Cruel Deception: An Enemies to Lovers Mafia Romance

by Kat Bammer

🔥 HE KIDNAPPED ME TO USE AS A BARGAINING CHIP. HE DIDN’T KNOW WE WENT WAY BACK. 🔥

A high-stakes new installment in the Ruthless Rogues Mafia series. A dark, "Touch Her and Die" Bratva Romance perfect for fans of Danielle Lori and Sophie Lark.

Ivan Zotov isn't just my family's enemy because we're Italian Mafia, and he's Russian Bratva.
Nooo…it's his ruthless, cold-blooded nature that makes him enemy #1.

And as if being held captive wasn't bad enough, who's there to dwarf my one escape attempt?

None other than Ivan Zotov, 6'4'', covered in tattoos, built like a Russian Adonis.
He tackles me to the ground, then accuses me of being reckless for hurting myself, and then has the audacity to pretend to care…while kidnapping me himself.
I'm just a pawn in his game.
But the longer I’m trapped with him, the more the lines blur.

He doesn't just want to use me—he looks at me like he wants to consume me.

Not that I care.

Because I sure as hell won't fall for my kidnapper.
No matter if he looks at me as if he knows exactly who I am ( not my twin, who I pretend to be).
No matter how protective he is. And no matter that he catches every single one of my Jane Austen quotes.
I will not cave — especially since Italian Mafia Princess is not really all I am.
And I'm afraid he knows that too.

TROPES &
🇷🇺 Italian Mafia FMC vs. Russian Bratva Romance
🖤 Enemies to Lovers Mafia Romance
⛓️ Kidnapping Romance / Forced Proximity
💫 Shared Past / Fated Connection
💻 Kickass hacker FMC
🔥 Possessive Alpha Male Romance & "Touch Her and Die."
✅ Standalone (HEA Guaranteed)

Cruel Deception is a dark mafia romance that contains explicit scenes, kidnapping, and mature themes. It is Book 4 in the Ruthless Rogues Mafia series, but can be read as a complete standalone.

Genres: Mafia Romance, Enemies To Lovers

556 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2026

About the author

I write contemporary romantic suspense featuring alpha heroes who fall madly in love with the woman they're meant to be with—but who doesn't keel over, just because he's super-gorgeous, attentive, and overprotective.

Join their wild ride to Happy-Ever-After, jam-packed with heart-wrenching dark pasts, exciting obstacles, and sizzling chemistry.

When I'm not writing, I'm busy being a mom to the world's best kiddos or trying to keep my home under control (somehow I can't seem to make that one work). I'm an IT-Tech by day and by night I love to lose myself in a good romance book with a swoon-worthy hero and a kick-ass heroine.

Reviews

[Kayjah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kidnappings, rivalries, and skinny dipping (oh my)

This book was pretty enjoyable. I’m always a sucker for romance between rival teams. This plot was fast, full of tension, and honestly had a good backstory. I followed along pretty easily!

Another thing I’m a sucker for is a broody and complicated MMC, and a fiercely quick-witted FMC. Ivan and Isabella were a good match together. They are both smart and strategic without being too impersonal.

Although I did enjoy the plot and character, I did feel like I wanted a bit more from the writing. There were some parts of the book I skimmed over because I found myself losing interest, and sometimes I really wanted to like the characters but couldn't find myself feeling the tension or spark between them. Even with that being said, the reading experience was pretty good!

Thank you so much for choosing me as an ARC Reader!

[Cat1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cruel Deception is such an amazing story. This is an easy, enjoyable story to read, with a great storyline and characters. Ivan and Isabella meet with a little help from fate. Their story is a roller-coaster ride of events, that keep you interested and involved. It's an awesome story that I'll remember for a longtime and think of fondly. Looking forward to reading more from Kat.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Miss L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an advanced copy from the author.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved that it was enemies to lovers.

This book follows Ivan and Isabella.

I love a possessive and ruthless mafia man and Ivan is just that but I am glad we also got to see his softer side too.

Isabella is a strong FMC that is not afraid to stand up for herself and give some attitude back.

The spice is good too. Definitely worth reading the bonus chapter of this book.

