It's rare to find a really well written TRUE enemies to lovers story these days. And if you need that itch scratched and like your men possessive, your familial side characters a little..morally loose and your women strong and feisty as heck, then I implore you to give Callum and Aida's story a read. The family is so close and actually get along which you don't really find in many mafia stories and Aida not only isn't meek but she kinda likes getting her hands dirty. I loved this a lot

Pub date: 07/25/23
CW: bondage, non con, forced marriage, murder, death

Thaaaaank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for the approval. As always, it’s much appreciated.

I never really thought I’d love this book as much as I did. I read like 2/3 of it while at work today and I plan on finishing it later today/tonight.

This was a GOOD ONE. the enemies to lovers pipeline is always a favorite of mine and it pulls me in every time. EVERY SINGLE TIME. I LOVE IT.

I absolutely loved this book! I flew through it and can’t wait for the rest of the series! The enemies to lovers was perfect! I loved both characters and the mafia aspect so much!

I had mixed feelings about this book.

It wasn't the greatest story I've ever read but it had something that kept me hooked. I'm not the biggest fan of young heroines but I was able to overlook that for this book.

It reminded me very much of a fan fiction, with the art work and playlist recommendations, but not in a bad way!

I works read this author again.

A mafia relationship of convenience trope romance book. Although it was not much of a love story. The two MCs trying to unalive each other was something. This was my first Sophie Lark book and I’m still not entirely sure if I really liked it or not.

Review Posted on February 6th, 2023 to Goodreads and Storygraph

4⭐️

I am totally obsessed with this book. Callum and Aida are so perfect for each other! The statement opposites attract really hold true.I love how they don’t leave each other behind no matter what and they always find their way back to each other! I am totally obsessed with both Callum and Aida because they are both so badass! This book was super good and I am definitely going to read Stolen Heir because I already love Nessa! I definitely recommend this book!

Favorite Quote:
“You’re mine, Aida,” Callum growls in my ear. “I’ll kill anyone who tries to touch you.”

as my first official mafia romance... this was interesting.
the writing was alright, the arranged marriage plot was decent, but something was just... missing?
SOOOO much backstory was explained and this book was filled to the BRIM of showing instead of telling. I don't want to hear about all this dramatic backstory from the past, I want to SEE it happen on the pages.

the romance also felt quite rushed. enemies-to-lovers needs to have a bit more of a slow burn for me to enjoy it.
I liked that Aida was a badass female MC who could hold her own in most situations and wasn't afraid to do so, but some of Aida's reactions to situations were so confusing I found myself annoyed with her at times.
also, Callum should have fired his bodyguard for talking to Aida the way that he did.

also, arranged marriage will never be a trope i enjoy. but if its your thing, then you might really enjoy this!
i liked that the book was very fast paced and felt very easy to get through. i'll definitely check out more of Sophie Lark's books in the future, but I'm not sure if this series is for me.

This book is quite literally everything you can want as an introduction to mafia romance. It was funny, sexy, and easy to follow along with- as far as the background info and mafia family connections/relationships. Not at all overwhelming which could easily turn off a reader. This first book also introduced the rest of the characters so well in that I'm definitely interested and invested enough to want to read more about them.

Why I loved it: spice level 🌶🌶, Dual POV- I adored Aida's POV. Marriage of convenience, literal enemies to lovers.

Wasn't a huge fan of this one. The characters felt flat and like they didn't have any real reason to like each other. I thought it sounded interesting but I was was ultimately let down. Not the worst romance book I've ever read but I won't be recommending this to others.

This book is what created my love for Sophie Lark and now I am on a mission to the read the rest of the books in the Brutal Birthright series. I absolutely adored the characters and the slow build of their relationship. Even the side characters had such depth in this book. Definitely would recommend!

5/5 stars
4/5 spice

Thank you to Netgalley & Bloom books for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I requested this purely so I could have the chance to give it a Netgalley review. I read the Indy pub version and it’s a phenomenally good time.

