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Devils Will Rise: Melnikov Legacy #1
Born into Sin
She’s everything I was never supposed to want.
Dominic:
Eighteen years old, a Bratva princess, and Lev Melnikov’s daughter.
That should be enough to keep me away,
but the second I see Natalya all grown up,
I know she’s mine.
I try to fight what I feel for her,
but my principessa is determined to bring me to my knees,
and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to get me there.
Natalya:
He’s the head of the Alessi family, more than twice my age, and friends with my dad.
That should be enough to keep me away,
but I’m lost to him the second he comes back to America wearing his signature Armani suit and sexy smile.
He tries to fight his attraction, but when a dangerous situation lands me at his house and under his protection, I know it’s only a matter of time before he takes what he wants.
Loving Dominic is dangerous,
but being possessed by him might just destroy me.
WARNING: This is a very steamy dark mafia romance, and it does involve a large age gap and contain triggering content. Please see warning at beginning of novel and read responsibly.
Dominic:
Eighteen years old, a Bratva princess, and Lev Melnikov’s daughter.
That should be enough to keep me away,
but the second I see Natalya all grown up,
I know she’s mine.
I try to fight what I feel for her,
but my principessa is determined to bring me to my knees,
and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to get me there.
Natalya:
He’s the head of the Alessi family, more than twice my age, and friends with my dad.
That should be enough to keep me away,
but I’m lost to him the second he comes back to America wearing his signature Armani suit and sexy smile.
He tries to fight his attraction, but when a dangerous situation lands me at his house and under his protection, I know it’s only a matter of time before he takes what he wants.
Loving Dominic is dangerous,
but being possessed by him might just destroy me.
WARNING: This is a very steamy dark mafia romance, and it does involve a large age gap and contain triggering content. Please see warning at beginning of novel and read responsibly.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2024
1389 people are currently reading
2740 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 448 reviews
May 12, 2024
Look, I love a good age gap. This was fucking gross.
The author repeatedly tells us there is a photo of our MMC holding the FMC as a literal tiny baby, but then insisting “but it’s not like he changed her diapers!! He hates diapers!” As if that makes it less fucking vile?
At the beginning of the book she says “we haven’t seen in him years” implying that she does occasionally see this man. (which makes sense because he’s a good friend of her father’s).
Then he IMMEDIATELY gets her pregnant. Lost the fucking plot. This girl who was a child a few months ago, is doomed to be a mother at 18!! because a 43 year old shoved his cum Into her with his FINGER and I’m supposed to celebrate that?
JAIL! For everyone!
The author repeatedly tells us there is a photo of our MMC holding the FMC as a literal tiny baby, but then insisting “but it’s not like he changed her diapers!! He hates diapers!” As if that makes it less fucking vile?
At the beginning of the book she says “we haven’t seen in him years” implying that she does occasionally see this man. (which makes sense because he’s a good friend of her father’s).
Then he IMMEDIATELY gets her pregnant. Lost the fucking plot. This girl who was a child a few months ago, is doomed to be a mother at 18!! because a 43 year old shoved his cum Into her with his FINGER and I’m supposed to celebrate that?
JAIL! For everyone!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2024
We finally have Dominic’s book!! It hasn’t been that long since the last book was out which I appreciate so I still remember everything from the last series. I would definitely recommend reading the Melnikov series before this one though because it makes for a much better read. Also after reading this, Vitaly is still my favorite, which makes no sense because he was the biggest manwhore but I just love him so much and even more in this book as Natayla’s uncle. We also have her dad Lev and his lip ring that is mentioned many, many times per usual.
So I was hoping Dom would find his girl shortly after the Melnikov brothers did but this book is the start of the second generation so it’s EIGHTEEN YEARS after the last book takes places. Dom’s love interest ends up being Lev’s daughter. His 18 year old daughter!! So yeah this book has a VERY large age gap. 25 years to be exact. Probably one of the largest gaps I’ve read about, so if age gaps aren’t your thing then you wouldn’t like this very much.
So their relationship seemed very physical at first but they did have really good chemistry. Those first few chapters where they are just looking at each other from across the room were my favorite. This book does take a little to get into though because we are reintroduced to the brothers from last series and all of their wives and kids. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Svetlana. She’s that annoying bff who is boy crazy and is always trying to get the FMC to do something she doesn’t want to. She is Vitaly’s daughter so hopefully she’s better in her book.
I really liked both of the characters. Natalya was so sweet and such a great character. She wasn’t bratty or mean or full of herself. She was honestly just such a sweetheart. Dom was great too especially when he finally gave in to what he was feeling for her. His attraction was immediate but he fought it for a while because of their situation so we do have Nat throwing herself at him a little but not enough to be annoying. She wasn’t pushy about it. He was super possessive over her which we always see in these books. One thing that seems to be reoccurring though is that Natalya has no interests. She just graduated high school but never speaks of anything she wants to do. Not saying she has to work but this girl literally has no hobbies, nothing she likes to do other than shop. I found this to be common with all of the female characters. Please give these girls something to do or be interested in!! A girl her age should have a lot of things she likes. Even if it’s reading or drawing or something!!
As always in my opinion there were too many sex scenes and as always they were super long. They start their sexual relationship at about 30% and by 50% when they finally do the final deed I ended up skimming because I don’t need to read a 20 minute chapter of them having sex. I mean they were all hot but give me more story please!!
