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Beast (Popov Boys Book 5) by Leslie Georgeson – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Beast (Popov Boys #5)Beast by Leslie Georgeson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beast is Book Five in the Popov Boys Series. Although this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. This was a beautifully written story about two scarred souls who form a friendship that builds into a romance. Adrik has earned the name Beast because his face is badly scarred from having been attacked by a dog when he was a child. He feels that he has no hopes of ever finding love because of how he looks. Annika is a mafia princess who Adrik has been assigned to protect after she was attacked so viciously in the past that she was temporarily in a wheelchair. When her attacker resurfaces and threatens to finish the job Annika is put under the watch of Adrik and one other bodyguard and kept in a safe location. Adrik and Annika begin to grow close as they spend time together sharing painful secrets and confiding in one another about feeling like outcasts. When Annika’s attacker seeks to follow through with his threats, Adrik vows to protect Annika at all costs.

The storyline of two scarred individuals forging a friendship that turns into more over time is what grabbed my attention. The characters were wonderfully written and lovable. Beast/Adrik’s past is painful as he comes from an abusive home. He vowed to become something and has worked hard over the years to work his way up in the Popov Crime Family as their interrogator and thug. Having been viciously attacked by a dog as a child has scarred him on the inside as well as on the outside and he feels as though he is a monster that is unworthy of love. He has always admired Annika from afar, but she has been off limits to him because it is his boss’ daughter. What he does not realize is that Annika has always been curious about him, and she also does not feel like she belongs. Annika is not a spoiled princess but is kind, compassionate, empathetic, and loving. As they spend time together Adrik realizes that this beautiful woman can see past his scars. This book was wonderful with action, suspense, mystery, drama, friendship, forbidden romance, passion, and a few twists and turns to keep you reading.

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Thief (Popov Boys Book 4) by Leslie Georgeson – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Thief (Popov Boys #4)Thief by Leslie Georgeson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thief is Book Four in the Popov Boys Series. This author was new to me, and I have yet to read the first three books in the series, but I know that I will be going back to read them. With that being said, although this is part of a series it can be read as a standalone. This book will suck you in from the first few pages and have you hooked on the characters of Dominik and Leah and the undeniable chemistry between them.

Dominik works for the Russian Mafia and is known by his name Thief. When Dom tries to steal Leah’s car, things do not go as he had planned. He certainly did not expect the car’s owner to jump in the front seat or confront him. When Dom discovers that the car’s owner is a famous country star, he decides to let her go but she must not tell anyone about what happened. Dom knows that she will not say anything because he knows of the dark secrets, she carries that will ruin her career if revealed. He puts it behind him, or thinks that he has, until he runs into her again while visiting his brother. As the two spend time together the attraction between them grows and the chemistry becomes intense. When Leah’s secrets and dark past come back to haunt her and put her life and future at risk Dom vows to protect her at all costs.

This book was fast paced, had a fantastic storyline, and great characters. The way in which Dom and Leah meet is unusual to say the least. When Dom and Leah meet, it seems as though they could not be more opposite in how they live their lives and who they are. Dom is used to keeping a low profile, is a bit rough around the edges, and refuses to become attached to anyone. Underneath that tough exterior is a man with a big heart who finally meets his match and lets his guard down. Leah is a celebrity who is used to being in the spotlight and having all the attention on her. Under the glitz and glamor is a woman who has been harboring secrets from a dark past and who has been living under a false identity. When the two meet the chemistry between them sizzles and the attraction between them grows. This book was full of action, suspense, mystery, intrigue, secrets, lies, chemistry, passion, and twists and turns that will have you reading until the end.

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Punk (Popov Boys Book 6) by Leslie Georgeson – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes

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Punk (Popov Bratva #6)Punk by Leslie Georgeson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Punk is book Six in the Popov Boys series. Although this book is part of a series it can be read as a standalone. The series keeps getting better with each book though, so I highly recommend reading the first five books. Each book gives a bit of background information on the different recurring characters, and then focuses on one character for that book. This storyline is centered around the attraction between a younger man and an older woman.

Efram is a bit of a wild guy with a few inner demons and baggage that he has been carrying around since his aunt’s death. Trying to flee from his past he goes out at night as Punk and pursues criminals to bring to justice. His nighttime activities as Punk put his life at risk so he attempts to give it up. He applies for a job as a bookkeeper at Miranda’s record company and Efram and Miranda feel an instant attraction to one another. What Efram does not know is that Miranda thinks that Punk is responsible for killing her brother and she has vowed revenge against him. She is also in the middle of a messy divorce from her rockstar husband after she caught him repeatedly cheating on her. Miranda does not want a relationship while in the middle of a divorce, especially one with a younger man. However, Efram feels a connection to Miranda and is determined to be with her. Will this attraction lead to more? Or will it sizzle out before it ever gets a chance to start?

Another phenomenal story by this talented author. I will admit that this one intrigued me because of the younger man and older woman storyline. (My husband is fifteen years my junior and we have an amazing relationship, so this naturally captivated my attention.) So often it is older men with younger women, so this was a refreshing change. The added elements of danger, secrets, lies, hidden identities, and crazy exes really made this a riveting read. The characters of Efram and Miranda are written beautifully and the attraction between them practically explodes off the pages. Efram comes across as a bit of a wild card as he pursues criminals to bring to justice but underneath that rough exterior, he is trying to work through a past that haunts him. Wanting to leave that behind him leads him to Miranda. She too, is working through inner demons and carrying around baggage. Miranda is a smart, determined, hardworking businesswoman with a good head on her shoulders. She tries to deny her attraction to Efram but the chemistry between them was explosive and undeniable. This book was full of action, suspense, drama, secrets, intrigue, mystery, suspense, chemistry, passion, romance, and twists and turns that will keep you reading until the end.

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