4/5 stars
3/5 peppers
1/5 buzz buzz

Listen. We all wanted to be Lizzy McGuire when she went to Rome and had her own adventure. But we're now adults and now we want to be rescued by a handsome Italian man that ends up taking care of us and slowly makes us fall in love with him... but turns out he's the head of the mafia over there and now you're conflicted... and broken hearted. Anyone else? No just me? Okay fine.

Guinevere has always been told not to go back to the home country by her father. But when life gives her a door she walks through it. She takes her own adventure of a lifetime until she gets in a situation where the handsome Raffaele rescues her and instead of sending her on her way... he keeps her. He spoils her, shows her the wonderful side of Italy all the while running the dark world. How long can he keep his secret and keep Guinevere for himself.

If you're looking for a happily ever after that's nice and pretty... you haven't met Giana because she will build all the tension and yearning only for you to wait for the dream ending. You'll get mad but then bat your pretty eyelashes asking for more.

I loved the spice, it wasn't the center but it's the nice cherry on top and them some sprinkles. You'll be asking for a Raffaele of your own!!!

✩4

“Tonight, I feel like playing the hero instead of the villain.”

✦What to Expect✦
•Tuscany setting
•Age gap (23 & 34)
•Billionaire Italian Mafioso
•American woman in Italy

✦Characters✦
•Guinevere “Vera” Stone
•Raffaele “Raffa” Romano
 
✦Fav Quotes✦
“I can feel you touching every inch of my body with your eyes,”
“Do not be afraid to touch with your hands too.”

“La mia donna. La mia stella cadente.” My little fawn. My woman. My shooting star.

“I love you, Raffa. In any language, across any distance. And I always will.”

✦Thoughts✦
THAT ENDING!!!!!!

OH MY GOD!

Welp I shall be sat waiting for October & the next book because I MUST KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!

First off, how these two meet!!! OH MY GOSH

Raffa… F’KNG SWOONING OVER THIS MAFIOSO MAN! I am in love OKAY!

Guinevere oh my goodness!! I will alway love a strong FMC and I can’t wait to see what she does in the next book!

I also have so many questions & theories!!

Ugh. I don’t know why I let this woman do this to me again. To make me fall in love with her characters in a place that is oh so dear to my heart and then rip my heart out and leave me on a cliffy!

Oh wait. I’m into that. Especially when Giana writes it. 😅

This book was highly anticipated for me and I am so happy it delivered in all the ways. From the characters, to the setting, to the twisty plot points that kept me wondering, it was perfection! There are so many places I highlighted in this one between the banter, the plot, the beauty of Italian prose (I mean he describes her as a “shooting star that lights up his chest” ) and reliving my own trip to Italy through the stunning locations we visit!

I also loved how Giana spun a story that kept me invested for the romance, but also to discover what is really going on. There are so many allusions made as we meet folks in this book that I never really felt like I knew where everyone “stands” as it were. SOMETHING is up but I can’t quite nail it down. Needless to say I am very very anxiously awaiting the next book!

Massive thank you to the author Giana Darling and the team at Valentine PR for granting me the opportunity to read an ARC of My Dark Fairytale! I’ll absolutely be watching for any updates on book 2!

My little fawn. My woman. My shooting star.

Raffaele Romano has so many secrets it’s crazy. When he runs into Guinevere literally things get interesting.

You have awakened the beast inside me that was always hungry for more, eating at my bones when I wouldn’t feed it anything of value.

Be warned this doesn’t have a HEA. We are left with a cliffhanger ending. I don’t know how long it will be before the next book but I hope not long.

ARC Review✨✨

THE WAY THE ENDING HAD ME SCREAMING-

RAFFAELE IS SO HOT YALL


Blurb

When a mysterious man rescues her from near death, a young woman finds herself in the throes of a dark and dangerous storybook romance, where pleasure reigns but happy endings are no guarantee.

Guinevere

For all my life, Italy has called to me just as strongly as my father forbade me to go. But now I’m making my own way, spending a summer in his homeland before I accept the life my parents have planned for me.

All those plans come to a screeching halt the moment I meet him. Raffaele Romano.

Raffaele

Everyone knows me as the capo dei capi of the Camorra, a notorious mafioso in Northern Italy, but she makes me remember who I used to be before I became this monster. For her, I could be so much more, but she can never know the truth about who I am.

She’s falling in love with me, but if she discovered the truth about what that monster is capable of, about the things I’ve done…she’d never believe in happily-ever-after again.

Thoughts✨
AHH YALLL I ATE THIS UP.
This book had me absolutely hooked from chapter one!!
SO this book starts with Guinevere getting almost kidnapped and than running away and well she gets hit by a car.. NOW who hits her the one and only Raffaele. The way this man is so possessive of her AHHHHHH. I loved watching there characters connect and get to know each other. Also I was NOT expecting the end LIKE WhAT SOOO GOOD.
The spice and Plot of this book was perfection.


Thank you so much to Author Giana Darling and Valentine PR For an ARC of this book!

My Dark Fairy Tale

If you're looking for a dark romance that feels like a seductive, dangerous fairy tale, My Dark Fairy Tale delivers in every way.

What to Expect:
✨ Mafia
✨ Dark romance
✨ Age gap
✨ Breathtaking Italian setting
✨ "Teach me" vibes
✨ Praise kink

From the very first page, this book transports you straight to Italy with its rich, immersive details—I could practically feel the Tuscan sun on my skin. The setting isn’t just a backdrop; it’s woven into the story in a way that makes you feel like you're right there, caught up in the romance and danger.

And speaking of romance, Rafa and Vera’s chemistry is off the charts. The way he wants to be her white knight while being an undeniable villain? Perfection. 🖤 Their inside jokes, whispered Italian sweet nothings, and deep, intimate moments create the kind of love story that feels both wildly passionate and deeply personal.

But beyond the steam (which, trust me, is *plentiful*), the characters actually grow. When smut and character development go hand in hand? That’s the sweet spot. Also, can we talk about how Italian dirty talk just hits differently? Because wow. 🫠

And then, *that ending.* It completely wrecked me—but thankfully, the next book is coming later this year, and I need to know more, especially about the side characters who add so much depth and found-family warmth to the story.


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.75

If you love dark romance with a lush setting, an intense love story, and a hero who is both sinful and swoon-worthy, this is a must-read.

*thank you Giana and team for the ARC

🄰🅁🄲 🅁🄴🅅🄸🄴🅆
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10/10
What to expect:
💫 A billionaire Italian mafioso
🖤 Age Gap(23, 34)
💫 Tuscany setting
🖤 Hidden identity
💫 A heroine in finance

Giana Darling once again drawn me into the world she's create, and she left me to fall in love once again with her characters. My Dark Fairy Tale is no different!!

From the very first page, Guinevere and Rafael pulled me in like a lover ready to seduce. The romance between the Italian mafioso from Tuscany and his fiery,but innocent amerikan brown eye dowe Guinevere builds from spark to fiery inferno with each turning page.
This story keep me up all night,not able to put it down until i finished her all to the last pages!🤭

Once again Giana showed me why she is my one to go author, she writes her books so captiving, that im forgetting where I am, transporting me into another world!
But everyone need to brace yourself for the end,because it ends with cliffhanger ,that left me to question my sanity how I will survive till the second book, who will be out oktober !🤧

Anyways I want to thanks Giana and Netgalley for the ARC ❤️can't wait for the second book 👀

My Dark Fairy Tale - @gianadarling

4 ⭐️

Something about Giana’s books just feels like coming home for me. There is so much comfort I find in her writing and I always have the best time reading her books 🥹

My Dark Fairy Tale follows Guinevere and Raffa. What starts as a bizarre meeting - turned into weeks filled with lust, infinite memories, falling in love, and Italian summer bliss.

