A mafia romance about secrets and soulmates by Rachel Van Dyken, the number one New York Times bestselling author of the Eagle Elite series.The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep and miles to go, before I sleep —Robert FrostI was born under fire and swore to protect her until my dying day, I just never knew that one day, I’d be the very monster I was protecting her from. protecting her from.
She didn’t know it was me.
She didn’t know that I had no choice and would do it again and again to save her.
I may as well have given her the mark on her finger.
The one that shows where her loyalty must lie.
Because we don’t sin in silence.
And eventually, you have to pay up what you owe.
My need to protect her turned into a lie to save her.
And when she found out—I turned in to the very monster I was trying to protect her from.
Watching Violet Abandonato walk out of my life was like a knife to the chest, a wound that refused to heal.
The bosses sent me to protect her, to watch over her even though I was the demon she fled.
We both carry scars.
But if all I can have is her hate for as long as I breathe.
I’ll take it.
Because at the end of the day, I should burn in Hell forever thinking Chase Abandonato’s perfect angel would pick me—over her perfect life.
“I broke you,” I confessed.
“The worst part… is that you liked it,” she snapped right back.
Welcome to the second generation of the mafia, may the best man or woman, be left standing.
May God bless our tainted souls.
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ℎ , ℎ , ‘ ℎ ℎ .
This book will SHOCK and BREAK you, in the best ways. Breaker and Violet are star-crossed lovers with so much heated chemistry. Their love story is the perfect mix of heartache, suspense, and true LOVE. This mafia romance is utterly unputdownable, steamy, and unexpected. The storyline is one of the most unique ones I’ve ever read, and I loved every minute of it, even when I was cursing RVD’s name 😉
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Ahhhh! I loved Ruthless Princess, and enjoyed Scandalous Prince even more. This Mafia Royals series is crazy with its twists and turns, and I can’t wait for the next in series!
“Forgive me—” I whispered into the cool night air “— for showing you the knight, when the whole time, I was the wolf. Forgive me, God. Forgive me. Amen.”
This series is literally blowing my mind, I can’t get enough of it.
It’s just that good!
If you like mafia romances this series is the one you don’t want to miss.
“Most enemies hide in plain sight, waiting for the day to step out and fight!”
Now let’s talk about Breaker and Violet’s story.
I loved their story, it was filled with passion , feelings and so much more.
The plot twists in this one were around every corner , and I loved every second of it.
“I wish you were mine to love.”
“I wish you were mine to keep.”
I literally couldn’t put it down.
The chemistry was off the charts , the passion and the angst made it even more explosive!
I’m not gonna spoiler anything, but get ready for a crazy ride in the mafia world.
“It was over before it started. ”
You are not ready for all this, I surely wasn’t. And now I need more!!!
I gave it absolutely 5 stars.
I hope you’ll enjoy it like I did!
Scandalous Prince
Wow, book two in the Mafia Royals is here and it really is quite scandalous BUT I’m loving this second generation of Mafia and quite literally kicking my own butt for taking so long to read it…and I’m going to devour them all quickly now
This book is one that will keep you guessing right until the very end but I have to admit I clued on quickly even though I was second guessing until just before halfway when I was convinced I had all the answers….which I did have the most pressing one down, phew
A great read and I’m excited to see if Ash is up next
Rachel Van Dyken is the Mafia Queen!! If you thought Ruthless Princess book one of the Mafia Royals series was good, then you need to buckle up buttercup because Scandalous Prince is going to knock you right out of your panties. Serena and Junior were something else for sure, but Breaker and Violet are INTENSE in only a way that RVD can pull off.
Unlike with most stories you don’t guess the big secret until right before the end but with this book it is easy to see right from the start but that is what makes it so incredible. You are full of so much angst for Violet to find out Breaker’s secret that you keep expecting it at every twist and turn. I read this book in less than 24 hours because I just had to know how this story was going to unfold and even knowing it was coming, I was still shocked at the events that were to come. Now even though it is easy to see the big secret coming it was not easy to predict what else was to come because trust me, you are going to be shocked time and time again with this delicious tale.
