Librarian's Note: this is an alternate cover edition - ASIN: B00OVPD746
*Please Note: The Score is not a standalone title. The first books in the Russian Guns series (The Arrangement, followed by The Life) should be read first*
In the mess of love and life, nothing and no one is left untouched.
After everything the Russian mob boss Anton Avdonin has done to keep his family safe from the dangers of the world surrounding them, he never thought it would come down to this. The officials are knocking, the charges are piling, his wife is hurting, and they’re facing a fate he never thought to consider. He didn’t just make one mistake … no, he made many. It’s time to answer for them all.
Viviana “Vine” Avdonin is stuck watching the life she adores crumble around her. Bad decisions have led to terrible consequences in more ways than one. She doesn’t have time to recover from one devastating tragedy that leaves her shattered before the next one is crushing down, too. Saving her husband from a life sentence might be the easiest thing she has to do when her own misdeeds are staring her in the face.
Together, Anton and Viviana have survived more than once, but this path will be by far, the hardest they’ve ever walked. Sometimes they have to walk it alone … because forgiveness isn’t always black and white and love can be blurred by pain. With the blissful ignorance gone and the blinders removed, how much of themselves will they have to sacrifice to come out on top one last time?
When everyone has a score to settle, it’s hard to notice the person causing the most heartache is the one staring back in the mirror.
Third installment to The Russian Guns Sequel to The Life Expected Publication: October 27th, 2014
The author of too many novels to count, Bethany-Kris is a Canadian, lover of much, and mother to four sons, a glaring of cats, and a pack of dogs. A small town in Eastern Canada where she was born and raised is where she has always called home. With her boys under her feet, a snuggling cat, barking dogs, and a spouse calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something ... when she can find the time.
Re-read July 2019 - I forgot just how much I loved this series, the wheeling and dealing, twisting and turning really got me this time.
Nothing I say could convey just how hard I LOVED this series, there wasn't a damn thing that I could find fault with. Stellar, solid writing, amazing characters, strong plot lines and a love that was gorgeous to witness even though my guts was in absolute knots at times.
The third book in the Russian Guns series and I must say it didn’t disappoint. Anton and Viviana are navigating serious issues that create problems in their marriage. Their love and passion is strong but their communication is lacking. This 3rd book is fast paced and filled with lots of emotions. Trust is questioned as well as love. Anton’s life is in jeopardy and the stress of the situation wears on everyone. Will their marriage survive, can Vine get pass not knowing what happened or will their love conquer it all?
Anton is one possessive man. He loves Vine, heart and soul but sometimes he’s just very frustrating. Vine is Anton’s perfect match and has to rise to the occasion because living without Anton isn’t an option. I do love these characters and their intense love for one another.
I will say that towards the end, particularly the court scene, which I thoroughly loved, the writing ignited for me. It was very passionate and emotional. The epilogue was absolutely wonderful. It really excited me about the next generation.
This is the third book in this series, I absolutely loved the first one 'The Arrangement' it was like a hot, violent modern day fairytale bringing Anton and Viviana together, I had mixed feelings on the second 'The Life' the characters seemed to get lost under the all consuming pregnancy and therefore I debated reading this book and I'm so glad I made the decision to continue on. The fairytale is over and real life is knocking on their door, the charges are piling up against Anton and it appears the authorities are willing to do anything necessary to get him. This is a book of deceit, loyalty, betrayal, trust, love and family and it's addictive reading. It's not perfect nor are the characters both Anton and Viviana make mistakes and at times its frustrating to read but then life's frustrating and certainly not perfect. Since the synopsis for this book is good so there's no need for me to do my usual summary I'll just say this book held me from the first page to the last, I was fully invested in these characters their lives and their futures and it's straight on to 'Demyan & Ana' for me, the next generation of Avdonin.
#### I'm adding this to the bottom of my reviews for this series. I checked the authors page which isn't something I generally do but I wanted to know if we were getting any more Russian Guns books. On the site there's 9 mini free reads/deleted scene books from this series and one in particular 'White Sand Black Beauty' is just beautiful it takes us to the second time Anton and Viviana meet, he's eighteen and rebelling against everything and then he sees her.....
For some time now, I have been in a huge reading funk, can't seem to be interested in anything, you won't believe the amount of books I have started but have not finished, they just turn out to be the same disappointing generic plot, and yes I am being a hypocrite because I will continue to read them as I still enjoy the hell out of them. But having said that, lately I've been wanting something different, with more action, a deeper connection between the characters not the same insta love crap I find in nearly every damn book. Thankfully I found that something different in this series, although it still had the insta love aspect however not in the way it was forced and cringy, instead it built up into a passionate and oh so intense whirlwind romance.
I am completely in love with this series, the love between Anton and Vine, man i was truly enthralled by it. To think, i nearly didn't read the arrangement because it wasn't written in first person.. I usually find it hard to connect with the characters if it isn't but let me tell you, this was not the case with the russian gun series, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Please bear with me because I'll most likely just throw in all my thoughts regarding the book/series into this review and it might not even makes sense.
