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Vancouver Mafia #1
Dark Russian Angel
I was in the wrong place at the wrong time,
And I witnessed a crime.
The police are failing to protect me.
And my chance of survival isn't looking good.
Andrusha, is the cold and dangerous leader of the Vancouver Russian mafia,
He's also my best chance to make it to trial alive.
The only thing we have in common,
Is our shared enemy.
This man is everything your mom warned you about.
He's ruthless.
He's cold.
And he likes to be in control.
I should be afraid of him.
I should keep my distance.
So why is he the only one who makes me feel safe?
Who will protect me from my protector?
And I witnessed a crime.
The police are failing to protect me.
And my chance of survival isn't looking good.
Andrusha, is the cold and dangerous leader of the Vancouver Russian mafia,
He's also my best chance to make it to trial alive.
The only thing we have in common,
Is our shared enemy.
This man is everything your mom warned you about.
He's ruthless.
He's cold.
And he likes to be in control.
I should be afraid of him.
I should keep my distance.
So why is he the only one who makes me feel safe?
Who will protect me from my protector?
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2019
4582 people are currently reading
5553 people want to read
About the author
Odette Stone
15 books3,598 followersJoin Odette's VIP mailing list for exclusive material ➜ https://geni.us/OdettesVIP
Join Odette’s FB group to connect➜https://geni.us/HotAlphas
Website ➜ https://www.odettestone.com
Instagram➜ https://www.instagram.com/odette.stone/
Odette has ranked in the top #50 of all Amazon Authors, with a Top #20 bestseller. This KDP All-star author loves to write contemporary, new adult and sports romance books.
She resides in beautiful Vancouver, Canada and she lives for coffee, walks on the beach (no, really), a good book and TV dramas. She is a proud dog mom to a beautiful fur baby puppy named, Mica. She has been described as introverted, funny, and an excellent listener. She's so good at keeping secrets, her friends call her "the vault." She hates being the centre of attention but she'll push you to take the stage.
Odette writes real, honest and intense romance novels. If you like hot, intelligent Alpha males, you've come to the right place! Her writing goal is to keep her readers up late at night, because they keep saying, "Just one more chapter, I'm just going to read one more chapter."
Join Odette’s FB group to connect➜https://geni.us/HotAlphas
Website ➜ https://www.odettestone.com
Instagram➜ https://www.instagram.com/odette.stone/
Odette has ranked in the top #50 of all Amazon Authors, with a Top #20 bestseller. This KDP All-star author loves to write contemporary, new adult and sports romance books.
She resides in beautiful Vancouver, Canada and she lives for coffee, walks on the beach (no, really), a good book and TV dramas. She is a proud dog mom to a beautiful fur baby puppy named, Mica. She has been described as introverted, funny, and an excellent listener. She's so good at keeping secrets, her friends call her "the vault." She hates being the centre of attention but she'll push you to take the stage.
Odette writes real, honest and intense romance novels. If you like hot, intelligent Alpha males, you've come to the right place! Her writing goal is to keep her readers up late at night, because they keep saying, "Just one more chapter, I'm just going to read one more chapter."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,027 reviews
April 23, 2020
Look, I don't wanna shit on this book because it had so much potential but it was really underdeveloped. We just did not know shit.
Why wasn't this man a monster? What his upbringing was like? What kind of business did he run? Why was Olivia the way she was? How did she go into dancing? Hwow did she injure herself? Why couldn't she find another job?
I mean, the romance was so lukewarm I could not believe that was main the focus of the story if the lives of the characters wasn't.
To put it simply, it needed more violence, sex and suffering. I cannot believe I just wrote that.
Why wasn't this man a monster? What his upbringing was like? What kind of business did he run? Why was Olivia the way she was? How did she go into dancing? Hwow did she injure herself? Why couldn't she find another job?
I mean, the romance was so lukewarm I could not believe that was main the focus of the story if the lives of the characters wasn't.
To put it simply, it needed more violence, sex and suffering. I cannot believe I just wrote that.
