This book had all the twists and romance I love in a book. From the beginning I could see things were not as they seemed and as the story developed, I was in for more surprises. Sophie Lark managed to keep this reader enthralled as to what would happen next with Sebastian and Yelina.

This book was tough to get through. It felt very caricature-esque with all of these personas. Th POV didn’t flow well in my opinion. I also, didn’t like the plot development. It had the right pieces to be a good book, but I didn’t see super logical connections for plot points or character choices. That inconsistency took me out of the story a lot.

The finale of the Brutal Birthright series and Heavy Crown sees Sebastian Gallo take his place as head of the Gallo family. His development has been the most surprising across the series as he evolved from the basketball player student of the first book to what he was here but along the way for me he lost something that had made me like him from the start. His instalove romance with Bratva princess Yelena Yenina, was perhaps darker than I’d expected from him, and it just felt a bit clinical, and I didn’t feel there was any real sense of connection between them. The overall story also felt a bit erratic like the author didn’t know where she was taking it, and I struggled to finish this book.

I had been looking forward to reading this series but after the great start with Brutal Prince, if I’m being completely honest, I can’t help but feel disappointed with the Gallo brothers as a rule. Love made them weak as, to a man they turned from the dark side for the sake of their women. I mean where’s the fun in that! A part of me wishes Aida had taken control of the family and ran it. Perhaps the next generation will do better after that epilogue that sets readers up for the Kingmakers series.

If you love dark romance and mafia books this is the one for you. It is an interconnected standalone. This was definitely one of my favorites out of the whole series. This one seemed to have more depth and emotions than the previous ones. I will definitely be reading more from Sophie. If you want a super easy read give this book a try. All of the characters are likable and no excessive drama.

4.25⭐
2.5🌶️

Tropes:
👑 Mafia Romance
🖤 Dark Contemporary Romance

Favorite Quote: "There's no pleasure quite like reading, is there? Sometimes it's the only thing that eases my mind."

What a way to end this series! I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship between Sebastian and Yelena, although it did feel a little rushed. I loved watching Sebastian's transformation from the good younger brother, into the role of protector and becoming the head of the family. I enjoyed the way Sophie made Yelena grow into her own, in the sense that she made her stand up for what she wanted and to get out of the thumb of her family. The spice level in my opinion was perfect for the storyline and was sprinkled in just where it needed to be for the plot of the story.

It felt like the second half of the book is where everything really took off and I didn't want to put it down. The emotions, the action, the revenge, made it so you just want to know what would happen next. Overall, the main characters had me rooting for them from the beginning and made me want them to get their happily ever after.

Sophie Lark writes in such a way that you never want to put the book down, and makes you instantly connect with the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and I would definitely recommend this for anyone that enjoys mafia romances and romance stories with a bit more action! I can't wait to read the Kingmakers series after this!

Thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Lark and Bloom Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

4 STARS!!

oh my gosh, i dove into this with zero expectations, considering my recent reads were all a bit meh. but guess what? this book slapped differently—in a good way! it's my first from this author, and oh boy, i'm definitely adding more of her books to my list.

plot: yelena is all about not submitting to a man, but family drama's got her playing a dangerous game. sebastian steps in, deciding he'll fight for her heart and freedom. tensions rise, vengeance vows, and it's like a city-wide chess match.

writing: loved it. easy read, breezy, and despite the book being a little over 400 pages, it was like a race to the finish – read it in one sitting. plot twists had me all over the place. i'm talking jaw-dropping, mind-blown kind of surprises. never been so shook over plot twists, you feel me? dialogue was solid, and the pace, oh, it was fast, maybe a bit too fast towards the end, but hey, still a wild ride.

yelena yenina: at first, i was side-eyeing her with the whole revelation about her “true” intentions, but she quickly redeemed herself. her love for sebastian was palpable, making me really fond of her. strong, brave, and determined—what's not to love?

sebastian gallo: unexpectedly loved him throughout the book. he's this soft and caring gallo most of the time, but the dark side when protecting his loved ones? extremely hot, okay?

yelena and sebastian: wonderful, seriously. but i kinda wished the book gave them more spotlight. started with insane tension, jumped into sweet romance, and then the plot kinda stole the show. missed more couple time, you know? and let's not forget the spicy scenes – garage scene? 🔥

overall, so darn good. loved every second. sure, a couple of things didn't hit right, but there was so much to love. twists and turns, surprises that kept me glued. couldn't put it down – needed to know what the heck would happen next.

notes: and guess what? i'm so diving into the kingmakers series, 'cause that epilogue? leo and dean's encounter? i need to read that, like, yesterday.

