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Zaitsev Bratva #2
Ruby Mercy
I’m having my bosshole’s baby.
Safe to say that’s not ideal…
Especially because he doesn’t even know.
As a matter of fact, Kirill is clear across the country, and I’m pretty sure he’s never coming back.
That’s fine.
My daughter and I will be a-okay without him.
At least, that’s what I thought.
But five years goes by like pulling teeth.
And I learn
It hurts to do this alone.
It hurts to do this without him.
It hurts to know what could have been, if only we hadn’t both been so unbelievably stubborn with our hearts.
Then, one day, just one I think I can’t bear to hurt anymore…
He’s back.
And I have the chance to say all the things I’ve been waiting five long years to say.
But before I can say it…
Kirill drops a bomb of his own.
RUBY MERCY is Book 2 of the Zaitsev Bratva duet. Kirill and Rayne’s story begins in Book 1, RUBY MALICE.
Safe to say that’s not ideal…
Especially because he doesn’t even know.
As a matter of fact, Kirill is clear across the country, and I’m pretty sure he’s never coming back.
That’s fine.
My daughter and I will be a-okay without him.
At least, that’s what I thought.
But five years goes by like pulling teeth.
And I learn
It hurts to do this alone.
It hurts to do this without him.
It hurts to know what could have been, if only we hadn’t both been so unbelievably stubborn with our hearts.
Then, one day, just one I think I can’t bear to hurt anymore…
He’s back.
And I have the chance to say all the things I’ve been waiting five long years to say.
But before I can say it…
Kirill drops a bomb of his own.
RUBY MERCY is Book 2 of the Zaitsev Bratva duet. Kirill and Rayne’s story begins in Book 1, RUBY MALICE.
479 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2022
866 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
December 17, 2022
2.5 This story could have been a five rating like book one, but Rayne's character turned into someone completely different from book one. A character that makes bad decisions and blames everyone else for the negative outcomes.
I like her character in book one, but in book two she morphed into this "poor me" everyone else is to blame for what I have had to go through my entire life as well as the the last five years... blah blah blah. Her relationships throughout this duet were with Natalie, Kirill and her friend in Europe....that's it. Not a woman who gravitates to people or vice-a-versa. She was headstrong to the point of exhaustion, and doubled down with stupid decision making throughout this book. She loved and took care of a mother who lied to her about her baby daddy, kept her from her two older siblings and father, refused to let Kirill know about his daughter and continued to play a game of "one step forward and three steps backward" getting herself into terrible situations. She had a chip on her shoulder in book one but that grew into a full blown tree in book two after Iyla's (sp) death.
The fact that she figured out that Kirill's brother suffered from a traumatic brain injury resulting in autistic like symptoms, yet refused to believe her daughter was autistic or suffered from Asperger's syndrome just showed how "stubborn" her character was. She was a good mother in so many ways, but could have been better if she wasn't so obstinate and hard headed throughout book 2.
Kirill was a "lighter version of a Bratva leader" but was a nice change in a genre that turns many of the MMC into monsters right off the bat. It didn't have as much action as so many of these novels do, but focused on he and Rayne's relationship over a 5 plus year period of time.. I liked how the author took the book in a different direction for a change whereas some people who haven't read too much of this genre may have seemed "cheated" that there wasn't enough murder and mayhem. I've read my share of death and mayhem, arranged marriages, women held hostage or bartered by said families in this genre. I enjoyed a different storyline in this genre where the main focus of the story was on the two main characters.
I like her character in book one, but in book two she morphed into this "poor me" everyone else is to blame for what I have had to go through my entire life as well as the the last five years... blah blah blah. Her relationships throughout this duet were with Natalie, Kirill and her friend in Europe....that's it. Not a woman who gravitates to people or vice-a-versa. She was headstrong to the point of exhaustion, and doubled down with stupid decision making throughout this book. She loved and took care of a mother who lied to her about her baby daddy, kept her from her two older siblings and father, refused to let Kirill know about his daughter and continued to play a game of "one step forward and three steps backward" getting herself into terrible situations. She had a chip on her shoulder in book one but that grew into a full blown tree in book two after Iyla's (sp) death.
The fact that she figured out that Kirill's brother suffered from a traumatic brain injury resulting in autistic like symptoms, yet refused to believe her daughter was autistic or suffered from Asperger's syndrome just showed how "stubborn" her character was. She was a good mother in so many ways, but could have been better if she wasn't so obstinate and hard headed throughout book 2.
