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Verona Legacy #1

Prince of Hearts

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A new angsty college mafia romance from 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 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+

338 pages, ebook

First published June 2, 2020

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About the author

L.A. Cotton

100 books3,014 followers
Reckless Love. Wild Hearts.

L A COTTON is USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over forty mature young adult and new adult novels, LA COTTON is happiest writing the kind of books she loves to read: addictive stories full of teenage angst, tension, twists and turns.

Home is a small town in the middle of England where she currently juggles being a full-time writer with being a mother/referee to two little people. In her spare time (and when she’s not camped out in front of the laptop) you’ll most likely find LA immersed in a book, escaping the chaos that is life.

L A loves connecting with readers, and you can find her at:

Official Website
www.lacotton.com

Social Media
www.facebook.com/authorlacotton
www.instagram.com/authorlacotton

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 604 reviews
Profile Image for ❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books.
2,323 reviews9,245 followers
May 27, 2020
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MY REVIEW AND OTHERS: can also be found on my blog:
➽ KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
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'PRINCE OF HEARTS' is the first full length mafia romance book in the series 'Verona Legacy', by author L.A. Cotton. Spoken in 'Dual Perspectives.' Get ready to meet Adrianne Capizola and Niccolo Marchetti.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a mafia book, they used to be my one click addiction, so when I saw this author dipping her toes into this genre, I had to sign up, and boy she did not disappoint! Forget about Romeo and Juliet, this is the real deal! A forbidden at that romance! Get ready to fall in love!

A complicated love which could get them both killed in cold blood.

🅂🄷🄴 🅆🄰🅂 🄴🅅🄴🅁🅈🅃🄷🄸🄽🄶 🄸 🄲🄾🅄🄻🄳 🄽🄴🅅🄴🅁 🄷🄰🅅🄴..🄴🅅🄴🅁🅈🅃🄷🄸🄽🄶 🄸’🄳 🄽🄴🅅🄴🅁 🅆🄰🄽🅃🄴🄳..🅄🄽🅃🄸🄻 🄽🄾🅆.

Adrianne grew up in a gilded cage for five years with clipped wings, home schooled with only her best friend Nora to chase away the loneliness, all in the name of protecting her and keeping her out of the pubic eye. All she ever craved was to be a normal teenager, to experience everything all other girls her age got to experience.

Until the moment when her father agrees that she can attend Montaque University as long as her best friend goes with her.

One night Niccolo Marchetti our dark prince came across a girl that appeared hurt and distraught, he patched her up sent her on her way. But that encounter was enough for a tiny spark to ignite and fester between the two.

Unplanned encounters, stolen moments, stolen kisses Annnnnddd then it all came tumbling down around them..Secrets divulged. Hearts shattered, A love divided.

🅆🄴 🅆🄴🅁🄴 🄱🄾🅃🄷 🄿🄰🅆🄽🅂. 🄷🄴🅁 🅄🄽🄺🄽🄾🅆🄸🄽🄶. 🄼🄴 🅄🄽🅆🄸🄻🄻🄸🄽🄶. 🄱🄾🅃🄷 🄾🄵 🅄🅂 🄱🄾🅄🄽🄳 🄱🅈 🄾🅄🅁 🄵🄰🄼🄸🄻🅈'🅂 🄻🄴🄶🄰🄲🄸🄴🅂.


Profile Image for Wendys Wycked Words.
1,579 reviews3,886 followers
June 2, 2020
4

I have become a big fan of L.A. Cotton's work over the last 2 years. I loved the "Wicked Bay" series and the "Rixon Raiders" series. I am glad to report that I also really enjoyed this first book in the "Verona Legacy" series.

good times gif - Google Zoeken

Part of me loving this book, has to do with the fact that "mafia" themed romances are one of my favorites. Throw in the "forbidden love" trope and I am sold!!! 

Adrianne Capizola, heir of the Capizola family, and Niccolo Marchetti, son of the mafia boss  ... both from very influential families... and enemies by birth. So, of course, they had to go and fall in love!!

forbidden love gif - Google Zoeken

L.A. Cotton did not hold back on this one and what started out as a sweet forbidden love story, turns into so much more. Secrets, heartbreak, war, angst ...but also lots of love will keep you on the edge of your seat... Nico really is my kind of guy ;)

The cliffy bummed me out, but the wait should not be too long ... 

Ps: for those who need to know... check the triggers ;)
Profile Image for Melanie A..
1,145 reviews469 followers
August 20, 2020
Romance: 5 STARS!! 😍😍
"No matter what happens, I will love you until the day I die."
Story: 3 STARS
I might not have wanted this life. But it was mine regardless.
Gotta love a retelling of Romeo and Juliet! And the romance in Prince of Hearts was EVERYTHING I wanted.

