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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Arianne is a sheltered mafia princess that would rather help people than be with her rich, entitled classmates. Nico is a mafia prince being groomed to take over after his father is gone. He would rather be fighting in the ring that be in class. The two are from enemy families but they meet and the attraction is like fireworks. Nico saves Arianne and a love affair begins that will take them to the very edge with danger and the feud between their families. I will be reading more about this couple.
I usually enjoy this author’s books but this one left me shaking my head. I did not care for Ari at all. I felt Nicco could have done a lot better than her.
***4 “Mafia Prince!!!” stars***
“She was everything I could never have.
Everything I’d never wanted.
Until now.”
This was a very promising beginning in this new duet by L.A. Cotton.
Mafia romances are one of my many weaknesses and when i heard about this book, i didn’t have to think it twice.
L.A. Cotton AND mafia forbidden romance???? Yes please!!!!
Add to that a similarity to Romeo & Juliet with all the cross-starred lovers and you’re gonna lose your mind!!!!
And after that turn of events at the end???? I can’t stop craving for more!!!!
“He might be my enemy by name, but our souls were the same.”
Arrianne Capizola is the daughter of a very powerful and wealthy man, and unfortunately, she had spent the last five years of her life trapped in a gilded cage with her wings clipped…
Now, it’s her time to shine and to enjoy her life.
Under a different name, she is about to live a normal life while being on college.
Finally, some freedom to do as her heart desires!!!
“I could attend college and try to blend in, but I would always be Arianne Carmen Lina Capizola.
I would always be my father’s daughter.”
Niccolo Marchetti is his father’s son and he is about to become the Boss of the Famiglia one day.
For now, he is going to college, even though he preffers to burn some steam with his fists…
One night, out of nowhere, his path is colliding with a scared girl’s path and he can not leave her helpless…
But that is only the beginning of the end…
This girl has imprinted herself inside of him from the very first moment, and he just can’t stay away from her…
“I was fucking numb.
Stuck in purgatory, awaiting the day fate finally claimed my soul.”
As you can understand, something is starting between Nicco and Arianne. Something bigger than them, involving a great part of their hearts.
What is that they don’t know???
There is bad blood between their families and the things are going to get ugly…
Will Nicco and Arianne’s love survive a war??? Will they survive only with stolen moments and sneaky kisses???
“Something was happening between us. Like a runaway train, it was unstoppable and unpredictable, hurtling toward the unknown.
And nothing could stop it.”
I loved both Arianne and Nicco.
Arianne was sheltered, but she had a backbone after all… Her involvement with Nicco liberated her in a way and i loved what i was seeing.
Nicco had lots on his plate. He didn’t need complications in the form of a beautiful and dangerous girl, but the heart doesn’t ask for permission….
Arianne got under his skin from the very first moment and it was impossible for him to not put her first!!!!
“She was the flame and I was the moth who couldn’t seem to stay away, even if she burned me to nothing but ash and dust.”
“Nicco was like a storm. He swept in without warning and disappeared just as quickly, with no regard for the wreckage left behind.
I didn’t want to be wrecked by him. But much like the storm, sometimes it was impossible to escape. You just had to batten down the hatches and hope you survived.”
I won’t hide to you that after 70% of the book, my heart was beating in a wild rhythm…
So many ugly things were happening in here and I’m so scared of what the future is holding for these two…
They were meant for each other, but they are living in a bad world full of unexpected turns…
Already their love had been tested more than once and honestly, i don’t know how they will survive this shitty fate…
“What had started as my feedom had slowly unraveled into a nightmare. But in among all the pain and confusion, I had found Nicco.
And for that, I would never be sorry.”
“We were both pawns. Her unknowing. Me unwilling. Both of us bound by our family’s legacies.”
This was a really good story with two beautiful main characters and many intriguing secondary characters and it was making me wild with need.
I just can’t stop wondering what will happen next.
This was a wonderful story and i believe that Mrs. Cotton proceeded very good this genre….
I totally recommend it!!!
“Who the fuck was I kidding?
Happy endings didn’t exist in my world.
But she deserved one.
Arianne deserved the sun, the moon, and all the stars. And I was determined to try to figure out a way to give them to her.
Even if it killed me.”
