This book focuses on the Mafia princess while they are in their senior year of college. They all have grown very close while they’ve been college together because they are the only ones who can understand how their lives are controlled by their fathers. I very much enjoyed getting to know the girls when they were younger. I have already read the Mafia series that follows this prequel and I found all of it to be amazing reads. I wish this book wasn’t so short. This was a great short read and a wonderful start to an awesome series.
I absolutely LOVED this prequel 🖤 I definitely recommend for everyone to read this book even if you have already started or finished the series! Even though I knew a few details of what had happened their senior year from already reading the Mafia Elite Series, it was amazing to read exactly how everything unfolded. I highly recommend to start with this prequel if you haven’t started the series yet. Amy McKinley captured all of the Mafia princesses personalities perfectly in the short amount of pages. It gave you an excellent picture of who they were at their core and what was anticipated to come in their futures. Seeing their senior year in detail was a great addition and gave me much more love for the Mafia princesses.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Helen Dawkinshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngHelen Dawkins2022-11-17 17:35:082022-11-18 12:04:30Defiant Princess (Mafia Elite Series Prequel) by Amy McKinley – Review by Helen Dawkins
I love this series with all of my heart and soul and this prequel was fabulous!!!! I would highly recommend reading the Mafia Elite Series in order that you get to know each and every character from the 5 families..then this prequel will take you to the “before”. As I was roped in I love that the strong and mighty women are the stars of this book.
This story takes place in the eyes of Sofia, Liliana, Emiliana and Marissa..and winter break from college is coming and the women want to have a good time with a bit of freedom but what I finally get is also what happens that one fateful date to Marissa…..can I say I need more!!
I love how this author ties in her story and includes every character and the full circle of the 5 families…I am definitely not ready to say goodbye to this series….I am hopeful for more!!
I was so excited when I saw that we were getting another book in the Mafia Elite Series. Defiant Princess is a prequel to the series but can be read as a standalone. Amy McKinley brought back all the characters we know and love! She tells the story of the daughters of the five families their senior year of college. They have been enjoying the freedom of being away from home but all know once their senior year is over it back home to be married of or controlled by their families. A wonderfully story of where it all begins full of twists and turns along the way!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Allison Davishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAllison Davis2022-11-17 13:57:102022-11-18 12:01:27Defiant Princess (Mafia Elite Series Prequel) by Amy McKinley – Review by Allison Davis
Wow I have loved this series from the beginning. In this book we meet the Mafia Princesses. Each one is very strong and determined young women. Each of them want to live their own lives the way the way they want to.
These girls live in a world of danger and while they want to enjoy their last taste of freedom danger and the Mafia life is always there. I really feel for these girls, forced into a life they don’t want, forced to marry against their will and not being able to be with the one they loved makes for a very turbulent life. However for one of the girls it will turn into murder.
The story is fast paced and gripping. It’s a quick read but the author fills so much into the story.
This is the book is the starting of the Mafia Elite Series and everything I didn’t know I was missing. It is a book that you won’t be able to put down. It shows the longing of wanting what the main females in the series can not have. It shows the softer side of all of them before everything happens. The innocent and not so innocent lives that they lead with hopes of something better than what has always been done. This books gives, so many aspects that I didn’t know I needed that make the whole series come together. Without giving away important details just know that when you read this book if you haven’t read the whole series yet, this is the best one to start with because you will have so much more knowledge to move forward in the series. If you have already read the series you will love being able to connect even more to the characters in this series. It will give you so much more background and really let you feel what they are feeling. This book had me hooked from the beginning and left me wanting even more. I feel greedy wanting more but this series is one of the best I have read in a long time. You will not be disappointed and will love the story lines of each female character. It is a squick read and a major page turner. You will definitely fall in love with the characters in this book if you aren’t already in love with them. Review by: @bbohls
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Barbara Bohlshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngBarbara Bohls2022-11-17 09:48:502022-11-18 11:58:23Defiant Princess (Mafia Elite Series Prequel) by Amy McKinley – Review by Barbara Bohls
Defiant Princess is a Prequel to the Mafia Elite Series. I have had the privilege of reading each of these books in this series, and I love them all. This book is a great short read, if you want to get to know the Mafia Princesses before reading the Mafia Elite Series start here. My biggest take away from this is that I wish we could have gotten to know more about “Marissa” in this book. The other girls each have a book dedicated to them, and while I know Marissa’s story ends differently, I wished we could have gotten into her “head” just a little bit more. Either way that is just a personal opinion, the books are fantastic and for that I will give this book and the entire series all 5 stars each!