The hero, Niccolo Marchetti, was just . . . Gah! He was possessive, obsessive, and undying in his love for Arianne.
She wasn't supposed to cower, she was supposed to stand tall.
Their moments together were uber-swoonworthy.
Not fighting for her felt like giving up on part of my soul. A part I'd never get back.
The over-arcing story, however, felt forced. Many times, the characters' actions and reactions didn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

But if you're not a stickler for details and motivations, this book was a good time. Lots of action and shocking moments to add to Nicco and Arianne's star-crossed love story.
What we had wasn't fleeting. It was soul deep.
Profile Image for Yarie ☆.
326 reviews25 followers
June 4, 2020
I just don't do insta-love ... The writing in this book is good, note that the author has talent, but the insta-love was too much for me, literally up to 50% all she knows about him is his nickname, that he has a sister and ... NOTHING MORE!

Even so she swears that she is in love, and he likewise, he doesn't know anything about her, but he can't get her out of his head and they spend more than half the book like that ...

When it came to the part where they were giving us more information about both and getting into that whole Romeo and Juliet after match I was like, "I don't really care"

I really hate books with sexual violence or child abuse and I think that these types of books should have a more specific warning than "Due to mature content that some readers may find distressing, this book is recommended for readers 18+"
That said, I can understand why so many people liked the book, but it's not for me.
Profile Image for moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus].
675 reviews1,378 followers
September 11, 2020
First time BR and I’m blessed it was with my lovely friend, Sarah

4 stars

first of all, Enzo is mine. Just wanted to put that out there.

I adored this book so much! Arianne (h) and Nicco (H) were that precious couple you couldn’t help but feel the need to protect and wish for their happy ending cause they both deserved the world. In the beginning, it was a bit slow for me (tho I feel like this was because I was obsessing over another mafia romance at the time so my thoughts were still on that series when I started reading this), but I remember feeling hooked once I got past a few chapters and everything from that point on was dramaaa, which I personally loved. tbh most characters in this book had been pretty likable, but I think Enzo was still my favorite overall. I loved his "bad boy who cares deeply inside for those he loves" vibe lol. The ending was kinda where I expected it to go, but I’m excited to read the conclusion of Arianne and Nicco’s story!!

spoiler-ish things:
Profile Image for Angie.
1,152 reviews200 followers
May 28, 2020
We were both pawns. Her unknowing. Me unwilling. Both of us bound by our family's legacies.

5 Bambolina and Prince of Hearts stars!!
Trigger warning:

I've been on a forbidden-romance kick lately and this one was another home run for me. On the surface this story is one almost everyone is familiar with; a story of two star-crossed lovers who come from opposite sides of the river and whose families are at war with each other. However even though the basis of the story is familiar, L.A. Cotton still manages to weave her own touch into this fantastic story to make it her own and provide enough twists to keep readers completely hooked.
Like most of the people in my life, I knew them. I knew all about their lives and their families, but they didn't really know me. They weren't allowed to know me. I was the girl looking in, always on the periphery but never in the spotlight.

Our Juliet in this story is Arianne, who is the daughter of Roberto Capizola and heir to the Capizola fortune. She has been sheltered and protected her entire life and has been treated as a possession whose sole purpose is to further her father's financial success. When she is finally granted some freedom to attend college under an alias, she jumps at the chance of freedom and to experience life outside her estate for the first time.
My body trembled with need. To take what she was offering. To do the right thing. To be the better man. But I wasn't a good man. I was Niccolò Marchetti, son of the devil, prince of hell. She was everything I wasn't. Everything I could never be.

Enter our brooding and tortured Romeo, Nicco Marchetti, who is the son of Antonio Marchetti and heir to Dominion. As the Mafia boss's son, he has done questionable things in the past and puts the needs of his family above all else. However, his unwavering loyalty and unshakable focus are challenged when he meets Arianne and he finds himself willing to jeopardize the Marchetti success in order to protect Ari, his Bambolina, from anyone who threatens her.
Nicco and I were bound. It defied all logic, disregarded all rational thought, and made me sound like a lovesick puppy. But I knew. Deep in my soul, I knew Nicco was mine. As much as I was his.

The beginning 40% of this novel was the familiar tale of forbidden yet inescapable love between Nicco and Ari, filled with clandestine meetings and unavoidable yearning. And with each step that they take closer to each other, the more the strings of fate seem to pull them apart. There were some really tough scenes in this book, but there were also some really sweet moments as well--Nicco is a big softie! Overall, I loved this rendition of a classic tale, and I cannot wait for the next book where I hope we get more sweet moments between Nicco and Ari (and a resolution for that cliffy!) and maybe some pining from Enzo over Nora (they would be so good together!)
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.

My Nicco Marchetti, the ruthless Prince of Hearts who's not as cold-blooded as he appears...


*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for BLuvsBooks.
603 reviews109 followers
June 4, 2020
Amazing read in this new mafia world by LA Cotton.
Warring families, secrets, action, first love, and more in this page turner.

