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julie_loves_books's review against another edition
5.0
"If Nick is darkness with a kernel of light inside him, I am light with the matching kernel of darkness. It’s what makes us so perfect for one another."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
There is nothing like finding a hidden gem when you least expect it. Not only is this one of my favorite hitman books, but it's one of my favorite stalker books as well. Nikolai Andrushko is the full package. Hired killer by day and the sweetest brand of stalker by night.
I adored these two! Nikolai is a lone hitman. Daisy has just left home after being sheltered by an agoraphobic father. Both of them have led lonely, solitaire lives. Neither of them knows anything about friendly or romantic relationships. Daisy learned bits and pieces from reading romance novels and Nikolai has gone so far as hiring prostitutes to teach him how to cuddle.
When they finally meet and try to even speak to one another it's some of the sweetest most awkward moments that you'll ever read. Flirting is hard. Acting natural is hard. Watching them find their way is adorable and often times hilarious. Nikolai stumbles so many times that he finally asks a fellow hitman, whom he barely knows, for dating advice. He just never seems to be able to do or say the right things.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book. In addition to well developed characters and a great story, the dialogue and dead pan humor is written and delivered so perfectly. I adored Nick and his affection for Daisy. They each had their own insecurities, but made each other believe that they could love. It's such a sweet, sweet story. If you love hitman stalkers that have a dry sense of humor, that will go to the ends of the world to protect their woman and would do everything in their power to make her happy, this book is for you.
Nicknames/Endearments: Kitten, Little Flower, Kotehok, Milaya Moya
Tomorrow, perhaps I will talk to her. I will tell her that she smells of fresh air and wide spaces. That her blue eyes remind me of the sky above the Ural Mountains. I want to drown in them.
There are freckles on her cheeks and forehead. Standing so close, there are details here that I could not have captured from my scope, my night-vision goggles, my paltry imagination. Daisy is a riot of colors with her chestnut-colored hair and her blue eyes. Her pale skin is lovely even in this dimly lit basement. It is a good thing, I decide, that I’ve yet to see Daisy fully exposed in the sun. I may die. Ah, but that would be a happy death.
The light is fading fast, and I don’t want to be out with Daisy on my bike when it is too late—when the dangerous drivers are out. Alone, I can avoid these people, but with my precious cargo, I would be worried.
I want to go to my room so I can think privately about my Ukrainian.
“You want to go to a movie?” I ask.
“With you, I will go anywhere.”
“Are you going to kiss me on this date?” I ask. He looks surprised at my words.
“Do you wish for me to kiss you?”
“Yes,” I say firmly.
“Then, da, I will kiss you.” His face relaxes.
“Let’s kiss now,” I tell him.
So many things I do well. I track. I synthesize information into discernible patterns. I follow through. I kill. Those things I am competent at. Courting, I am not.
“I always speak wrong when I am around you. My words never come out right.” His fingers brush over my mouth, oh so gently. “I want to get things right, but I just make worse. You deserve better.”
Nick has already programmed my name into the phone as D8Z, and the background is a picture of white daisies.
“I feel like I am not worthy of you.”
“Me?” She lets out a small huff.
“I feel like I’m not experienced enough for you.” She smiles like we are a pair of fools. And we are. I curve my own lips upward.
“You are just right for me.” I look down at her hands and then into her eyes. “Am I right for you?”
“I revel in these signs,” I tell her, whispering the words against the delicate swirl of her ear. She shivers as I trace the outline of the lobe and lick the tender skin behind it. “These signs tell me that my woman’s body sings for me.”
“Are you wearing panties I have bought you, Daisy?” I ask. “Did you think of me when you pulled them up your legs and squeezed your thighs together? Did you wonder what it would be like if it were my hands there instead of the silk and lace that I purchased for you?” She gives me what I want. A panting, breathless “yes.” “May I see?”
