This book is scorching hot from page 1.... Wow.... The intense relationship between them is crazy off the charts hot....

Complimentary copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review and opinion. Yes, yes, yes! Sabine Barclay knocked it out of the park with this one. You can't put it down!

Phew - let me get my fan darling because it is hott. If you like sizzling contemporary romance with a bit of kink, pick this up now!

Our FMC is kickass at her job and its non-traditional (construction inspection) which gives this book a refreshing feel. She is smart and competent and knows what she wants and likes.

And our MMC is an excellent match who likes and respects the FMC and is still her dom. It’s not an OTT dom/sub relationship - its hot consensual kink with a daddy/little girl thing thrown in. Again, a nice change to similar books.

Did I mention its hot?

Bratva Sweetheart by Sabine Barclay is the second book of the Ivankov Brotherhood. Bogden is a mafia man. When he first meets Tina, the two quickly feel a connection. Tina is able to see Bogden for the man he is, and not the monster everyone else sees.

This is a high heat dark mafia contemporary romance. I liked Tina and Bogden’s compatibility and ability to understand each other.

Bratva Sweetheart by Sabine Barclay is book Two in The Ivankov Brotherhood Series. This is the story of Tina and Bogden who are both strong people who find a instant attraction to each other. Enjoyed this hot read.

I received a free copy of this book and am grateful for it. I haven't read the first book so I can't compare it to the others. I liked the plot and the characters, it's not difficult to read and the writing style is fast. Sure, it's a nice book, but it's not demanding and, honestly, it didn't leave me much.
It has nothing special, but it is enjoyable reading so I recommend it if you want something easy (if you want to read it, read the warning part).

In all BRATVA SWEETHEART is a fascinating read that hits the action, drama, danger, and steam that this type of book should hit.

Reviewed for Fresh Fiction by Annetta Sweetko

Complete Review:https://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=79076

A story that has Bogdan A Russian businessman and Tina who works for the city as a city inspector. Bogdan along with his brothers owns a construction company. Bogdan and Tina had what they both thought would be a one-night stand yet in the morning she is at his work site doing an inspection and realization that there were problems with whoever did the inspection before her and as she tells them of the problems and the fixes that need to be made and the person that needs to be let go.
The rest of the story deals with the two of them dealing with finding corruption in her department and how Bogdan wants to be with Tina, yet Tina who also liked him was still trying to keep her feelings hidden. This was a good story with good characters and overall worth the read.

3.5 stars--BRATVA SWEETHEART is the second instalment in Sabine Barclay’s contemporary, adult THE IVANKOV BROTHERHOOD erotic, dark, Bratva romance series. This is twenty-seven year old, Russian Bratva businessman, Bogdan Kutsenko, and building inspector/architect Christina ‘Tina’ MacNally’s story line. BRATVA SWEETHEART can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.

WARNING: Due to the nature of the story line premise including ‘daddy kink’, r@pe fantasy, bondage, discipline as well as graphic violence, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Bodgan and Tina) BRATVA SWEETHEART follows the building relationship between twenty-seven year old, Russian businessman, Bratva Bogdan Kutsenko, and building inspector/architect Christina ‘Tina’ MacNally’. A one night stand between Russian businessman Bogdan Kutsenko, and Christina MacNally ends when the next morning, our heroine ghosts our story line hero. Christina MacNally works as a building inspector for the city of Manhattan but never expected to come face to face with her one night stand when she is tasked with inspecting a new build at one of the Kutsenko constructions sites. All is not well when our heroine discovers a number of irregularities, irregularities that may or may not be attributed to the man in charge. Afraid of losing her job, Christina offers to back away knowing their relationship may be used as potential fodder should something go wrong but Bogdan Kutsenko knows that to never see Christina would mean breaking his heart. What ensues is the building and highly sexual relationship between Christina and Bogdan, and the potential fall-out as a war between the Russian Bratva, the Irish and Italian Mafia and the Cartel is about to pull Christina into a world she knows little about.

Christina MacNally is about to be thrown head first into the criminal world of bribery and corruption, murder and vengeance, betrayal and power. Bogdan is desperate to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love but there is always someone or something waiting to take them down. Bogdan Kutsenko has loved and lost, and our hero refuses to place himself in a position to lose someone he loves but as the battle for control hits too close to home, Bogdan is willing to walk away to protect the woman with whom he is falling in love.

