I made the mistake of not reading the rest of the series before this book.... but i am excited to say that I will be picking it up after my seasonal reads -and I will update my goodreads when it is more understanding for me
rating as of right now - 3 out of 5

I so badly wanted to like this one... but I didn't. There was just so much going on and not in a good way. The best part was seeing Aida again!!! My girl!

Too many tropes, too many elements to the plot, and far too little connection between Dante and Simone. I expected so much more to their reunion after 9 years apart.

Spoiler alert...

I absolutely hate pregnancy tropes. Can't stand them. But I persevered.... and I regret it. Because then what do we have? ANOTHER PREGNANCY. Begging Simone to get a hobby besides being hot and getting knocked up

"I’m sure it’s true . . . I’m fertile right now. Ovulating. Biologically driven to mate with this man who is the biggest, strongest, and most ferocious that I’ve ever seen."

“You want my baby?” he grunts in my ear. “You want to carry my child?” “Yes,” I moan.

Almost dnf'd at 95% over these two quotes specifically and I truly should have. This one was not it!!!!

I really enjoyed this book. For some reason, every book in this series I can’t put it down and I just fly through them. I loved the chemistry between Simone and Dante. I loved how Dante was Simone’s first everything. I found all those steamy moments to be so hot! I liked the story line and how they reconnected after years apart. I think you would need to read the previous books in this series to understand more of Dante since the pacing is pretty fast and you don’t get much from the 9 years time jump. I found it really sweet how Dante interacts with his son, Henry. I felt like the surprised baby trope was written well in this book. I even liked how the suspense at the end was written since I wasn’t the biggest fan with the last book. My only annoyance was with Simone’s parents. I was so pissed at how they didn’t care about her feelings or her needs. To the point where they walk all over her and send her into depression.

Read if you like:
Dual POVs
Second chance romance
War Vet hero
Protective hero
Virgin heroine
Surprise baby
A bit of suspense

This was definitely one of my hottest reads of the month!

Simone’s essentially a princess trapped in her father’s cage. Her only duty is to fulfill his plans for her, starting with Cambridge.

Dante is rough around the edges and not what Simone’s father has carefully penned into his plans. After stealing her family’s car-with her in it-both of their lives are turned upside down.

This second chance romance was HOT. I couldn’t put it down. The plot was thrilling from start to finish. A must read for anyone who enjoys mafia romance, second chance romance, military, bi racial couples, pregnancy themes and tropes.

I was excited to read this as I really like the premise. I feel like this book could have been amazing, but it fell short for me. It needed more character development. I felt like there was unnecessary extra thrown in when it could have been used to add more to them, especially in the beginning.
I liked the very beginning. It pulled me in, but after their first meeting, it all felt rushed. She just said they talked, but we didn't see it or therefore feel it. I'm just a bit sad as I feel like this could have been excellent with a little good editing.

i absolutely adored this whole series! Sophie larks writing will captivate you by the first page. I absolutely love dante’s and simone’s forbidden relationship even if they are completely wrong for each other at first!
mafia // touch her and you die // morally grey mmc // SPICY

Every book I've read from Sophie Lark has been absolutely amazing! Nothing below 4 stars and always utterly captivating! I don't always love the second chance trope but this book has done it justice. Dante and Simone were everything and amazing! They aren't my fave couple but definitely lovely. I love how they found their way back to each other. I absolutely loved how each of the siblings and their significant others pop up in each of the books. I really loved this book and gave it 4 stars. Thank you Sophie Lark for writing this series!

📖 𝘽𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙗𝙮 𝙎𝙤𝙥𝙝𝙞𝙚 𝙇𝙖𝙧𝙠 🫀

“𝙸’𝚖 𝚜𝚎𝚠𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚒𝚖 𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚑 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚢 𝚜𝚔𝚒𝚗. 𝙼𝚢 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚜𝚝, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚎. 𝙸 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚑𝚒𝚖. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚜 𝚖𝚎.”

Wow! This book begins as a Romeo and Juliet retelling. Simone and Dante could not come from two more different worlds. Simone is the daughter of a foreign diplomat, who has grown up as the dutiful sister and heir. Dante is the eldest son to the Italian mafia’s don. He isn’t afraid to walk the line between legal and illegal activities for his families empire. When Dante unknowingly steals a car with Simone in the backseat they have the most unconventional meet-cute! From that first encounter they are drawn to each other. They begin a whirlwind summer romance behind Simone’s family’s backs. When their worlds collide and doubts and insecurities are prayed upon by their families, Simone and Dante are forced apart. Nine years later, they are thrown back together when an unknown threat starts targeting their loved ones. Dante has been waiting for her for nearly a decade, but will secrets Simone is carrying change his love for her?