It might seem like I’m complaining but I did really enjoy this book. Especially since there’s so many kids which means there will be so many more books!!! I can’t wait for those.
Please check the trigger warnings on this though!
NO CHEATING
NO OW DRAMA (he gets flirted with one time but shuts it down and this was before him and Nat had anything)
NO OM DRAMA (some guy grabs her but it doesn’t end well for him)
NO THIRD ACT BREAK UP
VIRGIN FMC
I WOULDN’T SAY MANWHORE BUT EXPERIENCED
LARGE AGE GAP 18/43
ATTEMPTED SA ON FMC
GRAPHIC TORTURE (like very graphic)
MURDER
So I was hoping Dom would find his girl shortly after the Melnikov brothers did but this book is the start of the second generation so it’s EIGHTEEN YEARS after the last book takes places. Dom’s love interest ends up being Lev’s daughter. His 18 year old daughter!! So yeah this book has a VERY large age gap. 25 years to be exact. Probably one of the largest gaps I’ve read about, so if age gaps aren’t your thing then you wouldn’t like this very much.
So their relationship seemed very physical at first but they did have really good chemistry. Those first few chapters where they are just looking at each other from across the room were my favorite. This book does take a little to get into though because we are reintroduced to the brothers from last series and all of their wives and kids. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Svetlana. She’s that annoying bff who is boy crazy and is always trying to get the FMC to do something she doesn’t want to. She is Vitaly’s daughter so hopefully she’s better in her book.
I really liked both of the characters. Natalya was so sweet and such a great character. She wasn’t bratty or mean or full of herself. She was honestly just such a sweetheart. Dom was great too especially when he finally gave in to what he was feeling for her. His attraction was immediate but he fought it for a while because of their situation so we do have Nat throwing herself at him a little but not enough to be annoying. She wasn’t pushy about it. He was super possessive over her which we always see in these books. One thing that seems to be reoccurring though is that Natalya has no interests. She just graduated high school but never speaks of anything she wants to do. Not saying she has to work but this girl literally has no hobbies, nothing she likes to do other than shop. I found this to be common with all of the female characters. Please give these girls something to do or be interested in!! A girl her age should have a lot of things she likes. Even if it’s reading or drawing or something!!
As always in my opinion there were too many sex scenes and as always they were super long. They start their sexual relationship at about 30% and by 50% when they finally do the final deed I ended up skimming because I don’t need to read a 20 minute chapter of them having sex. I mean they were all hot but give me more story please!!
It might seem like I’m complaining but I did really enjoy this book. Especially since there’s so many kids which means there will be so many more books!!! I can’t wait for those.
Please check the trigger warnings on this though!
NO CHEATING
NO OW DRAMA (he gets flirted with one time but shuts it down and this was before him and Nat had anything)
NO OM DRAMA (some guy grabs her but it doesn’t end well for him)
NO THIRD ACT BREAK UP
VIRGIN FMC
I WOULDN’T SAY MANWHORE BUT EXPERIENCED
LARGE AGE GAP 18/43
ATTEMPTED SA ON FMC
GRAPHIC TORTURE (like very graphic)
MURDER
December 15, 2025
It's the tropes! It's always been about the tropes!
I've been having such a weird time with mafia romances. Some I've loved, some I've loved enough to end up on my favorite shelf, some have been fine and some have been plain bad.
It's not as if I expect literary gems or groundbreaking plots, so why do I have such an inconsistent time with them?
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━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
I've been having such a weird time with mafia romances. Some I've loved, some I've loved enough to end up on my favorite shelf, some have been fine and some have been plain bad.
It's not as if I expect literary gems or groundbreaking plots, so why do I have such an inconsistent time with them?
・
・
・
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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February 24, 2025
3 estrellas que si lo pienso mucho podría ser 2 directamente porque fue la decepción personificada. Pintaba genial pero ya cuando se empieza a central en las mismas cosas todo el rato, los mismos comentarios y el mismo argumento me saca completamente de la historia.
February 23, 2025
3,5
Розчарована!
Не прям погано, перша половина книги була не поганою, а ось другу ледь дочитала.
Хоча і мене заманило те що тут типу друге покоління, і історії про батьків мають бути теж цікавими.
Продовжувати не буду, можливо прочитаю ще одну книгу з цієї серії, щоб точно вирішити для себе.
Розчарована!
Не прям погано, перша половина книги була не поганою, а ось другу ледь дочитала.
Хоча і мене заманило те що тут типу друге покоління, і історії про батьків мають бути теж цікавими.
Продовжувати не буду, можливо прочитаю ще одну книгу з цієї серії, щоб точно вирішити для себе.
May 3, 2024
This book is a spin-off of the Melnikov brothers series (which was AMAZING!!) and book 1 in the new Melnikov Legacy Series.
Born In Sin is about Dom, Don of the Italian Mafia, and Natalya, daughter of one of the Bratva leaders (Lev from book 3 of the previous series). It is a large age gap which I don't usually go for but I love Sonja's writing and will read anything she writes. I think that it was done really well and I didn't get any of those creepy, awkward vibes that can happen with these types of tropes.
