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Ruthless Doms #2
Beyond Measure
A Dark Bratva Romance
USA Today bestselling author Jane Henry delivers a gritty, impassioned romance of arranged marriage, fearless love, and ultimate triumph over evil.
I'm the girl no one wants.
Scarred beyond repair and locked away, I'm tainted and tarnished.
Unworthy of friendship, love, or hope.
But I was born into Bratva life, and my life is not my own.
I'm ripped from my home and forced to marry a man I've never met, sight unseen.
He's ruthless, possessive, fierce...
My husband.
USA Today bestselling author Jane Henry delivers a gritty, impassioned romance of arranged marriage, fearless love, and ultimate triumph over evil.
I'm the girl no one wants.
Scarred beyond repair and locked away, I'm tainted and tarnished.
Unworthy of friendship, love, or hope.
But I was born into Bratva life, and my life is not my own.
I'm ripped from my home and forced to marry a man I've never met, sight unseen.
He's ruthless, possessive, fierce...
My husband.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2019
2200 people are currently reading
778 people want to read
About the author
Jane Henry
114 books2,712 followersFueled by dark chocolate and even darker coffee, USA Today bestselling author Jane Henry writes what she loves to read – character-driven, unputdownable romance featuring dominant alpha males and the powerful heroines who bring them to their knees. She’s believed in the power of love and romance since Belle won over the beast, and finally decided to write love stories of her own.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 189 reviews
October 22, 2019
Beyond Measure: A Dark Bratva Romance was my first book by this author and my last. First I want to make clear it's my fault because this book was recommended in a FB group and since I can't resist an organized crime romance or an arranged marriage I jumped right on without really looking at this authors other work which seems dominated by Doms (I should have paid attention to the Amazon title). I love dominant men and I love a good spanking and some hair pulling what I can't deal with which is repeated so often I was annoyed is how he demands obedience. It's imperative that the men show no weakness and their woman must learn their place and be obedient and submissive. Sorry I like my h's feisty and while I can deal with them acting obedient in public in private I expect them to be themselves. So in the end this was not for me.
October 23, 2019
Yikes I really need to go and read more books by this author as this was a fantastic story. I inhaled it in one sitting as I didn’t wanna put it down. Tomas and Caroline are thrown together in a way they didn’t think possible. To settle a debt Caroline becomes his bride. These two are fantastic together and in all honesty I didn’t want it to end. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
October 20, 2019
The first half of this was really good, and sucked me in. But then it seemed to fall apart, plot-wise. I felt it became very repetitive with the H insisting she obey, and her feeling she wasn't worthy (although her character was definitely fleshed out better, and her insecurities were understandable). The set up with anonymous woman who came to the compound was really clumsy - it was obvious what she was there for, the fact they couldn't get hold of any of the senior Brava members, I could see the end game coming from a mile away. I didn't buy Caroline butting in with the meeting, and then telling her story. It simply didn't ring true for an organisation such as a Bratva (although I have no first hand knowledge of that, lol). There was also the strange, unexplained dichotomy of them being pissed she had been raped, but also the three day rule for consummation of a marriage. Those things aren't exclusive - most of these same men who were avenging her appear to have committed the same crime.
February 21, 2022
This is my fifth Jane Henry book in a row & I'm in no way tired of her. I keep wanting more. She brings her style to each trope and book and damn, I NEED MORE. I love that each book reads different. I love that this series has more praise kink than the wicked doms series - it makes it a tad bit more irresistible! (No shade to the wicked doms, they were wickedly delicious as well!) and LORD, thank you for the curvy heroine and the bratva hero!! Needed some of that.
November 18, 2021
Caroline and Tomas' story... and I think that this one is my favorite one so far by Jane Henry. I'm happy that I ended up reading this book. It was a pleasant surprise, especially after never finishing Nicolai's story.
October 23, 2019
I liked the Uber Alphaness of Tomas but I think this book massively overlooks (read: completely ignores) the trauma of repeated rape and battery and the psychological torture the backstory for Caroline would have left. This terribly impacted how much I could really enjoy this book. None of the sexual reactions from Caroline (especially within hours of meeting Tomas) made any sense to me and made me cringe.
I enjoy domestic discipline books when done right and without the rape backstory, I could see how this book would have been fun. Even with the rape and battery backstory removed, I probably would have still thought the escalation in discipline was a lot too quick, though.
I enjoy domestic discipline books when done right and without the rape backstory, I could see how this book would have been fun. Even with the rape and battery backstory removed, I probably would have still thought the escalation in discipline was a lot too quick, though.
April 22, 2021
A kink that sadly does not work for me.
October 19, 2022
Recently someone liked my review of this book. I should say "rating" because when I checked, there was no review...only a rating. Not sure why the rating registered, but the actually review only appeared on Amazon. I've noticed a few like this, I'll update them as I find them. Just know that 99.9% of the time I include a written review with my ratings. So if you come across one that doesn't have a written review, please drop me a comment or message to let me know. Thanks. Now to the review.