Kirill was a "lighter version of a Bratva leader" but was a nice change in a genre that turns many of the MMC into monsters right off the bat. It didn't have as much action as so many of these novels do, but focused on he and Rayne's relationship over a 5 plus year period of time.. I liked how the author took the book in a different direction for a change whereas some people who haven't read too much of this genre may have seemed "cheated" that there wasn't enough murder and mayhem. I've read my share of death and mayhem, arranged marriages, women held hostage or bartered by said families in this genre. I enjoyed a different storyline in this genre where the main focus of the story was on the two main characters.
January 17, 2023
DNF @ 80% - not worth reading this diet
Okay, so I hated the first book. The plot was lame and not inventive at all, the so-called ‘chemistry’ between the main characters was nonexistent, the smut lasted all of 2 seconds and had me falling asleep at the wheel, and the characters are absolute trash. They’re boring, bland stereotypes you’ve read a gagillion times before with absolutely nothing unique or interesting about them. To boot, Rayne is one of the most boring and useless doormats in literature history. I really wanted book 2 to redeem both Rayne and Kirill, but it doesn’t. Rayne just doubles down on stupidity and boringness in book 2. Kirill hasn’t changed and is still the same boring rich d i ck who likes to say the wrong thing at every turn. Now, there’s a kid involved and you’d think these two would get their act together, but no, sadly that never happens. Every chapter is the same useless b s rinsed and repeated.
I highly do not recommend this duet. It’s awful and boring, the characters are awful and boring, the steam is awful and boring. Please, save yourself and don’t read this duet.
Romance: ❤️ /5
Steam: 🔥 /5
Plot: ✍️✍️ /5
Characters: 👤 /5
Prose/Editing: 📝📝📝 /5
Okay, so I hated the first book. The plot was lame and not inventive at all, the so-called ‘chemistry’ between the main characters was nonexistent, the smut lasted all of 2 seconds and had me falling asleep at the wheel, and the characters are absolute trash. They’re boring, bland stereotypes you’ve read a gagillion times before with absolutely nothing unique or interesting about them. To boot, Rayne is one of the most boring and useless doormats in literature history. I really wanted book 2 to redeem both Rayne and Kirill, but it doesn’t. Rayne just doubles down on stupidity and boringness in book 2. Kirill hasn’t changed and is still the same boring rich d i ck who likes to say the wrong thing at every turn. Now, there’s a kid involved and you’d think these two would get their act together, but no, sadly that never happens. Every chapter is the same useless b s rinsed and repeated.
I highly do not recommend this duet. It’s awful and boring, the characters are awful and boring, the steam is awful and boring. Please, save yourself and don’t read this duet.
Romance: ❤️ /5
Steam: 🔥 /5
Plot: ✍️✍️ /5
Characters: 👤 /5
Prose/Editing: 📝📝📝 /5
December 4, 2022
Okay.... I loved the realistic storyline of the struggles of a single mother who was dealing with a child with emotional and behavior issues, sibling problems, an estranged relationship with a parent and a way, way, too difficult romance.
Kirill learned a lot about himself that enabled him to deal with Rayne's antagonistic, unfairly selective arguing. If there was something Rayne could not accept she would move that into an unrealistic world where she made excuses for the other person. I still could not warm up to Rayne. She was WAY too combative. It felt like when interactions with others was flailing she had to zero in on one thing and go to war on it.
The ending was happy. A decent read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Kirill learned a lot about himself that enabled him to deal with Rayne's antagonistic, unfairly selective arguing. If there was something Rayne could not accept she would move that into an unrealistic world where she made excuses for the other person. I still could not warm up to Rayne. She was WAY too combative. It felt like when interactions with others was flailing she had to zero in on one thing and go to war on it.
The ending was happy. A decent read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 6, 2022
Part two. Read part one first.
Well, I didn’t see the twist to Rayne’s parentage. Although it was pretty clear that her “father” couldn’t feel close to her because she wasn’t actually his. Her mother was a piece of work.
Rayne has to be the absolute most pig headed woman character I’ve read in a while, and I read a lot. A lot.
When did it become synonymous with independence that a woman has to be bull headed to the point of stupidity.
In a real world mafia scenario, Kirill would have dropped her or offed her for her blatant disrespect for his rules. And basic safety.
Kirill changes here. Becomes warmer and almost human. I hated how he ran away from feelings in book 1 and most of this one.
It’s not a bad story. Highly implausible. It’s not a good story. But it was readable.
Well, I didn’t see the twist to Rayne’s parentage. Although it was pretty clear that her “father” couldn’t feel close to her because she wasn’t actually his. Her mother was a piece of work.
Rayne has to be the absolute most pig headed woman character I’ve read in a while, and I read a lot. A lot.
When did it become synonymous with independence that a woman has to be bull headed to the point of stupidity.