There is nothing bad I could say about this book! NOTHING! My biggest issue with this book was all me because while this was Violet and Breaker’s book RVD was setting you up to get excited about Ash’s book Destructive King which is book three in the series. Now I am so hyped for book three but luckily, I only have to wait a few days. Just read this series! You won’t be disappointed.
Book 125 towards my goal of 290! 4/5 stars for this Mafia Romance read. I don’t know if I love mafia romance or just Rachel Van Dyken I love family drama, which goes hand in hand here. I loved getting to know more of the big 5 families. These books are dark and do have trigger warnings, so if you’re sensitive to any of those please check those out. Highly recommend if you like dark romance!
4.5
Spanish & English Opinion
ESP ::
Este libro fue una total sorpresa. La historia está inesperada, original y diferente. Breaker es un personaje que me gustó mucho desde el libro uno y su historia le hizo justicia.
Violet también fue una grata sorpresa. Especialmente, porque no sabíamos mucho de ella. Su historia me encantó y realmente, no pude predecirla. El libro no podía dejar de leerlo porque quería describir el misterio. Y me sorprendió absolutamente.
¡Me encantó! Excelente lectura
ENG ::
What an unexpected plot! I loved Breaker since “Ruthless Princess” and his story made him wow.
Violet also was a great surprise, since we didn’t learn much about her in the first book.
I deeply enjoy when stories are surprising and not predictable at all. This was the case! The book was a page-turner one because I couldn’t put it down! I wanted to uncover the mystery.
My favorite of the series, so far!
I am 100% addicted to this world and I don’t want out! The Mafia Royals are full of angst, banter, adrenaline, family, family feuds and twists and turns you didn’t see coming. I didn’t see Violet’s story going here, but I loved the twist of fate RVD gave us.
This is the second full length novel in the Mafia Royals series and it is about Violet and Breaker. They were introduced in the first book and I was already questioning what was going on with them (and the tattoos). But we don’t just get these two POVs. We also have Ash’s and Valerian’s. 4 POVs in one book plus all of the side characters and we have one explosive and unexpected story that you are going to love.
Scandalous Prince starts out with a bang and I wasn’t sure where Rachel was going to take us. It started a bit more dark than what I expected. I hurt for Violet and what she had to go through, but was glad she had Breaker. But Breaker had me. He made everything better. I loved his laissez faire attitude in the first book, but boy is there so much more to him than you could ever imagine. Let’s just say, you’re in for a wild and crazy ride and the whole gang is there. Even with some darker elements, I found myself laughing at the banter in chapter 11. “You slept with my sister” from Ash making me continuously laugh out loud.
Secrets, shocking revelations, emotional turmoil and family is at the center of this explosive book. I didn’t know what to expect when going in, but did figure out some secrets rather early on. Still was a damn pleasure to experience what Breaker would do for Violet and vice versa. I’m in for the rest of the ride. Bring on the next book! Blood in. No out!
Okay so this is definitely my least favorite book in the series. No offense, but even the novella before the first book is better than this one.
This book was going soooo good for me to the point that I couldn’t put the book down until the book got slightly annoying. Only because the way the story was going could have been way better honestly. It was a little confusing at first until the end where the main character, Breaker, explains everything to actually have it make sense which was another thing I did like. I will say though, the book was face paced and I loved it.
The romance did feel a bit forced and rushed. For once while reading a romance book, I honestly didn’t feel the romance there between the two main characters. The one thing that I did find very interesting though was Breaker’s background story and how he could play as two people at the same time and nobody not notice it lol.
All in all, I would still recommend this book to anyone that likes a good fast paced mafia romance with many fucked up characters.
“ , ’ , , ’ .”
Let’s talk about “Scandalous Prince by Rachel Van Dyken”, second novel in the Mafia Royals series.
Savage. That’s what Rachel is. Dammit, she has balls of steal to be able to write these books… seriously, the plot is so outstanding that I was always wondering what the hell is going on here. But most of all, she must have a lot of courage to write such twists and deal with the consequences. This is another stellar book from her that I don’t know how she will top it, but from what I’ve been hearing, it seems that she already did with the next in the series.
