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Zhukova Bratva #1
Tarnished Tyrant
I got pregnant from a one-night-stand.
I wasn’t going to tell the father…
Until I walked into the office and found out he’s my new boss.
Here’s some advice: Don’t sleep with your boss.
Here’s some more: Don’t sleep with your married boss.
And while I’m at it: Don’t sleep with your married, dangerous, billionaire, completely-incapable-of-feeling boss, because all he’s going to do is break your heart and your body and leave you to cry in the ashes.
But I’ve never been good at taking my own advice.
In my defense, I didn’t know that Nikolai Zhukova was any of those things when we met.
I just thought he was the gray-eyed sinner in first class.
And when I started having a panic attack at the sudden turbulence, I thought he was the kind soul calming me down.
But Nikolai is the farthest thing from kind.
He’s cruel, he’s powerful, he’s arrogant.
And now, according to the test in my hand…
He’s the father of my baby.
Tarnished Tyrant is Book 1 of the Zhukova Bratva duet. The story continues in Book 2, Tarnished Queen.
I wasn’t going to tell the father…
Until I walked into the office and found out he’s my new boss.
Here’s some advice: Don’t sleep with your boss.
Here’s some more: Don’t sleep with your married boss.
And while I’m at it: Don’t sleep with your married, dangerous, billionaire, completely-incapable-of-feeling boss, because all he’s going to do is break your heart and your body and leave you to cry in the ashes.
But I’ve never been good at taking my own advice.
In my defense, I didn’t know that Nikolai Zhukova was any of those things when we met.
I just thought he was the gray-eyed sinner in first class.
And when I started having a panic attack at the sudden turbulence, I thought he was the kind soul calming me down.
But Nikolai is the farthest thing from kind.
He’s cruel, he’s powerful, he’s arrogant.
And now, according to the test in my hand…
He’s the father of my baby.
Tarnished Tyrant is Book 1 of the Zhukova Bratva duet. The story continues in Book 2, Tarnished Queen.
490 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 7, 2022
5628 people are currently reading
5266 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Fox
199 books4,840 followersNicole Fox writes smart, sexy mafia romance novels. She is a crazy cat lady in her late 30s with a coffee addiction, an overactive imagination, and a husband who somehow puts up with her impulsive need to keep buying new plants for their house.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 500 reviews
September 27, 2022
This story plot it so silly! I’m just through 8 chapters and can’t stop thinking how shitty it is!
First you don’t call a bratva leader a Don you call him as PAKAN. Pls do your damn research. And the heroines sister manages to escape him and runs of to a pub. And when the hero so called “Don” tries to get in he is stopped by the bouncer . So doesn’t he have any power ? Or any bodyguards? I thought if you were a boss u would have them or atleast one 😑 so finally the heroine pacified the bouncer and they get in ,.
Oh and the Heroine ! She lets a stranger fuck her without a condom in the toilet of a plane . Leaves her 14year old sister at a shady hotel. And that girl is so dumb that she leaves with a guy who shows up and says they have been upgraded to a different hotel. I mean what the hell ? And she slips of and goes to a pub to get high and she treats her sister like shit who is trying to take care of her. Not that she is any good at doing that.
Sorry it’s just really bad and I don’t like to give bad reviews or discourage any Author . But I feel it’s too silly to spend your time to read such books. There are so many good books out there compared to this!
First you don’t call a bratva leader a Don you call him as PAKAN. Pls do your damn research. And the heroines sister manages to escape him and runs of to a pub. And when the hero so called “Don” tries to get in he is stopped by the bouncer . So doesn’t he have any power ? Or any bodyguards? I thought if you were a boss u would have them or atleast one 😑 so finally the heroine pacified the bouncer and they get in ,.
Oh and the Heroine ! She lets a stranger fuck her without a condom in the toilet of a plane . Leaves her 14year old sister at a shady hotel. And that girl is so dumb that she leaves with a guy who shows up and says they have been upgraded to a different hotel. I mean what the hell ? And she slips of and goes to a pub to get high and she treats her sister like shit who is trying to take care of her. Not that she is any good at doing that.
Sorry it’s just really bad and I don’t like to give bad reviews or discourage any Author . But I feel it’s too silly to spend your time to read such books. There are so many good books out there compared to this!
October 15, 2022
Don't bother reading the book. Everything you need to know is in the blurb. All that happens in the book is right on the blurb. It was a waste of time reading it.