The book starts with Dom coming back from Italy after 18 years where he notices Natalya is all grown up and is instantly drawn to her. He knows that he shouldn't be thinking the thoughts he is, not just because of her age but also because she is one of his friend's daughters, so he tries to push his thoughts and feelings aside. And when Natalya sees Dom she also feels a strong pull towards him but is more willing to get closer to him, not feeling like age is a big deal.
When there's an attack on her she flees to Dom's house and it's agreed upon that she should stay, under his protection, until they figure out what's going on and she is safe to leave the property.
I seriously loved this couple - they were so perfect together (not to mention HOT!). Dom was so sweet, possessive and caring towards Natalya (while still being all dominant alpha) and she was a strong h, not backing down from anything. I really liked that she understood that their age was causing a battle within Dom and she handled it very well, pushing him but not too hard.
As this is the first book it does develop some of the secondary characters to introduce us to the future books. That coupled with it being such a large age gap I found it to be a little slower in some areas, but I think if it was done any other way it wouldn't have flowed naturally the way it did. Also, I have to mention that the banter between the Mafia and Bratva guys was hilarious (Sonja writes the best brotherhood characters).
As for the spicy scenes, I didn't find there were as many as usual (still plenty!) but the ones that were in the book were long, very descriptive & super steamy!! Dom is obsessed with Natalya and you can feel their chemistry and connection seep through the ould burn down the world for her and unalive anyone who even looks are her the wrong way.
If you're a fan of mafia, dark romance & spicy scenes then I highly recommend you read this book!!!
Overall: 4.35 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice/Heat: 3 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (see above)
Main Characters: Dom (43) & Natalya (18)
Nickname: Principessa
Darkness: 1 out of 5 🖤 (I didn't find the book all that dark but I read some pretty dark ones so please check TW/CW!)
Type of book: MF, Insta-Lust, Slow Burn, Second Gen, Duel 1st Person POV
Reading Order: Book 1 - Standalone - Spin-off from Melnikov series
Title: Born into Sin - Melnikov Legacy Series: Book 1
Epilogue: Yes
Ending Type: HEA
*OTT Possessive, dominant, fiercely loyal and protective H
*Eyes only for her/Look at her and unalive
*MINE!
*Fathers friend/Age-Gap
*Human Traff.icking
*Don of the Mafia
*Graphic Violence & SA (Not between the MCs)
*No cheating or sharing
⚠️ This book has descriptive parts that may be offensive or triggering to some - Please check the TW/CW before reading! 18+
*I received an early copy of this book & have given my review freely & honestly
Born In Sin is about Dom, Don of the Italian Mafia, and Natalya, daughter of one of the Bratva leaders (Lev from book 3 of the previous series). It is a large age gap which I don't usually go for but I love Sonja's writing and will read anything she writes. I think that it was done really well and I didn't get any of those creepy, awkward vibes that can happen with these types of tropes.
The book starts with Dom coming back from Italy after 18 years where he notices Natalya is all grown up and is instantly drawn to her. He knows that he shouldn't be thinking the thoughts he is, not just because of her age but also because she is one of his friend's daughters, so he tries to push his thoughts and feelings aside. And when Natalya sees Dom she also feels a strong pull towards him but is more willing to get closer to him, not feeling like age is a big deal.
When there's an attack on her she flees to Dom's house and it's agreed upon that she should stay, under his protection, until they figure out what's going on and she is safe to leave the property.
I seriously loved this couple - they were so perfect together (not to mention HOT!). Dom was so sweet, possessive and caring towards Natalya (while still being all dominant alpha) and she was a strong h, not backing down from anything. I really liked that she understood that their age was causing a battle within Dom and she handled it very well, pushing him but not too hard.
As this is the first book it does develop some of the secondary characters to introduce us to the future books. That coupled with it being such a large age gap I found it to be a little slower in some areas, but I think if it was done any other way it wouldn't have flowed naturally the way it did. Also, I have to mention that the banter between the Mafia and Bratva guys was hilarious (Sonja writes the best brotherhood characters).
As for the spicy scenes, I didn't find there were as many as usual (still plenty!) but the ones that were in the book were long, very descriptive & super steamy!! Dom is obsessed with Natalya and you can feel their chemistry and connection seep through the ould burn down the world for her and unalive anyone who even looks are her the wrong way.
If you're a fan of mafia, dark romance & spicy scenes then I highly recommend you read this book!!!
Overall: 4.35 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice/Heat: 3 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️ (see above)
Main Characters: Dom (43) & Natalya (18)
Nickname: Principessa
Darkness: 1 out of 5 🖤 (I didn't find the book all that dark but I read some pretty dark ones so please check TW/CW!)
Type of book: MF, Insta-Lust, Slow Burn, Second Gen, Duel 1st Person POV
Reading Order: Book 1 - Standalone - Spin-off from Melnikov series
Title: Born into Sin - Melnikov Legacy Series: Book 1
Epilogue: Yes
Ending Type: HEA
*OTT Possessive, dominant, fiercely loyal and protective H
*Eyes only for her/Look at her and unalive
*MINE!
*Fathers friend/Age-Gap
*Human Traff.icking
*Don of the Mafia
*Graphic Violence & SA (Not between the MCs)
*No cheating or sharing
⚠️ This book has descriptive parts that may be offensive or triggering to some - Please check the TW/CW before reading! 18+
*I received an early copy of this book & have given my review freely & honestly
May 7, 2024
I’m glad you approve because I’m the only naked man you’re ever going to see, principessa.”
