Beautiful Chains

Molotov Betrothal, Book 2

By: Anna Zaires

Narrated by: CJ Bloom, Ryan West

Length: 5 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Alina

Alexei Leonov. My stalker. My captor. And now, my husband.

On a yacht in the middle of the Pacific, he is the source of and solace from my suffering.

He will stop at nothing, until I’m bound to him in every way. And marriage is only the beginning.

Alexei

For 11 years, I’ve plotted and waited, consumed with fantasies of what it would be like once Alina Molotova was finally mine.

Now that I have her, my obsession with her is only getting stronger. My plans for her may be ruthless, but I’ll do whatever it takes to chain her to me—mind, body, and heart.

Only, there’s one thing I didn’t count on. One variable I didn’t plan for.

The twisted hand of fate.

©2023 Anna Zaires (P)2023 Anna Zaires

A curveball from Zaires

I’ve read most of Zaires’ catalog by now (at least the ones on audible) and IMO she is far and away the best author in the “Dubious Consent” sub-genre. If you liked her other books, you won’t be disappointed by this one either. I won’t spoil, but there’s a big twist at the end of this one that’s unlike anything else she’s written (that I know of.) It ends on a big cliffhanger and I can’t WAIT to read the next installment.

I docked a star because some of it just felt so unfathomable that it took me out of the story a little bit. Like a portable MRI machine being transported by a submarine and then operated in the middle of the ocean. LOL. As a writer myself, this shows a lack of research. But other than that, this book was every bit as enjoyable as her others and was worth the credit. (I usually only buy bundles, but I couldn’t wait to read this series.)

Performance— Both narrators did a fine job. Personally, I preferred Sebastian York (from Zaire’s other titles) over this male narrator but that’s just because I like his voice better (even if his Russian accent was hit or miss at times.) In this series, I missed the Russian accents that this male narrator didn’t bother doing. But that’s really my only criticism.

Riveting from the Start

Alina’s story continues as she tries to navigate her mixed feelings for Alexi. This book had me hooked from start to finish. Cj Bloom and Ryan West did an incredible job brining Alina and Alexi to life. Their emotions matched the characters well. I’m looking forward to the next book. I need to see how their story ends.

Loving this series

I am loving this series. But man did my heart break! These two have not had it easy as children or adults and their choices aren’t making it any easier. The only thing that seems easy is their connection in passion. But post-passion, they are back to their destructive selves. The last few chapters grabbed hold of my heart and ripped it to shreds.

I need more!

Great narration.

Beautiful chains

I loved this book, I had already guessed what was causing her headaches but what I did not see coming another cliffhanger ugh. I just hope we don't have to wait another year for the next book. Also I loved the performance.

More steam and angst!

I thought book 1 was one steamy read but this second installment was even more so. I equally hate and love Alexei’s ruthless and obsessive ways but I could also understand his motivations. Alina was annoying at times but okay, I do understand her struggles. I wrongly thought I was reading a typical Anna Zaire’s dark romance and boy was I wrong. The story took another dark turn which I did not see coming at all and then it ended on a cliffhanger. Gah!

CJ Bloom is back as Alina. She performed her parts flawlessly. Unlike book 1, we get Alexei’s POV in this book and Ryan West did great. Before this, I haven’t listened to much of his narration but I’m gonna be looking out for more books narrated by him.

Cliffhanger ending 🤧

I listened to book one last year and I’ll be honest I forgot some details so I had to go back and refresh. I wasn’t aware it was a trilogy and this is another cliffhanger ending so be prepared. Also I didn’t find any of the content triggering but do your own research.

My favorite parts were getting a peek into Alexei’s childhood. While it wasn’t good and my heart hurt for him it explains a lot about why he is the way he is. I understand him a bit better and it made want Alina to stop fighting him so hard. For me because of the way Alina kept him at a distance and because of the ending it left me wanting. I needed to have some sweet moments between the two and not all gloom and doom. I just hope the next book comes out soon and that there is an HEA. I think they both deserve it.

Narration was really good!

Not what I expected!

This story so didn’t go where I thought! I am really hoping for a HEA! I need book 3! 😭. I hope book 3 shows interaction between her brothers and Alexei. Hoping they get along once they see how much he really loves her. Would be awesome to see Chloe and Slava too!! Loved it!! But as always I want more!!

Favorite Author

I fell in love with dark romance because of Anna Zaires her Twist Me books were the first I ever read and she never disappoints.

I didn't see this coming at all!

Audiobook: Narrators - C.J. Bloom and Ryan West

Oh my gosh! Ryan West was amazing!!! This is my first time listening to him and from his first words I was a goner. He was perfect as Alexei. This wasn’t just a narration, this was two narrators giving life and portraying it through their voices. It was awesome and I loved every moment of their performances.


Wow! I didn’t see this coming, at all!

All of Alexei’s machinations have finally paid off and he has Alina where he wants her. Except she isn’t giving in completely. While the chemistry between them controls much of their reactions, outside that she is standing strong against Alexei’s plans. At least she’s trying to.

I love Alexei in all his alpha glory. He’s an anti-hero that has kept me guessing up to this point. Beautiful Chains gives us his point of view and holy heck was it delicious. He’s determined to have Alina and all that goes along with that.

This has a huge cliffhanger and I’m not sure I’m going to be able to wait until the next book is released.

Every Emotion

This book left me crying. Obviously I hope the next book comes ASAP. Happy to hear both male and female narration. Five stars all the way!