King: A Dark Mafia Arranged Marriage Romance

by Ivy Davis

164 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 17, 2026

Reviews

[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.

[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.

[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

[K. Smock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine getting woken up by your father and taken to an auction, only to find out it is you being auctioned. This is the start of the book. Irina's father is passed that the man he arranged for her to marry won't pay his debts so he decides to make the money a different way. Little did he know that Lev, her intended found out and was the winning bidder. Lev knew the minute he saw her picture that she was the women for her. He needs he needs to overcome how they started but he is sure it will happen. Lots of twists and turns as well as kidnappings keep you reading until the end.

I voluntarily wrote this review from reading an advanced copy of this book.

[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.

[Tonya Lyons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the ARC! I really enjoyed this book. I think it was a little rushed and needed more character development. I can't wait to read the next one in the series when it comes out to see where that one takes it.