This book had major Fast and Furious vibes - and I’m not mad about it. I was so excited to finally learn a little more about dark and mysterious Nero. It was heartbreaking to learn his secret, but it sheds so much light on why he is the way he is.

There wasn’t the same reckless retaliation or kidnapping violence like in Stolen Heir or Brutal Prince, and I liked that better. The love aspect also felt more natural, since it wasn’t as forced of a situation between Nero and Camille. There was plenty going on at all times, with several different parts to the storyline. I did feel like Camille’s dad being sick was a little rushed/overlooked.

I do feel a little cheated that we didn’t get an epilogue, but I guess I’ll just have to keep reading the series for a hint of Nero and Camille’s happy ever after!

The review below is posted on goodreads.

I got this book for review on Netgally.

3.5 stars. This was the first book in the series I've read and the first from the author. I liked it but at times it felt a little to much like reality t drama. But I really liked the heroine.

My favorite trope isn’t done enough, but when Sophie Lark does it. You can expect perfection. A man who drives/races/works on cars I am SIMP for. So when I tell you this man Nero; he is top tier material. I love the fast and furious vibes (strickly talking the first movie because we know the last few F&F movies have been 🫠…). Camille owning the mechanic shop was an unexpected but perfect twist. I absolutely love how firey she is! Not to mention, with this ceiling the illustrated edition, the set throughout is stunning.

Savage Lover is the third installment in the Brutal Birthright series by Sophie Lark. I didn't think Callum and Aida would be replaced but I daresay I may enjoy Nero and Camille more. Camille was a strong, resilient FMC and Nero ends up being a diamond in the rough with the whole "i'll burn the world for her" attitude. Although, who doesn't love a reformed rake?

Camille works in her father's garage, trying to keep it going while trying to make sure her brother finishes school and stay out of trouble. An undercover cop identifies her as the tool that will help him climb the ranks and threatens her family unless she complies.

Nero Gallo is the son of the current Mafia don and no stranger to trouble. He makes no apologies about needing no one and has a reputation for being the "love 'em and leave 'em" type. Until one fateful night when destinies collide and Nero and Camille are thrown into each other's orbit. Their relationship growth is one that makes you root for both of them, as they face their issues and find trust in dropping the armour surrounding their hearts, with each other.

Again, well worth the read and my favorite of the Brutal series.

First Read - 4 STARS, Second Read - 5 STARS

I was sent an eARC of the new edition of Savage Lover (includes a new bonus scene and new art) by NetGalley and Bloom Books for an honest review.

Bank heists? Car chases? Fast and Furious type car races? Mafia? Spice? A genuine connection between the love interests?
If you like any of those things, you will love this book.

There are 3 specific things that make Sophie Lark an instant buy author for me:
1. Playlists (she includes a playlist in every single book and even puts them in throughout the chapters so it can really immerse you into the story and listen while you read certain scenes)
2. Character Art (Seriously, the character art included throughout is insane.)
3. Research (You can tell in every book she writes that she has researched every interest that the MC's could possible have. There is a wealth of info)

Savage Lover is about Nero and Camille, two people who grew up very differently but in the same circles. Nero comes from an Italian Mafia family with a crap ton of money, and a lot of dark secrets. Camille on the other hand, is the daughter of a struggling mechanic who taught her everything he knows, and the sister of a kid genius. She grew up poor, but always had a strong backbone. She's struggling with bills, her father being sick, paying for her brothers college and the problems just keep getting piled on until she gets tricked into a deal with a slimy police officer. Now she's having to do things and put herself in situations entirely out of her comfort zone, which puts her directly into Nero's orbit. Nero and Camille are completely different people with opposite lives, but they have common interests and values, and they quickly realize that there's a burning chemistry between them. And boy, is it HOT.

I seriously love this entire series. Callum and Aida will always be my favorites, but after getting to read Nero and Camille's story for a second time, I think they're definitely a close second. Nero is just so wholesome, and Camille is the type of strong FMC that I love to read about.

This book has some great romance in it, but it didn't overshadow the plot at all. I was interested throughout the entire thing and never once got bored and I loved the bonus chapter. I felt like we really got to learn more about Camille's family and the people Nero and her grew up around. And don't even get me started on the character art. Sophie's artist nails it every single time.

I liked this more than Stolen Heir for sure and the focus on cars and the bank robbery made it really fast and easy to read.
Again, I am not a fan of insta-love trope and what I would have liked was more details regarding their relationship and more character development rather than focus so much on the plot. I felt like they fell in love out of nowhere with very little interaction.
3.75 overall rating

I really liked this book, filled with suspense and full of intrigue and emotions, great world building, the characters are amazing, captivating, even made me shed a tear or two, the plot is very captivating, you will not drop the book till you finish. Savage Lover is a must read!.

