An angsty college mafia romance from USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Rixon Raiders series.
Arianne Capizola is her father’s daughter.
Humble. Hardworking. Honest.
She’d rather spend her days helping at the local shelter than brushing shoulders with her vain and entitled classmates.
Niccolò Marchetti is his father’s son.
Dark. Dangerous. Deceitful.
He’d rather spend … classmates.
Niccolò Marchetti is his father’s son.
Dark. Dangerous. Deceitful.
He’d rather spend his days getting bloody in the ring than attending class and keeping up pretences.
When their paths cross at Montague University neither of them are willing to drop the walls they’ve spent so long building. But he can’t resist the girl with stars in her eyes, and she can’t forget the guy who saved her that night.
There’s only one catch.
Nicco isn’t Arianne’s knight-in-shining-armor, he’s the son of her father’s greatest enemy.
He is the enemy.
And their families are at war.
*Prince of Hearts in the first book in Nicco and Ari’s duet. Due to mature content that some readers may find distressing, this book is recommended for readers 18+
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Title: Prince of Hearts
Author: L.A. Cotton
Format: Ebook
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Dark Romance, Mafia
Standalone: Nope
Part of a Series: Book 1 of the Verona Legacy duet
POV: Arianne and Nicco
Steam Level: Dark elements but not too graphic, definitely innuendo and sexual elements and situations
5/5
Despite knowing that Prince of Hearts was a duet and would most likely end on a cliffhanger (it did but it wasn’t too terrible of a cliffhanger), the blurb and the premise sounded intriguing. I love mafia bad boys who will do anything to protect their girl. Adding in elements of warring families that goes back generations and not everything is as it seems. L.A. Cotton weaves together a suspenseful story that is a roller coaster and makes you ask how far you would go for love. I absolutely cannot wait tot the conclusion to this story and I’d love to see more of Verona’s characters fall fo love.
I recieved this book for free. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Niccolo’ Marchetti is the prince of the Marchetti crime family. His path was cut for him at birth, and he has accepted it. Arianne Capizola is the heir to her family dynasty and her father keeps her close. Arianne is now 18 and has convinced her father to allow her to stay with her best friend Nora on the campus at MU. Scott Fascini Is a star football player and best friend to Arianne’s cousin Tristan Capizola. Her first week on campus he asks her out on a date. Scott is a family friend, and is seen as a golden boy, perfect to everyone but Ari. The date turns out to be a nightmare and Ari has to jump from his car and run. Nicco and his cousin are in the alley she runs to. Nicco feels an immediate need to protect her. As their love starts to blossom, Scott’s obsession with Ari also grows. Scott does the unthinkable and it brings to light a family feud that has spanned centuries, between the family dynasties. Can their love bare the strain? This book has all the feels. I can’t wait for book 2
This book pleasantly surprised me.
Been a long time since I’ve read anything by this author, and to be honest I thought she was writing lighter books, boy was I gladly proved wrong.
From cover to cover you’ll be captivated, the characters and plot suck you in and refuse to let go. I was up to the wee hours of the morning, as I couldn’t put this book down. I was so engrossed I had forgotten it was a duet until the last chapter or so, when I did, boy was I glad I had the next book sitting on my kindle waiting for me.
Cannot reccomend this enough. It will draw out every emotion from you. I’m a wreck but diving straight into book 2. Will definitely be reading more from this author.
L. A. Cotton – Prince of Hearts (Verona Legacy 1)
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A dark tale of a Romeo and Juliet-esque love story of two young adults in rival mafia families.
“We were both pawns. Her unknowing. Me unwilling. Both of us bound by our family’s legacies.”
Heroine is naive throughout the most part of this book. Shes kept in the dark about her families legacy and has been sheltered throughout her youth. Her character develops as she gets sucked deeper into the life of crime. She grows a backbone at the last part of the book.
Our prince of hearts, Nicco Marchetti, is a tortured hero. Hes loyal and protective of his loved ones. Overall, hes not the cold hearted and ruthless prince that everyone thinks he is.
“I would kill for you, Arianne.”
The heroines family was stifling to read. Unsupportive with hidden agendas, poor girl didnt have a chance. I didnt appreciate that the heroines trauma was underplayed several times by all the characters including herself.
I enjoyed the star-crossed lovers aspect of their love story. Filled with suprised encounters, secrets and lies, and forbidden love and betrayal. This was my first book by L. A. Cotton and it wont be my last. I look forward to reading the sequel.
“She was everything I could never have.u202f Everything I’d never wanted. Until now.”
Nico and Ari story continues in King of Soul. To read more from Verona Legacy, check out Angel of Tears within the Love in Lockdown anthology for a short story of Matteos prequel.
Content warning: Drug-facilitated sexual assault, rape. Brings awareness of date rape
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Prince of Hearts is the 1st book in the Verona Legacy duet. My heart hurt so much for everything that Ari had to endure in this story. It was well written ensuring whiplash of emotions. Her life is turned upside down when she learns the truth that has been hidden her entire life. The life she thought she knew and the person her father was suppose to be come to light when the unthinkable happens to Ari. The man who saves her becomes her everything, but Nicco is also her family’s enemy. Will Ari be able to handle the chaos that ensues between these families and the shifting dynamics or will she become just a business casualty?
4.5 stars
The Verona Legacy world by L. A. Cotton totally swept me off my feet. Literally, if you read Prince of Hearts (the first book in this series) get ready because these characters and this story will occupy your mind 24/7. The balance between sweetness, angst and on-the-edge-of-your-seat excitement is just *chef’s kiss*.
If you are looking for a romance novel that has…
college romance
angst
star-crossed lovers
instalove
mafia romance
forbidden romance
opposites attract
lots of swoonworthy scenes
… in it, then stop searching for books right now, because Prince of Hearts has ALL of these in it. Add a mindblowing cliffhanger to this mixture (yes it does end with a cliffhanger, but don’t worry King of Souls is releasing really soon), and now you have a novel that is highly emotional, a story that will make your heart beat faster, and I guarantee that your eyes will be glued to the pages because you won’t be able to put it down even for a second. L. A. Cotton takes mafia romance to a whole new level with Nicco and Ari’s story.
*full review coming soon*
Kept me on my toes
A family of woe, a world of angst, hate, betrayal, unwanted feelings, family explanations and star-crossed lovers.
A modern-day Romeo and his Juliet, except more intense, fated love with passion, when you read this book you fall madly in love with Ari and Nicco.
L.A Cotton done it again.
Ok. I’ve caught up on my sleep. I lie I haven’t.
I really enjoyed this book! I have always been intrigued by Romeo and Juliet. (I desperately hope this series doesn’t inspire the tragic ending, but just the concept of star blessed lovers whose families are in conflict.)
That being said, just like Romeo and Juliet we have insta love. Which means love at first sight…. basically. More like really really drawn to you and you feel this connection instantly at first sight.
Now this book can get a bit dark. Trigger warning about sexual assault.
I really am intrigued by Nicco. I really love his character. I can’t wait to get to know him more. I feel like we have pretty good glips on who he is. I can not wait to see what this man does for the woman he loves.
I do think Arianne needs a bit more development. I have a feeling we are going to get that in the next bit here. We know she has been sheltered from the real world. I really hope we see her come into herself more and own it. Come in with her sweet innocent side, but also with this new powerful side and wreck Havok. Show them that she will not take it lying down. She will rise and fight back, while not losing her soul, while not losing herself……….I’m not impressed with her family. ugh. So many feelings on this one.
I have some thoughts on what may happen………… I need answers!
This book deserve more than 5 stars, it’s a MUST READ because after reading this, I had a major book hangover…it ruined me! It took my breath away so many times, my heart ache alot through the intense moments. I could not put it down and binged it all in one day! The angsty, love, lies, secrets, devotion and betrayal this story hold, it’ll leave your heart feeling so heavy!
I fell in love with Nicco character instantly, he was very raw to the core; dark and broody yet he has a good heart and picks & cares about family over everything. He wanted to be seen for him and not just some bad boy prince in a Mafia.
Ari loved him for who he was inside and out. Ari character took a turn of events when she uncovered secrets she was not expecting. She became daring and confident when it came to Nicco and their love for eachother. Their family history is even intense too, I highlighted quite abit when it came to their history and alot of Italian words
If you think you love Romeo and Juliet, youd love this awhole lot more yet I wouldn’t want to compare this to the old classic couples. Nicco and Ari are THE most explosive loving couple you’ll ever meet (dramatic? Yes but I love these two so much!) The tough journey these two are facing is just the tip of the iceberg or should I say the beginning? I want book 2 so badly right now ahh I can’t wait I can’t wait!!
