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Tasarov Bratva #1
Midnight Oath
This wedding is fake.
The man on the altar doesn’t love me.
The people in the pews don’t care about me.
But as I walk down the aisle, bouquet in hand, bridal march playing, I try to convince myself this is real.
This is my happily ever after.
Maybe if I say it enough, it will start to feel true.
But let’s be real: my happiness doesn’t matter.
I’m in this fake marriage for one reason and one reason only:
To keep my sick daughter enrolled in the medical study that’s saving her life.
Without Adrik Tasarov, I’ll lose her.
So until his dear old daddy kicks the bucket, I’m stuck in this loveless marriage.
That’s the deal.
It won’t be long.
Then Isabella and I can finally start a life of our own, free of the evil men who keep trying to control us.
At least, that’s what I thought would happen.
But like all plans made under duress, it fell apart at the first obstacle.
I didn’t just fall for my fake husband.
I didn’t just sleep with my fake husband.
No, I had to go all the way…
And get pregnant with my fake husband’s baby.
The man on the altar doesn’t love me.
The people in the pews don’t care about me.
But as I walk down the aisle, bouquet in hand, bridal march playing, I try to convince myself this is real.
This is my happily ever after.
Maybe if I say it enough, it will start to feel true.
But let’s be real: my happiness doesn’t matter.
I’m in this fake marriage for one reason and one reason only:
To keep my sick daughter enrolled in the medical study that’s saving her life.
Without Adrik Tasarov, I’ll lose her.
So until his dear old daddy kicks the bucket, I’m stuck in this loveless marriage.
That’s the deal.
It won’t be long.
Then Isabella and I can finally start a life of our own, free of the evil men who keep trying to control us.
At least, that’s what I thought would happen.
But like all plans made under duress, it fell apart at the first obstacle.
I didn’t just fall for my fake husband.
I didn’t just sleep with my fake husband.
No, I had to go all the way…
And get pregnant with my fake husband’s baby.
489 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2022
4033 people are currently reading
1487 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews
June 28, 2022
Emery, the heroine, is too stupid to live. This story makes no sense.
June 15, 2022
Fucked up
I don’t understand why everyone is ignoring the actual abusive and horribly toxic behavior between the main characters. I’ve read and even liked some of the bully and dubious consent romance books but this goes above and beyond that. The husband and don of the bratva kidnapped the fmc’s daughter, physically and emotional abused her, gaslit her and then put her in an actual cage all the while claiming he’s doing it for her own good. I love a good alphahole and alpha man who takes control but this was too much even for me. 1/10 DO NOT RECOMMEND
I don’t understand why everyone is ignoring the actual abusive and horribly toxic behavior between the main characters. I’ve read and even liked some of the bully and dubious consent romance books but this goes above and beyond that. The husband and don of the bratva kidnapped the fmc’s daughter, physically and emotional abused her, gaslit her and then put her in an actual cage all the while claiming he’s doing it for her own good. I love a good alphahole and alpha man who takes control but this was too much even for me. 1/10 DO NOT RECOMMEND
July 7, 2022
This review will contain spoilers.
So I heard a lot of good things about this book and was very eager to read it. After starting it I thought the writing itself was good, you got the whole picture of what was going on, none of that his POV, her POV. I liked the writer wrote the fiancé was horrible to her and she went looking for help to Adrik, the Russian Don to be. He came across very charming, swarve, powerful and sexy. I was excited i liked his character. Then the author ruined the book.
Emery said she would do anything for her baby and reluctantly agrees to Adrik conditions. But then she spends every moment she gets fighting him and whining and thus he fights back belittling her getting her to kneel and beg. Then as a reader you think shes going to learn but guess what she doesn't I got halfway through the book and felt there just no growth in the characters. Adrik tries to be nice (even if theres something in it for him) and guess what Emery whines and fights the whole relationship is beyond toxic, as a reader i read books to escape the cycle of toxicities of this world not be immersed in them with a book as well. Also it mentions Emery liked "boy sports" im guessing boxing?? yet she gets s*xually assaulted twice.... surely she would have a decent attempt at fighting off an attacker? Her character was very aggressive, contradictive and just not very nice, there were a lot of issues with her character that other readers had aswell like leaving her disabled daughter with some DIY men, who she had no idea of who any of them were (goodread reviews).
I've read a lot of books where you have the dominant alpha male, who is meant to be heartless but falls in love. So far this is by far the worst.
What i would have done, would be this.
Adrik needs a wife but doesn't want one. Emery needs protection and help for both her and her daughter.
Adrik only does things that get him something in return. Hence the agreement.
Im not saying i would have had Emery as a push over but I would have had her behave more like a grown up and actually talk to Adrik about things. I would of built Emery character from being a stranger to slowly becoming Adriks allies. Like going to a ball with him and unknowingly befriending/helping someone very powerful who he (his family) have been trying to form and alliance with. Thus developing his character, perhaps he takes her to the beach for a private meal, or just says thanks. So on so forth. She innocently starts including him with things such as picnics with her daughter ect, thus bringing them closer. Then it all blows up at the end of book one. someone sets her up makes it looks like she was playing him. Book 2 opens up where hes pissed and out for blood. How his friend Stefan doesn't believe whats happened and takes it upon himself to investigate, and things pop up showing contradictions into what information he has been told. So he finds his women and interrogates her (getting her side of the story as the cold hearted mobster he is.) But he can't bring himself to trust her yet so he essentially jails her somewhere she can be kept a close eye on. Yada yada yada... stuff happens things come to light and he is convinced had been set up, deals with the bad guys. Now he has to go win her and her daughter back... No whiney Emery, you still get your bada$$ mobster who likes everything his way and has the power win win.
