This one delivers pretty much what's promised in the blurb - a sexy mafia themed romance. It's definitely for fans of alpha male 'I protect my family at all costs' anti-hero types. Consent could have been stronger from the heroine, and I had an issue with the bad guy being slovenly and overweight as that's a form of subtle fat shaming. Otherwise the plot is interesting and I liked the strong heroine and her son. 3.5 stars and good odds I'll read the next in the series.

What a good surprise this book was!

This is my first book by Rhenna Morgan and I enjoyed every minute of it. I already knew it was right up my alley when I read the blurb, but we all know that a lot of things can go wrong from there. And I have to say that I was not disappointed. This book is not only well-written but fresh and downright entertaining. The plot flowed smoothly from page to page and the characters were well defined and spark to life from the very first page.

Evie was sassy, determined, and compassionate, and really stayed true to herself. Sergei was sexy, caring, protective and domineering. Their connection was strong, their chemistry combustible and they were the perfect fit for each other. I absolutely loved how Sergei interacted with Evie's son, Emerson! The little boy was a delight to read about. This book charmed me, and I will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from this author.Overall rating : A solid 4 stars!

“She was his weakness. The delicate chink in his otherwise insurmountable wall. But she was also his redemption. His absolution, greater purpose and color in another otherwise drab and monochrome world.”

This story started of pretty good and it went down hill for me pretty quickly. I just didn't like that possessiveness from Sergei. It was un confortable to read at time. Too much use of the word MINE. I found the heroine a bit weak. She really was dominated by this guy.
I voluntarily reviewed this ARC on my own voluption. Thanks the publisher and netgalley.

I have loved every book I have read by Rhenna Morgan and this one is no different! Sergei was an amazing and loyal hero you love to read about! It was great that a few of the couples from The Haven Brotherhood made an appearance along with those two adopted mothers that were a blast in the past series! I cannot wait for book 2 to come out!

The more that this one went on the more that I liked it. I liked that Evie was pretty upbeat despite how crappy her life was, glad that when she hit a speed bump she took a chance and talked to Sergei. Sergei was interesting in that it seems like Evie was on his radar, but he was going to stay away, yet once he had an in he did what he could to keep Evie and Emerson safe, to give them their dreams. Even when Sergei was honest with Evie about what he was and his past Evie saw the good in him and at the end Evie trusted Sergei with the worst she found out and to take care of things. I think it was the best decision Evie could make for herself, for her son and for Sergei.

I FREAKIN LOVE THIS BOOK!!! I sucked this one down in 24 hours! I just couldn’t put it down!!!

This is a Mafia Romance with some twist and turns and suspense thrown in. The love story between Evette and Sergei was so, so captivating!! The passion and intensity of their connection just pulled you in and left you sighing!

The way Sergei was so protective of Evette and her son, Emerson, was intense. No one hurts his family. Here he is a Russian Mafia Boss (or pakhan, in Russian) and Evette knows he’s dangerous, but she goes to work for him anyway. He’s drawn to her from the beginning and tells his men that they are his family and should be protected at all costs. Evette begins to see glimpses of the man behind the mask.

"Yes, he was a predator. A wolf barely contained by the human confines of flesh. But she sensed something else beneath as well. A lost soul. Once aching like everyone else."

I loved so much about this book. I fell completely in love with Sergei & Evette. I also came to really love young Emerson and some of Sergei’s men, especially his two captains Roman and Kir! I loved how it took place in New Orleans and the descriptions of the place were fascinating. Plus I learned some Russian words, not that I’ll remember them, but that was cool!!

I am really impressed with the way Rhenna Morgan writes!! I will be checking out more of her work!!!

This was better than I expected and the sexy times were, well, exactly that...sexy. I found the story somewhat predictable and I wished the heroine was truly as strong as the other characters in the story thought of her. Overall, it was a pretty good story.

Solid 4.5 stars!
I greatly enjoyed this one! I have not read the previous book in this series and now I need to go back and meet Sergei in the beginning.
Sergei is a MOB boss.
Evette is a poor neighborhood’s darling.
He wants her.
She needs a job.
He gives her a job.
She accepts the job.
He wants her.
She is an angle. The sun.

I really recommend you read this one.

Wow!

