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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Consider me (im)properly scandalized, and in the best damn way possible! Just when you think she couldn’t possible outdo herself, Rachel Van Dyken does exactly that. Royal Bully got the ball rolling, and Ruthless Princess ensured that readers like me were very much hooked. But Scandalous Prince? I am beyond words. Like I lost count of the number times I paused in the middle of reading this book with my jaw dropping because I was just so gobsmacked. GOB. SMACKED. So, fair warning: I’m going to be super cryptic with this review. I don’t want to give away details and I sure as heck don’t want to be all spoilery for everyone out there who has been eagerly awaiting the release of this novel!
Oh, Breaker, Breaker, Breaker… The guy broke my heart. I mean, he did patch it back together, a tad haphazardly but enough for it to start beating again. The prologue set me on edge, and everything that followed, well, suffice it to say that I was floored time and again. I don’t want to give too much away, so I’m going to give readers of this book some advice: First, block off time for this book, and I mean, make sure there are no distractions and that all you’ll be doing is reading all about Rachel Van Dyken’s dear scandalous prince. Second, hang on tight because you’re in for one heck of an unforgettable ride. It’ll be bumpy and twisty, but oh-so-worth ALL OF IT. Scandalous Prince earns five-plus stars.
HOLY BOOK HANGOVER. My heart is still pounding. Rachel continues to solidify her reign as the queen of mafia prose. These stories are captivating, complex, intense, and unpredictable- the perfect combination to keep the pages turning. But what really makes her the queen is the emotional turbulence she creates within these characters’ stories- you feel every raw yet nuanced reaction as if they were your own. That is what hooks us, and Scandalous Prince does just that. These characters – their intense and complicated journey sucked me right into their emotional chaos, and I could not get enough of them.
This second book of the 2nd generation story is the love story of Breaker Campisi, Tex’s adopted son, and Valentina Abanonato, scary Chase’s daughter. Breaker has been tasked from an early age to protect Violet- a task that he has taken very seriously- but as the result, these two are best of friends, and as they’ve matured, that friendship as matured into a deep and emotional connection, a platonic love that intensified into something more. Of course, this is forbidden- not only is the family not allowed to mingle but Breaker is a bastard orphan. But that is the least of their problems- because Breaker has secrets that are somehow going to lead to both their demise and salvation.
I went into this story COMPLETELY unaware of what was going to come- and that is how it should be. Straight from the prologue and the riveting first few chapters, I knew I was in for brilliant turbulent and unrestrained story telling. I was shocked, wrecked, confused, and totally captivated. The twists, the intensity, the slow beautiful torture of trying to figure out just how all this was going to work out (I caught on to a few things early but still had NO idea how it was going to be resolved) was some capo-level destruction. THE ANGST. And I loved every minute.
I absolutely loved these characters- Violet and Breaker’s chemistry was hauntingly beautiful- tragic yet hopeful. They are both stoic, strong, bold and unafraid. Breaker’s darkness contrasted with Violet’s light. THey both make hard decisions, make sacrifices for each other and their family- and they suffer without knowing if it will ever pay off. Blood in not out. But that bond, that friendship and deeper love is a force not even the mafia can silence.
Mafia romance is one of my all time favorite genres, and RVD is simply one of the best. I loved every painful, angsty, torturous moment of this couple trying to survive their family’s rule. This world is just addictive- and getting so much time with past characters and future? Icing on the cake. I bow down the QUEEN CAPO, RVD.
Here is the thing about books by Rachel Van Dyken, you are not ready. No matter how many books of hers you’ve read, you are not ready for the next one.
Rachel Van Dyken outshines herself with each new book in the mafia series. Scandalous Prince has you going down a path you would not have dreamed up, even if you read all the books leading up to this.
The characters in this series are broken and pieced back together in ways but still missing something. I love how detailed the plotline of this book gets. You can truly feel like you are a part of this story, a part of this family. There are twists and turns, love and heartbreak. Death of course there is death. The mafia does not forget its past.
Get ready for this, you can’t, but go in anyway. Blood In, No Out.
Oh, it hurts so sweet. Scandalous Prince had me on one heck of a ride. The secrets, the twists, the action, suspense—holy frick…wow! Breaker and Violet had a connection that was undeniable and became something indestructible more so as the story progressed. It was a raw and an all-consuming tale of two souls that hurt, broke but found that their love could withstand the tumultuous journey. This book got me in the feels and had me devouring the book in one sitting!
