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Mafia Royals #2
Scandalous Prince
The Woods are Lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep and miles to go, before I sleep —Robert Frost
I was born under fire and swore to protect her until my dying day, I just never knew that one day, I'd be the very monster I was protecting her from.
She didn't know it was me.
She didn't know that I had no choice and would do it again and again to save her.
I may as well have given her the mark on her finger.
The one that shows where her loyalty must lie.
Because we don't sin in silence.
And eventually, you have to pay up what you owe.
My need to protect her turned into a lie to save her.
And when she found out—I turned in to the very monster I was trying to protect her from.
Watching Violet Abandonato walk out of my life was like a knife to the chest, a wound that refused to heal.
The bosses sent me to protect her, to watch over her even though I was the demon she fled.
We both carry scars.
But if all I can have is her hate for as long as I breathe.
I'll take it.
Because at the end of the day, I should burn in Hell forever thinking Chase Abandonato's perfect angel would pick me—over her perfect life.
"I broke you," I confessed.
"The worst part… is that you liked it," she snapped right back.
Welcome to the second generation of the mafia, may the best man or woman, be left standing.
May God bless our tainted souls.
I was born under fire and swore to protect her until my dying day, I just never knew that one day, I'd be the very monster I was protecting her from.
She didn't know it was me.
She didn't know that I had no choice and would do it again and again to save her.
I may as well have given her the mark on her finger.
The one that shows where her loyalty must lie.
Because we don't sin in silence.
And eventually, you have to pay up what you owe.
My need to protect her turned into a lie to save her.
And when she found out—I turned in to the very monster I was trying to protect her from.
Watching Violet Abandonato walk out of my life was like a knife to the chest, a wound that refused to heal.
The bosses sent me to protect her, to watch over her even though I was the demon she fled.
We both carry scars.
But if all I can have is her hate for as long as I breathe.
I'll take it.
Because at the end of the day, I should burn in Hell forever thinking Chase Abandonato's perfect angel would pick me—over her perfect life.
"I broke you," I confessed.
"The worst part… is that you liked it," she snapped right back.
Welcome to the second generation of the mafia, may the best man or woman, be left standing.
May God bless our tainted souls.
336 pages, ebook
First published September 22, 2020
507 people are currently reading
3363 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Van Dyken
177 books18.3k followersRachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances.
Hey guys I'm rarely on Goodreads, if you need to reach me feel free to email!
EMAIL ME: rachelvandykenauthor@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-...
Hey guys I'm rarely on Goodreads, if you need to reach me feel free to email!
EMAIL ME: rachelvandykenauthor@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 439 reviews
January 23, 2021
“Most enemies hide in plain sight, waiting for the day to step out and fight!”
The following ratings are out of 5:
Audio/Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧
Romance: ❤️💙💜💛💚
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌎🌏🌍🌎
Character development: 👤👤👤👤
The setting: Chicago & Seattle
The Hero(s): Breaker Campisi - the adopted son of the Campisi famiglia. Breaker has been in love with Violet as long as he can remember. They are under the same rules as the other children of the five families and face death if they fall in love with each other and act on that love. Breaker has sworn to protect Violet with his life. He is in a crazy situation and though he loves Violet, he knows he can never really end up with her.
Valerian Petrov - wanted Violet more than anything since the moment he first saw her. Valerian is the true heir to the Petrov crime family and will become the boss of that famiglia. He is forced into Violets’ life in a way that he has no control over.
The heroine: Violet Abandonato - daddy’s girl to mob boss and Senator Chase Abandonato. Ash Abandonato is her brother. She is the virginal mafia princess and apple of her father’s eye. She has been in love with Breaker as long as she can remember. Violet’s was forced into a marriage against her will, but shouldn’t couldn’t refuse for the sake of her family.
The Love Story: Both Breaker and Valerian wanted Violet more than anything. Though Breaker & Violet’s love seems doomed even after the bosses become OK with Junior and Serena being in love. Valerian is being used by the Petrov’s because of some internal strife in the Russian mafia and though he loves Violet, he forces her to marry him knowing she has feelings for Breaker. So they will become King and Queen of the Petrov famiglia.
I listened to the Audiobook and I loved the narrator’s, both the male and the female. This is only the second Audiobook I have listened to, so I don’t know the process when there are two narrators. However, I was looking forward to having two, since my first book had just a woman and I found it odd for a woman to do a man’s voice. I expected it to be more like a play, with the man reading all the man parts and the woman the woman parts.
What it was though, was the man reading the chapters that are the male POV (including doing a woman’s voice for Violet and other woman’s statements) and the woman reading the chapters that are female POV (including doing a man’s voice when Valerian, Breaker and other men speak). I’m not sure if that is always how they do it, but I found it strange. Though I did love the fact that both narrators did great Russian Accents. Especially the man, I work with a man from the Ukraine and the accent sounded so much like my co-worker I was amazed.
One thing I didn’t like was the plot twist in the first half of this one. I knew what was going on from the get-go, so the surprise was only a surprise to the characters and not to me. Which was fine, but I wish there were no hints so I wouldn’t have known. I kind of like secrets to be revealed to me at the same time as the characters find out without hints beforehand. This one seemed like it was supposed to be a big surprise but I knew right away. Though the story was a good one and goes beyond the strife between Valerian, Breaker and Violet. The second half is definitely the standout in this one!
The romance was sizzling hot, but the intimate scenes were hard to see like that since they are always from one POV or another, usually the girl’s. So like I said, it was the woman narrator talking through them and her reading both what the girl was thinking and saying and what the guy was saying, in her most (but not really) manly voice. I guess I like hearing the voices in my head better than that or wish the actual man narrator would have read those lines.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Audio/Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧
Romance: ❤️💙💜💛💚
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌎🌏🌍🌎
Character development: 👤👤👤👤
The setting: Chicago & Seattle
The Hero(s): Breaker Campisi - the adopted son of the Campisi famiglia. Breaker has been in love with Violet as long as he can remember. They are under the same rules as the other children of the five families and face death if they fall in love with each other and act on that love. Breaker has sworn to protect Violet with his life. He is in a crazy situation and though he loves Violet, he knows he can never really end up with her.
Valerian Petrov - wanted Violet more than anything since the moment he first saw her. Valerian is the true heir to the Petrov crime family and will become the boss of that famiglia. He is forced into Violets’ life in a way that he has no control over.
The heroine: Violet Abandonato - daddy’s girl to mob boss and Senator Chase Abandonato. Ash Abandonato is her brother. She is the virginal mafia princess and apple of her father’s eye. She has been in love with Breaker as long as she can remember. Violet’s was forced into a marriage against her will, but shouldn’t couldn’t refuse for the sake of her family.
The Love Story: Both Breaker and Valerian wanted Violet more than anything. Though Breaker & Violet’s love seems doomed even after the bosses become OK with Junior and Serena being in love. Valerian is being used by the Petrov’s because of some internal strife in the Russian mafia and though he loves Violet, he forces her to marry him knowing she has feelings for Breaker. So they will become King and Queen of the Petrov famiglia.
I listened to the Audiobook and I loved the narrator’s, both the male and the female. This is only the second Audiobook I have listened to, so I don’t know the process when there are two narrators. However, I was looking forward to having two, since my first book had just a woman and I found it odd for a woman to do a man’s voice. I expected it to be more like a play, with the man reading all the man parts and the woman the woman parts.
What it was though, was the man reading the chapters that are the male POV (including doing a woman’s voice for Violet and other woman’s statements) and the woman reading the chapters that are female POV (including doing a man’s voice when Valerian, Breaker and other men speak). I’m not sure if that is always how they do it, but I found it strange. Though I did love the fact that both narrators did great Russian Accents. Especially the man, I work with a man from the Ukraine and the accent sounded so much like my co-worker I was amazed.
One thing I didn’t like was the plot twist in the first half of this one. I knew what was going on from the get-go, so the surprise was only a surprise to the characters and not to me. Which was fine, but I wish there were no hints so I wouldn’t have known. I kind of like secrets to be revealed to me at the same time as the characters find out without hints beforehand. This one seemed like it was supposed to be a big surprise but I knew right away. Though the story was a good one and goes beyond the strife between Valerian, Breaker and Violet. The second half is definitely the standout in this one!
“It’s the mafia.” His simple clipped answer as if it made everything better like a Band-Aid you put on a mortal wound and wonder why the person’s still bleeding out.
The romance was sizzling hot, but the intimate scenes were hard to see like that since they are always from one POV or another, usually the girl’s. So like I said, it was the woman narrator talking through them and her reading both what the girl was thinking and saying and what the guy was saying, in her most (but not really) manly voice. I guess I like hearing the voices in my head better than that or wish the actual man narrator would have read those lines.
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September 18, 2020
3 Stars
Plot
Violet and Breaker have been in love with each other since they were kids, they were each other’s anchors but their love had to be kept a secret as they never could have taken their relationship to the next step because of their family. As Violet was the daughter of the Senator, Chase Abandonato
And Breaker was just the son of the Capo, Tex Campisi.
Chase had assigned Breaker to be Violets bodyguard but always threatened him to not touch his innocent daughter. Breaker tried his best to move on from Violet but no matter how many girls he had been with he never could get Violet out of his heart.
But when you’re drunk so that you don’t think about the girl that you’re in love with—you tend to forget the faces and focus only on the feeling.
One day something happened that was out of their control and Violet was promised to another man named Valerian.
Characters
Breaker: Didn’t like him that much at first, his starting chapters were basically of him whining. Literally.
Violet: Meh. Sometimes I just wanted to shake her so hard like Violet hunny what are you even thinking?
Valerian: I love him. Saved the book.
The Entire Italian Family: I fucking love them all so much.
ALSO SERENA AND JUNIOR BREAD CRUMPS!! YESSS!!!
And let’s not forget Asher and Breaker 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Ash gave me one more shove. “This isn’t done. We’re sparring at home; I’ve never lost a fight to you, not about to start now. Oh also, you slept with my sister. I’m driving.”
We stopped by the grocery store. I paid because I had slept with his sister. And at Starbucks? I swiped my card because, again, I’d slept with his sister.
[image error]
NOTE Mild Spoilers Ahead
So the first few chapters pissed be off so much. Like so soooo soooooo much. Because I just couldn’t understand Violet and Breaker, I felt like Violet was toooo much in love with Breaker! And the feelings weren’t reciprocated that same way!
I would have given Breaker everything and several times almost did only to realize that my dad would murder him and I couldn’t have the death of my best friend on my conscience no matter how annoying he was or how he paraded girls in front of me like he wanted me to know he was getting it somewhere else.
Can you imagine after all this Violet still kept her virginity for Breaker? 🙄😬
And then the club scene happened. Which legit got my blood boiling. I couldn’t understand why ANDREI! And that whining baby BREAKER let something like that happen to Violet. I just couldn’t! And then after that she was promised to Valerian, and Breaker had the nerve to get angry at Violet for agreeing with it and im here like HUNNY THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! IF AT THE CLUB YOU DIDNT MAN THE FUCK UP AND SAVE HER! She wouldn’t have been in this predicament... and then poor lovesick Violet.....
Stolen by a man I barely knew. One I hated. And one… I would try to kill. Because I wanted Breaker. And he wouldn’t fight for us. I would.
Uggggh VIOLET WHY! Breaker isn’t good for you! Fuck him!!
[image error]
So as you can see, all of the above happened in the first few chapters that got be wanting to DNF the book.
H O W E V E R
My reading buddy Roxanne, god bless her was pushing me to continue. So I did. And I want to publicly apologize to Breaker for calling him a Whining Baby That’s all I’m going to say.
So just be patient while reading the first few chapters, don’t stop reading and Keep going!! because after Violet gets engaged to Valerian things will start getting better. And everything will fall into place! You might also see the plot twist coming! Because I was internally begging for that to happen! That was the books saving grace. So be patient.
Plot
Violet and Breaker have been in love with each other since they were kids, they were each other’s anchors but their love had to be kept a secret as they never could have taken their relationship to the next step because of their family. As Violet was the daughter of the Senator, Chase Abandonato
And Breaker was just the son of the Capo, Tex Campisi.
Chase had assigned Breaker to be Violets bodyguard but always threatened him to not touch his innocent daughter. Breaker tried his best to move on from Violet but no matter how many girls he had been with he never could get Violet out of his heart.
But when you’re drunk so that you don’t think about the girl that you’re in love with—you tend to forget the faces and focus only on the feeling.
One day something happened that was out of their control and Violet was promised to another man named Valerian.
Characters
Breaker: Didn’t like him that much at first, his starting chapters were basically of him whining. Literally.