*I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.*
L.A. Cotton is a new author to me, but I have to say I am impressed with her latest series the Verona Legacy. Prince of Hearts is book one of a duet, and it was fantastic. I was pulled in from the beginning and devoured page after page like a starving man at a buffet. Arianne and Nicco are such great, strong characters I just could not help but fall in love with them. Oh, but there were some seriously bad things that happen in this book that caused the drama level to go through the roof! Incredible story and I cannot wait for King of Souls which is book two to come out this summer. 5-stars for this outstanding college mafia story by L.A. Cotton
Arianne Capizola had been sheltered all her teenage life. Now her freshman year of college she finally has permission to go to college and live in the dorms if she follows the rules. No one can know her real name, no one can know she is the heir to the Capizola empire. Arianne’s first week on campus starts off violent and it is only through sheer luck that a knight in shining armor happens to be there to save her. Nicco Marchetti cannot forget the girl who he literally stumbled upon. Arianne has been haunting his every thought and almost making it hard for him to do his job as the capo for the Marchetti mafia family. Being a college student is his cover and an evil necessity, but it gives him a chance to keep an eye on Arianne. Now Nicco and Arianne have learned in an awfully hard way that their families are mortal enemies. Arianne’s father wants to use Arianne to further his business dealings whether she wants to help or not. Nicco will do anything he can to protect Arianne proving he really is the Prince of Hearts.
ARC PROVIDED FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
Prince of hearts is the first book of the Verona Legacy duet by L.A. Cotton. This is a mafia romance duet. It is a dual pov book and the characters Adrianne Capizola and Niccolo Marchetti are introduced in this book.
This is was my first book by this author and man! she did not disappoint. Prince of hearts is a full on mafia book with anti-heroes and rival families all in one.
Adrianne , out heroine grew up in her house, which was much more of a prison to her. When her father finally agreed to let her go to the university along with her best friend.
That was until danger struck and she met Niccolo for the first time. Their first encounter was brief but it was enough for them both to remember and starve for each other.
That leads to unplanned moments, rivalries and the heart break. The ending of this book is a cliffhanger and I just cant wait for the finale of the Verona duet!!!
This book is recommended to all the mafia lovers who can digest a marvelous cliffhanger!!!
I. AM.DEAD
NICCO IS EVERYTHING!
Can you give more than five stars?
Because Nicco is worth so much more.
This modern day Romeo and Juliet romance was indescribable. I fell in love with Nicco and I fell hard.
This broody, dark man captivated my heart and made me gush like a school girl.
His protectiveness over Arianne was just magical and made you love him so much more.
Arianne was strong and determined and and I loved her she had this glow about her that called to you. While reading I felt her every pain and sadness I just wanted to hug her.
Their love was fairytale magic at its best. True stuff of romance because these two gosh these two couldn’t be more perfect.
Their chemistry, their bond, their love was gut wreching in a way that had you sigh while reading.
Nicco had this dark side that pulled you in and no matter what you couldn’t escape it. Not that you wanted to.
His charm was ten fold and you felt yourself smile at his ways.
This is a top read for me this year with no doubt. My fave book of L. A Cotton’s to date and I don’t know how she will top this serious.
I need book 2 like now because I need to know how Nicco will save Arianne how their love story ends and how their happily ever after starts.
This is nothing short of BRILLIANCE.
I could keep going because this book is PERFECTION!
Prince of Hearts: Verona Legacy
Nicco and Ari Duet, Verona Legacy Book 1
By: L.A. Cotton
Narrated by: Sarah Puckett, Michael Norman Johnson
I love a forbidden romance. I love a mafia romance. I love first times. And I love LA Cotton. Each of her books is original and has such a great story that it’s impossible to stop listening! This one has so much in it, I don’t even know where to begin. Arianne is the Capizola heir and to keep her protected, her father has a watchful eye on her. Now at college, she is taken with Nicco Marchetti, and little does she know that their families are enemies. This Romeo and Juliet story had me from the beginning. It’s got an innocence that keeps me wanting to keep it that way and the gnawing undertone of danger that provokes me to keep listening just to see what is going to happen. It has characters I love, and others I want to strangle and just when you think it can’t get any worse for this couple, the ending happens, leaving me wanting book two to see how it all turns out! Fantastic characters, exciting suspense, just enough angst and a love to end all others, LA Cotton has a winner.
Sarah Puckett and Michael Norman Johnson narrate this gem and together they become Arianne and Nicco. Emotions and frustrations all come through along with that thread of strong love in each of their voices. I am enjoying their performance and look forward to the conclusion!