I don't normally go for mob style (or in this case Bratva...Russian Mob) romances. Mostly because these guys are truly bad guys who do evil things. Don't get me wrong, I love a good bad boy (how's that for an oxymoron?). What I mean is, I like a tough, alpha guy, one who's a little domineering and maybe has done some bad things to protect someone. But when you're dealing with Mob guys, you're dealing with REAL bad guys, the ones who deal in drugs, prostitution, sex trafficking and murder not just in self defense or protection of someone but because the victim was a rival or crossed them. They're more than bad guys, they're criminals and in most of these stories, not being redeemed, but remaining in the criminal life. So yeah, not really into that!
That being said, this story deals very little with the criminal aspect, though it is mentioned and you know his crime family deals in drugs. But mostly it deals with Caroline (the heroine), sister of a Russian, minor crime leader in San Diego, and the abuse she suffered (from her brother and his right hand man (and best friend).) You get only a little history of this before the brother has agreed to give his sister as a bride to a Boston "pakhan" (leader of Russian crime family) in order to satisfy a debt owed. (The brother's friend was not happy about that). The remainder of the story deals mostly with the developing relationship between Caroline and her new husband as well as an attempt by the brother's best friend to get her back.
This is a dark romance so there are some bdsm scenes. The H (the husband, does demand respect and obedience and yes she doesn't always obey and earns spankings, but most are pretty tame. Mostly the hand, a paddle and belt are used and no damage to skin occurs. There is only one scene where a flogger is used and some description used may give the impression that there are "cuts" but upon further reading you realize it probably didn't mean actual cuts that draw blood. In fact, at the end of this scene, the Heroine actually admits that she "needs that intensity" sometimes! And by this point in the book, the author has done such an excellent job of building the story and the heroines introduction to the life style as well as her discovery that she is not only turned on by it, but "needs" it that it's all very believable.
You might ask how an abused woman would be into bdsm (I usually do and find it hard to believe). But in this case, while Caroline was raped by the brothers best friend, (the brother never believed her), most of the abuse she suffered from both was emotional and mental. The kept her hidden and constantly called her whore and told her she was ugly, worthless and no one would want her. Her husband, on the other hand, thinks she's beautiful and precious and treats her well and never takes her against her will. Even the spankings mostly end with mind blowing, mutually agreeable, sex!
All in all, aside from the crime boss thing, the H is the best kind of alpha, dark romance hero and I really did enjoy this book. If you're into the Mafia or Bratva type romances, you'll love this!
I don't normally go for mob style (or in this case Bratva...Russian Mob) romances. Mostly because these guys are truly bad guys who do evil things. Don't get me wrong, I love a good bad boy (how's that for an oxymoron?). What I mean is, I like a tough, alpha guy, one who's a little domineering and maybe has done some bad things to protect someone. But when you're dealing with Mob guys, you're dealing with REAL bad guys, the ones who deal in drugs, prostitution, sex trafficking and murder not just in self defense or protection of someone but because the victim was a rival or crossed them. They're more than bad guys, they're criminals and in most of these stories, not being redeemed, but remaining in the criminal life. So yeah, not really into that!
That being said, this story deals very little with the criminal aspect, though it is mentioned and you know his crime family deals in drugs. But mostly it deals with Caroline (the heroine), sister of a Russian, minor crime leader in San Diego, and the abuse she suffered (from her brother and his right hand man (and best friend).) You get only a little history of this before the brother has agreed to give his sister as a bride to a Boston "pakhan" (leader of Russian crime family) in order to satisfy a debt owed. (The brother's friend was not happy about that). The remainder of the story deals mostly with the developing relationship between Caroline and her new husband as well as an attempt by the brother's best friend to get her back.
This is a dark romance so there are some bdsm scenes. The H (the husband, does demand respect and obedience and yes she doesn't always obey and earns spankings, but most are pretty tame. Mostly the hand, a paddle and belt are used and no damage to skin occurs. There is only one scene where a flogger is used and some description used may give the impression that there are "cuts" but upon further reading you realize it probably didn't mean actual cuts that draw blood. In fact, at the end of this scene, the Heroine actually admits that she "needs that intensity" sometimes! And by this point in the book, the author has done such an excellent job of building the story and the heroines introduction to the life style as well as her discovery that she is not only turned on by it, but "needs" it that it's all very believable.
You might ask how an abused woman would be into bdsm (I usually do and find it hard to believe). But in this case, while Caroline was raped by the brothers best friend, (the brother never believed her), most of the abuse she suffered from both was emotional and mental. The kept her hidden and constantly called her whore and told her she was ugly, worthless and no one would want her. Her husband, on the other hand, thinks she's beautiful and precious and treats her well and never takes her against her will. Even the spankings mostly end with mind blowing, mutually agreeable, sex!
All in all, aside from the crime boss thing, the H is the best kind of alpha, dark romance hero and I really did enjoy this book. If you're into the Mafia or Bratva type romances, you'll love this!
October 18, 2019
This book was so good that I read it in one setting!! Caroline's brother agrees to let her marry Tomas to pay a debt he owes but one of his men isn't happy about that. Tomas doesn't expect to fall for Caroline but as they spend more time together, he does, even though she is feisty, rebellious and very stubborn. This simply won't do for the wife of the Pakhan! The journey these two go through keep me turning the pages. The highs and lows, the drama, the danger......it all adds up to what is fast becoming a favorite series of mine. When Caroline is taken from Tomas, he is enraged and goes after her with everything in him. It was intriguing to watch Caroline grow into a very strong woman, even though she started out with so much self doubt in herself. Ms. Henry knows how to keep her readers hooked on the story and this one is no exception. Loved it and I can't wait for the next book. Now, if only we could get Stefan's story!! I would love to see this older and mature man get his own HEA!! Bravo!!!!
October 24, 2019
Best book to date by Jane Henry. I absolutely fell for Tomas. I was leery about him when we were introduced to him in Priceless. But he definitely won me over in Beyond Measure.
Caroline was the perfect wife for him. Equal parts sassy and submissive.
I can't wait to see whose book is next.
I read an advanced copy of this book.
Caroline was the perfect wife for him. Equal parts sassy and submissive.
I can't wait to see whose book is next.
I read an advanced copy of this book.
December 19, 2019
❤~🌟~❤ 4.5 RAPTUROUS STARS! ❤~🌟~❤
“My fate is sealed.”
HOLY HOT TAMALE! Jane Henry has wowed me once again with BEYOND MEASURE, the second titillating installment in her Ruthless Doms series! This deliciously dark and gritty, smolderingly sexy and intensely emotional tale is PULSATING with passion, excitement, panty melting hot spanky times, and is so wildly addictive I could hardly catch my breath!
THE PREMISE:
For the good of the brotherhood, the time has come for Tomas Dobrynin, the powerfully ruthless Pakhan of the Boston Bratva, to claim a bride. And he is owed a massive debt so why not kill two birds with one stone? As such, long overdue payment comes in the form of sweet Caroline, the sheltered, oppressed sister of Aren Koslov of the San Diego Bratva.
Before she knows what’s happening, Aren’s cloistered sister, Caroline, is whisked off on a plane to Atlanta to wed Tomas. She puts up a good fight but ultimately is no match for this dark and dominant man who makes her quake with fear and longing! However, despite his stern, fearsome demeanor, Tomas is not nearly as callous and cold-hearted as he first appears. But how could she ever live up to what her mercilessly sexy new husband needs her to be?
For Caroline has scars, inside and out, and while Tomas awakens secret submissive desires in her that she never dreamed possible, she feels unworthy of love and devotion. But she does not see what HE sees. And while he initially claimed ownership over his bride as a bargaining chip she becomes so much more! Because reflected in his gaze he beholds a damaged yet passionate woman who he will move heaven and earth to possess, punish and pleasure as he sees fit. And keep safe from their enemies at all costs!
Has the almighty Pakhan finally met in his match in matters of the heart?
MY MUSINGS:
Jane Henry spins a high-octane arranged marriage story that truly bristles with excitement, passion and pathos, sin and seduction, angst and suspense! As we are swept up into the dark and dangerous Bratva world, a deeply poignant woven love story unfolds between Tomas and Caroline that pierced the heart and slayed the soul! And the heat level was off the charts! The sizzling chemistry and torrid passion between this powerfully commanding Pakhan and his beautifully flawed bride leaped like flames off the pages, and oh my, the erotic interludes and discipline-tinged BDSM sessions left my girly bits all aflutter!
Yummmm. Tomas radiates dominance, masculinity and an unbridled ferocity that gave me full body shivers! Sighhh….it’s in his nature to protect and provide, who can resist that, right?! But make no mistake…this stern, formidable, and at times heavy handed, Pakhan rules with an iron fist and demands respect at all costs. So while Tomas’s “little detka” was truly his most treasured possession, she WOULD learn her place or suffer the consequences!
The emotional complexity of this love story really struck a chord in me. Caroline has endured much cruelty and abuse in her life and her emotional wounds are embedded impossibly deep. But if there’s one man who can help her heal, spirit and soul, it’s Tomas. For he may be ruthless and barbaric in his work, but Caroline brings out a softness in him that will make you swoon! I just LOVED how mirrored in his gaze he made her see herself for the beautiful woman she was, a woman who was more than worthy of love. HIS LOVE. And he would STOP AT NOTHING to avenge the tormentors of her past!
Gah! I also ADORED this heroine! While on the surface Caroline might seem scarred and vulnerable, yet despite her crippling insecurities, she is “no submissive wallflower,” and has a sassy, bubbly side, which I found utterly endearing. She has been locked away in an ivory tower all her life yet being absconded from the only home she’s ever known was still far from easy. But with Tomas’s strict yet tender loving guidance she finally learns how to fly free. And as the story evolves we come to see her blossom and emerge as a woman of strength, courage and conviction.
Ultimately, I thought these two made a PERFECT match and even though they have plenty of palpable tension and obstacles to overcome, I relished watching Caroline slowly but surely win the heart of her growly beast! However, it’s far from smooth sailing because a war between brotherhoods is coming which will ultimately end in bloodshed! But of course good triumphs over evil in the end!
NARRATION:
This was an audio listen for me and once again Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott left me enraptured from start to finish. Mr. Ross’s deep, rumbly Russian brogue gave me goosebumps and he embodied this Pakhan’s commanding persona brilliantly, infusing this dangerously possessive anti-hero with an intoxicating blend of dominance, virility, gentle heartedness and PRIMAL sex appeal. As for Ms. Kennicott, she continues to astound me with her sensitive, deeply nuanced performances and her portrayal of Caroline, in all her beautifully broken glory, was MESMERIZING! She brought out not only the heroine’s sweetness, fragility and heartbreaking vulnerability but also her grit, resilience and fire! Together these narrators breathed life into these beloved characters and made this thrillingly sexy Ruthless Doms story truly unforgettable!
