Truly, I'm not sure why I requested to read this book in the first place. Mafia romance? Not my think. Unfortunately, this book did not make me want to make it my thing.

The writing was clunky, the characters' actions didn't make sense to me, the romance was too quick and subpar, and it was just straight up boring for me, sadly. One thing that really stands out is that the FMC calls her husband Daddy during sex while he's got her locked up in a basement. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the title of Daddy when it makes sense, but this was super misplaced, as was the sex.

This was tough to read and I would not recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book.

I am so sad this series is over but it was a great ending. I did not like it as much as broken vows but it was still very good and I will miss all the characters now.

4* for this ending to the Brutal Birthright series. First off I have to admit I have not read this series in order or finished reading all the prior ones(I've even read the Kingmakers series which is about the offspring from these books) No it did not ruin anything as you can read the covers to see the couples in the prior books yet there's a comradery established and some things that happen in this final one that makes me recommend reading the rest prior to starting this last one.

Sophie Lark's writing is just easy to read in my opinion and boy did she include alot in this one book. Sebastian Gallo is the remaining brother whose story was left for last and he meets Yelena Yenina while she's getting stuffed into a trunk. He saves her and their story starts here with them seemingly opposite as he's Italian and her family is part of the Russian Bratva. I think what I liked most about this book is that I felt like I was cruising along understanding their vibe especially with dual POV's. Then bam! No spoilers but things aren't as they look and the rollercoaster starts. Add in some spice along with beloved characters from the prior books and this was a hard book to put down. I recommend this series if you're a fan of Sophie Lark or even thinking about reading her as she really keeps an engaging pace and storyline.

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and Net Galley for the Advanced Reader Copy of this story. My review is solely my opinion.

Heavy Crown by Sophie Lark is the final book in the Brutal Birthright Series. I’m so sad to see the series come to an end. It is by far of my favorite series. What a great way to send a series.

This story follows Sebastian Gallo the youngest Gallo and the closes to Aida. He meets Yelena, the daughter of the Bratva boss and the Gallo’s rival.

This book was so good. I enjoyed the characters and feel they were so well written. I loved this series so much and I’m so sad that it’s over. I was given an ARC of this boon in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions

This book was amazing!! Thank you so much for the ARC. I'm so glad Sophie Lark is getting the hype she deserves because every one of her books is a five out five. All romance readers need to check this one out!!

Yelena and Sebastian were a fun couple. I didn't mind them together, but I struggle with any book that starts off with lying. Yelena hiding her father's schemes cost so many lives. I wonder what would have happened if she'd given Seb the heads up prior. I imagine they'd still have ended up together, happy as a pair of clams.

I struggled HARD with some plot holes. The whole "submit to me" thing to "heal the rift" was torture. I get that a spicy sex was needed and I appreciated it, but it seems to be a thing that the men in this series go all "dominant" only when they want an excuse to punish the woman they're with. It feels toxic. I also don't buy that after the enormous lie that Yelena committed plus her lack of warning to Seb (she said she had feelings that something was off, shoulda voiced those concerns) that they're just going to fuck once and it'll all be okay because Yelena let Seb do some kinky things to her and viola! Rift healed!

It also drove me nuts that Seb's knee is broken again but he's then described as doing a bunch of stuff that could not happen with a broken kneecap, like walking into a hospital, only have Yelena checked out, dirty sex, standing in a shower, walking to the bakery to get things. It's only after a moment and a surprise pregnancy that Seb has to have surgery.

I'd have liked less plot holes, but I do love the overall story. I liked that Adia, Callum, and Miko came to the rescue and helped Seb. I didn't buy the whole "I'm a monster" thing and sided with Greta, that was never in Seb's personality so the whole "unleashed a monster" was hard to buy. I also don't agree with Dante's life choices. I 100% understand that he has his own family and wants to move on, but move to Paris and just abandon the family you LOVE so much? We know you're the King Kong of mankind, but to leave your family to certain death? I don't feel like Simone would have frowned upon that. It's not like you're out robbing banks/diamonds again, you're defending your family.

All in all, I did enjoy the book! I love this series and can't wait to read the Kingmakers series.

Again, I love Sophie and this one was great. I love this entire series. I love how she creates characters with flaws and real life problems.

This book was the moment I'd been waiting for since the series began – finally, Sebastian's story.

But I have to confess, it left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. Maybe it was the high expectations, but I just couldn't connect with the characters as deeply as I'd hoped.

And don't get me started on the insta-love trope – it's always been a pet peeve of mine, and it felt so rushed here that it was hard to suspend my disbelief.

However, the second half of the book redeemed it for me. The action picked up, and I found myself getting more invested in the storyline.

Saying goodbye to these characters was bittersweet, but the spin-off series has me excited for what's next in this universe.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

sophie sophie sophie. its not you, its me. i cannot for the life of me get behind this series and as i finish it up i feel content with that sentiment. the writing and characters just dont do it for me and i know these are meant to be dark romance, but even then they’re not intrinsically romantic either :( i do have the arc for love contract and minx though so we’ll see…

Lots of action in this book that was seriously needed, Sebastian and Yelena could be my favorite couple of the entire series.

