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Bratva Brides
Havok
He takes what he wants.
I'm a hitman for the Russian mafia, a savage killer. I have nothing, and no one. I was never interested in all the women that threw themselves at me, looking for a wild night with a dominant, muscular bad boy like me.
Until I met her. A broken-hearted, sweet-as-sin dancer, barely making ends meet. She did what no other girl could: she made me feel human again.
My mission was simple. Kidnap her, then cash her out for a cool hundred grand.
F*ck that. Not with those seductive curves and submissive eyes begging for my domination.
I'm claiming her as mine. Even if it means slaughtering every last son of a b*tch in this filthy city.
This is a standalone, full-length mafia romance with a filthy-mouthed, possessive bad boy. Dark mafia themes throughout. No cliffhangers. Guaranteed HEA.
I'm a hitman for the Russian mafia, a savage killer. I have nothing, and no one. I was never interested in all the women that threw themselves at me, looking for a wild night with a dominant, muscular bad boy like me.
Until I met her. A broken-hearted, sweet-as-sin dancer, barely making ends meet. She did what no other girl could: she made me feel human again.
My mission was simple. Kidnap her, then cash her out for a cool hundred grand.
F*ck that. Not with those seductive curves and submissive eyes begging for my domination.
I'm claiming her as mine. Even if it means slaughtering every last son of a b*tch in this filthy city.
This is a standalone, full-length mafia romance with a filthy-mouthed, possessive bad boy. Dark mafia themes throughout. No cliffhangers. Guaranteed HEA.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 2, 2016
233 people are currently reading
506 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
March 17, 2017
Title: Havok
Author: Riley Rollins (
I started this book a while back, but had got detracted with other things & never finish it until now… big mistake cuz this was one dark romance well written…..This was my first time reading one of Riley books & I absolute loved it
Havok it is centered on a Russian Mafia hitman & a stripper.
Wow Penny has had one hell of life- She once had dreams & goals to go into the medical field. Penny was a college student until her father died.
After her the loss of her father Penny falls into the cycle she is stuck in, addicted to pills. Penny starts working at a strip club 'Fascinations' to keep up with her addiction
Vladimir aka Havok is a hitman by day & a Bouncer by night. Until his boss’s want to go into the business of skin trade- after that everything seems to change for the worst – I really don’t wanna spoil the rest of the story by giving too much details
Loved this read. Action, suspense, betrayal, hot sex & love, mafia alpha’s, a bad boy hitman. Tons of twist & turns … What else do you need in a Mafia read?
➦Hope you enjoy this read & also always keep in mind this is just my opinion
➦I highly recommend this book & author.
Author: Riley Rollins (
I started this book a while back, but had got detracted with other things & never finish it until now… big mistake cuz this was one dark romance well written…..This was my first time reading one of Riley books & I absolute loved it
Havok it is centered on a Russian Mafia hitman & a stripper.
Wow Penny has had one hell of life- She once had dreams & goals to go into the medical field. Penny was a college student until her father died.
After her the loss of her father Penny falls into the cycle she is stuck in, addicted to pills. Penny starts working at a strip club 'Fascinations' to keep up with her addiction
Vladimir aka Havok is a hitman by day & a Bouncer by night. Until his boss’s want to go into the business of skin trade- after that everything seems to change for the worst – I really don’t wanna spoil the rest of the story by giving too much details
Loved this read. Action, suspense, betrayal, hot sex & love, mafia alpha’s, a bad boy hitman. Tons of twist & turns … What else do you need in a Mafia read?
➦Hope you enjoy this read & also always keep in mind this is just my opinion
➦I highly recommend this book & author.
September 30, 2016
It's okay.
After reading the blurb this jumped straight to the top of my to-read list, it's worth mentioning because it caught me by surprise this actually ends at 53% (there's an extended epilogue if you sign up to the link provided) and then there's another book 'Axl: Sons of chaos MC' which I read back in May and it was a 3* read for me.
I have to admit I find it annoying when the book I'm reading ends way before I expect it to, anyway onto the book itself.
Something was missing, all the basics were here but it just didn't work as well as it should have done, for me anyway.
I'm struggling to say exactly what was wrong, I didn't like the characters as much as I have in similar books, the story seemed rushed in places especially the ending and (with the unexpected early ending) it just left me feeling a bit disappointed.
September 28, 2016
This story is a dark romance about a Russian mafia hitman, Havok, that falls in love with a prescription drug addicted stripper, Penny. She works at the strip club where he is a bouncer. He has admired her from afar for a long time, but never acted on his feelings. Once upon a time, he had a fiance that was murdered because of her association with him. He doesn't want Penny to suffer the same fate.
Penny started out her young adult life a pre med student with big dreams. Her father dies in an accident, and she subsequently becomes addicted to opiates to dull her pain. Pretty soon she starts stripping to pay for her habit, and all her aspirations go out the window. Penny lives in a filthy apartment with an abusive man that takes most of her hard earned money. The only thing that gets her through her long days is Havok's presence in the club where she works. He makes her feel protected, and it doesn't hurt that he is incredibly attractive. He always saves the day when anyone tries to get out of line with her and the other girls. He never tries to take advantage of his position the way that the other bouncers do.
Havok is content with his life as a hitman until one day his job description changes. Suddenly, the organization he works for wants to get into the human trafficking business. They want to ship girls that work at the club to Europe as sex slaves. Havok's boss gives him Penny as his first assignment. He has no problems murdering bad men, but he can't stomach selling innocent girls into sexual slavery...especially not Penny.
The author had me hooked as soon as I began reading. Unfortunately, Havok didn't quite meet my expectations, but I still enjoyed reading it just the same. The relationship between Penny and Havok could have been developed a little more to make their connection seem more genuine. The sex was okay, but the dirty talk sometimes had me cringing. I have no problem with dirty talk at all, so thats not the issue. It was probably due to the fact that I don't find "put a baby in me" talk all that hot. The pacing of the book felt off at times, and the ending felt rushed. That being said, I don't regret reading it. It was entertaining, and I was invested enough in the characters to finish it pretty quickly. This is considered a dark romance, but it really isn't all that dark so I wouldn't let that put you off if that is not really your thing. It was pretty mild.. at least to me. I never found any part of it particularly disturbing. I will probably check out another book by Riley Rollins in the future.
Penny started out her young adult life a pre med student with big dreams. Her father dies in an accident, and she subsequently becomes addicted to opiates to dull her pain. Pretty soon she starts stripping to pay for her habit, and all her aspirations go out the window. Penny lives in a filthy apartment with an abusive man that takes most of her hard earned money. The only thing that gets her through her long days is Havok's presence in the club where she works. He makes her feel protected, and it doesn't hurt that he is incredibly attractive. He always saves the day when anyone tries to get out of line with her and the other girls. He never tries to take advantage of his position the way that the other bouncers do.
Havok is content with his life as a hitman until one day his job description changes. Suddenly, the organization he works for wants to get into the human trafficking business. They want to ship girls that work at the club to Europe as sex slaves. Havok's boss gives him Penny as his first assignment. He has no problems murdering bad men, but he can't stomach selling innocent girls into sexual slavery...especially not Penny.
The author had me hooked as soon as I began reading. Unfortunately, Havok didn't quite meet my expectations, but I still enjoyed reading it just the same. The relationship between Penny and Havok could have been developed a little more to make their connection seem more genuine. The sex was okay, but the dirty talk sometimes had me cringing. I have no problem with dirty talk at all, so thats not the issue. It was probably due to the fact that I don't find "put a baby in me" talk all that hot. The pacing of the book felt off at times, and the ending felt rushed. That being said, I don't regret reading it. It was entertaining, and I was invested enough in the characters to finish it pretty quickly. This is considered a dark romance, but it really isn't all that dark so I wouldn't let that put you off if that is not really your thing. It was pretty mild.. at least to me. I never found any part of it particularly disturbing. I will probably check out another book by Riley Rollins in the future.
May 9, 2019
Um dos melhores livros (e-book) que li recentemente. A história é cativante, intrigante e cheia de detalhes com toque de suspense.
É a primeira ressaca literária que tenho com um ebook.
História linda! Com escrita perfeita e detalhes que se fecham, sem deixar dúvidas no final.
O epílogo é eletrizante e, queria que tivesse um outro que fosse mais tranquilo e só mostrasse a vida deles.
Mas, não tenho nada a reclamar sobre esse livro. (Só o fato de que não queria parar de ler mas ao mesmo tempo também não queria que acabasse!)
5 estrelas porque merece!! E, se tivessem mais estrelas pra avaliar, com certeza tb merecia mais! 🔝
É a primeira ressaca literária que tenho com um ebook.
História linda! Com escrita perfeita e detalhes que se fecham, sem deixar dúvidas no final.
O epílogo é eletrizante e, queria que tivesse um outro que fosse mais tranquilo e só mostrasse a vida deles.
Mas, não tenho nada a reclamar sobre esse livro. (Só o fato de que não queria parar de ler mas ao mesmo tempo também não queria que acabasse!)
5 estrelas porque merece!! E, se tivessem mais estrelas pra avaliar, com certeza tb merecia mais! 🔝
August 5, 2016
An ARC was provided by the author for an honest review.
Angst, drama, danger, suspense, a great story-line that keeps you turning the pages. If you're looking for a hot book that is good, steamy, filled with danger, lust, a bad boy, sexy hit man, with some naughty thrown in, Havok is the book for you.
Angst, drama, danger, suspense, a great story-line that keeps you turning the pages. If you're looking for a hot book that is good, steamy, filled with danger, lust, a bad boy, sexy hit man, with some naughty thrown in, Havok is the book for you.
August 5, 2016
I can't say enough good things about this book. High praises for Riley Rollins. I want my own personally Havoc. I highly recommend this book and author. Steam 10 stars. I received a free copy for an honest review
August 9, 2016
The story was engaging enough to keep my interest.
3 1/2 stars.
3 1/2 stars.
April 14, 2017
I'm trying very hard to find redeeming qualities for this book, and frankly, the only one I can think of was it was free from spelling and grammar errors. Hot mess is the best way to describe this book, and I don't have enough characters to completely get into how bad it truly is. Also? I'm really tired of this dual POV nonsense being used in indie pub erotica. It's a shitty trend and is rarely done well. It's done passing fair in this book, but still annoying as hell.
It's a Bratva (Russian organised crime) based novella, and the names for all the Russian characters were ridiculously stereotypical and cringe-worthy. Vladimir Vladimirovich Ivanov is our "hero", but he spends half the book being called by his titular nickname, Havok. How he got this nickname makes little to no sense, especially when you take into account he's the hitman of his little cadre. Oh, and his other nickname is Vlady - even among his Bratva colleagues. I'm not even going to get into how poor a writer you have to be when you can't google proper Russian diminutives. (Volodya or Vovochka, in case you were wondering. Vlady isn't one of them. The closest is Vladi, which isn't used in Russia but in Western Slavic countries.) Our other Bratva men are Igor (who is, SHOCKER, the bad guy), Valentin, Grigory, Petrov, and Luka. Okay, so Petrov? That's a last name. It should be Pyotr, unless Petrov is the one Russian in the group who is referred to by his last name. Oh, and then there's Irina, but that would be spoilers.
And our heroine... a stripper (because of course) who was once on her way to being pre-med until a car accident killed her father (and presumably the sibling who doesn't merit more than 2 mentions in the entire book) and she ended up hooked on painkillers. When the book starts, she's with this trash heap of a male named Brock, who is a physically abusive alcoholic. But she just can't leave him! Or clean the bathroom. (I'm not joking, there's an entire scene in which the hovel Penny lives in is described, right down to the hopeless, "but cleaning would be pointless, so I don't.")
The plot is 75% Penny and Vladimir mentally moaning over how much they want one another, 10% of their respective lives outside of one another, and 15% some half-assed BS about human trafficking. Because, you know, that's the kind of thing you want your "romance" plot to revolve around. The characterisation is non-existent, the tropes are poorly executed, and there is far, far too much here that expects you to check your brain at the door in order to stay in the story. The sex is lacking in every way, so don't expect that be to be saving grace.
There's a second novella attached to this - Axl: Sons of Chaos MC - and as much as I'm really into MC books right now, I honestly don't know if I want to waste any more precious hours of my life on this author.
It's a Bratva (Russian organised crime) based novella, and the names for all the Russian characters were ridiculously stereotypical and cringe-worthy. Vladimir Vladimirovich Ivanov is our "hero", but he spends half the book being called by his titular nickname, Havok. How he got this nickname makes little to no sense, especially when you take into account he's the hitman of his little cadre. Oh, and his other nickname is Vlady - even among his Bratva colleagues. I'm not even going to get into how poor a writer you have to be when you can't google proper Russian diminutives. (Volodya or Vovochka, in case you were wondering. Vlady isn't one of them. The closest is Vladi, which isn't used in Russia but in Western Slavic countries.) Our other Bratva men are Igor (who is, SHOCKER, the bad guy), Valentin, Grigory, Petrov, and Luka. Okay, so Petrov? That's a last name. It should be Pyotr, unless Petrov is the one Russian in the group who is referred to by his last name. Oh, and then there's Irina, but that would be spoilers.
And our heroine... a stripper (because of course) who was once on her way to being pre-med until a car accident killed her father (and presumably the sibling who doesn't merit more than 2 mentions in the entire book) and she ended up hooked on painkillers. When the book starts, she's with this trash heap of a male named Brock, who is a physically abusive alcoholic. But she just can't leave him! Or clean the bathroom. (I'm not joking, there's an entire scene in which the hovel Penny lives in is described, right down to the hopeless, "but cleaning would be pointless, so I don't.")
The plot is 75% Penny and Vladimir mentally moaning over how much they want one another, 10% of their respective lives outside of one another, and 15% some half-assed BS about human trafficking. Because, you know, that's the kind of thing you want your "romance" plot to revolve around. The characterisation is non-existent, the tropes are poorly executed, and there is far, far too much here that expects you to check your brain at the door in order to stay in the story. The sex is lacking in every way, so don't expect that be to be saving grace.
There's a second novella attached to this - Axl: Sons of Chaos MC - and as much as I'm really into MC books right now, I honestly don't know if I want to waste any more precious hours of my life on this author.
August 6, 2016
1000 STARS WOULD BE MY VOTE!!! 5 STARS IS A DISGRACE TO THIS BOOK!!!
I have read several books by Riley Rollins and she is an awesome author when it comes to the Russian Mafia. I love her books. I look forward to reading them. She grabs your interest from the very beginning and keeps it till the end of the book. You never know what surprises she has that will jump out and grab you. The story line and the characters always work perfectly together (Nobody wants to read about a character that the story line is all wrong for). Her minor characters are equally as important to the story line as they are to the main characters of the story. This is another AWESOME book by Riley Rollins and I know that you will not be disappointed in it. The book is recommended for mature readers 18 years and older because of the nature of the adult content (SEX, Foul Mouths, and Murder).
Vladimir Vladimirovich Ivanov or otherwise known as Havok to most is a Russian Mafia hitman by day, and a bouncer for a strip club at night. He doesn’t need the money of the strip club because the being a hitman has made him more than wealthy. He keeps the job for contacts and possible new jobs. Penny Taylor is a who has lost most everything important to her and now she is working at a strip club making money for a loser boyfriend who beats her and takes her money. The only thing she wishes for is for Havok to take her away from all of this. She had no idea that she was going to get her wish. But not the way she wanted.
Havok vows to protect Penny after he is told to kidnap her because they are going to sell her. The job offered him 100,000.00 but he decided he was going to protect Penny and nobody was getting her. Will Havok be able to keep Penny from her fate? Will Havok and Penny ever have a relationship that they want? Well you must read to find all the hidden surprises in Riley Rollins new book, “Havok”!!!!
No Spoilers. ARC free book given in exchange for an honest review.
I have read several books by Riley Rollins and she is an awesome author when it comes to the Russian Mafia. I love her books. I look forward to reading them. She grabs your interest from the very beginning and keeps it till the end of the book. You never know what surprises she has that will jump out and grab you. The story line and the characters always work perfectly together (Nobody wants to read about a character that the story line is all wrong for). Her minor characters are equally as important to the story line as they are to the main characters of the story. This is another AWESOME book by Riley Rollins and I know that you will not be disappointed in it. The book is recommended for mature readers 18 years and older because of the nature of the adult content (SEX, Foul Mouths, and Murder).
Vladimir Vladimirovich Ivanov or otherwise known as Havok to most is a Russian Mafia hitman by day, and a bouncer for a strip club at night. He doesn’t need the money of the strip club because the being a hitman has made him more than wealthy. He keeps the job for contacts and possible new jobs. Penny Taylor is a who has lost most everything important to her and now she is working at a strip club making money for a loser boyfriend who beats her and takes her money. The only thing she wishes for is for Havok to take her away from all of this. She had no idea that she was going to get her wish. But not the way she wanted.
Havok vows to protect Penny after he is told to kidnap her because they are going to sell her. The job offered him 100,000.00 but he decided he was going to protect Penny and nobody was getting her. Will Havok be able to keep Penny from her fate? Will Havok and Penny ever have a relationship that they want? Well you must read to find all the hidden surprises in Riley Rollins new book, “Havok”!!!!
No Spoilers. ARC free book given in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2016
Wow, this book was a pleasant surprise. Definetly a Riley Rollins fan now. So, this was my first book from this author and I was surprised it was only the 3rd book she has written. She is a really good writer.
