My Her Russian Surrender Book Review - No Spoilers
Plot Summary
I picked up Her Russian Surrender by Theodora Taylor because I wanted a romance that hits hard right from the beginning—with grit, heat, and characters who refuse to fit a mold. This is the second book in the Ruthless Rustanovs series, and it stands out for its unfiltered storytelling and fierce emotional push-pull. The story follows Sam McKinley, a social worker who’s spent her life craving safety—a stable family, a good guy, an escape from chaos. That dream erupts when she meets Nikolai Rustanov, a Russian hockey player with arrogance to spare and a commitment to never falling in love.
Their worlds crash together almost instantly—one charged meeting kicks off a string of events that neither can walk away from. At the center is a tragedy that binds them: Sam unexpectedly bonds with an orphaned boy who turns out to be Nikolai’s nephew. Suddenly, Sam is hired as the boy’s caretaker, and Nikolai insists she (along with her dog) move into his mansion. What starts as a battle of wills quickly becomes something more—the lines between employer/employee and man/woman blur fast, especially with Nikolai’s relentless pursuit and Sam’s determination to stay independent. All of this action unfolds amidst family tension, snarky banter, and real vulnerability.
Why I Love This Book
I love the explosive chemistry that never lets up. From page one, I felt the fire between Sam and Nikolai—just the right mix of conflict and longing that made every scene feel loaded. Nikolai is not a soft hero; he’s blunt, possessive, a little morally grey, and refuses to back down. I like that Taylor never tries to sand down his edges. Sam, on the other hand, is grounded and practical—her resistance is just as powerful as his persistence, which makes the chase feel honestly earned.
One thing that really works for me is how authentic the emotional journey is. Both main characters wrestle with broken dreams and the fear of real intimacy. I felt for Sam’s desire for normalcy and Nikolai’s deep isolation. The scenes with the orphaned nephew bring a genuine heart to the book, layering parental instincts and found family into the steam. The dialogue is sharp, often laugh-out-loud funny, and the dramatic moments deliver real impact without ever getting bogged down in melodrama. I finished the book rooting for not just the couple, but the whole chaotic mess of their new family unit.
Who Will Like This Book
If you love sports romance, forced proximity, found family, and antiheroes who don’t apologize for being themselves, you’ll want this one. It’s perfect if you want a heroine who can hold her own and a hero who’s possessive, protective, and sometimes downright exasperating. The steam level is high—this is open-door romance, so be ready for explicit, passionate scenes. If you crave emotional stakes, tough love, and perfectly imperfect leads, you’ll find a lot to sink your teeth into.
⚠️ Trigger warning: This book contains explicit sexual content, family trauma, references to childhood neglect, and power struggles. Some dynamics may feel intense for sensitive readers—always check content warnings before starting.
Tagged As
contemporary romance, hockey romance, sports romance, Russian hero, found family, forced proximity, guardian/ward, possessive hero, caretaker heroine, interracial romance, open-door romance, explicit romance, trauma, strong heroine, grumpy hero, dual pov, series, HEA, indie romance, kindle unlimited
Steam Level
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Explicit
