The Last Hope: The Ivanov Brothers, Book I

by Eli Yozrel

He was her last hope. She became his deliverance.

Trapped by one of the most ruthless men in the Italian mafia, Selina isn’t living—she’s merely surviving. Until the night she runs, her son clutched to her chest, hunted by the very monster who once claimed her.

Her only chance at freedom? Nikolai Ivanov—a cold, calculated Russian mob boss with a soul as scarred as hers. Taking her in means igniting a war between empires. But in the shadows of betrayal and power, something dangerous sparks between a connection forged in pain, defiance… and forbidden desire.

As secrets unravel and alliances crumble, Selina must confront the demons of her past—or lose herself in the chaos of the underworld.

A dark mafia romance . Gritty. Intense. Addictive. For fans of Anna Zaires, Cora Reilly & Tillie Cole.

Selina & Nikolai is the first book in the Last Hope series.

Genres: Mafia Romance, Dark Romance, Romance, Dark, Found Family

386 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 13, 2025

Reviews

[Ashley Abboud · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was needlessly long and needlessly dramatic with absolutely no spicy payoff. There was no depth to any of the characters.

Also a small thing that was so annoying was several names were so similar to each other. Selina, Sienna, Sena. Sasha and Alexei, Andrei. Like please don’t.

[Shumillamukhtar · Rating 5 out of 5]

first time reading a book without smut and I loved it

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mafia romance perfection 🖤

This was a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read in my house. Selina and Nikolai were everything 🔥 and the side characters really made it even better 💯. The beginning had me on the edge of my seat 🫣 like straight up couldn’t stop reading. There was a bit of a lull around the halfway mark, maybe ten percent tops, but then out of nowhere it pulled me right back in 😮‍💨📖. Next thing I knew I was deep into the bonus chapter and honestly that part was cute, funny, and a little confusing 😅.

The whole Sasha and Sienna breadcrumbs had me squinting like 👀 okay what’s really going on here. Then we get to the epilogue and I was expecting the usual main couple a few months or years later kind of thing, but surprise surprise it was about Sienna 🤯. And when I tell you that got me hyped 🔥 I’m so ready for her book. She’s got that take no sh*t energy 💅🏽 and I love her for it. Total boss b*tch.

Now here’s where I got a little lost 🤔. It said Sasha was married and his kid was of Latin descent, but I thought Sienna was Italian 🇮🇹. Their last name was “Floros” which doesn’t sound right so maybe it was a typo and it’s supposed to be “Floras”? Either way I hope it all gets cleared up in the second book 🙏🏽 especially with that six years later bonus 🕰️.

The kids in this book were honestly one of my favorite parts 🥹. That one scene had me completely locked in 🫡. They were so brave, my little kings 👑👑. But also, someone please get Mikhail and Rafael a hug and a really good therapist 🫂🧠.

I’m super happy this is going to be a series 📚. I’d totally read a book about Grigori and Elif when they were younger. Lorenzo Abbiati and “Ferna” also have my full attention 👀. I love when a book has strong characters across the board 🙌🏽.

If you’re into mafia romance 🖤 give this one a shot. It gave me everything I needed. Can’t wait for the next one and fingers crossed it’s all about Sienna 🤞🏽✨

[kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.6⭐️

I liked it.

[Joud · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nikolai is amazing and the plot engaging, though it dragged after the wedding. The tension between them was fantastic, but things got boring once they got together…. The side characters were a highlight too

[mina]

moy brat

[Jayanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This BOOOOK GOT ME OUT OF A READING SLUMP it had me giggling like a creep but it was so good 😩😩😩it’s annoying though bc the series is new and I have to wait for the second bookkkk

[Kaprice · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I was very interested in reading this story

I did have multiple problems with this book though

I had to read siennas and Selina’s names repeatedly cause I would accidentally read the wrong name since everyone’s names weren’t that different from each others

Andrei,Alexei, sienna,Selina,sena, Sasha

Also I noticed that Sasha’s name changed from Sacha or something like that to Sasha

I also agreed with some of the other reviews that it could’ve ended after the whole marriage part

It did answer some questions but I didn’t like the fact that it didn’t say what happened to sienna for 8 years

then I hated the fact that they found two trackers in Selina and one in Rafael but somehow they still kept finding them

It was very long and I felt like it could’ve been shortened instead of dragged out

I still liked some parts of the book and I’m not a person that cares really for “smut” but if you are this isn’t that type of book

