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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L.A. Cotton put her own twist on Romeo and Juliet when she gave us Prince of Hearts. Cotton starts the Verona Legacy series in the best possible way with Prince of Hearts. Arianne and Niccolo have anything but an easy relationship. They are meant to be enemies, but it seems that fate had other plans for them. Nico and Ari are just beyond words perfection! L.A. Cotton has a way with words. She left speechless needing more with POH. L.A. Cotton’s writing is just flawless and beautiful
Prince of Hearts is a must read, angsty rollercoaster. Cotton had be hooked from start to finish with this book, and I’m dying here for book two. L.A. Cotton gave us another well-written, phenomenal read. POH is filled with secrets, lies, a forbidden love, and steamy moments. There is so much more to Nico and Ari’s story than what meets the eye.
I cannot wait for King of Souls. I need to know what happens with Nico and Ari. Prince of Hearts is a must read for everyone! L. A. Cotton will leave you begging for more.
When one of your favourite authors writes mafia story you know this story will amazing. And so it’s no surprise that first book in the Verona Legacy series “Prince of Hearts” written by L. A. Cotton was perfectly that book that will stay with you for long.
Romeo and Julliet bored me to death because I was always more Macbeth fan but this version of their love story was just pure perfection and one for the books. A forbidden mafia romance. What can you ask more?
Adrianne grew up in the golden cage with her wings clipped, she was home schooled and only had one friend Nora. She only wanted one thing to be a normal teenager. Her life looked like that until her father agreed to sent her to Montaque University with one condition Nora had to go with her.
And on one night Niccolo Marchetti who may easily called The Dark Prince, met a girl who looked distraught and hurt, helped her and sent her her way.
But that wasn’t one time thing. More unplanned encounters happened, than stolen moments and kisses until all that crumbled down. Love divided, secrets divulged, hearts in pieces….
And that’s all I can say about this wonderful story that is definitely must read for everyone who loves not easy story with mafia trope. And don’t fret about that ending. Book two, for which I’m counting my days, wilk be released sooner that you think.
***** AUDIOBOOK REVIEW *****
Oh Emm Geee… this book! This audiobook checked off all my favorite things… mafia, enemies, college, dark, romance… it could NIT have been any better! Mafia and dark romances are one of my guilty pleasures! It’s everything I love in a romance where two people are from crazy different worlds… they clash, tempers flare, hot, dirty sex is had. Nicco and Arianne had me so immersed in their world! LA Cotton pulled out all the stops and has probably written her best book yet… yes, I just said that! I was so wrapped up in this story that I felt the angst and drama.
Sarah Puckett always gives her characters identity and a personality that helps me feel the story fully, not just with my ears but with my heart. I liked Michael Norman Johnson and enjoyed the voices he used to kind of separate his characters but he didn’t really feel like Nicco to me. He wasn’t bad in the part but didn’t fill Nicco’s metaphorical shoes.
#AUDIOBOOKOBSESSION
LOVED Nicco & Arianne
This unknown enemies –turned- lovers romance really hit the spot! I have always really enjoyed these types of romances for as far back as I can remember; the ones where you just know the moment your eyes connect that this person would change your life. It might have to do with the how I met my own love for the first time…and could NOT forget him from that point on…here I am more than 20 years later married to him.
Niccolo Marchetti is set to take over for his father one day; required to become the boss of his world. Arianne Capizola is the only heir to her father’s legacy; whether she wants it or not.
One horrible & fateful night puts these two in each other’s path and from that point on you couldn’t separate them if you tried. As they fell deeper not fully realizing exactly who the other was; the danger surrounding them just escalates as something bigger and more dangerous is at play. At this point everyone is playing the game, it’s just a matter of seeing who is going to win….and what exactly will the prize be.
I loved Nicco!!! SO dark and dangerous, I loved how each scene you never truly knew who you were going to get. The only person who got a different version of him was Arianne; and let me tell you that side is definitely just as hot as the dangerous side. Arianne, such a sweet and innocent heroine; the perfect match for a guy like Nicco! I can’t wait to see what these two characters do in the next book.
**There is a scene that might be distressing for those who have triggers.
This book is everything. I didn’t want it to be over… and to be left like that…?! I need book 2 immediately!
Nicco and Arianne are everything. This was like a retold, modern day story of Romeo and Juliet, but with so much chemistry, connection, hatred and passion. It really does have it all.
The two main families in this story are not friends! With a long running history between them, secrets being hidden and revelations that will shatter many lives, this story is explosive and with so much more to come.
