Kostya (Her Russian Protector #7)

Roxie Rivera

Aug 2019 · Night Works Books

About this ebook

After a nightmare blind date, hair stylist Holly Phillips swears off men. The only problem with that plan? Her mysterious and sinfully sexy neighbor Kostya who appeared from the shadows and saved her on that cold, scary night.

Russian covert operative turned infamous mob cleaner Kostya Antonovich lives his life by one major rule: Don’t Get Involved. But when the lies surrounding Holly’s birth begin to unravel, Kostya’s only choice is to break that rule and break it hard. 

He’ll use every last tool in that sinister black bag of his to protect Holly from a cartel hit squad and the notorious KGB operative who has escaped a grim Russian prison to seek his revenge.

For her, he’ll risk it all.

Ratings and reviews

KOSTYA is the seventh instalment in Roxie Rivera’s contemporary, adult HER RUSSIAN PROTECTOR Russian romance series. This is Russian mob cleaner Konstantin ‘Kostya’ Antonovich, and hair stylist Holly Phillips’ story line. KOSTYA can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous storylines is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion. Told from first person point of view (Holly), and third person (Kostya) KOSTYA follows the building relationship and romance between neighbors Russian mob cleaner Konstantin ‘Kostya’ Antonovich, and hair stylist Holly Phillips. Kostya Antonovich knows war approaches, and Holly has been targeted for sins of the past. Hoping to protect the woman that calls to his heart, Kostya calls in a favor using his team of ‘spiders’ to safeguard our heroine from the Cartel and the former KGB. What ensues is the building romance between Kostya and Holly, and the potential fall-out as more than one player is aiming their sights on Holly Phillips. Holly Phillips struggles with her true identity. Having never met her father, our heroine is unaware of her family history, history that is about to crash into the present. As a salon owner and hair stylist Holly caters to the wives of the local Russian mob but Holly’s connections go much deeper than friendship, a familial relationship is about to be exposed. Kostya Antonovich is a cleaner; he does the dirty work necessary to protect the people with whom he works and works for. Meeting Holly Phillips stirs something deep within our story line hero, something he prefers to remain dormant and cold. The relationship between Holly and Kostya is a friends to lovers but a relationship wherein Kostya is both protector and guardian of the woman with whom he is falling in love. Desperate to keep Holly out of the life he was born to do, Kostya continues to push Holly at every opportunity but our heroine is intent on placing herself in danger for the people she loves. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and seductive. There is a large ensemble cast of familiar secondary and supporting characters including Nikolai and Vivian, Ten, Boychenko, Artyom, and several wives (Bianca, Erin, Benny and Lena) and significant others, and members of the Russian mob. We are introduced to Holly’s mother Frances Phillips; Holly’s employees Nisha, Billie, Savannah, Peyton as well as Kostya’s team of ‘spiders’: Fox, Sunny, Maxine, Lana and Lobo; Gabe Reyes; and numerous members of the Mexican Cartel, and local interconnected gangs. There is a slight cross-over with the author’s Fighting Connollys series, and the cameo appearance of Finn Connolly. For first time readers they numerous characters and ‘nicknames’ may be overwhelming, which is the reason I recommend reading the series in order. The world building continues to focus on the Russian mob; their family, friendship, connections, love and protection . KOSTYA is a story of secrets and lies; betrayal and vengeance; retribution and acceptance. The premise is engaging and energetic; the romance is steamy and hot; the characters are dynamic and captivating. On that note, it is close to two and half years since the last instalment, and the story lines have been released out of order so a re-read may be necessary to reconcile a number of plot points.

I waited so long for this storyline, for Kostya to reveal himself -- and inevitably the unravel the dark, mysteriousness that is his life. I almost feel as though this was more Holly's story rather than Kostya.

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!! It had everything you could ever want or need in a romantic suspense. Sexy, alpha, deeply caring bratva men and a smidge of underground fighters. International undercover, and double, and triple, agents. Enemies, and friends, from the past, that have come back, with unclear motives. Rival bad guys, and balancing it all. And at the heart of it all, men who love their women unconditionally, and will do anything to keep them safe. Women who will do anything for the men they love, and support them, while they protect themselves. The twists and turns keep coming, but for every reveal, there is another question. And for everything that comes to be seen, you realize it was right there in front of you all along Kostya has been waiting forever for Holly, and he will wait until forever, because he knows he can’t have her. He is in too deep, knows to much, has done too much, to sully her. But he doesn’t have a choice, because Holly has decided she has had enough waiting and wants more. Resistance really is futile, but the world they are both living in has plans for them. Horrible and nasty things planned, and it will take all they have just to make it through alive. An amazing story of love, family, and danger. Sacrifices made, and promise kept. Unconditional devotion, protection, and caring for those around you that matter to you. Kostya and Holly weren’t supposed to end up together, but the attraction between them is undeniable. The heat they give to each other, burns from the inside out. The emotions that pass between them will not be denied. Everyone who thinks they aren’t made for each other needs to get on board, because this will not be denied!