A Bad Boy Mafia Romance Novel (Alexis Abbott's Hitmen Book 2)

This is not the most bloodiest dark romance book I have ever read but it is very sweet and I enjoyed it. The heroine is so innocent and the hero is like a black and shiny knight shielding the heroine from evil men and loving her with gentle hands only.

Alexis Abbott's Hitman books are well written and packed with details. I've seen so many books out there with details on the small stuff while the big, infuential scenes are skimped, not here tho! Very good read ;)

Absolutely, a page turner that can keep you up way passed your bedtime. The level of character change from Cassie from a protected young girl , then to a woman, a wife and mother was done beautifully. Amazing level of knowledge of how the mob can influence many lives. I felt guilty at times actually rooting for the Hitman. Definitely a must read book.

Andrei is a complex enough character to really add some dimension to the story. He has a moral compass that shows up right from the beginning. It continues to lead him to all the light and goodness that Cassie exudes. I loved watching him completely give himself over to being a husband and father. Cassandra's metamorphosis is a little too fast given her upbringing, but I understand where the author was taking her. There are plenty of 'bad guys' and lots of action and a sweet ending.
Adult read

ACTUAL RATING: 4.5

Thank you Alexis Abbott for robbing me of my sleep. I read Sold to the Hitman until the sun just began to rise, and loved every second of this book. This was a wonderful book, and I'm so happy to have read it. I'll need a day to recover from this because my brain is feeling foggy today from lack of sleep. The synopsis was what intrigued me and it didn't disappoint. I just had to keep on reading to find out what was gonna happen. I really loved the two introduction chapters when we get to meet both main characters. The alternating perspectives were done beautifully.
Even though I personally would have preferred just a touch more action, I can definitely say this book was well balanced between the mafia backdrop and the love story that unfolds between the main characters. I especially enjoyed learning about Cassie in this book, and I couldn't imagine growing up as sheltered as she did. Cassie's story broke my heart and reeled me in at the same time. Seriously, Andrei.... what a hero! Sigh! This is my first book by this author who kindly sent me an advanced proof in exchange for my honest review. I need more, so I'll be moving on to Owned by the Hitman next. Yes, I do believe I have a book hangover lol.
Receiving an ARC has in no way influenced my opinion on this book and this is my honest review of Sold to the Hitman. LOVED IT!

Andrei aka Shadow works as a hitman for the Russian Mafia. He is supposed to be doing his job as security, when he sees an angelic creature being auctioned off to the highest bidder. Andrei instantly knows what he has to do and bids on her (Cassie).

Cassie has had a very sheltered life that revolved around home school and church. Her family is very religious. Cassie has been taught to serve her husband and be submissive.

Andrei feels very protective of Cassie. She is very naive and innocent. He takes Cassie places that she has never been and shows Cassie things that she has never seen. Cassie experiences many firsts with Andrei, from music to food to sex. Andrei helps Cassie grow and find things that she likes to do. Cassie becomes more independent and discovers who she is or wants to be in life with Andrei's help. She spreads her wings.

Andrei feels that he is not a good enough person for Cassie, but wants to become that person. The more time that Andrei spends with Cassie, the more that he discovers his purpose in life. As Andrei and Cassie spend more time together, they discover each other and love. Andrei also becomes more concerned about protecting his princess. She is afraid of Andrei, but wants to help him. When Cassie learns that Andrei is a hitman and things get tough, she will not left him (or his side).

Cassie and Andrei have very tough pasts / upbringings. They make each other a better person, in my opinion. Andrei shows a vast amount of patience, heart and love, even of a hitman. Don't forget he was hitman with a protective instinct. I love that! Andrei and Cassie enjoy (pardon the pun) some scorching sex. Yum! This story had me running/going through every emotion possible. My family thought I was weird at times. There is suspense, romance, action, and a HEA. This story has alternating POVs as well.

This is the three book that I have read from Alexis Abbott, and I believe that each book is better that the last one. I received this arc in exchange for an unbiased review.

5 Hitman Hero Star Rating!

WTF? A young innocent is sold to the Russian Brighton Beach mob to be auctioned off to highest bidder as a sex slave BUT with the proviso that she must be returned to her "religious" family for three days . The reason for the return--to prepare for her wedding to her owner. The bidders are all sadistic,slovenly, sex abusers (with,of course, the exception of the one good man in the crowd-a hitman with a heart of gold). If this premise does not seem ludicrous to you then you might possibly enjoy this poorly constructed excuse for a novel.