“A woman’s cunt is soft, delicious thing,” he tells me. “Like flower with delicate petals.” His thumb strokes down the center of my panties, and I feel him outline the seam of my sex. I am so damp that the panties stick to my skin, and it makes the visual obscene. I am horrified and fascinated by it all at once.
“Should I be this wet?” I ask him.
“Only if I am lucky man.”
“Nick—” He lifts his head to gaze up at me, his mouth slick with my own wetness. “The way you say my name with my mouth on your cunt—it is a dream.” He lowers his head again, but not before adding, “I want to hear it when you come.”
“Sweet Daisy,” he murmurs. “Now I make you come.”
D8Z: How often do you watch me? What do you see?
Nick: I see treasure beyond value. I see beauty without compare. I see your every gesture exudes pleasure and joy in even smallest things. I see delight in simply existing. I see you, Daisy.
I have so little of worth to offer Daisy. That I could buy her a phone or a few pieces of clothing or even pay her rent is the only thing I can provide, and she rejects even that. I want something more with Daisy. I want, perhaps, to not kill anymore. To live with her in a tiny apartment and eat food made by her hands and make love to her every evening. And maybe some mornings. Also afternoons.
“I am yours, little flower. Do anything you like.”
“Will you like it?” I squeeze my fist around him, fascinated by how hard his length is, how hot and smooth and silky the delicate skin covering it is.
“Da," he says, and the word is thick. "I would love it."
“Take your panties off.” I gasp.
“Why?”
“So I can take care of you."
“Spasibo.” He laughs, surprised at my Russian.
“Why do you thank me?”
“For caring enough to care about how I feel.” He pulls me close again, snuggling with me on the bed.
“I do not think you realize, Daisy. You are everything to me."
“Where are we going?”
“To a hotel in Moscow.” His gaze flicks to the rearview mirror again.
“Gotta reunite Romeo and Juliet."
“Sergei has told you who I am, da? And now you are afraid of me.”
“You’re a hit man,” I say. “You all murder for money.” The words taste vile in my mouth. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“And what would I say to you, little Daisy?” There is so much pain in his voice. So much self-loathing. “That I want to kiss you and make love to you even though I am not worthy of your smallest attentions? Far better to say nothing. It is easier to beg forgiveness than to ask permission."
His hand reaches up to brush my cheek, and when I flinch away, he flinches in return. “I knew I could not keep you,” he says. His voice is hoarse with emotion. “Such a beautiful, innocent soul. I just wanted you for as long as I could have you. I knew it was wrong and I did not care. Someday, I hope you forgive me."
Sergei doesn’t know it, but his words are working against him. Nick is who he has been created to be, just like I am who my father shaped me into. A little mentally twisted, a little sick in the head, and a lot lonely and needing of love.
“I don’t care what I have so long as I can be with you, kotehok. I am happy living in a box as long as you are sharing the box with me."
If Nick is darkness with a kernel of light inside him, I am light with the matching kernel of darkness. It’s what makes us so perfect for one another.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
There is nothing like finding a hidden gem when you least expect it. Not only is this one of my favorite hitman books, but it's one of my favorite stalker books as well. Nikolai Andrushko is the full package. Hired killer by day and the sweetest brand of stalker by night.
I adored these two! Nikolai is a lone hitman. Daisy has just left home after being sheltered by an agoraphobic father. Both of them have led lonely, solitaire lives. Neither of them knows anything about friendly or romantic relationships. Daisy learned bits and pieces from reading romance novels and Nikolai has gone so far as hiring prostitutes to teach him how to cuddle.
When they finally meet and try to even speak to one another it's some of the sweetest most awkward moments that you'll ever read. Flirting is hard. Acting natural is hard. Watching them find their way is adorable and often times hilarious. Nikolai stumbles so many times that he finally asks a fellow hitman, whom he barely knows, for dating advice. He just never seems to be able to do or say the right things.