Thank you L.A Cotton for giving me this opportunity to read this!
Arianne Capizola is the heir to the Capizola fortune but all she wants is a normal life where nobody knows who she is. She begins to go to college as ‘Lina Rossi” with her best friend Nora. Also at the college is her cousin Tristan who vows to help keep her safe.
Nicco Marchetti is known as the “Prince of Hearts” in the underground boxing world where he takes out his aggression. During the day he attends college to obtain a business degree to follow in his father’s footsteps.
One night Nicco rescues “Lina” and the two have immediate chemistry but the two discover that there is animosity between their parents and their budding relationship must be kept secret from everyone.
Will love prevail or are their lives already planned out for them?
This was such a good book and kept me gripped from start to finish and now I eagerly wait for the next book in the series!
I really liked Arianne and realized fast how sheltered she really was. I loved her friendship with Nora and how close the two of them were and also how Nora really wanted Arianne to be able to experience life. Right from the beginning I hated Tristan’s best friend Scott Fascini and the hate grew through the whole book. I was also really surprised at how little Arianne knew about her father’s business and how much she had been kept in the dark about everything.
I thought Nicco was awesome and right from the beginning you realize the life he is in and what he is capable of. That being said I was impressed that he didn’t shy away from anything but once he began to put things together he went at things differently but he wasn’t about to change how he felt about Arianne.
I loved the way the book slowly revealed things and you begin to put pieces into place and how long this feud has been going on. I loved that Arianne was determined to not let an individual take advantage of her again after hearing other stories. She wanted to follow her own path and soon learns that not everything is as it seems.
I hated how Arianne’s family wanted her to follow a specific path and how they were forcing a certain person on her. I was so mad at certain events but I was glad that Nicco was able to help Arianne after and I was glad that Nicco’s dad began to help Nicco with everything as he realized how much he cared about Arianne.
I was so mad at Arianne’s dad for his actions at the end of the book even after Arianne told him what happened and I know that there is something so much more at stake for him to do that to her.
Totally freaking about Nicco and hope he manages to stay hidden although with the news at the end I have no idea what’s going to happen next!
Star-crossed lovers with a seemingly small chance of ever having a life together. Their families have been at war for decades and Nicco and Arianne end up being two pawns between used them. This book was angsty, yes, but it was also heartbreaking at a whole new level.
Nicco and Arianne’s love is all consuming. The aching, disorienting, passionate kind of love that consumes every waking hour. While reading POH I was reminded of how it felt to have that kind of burning love back in my youth. L.A. Cotton made my heart beat right out of my chest with this intensity and I loved every moment of it.
Nicco and Arianne feel an instant connection from the moment they meet. Tethered in a way that is unexplainable, but they know it means forever even if they can’t put words to it right away.
Neither of them know that the other is from the “wrong” family, so during the time they spend together, while they are feeling all their feelings, it is organic with nothing standing in their way. But at the point that they do discover that the other is from the family of the “wrong” side, they have already fallen and even knowing their families are enemies it is not enough to dissuade their passion and love. Their hearts are set, bound with a connection that defies earthly logic.
This is a Romeo and Juliet story, and yes, they both realize it, and do pray for a different ending, even when they both know their lives do seem impossible. Nicco knows his family in involved in despicable things. He himself has done evil things all for his family. Arianne on the other hand is blind to what her family history is, which makes her love for Nicco that much stronger.
POH is a book about young love that have huge insurmountable odds, but the couple is filled with such passion you want to believe that love will conquer all.
Romeo and Juliet is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays and adaptations of this particular play done well are my total kryptonite. POH is one of these gorgeous adaptations and it has slayed me, I’m in total love.
God my heart can’t break anymore for Nicco and Ari they were doomed from the start
Unknowingly enemies for their family names and by the time they find out it’s much too late, they’re in too deep
This is the last thing Nicco wants, he never thought love would happen to him which makes their story even more tragic
“I couldn’t be the prince she deserved, because my life wasn’t a fairytale. It was the stuff nightmares were made of.”
You see Ari grow in this book from a meek submissive daughter to a strong woman who will do whatever it takes for those she loves
I can’t wait for their second book
My poor heart…. MY VERY POOR HEART !!!!!
I’m in love with this book.
I’m in love with this characters!!!
I LOVE more and more this author !!! Every heartbreaking moment is worth of every tear that had fallen down.
I’m speachles, and still I want more – this one book is not enought… Mark my words, it’s the biggest compliment ever. Me, Marta is a very impatient reader. Reader- who is very not big fan of any kind of duets – HOWEVER LA Cotton, Nicco and Lina slayed my heart. I will be waiting very, VERY impatiently for this, what will come.
O.M.G !!!! They all are L like LIFE… and L like LOVE!!! And E like EVERYTHING!
Bookhangover – You just have arrived !
4.5 stars
This author was recommended to me and the only thing I was told, besides how much I would love them, was being prepared to go on an epic ride. Well, I can attest to that. This book was definitely an epic ride, to say the least. Strong characters, twists and turns, suspense, interesting connections between characters, (and I am sure that a few more surprises will come up in part two), great story foundation, and anticipation galore.
I definitely have to commend the author for giving me a great book that I didn’t even see coming. I thought I had it all figured out but definitely didn’t see a few of the things that came up. Ends on a whopper of a cliffy. Definitely need the next book. I am now a fan.
OMG!!! I Loved this book so HARD!!! These characters and this Stroy is EVERYTHING!!! I was hooked from the beginning! So consumed by these starcrossed lover’s tale, with a lot of darkness and so much suspense! Secrets, lies, betrayal, and Love that’s worth everything! This book was just what I’ve been needing to get lost in! I read the blurb and just knew this was my kinda book, a story that is worth fighting for. If you’re a lover of things forbidden then this modern-day Romeo and Juliet is Everything you’ve been waiting for! I devoured it wayyy too quickly! Nicco is my new favorite book boyfriend! He’s definitely earned his nickname because there is no doubt he’s the Prince of Hearts! Ari is full of life and wants to have the freedom and make her own choices, she makes you want to fight for her! The princess that’s been locked away in her castle for so long! Nicco and Ari’s chemistry is magnetic and they just know that they are meant for more! Warning, this book does have some dark content, it was hard to read and may trigger. My heart broke for these characters! I shed a few tears and got all worked up for them! This ending killed me and I can’t wait for the next book. My mind is just running with all the possibilities! I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great twist on the classic Romeo and Juliet story. I loved the insta love between Nicco and Arianne. Both of them were interesting and there is a lot of mystery between their feuding families, which kept me on the edge of my seat. I am not so patiently awaiting the conclusion to their romance.
LA Cotton is fast becoming a one click author for me-that included audiobooks ! Prince of Hearts is a modern day retelling of Romeo and Juliet, which Cotton adds her twists to. This new adult, forbidden, mafia, star crossed lovers book and me on the edge of my seat while listening. It has all the drama and angst in spades. It does end on a cliffhanger and I seriously can’t wait for book 2! I need it now!
Sarah and Michael did an amazing job with the dual narration! They brought Ari and Nicco’s characters to life!
5 blazing stars
Review by Lisa
Late Night Support Group
Up All Night With Books Blog
I am in desperate need of book 2!! This book is just brilliantly written. Romeo and Juliet but mafia style. Prince of Hearts is book 1 in the Verona Legacy series by L.A. Cotton is just great. I was not expecting anything that happened in this story to happen. Yes, its mafia and yes that comes with an automatic type of knowledge of background situations BUT what you don’t realize this story is more.
When you pick up a story and read it within a couple of hours and black our the world around you, you know you are reading something good. It pulls you in and does not let you go.
Arianne Capizola is her father’s daughter.
Humble. Hardworking. Honest.
Niccolò Marchetti is his father’s son.
Dark. Dangerous. Deceitful.
Put these two together and there is explosives fling of chemistry, steam, sparks and so much more.
Now this being a story with Mafia background, there are situations that may not before everyone.
Zip to the end of the story and really?? going to leave us hanging like that????
I’m hooked, is my new favorite story by LA Cotton.
Jesus what did I just read. Prince of Hearts is unlike anything I have read in a long time. When you read a book and it makes you laugh, sigh, cry, and in the end want to throw your kindle across the room. You know you have read a good f’in book!
L.A. brings two families that have no business together, well together. Unbeknown to each other Nicco and Arianne are the 21st century Romeo and Juliet of our time. These two can not stay away from each other through everything they go through they will find a way. I loved reading and watching how strong Arianne becomes throughout this story and how Nicco takes on problems that are not always his.
The ending blew me away and I need the second book now!