Beyond Measure (Ruthless Doms #2) By Jane Henry

I liked the Uber Alphaness of Tomas but I think this book massively overlooks (read: completely ignores) the trauma of repeated rape and battery and the psychological torture the backstory for Caroline would have left. This terribly impacted how much I could really enjoy this book. None of the sexual reactions from Caroline (especially within hours of meeting Tomas) made any sense to me and made me cringe.

I enjoy domestic discipline books when done right and without the rape backstory, I could see how this book would have been fun. Even with the rape and battery backstory removed, I probably would have still thought the escalation in discipline was a lot too quick, though. Jane Henry Recently someone liked my review of this book. I should say rating because when I checked, there was no review...only a rating. Not sure why the rating registered, but the actually review only appeared on Amazon. I've noticed a few like this, I'll update them as I find them. Just know that 99.9% of the time I include a written review with my ratings. So if you come across one that doesn't have a written review, please drop me a comment or message to let me know. Thanks. Now to the review.

I don't normally go for mob style (or in this case Bratva...Russian Mob) romances. Mostly because these guys are truly bad guys who do evil things. Don't get me wrong, I love a good bad boy (how's that for an oxymoron?). What I mean is, I like a tough, alpha guy, one who's a little domineering and maybe has done some bad things to protect someone. But when you're dealing with Mob guys, you're dealing with REAL bad guys, the ones who deal in drugs, prostitution, sex trafficking and murder not just in self defense or protection of someone but because the victim was a rival or crossed them. They're more than bad guys, they're criminals and in most of these stories, not being redeemed, but remaining in the criminal life. So yeah, not really into that!

That being said, this story deals very little with the criminal aspect, though it is mentioned and you know his crime family deals in drugs. But mostly it deals with Caroline (the heroine), sister of a Russian, minor crime leader in San Diego, and the abuse she suffered (from her brother and his right hand man (and best friend).) You get only a little history of this before the brother has agreed to give his sister as a bride to a Boston pakhan (leader of Russian crime family) in order to satisfy a debt owed. (The brother's friend was not happy about that). The remainder of the story deals mostly with the developing relationship between Caroline and her new husband as well as an attempt by the brother's best friend to get her back.

This is a dark romance so there are some bdsm scenes. The H (the husband, does demand respect and obedience and yes she doesn't always obey and earns spankings, but most are pretty tame. Mostly the hand, a paddle and belt are used and no damage to skin occurs. There is only one scene where a flogger is used and some description used may give the impression that there are cuts but upon further reading you realize it probably didn't mean actual cuts that draw blood. In fact, at the end of this scene, the Heroine actually admits that she needs that intensity sometimes! And by this point in the book, the author has done such an excellent job of building the story and the heroines introduction to the life style as well as her discovery that she is not only turned on by it, but needs it that it's all very believable.

You might ask how an abused woman would be into bdsm (I usually do and find it hard to believe). But in this case, while Caroline was raped by the brothers best friend, (the brother never believed her), most of the abuse she suffered from both was emotional and mental. The kept her hidden and constantly called her whore and told her she was ugly, worthless and no one would want her. Her husband, on the other hand, thinks she's beautiful and precious and treats her well and never takes her against her will. Even the spankings mostly end with mind blowing, mutually agreeable, sex!