September 12, 2022
the heroines
Lost of female action in this mafia story. Which is rare. But the main heroine, Belle and her sister, Elise. They really were hard to like mostly impossible to like. The naïveté, the stupid decisions made continuously throughout the book made me not want to root for their happiness, they didn’t have redeeming qualities at all. Belle allowed herself to be disrespected by her 14 year old sister, sexually harassed/ assaulted by the same guy multiple times, but the kicker having unprotected sex with no contraception at all then getting far along in pregnancy not knowing. She was blissfully ignorant to have had such a tragic hard backstory as a child. Her immaturity took away from the age gap spice. I’m looking forward to the second story because the main villain… I won’t say who… is worth celebrating.
Lost of female action in this mafia story. Which is rare. But the main heroine, Belle and her sister, Elise. They really were hard to like mostly impossible to like. The naïveté, the stupid decisions made continuously throughout the book made me not want to root for their happiness, they didn’t have redeeming qualities at all. Belle allowed herself to be disrespected by her 14 year old sister, sexually harassed/ assaulted by the same guy multiple times, but the kicker having unprotected sex with no contraception at all then getting far along in pregnancy not knowing. She was blissfully ignorant to have had such a tragic hard backstory as a child. Her immaturity took away from the age gap spice. I’m looking forward to the second story because the main villain… I won’t say who… is worth celebrating.
September 9, 2022
Her duets are some of my favorite books.
Tarnished Tyrant starts off Nikolai and Belle’s story. I love how Nicole does the whole “fall in love with the bad guy” story. Nikolai definitely isn’t.a good guy but he has some redeeming qualities and I love his determination to take care of Belle’s accident-prone ass lol. I adore Belle. 100%. She reminds me a lot of myself and I love how much she cares for and mothers Elise. I have a soft spot for book characters who have to parent their siblings. It gives me a lot of respect for them that they didn’t run off when times got tough. If I’m being honest though, Aslan was one of my favorite characters of this whole story. He’s hysterical and his devotion to Nikolai is admirable. Everyone needs a best friend like him. This book ends on a huge cliffhanger so I can’t wait to read the second half tonight. One of my favorite things about Nicole’s writings is that she typically releases both books in a duet at the same time so you don’t have to freak out and agonizingly wait for the rest of the story. If you haven’t started reading her work. Yet, I totally recommend starting with either this duet, or the Makarova Bratva (Aleksandr and Olivia).
December 16, 2022
The best quote of the book sums it up perfectly "I was so stupid. So fucking stupid."
She was, he was, her sister was - this is the worst mafia romance I have ever had the displeasure of encountering.
Spoilers now
Okay, so he lets the man who attempted to rape her twice get away with a minor beating each time?!?! If you give "touch her and I'll kill you" vibes and don't follow through, that is an unforgiveable ick.
Belle was so fucking stupid. Her sister was infuriating and had no character development.
Very insta-lovey in that the MCs relationship just kind of happened based off their attraction. Their sexual encounters did not make sense. Belle was so weak willed it was moronic.
The plot twist was glaringly obvious.
Icing on the dog shit cake was that I listened on audible and the male narrator has a voice that would be appropriate for a hen-pecked,religious, american man - the one with 4 kids showing up every to church every sunday with his wife nit-picking everything he does. He absolutely did not sound like he ran a Bratva.
Pissed off that I completed it and it wasn't even a fucking standalone. I'm absolutely not reading the next and choose to believe they all died.
😅😅😅😅
She was, he was, her sister was - this is the worst mafia romance I have ever had the displeasure of encountering.
Spoilers now
Okay, so he lets the man who attempted to rape her twice get away with a minor beating each time?!?! If you give "touch her and I'll kill you" vibes and don't follow through, that is an unforgiveable ick.
Belle was so fucking stupid. Her sister was infuriating and had no character development.
Very insta-lovey in that the MCs relationship just kind of happened based off their attraction. Their sexual encounters did not make sense. Belle was so weak willed it was moronic.
The plot twist was glaringly obvious.
Icing on the dog shit cake was that I listened on audible and the male narrator has a voice that would be appropriate for a hen-pecked,religious, american man - the one with 4 kids showing up every to church every sunday with his wife nit-picking everything he does. He absolutely did not sound like he ran a Bratva.
Pissed off that I completed it and it wasn't even a fucking standalone. I'm absolutely not reading the next and choose to believe they all died.
😅😅😅😅
September 18, 2022
Belle is the stupidest heroine I've ever read about. And her sister was annoying! And Nikolai was a weak Bratva don. There was no connection between Belle and Nikolai for them to be having sex every time they were near each other🙄 and let me tell you that was really annoying.
May 12, 2023
Dear lord where to even start. If only we could give negative stars. I liked the idea at first - I was on board for the first few chapters and then it all went to the crapper.
First let's start with the sister. Such an annoying, ungrateful brat but I thought maybe it'll get better. Everything got worse. This young girl is living with a drug addict mom, her sister has to send her money for food and tampons, has to sneak out of the house to be rescued by her sister, yet she throws a temper tantrum at everything her sister says and yells "YOU'RE NOT MY MOM" any time her sister asks her to do anything, even reasonable things. Ok no honey, she's not your mom because your mom is a crack head that neglects you! The sister leaves the hotel with a STRANGE MAN and doesn't even question it. HOW DUMB ARE YOU?! don't answer that because she loses braincells continuously throughout the book.
Now on to the H/h portion. I mean this is supposed to be a sexy book. The only sexy part happens right at the begging with the airplane sex - after that there's nothing remotely sexy about this nonsense. The H is head of the Bratva, the man that owns the city, the self-proclaimed God - yet he can't get past one measly bouncer and into a night club? You seriously lack clout if that's the case. It's laughable. Plus, everyone refers to him as the Don - that's Italian mafia, not Russian.
Then let's talk about how utterly dumb and annoying the h is. I actually can't because it's so annoying. Why can't author's write females that have brains?!? Ok so you are there with your clothes ripped off because someone is trying to rape you but you walk right into the bosses office and let him f+ck you. Who is horny after nearly being raped? You let him take you to another country where his fiancé shows up and he's all like oh you can still be my mistress on the side and you're still talking to him!?!?! What self respecting woman just stands there!?!?! This is one of the stupidest women EVER. Then the fiance shows up to your hotel room and you just LET HER IN and become her BFF?!?! What the ever loving hell is this. I could honestly go on and on and on with all the DUMB things that happen in this book but it's not worth talking about anymore.
I can usually forgive a lot in this genre, but you can seriously only take so many stupid people in one book.
*PLUS* I went ahead and skimmed through the second book because this one ends on a "cliffhanger" - and after that I feel like this author should never be allowed to write another book. That's how bad it is - and I don't say that lightly.
First let's start with the sister. Such an annoying, ungrateful brat but I thought maybe it'll get better. Everything got worse. This young girl is living with a drug addict mom, her sister has to send her money for food and tampons, has to sneak out of the house to be rescued by her sister, yet she throws a temper tantrum at everything her sister says and yells "YOU'RE NOT MY MOM" any time her sister asks her to do anything, even reasonable things. Ok no honey, she's not your mom because your mom is a crack head that neglects you! The sister leaves the hotel with a STRANGE MAN and doesn't even question it. HOW DUMB ARE YOU?! don't answer that because she loses braincells continuously throughout the book.
Now on to the H/h portion. I mean this is supposed to be a sexy book. The only sexy part happens right at the begging with the airplane sex - after that there's nothing remotely sexy about this nonsense. The H is head of the Bratva, the man that owns the city, the self-proclaimed God - yet he can't get past one measly bouncer and into a night club? You seriously lack clout if that's the case. It's laughable. Plus, everyone refers to him as the Don - that's Italian mafia, not Russian.
Then let's talk about how utterly dumb and annoying the h is. I actually can't because it's so annoying. Why can't author's write females that have brains?!? Ok so you are there with your clothes ripped off because someone is trying to rape you but you walk right into the bosses office and let him f+ck you. Who is horny after nearly being raped? You let him take you to another country where his fiancé shows up and he's all like oh you can still be my mistress on the side and you're still talking to him!?!?! What self respecting woman just stands there!?!?! This is one of the stupidest women EVER. Then the fiance shows up to your hotel room and you just LET HER IN and become her BFF?!?! What the ever loving hell is this. I could honestly go on and on and on with all the DUMB things that happen in this book but it's not worth talking about anymore.
I can usually forgive a lot in this genre, but you can seriously only take so many stupid people in one book.
*PLUS* I went ahead and skimmed through the second book because this one ends on a "cliffhanger" - and after that I feel like this author should never be allowed to write another book. That's how bad it is - and I don't say that lightly.
October 12, 2022
3.5⭐️
I found a good portion of this book to be boring and the characters unlikable. Having to read about the bratty sister was JUST TOO MUCH and the portions of the book with her in it made me want to throw my kindle across the room and quit.
But I’m stubborn and refused to not finish the book and I had already bought the second part of the duet so I kept going and the story does get better.
