Theo

The Syndicate #1

by Raven Scott, Jack Calihan (Narrator)

Her scars have led her to me.
A fierce bodyguard.
A broken hero.
Illya is as fragile as a flower.
She’s been through enough.
One more blow and she’d wither away.
Her lips quiver when I come near her.
They are desperate to kiss mine.
I’d take all of her.
Own her soul.
Run my fingers over her scars.
Her scars may be deep.
But they’re not nearly as strong as my obsession to make her mine.

Genres: Mafia Romance, Romance

8 pages, Audible Audio

First published March 19, 2020

About the author

Raven Scott is a contemporary romance author who dabbles in suspenseful stories. As a reader, she loves when twists and turns pop out in stories and strives to do the same in her own work. When she isn't writing, you can find her by the beach with a Sangria in hand, taking in the scenery.

Reviews

[Justadele · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at page 98

Theo has 2 fingers missing & has cramps and can't use his right hand properly and Illya has burns over all her torso and if touched she's is excruciating pain...

Did I miss the romance part?

[Yoneidis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illya is a 28-year-old woman who has not had and does not have an easy life. After losing his parents and brothers in a fire, which left her with deep and painful scars in her chest, she went to live with her uncles. Her father’s sister spent all her inheritance money before she was 18, and when she sued her, her aunt committed suicide. She stayed on the streets and in the women’s shelter she met Sylvie, a girl of her same age and addicted to drugs. Illya helps her rehabilitate and they live together for years, until Illya discovers that Sylvie has fallen back into drugs and throws her out of the house. With less income, Illya has to work more hours at the strip club and there she meets Mateo and his bodyguard Theo.
Mateo is looking for Sylvie since she is pregnant with his baby, and he asks Theo to find her. Theo discovers that Illya is Sylvie’s roommate, and together they go through the crack houses to find her.
Theo has been wanting to fuck Illya since the first time in the club, but Illya just want to be left alone. Both Illya and Theo have scars on their bodies, but Illya is the one who has more problems when it comes to showing hers, so Theo refuses to sleep with her until she shows them to him.
The plot is complicated when Carlyle, Mateo’s brother,enters the scene. He’s much more dangerous than his brother, and when he offers Illya a job as a translator she doesn’t quite believe her luck. She goes from living in poverty to having a fantastic apartment, a full fridge and a wardrobe with more clothes that she can wear. In addition, Carlyle forces her to show her scars to Theo bc he doesn’t want drama in their ranks,which is a step forward in the relationship between Theo and Illya.
A bit boring sometimes but I will keep reading the other books to see how the story continues.


“I know I said this before, but all I wanted to do was fuck your brains out since the first time I saw you at the club. After a while, I realized, you know, your chest and that shit, screwing you with the bandages on was a disservice. I didn’t want to be another name on a list of bad experiences. If I was gonna fuck you, I had to do it properly. It really . . . I guess I got more interested in that than trying to make you happy or feel accepted. That’s the thing that sucked the most these past two months, isn’t it, Illya? I mean, you’re a pain in the ass, but I only made it worse by demanding something you didn’t want to give me. That’s fucked up. After you nearly killed me on the ride home, I realized what the fuck’s the point of trying to set up everything the way I think it should be? It’s not like I’m fucking myself, you know? Things aren’t supposed to work like that. I thought it wasn’t as big a deal as it was. I have scars, too, right, so, obviously, if I can handle it, so can you. That’s wrong. I’m sorry, Illya.”He basically confessed his love for me—his regret, at the very least—and I knew that it very well may be the closest he ever got to actually saying the words.

[Leanne Bryson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book jumped around way too much, the character's behavior was all over the place, and eventually you just get bored with the whole thing. The cadence in the way the characters talked was odd, so hard to relate too. Theo and Illya were not particularly relatable or likable most of the time. And what was up with that weird cliff hanger? So, why a 2 rating you ask. The cover was hot and you can read it for FREE with KU.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Yolanda Glasgow · Rating 2 out of 5]

What the hell 😳

This book was horrible. It didn’t have any direction or path. There was not connection between Ilya and Theo. Very stilted in its writing. It was very hard to get through this book. Ilya was downright depressing and childish. Even Theo kept thinking she was pathetic. I hardly ever give a bad review. There are usually something good that can be said about a book, but not this one. Even the ending sucked, if you can call it an ending. Wow, I have never read a book this horrible before. Please dint waste tour time.