December 9, 2019
Dark Russian Angel is a mafia spin-off of Stone’s Vancouver Wolves hockey series. Andrusha is the reluctant hero, and he is old friends with Mica the hero from the most recent hockey book (The Penalty Box). The heroine is Olivia. She is a new character to the series, but you will fall for her quickly. A forced into retirement dancer turned stripper who is the witness to a murder. She’s the star witness to put away a crime boss, and now they are out to get her. Andrusha doesn’t want to get wrapped up in the mess, but Olivia sort of falls right into his lap. This story is a wild ride. Of not knowing who to trust, who is truly a bad guy, and what the heck is actually going on in the Vancouver crime underground. I’d say that this one is more of a romantic suspense. The hockey books have all had a bit of suspense in them, but this one takes it to the next level. The mafia aspect isn’t too in depth, but it’s also done well. The romance is slow-burn, but once it heats up it is hot. All in all this was a great read, and I can’t wait to see what Ms. Stone gives us next!
AVAILABLE NOW!
AVAILABLE NOW!
October 10, 2024
Andrusha 🥰🖤🌷
August 12, 2020
5+ Stars
re-read 10th Aug
Wow! Just mind-blowing.
This is a new to me author, and I absolutely loved this book and the characters.
Olivia works as a dancer at a strip club. One night after work, on her way home from work, she hears some ruckus in an alley and checks it out. What she sees is not what she expected; a man getting killed. And the killer sees her. Olivia calls the police and is put in Police Protection; only the police fail to protect her from the attacks of the killer.
Andrusha is the cold-hearted leader of the Vancouver Russian Mafia, and it's important to him that the woman who is in police protection testifies against Ivan Bunko. One night, Andrusha and Viktor decide to check up on the witness, and while they're surveilling the area, there's an attack on the victim.
Olivia is saved by Andrusha and taken to his warehouse. All she wants is to get back to police protection, and her wish is granted; only once again, she's attacked, and her only choice is Andrusha. No one except him can keep her safe and alive.“Please let me go. I won't tell anyone anything. I won't testify."
Annoyance crossed his face. "Sweetheart, if we survive the next ten minutes, you're going to testify."
I loved Andrusha but Olivia I absolutely adored. She was so strong and such a beautiful person that had such bad luck in her life. I appreciate that the author didn't change Olivia's personality as the story went on. I've read Mafia books where the heroine is a doormat in the beginning, and then out of nowhere, she's this sexy, mouthy woman that the hero can't resist. Olivia, however, was such a lovable character."He had told me that saving me was his atonement for living the life he did, but he didn't seem to realize that it was his love that had saved me, not his guns."
The chemistry between Andrusha and Olivia was off the charts! The pace was absolutely perfect, we got to see their relationship as friends and then how that developed into so much more.
May 8, 2022
Dark Russian Angel had a very promising beginning. The plot, the characters and the writting have me interested.
What surprise me is, Miss Stone suddenly lost her steam at the middle toward the end. There are a lot of repeating plot/ wording and the suspense mafia aspect just sounded very stupid and lame.
The chemistry is also turned cold.
I am still giving 3 stars credited to a very promising beginning.
3 stars
What surprise me is, Miss Stone suddenly lost her steam at the middle toward the end. There are a lot of repeating plot/ wording and the suspense mafia aspect just sounded very stupid and lame.
The chemistry is also turned cold.
I am still giving 3 stars credited to a very promising beginning.
3 stars
January 10, 2020
Whilst I did like the book I wished that the main male lead was a bit more alpha. I just found him a bit too placid and he let things go with people who hurt heroine. As an alpha I would have liked his character more if he dealt with the bad guys rather than leaving it with his men. Even the way he dealt with Detective Klassaan was too beta for me. Apart from that the story was good, the suspense was even better. I will try author’s other books for sure.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2021
"I don't need to be protected from you," I whispered my lie, wanting it to be the truth.
He bent down and gave me a long hard kiss, before he pushed the hair off my face. "Yes, you do."
I've been obsessed with Andrusha since The Penalty Box so I was super excited to find that he had his own spin-off novel. Dark Russian Angel is nothing like I'd thought it would be, in the sense that it didn't have the darkness and angst of a typical mafia romance. But the steamy scenes definitely made up for it. 😂😂😂 Nonetheless, it was still a very compelling and fun read. I really hope his right hand man, Viktor, gets his own book.
Rating: 3.75/5
January 13, 2020
2 Light Mafia DNF Stars
Well, this isn't exactly what I expected. Normally i have more patience when the book isn't terrible, but I just felt as if this book was pretty long, boring, and I was just wasting time after I got to the halfway point, so I finally decided to DNF.