BOTTOM LINE:
I can’t rave enough about BEYOND MEASURE! And if you too can’t resist a steamy and adrenaline pumping Bratva tale that delivers on every level, this novel is guaranteed to leave you writhing in pleasure!
Highly recommend!
“My fate is sealed.”
HOLY HOT TAMALE! Jane Henry has wowed me once again with BEYOND MEASURE, the second titillating installment in her Ruthless Doms series! This deliciously dark and gritty, smolderingly sexy and intensely emotional tale is PULSATING with passion, excitement, panty melting hot spanky times, and is so wildly addictive I could hardly catch my breath!
THE PREMISE:
For the good of the brotherhood, the time has come for Tomas Dobrynin, the powerfully ruthless Pakhan of the Boston Bratva, to claim a bride. And he is owed a massive debt so why not kill two birds with one stone? As such, long overdue payment comes in the form of sweet Caroline, the sheltered, oppressed sister of Aren Koslov of the San Diego Bratva.
Before she knows what’s happening, Aren’s cloistered sister, Caroline, is whisked off on a plane to Atlanta to wed Tomas. She puts up a good fight but ultimately is no match for this dark and dominant man who makes her quake with fear and longing! However, despite his stern, fearsome demeanor, Tomas is not nearly as callous and cold-hearted as he first appears. But how could she ever live up to what her mercilessly sexy new husband needs her to be?
For Caroline has scars, inside and out, and while Tomas awakens secret submissive desires in her that she never dreamed possible, she feels unworthy of love and devotion. But she does not see what HE sees. And while he initially claimed ownership over his bride as a bargaining chip she becomes so much more! Because reflected in his gaze he beholds a damaged yet passionate woman who he will move heaven and earth to possess, punish and pleasure as he sees fit. And keep safe from their enemies at all costs!
Has the almighty Pakhan finally met in his match in matters of the heart?
MY MUSINGS:
Jane Henry spins a high-octane arranged marriage story that truly bristles with excitement, passion and pathos, sin and seduction, angst and suspense! As we are swept up into the dark and dangerous Bratva world, a deeply poignant woven love story unfolds between Tomas and Caroline that pierced the heart and slayed the soul! And the heat level was off the charts! The sizzling chemistry and torrid passion between this powerfully commanding Pakhan and his beautifully flawed bride leaped like flames off the pages, and oh my, the erotic interludes and discipline-tinged BDSM sessions left my girly bits all aflutter!
Yummmm. Tomas radiates dominance, masculinity and an unbridled ferocity that gave me full body shivers! Sighhh….it’s in his nature to protect and provide, who can resist that, right?! But make no mistake…this stern, formidable, and at times heavy handed, Pakhan rules with an iron fist and demands respect at all costs. So while Tomas’s “little detka” was truly his most treasured possession, she WOULD learn her place or suffer the consequences!
The emotional complexity of this love story really struck a chord in me. Caroline has endured much cruelty and abuse in her life and her emotional wounds are embedded impossibly deep. But if there’s one man who can help her heal, spirit and soul, it’s Tomas. For he may be ruthless and barbaric in his work, but Caroline brings out a softness in him that will make you swoon! I just LOVED how mirrored in his gaze he made her see herself for the beautiful woman she was, a woman who was more than worthy of love. HIS LOVE. And he would STOP AT NOTHING to avenge the tormentors of her past!
Gah! I also ADORED this heroine! While on the surface Caroline might seem scarred and vulnerable, yet despite her crippling insecurities, she is “no submissive wallflower,” and has a sassy, bubbly side, which I found utterly endearing. She has been locked away in an ivory tower all her life yet being absconded from the only home she’s ever known was still far from easy. But with Tomas’s strict yet tender loving guidance she finally learns how to fly free. And as the story evolves we come to see her blossom and emerge as a woman of strength, courage and conviction.
Ultimately, I thought these two made a PERFECT match and even though they have plenty of palpable tension and obstacles to overcome, I relished watching Caroline slowly but surely win the heart of her growly beast! However, it’s far from smooth sailing because a war between brotherhoods is coming which will ultimately end in bloodshed! But of course good triumphs over evil in the end!
NARRATION:
This was an audio listen for me and once again Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott left me enraptured from start to finish. Mr. Ross’s deep, rumbly Russian brogue gave me goosebumps and he embodied this Pakhan’s commanding persona brilliantly, infusing this dangerously possessive anti-hero with an intoxicating blend of dominance, virility, gentle heartedness and PRIMAL sex appeal. As for Ms. Kennicott, she continues to astound me with her sensitive, deeply nuanced performances and her portrayal of Caroline, in all her beautifully broken glory, was MESMERIZING! She brought out not only the heroine’s sweetness, fragility and heartbreaking vulnerability but also her grit, resilience and fire! Together these narrators breathed life into these beloved characters and made this thrillingly sexy Ruthless Doms story truly unforgettable!