[~lil maso~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Theo is a dark, mafia romance and while it is darkish it’s not as dark as I thought it was going to be. I also didn’t realize it would just end... with the story not finished. Not really a cliffhanger but yet it is, I need to know what happens to Theo an Illya.

Illya, oh boy, what a life she had after losing her parents! Gradually, readers learn about her past history and my heart bled for her at times but, wow, what a strong woman she became, too. I found her lap-dancing career choice a bit questionable given her scars and as to her actually getting away with it but hey ho, it’s fiction after all. I really liked her character and could relate to her easily. I found her fears were justifiable as well.

Theo, now there’s an unusually honest man! I loved this about him too, he’s not only honest with others but himself as well. He has such a caring personality and a huge capacity to love too. His manner around Illya was fitting and it worked for them.

Some cool expressions were littered throughout the story. For example, when Illya is thinking about how a receptionist must get paid a lot in a ritzy relaxation resort she thinks... “... I was sure she got paid in potato sacks instead of envelopes.”

I have to say the first half of the book coasted along but wasn’t anything out of the bag, super exciting, and the main reason for the rating I have given, but what it did do was set things up for the second half. And there were some twists and turns in the second half with more coming in the next book I’m positive. I have a lot of unanswered questions about this story still so I certainly hope book two is released soon.

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*

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[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warriors in Life and Love

Sometimes life seems like a constant battle to merely survive. For Illya, life doesn’t just seem like a battle, it is. Badly burned as a child in a fire that killed her family and that left her emotionally and physically scarred, she has never given up fighting to climb out of the hole that life dug for her. Now at 28, hiding her scars, both external and internal, she unwittingly gets thrown into another one of life’s battles when her apartment mate, Sylvie, a “recovering” heroin addict who falsely hid her ongoing addiction, gets involved with a mafia boss’ youngest son, Mateo. But when Sylvie disappears after telling him that she is pregnant with his child, Mateo sets his bodyguard, Theo, a wounded warrior who also bears physical and emotional scars, on the hunt. In seeking Sylvie, Theo finds Illya, a woman who does her best to hide her scars, her pain and her story under a body leotard, working her magic of listening and observation in a San Diego strip club where she guards her every earned dollar in her hope of escaping her current situation and to follow her dreams and talents with languages.

Illya and Theo are drawn together in adversity, but soon are drawn sexually and emotionally as the two damaged souls find solace together, offering the opportunity for a fragile love to begin to emerge. But life is not done with the challenges for the two. Carlyle, the elder brother of Mateo, soon followed by their father George and younger brother Oran insert themselves into Mateo’s world, and by association drawing Illya and Theo into their darker dealings.

Raven Scott’s dark world of the mafia, weaves emotional threads of love, fear and hate in telling the story of two souls sucked into the twisted world. The story Theo and Illya is not fully resolved in this volume. While the two have found their solace together, they are still caught in the web of family disfunctuality in their own families and also in the powerful mafia family that has drawn them into its web.

I received this novel as an ARC, but read it using my Kindle Unlimited account. I will continue to follow the story of Theo and Illya with Kindle Unlimited.

[JLH]