“Well that hardly seems fair. You’ve seen lots of naked women, and I’m supposed to be content seeing only one naked man for the rest of my life?”
UGH. right???? I am so fed up with the stereotypical virgin heroine (never been kissed) and experienced Hero. (unsure if he was a manho. and celibate too before doing the deed w the h though)
Nevertheless, this was a good quick read.
18 years old virgin heroine (never been kissed)
43(?) years old experienced Hero (i think he was a manho)
Father's Bestfriend
“Well that hardly seems fair. You’ve seen lots of naked women, and I’m supposed to be content seeing only one naked man for the rest of my life?”
UGH. right???? I am so fed up with the stereotypical virgin heroine (never been kissed) and experienced Hero. (unsure if he was a manho. and celibate too before doing the deed w the h though)
Nevertheless, this was a good quick read.
18 years old virgin heroine (never been kissed)
43(?) years old experienced Hero (i think he was a manho)
Father's Bestfriend
September 13, 2024
Unputdownable! A must read book..
I usually don’t go for huge age gap However, the story was written so well . The whole storyline was amazingly beautiful. It had me laughing out loud several times.
Definitely five stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I can't wait to read the next one!
I usually don’t go for huge age gap However, the story was written so well . The whole storyline was amazingly beautiful. It had me laughing out loud several times.
Definitely five stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I can't wait to read the next one!
February 24, 2025
no sé si las 3 estrellas son incluso demasiado porque, a pesar de que tenía muchas ganas de leer esta historia, se me ha hecho un poco larga y el hecho de que le recuerde todo el rato que es mayor y amigo de su padre hace que no lo pueda disfrutar tanto. con ganas de leer las historias de los demás hijos, eso sí
October 6, 2024
Idk if we all read the same book but wtf was this? How did y’all give this book 4-5 rating? This is the second book by this author that i read and i left both after 40% hoping it gets better but no. As someone who loves mafia books and has read countless of them this was so bad, the author’s writing gives me wattpad vibes because wth 😭 the tropes for her books are good but the execution is so bad 😭 like wtf do you mean the fmc fell in love with the mmc within 2 chapters??? And she let him do whatever within half an hour of going through a shooting experience that seemingly ‘shook’ her. And bro? Age gaps are fine, but??? HE HELD HER AS A BABY?!!!! And compared her beauty to hers in the picture of her as an infant in his arms to the present when she’s 18 like bro?? PDFILE???
October 10, 2025
Dnfing this at page 108 / 32%
I started the audio book version and the accents just seem so odd whenever they do them.
I don't like listening to the narrators in this one.
Also, I don't care for either of the two main characters.
I have literally 0 emotional attachment to them.
Hell, I don't even find them interesting.
I started the audio book version and the accents just seem so odd whenever they do them.
I don't like listening to the narrators in this one.
Also, I don't care for either of the two main characters.
I have literally 0 emotional attachment to them.
Hell, I don't even find them interesting.
October 9, 2024
4/5 🌟
♡ Forbidden
♡ Age gap ( 18 l 43 )
♡ Mafia
♡ Touch her & you die
♡ Possessive her
♡ Virgin heroine x no manwhore (?)
🚩No cheating or sharing, no OW/OM
𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒂 - 𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒆 🩷
I really liked her 🫶
She is 18 but she talked like a much older heroine and was so grown up 🦋🤞
Her story was so sweet and I enjoyed every second of it 🤍🫂
𝑫𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒄 - 𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒐 💙
So hot and so possessive loved it 🫶
They are perfect for each other 🤍🤍🤍
To be honest such a good book to read, just to switch off from the world and live in this bubble ( TW : THERE IS BLOOD AND KILLING... but as a romance it was sweet !!)
♡ Forbidden
♡ Age gap ( 18 l 43 )
♡ Mafia
♡ Touch her & you die
♡ Possessive her
♡ Virgin heroine x no manwhore (?)
🚩No cheating or sharing, no OW/OM
𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒂 - 𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒆 🩷
I really liked her 🫶
She is 18 but she talked like a much older heroine and was so grown up 🦋🤞
Her story was so sweet and I enjoyed every second of it 🤍🫂
𝑫𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒄 - 𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒐 💙
So hot and so possessive loved it 🫶
They are perfect for each other 🤍🤍🤍
To be honest such a good book to read, just to switch off from the world and live in this bubble ( TW : THERE IS BLOOD AND KILLING... but as a romance it was sweet !!)
September 4, 2024
“Born into Sin” is the story of Natalya and Dominic.
Actually enjoyed this forbidden smutty romance between heroine and father’s best friend hero. She’s the princess, he’s the bad boy hero. If you can ignore the weird age gap and their previous interactions (which were a bit creepy), the book is pretty sexy and characters are both loyal and smitten. I really enjoyed the banter and chemistry between the Melnikov clan.
Swe
3.5/5
Actually enjoyed this forbidden smutty romance between heroine and father’s best friend hero. She’s the princess, he’s the bad boy hero. If you can ignore the weird age gap and their previous interactions (which were a bit creepy), the book is pretty sexy and characters are both loyal and smitten. I really enjoyed the banter and chemistry between the Melnikov clan.
Swe
3.5/5
December 27, 2024
Their relationship had 0 built up and the writing just didn’t do it for me.
The picture of the MMC holding the FMC when she was a baby was mentioned way too many times so it just made the thing super weird.
