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poppyreadsalot's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
CRIED TONSS, 10 STARS
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
weelasswithabook's review
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
CW: chronic illness (CF), forced adoption of a baby, death of a loved one, discussion of human trafficking, abduction
⭐ Opposites attract
⭐ Mafia
⭐ Second chance
⭐ Secret baby
⭐ Pining, so much pining
🌶️ In public
🌶️ Impact play
I should've known Sophie Lark would be the only author capable of making me enjoy the concealed/secret baby trope.
I was a bit hesitant going into this one because of the tropes I'd seen mentioned, but I really wanted Dante's story, and I hate reading a series and skipping a book.
Dante and Simone's story started off perfectly. This combination of desperation and need for one another, and the inability to be together out in the open gave a solid start to the story. You could tell straight away that this was the loves of their lives even at 19 and 21.
The circumstances that tore them apart had me in floods of tears. There's a specific scene (no spoilers) that ripped me to shreds as it felt like a living nightmare that there's no way *I* could live through, but it allowed for a glimpse into who Simone was as a person, making sacrifices for others at her own expense, making it through a traumatic situation but still finding a way to get what she deserves and wants at the same time.
Dante had these two sides totally juxtaposed with one another. The huge angry violent side (although not toward Simone or his family), and this soft gentle soul who just lived for Simone, loved listening to her gush about everything and just wanted her, not just because she was attractive, but because of who she was on top of that.
The fact that both pinned after one another for almost a decade, gave an insight into just how intensely their initial relationship burned in the beginning, and they were totally deserving of a second chance.
Normally I don't like the secret baby trope, but she had valid reasons to conceal her pregnancy, but it made me so sad to know Dante missed the first 9 years of his child's life.
I loved the opportunity to see the Gallos as children and teens as well during the initial relationship. I adored Aida anyway from the first book, but seeing that wildness had continued from childhood onwards was great.
Overall, this was a solid story, I probably would've given it 5 stars, but I felt that the resolution was over and done too quickly, also making probably one of the hugest intentional life decisions in the blink of an eye was wild 😂
⭐ Opposites attract
⭐ Mafia
⭐ Second chance
⭐ Secret baby
⭐ Pining, so much pining
🌶️ In public
🌶️ Impact play
I should've known Sophie Lark would be the only author capable of making me enjoy the concealed/secret baby trope.
I was a bit hesitant going into this one because of the tropes I'd seen mentioned, but I really wanted Dante's story, and I hate reading a series and skipping a book.
Dante and Simone's story started off perfectly. This combination of desperation and need for one another, and the inability to be together out in the open gave a solid start to the story. You could tell straight away that this was the loves of their lives even at 19 and 21.
The circumstances that tore them apart had me in floods of tears. There's a specific scene (no spoilers) that ripped me to shreds as it felt like a living nightmare that there's no way *I* could live through, but it allowed for a glimpse into who Simone was as a person, making sacrifices for others at her own expense, making it through a traumatic situation but still finding a way to get what she deserves and wants at the same time.
Dante had these two sides totally juxtaposed with one another. The huge angry violent side (although not toward Simone or his family), and this soft gentle soul who just lived for Simone, loved listening to her gush about everything and just wanted her, not just because she was attractive, but because of who she was on top of that.
The fact that both pinned after one another for almost a decade, gave an insight into just how intensely their initial relationship burned in the beginning, and they were totally deserving of a second chance.
Normally I don't like the secret baby trope, but she had valid reasons to conceal her pregnancy, but it made me so sad to know Dante missed the first 9 years of his child's life.
I loved the opportunity to see the Gallos as children and teens as well during the initial relationship. I adored Aida anyway from the first book, but seeing that wildness had continued from childhood onwards was great.
Overall, this was a solid story, I probably would've given it 5 stars, but I felt that the resolution was over and done too quickly, also making probably one of the hugest intentional life decisions in the blink of an eye was wild 😂
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Violence, Death, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Grief, Chronic illness, Confinement, and War
Minor: Vomit, Terminal illness, and Suicidal thoughts
hq_reads's review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Aahhhh the first part of this book made me really emotional actually! I thought the intensity of the MCs love was A LOT but on reflection young love can be like that. How part 1 ended was borderline heartbreaking for me though!
I enjoyed the plot, I felt more invested in the storyline compare to some of the other books in the series. The spicy scenes were 🥵🥵🥵 and that is a good thing!
I enjoyed the plot, I felt more invested in the storyline compare to some of the other books in the series. The spicy scenes were 🥵🥵🥵 and that is a good thing!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Chronic illness and Death
Minor: Trafficking
thisreadingcorner's review
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Gun violence
ariallbooked's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
4.5
Daddy Dante has entered the building! I had to let this one marinate a bit before I wrote a review, and this book is my favorite in the series so far! In the previous books, Dante was always this mysterious, brooding guy that you just wanted to figure out, and his story did not disappoint. He and Simone's relationship was everything! Seeing them go from having this whirlwind romance to losing each other, to finding each other again, sent me on a rollercoaster of emotions, but in the best way!