I found a good portion of this book to be boring and the characters unlikable. Having to read about the bratty sister was JUST TOO MUCH and the portions of the book with her in it made me want to throw my kindle across the room and quit.
But I’m stubborn and refused to not finish the book and I had already bought the second part of the duet so I kept going and the story does get better.
December 2, 2022
Eh, wasn't really big on how the main leads got together. The FMC understands the situation every time but she doesn't have it in herself to stay away from toxic relationship with Mr. Zinc here. He's most definitely a playboy, no doubt about that since he does string her along till the end. Very abrupt confession towards the end which failed to convince me that that guy proclaimed his love for FMC. The author spoiled the story for me with the blurb here in GR and what's worse? There's no other highlight in the entire novel other than what NF has penned here, on GR page of the book. :')
Not continuing this duet. Or is it a trilogy? Doesn't matter since I personally feel that the plot was simple enough to have been wrapped up as a standalone yet we have some unnecessary drama happenin' towards the climax.
Not continuing this duet. Or is it a trilogy? Doesn't matter since I personally feel that the plot was simple enough to have been wrapped up as a standalone yet we have some unnecessary drama happenin' towards the climax.
September 13, 2022
I will warn you now to go ahead and get the second book on standby because you will want it ASAP when you are done with this. The action is quick, the characters are, quite some characters, and the plot is wow!
The main female character is likely my least favorite she has ever ever written which is why this book got 3 and not 5 stars. She was scarily stupid. For someone who grew up around small-time drugdealers and varied criminals and survived, then made something of herself, she has zero street smarts, little self preservation instincts, and no decent intuition about people.
But let's not leave out our Brava Don who had a very lax crew. Not as obvious in the first book maybe but i saw it.
I just thought this was overall one of her worst books. But even her worst books are fantastic gripping reads for some reason. I was sucked into it and couldn't put it down. She has a gift for making you have to know what happens next. Especially with a villainess like Xena. She was intense. Loved her character.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The main female character is likely my least favorite she has ever ever written which is why this book got 3 and not 5 stars. She was scarily stupid. For someone who grew up around small-time drugdealers and varied criminals and survived, then made something of herself, she has zero street smarts, little self preservation instincts, and no decent intuition about people.
But let's not leave out our Brava Don who had a very lax crew. Not as obvious in the first book maybe but i saw it.
I just thought this was overall one of her worst books. But even her worst books are fantastic gripping reads for some reason. I was sucked into it and couldn't put it down. She has a gift for making you have to know what happens next. Especially with a villainess like Xena. She was intense. Loved her character.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 20, 2022
Long and very boring. If it wasn’t for Arslan (not sure about the spelling) it would be seriously boring. It drags on and on and on. I couldn’t wait for it to end. I have to admit that I skipped through a small part of it.
November 13, 2022
Let me tell you what is annoying about this book. The synopsis implies that this is a one night stand accidental pregnancy- and oops it’s my boss story. It is NOT. They have sex on a plane and then she realises the same day that she is auditing at the firm where the CEO is the shag from the plane.
They continue to have sex. And go out for dates. Some may call that a relationship not a one night stand. She doesn’t find she is pregnant until 82% into the book.
The short chapters and repetition make it read like it was written for Wattpad.
I actually nearly DNF’d this so many times but it got better. This h is actually too stupid to live but let’s see where this goes… it’s a 2.5 ⭐️
They continue to have sex. And go out for dates. Some may call that a relationship not a one night stand. She doesn’t find she is pregnant until 82% into the book.
The short chapters and repetition make it read like it was written for Wattpad.
I actually nearly DNF’d this so many times but it got better. This h is actually too stupid to live but let’s see where this goes… it’s a 2.5 ⭐️
October 16, 2022
I hate a stupid woman.
I finished the book because i know that’s how the author gets paid but it was terrible. Stupid female lead. Walks into every possible trap. It’s like watching a horror movie and screaming don’t go into the attic. Sorry Nicole. You need to do better.
I finished the book because i know that’s how the author gets paid but it was terrible. Stupid female lead. Walks into every possible trap. It’s like watching a horror movie and screaming don’t go into the attic. Sorry Nicole. You need to do better.
February 2, 2023
I absolutely loved this book! It had an incredible plot, interesting side characters, and a fantastic heroine. I adored Belle, who made the best of her situation and was motivated by her love of her sister.
I highly recommend this book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I highly recommend this book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 10, 2022
Nikolai rebuilt the Bratva his grandfather once led, but also has a company that does legitimate business and the company Belle works for was to complete an audit of the corporation - but with a few tweaks that Belle resisted honoring because they were shady.
But Belle was in NY from Oklahoma with her younger sister in her charge. Would Nikolai exploit her loyalty for her sister to keep her in his control?
It’s a really good book told in the dual POV. I would have given it five stars but there was a little too much repetition of some points that had been made clear several times.
We have the Bratva and the Greek mafia trying to make an alliance for shipping favors, and a third mafia that destroyed Nikolai’s grandfather, waiting in the wings. There are car chases, gun fights, wet work clean up, and more making this a well rounded mafia story.
Cliffhanger is good after a secret revealed and big plot twist.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
But Belle was in NY from Oklahoma with her younger sister in her charge. Would Nikolai exploit her loyalty for her sister to keep her in his control?
It’s a really good book told in the dual POV. I would have given it five stars but there was a little too much repetition of some points that had been made clear several times.
We have the Bratva and the Greek mafia trying to make an alliance for shipping favors, and a third mafia that destroyed Nikolai’s grandfather, waiting in the wings. There are car chases, gun fights, wet work clean up, and more making this a well rounded mafia story.
Cliffhanger is good after a secret revealed and big plot twist.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 26, 2022
3.5 stars!
October 7, 2022
I made it 17% this book needs a sensitivity reader
Because there are no trigger or content warnings I don’t feel bad about warning other readers.
- How are you going to write a Mafia/Bratva book and not do any research? He’s the Pakhan, Authority.. not a “don”.
- Reviewer “James Holloway” pointed out the difference between Zhukov and Zhukova, the MMC surname.
- Uses the literal word for “honey” vs the endearment zolottse (am I getting petty.. yes.. bc research)
**********
And this is me burying the lead ..
- With a dash of antisemitism - “lizard people reference”
No I’m not finishing it. No I don’t feel about filing a review without finishing it.
And the worst part is… I’m usually “everything is a 5 ⭐️ “ reviewer.. but when I checked the one stars… Nobody had mentioned most of this.
Because there are no trigger or content warnings I don’t feel bad about warning other readers.
- How are you going to write a Mafia/Bratva book and not do any research? He’s the Pakhan, Authority.. not a “don”.
- Reviewer “James Holloway” pointed out the difference between Zhukov and Zhukova, the MMC surname.
- Uses the literal word for “honey” vs the endearment zolottse (am I getting petty.. yes.. bc research)
**********
And this is me burying the lead ..
- With a dash of antisemitism - “lizard people reference”
No I’m not finishing it. No I don’t feel about filing a review without finishing it.
And the worst part is… I’m usually “everything is a 5 ⭐️ “ reviewer.. but when I checked the one stars… Nobody had mentioned most of this.
October 5, 2022
The story dragged on forever! Ugh
September 26, 2022
Belle is by far the dumbest character I have ever encountered. I would have given no stars, but the end of the book was the most interesting part. If she tries to talk Nikolai out of the Bratva in the next book, I will toss my Kindle. I stopped reading MC books because they were all the same. I am finding the same with this genre. The woman talks the man out of the mob, ( like this would really happen).
Am I the only one who find these storylines unrealistic?
Am I the only one who find these storylines unrealistic?
April 7, 2023
This was beyond stupid but I kept reading it anyway. The synopsis doesn’t even match what happens. First half was like 2 stars and second half was better but still maybe 2.5. Cliffhangerish ending so of course I still started the second book but ya you don’t need to read, i promise there is much better mafia smut out there
January 18, 2023
Well I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was a great story. I wasn't such a great fan of the h... She was a bit of a huge wimp. I did love the plot and the actual story. Also the action and edginess to the book. Made for a great read.
October 10, 2022
3.5/5 *
Plot 3.5/5 | Characters 3.5/5 | Romance 2/5 | Spice 3.5/5 | Blurb 0/5
Audiobook female narrator 5/5 | Audiobook male narrator 3/5
First, let me start by saying, the blurb of this book feels like it is about an entirely different book. I do feel a tiny bit cheated because I kept waiting for the blurb to make sense while I was reading and it just didn't. So you have been warned!
I love me a good mafia romance and this one was pretty enjoyable and down-right steamy in some parts. The plot was basically what you would expect from this genre of book, beautiful impoverished woman, broody mafia leader, forced proximity, violence, smut and power struggles. The back stories for both characters are solid and make both Nikolai and Belle more rounded people. My favourite parts were the dialogue between Nikolai and his man-bestie Arslan. I also loved the dual POV.
