Under the Albanian Sun

by Eva Winners

On the run from the mafia, I fled across the ocean, clinging to the hope that distance could save me.

Instead, I stepped straight into the domain of a man whose power was whispered about more than spoken aloud—a man whose reach stretched further than the shadows I thought I’d escaped.

He was the one who made me an offer as tempting as it was terrifying. He promised to erase the threat stalking me, to restore the life I’d lost—but only if I gave him something in return: me.

The terms were simple. A summer in his world, day and night at his side. When I refused, his response was ice-cold: he’d deal with the person who ruined my life, with or without my permission.

Desperate to prevent more bloodshed, I agreed—but not without drawing a line. I told him I would never share his bed.

Now all I have to do is survive the summer with Kian Cortes under the scorching Albanian Sun and resist the slow-burning pull between us that might destroy us both.

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Romance, Forced Proximity, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense

360 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2026

About the author

Eva released her first novel Second Chance At Love in 2020 and has been writing feverishly ever since. She writes about everlasting romance for every century focusing on characters emotional development and always guarantees an HEA.

She loves yoga, wine and her kiddos. In her spare time, she seeks adventures either hiking through trails or exploring the beaches.

Writing books has always been her passion and she brings real life to the forefront in everything she writes about.

Deeply passionate characters and stories will draw you in and you'll never want to leave.

Follow her on social media to stay up to date with all her new releases!

Reviews

[nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m gonna buy a ticket to Albania and look for my own silver fox

[lucialeelibros]

finally my boy is getting his book.

[lucialeelibros · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a lovely surprise; I’d been wanting to read it for ages and I devoured it. It has plot devices I wasn’t expecting, and Sophie is absolutely brilliant – she deserved everything wonderful and divine that Kian is. There are also supporting characters that I loved too.

Thank you Candi Kane PR for this ARC!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kian finally gets his own book! And I loved it!

Sophie is walking away from her life to keep her family safe. She's constantly traveling until she ends up in Albania. This is Kian Cortes's domain. He's powerful and a DILF. He offers to keep her safe from the threat that made her run.

All he asks in return is: her.

The terms are simple. She spends the summer by his side. She refuses at first, but he promises to deal with the person who ruined her life with or without her permission.

She agrees, desperate to prevent more bloodshed. But she draws the line at sharing his bed.

But the more time she spends with him, the harder it is to resist the pull between them.

Thanks so much to the author and Candi Kane PR for this ARC to review.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in a new series, and this is Kian and Sophie’s story.
Sophie is on the run to keep her family safe, after her boyfriend is killed in an accident, and his dangerous psycho ex is determined to kill her. Sophie finds herself in the Kian’s domain, a man who is powerful, and is whispered about. Kain agrees to keep Sophie safe and protected, in return he has his own terms, and that is she must spend the summer by his side.
This is a well written slow burn, action packed story, with family, friendships, emotions, tension, danger, suspense, intrigue, undeniable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Awilda Mercedes · Rating 4 out of 5]

sophie is on the run. her boyfriend is dead. his unhinged ex wants her next. 😮‍💨
so what does she do? she walks straight into the domain of a man everyone whispers about — and kian? he agrees to protect her. but nothing with him is ever free.
his terms: spend the summer by his side. 🖤
and just like that, sophie’s traded one dangerous situation for another… except this one has her feeling things she was never supposed to feel.
this book gave me EVERYTHING —
secrets & lies ✔️
betrayal & heartbreak ✔️
power & control ✔️
vengeance & protection ✔️
family, friendships & love ✔️
the premise pulled me in immediately, the drama kept me on the edge, and the romance? edgy, seductive, and absolutely unputdownable 🔥
and can we PLEASE talk about samantha brentmoor & sean masters on audio because they absolutely delivered — i felt every single emotion through this one 🎧✨

Things to know
Duet narration, dual pov, age gap (50M/30F), independent fmc, summer romance, romantic suspense, light mafia, abduction, torture, murder, second chance at love

[lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Aside from Sophie clinging to a man who once slept with her cousin’s then wife, got her pregnant and then married her, and said woman was making her life hell every single time and Jonathan was too much of a wuss to defend her... I really despised her holier than thou attitude cause wdym you don’t want the same woman who threatened to wipe out your whole family and who also got your niece kidnapped and almost got her trafficked, to die or pay in any shape or form all bc goody two shoes Sophie’s a doctor and she “saves lives, not end them”😴 She even tried to save the man Kian killed for physically assaulting her.


Also idk why she was shocked that Kian was a murderer when he’d already told her he was dangerous and also promised to “get rid” of Jacqueline for her. Genuinely what did she think he meant

[Mandyloves2read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under the Albanian Sun by Eva Winners
5/5 ⭐️
5/5🔥

Eva Winners does it again! This book had everything I love in a mafia romance … danger, passion, emotional tension, and a possessive hero that had me completely hooked. The chemistry between these characters was absolutely addictive and the setting made the story feel even more intense and immersive. I could not put this down once I started! Eva always knows how to deliver the perfect mix of romance, angst, and spice and this one was no exception. Definitely one of my favorite reads this year!

[Roxs Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved being back in the #Eververse that author Eva Winners has created. Ever since I set foot in this world many moons ago, I have been captivated and obsessed with all the characters. I love how there are so many interconnections throughout each story. It does get a little confusing at times, but never enough to have you scratching your head. Just enough to make you think back to visualize them. And if you haven't read anything before now, that's ok too. Eva gives you all the deets you need in every book.



Under The Albanian Sun featured Sophie and Kian. They were a different kind of mafia couple, in my opinion, but I loved that. Sophie seemed a little oblivious to her family’s mafia ties, and although Kian’s “business” didn’t sit well with her, she learned how to settle with it. Kian also learned to see things from her point of view and to rein it in a bit when necessary, realizing that not everything needed to result in violence.



I loved the age gap between them, and I enjoyed this slightly softer version of a mafia romance. I’m always on board with the violence that comes from possessive mafia men, but I also loved how Kian was able to reel that in and keep the violence at a minimum when called for.



Sophie seemed like a strong female character; one who was accomplished and confident—most of the time. I’m not sure how or why she was obsessed with Jonathan. He clearly was not boyfriend or husband material, and Kian should have never been ok with her choosing Jonathan over him. This is where he should have stood up and carried her off, had the opportunity arisen. Happily, that didn’t have to happen; Sophie saw the error of her ways and left Jonathan licking his wounds since he somehow escaped the other end of Kian’s gun.



I’m liking this new series and look forward to more books. Hope you jump on this mafia train with us!

[Rina | booksofthemuggleborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating: 4-4.5 stars!

**ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review.**

I feel like I’ve been waiting so long for Kian’s book, and now that it’s finally here, did it live up to the anticipation? Yes. Yes it absolutely did.

First off, the backdrop of this book screamed wanderlust. It’s vivid to the point where you almost feel like you’re there with the characters, experiencing the same culture, scenery, and travel experiences.

The all-new cast of characters is a massive highlight to look forward to. Not only do they offer a new addition to Winners’ ‘Eva-verse’, but each one will pique your interest. The banter amongst Kian and his team! Are you kidding me?! My gosh. Hella adorable! Genuine friendships that stems from a longstanding history amongst these men. The group dynamic and their contrasting personality types was an entertaining subplot in and of itself. I’m already looking forward to seeing more from this new series.

Although it’s categorically under mafia romance, it’s perfect for romance readers who are still dipping their toes into the genre, as it’s not as dark as others and is more mafia-lite. There are some thrills and spills present in the story but still manageable for those not ready to dive into grittiness that comes with dark mafia romances just yet.

It’s very well-paced, told from dual POVs, and despite the ominous reasons behind why they cross paths, Kian and Sophie’s narrative has an overall fun and playful nature to it. It’s a refreshing change of pace from Winners’ previous dark mafia books, but still falls in line with the overall atmosphere of her already established and complex fictional underworld.

If you like summer flings and age-gap romances, make sure to add this one to your TBR. I like that it’s not necessarily your super young FMC/much older MMC. Whilst there is a significant age difference, Sophie is in her early thirties and reads as such (excluding her occasional hilarious clumsy personality trait). However, no matter how Kian is physically described in this book, in my mind he’s younger than his fifty years. Lol. I picture him as a “George Clooney”, circa E.R days, or a “Richard Gere” in Pretty Woman, where he’s in his mid-thirties/early forties, salt and peppered hair early, but is still hot and as charming as ever.

Either way, I had a shit-eating grin on my face when it came to Kian and Sophie. Their developing relationship was gripping to see unfold. From playful banter, to pouring their hearts out, to intimate spicy moments, they have the best interactions.

Kian and Sophie are both likable MCs. If you like independent, feisty, yet caring heroines who have a “damsel in distress” side to them, Sophie’s your girl. If you like suave older bachelor types who are possessive and overly protective of their romantic partner, then you’ll definitely be wanting to know Kian Cortes. They’re both genuine characters with many sides to their personalities, so it’s safe to say I was immediately hooked in seeing how their story would progress and how they would navigate their feelings for one another.

It does contain sensitive subject matters that some readers may find difficult or triggering such as, graphic violence, intimidation/ultimatums, kidnapping, death, and trauma-causing events. It’s intended for readers of age.

This is a standalone story, but for a fuller reading experience, it’s recommended to visit Winners’ website for the list of books that interconnect with this universe and its characters and adding them to your TBR. I haven’t read all the interconnecting books, but I will say that this story was well-written that it didn’t feel like I was out of the loop as brief summaries are included.

There’s just as much suspenseful elements as there is romantic, as well as tons of ongoing plotlines that will undoubtedly come back around in the next books to come. I think it’s is a great and highly enjoyable start to The Under Series.

🚨 Full review on my blog: https://booksofthemuggleborn.wordpres...

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

UNDER THE ALBANIAN SUN is the first instalment in Eva Winer’s contemporary, adult UNDER erotic, Mafia romance series, a spin off, set in the author’s BILLIONAIRE KINGS world. This is fifty year old, Albanian Mafia head Kian Cortes, and thirty-year old, OBGyn Dr. Sophie Baldwin’s story line.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Kian and Sophie) UNDER THE ALBANIAN SUN follows in the aftermath of the suspected murder of someone she loved, Dr. Sophie Baldwin, with the help of her cousin Kristoff Baldwin, arrived in Albania, where she would meet Kian Cortes, unaware of his connections to organized crime but someone is targeting our story line heroine, and Kian is determined to become guardian and protector, even at the risk of falling in love.

The world building follows the search for the person taking aim at our story line heroine. There is plenty of history and backstory related Sophie’s need to stay hidden as Kian goes in search of the people responsible.

The age-gap relationship between Kian and Sophie is one of immediate attraction but an attraction predicated upon a lie. In an effort to keep Sophie safe, Kian promises his protection in return for the summer together, a summer wherein our couple will fall in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters are We are introduced to Kian’s second Amir and his fiancé , Kian’s driver Dina, as well as the cameo by Sophie’s cousin Kirstoff Baldwin (The Exception/Billionaire Kings 1),his wife Gemma and their daughter Sienna. The requisite evil has many face.

UNDER THE ALBANIAN SUN is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and heart break, power and control, vengeance and protection, family and friendships, relationships and love. The character driven premise is captivating, dramatic and entertaining; the romance is edgy and seductive; the characters are desperate, determined and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first introduction of Kian Cortes in Wrathful King , he became one of the most intriguing characters for me in the #Evaverse, so I was highly anticipating this, his, book. And it did not disappoint ... Kian Cortes is the hottest, suavest, most bad ass Mafia man that Eva Winners has ever written.

After an accident that kills her fiancé, Sophie Baldwin goes on the run to save her family as the deceased fiancé's ex-wife is a complete psychopath with ties to the Black Oil Syndicate and continuously threatens Sophie and the entire Baldwin clan. She heads to Croatia, and then into Albania, where she has a chance encounter with Kian Cortes.

Kian Cortes is the head of both the Albanian Mafia and the Brazilian Cortes Cartel. He is mentioned in a lot of the #Evaverse books, and is known to be absolutely ruthless and lethal, but he also has a softer side - he is a good man and in previous books, has thwarted human traffickers and helped journalist Autumn Corbin (Russo) escape Afghanistan. In this book we get Kian in all of his glory - the ruthless mobster and the big teddy bear. He is enamored with Sophie from the moment she crashes into his life.

So, the love story part of this is great - Sophie and Kian are absolute freaking fire together - their chemistry is off the charts. The plot of the this book is good, the side characters are amazing, and the twists towards the end ... you don't see those coming.

Absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down. I adored the fact that we get mentions of some of our other fave characters in this book, too - Alessio, Kingston Ashford, Kristoff Baldwin, etc.

This book is meant to be a standalone, and while it can be read as that, I recommend reading the Billionaire Kings series as this book is a bit of a spin-off of that, hence me naming the other fave characters above.

Under the Albanian Sun is a stellar start to a new series, and I can't wait for the rest of the books!

[Robyn Corcoran · Rating 4 out of 5]

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I wrote this review for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner.

4 1/2 stars
This is the first book in the Under Series, and I couldn’t be happier as the lead male character is Kian Cortes. A character who has been in many other books by this author and has intrigued me so much—kudos to the author for making it so.

I was right to be so intrigued by Kian, as he is an extremely interesting character who has endured immense trauma and witnessed incredible events. He isn’t afraid to step up and help those in need; however, he also isn’t afraid to protect others at any cost.

Dr Sophie Baldwin is a strong, independent woman who projects a fearless demeanour—until she encounters a snake. 😀 I laugh, but I, too, am petrified of those reptiles. Sophie is a straight shooter and says whatever she wants, regardless of whom she is talking to… well, not necessarily when faced with danger.

These two leading characters are made for each other. The chemistry between them is almost tangible, and I really like how honest they are about it. There are plenty of intimate scenes with blazing passion. But what stands out for me is the mutual respect they have for each other.

As in all of this author’s books, the descriptions of scenes, actions, and emotions make it easy to visualise the story as it progresses. The celebration scene is so colourful and vibrant I could feel it as if I were there as well.

Some darker elements take readers on a suspenseful adventure and, at times, a revengeful one. This is definitely not as dark as many of this author’s other books, but it fits the characters so well. I enjoyed the banter, especially between Sophie and everyone else. This lightness lifted the atmosphere entirely. My only issue with this story is that I predicted things quite easily, and I always like a good surprise twist in a book. That’s not to say there aren’t any, because there are, just

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eva Winners delivers another gripping book with Under the Albanian Sun, a story many readers have been eagerly anticipating. At its centre is Kian Cortes, the commanding, silver fox antihero head of both the Albanian mafia and Brazilian cartel. When Sophie Baldwin arrives in Albania while on the run from danger, she unexpectedly finds herself under his protection. Their encounter isn’t by accidental though as her cousin Kristoff has already reached out to Kian for help and, never a man to miss an opportunity, Kian seizes the moment and immediately turns the situation to his advantage by proposing a deal. Sophie should stay with him for the summer, and he’ll take care of the threat pursuing her.

From start to finish, Kian and Sophie’s story maintains a strong, steady flow, with a plot that keeps the pages turning and the inclusion of familiar characters adds a welcome sense of continuity for returning readers. While it may not be quite as dark as some of this authors’ previous books, it still delivers plenty of tension, intrigue, and suspense, especially as the danger surrounding Sophie proves to be a lot closer than anticipated. Kian and Sophie stand out as a captivating pair with their dynamic one of the book’s highlights mainly thanks to their being more mature characters which makes their relationship feel grounded and more believable. Although still technically an age-gap romance, with Sophie in her thirties and Kian in his early fifties, it avoids the discomfort and ‘ick’ factor that can sometimes come with similar pairings say should the woman be in her twenties. Their wickedly delicious banter and undeniable chemistry fuel a slow-burning connection, even as Sophie insists she’ll never share his bed. But the lingering question remains: when summer ends, will she really be able to walk away?

[Karen_Lee_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under the Albanian Sun
by Eva Winners

What an amazing read!