I loved this new and different Romeo and Juliet type story.
Forbidden love because of their families history and disdain for each other.

Nico and Ari are meant to be no matter the obstacles and secrets they face.
“Because Nicco wasn’t only buried under my skin. He was imprinting himself on my heart.”

My heart hurt for Ari and the things she went through. Nico wants to protect her no matter the cost.
“He might have been my enemy by name, but our souls were the same.”

This is a cliffhanger and I can’t wait for more of their story and the other characters in this Verona Mafia World.



Beta Read
Profile Image for Dora Koutsoukou (hiatus).
1,951 reviews560 followers
August 16, 2020
4 💞💞💞💞 inevitable 🌟🌟🌟🌟s❣️❣️❣️❣️


Fate is inevitable and Arianne and Niccolo were born to be together!

“What we had wasn’t fleeting. It was soul deep.
Written in the stars.
It was the kind of love they told stories about.” Arianne

Arianne and Niccolo’s families were rivals for so many decades. However, when they met none of them knew each other’s identity.
They were immediately drawn to each other, their chemistry was fantastic and shared a deep connection.

“Arianne was my sanctuary. She was the other half of my soul.” Niccolo
“He might have been my enemy by name, but our souls were the same.” Arianne

Nico and Ari were endearing characters yet completely opposite. He was bad, tough but a fabulous Prince of hearts, she was innocent but not spiritless.
Their journey was filled with rough and complicated bends, tragedy, angst, but above all love and trust.

The author’s writing was amazing and captivating, a great page turner, the secondary characters were very well placed with key roles and the pace flowed faultlessly.

“You are everything to me, Arianne. Sei la mia metá. No matter what happens, I will love you until the day I die.” Niccolo

A fantastic first part of this new adult mafia duet which had a spectacular cliffhanger and therefore the second part is anxiously waiting for me... 😱
Profile Image for Vicky Sp.
1,344 reviews109 followers
September 27, 2020
Recensione sulla mia pagina Bookstagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFpEx07nC...

«Tutto quello che volevo era avere la mia libertà. La possibilità di essere una normale ragazza di diciotto anni. Di fare tutte quelle esperienze che di solito fanno le altre ragazze della mia età»
L’esperienza di Arianne con i ragazzi, per ovvie ragioni, era ancora praticamente inesistente.

Poi un giorno aveva conosciuto Nicco, non proprio un cavaliere dalla lucente armatura, ma colui che era andato in suo soccorso nel momento del bisogno.
Entrambi erano dei ricchi rampolli, eredi di due delle famiglie più potenti della città di Verona. Ma anche due povere pedine nelle subdole mani di padri manipolatori, da sempre in guerra.

«Bambolina?»
Sul viso di Arianne lampeggiò una profonda irritazione perché quel vezzeggiativo non lo sopportava per niente.
Nicco vedendo la sua buffa espressione scrolló le spalle. In effetti non era una parola che usava abitualmente, anzi. Ma doveva ammettere che le si attribuiva alla perfezione. Era piccola e delicata, con pelle e labbra perfette, anche se gli occhi bellissimi erano troppo grandi per il suo viso. E il fatto che fosse infastidita dal suo soprannome improvvisato, rendeva il tutto solo più dolce.

Le cose però cambiarono in fretta.

Frequentandosi si resero conto di provare un sentimento puro e sincero, imprevisto e di profondo amore.
Ma non erano destinati a stare insieme, perché le loro famiglie, da sempre in competizione, non lo avrebbero permesso.
Nicco era un lottatore in combattimenti clandestini, abituato a supportare il padre negli affari illeciti. Soffriva molto perché non poteva rivelare ai suoi familiari né a quelli di Arianne, il loro amore appena sbocciato.

«Sarò sempre geloso, quando si tratta di te. Credi che non mi uccida sapere che non posso essere quello che sta al tuo fianco?»
Avrebbe preferito dire alla sua ragazza che sarebbe andato tutto bene, rassicurandola che aveva in mente un piano. Ma la verità era che non aveva la più pallida idea di come risolvere quella situazione. C’erano troppi trascorsi tra le loro potenti famiglie, odio e rivalità.
Suo padre era colui che, più di tutti, era contrario al suo rapporto con Arianne. Era irritato con Nicco, e lui non poteva certo biasimarlo. Dopotutto, lo aveva ingannato e messo Arianne prima della famiglia. Nel loro campo, aveva indubbiamente commesso il tradimento più grande.
«Lei non è il nemico papà. So che credi che sia la chiave per arrivare a Roberto, ma non lo è!»

La famiglia di Arianne la stava usando in modo subdolo. Nicco non conosceva ancora tutti i pezzi del puzzle, ma era convinto che il padre voleva servirsi di lei per allearsi con i Fascini.