Sophie Lark does not disappoint. She writes strong fierce women characters. Her male protags are always entertaining.

The smut is fire. If Sophie Lark writes it I will read it. Love her.

A nice cover but I couldn’t get into this story. I don’t know if it’s me, the writing style or the characters, but Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark didn’t work for me.
Thank you NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to review this book.

Bonita portada, pero no la historia no me cautivó. No sé si es el estilo, los personajes o tal vez sea yo, pero Brutal Prince por Sophie Lark no funcionó para mí.
Gracias a NetGalley y a la autora por la oportunidad de dejar una reseña para éste libro.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

My first Sophie Lark read. A quick and easy steamy read, managed to read it within a few hours. I loved the characters and their relationships, both with each other and with their siblings. I also enjoyed the illustrations. I normally prefer to imagine what the characters look like, but they were lovely added surprises throughout the story.

However, the plot just seemed underdeveloped in some places. When both Aida and Cal got themselves into trouble, they were quickly saved before the chapter ended so there was no time for a suspenseful build-up. The whole enemies part also lasted no time at all and neither did the families' biggest enemy (in fact, that part was finished off-screen so you don't even get the sense of completion with it).

Overall, the story was cute and great for a quick, easy read but I just wished that the storyline was less rushed so that the reader could really develop more of a connection to the character and the situation. I also hoped that there would be a hook to the next book within the first, rather than everything being tied up in a big, neat bow. I would recommend this book but I wouldn't read it again. I also don't know if I would continue on with the series.

Full review on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5559313078

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving my a ARC in exchange for a honest review! This book was the definition of enemies to lovers!! I couldn’t put it down! The story immediately grabs your attention from the very beginning. Aida is so sassy and confident. She doesn’t take sh*t from anyone! Callum is her complete opposite, but they work in the best of ways. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series. So so good!!

2.5 stars
a quick steamy read but i didn't really attach to the characters
aida was a bit annoying/immature to me but this was still kinda fun

Watching Aida and Callum’s animosity turn into admiration then turn into adoration had me blushing, giggling, and swooning.

Aida and Callum’s treatment of each other in the beginning was brutal. There was almost no line uncrossed in their war, yet both characters came across sympathetic—to the reader. The justification behind their antics were explained in each point of view, even if the other failed to acknowledge them. Their eventual understanding made their character (and relationship) growth all the more fulfilling.

The external plotlines were also interesting to read about. Enough time was dedicated to the organization/business that it was impactful, yet not so overwhelming that it took over the romance.

Brutal Prince is a fast-paced, engaging read with fully realized relationships, characters, and politics. My first thought upon finishing it was, “I need to read the next one.” And I will.

Thank you to Bloom Books and NetGalley for providing me with this copy of Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark in exchange for an honest review.

I've heard so much about Sophie Lark. Almost all of her books are on my TBR, however this is the first one I actually read. I enjoyed the romance between the two main characters and can't wait to continue with this series!

Sophie Lark is an absolute queen! I love this series SO much and am so excited to see it being picked up by a publisher! I read this years ago when it first released but was very excited to get a digital copy of this new version! This is an amazing mafia interconnected series with AMAZING female main characters. I have zero complaints. Sophie builds a world that is unlike anything and she is the queen of mafia. cannot recommend enough!!!!

My first Sophie Lark and I really enjoyed this entertaining, steamy, romance! Callum and Aida were so fun together. I loved the fact that Aida did not back down from a challenge and she was badass in her own right.

While Aida and Callum may have had an awkward meet cute, I enjoyed the sparks that were constantly coming off the page whenever these two were together. I enjoyed Brutal Prince and look forward to reading more from Sophie Clark!

My favorite part of this book was Aida. She took no shit, was clever, bold, and ate whatever the heck she wanted. The backward progression of the relationship made it hard for me to get attached and root for them. The illustrations were a fun addition to the story, I was excited when a new one would pop up.