Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark (Review) | Forever She Reads (2024)

I first read Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark in 2021 and it also was one of my favorite reads of the year. So, when I saw the new version of Brutal Prince with illustrations, well, I had all the good reasons to revisit one of my favorites.

Enemies to Lovers is a captivating trope, a tale of two characters in complete opposition, a swirl of emotions, the angst, the slow-burning chemistry, and giving into that irresistible attraction.

If you love the trope, mixing in the Mafia setting and a marriage of convenience, Brutal Prince is definitely a book you need to add to your TBR.

The great Callum Griffin. He’s their JFK, and I’m supposed to be their Jackie Kennedy. I’d rather be Lee Harvey Oswald.

Aida

We meet Aida Gallo, a part of the Italian Mafia family and the youngest of the lot. When she and her brothers crash a Griffin party, almost burning up their house, she sets up a chain of events that forever alter the course of her life.

The Griffins and Gallos have always been at loggerheads. This event just creates all the more tension between them and the best way to resolve it? Become a family.

Enter Callum Griffin, heir to the Griffin Mafia, a man who meticulously balances his pursuit of a political career with his family’s legacy.

Aida and Callum hate each other. Their initial interactions are anything but pleasant, stoking the flames of their mutual dislike and animosity. However, with the decision of their parents, they are now forced to come together – a marriage of convenience.

I can’t believe this. I’m marrying a child. And not a normal child—a demon hellspawn, like Chucky, or the Children of the Corn...

- Callum

Callum Griffin is one of THE alpha males. He is ambitious, straight to the point, and a no-nonsense guy. He is running for the Alderman position, which would enable him to run his mafia politics in a more promising manner.

However, what he wasn’t expecting, was a brash, sassy heroine bouldering into his life.

She loves passion of any kind. She loves to be angry, stubborn, joyful, or mischievous. The only thing she doesn't like is a lack of feeling.Unfortunately, that's what I am. Cold. Restrained. Lacking in pleasure.Until I'm around her.

Aida Gallo is a bold, brash, and sassy woman. Being the youngest of the family, she has always felt like she had to be stronger, make her own place in their world, and not be in their shadow.

She’s stubborn, impulsive, and the complete opposite of Callum. Where Callum likes order, Aida prefers chaos.

“You’re mine, Aida,” Callum growls in my ear. “I’ll kill anyone who tries to touch you.”

As the story unfolds, we find Aida and Callum struggling to maintain their supremacy. From allergy poisoning to waterboarding, they can’t help but antagonize one another.

However, the heat and the attraction build up as they get to know each other and eventually give in to it.

Both Callum and Aida are perfect for one another. Where Aida is like a beam of light, Callum is a shadow, emotionless, focused. She brings out the emotions in him, and he balances Aida out.

Their relationship becomes stronger, with Callum encouraging her to be her true self, and Aida supporting him with his endeavors. Their romance is a slow burn, but the development is so good.

Cal found me, just like he promised. It wasn’t my father, or my brothers. It was my husband. This man I didn’t even want. And now I can’t imagine being without him.

Aida

Sophie’s writing style breathes life into their tumultuous relationship. I loved the way she built up the world without taking away the story of Aida and Callum. The story is fast and evenly paced, action-packed, suspenseful, and steamy, so you’ll not want to put it down.

I loved this book and it’s also on my comfort-read list. The addition of the illustrations is amazing, I am now definitely a fan of illustrations in books.

If you love a well-developed enemies-to-lovers romance, mafia, alpha male, and sassy female, I highly recommend Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark.

Looking for more book recs? Check out –

• Books like 50 Shades of Grey
• Beautiful Disaster
• Deviant King
• Twisted Love
• Bared to You

He’s No Prince Charming…

Callum Griffin is the heir to the Irish Mafia. He’s ruthless, arrogant, and he wants to kill me.

We got off on the wrong foot when I set a (very small) fire in his house.

Our families believe a marriage pact is the only thing that will prevent all-out warfare.

I think I might need to murder him while he sleeps.

This would all be a lot easier if Callum wasn’t so damned good-looking.

But I’ve got a lockbox around my heart. Because even if I’m forced to marry him…

I could never love a brutal prince.

“Brutal Prince” is the explosive first act in the epic “Brutal Birthright” series. It’s a stand-alone Dark Mafia Romance, complete with HEA and no cliffhangers. It contains blazing hot bedroom scenes for mature readers only!!!

Sophie Lark is an Amazon Bestselling author who writes intense, intelligent romance, with heroines who are strong and capable, and men who will do anything to capture their hearts. She lives with her husband, two boys, and baby girl in the Rocky Mountain West.

She has a slight obsession with hiking, bodybuilding, and live comedy shows. Her perfect day would be taking the kids to Harry Potter World, going dancing with Mr. Lark, then relaxing with a good book and a monster bag of salt and vinegar chips.