So I heard a lot of good things about this book and was very eager to read it. After starting it I thought the writing itself was good, you got the whole picture of what was going on, none of that his POV, her POV. I liked the writer wrote the fiancé was horrible to her and she went looking for help to Adrik, the Russian Don to be. He came across very charming, swarve, powerful and sexy. I was excited i liked his character. Then the author ruined the book.
Emery said she would do anything for her baby and reluctantly agrees to Adrik conditions. But then she spends every moment she gets fighting him and whining and thus he fights back belittling her getting her to kneel and beg. Then as a reader you think shes going to learn but guess what she doesn't I got halfway through the book and felt there just no growth in the characters. Adrik tries to be nice (even if theres something in it for him) and guess what Emery whines and fights the whole relationship is beyond toxic, as a reader i read books to escape the cycle of toxicities of this world not be immersed in them with a book as well. Also it mentions Emery liked "boy sports" im guessing boxing?? yet she gets s*xually assaulted twice.... surely she would have a decent attempt at fighting off an attacker? Her character was very aggressive, contradictive and just not very nice, there were a lot of issues with her character that other readers had aswell like leaving her disabled daughter with some DIY men, who she had no idea of who any of them were (goodread reviews).
I've read a lot of books where you have the dominant alpha male, who is meant to be heartless but falls in love. So far this is by far the worst.
What i would have done, would be this.
Adrik needs a wife but doesn't want one. Emery needs protection and help for both her and her daughter.
Adrik only does things that get him something in return. Hence the agreement.
Im not saying i would have had Emery as a push over but I would have had her behave more like a grown up and actually talk to Adrik about things. I would of built Emery character from being a stranger to slowly becoming Adriks allies. Like going to a ball with him and unknowingly befriending/helping someone very powerful who he (his family) have been trying to form and alliance with. Thus developing his character, perhaps he takes her to the beach for a private meal, or just says thanks. So on so forth. She innocently starts including him with things such as picnics with her daughter ect, thus bringing them closer. Then it all blows up at the end of book one. someone sets her up makes it looks like she was playing him. Book 2 opens up where hes pissed and out for blood. How his friend Stefan doesn't believe whats happened and takes it upon himself to investigate, and things pop up showing contradictions into what information he has been told. So he finds his women and interrogates her (getting her side of the story as the cold hearted mobster he is.) But he can't bring himself to trust her yet so he essentially jails her somewhere she can be kept a close eye on. Yada yada yada... stuff happens things come to light and he is convinced had been set up, deals with the bad guys. Now he has to go win her and her daughter back... No whiney Emery, you still get your bada$$ mobster who likes everything his way and has the power win win.
June 9, 2022
2.5 stars.
Okay, so I was hooked to the storyline and kept reading only for it. There’s SO MUCH that makes no sense or is so stupid. We are dealing with mafia members and such, but apparently no one remembers there’s a person with the last name of waters and everyone gets confused when someone says the name. The “hero” can’t make up his mind and neither can his best friend. They’re both back and forth with being convinced of the heroine being a spy. I mean…. The hero was thinking about how he should’ve killed her one minute, then he’s wanting to save her the next? Soooo dumb. And the heroine made the decisions she did at the beginning, but she continuously fights it. That makes NO DAMN SENSE! She said yes, then she keeps saying no, you can’t force me to marry you! So dumb. Yeah, I’m going to read book 2 because I’m hooked to the storyline. But I cannot understand how this book has such a high rating.
Also, why would someone put “pregnant with my husbands baby” in the synopsis of the first book when it’s not even freaking revealed anywhere in that book? 😑
Okay, so I was hooked to the storyline and kept reading only for it. There’s SO MUCH that makes no sense or is so stupid. We are dealing with mafia members and such, but apparently no one remembers there’s a person with the last name of waters and everyone gets confused when someone says the name. The “hero” can’t make up his mind and neither can his best friend. They’re both back and forth with being convinced of the heroine being a spy. I mean…. The hero was thinking about how he should’ve killed her one minute, then he’s wanting to save her the next? Soooo dumb. And the heroine made the decisions she did at the beginning, but she continuously fights it. That makes NO DAMN SENSE! She said yes, then she keeps saying no, you can’t force me to marry you! So dumb. Yeah, I’m going to read book 2 because I’m hooked to the storyline. But I cannot understand how this book has such a high rating.
Also, why would someone put “pregnant with my husbands baby” in the synopsis of the first book when it’s not even freaking revealed anywhere in that book? 😑
June 4, 2022
Weak heroine, asshole hero!
December 23, 2022
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋
A fake/ temporary marriage to. A Mafia Don, tips the world upside down for Isabella.
He’s gruff, mean , aggressive and has a lot to deal with besides marriage to her.
But his saving of mother and daughter is something she can’t say no to.
Excellent read
💋💋💋
A fake/ temporary marriage to. A Mafia Don, tips the world upside down for Isabella.
He’s gruff, mean , aggressive and has a lot to deal with besides marriage to her.
But his saving of mother and daughter is something she can’t say no to.
Excellent read
September 13, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up because I read 400 plus pages fast.
Emery is engaged to an older sleazy politician when she meets Adrick at a charity ball. He sweeps her away and seems interested but he gets called away by his father. He must marry because his dad the son is dying. Emery who is a tech moguls daughter rejected her fathers fortune when she was raped and left home to
Raise her handicapped daughter on her own. She’s looking For a sugar daddy to keep her daughter in a costly drug trial. She switches fiancés and will be Adricks wife. There’s constant bickering between the Mc’s which does get al but monotonous. Low key angst as the big bad mafia guy fall for a Lorelei Gilmore clone.
Emery is engaged to an older sleazy politician when she meets Adrick at a charity ball. He sweeps her away and seems interested but he gets called away by his father. He must marry because his dad the son is dying. Emery who is a tech moguls daughter rejected her fathers fortune when she was raped and left home to
Raise her handicapped daughter on her own. She’s looking For a sugar daddy to keep her daughter in a costly drug trial. She switches fiancés and will be Adricks wife. There’s constant bickering between the Mc’s which does get al but monotonous. Low key angst as the big bad mafia guy fall for a Lorelei Gilmore clone.