BOTTOM LINE:
I can’t rave enough about BEYOND MEASURE! And if you too can’t resist a steamy and adrenaline pumping Bratva tale that delivers on every level, this novel is guaranteed to leave you writhing in pleasure!
Highly recommend!
Want to read
November 29, 2020Ruthless Doms Boxset is on sale for $0.99 on Amazon (regular price $4.99 each)💞
December 9, 2020
This is the second installment of the Ruthless Dons series but can undoubtedly be read as a standalone. I’ve been reading them in order and I did enjoy Nicolai and Marissa’s story Tomas and Caroline are my favorite couple yet. This story is filled with non stop action, suspense and romance. Learning more and more about Tomas as the story unfolds has me falling for this man more and more. Caroline has had one helluva growing up especially with her brother, seeing what Tomas will do to protect those around him shows exactly what kind of man he is. The dominant man clearly comes forward more often then not and its presented in both a sexual way and a man that is in charge and is at the head of the table. The ending was one I was expecting to an extent but the details that caught me off guard were more then welcomed.
August 26, 2020
I Love Mafia Men
Tomas is Pakhan and alpha in every way. He admits to being a sadist as well.
Caroline's brother gives her to Tomas to clear his debt
Caroline knows what's expected of her as she was born into the Bratva. She is afraid but desperate to get away from her brother and his right hand man.
She knows she's ugly and no one will ever love her. She sees her scar every time she looks in the mirror.
Can Tomas keep her safe? Will love bloom?
My only issue with this story was his need to dominate her but knowing she was frightened... I think that she have been handled a little bit more delicately in the beginning
Tomas is Pakhan and alpha in every way. He admits to being a sadist as well.
Caroline's brother gives her to Tomas to clear his debt
Caroline knows what's expected of her as she was born into the Bratva. She is afraid but desperate to get away from her brother and his right hand man.
She knows she's ugly and no one will ever love her. She sees her scar every time she looks in the mirror.
Can Tomas keep her safe? Will love bloom?
My only issue with this story was his need to dominate her but knowing she was frightened... I think that she have been handled a little bit more delicately in the beginning
October 18, 2019
This book and the one before it (Priceless: A Dark Bratva Romance) are much less "dark" than Ms. Henry's previous Bratva books in that the H's don't initially hate the h's; there's no kidnapping; and the discipline is not as harsh. Because I'm not a fan of harsh, I've preferred these two books for that reason.
This particular one does start with a forced pairing -- an arranged marriage -- but because Caroline's home situation was so awful, the marriage actually came as a relief (for us and her). Ms. Henry's (recent) trademarks are all apparent here: an initially hard anti-hero who softens for, becomes laser-focused on, and über-protective of his bride; a very young h (though at least she's not a teenager) who isn't "bratty" (thank god as I'd really like to see that trope go away), is sensible, and isn't weak (I particularly appreciated that Caroline ; and a plot detailing the machinations of the Bratva culture (usually conflicts between "bad" Bratva and "good" Bratva, if you can call anyone who deals in drugs "good"). If you enjoy these tropes -- as many readers do -- you will like this book.
While I appreciated that, in this case, the discipline wasn't harsh (in one of her previous books, the H caned the h the first time they met), and was really more erotic punishment from the beginning, and that the sex was consensual (as this one, The Bratva's Bride, was not), there is a sameness to the author's last few books. I would encourage Ms. Henry to overhaul her template as these books pretty much feature the exact same relationship dynamic and pretty similar characters throughout. While I understand that authors have certain tropes they stick with that their readers respond to, there is a point where they become formulaic. And that has happened here. I really enjoyed her earlier books more as the characters were more diverse (the h's weren't always super-young, for example).
In terms of plot (which I know is less important for most readers than the burgeoning relationship), I found several holes and incoherent character motivations. While I understood Andros' objectives and actions, Aren's (Caroline's brother) were much more opaque. It was never clear to me why he hated his sister; didn't believe her accusations against Andros and took the latter's side; arranged her marriage to Tomas, only later to ; and why, towards the end of the book, . It was impossible to understand Aren's endgame at any point in the story.
In addition, I wasn't thrilled that in the MeToo era, members of the Bratva didn't believe Caroline's story regarding Andros. However, these reactions are, unfortunately, true to life, and at least her husband did.
Finally, the writing is a bit choppy. The interior monologues (Caroline's insecurities regarding her scar and Tomas' insistence that Caroline obey him before all else) are repetitious; certain plot elements lead nowhere (why, for example, include a scene in which Nicolai and Yakov raise suspicions about Caroline's motives if you're not going to do anything with it?); and there were enough typos ("brown" for "brow," "conscious" for "conscience") and grammatical errors ("ignorant to" rather than "ignorant of") that I was taken out of the story more than I liked.
3 1/2 stars. I do recommend this. Most readers who like this author will enjoy it as it has the usual staples of her genre and it's always appealing to read about an H who will do anything for his h. In addition, the ethical issues raised by some of her earlier Bratva books (such as human-trafficking) are absent here. Ultimately, I, personally, would like to see something different in her upcoming books, but that's me.
