This book is a good dose of everything I ever need. It's on constant repeat in my reading queue. It's enemies to lovers with genuinely crazy chemistry, a chaotic FMC stressing out stoic MMC but he loves it, mafia romance but not too dark.

Sophie Lark's writing is hypnotic in the best way, I was hooked from the very first line and then it felt like I blinked and had finished the book in one sitting. The pacing of the book is also perfect, it's not too slow not too fast aka a perfect whirlwind where you're just enjoying the ride.

The characterization and worldbuilding is also fantastic, it really does invest you in this world and the rest of the series because you simply can't get enough you have to see what happens to the rest of them.

Also: strawberries.

This was my first mafia romance - and I definitely want to read more. If you like bullies and aggressive men - give it a go. There are major “touch her and die” vibes which is a favorite trope of mine.

I think I would have enjoyed if it was a little bit longer so we could learn about the characters and have their stories develop a bit more- but that’s probably coming in the second book. I will absolutely be reading more books by this author and am already ordering the second book.

The end really kicked into high gear. The female MC is such a badass and really holds her own.

This was my first dark mafia romance and omg was it hot! Callum was rough, controlling and domineering; a total asshole at first, but when he started falling for Aida you could see how caring he was. I gotta admit there were some parts that had me cringing a little, but then I remember these are mafia characters and this isn't some fairytale, like when Aida tries to poison him and when he retaliates by giving her a taste of her own medicine in the pool. This was definitely an enemies to lovers type of story and the tough, extremely sexual duo ended up falling for each other in the end with a whole lot of drama and spice in between. I was entertained by the story line between the two families and the super spicy scenes. I'll definitely be checking out the other books in Brutal Birthright since I'm a sucker for a series :P

Brutal Prince was definitely mafia lite, but a fun read nonetheless. I was never bored and loved the development of their relationship.

Brutal Prince is the first book of the Brutal Birthright series of interconnected standalones. I absolutely loved this book! Aida is sassy and is a freaking bad@ss and she wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself! She is one of my all time favorite FMCs. Callum is the typical alpha male that is broody and gruff but is also protective of his loved ones. The bickering and banter between these two is hilarious…a true enemies to lovers! And the chemistry between them is off the charts! I liked that there was suspense mixed in with the romance and it made the story more interesting. Overall, this was a great read and one of my favorite mafia romances!

This was my first book from Sophie Lark, and it's safe to say that it won't be the last! This book had the perfect combination of steam, spice, and plot, and I absolutely loved it. The plot was super fast-paced, and I read this book in about three hours, I could not put it down! It honestly got me out of a two-week reading slump, so thank you, Sophie Lark! Will be bingeing the rest of the series now, and would absolutely recommend!

This book has:
- Arranged marriage
- Enemies to lovers
- Mafia themes
- Rivals to lovers

I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this book, it really kept me interested, and I couldn't put it down.
If you are looking for real enemies-to-lovers trope, you need to read this because Aida and Callum are the definition of that. I really liked Aida, she was a strong heroine, I especially loved her crazy actions and how she didn't allow anyone to push her over. Aida and Callum were good together, their spicy moments were so good. I only wished the book was longer so we had seen more of them falling in love and their relationship. This was a good read, and I'm looking forward to reading more Sophie Lark books! Also, I love the detail of the illustrations in this book, it highlights scenes and shows the effort that was put into this book.

Thank you, Bloom Books and NetGalley, for this arc for an honest review

enemies to lovers has a new meaning, unless there’s attempted murder, i don’t want it

sophie never fails to write amazing characters, with even more amazing storylines. this book really kicked off the series in the best way possible

if you’re down with mafia romances with an exquisite plot, wild adventure, and top tier spice, this is the book for you

If you like Mafia romance, arranged marriage, and all the spice I highly recommend. Sophie Lark definitely knows how to write an enemies to lovers. Aida is feisty and Callum gives as well as he takes. The pranks they pull on each other kept me laughing.

While I have read the entirety of the brutal birthright series before. With this new re-release. Reading gave me a whole new appreciation for how this book is. It captures you attention in such a unique manor. It makes you want to never stop. The plot of Aida Gallo and Callum Griffin has just changed with this. Not in reality but there is just a whole new level to these characters that makes you appreciate them. The actual plot of the book though will never cease to just be my favorite thing to ever exist. Mafia, romance, spice, and just an amazing enemies to lovers romance!!! What more do I need.

A fantastic mafia romance novel that also has humorous interactions between Aida and Cal. Thrown together in marriage to unite their families, they try to one up each other as they begin life together. She tries to kill him and he wants to control her, yet underneath it is a growing respect for each other and when Aida is kidnapped Cal realises how much she means to him.

