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The Institute #3
Ruthless Ruler
Evan Valachi is meant to marry a Bernardi one way or another. It better be me… I came to the island with one purpose. Make Evan mine. But when I get here, she’s not the woman I expected. She’s evasive, erratic… And not the Mafia princess I secretly fantasized about. When I’m cornered in the middle of the night by a mysterious woman…I find out why. And the truth shocks me to my core. Something is happening to us on the island. On the one place where we’re supposed to be safe. We’re being hunted one by one . And as truth about Evan comes to light I find myself cornered. Only they don’t realize that I’m not just here for a wife… I’m here for my family’s seat on the Commission as well. And I will take both with blood and vengeance and wrath. I will make Evan love me. And I’ll take my family’s power. By force if I have to… Because that’s how you rule in our world. * Released previously as Bruno’s Devotion, Cosa Nostra Series and Valachi, First Sons Series. Ruthless Ruler is a New Adult dark Mafia Romance and is part of the Blood Ties Series World. Bruno Bernardi is the perfect ruler so if you are sensitive to particular content make sure you check the warnings inside the book before you begin.
468 pages, Paperback
Published March 13, 2023
17 people are currently reading
1600 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 23, 2025
Ok!!! Not enough emojis to cover this one but some major holes were covered up from first books- still some more questions but I’m pretty sure covered in next books but this one uncovered some big things and wow, just wow!!! I mean mental issues, mafia x10, and the spice really damn baby. No BDSM or kink but just, yeah damn girl can write your panties off. LOL only on Goodreads so letting that fly!
January 5, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice/Steam: 🌶️🌶️
Relationship: FM
Tropes/Triggers: CSA, mentions of NC by minor character, kidnapping, drugging, deteriorating mental health
Series: Ruthless Ruler - The Institute #3
Synopsis
This book is different from the others since there is a mystery POV, in addition to the FMC and MMC, which results in a huge twist.
An incident occurs between two Commission families: the Bernardis and the Valachis. As a pact to protect each other from betrayal, they vow to marry their heirs to unite the families.
MMC Bruno Bernardi and his cousin are gunning to be the next heir to the family. Bruno attends The Institute to try to claim the seat and also to claim the Valachi heir for himself.
FMC Evan Valachi is the daughter and only child of the head of the Valachi family. She resents and refuses to simply be married off, she wants to ascend the family leadership seat. She forces her father’s hand to attend The Institute to do exactly that.
However…the sins of their fathers’ are coming for them. There is a mysterious FMC whose identity is not revealed until the end. She is working with others to destroy Bruno and Evan, ending both families.
Review
The events in this book run on the same timeline as in the first two books, but there is not as much overlap, other than the mention of major plot points. The first books don’t NEED to be read but I definitely recommend it because you get such a richer and in depth understanding.
There is CSA administered by another child at the beginning of the book and the trauma haunts the victim for much of her life. Due to that and a lot of twists and turns for the characters, the spice is towards the end of the book.
I personally think the spice and trauma were handled pretty authentically. It isn’t uncommon for former victims to want to act out the trauma in a safe setting. It isn’t for everyone but it definitely happens.
It was fun trying to guess who the mystery FMC was and it was pretty easy due to the clues. However, her make accomplice is still a mystery and I cannot wait to finish the series and find out!
I very much enjoyed the book but it didn’t have my heart like the first two books.
Spice/Steam: 🌶️🌶️
Relationship: FM
Tropes/Triggers: CSA, mentions of NC by minor character, kidnapping, drugging, deteriorating mental health
Series: Ruthless Ruler - The Institute #3
Synopsis
This book is different from the others since there is a mystery POV, in addition to the FMC and MMC, which results in a huge twist.
An incident occurs between two Commission families: the Bernardis and the Valachis. As a pact to protect each other from betrayal, they vow to marry their heirs to unite the families.
MMC Bruno Bernardi and his cousin are gunning to be the next heir to the family. Bruno attends The Institute to try to claim the seat and also to claim the Valachi heir for himself.
FMC Evan Valachi is the daughter and only child of the head of the Valachi family. She resents and refuses to simply be married off, she wants to ascend the family leadership seat. She forces her father’s hand to attend The Institute to do exactly that.
However…the sins of their fathers’ are coming for them. There is a mysterious FMC whose identity is not revealed until the end. She is working with others to destroy Bruno and Evan, ending both families.
Review
The events in this book run on the same timeline as in the first two books, but there is not as much overlap, other than the mention of major plot points. The first books don’t NEED to be read but I definitely recommend it because you get such a richer and in depth understanding.
There is CSA administered by another child at the beginning of the book and the trauma haunts the victim for much of her life. Due to that and a lot of twists and turns for the characters, the spice is towards the end of the book.
I personally think the spice and trauma were handled pretty authentically. It isn’t uncommon for former victims to want to act out the trauma in a safe setting. It isn’t for everyone but it definitely happens.
