Who Would Like This Book:
If you love mafia romance but want more heart than horror, Painted Scars is a gem! The story stands out with an arranged marriage plot, real disability rep (the hero uses a wheelchair!), and two main characters who actually communicate and team up from the start. Nina's quirky, artistic personality and Roman's tough-but-tender side spark tons of banter and surprisingly sweet moments. Fans of 'team couple' energy, quick binges, low-angst romance, and a lighter take on the dark mafia world will especially enjoy this book.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you're looking for high-stakes mafia action, lots of on-page violence, or ultra-spicy scenes, you may find Painted Scars a little too light and focused on the romance. Some readers were disappointed by the rushed steamy moments and wanted more depth in the mafia plot. And, a few were put off by an awkward bit of homophobic dialogue and felt the 'dark' label was a stretch since this is more romance than grit.
About:
'Painted Scars' by Neva Altaj follows the story of Roman, the Pakhan of the Russian mafia, who finds himself in a wheelchair after an assassination attempt. In order to maintain his power and authority, he arranges a marriage with Nina, a strong and fierce woman whose father owes Roman money. What starts as a business arrangement quickly develops into a deeper connection between Roman and Nina, filled with humor, banter, and unexpected affection. explores themes of arranged marriage, loyalty, disability, and the complexities of relationships within the mafia world, all delivered in a fast-paced and engaging writing style.
Readers praise the book for its well-handled portrayal of disabilities, specifically Roman's leg disability, and the respectful treatment of the characters. The banter and humor between the lead characters, Nina and Roman, are highlighted as one of the strengths of the book, along with the strong character development of Nina, who is portrayed as a witty and independent woman. The light-hearted moments, the unique storyline of an arranged mafia marriage, and the balance between romance and mafia elements are also positively noted by readers.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of trauma and emotional manipulation related to the characters' experiences and backgrounds.
Has Romance?
Romance plays a central and essential role in the narrative, driving major plot developments and character relationships.
From The Publisher:
Nina
Charming, captivating, and seductive,
And a cold-blooded killer.
But I married the Pakhan of the Russian Bratva anyway.
I had to. It was part of the deal.
Now, I'm faking marital bliss,
As I tremble with fear,
And I cannot wait to be out of the clutches of this ruthless man.
Roman
I get anything I desire.
And I want this perfectly imperfect little manipulator.
The way she can deceive anyone into believing she's crazy in love with me,
Just makes me want her even more.
She doesn't know it yet,
But I am not letting her go.
The deal - is off.
*Painted Scars is a full-length novel with several open-door steamy scenes, no cheating and a guaranteed HEA.
This is the first book in Perfectly Imperfect mafia series, and compared to the other books in the series, it's not overly dark. Painted Scars is primarily a love story which focuses on the relationship between Nina and Roman, and while there are a few scenes depicting violence, it's considerably lighter than the sequels.
Ratings (140)
Incredible (22) | |
Loved It (46) | |
Liked It (37) | |
It Was OK (19) | |
Did Not Like (13) | |
Hated It (3) |
Reader Stats (247):
Read It (161) | |
Currently Reading (4) | |
Want To Read (61) | |
Did Not Finish (5) | |
Not Interested (16) |
3 comment(s)
I’m obsessed with this book. Short, concise, and powerful.
Sorunsuz, kısa, vakit geçirmelik bir hikayeydi. Çok bayılmadım ama nefretlik de değil.
Sadece Roman'ın fiziksel sorunu sebebiyle bazı aksiyon-hareket sahnelerinde olayı zihnimde canlandıramadım. Anlatım açısından bu biraz eksik geldi. Nina da fena değildi. Özellikle role girme aşamaları beni de gülümsetti. Kısa olduğu için mi bilmiyorum ilişki gelişim süreçleri biraz çabuk geçmişti. Bir de son sahnelerde ki Roman ve adam öldürme sebeplerini resmen bize mantıklı kılma sahneleri azıcık gözüme battı ama tür için normal bir durum bu sanırım anormal olan benim
This book is crazy!! I admire Nina's strength, and determination. Yeah, it's a fast-paced book, but it is lovely. I also love Roman's behaviour. Although he can be tagged as possessive, he respects Nina. Dude is a living green flag. This book is funny, interesting and my best book out of it's series.
What can you read after
Painted Scars?
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