This is Four-ish type book. There is a survivor in this book and one who is trying to survive. But honestly I don’t know any strip clubs and allows you to go to the VIP or dance without removing clothing. So unless he has a crap load of concealer for the scars that she has in doored from when she was younger I’m not even really sure how she is employed at this place. Just my opinion. For some reason is boxing to have dragged on maybe because it had so many chapters are views of what was going on. Theo work for the mob the mafia we’re splitting hairs at this point. He is it that he is almost always in survivor mode. He wants to look out for her but he needs to look out for number one and vice versa. I got confused after a little bit but I just put that to the side and kept reading. They are looking for Sylvia. For some reason his book seem to have dragged on maybe because it had so many chapters of the use of what was going on. Theo work for the mob of the mafia and I were splitting hairs at this point. Just that he is almost always a survivor mode. He wants to lookout for her but he needs to look out for number one and vice versa. There’s an underlying of scars that are described in the book and that you can just assume that has occurred between the two of them individually. I got confused after a little bit but I just put that to the side and kept reading. They are looking for Sylvie. Illya Was fed up with her roommate, Sylvie because she relapsed on drugs. Tough love. Kudos for you. I get it. But to extend it didn’t rain true. And when it all boils down to it my perception saying that it was undone. And that there would maybe be a follow-up to what happened. Either that or we’re supposed to take on assumptions on how this HEA or semi dark HEA was supposed to occur..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Robyn Corcoran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed for Saucy Reviews On Kinky Korner
3 1/2 stars

Theo is a dark, mafia romance and while it is darkish it’s not as dark as I though it was going to be. I also didn’t realise it would just end... with the story not finished. Not really a cliffhanger but yet it is, I need to know what happens to Theo an Illya.

Illya, oh boy, what a life she had after losing her parents! Gradually, readers learn about her past history and my heart bled for her at times but, wow, what a strong woman she became, too. I found her lap dancing career choice a bit questionable given her scars and as to her actually getting away with it but hey ho, it’s fiction after all. I really liked her character and could relate to her easily. I found her fears were justifiable as well.

Theo, now there’s an unusually honest man! I loved this about him too, he’s not only honest with others but himself as well. He has such a caring personality and a huge capacity to love too. His manner around Illya was fitting and it worked for them.

Some cool expressions were littered throughout the story. For example when Illya is thinking about how a receptionist must get paid a lot in a ritzy relaxation resort she thinks... “... I was sure she got paid in potato sacks instead of envelopes.”

I have to say the first half of the book coasted along but wasn’t anything out of the bag, super exciting, and the main reason for the rating I have given, but what it did do was set things up for the second half. And there were some twists and turns in the second half with more coming in the next book I’m positive. I have a lot of unanswered questions about this story still so certainly hope book two is released soon.

[Melissa, Book Boyfriend and Husband Make Three · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

I only made it 3 chapters.

If you are going to write about something you know nothing about, especially a heavy topic like addiction make sure you are writing facts.

This book that begins with the heroine having a best friend as an addict.

While I'm not an addict I have family members on both sides that are. In only a few sentences it was clear this author didn't even make an effort to try and give a factual representation of this heartbreaking disease.


"Relapsing didn't mean Sylvie was bad, just that she was weak"

This is so far from the truth.
There are a large majority of addicts in recovery that WILL relapse at least once, but that doesn't mean they are weak.

"True she kicked the habit, but it never truly went away"

The fact is that once you are an addict, you will always be an addict. It doesn't matter if you have been in recovery for 20+ years, you are and always will be a "recovering addict".

I "might" have been able to overlook those things because for all I know Sylvie was only in those beginning chapters and then not mentioned throughout the rest of the book.

In Chapter 2 "Both our parents died when we were young, and Sylvie and I met in a group home when we were teenagers."
"Now, both of us were twenty-eight...."

Chapter 3
"Five years of friendship, extremely close friendship, was just.....gone."

Those were things that simply couldn't be over looked. If the author couldn't be sure to keep these seemingly small things straight in the very first chapters than I had no reason to believe that this story was worth continuing.

[HEATHER · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a story grabs your attention and leaves you with more questions than answers, you can do one of two things. Put it down and leave it or continue to read, learning more but still wanting more. I found this book compulsive reading as I tried to understand the different relationships between all the characters. Illya is a survivor, hideously scarred with complex emotional hangups. Mateo is ex-armed forces, invalid out of the army, and now bodyguard and baby sitter to the son of a mafia leader. From the beginning, Matteo had been attracted to Illya but was not able to pierce her protective shell for some time. In the end, he gained not only her trust but a woman who understood the man he was. There is much more to this story than Illya and Theo's relationship. They are a small part of the big picture that is slowly revealed as new characters come into play. I found this book complex and dramatic, someone is stealing from the mafia family, and their deaths will not be easy. It leaves the questions, "Who is behind it?" and "How long has it been going on?"
I look forward to reading the next book in this continuing series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a couple times to read from beginning to end of this book. I initially started over a year ago but got very ill, then had major surgery shortly thereafter. This last week I sat down and read the book and enjoyed it from the beginning to end. Theo is tough, has various scares, lonely, doesn't trust anyone, not born to the mafia family and is the bodyguard to Carlyle, the future head of the Santini mafia family. He notices Ilya who works at the Strip Club.