Heavy Crown by Sophie Lark is an intriguingly dark, surprisingly twisted & mind-blowingly action-packed mafia romance that will have you glued to this story until the end! Heavy must be the crown that Sophie Lark wears as she is one of the royalty in the romance genre!

This is book #6 in the Brutal Birthwright series. While it would probably be helpful to have the history & knowledge of the other books, it could be read as a standalone. I’ve only read 3 of this series & I enjoyed this one greatly! You can tell this is a conclusion to an epic series though because the action is non-stop peppered throughout the book & oh my stars, does this book go away with a bang.

Heavy Crown is perfect for fans of…
👑 Romantic Suspense
👑 Mafia Romance
👑 Forced Proximity
👑 Dark Romance

What. A. Ride. Yes, this book deserves that dramatic of a sentence because it’s that shockingly twisted & captivatingly good.

I’ve been curious about Sebastian since we met him during the first book & oh my, how things have changed. It was interesting watching him go from that man early on in the series into the man of this book & how he even changed during it. While this is a darker romance, Sebastian still delivers on the swoon worthy aspects of the courting & I even appreciated his protective nature. The chemistry between this pair is undeniable & Sophie Lark also showcases enough spice to make me blush.

Something really neat the author does is have a playlist for the books & songs dedicated for each chapter to enrich the experience if one is inclined.

& the absolute coolest thing the author does besides obviously write incredible books, is have illustrations throughout the book! These illustrations are gorgeous. It’s such a fascinating thing to actually be able to see the romance story come to being with artwork. They are done in important moments, both sweet & spicy.

If you are a fan of entertaining mafia romances, especially on the darker side, then I highly recommend checking out Heavy Crown as well as the entire series!

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Bloom Books for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.


I plan to post this on my IG in the near future. I apologize for the delay as I have been recovering from surgery.

love this series and sophie's writing so much. each story hooks you instantly and this one is no different. fast paced, leaves you wanting more from the main characters once you're finished

Sophie Lark does it again. A fun dark romance novel with interesting sex scenes.

One thing Sophie does well is write sex without 100% making the plot only about sex. The characters are still just as wonderful as others in the series. Love getting better glimpses into the couples that are already together and seeing their happiness.

Ooh this had me full of anxiety. So much happened in this book 👀 character deaths that broke my little heart, betrayal, sadness, a hero with such responsibility he didn't want nor need thrust on him, a heroine made to choose between her family (tbh they were dicks so I'd have bounced) and someone she loved.

A gripping mafia romance that had me hooked from page one! Sebastian and Yelena's intense chemistry and the dangerous backdrop of their warring families kept me on the edge of my seat. While some parts felt a tad predictable, overall, it's a thrilling read perfect for fans of the genre.

Such a good book, my favourite from this author so far. Really well written and has you hooked so fast

So, I didn't realize when I requested this book that it was the end of a series. I was easily able to follow the story and found it amazing! I will absolutely go back and start from the beginning.

Silly me requested this book, thinking it was a stand-alone and not realising that it was part of a series.

Nevertheless, I gave it a whirl anyway as I’m a big fan of Sophie Larks’ storytelling.

Sebastian and Yelena’s interactions seemed slightly forced and a little rushed however, I enjoyed their characters independently. I was also quite intrigued at Sebastian’s POV and delving deeper into his thoughts and emotions – gotta love a brooding character!

Yelena’s character grow on me throughout the book and the spice between Yelena and Sebastian was well…spicy and well scripted.

Overall, I enjoyed this read and it’s motivated me to pick up the series.

Sophie Lark's "Heavy Crown" marked the finale of a series that had me riveted from the start. Yet, as I turned the pages of this concluding chapter, I found myself ensnared in a whirlwind of emotions, ranging from anticipation to disappointment. The romance between Yelena, a Bratva boss's daughter, and Sebastian, from a rival family, was tinged with insta-love and a predictability that left me yearning for the depth and complexity that had initially drawn me to the series. Their story felt slow, overshadowed by a looming predictability about their eventual confrontation, which couldn't ignite my usual enthusiasm for Lark's storytelling.

Moreover, the transformation of characters like Dante felt jarring. His decisions, especially in the context of love, seemed to detract from the gritty, complex persona I had come to admire. The depiction of mobster life, with its supposed armies and financial predicaments, struck me as incongruous with the powerful, commanding presence these characters had previously embodied.

Despite these criticisms, my attachment to Lark's world remains undiminished. The anticipation for the kingmaker series rekindles my excitement, offering a silver lining to my disappointment. "Heavy Crown" might not have been the grand finale I had envisioned, but it serves as a bridge to more of Lark's captivating universe. While the series concludes on a note that left me conflicted, my passion for Lark's craft and the worlds she creates persists, eager to see where she takes us next.

This was not one of my favourite reads but I think this is more my fault than anyone else's. When getting the book I did not realise that this was the last in a series of 6 books. The author did a good job of giving as much history as was needed to follow the plot, but I just wasn't invested in the characters. The relationship between Seb and Yelena didn't feel right. Not sure why. Was it the spice without any discussion around birth control? Maybe?? Anyway, if you're invested in this series I think you will like this, but my suggestion is, don't do what I did and start here.

Big thanks to Netgalley, sourcebooks and Sophie Lark for this early release copy in exchange for my honest review.