Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark (Brutal Birthright, 1 of 6)

Why we love this

• ✦ The Strawberry Scene: If you have seen this book on TikTok, you know exactly what we are talking about. Aida tries to poison Callum on their wedding night with strawberries. It is iconic, hilarious, and sets the tone for their entire chaotic relationship.
• ✦ A Heroine with Fire (Literally): Aida Gallo is not your typical mafia princess. She crashes a party and sets the Griffin library on fire in the first chapter. She is wild, unhinged, and completely refuses to be tamed by her new husband.
• ✦ Romeo & Juliet, but Violent: The Griffin (Irish) vs. Gallo (Italian) rivalry is legendary in the Chicago underworld. The forced marriage to stop an all-out war raises the stakes immediately, making the "enemies" part of "enemies-to-lovers" feel very real.
• ✦ Banter for Days: Sophie Lark balances the dark mafia themes with incredible humor. The back-and-forth bickering between Callum and Aida is sharp, witty, and often laugh-out-loud funny.
• ✦ The Perfect Series Starter: This is the book that launched the Brutal Birthright universe. It introduces the major players of both families, setting you up for a six-book binge that you won't be able to put down.