I have heard nothing but good things about Sophie Lark, and this was my first book that I ever read by her. And let me tell you I was not disappointed. It was such a good book! I loved the story and the characters. From the first page I was invested, and didn't want to put the book down. Sophie Lark's writing style is really nice, and I truly enjoyed this book. Even through all the twists and turns.

Thank you Netgalley for an arc of this book.

While I'm not a huge dark romance fan I appreciate Sophie Lark's stories and world building. I love retellings too and actually enjoyed this!

Not a big fan of dark romance though I love some dark romance books. This book was alright. Like all the mafia romance books. Not my favorite but I enjoyed it.
Thankyou natgalley for the arc

I didn't actually expect myself to like this book so much, Sophie Lark has written this story brilliantly. I pretty much went on an emotional journey from "nope, this story and trope aren't gonna work for me" to shipping the MCs big time. The last 100 pages were esp amazing 🥲

TWs - kidnapping, murder, violence, gun violence, rape, suicide (please note that these two TWs are in the first chapter itself - the MMC's sister gets assaulted and later kills herself)

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

Stolen Heir is the second book in the Brutal Birthright series. I loved this one too. It’s a stand alone enemies to lovers. I realized that Stolen Heir is a Beauty and the Beast retelling.

Stolen Heir follows Nessa Griffin, the youngest daughter in the Griffin family who is sheltered from the mafia’s going ons. Nessa just wants to dance for Lake City Ballet and finish college. Nessa is not naive she is very aware of the danger that surrounds her daily.

Mikolaj Wilk struggled to keep food on the table for his family, after his father had an accident at work. He works at a deli and saves money so his twin sister can go to college. After Mikolaj loses his sister he vows to get revenge. What happens next leads him to so much more than he expected.

Mikolaj kidnaps Nessa as a punishment and payback for her family killing his father. While held captive Nessa finds a strength in her that she didn’t know she had and he finds a love for her that he never thought he could give.

I have a couple of favorite parts in the book, one is when she figures out what all of his tattoos mean and tells him, he’s shocked that she has figured it out bc nobody ever has. The second is the ballet she creates from her kidnapping experience. The way he watched it and spoke about it made you fall in love with Mikolaj. I am becoming a Sophie Lark fan!! Can’t wait to read the next book. Thank you to NetGalley and BloomBooks for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review

Thank you Netgalley and Bloom Books for the e-book. I must start by saying that I love the Sophie’s books have art in them. I’m a visual person so that’s always a highlight for me.
This is a very literal retelling of Beauty and the Beast. She literally refers to her captor as “the beast”. Now I’m not ashamed to say I love me a morally grey MMC but Miko is not grey at all. Miko is a straight up bad guy so if you are thinking “oh he does bad things but for a good reason” that is not this character, that is not this book.
And while this is technically a standalone book, you definitely get the sense that this is a story in a series. It doesn’t have a lot of depth and development. I feel like Miko went from soulless mafia boss to head-over-heels, protective love interest way too quickly.
All that said, the smut was delicious and Marcel and Klara were delightful. On its own, this book is somewhere between 2-3⭐️ for me.

An amazing continuation of the series! I was honored to receive this as an ARC and I am so happy that this continues the amazing world set up in brutal prince. I love that these are interconnected standalone and I am so proud to see such an amazing author like Sophie Lark get picked up and succeed

Wow! This book was NOT what I expected - don’t be fooled by the innocent cover - this story is deliciously dark and I loved every word!

Stolen Heir is the first book that I have read by Sophie Lark and I would love to read more from her. The characters in this story are very well created and the combination of tropes in this story (Forced Proximity, mafia, and Beauty and the beast) all work well together.
Nessa Griffin leads a lonely life. Too compassionate and gentle for the underworld business she grew up in, she fills no role in her family's mafia empire, struggling to prove herself both at home and in her highly competitive ballet corps. Mikolaj Wilk is the most vicious gangster in Chicago, and he's hellbent on revenge. His adoptive father saved him from the streets of Warsaw only to die at the hands of the Griffins.
As part of his vengeance, Mikolaj abducts Nessa, holding her captive in his moldering gothic mansion. She might not deserve to pay for her family's crimes, but in this world, the wolves eat the lambs no matter how gentle and innocent they may be. But even as Mikolaj plots the destruction of everything the Griffins hold dear, he finds himself fixated on his captive, wanting this ballerina to dance only for him. Meanwhile, Nessa finds herself lost in the growing tension between her and her kidnapper, their twisted relationship building in new, terrifying ways.
He is the beast to her beauty—but can Nessa find the man inside before he gives into his hunger?

This book will keep you captivated from the beginning and the twists and turns included in the plot are enough to keep you guessing. This is a book for all my fellow “Dark Romance” lovers. 😉❤️‍🔥🫣 The romance in this book is raw and very emotional. The chemistry between Nessa and Mikolaj is hot as hell - Lark has written some sensual scenes that are not simply page filling sex - but encounters that truly move the story forward and solidify the bond between Mikolaj and Nessa.

Overall rating 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 5 Flames 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this #book from Sourcebooks Bloom publishing via #Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to review. Reviews are cross-posted to social media, goodreads, and blog. 🦄
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I really like Sophie Lark's writing style. The pacing was perfect and I loved the illustrations. Not my fav book but I still enjoyed <3

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

I had so many mixed emotions and it this book. I love her writing and story telling but there were also moments where I had a "what did I just read". I am excited to continue this series.

Be aware this is a dark book! Mature read!

This was a great book! Has a Beauty and the Beast vibes crossed with a mafia romance. It was great to see a different point of view and read the character development.
Love the enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine and retelling vibes this book gives.

Thank you to NetGalley for the book!

