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Savage Legacy #1

Devil's Kiss

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In a world where the secret society and the Bratva reigns, villains and monsters own you from birth.
I was torn between two hearts:

The devil who stole me.

And the man I was promised to.
I was supposed to marry Viktor Volkova, heir to one of the most powerful families in the society.

But his older brother stole me on our wedding day, just as we were about to take our vows.

Like a hellish wild card, Desmier Volkova stormed into my life, seeking revenge for my father’s sins.

He forced me to marry him, dragging me into his game of lies, revenge, and deceit.

Then our twisted arrangement turned into something else neither of us saw coming—

Obsession, passion, and a war between three hearts.

A war that will either destroy me.

Or the man I choose to love.
Everything spirals out of control when skeletons from the past unleash dark secrets and whispers of death.

Then the real war starts, and I won’t just be risking my heart.

Devil’s Kiss is a dark mafia enemies-to-lovers arranged marriage romance, which is part of the Savage Legacy series.
This book is a 125K word standalone romance that contains dark themes, dubious situations, mature content, and graphic violence some readers might find offensive and/or triggering.

538 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 14, 2022

1324 people are currently reading
2045 people want to read

About the author

Faith Summers

76 books876 followers
Pen name of author Khardine Gray

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 257 reviews
Profile Image for elara.
231 reviews14 followers
February 15, 2024
putting her ex fiancé on the phone so he can hear him eating her out 😵‍💫
Profile Image for Tabatha Reed.
1,687 reviews198 followers
October 23, 2022
Faith Summers is definitely underrated, in my opinion. Her books are pretty solid. I have trouble putting one down even if I’m displeased by some of the things in the story. This one was not all that great. Definitely not my favorite but not the worst either. While I didn’t love this one she’s a great author overall.

The premise starts off pretty straightforward. The h is about to get married in an arranged marriage. She’s in love with her husband to be, it’s all good. That’s when H busts in interrupting the ceremony and announcing he’s the eldest son and therefore HE will be the one to marry h.

As far as the plot here, there is A LOT going on here. Truly, I think it was a bit too much. Sometimes less is more. All the lies and secrets and betrayals piling on and compounding. Some were too obvious while others were clever enough to surprise me. If you want strongly plot driven mafia romance this is a great one. I want the relationship stuff though. This does have that but it definitely felt like it took the backseat to all other things I didn’t care about.

I personally found this H to be fairly unlikable. I really loathed him in the beginning of the story and wasn’t impressed with him throughout. By the end, I’d call him tolerable at best. He was so cold throughout I didn’t believe his sudden love for h.

The h was alright. She was kind of bland and not super emotional either so she fit well with the cold fish H, I guess. She didn’t put up much a fight with H and was happy to drop to her knees whenever he commanded. It got old. There were no less than 3 BJ scenes in the first part of the book. H returned the favor but I was bored with that after the first one too.

Medium burn, he takes her v card at 53%. He didn’t know she was a virgin. Shocked pikachu face. As mentioned above there’s a lot of oral scenes in the beginning. Yawn.

Virgin h
He’s an asshole
OW/OM drama
Push away from h but barely
No scenes with others
No cheating between H/h
No breakups but he went out to sea once for a brief time early on.
No cliffhanger for couple
HEA for couple

Safety - ultimately between H/h this TURNS OUT safe. However, he is a huge douchenozzle. He’s using her at first and has no intention of actually trying for a happy marriage. It’s about revenge for him so she’s just a pawn in his revenge plan. His thoughts of her early on are purely sexual and zero intentions of a real relationship.

There is a disgustingly skanky OW whose sole purpose in this story is to hurt h. H had been with her on/off and had considered “making her his” before he caught her cheating. She’s still his “assistant” and hits on him with every other breath and insults the h in between. He’s no longer interested in her and aside from hurting h every time she sees her she does nothing for the story. There’s even a half assed attempt to show “she’s not so bad” at the end. Gag.