I have mad, passionate love for SOLD TO THE HITMAN by Alexis Abbott, a wildly addictive story about a lethally charming contract killer who weds—and beds—a wide eyed innocent who’s being sold off on the black market! Unless you have a heart of stone, it is impossible NOT to be beguiled by this dark “fairytale” romance that transpires between a sheltered heroine and the jaded Russian hitman who swoops to the rescue and literally sweeps her off her feet. Together they both discover boundless joy when he opens her eyes to the amazing colors and wonders of the world.

Ms. Abbott is an author to watch and I think she crafted a magnificent story that pumps you with excitement, pulls at the heart strings and makes you swoon in delight.

Russian hitman Andrei Petrov assumes he’d been hired to work a typical shady shindig, but when he stands guard in the dank basement of a Russian café, he is enraged to discover he’s bearing witness to a slave auction--a flesh trade, the most vile practice even the Bratva could sink to--where young innocent girls are being paraded on stage and sold to the highest bidder. His protective instincts rise to the fore when he becomes transfixed with a golden-haired, azure-eyed beauty who’s cowering on the stage alongside the other terrified young women. Raised in a strict Puritan household, Cassandra Meadows thought her father had arranged for her to marry an upstanding gentleman in their close knit religious community, but on her 18th birthday the ultra-conservative young woman finds herself shamefully stripped down to her undergarments and about to be sold into marriage like a commodity.

Cassie is the most beautiful, angelic woman Andrei has ever laid eyes on, and he’s not about to allow her to be subjected to a miserable life of servitude at hands of a cruel master. So he ends up forking over a fortune and buying her for himself, much to the ire of his boss. Before long, they are lawfully wed and life as they both know it ceases to exist.

And no one is more shattered than sweet, virginal Cassie. She'd always dreamed of finding her Prince Charming and hoped her wedding day "would be filled with flowers and hymns and smiling faces.” But now she’s to wed to an outsider, a tall, dark, menacing stranger, and her faith in her parents and, even her God, has been irrevocably shaken." She is utterly heartsick to be ripped away from her family--especially her beloved little brother--and be spirited off to a posh apartment in the bright, blaring lights in the city. Although the Russian has been nothing but kind to her, he is big and predatory and hardly ever smiles. And to add fuel to the fire, he awakens forbidden desires in her. She'd been taught all her life that "pleasure is forbidden, a godly sin, and especially when it’s THIS kind of pleasure.” But suddenly she finds herself “totally powerless, limp and pliable in the arms of this hulking, dangerous man." What's a good obedient girl to do??? Be a perfect, dutiful wife and succumb of course!!

"I belong to this man completely and utterly, and my body is his possession."

What follows is an enthralling page-turner about an unlikely romantic liaison between two opposites. And when I say opposite. I mean POLAR opposites. Andrei was raised in a Siberian orphanage, learned at a young age how evil the world really is, and turned to a life of crime to survive. Whereas Cassie is a sheltered young women who was raises in a stifling, God-fearing home. She and has never been in an elevator or left the cocoon of her tight-knit community, much less spent time alone with a man other than her father before. But she is determined to make the best of the situation and has been raised to believe that the only way that a woman can serve God is by serving her husband. I enjoyed the clever setup that brought these two unlikely characters into one another's orbits and the delicious romance that unfolds.

"What happens when the night meets the day? When the moon touches the sun? An eclipse?"

Andrei and Cassie share an enchanting chemistry and it was an utter joy to watch their tender love blossom. I’ve always had a weakness for stories featuring virgin brides. There is just something so endearing about the worldly Alpha man gently deflowering the sweet virtuous heroine and awakening her to the ultimate pleasure. In this case, Ms. Abbott puts a refreshingly different twist on the classic damsel in distress tale and dishes out a provocative plot chock full of danger, intrigue, heartstirring romance and well layered conflicts. She does a fine job of showcasing the emotional dilemmas these characters face and I was particularly riveted by the paradox between the religious doctrines that were drilled into the heroine her whole life and the “sinful” carnal desires her swoony savior arouses in her.

And Andrei is also very much conflicted. Even tortured at times. He’s had more than his fair share of women, but married life doesn’t pair with his shady line of work. He could never be worthy of an innocent angel like Cassie. But the moment he saw her exposed and vulnerable up on the auction stage, shaking like a leaf, he knew he couldn't throw her to the wolves.

"I will have to be her protector, no matter what she desires….This lovely young woman is my responsibility, regardless of how I’d like to claim her as mine with all the hot-blooded passion she’s been able to stir up in my heart in such a short time."