«Ma neppure io ero un buono. Io ero Niccolò Marchetti, figlio del diavolo, principe dell’inferno. Ari, invece, era un angelo. Pura e onesta. Era tutto quello che io non ero e che non sarei mai stato»
Eppure lei lo aveva scelto, e lo voleva ad ogni costo. Nicco non aveva mai creduto nel fato o nel destino. La sua famiglia, come la maggior parte delle famiglie italo-americane che vivevano a Verona County, era cattolica. Ma lui aveva visto e vissuto troppe cose per avere la fede risoluta che avevano molti dei suoi parenti. Nicco era disincantato e affatto fiducioso che le cose si sarebbero risolte senza spargimento di sangue, e soprattutto non a suo vantaggio.

Un romanzo ispirato a Romeo e Giulietta di Shakespeare, rivisitato in chiave moderna. Tante le macchinazioni, ma il vero pericolo sta nell'ombra, e agisce in bella vista perché paradossalmente insospettabile.
Profile Image for Syndi.
3,134 reviews911 followers
September 1, 2021
Prince of Hearts is surprisingly bad. I read Miss Cotton books in the past and I am shicked how bad is Prince of Hearts.

Arianna and Nico is 2 caharacters are so cold and stiff toward each other. Until the end. Arianna is OTT drama queen. She is demanding and annoying. While Nico is like a robot. No expression nor symphaty. I had hard time following his POV.

2 stars
Profile Image for Siobhan Davis.
Author 100 books8,830 followers
May 2, 2020
Star-crossed lovers collide with explosive, tragic consequences in this deliciously angsty series starter from L.A. Cotton. I’m still swooning over Nico and craving book two! Bring it, Lianne - I can't wait!
Profile Image for Meredith Wilson.
383 reviews39 followers
May 26, 2020
Prince of Hearts is the first book in the new Verona Legacy series by L.A. Cotton. I'm not usually one to read mafia books, but this author is one of my absolute favorites. So of course I was going to give it a go, and let me tell you, it most certainly did not disappoint. Get ready to meet the star-crossed lovers, Arianne Capizola and Niccolo Marchetti.

Arianne's father is a very powerful mafioso, and he didn't want her to get caught in the crossfire. So for the past five years she has been homeschooled in order to protect her and keep her out of the public eye. The only friend that she has is Nora, the daughter of a man who serves her father.

All Arianne has ever wanted is to live a normal teenage life, but that didn't seem to be in the cards for her. But things begin to look up when her father agrees to let her attend Montague University with the stipulation that her best friend goes with her.

One night, while out with his cousins, Nicco comes across a beautiful girl who appears to have been hurt. He comes to her aid and makes sure that she is okay before driving her home. From there, the sparks ignite and a love written in the stars begins to blossom.

The relationship between these two is sweet and swoon worthy. But they say good things never last. As secrets are revealed and lies are uncovered, things begin to crumble down. Then tragedy strikes, leaving hearts broken and a love divided.

I absolutely loved this story! It was wonderfully written with a perfectly executed plot and well developed characters. It hooked me and reeled me in from the very start. This is a completely captivating, must read mafia romance. Five stars for Arianne, Nicco and Prince of Hearts!

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Profile Image for ‹3.
84 reviews
July 16, 2022
tw: sexual assault

I feel it was 1000% unnecessary and was only there for shock value.

The aftercare of the trauma was so poorly adressed/handled I can't even begin to explain how angry I was while reading it.

This book is a load of bullshit and nonsense. Don't even bother reading it.
Profile Image for Jenny - TotallybookedBlog.
1,860 reviews2,067 followers
June 1, 2020
description

4.5 Stars

‘We were both pawns. Her unknowing. Me unwilling. Both of us bound by our family’s legacies.’


It’s been a while since we’ve immersed ourselves in a Mafia romance, and didn’t L.A. Cotton provide all those feelings we love to experience with these type of reads. You know the ones? They make our hearts flutter whilst simultaneously leaving them a ragged wreck when the author brings you the angst, intensity and the threatening world of the Mafia forbidden romance theme.

“I would kill for you, Arianne. That’s who I am. I might not like everything about my life, my legacy, but this life, the codes I am bound to, run through my blood.”

What was different about Prince of Hearts for us, was the setting. It’s s been quite a while since we’ve last read a Mafia romance that was centred on college-aged characters, with the main couple being 18 and 19, and it’s an aspect that really works for us. We felt the innocence from Arianne and the menacing yet vulnerable heart of Nicco. L.A. Cotton certainly knows how to write a fabulous Mafia story!

‘He might have been my enemy by name, but our souls were the same. I would tell a thousand lies if it meant protecting him.’

Eighteen-year-old Arianne Capizola is the heir to the Capizola Empire, her father, Roberto Capizola is the most successful businessman in Verona County. He’s kept the dark side of their business away from his daughter, shielding her in their home for the past five years, finally relenting, and allowing her to experience college life with her best friend Nora. Arianne is oblivious to the dangers she could face as a Mafia princess, and although she is going under an assumed name, Ari is happy to finally enjoy some freedom with her long time best friend Nora.

