'FORBIDDEN PROMISES' by Katee Robert is book Four in "The O'Malleys" series. This is the story of Sloan O'Malley and Jude MacNamara. I have not yet read the other books in the series so for me this was a standalone book.
Sloan has left her family in Boston to get away from their Mafia Drama and start a new life on her own. Only her brother and his wife knows where Sloan is staying. Sloan has lived a shelter life where she didn't have to work and they had servants so learning to be on her own is a new adventure. Sloan has just found her first job and looks forward to being more independent. But one thing Sloan is finding hard to do is stay away from the neighbor she has. Their first meeting we learned was the night she first came to the cottage but he seem to make it clear he didn't want anything to do with her.
Jude is a hit man who is looking to get to the owner of the cottage. Jude knows that Sloan is just a innocent girl and he tries to make a stand to stay away from her but that isn't looking to easy.
This story had a very exciting and hot alpha male character with just a sweet determined leading lady. Really enjoyed this story! I can't wait to go back and read the other books in this series!
The O'Malleys Series:
The Marriage Contract Book 1
The Wedding Pact Book 2
An Indecent Proposal Book 3
Forbidden Promises Book 4
Undercover Attraction Book 5
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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Oh my! This has been my favorite so far!

Sloan O'Malley escaped Boston and her mob family at the end of the last book. Her brother Teague helped her. Her first night there she has a run-in with the next door neighbor, Jude. Jude knows he should stay away because he can tell that Sloan is not as world wary as he is. That, and she distracts him from his mission...killing the rest of the Sheridan family. Sparks ignite and they can't stay away from each other. But has Sloan *really* escaped her family's connections and enemies? Can they make a life together? Can Jude give up his plot for ultimate revenge on the Sheridans?

Jude was hot, protective and did not take any of the O'Malley brothers crap. I loved watching Sloan grow into someone who could forgive her sister and learn to stand up for herself against her family.

Once again I'm going to say how I loved seeing all the O'Malley siblings....except Cillian, there wasn't much of him LOL There is soooo much going on that needs to be wrapped up in the last two books. I think I see what is going to happen with Keira and I have no clue how that will work out! I'm dying to know if my guess is right :)

*thanks to Barclay PR for sharing a copy of this with me*

***5 ‘There’s Nowhere You Could Run’ Stars**

That line not only describes Sloan and Jude’s relationship perfectly but all the crazy when it comes to The O’Malley’s and anyone who happens to be in their orbit. This book had it all for me and I had an extremely difficult time putting it down. It had humor, heart, suspense, a good dose of deliciously dirty heat and surprisingly sweet moments throughout the story that kept me turning the pages until the very end.

Sloan O’Malley is the sibling that captured my interest from the start. She appeared to be the weakest of her siblings and yet I couldn’t help but think that if she had the chance she’ be just as lethal as the rest of them if the chains around her were broken and I was right. I loved watching her take chances and grow into the woman that was always there just below the surface.

Jude MacNamara was an interesting character and I found it so easy to fall in love with him. His outlook on the world is definitely not the norm, but considering what his….mmm...occupation is, it’s not all that surprising. What ended up fascinating me was his code of honor as well as the fact that he is a ‘research guy’ and how it extends beyond his occupation. Despite his gruff and at times edit free way of being, he has a huge heart that beats beneath.

I loved how Sloan and Jude first collided and how their relationship evolved from there. While some things happened quickly, others took their time to build and ended up smacking them both upside the head when they least expected it. I loved their interactions and how they ended up helping the other see things in a different way, even when they didn’t want to. And since nothing is ever simple in the world of The O’Malley’s lots of wrenches are thrown their way, but I really liked how they dealt with each one and how they came out stronger together in the end.

As with the previous books you get much more than just the MC’s story, you get bits, pieces and teasers of what is going on in The O’Malley world and it’s done in such a way that it doesn’t distract from the main couple. It gives more depth to the world and makes you want more. There were a few a things I didn’t see coming, but I’m definitely looking forward to watching everything playout!

Final Score - 5 Stars!!!

I've been reading this series from the beginning and will finish/stay with it until the end! I love these interwoven/connected stories of Mafia families, joined together in flesh and blood against all odds ... and for some, against their wishes. Best part ... none of the patriarchs were around, as I can't stand either The O'Malley or The Sheridan fathers.