In a real world mafia scenario, Kirill would have dropped her or offed her for her blatant disrespect for his rules. And basic safety.
Kirill changes here. Becomes warmer and almost human. I hated how he ran away from feelings in book 1 and most of this one.
It’s not a bad story. Highly implausible. It’s not a good story. But it was readable.
December 6, 2022
Annoying
I read both books to get closure.
The female character was so annoying back and forth and the family drama dragged on became boring the main character was suppose to be big bratva boss but he had no substance or back bone the maid bit became old fast and the child they was no heartfelt moment the ending was rushed I was so disappointed
I read both books to get closure.
The female character was so annoying back and forth and the family drama dragged on became boring the main character was suppose to be big bratva boss but he had no substance or back bone the maid bit became old fast and the child they was no heartfelt moment the ending was rushed I was so disappointed
December 8, 2022
This is book two in the series and continues Rayne and Kirill's story. It's a second chance romance filled with twists and turns and has all the feels. The chemistry is still there but they need to forgive to move forward. It's well written, moves fluidly with her perfectly painted scenes and is a fantastic conclusion to their story. Loved and recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
December 16, 2022
I loved book 1, and I loved book 2, but did I LOVE it? No. There are qualities I love about an h, strong, independent, takes no crap from H, challenges him, funny, and smart; Rayne had all of this but relied on stubbornness most of the time, thrown in with some miscommunication. I usually don't like kids in books, but I loved the elements that it added to this book. Again, it was great but the h immaturity was a bit much.
November 24, 2025
This should have been one book. The hamster wheel of BS continued in this one. Zero mafia presence and people avoiding their feelings after 5 years. This was annoying. Spice was lack luster and the storyline was mediocre at best. I just wanted to know how it finish and I really could have done without it. Opened ended loops. This writing isn’t for me.
December 3, 2022
I liked the heroine and hero and their neuro divergent child.
I didn't really feel the story gelled well. It was choppy at times, I didn't understand how Kirril went from a 5-year separation to loving Rayne.
I was still captivated enough to finish mainly b/c the chemistry between Rayne and Kirril was fire.
I didn't really feel the story gelled well. It was choppy at times, I didn't understand how Kirril went from a 5-year separation to loving Rayne.
I was still captivated enough to finish mainly b/c the chemistry between Rayne and Kirril was fire.
December 5, 2022
2.5⭐️
January 18, 2023
These books just got under my skin not for the author’s writing, it was gripping and there was always so much going on left right centre.
…. But gosh, the characters are SO SO FRUSTRATING.
I almost gave up.
There is literally NO real development? The two main characters fight and fight and fight, they are toxic, and the reader knows. It’s not even like that type of toxic that’s good in books but not in real life, it’s just plain Toxic. Demeaning. Rude. Confidence-shattering, unforgiving toxicity that made me so so angry.
They don’t have any real conversations and they argue non-stop over nothing whatsoever. Sometimes, I would think and wander why the hell they were fighting? They don’t truly share their feelings and then they have sex and there’s chemistry but at some point… there’s gotta be a little MORE? Yaknow?
There’s sexual chemistry, fighting and the characters don’t ever ask for forgiveness for their wrongdoings (Kirill continuously allows Victoria, his on and off fiancé/his ex/ his casual-fuck disrespect the main female lead, Rayne, and just does nothing really. Nothing permanent.).
The guy, kirill (I think I spelled it wrong) is rude, demeaning despite what he says. His inter dialogue gives no real clue that he truely loves this woman. She’s frustrating, yes, but what about her good qualities? Why is her beauty pretty much her only thing that’s appealing?
Then, let’s talk about the Rayne. My gosh. She’s a maid, she’s a maid she’s a maid. I get that not everyone in life has ambitions above being a maid but seriously, she literally DOES NOT develop. She wants to be his maid and not cross the line of professionalism and she doesn’t even put up a fucking fight to maintain professional. It’s a joke really. If you’ve slept with your boss almost 6 times and you’re having his child, it’s about damn time you realise that you fucked up on professionalism and there is no fucking thing. Yet, she goes back to work for him?? What??? Are you for real? Like what the fuck is that?
I’m sorry. Maybe it’s just me but I like an ambition main character. Yes, she takes care of people and that’s a great quality but she literally has none of her own life aims and she’s almost like a lost puppy. She feels sorry for herself non-stop without doing anything remotely different to change it? What about starting up a fucking bakery or having her one business or SOMETHING. No. She wants to clean his house.
Urgh. At this point, I’m just ranting because I wasted so much time reading this and I now can not get those hours back!
…. But gosh, the characters are SO SO FRUSTRATING.
I almost gave up.
There is literally NO real development? The two main characters fight and fight and fight, they are toxic, and the reader knows. It’s not even like that type of toxic that’s good in books but not in real life, it’s just plain Toxic. Demeaning. Rude. Confidence-shattering, unforgiving toxicity that made me so so angry.
They don’t have any real conversations and they argue non-stop over nothing whatsoever. Sometimes, I would think and wander why the hell they were fighting? They don’t truly share their feelings and then they have sex and there’s chemistry but at some point… there’s gotta be a little MORE? Yaknow?
There’s sexual chemistry, fighting and the characters don’t ever ask for forgiveness for their wrongdoings (Kirill continuously allows Victoria, his on and off fiancé/his ex/ his casual-fuck disrespect the main female lead, Rayne, and just does nothing really. Nothing permanent.).
The guy, kirill (I think I spelled it wrong) is rude, demeaning despite what he says. His inter dialogue gives no real clue that he truely loves this woman. She’s frustrating, yes, but what about her good qualities? Why is her beauty pretty much her only thing that’s appealing?
Then, let’s talk about the Rayne. My gosh. She’s a maid, she’s a maid she’s a maid. I get that not everyone in life has ambitions above being a maid but seriously, she literally DOES NOT develop. She wants to be his maid and not cross the line of professionalism and she doesn’t even put up a fucking fight to maintain professional. It’s a joke really. If you’ve slept with your boss almost 6 times and you’re having his child, it’s about damn time you realise that you fucked up on professionalism and there is no fucking thing. Yet, she goes back to work for him?? What??? Are you for real? Like what the fuck is that?
I’m sorry. Maybe it’s just me but I like an ambition main character. Yes, she takes care of people and that’s a great quality but she literally has none of her own life aims and she’s almost like a lost puppy. She feels sorry for herself non-stop without doing anything remotely different to change it? What about starting up a fucking bakery or having her one business or SOMETHING. No. She wants to clean his house.
Urgh. At this point, I’m just ranting because I wasted so much time reading this and I now can not get those hours back!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2024
I give this book 2,5⭐️, bc I hated through out all the book the main h! Rayne was so irritating! The only thing that surprised me was Ilia’s death! (In the first book) Other stuff was so predictable! Do not get me starting on how she let other ppl talk to her, (even her sisters in the first book) and took it. But when Kirill wanted something or said something, she was terrible to him! This girl had some serious inferiority complex. If I were Kirill I would gave up on her! Page by page I got more and more annoyed with her! Thank god for Kirill, bc he was her such a sweetheart and it made it all bearable.
Now, this was supposed to be a mob book, right?! Yet to me it felt like Kirill was just some rich playboy guy. Where was the mafia stuff? Kiril is supposed to be a Bratva leader, well news flesh the boss of a Bratva is called Pakhan! Not a Don!!!!! I thought that Kiril will use some loving words or endearments or pet names for her woman or child in Russian language as it supposed to be Russian mafia! Well guess what! Big fat NOTHING.
This was a book about billionaire rich playboy who fall in love with the maid. Not a dangerous head of Bratva who fall in love with a maid!
I don’t know whether I have high expectations when it comes to mafia books and that’s why i am so disappointed or the author should start reading mafia romance books, so she will know how to write a proper MAFIA book. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that the book itself was wrong, it just wasn’t what I expected from a Mafia book. The story was nice, male H was well written and I finished the book.
Now, this was supposed to be a mob book, right?! Yet to me it felt like Kirill was just some rich playboy guy. Where was the mafia stuff? Kiril is supposed to be a Bratva leader, well news flesh the boss of a Bratva is called Pakhan! Not a Don!!!!! I thought that Kiril will use some loving words or endearments or pet names for her woman or child in Russian language as it supposed to be Russian mafia! Well guess what! Big fat NOTHING.
This was a book about billionaire rich playboy who fall in love with the maid. Not a dangerous head of Bratva who fall in love with a maid!
I don’t know whether I have high expectations when it comes to mafia books and that’s why i am so disappointed or the author should start reading mafia romance books, so she will know how to write a proper MAFIA book. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that the book itself was wrong, it just wasn’t what I expected from a Mafia book. The story was nice, male H was well written and I finished the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2022
I get it
I get this is an enemies to lovers book but the 2 books the characters were fighting the entire time!?! . I enjoyed it but I wish there was more time of Rayne and Kiril getting along, loving each other, and being on the same page. At the 85% or 90% mark of the book, they finally understood each other and didn't fight the whole time. I was just frustrated with that and because of that I legit have to skip paragraphs just to see if the story line will be a cat almost getting the mouse
I get this is an enemies to lovers book but the 2 books the characters were fighting the entire time!?! . I enjoyed it but I wish there was more time of Rayne and Kiril getting along, loving each other, and being on the same page. At the 85% or 90% mark of the book, they finally understood each other and didn't fight the whole time. I was just frustrated with that and because of that I legit have to skip paragraphs just to see if the story line will be a cat almost getting the mouse
January 4, 2023
Same as the first book, it was okay but dragged a lot.
January 13, 2023
ugh
Could not stand Rayne, she was so annoying blamed everyone for her problems never took any responsibility for anything. Disappointing
Could not stand Rayne, she was so annoying blamed everyone for her problems never took any responsibility for anything. Disappointing
January 31, 2023
I enjoyed the first book - but then 5 years passed and Rayne became even more insufferable.
March 1, 2023
DNF: 79%
I liked the h in the first book, but in this one she was unbearable. Literally could not finish even though I only had 20% left. This is why I prefer standalones to duologues.
I liked the h in the first book, but in this one she was unbearable. Literally could not finish even though I only had 20% left. This is why I prefer standalones to duologues.
April 1, 2023
did not vibe with this
October 5, 2023
rayne is insufferable
This story could have been so good! But Rayne is insufferable. And also weird ending. Just the whole book did not have to be written like this.
This story could have been so good! But Rayne is insufferable. And also weird ending. Just the whole book did not have to be written like this.
January 4, 2023
This review will be for the duet because quite frankly, they don't deserve separate reviews. 😏 Make. It. Make. Sense. Putting aside that the head of the Russian Bratva is Not called a Don, and other ridiculous mistakes that would have taken simple Google searches to correct 🤨...don't tell me he's the head of this criminal enterprise and is somehow miraculously still Alive when he's Not smart enough to at least put a tail on his ex-girlfriend and gets "surprised " by the 5 year old child who looks exactly like him. Also, why was his mentally disabled brother left alone in the first place?! 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️ The man hires a full staff to clean, but can't spare 1 person to make sure that his beloved brother who has the mentality of a young child is watched all the time, especially since said brother tends to destroy items when he has one of his temper tantrums- meaning he breaks glass and can get hurt?! Would Any reasonable person leave a child like that alone for hours without supervision- let alone someone richer than Midas who has a horde of staff at his disposal?!@#$% And that's our "hero" who is hot 🔥 and Emerald 👀, lost his parents and brother and is "grumpy 😡 " end of character development. Still better than our "heroine " though who is a whiny, liar 🤥 who likes to start arguments for no good reason other than so the author can keep pointing out how "stubborn and fiesty" she is. Yeah, we get it. She's Not like that "horrible Victoria " who was also the "hero's"fiancé. Except for all of Victoria's faults at least she's Not a Liar 🤥 who hid the "hero's" child from him for 5 Years then acted like it was No Big Deal because she's only been talking for a couple of those years. Which leads me to my biggest complaint on our "heroine 's" character or rather lack of. 😏 Her daughter who is developmentally delayed-she takes to one doctor who gives her a shoulder shrug 🤷♀️ diagnosis and that's good enough for "mother of the year" over here. I'm sorry, WTF?! And her reason is, she doesn't want people to "think she's a bad mother" if her child is put on medication or requires therapy?! I'm sorry, but if you don't get your child the help they Need then yes, my friend, You Are A Bad Mother. That's how that works. 😡😠🤬 It's been quite a while since I've been this Angry 😡 after reading a "romance" book. I'm dumb founded by the high rating this duet has. It definitely doesn't deserve it.
December 9, 2022
This is part of the Zaitsev Bratva series picking up where book two left off but hold on buckle up this is a wild ride, dangerous men, alpha’s personified, possessive, oh, so gorgeous, brooding all the makings of a story consisting with three D’s (dark, delicious, and dirty) 😊. There will be suspense, betrayal, death, darkness, secrets reveled, violence, hope, forgiveness, and maybe even love (ALL THINGS TO EXPECT FROM THE MAFIA WORLD). By the time you’ve figured out who is who and what is what, you’re already hooked, and you may as well give up the fight and prepare yourself for an all-nighter!
CAN’T SAY YOU WEREN’T WARNED!!!!!
