While I was reading Brutal Prince I was so excited to get in Nessa’s head. Once I found out that this installment was about her I was ecstatic. I was even more interested to get to read Sophie’s take on the classic mafia romance trope, kidnapping.

Check out my more detailed thoughts below…
Characters: Nessa is the only daughter of the Griffin Irish mafia family, and she’s been kept out of the business until now. She is kidnapped by Mikolaj, or Miko the head of the Polish Bratva. His character is dark, and it stems from some messed-up familial losses. Like many mafia men, he is fiercely loyal and the Polish Bratva had more of a found family vibe than the Gallo and Griffin families did which I enjoyed. When we meet Nessa she is struggling to advocate for herself and has been fading into the background. Being locked inside Miko’s house actually helped Nessa fly free. Her confidence grew after getting out from under her overbearing family. I do love that family of hers very much though. Throughout this book, we got snippets of Aida and Callum as a married couple and that warmed my heart. Along with little teases of some of the Gallo boys to come and I am so excited for Nero next.
Setting: This mafia romance is set in Chicago, where different families are vying for dominance in the windy city. This time we got a deeper look at the Polish and Russian bratva which make the Irish and Italian mafia families look super chill in comparison. I love how this world expands, more characters get drawn in, and more people join the extended Gallo/Griffin crowd.
Pacing: I cannot help but engulf these stories, the first half in particular I just could not stop reading. I did find the story started to wrap up too quickly at the end, I would have especially loved a bit more time for our characters to fall in love. It’s natural though in these shorter novels that a few things are rushed to ensure you get a nice bow at the end.
Romance: This romance is structured as a Beauty and the Beast retelling, with Stockholm Syndrome and all. I love Beauty and the Beast retellings in any form, and a mafia kidnapping romance was the perfect setting. Nessa and Miko were hot together, and I want to ensure potential readers that Nessa makes the first move and Miko never threatens to touch her without her permission. Sophie writes mafia with a bit of an edge but keeps consent as key in this one. I felt pity for Miko from the opening pages, I am so happy his ballerina could sweep him off his feet and show him that he deserved love in his life. For Nessa, I loved that her relationship brought out the best in her, helping her grow into a strong woman in a chaotic mafia family.

Sophie Lark has done it once again, and I love the Brutal Birthright series!

Stolen Heir follows Nessa Griffin, who grew on me in Book One (The Brutal Prince). It was wonderful to reunite with the Gallos and the Griffins! I appreciated how her strength is demonstrated through her art and creativity as a ballerina and choreographer. Mikolaj couldn't be more opposite to Nessa. Fuelled by anger, revenge and duty as the head of the Polish Braterstvo, he has seen his share of torture, brutality and apathy.

Sophie Lark weaves her magic using Beauty and the Beast elements, and the character growth is believable. This book is about enemies to lovers and proximity with an age gap, and I loved every minute of it. The balance between dark and light is Sophie's strength, which shines throughout the book. The backstory behind the protagonist, complemented by a fast-paced plot, made it engaging. The elements of passion and spice are well-spaced. The only thing I missed was it being more high-stakes, for I never felt Mikolaj would lose. I can't wait to dig into book three with Nero's story!

Thank you, NetGalley & SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books, for giving me an ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.

This was really good. Even though it was a mafia romance, it felt very low stakes. I never felt like any of the main characters were in terrible danger. In all honesty, the most brutal part of the story was at the very beginning which gave readers the MMC’s backstory.

It stuck very close with the beauty and the beast theme, which I loved as that’s my favorite fairytale. Nessa goes through very similar things while captured. She’s even forbidden from going into the west wing, and after breaking the rules, she starts to break down the walls of her beast.

I think anyone who enjoys fairytale retellings and mafia romance will love this book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for advanced readers copy of this book!

Happy Release Day to Stolen Heir by @sophie_lark_author!! I loved the first book in the Brutal Birthright series and the second installation was no different…such a great read!

We have a good girl ballerina FMC and a morally gray Polish mafioso MMC who are absolute opposites. We’re talking slight age gap, kidnapping, enemies to lovers goodness!

Sophie is an amazing writer and this story is developed so well. I loved that we get Mikolaj’s backstory right from the jump. It adds so much depth to the present day story without too many exposition dumps throughout our current day plot line.

The chemistry and spice are amazing without being over the top and as someone who danced growing up, I loved that Nessa was a ballerina!

Go grab this one asap! I’ll definitely be continuing with the series 🖤 thank you to @netgalley for the advanced copy!

#brutalbirthright #stolenheir #sophielark #mafiaromance

Many thanks to NetGalley and Source Books for my gifted copy.

So, I think I accidentally requested this one by mistake, so I thought I'd give it a go anyway. Wow, I had no idea what I was getting into, and I actually loved it! So hot and steamy with awesome Beauty and The Beast vibes! I just ordered the first book. I'm so happy for this accidental mistake!

An atmospheric, slow burn mafia romance with definite Beauty and the Beast vibes in Stolen Heir as head of the Polish Braterstvo, Mikolaj kidnaps Nessa Griffin as the first stage of his revenge against her family and the Gallos for the murder of his father in Brutal Prince, the previous book in the series.

