Fallen Saint (All the Pretty Things #2) by Monica James

Each day I spend with her, I know that to save her…I will have to let her go. But how can I do that? She is as much a part of me as I am myself.

Trigger Warning: Violence/ Sexual Scenes/ Kidnapping/ Attempted murder/ Attempted Rape/ Sexual Assault

Plot Summary

Just as this nightmare began, I once again find myself bound, destination unknown. However, this time, my kidnapper is the man who shattered my world beyond repair.

Aleksei Popov—Russia’s number one mobster, and the man I was sold to.

His intentions for me are clear—submit, obey him, and call him master—but I won’t surrender. I’m not like the other girls. Whether that’s a blessing or curse, I’ve yet to decide. The problem is, my disobedience intrigues my captor all the more.

When we arrive in Russia, the rules change.

Saint, the man who was once a sinner, is my only salvation. What was forbidden now gives me hope that there is light in the darkness. He will risk everything to set me free.

But behind these opulent walls, things aren’t what they seem, and when the fine line between pleasure and pain begins to blur, only one thing matters—saving my soul.

I will lie.

Cheat.

Steal.

I was once an angel, but now… I’m a fallen saint, ready to inflict my own pain and burn this hellhole to the ground.

My Review

Change of scenery. Willow is now in the hands of one of the most feared men in all Russia: Aleksei Popov. He wants her to become his to control and to use but Willow is fierce and won’t go down without a fight.

I finally know more about Saint’s sister and I can’t stand her. I believe she suffered deeply in Popov’s hands and he probably broke but the girl gets on my nerves.

Saint becomes focused on getting Willow far far away from Aleksei without getting both of them killed. They love each other deeply but they barely manage to be alone, all eyes are on them. Aleksei is not a man who can be easily deceived.

He tries very hard to gain Willow’s trust and compassion but it’s not easy with Saint around because, for all intents and purposes, Saint broke Willow’s will on the ship and she sees him as her master. And that is why Aleksei sends Saint away, giving him and his sister the desired freedom. Even away, Saint does the impossible to get Willow out but now that she’s spending a lot more time with Aleksei she begins to see he’s not an entirely bad man. He has some soft spots and qualities.

The constant tension I felt through this book was real…everytime Saint and Willow had a moment alone I thought. They’re going to get caught. I really flew through these pages. And after Saint was gone, I began to actually like Aleksei. I actually want to read his story and since it’s fiction, I want his redemption arc.

The end of this book is heart wrenching and I actually cried so be ready for that. You can’t finish this book without immediately grabbing the next one to figure out what happened. It’s that good. Monica James’ talent in dark romances is something else indeed.

Highlight Moments

Saint teaching Willow how to fight
Zoey attacks Willow
Willow and Saint making love
Aleksei taking Willow to the orphanage
Aleksei saving Willow from Oscar
The bombing scene

Tropes You Can Expect:

Forced proximity
Love triangle

Quotes

“We’re one and the same. The pain is our heroin, reminding us that we’re human.”

“Love and fear, I’ve come to learn, are one and the same. It makes you feel the same. Your heart rate increases. Your palms sweat. And most of the time, you want to die. That’s how I feel whenever I’m around you.”