This is how you end a story. I laughed at the banter between lifelong friends, I smiled insanely at the interaction between father and son. I swooned crazily at the love shared between husband and wife. I was on the edge of my seat with the action packed drama going on. But I also cried a ton because of all the emotions that poured out of these characters.
They all felt so human. Is real. Not hiding unless they wanted to be hidden.
This book started off two years later. We see Vine and Anton's son turn into a cheeky little toddler. And also how marriage life and being parents is treating Vine and Anton. They're relationship was still fierce and strong as ever BUT damn did they go through a hell of a lot in this book.
Their foundation was rocked to the core. To the point where things were getting questioned between them. Trust. Loyalty. Betrayal. It was all questioned. And my heart hurt for both of them during those tough times. We knew from the start their relationship was a rocky one because of the external factors that threatened their lives. Their love for each was never questioned but I knew going into this they'd have some problems. What marriage doesn't have problems. But I didn't expect it to have such an emotional impact.
Putting that aside, the storyline was once again so riveting. Holy shit was it intense!! The feds have been after Anton since the very beginning of the series. It's been mentioned here and there but this book really highlights it all. It was scary. I find it crazy how even if the guy is a criminal I wanted his ass not guilty and free! His position as Boss in the Bratva wasnt effected but crap was going down... with the authorities. The trial that takes place, everything that leads to that point and beyond had me wanting to close my eyes and stop reading because I feared what was going to happen. This one particular scene was by far the most intense scene I have read in this series. You will be holding your breath reading that entire part.
Also I just want to point out how much of an amazing character Viviana is. How strong she is and how she's such a fighter and also very passionate and driven by the love of her husband and Son. She's also a great mother and an amazing wife! And although what happened had my stomach clenching, I understood what had to be done. A similar situation occurred with Anton earlier in the same book and gosh it was like taking a punch watching the two trying to figure it all out.
And as for Anton, he was a damn good father and... husband... sometimes. He had his faults in this book as did Viviana. They're not both blame free. They're equally to blame. But when things were good they're were really good! But putting the trouble aside, Anton was a great husband. He cared... cared beyond actually. He listened. He understood. He felt!! He was not stoic and sometimes reading male characters that keep up that facade gets irritating. Anton Felt and what he can't say with words he shows with his actions.
One thing that cannot be mistaken is these two love fiercly. It had all the aspects I crave in books, Love, loyalty, family, friendship, action packed, mystery, thrilling aspect. I love this series hard and that ending and the epilogue opened another chapter which I can't wait to start.
TEARS. LOTS OF FUCKING TEARS. Not the kind of tears you expect but happy tears because GOD DAMN, Anton and Vine make my heart swell. THIS SERIES WAS SO UNEXPECTED IN SO MANY WAYS, you expect Anton and Vine to have an arranged marriage and what not, but it's so much more than that, they were fucking meant to be the moment they met. Just spending 24 hours together, they just knew it and they were young teenagers and they found love. They didn't care about the journey, they just knew that each other was the destination and that's all that mattered. I just want to take the time to thank Bethany-Kris for such a brilliant series. I don't think I've ever happy cried as much as I did in this series. Absolutely LOVED. The epilogue was .. amazing as well. God there is no disappointment, just a lot of love. I don't think I'll read Demyan and Ana's story. It was just a lot of emotional struggles and I just know they have a happy ending. That's all I needed. I'm really emotional right now guys, I just. This series made me so happy because of how much they loved each other. You just KNOW that they're meant to be. "5 HAPPY TEARS, SMOKING GUNS, AND AMAZING EPILOGUE STARS"
The first book started with a bang that IMO "The Score" had missing. I finished it rather quick...without skimming it but I kept thinking that the story line was becoming more predictable as it progressed.
I Still enjoyed the series!!! Mrs Bethany-Kris really brings you the gritty and dark side of the mob world and infuses it with naughty scenes like no other.
To imagine I had this novel for years and chose not to read it because of the trial aspect. Turns out those court room scenes were some of the best.
I have never been able to recall much from this series because my time lapse in reading them is usually huge. This time was no different and I found that I remembered the important things as the story progressed.
Though I could use a few less sex scenes, this novel was certainly raw and real. The emotions, the issues, the conflicts and the solutions. Naturally, the dramatics were necessary - it is a work of fiction after all - but they still held true and this novel certainly reawakened my love for Bratva novels because I have always said Russians over Italians. Their unfiltered everything makes for better stories.
Engaging, with hardly a boring second, this story follow Vine and Anton as they put their morals and marriage to the test. We get to see a side of them both that we have never seen and the struggle between the stronger and the weaker partner kept us going. I loved it even more because there were no outside opinions. They consulted but the ultimate choices and decisions were theirs. Same as the mistakes.
Anton was well rounded as a father, husband and Vor. Vine was the rock of the family and I enjoyed every moment spent with Demyan. I appreciated the intricacy of the plot and the accuracy of the court room. Even if the outcome of some things still have me confused, like the gun in the glove compartment.
There was so much going on but I never got confused or missed a beat. If anything, it made me crave everyone's story. Especially Eve & Ivan as well as Adrik.
The epilogue was a wonderful bonus even if it doesn't excite me. I figure I need more than a view through the eyes of Vine and Anton but I am definitely ready for Ana and Demyan.
The first two books work to set up Anton and Vine as this amazing couple, who love each other so deeply and so passionately, and were thrown together via an arranged marriage based on the wishes of their parents, all of whom are involved in organized crime. But, at the first sign of trouble in their marriage, they both turn into people I didn't like very much. Vine is petulant and bratty, despite being chosen for Anton because of her experience in their lifestyle, and Anton is a huge jerk and makes a lot of stupid mistakes. They spend most of the book apart, not working together to solve their problems, and Vine spends most of the book arguing with Ivan. In the end, I just wasn't really rooting for them, and they came off as a couple who has great sex but not a whole lot else.
Back to the action and adventure of the first novel. Still more sex and romance like both of the novels. It's awesome. It's realistic. It's touching. The character growth this author shows us is perfectly believable in every way. Their reactions are exactly what I would expect.
The author has done it again with this final installment in the Russian Guns trilogy. The epilogue is perfect for the books we have already read, leaving us with a glimpse into the next generation. I will definitely be reading more of this author after finishing this trilogy. Her skills for creating living breathing people that I feel like I know and love by the end of the first chapter has gained her a new fan.
I have been in love with Anton and Viviana from when I read their first book. This third and last book is even better than the first two, surprisingly. I didn't think they would make it, but they did. Sure there was violence, but there was a lot of passion and sex, and of course love. Anton's trial was touch and go at first but Vivian pull off a class act.
I love this series. It was very well written and there was no drag at all. The epilogue took us down the road to fifteen years after the fact. Good to the last drop. That it is.
This is the conclusion to Anton and Viviana's love story. To make sense of the story read the books in order. This book started from where the story left off previously. A series of different situations happens in this story, from infidelity, miscarriage, depression, pregnancy, arrest to court case. It was very well written and kept me in its grip the whole time. In the end we get a glimpse of the next generations story. I will definitely be reading that as well.
This is the final instalment Vine and Anton's story. The relationship gets tested and Vine has put herself out there to save her husband. The couple has to work through their issues and raise their family.
The last chapter cuts to Demyan and his relationship with Gia.
I am still enjoying the series and I cannot wait to see what his children are going to be like.
What a whirlwind. What would you do for the one you loved? How would feel when your actions cause someone else pain? Viviana and Anton navigate through this Bratva life and it make for a fantastic book, without a doubt. Anton and Viviana will always hold a place in my heart now.
The third and final part of the story of Anton and Viviana. In this book, their marriage will be tested on more than one occasion: first with an error by Anton with one of his employees, Natalie, which will cause serious problems in his marriage and later with the FEDS. But Viviana makes mistakes too even when she does it to save his husband from jail. She really put her husband to the limit, especially knowing how jealous and possessive he is. The principal enemy of this couple in this book is the law enforcement, which finally manages to arrest Anton and bring him to trial. Also in the worst possible moment since Viviana is pregnant again. This book will not let you breathe, is one thing after another, but the crazy love that Anton and Viviana have will survive everything. The last chapter shows us Demyan already of legal age and being an exact copy of his father at his age in all good and bad aspects. And he already knows who the woman of his life is going to be: Gia, Ivan’ little daughter. Ivan is Anton’s lawyer Andrew one of his father’s bests friends. More drama? Gia is engaged to another man. Let’s see how things continue. ❤️ Anton and his life for Viviana, I hope that his son will ❤️ Gia the same way.
I'm quite thrilled to say that "The Score" was just as good, if not better, than the first two books in the series! I was on pins and needles regarding Anton's fate! Meanwhile, Anton continues to be number one on my list of sensitive Pakhans who aren't afraid to cry!
4.5 stars. Great conclusion to Anton-Viviana’s story. Not much action but the suspense is there. Also love the court room scene. The trial is my most favourite part in the book. Also, great character development throughout the trilogy. I love seeing Anton and Viviana as teenagers falling in love, then become lovers, husband and wife, and parents.
AHHHHH THIS BOOK!!!! So good!! What are u willing to do for the love of your life? I was dying, couldn’t put it down, all the twists and turns! Hooow We finally see cracks in their relationship and life. This book got me heartbroken! Can’t wait to read their kids books!
This book was a bit of redemption. Not gonna lie, I was kind of mad at the author a bit toward then end of the book. Some of the corruption bit turned my stomach (I know life isn't pretty but dang, haven't they been through enough?) VERY good though.
Loved the whole story featured in both books telling the story of Anton and Vine. Loved the characters, all of them, and the way the dialogue moved along. Held my interest from the beginning until the end. Highly recommended
It was cool. Finally got around to finishing this series. I think I like the thin lives series better though. This was still good though. I had forgotten a bit about Anton’s and Viviana’s story a bit, like I don’t even remember how the second book ended but most of it came back after I read more.