”Thank you NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books, and the author for sending me a copy of this e-arc. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.”

I liked the dynamic between Yelena and Sebastian and enjoyed the spice of their romance. If you want a slow burn tension book this isn’t it rather it’s more insta-love.
The overall action of the book was intriguing as it delved into the mafia world. Much like the series name the action was brutal but written in a captivating way.
Quick read with funny, sweet and spicy moments throughout.

While it was decent, it wasn't as good as the previous installments in this series. Three from me. I was hoping for more romance. I'm excited to read that series. This was meant to provide the series a sense of closure, but in my opinion, it destroyed everything. Here, the ties that were forged throughout the books were so icily and methodically dismantled.
I was really dissatisfied and frustrated with the book in the end. Not what you want to experience after completing a six-book series.

This was an excellent conclusion to the Brutal Birthright series. Seb’s story has been building throughout. So many struggles to overcome. He definitely met his match in Yelena. This was a very fitting end to an excellent series.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this finale to Sophie Lark's series. I found it to be a fast paced, page turner. I enjoyed the growth of the main character Sebastian. I wasn't a big fan of the betrayal storyline. Overall a good read and a great conclusion to the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

Heavy Crown did a good job as the final the Brutal Birthright series to wrap things up nicely but leave the door open for a new series. I liked this book, but I did prefer other couples in the series more. I was a little sad their relationship was so rushed at the beginning and that their reconciliation was also rushed. It would have been nice to experience more conversations between the two throughout the action.

The shift in Sebastian’s personality in this book is understandable, but I wanted to see his internal thoughts about this written out more. I was also so disappointed in Dante! I understand him wanting to protect his “new” family, but I was so sad and hurt for Seb. Especially when I’m mafia families, family means everything. I’m glad Aida stepped up and brought Cal to come and support Yelena.

I did enjoy the action of this book and expected the series to have a dramatic ending, but somehow it felt so off with the Gallo siblings. If I didn’t know about another series I would have found the last chapter to be so out of pocket and confusing though. Honestly the entire book just felt extremely rushed to finish out the series and not focus on the couple in the series.

I’d give this 3.5 stars and would definitely recommend the series, and have, to others.

Publication date: January 30, 2024

Heavy Crown is the 6th (and final?) instalment of the Brutal Birthright series by Sophie Lark. I have loved this series so far and this last book did a decent job of wrapping things up.

Sebastian Gallo is the youngest sibling in the Gallo family. One of the main mafia families in the series (Gallo’s are the Italian family and Griffen are the Irish. Both families intertwine throughout the series).

Sebastian makes appearances in most of the books leading up to this one but is very much a side character. He’s quiet and portrayed as much younger than the others.

Sebastian is walking home one night and noticed a beautiful girl fighting off what looks like a would be kidnapper. After coming to her aide, Sebastian is introduced to Yelena Yenina the beautiful daughter of the Russian mafia leader.

Their connection and chemistry is immediate and although they know neither family will approve, they can’t seem to stay away from each other. Both of these young adults are no stranger to the mafia world they were brought up in and eventually the families break out in all out war.

Can Sebastian and Yelena find happiness together or will the deep mafia ties break them apart?

I liked this story but didn’t love it as much as some of the others. I had a hard time reconciling the Sebastian we meet in earlier books with the passionate young man we see in Heavy Crown. I wasn’t fully convinced of the love between the two or at least not as much as some of the previous couples. This is a 3.5 star for me and I would highly recommend the entire series. The way the author weaves in the different families and connections is incredible!

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


#NetGalley #sophielark #heavycrown

I loved this read so much!! It was super enjoyable and exactly what I felt like reading. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have no words Sophie Lark, this story was EVERYTHING and more. And the epilogue.. consider this my formal petition to create a series following all the kids to Kingmakers. I devoured this book and now I am so sad it’s over.

This was my second book I’ve read in the series, and I really like that you can read them in any order. Sophie writes with such vivid detail, it helps weave a perfect and realistic picture of life with the Gallos in Chicago. This was a love story filled with so much drama, and Mafia action. Definitely ends the series with a bang!!

