Home, Bratva is my home. My sanctuary from the past. The only place where a killing machine like me belongs.
Sometimes, my demons come rushing back, And I feel out of control, full of rage, Close to losing myself completely.
Until a broken, injured woman stumbles onto my path, Awakening my protective instincts, And sending my demons to sleep.
Keeping her prisoner is my only option. If she leaves, My darkness will resurface, And there will be no escaping it this time.
Angelina
Escape, That’s all I can do, Only to end up in the hands of a crazed killer.
Now, I’m fighting to stay away from my enemies, And trying to not fall for a man I shouldn’t want.
But what will happen when we both reveal our hidden truths?
*Hidden Truths is a full-length novel with several open-door steamy scenes, no cheating and a guaranteed HEA.
This is the third book in Perfectly Imperfect mafia series. Each book in this series features a different couple and can be read as a standalone, but for maximum enjoyment, follow the recommended reading order.
His reputation proceeds him. Negotiator and Hitman; Sergei Berlov is not one to be fucked with, otherwise things might just go kaboom! But behind the instability is a man who has been conditioned and put through a life changing ordeal. Now living in the aftermath, a waif of a girl he rescues seems to be the remedy to the PSTD that haunts him.
When she tells me who hurt her, and she will eventually, I’ll have such a great time killing them. I won’t use a gun. That’s too quick. A knife won’t do, either. Hmm. Waterboarding? Maybe, if I can find a good place to do it. Strangulation? Yes, that sounds nice.
With the execution of her father, Cartel Princess Angelina is being smuggled away from her home in a last effort to save her life. When she is intercepted by Sergei, her situation could easily go from bad to worse. But what happens when her saviour wants to keep her? Yet more than that, he gives her every reason to stay.
“I’m fucked up, Angelina. Seriously fucked up.”
“That’s okay. I like you just the way you are.”
I really enjoyed Hidden Truths. It's was action packed, fast paced and romantic. I mean the relationship between Sergei and Angelina felt easy and comfortable. They simply adored each other and I appreciated Angelina's strength and tolerance. The intimacy was passionate and some of the scenes were outright naughty and unexpected.
I've always liked this series even though I thought they were too sweet for mafia romances. However I feel like this author is finding her stride and each book is progressively better. Now that I'm singing a different tune, I can't wait for the remaining books to follow!
First of all, Neva Altaj has evolved extremely well!!! Despite any issues I may have with her stories, I am anticipating for any of her next release!!! She creates stories where all the elements have the right proportions. The angst, the humour, the drama, the suspense. But above all, the romance has the major role!
And those covers!!!! 🤩🤩🤩
Sergei and Angelina’s story was amazing and emotional. His character was completely different from the two previous ones in the series. However, all of them were very protective and possessive of their heroines. He suffered from PTSD and had his dark moments dwelling in the past, yet Angelina managed to bring him back to the present and calm him.
The secondary characters were fantastic, as weel as Sergei’s dog Mimi!!!
It was a little insta love, the steamy scenes could have been less and I wanted more development or elaboration of some topics.
Honestly, I was debating whether to give it 4 or 5 stars since the last section of the book seemed a little long (except for the last 2 chapters, which were incredible). I honestly don't know why Neva put in 3 chapters in a row full of smut when she could have summed it all up in a chapter or a chapter and a half 🥴🥴
Still the action is great. I loved Angelina, Sergei didn't drive me very crazy, but he is an interesting character.
I’ve removed my original review because it wouldn’t be fair or right to other readers to give my thoughts on a book that includes so many similarities to a previously published book. . Nor would it be fair to the other author. So my rating has been changed.
After murdering Manny Sandoval, head of one of the largest Mexican cartels, his daughter, Angelina, is being forced to marry his former friend and ally, Diego Rivera.
With the help of her nana, she sneaks onto a transport vehicle headed to the United States.
When the trained assassin of the Bratva intercepts the carrier, Sergei Belov vows to protect her
This cinnamon roll hitman, with more demons than any man should have, is the type of hero I crave.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Burn: 🔥🔥🔥 Darkness: 🖤 Heat: 🌶🌶️ Range of Emotions: 😩😬🥵🫣😍 Ending: 💗 {HEA} POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}
🗂 Genre: Contemporary Romance
✨ Tropes: Age Gap (7), Mafia/Bratva/Crime Family, Kidnap/Captive, Forced Proximity, Who Hurt You, Touch-Her-and-💀
🫦 Kinks: n/a
⛔️ Warning: This book may cause blushing, squirming, combusting panties, and/or self-care.
��️ Safety Squad: VîoIencė
📣 Type: Hidden Truths is part of the Perfectly Imperfect series but can be read as a standalone. However, these books will be best enjoyed when read in order.
🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.
Hasta ahorita mi libro favorito de la serie. Y Sergei mi personaje favorito, amo a su tipo, que son torturados con traumas que es peligroso, inteligente y todo eso es Sergei.
Angelina también me gustó mucho y que es todas las protagonistas tienen el mismo patrón que son obligadas a estar con ellos, pero no se portan como una bitches al contrario.
La relación de ellos me gustó un montón, amaba como ella lo quería ayudar y él como la protegía.