This book is definitely worth the read, you certainly will not be disappointed

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC

This is book 5 from the interconnected series from the Ruthless Rouges series

We follow Isabella and Ivan, who clash and fight from the moment they meet giving us the enemies to lovers vibe we love so much

So much action in this book, with twists and surprises, that help build the tension between the 2 main characters,  so many other sup characters from previous books and future possibilities

[Chanti Height · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book, it follows the story of Ivan and Isabella and is an enemies to lovers with a lot of sass! It is a little confusing to start off with but stick with it, it does answer questions that you didn't know you had. Its such a well written story and rally draws you in and gets you attached to the characters

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

CRUEL DECEPTION is the fourth instalment in Kat Bammer’s contemporary, adult RUTHLESS ROGUES MAFIA dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is Russian Bratva soldier Ivan Zotov, and twenty-three year old, Italian Mafia princess Isabella Salvini’s story line. CRUEL DECEPTION can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ivan and Isabella) CRUEL DECEPTION follows in the aftermath of the abduction of Isabella Salvini, and her twin sister Mirabella by the Russian Bratva. Ivan Zotov has been ordered to bring in the Salvini sisters, but more specifically Isabella Salvini. Ivan’s boss Gray wants something from Isabella but Ivan’s protector side is about to come full circle when he realizes Isabella’s connection to his own past. Something about Grey’s demands doesn’t sit well with everyone involved, and with the help of Isabella, Ivan will discover a lifelong betrayal that threatens everyone he loves.

The world building is detailed and intriguing as the reader is up close and personal with the memories from the past as Ivan reveals the horrors from his past, and Isabella confesses the demons that continue to haunt. A mutual connection triggers a search for the truth, as our couple uncover the hidden secrets that have affected them both.

The relationship between Ivan and Isabella begins as an abduction. Isabella refuses to be the victim yet a case of mistaken identity thrusts our heroine to take charge. Ivan is about to discover the reality of what was, and refuses to accept Isabella as a pawn. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, powerful and determined secondary and supporting characters including Isabella’s twin sister Mirabella, there brother Vince and his wife Jemma, as well as Jemma’s sister Cara Donnelly; Fiona and Alex Falcone-Moretti; Gabe, Anton and Cristo Falcone, and Vince’s best friend Domenico Rossi , and Raptor security specialists Hawk and Birdie. The requisite evil has many faces.

CRUEL DECEPTION is a story of organized crime, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is gritty and edgy; the romance is spicy and impassioned ; the characters are startling, sassy and lively.

copy supplied for review

[The girl and her books · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Cruel Deception by Kat Bammer in exchange for an honest review.

This was an engaging mafia romance with strong chemistry and some truly enjoyable character work, even if the overall plot left me wanting more. Let me explain !

I loved the banter. The dialogues between the main characters were easily one of the highlights. Their back-and-forth felt natural, sharp, and fun to read. I loved how independent, intelligent, and resourceful Isa was. Her past trauma added depth, and I appreciated how she had healed, or as much as it was possible. Ivan... what can i say? Classic “hard outside, soft inside” energy. He’s dangerous and intimidating but also deeply protective and surprisingly gentle with her. What I especially loved was how he gave her space to assert herself and how he treated her with respect and care, as a true partner. 🔥 Once the story got going, I was completely pulled into their dynamic.

For a reason I could not explain, it's not the romance between them that hit me the ardest but how the author wrote about trauma. It deeply resonated with me.

💬 Favorite quotes:

“Trauma wasn't what happened to you; it was what it did with you, what changed within you, what broke or splintered.”
“But now I think maybe we're not broken, just changed.”

These lines really captured the emotional core of the story for me.

Yet, the biggest issue for me was the plot clarity at the beginning. It felt like I might have been missing context from interconnected books, and it took a short while to fully settle into the story. More importantly, by the end, the focus leaned heavily toward the romance over the overarching plot. While I understand some answers may come in future books, too many questions were left unresolved here in my opinion. The ending felt a bit incomplete and, honestly, a little frustrating.

Tropes & content notes:

Enemies to lovers

Overprotective alpha

Mafia romance

Mentions of past sexual abuse (not on page)

Final thoughts:

If you’re a mafia romance or smut lover, there is definitely a lot here to enjoy — especially the character chemistry and protective MMC vibes. For me, the strong relationship development wasn’t quite enough to offset the lingering plot gaps, which is why this lands at 3 stars instead of 4.

Still a very entertaining read that I would recommend.