The relationship between Bogdan and Christina is one of daddy-kink and baby girl with the added bonus of bondage and discipline when Christina refuses to obey. From the outset Bogdan claims he is not a Dominant nor a daddy-wanna be; and Christine says she is not a submissive, nor a ‘little’, and does not like to be treated as a child yet Bogdan demands submission, the calling of ‘daddy’ or sir, and often places our heroine in his lap, or over his knee. A bit of a conundrum; some confusion as to the who, what and why the denial of the obvious but in the end the ‘daddy-kink’ is strong, intense, and not relegated to only the bedroom. The $ex scenes are erotic, intense, and vivid.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and powerful secondary and supporting characters including Bogdan’s brothers: Maksim and Laura (Bratva Darling 1), Nikolai and Aleksei, and their mother Galina Kutsenko, as well as their cousins Anton, Sergei and Michail; Christina’s parents Liam and Catriona MacNally, and her brothers Tristan and Danny. The requisite evil includes the Irish Mafia, the Italian mob, the Mexican Cartel, and several people getting paid to look the other way.

BRATVA SWEETHEART is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The slow building premise is detailed and dramatic; the romance is erotic and highly sexual; the characters are captivating.


THE READING CAFÉ: http://www.thereadingcafe.com/bratva-sweetheart-ivankov-brotherhood-by-sabine-barclay-review/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4838879892


AMAZON CA: https://www.amazon.ca/review/R3L2RTEWJAAYN5/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B09YVQBX4M


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2686318638

I loved the first book but this one blew me away. Sexy, steamy, and full of tension! These characters are fantastic. Bogdi and Tina's chemistry is amazing but it's the depth of the relationship the author explores that had me invested. I also enjoy how the brothers are what they are and without apology or rationalization. This series is excellent and I can't wait for the next one!

Christina MacNally meets Bogdan Kusenko in a strip club whilst on a night out sparks fly from that first meeting. She’s is a building inspector in New York & is surprised to meet Bogdan whilst inspecting a new build. This is the second book in the series & whilst it could easily be read on its own, events from the first book do overlap & also the Kusenko brothers are quite something. I loved how Bogdi & Tina’s relationship grew & change. They fell in lust immediately but it was also far more than that from the start. This isn't a read for the faint hearted but I found it to be riveting & once started found it hard to put down. There are lots of tender moments & I loved that side of the relationship. There’s steam, violence & a lovely love story. However there are surprises, which I didn't see coming also events which kept me on the edge of my seat. Told from both Bogdan & Tina's viewpoints, something I'm not usually a fan of but it worked as I felt I really got inside their heads. A very well written book with strong characters, a fast paced story & an attraction that’s toe curling
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Normally I like the oldest brother best in a family because he is always the grumpy guy who a woman tames. Well, while I really liked Maks, I loved Brogdan. Yes, these are mafia guys and they do things that morally ambiguous but Brogdan’s whole way of thinking and acting I found very sexy. These stories contain women who are strong and not just arm candy. I loved it. Sabine wrote a story that was sentimental, sexy, family-oriented (that is a funny way to describe this story) and so much more. I actually teared up in parts. Fantastic.

The Review
Tina and Bogden were magic! I appreciated that Tina was reluctant and weary about getting involved with a Kutsenko, instead of just blindly going with it. She questioned him and their relationship often, but while trusting him to take care of her and keeping her safe. Bogden was just the SWEETEST Mafia man ever! He doted on Tina and read her mind, mood and signals with perfection. I was in love with him and his personality. Their book was romantic, dangerous and, at times, dark and I was hooked the whole story. Their story overlaps the first book in the series, but it was be read alone. However, I loved how I was walking through Laura and Maks relationship all over again through Tina and Bogden's romance.