Éste también tiene acción y un poquito de angst.
Ya me hice muy fan de esta serie y sin duda la seguiré.
This series just keeps impressing me. I love the tough Mafia man who is just absolute goo for his woman. I knew I would like this couple when their first meeting appeared in a previous book. When I got the full picture in this story I loved it even more.
I feel like the author takes on tough topics in a very real but compassionate way. This one has a broken hero with severe PTSD and the young woman he kidnaps/rescues (it's complicated, okay!) who helps him start to heal. I also VERY much appreciate that one night with her doesn't fix 10 years of trauma. That just wouldn't happen. However, they do find ways to cope and heal together.
As with other books, the romance was absolutely sweet and heartwarming.. I just love how this author writes some awkward yet sexy first moments of romance.. just so swoony.
I can't wait for the next one!
4.5 Stars 3 on the spice scale
TW: death of a parent, PTSD, assault, attempted SA (not by hero), violence
I swear I read a book like this by a different author although the book was a lot longer which made sense for the plot and development when you have this type of trauma .. and how you spent your youth .. also I am pretty sure some passages were word for word copied from said book (actually I even checked ) beside the obvious and blatant plagiarism the writing was bad in general , plot was under cooked and unseasoned !!!
will not bother with other books in the series also I am a bit concerned as to if they are all basically plagiarised from other ( better in my humble opinion ) authors…
Absolutely freaking loved this book. Actually, I love the whole damn series and Neva Altaj is probably one of my most favorite newer authors ❤️. Great storyline that moved very quickly and had lots of action. Tons of witty dialogue and banter that left a smile on my face as I read. Awesome side characters like "Albert" the butler, Nana, and all the previous story's MCs. The first smexy time was super hot, but it also made me laugh out loud at the same time. And of course, the hero, because who doesn't like broken heroes who are a tad psycho and give off vibes like "touch her and 🔪" and "I can't be touched by anyone other than her" 🤷🏻♀️? I thought Angelina was perfect for Sergei. She truly accepted him, she's a fighter, and will do anything for the people she loves - even put her own life at risk. Just an all around great read and the epilogue at the end will leave you with a smile on your face and craving future stories for other characters!
Hidden Truths is the 3rd book in the Perfectly Imperfect series by Neva Altaj and be read as a standalone, but best enjoyed when read in series order. But, really, why would you not read the first two books which are equally awesome? It is told in first person, from multiple perspectives.
this author plagiarised Morally Ambiguous by Veronica Lancet. if you’re gonna be a author, be original. plagiarism is failure. if it’s easy for you to copy someone’s else’s work, it’s clear you’re shit at what you do. Morally Ambiguous is 10x the better story. you can tell Veronica put her heart into.
and for you to say it was ‘unethical’ when you came to find out your beta reader was pirating Veronica’s book and you still kept your beta reader and continued to plagiarise…that’s a hypocrite.
4.5-5 arası gittim geldim. Diğer kitaplarına göre daha mafya olaylıydı bunu sevdim yani hala Çorbacık mafya gibi geliyorlar daha romantizm yüksek ama yine de burda Sergei'ye eridim eridim 💞 çok akıcı ve okunması çok kolay bir seri bence. Sonraki kitaba çok yükseldim çünkü Age Gap bir de Az diye bir karakter gördük ona da çok yukseldim ve Pavel...onunda kitabı age gap imiş adam aşırı havalıydı..hemen onunda kitabı gelsinnn🤤
Hidden Truths is entertaining read. I like the banter. Cute and sweet. Funny too. Miss Altaj certainlh have a knack to write rom com instead of dark romance.
I like both Sergei and Angelina. The story is short. So I finished it in one sitting.
Sergei has violent episodes where he “zones out” and hurts anyone who is in his vicinity. From the moment he saves Angelina, she is ✨immune✨ and can not only be safe around him during an episode, but can also “bring him back”.
The instant connection between the main characters hampers what could have been a really beautiful story. There was no build-up of affections, and while they both did kind things for the other, it didn’t feel genuine.
Felix and Nana Guadalupe saved the book for me. I loved their protectiveness of their family (in Felix’s case—found family), and I enjoyed their ending. A romance in the last pages overshadowed an entire book’s worth.
Karakterlerin yaşadığı acıyı, tetikleyici unsurun iyileşme süreci yine bana eksik geldi ama onun dışında fena değildi.
Aşırı derecede sahiplenme içeriyordu yine, dark - mafya romanslarında hit olmuş bir içerik bu yüzden çok yargılamadım ama her şeyin fazlası benim gözüme batıyor 🙈 Bunun dışında karakterler davranış olarak çok basit , çocuksu durmuyordu. Bu açıdan gözüme batan bir şey olmadı.
Meksikalı bir uyuşturucu kartelinin kızı ve keskin nişancı bir rus mafya üyesinin hikayesiydi. Sergei kabusları olan bir adam, Angelina ise bu kabusları kovan bir melek... Değişik bir ikiliydi. Genel olarak çok sorunlu yada gerilim dolu çiftler yazmamış yazar. Hatta medeniler bile 🤣