Thank you Kat Bammer for offering me this ARC.

[Kim Cass · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very start, Ivan and Isabella have been at each other’s throats, with bad blood running deep between their families. But when Ivan is ordered to take her captive, everything changes and they end up getting way closer than either of them ever planned. It quickly becomes clear that fate and their hearts have tied these two together in a way that neither of them can run from, even if they tried…

“You have it. My company, my protection, my love. Always.”

Y’all, here I thought that Vince was my guy, the love of my life, the apple of my eye (FIGHT ME JEMMA!), but then came Ivan who wholly stole my heart. Can I just say, like Kat Bammer just comes out with these 10/10, raw and in front of my parents kinda guys and I’m just left wondering, WHEN WILL IT BE MY TURN? Surely there’s a Zotov/Salvini/Moretti/Falcone brother for me, right…RIGHT?

Anyways, back to Ivan who was the ultimate loverboy, our very own Jane Austen quoting cinnamon roll. Ivan’s been elusive and mysterious throughout the series thus far so of course I was intruiged but I really didn’t think I’d love him the way I did. He was loving, caring, emotionally intelligent despite him claiming not to be. He cared for his family deeply and was just so authentic. He really was as endearing as Vince for me which is why they both fight so hard for those he loves.

“I’ve got you,” I whispered again, pressing my lips to her knuckles. “And I’m not letting go.”

And of course this is why Isabella was truly the perfect fit for him. Mafia princess who? This woman was a queen, through and through. She was smart, spunky, not afraid to hold her own and had the fiery attitude of a true queen. She went through so much at such a young age and yet it never defined her, it only made her stronger, more ready to take on the mafia life.

There was just something so intoxicating about them together, it was like a magnetic pull, even when it wasn’t clear where their loyalties or feelings lay. I love love LOVED the build up and eventual relationship that came forward. It was so satisfying to see them become partners and support each other. It was a true enemies to lovers done right, sass and craziness included. And can I mention how good the plot itself was? This isn’t just a mafia romance with spice, there’s a whole ongoing story that really keeps you engaged throughout.

I’ve loved the entire Ruthless Rogues Mafia series so far and can’t WAIT for Cara and Chris’s book next, not to mention Matt and Nina’s reunion (and Anton and Mira). This family (extended as it may be) is truly so intertwined and I enjoy every moment of being in this world. Kat, you’ve outdone yourself once again!

[Melissa Block · Rating 5 out of 5]

The long anticipated next book in the Ruthless Rogues series is finally here and I for one loved every bit of it. I think this is the best book Kat Bammer has written to date. This is Isabella and Ivan's story and takes off like runners leaving the starting blocks. This book is non-stop action that will leave you breathless and maybe a little hot under the collar too.
Isabella has a secret, she has an alternate identity. Islet, a cunning underground hacker the likes of Robin Hood. She steals from the rich (the evil underbelly of society) to give the money to people more deserving. But not everyone is pleased with her activity. She catches the eye of a twisted sadistic underworld player and that is how she gets acquainted with Ivan.
Ivan is an underling in the mafia game, expected to follow orders. And his orders are to grab Isabella and bring her to his boss. But something happens when he carries out the plan. He falls for her. He can't get enough of her sharp tongue and quick wit, or her incredible intelligence and skills of observation. She gets under his skin and buries herself deep, and all he wants to do is keep her safe from what is coming for her.
Isabella is funny and feisty, smart and sexy, and so much more. She is most of all very protective of the ones she loves. The things she has endured makes you admire her and maybe just want to be like her. I loved her character. But Ivan just may prove to be her kryptonite. She cannot resist him and his gruff exterior, especially when she gets to see his much softer center as pasts are revealed. Their chemistry is undeniable and scorching hot nearly burning up my e-reader.
So many secrets and surprises I was on the edge of my seat for much of this book. I don't want to give too much away and ruin it for anyone, so I am doing my best to keep this brief and spoiler free.
I just could not turn pages fast enough and just had to keep going until I had finished. I absolutely loved this book and would read it again. I highly recommend picking this up. It is technically a stand alone, but would be much better if read in the release order to have the backstory.
Thank you to Kat Bammer for the advanced copy to read and review.

