*4.5 stars*

The tangled web gets even more tangled…

The O’Malley siblings were back and things were heating up once again! This drama-filled series hasn’t stopped for breath once and Sloan’s story amped it up even higher….

Sloan had broken away from her family. She loved them but living with them wasn’t an option any longer. She couldn’t live with the fear, she was simply not made that way. Finding her own path was the only way to be free and even if she stumbled she would make it… Jude, on the other hand, had been alone forever. He had nothing and no one to stop him from finding the revenge he worked towards his whole life. Nothing until a beautiful woman stopped him cold in his tracks…

OMG! The twists and turns never stopped when Sloan and Jude make an unexpected connection. Lust, love, tenderness, protectiveness… If their situations weren’t already crazy, the odds of them making a go of it were zero to none. Of course, I wanted it to work out. And with Jude and Sloan at the helm…

Jude needed love as much as Sloan had it to give and when they finally got on the same page, anything was possible. If complicated family wasn’t bad enough try three or four of the deadliest around, and then try to make love work. Yeah, I had no idea how it was going to play out so it was a nail-biter all the way through. A wonderful, stomach-achey, head-pounding, nail-biter.

I loved this instalment and can’t wait to find out what is in store for Aiden and Keira. Though I have a feeling I know what to do with my time while I wait… This story had me dusting off the yoga mat in search of my own zen!

This is yet another action packed and sexy romance in the O'Malley series! Sloan is the middle child and she's taken matters into her own hands to escape the craziness of the O'Malley world in Boston. Little does she know that Jude, her neighbor in the small coastal town that she's moved into is a mob assassin looking for revenge against one of the families now allied with the O'Malleys. 

Sloan and Jude are well matched, hiding their secrets until they are too big to contain. Coming from the same kind of background they understand how a bad guy or gal can still have good qualities. Plus they are super sexy together! Looking forward to continuing with Aiden's story!

Addictive read! Reads well as a standalone, I came into the series here, and now I can't wait to go back and read the rest!

I'm not usually one for the mafia romances, but for whatever reason the O'Malleys just work for me. I really enjoy this series. It doesn't hurt that Robert writes excellent dirty talk and sexy times. ;)


I was a bit unsure about Jude, not going to lie. He's a hit man and he's after Sloan's new sister-in-law and her family. [Spoiler: he doesn't end up going after them, don't worry!]. But Robert pulled it off. I think it's because yes, he could be very possessive and take-control, but he was never a dickhead alphahole. And Sloan would stand up to him if he ever even tried to tell her what to do -- outside of the bedroom, that is. In the bedroom, she's fine with him having control, but during non-sexy times, she won't jump just because he said jump. And I loved that about her, and it's what makes their dynamic work for me. I need a strong heroine to go toe-to-toe with an alpha hero like this. And I totally got that, so yay!


Their chemistry and dirty talk is A+++. No complaints here.


This book does move some of the series plot along and sets up some things for the final books. I would say this is a series you really should read in order, both to get to know the various characters and players in this game, but also to understand the history of families and their fights, etc.


Definitely recommend this series if you enjoy taking a bit of walk on the that's-not-exactly-legal side of things. This series really isn't that dark, which is probably why I like it. The characters aren't innocents, by any means, but they do still have a pretty good set of morals and whatnot, which prevents it from taking a turn for the iffy, like some other "romances" out there lately. All I can say is I have a good time with this series and I’m looking forward to the next books.

