King: A Dark Mafia Arranged Marriage Romance

by Ivy Davis

164 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 17, 2026

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I give it 1.5 stars, rounded up, for the promising premise of an innocent being auctioned off by the mafia. Beyond that …I only finished it because it was a speedy read and because I was hoping it would improve enough for me to leave it a decent review.
The MFC is drawn as wildly over- timid one moment and ready to fight for herself the next. She keeps running away, consistently ending up in bad situations, but she keeps doing it. I’m overwhelmed by her bizarre thoughts and behaviors, as well as the MMC’s obsession with her, given her behavior, including her refusal to sleep with him for a good chunk of the book. Yes, she’s just 18, but even a teenage girl will have a clue having lived with her mafia member father.

[Blue]

Age gap w/ FMC only 18

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

This is the first book in what’s planned to be a six-book series, and I honestly think it has a lot of potential — but this installment felt very rushed.

The opening chapter immediately hooked me and set strong expectations. Unfortunately, after that initial pull, the pacing moved so quickly that there wasn’t much room for character growth or emotional development. Much of the story centers around Irina being a very sheltered, naïve mafia daughter with an awful father, while Nikolai is constantly trying (and failing) to keep her safe. Her repeated refusal to listen to him became frustrating rather than tension-building, and at times I wanted to reach through the page and shake her.

The ending takes a dramatic turn with Irina killing her father. While it comes somewhat out of left field, when you look back at how adamant she was throughout the book that Nikolai not be the one to kill him, it does feel inevitable in hindsight. I just wish the story had taken more time getting there. That moment could have carried a lot more emotional weight if the build-up had been slower and more intentional.

I would have loved for this book to be longer and to give Irina more time to mature and truly grow into the woman Nikolai is trying to help her become. The bones of a strong dark mafia romance are here — the protector dynamic, the arranged marriage, and the moral conflict — but everything happens so fast that it never fully gets to breathe.

That said, I do plan to continue with the series. There’s enough groundwork laid here that I’m hopeful future books will expand on the world, deepen the character development, and slow the pacing to let the story really shine.

Tropes & Themes:
🖤 Dark Mafia Romance
💍 Arranged Marriage
🔥 Enemies to Lovers
🛡️ Protective / Possessive MMC
🏠 Sheltered FMC
⚔️ Toxic Family Dynamics
💀 Violence & Moral Conflict

A decent start with strong potential, but I’m hoping the next books take more time to develop the characters and their growth.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dee]

You might want to make sure to double check that you are buckled up, dangerous men, alpha’s personified, possessive, oh, gorgeous, brooding all the makings of a story consisting with three D’s (dark, delicious, and dirty) 😊. There will be suspense, betrayal, death, darkness, secrets reveled, violence, hope, forgiveness, and maybe even love along the way. Irina has lived a sheltered life but that was all shattered by her father who snatched her in the middle of the night from her bed taken to an auction to the highest bidder to settle his debt something she never thought would happen to her, but his attempts were failed when the bratva stepped in claiming her for himself and just like that her life takes another direction belonging to a man older. Nikolai sexy as all get out Bratva isn’t a man you want to cross, he is dangerous, ruthless on a good day, deadly every day, the moment he saw the picture of prior to the auction he knew she wouldn’t be offered up to the highest bidder despite what her father tries to do and taking her now his goal is to get his girl to trust him. There is a pull there among the distrust, but she can’t afford to trust after what her father did to her, she isn’t sure if she is safe, forget fully sleeping now married to a stranger pretty much but will she give them a change, will he show her that he can protect her, will she give him a chance to show her there is more, and can she trust him to give her the happiness she seeks?

[Shelly Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had potential and failed. This will probably be the last from this author. I keep hoping a return to Bound by Hate where the characters were complexed and there was an intricate story line. The last two books have me wanting to throw my kindle.

The story started off ok. Irina is taken from her home by her father to be sold. She's extremely young so her attitude and action of going along with everything kind of makes sense. Even when she realizes she's being offered in place of his debts. Then it goes downhill fast. Nikolai buys her but either doesn't pay or makes sure her father doesn't get the money. Her father comes to collect Irina after not getting the money to supposedly do it all again. Irina constantly tries to escape but every time she ends up in worse circumstances and Nikolai never really addresses anything. He expects her to be kind to her father - this is the one area Irina actually shows emotion. Cardboard characters with no emotion, expecting a girl to be respectful to the person who sold her, the lack of actual thought, etc, I only gave this one a three because it was a bit better in the beginning than her last book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merilia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am usually okay with age gap romances, i am usually okay with books with plot points the way the synopsis was noted. I however did not like the age gap or story in this one. I do not like characters that are only 18 with much older characters especially when they are written as niave characters and their age is so poinent it makes they seem younger and just overall makes the book uncomfortable. The book overall ignoring the ages was not awful but was not very attention grabbing. It felt like the female main character was just making the same decision over and over again causing the issues throughout the book and did not make for a very interesting plot. The mmc does seem to care about the fmc but there is not much reason given for it other than he just wants her. I feel like there was not enough build up for the characters to make the reader connect with the story and that the fmc should have been older or it should be noted in the book description to let people know the age gap is with an 18 year old character.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mandy Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

​Ivy Davis has done it again in King: A Dark Mafia Arranged Marriage Romance.
​I finished this book in a single evening, captivated by a gripping plot that draws you in from the very first page. The story follows Irina, whose sheltered life is shattered when her father attempts to auction her off to settle his debts, only for Nikolai, a powerful Bratva figure, to step in and claim her. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, and the author does a fantastic job of exploring the tension between danger and developing trust.
​While the pacing slowed at times and the heroine occasionally felt a bit immature for her circumstances, the intense drama and well-defined secondary characters make this a highly entertaining start to the series. I am eager to see where the story leads in the next installment.
​Content Warning: This story contains themes of human trafficking, violence, and dark elements typical of the mafia romance genre.
​I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in an evening, just couldn't put it down. Irina never expected to be woken in the middle of the night by her dad. Then for him to take her to a old warehouse and sell her to the highest bidder. Now she belongs to a man older than her and someone she doesn't even know. Except for the fact that he is high up in the Bratva. Nikolai knew as soon as he saw her picture he had to have her. Except her dad decides to sell her. Not going to happen. When he wants something he gets it. Now he has to get her to trust him. This story just draws you in from the first page and just keeps you reading. Is Irina really safe with Nikolai. Will her father try to take her back. Just how far will Nikolai go to protect her. This is the first in this series and I can't wait to read Maksim's story.

[Phyllis Wolford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great start to a new series. The characters meet in an unexpected way, but are soon attracted to each other. Irina is a young gentle girl/woman, who has been raised by her father, but when he needs money he uses her and tries to sell her as property. Nikolai has been invested in Irina, since he saw her picture, when she is in danger, he will do what ever it takes to protect the one he is starting to care for.
Danger is always around and as Irina starts to grow into her own self-power and her feelings for Nikolai, she learns to also control her temper which she didnt’t realize she had. When the bad guys and danger keeps getting closer, she learns she does have what it takes to both protect herself and un alive someone .
Together they form an alliance that grows stronger just like their love.

[Alice Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, it was my first book by Ivy, but it will not be my last. I loved the story and the characters so much. While the FMC may have irritated me slightly, I completely get why she was the way she was.

The characters worked so well together, and I loved how patient Nik was with Irina. I'm envious of how fiercely he loved her, he knew what he wanted, and was willing to go to great lengths to get it, to get her. It's impossible to not fall in love with Nik, he's truly perfect in every way!!

I really hope Maksim's book is next!! I loved him so much, he's such a great character and I'd love to see more about him.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review

[Aleksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

King by Ivy Davis is dark, gripping, and impossible to put down. Irina’s world shatters when her father tries to sell her, and Nikolai—powerful, dangerous, and terrifyingly controlled—steps in to claim her instead. What follows is a tense, addictive dance between fear, protection, and slow-burn trust that had me glued to the pages.
Nikolai is every inch the ruthless Bratva king, yet his need to protect Irina adds surprising depth, while Irina’s journey from frightened pawn to stronger, more self-aware woman is deeply satisfying. The danger feels real, the chemistry crackles, and the emotional pull is intense. A fantastic start to the series and an easy one-sitting read—I’m already eager for the next book.

[Debdutch · Rating 4 out of 5]

“King: A Dark Mafia Arranged Marriage Romance” by Ivy Davis

-I received a free copy of this dark and addictive mafia romance and am voluntarily sharing my honest thoughts.

Sheltered Irina is thrown into a brutal world when her own father attempts to auction her off to settle his debts. Nikolai, a powerful and calculating Bratva leader, refuses to let that happen and claims her himself, setting the stage for a tense arranged marriage filled with danger and undeniable chemistry.

The push and pull between fear, control, and slowly built trust keeps the pages turning. Gritty, dramatic, and packed with emotional intensity, this gripping series starter leaves the reader eager to dive into the next brother’s story.

[Makayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about Nikoli and Irina. It has so much potential to be absolute Fire. But it misses the mark with pacing that was too fast and underdeveloped characters. And it breeds to be a full length novel, because I need to know more. Way more lol. I understand that this series will continue. But the length and world building needs to start in this one.
I do love how gentle and patient Nikoli was with Irina after her POS father sold her at an auction when she was 18 to pay his debts. Nikoli was that winning bid. Bound to make her his wife. Clearly Irina was but older with that. She wasn’t about to give in. These two really made the story. They were great characters. I do plan to read this series to see if things evolve as the story goes on. It was good for just starting.

[Kaylee Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Irina is woken in the middle of the night by her dad and forced out of the house. She has no idea what’s going on until her dad takes her to this run down place and forces her to go with a guy. She’s about to be auctioned off to be married to pay her dads bills. Nikolai is there to buy her because he wants her but always wants her dad under his thumb. I was so excited about this book and I felt like it fell a little short for me. I love an enemies to lovers and a mafia but Irina was just extremely naive to where you almost hate her and just want to smack some sense into her. It is a shorter book though so maybe that’s why they both just could have had more time and growth to make this a little better of a book. But all a in all still a good read.

[Maryjane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark mafia romance that checks all the boxes. Great read.

After Nikolai sees the picture of her that her father showed him when he wanted to sell her to the highest bidder to pay off his debts, he knew she was the one for him. He had to protect her from the others so he bought her for six million dollars. Nikolai character is awesome. He is tender, loving, protective and a totally dangerous alpha male. Her character is young and learning that some dangers around her are very real. Her father Ivan's character makes you want to kill him yourself, and it's only a book. This author drags you in with the way she writes. You actually feel the characters jump off the pages. I definitely need to read the next book. Five stars

[Amanda Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

King: A Dark Mafia Arranged Marrriage Romance is the first book in the King of the Mafia series. As an avid mafia romance reader; I have read and enjoyed many Ivy Davis book before; but this book wasn’t for me. Since this was a short read; I didn’t feel like characters or the plot were well developed. Though the spice between Irina and Nikolai was well written; they lacked an emotion connection which made it difficult to cheer for them. The plot felt disjoined which made it difficult for me to become fully immersed in this story. Also I wish there more of a mafia storyline. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cindy Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

King is the first story in the Kings of the Mafia series. It was a great way to begin a new series. The story was suspenseful.

Irina is a sheltered girl. Her father decides to sell her at an auction so he wakes her in the middle of the night. He is trying to pay his debts. She had no idea where she was being taken. Nikolai is a dangerous mafia leader and decides he wants her. He also wants to control her father.

Irina's and Nikolai's story is a well-written enemies to lovers story. I loved the chemistry between them. I look forward to more from this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irina had been sheltered by her father, but thats only helps in his endever to use her as repayments for his debts to Nikolai only he decides to get his money by auction her off, but Nikolai wont let that happen hes drawn to her at first sight only now he has to prove to Irina hes the man who can protect her, especially when her father tries to get her back. But can she trust him? Engaging story, a little slow at times, and Irena felt a bit to immature for her age. But a good start to the series

[Linda Fairburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irena's father sold her to pay of debts and is in a line up at 18 to be sold in an auction, terrified, hands tied and a cloth in her mouth.
What you get out of this story is that Nikolai a very dangerous bratva who bought her and wants her for his wife.
The patience this man has for his young wife, she doesn't trust him no matter how kind and thoughtful he gets.
There are so many twists and turns, danger everywhere and she's at times oblivious.
A great story that will keep you glued just see what happens next.

[Makeda Phoenix · Rating 2 out of 5]

The FMC was naive in a way that seemed unrealistic. A lot of the dialogue felt like run on sentences and incongruent with how people speak. Much of the writing was eyeroll inducing or spelled things out too much. There wasn't time for suspense to build, important plot points just suddenly happened. The FMC and MMC didn't feel like fleshed out characters, and their relationship felt hollow. Like they said dialogue and did things because it was written, but it didn't feel natural. It's a miss for me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mrs Reads Between The Lines · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the premise had potential, Irina and Nikolai lacked the emotional spark needed to make me truly root for them. Their relationship felt hollow, as if they were just following a script rather than acting on genuine chemistry.

Much of the dialogue felt unnatural, forced. On top of that, the Irina's naivety felt forced and unrealistic for the world she inhabits, making it hard to get fully immersed. The flat characters and clunky pacing made it a miss for me.

I received an advanced copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Debbie Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book had a good story line Irina was a sheltered young mafia girl whose father does the unthinkable and attempts to sells her at auction. She's strong and stubborn, everything she tries she ends up in worse circumstances. Our mafia hero Nikolai is intrigued by the young beauty. The trust is slow to build between them, the passion is tense, but is she really safe with Nikolia? Will she ever stop running and feel safe? I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dawn Bogart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy Davis does it again. We have the start of another dark mafia series starting off with the King. Nikolai a leader of the Bratva knows what he wants and knows how to be in charge. But he also has a soft spot for Irina a young and naive sheltered daughter of another Bratva member. He father does the unthinkable and Nikolai is there to save her.

This story is filled with immature and sheltered choices by Irina that cause so many problems. Nikolai just wants to protect her, but Irina doesn't know what is good for her.

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

He made a deal with her father to pay off his debts and marry her, her father did not like the terms so he tried to auction her off to the highest bidder. He was not going to let that happen and showed up to save her. She was not happy about it at first but soon realized that he was only one to keep her safe.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[GKP2460 · Rating 4 out of 5]

King is book 1 in the King Of The Mafia series and is Nik and Irina's story. It's a fast-paced story that has plenty of twists, turns, surprises and drama. Right from the beginning I couldn't stand her father! He's an opportunistic creep who's out for his own good. Irina is a bit naive but that could be simply her age. Nik is fantastic! I love these two together and they compliment each other beautifully. I completely enjoyed their journey and I'm excited for book 2 in this series.

[Gwen Smith-leak]

Nikolai saw a woman that he wanted when the father had debts debts he had her he had her auctioned off. Nikolai being the bravo man that he is decided she was meant for him so he offered some money but didn’t pay..This story is that about a man who wanted a woman who had to go out through a lot of trials and tribulations to keep her because people kept going after her, but finally things began to work out, so check it out and see what you think

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

She has trust issues thanks to her father who auctioned her off to the highest bidder to pay off his debts. Nikolai is captivated with her and gets the winning bid, and it starts them along their path. He is determined to get Irina to trust him, but she is putting up a fight but her will power fade giving them a chance to finally find happiness together. This story had me all caught up in the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kenzley Ricklefs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dad’s a savage, selling his daughter but he didn’t plan on Nikolai. And the power house of man that he is. The amount of trouble that follows the main female lead is annoying but I suppose when you are shelter all your life and 18 you find a lot of it. This was honestly not what I expected and I’m not sure how I feel about it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irina and Nikolai

A hot slow burn of a read! Nikolai saves Irina from her father and other men by stealing her away and marrying her, throwing Irina in more danger. Through the twists and turns of this book, Irina has killed twice to save herself, but learned that Nikolai would also kill to protect her. Can't wait to read the next book to find out what happens next, from Nikolai arranging a marriage between his friend and the leader of a rival Bratva.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dark and intense Mafia Romance has drama, danger, violence, defiance, realizations, and love. The MCs are defined, engaging, intelligent, have chemistry and steam. Secondary characters are also a good addition to the story. I liked this entertaining and enjoyable storyline.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.