As an avid reader who revels in a good romance, I was immediately drawn to “Filthy Promises,” the first installment of the Akopov Bratva duet. The intriguing blend of office romance and mafia dynamics sparked my interest as I’ve always been captivated by stories that combine personal interaction and intense conflict. The tagline, “I’m in love with my boss. He doesn’t even know I exist,” piqued my curiosity right away.
The story unfolds through the eyes of Rowan St. Clair, who has secretly harbored feelings for her boss, Vincent Akopov, for five long years. This isn’t just any ordinary crush; Vince is charming, ruthless, and part of the Bratva. The plot thickens when Rowan unexpectedly catches him in a compromising position that opens the door to her newfound position as his personal assistant—thrilling and terrifying in equal measure.
One of the standout aspects of this book was the character of Vincent himself. Described as an anti-hero, he is both alluring and enigmatic. The dynamics between Rowan and Vince are rich with tension, replete with steamy exchanges that make you feel every heartbeat. I found myself engrossed in their flirtation, particularly in scenes where Vince whispers daring promises amid board meetings. Sonia N. Choto aptly captures this sentiment in her review, where she highlights Vince as a “gorgeous anti-hero” with an interesting duality that keeps the reader on edge.
Another positive note was the writing style. The prose flowed well, making it an engaging read. It was nice to see that the author didn’t rely solely on spice for effect; rather, the steamy scenes had context and were woven into the narrative in believable ways, as pointed out by Maria P. who praised the storyline along with the character development.
However, no book is without its drawbacks. Several readers, including Candy Martinez, noted inconsistencies in the plot—specifically around the backstory of Rowan and Vincent. At times, certain elements of the storyline felt rushed or contradictory, particularly regarding Vince’s prior knowledge about Rowan, which became a source of frustration. It occasionally disrupted the immersive experience, particularly as I invested emotional energy into understanding their relationship.
Additionally, while the book provides a considerable amount of action and deliciously intense moments, some sections felt drawn out or tedious, as alluded to by other readers. The pacing of the plot could have been tighter; at 647 pages, certain scenes felt repetitive and stretched thin, leading to moments where I wanted to urge the characters to move forward.
Despite these minor grievances, I found “Filthy Promises” to be a satisfying read, especially as a lead-in to the next installment, “Filthy Lies.” The cliffhanger ending left me eager to discover what lies ahead for Rowan and Vince. Their chemistry, entwined with secrets, promises, and the looming threats from the Bratva world, will entice readers who enjoy complex characters and intense situations.
In conclusion, “Filthy Promises” has solidified itself as a captivating start to this duet. If you enjoy office romances infused with mafia intrigue and dynamic characters, this book is well worth your time. Just be prepared for some pacing issues and a few plot inconsistencies along the way. Overall, I would rate it a solid 4.5 stars. I can’t wait to dive into the sequel!