Sloan had no job experience and she had never had to put herself to the test and it was horrifying to realize how sheltered she had been when it came to actual life skills. The money her brother Teague had sent  her would last  her a few more weeks but she didn’t want to have to use that money. Sloan was just tired of watching life go by. That’s why she had left her family, leaving at night going from Boston to Washington state- across the country. Without saying a word. She knew her family would look for her. If Teague ahd to send her more money it would be easy for her father to find her. Sheamus  O’Malley - Sloan’s father- was a cold hearted butt who had millions in the bank and a lot of unsavory connections. One daughter had already got away. Sloan wanted to stand on her own two feet for the first time. Sloan was at a diner trying to get a job with no work experience at all. The owner Marge decided to give Sloan a chance to her surprise.  Sloan did miss her family. All Sloan wanted to do was get away from her Irish crime lord father. Teague’s wife Callie got her aunt Sorcha to let Sloan stay in her cottage as she wasn’t there. Jude was in the cottage not far from Sloan and on the first night she had mistakenly went to his cottage and Jude had been rude and short to her. Jude didn't want Sloan or anyone near his cottage or him. Jude hated small towns  as the people want to know everyone else’s business. Jude had to run off over a dozen attempts to welcome him to the town. He was there under the guise of being a writer. Jude was here for a job he wasn't staying. He was looking for Sorcha who was Callie’s aunt. He had broken into the house to see if there was any clues to where Sorcha was. Now there was a woman who was definitely wasn’t Sorcha. Jude killed people for a living and Sorcha was his target but this was personal. These days the people Jude associated with were  people who made their living on the underbelly of society. They didn’t blink at the choices Jude made or the path that had brought him to them.Jude got hard thinking of the hunger in Sloans eyes when her and his eyes had meant recently. But Jude had no business thinking like that, not while he was on the hunt and he’d spent his entire life preparing for. Jude had never been innocent  he had never had the chance, No chance since the moment Cohn Sheridan  had  declared the death sentence on Jude’s father and brothers. The same death sentence he would have had if Cohn had known Jude’s mother was pregnant. So his mother whispered about revenge in his ear all his life. So his life had been planned for this perfect revenge. Jude and Sloan have hot chemistry. Jude knows he should stay away from Sloan but he can’t help himself. Then Jude realizes how dangerous he  is for Sloan and Sloan for him. When she gets a chance Sloan is willing to be brave and go after a man she knows she has no future with. To be brave several times for him. 
I enjoyed this book. I liked the plot a lot. I loved how determined Sloan was to make it on her own even though she had been so sheltered. She wanted to get away from her father and his Irish Mafia dealings. I advise everyone to read this series in order so everything is clear. I love the growth Sloan went through during this book. This dragged for me at times. This book had danger, intrigue, murder, Irish Mafia, action, revenge, suspense, family, and so much more. This kept my interest from beginning to end. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I recommend

I have attempted other Mob stories in the past and have always just stopped. They don’t hold my interest. That is until the O’Malley series came out. The O’Malley’s are an Irish Mob family located in Boston. If you read the first three book, then you know why Sloan is no longer in Boston. Read the other books before you read this one, it will help. Review may contain spoilers from the previous books.

Sloan is out- out of Boston, out of the family business, out of her daddy’s reach to hand her off in a business related marriage. Finally, she can breathe deeply. Sure she misses her siblings but she loves her life now. Only bump in the road is her next door neighbor who is sex on a stick. Jude is hiding something and she needs to either figure it out or leave him alone.

Sloan was my least favorite character in the entire family. Yepper, even below her daddy. I felt that she was weak, and judgmental. She hurt Carrigan time and time again with that judgement. It made me mad, and honestly I just didn’t like her. Then this book came along. Sloan shows that instead of weak she is strong. She runs from her family and tries to strike out on her own. She finds a job, she learns how to live on her own. Then she learns that one cannot always run from their roots. Instead of jumping ship and running again, she does something surprising. She fights.

Jude is a surprise as there is a lot of family history between his family and the three remaining families in Boston. He is the last MacNamara. If you are not picking up what I am putting down, read the series it is worth it. Earlier I stated that he is sex on a stick, man is he ever. He has the whole gruffy, don’t mess with me thing going on. He tries to keep Sloan at a distance, even as he watches out for her. She puts him on edge, makes him forget his purpose. 

Sloan left with a very dangerous man looking for her, Dmitri Romanov. When he finds her, things will get ugly. Will he be able to keep these young lovebirds apart? Or will her family have to intervene?

