Brutal Prince

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Brutal Prince is an enemies-to-lovers story set against an intense mafia backdrop. Did you find the progression of Aida and Callum’s relationship from violent animosity to a genuine attraction and romance believable? Why or why not?

2. If you’ve read other works by Sophie Lark, such as There Are No Saints, how does this novel compare in its tone and character dynamics? For new readers of her work, did Brutal Prince make you want to explore more of her books?

3. The story balances graphic violence with sexually explicit romance. How did you feel about this blend? Did the high-stakes world of the Gallo and Griffin families heighten the emotional intensity of the romance for you, or did it detract from it?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Aida and Callum are both heavily influenced by their family legacies, which shape their identities and futures. In what ways have your own family’s history or expectations influenced your path in life?

2. Aida’s journey involves channeling her rebellious, chaotic energy into something more strategic and focused. Have you ever found a way to turn a part of your personality that others saw as a weakness into a strength?

3. Fergus Griffin tells his son that trust is rarer and more valuable than love. Do you agree with this sentiment? Are there moments in your life when you’ve found it to be true?

4. Aida feels underestimated by her family, seen as the chaotic youngest sibling with no real role in the family business. Can you relate to the feeling of being underestimated by those around you?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The novel grounds its conflict in the historical rivalry between Irish and Italian organized crime syndicates in Chicago. How does this specific cultural backdrop, including the families’ distinct neighborhoods and traditions, add depth to the story?

2. Aida, Imogen, and Riona each navigate their roles within a deeply patriarchal mafia structure. What does the book suggest about the different ways women can wield influence and power in environments that are designed to limit them?

3. Mafia romances have become a hugely popular subgenre, especially in online book communities. What do you think is the appeal of stories that feature morally complex heroes and high-stakes relationships set in a world of crime and luxury?

4. In a pivotal moment, Callum’s possessiveness erupts into a jealous rage when Oliver touches Aida. How does the novel explore the line between protective instincts and toxic possessiveness? How does Callum and Aida’s relationship reinforce or subvert stereotypes of sexual relationships that incorporate elements of BDSM?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. What is the effect of the alternating first-person narration between Aida and Callum? How does having insight into their private thoughts create dramatic irony and complicate your allegiance to one character over the other?

2. Callum’s grandfather’s pocket watch is a central symbol in the narrative. How does its journey from a stolen object of defiance to a gift of reconciliation reflect the arc of Aida and Callum’s love story?

3. The relationship between Aida and Callum is built on a series of power plays and retaliations. What was the most memorable “act of war” between them, and what did it reveal about their characters at that point in their arc?

4. Fire is a recurring motif, bookending the main conflict. How does its meaning evolve from the initial library fire, representing chaos and rebellion, to the climactic inferno at the beach house?

5. The bond between Aida and Callum solidifies through shared trauma and acts of mutual rescue. What does the novel argue about vulnerability? Is it portrayed as a weakness to be exploited or as a necessary foundation for building trust?

6. Aida’s brothers, the stoic Dante, the hedonistic Nero, and the gentle Sebastian, each represent a different facet of the Gallo family. How do these characters function as foils to one another and influence Aida’s development?

7. How does the enemies-to-lovers arc in Brutal Prince compare to other notable examples of the trope, such as Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice? What makes the dynamic between Aida and Callum unique to the mafia romance genre?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Aida leaves Callum a sneaker as a signal that she’s in danger. Design a unique, non-verbal signal with a partner to communicate in a high-stakes situation. What specific meaning would it have?

2. You’re tasked with casting the film adaptation of Brutal Prince. Who would you choose to play Aida and Callum, and which supporting character casting would be most crucial to get right?

3. Write a bonus chapter set five years after the book ends. What new personal and political challenges are Aida and Callum facing as a powerful couple in Chicago, and how has their relationship evolved?