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camillemay_17's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
romancebookloverinseattle's review against another edition
2.0
Really disliked this book. It’s still 2 stars and not 1 because the writing itself isn’t terrible, but the story line really, really bugged me. I thought because Ghost was one where there were bad reviews and I disagreed so much with them in the end and really loved that book, that the same would be true for this one, but not so much. The reviews were more on the mark for this one.
Details hidden because of spoilers.
I also like my heroes to be a little more strong. Nikolai seemed strong in one way, but when it came down to it - to go along with Viktor about Ana- that was just something a weak guy would do. Maybe in the beginning but to keep it up as long as he did just didn’t seem true to the character that had been shown in Ghost. It was just odd and didn’t make sense.
The ending everything gets wrapped up, but it also just didn’t make sense either. Like she got to the end and making Nonna and a guard to have turned was a convenient way to wrap it up, but we saw no hint of that anywhere earlier in the story and if Nikolai is supposed to be so smart then how could they have gotten away with that? It just didn’t work for me at all.
Details hidden because of spoilers.
Spoiler
A lot of this book was very repetitive. For instance the scene at the party at their house. She goes up with Mischa and then Nikolai comes and interrupts them, but then later it’s as though the whole thing repeats AGAIN. I’m of the believer that in books you don’t have scenes unless it serves a purpose and moves the storyline further. The first time, we got it, that scene could have been made a bit longer or something, but to do it all over again just didn’t make a lot of sense.I also like my heroes to be a little more strong. Nikolai seemed strong in one way, but when it came down to it - to go along with Viktor about Ana- that was just something a weak guy would do. Maybe in the beginning but to keep it up as long as he did just didn’t seem true to the character that had been shown in Ghost. It was just odd and didn’t make sense.
The ending everything gets wrapped up, but it also just didn’t make sense either. Like she got to the end and making Nonna and a guard to have turned was a convenient way to wrap it up, but we saw no hint of that anywhere earlier in the story and if Nikolai is supposed to be so smart then how could they have gotten away with that? It just didn’t work for me at all.
dasha's review against another edition
3.0
the nicknames were so cringy that i couldn’t take anything seriously. can authors pls stop trying to give nicknames to their characters in other languages, it ruins every scene
jen286's review against another edition
4.0
Oh man since reading Ghost I have been waiting to read Alexei's brothers story, and now it's here! I was so so excited to read this one and it did not disappoint!
Nikolai is Alexei's brother. Though most people don't know that. He is the one whom their father paid attention to, but that might not be a good thing. Because their father is not a good person. But Nikolai is a good soldier and does what he needs to do for the brotherhood.
Tanaka is a dancer. A ballerina. It is what she lives for. It is the only things she has really and she will not give up, even when she gets injured and it looks like she will no longer be able to dance. She is determined to make it work and do it because she can't imagine her life without dancing.
When Nikolai takes Tanaka to put some pressure on her father neither of them expected to fall for the other. I loved how these two are together. Nikolai tries to not feel for Tanaka because even if he does that doesn't change anything. He can't be with her because he has responsibilities to other people. It could never work. They are destined to not be together. But that doesn't mean that he will let Tanaka not take care of herself. I loved how he was willing to do whatever he needs to keep her safe and healthy.
And Tanaka is stubborn and strong and wonderful. Sure she has some issues, but I loved how determined she was. When she set her mind to something she will do anything to achieve it. Which is not necessarily always a good thing, but the way she grew up you can't really fault her for having issues. Still, they don't break her. She was amazing.
The two of them together, Nikolai and Tanaka, were wonderful. I know they are not fated to be together, but you never know what will happen. It was a great read and sad that it is the last book in the series. At least I can go back and re-read my mafia boys.
*Note: I received a free copy of this book for voluntary review consideration
Nikolai is Alexei's brother. Though most people don't know that. He is the one whom their father paid attention to, but that might not be a good thing. Because their father is not a good person. But Nikolai is a good soldier and does what he needs to do for the brotherhood.
Tanaka is a dancer. A ballerina. It is what she lives for. It is the only things she has really and she will not give up, even when she gets injured and it looks like she will no longer be able to dance. She is determined to make it work and do it because she can't imagine her life without dancing.
When Nikolai takes Tanaka to put some pressure on her father neither of them expected to fall for the other. I loved how these two are together. Nikolai tries to not feel for Tanaka because even if he does that doesn't change anything. He can't be with her because he has responsibilities to other people. It could never work. They are destined to not be together. But that doesn't mean that he will let Tanaka not take care of herself. I loved how he was willing to do whatever he needs to keep her safe and healthy.
And Tanaka is stubborn and strong and wonderful. Sure she has some issues, but I loved how determined she was. When she set her mind to something she will do anything to achieve it. Which is not necessarily always a good thing, but the way she grew up you can't really fault her for having issues. Still, they don't break her. She was amazing.
The two of them together, Nikolai and Tanaka, were wonderful. I know they are not fated to be together, but you never know what will happen. It was a great read and sad that it is the last book in the series. At least I can go back and re-read my mafia boys.
*Note: I received a free copy of this book for voluntary review consideration
roobie's review against another edition
●DNF●
As much as I loved the series, this last book just wasn't for me.
As much as I loved the series, this last book just wasn't for me.
brittanyreads07's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 Stars
As always, A. Zavarelli doesn't disappoint! Her words are like poetry and pull you in instantly. Thief is the 5th book I'm this series and each time I read one, I get captured by her characters and the stories she creates. This is a story that readers will love. I'm in awe of how the author sucks you into every world that she creates. The epilogue is one that all fans of this series will love! I recommend everyone read this series now!
As always, A. Zavarelli doesn't disappoint! Her words are like poetry and pull you in instantly. Thief is the 5th book I'm this series and each time I read one, I get captured by her characters and the stories she creates. This is a story that readers will love. I'm in awe of how the author sucks you into every world that she creates. The epilogue is one that all fans of this series will love! I recommend everyone read this series now!
redkitt's review against another edition
5.0
This book was AWESOME. I can't put it into words how very great it was. I absolutely love this series. How these books can just keep getting better and better is amazing. I always can't believe how Ms. Zavarelli can top herself. But, she keeps doing it...and she did again with Thief. I wonder that each and every time. AND - each and every time she does. This book - wow. I don't have the words. I was wondering how it was going to end and just couldn't wrap my head around how it was going to get to a HEA. But, this book did not disappoint. These two characters were so damaged.....but so perfect for each other in every way. Their story was heart-wrenching and hard to read and sad and happy and just everything. Wow. Well done. I LOVE this series and it did not disappoint - spectacular, fabulous, amazing and every other word you can use to describe this book!
This voluntary review is left from an advance reader copy.
This voluntary review is left from an advance reader copy.
chatterbookbabe's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
Before I begin my review, I have to get something out of my system. I'm devastated! I had no idea that Thief was going to be the last book in the Boston Underworld series by A. Zavarelli!
This series is responsible for my love of mafia romance. Lachlan is one of my favorite book boyfriends, and Mack is one of my favorite heroines of all time! I'm talking, hands down one of my favorite couples ever! Rory and Scarlett aren't far behind them. I read Crow when I was first getting into the romance genre, so I guess you can say it helped me fall in love with romance period. To know that there will never again be another story written about these characters crushes me! I get depressed every time I think about it. Okay, enough about my heart being ripped out! Let's talk about Thief!
Thief is the story of Nikolai Kozlov, a member of the Russian mafiya, and Tanaka, the daughter of an Italian mobster, Manuel Valentini. Nikolai takes Tanaka captive in exchange for a debt owed to him by her father, but his ultimate goal is to find out what really happened to his mother. He thinks Manuel was involved in her disappearance and will use Tanaka to avenge his mother's death if he finds out he's right.
Tanaka has been groomed to be a mafia wife since birth. She grew up extremely sheltered with ballet as her only outlet from her strict family life. The night she is given to Nikolai as collateral, her world is turned upside down in more ways than one. Someone sabotages her pointe shoes ensuring she will never be able to dance professionally ever again.
Nikolai falls for Tanaka rather quickly and vice versa, but he tries to hold back due to the fact that a relationship between them is impossible. Not only is she Italian instead of Russian, but he may have to murder her for her father's crimes. Even if he offs Manuel instead, the vory will never accept her as his wife, because Viktor, the pakhan, wants him to marry someone else. Denying Viktor would be suicide for both him and Tanaka. On top of that, would she really be able to be in a relationship with the man responsible for her father's murder?
Thief is a gritty mafia romance full of sexual tension and plenty of push and pull. I was intrigued by Nikolai's character in Ghost, and it was great to finally get his story. Nikolai and Tanaka are two troubled individuals that shouldn't make sense together, but in the end, the author convinced me that they did!
My favorite parts of this book didn't have to do with their romance though. I enjoyed seeing more of Alexei and Nikolai together, and I was happy with where they were with each other when all was said and done. The torture scene was amazing! Bravo to the author for that one!
I was also ecstatic to see the whole gang together at the end, but it was way too brief for me. With this being the final book, I wanted more. I still loved it though! I'll cross my fingers and hold on to the pipe dream of a novella or a spin off with cameos from these characters.
The main problem I had with this installment was the lack of build up or development of feelings between Nikolai and Tanaka. I felt like they went from hate to love with not much in between. They may have resisted it, but it was always there. Tanaka is not the kind of heroine I enjoy. She seemed too weak for me. I could go on. However, I don't want to, because I think this may be a case of "it's not you, it's me." My personal preferences combined with how much I loved the previous book in the series could have negatively affected my overall enjoyment.
This wasn't one of my favorites in the series, but it could certainly be yours. If you've read all the other books prior to this, I recommend you read this one, too. Ashleigh is a phenomenal writer. She will always be one of my favorites, and I hope if you haven't given this series a try, you do so asap! The Boston Underworld series is incredible, and I recommend it to everyone! It's one of the series I have always pimped the hardest, and even though this is the final book, that's never going to change! Read it, people!
Before I begin my review, I have to get something out of my system. I'm devastated! I had no idea that Thief was going to be the last book in the Boston Underworld series by A. Zavarelli!
This series is responsible for my love of mafia romance. Lachlan is one of my favorite book boyfriends, and Mack is one of my favorite heroines of all time! I'm talking, hands down one of my favorite couples ever! Rory and Scarlett aren't far behind them. I read Crow when I was first getting into the romance genre, so I guess you can say it helped me fall in love with romance period. To know that there will never again be another story written about these characters crushes me! I get depressed every time I think about it. Okay, enough about my heart being ripped out! Let's talk about Thief!
Thief is the story of Nikolai Kozlov, a member of the Russian mafiya, and Tanaka, the daughter of an Italian mobster, Manuel Valentini. Nikolai takes Tanaka captive in exchange for a debt owed to him by her father, but his ultimate goal is to find out what really happened to his mother. He thinks Manuel was involved in her disappearance and will use Tanaka to avenge his mother's death if he finds out he's right.
Tanaka has been groomed to be a mafia wife since birth. She grew up extremely sheltered with ballet as her only outlet from her strict family life. The night she is given to Nikolai as collateral, her world is turned upside down in more ways than one. Someone sabotages her pointe shoes ensuring she will never be able to dance professionally ever again.
Nikolai falls for Tanaka rather quickly and vice versa, but he tries to hold back due to the fact that a relationship between them is impossible. Not only is she Italian instead of Russian, but he may have to murder her for her father's crimes. Even if he offs Manuel instead, the vory will never accept her as his wife, because Viktor, the pakhan, wants him to marry someone else. Denying Viktor would be suicide for both him and Tanaka. On top of that, would she really be able to be in a relationship with the man responsible for her father's murder?
Thief is a gritty mafia romance full of sexual tension and plenty of push and pull. I was intrigued by Nikolai's character in Ghost, and it was great to finally get his story. Nikolai and Tanaka are two troubled individuals that shouldn't make sense together, but in the end, the author convinced me that they did!
My favorite parts of this book didn't have to do with their romance though. I enjoyed seeing more of Alexei and Nikolai together, and I was happy with where they were with each other when all was said and done. The torture scene was amazing! Bravo to the author for that one!
I was also ecstatic to see the whole gang together at the end, but it was way too brief for me. With this being the final book, I wanted more. I still loved it though! I'll cross my fingers and hold on to the pipe dream of a novella or a spin off with cameos from these characters.
The main problem I had with this installment was the lack of build up or development of feelings between Nikolai and Tanaka. I felt like they went from hate to love with not much in between. They may have resisted it, but it was always there. Tanaka is not the kind of heroine I enjoy. She seemed too weak for me. I could go on. However, I don't want to, because I think this may be a case of "it's not you, it's me." My personal preferences combined with how much I loved the previous book in the series could have negatively affected my overall enjoyment.
This wasn't one of my favorites in the series, but it could certainly be yours. If you've read all the other books prior to this, I recommend you read this one, too. Ashleigh is a phenomenal writer. She will always be one of my favorites, and I hope if you haven't given this series a try, you do so asap! The Boston Underworld series is incredible, and I recommend it to everyone! It's one of the series I have always pimped the hardest, and even though this is the final book, that's never going to change! Read it, people!