[Shelly Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

There really should be a way to rate in 1/2 stars. This book was actually 4.5 stars. First, personally it was too long between Dangerous Devotion which came out in November 2024 and this one to remember everything. It took a while to really get into the story line since it does pick up during and right after that book. That said, read Sinister Intentions and Dangerous Devotion (the only duet that makes sense to be a duet) before jumping into this one. It will make the storyline flow much easier.

The frustrating (not bad but I did wonder why we needed to suspend reality in some cases) parts were Jemma and Isabella were so close in the prior two books but seem distant in this one. Milla is window dressing & as such, hopefully her book is skipped, or she grows sass and an attitude. The new syndicate - really this is where the suspension comes in. Did they know what Grey was doing because the facts point to they did, were going to let him keep doing it and even escape. They seemed more concerned about Ivan. The whole grandfathers were founding fathers, but the fathers weren't involved and this generation has no knowledge is a bit farfetched. The big bad syndicate seemed weak.

That said, once I was able to fall into the book & mostly remembered who was who, etc. it flowed pretty smoothly and quickly. With the exception of the family arriving on the island without backup & not handling the Uncle Marcus situation even though they all seemed to know. This one seemed to focus more on Ivan's backstory, Isabella's hacking, and setting up the next couples up than the actual business side. Maybe that's why the syndicate seemed to lack the will to truly deal with things. That's fine because the interaction between Ivan and Isabella was enough to carry the book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[MandysBookish Mind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivan was such a good enemies-to-lovers hero. Watching Isabella recognize her attraction to him but continue to push it aside felt realistic and perfectly paced. She didn’t just fall into his arms. It took time, tension, and the moment when he protected her in exactly the right way for her to finally see through the curtain.


The direction of the plot worked so well. It had a clear purpose, but still gave the romance room to grow naturally. The entire time I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. Things felt almost too simple on the surface for a while, but underneath there was always something more complicated brewing. And the discoveries made along the way had me sitting there in awe more than once.

I loved that Ivan’s family was involved and so actively part of the story. They acted as a buffer so it wasn’t just the two of them in a bubble, and that added a dynamic that would have been missing otherwise. As more people joined the group, seeing everyone together, even with all the animosity and tension, made the relationships feel fuller and more real.

The tension towards the end was real and I was worried it would end in a spot that left me hanging. But I loved how it was wrapped it and how everything was handled to an extent. Overall, this was an enemies-to-lovers story with tension, fate, and just the right amount of emotional payoff. I received this as an ARC and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

God woman, you're robbing me of my goddamn mind.

[Anaie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS — Dark, addictive, and unexpectedly soft where it counts


Cruel Deception by Kat Bammer completely pulled me in from the first chapter. If you love mafia romance with intense tension, sharp banter, and a morally grey hero who’s more layered than he first appears — this one delivers.


Ivan Zotov is everything you expect from a Bratva anti-hero: intimidating, strategic, dangerous. But what makes this story stand out is the subtle emotional depth beneath that hardened exterior. He’s not just a ruthless captor — he’s complex, controlled, and surprisingly attentive in ways that completely shift the dynamic.


And the heroine? Absolutely loved her. She’s clever, resilient, and refuses to shrink — even in a situation designed to break her. The power balance between them constantly shifts, which makes the tension feel electric rather than predictable.


What really worked for me:


Strong enemies-to-lovers tension


Forced proximity done right


A confident, intelligent heroine


A protective (but still dangerous) anti-hero


Sharp dialogue and strong chemistry


Mafia rivalry atmosphere without losing emotional depth


The romance builds in that slow, reluctant way that makes every interaction feel charged. There’s intensity, but there’s also character development — and that balance is what made it such an addictive read.


As the fourth standalone in the Ruthless Rogues series, it holds its own beautifully while expanding the world in an engaging way.


Huge thank you for the ARC — I loved every minute of this one.

[Whitney Cruthird · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this advanced copy from the Author herself.

I love the enemies to lovers. Possessive MMC and Independent FMC. Both value family and family come first motto.

The book started off a little confusing with the girls getting kidnapped and trapped in pods all with their father being behind it somehow. But then Birdie!!! Ahhh Birdie badass comes in to rescue them but Isa and Ivan well that’s how their story begins. The banter between the two of them through the whole book will leave you on your toes as well as laughing and wanting to pull your hair out. Isa is strong and independent but also protective. Ivan is stubborn but also protective and falls quickly but doesn’t realize his feelings and what they truly are.

