Ghost (Boston Underworld, #3)

Read: September 2017
Rating: 4/5 stars

The couple: Alexei & Talia

Ghost is the first book in this brilliant series to get less than the full five stars from me, but it was still a fantastic read that I got through in less than a day. I love the fact that Zavarelli writes such dark and complex - but at the same time - lovable characters. I didn't think I would like Talia, based on the previous books, but I really did. I struggled with Alexei however, and some of his actions made this a less than five star book. I didn't understand or agree with his decision to immediately try for a baby with Talia, much less remove her contraceptive implant without her consent. Later in the book it is explained that Alexei made this decision as he believed show more it would help her to not self-harm anymore, but surely there were better ways to handle this situation with a woman who has been repeatedly raped and brutalised?

Despite this criticism I deeply enjoyed re-visiting this world and I also liked the hints of a future romance between two secondary characters. I will continue to read this series for as long as the author keeps writing them! show less

This is my second time reading this book and first time leaving a review because at the time I didn't realize the importance of more than just ranking the books.

This entire series is fantastic but this book might be my favorite. Strong characters, great storyline, steamy moments that might come close to melting your kindle, and intense Bratvya action.

I enjoyed the push and pull in regards to Alexsi and Talia, especially, as they both were dealing with some pretty intense baggage. I will say that the story itself is gritty and brutal at times. I was all in watching these two amazing characters fall-in-love.

Highly recommend this series and this book. It can be read as a standalone but I definitely would go back and read them all because show more it is that good. show less

4.5 "Overcoming Obstacles to Find Love" Stars for the story and 5 stars for the narration!

Lovers of mafia romances and broken heroines finding their bad boy saviors will not want to miss Ghost. Blending a romantic tale of hope for two characters that have been the unfortunate recipients of terrible luck, and adding in a touch of suspense to boot, this is a semi-dark romance that is perfect for those that enjoy dark romance but prefer it on the lightside and with an eventual HEA. Moreover, the great narration by Tracy Marks makes this a book that you will not want to miss in audio format.

As this is book 3 in the Boston Underworld Series, I feel it necessary to point out that while there are appearances of prior characters, and it is show more generally helpful to have listened to the prior books for general background purposes, it is not absolutely necessary. In fact, the romance between the characters is fully explained in this book, and the suspense angle, while alluded to in prior books, is still sufficiently explained in this book and therefore still enjoyable as a standalone.

For those of you that have listened to the prior books, you will recognize the heroine of this book, Talia (Mac's friend from the first book that has gone missing). Unfortunately for Talia she has not had the best luck. Not only did her mother who suffered from depression kill herself, but she also killed her younger siblings. Although her mother also tried to kill Talia, Talia suffers from terrible guilt that she should have done something to save her siblings. Talia also believes herself to be flawed by the same mental genes that her mother had and that led her to such a desperate act and is afraid to have children of her own for the same reasons.

Talia's life takes an even worse turn, however, when her insecurities lead her to trust the wrong man. A man who engages in human trafficking and sells her into a horrid slavery situation. As the book begins, she is desperately looking for a way to end her life and misery. It is amid this terrible mental state and horrible conditions that Alexei, a member of the Russian mafiya finds her. Trouble is, he has been asked by the Irish mob (through Mac's husband--the hero of book 1) to locate and bring her home, and after setting eyes on her, he determines different plans for Talia.

Alexei has his own share of childhood woes. His father basically abandoned him, and had it not been for the mentor that took him under his wing, he wouldn't be the high ranking member of the Russian mob that he is today (he is basically the counselor to the main mafia leader). Even worse his real father and half brother are in the same mob. Alexei, as a top mafiya member, is expected to marry mafiya royalty (specifically one woman has been selected for the honor but she has betrayed him in the worst way). After setting his eyes upon Talia, however, Alexei determines to take his marriage into his own hands. Could there possibly be a HEA under the circumstances?

Tracy Marks continues the narration of this series in book 3, and again she does a marvelous job. I love how she is able to create so many authentic accents. From the Russian mafiya and Irish mob to the Boston raised heroines, she gives each a voice that makes it easy for the listener to envision the characters that Ms. Zavarelli has penned. She also maintained remarkable consistency across books for the various characters that appear in the prior books.

Additionally, Ms. Marks does a fabulous job of imparting emotion into the scenes of this book. You can feel the urgency of suspense filled scenes just from her rendition. She also does a good job of timing her delivery to give maximum effect to the scene being enacted.

All in all, I have greatly enjoyed the Boston Underworld Series. Lovers of mafia/mafiya romances with a mildly dark tone should definitely add room to their audio shelves for this intriguing series.

Source: Review copy provided for review purposes. show less

My little Sun

I love reading A. Zavarelli's Boston Underground series. You get great stories along with great romance and a lot of heat.

Talia was taken and sold. She has spent the last year taking solace in numbness and planning her escape.

Alexi has been asked to find her. As soon as he saw her, he knew she was his Sun. And he has plans for her.

Their road is not easy. They are both profoundly broken and fighting their own demons. But, I fell in love with both characters and related to some of their struggles. Just a great story.

♪♫My Pick For Book Theme Song♫♪
♫Drown by Bring Me The Horizon --Talia's song, and Alexi's song too, but before they did their own version of healing.♫

Book Title: Ghost
Author: A Zavarelli
Narration: Tracy Marks
Series: Boston Underworld #3
Genre: Mafia, Dark Romance
Publisher: A Zavarelli
Source: I received audiobook via Audiobook Boom
in exchange for an honest review.


OVERALL RATING: 3.3/5 STARS
GRADE = B-

⇝My Thoughts⇜

Some of the others who have read this book, have loved it. And yet, the reasons that they loved it so much more than the first two books, are the same reasons that I did not like as much as the first two books. The biggest of those reason's being that it's darker than the first two stories. Darker in a way show more that makes it physically painful to read at times.

Talia's story is sad and heartbreaking, and yet I didn't really feel like I connected to her as much as I wanted too. Alexi is clearly broken too, and his story is heartbreaking, but made even more so by the treatment of his family or Vory as they're called. I'm just not feeling this Vory…their code that they live by or whatever. I don't think it's for me.

Tracy Marks has done excellently with the narration of this series…but this particular story, and I think it may be because of the Russian accent rather than the Irish accent, fell a little short of excellent for me.

⇝Ratings Breakdown⇜

Plot: 3.5/5
Main Characters: 3.5/5
Secondary Characters: 4/5 For Magda
The Feels: 3.8/5
Addictiveness: 3.5/5
Theme or Tone: 3/5A
Flow (Writing Style): 4/5
Backdrop (World Building): 3/5
Book Cover: 4/5
Narration: 4.5/5
Ending: 3.8/5 Cliffhanger: Nope.

Will I continue this series? Well I have already received Saint from Audiobook Boom, so I would say that I will. show less

I have just finished this story and I'm so sad to see it it end. I have come to love these characters. All the characters in this series of books. Ronin will always be special to to me but Alexi is strong, damaged and to protective of the loves of his life. This book was an a emotional read and I loved every minute of it. I hope the author continues to write of these characters I love so much. I have that the series will go on so that a reader can continue to be a part of these characters lives.

This book was fantastic, and this series keeps getting better and better by each book. I have the remaining three on my Kindle and I'm ready to binge them all.