Tuesday Reviews: Kingmakers: Year One by Sophie Lark

 

From the USA Today bestselling author of the Brutal Birthright series comes a dark college mafia romance series. Welcome to Kingmakers, the most brutal college in the world.

Bound by blood, torn by love…

In the shadowed halls of Kingmakers, a ruthless mafia university, the offspring of the world's most feared families come to master the dark arts of influence and intimidation.

Leo, unwaveringly loyal to his childhood friend, Anna, follows her into a world where love is a weapon, trust is a casualty, and survival is the only victory that matters.

But the greatest danger comes from Dean Yenin, a Bratva heir with a vendetta as cold as his heart. Dean plans to destroy Leo and take everything he holds dear, starting with Anna.

Can Leo win back his soul mate? Or is Anna lost forever?

Kingmakers: Year One is another captivating read from Sophie Lark, set in the same universe as her Brutal Birthright series. This mafia romance follows the next generation, offering a perfect blend of drama, intrigue, and romance. I especially enjoyed seeing familiar faces from the past books while diving into Leo and Anna’s story.

Leo's determination and immediate devotion to Anna were a standout for me—I love when the male lead falls first and fast. Anna was smart and had a distinctive style, though her goal at the mafia school didn’t quite align with her leadership qualities. Even so, I loved their slow-burn romance, and despite friends-to-lovers not being my usual favorite trope, it worked really well here.

The concept of the mafia school felt a bit difficult to fully embrace at first, but the strong character development and relationship dynamics made it worthwhile. I'm excited to continue the series, hoping the setting will grow on me.

I received an ebook through NetGalley, and this review reflects my honest opinion.