Cruel Deception (Ruthless Rogues Mafia 4) by Kat Bammer-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 20, 2026
Plot twist: The bad-boy Bratva who kidnapped me is secretly a pookie…sort of.
Ivan Zotov isn’t just my family’s enemy because we’re Italian Mafia, and he’s Russian Bratva.
Nooo…it’s his sleazy, cunning nature that makes him enemy #1.
And as if being held captive wasn’t bad enough, who’s there to dwarf my one escape attempt?
None other than Ivan Zotov, six foot four, covered in tattoos, built like a Russian Adonis, tackles me to the ground, then accuses me of being reckless for hurting myself, and then has the audacity to switch over to be caring and nice…while kidnapping me himself.
He’s every greyscale shade of wrong.
So color me surprised when he turns out to have some surprisingly redeeming qualities apart from his dangerously good looks.
Not that I care.
Because I sure as hell won’t fall for my kidnapper.
No matter if he looks at me as if he knows exactly who I am (hint: not my twin, who I pretend to be).
No matter how protective he is (even against his own secret society).
And no matter that he catches every single one of my Jane Austen quotes (really undermines his bad-boy image, tbh).
I will not cave — especially since Italian Mafia Princess is not really all I am.
And I’m afraid he knows that too.
•••••
REVIEW:CRUEL DECEPTION is the fourth instalment in Kat Bammer’s contemporary, adult RUTHLESS ROGUES MAFIA dark, erotic, Mafia romance series. This is Russian Bratva soldier Ivan Zotov, and twenty-three year old, Italian Mafia princess Isabella Salvini’s story line. CRUEL DECEPTION can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Ivan and Isabella) CRUEL DECEPTION follows in the aftermath of the abduction of Isabella Salvini, and her twin sister Mirabella by the Russian Bratva. Ivan Zotov has been ordered to bring in the Salvini sisters, but more specifically Isabella Salvini. Ivan’s boss Gray wants something from Isabella but Ivan’s protector side is about to come full circle when he realizes Isabella’s connection to his own past. Something about Grey’s demands doesn’t sit well with everyone involved, and with the help of Isabella, Ivan will discover a lifelong betrayal that threatens everyone he loves.
The world building is detailed and intriguing as the reader is up close and personal with the memories from the past as Ivan reveals the horrors from his past, and Isabella confesses the demons that continue to haunt. A mutual connection triggers a search for the truth, as our couple uncover the hidden secrets that have affected them both.
The relationship between Ivan and Isabella begins as an abduction. Isabella refuses to be the victim yet a case of mistaken identity thrusts our heroine to take charge. Ivan is about to discover the reality of what was, and refuses to accept Isabella as a pawn. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, powerful and determined secondary and supporting characters including Isabella’s twin sister Mirabella, there brother Vince and his wife Jemma, as well as Jemma’s sister Cara Donnelly; Fiona and Alex Falcone-Moretti; Gabe, Anton and Cristo Falcone, and Vince’s best friend Domenico Rossi , and Raptor security specialists Hawk and Birdie. The requisite evil has many faces.
CRUEL DECEPTION is a story of organized crime, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is gritty and edgy; the romance is spicy and impassioned ; the characters are startling, sassy and lively.
Copy supplied for review
Reviewed by Sandy