OM is the guy H was supposed to marry. As per usual, by the end of the story he’s almost a caricature of a villain, and h had never suspected he was so awful. She “thinks” she loves him for about half the book until she bangs H. It’s still a point of contention between them after they marry when H decides to be a huge asshole to h for being upset that OM had cheated on her their entire relationship. Somehow she ends being the one to apologize to him EVEN THOUGH SHE DID NOTHING WRONG. That obviously pissed me off. I may have rated this higher if that hadn’t been in there. While I wasn’t super impressed with the story prior I’d have gone with 4 stars before that bullshit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for readabookonce.
254 reviews504 followers
March 22, 2023
Desmier is a man set on revenge, and Anastasia is just one of the many ways he plans to get it.

I really enjoyed the build-up of the romance. They were predisposed to hating each other, but they managed to overcome it (mostly through lust, to be honest). Both of them sucked at communicating, which I usually hate, but I ate up the antics the miscommunication created.

Based on the blurb, I thought it would be a love triangle, but thankfully, it is not. There is other woman and other man drama (no cheating) however. The way women other than Anastasia (and a handful of others) were characterized was very upsetting. Women have more going on than just wanting a man back, and while the end tried to make Desmier’s ex more than that, I could not look past how she was written for 90% of the book.

There were some obvious twists and some not-so-obvious twists. The multiple reveals toward the end were so contrived and melodramatic, but I didn’t even care. I had a blast reading it, and I will be reading more Faith Summers/Khardine Gray books in the (near) future.



POV: dual, first
Spice Level: 4/5
Rating: 3.5/5
Profile Image for Black Girl  Tired Energy Book reviews.
232 reviews45 followers
January 6, 2023
This is a contemporary dark erotic Bratva romance series.

The book was a big helping of betrayals, double cross, complicated situations, plot twists. and BDE rolled into one story.

Anastasia is marrying Viktor an arranged marriage she's obligated to fulfill. The day of her wedding she's taken away by Desmier Volkov the older brother of Viktor. Anastasia has known Viktor her whole life and not once was Desmier mentioned. In all the chaos she marries Desmier and Viktor has no choice, but to watch it all happen. Anastasia is conflicted and knows she's a pawn in something that is on the tip of her memory, but just can't remember no matter how hard she tries. In her eyes Desmier is the savage evil monster that has taken her from the man who loves her. Desmier is out for vengeance and he will stop at nothing to get it. So many betrayed him and their days are numbered. Anastasia is at the mercy of a man who she hates, but also starts to feel more than she should.

This book has so many betrayals and heart wretching dark moments. Each chapter leads to another dark aspect that is more emotional than the next. The men in this book give dark dom like nobodies business and the sex was HAWT and nasty ( I loved that!). Each page was written with a little to a lot of shock value. Everyone is a suspect in this book ...everyone is a villain in this book and there's no in between. When I say I was shocked towards the end it's an understatement ...literally let my jaw hit the floor. Just wow!
Profile Image for Sandy S.
8,242 reviews208 followers
October 14, 2022
DEVIL’S KISS is the first instalment in Faith Summers’ contemporary, adult SAVAGE LEGACY dark, erotic, Bratva romance series. This is twenty-eight year old Desmier Volkova, the new head of the Volkova empire, and nineteen year old Anastasia Sidorov’s story line.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Desmier and Anastasia) DEVIL’S KISS follows in the aftermath of the wedding that almost was. Anastasia Sidorov was about to marry Bratva heir Viktor Volkova when Desmier Volkova, the older and illegitimate son of Evgeni Volkova, a man currently on life-support and not expected to survive, steps in and claims Anastasia for himself. Forced, by a previous arrangement between the Volkova and Sidorov families, into a relationship with Desmier Volkova, Anastasia faces a possible future as a virtual prisoner of Desmier Volkova, the man with whom Anastasia will fall in love but all is not well within the Volkova family, when our couple find themselves pawns in a billion dollar game of winner takes all. What ensues is the building relationship between Desmier and Anastasia, and the fall-out as betrayal and vengeance threaten our story line couple.

Desmier Volkova has planned his revenge for years against those who murdered his mother, and left him for dead. Starting with claiming the Volkova empire, Desmier laid claim to his brother’s betrothed, the woman with whom he would fall in love. Anastasia Sidorov has suffered both physically and emotionally most of her life but a car accident left our heroine with no memory of the past, a past that was about to reveal everything she thought to be real, was a lie.

The relationship between Anastasia and Desmier is a forced proximity, arranged marriage, predicated upon an arrangement made years before. As the eldest son, Desmier assumes the mantel of boss, recognized by the Bratva and the Pakhan in charge, and with the position comes the hand of Anastasia Sidorov, the only daughter of the Volkova enforcer. Anastasia finds herself falling for a man who could just as easily destroy her life, a life made up of secrets and lies. The $ex scenes are impassioned and aggressive.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Desmier’s brothers: Viktor, Malik and Zakh, as well as their father Evgeni, his wife Mira, and their uncle Leif:Anastasia’s father Uther, and her best friend Lorelai, as well as Desmier’s ‘crew’ Jayce, Zane and Gytha; several members of the Brotherhood of Knights, and their leader Aleksander Ivanov. The requisite evil has many faces. Lorelai and Zakh’s story line is next.

DEVIL’S KISS is a story of betrayal and vengeance, power and control, greed and obsession, sacrifice and love. The premise is dark, gritty and emotional; the romance is provocative and intense; the characters are broken, charismatic, and energetic.

Www.thereadingcafe.com
Profile Image for Basak.
762 reviews42 followers
December 24, 2022
fell in love 🥰

Devil’s Kiss has been one hundred percent my favorite m&fi$ reads this year. I have read quite a few books by Faith Summers aka Khardine Gray but this one took the cake. I am not easily swayed by the female main characters in this genre but I was actually quite taken by Anastacia and her kind, quiet, yet strong personality. I don’t even have words for my new book boyfriend Desmeir and his menacing and mesmerizing aura. And their chemistry… Oofff! Let’s just say it was knee-weakling, panty-soaking, eyes-crossing hawt🔥! Add in the suspense and an intriguing plot, voila! Devil’s Kiss is an easy winner💫
Profile Image for Dominique F.
340 reviews33 followers
December 2, 2022
Yesssss. Faith summers is one of the goddesses I pray to after all of her books. I have FALLEN into her universe

I knnnnnnnnnnew it. In regard to the very ending. I had this feeling that it wasn’t as it seems!

I cannot wait for the next book. I absolutely cannot wait.

These books are an entire world and done so well.

The characters are fleshed out so well and their love stories are always so deeply rooted you can’t look away.

Even her longer books are read In one sitting for me. I just know the endings lolol

Profile Image for Amanda McCalip.
654 reviews2 followers
November 9, 2022
Fantastic!!

Devil’s Kiss was my first read from this author and I am here for it! Great characters, a suspenseful rollercoaster of a story and some alpha mafia men. All things I can get behind. This one has a super juicy detailed plot to go right along with it. What a read!!
Profile Image for Angela DJ.
84 reviews7 followers
August 6, 2024
OW drama & using the h for vengeance. The h didn’t deserve any of the bullshit the H put her thru. Shouldn’t have to pay for the sins of her father. And when the f$&king longtime housekeeper (wonderful lady) is the only one to stand up to his ex on & off hookup for her constant harassment of the h & presence (& seduction attempts) cuz the H still keeps her as his hacker & is patient & understanding with her & full of compliments, despite her “cheating” (funny when he says he doesn’t do girlfriend & then says she’s the 1st person he thinks he could have loved - wtf?!)
Then at the end the author wants us the see her as “changed” despite only apologizing to the H for messing up & always going to regret what they lost?! 😡
Yeah keep that bitch around (I mean she only constantly harassed the h, said she’s the “queen” around his place & will remain there when he needs her sexually cuz the h is a pawn - so NO don’t make her apologize for any of that!!)

NO, this whole thing is bullshit & I don’t think he loves the h! If he did, he’d get his ex away from the h & after making her apologize & making it CLEAR it’s over (not just agree with the ex’s suggestion, to take job elsewhere, hesitantly, a job that still keeps her involved with their people AND never try to reassure the h by standing up for her). He just expects the h to get over it & acts like, if he doesn’t wanna deal with it, then he’ll ignore it. Gaslights the shit outta her & OF COURSE the doormat just takes it all!!! She’s the one filled with guilt from what her father & family did?!?

This triggers me so clearly much! Any possessiveness was just to control what’s his & not because he gives a shit about the h!! The goddamn double standard is proof enough this was just lust & revenge!!

He loves himself. And yes I read the whole damn thing hoping it would get better. 🤬
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Maria (Ri).
5,138 reviews16 followers
September 19, 2023
Good start to this series. Parts of the story were riveting and then there were a few areas where it seemed rushed. This was really noticeable at the end where everything was jammed together to get to the end. This seemed odd, considering that this wasn't a short book. The potential for this to be even more was so look close.

The author did a good job though because I am invested in these secondary characters enough that I will be reading the next one. The characters are what moved this from 3.5 stars to 4.
668 reviews3 followers
March 12, 2023
As my English teacher would say 'show don't tell '!!

Unfortunately this was all tell and no show! It's a shame because whilst the plot was convoluted, the concept was an interesting one (minus the knight stuff which was just plain ridiculous). I skim read and missed chunks because I hate to DNF.. but equally time is precious and this 500÷ page book certainly wasn't worth it.
Profile Image for Angels.
2,034 reviews17 followers
January 15, 2023
This series was off to a great start. The story made your heart race the entire time waiting for the other shoe to drop. Things were not always they way they seemed and looked like.

This story was dark and intense with a man bent on revenge. From the moment you started turning the pages you were hooked and you stayed glued to the pages the entire time. Desmier was handsome dark and dangerous, sexy and had that bad boy persona but, he also held darkness within himself that frightens those around him. Revenge is the only thing on his mind. This man scared you to death and in the same breath had you thinking sinful thoughts poor Anastasia you understood her Waring head and heart. Sex on a stick and sinfully sexy!

Anastasia was beautiful inside and out and we loved that she had that innocence about her and in the next breath you saw the claws come out. Wanting and desiring your enemy is a big no no.

The chemistry between this couple was off the charts they sizzled together in and out of bed. This was one hot read let me tell you. Fan worthy characters.

Overall a story that was emotional and suspenseful with lots of ups and downs and had more than a few surprises that you did not see coming and we really loved that however tragic they were. First time author for us a we really enjoyed our first read by them and their characters, Desmier was a character you would love to hate because of his actions and deeds but, the more you got to know the man he is more than just the villain/bully you see he is capable of so much more and you just know that the love of a good woman might be enough to let the light overcome the darkness.
1,058 reviews34 followers
January 16, 2023
A very solid read. An arranged marriage with many twists and turns and assumptions that were anything but. Desmier and Anastasia's story was well developed with plenty of angst, suspense, mystery and attraction that was off the charts. Not too insta-love (which I hate) but was a subtle hot burn that ignited into an inferno. Ms. Summer's is one author I can count on to give me an original story (no read and repeat) with character's who have secrets and mysteries surrounding them that successfully take many twists and turns leaving the reader hungry to find out more. Her stories require you not to skim but read the entire book because of so many revelations that she plants throughout her novels. I am always looking for authors who write about an arranged marriages that is original and not a storyline that has been rewritten a dozen times with different characters.

I really enjoyed the history of Desmier's backstory as well as the unraveling of Anastasia's story and the basis for all of the deception and intrigue. Her so called father and life-long child sweetheart (Viktor) turned out to be nothing but men who wanted to use her for their own personal gain and wealth. Desmier saved Anastasia from a brief life that would have been ended if not for his marriage to Anastasia vs., Viktor's. The Mark was an interesting addition who turned out to be someone completely off the radar who played their part well, fooling everyone until the end of the book.

Desmier's and Anastasia's love story grew as the story unfolded and as their trust in one another outweighed their secrets.
Profile Image for Dee .
235 reviews9 followers
January 26, 2023
I really enjoyed Desmier and Anastasia’s story! This was an arranged marriage where Anastasia was first promised to Desmier step brother but when Desmier arrives to the wedding and claims his rights as the first born son everything changes. Including Anastasia’s wedding plans. I felt like this was more of a secret society than mafia. I loved everything about Desmier! Everytime he said baby girl, literally melted. I do wish Anastasia would have been a bit more fiestier. But I overall enjoyed it and I am excited for the next book in this series.
Profile Image for BP34.
6,280 reviews46 followers
November 1, 2022
This is part of the Savage Legacy series. Anastasia and Desmier's story will capture your attention and take you on a romantic journal. A mafia romance filled with the usual danger and fast action is so much more. Well written with amazing characters and an engaging story line. Prepare to lose a little sleep because once you start reading you won't be able to put this story down. I read an advance copy via Bad Boy Updates and voluntarily chose to review it.
Profile Image for Gina.
300 reviews3 followers
November 25, 2024
This book was long! But there was so much happening. There were so many twists and turns. I do feel that the FMC jumped into bed too quickly with the MMC for how he was treating her. The ending was like 🤯. So many plot twists.
Profile Image for Tammy.
9,118 reviews50 followers
November 3, 2022
Fast-paced and steamy Bratva read. Desmier wants revenge from those who killed his mother and tried to kill him. He will marry Anastasia and secrets will be revealed. Will he get the revenge he seeks? Entertaining read with loads of drama and twists and turns. I liked it.
Profile Image for lowkeyreader.
5,552 reviews52 followers
October 16, 2022
Desmier and Anastasia's story, just like anything by Faith Summers, captured my attention right from the start. I mean, the way their story started was really unexpected and really captivated me. And what a ride it was! It was so freaking intense, raw, dark and gritty. If you think you've read enough mafia romance, you haven't read this one. I guarantee you, it's so different than any other books.
Profile Image for Verna Smith.
157 reviews
January 15, 2024
Some of the language in this book just felt very out of place. The way characters would say things were 'lame' back to back after each other, felt like it was one voice rather than two different characters and didnt sound like two adults. Also, felt out of place that the virgin MC uses the word 'pussy' in her internal dialogue when describing her first sexual encounters but then uses more subtle descriptions as we move into the story. That and there were so many different betrayals and plot twists in this one story yet the villain seemed pretty obvious imo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Nanasbookreviews.
1,815 reviews52 followers
July 13, 2023
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGAXd...
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Devil's Kiss by Khardine Gray/Faith Summers is a dark romance. It's the first book from the Savage Legacy series.

Anastasia Sidorov was a nineteen-year-old woman who was getting ready to marry Viktor Volkova. Her wedding was crashed by Desmier Volkova, the long-lost son of Evgeni Volkova. He was there to claim his rights as the firstborn son. Along with the family wealth, he took her as well. Confused, angry, and tired from her nightmares she was trying to adjust to her new reality. Desmier had come
back for revenge but after meeting his little Valkyrie his plans changed a bit. They soon fell in love which helped them a lot when they learned the truth about their lives. An invisible enemy was after them, would they come alive out of it or die trying to save each other?

This is such a great story. A mix of bratva romance with forced proximity. The plot is engaging, steamy, and filled with suspense. It has a dual pov with good world-building. In the beginning, it was focused on romance and revenge but slowly there was the revelation of their tragic pasts and the enemy. I was shocked by the twists. The romance was entertaining and hot.
The characters were great, very different but they fit together well. Anastasia was a mix of a meek girl and a feisty woman when needed. Desmier was like a brooding dangerous Viking. My favorite moments were when he brought out of her the little minx.