From chapter one my heart jumped out of my chest and never returned, well, until the end. What a rollercoaster of feelings. How could I be crying over these crazy and dark people? But I did with Breaker and Violet. I felt their pain and angst like it was happening to me. Violet’s despair over the things that was always happening to her and Breaker’s pain, gosh, I felt in my soul. And them together was so much more than chemistry, seriously I don’t have words.
“Happy. Perfect. Suffering. Laughing while I danced with the devil in Hell.”
Not all is angst, though. I found myself laughing at the most inopportune moments, it is so out of ordinary that I couldn’t help but laugh. But then, I came the secrets and twists… I’m always proud of myself because I usually can predict what is going to happen next. But holy shit (I feel that I’ll be saying this a lot in this series) I wasn’t expecting a lot of things that happened.
Although Breaker and Violet are the main focus of this story, we also learn some developments and dynamics of the other characters and I was so here for that. It only made me love them even more. Well, I don’t want to give more about the story, so I’ll stop now. I’ll just say this… if you didn’t start this series yet, what the hell are you doing? Another must read from Rachel.
Rating:
“Most enemies hide in plain sight, waiting for the day to step out and fight!”
The following ratings are out of 5:
Audio/Narration:
Romance:
Heat/Steam:
Story/Plot:
World building:
Character development:
The setting: New York & Seattle
The Hero(s): Breaker Campisi – the adopted son of the Campisi famiglia. Breaker has been in love with Violet as long as he can remember. They are under the same rules as the other children of the five families and face death if they fall in love with each other and act on that love. Breaker has sworn to protect Violet with his life. He is in a crazy situation and though he loves Violet, he knows he can never really end up with her.
Valerian Petrov – wanted Violet more than anything since the moment he first saw her. Valerian is the true heir to the Petrov crime family and will become the boss of that famiglia. He is forced into Violets’ life in a way that he has no control over.
The heroine: Violet Abandonado – daddy’s girl to mob boss and Senator Chase Abandonato. Ash Abandonado is her brother. She is the virginal mafia princess and apple of her father’s eye. She has been in love with Breaker as long as she can remember. Violet’s was forced into a marriage against her will, but shouldn’t couldn’t refuse for the sake of her family.
The Love Story:Both Breaker and Valerian wanted Violet more than anything. Though Breaker & Violet’s love seems doomed even after the bosses become OK with Junior and Serena being in love. Valerian is being used by the Petrov’s because of some internal strife in the Russian mafia and though he loves Violet, he forces her to marry him knowing she has feelings for Breaker. So they will become King and Queen of the Petrov famiglia.
I listened to the Audiobook and I loved the narrator’s, both the male and the female. This is only the second Audiobook I have listened to, so I don’t know the process when there are two narrators. However, I was looking forward to having two, since my first book had just a woman and I found it odd for a woman to do a man’s voice. I expected it to be more like a play, with the man reading all the man parts and the woman the woman parts.
What it was though, was the man reading the chapters that are the male POV (including doing a woman’s voice for Violet and other woman’s statements) and the woman reading the chapters that are female POV (including doing a man’s voice when Valerian, Breaker and other men speak). I’m not sure if that is always how they do it, but I found it strange. Though I did love the fact that both narrators did great Russian Accents. Especially the man, I work with a man from the Ukraine and the accent sounded so much like my co-worker I was amazed.
One thing I didn’t like was the plot twist in the first half of this one. I knew what was going on from the get-go, so the surprise was only a surprise to the characters and not to me. Which was fine, but I wish there were no hints so I wouldn’t have known. I kind of like secrets to be revealed to me at the same time as the characters find out without hints beforehand. This one seemed like it was supposed to be a big surprise but I knew right away. Though the story was a good one and goes beyond the strife between Valerian, Breaker and Violet. The second half is definitely the standout in this one.
“It’s the mafia.” His simple clipped answer as if it made everything better like a Band-Aid you put on a mortal wound and wonder why the person’s still bleeding out.
The romance was sizzling hot, but the intimate scenes were hard to see like that since they are always from one POV or another, usually the girl’s. So like I said, it was the woman narrator talking through them and her reading both what the girl was thinking and saying and what the guy was saying, in her most (but not really) manly voice. I guess I like hearing the voices in my head better than that or wish the actual man narrator would have read those lines.
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: Scandalous Prince
: Mafia Royals #2
: Rachel Van Dyken
: 5/5
Since I absolutely devoured Ruthless Princess I had to continue and read Scandalous Prince. The only tiny bit of criticism I could have is that the plot was a bit obvious. But no I could not even give that critique about the plot, because it didn’t really matter that it was obvious for me. This was so brilliantly done, the whole book I was on the edge of my seat excited to see what would happen next. I just could not stop reading, even when I felt it was obvious what was going to happen, I still kept reading. And that kind of magic is worth five stars. The book was full of angst and emotions, whilst at the same time it could also be funny as hell. Breaker and Violet their story, is a love story that maybe just wasn’t meant to be. I have never read a book with a story like this, it was just such a crazy ride. And I am not going to say anything else, I don’t want to spoil anything. If you love a good Mafia Romance, this book is for you!
My reviews are also available with photo at my Bookstagram: @justmyfantasyworld
Rachel Van Dyken is the freaking QUEEN of Mafia! She continues to get better and better with each book she writes. This one is one of my top ones! She always has the mystery, blood, and violence in every one of her books. She includes the steam and so called “romance” as well! She doesn’t write mafia for the faint of heart.
This story is a top read for me! I absolutely loved the characters, the situations, the families and everything in between.
There are not enough stars to rate this book! Unbelievable like always!!
“Love feels like something inside of you is breaking at least ninety percent of the time, and the only ointment is usually the person that’s doing the breaking.”
This entire book had me on the edge of my seat. I wish I could explain the absolute thrill I felt being back in the Mafia with the next generation. This entire book had me on the edge of my seat. Seeing the Elite crew as parents was amazing. This can be read as a standalone, but you’ll catch more of the easter eggs if you read the Eagle Elite books first. Also, make sure you have the kleenex next to you as you will feel ALL the feels.
RVD has this incredible ability to pull you into a world and keep you there. This world feels so real and I can’t wait until January to get the rest of this crew.
Let me start this review by saying that Rachel Van Dyken (@rachvd) is a genius. She managed to create a world in which I got completely lost. A world that sucked me in so deeply that when I started reading Scandalous Prince, I felt the need to stop and read the previous books in the series, so I could finally read Breaker & Violet’s story.
I have never been a Mafia reader. I’m more interested in the dynamics between the characters, especially the romantic part of it all, than the whole business, deals and crimes that normally involve Mafia stories. In spite of that, I wanted to try reading this acclaimed book that everyone was talking about. The result is me making a family tree, looking for muses and adding all the other books to my TBR list.
Rachel, what have you done to me? I can’t stop thinking about Ash, Serena, Junior, Violet and Breaker! Not to mention the parents… OMGGGG!
One of the best things about the Mafia Royals series is the way the author gets you to know how the relationships in the families work, how they act and react, the respect they have for their rules. Rachel doesn’t emphasize the business, but their lives as a family. I loved it.
Scandalous Prince is about Breaker finally having to make an impossible choice and dealing with the consequences of it. All the secrets, everything he was forced to live with since a young boy is suddenly brought up in an event that changes his life for good. Not only does he need to protect the love of his life, Violet, but also to step up and show what he’s truly made of.
The plot twist in this book is something ELSE and trust me: it’s not the only surprise this story brings. Leave it to Rachel to have us craving for more..! This book is amazing down to the last page!
Even though Scandalous Prince can be read as a standalone, I have to say that to fully live the whole experience of Rachel’s world you most definitely SHOULD read Royal Bully and Ruthless Princess prior to it.
Lovers of dark, sexy stories, with a great dose of action don’t want to miss this series.
Amazing 5-star read!
If I’m being honest, I’ve never been much for the mafìa romance trope. That all changes with this book. Fresh off the last page, I’m still not quite sure exactly what I just read, but it was arrėsting, addìctive and impossible to put down! Thank you, RVD, for winning me over in such a stunning, exquisite, captivating way.
Violet and Breaker have always been friends, and as they grew older, he became her protector. But as part of the mafia family, she is the untoųchable, unattainable daughter of the head of the Italian family, so their personal feelings for each other aren’t part of the equation. The Russian mafìa, however, is a big part of the equation, and because of them Violet and Breaker’s lives will never be the same. That is, if they’re even allowed to live.
Tortųred hero, anyone? Breaker is possibly the most tortųred, broken hero I’ve ever read, and this crafty wrìter breąks and tortųres the reader right along with him, only to gently heal and mend, making us all better, stronger and happier in the end. Hold on to your hat for one intense, emotional, nail-biting ride. This one starts off with a bąng and goes nuclear from there, sprinkled with steąm and humor here and there, and then ramps back up to an even greater intensity. The twists, turns, and surprises had me reading straight through and late into the night.
If you’re looking for a place to escape the crazìness of life, look no further. It’s impossible to think of anything else while immersed in this book world, and these characters will quickly make a place for themselves in your heart. I’m serious about it being addìctive though. While you’re off to 1-click this book, I’ll be devouring another mafia book by this truly gifted storyteller because I can’t get enough of these phenomenal characters!
When RVD writes mafia she goes all out and I finished this book months ago and wrote the review and Covid happened to my family and I totally didn’t get to publish my review. Breaker and Violet was 100 percent devastatingly beautiful in their love for each other but was doomed to fail from the beginning. I loved her prose in this one. The first book, I kind of liked but this one I loved and it had me sitting on the edge of my seat. It reminded me of the OG and why I started reading RVD in the first place. Excellent job and can’t wait for the next one!!
5 STARS
OH. MY. GOODNESS. RVD rocked it with this book. Breaker and Violet’s story took me on a thrilling ride. The secrets uncovered, and my, oh my, the suspense will keep you on the edge of your seats. Scandalous Prince by Rachel Van Dylan is an EPIC read that will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
4.5 stars
Scandalous Prince is the second title in the Mafia Royals series featuring Breaker and Violet and follows on from Scandalous Prince, but can be read as a standalone.
I was captivated from the very first chapter by this dark, dangerous, intense, emotional and intriguing read and couldn’t put it down. Breaker and Violet’s story is full of twists and turns.
Breaker is Tex and Mo Campisi’s adopted son, and although he’s sworn to protect Violet, he is ruthless and whilst loyal, has his fair share of secrets.
Violet is the dutiful daughter of Chase and Luciana. She’s quiet and reserved, and does what is expected of a senator’s’ daughter when in public. She is intelligent, loyal and strong and will do anything to protect her family.
Anything other than friendship is forbidden by their families, but this pair are inexplicably drawn to each other despite the consequences. Their banter is witty, flirtatious and antagonistic.
I adore Rachel Van Dyken’s mafia world, and cannot wait to see what will happen next.
I LOVE this book so much!! I was not ready for the twists in this book and was ready to throw my phone but I am so glad I stuck with it. Rachel never disappoints me with her mafia stories!
I cannot wait for the next book!!! I don’t know how she does it but it draws you in every time!
Thank you Valentine PR and Rachel Van Dyken for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Scandalous Prince
Mafia Royals #2
By: Rachel Van Dyken
REVIEW
I knew I would love Scandalous Prince, but I also knew this would likely involve the spectrum of emotions, total shock, anger and wanting to throw the kindle at some point. Was I right? Yes, I was.
Violet and Breaker have a straightforward seeming but, actually, volatile relationship. Just under the surface lies the complicated truth. It’s terrible to want someone you are forbidden to want. Breaker protects Violet and would die for her. Violet maintains the image of perfect good girl because that’s who she is. An incident changes everything, and the trauma really hits you now. I’ve been sad about stories before, but something about this one was devastating to me.
Despite the total heartache, I love the story. Violet and Breaker are a perfect pairing with excellent interplay, snappy conversation and a complex dynamic between them. The Family as a whole are entertaining, seriously complicated and loving, despite outward appearances and attitudes. They are mafia, after all. Scandalous Prince is an emotional trainwreck, so hop on board because you will love this story! Now, a long wait until January for book #3!