The story should have been finished in one book. This dragged on without much happening. ( )

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨

First Impressions
Cruel Promise is the finale in the "Oryolov Bratva" series and I really had such a fun time with this one here. Even though I didn't quite enjoy it like I did the first book "Cruel Paradise" but it was still a solid read but it does have a style of angst that was a bit too drawn out and really took out some enjoyment of the story for me. These two just had some issues that took them a while to get through. This book literally picks up right from when the first book leaves off so the cliffhanger from the first book won't seem so bad if you pick this one up right away. I do want to say how addictive this author's writing is. I just love her stuff and its so fun to read. It just hooks you in right away.

First Line
I'm compiling a comprehensive mental list of all the things you shouldn't do when you're on the run from a violent mob boss.

Summary
The story with Ruslan and Emma continue with the lies and deceit and Ruslan pushing Emma out of his circle of trust and Emma has found out that she is pregnant and she goes on the run with the kids to escape his reach. She doesn't trust him now after he has hurt her with believing lies over trusting her. But in her attempt to escape him, Josh ends up being kidnapped by their enemies and she will have to work with Ruslan to get him back. But once Ruslan realizes that she is pregnant, he is determined to make sure that she never leaves but he still doesn't trust her and getting through the deceit won't be an easy road for either of them...

What I Loved
So once we get through the angst aspects of the relationship, that is where their relationship really shines. I am grateful that it wasn't dragged out through most of the story, that we were able to get some solid relationship aspects to the story. We also see some fabulous growth in the connection between Ruslan and the three kids especially Josh. I really enjoyed seeing these kids just truly shine in this one here. Both Ruslan and Emma have to work through their own insecurities and I appreciated seeing that growth in this one. The romance between these two really gets even deeper and their level of teamwork that we see develop was so heartwarming. I was easily swept away by their connection and seeing them grow together and the way in which Emma accepts Ruslan when he is truly honest with her, just made me love her even more.

What I Struggled With
I struggled with the angst in this book. It was the type of angst I am not really a fan of always and the only reason this book isn't a five star, is because the angst was a bit too long. And I also didn't like that the heroine didn't tell the hero about the baby right away. Now granted he is a mafia boss, so I allowed a bit of leeway for the heroine as he did learn about it fairly early, but I do think she could have told him earlier especially when it was obvious he would find out soon anway.

Overall View
I found Cruel Promise to be a fascinating read that delivered an intense ride of relationship angst, adorable humor to bring balance and a suspenseful plot which delivers a thrilling adventure.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance, Romantic Suspense
Character Types: Alpha Male, Mafia, Single Parent
Themes: Angst, Pining Heroine, Kids invoved
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Accidental Pregnancy

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A mix

Song This Book Inspires
Too Deep by dvsn

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes you want to read this duo in order

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes. ( )