Sophie Lark

I Know Her Secret…

Cat is in so much trouble. She did something bad, and I saw.

I’ll keep her secret... for a price.

Poor, sweet, timid Cat should never have come to Kingmakers. It’s a place for monsters and killers. People like me.

She wandered into the lion’s den and now she’s mine.

Mine to play with. Mine to torment. Mine to break...


The Lark Notes:
My very first inspiration for Kingmakers was Dean Yenin. I wanted to write a true anti-hero who would need to undergo a very serious change in his character to complete his redemption arc. Dean will make you feel all the things, sometimes against your will. You’ll love him and hate him and love him again, and never get him out of your head. – Sophie

“The Bully” is a standalone novel. It's the third installment in the epic dark mafia Kingmakers series – a bully romance, full of dark, twisted enemies-to-lovers conflict. Reader beware, this one is intense.

Kingmakers, #3

The Bully

It’s terrifying. Because I’m not in control of Cat. I can’t make her love me. All I can do is hope.

“I’m jealous,” I say, seizing her arm and pulling her close. “Any time anyone looks at you, or speaks to you, I’m jealous. I want all your minutes, and all your words. I want all of you, all the time.”

I don’t think of Cat as a pet that is disposable or beneath me. I think of her as an exotic, unearthly creature that I’ve captured and tamed. Far more valuable than an ordinary human.

Snow chuckles. “The most beautiful woman in the world. And yet, that’s only my tenth favorite thing about her.”

“No.” I shake my head. “But I did dig you out.” 

“Maybe next time . . . try to catch me,” Cat says.

UGH DEAN I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. LOVE THE ENDING. LOVE CAT LOVE EVERYTHING.

Stranded 

UGH DEAN I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. LOVE THE ENDING. LOVE CAT LOVE EVERYTHING.



I definitely did not expect for this to be my favorite of the series. I didn’t like Dean in The Heir at all so I wasn’t especially excited about this, but I wanted to read it because of Cat. I liked how this one focused more on the relationship between the two and Dean’s character development is maybe the best I’ve seen. 

this was my least favorite in the series, i love a good morally gray corrupt character who has a tragic backstory but dean had no redeeming qualities to me?? the romance was very out of pocket, but the spicy scenes were veryyyyy spicy but that didn’t make the book any better in my opinion

Danyella Barajas

I am completely speechless about this book here. It was so wonderful, addictive and kept me up all night reading. Which I don't mind, that doesn't happen too often. I was so intrigued by this one especially after "Rebel" ended but boy did Sophie Lark really satisfy me and this book is definitely worth the hype and I can see why so many readers love this book so deeply. I normally don't agree with hype books, I will be honest, but in Bully, this book is brilliantly written and one of my favorite reads from this author and I do think its one of her best mafia books read. I am so curious to see if we learn what happens in their HEA in later books, I just loved the connection to Ivan and Snow in this book. And I am glad that I had read that series before reading this one for sure. It was so interesting to see how this story was developed.

In the Bully we get a blend of aspects that seemed to really work so well together. We have a connection where there is some blackmail and some bully romance. I actually think this is one of the better bully romances. The hero is blackmailing the heroine because he learns a deep secret that if it becomes known its her life. So seeing this game that they play together was so delectable and when their relationship becomes more serious and BDSM comes into play....HOLY SMOKES....does the sexual tension raise up a notch or ten. Really adored their chemistry and Sophie Lark really did a superb job in building up the BDSM elements while also building on their relationship in such a profound way. And the way that the hero grovels and what is willing to sacrifice for her in the third act just melted my heart. I do feel like the heroine was dragging out the grovel way too much. Like girl come on the dude made a mistake, just forgive him already. If a grovel is to be dragged out longer, it needs to be super bad. And while he hurts her, she knew he had inner pain and lashes out at people, did she just conveniently forget about that? But despite my issue with how the grovel was did, this still turned out to be a five star read for me just because I loved everything else about the book and it had so much heart that won me over in the end.

Overall I had a blast with these two and am curious to see the pieces of the "spy" to really come together in book 4.

Lover of Romance 

I am completely speechless about this book here. It was so wonderful, addictive and kept me up all night reading. Which I don't mind, that doesn't happen too often. I was so intrigued by this one especially after "Rebel" ended but boy did Sophie Lark really satisfy me and this book is definitely worth the hype and I can see why so many readers love this book so deeply. I normally don't agree with hype books, I will be honest, but in Bully, this book is brilliantly written and one of my favorite reads from this author and I do think its one of her best mafia books read. I am so curious to see if we learn what happens in their HEA in later books, I just loved the connection to Ivan and Snow in this book. And I am glad that I had read that series before reading this one for sure. It was so interesting to see how this story was developed.

In the Bully we get a blend of aspects that seemed to really work so well together. We have a connection where there is some blackmail and some bully romance. I actually think this is one of the better bully romances. The hero is blackmailing the heroine because he learns a deep secret that if it becomes known its her life. So seeing this game that they play together was so delectable and when their relationship becomes more serious and BDSM comes into play....HOLY SMOKES....does the sexual tension raise up a notch or ten. Really adored their chemistry and Sophie Lark really did a superb job in building up the BDSM elements while also building on their relationship in such a profound way. And the way that the hero grovels and what is willing to sacrifice for her in the third act just melted my heart. I do feel like the heroine was dragging out the grovel way too much. Like girl come on the dude made a mistake, just forgive him already. If a grovel is to be dragged out longer, it needs to be super bad. And while he hurts her, she knew he had inner pain and lashes out at people, did she just conveniently forget about that? But despite my issue with how the grovel was did, this still turned out to be a five star read for me just because I loved everything else about the book and it had so much heart that won me over in the end.

Overall I had a blast with these two and am curious to see the pieces of the "spy" to really come together in book 4.

Anita

Kristina

Daniella Cuesta

Unpopular opinion: I hate the bully trope with a deep rooted passion that extends through time and space because authors always take it too far. At some point characters can totally be irredeemable. But not Dean omfg that man!! I was so Into him from his first introduction in the first book of the series and miss Sophie did not disappoint. I was a little nervous how the relationship between Cat and Dean would go because she seemed so young In comparison but I keep forgetting they’re both over 18 and only two years apart. The whole school aspect throws me off sometimes but I love how the author approached this series by making everyone at kingmakers over the age of 18. I absolutely adored Cat when she came into her own I think the story was only missing more of that as an emphasis but nonetheless super enjoyable 4.25 overall for me :)

Le doy 4 estrellas pq tengo una pequeña obsession con dean? maybe

samantha youngclaus

ms sophie lark did what had to be done and the SPICE

Jacquelyn Hood

I ABSOLUTLY LOVED THE PAIRING BETWEEN DEAN AND CAT. I enjoyed reading Deans come around and the way he changed through out the book. This couple truly bring out the best in each other and I couldn't imagine them with anyone else. 
The Bully was so steamy. the different scenes between this couple was always spicy and never lacked. I don't think I have read a book that has measured up to this level yet. The steamy scenes were so different and unique to this couple.

Gianna Cabrera

This is exactly what I wanted!!! I loved this from start to finish.

alyssa 

from the beginning of the book i knew what was going to happen and it instantly drew me in stronger . i love that dean shows his emotions towards cat . he does everything and i love that’s he’s not afraid to look weak or show his soft side to the people he becomes really close with , i really loved his character . this book was def the first one out of brutal birthright and kingmakers to bring tears to my eyes . i loved it so much , i loved the ending as well . i’m glad he wasn’t brain washed enough to not go back to chicago with his family and reunite with his mother . he needed someone to love him and show him that he’s not alone and be there for
him and that was cat and i’m glad thru there problems they came back together and realized that they belong together . 10/10 . one of my fav reads 

Logan Chisholm

There is truly no better couple than Dean & Cat. I was hesitant about Dean after the Heir, but I knew he would have a heck of a redemption arc. This is Dean’s 3rd year at Kingmakers, and Cat’s 2nd year. It’s her first year without her sister, so add to that that she is now in servitude to the merciless Dean Yenin, she doesn’t have high hopes for the year.

Dean knows Cat’s secret, and he intends to keep it, so long as she agrees to be at his beck and call all year long. From the minute they step on the ship back to Kingmakers, Dean is determined to make life difficult for Cat. But, soon their arrangement changes to something more… carnal. The two cant deny their chemistry, and for as much as Dean loves being dominant and controlling, Cat loves being submissive and willing to Dean’s every wish. I’m honestly amazed at how Sophie can continue to write so many characters with different personalities, but still match them up as if they were made for each other. Dean and Cat were no exception. I love that Dean remains true to who he is, though perhaps in a less murder-y way, while encouraging Cat to give into her instincts and be who she really is. Cat goes from questioning her place at Kingmakers to confidently owning her skills and coming out of her shell. Seeing Dean be so cute and soft for Cat in a few rare moments was so fun and made me hardcore swoon.

I also absolutely loved the relationship between Dean and Snow. I was totally in love with Snow in his book, so seeing him be a mentor/father figure to Dean was just the icing on the cake for this book. Dean and Cat are definitely my favorite Kingmakers couple, this book was EVERYTHING I was wanting and more. I’m ready to be collared.

Milanna K

Tshering Yangzom

this is the first time i've seen a korean song in a book's playlist (it was monster by rv)

Kristen Gillis

“If she wants to poke the bear, I’m happy to show her how beastly I can be.”

How does each book in this series seriously just get better and better?!

Cat, My god, the scene in deans room. I can’t believe she did that to him 😅😅 brave girl, he’s insane. 

Dean god I HATED him in the first book, HOW did he become my favorite MC in this series 🤯

The things that each of them are willing to do for and withstand for each other is astronomical. They both brought out the very best parts of each other. 

The librarian? The Spy? WHAT? WHO?

Tanya 

This was the most anticipated book and also the one I was most nervous about for a couple reasons… I fell in love with Dean from book 1 although he was the antagonist he was very much the underdog and I love underdogs. I was fascinated by him and I wanted so badly to get to the bottom of him. This is also a bully themed book & if you know me you know it is my least favorite trope, it’s up there with accidental pregnancy & 3 I knew it would ruin me & that it did. This book is way more than I was expecting tbh.

Coming from the rebel you know what a cat did and Dean also knows so he’s blackmailing her to service him. Cats been the timid and overlooked sister, always in Zoe’s shadow. She never wanted to go to Kingmakers and so she is also the underdog. 

This book was so hot, the chemistry and connection between Cat & Dean was EVERYTHING. The unfiltered TRUST. The push and pull, the domination and submission. This went from humiliation in public to all kink in private and I mean I learned something new in here. Multiple Male orgasms with no ejaculation?? multiple orgasms??? LORD ITS ME AGAIN!!!. 

I couldn’t get enough of them together. Both pushing each other to be the best versions of themselves. Dean just needed some love and Cat was so open and willing to love him to best of her ability. Watching Dean grow & open up to Cat was so satisfying to see, his character arc & development>>>>>>>>>

This book also brought back some OGs, Snow & Sasha which I was so happy about bc I loved them both so much. From the moment Dean was in the presence of Snow he wanted to prove his worth. He respected him and admired him and I could just tell the two of them would be impactful to one another. The relationship they built also fundamentally helped Dean become the man he needed to be for Cat and it made my heart so happy that Sophie chose Snow to be the character to do that. He’s literally the perfect example Dean needed.

Again I sobbed in this book because I really do feel like I’m apart of this world and I’m very sad I’m going to have to leave these characters, I’m fucking attached and I don’t want it to end. Sophie I told you once and I’m telling you again you’re a goddamn genius and all you know how to creat is a work of art.

Alexandra 

WHAT SORCERY IS THIS???? A book that is so devious, dark....sex scenes that were incredibly hot and kinky...and also a story that made me cry several times?? THE PERFECT BOOK. I CANT

Maya Federman

I knew this book was going to put me in a chokehold and I was RIGHT. Dean Yenin clawed his way into my heart and he's never getting out. Sophie deserves all the props in the world for orchestrating his character arc so beautifully.

The Dean we see in The Heir is jealous, spiteful, and full of misplaced anger. In The Bully, he (eventually--nobody's perfect) becomes a man capable of giving and receiving love. All of that anger he was holding onto was just shrouding a very lonely, broken boy, and it took the tutelage of Snow and his unconventional relationship with Cat to burn that shroud away. And we LOVE to see it. 

Dean is a goddamn treasure, Cat grew into a feisty firecracker, and I don't think it's possible for me to love this book more. 

Their spicy scenes in the bell tower?? BYE. Dean can collar me up any day of the week.

Kristle Saneewong

Good character development for our two main characters. It does lean a little 0-100 with the development, but I think there's enough background and plot to make it work. This one is a tad bit more kinky with the smut than the others in this series. 

Loulou

How am I supposed to keep up living when I just finished this book? Since the first mention of Dean, I knew I would be completely in love with this character and I did. The character development since the first book is amazing.

The Bully Kingmakers, #3

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