From USA Today & Wall Street Journal bestselling author Michelle Heard comes a new STANDALONE, full-length BRATVA/BODYGUARD ROMANCE novel.
My hobbies consist of shopping, eating, and sleeping. Yeah, I know, it doesn’t sound like I have much going for me, but what is a girl to do when she has an overbearing father who doesn’t allow her to be anything but a socialite?
I’m used to being in the spotlight, but when my father starts getting threats on my life, he hires a bodyguard.
Maxim Levin, the Russian God with intense eyes and a face carved from stone. I don’t think the man has ever cracked a smile. He’s domineering, broody, and scary as hell.
The more time I spend with him, the more his secrets come to light. Turns out he’s not just a regular bodyguard. My father hired an assassin. An Assassin! Aka, a man who unalives people for a living.
Maxim has one more secret yet to be uncovered, and when I finally crack the hard shell of his unforgiving exterior, I’m in for the shock of my life.
Michelle Heard is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon #3 Bestselling romance author.
She writes emotional heart-shattering stories with a whole lot of Mafia & Romance that will leave you smiling with satisfaction. Every book has an unexpected twist that will show the strength of the characters.
Before becoming an author, Michelle had a career in banking. She lives in South Africa with her son, Sheldon, who's also her right-hand man when it comes to all things publishing, and her daughter-in-law, Tayla, who's her best friend.
Reading Order on AMAZON
STANDALONE NOVELS: ***Mafia & Bratva Romance (in order)***
THE SAINTS SERIES: Merciless Saints - Damien Vetrov Cruel Saints - Lucian Cotroni Ruthless Saints - Carson Koslov Tears of Betrayal - Demitri Vetrov Tears of Salvation - Alexei Koslov
THE SINNERS SERIES: Taken By A Sinner - Nikolas Stathoulis Owned By A Sinner - Liam Byrne Stolen By A Sinner - Gabriel Demir Chosen By A Sinner - Luca Cotroni Captured By A Sinner - Viktor Vetrov
THE CORRUPTED ROYALS SERIES: Destroy Me - Misha Petrov Control Me - Nikolai Vetrov Brutalize Me - Armani De Santis Restrain Me - Maxim Levin Possess Me - Alek Aslanhov
SERIES (In Order):
ENEMIES TO LOVERS SERIES: ***College & New Adult Romance***
Heartless - Carter & Della Reckless - Logan & Mia Careless - Jaxson & Leigh Ruthless - Marcus & Willow Shameless - Rhett & Evie
TRINITY ACADEMY SERIES: ***College Romance***
Falcon - Falcon & Layla Mason - Mason & Kingsley Lake - Lake & Lee Julian - Julian & Jamie The Epilogue
THE HEIRS: ***College & New Adult Romance***
Coldhearted Heir - Hunter & Jade Arrogant Heir - Jase & Mila Defiant Heir - Kao & Fallon Loyal Heir - Forest & Aria Callous Heir - Noah & Carla Sinful Heir - Tristan & Hana Tempted Heir - Christopher & Dash Forbidden Heir - Ryker & Danny
SOUTHERN HEROES SERIES: ***Suspense Romance***
The Ocean Between Us – Aiden & Emma The Girl In The Closet – Cole & Birdie The Lies We Tell Ourselves – Alec & Reece All The Wasted Time – Wyatt & Scarlett We Were Lost – Zac & Chloe
Safety warnings: - H 38 / h 27 - No cheating - No OW drama - Slight OM drama - Violence/d*ath - Loss of loved ones - HEA
I can always count on Michelle to give me a great story with great characters. The balance I always get from her books is perfect. It's fast paced enough to keep me interested and yet the romance is not instant that it makes you doubt the realness of it.
We meet Maxim back in Nikolai's book where we find out he has been assigned to babysit a socialite. Camille is anything but that behind the scenes, she plays her part to keep up appearances but in reality, she prefers the company of a good comedy tv show and snacks. I relate a lot to her.
The reason he is her bodyguard? She is being stalked and threatened (with her life) and her father believes it is best to have the best assassin be in charge of her safety. These two DO NOT get along in the beginning but it's mostly because of Max's cold demeanor and Camille having her whole life change in the blink of an eye and being stuck with a stranger 24/7.
I loved that these two had an interesting connection that went back 10 years, and I also was shocked at how it all came to an end so effortlessly? I kept staring at the book getting closer and closer to ending and wondering how it would all play out. Tbh I should have seen her reaction coming, especially since she was so level headed throughout everything that occurred to her (except on one occasion but nobody could ever blame her).