There are a few things that left me wanting. As the leader of the Bratva, it seemed like there really weren't many other close people to Nikolai. If he is the leader? Where is the back up when him and Arslan are left to fight off a bunch of Greeks on their own? Where is the security in his house? Wouldn't he have full time guards on Belle and Elise? The second thing that really bothered me is how much of a victim Belle is through this whole thing. She never learned about putting her trust in strangers. She really grasped how dangerous of a situation she was in. She thought to take legal action against her boss? Obviously she is smart about some things ( being an accountant and all) but clearly that is all she has brains for. I would have liked to see her have more backbone or character development by the end of the book.
Oh and OMG what a cliffhanger. If you are a person that values any form of closure from one book to the next- look elsewhere! Have book 2 lined up to start right away or else you will be regretting it. Believe it or not, this kind of runs middle of the road on the darkness-meter of mafia romances. Nothing too traumatic compared to some other mafia books I've read.
Overall, if you love any form of mafia romance novels, you will enjoy this one.
Plot 3.5/5 | Characters 3.5/5 | Romance 2/5 | Spice 3.5/5 | Blurb 0/5
Audiobook female narrator 5/5 | Audiobook male narrator 3/5
First, let me start by saying, the blurb of this book feels like it is about an entirely different book. I do feel a tiny bit cheated because I kept waiting for the blurb to make sense while I was reading and it just didn't. So you have been warned!
I love me a good mafia romance and this one was pretty enjoyable and down-right steamy in some parts. The plot was basically what you would expect from this genre of book, beautiful impoverished woman, broody mafia leader, forced proximity, violence, smut and power struggles. The back stories for both characters are solid and make both Nikolai and Belle more rounded people. My favourite parts were the dialogue between Nikolai and his man-bestie Arslan. I also loved the dual POV.
There are a few things that left me wanting. As the leader of the Bratva, it seemed like there really weren't many other close people to Nikolai. If he is the leader? Where is the back up when him and Arslan are left to fight off a bunch of Greeks on their own? Where is the security in his house? Wouldn't he have full time guards on Belle and Elise? The second thing that really bothered me is how much of a victim Belle is through this whole thing. She never learned about putting her trust in strangers. She really grasped how dangerous of a situation she was in. She thought to take legal action against her boss? Obviously she is smart about some things ( being an accountant and all) but clearly that is all she has brains for. I would have liked to see her have more backbone or character development by the end of the book.
Oh and OMG what a cliffhanger. If you are a person that values any form of closure from one book to the next- look elsewhere! Have book 2 lined up to start right away or else you will be regretting it. Believe it or not, this kind of runs middle of the road on the darkness-meter of mafia romances. Nothing too traumatic compared to some other mafia books I've read.
Overall, if you love any form of mafia romance novels, you will enjoy this one.
January 13, 2024
Belle tiene que hacer una auditoría para una gran empresa pero nada está saliendo como ella necesita. Tiene que llevar a su hermana de 14 años con ella en este viaje porque no está dispuesta a dejarla sola, su maldito jefe la ha dejado tirada por irse a Aruba de fiesta y encima tiene que viajar en avión algo que le da un terrible miedo. Pero cuando un desconocido en el avión está más que dispuesto a ayudarla con su miedo puede que su viaje se vuelva más divertido... O no. Porque el aterrizaje va a ser desastroso, tanto literal como figuradamente...
A ver el libro en si es... Meh. Te mantiene enganchada? Sí pero no sabría ni decirte cómo porque esto no es más que una historia de un hombre imbécil que se cree que con chasquear los dedos la gente hará lo que él quiera, y una mujer que piensa más con la vagina que con la cabeza. Realmente me cae peor Nikolai que Belle pero ambos son imbéciles de remate y tóxicos. Y luego está la hermana pequeña de Belle que es una adolescente que se merece 46 bofetones y una buena charla sobre ser una puñetera desagradecida que se olvida que su hermana sacrificó todo por salvarla de vivir con una madre drogadicta que le importaba cuatro cojones que comiese o se vistiese. Así que realmente? Nadie me caía bien en este libro. Pero... Los finales siempre enganchan para que quieras saber más y ese final fue una mezcla entre "QUE COJONES!?" y un "NOOOOOOO!!!! 😧😧😧". Y claro tenía que seguir leyendo. Ya voy a hacer la reseña de los dos libros a la vez porque ya los acabé así que ahora dejo la reseña del siguiente pero sinceramente? No son historias memorables. Pa pasar el rato y poco más aunque un rato largo claro porque cortos, precisamente cortos los libros no son.
A ver el libro en si es... Meh. Te mantiene enganchada? Sí pero no sabría ni decirte cómo porque esto no es más que una historia de un hombre imbécil que se cree que con chasquear los dedos la gente hará lo que él quiera, y una mujer que piensa más con la vagina que con la cabeza. Realmente me cae peor Nikolai que Belle pero ambos son imbéciles de remate y tóxicos. Y luego está la hermana pequeña de Belle que es una adolescente que se merece 46 bofetones y una buena charla sobre ser una puñetera desagradecida que se olvida que su hermana sacrificó todo por salvarla de vivir con una madre drogadicta que le importaba cuatro cojones que comiese o se vistiese. Así que realmente? Nadie me caía bien en este libro. Pero... Los finales siempre enganchan para que quieras saber más y ese final fue una mezcla entre "QUE COJONES!?" y un "NOOOOOOO!!!! 😧😧😧". Y claro tenía que seguir leyendo. Ya voy a hacer la reseña de los dos libros a la vez porque ya los acabé así que ahora dejo la reseña del siguiente pero sinceramente? No son historias memorables. Pa pasar el rato y poco más aunque un rato largo claro porque cortos, precisamente cortos los libros no son.
October 25, 2022
This series had my emotions all over the place. One minute I was enjoying where the story was going and the feeling that things were starting to progress between Nikolai and Belle. Only for Nikolai to open his big, fat mouth and spew his bipolar change of thoughts. He was constantly on a hot and cold roller coaster that it was hard figuring out if I liked his character at all or even if I felt any sort of connection to him. But the story kept my attention the entire 2 book series so that has to count for something, right?
The romance, while it was as hot and cold as Nikolai himself, it was still worth every amount of angst the author put us through. When these characters come together it’s truly amazing. And fiery!! And oh so steamy. I inhaled everything they wanted to dish out.
But like I mentioned…the angst!! Oh the angst. It was at every turn, tucked away in every corner, and twisted up deep within these stories. I lived it, I breathed it, and I absolutely loved it. So yeah, Nikolai drove me insane more than he made me smile, but it was those times he made me smile that overpowered everything else.
Great series whose characters are going to be living rent free in my mind for the next several days. Really hated to see it end. 5 Stars!!
The romance, while it was as hot and cold as Nikolai himself, it was still worth every amount of angst the author put us through. When these characters come together it’s truly amazing. And fiery!! And oh so steamy. I inhaled everything they wanted to dish out.
But like I mentioned…the angst!! Oh the angst. It was at every turn, tucked away in every corner, and twisted up deep within these stories. I lived it, I breathed it, and I absolutely loved it. So yeah, Nikolai drove me insane more than he made me smile, but it was those times he made me smile that overpowered everything else.
Great series whose characters are going to be living rent free in my mind for the next several days. Really hated to see it end. 5 Stars!!
November 7, 2023
Nickoli, a Bratva Don, and Belle, an accountant. They met on an airplane then again at his place of business, where she was sent to do an audit. She sees and heard things and knows that he is in some criminal type of activity. He thinks about killing her due to that knowledge, but in the end, he saves her every time she finds trouble. They fall for each other, but he is supposed to be getting married to another mafia s sister to bring their world's together. He hates the idea but agrees as he has fought for this power his whole life. The power to bring down the third mafia, the Italians. The Brattiotas were responsible for the violator of his grandfather's Bratva and his grandfather's death.
Book one in series. The meeting of these two and first parts of story are ruefully, especially for a man of power. Also you don't see any thing of his Bratva, just his second in command? So is there a Bratva? This author did this with another 2 book series I read. It makes the whole mafia business not seem a real part of the books.
Book one in series. The meeting of these two and first parts of story are ruefully, especially for a man of power. Also you don't see any thing of his Bratva, just his second in command? So is there a Bratva? This author did this with another 2 book series I read. It makes the whole mafia business not seem a real part of the books.
