ASIN: B013CATPGE
Publisher: Forever (April 26, 2016)
Publication Date: April 26, 2016
Sold by: Hachette Book Group
Language: English
Blurb
Carrigan O’Malley has always known her arranged marriage would be more about power and prestige than passion. But after one taste of the hard-bodied, whiskey-voiced James Halloran, she’s ruined for anyone else. Too bad James and his family are enemy number 1.
Hallorans vs. O’Malleys-that’s how it’s always been. James should be thinking more about how to expand his family’s empire instead of how silky Carrigan’s skin is against his and how he can next get her into his bed. Those are dangerous thoughts. But not nearly as dangerous as he’ll be if he can’t get what he wants: Carrigan by his side for the rest of their lives.
James and Carrigan rule!
Members of rival Irish mobster families, these two got a taste of each other and became hooked. Carrigan tried to fight her attraction to James, but he wasn’t having it. He knew it wasn’t a good idea, but he’s not the one to deny himself the pleasures of life, or at least that wasn’t his usual plan. When his father’s extensive (let’s face it, he’s not getting out) stint in prison thrusts him into the driver’s seat, his upbringing is no match for his inherent good side. He knows what needs to be done, but he’s willing to go only so far.
Carrigan is just as drawn to James as he is to her, but she’s tired of being controlled. When her father demands she picks a groom off a list of men he’s compiled; she knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s permanently shackled to someone she’s not the least bit interested in or even attracted to. What’s a girl to do? Have a little fun while she can, and if she can throw in a little FU to dad by having said fun with the head of the family he loathes (not to mention the man that kidnapped her in The Marriage Contract), then why the hell not? Kill two proverbial birds with one horny stone!
In true Robert’s expert fashion, Carrigan and James are a tad complex, albeit well-developed characters. They generate enough heat to warm a large Irish village through three winters, and the witty repartee is the hottest foreplay. Their bold, straightforward behavior fits their roles, and it’s pure genius how Robert’s allows them to express their feelings without contradicting what is known of their characters. They show their love for each other by not just being together, but by also being aware of how their actions could hurt the other, not to mention the damage their families would do, Carrigan’s in particular. James has his own family drama to deal with, and he somehow manages to keep one eye on that drama while the other remains on his relationship with Carrigan. She reciprocates by showing James how she feels (it’s too dangerous to publicize it) while at the same time attempting to protect him by going along with her father’s wishes. I had no clue how it would all play out – well I knew they’d end up together (that’s the rule), but the way it all unfolded was a total surprise.
I think the Wedding scene was my favorite (one of many) in this story. I was very excited to get another bit of Teague and Callie. I loved their story (The Marriage Contract). Cillian and Olivia’s story is introduced, and Robert did a superb job incorporating just enough of them to entice without bulldozering over James and Carrigan. There’s a nice little cliffhanger, too, regarding the Dmitri. Kudos!
Rating system: Cups of Coffee (the less the better)
0: You won’t need any coffee to stay up for this one. It’s intriguing enough all on its own.
1: You’ll stay up late, but not all night. Brew one cup.
2: You’ll read as long as you’re not tired. If you are, two cups should do the trick.
3: I hope you got plenty of rest; you’ll need it, or at least 3 cups.
4: If the cable goes out, read the book. It’s better than nothing, I guess. Oh, don’t forget your brew!
5: Find anything else to do- it doesn’t matter what it is. Don’t waste your coffee. Too much caffeine is bad for you.
My rating: 0 cups of coffee