The culprit behind the threats kept me guessing and it was an impossible guess and if you do get it right then you are a real psychic.
The spice in this book was just the perfect amount. It could be considered a slow burn for some, but I think it came at just the right time for them. It needed to build up to the moment and boy was it amazing.
That last sentence in the book was really bittersweet and I did get teary eyed for Camille.
I can't believe that the next book is the last one! I am not ready to say goodbye to these characters and everyone else that is a part of this world.
Watch me pull this sht up everytime someone asks me what's my type
Maxim Nikita Levin Age: 38 Nationality: Russian Family: Deceased Affiliation: Bratva Years active: 14 Kills: 116 Training: All forms of physical combat. Explosives. Tracking. Catch and release. Hacking. Level: A Price: Starting at €500 000-00 Availability: Unavailable until further notice
PERIODDDD
Also eating Ramen while watching "The Hitman's Bodyguard" with a grumpy hot assassin bodyguard is goals
Plus i really liked Cami too cuz her mindset is peak 😌✨
"I love food too much and refuse to starve myself for a man."
“Nikolai’s last name is Vetrov,” I say while I reach for her hand. “His family are blood diamond smugglers.” “Diamonds?” Trust my woman to only hear that word.
“We got matching tracking devices.”
“You shot me?” “Yes.” “Oh.”
She is like the chillest person and i loved her for that heheh
PS. I read 2 books by this author from "the sinners" series and was lowkey impressed by her writing. They were just so easy to binge- even in a lump and had butterfly inducing scenes too so ofc they were a total win for me. Then outta nowhere i was like is there a possibility she has written a bodyguard romance too and guess what?!?! she had!!!! Moreover, when i reached the middle of this book, i searched the tropes of the other books in this series too and the previous one also has the bodyguard/protector trope ajbhjskhajbhj!!!! Just my luck ig
WOWOWOW this book was so addictive and I read it in a day. MICHELLE HEARD?!?! what are u putting in your books?!? MaxCami gave me everything, I loved their relationship build up and OMG that ending. 🥹🫶🏻 this is the second bodyguard book I’ve read after “twisted games” AND OMG guys Michelle heard wrote this so so well. I need to get into more books where the love interest is the bodyguard bc???? HELLOOO it’s 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤭
AND AAAA I’ve been flying through this book series and am on the last one rn. OMGOMG let’s see alek’s story 🕺🕺
Just another fantastic read by Michelle Heard! Cami is the socialite daughter of a French politician who yearns for "more" in her life, but who's life is now threatened by someone who doesn't like her father's policies. Enter Maxim. Assassin turned bodyguard and the best at what he does. He vows to protect Cami as penance for a mistake he made years earlier, but never counts on falling for the girl.
I seriously enjoyed this one and completely ate it up in one sitting! Fantastic storyline that is well written, characters you can easily fall in love with, and cameos by so many of our favorite Michelle Heard characters. Just a wonderful universe ❤️. I liked how this wasn't an instalove despite their attraction and the characters actually fell in love as they learned more about each other. They completely complimented each other and the chemistry between them was super hot. Just an all around great read!
3.5 I'm not disappointed with this story, but then again, I'm not thrilled either. I love the author's writing style and how she manages to draw me into the story every time from the first page. I just wish the characters were more memorable.
Like the author warned before the book starts, Maxim isn’t an anti-hero, and this is not a story where the hero changes for his woman.
Whooooooshh!
That’s how I finished reading this book😂.
It was everything I hoped it would be even though Maxim and Cami are relatively strangers to me. I loved Cami. She was matured, resilient and so sweet. And Maxim Levin- that man need a fire extinguisher.
From the first meeting itself there was a slight intrigue between them and I was fascinated by their equation. I loved how their story and romance progressed. They both took the time to learn the pace and then boom 💥 their chemistry just exploded and set the pages on fire.
There were some heartbreaking moments in the book and the ending scene was bittersweet but perfect. We also got to see characters from previous books and now I’m so ready for Alek’s book.
Tropes: —bodyguard romance. —age gap, forced proximity, one bed. —obsessed hero, touch her and die. —HEA, kindle Unlimited, safe and recommended.
I received an advance review copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
***4,5 "The socialite & the bodyguard!!!" stars***
"I'm the nightmare you don't want to come face-to-face with."
To be completely honest here, I wasn't very fond of Maxim's story!!! And the reason behind that is because he hadn't been a big part in the previous books and I wasn't very intrigued to read his story!!! But, boy, wasn't I wrong!!! Yes, the glimpses from Maxim, in "Control me" weren't much alluring, but his story was surprisingly incredible!!! And Camille was such a refreshing character, even though unbelievable to believe that for a socialite. No??? Refreshing was also the fact that there was no unnessecary drama in here!!!
"I'm an assassin, and she's a socialite. We're worlds apart and total opposites. I never mix business with pleasure."
Maxim Levin is being forced to turned from an assassin to a bodyguard for a socialite and all of that in the name of friendship.... Camille has being labeled as a socialite and she is playing the part very well, until she is returning back home and her real self is coming out to play... Some threats for her life has made her father to hire a bodyguard for her and she is not handling well the fact that a stranger will be glued to her 24/7. What will happen when these two are starting to get know each other better and feelings are taking root inside of them???
"I've been in dangerous situations before, but you're on another level."
I really loved this couple!!! They were both unexpected in a beautiful way... From a couple of phonecalls back to Nikolai's book, I was expecting Max to be less controling and broody... But he was so intense in everything that he was doing!!! And Camille had gotten under his skin so effortless... But his past actions can ruin everything for these two... As for Camille??? This girl was so refreshing... She was human after all and I enjoyed her lay back attitude!!! Also, I liked that her reactions weren't what you would be expected them to be!!! Max and Cami were so beautiful together!!!
"Maybe I frustrate him as much as he frustrates me..."
I am enjoying Michelle's stories very much... They are always fast pacing, with the right amount of suspense and twists that you will never see coming... Her characters are always so beautiful, even when they are brutal and she had managed to make me fall in love with another one series of hers!!! I am kind of sad that only Alec's story had remained to be told, but at the same time, I am so excited for his turn!!! Have you met the corrupted royals yet???
"For the first time, I feel alive. More than I ever have."
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
Знову ж таки мій улюблений троп «різниця у віці» так щей він її охоронець🖤😍
Камілла Дюбуа — 27 років, дочка впливового французького політика, борця за екологічні проекти.
Максим Левін — 38 років, ассасин (найманий вбивця).
Камілла вважає себе інтровертом, адже ненавидить всі ці світські заходи на які мусить ходити та грати свою роль. Все це спілкування не більше ніж фарс, ніхто насправді не цікавиться твоїм емоційним станом - цікавіше заглянути на банківський рахунок чи покопирсатись у брудній білизні. Тому для Камі її пентхаус - це безпечне місце де вона може бути справжньою. Але її спокій порушує красивий та небалакучий охоронець який буде з нею 24/7, через можливий замах на її життя( через політичну і екологічну позицію батька).
Максим найкращий ассасин, «самотній вовк», він втратив всю свою сім‘ю і має тільки одного друга — Ніколая Вітрова. Він безжальний та беземоційний, але ніколи не прийме договір на вбивство невинної людини. Всі кого він вбив - це монстри, але щоб вбити їх треба самому стати хижаком. Він ніколи не був охоронцем і не годиться для цієї роботи - його навчили забирати життя а не рятувати. Але він погоджується на прохання єдиного друга і через секрет який не відпускає його вже десять років.
Любовна лінія мені сподобалась, те яка взаємодія була між головними героями - це вогонь. Особливо їх перший поцілунок😍 Як Максим доводив Камі що її фігура ідеальна, як підтримував у важкі митті. Ця надлишкова емоційність Камілли розтопила лід навколо серця Максима, вони разом ідеально доповнюють один одного. Їх діалоги і як вони постійно все обговорювали, йшли на компроміси - справжні дорослі стосунки.
Обожнюю як пише Мішель, книги читаються одна за одною майже непомітно. Вистачає і сюжету, і любовної лінії. Дуже щаслива, що не було вкінці драми з розкриттям секрету Максима який він тримав вже десять років. Тому ставлю цій книзі 5/5⭐️ вона мені дійсно сподобалась🔥
Quickie Review-May contain spoilers upon reading this review
Restrain Me of this one was so interesting. It's basically a bodyguard romance. Its not a horrible book or anything. It had its spark and elements to enjoy but at the same time it didn't quite hit me like some of the other books in the series. However, I still had a solid time with this one here. Michelle Heard is an author that you can rely on to really deliver some great entertainment while reading. This is basically a situation where the heroine is in danger because of who her father is. Our hero is an assassin but is her bodyguard as a move of redemption for a past sin. It was definitely interesting to see how the plot unravels in this one, the ending wasn't quite what I expected, but enjoyed how this couple really came together on this one here. It was quite enjoyable to see the moments that brought this couple together. I had a good time with the dynamic of grumpy sunshine. The hero is broody and used to being alone. The heroine is more social in many respects and seeing them go from being awkward together to fitting together was quite enjoyable. For connection to the series, the hero is the best friend to the hero from book 2.
