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(Watch Me) Break You: An Enemies-to-Lovers MM Romance (Run This Town Book 1) Kindle Edition
One man addicted to pain. Another all too willing to give it. Only one of them knows they’re supposed to be deadly enemies.
Dima Zhirkov’s usual vices of men, women, and drugs aren’t working. Newly-crowned head of Brooklyn’s Russian Mafia, he’s grasping at the flimsiest of straws to prove he’s strong enough to rule…until he finds himself drawn to a man as cold and dangerous as he is beautiful.
As the secret leader of a rival gang, Xavier “X” Storm is after what Dima holds closest, the Coney Island streets. He puts a hit out on the Russian, but Dima proves untouchable. When he forces his way into X’s life, tempting him to indulge in the dirtiest play, he finds Dima isn’t all that easy to shake, either. His cocky attitude and rough submission entice X to go where he’d vowed to never return and together they plunge into an affair fueled by their mutual love of pain and depravity.
Their connection is explosive, their games addictive, but by the time he realizes who X is and what he wants, Dima is raw and bullet-riddled. It’s run or fight and Dima doesn’t back down. Neither does X.
Features enemies-to-lovers, angst, and a cat named Butch. Please use the "Look Inside" feature for more detailed content warning.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateSeptember 9, 2014
- File size2.5 MB
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This option includes 3 books.
This option includes 5 books.
This option includes 6 books.
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : B00MWMQYHC
- Publisher : Sinner's Haven Publishing
- Accessibility : Learn more
- Publication date : September 9, 2014
- Language : English
- File size : 2.5 MB
- Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 252 pages
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Book 1 of 6 : Run This Town
- Best Sellers Rank: #211,149 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #2,221 in Multicultural & Interracial Romance (Kindle Store)
- #2,806 in Gay Fiction
- #6,803 in Gay Romance
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

A Grenadian transplant, Avril now lives in Tucker, GA, with a madly tolerant husband. Together they raise an eccentric daughter who’s pretty meh about reading and school. Avril’s earliest memories of reading revolve around discussing the plot points of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys with an equally book-minded mother.
Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. She’s been nominated for numerous awards, including Best Author, Best series (Brooklyn Sinners), and Favorite All-Time Author. In 2013 Avril won Evernight Publishing’s Reader’s Choice Award for the LGBT (Male/Male) category. Recently she took home the Golden Ankh award for best Male/Male romance for her bestselling novel, Sinner’s Fall.
Addicted to cake, the ID Channel, and the UFC, Avril writes Gay and Erotic Romance with happy endings; she remains a believer of love in all its forms.
Customer reviews
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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this romance book engaging and well-written, with one review describing it as a beautiful love story with angst. The pacing is gritty and brutal, while the heat level is hot, and customers particularly enjoy Dima and Xavier as characters. The writing style and character development receive mixed feedback, with some praising the rough sex scenes while others note grammatical errors. The violence level also draws mixed reactions from customers.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book highly readable, with many saying they absolutely loved it and loved every minute of it.
"...editing (which wasn't TOO bad) and the minor issues above, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing the series...." Read more
"...Oh, wow. The heat. The control. The submission! This book is the perfect example of why I laugh my butt off every time I hear some talk about 50..." Read more
"...The tough thing is...I loved reading the book. The experience itself was really good. I liked the book...." Read more
"...And "(Watch Me) Break You" was definitely a good read...." Read more
Customers find the story engaging with a good plot, and one customer describes it as a beautiful love story with angst.
"...Break You (Run This Town Book 1) is the gripping, raw, brutal, nasty, in your face stellar writing, ala *BROOKLYN SINNERS*……… I preordered..." Read more
"...the minor issues above, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing the series...." Read more
"...The characters are explosive and gritty. The plot is fast paced, smooth, and gripping. Well written, unputdownable !!..." Read more
"...It's a haunting story, and even though I had my issues with the bones of the set-up, I'll admit I went and one-clicked the next three in the series...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's pacing, describing it as brutal, edgy, and gritty.
