Savage Lover (Brutal Birthright Book 3) by Sophie Lark

Ratings:

⭐️: 3.25/5

🌶: 2.5/5

Tropes:

- Poor Girl & Rich Guy

- Mafia

Review:

Savage Lover is the third novel in the Brutal Birthright series written by Sophie Lark. This book follows Nero Gallo the brother of Aida Cullum from the first book, Brutal Prince, and Camille Rivera. Nero is trying to increase his family’s wealth, but finding the means, money, to get there has been a challenge. While Camille is facing different financial issues herself running her family’s small repair shop while providing for her brother and taking care of her sick father. But, due to poor choices from the brother Camille finds herself in the debt of a cop seeking to prove himself by turning her into an informant. During the midst of facing the trouble Nero and Camille, who attended high school together, began to develop a relationship that neither one of them expected.

I am going, to be honest, and say exactly what I want to say. This book was ok 🤷🏾‍♀️. So far, I have read two books before this book within the series: Brutal Prince and Stolen Heir, which I wrote a review on, if you would like to read it click here! Out of all the three, this book has been my least favorite for so many reasons causing me to rate this book a low 3.25. I don’t enjoy giving authors low scores because I know they put their all into writing these books including Lark whom I adore, but I must be honest. This book was lacking in multiple departments from the beginning to the end.

First, the crime aspect of the book was missing and when it came up it seemed to be rushed. Nero plans to steal a diamond from a vault stored in a bank owned by Raymond Page and it belongs to none other than the Russians. Using the diamond to fund the Gallo’s and Griffins’ new business venture will be top-notch making Nero’s family one of the richest families. This plot was intriguing because watching Nero set up everything and precisely make a “plan” was interesting, to say the least. He went through grave steps to steal it and even

entertained the b*tch Bella Page the daughter of Raymond Page to learn about the bank. However, once the theft came, it just began, and then it was over. At one point I did get afraid due to their late getaway care, but that died soon after. Then you have Camille becoming an informant to save her brothers a**. I have a younger brother and like Camille, I would do anything to save him which is one of the many reasons I respect her. But, her relationship with Officer Schultz could have been a vital and great storyline. I feel like Sophie didn’t capitalize off it enough and it died quickly in the book. He was a d*ck that harassed her frequently even purposely following her and pulling her over. Then in the end he got away with it to me. He put her in danger multiple times not giving a sh*t about what would happen to her. To add on, Levi the town’s drug dealer knew Camille ratted him out and caught her wearing the wire. I wanted to know, what happened to him and if he would seek revenge? It just ended abruptly in these plots which was a blow because crime is a major part of the story.

Apart from crime, there was one aspect of the book I thought was just filler but could have been capitalized on. That would be Raymond Page being Camille’s little brother, Vic, father. The way she made the connection was weird and unrealistic kind of 🙃, but I was hoping this storyline would gravitate toward something. But, I was wrong and it just ended abruptly with the Page threatening Camille after she confronted him about being her brother's father. He was sh*t even to his daughter Bella Page, so Vic was better off without him.

Finally, my biggest issue with the book is the lack of chemistry between Nero and Camille. There was no build-up of their relationship they just saw each other at the party, and they relinquished their attraction to each other. The kiss they have for the first time was awkward and I can see that happening between middle schoolers not grown adults 🤣. There was no development between the two and that has been my biggest issue with Lark’s books sometimes. There is never developing chemistry between characters as if their feelings abruptly happen. Don’t get me wrong I liked both characters especially Camille because she was independent and took care of her family on her own. However, when she started to date Nero, she depended on her status with him to resist certain circumstances of happening. I did not like that, and it turned me off of her in some ways. S*x scenes between them were awkward and I skipped them, but I am not a person that is heavy or eager to read s*x scenes, so it didn’t affect my reading much.

Even though I had issues with the book there were good aspects that being seeing the

side characters like Dante, Sebastian, and more. Also, I adored the ways Camille cared about her family and didn’t except scraps from anyone. She knew her father was sick and sought him medical care right away finding paths to take to financially support all of them. I wish her mother was alive instead of dead so we as readers can witness, the way they would interact. However, her mom was toxic, and I am glad Camille moved on and Nero helped her. I can say as the book moved more to the ending the chemistry started to appear between Nero and Camille. That is an issue because it was towards the end, unfortunately. I enjoyed the bonding they had over cars and even Camille’s love of cars which women are not usually displayed doing at all in books, movies, or shows. But, women are interested in multiple fields that are dominated by men.

I do recommend reading this book because it is part of the Brutal Birthright series. Not to

mention multiple people I have witnessed read the book loved it. It wasn’t a horrible book, but I would never read it again. I hope you read it and give it a chance because I do want to make it known Sophie Lark is still a great writer. I have read Bloody Heart the fourth book in the series, and I can say it did not disappoint 👌🏾.

"Savage Lover" Amazon Link