Amy has written another banger! While I have already read the mafia elite series and loved every single book in it, it was nice to be taken back to the beginning! This book really can be read before or after reading mafia elite, but I enjoyed reading it after to fill in little gaps you think there are in the mafia elite series. You cannot go wrong with any book by Amy.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kay Striteskyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKay Stritesky2022-11-17 07:19:512022-11-18 11:56:47Defiant Princess (Mafia Elite Series Prequel) by Amy McKinley – Review by Kay Stritesky
Back to where it all began. This is the prequel to A Mafia Elite series. Absolutely love this whole series and this addition just makes it better. I loved seeing the starting point for all the women. This is a short, captivating story filled will drama, intrigue and some kick ass women. This whole series is a must read, starting with this book. Highly recommend.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Rayne Easthttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRayne East2022-11-17 04:41:492022-11-18 11:55:47Defiant Princess (Mafia Elite Series Prequel) by Amy McKinley – Review by Rayne East
While I LOVED seeing these characters again I really wanted a newer story. This rehashes the girl’s relationship and the guys in their lives. If you have not read the series you can start here but if you have it doesn’t give any new information. This is a very short story and seems to take place over 1-2 weeks. As I said I really loved seeing these guys and gals again but I just expected something different.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Lisa Helmickhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLisa Helmick2022-11-16 15:06:002022-11-18 11:52:27Defiant Princess (Mafia Elite Series Prequel) by Amy McKinley – Review by Lisa Helmick
This is the prequel to one of my favourite books series and I just loved getting to spend more time with these characters. I was gutted when the Mafia Elite series came to an end, so was excited to find out that there was going to be a prequel. With it being a prequel, you know how it’s going to end but I was more interested in going through the journey with these characters who I have absolutely loved reading about. I can say it certainly did not disappoint. I’d love to read even more about this fantastic group of people. This book takes you through the tragic events of Marissa Rossi. This even is discussed in great detail in the series but you don’t get the full story of what really went down at it was fantastic to finally have this part of the story told in full. I really hope that we are going to get more from this amazing group of characters as I’m not ready to say goodbye to them yet.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Karyn Taylorhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKaryn Taylor2022-11-16 13:33:552022-11-18 11:51:02Defiant Princess (Mafia Elite Series Prequel) by Amy McKinley – Review by Karyn Taylor
If, like me, you’ve read the other books in this series, definitely give this one a go. The other books in the series are great but this one just sets them up to be so much better.
This series introduces you to the daughters of the five families. The ones destined to not live out their own destiny but instead to be a pawn to elevate their own family in terms of money or power. This book also addresses the tragic event we hear about in the books but is never fully explained, the death of Marissa. It is so nice to see where their strength comes from and the love they have for one another as they try to figure out their own lives and not just as pawns.
This one will take anyone back to their college days and the friendships we make that pull us through. This prequel, though short, definitely sets up the mafia elite series. Though it is a standalone book, reading this before all the other books in the series would have made way more sense and the progression of the strong female characters and why they are the way they are makes so much more sense. Definitely give this one a read even if you’ve read the other books because it does close a lot of loose ends and answers some of those questions about why things happen. If you haven’t read the mafia elite series but found yourself here, then definitely read this book and then the elite series you won’t regret it.
