Okay… WOW. This started enticingly sweet then slowly shifted into an engrossingly addictive read that had me staying up late to devour it. It’s my first from the author – and I’ll definitely be back for more. Which is kind of surprising given the number of things in the story that could’ve gone oh so wrong but were executed with skill and care. It’s a high octane adventure that sneaks up on you until you’re so caught up in the story that there’s no going back.

First, let me take a moment to address the many TRIGGERS. Don’t let the lightness of the romance fool you; this is a DARK story. I saw other reviewers mention that the book is dark and it didn’t seem to fit with the star-crossed lovers, instalove romance I was reading… until it did. There are some uncomfortable moments that many readers may find triggering. It also ends in a major, major CLIFFHANGER that will be resolved in the second half of this duet. That being said, the vast majority of this book is actually very light. It’s got a level of instalove that would normally be an issue for me, but worked with the Romeo and Juliet vibe that this book gives off in spades. They fall fast and hard but the reader knows there is trouble ahead. It’s extremely well written but doesn’t kick into high gear until the halfway point, which is when this launched into easy 5-star territory for me.

I guess I still haven’t told you anything about the actual story. This is definitely a play on Romeo and Juliet where there is no stopping a romance that’s meant to be, despite the many obstacles in the path to happiness. Nicco and Arianne are college students who meet when she is assaulted. He’s the son of a mafia boss, a prince in his own right, who is numb to the world. Arianne is a ray of pure, naive light that brightens up Nicco’s dark world. He feels an instantaneous connection to the sheltered girl, but resists the attraction because he feels unworthy of something so good. Arianne has a lot of growing up to do, but she does it quickly and is a much stronger woman by the end. There are some tender moments, gasp-worthy scenes, and an ending that will make you want to get your hands on the conclusion immediately. In summation…. read it. Don’t let the sweet, instalove vibes throw you off – this is GREAT once it gets going. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC via Give Me Books and am voluntarily leaving a review of this intense romance.

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Title: Prince of Hearts