This novella is a fun, bonus, standalone prequel to the brand new Mafia Royals Romances for both fans and new readers.The prequel to the much anticipated Mafia Royals series….Something dark this way comes.He’s gorgeous, mean, and mine.He catches me dreaming about him, and then just like my dream, he decides to make me his.I should have said no when he asked me to swear fealty to him.The knife … when he asked me to swear fealty to him.
The knife clued me in first.
The blood second.
And third, it was the blessing of the most famous mafia bosses in the known world as they sat around the dinner table and told me that I had no choice but to join.
Because they knew my secrets.
And running meant I was nothing more than target practice.
I said yes because of my bully.
And he told me he’d keep me safe.
But who keeps me safe from him?
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(3.9 stars)
This is a prequel novella that is about Chase and Luciana Abandonato’s son Asher and the girl he makes his, Claire. This is a quick read to introduce the new series comping up. I felt a little adhd with so many conversations had between family members in a certain chapter lol! Thank you for the cheat sheet of the families in the beginning! It was very helpful. Overall a good start to introduce these mafia kids into their new adult roles within the family. Told in dual POV
4.5* Holy smokes! Hot from the start! Fast paced, in your face from the family that will make you laugh. Had my mouth dropping in parts! What a great start to the series. Would have loved for it to be longer with seeing more of a slower pace on seeing Asher and Claire get together.
Great way to have all of us waiting impatiently for Ruthless Princess. You can tell it’s going to be a heck of a ride!!
Holy cow! What a start to the Mafia Royals series! While all of the books in this series will stand alone, if you have read RVD’s Eagle Elite series, you’ll encounter quite a few familiar faces and you’ll already have a pretty sound idea of how things work in their world, which will be helpful.
There was so much packed into this short story! Asher and Claire are wonderful together, however has Claire bit off more than she can chew by agreeing to be with Asher? And, oh my, Serena and Junior’s story is just heating up and that can only mean trouble.
This totally whet my appetite for what is to come in Ruthless Princess. I simply cannot wait!!!
I don’t even know where to start with this review.
If you haven’t read Eagle Elite, that’s okay. Even though this is basically the second generation, they are all stand alones and this is a completely new series. You won’t be lost at all, but you will want to go back and read Eagle Elite.
Rachel just sucks you into her Mafia world. Once you’re in, you’re in. There is no out.
This is a short novella, it’s just the start.
It’s told from Asher and Claire’s point of views.
We get a glimpse at Serena and Junior, and boy is their book going to be hot. The hate, the love…Gah! I want Ruthless Princess now! I’m not sure I can wait.
Book 85 towards my goal of 285! 3/5 stars for this prequel novella. I’ve never read a mafia romance before, so I’m not sure what I’m getting myself into here. Lots of trigger warnings. Verrrrry violent! I’m interested to see where a full book will go! Oh, and not to mention it’s 5 alarm spicy!
Wow! What an introduction to the new generation!
I have to be honest here. I haven’t read the OG series (about the parents), the Eagle Elite series and I have feeling I’ll go back and give those a go, because this prequel gave me a taste of all those involved in the Family and I feel like I need to know more. BUT, with that said, you don’t have to read those to enjoy the new generation.
This prequel was a taste of what’s to come. This group, this family is full of an exciting characters.
This wasn’t Marvel, more like Suicide Squad.
Royal Bully is about Asher and Claire and her joining in the Family and completing Asher. They are hot and dark and just what I like to read in a mafia romance. I feel like they are only getting started and I can’t wait to see what’s to come with this new series. This was a taste and I need more!
Blood in. No out.
OMG! I’m totally obsessed now over this series and this was only the novella/prequel start to the series. This book is really dark that’s filled with blood, sex, and drama. I believe this would also be my first Mafia romance I have ever read and now I feel as if I have been sleeping on this genre now.
I would most definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to read and get into some dark Mafia romance.