"...Break You (Run This Town Book 1) is the gripping, raw, brutal, nasty, in your face stellar writing, ala *BROOKLYN SINNERS*……… I preordered this..." Read more
"...Everything, plot wise, seemed believable and not once did it grow dull for me. But there were a few issues that I had with the plot...." Read more
"...X is beautiful in his control. His dominance and the pain he inflicts on his subs never touches his emotions. Dima wants to see him break...." Read more
"...the Russian Mob and the Jamaicans, and all are dirty, bloody, and ruthless. Dima is in charge of his Russian faction...." Read more
Customers enjoy the heat level of the book, describing it as hot and steamy.
"...in HEAVEN, with the many twists and turns, this bumpy, somewhat psychotic, yet *must read* dysfunctional LOVE STORY...." Read more
"...to the more interracial books Lord Ashton produces they get sexier and hotter...." Read more
"...(Xavier) is a person of color, the sex scenes were well written and HOT!..." Read more
"...A very hot and sexy obsession. But gang life is about power and money...." Read more
Customers enjoy the intensity of the book, particularly the characters Dima and Xavier.
"...Dima was a good guy, for a New York crime lord – its all relative...." Read more
"...Their story will keep you on edge, the intensity extreme...." Read more
"...What we see is a different person all together. Dima and X are so intense, they just pull the reader in completely...." Read more
"This book was hot and intense. Rush and X heated up these pages with their power and need. Their need for each other overruled what side they are on." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book, with some finding it well-crafted while others note issues with rough sex scenes and awkward dialogue.
"...is the gripping, raw, brutal, nasty, in your face stellar writing, ala *BROOKLYN SINNERS*……… I preordered this book, and sat on pins..." Read more
"...I'm glad I read this. The writing here was good, though it did need to be slid across a good editor's desk for typos and grammar mistakes...." Read more
"...At first it feels like typos and editing errors, but it's not...." Read more
"...The plot is fast paced, smooth, and gripping. Well written, unputdownable !!..." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the character development in the book, with some enjoying them while others find them underdeveloped.
"...The characters are explosive and gritty. The plot is fast paced, smooth, and gripping. Well written, unputdownable !!..." Read more
"...The characters were not super developed, but I still didn't come away feeling like I didn't know who they were...." Read more
"...The flow was immaculate. The characters gelled together in a way that only a great writer can accomplish...." Read more
"...When he hurts, you hurt. This was beautifully written. X is also a great character...." Read more
Customers have mixed reactions to the violence level in the book, with some appreciating the dangerous elements while others find it excessive.
"...who easily have/develop emotions, so when they do, that vulnerability is attractive AND that's what drew me to the characters and this story...." Read more
"...There is a great deal of violence on both sides and if that is an issue for you beware.....both groups are extremely violent and there's plenty of..." Read more
"...This series is for the readers who love their characters dark, violent, living the criminal life with no apologies and willing to fight dirty to..." Read more
"...This story is dark and contains some dark elements of BDSM. There is violence, murder, betrayal, lies, drugs, steamy pain filled M/M sex which is..." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2014OMG.....OMG...OMG!!! Avril Ashton is back to FORM!!! ( Watch Me) Break You (Run This Town Book 1) is the gripping, raw, brutal, nasty, in your face stellar writing, ala *BROOKLYN SINNERS*……… I preordered this book, and sat on pins and needles, until it appeared on my e-reader. However, upon reading chapter 1, I became rather confused. With the appearance of *vajajas*, I had to go back and re-read both the blurb and chapter 1, to make sure this was a M/M erotica/romance.
Since Avril Ashton is my *Island gal/Caribbean Queen/Auto buy*, I decided to give this book a try. Thank you Jeezus, so happy I did. Ms. Ashton is back to her BRILLIANT, MAGNIFICENT, CRISP AND VIVID writing. *WMBYRTT*, is an AWESOME READ... Its three dimensional, cleverly crafted MCs, were well developed characters that literally jumped off the pages of this book. They were BAMFS that readers hated to love. The kind of *bad-boys* you meet in dark alleys, *one night-stands*, you never take home.
