A VIRGIN FOR HIS PRIZE is Book two in Lucy Monroe's Ruthless Russians mini-series. Activist heiress Romi Grayson and Russian tycoon Maxwell Black were last seen in An Heiress For His Empire. Just like the previous book in this series, A VIRGIN FOR HIS PRIZE is a character-driven sexy romance with little conflict between the main characters.

This romance turned out to be completely different from what I expected it to be. After meeting the characters in the previous book, I thought the relationship between Max and Romi would be more tempestuous and focused on kinky sex. While their relationship evolves into a very passionate one, the two get along very well, and I think the story focuses on love and how the past influences the present. Both Max and Romi are great characters but they were raised very differently and, as a result, have different ideas about love and marriage.

Max keeps insisting that he doesn't believe in love and that all relationships are temporary. However, with his every word and action he ties himself to Romi with much more than his silky blue restraints. Without actually calling it "love", he has thoughts exactly like that of a man deeply in love. Max is the kind of hero I adore -- a sexy, sweet, alpha male. I love how Lucy Monroe makes a hero who is so completely focused on the heroine without making him controlling or creepy. I also like how Max appreciates Romi for who she is and doesn't try to change her. The layers of their personalities are slowly pulled back as the story progresses.

A VIRGIN FOR HIS PRIZE is an example of why reading a romance by Lucy Monroe is a treat -- it's a fun, passion- filled romance with a to-die-for hero and a smart heroine. I liked seeing the main characters from the previous book in this story. The friendship between Romi and Maddie, and Viktor and Max adds another interesting element to the story. I look forward to the next book by Lucy Monroe.