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: Royal Bully
: Mafia Royals #0.5
: Rachel Van Dyken
: 4/5
I was stupid enough to not start the series with this book but read Ruthless Princess and Scandalous Prince first. However, it did make me extra excited for Destructive King releasing next month. It was a really short story (duh) it is only a prequel, but it really is such a good introduction into this “new” world and into the next story (and I know this for sure since I read the Ruthless Princess first haha). It gives you some background info that is very nice to have. Asher already shows so many layers in this book and I can’t wait to see what Rachel has in store for us with a full length novel. If you are not sure about diving into this world, I would recommend reading this book to see if it is something for you (I was hooked from the start of it). At the time of writing this review Royal Bully is free on every platform it is on and 1000% recommending it to lovers of the Eagle Elite series.
Most of my reviews are also available with photo at my Bookstagram: @justmyfantasyworld
RVD hooks you in with her writing style and mafia knowledge in this novella that builds the story for the children of the infamous mafia family. Each character is hiding from their own twisted birthright.
Blood in. No out.
Simple.
Sick.
Stuck.
I shouldn’t want him, but I do.
He wants me too much. We are in this together, forever.
Royal Bully by Rachel Van Dyken is a prequel story in her brand new Mafia Royals series. Well-written, fast-paced, I gave this one 3 stars because it is a spin-off from her previous Mafia series, Eagle Elite , and I found myself overwhelmed by the cast of characters from that series that are now the parents of the characters in this upcoming series. I have loved everything I have read by RVD but I haven’t read the Eagle Elite series and was floundering a little with the large cast of characters. This is the story of Asher Abandonato and Claire Petrov. The story of their whirlwind romance and I recommend reading it before book one, Ruthless Princess. Enjoy!
I was late to the whole Elite series I just finished the first series within this past couple of months and loved it, so I was excited when I saw we were going to get the next generation of children and their story.
I know this was a novella so it was supposed to be short and quick but, I felt it was a little rushed in some areas, and I was a little lost as to why this generation was more aggressive and angry when there didn’t seem to be a threat so a lost.
I did enjoy the connection between the characters and look forward to reading Ruthless Princess to see where this series goes.
Royal Bully (Mafia Royals #0.5) was another great read by Rachel Van Dyken. This is the prequel to the Mafia Royals Series. This prequel introduces a new generation of Mafia that are going to Eagle Elite University. They are the sons and daughters of the men and women of the five families. Asher has to break up Serena Abandonato and Junior Nicolasi in order to not start a war within the families. Asher falls in love with Claire, one of his classmates at Eagle Elite University. She is excited about being with Asher but is also scared of him and what she’s gotten herself into. I really enjoyed this great start and introduction to the newest members of Eagle Elite University. I can’t wait to read more by Rachel Van Dyken.
Having never read the Eagle Elite series that prequels this, I wasn’t sure what to expect out of this short novella when I started it. However, by the end I was completely hooked on the characters, the world, and the promising story of the future books we see beginning at the end of this one.
Honestly, I didn’t find the two main characters Asher and Claire that intriguing because we just don’t have enough time to get to know them. But I’m so stoked for Junior and Serena’s story! I’m 100% here for the angsty drama that we only get a quick glimpse at.
I definitely feel like you NEED to read this novella if you plan on reading Ruthless Princess, especially if—like me—you’ve never read the Eagle Elite books. It’s a great way to get a feeling for the characters and how the mafia group is structured. Plus, this book shows the beginning of Junior and Serena’s intense feud, which plays a super important role in the next novel.
Two thumbs way up fam!
Homecoming, Mafia style
Holy Mother Bleeping Bleep!
RVD is my Mafia Queen. She is my wordsmith. I bow down to all she has to say. And holy hell, does she have a lot to say!
I am so conflicted. I am an Eagle Elite fan since I first got an ereader. I stumbled on the Elite and have been the wide eyed puppy chasing them for scraps ever since. They have kicked me, starved me, petted me, loved me, and started the cycle all over again for years. And like that wide eyed puppy who doesn’t know any better, I go back for more!
The next generation is on steroids! The OG Elite were and are on a level that I could never aspire to but these kids have to be next level. Worse than their parents. Better than the rest. More than those before.
I’m both greedy for more and terrified of what I will get. I freaking love RVD’s mafia world. It’s a catch 22 of epic psychotic mind fugs. (Yeah, not a typo!) It’s also like coming home.
My Rating: ***1/2
Type: Series. Prequel to book 1
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mafia Romance
Narration: Dual POV
Primary Characters: Asher and Claire
Secondary Characters: Junior, Serena and entire Cosa Nostra gang from Eagle Elite series
Source: Courtesy of Author/Publisher – ARC
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book in exchange for honest review.
Note: It’s a prequel book to her new second generation Eagle Elite series.
IMO – I couldn’t understand how title name is linked with the story. It doesn’t have any bullying theme or contents. Title name doesn’t affect my review or rating.
Even though I have heard of her first-generation books, I haven’t read them. I directly dived into this series. This book gives a quick preview of what’s coming in the next book. It shows family and rules which bind them means more than everything.
Book starts with Asher and Claire’s meeting each other and how they dive into their relationship. They dive, not meet, not talk, not steady or fast steps. Asher gives Claire introduction to his family. They slowly understand her connection to family and how she is binded in that. She truly doesn’t have a choice but yet she has illusion that she can move away from Mafia family. Now she is torn between choosing Asher and moving away from the family.
Asher is charming. He comes off as cool, arrogant, co*ky, but his role in his family business is too much. It has him on the thread, yet he chooses to bear the burden. Claire could have been more, but good for a prequel. Claire’s dilemma, survival and Asher’s sanity are weighing her down, but will she be able to bear that weight? Let’s see more of her in upcoming books. This book gives us an understanding of what went through in the background between Serena and Junior. This also shows every one’s part played for current Serena and Junior situation.
Its a short and fast read. I m only rating it low for lagging in depth of character, but for a short prequel its good. It gives exact indication of what went down in background.
Let’s see what Author has in store for Serena and Junior’s journey. Bring it on.
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Booting, slow
Good being to a new series.
Thank you Social Butterfly and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Royal Bully
By: Rachel Van Dyken
REVIEW
Royal Bully is actually a novella and serves as a prequel to the upcoming Mafia Royals series. The series will focus on the next generation of mafia families, beginning with Ruthless Princess on May 19th. Royal Bully is a good introduction if you are not familiar with anything. This novella gives you a taste of Asher and Claire, complete with drama and heat, and it’s just enough to give a glimpse of what might be, serving to make you want more. Now, we all are eagerly anticipating the next book!
The queen of mafia is back!!!! I can’t wait to read this new series! this was the perfect prequel!
This was so disappointing. I don’t know if it’s because it was just a novella or what – but there really wasn’t much story here at all. What was here didn’t make much sense.
A. Over and over again it’s said you don’t have to have any experience with Eagle Elite because this is a brand new series. No. This is all the grown up (well, YA/NA age) kids of the original EE couples. I’ve read/listened to the EE series multiple times and still found myself struggling to keep up with the massive info dump of what kids belonged to which couples. There’s also the assumption that you know what “The Elect” is and how they function within the college.
B. There’s no foundation for a relationship between Asher & Claire. At all. They’ve known each other for two months, shared a handful of sentences between them. Suddenly, they’re madly in love and committing to each other via blood oath while everyone admits Claire has no clue about the world she’s just entered. Other than them saying they love each other – nothing in the story actually shows it.
C. Somehow there’s this new rule that “cousins” can’t date (basically citing that all the kids of these various mafia bosses are not allowed to hook up). Despite the fact that every. single. original EE couple breaks this rule. ALL OF THEM. It doesn’t make any sense at all.
D. Axel & Amy’s kids are killed for “violating” rules. I guess just to show how ruthless Asher is. Again, it’s an underdeveloped “because”.
As a teaser to a series it doesn’t actually leave me interested in reading more. Which says a lot considering how much I enjoyed EE.