The story unfolds with an incident that happened thirty-five years ago and helps shape the coming events in this story. The McNamara clan was wiped out ... or so the Sheridan clan thought, as they were the perpetrators. Thus begins a revenge pact made and soaked in blood, but it ends with not only redemption, but a love found in the unlikeliest of places.

Ms. Robert, as always, packs her stories with grit, hard truths, NO damsels in distress (as the females in this series are just as hard-core as their counterparts) and plenty of spicy heat - not for the faint of heart!

Forbidden Promises is a feast for the senses, but for the soul. Sloan and Jude ... GAH! These two from the very start I knew would make my heart ache. They both were used as pawns - him by his mother and Sloan by her father - but together, they made an unstoppable force ... if they just learn to accept each other's faults and weaknesses. Together, they spark into a flame so brightly lit, they combust!

Of course, no mafia novel isn't without danger, and here - there is danger around every corner. As always, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, and this one offers the perfect set up for at least the next two books for the O'Malley children - Aiden, the older brother and Keira, the younger O'Malley. But who will their counterparts be?

You'll have to read to get a glimpse, but it's there.

Love this book. It's the trifecta of ingredients for me. Action, love, and alpha male/mob. This is a new author I'll add to my favorites and I cannot wait to read book 1-3.

Slone O'Malley has walked away from her mob family and is now finding out how sheltered she actually was. What she decides though is that she can now do what she wants.

Jude McNamara, the only living McNamara of his family, is a hit man and he is after the owner of the house next door. The house Sloan is currently living in. While he knows she isn't his target, getting to know her better and getting information from her is something he is ok with.

So while there is a lot that happens, I am scared I'm going to ruin some of it for you so just read it. I promise you'll like it if you like the genres I gave you earlier.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars!

This series is intense, passionate, addictive and filled with so many twists and turns, you'll need a map and a guidebook to navigate it but you'll love every minute of the journey! Katee Robert has created an incredible world filled with drama, passion and suspense that you won't want to leave and FORBIDDEN PROMISES is definitely worth reading.

From all the previous books in this series, Sloan O'Malley was the mousy sibling, pretty much scared of her own shadow and to be honest, my impression of her was that she might need psychiatric help at some point, so color me surprised to see her make a bid for freedom at the end of the preceding book, and successfully too, I might add. But she can't seem to outrun the Boston underworld because she about to get ensnared in a revenge plot that will draw her back into her family's orbit, courtesy of her next door neighbor, who is not exactly who he claims to be.

Every choice Jude MacNamara had made in his life was made with one end goal: taking revenge on the man who cost him his entire family and if it means taking out his enemy's own family, well, an eye for an eye and all that. But his carefully laid plans are about to be torpedoed by the one person he never expected or planned for and he'll have to make a choice between happiness and revenge.

It's fun watching a strong woman wield her power, as Callie and Carrigan did, but it's also so much fun to see a timid woman grow into her power with the support of the right man and I loved that Sloan and Jude were that couple. They had really great chemistry and very little drama between them, but they also knew the world they came from as well as its limitations and didn't pretend to be anything different. Sloan found her confidence once she put some distance between herself and her family, but she really grew into herself with the help of Jude.

For Jude, relationships, family and a future had no place in his life but once Sloan came into it, he had to decide if he could give up his quest for vengeance for the happiness she could bring into his life. His career choice also means that he has made a lot of enemies who would not hesitate to use Sloan against him, but the future he can have with Sloan is worth more to him, so walking away from all of it may not be such a loss after all.

I enjoyed Jude and Sloan a lot but Carrigan has a special place in my heart and I loved that she and James made and appearance in this book and that she made her peace with Sloan.

This is one series I wish did not have so much time between installments because of how engrossing the stories are and also because a refresher is needed before starting every addition. At the heart of it are the three Boston crime families jousting for turf and trying to fend off the encroaching Russian mob from New York and the Feds, but with the families getting all tangled up in marriage and relationships, who's going to be the first to tell them that working together could be better for them?

Besides, with Dmitri Romanov unable to stay away from Keira O'Malley, what does the future hold? And who really is Aiden O'Malley? What does the O'Malley patriarch have to say about what's going on? So many questions that I can't wait to find answers to and if the hints dropped in this book are any indication, the next two books to come are going to be explosive and I cannot wait!

4.5

Last we saw middle sister Sloan O'Malley, she was making the daring escape from her family's stronghold in An Indecent Proposal, and now in Forbidden Promises we find her trying to make a life for herself, on her own terms, outside of the complicated mob life in Boston.

