ARC Oct 15Bksprout/KNEEL an Arai Clan standalone by MIKA AVERY

  Bksprt 

 hello@mikaavery.com

 

Nobody in Japan has ever seen the idol KURO's real face.
I saw it in three seconds. In the wrong room, on the worst night of my year.
I am forty. I dress other people's stars and never stand in the light myself, because twenty years ago a man with a contract and a smile took everything I was and taught me that being seen is how a woman gets destroyed. Then a blond boy in tinted glasses walked six men out of a locked room without raising his voice, sang my own stolen song back to me from a stage, and refused to let me disappear.
Jin Arai is twenty-six. The overlooked youngest son of a yakuza empire. A secret billionaire, and the most famous voice in the country, hidden under a wig, because no one alive has ever seen the real him.
Only me.
Which makes me the one person who can burn him to the ground. One photograph tying the idol to the heir ends his family, his empire, everything. And the man hunting that photograph is the man who owned me once, and never stopped believing I belong to him.
Loving me is the most dangerous thing Jin has ever done. He is going to do it anyway.
*Reverse age gap. A secret billionaire idol with two faces. He falls first, and harder. A heroine who is nobody's victim. Obsessive, possessive, and hers. KNEEL is a standalone dark romance.

Explicit

205 pages

English

Contemporary RomanceDark Romancedark yakuza romanceJapanese mafia romancereverse age gap mafia romancepossessive yakuza romancereverse age gap romanceolder woman younger manpossessive mafia romancesecret identity romancebillionaire mafia romanceTokyo mafia romance

Hosted by Mika Avery's Team

Note from the Author

Thank you so much for applying to join my ARC team! 🖤 I’m excited to share my Japanese Yakuza romance with you. When your ARC copy is ready, I’d love for you to read the story and leave a thoughtful, honest review by the requested review date. Your support means so much and helps me continue writing dark romance filled with Yakuza, Japanese culture, and unforgettable love stories. I can’t wait to hear what you think! — Mika Avery

Must review on:

Amazon

 

My 5 Star Review TITLED:   They never saw each other coming!  

This was such a great unusual story  with a unique couple and I loved it !  To begin with I loved the eBook cover for this book. It got my attention quickly along with the title of the book. Jin is this 26 year old man  who was so intriguing. A man with two faces for sure ! I loved that Naomi thought of him and called him a lovely, beautiful boy ! Especially because in the beginning even kind of raised in the Japanese Yakuza, he was a boy in so many ways.  His father and the elders had basically ignored him, they put him on the shelf. He was the spare but he kept their money clean. He had his uses.  Naomi is going to help him grow up quickly. She set terms, boundaries and if they aren't met then she's gone ! I loved their conversations about that !  Jin's older brother seemed just as cold as their father but I loved that there was a fondness on his part for his brother and it showed more and more.

Naomi was a 40 year old woman who also had 2 faces.  She is a brilliant song writer, singer and now dresses celebrities and the famous.  She lives life on her own terms and ruthlessly protects her identity.  I love how direct she is with everyone especially those that think that they can oppose her.  But someone from years ago wants to control her again. For her own good of course. And he's working to box her in. That's not going to be as easy as he thinks. It brings danger and intensity into the main characters lives though. The tension is kept tight and the romance scenes hot!

 I kept wondering who was Gabba? What does he want?  Who is the MAN behind him pulling the strings.  

The ending was fantastic as was the romantic ending.  I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Bksprt ARC Oct6/His to Own: A Dark Russian Arranged Marriage Mafia Romance (Ruthless Union Book Two)by Ivy Davis

  Bksprout  340 pages

 

Playboy. Mafia Boss. Dangerous.

And now my husband.

 

Maxim Morozov wants power and the only way to get it is to marry me.

I’m a good mafia daughter who’s been sheltered all my life.

I have no say in the matter.

Maxim becomes my husband.

What he’s not prepared for is… me.