Violet: Meh. Sometimes I just wanted to shake her so hard like Violet hunny what are you even thinking?
Valerian: I love him. Saved the book.
The Entire Italian Family: I fucking love them all so much.
ALSO SERENA AND JUNIOR BREAD CRUMPS!! YESSS!!!
And let’s not forget Asher and Breaker 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Ash gave me one more shove. “This isn’t done. We’re sparring at home; I’ve never lost a fight to you, not about to start now. Oh also, you slept with my sister. I’m driving.”
We stopped by the grocery store. I paid because I had slept with his sister. And at Starbucks? I swiped my card because, again, I’d slept with his sister.
[image error]
NOTE Mild Spoilers Ahead
So the first few chapters pissed be off so much. Like so soooo soooooo much. Because I just couldn’t understand Violet and Breaker, I felt like Violet was toooo much in love with Breaker! And the feelings weren’t reciprocated that same way!
I would have given Breaker everything and several times almost did only to realize that my dad would murder him and I couldn’t have the death of my best friend on my conscience no matter how annoying he was or how he paraded girls in front of me like he wanted me to know he was getting it somewhere else.
Can you imagine after all this Violet still kept her virginity for Breaker? 🙄😬
And then the club scene happened. Which legit got my blood boiling. I couldn’t understand why ANDREI! And that whining baby BREAKER let something like that happen to Violet. I just couldn’t! And then after that she was promised to Valerian, and Breaker had the nerve to get angry at Violet for agreeing with it and im here like HUNNY THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! IF AT THE CLUB YOU DIDNT MAN THE FUCK UP AND SAVE HER! She wouldn’t have been in this predicament... and then poor lovesick Violet.....
Stolen by a man I barely knew. One I hated. And one… I would try to kill. Because I wanted Breaker. And he wouldn’t fight for us. I would.
Uggggh VIOLET WHY! Breaker isn’t good for you! Fuck him!!
[image error]
So as you can see, all of the above happened in the first few chapters that got be wanting to DNF the book.
H O W E V E R
My reading buddy Roxanne, god bless her was pushing me to continue. So I did. And I want to publicly apologize to Breaker for calling him a Whining Baby That’s all I’m going to say.
So just be patient while reading the first few chapters, don’t stop reading and Keep going!! because after Violet gets engaged to Valerian things will start getting better. And everything will fall into place! You might also see the plot twist coming! Because I was internally begging for that to happen! That was the books saving grace. So be patient.
September 19, 2020
I am honestly having a hard time writing this because I want to say so much yet not spill the spoilers BUT OMG this book is crazy good. I don’t even know where to begin.. Do I start once again with explaining my love for this familia? Because let me tell you, I LOVE the Costa Nostra.
As much as I love Nixon , Chase Abandonato captured a piece of my heart ever since Eulogy…. And knowing what I know, that
1: Chase Abandonato is a scary MotherF****r.
That I quote “ His rage is legendary. Just a man who would do anything for his daughter. Just a man who you didn’t want to double cross. Just a man who would rip me apart with his bare hands ”.
Does it make me sadistic if I say that I snickered away reading this?
2: That Violet is a complete daddy’s girl..
I knew Violet’s book would make one hell of a read.
The moment it was mentioned in Royal Bully that Violet was more into books than people. I wanted to know her story. As a person who enjoys the company of books over people myself,I was beyond intrigued.
Don’t be fooled by Violet Emiliana Abandanato though… She is all innocent, wicked perfection wrapped up in a package. Do not for one second think that these characters are not deadly..they are a part of the Costa Nostra after all.
“Love feels like something inside of you is breaking at least ninety percent of the time, and the only ointment is usually the person that’s doing the breaking”
Breaker Campisi aka Breaker of Hearts is the typical bad boy we love to love/hate. He is seductive, addictive and deadly.
If you’ve read Ruthless Princess, then you would have already figured out that Scandalous Prince would be a tragic love story. But I can assure you that you won’t be ready for the twist and turns in this book.
To be completely honest, I had to take a breather after about 12% because it got way too intense and I wasn’t prepared for what I had read. I sat there thinking, “ Oh lord! I still have 87% more to go and this book is already ruining me”.
Scandalous Prince is marvellous!
It is shrouded in mystery, suspense, intrigue, forbidden love and all it’s “mafia darkness”.
We got to read about the OG family (YAY!), we got to see Junior and Selena (more in love that ever!) being their deadly self *BLISS*, we got to read about potential love matches * excited clapping hands*…The list could go on and on and I am itching to discuss this book with my friends once it’s LIVE!
I have loved the mafia world created by Rachel Van Dyken and she has sunk her claws deeper with this series.
Set an alarm for September 22 because Scandalous Prince is going to ruin you.
October 16, 2020
I am in love with this series! This series is about the second generation of the "Eagle Elite" series. I might add that if you are into Mafia romances, then I highly recommend the Mafia Royals series, as well as the Eagle Elite series. They all are extremely entertaining, suspenseful, sexy, and down right unputdownable!!!
In "Scandalous Prince" we get the story of Violet and Breaker. Their story is full of angst, and will have you hooked to your Kindle, with Real Life taking a back seat to their trials and tribulations. I literally couldn't put this down, even when I guessed fairly early on the huge twist!!! I definitely don't want to give anything away, but just know that in this mafia family, there are many secrets. They also are very loyal to one another...the loyalty started with the parents; but continues even stronger amongst their kids!
This is a must read mafia romance series, that will have you addicted and waiting on the edge of your seat until the next one comes out!!! Over the years I have followed RVD's mafia family, and I will continue to follow them as long as she keeps writing them!
"Blood in; No Out!!"
In "Scandalous Prince" we get the story of Violet and Breaker. Their story is full of angst, and will have you hooked to your Kindle, with Real Life taking a back seat to their trials and tribulations. I literally couldn't put this down, even when I guessed fairly early on the huge twist!!! I definitely don't want to give anything away, but just know that in this mafia family, there are many secrets. They also are very loyal to one another...the loyalty started with the parents; but continues even stronger amongst their kids!
This is a must read mafia romance series, that will have you addicted and waiting on the edge of your seat until the next one comes out!!! Over the years I have followed RVD's mafia family, and I will continue to follow them as long as she keeps writing them!
"Blood in; No Out!!"
January 11, 2021
I'm here counting the hours until the next book is released. And that's all.
For now.
For now.
September 25, 2020
"One day I will have you, Violet Abandonato, and it will be my name you scream...not his."
WHAT HAS RACHEL DONE TO MY HEART AND SOUL?!
I was super fucking honoured and lucky to read this remarkable angst-fest early! I'm still speechless! I literally could not put this book down. It was a roller coaster from beginning to end! I adore each and every one of the characters in this series. I want to be a part of their families! The ball busting and epic banter between the guys, AND the girls, the parents. My heart just burst with joy! And so many emotional moments between the families. God, damn.
Breaker! This man! I am so in love with him, I cannot even! The gut punches that this book delivers had me messaging RVD throughout the entire book. I yelled out loud so many times...Why Rachel? Why would you do you do the things you do to your characters? Don't EVER change! And just when I thought she'd stunned me, her words punched me right in the face AGAIN! Violet and Breaker are EVERYTHING you want in an angsty love story! And then some!
I am ADDICTED to this Mafia Royals world she's created. It's epic, heart-stopping story telling at it's finest. YOU WILL NOT KNOW WTF HIT YOU UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE! If forbidden, broken love stories about soul mates are your jam, then you need this book! Buckle up, because you are in for one HELL of a ride! Blood in, no out.
SCANDALOUS PRINCE IS LIVE!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/342fKLv
Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/ScandalousPrince
AppleBooks: https://smarturl.it/ScandalousPrinceAppl
Nook: https://smarturl.it/ScandalousPrinceBN
Kobo: https://smarturl.it/ScandalousPrinceKob
WHAT HAS RACHEL DONE TO MY HEART AND SOUL?!
I was super fucking honoured and lucky to read this remarkable angst-fest early! I'm still speechless! I literally could not put this book down. It was a roller coaster from beginning to end! I adore each and every one of the characters in this series. I want to be a part of their families! The ball busting and epic banter between the guys, AND the girls, the parents. My heart just burst with joy! And so many emotional moments between the families. God, damn.
Breaker! This man! I am so in love with him, I cannot even! The gut punches that this book delivers had me messaging RVD throughout the entire book. I yelled out loud so many times...Why Rachel? Why would you do you do the things you do to your characters? Don't EVER change! And just when I thought she'd stunned me, her words punched me right in the face AGAIN! Violet and Breaker are EVERYTHING you want in an angsty love story! And then some!
I am ADDICTED to this Mafia Royals world she's created. It's epic, heart-stopping story telling at it's finest. YOU WILL NOT KNOW WTF HIT YOU UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE! If forbidden, broken love stories about soul mates are your jam, then you need this book! Buckle up, because you are in for one HELL of a ride! Blood in, no out.
SCANDALOUS PRINCE IS LIVE!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/342fKLv
Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/ScandalousPrince
AppleBooks: https://smarturl.it/ScandalousPrinceAppl
Nook: https://smarturl.it/ScandalousPrinceBN
Kobo: https://smarturl.it/ScandalousPrinceKob
September 15, 2020
4 “My Blood For Yours” Stars
Breaker Campisi and Violet Abondonato, the bodyguard and the princess, best friends who have feelings for each other but their parents forbid love between the offsprings. Once you say No, you know that it only heightens the need to be together. Breaker knows that Violet’s father would never bless their union and would likely kill him for even thinking it could be possible. But something happens to these two that changes their entire relationships for good and bad. And so their story really begins.
This book is fast paced, full of crazy moments with dark and gritty twists and turns. However, there are also sweet, funny and romantic moments. I enjoyed this story. I just found that some of the transitions throughout the story felt choppy to me and I had to stop and figure out who was talking and what was going on. For the most part, the storytelling, even though it’s over the top and sometimes outrageous, is very addicting and getting all the mafia royals’ story has become my fun and guilty pleasure.
*advanced copy provided by Valentine PR in exchange for an honest review*
Breaker Campisi and Violet Abondonato, the bodyguard and the princess, best friends who have feelings for each other but their parents forbid love between the offsprings. Once you say No, you know that it only heightens the need to be together. Breaker knows that Violet’s father would never bless their union and would likely kill him for even thinking it could be possible. But something happens to these two that changes their entire relationships for good and bad. And so their story really begins.
This book is fast paced, full of crazy moments with dark and gritty twists and turns. However, there are also sweet, funny and romantic moments. I enjoyed this story. I just found that some of the transitions throughout the story felt choppy to me and I had to stop and figure out who was talking and what was going on. For the most part, the storytelling, even though it’s over the top and sometimes outrageous, is very addicting and getting all the mafia royals’ story has become my fun and guilty pleasure.
*advanced copy provided by Valentine PR in exchange for an honest review*
October 25, 2020
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Scandalous Prince is bloody genius. I was so engrossed with the story that I didn't see the plot coming. That makes me look like a dumbass given that there's a lot of clues. I guess I just let the story took me over.
The story is about Violet Abandonato and Breaker Campisi. The rules standstill -- they strictly cannot engage in an intimate relationship like Serena and Junior did. In the previous books, we all know Violet is a mafia princess and Breaker is tasked to protect her at all cost. She's timid, simple and a book lover while Breaker is a womanizer. Truthfully, I'm not a huge fan of him. I'm rooting for Violet throughout the book and I have a soft spot for her. She's very much like Luciana but she got her rebelliousness on Chase.
I don't want to give much away due to potential spoilers. The events turned upside down for these two and some Russian Mafia guy named Valerian Petrov came into the picture. All the craziness happened and it'll mess you up greatly (both in good & bad). The first half will confuse you but it'll enlighten you slowly. Just have a little patience until you get into the plot twist that got me like "HOLY SHIT. THAT WAS BRILLIANT."
Rachel Van Dyken can do so much more than what I've expected. I love how she creatively took a different direction especially these next generation characters stood on their own. I grew to love and appreciate them more just like their parents. Aaah. I love my Eagle Elite fam. Overall, this is frickin' good and it definitely stands out. I'm excited for Ash and Annie's book and I can already feel the angst between them.
Final rating: 4.5 ⭐️
Scandalous Prince is bloody genius. I was so engrossed with the story that I didn't see the plot coming. That makes me look like a dumbass given that there's a lot of clues. I guess I just let the story took me over.
The story is about Violet Abandonato and Breaker Campisi. The rules standstill -- they strictly cannot engage in an intimate relationship like Serena and Junior did. In the previous books, we all know Violet is a mafia princess and Breaker is tasked to protect her at all cost. She's timid, simple and a book lover while Breaker is a womanizer. Truthfully, I'm not a huge fan of him. I'm rooting for Violet throughout the book and I have a soft spot for her. She's very much like Luciana but she got her rebelliousness on Chase.
I don't want to give much away due to potential spoilers. The events turned upside down for these two and some Russian Mafia guy named Valerian Petrov came into the picture. All the craziness happened and it'll mess you up greatly (both in good & bad). The first half will confuse you but it'll enlighten you slowly. Just have a little patience until you get into the plot twist that got me like "HOLY SHIT. THAT WAS BRILLIANT."
Rachel Van Dyken can do so much more than what I've expected. I love how she creatively took a different direction especially these next generation characters stood on their own. I grew to love and appreciate them more just like their parents. Aaah. I love my Eagle Elite fam. Overall, this is frickin' good and it definitely stands out. I'm excited for Ash and Annie's book and I can already feel the angst between them.
Final rating: 4.5 ⭐️
September 13, 2020
ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS
Hell, I was her demon. And now I was wiping her tears and holding her close. I was no saint. I was the darkness that chased her. I was what haunted her dreams, I was her nightmare, and yet she held me like I was the knight that had ridden in on my white horse—she was right about one thing— the horse was white, but the knight was no servant to the king —he was fallen , and she’d singlehandedly resurrected him, not realizing something was very wrong.
Holy shit.
Wrecked. I am totally wrecked.
It seems like after reading this book , the only two words in my vocabulary are 'Holy shit' and 'oh my god' . None of you are prepared for Breaker and Violet. I thought this would be a regular mafia story , but it was so much more! Those twists and turns had me at the edge of my seat and that major plot twist!!! It seems like no matter how much I praise this author for that , it would be less.
Breaker is the adopted son of Tex and Mo. He has always been in love with Violet , who is the eldest child of senator Chase and Luc. Violet has a role to play. Being the senator's daughter is not an easy task. Every move by her has to be calculated and she can't loose her control. Well that would have been easier , if her chosen bodyguard hadn't been the most beautiful and infuriating boy ever.
Breaker campisi is a god among Campus. Paired with his angel like features , he has every girl falling at his feet. But his heart has always been with the girl whom he is tasked to protect with his life. The ice queen. The girl who would never be his. That didn't stop him from taking a little taste and now he was addicted. That is until fate messed it all up and he was forced to break the only girl he ever loved. She thinks he is her knight. How was he supposed to tell her that he had always been the wolf?
I was truly not prepared for this story! I am not even kidding here! No matter how many times , I read a certain scene, I can't get over that plot twist!!!! Rachel is the true queen of mafia Romance , and everytime I think she has outdone herself through her books , she brings another one and I am again awestruck!
Then there were those little teases of Ash and Annie's story. I want their book now!!! I can't wait anymore. She has absolutely driven me crazy with this book and I can't wait for you guys to read this book! One of my definite top reads of this year. Rvd has truly slayed us all in this book!
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August 19, 2020
RVD are you effing kidding me right now !!!! Yeah that was my reaction at 9% in.
Rachel went straight for the jugular, right at the beginning. Scandalous Prince is one of those reads that will sweep you up in everything that is happening. And most of the time you'll be screaming exactly that, WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING HERE !!!
This next generation of Mafia is addictive, consuming and dare I say they are making their parents look like amateurs.
With so many secrets Scandalous Prince will have you savouring every single word just to make sure you don't miss a thing.
The relationship between Breaker and Violet is endearing, captivating and full of twists and turns that will have you not wanting to put this book down at all.
This world, it's dangerous, scandalous and at times seriously questionable, I mean MAFIA right but RVD has this way of making you want to live in it.
Do miss out make sure you pick up this book.
Grab your copy
Rachel went straight for the jugular, right at the beginning. Scandalous Prince is one of those reads that will sweep you up in everything that is happening. And most of the time you'll be screaming exactly that, WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING HERE !!!
This next generation of Mafia is addictive, consuming and dare I say they are making their parents look like amateurs.
With so many secrets Scandalous Prince will have you savouring every single word just to make sure you don't miss a thing.
The relationship between Breaker and Violet is endearing, captivating and full of twists and turns that will have you not wanting to put this book down at all.
This world, it's dangerous, scandalous and at times seriously questionable, I mean MAFIA right but RVD has this way of making you want to live in it.
Do miss out make sure you pick up this book.
Grab your copy
October 4, 2020
The pain was unbelievable. The guilt was unimaginable. I would not come out of this the same. Neither of us would.
Scandalous Prince is the second interconnected stand-alone in the Mafia Royals series, featuring the forbidden mafia romance between Breaker Campisi and Violet Abandonato. He has been charged to protect her with his life, he was not to touch her and definitely not supposed to fall in love with her. Breaker would do anything to protect and save Violet, even if it means not having her and turning into someone she will never forgive. Because having her hate is better than not having any part of her at all.
“I’m the worst of them, I’m afraid,” I admitted. “But lying to save someone you love—that will always be worth it, even if they hate you in the end.”
This is one of those tricky situations....I preordered this book the moment I could yet I wasn’t a fan of Ruthless Princess. I thought it was absurdly unrealistic, that it failed at painting Serena as the true badass she could’ve been, and just overall felt like a big book of “try hard” that never quite worked out.
Don’t get me wrong, there were also some things I liked about it.....one being the entire “world/family” in general. So I knew I wouldn’t abandon the series as a whole....I mean just bc book one wasn’t a hit for me didn’t mean Breaker & Violet’s wouldn’t be the redemption I was desperately seeking. Despite knowing there were some negative reviews, I refused to truly read them instead wanting to go in without any kind of preconceived opinions/thoughts. My mind is still blown by how much I LOVED this book.
I thought at most I would enjoy it but no where near the extent I actually did. Where Serena nearly ruined this series before it really got started for me, Breaker & Violet brought it back to life for me in magnificent form!
“You can make me forget,” I said against his mouth. “And you can make me remember why it’s only ever been you.”
Book Facts:
Told in: Multi-POV, mostly in present day with few flashbacks necessary to story/plot.
Type? The second full installment in a series of interconnected stories featuring the same ongoing overall plot featuring one couple’s romance in each. It could be read on its own, but it definitely is better enjoyed if read in order.
Triggers: Forced consent and graphic violence.
Ends in: HFN ending for couple, with a little “teaser” to next couple’s installment.
The Main Players:
Violet Abandonato: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
“You’re glorious. You know that, right?” “Because I fight you? Or because you piss me off?” “Because I see you.” He sobered. “I’ve only ever seen you, not the girl you want others to see, but the angry one who just wants to be heard, who wants her own life, the life I can share with her.”
Breaker Campisi: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I liked the darkness that swirled behind his emerald eyes. And one day, I would do more than push him over the edge. I’d give him a shove and jump after him into the oblivion—and I’d worship at the feet of the fallen.”
Valerian Petrov: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Valerian.” His voice shook. “Valerian Petrov.” “That doesn’t sound like the name of a monster.” “And yet… it is.”
What I liked:
❤️What I liked the best about this one is the differences between it and Ruthless Princess. Included in those glorious differences.....
*Less unnecessary violence and the violence that was there had actual purpose behind it.
*Rachel didn’t make the same mistake of trying way too hard to sell Violet as savagely tough as she did with Serena, instead using big moments to sell the idea all on its own. I believed her tough act a lot more than Serena’s.
*I actually followed and found the reasons for the choices and actions driving this plot so it made sense.
*I liked that this one actually had quite a little wtf plot twist/shock (even if I figured it out before I was done with the prologue).
*This was able to concentrate heavier on the couple and what directly related to their romance/lives and not everyone and everything else (not that it didn’t have some other character things going on).
.....there were others, but you get the point and it all really worked for me.
❤️The believability of their connection was instant for me. Maybe it was the little ground work done in RP, but I never questioned that these two had been deeply connected to each other from their “start”......
“He was…” She locked eyes with me. “…mine. The one thing that I had in the Family that I claimed when I first saw him was Breaker himself. He was so… broken when he came to us. He smiled, and he fit in perfectly, but at night he cried.” “Did he ever tell you why he cried?” My body tensed. “He said he was broken.” Violet reached for another checker and clutched it in her hand. “And I told him it was okay to be broken because when you’re broken, all you need is a best friend to help you find the pieces and put them back together again. And I promised him I would.”
....it made me more emotionally invested in the story as well as more open to the series as a whole.
❤️The best thing a book can accomplish with me is to make me genuinely feel something deeper for their characters.....something past surface level like or hate, a level of emotion that is deep enough that I think about the story or the character(s) even after I’m done with their story, where I can imagine that somewhere out there this is real people’s story and it involves real emotions....this one is the first of Rachel’s books that truly got to me at THAT level. There were so many different aspects that made me feel and they weren’t all romance-related, some of the biggest came from convos Breaker had with the first gen.....
“So, do I think God would kick out his children? Not anymore. No. I think he’s used to people walking into his arms with blood staining their souls, I think he’s used to darkness as much as he is the light.”
.....but it was his heartbreak that quite honestly did me in.....
“You aren’t mine anymore, Vi. Don’t you get it?” He looked crazed. “You’re not mine!”
....even days later, I’m still invested in this book.
❤️Like in Ruthless Princess, one of my ongoing faves is the entire Family aspect of the story. This one took it up a notch in that dept though, giving more opportunities to really see this group in different situations & with different “relationships”. I was OBSESSED with Andrei & Phoenix’s odd yet hilarious “friendship”/bromance, the way Phoenix saw Breaker as so much more than just another kid within the family.....
“You, Breaker Campisi, make me proud to call you family, and even if you are under Tex’s protection, I’ll always think of you more as my son.”
....I laughed seeing the cousins in situations that made them feel more like the young adults/teens they were.....
“You’re welcome, but I need to see something. Junior, hit him.” “The fuck!” I yelled. “What’s wrong with you?” “YOU SLEPT WITH MY SISTER!” he roared. “You get no vote!”
.....and laughed even more seeing the more “human” parent/child/sibling element I felt the last book lacked....
“Fine.” I grinned. “King and I both lost our virginity at the tender age of thirteen.” “Son of a bitch!” King said from the other side of him. “Dad, I swear we were older. The hell, man! Throw yourself under the bus, don’t take me with you!”
.....overall, it keeps getting better and better and I’m here for it.
❤️I saw some complain about Breaker “whining” but Breaker’s “broken-ness” was the one thing that truly touched me. I actually LOVED seeing a male MC/antihero be emotionally vulnerable/affected and not so cold & closed off.....
“Is that what you want me to say? That I’m pissed, fucking heartbroken? That I’m terrified and that as much as I want to keep you here, I have no choice but to let you go? What the hell do you want me to say, Vi? That I love you? That I can’t live without you? I don’t think I’m capable of saying it, because then it’s true, then I have to believe it, and then there will be nothing fucking left of me!”
....I was able to connect with him on a deeper level, not to mention he shows his “ruthlessness” in other ways....trust me.
❤️I thought I would HATE Valerian bc I tend to hate love triangles (at any level), especially when I’m so invested in the character they are competing with. Valerian made it impossible to hate him with how caring & supportive he is to Violet.....
“This is your kingdom; this is where you rule. You never lower your head to your prince. You are and will always be better than me, understand?”
.....he’s a mystery that you have to unravel but it’s clear from the start Violet is so much more than a tool or a possession.
What I didn’t:
🖤Just because I obsessed over this installment doesn’t mean it was without issues. The main being it continued the trend of unrealistic/contradictory moments & editing issues that plagued the first one. A few examples of such:
*How she was drugged to the point of not being able to move or kiss him back yet somehow was able to hold a coherent intelligent convo.
*Somehow she was able to FEEL an ordinary (large) tattoo with her fingers (I have dozens of tattoos and “felt” over a majority of them to test this and nope, no difference).
*The multiple fire extinguishers in a SUV (a SUV that isn’t actually theirs to “keep” them in).
*Breaker & Violet texting back & forth for it to turn into Breaker texting himself.
*”......last I checked we were at seven billion, so yeah, you probably could.” “Two billion,” I repeated. “Wow, and I thought my dad was rich.”
.....there was another aspect that was VERY unrealistic BUT it’s spoiler territory so you will just have to trust me. However, it wasn’t nearly as bad as the first one.
🖤And finally, despite how much better this installment was it still had the whole unrealistic view of how the Mafia operates thing going on. What makes it even more annoying is the fact she says she spent 10+ years researching the Italian mafia and consulting with Italians and such.....the way they are so vocal and “out there” about who they are and how they operate, like at a public funeral....
“They raised up a generation of warriors, of mafia royalty that would forever protect their blood until their last breath.”
.....or how despite Breaker being the legally adopted oldest son of the Capo of the entire organization would be viewed as less than the daughter of someone who isn’t the head of his own family, or that we are expected to believe he wouldn’t be anything more than a “made” man at the very most and would never hold any real power. I’m not a mafia expert, but there are common sense things known and these don’t align with those.
The Verdict:
As much I disliked Ruthless Princess, there were many elements of the story that made it impossible to give up on the series....however this one was my “last straw”, the last shot Rachel had to get me invested in this series. Thankfully, that’s exactly what she did. Breaker & Violet’s journey is one that takes a emotional rough & bumpy path but that makes the destination they reach all the more worth it. It’s also one I don’t see how Rachel can beat for me, but with the amount of characters she has left with stories to tell I cannot wait to see her try again and again. So read it, you won’t regret it!
“After the queen saved her king, did they live happily ever after?” “Happily ever after’s boring, Violet.” My lips tugged into a smile. “Don’t you want an adventure?”
Scandalous Prince is the second interconnected stand-alone in the Mafia Royals series, featuring the forbidden mafia romance between Breaker Campisi and Violet Abandonato. He has been charged to protect her with his life, he was not to touch her and definitely not supposed to fall in love with her. Breaker would do anything to protect and save Violet, even if it means not having her and turning into someone she will never forgive. Because having her hate is better than not having any part of her at all.
“I’m the worst of them, I’m afraid,” I admitted. “But lying to save someone you love—that will always be worth it, even if they hate you in the end.”
This is one of those tricky situations....I preordered this book the moment I could yet I wasn’t a fan of Ruthless Princess. I thought it was absurdly unrealistic, that it failed at painting Serena as the true badass she could’ve been, and just overall felt like a big book of “try hard” that never quite worked out.
Don’t get me wrong, there were also some things I liked about it.....one being the entire “world/family” in general. So I knew I wouldn’t abandon the series as a whole....I mean just bc book one wasn’t a hit for me didn’t mean Breaker & Violet’s wouldn’t be the redemption I was desperately seeking. Despite knowing there were some negative reviews, I refused to truly read them instead wanting to go in without any kind of preconceived opinions/thoughts. My mind is still blown by how much I LOVED this book.
I thought at most I would enjoy it but no where near the extent I actually did. Where Serena nearly ruined this series before it really got started for me, Breaker & Violet brought it back to life for me in magnificent form!
“You can make me forget,” I said against his mouth. “And you can make me remember why it’s only ever been you.”
Book Facts:
Told in: Multi-POV, mostly in present day with few flashbacks necessary to story/plot.
Type? The second full installment in a series of interconnected stories featuring the same ongoing overall plot featuring one couple’s romance in each. It could be read on its own, but it definitely is better enjoyed if read in order.
Triggers: Forced consent and graphic violence.
Ends in: HFN ending for couple, with a little “teaser” to next couple’s installment.
The Main Players:
Violet Abandonato: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
“You’re glorious. You know that, right?” “Because I fight you? Or because you piss me off?” “Because I see you.” He sobered. “I’ve only ever seen you, not the girl you want others to see, but the angry one who just wants to be heard, who wants her own life, the life I can share with her.”
Breaker Campisi: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I liked the darkness that swirled behind his emerald eyes. And one day, I would do more than push him over the edge. I’d give him a shove and jump after him into the oblivion—and I’d worship at the feet of the fallen.”
Valerian Petrov: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Valerian.” His voice shook. “Valerian Petrov.” “That doesn’t sound like the name of a monster.” “And yet… it is.”
What I liked:
❤️What I liked the best about this one is the differences between it and Ruthless Princess. Included in those glorious differences.....
*Less unnecessary violence and the violence that was there had actual purpose behind it.
*Rachel didn’t make the same mistake of trying way too hard to sell Violet as savagely tough as she did with Serena, instead using big moments to sell the idea all on its own. I believed her tough act a lot more than Serena’s.
*I actually followed and found the reasons for the choices and actions driving this plot so it made sense.
*I liked that this one actually had quite a little wtf plot twist/shock (even if I figured it out before I was done with the prologue).
*This was able to concentrate heavier on the couple and what directly related to their romance/lives and not everyone and everything else (not that it didn’t have some other character things going on).
.....there were others, but you get the point and it all really worked for me.
❤️The believability of their connection was instant for me. Maybe it was the little ground work done in RP, but I never questioned that these two had been deeply connected to each other from their “start”......
“He was…” She locked eyes with me. “…mine. The one thing that I had in the Family that I claimed when I first saw him was Breaker himself. He was so… broken when he came to us. He smiled, and he fit in perfectly, but at night he cried.” “Did he ever tell you why he cried?” My body tensed. “He said he was broken.” Violet reached for another checker and clutched it in her hand. “And I told him it was okay to be broken because when you’re broken, all you need is a best friend to help you find the pieces and put them back together again. And I promised him I would.”
....it made me more emotionally invested in the story as well as more open to the series as a whole.
❤️The best thing a book can accomplish with me is to make me genuinely feel something deeper for their characters.....something past surface level like or hate, a level of emotion that is deep enough that I think about the story or the character(s) even after I’m done with their story, where I can imagine that somewhere out there this is real people’s story and it involves real emotions....this one is the first of Rachel’s books that truly got to me at THAT level. There were so many different aspects that made me feel and they weren’t all romance-related, some of the biggest came from convos Breaker had with the first gen.....
“So, do I think God would kick out his children? Not anymore. No. I think he’s used to people walking into his arms with blood staining their souls, I think he’s used to darkness as much as he is the light.”
.....but it was his heartbreak that quite honestly did me in.....
“You aren’t mine anymore, Vi. Don’t you get it?” He looked crazed. “You’re not mine!”
....even days later, I’m still invested in this book.
❤️Like in Ruthless Princess, one of my ongoing faves is the entire Family aspect of the story. This one took it up a notch in that dept though, giving more opportunities to really see this group in different situations & with different “relationships”. I was OBSESSED with Andrei & Phoenix’s odd yet hilarious “friendship”/bromance, the way Phoenix saw Breaker as so much more than just another kid within the family.....
“You, Breaker Campisi, make me proud to call you family, and even if you are under Tex’s protection, I’ll always think of you more as my son.”
....I laughed seeing the cousins in situations that made them feel more like the young adults/teens they were.....
“You’re welcome, but I need to see something. Junior, hit him.” “The fuck!” I yelled. “What’s wrong with you?” “YOU SLEPT WITH MY SISTER!” he roared. “You get no vote!”
.....and laughed even more seeing the more “human” parent/child/sibling element I felt the last book lacked....
“Fine.” I grinned. “King and I both lost our virginity at the tender age of thirteen.” “Son of a bitch!” King said from the other side of him. “Dad, I swear we were older. The hell, man! Throw yourself under the bus, don’t take me with you!”
.....overall, it keeps getting better and better and I’m here for it.
❤️I saw some complain about Breaker “whining” but Breaker’s “broken-ness” was the one thing that truly touched me. I actually LOVED seeing a male MC/antihero be emotionally vulnerable/affected and not so cold & closed off.....
“Is that what you want me to say? That I’m pissed, fucking heartbroken? That I’m terrified and that as much as I want to keep you here, I have no choice but to let you go? What the hell do you want me to say, Vi? That I love you? That I can’t live without you? I don’t think I’m capable of saying it, because then it’s true, then I have to believe it, and then there will be nothing fucking left of me!”
....I was able to connect with him on a deeper level, not to mention he shows his “ruthlessness” in other ways....trust me.
❤️I thought I would HATE Valerian bc I tend to hate love triangles (at any level), especially when I’m so invested in the character they are competing with. Valerian made it impossible to hate him with how caring & supportive he is to Violet.....
“This is your kingdom; this is where you rule. You never lower your head to your prince. You are and will always be better than me, understand?”
.....he’s a mystery that you have to unravel but it’s clear from the start Violet is so much more than a tool or a possession.
What I didn’t:
🖤Just because I obsessed over this installment doesn’t mean it was without issues. The main being it continued the trend of unrealistic/contradictory moments & editing issues that plagued the first one. A few examples of such:
*How she was drugged to the point of not being able to move or kiss him back yet somehow was able to hold a coherent intelligent convo.
*Somehow she was able to FEEL an ordinary (large) tattoo with her fingers (I have dozens of tattoos and “felt” over a majority of them to test this and nope, no difference).
*The multiple fire extinguishers in a SUV (a SUV that isn’t actually theirs to “keep” them in).
*Breaker & Violet texting back & forth for it to turn into Breaker texting himself.
*”......last I checked we were at seven billion, so yeah, you probably could.” “Two billion,” I repeated. “Wow, and I thought my dad was rich.”
.....there was another aspect that was VERY unrealistic BUT it’s spoiler territory so you will just have to trust me. However, it wasn’t nearly as bad as the first one.
🖤And finally, despite how much better this installment was it still had the whole unrealistic view of how the Mafia operates thing going on. What makes it even more annoying is the fact she says she spent 10+ years researching the Italian mafia and consulting with Italians and such.....the way they are so vocal and “out there” about who they are and how they operate, like at a public funeral....
“They raised up a generation of warriors, of mafia royalty that would forever protect their blood until their last breath.”
.....or how despite Breaker being the legally adopted oldest son of the Capo of the entire organization would be viewed as less than the daughter of someone who isn’t the head of his own family, or that we are expected to believe he wouldn’t be anything more than a “made” man at the very most and would never hold any real power. I’m not a mafia expert, but there are common sense things known and these don’t align with those.
The Verdict:
As much I disliked Ruthless Princess, there were many elements of the story that made it impossible to give up on the series....however this one was my “last straw”, the last shot Rachel had to get me invested in this series. Thankfully, that’s exactly what she did. Breaker & Violet’s journey is one that takes a emotional rough & bumpy path but that makes the destination they reach all the more worth it. It’s also one I don’t see how Rachel can beat for me, but with the amount of characters she has left with stories to tell I cannot wait to see her try again and again. So read it, you won’t regret it!
“After the queen saved her king, did they live happily ever after?” “Happily ever after’s boring, Violet.” My lips tugged into a smile. “Don’t you want an adventure?”
August 17, 2021
2.5 'MY BLOOD FOR YOURS ' STARS
I been going back and forth between rounding my 2.5 stars rating to 3 stars or not. Ultimately, I felt it was appropriate to round down to 2 stars due to plot lines that looked promising and fell flat, as well as situations that added cheap shock value or were very unrealistic.
I will get into why I rated it the way I did down below.
🎧 Format: I decided to do an audio listen as I had a free credit from audible. Scandalous Prince was narrated by Jillian Macie and Alexander Cendese. This book was 8 hrs and 43 minutes (36 chapters) and included multiple POVs - Breaker/Valerian, Ash, & Violet. Overall, I liked the narrator for Violet and Breaker but when Valerian was introduced with his Russian accent, I was not a fan of the narration because the accent did not sound realistic to me.
Anyways. . .
═════════•°• :Spoilers Ahead: •°•═════════
STORY PLOT
*Disclaimer* This book is a part of a series and should not be read as a standalone. Scandalous Prince picks up shortly after Ruthless Princess (Junior & Serena's story).
Violet Abandonto is Chase's daughter and known as the innocent and sweet one of the group. She is not for the blood in the sense of killing to protect the families rather she wants to be 'the healer' as she is studying to be a doctor. The other thing about Violet is she has been in love with Breaker Campisi, the Capo adopted son and second in line the Campisi throne. The feeling is mutual on Breaker's side but he knows that he can never fully commit to Violet due to his secret and the family. To solidify their damned relationship, Chase assigns Breaker to be Violets bodyguard and has to promise not to touch her. Breaker tried his best to move on from Violet but no substance, alcohol, or other girl could get Violet out of his heart. One day something happens that is out of Breaker's control and forever alters both their lives. Due to Breaker's decision, Violet was promised to another man named Valerian Petrov. Violet is devastated and feels crushed by all the turn of events in her life. But sometimes, things are not as they seem.
MAIN CHARACTERS
☭ Breaker Campisi aka Valerian Petrov (H)
At times, it felt like a rinse and repeat of Tex's book.
Similarities between Elicit (Tex/Mo story) & this book:
☭ Violet Abandonato (h)
HOW DID YOU NOT RECOGNIZE THAT BREAKER AND VALERIAN WAS THE SAME PERSON!?!? The appearance was only slightly different, he knew things that a stranger would not know, and he only had an accent on/off.
