A review by kathleenmcg
The Kingpin's Call Girl by Annika Martin

dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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.