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Prince of Hearts was a fun and thrilling take on Romeo and Juliet. Arianne and Nicco are star crossed lovers. Their families are enemies. Will these two get to be together? This book is filled with romance, drama, and action. It was emotional, raw, intriguing and engaging. This story sucked me in from the beginning. Prince of Hearts left me spellbound. The characters were great, the writing was fantastic. And boy did this leave me hung over wanting to know what will happen next in the Verona Legacy series.
Well that’s a cliffhanger that i wasn’t expecting but i loved it, if your not a fan of waiting for the next book then i would hold on to your knickers and wait because now i am hanging for the next book so bad.
This story is your’re perfect inspired Romeo and Juliet, two families one war and the hate so bad for each other it gets me so excited. I loved everything about this book the push and pull and all the events that happen in this book have you turning the pages so fast cause you want to know how this will end, well as much it can end till the next book.
I really loved Arianna she is stronger than you think she will be and goes through so much and i love her tenacity throughout the whole book.
Nicco he is an easy character to fall in love with, he may be angry, he may be dark but he has a heart of gold under that tough exterior and i love him.
This book had it all, secrets, families divided, love, fighting, scenes that make you cringe but i loved every single thing about this book it had me on the edge of my seat waiting for the next thing to happen and i wasn’t disappointed. I have to admit i absolutely loved Nora she was one of the funniest best friends, Bailey he was such a sweetie, and Luis i knew for some reason there was something about him and i wasn’t disappointed with his character. Enjoy was awesome and so was Matteo.
I love a book that even the side characters for me are just as a big deal and fit in the story perfectly and L.A. Cotton has done an amazing job bringing all these characters to life for me.
Loved loved this book massive 5 stars, if your’re a fan of LA Cotton grab it as soon as you can and if you haven’t read her before this is a must read.
The emotion. Love. Secrets. Betrayal. Lies. Devotion. This book will make you fall in love with mafia romance if you haven’t read them before. LA Cotton has managed to make me read a book in 2 hours and want to scream because the ending.
She has created a world that sucks you in with its alpha males who control the world. These families have secrets and enemies that they don’t even know exist. When you mix this with feuding families, you get a story so juicy it’ll make the kindle catch on fire with how quick you read it.
I am absolutely speechless. Completely floored and overwhelmed with this book. I love me some mafia books. Especially forbidden ones. This book hit every aspect I love of mafia romance and so much more. It’s emotional. Heart wrenching. It also touches on some tough subjects that are written in a tasteful way.
Nicco and Arriane – OMG. Totally like Romeo and Juliet – mafia crossed lovers. Arriane has been sheltered her whole life. The stories and secrets being withheld with make you cringe and want to cry for her. Enter Nicco – totally oblivious and no clue who she is. After the truth is exposed, hold on tight for one crazy story that will blow your world up. I highly recommend this book to all romance lovers because you’re going to fall in love with Nicco and Adrianne from the beginning.
This is one amazing, 5+ star read that you need in your life PRONTO!!
A forbidden romance between two people. A Romeo and Juliet tale with a Mafia twist.
Arianne has been sheltered from life for many years. Her first few days at college should be a dream but they turn into a nightmare. Nicco saves Arianne from that nightmare. Two people that are wary but can’t seem to stop thinking about each other. What their future holds will stun both of them.
I couldn’t put this book down because is had so much angst, so many secrets, some scenes that will have live you with many emotions, a few characters you will hate, and chemistry that is off the charts. Each chapter will keep you guessing and some of them will have you on the edge of your seats. But nothing, NOTHING prepares you for the the cliffhanger. It left me saying what the >>>>?!?!? I was plotting what my revenge was going to be.
I really enjoyed reading and listening to this story. Both the book and audiobook were fantastic.
This book gave me a modern day feel of Romeo and Juliet. It’s a forbidden romance with so much angst and emotion.
The main characters are Ari and Nicco . Two college students in the middle of their families war. Their love won’t be an easy ride and there is so many obstacles in the way. Family betrayals, lies and danger lurks around this young couple.
This book will give you all the feels and will take you through a rollercoaster of emotions.
The ending of this book will wanna make you give all the shouty CAPITALS to L.A. Cotton .
I need book two ASAP!!!
This book was crazy good! I was intrigued by Lina/Arianne and her mysterious and sheltered life. Her corrupt family history got a little hard to follow at times with so many lines of ancestors and who did what to end up where her family was today.
The rivalry between Arianne’s and Nicco’s families ran deep! It was going to be a full on war by the end of the book, you could tell that as soon as the truths started to be revealed. As more secrets and lies were unearthed, the story became extremely dramatic and uncertain. It had me hanging on by the seat of my pants!
There were so many vial characters in this story! I felt like it was Nicco and Ari against the world! Well, except for maybe Nora who was ride or die.
Everything that happened between Arianne and Scott just made me cringe and weep. What a manipulative, entitled, self centered disgrace for a human being he was! I HATED his character from the start and it was clear that my gut wasn’t wrong.
“Happy endings didn’t exist in my world. But she deserved one. Arianne deserved the sun, the moon, and all the stars. And I was determined to try to figure out a way to give them to her. Even if it killed me.”
I loved the connection that Ari and Nicco had. It was that kind of love that sweeps you off your feet quickly and makes you completely reevaluate your life. I adored these two characters together!
The cliffhanger ending of this story caught me by surprise, that’s for sure! I can’t wait to see how the story plays out.
Is there anything this author can’t write ? Get ready to fall for Nicco and Ari in the first part of her new mafia duet. A contemporary take on Romeo and Juliet had me hooked from the first chapter. Fated to meet, fated to love, fated for tragedy. All the things I love about her writing are here. The character building the emotions that knock you on your knees but now we get the added danger of the two waring families. This is not just forbidden love it is an all consuming secret love that had my heart racing the closer to the end I got. No matter how quickly book two comes it will still be too long for me.
Very, very Romeo & Juliet. Down to the instalove….. which is one of my least favorite things in the world.
But with that being said, I’m not terribly mad about how it was pulled off in this book.
Cotton never truly disappoints me, and this is no exception. Definitely a different turn than what we’ve seen from her before.
This book had a bit of everything, warring families, some light mafia action, the drama/angst that Cotton delivers so well.
I’m interested in seeing where this new series takes us.
Wow their just isn’t enough words to explain this book.. Because this story blew me away and throughout this story my heart would not stop pounding.. I had book hangover after reading this story as I still was processing this story. This is a very intense read that will have you needing the next read. This series is going to be amazing..
“I would have gladly followed him into the depths of Hell just to savor the moment.”
Prince of Hearts is my new favorite book by L.A Cotton!! A combination of the best genres (mafia, forbidden romance and new adult) this book was pure perfection from start to finish!!
The story was so enrapturing I could not put it down! Nicco and Arianne are combustible and their chemistry is scorching.
I think what I also loved about this was the secondary characters! They were each fully developed personas and contributed so much to the story. I freaking loved Nora and her zest for life.
This is a must read for 2020!!
Can’t wait for book 2!!
LA Cotton hit the ball out of the park with this book!
Mafia romance? Yes please! Dark romance? Yes please!
This book had me glued to my kindle, and I did not put it down until I finished it. The angst, the chemistry, the love, the family drama simply everything is written in perfection and keeps you yearning for more, turning page after page!
LA Cotton mastered this genre as well, and left me hanging in the air a bit with this cliffhanger.
I can’t wait to read the conclusion to Nicco’s and Arianna’s story!!
“She made me feel invincible. Made me feel like I could fly. She was everything I never knew I needed. And she was mine.”
LA Cotton creates another INCREDIBLE world and set of characters.
There’s angst. There’s passion. There’s danger.
Arianne and Nicco are amazing and their chemistry is almost tangible. But their road is a difficult one, covered in bulbs and bridges that they must overcome,
This story is invigorating and fresh. I can’t wait to see what Lianne come sup with next because I NEED MORE.
“You need to own this, Ari. You’re Arianne freakin’ Capizola for Christ’s sake. Don’t you dare cower.”
When Arianne find herself finally feeling a little bit of normalcy she brutally discovers she’s part of world she didn’t know existed and she wasn’t ready for!
When her world starts to crumble she finds solace in the arms of a beautiful stranger! A man who fills her with love but what she doesn’t know is he is the one person off limits in every way! He’s the prince of the enemy family! He’s the heir to the family who hates hers in ever way!
Nicco’s world is turned upside down when he lays his eyes on Arianne for the first time and after that nothing is the same for either one of them! Their love grows fast and as the days go by they learn that not everything is as it seems and even those closest to them can’t be trusted! The one thing they can trust in is their love but it’s also the one thing that might be ripped away!
This is a mind blowing start to an twisted, dark, beautiful story that will have you on the edge of your seat! It is book 1 and ends in a cliffy but it’s the start of an amazing journey and one you do not want to miss!