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Caprioni Queen #1
Glitter & Guns
What happens when a Daddy’s girl grows up to be crowned the first female underboss of the mafia?
What an excellent question, thank you so much for asking.
No seriously, I've been waiting twenty years to be able to answer this. Trust me, being hidden away in another country with a nanny, a groundskeeper, his son (my ex best friend), and the wicked witch of the west aka—my stepmother. I’m dying to spill the tea.
All my life I’ve been told there were big plans for me, that one day I would be called back home where I would take my place next to my father, Calmazio Caprioni—the king of the mafia. For the past twenty years I’ve been trained—more like tortured if you ask me. Educated by the best and kept in the loop of all things having to do with the Caprioni family business.
Now it’s my twenty-fifth birthday and it’s time for mama to come back home. Leaving behind my hobby as a thief of the rich and famous, I’m ready to storm the gates of the family castle, ruffle some feathers, and stab some haters. This boss-ass-beeyach isn’t taking crap from anyone, while looking damn good doing it. The world is changing and I wouldn’t want them to forget that this broad is now in charge, high heels and all.
Don’t like it?
Get a number and step in line, I’m sharpening my knives just for you.
What an excellent question, thank you so much for asking.
No seriously, I've been waiting twenty years to be able to answer this. Trust me, being hidden away in another country with a nanny, a groundskeeper, his son (my ex best friend), and the wicked witch of the west aka—my stepmother. I’m dying to spill the tea.
All my life I’ve been told there were big plans for me, that one day I would be called back home where I would take my place next to my father, Calmazio Caprioni—the king of the mafia. For the past twenty years I’ve been trained—more like tortured if you ask me. Educated by the best and kept in the loop of all things having to do with the Caprioni family business.
Now it’s my twenty-fifth birthday and it’s time for mama to come back home. Leaving behind my hobby as a thief of the rich and famous, I’m ready to storm the gates of the family castle, ruffle some feathers, and stab some haters. This boss-ass-beeyach isn’t taking crap from anyone, while looking damn good doing it. The world is changing and I wouldn’t want them to forget that this broad is now in charge, high heels and all.
Don’t like it?
Get a number and step in line, I’m sharpening my knives just for you.
381 pages, ebook
First published October 1, 2022
1008 people are currently reading
2202 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 338 reviews
February 10, 2025
Audio: 4 stars for both Heather Firth and Wen Ross
Book: 4 stars
Well this was a lovely surprise! Idk what about it worked for me other than it did and I am not questioning it.
This does have some MM action that actually happens early on as in I think either chapter 3 or 4! It is also Dom/sub dynamic but only confined to the bedroom not outside it. I will say that is the only full fledge sex scenes that happen are with Jace and Brax.
This does have low steam for an RH and I like that since you can now get a feel for all the characters before they go balls to the wall all the time! Haha
I am looking forward to seeing what Astin and her Lieutenants will get up to next!
Book: 4 stars
Well this was a lovely surprise! Idk what about it worked for me other than it did and I am not questioning it.
This does have some MM action that actually happens early on as in I think either chapter 3 or 4! It is also Dom/sub dynamic but only confined to the bedroom not outside it. I will say that is the only full fledge sex scenes that happen are with Jace and Brax.
This does have low steam for an RH and I like that since you can now get a feel for all the characters before they go balls to the wall all the time! Haha
I am looking forward to seeing what Astin and her Lieutenants will get up to next!
November 7, 2022
Mixed emotions
This is a hard book to rate. It was crazy gangsta, yet supper cheesy? I don't know how to feel about this read. I loved how crazy this H was. She was blood thirty and ruthless which I loved. But the guys? The cheesiness to them. The queen stuff. That was garbage. And every time I evil laughed at our girl, I would then take two steps back with eye rolling. I also don't know how i feel about our H and her dad. I know that's all she had. But that man was a p.o.s of epic proportions. There is no making him look like a loving father after everything we learn
This is a hard book to rate. It was crazy gangsta, yet supper cheesy? I don't know how to feel about this read. I loved how crazy this H was. She was blood thirty and ruthless which I loved. But the guys? The cheesiness to them. The queen stuff. That was garbage. And every time I evil laughed at our girl, I would then take two steps back with eye rolling. I also don't know how i feel about our H and her dad. I know that's all she had. But that man was a p.o.s of epic proportions. There is no making him look like a loving father after everything we learn
October 29, 2022
Oh my gosh! What an epic beginning to this series! I could not get enough of this incredible world that this author has created! Just from the first book, I can tell this is going to be one amazing series!
