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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Edie is a history major caught in a bind while searching for her missing sister, and her only way out is to pose as a call girl at a mafia meeting. Her only problem was catching the eye of Luka, the handsome and misterios mafia boss.
Kudos to Annika Martin for coming up with the Albanian Mafia instead of the Russians or the Italians (which may or may not be overused in mafia romance). The story is compelling and includes some cool elements of the Albanian hierarchy and medieval history. The plot is pretty solid and not too far fetched, as is the case with some mafia romances.
The narrators in this dual narration/dual POV audiobook are spectacular. My biggest quip (and the reason for a lower rating) is that the writing style is a bit off for my taste. The chapters sometimes end too abruptly, like there was something more to say before we switch POV or chapters. But overall it was an enjoyable read.
3.5 stars overall
3/5 spice, 5/5 narrators, 4/5 plot, 2/5 writing style.
Kudos to Annika Martin for coming up with the Albanian Mafia instead of the Russians or the Italians (which may or may not be overused in mafia romance). The story is compelling and includes some cool elements of the Albanian hierarchy and medieval history. The plot is pretty solid and not too far fetched, as is the case with some mafia romances.
The narrators in this dual narration/dual POV audiobook are spectacular. My biggest quip (and the reason for a lower rating) is that the writing style is a bit off for my taste. The chapters sometimes end too abruptly, like there was something more to say before we switch POV or chapters. But overall it was an enjoyable read.
3.5 stars overall
3/5 spice, 5/5 narrators, 4/5 plot, 2/5 writing style.
My first read by this author, and I have to say I was impressed. I’m not usually a fan of the “I’ll pay you a bunch of money to be mine for a week” trope (and that does include Pretty Woman, sorry not sorry). What made this different for me is that Edie didn’t do a very good job of hiding her contempt for Luka. Lucky for her, he was way in to it. And she actively tried to get herself dismissed from his service. Other great things: a caretaking scene, lots of history and folklore and superstitions. Lots of chemistry between the MMCs. Explosive. And Bender can get bent, I came to that conclusion very early on. Oh Edie, so innocent…..
All in all, a quick and interesting read.
Thanks to the author for an ARC!
All in all, a quick and interesting read.
Thanks to the author for an ARC!
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I haven’t read any of Annika’s other mafia books but I read a lot of other mafia books. Loved the story line and even recommended it to some friends. Had some good laugh out loud moments. I received an early copy. Also was fortunate to listen to the audio of it. Narrators were good and performed in dual.
This was everything I was looking for with my first foray into mafia romance. As a means to locate her estranged sister, college-aged Edie goes on an under cover assignment which leads to her becoming an accidental call girl to the powerful Luka. He’s the last man she should ever want. His obsession turns into love and his pull is one she can’t deny. Their connection and electric tension was immediate, and whew, the spice hit and steamy. There was suspense and mystery, age-gap, obsession, a dark edge to the passion. I say bring on more mafia!
I experienced this on audio, dually narrated by Andi Eloise and Benjamin Sands. The narrator’s for the characters well. Andi’s voice had the perfect naive, young edge to it (like I pictured Edie to be) and Benjamin’s reminded me of a crime podcaster (which matched the older mobster boss personae of Luka).
Thanks to the author for the ALC.
I experienced this on audio, dually narrated by Andi Eloise and Benjamin Sands. The narrator’s for the characters well. Andi’s voice had the perfect naive, young edge to it (like I pictured Edie to be) and Benjamin’s reminded me of a crime podcaster (which matched the older mobster boss personae of Luka).
Thanks to the author for the ALC.
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
This book was a delight to read.
It’s charming, mixed with spice and mafia drama.
I really liked Luka and Edie.
Edie really surprised me.
I thought I’d be getting a bit of a ditz. I was very wrong.
Edie may have been a bit naive. But that was what made her even more adorable.
She finds herself swimming with the sharks. And goes with it. She was smart and thinks on her feet.
And I’m so glad she wasn’t a prude. She owned her feelings and desires.
Luka was someone you should despise. But I just couldn’t bring myself to dislike him.
Let alone hate him. Especially after things are revealed about him.
The chemistry and energy between these two was amazing. Neither could resist the other.
I enjoyed the mafia and family elements of their story as well. Kept things exciting.
I very much enjoyed reading this book.
It’s charming, mixed with spice and mafia drama.
I really liked Luka and Edie.
Edie really surprised me.
I thought I’d be getting a bit of a ditz. I was very wrong.
Edie may have been a bit naive. But that was what made her even more adorable.
She finds herself swimming with the sharks. And goes with it. She was smart and thinks on her feet.
And I’m so glad she wasn’t a prude. She owned her feelings and desires.
Luka was someone you should despise. But I just couldn’t bring myself to dislike him.
Let alone hate him. Especially after things are revealed about him.
The chemistry and energy between these two was amazing. Neither could resist the other.
I enjoyed the mafia and family elements of their story as well. Kept things exciting.
I very much enjoyed reading this book.
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have been a fan of Annika Martin’s books. The Billionaire’s Wake Up Call Girl is more than the clever title. I read each book in that series, in addition to another series about a polyamorous group of bank robbers. That is to say my interest was piqued by her latest book, the Kingpin’s Call Girl. I have been dipping my toes into mafia romances, so this was an opportunity to read Annika Martin’s latest book, and to read a book set in the mafia written by someone familiar. It looks like I have some catching up to do, as she has apparently written an number of them. That said, this was an ARC copy of the book. I do have to say, though, that I loved this book.
We meet the heroine, Edie, alone, in a hotel bar. She was tasked with getting close to an Albanian mobster, and to report back to a policeman. She is a student at Columbia, and exceedingly intelligent, and angry with criminals, period. Edie had been arrested for solicitation while searching for her sister, then blackmailed. The target mobster invites her to sit with him and his cronies. The new, young Kingpin, Luka, makes a surprise visit, arriving with two henchmen. There is almost immediate tension between Edie and Luka. While the rest of the people are obsequious, she simply glares.
Luka takes her from the original mobster, despite or because of her angry attitude toward the whole group. What was supposed to be a one and done with no funny business, turns into two weeks of her being at his beck and call. As her ruse spirals, Luka’s own purpose for being in town spirals, violently. The banter between Edie and Luka evolves from a barbed banter by text to barbed banter in person. Both characters are well rounded with his history, and her historical scholarship. I even looked up the Albanian Alps from a mention in the book. With plenty of hints, I felt that I could guess what the conclusion to the story would be. I was close, but happily, I was surprised by the denouement.
I loved the book because it was a little heady, and had a pretty hot smut factor. Too, Luka and Edie are lovable characters, and one cannot help but root for a happily ever after.
dark
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
This story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a darker, spicy, age gap, college student (Edie)/organised crime boss (Luka), contemporary romance. I enjoyed Edie’s devotion to her cause. I enjoyed Luka’s surprise at his response to Edie. I empathised with their histories. I enjoyed the spicy intimate scenes and the relationship development. In fact, the only reason it’s not five stars is because I struggle in the organised crime space. Whilst I understood what was happening and why, it’s not my happy place, even for this author, whose writing I enjoy immensely. SO, if YOU like organised crime romance, as well as an irreverent but determined female lead and a stern but intrigued male lead, then I recommend this story to you.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Read this while (not so) patiently waiting for the authors next billionaire romcom book to come out. This was a little darker and more tense but still incredibly bingeable and I consumed it just as fast as I have her other books!
Great romantic tension and banter that keeps you entertained the whole way through!
Great romantic tension and banter that keeps you entertained the whole way through!
dark
tense
medium-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
I enjoyed The Kingpin's Call Girl so much. It was a wild ride, completely unhinged and over the top. I loved every minute of it. It was also steamy. It kept me engrossed and excited to see what would happen next. I loved that it was a contemporary romance with romantic suspense elements. I loved that the main characters Edie and Luka were wildly different yet complemented each other well. She was sweet, sassy and had an innocence to her and he was an intense, alpha, caveman. I loved them. The narrators did a great job of bringing the intensity of this story and these characters to life. I loved listening to them. I truly enjoyed this story and definitely recommend it.
Copy provided by author
Copy provided by author