Under the Albanian Sun started off on one of those dark rainy nights when you just know something bad is about to occur and that is how we meet Sophie Baldwin. I loved this woman, she has her own code of honor and she sticks to it. Leaving the country to hide might not have been her best idea but when her cousin Kristoff Baldwin decides to involve himself through his friend Kian Cortes.

If you have read Contract of a Billionaire you will have met Kian Cortes. Head of the Albanian Mafia and the Brazilian Cartel, Kian has promised his old friend to make sure
Sophie is protected and safe. When these two meet it’s instant sparks but it takes time for them both realize what is going on… and there is a lot of spice going on!!

Spice aside, Kian finds out the people he promised would never get close to her are closer than he thought.

You’ll smile when you see some of our favorite characters from other books drop by.
With all the suspense this author also slides in a bit of wit to take the edge off and that’s ok because who knew mafia men had a sense of humor.

Author Eva Winners can write Criminal Romance and readers can’t put down. Her characters are strong people, both the women and the men. The story line was wonderful, it grew and the characters came closer to each other; and the twist…OMG that twist had my hand smacking on the couch pillow, because that was not what I expected.

Pages fly by and all of a sudden it’s done and you think to yourself, this is one book that I know I will reread time and time again. I am giving this book a five star review, but really I’m giving it all the beautiful stars that you see under and Albanian Night!

[Yessyreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝑼𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒍𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝑺𝒖𝒏☀️🔪
•𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒰𝓃𝒹𝑒𝓇 𝒮𝑒𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈•
𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝟣
𝕓𝕪 𝔼𝕧𝕒 𝕎𝕚𝕟𝕟𝕖𝕣𝕤
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/𝟝
🔥🔥🔥🔥/𝟝

☀️𝙳𝚊𝚛𝚔 𝙼𝚊𝚏𝚒𝚊
🔪𝙰𝚐𝚎-𝙶𝚊𝚙
☀️𝚂𝚞𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚛 𝙵𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐
🔪𝚃𝚘𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 💀
☀️𝙾𝚃𝚃 𝙿𝚘𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝙼𝙼𝙲
🔪𝚂𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚊𝚝 𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎
☀️𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚔𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚛 𝙱𝚘𝚍𝚢𝚐𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚍

Kian Cortes is not only the mafia boss for the Albanian Mafia but is also the Capo of the Brazilian Cartel, and when he is asked to get back into his bodyguard job he takes it because even though he is a ruthless mafioso he is a protector first. Sophie may of told her family that she needs a change in her life but really she is running away to keep her family safe from her ex-boyfriend’s crazy ex-wife. Kian thought he would keep his distance from Sophie and guard her from a far, but the woman had a hold on him from the moment she climbed him like a tree trying to get away from a snake. He proposed a rather unusual arrangement to her, she would be his in exchange he would take care of the ones where after her. It was to good to be true this older silver fox was interested in her, she wasn’t looking for anything long term but maybe some fun or a summer fling it’s what they both needed. It might of started as an arrangement or a summer fling, but no one threatened or dare touched what Kian Cortes considered and gets away with it.

Kian is the older silver fox you climbed like a tree, just so he would become your protector and OTT possessive summer fling.

“𝘐 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴—𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘦—𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘣 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘯. 𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘮𝘦. 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦 𝘐’𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦.”-𝘒𝘪𝘢𝘯

“𝘐’𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘐’𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯…𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘻𝘦𝘮ë𝘳. 𝘠𝘦𝘴?”-𝘒𝘪𝘢𝘯

[My_book_obsession25 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Eva Winners for the ARC! I’ve genuinely missed your writing, and after so long, finally getting Kian’s story in Under the Albanian Sun felt so worth the wait.
Kian Cortes had my attention way before this book, and let me tell you he did not disappoint. This man is everything. Powerful, controlled, a little dangerous… and yes, our silver fox is HOT 🤭 I loved how confident and commanding he is, but also how there’s more depth to him underneath all that intensity.
And Sophie? She was exactly the kind of heroine he needed. Strong, stubborn, and not easily swayed even when the chemistry between them is undeniable. Their dynamic is that perfect slow-burn tension where you know it’s going to explode eventually, and the anticipation makes it even better.