With that being said, I normally love to read the insta-love, safe, no cheating and no or very little couple angst. This book had little couple angst sincethey aren't a couple for most of the book and it starts with her having a dead beat boyfriend that beats her up daily...not really my thing but again since the writing was really good...I got right through. These 2 have a lot of chemistry....that they fight for way to long...for their own reasons (no spoilers here). So, they did have the insta factor down and he was never with anyone after he met her...or really even before that. I liked him pretty well, he was definently an alpha all the way, I thought he lacked a little of the charm I normally like, but he was still very likeable...because he is a good guy, which always scores big points with me. She was just ok for me, not very mentally tough though. Goes through some things, doesn't handle it well...so she spirals down to rock bottom.
Really liked the overall storyline and I loved the writing, so even though the characters and some of the storyline were not my thing...I still gave it 4 stars because I loved the writing and I truly believe many people will really like this book....I am just annoyingly picky. Great job Riley Rollins.
With that being said, I normally love to read the insta-love, safe, no cheating and no or very little couple angst. This book had little couple angst sincethey aren't a couple for most of the book and it starts with her having a dead beat boyfriend that beats her up daily...not really my thing but again since the writing was really good...I got right through. These 2 have a lot of chemistry....that they fight for way to long...for their own reasons (no spoilers here). So, they did have the insta factor down and he was never with anyone after he met her...or really even before that. I liked him pretty well, he was definently an alpha all the way, I thought he lacked a little of the charm I normally like, but he was still very likeable...because he is a good guy, which always scores big points with me. She was just ok for me, not very mentally tough though. Goes through some things, doesn't handle it well...so she spirals down to rock bottom.
Really liked the overall storyline and I loved the writing, so even though the characters and some of the storyline were not my thing...I still gave it 4 stars because I loved the writing and I truly believe many people will really like this book....I am just annoyingly picky. Great job Riley Rollins.
August 8, 2016
Havok : A Bad Boy Mafia Romance by Riley Rollins was gifted to me in an ARC in exchanged for a honest review. I am giving this book 5 stars because this book gave me a sexy hot hitman that is not only dangerous, but his also so mysterious how can you not love him. Of course he knows he wants Penny bad, and he knows that he will do anything to keep her safe. Vladimir aka Havok has this pull towards Penny but he doesn't understand it. And Penny doesn't realize how bad he is for her until its to late. But after having a**hold of a boyfriend that beats her. She doesn't care how bad Havok is for her all that matters to her is how he treats her and how much he wants to protect her. This was my first time reading one of Riley books and I absolute loved it. Because the writer gives you drama filled with suspense and when you have these two combinations add in a sexy hot Russian mafia man. You have one hell of a book and that's exactly what this book was. It takes Penny along time before she finally gets her happy ending, and its with the man she been dreaming about. Havok finds his home in Penny he thought he would ruin her, but in the end she only completed him. They both brought each other happiness.
August 11, 2016
This was a pretty exciting, sexy and intense Russian mafia hitman story with a romance that begins from what was supposed to be a kidnapping and slave trade sale. It had a lot of very steamy moments (eventually), some sleazy bad guys and an interesting story of a "bad" man who does "good" things to help those he is supposed to be hurting, and although he is cold blooded killer when he needs to be, he is also a man with a conscience, and that is very appealing in a hero.
This idea has been done before many times and although the idea is not original, the book was very engrossing and the characters ranged from likeable and honest to damaged and downright creepy.
Good action, hot love scenes and a satisfying ending.
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
**** 4 **** "she danced her way into his heart" stars
This idea has been done before many times and although the idea is not original, the book was very engrossing and the characters ranged from likeable and honest to damaged and downright creepy.
Good action, hot love scenes and a satisfying ending.
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
**** 4 **** "she danced her way into his heart" stars
August 28, 2016
This was intense! At time I struggled with the story because there was loads of mafia stuff that I'm not that in to. But after you hit the 50% mark its smooth sailing and a race to the finish line coz at that point I could not put it down.
August 12, 2016
I was ok. I wanted to hit my head off my iPad a couple of times because the h was just plain dumb. The H is very crass.
Not bad not great ok
Not bad not great ok
May 26, 2017
Wasn't sure I wanted to give this author another try after the last book, but glad I did. Havok is delicious. I have no trouble getting behind this character; or in front of, or beneath...you get the drift. I'm a sucker for Russian mobsters with a soft side, so Havok hit the spot for me. The story-line was fulfilling even if there were a few loose ends in my opinion. I would've liked to see a little more banter between Havok and Penny. Not really a fan of an option for the extended epilogue if you subscribe to a newsletter. I understand the reason, but I guess the characters didn't mean THAT much to me to fill my inbox each month. Overall, a decent read.
January 14, 2017
I love Bratva stories, and Havok is no exception. One thing I like about Havok was that Penny wasn’t a sweet girl next door. She had her own demons and tragedy in her life. Havok has known Penny for a little bit at the start of the story but, he makes no move to help her. He thinks she’ll suffer more with him in her life, than without him. They’re on a crazy ride towards ending up together, they just didn’t know it at the time. I, personally, enjoyed the hell out of the story!
**** I read this book through Kindle Unlimited****
**** I read this book through Kindle Unlimited****
March 18, 2017
I found this on Amazon when I talked to the author on Goodreads. I loved this book. Havok just got under my skin and I new that he was a hitman. There was just something about his attitude that pulled me. Penny is in an abusive relationship and works at a strip club. Where Penny dreams of being rescued from her life by Havok who has been lusting after Penny since he first saw her dance. The club is a front for the Russian mob. Something is going on at the club and Havok has to save Penny from a terrible fate. What to know what happens between them. Grab a copy. It is amazing....
September 16, 2023
It was an okay book. Too many cliches & a lot of the plot points seemed too forced, like instead of the things that happened making sense for the scene/characters/etc, it seemed like it was forced just to get a specific outcome versus what actually flowed well & made sense.
