Break for Him

Volkov Crime Family #2

by B.B. Hamel

I like my women smart, beautiful, and deep in debt to me.

Leigh Harness owes me money—enough money that she’ll spend the rest of her life paying me back.

Except I’m a generous man, so I offer her a deal: sell my drugs out of the back of her t-shirt shop, and I’ll give her a small cut of the profits.

It’s a win-win situation. At least until a rival motorcycle gang tries to kill her.

But baby girl doesn’t have to worry. I’ll kill to keep her safe and to make sure my pretty little investment keeps earning for a very long time.

Now I’m all she has. If my sweet Leigh wants to survive this mess—she’d better learn to put in hard work.

She hates me. That’s fine. I’ll make her see the light.

And I’ll have her coming back for more.

Get ready for another fast-paced mafia romp! Dirty, dramatic, and lots of fun—I think you’re going to fall in love with Owain and Leigh. As always, this is a full length standalone novel with no cheating, no cliffhanger, and a happily-ever-after guaranteed. Enjoy!! XO BB

Genres: Romance

267 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 13, 2020

About the author

I'm a long time reader, writer, and lover of Romance! Writing is my dream and my passion, and I want to share my stories with you.

I live in the Philadelphia area with my husband and two dogs.

Website: http://www.bbhamel.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bbhamelwriter

Check out my mailing list for updates, giveaways, and more! http://bbhamel.com/signup

Reviews

[Ꮗ€♫◗☿ ❤️ ilikebooksbest.com ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mafia romance trope with a great twist!



The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: ❤️💙💜💛🖤
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📔📙
World building: 🌎🌏🌍🌎🌎
Character development: 👤👤👤👤

The setting: Philadelphia

The Hero(s): Owain – Mafia man who runs a crew. His boss is named Hedeon (who was introduced in the book Bend for Me). Owain is a Loan Shark and a drug distributor. He has ideas on how best to sell the drugs and launder his money using some existing local businesses as fronts.

The heroine: Leigh – she recently lost her brother to a drug overdose. Leigh finds out that her brother got all the money for the business they shared by borrowing it from Owain. Owain wants his money back and is a ruthless killer.

The Love Story: Owain forces Leigh to work for him and live under his roof so he can keep an eye on her. Close proximity causes the sexual tension to ramp up from the start, and Leigh can’t figure out why she is attracted to Owain, because she hates him.



Leigh sees Owain as the man who is responsible for her brother’s death and who is forcing her to become a drug dealer, so she can’t figure out why she wants to be near him and feels attraction. She know he is also a very dangerous man, so she fights the attraction.

Like the last B.B. Hamel book Bend for Me, this book is grittier than traditional Mafia romances I have read to date. Though Owain is the leader of his group of guys, he is no billionaire Don or Capo. He wears business suits and has Tattoo’s under them but acts more like a gang leader than a mafia man. He is in a war with an old friend who is now the president of a Motorcycle Club. That isn’t to he doesn’t throw around money like nobody’s business. Owain has plenty of money, but he can fight and he can kill without thinking twice about it.

This book was also strange because though the heroine is protected by Owain and his guys, she is also in it. Most of the time in mafia or even MC romance, the heroine is in danger just because she means something to the Hero. However, in this book she is forced to take part in the criminal activity. I don’t know why I liked it, but I just did! Probably because Leigh is strong, smart and not afraid.

I voluntarily read & reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub

[Veronica LaRoche · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Owain & Leigh’s story. What started as a business situation turns into something more. The story was good and the characters were enjoyable. Another great read by BB that I really enjoyed.

[Doris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Story

Owain is a mafia man that runs a crew and Leigh's brother went to Owain to get money for the business. Now her brother died of an overdose and Owain has come to collect his money from Leigh. She has to work for him and should hate him but there is much more to their story. Sparks fly and an MC gets involved. Hold on for quite the ride!

[Nicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story about Owain and Leigh. Owain is a badass but also has a soft side. Leigh is his captive, defiant, resentful but turns into a badass when shit hits the fan. ❤️❤️

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leigh meets Owain when he kidnaps her. Her brother, Jason, borrowed money and now that he is dead, Owain wants Leigh to repay the debt. His plan is to use her store as a front to sell his drugs.
Leigh reluctantly agrees, but does make it easy for Owain. As she learns more about his business and Owain personally she is drawn into his world and begins to question if she really hates what he is doing.
Their attraction is a slow simmer and when it finally combusts Leigh knows they truth- she is falling in love with Owain.
A former friend of Owain, who is now his enemy, poses a large problem for Owain and tries to go after Leigh. Standing strong, Leigh makes her presence known to Owain’s crew and shows everyone what an asset she can be to their business.
BB Hamel has once again written the ultimate hot, dirty, alpha male with Owain. Leigh is smart, strong, and Owain’s complete match. BB has created another mafia world to fall in love with.

Owain:
“...my tears aren’t meant to shape or mold, only to show what’s already there. I call you my little diamond because I found you in the coal mine, but the truth is, my darling, you’ve always been a hard thing. Maybe you hid it well and maybe you walked a straight path for most of your life, but inside that chest is pure steel and grit and killer instinct. You can’t hide it anymore than a lion can hide it’s mane.”

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his mafia story we get to meet Leigh who has just lost her brother to an overdose and she is left to pick up the pieces and run the business they started together only to find out he is in debt to the mafia and they are taking her for payment. Owain and his guys take Leigh who is now a prisoner in his home and she is a fighter and he only likes her more for it. Owain is one interesting mafia alpha man who will kill any enemy in his way or tries to take what is his! Leigh is given a choice to sell drugs to pay off her brother’s debt out of her store or to be killed and once she agrees to do it his way they start a business deal that will only bring her more trouble along with the loyalty from Owain. These two have an interesting relationship that only grows stronger and they become partners. When someone from Owain’s past creates problems For him and Leigh which forces him to figure out a way to stop it. Leigh becomes more than what she seems to be and once they have a plan they end up doing something different to become better for it in the end. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owain and Leigh had a rough start of a relationship. After her brother was found by her dead from an overdose probably supplied by Owain. He is definitely a bit of an a-hole. Owain works for Hedeon who we saw in the previous book ‘ Bend for Him’. He is in charge of their ‘society’. She is quickly pulled into their world after her brother builds up a debt to Owain behind her back. She agrees to be a front and sell his product to pay off the debt. But they have been attracted to each other to the start. She initially hated that fact and the fact that he plays games and his little tests. But she soon realized they made her accept who she was and what she was truly made of. I liked how pragmatic he was and always thought long term. Until she came into the picture then he cared about her above other things. Good story. Lots of ups and downs. Kinda hoping Rolan gets a book. He was cool and straight forward.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good, well written and sucked me in from the first chapter, it’s got plenty of twists and turns plus lots of action and romance. Leigh Harness is just managing to make a living along with grieving over her brothers sudden death due to a drug overdose. She didn’t realise he had been loaning money from a mafia loan shark Owain until that said person turned up requesting full payment of the debt which had now become hers, all she had was the shop, no way could she pay. Owain had a few suggestions could she do what he was asking?? Was there a way she could make something for herself in this deal?? As she gets drawn further into the mafia lifestyle, feelings become mixed, should she escape while she can or has she finally met her true calling. Read this steamy mafia romance you won’t be disappointed. I was given this as an ARC by the author in exchange for a voluntary honest review which I was totally happy to provide.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leigh has a small store and her brother helps with it, but when she finds her brother dead in her store, her world gets even worse. Turns out her brother owed people some money and the bad guys want their money back in one way or another. But Leigh soon finds out, the other way is her!!! Can she keep this up and live to tell the tale? Will Owain kill her? Or will the feelings they have for each other blossom into a beautiful partnership?

Owain is looking to expand her territory and distribution. So when an opportunity presents itself, he knows he has to take Leigh and convert her shop to a pickup place for his drugs!! Will he convince Leigh to play along who?

This book has so many twists and turns, mystery, love, lust, romance, suspense and death, but you will want more and more!! I loved it and can't wait for more to come!! I received an ARC of this book from the author.

