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comicview05's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jigsawgirl's review against another edition
4.0
I couldn't reconcile these different aspects of Bianca's character.
On one hand she let both Lidia and Sergei get away with their bad behavior. Lidia, flirting with Sergei all up in Bianca's face, and then disparaging both her race and her weight. Thankfully, Leda stepped to the plate.
Then, Sergei for not standing up for her and taking Lidia's side. He initially didn't know what was said, but to not believe Lidia would say it, AND, to not acknowledge her flirty behavior in front of all Bianca's friends was taking it too far. Sergei got back into her good graces far too easily.
Yet, every time there was some element of danger, Bianca would run straight towards it. How she felt like she was bad enough to confront physical harm, but would stand up for herself when Lidia was spewing vitriol was beyond me.
I did like how protective Sergei was of Bianca not including that one incident. I liked how the brotherhood was supportive and protective of their relationship.
I liked Sergei. Bianca was ok. She seemed to me to lose herself once she decided to be all in with Sergei. I could not get a clear handle on who her character was outside of the fact that she owned a business. Lena stated her credentials to Lidia, but Bianca never seemed to own them.
This book could be read as a stand-alone, but I think a reader would get a better sense of the world they live in, as well as the character relationships, if the books were read in order. I would rate this book at 3.5 stars.
On one hand she let both Lidia and Sergei get away with their bad behavior. Lidia, flirting with Sergei all up in Bianca's face, and then disparaging both her race and her weight. Thankfully, Leda stepped to the plate.
Then, Sergei for not standing up for her and taking Lidia's side. He initially didn't know what was said, but to not believe Lidia would say it, AND, to not acknowledge her flirty behavior in front of all Bianca's friends was taking it too far. Sergei got back into her good graces far too easily.
Yet, every time there was some element of danger, Bianca would run straight towards it. How she felt like she was bad enough to confront physical harm, but would stand up for herself when Lidia was spewing vitriol was beyond me.
I did like how protective Sergei was of Bianca not including that one incident. I liked how the brotherhood was supportive and protective of their relationship.
I liked Sergei. Bianca was ok. She seemed to me to lose herself once she decided to be all in with Sergei. I could not get a clear handle on who her character was outside of the fact that she owned a business. Lena stated her credentials to Lidia, but Bianca never seemed to own them.
This book could be read as a stand-alone, but I think a reader would get a better sense of the world they live in, as well as the character relationships, if the books were read in order. I would rate this book at 3.5 stars.
jetenold's review against another edition
4.0
Loved it! Great continuation to the series.
1st read - 11-22-14
2nd read - 1-3-18
1st read - 11-22-14
2nd read - 1-3-18
mawmom's review against another edition
4.0
good read, a great way to continue the series although not quite as good as the first 4
figjiji's review against another edition
4.0
I loved how the author incorporated realistic struggles interracial couples go through! Great book!
africreole's review
5.0
It all started with a stolen phone!
All he wanted was a normal life. Sergei Sakharov was indebted to Nikolai Kalasnikov for saving his mother and brother and for getting him out of Russia. He wanted more out of life but had to pay back his debt to the Houston Mob Boss for his freedom. It was taking longer than he wanted especially after dealing with an unscrupulous immigration lawyer. Now he was stuck MMA fighting on top of jobs Nikokai had for him to earn more money.
Bianca Bradshaw was a beautiful BBBW who was a successful businesswoman and designer. Being good friends with Vivian, Nikolai's wife made it possible to come into contact with Sergei. It was an instant attraction for both of them but Bianca was insistent about not getting involved with someone working for a crime family with her brother's death on her mind. Sergei knew that Bianca was out of his league but he would not give up. She held up a fight for five months until Vivi conveniently BORROWED her phone sending Sergei as a courier. Things ignited from there. Sergei was determined to do what was necessary to keep Bianca safe and help her with her home, until the reality of his mob affiliation came home to roost, making Bianca's associating with him dangerous.
The love bug bit them both hard. Sergei loved Bianca enough to give her up to keep her safe, but Bianca was not having it. She missed his presence terribly and loved him enough to do what was necessary to keep him in her life and she did.
This is my favorite story written by Rosie Rivera. This unlikely couple of the handsome muscle-bound giant Russian and the thick Black woman goes to show you that the heart wants what the heart wants. Bianca knew that Sergei could have any woman he wanted and could not understand why he wanted her. Sergei knew that Bianca deserved better than him, but once she let him in her life after five months, there was not stopping their love. It ignited into a life of its own, so very strong and so very hot. Even the antics of exes did not put a damper on their love. Sergei is my kind of man, he knows what he wants and goes after it and makes no qualms about how he goes about saying and showing it. That mouth of his.....WOW!
It's is a welcomed change to read stories located in Houston instead of New York, California or Chicago.
All he wanted was a normal life. Sergei Sakharov was indebted to Nikolai Kalasnikov for saving his mother and brother and for getting him out of Russia. He wanted more out of life but had to pay back his debt to the Houston Mob Boss for his freedom. It was taking longer than he wanted especially after dealing with an unscrupulous immigration lawyer. Now he was stuck MMA fighting on top of jobs Nikokai had for him to earn more money.
Bianca Bradshaw was a beautiful BBBW who was a successful businesswoman and designer. Being good friends with Vivian, Nikolai's wife made it possible to come into contact with Sergei. It was an instant attraction for both of them but Bianca was insistent about not getting involved with someone working for a crime family with her brother's death on her mind. Sergei knew that Bianca was out of his league but he would not give up. She held up a fight for five months until Vivi conveniently BORROWED her phone sending Sergei as a courier. Things ignited from there. Sergei was determined to do what was necessary to keep Bianca safe and help her with her home, until the reality of his mob affiliation came home to roost, making Bianca's associating with him dangerous.
The love bug bit them both hard. Sergei loved Bianca enough to give her up to keep her safe, but Bianca was not having it. She missed his presence terribly and loved him enough to do what was necessary to keep him in her life and she did.
This is my favorite story written by Rosie Rivera. This unlikely couple of the handsome muscle-bound giant Russian and the thick Black woman goes to show you that the heart wants what the heart wants. Bianca knew that Sergei could have any woman he wanted and could not understand why he wanted her. Sergei knew that Bianca deserved better than him, but once she let him in her life after five months, there was not stopping their love. It ignited into a life of its own, so very strong and so very hot. Even the antics of exes did not put a damper on their love. Sergei is my kind of man, he knows what he wants and goes after it and makes no qualms about how he goes about saying and showing it. That mouth of his.....WOW!
It's is a welcomed change to read stories located in Houston instead of New York, California or Chicago.
bill_nai_bxtch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
the_sassy_bookworm's review against another edition
2.0
For the most part I really enjoy this series. Still, none of these have quite measured up to how much I liked IVAN.
I adored Sergei. I mean who wouldn't? A seven foot tall monster with a Russian accent. I'd climb him like a tree! That being said, the whole incident with the crazy ex where he doesn't bother to defend Bianca, and even gets on her case for being mean to the crazy ex, was an EPIC douche move. THEN, they go home and he starts telling her how she should really be eating better and being more healthy. Are you fucking kidding me??!! Bianca on the other hand was an OK heroine. I never really warmed up to her all that much. She annoyed me for some reason. I can't really pinpoint why...
I could have done without all the stupid OW shit. I didn't really need to know that Sergei banged two of the waitresses at Nikolai's club at the same time, and for fuck's sake WHY does no one feel the need to fire that stupid bitch of a waitress that is always messing with the heroines of these books?
Geez louise, drop kick the bitch already!!
I adored Sergei. I mean who wouldn't? A seven foot tall monster with a Russian accent. I'd climb him like a tree! That being said, the whole incident with the crazy ex where he doesn't bother to defend Bianca, and even gets on her case for being mean to the crazy ex, was an EPIC douche move. THEN, they go home and he starts telling her how she should really be eating better and being more healthy. Are you fucking kidding me??!! Bianca on the other hand was an OK heroine. I never really warmed up to her all that much. She annoyed me for some reason. I can't really pinpoint why...
I could have done without all the stupid OW shit. I didn't really need to know that Sergei banged two of the waitresses at Nikolai's club at the same time, and for fuck's sake WHY does no one feel the need to fire that stupid bitch of a waitress that is always messing with the heroines of these books?
Geez louise, drop kick the bitch already!!
antoinetteo's review
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mountainblue's review against another edition
5.0
I saw this book on GR list and decided to take a chance on it and I got quickly sucked into the romance and passion of both Bianca and Sergei's love story.
It was refreshing how, despite their differences in race, culture and career, Bianca and Sergei loved each other enough to be mature, honest, sensitive and respectful with each other. They were not perfect people, they both had emotional scares and their own vulnerability to deal with but this didn't overshadow the story. In fact, it just enhanced the plot and made the characters well rounded instead of annoying and overly dramatic.
Sergei maybe one scary gigantic Russian guy who works as a body guard and an enforcer for mob boss Nikolai Kalasnikov and who fights as Nikolai champion in the underground bare-knuckle circuit but when it comes to Bianca, he is one sweet, sexy and protective big teddy bear!
I loved what Bianca did at the end there, it turned the usual rule governing romance stories right on its head and I loved! I was punching the the screaming *You go girl! Show these namby pamby heroines how its done!*
This book focused on Bianca and Sergei's romance but there was just enough drama and back story on other previous characters to balance out everything and keep the story interesting.
Bianca and Sergei complemented each other so well and their story was just perfect. Now I'm going to go back and read the first book in this series and see if it is as good as this one.
It was refreshing how, despite their differences in race, culture and career, Bianca and Sergei loved each other enough to be mature, honest, sensitive and respectful with each other. They were not perfect people, they both had emotional scares and their own vulnerability to deal with but this didn't overshadow the story. In fact, it just enhanced the plot and made the characters well rounded instead of annoying and overly dramatic.
Sergei maybe one scary gigantic Russian guy who works as a body guard and an enforcer for mob boss Nikolai Kalasnikov and who fights as Nikolai champion in the underground bare-knuckle circuit but when it comes to Bianca, he is one sweet, sexy and protective big teddy bear!
I loved what Bianca did at the end there, it turned the usual rule governing romance stories right on its head and I loved! I was punching the the screaming *You go girl! Show these namby pamby heroines how its done!*
This book focused on Bianca and Sergei's romance but there was just enough drama and back story on other previous characters to balance out everything and keep the story interesting.
Bianca and Sergei complemented each other so well and their story was just perfect. Now I'm going to go back and read the first book in this series and see if it is as good as this one.