A kick butt heroine is always something I love in books, and Aston is one of the best I’ve read in a long while! Mafia princess? Take no s*** ? Gorgeous? Loves to dress girly while still being a bad boss chick? Yes! Yes! Yes! Give me more! I’m here for all of it!
I can’t wait to see what’s next, especially after the way, the book ended. Trust me, if everything I said above sounds like a book you would like to read, don’t think about it, just do it! Dive in headfirst, I GUARANTEE you will enjoy the ride!
A kick butt heroine is always something I love in books, and Aston is one of the best I’ve read in a long while! Mafia princess? Take no s*** ? Gorgeous? Loves to dress girly while still being a bad boss chick? Yes! Yes! Yes! Give me more! I’m here for all of it!
I can’t wait to see what’s next, especially after the way, the book ended. Trust me, if everything I said above sounds like a book you would like to read, don’t think about it, just do it! Dive in headfirst, I GUARANTEE you will enjoy the ride!
November 6, 2022
4 stars
November 14, 2023
4.7 stars.
Damn. So far this is exactly what I was hoping for.
I mean. The relationships aren’t what I want, yet, but there’s plenty of time to fix that.
Everything else is *chef’s kiss*
Can’t wait to see the destruction to come…
Damn. So far this is exactly what I was hoping for.
I mean. The relationships aren’t what I want, yet, but there’s plenty of time to fix that.
Everything else is *chef’s kiss*
Can’t wait to see the destruction to come…
September 1, 2024
Okay! I enjoyed this book a lot. It has engaging characters and an exciting plot that I want to read more.
Two tiny things are making me laugh, though;
No. 1—every outfit described was terrible! Maybe I didn’t see the author's vision, but they were tacky. Please, girl, back away from the platform wedges!
And, no.2 - the little graphic artwork at the start of each character's chapter was also not good! I can only assume they were found on clip art or something similar.
Two tiny things are making me laugh, though;
No. 1—every outfit described was terrible! Maybe I didn’t see the author's vision, but they were tacky. Please, girl, back away from the platform wedges!
And, no.2 - the little graphic artwork at the start of each character's chapter was also not good! I can only assume they were found on clip art or something similar.
October 29, 2022
All Hail The Queen
Elizabeth Knight is one of my favorite authors, I love how she brings a fierce woman to life, mostly she was doing this in a paranormal setting but she tried her hand at an MC series, which was fabulous, and now she's got Caprioni Queen, an organized crime (mafia) series and I can already tell the series is gonna be a hit, Glitter and Guns was outstanding.
Astin Caprioni is one of the most capable beings I have ever read. Not only does she have a high intellect, things ten steps of everyone else but she is quite deadly, she doesn't need a weapon, she is one. She is a strong capable female and she owns that, not changing for anyone's negative reasons but is very open-minded about things and I love all that about her. There is a darkness in Astin that would scare the Devil, all due to her training and being alone and I admire that for the most part, she's able to keep it at bay and have this light-hearted quality about her. With Astin, you get what you give.
I love these characters, the men are great, and not afraid of a woman being in charge. The security team is actually good at their jobs, there is this guy Boykov, who Astin nicknames Ralph (because Wreck-it-Ralph) I like his personality and he asked to be on Astin's guard because he wanted action, I think he bit off more than he can chew. Then there are Astin's two uncles who trained her, they absolutely adore her, and it is so sweet. As for Colmazio Caprioni he loves his daughter, believes in her, and gave her the family to lead but he's a parent and human and he messed up badly but he's working to correct that and did a good job playing matchmaker hand picking Astin's lieutenants.
All the guys are awed and a little afraid of Astin, they are most definitely attracted to her but Liz is making this one a slow burn so the steam is on simmer. There is Ryker the childhood best friend who's messed up, Braxton the playboy charmer who guards his heart, Atticus the (adorable) math genius who may have autism and is someone Astin really needs in her life, Luca the long-holler, he's committed, Gunner the perfectionist, and finally Jace the daddy dom who is emotionally insightful. I like all the guys and let's face it Astin will need more than a herd to keep up with her. It's a three-ring circus and I'm not sure if Astin is the ringleader or the owner but it's gonna be one heck of a show.
Liz has created a whole new country for this series, on a coast, with a fabulous backdrop with lush grand mansions, unique hotels that look like castles, mom-and-pop restaurants, and popular clubs. Then add in all the mafia details, the businesses, shady businessmen, corrupt politicians, greedy MCs, and more. The family drama was unreal, Colmazio messed up really bad, I felt so bad for Astin, she was blindsided. There were little fires everywhere with Astin rushing from one thing to the next, I loved seeing Astin taking control and figuring things out, putting the pieces together. Astin is kicking butt and taking names, girl is fierce.
What can I say? Glitter and Guns was a glorious dark read, Liz knows how to write organized crime. The story centering on a powerful female who owns her femininity and wields power with elegance while also being ruthless to those who deserve it was empowering especially in a male-dominated genre. So much happened at the end and I'm obsessed now. One thing for sure is that Astin Caprioni is just getting started. All hail the queen.
Elizabeth Knight is one of my favorite authors, I love how she brings a fierce woman to life, mostly she was doing this in a paranormal setting but she tried her hand at an MC series, which was fabulous, and now she's got Caprioni Queen, an organized crime (mafia) series and I can already tell the series is gonna be a hit, Glitter and Guns was outstanding.
Astin Caprioni is one of the most capable beings I have ever read. Not only does she have a high intellect, things ten steps of everyone else but she is quite deadly, she doesn't need a weapon, she is one. She is a strong capable female and she owns that, not changing for anyone's negative reasons but is very open-minded about things and I love all that about her. There is a darkness in Astin that would scare the Devil, all due to her training and being alone and I admire that for the most part, she's able to keep it at bay and have this light-hearted quality about her. With Astin, you get what you give.
I love these characters, the men are great, and not afraid of a woman being in charge. The security team is actually good at their jobs, there is this guy Boykov, who Astin nicknames Ralph (because Wreck-it-Ralph) I like his personality and he asked to be on Astin's guard because he wanted action, I think he bit off more than he can chew. Then there are Astin's two uncles who trained her, they absolutely adore her, and it is so sweet. As for Colmazio Caprioni he loves his daughter, believes in her, and gave her the family to lead but he's a parent and human and he messed up badly but he's working to correct that and did a good job playing matchmaker hand picking Astin's lieutenants.
All the guys are awed and a little afraid of Astin, they are most definitely attracted to her but Liz is making this one a slow burn so the steam is on simmer. There is Ryker the childhood best friend who's messed up, Braxton the playboy charmer who guards his heart, Atticus the (adorable) math genius who may have autism and is someone Astin really needs in her life, Luca the long-holler, he's committed, Gunner the perfectionist, and finally Jace the daddy dom who is emotionally insightful. I like all the guys and let's face it Astin will need more than a herd to keep up with her. It's a three-ring circus and I'm not sure if Astin is the ringleader or the owner but it's gonna be one heck of a show.
Liz has created a whole new country for this series, on a coast, with a fabulous backdrop with lush grand mansions, unique hotels that look like castles, mom-and-pop restaurants, and popular clubs. Then add in all the mafia details, the businesses, shady businessmen, corrupt politicians, greedy MCs, and more. The family drama was unreal, Colmazio messed up really bad, I felt so bad for Astin, she was blindsided. There were little fires everywhere with Astin rushing from one thing to the next, I loved seeing Astin taking control and figuring things out, putting the pieces together. Astin is kicking butt and taking names, girl is fierce.
What can I say? Glitter and Guns was a glorious dark read, Liz knows how to write organized crime. The story centering on a powerful female who owns her femininity and wields power with elegance while also being ruthless to those who deserve it was empowering especially in a male-dominated genre. So much happened at the end and I'm obsessed now. One thing for sure is that Astin Caprioni is just getting started. All hail the queen.
February 8, 2023
What a fantastic read! I don’t normally go for a mafia story, but I am very glad I did with this book. Astin is a charismatic woman entering into the male dominated mafia as her father’s chosen successor. Her lieutenants were hand chosen by her father to support her and be by her side. This book covers the first several days of Astin’s return from her isolation for safety and training purposes. She comes in guns blazing, no pun intended, and stirs up a hornet’s nest. The story is well crafted and I became invested in what was happening. The ending was unexpected and left me dying for the next book.
October 30, 2022
Astin is a badass, no doubt about it. She’s a weapon, perfectly molded to take the reigns of her legacy.
I’m not sure exactly what her father was thinking by hiding everything from her for her entire life, but it definitely didn’t work in his favor and it’s all coming back to not only bite him in the ass but Astin too. Like I get it, Astin’s the heir and the best target to hurt the family, but why wouldn’t Cals mistress/non legal wife, his biological son AND adopted son also be considered a target?? Why alienate just Astin? She could’ve died from sickness or literally anything in the years she was kept away from her home and my dude didn’t bother training his sons as a potential back up?! Doesn’t make a lick of sense to me.