[K. Smock · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is Owain who is an intriguing alpha male that is also a killer. Then there is Leigh who has an innocence about her but is also tough and will fight for what she wants. When she is kidnapped to pay off her brother's debt things start to get interesting. Owain wants her to be be his drug whore. Selling drugs out of the back of her shop until the debt is paid off. She can't stand him though there is a definite attraction. They fight the attraction they have for one another but when they give into it, it is explosive. The book sucks you in and keeps you reading to the end. Enjoy!

I voluntarily wrote this review from reading an advanced copy of this book.

[Elisa Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

little queen of the underworld

Break For Him is book two in a brand new series (connected to the Leone Crime Family series- still not completely sure of the title of this series yet) by author B. B. Hamel.
Holy heck!! This is one intense read! The make characters
are all alpha male, but of course they are is a B. B. Hamel book. It’s the female character’s evolution that has me, I guess you can say giddy! I just have one question- “can I be her when I grow up?” (lol)
I love this story and can’t wait for the next- more please!!
Enjoy!!


I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Leigh’s brother passes away from a drug overdose, she finds out that he had borrowed the money for their business from Owain, who is a ruthless mafia man who runs a crew and is a loan shark and drug distributor, and who now want his money back. Owain knows that Leigh does not have the money, so he offers her a deal. The attraction between Leigh and Owain is instant and intense, but can he protect her when his rivals target her? This is a well written fast paced story which is filled with drama, danger, and vengeance, and is a fun and all-consuming read. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I recommend for all.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that B.B. is writing about the other crime families in this world. This one is in the Volkov family. Leigh meets Owain under less than desirable circumstances. Leigh has found out the the backers for her store are not your average investors. Unbeknownst to Leigh, Owain has manipulated her situation to his favor and now she must decide to lose everything, or give in to Owain and his demands. Leigh is plunged into the gritty and dangerous world of the crime families and soon her lines of right and wrong, good and bad begin to blur. I love the story line, the passion and determination of the characters make this a great addition to this series!

[Susanh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good addition to the series

Leigh just wants to design her t-shirts. She thinks things are going well when she does the designing and her brother gets the investors. The only problem is that there are no investors, just his dealer. When he OD’s, Leigh finds out just how deep her brother was to his dealer and now she’s the one that has to pay the price. Can she?

Owain has a plan. Find an established business and deal from the back room. He has the perfect place, until his contact OD’s. But his contact has a sister and he’ll get her to pay up. What he doesn’t know is how beautiful she is. But he won’t mix business with pleasure, will he?

[Beverly McCall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Break for Him is the second book in BB Hamel’s Volkov Crime Family series. In this book, we meet Leigh Harness and Owain. After her brother’s untimely death, Leigh is faced with paying off his debt to Owain, who is one of the leaders of a Volkov crime cell. Leigh is independent and struggles with the dominant crime lord. He is determined to make her his. Will he be successful?

Ms. Hamel pens a captivating romantic suspense. She introduces readers to a cast of supporting characters like: Hedeon, the mastermind behind these independent cells, and Clift Jarvis, the antagonist. Ms. Hamel masterfully uses literary devices, like dialog, POV, backstory, and flashbacks, to tell Owain and Leigh’s stories. Her use of conversational and internal dialog, along with a dual POV, helps readers understand her lead characters’ personalities. Hamel builds suspense and tension through many rising action events leading to a climactic scene of various attacks on Leigh and a final faceoff between Owain and Jarvis. Well done, Ms. Hamel!

[CherylB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love B.B. Hamel’s books. This new mafia series builds onto her mafia world in Philadelphia. This one features a woman with a hidden mafiosa side. Once she is put to the test she realizes that she is stronger than she ever knew. Leigh and Owain are a great couple. There is lots of action and suspense. And plenty of steamy loving. And quite a few laugh out loud moments. I keep scaring my cat. I can’t wait to see who falls in love in this new mafia family.

I did receive an advance copy for my honest review.

[Susan Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brings us Owain and Leigh. Owain is forcing Leigh to settle a debt brought on by her dead brother. Leigh is not too happy about it, but has no other choice but to submit to Owain. Owain is not your average mafia criminal. He talks a big game, but actually, only kills those who actually deserve it. Owain puts Leigh in danger as a decoy, and the more time she spends with him, she realize that she does enjoy the "games" they play. Also, their chemistry is off the charts. This is a good read. I did receive an arc for an honest review.

