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Yadili series #1
Prince of Hearts
Duke’s life is about honour, loyalty, and respect for the business. Nothing else. Yet, one look at Carla across a crowded nightclub, and he breaks his own rules. One night with the seductive woman who calls to him like no other, and he wants to keep her.
But his troubled angel is a mafia princess who lives dangerously on the edge. She plays a desperate prank and sparks a cartel war.
Now, Duke is in a high-stakes battle to keep everything he loves. And he intends to win, come Hell or high water.
But his troubled angel is a mafia princess who lives dangerously on the edge. She plays a desperate prank and sparks a cartel war.
Now, Duke is in a high-stakes battle to keep everything he loves. And he intends to win, come Hell or high water.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 28, 2020
About the author
Kiru Taye
63 books342 followersAs a lover of romance novels, Kiru wanted to read stories about Africans falling in love. When she couldn’t find those books, she decided to write the stories she wanted to read.
Kiru writes sensual stories featuring African characters whether on the continent or in the Diaspora. When she's not writing you can find her either immersed in a good book or catching up with friends and family. She currently lives in the South of England with her husband and three children.
Kiru is a founding member of Romance Writers of West Africa. In 2011, her debut romance novella, His Treasure, won the Book of the Year at the Love Romances Café Awards. She is the 2015 Romance Writer of the Year at the Nigerian Writers Awards and 2017 Author of the Year at the Ufere Awards.
Kiru writes sensual stories featuring African characters whether on the continent or in the Diaspora. When she's not writing you can find her either immersed in a good book or catching up with friends and family. She currently lives in the South of England with her husband and three children.
Kiru is a founding member of Romance Writers of West Africa. In 2011, her debut romance novella, His Treasure, won the Book of the Year at the Love Romances Café Awards. She is the 2015 Romance Writer of the Year at the Nigerian Writers Awards and 2017 Author of the Year at the Ufere Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 3, 2021
3.5 Stars. I’m wowed by this in both good ways and not good ways. First of all, ultimately, I really enjoyed this African mafia-based dark romance. I’ve never read anything like this set in Africa (Nigeria, I believe, even though the actual locations are fictional, you can infer) and I loved it. I am not one for mafia romance or dark romance but this was REALLY well executed, if a little abrupt at the end and in getting the protagonists into the necessary situations within the book.
The premise is that Duke is a “good” crime boss in that he is the underhead of a mafia-style family committed to cleaning up their territory and protecting the people living there. Carla, is spoiled, partying daughter of a mafia boss of a nearby territory that is more or less the absolute opposite of Duke’s family. They’re into all the bad things. When Carla tricks Duke into hooking up with her, she starts bad blood between the families, putting Duke’s life on the line.
I like that this book “went THERE” with Carla’s character. She’s not a just partier with a heart of gold trying to get her father’s attention in the poor-little-rich-girl trope, she’s somewhat addicted to drugs to escape the emptiness she feels inside and her emotional turmoil and mental state isn’t automatically cured by love. I think there was a lot of action to this without it being super suspenseful- yet it was fast-paced and one to keep you turning the pages. This was definitely instalove to the max and I didn’t necessarily “buy” that the protagonists were going that hard for each other based on the circumstances but it was well-written enough that I was happy to go along with it. There were enough interesting supporting characters in this that I definitely want to continue the series and read their stories. If anything, I guess my criticism of this is that it wasn’t always very realistic how the characters got to certain points. There were so many moments that seemed irreconcilable especially for Duke being in a position where appearance was everything and especially given Carla’s mental state that didn’t really seem realistic to me in their reconciliation. However, I was willing to suspend my disbelief because this was very entertaining, very well-written and I was interested in both Duke and Carla as characters even if I didn’t necessarily like them. Probably my favourite book by this author I’ve read so far and I think I’m definitely going to be into this series. Recommend for all mafia romance lovers who are looking for something dark, but not too dark.
CWs: extreme (and gratuitous) violence, drug use, addiction, death of a parent, mental illness.
