Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: The Deliverance of Marek Sommers
SERIES: Standalone
AUTHOR: Ashlyn Drewek
PUBLISHER: Fox Hollow Books
LENGTH: 488 Pages
RELEASE DATE: December 15, 2023
BLURB:
Marek Sommers is everything Misha Chernyshevsky shouldn’t want—young, angry at the world, and, worst of all, a man. The fact Marek is dealing drugs for a competitor is the icing on the cake. None of that deters the Russian mafia boss, though.
From the moment he lays eyes on the surly bartender, Misha is captivated. Learning about Marek’s troubled past and fearing for his future, Misha is certain that Marek needs his help—whether he wants it or not.
Convincing Marek to trust him, however, proves to be a more formidable task than Misha anticipates. But if they have any chance of surviving the brutal world of the Russian mafia, Misha needs Marek to trust him before it’s too late.
THE DELIVERANCE OF MAREK SOMMERS is a slow-burn MM romance about a down-and-out bartender with a harrowing past and the Russian mafia boss determined to save him from it all. Violence and heartache make the tender moments that much sweeter, HEA guaranteed. It is intended for a mature audience and reader discretion is advised. A full list of triggers can be found in the front matter of the book and at my website under Tropes & Triggers.
This book can be read as a standalone. However, it is a spinoff from the Solnyshko Duet and contains spoilers for those books if you haven’t read them.
REVIEW:
Marek is a streetwise survivor. From nothing, Misha worked his way to the top ranks of the Chicago Russian Mafia. When a drug dealer invades their territory, the Mafia Boss wants to know who. Misha knows that Marek is dealing drugs, but after a confrontation, Misha is unexpectedly protective of him – even more so when Marek walks out of the bar and is in the wind. Recognizing himself in Marek, for the first time in a long while, Misha wants something he thought he’d never get to have.
The Deliverance of Marek Somers is part of a larger universe but can be read as a standalone novel. The narrative involves everything good, bad, and bloodthirsty within the MOB. Pockets of loyalty mean everything. Kill or be killed is the ethos, and anything sacred to a person can be used against them. The story is a high-octane tale, where blowing someone’s head off is the norm, and wiping the blood off a knife is as familiar as downing a vodka. But, let’s face it, no story involving any form of Mafia shenanigans will be cookie-cutter. While I am positive plenty will give this story full marks, I have fallen shy of that because this is a long novel with few areas for characters or readers to take a breather. Another drama was brewing before the previous one ended, and as edge-of-seat it was, I was exhausted by the end as opposed to thinking ‘Wow, I’ve got to read that again’.
The story is told in the first person from the viewpoints of Misha and Marek. Worldbuilding is in and around Chicago, including a MOB-run nightclub. Other areas involve the personal lives and families of Marek and Misha, which bring their own set of loneliness and drug-related problems. As already mentioned above, blood and gore are not strangers, so be careful if you have a weak stomach.
Marek’s life is one that no child should have to endure. It has made him cynical and distrustful, with self-worth being one among many issues. What keeps him going is the need to do anything for his siblings, whom he is determined to keep out of the gutter with heart-wrenching consequences.
Hailing from deep within Russian forces, Misha knows what caring can cost a man. Nevertheless, his willingness to fight for his men has earned him their loyalty. His abilities have also earned him a few enemies, too. His stoic persona is rarely wrinkled, and he does what needs to be done, thinking of the long game and the knowledge that everyone eventually dies – he occasionally gives people the choice to hasten the process. Until Marek, Misha never truly let down the masks.
The extended cast includes a range of characters that pop in and out – from politicians to the poor, the naïve and misguided, people without conscience, the wolves, and those without choice. The Deliverance of Marek Sommers is a long, well-written, engaging tale crammed with danger and sex, cleverly transcribed in such a way that makes a person want to absolve the protagonists of anything that isn’t law-abiding. So, if the blurb is enticing – go for it.
RATING: 
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