5⭐️
Sophie lark is the queen on mafia romances for me. I love everything about this book, the romance, the suspense, getting to know the families. Aida and Callum are amazing! And the fact that Aida tries to kill Callum with a kiss by eating something he’s deathly allergic too, just makes me love her even more

A mafia romance. It's enemies to lovers.... And the main female character Aida is forced to marry Callum... She's not timid and tries to poison him and kills him in many ways. It has some great hilarious scenes but the book is dark overall. Terrific romance for mafia romance readers.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

The mafia romance that started it all for me! I'm so excited to see the new Bloom covers.

read if you like:
- mafia romance
- enemies/rivals to lovers
- arranged marriage

Aida and Callum are the true definition of enemies to lovers. A marriage arranged between their fathers after Aida accidentally sets the Griffin home on fire leads to two fiery, headstrong people being forced into a holy union that results in hellfire. Both determined to make each other's lives a living hell, both used to having to make a stand for themselves, alone. The chemistry between them is undeniable and as they learn to trust one another, things get even steamier.

One of my favorite couples from the series!

Mafia
Enemies to lovers
Arranged marriage

This was one of the first mafia romances I read years ago.
I loved Aida’s fierce spunk. She is no meek heroine or a victim of circumstance.
When she kisses Callum with the strawberries on her lips and his punishment set the tone for their relationship. The chemistry between these two was off the charts.

In the first two paragraphs the protagonist said “He doesn’t like things that are loud or unexpected. Which is why I get on his nerves sometimes—I can be both those things…” same girl, same. Plus I’m Sicilian… and also Irish, so, I’m immediately hooked. And next thing you know, I’m flying through this book. Fun and fabulous ✨♥️🔥

This was my first book by Sophie Lark and it was a great introduction to her mafia world! I love a true enemies to lovers and they REALLY hated each other at first, I absolutely devoured this book. Brutal Prince was a really compelling read that made me want to dive into the rest of the series and read about all the other siblings. I will say parts of it felt more telling vs showing and that wore on me a bit. But loved that there was no third act breakup. Overall this was a 3.75 star read for me (4 for netgalley)

This is the first book that got me into mafia reads and solidified my love of the enemies to lovers trope! The banter and eventual romance between Callum and Aida was just perfection. They are both so strong and I loved reading a female MC who's strength and stubbornness rivalled the man's. All the supporting characters added to the story and set up the world and future books up nicely. This was a re-read for me as this book is being republished and I am so glad I picked it up again.

Last thought - the strawberry scene (IYKYK) is one of the best things I've ever read in a mafia book lol.

Highly recommend this book and the whole series!

Thank you NetGalley!

Brutal Prince is the first book in Sophie Lark’s Brutal Birthright series and I love intro to this mafia romance series! I was obsessed with this book the whole read through; it made me laugh, melt, swoon, and I was just dyiiiing over the chemistry!

Callum and Aida are from rival mafia families. They both live in Chicago, he’s from an Irish family and she’s from an Italian family. Griffin is the oldest sibling, and only son of the Griffin family, at 30 he’s ready to get into politics to help out the family business. Aida lives with her father and 3 brothers: Dante, Nero, and Sebastian, and wishes they’d let her join in. At the beginning of the story, Aida and her brothers end up crashing Nessa Griffin’s birthday party and Aida sneaks into the family’s house. She ends up looking around in the library, starting a fire to escape when Callum enters, and sealing a family heirloom. This of course starts some drama between the two feuding families. Sick of the fighting, losing members of their families to one another, and just all the drama, Aida’s father and Callum’s father decide to sit down and meet and come to an agreement. They decide Callum and Aida will marry to form an alliance between the families to end the feuding once and for all.

I loved this book from the start! This is a legit enemies to lovers with both constantly messing with one another, she even almost kills him on their wedding day! 😅 I loved seeing their hate for one another and just all their shenanigans: he forces her hand with a pre-wedding spa day, she swaps out his wedding tux, the wedding kiss (strawberries). I loved how much family was a part of the story: after the wedding, Aida moves into his family’s home, she understands their family loyalty, her relationship with her brothers, and her being friends with his sister Nessa. Aida is badass and amazing! She has wanted to be a part of the family business and I loved seeing Callum listen to her and all she knows. So many amazing action moments in this book and the chemistry was just fantastic!

This was my first Sophie Lark book and I enjoyed it so much. Aida and Callum had me laughing out loud with their antics against each other. You’d never think they would work things out but they get their HEA.