This was honestly the perfect mafia romance novel. The balance between Raffa’s underworld plot next to his time spent with Guinevere was fantastic 👏🏼

Guinevere’s character was extremely loveable. Following her journey of self discovery and connecting with her roots was so mesmerising to read about. The vivid imaginary Giana used made it impossible to not picture yourself alongside the characters throughout the whole story.

Raffa was a typical mafioso but he had an underlying emotional layer to himself .. perhaps from a past life? This allowed him to connect so well with Guinevere while still being the protective mafia baddy we needed. They complemented each other very well and brought out the better side of one another.

Also the constant underlying theme of Hades and Persephone had me giggling and kicking my feet. Anything with this as a foundation for a story immediately has me sold.

It’s always books that are set in the European country side that bring an element of enchantment. They’re always so whimsical and nothing feels real when I’m reading about it.

This is what I love about Giana’s writing is that all her books are a perfect example of escapism for me. When I read, I want to get lost in the book and lost in time and all consumed by the writing ~ and that’s exactly what Giana delivered 🖤

Thankyou to @giana for an advanced copy of this book!

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

My Dark Fairy Tale by Giana Darling

This is my first time reading one of Giana Darling book and after reading this one I’ll be reading more of her books.

My Dark Fairy Tale by Giana Darling follows Guinevere, a young woman defying her family's wishes to spend a summer in Italy, only to be swept into a dangerous love affair with Raffaele Romano. Raffaele, the ruthless capo dei capi of the Camorra, knows he should stay away but Guinevere stirs something in him that he thought was lost. As their passion deepens, so does the risk, because if she learns the truth about his violent world, her dreams of a fairy-tale ending may be shattered forever.

I loved how Raffa was so protective of Guinevere. The way she opened up to him and the way he was falling in love with her along the way but he was also falling back in love with his country. I loved how Guinevere was finding herself. I loved the side characters as well and the way they all created a special bond with Guinevere. The only thing that I have questions about is Leo he seems suspicious 🤨. Overall I enjoyed the book and I can’t wait for the second book.

The book does leave off on a cliffhanger so I can’t wait for the second book to come out. I want to know more about why Guinevere father didn’t approve of her going to Italy.

💌Thank you for the arc opportunity💌

Tropes:
🖤 Billionaire Italian mafioso
✨Age Gap
🖤Tuscany setting
✨Hidden identity
🖤Heroine in finance
✨Chronic illness rep
🖤Bad boy X Good girl

This one was such a breath of fresh air! The imagery was incredible—every scene felt so real. I loved the age gap and of course the mafia🖤

One of my favorite lines was, 'Tonight, I feel like playing the hero instead of the villain.' —I love the person Raffa allowed himself to be with Vera🖤

'But to me, you are the shooting star that lights up my life.' 😍😍😍 I’m not sure how to say sawoon in Italian…

I’m a sucker for authentic feeling mafia guys & the Italian phrases throughout the book were perfect! I can’t wait to listen to the audiobook because it's going to be so yummy!

I was hooked from start to finish and can’t wait for the next book to come out. Highly recommend it!

My Dark Fairytale is the first book in Giana Darling’s new My Dark Mafia Romance series! Guinevere Stone has always dreamed of going to Italy. Her father’s homeland and forbidden from stepping foot in the country. She’s been saving up her whole life to have a secret getaway after college graduation. Her first day in Italy ends pretty traumatically, but brings her to her very own Prince Charming. The Italian man of her dreams, Raffaele Romano. She has no idea he’s the capo dei capi of the Camorra. Raffa finds himself wanting to be her knight in shining armor despite himself. She makes him want to be the person he thought he could be long ago. He’s enchanted by the duality of her, sweet and naive, but also brave and strong with an enthusiasm for life. They spend the summer together, Raffa introducing her to adventure and pleasure and freedom. He keeps his identity a secret because he knows she won’t be able to accept his monster. These two were absolutely magical together. Their chemistry is insane. The spice is so so hot. Raffa was so passionate and sexy omg 🥵 The time they spend together getting to the depths of eachother’s hearts was beautiful. I am addicted to this story and I need the next book now!!!!