This was probably my favorite book in the Brutal Birthright series so far. The insta-love between Simone and Dante was crazy but I could believe in their feelings. At one point I wanted to throw my kindle across the room. The author does a great job of making your heart break along with the characters. The amount of suspense the ending had left my body so anxious! I really did not know what was going to happen! 🤯 The happy ending was beautiful, and I loved how involved all of our favorite characters from previous books were in this story!

The spice in this book was wild! The last spicy scene was a little awkward in my opinion but I liked everything else! Spice level: 4🌶️

I am enamored by Raylan and I cannot wait for his story with Riona! Broken Vow is going to be great!

Tropes: insta-love, Romeo & Juliet retelling, second chance romance, mafia romance, time jump, crawl to me 🫠, former military, spicy romance

Thank you NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 🩶

ARC Review: 3/5 ⭐️


Not sure how I felt about this book.. Probably not one of my favorite reads, but the plot was still okay. I did like the romance/steamy aspect, but I just couldn’t really get into the rest of the book. I enjoy Sophie’s writing, however, this was not a full 5/5 ⭐️ for me.

Thank you to the author, Sophie Lark, and NetGalley for allowing me read this book.

This was such a beautiful and enjoyable read. I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sophie Lark has done it again. Wow. This story was a rollercoaster ride from beginning to end that kept me happily on the edge of my seat the entire time. Dante and Simone were fiery, daring, and heartbreaking in a way that had me enthralled in their story, compelled to know more and more. Further, the preluding couples to this book were embedded throughout in a way that makes them even more impossible to resist, and even more likeable now that they've found their own forevers; I loved seeing how they all intertwined. The plot in this book had the best twists and turns, was very well-written, and was overall very easy to follow and made me forget I was even reading. I would highly recommend this book, and this entire series, to those looking for a beautifully-done dark romance written by an equally exhilarating author.

Dante Gallo is the son of a mafioso, and Simone Solomon is the daughter of a wealthy businessman. They come from two different worlds. Dante and Simone meet and instantly share a connection. But fate intervenes and separates the two lovers. Sparks fly when they reconcile in Chicago. Besides, Simone is hiding a big secret from Dante. Will they find their way back to each other?

I liked Dante, not quite sure how I feel about Simone. I thought she could’ve done better although considering the situation, maybe she did the best she could. I adored Aida and Raylan, who added some wholesomeness to the story. Dante is broody and brave, and Simone’s quiet and shy.

I got a little bored after the halfway point in this book. I was also more invested in the characters than the plot. The other subplots weren't engaging. The book could've been about Simone and Dante rather than the action subplots. I wasn’t a fan of the tropes in this book. I can't reveal much without spoiling.

I would recommend Bloody Heart by Sophie Lark to dark mafia romance genre book readers. ARC provided by Source Bloom Books and Sophie Lark via Netgalley. Thank you.

★★★ - 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

Bloody Heart by Sophie Lark
Standalone
༘Spoiler free ༘
⭐️3/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ as spicy as it gets (i will be honest this was way too spicy to me so i had to skip over the spice portions, my review will be plot based but please know there were more than 5 explicit scenes.)
Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Dual POV
➳ Second-Chance Romance
➳ Mafia
➳ Forbidden Romance
➳ Betrayal
➳ Military
➳ Guaranteed HEA

I seem to have mistaken the cover and title for a suspenseful book about romance in a grim setting, The anatomical bloody heart and matching title gave me an entirely different impression.
Instead the main characters fall instantly in love after 20 pages and jump into bed at the first opportunity.
If you are looking for a steamy, quick romance this is exactly the book you are looking for, but it was not for me.

I will compliment the author on the writing style. The first few chapters establish Simone’s character, and her relations to the rest of the world clearly and the writing is easy to read.

This romance kept the tension high and the emotions were even higher. This is a story of second chances and forbidden love that takes you on a rollercoaster of passion and intrigue. The connection between the characters was electric, forbidden and irresistible! The storytelling is charged with passion and desire, making the chemistry between characters sizzle. The book did a good job of capturing the push and pull of the emotions as they navigate secrets and mistakes. I feel like the second chance aspect of the story adds depth and intrigue, because you can see that Simone and Dante have both grown over the years but yet their connection is as powerful as ever.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

4/5 stars

Sophie Lark has surprised me once again with this soul wrecking, angsty emotional roller coaster within a mafia romance. Bloody Heart is so aptly named because Simone and Dante are bleeding emotions throughout this story . This is an epic second chance romance with so much angst that I didn't expect from this mafia romance. It definitely have the adrenaline fuelled action packed parts but the feelings in this story is chef's kiss.

This story runs into 2 part. First part is when Dante and Simone first met .Simone is from an affluent, culturally polished and politically powerful family. Her father expects nothing but perfection from her daughters but then she meets Dante Gallo at Chicago who is exactly opposite from her .He is unpolished, savage, coming from a criminal background as his family rules the Chicago mafia scene. But from the first day they meet ,when Dante had to kidnap her inWhile escaping a crime scene, they had this instant connection but unfortunately her father didn't like it at all. Tragedies strike and Simone has to leave with both of them broken hearted. Now years have passed .Simone is now a famous super model and Dante is the leader of his family. Now Simon's father is under threat and then he is roped into his security because of his connection with the city alderman Callum Griffin who is also Dante's brother-in-law. He didn't expect to meet Simone again and all their broken angsty heartbreaking feeling resurfaces. But the truth is Simone has hidden something very important from him can Dante forgive the only woman he ever loved?

I think second chance romance always brings so much angst and this book is the mother of all second chance romamce. Because oh my God it went from the butterflies-in -my-stomach & the flutters-in-my-heart kind of swoony sweet situation to oh my I want to cry at the corner of my room kind of situation. Simone and Simone suffered so much that my heart broke over and over again for both of them . I cannot compare who suffered more because Simone went through something life-changing when she was alone ,scared and depressed . She didn't know what to do and I think the people who were supposed to protect took advantage of her depression.I am also proud of her because she's fought like a Warrior and came on the other side with scars but she finally took control of her life again . On the other side if you look at Dante.. now he is the mafia guy ,so he is supposed to be like all tough and hard and closed off and ruthless . But Dante wears his feelings from Simone on his sleeves. Simone leaving him.. shattered him and you can feel it through the pages and the army was an escape route for him . Over the years he never stopped loving Simone and it's just so romantic that my heart cannot take it . Now he can be really ruthless and merciless for people who are trying to hurt his family or the people he loves. He is also so insanely protective and possessive .I think Dante is my favourite guy in this whole series. He carries so much responsibility on his broad shoulders and his family knows that but having his own woman and his own son in his life is something he deserved and he got it. This story is so beautiful that I wanted to cry so many times and I don't think I felt like this through any book of this mafia series at all so I will definitely say this is my absolute favourite and I also cannot wait to read the next one because that is Going to be a scorching one.

I reviewed a complimentary copy voluntarily by Bloom Books and Netgalley

Second Chance Mafia romance yes, please! Sophie Lark knocks it out of the park with Bloody Heart. While not as dark as some Mafia romances, I always recommend checking trigger warnings. I found it to just the right amount dark after several fun, fluffy reads. Simone is a wealthy debutante turned model with a passion for fashion design. Dante is the son of a local mob boss who realized the mob isn’t where his life lays. Together, they equal steamy scenes, delicious tensions, and a fiery second chance.
I was recently recommended Sophie Lark by some fellow romance enthusiasts at a Katee Robert signing at Half-Price Books. I grabbed a copy and placed it in the ever-growing pile of TBRs and went about my day. Imagine my surprise when I grab an arc from NetGalley not realizing it was same book. Needless to say, I owe the random fan I met that day a huge thank you. Had they not gushed about Sophie Lark I wouldn’t have recognized the name and applied for the arc; Bloody Heart would still be at in the stack of unread books waiting for a rainy day. I fell in love with Simone she was relatable in personality and desires. Dante was a stereo typical gruff softy for her, however, he had depth and was fully fleshed out. I will definitely be checking out more books by Sophie Lark.
I received an arc of this and am leaving this review of my own volition.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This was my first mafia romance and I liked it more than I expected. The author writes well and vividly and draws you into the world she’s created.

I am not a huge fan of surprise baby and second chance romance tropes to begin with though, so that was a dock on rating for me here since it continued to annoy me as expected. There was also a bit much in the way of insta-love for my taste.

Oh MY LORD, this book was pure greatness. I truly enjoy Bloody heart. I have read the books prior to this one and l wholeheartedly devoured them with no remorse because they are that great. Now back to this book, the characters were so perfect beyond words and l loved loved loved them. This is definitely a must read you should not miss out on.

♥️Mafia
♥️Second Chance
♥️Secret Baby
♥️Romantic Suspense

“I never stopped wondering how you could leave me, when I couldn’t let go of you even for a second.”

Bloody Heart is the fourth book of the Brutal Birthright series of interconnected standalones. This book broke me and then put me back together. Dante and Simone’s story was heartbreaking and beautiful. I was rooting for them from the beginning. I couldn’t wait for Dante’s story since book one. He is broody, grumpy and protective of his loved ones. Simone is so strong and one of my favorite heroines. She was in a hard situation and had to make tough decisions. I really felt for both of them and what they had to go through. This was all around a great book that had me in all my feels. I loved the writing style and Sophie Lark has become one of my favorite authors! I can’t wait to read more of this series!