Book Review: Russian Bride

Reviewed by Josie Prado

A nefarious plot of international proportions is unleashed in this action-packed thriller.

 Jake Wilder seems to have the ideal American life: he’s handsome, intelligent, and works at an up-and-coming tech start-up. Love, however, continues to evade him. That is—until a Russian coworker, Sergey, gives Jake a life-changing recommendation. 

Rather than strike out in the States, he suggests that Jake contact a Russian correspondence agency and try to find his soulmate there. Initially hesitant, Jake begins exchanging letters with a couple of women and is quickly drawn to one of them, Natalia Melnikova. She’s a beautiful piano teacher, and despite her limited English fluency, she’s ready to fall in love with the kind man in the letters. 

Jake travels to Russia to meet her, and their connection is further validated when they lock eyes. Everything seems perfect, but Natalia is hiding a huge secret that may destroy their budding romance. She has a young son, Alexandr, and the correspondence agency, International Friends, has kidnapped him. 

Dmitri Chekhov, the owner of International Friends, has created a wealthy scheme by coercing unsuspecting Russian women into marrying American men and becoming the benefactors of their wills. Chekhov will then arrange for the men to be killed and steal the inheritance money. Natalia is his latest victim, so to save Jake’s life, she tells him of the blackmail and imminent danger. Instead of hiding away, Jake decides to face Chekhov head-on and save Alexandr no matter the cost. 

Jake Wilder is a refreshing spin on the typical action protagonist. He has no military background and is introduced as a gentle, calm man. Over time, though, his love for Natalia pushes him to become more assertive. When Natalia reveals that she has a son from a previous marriage, he’s shocked but ready to help her reunite with him. I couldn’t help but admire Jake’s courage, especially when he gets out of his depths.

Some perspective switches away from Jake can cause some narrative confusion, and Natalia can get lost in the action at times. She’s an extremely interesting character and has a lot to lose and gain, so I would have appreciated the chance to dive deeper into her character and growth.

There’s no action novel quite like Russian Bride. It’s clever, impactful, and unforgettable. Don’t miss it if you’re a fan of international crime and action.

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