Eh. That was my feeling for Bloody Heart. Dante and Simone's relationship has been so built up I was expecting a much more heart-wrenching/angsty reveal. With all of our other couples, we go in blind and knowing nothing. It's a disservice to Dante/Simone because we have heard about this great love that Dante lost, and then it doesn't quite hit the mark.

I would have liked more character development. I think too much of the story was spent on background and absolutely not enough time was spent in the present. We don't see how Dante and Simone even begin to deal with their issues, there's just no healing, just bing bang boom all is forgiven with a hefty climax (literally and figuratively). Simone needs to not be such a god damn doormat to her parents. For all her talk of "changing" there's no showdown between her parents and Dante, or a strong talk about how that's going to look. It's a loose end. Dante is still the same brooding man, who we now know is approximately 89 feet tall and 29 feet wide, he just can shoot things now. There's no discussion or tying up of any of the problems that faced Dante and Simone at the beginning of the book. It's just "hey we had a 9 year separation, fucked once, faced down a psychopath and all is well".

Spice was good, but I think Dante either needed to decide he was a Dom or not. The whole "one scene of BDSM" is a disservice to the lifestyle, he's either in or out.

I'm excited to read Riona's story, but I hope that she doesn't flip a 180 on us and go full marshmallow and keeps her "fuck you" attitude.

WOW if you like the secret baby thing then this one will be for you!! This was an amazing title that I could not put down. I enjoyed every second of this one!

Sophie Lark has done it again. 🔥 I don’t think that I have read a Sophie Lark book that I haven’t loved. Her characters are so well written and it’s hard not to enjoy them. I’m so excited to see what else Sophie Lark will come up with in the future.

Simone Solomon lives a life of luxury, bound by wealth, privilege, and obedience. However, her world is turned upside down when she is abducted by Dante Gallo, a mafioso who never intended to take a girl captive. Despite their unconventional beginning, Simone and Dante find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other, their attraction undeniable even as it defies all logic.

As their forbidden romance blossoms, a single mistake tears them apart, leaving them separated for nine long years. Despite their attempts to move on, fate has other plans, bringing them face to face once again. However, Simone harbours a secret that threatens to shatter their fragile connection—a mistake she fears Dante will never forgive. Now reunited, Simone and Dante must confront their past and the undeniable chemistry that still simmers between them. As they navigate the complexities of their relationship, they must grapple with secrets, betrayals, and the consequences of their actions. Can they find a way to forgive each other and embrace the love that has always lingered between them, or will their second chance at happiness be lost forever?

It is a captivating and emotionally charged romance that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. The author expertly weaves together elements of suspense, passion, and redemption, creating a story that is as heart-wrenching as it is enthralling. Simone and Dante are compelling protagonists, each grappling with their demons and secrets. Their chemistry is palpable, leaping off the pages and drawing readers into their tumultuous relationship. Lark's prose is evocative, immersing readers in the opulent world of wealth and privilege while also exploring the darker underbelly of the mafia.

The pacing is brisk, with twists and turns that keep the plot moving at a thrilling pace. The tension between Simone and Dante crackles with intensity, their forbidden love story adding an extra layer of drama and intrigue. As secrets are revealed and past mistakes come to light, the emotional stakes are raised, leaving readers breathless with anticipation.

With its well-developed characters, gripping storyline, and steamy romance, this book is sure to satisfy fans of the genre. Sophie Lark proves once again why she is a master of romance, delivering a tale that is as captivating as it is unforgettable. It is Perfect for fans of steamy romance and intense emotional drama, "Bloody Heart" promises a gripping tale of forbidden love, redemption, and the power of second chances.

This was my first book in this series (even with 3 prior that i need to go back and read now) from this Author.. and to think on it.. I think this is the first book in general that I have read from Sophie Lark.. I know I have several in my library that I need to read... But let me just say WOW!!

I absolutely love me some Mafia Romance and Second chance romance... but one that is filled with angst... so much so that my heart starts to hurt.... even better.

I loved the connection that Dante and Simone had.. It was Raw and all consuming. I just loved this world Sophie gives us.. Now I am needing to go back to the beginning.. Happy reading for me. :)

I've read several books in this series, and they've all been wild, but in a good way. This one unfortunately contained a lot of my least favorite tropes all mushed together. At the heart of it, Simone and Dante are horrendously bad about having conversations before making important decisions, and Simone has a relationship with her family when she probably shouldn't. I really don't know how they came to a resolution without really addressing either of these things and while adding in an extra conflict. The drama of it all!

As always, the steam steams and the art is a fun edition. This could be a fun read for others, just not for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book for an honest review.

I liked Dante and Simone's connection.

How they met and their courtship was so intense.

This book is filled with action and amazing romance.

With real life problems and troubles.

Going in to read all her books.

2.5/5 stars

Thank you for the ARC!!! (I hate that it took me so long to start this but !! )

I was honestly stumped on how to review this one, mostly because I've never been more confused in my life on what just happened in a book. I have tried to read Sophie Lark books before, and this made me remember why I DNF'd 😭 .