White boy Dima Zhirkov, Coney Island Russian gangster, and Xavier Storm, Crown Heights Jamaican drug-lord, had undeniable chemistry. The kind that even fighting *tuff wars*, against each other, could not douse. When Dima walked into the BDSM Club and met Xavier, I became Meg Ryan in *When Sally met Harry*…………… (I would have what she had) I think my Kindle begun to smoke. Ms. Ashton gained her BDSM street cred, ala Patricia Logan/Rain Carrington with this book. I was on the edge of on my bed, (reaching for BOB) with the hot, sexy, sensual, erotic love/sex scene. Jeezus, Gawd, Lawd were many words I chanted.
I laughed, cried and cussed all the saints in HEAVEN, with the many twists and turns, this bumpy, somewhat psychotic, yet *must read* dysfunctional LOVE STORY. I, however wanted to beeyotche slap both Rush (Dima) and X, (Xavier) multiple times. Though the journey towards Rush and X' s HEA was bumpy, it was EPIC!! I was pleasantly surprised to meet up with Mateo and Tommy, for I had forgotten the connection with Dima and Mateo. I loved both Israel and Reggie, and I can't wait to read their story. Quinn left a hole in my heart, I hope (begging) that a HEA is in his future. As always, very happy to see BROOKLYN represented PROPER.......
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! 5 Nutmegs......5 Big Apples....Spice Island dat!!!!
- Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2016This is not the first time this has happened to me: finding a book by an writer, but not remembering that I've previously read work by this writer before that I actually was displeased with (gave it 2 stars). I'm glad I read this.
The writing here was good, though it did need to be slid across a good editor's desk for typos and grammar mistakes. The characters were not super developed, but I still didn't come away feeling like I didn't know who they were. Everything, plot wise, seemed believable and not once did it grow dull for me. But there were a few issues that I had with the plot. First, was Dima's character. He started out as someone completely psychotic, a cold gangster, conscience-free and a sexual pervert. I can base all of this solely on the alley scene when he first found Xavier. But by the end of the book, he was d*** near a woman. All the crying, the histrionics, emotions, the begging, the neediness, clinginess, and that final scene (final chapter) in the house with the cat **insert overly dramatic eye roll**. Second, whatever happened to Ilana? Was her life spared simply because Israel promised Xavier not to retaliate? She just disappeared. Third, I didn't really understand why Xavier took Dima to the house to go through those boxes. Were they throwing the things away? Tracking down Quinn to send the stuff to him? What all was there besides old photos?
Honestly, despite the editing (which wasn't TOO bad) and the minor issues above, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to continuing the series. NOTE: somewhere around the 1% mark the author mentions reference to rape & sexual abuse. She is NOT simply talking about rough BDSM. The alley scene in the beginning and when Dima goes to Xavier's office (the lip part), those 2 scenes are kind of intense. In fact, whenever X got mad at Dima it became borderline abusive. Fair warning.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2015I'm a huge fan of Avril Ashton's Brooklyn Sinner series, so I was thrilled to start on the Run This Town series.
About the book:
Under the guise of running a candy store, Dima actually runs the streets. Since his father's death, Dima has struggled to hang onto his foothold with enemies waiting to kill him around every corner. Dima doesn't care. After all, he's already dead inside. That is until Mateo recommends a certain club and Dima sets eyes on him. X is beautiful in his control. His dominance and the pain he inflicts on his subs never touches his emotions. Dima wants to see him break.
When X sees Dima, he can't believe it. The man he's set a hit on has walked right into his clutches. But from the first moment Dima invades his space, pressing his beautifully tatted body against him, X is lost.
Can this new and obsessive love endure the lies?
My thoughts...
Oh, wow. The heat. The control. The submission! This book is the perfect example of why I laugh my butt off every time I hear some talk about 50 Shades being abusive. You can always spot the people who know nothing about real darkness, meeting anyone who gets off on pain. These two--just wow. They love it. They want it, and I begged for them to find it with one another. I absolutely adored their fire.
My favorite quotes:
-Xavier pounded into him, teeth in Dima's shoulder, muttering things Dima couldn't not hear. Word like I and Love and You.
-"You. Are. The. Love. Of. My. Life." Xavier punctuated each word with a blow. Dima backed each one up with a cry. Too much. His body was ablaze, going up in flames, and yet his chest hurt more. His heart hurt more.
