Nikolai Volkov has been groomed to one day rule his father’s empire. Growing up in a crime family, you don’t have many options. You live and die by the Volkov name.After connecting with his half-brother in the states, Nikolai chooses to step away from family obligations, to find what he feels has been lacking his whole life. What he wasn’t expecting was for a curvy young woman with amber eyes to … eyes to become the missing piece to his existence.
When enemies threaten the life of Leah Winters, a shy and broken woman he has sworn to protect, Nikolai’s Volkov roots rise to the surface.
There’s only one outcome for those who stand between Nikolai and the woman he loves.
War
Bloodshed
Death.
Living each day in fear is no way to live, but it’s the only life Leah Winters has ever known.
Family is supposed to be your protector, not the monsters haunting your dreams at night.
Until one day, she decides to put her trust and life into the hands of The Kings of Retribution, where she crosses paths with Nikolai Volkov.
A year passes while hiding from her past. During this time, Nikolai and Leah’s relationship suddenly shifts, turning into something more.
Beaten down by cruel words and low self-esteem, Leah never thought a powerful, handsome man like Nikolai, could ever love her, until—
His words gave her hope.
His touch gave her life.
His kiss promised her the world.
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OMG I devoured this book from beginning to end in one sitting. Nikolai and Leah was an epic fast paced story that was AMAZING. Nikolai melts you and makes you want him all in the same breath. I loved this story and pray there is more to come from this series. Wish I could give this 10 stars!!!!!
I knew Nikolai and Leah’s story was going to be an exceptional read and may I say the sister team didn’t disappoint me. Sandy and Crystal have written a very exciting thrilling storyline with characters that you can’t help but love and root for. Nikolai is the heir to the Volkov Empire, a very dangerous man when crossed. He also runs Kings Construction in tandem with the Kings of Retribution MC brothers. Nikolai and Leah meet via their connections with the MC. Leah is under the Kings of Retribution’s protection. She is running from her family. A family that has hurt her and brought her to her knees on more than one occasion. She is a shy, scared woman with very low self esteem. But Nikolai knows better. He sees the sexy, fiery woman she is underneath all the pain and scars and he wants her for his own.
The action packed storyline that brings these two together is simply glorious. It’s suspenseful, heartbreaking, emotional and heart soaring all rolled up into one. I can’t recommend reading it enough. While it’s easily read as a standalone, I highly recommend grabbing up all the Kings of Retribution MC books as well as book 1 of the Volkov Empire. You won’t be sorry you did. 2 Thumbs Up and 5+ Stars.
First of all bravo ladies, this book made my year! Full of the perfect combination of everything we love from Sandy & Crystal, but this book definitely has so much more. I definitely have to agree that Nikolai is the epitome of the alpha male, the minute he sees Leah, he is done for. And it was perfect to see their love blossom, their chemistry was prefect right from the start. Leah, such a doll, you’ll be rooting for her to get the happiness she deserves. Toward the end of the book, it will gut you but you have to experience it to understand the love & devotion Nikolai & Leah have to each other. My heart broke for Leah throughout this book, but she is one of the strongest characters these two ladies have ever written. Loved this book from start to finish, looking forward to their next book.
Sandy Alvarez and Crystal Daniels are 2 of my favorite authors, their books are just the best, and Nikolai is no exception. We met Nikolai and sweet Leah in the Kings of Retribution series and through several of those books we’ve watched their attraction for each other grow. I have been waiting for their story, so curious to see how the sisters handled this intriguing couple. Well let me tell you, they did an amazing job! Nikolai is a strong, at times overbearing, fiercely protective alpha man who sets his sights on shy, awkward and abused Leah. Watching this confident, take charge man care for Leah and patiently pull her out of her shell and see the beautiful woman he sees is just swoon worthy…he’s so precious. In typical Alvarez & Daniels fashion, Nikolai is sexy, thrilling and exciting. We also get to visit with the Kings of Retribution family and Demetri and Glory which is always a plus. Nikolai was definitely worth waiting for and now I’m hoping for more…more Kings of Retribution and more Volkovs…these guys and their ladies are addictive! Great job, once again, ladies. Thanks for sharing your vivid imaginations with us!
Definitely worth the wait!
This was a book that I could not wait for and was so excited to see!
Ever since we were introduced to Leah in Alba’s story, you wanted to know her story and knew that she and Nikolai were going to be a great love story. Leah and Nikolai give each other a balance that they didn’t realize they both needed.
Nikolai is an alpha man that knows what he wants the first time he sees Leah and will be patient and wait for her but as soon as she is ready he goes in full force to make her his.
Leah is timid, scared, and is unsure of herself, but she learns that there is more to her than another person’s words. She grows to be a strong woman that takes action when she finally gives in for her feelings.
This book was definitely worth the wait!