I’m hiding secrets and pain that I can’t let anyone know about.

Especially my new scary mafia husband who could use my pain against me.

I don’t trust him.

But he wants to control me.

What happens when I give in to his control?

Will I despise my husband forever?

Or will I love the control?

That last thought scares me most of all.

Explicit

Contemporary Romance Romantic Suspense Dark Romance mafia romance arranged marriage mafia enemies to lovers mafia enemies to lovers romance dark mafia romance mafia billionaire romance mafia contemporary romance mafia age gap romance age gap romance mafia forced marriage romance

Hosted by Ivy Davis's review team

Note from the Author

Thank you for reviewing my book! His to Own is the second book in the Ruthless Union series but can be read as a standalone.

Must review on:

Amazon

My 4 Star Review TITLED: Shy Elena & Dangerous Maxim

Elena Karetov was a young woman so disliked by her father for reasons she doesn't understand. Her mother is constantly criticizing her and not doing anything to protect her. Sure her mother is married to a mafia man but still. Why does her father hate her so much. She's terrified of him and when he wants to marry her off to some old, balding, yucky man? She couldn't say no but felt like she was going to vomit. But Maxium is intrigued by her; the woman her parents think is ugly and just a problem.  But Elena is soon to wed Sergi and then Mikhail but Maxium has other plans.  There is a mean but kind of hilarious scene when it comes to Maxium's help?   Maxium warns Elena early on not to trust other mafia wives especially Alissa but being naive she doesn't listen and it made me want to smack her. Maxium isn't a good guy ; he's violent and enjoys his work a lot. It's fun to him.  But he does want Elena to continue her studies and to bring her out of her shell. He's got his work cut out for him. But to her? He's so good and patient. 

I liked Elena's older sister, Lana who is married earlier to a high ranking mafia man who their father hates but it's all about pride and control for him.  Lana  and her husband Nikolai do try to help her though. Elana's younger sister is only 16 years old and doesn't really get it.  But you just know their father, Gregor is NOT going to leave her out of his scheming either. Gregor is a REALLY nasty man and father. 

Elena writes really good poetry and Maxium encourages her in it.  Others try to stand in her way. Time to develop a backbone and she begins to! 

Great twists towards the end with an equally good ending for their story.  

 I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Oct 03, 2026Bksprt/ "Savage Don's Deadly Betrayal" by Vira Black

  Bksprt 

 

I just married my brother's ex to keep her alive.
She's pregnant. And my brother is the one who wants her dead.

I am the most feared Don in New York.
My casino. My empire. My rules.

The Ferruccis chose my grand reopening night to send a message.
She walked through my lobby door bleeding.

Her name is Viola Esposito. Carlo's ex. And she owns every inch of my floor.

I have one rule: never touch what belongs to a brother.
I broke it. And I'd break it again.

She moves in and looks at me like no one ever has.
Like the most feared man in New York is exactly where she wants him.

One night was never enough.
She's in my bed, in my penthouse, under my skin.

Loving her is the most dangerous thing I have ever done.

Then I find out she's carrying my child.
My brother. The man I trusted. Has already sold them both.

He signed her death warrant. And our child's.
One minute too late. I lose them both.

Explicit

271 pages

English

Contemporary Romance Romantic Suspense Dark Romance enemies to lovers secret pregnancy ex's brother marriage of convenience forbidden love forced proximity brother betrayal billionaire hostage dominant alpha male

Hosted by Vira Black Romance

Note from the Author

Please read, enjoy, and review Savage Don's Deadly Betrayal by launch day October 3rd 🙂

Must review on:

Amazon 

My 5 Star Review TITLED: REALLY Good ! 

Romeo Ravelli has everything under control of his opening of his newly designed casino . Until he doesn't.  Viola gets shot during a walk through and several windows get ruined. 

She was with Carlo for several years until she finally left him. She holds a lot of secrets about Carlo; most she doesn't realize a first.   Yep, it becomes clear very quickly that he's charming but also out for himself. He wants to look big and Viola small. But she's determined that's never going to happen. So she enters into an agreement with Romeo.  He's better than she's been told.  Sal Greco is Romeo's head of security and a man to be trusted. Others? Maybe not so much. 

I liked Romeo and Viola together and how intimate that they become. And at time so sweet ! By chapter 16, I kept wondering something.  "Is everything going to go sideways for the main characters and if so, When?"  That kept surprising me when some of the things did. 

Carlo had YEARS of planning to take over Romeo's position. Didn't matter that they were brothers. So sad ! But the ending is not ! 

 I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

 

Bksprout/ The Bratva Betrayal: An Enemies to Lovers Mafia Romance by Clara Dunn

  Bksprt 

 

I’m dating one brother to get close to the Bratva. I should have known the other, their enforcer, would see straight through me.

I was sent to steal secrets, not lose my head.

Playing devoted girlfriend to a Bratva playboy gives me exactly what my father wants: access.

Then his older brother catches me at three in the morning with my hands on a laptop I have no business touching.

Artem Makarov is the Bratva’s enforcer. Older. Ruthless. The man who handles problems permanently.

I should be terrified of him.

Instead, I can’t stop provoking him.

Artem knows I’m lying. He knows I’m using his brother. And rather than expose me, he gets closer. Close enough to make filthy promises about what would happen if I’d chosen him instead.

I tell him I’m not interested.

My body’s stopped listening.

And when my father decides my little game should end in marriage, the man I’m supposed to stay away from becomes the only one I want anywhere near me.

I was sent to betray his family and I’m promised to his brother.

But Artem doesn’t share.

And once the Bratva’s most dangerous man decides he wants me, I’m not sure anyone gets to tell him I’m not his.

Author’s Note:
The Bratva Betrayal is a standalone, interconnected dark mafia romance set in the same world as The Volkov Trilogy. You do not need to read the trilogy first, but readers of that series will recognize familiar characters and connections.

This story features an age-gap romance, forced proximity, forbidden attraction, a possessive Bratva enforcer, an Irish mafia princess, touch-her-and-die energy, and a brother’s-girlfriend twist.

Explicit

302 pages

English

Contemporary Romance Romantic Suspense Dark Romance mafia romance dark mafia romance russian mafia romance touch her and die age gap Irish mafia princess Bratva enforcer forced proximity enemies to lovers alpha male

Hosted by Clara Dunn Review Team

Note from the Author

Thank you so much for reading The Bratva Betrayal early! 🖤 This is a standalone interconnected mafia romance set in the same world as The Volkov Trilogy. You do not need to read the trilogy first to enjoy Artem and Cady’s story. I’m so grateful to have you here as an early reader, and I hope you love their story as much as I loved bringing it to life. Thank you for taking the time to read and review! --Clara

Review on at least 1:

Amazon

Goodreads

 

 My 4 Star Review:Everyone thinks they have control

Artem is the Volkov enforcer and the right hand man of Benedekt Volkov. His father is a hard man who uses Artem to do the violent, hard stuff. Artem is his hand of judgement in the organization.  Misha is the soft playboy who has been with  Cady (Caitlin) Gallagher.  She's an Irish mafia princess with 2 brothers who love her and her father who doesn't. To him she has her uses.  But she's beginning to draw the line and he doesn't like that a bit.  To him she's a chess piece to be moved and used as he sees fit. Her brothers are Rian, the careful, observing brother. The quiet one and probably the most dangerous of the two because of that.  The younger brother, Killian is the reckless, hot headed brother who will fight for her if he was to. 

Misha is a moron and Cady knows that; her father should have aimed her at Artem instead to get intel. But Cady and her father realize that he is the more dangerous one and would catch her right away. Oh, well.  He does catch her spying pretty early and just keeps watching.  Add to that there is finally some spicy times between them because he just can't resist taking her. 

