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Kingmakers #1
Year One
Leo Gallo (son of Sebastian & Yelena)
Mafia families from around the world send their children to Kingmakers Academy to learn the skills of criminal enterprise.
Under the rules of Sanctuary, students are forbidden to fight or kill. But rivalries are high, tensions inflamed, and forbidden love arises in the most unlikely places…
Welcome to Kingmakers
Mafia families from around the world send their children to Kingmakers Academy to learn the skills of criminal enterprise.
Under the rules of Sanctuary, students are forbidden to fight or kill. But rivalries are high, tensions inflamed, and forbidden love arises in the most unlikely places…
Welcome to Kingmakers
432 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 2021
9772 people are currently reading
63698 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Lark
45 books23.7k followersPowerful Romance
Special Editions & Exclusive Stories:
https://sophielark.com/
Sophie lives in Southern California with her husband and three children. Her favorite authors are Emily Henry and Freida McFadden. She’s an Aquarius who loves fitness and looks forward to Halloween every year.
Special Editions & Exclusive Stories:
https://sophielark.com/
Sophie lives in Southern California with her husband and three children. Her favorite authors are Emily Henry and Freida McFadden. She’s an Aquarius who loves fitness and looks forward to Halloween every year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,404 reviews
October 31, 2021
romances should never be more than 350 pages and i will die on this hill
March 15, 2022
4.5⭐️ LISTENNNNNN this series already has me obsessed. I loved brutal birthright okay… but this? this is it. IT FELT LIKE A MAFIA HOGWARTS!!! the games, the categorized houses of students, the colors for different grades, the hierarchy.. yes!! i’m all in. say no more. Anna & Leo were so fcking cute, once again proving that friends to lovers is SUPERIOR 🗣 I also loved seeing the action within the games and challenges! This did have my least favorite trope ever tho…. but it wasn’t done in a way that really bothered me too much. I loved seeing lil bits of Miles & I can’t wait to read his book, my aidacallum heart is already SOARING!!!! did I mention mafia hogwarts?
Now with all of that being said, I don’t think the point of this was to get me interested in Dean.. but yet here I stand. very much. interested. in. Dean. I don’t agree w any of the choices he made (of course) But I feel like his character has a lot of growing up to do, and many mistakes to own up to & I’m really intrigued in seeing how he finds himself in his book.
“They think they know Leo Gallo. Anna is the only person who actually does.”
Now with all of that being said, I don’t think the point of this was to get me interested in Dean.. but yet here I stand. very much. interested. in. Dean. I don’t agree w any of the choices he made (of course) But I feel like his character has a lot of growing up to do, and many mistakes to own up to & I’m really intrigued in seeing how he finds himself in his book.
“They think they know Leo Gallo. Anna is the only person who actually does.”
June 8, 2021
4.5
Future heirs, accountants, enforcers, and spies from all of the criminal organizations around the world train at Kingmakers Academy for three years with the understanding that they aren't to fight, maim, or kill anyone from rival organizations while in attendance. Anyone that breaks the rules will be punished accordingly. The punishment is an eye for an eye in all matters, including everything from a punch in the face to cold-blooded murder.
This story is told from the POVs of three heirs, Leo, Anna, and Dean. Leo and Anna grew up together and were raised as cousins. They've been best friends their whole lives, but they're starting to have feelings for one another that "cousins" are not supposed to have. Dean grew up an only child to two toxic parents, one of which seems to have abandoned him. He's an actual biological cousin of Leo.
Leo and Dean may be family, but they have no love for one another. It's tough to overlook betrayal and the murder and disfigurement of one's family members, so understandably, they're at each other's throats from day one. After Dean sets his sights on Anna, their hatred for one another grows to a dangerous degree.
The Heir is my first read from Sophie Lark, and I can tell I've been missing out! Her writing is AMAZING! It has an almost cinematic quality to it that drew me in immediately. The way every detail is described in such a rich and effortless manner made me feel like I was experiencing everything as if I was actually there!
The addition of the song links in the book made it feel even more like a movie to me. Listening to the songs as I read the scenes that followed added something special to every single one. I hope the author continues to do this for all of the books in the series!
The Heir is more than just a romance between two people. It's the set up for an entire series. We're given insight into a character that will be explored further in the future and an introduction to other characters that will have their stories told in subsequent books as well. Though it took up a good portion of this installment, I sincerely enjoyed the time spent on world building and character introductions. It's completely necessary for the books to come, and it's so well done that I didn't mind at all.
The day to day life at the academy is interesting too, and the competitions are a lot of fun to read about. I love all the blossoming friendships, and I'm already invested in every character's story. It looks like we're only getting three more books, so I'm biting my nails wondering who's going to be left out.
The romance in this one is an angsty slow burn, and while I wish we could have gotten more of the couple once they got together, I'm sure we'll be seeing them a lot more throughout the rest of the series. They are each other's perfect match, and I adore their relationship. I'm so glad everything ended up the way it did.
I've been purposely vague about the main couple and held back on talking too much about the individual characters themselves, because I don't want to spoil anything for you. There are three POVs here, and only two people in a couple. Two of the characters end up in a relationship and one ends up needing redemption. I'll let you figure out who is who for yourselves. It's just more fun that way.
I will say that someone I thought I was going to love turned out to be a person I wanted to strangle and hang off the edge of a cliff where I may or may not have let them fall to their untimely death. Harsh? Maybe, but I'm nothing if not honest. I can't wait to see how the author is going to change my mind and make me love them again! I'm honestly wondering if she's just going to let him be a straight up villain. I could be down for that, too. Even villains need love, right?
If you're like me, and you haven't read the parent series, don't worry! I somehow missed that this was a spinoff series, and I never felt lost or like I was missing out on anything. The author has a way of including the relevant bits from previous stories in a way that gives you all the information you need and at the same time, makes you interested in finding out more.
New adult and mafia romance fans, this one's for you!
*This book was previously titled The Freshman upon release.*
Future heirs, accountants, enforcers, and spies from all of the criminal organizations around the world train at Kingmakers Academy for three years with the understanding that they aren't to fight, maim, or kill anyone from rival organizations while in attendance. Anyone that breaks the rules will be punished accordingly. The punishment is an eye for an eye in all matters, including everything from a punch in the face to cold-blooded murder.
This story is told from the POVs of three heirs, Leo, Anna, and Dean. Leo and Anna grew up together and were raised as cousins. They've been best friends their whole lives, but they're starting to have feelings for one another that "cousins" are not supposed to have. Dean grew up an only child to two toxic parents, one of which seems to have abandoned him. He's an actual biological cousin of Leo.
Leo and Dean may be family, but they have no love for one another. It's tough to overlook betrayal and the murder and disfigurement of one's family members, so understandably, they're at each other's throats from day one. After Dean sets his sights on Anna, their hatred for one another grows to a dangerous degree.
The Heir is my first read from Sophie Lark, and I can tell I've been missing out! Her writing is AMAZING! It has an almost cinematic quality to it that drew me in immediately. The way every detail is described in such a rich and effortless manner made me feel like I was experiencing everything as if I was actually there!
The addition of the song links in the book made it feel even more like a movie to me. Listening to the songs as I read the scenes that followed added something special to every single one. I hope the author continues to do this for all of the books in the series!
The Heir is more than just a romance between two people. It's the set up for an entire series. We're given insight into a character that will be explored further in the future and an introduction to other characters that will have their stories told in subsequent books as well. Though it took up a good portion of this installment, I sincerely enjoyed the time spent on world building and character introductions. It's completely necessary for the books to come, and it's so well done that I didn't mind at all.