Read
September 4, 2022DNF pretty early on, I can already tell it's not for me. The chapter flow and the Hs POV...😑
September 22, 2023
Literal worst book I’ve ever read. Mark this as bad as Nicholas cage movies. I skipped through half because of how ABUSIVE Adrik is. Worst book ever
November 22, 2022
A pretty awesome story!
This was my 2nd book by Naomi West and I liked this one better. Still on the fence whether or not I’ll follow her and continue to read her books but this was a REALLY good showing! This book kept my interest from beginning to end but I remembered what I didn’t like about her 1st book pretty quickly…her heroines seem to take a HUGE amount of abuse and disrespect from the Hero’s and it really irritates me when authors do that. The h is so enamored she can’t see past her hormones and basically forgives the freaking atrocious deeds the Hero does without any groveling on his behalf…like she is not worth fighting for and he can treat her any old way and still “get the girl.” No way! Respect yourself please!
Now that THAT gripe is out of the way, the rest of the story rocked really hard! It was super fast paced and kept my attention from movement one! I love a book that grabs my attention and won’t let go! With work and all I STILL managed to gobble this book up in less than a day. There was fire, passion and mafia warfare to boot. A bit of a spoiler ahead*******
*****************************************************
An unexpected endearing part was her daughter with special needs. I’ve never read a story line like that before and this kid stole my heart! Loved that twist. This book KEPT on twisting too! Things came together in a shocking way with revelations I did not see coming happening. Definitely ended this book on a shocking cliff hanger and so glad the next book is out. Hoping it wows me and I can finally add Naomi West to my instant tbr list!
This was my 2nd book by Naomi West and I liked this one better. Still on the fence whether or not I’ll follow her and continue to read her books but this was a REALLY good showing! This book kept my interest from beginning to end but I remembered what I didn’t like about her 1st book pretty quickly…her heroines seem to take a HUGE amount of abuse and disrespect from the Hero’s and it really irritates me when authors do that. The h is so enamored she can’t see past her hormones and basically forgives the freaking atrocious deeds the Hero does without any groveling on his behalf…like she is not worth fighting for and he can treat her any old way and still “get the girl.” No way! Respect yourself please!
Now that THAT gripe is out of the way, the rest of the story rocked really hard! It was super fast paced and kept my attention from movement one! I love a book that grabs my attention and won’t let go! With work and all I STILL managed to gobble this book up in less than a day. There was fire, passion and mafia warfare to boot. A bit of a spoiler ahead*******
*****************************************************
An unexpected endearing part was her daughter with special needs. I’ve never read a story line like that before and this kid stole my heart! Loved that twist. This book KEPT on twisting too! Things came together in a shocking way with revelations I did not see coming happening. Definitely ended this book on a shocking cliff hanger and so glad the next book is out. Hoping it wows me and I can finally add Naomi West to my instant tbr list!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2022
OMG!!! From the very first page I was hooked. The story beginning with high emotion, stress, tension and desperation. Emery has aligned herself with a monster and she wants to get away from him. So she pleads with a handsome stranger who seems to have more power than the man she is with. That would be Adrik. The impression I get is that Emery is a striking beauty with a heart that would do anything, and I mean anything for the sake of her ill daughter. Adrik offers a marriage of convenience. But the convenience would one hundred percent belong to him. Emery decides to leave the devil she knows who is Senator Waters and she goes for the devil she does not know Adrik. She does not realize she has just aligned herself with the heir to the Bratva dynasty. There is crackling attraction between Emery and Adrik. Adrik has closed off all feelings and treats Emery without consideration. Emery fights him every step of the way but makes no headway. Little does she know that she and her daughter Isabella is getting under his skin but in a good way. Adrik does not face it until his father, brother and best friend point out how he is changing. Adrik believed Emery was a naive person until it was brought to his intention that she may be a spy from a rival mafia. He punishes her severely. Senator Waters is not taking this well. Adrik stole his fiancé Emery and humiliated him. He was out for revenge. Waters aligned himself with Adrik's enemy, stormed his home and stole Emery back. There is so much going on but I would be giving out spoilers if I noted them here. Just know this is one heck of a mafia story and it ends with a cliffhanger. I hope the next book comes out soon. I can hardly wait.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 7, 2022
A fairly new author for me and an enjoyable read. This is the first book in the Tasarov Bratva series and I look forward to the rest enough I bought this one. The story follows Adria and Emery. Emery is a single mom. Her daughter, Isabella is 5 and wheel chair bound due to a degenerative disease. Emery was attacked and raped and got pregnant. Her wealthy family only cared about keeping it quiet so Emery left them and doesn’t speak to them. She has been dating a politician because he got Isabella into a study that has been helping her and now feels trapped with him. He only wants Emery for the money she will receive when she marries. Adria approaches her at a fund raiser, he’s absolutely gorgeous and acts like he has known her for years. Adrik is the oldest son of Vadim Tasarov the Don of the Tasarov Bratva. This is where their story begins and it’s a good one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 17, 2026
dnf 92% tbh i dont even know how i got this far. if i could rate zero i would. i genuinely tried to see where tf this was going and now that i’m here… absolutely DISGUSTED in this waste of time. but i’ll take accountability for going in blindly and then more accountability for continuing after i was already threw off.
January 14, 2025
pretty good
This is a pretty good story. It does leave with a cliffhanger. The only thing I didn’t like about this story was all the pleases. I heard one more please I thought I was going to lose my mind, but it’s definitely enemies to lovers Bratva romance.
This is a pretty good story. It does leave with a cliffhanger. The only thing I didn’t like about this story was all the pleases. I heard one more please I thought I was going to lose my mind, but it’s definitely enemies to lovers Bratva romance.
