I have been waiting for Dante's book for so long and it did not disappoint! You get glimpses of Dante's surly personality in previous books and bloody heart really explains why. The book starts off in the past and then fast forwards to the present; which I really enjoyed. I think it helped show the characters growth as they become adults and have experienced some life.

I loved Dante and Simone. When they met they were both young 21 and 18. They fall hard and fast. Simone comes from wealth gala's and events where as Dante is a gangster/mafia born. Two opposites that attract. I love a good forbidden romance and this hit the spot for me.

I wish this book was longer just so I could get more of them as a whole and family unit. That being said cannot wait to get my hands on the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Lark, and Bloom Books for this advanced eARC.

I. Love. This. Book. Sophie Lark has a way of writing stories that hurt but also heal, and this is the top contender. I'm not sure I can put into words how much this book means to me but I'll try.

This series was probably the first mafia series I ever attempted to read and I was not sure what to expect when I started. As much as I love the other books in this series before this (Stolen Heir), Bloody Heart blew me away. It put Sophie Lark on my auto-buy author list. The way the two main characters have to go through so much before coming back together was heartwrenching. I was especially hurt knowing everything Simone went through with her family. Having her and Dante get their family in the end genuinely made me cry, even if Dante could have handled certain things a bit better.

This one would be perfect for anyone who loves a good second chance book where there is a secret child/baby. And if you have not yet, definitely check out Sophie Lark's entire backlog. The Brutal Birthright and (connected) Kingmakers series are some of my all-time favorite mafia romances.

A good second chance romance with a decent pregnancy trope. Before going into this book make sure to read the TW because there is some dubious consent a few times. I also hate Simone’s dad with a passion. Never have I been so mad and upset over a parents actions than when her father basically stole her baby while she was hospitalized! Just typing this now is making my blood pressure rise.

I was a bit thrown off when I began reading as I did not realize we would be getting a flashback for half of the book to set up the present. Everything was great until it wasn't. I could have help the temptation to throw my phone across the room when they were ripped apart. When Simone's father took her baby, not only did I want to throw my book across the room, but I want to rip him to pieces. Luckily we got our happily ever after and a happy family reunion.

This book may be the darkest in the series so far. it is filled with angst, pining and of course SPICE. The story between Dante and Simone prove that maybe soulmates do exist.

I admit I expected more, especially considering the male character and his actions in the past. I was anticipating a passionate love story, characters equally fervent, specific and well-explored themes, and above all, a skillful execution. However, it turned out to be the opposite: I'm not even sure I can articulate why they were drawn to each other. Yes, there was a certain sexual attraction, but what came after? Nothing substantial. The characters fail to evoke a particular emotional connection, remaining on the surface. The story seems content with the image of a somewhat rough man and a romantically inclined woman.

Thanks Netgalley & Bloom Books for the opportunity to review Bloody Heart! Here’s my honest review.

I read this knowing that it was the 4th book in an interconnected stand alone series. The good thing about it was I understood everything and didn’t feel, at any point in the story, that I was missing something because I didn’t read any of the first 3. I loved that!

This copy also had the illustrations that Sophie’s books are known for and it is an experience that I adored. It’s nice to see the characters and just know that you are seeing what Sophie wanted you to see.

Ok now for the things that made this a bit meh 😒. I truly did not expect a pregnancy trope 25% into the story. Sure FMC learned to stand up to her family because of that but still, it’s difficult to enjoy this trope. That and how I felt the ending was rushed, like the part that she asked Dante to get her pregnant so they can go through it together, was what made it a 3.5 for me.

So not a bad read, still enjoyable but nothing that wowed me.

Spice was 4/5, that hotel room scene! 🥵🥵🥵

Bloody Heart by Sophie Lark is the 4th book in the Brutal Birthright series. This is one of my favorite series and I have loved every book. Bloody Heart is a second chance mafia romance, has dual POV’s, is spicy, with HEA.

Dante Gallo MMC, is the oldest son of mafia boss Enzo Gallo. Dante lives his life like nothing and no one is out of bounds. Simone Solomon FMC, is the youngest daughter of a diplomat, wants to go to design design school where she can design clothes but her father has different plans for her.

On the way to a gala Simone and her father have a disagreement where she decided to wait in the car to calm down. Dante running away from a situation he got into jumps into the first available car drives away with Simone in the back seat. Startled Dante assures her he doesn’t want to hurt and that she will be safe. They end up talking and falling for each other in the short ride. Something happen she moves away.

Fast forward 9 years later and they are reunited when she goes back to Chicago for a job and stays to support her dad. Dante went thru it after Simone left, trying to run from her memory he even joined the military. Simone suffered too but became stronger, put her foot with her father took and her life back. Simone has a secret she’s kept front Dante and she is afraid when he finds out he will never forgive her.

This book had me all over the place you could feel the anguish he suffered through, tried wanted to be enough for Simone and her family so she could love him and they could be together. Simone, my heart broke for her when her parents made decisions for her that were in their best interest and not hers. Since she was raised to do as she was told she went along with it against what she felt. This story was just so well written and I loved it. 4.5 stars!! Thank you Bloom Books and NetGalley for letting me read this in exchange for my honest review.

DANTE & SIMONE! Finally. This one totally lived up to my expectations. What a great nod to the most dangerous game - definitely wasn’t expecting that twist at all. Dante deserved this storyline. Great, quick read!

Bloody Heart by Sophie Lark, book four in the Brutal Birthright series, was AWESOME. I love second chance romances when they're done well, and Lark DELIVERS.

[Warning: Spoilers!]