The picture of the MMC holding the FMC when she was a baby was mentioned way too many times so it just made the thing super weird.
May 13, 2024
DNF. I hate when authors throw all this information at me. Why have I been introduced to 100 aunts and uncles within the first 10 pages????!!! It puts me off I can't be bothered to keep up.
February 26, 2025
Okey, Dominic 🧎♀️➡️ sabía que ibas a caer completamente cuando fuera tu turno. Soy fan #1 de los MMC que ven a sus mujeres por primera vez y se obsesionan (gusto culposo, una disculpa).
Me encantó todo, solo que no soy fan de los epílogos tan largos y eso como que me satura. Pero al final todas queremos leer ese HEA.
Mis partes favoritas de nuevo involucran a Vitaly 💕creo que siempre va a ser mi Melkinov favorito.
Mafia romance
Diferencia de edades (25 años)
Un poco de taboo
Y mucha acción
Me encantó todo, solo que no soy fan de los epílogos tan largos y eso como que me satura. Pero al final todas queremos leer ese HEA.
Mis partes favoritas de nuevo involucran a Vitaly 💕creo que siempre va a ser mi Melkinov favorito.
Mafia romance
Diferencia de edades (25 años)
Un poco de taboo
Y mucha acción
July 26, 2024
I vomited my entire insides out I'm going to be deathly ill how could you do this to me this is attempted murder.
May 8, 2024
*Thank you for the ARC!*
Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🔥🔥🔥
Angst:😱😱
OW/OM drama: None
Cheating: No
HEA/HFN: HEA
POV: 1st dual
I'm convinced that Sonja could write a book about the alphabet and I'd eat it up. I was nervous about this one. H is 43, and h is 18 😬. Age gap romances can be tricky and need to be done right to refrain from being gross. I've DNF several because it was just too cringey. I thought this was done very tastefully! Dominic is friends with her dad, BUT he lives in Italy and hasnt seen her since she was young. So he wasn't pining after her while waiting for her to become legal. I HIGHLY recommend reading the Paved series before you read this book. The entire book revolves around the characters introduced a decade ago in their mafia universe.
I LOVED Dom. I knew I would after the Paved series. Natalya was a strong FMC. I often forgot she was 18. She presented herself in a more mature manner than many 30 yr olds I know 🤷♀️ this book was sweet and spicy. Dominic calls her his princess, but treats her like a queen. As all the men that Sonja writes about, his woman is his world and they fall FAST (super insta love).
Overall, I was very happy that I gave this book a fair shot! This was a large age gap romance done right!
Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🔥🔥🔥
Angst:😱😱
OW/OM drama: None
Cheating: No
HEA/HFN: HEA
POV: 1st dual
I'm convinced that Sonja could write a book about the alphabet and I'd eat it up. I was nervous about this one. H is 43, and h is 18 😬. Age gap romances can be tricky and need to be done right to refrain from being gross. I've DNF several because it was just too cringey. I thought this was done very tastefully! Dominic is friends with her dad, BUT he lives in Italy and hasnt seen her since she was young. So he wasn't pining after her while waiting for her to become legal. I HIGHLY recommend reading the Paved series before you read this book. The entire book revolves around the characters introduced a decade ago in their mafia universe.
I LOVED Dom. I knew I would after the Paved series. Natalya was a strong FMC. I often forgot she was 18. She presented herself in a more mature manner than many 30 yr olds I know 🤷♀️ this book was sweet and spicy. Dominic calls her his princess, but treats her like a queen. As all the men that Sonja writes about, his woman is his world and they fall FAST (super insta love).
Overall, I was very happy that I gave this book a fair shot! This was a large age gap romance done right!
June 4, 2025
★★. Oh! The age gap didn’t bother me. The taboo part didn’t bother me. The fact they both acted 18 bothered me. The way too many sex scenes bothered me. The second she started having sex and having orgasms that’s all the girl did. She has like no future for herself because she had no passion. All she liked was wearing pink and summer dresses…like cool but what do you want to do?
I expected a bigger blowout from Lev speaking of that’s his daughter, but when it was pointed out how he started dating his wife when she was 19 it made sense. I just expected way more and this was sex, sex, sex, love declarations with barely knowing each other, more sex.
I felt bad for the fmc when she got kidnapped and everything she went through. A chapter later she was perfectly fine it seemed getting banged so. I was hoping for some like therapy talk but guess not.
For my safety readers, safe. Obviously he’s not a virgin, probably was a manwhore but didn’t really care. She is one, not shocking in the slightest.
I expected a bigger blowout from Lev speaking of that’s his daughter, but when it was pointed out how he started dating his wife when she was 19 it made sense. I just expected way more and this was sex, sex, sex, love declarations with barely knowing each other, more sex.
I felt bad for the fmc when she got kidnapped and everything she went through. A chapter later she was perfectly fine it seemed getting banged so. I was hoping for some like therapy talk but guess not.
For my safety readers, safe. Obviously he’s not a virgin, probably was a manwhore but didn’t really care. She is one, not shocking in the slightest.
