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elizjmcfarland's review
3.0
This is my first book by Eva Winners and I was not impressed. She has written a plethora of books and I felt like this book was her first rough draft. I love a good mafia, mc, and mobster book and this fell flat for me. The plot/storyline was there, but the execution was not.
Here is what I liked:
Alexei. He is this damaged, tortured soul who still has some good in him despite everything he has been through. He is determined to make good on his promises.
Aurora. She is determined to find the person who kidnapped her brother and joined the FBI. However, despite having all the resources at her fingertips, aka her brothers, she refuses to ask for help and does it on her own.
The plot. There is a ghost who has been kidnapping boys for decades and Aurora knows there is somehow a connection between these kidnappings to her brother’s kidnapping. The FBI has teamed up with Nikolaev brothers and taking down this kidnapping operation.
Here is what I didn’t like:
The Prologue was chapter 18. Isn’t the prologue supposed to be an earlier event that happened and connects the rest of the story. Since this was an ARC issue, was this an editing error?
There was no structure to the story. I feel like the story captured a minute-by-minute play.
There was soo much repetition within the dialogue and the story itself. There were times, I thought I was reading the same sentence 2-3 times.
The smut scenes were lacking. Some of the scenes felt like it only took 30 seconds. For example, the scene where he is blindfolding her and restraining her was soo boring. There needed to be more descriptive words to get the reader to feel what Aurora is feeling.
There was no foreshadowing on the surprise announcement at the end. It was more of a random - oh hey, I am pregnant. It didn’t feel like it belonged in the story. Maybe in the epilogue of 5 years later, we had 2 kids blah blah blah.
Overall, I would not recommend this book based on what I mentioned above. I am disappointed because it really sounded like a great read!
Rating: 2.5/5
Spice: 2/5
Trope: forced proximity, mafia/gang
Please check TW/CW prior to reading
*received ARC for an honest review
Here is what I liked:
Alexei. He is this damaged, tortured soul who still has some good in him despite everything he has been through. He is determined to make good on his promises.
Aurora. She is determined to find the person who kidnapped her brother and joined the FBI. However, despite having all the resources at her fingertips, aka her brothers, she refuses to ask for help and does it on her own.
The plot. There is a ghost who has been kidnapping boys for decades and Aurora knows there is somehow a connection between these kidnappings to her brother’s kidnapping. The FBI has teamed up with Nikolaev brothers and taking down this kidnapping operation.
Here is what I didn’t like:
The Prologue was chapter 18. Isn’t the prologue supposed to be an earlier event that happened and connects the rest of the story. Since this was an ARC issue, was this an editing error?
There was no structure to the story. I feel like the story captured a minute-by-minute play.
There was soo much repetition within the dialogue and the story itself. There were times, I thought I was reading the same sentence 2-3 times.
The smut scenes were lacking. Some of the scenes felt like it only took 30 seconds. For example, the scene where he is blindfolding her and restraining her was soo boring. There needed to be more descriptive words to get the reader to feel what Aurora is feeling.
There was no foreshadowing on the surprise announcement at the end. It was more of a random - oh hey, I am pregnant. It didn’t feel like it belonged in the story. Maybe in the epilogue of 5 years later, we had 2 kids blah blah blah.
Overall, I would not recommend this book based on what I mentioned above. I am disappointed because it really sounded like a great read!
Rating: 2.5/5
Spice: 2/5
Trope: forced proximity, mafia/gang
Please check TW/CW prior to reading
*received ARC for an honest review
jamies_bookreads's review
5.0
Wow…emotions.
This has to be my favorite of the series so far. Alexei (MC) is the broken, quiet, and deadly Mafia Alphahole. Aurora (FMC) is the fiercely independent, strong-willed, and kick butt FBI agent. They are partnered on a case to find missing boys that have been kidnapped. They come together like gas and a lit match…such tension and passion you feel the heat. Their past could or should make them not right for one another, but neither can seem to give the other up. This book is filled with a raw and gritty backstory…that leads to some massive secrets. It’s worth the pain just to glimpse at their passion. But be mindful of the trigger warnings 18+ 4.5/stars
This has to be my favorite of the series so far. Alexei (MC) is the broken, quiet, and deadly Mafia Alphahole. Aurora (FMC) is the fiercely independent, strong-willed, and kick butt FBI agent. They are partnered on a case to find missing boys that have been kidnapped. They come together like gas and a lit match…such tension and passion you feel the heat. Their past could or should make them not right for one another, but neither can seem to give the other up. This book is filled with a raw and gritty backstory…that leads to some massive secrets. It’s worth the pain just to glimpse at their passion. But be mindful of the trigger warnings 18+ 4.5/stars
dirtylittlereads's review
4.0
I was right. Alexei will be living rent free in my brain (and so will his brother, Sasha). Their humor is similar but so different on how they deliver. Aurora is sassy and I quickly fell in love with her. She takes no crap from anyone, nor does she let anyone control her.
Alexei is closed off, as we have seen in the previous books of this series. He has lived through trauma from a young age. He was kidnapped by his half-siblings mom and hoped between foster home. Even then he was not safe from that woman. Or the trials that came after that. Alexei's body is covered with tattoos to cover the extent of his trauma.
Aurora is learning every day to survive through survival's guilt. Her brother, Kingston, was kidnapped right before her eyes. Things have been blocked in her memories. Every day something new unlocks and that, that will spread destruction to relationship that was built.
Alexei’s story is dark but not as dark as I thought it would be in terms of the vibes written. It still worked, though, because we can see the contrast difference between how his life used to be as a slave and his life now. He's surroundered by better people than before who have showed him he deserves all the love that he can, although he disagrees. It was beautiful to see him grow and spend more time with the people who truly love him - his family.
kswear79's review against another edition
5.0
I stumbled upon this series and didn’t realize it wasn’t complete, but I was hooked and like all the others this book did not disappoint. The chemistry between these two is unbelievably hot! The story is well written and will keep you hooked, but as with all series I recommend you start at the beginning. It can be read as a standalone, but there are characters that have stories that are referenced and they have their own book where you get to know them and their family—plus Eva does such a magnificent job with characters development that you don’t want to miss that.
thebritishbibliophile's review
5.0
'The Belles & Mobsters are back with a bang, and Alexei is here to shake things up! Prepare yourself to meet your Mobster for this read!'
Thank you to Eva Winners for sending me an ebook Advanced Reader Copy as part of her ARC Team, for me to read and leave an honest review.
-------------------------------
Ding dong, these belles are going to chime! I'm back with another Belles & Mobsters read from Eva Winners with 'Alexei', book four in the series. With the exception of Nico, this is a series in which I've enjoyed reading from the beginning. Luciano in this series so far has been my frontrunner favourite, but let's see if Alexei will match that or even, dare I say it, be my new no.1 mobster in the series? Find out at the end!
Alexei Nikolaev. Blessed with the face of Adonis. Cursed with eyes colder than the Arctic and a past he can’t escape.
Right from the off, you're getting a read that's straight away a wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am read. It didn't take long for things to get down and dirty and wow, Alexei has the moves! The reason how this fantastic opener of a book came to be will all be made clear as you progress through the next chapters, bringing you nicely around back in a circle to head towards what we hope is another Happily Ever After for our Belle and her Mobster.
His history is as tragic as a Dostoyevsky tale. He’s been on the FBI’s radar for years but has managed to always stay a step ahead and just out of their grasp. When I’m forced to work with him, fire ignites and things spiral out of control. Despite the desire felt from his mouthwatering body, covered in tattoos, distrust between us is deep.
We've met our Mobster, now who is the said Belle in question? Well as the above part of the blurb reads, she gets as up close and personal as it gets--in more than one way--with Alexei, and their start is as rocky as it gets. Aurora has not only her family on her shoulders, her job and her past, she now carries Alexei up there too and when the load gets too much, there's only one way for it to go, and that's crashing down to the floor.
