It’s the turn of the next generation from Kings of Temptation with Ruthless Guardian as mafia princess Isabella Valentino, daughter of Luca and Stella and heir to the King’s throne fights her family for some vestige of freedom, something they’re not happy to yield on considering the repeated attempts on her life. But when the chance of a medical internship in Italy comes up, there’s no way she’s going to miss out even if it means a new guard in the shape of brooding Raffaele Ferrara. 

 

If you’re a fan of forced proximity, forbidden bodyguard romances as Raf is forced to spend the sultry summer months in an apartment in Rome with the protectee he lusts after you won’t want to miss this book. Laden with sizzling heat, action, and intrigue as Raf’s past came back to haunt him with Isa the means to an end. The romance was slowburn but the heat between the hero and heroine was palpable as Raf struggled to keep his hands off Isa. The overall story had plenty of suspense as the attempts on the Isa’s life increased. With a fabulous cast of secondary characters, I loved Isa’s relationships with her cousins, and I’m especially intrigued by the Rossi twins, I can’t wait to read more from the Ruthless Heirs series. 

Remind me never to hang out with Isabella Valentino. She gets shot at a LOT! When her bodyguard is killed, Isabella has to pick a new one, and she opts for the gorgeous Raffaele Ferrara. The more time the two spend together, the closer they get, but old vendettas arise that put Bella and Raf in danger. 

This book is great. I love the constant action and the spice. The angst between Bella and Raf before they finally get together is off the charts. So good. The characters are great, and I love the cousin squad. The world building is on point, and the plot is fantastic. It’s great that Bella is a mafia princess but not spoiled. She’s obviously a caring person with a heart of gold who sees a world beyond the family business. Raf is sweet and caring, not just an alpha he-man. They make a perfect couple. The ending of the book gives us a sneak peek at the next book in the series, and I can’t wait. 

I highly recommend Ruthless Guardian - read it and let me know what you think - I’d love to discuss! 

My goodness!!! This was such a good book! This is second generation, forbidden love, Isabella is always being targeted (which means she needs saving by her bodyguard). Oh how there is so much tension between the two, she is always testing him (they both have feelings for each other, but think the other doesn't), he is always in her space. Jealous/possessive MMC, "I can take care of myself" FMC.

Isabella is a mafia princess, who just wants to be a doctor and not take over the family business (her dad says that she can do both). When her bodyguard dies on the job, she has to get a new one and she is fighting it, until she gets an opportunity to go to Rome for an internship.

Raffaele interviews to be Isabella's bodyguard, knowing that he has a small crush on her, but decides to take the job anyway. When he finds out that he has to go back home to Rome, he knows this trip won't end well- he is not welcome home anymore.

I'm so excited that we get to return to the world of the Kings with the next generation series: Ruthless Heirs. Ruthless Guardian brings in the new wave with the daughter of Stella and Luca; Isabella.

Tropes:
👑Bodyguard = forbidden 
👑V-Card Mafia Princess
👑Forced Proximity 
👑"Good Girl."
👑Grumpy x Sunshine
👑Possessive Obsessed MMC
👑Mafia World

Isabella is the oldest child of Luca and Stella, and even though she is the daughter, Luca has plans to have her be the next head of the family and run the family business. However, Isabella doesn't want that life, she wants to be a doctor and is working hard in her studies to reach her goal - even though she knows she will most likely have to follow in her father's footsteps.
During a night out with her cousins, Isabella's long-time bodyguard is shot and killed, which opens a new bodyguard spot. Enter the delicious, serious, sexy, strict, drool worthy, Raffaele. With a resume and a body she can't say "no" to, Isabella hires Raf for the open position. 

With school, Isabella has an opportunity to travel to Rome for the summer. The only way her overprotective father will approve the travel is with her new strict bodyguard to accompany her. However, with a troubled and secret past, Raf refuses to return to his Homeland... but being the Principessa that she is, Isabella is able to get him to agree to go with her with her own ways of persuasion. 

With the sexual tension already in place, it is only heightened traveling to Rome and being roomed together and having very close proximity. Raf knew from the beginning with the position that his attraction to Isabella should be reason enough to not take the job, but he just can't stay away. The tension between the two seriously is off the charts, and I'm surprised my Kindle didn't catch fire.

With drama, tension, a shoot out here and a shoot out there, secrets coming to light, the two just can't deny their feelings for each other and you just can't not cheer for them. 

I think Isabella was the perfect balance of a Mafia Princess. Yes, she wants her own life, but she also knows her expectations. She's attracted to Raf, even she knows that she shouldn't and really can't have him. But, she's also a strong female who knows what she wants and goes for it anyway. I applaud her. I thought I would have been annoyed with the spoiled Principessa, but no, she was so wholesome, sweet, and good. I just loved her. Then with Raf... *sigh* *drool* Sorry, brain is mush, and I have no words. He can tell me what to do anytime!

Highly recommend and can't wait to read the next books and how the rest of the cousins and Isabella's brother fair!

This is my first Sienna Cross book but the instant I finished, I went and borrowed book 1 of her previous series, which tells the stories of Isabella’s parents, because this book just made me a fan. 

Give me slow burn forbidden romance, add in the mafia princess x bodyguard trope and I eat it up, and that’s exactly what this book did. I couldn’t put it down. The banter, especially in the beginning is top tier, the possessiveness and jealousy makes the book, the plot is solid and entertaining, and the romance/spice slow burn and packed with tension. It was exactly the book I needed in my life right now and I anticipate reading the author’s backlist.

5/5 easily would recommend to anyone seeking a forbidden romance

This was my first ARC buddy read, which was with @Chiara^•^ since she was the one who brought the ARC signup to my attention, and I had a great time.

Isabella is the daughter of Luca Valentino, and her life has been confined to her gilded cage, even if it's a luxurious one. All she wants is her freedom and her parents to see her as a grown-up who can experience life like others. The opportunity comes in the form of a 3-month summer internship for pre-med students in Rome. There's a lot of back and forth between Isa and Raf with how he handles her security. However, with the attacks on her, she soon realizes he's right to be vigilant and there's more going on that they aren't aware of.

Raffaele knew that taking on Isabella as a client might not be the smartest decision for him, but he feels this pull towards her and, against all reasoning, agrees to become her bodyguard. He doesn't understand this connection and the protectiveness he feels for her, but he wants to make sure she's safe. He's adamant about not returning to Rome at first when Isa gets accepted to the internship program; however, he eventually relents, but this only raises his hackles, and he is even more mindful of the security arrangements for her. He was a bit overbearing and controlling when it came to her safety. However, when we learn more about his past, we realize the reason for it. 

The romance between Raf and Isa has a lot of push and pull, especially from Raf's side, which gave Isa whiplash keeping up with his emotions. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop himself from wanting Isa or acting on his feelings. He does try to resist, but it is futile. Isa brings him a sense of calm, and her presence grounded him. I did love their banter and arguments, which only fueled the tension simmering between them. Isa was patient with him and didn't let him hide his feelings when he tried to. Instead she coaxed him to open up to her and took care of him in a way he hadn't been taken care of in a long time.

I was curious to know who was behind all the attacks and what they were after. The mystery slowly unfolds and definitely took me by surprise. The final 60 pages had a lot of action, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I love how Raf and Isa stood by each other through everything, though, and fought their way out of these situations.

The spice was good, and Raf had a filthy mouth on him. I liked the way these two couldn't keep their hands off each other.

I also loved Isa's relationship with her cousins, especially Serena. Which also has me excited for the next book 'cuz it's Serena's book.

Thank you to Sienna Cross for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

ARC REVIEW 
*I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Overbearing possessive and controlling bodyguard yes please!
I need my own Raffaele after this book. My God the man is a controlling asshole but his words....my God his words are just pure filth and I'm here for it. 
Mafia Princess Isabella Valentino needs a new bodyguard after her last took a bullet for her. She's still traumatized from the situation and doesn't necessarily want one but when an opportunity to go to Rome for school comes up she believes it's time to start living again. 
Raffaele is probably one of the best bodyguards in the world. No kids or wife and is dedicated to his charge willing to lay his life down. But when he learns his charge is to go to Rome for an internship he immediately regrets the job. He hasn't been back in Rome in over a decade for good reason and bringing a client there is the worst thing he could possibly do. But the mafia princess always gets what she wants. 
Mhhhh lord the steam and filth that happens between these pages is everything. And the plot is just that good to me. Mysterious sh00tings and trying to find out whose behind it. Raff's backstory had me in tears. The way this man loves hard! Good luck to anyone thinking they can just talk to Isabella let alone touch her.
This series ties into The Kings of Temptation, which is based on the Heirs and off rip this series starts off with a boom and a ton of Easter eggs. Personally I loved reading that the parents are still disgustingly in love with each other and how the kids love and hate it lol. The epilogue has me dying for Serena's book because April is just much too far 🤣

(Thank you Grey Promos and Sienna Cross for the opportunity to read this ARC)

The insta-love was a little too much for me initially, but I really came to love Isa and Raf. The will they won't they vibes are great, their dedication to each other is amazing, and their individual strength was a real joy. 
This book did a great job of mixing the high-intensity Mafia life and a the "I want to live a normal life" vibes. 
It was a super quick read and kept my attention the whole time.