Nikolai and Leah are everything I’ve been waiting for! From the moment Nikolai saw Leah many books ago he knew she was his and everyone knew it too. Leah is a broken beauty who has had nothing but the short end of the stick her whole life but deserved so much more. Through the book you get to see Leah go from this shy, self conscious girl who feels worthless to the world and bloom into a strong and more confident woman mostly due to Nikolai. She’s worth so much more in this world and him and his undeniable love for her give her this beautiful strength to become the person she had hidden for so long. The two of them are such an inspiring couple, being each others strength and both reciprocating the love and respect they each deserve. They fought through so much between the monsters in both their lives that they’re HEA was so much deserved.
I’ve been waiting for Nikolai and Leah’s story. It did not disappoint. Nikolai is so swoon worthy! I would definitely recommend this to someone looking for a great read. I received this ARC in return for an honest review.
A love that is meant to be. A perfectly imperfect journey, where flaws and fears become strengths and the light truly shines at the end. This is what I came up with after reading the last page of Nikolai. It’s hard to find the right words to describe perfection. My reader’s heart is full and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this epic and magical story. I still get goosebumps when remembering some of the scenes and the words exchanged.
I’m certain that after Lost King (book 6 in The Kings of Retribution series, which tells Quinn’s story), Nikolai and Leah’s has been the most requested book by talented writing sisters Sandy Alvarez and Crystal Daniels. I mean, the breadcrumbs trail spans over six Kings books and Demetri: The Volkov Empire. We have known Nikolai since The Kings of Retribution started and he has been attracted to Leah since he met her in The Darkest of Light (book 2).
But one thing I’ve learned after reading every single book written by Crystal and Sandy is that they always surpass expectations. And that even with the wildest imagination, I won’t be able to even get close to guessing the epic stories they deliver. There wasn’t a single moment in the plot of Nikolai where I knew in advance how it was going to pan out.
Wondering what I’m talking about? Let explain it with a question. Even after so many books, do we really know Nikolai? He has always been a character of few words. We have seen him whispering to Leah and in awe with her. He is the heir of the Volkov empire, and it has been involved in way too many dangerous operations. Yet, he steps away from his family business in Russia to pursue his own in Polson, MT. Trust me when I say, you have no idea and will be in awe with this larger than life character.
Leah’s story is heartbreaking. Years of abuse have made her doubt who she is and her worth. Only one person will be able to get through her and help her uncover her strength. She is sweet and a bit naive. But, under all of her fears, lies a diamond. Nikolai’s devotion to Leah is unrivaled. But, in order to fully love each other, Leah will have to learn to love herself first.
Nikolai is filled with angst, slow burn, and all the feels. It contains some of the most heartfelt and beautiful words I’ve read in a long time. It’s an emotional journey, that gave me chills and made me cry. Only after savoring each word, I can say how glad I am that Crystal and Sandy made us wait for this story. Because it gave Leah and Nikolai’s journey much more meaning. Time is essential for this book. And it’s why, as readers, we will be able to experience it as if we had been there. Because, in a sense, we were.
In a true Sandy and Crystal fashion, Nikolai is a treat for fans of The Kings of Retribution MC. An opportunity to experience more of these beloved characters. If Demetri was their first dip into the mafia genre, Nikolai is their consecration.
OMFG!!! Sandy and Crystal have completely and totally destroyed me with this book!!! This book gives a whole new meaning to the phrase slow-burn…, but once that slow-burn catches its flame it ignites with a passion unlike anything before it. The emotion that is written within these pages will leave you breathless and heartbroken. The strength that Leah possesses is amazing. However, she does not see it that way until Nikolai opens her eyes to the world she belongs too.
We have met Leah and Nikolai in previous books, but the glimpses we get of them do not do them justice. Leah is a beautiful soul who has had such a hard life. She has been kicked down so much over the years that she becomes a shell of who she really is. Upon meeting her for the first time Nikolai is drawn to her like a moth to the flame. He knows he will end up spooking her if he tries to move to fast. He knows exactly what to do to piece his malyshka back together. Now do not be fooled by the sweet, caring, and oh so lovable man that he is to Leah. Nikolai is not someone whom you would want to cross. When he is crossed he becomes a man on a mission, and he will complete the mission anyway he sees fit.
I love how each book is based off a different couple, but centralizes about the importance of family. How you should be able to depend on your family in your time of need, and how your family should be there no matter what.
We have seen glimpses of Leah and Nikolai in previous books, and their story is one that I was looking forward to. Leah is a timid introvert due to her childhood years of abuse. She meets Alba and Sam in college, and when she needs to escape from her abuser, she ends up in Polson under the Kings of Retribution’s protection. We know Nikolai is Logan’s brother and has come to live and work in Polson so that he can get to know Logan and develop a relationship with him. Nikolai runs King’s Construction, and when she needs a job, Nikolai hires her. Sparks fly between these two from their first meeting; however, Nikolai has to take things at a snails pace so not to scare Leah away. Their love is a slow burn. Leah has a hard time believing anyone could love her or feel attracted to her after the emotional and physical abuse she has suffered. Nikolai makes it his mission to prove to Leah that she is a beautiful woman capable of love. Once she comes to that realization, their relationship blossoms. This is an action packed story with all of our beloved characters making appearances. Leah so deserves her happy ending with Nikolai. Their story is one that will make you laugh and cry. Another great job by Sandy Alvarez and Crystal Daniels!!