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book. In addition to well developed characters and a great story, the dialogue and dead pan humor is written and delivered so perfectly. I adored Nick and his affection for Daisy. They each had their own insecurities, but made each other believe that they could love. It's such a sweet, sweet story. If you love hitman stalkers that have a dry sense of humor, that will go to the ends of the world to protect their woman and would do everything in their power to make her happy, this book is for you.
Nicknames/Endearments: Kitten, Little Flower, Kotehok, Milaya Moya
Tomorrow, perhaps I will talk to her. I will tell her that she smells of fresh air and wide spaces. That her blue eyes remind me of the sky above the Ural Mountains. I want to drown in them.
There are freckles on her cheeks and forehead. Standing so close, there are details here that I could not have captured from my scope, my night-vision goggles, my paltry imagination. Daisy is a riot of colors with her chestnut-colored hair and her blue eyes. Her pale skin is lovely even in this dimly lit basement. It is a good thing, I decide, that I’ve yet to see Daisy fully exposed in the sun. I may die. Ah, but that would be a happy death.
The light is fading fast, and I don’t want to be out with Daisy on my bike when it is too late—when the dangerous drivers are out. Alone, I can avoid these people, but with my precious cargo, I would be worried.
I want to go to my room so I can think privately about my Ukrainian.
“You want to go to a movie?” I ask.
“With you, I will go anywhere.”
“Are you going to kiss me on this date?” I ask. He looks surprised at my words.
“Do you wish for me to kiss you?”
“Yes,” I say firmly.
“Then, da, I will kiss you.” His face relaxes.
“Let’s kiss now,” I tell him.
So many things I do well. I track. I synthesize information into discernible patterns. I follow through. I kill. Those things I am competent at. Courting, I am not.
“I always speak wrong when I am around you. My words never come out right.” His fingers brush over my mouth, oh so gently. “I want to get things right, but I just make worse. You deserve better.”
Nick has already programmed my name into the phone as D8Z, and the background is a picture of white daisies.
“I feel like I am not worthy of you.”
“Me?” She lets out a small huff.
“I feel like I’m not experienced enough for you.” She smiles like we are a pair of fools. And we are. I curve my own lips upward.
“You are just right for me.” I look down at her hands and then into her eyes. “Am I right for you?”
“I revel in these signs,” I tell her, whispering the words against the delicate swirl of her ear. She shivers as I trace the outline of the lobe and lick the tender skin behind it. “These signs tell me that my woman’s body sings for me.”
“Are you wearing panties I have bought you, Daisy?” I ask. “Did you think of me when you pulled them up your legs and squeezed your thighs together? Did you wonder what it would be like if it were my hands there instead of the silk and lace that I purchased for you?” She gives me what I want. A panting, breathless “yes.” “May I see?”
“A woman’s cunt is soft, delicious thing,” he tells me. “Like flower with delicate petals.” His thumb strokes down the center of my panties, and I feel him outline the seam of my sex. I am so damp that the panties stick to my skin, and it makes the visual obscene. I am horrified and fascinated by it all at once.
“Should I be this wet?” I ask him.
“Only if I am lucky man.”
“Nick—” He lifts his head to gaze up at me, his mouth slick with my own wetness. “The way you say my name with my mouth on your cunt—it is a dream.” He lowers his head again, but not before adding, “I want to hear it when you come.”
“Sweet Daisy,” he murmurs. “Now I make you come.”
D8Z: How often do you watch me? What do you see?
Nick: I see treasure beyond value. I see beauty without compare. I see your every gesture exudes pleasure and joy in even smallest things. I see delight in simply existing. I see you, Daisy.
I have so little of worth to offer Daisy. That I could buy her a phone or a few pieces of clothing or even pay her rent is the only thing I can provide, and she rejects even that. I want something more with Daisy. I want, perhaps, to not kill anymore. To live with her in a tiny apartment and eat food made by her hands and make love to her every evening. And maybe some mornings. Also afternoons.
“I am yours, little flower. Do anything you like.”