Hard as nails alpha male with a super sweet heart of gold finds his angel. They have bumps and humps but find their way to HEA.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

ARC received for review

You might remember Sergei from Tempted & Taken, and now he's back for his own HEA. Evette has been drooling over Sergei for a while, and when she and her son need help she asks Sergei for help. He helps her and falls in love with her. Sergei doesn't do anything halfway, and getting his woman is no different. Evette is unsure about falling in love with him and being the wife of a Russian mobster, but in the end of course, Sergie wins her over.

I'm hoping the next two books are his sergeant-at-arms, Roman and Kir.

That time I picked up a Netgalley book and preceded to be a slave to my kindle until the very last page!! YOU GUYS! Rhenna Morgan's His to Defend completely rocked my world. I legit DIED for Sergei and Evette and seriously could not stop reading! This story was sexy and emotional and SUCH an amazing read. I seriously was hooked on every word!!

Anyone who knows me know that Mafia stories are my jam! I am SO obsessed with Bratva stories it isn't even funny. Add to that a single mother who would burn the world down for her child? SIGN.ME.UP!! Evette and Sergei were so fiery! I loved their connection and how honest they both were with each other. He was bad and made no qualms about it but she saw the loyal and avenging angel behind his devilish facade and stood by his side. Likewise, I loved how protective and caring Sergei was to both Evette and her son. I seriously loved EVERY word and am SO here for this series!! Now I need more ASAP!! Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula 

I would like to thank Netgalley and Carina Press for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.

Sergei is quite a protective man, "he’d bet he could make her boss listen. And suffer. For a very long time." There are times I think Sergei enjoys driving his woman bananas, "he grinned. Actually freaking grinned. “I’m not circling anything, solnyshka. You are.” I liked this book, I loved Sergei.

Yes!! What a kick off to a new series! Although we met this hero in the Men of Haven series, you can read this on it's own. Sergei lives in a rough world but he tries to make things good for the down trodden. I loved his outlook on life, his willingness to defend his family and his secret soft spot he let show through to Evie. It made him swoon worthy.

Evie was such a strong character in her own right. Fiercely independent. She only wants what is best for her son. A Mama Bear ready to protect against anything that may cause him harm. And Emerson in his own right, much older than his years and so sensitive to his Mom's needs. She was not ready for Sergei. I am happy to see her stick to her guns about what was the best way to proceed as a couple.

Great mafia story. LOVED seeing the Haven gang pop up here. So happy that Sergei continued his relationship with all the Haven Brothers over the years. I am looking forward to watching this love story play out over future books. I have a feeling both of these characters will have much to say about anyone else in their family finding an HEA.

Great job once again by this author!

4.75*


I loved this book.

When I started reading I fully expected this to be a 3* read. I liked the blurb but I honestly never expected this to be so good. Plus I’m a bit stingy with my stars. A book has to be something special to get more than 3* from me.
This is also a new author to me and I’ll be checking out her other books as soon as I’ve finished this review.

I loved everything about this. Evette is a strong confident hardworking single mother. Her seven year old son Emerson is her world and she’ll do anything for him.

Sergei is the ruthless pakhan. He’s tall, incredibly handsome, rich and powerful.

Evie is desperate and plucks up the courage to ask him for help finding a job. The rest as they say is history.

This is a fabulous read. Sergei moves Evette in as his housekeeper but he wants more. The attraction sizzles between them. But can Evie let go of her past enough to move forward with her future.

I’m off to find Knox and Darya’s book now.


I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting my request for an ARC of this book. The review below is entirely my own.

I absolutely loved this first story in a new spin-off series from Rhenna Morgan's Men of Haven books. It's one of my favorite reads of 2019.

Sergei, the H, is Darya's "big brother" whom we met in Tempted & Taken. Evie, the h, is a sassy, hard-working, frugal, single-mom with a 7y.o. son.

I loved how gentlemanly, decisive, protective, and all-about-family Sergei was. He's totally the only kind of mafia boss I would want to have as book boyfriend.

Evie and her son Emerson will also make you fall in love with them. I especially loved how relatable Evie was.

I couldn't put this book down. Pace was great. There wasn't a lot of angst. The story had enough action to keep things interesting. And the chemistry between the MC's was hot, hot, hot.

Fans of Ms Morgan, fans of the Men of Haven series, will more than likely love this new series too.