This particular one does start with a forced pairing -- an arranged marriage -- but because Caroline's home situation was so awful, the marriage actually came as a relief (for us and her). Ms. Henry's (recent) trademarks are all apparent here: an initially hard anti-hero who softens for, becomes laser-focused on, and über-protective of his bride; a very young h (though at least she's not a teenager) who isn't "bratty" (thank god as I'd really like to see that trope go away), is sensible, and isn't weak (I particularly appreciated that Caroline ; and a plot detailing the machinations of the Bratva culture (usually conflicts between "bad" Bratva and "good" Bratva, if you can call anyone who deals in drugs "good"). If you enjoy these tropes -- as many readers do -- you will like this book.
While I appreciated that, in this case, the discipline wasn't harsh (in one of her previous books, the H caned the h the first time they met), and was really more erotic punishment from the beginning, and that the sex was consensual (as this one, The Bratva's Bride, was not), there is a sameness to the author's last few books. I would encourage Ms. Henry to overhaul her template as these books pretty much feature the exact same relationship dynamic and pretty similar characters throughout. While I understand that authors have certain tropes they stick with that their readers respond to, there is a point where they become formulaic. And that has happened here. I really enjoyed her earlier books more as the characters were more diverse (the h's weren't always super-young, for example).
In terms of plot (which I know is less important for most readers than the burgeoning relationship), I found several holes and incoherent character motivations. While I understood Andros' objectives and actions, Aren's (Caroline's brother) were much more opaque. It was never clear to me why he hated his sister; didn't believe her accusations against Andros and took the latter's side; arranged her marriage to Tomas, only later to ; and why, towards the end of the book, . It was impossible to understand Aren's endgame at any point in the story.
In addition, I wasn't thrilled that in the MeToo era, members of the Bratva didn't believe Caroline's story regarding Andros. However, these reactions are, unfortunately, true to life, and at least her husband did.
Finally, the writing is a bit choppy. The interior monologues (Caroline's insecurities regarding her scar and Tomas' insistence that Caroline obey him before all else) are repetitious; certain plot elements lead nowhere (why, for example, include a scene in which Nicolai and Yakov raise suspicions about Caroline's motives if you're not going to do anything with it?); and there were enough typos ("brown" for "brow," "conscious" for "conscience") and grammatical errors ("ignorant to" rather than "ignorant of") that I was taken out of the story more than I liked.
3 1/2 stars. I do recommend this. Most readers who like this author will enjoy it as it has the usual staples of her genre and it's always appealing to read about an H who will do anything for his h. In addition, the ethical issues raised by some of her earlier Bratva books (such as human-trafficking) are absent here. Ultimately, I, personally, would like to see something different in her upcoming books, but that's me.
January 7, 2021
I'm a thirst whore for mafia arranged marriages. I'm a thirst reader just like how I'm a thirst watcher. Except I thirst read for certain themes, and I thirst watch for certain actors.
We all know BDSM and I aren't the best of friends. I wasn't sure how I would take to it for this book considering I've never read Jane Henry before. It wasn't too bad or cringe in my opinion, and I find a lot of things cringe. At some points... maybe a little, but in the end, I really didn't add that cringe factor into the equation because no book is perfect.
Tomas was kinda an ass. Sometimes. That's all I have to say about him. He's a CHAD.
Is this even Chad?
The chemistry felt like it was there. I dunno what it is specifically that I sense chemistry or no chemistry for couples seems to be, but for this one, it was definitely there.
Also, I dunno how old Tomas is. I don't think it was disclosed, or maybe I missed it, but I'm putting this under my "age-gap" shelf because Caroline is 21 and well... I think Tomas should at least be early 30s in my opinion to be at such a high rank. I could be wrong, feel free to correct me.
I'm giving this a 3.5 He-Needs-To-Take-A-Chill-Pill stars for now. Mostly because I enjoyed it. And it actually went by faster than I expected, so kudos.
[01/06/21]
I don't know why I read this. I didn't even like it that much. An urge just hit me to read that book with "the girl with the scar and the guy who needs to calm the fuck down". Premise is still good. Execution kinda hurts. I did get some good things outta this second read though. Some quotes.
"Fear doesn't mitigate courage, my love. Courageous people face their fears instead of running from them." -Tomas Dobrynin
"Sweetheart, your worth is beyond measure." - Tomas Dobrynin
We all know BDSM and I aren't the best of friends. I wasn't sure how I would take to it for this book considering I've never read Jane Henry before. It wasn't too bad or cringe in my opinion, and I find a lot of things cringe. At some points... maybe a little, but in the end, I really didn't add that cringe factor into the equation because no book is perfect.
Tomas was kinda an ass. Sometimes. That's all I have to say about him. He's a CHAD.
Is this even Chad?
The chemistry felt like it was there. I dunno what it is specifically that I sense chemistry or no chemistry for couples seems to be, but for this one, it was definitely there.
Also, I dunno how old Tomas is. I don't think it was disclosed, or maybe I missed it, but I'm putting this under my "age-gap" shelf because Caroline is 21 and well... I think Tomas should at least be early 30s in my opinion to be at such a high rank. I could be wrong, feel free to correct me.
I'm giving this a 3.5 He-Needs-To-Take-A-Chill-Pill stars for now. Mostly because I enjoyed it. And it actually went by faster than I expected, so kudos.