Forbidden Promise is the perfect addition to this series. Although, it is less about the family business and more about Sloan’s development the reader needed that. Sloan’s growth in this book and her acknowledgement of her family makes this book worth the read. If you love mob stories, you are going to be captured by the first page. If you typically avoid them like the plague, try this series out. It will change your mind and leave you asking when is Aiden’s book coming out already? The answer is Nov. 28th dear readers so you have some time to get caught up in the O’Malley world. 

My Rating 4 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote Kindness for the sake of kindness wasn’t something in her realm of experience.

Other People

Dmitri Romanov- Russian mobster
Teague- Sloan’s brother
Callista- Sloan’s sister-in-law
Carrigan- Sloan’s sister
James-Carrigan’s boyfriend
Aiden- Sloan’s brother

I love a little romance mixed with danger. This book is your classic version of bad guy meets good girl, bad guy grows a conscience. But the action and the ties between different families, the complications, made me spend an entire day finishing it. I must mention this is the 4th book in the series and the 1st I read. It can be treated as a standalone, but I would recommend you read the previous ones as well. It will give you a better understanding of the relationships formed and the ties between the families.

Sloan has been aware of the crime in and around her family, but she has managed to maintain a distance, trying not to let drugs or killings affect her. With the help of one of her brothers, she escapes to an isolated town on the beach, to avoid a future any of the daughters of the O’Malley family feared: being married to other lords of the crime scene, so that the family could gain more power. She never expected to fall in love, especially with Jude McNamara, a guy with a hunger for revenge more powerful than anything. He, on the other hand, only wants some fun and information.

This book is action-packed from start to end, with some twists and a good dose of sexual activities. Told on the third person, we get to experience both our main characters. The author also gave us the opportunity to explore the story from all angles. We even get to see some glimpses from some other characters, and that stimulates our chase for the other books in the series.

Sloan maintains her opinions throughout the book. She keeps her distance from the war between crime lords, even trying not to get between her brothers. She loves her family, but understands she’s different than all of them. If one of her sisters is married (happily) to one of the leaders of the crime life, trying to set him on the right path, the other sister is leading a life that drugs and alcohol dictate. Sloan just wants tranquility and she’s willing to fight for it. For a girl used to have it all, or better not used to do anything, she is brave enough to get a job and live on her own. She has seen and heard enough not to let herself collapse in tears. I loved her personality a lot! She’s one character that does not change at all, mainly because she has reached a point of maturity, where she will explore only her sexuality.

Jude only wants revenge on the Sheridans for killing his family. He has waited all his life for the perfect opportunity. However, he has not taken into account this innocent girl that makes him crazy with desire. He will unleash passion inside Sloan, while she will give him hope. But it all seems impossible to achieve.

I enjoyed every chapter and I cannot wait to get into Dimitri’s story. This is what I mostly loved about this book: it makes me read the next character’s life. However, I did not enjoy the full on sex talk. It did not sit well with how pure Sloan is. Other than that, no other complaints. I will add this series on my list and Kate Roberts is definitely an author worth following. Enjoy!

I love her writing and I love her. Just enough romance and just enough action to make me happy.

Oh those O’Malleys!!!  I cannot get enough of this mafia family!

“A man could lose himself with the sound of his name on your lips.”
~ Forbidden Promises (The O’Malleys #4) by Katee Robert 

Sloan O’Malley has gone to great lengths to leave her family behind and start a new life.  She wasn’t planning for Jude MacNamara….

It has been a few months since I have read this book and I have to tell you that I am still in love with this book!

The O’Malleys series is mysterious, sexy, and makes you feel like part of the family.  I am always cheering this family on!

“This is what matters.  Not them.  Not the past.  Not a war that will start another war and another and another.  Us.”
~ Forbidden Promises (The O’Malleys #4) by Katee Robert 

If you are a lover of mafia books, then you need to fall in love with the O’Malleys!

The next book in this series, Undercover Attraction (The O’Malleys, #5), releases November 28th!  I have it on my kindle right now and let me tell you, you all are going to love it!


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I'm sorry, for whatever reason I couldn't get into this book. I tried a couple of times, but it just didn't connect.

I LOVE this series so much and Sloan and Jude's book was just as awesome and I hoped it would be. This series gets better with every book!