The whole “forced proximity / deal with the devil” trope was done really well here. There’s danger, emotional push and pull, and that constant underlying tension that keeps you hooked. I especially liked how Sophie tries to hold her ground despite everything she doesn’t just melt instantly, and that made the romance feel more earned.

My only struggle was that i just wanted a little more moments between them, a bit more emotional depth in certain scenes ,and action,but overall, this was such an enjoyable read and totally reminded me why I love Eva Winners books.
Kian was absolutely worth the wait 🖤

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️/2.5 🌶️

Let me just say, I really missed Eva’s writing. I didn’t realize how much I’d miss the whole Evaverse during that gap between releases, but wow… this book made it very clear. And honestly? What a comeback! 🙌🏼

I’ve been waiting on Kian for so long, but I wasn’t prepared for him to completely take over my brain like this. We’ve seen glimpses of him before as this serious, controlled mafia man, but there’s so much more beneath the surface. That whole mafia/cartel leader energy mixed with major DILF (okay… maybe even GILF 😅) vibes? Yeah, I was sold instantly. The man has layers and uncovering them was half the fun 😎

And Sophie! ugh, I loved her. She’s strong in that quiet, selfless way, always putting everyone else first and it made her feel so real and relatable. You can’t help but root for her, especially paired with someone like Kian. Their dynamic just works.💕

The plot, the writing, the spice, everything felt so signature Eva. It’s exactly what you go into her books hoping for and she delivered on all fronts. And of course, the cameos! Seeing some of our favorite characters pop up again felt so good and don’t even get me started on the little easter eggs for future books. I’m so excited!

Safe to say, I’m fully back in my Evaverse obsession era 🙃

Tropes: Age gap, mafia

[Melissa Machado · Rating 4 out of 5]

  ***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***


Under the Albanian Sun is a summer fling, touch her and die, Mafia romance. It’s book one in the new Under series. It can be read as a standalone, but because Eva’s Mafia worlds are interconnected, reading her other Mafia series definitely enhances understanding and enjoyment.

Kian is dominant and alpha, but he doesn’t flaunt it. His power shows up when it’s needed. We’ve seen him in other books as calculated, steady, and someone you absolutely want on your side. That’s why Mafia and billionaire connections seek him out for help, whether they need muscle or intel. He’s more of an anti-hero: yes, he’s Mafia, but he uses that status to do more good than harm and never abuses his power.

Sophie is independent, empathetic, stubborn, strong willed, and selfless. She often ends up in predicaments because she’s so deep in her own bubble. She’s a bit of an enigma, intelligent yet occasionally making choices that don’t quite match that intelligence.

The plot is thorough and entertaining, with steamy scenes, a touch of jealousy, violence, a woman on the run, a deranged stalker, and a happily ever after. It’s an easy read, slightly predictable at times, and it clearly sets the stage for Dr. Freud and Lykos to get their stories next.

[Adri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance under the Albanian Sun

The title is so utterly romantic I almost thought Im walking onto a set of Mama Mia BUT it's not that at all.
Under the Albanian Sun is a story of what happens when tragic events and self sacrifice leads you towards your real true path and Love.
It's a wonderful romance filled with want and need and enough spice to keep you blushing But it also leads with friendship, Family and Trust.

“His brow lifted a fraction. “Such as?” “I will not sleep with you.” The words came out steadier than I felt. “The kiss was just… a distraction.” “I can promise you that I won’t force you into my bed,” he said. “I’ll wait for you to come to me willingly.””

Kian has enough life experience to immediately know a good thing when it comes across his path and definitely knows himself well enough to not play games and go out and show her what he has to offer.
Mature and a DILF to  the T.
Sophie loves her family. She feels a deep sense of guilt over things that have happened. to them but an even deeper love to keep them all safe. She moves across countries before an encounter with a snake leads her to climb a certain Silverfox like a tree.

The chemistry between the two of them is OFF THE CHARTS.

It's a page turner of a Mafia Romance.

(The illustrations are beautiful inside of the Kindle e-book!)