With Nicco and Arianne not knowing who each other truly are, their chemistry and connection runs free. At least until these revelations and discoveries come to light. Loyalties will be tested and families will be at war.
I cannot wait for the next instalment. I don’t want to give much away, but you NEED to pick up this book. I just KNOW it is going to be epic!
5 Stars
Prince of Hearts is book one in the Verona Legacy series and is a duet. This book can not be read as a standalone and ends in a cliffhanger. PoH follows Nicco and Arianna and is a Mafia romance with in influenced by Romeo and Juliet and heavily plays on the star crossed lovers aspect of it. The story is dark, gritty, suspenseful, passionate, dangerous but also slightly predictable. It started off a little slow for me but I still ended up enjoying this one.
Nicco is broody, cold, protective, caring, strong, rough yet also gentle. He is the epitome of Tall, dark and handsome.
Arianna is sweet, kind, slightly naive at times but slowly opening her eyes to what is happening around her and realising who she can and can’t trust. My heart broke for her with what she had to endure and not having too many people in her corner she could trust.
Nicco & Arianna had an instant connection and whirlwind of a romance which is to be expected in this type of story. They had heat, chemistry and passion as well as some frustrating and heartbreaking moments. This story was all about testing loyalties and fighting for what feels right.
I do wish the story would have had a few different approaches in regards to how the story played out as it was a little to predictable and similar to Romeo & Juliet so the Cliffhanger ending was something I was expecting. I’m really looking forward to part 2 and I’m hoping its darker, grittier & more passionate and that all the characters I love get everything they deserve with their much deserved HEA as well as the demise of the characters I absolutely hated.
This is the first book of the Verona Legacy Series, and the first book of Nicco and Ari Duet. They are opposites attract. Ari is a lovely character, strong, and loyal. Nico is dark, impulsive, and dangerous. He is also very protective, and surprisignly very supportive and caring with Ari. Wow!! This is an amazing start to this new Series! I enjoyed it! This forbidden mafia romance is fast-paced, intriguing, and captivating. The world building, and the twists and turns, are well done. And THAT ending!! I can’t wait to listen to the next installment in the Series! Sarah Puckett, Michael Norman Johnson did an amazing job with the narration. #AudiobookObsession
The more I listened to this story the more I got sucked into it. The characters grew on me more and more and by the end…yeah I need to know what happens next. Sarah Puckett and Michael Norman Johnson bring the characters to life beautifully and I can tell just who is who. A couple of the things that happen did really shock me. I hadn’t thought that they would happen, but they were in line with the story and true to the character. And they helped to build up the various dynamics between the characters.
It is so hard to describe this amazing book, I have been having a hard time!! It’s amazing and beautiful and sad and scary and exciting all rolled into one!
Arianne is off to college with her best friend. She has been hidden away for years because there had been a hit out on her as a child, her father is in the mafia! This is her time to shine and live her life!! When something happens she runs into the arms of this amazing stranger who helps and is dark and dangerous! They have this pull that can’t keep them apart, the light and the dark! Nicco is the son of a rival mafia. Their story is beautiful and sad and just freaking awesome!!! Everyone needs to read this!!!! The cliffhanger has you begging for more and needing to know!!!
Prince of Hearts is your modern day Romeo and Juliet with a twist. A college based, mafia romance. A story of forbidden love between star-crossed lovers and two families at war with one another.
Niccolo (Nicco) Marchetti is the son of Antonio Marchetti and boss of the Dominion, aka the New England Mafia. As Antonio’s only son, he has been groomed to one day take his father’s place. He’s dark, dangerous and has done questionable things in his past.
Arianne (Lina/Ari) Capizola is the daughter of Robert Capizola, also the only heir to the Capizola fortune. She has been sheltered all of her life and kept hidden from the world for the last five years. She’s naïve, innocent and inexperienced. She’s her father’s most prized possession.
In this modern day re-telling of a Shakespeare classic, Nicco and Arianne’s paths cross at Montague University, when Nicco comes to Arianne’s rescue so to speak. From that moment on neither can seem to get the other out of their head. They are drawn to one another and share an instant attraction, an intense connection like they’ve never known.
This story is very well written. It drew me in immediately. I didn’t want to put it down. The story is packed with twists and turns, deceit, betrayal, angst, and secrets yet to be uncovered. The chemistry between Nicco and Arianne is off the charts.
This is the first book I’ve read from LA Cotton and I was most certainly not disappointed. I will warn you though, this book ends in a massive cliffhanger, so be prepared. I have never looked so forward to a 2nd book in a series before. I need book 2 like yesterday!! I highly recommend this book as it will definitely be on my list of top reads for 2020.
I received an advanced reader’s copy Infatuated for an honest review.
Prince of Hearts, book one in the Verona Legacy series was a modern day take on the classic Romeo and Juliet story.
After five years of being hidden from the public eye, Arianne Capizola convinces her parents to allow her to attend university, as long as she uses an assumed name (Lina) and lets her older cousin keep an eye out for her. Unfortunately, college isn’t what she thought it would be . . .except for her knight in shining armor . . .the mysterious Nicco.
Niccolò Marchetti knows that he should not be getting involved with the beautiful Lina, but from the moment he laid eyes on her, he can’t seem to control his feelings of protectiveness or possessiveness where she is concerned.
What they don’t realize is that they are on opposite sides of a generations long family war, and Arianne is about to become the ultimate pawn to both sides.
Extremely angsty, Prince of Hearts was quite the leap into the Capizola – Marchetti feud. I love the back story and similar vibe to Romeo and Juliet, although I will say that I did find the fact they were at Montague University and lived in Verona a bit cheesy.
I loved that Arianne was trying to take control of her life after being extremely sheltered. Unfortunately for her, she seems to be everyone’s pawn and the one man who doesn’ want anything from her other than herself is her sworn enemy. And, Nicco is so dark, brooding and alpha, yet tries to be what Arianne needs. He is trapped into a life he may not want, but knows he can’t truly escape as the son of a mafia boss. Yet, he does try to do the right thing by Arianne and the innocents in his life.
The other players in this story offer so much. Nora, Ari’s sidekick is about as feisty and loyal as they come. And, Nicco’s crew of Enzo, Mateo and Bailey really bring out multiple facets to Nicco’s character as he interacts with them. The biggest surprise character for me was Nicco’s father. I’ll leave it to you to decide, but after this book, I am definitely siding with the Marchetti in this feud.
Prince of Hearts is a roller coaster of emotions and intrigue with some graphic scenes of violence and abuse that may trigger readers as the story escalates. And, the cliff hanger – WOWZA! I’m needing the next installment ASAP! 4 stars.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie’s Book Reports.
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
Niccolo Marchetti is his father’s son. Dark. Dangerous. Deceitful. He’d rather spend his days getting bloody in the ring than attending class and keep up pretenses. 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 on 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 is the first book in the Verona Legacy Duet. You should expect a cliffhanger since this is a duet. And man what a cliffhanger it is. This is a mafia book and kind of has some dark undertones to it too. I loved it. I really like Nicco and Arianne’s story. These two are star crossed lovers and you will fall in love with them. Talk about falling for the enemy. This book is also not all hearts and flowers. There are some explosive moments and some that will have tragic consequences. There is a lot of angst too. If those are things that you love in books then you do not want to miss this book. I can not wait to have the next book in my hands to find out what happens.
I’m fairly new to this author but I have not read a story by her that I did not like ! So when I heard she had written a Romeo and Juliet inspired mafia romance I knew I had to read it and I devoured this romance! This mafia romance has everything that makes a good story! It immediately sucked me in and I found myself reading turning page after page to get to the answers I so desperately needed . It has secrets lies and a betrayal so brutal at the end you’ll definitely be shocked , I know I was ! I don’t think there could be a couple more perfect for each other than Nicco and Arianne! Where Nicco is dark Arianne is light having both come from influential families in the mafia underworld , they both even each other out and really couldn’t be more perfect for each other ! This book is off to a amazing start for a mafia romance and I’m definitely here for it !
* ARC KINDLY GIVEN FOR MY HONEST OPINION *
Gah!! I love this book so much and need to know what happens next just as much as my next breath! You got your Romeo and Juliet kind of love here that is so consuming that it will leave you in tatters if these two don’t end up together with a perfect ending. I really hope the next part comes out soon.
If you love dark, forbidden mafia stories, this is one that is a must! This story is intense! Never a dull moment. A modern day Romeo and Juliet. A forbidden love from a rival Mafioso. Nicco Marchetti is every woman’s dream. A strong alpha Italian who knows what he wants. He has a dark side, but gentle and protective when it comes to Ari. There was an innocence and naivete in her that made him want to keep her safe.
Arianne, who was this man in the shadows? Why was he always there at the right time when she needed help? Even though he looked rough, she always felt safe around him.
This story has a lot of conflicts, drama, unexpected twists and a WTF cliffhanger that’s a gutwrencher. I couldnt believe what I just listened to! I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Nicco and Arianne in the next book!
Sarah Puckett and Michael Norman Johnson narration was perfection. Both are great voice performers, depicting all the emotions, accents and giving each character their own personality and bring the story to life. Brilliant.
audiobookobsession
This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. I love Shakespeare and of course a story inspired by Romeo and Juliet I was eager to read it.
Ari and Nicco story start with a powerful attraction and soon become something deeper and soul consuming. Besides being opposites, good and (apparently) bad, light and dark, naive and experienced,… they find what they are looking for. Their bond is stronger than they think and while at the begining they try to hide their love, finally they learn that need to rely on their closest friends and family.
This love story is full of angst and difficulties but also with romantic and steamy scences, and it’s only the first book of the duet. I liked a lot Ari and Niccol love and how they’re willing to sacrifice everything they’ve known to be important for a chance to stay together. Their love is cursed and the way for their happy ending beyond difficult.
I miss more depth in the main characters. More inner thoughts about what they’re struggling but mostly is a very entertaining story with some interesting twists and good writing.
I absolutely loved this book! Nicco seems to be your typical bad boy and Arianne is your typical sweet heart a good girl at heart. Nicco runs into her when she is running from something and he helps her when she needs it. They should be enemies but the attraction they feel for each other is undeniable.
She craned her neck to look at me. “Nicco.” My name was a prayer on her lips. “I have spent the last five years bending to the will of others, to the will of my father. But I am no longer a child.” Her palm rested against my face. “I choose you, Niccolò Marchetti. I choose us.”
I can not wait to read the next book in this series!
I have received a free copy of this book for an honest review.
This first book in a duet was a gripping and soulful retelling of Romeo and Juliet.
“She was everything I could never have. Everything I’d never wanted. Until now.”
Arianne Capizola has arrived incognito at Montague University with her best friend, Nora, and plans to revel in her hard-fought for freedom, after being hidden away at home for five years. However, when she finds herself in a horrible situation, a mysterious and gorgeous stranger provides safe sanctuary for her. The attraction between them is instant, with a tangible sizzle between them.
“I look for you when you’re not there. I feel you when you’re close. I can’t get you out of my head.”
Nicco Marchetti can’t afford distractions. However, a single look into a pair of honey-brown eyes and his numb heart starts to beat again. Unfortunately, their budding relationship is mired in deception and secrets – namely the blood feud between their families. Things couldn’t be any more complicated between these two star-crossed, forbidden lovers with so much to lose.
“We were both pawns. Her unknowing. Me unwilling. Both of us bound by our family’s legacies.”
This was a fantastic start to a duet. The love between Nicco and Arianne was fast and passionate and all-consuming. Both caught in an impossible situation – where friend and family could just as well be foe. I found this novel compelling and soulful. I loved the devotion between the young lovers, and my heart broke for the things that they went through. I can’t wait to read the concluding novel. Roll on August!
Prince of Hearts follows an insta-love relationship between two unlikely lovers. Arianne and Nicco are from two opposing Italian American families. They both fall hard and fast before they discover that they are actually enemies.
I am a lover of dark romances and mafia books, so I did expected a darker read than was delivered. The Romeo and Juliet story line fell a little flat for me, as did the mafia component — both of which can be overdone. I’m also not a lover of insta-love books, I generally love the tension and build of other tropes.
My favorite character was Nora to be honest. She had a bold attitude and is clearly the kind of supportive best friend anyone would want. She elevated Arianne’s character and provided entertainment to the story line.
Just because this is not for me doesn’t mean it is not for you! You will enjoy this book if you love: insta-love, lighter mafias, college romances, and slow burns.
Prince of Hearts: Verona Legacy by L.A. Cotton is a college mafia romance that I listened to audio narrated by Sarah Puckett and Michael Norman Johnson. This is the first book in the Verona Legacy duet.
All I can say is Wow! I absolutely loved this spin on a modern day Romeo and Juliet. Lianne is an amazing writer that just pulls you into her stories. I loved the chemistry between Nicco and Ari and cannot wait for the second book in the series King of Souls to be released on August 11, 2020.
Sarah and Michael did an amazing job on the narration. They both really know how to bring a story to life.
I would highly recommend this story if you love Mafia Romances, College Romances, or modern day twists on the classic of Romeo and Juliet.
AudiobookObsession
AudiobookObsessionReviewer