Eva writes as ever, a gripping story which had me holding my breath as to how these two would recover from the inevitable crash, with the last pages getting closer and closer to nab, sew up and savour the moment where the stars aligned with them once more. It was a close one, but I think like I did myself, readers of Eva who love her and this series will feel satisfied and happy with the ending given to these characters who really deserve it after all they've been though. It was quite the emotional and for Alexei at least, wringer.
That said, it was worth being put through it as a reader, too. So, so worth it.
But unless we learn to work together and trust each other, we’re both as good as dead.
This story it must be said, is not for the faint of heart and that is in no means a bad thing. Often as I've said in other reviews, authors decide to leave out or gloss over certain subjects or things within life that might make for uncomfortable reading, and quite possibly a few negative reviews or negative feedback in general. Eva should be praised and applauded for not only what she included within this book, but how it was written and the situations/characters, respected.
Alexei is a mature, dark adult romance that contains dubious situations (both intimately and not), and maybe a few triggers for readers. However, the way this book was executed in its writing, the way it was used to build up a past for both characters, their families and the storyline only made for better reading, and gives hope that even in the darkest of situations, there will always be the light to make things brighter again. You want a read that's got as much in its trousers as our leading man, this is the book for you!
Now to answer the question left at the start of this review. Is Alexei, the character, better or tied than my current B&M leading man, Luciano. The answer is...its a tie! Luciano has a special place in my heart, and all the men although are on the same side, are so different. It's impossible to chose between them. Alexi and Luciano both have many qualities about them that make them as equally unforgettable book boyfriend as they are characters, and I'm thrilled that Eva has written another man in Alexi that I know will be many readers' favourite.
Eagerly awaiting the next book in the series but until then, it's time to take another spin with Alexei!
Five stars!
Thank you to Eva Winners for sending me an ebook Advanced Reader Copy as part of her ARC Team, for me to read and leave an honest review.
-------------------------------
Ding dong, these belles are going to chime! I'm back with another Belles & Mobsters read from Eva Winners with 'Alexei', book four in the series. With the exception of Nico, this is a series in which I've enjoyed reading from the beginning. Luciano in this series so far has been my frontrunner favourite, but let's see if Alexei will match that or even, dare I say it, be my new no.1 mobster in the series? Find out at the end!
Alexei Nikolaev. Blessed with the face of Adonis. Cursed with eyes colder than the Arctic and a past he can’t escape.
Right from the off, you're getting a read that's straight away a wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am read. It didn't take long for things to get down and dirty and wow, Alexei has the moves! The reason how this fantastic opener of a book came to be will all be made clear as you progress through the next chapters, bringing you nicely around back in a circle to head towards what we hope is another Happily Ever After for our Belle and her Mobster.
His history is as tragic as a Dostoyevsky tale. He’s been on the FBI’s radar for years but has managed to always stay a step ahead and just out of their grasp. When I’m forced to work with him, fire ignites and things spiral out of control. Despite the desire felt from his mouthwatering body, covered in tattoos, distrust between us is deep.
We've met our Mobster, now who is the said Belle in question? Well as the above part of the blurb reads, she gets as up close and personal as it gets--in more than one way--with Alexei, and their start is as rocky as it gets. Aurora has not only her family on her shoulders, her job and her past, she now carries Alexei up there too and when the load gets too much, there's only one way for it to go, and that's crashing down to the floor.
Eva writes as ever, a gripping story which had me holding my breath as to how these two would recover from the inevitable crash, with the last pages getting closer and closer to nab, sew up and savour the moment where the stars aligned with them once more. It was a close one, but I think like I did myself, readers of Eva who love her and this series will feel satisfied and happy with the ending given to these characters who really deserve it after all they've been though. It was quite the emotional and for Alexei at least, wringer.
That said, it was worth being put through it as a reader, too. So, so worth it.
But unless we learn to work together and trust each other, we’re both as good as dead.
This story it must be said, is not for the faint of heart and that is in no means a bad thing. Often as I've said in other reviews, authors decide to leave out or gloss over certain subjects or things within life that might make for uncomfortable reading, and quite possibly a few negative reviews or negative feedback in general. Eva should be praised and applauded for not only what she included within this book, but how it was written and the situations/characters, respected.
Alexei is a mature, dark adult romance that contains dubious situations (both intimately and not), and maybe a few triggers for readers. However, the way this book was executed in its writing, the way it was used to build up a past for both characters, their families and the storyline only made for better reading, and gives hope that even in the darkest of situations, there will always be the light to make things brighter again. You want a read that's got as much in its trousers as our leading man, this is the book for you!
Now to answer the question left at the start of this review. Is Alexei, the character, better or tied than my current B&M leading man, Luciano. The answer is...its a tie! Luciano has a special place in my heart, and all the men although are on the same side, are so different. It's impossible to chose between them. Alexi and Luciano both have many qualities about them that make them as equally unforgettable book boyfriend as they are characters, and I'm thrilled that Eva has written another man in Alexi that I know will be many readers' favourite.
Eagerly awaiting the next book in the series but until then, it's time to take another spin with Alexei!
Five stars!
helena__018's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
richajain's review
3.0
This was good! We follow Aurora, an FBI agent on the hunt for her brother's kidnapper and Alexei, a Russian mobster (?) who's a changed man now (but not really). Well, the two have to work together to find this kidnapper and we see their relationship develop as secrets are unveiled and the two get to know each other better (in many ways
debrichmond's review
5.0
Alexei: Broken Hero Enemies-to-Lovers Mafia Romance is book for in the Belles & Mobsters series by Eva Winners. This one had me up all night because I could not stop reading.
Alexei Nikolaev is a broken man. His soul is black, and he’s beyond redemption. Still, he wants to do one good thing - bring down Ivan Petrov, the man responsible for trafficking young boys whom he uses and abuses. Alexei was in of those boys. Before he escaped, Alexei helped Ivan lure two children for capture. The little boy was captured, but Alexei helped the little girl get home.
Aurora is an FBI agent with one case on her mind - capture the man responsible for stealing her brother 20 years ago. When told she will work with the Nikolaev, a notorious crime family, she hesitates then goes along when she realizes this is the only way.
The attraction between Aurora and Alexei is instant. Going undercover at a sex club, they give in to their primal urges and start a passionate affair. Will Aurora be able to see past the tattoos that cover Alexei’s body and love him? Will Alexei be able to get past his abuse and let Aurora love him. When Aurora finds out the part Alexei played in the disappearance of her brother, will she forgive him?
This book hooked me! Alexei is such a great character who evolves over the course of the book. Aurora is a smart, take no prisoners heroine despite being a bit smothered by her I overprotective brothers. When Alexei and Aurora come together, it is fire!
Alexei is a great book. It can be read as a stand-alone, but I think it’s best read as part of the series. Let me know what you think!
Alexei Nikolaev is a broken man. His soul is black, and he’s beyond redemption. Still, he wants to do one good thing - bring down Ivan Petrov, the man responsible for trafficking young boys whom he uses and abuses. Alexei was in of those boys. Before he escaped, Alexei helped Ivan lure two children for capture. The little boy was captured, but Alexei helped the little girl get home.
Aurora is an FBI agent with one case on her mind - capture the man responsible for stealing her brother 20 years ago. When told she will work with the Nikolaev, a notorious crime family, she hesitates then goes along when she realizes this is the only way.
The attraction between Aurora and Alexei is instant. Going undercover at a sex club, they give in to their primal urges and start a passionate affair. Will Aurora be able to see past the tattoos that cover Alexei’s body and love him? Will Alexei be able to get past his abuse and let Aurora love him. When Aurora finds out the part Alexei played in the disappearance of her brother, will she forgive him?
This book hooked me! Alexei is such a great character who evolves over the course of the book. Aurora is a smart, take no prisoners heroine despite being a bit smothered by her I overprotective brothers. When Alexei and Aurora come together, it is fire!
Alexei is a great book. It can be read as a stand-alone, but I think it’s best read as part of the series. Let me know what you think!
kindleandcrochet's review against another edition
It was so repetitive with the previous books and i just don't care about ANOTHER 26 year old with such a tragic backstory