Nineteen-year-old Nicco Marchetti knows firsthand the violence and danger of being the only son of a New England Mafia boss. Nicco is poised to take over the Dominion, and for him – violence and extortion are a way of life. He lives his life in the frontline of his father’s business.

Upon meeting the innocent and sweet Arianne, Nicco is instantly smitten – Arianne has feelings she has never experienced before, and soon the intensity between them ignites, and wow did we feel the passion between these two, but it wasn’t only that, there was an innocence to their love.

Arianne’s life had been somewhat of a fairy-tale, yet Nicco is no prince. There is a history between the two families and so much bad blood – Nicco and Arianne truly are a forbidden couple in every sense of the word. This is an age-old rivalry that sees no chance of a truce in sight.

So where does that leave these two young lovers? Well, you just wait and see! A horrific event unfolds, that could split their worlds apart, and the suspense of it all had us on the edge of our seat!

‘Nicco was like a storm. He swept in without warning and disappeared just as quickly, with no regard for the wreckage left behind.’

This story was like an intense, intriguing and angsty puzzle piece – every step forward took us two steps back guessing how it was all going to come together – deceit and lies, love and passion, happiness and heartbreak, it was all here, and OMG! We are so ready for more! We cannot wait for the next book, King of Souls! There’s no doubt about it. L.A. Cotton wowed us with this book!

‘Deep down, part of me knew I’d risk it all for her.’

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Profile Image for Keri Loves Books.
1,243 reviews192 followers
July 25, 2020
A modern day Romeo and Juliet tale told mafia style. Their love is forbidden, because their fates have already been decided. Nicco and Arianne will have to fight for their love.

She's been sheltered from her own life. Her father never wanted the past to touch her. Now her eyes have been opened and she needs to figure out who she is and what she wants.

Arianne has been kept hidden for five years. Now that she's eighteen, she wants some freedom. Her first semester at MU is going to be life changing. Her father has loosened his hold, but still has his own plans for his heir. Arianne just wants to be normal and have a real college experience, away from her father.

Between her cousin, Tristan and Scott, a family friend, she has her own personal guards. The only problem is Scott, because he has his own agenda and it includes her. He is not what he seems. A rich, privileged kid from a wealthy family that gives her the creeper vibes. He is in hot pursuit and NO doesn't seem to be a word that he understands.

Arianne's date with Scott gets out of hand, so she takes off only to run into Nicco. Her knight in shining armor is going to come to the rescue. However, he's not what he seems. Her rescuer is being bred to take over the family business and that business involves bloodshed. Their connection is immediate.

Arianne is naive. She has no idea who her father truly is. She's become his pawn since he has decided her future. She will have to learn to fight for what she wants and unfortunately, she'll lose something precious in the process. However, she'll also discover a strength she did not know she possessed and a love worth sacrificing anything to protect.

Nicco fell for Ari the moment he laid eyes on her. She was the end game for him. When they met, they had no idea of their family's history or the bad blood between them. Now he's willing to do absolutely anything to keep her safe. He'll give up everything to keep her.

Ari and Nicco were never supposed to fall in love. Their relationship was forbidden, but their love could not be denied. Their chemistry sizzles. They are both willing to do whatever they can to be together. Losing each other is not an option. Their path is wrought with resistance and obstacles. The will need a plan that will that expose the truth to take down the bad guys, so that they can be together.

I look forward to the conclusion of this dramatic duet.
Profile Image for ABookLover73.
375 reviews217 followers
June 3, 2020
FIVE TRUE LOVE STARS for Arianne and Niccolò 💖🖤💖🖤!!!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!

Whatever I write, it will never be enough to describe how much I've enjoyed reading this special and unique book.

I'm following and reading Lianne's books for almost two years and she never disappointed me.

Every book she writes has a special place in my heart not only because of its storyline but also because every time I connect with the main characters.

But, this book is different.

Not only that I love storyline and characters.

It's much, much more.

This book made me believe in true love again.

And after I finished with reading it left me speechless.

"Prince of Hearts" is a modern Romeo and Juliet story that will steal your heart from page one.

Arianne is a female character for who you'll want to have her happily ever after.

She is slowly growing through the whole book to become a strong woman who will do anything for the man she loves even if her family doesn't approve their relationship because of the bad blood which is between two families for years.

Niccolò is a male character I didn't expect to meet in this book.

At first, he seemed to be a bad heartless man but in the end, he shows that he has a kind heart inside and he will do anything to protect the woman he loves more than anything.

I need Niccolò in real life!

Ari and Niccolò's relationship is everything!

I fell in love with their sweet and forbidden love.

The way Nicco treated Ari is something every woman deserves in her life. That there is someone who will protect her but believe in her and her dreams.

If you're looking for a college romance with forbidden love and mafia trope, then this is definitely a book for you!!!

Highly recommended!!!

