Mia has returned from Sicily only to find that her year away has left the mice to play, and her ‘partners’ have made some pretty questionable choices in her absence that don’t really live up to what she believes her brother Nick would have wanted. This sparks conflict right away, as Mia reasserts her role in the bootlegging business. She refuses to accept the rich Templeton rye be cut with, well, atrocious alternatives, and she takes a firm stand against the sale of heroin in the neighborhood she grew up in. This leads to her getting into a tit-for-tat war of sorts with Jake ‘Gems’ Morelli, one of her business partners’ newer associates. He treats her as if she doesn’t matter, in terms of the business, discounting her wishes. Mia isn’t one to be trifled with though, and makes her displeasure known. 

I was blessed with the opportunity to beta Allison’s Princes of the Lower East Side. I was ecstatic, since I adored the first in the series and was looking forward to the shift to New York. My hopes of interactions with Lucky Luciano were not to be disappointed. He’s a historical figure of particular interest to me, and I loved how he was written.

And Mia! Mia is a kickass heroine. Sure, she may be a bootlegger, and in with the Mafia crowd, but she cares deeply for the true injustices of the world. She wants to protect people, and her growing reputation gives her the power to do so. She doesn’t like killing, but will do so when necessary. Sadly, she lives in a time where it’s very necessary. Mia may be fairly new to the scene, and only recently returned from Sicily, but she has the ear and/or respect of some of the most powerful men in the business. She manages to even get Masseria and Maranzano to cooperate for one job. Impressive since they are mortal enemies. 

I love Paolo too! He has so much personality for someone who doesn’t speak. He’s unquestioningly loyal to Mia, and she really needs that now. Returning to New York has put her at odds with Morelli, the newcomer her partners brought in while she was away. The feud between them escalates to critical levels, putting innocents under her protection in danger. Paolo lives up to his reputation as a bulldog. He can be downright ferocious. 

As with the first in the series, I really enjoyed seeing not just the deadly facades we know today, but the actual people behind those infamous names. The day to day living. Simple likes and dislikes. Things end on a bittersweet note for Mia, but she’s catching the attention of the big bosses, and those soon to be rising higher in the hierarchy. I’m looking forward to reading the next one!!

***Many thanks to the author for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.