Things get really dangerous for Cady when Misha finally gets it that she really doesn't want to marry him and doesn't even really like him.   Artem knows even more and more that his brother is a moron and presents several dangerous problems. 

Great ending with problems taken care of in a surprising way.   

 I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Sept 30, 2026 BksproutARC/ The Billionaire Who Never Knew Billionaires of Harbor Point by Carrie Vale

  Bksprout 

 

I came home to Harbor Point for a fresh start—not to face the man I left six years ago.

Ethan Ashford is no longer the boy who once held my heart. He’s a powerful billionaire carrying his family’s legacy, and he has no idea my six-year-old son is also his.

I planned to tell him. I just never imagined Oliver would do it for me by proudly sharing an old photograph in front of his entire school.

Now Ethan wants the chance he never knew he’d lost, and Oliver is falling for the father he has always needed. But letting Ethan into our lives means risking the careful world I built—and exposing us to a town hungry for answers.

The chemistry between us still burns hotter than ever, but desire is the easy part. Trusting Ethan with my body is dangerous. Trusting him with my son—and my heart—could change everything.

Because some secrets don’t stay buried.

And some loves refuse to be forgotten.

Explicit

128 pages

English

Contemporary Romance Women's Fiction Small Town Romance Billionaire Small Town Found Family Second Chance Love Close Proximity Secret Pregnancy Return to Home Town

Hosted by Carrie Vale Romance

Review on at least 1:

Amazon 

My 4 Star review TITLED: Their worlds just changed

 Sophie has been keeping her secret of Oliver for years but her son just put Ethan, his family and the community on notice about Ethan being his father. 

Her best friend Lucy who owns the bookstore in town has been telling Sophie for years that she just needs to get the courage and tell Ethan. Oops, he knows now. Ethan wavers between anger, confusion and awe that he's a father.  His mother Margaret is over the moon with delight and has always liked Sophie. She was great ! His brothers have differing feelings at first. Liam welcomes Sophie with open arms and he's the funny one. Promising to teach everything that's not parent approved, lol.  Liam introduces the rest of his brothers to Oliver by saying, Nathan is the worrier, and Noah knows everything.  Oliver is delighted and he fits in quickly even after at first shying accepting his father.  

There's trouble at his business and it concerns the foundation that his father wanted and Ethan fully did too. But there's one trouble maker on his board who just isn't going to quit until someone makes him. Ethan has a terrific assistant, Claire who helps Ethan handle things in the company board as he decides how to make everything work.  

Oliver was one cutie who asks a lot of questions and informs all about dinosaurs. There's no question that he's afraid to ask or opinion to give in his direct way.  Loved him and how everything turns out.  

 I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

ARC/Bkfunnel/ A Marriage Deal with a Guarded Earl by Elizabeth Everly

  For any other questions, please contact:
Elizabeth Everly <elizabeth@elizabetheverly.com>

 

"I buried one husband the world chose for me. I will not be handed a second across the wreckage of my own name."

Victoria, Lady Hemsworth, has already survived one marriage arranged for her, and she has no intention of enduring a second. Widowed, sharp, and quietly ruined by a name that was never truly hers, she wants only to keep her small daughter safe and her independence intact. Society has other plans. A drunken baronet, a scheming relation, and a single whispered scandal are closing every door she has left, and a woman alone cannot fight all of them at once.

The Earl of Harwood is the last man she expected to step between her and the wolves. Reserved, formidable, and carrying griefs he never speaks of, Elias offers her the one thing that will silence the gossip and put her beyond her enemies' reach: his name, his protection, and a marriage that asks nothing of her heart.

It is meant to be an arrangement, and Victoria knows exactly what arrangements are worth.

But a woman braced her whole life for the price on the far side of the page does not know what to do with a husband who stands beneath her daughter's window in the rain because the child asked whether he would come. And a guarded man who married to do a decent thing did not plan on wanting the one part of the bargain he swore he would never claim.

My 5 STAR Review TITLED:  Victoria finally gets to fight !