This book is good for people who like mafia books on the lighter side, which sometimes I'm totally fine with, but I think this was a bit too soft for me, and there were also multiple things I didn't care for. The writing was definitely cheesy, and for a mafia romance, maybe if it had more grit and substance I would like it more, but everything was just too soft for me. Especially the characters were all too soft that it didn't make sense for any of them to be mob leaders, and the Hero is definitely more beta than alpha in my opinion. I also didn't like the heroine. She was waaay too naive for me, she almost just seemed dumb, I don't care how young she is. When shes been living not so great, you would think she would be a bit more worldly and street smarts. I also don't like her as a stripper in that aspect because she is so innocent and it didnt make sense.
I didn't like all the OW drama either. It didn't make me mad or anything, but I felt like it was nonstop, at least the first half of the book. It almost seemed as if the author didn't know how to create actual substance and tension without using OW drama. There were multiple times he got lap dances from strippers, even after him and the h were kind of together in my opinion. Then there was the detective who he led on so she would give him information. He flirted, he let her grope him for a bit, and kiss him a couple times, and the heroine saw the lipstick on his collar, and the glitter always on his suits from him getting lap dances. There was also his ex fiance that pops up and causes drama. Now I haven't read any of the previous books, and his engagement ended with her a long time ago, and he said he didn't love her anymore, but it was too much of a coincidence that this all of a sudden happened when him and the h were getting together, and felt way too forced. It is also obvious he has unresolved feelings for her, and at a couple points the author made it seem like he did care about her even though he said he didn't, and I know this is just to cause unnecessary drama since it added nothing to the story and to also cause jealousy and probably try to make the H less 2 dimensional.
Their feelings for each other happened too fast to be believable too, and i was so hoping it wouldn't because this story actually started out really good, but the insta just made the chemistry Eh.
Another thing i noticed was the similarity to Crow by A Zavarelli. Virgin stripper, mob boss, she ends up living with him, but I would definitely recommend Crow over this. Overall, not my favorite book, and if this is the standard for the rest of the authors books, I probably wont be reading those either.
Well, this isn't exactly what I expected. Normally i have more patience when the book isn't terrible, but I just felt as if this book was pretty long, boring, and I was just wasting time after I got to the halfway point, so I finally decided to DNF.
This book is good for people who like mafia books on the lighter side, which sometimes I'm totally fine with, but I think this was a bit too soft for me, and there were also multiple things I didn't care for. The writing was definitely cheesy, and for a mafia romance, maybe if it had more grit and substance I would like it more, but everything was just too soft for me. Especially the characters were all too soft that it didn't make sense for any of them to be mob leaders, and the Hero is definitely more beta than alpha in my opinion. I also didn't like the heroine. She was waaay too naive for me, she almost just seemed dumb, I don't care how young she is. When shes been living not so great, you would think she would be a bit more worldly and street smarts. I also don't like her as a stripper in that aspect because she is so innocent and it didnt make sense.
I didn't like all the OW drama either. It didn't make me mad or anything, but I felt like it was nonstop, at least the first half of the book. It almost seemed as if the author didn't know how to create actual substance and tension without using OW drama. There were multiple times he got lap dances from strippers, even after him and the h were kind of together in my opinion. Then there was the detective who he led on so she would give him information. He flirted, he let her grope him for a bit, and kiss him a couple times, and the heroine saw the lipstick on his collar, and the glitter always on his suits from him getting lap dances. There was also his ex fiance that pops up and causes drama. Now I haven't read any of the previous books, and his engagement ended with her a long time ago, and he said he didn't love her anymore, but it was too much of a coincidence that this all of a sudden happened when him and the h were getting together, and felt way too forced. It is also obvious he has unresolved feelings for her, and at a couple points the author made it seem like he did care about her even though he said he didn't, and I know this is just to cause unnecessary drama since it added nothing to the story and to also cause jealousy and probably try to make the H less 2 dimensional.
Their feelings for each other happened too fast to be believable too, and i was so hoping it wouldn't because this story actually started out really good, but the insta just made the chemistry Eh.
