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Stay Toxic by Lani Lynn Vale | Book Review

Jan. 07, 2025

Stay Toxic by Lani Lynn Vale | Book Review

It's a new year and the first of two new series from Lani Lynn Vale. I have waiting for the Semyonovs since the Carter Brothers series and let me tell you this one did not disappoint.

Stay Toxic by Lani Lynn Vale | Book Reviewfive-stars
Stay Toxic by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Semyonov Bratva #1
Genres: Romantic Suspense, Mafia Romance

There was right, there was wrong, and then there was the in-between.

The place where normal people reside, understanding that there are two sides to every coin. People that do bad things for good reasons. People that do bad things for bad reasons.

First, I knew that Shasha Semyonov was a bad man. One that did bad things for bad reasons. That didn’t mean that I was rational when it came to him.

He was toxic to my health, yet I wanted him anyway.

They say the first step to healing is admitting when you have a problem.

My problem happened to be six feet two inches tall, two hundred and twenty pounds, and bearded to perfection.

Oh, and he was also the scariest guy I knew.

Meanwhile, I was the laughingstock of the city.

The woman who was cheated on by her boyfriend with her best friend, and it was captured live while a band played in the background, perfectly accenting the humiliating video.

There was no way that Shasha Semyonov would notice me.

Right?

Wrong.

I’d definitely been noticed.

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Also from the Author

Hail Mary , Quit Your Pitchin', Too Bad So Sad, Mess Me Up, Trash Talkin'

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


Review


I  have been waiting for the Seymonov family since we first met them in Clap Back. They are Maven’s biological family which is a whole story and I suggest reading it. This is a standalone so you certainly don’t need to read anything to be able to read this one.

Here we meet Sasha who I just love! He’s the head of the Bratva and while he does very criminal things there is a goodness in him that you can easily see. His family comes first always! You see that in the way he is with Maven and the fact that he never stopped looking for her. You also can see how the fact that Maven was taken when she was little affected him as he has grown. He has a need to protect his family at all costs. 

More than that he wants to protect Brecken even from himself and his line of work. She of course is not bothered at all by what he does for a living. From the moment she sees him she is intrigued. She also needs him to answer some questions about her friend from work who may or may not have taken some advice from Brecken.

Add in her cheating ex and best friend and you have a whole mess that would bring any girl to her knees. Yet, time and time again there is Sasha stepping in to shield her from things. Everyone from her brothers to Sasha himself keeps telling her to stay away from him and she just ignores their advice altogether. I loved it!

Brecken’s brothers are something else! As are her sisters honestly. I love that they give the Seymonov’s a bit of something they never had really. I wished we had a little more of Sasha’s grandmother because she is a hoot! If you are a mafia romance fan then this is the book for you. Honestly, even if you are aren’t take a read, I know you will find you love it as well.

Stay Toxic Teaser

More in Series


  • Walking-Red-Flag-by-Lani-Lynn-Vale
  • Always-Salty-by-Lani-Lynn-Vale
SEMYONOV BRATVA SERIES REVIEWS

Meet the Author


five-stars

About Lani Lynn Vale

Lani Lynn Vale is a USA Today Bestselling Author of over thirty titles. She is married with three children, two dogs, two cats, a donkey, and a couple (a couple also meaning over twenty) chickens.

When she’s not writing, you can find her curled up in her favorite chair reading.

Lani is married with three children, and lives in the Great State of Texas.

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Category: Review Tags: Favorite Author, Favorite Series, Give Me Books Promotions

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. heather says

    January 7, 2025 at 9:20 am

    I enjoyed reading your review. I love the titles of Lani Lynn Vale’s books.

    Reply
  2. MICHAEL A LAW says

    January 8, 2025 at 8:58 am

    This looks like a great. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  3. bn100 says

    January 9, 2025 at 12:56 pm

    odd title

    Reply
  4. Barrie says

    January 9, 2025 at 8:40 pm

    It sounds like another good book by your favorite author, Lani!

    Reply
  5. Nina Lewis says

    January 9, 2025 at 10:43 pm

    I’m currently reading this one. I love her books & I love Mafia Romance so I am loving it. Can’t wait for more of this series. Thank you for your review, Rita! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Dreaa Drake says

    January 10, 2025 at 11:39 pm

    Added to my tbr hope to read it soon!

    Reply

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There was right, there was wrong, and then there was the in-between.
 
The place where normal people reside, understanding that there are two sides to every coin. People that do bad things for good reasons. People that do bad things for bad reasons.
 
First, I knew that Shasha Semyonov was a bad man. One that did bad things for bad reasons. That didn’t mean that I was rational when it came to him.
 
He was toxic to my health, yet I wanted him anyway.
 
They say the first step to healing is admitting when you have a problem.
 
My problem happened to be six feet two inches tall, two hundred and twenty pounds, and bearded to perfection.
 
Oh, and he was also the scariest guy I knew.
 
Meanwhile, I was the laughingstock of the city.
 
The woman who was cheated on by her boyfriend with her best friend, and it was captured live while a band played in the background, perfectly accenting the humiliating video.
 
There was no way that Shasha Semyonov would notice me.
Right?
 
Wrong.
 
I’d definitely been noticed.
 
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