Book Review: Bloody Heart

I’m continuing to make my way through the Brutal Birthright series by Sophie Lark and just finished Bloody Heart the 4th book in the series. This one follows Dante Gallo and Simone Solomon.

It has been hinted in previous books in the series that Dante was once in love and things didn’t end well. He’s very mysterious – the quietest of the Gallos and Griffins. Bloody Heart tells the story of Dante and Simone. It begins 9 years in the past when Dante and Simone meet – he’s 21 and she’s 18. Dante is the eldest son of Enzo Gallo – the head of the Italian mafia in Chicago. Simone is the daughter of an ambassador. One evening on her way to a fancy party with her parents, Simone stays behind in the limo for a few minutes to have a moment to herself after getting into an argument with her parents. Dante hops in to the driver’s seat, stealing the car, not knowing that Simone is in the backseat. The two form a connection and are soon inseparable seeing each other secretly as Simone’s parents would never approve of her dating someone like Dante.

A few months later, Simone tells her parents about Dante and they force her to break up with him. Simone moves to Europe and they never see each other again until 9 years later when Simone returns to Chicago. The two of their paths cross and now they must work together because someone is targeting their loved ones. Can the two have a second chance at love? Will they still like and love each other now that they’re older? And if they do, can Dante forgive Simone for a secret she’s been keeping from him?

I loved being back with the Gallos and Griffins. I love both families. I really enjoyed this book and love Dante, but I thought Simone was just okay. I actually thought she was a bit boring. She was fine, but she wasn’t sassy like Aida or as kind hearted as Nessa or as strong as Camille. Spoiler Alert! I was actually annoyed that she just gave in to her parents so easily and did whatever they asked i.e. leaving Dante behind because they disapproved.

Overall, I really liked the book and the highlights for me were Dante and seeing the family members again!

Read this if you want a spicy mafia romance with the second chance romance trope.

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