Wowzer...the slowish burn...that teasing of the brain. Loved it!! Had me hooked at chapter 1. Loved the characters and the storyline was great. Love a good touch her and die..literally man. This book had it all for me....the cliffhanger though...ugh!!!

Even with the mafia element, this book was surprisingly cute in so many ways. I had such a fun time reading it! The romance between the main characters was everything—I loved their connection, the setting, and the way Giana’s writing made me feel like I was right there with them.

I’ve never read a “girl on vacation falls in love” type of story before, but now I need more of them. Giana completely sold me on the trope! Her writing pulled me in so deeply that I didn’t want to leave this world.

And then there’s Raffa—grumpy, romantic, and absolutely magnetic. I was hooked on him from the start. His dynamic with his friend group was also a highlight, adding even more charm to the story.

I already can’t wait for the next book!

Raffa + Guinevere

-mafia romance
-holiday fling
-billionaire antihero
-secrety identity
-age gap

okaaauurrr DADDDYYYYY raffa!!! im so in love with them & omg they're the cutestttt!! but like...GIANA WHAT THE FUCK GIRL!! WHAT DO YOU MEANN??? WUTDYAMEEEAAANNN???? what do you meaaannn you ended it like that??? i'm left GOBSMACKED CAUSE WHYYY!!!

My Dark Fairy Tale is the first book in the My Dark Mafia Romance series. This book is about Guinevere and Raffaele and is told from both of their points of view.

Raffaele and Guinevere meet when she is in Italy on her own. Something happens, so she runs, and they end up meeting in a funny way. Now, he feels protective of her, and he doesn't feel this way for anyone.

There is a bunch thrown at these two characters, and some twists I didn't see coming. Raffaele is hiding a big secret from Guinevere. What happens when she finds out?

I'm excited to see what happens next with these two characters, and to see how their story ends!

𝐌𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐆𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 ♡

✰✰✰✰✰ sᴛᴀʀs

"But to me, sei la stella cadente che illumina la mia vita." 𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑒, 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠 𝑢𝑝 𝑚𝑦 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒. 💫

This book was pure escapism, yet it somehow felt like coming home🙌🏻 the tension, the chemistry, the SPICE, the setting, the characters, the perfect mix of danger and romance, just everything!!! it blew. me. away👏🏻 honestly, i just want to hop on a plane to Italy and find my own broody, swoon worthy Mafioso😩

I could talk for HOURS about Raffaele and Guinevere. these two were made to be together. when i tell you they're soulmates, i mean that with every fiber of my being‼️

Raffaele, the man that you are!!! leave it to Giana to write the best men!!! Ruthless Anti-heroes with a secretly soft side🥹 and on top of that?! this man was surprisingly funny as hell🤣 and my gosh my sweet Guinevere. her innocence, her enthusiasm to swallow the world(and Raffa🤣) whole was utterly captivating. I love me a sweet, good girl with a filthy side and Guinevere had that down to PERFECTION!!

The first part of their story RUINED me in the BEST way, and i'll only recover once i have the second book in my hands🥲🤲🏻

ps: the found family in this book had me in my feels😩🫂💖🙌🏻✨

thank you SO much for the arc, miss Giana! 🫂 you never cease to amaze me with your words♥️✨

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
- Age Gap
- Hidden identity
- Tuscany setting
- Found Family
- Billionaire Italian Mafioso
- he brushes and braids her hair!!!! 😩🙌🏻

I LOVE LOVEEEE

When MMCS are just sweet with the MMC.
*swoon*

He takes care of her and spoils her!!!!

Raffa is no different. Many a times his actions were that much sweeter because of the violence we know him capable to be.

If you like mafia romances then this book is for you, a beautiful explosion of Italy scenery, romantic settings, and spice!

Beware of CLIFF HANGERS 😭

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

My top read of 2025 so far, and one of the best mafia romance books I've read. It was impossible to put down, and Giana Darling has really outdone herself with this one.

Guinevere is an American 23 years old who has recently graduated college. She is determined to live out her lifelong dream of travelling to Italy and experience the country without any inhibitions, despite the protest of her parents. When she arrives, she is hit by a car by Raffaele "Raffa" Romano, the capo of the Toscana Camorra. They're immediately drawn to each other. Raffa decides not to reveal his identity to Guinevere, loving the fact that he can be himself and not "Capo" with her. This kicks off a passionate whirlwind of a romance, and nothing will ever be the same.

I absolutely loved Guinevere. Her optimistic outlook and joy for life, despite all that she has been through, was so refreshing. She was on a journey of self-discovery and healing, and she wouldn't let anyone stop her from living out her dream. She is innocent and slightly sheltered because of her parents, but she is still street smart and takes what she wants for herself. Her good heart didn't make her naive, just brave and open to trying new things, and perhaps these qualities are what immediately made her so attractive and intriguing to Raffa.

Raffa may be one of my favorite MMC:s ever. As the capo of the Camorra, he demands respect by his people and soldati, but he's not unnecessary cruel - he doesn't harm or punish without cause. He loves his mother and his sisters, and carry so much responsibility on his shoulders to protect those around him. He really is a gentleman and his obsession with Guinevere is EVERYTHING. He couldn't get enough of her, spoiled her every opportunity he got & was so protective of her . All I kept thinking was ... why didn't this happen to me when I went to Italy? ;)

The book was so well-written and quickly took me back to the streets of Florence. I really felt like I was there in person to witness the love between these two grow. I was giggling and kicking my feet every time Raffa showed his possessiveness and I loved seeing him take care of Guinevere. The man literally braided her hair for her!!!!! Swoooon.

My Dark Fairy Tale is NOT a standalone, and the conclusion of this duet comes out on October 28, 2025, in My Dark Ever After. I have so many theories about what is going on, and I can't wait to see what happens.

Thank you so much Giana Darling and Valentine PR for the arc of this book! ❤️

You’ll love this if you love:

❤️ Mafia Romance
❤️ Age Gap
❤️ Bad Boy x Good Girl
❤️ Hidden Identity
❤️ Chronic Illness Rep
❤️ Italian setting

4.25★

This had me so invested from the very first chapter! My Dark Fairy Tale has everything I love in my mafia romances, most specifically an unhinged mafioso who becomes obsessed from the very beginning.
Raffa had me kicking my feet over the tiniest things. He was just so 🫠🫠🫠 & I loved his dry humor.
I also really liked Guinevere. She was witty and fun and even though she had an innocence about her, she wasn’t lacking in intelligence.

The connection these two formed was so sweet. I loved that Guinevere had Raffa not only falling in love with her, but falling back in love with his country and who he used to be. The Italy setting gave such immaculate and romantic vibes!
The plot was also just so good. I feel like there was so much happening in the background of these two falling in love that I have so many questions about. That cliffhanger was so cruel though. I need book two asap.

Thank you to Giana Darling & Valentine PR for the ARC.

Guinevere Stone wanted one last hurrah after graduation and always wanted to see Italy even against her parents wishes. When her trip first starts off not so fantastic that’s how she meets the mysterious Italian Raffaele Romano. He is the capo dei capi of the Camorra but she has no idea. When you invite danger in nothing goes as planned. Can Raffa keep his mind focused on his tasks or will one petite American change everything he knows. This goes at a slower pace between these two as they are getting to know each other and yes, it’s ends on a cliffhanger so will get more in book two. Get ready for a tour of Tuscany in this dark mafia romance. Told in first person and dual POV.