Victoria has been made to feel small for years by the bully of her deceased husband Gerald, his brother who happens to hold the honorable title of Sir. And the mother who is just as evil if not more so. It's her way or the highway with no holds barred.  About that honorable Sir. He's not honorable at all and doesn't deserve that title at all !!

I loved Sophy (the daughter) and her wax doll, Ruth ! That led to some serious and often funny conversations with that doll ! She wins the hearts of many and I can easily see why.  I liked the nickname for the daughter because her full first name was a mouth full !

I felt all the emotions that Victoria was going through and was so hoping that things would work out for her personal happiness. Elias was someone that I quickly rooted for also. He admits his faults quickly but also hides his tenderness expecting no reward for it.  The strain on his temper is often put upon and he admits to Victoria that he is well known for a bad temper. But he reins it in for Victoria and Sophy.  The conversations between Elias and Victoria are often very funny as she is reluctant to trust his gentleness. She's been fooled before.  I loved how he kept her boundaries without pushing even though it cost him. 

Great ending and I loved the Epilogue and it's extension.  

I was given an ARC for the author and I adored it.  

ARC-Bkfunnel- Sept 27 Ruthless Boss by Ivy Waverly

      amazon

   For any other questions, please contact:
Ivy Waverly <hello@ivywaverlyromance.com>

 450 pages

Book 2 of The Bellagio Billionaires 

 I made one mistake.
Okay, maybe three.
I came back to Porto Bellagio.
I challenged the ruthless billionaire whose heart I broke.
Then one stormy night left me carrying his baby.

Now Matteo Bellagio is my boss, my protector, and the only man who can make me forget why I ran.
He’s infuriatingly controlling.
Unfairly gorgeous.
Rich enough to buy the coastline—and ruthless enough to destroy anyone who threatens me.

Unfortunately, someone is trying.

Moving into Matteo’s mansion is supposed to keep me safe, not put us within kissing distance.
I won’t fall for his smiles.
I won’t melt when he talks to our baby.
And I won’t confess that I disappeared three years ago to save his life.

Because the danger buried beneath his development is closing in.
My secrets could ruin his family.
The enemy watching us knows everything.

And when Matteo discovers the truth, I may lose the man I never stopped loving—or give him the family he never knew he needed.

Mature

450 pages

English

Contemporary Romance Romantic Suspense Young Adult / New Adult Romance alpha male contemporary romance surprise baby protective hero fiercely independant heroine ennemies to lovers second chance mafia lite romance boss powerful family

Hosted by Ivy Romance Team

Review on at least 1:

Amazon

My 5 Star Review TITLED: The Sharks are already circling

Ava Moretti is absolutely terrified that history might be repeating itself when it comes to destruction of another fancy hotel.   She is also totally terrified of Damian Cross, he's the biggest corrupt shark of them all. But she just CAN'T let someone else die when she might be able to prevent it. She's brilliant at her work, always thinking. But so was her former brilliant structural engineer at Azure Point and Elena died beneath the rubble of that place.  In the three years Ava has been gone there is a man named Julian who has been a shadow helper as well. He just has to stay alive!

Matteo is a good guy although like everyone knows he's also controlling and Ava just wasn't having any of that. She stands her ground. Matteo does have some really good people on this side. Like his cousin, Nico who is the head of his security. Nico is VERY good at his job and he will need to be.  There are traitors already inside his structure but I liked and never suspected Priya of any wrong doing. However, Victor Hale seems to be a smaller shark that is on the hotel's board and definitely needs watching.  Is he an inside man or just someone being used? So many great question! This author kept me questioning, wondering, and asking myself questions like this. 

But don't relax because there isn't any time for that as you read and the M.C.'s and the people who are helping know it all too well.  Ava and Matteo do have some time for humor, some spicy times and some VERY intelligent moves on their part until the very end. By the way, I loved the cover for this eBook !

I got an ARC from the author and was so glad that I did !