The premise is that Duke is a “good” crime boss in that he is the underhead of a mafia-style family committed to cleaning up their territory and protecting the people living there. Carla, is spoiled, partying daughter of a mafia boss of a nearby territory that is more or less the absolute opposite of Duke’s family. They’re into all the bad things. When Carla tricks Duke into hooking up with her, she starts bad blood between the families, putting Duke’s life on the line.
I like that this book “went THERE” with Carla’s character. She’s not a just partier with a heart of gold trying to get her father’s attention in the poor-little-rich-girl trope, she’s somewhat addicted to drugs to escape the emptiness she feels inside and her emotional turmoil and mental state isn’t automatically cured by love. I think there was a lot of action to this without it being super suspenseful- yet it was fast-paced and one to keep you turning the pages. This was definitely instalove to the max and I didn’t necessarily “buy” that the protagonists were going that hard for each other based on the circumstances but it was well-written enough that I was happy to go along with it. There were enough interesting supporting characters in this that I definitely want to continue the series and read their stories. If anything, I guess my criticism of this is that it wasn’t always very realistic how the characters got to certain points. There were so many moments that seemed irreconcilable especially for Duke being in a position where appearance was everything and especially given Carla’s mental state that didn’t really seem realistic to me in their reconciliation. However, I was willing to suspend my disbelief because this was very entertaining, very well-written and I was interested in both Duke and Carla as characters even if I didn’t necessarily like them. Probably my favourite book by this author I’ve read so far and I think I’m definitely going to be into this series. Recommend for all mafia romance lovers who are looking for something dark, but not too dark.
CWs: extreme (and gratuitous) violence, drug use, addiction, death of a parent, mental illness.
July 24, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great start to the series. Romantic suspense with loads of steamy scenes. Great read, hope the next book will be released soon.
Great start to the series. Romantic suspense with loads of steamy scenes. Great read, hope the next book will be released soon.
January 29, 2025
2.5 Stars
The concept of this book was good. An African Mobster story.
Duke was not the typical mobster. He was not so quick to kill, and he was fair. He was a likable character, albeit too soft when it came to the fmc.
Carla totally ruined the book for me. She was written as a contradiction. On the one hand she a virtual prisoner in her own home. On the other hand, she acted like a spoiled brat: partying, doing drugs, drinking to excess, and having sex indiscriminately. She was selfish. Who pouts about not having a big wedding when your father has a hit on your love interest. She was too quick to run to drug use when she was bored or stressed. Ugh!!
Definitely, not the story for me. Duke was whipped.
The concept of this book was good. An African Mobster story.
Duke was not the typical mobster. He was not so quick to kill, and he was fair. He was a likable character, albeit too soft when it came to the fmc.
Carla totally ruined the book for me. She was written as a contradiction. On the one hand she a virtual prisoner in her own home. On the other hand, she acted like a spoiled brat: partying, doing drugs, drinking to excess, and having sex indiscriminately. She was selfish. Who pouts about not having a big wedding when your father has a hit on your love interest. She was too quick to run to drug use when she was bored or stressed. Ugh!!
Definitely, not the story for me. Duke was whipped.
July 14, 2020
Another great read!
Like a!ways once I start reading Kiru Taye's books I can't out it down! Her books always have so much romance and passion. It's though I'm there in the most of it all. What a great story teller she is.
Like a!ways once I start reading Kiru Taye's books I can't out it down! Her books always have so much romance and passion. It's though I'm there in the most of it all. What a great story teller she is.
February 8, 2024
I have really enjoyed previous books by Kirk Taye, but this one was just okay to me. The story didn't flow well at times and seemed kind of choppy. The drama was there, but some events just seemed to come out of nowhere. I would have appreciated a few more transitions.
Did Not Finish
June 30, 2026DNF on page 108
I couldn't take one more word of this. The FMC has no self respect and the MMC is so in just with her that he won't hold her accountable. Just as a tried to close my one eye to that mess the FMC came in with the hypocrisy. Talking about he's different from her brother and father 'cause they are truly cruel, just admit you'll excuse all of his behavior because you think he's hot. This was an infuriating read for me I had to stop.