March 29, 2024
mmc and fmc both annoyed me cause they both were SO stubborn and just couldn’t communicate properly😭 i really wanted to scream
June 12, 2022
Had the fmc.Had any damn brain cells this book would have been 5 stars . But the twat was dumber than a doorknob and constantly tried to act smart I hated that b soooo much I wanted to stop reading . How many times can a person ask “ what does that mean?” Yah, not gonna read the 2nd book.
June 26, 2022
0 ⭐️ DNF @ 20% when he made her beg on her knees to see her daughter that he kidnapped. There are no authors I’ve found that can successfully make an asshole seem appealing. This is so fucking bad I’m actually angry over it.
July 11, 2022
Hard to know how I feel on this one… I need to read part two
Ok… my mind is… errmm I really don’t know where. And it’s not a bad thing or a negative review of this book… but I honestly don’t know where my heart and conscience lie after finishing part one.
On the one hand… this book certainly keeps you guessing, surmising, re-guessing. Just when you think you have Adrik and Emery’s turbulent and tempestuous relationship figured out, something else comes along. I figured a few bits out from the subtle clues Naomi West throws in to pull you in to the rapidly thickening plot… but then she throws another curveball and it’s like… “wait a minute, what the heck is going on now?”
My main issue is likability of the characters… don’t get me wrong, when Adrik isn’t in scary Bratva Don mode he is dream worthy, but it’s a side we don’t see too often and it’s usually a brief glimpse and then flicked off again like a switch. What I do love about him is his obvious love for Emery’s daughter, Isabella. As much as he won’t admit that it’s love… that’s exactly what it is. He adores her and her six year old innocent love for him is melting away that harsh gangster ice cage around his heart.
Do I like him? I actually don’t know yet. And that’s why I think I need to read part two to actually make my mind up on that.
It’s kind of hard to look beyond his treatment of Emery and everything he’s subjected her to. Even though we know it’s because of his own fears of being hurt by love again that he’s doing it… he’s brutal in his ways and that can be hard to overlook, even when he’s being sweet and caring.
As for Emery… there are many times I’ve just wanted to yell at her because she knows just how to push Adrik’s buttons and keep the monster at her door instead of just playing along. She claims she’d do anything for her daughter but often I’m like “well just shut up and stop poking the damn bear then!” She brings an awful lot of Adrik’s admonishment on herself and whilst some might look at it as her being strong, brave and resilient - I struggle to see it as less than stupidity at times. Just talk… be honest… don’t play games… and you won’t lose. But no… she doesn’t just poke the hornets nest, she drop kicks it!
I do however love the plot. It’s got intrigue and interest by the bucket load and I love the twists and turns it makes. Their difficult relationship obviously blends and supports this very well, because you never know how either one of them are going to react. I’m interested to see how Adrik reacts to finding out who Isabella’s father is… that’s going to just about break him.
There’s also that cliffhanger ending. Does Adrik now see that Emery was just an innocent pawn in a dangerous game? Or will he let her go, still believing that she played him every step of the way? I hope everything works out for them… because I guess deep down, I do like them… even though they are frustrating and annoying… I can’t help but like them.
Ok… my mind is… errmm I really don’t know where. And it’s not a bad thing or a negative review of this book… but I honestly don’t know where my heart and conscience lie after finishing part one.
On the one hand… this book certainly keeps you guessing, surmising, re-guessing. Just when you think you have Adrik and Emery’s turbulent and tempestuous relationship figured out, something else comes along. I figured a few bits out from the subtle clues Naomi West throws in to pull you in to the rapidly thickening plot… but then she throws another curveball and it’s like… “wait a minute, what the heck is going on now?”
My main issue is likability of the characters… don’t get me wrong, when Adrik isn’t in scary Bratva Don mode he is dream worthy, but it’s a side we don’t see too often and it’s usually a brief glimpse and then flicked off again like a switch. What I do love about him is his obvious love for Emery’s daughter, Isabella. As much as he won’t admit that it’s love… that’s exactly what it is. He adores her and her six year old innocent love for him is melting away that harsh gangster ice cage around his heart.
Do I like him? I actually don’t know yet. And that’s why I think I need to read part two to actually make my mind up on that.
It’s kind of hard to look beyond his treatment of Emery and everything he’s subjected her to. Even though we know it’s because of his own fears of being hurt by love again that he’s doing it… he’s brutal in his ways and that can be hard to overlook, even when he’s being sweet and caring.
As for Emery… there are many times I’ve just wanted to yell at her because she knows just how to push Adrik’s buttons and keep the monster at her door instead of just playing along. She claims she’d do anything for her daughter but often I’m like “well just shut up and stop poking the damn bear then!” She brings an awful lot of Adrik’s admonishment on herself and whilst some might look at it as her being strong, brave and resilient - I struggle to see it as less than stupidity at times. Just talk… be honest… don’t play games… and you won’t lose. But no… she doesn’t just poke the hornets nest, she drop kicks it!
I do however love the plot. It’s got intrigue and interest by the bucket load and I love the twists and turns it makes. Their difficult relationship obviously blends and supports this very well, because you never know how either one of them are going to react. I’m interested to see how Adrik reacts to finding out who Isabella’s father is… that’s going to just about break him.
There’s also that cliffhanger ending. Does Adrik now see that Emery was just an innocent pawn in a dangerous game? Or will he let her go, still believing that she played him every step of the way? I hope everything works out for them… because I guess deep down, I do like them… even though they are frustrating and annoying… I can’t help but like them.