Another thing i noticed was the similarity to Crow by A Zavarelli. Virgin stripper, mob boss, she ends up living with him, but I would definitely recommend Crow over this. Overall, not my favorite book, and if this is the standard for the rest of the authors books, I probably wont be reading those either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2025
Odette Stone absolutely delivered with Dark Russian Angel! This book had everything I crave in a mafia romance—intensity, danger, and a hero who is an absolute menace to everyone except the heroine. Andrusha is the definition of cold, ruthless, and in control, but the way he softens for her? Pure perfection.
The opposites attract dynamic was done so well. The heroine is thrown into a dangerous world she doesn’t understand, yet Andrusha is the one person who makes her feel safe. Their chemistry crackles, and every interaction had me completely hooked. The tension, the protectiveness, and the slow unraveling of emotions made this such a compelling read
This book gave me all the feels—mushy, giddy, and totally obsessed. If you love mafia romance with a hero who is brutal to the world but fiercely devoted to her, this is it. 5 stars, no doubt!
🎶Zayde Wølf – Cold Blooded
🎶Banks – Beggin For Thread
🎶Freya Ridings – Lost Without You
The opposites attract dynamic was done so well. The heroine is thrown into a dangerous world she doesn’t understand, yet Andrusha is the one person who makes her feel safe. Their chemistry crackles, and every interaction had me completely hooked. The tension, the protectiveness, and the slow unraveling of emotions made this such a compelling read
This book gave me all the feels—mushy, giddy, and totally obsessed. If you love mafia romance with a hero who is brutal to the world but fiercely devoted to her, this is it. 5 stars, no doubt!
🎶Zayde Wølf – Cold Blooded
🎶Banks – Beggin For Thread
🎶Freya Ridings – Lost Without You
March 1, 2023
3,5 puan aslında.
Yorum gelir.
Kızımız Olivia.
Geçmişte gönül verdiği bale ile başladığı dans kariyeri bir takım bahtsızlıklar sonunda striptizci olmaya evrilir. Bir gece mesai bitişi kulübün otoparkında bir cinayete tanıklık eder.
Polis tarafında koruma altına alınsa da tanık olduğu cinayet mafya Bunko'nun işi olduğundan Olivia'nın peşi bırakılmaz.
Oğlumuz Andrusha.
Rus mafya liderimiz en büyük düşmanlarından Bunko'nun karıştığı bu cinayeti Bunko'yu bitirmek için bir fırsat olarak görür. Gizli tanığın peşine Andrusha da düşer. Polisin koruyamayacağını anladığı anda da alır kızımız Olivia'yı loftuna götürür.
Hikaye böyle başlıyor ve oldukça klasik şekilde devam ediyor. Biraz mecburiyet, bolca seksüel çekim ikilimiz birbirine karışıyor.
Akarsız kokarsız mafya kitabı ama 3,5'tan 4'e değil 3'e yuvarladım.
Çünkü Andrusha oluşturduğu dominant, acımasız ve soğuk erkek beklentisini tam karşılamadı. Olivia'yı kendine layık görmediğini söyledi ama neden böyle hissettiğini anlatamadı. Geçmişi çok flu kaldı. Kitabın başında nam saldığı o sertliği ve kontrol manyaklığını okuyamadık.
Olivia'nın annesi ile olan hikayesi de bir şeye bağlanmadı. Onun da geçmişi irdelenmedi, iki karakterin de motivasyonu yarım yamalak kaldı.
Kitap sonu da apar topar bitirilmiş gibiydi. Ama serinin diğer kitabına da bakarım.
Yorum gelir.
Kızımız Olivia.
Geçmişte gönül verdiği bale ile başladığı dans kariyeri bir takım bahtsızlıklar sonunda striptizci olmaya evrilir. Bir gece mesai bitişi kulübün otoparkında bir cinayete tanıklık eder.
Polis tarafında koruma altına alınsa da tanık olduğu cinayet mafya Bunko'nun işi olduğundan Olivia'nın peşi bırakılmaz.
Oğlumuz Andrusha.
Rus mafya liderimiz en büyük düşmanlarından Bunko'nun karıştığı bu cinayeti Bunko'yu bitirmek için bir fırsat olarak görür. Gizli tanığın peşine Andrusha da düşer. Polisin koruyamayacağını anladığı anda da alır kızımız Olivia'yı loftuna götürür.