September 14, 2022
do you ever read a book and then read the synopsis & think do i have the right book ...but then i read other reviews and thought yeppers i got the right book. i have a wee bit more to read in this book but i had to write a review ...you gotta read this book ... cannot wait to start book 2 ... i even made a point when i was about 5 percent into the book to see if there was a book 2 ...do u ever do that?? love these characters. i often read books about the Mafia dudes and i really wonder (or this style of writing) and really ponder are they truly like this or ...how did the author go about getting these ideas ...yeah, they are out there ... the plane scenes ...so funny, sexy but silly too. i often wonder as well ... does the author tend for these passages to be funny ...not gonna write what i mean ...you read it to find out ...but i think all readers might connect with books in a different way ... i am sure you get my meaning ...like if you might have a similar love interest in your real life, similar life job, or whatever ...u might think oh that is like so n so. u know??! you as the reader might have a totally different feeling when you read a book ...kind of a "choose your own adventure" ... like when a man say ''girl' ...because u have dealt with that not kind term within your own life ...you dislike it in books ...but to another lady ("girl" or "dear") is not a term taken un-politely or whatnot?? u get my point? i look forward to book 2 and i am so glad i don't have to wait til the next one ...and i enjoy Nicole's writing ...so fuN!!
September 26, 2022
interesting
I like this story Especially during Bella working with Nikolai. Their chemistry is very compatible. Even though Nicholai was cruel But for Bella He gave her everything she wanted. including taking care of Elise And his decision not to marry has impressed me. I was really surprised when Nikolai confessed his love because he had always been stubborn. and unfortunately at the end of the novel Bella's wrong decision I can't believe she trust xana. The end of this book made me want to read the second book. I hope to read it soon. I'm still waiting for updates on book 2.
I like this story Especially during Bella working with Nikolai. Their chemistry is very compatible. Even though Nicholai was cruel But for Bella He gave her everything she wanted. including taking care of Elise And his decision not to marry has impressed me. I was really surprised when Nikolai confessed his love because he had always been stubborn. and unfortunately at the end of the novel Bella's wrong decision I can't believe she trust xana. The end of this book made me want to read the second book. I hope to read it soon. I'm still waiting for updates on book 2.
April 30, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5 stars for the first Mafia Rom Com!!
I thought the book was Fun, NO fantastic ! Though More of a Mafia, excuse me Bratva Rom com. I smiled through the entirety of book 1. Both the Hero and the heroin will be forever memorable. Their exchanges had me hanging on for dear life waiting for the next.
The story was well told and actually I believe well thought out. I’m not sure why the bad reviews.
The punk ass little sister was something else, but again well thought out by the author.
I loved everything about this and I’m absolutely diving in to book 2 right now.
Thanks for giving me something I didn’t know I needed xxx
I thought the book was Fun, NO fantastic ! Though More of a Mafia, excuse me Bratva Rom com. I smiled through the entirety of book 1. Both the Hero and the heroin will be forever memorable. Their exchanges had me hanging on for dear life waiting for the next.
The story was well told and actually I believe well thought out. I’m not sure why the bad reviews.
The punk ass little sister was something else, but again well thought out by the author.
I loved everything about this and I’m absolutely diving in to book 2 right now.
Thanks for giving me something I didn’t know I needed xxx
November 8, 2022
5⭐️
3🌶️
I think I have a new favourite mafia romance…
This book was fast paced, full of ups and downs, and crazy twists. I loved every second of it. We have our Bratva don / CEO, the sexy, rich, gets anything he wants Nikolai and our FMC the poor, stubborn, selfless, slightly naive Belle.
Their story starts on a plane and oh my, it is spicyyyyy. What was supposed to be a one time thing, turned into so much more….
You might enjoy this book if you like:
🖤age gap
🖤touch her and you die
🖤forbidden love
🖤enemies to lovers
🖤morally grey MMC
🖤cliff hanger (finished duet)
Check TW’s - there are definitely some dark elements to this book!
3🌶️
I think I have a new favourite mafia romance…
This book was fast paced, full of ups and downs, and crazy twists. I loved every second of it. We have our Bratva don / CEO, the sexy, rich, gets anything he wants Nikolai and our FMC the poor, stubborn, selfless, slightly naive Belle.
Their story starts on a plane and oh my, it is spicyyyyy. What was supposed to be a one time thing, turned into so much more….
You might enjoy this book if you like:
🖤age gap
🖤touch her and you die
🖤forbidden love
🖤enemies to lovers
🖤morally grey MMC
🖤cliff hanger (finished duet)
Check TW’s - there are definitely some dark elements to this book!
November 14, 2022
Ehhhh this was ok. I was into it until about 60% it started to feel repetitive. It had good potential. Felt like the story was building and then just flat lined. 😕 I don't believe I will read part 2 🤷🏽♀️ but just cause it wasn't my cup of tea doesn't mean it won't be someone else's and I would try reading something else by this author as this was my first read by her.
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