“Will you like it?” I squeeze my fist around him, fascinated by how hard his length is, how hot and smooth and silky the delicate skin covering it is.
“Da," he says, and the word is thick. "I would love it."
“Take your panties off.” I gasp.
“Why?”
“So I can take care of you."
“Spasibo.” He laughs, surprised at my Russian.
“Why do you thank me?”
“For caring enough to care about how I feel.” He pulls me close again, snuggling with me on the bed.
“I do not think you realize, Daisy. You are everything to me."
“Where are we going?”
“To a hotel in Moscow.” His gaze flicks to the rearview mirror again.
“Gotta reunite Romeo and Juliet."
“Sergei has told you who I am, da? And now you are afraid of me.”
“You’re a hit man,” I say. “You all murder for money.” The words taste vile in my mouth. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“And what would I say to you, little Daisy?” There is so much pain in his voice. So much self-loathing. “That I want to kiss you and make love to you even though I am not worthy of your smallest attentions? Far better to say nothing. It is easier to beg forgiveness than to ask permission."
His hand reaches up to brush my cheek, and when I flinch away, he flinches in return. “I knew I could not keep you,” he says. His voice is hoarse with emotion. “Such a beautiful, innocent soul. I just wanted you for as long as I could have you. I knew it was wrong and I did not care. Someday, I hope you forgive me."
Sergei doesn’t know it, but his words are working against him. Nick is who he has been created to be, just like I am who my father shaped me into. A little mentally twisted, a little sick in the head, and a lot lonely and needing of love.
“I don’t care what I have so long as I can be with you, kotehok. I am happy living in a box as long as you are sharing the box with me."
If Nick is darkness with a kernel of light inside him, I am light with the matching kernel of darkness. It’s what makes us so perfect for one another.
reading_rainy's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the narration by Iggy Toma and Kasha Kensington.
This is a story of Nikolai, a Russian mafia hitman falling for the homeschooled, farm raised, innocent girl next-door. Although, Daisy is not really the girl next-door, she's the girl in the next building. Nikolai just happens to be watching her through his scope. Daisy is a wonderful character in her own right. For someone so sheltered, she is incredibly strong but also vulnerable with Nikolai. I adore how honest she is with him.
Their love was very genuine and incredibly touching. There were a few eye-rolling moments throughout the story but overall I really liked this one! (although I do feel incredibly horrified for Reagan, Daisy's roommate)
For a hired assassin, Nikolai is one of the most gentle, sweet, and self-sacrificing heroes I've ever read. He will do absolutely anything for his Daisy. He's never been in a relationship with anyone, and the only women his been around, he's paid for. I love how he asks advice from a fellow hitman on dating. Being around Daisy makes Nikolai want more from life, he wants to take care of her, and surround her with beautiful things. And that's the gist of the story, Nikolai doesn't feel he is one of those beautiful things. In fact he knows he is terrible for Daisy, but he doesn't want to let her go. She is his treasure.
While this wasn't the best mafia romance I've ever read, it just might have the sweetest hero.
This is a story of Nikolai, a Russian mafia hitman falling for the homeschooled, farm raised, innocent girl next-door. Although, Daisy is not really the girl next-door, she's the girl in the next building. Nikolai just happens to be watching her through his scope. Daisy is a wonderful character in her own right. For someone so sheltered, she is incredibly strong but also vulnerable with Nikolai. I adore how honest she is with him.
Their love was very genuine and incredibly touching. There were a few eye-rolling moments throughout the story but overall I really liked this one! (although I do feel incredibly horrified for Reagan, Daisy's roommate)
For a hired assassin, Nikolai is one of the most gentle, sweet, and self-sacrificing heroes I've ever read. He will do absolutely anything for his Daisy. He's never been in a relationship with anyone, and the only women his been around, he's paid for. I love how he asks advice from a fellow hitman on dating. Being around Daisy makes Nikolai want more from life, he wants to take care of her, and surround her with beautiful things. And that's the gist of the story, Nikolai doesn't feel he is one of those beautiful things. In fact he knows he is terrible for Daisy, but he doesn't want to let her go. She is his treasure.
While this wasn't the best mafia romance I've ever read, it just might have the sweetest hero.
sinagaraw's review against another edition
4.0
its not what I expected. because its not full of angst, killing and everything. hahaha
ezichinny's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this one. Daisy is running from her father who had kept her cloistered for 21 yrs. Her joyous approach to life catches the attention of Nikolai aka Nick Anderson, a hit man. He's drawn to her innocence but his life didn't belong to him. It belonged to the Bratva, and they won't share.
What happens when Nickolai's affection for Daisy keeps Nikolsi from being a hired gun for the Rusdian syndicate who trained him?
The story of Nikolai and the old hooker sold me on him. There is life in him left to give Daisy. I felt bad for Reagan and can't wait fir Daniel to save the day.
What happens when Nickolai's affection for Daisy keeps Nikolsi from being a hired gun for the Rusdian syndicate who trained him?
The story of Nikolai and the old hooker sold me on him. There is life in him left to give Daisy. I felt bad for Reagan and can't wait fir Daniel to save the day.
enchantressofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
WoW! So before going off to bed I grabbed LAST HIT since I wasn't entirely sleepy I thought I'd read a chapter or two. HOLY COW! Couldn't put it down. Finally crashed at 2am! THEN woke up at 3am (don't ask me why don't know, couldn't sleep) and said what the heck and started reading again! I finished the book by 7am! LOVED IT!!!
Written in both Daisy's and Nikolai POVs, each brings a distinct individual description of the events and how their relationship came to be. Daisy is a young woman who lost her mom at a young age and while her father was still in the picture, she lost him to that day, to fear. She made the decision to no longer let fear be her captive and she leaves. Starts a new life. I will say, when I first read the blurb, I thought 'Oh no... not one of those 'I'm so innocent and I need a man to take care of me, blah blah blah" kind of books where you just want to smack her across the head. I was so grateful that wasn't the case. She is smart and trying to be very independent but doesn't come across as too much as she realizes when she needs to have people help her.
When I was posting on social media about this book, I asked the question, "Could you fall in love with a hitman?" and the answer is "If the hitman is Nikolai, then YES!!!" He is kind, caring, sweet and yes, he's a deadly killer, but there is a reason! As you get to know him, you want to be the one who chases the nightmares aware and protects him from his own evil thoughts. What I enjoyed most about Nikolai is that while he was a complete Alpha male he wasn't the typical type!!
Overall an awesome read that made me add the entire series to my TBR Mountain List :) I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next!
Written in both Daisy's and Nikolai POVs, each brings a distinct individual description of the events and how their relationship came to be. Daisy is a young woman who lost her mom at a young age and while her father was still in the picture, she lost him to that day, to fear. She made the decision to no longer let fear be her captive and she leaves. Starts a new life. I will say, when I first read the blurb, I thought 'Oh no... not one of those 'I'm so innocent and I need a man to take care of me, blah blah blah" kind of books where you just want to smack her across the head. I was so grateful that wasn't the case. She is smart and trying to be very independent but doesn't come across as too much as she realizes when she needs to have people help her.
When I was posting on social media about this book, I asked the question, "Could you fall in love with a hitman?" and the answer is "If the hitman is Nikolai, then YES!!!" He is kind, caring, sweet and yes, he's a deadly killer, but there is a reason! As you get to know him, you want to be the one who chases the nightmares aware and protects him from his own evil thoughts. What I enjoyed most about Nikolai is that while he was a complete Alpha male he wasn't the typical type!!
Overall an awesome read that made me add the entire series to my TBR Mountain List :) I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next!
beckiebookworm1974's review against another edition
5.0
Some books just touch your heart in a special way burrowing under your skin and staying put for the long haul this is the case with this one. A reread that I devoured and loved just as completely this second time around. I adored this story so much all the authentic emotion and love that blossomed between Nikolai and Daisy just got me.
The relationship forged is not an angsty one in fact it’s incredibly sweet and heartfelt. Neither has much experience when it comes to the opposite sex. Daisy because she has been totally sheltered her whole life hidden away by her recluse father and Nikolai is all of her firsts. Nikolai because of his profession as an independent hitman with deep connections to the Bratva. I mean he has all the physical experience from paid whores but emotionally and when it comes down to actual dating and romance he’s as clueless as Daisy is and this made their initial interactions together so unintentionally cute.
I adored everything about Nikolai all of his ineptness and putting his foot in it just made him seem that much more authentic. I loved his accent his bluntness how he takes things so literally but most of all his perseverance and intentions to do right by Daisy even when he constantly gets things wrong.
He’s a total protective alpha, borderline stalker and completely obsessed whilst at the same time convinced he’s not good enough for her. Daisy is just finding her wings; since her mother's death her father had kept her practically a prisoner controlling every aspect of her life due to his fear. Now finally free she’s out to experience everything she feels she’s missed out on. She’s a lot naive and very sheltered but also accepting and tolerant she wants so much more but still feels great guilt for abandoning her father.
The chemistry between Nikolai and Daisy was immense so deep and explosive and filled with passion he would also literally walk through fire to keep Daisy safe from harm and when Nikolai’s past puts Daisy in severe danger he’s prepared to do whatever he must to save her.
This was so well written and such an easy read there’s also some heartbreaking stuff that involves Daisy’s roommate the poor girl definitely got the raw end of the stick that’s for sure. This does then lead us into the next book which is Daniel and the roommates Regan’s story and I’m totally going to be reading it. I can definitely recommend this it really is a breath of fresh air and up there with my all-time favourite reads.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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powerlibrarian's review
3.0
This book has an interesting premise--it’s the epitome of opposites attract. Daisy grew up almost in captivity--as her father has severe agoraphobia. She runs away, wanting to experience the world, but she doesn’t quite realize that her naivety could put her in danger. Nick is a hitman and has been one since he was a boy. When he first sees Daisy he’s captivated by her, and it’s love at first sight.
The author does a fabulous job of having a distinct voice change when she switches perspectives. Daisy is sweet and innocent, and Nick is a hitman, so it makes sense that their POVs would read quite differently. But that’s easier said than done. Nick’s first language is Ukrainian, and he speaks with a heavy accent. While this isn’t as significant in his internal dialogue, his chapters still have that foreign feel to it. He thinks in somewhat stilted grammar, using words that fluent English speakers wouldn’t necessarily use. All the while, the author doesn't sacrifice readability at all in his pov scenes. Colour me impressed!
The suspense plotline is quite intense for this book, and fits in quite nicely with the romance. I don’t want to give anything away, but some of the twists were real nail biters! And we’re not only introduced to the couple for the second book, but we get a taste for what their plotline will be. This is a good way to get me invested in reading the second book when I’d thought this was a standalone.
The author does a fabulous job of having a distinct voice change when she switches perspectives. Daisy is sweet and innocent, and Nick is a hitman, so it makes sense that their POVs would read quite differently. But that’s easier said than done. Nick’s first language is Ukrainian, and he speaks with a heavy accent. While this isn’t as significant in his internal dialogue, his chapters still have that foreign feel to it. He thinks in somewhat stilted grammar, using words that fluent English speakers wouldn’t necessarily use. All the while, the author doesn't sacrifice readability at all in his pov scenes. Colour me impressed!
The suspense plotline is quite intense for this book, and fits in quite nicely with the romance. I don’t want to give anything away, but some of the twists were real nail biters! And we’re not only introduced to the couple for the second book, but we get a taste for what their plotline will be. This is a good way to get me invested in reading the second book when I’d thought this was a standalone.