All in all, aside from the crime boss thing, the H is the best kind of alpha, dark romance hero and I really did enjoy this book. If you're into the Mafia or Bratva type romances, you'll love this! Beyond Measure (Ruthless Doms #2) This book was so good that I read it in one setting!! Caroline's brother agrees to let her marry Tomas to pay a debt he owes but one of his men isn't happy about that. Tomas doesn't expect to fall for Caroline but as they spend more time together, he does, even though she is feisty, rebellious and very stubborn. This simply won't do for the wife of the Pakhan! The journey these two go through keep me turning the pages. The highs and lows, the drama, the danger......it all adds up to what is fast becoming a favorite series of mine. When Caroline is taken from Tomas, he is enraged and goes after her with everything in him. It was intriguing to watch Caroline grow into a very strong woman, even though she started out with so much self doubt in herself. Ms. Henry knows how to keep her readers hooked on the story and this one is no exception. Loved it and I can't wait for the next book. Now, if only we could get Stefan's story!! I would love to see this older and mature man get his own HEA!! Bravo!!!! Best book to date by Jane Henry. I absolutely fell for Tomas. I was leery about him when we were introduced to him in Priceless. But he definitely won me over in Beyond Measure.
Caroline was the perfect wife for him. Equal parts sassy and submissive.
I can't wait to see whose book is next.

I read an advanced copy of this book. ❤~🌟~❤ 4.5 RAPTUROUS STARS! ❤~🌟~❤

“My fate is sealed.”

HOLY HOT TAMALE! Jane Henry has wowed me once again with BEYOND MEASURE, the second titillating installment in her Ruthless Doms series! This deliciously dark and gritty, smolderingly sexy and intensely emotional tale is PULSATING with passion, excitement, panty melting hot spanky times, and is so wildly addictive I could hardly catch my breath!

THE PREMISE:
For the good of the brotherhood, the time has come for Tomas Dobrynin, the powerfully ruthless Pakhan of the Boston Bratva, to claim a bride. And he is owed a massive debt so why not kill two birds with one stone? As such, long overdue payment comes in the form of sweet Caroline, the sheltered, oppressed sister of Aren Koslov of the San Diego Bratva.

Before she knows what’s happening, Aren’s cloistered sister, Caroline, is whisked off on a plane to Atlanta to wed Tomas. She puts up a good fight but ultimately is no match for this dark and dominant man who makes her quake with fear and longing! However, despite his stern, fearsome demeanor, Tomas is not nearly as callous and cold-hearted as he first appears. But how could she ever live up to what her mercilessly sexy new husband needs her to be?

For Caroline has scars, inside and out, and while Tomas awakens secret submissive desires in her that she never dreamed possible, she feels unworthy of love and devotion. But she does not see what HE sees. And while he initially claimed ownership over his bride as a bargaining chip she becomes so much more! Because reflected in his gaze he beholds a damaged yet passionate woman who he will move heaven and earth to possess, punish and pleasure as he sees fit. And keep safe from their enemies at all costs!

Has the almighty Pakhan finally met in his match in matters of the heart?

MY MUSINGS:
Jane Henry spins a high-octane arranged marriage story that truly bristles with excitement, passion and pathos, sin and seduction, angst and suspense! As we are swept up into the dark and dangerous Bratva world, a deeply poignant woven love story unfolds between Tomas and Caroline that pierced the heart and slayed the soul! And the heat level was off the charts! The sizzling chemistry and torrid passion between this powerfully commanding Pakhan and his beautifully flawed bride leaped like flames off the pages, and oh my, the erotic interludes and discipline-tinged BDSM sessions left my girly bits all aflutter!

Yummmm. Tomas radiates dominance, masculinity and an unbridled ferocity that gave me full body shivers! Sighhh….it’s in his nature to protect and provide, who can resist that, right?! But make no mistake…this stern, formidable, and at times heavy handed, Pakhan rules with an iron fist and demands respect at all costs. So while Tomas’s “little detka” was truly his most treasured possession, she WOULD learn her place or suffer the consequences!

The emotional complexity of this love story really struck a chord in me. Caroline has endured much cruelty and abuse in her life and her emotional wounds are embedded impossibly deep. But if there’s one man who can help her heal, spirit and soul, it’s Tomas. For he may be ruthless and barbaric in his work, but Caroline brings out a softness in him that will make you swoon! I just LOVED how mirrored in his gaze he made her see herself for the beautiful woman she was, a woman who was more than worthy of love. HIS LOVE. And he would STOP AT NOTHING to avenge the tormentors of her past!

Gah! I also ADORED this heroine! While on the surface Caroline might seem scarred and vulnerable, yet despite her crippling insecurities, she is “no submissive wallflower,” and has a sassy, bubbly side, which I found utterly endearing. She has been locked away in an ivory tower all her life yet being absconded from the only home she’s ever known was still far from easy. But with Tomas’s strict yet tender loving guidance she finally learns how to fly free. And as the story evolves we come to see her blossom and emerge as a woman of strength, courage and conviction.

Ultimately, I thought these two made a PERFECT match and even though they have plenty of palpable tension and obstacles to overcome, I relished watching Caroline slowly but surely win the heart of her growly beast! However, it’s far from smooth sailing because a war between brotherhoods is coming which will ultimately end in bloodshed! But of course good triumphs over evil in the end!


NARRATION:
This was an audio listen for me and once again Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott left me enraptured from start to finish. Mr. Ross’s deep, rumbly Russian brogue gave me goosebumps and he embodied this Pakhan’s commanding persona brilliantly, infusing this dangerously possessive anti-hero with an intoxicating blend of dominance, virility, gentle heartedness and PRIMAL sex appeal. As for Ms. Kennicott, she continues to astound me with her sensitive, deeply nuanced performances and her portrayal of Caroline, in all her beautifully broken glory, was MESMERIZING! She brought out not only the heroine’s sweetness, fragility and heartbreaking vulnerability but also her grit, resilience and fire! Together these narrators breathed life into these beloved characters and made this thrillingly sexy Ruthless Doms story truly unforgettable!

BOTTOM LINE:
I can’t rave enough about BEYOND MEASURE! And if you too can’t resist a steamy and adrenaline pumping Bratva tale that delivers on every level, this novel is guaranteed to leave you writhing in pleasure!

Highly recommend!

A Dark Bratva Romance

USA Today bestselling author Jane Henry delivers a gritty, impassioned romance of arranged marriage, fearless love, and ultimate triumph over evil.

I'm the girl no one wants.

Scarred beyond repair and locked away, I'm tainted and tarnished.
Unworthy of friendship, love, or hope.

But I was born into Bratva life, and my life is not my own.

I'm ripped from my home and forced to marry a man I've never met, sight unseen.

He's ruthless, possessive, fierce...

My husband. Beyond Measure (Ruthless Doms #2)

Yikes I really need to go and read more books by this author as this was a fantastic story. I inhaled it in one sitting as I didn’t wanna put it down. Tomas and Caroline are thrown together in a way they didn’t think possible. To settle a debt Caroline becomes his bride. These two are fantastic together and in all honesty I didn’t want it to end. I can’t wait to read more from this author. Caroline and Tomas' story... and I think that this one is my favorite one so far by Jane Henry. I'm happy that I ended up reading this book. It was a pleasant surprise, especially after never finishing Nicolai's story. This is my fifth Jane Henry book in a row & I'm in no way tired of her. I keep wanting more. She brings her style to each trope and book and damn, I NEED MORE. I love that each book reads different. I love that this series has more praise kink than the wicked doms series - it makes it a tad bit more irresistible! (No shade to the wicked doms, they were wickedly delicious as well!) and LORD, thank you for the curvy heroine and the bratva hero!! Needed some of that. Jane Henry A kink that sadly does not work for me. Beyond Measure: A Dark Bratva Romance was my first book by this author and my last. First I want to make clear it's my fault because this book was recommended in a FB group and since I can't resist an organized crime romance or an arranged marriage I jumped right on without really looking at this authors other work which seems dominated by Doms (I should have paid attention to the Amazon title). I love dominant men and I love a good spanking and some hair pulling what I can't deal with which is repeated so often I was annoyed is how he demands obedience. It's imperative that the men show no weakness and their woman must learn their place and be obedient and submissive. Sorry I like my h's feisty and while I can deal with them acting obedient in public in private I expect them to be themselves. So in the end this was not for me. English