Talia. I have always been a bird. Caged by one prison or another when the only thing I ever wanted was to fly away.Sold. Beaten. Starved. Drugged. Nothing scares me anymore. Until him. He makes the numbness go away. He is hazardous to me. It has nothing to do with his mafia lifestyle, and everything to do with what he offers.A gilded prison. A retreat from everything that I once knew. The reality … retreat from everything that I once knew. The reality I have no desire to return to.
He thinks he’s caged me, but soon…
I’m going to fly.
Alexei.
I live by a code. The Vory code.
In this mafiya world, there are traditions.
Expectations.
She does not care for these things. She does not care about anything.
She thinks she has me fooled with her haunted eyes.
What she can’t know is that I see her better than most.
She wants to fly.
But I’m going to clip her wings.
And make her my wife.
This is a DARK mafia romance. A full-length standalone novel with HEA and no cheating.
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“People die long before they ever make it to the grave. They die in little ways, every single day.”
I didn’t read the previous two books in the series because they didn’t really pique my interest, and I am really picky with mafia romance books. However when I read the blurb of this book I decided to give it a try. I am so happy I did because it was really good.
“He’s my savior. My unwilling hero. And the thing that is most dangerous of all. My hope.”
What I loved most about this book were the characters. Both Alexei and Talia were broken, Talia more so than Alexei. My heart broke for what Talia went through in her life. Both are unwilling to love, both don’t think they deserve to be loved. Alexei wasn’t always a nice guy, there were a couple of times I wanted to strangle him for what he said to Talia. It was beautiful to see how they fixed each other. Overall this was a great non-traditional mafia romance and I really enjoyed it. It is nowadays really hard to find an unique mafia romance book.
I love this book so much. This author knows how to write so beautifully.
Each book in this series gets better.
Each book in this series gets a little darker.
Alexei and Talia’s story is heart breaking and emotional.
We met Alexei “The Ghost” in Crow, an ally, a friend and Mack’s only hope for finding her friend she feared was dead. And find her he did. Orchestrating the perfect plan, Alexei rescues a damaged and destroyed Talia from the sex slavery she’s been sold into, by someone she trusted. Now she trusts no one. Now she feels nothing. But, Alexei is broken and damaged as well and lives a life of near seclusion, and he has a plan.
Can these two broken souls learn to trust?
Will their lives be anything other than pain and rejection?
The darkness in this story was hard to read at times. The revenge and destruction was brutal and depraved. The emotions are bone deep. Separately, Alexei and Talia are vulnerable and living half a life, together they are fierce and whole. The feels in this installment of the Boston Underworld series are spectacular. There’s one final book and this series will definitely be on my list to read again!
I loved Alexei so much – one of my favorite heroes ever. I enjoyed reading the Russian mob books just as much as the Irish. This series is dark and the author pulls no punches and I love it. I read mafia romance because I love seeing two people overcome impossibly terrible circumstances and find true love. I posted in another review that Ronan might be my favorite (book 2), but now it might be Alexei. Or, is it Crow from book one… You should read the whole series and choose for yourself!
I loved this book! Alexei is the hot Russian tasked with finding Talia. He is the best at what he does and he won’t fail. He has ulterior motives when it comes to Talia though.
She has found herself on the very wrong side of human trafficking. She is abused and broken. He lives by the Vory code and he needs to settle down. Will Alexei’s plan work, or are they too broken for it to work. Will secrets destroy what they have?
This book is part of the Boston Underworld series, but can be read as a stand alone.
Super sexy, everything you never knew you needed! Two beautiful broken people piecing each other together.
Ghost is book #3 in the Boston Underworld series and honestly this series is 100% unpredictable in every good way possible! In this book we meet and learn Talia’s story who’s disappearance brought Mack and Lachlan together in Crow. We also learn Alexei’s story who made an appearance in Crow and Reaper. I would definitely put this series at the top of your must read list!! This book will leave you on the edge of your seat in suspense and wit will also have you wanting to slap Katya, I couldn’t stand her from the very beginning!!!! I couldn’t put this one down!! This is a dark story that shows just how much Talia has overcome so be prepared!!
A beautifully intense, dark, and gritty journey to go on with Alexei and Talia. This story will stick with me for a long time to come. I thoroughly enjoyed every single moment of this book. This series just keeps getting better.