The day to day life at the academy is interesting too, and the competitions are a lot of fun to read about. I love all the blossoming friendships, and I'm already invested in every character's story. It looks like we're only getting three more books, so I'm biting my nails wondering who's going to be left out.
The romance in this one is an angsty slow burn, and while I wish we could have gotten more of the couple once they got together, I'm sure we'll be seeing them a lot more throughout the rest of the series. They are each other's perfect match, and I adore their relationship. I'm so glad everything ended up the way it did.
I've been purposely vague about the main couple and held back on talking too much about the individual characters themselves, because I don't want to spoil anything for you. There are three POVs here, and only two people in a couple. Two of the characters end up in a relationship and one ends up needing redemption. I'll let you figure out who is who for yourselves. It's just more fun that way.
I will say that someone I thought I was going to love turned out to be a person I wanted to strangle and hang off the edge of a cliff where I may or may not have let them fall to their untimely death. Harsh? Maybe, but I'm nothing if not honest. I can't wait to see how the author is going to change my mind and make me love them again! I'm honestly wondering if she's just going to let him be a straight up villain. I could be down for that, too. Even villains need love, right?
If you're like me, and you haven't read the parent series, don't worry! I somehow missed that this was a spinoff series, and I never felt lost or like I was missing out on anything. The author has a way of including the relevant bits from previous stories in a way that gives you all the information you need and at the same time, makes you interested in finding out more.
New adult and mafia romance fans, this one's for you!
*This book was previously titled The Freshman upon release.*
September 11, 2021
It’s a no from me.
I annoyed that I’m annoyed by this book. I’ve been enjoying Sophie Lark’s work and I was expecting this to be a win since majority of her books have been a win.
I was looking forward to a immersing myself in a Hogwarts-inspired mafia school. I was expecting it to be somewhat ruthless, conniving.
I was excited about the friends to lovers element of our main characters and seeing how these students would learn how to fit their ‘mafia life’ into the real world.
But I barely cared about anything to do with this story.
Leo and Anna weren’t it. They started off interesting enough but the conflict kept them apart for most of the story. Their characterisation became lost in the drama, the world building of the school they were attending and the love triangle.
By the time they got together, I didn’t care for either of them. Their chemistry wasn’t believable and instead of the reader forming a relationship with their friendship, we’ve formed it with… I don’t even know.
Their already established friendship could’ve been a great catalyst for romance to ensue but instead were fobbed off with a love triangle. Which made no sense at all. We already knew who the couple were.
The villain of the story was more interesting than the two of them but even by the end of it, I didn’t care for him.
The world building of the mafia school was not as interesting to read about as I would’ve liked. It dragged. It became boring.
It read like a high school drama yet these damn kids are supposed to be getting prepared for a mafia world.
I wanted something ruthless and dark, not kiddish.
I should’ve DNF’d it. But I’m glad that it’s over.
I annoyed that I’m annoyed by this book. I’ve been enjoying Sophie Lark’s work and I was expecting this to be a win since majority of her books have been a win.
I was looking forward to a immersing myself in a Hogwarts-inspired mafia school. I was expecting it to be somewhat ruthless, conniving.
I was excited about the friends to lovers element of our main characters and seeing how these students would learn how to fit their ‘mafia life’ into the real world.
But I barely cared about anything to do with this story.
Leo and Anna weren’t it. They started off interesting enough but the conflict kept them apart for most of the story. Their characterisation became lost in the drama, the world building of the school they were attending and the love triangle.
By the time they got together, I didn’t care for either of them. Their chemistry wasn’t believable and instead of the reader forming a relationship with their friendship, we’ve formed it with… I don’t even know.
Their already established friendship could’ve been a great catalyst for romance to ensue but instead were fobbed off with a love triangle. Which made no sense at all. We already knew who the couple were.
The villain of the story was more interesting than the two of them but even by the end of it, I didn’t care for him.
The world building of the mafia school was not as interesting to read about as I would’ve liked. It dragged. It became boring.
It read like a high school drama yet these damn kids are supposed to be getting prepared for a mafia world.
I wanted something ruthless and dark, not kiddish.
I should’ve DNF’d it. But I’m glad that it’s over.
September 11, 2023
— 4 stars ★
Gathered in one place at the Kingmakers Academy the future heirs, accountants, spies and enforcers from different mafia families are forced to deal with each other for 3 years with the understanding that they don´t kill, maim or fight each other on kingmakers territory. And nothing will go unpunished a kill for a kill is what they say.
The characters
Some spoilers ahead!
At first I liked Anna but then she slowly got on my nerves. The moment the bucket was full for me was the second she got mad at Leo (that was when they won the first challenge and went to celebrate on the beach) for letting a girl s*ck him off.
First off all the boy was drugged and didn't even stand a chance to stop it and couldn´t even stand up for himself in that situation, second of all when he tried to explain to her what happened she didn't let him talk and practically walked away from him without hearing what he had to say. (he didn't even have to explain himself to her cuz girl he´s your bestfriend and not your boyfriend so get yourself together he didn't owe you anything)
The thing that shocked me the most was the way she went to seek revenge, like girl are you that low leveled? THIS GIRL GOT FUCKING BACK AT HIM WITH DATING HIS COUSIN DEAN, WHOM HE HATES.
Leo is my new husband😋💘🦋, he's seriously so yum. I practically live for his personality. He's so charming aahhhh. He has a killer body and face + a killer personality, what do you want more? I love how he and his dad both have the same playful personality but still are different in some way or another.
I know I talked a lot of shit about Anna but Leo and her ended up being pretty cute together 😭
But I actually ended up really enjoying the book. The constant rivalry between Leo and Dean was actually really fun to read even though they could get pretty annoying sometimes.
——————
Lets see if Leo is as hot as his dad😏
Gathered in one place at the Kingmakers Academy the future heirs, accountants, spies and enforcers from different mafia families are forced to deal with each other for 3 years with the understanding that they don´t kill, maim or fight each other on kingmakers territory. And nothing will go unpunished a kill for a kill is what they say.
The characters
Some spoilers ahead!
At first I liked Anna but then she slowly got on my nerves. The moment the bucket was full for me was the second she got mad at Leo (that was when they won the first challenge and went to celebrate on the beach) for letting a girl s*ck him off.
First off all the boy was drugged and didn't even stand a chance to stop it and couldn´t even stand up for himself in that situation, second of all when he tried to explain to her what happened she didn't let him talk and practically walked away from him without hearing what he had to say. (he didn't even have to explain himself to her cuz girl he´s your bestfriend and not your boyfriend so get yourself together he didn't owe you anything)
The thing that shocked me the most was the way she went to seek revenge, like girl are you that low leveled? THIS GIRL GOT FUCKING BACK AT HIM WITH DATING HIS COUSIN DEAN, WHOM HE HATES.
Leo is my new husband😋💘🦋, he's seriously so yum. I practically live for his personality. He's so charming aahhhh. He has a killer body and face + a killer personality, what do you want more? I love how he and his dad both have the same playful personality but still are different in some way or another.
I know I talked a lot of shit about Anna but Leo and her ended up being pretty cute together 😭
But I actually ended up really enjoying the book. The constant rivalry between Leo and Dean was actually really fun to read even though they could get pretty annoying sometimes.
——————
Lets see if Leo is as hot as his dad😏
![Profile Image for Lori [semi-hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1652024485i%2F125758944._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
April 1, 2021
2.5
I wanted to like this. I really did since it has dual virgins and it happens to be my favorite trope.
BUT
I had issues with it.
To get safety out of the way, there's a lot of OM/OW drama so it's not safe.
One of my main issues were the explicit scenes. Why was there a (very) explicit scene of Dean (the third wheel so to say) fingering (a rather drunk) Anna and making her come? There was absolutely no need for it, and ruined the book further for me. There was also ow drama and the heroine sees the H get a bj from another woman, but Dean had drugged him for her to see.
My biggest issue with the book was the couple and the romance. With the added pov of Dean, the romance just took a backseat for me. Both Anna and Leo were not very interesting characters on their own, and together they were even more lackluster.
When Anna and Leo finally got together, we get one sex scene and then a time jump. I wanted to see them together growing as a couple, not being told that now they are happy. The rest of the book they just have sex and that's it.
I didn't feel their chemistry, and to the end they still had the friend vibe.
The preview for the next book was more interesting than this entire book, so I'm looking forward to that.
I wanted to like this. I really did since it has dual virgins and it happens to be my favorite trope.
BUT
I had issues with it.
To get safety out of the way, there's a lot of OM/OW drama so it's not safe.
One of my main issues were the explicit scenes. Why was there a (very) explicit scene of Dean (the third wheel so to say) fingering (a rather drunk) Anna and making her come? There was absolutely no need for it, and ruined the book further for me. There was also ow drama and the heroine sees the H get a bj from another woman, but Dean had drugged him for her to see.
My biggest issue with the book was the couple and the romance. With the added pov of Dean, the romance just took a backseat for me. Both Anna and Leo were not very interesting characters on their own, and together they were even more lackluster.
When Anna and Leo finally got together, we get one sex scene and then a time jump. I wanted to see them together growing as a couple, not being told that now they are happy. The rest of the book they just have sex and that's it.
I didn't feel their chemistry, and to the end they still had the friend vibe.
The preview for the next book was more interesting than this entire book, so I'm looking forward to that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2022
This book was even more amazing than I thought it would be! I was hesitant because it's new adult and I've only read Sophie's adult romances. But oh my gosh, I was so addicted to this romance and this story! This book was so action packed and I loved how fast-paced the plot was. This takes place at a college for mafia children and each grade level is competing as a team in this tournament and there are three rounds throughout the school year. I loved these games and seeing the characters get so competitive and obsessed with winning. This was interwoven with the romance, which was so angsty and I loved it. Leo and Anna have been in each other's lives since they were born and raised as cousins, even though they're not blood related. They've been looking at each other in a new light recently, though, and know that going away to school together could finally take their relationship to the next level. I loved their friends to lovers romance and I didn't mind how long it took them to get together. They had some growth to do individually and they also had to deal with Dean, who became obsessed with Anna at school. I'm not sure I necessarily loved having all three POVs (Leo, Anna, and Dean), but it definitely made me not a fan of Dean...at all. So now I'm scared for his book. BUT this book was just amazing and left me amazed when I finished. Definitely a new favorite from Sophie Lark!
Read
April 5, 2021
**Heir/Freshman Title Change Explanation**
Buckle up, ladies! You just received your acceptance letter to Kingmakers. You’ve never experienced so much raging hormones, bitter grudges, violent angst, and nail-biting mystery. Keep your eyes open for Easter Eggs from the Underworld and Brutal Birthright series, as well as plenty of clues for the twists, turns, and dark secrets that will be revealed at Kingmakers.
Join the Love Lark Letter:
https://sophielark.com/signup/
Brutal Birthright Series
geni.us/brutalbirthright
Underworld Series:
geni.us/underworld-boxset
Buckle up, ladies! You just received your acceptance letter to Kingmakers. You’ve never experienced so much raging hormones, bitter grudges, violent angst, and nail-biting mystery. Keep your eyes open for Easter Eggs from the Underworld and Brutal Birthright series, as well as plenty of clues for the twists, turns, and dark secrets that will be revealed at Kingmakers.
Join the Love Lark Letter:
https://sophielark.com/signup/
Brutal Birthright Series
geni.us/brutalbirthright
Underworld Series:
geni.us/underworld-boxset
March 22, 2022
Hmmm. Alright well, this wasn't quite as good as I was expecting. I loved the concept of this mafia world, with a college dedicated to mafia kids/heirs. The actual school was fun and exciting! I just didn't vibe with the romance at all, and I LOVE friends to lovers. There was no chemistry between Anna and Leo. To be honest, I wanted Anna to be with Dean (our 3rd POV) until his whole date rape drug thing. The romance barely happens until about 80% into the book and by then I was over it.
June 14, 2021
I skipped chapters, it was so long and so boring, this is the reason why I don't read romance books over 400 pages, I'm fucking bored every time, and that's not the only thing, there are many other reasons why I didn't like this book at all.
July 6, 2021
I was really excited to read this book and it sucks that it was a disappointment to me. I did not like that the romance didn't happen until almost towards the end of the book i also did not enjoy reading Deans chapters he annoyed me so much. I dont knw if its jst me but this book gave me harry potter vibes.. Overall im kind of sad i didn't enjoy this book i see that the other books in this series have higher ratings so maybe ill give them a try.
August 6, 2024
3.8 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spoilers below 🚨
✨Mafia
✨Friends to lovers
✨School Setting
✨Love Triangle
✨Dark setting
Omg I wish I had known that this series was a set of interconnecting stand-alones before I went into this. I had seen it was a love triangle and when I tell you I hate Dean (one of the guys in the triangle) with a burning passion that’s me putting it lightly. I was on edge the whole time and almost DNF’ed just because I hated him so much and was terrified the Anna was going to end up with him.
I think if I knew it was a standalone I would have realised that it really wasn’t a love triangle and in fact friends to lovers and been able to sit back and enjoy the book more because I really like it other than Dean🤣
Dean was just absolutely insufferable. Everything I hate about men he embodied and I didn’t feel any sympathy for him. Prepare to get angry if you read this book!
On to more positive things. My baby boy Leo absolutely obsessed with him *chefs kiss* he was absolutely everything and I was very happy that him and Anna ended up together 🥺
This was a great Mafia romance, the plot along side the romance was fab! Highly recommend 🫶🏼
My favourite quotes:
That’s so much netgalley for providing me with this arc, this is an honest review.
✨
Pre-reading:
Review incoming 🤭
I hate Dean so much 😤😤😤😤
Spoilers below 🚨
✨Mafia
✨Friends to lovers
✨School Setting
✨Love Triangle
✨Dark setting
Omg I wish I had known that this series was a set of interconnecting stand-alones before I went into this. I had seen it was a love triangle and when I tell you I hate Dean (one of the guys in the triangle) with a burning passion that’s me putting it lightly. I was on edge the whole time and almost DNF’ed just because I hated him so much and was terrified the Anna was going to end up with him.
I think if I knew it was a standalone I would have realised that it really wasn’t a love triangle and in fact friends to lovers and been able to sit back and enjoy the book more because I really like it other than Dean🤣
Dean was just absolutely insufferable. Everything I hate about men he embodied and I didn’t feel any sympathy for him. Prepare to get angry if you read this book!
On to more positive things. My baby boy Leo absolutely obsessed with him *chefs kiss* he was absolutely everything and I was very happy that him and Anna ended up together 🥺
This was a great Mafia romance, the plot along side the romance was fab! Highly recommend 🫶🏼
My favourite quotes:
That’s so much netgalley for providing me with this arc, this is an honest review.
✨
Pre-reading:
Review incoming 🤭
I hate Dean so much 😤😤😤😤
September 14, 2021
1 star ⭐️ only for Mikolaj Wilk as a dad(dy) << the only good thing really.
I’m too upset. Disappointment doesn’t even begin to cover what this book was. I skim read the hell out of the second half 🤷🏻♀️and tbh, I should've DNF-ed.
There was so much potential for a great childhood-friends-to-lovers story, but the love triangle between Leo, Anna and Dean was the pettiest, weakest, and most boring revenge plot and romance story ever.
I’m skeptical about the next books now.
I’m too upset. Disappointment doesn’t even begin to cover what this book was. I skim read the hell out of the second half 🤷🏻♀️and tbh, I should've DNF-ed.
There was so much potential for a great childhood-friends-to-lovers story, but the love triangle between Leo, Anna and Dean was the pettiest, weakest, and most boring revenge plot and romance story ever.
I’m skeptical about the next books now.
July 31, 2024
3.5 Fainting Goat Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️.5/5
This is the type of book I would recommend to somebody who is slowly putting their toes into the stormy ocean of what "dark romance" is. It will give you slight elements of dark, with the whole "organised crime and powerful men" thing, but you're still dealing with basically very new adults and so they're not taking it as far as it could go. I think only 1 person gets murdered... in like the first chapter.
Basically with very little finagling, this could lean either way to not being dark at all or completely dark. SOOOOO if you are looking for something that is going to give you darkish vibes and be a litmus test to see if you would like to read more dark romance... this would be perfect.
IF.... you are somebody who is a hardcore dark romance reader and you fall for that EXTREME villain that is darker the better, this is going to be disappointing. It's not going to hit that mark or scratch that itch. So for me (cause I love them dark), I felt that it was lacking, but then I also don't think this was meant to scratch my DARK ROMANCE itch...
This is a triple POV following Anna, Leo and Dean. All three are about to start at a prestigious university called Kingmakers as Heirs. Kingmakers is Hogwarts without the magic and a neutral ground where all the criminal families - Mafia/Brava/**Insert ANY OTHER ORG here** send their kids to learn how to be criminal masterminds. Anna and Leo are practically family (even though they are not technically related in their weird family tree) - they have been raised as "cousins". But something between them has changed and the two start to develop feelings for each other. Dean, who is Leo's ACTUAL cousin wants to kill him because Leo's dad messed with his dad and maimed him... So he tries to do the only thing that will truly hurt Leo... making Anna his.
Anna, Leo and Dean are very disconnected and disjointed and almost fall into stereotypes of what you would think their characters should be (ie imagine a typical character who is a sexy basketball jock.... yeah thats Leo). The benefit of this was that you could very quickly tell apart the different POVs based on the style, tone and internal monologue (which is a plus because books annoy me when this is a problem).
Anna just felt like a prissy princess who acted and spoke almost like a 16-year-old child. She's pretty much had everything handed to her on a silver platter and so comes across as spoiled, even though she is trying so hard not to be preserved as spoilt. Her tone just read very naive and innocent with no true idea of what being the Heir to a Criminal Organisation is going to be. She jumps to conclusions very much to the point that it's annoying and irritating and her "Not like the other girls" mentality is frustrating. I know she's a goth princess who likes to wear grunge clothing and be all badass but it felt fake and I don't see what the guys found so amazing in her all the time. Kudos to her as she DOES grow and learn a lot about her personality and mature so I didn't hate her too much - it just only happened very late towards the end, so for a long while we had to deal with her being....
Leo read like an arrogant arsehole, from the very first chapter of him I was rolling my eyes at how arrogant his mind was and how much he thought of himself. His ego was GINORMOUS and very much the typical "Jock" where his whole personality is he's cocky, big, and good at sport. It made him almost pathetic and since I don't like Jock's didn't vibe with him AT ALL. Though again - Kudos to this man too cause he too realised what an ass and arrogant dickwad he was and changed - being far more humble and able to play nice with others at the end.
The BEST character was DEAN - and he is meant to be the worst! (Blame my dark romance little heart) - He was broody, he was alpha, and he was very very skilled with his fists and his knife. He wasn't afraid of blood and staring danger in the eye. I loved his cockiness and arrogance because his arrogance didn't feel like it stemmed from a childish reason, but rather that he's lived through something dark and if he wasn't arrogant and a dick - he would not have survived.
The vibes of Kingmakers was EPIC. Giving perfect dark academia vibes (which was not something that I was expecting going into this book). I know I would kill to have gone to a university like this, living in a tower and taking fighting lessons, learning how to murder and poison someone and excel at tax evasion. It sounds like a dream college and while it was a little bit far-fetched obviously and bordering on fantasy it painted a compelling world. It was super evident that Sophie Lark conducted a lot of research into the different types of Mafia families and their hierarchy and history. It made this world seem plausible and believable.
Some more aspects that niggled me...
1. As much as the vibes of the College were there, I actually wanted to see a little more of the content that they were studying - this was kept vague and almost diluted - implying they had learnt it, but besides showing a few practical classes wasn't touched on much.
2. The miscommunication and assumptions were a little annoying, making the relationship between Anna and Leo draw out, becoming unnecessarily angsty and drama-laden. - This ISNT too bad cause there is a reason people love drama shows on the CW...
3. I wanted her to choose Dean - Friends to lovers is not one of my favourite tropes and I just like a bad boy - which Dean gave me ALLL the tingles...
The Tropes:
▶ College/University Romance
▶ Love Triangle
▶ Childhood Best Friends to Lovers
▶ Mafia/Organised Crime Romance
▶ Alphamale
BUT OVERALL I stayed for the other drama - I stayed to see what Dean would do next and I stayed for the vibes. It was an enjoyable time that I didn't mind - and if I separate the wanting more dark from it- it was kinda cute how Leo and Anna were together and their little romance... AND I WILL CONTINUE... Just because I wanna see who Dean ends up with eventually!
Thank you to Sophie Lark, Source Bloom Books and Netgalley for my gifted copy!
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Spicy Level: 🌶️.5/5
This is the type of book I would recommend to somebody who is slowly putting their toes into the stormy ocean of what "dark romance" is. It will give you slight elements of dark, with the whole "organised crime and powerful men" thing, but you're still dealing with basically very new adults and so they're not taking it as far as it could go. I think only 1 person gets murdered... in like the first chapter.
Basically with very little finagling, this could lean either way to not being dark at all or completely dark. SOOOOO if you are looking for something that is going to give you darkish vibes and be a litmus test to see if you would like to read more dark romance... this would be perfect.
IF.... you are somebody who is a hardcore dark romance reader and you fall for that EXTREME villain that is darker the better, this is going to be disappointing. It's not going to hit that mark or scratch that itch. So for me (cause I love them dark), I felt that it was lacking, but then I also don't think this was meant to scratch my DARK ROMANCE itch...
This is a triple POV following Anna, Leo and Dean. All three are about to start at a prestigious university called Kingmakers as Heirs. Kingmakers is Hogwarts without the magic and a neutral ground where all the criminal families - Mafia/Brava/**Insert ANY OTHER ORG here** send their kids to learn how to be criminal masterminds. Anna and Leo are practically family (even though they are not technically related in their weird family tree) - they have been raised as "cousins". But something between them has changed and the two start to develop feelings for each other. Dean, who is Leo's ACTUAL cousin wants to kill him because Leo's dad messed with his dad and maimed him... So he tries to do the only thing that will truly hurt Leo... making Anna his.
Anna, Leo and Dean are very disconnected and disjointed and almost fall into stereotypes of what you would think their characters should be (ie imagine a typical character who is a sexy basketball jock.... yeah thats Leo). The benefit of this was that you could very quickly tell apart the different POVs based on the style, tone and internal monologue (which is a plus because books annoy me when this is a problem).