I eat these stories up whenever Michelle has a new one out!! This one is about Max, which we saw in the last book and his girl Camille.
They met before, but she doesn't know that it's Max big secret that he plans to take to the grave, but he owes her, so he'll be her bodyguard since someone is threatening her life.
I love that Camille didn't act like a brat when she found out she had to have a bodyguard she was acting bratty in her mind but she listened to what Max said even if she hated every second. Even when he was cold to her wanting to be friends.
Then we find them slowly having a friendship it took a while, then things went south that they had to go into hiding since someone tried to kill Cam. With then locked inside, their feelings started to grow, and Max said fudge it he's done waiting even with his secert he'll make sure Cam is safe and sound. Things get more bad when a death happens, but don't worry, Max does take care of business he is a hitman, and no one causes his girl pain.
Tiny Angst, No ow drama/no ow, no cheating, secondary chara, sexy times, no virgins no manshores (she kissed a guy and was going to screw him, but H ruined it for her)
I feel like I always say this after reading one of this authors books but I loved this couple! My heart broke for Cami & everything she went through. Her character was amazing, so calm, intelligent, kind & understanding. She was the perfect other half of Maxim.
Maxim was a stone cold protector who was also a complete badass! The chemistry between these two was undeniable & I loved watching them find their way. Their story was intense, intriguing, sexy & with the absolute perfect ending! Any story that ties back to St. Monarch’s has my heart! I love all these men & I love seeing them get their happily ever after!
One more perfect hit for the Corrupted Royals by Michelle Heard. Restrain Me is about Camille and Maxim whom we have met before in the series and their tumultuous relationship with ups and downs that push their chemistry sky high. Their age difference is also another sale point for me since I love a bit of unconventional couplings. The suspense level of the plot was also just the right amount so that the story kept me intrigued and guessing right up until the end. Overall, Restrain Me is 5⭐️ book that will be placed on my re-read shelf for future.
Las historias con guardaespaldas nunca fallan. El libro es entretenido y me mantuvo enganchada en varios momentos. Sin embargo, no es ni cerca mi favorito de la autora. Me pasó lo mismo que con el anterior, las edades y actitudes de los personajes no me hacían sentido. Literal Cami se comportaba como una chica de unos 20.
i don't know if it was just me missing st. monarch's, but this felt reminiscent of ruthless saints, and that's an underrated story within this universe, so it made me appreciate the story all the more. and with the end of this series nearing, my emotions were all over the place. i tried taking my time reading this, but as always, i simply can't put these stories down; it's like catching up with old friends. these characters, over the span of 3 series, have become family to me. however, i will be suing after those acknowledgments saying that alexei will make a last appearance in "possess me", because 1. i'm not ready to say goodbye, again, least of all to my favorite character, and 2. there's no last about him, nothing can happen.
* i was sent an arc by the author in exchange for an honest review.
🚫 N O T A 🚫 Capítulo 7 #DNF El ESTÚPIDO E INNECESARIO momento OM. Camille acude a un Club a una fiesta de cumpleaños y allí se encuentra con Henri Durand (Un amigo desde hace años con el que se ha conectado/sexualmente algunas veces) Pese a estar BIEN contenta, viendo como Maxim IGNORA POR COMPLETO los coqueteos y avances de sus "amigas" socialites, ella en cambio quiere/planea tener sexo esa noche con Henri y no quiere que la sobreprotección de Maxim le vaya a estropear el polvo de esa noche. Y como descarta llevarlo a su ático, ya que Maxim vive con ella desde hace una semana (Semana, por cierto, en la que ella no ha parado de pensar en él, en ponérsele el chichi Pepsi-Cola por él, etc), entonces decide arrastrar a Henri a los baños del Club para un polvo rápido. ¡Si no folla con su folla-amigo ocasional es únicamente porque Max los interrumpe! ¿Hipócrita Camille? ¿Hipócritas algunos lectores? ¡Noooo, para nada! (Véase la ironía) Camille estaba FELIZ viendo como Maxim no hacía absolutamente NINGÚN caso a ninguna mujer, porque le molesta la simple idea de pensar en él con otras mujeres. Ella, sin embargo, no se aplica el mismo cuento. ¡Maxim ni siquiera le dio motivos que justificaran que ella decidiera tener sexo con Henri! Cami, al parecer, solo quería que Maxim fuera un monje mientras que ella no. Y les recuerdo a algunos lectores que normalmente montan drama si un Héroe simplemente mira dos veces a otra mujer, que aunque Maxim & Camille no fueran aún pareja en ese punto, SÍ había atracción e incluso posesividad y celos. (Ambos) Así que lo que hizo Camille/hipócrita fue un GRAN NO para mí. Y a partir de ese momento me importó una mierda ella y su historia.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I’m sorry, because I love Michelle Heard, but I found this book incredibly boring. While I enjoyed Max and Cami, I almost fell asleep during their book 😅. There was just no tension, no twists, nothing shocking or drawing you in. I kept thinking there was going to be a twist with her dad or who was after her, but it was pretty cut and dry. Low action and Cami just goes along with everything. Assassin? No problem. Shot her? Thanks for saving me! I mean I admire her strength it just seemed unrealistic in many ways.