Frankly, it’s never felt so right to fall for someone so darn lethal! Andrei is a chivalrous man who is hired to do despicable things. And guess what? I'm okay with that. You can't help but fall in love with Andrei…a suave, charismatic hitman—with morals and a conscience!—who worships his wife and pampers her like his Royal Highness. But in the end, can a ruthless assassin truly find a happily ever after with his pure-hearted “printsessa,” or will true love prove to be their ultimate downfall?

You will have to read to find out, but I will leave you with this: SOLD TO THE HITMAN is pure decadent delight. And I am not ashamed to admit I have a mad crush on Andrei and would be MORE than willing to be a sold into marriage as his love slave!

Absolutely, a page turner that can keep you up way passed your bedtime. The level of character change from Cassie from a protected young girl , then to a woman, a wife and mother was done beautifully. Amazing level of knowledge of how the mob can influence many lives. I felt guilty at times actually rooting for the Hitman. Definitely a must read book.

Andrei is a complex enough character to really add some dimension to the story. He has a moral compass that shows up right from the beginning. It continues to lead him to all the light and goodness that Cassie exudes. I loved watching him completely give himself over to being a husband and father. Cassandra's metamorphosis is a little too fast given her upbringing, but I understand where the author was taking her. There are plenty of 'bad guys' and lots of action and a sweet ending.
Adult read

ACTUAL RATING: 4.5

Thank you Alexis Abbott for robbing me of my sleep. I read Sold to the Hitman until the sun just began to rise, and loved every second of this book. This was a wonderful book, and I'm so happy to have read it. I'll need a day to recover from this because my brain is feeling foggy today from lack of sleep. The synopsis was what intrigued me and it didn't disappoint. I just had to keep on reading to find out what was gonna happen. I really loved the two introduction chapters when we get to meet both main characters. The alternating perspectives were done beautifully.
Even though I personally would have preferred just a touch more action, I can definitely say this book was well balanced between the mafia backdrop and the love story that unfolds between the main characters. I especially enjoyed learning about Cassie in this book, and I couldn't imagine growing up as sheltered as she did. Cassie's story broke my heart and reeled me in at the same time. Seriously, Andrei.... what a hero! Sigh! This is my first book by this author who kindly sent me an advanced proof in exchange for my honest review. I need more, so I'll be moving on to Owned by the Hitman next. Yes, I do believe I have a book hangover lol.
Receiving an ARC has in no way influenced my opinion on this book and this is my honest review of Sold to the Hitman. LOVED IT!

WTF? A young innocent is sold to the Russian Brighton Beach mob to be auctioned off to highest bidder as a sex slave BUT with the proviso that she must be returned to her "religious" family for three days . The reason for the return--to prepare for her wedding to her owner. The bidders are all sadistic,slovenly, sex abusers (with,of course, the exception of the one good man in the crowd-a hitman with a heart of gold). If this premise does not seem ludicrous to you then you might possibly enjoy this poorly constructed excuse for a novel.

I have mad, passionate love for SOLD TO THE HITMAN by Alexis Abbott, a wildly addictive story about a lethally charming contract killer who weds—and beds—a wide eyed innocent who’s being sold off on the black market! Unless you have a heart of stone, it is impossible NOT to be beguiled by this dark “fairytale” romance that transpires between a sheltered heroine and the jaded Russian hitman who swoops to the rescue and literally sweeps her off her feet. Together they both discover boundless joy when he opens her eyes to the amazing colors and wonders of the world.

Ms. Abbott is an author to watch and I think she crafted a magnificent story that pumps you with excitement, pulls at the heart strings and makes you swoon in delight.

Russian hitman Andrei Petrov assumes he’d been hired to work a typical shady shindig, but when he stands guard in the dank basement of a Russian café, he is enraged to discover he’s bearing witness to a slave auction--a flesh trade, the most vile practice even the Bratva could sink to--where young innocent girls are being paraded on stage and sold to the highest bidder. His protective instincts rise to the fore when he becomes transfixed with a golden-haired, azure-eyed beauty who’s cowering on the stage alongside the other terrified young women. Raised in a strict Puritan household, Cassandra Meadows thought her father had arranged for her to marry an upstanding gentleman in their close knit religious community, but on her 18th birthday the ultra-conservative young woman finds herself shamefully stripped down to her undergarments and about to be sold into marriage like a commodity.

Cassie is the most beautiful, angelic woman Andrei has ever laid eyes on, and he’s not about to allow her to be subjected to a miserable life of servitude at hands of a cruel master. So he ends up forking over a fortune and buying her for himself, much to the ire of his boss. Before long, they are lawfully wed and life as they both know it ceases to exist.