Vince and Jemma they are just the cutest and having Alex and Fee plus Cristo and Cara now there’s a story waiting to happen. Plus I feel like Mirabella and Anton have a spark forming along with Matt and Nina past history maybe?! Only Kat will let us know.

I throughly enjoyed this book and the bonus epilogue was the perfect ending to wrap everything up and let Ivan and Isa have their moment.

My Isa and Ivan ❤️ favorite quote “God, woman,” he growled, “you’re robbing me of my goddamn mind.”

There’s so much more but you will have to read it to find out just how much of a sentimental psychopath Ivan is 🤭

[Donna Goretski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cruel Deception by Kat Bammer is a fast-paced, twisty read that kept me guessing from the very first chapter. While the transition between Chapters 1 and 2 was a bit abrupt—leaving me momentarily confused about how Isabella and Jemma went from a peaceful garden scene to being kidnapped en route to the airport—the story quickly found its footing and delivered plenty of suspense. The stakes are high, but at times I wished for a bit more clarity about what, or who, the characters were being protected from.
One of the standout moments for me was the clever use of a defibrillator and alcohol-soaked gauze to create a fire. It’s inventive touches like these that make the action scenes memorable. The banter between the main characters is another highlight—especially the running joke about “evil henchman school” and the thesis on interrogation techniques. These exchanges add levity and depth to the characters, making them feel real and relatable.
There was some inconsistency in how Jemma’s relationship with Vincenzo was described early on (wife or fiancé?), but this is clarified later as they are revealed to be married and on their honeymoon. Ivan’s line— “It was either Jane Austen or Mary Shelley. And I’m deathly afraid of monsters”—was a personal favorite, blending literary references with humor.
I received a free copy of this book via BookFunnel, and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions stated are solely my own and were not influenced by outside sources.

[Beverley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved being back in the world of all those ruthless rogues - the Salvinis, Falcones, Morettis and now the Zotovs. The alpha swagger between Vince and Ivan is first class!
Ivan Zotov comes across as this intimidating, mysterious, ruthless and disciplined individual but appearances can be so deceiving. He is so much more than that with a deep sense of loyalty and protectiveness towards those he cares about. Enter Isabella, a total spitfire of a woman who, in a world full of alpha men and control, manages to steer her own course in life.
Both Ivan and Isabella are full or surprises including their love of literary classics! The fact that the reader discovers they had a shared past, which has now come full circle, had chills running down my spine but it was just so perfect too. I loved the push and pull between the characters, the verbal sparring and the underlying Mafia / Bratva theme.
There’s plenty of action, edge of your seat tension, unexpected twists and romance too! Although this can be read as a standalone, I’m glad I’d read the previous books in the series as it provided context for some events in this book. More please!

Thank you for the early copy.

[Simply Adventures · Rating 2 out of 5]

dnfd at 37%

repetitive. stalled. story is bogged down with repetitive dialogue.

spoilers...

starts out with FMC 8yo at a funeral where she is SAd by "uncle" marcus who is also watching kids fighting in an underground fighting ring on his laptop. shes smart so she remembers the url. couldn't log in but she went to the park which happened to be next to a police station where is she handed a note to one of the police officers to tell them that kids were being hurt. time jumps to the women being kidnapped. dunno how or from where the MMC was one of these kids. I'm assuming some of them are the fmcs of other books in the series. the FMC is an identical Twin Mirabella Isabella( fmc). some escape but FMC & Mira get taken to Mr Grey who is a bit obsessed with FmC because you later find out that she's a vigilante who is a computer hacker. they don't realize that Mira and Isabella switch places until about chapter 15. there's also another underlying storyline going on where they want the twins brother to get in line and start participating or being friendly with the other organization. pretty boring super repetitive and the story doesn't really go anywhere

[Cayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I received this book as an ARC I was excited to read the next installment in the series. I didn’t think I could love a couple more than Vince and Jemma , but I was proven wrong .

The interaction from the beginning between Ivan and Isabella pulled me in.The way they traded banter, loving quotes , then grew from there to getting along to then falling in love when there was so many reason not to.

When reading the last book I thought Jemma would be the fiercest FMC , but Isabella came in hot with all of her protective personality . She was willing to do what was needed to save the people she loved .

