3.5/5

I just don't know what to think. I enjoyed this one but in a roller coaster kinda way. At times I was so into it and then I would lose my interest and then boom, again full on obsessed and then it would let me down a little... I don't really know how to explain this but it definitely left me with mixed feelings. Still, you can't really go wrong with Sophie Lark in my opinion, I always enjoy it anyways.

It was nice to finally get to Sebastian's story. I really wanted him to get his HEA because, of course after seeing him in so many books, I already loved him before even starting this one. I really enjoyed the start of this story with the lies and bit of mystery as you didn't know exactly what would happen (you just knew it would be bad). I am not big on love at first sight but it kept me interested the way this one went. Until they truly got together and I got a lil bored (yeah I'm annoying like that, slow burn lover through and through or I lose interest). But then, BAD things obviously happened, like it was meant to. Not gonna lie, it broke me a little. And I got a bit frustrated that it could have been prevented by a bit communication or like, people not being kind of naive. I get why it happened that way, I truly get it but I would have hoped for honesty or some questions being asked before that point. But I guess, no story with that so.

That being said, after we reached that "bad things happened" point, I was back into full interest mode because, well, things were happening and fast. I would have wished Sebastian got more support from his family. It was already so hard for him and that on top of everything, felt truly unfair for such a close knit family. It made me angry at other characters you know? And I didn't want that. But in the end, I still was captivated by that last part and the ending set-up things for the next series which made me quite intrigued.

All in all, I'm so happy I read Brutal Birthright. Each book was truly enjoyable and I so freaking love Sophie Lark's writing. I will definitely read more of her books!

Thanks to Bloom Books and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Not my favorite of the series, but also not my least favorite. The romance was overshadowed by the mafia related plot, but I was still invested and I liked how the epilogue set up the Kingmakers series.

Unfortunately the formatting was unreadable for me to read but I do think it I was able to read it I would have enjoyed it.

What a beautiful spicy romance story with great storyline and great characters. Really liked the writing style and the cover is beautiful will definitely read more from this author.

It was bittersweet to read the last book in the Brutal Birthright series. As all her books, I was not able to put it down. I love the new covers, I am not a fan of shirtless men, just want to be able to read books in public sometimes. I have never had a series where past characters still maintain their personalities and also play an essential role in the plot. Sophie Lark has not written anything I have not enjoyed. Sebastian has been on the peripheral in the whole series, he had his dreams crushed and finds himself kind of lost on what his the rest of life will be. Yelena, a Bratva princess has been only valued for how she appears and what type of marriage alliance she will bring. She is used to draw the attention of Sebastian in revenge for the last bosses killing. They are not quite star crossed lovers but something similar. I do enjoy how the story kept you on your toes, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Great read, I look forward to reading more from this author. I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5892880967

This is one of her best works I’ve read from her so far and I can’t wait to read more of her works in the coming future

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

as always, miss sophie lark is the queen and can do no wrong. i have loved every single one of her books and this was such a bittersweet one to read. i'm so sad that the series is over and you can 100% believe i will be rereading it.

I've read another book in this series and just loved it, and was sucked in from the beginning. This one was harder for me to get into but I did still enjoy the read and the romance. Love when there's a bit of mafia in there!

I loved this ending to the Brutal Birthright series. Great action scenes. I was waiting for Sebastian’s story, and Sophie lark delivered. Yelena starts out gentle and ends being a cutthroat woman and I loved it!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC of Heavy Crown.
I really enjoyed this whole series.

*4.5

This might be one of my favorites in the series. It was a good way to end it, and I liked Yelena and Sebastian. I wasn't expecting a lot of the twists and I had a great time.

Truly, I'm not sure why I requested to read this book in the first place. Mafia romance? Not my think. Unfortunately, this book did not make me want to make it my thing.

The writing was clunky, the characters' actions didn't make sense to me, the romance was too quick and subpar, and it was just straight up boring for me, sadly. One thing that really stands out is that the FMC calls her husband Daddy during sex while he's got her locked up in a basement. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the title of Daddy when it makes sense, but this was super misplaced, as was the sex.

This was tough to read and I would not recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book.

I am so sad this series is over but it was a great ending. I did not like it as much as broken vows but it was still very good and I will miss all the characters now.

