I was not able to read this book and review it before its publishing date but now that I read it I have given it 4 stars.

It is a shame that I waited so long to read this series because it is totally engrossing and well done. I find, as an older reader, that I often don't do well with college-age characters, but there is an exception to every rule, and this is one of them. Great prose, wonderful pacing, and the art included in this version is stunning. 💖
**No longer reading anything from this author**

I honestly don't know why I keep trying with mafia romance but if anyone could make it work for me, it'd be Sophie Lark. Kingmakers presents an interesting premise of a school that trains mafia heirs. Year one introduces a cast of characters and a story that will hook readers.

Anna and Leo are clearly meant to be. The connection between them was apparent immediately but being childhood friends from close families made them question their feelings and worry about ruining their friendship. Going to Kingmakers together brought them closer but also introduced new obstacles.

I admit, this is a large cast of characters to introduce at one time and it did have me confused at times. I couldn't always keep up with everyone but I hope things get less confusing in future books. Some of the secondary characters definitely stole the show here and I look forward to reading their books.

The pacing of the plot was a little slow for me. The first half of the book felt like nothing but character development and then everything happened rather quickly at the end. I also felt that this was longer than necessary. A lot of description and character info that didn't seem to add anything to the story.

Overall, Kingmakers: Year One is a solid start to the series and a good introduction for those wanting to check out the mafia romance genre.

After recent events, I will no longer be supporting Sophie Lark by reading and reviewing any of her books.

Hmmm. Alright well, this wasn't quite as good as I was expecting. I loved the concept of this mafia world, with a college dedicated to mafia kids/heirs. The actual school was fun and exciting! I just didn't vibe with the romance at all, and I LOVE friends to lovers. There was no chemistry between Anna and Leo. To be honest, I wanted Anna to be with Dean (our 3rd POV) until his whole date rape drug thing. The romance barely happens until about 80% into the book and by then I was over it.

Unfortunately this book did not work for me. The romance between Anna and Leo did not make sense. Personally, for me the character lacked chemistry. Story and plot wise it was fine.

The friends to lovers isn’t exactly my cup of tea , but here i loved it! I’ve adored the concept of a school for the mafia’s elite next generation and the chemistry with Leo and Anna’s chemistry is realm everything!

"I’m going to dig a hole in you with my c*ck. I’m going to sculpt that perfect tight p*ssy to fit me alone, and I’m going to tear a path to make it fit.”

This was a very entertaining read! I really liked the idea of having an elite school where the children of mafia families go to. Leo and Anna’s chemistry was off the charge. I love the relationship and how they’ve been best friends since they were young. I know that you’re not supposed to like Dean in this book and I’m really excited to see how he gets redeemed later on in the series. I really did not like the love triangle in this book and it’s very much a love triangle in this romance. For a good 80% of the book, Ana and Leo are not together and are quite distant from one another and I wasn’t really a fan of that. I’ll say my favorite part of the book was definitely all of the mystery behind Kingmakers and wanting to see how the challenges ended.
I can’t wait to read the next books in the series unravel more of the mystery!

Read if you like:
Triple POVs
Elite Mafia school setting
Friends to lovers
Love triangle
Best friend’s enemy
School challenges
Virgin heroine

I was really excited about this book when I received it. However, there were parts of it that fell flat for me and I’m not really sure why unfortunately. Overall, the book was very good.

I’ll definitely continue on with the series. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite go-to favorite trope because i find it’s usually set up with at least one person liking the other forever and just never speaking up. But I really liked how in this book… their friendship was normal and platonic for so long, until one day things clicked for them and they couldn’t look back. Felt more of a true friends turning into lovers than other books I’ve read in the past with this trope. The books are supposed to be kind of like Hogwarts but mafia and romance. I definitely think it did life up to that but I was so excited for the romance because it’s forbidden but it was just so dense the only parts I really liked were Dean’s POV. When everyone finds out that they’re secretly dating they’re also chill with it even though they were raised as cousins their parents and their siblings and cousins didn’t even bat an eye at it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an ok start to a series. This was an interesting book.

4 stars — because apparently I love morally questionable teens, secret societies, and romantic chaos.

‘Kingmakers: Year One’ is like someone threw Hogwarts, the mafia, and a spicy enemies-to-lovers trope into a blender and hit ‘maximum drama.’ The story follows Anastasia Gallo, daughter of a mafia boss, who gets shipped off to Kingmakers Academy—a secret elite school that trains heirs of criminal empires in the fine art of becoming terrifying. Knife skills, manipulation, combat, seduction… you know, standard curriculum.

Of course, she immediately clashes with Leo, her rival from a rival crime family, because nothing says character development like violent flirting and intense eye contact. The tension is delicious, the stakes are high, and the school itself is somehow both terrifying and fascinating. There’s plenty of mystery, bloodshed, betrayal, and just enough romance to keep me side-eyeing my Kindle like ‘ma’am, is this healthy?’ (It’s not. But it’s entertaining.)

The pacing was addictive, the drama was unhinged (in the best way), and the vibes were chef’s kiss. I docked a star only because some parts felt a little over-the-top or underdeveloped—but honestly, I came for the chaos and stayed for the ✨unhinged mafia academia aesthetic✨.

Would I survive a day at Kingmakers? Absolutely not. But I’m already reaching for Year Two.

Gathered in one place at the Kingmakers Academy the future heirs, accountants, spies and enforcers from different mafia families are forced to deal with each other for 3 years with the understanding that they don't kill, maim or fight each other on kingmakers territory. And nothing will go unpunished a kill for a kill is what they say.

I was about 24% into this book when the recent news of Sophie Lark choosing to make some choices surrounding racist and Pro-Elon musk statements in one of her more recent books coming soon. For this reason I do not feel comfortable continuing my read of this book. I liked what I had read so far but cannot market this book on my socials. I will not be reviewing the book on goodreads or amazon since I did not finish reading it.

I enjoyed Brutal Prince and was looking forward to reading this but after seeing recent remarks in her works I cannot support the casual racism and therefore will not be reading any more of her works.

I’ve heard great things about this series and had been looking forward to starting it. Unfortunately I will not be reading any more of Sophie Larks books due to the racist statements and praising of real life nazi Elon Musk in her upcoming book Sparrow and Vine.

I stand against all forms of racism and I cannot in good conscience provide a positive rating for a book by an author that included casual racism into a recent work (Sparrow and Vine). I was encouraged by friends to read books by this author, thus my reason for requesting this book, however, I cannot support any author who harms marginalized communities.

As a Latina, I cannot support an author that would make casually racist remarks in their work, as seen in her newest book, Sparrow and Vine.

This book was pushed to the backlist in the past few months and I will not review it now.

Please consider rectifying the situation as I’m sure there are thousands of readers who feel the same.

To say I love Sophie Lark’s books is an understatement. The world she has created with Chicago’s underground is so much fun. I loved the Brutal Birthright series so finding out this series is the next generation had me screaming.

Anna and Leo are the definition of friends to lovers - they have the classic “I don’t want to tell them because I don’t want to ruin our friendship” thing going and it creates a very angsty situation. I love how Dean played a role in them getting together by making Leo jealous. Since I’ve read the rest of the series, I know Dean’s redemption arc is coming and I loved going back and seeing him come into himself this first year.

Did I love this more than Brutal Prince? Not really. But I could be with these characters for 10 generations and not be sick of them. Sophie does such a good job with tension and angst, but then put them on a remote island stuck together for an entire year of school? Recipe for the perfect friends to lovers.

I will always recommend this series to others and the mafia aspects of this one are much more understated. Loved being back with the Gallos and the amount of character development to come is amazing!

I loved this! The way it mixed Hogwarts with mafia vibes?? I’m obsessed. And the characters were so likable, especially Leo and Anna. They’re too cute. Definitely following this series!!