June 3, 2022
Buckle up this is a wild ride, dangerous men, alpha personified, possessive, oh, so gorgeous, brooding all the makings of a deliciously dark story 😊. This is the start to The Tasarov Bratva series it isn’t a standalone book two will pick up where one leaves off there will be kidnapping, marriage, suspense (oh so much suspense), sleepless nights, bad judgement, plotting, betrayal (that cuts deep), secrets, lies, more lies, violence, chemistry off the charts, forgiveness, hope, and maybe love. So, sit back because by the time you’ve figured out who is who and what is what, you’re already hooked, and you may as well give up the fight and prepare yourself for an all-nighter!
Can’t say I didn’t warn you.
Emery has got to be one of the strongest I have read in a long while after being raped she discovers she is pregnant but she loves her little girl, her little girl is her entire world and will do anything needed to get the medical help her daughter needs including marry a senator who is scum, he abuses her while at a charity event she meets the Russian Don who makes a deal with her, marry him and he will take care of her and her daughter. Adrik sexy as all get out Don of the bratva, usually gets who/what he wants when he wants them, alpha to the bone so he is a little dominating and controlling but his Emery is independent (because she has had to be), tells you what’s on her mind, very feisty but for her daughter she will walk down the aisle all while pretending it is her happy ever after. Neither of them expected the attraction to be instant, intense or the magnetic pull between them to be so strong to where they find themselves realizing it is something more than fake and throw a cutie like Isabella with a feistiness of her mama in the mix and we have some excitement. Although, the plan was for everything to be fake she wasn’t supposed to end up pregnant with his baby but when she does running seems to be the only answer for her but little does she know running from the one man with the power to protect her leaves her open so running from the kitchen directly into the fire or so to speak but will her husband find her or will someone worse find her, when her husband find her will he understand she didn’t betray him, will an enemy from years ago rise up with her will he save her, so many questions (I HATE CLIFFHANGERS) where are they headed?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Can’t say I didn’t warn you.
Emery has got to be one of the strongest I have read in a long while after being raped she discovers she is pregnant but she loves her little girl, her little girl is her entire world and will do anything needed to get the medical help her daughter needs including marry a senator who is scum, he abuses her while at a charity event she meets the Russian Don who makes a deal with her, marry him and he will take care of her and her daughter. Adrik sexy as all get out Don of the bratva, usually gets who/what he wants when he wants them, alpha to the bone so he is a little dominating and controlling but his Emery is independent (because she has had to be), tells you what’s on her mind, very feisty but for her daughter she will walk down the aisle all while pretending it is her happy ever after. Neither of them expected the attraction to be instant, intense or the magnetic pull between them to be so strong to where they find themselves realizing it is something more than fake and throw a cutie like Isabella with a feistiness of her mama in the mix and we have some excitement. Although, the plan was for everything to be fake she wasn’t supposed to end up pregnant with his baby but when she does running seems to be the only answer for her but little does she know running from the one man with the power to protect her leaves her open so running from the kitchen directly into the fire or so to speak but will her husband find her or will someone worse find her, when her husband find her will he understand she didn’t betray him, will an enemy from years ago rise up with her will he save her, so many questions (I HATE CLIFFHANGERS) where are they headed?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 12, 2022
Midnight Oath is the first book in the Tarasov Bratva duet. This is Adrik Emery story. This book is fast paced, action action packed, and pulse-pounding. The story draws you in from the first chapter and keeps you on the edge of your seat right up until the end of the killer cliffhanger. The characters are relatable and well developed. It contains abduction, rape, survival, anger, resilience, violence, hatred, resentment, enemies, pain, secrets, threats, deception, lies, betrayals, revenge, despair, retaliation, drama, danger, twists and turns sprinkled with passion and so much more. Emery is a single mother with a sick daughter with a degenerative disease. She started dating Senator Waters because he was able to help her get her daughter in medical study. However, Senator Waters was very abusive Emery was living in hell. Emery role as Senator Waters fiancee was to look pretty and be his arm candy in public and play nice so he doesn't hard her sick daughter. She was trying to get out of the relationship and away from him. Senator Waters was only with Emery because she came from money and that's why he wanted marry her.
One day Emery and Senator Waters went to a fundraiser when she saw a gorgeous man in beautiful expensive suit. It was Adrik Tarasov son of Don Vadim Tarasov of the Tarasov Bratva. Senator Waters is afraid of Adrik. Adrik ask Emery for a dance and after that he made her proposition one that will be beneficial for both of them since needed a wife in order to become the next Don. He proposed a fake marriage to help her get away from the Senator and she agreed to his terms plus benefits. They were attracted to each other and their chemistry was explosive. The was steamy, carnal and erogenous. Emery didn't know who she was making a deal. She jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire. She didn't know that she was signing a deal with the devil heir the Tarasov Bratva. Because now she's safely locked away in a beautiful mansion. Adrik gives her anything she wants except for her freedom. But she's carrying a big secret that he doesn't know about, his baby in stomach. Will Emery get her freedom? What will Senator Waters do about Emery and Adrik relationship? Will the business relationship turn into love?
I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
One day Emery and Senator Waters went to a fundraiser when she saw a gorgeous man in beautiful expensive suit. It was Adrik Tarasov son of Don Vadim Tarasov of the Tarasov Bratva. Senator Waters is afraid of Adrik. Adrik ask Emery for a dance and after that he made her proposition one that will be beneficial for both of them since needed a wife in order to become the next Don. He proposed a fake marriage to help her get away from the Senator and she agreed to his terms plus benefits. They were attracted to each other and their chemistry was explosive. The was steamy, carnal and erogenous. Emery didn't know who she was making a deal. She jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire. She didn't know that she was signing a deal with the devil heir the Tarasov Bratva. Because now she's safely locked away in a beautiful mansion. Adrik gives her anything she wants except for her freedom. But she's carrying a big secret that he doesn't know about, his baby in stomach. Will Emery get her freedom? What will Senator Waters do about Emery and Adrik relationship? Will the business relationship turn into love?
I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 28, 2024
I started this book with such high hopes, but almost every character annoyed me to no end.
