Review: Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark

By far, the best thing about Brutal Prince is that it doesn't take itself too seriously. From the cute cover, to the cheeky illustrations to a plot filled with an enemies-to-lovers romance and scores of mafia types (complete with shoot outs,) this book is filled with melodrama and trash and it doesn't waste my time pretending to be anything else. Aida is the youngest and wildest member of the wealthy Gallo family, big player in the local Italian mafia scene. They've been enemies with the Griffins, an equally wealthy family who are a part of the local Irish mafia. One evening, Aida decides to sneak in to a party at the Griffin's mansion. She accidentally sets their curtains on fire and one unfortunate event follows another, until the older generations of both families decide enough is another. They are going to end this war once and for all, with an arranged marriage between Aida and Callum Griffin, an aspiring politician and heir to the Griffin family fortune. Unfortunately, neither Aida nor Callum are happy with the arrangement. But what happens when they discover they are ... stuck with it?

This was an entertaining read. It's silly and it's flawed and there are a few questionable scenes (I do think these books need to address consent a bit more carefully,) but it is also funny and quirky, and the author clearly knows her audience of romance readers and does her best to give them what they want. I did think the age-gap between Aida and Callum was a bit extreme and I don't think it would have detracted from the story had that gap been slightly smaller. That said, it is what it is and it doesn't pretend to be anything other than a fun and silly melodrama.

Recommended.

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