Holy shit.
Wrecked. I am totally wrecked.
It seems like after reading this book , the only two words in my vocabulary are ‘Holy shit’ and ‘oh my god’ . None of you are prepared for Breaker and Violet. I thought this would be a regular mafia story , but it was so much more! Those twists and turns had me at the edge of my seat and that major plot twist!!! It seems like no matter how much I praise this author for that , it would be less.
Breaker is the adopted son of Tex and Mo. He has always been in love with Violet , who is the eldest child of senator Chase and Luc. Violet has a role to play. Being the senator’s daughter is not an easy task. Every move by her has to be calculated and she can’t loose her control. Well that would have been easier , if her chosen bodyguard hadn’t been the most beautiful and infuriating boy ever.
Breaker campisi is a god among Campus. Paired with his angel like features , he has every girl falling at his feet. But his heart has always been with the girl whom he is tasked to protect with his life. The ice queen. The girl who would never be his. That didn’t stop him from taking a little taste and now he was addicted. That is until fate messed it all up and he was forced to break the only girl he ever loved. She thinks he is her knight. How was he supposed to tell her that he had always been the wolf?
I was truly not prepared for this story! I am not even kidding here! No matter how many times , I read a certain scene, I can’t get over that plot twist!!!! Rachel is the true queen of mafia Romance , and everytime I think she has outdone herself through her books , she brings another one and I am again awestruck!
Then there were those little teases of Ash and Annie’s story. I want their book now!!! I can’t wait anymore. She has absolutely driven me crazy with this book and I can’t wait for you guys to read this book! One of my definite top reads of this year. Rvd has truly slayed us all in this book!
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Breaker Campisi and Violet Abandonato were never supposed to be. They were forbidden. She was not his to take. Touching her, would be the literal death of him. But none of that stopped them from falling in love. And it definitely didn’t stop him from breaking her heart.
Breaker of Hearts, stealer of souls. The adopted son of the Capo di Capo has some skeletons in his closet.
Violet Abandonato, the sheltered politician and mafia daughter. Always playing a part, never letting anyone see the damage and the anger boiling just beneath the surface.
The pair… doomed from the start. Or are they?
The story between these two characters is tragic and beautiful. Filled with so much angst and all of the feels. @rachvd delivers on this one, captivating from page one until the very last second. You are not ready for Breaker!
This beautifully written, heartbreakingly tragic story is told as only RVD can tell it. While I was reading, my husband would periodically come to check on me. He’d make sure I had hugs and wine. Note: I love my husband. And wine. And RVD.
Scandalous Prince is a story that will stick with you and won’t let you stop reading, even for a minute. My heart was in my throat for so much of this book, and I honestly was not sure that I’d survive. It flayed me. From the beginning you know something is there, lurking under the surface if you could only figure it out. Even if you think you know what’s happening, you don’t quite have all the pieces to make the puzzle work until RVD shares them when she feels like throwing us a bone.
The steady buildup of action, deception, and angst kept me on the edge of my seat. Mixed in with the angst were moments of laughter and even tears. Even read as a stand-alone, I believe Scandalous Prince will rip your heart out but know that RVD will put it back together before it’s over, even if she just slaps it together with tape and pretty words.
This may be my favorite Rachel Van Dyken mafia book since Eulogy. The more heartbreaking the storyline, the better I like it. GAH! Final thought, grab a drink, some comfy PJs, and read through the night. It’s a fantastic story with amazing characters that will haunt you.
A mafia romance that can’t be topped. You immediately get thrown into the inferno after only a few pages. A love that had to be hidden will reach the point of no return its inevitable. The twists and turns will keep you in suspense and wanting more. I was consumed by this amazing world this author has created. You can’t help but finish this book in one sitting. The characters are relatable and you feel every emotion they do. I don’t want to give anything away so pickup a copy of this book you won’t be disappointed.
This book was such an amazing roller coaster to read, so many twists in turns as only Rachel Van Dyken’s mafia can have. I loved this book. It had all the cameo’s of her original mafia crew but it was so much different and new with their children’s story, so much better. This story is so raw and beautiful. I wasn’t sure what expect from Breaker and Violet, it was an amazing surprise!
**Received an ARC for an honest review**
A forbidden romance, within our beloved mafia family that hits you with a twist that will bring you to your knees. I loved the Eagle Elite Series and I love the Mafia Royals just as much.