May 25, 2024
2.5
Lo intenté, en serio lo hice pero fue mas insta love, que los libros cortos que leo, no me molestó el age gap me si se me hizo quizás muy rápido muy forzado, no lo sé. No quiero justificar pero en serio esperaba más, quizás 🫢
Lo intenté, en serio lo hice pero fue mas insta love, que los libros cortos que leo, no me molestó el age gap me si se me hizo quizás muy rápido muy forzado, no lo sé. No quiero justificar pero en serio esperaba más, quizás 🫢
July 25, 2025
Sonja writes the best dark mafia romances. The elements she embeds into every piece make the whole story tender and raw, passionate and powerful and the fact that they don’t go right into the sex is the best of it. One aspect I love is the gr*nding and Sonja never fails to have it in every book. The surprise c*ckwarming in this book was to die for- it was exquisite. I love that Lev and Jolene did it in their book as well (via a different h*le). It’s funny that Natalya ended up doing it with Dominic.
~All Sonja Grey bonus scenes are chef’s kisses 🫰🏻.
I’m not one to exactly love age gaps, and it very much was taboo like Vitaly so happily mentioned (especially because of the baby picture of Nat and Dom holding her at Alina and Matvey’s wedding). However, it was just so perfectly written, with great comedy and banter- it was just great.
P.S. One thing I loved about this book is how Natalya started calling Dominic by his shortened name “Dom.” I wish it would’ve been done with earlier books to ingrain that familiarity in- Emily to Em, Jolene to Jo, Roman to Ro, Matvey to Mat, Danil to D. I like that for the next gen Sonja went right to it- Svetlana to Sveta, Valentin to Val, Yelena to Yel, and so on.
fmc 18, mmc 43
Some tropes/micro-tropes: dad’s friend, he talks to her dad on the phone while she s*cks him, c*ck warming and she even snoozes off, virgin fmc, breeding, he je*ks off to her as she sleeps, 🧊 on cl*t, she is kidnapped + he worries.
Epic lines:
"I'm terrified I'm going to break you in two, little one.”
“I love that I'm her first, but I love that I'm her last even more.”
“I cut his d*ck off for you, sweetheart, and then I took his ball$.”
“Dominic isn’t a submissive man, but he submits for me.”
“I told you I don't like to take orders."
"And I told you you'd get used to it.” —she has him wrapped around her finger🩷
“I’m sorry. I was trying to not wake you.”
“Don’t apologize. If you’re awake, then I want to be awake.” —he’s perfecttt💘
~All Sonja Grey bonus scenes are chef’s kisses 🫰🏻.
I’m not one to exactly love age gaps, and it very much was taboo like Vitaly so happily mentioned (especially because of the baby picture of Nat and Dom holding her at Alina and Matvey’s wedding). However, it was just so perfectly written, with great comedy and banter- it was just great.
P.S. One thing I loved about this book is how Natalya started calling Dominic by his shortened name “Dom.” I wish it would’ve been done with earlier books to ingrain that familiarity in- Emily to Em, Jolene to Jo, Roman to Ro, Matvey to Mat, Danil to D. I like that for the next gen Sonja went right to it- Svetlana to Sveta, Valentin to Val, Yelena to Yel, and so on.
fmc 18, mmc 43
Some tropes/micro-tropes: dad’s friend, he talks to her dad on the phone while she s*cks him, c*ck warming and she even snoozes off, virgin fmc, breeding, he je*ks off to her as she sleeps, 🧊 on cl*t, she is kidnapped + he worries.
Epic lines:
"I'm terrified I'm going to break you in two, little one.”
“I love that I'm her first, but I love that I'm her last even more.”
“I cut his d*ck off for you, sweetheart, and then I took his ball$.”
“Dominic isn’t a submissive man, but he submits for me.”
“I told you I don't like to take orders."
"And I told you you'd get used to it.” —she has him wrapped around her finger🩷
“I’m sorry. I was trying to not wake you.”
“Don’t apologize. If you’re awake, then I want to be awake.” —he’s perfecttt💘
May 20, 2025
Rating: 5⭐️
Would Recommend: Hell yeah! 🌶️🌶️🌶️
My Review:
Born Into Sin by Sonja is like a big warm hug from your favorite characters! Seriously, Seriously, I was grinning like crazy, catching up with everyone after what felt like forever. 😄
Let's talk about Dominic and Natalya - talk about a match made in mafia heaven! 🖤 Natalya, with all her sweetness and caring nature, was the perfect mafia princess and her bond with her cousins was just heartwarming. Dominic, on the other hand, tried to be the tough mafia boss, but love had other plans for him 😏. One glance at Natalya, and suddenly, the bachelor life ain't so appealing anymore.! 🥰
Natalya's certainty about Dominic is beautiful, isn't it? She knew he was the one from the get-go, and her lovey-dovey vibes melted even the toughest mafia boss's heart. 💕
But let's not forget about the Melnikov brothers - their dynamic is pure gold! And those hints about future stories with the cousins? Yes, please! This will be a test of my patience 😅
And Vitaly's humor? A total scene-stealer! That guy knows how to crack a joke and diffuse any tension like a pro. I couldn't get enough of it! 🤣
Born Into Sin is a perfect mix of romance, family drama, and a dash of danger. I'm practically itching to fast-forward time just so I can devour the next book and dive into everyone's stories! ⏩📚