I have loved this series from the very first book, and I still love it now after this new book in the series. I loved reading what happened before, to get some back story. This book was a little short for me, but it didn’t take away from it, I don’t think. Would 100% recommend.
Let me start out with you need to grab this. We are met with Katarina, a strong career driven woman who is coming out of a failed engagement. To be fair she did say no. Then we meet Chase, who at first is just a fellow resort attendee until he isn’t. Katarina is here to get a medical center up and going for the island she is currently on and is met with headstrong but very very adamant Chase. Their chemistry is immediate, almost too immediate but that is okay! As the story progresses it becomes so much more and so much deeper. This is absolutely a wonderful debut book by the author. I truly cannot wait to dive into the rest of this series.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Michelle Marlowhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMichelle Marlow2022-11-15 17:50:422022-11-18 11:38:44Degrees of Innocence: Dark Mafia Romance (Cruel Deceptions Book 1) By Via Mari – Review by Michelle Marlow
Amy McKinley has done it yet again. She has created a story that is well written, with great characters and simply is simply incredible. I never hesitate to pick up one of her books and she always manages to pull me in from page one. I loved getting to know theses characters more and read this book in record time. This wholes series has been one of my favourite ones and I love getting back into it with each book. They are always exciting and intense. This book is the perfectly example of that. I would highly recommend it and can’t wait to read more.
I can’t believe this author found a way for me to love these characters more than I already did. Had I read this first, I would find myself wanting to read more about these badass women. As it was, I couldn’t possibly not read about a character named after me!!! (Seriously, I know it wasn’t me but I can dream.)
This short, intense story allows a glimpse into the lives of the Mafia Princesses and why they are as strong as they are. These women are strong, loyal, intelligent, talented, and we can’t forget deadly. This is a beautiful origin story, a starting point!
If you haven’t started this series, read this now! Then, dive head first into the series. If you are already reading the series, STOP!! Read this immediately. Don’t delay. Then, pick up where you left off. It will make sense. Trust me. You need to read this book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00M Policicchiohttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngM Policicchio2022-11-14 22:33:512022-11-18 11:29:22Defiant Princess (Mafia Elite Series Prequel) by Amy McKinley – Review by M Policicchio
This book is fan-freaking-tastic. It’s full of twists and turns, and of course as is the typical with any mafia romance, full of steamy romance. I’ll be completely honest with you guys, I actually forgot this was a mafia romance until about halfway through the book. I loved the characters chemistry, and honestly while if it was in real life, I’d find him full of red flags, but I loved, loved, LOVED Chase. I absolutely devoured this book, and I know that the rest of the series is just as worth it. This author is amazing and I can’t wait to read more books by her!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Lucy Machardhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLucy Machard2022-11-14 22:18:132022-11-18 11:28:32Degrees of Innocence: Dark Mafia Romance (Cruel Deceptions Book 1) By Via Mari – Review by Lucy Machard
This was a great prequel to the whole mafia series. I love this one because you get to know the girls a lot more. Even though this is short it’s packed full of so much emotion. Be prepared to laugh, cry, and swoon. The author has done it again.
I absolutely love all of Amy McKinley’s books that she has written. But to read this prequel to her Mafia Elite series, is even better, or icing on the cake!
I love seeing where their story begins, where the mafia “princesses” started out. I found it sad reading from their point of view on how protective and strict their fathers are. I understand the reasoning behind them being strict, but to have no control over their daily lives was heartbreaking for me.
But that is Amy McKinley for you, always pulling at your heart strings!
In this story, Lilianna, Sofia, Emiliana, and Marissa get their first taste of freedom, which is so exciting for the reader and the characters in this story! Having freedom has a cost though. The cost for these girls is not wanting to give up their freedom that they so desperately wanted. The real question is, what will they all do to keep their freedom? Defy their family? Or back down to their strong-willed fathers, and go back to playing the “perfect princess”.