I don't know if this is a spoiler or not, so I'll bleep it just in case:I'm normally not a fan of the secret baby trope", but Sophie Lark did it right! The secret baby wasn't really a surprise, because as the beginning of Dante and Simone's relationship was unfolding, we saw the baby coming. I loved how patient Dante was with Simone when it came to Dante and their son meeting for the first time. Even though it didn't go as they had planned
Aside from the romance, the action kept me on the edge of my seat! I felt like I was in that open field with Dante & Simone (if you know, you know).
Can't wait to continue on with Riona story because she's another one I'm curious about
I don't know if this is a spoiler or not, so I'll bleep it just in case:
Aside from the romance, the action kept me on the edge of my seat! I felt like I was in that open field with Dante & Simone (if you know, you know).
Can't wait to continue on with Riona story because she's another one I'm curious about
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
midnightrose_reads's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Bloody Heart is the 4th book in the Brutal Birthright series. It focuses on the oldest Gallo brother Dante. When he was younger he fell in love with the daughter of a diplomat named Simone Simon. They met when Dante was stealing the car that she was in the backseat of after he had just killed a man after a transaction went bad. Simone had just had a fight with her parents about where she would go to school. They wanted her to go to Cambridge, she wanted to go to Parsons in New York. They went ahead inside the party (which was a diplomatic event), to give her some time to calm down. That’s when Dante suddenly appeared sliding into the front seat taking off without knowing anyone was in the backseat. In the midst of him trying to get away they begin talking to one another, realizing they inexplicably feel a connection. After Dante drops her off near her home, they begin seeing each other. Since her parents would never approve of Dante they begin dating in secret. Her parents eventually meet him, but reject them seeing each other further due to his close ties with the mafia. Unknowingly one night Dante gets her pregnant. Once Simone figures out she’s pregnant her sister helps her conceal it for awhile. She was going to tell Dante but he frightened her one night when he was going to meet her at the park, but he got attacked earlier. She decides to keep her baby a secret from Dante in order to protect it from the world of the mob. Serwa, Simone’s sister, got a job in London so they both moved there together. Simone had a complicated pregnancy and birth. Her parents were very angry about all that had transpired that they had not known about. They convince Simone to let her older sister Serwa raise her son as her own, due to the fact her sister has cystic fibrosis and likely won’t have children. Simone reluctantly agrees.
Fast forward 9 years and during the intervening years Simone became a world famous supermodel. Her parents are going back to Chicago to promote a foundation her father founded that promotes solutions to human trafficking. While he’s at a rally he gets shot at but is saved by Dante who is working the security detail. He’s there as a favor to Rioana Griffin who is his brother in law’s sister. Callum Griffin who is alderman, will be there along with his now pregnant wife and Dante’s sister, Aida. Simone and Dante have a lot to catch up on, including her finally telling him he has a 9 year old son, (her sister died a few years ago). Meanwhile they find out that it wasn’t Simone’s father who was the target but someone with a score to settle with not only Dante but also with the Griffins. He gets some help from his friend and fellow army buddy (they worked together in Iraq), Raylan. Highly emotional second chance love story!
Fast forward 9 years and during the intervening years Simone became a world famous supermodel. Her parents are going back to Chicago to promote a foundation her father founded that promotes solutions to human trafficking. While he’s at a rally he gets shot at but is saved by Dante who is working the security detail. He’s there as a favor to Rioana Griffin who is his brother in law’s sister. Callum Griffin who is alderman, will be there along with his now pregnant wife and Dante’s sister, Aida. Simone and Dante have a lot to catch up on, including her finally telling him he has a 9 year old son, (her sister died a few years ago). Meanwhile they find out that it wasn’t Simone’s father who was the target but someone with a score to settle with not only Dante but also with the Griffins. He gets some help from his friend and fellow army buddy (they worked together in Iraq), Raylan. Highly emotional second chance love story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Blood, Drug use, Grief, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Cursing, Death, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Trafficking and War
Minor: Sexual assault
gemin1reader's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
2.5
This was my least favourite of the series so far…I’m not a fan of Insta love, which this was, and the sex scenes were a lot less appealing in this especially the whole ‘put a baby in me’ bit at the end after theyd been reunited for all of about five minutes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gun violence, Violence, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Moderate: Trafficking and Vomit
hazelgirl21's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Violence
valeria_gzz's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Edit: I think this is actually more of a 3,5 so I’m changing the rating but I’ll keep the review because the sentiment still stands. 4,5 I really really liked this and I also think I liked the story the most in this one because it’s connected to all the previous books. Also cute call-back for him to meet Henry for real the same way he met Simone. I don’t think Dante is my favorite hero but I don’t hate him at all. I’m really glad Simone wasn’t just a pretty face and actually stood up for herself and was willing to do the same for her child. And once again I LOVE AIDA and I’m sure Sophie does too because she always brings her back!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, Death, Eating disorder, Kidnapping, Violence, and Pregnancy
Minor: Trafficking
readwithelle's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence