Kingmakers: Year One

Initially I felt that this story was too slow for me. But then once we reach the second chapter it starts picking up and then becomes hard to put it down. Told through 3 point of views, Dean, Leo, and Anna, Sophie Lark has done a marvellous job at switching from one pov to the other while telling the story. This really helps in getting inside the character’s head and understanding them.This story has great set fo characters all with different personalities. I loved the transformation that Leo goes through within the story. The push and pull in his and Anna’s relationship created just the right intensity.All in all, I loved this story.

Generally i dont like friends to lover trope, but this story had me hooked from the start. Leo and Anna both so intense and powerful. I was scared that maybe o won't like the pairing but the author made sure I fell in love with these two.

It was an amazing journey from the start till the very end. I loved every second of it. I look forward to reading the next installment of this series.

I started reading Sophie Lark a few days back only on the recommendation of a friend. I finished all of her books in less than a week. They are too amazing and addictive that you won't be able to keep them down. I was lucky and this book released a few days after I had completed her previous books. *Note: You don't need to read the previous books but if you do you will be able to understand the characters and rivalry better. it is not your typical high school romance. It is a mafia romance to its core. I recommend you to read this one. you will not regret it.

God, Sophie did it again!This book is so amazing.It definitely felt like I got accepted into kingsmaker 🙈Everything is mind-blowing,the description 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤Chemistry 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥And it has three pov but don't worry it's definitely necessary, you will understand when you read it!!From the start, when I saw arc my heartbeat picked up its tempo, from then I can't slow it down, heart and can't put it down,not heart, book,I mean.I was so anticipated what happens, dam* it's one of a experience.I want everyone on e of you to read it and feel how I'm feeling.On high, like drugs, books are my high, but it this book is made me very high and I don't want to be somber.I recommend this to everyone who like best friends to lovers, love triangle, revenge.

She's done it yet again! Sophie had me glued to my seat as she explored rivalries, secrets and heighted emotions with her new‘Kingmakers’series.We're led straight into an isolated island that has an academy for the elite and powerful, to hone their leadership skills and train them to take charge.Nothing is as it seems for this new generation.Leo, Anna and Dean blew my mind!Though this book gives away more on the general idea of the series, it was the perfect mix of mafia and friends-to-lovers! A little tame but every bit amazing! Loved it all!

3.5 stars all for LEO.Hey Sophie!!I have always been excited to read your books. I was excited for The Freshman as well. I loved Leo. But, unfortunately, I didn't like Anna much. Like you said this was kind of a triangle. I don't like triangles mostly. But, my issue here was not triangle. It was Anna. She has known Leo for whole of her life. But, she suddenly disregards everything at 'THAT PARTY'. I felt so bad for Leo. At times, I felt Leo deserved better. I hated Dean as well. I can't believe she was the same Anna who had twisted some guys hand who touched her in the beginning of the book. But, she let Dean be disrespectful or force her or don't know what it was. But, I was glad that shr finally realises. I wish, she had also known about Leo dropping flowers at her door on her bday. Leo was so good & charming. It was also good to see Miles in this book. I am so so excited to read about Miles because Aida & Callum are my favourites. Also, I want to see Gallo brothers with Aida and Callum in some scenes please, like holidaying together or something. Pretty please.I liked the scene where Seb sees Leo & Anna holding hands & grins. It was good. I liked how Miles also knew how Anna & Leo gave family vibes. Ahahahhaha!!Anyway, all is well that ends well...Eagerly waiting for Rebel.I will post my review on social media after the books is live..

“I don’t want to think about anything in my real life.That’s what books are for.To take you away…”Don’t I know it, books are my escape and so far I’m liking the world this author has created with gangsters across the globe and heirs headed to an infamous academy for four years to become ruthless and the best.I liked it, I didn’t love it. Not going to confuse with the rest of the series at the moment, I might come back to it at a later date.4⭐️

I enjoyed this book and found it difficult to put it down which is always a good sign. It was nice to see the characters development, but I really wasn’t sure about what to make of the ending of the book in terms of the resolution for Dean, especially considering it’s a mafia romance. The misunderstandings were frustrating too, but feasible but a joy to see them resolved.

What an amazing start to Kingmakers series! Let me say that this whole idea of a secret college for Mafia kids is just brilliant! After reading the same plots over and over again, it can get tiring, but Sophie brought a freshness to the mafia genre. The work she put into building this concept and describing it througly in The Heir shows just how incredible she is and how commmited she is into giving her readers the best reading experience ever.This book is told in 3 povs, and that, for me, was a new concept, becuase we have 3 people, but only 2 are a couple. I found this strategy very interesting, since it allowed us to get a inside scoop into Dean's mind and why he does the thing he does and why he is the way he is, like a preparation for his own book, The Bully (Kingmakers #3).Leo and Anna *swoon* They were best friends since they were toddlers, grew up together, did everything together, so it made total sense for Leo to follow Anna into Kingmakers.Leo started off as arrogant, cocky, always putting himself in the center and everyone else was just orbiting around him, but thorughout the book you can see how much growth he goes through. He finally realizes what really matters are the ones he loves, begins to put others needs and wants before his own, and to never take anything nor anyone for granted. He matures so much!He's so sweet, even more so than his dad. The love he feels for Anna is so pure, so sould deep. I love how he just gets her. They have such a deep, strong conection, that with only a look they can understand each other. I want what they have!!!I just wish he had got more moments between them once they finally got together. I always want more and more hahaha(One thing I wish had been included is Leo and Anna saying to each other, face to face, ‘I love you’. It’s clear they do, through actions and words, and they’ve said it in their inner mologues, but didn’t actuallys said the words to one another, and I love that moment when the MC’s profess their love to each other that way.)Anna is such a bad@ss! She doesn't take crap from anyone, she will stand up for herself and she's always upfront with her feelings. She is every bit her father (Daddy Miko!! Uhh *fans myself*) and I love how she one day will become the heir and rule over the Polish Mafia (yessss, Queen!!).Dean... My heart breaks for him... everything he has been through, the lack of love and support from his family, his mother abandoning him... all his life he grew up hating Leo and the Gallos, thinking Leo's life should have been his... and that hate is only fuelded once they meet at Kingmakers. He wants to take EVERYTHING from Leo.He does some things pretty reprehensible things, and one of them I don't think I'll be able to forgive him... I’m very curious to see how Sophie will reddem him, cause so far it seems dificcult. But, I know Sophie will do it and make me fall for him.And Miles! Oh, Miles… I’m dying to get my hands on his book! I just know he’ll be my favorite H of all time. He already won me over with his funny self, the fact that he’s a dancer! And, of course, because he’s Aida’s son! If he’s anything like his mother, then we’ll be more than entertained ahaha And I'm dying to see the side of him in love! It's gonna make my heart race, my brain explode and everything else burn. hahahaFantastic book, amazing characters, captivating plot and a wordl I want to go live in!5 starsNow go do yourself a favor and go read this book! 😊

I LOVE this book and can’t wait to read more of them!! I was kept in so much suspense waiting to see how it turns out. As much as I want to dislike dean I hope he gets a happy ending and he redeems himself but I’m not sure can’t wait for miles and Zoe next!!

The HeirThis book was unexpected in the best of ways. We’re introduced to Anna and Leo outside of Kingmakers and join them as they start their journey there, seeing and experiencing it for the first time right alongside them, which I thought was neat.We get to see these two best friends at the highest and lowest points both together and separately and watch them mature and struggle through their feelings for each other, navigate this ruthless school, and make new friends and enemies.I loved having the dual/multiple POV bc so often in books with just one it can be difficult to understand the other person’s motives and feelings. Leo and Anna are perfect together; they have literally been together since birth and grown through every stage of life by each other’s side, which was beautiful to see. The pacing of their changing relationship was very believable and artfully crafted.All this being said though, this book ultimately is also a love triangle (which ordinarily I would avoid like the plague, but it’s Sophie so I knew it would be good!); Leo and Anna are joined by Leo’s cousin Dean, who has been raised in a radically different environment. I think we (and Leo and Anna) needed the triangle to cement the story.Both Leo and Dean want Anna, although only one has a true love for her. I think Dean believes that he loves Anna but it’s not a true love, just lust mixed with toxic jealously of Leo and a desperation to have someone be his completely; it would be better to say he wants to possess Anna but for all the wrong reasons.This book will make you feel a roller coaster of emotions; from anticipation, to dread, from anger to joy, from despair to contentment, it has it all. There were times I literally cried I was so angry and heartbroken over what was happening to the characters—that’s how good this author is at making the emotions jump off the pages!We get to see how Anna and Leo so perfectly fill that inner need that the other has, which can only be met by what the other person provides. The first scuba diving scene I thought showed how Leo was Anna’s ‘North Star’ and her anchor and then later on we see how Anna is Leo’s guiding light and the root of his strength. And the intimate scenes? Whew!! 🤩🥵🌋🔥💥 The infirmary remains my favorite (man, the way it was written and how we see things from Leo’s perspective blew me away!).And then there was Dean. He’s set up so well in the beginning as the villain that you love to hate. At times I truly despised him for what he did to Anna and Leo’s relationship. He was beyond manipulative and deceitful and some of the things he did were unforgivable (first party anyone?!) but he also showed us snippets of a life and a soul that were so bleak and filled with torment you couldn’t help but still feel a little sorry for him at times too. As much as I wanted to hate him I found myself unable to fully commit; while Dean was an unmitigated a**h***, he never sank into depravity and true cruelty (although he tried his best in the caves!). Honestly I think only the fact that we have his POV saves him from being seen as truly evil; instead we get to see why he does the things he does, get an idea of his motives, and see that while his actions alone may have been despicable, Dean is also all too human and therefore can’t be just one-dimensional.I have to admit I have a tiny soft spot for tortured and despised male MCs and I love imagining how they could ever achieve redemption so I can’t wait to see where Sophie takes Dean in The Bully! One inner monologue hits you right in the feels with Dean thinking: “I feel nothing at all. Just a dark, empty space where my heart used to be. That’s better, I suppose. I was tired of hurting.” 😭💔😩Overall a fantastic start to a new series!