My Forced by the Bratva King Book Review - No Spoilers
Plot Summary
I picked up Forced by the Bratva King by Lexi Carter because I was craving a dark, high-stakes mafia romance with real bite. This is the first book in the Tarasov Bratva series, and it sets the tone early: Artem Tarasov, a dangerous Russian mafia kingpin, is both charming and relentless—a man who always gets what he wants, no matter the cost. The story follows a young woman who stumbles down the wrong alley and witnesses exactly how ruthless Artem can be. Instead of erasing her as a loose end, Artem kidnaps her and gives her a deadly ultimatum: agree to a forced marriage and save her life, or face the consequences.
The arrangement is meant to be all business, but things get tangled as physical desire and raw emotion start to cut through the fear and power plays. Artem is nearly twice her age and completely unreadable—every interaction is a gamble. When their connection turns physical, the heat is immediate and electrifying. Soon, an unexpected pregnancy creates a permanent tie between them, trapping both in a web of danger, loyalty, and secrets. The story never lets up, balancing mafia violence, forbidden attraction, and the question of whether true belonging is possible with a man everyone fears.
Why I Love This Book
I love how this book refuses to play it safe: it’s intense, dark, and throws its characters straight into the fire. The chemistry between the leads is magnetic—their every interaction is layered with fear, resistance, raw need, and grudging respect. Artem isn’t a softened “bad boy”; he’s dangerous, dominant, and hardened by loss, but moments of vulnerability cut through his cruelty, making his character unexpectedly compelling.
The heroine’s voice feels real: I could sense her terror and confusion, but also her stubbornness and refusal to break. I loved watching her grapple with her forced situation and come out swinging—her journey from victim to (sometimes) willing participant is messy but believable. The forced marriage plot is executed with real tension, never letting me forget what’s at stake. The steamy scenes are genuinely hot but also serve to deepen the emotional twists. Underneath all the threats and violence, there are glimpses of intimacy and the hope that even monsters can change.
Who Will Like This Book
If you love dark mafia romance with power imbalances, age gaps, forced proximity, and antiheroes who don’t hold back, this book is for you. It’s perfect for readers who want explicit, high-heat scenes and psychological tension that never quite lets go. If you want a story where the heroine refuses to give up, even in the most impossible circumstances, you’ll be gripped. The violence and darker themes are ever-present, so if you need fluff or slow-burn sweetness, this is not your book.
⚠️ Trigger warning: The novel contains graphic sexual content, kidnapping, forced marriage, violence, power struggles, and psychological manipulation. Some scenes involve non-consensual themes and dominance. This is strictly for adult readers who are comfortable with dark romance—always check content warnings if you have sensitivities.
Tagged As
dark romance, mafia romance, Russian mafia, forced marriage, age gap, kidnapping, antihero, possessive hero, psychological, enemies to lovers, surprise pregnancy, explicit romance, power dynamics, trauma, forbidden romance, open-door romance, dominant hero, strong heroine, series, HEA, indie romance, kindle unlimited
Steam Level
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Insanely Hot