Now, I'm off to read Is and Reggie's story. (Watch Me) Smooches!
Top reviews from other countries
- SoulgalReviewed in India on June 6, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect in every way.
I was reading another Avril Ashton book, where I got introduced to Dima. He captured me. And then I became obsessed to find out his story. And man did I love every second of it.
This has to be one of my top Bdsm books. The relationship shown is so authentic, Iike how it's presented with such normalacy. As it should be. Without the whole introductory drama and build up. It's there already and you lap it up.
This book is crazy, intense, sweet, real, and all around enjoyable.
I only had slight issues with the proofreading in this version. But don't let that take away anything from the story.
- AliceReviewed in Italy on November 13, 2018
4.0 out of 5 stars Ouch! :)
Wetworks. BDSM. Pain. Sex. Love. Etc. There are many things in this story but above all: Dima and Xavier. Two criminals ... with special needs. One of the two is more savage than the other, mostly more planner. The first shows his face on the field, the other is hiding behind a cover. But when they are facing each other they discover themselves naked, not only when vertical becomes horizontal ... yeah.
They will have to learn how to handle novelties that they did not look for and when everything seems lost ...
A violent, raw love story well mixed with everything else, even if some things seem to remain outstanding or better concluded quickly. As if finding love could really blunt the needs of a reality that wants everything but love. But at least in novels we can enjoy a peace obtained with simplicity.
- CharleyroseReviewed in Australia on June 13, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Another sublimely written gritty, dark violent erotic story 6 stars!!
Watch me break you, book 1 in the Run this town series sees Dima Zhirkov struggling with his own demons. He's the boss of the Russian gang running Coney island and is at war with the Jamaicans run by 'Xavier “X” Storm. Dima has a chance meeting with X at a BDSM club he frequents as tries to chase his need to be controlled and dominated. X is exactly what he needs and wants as his next toy, the man is control to a capital Pain. X turns him down, he knows who Dima is. Dima is furious, he hasn't a clue who X is, he just craves everything about him and will go to any length to get what he wants. Both men fall headlong into a steamy lust driven, BDSM relationship which against all odds becomes something real and wonderful and amazing. Something that X can see being a permanent forever type of deal, if only he can figure out a way to tell Dima who he really is and prevent a full scale war destroying everything around them and surviving the wrath of a betrayed Dima.
Its a bloody battle that gets out of hand as both men fight for territory, and each other and then for each other. Ms Ashtons work is not for the fainthearted.
This book is smoking hot. Like blistering hot man on man erotica.
The connection between Dima and X is so strong and sublimely good you can literally see them trying to figure out how to navigate their obligations, their families, their gang, their enemies and do it while evading the law. Then in their down time work out how hang onto something wonderful that suddenly evolved among such erupting turmoil and bloodshed. Yeah fabulous read baby!!
- TReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 7, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Avril never fails
I really enjoyed this book, especially Dima - what a wonderfully powerful yet vulnerable character. I only wished (spoiler ahead) that the effect of what X did to Dima lasted longer. I know it's not Avril style, she tends to wrap a storyline up in one book, but I would've been really good to have this book end with how deeply X's actions cut Dima and then another book with him working to win back his trust. But again, I know this isn't Avril's style so it's just wishful thinking.
-
HatchepsoutReviewed in France on April 29, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Je ne m'attendais pas à un si bon livre!
Je l'ai lu en 1 jour et demi! Pourtant ce n'est pas mon style. Je cherchai simplement un bon livre avec des personnages principaux gay et les 3/4 des livres proposés semblaient mièvres. J'ai donné sa chance à celui-ci parce que les commentaires étaient unanimement positifs. Après l'avoir lu, je comprends pourquoi.
L'univers de la pègre avec deux mafias rivales, deux personnages au caractère bien trempé, un secret de type bombe à retardement et de la passion!
J'ai adoré! En lisant ce livre, je me disais, il faut que je découvre d'autres titres de cet auteur et en le finissant vous réalisez qu'il y a toute une série de "Watch me" et vous pensez: "Yeah!"