Under the dangerous Maxim Koslov’s spell, Frankie Marconi finds herself falling deeper and deeper into a world of violence and sin. But the rabbit hole of chaos can only go so far. When cruel reality threatens her cocoon of pain, can she rely on Maxim to help her withstand the onslaught?Or will she goad him into finally ending their twisted game…Once and for all.This is a dark mafia romance.
Wow. Obey was even more intense, twisted and fabulously darker than the first book and I loved every bit of it. Maxim is one hell of a brute but like Frankie, you keep wanting to come back to him. These two together are combustible in the most primitive way. I was on edge the whole time from the angst, violence and danger lurking around and I cannot wait for how it’ll all play out in the third book.
Not everyone loves the same way, or solves their problems the same way, or survives the same way. Many are sweet & upfront & determined, they walk a path the most of us do, or least TRY to do. BUT, what if your past, or your current situation & even your potential future is broken, shattered, DARK or downright evil? How THEN would you love (if possible), solve your problems or attempt to survive?
Any way you can.
So it was, & continues, for Maxim (anti-H) & his Kotyonok (Frankie/Kitten, heroine) in ‘Obey’.
This is a continuation of ‘Submit’ & ‘Submit’ really must be read in order to understand Maxim, Frankie, their relationship & how they’ve arrived where they are in it currently. Maxim & Frankie had acheived a semblence of a resolution in their relationship in ‘Submit’, but in ‘Obey’ evil & vengeful & greedy outside influences in Maxim’s live & empire are searching for any weakness the terrifyingly frightening Maxim may have. And for the first time in his life, the only time in his adult life, Maxim has one: Frankie.
And if it takes shattering Frankie’s heart & soul to protect her, is Maxim able to do that?
His empire means everything to him, his entire life has been building & growing it, holding on to it with brutal & lethal iciness, doing whatever it took to preserve & keep it. But even Maxim has those to whom he’s responsible, who are not happy whith how things have been going . . . .
Both Maxim & Frankie have been tragically broken (read book #1: SUBMIT) in vastly different but equally tragic ways. Broken to the point that only pain (given & taken) is able to allow them to ‘feel’ anything, to connect with their counterpart. But neither is able to articulate their feelings, although they’ve managed to escalate the intensity of their relationship & couplings to the point they are able to skirt at the very far edge of expressing the depth of their need, want & desire for the other.
Both Maxim & Frankie are wonderfully complex characters, & initially (in book #1), I wasn’t sure I’d like EITHER of them. Maxim is a HARDCORE sadist, in the bedroom & out, OTT dominant, controlling, vicious & glacially cold emotionally. But his Kotyonok has somehow managed to become an addiction, he craves her even as he continually attempts to drive her away, terrify her away or shut her out of his life. But he keeps taking her back because no matter what he does, no matter how Frankie swears to walk away, she returns because she is as addicted to Maxim as he is to her.
Their relationship is DARK, it is brutal, it is destructive & yet NOT any of those. Why? Because it is what they both need AND want in order to calm & quiet their thoughts: rage & violence for Maxim, betrayal & exhaustion for Frankie.
I truly did love ]this continuation of Maxim & Frankie’s story: the broken & the betrayed, the abused & the warped sometimes deserve their peace too, no matter who they find it with or how they consensually work to achieve it.
This story SUCKED me further into Maxim & Frankie’s tragically beautiful tale, I found my emotions swirled chaotically from teary eyed to hopeful to angry to horrifed & back again. I COULD NOT STOP READING this book (or SUBMIT) until I finished it in one sitting. Yes, to me, it was THAT excellent. And no matter what happened, a mantra of please, please, PLEASE let them have a HEA together never left my mind.
So, for the reader who isn’t afraid of the dark, or triggers, or brutally beautiful & dysfunctional love stories, I heartily recommend this one. It is one of the best & wonderfully twisted romances I’ve ever read.
Obey: XXX Maxim Book 2 (Club XXX) by Lana Sky
Francesca (Frankie) Marconi is only nineteen and oversees taking care of her six siblings. She once worked three different jobs to support her family but now she is an exclusive companion to a Russian crime lord.
Maxim Koslov is a Russian crime lord with a dark and twisted sexual appetite. He runs the western section of the city for his grandfather and a sex club called XXX where nothing is off limits.
Obey picks up where Submit leaves off and we delve deeper into the relationship between maxim and Frankie. In the first book you see Frankie struggling to keep her family afloat despite all the challenges she faces. With book two, Maxim helps her by taking some of the burden from her and giving her the financial security, she has been searching for. When his grandfather and uncle start to question his commitment to the family business, he must take a step back from her even though being with her makes his feel almost normal. He is worried that his family will see her as a weakness. When Maxim takes a step back, Frankie feels abandoned and tries to decide if she should just walk away now instead of being hurt later. When Maxims uncle makes it known he wants Frankie to play with, Maxim would have to declare war to save her. Is she worth everything he has built, would she stand by him when everything falls apart and all that is left is just Maxim?
If you thought submit was a rollercoaster ride of emotions than you haven’t read anything yet. With Obey I found myself having to stop so I could let out the breath I was holding. Just when you think you know what Lana sky will do next, she takes you in a completely different direction. She shows you what Maxim went through as a child and what makes him the man that he is today. One description of him said it best, “He’s fucking psychotic, but he doesn’t even begin to hide it.” Frankie sees the man behind the mask that he wears for everyone else. When the memories begin to take him under, she pulls him back to the present. She brings him back to her and she understands him. These two broken people help each other even if it kills them in the process.
Obey
Club XXX, Book 2
By: Lana Sky
Narrated by: Zara Eden
Once again, I have been taken completely out of my comfort zone and loved it! This is book two of the Club XXX series and Lana Sky continues her story of Maxim and Frankie. No matter how poorly or how good she is treated, Frankie has let Maxim worm his way into her heart. Taking care of her siblings is a big plus, and she is grateful, but she still does not know if she can trust this man. He is dangerous, both in and out of the house, and doubts always creep into her mind of her worthiness. Maxim does give her a feeling of contentment and at the same time he is distant. Both of these people are broken, but together the seem to work. Then why can she not fully give herself to him? Sky has captured my interest again, and pulled me into their world. I cringe at times and others have a full heart. I can’t decide how I feel except when the story is over, I know I want more. It does leave us open to hearing Surrender, and I can’t wait to see where this couple takes me next.
Zara Eden continues her fantastic narration. Continuity is so important and she brings it from book to book with the same voices for these characters. I enjoy her accents, her flow and her voices. It’s a great listen.
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Yikes this is dark, but oh so good, like the darkest, bittersweet chocolate that takes forever to melt in your mouth. Maxim has managed to work his way under Frankie’s skin and into her soul like a drug she just can’t quit. I love Frankie’s quote, “Survival is not something you can ever regret” and she will do whatever she needs to survive. I love that we get more answers about Maxim’s family and past which is darker than even Frankie can fathom. I don’t know that I would call this a romance but more a story of obsession and addiction but it’s beautifully told and makes me as a reader addicted to these characters and how their lives will continue to inter weave. Narration is incredible – Zara reads so soft and smooth as Frankie and her accent and tone / pitch change for Maxim is so good I often think this is a dual narration. Well done all the way around…can’t wait to listen to book 3 – Surrender.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
*this review is based on the audio version of this read
Obey by Lana Sky is a dark mafia romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Zara Eden. This is the second book in the Club XXX series.
This book does come with a caution “18+ Extremely Dark Themes. Strong Sexual/Adult content. Mentions of abuse and violence.”
This is the second book of Lana’s that I have read and it definitely won’t be my last. This series is dark and twisted in all the best ways. The relationship between Frankie and Maxim is messed up but you can’t help but root for them. I can’t wait for the next book in the series Surrender to be released on audio so I can get the more of their story.
Zara did an amazing job on the narration. She really knows how to bring a story to life. I look forward to listening to more of her work in the future.
I would highly recommend this book if you like dark and twisted romance.
Honestly there was a lot of character development of Maxim’s part. We saw him become much more open and vulnerable with Francesca and I loved it. But while I do understand her choices and how difficult it was for her growing up, I didn’t always agree with the way she handled her relationship with Maxim. Regardless, that ending was AMAZINGGG and I’m so excited that the next book is coming out soon!
Obey is dark, and twisted in the most brilliant of ways. I love this series so much and its so close to the release of book 3 my nerves can not wait!
Obey dived into Frankie and Maxim’s relationship on a much deeper level and let me tell you this book is so much darker then Submit.
These two characters are raw, emotional, and broken in so many ways and you learn more about Maxims past and what shaped him into the ruthless monster he is now. You see Frankie continued battle with her self.
I now feel I know Frankie’s inner demons so much better, not only with her own feelings but with everything that shaped her into who she is today.
All she wants is freedom but at what price?
And then there is good ol Maxim, who is ruthless in every way. We get a glimpse into his past when he tells Frankie what has happened to him in his childhood. All which has molded him into the monster he is today. I can’t hate him for his actions. I know I should but you have to admit he does try and Frankie keeps going back for more. After all she needs the pain and Maxim is more then willing to deliver.
Lana Sky’s writing is Brilliant. She has been my favorite author since I have discovered her. Every one of her books are phenomenal will always be a special place in my heart for Maxim and Frankie and am so anxious for Surrender!
TWISTED DARK Nail Biter!
WOW! I’m speechless shaken to the core but absolutely fricken want more. It’s violent, hot, and one heck of an intense emotional rollercoaster ride of suspense that is in your face and impossible to put down. The writing is exceptionally well down that you see every vivid dark word and feel it all drenched in spine tingling shivers all while peppered in goosebumps from fear excitement and an overwhelming sadness that looms over the severity of this dark demanding read.
Where do you come up with these darkly, twisted storylines, Lana? Frankie is officially addicted to pain and her favorite supplier is Maxim . . . Oh so devilishly handsome and deadly Maxim. It’s a fine line in this game she plays between life and death as she is pulled deeper and deeper in his world, at the same time her heart is forced to start feeling for the first time. Can she afford to fall for Maxim only to be tossed away like everyone else has done in her life? Can Maxim with his tragic past ever lower his guard long enough to trust Frankie? It’s a wickedly, demented conclusion of pain and heartache that ends with the perfect painful clarity that can only be right for these two broken souls. Don’t expect flowers without getting the blood from the thorns when it comes to this story. It’s raw and real and worth reading.
I am waiting with bated breath for book 3!!
Maxim and Frankie are back in this, book 2 which picks up right where Submit (book 1) left off. These characters have me completely captivated and the roller coaster of emotions they set off is unbelievable! I am chewing my nails and waiting with bated breath for book 3!!
I read a free copy of this book and am eagerly and voluntarily leaving my review.
I was on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading this book. Love that Maxim’s and Frankie’s character develop a lot in this book. Maxim series always leaves me wanting more especially after each ending. I can’t wait for the 3rd book to come out
Obey will rip the very breath from your lungs as you gasp desperately for air. Each chapter leaves you reeling and unable to shake the emotional need to look further into the twisted dark depths of Maxium and Frankie. You will be left shattered and as broken as they are. You will feel the blood drain from your broken heart as each chapter brings you closer and closer to seeing what has make them who they are and will leave you helpless to rooting for their unconditional messy broken bloody perfect relationship.
Frankie continues to go back to Maxim as their story continues and when she is home away from him, she needs him to be whole. But is she losing the “real” Frankie or does she even know who she is yet? When she shatters and falls to pieces, can Maxim be the one to put her back together? Will he enjoy her more ruined or pieced together they way he prefers?
