Velvet Chains - Mara Vesper

Roman is introduced as a tough Bratva man through and through. His loyalty to the Bratva is absolute, and he’ll do whatever is required of him, including marrying Anya. Anya, a chemist with a younger brother she would do anything to protect, is trapped by the Bratva using him as leverage. Watching these two forced together under those circumstances was fascinating.

From the very beginning, Roman is drawn to Anya in a way he never expected. The protective pull he feels toward her is intense and unmistakable, and it doesn’t go unnoticed by those around him. He’s in awe of her in so many ways, and despite being a high-ranking Bratva member, he literally gets on his knees for her. That moment was everything, a perfect demonstration of just how completely she has him.

Anya uses the word hate often when it comes to Roman, and honestly, some of it he fully deserves. That made it all the more satisfying when that hatred slowly transformed into something else. And when she stands up for herself? I wasn’t complaining one bit. Roman earned every second of her reactions, and I loved that she never made herself smaller for him.

The character development for both of them was beautifully done. Anya’s growth, in particular, felt realistic and earned, not rushed or forced. Their journey is action-packed and full of twists and turns, and I loved watching how they learned to handle each obstacle, especially when they worked together and actually communicated.  This was an intense, emotional bratva romance that delivered on both character growth and plot, and it kept me fully invested from start to finish.  I received this book as an ARC and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

Because you're the only person who's ever made me wish I was someone else.