With great characters and a strong storyline this was a great addition to the Brutal Birthright series. I enjoyed that there was no insta-love between the hero and heroine or abductor and hostage if you prefer despite the obvious chemistry Their relationship built up slowly with very little physical interaction until probably half way through the book with Nessa always aware of just how dangerous her captor was. It would’ve been so easy to have Mikolaj compare Nessa to his dead sister and compare the two, invoking doubts but he stayed resolutely firm on his path as he schemed to bring about the downfall of her family but ultimately, as with all good fairytales Beauty tamed the beast.

I wasn't expecting a romance with this lovely cover to open with gang rape and suicide. I stopped at 4%. I just am not in the headspace for this.

The writing is easy and accessible.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC.

I loved this more than I thought I would! I don't usually pick up mafia romance, but I've heard excellent things about Sophie's books, so I decided to give this a try. I like collections that are interconnected but can also be read as a standalone. The first thing that sucked me in was the backstory-Sophie does a great job of explaining the reasons behind Mikolaj's actions and the feuding between mafia families. I think a lot of books miss this mark, but Sophie did a good job.

I also liked the addition of the playlist, both at the beginning and interspersed with the storyline. I think that added a little something extra to connect the reader to the story, and to the artistic side of Nessa's character. The artwork was also beautiful and unique.

I enjoyed the characters a lot, particularly Miko. Great book, and I will be checking out the rest of the series!

3 Stars Have you ever watched the Disney classic Beauty and the Beast, and thought to yourself: what if this was a dark romance? Well do I have the book for you!

Stolen Heir is a Beauty and the Beast inspired dark mafia romance. If you don’t enjoy dark romances or mafia romance, you may not enjoy this one. Though the material was dark and serious, this was a quick read.

Thanks so much to Bloom Books, Sophie Lark and NetGalley for the eARC, all opinions expressed are my own!

"Stolen Heir" is a dark and captivating romance that weaves together elements of danger, passion, and redemption in a gritty underworld setting. The blurb's promise of a twisted relationship and an unconventional love story is delivered with intense emotion and complexity.

Nessa and Mikolaj are characters as different as night and day, yet their paths become irrevocably entwined due to a past riddled with vengeance and crime. Nessa's vulnerability and kindness stand in stark contrast to Mikolaj's reputation as a ruthless gangster seeking revenge. Their interactions are fraught with tension, and the power dynamic between captor and captive is a central source of intrigue.

Lark's writing delves into the psychological aspects of their relationship, gradually revealing layers of both characters' pasts and motivations. The development of their connection is unsettling and magnetic, capturing the reader's attention with a mix of fear and fascination. The slow-building romance between Nessa and Mikolaj is raw and complex, adding depth to the story beyond the surface of their circumstances.

While Stolen Heir embraces darker themes, it also explores the potential for redemption and transformation. The narrative challenges the characters to confront their own demons and question the roles they play within the unforgiving world they inhabit.

The pacing is steady, allowing for the gradual development of the relationship and the suspenseful plot. The author's ability to balance the darker elements with moments of vulnerability and tenderness ensures that the story remains emotionally resonant.

Would definitely recommend!

I enjoyed the book very much, I definitely like the series, Mafia and Angst sign me up. Miko and Nessa's story is entertaining, and the characters are great, I wanted more angst like the previous book, so I got more information about the mafia world.

This was such a great book! I love that it was a dark retelling of beauty and the beast with a hint of Hades and Persphone. I can't wait for the rest of this series

A "Beauty and the Beast" inspired re-telling, "Stolen Heir" is a fast-paced Mafia romance that requires the reader to suspend belief in logic and realistic expectations of the characters. This book is a great getaway/break for those looking for a fast-paced story that doesn't require a lot of brain power to follow along with the plot and characters. Are you getting over a heavy thriller read or a long fantasy series? This book is perfect for a pick-me-up!

“She thinks she can float up to heaven whenever she likes? I’ll drag her all the way down to hell with me.”

I absolutely INHALED this book and read it in a day. I’m a sucker for a Beauty and the Beast retelling. Also I loved the illustrations! Some of which were a little spicy 👀🌶️ I feel like more books should have them! I think it definitely added to the story. Miko and Nessa had the enemies to lovers tension that I love, and the book moved at a fast pace that kept me hooked.

After the murder of his father, Miko is the head of the Polish gang. In revenge, he takes the daughter of the rival gang(s) responsible for the murder, Nessa Griffin. She’s not the only child, but she’s innocent, left out the loop on mafia dealings, and the gangs’ most prized possession. She’s the perfect target. Her missing will make the Irish and Italian alliance fall apart in their desperate search for her. What Miko didn’t expect was Nessa’s charm and the life in him she makes him feel, where for so long he just felt dead inside. It’s distracting him from his plans and tensions start to grow within his own gang as a result.

