Bad Bishop (Standard Edition): An Arranged Marriage Dark Mafia Romance (Society of Villains, 1)

Bad Bishop pairs an Irish crime lord with an Italian mafia princess whose family has spent her entire life purposely underestimating her. L.J. Shen builds their romance around a transactional marriage, violent family rivalries, and two people carrying traumatic histories. Lila Ferrante has spent eighteen years being taught to pretend that she has a severe intellectual disability. Her mother believes the lie will protect her from becoming a political pawn. The deception isolates Lila and teaches everyone around her to dismiss her intelligence. Her mother's psychological abuse immediately made me suspicious. Labeling a child as simple does not feel protective. Such a lie could damage anyone’s confidence, distort their understanding of themselves, and prevent them from receiving opportunities to learn. A traumatic assault leaves Lila pregnant and trapped beneath another family decision made without her input. Her father arranges her marriage to Tiernan Callaghan who is a feared Irish mob boss. Tiernan gains soldiers, territory, and political power. Lila gains a husband willing to claim her and punish the person who harmed her. Tiernan has the tragic backstory expected from a dark mafia romance His reputation is built upon cruelty, survival, and the ability to endure pain. Shen has a talent for creating contrast between the brutality Tiernan inflicts publically and the love he shows towards Lila privately. He remains dangerous as as he recognizes Lila’s intelligence. He is surprised to learn how much strength hides behind her carefully maintained performance. I appreciated that Tiernan refused to grant mercy once it comes to light who brutalized Lila. Tiernan makes it clear Lila means more to him than familial alliances. His devotion to Lila was admirable. The romance became my favorite part of the story. Tiernan and Lila begin their marriage with fear, hostility, and competing agendas. Their connection grows slowly and carefully. Tiernan eventually reveals the clever woman her family ignored. Lila begins seeing the wounded man hiding behind a frightening public image. While Lila’s innocence suited her isolated upbringing, the naive virgin characterization was not my favorite choice. I wanted Lila to possess more confidence and experience outside the identity forced upon her. The pregnancy and parenthood plots weakened my enthusiasm. Though, Tiernan’s decision to adopt her child was touching and strengthened his role as Lila's protector. I still would have preferred their romance without children becoming central to it. I did not miss that Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet was a clear inspiration for the family rivelry. Shen repeatedly teases that Tiernan and Lila could be destroyed by the violence surrounding them. Their relationship carries the danger and forbidden attraction of Shakespeare’s lovers. Thankfully, they are not sacrificed to the same conclusion. I read this as an immersion read with the paperback and audiobook. The narrators’ accents made Tiernan and Lila’s chemistry far sexier. The dialogue became difficult to understand at my usual 3x listening speed. Having the physical book helped me follow unfamiliar words and heavily accented passages. Pick up Bad Bishop if you are looking for a dark mafia romance with forced marriage, family betrayal, and a hero whose devotion is every bit as intense as his violence. Tiernan and Lila convinced me to return for the next Society of Villains book.

Was such an awesome book!! Omg the twist and turns and gut wrenching ending was so freaking good!! I look forward to her other books! 😊

I loved this story. All the characters in the book were brutal for all the right reasons. I can’t help falling in love with the dangerously damaged and a HEA. If you like dark Mafia with morally gray characters, you will ❤️ this story

The plot twist !!! Omg

If you like a red flag MMC who is evil and violent against everyone but has a soft spot for the FMC this one is for you. This is NOT my usual read. I dont really do romance only and I dont do mafia but I kept hearing nothing but good things about this book so decided to give it a try. This was like watching a violent crime family movie with eyeballs popping and torture from the very first page. Definitely check your triggers if youre squeamish because a lot of violent things happen and theres some wide open door spice. I personally enjoyed it and couldnt wait to see where it would go. Im really surprised the FMC went along with her mom's charade as long as she did considering how "smart" shes supposed to be. That ending. Totally didnt expect it. Left me questioning, that's all I can say without ruining it.