Violet is Chases’s daughter. She’s quiet and studious. She’s never had a reason to bring out her claws, until now. She’s never had to fight for what she wanted because he always protected her. Now she’ll have to decide whether he’s worth fighting for.
This was a storyline I wasn’t prepared for. The author tore me up and then pieced me back together slowly. The path is wrought with heartache and pain, but hang in there and weather their storm because it will be worth it.
It wouldn’t be our favorite mafia families without a little bloodshed between friends. The author delivers the humor and wit we expect from our favorites. The alpha males we have come to adore, always bring the heat and devotion to the woman that owns their heart. This story took some turns I never saw coming and left me reeling. I was quickly sucked back into their world and I didn’t want to leave. I’ll always come back for more of my favorite mafia men both new and old.
The Mafia Royals series is the first mafia series of Rachel’s that I’ve read. It’s such a unique take on mafia life – it’s more about the trials and tribulations two lovers face inside their respective mafia families vs. focusing on some enemy outside of the family impacting the relationship. There is some of that but it truly hits on the heart of the familia.
I loved Ruthless Princess but Scandalous Prince is hands down my favorite. This book will tear you apart and make you whole again. There’s a reason Rachel has an apology to readers in her foreword – but don’t be scared. It’s absolutely amazing. I wish I could give it 10 stars!
While it is considered a stand-alone, I do recommend reading at least Ruthless Princess before Scandalous Prince. Rachel does a great job filling in backstory gaps but if you want to read Ruthless Princess just know there will be spoilers in this book. I also think having more of the backstory of the family and their relationships will enhance the reader’s experience of Breaker & Violet’s relationship.
I don’t want to give away too many details about the book – it’s best to go in completely blind! There is so much action and intensity that I don’t want to ruin the experience!
When I read Ruthless Princess, I went into it with no knowledge of the Elite World but that book hooked me and I needed to know everything there was to know about what happened in the original Elite. I binged those and fell more into an obsession with this world and although the Mafia Royals are complete standalones I felt a deeper connection going in to Scandalous Prince with the knowledge and emotions I hold of all the original Elite stories.
I was excited for Breaker and Violet’s story after seeing little parts of them in the previous book but nothing could have prepared me for the intensity of this book. Breaker and Violet had a connection that was so deeply ingrained in them it was as natural as breathing. This was an unrelenting roller coaster of emotions, nonstop action that had me so entranced the world around me disappeared, edge of your seat suspense, bouts of banter that made me laugh out loud and forget for a minute the devastation and heartbreak that was playing out right before my eyes.
This mafia world that RVD has created with the intense storylines and an array of completely different characters living in a world with their own rules that are unfathomable to us readers yet every book I feel like I’m a part of it. Her words have the ability to pull you in so deep that you get a reprieve from reality which is sometimes the very thing you need to gather the strength to face another day. This is without a doubt a top read of 2020 and an all time favorite.
Wow, just wow! I loved the Eagle Elite series, but this next generation may just top them (okay, not really, but very very close)
Just a warning, this review will be vague and probably won’t make much sense until after your read this book.
This is Breaker, Violet, and Valarian. It’s not a triangle! Chase would kill them all, including Violet!
Breaker is Tex’s adopted son. Violet is Chase’s daughter. I’m not saying anything about Valarian.
Okay, time for the vague part.
Have you ever read a book that you can’t put down, but you have to stop reading because you don’t want something to happen? That’s this book!
I had a ton of “It’s…” “no, it can’t be…” moments. I went back and forth.
The story is freaking amazing, so is the writing. You will get sucked right in. Rachel can weave one heck of a story.
Blood in, No out!
Wow! This book blew me away. I truly was not read for what Van Dyken had in store. My feelings and heart were tugged in different directions. Within a page of this book I could be laughing, sobbing, or full-on “heart” eyes. This book felt different than what we have experienced before in the Mafia world. I definitely recommend this whole series. It’s a roller coaster that doesn’t end. Blood in, no out. Welcome to the family.
*5 Stars*
ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
I legitimately do not know what to say in this review. I would’ve read this in one sitting if I could’ve. RVD throws us right in the deep end with this one, with lots of things happening right from the start. Be prepared for angst and emotion when you read this.
Violet and Breakers story is a very interesting one with multiple layers and lots of discovery. I was on edge the whole time just waiting to see how things would play out. And Rachel sure throws some curveballs in there. I was right with one thing, but then all these others came at me, like what is happening next?
I really liked Breaker and Violet is pretty awesome too. I don’t know that I loved them as much as Serena and Junior, but I did love them all the same. As with all the EE Mafia books RVD has written.
I always also really enjoy all the family time – we see all our old favourites, and our new ones too, and the banter and, just, the Family, is like coming home. Its lots of fun, even if half the time your heart is in your throat and your hanging onto the edge of your seat.
Loving this new series, and really really can’t wait to see what comes next. Highly recommend. Blood In. No Out.
As always, Rachel knockout it out of the park! I had a suspicion early on what was happening, but I had some of it wrong in my head. Rachel is awesome at weaving a story where you feel like you’re part of it. The dynamics of these characters keep you wanting more! Breaker’s story will grip you tight, and Violet’s story shows her loyalty and strength. Absolutely loved it!!
Wowzer this book! I mean what can I say about this book? Have you ever been so much in love with someone only to loose them? My heart broke for Violet and Breaker they loved eachother but as much as they loved eachother it wasn’t enough.
Violet has been in love with Breaker sense they were kids but Breaker always knew that he could never show her his true feelings because he never would have been allowed to live her openly and live. Something happened that changed the coarse of there lives. When she found out about what was expected of her and what it meant she was heartbroken. Marrying another man she knew she never could love, but the more time she spent with him the more she started to have feelings for him but struggled with her feelings.
Breaker cab only love Violet from a far because her family will never allow them to be together. When Violet leaves to marry the man she was betroved to his world fell apart. As much as he loved her he vowed to protect her and keep her safe but how can he do that when she’s marrying another man and moving halfway across the country?
Hold on tight people! Fasten your seatbelts! You‘re in for one hell of a ride! This story will rip you up, suck you in, spit you out and do it all over again because why the hell not!
Breaker and Violets story has been foreshadowed in ruthless princess but I honestly did not expect it to take this turn. It was thrilling, gripping and it definitely didn‘t let me go way past the last sentence.
It already started off with a bang and it was very fast paced with twists and turns in every chapter.
I can‘t even tell you anything because I don‘t want to spoil it for anyone but I can promise you! This story will be exactly what you didn‘t know you needed and so much more. You will not be disappointed.
5+++
This story is fire and ice and it will have you screaming in pleasure and in pain. Rachel Van Dyken is the mafia queen! You will need a hug, a drink, and lots of o’s before this book is done and not necessarily in that order. Breaker and Violet have this explosive chemistry that has to be put on the back burner until all hell breaks loose. When life and love are on the line, how do you walk away unscathed? Everything can change because of one choice, one moment or one love. You need to read this book for the the mask, the tattoos, the white horse blanket and the secrets alone. Rachel definitely breaks us before she heals our jagged heart. After you read this book, you won’t be able to let this Scandalous Prince go because he said it best…..
“You’ll always be home as long as your with me.”
Tracey, Life Reads With Friends
Not going to lie… I’m still processing this book. After seeing the early, early thoughts I thought I’d need a box of tissues. NOPE! More like I needed a giant bottle of vodka! Good lawd! I need to remember to read these in a padded room, so when I want to throw my phone at the wall I don’t break it. Every time I dive into the mafia world that Rachel has created, it’s like it takes a bit of my reader soul and never gives it back. I’m in so deep there’s no way I can get out. Not that you’d ever want to. Blood in, no out.
This twisted tale of Breaker and Violet is one that will have you taking long draws from the bottle and pulling your hair out. One choice is like a drop on a calm lake, the rippling effect it can have in your life is so far beyond your control, you’ll never see it coming. One choice of Violet’s sets things in motion that will mess with the crazy balance the EE Family works hard to maintain. The heat between Breaker and Violet will burn the cathedral to the ground, and when a mysterious figure comes between them the balance is tipped in a way you will NEVER see coming. In true mafia tradition you will find lots of blood, secrets, and alcohol involved between these pages, and I LOVE it! By the time I was done, I could only stare at the wall in shock.
Rachel never does things in halves, so be ready for new characters to appear and tasty secrets to come to light. I’ll forever be addicted to the EE family and their kids. Make sure you read Royal Bully and Ruthless Princess, cause boy you don’t want to miss out on all the little connections that make this world so intense. Again… Blood in, no out.