☭ The rest of the mafia family
Honestly, Phoenix made this book for me!! Out of all the characters, he had the biggest character development and I love him so much. From the first book in the original series, he has transformed into a better and wiser person. He is also so supportive to others and honestly I feel like he holds the families together. Phoenix knew Breaker had to deal with this on his own but still was there for him in the background ready to protect him when needed.
Junior and Serena: yaaaay, my fav. are happy and thriving.
Ash: The leader of the next gen who is spiraling out of control. I am so excited to read Ash's story with Annie. He is broken after what happened to Claire and is struggling to keep his head above the waters. Now Ash lost his best friend and the pain and sorrow is consuming him more and more. Even though, he has Valerian now, he is struggling with all the changes and rather be dead than alive.
To grieve with his lost of Claire, he uses Annie as an emotional punching bag. I truly hope this chick gets a backbone to handle him though.
I sense ugly cries on the horizon with this book y'all.
Things I did like about the book
➳ I truly loved seeing the OG mafia heads in the book and their banter between the kids and each other. I just wish Grandpa Alfero & Luca were there, then it would been a real party.
➳ Izzy and Makism: I AM HERE FOR THEIR STORY. Let's hope these characters do not have a personality change in their books or it is a rinse and repeat of any of the other books.
➳ I preferred Valerian over Breaker. I felt Breaker was kinda whiny and was stuck in this woe is me phase. I get it but when Breaker embraced his true self, the reader can see his confidence, power, as well as the true love he had for Violet.
Things I did NOT like about the book
➳ The situation at Andrei club: No matter what way you flip it. VIOLET WAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY VALERIAN. It was a shitty situation but it was still rape as she was not consenting to losing her virginity and even if she wanted to consent she couldn't as she was drugged.
➳ Valerian breaking the news to the family: He broke the news and was almost killed for it. But after that, the forgiveness by the family felt rushed. Also, his reconciliation with his dad was so short. I expected more of an interaction or even an in-depth discussion between Tex and Valerian... not this less than 5 minutes talk in the last chapter.
➳ The parents: Mo (Breaker/Valerian's adopted mother) did not appear in the book until ~70% into the book and then was not mentioned/showed up again in the book. Breaker/Valerian and Tex was more of a telling than showing. Tex was mentioned at times but in a way to engage in witty bantering. Sure, Tex being mentioned made me laugh but I was hoping for Breaker/Valerian and Tex to converse more. Overall, I felt that their would been more interactions between him and parents.
➳ Multiple POVs: I felt this book should of been just dual POV. I felt that Ash's POV chapters could of been cut and just placed into his respective book because it felt like I was reading another book when his chapters came up.
➳ Cheap shock value I felt that Sancto wanting Valerian dead was added for a shock value purpose and nothing more. I forgot about him as a character in this book until he was brought up in the last few chapters of the book
➳ Me trying to figure out how Valerian could stand, walk, and have sex after being stabbed, punched and kicked multiple times. ⤵️⤵️⤵️
Overall~
I do not feel Valerian and Violet were too memorable as MC and felt the plot fell flat to me. Additionally, some of the story lines annoyed me by being so unrealistic or not sensitive to how triggering it can be for someone. What happened to Violet is not something to portray as doing as the greater good and it being okay cause really they loved each other. IT IS RAPE AND IT IS NOT OKAY.
Anyways, I did enjoy the secondary characters and felt Ash's story was set up well. Hope the next book is a little better!
Mafia Royals Series
#0.5 Royal Bully ➳ 3.5 stars
#1 Ruthless Princess ➳ 5 stars
#2 Scandalous Prince ➳ 2.5 stars
#3 Destructive King ➳ 2 stars
#3.5 Mafia King ➳ 2.5 stars
#4 Fallen Dynasty ➳ TBR
#5 Broken Crown ➳ TBR
I been going back and forth between rounding my 2.5 stars rating to 3 stars or not. Ultimately, I felt it was appropriate to round down to 2 stars due to plot lines that looked promising and fell flat, as well as situations that added cheap shock value or were very unrealistic.
I will get into why I rated it the way I did down below.
🎧 Format: I decided to do an audio listen as I had a free credit from audible. Scandalous Prince was narrated by Jillian Macie and Alexander Cendese. This book was 8 hrs and 43 minutes (36 chapters) and included multiple POVs - Breaker/Valerian, Ash, & Violet. Overall, I liked the narrator for Violet and Breaker but when Valerian was introduced with his Russian accent, I was not a fan of the narration because the accent did not sound realistic to me.
Anyways. . .
═════════•°• :Spoilers Ahead: •°•═════════
STORY PLOT
*Disclaimer* This book is a part of a series and should not be read as a standalone. Scandalous Prince picks up shortly after Ruthless Princess (Junior & Serena's story).
Violet Abandonto is Chase's daughter and known as the innocent and sweet one of the group. She is not for the blood in the sense of killing to protect the families rather she wants to be 'the healer' as she is studying to be a doctor. The other thing about Violet is she has been in love with Breaker Campisi, the Capo adopted son and second in line the Campisi throne. The feeling is mutual on Breaker's side but he knows that he can never fully commit to Violet due to his secret and the family. To solidify their damned relationship, Chase assigns Breaker to be Violets bodyguard and has to promise not to touch her. Breaker tried his best to move on from Violet but no substance, alcohol, or other girl could get Violet out of his heart. One day something happens that is out of Breaker's control and forever alters both their lives. Due to Breaker's decision, Violet was promised to another man named Valerian Petrov. Violet is devastated and feels crushed by all the turn of events in her life. But sometimes, things are not as they seem.
MAIN CHARACTERS
☭ Breaker Campisi aka Valerian Petrov (H)
At times, it felt like a rinse and repeat of Tex's book.
Similarities between Elicit (Tex/Mo story) & this book:
❥ Personality: Breaker has been the fun, go with the flow, & cracking jokes to lighten the mood one of the group which reminds me a lot of how Tex acted around the other guys.
❥ Their romantic relationships: Tex had always had feelings for Mo since they were younger but due to his family line and being best friend's with her brother, he stayed away sleeping his way through other girls. BREAKER DID THE SAME THING as he was always in love with Violet since he was young but due to his family line & Ash (Violet's brother/Breaker's best friend), he stayed away and decided to be welp a man hoe. Only difference between these two was Breaker was also asked by Violet's dad to not start a relationship.
❥ Heavy is the head that wears the crown: Both know they are mafia royalty, Tex being the leader of the Costa Nostra and Breaker the head of the Petrov family. However, both did not want that crown and struggled to come to terms with the weight that it burdens on someone.
☭ Violet Abandonato (h)
HOW DID YOU NOT RECOGNIZE THAT BREAKER AND VALERIAN WAS THE SAME PERSON!?!? The appearance was only slightly different, he knew things that a stranger would not know, and he only had an accent on/off.
☭ The rest of the mafia family
Honestly, Phoenix made this book for me!! Out of all the characters, he had the biggest character development and I love him so much. From the first book in the original series, he has transformed into a better and wiser person. He is also so supportive to others and honestly I feel like he holds the families together. Phoenix knew Breaker had to deal with this on his own but still was there for him in the background ready to protect him when needed.
Junior and Serena: yaaaay, my fav. are happy and thriving.
Ash: The leader of the next gen who is spiraling out of control. I am so excited to read Ash's story with Annie. He is broken after what happened to Claire and is struggling to keep his head above the waters. Now Ash lost his best friend and the pain and sorrow is consuming him more and more. Even though, he has Valerian now, he is struggling with all the changes and rather be dead than alive.
To grieve with his lost of Claire, he uses Annie as an emotional punching bag. I truly hope this chick gets a backbone to handle him though.
I sense ugly cries on the horizon with this book y'all.
Things I did like about the book
➳ I truly loved seeing the OG mafia heads in the book and their banter between the kids and each other. I just wish Grandpa Alfero & Luca were there, then it would been a real party.
➳ Izzy and Makism: I AM HERE FOR THEIR STORY. Let's hope these characters do not have a personality change in their books or it is a rinse and repeat of any of the other books.
➳ I preferred Valerian over Breaker. I felt Breaker was kinda whiny and was stuck in this woe is me phase. I get it but when Breaker embraced his true self, the reader can see his confidence, power, as well as the true love he had for Violet.
Things I did NOT like about the book
➳ The situation at Andrei club: No matter what way you flip it. VIOLET WAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY VALERIAN. It was a shitty situation but it was still rape as she was not consenting to losing her virginity and even if she wanted to consent she couldn't as she was drugged.
➳ Valerian breaking the news to the family: He broke the news and was almost killed for it. But after that, the forgiveness by the family felt rushed. Also, his reconciliation with his dad was so short. I expected more of an interaction or even an in-depth discussion between Tex and Valerian... not this less than 5 minutes talk in the last chapter.
➳ The parents: Mo (Breaker/Valerian's adopted mother) did not appear in the book until ~70% into the book and then was not mentioned/showed up again in the book. Breaker/Valerian and Tex was more of a telling than showing. Tex was mentioned at times but in a way to engage in witty bantering. Sure, Tex being mentioned made me laugh but I was hoping for Breaker/Valerian and Tex to converse more. Overall, I felt that their would been more interactions between him and parents.
➳ Multiple POVs: I felt this book should of been just dual POV. I felt that Ash's POV chapters could of been cut and just placed into his respective book because it felt like I was reading another book when his chapters came up.
➳ Cheap shock value I felt that Sancto wanting Valerian dead was added for a shock value purpose and nothing more. I forgot about him as a character in this book until he was brought up in the last few chapters of the book
➳ Me trying to figure out how Valerian could stand, walk, and have sex after being stabbed, punched and kicked multiple times. ⤵️⤵️⤵️
Overall~
I do not feel Valerian and Violet were too memorable as MC and felt the plot fell flat to me. Additionally, some of the story lines annoyed me by being so unrealistic or not sensitive to how triggering it can be for someone. What happened to Violet is not something to portray as doing as the greater good and it being okay cause really they loved each other. IT IS RAPE AND IT IS NOT OKAY.
Anyways, I did enjoy the secondary characters and felt Ash's story was set up well. Hope the next book is a little better!
Mafia Royals Series
#0.5 Royal Bully ➳ 3.5 stars
#1 Ruthless Princess ➳ 5 stars
#2 Scandalous Prince ➳ 2.5 stars
#3 Destructive King ➳ 2 stars
#3.5 Mafia King ➳ 2.5 stars
#4 Fallen Dynasty ➳ TBR
#5 Broken Crown ➳ TBR
September 23, 2020
"It was over before it started. "
HOME. One word that best describes how I feel when I read a Rachel Van Dyken book. So when I read Scandalous Prince, I was shook to the bones and my heart was full because aside from home, I had an adrenaline rushing rollercoaster ride in it's perfectly imperfect way. And the main characters? Damn! Unapologetically irresistible that I am straight up obsessed with them.
Scandalous Prince is the second book of Mafia Royals Series that follows the journey of Breaker and Violet and can be read as a standaloneand enjoyed without reading the other books in the series. Just like RVD's previous works, again and again she never failed me. Addicting and page turner, this book had me at the edge of my seat devouring every page from start to finish. I am at loss for words because RVD has always done a wonderful job crafting and creating this magnificent piece. I don't know why I'm surprised, this is Rachel we're talking about but really, this book offered a different edge that did not just made me entertained but also made me think and feel. Everything, and I mean everything was punched in the gut. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I was so damn wrong, Twists and turns had me anxious anticipating what's yet to come, I think for a while I had to hold my breath. I wasn't prepared at all because I kept uttering what the fuck so damn loud I was seconds away from flooding Rachel's inbox.
I must say this, read Scandalous Prince. Breaker and Violet's journey will turn you into a puddle of emotions as it does mine. Besides their explosive chemistry, their love was passionate and intense. Incredibly written, its words and lines weighed heavily that will seep through your bones.
Kudos, Rachel! Keep rockin' our world with your brilliancy!
*ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
HOME. One word that best describes how I feel when I read a Rachel Van Dyken book. So when I read Scandalous Prince, I was shook to the bones and my heart was full because aside from home, I had an adrenaline rushing rollercoaster ride in it's perfectly imperfect way. And the main characters? Damn! Unapologetically irresistible that I am straight up obsessed with them.
Scandalous Prince is the second book of Mafia Royals Series that follows the journey of Breaker and Violet and can be read as a standaloneand enjoyed without reading the other books in the series. Just like RVD's previous works, again and again she never failed me. Addicting and page turner, this book had me at the edge of my seat devouring every page from start to finish. I am at loss for words because RVD has always done a wonderful job crafting and creating this magnificent piece. I don't know why I'm surprised, this is Rachel we're talking about but really, this book offered a different edge that did not just made me entertained but also made me think and feel. Everything, and I mean everything was punched in the gut. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I was so damn wrong, Twists and turns had me anxious anticipating what's yet to come, I think for a while I had to hold my breath. I wasn't prepared at all because I kept uttering what the fuck so damn loud I was seconds away from flooding Rachel's inbox.
I must say this, read Scandalous Prince. Breaker and Violet's journey will turn you into a puddle of emotions as it does mine. Besides their explosive chemistry, their love was passionate and intense. Incredibly written, its words and lines weighed heavily that will seep through your bones.
Kudos, Rachel! Keep rockin' our world with your brilliancy!
*ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2020
This book was good, I wished it was a Lil darker. The first book was better.
January 16, 2021
This story started off very unexpected, and, to be honest, it was hard for me to power through.
I couldn’t understand the actions of the H & h, but as the story progressed, it all made sense. The deceit and lies and trickery and even the actions made sense for the end goal of finding a way to be together. (Yes, that is vague, but I don’t want to ruin it).
While I enjoyed the overall story, it wasn’t as captivating for me as the previous standalone or the Eagle Elite. Maybe my expectations were too high because Chase, the h’s father is my number one favorite, but the story didn’t captivate me like it normally does.
The writing was still good - the characters and writing, I think it was just a situation of high expectations. I’m definitely excited for the next standalone.
Audiobook review
I couldn’t understand the actions of the H & h, but as the story progressed, it all made sense. The deceit and lies and trickery and even the actions made sense for the end goal of finding a way to be together. (Yes, that is vague, but I don’t want to ruin it).
While I enjoyed the overall story, it wasn’t as captivating for me as the previous standalone or the Eagle Elite. Maybe my expectations were too high because Chase, the h’s father is my number one favorite, but the story didn’t captivate me like it normally does.
The writing was still good - the characters and writing, I think it was just a situation of high expectations. I’m definitely excited for the next standalone.
Audiobook review
September 30, 2020
***5 "My blood for yours!!!" stars***
AVAILABLE NOW
"We were damned from the start."
Rachel Van Dyken keep impressing me with this series very much!
I believe that this crazy mafia world is suiting her perfectly...
I haven't finished the first generation yet, but the second generation is getting under my skin with each book!!! And I'm just craving more and more of these guys!!!!
I loved so much Breaker and Violet's story, even though it was frustrating and complicated as hell!!!
I love this world and i need more of this crazy bunch!!!
"Everything changes when the masks are gone."
In "Ruthless Princess", we had taken a glimpse that something was going on between Breaker and Violet, but honestly, I wasn't prepared of what was really happening into their lives and even though, i got hurt along with them, i freakin' loved these characters and their story...
Their journey was long and they had to get down on the pits of Hell in order to find a slice of heaven. Together. Or not???
"The pain was unbelievable.
The guilt was unimaginable.
I would not come out of this the same.
Neither of us would."
Well, something tragic happened a year ago to Violet and Breaker, the guy that had sworn to protect her, he couldn't do it after all!
Now, she is trapped in a future that she didn't see coming and that she didn't really want.
She just needed to be with Breaker, the boy that she was always loving, even though it was forbidden.
Now, she is being forced to leave everything behind her... Everything that meant something to her! Including Breaker...
"I would hate him forever for not stopping this. Just as much as I would love him for being my imaginery hero during this nightmare."
"I was the princess, promised the perfect ending only to end up with the wrong person, in the worng city, in the wrong story altogether."
Breaker is trapped too into a weird and unbelievable mess.
He had sworn to protect Violet with everything he had, but he can't save her from himself.
He is not who she think he is!!! He is not who he think he is!
He has to hurt her and even though it's killing him, he can not undo his past and his future. He can't stop the train wreck that it's coming toward them with a mighty force.
He knows that everything will change and that Violet will never forgive him, but he has to let everything he knows go... no matter the concequences!!!
"Forgive me for showing you the knight, when the whole time, I was the wolf."
"I was the darkness that chased her. I was what haunted her dreams, I was her nightmare, and yet she held me like I was the knight that had ridden in on my white horse -she was right about one thing- the horse was white, but the knight was no servant to the king -he was fallen, and she'd singlehandedly resurrected him, not realizing something was very wrong."
Well, I can not say more about this story... It was complicated but I freakin' loved it!!!
It ticked all my favorite boxes and I devoured it!!!
Breaker just broke my heart with the hard choices that he had to make even though he was wrecking his heart and soul...
Violet was sweet, but feisty at the same time... Her devotion to Breaker was heartwhelming!
Their connection was too strong and full of crackled energy!!!
Their story was epic... heartbreakingly beautiful!!!
"You say you love me, but you won't share yourself with me. Your secrets will always be the canyon between our hearts."
"In all my nightmares, I never imagined this outcome, in all my days living, I never understood the true meaning of hell -until she said his name."
Of course, for once again, I loved seeing all the secondary characters of this story!!! Each one of this bunch is deliciously crazy!!!! I'm just not getting enough of them!!!
And yesss!!!! Finally, Asher's story!!!
Can't wait for his book to land on my kindle and start reading!!!
I'm stupidly curious about him and Annie!!!
"Leave before I lose my temper... again. I'm serious, Annie, you don't belong here." {Asher}
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
AVAILABLE NOW
"We were damned from the start."
Rachel Van Dyken keep impressing me with this series very much!
I believe that this crazy mafia world is suiting her perfectly...
I haven't finished the first generation yet, but the second generation is getting under my skin with each book!!! And I'm just craving more and more of these guys!!!!
I loved so much Breaker and Violet's story, even though it was frustrating and complicated as hell!!!
I love this world and i need more of this crazy bunch!!!
"Everything changes when the masks are gone."
In "Ruthless Princess", we had taken a glimpse that something was going on between Breaker and Violet, but honestly, I wasn't prepared of what was really happening into their lives and even though, i got hurt along with them, i freakin' loved these characters and their story...
Their journey was long and they had to get down on the pits of Hell in order to find a slice of heaven. Together. Or not???
"The pain was unbelievable.
The guilt was unimaginable.
I would not come out of this the same.
Neither of us would."
Well, something tragic happened a year ago to Violet and Breaker, the guy that had sworn to protect her, he couldn't do it after all!
Now, she is trapped in a future that she didn't see coming and that she didn't really want.
She just needed to be with Breaker, the boy that she was always loving, even though it was forbidden.
Now, she is being forced to leave everything behind her... Everything that meant something to her! Including Breaker...
"I would hate him forever for not stopping this. Just as much as I would love him for being my imaginery hero during this nightmare."
"I was the princess, promised the perfect ending only to end up with the wrong person, in the worng city, in the wrong story altogether."
Breaker is trapped too into a weird and unbelievable mess.
He had sworn to protect Violet with everything he had, but he can't save her from himself.
He is not who she think he is!!! He is not who he think he is!
He has to hurt her and even though it's killing him, he can not undo his past and his future. He can't stop the train wreck that it's coming toward them with a mighty force.
He knows that everything will change and that Violet will never forgive him, but he has to let everything he knows go... no matter the concequences!!!
"Forgive me for showing you the knight, when the whole time, I was the wolf."
"I was the darkness that chased her. I was what haunted her dreams, I was her nightmare, and yet she held me like I was the knight that had ridden in on my white horse -she was right about one thing- the horse was white, but the knight was no servant to the king -he was fallen, and she'd singlehandedly resurrected him, not realizing something was very wrong."
Well, I can not say more about this story... It was complicated but I freakin' loved it!!!
It ticked all my favorite boxes and I devoured it!!!
Breaker just broke my heart with the hard choices that he had to make even though he was wrecking his heart and soul...
Violet was sweet, but feisty at the same time... Her devotion to Breaker was heartwhelming!
Their connection was too strong and full of crackled energy!!!
Their story was epic... heartbreakingly beautiful!!!
"You say you love me, but you won't share yourself with me. Your secrets will always be the canyon between our hearts."
"In all my nightmares, I never imagined this outcome, in all my days living, I never understood the true meaning of hell -until she said his name."
Of course, for once again, I loved seeing all the secondary characters of this story!!! Each one of this bunch is deliciously crazy!!!! I'm just not getting enough of them!!!
And yesss!!!! Finally, Asher's story!!!
Can't wait for his book to land on my kindle and start reading!!!
I'm stupidly curious about him and Annie!!!
"Leave before I lose my temper... again. I'm serious, Annie, you don't belong here." {Asher}
**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**
October 1, 2020
I will admit to having a rather cankerous relationship with this author. For the most part – I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. Yes – she has some amazing ideas – but the execution of said ideas leaves A LOT to be desired. I keep seeing her fans labeling her as being the “Queen of mafia romance” – and then when I read her mafia stories I find so many errors that it’s laughable (see my reviews on Royal Bully and Ruthless Princess for more information).
So - when this book starts with a forward from said author where she makes it a point to tell her readers she does “extensive research”? After I stopped laughing - I thought about returning the book because honestly? This sounds like she’s throwing a temper tantrum because people like myself are pointing out all of the things she so obviously did NOT research.
But a promise is a promise – and I promised my friends I would give this series one last chance.
Let’s begin shall we?
• Chapter 01 – the chapter in which a main character gets raped. Seriously?! Oh wait it gets better – not only is she raped – but she actually manages to JUSTIFY it by having the person doing it tell her to think of the man she loves. Did I mention the girl is a virgin? Oh great – now she’s enjoying it and --------- WOW. YOU GUYS. The GIRL HERSELF says that she gave permission so it wasn’t rape. Or at least that’s how she’s going to think of it in her head because if she gave permission it means she was in control. Yeah girl – you totally gave permission when you were blindfolded and drugged and told have sex with this stranger or your family would be killed.
I SWEAR TO GOD she better not do some dumb shit later on in this book and have the main character be raped by the other main character (you know the guy she’s been in love with forever) to make this whole thing “okay”. I’m having a REAL HARD TIME believing that some random stranger would encourage a girl to think about that man she loves and do all the things this Valerian asshole did without having an agenda.
• Chapter 03 – the chapter in which Breaker and Violet have sex in the bathroom stall. OF A FUCKING CHURCH. Shortly before they attend the FUNERAL of the pregnant fiancé of one of their own. Fuck me – I’m going to need more wine.
Ok so this book isn’t as bad as the others. I mean yeah it was pretty obvious to me that
• Chapter 24 – the chapter in which its obvious once again the author DOES NOT RESEARCH.
EXHIBIT A: Breaker grabs Phoenix’s gun and shoots his adopted dad in the foot. He then proceeds to tell him that the bullet went straight through so he should get up and stop yelling. Pardon me? You just shot him in the foot. And perhaps the author isn’t familiar with the different kinds of ammunition (for example some rounds fragment while others expand), but being shot in the foot isn’t something you can just (pardon the pun) walk off. Is she familiar with feet? Does she have feet? Is she aware that there are BONES in your feet and that being shot in one would certainly shatter said bones? Sure the bullet can go straight through, but not without causing considerable damage and possibly permanently disabling someone.
EXHIBIT B: Valerian is then literally stabbed in the back multiple times by another character. At least four times that were mentioned (one of which the author took the time to inform us went deep). I guess she didn’t research knife wounds either? Because if she actually had she would have learned that the spine could have been punctured causing paralysis if not death. Or the fact that the knife could also puncture some vital organs like the heart, or lungs, or kidneys. But nope. In true Van Dyken form – people can just stab wherever they would like with no consequences whatsoever.
STABBITY! STABBITY! STAB! STAB! STAB! Uh – sorry. Where was I?
• Chapter 27 – the chapter in which for reasons known only to the author she decided to throw in a sex scene between Ash and Annie. Ash whose fiancé was the one they buried at the beginning of this book is now fucking someone else. And not only is he fucking her – but he’s being a major asshole in the process. In fact after he comes – he screams at her to get out. And then gets mad when she listens. We are then subjected to his inner monologue where not only does he wish she was a mind reader – he wished she would fight to stay. Dude – I hate to break this to you – but that isn’t the way this works. Question? Does anyone actually find this kind of toxic behavior sexy? Anyone?
• Chapter 32 – Another chapter that proves the fact that this author DOES NOT RESEARCH. Okay – so we have Valerian unconscious in his study. The study that is on fire after being soaked with gasoline in an attempt to assassinate him. The door is locked. When Violet arrives, she demands that Ash kick open the door after he tried the doorknob and couldn’t open it due to it being hot. Ash kicks the door open – smoke rolled out in waves filling the hallway while the flames reached the ceiling. Sounds cool right? Except there is this little thing called a backdraft. If you don’t know what this is, one quick google search will tell you “A backdraft is a rapid or explosive burning of superheated gasses in a fire, caused when oxygen rapidly enters an oxygen-depleted environment; for example, when a window or door to an enclosed space is opened or broken.” In layman’s terms? When they kicked open the door to the study a rush of fire would have burst forth to greet them.
So yeah – tell me again how extensive the research into these books is? But hey – at least this review has a lot less bullet points than my last ones – so that’s definitely an improvement right? And there was less eye-rolling from me this time as well. In fact – to give credit where it was do – I actually did like this book more than the other three I have read by this author (one outside of the Mafia Royals series). I can definitely see where people enjoy her writing – I just wish it wasn’t so – over the top. I heard she got her start writing regency romances – and I haven’t read one of those in years so I might grab one and see where she started from. Perhaps she is the fantastic writer everyone claims – just not, in my opinion, at writing mafia.
So - when this book starts with a forward from said author where she makes it a point to tell her readers she does “extensive research”? After I stopped laughing - I thought about returning the book because honestly? This sounds like she’s throwing a temper tantrum because people like myself are pointing out all of the things she so obviously did NOT research.
But a promise is a promise – and I promised my friends I would give this series one last chance.
Let’s begin shall we?
• Chapter 01 – the chapter in which a main character gets raped. Seriously?! Oh wait it gets better – not only is she raped – but she actually manages to JUSTIFY it by having the person doing it tell her to think of the man she loves. Did I mention the girl is a virgin? Oh great – now she’s enjoying it and --------- WOW. YOU GUYS. The GIRL HERSELF says that she gave permission so it wasn’t rape. Or at least that’s how she’s going to think of it in her head because if she gave permission it means she was in control. Yeah girl – you totally gave permission when you were blindfolded and drugged and told have sex with this stranger or your family would be killed.
I SWEAR TO GOD she better not do some dumb shit later on in this book and have the main character be raped by the other main character (you know the guy she’s been in love with forever) to make this whole thing “okay”. I’m having a REAL HARD TIME believing that some random stranger would encourage a girl to think about that man she loves and do all the things this Valerian asshole did without having an agenda.
• Chapter 03 – the chapter in which Breaker and Violet have sex in the bathroom stall. OF A FUCKING CHURCH. Shortly before they attend the FUNERAL of the pregnant fiancé of one of their own. Fuck me – I’m going to need more wine.
Ok so this book isn’t as bad as the others. I mean yeah it was pretty obvious to me that
• Chapter 24 – the chapter in which its obvious once again the author DOES NOT RESEARCH.
EXHIBIT A: Breaker grabs Phoenix’s gun and shoots his adopted dad in the foot. He then proceeds to tell him that the bullet went straight through so he should get up and stop yelling. Pardon me? You just shot him in the foot. And perhaps the author isn’t familiar with the different kinds of ammunition (for example some rounds fragment while others expand), but being shot in the foot isn’t something you can just (pardon the pun) walk off. Is she familiar with feet? Does she have feet? Is she aware that there are BONES in your feet and that being shot in one would certainly shatter said bones? Sure the bullet can go straight through, but not without causing considerable damage and possibly permanently disabling someone.
EXHIBIT B: Valerian is then literally stabbed in the back multiple times by another character. At least four times that were mentioned (one of which the author took the time to inform us went deep). I guess she didn’t research knife wounds either? Because if she actually had she would have learned that the spine could have been punctured causing paralysis if not death. Or the fact that the knife could also puncture some vital organs like the heart, or lungs, or kidneys. But nope. In true Van Dyken form – people can just stab wherever they would like with no consequences whatsoever.
STABBITY! STABBITY! STAB! STAB! STAB! Uh – sorry. Where was I?
• Chapter 27 – the chapter in which for reasons known only to the author she decided to throw in a sex scene between Ash and Annie. Ash whose fiancé was the one they buried at the beginning of this book is now fucking someone else. And not only is he fucking her – but he’s being a major asshole in the process. In fact after he comes – he screams at her to get out. And then gets mad when she listens. We are then subjected to his inner monologue where not only does he wish she was a mind reader – he wished she would fight to stay. Dude – I hate to break this to you – but that isn’t the way this works. Question? Does anyone actually find this kind of toxic behavior sexy? Anyone?
• Chapter 32 – Another chapter that proves the fact that this author DOES NOT RESEARCH. Okay – so we have Valerian unconscious in his study. The study that is on fire after being soaked with gasoline in an attempt to assassinate him. The door is locked. When Violet arrives, she demands that Ash kick open the door after he tried the doorknob and couldn’t open it due to it being hot. Ash kicks the door open – smoke rolled out in waves filling the hallway while the flames reached the ceiling. Sounds cool right? Except there is this little thing called a backdraft. If you don’t know what this is, one quick google search will tell you “A backdraft is a rapid or explosive burning of superheated gasses in a fire, caused when oxygen rapidly enters an oxygen-depleted environment; for example, when a window or door to an enclosed space is opened or broken.” In layman’s terms? When they kicked open the door to the study a rush of fire would have burst forth to greet them.
So yeah – tell me again how extensive the research into these books is? But hey – at least this review has a lot less bullet points than my last ones – so that’s definitely an improvement right? And there was less eye-rolling from me this time as well. In fact – to give credit where it was do – I actually did like this book more than the other three I have read by this author (one outside of the Mafia Royals series). I can definitely see where people enjoy her writing – I just wish it wasn’t so – over the top. I heard she got her start writing regency romances – and I haven’t read one of those in years so I might grab one and see where she started from. Perhaps she is the fantastic writer everyone claims – just not, in my opinion, at writing mafia.
June 27, 2022
Scandalous Prince is a story that I have been meaning to get to for quite a while now. I had a blast with book one which was also my first book by this author. I have been meaning to return to this series but I knew that it would be wildly angsty and crazy and wanted to be in the right mood. I definitely was in the correct mood for this book here. I actually had a blast with this story and seeing how this story developed, it was so different from the first book. This has a mix of mistaken identity with marriage of convenience. We see a hero who has had to hide his identity from everyone and to save the life of the woman he loved, he had to take on his other identity and in doing so leads him and Violet to a marriage of convenience. It has such a strong mafia feeling to it, and you see how crafty this author pens this story and I was having so fun with how well it was developed here. This author really handled it so well and it had some deep layers that I loved. I really enjoyed seeing this pair find their way to their HEA here. I was hooked within the story and I was charmed by the group of characters here and loving this family even the crazy wild moments. You definitely have to let go of preconceived notions with these books, they are bananas at times, but I really love this writing style as it can be refreshing to read a story that will push your boundaries or expectations a bit more. I had a blast with this book and definitely eager to see how she develops the other books and these characters.
September 22, 2020
This story starts at the deep end of the pool and I’m not quite sure we ever leave …. It’s a whole bunch of wait, so …, wait, what?, whoa, what is happening right now?, and oh no she didn’t thrown in with perfect precision and impeccable timing. The story was adrenaline-fueled (if that’s even a phrase lol). It’s exactly what you might expect from a bodyguard & princess love story. Such great writing you guys. The pacing was perfection, and every plot point fit exactly right! Amazing!
You may think you know what’s happening. Think again. The hits are gonna come at you from all directions and they don’t stop. My two-cent advice is just read … ride that wave and don’t try to think too much because you might just miss a thing ;)
I am so super stoked that I’ve invested in RVD’s Mafia world because it is a page-turner of epic proportions. I wish I had the time right now to go back and binge the originals but October is #bingread month and that’s right around the corner! YAY ME!
What to expect from Scandalous Prince ...
🔥 Hot scenes
🔥 Smiles and tears
🔥 All the banter!
🔥 A wicked crazy storyline
🔥 Star crossed lovers
🔥 And the mafia you’ve come to love. The Cosa Nostra is ready, are you?!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3cBUWMS
Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/ScandalousPrince
AppleBooks: https://smarturl.it/ScandalousPrinceAppl
Nook: https://smarturl.it/ScandalousPrinceBN
Kobo: https://smarturl.it/ScandalousPrinceKobo
You may think you know what’s happening. Think again. The hits are gonna come at you from all directions and they don’t stop. My two-cent advice is just read … ride that wave and don’t try to think too much because you might just miss a thing ;)
I am so super stoked that I’ve invested in RVD’s Mafia world because it is a page-turner of epic proportions. I wish I had the time right now to go back and binge the originals but October is #bingread month and that’s right around the corner! YAY ME!
What to expect from Scandalous Prince ...
🔥 Hot scenes
🔥 Smiles and tears
🔥 All the banter!
🔥 A wicked crazy storyline
🔥 Star crossed lovers
🔥 And the mafia you’ve come to love. The Cosa Nostra is ready, are you?!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3cBUWMS
Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/ScandalousPrince
AppleBooks: https://smarturl.it/ScandalousPrinceAppl
Nook: https://smarturl.it/ScandalousPrinceBN
Kobo: https://smarturl.it/ScandalousPrinceKobo
September 23, 2020
*5 Stars*
ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
I legitimately do not know what to say in this review. I would've read this in one sitting if I could've. RVD throws us right in the deep end with this one, with lots of things happening right from the start. Be prepared for angst and emotion when you read this.
Violet and Breakers story is a very interesting one with multiple layers and lots of discovery. I was on edge the whole time just waiting to see how things would play out. And Rachel sure throws some curveballs in there. I was right with one thing, but then all these others came at me, like what is happening next?
I really liked Breaker and Violet is pretty awesome too. I don't know that I loved them as much as Serena and Junior, but I did love them all the same. As with all the EE Mafia books RVD has written.
I always also really enjoy all the family time - we see all our old favourites, and our new ones too, and the banter and, just, the Family, is like coming home. Its lots of fun, even if half the time your heart is in your throat and your hanging onto the edge of your seat.
Loving this new series, and really really can't wait to see what comes next. Highly recommend. Blood In. No Out.
Review also on my blog - Scandalous Prince by Rachel Van Dyken
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ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
I legitimately do not know what to say in this review. I would've read this in one sitting if I could've. RVD throws us right in the deep end with this one, with lots of things happening right from the start. Be prepared for angst and emotion when you read this.
Violet and Breakers story is a very interesting one with multiple layers and lots of discovery. I was on edge the whole time just waiting to see how things would play out. And Rachel sure throws some curveballs in there. I was right with one thing, but then all these others came at me, like what is happening next?
I really liked Breaker and Violet is pretty awesome too. I don't know that I loved them as much as Serena and Junior, but I did love them all the same. As with all the EE Mafia books RVD has written.
I always also really enjoy all the family time - we see all our old favourites, and our new ones too, and the banter and, just, the Family, is like coming home. Its lots of fun, even if half the time your heart is in your throat and your hanging onto the edge of your seat.
Loving this new series, and really really can't wait to see what comes next. Highly recommend. Blood In. No Out.
Review also on my blog - Scandalous Prince by Rachel Van Dyken
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March 12, 2022
Definitiv ein JAHRESHIGHLIGHT! 😍🎉
Was für eine Story … Die hatte es echt in sich, war aber einfach perfekt. Ich war so eingenommen und gefesselt, dann diese Dynamik zwischen den Protagonisten … Einfach nur Wow!
Sehr intensiv, super spannend und vor allem einzigartig. Rachel Van Dyken zeigt, wie gut Mafia Romance Bücher sein können. Diese Reihe ist mega und ich bin schon sooo auf Teil drei gespannt!
Was für eine Story … Die hatte es echt in sich, war aber einfach perfekt. Ich war so eingenommen und gefesselt, dann diese Dynamik zwischen den Protagonisten … Einfach nur Wow!
Sehr intensiv, super spannend und vor allem einzigartig. Rachel Van Dyken zeigt, wie gut Mafia Romance Bücher sein können. Diese Reihe ist mega und ich bin schon sooo auf Teil drei gespannt!
September 9, 2020
➳ Rate: 5/ 5 stars
My goodness! I think I might be obsessed with this series and characters. I need more already. My god this book was so good. In the beginning I had no idea what was going on and once a theory formed in my head, I still had absolutely no clue because at every new chapter Rachel had me questioning my theory. It was an exhilarating, angsty, sexy and just mind blowing read.
Everything that went down... it was so much. The love these characters had for each other! The banter, the clues into the next couples (there were a couple and you'll flip out!). I am honestly so so excited for every upcoming book! I need to get into everyone's heads and meet the girl's who'll make these Elite boys fall to their knees and worship them.
You'll get to see just how happy Serena and Junior are and how they are still crazy and have amazing banter. Gah, I love them! And I loved Vi and Breaker omg. His love for her wow. Loved loved loved him and everything he was willing to do to protect her and the family. Sigh.
➳ARC kindly provided by author, in exchange for an honest review.
➳ Order at: Amazon UK ⁕ Amazon US
➳ Follow me on: Blog ⁕ Instagram ⁕ Facebook ⁕ Twitter
My goodness! I think I might be obsessed with this series and characters. I need more already. My god this book was so good. In the beginning I had no idea what was going on and once a theory formed in my head, I still had absolutely no clue because at every new chapter Rachel had me questioning my theory. It was an exhilarating, angsty, sexy and just mind blowing read.
Everything that went down... it was so much. The love these characters had for each other! The banter, the clues into the next couples (there were a couple and you'll flip out!). I am honestly so so excited for every upcoming book! I need to get into everyone's heads and meet the girl's who'll make these Elite boys fall to their knees and worship them.
You'll get to see just how happy Serena and Junior are and how they are still crazy and have amazing banter. Gah, I love them! And I loved Vi and Breaker omg. His love for her wow. Loved loved loved him and everything he was willing to do to protect her and the family. Sigh.
➳ARC kindly provided by author, in exchange for an honest review.
➳ Order at: Amazon UK ⁕ Amazon US
➳ Follow me on: Blog ⁕ Instagram ⁕ Facebook ⁕ Twitter
February 11, 2021
DNF. This seems to be a loved book looking at the reviews but I couldn't continue it. The book starts with a rape scene. Didn't listen to the whole thing so maybe I'm missed something crucial however it was way to uncomfortable and angry. Don't want my romance to contain rape, I got issues with it in other books as well as I feel very sad and uncomfortable. Wished this had contain warning
September 11, 2020
ARC received for an honest review
Back in 2013, just a month or so after we started bloggig, I received an ARC of this mafia book titled Elite, by a new to me author, Rachel Van Dyken.
And from that moment I have been hooked on her Eagle Elite / mafia stories.
I have been through thick and thin with them all (hands off Chase, he is mine!), and now I am doing the same with Eagle Elite: The Next Generation.
I never thought I would love a series as much as I did the OG EE, however Ms Van Dyken is proving me wrong with the Mafia Royals.
Scandalous Prince is Breaker and Violet's story, and we are thrown right into the deep end with this one. I have a friend who had read this book a few days before me, and I was messaging them with updates as I was going. I was all woah, WTF and hang on a minute! This was edge of your seat, non-stop, adrenaline rush kind of reading.
Gah, I don't know how to put into words how much I loved this book. I only finished it last night, and I already want to read it again!
Just know that whatever you think is happening, you have no idea what is going to happen next.
I loved getting more of my man Chase and the rest of the original crew. I love the banter and snark and laughs between them all. And you know the saying "let's keep things in the family?" Well yeah, this lot really do like to keep things in the Family (in a non-incestuous way of course!)
It was also great seeing a few things from Ruthless Princess from another side (you don't need to have read RP but why would you not want to??).
I also loved the bit of set up we have for Ash's story. I CAN.NOT.WAIT for that one!
In the words of 2007Britney, Gimme more!
Back in 2013, just a month or so after we started bloggig, I received an ARC of this mafia book titled Elite, by a new to me author, Rachel Van Dyken.
And from that moment I have been hooked on her Eagle Elite / mafia stories.
I have been through thick and thin with them all (hands off Chase, he is mine!), and now I am doing the same with Eagle Elite: The Next Generation.
I never thought I would love a series as much as I did the OG EE, however Ms Van Dyken is proving me wrong with the Mafia Royals.
Scandalous Prince is Breaker and Violet's story, and we are thrown right into the deep end with this one. I have a friend who had read this book a few days before me, and I was messaging them with updates as I was going. I was all woah, WTF and hang on a minute! This was edge of your seat, non-stop, adrenaline rush kind of reading.
Gah, I don't know how to put into words how much I loved this book. I only finished it last night, and I already want to read it again!
Just know that whatever you think is happening, you have no idea what is going to happen next.
I loved getting more of my man Chase and the rest of the original crew. I love the banter and snark and laughs between them all. And you know the saying "let's keep things in the family?" Well yeah, this lot really do like to keep things in the Family (in a non-incestuous way of course!)
It was also great seeing a few things from Ruthless Princess from another side (you don't need to have read RP but why would you not want to??).
I also loved the bit of set up we have for Ash's story. I CAN.NOT.WAIT for that one!
In the words of 2007Britney, Gimme more!
September 21, 2020
Breaker Campisi swore to protect Violet Abandonato’s life. Her life as a mafia princess is protected and sheltered, even with the daily exposure to danger and violence her family has raised her with. She is off limits to him for so many reasons, but there is still a thread of attraction between them, though he is determined to keep things platonic between them.
Violet is an interesting combination of innocent and fierce. Growing up as Chase Abandonato’s daughter, she is the public face of her family’s innocence. But her growing frustration with the public image she must project is grating on her. But she also knows that any danger she faces will be mitigated by Breaker’s presence (and hand if necessary). But then comes a situation even he can’t get her out of and a stranger’s interest in her changes the direction of her future. Following the entry of this stranger, Breaker can’t fight for her so she will fight for them. She wants a future with Breaker no matter how many times he says he isn’t good for her.
Breaker is loyal to the Campisi’s and the promises he has made to the heads of the families, including protecting (but staying away from) Violet. Though he is attracted to her, he doesn’t feel like he is good for her and does his best to push her away. But he knows things that make it more important that he not cross too many lines with Violet.
Then Valerian enters the story and things get really interesting, as Breaker tries to back away so Violet can live the life she needs to, and Violet fights to keep Breaker in her heart.
This is my favorite from this second generation spin off. It has all the intensity I’ve come to expect from this mafia series, but an extra layer of intricately woven story threads that had me constantly guessing and reassessing my predictions. The branches and generations of the Italian families play heavy roles as well as the increased involvement from the Russians. All these threads pull together to create an intriguing, complex story that went beyond my expectations for this book. I can’t wait to see what is in store for Ash and the others in this generation. These young adults are stepping up and though they are not running the families yet, their decisions will echo into the future.
September 2, 2020
Holy mother fluffing cheese puffs! I want you to picture yourself getting ready to read. You got your snacks, comfy spot, your wine etc. You're all excited thinking this is it! I've been waiting for what seems like a eternity!! Im going to read for a bit and then come back to it. (First mistake right here *sigh*) So you're all involved then , BAM!! You're daily routine is long gone! You're socks are blown right off your feet through the window along with your routine! And your jaw? Well...well your jaw is stuck to the floor with a Twizzler hanging from your bottom lip!(That's right! Stuff is about to go down!) It could happen, just saying! Everything you thought you knew? No longer exist. I suppose you're wondering how you are going to explain this most intense, smoking, gritty book of all time? You're not b/c there's not enough words and in the end all you're left with is a Twizzler stuck to your lip, your lost socks and maybe dried tears and wine on your shirt. However, it will be worth it! I promise you that you'll want to read Scandalous Prince all over again to feel that emotional rollercoaster. HANDS DOWN THE NUMBER 1 READ OF 2020! 🙌
September 13, 2020
A forbidden romance, within our beloved mafia family that hits you with a twist that will bring you to your knees. I loved the Eagle Elite Series and I love the Mafia Royals just as much.
Violet is Chases’s daughter. She’s quiet snd studious. She’s never had a reason to bring out her claws, until now. She’s never had to fight for what she wanted because he always protected her. Now she’ll have to decide whether he’s worth fighting for.
This was a storyline I wasn’t prepared for. The author tore me up and then pieced me back together slowly. The path is wrought with heartache and pain, but hang in there and weather their storm bevause it will be worth it.
It wouldn’t be our favorite mafia families without a little bloodshed between friends. The author delivers the humor and wit we expect from our favorites. The alpha males we have come to adore, always bring the heat and devotion to the woman that owns their heart. This story took some turns I never saw coming and left me reeling. I was quickly sucked back into their world and I didn’t want to leave. I’ll always come back for more of my favorite mafia men both new and old.
Violet is Chases’s daughter. She’s quiet snd studious. She’s never had a reason to bring out her claws, until now. She’s never had to fight for what she wanted because he always protected her. Now she’ll have to decide whether he’s worth fighting for.
This was a storyline I wasn’t prepared for. The author tore me up and then pieced me back together slowly. The path is wrought with heartache and pain, but hang in there and weather their storm bevause it will be worth it.
It wouldn’t be our favorite mafia families without a little bloodshed between friends. The author delivers the humor and wit we expect from our favorites. The alpha males we have come to adore, always bring the heat and devotion to the woman that owns their heart. This story took some turns I never saw coming and left me reeling. I was quickly sucked back into their world and I didn’t want to leave. I’ll always come back for more of my favorite mafia men both new and old.
September 13, 2020
5⭐️
I looooove it!
*sigh*
I was so excited for this book ever since it was announced!
I love this one more than the first book!
The twists and turns... the feelings, the angst... the frustrations. It was everything.
It was sexy, sweet, funny and excitingly swoon-worthy. I was holding on to every single word, every single page... every single moment.
I never would've guessed THAT about Breaker....
Heartwarming. That's a word you'd never expected to describe a mafia romance.
Love Vi's and Breakers' story and I can't wait to read about Ash and Annie next!
I looooove it!
*sigh*
I was so excited for this book ever since it was announced!
I love this one more than the first book!
The twists and turns... the feelings, the angst... the frustrations. It was everything.
It was sexy, sweet, funny and excitingly swoon-worthy. I was holding on to every single word, every single page... every single moment.
I never would've guessed THAT about Breaker....
Heartwarming. That's a word you'd never expected to describe a mafia romance.
Love Vi's and Breakers' story and I can't wait to read about Ash and Annie next!
December 30, 2020
OMG This book broke me! Absolutely my favorite mafia book yet.
Scandalous Prince will take your emotions put them in a blender and purée them in a way that you don’t know which way is up. LOL I can’t think of another way to describe this book. I was just all over the place with my emotions. I had to grab the tissues at least twice.
Rachel has become the queen of mafia and I hope she never stops with our Elite family. I’m on pins and needles waiting for what comes next!!
Scandalous Prince will take your emotions put them in a blender and purée them in a way that you don’t know which way is up. LOL I can’t think of another way to describe this book. I was just all over the place with my emotions. I had to grab the tissues at least twice.
Rachel has become the queen of mafia and I hope she never stops with our Elite family. I’m on pins and needles waiting for what comes next!!
November 17, 2020
GENRE: CONTEMPORARY MAFIA ROMANCE.
AUTHOR:RACHEL VAN DYKEN.
TYPE:STANDALONE...BUT PART OF MAFIA ROYALS.
POV:FIRST PERSON- MULTIPLE PROSPECTIVE.
MY RATING: 5 "SCANDALOUS" STARS.
This book right here is the reason I love the escape books provide from the real world. RVD has once again blown my mind away with Breaker and Violet's forbidden love story.
Violet Abandonato is forbidden to every being...either they are scared of her father or ....no they ARE scared of her father...but one man is an exception...Breaker who has been given the responsibility to protect Violet. But he loves her in spite of knowing he could have her, not the "adoptive" son of Capo Tex Campisi. But one more person enters this equation and the chaos breaks out.
Violet unknowingly has been claimed by her worst nightmare...Prince...newly crowned King of Russian mob Valerian Petrov. But so many secrets are brewing...and when the situations hets wild..all are in for a shock...and the biggest shock is betrayal from our own blood.
Forgive me—” I whispered into the cool night air “— for showing you the knight, when the whole time, I was the wolf. Forgive me, God. Forgive me. Amen.”
I have been feeling so emotions gushing in me before I even finish half the book...The suspense was killing me, breaking me and when the moment the secrets were out, I was gasping in between my breaths. Breaker broke my heart and Valerian healed me...I can never empathize with Violet...that girl was in a tight spot.
"One day,” I whispered, my accent thicker than usual. “I will have you, Violet Abandonato, and it will be my name you scream… not his.
That's what we enjoy about RVD's books...they had just the right amount of suspense, heartbreak, love, betrayal, redemption, and boy oh boy, I can never, never emphasize the suspense in this book enough...If you thought Junior/ Jasper and Serena's story was amazing...then this book is definitely for you.
The second is more brutal, fierce and Ruthless...Welcome to the family, BLOOD IN. NO OUT.
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