maybe it was all the coincidences, how everything fell to place after 50% all neat with a bow on it too, maybe it was the sexy times that lacked description, depth and length after the first time, maybe it was all the sweetness(I like glitter and rainbow farting unicorns but there's a limit!) and the blatant set up for the rest of the books in the series. Maybe it was me being too fussy.
And all of this makes it sound so bad when it really wasn't, I enjoyed the ride, I smiled a fair few times too. It was a good read that just lacked that bite of greatness.
*More in-depth review later... Maybe.. If I lose this maudlin mood..
I have absolutely no idea why I didn't like this one more. I can't pin-point what exactly didn't wow me.
Maybe it was all the coincidences, how everything fell to place after 50% all neat with a bow on it too, maybe it was the sexy times that lacked description, depth and length after the first time, maybe it was all the sweetness(I like glitter and rainbow farting unicorns but there's a limit!) and the blatant set up for the rest of the books in the series. Maybe it was me being too fussy.
And all of this makes it sound so bad when it really wasn't, I enjoyed the ride, I smiled a fair few times too. It was a good read that just lacked that bite of greatness.
*More in-depth review later... Maybe.. If I lose this maudlin mood..
October 13, 2015
OH Lev... he is such a smooth talker. While he wishes to be "normal", he blows normal out of the water.
❝They say penguins mate for life.❞ He reached up again and jerked hard at his tie. ❝And I want to be your penguin.❞
Lev is the whirlwind story of Lev Leokov and Mina Harris.
Lev is his brothers enforcer. The one who "handles problems" at the family club. When Lev spies Mina stealing a wallet from his brother, he is shocked to find that Mina didn't take all the money. Feeling an instant connection with her, he saw another broken soul. Deciding to help, he took her in and gave her a job and helped her back on her feet.
❝I found her, and I was keeping her.❞
Mina is a go-getter, a survivor. She has been homeless for 7 years and until very recently, maintained her integrity. At 24 years old, she is a thoughtful, caring and insightful woman. She recognizes something different in Lev. He seems to be socially awkward, yet extremely loyal and protective. He doesn't process emotions the same as others and she finds she is a calming force to his chaotic thoughts.
❝ I would be his rock when his reason floated away. And he would be the person I needed to remind me that I was no longer alone in the world. ❞
The perfect example of opposites attract, these two were perfect for each other. Their banter was funny and they shared some tender moments also.
❝ I would give anything to be normal. And around you, I feel normal.❞
❝I've never had ordinary. You gave me that. ❞
Lev was so sweet and swoon-worthy. He is a great character. The secondary characters were fabulous as well. Nas and Alessio especially owned my heart.
What didn't work for me that ultimately kept this from being a 5 star read? The story began to change for me at about 35%. Situations seemed contrived and forced, and not in keeping with the characters personalities. For example, I viewed Mina as a strong character. But at times, she came across as sulking and juvenile. Even though she is young, 24 years old, being out on your own for 7 years would instantly make you grow up. Also, the repetitive use of "sweetie" was a little much. But that could be just me, as I don't find the term endearing when used to address an adult. Lastly, there were times when things were wrapped up too neatly and easily. I wished for more suspense/intrigue and to experience the characters fighting for what they won.
Clearly, the above wasn't terribly distracting or too bothersome as I still rated Lev 4 Stars!
There's more to come in the Shot Callers series. Who will be next?
ARC graciously provided by author in exchange for review
October 15, 2015
Mina has been homeless since she was seventeen years old. We first meet her when she is twentyfour and on the brink of starvation. She is literally at the end of her rope and is willing to do anything just to survive. That’s why she decides to enter a gentlemen’s club and steal an unsuspecting man’s wallet.
Lev isn’t like other people. He is completely honest and upfront, but cannot read other’s emotions. This usually leads to him being brass and sometimes hurtful. I happened to love this quality and always knowing his sincerity. I felt like I was able to really understand and know Lev, if he said it was true. I loved being able to see his intentions and knowing his motives.
Lev is who catches Mina when she is the process of stealing the money from his wallet. In that moment Lev decides to offer her an out. He offers to let her leave, call the police, or a job and food. Mina chooses the job and a meal, but when Lev realizes Mina is homeless he offers her a place to stay. There is just something about Mina and Lev feels he needs to protect her.
“The girl had unexpectedly become my responsibility.”
Mina and Lev together have this amazing connection. Mina understands Lev and treats him like everyone else. She knows how to get to him and balance him out. Lev provides Mina with something she has been lacking for years: security. I loved Mina and Lev’s story, it honestly made me so excited and anxious to turn the page.
I love the background story with club, Lev’s family and the rival family. I felt like it added a lot of value and made me so eager for their books. If you are a fan of love stories with suspense and steam this is the book for you. I highly recommend Lev. It had some of my favorite surprises and had me smiling from ear to ear!