It was fun trying to guess who the mystery FMC was and it was pretty easy due to the clues. However, her make accomplice is still a mystery and I cannot wait to finish the series and find out!
I very much enjoyed the book but it didn’t have my heart like the first two books.
December 21, 2022
Ruthless Ruler is book three in The Institute Series. A dark mafia romance and part of the Blood Ties Series World. This is standalone novel with no cheating and comes with a satisfying HEA and interconnected with the other books. It's well written with world building characters and complex storyline that captures your attention from the first chapter and keeps you on the edge of your seat with it's non-stop twists and turns and mind-blowing action. It will keep you guessing all the way until the killer ending. This is a continuation from the previous book and it also gives us some backstory of what's going on to help the readers fill in the gaps. Bruno Bernardi and Evan Valachi was met to marry one way or another.
The two families needs to form an alliance to keep them from betraying each other as well as they have shared a common problem. Evan just doesn't want to be a mafia princess and wants to take part in the family business but her dad doesn't take her seriously. They head to the Costa Nostra Institute where Bruno plans is to make Evan his. However, when he gets to island Evan is not the woman who he secretly fantasize about. The thing is Bruno is not only there for Evan he's there his family's seat on the Commission as well and he's willing to take both by with blood and revenge and wrath. They're being hunted one by one on the island the one place where they're supposed to be safe. Evan is so evasive, sassy, erratic and fierce. Bruno is as ruthless, cold-hearted and callous as his dad. The two chemistry is electrifying and charge. The story is filled with violence, danger, lies, lust, enemies, suspense, drama, mystery, angst, betrayal, darkness, surprises, steam, passion, power struggles, family issues, and so much more.
I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
The two families needs to form an alliance to keep them from betraying each other as well as they have shared a common problem. Evan just doesn't want to be a mafia princess and wants to take part in the family business but her dad doesn't take her seriously. They head to the Costa Nostra Institute where Bruno plans is to make Evan his. However, when he gets to island Evan is not the woman who he secretly fantasize about. The thing is Bruno is not only there for Evan he's there his family's seat on the Commission as well and he's willing to take both by with blood and revenge and wrath. They're being hunted one by one on the island the one place where they're supposed to be safe. Evan is so evasive, sassy, erratic and fierce. Bruno is as ruthless, cold-hearted and callous as his dad. The two chemistry is electrifying and charge. The story is filled with violence, danger, lies, lust, enemies, suspense, drama, mystery, angst, betrayal, darkness, surprises, steam, passion, power struggles, family issues, and so much more.
I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 11, 2022
"I would’ve showed what real power was. Power over me… I felt dangerous about that. Power over my body, my heart, and my soul. Power over my mind."
A great continuation/parallel to the first two books of The Institute series. The Bernardi and Valachi families need to be joined to ensure neither betrays a trust created from solving a shared problem. A deal was struck to marry the Bernardi heir to the daughter of the Valachi family. Nothing goes as planned.
If you've read the first two in this series (which you should to best understand/enjoy this one), you know about the chaos that has happened on "The Island". In addition to the angst of the arranged marriage in this book, we get a bit more backstory on the what's and why's of the island chaos.
Rumor has it book 4 will make an appearance in late March 2023. I'm hoping it answers some of my lingering questions from this book - or maybe A.K. Rose is just savagely setting me up to wait for a hope of book 5. Either way, this one was another solid addition to the series.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this title. I am happily and voluntarily posting this review.
A great continuation/parallel to the first two books of The Institute series. The Bernardi and Valachi families need to be joined to ensure neither betrays a trust created from solving a shared problem. A deal was struck to marry the Bernardi heir to the daughter of the Valachi family. Nothing goes as planned.
If you've read the first two in this series (which you should to best understand/enjoy this one), you know about the chaos that has happened on "The Island". In addition to the angst of the arranged marriage in this book, we get a bit more backstory on the what's and why's of the island chaos.
Rumor has it book 4 will make an appearance in late March 2023. I'm hoping it answers some of my lingering questions from this book - or maybe A.K. Rose is just savagely setting me up to wait for a hope of book 5. Either way, this one was another solid addition to the series.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this title. I am happily and voluntarily posting this review.
December 24, 2022
This is the third book in this series, and this is Evan and Bruno’s story. Evan is sassy and evasive and wants more to her life that being a mafia princess, while Bruno is ruthless, clod hearted, and callous, and he wants Evan as his own. This is a well written story which is dark, raw, gritty, intense, and intriguing, with chemistry, trust, family, mystery, passion, drama, angst, danger, suspense, enemies, violence, vengeance, betrayal, and love, which leads to a steamy and addictive page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 16, 2022
Bruno is next in line to a powerful Mafia family and has had a thing for Evan for a while now even though she was promised to his cousin. Bruno and Evan go through a lot in this intense read as he tries to convince her that they would be great together. This captivating story was packed with mafia drama, danger, suspense, steam, and twists that pulled me into the story. Ruthless Ruler is book three and a great addition to The Institute series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
December 16, 2022
Ruthless Ruler (The Institute Series Book 3) By A.K. Rose and Atlas Rose. She is Mafia Princess Evan Valachi her father is Ruthless and has created an Alias with the Bernardi. She was the Senators daughter lost her Rat father, but she will take them all down in her mind….Bruno Bernardi is the cousin of the Bastard that tried to take advantage of Evan. What a story loved it and I recommend this series…….