Hikaye böyle başlıyor ve oldukça klasik şekilde devam ediyor. Biraz mecburiyet, bolca seksüel çekim ikilimiz birbirine karışıyor.
Akarsız kokarsız mafya kitabı ama 3,5'tan 4'e değil 3'e yuvarladım.
Çünkü Andrusha oluşturduğu dominant, acımasız ve soğuk erkek beklentisini tam karşılamadı. Olivia'yı kendine layık görmediğini söyledi ama neden böyle hissettiğini anlatamadı. Geçmişi çok flu kaldı. Kitabın başında nam saldığı o sertliği ve kontrol manyaklığını okuyamadık.
Olivia'nın annesi ile olan hikayesi de bir şeye bağlanmadı. Onun da geçmişi irdelenmedi, iki karakterin de motivasyonu yarım yamalak kaldı.
Kitap sonu da apar topar bitirilmiş gibiydi. Ama serinin diğer kitabına da bakarım.
November 3, 2021
2.85 stars.
rtc
Quick review: This started out strong. The heroine was likable, and the MMC was the rare type of hero that's a gentleman to the heroine that I didn't get bored reading about (at least in the beginning). Towards the last 15% I just got bored with with the dangerous Russian enemy plot. The writing was fine. fine. fine. I was very impressed towards the beginning, but as I got further in the book the writing didn't have as much flow for me (I know this is subjective) and felt stilted. I highlighted some of the 'stilted paragraphs' I may come back later to try to further explain this. I think the author is talented and will be reading Mica's book next. (I think it's in the author's hockey series. Note to self: Yep, it's The Penalty Box) I also hope Viktor has his own book.
This author is apparently from Canada. So I'm trusting the cultural stuff was accurate. I seriously doubt the Russian mafia in Canada was accurate so I just pretended I was reading an AU of Canada with Russian mobsters.
rtc
Quick review: This started out strong. The heroine was likable, and the MMC was the rare type of hero that's a gentleman to the heroine that I didn't get bored reading about (at least in the beginning). Towards the last 15% I just got bored with with the dangerous Russian enemy plot. The writing was fine. fine. fine. I was very impressed towards the beginning, but as I got further in the book the writing didn't have as much flow for me (I know this is subjective) and felt stilted. I highlighted some of the 'stilted paragraphs' I may come back later to try to further explain this. I think the author is talented and will be reading Mica's book next. (I think it's in the author's hockey series. Note to self: Yep, it's The Penalty Box) I also hope Viktor has his own book.
This author is apparently from Canada. So I'm trusting the cultural stuff was accurate. I seriously doubt the Russian mafia in Canada was accurate so I just pretended I was reading an AU of Canada with Russian mobsters.
dnf
October 1, 2020Audio...4.5
Story dnf @ 68%
Story dnf @ 68%
March 31, 2025
No unneeded drama. The romance is very good ♥️ The plot was pretty simple, and I'm glad that there was mainly one problem in the story, and the author didn't keep adding problems to keep the story going. Gave it a 4 because I am a sucker for longer endings that show the main characters together, but all I got was a one chapter long epilogue 😔 But otherwise, an amazing book would recommend for a quick and easy read. ♥️
July 14, 2022
A Great Read
I am on a Mafia reading kick lately and I came across this author and my oh my am I happy I did.
The heroine witnessed a murder and was put unto witness protection but her safe house became compromised twice.
The hero is a shady Russian who saved her and put her under his protection.
This story was great,I really enjoyed this couple together and the hero ,even though he was a criminal,I loved how he was with the heroine,wanting to put her safter above all.
This story had everything I enjoy in my romances.I will definitely be checking put for more reads by this author.
Heroine a virgin stripper who used to be a professional ballerina,but got injured.Hero,not a manwhore,a criminal,part of the Russian mafia.
I am on a Mafia reading kick lately and I came across this author and my oh my am I happy I did.
The heroine witnessed a murder and was put unto witness protection but her safe house became compromised twice.
The hero is a shady Russian who saved her and put her under his protection.
This story was great,I really enjoyed this couple together and the hero ,even though he was a criminal,I loved how he was with the heroine,wanting to put her safter above all.
This story had everything I enjoy in my romances.I will definitely be checking put for more reads by this author.
Heroine a virgin stripper who used to be a professional ballerina,but got injured.Hero,not a manwhore,a criminal,part of the Russian mafia.
December 16, 2019
Disclaimer - I’m on a mission at the moment to find new, amazing books to add to my bookshelves. So my tolerance for books I’m not immediately sucked into is pretty low. I’m looking for engaging writing, well-developed characters, and engrossing plot lines.
I’ve read a few books from this author, and really enjoyed them, so hoping for another win here.
Hmm... I feel like this was okay, but also didn’t really work for me. I didn’t really like the characters I don’t think... I didn’t really believe the romance. I don’t think there was enough depth there for me to really sink into the story or the world. It felt a little... all over the place. I was never rooting for them as a couple.
I got about halfway in and started skimming when I realised I didn’t care if they got together or not.
I’ve read a few books from this author, and really enjoyed them, so hoping for another win here.
Hmm... I feel like this was okay, but also didn’t really work for me. I didn’t really like the characters I don’t think... I didn’t really believe the romance. I don’t think there was enough depth there for me to really sink into the story or the world. It felt a little... all over the place. I was never rooting for them as a couple.
I got about halfway in and started skimming when I realised I didn’t care if they got together or not.
avoid
June 9, 2023Self note:-
⚠️He gets multiple lap dances from str*ppers
⚠️There’s a police detective who he leads on (who kisses him and gr*pes him) so he can get information
⚠️he has an ex-fiancé who he might have unresolved feelings for
All this is pieced together from other reviews. Not my cup of tea. I hate OW
Also ⛔️⛔️⛔️⛔️⛔️THE HEROINE SEES LIPSTICK AND GLITTER ON HIM ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS ⛔️⛔️⛔️⛔️⛔️
⚠️He gets multiple lap dances from str*ppers
⚠️There’s a police detective who he leads on (who kisses him and gr*pes him) so he can get information
⚠️he has an ex-fiancé who he might have unresolved feelings for
All this is pieced together from other reviews. Not my cup of tea. I hate OW
Also ⛔️⛔️⛔️⛔️⛔️THE HEROINE SEES LIPSTICK AND GLITTER ON HIM ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS ⛔️⛔️⛔️⛔️⛔️
April 28, 2022
Let's talk about it.
So first, this is NOT a dark mafia romance. This is kinda like a fluffy, fairytale "mafia" romance. Did this put me off of the book? No, mainly because I'm not a fan of mafia romances anyways. I did however like the 'Vancouver Wolves Hockey' series and they tied together... so here I am lol.
I think what my problem of this book was being told how dangerous Andrusha was to then be the opposite? I don't know how to explain it but like there was gunfights and hand to hand combat but like it really didn't make him seem dangerous. This would be totally fine you know if it wasn't mentioned repeatedly throughout the book how dangerous Andrusha was.
Also Oliva... I don't really know how i felt about her. Because on one hand she was kinda a badass and then on the other hand she acted like she was stunted at age 10.
I'm also sick of the whole "she's a virgin and so she's stupid and so so innocent"... yeah um no. She's gone through so much that she's innocent in that the things that happened to her should have never happened but did because she had crap luck... but she not innocent in the way that because of everything she's been through she knows way too much to be so oblivious... and yet she is. Oliva is oblivious to pretty much everything and only realizes things after Andrusha has to demand and/or explain things to her.
Back to Andrusha: He is so super dangerous and scary or so we're told but he never acts like it. He is almost heroic throughout the book and it kinda pisses me off. Like dude had a couple of men who should have gotten more than what he did to them and just.. let them walk like tf? Also at the end of the book with the big "showdown" (if you can call it that) Andrusha again chooses to be a good guy???? Like um no?? And when you read the end of the book its just like too perfect I guess.
I did despite all of this enjoy this book lol. My favorite thing is how this book incorporated Mica and Charlie from 'The Penalty Box' into this story, that was cool. I think why some people didn't like this book is because when you see Mafi you're expecting Danger and IDK just more you know? But this book is not that and its portrayed as that. So if you go into this book knowing this is not gonna be a dark and dangerous edge of your seat type of book you'd enjoy it (like I did) but if you don't know that and go in expecting that you'll be disappointed for sure.
So first, this is NOT a dark mafia romance. This is kinda like a fluffy, fairytale "mafia" romance. Did this put me off of the book? No, mainly because I'm not a fan of mafia romances anyways. I did however like the 'Vancouver Wolves Hockey' series and they tied together... so here I am lol.
