I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I loved dipping back into the Bratva life that Sophie Lark has created! I read the initial series and revisiting old characters and their new offspring was an exciting adventure in these books. Sophie's touches are all over the book and I loved it! Can't wait to read the next in the series.

Wow loved that this is a school for mafia kids (18 years +) to learn all they need to know to be successful bosses, spies, accountants, etc. I liked Dean at first but he slowly started to show his true colours. Leo and Annas friendship was cute and hate that Dean tried to destroy it. Anna was so strong but hated that Dean tried to destroy that part of her.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to arc read this novel!

Sophie Lark never disappoints and the rebranding of the kingmaker series was a huge success.

"Kingmakers: Year One" delivers a thrilling look into the secretive and deadly world of Kingmakers Academy, where heirs, enforcers, and spies from the world’s most powerful criminal families are molded into masters of manipulation and control. The story centers on Leo, Anna, and Dean, three heirs whose intertwined fates pull them into a love triangle laced with high stakes and deadly tension. Leo and Anna, childhood friends raised as cousins, struggle with feelings that defy their “family” bond, while Dean, Leo’s actual cousin, is hell-bent on revenge and determined to claim Anna as his own. The dynamics between them simmer with passion, hatred, and suspense as alliances shift and betrayals surface.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is its masterful world-building. The complex hierarchy, deadly rules, and intense rivalries at Kingmakers create an atmosphere that’s both exhilarating and terrifying, adding a whole new dimension to the characters’ actions. Every challenge and rivalry is crafted with precision, setting up the foundation for future books without ever feeling like a mere setup. Even minor characters make an impact, hinting at deeper arcs to come. Leo and Anna’s unfolding romance adds warmth, while Dean’s cold, calculating perspective raises the stakes, making the character dynamics all the richer and more unpredictable.

Dean’s POV is particularly fascinating, showcasing his ruthless nature and the pain driving his vendetta. While his choices are extreme, they bring depth to his character and hint at a complex journey ahead. The layered storytelling makes you eager to see how each character will evolve, especially with the dramatic, high-stakes ending that leaves the door open for more chaos and intrigue. If you’re looking for a mafia romance that balances danger with character development, "Kingmakers: Year One" is a gripping start to what promises to be an explosive series.

*HIGHLY recommend reading the Brutal Birthright series before this one for the most enjoyment!

I struggled with this one. The flow just didn’t click with me. The OM drama was not it. It’s one of my least favorite tropes. I won’t be leaving a public review on this book.

I struggled to connect with the romance in this book, particularly the friends-to-lovers dynamic. I felt there was a lack of chemistry between Anna and Leo, which made it hard for me to invest in their relationship. The romantic development really didn’t pick up until about 80% of the way through, and by then, I had lost interest. The subplot involving the date rape drug was also a significant shift that didn’t resonate with me. Overall, the romance felt underdeveloped and didn’t hold my attention.

This was the perfect gothic second-gen book!!
I loved the college setting and , it’s like the modern mafia Hogwarts with all the different games, houses and the hierarchy!
And friends to lovers is my favourite trope so this was truly perfect, especially since Leo is sooo cute

Friends to lovers. Mafia. College.
Leo and Anna were so good together, I did not liked Dean to be honest.
And 3 POV's were a bit much for me, but I still enjoyed the college vibe, the plot etc.

3.5 Stars

Did I love it? No. But did I hate it? Not even close. Like apparently Dean is going to get his own story and I'm like let me at that m-effer. But also, give me the next book right meow.

While I enjoyed the previous serious (the parents of these main characters), I really struggled with this book. It’s incredibly long and the three POVs seemed too much while the love triangle was unnecessary. Unfortunately the escapism I found in the first series wasn’t found here.

3 stars

Ive read her brutal birthright series and enjoyed it but this one wasn't doing it for me. There are fun Easter eggs in this series that connect with the previous books shes written which was fun but overall this one felt more juvenile in terms of the dialogue. I also don't like the virgin trope and think that was a big reason for me not enjoying this book as much.
There were some fun twists and turns and if you wabted a quick and easy read with some spice then this is a great book.

I love me some Sophie lark!! I read her entire brutal birthright series so , the fact that there are Easter eggs and just overall details that interconnect with all the other series is killing me , I knocked this book out quickly , the writing style and just the teen hormonal energy, violent angst and the mystery that leaves you at the edge of your seat in sending me . The twists and turns of the book and the dark secrets that leave you more perplexed as you continue ..I can’t wait for the rest of the books to drop !

UPDATING REVIEW AFTER REREAD:

STORY LOVES
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SPICE
🌶️ mild
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RECOMMEND
💳 yes
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Kingmaker Year 1 (The Heir) is a great book & series to introduce readers to the mafia world, but from the next generation perspective.

The rerelease of Kingmaker Year 1 includes the greatest character & scene art. I read on my iPad, so I got to see the art in color.

If you enjoy mafia lite, friends-to-lovers, next generation, college romance, then I think you’ll enjoy this book as well

The Kingmakers is the next generation of the Brutal Birthright series.

Leo Gallo is the son of Sebastian & Yelena. Anna is the daughter of Mikolaj and Nessa's.

Kingsmakers is the college mafia families send their children to learn to excel and survive the mafia world.

Read the Brutal Birthright series first to fully grasp the backstory.

Sophie Lark does a great job with her mafia stories. Give it a read and enjoy.

If Sophie Lark writes it, I am reading it! This book kicks off the Kingmakers series and which takes place at a school for mafia families - so immediately we know this isn’t your average school! The school is preparing the next generation of mafia leaders.

I am really excited to see where this series goes - so far it is angsty slow burn with a little friends to lovers added in - but with all of the different characters and divisions, there are still more stories to tell!

I’ve read Sophie Lark before and expected this to be spicier than it was. It was also longer than it needed to be, too juvenile, and I was getting bored at points. I think the love triangle and virgin tropes just aren’t for me. I’d probably only recommend to fans of dark romance who are in their early twenties.

✨ Publication date: May 8, 2024✨

Kingmakers is the spin-off series to Sophie Lark’s Brutal Birthright series (one of my all time faves). Kingmakers focuses on Leo the son of Sebastian & Jelena and Anna the daughter of Nessa & Miko.

Kingmakers is an exclusive school only for the heirs of the greatest mafia families around the world. This isn’t just regular school though, the curriculum is centred around all things mafia: spies, accountants, torture measures. Everything an heir would need to successfully take over the empire one day.

Leo is excited for Kingmakers. Heading there with his best friend Anna and getting ready to learn all he needs to take over from his father one day.

Anna can’t wait for Kingmakers either. Her and Leo have grown up together but something has changed in the last little while. Anna is excited to explore these feelings outside of her parents prying eyes and she’s also out to prove she has what it takes to be a female heir.

Leo’s cousin Dean who he’s never met on his mom’s side is also at Kingmakers. The hatred runs deep between the two families and things get even worse when Leo inadvertently pushes Anna away and into Deans arms.

As Dean and Leo continues to battle for head of the class, Anna can’t fight her feelings for Leo even though she’s promised to govern Dean a chance. Will Anna and Leo become the ultimate Mafia couple or will Dean finally one up the Gallos.

This was a good book! It was much angstier than the Brutal Birthright series which makes sense as this is the children from the original. There is still lots of steam but you have to deal with more miscommunication etc. This is a 4 star read for me.

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

#NetGalley #sophielark #kingmakers

I don’t read many friends to lovers but I enjoyed Anna and Leo’s story and being introduced to the Kingmakers school. I will for sure be continuing the series.

DNFing at 42%

I'm so disappointed in this story. The idea of a mafia college was such a cool premise with all my fave characters kids but the execution was not for me. At 42%, there was basically no romance to be had. I couldn't even call it a slow burn because NOTHING was burning. I was really interested in Anna and Dean but Leo was kinda meh. I honestly didn't care about him or his POV. Maybe I'll try to go back one day? But that's a lot of pages for very little plot and romance happening.

Thank you to the Bloom Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Year One kicks off the Kingmakers series, set in mafia college academia. The children of prominent mafia families from around the globe attend this school. Some characters are the children of characters from the author's Brutal Birthright series. I found the concept of this book intriguing and the story engaging. My one gripe is Dean's perspective and his personality. I'm guessing there's a reason for his POV in future books, but he wasn't very likable, especially with his pushy and disrespectful behavior towards Anna. He just didn't sit well with me. Also, there are a lot of characters in this book, making it tough to keep track of them all. However, I did enjoy Anna and Leo, and I think it's a solid start to the series.