December 16, 2022
Book #3 of the Institute series is another awesome read and the drama continues. To fully understand this story, you should read the previous books. This is Bruno’s and Evan’s story. It’s a wonderful, arranged marriages, mafia romance. There is a surprising twist near the beginning that I didn’t see coming. This is a fantastic page turner. *this was a complimentary copy and this is my honest review*
December 20, 2022
Bruno Bernardi and Evan Valachi are tied by blood and life neither of them can escape. Evan Valachi wants to be more than just a trophy to be had. Bruno wants to be recognized as heir instead of his cousin Jannick. Evan and Bruno are heading to The Cosa Nostra Institute where they will be faced with challenges neither of expected. What's next for these two families? Your answers await you in Ruthless Ruler.
December 30, 2022
Evan and Bruno's story is dark, intense and entertaining. The storyline is action-packed, unpredictable and full of twists and turns . The chemistry between Evan and Bruno is fantastic. At times the storyline was a little choppy and all over the place which made it a little hard to follow, but overall I did find it to be enjoyable. I am looking forward to seeing what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 21, 2023
Ruthless Ruler by Atlas Rose is Book 3 of The Institute Series and part of the Blood Ties Series World. I do think it helps to have read the previous books. This is the story of Evan and Bruno. Evan has dreams to be more than a Mafia Princess but of course that is just a dream. Evan is promised to someone in the mafia. It is actually Bruno's cousin but Bruno has always had his eye on Evan. This starts their story. Enjoyed.
March 15, 2023
Another great book
Go back to the island for the in depth adventures of two characters who featured briefly in the previous books. As with the other volumes, add to the answers of what really happened.
Go back to the island for the in depth adventures of two characters who featured briefly in the previous books. As with the other volumes, add to the answers of what really happened.
January 3, 2023
Ruthless Ruler is a New Adult dark Mafia Romance and is part of the Blood Ties Series World. I loved this one. It was an intriguing & suspenseful read. And am voluntarily leaving my review.
January 30, 2023
needs editing
Needs basic editing. The other randomly will change the spelling of the character’s name and it drove me insane honestly.
Needs basic editing. The other randomly will change the spelling of the character’s name and it drove me insane honestly.
April 2, 2023
Very good story
I enjoyed the characters and the story lines of this book. I would definitely recommend that it be read along with all of the books in the series.
I enjoyed the characters and the story lines of this book. I would definitely recommend that it be read along with all of the books in the series.
June 24, 2023
This is another intense story about Evan and Bruno. Danger is coming at the Institute from every corner and add one psycho bitch into the mix. Hard to put this book down!
November 14, 2023
I am loving this series!!! I was not expecting Evan & the Bernadi heirs story to go how it did. I really enjoyed that aspect as it wasn't just the same formula being repeated...even though it's a formula that works.
I don't want to write too much as it will give the story away but it is definitely worth a read & I highly recommend that this series is read in order as the events in all the books I've read so far overlap at times.
Some of the themes/tropes in this book are:
*Mafia
*Assault
*Arranged Marriage
*Hidden Identity
I don't want to write too much as it will give the story away but it is definitely worth a read & I highly recommend that this series is read in order as the events in all the books I've read so far overlap at times.
Some of the themes/tropes in this book are:
*Mafia
*Assault
*Arranged Marriage
*Hidden Identity
July 29, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
I liked the plot - a lot. What I don't like is sigh...eventually I got so irritated with Evan. Also, an heir without a bodyguard? 🙄🤦🏻♀️ And another thing, spelling errors.
I liked the plot - a lot. What I don't like is sigh...eventually I got so irritated with Evan. Also, an heir without a bodyguard? 🙄🤦🏻♀️ And another thing, spelling errors.
June 14, 2025
Loved this book had me hooked after just a couple of pages. Rather loved the mafia bad boy stuff
July 17, 2025
Yet again another thrill of a read. These books reel me in.
December 4, 2025
Amazing as always from AK Rose!!! Book was intense and oooooo the secrecy!!!! Great details, great plot line…great spiciness!
December 30, 2022
This series just keeps getting better and better. This starts off with an early twist and I finally understood what was really going on in the first 2 books. I have to admit, this one kept me guessing and shocked in a good way, throughout the entire book! About the time I thought one thing would happen the scenario took a turn and it turned out to be something else and the sins of their fathers come back to bite them both in the a$$.
Will we find out who is behind everything? Come get sucked into this mafia world where you may or may not come out unscathed. I can't wait for the next one. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Will we find out who is behind everything? Come get sucked into this mafia world where you may or may not come out unscathed. I can't wait for the next one. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews