Today, I’m reviewing Liza Malloy’s prequel, Mafiosa Princess: Beginnings, the story that started this nine-book contemporary romance saga.
Title: Mafiosa Princess – Beginnings
Series: Mafiosa Princess, prequel
Author: Liza Malloy
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mafia, Young Adult
Publication Date: January 31, 2025
Length: 276 pages
Publisher: Teal Street Publishing
Before the crime, before the power—there was love.
Blurb: When Giada and Luca end up at the same boarding school, the friendship is instant. They bond over their controlling, affluent families and their love of fine fashion and Italian food. But only Luca knows that their common ground runs much deeper…and that both of their fathers are bosses in the Italian mafia.
Certain he’s destined to follow in his father’s footsteps whether he wants to or not, Luca tries to stay away from the sweet, innocent Giada, who’s too naïve to see the cracks in her own family tree.
But he can’t resist her for long.
Mafiosa Princess Beginnings is the captivating prequel to the Mafiosa Princess series. Mafiosa Princess Beginnings can be read as a prequel, or at any point while reading the rest of the Mafiosa Princess series.
Prepare to fall in love with this brand new coming-of-age mafia romance. All’s fair in love and mafia…
Available at:
This is the prequel to the Mafiosa Princess saga. When I was asked if I’d read and review, of course I said yes, since I really enjoyed the saga.
The author takes us to the boarding school where Giada and Luca are reacquainted. Their families have known each other since the two were children, but they have never had the chance to spend time together.
I enjoyed the physical attraction from the start, but it takes more than physical attraction to hold two people together over time, the way it does for Giada and Luca.
During the saga, we were introduced to Giada’s faith, which is shown here in full detail. She is devoted to the church and helping others, even determined to keep her virginity until she is married. But she is still Giada—full of life, desiring excitement, and spoiled but far from rotten. We also see her vulnerable side, the one her father created after the death of her grandfather, whom she thinks her father blames her for.
Then there is Luca. We see he is a “bad boy” from the start, but more mischievous than truly bad, because it’s his father who is trying to turn Luca into something he truly isn’t. We also get to meet Alessio and see firsthand how the friendship between Luca and his BFF develops.
I must say I enjoyed this prequel. I liked how the relationship between Luca and Giada develops as they come to learn who the other is, and both fall deeply in love while admiring one another’s strengths, but also understanding one another’s faults. We also meet the parents and get a better understanding of who they are. The worst of the lot is Luca’s father. What a horrible man. And we also learn why Luca chose to become the prince.
Do yourself a favour and get a copy. It’s a great way to start the saga.
Maggie Blackbird 