Tropes:
Age gap
Virgin h
Mafia
Found Family
Slight breeding kink
Would Recommend: Hell yeah! 🌶️🌶️🌶️
My Review:
Born Into Sin by Sonja is like a big warm hug from your favorite characters! Seriously, Seriously, I was grinning like crazy, catching up with everyone after what felt like forever. 😄
Let's talk about Dominic and Natalya - talk about a match made in mafia heaven! 🖤 Natalya, with all her sweetness and caring nature, was the perfect mafia princess and her bond with her cousins was just heartwarming. Dominic, on the other hand, tried to be the tough mafia boss, but love had other plans for him 😏. One glance at Natalya, and suddenly, the bachelor life ain't so appealing anymore.! 🥰
Natalya's certainty about Dominic is beautiful, isn't it? She knew he was the one from the get-go, and her lovey-dovey vibes melted even the toughest mafia boss's heart. 💕
But let's not forget about the Melnikov brothers - their dynamic is pure gold! And those hints about future stories with the cousins? Yes, please! This will be a test of my patience 😅
And Vitaly's humor? A total scene-stealer! That guy knows how to crack a joke and diffuse any tension like a pro. I couldn't get enough of it! 🤣
Born Into Sin is a perfect mix of romance, family drama, and a dash of danger. I'm practically itching to fast-forward time just so I can devour the next book and dive into everyone's stories! ⏩📚
Tropes:
Age gap
Virgin h
Mafia
Found Family
Slight breeding kink
February 20, 2025
3.5⭐️‼️
Tropes & Vibes
-age gap (just a cute lil 25 yrs)
-mafia
-second gen (haven’t read the og series yet but now I want to; I loved the family vibe)
-forced proximity (sorta, she’s staying w/ him for awhile)
-cock warming scene 💦👀(umm yeah…very philosophical 🥵)
-no opd, no cheating
-hea
•I liked it esp the first 1/2 but got rlly bored after that. Struggled to finish this. I’m all for insta-lust but this had too much insta-love for me. Like being in love & calling the other person their “other half” and soulmate after like 2 days 🥴 ~ can’t get down w that, chemistry doesn’t feel real then.
Notes:
[-] who tf is named Gleb ????
[-] “They discuss some new strip club they went to last weekend. Evidently there’s a dancer named Bunny who can do some pretty impressive shit on the pole. While they reminisce about upside down splits and tits that defy gravity…” lol
Tropes & Vibes
-age gap (just a cute lil 25 yrs)
-mafia
-second gen (haven’t read the og series yet but now I want to; I loved the family vibe)
-forced proximity (sorta, she’s staying w/ him for awhile)
-cock warming scene 💦👀(umm yeah…very philosophical 🥵)
-no opd, no cheating
-hea
•I liked it esp the first 1/2 but got rlly bored after that. Struggled to finish this. I’m all for insta-lust but this had too much insta-love for me. Like being in love & calling the other person their “other half” and soulmate after like 2 days 🥴 ~ can’t get down w that, chemistry doesn’t feel real then.
Notes:
[-] who tf is named Gleb ????
[-] “They discuss some new strip club they went to last weekend. Evidently there’s a dancer named Bunny who can do some pretty impressive shit on the pole. While they reminisce about upside down splits and tits that defy gravity…” lol
May 27, 2024
Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice Rating: 🌶🌶.5
HEA: 🌟🌟🌟/3
❗️Safety and Small Spoilers Below❗️
📌 Triggers: Violence/Gore (on-page) Threat of Rape and SA (on-page) Kidnapping (on-page) Murder (on-page)
📌 HEA: Marriage and babies
📌 Age Gap of 25 years (18 and 43) MMC has known FMC since she was an infant. However, he'd been in Italy a majority of her life and had very little knowledge about her growing up.
📌 No Cheating/Sharing
📌 No OWD: MMC was set up on a blind date (before MCs meet), but nothing happens.
📌 No OMD: FMC is a virgin
📌 No Third-act breakup
📌 Physical Separation days at a time due to certain situations.
Spice Rating: 🌶🌶.5
HEA: 🌟🌟🌟/3
❗️Safety and Small Spoilers Below❗️
📌 Triggers: Violence/Gore (on-page) Threat of Rape and SA (on-page) Kidnapping (on-page) Murder (on-page)
📌 HEA: Marriage and babies
📌 Age Gap of 25 years (18 and 43) MMC has known FMC since she was an infant. However, he'd been in Italy a majority of her life and had very little knowledge about her growing up.
📌 No Cheating/Sharing
📌 No OWD: MMC was set up on a blind date (before MCs meet), but nothing happens.
📌 No OMD: FMC is a virgin
📌 No Third-act breakup
📌 Physical Separation days at a time due to certain situations.
June 26, 2024
This book felt like the fmc and mmc went from literally knowing nothing about each other to banging and saying I love you with no build up whatsoever. The connection is literally just how often he wants to have sex, nothing remotely emotional
July 13, 2024
an age gap with an 18 year old FMC was already pushing it, but the author’s insistence on REPEATEDLY mentioning the photo of the MMC holding the FMC when she was an infant was fucking bizarre and wholly unnecessary
not-for-me
August 7, 2024note:
age gap is too big for my liking (18/43)
age gap is too big for my liking (18/43)
July 20, 2025
three 5 stars in a row?? who am I??