She was in a fire when she was younger and has burns over a good portion of her body. Ilya has a hard time trusting, doesn't want to be touched and doesn't believe she is pretty. She also notice Theo noticing her since she was noticing him. There is a strong attraction between Theo and Ilya that grows into a close and lovely relationship. You will have to read the book to find out how this happens. Along the way, there is action, suspense, drama, guns and knives fighting, adventure and even romance.

I received a free copy of this book for an honest review. I would recommend this book to anybody who enjoys organized crime, mafia romance, action and adventure romance books. So, grab your favorite beverage, sit down and enjoy yourself with this enticing book.

[M Mendes Bookstagram · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Both Theo and Ilya are both guarded, didn’t trust easily, and have both emotional and physical scars. Theo was cold and seemed unfeeling to Ilya and didn’t want anything to do with Theo. At their first meeting Ilya knew that Theo would be questioning her regarding her roommate who she just kicked out. She didn’t know where she is but Theo was given a deadline to find Ilya’s ex-roommate, Sylvie, by the end of the day. Theo took Ilya with him to find Sylvie. During looking for Sylvie Theo experiences pain from his hand which was injured in Iraq and made Ilya feel for him. She tried to resist having any feelings for Theo. Theo (the book) is the first in the Vindicate Series so it had more explanations and details to “set up” the background story that I am guessing with be throughout the series. I won’t go into any more details as I don’t want to spoil it for you. To find out what happens you will have to read Theo. If you like Mafia romances then this book is for you. Hope you enjoy the book as much as I do.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My feelings are a bit mixed on this book. The story is about Theo and Illya. Illya has struggled all her life. Somehow, she had the fortitude to keep going when other’s might not. Theo is an ex marine who lost everything when he was caught in a fight in Afghanistan. His family disowned him so he just existed until he met Illya. Illya's friend Sylvie, is a drug addict, and got her involved with the syndicate. There were a few things that bothered me. First, Illya works as a stripper and after all she’s been through I couldn’t imagine it,,plus and this is big, she was a stripper who did t remove her clothes -huh?! After all she’d been through the thought of her being a stripper bother me, so I was glad she didn’t take off her clothes but it also made a reader groan. I also didn’t like the ending,- well there wasn’t any? I get it was going,to be a cliff but there was nothing - the book just stopped. No teaser -it was bizarre - is there an epilogue - hope - did the author forget a chapter?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dr. KC Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theo, Ilya & the Family

**** I received an advanced copy in return for an honest review ****

Maybe Mafia relationships are not my thing. You have the angst of a romance between someone (unwilling victim) who is usually coerced/forced into the life / antics of a unhinged antagonist-hero.... the flow of this story was confusing at best but had a very interesting plot; if only you could follow the storyline easily.... it took me several tries to get through this story and then to have it cut off without an actual resolution.... so many cliffhangers with Carlyle, Oran, George, Mateo and even the translators.... just as. Ilya and Theo were starting to make sense and the story was flowing in a way I could understand what was going on, it was over... Now, I feel obligated to read the other books in the series so I know what happens to everyone! SN: The horror of Illya’s past and Sylvie’s demise was a bit much. I was truly angry with Aunt Carol for her treatment of Ilya and the Uncle’s convenient explanation of her misbehavior. Now, I want to know what truly happened to her parents!

