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Daria: I never fall for cocky, overbearing guys, but when he steps out of the shower and surprises me, I can’t help but admire him. Everything about him is intoxicating, addicting…and dangerous. All reasons why I should stay as far away as possible. So why am I so drawn to him?

Brooks: I’m with a different girl every night and have one simple rule: don't let anyone get close. Ever. It keeps life simple and allows me to focus on what’s important – the family business. So why is this ballerina still on my mind? It's affecting work and right now, with everything at stake, that's a problem I can't afford.

As son of an Irish mob boss, Brooks Downing is utterly dedicated to the family business, but after meeting the beautiful young Russian ballerina, Daria Gorev, his focus is drawn away from obligation and instead turns to a physical attraction that grow stronger with each passing day. As their relationship gets tense, danger emerges, and they realize it's not just their love that's on the line. Innocent lives hang in the balance too.

245 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 8, 2018

618 people are currently reading
286 people want to read

About the author

Cassie Wild

43 books140 followers
Cassie Wild loves romance. Ever since she was eight years old she's been reading every romance novel she could get her hands on, always dreaming of writing her own romance novels.

When M.S. Parker approached her about co-authoring the Serving HIM series, it didn't take Cassie many second to say a big yes!!

Serving HIM is only the beginning to the collaboration between M.S. Parker and Cassie Wild. Another series is already in the planning stages.

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5 stars
236 (44%)
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165 (31%)
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93 (17%)
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24 (4%)
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12 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews132 followers
Want to read
February 28, 2019
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/28/2019)! 🎁

Blurb:
Daria: I never fall for cocky, overbearing guys, but when he steps out of the shower and surprises me, I can’t help but admire him. Everything about him is intoxicating, addicting…and dangerous. All reasons why I should stay as far away as possible. So why am I so drawn to him?

Brooks: I’m with a different girl every night and have one simple rule: don't let anyone get close. Ever. It keeps life simple and allows me to focus on what’s important – the family business. So why is this ballerina still on my mind? It's affecting work and right now, with everything at stake, that's a problem I can't afford.

As son of an Irish mob boss, Brooks Downing is utterly dedicated to the family business, but after meeting the beautiful young Russian ballerina, Daria Gorev, his focus is drawn away from obligation and instead turns to a physical attraction that grow stronger with each passing day. As their relationship gets tense, danger emerges, and they realize it's not just their love that's on the line. Innocent lives hang in the balance too.
Profile Image for Aղցela W..
4,523 reviews320 followers
September 11, 2019
This was book 1 in the "Downing family" series. This was a pretty good read. The Downing family is an Irish Mob family from New York Seamus Downing, the head of the family has three sons and a daughter. Brooks the oldest, who is an attorney and working at a firm. so he doesn't have to work for his father in the family business, Declan who runs the business for his father, and Sean the youngest, who is in sports management and has a job working with a baseball team. The Cuban Mob based in Miami, Florida want to start doing business in New York. Seamus ask Brooks to take Sean to the ballet and make sure Sean is able to meet Isabella Castellano, a ballet dancer without knowing who she is. When Sean and Isabella meet it becomes instant attraction and they wind up having several outings together and a night of passion before they learn each others last name. Daria, a student at a ballet school, goes to Miami for her friend Isabelle's wedding where she meets Brooks, a lawyer. These two get hot and heavy with Isabelle telling her to just have fun with Brooks. This was a good read that ended on a cliffhanger. Brooks is a hot sexy manwhore. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Kira.
1,292 reviews139 followers
October 26, 2018
If you're looking for a book with virtually no plot and lots of sex, this is the book for you. It was good, but I wanted there to be more to the story. Daria went from a lifelong virgin with practically no interest in men to suddenly being sexually adventurous with a guy she barely knew for no reason other than him being hot. I hate to say it but she only got in the predicament she was in because she made some bad choices. The mafia angle was downplayed majorly. Brooks briefly discussed or thought about mafia stuff but that's about as far as it went. Nothing about this seemed Irish other than the names of the people in Brooks's family. I was disappointed by that. I love me some Irish mafia, and this wasn't what I thought it would be. This did end with a big cliffhanger, but I'm not compelled to immediately pick up the next one.
Profile Image for Lindsey Powell.
Author 33 books511 followers
February 4, 2019

Daria is dragged unknowingly into a dangerous world. A world that she was unaware of until it was too late.
Brooks wants to help Daria, save her from her punishment. He also wants to dominate her, and the scenes really do heat up when they are together.

I will be reading the next because I have to know what happens after that cliffhanger!
I’m not sure what to think of Brooks yet....
and Daria is a little naive, but I think she is quickly starting to see that all is not as it seems...

This was a dark and steamy read.
Profile Image for Yvette89.
3,036 reviews44 followers
August 30, 2018
Daria is a sheltered Russian ballerina. When her best friend getting married, she must travel from NY to Miami. When she gets there she meets Brooks the brother of the groom. Innocent Daria is overwhelmed. She is feeling things she never felt before. Daria's naivete causes puts her in danger. Misunderstandings, childish jealousy, insecurities pay a part in this fast paced action packed drama. Add hot sex, danger and sexy a sexy mob guy and you got a good read. Brooks is in the family business but not because he wants to. He had a different life planned. When things gets heavy he tries to save Daria. who can be trusted? We have to wait until the next book to get our answers.
Profile Image for Christine.
10.7k reviews33 followers
August 20, 2018
Arc review I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Wow great story can't wait for more . This story is of daria that goes to her friends wedding were she meets brooks ,but she also learns about her friends family . Now she's in trouble what is she going to do? Awesome 10 stars
Profile Image for Raven61.
1,135 reviews8 followers
August 26, 2018
Part 1 of 3 - Roller Coaster ride that ends with a great cliffhanger

For adults only (18+ years or older) Contains situations that could be triggers or offensive to some. These include adult language, steamy intimate scenes with light BDSM, and violence (human trafficking potentially, attempted rape, fighting, etc.). If any of these items are a trigger or offensive to you, then this may not be the book or series for you.

This book contains a lot of action. I typically avoid multiple part type stories, but I am enjoying this one. I will probably read it again before the 2nd part is released August 31 and the final part the third week of September (I believe these are the timeframes mentioned). This story is about what happens when an innocent (in more than one way) meets an experienced man who enjoys control when the chemistry between them is hard to contain. Maybe it is the idea of the forbidden fruit, as Brooks is a player and even his sister warns Daria, the best friend of the bride who is marrying Sean, Brooks' brother, that he is a dog that goes through women like water. Regardless the virgin is having a hard time imagining being with anyone else. What will happen when Daria needs rescuing from a situation that she didn't even know she was creating with very dangerous people?

I am going to stop there, as I don't want to accidentally provide any spoilers or twists.

I volunteered to leave a honest review of an ARC from the author and Booksprout. I liked it so much, I just had to get a copy through KU.
Profile Image for Karen Voitik.
3,219 reviews
October 15, 2018
>Book review – The Escape
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 1st in the Downing Family series and ends in a cliffhanger. Daria is a poor Russian dancer going to school in NYC. Her roommate and BFF, Isabel is getting married and Daria travels to Miami for her wedding. A fun girls’ outing turns scary when Daria is assaulted and hurts her attacker, while defending herself. The secrets of what Isabel’s and her new husband’s families are involved in are revealed as Daria is taken in to hiding by Isabel’s new brother-in-law, Brooks.
>Brooks is a player. He has never been attached to a woman beyond what he can get from them. He is a Dominant and really only likes to play. His attitude changes when he meets Daria. Daria is also attracted to Brooks, but her innocence causes her to question whether theirs is a true relationship. I love how Daria is so innocent, but her eyes are slowly opened as she finds herself in certain situations.
>The island that Brooks and Daria hide on is described with such detail that I felt I was there with them. I was frustrated with Brooks not handling the problem. The way he was trying to gather information first, before dealing with Daria’s problem seemed to be out of character. This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this book 5 stars.
Profile Image for Rhonda Hicks.
4,651 reviews84 followers
November 20, 2018
The Downing family is an Irish Mob from New York. Seamus Downing, the head of the family, has three sons. Brooks, the oldest, who has become an attorney and working at a firm so he doesn't wind up working for his father in the family business, Declan, who essentially runs the business for his father, and Sean, the youngest, who had gone into sports management and had a job working with a small regional baseball team. The Downing Family were continually being harassed by members of the Castellanos family, a Cuban Mob based in Miami, Florida. The Castellanos were wanting to start doing business in New York so this was becoming an increasing problem. Seamus has come up with a plan. If he can somehow form an alliance between the two families, that will let him move part of his business South and the Castellanos can move part of their business North without casualties. He's asked Brooks to take Sean to the ballet and make sure Sean is able to meet Isabella Castellano, a ballet dancer in the performance without knowing who she is. When Sean and Isabella meet it becomes instant attraction and they wind up having several outings together and a night of passion before they learn each others last name. Now what?
Profile Image for Judy.
1,791 reviews
August 26, 2018
Holy smokes what a story! So much going on that it's almost impossible to put it down once I started reading it!

Daria is a dancer from Russia and lives in New York with her roommate and dancer friend, Isabel. Isabel is getting married, so her and Daria head to the venue (which is at Isabel's family home). All this is sweet, but there's so much more going on at Isabel's house and with her family that even she doesn't know about!

Daria finds her room at Isabel's house, goes in puts her things down, and decides she exhausted. Well, out of the bathroom comes this gorgeous specimen of a man in nothing more than a towel!!

So much action going on in this book! It's got sweetness (that's Daria), mobs, sex and danger!! Great beginning of a new series! I look forward to reading the rest!
Profile Image for Misty Schott.
4,225 reviews35 followers
September 21, 2018
Wonderful first book in this series.

This is the first installment of Brooks and Daria's story. Daria is in the United States on an education visa for ballet. She goes across the country to be in her best friend's wedding. When she sees Brooks she knows he is trouble, but she can't help but feel the pull between them. She is a virgin and Brooks well he's the playboy type and Daria can't believe how easily he can bounce from one woman to the next. It makes her angry at Brooks and she ends up in a bad situation because of it. Now she's in hiding and Brooks is trying to protect her. This book is very intriguing and I'm so ready for book two, which is The Debt. This book does end on a cliffhanger, so be prepared for that. Otherwise definitely a must read!!!!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
272 reviews3 followers
October 16, 2018
I really enjoyed this book, I could not put it down. Brooks and Daria's story is thrilling, full of suspense, intrigue, drama, and hot sex. You never know what's going to happen when the mafia is involved. The only reason i gave this book four stars is due to the tremendous amount of sex. Don't get me wrong, I love hot sex in the stories I read, but it was a bit much. The sex went on and on and on, sometimes taking up 90% of a chapter, sometimes less is more. Still, i'm loving this series, I just skipped through most of the sex. As I write this review I have already finished "The Debt" book 2 in the series. My review of that book will be the same as this one. In conclusion, read this series, you will not be disappointed. On to "The Punishment" Book 3!!
700 reviews6 followers
August 26, 2018
Hot, hot ,hot!! Did I say this book was hot?! Sucked in right away, I couldn't put it down. This is not a standalone and ends in a cliffhanger.
Daria is a ballerina who is socially awkward. Her best friend and roommate talks her into flying to Miami for her wedding. Once she gets there, she takes a wrong turn and is surprised to see a naked man.
Brooks is a player. A dominant alpha male. He thinks his younger brother is ridiculous to get married and only be with one girl. When a beautiful woman happens to walk into his room as he's getting out of the shower. He can't stop thinking about her.
The writing is really good and the story flows well. Told in both Daria and Brooks POV.
Profile Image for Jennifer Soppe.
2,251 reviews13 followers
August 29, 2018
A nice mafia bad boy read

Daria, a student at a ballet school, goes to Miami for her friend Isabelle's wedding where she meets Brooks, a lawyer for his family. As the story progresses the reader becomes involved in the shady side of life with Daria learning an ugly lesson. This book brings the mafia, BDSM, dance and romance to the table. There is a cliffhanger, setting the stage for book two, so be advised that there are unanswered questions.

I received a free copy of the novel from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Profile Image for Jodia-Ann.
193 reviews1 follower
September 2, 2018
First off I love romance novel's that contain ballet dancers. It's a beautiful art form and I would love to read more about Daria performing it in the next book in this series. Back to the story and what a story it was. Brooks is the star of this show because not only his a gangsta, he's educate, he's got morals and his dominants is orgasmic. Daria was the perfect mix of innocent and daring and the two of them together is mind blowing. I' m now panicked, excited, intrigued and scared to read about what happens to Daria now that the bad guys know where she is.
Profile Image for Adrienne Carrieri.
153 reviews8 followers
September 26, 2018
Wow, this was one hell of a book. I literally couldn't put it down! I love the way it was structured. Brooks and Daria are absolutely stunning. They come from literally two separate sides of the world and yet are so drawn to each other. She is so naive and fragile where he is worldly and experienced. They are complete opposites which is why they work. The way she keeps doubting herself and those around her is so sad. And than that cliffhanger ending... what the hell... I'm dying to jump into the next!
Profile Image for Nikki Landis.
Author 139 books2,107 followers
May 15, 2019
Wow, this book pushes all the boundaries and oh boy are they sexy, sensual, descriptive and panty melting HOT. The BDSM scenes are riveting. You'll be fanning yourself at you read. It's that erotic.

A Russian ballerina meets the Irish mob in a fast paced, hard hitting, and exciting read that's so well described and written it will tickle all your senses. I honestly don't want to say more. I'm hooked and must find out what happens next to the dominant and sexy Brooks and his graceful innocent Daria. 5 very enthusiastic stars!!
Profile Image for Mindi.
775 reviews3 followers
December 2, 2018
Wow

My goodness I have missed the excitement of a good mafia book! Of course I prefer Russian mafia or Bratva best but really if it's good I'm not picky. I don't understand why people give less ratings then what it deserves all because it's a "cliffhanger". While yes it's slightly irritating having to wait for next it's also exciting! So don't read out you don't like cliffhangers otherwise give this book a go!!!
Profile Image for Tammy.
1,834 reviews12 followers
August 18, 2018
Holy what An amazing book! Daria is so naive and innocent to the world. Brooks has seen and done things that are not even close to legal. His family has just merged with another to make them even more powerful. Daria has gotten herself in a huge mess with both families, with no way to help herself , Brooks takes over and has fallen for the innocent girl, now he can't bare to let her go.
Profile Image for Gina Burkart.
3,548 reviews52 followers
August 20, 2018
Wow this book has me hooked from the very beginning to the very ending . I had a very hard time putting this book down. This book is about a virgin that is in the USA on a Visa for school. This man will have you on the plan of your hand by the ending needing more of mob men.. so can't wait for the next book must have..
1,883 reviews7 followers
August 22, 2018
I volunteered to read this story for an honest review and really enjoyed it! Mafia romance is not my normal genre but this book drew me in immediately and left me wanting more. I can not wait to see what happens next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Laila Viking.
4,090 reviews30 followers
September 3, 2018
A well written mafia romance that is very captivating and has a great story line and plot. Characters that are well described and develops nicely through the story. I like the story is written in dual POV which gives the reader a lot more of the thoughts and feelings of the main characters and brings the reader more into the story.
Recommendable engaging and captivating story.
Profile Image for Meghan.
3,378 reviews7 followers
October 14, 2018
Family secrets

Good start to a new series. Some typical mafia components, but intriguing storyline about two families coming together. I also think there is more to the Russian story. Great dynamic between Brooks and Daria. Looking forward to rest of their story and seeing how they do but also how Isabelle does as she learns more about her family and new husband!
Profile Image for Jennie.
510 reviews10 followers
October 31, 2018
Issue, Irish Mafia with a Russian girl and No Accents what so ever in this book....that’s just Wrong!!! And then let’s add BDSM just caz, this book is trying to be so much more than what it is!!! (I still continued with the series since over all it’s ok but still disappointing caz I love me some Irish Mafia ;)
Profile Image for Judy Chestnutt.
373 reviews3 followers
August 19, 2018
Wow another great book by Cassie Wild

Love this story about an Irish mafia sin who falls for an innocent ballerina, after preventing a rape she finds she has caused the Cuban mafia to come after her and then it ends with a cliffhanger, wished I didn't read books so fast
Profile Image for Kim F.
2,873 reviews2 followers
August 31, 2018
An amazing book. Extremely entertaining, captivating and interesting sexy read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong characters. I want to read more from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Nate.
24.1k reviews19 followers
August 31, 2018
Wow, couldn't get enough of Daria's story. This was a page turner with lots going on. Ends on a cliff hanger...I want more. Love my mobster books. I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review for a copy of the book via booksprout.
396 reviews10 followers
September 15, 2018
I bet this would be a FABULOUS story to turn into an audiobook, especially if a man reads what comes out of Declan’s filthy, filthy, sexy little mouth. He really likes the dirty talk, and he knows his way around a woman’s body.

I liked most of the book, but it ran on too long and felt like the story was stretched, maybe to ensure there’s enough content for the series. It stalled in the middle and never picked back up. I’m hoping the next book has more action.

Some details just aren’t believable, like Isabel not knowing that her wealthy, heavily-armed, strip-club owning family is mobbed up—they basically run the East Coast. Even her direct statements seem as if she knows. When asked what her family does to make so much money, Isabel cagily replies, “a little of this and a little of that.”

The way Isabel’s family handles the nasty incident that puts Daria and Declan on the run doesn’t ring true either. It makes them look weak for not protecting their daughter’s BFF and maid of honor.

You don’t roll over and blame the victim for this insult. And it WAS an insult—maybe unintentional at first, but you don’t do that to a mob family you fear—then make stupid demands. There’d be severed horse heads, garroted throats, drilled-out knees, and VERY clear lessons learned.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
281 reviews
November 11, 2018
Daria and Brooks

What a great ending to this book, with what Daria has gotten herself into and Brooks trying to fix it for her, but in the mean time starting to have feelings for each other.
With Isabel’s family now after her will she be running for ever
45 reviews
March 5, 2019
A Cliff Hanger

Although I 💘 loved the characters and the story line, I really hate that I need to keep buying another book (5 times) in order to finish the storyline! Can you just have put it in one!


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