I liked this book a lot and I highly recommend you to read it. I will rate it with 5 stars.
Profile Image for Brandi-Lynn Weiser.
2,123 reviews77 followers
December 10, 2022
Speechless. I’m absolutely speechless. Devil’s Kiss was beyond amazing. It keeps you guessing right until the end. You literally have no idea who to trust or what to believe. The suspense is so much, from beginning to end it just sucks you in.
Desmier watched his mother get killed when he was a boy, and he was also suppose to die. But he was rescued and kept hidden away until the time was right to exact his revenge on those who took everything from him.
On the day Anastasia is to marry Viktor, the oldest son to Evgeni (or so everyone thinks), Desmier stops the wedding by dropping the first of many secrets. He’s to marry Anastasia.
Desmier and Anastasia’s were perfect for each other. She was so naive and innocent, sheltered for so long that she didn’t know what love really was. But once she came to the conclusion that what she felt for Viktor wasn’t love, she fully let herself admit her feelings for Desmier.
I loved watching Desmier fight for her, even while trying to tell himself she wasn’t suppose to mean anything to him. He was such an incredible man, everything’s he’s been through and suffered, he was so incredible.
Faith Summers is one of those authors who has never disappointed me with her books. I love her writing style and also get excited when she’s got a new book. And this one is sure to please any mafia lover! It’s got so much… secrets (lots of them), action, suspense and a really great love story. I’m super excited for Zakh and Lorelei’s story next!!!
Profile Image for Linda.
645 reviews4 followers
December 2, 2022
Great book. Tons of twist and secrets. I actually predicted exactly what unfolded. Glad to see second book has more twist.
Profile Image for Dee.
978 reviews2 followers
November 7, 2022
I want to say 4 stars, maybe 4.5 stars, but then I think about how fast I read this and how I loved all the twists and turns and story development, and I know that it needs a 5 star.
My hesitations were H's old girlfriend, who is still hanging around and is awful to the h. I hate it when this happens in a book. And the other is the H brother, who was the h fiance at the beginning of the book. I could have dealt with one or the other, but having them both felt too much. The brother was more important to the story, so the ex-girlfriend should not have been there, it was just for drama, and it wasn't needed; the story had enough legs to stand on.
The action and the spice were superb, as always with all Faith Summers books. Looks forward to this new series.
Profile Image for Zelda.
1,456 reviews
October 16, 2022
This is the fantastic start of a new series. Desmier has planned his revenge for years, and his revenge extends to his enemy’s daughter, Anastasia. The writing was fluid, the plot so twisty I read most of this book in one sitting. Desmier finds his humanity in Anastasia—he’s not a hero but the enemies he’s up against are so evil, he looks like one. This story was full of surprises and I was loving the ride the author took me on. Lots of well-developed characters I need to know more about. There are pieces of the story that are somewhat resolved but there is a plot arc that goes beyond this book. I can’t wait for the rest of the series!
Profile Image for Lisa M Jarvis.
116 reviews
October 22, 2022
Great start for a new series

In the initial blurb it talks about the bride being stolen on her wedding day, and in mafia stories we know how that goes. I found this time to be a bit more original and creative in stealing the bride away.
The whole story was full of twists and turns and I really enjoyed it. I highly recommend this one and I'm looking forward to the follow up in the series.
111 reviews
October 26, 2022
Modern day Beauty and the Beast feel

I liked the plot and premise a lot. The characters had good development throughout the story. I would have liked more descriptors of the characters, but I got a general idea of their appearance. I thought the story was great, I was able to predict the conclusion, but it was an enjoyable read. I expect to read the next one and i'll likely reread this one.
Profile Image for Gladys.
13.9k reviews163 followers
October 25, 2022
Fierce and epic. Those are the two words that I would use to describe this book. The storyline has a very epic feel to it and everything about it is just filled with ferocity. Thick tension, taut drama, raw emotions and a boatload of twists make for a compelling complex story. This is my volitional, forthright review.
6,133 reviews28 followers
October 26, 2022
Packed with drama (and tragic pasts). This is a shade darker, but focuses on the bratva drama. Desmier shows up at the church to claim Anastasia as his bratva bride (think Targaryen hair and coloring). He’s got plans. Revenge plans. And Anastasia is the cherry on top.
Lots of bratva drama and some stream.
4.5





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