4* for this ending to the Brutal Birthright series. First off I have to admit I have not read this series in order or finished reading all the prior ones(I've even read the Kingmakers series which is about the offspring from these books) No it did not ruin anything as you can read the covers to see the couples in the prior books yet there's a comradery established and some things that happen in this final one that makes me recommend reading the rest prior to starting this last one.

Sophie Lark's writing is just easy to read in my opinion and boy did she include alot in this one book. Sebastian Gallo is the remaining brother whose story was left for last and he meets Yelena Yenina while she's getting stuffed into a trunk. He saves her and their story starts here with them seemingly opposite as he's Italian and her family is part of the Russian Bratva. I think what I liked most about this book is that I felt like I was cruising along understanding their vibe especially with dual POV's. Then bam! No spoilers but things aren't as they look and the rollercoaster starts. Add in some spice along with beloved characters from the prior books and this was a hard book to put down. I recommend this series if you're a fan of Sophie Lark or even thinking about reading her as she really keeps an engaging pace and storyline.

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and Net Galley for the Advanced Reader Copy of this story. My review is solely my opinion.

Heavy Crown by Sophie Lark is the final book in the Brutal Birthright Series. I’m so sad to see the series come to an end. It is by far of my favorite series. What a great way to send a series.

This story follows Sebastian Gallo the youngest Gallo and the closes to Aida. He meets Yelena, the daughter of the Bratva boss and the Gallo’s rival.

This book was so good. I enjoyed the characters and feel they were so well written. I loved this series so much and I’m so sad that it’s over. I was given an ARC of this boon in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions

This book was amazing!! Thank you so much for the ARC. I'm so glad Sophie Lark is getting the hype she deserves because every one of her books is a five out five. All romance readers need to check this one out!!

Yelena and Sebastian were a fun couple. I didn't mind them together, but I struggle with any book that starts off with lying. Yelena hiding her father's schemes cost so many lives. I wonder what would have happened if she'd given Seb the heads up prior. I imagine they'd still have ended up together, happy as a pair of clams.

I struggled HARD with some plot holes. The whole "submit to me" thing to "heal the rift" was torture. I get that a spicy sex was needed and I appreciated it, but it seems to be a thing that the men in this series go all "dominant" only when they want an excuse to punish the woman they're with. It feels toxic. I also don't buy that after the enormous lie that Yelena committed plus her lack of warning to Seb (she said she had feelings that something was off, shoulda voiced those concerns) that they're just going to fuck once and it'll all be okay because Yelena let Seb do some kinky things to her and viola! Rift healed!

It also drove me nuts that Seb's knee is broken again but he's then described as doing a bunch of stuff that could not happen with a broken kneecap, like walking into a hospital, only have Yelena checked out, dirty sex, standing in a shower, walking to the bakery to get things. It's only after a moment and a surprise pregnancy that Seb has to have surgery.

I'd have liked less plot holes, but I do love the overall story. I liked that Adia, Callum, and Miko came to the rescue and helped Seb. I didn't buy the whole "I'm a monster" thing and sided with Greta, that was never in Seb's personality so the whole "unleashed a monster" was hard to buy. I also don't agree with Dante's life choices. I 100% understand that he has his own family and wants to move on, but move to Paris and just abandon the family you LOVE so much? We know you're the King Kong of mankind, but to leave your family to certain death? I don't feel like Simone would have frowned upon that. It's not like you're out robbing banks/diamonds again, you're defending your family.

All in all, I did enjoy the book! I love this series and can't wait to read the Kingmakers series.

Again, I love Sophie and this one was great. I love this entire series. I love how she creates characters with flaws and real life problems.

This book was the moment I'd been waiting for since the series began – finally, Sebastian's story.

But I have to confess, it left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. Maybe it was the high expectations, but I just couldn't connect with the characters as deeply as I'd hoped.

And don't get me started on the insta-love trope – it's always been a pet peeve of mine, and it felt so rushed here that it was hard to suspend my disbelief.

However, the second half of the book redeemed it for me. The action picked up, and I found myself getting more invested in the storyline.

Saying goodbye to these characters was bittersweet, but the spin-off series has me excited for what's next in this universe.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.