Emery
This woman would not shut up. She would break out in hysterics over every single thing. I have kids. I know the panic that comes with someone else interacting with your child, but besides the kidnapping scene, everyone of her tantrums was unnecessary.
I don’t even know how she got involved with a politician in the first place… She doesn’t have very good social skills. And it bugged me to no end when she agreed to Adrik’s proposal (which was NOTHING) and then proceeded to make every minute of his life miserable.
He is probably the tamest MMC I’ve ever read. All he asked was for her to marry him until his father died and then she would be free. They didn’t even need to have sex if she didn’t want to. THAT’S IT! And yet, she acted like he was keeping her as a sex slave or something.
She constantly talks about how she has to look out for her daughter, but then doesn’t listen to her and uses her as a pawn to get back at Adrik. And I don’t even know why she needs to get back at him!
And she’s so inconsistent. One day, she’s counting down the days until she’s “free” and then the next (literally the next day) she’s hoping Adrik adopts Isabella… 😒
Adrik
I understand he has a past, but he needs to get over himself. How many times does he have to prove that she’s not a spy before he actually believes that she’s not a spy?? There is no other possibility for her running off?
And he uses Isabella as a pawn too! Punishing Emery by keeping her daughter from her is horrendous. I don’t see why he was so determined that Emery be the one when she clearly didn’t want to be there and he didn’t trust her! He didn’t even seem to like her!
Isabella
Kids are rarely a good addition to a dark romance, unless it’s towards the end and it’s part of the couple’s HEA. I liked Isabella a lot, but every time she ignored Emery and asked Adrik for something… let’s just say the parent in me was pissed off.
And I don’t like how the two adults constantly used her in their punishments for one another.
Overall, it could have been better. Emery is intolerable. But hopefully her character improves in the next book.
Emery
This woman would not shut up. She would break out in hysterics over every single thing. I have kids. I know the panic that comes with someone else interacting with your child, but besides the kidnapping scene, everyone of her tantrums was unnecessary.
I don’t even know how she got involved with a politician in the first place… She doesn’t have very good social skills. And it bugged me to no end when she agreed to Adrik’s proposal (which was NOTHING) and then proceeded to make every minute of his life miserable.
He is probably the tamest MMC I’ve ever read. All he asked was for her to marry him until his father died and then she would be free. They didn’t even need to have sex if she didn’t want to. THAT’S IT! And yet, she acted like he was keeping her as a sex slave or something.
She constantly talks about how she has to look out for her daughter, but then doesn’t listen to her and uses her as a pawn to get back at Adrik. And I don’t even know why she needs to get back at him!
And she’s so inconsistent. One day, she’s counting down the days until she’s “free” and then the next (literally the next day) she’s hoping Adrik adopts Isabella… 😒
Adrik
I understand he has a past, but he needs to get over himself. How many times does he have to prove that she’s not a spy before he actually believes that she’s not a spy?? There is no other possibility for her running off?
And he uses Isabella as a pawn too! Punishing Emery by keeping her daughter from her is horrendous. I don’t see why he was so determined that Emery be the one when she clearly didn’t want to be there and he didn’t trust her! He didn’t even seem to like her!
Isabella
Kids are rarely a good addition to a dark romance, unless it’s towards the end and it’s part of the couple’s HEA. I liked Isabella a lot, but every time she ignored Emery and asked Adrik for something… let’s just say the parent in me was pissed off.
And I don’t like how the two adults constantly used her in their punishments for one another.
Overall, it could have been better. Emery is intolerable. But hopefully her character improves in the next book.
June 5, 2022
This book had me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages late into the night until the very end. I’ve read and enjoyed another series by this author and this book was truly something else. It follows Emery who is engaged to an unbearable Senator who is manipulating her into being with him in order to provide her disabled 6 year old daughter with access to a medical trial. She meets Adrik at a charity event who immediately takes notice of her and she decides to ask him for help to free her from her disgusting fiancé. Turns out Adrik is Bratva and his father wants him to wed in order to assume the leadership position of Don once he is gone. Seeing an opportunity he decides to help her for his own gain, but their chemistry is undeniable.
A tense relationship with each party wanting control, combined with a rival mafia family and Emery’s vengeful senator ex makes this story oh so incredibly thrilling. Not to mention the backstory on how Isabella came to be and the uncovered painful reality of Emery’s past.
What I absolutely loved is how much time is spent getting to know each character. Adrik’s actions towards Isabella, Emery’s daughter made my heart melt and I cannot freaking wait to continue the story in book 2 since this was left on a cliffhanger.
My only feedback is I wish this author would not give away the majority of the plot in her summary/intro at each of the books. This was something she did in the other series I read and I’ve learned to avoid them as they contain major spoilers and things that haven’t happened yet in this series (I presume it will happen in book 2).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A tense relationship with each party wanting control, combined with a rival mafia family and Emery’s vengeful senator ex makes this story oh so incredibly thrilling. Not to mention the backstory on how Isabella came to be and the uncovered painful reality of Emery’s past.
What I absolutely loved is how much time is spent getting to know each character. Adrik’s actions towards Isabella, Emery’s daughter made my heart melt and I cannot freaking wait to continue the story in book 2 since this was left on a cliffhanger.
My only feedback is I wish this author would not give away the majority of the plot in her summary/intro at each of the books. This was something she did in the other series I read and I’ve learned to avoid them as they contain major spoilers and things that haven’t happened yet in this series (I presume it will happen in book 2).
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 16, 2025
That is the stupidest book I’ve ever read! The MFC is blonde for a reason . Holly cow, how idiotic can one person be? This books is so irritating. The only reason I finished this book is because it was free on Audible and I could listen to it while staying busy. The MMC acts as a four year old toddler. Unreasonable is an understatement of the year!
