Im giving this book 3⭐ it was a fun read for me because I was reading a lot of book and my mood changes so this book was overall fun kind of read to me i did like it so the what i think

"King of New York" by Kathy Iandoli is a fast-paced and engaging mafia thriller that delves into the world of organized crime, centering around the rise of Jimmy Martello. As a protagonist, Jimmy's journey from a reluctant heir to a powerful player in New York City's underworld offers a blend of ambition, betrayal, and survival, with plenty of twists to keep readers invested.

Iandoli excels in building tension, portraying the internal power struggles and external threats that shape Jimmy's quest for revenge after the murder of his father and grandfather. While the novel occasionally leans into familiar mafia tropes, it still manages to provide an entertaining and suspenseful narrative. The story’s vivid depiction of the crime-ridden streets of Brooklyn, paired with Jimmy’s transformation into a mafia boss, gives the novel a strong sense of atmosphere and intensity.

I did note that the plot can feel somewhat predictable at times, and the characters, while compelling, may occasionally fall into archetypal roles common in mafia fiction. Despite these minor setbacks, the book’s overall pacing and gritty storytelling make it a solid addition to the genre. I found the book compelling enough to keep turning pages.

For those who enjoy mafia dramas filled with intrigue and action, "King of New York" is a satisfying read that offers just enough depth and suspense to make it memorable. It's an enjoyable thriller, especially for readers drawn to stories of power, loyalty, and organized crime dynamics​.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I’ve kind of always been fascinated by the mafia. The drama, the big families with unending loyalties (unless you cross someone that is)…the whole thing just leaves my imagination running wild!
If you are as intrigued by the mafia as I am then you definitely want to check out King of New York by Kathy Iandoli. It’s got everything you can think of!
We get to follow along as Jimmy inherits the role of “Don” prematurely when his family is assassinated right in front of his eyes. He has to learn how to run things properly and efficiently all while tracking down his family’s killers and trying to thwart his uncle’s attempts at taking over the family business… So good!!!

An interesting premise about a New York crime family and mafia romance.
I was expecting a bit more focus on the romance side.
An okay read but not really for me I'm afraid.

Definitely not your typical Mafia book. No romance, not much violence other than the first scene and a very easy to read book. I would really prefer to read on my kindle and not as a downloadable pdf as not being able to change the size of the font makes it hard to read but in book form it would be fine.

I enjoyed the characters of Jimmy and Nicky and the character of Sale is typically the one you hate. I would have liked to be more of Nicky included in this story but I get that it is Jimmy's story. The side character of Alessandro of course keeps you guessing whose side he is on and I am hoping somewhere down the line there will be more stories including some of the side characters.

The story flowed well and was a quick read for me. Very refreshing not having to read about all the violence and bloodshed which was a change for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kathy Iandoli for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In “King of New York: A New Mafia Tale,” Kathy Iandoli crafts a gripping narrative that plunges readers into the dark and treacherous world of organized crime. This novel is a masterful blend of high-stakes drama, intricate power struggles, and the relentless pursuit of dominance, making it a must-read for fans of mafia thrillers.

The story follows Jimmy Martello, a man thrust into the highest echelons of the mafia after a series of devastating family tragedies. As the newly crowned Don, Jimmy’s journey is fraught with danger, betrayal, and strategic maneuvering. Iandoli’s portrayal of Jimmy is compelling and complex; a character driven by ambition and haunted by the ghosts of his past. The supporting cast, including notorious factions like the Russian Mob, the Yakuza, and the Cartel, adds depth and authenticity to the narrative, creating a rich tapestry of alliances and rivalries.

Landoli’s writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the gritty essence of New York City’s underworld. The novel’s pacing is relentless, with each chapter unveiling new twists and turns that keep readers interested. Themes of power, loyalty, and revenge are explored with nuance, offering a thought-provoking look at the moral complexities of mob life.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its ability to immerse readers in the mafia’s shadowy world. The detailed descriptions and well-researched background lend an air of authenticity to thrilling and thought-provoking, story.

A standout read for anyone interested in the intricacies of organized crime whether you’re a longtime fan of mafia narratives or new to the genre.

I gave this book my best shot, but it feels like I'm being told a bedtime story instead of being shown an epic saga. Jimmy nods so much, you'd think he's at a heavy metal concert. Characters pop up faster than ads on a sketchy website, making it tough to keep track of who's who.

**Pros:**
- Mafia vibes
- Murder and suspense (sort of)
- Occasionally funny word choices

**Cons:**
- Repetitive
- Too many characters
- Obscure terms galore
- Each page brought me closer to the sweet relief of the last one

If you're into the Mafia and all things Italian, this book might be right up your alley. Sadly, it wasn't my cup of espresso. But hey, Sale seems kinda cool!

I thought that I would love this book, and I didn’t finish it. I loved the concept and loved the cover, but as I was reading I had a hard time following and thought the writing was a little immature. In general I don’t know if this type of familial politics are for me.

Having loved The Godfather and Good fellas, of course I like the theme of NYC mafia families.
But this is not just a book about the mob in NYC, this is a book about righting the wrongs that were made to the family.

It's written in a fast pace and it's full of action and drama. I liked that the author didn't glorified the violence despite being a mob book.
The characters were a mix of likable and really assholes. But there was just to many people involved in the history, it was hard to keep track of everyone.

“To be king of New York is a curse not a prize.”
‘King of New York’ written by Kathy Landoli is a wonderful mafia thriller trailing young Jimmy Martello as he is thrust into the highest ranks of organized crime. Jimmy is now dedicated to proving himself as a ‘Don’, following the murder of his grandfather, father, and uncle. With the help of his Zio Enzo and the support of his cousin Nicky, Jimmy navigates his way through mastering the art of mob leadership, betrayal, his quest for revenge, as well as his unexpected power gain. With these new responsibilities weighing on his shoulders Jimmy truly learns~ “Heavy is the head that wears the crown.”
This fast paced story is an outstanding read for those just starting to immerse themselves in reading novels involving organized crime. However, this piece doesn’t accurately represent the mob life, though it’s a start, the terminology is limited and the details are insufficient if accuracy was the end goal. Mafia tales are rapid moving and intensely detailed which means read as well as writing them demand a certain level of information, detail, and time. They can be difficult to keep up with but even more difficult to write. Landoli did a wonderful job for this being her first mafia book.
Somethings I feel made this novel fall flat besides the previously stated are the lack of challenges Jimmy faces, which can be connected to the lack of details. I feel this stunts the growth of his character though I still love him, he could have been better written. The same feelings fester within me again when romance is unfittingly plunged into this novel. Don’t get me wrong I love the characters, but the romance was thrown at the audience where as this would have been an outstanding place to have a slow burn if the author feels the romance is absolutely necessary.
Besides these points I enjoyed this read though to give it a fair shot you do have to push through the first chapter. After this the book catches ones interest super quickly. Unfortunately I can only give this novel 3 stars, though I wish I could give it more. Ending off I’d like to thank NetGalley, as well as Kingston Imperial publishing and author Kathy Landoli for an advanced e-copy of this ARC.

I have to say this was my first time dipping my feet into the mafia romance universe and it won't be my last. This was an interesting read and I would have hoped that it would focus a bit more on the romance aspect but it did have a heavy focus on the main characters navigation of the mafia world.

Thanks NetGalley and Kathy Iandoli for this ARC.

I generally like mafia romances so I was excited to read this book. However, I found the writing style to be difficult to follow. The writing was more young adult than I am used to seeing in this type of book. I had trouble getting into it and DNF, which is very unusual for me. There was potential with how the book began (the MMC's whole family is murdered in front of him) but I just couldn't get over the writing style.

I don't typically read mafia books. Mafia romance? You bet. But not this. I loved every minute. Did I ever think that justice wouldn't be served? Nope! But what a journey to get there. These characters weren't cliche or stereotypical. They were clever and had heart. I absolutely LOVED the ending! That was the best way to end this story. It was deserved and the most respectful ending. I would love to see more of these characters!!!

King of New York was a compelling mafia tale of Jimmy Martello and the massacre of his father, grandfather and uncle. Before the massacre, Jimmie's father had made him a made man and the death of his father and grandfather left him the Don. Jimmy became the head of the Martello family and took it upon himself to find out who was behind the killings. His uncle Salvadore was in prison. The family had no use for him as he was crooked. From prison, he ordered the hit on his family. The killers were supposed to kill Jimmy and his cousin Nicky also, but Jimmy had a gun and he fired back which scared the killers off.

Sale got out of prison early but he didn't tell anyone. While locked up, he made several contacts in the drug world. So when he was released, he used those contacts to establish his own drug cartel in the hopes of making millions. Of course his family knew nothing about this. Upon his release, he took a place within the Martello family business. Jimmy didn't trust him and knew he was up to no good, so he bugged his office. He also bugged his phone. He learned about his drug business and set out to destroy him. But Sale surmised that Jimmy knew what he was up to so he got rid of his phone assuming that somehow his phone had been bugged.

Jimmy went about garnering support from other families and clans. He did a lot of favors including getting a liver for Japanese mafia man and rescuing a Russian mafia lord's daughter after she was kidnapped. His whole plan was to create alliances and expose Sale in a most magnanimous way. He wanted him dead.

I loved the intricate way in which the author wove this story. She made quick work of the relationships that Jimmy formed. And they came through for him in true fashion. This was indeed a saga of indelible friendships and revenge. This author had me from the beginning, and I would love to read more of her work. I gave this book five stars. I would have given it more if that were possible.

It was a little difficult to get going and slow in some areas. This is a mafia thriller following Jimmy along his journey. Facing obstacles and growing as a man with the undertone of seeking revenge for the murders of his father.

The style of writing means it can be a little difficult but each author has their own style.

Whilst I enjoyed the book and thank #netgalley the opportunity to read I am unlikely to reread again in the near future.

#mafiathriller #kingofnewyork

The King of New York by Kathy Iandoli is the first Mafia novel that I’ve read that focuses more on the protagonist navigating the Mafia world than on romance. Iandoli provides that distinction to the novel amidst the world of mafia romance.
The story revolves around Jimmy Martello, who takes over the ‘business’ after the brutal murder of the family heads and how he manoeuvres the other dons and crime families in his pursuit for vengeance. I did enjoy some of the strategies and thought processes of Jimmy, but at the end, it felt like too much work for too little effect. But I respect the way Jimmy avenged the murder; it honoured his family. I liked the portrayal of the characters Jimmy and Salvatore; it was funny reading about the tactics and scheming that went down between the two. I also liked the little bromance that Jimmy shared with Nicky though it was mentioned sparsely.
The book introduced the romance out of nowhere, and while it had immense potential, Iandoli didn’t fully utilise it. I felt like this part of the novel wasn’t well thought out by her. The writing was a bit patchy in few sections making it a little confusing for the flow of the story. Despite the novel being fictitious, I believe the mafia requires a little more than 10 people to operate and that there are a lot of people to consult with when making decisions.
It was an interesting read, and it had enough intrigue to keep the flame of interest burning and propel me till the very end.

This is not my usual type of book but I was curious as I’m a big fan of true crime.
The intricate details of the book and all the different characters/families just made me want to know more about Jimmy and where his life would now take him.
While there were times where I struggled to follow the story a bit (possibly due to the lack of chapters in a typical way), I persevered and while it wasn’t my cup of tea over all, there were parts of the story that pulled me in and me me want to finish it.
Thank you to Net galley for the ARC copy of this book

Thank you for the chance to read this ARC for my honest review.

I was very excited for this but it fell flat. The writing was Juvenile and it was really hard for me to get into. So I DNF'd this at like 25%.

Although my knowledge of the mafia is, more or less, limited to The Godfather and The Sopranos, there's just something about the world of organized crime that I find fascinating, While not quite on the level of the Godfather saga or the Sopranos, this was a very interesting and entertaining story. I would have liked a bit more character development though. While the ending felt a bit flat, I mostly enjoyed this book.
Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC.

I think at the end of the day, this book is just about a son trying to get Justice for his father, no matter the cost.
After witnessing his father, grandfather and uncle all get brutally murdered in front of him, putting him mind into getting revenge for them was the only thing keeping him going.
It’s a good insight into all crime families though. Not just the Italian mafia. We get a bit of the Russian mob, black mafia family, the Yakuza(which I always get excited about for some reason), the Cartel,
Jimmy manages to make an alliance with all these families in hopes of becoming The King of New York, even though it’s a very much under the world, secret, part of New York.

I loved Jimmy. He didn’t sign up for any of this. At least, it didn’t seem like he was ready for it. But he stepped up and he did it beautifully. He took care of the family and business.
His little moments of feeling lost and winging it were gold. Him asking for advice and consulting his cousin and people around him that actually meant well are all attributes of the great leader he is. The King that he is.

This book had a strong plot. Very engaging, so easy to read that it almost played like a movie in my head. There were a lot of characters popping in but the all had ‘character’ and didn’t feel like they were just filling space.

I just had to get through the first chapter to get into it though.