Ruby Malice

Zaitsev Bratva, Book 1

De: Naomi West

Narrado por: Alexander Cendese, Angelina Rocca

Arrogant bosshole with some dirty secrets. Sounds tempting, right?

Wrong. Kirill Zaitsev is anything but tempting.

Sure, he’s tall and broad and muscular in all the right places. And sure, he’s richer than several small countries. And yes, fine, his eyes do make me feel loopy, and he does smell like mint and musk, and there’s also the way his jaw clenches when he…

Sorry, where was I? Oh yeah. Bosshole. Dirty secrets.

Anyway, all those things sound fine and dandy. For a little while, I thought so, too. Then I learned who Kirill really is—a killer, a tycoon, a mafia don.

He’s got things hidden on his mansion’s third floor that no one is supposed to know about. I’ve got no business snooping around. I’m a maid, not a private detective. But I just can’t help myself. So I go where I shouldn’t go and see what I shouldn’t see…

Then, of course, Kirill catches me in the act. In most stories, that would be the end. Butt meets curb, drop the curtain, roll the credits. But in this story, that’s just the beginning. Because something strange happens when Kirill looks at me…

Sparks fly. And when he’s the one lighting them… Well, safe to say I’m down to get burned.

Ruby Malice is book one of the Zaitsev Bratva duet. Kirill and Rayne’s story continues in book two, Ruby Mercy.

©2023 Naomi West (P)2023 Podium Audio

Sweet story; male narrator not it

Naomi West has a way of engaging her readers right from the start. Once I start one of her books I’m in a choke hold until it’s completed. This was a great first half of the story. Did not see the tragedy coming at the end and was truly emotional over it. The male narrator is a bit too nasally for my liking and his other voices for Germain and females was cringey, but love the female narrator.

Different

Ok wow. So this is different from Ms. West’s other books in that there is a lot less Bratva business going on in the foreground, directly involving the MMC. Of course we know that it’s his line of work, but he’s always around the house. That said, this is another incredible book! I love the storyline! The romance is up and down like a yo yo! It’s crazy! They’re on! No wait! They’re off! No wait! They’re in love! No wait…! It’s fantastic! I also really like the female narrator. Her soothing voice is perfect for the FMC and her role in this book (I won’t say more!!). I actually like the male narrator too. He’s controversial (yes, I definitely played with my listening speed when he was speaking) but I like his style and the personalities for each character. Really unique. I’ve heard him do mafia-type MMCs before and I really liked him. SO - all that to say: bring on book 2!!

Servant

Heartbreaking and sad, great word building and true to the storyline, I am looking forward to learn if they can’t find their love

The maid and the Bratva

I actually like this storyline, until the ending of this book (2 book series, which I have not completed). However I did not care for the choice of male narrator. I like listening to him in other narration work but he's not the right fit for this male character. His tone of voice is one of a fun, joking, life loving Bratva boss, not really want this story is portraying.
Onto book 2

Irritated

I enjoyed the book but the FMC was just so freaking irritating. Loved the MMC

Loved it!

Best of it’s kind. Very few make me feel so deeply. Highly recommended from a tough critic!

Ruby Malice

This is my first book by Naomi West and surprisingly I enjoyed the good storyline but hated that it ended with a fricken cliffhanger!😑 Sadly there’s no second book in sight! Had I known this little fact I would’ve waited for the second book before purchasing this one. Question: Do the authors choose the narrators for their books? No offense to Alexander Cendese but his voice in no way sounded like a Russian Bratva Don but Angelina Rocca was perfect as the ditzy girl with too many personal problems. Is it worth the credit? Maybe 🤔 if you can overlook all of the above mentioned comments, you should go for it!

Fun, sexy, mafia, duet

📕-3.75/5
🌶️-3/5
🎧-4/5
Enjoyable duet. I wouldn’t really classify it as dark but there are some triggers warnings.
The FMC is a bit annoying in her stubbornness that lasts for 85% of the series …but, it still works.
The spice is pretty well paced throughout and is a steamy, vanilla.
Narration is very good except for the male narrators female voice. That is a travesty..but, impact is minimal.

Ruby

So I’m gonna try to finish this, but the female character is so ridiculous. I’m having a hard time. First off just because you flirted with some guy doesn’t mean that you have the right to all of his secrets. You don’t get to go in his house and do exactly what he tells you not to when he’s signing your paycheck. Second thing you don’t just keep going back when he shows you How mean he can be. I hate how some of these books make the females look so stupid. She has 3 run ins with him and then can’t function because he’s not around.

Beautifully tragic

I enjoyed the story. It was heartbreaking but lovely. I loved Ilya's personality and his relationship with Rayne; his was a great loss. Rayne was very complicated yet lovable. The voice for Kirill was not pleasant to listen to until then end, it was very distracting from the story.