Sophie Lark

Beauty and the Beast with a Mafia Twist

Nessa Griffin leads a lonely life. Compassionate and gentle, she fills no role in her family's mafia empire. She struggles to prove herself at home and at her highly-competitive ballet corps.

Mikolaj Wilk is the most vicious gangster in Chicago. His adoptive father saved him from the streets of Warsaw, only to die at the hands of the Griffins.

Bent on revenge, Mikolaj abducts Nessa, holding her captive in his mouldering gothic mansion. As he plots the destruction of everything she holds dear, he finds himself fixated on his little ballerina's newest dance.

Terrified by the growing tension with her kidnapper, Nessa loses herself in a dark fairytale ballet that parallels their increasingly twisted relationship.

Can Nessa find the man inside the beast? Or will this be her last dance?

Brutal Birthright: Book 2

Stolen Heir

Malak Mazen

this was definitely not as good as the first. sadly this girl is way too young for me to find this cute. also we barely got to see them talking to each other? it would just skip over that? idk i felt so old reading this because i was like “yea i wouldn’t let my 20 year old daughter marry a 26 year old mob boss either” and it wasn’t just that she’s young, but her entire personality is just so naive and sheltered. it made it difficult to like their romance honestly.

big ab

I’m not a huge fan of the beauty and beast type retelling and this book would not let it go. Just beating you over the head with it. Also not a v trope fan, but this wasn’t terrible. It wasn’t the focal point. I am a big fan of mafia x ballerina and it’s done really well here! Also the MC is covered in tattoos so that’s a plus. 

I understand they were going for beauty & the beast, but it’s grooming on crack. I like the series so far (read #3 before this one and I adore Nero) but this one was a no for me. I like the main characters a lot & the plot was decent, but together they don’t work. Would have loved to see a deeper more fleshed out story with someone Miko’s age & also w Nessa. With Mikolaj’s backstory he’s such a multidimensional character & it could have been executed better

Moonchild

Sophie Lark writes morally grey characters like no one else. These books are so fast. Abuse like our MMC saw his sister suffer is a sensitive subject for me to read, this book is so descriptive. The subtle resemblance to Persephone and Beauty and the Beast. Makes a Disney story turn out real and interesting to see emotionally how the characters go through everything.

Sidney Schaffner

Catia

i fucking move this book. i kover her writing and the storyline. i read it in a whole day. 5⭐️

Stockholm syndrome in its finest. I'm not sure if I really like it, but it's easy to read, and you can get into it in no time. 

Nessa is the little girl of the family. She goes to classes, does her thing, follows her dreams without caring too much about her family business, and that's fine.

The downside is that her family never really prepares her to take care of herself in a possible attack. And that's how she ends up being the target of her family enemy. 

Miko, the head of the polish mafia, wants revenge, and the way to get it is by hurting both families by taking so precious precious and delicate. 

He really loved Nessa in his own way. He protected her and almost gave his life for her gladly. And Nessa just waited for the right moment to finally enter in his heart.

The only weird part is the beginning. The plot about the sister that ends up in nothing. It really gets you out of the book

María | @AltroReader

Stockholm syndrome in its finest. I'm not sure if I really like it, but it's easy to read, and you can get into it in no time. 

Nessa is the little girl of the family. She goes to classes, does her thing, follows her dreams without caring too much about her family business, and that's fine.

The downside is that her family never really prepares her to take care of herself in a possible attack. And that's how she ends up being the target of her family enemy. 

Miko, the head of the polish mafia, wants revenge, and the way to get it is by hurting both families by taking so precious precious and delicate. 

He really loved Nessa in his own way. He protected her and almost gave his life for her gladly. And Nessa just waited for the right moment to finally enter in his heart.

It was cute. 

The only weird part is the beginning. The plot about the sister that ends up in nothing. It really gets you out of the book

3.5/5

Vitória 

Jordan

Beauty and the beast vibes. Didn’t care for Nessa but Mikolaj made up for it. I wouldn’t classify this as a true enemies to lovers more like a mild hatred.

Vanessa

he wears it like an armor that can never be taken off.

This was the perfect, easy read to get out of a slump! It’s a HEA, with some spice and violence.

Estefany 

3.70 stars. Diré que me gustó mucho más que el primero. La historia no es nada del otro mundo, pero creo que la autora manejó la trama bastante bien en comparación al primer libro. Hubiera deseado más desarollo en la relación de los personajes principales, pero aun así, me gusto mucho.

Skye

“you stole my heart." 
 
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so, I enjoyed this book more than the first. it was darker, but I liked the two main characters more than I did in the previous one.  
• 
 
read if you like: 
♡ revenge missions 
♡ Beauty and the Beast inspo 
♡ dual pov 
♡ mafia romance 
♡ forbidden love  
♡ ballet / dancing 
♡ gothic homes  
♡ thawing ice cold hearts  
 
trigger warnings: 
☞ rape (takes place off page but is discussed on page) 
☞ graphic physical violence 
☞ suicide 
☞ loss of loved one 
☞ kidnapping  
 
• 
please be sure to look up trigger warnings before you choose to read this! 
 