[Sarah (eat_sleep_read21) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under the Albanian Sun by Eva Winners was absolutely phenomenal! I love Eva so much, and it brings me so much joy to be on her team and read for her. The #Evaverse is wild and so big, but I think it's one of the best things to exist. I adore these characters, and they will live on forever in my head. I love it and them. I am super excited for the upcoming Under series. I can't wait to see who these characters will be. I am also super curious about the Black Oil syndicate... can we please get a series about them?! I love cowboys. Phenomenal job, Eva, and congratulations on your upcoming release!

Kian Cortes is the man for me. I have always been curious about Mr. Cortes, and he did not disappoint. I adore this man, and he is one big DILF... or is it GILF? Yes, please. Sophie Baldwin was precious. I adored her and loved her character. She was everything that Kian needed, and he was everything she needed. Eva somehow made me feel like I was in Albania, and now I really want to hit up a beautiful, sunny, blue place. I'm a little jealous, but I love the idea of exploring the world through these characters' eyes. It's so much fun. Thank you for this amazing read, and I can't wait for the next book!

Under the Albanian Sun by Eva Winners releases May 1st!

[Sharon in SF · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been looking forward to the story of the enigmatic Kian Cortes. As the head of the Albanian mafia and now the Cortes cartel, the strong but quiet underworld leader has been mentioned in other books by this author. In the onset of the story, the FMC, Dr. Sophie Baldwin is in love with Johnathan, who comes with a crazy ex-wife who behaves like she wants him back. The same ex-wife, Jacqueline, has it out for Sophie, threatens the safety of her family unless she leaves town. Sophie decides to take a sudden "sabbatical" to Europe to protect her family from Jacqueline, who has ties to a dangerous conglomerate. While vacationing, Sophie senses someone following her, unaware that her brother hired Kian's former security company to watch over her. She eventually finds her way into Albania and her "meet cute" with Kian adds a little humor to this story.
I went hot and cold on Sophie's character throughout this book. She's a fierce heroine that sometimes allowed her stubbornness to get in her way. For having a ruthless reputation amongst the underworld, I never really saw that edge to him. Once Sophie became aware of who Kian was, she seemed too ready to accept that side of him without question. He was also incredibly patient and indulging whenever she let loose with her angry feelings. I loved them as a couple since he was an overprotective teddy bear with her, but I miss the edginess that usually accompanies Eva Winners stories.

[Hanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book.
The powerful Kian Cortes is asked for a favor by his friend Kristoff.
To keep his cousin Sophie safe. Him being the head of the Albanian Mafia and the Cortes Cartel makes him the perfect man to make sure no harm comes to Sophie.
Sophie is being threatened and is made to leave the country.
She travels around the Balkans and finally settles in Alabania.
I laughed out loud at the way she meets Kian. It was cute and adorable.
I could feel the energy surrounding them. And the sizzling tension brewing.
I knew the building up that was going on between them would be sexy and hot when it happened.
The lust and passion they have for each other was sensual and intense.
I really like both characters.
Kian’s seriousness about keeping Sophie safe and his protectiveness of her all were swoon worthy.
His alpha energy wasn’t overwhelming but enough to be alluring and endearing.
Sophie is an absolute delight. She’s sweet and kind. A bit clumsy but so freaking cute.
Mix in her sassy and feistiness and I could not help but adore her.
Along with all the spice with them. There is the perfect blend of suspense and drama and a few twists and turns that keep the story exciting and entertaining.

[SherrecePQ Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

As soon as a trope mentions 'Age Gap' I will always read it!! And Kian is the perfect alpha, possessive age gap I too would climb.

Sophie is an OBGyn, and loves her career, but, her choice in taking her boyfriend back turns dangerous (and the twist at the end had me adding to the label I had in the beginning of a douche). After an accident, she is threatened and needs to leave to protect not only herself, but her family. Finding herself in Albania she 'meets' Kian, who has been keeping an eye on her anyway, but neither expect the attraction to each other. Now let's be clear, Sophie is no pushover, and she holds her own against Kian, but some of what she sees about whom he is, s confronting. These two are spicy as hell together and Kian will do ANYTHNG to rid Sophie of the threat, keep her safe and with him. If you love all the tropes I have briefly mentioned, this book is that read.