We left off when his brother dies Krill having a fit pretty much throwing everything and everyone away like they mean nothing including Rayne but when he threw her out, he also threw away his daughter whom she was carrying at the time becoming even colder than before, more ruthless, and bitterness has eaten away at him. Rayne is struggling emotionally to raise her little girl alone especially when her heart belongs to one man five years she hasn’t seen or heard from him often dreams of him, thinks of him daily and misses him yet they are two of a kind meaning neither was willing to admit their love for the other. Rayne is living pay check to pay check doing everything in her power to provide for her special needs little girl but the one thing she isn’t lacking is the love she feels for her little girl but fate takes pity on them both giving them a second chance at something meaningful because Kirill finely pulls his head of the funk he has been in but it takes a little more from fate because he comes back his usual grumpiness running into her at the beach where of course he tells he doesn’t want to see her but watching her dance with another man is his wake up call and the roller coaster starts up again this time with a little girl but will he prove himself this time, will she forgive him for leaving without so much as a goodbye, will his daughter understand any of it, and can they find happiness the second time around?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
CAN’T SAY YOU WEREN’T WARNED!!!!!
We left off when his brother dies Krill having a fit pretty much throwing everything and everyone away like they mean nothing including Rayne but when he threw her out, he also threw away his daughter whom she was carrying at the time becoming even colder than before, more ruthless, and bitterness has eaten away at him. Rayne is struggling emotionally to raise her little girl alone especially when her heart belongs to one man five years she hasn’t seen or heard from him often dreams of him, thinks of him daily and misses him yet they are two of a kind meaning neither was willing to admit their love for the other. Rayne is living pay check to pay check doing everything in her power to provide for her special needs little girl but the one thing she isn’t lacking is the love she feels for her little girl but fate takes pity on them both giving them a second chance at something meaningful because Kirill finely pulls his head of the funk he has been in but it takes a little more from fate because he comes back his usual grumpiness running into her at the beach where of course he tells he doesn’t want to see her but watching her dance with another man is his wake up call and the roller coaster starts up again this time with a little girl but will he prove himself this time, will she forgive him for leaving without so much as a goodbye, will his daughter understand any of it, and can they find happiness the second time around?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 22, 2025
This was one of the dumbest books in recent memory. I don't even have a real review, because it would take a book to explain what was wrong with this duet. It's mystifying, because much of the dialogue is great. How is it possible to write good dialogue like this while at the same time writing everything else so incompetently - if not on purpose? The MC started out vivid and cool for half a minute in book one. The FMC was great in the first interaction in book one, but then her alternate doormat personality took over until the end of the unnecessary duet.
I think she is the main reason these two books are so incredibly stupid in such a frustrating way. I mean, there is every other reason too, but - it's the heroine. If there was an award for dumbest TSTL heroine, it would be this one. It's really like a toddler wrote her part, along with the plot. It's truly difficult to imagine a woman writing such a completely fucking stupid doormat of a female character.
I'm sorry, this sounds a little mean. But I just lived through this torture and the PTSD is fresh.
Some people pointed out that the MC is called a Don when it should be Pakhan, but that's neither here nor there when he's a pussy either way, and there is no mafia action whatsoever. Then there's the apparent description of an autistic child and no one in the school system has ever heard of the diagnosis. And the public school system doesn't exist, so the financially strapped doormat somehow has this kid in a private school? I can't begin to analyze the relationship between the two imbecile MCs, but others have provided synopses.
There is just enough potential in this that you keep reading, hoping it will get better. Like, surely, it will? But it never gets better. It gets worse. The temptation is to use the more lyrical,"progressively worse." But I can't, because a central feature is the mind-numbing loop of non-action and repetitive, non-sensical storyline.
I think she is the main reason these two books are so incredibly stupid in such a frustrating way. I mean, there is every other reason too, but - it's the heroine. If there was an award for dumbest TSTL heroine, it would be this one. It's really like a toddler wrote her part, along with the plot. It's truly difficult to imagine a woman writing such a completely fucking stupid doormat of a female character.
I'm sorry, this sounds a little mean. But I just lived through this torture and the PTSD is fresh.
Some people pointed out that the MC is called a Don when it should be Pakhan, but that's neither here nor there when he's a pussy either way, and there is no mafia action whatsoever. Then there's the apparent description of an autistic child and no one in the school system has ever heard of the diagnosis. And the public school system doesn't exist, so the financially strapped doormat somehow has this kid in a private school? I can't begin to analyze the relationship between the two imbecile MCs, but others have provided synopses.
There is just enough potential in this that you keep reading, hoping it will get better. Like, surely, it will? But it never gets better. It gets worse. The temptation is to use the more lyrical,"progressively worse." But I can't, because a central feature is the mind-numbing loop of non-action and repetitive, non-sensical storyline.
December 4, 2022
The conclusion to this story five years starts after the heart break in book one when Kirill’s brother dies, he throws everything away not knowing Rayne was carrying his child. He becomes cold and bitter living in New York until he returns five years later to the ocean side home. Rayne and her daughter Yuliana have struggled, she’s a single mom barely getting bye, a child with special needs, wondering and thinking Kirill might one day come back to Los Angeles to his seaside home. I love they are given a second chance at finding each other, they’ve both been struggling in their own way. Fate often finds a way to bring things full circle and these two have so much chemistry together, I love how she stands up to Kirill, she’ll not let him control her or her life. What happens when he finally finds out she has a daughter, he has a daughter who’s so much like his brother Ilya? It’s such a struggle for Rayne to believe she’s good enough, to have someone really love her, after all even her own father didn’t seem to love her. She struggles when she lets her fears and insecurities overcome her better judgement. I love this captivating story of two strong minded people, I love their witty banter and the sexual tension between them, I love how far Kirill is willing to go to convince Rayne and his daughter how much they mean to him. A very emotional and moving story of a struggling mother and child, a father bonding with his daughter for the first time and a love so strong they can no longer deny their love. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 25, 2022
Again, this book was not what I expected with typical Naomi West stories but was still oh so good! While Ruby Mercy did have the same mafia/bratva vibes, morally grey alpa hole there was not the overarching command/possession you see in most of her stories between the couple. Which was a new dynamic for me and honestly, I was here for it! This book picks up five years after the ending of Book 1 (spoiler ahead if you haven't read Ruby Malice)- when Rayne revealed her surprise pregnancy at the end. Not to anyone but the ocean overlooking Kirill's house at the time, but now she's got some support in Natalia and is scrapping a living together working as a maid for a seemingly normal, middle aged couple. She hasn't seen hide nor hair of Kirill since the day his brother died but he shows up 5 years later out of the blue....and promptly kicks her off his beach, telling her he never wants to see her again. That lasts about 5 minutes and they cannot resist the pull between themselves, especially with the lingering secret of their shared daughter. The book navigates through Rayne's vulnerability, Kirill's lingering anger over Illya's death and the ongoing threats from the competing bratva families. Add in Rayne's family dynamics it's just a match made in angsty, romance storyline heaven.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 2, 2023
Some Spoilers Included
I’m very very conflicted here… I loved the first book, in fact it was a rare 5 star, and I was really hoping Book 2 would hold suit unfortunately in my opinion it didn’t. There were several unignorable discrepancies: one is the fathers health.. early in book Rayne says sisters had called her saying Dad was getting worse and not doing well.. then mid book she calls her father and he’s totally fine no mention of health.. then again she calls sister and says dad sick it’s not good and it’s new news~ maybe I missed something but just seemed off. Then she’s at work with Natalia and later that SAME day said Natalia has Yuliana bc Natalia didn’t work today… Just flaws that brought me out of book like “ huh?” — next Raynes mentality I could deal with and understand up to a point but then personally it just became almost too much she was too daft and obnoxious even given what had gone through so it really decreased enthrallment for me personally. — if it was just one of these thing I’d still cop to 5 stars but both brought it down to 4 for me. It actually would’ve been a three but the authors ability to actually surprise me with something unexpected really is rare as well as her varying from the typical story point course for this genre which again added to the overall story for me thus 4 instead of 3.
I’m very very conflicted here… I loved the first book, in fact it was a rare 5 star, and I was really hoping Book 2 would hold suit unfortunately in my opinion it didn’t. There were several unignorable discrepancies: one is the fathers health.. early in book Rayne says sisters had called her saying Dad was getting worse and not doing well.. then mid book she calls her father and he’s totally fine no mention of health.. then again she calls sister and says dad sick it’s not good and it’s new news~ maybe I missed something but just seemed off. Then she’s at work with Natalia and later that SAME day said Natalia has Yuliana bc Natalia didn’t work today… Just flaws that brought me out of book like “ huh?” — next Raynes mentality I could deal with and understand up to a point but then personally it just became almost too much she was too daft and obnoxious even given what had gone through so it really decreased enthrallment for me personally. — if it was just one of these thing I’d still cop to 5 stars but both brought it down to 4 for me. It actually would’ve been a three but the authors ability to actually surprise me with something unexpected really is rare as well as her varying from the typical story point course for this genre which again added to the overall story for me thus 4 instead of 3.
December 15, 2022
Ruby Mercy is book two in the Zaitsev Bratva duet. The story picks up at the where jaw-dropping cliffhanger ended with Kirill brother death and him being mad at the world thus pushing everyone away. He even went as far as through Rayne out and not knowing that she was carrying his child. He took back to New York to lick his wounds for five years. While Rayne had it rough trying to raise their daughter. He came back to town but doesn't want to see her. Rayne normally goes to the beach by his house hoping that one day she would see him or hear his voice again.