I would’ve liked a smidgen more heated moments between her and the guys, or maybe I’m just impatient. But I do adore the relationship that’s blooming between her and Atty. Gunner, my guy… he’s not having a good time and neither is Ry. 😅🤣 Jace and Brax are great at pushing boundaries and I’ll be surprised if they don’t get her to snap her control first. Luca is… suspicious. Idk somethings not settling right and when the words “undercover cops” was mentioned in the Melony’s plans, he and Ralph were the first two to come to mind as a potential traitors. 🫣 after reading so many mafia books, ya just can’t trust anyone lmfao.
*sigh* needless to say, I’m invested and can’t wait for the next book.
I’m not sure exactly what her father was thinking by hiding everything from her for her entire life, but it definitely didn’t work in his favor and it’s all coming back to not only bite him in the ass but Astin too. Like I get it, Astin’s the heir and the best target to hurt the family, but why wouldn’t Cals mistress/non legal wife, his biological son AND adopted son also be considered a target?? Why alienate just Astin? She could’ve died from sickness or literally anything in the years she was kept away from her home and my dude didn’t bother training his sons as a potential back up?! Doesn’t make a lick of sense to me.
I would’ve liked a smidgen more heated moments between her and the guys, or maybe I’m just impatient. But I do adore the relationship that’s blooming between her and Atty. Gunner, my guy… he’s not having a good time and neither is Ry. 😅🤣 Jace and Brax are great at pushing boundaries and I’ll be surprised if they don’t get her to snap her control first. Luca is… suspicious. Idk somethings not settling right and when the words “undercover cops” was mentioned in the Melony’s plans, he and Ralph were the first two to come to mind as a potential traitors. 🫣 after reading so many mafia books, ya just can’t trust anyone lmfao.
*sigh* needless to say, I’m invested and can’t wait for the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2023
Wtf was the opening dialogue ? Read like a thirteen year old had written it. DNF
December 1, 2024
3 stars
Read rhe first 25% and skimmed the rest. I like the story, but am over the strong FMC starting up something with the (in this case, self proclaimed)fuckboy first because their easy and shallow on the surface. At this point, the plot is not enough to keep me going because of Braxton and the whole Braxton/Jace/Astin dynamic.
Read rhe first 25% and skimmed the rest. I like the story, but am over the strong FMC starting up something with the (in this case, self proclaimed)fuckboy first because their easy and shallow on the surface. At this point, the plot is not enough to keep me going because of Braxton and the whole Braxton/Jace/Astin dynamic.
July 21, 2025
"A strong woman looks a challenge dead in the eye and gives it a wink."
⭐️ : 4.25/5
🌶 : 2.5/5
RH : big size (7) , Ryker, Luca, Atticus (Atty), Liu, Jace, Braxton and someone who comes in the next book; with mm
I loved the character from Astin (FMC) . She is smart and badass.
Among all the MMCs, I liked Ryder, Luca and Atty the most.
If you liked this book you can read "The Maura Quinn" Series from Ashley N. Rostek 📚
⭐️ : 4.25/5
🌶 : 2.5/5
RH : big size (7) , Ryker, Luca, Atticus (Atty), Liu, Jace, Braxton and someone who comes in the next book; with mm
I loved the character from Astin (FMC) . She is smart and badass.
Among all the MMCs, I liked Ryder, Luca and Atty the most.
If you liked this book you can read "The Maura Quinn" Series from Ashley N. Rostek 📚
October 10, 2022
Wow! You guys this is a must read book. I absolutely love this author but I wasn’t expecting this to be a new favourite of mine.
Astin is the only daughter of the head of the mafia, a total daddy’s girl, until her mother was gunned down in an attempt on her life and Astin had to be hidden. That was the age of 10, now 10 years later this is the first time she will have seen her father since that fateful day. She is now going to be his right hand man and has been training for it ever since. However when her father left her, her best and only friend left as well and she’s not the same naive, loving girl she once was. She has hardened into something her father never meant for her to become and she is going to need it in a world that only respects men.
Astin is the only daughter of the head of the mafia, a total daddy’s girl, until her mother was gunned down in an attempt on her life and Astin had to be hidden. That was the age of 10, now 10 years later this is the first time she will have seen her father since that fateful day. She is now going to be his right hand man and has been training for it ever since. However when her father left her, her best and only friend left as well and she’s not the same naive, loving girl she once was. She has hardened into something her father never meant for her to become and she is going to need it in a world that only respects men.
June 27, 2023
Horrible writing full of pages long info drops, endless inner monologue, cartoon villains, and 2000's era Disney channel TV show level of interaction by the FMC with everyone she meets. Everyone hates her or wants to be her; everyone has a problem with women so she has to verbally dress them down or physically threaten them while everyone else in the room looks on in awe with dropped jaws. Honestly this happens multiple times. She can't walk into a room without needing to show how she's the big bad and put everyone else in their place while monologuing her way through it. The MMCs had interacted with her for a total of one (1) day before they were fighting over who would sleep in her bed, and deciding they would share her between the six of them and only the six of them, and then the playboy amongst them was devoting himself to a lifetime of basically being her sex pet and not taking other women to bed. Honestly please spare me.
I've found this storyline of a woman preparing to lead a mafia family or crime organization done so much better in other series, and I was hoping this would add to that list, but sadly it's just really, really immature and cartoonish. Maura Quinn, Sweetest Revenge, Hannaford Prep, Pacific Prep, Hades, Blood Empire, Whitsborough Chronicles, take your pick.
I've found this storyline of a woman preparing to lead a mafia family or crime organization done so much better in other series, and I was hoping this would add to that list, but sadly it's just really, really immature and cartoonish. Maura Quinn, Sweetest Revenge, Hannaford Prep, Pacific Prep, Hades, Blood Empire, Whitsborough Chronicles, take your pick.
November 16, 2022
Super Cheesy
I DNF'd at 50% for full disclosure. I just couldn't get through it. The dialogue was painful. It was like listening to 14 year old boys talk at the bus stop. The FMC was just as immature as her "bodyguards". At one point one of the guys says something like, "you would look sick in whatever you wear" to the FMC and I was pretty much over it at that point. I'm sorry, but I can't imagine a hardened mafia dude speaking like that. If it was the mafia dudes 13 year old little brother, sure. The characters all felt shallow and very similar. The only standout was Atticus and he was underutilized from what I read. Some of the descriptions were silly too. "My hair is curled like a Victoria's Secret model" is just so vague and boring. The guys all like her because she is hot. That's it...they have meaningless conversations throughout but you don't really get to know any of the characters. There was also zero chemistry between any of the characters. Probably because the dialogue was so awkward and boring. I'm sorry, just 2 stars for me.
I DNF'd at 50% for full disclosure. I just couldn't get through it. The dialogue was painful. It was like listening to 14 year old boys talk at the bus stop. The FMC was just as immature as her "bodyguards". At one point one of the guys says something like, "you would look sick in whatever you wear" to the FMC and I was pretty much over it at that point. I'm sorry, but I can't imagine a hardened mafia dude speaking like that. If it was the mafia dudes 13 year old little brother, sure. The characters all felt shallow and very similar. The only standout was Atticus and he was underutilized from what I read. Some of the descriptions were silly too. "My hair is curled like a Victoria's Secret model" is just so vague and boring. The guys all like her because she is hot. That's it...they have meaningless conversations throughout but you don't really get to know any of the characters. There was also zero chemistry between any of the characters. Probably because the dialogue was so awkward and boring. I'm sorry, just 2 stars for me.
November 15, 2024
Glitter & Guns by Elizabeth Knight is a solid 4.5 stars for me.
Let me start off by saying that mafia romances are NOT my usual cup of tea. I loathe and stay away from them because I find them unrealistic, and I'm not able to connect with the stories easily. I started Glitter and Guns thinking it was an omegaverse, but I found early on that I was wrong.
HOWEVER, this book easily captured and held my attention throughout the book. I enjoyed the story and character development, learning about each guy in Astins life. As someone who dislikes the mafia so much, Glitter and Guns was the exception for a few reasons: One, the female was second in charge and very smart, whereas usually, in mafia romances, the man is in charge and stealing away the female. Two, because of her side quests of being the well-known thief makes for an interesting addition to her already dominant and lonely character. And lastly, it felt genuine. The problem I usually have with some mafia stories is the genuine writing, or lack thereof, which held my interest. I wanted to learn more about Astin's relationship with the guys and her father and how she'll take over being the second in command with so many against a female being in a prominent position.
Glitter and Guns was easy to read and connect with. With the cliffhanger it left on, I can't wait for book two in the Caprioni Queen series.
The reason for not being a perfect 5/5 is because, at times, the insta-love/connection between one or two of the characters who didn't know Astin previously felt unrealistic. How did the guys go from not knowing what she looks like to wanting to protect her with everything they have so quickly (aside from it being their job)? Another instance that irked me was when I felt like she always had a great idea or answer for some obstacle after being there for 4 seconds. Her father is supposed to be a big-time mafia leader for 20 years and running multiple successful businesses, and she figures it out in a day or two. It doesn't seem entirely realistic when stuff like that happens, but I still had a great time reading it and will continue the series.
I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who likes a woman in power, men who fall first and hard, different personalities in the harem, and an established MM in the group.
Tropes: Mafia, bad ass FMC, MM, woman in power, powerful men w/ distinct personalities.