[Magali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real anti-heroes
4,5
I found the narrative pretty harsh at first: it's hard to appreciate the character of Owain who unwillingly manipulates Leigh because of her dead brother's debt. The sequel is more surprising, developing a romance that is not so romantic, but still works in a slightly twisted way compared to Leigh's character.
The story is hot, well written to understand Leigh's change, and the development of her relationship with Owain.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

[Kitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another captivating mafia story

Leigh owns a T-shirt business with her brother. She finds him dead one day. He had overdosed and died. He had borrowed a lot of money from the mafia to maintain the business and feed his drug habit. In comes Owain who gave him the money. Owain wants her to work off the debt selling narcotic pills out of her back room. He initially keeps her captive in his house. Leigh however shows how smart she is. So great to have such a smart female character. Plenty of danger, angst, steam, and love. Love these mafia books!!

[Syd Springer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an awesome read. I loved Owain and Leigh's "little game". I think they are a gread couple even though Leigh does try to fight for a bit. I did like that this was a fast-paced romance that was a little on the darker side but it also had drama, action and lots of steam! I can't to see what happens next!

I received a free e-book copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

This is a fast-paced well-written mafia romance, it is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone story.

Owain goes to the shop where Leigh sells custom t-shirts and basically blackmails her into working for him, as she gets drawn into the dark mafia world, she becomes bad@ss no nonsense woman. I liked how she got stronger and Owain became slightly softer. An entertaining story.

[Felicia Whited · Rating 5 out of 5]

Owain was set on killing Leigh but he had other plans for her she was going to pay for her brothers debt. She was gonna sell drugs for him then she could leave once paid. But she needed up saving a shipment when 2 guys try to rob. She was paying her debt and making money too. Owain was surprised she saved the pills instead of letting them have. His rival came after Leigh and he protected her like no other. Made you keep reading g to find out the ending.

[Cheryl Graham-Petit · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like well written, fast-paced romance stories with hot, dirty-talking, possessive mafia men who will do whatever it takes to keep their women safe, drama, danger, plenty of steam, and a happily ever after, then you need to 1-click Break for Him by B. B. Hamel.

I volunteered to review an advance reader copy of this book.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't love a bad boy?? No matter what Leigh says she's slowly under his spell but by bit and falling deeper and deeper for the bad boy. I enjoyed Dante's cameo appearance. Lol. Leigh did a 180 I didn't expect, and it was a big chance she took. Check it out. The proposal was so appropriate for these two.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After her brother dies of a drug overdose, Leigh is taken by Owain and he wants her to sell drugs from her shop or he will kill her and her mother. She hates him but there is an attraction between them. Fast-paced read with loads of drama, suspense and action. Steamy chemistry with great characters and an entertaining mafia read. I liked it.

[Kerry Boulanger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in advance for a voluntary honest review. Another great alpha mafia story by BB Hamel. Main characters, Owain and Leigh, are attracted to each other but Owain is using Leigh and Leigh despises Owain git wgat he’s making her do. It’s a mafia, steamy, read with betrayal, business, and two people finding the love they never thought they’d have.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leigh recently lost her brother but didn't know he was in debt to the mafia. Owain has a plan and needs Leigh to get onboard with it. Leigh doesn't want to be attracted to Owain yet she can't deny her feelings. Owain has an old enemy that is making life difficult him. Will either Leigh or Owain admit their feelings? What will Owain do about his old enemy? Your answers await you in Break For Him.

[Debbie Lyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owning and Leigh's Story!

This story was super good, pack with action.I think Owain and Leigh were made for each other,he may of started out with threats but after awhile they could trust each other and Owain let her make a few decisions on her own and it made them stronger has a pair.

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. The characters and storyline are pretty intense. There is a seductive blend of desire, danger, drama, action, emotion and steam that easily pull you in and have you focused and invested. This is my elective, forthright review.

[Lisa H · Rating 4 out of 5]

He’s more than a little shady.

Owain is shady. He’s playing a dark game with Leigh.
He’s making her sell his “goods” for him.
Plenty of steam and mafia drama with a touch of gray.

Borrowed on KU.