Okay so if you have been following The O’Malley series so far you’ll have a decent idea as to what is going on with this story and review. If you haven’t been reading this series, some of the details may be a little difficult to follow. I will try and do my best to make sure this review makes as much sense as possible, but not promises. 

Sloan O’Malley is a daughter in the O’Malley crime family. She can never lead the family even if she wanted to, because she’s a woman. All Sloan has ever wanted was to be free of her family and not be married off to some rich and powerful crime family for an alliance. So with the help of her older brother Teague (who has his own book) she escapes. Now Sloan is free to do whatever she wants and be happy. Only problem is the sexy man who lives across the street. Jude MacNamara has been seeking revenge against the family that hurt his since he could remember. He’s a hit man and has been scouting the house Sloan is currently living in for some time. Jude thinks he can use Sloan for information, but he soon becomes protective of her and doesn’t want anything to happen to her. 

I enjoyed Sloan’s book. I hadn’t really liked her in the other books, but I felt like she came into her own. It was nice to see her be able to grow into a strong independent woman outside the confines of her family. She’s fearless and I enjoyed reading about her strength. Jude’s character fell a little flat for me at times since it felt like he’s rumored to be this badass killer, but then he gets Sloan and him into a lot of trouble for not being able to out think everyone around them. It was a little irritating and inconsistent. 

Overall I enjoyed this story. I keep going back and forth between 4 and 4.5 bats, so maybe 4.25? The story was enjoyable, lots of action, character development, and romance.

I want to say upfront, if not for the foreshadowing of the next book, I probably would have given Forbidden Promises 3.5 stars. But I feel comfortable giving 4 because the foreshadowing is part of the book. I don't know if that makes sense...but part of why I kept reading was the more exciting storyline that would be coming...

Back on track. This is another fun suspense from Katee Robert. The pattern of the previous books is very much alive and well, but the characters are unique enough tho the s I want to say upfront, if not for the foreshadowing of the next book, I probably would have given Forbidden Promises 3.5 stars. But I feel comfortable giving 4 because the foreshadowing is part of the book. I don't know if that makes sense...but part of why I kept reading was the more exciting storyline that would be coming...

Back on track. This is another fun suspense from Katee Robert. The pattern of the previous books is very much alive and well, but the characters are unique enough tho the series that it's okay. Yeah, you kinda know how it's going down, but not completely. There are still enough surprises to keep things from getting boring. Oh, and if Robert knows how to do anything without question, it's write one HELL of a sex scene. Like, holy-crap-i-need-new-panties-and-a-vibrator-right-this-second sex scenes.

Katee Robert brings us another titillating tale in The O'Malley series.

Sloan O'Malley has made a run for it, a chance for a life outside the family influence.

Jude is the last of his family and over the last several years he's systemically sought revenge on the family that took his.

A chance encounter brings these two together and the more time they spend together, the stronger their bond becomes. And when a threat is directed toward Sloan, Jude will stop at nothing to keep her safe and in his arms.

And when all is said and done, will Sloan choose to return to her family or leave everything behind and start a new life with Jude?

Forbidden Promises is an engrossing, scintillating read that keeps the read on the edge of their seat from start to finish. The O'Malley may not be a typical family, but you can't help by appreciate the love they have for each other.

Jude and Sloan are complete opposites yet completely perfect for each other. I loved watching them fight their attraction and then in the end submit to it. Neither want to attempt the love that is there, but they refuse to give up on their relationship.

Jude isn't your typical hero given his past, but he'll make you swoon over and over again with how he treats, protects, and loves Sloan. He'd go to the end of the world for her and that is something you can't help be love.

I always love picking up a Katee Robert book with her ability to draw a reader into the story and Forbidden Promises is everything you hope for. I love The O'Malley series and can't wait to see what Katee will give us next.

I love the O'Malley's! And I think Jude MacNamara might be my favorite hero so far. Sloan has left her family and their "influence" to strike out on her own. She doesn't have any job skills but she's still going to make it work. Somehow. Jude sees his new neighbor who is staying in the house he's watching. And Jude can't keep his eyes to himself. He's 6'6" so he's big anyway but Sloan is short and so he just wants to take care of her. 

