REVIEW: Disguised as Love by LJ Evans

Disguised as Love (Anchor Suspense #3) by LJ Evans: Raisa Leskov is a mafia princess living in the US, working on a technology that could help the world get rid of its dependency on fossil fuels, away from her family’s illegal business. When her father is killed, she has to come back to Russia to bury him. But she won’t go alone. FBI Special Agent Cruz Malone, who’s working undercover in one of the Russian mafia families, has the assignment to take Raisa to Russia. Once they’re there, they find out there are more disturbing reasons why his ‘boss’ wants Raisa on Russian territory.

In all this mess, both Raisa and Cruz are walking a dangerous line: their sexual attraction could kill them. Literally. But as they have to act as lovers in front of mafia leaders and her family, they became closer. Not only physically, but emotionally, creating a bond that couldn’t be broken. How do they find a way to get out of this complicated net, in which Raisa—unknowingly—is the center?

“I just felt like one of the pieces on the chessboard. I was being navigated around in a game I’d never liked and didn’t understand. […] I was a simple pawn. One who could be sacrificed for the sake of a win.”

I found this book very well developed. The relationship between Raisa and Cruz goes from enemies to allies to lovers, and their chemistry works perfectly with a plot full of intriguing twists and turns in which anything can happen. What makes this couple alluring is the fact that, even though it looks like everything happens very fast, chronologically speaking, their romance develops at a perfect pace. Not too fast, not too slow. Also, their sexual interactions, and I’m not talking about sex scenes precisely, doesn’t look forced. Everything in Raisa and Cruz’s relationship is organic and natural, given the unorthodox circumstances.

In addition, every character, main and secondary, brings a key piece to this puzzle. Everything is placed in perfect shape to create a strong and credible story.

What I liked most of this book is that the author takes risks with her writing; this is more than a mafia romance. The way she uses emotions to build Raisa and Cruz’s characters without losing focus of the big picture (or without being corny) is interesting.

This book isn’t my first from Ms. Evans, but it’s the one I liked most. The author knows how to create a powerful story without being overwhelming. And, of course, the playlist is phenomenal.

Book Info:

Publication: April 22, 2022 | Pub: LJ Evans | Anchor Suspense #3

He’s a surly, undercover agent set in his ways.
She’s a genius scientist from the family he’s investigating.
One mistake can cost them everything, including their hearts.

After years working to bring the Leskov family down, Special Agent Cruz Malone is determined not to let the sexy blonde, scientist of the family stop him. Tying her to his side with a lie seems like his only option until having her there becomes his riskiest venture yet.

Avoiding her family’s criminal world was Raisa Leskov’s wish and her father’s command, so being summoned home comes with inherent danger. When a broody agent storms in promising to protect her, she lets him. But that doesn’t mean she’ll just sit back and watch while the infuriating man dismantles her world…or her heart.

From award-winning author LJ Evans, comes another achingly emotional, slow-burn romantic suspense that whirls you around the globe and back with surprises every step of the way.

An interconnected HEA in the Anchor Suspense Novels. Can be read standalone, but is best read from book one.