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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Similar to the other book I read in this series (oops to reading out of order, I guess), this has good writing, and an interesting premise/love interest, and I like the author's writing style, mostly. I recognize the broody/angry appeal the damaged guy with a heart of gold has, but I really don't enjoy romance where when one partner is angry/enraged about something, and they still hook up. Cole makes a point of having both characters talk about how, even angry, the guy won't go too far and would never hurt the woman here, but it's still clear that both partners are angry with one another for different reasons (and the guy is SUPER angry)-resulting in a scene that's less hot and more squicky.
I also enjoy the women in these books, because they feel so realistic: knowing what they like, while also being conflicted sometimes, making decisions about their relationships based on their own needs, having other women for friends, not written as out of control jealous while still feeling possessive of their partners. Just super likeable and flawed and normal sounding (if still romance novel pretty with "flaws" that wouldn't be flaws in anyone but a romance heroine). I'll probably read the other book in this series too, I think.
Update: On rereading, I found the romance more squicky and the leading man less likeable. Still nowhere near as bad as 50 Shades, but for me this series is best enjoyed as the romance novel version of an action movie: cheesy, unrealistic, shiny, and kind of fun.
I also enjoy the women in these books, because they feel so realistic: knowing what they like, while also being conflicted sometimes, making decisions about their relationships based on their own needs, having other women for friends, not written as out of control jealous while still feeling possessive of their partners. Just super likeable and flawed and normal sounding (if still romance novel pretty with "flaws" that wouldn't be flaws in anyone but a romance heroine). I'll probably read the other book in this series too, I think.
Update: On rereading, I found the romance more squicky and the leading man less likeable. Still nowhere near as bad as 50 Shades, but for me this series is best enjoyed as the romance novel version of an action movie: cheesy, unrealistic, shiny, and kind of fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Low 4.25
After years of picking this book up for putting it down just after a few chapters I've finally finished it! And overall I've enjoyed it.
What this book is: light mafia and bdsm
I have to thank the fated mates podcast for introducing me to this series.
After years of picking this book up for putting it down just after a few chapters I've finally finished it! And overall I've enjoyed it.
What this book is: light mafia and bdsm
I have to thank the fated mates podcast for introducing me to this series.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What’s the trope called when average girl finds out she’s actually a princess, heir to a throne? This is the Russian mafia version of that.
I’m giving this ⭐️⭐️⭐️ because even though the audiobook acting was distracting and it was plenty cheesy, I’m not completely mad that I finished it. It was entertaining enough.
I’m giving this ⭐️⭐️⭐️ because even though the audiobook acting was distracting and it was plenty cheesy, I’m not completely mad that I finished it. It was entertaining enough.
My first, for real erotica in the Shades of Grey, BDSM-ish vein. So this gets an A+ for sexy times and there are alot of sexy times and very naughty sexy times. But its gets like a D+ for characters. A little lighter on plot than I prefer and character development basically stops at, he warms my form so it must be love. I'll probably continue the rest of the series because of previously mentioned sexy times. Thinking I should make a separate "Smut" shelf.
I did like that it's set in Russia and features a Russian mafia bad boy. I keep picturing Viggo and Richie. Yum.
I did like that it's set in Russia and features a Russian mafia bad boy. I keep picturing Viggo and Richie. Yum.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is okay. It's definitely a romance, and that's not negative, I love romance. It's basically all I read. If it's your first romance or you don't read them often, you're probably going to be like...WHAT?
The book is built on "romance reasons", so don't question it. The heroine's best friend is absolutely cool with everything her friend is telling her about being a long lost Russian mafia princess? That tracks. Heroine's adoptive mother never calling to check on her child despite heroine leaving in the middle of the night? Definitely. Her biological mafia dad being not THAT kind of mafia vor? Sure, yeah. Just ride the wave, y'all.
Sex: It's absolutely filthy. Very hot and lots of it. A+
My biggest issue with this novel was the miscommunication of it all. Natalie thinks she's getting Sevastayn to open up and then he's cold. When she confronts him, he dickmatizes her, and then she's just like...forget everything I was mad about. This literally goes on until 94%.
So, if you're looking for a wild romp with a lot of "will they, won't they" for light angst even they though absolutely will, this is it.
The book is built on "romance reasons", so don't question it. The heroine's best friend is absolutely cool with everything her friend is telling her about being a long lost Russian mafia princess? That tracks. Heroine's adoptive mother never calling to check on her child despite heroine leaving in the middle of the night? Definitely. Her biological mafia dad being not THAT kind of mafia vor? Sure, yeah. Just ride the wave, y'all.
Sex: It's absolutely filthy. Very hot and lots of it. A+
My biggest issue with this novel was the miscommunication of it all. Natalie thinks she's getting Sevastayn to open up and then he's cold. When she confronts him, he dickmatizes her, and then she's just like...forget everything I was mad about. This literally goes on until 94%.
So, if you're looking for a wild romp with a lot of "will they, won't they" for light angst even they though absolutely will, this is it.
dnf @ 15%
no. i legit have no problems with steamy scenes but these were written way too detailed making it feel like a smut fanfic, i didnt like it either, way too much insta-lust ect.
id rather read something good.
no. i legit have no problems with steamy scenes but these were written way too detailed making it feel like a smut fanfic, i didnt like it either, way too much insta-lust ect.
id rather read something good.
3.5 overall
CW: Kidnapping (more details below), dubious consent (some coercive situations, one involving alcohol), kink (done well IMO), violence (he's in the mafia), angst, sex-negativity (that gets addressed), discussions of domestic violence and child sexual abuse (a character talking about their past).
I read this in 3 parts, via audiobook. While the narration was good, I wouldn't recommend listening to this story in this (broken up) format. This is written as a cohesive story and the cliffhanger breaks are jarring and pulled me out of the story.
The story itself started strong, despite its fantastical setup of a broke college student discovering she's the lost heir of a Russian mafia boss, who is kidnapped ("for her protection") by his right-hand man who is the exact kind of kinky she's needed in her life. Also, she's a virgin and he resists her out of respect for her father and a deep sense of self-hatred because he has *gasp* a dark past. I say this all with a great deal of affection for these tropes, and characters.
Natalie is a fun protagonist. Her internal monologue had me cackling at several points. No surprise Cole has a gift for writing humorous and resilient heroines with a meta sense of humor about the often over-the-top situations they find themselves in, which is Natalie to a tee.
Aleksei is a delightful blend of dangerous brute and restrained aristocrate. I love criminals with a code, and the pairing of experiance with violence and emotional vulnrabilty. He's a mystery for a lot of the story which can be annoying at certain parts, but by the end I was fine with it because the resolution was satisfying, for me.
This story has explosive sexual tension that's drawn out by the delay of P in V sex, but there's still plenty of oral, fingering, and mutal masturbation to entertain us while you wait. I like how Cole turned the virgin heroine trope on its head by making her the one who is more comfortable with sex and ultimate helps him accept his kinkiness. That treatment of kink was really good, imo. The depiction of scenes through Natalie's POV showing how exhibition, pain play, and D/s dynamics can be healthy, even liberating experiances for people. I really liked how the story directly addressed misconceptions about BDSM and trauma.
I don't know if people who aren't into these tropes (listed above) would enjoy this book. It's very much made for a target audience. The kinapping-ish set up and Aleksei's behavior could easily be read as a huge red flag, a point made by Natalie herself. But the story did a good job of balancing the power dynamic between them in ways that worked for me, but again may not work for others. Be forewarned.
This is a very romaticised American view of Russian organized crime. It takes great steps to make both the hero and herione's father look like decent men who've resorted to crime out of political and economical, as well as personal reasons. While I love this perspective on criminals, especially when they're from marginalized groups, it gets a little suspect when it's white American's writing about white criminals. I'm used to this and can overlook it, but it might be irritating to other readers.
Overall I liked this book and plan to read the next in the series. I would recommend this to fans of mafia Romance and specifically Viggo Mortensen in Eastern Promises. IYKYK
CW: Kidnapping (more details below), dubious consent (some coercive situations, one involving alcohol), kink (done well IMO), violence (he's in the mafia), angst, sex-negativity (that gets addressed), discussions of domestic violence and child sexual abuse (a character talking about their past).
I read this in 3 parts, via audiobook. While the narration was good, I wouldn't recommend listening to this story in this (broken up) format. This is written as a cohesive story and the cliffhanger breaks are jarring and pulled me out of the story.
The story itself started strong, despite its fantastical setup of a broke college student discovering she's the lost heir of a Russian mafia boss, who is kidnapped ("for her protection") by his right-hand man who is the exact kind of kinky she's needed in her life. Also, she's a virgin and he resists her out of respect for her father and a deep sense of self-hatred because he has *gasp* a dark past. I say this all with a great deal of affection for these tropes, and characters.
Natalie is a fun protagonist. Her internal monologue had me cackling at several points. No surprise Cole has a gift for writing humorous and resilient heroines with a meta sense of humor about the often over-the-top situations they find themselves in, which is Natalie to a tee.
Aleksei is a delightful blend of dangerous brute and restrained aristocrate. I love criminals with a code, and the pairing of experiance with violence and emotional vulnrabilty. He's a mystery for a lot of the story which can be annoying at certain parts, but by the end I was fine with it because the resolution was satisfying, for me.
This story has explosive sexual tension that's drawn out by the delay of P in V sex, but there's still plenty of oral, fingering, and mutal masturbation to entertain us while you wait. I like how Cole turned the virgin heroine trope on its head by making her the one who is more comfortable with sex and ultimate helps him accept his kinkiness. That treatment of kink was really good, imo. The depiction of scenes through Natalie's POV showing how exhibition, pain play, and D/s dynamics can be healthy, even liberating experiances for people. I really liked how the story directly addressed misconceptions about BDSM and trauma.
I don't know if people who aren't into these tropes (listed above) would enjoy this book. It's very much made for a target audience. The kinapping-ish set up and Aleksei's behavior could easily be read as a huge red flag, a point made by Natalie herself. But the story did a good job of balancing the power dynamic between them in ways that worked for me, but again may not work for others. Be forewarned.
This is a very romaticised American view of Russian organized crime. It takes great steps to make both the hero and herione's father look like decent men who've resorted to crime out of political and economical, as well as personal reasons. While I love this perspective on criminals, especially when they're from marginalized groups, it gets a little suspect when it's white American's writing about white criminals. I'm used to this and can overlook it, but it might be irritating to other readers.
Overall I liked this book and plan to read the next in the series. I would recommend this to fans of mafia Romance and specifically Viggo Mortensen in Eastern Promises. IYKYK