I have actually read a couple of the stories in this series already, so the prequel gave me a new point of view for each character. Since I now read the prequel, I think I am going back to re-read the series. This prequel was absolutely amazing and I was so glad I read it. I have new insight to the way each character thinks and where they come from, and what they had to go through.
Before they married Mafia bosses, they were in college. This novella gives the reader a peak into a short time of their senior year. Opinion I did not like this book as much as the others in the series. It focused mainly on the women and there was little romance in it. It did however give insight into what happened that fateful day while they were in college.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Dawn Brownhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDawn Brown2022-11-14 11:55:582022-11-18 11:18:29Defiant Princess (Mafia Elite Series Prequel) by Amy McKinley – Review by Dawn Brown
Umm wow! What a steamy story between Katarina and Preston!! Katarina had absolutely no idea what she was getting into when she meets a hot guy sat the beginning of a work trip. The action takes off almost as soon as she finds out who Preston is and will keep you guessing throughout the book. I look forward to reading more by this author.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Trista Martinhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTrista Martin2022-11-14 07:08:432022-11-18 11:17:14Degrees of Innocence: Dark Mafia Romance (Cruel Deceptions Book 1) By Via Mari – Review by Trista Priest
This was a great 5 star read. I loved this prequel to the series. We get a glimpse at the girls before the huge twist that changed their lives. It was nice to see how they bonded and grew closer. We also got to see the men as well. We get all sorts of twists and turns. This novella does a great job of leading you into the series. Having read all of the books first this was a nice way to get some answers to some questions I had. I highly suggest this series, the author does a great job of pulling you right in with her writing and you will love all of the characters. 1-click and get started today.
Defiant Princess was a great way to meet the five families and begin understanding the connections and ties that present themselves in the rest of the series. Defiant Princess follows the five families daughters: Liliana, Sofia, Emiliana, and Marissa in their senior year of college. If you’ve ever considered reading the Mafia Elite series, start here. It’s a great introduction to the five families. I previously enjoyed the Mafia Elite series, so I knew I would love this too! Amy McKinley has an easy writing style that keeps you reading late into the night.
Mafia Elite series is one of my favorites, and just keeps making the characters better known and more beloved to us. This is a standalone book, but a prequal to the series. The heads of the Five Families are all still ruling with an iron fist, the sons have all graduated college and were leading lives as well as performing their duties as the next in line to their mafia families. The daughters are seniors in college, enjoying their last vestiges of freedom before being married off via contract or taken back home to be folded back into and controlled by their fathers or new husbands.
This book takes place after Emiliana had been kidnapped and rescued and Camilla had been married off to the Russian Bratva, situations that are mentioned throughout the series. It leads up to another tragedy mentioned throughout the series.
As the last 3.5 years of college has gone by, Lil, Sofia, Em and Marissa have grown very close. No one can understand them and their lives the way they understand each other. They’ve grown as close as sisters, so as their college careers come to an end, and they head back to being under their fathers thumbs, they’re all a bit anxious.
The princesses are all daydreaming of being with someone they love, instead of someone they’re promised to. Sofia longs for Enzo, and he her. In order to protect him, she will push him away. Em and Stefano both broken from terrible past experiences, but together they make one another complete. Too bad no one else agrees, and his father outright refuses it. Marissa is promised to Tony, and he is now getting very possessive. While making a decision to try to make things work with her arranged marriage to him, she is anxious to speak to someone in the Bratva to see if her sister Camilla is even still alive. Lil is daydreaming of running away to stay out of her fathers clutches. Will anyone have their daydreams and wishes of true love come true?