My opinion was switching between "What the fuck am I reading?" and "I am in love with this book" the whole time I was reading this book and I think I came to conclusion that the book is amazing! It made me feel so many emotions and reading it was so much fun and so addicting!

I am such a fan of Sophie Lark after the first book in the series. So of course I devoured this one! Nessa is such a contrast to Aida, she is soft and sheltered. She is is her family's weakness and is kidnapped to expose this. Miko is a rival gangster who's hard exterior is softened by Nessa's presence. What a great read and I love the new cover art! I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Mikolai has gone thru life with struggles as an young age when his twin sister was kill and he was taken thinking he was going to dies as well but he was spare. Nessa Griffin is the sheltered, ballerina, and very smart and underestimated by her family.. After her family has committed a wrong against the Polish mafia, Mikolaj is out for revenge. So he start to stalk her. He kidnap Ness and the chemistry between this two character and the bond they share that her family doesn't approve of.
I liked how Miko protects Nessa and even hurts people on her behalf for wronging her.

Mikolaj wants to make the Griffins and Gallos pay for the death of his father. He decides that kidnapping Nessa Griffin will torment both families. Little does he know that Nessa will torment him as her presence slowly wakes up his heart. Can they build a lasting love?

This story follows directly from the events of the prior book. This book starts with Nessa without any life direction. She knows she is pampered and protected by her family. Mikolaj is broken and angry after losing his sister when he was a teenager. He is chosen to be the head of the Braterstwo after the death of his father. When the two of them are locked together in Mikolaj's house they discover that their mutual attraction is strong and they can't resist each other. It was good to see how Nessa grew up during her time with Mikolaj. By the end she was strong and resilient. The author did a good job showing Mikolaj having multiple layers and him falling in love with Nessa made sense. I like how the author showed the other characters reacting to Mikolaj's actions. This story also sets up tensions with the Bratva for a future story.

This story is a contemporary mafia romance set in Chicago. This romance develops after a kidnapping. It is
part of a larger series and should be read in order. I will definitely read more from this author in the futur.e.

I just absolutely love Sophie Lark’s writing. This book I just devoured and read in 2 days because I did t want to put it down .

I do recommend

Sophie Lark writes these characters so fantastically! The emotions she has gotten out of me with this book are infinite. Nessa is such a sweet, sheltered girl raised in a mafia family but was never really given a place in that world. Miko was not born into the mafia world but his cold, hard demeanor developed after his sister's death and he took a place in the mafia world.

I loved this book, I couldn't put it down! I loved the illustrated version as I am a very visual person and it helps to see what the author had in mind when she created her characters! This is the second book in this series and I can't wait to dive into the third book- I know we will see more of the Gallo's and the Griffin's!

"Stolen Heir" by Sophie Lark is an absolute masterpiece that deserves nothing less than a perfect 5/5 stars. From the very first page to the stunning conclusion, this book is a rollercoaster of emotions, intrigue, and passion that will leave you utterly captivated.

Lark's storytelling prowess shines brightly in this gripping tale. The plot is a perfect blend of suspense, romance, and unexpected twists that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. The story follows two compelling characters, Nessa and Mikolaj, whose lives are entwined in a dangerous web of secrets, power, and desire.

The character development in "Stolen Heir" is exceptional. Nessa and Mikolaj are complex, multifaceted individuals with their own strengths, weaknesses, and secrets. Lark takes the time to delve into their backgrounds, allowing readers to connect with them on a deep, emotional level. Watching their relationship evolve from initial mistrust to undeniable attraction is a breathtaking journey that will have your heart racing.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this book is Lark's ability to create a rich and immersive world. The dark and dangerous underbelly of the mafia is vividly portrayed, adding a layer of authenticity to the story. The intricate details and carefully constructed settings make you feel like you've stepped into a world filled with danger and desire.

The pacing of "Stolen Heir" is impeccable, with each chapter building upon the last, creating a sense of urgency and anticipation that is impossible to resist. The dialogue is sharp and brimming with tension, keeping you engrossed in the characters' interactions and the unfolding drama.

The romance in this book is nothing short of explosive. The chemistry between Nessa and Mikolaj is scorching, and their intimate moments are both sensual and emotionally charged. Lark has a gift for writing love scenes that are not only steamy but also deeply emotional, making the connection between the characters feel incredibly real.

In conclusion, "Stolen Heir" by Sophie Lark is a tour de force in the romance and suspense genres. With its well-crafted characters, intricate plot, and a love story that sizzles and ignites the pages, it's a must-read for anyone who appreciates exceptional storytelling. This book will keep you up late into the night, turning pages and craving more. I wholeheartedly recommend "Stolen Heir" to all avid readers, as it is a true gem in the world of romance literature and a definite 5/5 star read.

A modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast that was sometimes a little too on the nose. It lacks the chemistry the first book in this series had, however, it was still enjoyable and great escapism.

This is my first Sopie Lark book and I really enjoyed this Beauty and the Beast retelling. Nessa is the youngest daughter in the mafia family and is far removed from the inner workings. She's been protected and sheltered from it her whole life. Miko has a score to settle with her family and taking her is just the thing they need when they want to bring them to their knees.
What Miko doesn't count on is that Nessa is stronger than he thought. Even if she has been sheltered and doesn't know the ways of their world, she fits herself into his so well. She looks past what he has been and he realizes they are more alike than they seem. He is enthralled with her. When she dances she transports herself to somewhere else and he would love nothing more than to go with her.
He knows he is terrible for her and she thinks it must be Stockholm, but either way, lines are crossed and lives are lost. In the end, will an alliance be better than this vendetta he can't seem to let go of?
This was a wild ride and I did have to suspend my reality a few times and remind myself it was a book, not real life, but either way, I was engrossed.
Thank you to Bloom, Netgalley and Sophie Lark for an early copy.