Here is an example of Emery’s stupidity: one day she wakes up and does not see her daughter in her room. So, she assumes that the daughter got “kidnapped” by Emery’s fiancée, because that’s totally normal. Don’t assume he took the girl to eat breakfast somewhere or perhaps, he is in a different wing of the “castle” they now live at. Why would you? Her reaction to the situation is even better. FMC grabs a kitchen knife to threaten a house made to get information about her daughter’s location out of the poor lady. I mean, it’s reasonable, right? The Don of mafia always informs his cleaning crew about his whereabouts. Totally reasonable.
It gets better, trust me! After she cannot extract any information from the cleaning lady with a knife, she decides that since the knife was not effective, it was time to switch the weapons to something more threatening…… like plates. I’m not kidding. Emery starts throwing plates all over the kitchen to finally learn about her daughter’s location. Because that’s much more terrifying than a knife. Please don’t ask security, for example, who would definitely know where the MMC went. His second in command is around the corner as well, but why ask him? The made is much more reliable source and throwing plates will definitely get you what you want in the mafia house.
I would give this book 2 stars, but I don’t want to be mean.
Here is an example of Emery’s stupidity: one day she wakes up and does not see her daughter in her room. So, she assumes that the daughter got “kidnapped” by Emery’s fiancée, because that’s totally normal. Don’t assume he took the girl to eat breakfast somewhere or perhaps, he is in a different wing of the “castle” they now live at. Why would you? Her reaction to the situation is even better. FMC grabs a kitchen knife to threaten a house made to get information about her daughter’s location out of the poor lady. I mean, it’s reasonable, right? The Don of mafia always informs his cleaning crew about his whereabouts. Totally reasonable.
It gets better, trust me! After she cannot extract any information from the cleaning lady with a knife, she decides that since the knife was not effective, it was time to switch the weapons to something more threatening…… like plates. I’m not kidding. Emery starts throwing plates all over the kitchen to finally learn about her daughter’s location. Because that’s much more terrifying than a knife. Please don’t ask security, for example, who would definitely know where the MMC went. His second in command is around the corner as well, but why ask him? The made is much more reliable source and throwing plates will definitely get you what you want in the mafia house.
I would give this book 2 stars, but I don’t want to be mean.
June 9, 2022
Midnight Oath by Naomi West is a bully romance based in the Russian mafia world following Emery, a young mother to 5 year old Isabella who suffers from muscular dystrophy. Without giving anything away Emery dedicates her life to prolonging Bella’s quality of life with the disease and will do anything within her means to ensure this. Enter Adrik Tasarov the tall, dark and handsome heir to the bratva mafia. The two make a deal that benefits both parties and sparks fly between them, turning their fine line of love and hate and sexual tension into fights beginning with verbal abuse and ending in violence on Emerys behalf, or a steamy exchange on multiple occasions. If you aren’t into bully romance this book might not be for you, if you enjoy them then I encourage you to give this adult romance a go! I do believe that Adrik’s tune changes towards Emery very abruptly and that it could have been smoothed out a bit. However it is a well written piece of literature that I enjoyed getting the chance to read and I will be looking forward to the sequel Midnight Lies, as the book does end on a cliffhanger.
TW: verbal, physical and sexual abuse, blood, detailed sexual scenes. Recommended 18+ age group.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
TW: verbal, physical and sexual abuse, blood, detailed sexual scenes. Recommended 18+ age group.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 21, 2022
I apologize to all the 1 star reviewers I thought you were being too harsh…but I made it to 45% before I had to stop reading. FMC is a fucking trainwreck, so she was a poor little rich girl who got herself into trouble which resulted in pregnancy, she leads us to believe her parents are awful since she is left on her own to take care of her own mistakes..yes she was raped…but she put herself in that situation to begin with…FMC does not take responsibility for her own actions…then she was pimping herself out to a skeevy Senator who was paying for a wheelchair and keeping her child in an experimental drug program. Ranted about how she hated this so much, but then at party sees an opportunity to pimp herself out to another rich man to get her out of her current situation…she wants people to help her financially but she wants it for free..she uses her disable child as a defense…but in same breath rebels when she has to pay up…think author tried to portray her as a strong woman but that would be negative…if she is so versed in boxing, how did she become such a wimp..waiting for someone to save her…she had been on her own raising a disabled child for 6 years but has no clue about the world….
This book needs honest editing…story is convoluted…not sure what the plot is other than portraying weak useless women as FMC.
This book needs honest editing…story is convoluted…not sure what the plot is other than portraying weak useless women as FMC.
June 3, 2022
It all starts with a fake marriage to save her daughter...but where will it end
Midnight Oath is the first book in the Tasarov Bratva duet. This book is the beginning of the story of Emery and Adrik. Emery ends up making a deal with the devil for the sake of her very sick daughter. At least that is how it starts since she needs help getting her daughter Isabelle in a medical study which will save her life. Initially the beautiful and very desirable Emery agreed to marry another man but then things change when she meets Adrik at a charity event. Adrik needs a wife, at least according to his father. So when he meets Emery he sees an opportunity to fill that need, and maybe a few more along the way. They strike a deal and then the fun, and smexy hot passion, begins.
I enjoyed this first part of Emery and Adrik's story. It held my attention and I really felt for the position Emery found herself as a single mother with a gravely sick child. The question becomes just how far the deal with the devil will go.....and just how steamy hot it will get. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series to see what happens next.
received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
Midnight Oath is the first book in the Tasarov Bratva duet. This book is the beginning of the story of Emery and Adrik. Emery ends up making a deal with the devil for the sake of her very sick daughter. At least that is how it starts since she needs help getting her daughter Isabelle in a medical study which will save her life. Initially the beautiful and very desirable Emery agreed to marry another man but then things change when she meets Adrik at a charity event. Adrik needs a wife, at least according to his father. So when he meets Emery he sees an opportunity to fill that need, and maybe a few more along the way. They strike a deal and then the fun, and smexy hot passion, begins.
I enjoyed this first part of Emery and Adrik's story. It held my attention and I really felt for the position Emery found herself as a single mother with a gravely sick child. The question becomes just how far the deal with the devil will go.....and just how steamy hot it will get. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series to see what happens next.
received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
June 11, 2022
I’ve read quite a few Naomi West books by now and she had a type when it comes to the men in her books- protective, anti-hero and super broody. Adrik takes all of those and amplifies them to an extreme level! He’s such a jerk but in the most amazing to read way. I couldn’t help but love to hate him. And Emery. By far my favorite of her female MCs- super fierce, a mama (same!) and dealing on her own with a disabled daughter. What did it for me in this book were the facts that Emery did absolutely anything for her daughter, including getting engaged to a slimeball senator to get her in a medical trial, and the bond Adrik formed with Isabelle almost instantly. What would be such a difficult storyline to weave into already complex book wove really beautifully in the author’s writing.
There’s a lot of twists and turns in this book- but they all keep the reader engaged and wanting to consume “just one more chapter” until you’ve gotten to the end. It’s a duet so of course it stops on a cliffhanger! I couldn’t put the book down and pretty much had this thick book done in two days. I’m also diving right in to book 2!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There’s a lot of twists and turns in this book- but they all keep the reader engaged and wanting to consume “just one more chapter” until you’ve gotten to the end. It’s a duet so of course it stops on a cliffhanger! I couldn’t put the book down and pretty much had this thick book done in two days. I’m also diving right in to book 2!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 10, 2022
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this book it was absolutely awesome, the author Naomi West has done it again and I cannot wait for the next book, and these characters were awe-inspiring the story was astounding it had so much going for a Bratva, enemies, violence, action, danger, suspense, dominants, submissive, respect, betrayal, trust, strength, protection, bribery, attitude, spicy, lust, passion, romance but will love come into the relationship. Adrik opened up his home for a charity raising money. Emery went to the charity with Senator Malcom Waters as his fiancee he was blackmailing her with the needs for her daughter and was very controlling, so she asked for Adrik's help. Adrik propositioned Emery that they get married, he needs a wife and he will help her with her daughter and he will give her everything she wants as long as she does as she's told. Emery flat out refused and went home to her little girl. This book pulled me in from the start, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that likes Bratva stories. Loved it.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this book it was absolutely awesome, the author Naomi West has done it again and I cannot wait for the next book, and these characters were awe-inspiring the story was astounding it had so much going for a Bratva, enemies, violence, action, danger, suspense, dominants, submissive, respect, betrayal, trust, strength, protection, bribery, attitude, spicy, lust, passion, romance but will love come into the relationship. Adrik opened up his home for a charity raising money. Emery went to the charity with Senator Malcom Waters as his fiancee he was blackmailing her with the needs for her daughter and was very controlling, so she asked for Adrik's help. Adrik propositioned Emery that they get married, he needs a wife and he will help her with her daughter and he will give her everything she wants as long as she does as she's told. Emery flat out refused and went home to her little girl. This book pulled me in from the start, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that likes Bratva stories. Loved it.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 9, 2022
Could any woman be more stupid, and shortsighted, than Emery?
This book was ridiculous. At first, Emery presented herself as a woman willing to do anything for her disabled child. She was Adrik to help her get away from the dirty Senator Waters, then turns into raving, animalistic, lunatic when Adrik simply reverts into his persona and personality the way he as a right to do when it's his house. She becomes a screaming, violent shrew, who, had she really been in her right mind regarding her daughter, should have calmed herself into rational thinking more so she could better retrieve her daughter. Except, she knew Adrik wouldn't hurt Isabella - she merely resented that he took away her control.
Christ on a broomstick couldn't have been a more bizarre, ludicrous sight than picturing a demented, screaming crazy woman deliberately destroy dishes, appliances, a room, with total disregard and complete lack of respect for the man she constantly disrespected and tried to physically attack. He lashed out with words, and she tries to hit, stab, and humiliate him. Really? She needed to be tossed out on her rear end. One and a half stars. I actually liked Adrik.
This book was ridiculous. At first, Emery presented herself as a woman willing to do anything for her disabled child. She was Adrik to help her get away from the dirty Senator Waters, then turns into raving, animalistic, lunatic when Adrik simply reverts into his persona and personality the way he as a right to do when it's his house. She becomes a screaming, violent shrew, who, had she really been in her right mind regarding her daughter, should have calmed herself into rational thinking more so she could better retrieve her daughter. Except, she knew Adrik wouldn't hurt Isabella - she merely resented that he took away her control.
Christ on a broomstick couldn't have been a more bizarre, ludicrous sight than picturing a demented, screaming crazy woman deliberately destroy dishes, appliances, a room, with total disregard and complete lack of respect for the man she constantly disrespected and tried to physically attack. He lashed out with words, and she tries to hit, stab, and humiliate him. Really? She needed to be tossed out on her rear end. One and a half stars. I actually liked Adrik.
June 4, 2022
Heiress Emery Montague is engaged to Senator Malcom Waters who is blackmailing her and he's willing to help her young daughter, but only if she’ll marry him. She finds him disgusting and once she meets an even more powerful man she jumps at the chance to make a deal with the devil, to be his fake wife with all the benefits of marriage bed. Adrik Tasarovs is handsome, wealthy and powerful man within the Russian Mafia, soon to be the Don when his father dies, but his father has one stipulation he needs a wife. Wow what a story its action right from the beginning. These two are dynamic together, with Emery’s fiery personality how can Adrik resist her for long. Adrik has his plate full with his mafia responsibilities. Emery and her daughter Isabella soon find themselves entrenched with in Adrik’s home and under his watchful eye and his desires. A captivating story with a few twist and turns with action, romance, loyalty and betrayal at every turn. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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