Sophie Lark's "Savage Lover" is the third act in the Brutal Birthright series, and it's nothing short of a rollercoaster ride filled with emotions, action, and undeniable chemistry. The story unfolds around Camille, a down-to-earth young woman entangled in a perilous situation with a corrupt cop. Her only way out? Nero is the quintessential bad boy who's as complicated as he is captivating. Far from a knight in shining armour, Nero is a complex character who offers Camille a lifeline, albeit a risky one.

What sets this book apart from its predecessors in the series is its shift in focus from the Mafia world to an outsider, Camille. This fresh perspective breathes new life into the series while maintaining its core essence. For those who have been following the Brutal Birthright books, the reappearance of familiar faces serves as a delightful nod to the interconnectedness of these standalone stories.

Sophie Lark's writing is as addictive as a double shot of espresso. She masterfully blends multiple tropes—bully romance, Mafia intrigue, and even real-world issues—into a narrative that's impossible to put down. Unlike the angst-filled atmosphere of the previous instalments, "Savage Lover" exudes a warmer, more wholesome aura. It's a comforting contrast that adds depth to the series.

The action scenes in this book are nothing short of thrilling. From bank heists to high-speed car chases, "Savage Lover" offers a full spectrum of excitement. But it's not all about the adrenaline. Lark skillfully intersperses these high-octane moments with scenes of emotional tenderness, creating a balanced narrative that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

I have adored this series ever since reading the first book featuring Aida and Callum. I've been looking forward to reading Nero's narrative ever since. Savage Lover was an all-around enjoyable book. With its car racing and perfect heist, it gave off major Fast and Furious vibes. First of all, I want to applaud Sophie Lark for writing about women, who don't fit the stereotype of the damsel in distress. I adore the fact that the heroine is a real partner and not just a prop in all of her books. Despite their differences, Nero and Camille were a remarkable pair and truly complemented each other. I did enjoy Savage Lover, but I don’t know why I didn’t love it. I was looking forward to Nero’s story, so maybe it’s due to the high expectations I may have had. There was quite a bit of buildup, and frankly, it didn't get to the high till 70% through. Everything felt like it took so long to get there that it summed up quickly! I completely recommend reading this book as soon as you can. I can't wait to continue the series and read Dantes' story.

"Nero is proof of the perversity of the universe. Never has such a dangerous object been disguised in such an appealing wrapper. He’s like a berry so vivid and juicy that it makes your mouth water just looking at it. But one taste will poison you."

"Savage Lover" by Sophie Lark is a captivating romance that takes readers on a journey of unexpected connections, personal growth, and healing. With its mix of sizzling chemistry, complex characters, and emotional depth, this novel delivers a compelling and memorable story.

At the center of the narrative are Camille Rivera and Nero Gallo, two individuals who have their own share of struggles and vulnerabilities. Camille is facing numerous challenges in her life, from a failing business to family troubles, while Nero has a reputation as a reckless troublemaker. Despite their differences, their paths collide in a surprising way when Nero unexpectedly steps in to save Camille from a dangerous situation.

The evolution of Camille and Nero's relationship is the heart of the story, and Sophie Lark masterfully develops their connection. Their interactions are charged with tension and emotion, and their gradual shift from wary acquaintances to something more is engaging to witness. As they navigate their personal demons and confront their pasts, readers are drawn into their world, rooting for them to find solace and love in each other's arms.

The themes of self-worth and the power of acceptance add depth to the narrative, giving the characters relatable and relatable struggles. Camille's determination to save her business and her family showcases her strength, while Nero's growth from a reckless bad boy to a caring and protective partner is both heartwarming and satisfying.

Sophie Lark's writing style is engaging, with a perfect balance of steamy romance and emotional introspection. The pacing keeps the reader engaged, and the alternating perspectives of the main characters provide insight into their thoughts and feelings. The dialogue is witty and authentic, adding to the overall enjoyment of the book.

"Savage Lover" is a romance novel that skillfully blends passion and vulnerability, creating a story that resonates with readers on an emotional level. With its well-developed characters and a storyline that explores the complexities of love and redemption, this book offers a satisfying and memorable reading experience.

Savage Lover is the 3rd book in Sophie Lark’s Brutal Birthright mafia series. I really enjoyed the first 2 books in this series so much and had a harder time with this book.