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
November 7, 2015
Loveeeeeeeeeeed this book :D
Can't wait to get my hands on the books of the rest of the characters!
Can't wait to get my hands on the books of the rest of the characters!
October 15, 2015
When I began this book I was immediately taken in with the unique hero named; Lev Leokov. He was the kind of hero that I am always intrigued by as he grew up feeling isolated and misunderstood as he couldn't process emotion, as well as had difficulty with figuring out people and what they were feelings. Lev was very resistant to any kind of change in his routine, and basically just unlike a "normal" man. When he came across Mina Harris in his family's night club, and she was stealing from his brother; Lev saw through the bad deed and into Mina's soul and was immediately captivated. Mina was acting out of desperation as she was starving; she had been living on the streets since she was 17 years old. As a reader this kind of story went straight to my heart and I devoured it! I fell in love with Lev, and his vulnerable way he looked at life and people. Even though there was an alpha male in him, he still had this innocence that gained my loyalty right away. The first half of this book was a definite five stars for me, but as I read on to the second half it began to lose that magic that I was first feeling.
One of the biggest reasons for the story losing its excitement was that each problem that arose, there was an almost immediate solution. It became so that every single problem was tied up with a bow very quickly that it just lost its realism to me. Don't get me wrong...I love a HEA; but the way things ALL worked out became "Gag-worthy" in my opinion! Also, I did find some inconsistancies with Lev's personality. The guy was supposed to not be able to process emotion, and not understand body language etc..and yet there were times when he seemed very sympathetic to a few of the characters troubles. This made it so that the believability factor just wasn't as up there for me.
In saying all of that though, it was still worth four stars to me, as I still adored Lev and Mina...as well as they are some awesome secondary characters. This could potentially be the start of a wonderful series, and I just hope that it will be one of those series that gets better with time.
I must add that I did expect a little more grit and violence to the story; which it did not have. For whatever reason I expected it to be on the more "dark" side of things; but it really wasn't at all. Yes, Mina had lived on the streets; but the focus of her homelessness was very minimal.
Do I recommend this story? Yes, I do. Just go into it expecting a really great,feel good romance! If you are like me, and enjoy a hero that is a bit of the underdog because he is not what others deem as "normal" than you will fall in love with Lev. For a man who wasn't able to understand human emotion very well, he sure was loyal, and he actually was able to love very deeply..He will melt you, and he is a character that will always stay with me, as he is a power unto himself.
I think this is a read that you other love it or hate it..It is not for everyone; but I sure enjoyed having a read where I stayed up half the night reading it...I can't wait for whose book is next in the Leokov family!!
One of the biggest reasons for the story losing its excitement was that each problem that arose, there was an almost immediate solution. It became so that every single problem was tied up with a bow very quickly that it just lost its realism to me. Don't get me wrong...I love a HEA; but the way things ALL worked out became "Gag-worthy" in my opinion! Also, I did find some inconsistancies with Lev's personality. The guy was supposed to not be able to process emotion, and not understand body language etc..and yet there were times when he seemed very sympathetic to a few of the characters troubles. This made it so that the believability factor just wasn't as up there for me.
In saying all of that though, it was still worth four stars to me, as I still adored Lev and Mina...as well as they are some awesome secondary characters. This could potentially be the start of a wonderful series, and I just hope that it will be one of those series that gets better with time.
I must add that I did expect a little more grit and violence to the story; which it did not have. For whatever reason I expected it to be on the more "dark" side of things; but it really wasn't at all. Yes, Mina had lived on the streets; but the focus of her homelessness was very minimal.
Do I recommend this story? Yes, I do. Just go into it expecting a really great,feel good romance! If you are like me, and enjoy a hero that is a bit of the underdog because he is not what others deem as "normal" than you will fall in love with Lev. For a man who wasn't able to understand human emotion very well, he sure was loyal, and he actually was able to love very deeply..He will melt you, and he is a character that will always stay with me, as he is a power unto himself.
I think this is a read that you other love it or hate it..It is not for everyone; but I sure enjoyed having a read where I stayed up half the night reading it...I can't wait for whose book is next in the Leokov family!!
October 9, 2015
And it’s happened again!
From the first few pages I started falling in-love with Lev (it’s true love, I mean it this time). A beautiful, broken man. Awkward and silent. A strong and dark alpha. Yet so honest and vulnerable in what he is, a man incapable of understanding emotion, helping a broken and desolate soul for reasons he couldn’t explain except for the fact that she made him feel.
I had a hard time getting behind the h. There were things about her that annoyed me no end. She was wonderful and perfect and everyone loved her and I fucking hated her. How much of this has been decided through rational thought, or any wrong-doing on the h’s part? Probably none. Belle Aurora wrote such an excellent H, that I would have hated the Virgin Mary if she came near him. So yeah… that’s a totally normal reaction and my therapist tells me we’ll get through this together, no need to up my dosage.