[01/06/21]
I don't know why I read this. I didn't even like it that much. An urge just hit me to read that book with "the girl with the scar and the guy who needs to calm the fuck down". Premise is still good. Execution kinda hurts. I did get some good things outta this second read though. Some quotes.
"Fear doesn't mitigate courage, my love. Courageous people face their fears instead of running from them." -Tomas Dobrynin
"Sweetheart, your worth is beyond measure." - Tomas Dobrynin
October 20, 2019
The Needy💕 Bratva Dom🐺🍆⛲👋
ADULT Bratva Romance💕 and Thriller🔫🔪
Tomas🐺🍆⛲👋🔫🔪 is the brutal pakhan, the 👑King, or Russian Mafia Dom. He operates in Boston. He surrounds himself with his brothers in arms🔫🔪.
He decides he needs a wife👰, and then decides to marry Caroline💃💋, the sister of Aren Kosolov👺🔪, operating in San Diego. Caroline💃💋💔 has been hidden from the public and apparently abused by her brother or one of his men.
Tomas🐺🍆⛲👋🔫🔪 is marrying👰 Caroline💃💋 basically sight unseen, and knowing almost nothing about her.
He sees having a wife👰 as making him more stable and important in the brotherhood.
Caroline💃💋💔 is completely unready for his demands and his proclivities👋👋 in the bedroom. All she knows is she has traded one stern, unyielding jailer for another. She still feels like a prisoner💔, and basically she is.
ARC Received from Bookfunnel🌀
I also got the ebook with KU.
Of course this dark romance has a happy ending! As long as Caroline💃💋💔 knows her place in Tomas's life, he treats her well. It's a learning process that Caroline💃💋 finally comes to grips with. Tomas🐺🍆⛲🔫🔪👋 needs her more than she needs him!
Tomas🐺🍆⛲🔫🔪👋 is by his very nature a raging dominant and his outlet for his aggression👋 becomes Caroline💃💋. She resists violently at first but his continued domination techniques👋👋 wear her down and she realizes she actually likes it, and she loves💕 him!
EGADS!
The book could have used more proof reading and editing for spelling errors and omissions.
ADULT Bratva Romance💕 and Thriller🔫🔪
Tomas🐺🍆⛲👋🔫🔪 is the brutal pakhan, the 👑King, or Russian Mafia Dom. He operates in Boston. He surrounds himself with his brothers in arms🔫🔪.
He decides he needs a wife👰, and then decides to marry Caroline💃💋, the sister of Aren Kosolov👺🔪, operating in San Diego. Caroline💃💋💔 has been hidden from the public and apparently abused by her brother or one of his men.
Tomas🐺🍆⛲👋🔫🔪 is marrying👰 Caroline💃💋 basically sight unseen, and knowing almost nothing about her.
He sees having a wife👰 as making him more stable and important in the brotherhood.
Caroline💃💋💔 is completely unready for his demands and his proclivities👋👋 in the bedroom. All she knows is she has traded one stern, unyielding jailer for another. She still feels like a prisoner💔, and basically she is.
ARC Received from Bookfunnel🌀
I also got the ebook with KU.
Of course this dark romance has a happy ending! As long as Caroline💃💋💔 knows her place in Tomas's life, he treats her well. It's a learning process that Caroline💃💋 finally comes to grips with. Tomas🐺🍆⛲🔫🔪👋 needs her more than she needs him!
Tomas🐺🍆⛲🔫🔪👋 is by his very nature a raging dominant and his outlet for his aggression👋 becomes Caroline💃💋. She resists violently at first but his continued domination techniques👋👋 wear her down and she realizes she actually likes it, and she loves💕 him!
EGADS!
The book could have used more proof reading and editing for spelling errors and omissions.
October 19, 2019
Caroline was born into the Bratva but her brother Aren decides to give her to the Pakhan of the Boston Bratva as a bride, to pay off a debt. Tomas the Boston Pakhan has been convinced that a wife will make him a better, stronger leader so he accepts Caroline as payment for the debt owed. Aren's best friend Andros is not happy that another man gets to have the woman he wanted for himself, the woman he raped when she was 17 and continued to abuse. Caroline is happy to be away from the bad treatment of both her brother and his friend, but not so happy that she is now the wife to a powerful, dominant stranger. I loved how nice Tomas was to Caroline, even though he demanded obedience and
respect. Caroline was learning that she had worth even though she had to bow down to her husband's dominance. This is another great story about the Ruthless Doms of the Bratva. I look forward to more of the people and power with the capacity to love just as strongly as they rule.
respect. Caroline was learning that she had worth even though she had to bow down to her husband's dominance. This is another great story about the Ruthless Doms of the Bratva. I look forward to more of the people and power with the capacity to love just as strongly as they rule.
October 29, 2019
If there is one book you read, this is the one. Beyond Measure is poetic. Jane brings you right into the middle of the Russian mob that has come over to America and makes you part of their lives.
Tomas is a hardcore leader and will do anything to protect his family even if that means getting married to some unknown woman. Arranged marriages happen all the time, but that doesn't mean he has to like it or enjoy it. But he will do it because it makes him stronger and that is all that matters.
Caroline Koslov is the woman Tomas has to marry, and she is not looking forward to it. But anything is better than living in her family's home. Her brother has mistreated her, and Caroline has to believe anything is better than this home.
