3.5 Stars (I received an e-arc from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review)

Soooo... I got an arc of this book before it came out in 2018... Oops. But at the time I wasn't really into reading a lot of romance. This was a decent romance novel although for a mafia plotline, it was very tame. Two Russian mob families come to together by arranging a marriage between people who don't want to be forced into a union. They meet but are not impressed with each other, Pavel more stoic and Natalia is a fiercely independent and educated woman. But there is still a spark between them and they continue to hookup and try to get to know each other. Honestly there isn't much going on in the plot except for the the arranged marriage and the up and coming marriage of one of Natalia's sisters. It was easy to read through and the chemistry is there but the rest is... meh

I received an ARC from NetGalley. I gave this book the old college try but I kept feeling like I was lost and things happened that I had missed so i didnt finish it. I dont like not being able to follow along with the storyline. Maybe there was a book 1 i didnt know about.

A Russian mafia romance story. Pavel’s boss wants him to marry a rival’s daughter. She is not the eldest but the youngest. Pavel who has worked his way up to second in command is not looking for a wife but will do it for his family.
Natalia who is told about the wedding is not happy one bit. To be married off to a lieutenant, who is really a nobody when she comes from the top family in the area is not right. She goes to the meeting and Pavel is not what she was expecting. While their chaperones are busy, they agree to meet by themselves on another day.
When they meet that day, everything is much different and now she wants to be with him and he with her. But now her father does not want the marriage, can she talk her father into it or will they end up fighting together side by side to save each of their families and each other? A wonderful story.

Arranged marriages in the 21st century; fantasy is the term that comes to mind, archaic is another. Blazing For the Bratva makes the case for this being a normal occurrence within the Russian mob, and does it in such a realistic manner that it is not only enjoyable, it is also extremely plausible. Natalie and Pavel begin on rocky ground, strangers pledged to each other who struggle to find some commonality. In the meantime, they also forge a stronger bond than any conventional marriage.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an unbiased review.

*this book was given to me in exchange for an honest review*
3 stars...
The struggle for power amongst various mafia groups is playing a key role in this story. In hopes of merging the Sokolov and Mikhailov dynasties, the bosses decide a union is called for. Without a male heir, the Sokolov family sends the second in command, Pavel, as the suitor for the Mikhailov family’s youngest daughter, Natalia. Neither Pavel and Natalia is thrilled about his arranged union, but grudging agree as it’s the way things are dealt with. Pavel and Natalia agree to meet, both not having the highest of expectations of this arrangement, that is until they meet. There’s an instance attraction, and they find themselves following very quickly for one another.
Pavel has his place within the Sokolov family, and Natalia struggles to be seen as a strong, educated woman, instead of a pawn in the is game. With marriages merging dynasties, it leaves speculation in the balance if the weakest lengths amongst the groups.
Pavel and Natalia work well together, and balance each other out. The story was packed with background to the point where it was a bit distracting. It was a good, quick read, but it didn’t pack the punch I was hoping for.

Unfortunately, nothing in this story was terrible new or fresh. The plot was stale, the writing was average, and the characters were terribly stereotyped. Also, be aware that this is more of the novella length than a full novel.

This a first time author for me and the 3rd book in this series. However, I do love Russian mafia books, so I decided to give this one a try. Pavel is an up and coming soldier in the Sokolov family and he is now second in command. Natalia is from the Mihailkov family and her father has decided that two most powerful families should unite. Natalia requests that she meets him first and the chemistry is hawt! Especially after she realizes that he is much more than she thought. This was a good read for me and I have not read the other book in this series but did not feel lost at all. All in all this was a likable story without the gritty angst of a mafia family. 3.5 stars

*****ARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*****

3.75 stars--BLAZING FOR THE BRATVA is the third instalment in Maura Rose’s contemporary adult RUSSIAN MAFIA ROMANCE erotic, romance series. This is Sokolov Bratva lieutenant Pavel , and Natalia Mikhailov’s story line. BLAZING FOR THE BRATVA can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Natalia and Pavel) BLAZING FOR THE BRATVA follows the building but forbidden relationship between Sokolov Bratva lieutenant Pavel, and Natalia Mikhailova. The impending wedding between Natalia’s sister Irena to the heir to the powerful Japanese Yakuza is meant to merge the Russian and Japanese mobs but Natalia’s father is determined to increase his standing in the Bratva by announcing Natalia’s marriage to a man she doesn’t know. Enter Sokolov Bratva lieutenant Pavel, the man with whom Natalia will fall in love. What ensues is the building but secret romance between Natalia and Pavel, and the potential fall-out as things don’t go according to plans with Irena’s wedding, and Natalia’s father calls off any future plans for our story line heroine.