And no one is more shattered than sweet, virginal Cassie. She'd always dreamed of finding her Prince Charming and hoped her wedding day "would be filled with flowers and hymns and smiling faces.” But now she’s to wed to an outsider, a tall, dark, menacing stranger, and her faith in her parents and, even her God, has been irrevocably shaken." She is utterly heartsick to be ripped away from her family--especially her beloved little brother--and be spirited off to a posh apartment in the bright, blaring lights in the city. Although the Russian has been nothing but kind to her, he is big and predatory and hardly ever smiles. And to add fuel to the fire, he awakens forbidden desires in her. She'd been taught all her life that "pleasure is forbidden, a godly sin, and especially when it’s THIS kind of pleasure.” But suddenly she finds herself “totally powerless, limp and pliable in the arms of this hulking, dangerous man." What's a good obedient girl to do??? Be a perfect, dutiful wife and succumb of course!!

"I belong to this man completely and utterly, and my body is his possession."

What follows is an enthralling page-turner about an unlikely romantic liaison between two opposites. And when I say opposite. I mean POLAR opposites. Andrei was raised in a Siberian orphanage, learned at a young age how evil the world really is, and turned to a life of crime to survive. Whereas Cassie is a sheltered young women who was raises in a stifling, God-fearing home. She and has never been in an elevator or left the cocoon of her tight-knit community, much less spent time alone with a man other than her father before. But she is determined to make the best of the situation and has been raised to believe that the only way that a woman can serve God is by serving her husband. I enjoyed the clever setup that brought these two unlikely characters into one another's orbits and the delicious romance that unfolds.

"What happens when the night meets the day? When the moon touches the sun? An eclipse?"

Andrei and Cassie share an enchanting chemistry and it was an utter joy to watch their tender love blossom. I’ve always had a weakness for stories featuring virgin brides. There is just something so endearing about the worldly Alpha man gently deflowering the sweet virtuous heroine and awakening her to the ultimate pleasure. In this case, Ms. Abbott puts a refreshingly different twist on the classic damsel in distress tale and dishes out a provocative plot chock full of danger, intrigue, heartstirring romance and well layered conflicts. She does a fine job of showcasing the emotional dilemmas these characters face and I was particularly riveted by the paradox between the religious doctrines that were drilled into the heroine her whole life and the “sinful” carnal desires her swoony savior arouses in her.

And Andrei is also very much conflicted. Even tortured at times. He’s had more than his fair share of women, but married life doesn’t pair with his shady line of work. He could never be worthy of an innocent angel like Cassie. But the moment he saw her exposed and vulnerable up on the auction stage, shaking like a leaf, he knew he couldn't throw her to the wolves.

"I will have to be her protector, no matter what she desires….This lovely young woman is my responsibility, regardless of how I’d like to claim her as mine with all the hot-blooded passion she’s been able to stir up in my heart in such a short time."

Frankly, it’s never felt so right to fall for someone so darn lethal! Andrei is a chivalrous man who is hired to do despicable things. And guess what? I'm okay with that. You can't help but fall in love with Andrei…a suave, charismatic hitman—with morals and a conscience!—who worships his wife and pampers her like his Royal Highness. But in the end, can a ruthless assassin truly find a happily ever after with his pure-hearted “printsessa,” or will true love prove to be their ultimate downfall?

You will have to read to find out, but I will leave you with this: SOLD TO THE HITMAN is pure decadent delight. And I am not ashamed to admit I have a mad crush on Andrei and would be MORE than willing to be a sold into marriage as his love slave!

I overall really enjoyed this book. I love a good hitman romance and I thought this one just showed how great they could be. I was a little apprehensive of trying this book out because I’ve read some Hitman novels where the alpha male is just a total d*** but this one was perfect. He was commanding but not too commanding and he really made an effort to show Cassie just how enjoyable life can be.
The only problem I had was that Andrei acted on his sexual desire a lot quicker than I believe he should’ve. After being taught her whole life to service her husband through sex and typical household chores, I just think it would’ve made more sense if she made the first move so he wouldn’t be continuing the “you must have sex with your chosen husband even if you don’t want to” lesson she was taught over and over again. I also would’ve like it if she got a good job before getting pregnant right away although it was nice she could immerse herself in some hobbies before that. I’m not hating on woman who decide to immerse themselves in family as a career but she was only eighteen years old and it would’ve been cool to watch her really begin to understand just what woman could be in today’s world instead of what her family told her over and over. I also believe some points of the book would’ve been better if we heard from his point of view (such as the jobs he did behind her back) and vice versa.
Overall a good short read that included the first book to this hitman series. I’m glad I didn’t buy the first however because it was very similar to this one but less interesting.