Anna just felt like a prissy princess who acted and spoke almost like a 16-year-old child. She's pretty much had everything handed to her on a silver platter and so comes across as spoiled, even though she is trying so hard not to be preserved as spoilt. Her tone just read very naive and innocent with no true idea of what being the Heir to a Criminal Organisation is going to be. She jumps to conclusions very much to the point that it's annoying and irritating and her "Not like the other girls" mentality is frustrating. I know she's a goth princess who likes to wear grunge clothing and be all badass but it felt fake and I don't see what the guys found so amazing in her all the time. Kudos to her as she DOES grow and learn a lot about her personality and mature so I didn't hate her too much - it just only happened very late towards the end, so for a long while we had to deal with her being....
Leo read like an arrogant arsehole, from the very first chapter of him I was rolling my eyes at how arrogant his mind was and how much he thought of himself. His ego was GINORMOUS and very much the typical "Jock" where his whole personality is he's cocky, big, and good at sport. It made him almost pathetic and since I don't like Jock's didn't vibe with him AT ALL. Though again - Kudos to this man too cause he too realised what an ass and arrogant dickwad he was and changed - being far more humble and able to play nice with others at the end.
The BEST character was DEAN - and he is meant to be the worst! (Blame my dark romance little heart) - He was broody, he was alpha, and he was very very skilled with his fists and his knife. He wasn't afraid of blood and staring danger in the eye. I loved his cockiness and arrogance because his arrogance didn't feel like it stemmed from a childish reason, but rather that he's lived through something dark and if he wasn't arrogant and a dick - he would not have survived.
The vibes of Kingmakers was EPIC. Giving perfect dark academia vibes (which was not something that I was expecting going into this book). I know I would kill to have gone to a university like this, living in a tower and taking fighting lessons, learning how to murder and poison someone and excel at tax evasion. It sounds like a dream college and while it was a little bit far-fetched obviously and bordering on fantasy it painted a compelling world. It was super evident that Sophie Lark conducted a lot of research into the different types of Mafia families and their hierarchy and history. It made this world seem plausible and believable.
Some more aspects that niggled me...
1. As much as the vibes of the College were there, I actually wanted to see a little more of the content that they were studying - this was kept vague and almost diluted - implying they had learnt it, but besides showing a few practical classes wasn't touched on much.
2. The miscommunication and assumptions were a little annoying, making the relationship between Anna and Leo draw out, becoming unnecessarily angsty and drama-laden. - This ISNT too bad cause there is a reason people love drama shows on the CW...
3. I wanted her to choose Dean - Friends to lovers is not one of my favourite tropes and I just like a bad boy - which Dean gave me ALLL the tingles...
The Tropes:
▶ College/University Romance
▶ Love Triangle
▶ Childhood Best Friends to Lovers
▶ Mafia/Organised Crime Romance
▶ Alphamale
BUT OVERALL I stayed for the other drama - I stayed to see what Dean would do next and I stayed for the vibes. It was an enjoyable time that I didn't mind - and if I separate the wanting more dark from it- it was kinda cute how Leo and Anna were together and their little romance... AND I WILL CONTINUE... Just because I wanna see who Dean ends up with eventually!
Thank you to Sophie Lark, Source Bloom Books and Netgalley for my gifted copy!
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 13, 2023
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I'd initially expected to. Though, I shouldn't be surprised since MikoNessa and SebastianYelena were my least fav couples in the Brutal Birthright series. The thing I disliked the most was the whole OM drama. Maybe it's because I despise love triangles ig but it is what it is. Dean was done real dirty imo and I hope he realises that he was never *in love* with Anna. More like he craved the kind of love/connection Anna and Leo had. While I felt for him, his actions made me unhappy. So I hope he'll redeem himself in his book. As for Anna and Leo...idky I just couldn't connect with them as characters just as I couldn't connect that well with their parents' stories. Nonetheless, The Heir is deserving of 3 stars because c'mon, it's Sophie Lark y'all🥰 Also this book reminded me why I like to stay away from reading about 18 year olds lol. Too much drama and unnecessary stress. Maybe 5 to 6 years ago, I woulda eaten this shit up because I loved all the angst, feels, tension and love triangles as much as it hurt. But as I grew up, I realised that that shit is fucking exhausting. I mean, who's got the time for this petty ass drama huh??? Anyways, ignoring my lil rant, LeoAnna were a decent couple but not my fav. Miles and Zoe on the other hand...yeah, I got a real good feeling about those two. So, so, so excited to read their and Dean's story as well (AND finish the entire series)! Onto the next book I go hehehhehe🙈
Safety Squad:
- love triangle (3 POVs)
- lots of OM/OW drama
- both MCs are virgins
- no sharing/no cheating
- fresh out of HS/college romance
- forbidden aspect
- no condoms
- steam 🌶🌶/5
‼️SPOILERS‼️ ‼️SPOILERS‼️ ‼️SPOILERS‼️
Why do I think Hedeon is The Spy??? But then Sophie said that it's somebody's son i.e. either from the Gallo/Griffin family???? I'M CONFUSED HELPPPPP😩🤨
Safety Squad:
- love triangle (3 POVs)
- lots of OM/OW drama
- both MCs are virgins
- no sharing/no cheating
- fresh out of HS/college romance
- forbidden aspect
- no condoms
- steam 🌶🌶/5
‼️SPOILERS‼️ ‼️SPOILERS‼️ ‼️SPOILERS‼️
Why do I think Hedeon is The Spy??? But then Sophie said that it's somebody's son i.e. either from the Gallo/Griffin family???? I'M CONFUSED HELPPPPP😩🤨
April 6, 2021
**AVAILABLE NOW**
4.5 STARS
The Kingmakers is an elite school meant to train the up and coming mafia members. It is a place filled to the brim with the most savage and cunning kids, and the world building is grand. I felt like Sophie Lark detailed all the parts of this school where we are spending the next 3 books in such a way that I could see it each stone in the building, smell the ocean air. Everything from the imagery to the development of the school rules and classes was amazing. The whole world was unlike anything I’ve read in the romance trope. I will say that some of the romance in the beginning between Leo and Anna took a back seat to the world building at times, making the pacing a bit off for me.
Now, even though the romance was pretty tame for the first half of the book, readers still get plenty of Leo and Anna time. Readers get to see them as friends, how they are unconscious entities of each other, which amplifies the inevitable conflict. Once these two get their start, though, it is full steam ahead, maybe at times in an unexpected way, especially with that end scene. It was hot but very unexpected for what readers have seen thus far from them.
The characters were great. Leo is the charming, world-at-his-feet hero, but Anna really sold it for me. I really just liked her whole aesthetic and being a mafia queen, claiming that heir role within the Polish mafia. They really are the perfect Mafia King and Queen, and I want to see them rule their empire.
All I’m going to say about Dean is that Sophie Lark has a serious redemption ARC to write. The rest are spoilers, so I’ll remain quiet about that.
The host of secondary characters already have me drawn in. I have theories galore, couples I’ve put together in my had , and characters I already need stories for.
While this is a standalone story, I would imagine with Dean’s involvement we will get some of the loose plot threads wrapped up in his book.
What an amazing world Sophie Lark has created with The Kingmakers, and I’m already eagerly anticipating what is to come for Miles, catching up with characters, and heading back for Sophomore year.
ARC
POTENTIAL TRIGGERS
4.5 STARS
The Kingmakers is an elite school meant to train the up and coming mafia members. It is a place filled to the brim with the most savage and cunning kids, and the world building is grand. I felt like Sophie Lark detailed all the parts of this school where we are spending the next 3 books in such a way that I could see it each stone in the building, smell the ocean air. Everything from the imagery to the development of the school rules and classes was amazing. The whole world was unlike anything I’ve read in the romance trope. I will say that some of the romance in the beginning between Leo and Anna took a back seat to the world building at times, making the pacing a bit off for me.
Now, even though the romance was pretty tame for the first half of the book, readers still get plenty of Leo and Anna time. Readers get to see them as friends, how they are unconscious entities of each other, which amplifies the inevitable conflict. Once these two get their start, though, it is full steam ahead, maybe at times in an unexpected way, especially with that end scene. It was hot but very unexpected for what readers have seen thus far from them.
The characters were great. Leo is the charming, world-at-his-feet hero, but Anna really sold it for me. I really just liked her whole aesthetic and being a mafia queen, claiming that heir role within the Polish mafia. They really are the perfect Mafia King and Queen, and I want to see them rule their empire.
All I’m going to say about Dean is that Sophie Lark has a serious redemption ARC to write. The rest are spoilers, so I’ll remain quiet about that.
The host of secondary characters already have me drawn in. I have theories galore, couples I’ve put together in my had , and characters I already need stories for.
While this is a standalone story, I would imagine with Dean’s involvement we will get some of the loose plot threads wrapped up in his book.
What an amazing world Sophie Lark has created with The Kingmakers, and I’m already eagerly anticipating what is to come for Miles, catching up with characters, and heading back for Sophomore year.
ARC
POTENTIAL TRIGGERS
February 18, 2022
Genre: Contemporary
Tropes: Friends-to-Lovers, Love Triangle
The Story:
The Heir is the first book to a series that is set in Kingmakers, an exclusive and very secretive college for mafia children. To echo Sophie Lark herself, it’s like Hogwarts for mafia children but without the magic. This book introduces us to Leo and Anna, both heirs to influential crime syndicates in Chicago. They grew up together and have been best friends all their life. As they are both thrown into an unknown environment, their relationship dynamics begin to change as new feelings start to bubble to the surface. However, before they can both confront their growing feelings for each other, their relationship is thrown a wrench in the form of Dean.
Likes:
👍 This is a fast read and a page turner. Sophie Lark is one heck of a storyteller.
👍 Well-written
👍 The Kingmakers setting that Sophie Lark created is really amazing. I’m not sure if it can be considered a “worldbuilding” because this book is not fantasy, but it almost feels like it because it’s a fictional college with its own hierarchy and rules. The place itself has that historical and a slight magical feel to it. It even has a big school-wide competition between the different years, very reminiscent of Quidditch in HP.
👍 Very steamy 🔥
👍 Mutual pining and very angsty. Payoff is worth it.
Dislikes:
👎 It has my least favorite trope.
👎 I did not like Dean at all. His scenes with Anna were so cringe.
Final Verdict:
4.5⭐️s rounded to 5⭐️s. What can I say, it was an enjoyable read. I was hooked from the beginning.
Tropes: Friends-to-Lovers, Love Triangle
The Story:
The Heir is the first book to a series that is set in Kingmakers, an exclusive and very secretive college for mafia children. To echo Sophie Lark herself, it’s like Hogwarts for mafia children but without the magic. This book introduces us to Leo and Anna, both heirs to influential crime syndicates in Chicago. They grew up together and have been best friends all their life. As they are both thrown into an unknown environment, their relationship dynamics begin to change as new feelings start to bubble to the surface. However, before they can both confront their growing feelings for each other, their relationship is thrown a wrench in the form of Dean.
Likes:
👍 This is a fast read and a page turner. Sophie Lark is one heck of a storyteller.
👍 Well-written
👍 The Kingmakers setting that Sophie Lark created is really amazing. I’m not sure if it can be considered a “worldbuilding” because this book is not fantasy, but it almost feels like it because it’s a fictional college with its own hierarchy and rules. The place itself has that historical and a slight magical feel to it. It even has a big school-wide competition between the different years, very reminiscent of Quidditch in HP.
👍 Very steamy 🔥
👍 Mutual pining and very angsty. Payoff is worth it.
Dislikes:
👎 It has my least favorite trope.
👎 I did not like Dean at all. His scenes with Anna were so cringe.
Final Verdict:
4.5⭐️s rounded to 5⭐️s. What can I say, it was an enjoyable read. I was hooked from the beginning.
![Profile Image for Corinne [hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1603449181i%2F94376563._UY200_CR13%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
September 14, 2021
2.5 stars
Dark mafia meets dark academia meets Harry Potter in this friends to lovers, love triangle romance which has potential but the execution is lacking.
Leo and Anna have been friends their whole lives but them going away together to a faraway school for the mafia has them gradually discovering their friendship has grown into something more.
After an incident at school that leaves Anna heartbroken, Dean, Leo's cousin and archenemy swoops in and tries to keep them apart and have Anna all to himself.
I had a bit of a hard time getting into the book at first but after they got to the school, it got interesting. There are some Harry Potter influences in this story and the author acknowledged that she did that intentionally.
Leo and Anna are great when together, not so much when they're apart, which is a lot of the book. Dean is a real piece of work throughout the book. He does some nasty things and feels no remorse over them.
Part of the charm for me is that I'm trying to figure out who the Spy from the 4th book is.
There is a lot of pining on both Leo and Anna's side for a big portion of the book which got a bit frustrating and I wish Dean would have received some sort of punishment for his deeds.
After reading the next book, I noticed that the author has a sex sequencing recipe. And after sex the guy just has to ask “You like that, baby girl?” Ugh! Why? 😖🤢
Also, both are virgins but there is no safety talk. Nothing about condoms, unwanted pregnancy, being on the pill. Really?
Dark mafia meets dark academia meets Harry Potter in this friends to lovers, love triangle romance which has potential but the execution is lacking.
Leo and Anna have been friends their whole lives but them going away together to a faraway school for the mafia has them gradually discovering their friendship has grown into something more.
After an incident at school that leaves Anna heartbroken, Dean, Leo's cousin and archenemy swoops in and tries to keep them apart and have Anna all to himself.
I had a bit of a hard time getting into the book at first but after they got to the school, it got interesting. There are some Harry Potter influences in this story and the author acknowledged that she did that intentionally.
Leo and Anna are great when together, not so much when they're apart, which is a lot of the book. Dean is a real piece of work throughout the book. He does some nasty things and feels no remorse over them.
Part of the charm for me is that I'm trying to figure out who the Spy from the 4th book is.
There is a lot of pining on both Leo and Anna's side for a big portion of the book which got a bit frustrating and I wish Dean would have received some sort of punishment for his deeds.
After reading the next book, I noticed that the author has a sex sequencing recipe. And after sex the guy just has to ask “You like that, baby girl?” Ugh! Why? 😖🤢
Also, both are virgins but there is no safety talk. Nothing about condoms, unwanted pregnancy, being on the pill. Really?
July 28, 2022
This book was confusing with a lot of characters and their stories…
I didn’t like this book.
Unfortunately.
I didn’t like this book.
Unfortunately.
March 15, 2022
4.5⭐️ WHAT AN AMAZING BOOK TO START OFF THE KINGMAKERS SERIES.
Obsessed would be an understatement when it comes to this series. I love the mafia school so much wow. The dynamic of it is amazing and the students are so interesting… I am intrigued at all their stories (specifically Ares).
Now onto Leo and Anna…. I adore the childhood friends to lovers trope. It makes my heart so happy. I also like that their love was somewhat forbidden. Leo was so protective of Anna and they just cared so much about each other!!! Ugh I love them so much. Their story was everything and I am so content with the ending.
At this very moment I hate Dean… but I know once I get to his book I will have a different opinion about him. We love a good redemption arc. Next book is Miles and he is my favorite so I know I am going to love it so much.
"Everything that ever happened to me before today brought me to this point," Leo says. "Right here, right now, with you in my arms. I wouldn't change anything. Because I'd never risk not being here with you."
Obsessed would be an understatement when it comes to this series. I love the mafia school so much wow. The dynamic of it is amazing and the students are so interesting… I am intrigued at all their stories (specifically Ares).
Now onto Leo and Anna…. I adore the childhood friends to lovers trope. It makes my heart so happy. I also like that their love was somewhat forbidden. Leo was so protective of Anna and they just cared so much about each other!!! Ugh I love them so much. Their story was everything and I am so content with the ending.
At this very moment I hate Dean… but I know once I get to his book I will have a different opinion about him. We love a good redemption arc. Next book is Miles and he is my favorite so I know I am going to love it so much.
"Everything that ever happened to me before today brought me to this point," Leo says. "Right here, right now, with you in my arms. I wouldn't change anything. Because I'd never risk not being here with you."
April 25, 2022
God, this was boring and way too long. Is the enitre series this bland?
January 6, 2025
Sophie has been on my radar for a minute. I know you aren't supposed to judge a book but it's cover BUT I have had my eye on this series and the Brutal Birthright because of them! I am going to give this one a solid 3.5. I liked the intro to the world and though I didn't feel lost necessarily because I hadn't read the Birthright series, I feel that I would have gotten more context if I had. That being said this was a little more college/new adult angsty than I anticipated. Everything plot wise seemed to move fast but also slow at the same time- like stuff happened but there was also a lot of filler. I felt like I had a harder time connecting to the characters. We have these two best friends (Leo & Anna) who have grown up together and are called cousins who suddenly have feelings for each other and then a miscommunication of sorts occurs, and I didn't love the way Anna responded. I mean yes I get that her feelings were hurt but if he was MY best friend, I would have given him a little of the benefit of the doubt. I also haven't ever been in love with my best friend turned lover so who knows. Anna was a little whiny in my opinion. Leo (poor Leo) could not for the life of him say the right thing to clear the air. I am REALLY on the fence about Dean. It seemed like there was potential there but nothing panned out. I am hoping we get more from him in this book (*fingers crossed).
Anna has made the decision to go to Kingmakers, the school for the mafia kids. She wants to learn more about this world that she will someday inherit from her father. She is excited to learn that her best friend Leo will be joining her. She has known him her whole life. She has done life with him. In fact people confuse them as cousins. But she has started to feel differently about him recently. She puts on a front that all is well but then they go to school together and things shift. She feels it between the two of them. She swears he was about to kiss her on the way to this party. But then she finds him in a precarious position and she is heartbroken! How could she have read all of this so wrong? Well she is fine and will move in and be with whoever she wants if that's how he wants to play. Enter Dean Yenin- Leo's actual cousin and mortal enemy. Anna has had a few classes with him and gets the glimpses of who he could be. She is intrigued enough to take him up when he asks her on a date. She enjoys herself but recognizes that he isn't Leo. And seeing Leo- none of this feels right. When things start to rekindle between her and Leo and then their true feelings are revealed all is well again. But Anna AND Leo both underestimated the hatred and need for revenge Dean has. Especially now. Will they be able to evade his tactics or will they get caught in the crosshairs?
Leo has it all. He is the extrovert of this group. He is comfortable in any situation. He is a protector. So when his best friend Anna decides to go to Kingmakers, he does too. And now that they are there it feels like things are different between them. He knows Anna is beautiful, she always has been but now he is really starting to SEE it. He tries to fight it but then he sees that she feels it too. He wants to confront it but then something out of his control happens and all of this slips away just like that. Now Anna won't even look at him let alone talk to him. And she seems to be dating Dean, his mortal enemy/true cousin. He can't help but hope she is happy and alright. He doesn't know how to fix this thing between them. But he knows when he is given the chance he will do whatever it takes. Which is what happens and then they realize they have both liked each other from afar for a while. Now they are together. Things are right with the world again. But neither him nor Anna realized the lengths that Dean would go to to stop Leo. And all he has been focused on is the last challenge at the school before year end. So when Dean takes his shot- he isn't ready and all he can do is hope someone else is.
All in all, this was an intro to a new world that left me intrigued enough to read on and see what all unravels before graduation! I have read such good things about this series and hope they translate that way for me as well :)
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Anna has made the decision to go to Kingmakers, the school for the mafia kids. She wants to learn more about this world that she will someday inherit from her father. She is excited to learn that her best friend Leo will be joining her. She has known him her whole life. She has done life with him. In fact people confuse them as cousins. But she has started to feel differently about him recently. She puts on a front that all is well but then they go to school together and things shift. She feels it between the two of them. She swears he was about to kiss her on the way to this party. But then she finds him in a precarious position and she is heartbroken! How could she have read all of this so wrong? Well she is fine and will move in and be with whoever she wants if that's how he wants to play. Enter Dean Yenin- Leo's actual cousin and mortal enemy. Anna has had a few classes with him and gets the glimpses of who he could be. She is intrigued enough to take him up when he asks her on a date. She enjoys herself but recognizes that he isn't Leo. And seeing Leo- none of this feels right. When things start to rekindle between her and Leo and then their true feelings are revealed all is well again. But Anna AND Leo both underestimated the hatred and need for revenge Dean has. Especially now. Will they be able to evade his tactics or will they get caught in the crosshairs?
Leo has it all. He is the extrovert of this group. He is comfortable in any situation. He is a protector. So when his best friend Anna decides to go to Kingmakers, he does too. And now that they are there it feels like things are different between them. He knows Anna is beautiful, she always has been but now he is really starting to SEE it. He tries to fight it but then he sees that she feels it too. He wants to confront it but then something out of his control happens and all of this slips away just like that. Now Anna won't even look at him let alone talk to him. And she seems to be dating Dean, his mortal enemy/true cousin. He can't help but hope she is happy and alright. He doesn't know how to fix this thing between them. But he knows when he is given the chance he will do whatever it takes. Which is what happens and then they realize they have both liked each other from afar for a while. Now they are together. Things are right with the world again. But neither him nor Anna realized the lengths that Dean would go to to stop Leo. And all he has been focused on is the last challenge at the school before year end. So when Dean takes his shot- he isn't ready and all he can do is hope someone else is.
All in all, this was an intro to a new world that left me intrigued enough to read on and see what all unravels before graduation! I have read such good things about this series and hope they translate that way for me as well :)
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
April 12, 2021
Sophie brings her A-game in this EPIC start to an imaginative, totally genius new series. Anna and Leo had my heart from the get-go, and their angsty path to true love hooked me from the first page to the last. Five Leo-is-Mine Stars.
June 21, 2021
Reread in preparation for The Spy. I am combing through these bad boys to see what I can find.
Knowing how the Bully turns out and seeing more into the heart of Dean Yenin, I appreciated his scenes with Anna much more. He is a man who just wants to be loved. And it's clear in his desperate attempts to win Anna.
I still feel like the chasm between Anna and Leo gets too wide and lasts too long, but I am less fiery about it and more understanding. These 2 are just kids struggling with their hormones and I love seeing them work it out for their HEA.
4/5 stars
Knowing how the Bully turns out and seeing more into the heart of Dean Yenin, I appreciated his scenes with Anna much more. He is a man who just wants to be loved. And it's clear in his desperate attempts to win Anna.
I still feel like the chasm between Anna and Leo gets too wide and lasts too long, but I am less fiery about it and more understanding. These 2 are just kids struggling with their hormones and I love seeing them work it out for their HEA.
4/5 stars
October 25, 2021
I really enjoyed this! I LOVED seeing the kids if the couples from The Brutal Borthright series, I found the world building for the Kingmakers school fascinating and clever, and I loved the overall story arc too. This was such a fun read and I was very invested the whole time. Dearly loved the descent into villainy of one of the characters too.
February 22, 2022
Friends to lovers isn’t usually my go-to favorite trope because i find it’s usually set up with at least one person liking the other forever and just never speaking up. But I really liked how in this book… their friendship was normal and platonic for so long, until one day things clicked for them and they couldn’t look back. Felt more of a true friends turning into lovers than other books I’ve read in the past with this trope.
But… It was also a love triangle, which I’m not a huge fan of. It gave me a lot of anxiety while reading it… especially because of the circumstance that lead to the triangle. Not gonna lie… I liked the first half of this book much better than the second. I was really into the build up of the story until mid-book and then bam… anxiety hit and I needed to run through the rest cause I was like damn… don’t like where this is going. But it worked out how I wanted it to at the end so it’s fine. I made it through.
Anyway, besides for the romance, the atmosphere of this book was pretty awesome. Such Hogwarts vibes… minus the magic and add in the mafia. Uch, so much cooler than my college.
It was a little longer than I think it needed to be but i can see myself loving other stories in this world depending on what tropes end up being in the other books.
I’ll definitely continue on with the series.
But… It was also a love triangle, which I’m not a huge fan of. It gave me a lot of anxiety while reading it… especially because of the circumstance that lead to the triangle. Not gonna lie… I liked the first half of this book much better than the second. I was really into the build up of the story until mid-book and then bam… anxiety hit and I needed to run through the rest cause I was like damn… don’t like where this is going. But it worked out how I wanted it to at the end so it’s fine. I made it through.
Anyway, besides for the romance, the atmosphere of this book was pretty awesome. Such Hogwarts vibes… minus the magic and add in the mafia. Uch, so much cooler than my college.
It was a little longer than I think it needed to be but i can see myself loving other stories in this world depending on what tropes end up being in the other books.
I’ll definitely continue on with the series.
June 22, 2021
I really wanted to read The Bully so I had to start from the beginning! Here I am loving every page! It's been a while since the last time I read such a long book in so little time and that says it all! I just couldn't put it down. Anna and Leo's story was quite intense and I love Dean and Miles! I can't wait to read their stories soon!
November 20, 2022
anna putting both dean and leo in there place 😌 please step on me ma’am
November 25, 2024
So, about this, it was good but boring at some points. I feel like there are going to be better characters in this series that I will like more. I honestly can't wait to read the other books! 3.75
March 27, 2022
Let me set the scene for you: it's Friday after work. I have no plans. I decide, hey - I'm going to try The Heir, its been sitting in my KU library forever, I was sent book 5 but I need to read the series in order... I open it and am immediately so intimidated it's over 500 pages. "I'll just read a few chapters. Just get the ball rolling." Cue... me finishing it that night. And book 2. And book 3.
So yeah, I loved it.
The reading order for all of Sophie Lark's mafia romances is a tad confusing. Technically this series sets up The Kingmakers, who are the children of characters from Brutal Birthright (6 books) - with some crossover/cameos from her Underworld series (I think 6 books as well). But I jumped into this book without background and I wasn't lost at all. I'm a big "read books in order" person but I think books need to work as standalone as well because not everyone will take the time to read a bunch of books just to get to the one they're interested in - and this one does work!
Recommended reading order: Brutal Birthright 1-6; Kingmakers 1-2; Underworld 1-2; Kingmakers 3-5; Underworld 3+. I started on Kingmakers 1 and thought it was fine. I think the parent's stories add dimension but aren't necessarily must reads before their kids books. Personal opinion!
I haven't enjoyed mafia romances I've read before... but DAMN. This was catnip to me. I loooooved the concept of this series: a gothic Hogwarts-style school for the children of the world's most powerful families. It's secluded - an island with no cell or Internet; you aren't allowed phones or laptops; you can't leave once you arrive (except for summer break); written letters and landline phone calls only. The school is a "neutral zone", so it's the one place where mafia families know their kids will be protected. Everything is "an eye for an eye" in terms of punishment - even death. You're sorted into "houses" (I don't think they're called houses but I'm sticking with my Hogwart's metaphor): Heirs, Enforcers, Accountants, and Spies.
Okay onto my review of this book...
I love friends to lovers, so I really adored this one. Apparently this is Sophie's only friends to lovers and I thought it was really well done! The genuine familial affection and friendship Leo and Anna have is wonderful, as is their obvious attempts to shut down feelings for each other.
I personally loved the three POVs, between Leo, Anna, and Leo's cousin/enemy Dean. It provided such a different dimension to this book, and set up Dean for his (dare I say) Draco Malfoy-style redemption arc (in book 3). Dean provided so much tension and angst - I think that if we hadn't gotten his POV the story wouldn't have been as interesting or dynamic. I loved him (and wondered why he wasn't the hero) - then I hated him, even when I kind of pitied him. It made me so excited for his book.
Overall, such a strong start to the series. And again, this is my first mafia book from Sophie, so it made me super excited to read more!
So yeah, I loved it.
The reading order for all of Sophie Lark's mafia romances is a tad confusing. Technically this series sets up The Kingmakers, who are the children of characters from Brutal Birthright (6 books) - with some crossover/cameos from her Underworld series (I think 6 books as well). But I jumped into this book without background and I wasn't lost at all. I'm a big "read books in order" person but I think books need to work as standalone as well because not everyone will take the time to read a bunch of books just to get to the one they're interested in - and this one does work!
Recommended reading order: Brutal Birthright 1-6; Kingmakers 1-2; Underworld 1-2; Kingmakers 3-5; Underworld 3+. I started on Kingmakers 1 and thought it was fine. I think the parent's stories add dimension but aren't necessarily must reads before their kids books. Personal opinion!
I haven't enjoyed mafia romances I've read before... but DAMN. This was catnip to me. I loooooved the concept of this series: a gothic Hogwarts-style school for the children of the world's most powerful families. It's secluded - an island with no cell or Internet; you aren't allowed phones or laptops; you can't leave once you arrive (except for summer break); written letters and landline phone calls only. The school is a "neutral zone", so it's the one place where mafia families know their kids will be protected. Everything is "an eye for an eye" in terms of punishment - even death. You're sorted into "houses" (I don't think they're called houses but I'm sticking with my Hogwart's metaphor): Heirs, Enforcers, Accountants, and Spies.
Okay onto my review of this book...
I love friends to lovers, so I really adored this one. Apparently this is Sophie's only friends to lovers and I thought it was really well done! The genuine familial affection and friendship Leo and Anna have is wonderful, as is their obvious attempts to shut down feelings for each other.
I personally loved the three POVs, between Leo, Anna, and Leo's cousin/enemy Dean. It provided such a different dimension to this book, and set up Dean for his (dare I say) Draco Malfoy-style redemption arc (in book 3). Dean provided so much tension and angst - I think that if we hadn't gotten his POV the story wouldn't have been as interesting or dynamic. I loved him (and wondered why he wasn't the hero) - then I hated him, even when I kind of pitied him. It made me so excited for his book.
Overall, such a strong start to the series. And again, this is my first mafia book from Sophie, so it made me super excited to read more!
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