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in what is going to be a unforgettable and unputdownable new series by none other than the queen herself ( Eva Winners ) oh my gosh , I most definitely was not prepared for the emotional rollercoaster of a journey I was just taken on . Absolutely no sleep was had at all . Kian and Sophie / so freaking hot together- from the second they meet you can literally feel the steam and the sparks coming right off the pages . I loved how they were brought together, I adored the progression of their relationship and how it was filled with so many complexities and obstacles, add into that the slow burn , the intrigue and suspense, the darkness , the tension, the danger , the passion, the family and friendships, the moments that tug on all your heartstrings and have you reeling from so many different emotions . All I can say is perfection, just absolute perfection, that’s exactly what this story was and is .

[Tamara Acevedo · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️

Eva strikes again with the age inconsistencies.

I know it’s a running joke that Eva is not good at math since there’s so many books and characters at this point. Sophie was 34ish in Kristoff’s book and that took place 2 years before this one. She suddenly ages backward and is now 30. Her age doesn’t make sense either because she broke up with Jonathan when he cheated and got Jacqueline pregnant roughly 18 years ago. For being a doctor, Sophie wasn’t very bright. How did she think she could practice medicine in a foreign country not knowing the language or having a license.

On the plus side, we have an FMC who is not in her early 20s! It’s okay to have older FMCs! At least this age gap isn’t as creepy as some of the other ones. ( I’m looking at you Enrico and Manuel 😖)

The surprise twist was weak and not well done. Jonathan’s reasoning for faking his death made no sense. Overall, this didn’t feel like a Eva Winners book and ranks at the bottom for me.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wild ride! I have read other novels by this author and really enjoyed them. This novel did not disappoint. I was excited to jump into this novel and it did not let me down. From the first chapter this novel reached across the pages and grabbed my attention and held on tight until the very last page. I loved that I was able to check in with characters from some of her previous novels. I loved Sophie and Kian. I loved Sophie's character. She was such a great heroine. I loved Sophie and Kian together. Their chemistry was intense. I was on the edge of my seat reading this novel. Once I started reading I couldn't put this novel down. I loved watching them both lower their defenses and walls and open their hearts to each other and fall in love. So so good! What a wild ride! I can hardly wait to see what this author has coming next. Loved it!

[Brittany Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since Eva announced this book, I have been counting down the days till its release and it didn't disappointed. Sophie will be one of my favourite female characters that Eva has written, she felt complex and human so it was really easy to relate to her.
She was clumsy, funny, had no filter at times which same girl, a bit afraid but then also lacked survival instinct at times👀

Kian, or as he shall be known as DILF was everything I want in my morally grey book boyfriend who is a walking red flag.

The plot twist in this book was so good! I didn't see it coming. I adored all the characters and hope to see certain side characters get their own story in the future hopefully 🤞

I will say one thing I would have like to more of Kians family or see Sophie see his family but I think we might in the second gen.

[just one more page · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5⭐

I went into this really excited for Kian’s story, and while it didn’t completely blow me away, I still had a good time with it. The chemistry between Kian and Sophie is what kept me hooked—he’s that calm, controlled, protective type without being too over the top, and Sophie brings this intelligent, sweet, slightly chaotic energy that makes their dynamic fun to read. Their banter and build-up felt genuine, even if parts of the plot leaned a little predictable. I also loved the setting—it added that sense of escape and made the story feel more vibrant. I just wish some of the emotional moments and suspense had been pushed a bit further, because it had the potential to hit harder. Still, it’s an enjoyable, easy read with a nice balance of romance, tension, and a bit of spice.

Thank you Candi Kane PR for this ARC!

[Stacey Foss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read Kian story since his introduction in other books. This silver fox brings the heat. Sophie has had a rough time with her relationship. Her boyfriend seems more concerned about his ex then her and she has had enough until one tragic event changes everything. When threats against her family have her running. Sophie's brother calls on the help of Kian and he's security team to protect her while she travels. Sophie is sassy, caring, always wants to do what's right but finds herself in a whole new world when she meets Kian. These two are so different but complete each other in so many ways. The story is well written with action packed moments, twists, it's a slow burn but once it gets going it lights the pages up. Kian is protective and possessive but shows her a softer side. I devoured this story.I was given this book as an ARC for my honest review.