Reviews with content warning for Kidnapping - Brutal Prince

Continuing with finishing off my TBR for the Romance Takeover Readathon, I picked off this mafia romance by Sophie Lark. Normally, I do not gravitate towards this subgenre but Sophie Lark is writing this and so I trust her storytelling talent to make me see this genre in a new light.

The story was presented in a way it instantly grips the reader into turning the next page. The writing leaves such a mark that I could still very much picture the scenes and atmosphere like I’ve read this yesterday. I surprisingly loved the hate-love relationship between Aida and Callum. Their relationship progressed in a way where it felt natural that they would lust after their enemy. I mean, usually, in hate-to-love/enemies-to-lovers books, the main leads would say they hate their counterparts in monologues but when it came to their first meetup, they would suddenly forget all this ‘hate,’ and everything is now laden with lust-filled thoughts. This one though progressed naturally. They were enemies first and foremost then that hate lead to some unwanted lust then they were enemies with benefits to friends to lovers. The progress was so satisfying. Especially when they show up and care and protect the other. I loved how Sophie balances the action, steam, and development in this story. I am looking forward to reading the next installments as I’m equally interested with the side characters and the whole families involved, in general.

Pros: high intrigue, good character and relationship development, true enemies to lovers/hate to love, high actions

Cons: bratty and annoying heroine at the start

Recommended for: readers who are looking for fun banter and good humor
Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶.75
Tropes: arranged marriage. enemies to lovers/hate to love, forced proximity,opposites attract, only one bed, age gap

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thefatpaperback's review against another edition

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fast-paced

3.0

I read this book because it was being talked about a lot on booktok but…I don’t know why. Maybe I’m not into mafia romances? But the plot pacing felt weird to me. Events happen too quickly, so it was difficult to get invested in the characters. Not sure I’ll bring reading the other brutal birthright series.

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valeria_gzz's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

3,75 stars because I liked this but I think I’ll like other heroes better, so I’m starting off low to go higher. I’ve really been underestimating kindle unlimited books. I liked the characters and then the plot started to get good, and I became interested in that too so this was fun. Also I think I like enemies to lovers when they both give as much as they can take but then they’re like oh shoot I went too far and the other person goes too far as well and it’s kinda funny.

This was INSANELY hot 🥵 and omfg I just about died of laughter when I read the extra scene where Aida was dressed as

Poison Ivy and she said her kiss was poisonous and Cal was like “I know I remember our wedding”

I feel like this had (in the mafia aspect of it) what Mariana Zapata wanted to have in Under Locke.

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anovelglimpse's review

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dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

Callum and Aida were highly entertaining. Those two really hated each other at the start...and a lot of the book. They did everything they could to ruin each other. I loved their dynamic and how their romance played out. The thing I wasn't super sold on was the whole mafia side show. It distracted from the romance and what ended up being the big climax. That being said, I'm probably going to read the second book because I was pulled in enough to be curious and want to know what's next.

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