Sophie lark has done it again!
Obsessed.
I left my love mafia back in 2015, but this book has taken me right back and I’m obsessed with mafia romance again. Always a sucker for some academy vibes in any book. Enjoyed the forbidden aspect but safe to say I’m back in my mafia era

As always, Sophie Lark surprises me with her writing.
Anyone who reads my reviews already now I simply love mafia romance books and most of all, Sophie’s books. So clearly I was super excited to read this one when I had the opportunity given by Netgalley, the editor and the author (so a really big thank you).

“All the light went out of my life,(…) I’ve been so dark without you.”

First of all, who doesn’t want to read about a freaking mafia school? Yeah you read right. This series is about a school (maybe a type of college) where the mafia kids go before assuming their own jobs in the mafia world.
And omg it was so entertaining.

“Sometimes de harder thing is to let go.”

The characters, Leo and Anna, are from the “same” mafia family but not really blood related. It’s a little complicated you have to read to understand.
But I have read their parents books first and it was so good to read about the kiddos and their future.
Oh, and there is a certain vengeance plot because of one of the books before, so maybe it’s better if you read the other series about the Gallos and Griffins families.

Well but about the characters, I liked them but sometimes they were a little to childish in some situations where it wasn’t necessary. They are just teenagers so I think it was understandable.
But well, I can say that overtime they changed for good, and I really loved to see their development in the time they stayed at Kingmakers.

This one is a best friend to lovers so some of you could be disappointed. I honestly liked it.

Also, the plot was really intriguing and I felt anxious while reading because, DEAN WAS SO IRRITATING.
In the beginning, I was like “poor him, he didn’t have a easy childhood”, but oh boy, he had the opportunity to change and NO, he decided to doing worse.

So has you can see, it was a really good reading for me, and I’m excited to read the next books in this series.

A training school for the mafia…sign me up!! Rivalries are high here and everyone wants something. Leo finds himself in deeper than he thought.

While at Kingmakers it’s an eye for an eye and you are NOT allowed to kill maim anyone while you are there…it happens….there are consequences. Ones, you don’t want to have to experience first hand.

Get ready for the ride if your life! The author writes in a way that draws you in and keeps a hold of you until you forget to breath!!

KIngmakers: Year One is a dark academia, slow burn, mafia romance following Anna, Leo, and Dean as they are accepted into an elite college specific to the Mafia groups in the area. Leo and Dean are from warring mafia clans, and Anna is Leo's cousin (but not by blood). The three of them are accepted into the Heir group as they are destined to inherit their family legacies. Leo realizes he has feelings for Anna, and she is the same, but Dean comes between them, trying to secure Anna for himself. This novel has a good plot line, and the world-building feels effortless. While there is a lot of Mafia involved, it isn't too hard to keep up with what is going on. I appreciate that the characters are college-age and of consent age for the topic matter, especially since it may be triggering or taboo to some. All in al,l I enjoyed this book.

Kingmakers, which is basically a mafia university where all these kids from powerful crime families learn how to be intimidating and manipulative.

So we've got Leo, who's totally devoted to his childhood bestie Anna. He follows her into this crazy world where everyone's playing mind games and using love like it's just another weapon in their arsenal. But here's where it gets messy - there's this Bratva heir, Dean Yenin, who's got it out for Leo in the worst way. This dude's not just playing around - he wants to wreck Leo's whole life, starting with stealing Anna away.

The whole thing's supposed to be this intense will-they-won't-they between Leo and Anna, with him trying to win back his soulmate while everything's falling apart around them.

But honestly? It just didn't click for me. Even though it's by Sophie, which usually means it's going to be good, this one was kind of a letdown. The characters didn't really grab me, and the story just felt... meh? Like it was missing that special something to make it really pop.

I'm kind of torn about recommending it. Like, maybe some people would be into it, but it definitely wasn't my cup of tea. One of those books where you finish it and you're just like "...okay. Is that it?”

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I loved dipping back into the Bratva life that Sophie Lark has created! I read the initial series and revisiting old characters and their new offspring was an exciting adventure in these books. Sophie's touches are all over the book and I loved it! Can't wait to read the next in the series.

Wow loved that this is a school for mafia kids (18 years +) to learn all they need to know to be successful bosses, spies, accountants, etc. I liked Dean at first but he slowly started to show his true colours. Leo and Annas friendship was cute and hate that Dean tried to destroy it. Anna was so strong but hated that Dean tried to destroy that part of her.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to arc read this novel!

Sophie Lark never disappoints and the rebranding of the kingmaker series was a huge success.

"Kingmakers: Year One" delivers a thrilling look into the secretive and deadly world of Kingmakers Academy, where heirs, enforcers, and spies from the world’s most powerful criminal families are molded into masters of manipulation and control. The story centers on Leo, Anna, and Dean, three heirs whose intertwined fates pull them into a love triangle laced with high stakes and deadly tension. Leo and Anna, childhood friends raised as cousins, struggle with feelings that defy their “family” bond, while Dean, Leo’s actual cousin, is hell-bent on revenge and determined to claim Anna as his own. The dynamics between them simmer with passion, hatred, and suspense as alliances shift and betrayals surface.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is its masterful world-building. The complex hierarchy, deadly rules, and intense rivalries at Kingmakers create an atmosphere that’s both exhilarating and terrifying, adding a whole new dimension to the characters’ actions. Every challenge and rivalry is crafted with precision, setting up the foundation for future books without ever feeling like a mere setup. Even minor characters make an impact, hinting at deeper arcs to come. Leo and Anna’s unfolding romance adds warmth, while Dean’s cold, calculating perspective raises the stakes, making the character dynamics all the richer and more unpredictable.

Dean’s POV is particularly fascinating, showcasing his ruthless nature and the pain driving his vendetta. While his choices are extreme, they bring depth to his character and hint at a complex journey ahead. The layered storytelling makes you eager to see how each character will evolve, especially with the dramatic, high-stakes ending that leaves the door open for more chaos and intrigue. If you’re looking for a mafia romance that balances danger with character development, "Kingmakers: Year One" is a gripping start to what promises to be an explosive series.

*HIGHLY recommend reading the Brutal Birthright series before this one for the most enjoyment!

I struggled with this one. The flow just didn’t click with me. The OM drama was not it. It’s one of my least favorite tropes. I won’t be leaving a public review on this book.

I struggled to connect with the romance in this book, particularly the friends-to-lovers dynamic. I felt there was a lack of chemistry between Anna and Leo, which made it hard for me to invest in their relationship. The romantic development really didn’t pick up until about 80% of the way through, and by then, I had lost interest. The subplot involving the date rape drug was also a significant shift that didn’t resonate with me. Overall, the romance felt underdeveloped and didn’t hold my attention.

This was the perfect gothic second-gen book!!
I loved the college setting and , it’s like the modern mafia Hogwarts with all the different games, houses and the hierarchy!
And friends to lovers is my favourite trope so this was truly perfect, especially since Leo is sooo cute

Friends to lovers. Mafia. College.
Leo and Anna were so good together, I did not liked Dean to be honest.
And 3 POV's were a bit much for me, but I still enjoyed the college vibe, the plot etc.

3.5 Stars

Did I love it? No. But did I hate it? Not even close. Like apparently Dean is going to get his own story and I'm like let me at that m-effer. But also, give me the next book right meow.

While I enjoyed the previous serious (the parents of these main characters), I really struggled with this book. It’s incredibly long and the three POVs seemed too much while the love triangle was unnecessary. Unfortunately the escapism I found in the first series wasn’t found here.

3 stars

Ive read her brutal birthright series and enjoyed it but this one wasn't doing it for me. There are fun Easter eggs in this series that connect with the previous books shes written which was fun but overall this one felt more juvenile in terms of the dialogue. I also don't like the virgin trope and think that was a big reason for me not enjoying this book as much.
There were some fun twists and turns and if you wabted a quick and easy read with some spice then this is a great book.

I love me some Sophie lark!! I read her entire brutal birthright series so , the fact that there are Easter eggs and just overall details that interconnect with all the other series is killing me , I knocked this book out quickly , the writing style and just the teen hormonal energy, violent angst and the mystery that leaves you at the edge of your seat in sending me . The twists and turns of the book and the dark secrets that leave you more perplexed as you continue ..I can’t wait for the rest of the books to drop !

UPDATING REVIEW AFTER REREAD:

STORY LOVES
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SPICE
🌶️ mild
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RECOMMEND
💳 yes
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Kingmaker Year 1 (The Heir) is a great book & series to introduce readers to the mafia world, but from the next generation perspective.

The rerelease of Kingmaker Year 1 includes the greatest character & scene art. I read on my iPad, so I got to see the art in color.

If you enjoy mafia lite, friends-to-lovers, next generation, college romance, then I think you’ll enjoy this book as well

The Kingmakers is the next generation of the Brutal Birthright series.

Leo Gallo is the son of Sebastian & Yelena. Anna is the daughter of Mikolaj and Nessa's.

Kingsmakers is the college mafia families send their children to learn to excel and survive the mafia world.

Read the Brutal Birthright series first to fully grasp the backstory.

Sophie Lark does a great job with her mafia stories. Give it a read and enjoy.

If Sophie Lark writes it, I am reading it! This book kicks off the Kingmakers series and which takes place at a school for mafia families - so immediately we know this isn’t your average school! The school is preparing the next generation of mafia leaders.

I am really excited to see where this series goes - so far it is angsty slow burn with a little friends to lovers added in - but with all of the different characters and divisions, there are still more stories to tell!