Let me start off by saying that mafia romances are NOT my usual cup of tea. I loathe and stay away from them because I find them unrealistic, and I'm not able to connect with the stories easily. I started Glitter and Guns thinking it was an omegaverse, but I found early on that I was wrong.
HOWEVER, this book easily captured and held my attention throughout the book. I enjoyed the story and character development, learning about each guy in Astins life. As someone who dislikes the mafia so much, Glitter and Guns was the exception for a few reasons: One, the female was second in charge and very smart, whereas usually, in mafia romances, the man is in charge and stealing away the female. Two, because of her side quests of being the well-known thief makes for an interesting addition to her already dominant and lonely character. And lastly, it felt genuine. The problem I usually have with some mafia stories is the genuine writing, or lack thereof, which held my interest. I wanted to learn more about Astin's relationship with the guys and her father and how she'll take over being the second in command with so many against a female being in a prominent position.
Glitter and Guns was easy to read and connect with. With the cliffhanger it left on, I can't wait for book two in the Caprioni Queen series.
The reason for not being a perfect 5/5 is because, at times, the insta-love/connection between one or two of the characters who didn't know Astin previously felt unrealistic. How did the guys go from not knowing what she looks like to wanting to protect her with everything they have so quickly (aside from it being their job)? Another instance that irked me was when I felt like she always had a great idea or answer for some obstacle after being there for 4 seconds. Her father is supposed to be a big-time mafia leader for 20 years and running multiple successful businesses, and she figures it out in a day or two. It doesn't seem entirely realistic when stuff like that happens, but I still had a great time reading it and will continue the series.
I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who likes a woman in power, men who fall first and hard, different personalities in the harem, and an established MM in the group.
Tropes: Mafia, bad ass FMC, MM, woman in power, powerful men w/ distinct personalities.
November 7, 2022
Glitter & Guns, the first story in the Caprioni Queen series by Elizabeth Knight was an absolutely fantastic mafia romance that will set your heart a thumping!!!!
Astin is our gorgeous, fierce and absolutely brilliant badass of a heroine that is as lethal and deadly as they come. She also happens to be an exiled mafia princess that was trained at an early age to be the first female underboss of the mafia, Astin is a vicious viper that she is, just waiting for the chance to be called back “home” to do her duty to the king of the mafia. Her father. And when she is? Chaos is sure to ensue!
New allies and enemies seem to lurk around every corner, and with that comes betrayal, deceit, challenges and possibly even love as Astin works to fit into this new world as the first female heir of the Caprioni mafia with the assistance of her personal lieutenants: Jace, Ryker, Atticus, Gunnar, Luca and Braxton.
I absolutely loved the twisted world that Elizabeth masterfully created and the dark rabbit hole she took us down with this story and I can’t wait for more!!! With a vicious queen on a quest for revenge you just know it’s going to be a delicious ride!
Astin is our gorgeous, fierce and absolutely brilliant badass of a heroine that is as lethal and deadly as they come. She also happens to be an exiled mafia princess that was trained at an early age to be the first female underboss of the mafia, Astin is a vicious viper that she is, just waiting for the chance to be called back “home” to do her duty to the king of the mafia. Her father. And when she is? Chaos is sure to ensue!
New allies and enemies seem to lurk around every corner, and with that comes betrayal, deceit, challenges and possibly even love as Astin works to fit into this new world as the first female heir of the Caprioni mafia with the assistance of her personal lieutenants: Jace, Ryker, Atticus, Gunnar, Luca and Braxton.
I absolutely loved the twisted world that Elizabeth masterfully created and the dark rabbit hole she took us down with this story and I can’t wait for more!!! With a vicious queen on a quest for revenge you just know it’s going to be a delicious ride!
September 23, 2022
Holy crap…y’all are not ready for this FANTASTIC book! Elizabeth Knight held nothing back with this epic mafia romance! Astin is a killer Queen of epic proportions. Gorgeous, brilliant, loyal and lethal. The moment someone underestimates her is one to many. Astin is glorious chaos and intelligent beyond her years. Add in her lieutenants at her side, there is nothing that she can’t do. Ryker, Atticus, Luca, Braxton, Jace and Gunner are enigmatic men, all with various skills that make them lethal and loyal in their own right. Astin is just getting started and as heir to the Caprioni Family business…the people haven’t seen anything yet.
September 20, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up. This was a little slow for me, even with some spice thrown in. I’m not getting much of a connection with her and the guys, other than her childhood best friend. I’m not a fan of Gunner. Atticus is my favorite so far, with Ryker, since they have a connection already. If it doesn’t pick up in book 2 then I may have to DNF. I almost did that with this one but pushed on. I stopped so many times to play games on my iPad or listen to music the last couple days, and I don’t do that when reading a book. So that lets you know this next one needs to pick up or I will be going on to a new series. Which really sucks since this was book 4 I started in the span of one day!
October 14, 2022
Oh my god! This is a new series and the first book holds nothing back. Astin is finally coming home after her dad sent her away to keep her save. Her coming back has not been all taken in happiness. This book has alot of things going on in the Caprioni empire. Now it does end on a cliffhanger. I am needing emotional therapy at the end of this book. I can't wait for book two. But for real that ending!
October 9, 2023
FREAKING AWESOME!!
Astin is a girl after my own heart. I love her.
This has been a great read. I finished it but didn't get a chance to leave my review I think.
Its a great mafia romance, reverse harem story. How Astin respects those with different abilities and gives each her men attention and plays to their strengths is amazing.
Astin is a girl after my own heart. I love her.
This has been a great read. I finished it but didn't get a chance to leave my review I think.
Its a great mafia romance, reverse harem story. How Astin respects those with different abilities and gives each her men attention and plays to their strengths is amazing.
October 17, 2023
This book was good but I don’t like the idea of her already being on her own. She is literally running the mafia by herself when she has been away for 20 years. Overhyping her and making her better than she is
July 6, 2025
I'm happily surprised by this one.
I was I a reading funk. and this book helped me get over it.
for sure, I'm going to read the next one.
Astin is a true bad ass bitch!
fell in love with her immediately.
I'm intrigued toearn more about the man.
I was I a reading funk. and this book helped me get over it.
for sure, I'm going to read the next one.
Astin is a true bad ass bitch!
fell in love with her immediately.
I'm intrigued toearn more about the man.
June 4, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
June 21, 2025
i can’t get enough of Elizabeth Knight’s women. Astin is a perfectly complex character and her men are 15/10. quite a few TWs so check before enjoying. (listened via spotify, dual narration)
October 18, 2023
Pulled an all-nighter on this one. 😉
November 3, 2022
All Hail the Queen
I tried so very hard to read very slow but I was not successful! I absolutely loved Glitter & Guns and eagerly waiting for the next chapter!
I tried so very hard to read very slow but I was not successful! I absolutely loved Glitter & Guns and eagerly waiting for the next chapter!
May 22, 2024
Maybe 3.5 stars, because I did finish the whole thing.
The dialogue is weird. It settles down a bit about a quarter of the way through, but prior to that it's all very odd stream of consciousness-y, and the FMC is never not monologuing to herself in her head about how amazing she is. It also reads pretty immature considering they're all 26-30-something. The FMC also flirted with everyone so extremely that for a good bit of the book I was unsure who would actually end up in her harem.
The men are....fine. A little hard to keep track of because they're all blurring together and quite honestly I'm not even sure we got a physical description of any of them besides Jace being big. I'm sure we did but I definitely don't remember it.
A huge beef I have is that in every single mafia book I've read the general policy seems to be "we're too good to deal in trafficking." Not this one. It's brought up several times that they literally buy women, including shipping them overseas in shipping containers, and I am just SO not here for it. It's gross and I cannot be cool with any characters that let it happen. There wasn't even the obligatory "when I'm in charge that won't happen" angle from the FMC.
The dialogue is weird. It settles down a bit about a quarter of the way through, but prior to that it's all very odd stream of consciousness-y, and the FMC is never not monologuing to herself in her head about how amazing she is. It also reads pretty immature considering they're all 26-30-something. The FMC also flirted with everyone so extremely that for a good bit of the book I was unsure who would actually end up in her harem.
The men are....fine. A little hard to keep track of because they're all blurring together and quite honestly I'm not even sure we got a physical description of any of them besides Jace being big. I'm sure we did but I definitely don't remember it.
A huge beef I have is that in every single mafia book I've read the general policy seems to be "we're too good to deal in trafficking." Not this one. It's brought up several times that they literally buy women, including shipping them overseas in shipping containers, and I am just SO not here for it. It's gross and I cannot be cool with any characters that let it happen. There wasn't even the obligatory "when I'm in charge that won't happen" angle from the FMC.
November 4, 2022
3.5 will continue the series.
October 17, 2023
Expected Better
I thought this book was ok. I can already guess who the main villain is going to be so I don't know if I'm interested in continuing this series. I like the mafia and thriller portion of this book but the (so-called) romance aspect falls flat for me. Astin has been trained to be strong, independent, smart, and a stonecold k!ller if necessary...so essentially a great mafia boss. What I didn't like is that while proving she's more than just a "female" mafia boss, she actually does fall into the same box as the stereotypical female mafia boss (book stereotype).
I don't mind a good reverse harem, but I don't like that in the span of 5 days she has most of her harem already half way in love with her and she is letting them have a say in the decisions she makes with her body. I can't help but think if it were a male mafia boss no one would be questioning her decisions and safety. Worse part is she let's her lieutenants/harem members question her and have attitudes with her and she actually makes time to explain herself to them when SHE'S the boss. I feel like the power she gives them is a step in the wrong direction if the author intended to give us a heroine who gives Zero f**ks about what the naysers say.
Also this isn't really a romance to me. It's closer to instalove. Ryker is the only one who grew up with Astin but the rest are just so smitten because there just something different about her. Something that they just can't help but feel a connection with. -_- ridiculous. It would've been better if this was a slow paced romance and she actually got to know the characters before getting intimate with them. I'm all for do what you will with your body but when you become the boss of an organization it doesn't help to get involved with your employees just 2 days after meeting them. But if the author prefers to introduce s*x early, there's nothing wrong with that, as long as it's understood that s*x doesn't equal feelings. That doesn't seem to be the case in this book. Especially since the boys have decided she can only "interact" with them.
Another problem I had is that when Astin, a female mafia boss, gets stabby and murderous, it's referred to as a darkness or evilness inside her but if it were a man they'd give him a pat on the back and a nod signifying respect. The author wrote Astin in a way where she has this uncontrollable murderous streak when triggered, which I thought was sooo unnecessary. Her actions could've simply been blamed on her training and left at that but they decided to include some deeper psychological effect. Again, so unnecessary.
Overall it's an ok book because I was at least able to finish it. And I like that Astin really is a force to be reckoned with because usually authors will say they have a strong FMC, but that strength lasts for 5pages. I can honestly say that's not the case with this book. Id even say she was bada*s. I truly enjoyed watching her put the opposing mafia/gang leaders in their place. I'm just not a fan of the fact that Astin seems ruled by lust at times or that she allows disrespect from her lieutenants but no one else. She just met these men. Why do they get a pass? Instead of letting the men cross boundaries with her, she shoudve been focused on gaining their respect as a boss. All of this is just my preference though.
I thought this book was ok. I can already guess who the main villain is going to be so I don't know if I'm interested in continuing this series. I like the mafia and thriller portion of this book but the (so-called) romance aspect falls flat for me. Astin has been trained to be strong, independent, smart, and a stonecold k!ller if necessary...so essentially a great mafia boss. What I didn't like is that while proving she's more than just a "female" mafia boss, she actually does fall into the same box as the stereotypical female mafia boss (book stereotype).
I don't mind a good reverse harem, but I don't like that in the span of 5 days she has most of her harem already half way in love with her and she is letting them have a say in the decisions she makes with her body. I can't help but think if it were a male mafia boss no one would be questioning her decisions and safety. Worse part is she let's her lieutenants/harem members question her and have attitudes with her and she actually makes time to explain herself to them when SHE'S the boss. I feel like the power she gives them is a step in the wrong direction if the author intended to give us a heroine who gives Zero f**ks about what the naysers say.
Also this isn't really a romance to me. It's closer to instalove. Ryker is the only one who grew up with Astin but the rest are just so smitten because there just something different about her. Something that they just can't help but feel a connection with. -_- ridiculous. It would've been better if this was a slow paced romance and she actually got to know the characters before getting intimate with them. I'm all for do what you will with your body but when you become the boss of an organization it doesn't help to get involved with your employees just 2 days after meeting them. But if the author prefers to introduce s*x early, there's nothing wrong with that, as long as it's understood that s*x doesn't equal feelings. That doesn't seem to be the case in this book. Especially since the boys have decided she can only "interact" with them.
Another problem I had is that when Astin, a female mafia boss, gets stabby and murderous, it's referred to as a darkness or evilness inside her but if it were a man they'd give him a pat on the back and a nod signifying respect. The author wrote Astin in a way where she has this uncontrollable murderous streak when triggered, which I thought was sooo unnecessary. Her actions could've simply been blamed on her training and left at that but they decided to include some deeper psychological effect. Again, so unnecessary.
Overall it's an ok book because I was at least able to finish it. And I like that Astin really is a force to be reckoned with because usually authors will say they have a strong FMC, but that strength lasts for 5pages. I can honestly say that's not the case with this book. Id even say she was bada*s. I truly enjoyed watching her put the opposing mafia/gang leaders in their place. I'm just not a fan of the fact that Astin seems ruled by lust at times or that she allows disrespect from her lieutenants but no one else. She just met these men. Why do they get a pass? Instead of letting the men cross boundaries with her, she shoudve been focused on gaining their respect as a boss. All of this is just my preference though.
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