Ghost is an amazing 5 star read!!
Ghost is a beautiful story of a Russian Mafia man, who is known as the Ghost and is a man who has faced challenges all his life, especially since he is also deaf after a childhood illness. Talia was sold into sex slavery by her ‘boyfriend’ Dimitri, to an arm’s dealer in Bulgaria. Unbeknownst to her, her best friend Mack is searching for her which was the story of Crow, first book in this series.
Ghost is known for his skills with a computer and he finds Talia and under false pretences he steals Talia away to America and marries her to keep her safe. Enemies within and from outside forces are trying to tear them apart, and test Alexei’s trust. Great read, flows beautifully and both characters are flawed from past issues. If you are sensitive to certain issues this might not be for you but Zavarelli does a great job when she writes these parts.
I am absolutely loving this series
Great characters. Alexei is a Russian mafia boss and Talia is the friend of Mac who went missing in the first book Crow.
Each book is interconnected and some scenes from Alexei or Talia’s point of view you revisit as other characters from previous books interact with them. For example when Talia calls Mac to let her know she is OK in the first book you see this from Talia’s side and the build-up to her making that call.
I’m loving it. You don’t have to read in order and each can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading from the first book Crow.
The first two books are Irish mafia whereas Ghost is Russian Mafia based.
The back story for both characters tugs on the heart and the fact they see a likeness in each other and Alexei rescues Talia from her captors is a gripping and heartwarming story.
It’s gritty there are scenes of rape and it’s on the dark side but I love that about it, it’s raw, gritty and leads to a well-deserved hea.
A Zavarelli was a new author for me before Crow and I can’t wait to jump into other books in this series as well as those that aren’t
Ghost has everything i would look for in a Mafia read
A Zavarelli is such a talented author, providing a depth to this story rarely found in this genre. It’s a genuine skill to make readers root for such broken characters but she certainly did. I loved Ghost and ended up reading the entire Boston Underworld series as a result. Definitely a must read author.
I read this book for one reason and one reason alone. I saw a review that said Sparrow by Erin Trejo was so similar to this book that she felt it necessary to start a smear campaign so naturally my nosy butt had to find out if one of my favorite authors would stoop so low. One scene was referenced in the review. The person (I wont mention her name but you can look at the review if you want), stated that both authors had the exact scene THAT IS A LIE. What they both have is a mob book. There is a scene: in this book where Alexi sees her in captivity watches her then instead of using her for sex he observes her then speaks to her. He then leaves her there and because of this big plot he gets her out by taking her as collateral. In Sparrow by Erin Trejo Alexi rescues his cousin from captivity and takes the girl with her who helped her keep her sanity. The girl is there in a plot with her father against Alexi. Now once again there are similar things: the women are captives in a sex ring ran by mobsters and they both have a guy named Alexi which isn’t a common name at all in books (huge eye roll here).
Now I wont be as petty as the girl who falsely accused and then set off a smear campaign. I will honestly say this is a good story with lots of action and some really good twist. This is the first time I have read this author and had she handled the situation better I might have read more of her work. However I know that this author was offered the chance to read and see for herself that this accusation was false and showed herself to be a stand up person. Instead she chose to allow unsubstantiated and unwarranted bullying.
The sad part of all of this is that it came down to this. These are two different plot lines and even reading it to find out what the reviewer was referring to I still didn’t find anything that would make me feel like they were the same book or similar enough to warrant the attack. In this book world especially with all of the indy writers instead of attacking each other we should be supporting each other. It’s also sad these two authors both good in their own rights are now thrown into unnecessary and unwarranted drama in real life. Instead of going full blast on a smear campaign the reviewer should have taken her observation to the authors so they could talk and work it out.
These books just keep getting better and better. Parts of this are just so horrifying, but I couldn’t put it down. I love the characters. I love the story. I love this author, as I can’t wait to read more!
Blown away!!! Move over Ronin, because Alexei stole my heart. This amazing story about two “flawed” and broken souls trying to find healing in the last place they expected. The feels in this book, just phenomenal!!! A story that will stay with you for a long time. Heartbreaking and longing that turns into hoping for more. The chemistry between Alexei and Talia are off the charts. Highly recommend this book.
I honestly didn’t think it would be possible for Ghost to be better than Crow and Reaper, but by God is it better, it surpasses them both. Ghost is Talia and Alexei’s story. It’s set it in the same world as Crow and Reaper, the Russian/Irish underworld inhabited by both the Russian mob and the Irish mob who have a tentative agreement of peace. Talia is the friend Mack was looking for in Crow. She’s been sold into slavery by a sleazebag guy named Dmitri she had met and decided to vacation with. She’s now living her days in a drugged daze, chained to a wall, only alive for the use of Arman (the man who bought her) and his associates. She’s become compliant and deadened inside. She had emotional and mental issues even before she was sold, but now she’s even more damaged. Alexei is suffering through as many mental and emotional hangups as Talia, he has just as many inner demons, thanks to an absolutely horrible father. Alexei is the councilor to Viktor, the head of the Vor, the Russian mob. He monitors their gambling operations and is Viktor’s second in command. He’s called Ghost because he can get into any computer system and exit without a trace. He is also the man Mack asked to help find Talia. And find Talia he does. But, he has a plan for her that he doesn’t tell anyone, including Talia.
Their journey is twisted, a little dark, and seriously heartbreaking. Talia and Alexei are both intensely damaged people, but in each other they seem to find some peace. That peace lasts until Alexei breaks her heart into a million pieces by believing she betrayed him. My heart was breaking along with Talia’s when he rejected her. Thank God A. Zavarelli redeemed Alexei (and herself lol) by making him realize his mistake and go try to get his woman back. He goes on rage fueled spree of killing and violence to find his woman and the people who betrayed them. He is one man no intelligent person would want to cross.
Each book I read in this underworld series I get more and more invested. Each book gets better, darker and even sexier. I can’t wait for the next one!
Astounding <------- that's the word that comes to mind . This series has been a superlative experience, but this book , takes the cake. I've become a huge fan of these newer authors who churn out one superbook after next. Her research is very very thorough, her writing excellent and her language and plot just brilliant !! Alexei , "Lyoshenka" Nikolaev is a Sovietnik in the Red Mafia. He holds power to destroy and protect. When Mack comes to him for help in locating Talia, he promises her to rescue her friend. He locates Arman , the monster who has Talia and negotiates her release in his protection what to say about Talia, a girl who has had a tough childhood, bumping around in foster homes system, till she meets Mack and Scarlett. But she falls prey to Dmitri and therein begins her descent into living hell. After abducting her, training her to be a Fucktoy for men, he sells her to an even cruel chengiz-Arman. She literally becomes a Subhuman Piece Of Merchandise, for men to stuff her holes, gang rape and orgies committed on her unwilling, drug infested body. Her mind numb and body invaded. They say Death can inhabit a body long before the soul even leaves She is a walking zombie, who opens her body on command, but her mind has shut down, she gets beat viciously , humiliated and paraded as a piece of meat to be kicked, broken, spit at, a cumbucket for the dregs of humanity!!!. Her saviour , Alexei, is broken too, just like her. Both being new to living , because both their hearts are dead. They fumble around each other, learning through trial, how to co-exist with each other. Their attempts to tip toe around feelings is so poignant to watch . Alexei 's secret threatens to drive them apart, but since Talia is his mirror, she understands him. Just like he "listens" to her ! so many tender, heart ripping moments in this book, that my eyes were constantly wet. What a beautiful character Alexei is, I felt like sometimes slapping him awake and sometimes hugging him to sleep. He's like a lost little boy, looking for Love & validation. Talia and Alexei are a perfect match , they just don't know it as yet. And this is the story of their journey together as a husband and wife. A story of marital adjustment, self discovery and trust building. Both have been betrayed badly . first comes trust then comes love then comes betrayal then comes death then comes............................
Sucker punched from the very beginning as only Ashleigh Zavarelli can do with her sinfully scorching Irish, and this time, Russian Mafia Bad-Boys. I have loved this series and fell head over heels in love with Crow and Reaper, but my obsession for them has clearly been surpassed by Alexei. This couple is the darkest yet, both embattled with demons that scream to them and make it impossible to love…or do they? It is a rocky road from the beginning, layered with the hope that both Talia and Alexei will make it out whole, but you have no idea how twisted it will go. Zavarelli creates these deliciously broken characters and for the life of you, you will never be the same! Her Boston Boys are among the hottest book boyfriends that you will ever meet!
“I feel safe with him. His house is my sanctuary. His body, my fortress. He is tall and strong and dangerous.” “He’s my savior, my unwilling hero. And the thing that is most dangerous of all. My hope.”
Despite those demons, these two are passionate, building with broken pieces, and so hot I glanced around to make sure no one was watching me read! Written like a sad, tragic song, your eyes will widen as you laugh at the banter, be brought almost to tears, and blush a bright red as the story unfolds. Epic effort by Zavarelli, and I hope we’re not done with the Boston Underworld!!
“Every day, for the rest of my life, Solnyshko. That’s my promise to you. I will make you fall in love with me everyday for a lifetime.”
Ghost is book #3 of the Boston Underworld series. It is a stand-alone and can be read as such. I had no problem following the story. The previous two books focus on the Irish mob with mentions of the Russians. Ghost is heavily saturated with the “Vory” or Russian mob/brotherhood.
This is Alexei & Talia’s story and it is not pretty. To understand it and for review purposes I will give a brief synopsis of Crow (book #1). In Crow (Book #1), Mack is trying to find her friend Talia who has disappeared. Mack tries to infiltrate the Irish Mob syndicate for information on her friend’s whereabouts. Slante is a club that Talia worked in, so Mack starts there. Mack meets the owner of Slante, Lachlan, and eventually, he agrees to help her. He enlists the services of Russian “Vory” mobster Alexei and she is found. She had been sold, beaten. Starved, and drugged.
Alexei is a very reclusive and mysterious man. He is high ranking in the Vory. He has memorized Talia’s picture while trying to find her…..
“My skills are unique. Forged over a lifetime of dedication and hard work. It is not talent. It is not luck. It is nothing less than perseverance that makes me the best at what I do.”
Talia is rescued but faces a long road to recovery. She is staying with Alexei during her recovery. Alexei is so strong and patient with her. He will not allow her to destroy herself.
“You can’t destroy what’s already broken.”
Alexei & Talia’s story is not nice and it is not pretty. A. Zavarelli does an amazing job of bringing these two broken hearts together and mending them. Although the content is dark, I found myself impatient to read each chapter and see things through til the end.
“I want you to know the level of my devotion to you,” he states. “I don’t ever want you to question it. The things I have and will continue to do to protect you. To avenge you. They are dark things. But that darkness is my burden to carry, and it always will be.”
Next up is Thief, and I must say my favorite story in the series!
4.5 stars
Talia and Alexei are both damaged, broken souls who think there is no hope for them. These two gravitate towards each other and constantly fight a battle of wills and their desires. I love the continuation of the storyline of the Boston Underworld and seeing the characters from previous books. Once again, this author made me cry with her unique writing skills and I thoroughly enjoyed losing myself into her words.
‘Ghost’ is the third book in the ‘Boston Underworld’ series. In this book we finally meet Talia and we get to know what happened to her. Talia is mentioned in the first book, she was the reason that Mack went to the Irish mafia club in the first place. Her best friend Talia was missing and Mack believed that the Irish mafia had something to do with it. In the second book we discovered that Talia was rescued from the bad guys but where she was or what happened to her, stayed a mystery. But now we get to learn all that there is to know about Talia, her past, her present and her future. It is not an easy story. There are many sensitive subject in this book, a difficult childhood, a few scenes where Talia is still a sex slave and then you have Alexei, a Russian mafia man. A man who will do anything to protect his family and his Russian mafia brothers. Be prepare for a lot of blood.
I was really looking forward to this story. Both characters had my attention from the first book and because both stayed in mystery in some way, my expectations were growing with each book.
And I think in the end that my expectations of this story were a bit too high. I liked Talia’s and Alexei’s story but after finishing it, I also had the feeling of missing something in the story and I don’t know what. I think that I personally missed something by Alexei (or maybe it was simple the fact that he was so insecure about this deafness that I found hard to understand, especially when you’re such a dangerous mafia man!) . But like I said the storyline was good. The story is told from both POV’s.
And after reading about the Irish mafia in the first two books, I found it really interesting to read about the Russian mafia in this one.
I’m really happy that I discovered this mafia series, it’s becoming one of my favorite ones!