I couldn't take one more word of this. The FMC has no self respect and the MMC is so in just with her that he won't hold her accountable. Just as a tried to close my one eye to that mess the FMC came in with the hypocrisy. Talking about he's different from her brother and father 'cause they are truly cruel, just admit you'll excuse all of his behavior because you think he's hot. This was an infuriating read for me I had to stop.
February 20, 2026
Unexpectedly Good
Honestly, I was not prepared for how good this book is. I was drawn in by Mr. Dark, Dangerous, & Decadent, and stayed for the plot. This story feels well-rounded and captivating. Spicy, laced with action, characters that feel real, good storytelling.
Honestly, I was not prepared for how good this book is. I was drawn in by Mr. Dark, Dangerous, & Decadent, and stayed for the plot. This story feels well-rounded and captivating. Spicy, laced with action, characters that feel real, good storytelling.
January 5, 2024
Steamy, heartwarming, and a hero that makes you wish.
I loved the story, I loved the pace, and I loved the protagonists.
I loved the story, I loved the pace, and I loved the protagonists.
February 24, 2025
A bit convoluted but okay if you have to I guess. I’ll read anything African
May 9, 2026
3.5 stars
I really like messy fmc’s and Carla has some serious issues loool
I’ll need more of this genre for Kiru 🍽️
Butttttt…. It was genuinely going well, until he he made them whip her 🧍🏿♀️
I really like messy fmc’s and Carla has some serious issues loool
I’ll need more of this genre for Kiru 🍽️
Butttttt…. It was genuinely going well, until he he made them whip her 🧍🏿♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2020
Flaming Desire
Both Duke and Carla desired each other when they first locked eyes in the club but Duke dismissed Carla until he thought that she needed to be saved. One night together was the started infernos inside Duke and Carla and also to outside forces unbeknownst to them. It was sad the reasons behind Duke's parents assassinations and who did the deeds. John Bull was a cruel father to Carla and put Marlon on a pedestal who decided to take matters into his own hands to come into power. I was hoping that the truth would come out on what happened to Carla's mom but it never did. Mason was a good best friend/brother to Duke. I'm excited to see where the series is going to go from here.
Both Duke and Carla desired each other when they first locked eyes in the club but Duke dismissed Carla until he thought that she needed to be saved. One night together was the started infernos inside Duke and Carla and also to outside forces unbeknownst to them. It was sad the reasons behind Duke's parents assassinations and who did the deeds. John Bull was a cruel father to Carla and put Marlon on a pedestal who decided to take matters into his own hands to come into power. I was hoping that the truth would come out on what happened to Carla's mom but it never did. Mason was a good best friend/brother to Duke. I'm excited to see where the series is going to go from here.
July 15, 2020
REVIEW:
I have to say that Duke & Carla didn’t go looking for love, but with one look from across the room at the club house is just what happen. Duke is all about loyalty, honest and when he and Carla get together, he realizes who he has falling in love with A mafia princess. Now Carla is trouble and spoil which is not a good combination.
This book has you all in your feeling. The way Duke parents were assassination and the person behind the killing. With a father like John Bull no wonder Carla turn out the way she did and needing saving something Duke saw. I love book with action and this one did disappointed.
This Is my first time reading this author and I have to say it won’t be my last.
Smooches
LL Brown
I have to say that Duke & Carla didn’t go looking for love, but with one look from across the room at the club house is just what happen. Duke is all about loyalty, honest and when he and Carla get together, he realizes who he has falling in love with A mafia princess. Now Carla is trouble and spoil which is not a good combination.
This book has you all in your feeling. The way Duke parents were assassination and the person behind the killing. With a father like John Bull no wonder Carla turn out the way she did and needing saving something Duke saw. I love book with action and this one did disappointed.
This Is my first time reading this author and I have to say it won’t be my last.
Smooches
LL Brown
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October 16, 2023Prince Of Hearts
Prince of Hearts was a good read. The characters were interesting (Duke/Carla). I'm not going to lie at times Carol's character got on my nerves with her ways. But I enjoyed reading the book. It was entertaining, steamy with suspense.
Prince of Hearts was a good read. The characters were interesting (Duke/Carla). I'm not going to lie at times Carol's character got on my nerves with her ways. But I enjoyed reading the book. It was entertaining, steamy with suspense.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews