Diary of a Mafia Princess

Saint View Blood & Ink #1

by Elle Thorpe

In an arranged marriage meant to unite our families, my father promised me to a Mafia monster.

But there are two problems.

The baby growing inside me doesn’t belong to my future husband.

And Carlos Guerra was promised an untouched bride.

Now I’m trapped inside his mansion with a secret to keep and surrounded by violent men I’m forbidden to want.

Luca Guerra, the Mafia prince of Saint View and Carlos’s only son. He’s infuriating, filthy-mouthed, and impossible to escape. We flirt as much as we fight, but he’ll expose my secrets if I let him in.

Lynx, an ex-con with blood on his hands and darkness in his head. He’s supposed to be my new bodyguard, on loan from the local motorcycle club. But every sweet glance lingers too long, and every touch feels like a very bad idea, when what I need most is a friend.

And Dax? He’s the tattoo artist I left behind. A street fighter who stole my heart before my family dragged me home in chains. And my baby’s father.

The deeper I’m dragged into the Guerra empire, the clearer one thing becomes.

This marriage isn’t about peace.

It’s about power.

Somewhere in the shadows, someone is willing to kill for it.

And we’re his next target.

Diary of a Mafia Princess is an adult, why choose romance, meaning the main character has more than one love interest. There is also a male/male storyline within the group. This book contains romantic suspense and triggering themes. It is the first book in an ongoing trilogy.

Genres: Audiobook, Dark Romance, Why Choose, Enemies To Lovers, Forced Proximity, Mafia Romance, M M Romance

380 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 15, 2026

About the author

USA Today Bestselling author Elle Thorpe is the author of over thirty romance titles, including Amazon top ten books, Start a War and Locked Up Liars. She is best known for her dark reverse harems, and sexy small town romances.

When she's not writing, she's probably out on her family's alpaca farm in rural Australia.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ellethorpebooks
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ellethorpebooks
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellethorpebooks

Reviews

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mama, I’m coming home. Back to Saint View where i belong.

I love love love Luca’s redemption story. He’s such a broken boy, just trying to protect his baby sister. Just when i thought there wouldn’t be a villain worse than Caleb (fucking Caleb 😒) Carlos Guerra waltzes in & says hold my beer. Lynx just wants to chill after getting out of prison & who’s he end up tangled with? The freaking Guerras. But watching him protect Nyah is giving me life.

Elle Thorpe is the queen of cliffhangers & im so excited for the next book because what was that ending?! I’ll be thinking about them until i get the next books in my hand.

As always, Elle killed it & im so grateful to be back in this world. 🖤

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒏𝒐 𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒂 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒔𝒐 𝒃𝒂𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏'𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆."
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒂 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒖𝒔.
"𝑩𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆, 𝑵𝒚𝒂𝒉."
𝑨𝒊𝒓 𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒔 𝒇𝒂𝒔𝒕. 𝑰 𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒅.
"𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍."

Oh. My. God. Another AMAZING Saint View story! I don’t have enough words to explain how happy I am to be back in Saint View and with Nyah’s story no less!! This book was delicious to read! Luca’s redemption after everything he’s done, Lynx falling headfirst into a situation he never expected, especially after getting out of prison, Dax’s path to misery after she left, and Nyah… oh Nyah, my heart breaks for her. What a freaking situation she’s in, a mafia princess being used to unite families by being promised to a mafia monster by her own father.
And that cliffhanger!!! As expected, Elle outdid herself and definitely broke us with that ending. I will be counting down the days for book 2!
Diary of a Mafia Princess was the perfect start to the Blood and Ink series!!!

- MMFM
- Dark Mafia Romance
- Why Choose
- MMCs: Bodyguard x Mafia prince x tattoo artist/fighter
- Secret Pregnancy
- Arranged Marriage
- Forced proximity
- Murder Suspense

[Jacklyn B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book in audio!!! Nyah, Dax, Luca and Lynx were truly brought to life. We start out with Nyah in a bit of a heartbreaking situation - she’s about to be in an arranged marriage…

Yes this book is dark but the humor and tension and banter is so good too! I was laughing and blushing and on the edge of my seat. This book also has some really emotional moments and our 4 MCs appear to not have much in common but we start to find more connections than I expected.

Andi did a fantastic job as Nyah - she really brought out her strength and fierceness and also her vulnerability. Lynx is so funny but there is more simmering under the surface. Dax is heartbroken and angry and holding on by a thread. And Luca…sigh - I had opinions about him going into this book, and no spoilers - but there is so much more to his story!!!

The chapter titles: Chef’s Kiss 💋

And THAT ENDING 👀

✨ What To Expect:
💀 Romantic Suspense
🥀 Mafia Romance
🖤 Dark Romance
🔥 Why Choose
💍 Arranged Marriage
🛡️ Bodyguard
🤰 She’s Pregnant
🩶 Morally Gray MMCs
🥊 Street Fighter / Tattoo Artist MMC
❤️‍🔥 Enemies to Lovers (maybe??) vibes

[Laurel Ullman-bockert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh what a tangled web we weave. This was messy as all get out and I cannot wait for the next one to come out.

[Sentranced Jem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her books are so addictive

[Bree · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Fun times

4.25 stars 2.5 spice

This is a great start to the new series. I love that you get all the MC interacting right away and not just a couple. The banter between Luca and Nyah is great. The tension between Luca and Lynx is perfect. The yearning between Nyah and Dax is unmatched. I did not see some of this coming and of course the cliffhanger… but I can’t wait to see where this goes

[AshleyReadsThings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started realizing how many pages were left, and the end was not coming to a conclusion. That's when I realized this is a series, and I need to know what happens next.

This was such a whirlwind. And I can't believe I have to wait to see what happens next. It's so wildly addictive. It's dark; it's emotional. The early introductions of these characters before Luca finds her naked in his bed I thought it was going to be a double love story BUT oh no this is very she has feelings for three guys and they have feelings for her and two of the guys have feelings for each other. And also she's essentially being sold off to one of the guys' father. And the father is an absolutely horrendous man.

If you are looking for a very bingeable, get-you-out-of-your-reading-slump type book; this is an excellant choice.

[Jennifer Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, Elle hit another one out of the ballpark. We've already met all of these characters before, and seeing them come together has been a fantastic ride. The chemistry between Lynx and Luca is off the chart - and of course Nyah and Dax... the perfect match.
The danger in this one kept me on the edge of my seat, and of course wanting to know if Luca will cave in and take what he wants, or if he'll be the man his father wants him to be (spoiler - his dad is a prick).
Though this one had very little "Saint View" in it, it was still amazing and Im ready for the next one.

[Naiomi Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!, how do these men keep getting better and better with each book. Listening to this book just upped the level from reading it as well.

Accidental pregnancy, Psycho MMC, why choose, Arranged Marriage, Murder Mystery and that cliffhanger, I'm just glad I don't have to wait too long for book 2.

The Narrators Grayson Owens, Stephen Dexter, Ryan Stone and Andi Elosie have done an amazing job and I can't wait to hear more from them.

[My Latest Escape · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did not fit the normal narrative I have found in the other Saint View books and showed how much Elle has grown as an author too. We still had mentions of all the characters we know but this story is being told in a fresh way. I did not see the end of this first book coming and am looking forward to book 2. I have no idea how they are going to work themselves out of this mess!

[Liz (LoverOfBooks80) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping and addictive

Every chance I had I was reading and struggled putting it down.

I love the bond Nyah and Lynx built. The banter with Luca, the tension between them - super hot. And the love with Dax, the passion between them. And Lynx and Luca - page melting.

Oh the cliff hanger you left us on Elle… I just can’t wait for the next book.

[Jessica Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars!!

Elle hooked me in right from the start! The humour, tension and banter are top tier! I am addicted to the Saint View World and I love how in previous trilogy’s and books Elle can make you absolutely hate characters just to turn around and then make you fall in love with them!

I listened to the audiobook and the narrators have done such an amazing job at brining the characters to life!!

The cliffhanger! Omg I am on the edge of my seat for the next book!!

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75⭐️

[Melloney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This SO MESSYYYYYY

6 🌟 audio

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

So twistedly brilliant!! One Mafia arranged marriage between Nyah & Mob Boss - Carlos drops Nyah in the middle of not only temptation but maybe her downfall too. With Carlos' hot son - Luca, One biker Ex - Dax and One biker bodyguard - Lynx that are all circling her bringing all sorts of steam. Can I just praise the book gods for the off the charts heat that Lynx and Luca brought. My god these two could crash the power grid with all of the heat these two were making in this book, lol. So flaming good!

This book definitely drew me in and kept me on my toes all the way through reading it. Just wow that jaw droppingly cliff-hanger ending completely threw me. It was a cracking start to this series. Loved It.

Oh and the bonus read at the end was a great addition to this book.

[Danique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still good my fave universe ever
Miss me a psychopath tho

[nerdygirlmeetsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This…on Audio!! 🤤 those narrators all have deep voices that hit just right!

Man, how I missed being in Saint View!!
And Lynx…he should be good friends with X.

Don’t love the pregnancy trope but I’m here for it if I get MMCs like Luca and Lynx!

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every book by Elle Thorpe alters my experience for reading. She does every book so well and this is no exception. Luca truly has his redemption arc so far I love him and never thought that would come out of me. Does end on a cliffhanger and I need more!

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elle, Elle, Elle....

Welcome back to Saint View! I've been super excited for this one since we found out Nyah and Dax were getting a story. Add to that Luca was getting his redemption! And Elle has not disappointed. I love how this go round we get our MM tension and experiences right off the get go, how all three of our guys are protective and willing to do whatever for Nyah. And poor Nyah, stuck in an impossible position. I normally don't have a favorite MMC from book one, but Lynx... oh Lynx. You can't help but fall for him from the beginning. I hope this poor man never has to experience grapes again! LOL I love seeing the change and self-reflection in Luca. Poor Dax, his hurt and heartbreak are all over the story and you just want to comfort him. The chemistry and pull between him and Nyah is off the charts, so good! Of course we get our villains, I don't know who to hate more Carlos or Enzo! The cliffhanger leaves us with typical Elle suspense; I NEED book 2 NOW! LOL

[Cahdii · Rating 4 out of 5]

🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
🎤 Duet narration by Andi Eloise, Grayson Owens, Stephen Dexter & Ryan Stone

Wow, that cliffhanger! Thank God the next book comes out in a little over a week. Even that wait is going to be torture.

This is my first book by this author and I had a good time. I know this is set in the same universe as her other series and it's advised that you read them in order (this is series 6 or 7, I think) but I didn't have any trouble following along.

I liked the pacing. It was fast enough to keep me engaged, while also allowing for time to develop the relationships between the characters. Although, I think to fully appreciate Nyah and Dax's relationship, I might have to go back and read the previous series. I like that this book isn't too heavy on violence and gore. Carlos the Mafia Don is definitely cruel and we see a taste of it, but it doesn't go into graphic details. This is definitely good for people who like to stay on the lighter side of dark romance. The writing also has a humorous undertone to it which I enjoyed. The epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter were particularly amusing.

The romance is a slow burn and only just starting to form in this book. By the end, the only defined relationship is the already existing one between Nyah and Dax, but we’re starting to see the beginnings of relationships between Nyah and Luca, Nyah and Lynx and Luca and Lynx. There isn’t a lot of spice in this book, which I appreciated, because it left more room on the page for relationships to develop. I love that they’re all very protective of her by the end, but the events leading up to the cliffhanger are certainly going to make the development of their relationship as a group interesting, to say the least.

The narrators were the main draw of this book for me. I won it in a giveaway. I've had this author on my TBR for a while and when I saw who narrated it, I had to enter. All the narrators - other than Ryan Stone, who is new to me - are narrators I enjoy and they really did this book justice.

Andi Eloise did a great job as the defiant, strong-willed mafia princess trying to survive in a world where women are treated as objects. Grayson Owens played the previously ruthless, repentant mafia prince who is trying to get out from under his father's shadow as well as atone for his past cruelties.

Stephen Dexter plays the part of Dax, Nyah's ex-boyfriend, the love of her life and father of her baby. when we meet him, he's in the middle of an underground fight, and throughout the book he shows an aggressive side that according to the characters who know him is out of character. I think Stephen Dexter was a great choice for this character because he has a voice that conveys a gentleness that seems to be Dax's core personality, but he will also get violent to protect his loved ones.

Ryan Stone plays Lynx, who I'm guessing first appears in the Saint View Prison series, his background is a little mysterious. He's been assigned to guard Nyah and pretty quickly forms a friendship with her, becoming her protector and confidant. Between him and Victoria the housekeeper, who turns out to be Dax's mum, it was nice to see that she had people looking out for her in this hostile place.

There are also light sound effects in this book. not full on dramatic music like with Graphic Audios, but light background sounds and effects like a knock on the door or background noise at a cage fight. I'm typically not a fan of sound effects in audiobooks but these ones were so low and infrequent that they didn't bother me at all.

My only issue with the narration is the Scottish accent given to MacGregor, the Scottish crime boss – who I think was voiced by Grayson Owens. It was not good at all. For the most part it sounded Irish and at one point there was a bit of Russian in there too. I cringed every time he spoke.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to continuing the series.

[Donna Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Rose Amongst Multiple Thorns 🥀
******************************
Tropes & Themes: Mafia, dark romance, why choose/reverse harem, arranged marriage, surprise pregnancy, psycho heroes
******************************
Triggers & Content Warnings: Graphic violence, torture, graphic sex, multiple partners, homophobia, slut shaming, public humiliation, forced marriage, familial abuse & threats, frequent talk of pregnancy, huge cliffhanger
******************************
Synopsis: Book One of the Saint View Blood and Ink trio starts to tell the story of Nyah, Dax, Lynx, and Luca; all characters we met before in the previous Saint View trio, Murder Squad.

In an arranged marriage meant to unite their families, Nyah Matish’s father promised her to a Mafia monster.

But there are two problems.

The baby growing inside her doesn’t belong to her future husband.

And Carlos Guerra was promised an untouched bride.

Now she’s trapped inside Guerra’s mansion with a secret to keep and surrounded by violent men she is forbidden to want.

Luca Guerra, the Mafia prince of Saint View and Carlos’s only son. He’s infuriating, filthy-mouthed, and impossible to escape.

Lynx, an ex-con with blood on his hands and darkness in his head. He’s supposed to be Nyah’s new bodyguard, on loan from the local motorcycle club.

And Dax? He’s the tattoo artist Nyah left behind. A street fighter who stole her heart before her family dragged her home in chains. And the baby’s father.

The marriage isn’t about peace. It’s about power. Somewhere in the shadows, someone is willing to kill for it. And they’re his next target.
******************************
Quote: “ She had a fiancé. She had a baby daddy. And she needed to sleep with her future stepson.
She did not need a bodyguard with a crush. “
******************************
My ARC & ALC Review:

Dear Diary,

I was gifted an ARC and an ALC of this upcoming release in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed Book 1 of the Saint View Blood & Ink trilogy. Elle Thorpe is a masterful storyteller, and the world of Saint View and Providence continues to expand brilliantly.

I was particularly impressed by the dual character arcs, both delivered early in the book. Lynx’s development was a fantastic continuation from Murder Squad, but the standout was Luca Guerra's transformation. I went from completely disliking him due to his past to being entirely invested in his character by the 15% mark.

The narrative offers a perfect combination of believable, lovable characters and enough action to keep any reader engaged. The story kept me completely invested—from laughing and crying to the intense romance scenes and high-stakes tension—and it ends on an explosive cliffhanger. I am already looking forward to next month's release of Diary of a Biker Queen.

Regarding the ALC, listening while reading truly elevated the experience. The duet, multicast narration starring Andi Eloise as Nyah, Greyson Owens as Luca, Ryan Stone as Lynx, and Stephen Dexter as Dax was incredibly immersive. Their voices fit the characters perfectly, and I highly recommend the audiobook.

Additionally, the three-chapter bonus novella, Murder & Ménage, was a fun, humorous, and exciting return to the lives of Violet, Levi, Whip, and X. It is a fantastic incentive for anyone pre-ordering the book.

Elle Thorpe has once again delivered her trademark drama, comedy, and suspense. I will be posting my review online to encourage readers to pre-order their copies.
******************************
Ratings:

Movie: NC17 🍿
Overall: 5/5 ⭐️
Romance: 4/5 ❤️
Violence: 3/5 💀
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Covers: Model 4/5, Discreet 5/5 🎨
******************************
417 pages to read, 9 hours & 52 minutes to listen, August 15, 2026 release date

[Katt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Official Blurb, Troupes & Triggers! Followed by my review.

********************
Troupes & Themes: Mafia, dark romance, why choose/reverse haram with MM, arranged marriage, surprise pregnancy.
*******************
Triggers & Content warnings: graphic violence, torture, graphic sex scenes, minor sexual assault of the FMC, humiliation and slut shaming, homophobia, familial abuse, talks of pregnancy and the book ends on a cliff hanger!
*********************
In an arranged marriage meant to unite our families, my father promised me to a Mafia monster.

But there are two problems.

The baby growing inside me doesn't belong to my future husband.

And Carlos Guerra was promised an untouched bride.

Now I'm trapped inside his mansion with a secret to keep and surrounded by violent men I'm forbidden to want.

Luca Guerra, the Mafia prince of Saint View and Carlos's only son. He's infuriating, filthy-mouthed, and impossible to escape. We flirt as much as we fight, but he'll expose my secrets if I let him in.

Lynx, an ex-con with blood on his hands and darkness in his head. He's supposed to be my new bodyguard, on loan from the local motorcycle club. But every sweet glance lingers too long, and every touch feels like a very bad idea, when what I need most is a friend.

And Dax? He's the tattoo artist I left behind. A street fighter who stole my heart before my family dragged me home in chains. And my baby's father.

The deeper I'm dragged into the Guerra empire, the clearer one thing becomes.

This marriage isn't about peace.

It's about power.

Somewhere in the shadows, someone is willing to kill for it.

And we're his next target.

Diary of a Mafia Princess is an adult, why choose romance, meaning the main character has more than one love interest. There is also a male/male storyline within the group. This book contains romantic suspense and triggering themes. It is the first book in an ongoing trilogy.

**********************************************************
My review from an avid Advance copy reader!

Please check the trigger/content warnings for this series.

Coming back into the world of Saint View is always a pleasure with Elle, these characters have already been introduced to us in the last series as a lead up to this series of course.

This book pulls you right in from the very start and it was thoroughly enjoyable! Bringing the multiple characters out not only one at a time but introducing their different relationships from the beginning was a fantastic part of the plot I wasn’t expecting! The growth of each individual and then all the men with not only Nyah but each other was fantastic, not to mention the MM starting out hot from the start!

There are some heavy topics in this book but I felt they were brought about in a way that worked for the story. I feel in love with all the characters, absolutely hate the villains and was fully invested in the plot twists so far I wasn’t expecting. There was a fantastic amount of action and drama to keep you invested until the epic cliff hanger ending leaving you wondering how to go on until the next instalment. Which is thankfully only a month away!

Counting down the days for book 2, Diary of a Biker Queen in September. But I will have the Audio Advance copy to listen to in the meantime! Review to be updated for that!

[Tynga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this one knowing exactly what Elle Thorpe does with a why-choose setup, and she still blindsided me. This isn't a slow burn. It's a controlled demolition with four people standing inside the building.

A quick note before I dive in: although this is the first book in a new trilogy, I'd strongly recommend reading at least the Saint View Murder Squad series first. That's where we meet Nyah, Dax, and Lynx, and knowing their history gives this book so much more weight. You can read it standalone, but you'd be robbing yourself.

Nyah is the best kind of heroine — the kind who walks into the worst situation of her life and never once stops being herself. She's sarcastic, she's stubborn, she's terrified, and she refuses to let any of those things cancel each other out. She'll banter with a man who just threatened her life and cry about it twenty minutes later, and neither moment is less real than the other. She's fierce and she's fragile, and the book never asks you to pick one.

The men. God, the men. Each one earns his place differently, which is what separates a good why-choose from a mediocre one. One of them has loved her the longest and most openly and is losing his mind watching her slip further from reach. One of them has positioned himself as her protector without ever being asked, sees everything, says almost nothing, and is quietly the most competent person in every room. And the third? The third shouldn't work — arrogant, antagonistic, sharp-tongued — except Elle Thorpe peels him back layer by layer until you realize the man you're looking at isn't the one you met. All three of them are circling each other and circling her, building something enormous without ever sitting down and naming it. That tension — the unsaid, the unfinished, the almost — is the engine of this book, and it runs hot.

The diary format is a small detail that punches above its weight. Each chapter opens with a brief, italicized entry in character's voice that's equal parts devastating and hilarious — the kind of dark humor you develop when laughing is the only alternative to screaming. It sets the tone perfectly.

The villain is genuinely terrifying. Not cartoonish, not loud. Methodical, possessive, and utterly convinced of his own fairness, which makes every scene with him feel like standing on a trapdoor. The danger in this book isn't abstract — it's specific, and it escalates in ways I didn't see coming.

And listen — I don't typically enjoy pregnancy tropes. They're usually not my thing. But Elle Thorpe has a way of making me enjoy any trope she touches, and she handles this one with the kind of tension and stakes that make it feel essential to the story rather than incidental.

And that ending. I'm not going to tell you what happens. I'm going to tell you that I stopped breathing, that every thread Elle Thorpe carefully wove through the book detonates at the same moment, and that the words "The end… for now" have never felt more like a threat and a promise simultaneously.
I need book two and I need it now.

⭐ 4.5/5

Tropes: why-choose · mafia / dark romance · forced marriage · forbidden love · ex-lover · bodyguard · secret pregnancy · MM · banter · morally grey MMCs · forced proximity · protector dynamics · cliffhanger ending

[WonderWomanNZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0
Short review
Saint View girlies, we are so back.
Diary of a Mafia Princess had me laughing, gasping, swooning, and occasionally questioning my own sanity.

The narrators? Perfect.
The Dear diary chapter intros? Iconic behaviour.
The humour? Elle really said “you’re welcome”.

Lynx and Luca’s tension is elite.
The spice? Loved it.
The characters I hated? I hate them even more now.
The redemption arc? Oh it is coming, I can feel it in my bones.

I even laughed at the cliffhanger. I should not have. But here we are.

Less mystery than Murder Squad, but the vibes, the romance, and the chaos are top tier.
Saint View owns me. Again.

Longer review
I received an ALC copy of Diary of a Mafia Princess, so I want to thank Elle Thorpe for the opportunity. As always, this review is entirely my own thoughts, in my own words, and in my own opinion.

Coming back into the Saint View world feels like slipping into something familiar that I bloody love. This book drops us straight back into the aftermath of the previous series, right where things left off with Nyla leaving Dax, and the transition feels seamless.

The audiobook is multi narrated, and the narrators were perfect for the characters. Elle does a brilliant job choosing voices that match the tone and personality of her cast. Early on, there are noticeable sound effects. For me, they were distracting at first, even though they add a kind of audio graphic feel. Thankfully, as the story goes on, those effects ease off. They do not disappear completely, but they become occasional rather than constant.

One thing we have learned about Elle’s writing is that she loves a redemption arc. Characters we once hated often become the ones we fall hardest for, and I have a feeling this series is setting up another one of those journeys. At the same time, there are also characters from previous series that we hated and continue to hate even more, and Elle leans into that just as effectively.

I loved how each chapter opened with Dear diary and a little line about what the chapter was going to be about. It added personality and charm, and it made the structure feel fun and intentional.

The romance in this book is a standout. The tension between Lynx and Luca is strong from the start, and the slow build between them is genuinely enjoyable. Their banter adds spark and warmth, giving the story a lighter edge even when the stakes rise. There is also some great humour throughout the book, and I absolutely love Elle’s sense of humour.

This story made me laugh out loud, it made me gasp, and yes, it even made me swoon. And I have to admit, I laughed at the cliffhanger. I also laughed at Augus McGregor.

Elle is the queen of cliffhangers, and the suspense toward the end absolutely delivers. Compared to the Murder Squad series, there is less mystery woven through this book. I noticed it, and I missed that element, especially since Murder Squad thrives on twists and reveals.

Even so, Diary of a Mafia Princess is a strong start to the Blood and Ink series. It has great character dynamics, addictive tension, humour, and that familiar Saint View energy that keeps you wanting more.

[Laramie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diary of a Mafia Princess is the first book in Elle Thorpe's newest Saint View trilogy, Blood and Ink. I read the book as well as listened to the Duet Narration Multicast audiobook, which is narrated by Grayson Owens, Stephen Dexter, Andi Eloise, and Ryan Stone. This series follows Nyah, a character that was first introduced in the previous trilogy, Saint View Murder Squad, and the 3 men who find themselves wanting her even though she should be off limits. Readers will know all 3 of her men from previous books in the Saint View world as well.

Nyah has been taken from her friends and forced to break the heart of the man she loves, by her father. She is forced into an arranged marriage to a much older man who happens to be the head of a rival mafia family and expects an innocent virgin bride. Unfortunately, Nyah is hiding a secret from her new fiance and everyone else in her life. While waiting for her forced nuptials, she unexpectedly finds herself drawn to 3 men that she knows she needs to stay away from... Luca, the infamous mafia prince who is being blackmailed into a life that he thought he had left behind, Dax, the tortured artist who fell hopelessly in love with Nyah when they both knew that she was living on borrowed time, and Lynx, the ex-con with a heart who has been assigned as Nyah's bodyguard. Nyah finds that she will do almost anything to keep her secret safe from the horrors that suddenly surround her, but how far will she go and what will she have to survive?

The audiobook was fantastic, and the narrators were able to channel each of their characters perfectly. The Duet style narration really helps to immerse the listener in the story, and even after reading it once, I found myself completely engrossed in listening to the story thanks to the skills of the narrators. I found myself especially impressed with Andi Eloise, who voiced not only Nyah, but the other women in the book. She was able to voice multiple characters as multiple stages of life and truly embodied the emotions that each was experiencing.

Anyone who is a fan of Elle Thorpe's Saint View world knows that her trilogies are very spicy, RH (MMFM), why choose, murder mysteries. Diary of a Mafia Princess is unlike anything that I've read by this author, and I found myself sucked into the story more and more with each twist that was revealed. I have been hoping for a redemption for Luca since the ending of Saint View Slayers vs. Sinners, and am really looking forward to seeing where this series goes. The story if the first of a trilogy, and does end in a cliffhanger, so readers should be aware of this.

Diary of a Mafia Princess contains adult themes and situation that some readers might find triggering, including kidnapping, unwanted sexual contact, violence, discussion of forced marriage, murder, and others. It is a book meant for mature audiences only, and readers should be 18+. Readers should see the authors site for a full list of triggers and warnings.

I received both an ARC and ALC of this book from the author, Elle Thorpe, as thanks for being a member of her Street Team on Facebook.

[Julia Spaller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay… I don’t even know where to start with Diary of a Mafia Princess because Elle Thorpe has officially left me in another book hangover. 😂🖤

This book had EVERYTHING I love—angst, heartbreak, danger, drama, obsession, and enough twists to keep me completely glued to the page. I was so invested that I literally had to put the book down at one point and walk away for a minute because I needed to recover. 😂 Of course, I ended up falling asleep, woke up, and immediately picked it back up because apparently I have no self-control.

Let’s talk about Luca because I am VERY invested in his story.

I absolutely love the direction his character is taking. Luca is broken, complicated, and definitely not innocent. He has done some terrible things, but getting that first glimpse of what is underneath all of it made me realize there is so much more to him than we originally thought. And we all know Elle Thorpe loves a good redemption arc. I mean… Auggie! 😂 So I have a feeling Luca may become another one of those characters we once hated and somehow end up loving way too much.

Then Carlos Guerra shows up and proves that apparently Caleb wasn’t enough. 😒🤣 I didn’t think we could get a villain I hated more, but here we are. Carlos can absolutely go glug glug glug. 😂

Lynx was another character who completely caught my attention. This man gets out of prison wanting to chill, and somehow ends up tangled up with the Guerras. 😂 He is such a wildcard, and I honestly have no idea what he is capable of yet. Watching him protect Nyah and seeing his relationship with Luca develop has me VERY curious about where his story is going.

And Nyah… my heart hurts for this woman. 🥺 She never asked for any of this. She’s been thrown into a situation where her own family is willing to sacrifice her to cover their debts, and she’s doing whatever she can to survive. Somehow, these men could end up being both the worst thing that ever happened to her and the people who save her.

And then there’s Dax. 🥺 Sweet, lovable Dax. He is risking everything just to feel something again, and I am already emotionally preparing myself for the inevitable heartbreak.

I also absolutely loved the “Dear Diary” at the beginning of each chapter. Those little moments were such a great addition and gave me life every single time.

And THAT ENDING.

Seriously…

WHAT. WAS. THAT?! 😭

Elle Thorpe has officially earned the title of Queen of Cliffhangers. 👑

We are only one book into this series, and I am already completely obsessed with Nyah, Lynx, Luca, and Dax. I have so many questions and absolutely no patience for the next book. 😂

As always, Elle delivered. I’m so freaking happy to be back in the Saint View world, and I already know I’m going to be thinking about these characters until the next book is in my hands.

Now excuse me while I go stare at the wall and try to recover from that ending. 😭🖤📚

[Nikki'J' · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little scared to read this book and it turns out with good reason. Holy hell Elle Thorpe didn’t hold back.

For me it felt like we jumped in half way through a story and I don’t mean that in a bad way. We know these characters and we know how they got in the situations they are in. However they don’t know each other or the life that landed them where they are right at his minute.

And don’t even get me started on the ending. For the love of everything Elle are you trying to kill us with anxiety.

I have been excited for this series since finishing Saint View Psychos and I wasn’t disappointed. Disturbed, anxious and a bundle of frustration sure but disappointed? No way!

Honestly, I’m feeling a little unhinged after this book. The angst, the heart ache and heartbreak. The danger, the desire, the drama. It all had me so on edge I had to put this book down and walk away for a while to recover.

We’re only into book one of this series and I’m so sucked into the story it’s going to take me a few days to come down from this book hangover. And let me tell you if you let me know you’ve read this book be prepared for me to word vomit all of my theories, concerns and thoughts about this book in your vicinity.

These characters are so easy to love. Even Luca Guerra who we know put Hayden through the wringer and has been a part of threats to our favourite MC also. When he ran with his baby sister though it was the first hint that there was more to Luca than we first thought. He’s not innocent by any means, but surviving his circumstance and being who he was raised isn’t a walk in the park.

Dax, oh loveable sweet Dax. Be prepared for a darker side of Dax. We saw him falling apart when he lost Nyah the first time but now he’s so broken that he’s risking everything to feel anything.

Lynx is a wild card. We don’t know him well. He was an unknown in the psychos series. We knew he and Levi were cell mates but when he got out we had no idea what he would become. He is nothing like I expected. He’s actually light and jovial while still holding an air of danger.

Nyah is the woman that brings them all together and could possibly be their destruction. Not that it’s any of her fault. Her family have forced her hand and are throwing her to the wolves. She’s doing everything to survive and the three men are likely to be as much of a downfall as her saviours.

What surprised me was we didn’t see as much of the MC as I expected. Lynx is a prospect after all and he and Levi are close fiends. Plus Levi and Dax work together. It seems the club is staying back a bit in this one but I have a feeling they’ll be pulled into the fray soon because these four are going end up in some serious trouble.

Be warned this is pretty intense in places and may not be for everyone so check your trigger warnings. But if you’re already a Saint View fan this is hitting plenty of Elle’s usual high points and then some. Enjoy.

Happy Reading.

[Katie Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are back in Saint View once again for a new trilogy and I am not complaining one bit.

This time round we are focusing on Dax, Nyah, Luca & Lynx. Elle did give us a bit of background on Dax and Nyah’s relationship in the previous trilogy. Dax is a tattoo artist who fell head over heels for Nyah who is a mafia princess who has to now return home to her family to marry. While Nyah may be leaving Dax behind she is taking a piece of Dax with her in the form of their baby, she previously thought that she lost the baby due to some early bleeding but she fortunately did not.

And whom is Nyah’s betrothed well Carlos Guerra who is the father of Luca Guerra, and yes it was quite nice to read Luca’s redemption arc here. He was a broken man who was willing to do everything to protect his sister even subjecting himself to his father’s orders once again. Luca and Nyah get off to a rocky start but there is a thin line as they say and it cannot be denied the attraction between the two even though it is strictly forbidden as she is to wed his father.

Finally we have Lynx and he would have been friends with Reaper (Levi) of the previous trilogy. He is also a part of the biker crew and is recently out of prison on parole. And you wonder well how does Lynx get mixed up into this chaotic group? Well the Clubs MC President War (and yes he also has his own trilogy) owed the Guerra family a favour and as such Lynx is sent to act as Nyah’s new bodyguard.

I think what makes this book different from the other books in Elle’s saint view trilogy’s is the MM relationship between Luca and Lynx takes a more centre. Normally a character in the relationship is slightly more closed off than the other but in this book Luca and Lynx cannot deny their attraction but they need to be discreet for now especially in the Guerra household.

While the other main focus on this book was definitely on Nyah and Dax, these two have been torn apart and Dax is desperately to get Nyah back by any means necessary even if it means entering in the snakes nest to ensure he can be close to her.

As we got to later in the book we started to see Nyah and Lynx’s relationship develop ever so slowly especially when it came to the safety of the baby. I cannot wait to see these two develop even more in the next book. The same can be said with Luca and Nyah, they crossed the forbidden line towards the end of this book prior to the chaos of the cliffhanger (and it’s an Elle Thorpe book so yes expect a cliffhanger) and I cannot wait to see this play out even further.

Thank you to the author who provided this e-arc for my honest thoughts 💭

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn it's good to be back in Saint View!! And oh my goodness this book is good!

The story starts essentially right as Reaper and Ruin (St View murder squad series) ends and I'd definitely recommend reading that series before starting Diary of a Mafia Princess (DoaMP) if you want to really understand the relationship between Nyah and Dax and their past.

I enjoyed Nyah in Saint View Murder Squad and I really loved getting to know her better. She reminds me of Rebel and I loved Rebel. Nyah is sweet but also fierce and strong and so very real in her reactions and actions. As usual, Elle Thorpe perfectly manages to write a strong, sassy, take-no-rubbish heroine without making her an over-the-top mean girl.

"I’ve become the emotional support animal in this house. But there’s no petting." This is THE best description of Lynx and his role in this crew. He's the "friend", the confident, the support and the pillar of strength and I am very much here for it! Because underneath that sweetness, that man is fire and dirt! The attraction between him and Nyah is hot. The attraction between him and Luca... Let's just say that Hawk and Hayden are getting a run for their money!

Talking about Luca... I'm sure I'm not the only one who's been waiting not so patiently for a redemption arc for that one after the little crumbs we've been getting over the past few series. Well, he is definitely getting it and it's awesome. He's honest, realistic, tortured but oh so deserving.

We're getting a new side of Dax in this book. Not the loving gentle artist, but the gritty, angry, fighting man underneath and, honestly, it suits him. It suits them. The way he loves Nyah... That's hot too.

Now, the end... Well, I mean, I knew the cliffhanger was coming. And it still kicked me right in the feelings. One month... One long month. I am sooo hopeful I know what's going on but the way Carlos is deranged... Well, it could go either way, right?!

I listened to the audiobook and the narrators did an absolutely amazing job! I'd heard some of their voices before but their performance on this series means their getting on my "narrators to follow" list. I was a bit concerned by the background noises at the start, I'm not a bit fan of graphic audio, but they disappeared pretty quickly and only came in when appropriate. I think. Honestly, I was so caught up in the story, I probably didn't hear them anymore!

Summary
Rating 4.5⭐
Spice 4🌶️
Narration 5🎧

[Talesa Hardaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Elle... you knew exactly how to get me to press play.

I literally hit play, pulled up the e-book and didn’t pause.

Back in the Saint View universe and already in trouble, exactly how I like it. I saw the words arranged marriage, Mafia, secret pregnancy, bodyguard, ex-con, tattoo artist and enemies who want everyone dead and apparently thought...

Yep. That sounds manageable.

Ooh la la la.

Elle Thorpe has this way of grabbing me by the collar and dragging me straight into the mess, and Diary of a Mafia Princess did it again. I felt like I was coming home to a crime scene I wanted to be part of.

Nyah’s world is a disaster zone in the most addictive way. She’s surrounded by three men who are all completely gone for her, but each one brings his own flavor of chaos.

Dax with his heart-first loyalty.
Luca with his filthy-mouthed Mafia prince energy.
And Lynx with that quiet, dangerous softness that sneaks up on you.
Besties... they are GONE for this woman.

And I ate it up.

This book is constant motion. The banter is great, especially between Nyah and Luca. There is never a dull moment. Not one. Something is always coming at you. Tension, spice, fear, love, danger. It hits fast and keeps coming.

And that is exactly what I wanted from this story.

The multi-cast duet narration was honestly such a win. Andi Eloise as Nyah, Stephen Dexter as Dax, Grayson Owens as Luca and Ryan Stone as Lynx each brought something completely different to their characters. Every voice felt distinct, and having the different POVs performed this way made the whole story feel incredibly immersive.

I wasn't just listening to four narrators.

I was in there with them.

And let's talk about that cliffhanger.

I’m not okay.

I’m staring at my wall like it’s going to give me answers.

I will never underestimate Elle Thorpe and you better not either.

So yeah... the countdown is officially on for the next installment because I am already feral waiting to see what happens next with Nyah, Dax, Luca and Lynx.

If you thrive on chaos, danger, morally gray men who refuse to stay in their lane and a why-choose romance that keeps throwing more trouble at you, this is exactly what you signed up for.

Elle Thorpe grabbed me by the collar, dropped into Providence and then left me hanging off a cliff.

Rude.

And I will absolutely be back for the next book.

Read it. Listen to it. Come scream with me afterward. 💜
-Naughty Book Nook