You see she has a secret that she's hiding from him. Her rental house is by Kirill's beach house so she would take walks and sit on the beach. He saw her and yelled at her to leave. It was wasn't until he saw her with a another man that he was jealous and wanted her back. Ruby Mercy is filled with pain, anger, lies, secrets, deception, healing, heartaches, lust, survival, loss, grief, forgiveness, revelation, twists and turns, family issues, push and pull, steam, passion, and love.
I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
You see she has a secret that she's hiding from him. Her rental house is by Kirill's beach house so she would take walks and sit on the beach. He saw her and yelled at her to leave. It was wasn't until he saw her with a another man that he was jealous and wanted her back. Ruby Mercy is filled with pain, anger, lies, secrets, deception, healing, heartaches, lust, survival, loss, grief, forgiveness, revelation, twists and turns, family issues, push and pull, steam, passion, and love.
I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 10, 2023
Barely make it a 3 star. Rayne in this book was so stupid and blames everyone else for her misery this book takes place 5 years after the accident. She has a daughter and kirill is the dad but doesn't know he has a daughter, he goes bk to California and when he sees Rayne on his beach he tells her to leave and never wants to see her again but they are in same town then the bar scene where he threatened her date and dumps her in ocean and tells her she was only good for nothing but meaningless sex I was like oh hell no, then she keeps pining for him but can't tell him about daughter but he is always there watching her and protecting her but being an ass, she is just has stupid to get treated that way but still goes bk to him oh then the issue with her father truth comes out and I be like ok makes sense why he left and wasn't around but also her mother kept a huge secret so she just feels sorry for herself and blah blah. She just played the victim throughout this book to where it got annoying but towards the end it was good to redeem a little bit.this book had so much potential but fell short
December 8, 2022
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I cannot believe how emotional I got it was like the four seasons, this book is a continuation from Ruby Malice and the same characters Kirill and Rayne. Rayne has gone through a lot after Kirill left her without saying goodbye, with everything happening to her one thing after another. Her rental is near Kirill's beach house she would often go past even take time out by sitting on the sand watching the water, until she hears this voice behind her and all she could think of was for five years she has been wanting to hear his voice. Kirill has a go at her again and tells her to go and not come back, the problem with that is everywhere he went she was already there. She was hiding secrets not wanting to tell him anything because he didn't want to see her again. What will he do if he finds out. I have absolutely loved reading this story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I cannot believe how emotional I got it was like the four seasons, this book is a continuation from Ruby Malice and the same characters Kirill and Rayne. Rayne has gone through a lot after Kirill left her without saying goodbye, with everything happening to her one thing after another. Her rental is near Kirill's beach house she would often go past even take time out by sitting on the sand watching the water, until she hears this voice behind her and all she could think of was for five years she has been wanting to hear his voice. Kirill has a go at her again and tells her to go and not come back, the problem with that is everywhere he went she was already there. She was hiding secrets not wanting to tell him anything because he didn't want to see her again. What will he do if he finds out. I have absolutely loved reading this story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 2, 2023
I really do dislike the 5 years later starts to these books. This is the second series of this author that I have read and they basically start the same. Five years and a secret baby later. BLAH!.
I’m not sue why the author has to make the MFC annoying. Well done on writing the struggles of a single mum with a child that is a little different. I don’t recall that an actual ‘label’ was discussed. We see that Rayne is witty and smart but sooooo annoying. The story could have been so much better without the constant going on and on and around in circles just to drag out the word count.
It seems to be this authors go to storyline.
I kept thinking, if he is a big bad Bratva leader would he really put up with this crap. It’s just tiresome. After 5 years apart they are still so in love with the few weeks they spent together that they both pined their life away for each other. Not likely I think.
I’m not sue why the author has to make the MFC annoying. Well done on writing the struggles of a single mum with a child that is a little different. I don’t recall that an actual ‘label’ was discussed. We see that Rayne is witty and smart but sooooo annoying. The story could have been so much better without the constant going on and on and around in circles just to drag out the word count.
It seems to be this authors go to storyline.
I kept thinking, if he is a big bad Bratva leader would he really put up with this crap. It’s just tiresome. After 5 years apart they are still so in love with the few weeks they spent together that they both pined their life away for each other. Not likely I think.
December 10, 2022
This is book 2, and we get right the last known point of interest. This read as another opportunity, as Rayne and Kirill isolated toward the finish of book 1, and presently we perceive how they should push past the walls and moves keeping them separated to accommodate and rejoin. Rayne is a tough cookie, which is understandable given her desire to raise and safeguard her daughter at all costs. In this section, Kirill is on his own journey, and we get to see a more vulnerable side of him. As they try to deal with their everyday lives and figure out how the other will fit in, we continue to see some push and pull here. Additionally, we now have their daughter to assist our couple in adjusting to their relationship. As a whole, a good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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