This is Sergei and Evie book, Sergei is a Russian mob boss! Even though his methods may be rough when it comes to protecting what’s his, his heart is always in the right place! It’s never been more true than when the gorgeous Evette ask him for a job , he knows he has to keep his hands off, especially with the beloved by the locals Evie ! Evie knows not to get involved with the powerful Russian mafia boss, he’s always at her favorite diner and she knows his reputation is dangerous but she struggling with her New Orleans neighborhood and her son and just wants better for him so she ends up asking Sergey for a job! She soon finds herself in a Cinderella situation with a man that’s definitely more of a prince than a villain! She knows she shouldn’t but she’s definitely falling hard! This book was definitely awesome! I’m going right back and starting her other series the spinoff from this one I can’t believe I’ve never really seen this author before I may have seen the books in her other series but I really enjoy her writing! I’m so glad I found myself a new author LOL I can’t wait for more from this author!! Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me! And thanks for the introduction to this author LOL

Russian mafia meets Southern sass...

I love Rhenna Morgan’s heroes. They’re strong, sexy, intelligent, and protective not only of their family, but especially their women. Her newest hero, Sergei, had all the above in spades, plus charisma and bluntness. And being around Evette opened up a softer side that had me falling for him in a heartbeat!

Evette was steel backbone and Southern sass. Sergei appeared to play Prince Charming to her Cinderella, but this Cinderella needed rescuing from something only she could handle. A task much harder to accomplish than just giving someone material things. I loved that Evette’s biggest vulnerability was one Sergei understood and enjoyed their journey of discovery with relish!

His To Defend had me from the first chapter and reminded me of why I love to read romance! Aside from awesome HEA’s-because yes, I still believe in fairy tales-an outstanding emotional voyage is what really draws me in. Rhenna Morgan did all that plus some! Sergei and Evette’s journey was a subtle balance of hard truth and thoughtfulness, with an extra dose of sultry chemistry to keep things racy, and taking a chance on what could be one of the biggest risk life gives- a chance on happiness and love.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book from Netgalley and Carina Press/Harlequin. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

His To Defend is a delicious, sensual, breathtaking dive into the inner workings of the Russian Bratva and what it means to be under the protection of one such as Sergei. Hang on for one heck of a ride.
Confession time. I love Ms Morgan's writing. Each time I read a book of hers I'm once again blown away by the sensual slide her words evoke through my senses. Reading her writing is pure indulgence and decadence. Every word an evocative dance in my mind.
Even before I read the book, I knew I would love Sergei. I enjoyed the brief glimpse of him in Knox and Darya's book in the Men of Haven series and knew he would be exactly the kind of man I'd fall in love with while reading. Ms Morgan did not disappoint. Sergei is as dark, commanding, and delicious as he is protective, demanding, and fearsome. He lives by a set of rules not found in normal men but he has honor and integrity in what drives him. While building his business in the New Orleans community, he's also interested in making the community better, safer, and a place where he can call home. I loved the way he treated Evie. Like she was the light in his world and every breath from her was precious. I love the way he cared for her safety and the way he protected her, made sure no harm or suffering would touch her. And when it did, he dealt with it. I love that he was a man who took charge. He was the pakhan and he commanded everything and everyone around him. What's not to love?
Evie is a delight. She's sassy, feisty, and strong. You need to be to stand up to a man like Sergei and hold your own, to not get swallowed up and lose yourself. And boy, does Evie has a lot of standing up to Sergei so he doesn't bulldoze his way through her life though he does try. I love that Evie fought for what was important but at the same time gave when it was necessary. She knew when to stand back and let Sergei take charge and accept that there are just certain things that a man like Sergei needs to take care of on his own terms. Evie is laughter and sunshine and light.
I don't usually talk about secondary characters but I love Emerson, Evie's son. He's as delightful as his mother and such an old soul. He's not your normal seven year old kid but he's smart, wise, and charming. And Uncle Carl. Well, what a sleaze. Ms Morgan certainly managed to make him extremely unlikable and he proved to be the kind of man who deserved whatever he got. I wanted to smack him a time or two. Ick.
This is a fantastic start to the new series and I can't wait to find out whose book is next. I'd read the heck out of it.

I received an arc copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review. Evie is a down on her luck single mom who’s desperate to get her son in a better school but was suddenly and mysteriously fired from her job. Left with no choice she turns to Sergei with head of the Bratva in New Orleans. The attraction between the two starts off with sparks but both initially are hesitant to start something, Evie because she’s a single mom who lost her family before and Sergei because he feels she’s too good for him. Luckily the sparks light a fire that’s blazing hot. There’s a lot of sexiness between the two but there’s also tenderness and affection. And I love the way Sergei treats Evie and her son like they are the sun that shines on his life. This a great new start to a series and I hope Sergei’s men get stories soon. 5 stars