Tropes
Contemporary Romance, Mafia Romance, Alpha Hero, Criminal Hero, Rake Hero, Self-Made Hero, Protective Hero, Possessive/Jealous Hero, Wealthy Hero, Aggressive Heroine, Bluestocking Heroine, Experienced Heroine, Independent Heroine, Working Heroine, Bath/Shower Steam, Dirty Talk, Angst Romance, Fling to Love, Suspense/Danger/Murder

Thank you to NetGalley, Oliver Heber Books, and Sabine Barclay for allowing me to read this ARC. The Bratva Sweetheart, book 2 in the Ivankov Brotherhood Series. As requested by the author, this is a no spoiler review. Check your trigger warnings at the door.

Y'all, we all know I'm a sucker for mafia men (no matter what region they come from) and I love my spice. This book satisfied both of my needs from the very beginning.

Christina and Bogdan have a great story that is fast paced, but has a lot of surprises. This was my second read from the author as I read the first book in the series to prepare. (They can be read as standalone, but it helps with the story). I enjoyed the style of writing and the details were top notch. I will continue to read this series as it progresses. You have a new fan Sabine.

We continue with a second Kutsenko’s brother, Bogdan. This sequel of Bratva Darling is not a slow burn. It is really spicy and I love it! I was only 5% in and his mouth was already between her leg in his car. The dynamic between Tina and him, it’s about trust and I like how they developed it. In this series, women are strong, independent and really bold. For example, Tina, after a night of sex with Bogdan, took her thing and take a taxi while he was in the shower. I laugh so much! The action doesn’t take all the place. It’s still the romance first. It just adds some difficulty to the couple.

You can find in this book:
Mafia Romance
Strong female character
Toy playing/Role-play
Spicy (Read the warning before reading)
Found family

*A great many thanks to Netgalley, Sabine Barclay, and Oliver Heber Books for this ARC. It is important to note that I was under no commitment to provide a positive review, and all opinions are undoubtedly my own.*

Ms. Barclay requested that reviews hold no spoilers or plot summary points. Therefore, I will state what I enjoyed and did not enjoy about this book.

When I requested this ARC, I had not realized that it was the second book in a series; I only realized this after I had already sent in the request. While waiting, I found the first book and read it, so I had some idea of what this one would be about. I hate starting a series without reading the first novel, as I believe it usually sets the tone for everything coming afterward.

I liked most the mafia elements in this novel. I am an avid fan of mafia and dark romances; they're actually my favorite genre. So this was right up my alley. There's just something about the mix of mystery, danger, and romance that make these type of novels so incredibly good!

However, I felt that the relationship between Bogdan and Christina was very rushed and almost forced. The chemistry was there; it just could have been less insta-lust and more insta-love... There were also many grammatical errors in this ARC copy, but I am hoping there will be another round of editing before the final version is released.

With all the above in consideration, I give 'Bratva Sweetheart' a rating of 3 out of stars. I recommend this to persons who, like me, enjoy mafia and mystery romances. Due to the darker elements (violence), foul language, and descriptions of erotic acts, this book is definitely more suitable for persons eighteen and older. All in all, not a bad read but falls short as it does not feel entirely finished.

This book had so much heat and sizzle that I am surprised my kindle didn't melt. Loved the story and the characters, perfect afternoon read.

Fast paced story about finding love in odd places and when your not even looking for it. This was the first time I read a story from this author. I feel like the story was a little too faced paced and was missing some information I wish it had.

**3.5 Stars**

Bratva Sweetheart is book two in The Ivankov Brotherhood series but can be read as a standalone. Christina is a strong and independent woman who works as a building inspector for the city. Bogdan is part of the Bratva, and he and his brothers help run various clubs and businesses throughout the city. Christina and Bogdan meet at a club one night and have an undeniable connection. They have a lot to work through before they can make it to their happily ever after, but they have chmistry, a strong desire for each other and persistence on their side.

This was my first book by this author so I didn't quite know what to expect, but I love mafia books. This story definitely has an insta-love vibe, which isn't a favorite of mine, but I do think the author did a good job with it on the whole and I did enjoy the characters and the story line. I did struggle with the "Daddy" aspect of the story...also just a personal preference for me. I would probably have enjoyed the story much more without this. I think the book was well written and I found the story interesting, but I do think it maybe dragged on a little at times. I look forward to reading more of this author's work in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I honestly felt that their relationship was too rushed. They were doubting their relationship so much.