Rise of the King

Restless Kings, Book 1

By: Bella Matthews

Narrated by: Jason Clarke, Erin Mallon

Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

Forevers don’t exist when you’re on the run.

Amelia cannot get attached - not to the town or the people in it. And definitely not to the tall, dark, and handsome mafia prince who sweet-talks his way past her carefully built walls.

Why put yourself through that, knowing it’ll all be ripped away when you leave? And she will have to leave.

This life isn’t hers to keep.

Sam calls her Snow, like the fairy-tale princess. But her life is far from a fairy tale. Even a prince can’t change that.

For Sam Beneventi, there’s a difference between his family and The Family.

He’s been raised to one day take control of The Family, putting that above all else. Strength and power are all that matter.

Weakness isn’t an option. It’s an excuse. And Sam never makes excuses. Until his future walks into his life and blows it up with one single bullet.

When the lost princess stumbles into this mafia prince’s city, all bets are off. And Amelia is all he sees.

To keep her safe, it’s time for Sam to take control. To take the throne. To wear the crown. It’s time for the Rise of the King.

©2021 Bella Matthews (P)2022 Bella Matthews

Friends to Lovers done RIGHT

Friends to lovers is not my favorite genre, but Bella nailed it with Sam & Amelia. The plot was intriguing and well written. But the dialogue between the characters made the book!

3.5-4 STARS.. ENJOYABLE & FULL OF HEART

This is my first book by this author and it was an enjoyable and entertaining listen.. especially with Jason and Erin expertly narrating Amelia and Sam‘s dual POV love story. Amelia has been on the run for years.. she’s changed her name, established a successful Bakery, has a large loving group of secondary character friends.. and has secretly harboured strong feelings for Sam.. and he her. They’ve bantered, friend-zoned each other and danced around their chemistry and attraction for two years.. not committing because he’s a Mafia Prince next in line to rule and she’s always looking over her shoulder ready for the next time she has to run. However, when the poop hits the fan, Sam realizes he has to protect, claim and possess his Princess because death and danger is at his door and he’ll move heaven and earth to juggle/destroy their enemies, keep her safe.. and make her his.

This, for me, was a fairly sweet Mafia-lite story so don’t expect dark or a dark anti-hero. These group of friends (and their individual connections) were already established in a previous series so I personally felt there was a little something missing not knowing the dynamics of the group or how they became friends. The romance went from wasn’t to was in the blink of an eye and I missed the sizzling climactic anticipation and delicious drawing out but it did take a very nice route. Their story sadly didn’t cover their two year friendship.. however, it was all kinds of sweet, swoony and romantic. It has action, drama, sex, suspense, twists and danger.. and, as the dust and revelations settle on and in the lives of a new Mafia King and his beloved, cherished, strong, kick-ass Queen, there’s the perfect happy ending too.

Worth a credit? Yes, a well-narrated story of family, The Family and love.

Mafia Romance With Heart!

Wow! This is my first book by Bella Matthews and I cannot wait to listen to the next book! Amelia had me hooked from the first moment. Rise of the King is gripping, funny, and totally charming. This book is fairly low-angst and moderate intensity for a mafia romance. Don’t misunderstand, there is a terrific suspense storyline and the Beneventi family is bada$$. Bella Matthews has a wonderful way of tying humor and heart in with the suspense that leaves you with all the warm & gooey feelings. Sam & Amelia have an instant attraction that sizzles, but both deny their feelings. When they do get together, their passion is extra spicy.

Jason Clarke is spectacular as Sam, the mafia underboss with a sweet side. Growly, mafia alpha Jason is my favorite. His low, gravely timbre is perfect for the character. His voices for the ancillary characters were unique and easily discernible. Erin Mallon is fantastic as Amelia, the loner pastry shop owner with as many secrets as chocolate chips in her cookies. Erin brings Amelia to life with a passionate, raw, vivacious, sultry performance. I absolutely adore Jason & Erin as a narrator duo.

What a ride!!!

I enjoyed this book so much, it took me on such a roller coaster ride up and down up and down... Jason and Erin were perfect in this listen. Glad I stumbled upon this!

Not into it

I don’t know what it was but I could not get into this book. I read the great reviews and was excited for it. The narrators weren’t bad. But having listened to over 100 romance thriller love coupley books, this one never gave me that want to never stop listening. More so I didn’t have a desire to listen.

Great first audiobook

Great first audiobook. I’m a new fan. I hope there is more to come Erin Mallon is fantastic as always. Great job

A Must Listen If You Enjoy Suspense & Heat

There's so much to love in Rise of the King. Bringing a bada$$ heroine with a secret past together with a mafia prince is the perfect mix of suspense and heat!

This audiobook gave me the opportunity to reread Rise of the King. It is even better than the book. Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke both made excellent choices as narrators. Jason Clarke sounds just like what I would expect Sam to sound like! Erin Mallon's performance perfectly conveys Amelia's initial hesitation to get involved with Sam before her complete commitment to him. Clarke and Mallon make you feel the chemistry between Sam and Amelia during the witty banter between the two characters. The audiobook was so enjoyable that I listened to it all in one day!

Amazing

Sam and Amelia made my heart so happy! Bella Matthews knows exactly what I look for in a Mafia romance: strong badass heroine, alpha possessive hero, funny witty banter with some action and dark tones to keep me on my toes. I enjoyed Rise of the King so much and need so much more of these great characters!!

What A Read!!

“𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕖 𝕔𝕚𝕥𝕪 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕜𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝕕𝕠𝕨𝕟 𝕥𝕠 𝕞𝕖 𝕓𝕦𝕥 𝕀’𝕝𝕝 𝕠𝕟𝕝𝕪 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕜𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕪𝕠𝕦.”

That damn Sam…let me tell you. There wasn’t a single thing I didn’t love about this book. From the first page to the last, Bella Matthews had me absolutely hooked. She gave me everything my little mafia heart craved. My girl Amelia was bad ahh and completely shook the foundation on which Sam stood. He was a goner from the moment he saw her and omg I lived for his alpha hawtness. The way he bonded with her a friend first and would move heaven, hell and earth for her. Someone please pass me a napkin for the drool. Together, these two were passion and fire. Amelia was no damsel in distress and the day you try her it might be your last. The twists, the revelations, the beautiful love story, all of it and more made for a truly unputdownable read. This was my first Bella Matthews book but before I was already even halfway through with this one, I knew it wouldn’t be my last. Then just when you think it couldn’t get any better, you have two of my favorites Jason Clarke and Erin Mallon who added a whole nother level of exquisiteness.

The KING

Can't tell you anything other than you REALLY are not ready for Sammy!!! Sammy and Amelia are out!!! This book is off the charts between the combustible chemistry of this couple, despite being ‘friends’ for 2 years. The chemistry started yo kindle and once Sam finally got his Snow they were an explosion of fire!!! Bella brought this couple together unlike conventional lovers and then took us on a wild ride of twists and turns that were so unbelievable but oh so fun!! Amelia is Sam’s one weakness….. …”Jesus. I’ve never begged anyone for anything before. But I’ll get down on my knees and beg for just one single moment in time if I have to. Only for you. Only ever for you.” One of my favorite conversation Sam has with Snow. Hard to believe this is only Bella’s 5th book! She has made her mark in this world! Loved Jason Clarke and Erin Mallon in their respective roles!!!!