Throughout the book seeing how Ivan came to be the way he is and then seeing the transformation to the new him is heartwarming .

Shorty and her monster have a special place in my heart after this book, and can’t wait to see glimpses of them throughout the rest of the books in the series.

One of my favorite lines is
“Yet here I was, measuring bath salts with the precision of someone defusing a bomb.”

[Kazz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is fourth book in the Ruthless Rogues Mafia series and is Ivan and Isabella’s story. This book can be read as a stand-alone but the full experience is best having read the previous books. I enjoyed reading this book and I was hooked from the very first page until the last! Ivan now a member of Russian Bratva, grew up rough, no family, learning to survive life on the streets. Isabella, a Mafia Princess, as a young girl she saw her uncle, who, she was very scared of, watching something terrible on his screen, there was a young boy fighting for his life, and all Isabella wanted to do was help him,
Many years later, Ivan is given orders to kidnap Isabella and her twin sister, but Isabella was the main target.
There were so many twists and turns, danger, violence, lies and betrayal that Ivan and Isabella faced but the unbelievable hot chemistry between them was something that couldn’t be ignored for too long.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book via BookFunnel and I am writing this review voluntarily

[Tesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really had me captured from the very first page. It was really original in concept and the characters were so great.

Isabella keeps her hacker identity a secret but when she and her twin sister gets kidnapped, it is her kidnapper Ivan and his siblings who protect them.

I really loved how Ivan and Isabella met but also the secrets that are found out along the way. I also enjoyed how Isabella is so protective of her sister and her family. But with Ivan she gets to be herself eventually. It is a real learning curve for both of them.

They both have history but the connection only enhances the depth of their relationship. Their chemistry is so loving.

Danger, a great suspense and fast paced action really doesn't let you put the book down. The romance is rife throughout the book and not just with Isabella and Ivan.

Such an amazing read. Brilliant plot and characters that really make the story fantastic. So good truly!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been looking forward to Isabella and Ivan’s story, but since it's been a while since I read Vince and Jemma’s duology, it was like reading a standalone in a series blindly for the first couple of chapters until my memory caught up lol That being said, if you haven't read the previous 4 books in the series, you can totally read this one and be okay.

I really wanted to know who the mysterious Mr. Grey was and kept reading to hopefully get clues and figure it out – he wasn't who I thought he was, but he's no less of a terrible human being.

I enjoyed the banter and tension between Isabella and Ivan. I like how fate seems to have brought them together. They saved each other 🥰

I'm excited that Cristo and Cara are next! I'm hoping there will be a Matt and Nina book, too 🤞🏻 But the potential for Anton, Roman, Mira, and Mila to get books is there, too.

I received a free advance copy of this book from the author.

[Daisy.readsromance · Rating 4 out of 5]

ⵊ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅɴ’ᴛ ᴘᴜᴛ ᴛʜɪs ᴅᴏᴡɴ!

ᗯᕼᗩT TO ᗴ᙭ᑭᗴᑕT:
☠️𝗠𝗮𝗳𝗶𝗮 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
🥀𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀
☠️𝗞𝗶𝗱𝗻𝗮𝗽𝗽!𝗻𝗴
🥀𝗛𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗠𝗖

✨𝒯𝒽ℴ𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉𝓈✨
An Italian Mafia princess is taken captive by the Bratva and unexpectedly falls in love with her kidnapper, talk about complicated! Isabella is a talented hacker who is capable of cracking any system and is being held hostage for her skills. However, Ivan Zotov, her kidnapper, is a morally grey hero who has his own agenda. They unknowingly have made a huge impact on each other’s childhood that binds them together. Their relationship is forbidden and complex, just the way I love my mafia romances!

Isabella is not supposed to feel such a strong connection with Ivan, but it's impossible to escape. Their chemistry is great, with plenty of banter and tension. Their romance is a very slow burn and engaging. This book is my first by Kat Bammer, but it certainly won't be my last. I look forward to exploring more of her work. If you enjoy mafia romances with enemies-to-lovers dynamics, definitely give this book a read. A big thank you to Kat for this read.

𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: 𝟰.𝟮𝟱⭐️ |𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 𝟯/𝟱🌶️

[Shifty Bugger]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book I was hooked from the start, the story was written well and the characters were amazing. This book was about Ivan and Isabella, before adulthood she had seen him fighting for his life on her uncles computer, she didn't like her uncle she would hide when he came overhears home. Ivan, he has always grown up alone learning to survive, he was rescued by a man that he works for fifteen years. There was so many twist and turns, action-packed, suspense, danger, violence, betrayal, lies, deceit, trauma, and a lot more emotions throughout. Yet the heat that poured out through the adrenaline pumping then they would try and resist each other, except when he kisses her the moaning is inevitable but can they find love between them.

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this from the author and this is my honest review.

Cruel Deception is a medium-paced, enemies to lovers, mafia romance. It's filled with tension and high stakes drama that kept me turning the page!

I found myself having to go back several times and re-read things as people were seemingly introduced out of no where and referenced like I was supposed to know who they were (I think they are characters in previous books). I think if I had read the previous books in the series I would have enjoyed this one more. I also found parts of it to be repetitive and the book to be a bit long - I think it could've been shorted by about 100 pages and I would have enjoyed it more.

Overall, this book was super fun to read! The FMC was strong and tough which I always appreciate and the MMC was filled with touch her and d!e energy!

[Diana Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isabella/Shorty and Ivan have so much unknown history between them. It takes 15 years, a kidnapping and recruitment to the Paraskia to bring it out. This storyline was well written, I loved how the author intertwined the past and present to give them a future. The characters are a mix of morally grey, cocky brothers and a sisterhood of both blood and chosen women. There is talk of past sexual abuse, children trafficked and made to fight for their lives. If you have triggers please be careful in choosing to read this book. 4✨’s for a book that kept me engaged for the most part 4 🌶️’s for heat content. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was phenomenal! I missed the deadline but was still able to download and read it, I just had to wait til release day to review. And boy, was the read worth it. I read this in 5 hours and couldn't put it down! The mystery, the steam, the anticipation, the enemies to lovers, the sass. Every bit of this book keeps you hooked from the first sentence. I loved the back and forth antagonistic commentary between the two main characters and the background characters added so much lightness to some of the dark portions of the plot. Truly worth the very late night and early morning getting kids on the bus 😅 I'm now waiting impatiently for the next book! Thank you!!

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy well-written enemies to so much more, you definitely need to read this book. Ivan and Isabella have some amazing chemistry and I just love her sass. She doesn’t just play a meek woman. She can take care of herself or at least try. Don’t even think about hurting her twin, Mirabella. When Ivan kidnaps Isabella, he’s surprised when she tries to escape. Eventually, they come to an agreement and work together to find who’s at the root of the evil going on. No spoilers, so grab your copy and get ready to fall in love with Ivan.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Aleksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cruel Deception is an addictive, enemies-to-lovers mafia romance that hooks you from the first page. Ivan and Isabella’s tension-filled interactions—full of banter, sparks, and dangerously delicious chemistry—kept me glued to the story. The high-stakes action, clever twists, and inventive suspense moments, like a defibrillator-turned-fire, make this more than just a romance—it’s thrilling and unpredictable. Kat Bammer nails the mix of heat, humor, and heart, creating characters you can’t help but root for. A must-read for mafia romance fans!

[amanda smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this series. It started strong and every single book lures me right back in. Ivan has been this mysterious person throughout and him being part with Isabella was just perfection! When we got a glimpse of her in the last two books it was just enough to make me curious about her and hoped her story was coming. Her and Ivan were definitely meant for each other, challenging each other right from the start. It’s awesome that we get to see where the others are from the other books. Anxiously awaiting the next one as always!

[Fleur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much, Ivan was delicious with how he was so Alpha most of the time, but when it came to Shorty aka Isabella/Bella he would do anything for her including letting her be her true self. It's not a meet cute but these two unknowingly were meant to be and had shaped how each other's lives would be. There is plenty going on not only with Bella's family and Ivan's as well as secrets being uncovered and the chance for new beginnings and alliances. I'm counting down until the next book!!

[Kristen Thibodeaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you get when you combine a Russian rogue with a super hacker? You get Cruel Deception! It's a blend of a sassy FMC, an MMC who is morally gray, and lots of twin confusion! We get updates on ALL our favorite characters, a great setup for future stories, and did I mention we meet Zotov's siblings and get to explore the Paraskia? For more, pick up this action packed novel and enjoy Ivan and Isabella's story!