I think this book has too many reviewers who were given the book to read because they were way too generous with the stars which is misleading and unfair.
Ok let's start with the first story in the book. It was silly at best to think that a girl raised as wholesome a she was would have adapted so eAsily to the life that was thrown at her when it went against everything she was taught for 18 years. The story gave no explanations for why any of these things were happening and had a lot of silly scenes. Example why would her savior husband think that sex for the first time should be had in a public place, how can a woman taught that she was on earth for the sole purpose of serving her husband be able the 2nd day of marriage be so sassy. It had a lot of time gaps too many holes in the story and obviously this author has no knowledge of NYC.
Story number 2 had the same silly problems. All the character's were underdeveloped as was the storyline, unnecessary scenes and useless banter. There was no connection between the main character's and again with the time gaps!! The point of view of the male character is only shown when he's doing a hit and has no relevance to the story. It would have added to the story to hear what he was thinking about the girl and find out why he was helping her, instead of the author trying to prove how tough he was by showing us that he is a hitman.
If you want to read a REAL Russian mobster book I would suggest Roxie Rivera Russian protector series. By book 3 you will give up on sleeping

Two very different worlds will collide. A woman raised in a closed community to be basically a servant to the husband picked out for her. A man who works as a top contact killer for hire for one of the worst crime lords in the states.
Andrei line of work is not for the faint of heart. He works with contracts for killing bad people. And also works for the biggest crime lord in the states Sergei Slokavich as a personal bodyguard slash hitman. He's not as cruel as he can be when he finds out some people are just too innocent. And he saves them if he can. But can he save the one that just walked onto the stage and into his life?
Cassandra has been in a church community all her life. Knowing nothing of the outside world, except through books. She has been raised an innocent and pure as a flower. Besides always told she will serve her husband well. But what she didn't except was her parents to thrust her into the light of a bid on her life as a bride. To be sold off. Will she survive the night with her husband to be? More yet will she grow to love him?

Andrei aka Shadow works as a hitman for the Russian Mafia. He is supposed to be doing his job as security, when he sees an angelic creature being auctioned off to the highest bidder. Andrei instantly knows what he has to do and bids on her (Cassie).

Cassie has had a very sheltered life that revolved around home school and church. Her family is very religious. Cassie has been taught to serve her husband and be submissive.

Andrei feels very protective of Cassie. She is very naive and innocent. He takes Cassie places that she has never been and shows Cassie things that she has never seen. Cassie experiences many firsts with Andrei, from music to food to sex. Andrei helps Cassie grow and find things that she likes to do. Cassie becomes more independent and discovers who she is or wants to be in life with Andrei's help. She spreads her wings.

Andrei feels that he is not a good enough person for Cassie, but wants to become that person. The more time that Andrei spends with Cassie, the more that he discovers his purpose in life. As Andrei and Cassie spend more time together, they discover each other and love. Andrei also becomes more concerned about protecting his princess. She is afraid of Andrei, but wants to help him. When Cassie learns that Andrei is a hitman and things get tough, she will not left him (or his side).

Cassie and Andrei have very tough pasts / upbringings. They make each other a better person, in my opinion. Andrei shows a vast amount of patience, heart and love, even of a hitman. Don't forget he was hitman with a protective instinct. I love that! Andrei and Cassie enjoy (pardon the pun) some scorching sex. Yum! This story had me running/going through every emotion possible. My family thought I was weird at times. There is suspense, romance, action, and a HEA. This story has alternating POVs as well.

This is the three book that I have read from Alexis Abbott, and I believe that each book is better that the last one. I received this arc in exchange for an unbiased review.

5 Hitman Hero Star Rating!

A Review of Sold To The Hitman by Alexis Abbott

Andrei and Cassie - 4.5 stars

In New York, the Russian Bratva has a lot of coldness involved with the members. With Andrei being one of the main hitmen for his boss, he commands a good deal of respect. When he is called upon to provide security for a special evening for his boss, he has no idea what is about to happen or that it will drastically change his life forever. He is totally disgusted when he discovers that they are at an auction to sell young, virginal women into the sex slave industry. When he notices one particular young woman on the stage, he finds himself bidding top dollar to protect her from the horrors that he hears the other men talking about.

Cassie, being from a small town in upstate New York, has been cloistered and protected her entire eighteen years of life. She has been taught that she is to serve God and her husband in all things. She never expected her parents to put her up for sale, but after Andrei buys her at the auction, she has a few short days to gather her wits and acept the fact that she will be married to a stranger. She has no idea what he does for his boss, but the relationship that builds between the two of them is very touching. Well worth the time and money.

**Honest review voluntarily provided from a Complimentary Copy**