Not a terrible book, I just couldn't get into it personally.
Not a terrible book, I just couldn't get into it personally.
January 15, 2017
Interesting Stories
Both books had a very good storyline. I enjoyed Axl a little more than Havok only because I favor MC vs Mafia. Truthfully though, Havok lost me in the end a bit. But the story in Axl was all the better for it. Great work!
Both books had a very good storyline. I enjoyed Axl a little more than Havok only because I favor MC vs Mafia. Truthfully though, Havok lost me in the end a bit. But the story in Axl was all the better for it. Great work!
May 17, 2017
Awesome
OMG! Two hot books in one, Havok and Axl. I thoroughly enjoyed them both. Two bad boys with heart underneath it all.
OMG! Two hot books in one, Havok and Axl. I thoroughly enjoyed them both. Two bad boys with heart underneath it all.
May 20, 2017
Great stories.
Both stories were awesome. Havok and Penny were so good together. Great mafia story. Axl and Holly an MC story.
Both stories were awesome. Havok and Penny were so good together. Great mafia story. Axl and Holly an MC story.
May 25, 2017
started out good....didnt care for the ending at all. Not a full length book glad it was free
October 10, 2018
Mafia
Wow this was such a good book. Hated what Penny went through. So glad Havok was there for her when needed. Happy with the ending. Good book.
Wow this was such a good book. Hated what Penny went through. So glad Havok was there for her when needed. Happy with the ending. Good book.
March 16, 2017
I thought the first 3/4 were really good and really enjoyed it, but then it all seemed to speed up too fast and then a lot was left out, I mean taking over with Luca and Valentin wasn't even explained how it worked out and that should've been an important part, and a bit confused with the blink and she's pregnant! But I did enjoy it and do really love this author's books
"I received an ARC at no cost from the author."
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"I received an ARC at no cost from the author."
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This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2016
Havok and Penny - Can They Save Each Other?
Havok is a captivating and intriguing story. It is centered around a Russian Mafia hitman and a stripper. This story has many elements that many readers will find interesting. Havok is full of action, romance, suspense, drama, mafia men, a bad boy hitman, hot sex scenes, strong characters, and a happily ever after. This story does have some violent scenes and drug use, as the description states. I recommend this to anyone who likes to read about a Bad Boy and/or the Russian Mafia romance.
*Possible Spoiler*
Penny has had a hard, rough life. She works as a stripper at a club called Fascinations. Penny does this to support her drug habit and to support her abusive boyfriend. She is using drugs to dull the emotional and physical pain of her life. Penny has become very adept at hiding her drug habit / usage from people around her. She wishes / hopes that someone could save her from her horrible life. Penny needs a "knight" to rescue her and protect her ferociously, but she knows that will never happen for her. She watches one of the bouncers at the club and want him to be the one to protect / save her.
Havok, Vladimir, is a hitman for the Russian mob, Bratva. He also works as a bouncer at a strip club to keep an eye and ear on what is going on in town. While on duty, Havok spends part of his time watching over and protecting Penny from drunk men and/or unwanted attention at the club. He finds her very attractive, but Havok would never make a move or ask Penny out. Since Havok lost his fiancee, he has turned off his feelings. He refuses to let anyone get close to him again. So Havok is left with just watching over Penny. He has never really talked to Penny. The one time that Penny and Havok talked, he lets her know that she should stay for away from him, because he is not safe. After seeing her boyfriend beat her, Havok steps in and tries to take care of it. Penny stops Havok from beating her boyfriend too badly and leave with him.
Girls start to go missing from the club. Havok discovers that his boss is taking the taking the girls. He also finds out that Penny is next to be abducted. Havok takes Penny to keep her safe from the sex traffickers and keeps her locked up at his home. The chemistry between Penny and Havok becomes too much for them to resist. Penny is the first girl in a long time, who has made Havok feel again.
Penny is a strong woman, when she needs to be. She is a fighter and will fight to survive. Havok is a tough, tattooed hitman. He is a no nonsense, will do what has to be done, tough man. Penny and Havok are two people who are just getting by. They are just surviving or living day to day. Neither of them really have anyone close in their lives and have shut down or turn off their emotions in order to survive. Will Havok and/or Penny allow them self's to be vulnerable in order to connect with the other or to find love? Will they heal their own emotional scars in order to be together? Can Havok be the hero and knight that Penny needs?
Favorite Quote: "We are all damaged in are own ways"
Overall - 4 1/2 Stars
POV - Alternating POVs (each chapter)
Chemistry / Steamy / Hotness - 5 Stars
HEA - Yes
Bad Boy / Alpha Male - Yes
Recommend To Others - Yes
Cliffhanger - No
I was given this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
Havok is a captivating and intriguing story. It is centered around a Russian Mafia hitman and a stripper. This story has many elements that many readers will find interesting. Havok is full of action, romance, suspense, drama, mafia men, a bad boy hitman, hot sex scenes, strong characters, and a happily ever after. This story does have some violent scenes and drug use, as the description states. I recommend this to anyone who likes to read about a Bad Boy and/or the Russian Mafia romance.
*Possible Spoiler*
Penny has had a hard, rough life. She works as a stripper at a club called Fascinations. Penny does this to support her drug habit and to support her abusive boyfriend. She is using drugs to dull the emotional and physical pain of her life. Penny has become very adept at hiding her drug habit / usage from people around her. She wishes / hopes that someone could save her from her horrible life. Penny needs a "knight" to rescue her and protect her ferociously, but she knows that will never happen for her. She watches one of the bouncers at the club and want him to be the one to protect / save her.
Havok, Vladimir, is a hitman for the Russian mob, Bratva. He also works as a bouncer at a strip club to keep an eye and ear on what is going on in town. While on duty, Havok spends part of his time watching over and protecting Penny from drunk men and/or unwanted attention at the club. He finds her very attractive, but Havok would never make a move or ask Penny out. Since Havok lost his fiancee, he has turned off his feelings. He refuses to let anyone get close to him again. So Havok is left with just watching over Penny. He has never really talked to Penny. The one time that Penny and Havok talked, he lets her know that she should stay for away from him, because he is not safe. After seeing her boyfriend beat her, Havok steps in and tries to take care of it. Penny stops Havok from beating her boyfriend too badly and leave with him.
Girls start to go missing from the club. Havok discovers that his boss is taking the taking the girls. He also finds out that Penny is next to be abducted. Havok takes Penny to keep her safe from the sex traffickers and keeps her locked up at his home. The chemistry between Penny and Havok becomes too much for them to resist. Penny is the first girl in a long time, who has made Havok feel again.
Penny is a strong woman, when she needs to be. She is a fighter and will fight to survive. Havok is a tough, tattooed hitman. He is a no nonsense, will do what has to be done, tough man. Penny and Havok are two people who are just getting by. They are just surviving or living day to day. Neither of them really have anyone close in their lives and have shut down or turn off their emotions in order to survive. Will Havok and/or Penny allow them self's to be vulnerable in order to connect with the other or to find love? Will they heal their own emotional scars in order to be together? Can Havok be the hero and knight that Penny needs?
Favorite Quote: "We are all damaged in are own ways"
Overall - 4 1/2 Stars
POV - Alternating POVs (each chapter)
Chemistry / Steamy / Hotness - 5 Stars
HEA - Yes
Bad Boy / Alpha Male - Yes
Recommend To Others - Yes
Cliffhanger - No
I was given this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
August 15, 2016
I was given this book by the Author in exchange for my honest review.
HOLEY......HELL.....This....Is.......HOT!!!!!
Havok - Russian Mafia bad boy by day and "bouncer" by night. He is protecting his assets by being the "bouncer" at the strip club that a fellow mafia man owns. Havok has lived through hell, watching his fiancee be raped and murdered and he couldn't protect her....he is blaming himself for that still. He has not felt anything for another woman since his fiancee, well that is until this particular dancer catches his attention (in a few places) and he is shocked by it and refuses to allow her close to him or him close to her. That is the only way he knows he can protect her. Even though she is tempting, very very tempting to him.
Penny - her parents have died, she was a pre-med student until this jackass she calls a boyfriend helped her get hooked on pills.....then he beats her when she doesn't bring in enough money. He doesn't work but drinks and dopes up on her money. She notices Havok and so badly wants him to protect her and guard her, prevent her jackass boyfriend from doing anything to her again. She becomes a nervous wreck around Havok, and feels he will never notice her.
Havok is walking back to the club after a mafia meeting one night, he left his car at the club, when he hears a woman's voice and it doesn't sound like she is happy or wanting what is happening to her. He spots who the woman is, yep Penny, and now he is angry that this jerk is hands on hurting her. Havok comes to her rescue, however she is embarrassed and begs him to let go of the boyfriend. He does but not before telling him he is watching him. Then the ignoring game between Havok and Penny begin, until one day jerk boy is at the club laying hands on Penny. AIN'T HAPPENING now that Havok has stopped things before, he feels a sense of her being his, even though nothing has happened between them.....yet!
There is an altercation, things get heated between the guys and something BIG happens. Penny catches the tale end of this and now she is on the run with Havok. There is another reason truthfully that he has taken her under his wing and it is a bigger thing compared to the boyfriend. There is a lot of events that happen throughout this book, little secrets they each hold that come to light and the chemistry has not even so much as been touched. It is a seat gripper and the choices each have to make in order to protect have you on the edge of your seat, angry and saddened, all the while knowing what is budding between them. When they do explore, it is the grand finale of a fireworks show......AWESOME! So many things happen that could tear them apart and keep them growing closer. You really need to read this book, there is just so much that happens and the whole while it doesn't keep you from the two of them. You will really LOVE this book as much as I do.
HOLEY......HELL.....This....Is.......HOT!!!!!
Havok - Russian Mafia bad boy by day and "bouncer" by night. He is protecting his assets by being the "bouncer" at the strip club that a fellow mafia man owns. Havok has lived through hell, watching his fiancee be raped and murdered and he couldn't protect her....he is blaming himself for that still. He has not felt anything for another woman since his fiancee, well that is until this particular dancer catches his attention (in a few places) and he is shocked by it and refuses to allow her close to him or him close to her. That is the only way he knows he can protect her. Even though she is tempting, very very tempting to him.
Penny - her parents have died, she was a pre-med student until this jackass she calls a boyfriend helped her get hooked on pills.....then he beats her when she doesn't bring in enough money. He doesn't work but drinks and dopes up on her money. She notices Havok and so badly wants him to protect her and guard her, prevent her jackass boyfriend from doing anything to her again. She becomes a nervous wreck around Havok, and feels he will never notice her.
Havok is walking back to the club after a mafia meeting one night, he left his car at the club, when he hears a woman's voice and it doesn't sound like she is happy or wanting what is happening to her. He spots who the woman is, yep Penny, and now he is angry that this jerk is hands on hurting her. Havok comes to her rescue, however she is embarrassed and begs him to let go of the boyfriend. He does but not before telling him he is watching him. Then the ignoring game between Havok and Penny begin, until one day jerk boy is at the club laying hands on Penny. AIN'T HAPPENING now that Havok has stopped things before, he feels a sense of her being his, even though nothing has happened between them.....yet!
There is an altercation, things get heated between the guys and something BIG happens. Penny catches the tale end of this and now she is on the run with Havok. There is another reason truthfully that he has taken her under his wing and it is a bigger thing compared to the boyfriend. There is a lot of events that happen throughout this book, little secrets they each hold that come to light and the chemistry has not even so much as been touched. It is a seat gripper and the choices each have to make in order to protect have you on the edge of your seat, angry and saddened, all the while knowing what is budding between them. When they do explore, it is the grand finale of a fireworks show......AWESOME! So many things happen that could tear them apart and keep them growing closer. You really need to read this book, there is just so much that happens and the whole while it doesn't keep you from the two of them. You will really LOVE this book as much as I do.
August 8, 2016
Vladimir (Havok) Ivanov is a hitman by day and a Bouncer by night every night that she works he watches Penny the stripper and he wants her but he will do nothing until the afternoon that her scumbag boyfriend comes in and touches her in the club while she is working then everything changes for him, the boyfriend and Penny. She comes outside where she saw Havok take Brock her boyfriend she has always wanted Havok to kick the crap out of Brock and take her away with him but she didn't intend for him to kill him but he is dead when she steps outside the backdoor he makes her help him and then he makes her change into her street clothes and takes her as his hostage to his house and holds her there for a couple of months when he found out that Penny is to be one of the girls for the new business white slavery and she is to be snatched from the club and taken to be shipped to Europe but he tells them he had to kill Penny and things move on and one of the boys his closes friends in the Bratva tells him that he wants to get the girls out but havok tells him no because at the time he has just been shot and he knows it wouldn't work on his part once he gets Penny to clean his wound and that same night they he cannot be without her any longer and they have sex and it is everything that he thought it would be with her. Hee decides to change his mind about getting the girls out but he is thinking bigger but he has to give a girl to Igor his knew boss and that woman happens to be Penny's friend Mackinze but he only kidnaps her so he can rescue her with the other women. Since he hasn't been honest with Penny she has it in her head that she wanted to get away from Havok because she knows that he is a killer and she thinks that he is the one over kidnapping the girls from the club because she has broken into his study and found information that she thinks links him to the kidnapping especially when she finds her file the only one without an obituary then things go all wrong because she has been keeping a secret from Havok but now he is about to discover this secret because she cannot cope with her problem by herself but she is determined to get away and implements her plan as soon as she get the opportunity unfortunate for her she gets caught less than an hour after she leaves Havok's house and finds herself in a room with all the other women who have been kidnapped in an abandoned warehouse to be shipped to Europe and her best friend is there too she hopes that Havok will come and rescue her but her hopes maybe dashed sooner than she thinks. This is their story. Very interesting book. I received a copy for an honest review.
October 5, 2016
Gah!Havok
Do I summarise the story.No.I don't want to spill any guts.I want the reader to be consumed by it and therefore will not rephrase the blurb.
I stay clear of mafia based romance book.Its not my thing.But boy oh boy was I wrong, very wrong. I have lost the mafia romance V card (the f**k..what!), dropped it loud and proud (the waaaah). Why did I ever think its not my thing, booooo to me. Blame it on the hitman why dontcha...Havok!
Havok (fans self) belongs to a Russian mafia unit,Bratva, he is a cold hearted killer, a hitman. Like many romance stories our guy, Havok (fans self) has a painful past. His future/present self is shaped by his past. When I say cold hearted killer, Havok is the definition of stone cold hearted. Adrenaline is his survival, coldness oozes through him. His hits is what's keeping him going. Untouchable (although me, I'd be all over that, guilty, that I am), always lurking in the darkness..until her.
Penny has nothing left in this world, lost in herself and very much alone.With a deadbeat boyfriend. She once had a path, like we all have we have dreams and goals. That was her once upon a time. It's heart wrenching the choices she had made just to exist.Working in an unsavory environment, where anything goes. She becomes an addict to continue just surviving. Her one and only solace..a cold hearted hitman, Havok. She sees something different in him behind all that poised bad ass exterior.
Trained to kill. We see Havok for who he once was. Unsure of his emotions and his lusty urges. He battles his inner self to betray the Bratva and face the inevitable consequences or to follow his emotions. Yes, we know which wins but the journey was not of ease.
What made this book a page turner for me, was the uncertainty of the plot. It had angst, action and best of all an overly hot bad ass hit man. However I wanted more after there happy ending.Being there throughout Penny's . I wanted to continue these journey with them , of the challenges they faced. And how Havok continued running the Bratva, we're there any changes made..etc.. As with many other books I sometimes like to predict so with Havoks reign of Bratva was not within my prediction. I thought he would turn it around and I guess do the good lawful deeds.But hey it's Havok, his a bad ass and can do anything.And I'm okay with that.
Do I summarise the story.No.I don't want to spill any guts.I want the reader to be consumed by it and therefore will not rephrase the blurb.
I stay clear of mafia based romance book.Its not my thing.But boy oh boy was I wrong, very wrong. I have lost the mafia romance V card (the f**k..what!), dropped it loud and proud (the waaaah). Why did I ever think its not my thing, booooo to me. Blame it on the hitman why dontcha...Havok!
Havok (fans self) belongs to a Russian mafia unit,Bratva, he is a cold hearted killer, a hitman. Like many romance stories our guy, Havok (fans self) has a painful past. His future/present self is shaped by his past. When I say cold hearted killer, Havok is the definition of stone cold hearted. Adrenaline is his survival, coldness oozes through him. His hits is what's keeping him going. Untouchable (although me, I'd be all over that, guilty, that I am), always lurking in the darkness..until her.
Penny has nothing left in this world, lost in herself and very much alone.With a deadbeat boyfriend. She once had a path, like we all have we have dreams and goals. That was her once upon a time. It's heart wrenching the choices she had made just to exist.Working in an unsavory environment, where anything goes. She becomes an addict to continue just surviving. Her one and only solace..a cold hearted hitman, Havok. She sees something different in him behind all that poised bad ass exterior.
Trained to kill. We see Havok for who he once was. Unsure of his emotions and his lusty urges. He battles his inner self to betray the Bratva and face the inevitable consequences or to follow his emotions. Yes, we know which wins but the journey was not of ease.
