Oh I don't know where to start.
I've been (im)patiently waiting for Misha's book since the first time he appeared in Roan and Sasha's duology, in all his badass, complicated, contradictory glory. I was immediately intrigued by him, and I seriously could not wait to have his book in my hands.
I was expecting to love "The Deliverance of Marek Sommers", and while I did enjoy this book, I wasn't totally sold on it, unfortunately.

First things first though, the good:
- The characters. I absolutely adored Misha: he's that perfect mixture of gruff and strong, sweet and caring. I loved how loyal he was to his people, and I loved how protective and loyal he was to Marek: if there's one thing I'm weak for, it's dangerous heroes being soft for their love interests.
I loved Marek too: he's a complicated man, and his "run before I get hurt" personality IS very realistic considering his past, and, like Roan, he's got a distinct lack of morals and a ruthlessness that make him the perfect man for Misha's very violent and very criminal "career". Both MCs were multifaceted and complicated, and I always appreciate that in the romances I read.

- I loved the writing, I loved Bri and Ezra and Nadia, and I loved seeing a bit more of Misha's men too: they're so loyal to him, and it made me smile how they acted a bit like mother hens when it came to his safety.

So why 3.5 stars?
Well, although I DID enjoy this book, I thought it was a bit too long for starters. Maybe it was necessary for Misha and Marek's development as a couple, considering Marek's past and his understandable skittishness towards big, powerful men, but I still ended up skimming quite a few chunks of the book.
And I also found this book... I don't know, a bit too unfair? Gratuitous? Some things happen that left me feeling quite a bit unsettled, and it kinda spoilt the ending for me: although it's a very, very happy HEA, some things were just a bit too dark and too unfair, too unforgivably violent, for me too accept that ending as a satisfying one. I know this is a dark romance, so maybe it's my fault for expecting something different, but still, there has to be a line somewhere.
I don't know, maybe I haven't read enough of this kind of genre, and mine's probably an unpopular opinion, but still, some things that happen left me with a bad, bitter taste in my mouth, and I couldn't get over it.

But yes, like I said, mine's probably an unpopular opinion, and if you love dark romances with a hard-won HEA, complicated, dangerous men and lots and lots of steam, this is the book for you. Plus, it has a really sweet epilogue, despite it all.

TWs/CWs: attempted sexual assault (on page), sexual assault (past), abusive parent, drug addiction, death of family members, violence.

Thank you GRR for the ARC. I received it in exchange for an honest review.