I think what my problem of this book was being told how dangerous Andrusha was to then be the opposite? I don't know how to explain it but like there was gunfights and hand to hand combat but like it really didn't make him seem dangerous. This would be totally fine you know if it wasn't mentioned repeatedly throughout the book how dangerous Andrusha was.
Also Oliva... I don't really know how i felt about her. Because on one hand she was kinda a badass and then on the other hand she acted like she was stunted at age 10.
I'm also sick of the whole "she's a virgin and so she's stupid and so so innocent"... yeah um no. She's gone through so much that she's innocent in that the things that happened to her should have never happened but did because she had crap luck... but she not innocent in the way that because of everything she's been through she knows way too much to be so oblivious... and yet she is. Oliva is oblivious to pretty much everything and only realizes things after Andrusha has to demand and/or explain things to her.
Back to Andrusha: He is so super dangerous and scary or so we're told but he never acts like it. He is almost heroic throughout the book and it kinda pisses me off. Like dude had a couple of men who should have gotten more than what he did to them and just.. let them walk like tf? Also at the end of the book with the big "showdown" (if you can call it that) Andrusha again chooses to be a good guy???? Like um no?? And when you read the end of the book its just like too perfect I guess.
I did despite all of this enjoy this book lol. My favorite thing is how this book incorporated Mica and Charlie from 'The Penalty Box' into this story, that was cool. I think why some people didn't like this book is because when you see Mafi you're expecting Danger and IDK just more you know? But this book is not that and its portrayed as that. So if you go into this book knowing this is not gonna be a dark and dangerous edge of your seat type of book you'd enjoy it (like I did) but if you don't know that and go in expecting that you'll be disappointed for sure.
February 6, 2022
This started out good and very promising and just went downhill from there. I’d say I really enjoyed the first half and then it was a little OTT, and I lost interest.
December 1, 2022
odette stone just knows how to write a romance
January 7, 2025
4.25⭐️
2🌶️
I forgot how much I enjoy this authors writing. I listened to the audiobook and it was SO good!
She witnesses a murder and now she is the key witness to put a very dangerous criminal away.
Our Russian morally grey MMC also wants this man put behind bars, and rescues the FMC from being unalived.
He needs her alive to give her statement.
Forced Proximity
Russian mafia
Crime
She is a dancer
She dances for him
Possessive MMC
2🌶️
I forgot how much I enjoy this authors writing. I listened to the audiobook and it was SO good!
She witnesses a murder and now she is the key witness to put a very dangerous criminal away.
Our Russian morally grey MMC also wants this man put behind bars, and rescues the FMC from being unalived.
He needs her alive to give her statement.
Forced Proximity
Russian mafia
Crime
She is a dancer
She dances for him
Possessive MMC
February 4, 2025
Maybe I should return to my mafia romance era 🤭
March 23, 2020
Odette Stone is a new author for me. I have been reading romance novels for a very long time. All the romances I have given a five star rating have the same thing in common.....Outstanding story line, characters that you like and care about, and because it is a romance novel I want hot sizzling passion that jumps right off the pages.....this author hit a home run for me... If you are into Alpha heroes with a very dark side and Heroines that never seem to get a break in life. This is your romance....I can not recommend it highly enough except to say I will be looking into more of this authors romances to buy. Please note this is not a romance novel you would pass on to a thirteen year old, this is a romance novel for us, the adult reader so the sensual level of this novel is a strong 7+++ .
December 9, 2019
This is my first book by Odette and I am in love with Andrusha. Danger, dark, action, lies, deception, alpha male & hotness overload. Sexy mafia men galore. I'm so glad they were able to overcome their obstacles. Page turning good. Looking forward to more books by Odette.
August 8, 2024
Second attempt on reading this. Odette Stone writes the stupidest women - I swear to God if I read any more of her stuff it'll send me to an early grave.
This girl witnesses a mob murder. She goes into witness protection - she's been there for a week and the safe house has been hit several times. Now there's another shoot out and she's trying to escape and ends up in a car with some men who are driving away trying to escape the bad guys that are following them trying to shoot at them. He tells her to "get down" and she's like, "but why?" why the hell do you think? Then the guy tells her he's not the police, but that the mobster who is trying to kill her is also his enemy and he's trying to keep her alive so she can testify against him. They end up at his warehouse where a doctor checks her for injuries. She's all "what kind of people need a doctor on call. these people aren't the cops." and I'm like how stupid are you?? You're in witsec which means you should know a little now about the mafia life!