Maxim brings Frankie with him to business meetings and soon realizes that may have been a mistake on his part. But when his grandfather and uncle see Frankie as his weakness in the business world, what will happen to Maxim and Frankie? Will they both survive?
This continues with their dark story of love, since not everyone loves the same! Maxim needs to be a sadist and Frankie enjoys it and thrives on it. But will they continue to find their own pleasures? From the outside, this is brutal and violent, but to Maxim and Frankie, it doesn’t have the same meaning! I was sucked in further into their story and cannot wait for more. This has triggers, so be warned, but if that doesn’t phase you, please read this. I recommend it, it is deliciously dark and twisted! I hope they finally get a HEA that is acceptable to both of them. I received an ARC of this book from the author.
The second installment, gives a more wider view into Maxim and his life story and how Francesca handles it. The development in both the character’s themselves and their relationship is shines so well in book two. As both characters navigate their feelings for each other and how quickly their world is crumbling and changing, trouble brews. We get to explore Maxim and his twisted family in a deeper sense, and this exploration left a strain and unanswered questions in the air between Francesca and him.
A lesson from these stories which left an impression on me is how determined both characters, Francesca and Maxim, were NOT to be like the authoritative adult/parents in their lives. This rang truth with me for I too can relate with their pain in this area.
Though these series were definitely not my favorite from Lana Sky, make no mistake, to me she will always remain a mastermind in the dark arts of romance!
Frankie doesn’t have to worry about her family or the responsibilities that go with them when she is with Maxim. Promises are made by Maxim, but then his own family’s dealings come into play and they are dangerous. This puts their relationship in another bracket. What will they do now? You will need to read the book to find out. I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book.
What a beautiful story!
Frankie has some emotional and mental issues, she loves pain. When there is pain, she has clarity, she can think clearly. Frankie has so much responsibility for a young girl but she has never done anything for herself.
Maxim is a sadist and this is also from his upbringing.
In Maxims world there is danger and threat. And they have such a battle ahead of them.
Lana Sky writes emotionally raw and riveting stories. The reader feels all the anger and chaos in these words that Lana so painstakingly weaves in her story.
Intense, dark and twisted, this book pulls you in and keeps you on the edge as Maxim and Frankie’s story continues to unfold. Danger, suspense, drama, passion, pain and raw emotion all play a part in this gripping romance that is filled with brutality, no easy answers and every choice has the potential of creating dire consequenses. Exciting, entertaining and incredibly enjoyable.
In Submit I felt a connection to our main couple but nothing like the deep connection I had after finishing Obey.
Obey delved into their relationship on a much deeper level and it was so brilliantly written.
Raw, Emotional, and Tragic in so many ways.
I understood Francesca’s battle so much better, not only with her own feelings but with the outside influences that she felt shaped her choices – her mom – her siblings – her own sense of self-worth. My heart broke for her. She wanted freedom but at what price?
And then Maxim – I think I mentioned when I was discussing him in Submit that he is emotionally stunted and has some very deep seeded anger issues. In Obey, we get to see an even darker side of him and we are granted access to the very brutal truth that created the monster he is today. Like Francesca, I can’t hate him for his actions. I know I should but you have to admit he does try and Francesca is a willing participant.
Two broken souls – One perfect match
I think I commented before but just in case
-This is part of a series so yes you need to read the previous book.
-This is a romance between a Sadist and a Masochist – it is bloody and brutal – there are no apologies for who they are
-If S/m is not your thing or you do not normally play in the deep end of the dark romance genre might I suggest you not start with this series.
Obey is the sequel in the Club XXX series based on Maxim & Francesca. Their twisted love story had me hooked from the first book but in this it’s more dangerous, more heated and there’s so much more to learn about both characters!
I’ve been taken on a rollercoaster of emotions and even though I feel devoided of energy, I loved every page of this book! I can’t wait to see what Lana bring’s us next in M&F’s final story!