What made this book a page turner for me, was the uncertainty of the plot. It had angst, action and best of all an overly hot bad ass hit man. However I wanted more after there happy ending.Being there throughout Penny's . I wanted to continue these journey with them , of the challenges they faced. And how Havok continued running the Bratva, we're there any changes made..etc.. As with many other books I sometimes like to predict so with Havoks reign of Bratva was not within my prediction. I thought he would turn it around and I guess do the good lawful deeds.But hey it's Havok, his a bad ass and can do anything.And I'm okay with that.
August 11, 2016
This is my first book by this author. Our H is Vladimir and our h is Penny.
Vladimir goes by Havok. He is a hitman for the Russian Mafia and he works security at a strip club. He had lost someone in Russia and decided to close himself off from everyone but the 2 guys he sees as brothers. The Mafia dabbles in drugs, guns and of course, taking out hits but when they decide to start in human trafficking, Havok isn't happy. He decides to stay out of it to make sure he stays alive until he is asked to kidnap a girl and bring her in. The girl is Penny.
Penny is a stripper at the club where Havok does security. She has an abusive boyfriend and is addicted to pills. She once wanted to go into the medical field but when she loses her father, she falls into the cycle she is stuck in. Staying with her abusive boyfriend because she doesn't like change, taking pills because they free her and stripping to make ends meet. She is attracted to Havok but he also makes her feel safe. Soon girls are starting to go missing from the strip club.
When Havok is ordered to kidnap Penny his plans go up in smoke when he accidentally kills her boyfriend and then has to take her to his home. Havok wants to live and he wants to protect Penny. Penny struggles with her feelings for Havok while also feeling like a prisoner. She is still taking her pills in secret but when she finds out Havok is involved with the girls going missing from the strip club, she decides to run but blacks out.
Havok is furious when he learns that Penny has been taking pills without him knowing. He agrees to get another girl for the Mafia so he can see how to bring down the human trafficking. When he is gone, Penny escapes only to be captured by someone much worse then Havok.
I love a good Mafia Romance and I enjoyed this book. The author did a good job balancing a h I considered unstable and a H that wanted to be closed off from everyone. The chemistry was perfect between Havok and Penny and the slow build up make it so much better.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
Vladimir goes by Havok. He is a hitman for the Russian Mafia and he works security at a strip club. He had lost someone in Russia and decided to close himself off from everyone but the 2 guys he sees as brothers. The Mafia dabbles in drugs, guns and of course, taking out hits but when they decide to start in human trafficking, Havok isn't happy. He decides to stay out of it to make sure he stays alive until he is asked to kidnap a girl and bring her in. The girl is Penny.
Penny is a stripper at the club where Havok does security. She has an abusive boyfriend and is addicted to pills. She once wanted to go into the medical field but when she loses her father, she falls into the cycle she is stuck in. Staying with her abusive boyfriend because she doesn't like change, taking pills because they free her and stripping to make ends meet. She is attracted to Havok but he also makes her feel safe. Soon girls are starting to go missing from the strip club.
When Havok is ordered to kidnap Penny his plans go up in smoke when he accidentally kills her boyfriend and then has to take her to his home. Havok wants to live and he wants to protect Penny. Penny struggles with her feelings for Havok while also feeling like a prisoner. She is still taking her pills in secret but when she finds out Havok is involved with the girls going missing from the strip club, she decides to run but blacks out.
Havok is furious when he learns that Penny has been taking pills without him knowing. He agrees to get another girl for the Mafia so he can see how to bring down the human trafficking. When he is gone, Penny escapes only to be captured by someone much worse then Havok.
I love a good Mafia Romance and I enjoyed this book. The author did a good job balancing a h I considered unstable and a H that wanted to be closed off from everyone. The chemistry was perfect between Havok and Penny and the slow build up make it so much better.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
August 5, 2016
I liked this book much more than the other book I’ve read by Riley, Prince's Dirty Little Secret. There was more development of the characters. I would have loved more steamy scenes and that they were together sooner. I wondered so many times when they would be in relationship. There is also great suspense and danger.
Penny was a college student until her father died. Her life has spiraled out of control. She is a stripper and is in an abusive relationship now. Havok is a security guard at the place where Penny’s a stripper. He keeps an extra eye out for her. He thinks about her in a way he hasn’t thought about a woman for a long time. One night, Penny sees something and Havok has no other choice than to take her to his house. He keeps her there for her protection and also so she can’t go to the police.
Penny is lost, lonely and doesn’t know how to escape her abusive relationship. She wants another life. She’s attracted to Havok, because he looks strong and gorgeous. On the one hand she doesn’t like it that Havok keeps her in his home, but on the other hand she’s enjoying the life she has in his house. She does keep a secret from him that can put her life in danger.
Havok is cold and dangerous when he’s a hitman. He has been in the Russian mafia for so long and he can’t imagine another life. Havok would do anything to keep Penny safe. Havok and Penny are great together. Havok has a few good friends and I hope there will be a book for each of them. I also definitely won’t mind a book about Penny’s friend.
-- ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! --
Penny was a college student until her father died. Her life has spiraled out of control. She is a stripper and is in an abusive relationship now. Havok is a security guard at the place where Penny’s a stripper. He keeps an extra eye out for her. He thinks about her in a way he hasn’t thought about a woman for a long time. One night, Penny sees something and Havok has no other choice than to take her to his house. He keeps her there for her protection and also so she can’t go to the police.
Penny is lost, lonely and doesn’t know how to escape her abusive relationship. She wants another life. She’s attracted to Havok, because he looks strong and gorgeous. On the one hand she doesn’t like it that Havok keeps her in his home, but on the other hand she’s enjoying the life she has in his house. She does keep a secret from him that can put her life in danger.
Havok is cold and dangerous when he’s a hitman. He has been in the Russian mafia for so long and he can’t imagine another life. Havok would do anything to keep Penny safe. Havok and Penny are great together. Havok has a few good friends and I hope there will be a book for each of them. I also definitely won’t mind a book about Penny’s friend.
-- ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! --
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