I’m giving it three stars because I did enjoy the spice and how Max came into his emotions throughout the book. I also liked the bodyguard twist where he was actually an assassin. Other than that, though, this book didn’t have much going for it unfortunately.
Plot Summary : There is not much Camille can do with her life. She likes being a mafia princess. That is until the dangers of being a part of the mafia touches her life. Someone is stalking her and planning to kill her. That is when her father gets a bodyguard for her . She expected someone friendly and someone with whom she could spend time with and instead got a hulking rude but gorgeous giant.
Maxim is everything she is not. He is quiet and not at all friendly. But that is because she doesn't know anything about him. How does he do his job if he is this rude to his clients? If only she knew that the man she knows as her bodyguard is actually the world's greatest assassin and he is taking up this job as a favor. Being a bodyguard is not something he likes. Infact being in Camille's company might just be the toughest thing because she makes him crave everything he should not want. Not when there is a hit out on her life.
Overall Opinion : Maxim's story is here! I have been waiting for his story because his character intrigues me. Almost all of Michelle's characters intrigue me and I dived into this one as soon as it landed on my Kindle.
The way the story unfolds is good. This one is not that dark but like a mixture of mild dark and contemporary. There are steamy scenes and the chemistry is pretty good. Michelle made sure to give us tons of cameos from this mafia world and I enjoyed them all!!
Definitely recommending this one to all the dark romance loving people out there!
“Knowing you’re dangerous but that you won’t hurt me is intoxicating.”
Cuando comencé este libro, se sentía como una historia normal de guardaespaldas. Pero luego, superó todas mis expectativas y fue una historia espectacular y llena de emociones, muy emocionante.
Maxim era todo lo que había esperado. Era melancólico, controlador, posesivo, alfa y más, pero tenía un lado muy vulnerable. Cami era un personaje femenino fantástico: no se dio la vuelta y lo tomó. Era impactante, normal, real, ¡estaba llena de sentido común!
La química de Cami y Max a lo largo de la historia fue tan buena, incluso al principio, cuando luchaban contra su atracción, todavía sentías su conexión eléctrica y tensión. Y una vez que cedieron, no pudieron quitarse las manos de encima. Estos dos definitivamente no decepcionaron.
Todo el libro es una obra perfecta y espléndida de la autora. La trama no perdió la conectividad hasta el Epílogo. En general, este libro tiene un poco de drama, secretos, suspenso, acción, especias y romance que lo mantendrán enganchado de principio a fin.
Este libro lo tiene todo acción, emociones, momentos desgarradores, drama, secretos, suspenso y romance que te mantienen enganchado de principio a fin. Me enamoré absolutamente de esta historia y no quería que terminara. La autora realmente sabe cómo hacerte sentir todo y mucho más.
Restrain Me!!! So not what I expected how the story would go. Maxim and Camille a bodyguard romance, yep I was excited to get into this one. And boy it did not disappoint. I repeat in my previous review can Michelle Heard ever do wrong. No she doesn't and I love her for it. The assassin who is a hired guy is recruited as a bodyguard to protect a politician's daughter whose life is under threat , enter Maxim, the woman Camille. Battling his own inner demons for which is revealed in the book we see Maxim melt in front of our eyes. Camille is such a breath of fresh air that you can't but not not fall in love with her. She has such class and grace and wants nothing but to be by the side of her father. Circumstances change and Maxim and Camille are off on the run. What ensues is nothing but angst, smexy times and love. This book I devoured in 6 hours and now wonder why I finished it so fast. Don't miss out on this one.