I can't. STOP WRITING STUPID FEMALES!!
This girl witnesses a mob murder. She goes into witness protection - she's been there for a week and the safe house has been hit several times. Now there's another shoot out and she's trying to escape and ends up in a car with some men who are driving away trying to escape the bad guys that are following them trying to shoot at them. He tells her to "get down" and she's like, "but why?" why the hell do you think? Then the guy tells her he's not the police, but that the mobster who is trying to kill her is also his enemy and he's trying to keep her alive so she can testify against him. They end up at his warehouse where a doctor checks her for injuries. She's all "what kind of people need a doctor on call. these people aren't the cops." and I'm like how stupid are you?? You're in witsec which means you should know a little now about the mafia life!
I can't. STOP WRITING STUPID FEMALES!!
January 25, 2021
Very lukewarm. If you are gonna give me a dark mafia novel then I need the violence and the raw and gritty. I got half way through and gave up. This was so damn boring and all over the place with so many questions left unanswered. I listened this on audible and I kept comparing the male narrator voice to Count Dracula every time he talks. This wasn’t a win for me at all.
July 31, 2022
I thought this started off really strong and got hooked immediately. It honestly didn't feel like Andrusha was a leader of a mafia, only because of how nice he was. The environments, his business, and associates all give the indications, but he didn't have the brutal ruthlessness that I guess I'm used to. Not that it was a bad thing. I loved how protective he and Viktor were of Olivia. This would be a great example of a decent H in a Mafia setting, if you're looking for such a read.
Olivia was at the wrong place at the wrong time, but really seemed to be down on her luck for quite a while. I liked her in that she wasn't a tstl character and did as was told in order to be safe. She had her moments of courage and being honest with Andrusha, which I appreciated, but she was definitely not a fierce character. I wish she had grown stronger or matured through her ordeal. I didn't really mind it in the beginning, because she truly really needed saving and had nothing/no one, but that's pretty much her character throughout the story. The power dynamic seemed one-sided with exception of how they felt about each other.
I don't really know how to rate this, as I thought it was well written, and enjoyed it well enough, but there were points that were quite repetitive and felt it could/should have been wrapped up better. The chemistry between Olivia and Andrusha was pretty hot, but I wish we got more in the end.
Olivia was at the wrong place at the wrong time, but really seemed to be down on her luck for quite a while. I liked her in that she wasn't a tstl character and did as was told in order to be safe. She had her moments of courage and being honest with Andrusha, which I appreciated, but she was definitely not a fierce character. I wish she had grown stronger or matured through her ordeal. I didn't really mind it in the beginning, because she truly really needed saving and had nothing/no one, but that's pretty much her character throughout the story. The power dynamic seemed one-sided with exception of how they felt about each other.
I don't really know how to rate this, as I thought it was well written, and enjoyed it well enough, but there were points that were quite repetitive and felt it could/should have been wrapped up better. The chemistry between Olivia and Andrusha was pretty hot, but I wish we got more in the end.
December 14, 2019
Amazing
Andrusha and Olivia were perfection. This book had it all: action, suspense, romance, danger, fight scenes, love scenes, and even an adorable dog. Great book. Give me more Russian heroes, Odette.
Andrusha and Olivia were perfection. This book had it all: action, suspense, romance, danger, fight scenes, love scenes, and even an adorable dog. Great book. Give me more Russian heroes, Odette.
December 11, 2019
Meh. The cover and the plot made me think the hero was going to be the typical alpha male but he was beta.
May 28, 2020
Another good one. This isn't a dark mafia romance but is a sweet story. I liked it.
I do recommend at least reading The Penalty Box before reading this one since they are a bit tied together.
I do recommend at least reading The Penalty Box before reading this one since they are a bit tied together.
November 29, 2023
This wasn't a bad story, I just also felt like it had too much going on. But I will continue.
3.5 stars
2.5 on the spice scale
CW: attempted SA
3.5 stars
2.5 on the spice scale
CW: attempted SA
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