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to say, first of all, this was a pretty good story. I can't honestly say I loved it or even drum up a lot of excitement about it. But..... I did like the characters, I thought the story was interesting and it was somewhat dark. It just felt like there should have been more. I didn't feel very connected to the characters, I was confused at times by the conversations, sometimes it was difficult to know who was speaking, and I felt like I was missing something at times. I didn't ever feel like I wanted to stop reading it. I was interested in what was happening, but I'm not sure it was enough for me to buy the next book and find out if I can get some answers. I am curious about certain aspects and would like to find out how things connect in the end, but my level of interest isn't making me rush to buy the next book I don't want to say I wouldn't recommend it, but I'm not sure I would without reading more and finding out what happens next. I'm just not sure I will do that.

[Karen Roma · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 Star Review....

Theo by Raven Scott left this reader with mixed emotions. There was definitely an abundance of twists and turns in the storyline, and plenty of suspense for those who are drawn to that particular genre. For the most part the story flowed satisfactorily from one event to the next, but there were moments throughout the book that dragged and could have been wrapped up quicker.

Illya and Theo had off the charts chemistry, and as with most Mafia type stories, there was a dark and foreboding element too. The plot was acceptable, and the character building was genuine, however I did fine the ending perplexing as the story was unfinished. Cliff-hangers are my least favourite books, but I am interested to see if there will be a follow up to conclude Illya and Theo’s story.

[Kristine L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book ends in a cliffhanger so I'm thinking that there will be a book 2. This is a deep dark romance and the drama between the couple was really good. The storyline had plenty of suspense and complex content. Really liked this story. Ilya is dancing at a club. After kicking her roommate, Sylvie, out because of drugs Ilya goes back to work and gets called to the VIP lounge. Theo keeps looking at Ilya because he knows that she is Sylvie's roommate. Soon these two are in a relationship and even though they both have scars they still manage to trust each other and get through their adventure together. Good book. Even though the story ends in a cliffhanger it was still a good story. I'll get the next book if there is a book 2. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ilya is a dancer and when she finds out her room mate is back to using drugs again she tosses her out no second chances. When she's at work the men in the room she's dancing in are talking about her former room mate and are trying to locate her. Theo is in the room watching her dance. When he learns that she is the room mate to Sylvia he uses her to find Sylvia. The more time they are together the closer Theo and Ilya grow and soon he doesn't want to see her in any pain or trouble. What will happen when Theo doesn't turn Ilya over to Matteo? Can they be together?

This is a great story that will hook you in from beginning to end. The chemistry between them is blazing hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 1st on a new series and is Theo and Illya’s story. Illya has had a rough life after losing her family in a fire which left her physically and mentally scarred, and she is sent to live with her uncle, but unfortunately her aunt spent all of her inheritance, leaving nothing. Illya is forced to live on the street and in women’s shelters, where she meets Sylvie. These two stays together for years until Sylvie slips up with her addiction and Illya kicks her out. Forced to work extra hours at a strip club to pay her bills, she meets Theo who is the bodyguard for Matteo who is looking for Sylvie as she was pregnant with his baby. This is a well written story which is a dark mafia romance story with an intricate plot and engaging characters. I look forward to reading more from this author whose work I recommend.

[Brandy Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theo was mafia romance, it was a little dark but not as dark as I expected. The first half of the book was a little slow. I didn't really like Illya in the first half of the story. I felt like she was a little too standoffish when it came to Theo and their chemistry was lacking. In the second half of the book the story started to pick up. There were a lot of twist and turns in the second half as Theo and Illya finally started to trust each other. The story just kind of ended right in the middle of major story-line. I can't wait to read Carlyle to see what happens with Theo, Illya, and the rest of the family.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carmela Dimattia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theo was a very interesting read for me. We have Theo and Illya who are both very damaged because of past traumtic experiences and horrific injuries but they have an undeniable chemistry which for a while doesn't lead to much in the romance department but they do eventually get together. This is a dark mafia romance that brings them together under very extreme circumstances and I have to admit that I really enjoyed reading about their journey. The book ends in a cliffhanger and I wonder if there will be a book 2 about them or if their story continues in another character's book. A well written story with lots of details and a lot going on that I recommend. I hope to read more about them soon.

I received an arc copy and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theo is a battle scarred ex marine who is making a living protecting unsavoury Mateo whose mood swings are unpredictable to say the least. Mateo gets a junkie pregnant and seems to think they can be a happy family if he can get her clean but that doesn’t quite go to plan. Illya is her roommate and believes she has stopped using but finds out about her friend and kicks her out of the apartment they are living in. Illya works as a hostess and meets Mateo and Theo together with Mateo’s brother Carlyle but Carlyle already knows all about Illya and he has plans for her and Theo. An excellent book that will keep you enthralled to the end and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzette · Rating 4 out of 5]

An otherwise good story but I’m a little confused about the ending because I’m not sure if the story will continue in another book. Theo is a wounded veteran who has decided to join the opposite side other law after he was mistreated by his family and the Marines. Ilya is a young lady who is dancing in a strip club a struggling to live on the wrong side of the tracks. Both characters are wounded both physically and emotionally. Finding common ground and trust as a process that they are going through. The story has plenty of danger, steamy scenes and characters doing inner monologues to move the story along.

[Elisa Castro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theo is the first book in a series- Dark Mafia Romance (not sure if that’s the series name but that’s all I have), by author Raven Scott. First book I’ve read from this author. It’s a bit difficult to maneuver in this book- you have no idea what the heck is going on. Yet, that’s what make it’s so alluring. Its gritty with a darkness that will make the faint of heart squirm.
Only main issue is that it is a cliffhanger- ugh!!! Now I just have to be patient for the next book- and I’m definitely going to read the next one!!
Enjoy!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must admit it took me two tries to get through this book.
Theo is ex military who is suffering from PTSD. He is also dealing with the estrangement from his family. He is a bodyguard.. He is dealing with physical pain from a war wound.
Illya is also suffering from PTSD. She survived a tragic family accident. She then met tragedy from her family that took her in. Then living on the streets.
Both are lost damaged souls who find something they both want with the other.
There are secrets. Their is drama. There is mystery.
I just couldn't connect to either character.
This wasn't one of my favorite books.
This is an honest voluntary review.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 July 2020
Theo and Illya are not your typical Hero and heroine, she is outgoing, confident but an accident years ago has left her self confident about her scars! Theo is an ex-marine and now a bodyguard for the mafia, he knows what he wants and goes for it. He isn’t scared of anyone or anything, and even with injuries and scars of his own, he doesn’t let them get to him.

Illya has had it tough and when her roommate gets into trouble and she gets dragged in to it, she is furious, but there is a connection between her and Theo that they both want to explore. A State move, new job, money along with secrets and lies make this good read.

[Barbie-Ann Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book I had to take a little time to compose myself and get my thoughts clear in my head before I put them in a review.
Wow this book was amazingly written. Once I started I couldn’t put it down till I was finished. This book has twists and turns you don’t know what’s happening. will they all get there happily ever after or will it all go wrong. To find out what happens go buy the book. You won’t be disappointed I wasn’t.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kyrie Masters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. I enjoyed the fact that Illya was a stripper but didn't take her clothes off. Its your typical mob story. Which I do like to read. But be warned, it does end on a cliffhanger! At least I believe it does. There was no epilogue and it seemed unresolved when it came to all the problems. Theo was honest, didn't hide anything. You could tell he really cared for Illya. You also felt for Illya and her life. She gave some tough love to her bestie, which was nice to see. It was a good read, unfortunately there wasn't anything exciting about it.

[Adalle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally Enjoyable

This book has passion, desire and strength. I couldn't put it down....and neither will you.
I truly enjoyed reading this book. The storyline is strong and the characters flowed so effortlessly to tell the characters story and their lives.

I truly enjoyed this book... I am looking forward to seeing MORE from you...

I voluntarily received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and any opinions expressed within this review are made solely and uniquely made by me and I am happily leaving this review.

[Susan Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book features Theo and Illya, two broken and untrusting individuals. Theo was injured in war, and Illya was injured in a fire. They are like 2 pawns in a very dangerous game. It was so nice to see how concerned Theo was with Illya, and how hard he tried to get her to trust him. Illya is one tough cookie who has experienced the worst in life, and trusting someone like Theo is very hard for her. She is waiting for the other shoe to drop as she has done nothing but work, sleep, repeat. This is the first book in the Syndicate series. I highly recommend it.