• 
 
potential spoilers: 
while I did enjoy this one much more than the first book, it’s an obvious Beauty and the Beast-inspired story, which means it’s got very heavy Stockholm syndrome vibes. The author works to show how these two characters would choose each other if given the choice versus being forced into it, so in the end, it feels like more of a true, consensual love match, but if you’re triggered by that type of storyline, you may wanna consider skipping this one.

Madeline Frampton

So far my favorite out of the series, I loved experiencing Nessa become the woman she was made to be while Miko found a way to love life again. Beautifully written

They Murdered My Father, So I Stole Their Daughter…

She’s my captive, my little ballerina who dances only for me.

Nessa is sweet and innocent. She doesn’t deserve any of this. But that’s how our world works - the wolves eat the lambs, no matter how gentle they may be.

I’ll use her to get my revenge. Unless I give in to my hunger first...


The Lark Notes:
Ohhh Mikolaj… my secret book boyfriend. He’s dark and moody and he lives in a haunted mansion. I had some real gothic Beauty and the Beast vibes writing this one. Nessa is my little ballerina Belle — smart and creative and kind. The only person who could melt Miko’s frozen heart. – Sophie

“Stolen Heir” is the dark and gothic second act of the “Brutal Birthright” series. It’s a stand-alone Enemies to Lovers Romance, complete with HEA and no cliffhangers. It contains blazing hot bedroom scenes for mature readers only!!!

laura

Lover of Romance 

Stolen Heir is the second book in the Brutal Birthright series and I had such a blast with this book to be honest. It was so amazing. Now it wasn't quite a five-star read for me, but a solid four-star. I think I was a bit burned from reading the first book and I think the anxiety just kept me from enjoying this fully as I desired to. However, despite my reservations on this one, I had such a fun time with this one here. And man I can't refuse a wonderful fairy tale retelling especially one in the dark romance (mafia) genre. Ironically you don't see a captive kidnapping set up in a mafia romance very often (or I haven't---most of the time its arranged marriages you will see the most) So I definitely got a kick out of reading this one because it was so entertaining, edge of your seat fun and a solid retelling of Beauty and the Beast. 

I really was swept away by this story and I didn't want to put this one down at all. I really enjoyed the angst level between these two and all the connections to the actual fairy tale with a delicious mafia twist to it. I actual understood the hero here, I mean the man he viewed and loved like a father was murdered so I get his reasons for revenge. But this heroine is so sweet and I adored her character so much. Especially after dealing with the heroine in book one, she was like a breath of fresh air. I found they had such beautiful chemistry and the story was written so well here. I really liked seeing all the plot dynamics that the author implemented and the way this couple had to fight for each other in the end and what the hero was willing to do for his lady. And we see so much strength and resilience from her (way more than I expected) and really was impressed with seeing her have a different kind of strength that is not the norm. 

Overall I had a blast with this one here and I am looking forward to reading more from this author and seeing what she implements with this family.

Samaa

** spoiler alert **
           Can't choose between this one ant the first book but I have to say I hated miko at first started to think he really has no feelings but everything he did for her at the end made up for it, I sensed his love so much when he let her go didn't even need to hear him say it, I enjoyed this book looking forward to reading the next one when I have the time.

Anita

• Please check TWs & CWs: Mature language, sexual scenes, implied [ sexual violence, sexual assault, rape,], suicide, violence , murder, torture, blood & gore, guns, kidnapping & etc

• Tropes: captorXcaptive, enemies to lovers, sheltered mafia princess X jaded mafia boss

“ I can see is this girl—a little shy, a little nervous, but radiating a sort of joy that can never be snuffed out of her. Because it doesn’t come from circumstance or situation. It comes from the goodness inside of her.”

I loved this. No words, JUST SO MUCH LOVE. The theme and settings were most definitely my favourite. 

Nessa. I LOVED NESSA. Kind and strong, creative and beautiful. She really interested me, and I liked her quite a lot. I loved her creativity and the way she channeled her feelings into her art. I adore that and her. 

Miko. Big bad Miko was actually so adorable to me. We can’t deny, the man went soft for his girl. HEAD OVER HEELS. I love the obsessed man trope, LOVE. 

I loved these two together, so so much. DEFINITELY READ !

Danya <3

3.5 ⭐️ 

 Genre: Dark Romance  

Age group : Adult 

POV : First person POV / Dual 

Characters: 3/5 ⭐️ 

Plot: 3/5 ⭐️ 

Setting/Themes: 3/5 ⭐️ 

Writing: 4/5 ⭐️

Spice: 3.5/5 ⭐️ 

• Please check TWs & CWs: Mature language, sexual scenes, implied [ sexual violence, sexual assault, rape,], suicide, violence , murder, torture, blood & gore, guns, kidnapping & etc

• Tropes: captorXcaptive, enemies to lovers, sheltered mafia princess X jaded mafia boss

• HEA

“ I can see is this girl—a little shy, a little nervous, but radiating a sort of joy that can never be snuffed out of her. Because it doesn’t come from circumstance or situation. It comes from the goodness inside of her.”

I loved this. No words, JUST SO MUCH LOVE. The theme and settings were most definitely my favourite. 

Nessa. I LOVED NESSA. Kind and strong, creative and beautiful. She really interested me, and I liked her quite a lot. I loved her creativity and the way she channeled her feelings into her art. I adore that and her. 

Miko. Big bad Miko was actually so adorable to me. We can’t deny, the man went soft for his girl. HEAD OVER HEELS. I love the obsessed man trope, LOVE. 

I loved these two together, so so much. DEFINITELY READ !

La verdad no tenía nada de esperanza, después del primero que es horrible pensé que este sería igual de malo. Bueno pues estaba equivocada.

Pensé que no me iba a gustar porque no disfruto del tema de secuestro en libros de mafia, pero aquí está súper bien manejando.

Miko jamás esperó enamorarse de Nessa y eso se nota desde el principio. Ella era un medio para un fin, hasta que comenzó a impregnar de su dulzura el corazón de Miko.

Nessa es inocente y ciega a la maldad del mundo que la rodea, pero esa inocencia es la que le permitió ver las partes buenas de Miko, y esa misma inocencia fue la que lo enamoró.

Ambos personajes se complementan tan bien, que realmente es como si estuvieran hecho el uno para el otro. 

Me encantó ir leyendo como poco a poco se enamoraban, pero me gustó aún más el acto que él hizo, dejarla ir. Porque estaba consiente qué tal vez los sentimientos de ella se debían a que estaba prisionera, dejarla ir significó realmente conocer la verdad. Y eso se agradece muchísimo. 

Un libro demasiado disfrutable y que sí me veo releyendo.

cris 🫀

OMG CON ESTE LIBRO.

La verdad no tenía nada de esperanza, después del primero que es horrible pensé que este sería igual de malo. Bueno pues estaba equivocada.

Pensé que no me iba a gustar porque no disfruto del tema de secuestro en libros de mafia, pero aquí está súper bien manejando.

Miko jamás esperó enamorarse de Nessa y eso se nota desde el principio. Ella era un medio para un fin, hasta que comenzó a impregnar de su dulzura el corazón de Miko.

Nessa es inocente y ciega a la maldad del mundo que la rodea, pero esa inocencia es la que le permitió ver las partes buenas de Miko, y esa misma inocencia fue la que lo enamoró.

Ambos personajes se complementan tan bien, que realmente es como si estuvieran hecho el uno para el otro. 

Me encantó ir leyendo como poco a poco se enamoraban, pero me gustó aún más el acto que él hizo, dejarla ir. Porque estaba consiente qué tal vez los sentimientos de ella se debían a que estaba prisionera, dejarla ir significó realmente conocer la verdad. Y eso se agradece muchísimo. 

Un libro demasiado disfrutable y que sí me veo releyendo.

Inês Filipa

karmin

i devoured this book in less than a day so it deserves 5 stars

catia

“I apologize for the pain I caused you,” he says. “I know this will be difficult for you to understand, but I love Nessa. I love her more than I love my own soul. I would never hurt her. And that includes tearing her away from her family again.”



  “I brought Nessa back to your house. All I’m asking is for your permission to continue seeing her. I want to marry her. But you’re right, she is young. I can wait. There’s plenty of time for you to know me. For you to see that I will cherish and protect your daughter forever.”



This one was actually a surprised, I don't really go for this type of trope but wow Miko and Nessa really got me!! I don't know if they're my favorites but god, I did really liked them!! I loved seeing Nessa have an amazing development that deep inside she was always meant to be! And Miko, seeing Miko waking up and become a better man after meeting Nessa, was just perfect! They're so different, like light and dark, night and day but they totally complete each other! I had fun with this book too, and one of my favorite scenes is when Miko works with the Gallos brothers, I mean just epic!!
Like I always say, it's not my type of books but I had a lot of fun and I did cry with this one and it was entertaining and interesting and cheesy at times but so cute too!! It really was a surprised I liked this one a little bit better than the first one!! But seeing Callum and Aida from other people pov's was so heartwarming, I loved it!!
update: i love them i don't care, they deserve 4 stars!!



  He’s loving me as I’m loving him: insanely, without reason, without limit.



  “I was a corpse when I met you, Nessa,” he says. “No breath. No heart. No life. I felt nothing. I cared about nothing. Then I saw you, and you woke me up inside. I was such a fool at first. I was so numb that I thought that spark must be hatred. If I was a normal person, I would have realized it was love. Love at first sight. From the second I laid eyes on you.”



  “Mikolaj, I love you with all my heart. I promise, you’ll be the only man in the world to me. I’ll be your lover and your best friend. We’ll do the hard things and the fun things. We’ll make our choices together, for the good of us both. I’ll always put you before anything else, so that nothing can come between us.”

Stolen Heir Brutal Birthright: Book 2

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