First off.... yall. The illustrations. PLEASE. I forgot that she loves to include illustrations of scenes as the scenes are happening, and I absolutely despise it. I'm someone who visualizes books in my head as im reading, and the illustrations just mess that up for me BADDDD. (HOWEVERRRR I like that she is supporting an artist, and the art is not bad at all. I just like visualizing for myself and the illustrations are just so jarringly placed)

Also... I just had a few problems with the way the black FMC was handled in this book. Shes from Ghana, and yet has super long flowing hair (completely possible but..... *bombastic side eye* iykyk) and then there's a part where she literally is like "He can be my master and I'll be a slave" GIRL WHATTTT? But the icing on the cake for me is the fact that there is a anti-sexual slavery plot line yet...your making comments like that??? I just-

This book also fell victim to the traumatic event third act, where it literally just randomly takes a turn and shes running naked through the forest trying not to get shot by some random crazy man, and then the story just ends. (Not a cliffhanger, but i didn't want to spoil it LOL but just know it basically just....ends)

I tried to see it from a mafia book POV in order to not rate it so hard, but this just felt very meh. I liked the second chance romance trope, and the fact that there was a POC character, but................ehhhhhhhhh 😬

Tropes: Instalove, hidden preg, second chance, mafia (going to start including these in my reviews hehe)

I think I must just not be a fan of Sophie Lark which is a shame as I hear good things about them as a person but this book was just so boring, I'm not a fan of insta love or a white guy calling a black girl his slave (dnf'd there). Just not for me.

"I don’t think you ever stop missing the people you’ve lost. Maybe someday it hurts less."

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This didn't really work for me, and I'm kind of sad about it since I've been looking forward to diving into Dante's story with his mysterious former love interest. For me this story would have gone a lot better if the twist that happened toward the end, had happened before they reconnected. Personally I think that would have drawn the characters closer after years apart, and worked better for their stories in the longrun - both as individuals and as a couple.

I do love seeing the reappearances of other siblings/characters though. Aida is still my fav, and I love her relationship with her brothers.

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Bloody Heart was originally published in October of 2020, and has been republished with a brand new cover! Thank you to BloomBooks, NetGalley, and the author for the advanced digital copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for a review ♥️

4,5 ⭐️

Ohhhh, yes! It’s done again. I think it’s time to admit this is my favourite series EVER! I’ve loved all the books so far and am already excited to dive into book 5 so much. I love Sophie Lark’s writing style, I love the romance and I love, love, love the more “thrilling” aspects of all of these books. It’s never just romance and there’s that, there’s so much more to it, even edge-of-my-seat-stuff, which I love the most in books!

Again, a great book in this series. These characters really have my heart, I love seeing them in all the books and I’m sure it will leave a big hole when I’m done with this series 🥹

I received an E-ARC of this book. All opinions are my own 🫶🏼

This was an enjoyable second-chance romance. The characters were engaging, the romance was exciting... I did not want to put this book down!

Alright, second chance romances aren't always my jam (yes- I have trust issues), but this one ended up being a glorious surprise! I mean, very few things can beat a tough mafia man with a soft spot for his lady love and Lark knocks these stories out of the park time and time again.

Another great Sophie Lark! This one is the fourth book is in the Brutal Birthright series. The first book was a five our of five for me which got me really excited for the series. Bloody Heart is a second chance following Dante and Simone. It's got all of the tropes you love - forbidden love, second chance, and lots of mafia drama!

We are just informed that Simone and Dante are soul mates, but it is never made clear what exactly they loved about one another. Instead, there was sheer instant love and physical attraction. There was no real character development or relationship building. Their connection lasted very little time, and even then, they were kept so far apart that it's hard to say how well they knew one another. They didn't actually communicate much and were always skulking around to have sex. After a protracted breakup, Simone did something that was hardly forgiven. (If done well, I love this trope). This wasn't a job well done.

I recently read Bloody Heart by Sophie Lark, and I must say, it was a truly captivating experience. This dark and twisted tale is not for the faint of heart, but it is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

The story is centered around Olivia, a woman with a dark past and a heart full of love. Her journey is filled with intriguing characters, each with their own unique personalities and motivations.

The story delves into the darker aspects of human nature, exploring themes of love, loss, and the consequences of one's actions. The plot is full of unexpected twists and turns, keeping the reader engaged and guessing until the very end.

The author has created a vivid and immersive world, where the lines between good and evil are blurred. The setting and atmosphere are expertly crafted, allowing the reader to feel as if they are right there alongside the characters.

The story evokes a wide range of emotions, from anger and frustration to love and loss. The author's ability to elicit these emotions in the reader is a testament to her skill as a writer.

In conclusion, Bloody Heart is a dark and twisted tale that will leave you questioning the nature of love and the consequences of one's actions. With its engaging characters, unexpected twists, and strong world-building, this book is a must-read for fans of the thriller and mystery genres.

The storyline of this had so much potential, but I just really don’t enjoy Sophie’s writing style. It is SO choppy, the sentences are all very stilted and there really is nothing stylistically unique about it. Emotion isn’t conveyed very well and the writing just feels sterile.

I like the *idea* of Dante & Simone, but man the writing just was not it for me.

Bloody Heart by Sophie Lark

Sophie is a great story teller. She has fast paced writing and has the ability to hook you in from the first page. This second chance romance did not disappoint. Dante and Simone story is my favorite so far in the series. You deep dive into Dantes character and makes you love him more. I can’t wait to finish the rest of the books.

I enjoyed the rest of the novels where i saw some Dante and i finally got a Dante book!

He is one of my favorite characters and feels so misunderstood. I enjoyed reading more about who he is and how he fell in love. Can't get a girl out of his head for 9 years, perfect.

This is a part of an interconnected series that can be read alone but is more fun to read together. Dante and Simone are polar opposites. A good girl from the right side of the tracks and a bad boy from the wrong side. They have an interesting meet cute to say the least. Dante and Simone are separated for 9 years when a chance encounter brings them back together. This is a spicy read, from Sophie you can always expect that. It has mafia, grumpy x sunshine, and second chance romance. TW: mentions of SA, human trafficking.