Defiant Princess is a prequel to the Mafia Elite series by Amy McKinley, it follows the sisters of the families prior to the events of the books in the main series. I really liked this story, even the sad parts. It was quite short though and I would have liked it to be longer (as I always do with this series as I am never ready for them to finish and want to know more!). It was really interesting to learn more about the events that are mentioned in the future books and I was screaming in my head to warn them about the traitor among them! I think this is a must read for fans of this series.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Juls Dickhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJuls Dick2022-11-13 16:11:412022-11-18 11:06:02Defiant Princess (Mafia Elite Series Prequel) by Amy McKinley – Review by Juls Dick
This is the first book in the only series I’ve not read yet by this author. I have devoured every book in every series by this author but had missed this one. Although I ultimately know how their story turns out, I was excited to finally get the chance to read Chase and Kate’s journey. This book covers the very early days in their relationship. We get their first meeting where the sexual tension between the two is evident from the very start. In keeping with other books from this author, once the sexy times begin they are very hot and very often not ‘vanilla’. If you like a hot, sexy read then this is the book for you. I’d definitely recommend anything by this author if you like a good steamy read. Although this series is described as a dark mafia romance, we don’t get introduced to the mafia element until the end of this book. Filled with drama, danger, intrigue and hot sex, this book is definitely worth the 5 stars that I’m giving it.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Karyn Taylorhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKaryn Taylor2022-11-13 11:11:172022-11-18 11:04:04Degrees of Innocence: Dark Mafia Romance (Cruel Deceptions Book 1) By Via Mari – Review by Karyn Taylor
This story is a prequel to the Mafia Elite Series and it was so fun! I absolutely love all the women in this series so them having a book just focused on them in their college days was a delight. We get to see them just being best friends and comforting each other and dealing with the realities of being Mafia Princesses outside of the ways we do in their own books which showcase the romances they end up in. This story is really all about the night before Marissa’s murder which was a big point in the series so seeing Marissa from a different side before her death was very interesting. I love Amy’s writing and I feel everything the girls do so this was an emotional read for me thinking of them anticipating their futures when i already know how its gonna end up i just wanted to hug them all and say its gonna be okay. If you have read any of the Mafia Elite books this is a must-read. It is fast and short but well worth it.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Torihttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTori2022-11-13 10:31:252022-11-18 11:03:11Defiant Princess (Mafia Elite Series Prequel) by Amy McKinley – Review by Tori Werkheiser
I love this series and when I found out that this was a book from the point of view of the ladies of the mafia I could not be more thrilled. I loved reading the backstories of The Five Families Princesses Liliana, Emiliana, Sofia, and Eva, along with Marissa’s death. This prequel really gives a different point of view about the struggle of the women of the mafia and that they are not invisible to the danger they are born into. I genuinely wish it was longer but I have high hopes that this is not the end for this fiery bunch of women. PLEASE keep the stories coming!!
I was sad when I thought this series ended, but the author strikes again. The Mafia Elite Series is revived by the Defiant Princess prequel! Yes I love this series! Yes, all the books are well written! Yes I’ve read them all! And absolutely Yes you should too! If this is the first time you’re coming across a book in this series, you’re in luck because it’s the beginning. What happens in Defiant Princess comes up a lot through No Way Out so it’s a perfect place to start. I wonder why it wasn’t titled Princesses because it’s told from the point of view of all 4 mafia princesses, Liliana, Emiliana, Sofia, and Marissa. When tragedy strikes the five mafia families of Chicago stick together. Which is demonstrated beautifully is this short novel prequel. Five Families that you will fall in love with throughout this series if you haven’t read it before. If you have, we have another book to read! It’s not over yet!
Mafia Princesses all living in a mansion together on a college campus, it’s easy to forget that you’re in deep with the mafia when you’re just trying to pass your final exams. This book takes you through the lives of the four girls who live together. The author, Amy, really shows the bond that these girls have together and how much they care for one another. They each are fighting their own battles but still stick together. After a night out near the end of the year, life will never be the same. Will the girls get to make their own paths instead of walking down the one their fathers choose for them or will they even make it out alive? This was a good story, and a quick read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Mercedes Joneshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMercedes Jones2022-11-12 07:32:162022-11-18 09:21:52Defiant Princess (Mafia Elite Series Prequel) by Amy McKinley – Review by Mercedes Jones
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