To keep up appearances and maintain propriety Natalia and Pavel are not allowed to date prior to their engagement announcement but our story line couple are desperate to meet one another, and in the ensuing aftermath, begin a secret relationship on the road to falling in love. Natalia struggles with her father’s old country ways, and following a near disaster at her sister’s wedding, demands her right to choose.

The relationship between Pavel and Natalia begins acrimoniously. Neither Pavel nor Natalia are thrilled with being forced into a marriage of convenience; a marriage meant to merge rival Russian powers but powers each seeking something different. Hoping to become friends first, Pavel and Natalia will begin a secret courtship behind everybody’s back. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include Natalia’s sisters Irena, Anastasia, Lana and Vasilisa, as well as their father Ivan Mikhailova. We are re-introduced to the head of the Sokolov Bratva Ivan Sokolov, and his wife Kate (Burning for the Bratva #2).

BLAZING FOR THE BRATVA is a story of family, betrayal, power and control. The premise is engaging and captivating; the romance is seductive and provocative; the characters are animated and lively. The usual violence in many Russian Bratva story lines is limited, as well as the story line conflict but saying that I am looking forward to reading more future story lines focusing on Natalia’s sisters.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

THE READING CAFE: http://www.thereadingcafe.com/russian-mafia-romance-series-1-3-by-maura-rose-reviews/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2608836900


AMAZON.COM: https://www.amazon.com/review/R2C2P114RJCGU2/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B07KQFVF97

5 Stars for Blazing for the Bratva by Maura Rose

ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

WOW - I think I could easily get hooked on Russian Mafia / Mob related in general romance !! Loved this book !!

Few thinks that ticked all my boxes: 👍👍
Great characters
Excellent story line - kept my interest so much that I read in one sitting !!
Hot cover - what first drew my attention
Strong heroine
Sizzling chemistry 🔥🔥
Humor - Angst & snark ❤️❤️

Can’t wait to check our other reads now by Maura Rose if they are anything like this great book !!

I was looking for a quick read & absolutely loved Pavel & Natalia’s story !!

See what happens when an arranged marriage of 2 relatively opposite personalities turns into true ❤️❤️

Loved this book - !!

There seem to be more books in this series, this is the first book for me.

It was a short novella type book. Russian Mafia in the USA.
Pavel and Natalia from two different Bratvas are to be married to form an alliance between the most powerful Bratva and an upcoming one.

At first I was unsure where they were. It took me a bit to figure out they weren’t in Russia. I Natalia and Pavel immediately had chemistry and the meetings on the park bench were good/hot.

As someone else mentioned there was not a lot of background info on these two Bratvas.

I received this ebook copy from the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review.

This was a good quick read, characters have chemistry the plot is good well written. First time to reading this author will definitely be checking out more.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance read

Natalia and Pavel are being forced to marry and neither is to excited about the prospect. When they do fall for each other, danger isn’t far behind from other mafia families. Will they be able to save their own? Fast-paced read with lots of drama and suspense. I really liked this entertaining fast-paced read.

This was a cute quick read, I enjoyed reading about this couple and it was refreshing to read about Pavel, who was a different kind of mafia lieutenant.

Love the Russian Mob, Bratva. This was my first time reading Maura Rose and I really liked her writing style. The story moved quickly and kept me engaged. I really liked "Puppy"! I thought he was adorable. And as much as I wanted to hate Natalya at the start I did end up liking her. They made a great couple and the chemistry was hot! Would definitely read more from Rose.

Quick fast paced book. Great chemistry between characters. Really enjoyable. Loved the nicknames. Puppy is my favorite

ARC received for review

This is the third book, and no I haven't read the previous two. What fun would there be in that? This one is a stand alone and I wasn't lost at all for not having read the previous books.

Pavel aka the Puppy is far from a cute little lap dog as can be. He is Russian, second-in-command of his section of the mafai and yummy and very sweet. Natalia is a daughter of a rival mafia and now Pavel's bride by arranged marriage. Initial meeting and lots of dislike on both side, but there's someone out to stop her family. They work together in all areas of life. HEA for everyone.

This is a cute sweet romantic read.
If you’re looking for a realistic mafia book with violence and a heavy plot line then this isn’t it.
What this is is a cute little read with a very likeable main couple.

Pavel is second-in-command in the small but upcoming Sokolov Bratva. He’s told he’s to marry the youngest daughter of Mihailkov. The most powerful Russian mafia group in the area.
Admittedly being told who to marry and when is not his first choice. But Pavel is loyal above all else. He just wants to meet her first.

Natalia is equally unimpressed with her upcoming nuptials. She sees it as marrying beneath herself and wants to meet him first before she consents.

They meet and while this initial meet doesn’t start well the attraction is undoubtedly there.

Will their families push them together or pull them apart. Do they have any say in their future?

Rating this book was easy. It’s what I think of as a perfect 3* read. No real drama or suspense but easy to read and a nice HEA.

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by NetGalley.