This book follows Camille, she is 24 and works as a car mechanic at her dad’s garage shop. Her father is sick, her mother hasn’t been around her whole life, and Camille is left to look after her brother who is 17. Camille wants to keep her brother out of trouble and ends up getting herself in a situation at the beginning of the story when she takes the blame for something her brother was involved in. Now Camille finds herself working for a drug dealer, as well as helping out a cop. Nero works for his father’s construction company, he is one of the brothers of Aida (the heroine from book 1). While at a house party he sees Camille and they both kind of get involved in one another’s lives. They kind of know one another from highschool already.

I missed the mafia action we get in the first 2 books. Nero’s family is in the mafia and so I expected to see his role in that, but sadly we don’t really. Instead we get fast cars, car races, and a bank robbery/heist situation. Even though Camille and the people she’s around have been out of high school for 6 years, this book still kind of felt immature with the house parties and the attitudes of the characters. I did like how Camille and Nero open up to one another and share secrets from their pasts that they’ve never told others before. Both are very similar, they’re both hurting, they both want someone to love them. So I did like seeing them find one another and get their HEA.

This wasn’t my favorite of the Birthright Series (my favorite so far was definitely MikoXNessa), but it was still fast paced and overall enjoyable. I just didn’t find the romance particularly believable. I liked Nero & Camille as individuals, but there was really no tension between them. Nero is not the “psychopath” the blurb promises him to be, and that was a bit of a let down for me as well. The plot did make up for the lackluster romance though.

I actually read this on my kindle before I was approved for a ARC in exchange for a review, I will say it’s not what I was expecting for this giving the vibes of fast and furious and mafia > to being a very wholesome vibe. I absolutely loved this book and the characters in it. Sophie is one of my favorite authors so pretty much anything she writes i’ll love 🥲

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

I didn’t expect much from this book. I’ve never read a mafia romance novel before so I’m fairly new to this genre. That being said, my expectations were low and those expectations were met. Bad ass guy + bad ass girl + violence + crimes happening, etc. I thought it was okay. I couldn’t feel any chemistry between the hero and heroine, but maybe that’s just me.

Would I recommend this book? Probably not.

I didn't enjoy Nero and Camilles story as much as the first 2. But Sophie's writing is consistent and great!

I am late to the party and only just discovered Sophie Lark and this amazing series! I read Stolen Heir and was consumed so when I saw this book 3 is also being re-released I jumped at the chance to read it!

Nero and Camille are not anywhere near being the type of people who hang out together. Their worlds are opposite and she has always stayed far away from a crowd. When one unfortunate night leads to tough decisions, Nero and Camille now find themselves constantly running into each other and discovering things they never would’ve to begin with.

The more time the spend the deeper their attraction goes and Camille becomes the lifeline Nero didn’t know he needed, if only they could undue the choices that’ve been made because it’s either going to lead to forever or a life apart!

I loved seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones. I did feel like some things were left unanswered and I’m hoping as the books continue I’ll get some answers.

The spice takes a little to get going but when it does it’s definitely a high level that you can’t get enough of!

This book gives off Fast and the Furious vibes and I loved every minute of it! I absolutely loved Nero and Camille. I am really excited to read more from this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for the arc of this book.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. The book is within a series but each can be read standalone. But for the best read, to really enjoy, the first book in the series (Brutal Prince) should be read first.
Nero is a bad boy, a though nut, and could not be managed. Camille is a poor but proud girl, earning her life through hard work, an accomplished car mechanic. They get together through the complicated mafia stuff, that Camille had been forced into, which turnes out to be a life changing adventure for both.
Really enjoyable beautifully written book, without a cliffhanger or a trigger. Thanks!

3.5 STARS!!!
This is the first book I've read in this series, and it was a good standalone mafia romance story. I enjoyed the main characters Camille and Nero. Camille lives in a small town where everyone knows everyone. Everyone knows her mom was a pole dancer, her dad runs a barely hanging on car shop, and that Camille's family is poor. Camille's brother Victor (Vic) gets in with the wrong crowd putting Camille in a bad situation. A situation where Officer Logan Schultz has no problem taking advantage for his own selfish reasons. Nero's family is the Italian Mafia, and he crosses path with Camille who he starts to see in a new light. Their interaction leads to more and I enjoyed the way the story played out. The ending of the story leaves you with a smile on your face and I'm looking forward to reading more books in this series.

4.25/5 stars! This is my favorite read by Sophie Lark so far. Nero and Camille were absolute FIRE. This was 1000% an opposites attract. I loved how strong and determined Camille is. Like yes Nero rescued and supported her, but she's a badass all on her own. Such a good story and such great spice.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review