Tropes:

Mafia
Kidnapping
Beauty and the beast vibes
Enemies to lovers
Morally grey mmc

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for an early copy of this! It was SO good. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

sophie lark has never disappointed .. everything she writes is so well done and the characters always have so much depth. truly a phenomenal author and i need to read this entire series !!!

<b>When mafia romance met beauty and the beast retelling, Stolen Heir by Sophie Lark was born! The little innocent ballerina is taken away from her rich and powerful mafia family by the beast of Polish mafia to be used as a pawn..only for the beast to fall in love with the ballerina. Mikolaj and Nessa's enemies to lovers, forced proximity romance with a twisted fairytale vibe became something special in Sophie Lark's hand.</b>

Nessa has lived a protected and sheltered life as youngest Griffin. She felt unseen and unworthy in her family. After being kidnapped by Mikolaj and stranded in the gothic Chicago mansion, she discovered her hidden fire. Be it her determination to survive a monster, be it the gritty side of her art, be it her explosive desire for a man she should hate. Miko has gone through some brutal things in his life and he considered his heart to be dead and his sweet running for vengeance. But this seemingly sweet and beautiful girl invaded his broken heart and made him fall in love. He was determined to destroy her family and raise his empire higher but love changes the most violent man. And that's what happened to Miko. I absolutely love when an antihero falls hard and fast for his woman. The suspense side of this story was so good. Fast paced. Tightly bound. It was a riveting saga of heartache, passion and happily ever after.

Ps it's amazing to see how much Sophie Lark has evolved as an author over the years.

Thanks for the ARC at Netgalley and Bloom Books

🌟 Unveiling the Intrigue! 🌟

"Stolen Heir" by Sophie Lark is an unexpected delight!
I dived in blindly, envisioning fantasy, but the surprise? A captivating mafia romance! From page one, I was hooked. I devoured this gem in a single day, swept away by the characters and their enthralling journey. With perfect pacing and depth, Lark weaves a tale that's unputdownable. And the "Beauty and the Beast" vibes? A brilliant bonus!
This newbie to mafia romance is now a convert, eagerly anticipating more from this series.

If you like mafia romance you have to read Sophie Lark. I've been following her books and putting them on my list but this is the first one I've read and I absolutely loved it
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It is not only the beautiful illustrations nor the poetic way in which its characters speak or think, it is the structure and how one can imagine the beautiful scenes even when the situation is dark. Perfection.
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Mikolaj is the boss of the Bratterwov, and as the new boss he has an agenda to follow, people to take revenge on. Topping that list are the Griffins, the Irish family that, allied with the Italian family, killed their mentor and former boss.
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Nessa Griffin is the perfect target, the youngest of the family who goes to university and moves without security through the city and when the perfect opportunity presents itself, Mikolaj takes it by hiding Nessa away from the world, in a dark mansion.
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With all the pieces in place to start his revenge, he only has to think about what he is going to do with her. But as the days go by, Mikolaj begins to realize that Nessa is not an easy piece to break and everything he thought he knew is nothing more than a small glimpse of what she becomes every day.
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Of course attraction plays an important role and this modern retelling story of Beauty and the Beast, full of tension and passion, unfolds poetically into a romance you want to keep reading about, and introduces characters you would love to read.
I'm definitely going to move my stack of books to fast forward towards them.
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A beautiful mafia romance between enemies families, with a steamy Beauty and the Beast, grumpy sunshine with a virgin heroine and a broken hero
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Thanks to Sophie Lark and Source Books Bloom for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my voluntary and honest opinion

Stolen Heir by Sophie Lark is a strange love story between Nessa and Mikolaj. Nessa is a dancer and student whose family is the head of the Irish mafia. So when she is kidnapped and taken to make her family pay for what they did. Miko has struggled and as the new head of the Polish mafia, he has to do whatever he can to regain control of Chicago. When Nessa enters his nightclub while he is brainstorming how to get back the Irish and Italian mafia. It makes for a perfect plan. When time they spend together, she has his captive and him as her captivator. Ends with them falling for each. Do they end up together?

I really enjoyed this book. Both characters are written well and have so much depth to them. I truly loved the way he fought for her and tried to be as healthy as possible after the beginning of their relationship. It was really beautiful. Also, the ending was so tense, it was amazing.

Thank you to Netgalley for this great read

Stolen Heir starts off running. It immediately pulls you in with tragedy and action!

We first meet Mikolaj, the MMC. Through a turn of events he joins the mafia in Poland.
Mickolaj sees himself as an unredeamable person. I enjoyed seeing his character development through the story.

The FMC is Nessa. She is the daughter to the Chicago based Irish mafia boss. Nessa was a beautiful character with a kind heart and a love for dance.

The story moves us to Chicago where the two characters interact with each other throughout the story. The catalyst for their interaction is the mafia groups fighting each other for control. I won't say more because you need to read their story!

Stolen Heir gave off Beauty and the Beast vibes, but in a subtle way.
The in book character art was absolutely beautiful and I think it was an excellent touch to a lovely story.

It was a good book and I'm glad I read it!
There are some trigger warnings. If that is a concern for you, please look into them.

I recieved a free ARC of this book. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher. All opinions are my own.