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liisp_cvr2cvr's review
3.0
Riiiight, so what we’re dealing with here is a quite saucy series of Russian uber-males and damsels in distress. I’ve spent three days reading 3 books from the series so far. Each book focuses on individual Russian guys. I have read “Ivan”, “Dimitri” and “Yuri”… “Nikolai” is the fourth book for me to tackle and hopefully soon as his story line has been gradually building up throughout the first three. I am now aware the series will build on to sequels for some of the guys and that there is also a books focusing on Sergei, Kostya, Alexei, Danila, Vasya… You get my gist. Lots of Russian heat!
I can honestly say I am not too sure if I will be reading all of them because the first three were really written in a pattern. It was him brooding over her, him and her profess their undying and unconditional love, something happens to put them into danger (whether a mobster or gang related street war, or a personal vendetta), he saves the day because he’s a rich macho and life goes on. Oh yeah, not to mention the repetitive, seedy bedroom action. I am, however, rather interested in Nikolai’s story as he is still connected to the dark dealings of illegal sort and I think I need to read Kostya’s story because he’s the guy that shows up with bleach and plastic bags to clean up blood! Yeah, you read me, a super-cleaner of sorts (or a mob cleaner, to call things as they are!)
Generally though, I’ve had a good few laughs and more than anything this series has made me contemplate refreshing my Russian language skills. Not that there’s a lot of Russian words in books themselves, but things like “He cursed a line in Russian” and my brain is filling in the parts with all the Russian curses I know.
I like the series because the camaraderie and, say, for the respect in between the men that has been woven neatly into the storyline. So, if there’s a book about one of the guys, all others appear as well whether to help out in fighting a Mexican drug lord, to win a ridiculously expensive painting in poker or in the form of bodyguards. The female characters are created nicely as well- they all have their history to tell and are all completely different to each other with various personality traits. I guess, this is what makes the series interesting- there’s something fresh yet familiar in each book.
Because I found them a bit repetitive I gave each of the three first books a rating of 3 stars *** but I would still recommend the series to anyone out there looking for exciting and entertaining read.
I can honestly say I am not too sure if I will be reading all of them because the first three were really written in a pattern. It was him brooding over her, him and her profess their undying and unconditional love, something happens to put them into danger (whether a mobster or gang related street war, or a personal vendetta), he saves the day because he’s a rich macho and life goes on. Oh yeah, not to mention the repetitive, seedy bedroom action. I am, however, rather interested in Nikolai’s story as he is still connected to the dark dealings of illegal sort and I think I need to read Kostya’s story because he’s the guy that shows up with bleach and plastic bags to clean up blood! Yeah, you read me, a super-cleaner of sorts (or a mob cleaner, to call things as they are!)
Generally though, I’ve had a good few laughs and more than anything this series has made me contemplate refreshing my Russian language skills. Not that there’s a lot of Russian words in books themselves, but things like “He cursed a line in Russian” and my brain is filling in the parts with all the Russian curses I know.
I like the series because the camaraderie and, say, for the respect in between the men that has been woven neatly into the storyline. So, if there’s a book about one of the guys, all others appear as well whether to help out in fighting a Mexican drug lord, to win a ridiculously expensive painting in poker or in the form of bodyguards. The female characters are created nicely as well- they all have their history to tell and are all completely different to each other with various personality traits. I guess, this is what makes the series interesting- there’s something fresh yet familiar in each book.
Because I found them a bit repetitive I gave each of the three first books a rating of 3 stars *** but I would still recommend the series to anyone out there looking for exciting and entertaining read.
donnek's review
4.0
Well the summary says it all - three ridiculously sexy Russian hunks wrapped up in one set. OMG!!! And are they ever hunky, sex Gods!!! Can't wait until the next one, Nikolai, to finish up the whole series on the four friends and there women.
poisonivy70's review
4.0
Since it’s a boxed set, I’ll just do mini-reviews for each book in the set.
Ivan (3.5 stars)
Erin’s search for her drug-addicted sister leads her to Ivan, former Russian mobster now gym owner. Instant attraction leads them to the middle of a potential gang war on the streets of Houston.
Insta-love aside, Erin doesn’t make any real TSTL moves and Ivan’s protective love hooked me on this series. The background of Houston and their mutual friends attracted me and kept me reading.
Dimitri (4 stars)
Dimitri and Benny have been attracted to each other for years, ever since Dimitri moved into the apartment over her family’s bakery. When Benny is threatened by a shady developer who’s trying to force her out so he can bring big-box stores into the neighborhood, Dimitri steps in to protect her, with a little help from his friends.
I liked that Dimitri and Benny’s relationship starts as friends with an attraction that’s built up solidly throughout. Benny’s struggled to keep her family and her business together, yet never comes off as a true damsel in distress. When the chips are down, she steps up and helps Dimitri as well as herself.
Yuri (3 stars)
Lena is a friend to Benny and Erin, and is a PR whiz who grew up in a rough neighborhood and never wants to be dependent on a man. Yuri is the billionaire of this crew, and he’s used to having whatever he wants - until he meets Lena.
The weakest of all the stories, Yuri wasn’t a big alpha, and he screwed up a few times, but he had decent chemistry with Lena. This felt more like a bridge book, giving me details on Ivan/Erin and Benny/Dimitri’s HEA, and building up the tension to finding out Nikolai and Vivian’s story, that I ripped through it in short time.
The Bottom Line (4 stars)
My new cracktastic series - I really liked the ‘verse Ms. Rivera has created here. Dimitri’s relationship with Yuri, Nikolai and Ivan since their days in an orphanage in Russia clicked for me and enough hints are dropped in this story about their history drew me, wanting to learn more about these men. The heroines are also strong enough while acknowledging the dominant tendencies of their men.
There are continuity issues, and there’s a bit of samey-ness to the love scenes, especially reading the books back to back. Overall, I got hooked and fast to Ms. Rivera’s writing and I look forward to finishing this series and seeing what else is on her backlist.
Ivan (3.5 stars)
Erin’s search for her drug-addicted sister leads her to Ivan, former Russian mobster now gym owner. Instant attraction leads them to the middle of a potential gang war on the streets of Houston.
Insta-love aside, Erin doesn’t make any real TSTL moves and Ivan’s protective love hooked me on this series. The background of Houston and their mutual friends attracted me and kept me reading.
Dimitri (4 stars)
Dimitri and Benny have been attracted to each other for years, ever since Dimitri moved into the apartment over her family’s bakery. When Benny is threatened by a shady developer who’s trying to force her out so he can bring big-box stores into the neighborhood, Dimitri steps in to protect her, with a little help from his friends.
I liked that Dimitri and Benny’s relationship starts as friends with an attraction that’s built up solidly throughout. Benny’s struggled to keep her family and her business together, yet never comes off as a true damsel in distress. When the chips are down, she steps up and helps Dimitri as well as herself.
Yuri (3 stars)
Lena is a friend to Benny and Erin, and is a PR whiz who grew up in a rough neighborhood and never wants to be dependent on a man. Yuri is the billionaire of this crew, and he’s used to having whatever he wants - until he meets Lena.
The weakest of all the stories, Yuri wasn’t a big alpha, and he screwed up a few times, but he had decent chemistry with Lena. This felt more like a bridge book, giving me details on Ivan/Erin and Benny/Dimitri’s HEA, and building up the tension to finding out Nikolai and Vivian’s story, that I ripped through it in short time.
The Bottom Line (4 stars)
My new cracktastic series - I really liked the ‘verse Ms. Rivera has created here. Dimitri’s relationship with Yuri, Nikolai and Ivan since their days in an orphanage in Russia clicked for me and enough hints are dropped in this story about their history drew me, wanting to learn more about these men. The heroines are also strong enough while acknowledging the dominant tendencies of their men.
There are continuity issues, and there’s a bit of samey-ness to the love scenes, especially reading the books back to back. Overall, I got hooked and fast to Ms. Rivera’s writing and I look forward to finishing this series and seeing what else is on her backlist.
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