P.S. Can't wait for King of Souls 😍❤🔥!!!

Nicco is mine ❤❤❤!!!
Profile Image for Morgann Book.
234 reviews1,518 followers
January 10, 2022
I don't want to be dramatic here, but this might be one of the worst books I've ever read.

Reasons for my strong hate:
1. The absolute stupidity of the main characters - it just ruined the story because it became so predictable.
2. The nickname "bambolina" for Arianne.
3. The rape scene. This was 10000% unnecessary and added absolutely nothing to the plot. It was predictable and we already hated the character who did it... so what gives?
3.5. The aftermath of the assault was poorly executed and it just didn't feel right reading it.
3. Insta-love. Don't get me wrong here, I LOVE insta-love sometimes, but this was just painful to read. They just had zero chemistry together.
4. The ending. This book got slightly interesting near the end, but then everything happened so quickly and bang CLIFFHANGER.

I am a sucker for mafia books, but this was not it. Not even remotely close.
Profile Image for NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books}.
1,415 reviews85 followers
June 7, 2020
***4 "Mafia Prince!!!" stars***

#AVAILABLE NOW



"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.*
Profile Image for L.A. Cotton.
Author 100 books3,014 followers
Read
June 2, 2020
Star-crossed lovers collide with explosive consequences in this deliciously angsty forbidden romance!

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘢 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘺...
🖤 New adult / college
🖤 Mafia
🖤 Forbidden romance

AVAILABLE NOW
Amazon US: https://bit.ly/PoHUS
Amazon UK: https://bit.ly/PoHUK
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2WuLHIw
Kobo: https://bit.ly/PoHKobo
Nook: https://bit.ly/PoHNook
Profile Image for Halle Reads.
781 reviews179 followers
June 9, 2020
3.5 Stars 🌟

Prince-of-Hearts-1

Prince of Hearts is book one in the Verona Legacy series and is a duet. This book can not be read as a standalone and ends in a cliffhanger. PoH follows Nicco and Arianna and is a Mafia romance with in influenced by Romeo and Juliet and heavily plays on the star crossed lovers aspect of it. The story is dark, gritty, suspenseful, passionate, dangerous but also slightly predictable. It started off a little slow for me but I still ended up enjoying this one.

Nicco is broody, cold, protective, caring, strong, rough yet also gentle. He is the epitome of Tall, dark and handsome.

Arianna is sweet, kind, slightly naive at times but slowly opening her eyes to what is happening around her and realising who she can and can't trust. My heart broke for her with what she had to endure and not having too many people in her corner she could trust.

Nicco & Arianna had an instant connection and whirlwind of a romance which is to be expected in this type of story. They had heat, chemistry and passion as well as some frustrating and heartbreaking moments. This story was all about testing loyalties and fighting for what feels right.

I do wish the story would have had a few different approaches in regards to how the story played out as it was a little to predictable and similar to Romeo & Juliet so the Cliffhanger ending was something I was expecting. I'm really looking forward to part 2 and I'm hoping its darker, grittier & more passionate and that all the characters I love get everything they deserve with their much deserved HEA as well as the demise of the characters I absolutely hated.

TW necessary for attempted sexual assualt, sexual assault and violence

《book aesthetic made by me. I do not own the pictures, all found via pinterest》

20200311-074229
Profile Image for hooked_on_books.
176 reviews237 followers
May 28, 2020
image: description

★★★𝑅𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤★★★
(𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.)
𝑅𝐴𝑇𝐼𝑁𝐺:⭐⭐⭐⭐

"𝑾𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒉 𝒑𝒂𝒘𝒏𝒔. 𝑯𝒆𝒓 𝒖𝒏𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑴𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑩𝒐𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒖𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚'𝒔 𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒔."

𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 is the first book in the 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 series. Buckle up cause you're about to go in one hell of a ride.

𝑨𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒆 𝑪𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒛𝒐𝒍𝒂 is the daughter of 𝑹𝒐𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒐 𝑪𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒛𝒐𝒍𝒂, Verona County’s most successful businessmen. Heir to the Capizola fortune. She spent the last five years living in the safety of her home, sheltered from the outside world. So when her father agrees to let her attend 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒖𝒆 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚 along side with her best friend 𝑵𝒐𝒓𝒂, suddenly freedom in not that far. But everything changes the night she meets 𝑵𝒊𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒐̀ 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊.

𝑵𝒊𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒐̀ 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊 is the son of 𝑨𝒏𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒐 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊 the Capo of New England Mafia, son of the devil, prince of hell. He was bound to take reign after his father, to be the next Capo. But when he meets 𝑨𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒆 in an unfortunate situation, he is completely and utterly bewitched.

"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."

𝑨𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒆 is drawn to him, he makes her feel safe and loved. He is everything she never knew she needed.

"𝑵𝒊𝒄𝒄𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎. 𝑯𝒆 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒑𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒔 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒚, 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒏𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒌𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒇𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅."

