Where Should You Start Reading Bella Di Corte?
For readers new to Bella Di Corte's highly addictive mafia romance universe, the absolute best starting point is Machiavellian, the first book in the Gangsters of New York series. This book introduces Capo Macchiavello and Mariposa Flores, whose arranged marriage establishes the high-stakes, emotionally charged tone that defines Di Corte's writing. Starting here provides the necessary foundation for understanding the intricate web of families and alliances that reappear in her later series, particularly in the spin-offs.
The Fausti Family Saga: Recommended vs. Publication Order
The Fausti Family saga is a sweeping, multi-generational epic set in the Italian mafia underworld. If you read these books in the order they were published, you might find yourself jumping around the timeline. To experience the story as the author intended, you should follow the recommended reading order rather than the publication dates.
Specifically, the narrative flow requires reading Queen of Thorns second (despite being published fourth) and placing Royals of Italy third. Here is the recommended chronological reading order for the Fausti Family saga:
- Man of Honor (2020)
- Queen of Thorns (2021)
- Royals of Italy (2020)
- Kingdom of Corruption (2021)
- War of Monsters (2020)
- Ruler of Hearts (2021)
- Law of Conduct (2021)
- King of Roses (2021)
- King of Italy (2024) (followed by King of Italy II and III)
Understanding the Next Generation & Connected Worlds
Once you have finished the main arcs of the Gangsters of New York and the Fausti Family saga, you are ready to transition into the spin-offs and companion series. Di Corte's worlds are heavily interconnected, sharing characters across city borders.
- The Next Generation Series: This series directly follows the children of the original couples. It begins with The Machiavellian Prince (2023), which follows Saverio Macchiavello, the son of Macchiavello and Mariposa from the very first book. It continues with King of Stars and The Casanova Prince.
- Mobsters of Vegas: This spin-off expands the universe to Las Vegas. The first book, Mr. Big (2023), features Tullio Bigatti and can be read as a standalone, though it is richer if you are already familiar with the broader mafia landscape Di Corte has built.
Duets, Standalones, and Multi-Author Collaborations
Aside from her major series, Di Corte has written standalone novels and shorter series that offer excellent entry points or quick reads:
- The Ryan Brothers: A gritty duet featuring Harrison and Lachlan Ryan. Read Skin Deep (2022) followed by Bone Deep (2023).
- Vice City: A two-part series containing Ruthless Consequences (2022) and Dangerous Obsession (2023).
- Beast of Boston: A standalone mafia fairy tale retelling published in 2023, following the dark romance of Cillian O'Callaghan.
A Crucial Note on Underworld Kings and Blurred Lines
When looking at bibliographies for Bella Di Corte, you will often see massive lists of books under the series titles Underworld Kings and Blurred Lines. It is important to know that these are multi-author collaborative projects, not series written entirely by Di Corte.
You do not need to read all 25 books in the Underworld Kings series or all 11 in Blurred Lines to understand Di Corte's stories. She contributed only one standalone novel to each project. Her specific contributions are:
- Disavow (2021) — Book 11 in the Underworld Kings series. It focuses on Aniello Assanti and Rosalia Lombardozzi and can be read entirely on its own.
- Till Death Do Us Part (2022) — Book 10 in the Blurred Lines series. It features Felice "John" Maggio and Roma Corvo and is also a complete standalone.