Anyway, moving on…
The man-stealer, aka Mina, has been living on the streets. In an act of desperation and an attempt to feed herself, she lifts a wallet. She’s caught by Lev, and being curious about this woman who affects him, he offers her a choice: a place to stay and a job, or he calls the cops and has her arrested. Mina, not being as stupid as my jealousy would want her to be, obviously takes the first option.
I refuse to tell you that she was perfect for him, I refuse to tell you that she was brave and strong even after all that she’s been through, I refuse to tell you that she stood up for herself, I refuse to tell you that she was funny, sassy and fierce.
The first few interactions between these two just broke my heart in the best way possible. It was shy, unsure and awkward at first but turned sweet and deliciously torturous. I almost didn’t want the book and their relationship to progress because I wanted to enjoy them this way for a while.
That is, until I got to the sexy times. And then I was all about the sizzle. Did I replace my own name in the passages with that of the guy-robber’s, aka Mina’s? Possibly. Again, totally normal, no stronger meds needed.
Seriously though, it was HOT.
This book is mainly told through the dual POV of Lev and the BF-thief, aka Mina, but there are also a few other characters with a POV thrown in here and there. I really enjoyed these as it sets up the next books in the series very well and gave some depth to secondary characters. These characters were interesting and funny, each in their own way. At the end I felt as if I were part of the family, meeting new friends and catching up with old ones from previous books.
The book is also filled with twists and secrets I never saw coming, but still it was surprisingly low on angst with everyone acting like grown-ups and getting issues resolved with no needless, drawn-out drama.
Again, this book set up the rest of the series extremely well and I cannot wait to see what happens with friends, family and enemies in the next books. The book had a lot going on but it was never rushed. It has everything; humour, sex, romance, suspense, and LEV.
I absolutely recommend this to any existing Belle Aurora fan, and if you haven’t read any of her books yet, it’s time you introduce yourself. But not to Lev. Because he’s mine. And I will cut you!
(ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Release date TBA)
From the first few pages I started falling in-love with Lev (it’s true love, I mean it this time). A beautiful, broken man. Awkward and silent. A strong and dark alpha. Yet so honest and vulnerable in what he is, a man incapable of understanding emotion, helping a broken and desolate soul for reasons he couldn’t explain except for the fact that she made him feel.
I had a hard time getting behind the h. There were things about her that annoyed me no end. She was wonderful and perfect and everyone loved her and I fucking hated her. How much of this has been decided through rational thought, or any wrong-doing on the h’s part? Probably none. Belle Aurora wrote such an excellent H, that I would have hated the Virgin Mary if she came near him. So yeah… that’s a totally normal reaction and my therapist tells me we’ll get through this together, no need to up my dosage.
Anyway, moving on…
The man-stealer, aka Mina, has been living on the streets. In an act of desperation and an attempt to feed herself, she lifts a wallet. She’s caught by Lev, and being curious about this woman who affects him, he offers her a choice: a place to stay and a job, or he calls the cops and has her arrested. Mina, not being as stupid as my jealousy would want her to be, obviously takes the first option.
I refuse to tell you that she was perfect for him, I refuse to tell you that she was brave and strong even after all that she’s been through, I refuse to tell you that she stood up for herself, I refuse to tell you that she was funny, sassy and fierce.
The first few interactions between these two just broke my heart in the best way possible. It was shy, unsure and awkward at first but turned sweet and deliciously torturous. I almost didn’t want the book and their relationship to progress because I wanted to enjoy them this way for a while.
That is, until I got to the sexy times. And then I was all about the sizzle. Did I replace my own name in the passages with that of the guy-robber’s, aka Mina’s? Possibly. Again, totally normal, no stronger meds needed.
Seriously though, it was HOT.
This book is mainly told through the dual POV of Lev and the BF-thief, aka Mina, but there are also a few other characters with a POV thrown in here and there. I really enjoyed these as it sets up the next books in the series very well and gave some depth to secondary characters. These characters were interesting and funny, each in their own way. At the end I felt as if I were part of the family, meeting new friends and catching up with old ones from previous books.
The book is also filled with twists and secrets I never saw coming, but still it was surprisingly low on angst with everyone acting like grown-ups and getting issues resolved with no needless, drawn-out drama.
Again, this book set up the rest of the series extremely well and I cannot wait to see what happens with friends, family and enemies in the next books. The book had a lot going on but it was never rushed. It has everything; humour, sex, romance, suspense, and LEV.
I absolutely recommend this to any existing Belle Aurora fan, and if you haven’t read any of her books yet, it’s time you introduce yourself. But not to Lev. Because he’s mine. And I will cut you!
(ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Release date TBA)
July 7, 2018
Enjoyed this one a lot!!!
November 1, 2016
4* Penguin STARS!
Belle Aurora is my auto-click author since RAW! LEV was her new baby and I'm intrigued. At first, I didn't feel positive about this book. This book is the opposite of dark romance that I've anticipated. So, here we go my first Russian mafia!
Mina Harris is a homeless woman until she met Lev at a gentleman's bar, Bleeding Hearts. Mina 'caught in the act' by Lev. Despite this unknown woman, she intrigued Lev and quickly offer propositions for her. Mina will work at the bar and live with Lev after he knows her hideous living condition. Surprisingly they didn't seem disturbed with each other and keep carry on.
The heroine is way too perfect. Mina like a flawless angel. She's kind, beautiful and friendly with everyone. Lev intrigued her and decide to have him. Unfortunately, something happened with Lev in the past that cause his state right now. Again, Mina is very patient with Lev. She wants Lev to more open with her in any occasion, with her determination and affection to him finally paid off.
Lev Leokov is a perfection of flawed hero. He's mature, handsome and a Russian gentleman. Without being able to express his feelings, he has ways that some of us wouldn't understand. His way to love is different. What I liked has great development. He become a different person and much better with his social skill. It seems nobody dare make a move with him. Lev needs someone to pushed him. And the man that Lev has become in the end.. Oh God, can I have him for real? His alpha and sexiness radiated with behind the jealousy and possessiveness.
There is some issues that didn't work for me. Like how easily they're forget problems. They didn't resolve it and move on too fast. The family drama seems so much coincidence. The insta-love between Mina and Lev's daughter was too unbelievable. Sigh. I expected some dangerous and violence, but there is none. They're only run legal business. Not really bad mafia.
I couldn't believe that I was hooked until 5:30 AM :)) Mostly, it contains dual POV between Mina and Lev with some addition POV. Lev by Belle Aurora was a quick and enjoyable read. There were some funny, sexy and melancholic moment. Well written with steady paced. Of course, it ended up with rainbow and glitter. I think I need to read Friend-zoned series after this because some characters made appearance.
*I hope there will be Sasha (with someone? and Viktor with Nastasia's story*
Belle Aurora is my auto-click author since RAW! LEV was her new baby and I'm intrigued. At first, I didn't feel positive about this book. This book is the opposite of dark romance that I've anticipated. So, here we go my first Russian mafia!
Mina Harris is a homeless woman until she met Lev at a gentleman's bar, Bleeding Hearts. Mina 'caught in the act' by Lev. Despite this unknown woman, she intrigued Lev and quickly offer propositions for her. Mina will work at the bar and live with Lev after he knows her hideous living condition. Surprisingly they didn't seem disturbed with each other and keep carry on.
I found her, and I was keeping her... I wanted Mina. I wanted her more than anything, but she was so fragile right now. I would wait until the time was right. She would be mine.
The heroine is way too perfect. Mina like a flawless angel. She's kind, beautiful and friendly with everyone. Lev intrigued her and decide to have him. Unfortunately, something happened with Lev in the past that cause his state right now. Again, Mina is very patient with Lev. She wants Lev to more open with her in any occasion, with her determination and affection to him finally paid off.
"You are perfect, Lev. Your words are honest and colored beautifully. You make me feel things I thought were lost to me. And I'm in danger losing my heart to you." ~Mina to Lev.
Lev Leokov is a perfection of flawed hero. He's mature, handsome and a Russian gentleman. Without being able to express his feelings, he has ways that some of us wouldn't understand. His way to love is different. What I liked has great development. He become a different person and much better with his social skill. It seems nobody dare make a move with him. Lev needs someone to pushed him. And the man that Lev has become in the end.. Oh God, can I have him for real? His alpha and sexiness radiated with behind the jealousy and possessiveness.
"She's a disaster," I told her. "Trouble follows her everywhere. She corners me when I don't wish to speak. She smiles and laughs at things that aren't funny. She steals food right out of my hand." I shook my head. "All of which makes her perfect." ~Lev to Nas.
There is some issues that didn't work for me. Like how easily they're forget problems. They didn't resolve it and move on too fast. The family drama seems so much coincidence. The insta-love between Mina and Lev's daughter was too unbelievable. Sigh. I expected some dangerous and violence, but there is none. They're only run legal business. Not really bad mafia.
I couldn't believe that I was hooked until 5:30 AM :)) Mostly, it contains dual POV between Mina and Lev with some addition POV. Lev by Belle Aurora was a quick and enjoyable read. There were some funny, sexy and melancholic moment. Well written with steady paced. Of course, it ended up with rainbow and glitter. I think I need to read Friend-zoned series after this because some characters made appearance.
*I hope there will be Sasha (with someone? and Viktor with Nastasia's story*
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