What, or I should say Who, Sloan finds, however, is surly, mysterious next door neighbor Jude MacNamara. Jude, while intrigued by his new neighbor, can't let that interest deter him from his original reason for being in the small town of Callaway Rock. Still, Sloan is right in the crosshairs of Jude's assignment. He might be able to assuage his interest in her and still accomplish what he's in Callaway Rock to do.

Along with breaking away from her family, Sloan is determined to break out of the protective shell she's formed around herself since she was old enough to know that, where he family and their life is concerned, it's better to be able to fade into the background. Jude presents a perfect opportunity for Sloan to finally learn what freedom tastes like. That is, until her past inevitably hunts her down. Then she'll have to rely on the mysterious stranger in more ways than one.

Some readers of the series will recognize who Jude is by his name alone. If you're like me and that detail kind of flew right over your head, don't worry it's quickly cleared up exactly who Jude is an what he's doing in Callaway Rock. But I'm not going to spoil it for anyone.

However, I'd say mainly because of who Jude turns out to be, Forbidden Promises really amps up the feeling of how tangled and messy the woven web is between these families. But it doesn't read messy whatsoever. Katee Robert deftly navigates the feelings of divided loyalty that the O'Malley siblings feel for one another. So far each of them have ties to another Boston crime family, yet they're at odds because of their blood ties to each other. The scope of it all is really quite impressive.

And Sloan is just the latest in the O'Malley clan to go against the norm and form an attachment with someone who would not be first on her father's list (admittedly he wouldn't even make the list). I really liked the image of Sloan breaking out of her shell. Of coming into her own and she really can only accomplish this by being out of the influence of her family. She feels like she's the weak link of the O'Malleys but truly, I feel like she's one of the strongest. Dropping everything you've ever known and thrusting yourself into the unknown without looking back takes an insurmountable amount of courage and strength. I love that Jude is the person (impartial to a point) to help her realize this.

Jude has long held onto the main objective / goal in his life without remorse and without question. I like that Sloan comes along, and for him, gives a different perspective which allows him to let go of some of the anger he's held onto for so long. They form this really great relationship, but I'd say one of the downsides is that I felt with the whirlwind going on around them, I wanted more time for just them. A lot of things happen between Jude and Sloan in this book, and I can only hope that they appear more in the next books to come so we can pretty much just see how they're doing. They are probably my favorite couple since Teague and Callie from The Marriage Contract.

Along with being Jude and Sloan's story, Katee Robert sets up things nicely for Aidan for his book Undercover Attraction and also toys with the notion of things to possibly come for youngest O'Malley sibling Keira. I'm not sure how I feel about her storyline thus far, but I know in Katee Robert's hands, it'll turn into a great read.

Overall, I've been really impressed with this series. I think that, now being four books in, it would be more beneficial to start from the beginning rather than start in the middle so you can really see the development of these characters and the tensions arising, but trust me, this should be no hardship as each book is one that you won't want to put down once you start it.

Forbidden Promises by Katee Robert had everything I enjoy in a mafia romance. There’s the subterfuge between rival families, forbidden love with two opposite, but magnetic characters, and enough steam to fog up the cabin windows. And while I had a hard time connecting with this book, I would still recommend this one.

Sloan O’Malley is on the run from her family. She ends up in a tiny town where she hopes to make a new name for herself. That’s hard to do when her next door neighbor has a beef to pick with an ally of Sloan’s family. Can Sloan ever get out from her family’s past or will she be forced to fall back into the fold?

I enjoyed Sloan. Even though she has been sheltered much of her life, Sloan picks up the pieces and strikes out on her own. She’s willing to do the work to get the life she’s always wanted. She’s a little naive, but never to her detriment and it made her a heroine to admire and root for. The last thing she expects is the solitary and grumpy Jude McNamara to catch her eye—or be her unwilling neighbor.

Jude is definitely rough and brawny, wily and resourceful, and oh, I do love a protective hero. He lives for revenge (his past is absolutely tragic!) and that’s all he’s focusing on. Then Sloan comes in with her innocence and quiet bravery, and he’s enraptured by her. These two have this push-pull thing going on. The attraction is pushing them together and it’s dirty and breathless and exciting. But there’s also this hesitancy and the secrets between them holding them back. Can they give in to each other? It’s only more complicated when both their pasts collide and there’s so much animosity rolling in the background.

By all accounts, I expected to love this story, but something just didn’t vibe with me, personally. I wasn’t connecting with their story. Things happened a bit too fast in the beginning, and by the middle, I found myself drawn more to the secondary characters. I had to put this one down many times which is the only reason I’m giving it 3 stars. I also read this as a standalone. Though I got the gist, I think I would have enjoyed it much more if I had read the other books in this series first. There are so many players and backgrounds and connections that I think the momentum would have been greater if I had.

Overall, I think fans of the O’Malleys series will love this one. I enjoyed the banter and how everything came together, and it kept me reading to the end.

3 stars!

Ms. Robert has another winner on her hands this book was both thrilling and sexy. I enjoy how no one is all good or all bad . Ms. Robert characters live in the gray world that make the gang life a way of like, Very enjoyable series.

It’s time for the quiet O’Malley to tell her story, if there is such a thing!

I love this series so much but boy is it confusing with all of the family members and their overlapping relationships. I need a family tree just to be able to remember where the story is up to before starting each new book. This time we’re spending time with Sloan O’Malley and another new crime family character, Jude McNamara.

Jude’s family have been wiped out by Colm Sheridan and now he’s ready to exact his own brand of revenge. With Sorcha O’Connor (nee Sheridan) his first target, he is shocked when he finds Sloan living in her house. Sloan, having escaped the family ties thanks to her brother Teague who smuggled her out without Aidan’s knowledge, is now trying to live a more peaceful and happy existence. Sloan has found herself a job and is carving out a happy life for herself in a sleepy seaside town but her mysterious neighbour causes her some consternation. Frustratingly attracted to Jude, Sloan finds him rude and distant especially after their initial unfortunate meeting but when Jude realises exactly who Sloan is, he decides to act on his attraction to her and to use it to his benefit. The only problem…. he didn’t anticipate falling in love with Sloan.

With Sloan coming to realise that Jude isn’t who he initially appeared to be, she soon comes to realise that she is no longer as safe as she had hoped to be, especially with Dmitri Romanov hunting her down.

I have to say, Dmitri is a bit of a favourite character of mine and I love his interactions with the youngest but perhaps most determined O’Malley, Keira. She may party hard but she also knows how to protect herself and despite goading Dmitry at every opportunity, he’s yet to break his resolve where she is concerned. I can’t wait to see where their story goes next.

This book clearly leads readers towards a shown down of epic proportions between Jude, Dmitri and the Sheridan's but just when you expect a lengthy and embittered clash between the warring families, the story just fizzles out and the book ends. As I was watching my reading percentage reaching 90%, I was starting to wonder if this book would end on a cliff-hanger but it didn’t, I was instead left slightly disappointed by a rather flat conclusion to the story. I enjoyed Jude and Sloan’s connection and developing relationship, probably more so when they were away from the O’Malley’s etc but it was inevitable that Sloan would be found and she would once again become a political pawn.

The next story is Aidan’s and the ex-cop he has been investigating, Charlotte Finch. It is already clear that Aidan is going to meet his match where Charlotte is concerned and I can’t wait to read it.

This is the first book in this series that I have read and I have to go back to read the other books, this one was so good. Great characters, intense drama, sexy times and a great plot. Between Jude’s brooding, revenge-seeking, badass attitude and Sloan’s quieter, strong, protecting ways, it was hard to put the book down. LOVED, LOVED this story.

I cannot wait to read Aiden’s book. Thinking Dmitri will need a story also.

3.5 Stars - This would have probably been a 4 star book if I had read the previous books in this series but I haven't and there was a lot of backstory that took place in these books that was referred to. I wasn't lost but I did feel like I was missing some pieces of the puzzle and that I would have had a deeper understanding of some of the characters had I read the previous books. Although you can read this as a stand alone I don't think I'd recommend that since I believe the enjoyment level would be higher if you read the previous books.

This book centers around Sloan who is the quieter and usually obedient sibling in an Irish Mafia family. Sloan knows that she is to be married off to another Family for the purpose of an alliance and so with the help of one of her brother's and his wife she disappears. She just wants a fresh start and to be able to do some of the things she's never been able to previously. Sloan is staying in a cabin that belongs to her sister in law's aunt and working for the first time as a waitress at a diner. Her next door neighbor is a gorgeous, mysterious man who has made it obvious he doesn't want to get to know her but she can't help but be intrigued.

Jude MacNamara is pretending to be a writer but he's really there for vengeance and he has no time for the innocent woman who is staying next door. Jude is the last surviving MacNamara and he wants revenge on the family who ordered the slaughter of his father and brothers. His mother raised him to seek retribution and that is his only goal in life. Jude knows that the cabin Sloan is staying at is connected to the family he wants vengeance on but he doesn't know who she is or how she fits into the picture.

The background of three Irish Mafia families who have ruled the underworld of Boston for generations is fascinating. Things have started to change recently though with the mixing of the families through marriage and the new Russian Family that is trying to move in. Sloan's family is in a state of flux dealing with the rapid changes of marriage, family members in prison and different goals between siblings.

The dynamic changes once again when Jude discovers who Sloan is. He has a lot of tough decisions to make and forces from varied places pushing him in different directions. He wants Sloan but can he give up his need for revenge in order to keep her safe? I really enjoyed both Sloan and Jude and the chemistry was intense. Jude and Sloan had some hot sex scenes and Jude's dirty talk was explosive. Sloan was able to go from quiet, obedient good girl to a woman who knew what she wanted and who was willing to go after it. I loved watching her come out of her shell during this story. She has very complicated but loving relationships with her siblings and this book kept me on the edge of my seat to see how it would all play out in the end.

The typical forbidden romance trope took on a new and fresh life in this book and the secondary characters have me wanting to go back and read the previous books. An intense, suspenseful story with complex characters and motivations!

I cannot believe I gave this only two stars. I didn't think I lived in a world where this was in the realm of possibility! I love Katee Robert and I LOVE The O'Malleys series. I've been looking forward to Jude and Sloan's book for ages and fully expected to enjoy it.

Instead, I found myself feeling disconnected from the characters and overall disengaged from the story. There were elements of Jude and particularly Sloan I liked but the characterization and dialogue came across as formulaic and at times over the top. (I cannot believe I just wrote that. It's killing me I didn't like this book more. I'm quite certain I'll be the exception, not the rule.) At the same time, the novel moved the overarching plot of the series forward and I'm very much looking forward to reading Aiden and Keira's respective books when they're released.

Sloan has finally escaped from her controlling family and is just starting to live her life. Jude is looking for the woman whose house Sloan is living in so he can kill her. Sloan is drawn to tough sexy Jude and he's fascinated by her good girl attitude. Unfortunately a blood feud between two families, criminal pasts, and a vendetta come between them. A good romance about second chances.

Forbidden Promises is the fourth book in The O’Malley’s series. I’ve only read one other book in the series. I initially thought I screwed up with not reading the other novels as this one confused the heck out of me at the start. So many families. So much hatred. MacNamara? Revenge? Huh? What’s going on? But that initial confusion didn’t last too long. I actually enjoyed the trying to disentangle all the lies and secrets.

Sloan was pretty awesome. She started off not having a clue about basically anything. But she escaped her family and she was going to be normal – even going so far as to get a cliché waitressing job. A backbone appeared at some point. Go Sloan!

Jude was your typical way too hot brooding alpha male. He was pushy and dominant until it came to making up his mind about Sloan. Naturally, then he turned wishy washy. *Rolls eyes* But then a few unexpected happenings converge into one moment and Jude has to decide whether to man up or not. Let the action begin!

Forbidden Promises is full of action, intrigue, and heat. The sex scenes are hot but luckily are interspersed throughout the novel so that the story is not only a romance with lots of sex but also a suspenseful novel that keeps the reader turning the pages. I recommend giving it a try.

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Forbidden Promises by Katee Robert
Book Four of the O'Malleys series
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: May 30, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

All Sloan O’Malley ever wanted was a simple life—and now she’s finally got it. She’s left everything behind in Boston—her family, her money, even her name—and set herself up in a tiny seaside town in Oregon. What she doesn’t plan for? Her mysterious and painfully attractive neighbor, Jude.

Jude MacNamara has been many things in his life—pampered son of a prestigious family, only surviving heir to a lost legacy, hit man—but now he’s out for revenge on the man responsible for the death of his father and brothers—Colm Sheridan. He’s tracking Colm’s sister when he encounters Sloan living with her in her beach house. He’s a patient hunter and he’s willing to sit back and wait for his prey...he just doesn’t expect for this woman to give rise to emotions he hasn’t felt in years.

He doesn’t want to see Sloan hurt, but in order to protect her, he will have to turn his back on the one thing he’s spent his life pursuing—revenge. Even then, there’s no guarantee either one of them will make it out alive.

What I Liked:

From the start, I knew that this would be a very different book compared to the previous three. I loved The Marriage Contract, and enjoyed The Wedding Pact and An Indecent Proposal. The books have been incredibly engrossing, entertaining, and sexy. This book was all of those things, and yet it is distinct when compared to its predecessors. I loved Jude and Sloan's story - I think theirs is my second-favorite of the series now!

Sloan O'Malley, the fifth O'Malley child in a brood of seven, has finally gotten out. With the help of her older brother Teague, she has fled Boston and is neatly ensconced in a small seaside town in Oregon with an old woman - Sorcha Sheridan. Everything is new and interesting to her... especially her next-door neighbor. Little does she know, Jude MacNamara has been watching her new house. He has been tracking Colm Sheridan's sister for a long time, for revenge. And now he has found her, but he didn't expect Sloan O'Malley to appear. Sloan doesn't know at first who Jude really is, but it doesn't matter: one looks is all it takes. Jude and Sloan can't keep away from each other. But it's not long before the dangers of Boston catch up with Sloan, and Jude's own deals catch up with him. Jude will have to choose between his plans of revenge and his growing feelings for Sloan, and Sloan will have to decide if Jude is worth it.

This book had a bit of a different tone, compared to the others. Maybe because most of the book is far-removed from Boston, and all of the crime stuff in Boston? Not that the crime stuff doesn't come up - remember, Jude is very much involved in all of that (not that Sloan knows, at first). But the crime and the Russian mafia and all that aren't physically present in most of this book. Which makes the story a little more about our couple, especially in the first half.

I always felt bad for Sloan in the previous books, but I didn't love her, necessarily. She seemed a bit bland to me, and not outwardly strong as her older sister Carrigan, or her sister-in-law Callie. She isn't as stubborn and rebellious as her younger sister Keira. She's just Sloan. young and innocent and desperate to get out of the crime that surrounds her life. Right? Well. Sloan is much tougher than she outwardly appears, and she is her own brand of strong.

Jude is a rough, gruff, no-nonsense hardened man who is the last of a dynasty - the MacNamara's. He is bent on revenge and wants nothing in his way, so he isn't quite sure what to do with his instant attraction to Sloan, at first. But he is also a man of action, and he likes to have all of the control. Jude has made himself believe that he is a cold, merciless, heartless man who isn't worth more than his revenge, but that isn't true at all. This book is as much about Jude's self-worth as it is about Sloan's.

The two of them together are incredibly hot! The attraction and lust are there from the start. The sex starts off very early, which I don't always love, but I was fine with it in this book. The first half of the book is very focused on Jude and Sloan's physical attraction to each other, and there is a loooot of sex. The second half of the book deals more with their growing emotional connection, and the growing threat of Dmitri Romanov. But back to June and Sloan's chemistry - so hot. Jude is 100% alpha, and Sloan is... well, she isn't a meek and submissive innocent, but she is innocent and she likes it Jude being controlling and demanding, when it comes to sex. The two of them fit perfectly together and in so many ways.

So the physical attraction started off very quickly, but the emotional connection took longer. I liked seeing Jude and Sloan slowly trust each other and lean on each other. They don't know each other for very long before they have to make several decisions about Sloan's safety. But they begin to trust in their feelings for each other, which was sweet to see.

There is one trope that appears in this book that I usually hate - but I found that I did not mind it at all, in this book. The presence of this trope makes sense to me, and its purpose is something I understand. I love how the author switches up romances and relationships and keeps things original or at least on shuffle.

Don't think that this is purely a romance novel! It's dark romance, and the crime aspect of this series does not disappear at all, don't worry. The second half of the book really picks up speed with several crime-related plots, both back in Boston and in Oregon. The ending is pretty explosive! In terms of crime, and in terms of Jude and Sloan's relationship. Not in a bad way!

I love how we don't just get Jude and Sloan's POV. Occasionally (very rarely), we read from Aiden's, and Dmitri's. While Aiden has definitely grown on me, it is Dmitri who I have really gotten to like. I can't wait to read his and Keira's book (O'Malleys #6)! The snippets in this book between him and Keira are downright tantalizing.

I'm going to wrap this up and end with saying that I really enjoyed this book. It's my second-favorite, or possibly my favorite, tied with The Marriage Contract (I don't know that any of these books will touch Teague's - though maybe #6 will!). This book was different compared to the rest of the series, and so, so good.

What I Did Not Like:

Nothing specific that I can think of! Though this book is not getting a five-star rating.

Would I Recommend It:

I highly recommend this book, especially since it's one of my favorites of the series! I've not read a series like this one, but I can say with confidence that no one writes crime/dark romance like Katee Robert. In my opinion. I highly recommend this series in general!

Rating:

4.5 stars -> rounded down to 4 stars. I am looking forward to reading Undercover Attraction (Aiden and Charlie's story)! But more so, Dmitri and Keira's, which publishes in February 2018. This series is easily one of my favorite adult romance series of all time!

I've only read one other book by Ms. Robert before and it wasn't from this series, so I was glad this story could be read as a stand-alone, even though it would have been nice to read the previous books encompassing the heroine's siblings. However, in saying that, the way this story started had me sympathizing with the heroine due to the dilemma Sloan is facing with what she's going to do with her life now that she's finally free of her family's hold over her, and I liked how she's moving forward to take care of herself. Will she thrive in the small town she's found herself in?

As for the dialogue, it was riveting and intense due to the main characters back stories, especially that of the hero. He wants revenge for what happened to his entire family, and he'll stop at nothing to get it. Can Sloan convince Jude that revenge is no longer the right solution to what happened to his family? That if he continues on the path he is on, his revenge could have consequences, especially with the knowledge she has about who he's targeting. However, there was also another side to the dialogue I enjoyed and that was the hero and his dirty talk. It's hot, sinful and certainly ups the sexual tension between this couple until their intense chemistry spills over onto the pages in sizzling sex scenes that illustrated Sloan needed a man like Jude to show her just how good physical intimacy can be.

Sloan was a wonderful heroine and I could understand why she needed to escape her family, because she doesn't want to be used as a pawn to cement the family's power. Moreover, Sloan is resilient and courageous and I liked all she's done to get to where she is in her life; a life she'll actually be able to enjoy without having to worry what her family will expect of her. Even if she does miss them and may have to worry that someone may discover her whereabouts someday. While Jude, he was an intriguing hero that I thought definitely deserved his vengeance for what happened to his family. I also loved how protective he was of the heroine once he discovered who she was and that he wouldn't give in to the demands of someone trying to use him to suit their own agenda.

Overall, this was a really good read encompassing the forbidden romance trope, secondary characters that have me wanting to read the previous books and the next in this series and an ending that had me wanting to know what Sloan's family would do once they discovered who she was involved with. Would they let her go for good? Would they try to keep her away from Jude? Would Jude be able to keep Sloan safe, especially with what's going on with her? I would recommend Forbidden Promises by Katee Robert, if you enjoy the forbidden relationship trope, the sexy protector trope or books by authors Samanthe Beck, Lauren Blakely or Kaylea Cross.

This was a great book! I love this series, and I was so looking forward to this book. It did not disappoint!

Sloan O'Malley just left everything behind and ran. She's from a Boston mob family and she wanted out. The only thing her future would have held was a political marriage, arranged by her father, and she wanted no part of it. Her older sister Carrigan, the heroine from book 2, had already ventured out on her own, in a different way, and Sloan decided to get out too, and for good. Her older brother Teague, the hero from book 1, offered to help her disappear, and she took him up on it. He sent her to Oregon to a house owned by his wife's aunt, with whom his wife, Callie Sheridan, has never had contact before now. Sloan thought she would be safe. But, are any of us ever really safe? Especially someone like Sloan, who comes from a family of criminals. A family with many enemies.

Jude MacNamara is a hit man. He's the last surviving member of his family. The rest of them having been taken out by the head of the Sheridan family, another of the 3 major Boston mob families. He swore revenge for his family, and he's spent his whole life going about getting it. He's biding his time in Oregon, waiting for his next target to finally show up. He bought the house next door in order to lie low and wait for her to arrive. His target is the sister of the man who killed his family. But, who shows up to stay in the house but Sloan, with no idea about anything going on behind the scenes. Jude is taken with her from the first, but he has no intention of letting her, or anyone, disrupt his plans. Best laid plans, however...

Jude is a huge guy, and thanks to the authors dedication, I have to assume his resemblance to Brock O'Hurn is to be insinuated. Yes, please. He's dark, and broody, and he catches Sloan's attention right away. But, he was rude to her the first night she hit town, and now she's a bit wary. She has no idea how wary she should be! Jude is drawn to Sloan's innocence, and her strength. She doesn't see strength in herself, but he sees beneath the surface, and he likes what he sees. Much more than he should. It leads him to thinking about a different kind of life, for the first time ever. I absolutely loved the dynamic between them.

Neither Sloan, nor Jude, nor any of the main characters in this series are true innocents, or heroes. They have all seen and done very bad things. Sometimes to survive, sometimes for power. Even Sloan, though she was a virgin, and had never been directly involved in her family's business, has witnessed things that could put her family members in jail, but she would never dream of going to the police. Nothing is black and white. It's all about shades of gray in this world, and the gray is so intriguing. The author makes you love them all, against all odds.

Sloan and Jude had chemistry like whoa. They were combustible from the start, and the filthy mouth on Jude was sexy as all get out. They had to take a long winding journey in order to truly be together, and I loved every second of it. They really had to struggle, and they both put themselves in harm's way, to fight for their life together. The pacing was quick and exciting, and you never knew what new obstacle would pop up. I love the excitement of the world in this series.

One of the great things about this series is how the romance plots are HEA, while the ongoing issues in the mob war continue throughout. I'm really looking forward to the last 2 books, to see how everything ends up. There is so much brewing for the oldest O'Malley brother, Aiden's, book, which is next in the series. It will be followed by the final book, youngest sister Keira, and their NYC enemy, Dmitri Romanov. Fireworks will abound, and I can't wait to see them. Another great story!!

Love, Love, Love!

I was a little worried when the scenery changed to the west coast, but I didn't need to be. Forbidden Promises was both fast paced and sweet and I read it all in one sitting. I found Sloane to be very relate-able, which in a book that features a crime family I wasn't expecting. I really enjoyed that previous characters were brought back and that the story is starting to get deeper and more puzzle pieces are falling in to place. I can't wait for the next one!

Katee Robert is at her best with her The O'Malleys series. I haven't been this invested in a mob family series in a long time, and these books hit all the right note for me. I have loved all the books in this series, so evidently I could not wait until I could get my hands on Forbidden Promises. Katee Robert certainly didn't make the wait easier as she shared ridiculously sexy teasers that made me want to meet Jude ASAP. I'm thrilled that this book was just as good as the previous books for me, but now I'm left wanting even more!

Even though these books tell the story of one sibling at a time, I do think it's a series better experienced if you read them in order, because you see everyone in each book. I have been fascinated by Sloan ever since we met her, but especially after the rift she has with her sister. At the end of the last book, she runs away from home, and that's where Forbidden Promises starts off. Compared to her siblings, Sloan was a little more reserved and withdrawn, but here we get to see her character shine. She learns to become independent, and her inner strength emerges in small but substantial ways. I especially loved when she started putting her foot down, because she was tired of being tossed around. Her growth was one of the best elements of the book. There was a hidden sadness to her that broke my heart a little, but I was thrilled that she found her happiness in Forbidden Promises.

She finds that with Jude McNamara, a cold killer hell bent on avenging the murder of his family. I know it feels weird to swoon over a killer like Jude, but I did. There was an intensity to him that made him very appealing as a book character, and despite being this rough-around-the-edges, manly man, he was nothing but gentle with Sloan. His treatment of her, was what had me giddy. He slowly started to show his more emotional side as the story progressed, so I was a goner by the end. His chemistry and romance with Sloan was sweltering. It was sexy, passionate and gave me goosebumps. Like I said, he was gentle, patient and absolutely head-over-heels for her, and I found that to be very attractive. After all that they had gone through in their lives, they deserved to find happiness, and they could not have complemented each other better.

There was a lot more family drama in Forbidden Promises, and though I love the O'Malleys fiercely, they also drive me bonkers with how meddlesome they can be. But these siblings still love each other, and would do anything to protect one another. We see more progress with Aiden's character too here, and I AM DYING to read his book, which is out in November. Then there's my favorite bastard, Dmitri, pretty much the villain in this series, but I am completely obsessed with how ruthless this guy is. He's going to be paired up with Keira, and we see some of their first interactions in Forbidden Promises, and they certainly look promising (pun intended!).

Forbidden Promises was another sexy, and dark installment in The O'Malleys series. I highly recommend these books, especially if you're a fan of tpe-curling forbidden romances, with a heavy focus on family drama.