Simone and Dante have an instant, intense connection, reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet--and like the famous star-crossed lovers, their relationship is fraught with challenges. His mafia ties make him dangerous, and when Simone discovers she's pregnant with his child, she flees to England, hiding her pregnancy from everyone, and they don't see each other for almost a decade.

Years later, Simone is a successful international model, and Dante is still an active member of his mafia family after having served in the military. Neither one of them has successfully moved on, and they've both been living alone, silently heartbroken. She unexpectedly returns to town to support her father's organization, and they reunite under stressful circumstances. But it's immediately apparent that their connection is still just as intense as before.

This is a dark mafia romance. There's violence, in and out of the bedroom, but as far as mafia romances go, it's actually pretty mild. If explicit scenes bother you, this probably isn't the series for you. Also, while this is a series, the books can be read as interconnected stand=alones.

Thank you to Bloom Books and Netgalley for my advance review copy. This is probably my favorite of the series so far, which is saying something because I've enjoyed every single one!

I liked this book from the very beginning, the characters are very likeable and even though Simone gets a little annoying you still route for her.
The story line was fast paced, kept you guessing and invested. I was always wondering what was going to happen next and how the book would end.
I will definitely be continuing with this series and am excited to read the first book, as I ended up not realizing this was a series until I started reading this one. Either way, I really liked that you didn’t have to read the whole series to have this book make sense and to love the characters. I really enjoyed the writing style, it had a wonderful flow and really drew me in. Really liked this book!
Thank you NetGalley for my arc copy, I am leaving this review on my own.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Bloody Heart. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rating: 4/5 stars 1.5/5 spice
I liked the story and thought it was it was well written. I was not a big fan of how this person who has been hunting Dante and Simone got wrapped up. It was very meh in my opinion. I liked how we were able to see the main characters in different times of their life and how even when apart, they were still connected. The ending to me was rushed and I felt like her being pregnant again was just a way to make people not mad.

I’m not a huge fan of the accidental pregnancy or the insta love tropes, which makes it hard for me to rate higher than three stars. I did t like how after 9years and a LOT to discuss, Simone and Dante do nothing but sleep together again. And I really felt like I didn’t get to know Simone very well at all. At the beginning when she was faced with a tough convo, she ran. And then 9 years later she learned nothing and ran again. Didn’t like that

Loved the Aida mentions, she is still my absolute favorite from this series!

This was an easy book to read. There was a lot going on and a HEA, which I love. I wish there’d been more depth to the romance though. It felt like we got surface level story line because there was so much plot to get through. I would love to read the next one though!

Sophie Lark never ceases to lack entertainment. I know when I pick up one of her books, there will be excitement, a little angst of some sort, and great romance. Absolutely perfect as pallet cleansers between books / series of heavy world building.

AHHHHH THIS BOOK!!!! Sophie Lark has done it again! Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebook Bloom books for this ARC for an honest review. I do t know what Sophie puts in her books but they are like a drug that you can’t get enough of. Once I started this book I honestly couldnt put it down.

DANTE GALLO! THIS MAN…I would let him do anything to me…He is now and forever on the list of book boyfriends!

This book is close to perfection. THE ONLY reason i’m not giving it 5 stars is because it left one question that I think it’s kinda important. It’s clearly bothering me and the fact that I would never get the answer. Also, the ending felt a little bit rushed like two more chapters with my question answered and I would have been perfect.

Thank you Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for this ARC!

This story was about Dante and Simone. It was very “insta love” and that’s one of my least favorite tropes, but I thought the author executed this very well!

I absolutely loved the images between some chapters! They were done so well and helped me to picture the story. I wish every book has these!

This was a 3 star read for me! Done very well, but I’m not a huge fan of instalove and pregnancy tropes!

Tropes:
*Instalove
*Pregnancy
*Second chance
*Mafia

Kind of disappointed in this one, but that may be my fault because I didn't realize it was a mafia romance, of an accidental/secret pregnancy trope, or that the FMC would be a never kissed virgin. Plus, it's kind of insta-love. It's just ..too much stuff I don't like.

I also think Dante lacked some real death. He seemed flat and could have used some more character development.

I do like the authors writing style and actually have read and love her other books, so if the mafia/virgin/pregnancy tropes are your thing you'll probably love this book!

I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC!

Give me a secret baby trope and I'm going to love it every time. The book is definitely insta lovey but it didn't bother me at all. It was cute how they kind of knew the other person was it from the first time that they saw each other. The only thing I wanted more of is Dante interacting with Henry. I wanted to see them build their bond.

Bloody Heart 2.5⭐️ 3🌶️

Mafia Dark Romance
Second chance romance
Romeo and Juliet reimagining
Forbidden Romance
Dual POV
Secrets
Strong Family Ties
Insta-love


Tw: adoption, intrusive thoughts, human trafficking, gun violence, murder


The characters were still fairly shallow and the plot was all over the place with not much real resolution.

The FMC was lacking a spine… so that wasn’t any good when it comes to being with a guy whose dad runs the Italian mafia in Chicago… she is a big celebrity with zero boss bitch charisma? The only thing driving her is her anger at her parents. It’s just not enough.

And the MMC had the personality of an almost dead fish.

I think there wasn’t a sensitivity reader for this book. Big icks in that department.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books/Sourcebooks for and advanced eReader Copy of this book in return for an honest review

While this might not have been my favourite from the series, whatever Sophie Lark writes, I read. That's a given.
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Dante and Simone are the soul mates everyone wishes for in life - they start off by complete accident, but when things are right they are right until life intervenes and they don't see each other for a few years. But that means nothing for Dante.

Bloody Heart by Sophie Lark is the 4th book in the series, and once again, I was engrossed from the first page to the last. I've been longing for Dante's story for a good while, and it was everything I needed it to be. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley for this advanced reader's copy.