Sebastian never expects to meet the love of his life while he interrupts and saves her from being kidnapped. But that’s exactly how Yelena and him meet, and eventually begin dating. Despite things going well between them there is tension between their families. Sebastian’s Italian family and Yelena’s Russian family are enemies in the Mafia world of Chicago.

But so deeply in love with each other they decide their families will just have to accept it. A meeting is had, and a blood oath is taken between the families so that Sebastian and Yelena can be married. But what’s supposed to be the happiest day of their life takes a turn for the worse. I don’t want to say much more and spoil any of this story. This book is packed full of action, blood, war, attacks, kidnappings, death, family, and even a happily ever after.

I don’t think I will ever recover from reading this book because I loved it SO much. But I do look forward to reading the remaining books in the series! If you’re looking for a new dark Mafia romance intertwined with some thriller elements, then what are you waiting for?

1.5 stars rounded up to 2

"I was swimming against the current while slowly drifting downstream.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

Nope. How is it possible that after a 6 book series full of mafia ongoings, lots of backstabbing, deals and families getting intertwined we end up with a book like this???

I was 100% expecting something serious to go down (it's the final hurrah for this series afterall), and for all the Gallos and Griffins to come together to solve it almost as a resolution to the first book when they were all mortal enemies.

Instead I got siblings who could care less about each other and are content to go their separate ways. For mafia children who claim that family is everything.... this is really how they're going to behave? Heavy Crown was flooded with character assassination after character assassination (both literally and figuratively) and I'm rather upset by it.

Miko is quite literally the only thing that redeemed this book. If any of these people are actually mafia bosses, it's him, and he's the only one who deserves that title.

I will admit I'm curious to see how the Kingmakers series spins off of this, but that also came directly out of left field?? If we'd heard about it previously it wouldn't have felt so out of pocket. But that tracks with everything else for this book so. Why the heck not.

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Heavy Crown was originally published in January of 2021 and has since been republished with a brand new cover! Thank you to Bloom Books, NetGalley and the author for the digital advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Heavy Crown is the sixth and final book in the Brutal Birthright series. This is the series that I discovered writings by Sophie Lark and I couldn't wait to read about the last Gallo sibling, Sebastian. Sebastian saves and falls for the daughter of his family's enemy, Russian mob princess Yelena. Although I felt their relationship felt rushed and I found their emotional connection somewhat lacking between each other and the audience, I still enjoyed this book. Sophie Lark, again, did a phenomenal job writing this book. I loved the plot, the twist at the end, the action, the spice and the wrap up of the Gallo saga. The first book, Brutal Prince, will always be my favorite. But I still highly recommend this book and the whole series. I can't wait to read the spin-off series.

I don't know what Sophie put in this, but it was like crack and I devoured this book in a manner of hours. What I really liked about this book is that she took the different usual mafia tropes and mixed them together to make a brutal, smutty romance, which I very much enjoyed. I loved the twists and turns, and even though I assumed somethings would happen, there were a lot of other surprises. I also really loved the characters, particularly Enzo and I was gutted when he was killed. The writing was done really well and the story line in my view was flawless, would recommend to my friends and I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

What a great way to end the series! I loved the twists and turns. Sebastian … was everything I imagined and more. I had been waiting for this book to come out forever and I’m so glad we finally got his POV.

“Heavy Crown” is the story of Sebastian and Yelena. It is a true standalone and does a good job of keeping you informed with what has happened in the past books without spoiling the rest of the series. In “Heavy Crown,” we get the last of the Gallo’s love story. Sebastian, a prince of the Italian mafia, first encounters (and saves) Yelena in an alley where she’s being kidnapped. The two hit it off, but Yelena is the Russian mafia princess, an enemy of Sebastian’s family. Regardless of the disagreement between the families, the two continue seeing each other. Their chemistry is on fire, but Yelena is keeping a dynamite of a secret from Sebastian. And what happens when the secret explodes?

I’ve read a few of Sophie’s books and have always enjoyed reading them. However, this one just didn’t do it for me. Sebastian and Yelena’s relationship felt incredibly rushed. I honestly didn’t feel much of a connection between the two. I really liked the beginning, but ended up skimming the last 60% due to boredom and predictability.

I have been waiting for Sebastian’s story since Brutal Prince and was not disappointed! I loved seeing how Seb’s character grew and developed from the broody brother we all know and love. The plot was incredible in this one and focused a lot more on the mafia politics. The action and twists were nonstop. I’m excited to decide what Sophie Lark series to explore next!