It’s closed door smut you know nothing about it but it did mention some parts like you could obviously put two and two together what was going on

But it was somewhat a good story i unfortunately just won’t be adding it to my bookshelf

[Yoana Gocheva · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 ⭐ is a bit too much but anyways :)))

[cinnamvnrll✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is my first single dad/single mom trope-book and i surprisingly loved it
i really really did
they were all so cute
i loved how the kids loved her, it was just so wholesome
i cannot wait for sasha’s story🫣
also maybe roman🫣🫣

[morganinpages · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @57%
Tell me why I’m over halfway through this book and I STILL don’t know a single answer to literally anything. Like how did Selina get caught up with Antonio if she was a nurse??? Why is Sienna a trained fighter all of a sudden??? What happened to Niko’s wife??? Why do his sons hate him???? Why is Sasha obsessed with Sienna??? How is Antonio able to track Selina??? And if they know he can track her why aren’t they oh idk seeing if she has a tracker on her or something??????????????? Like there are soo many questions and I feel like we should have known the answers to at least the first couple by now. Also I see no progression in Niko and Selina’s relationship which is kinda annoying. Like out of the blue they just kinda started liking eachother. Also why are everyone’s names so similar? It’s literally so confusing for no reason. And is it just me or is Elif and the boys relationship a little weird? Like yes she raised them but at moments it feels a tad weird and almost like a more situation. Idk how to explain it but it’s just weird. This book was good in the beginning but I feel like nothing has really happened and so many questions are STILLLL left unanswered. Also so many parts in this book are cringe and just didn’t even need to be added. I honestly feel like this book is just a jumbled mess with no end point in sight. And can we just talk about how this book contradicts itself like every other page?? At one point Selina’s kid is 8, but then she calls him a baby and makes it sound like he’s a toddler? Idk nothing just seems right and I’m bored so I had to stop.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t wait for Sasha’s book!

[Micol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dnf at 45%

Not for me. Didn’t vibe with the writing and the characters dialogue.

[Goksu Yucel · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was definitely not an original story from the author. Since i started to read this book, i felt like i was reading the same story as the Turkish tv series ‘Sen Anlat Karadeniz’. Interesting.

[Reshu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alrighty… here we go.

I’ve been in a reading slump—like, for the past month or so, nothing worked for me. Every book I picked up, I either dropped or left sitting on my Kindle shelf, begging me to come back.

The Last Hope ended my drought.

I’m usually not a fan of reading 400+ page books (they mostly make me want to rip my hair out), but this one didn’t. I was actually eager to read ahead—laughing, crying, and feeling alongside the characters. But let’s get to the point…

Characters (4/5)

The main characters were the epitome of survival. One way or another, Niko and Selina were fighting everything at once… though at times, it felt like a little too much.

Selina’s character, especially as a mother, really hit me. For the first time, I felt like I could understand what a mother would do for her kids. I loved that the author didn’t just throw in one or two panic attacks and move on. Selina went through hell, and the author actually did justice to it.

Niko’s background was intriguing too. I liked his complex yet simple nature.
But I had one issue: the timeline. Selina escapes and within two weeks, she’s already in love?? I really wanted to see more of Selina resisting that pull—she literally survived eight years living with a monster. I just felt like her trauma needed more space to breathe. But hey, that’s just me—I still liked them together.

Surprisingly, the side characters, especially Elif, interested me more than Selina. I wanted to know more about how a 19-year-old girl survived raising three brothers-in-law, then her own kids, and still managed to be this strong-willed woman.

The villain? Sick. Like, actual psycho—tracking devices inside bodies?! What confused me was how no one realized it until Tarik pointed it out. Sometimes, the author showed these characters as smart and strong, but then they’d miss obvious things. It felt inconsistent.

Plot ( 3.5/5)

There were a lot of plot twists—sometimes it kept the story exciting, sometimes it made it exhausting. For example, why would Niko decide to host a wedding when Antonio was still alive or kidnapped? Even I figured out that wouldn’t go well.

That said, what I really appreciated was how the author stayed true to the characters. I never felt forced to pity anyone. Selina made her choices for her family—whether it was staying with Rafael’s father or running away—and it was always consistent with who she was.

There were Minimal grammar errors, but they were noticeable (like Sasha’s name being inconsistent). A family tree would’ve been super helpful—by the end, I was struggling to remember who was who!!!

Even with the small flaws, I’m soooo ready for Sasha and Sienna’s story.

[Alina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mafia, BOTH Single parents, Found Family (happy Family), Tension, Touch them you die, Touch her you die, Abuse

I have Not read a Book that made me think for soo long in a loooong time. It is the First time I am reading a Book where Both FMC and MMC Are Single Parents. I really wanted to love this Book, but it just pissed me off soo much sometimes. To be fair it is the First Book in a Series of standalones but still it just felt Like the Author was just giving you too Info dump about characters. But I loved the family dynamic between the Ivanovs. Nikolai is the biggest green flag. I just loved him and his relationship with Rafael is soo cute. But his Trauma and background should have been more focused on. I get that the Sisters Are important but still give me something more. Selina and her sister my gosh do I Not Like her sister, she just ruined a lot of the Book for me. She was soo annoying. I still liked Selina and her development throughout the Book was really good. The street race scene AMAZING, really funny. If you know you know. Also the strawberry Fields. NIKOLAI <3.
Also his nicknames for her solnychko and moy lubov 🥰. I am soo excited for Romans Book and I Hope we get a Novella about Elif and Grigory Story. All in all a solid 3.75 Stars, a solid Book. I am excited for the other ones.

[sweetness_v · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 Stars

The beginning gave me a little hope for a fairly good read, but it just never worked out.
The writing is big time amiss after the first 20%
Zero characters growth. I don’t even know how everyone came to be in love at the end.
We just went in circles, with constant kidnapping, MMC trying to get revenge, failing and then more attacks/kidnapping.

[B. J. Z · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF’d. Nothing wrong with this book or the author. The writer’s style just is not for me.

[Reem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Literally the most random mafia book I’ve ever read but ngl it wasn’t bad. Nikolai is chefs kiss and the whole plot was actually interesting it was just so dragged towards the end they shouldve stopped the book when they got married. The tension between them was absolutely GORGEOUS especially on the first night that they met omg but yeah the book was really good I enjoyed it up until they actually got together and then it kind of just got boring and repetitive.
I also feel like Sasha and siennas book is gna be 10x better

[Elifsu · Rating 1 out of 5]

Be aware of spoilers. I read this fast bc I wanted to get over quickly.
I don’t usually write reviews, but this book being so bad and problematic really triggered me to say something. These are all just my opinions — I’m not trying to force anyone to feel the same way.

Also, to the author — with respect, please stop commenting on other negative reviews. People have every right to feel disappointed and express their opinions. You also shouldn’t judge me or anyone else based on the other books we’ve read or enjoyed.

I especially want to defend that one reviewer who said they felt a bit uncomfortable with Elif and the brothers’ relationship — it’s completely valid for them to feel that way. But bringing up their previous reading choices in your response was unnecessary and irrelevant to what they were actually trying to say.

First of all, this book is not original in any way whatsoever. If you’re thinking about reading it, I recommend you watch the Turkish TV series Sen Anlat Karadeniz instead. It basically has exact moments that are directly copied from the show. For example, the main female character gets her fingers broken by her cruel captor just because she talked to the male lead — exactly what happens in the very first episode of the series. I didn’t even watch the show, but when I told my friend about that scene, she said it was identical. I understand that authors can be inspired by TV shows, but there’s absolutely no originality in this book — neither in the story nor in the characters.

Also, after learning that this started as a Wattpad book, I can’t say I’m surprised.

As for the story itself — there really isn’t one. It just keeps repeating the same things over and over again. The characters always cry, someone gets kidnapped, they try to save each other, they apologize, and the cycle repeats endlessly. The children get beaten, kidnapped, lost in the forest — and of course, they cry and cry. At one point, an eleven-year-old kid gets shot (?) and then stabs a bad guy to protect his aunt. Like… what? It’s so unrealistic and traumatic for the children. How are they even able to smile and continue living so easily afterward? (it's not in the same order but still)

It’s a long book, yet there’s no character development whatsoever. I saw that you said you wanted to deal with trauma-related themes, but all you did was show traumatic events — you never explored the characters’ recovery or healing. I get that this is your first book, but if you’re going to defend yourself by saying it’s about trauma, you really need to study how trauma works — maybe take some psychology classes, or at least research kidnapping and recovery properly. You can’t just get “inspired” by something and then write a book around it.

Besides being unrealistic, there are too many characters — which could be fine — but all they do is have meaningless conversations. They have no real personalities, no growth, no emotional depth.

Another thing: the children supposedly love the main female character, but we never see enough tender, loving moments between them to make that believable. They don’t spend meaningful time together, they don’t talk about the loss of the children’s parents.

And finally, there’s zero chemistry between the main female and male characters. Nothing.

It was honestly frustrating for me to get through this book and realize it’s just an unoriginal, copy-paste story taken from another show or book. But even if it was inspired, it could at least have been written well. Sadly, I don’t see any real talent in the writing either. Please — for your own good — try harder and take time to improve your craft.

[Loreealsacia98 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally read it in a day.
I loved that their romance took time to arrive, that the book was centered in their romance and the plot rather than just the smut (sadly some books are and it’s kinda repetitive)
I loved Sasha and Sienna’s banter, and I know I’ll devour their book, and more after that epilogue. OMG.
This book is one that feels like a warm hug, and you’ll love it if you love the trope “found family”.
I loved how Selina treated the boys, how they fell in love with her as their father did. And Elif? I adored her.

[NB · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw this book on Tiktok.
I am currently at 78% and I will write a few remarks (to be updated when I finish it).

I am obsessed with Bratva/Mafia books, and I love it when the Big Alpha wants to protect the damsel in distress. Which is why I am still reading this book.

- The storyline is nice.
- I have previously read books where the FMC was assaulted/abused and they many times they have made the character bounce back super fast from ordeal- it was unrealistic. This book shows that the abused needed time to overcome her fear and did not dive into a physical relationship with the MMC. Likewise, the MMC was kind, gentle and patient with her. focused on how she felt right for him and his kids.
- I would have loved it if the FMC had showed more spunk (78% into the book and I don't see it). I would have loved it if she had asked the Brothers to teach her self defense considering she and her son are still a target (somehow being tracked) and she was beaten for the past 8 years of her life.
- 78% into the book and I don't understand what happened. Antonio pursued her, she rejected his advances, then somehow because Sienna killed someone to protect herself, Selina was taken by Antonio. I might have missed a part.
- When you write a book about Bratvas vs. Mafias, you need to show a bit more violence. or atleast physical strength or strategic wit. so far, I saw none.
- They were attacked in their house, Selina's sister - Sienna was deeply hurt while she was having a sleepover with the kids. Hello? Billionaire Strong Bratvas? Whose house should be in lockdown mode because 1) they have two people in their house who are somehow being tracked by the enemy, 2) they recently had rescued one of said brothers after he was abducted by their enemy. WHAT? WHAT? Where are the bodyguards on rotation? where is the high-tec surveillance and cameras and motion detectors. Men scaled their estate, walked up the stairs right into the kids' rooms, and they woken up by Sienna's screams? only? man what are you doing with your millions and billions? How are you still in power?
- They keep saying she's being tracked. So obviously it is embedded somehow in her body. can't an MRI figure it out? a metal detector? something? have an IT check her out.
- Sienna needed stitches, and they went to a hospital? instead of having the Dr come in? why be a billionaire bratva if you can't have a Dr on call? after getting attacked? They just get in the car and DRIVE to the HOSPITAL? YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW THEY GOT INSIDE! so you go OUTSIDE?
- It is a slow burn. With glazed over details -what sort of Bratva? what shipments are being stalled? Drugs? money laundering? Trafficking?
- Tooooo many characters.

Despite the above comments, I am enjoying the book. probably because I am so curious to see what happens to Sienna and Sacha.

I noted that this the Author's first book. I would say this is a good first book. just needs to have an editor who tells you what makes sense or doesn't along the way.

Will update this when I am done with the book.

[Ffion O Connor · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was extremely hard to read. I wouldn’t recommend to be honest. I did try to give this book a proper go but unfortunately it lacked so many things, I just couldn’t do it to myself.

One of my main problems was that she gave up her child to the abusive Antonio, what would have made it better for me would be that she had given herself if she was that upset about Roman being taken by Antonio because why would you give your child that you have said you would die for to your abuser??? Make it make sense please.

Another problem was it got boring real fast, in not saying that due to lack of spice because sometimes a book is good without it, that is not how I judge books, but this was something else. It felt like it was on wattpad first and then self published because I would be extremely disappointed if this was actually published by a publisher due to how poor it was.

I have read some of the over reviews and the author keeps saying “it explores trauma” I don’t feel like it does, it skims past it, never going into it.

I am currently 60% of the way through and I will not be finishing it, there isn’t enough to keep you in the book, wanting to turn the next page, wondering what’s going to happen next. The only thing that is happening is confusion and a lot of it, the story line is very confusing as none of it adds up or makes any sense most of the time.

[yeimarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

bratva men I swear, give me them NOW!

ONE QUOTE IS ALL YOU NEEDYO PROCEED “Red or white roses, Tony ? What do you think ?”
Antonio’s gag muffled his screams. “
Wrong answer. Her favorite flowers are dahlias.”

MY REVIEW:
This is my first time reading a mafia romance with NO spice, and can I just say I was not disappointed. It was perfectly crafted so much scenarios going on and it fit perfectly together. I kept thinking “here we go they are going to be married and the book will finish like all the other books” but I was stunned that different scenarios just kept on coming like YES, this author just kept giving and giving!!
The way these men respected, loved, treat their women and kids 🙌🏼 I even teared up on the scene where nikolai was vulnerable wanting to find his family. You get shown vulnerability, love, respect, patience EVERYTHING!

[Randa J · Rating 1 out of 5]

honestly can’t believe this. At first, I was genuinely enjoying the book, the beginning was great and had me hooked. But then I started paying closer attention and realized something shocking: this entire storyline feels like a blatant copy of the Turkish drama called "Sen Anlat Karadeniz"! I mean, seriously? I picked up this book expecting an original story, not something that’s basically a scene-for-scene rewrite of an existing show. This is extremely disappointing and honestly feels like plagiarism. If I wanted to experience "Sen Anlat Karadeniz"I would’ve just watched the series instead of wasting time thinking this was an original novel.

[ayse · Rating 1 out of 5]

The writing is so bad

[maruška · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is average/bad even for Wattpad.

[nazeeha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Idk what possessed me to read this but overall it was meh. Writing needs work and the constant back and forth was getting annoying towards the end

[Daria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I liked this book, but 80% of the plot was, that someone got bruises or was kidnapped

[&#x1d4d0;&#x1d4ea;&#x1d4fc;&#x1d4f1; · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Hope by Gateli Yozrel

⭐️ 5/5 stars | 💥 Mafia Romance | 🫶 Found Family Feels | 😭 Sleepless but worth it

Let me just say this real quick:
THIS. BOOK. OWNED. ME.

I started The Last Hope on Wattpad like it was my religion. I used to wait for those chapter drops like I was starving. And then, boom, life happened, and I went MIA. Fast forward — the book disappeared off Wattpad (😭 betrayal), and someone told me it’s on Kindle now and y’all… I ran. Like no hesitation. I devoured the book in one sitting. Did I sleep? No.
Was it worth it? HELL YES.

⸻

💔💞 What hit me in the feels:
• Selina and Nikolai? Soulmate material, but in the slow-burn, protect-you-at-all-costs way.
• Their love story wasn’t just thrown in—it built itself brick by brick. Real love, real loyalty, real pain, real healing.
• No rushed spice. No nonsense. Just vibes, trauma bonding, growth, and care.
• Selina finding a family (and becoming the fierce mama bear protector of Niko’s sons 🥺). Like I was willing to throw hands for those kids.
• The found family trope here?? Perfect. Selina’s relationship with everyone felt earned and layered.
• Elif was my soft spot 🫶 and the kids were absolute scene stealers. That one emotional scene? IYKYK. Cried.

⸻

👀 Side Characters Deserve Their Own Books ASAP
• Sasha & Sienna were bantering like future chaos soulmates and the EPILOGUE? BABYYYY I SCREAMED.
• Sienna is 100% boss btch energy*. Cannot wait for her book. Give her all the smoke, trauma, and spice. She can handle it.
• Lorenzo Abbiati and Ferna? 👀 yes please. I’m already invested.
• And honestly, Grigori + Elif prequel??? I’m begging. Their tension alone needs a spotlight.

⸻

🧡 Final Thoughts:

If you’re into:
• Slow burn mafia romance with actual heart
• Found family that makes you SOB and smile
• Kids that are literal brave kings
• Plot-driven stories that don’t rely on spice to stay afloat
• And a book that feels like a warm hug (but also comes with gunshots and trauma 😅)

Then The Last Hope is your new obsession.

Thank you, Gateli Yozrel, for healing my Wattpad-scarred soul.
Now bring on the rest of the series—I’m ready for war 🔥