December 18, 2024
Dark Mafia Romance
The first in a series about the next generation of the Melnikov family, this is a dark mob romance between an young (18) Bratva princess and an older (43) Mafia Don. The myth of Hades' abduction of Persephone is a metaphor for their story, with Dominic's world shadowed by darkness and violence and Natalya personifying sweetness and innocence. There's a definite dominant/ submissive element to the relationship. There's a suspense plotline related to a war between different mob factions placing Natalya's safety at risk. (The older Melnikov leaders and their spouses from the earlier Blood series all make appearances.)
While the age gap may seem extreme, the romance is believable. Both main characters are likable.
The first in a series about the next generation of the Melnikov family, this is a dark mob romance between an young (18) Bratva princess and an older (43) Mafia Don. The myth of Hades' abduction of Persephone is a metaphor for their story, with Dominic's world shadowed by darkness and violence and Natalya personifying sweetness and innocence. There's a definite dominant/ submissive element to the relationship. There's a suspense plotline related to a war between different mob factions placing Natalya's safety at risk. (The older Melnikov leaders and their spouses from the earlier Blood series all make appearances.)
While the age gap may seem extreme, the romance is believable. Both main characters are likable.
October 3, 2025
OMG 😱🔥 Sonja Grey has done it AGAIN!! I didn’t think I could love another mafia romance as much as the original Melnikov brothers series, but stepping into the Melnikov Legacy felt like coming home… only with more danger, more steam, and way more chaos 😂💀.
Dominic (43, Italian Mafia Don) + Natalya (18, Bratva Princess, Lev’s daughter 👀) = an age-gap, forbidden romance that should not work… but somehow works PERFECTLY. He’s all alpha, possessive, and “touch her and I’ll unalive you” energy 💪🖤, while she’s sassy, smart, and way stronger than anyone gives her credit for 👑✨. Together? Pure 🔥🔥🔥.
The chemistry between them? Electric ⚡️. The banter? Hilarious 🤣 (Vitaly still steals every single scene, I swear this man needs his own comedy spinoff). And the family vibes?? Ugh, my heart 🥺💕. Seeing the OG Melnikov crew back with their kids was EVERYTHING. It’s like a mafia Thanksgiving dinner but with guns, secrets, and way too much testosterone 😂🔫🍷.
Yes, the age gap is huge 🫣, but Sonja handled it SO well that it never felt creepy or forced. Instead, it had that Hades & Persephone, light vs. dark, forbidden-but-fated vibe 🌑🌸. Natalya is the sunshine to Dom’s storm, and he… well, let’s just say this man would burn the whole world down for his Principessa 🔥👑.
And let’s not forget the spice level 🌶️🌶️🌶️… Y’ALL. Not only were the scenes steamy, but they were long, detailed, and so well written I had to fan myself 🥵. Obsession, tension, tenderness it’s all there. Bonus points for Dom’s dirty mouth 😏💋.
What I loved most? The balance. There’s mafia action 💥, suspense, loyalty, and bloodshed ⚔️, but also laughter, found family, and so many heart-melting moments 🫶. It’s the perfect mix of dark romance and warm, feel-good connections that keep you hooked.
👉 If you love mafia romances, protective alpha heroes, age-gap spice, and chaotic Bratva/Mafia family dynamics, Born Into Sin is a MUST-READ. Sonja Grey just proved she’s the queen of this genre 👑🖤.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 5 glowing stars from me!!
🌶️🌶️🌶️ — Spicy enough to make you blush, but also sweet enough to make you swoon.
Dominic (43, Italian Mafia Don) + Natalya (18, Bratva Princess, Lev’s daughter 👀) = an age-gap, forbidden romance that should not work… but somehow works PERFECTLY. He’s all alpha, possessive, and “touch her and I’ll unalive you” energy 💪🖤, while she’s sassy, smart, and way stronger than anyone gives her credit for 👑✨. Together? Pure 🔥🔥🔥.
The chemistry between them? Electric ⚡️. The banter? Hilarious 🤣 (Vitaly still steals every single scene, I swear this man needs his own comedy spinoff). And the family vibes?? Ugh, my heart 🥺💕. Seeing the OG Melnikov crew back with their kids was EVERYTHING. It’s like a mafia Thanksgiving dinner but with guns, secrets, and way too much testosterone 😂🔫🍷.
Yes, the age gap is huge 🫣, but Sonja handled it SO well that it never felt creepy or forced. Instead, it had that Hades & Persephone, light vs. dark, forbidden-but-fated vibe 🌑🌸. Natalya is the sunshine to Dom’s storm, and he… well, let’s just say this man would burn the whole world down for his Principessa 🔥👑.
And let’s not forget the spice level 🌶️🌶️🌶️… Y’ALL. Not only were the scenes steamy, but they were long, detailed, and so well written I had to fan myself 🥵. Obsession, tension, tenderness it’s all there. Bonus points for Dom’s dirty mouth 😏💋.
What I loved most? The balance. There’s mafia action 💥, suspense, loyalty, and bloodshed ⚔️, but also laughter, found family, and so many heart-melting moments 🫶. It’s the perfect mix of dark romance and warm, feel-good connections that keep you hooked.
👉 If you love mafia romances, protective alpha heroes, age-gap spice, and chaotic Bratva/Mafia family dynamics, Born Into Sin is a MUST-READ. Sonja Grey just proved she’s the queen of this genre 👑🖤.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 5 glowing stars from me!!
🌶️🌶️🌶️ — Spicy enough to make you blush, but also sweet enough to make you swoon.
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