Both of them fell in love like they were destined to, but there was more they didn’t know. Secrets are unraveled, truths are revealed.
But will their love be strong enough to survive?
Profile Image for marnie.
141 reviews32 followers
September 30, 2020
the highlight of this was reading all the swear words in italian that my nonna used to hit me over the head for saying as a kid.

okay, i’m going to preface this by saying this a 100% your modern day romeo & juliet. so if you’re not into the insta love type trope this is defientely not for you.

tbh this was just mehh. it’s supposed to be a college mafia romance but i did not get that vibe at all. Arianne (h) is heir to her father’s “business” - it’s very hush hush what he actually does, i don’t even know. and you have Niccolo (H) who is a part of the mafia which is very loosley referenced throughout the book. and basically their families have been rivals for decades. i'm sure you can put two + two together.

it was a verrry slow start. i was waiting for something, anything, to happen. it mostly focused on the push & pull between the MC’s. the whole we-love-each-other-but-can’t-be-together-but-we-love-each-other-too-much-so-let’s-sneak-around. and we all know how that turns out so…

it was very repetitive right up until the 80% mark when things start to finally kick off but i mean 80%? it was just too predictable even from there and while i still enjoyed it somewhat, i have no intention of finishing the series.

tw: sexual assault, rape and violence
Profile Image for micolreads.
451 reviews51 followers
June 4, 2020
Modern romeo and juliet set in college

Perfect if you love the boy being all rude and smartass around people but sweet and caring around the girl trope (for your information, I DO)
Profile Image for Alexandraa XX.
667 reviews490 followers
October 19, 2021
Damn this book was such a great book. Romantic and very touching book, THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TWO IS AMAZING. Like it’s very heart touching feelings you can feel their love!!!!!

The hero and heroine is not afraid to show and share their feelings towards another and even at the beginning both are very much in love! THE HERO BECAME VERY OBSESSED....
“She was mine. I felt it deep in my soul.”

“BUT SHE WAS ALSO THE GIRL WHO HAD REACHED INTO MY CHEST AND RIPPED OUT MY HEART, HOLDING IT IN THE PALM OF HER HANDS.”

But then my interest on reading this book goes DOWN BECAUSE THERE WAS A R*PE SCENE THE HEROINE WENT THROUGH THAT i think it so unnecessary because why the author didn’t make the hero come and saved her? No. The author let it happen and the heroine’s firsts have to be with some creep rape sh*t fcker. She was special and she saved everything for the hero. But noooo.... the author really ruin everything. And that r*pe scene made me not going to continue this book BECAUSE OF HOW DISAPPOINTED I AM!!!!!

So disappointed. I thought this book will be different from the new one “enzo story” but no. It’s just getting crazier and crazier. NEVER READING BOOK FROM THIS AUTHOR EVER AGAIN!!!!!!

Argh



The hero is ott possessive alpha male, no cheating, both are loyal but the heroine is stupid many times, love in first sight and slightly pushing away scenes from both but not too much. I HOPE THE AUTHOR REALLY DIDN’T MAKE BOOK LIKE THIS AGAIN WHERE PUTTING R*PE IS OKAY WHEN ITS NOT! When i read books i want to run away from the real world, not reading some negative sht like this. Damn




🌐🌐🌐➡️↘️⬇️➡️This is my own personal thoughts and opinion about the book so if thats not sit right with you or you feel I’m not being fair blablabla, please know that everybody in this world have their own different things that they like and don’t like. It may not be the same thing with you but thats okay because i am my own person and you cannot control me or tell me what to do. For example; i put ketchup (tomato sauce) on my fried chicken. You think that’s disgusting? For me its not and i’ve been eating it like that for many many years. You tell me to put another sauce and see if i like that better? I already did many many times in years but i still like the way i like it. It’s called differences between me and you and billions people in this world😊 be open minded😙 I respect people’s opinions about my opinions but in the end of the day if i say I don’t like it or i do like it, its up to me and its on me. And in the end of the day i always liked and show my respect to books and people’s opinions on books whenever that book is good or not good in my opinion 😊 Respect people’s opinions guys😙😙 I don’t want to write this down because its not really my thing to do it. To like address something like this when obviously i know the people who’s been reading my reviews many times and all the time, they are smart enough to understand and respect other people’s opinions no matter what their opinions on book or their point of view 😙😙 am i right? 💕 also there are people even though i already write “this book is different because i have my own taste of book” those people still comment my taste is this and that when HELLO… everybody have their own thoughts on books and what they want to read… why i read it then? I read it and give it a review because i have to read a book to give it a review… why not read the description book to understand before I’m going to read it? Hello just in case you haven’t notice, description books can be tricky because they write this amazing things about a book but turns out the story is so toxic. Maybe for me its toxic but not for you? YES HELLO THATS WHY US HUMAN BEING HAVE OUR DIFFERENCES, WHAT I LIKE IT DOESN’T MEAN YOU WILL LIKE IT AND EITHER WAY TOO. why i still write the review then if i just don’t like a book? Because I CAN and i want to, you cannot tell me what to do and not what to do🤪 if you still wants to be negative and be karens about my review on book after all of what i just write, i will never acknowledge you and simply ignore you because its not that hard🙏 I won’t respond to negativity comments🙏🏼🙏🏼 DON’T ASK ME AGAIN ABOUT WHY NOT RESPONDING TO YOUR NEGATIVE COMMENTS BECAUSE I ALREADY SAY IT HERE AND I WON’T BE EXPLAINING AGAIN BECAUSE WE’RE NOT CHILDREN SO ITS NOT HARD FOR YOU AN ADULT TO UNDERSTAND😌😌 YES MY REVIEW IS LONG BUT YOU READ IT ANYWAY AND ITS FINE ACTUALLY I CAN WRITE AS LONG AS I LIKE😎 YES MY GRAMMAR IS BAD SOMETIMES AND MAYBE ALL THE TIME BUT LUCKILY MANY PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT I’M SAYING🤪 ⬅️↖️↕️⬅️↩️⤴️
Profile Image for queen_of_the_books_18.
844 reviews223 followers
May 7, 2020
She was everything I could never have.  Everything I’d never wanted. Until now.

If you love dark, mafia college romances that are very loosely based on Romeo and Juliet then LA Cotton has just delivered some angsty epicness for you!

She tasted too good. Too tempting. She tasted like my fucking downfall.

A story of first love, complicated love, messy love mixed together with a little bit of naivety from the heroine that made me want to slap her upside the head in parts, to earth shattering stolen kisses and revelations galore, LA Cotton had me hooked, turning the pages so fast that I needed to take a breather to digest everything that was going on.

I couldn’t be the prince she deserved, because my life wasn’t a fairytale. It was the stuff nightmares were made of.

Nico. The bad boy, Mafia prince with the good heart. He has had his future mapped out for him since he was a little boy with no say in it what so ever. You could see that he was a good guy at heart who just wanted to be loved for the real Nico and he found that in Arianne.

Get ready for an explosive, forbidden romance that will leave you breathless!
Profile Image for Danielle's.
Author 1 book150 followers
June 29, 2020
The devil you know isn’t always better. Prince of hearts is the first instalment of a duo. It’s inspired by Romeo and Juliet in a creative tale of love and war.

Arianne Capizola is the daughter of a powerful man. She’s lived a sheltered life. When she’s allowed the freedom to study at Montague university the cracks in her family life begin to appear. Her identity is kept a secret but her cousin Tristan is close by if she needs him. Unfortunately Tristan’s best friend is a family friend and interested in Arianne. Scott isn’t the type of man she would choose but after some persuasion she agrees to go on a date with him. When things go terribly wrong she’s in need of a Prince.

Niccolo Marchetti is not a good man. He’s grown-up inside the mafia and a prince of dominion. When he finds a damsel in distress he should walk away. Niccolo and Arianne have a connection but what happens when he finds out who she really is?

I really enjoyed this dark romance. I like the Shakespeare references and the twisted story path. This does have scenes (not graphic) which some readers may find disturbing but it adds fuel to the hate. I look forward to reading the concluding part.

*I received an ARC in waiting for the tour which will commence for book two in August.
Profile Image for LianaReads blog.
2,452 reviews218 followers
April 26, 2020
A mafia dark romance love story? Sign me up!
A Romeo and Juliet inspiration? I’m in heaven here!
No words can describe my feelings for this story! Those first butterflies in the belly, the first real kiss and love should be the best time of every young adult.
But what happens when the characters are not exactly who you thought they are?
Arianne and Nicco will have your heart beating so fast for their love, a story that should be easy but coming from a world as they have, nothing is more dangerous and dark than wanting power and revenge no matter how it’s gained.
I can’t wait to read the conclusion.
Profile Image for Sentranced Jem.
1,134 reviews601 followers
June 15, 2020
3.75?

Hmmm going to be real here.
I don't know whether I loved it or was just ok with it.
Prince of Hearts felt like a rollercoaster of me really enjoying parts of the story while the other parts couldn't help but make me roll my eyes.
I had to remind myself that these characters were young hence why this old ass (me! 🙋) Couldn't help scoffing during certain parts.
But like I said, there were parts of this book that did capture my attention.

I don't know if I'm eagerly waiting to read Book 2. I may add book 2 to my tbr list only because I want to know which direction it goes 🤷
Profile Image for Elisabetta Veneziani.
784 reviews32 followers
October 4, 2020
3,5 ���️
Le rivisitazioni sono sempre un rischio e io resto dell’idea che o le si fa bene o è meglio lasciar perdere. Questa mi ha fatto storcere il naso innumerevoli volte sinceramente, sono riuscita a finirla a fatica e solo perché non mi piace abbandonare i libri. Non so se darò un’opportunità al seguito.
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