This book is beautiful and has to be read. I could not put it down and will reread it again and again. Beyond Measure is by far, one of my favorites.
October 14, 2019
Right,then.
Not gonna lie, I am the farthest thing from someone who could ever possibly enjoy a bdsm vibe story or romance.
But this one had a really good story. It was well written, my favorite trope minus the whole dark thing. I don't mind dark romances but I am not a big fan and I can easily skim through those parts and get to the actual good stuff.
Caroline is flown off to be given to the Pakhan,Tomas, but as hardass as he seems to be, he's actually a great softie underneath all that. Caroline has had some serious past trauma that ended up with physical, emotional remnants. And she considers herself a cast off but not Tomas.
He avenges her in every way.
I really enjoyed the story. The side characters,the plot.
Heck it had an amazing epilogue.
ARC received for review
Not gonna lie, I am the farthest thing from someone who could ever possibly enjoy a bdsm vibe story or romance.
But this one had a really good story. It was well written, my favorite trope minus the whole dark thing. I don't mind dark romances but I am not a big fan and I can easily skim through those parts and get to the actual good stuff.
Caroline is flown off to be given to the Pakhan,Tomas, but as hardass as he seems to be, he's actually a great softie underneath all that. Caroline has had some serious past trauma that ended up with physical, emotional remnants. And she considers herself a cast off but not Tomas.
He avenges her in every way.
I really enjoyed the story. The side characters,the plot.
Heck it had an amazing epilogue.
ARC received for review
October 31, 2019
Beyond Measure is one of the top Bratva reads I have read. I was hooked on this from the start. Well written with a quick pace, strong storyline and memorable characters. It is a unexpected wonderfully romantic read. I was expecting not to like Tomas much, but I so do!!!
Caroline and Tomas are both from a dark world, one that they both know the score of. It is a brutal world full of danger and nothing but darkness. Can they find a light in each other? Or will their world consume them both.
Jane Henry, well done on a story that kept my interest, and had me so engrossed in your story that I read this in one setting.
Caroline and Tomas are both from a dark world, one that they both know the score of. It is a brutal world full of danger and nothing but darkness. Can they find a light in each other? Or will their world consume them both.
Jane Henry, well done on a story that kept my interest, and had me so engrossed in your story that I read this in one setting.
December 11, 2019
Don't read
This is a sick sadistic book!!!! Don't waste your time. I don't know who in their right mind gets off on rape and beating a woman!!! This person is raped by her brothers friend while the brother knows and does nothing!!!! Then he gives her away to a man that likes to beat women!!! But in this book beating means love!!!! How sick is that. I did not even finish this horrible book.
This is a sick sadistic book!!!! Don't waste your time. I don't know who in their right mind gets off on rape and beating a woman!!! This person is raped by her brothers friend while the brother knows and does nothing!!!! Then he gives her away to a man that likes to beat women!!! But in this book beating means love!!!! How sick is that. I did not even finish this horrible book.
March 3, 2020
Beyond Stupid!
There are so many awful things I could point out about this book, including the fact the writing is basic, juvenile and beyond amateur. That the story is just a basic outline lacking depth. That the title is misleading, because this not a dark romance and that there is nothing Alpha about Tomas, let alone ruthless. However the only thing that matters is to say that this is beyond stupid and ridiculous. Don't waste your time.
There are so many awful things I could point out about this book, including the fact the writing is basic, juvenile and beyond amateur. That the story is just a basic outline lacking depth. That the title is misleading, because this not a dark romance and that there is nothing Alpha about Tomas, let alone ruthless. However the only thing that matters is to say that this is beyond stupid and ridiculous. Don't waste your time.
November 20, 2020
DNRed at maybe 10% in. I enjoy a well written dark romance, and there are ways of configuring things in a much better way than having the heroine, a sexual assault and severe abuse victim, thrown into a D/s strict relationship. It was beyond iffy and dove directly into the H just compounding the abuse the h had already gone through, while still painting it as somehow her fault for being too rude? Just couldn't do it.
December 14, 2019
I listened to this story on audible. I enjoy this author's writing style. She writes Russian mafia dark romance well. I loved
Tomas from the beginning because he accepted Caroline and was not bothered by her scar.
The narrators did a fabulous job. They conveyed genuine Russian accents when needed which made the book real. I would highly recommend this book.
Tomas from the beginning because he accepted Caroline and was not bothered by her scar.
The narrators did a fabulous job. They conveyed genuine Russian accents when needed which made the book real. I would highly recommend this book.
January 29, 2020
This book had *a lot* going onnnnn. Romance, danger and whole lot of suspense. Tomas was an interesting character. He’s a leader in the Bratva and let’s just say that applies everywhere lol Caroline oh I felt so bad for her 😭 she deserved better. I hate how invested I am with all these characters lol
October 15, 2019
This book was beyond amazing. I love Jane’s books and her creative mind. Alpha bad boys, sexy, demanding, intense. What more can you ask for. This book took me from the very first page and kept its claws and me until the end of the book.
October 17, 2019
Amazing !! I was totally captivated by Tomas and Caroline's story. Death, danger, pain, and love made the book so intriguing that I couldn't put it down. I was completely riveted to every word until the end. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an amazing read
March 29, 2020
An amazing read...... For the current mood
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