A sweet, sometimes gritty story, but a great read!

Forbidden Promises is the fourth book in the The O’Malley series and the second book I have read by Katee Roberts (which the first was The Wedding Pact The O’Malley #2, Carrigan and James story). As in the first book my second read had suspense, hot steamy sex, hot alpha males, and take no crap from those alpha males females except in the bedroom. 

Jude is only after one thing and that is revenge on the one family that took his family away from him before he was born. In steps Sloan into his life and makes him look at life totally different. Will he seek revenge against the Sheridan family or will the connection that Sloan has to that family seek revenge in another way. 

Wow the chemistry between Jude and Sloan was out of this world, Katee can sure write a sexy sex scene, makes me what Jude for myself, oops I didn’t say that being a happily married woman. This book has a little suspense, mystery and some really sexy alpha mafia men, they may be alphas but they ladies know how to handle those alphas. Now this reader needs to go back and grab the first and third books in The O’Malleys series before the next book comes out, Katee Roberts has me hooked. Grab a copy and find out why this reader is hooked!

I received a free book for my honest review!

I am cheering Sloan's move of leaving her mob family behind. This mousey woman finally allows her backbone to come out in this book #4 of the O'Malley series showing the reader a woman who finally comes into her own. The author slowly unravels Sloan's hard won independence and it is done with great finesse keeping the reader interested in how this book will end. The reader will continually cheer each time she overcomes another obstacle.

For all those readers, out there who like alpha men, meet Jude MacNamara. Just wow! That being said I was quite mesmerized with the thought of how the author could turn this stone killer into a man worthy of Sloan or any women for that fact. Bravo.....job well done. I came to love Jude and become his staunchest fan.

Sloan's family members are very prominent in this book and her sister Keira is one out of control girl. When her story comes, it will be explosive because with all of her problems I can't help thinking it will get real messy before it's done. Her older brother seems to pull on my heart strings. I keep justifying what he does no matter how bad and the next book will be his story and I am excited for it to come out.

As in the previous book to this series the reader will be amazed at how the author through a series of wicked twists and turns come to a resolution that is very satisfying. For this reason, I give it 4-1/2 STARS.

This is the first book I've read in this series, however not reading the others did not impact my ability to understand this book.  This book can be read as a standalone. 

At times I found this book slightly confusing as there are a number of characters (and families) to keep straight.  I'm not typically into mafia type stories which may have added to some of my confusion.

That said, I thought the story line was really different.  You have two people from families who are supposed to hate each other that meet without knowing who the other one really is.  The attraction is off the charts and they immediately click both in and outside of the bedroom.  But then fate throws them a HUGE curveball which forces them to acknowledge who their families are to each other.

The curveball....eh.  It wasn't a huge surprise and I think they were a little too quick to accept that it was going to happen (trying not to give it away).  

The ending fell flat for me.

I started Forbidden Promises right after finishing An Indecent Proposal, which is just an okay read for me, and got hooked almost from the get-go. Sloan was in the background in the first two O'Malley books so I was pleasantly surprised that she decided to take charge of her life and leave the O'Malley family in the third. The more I read about her, the more I love her. She was the quiet one in the family, the kind you didn't expect to do crazy things or rebel. I love how resilient she was, and how she's determined to make her own way. Jude at the beginning of the book was a broody asshole, which is obviously my type. What happened to him was tragic; I understood why he had a one-track mind and that is to avenge his family and eliminate the Sheridans. The tension between Jude and Sloan was off the charts, and I love how their relationship developed from sexual to something else bigger than the two of them had planned. I'm especially weak for the age gap (Jude was 11 years older than Sloan) and how Jude called her sunshine. 

"You're my sunshine, and my world is fucking bleak without you."

Also worth mentioning is the buildup between Dimitri (who I surprisingly began to love; I loathed him in the second book but boy he's so annoyingly attractive) and Keira; it was so great I can't believe we're only getting their book next year. Aiden too has redeemed himself in my eyes; I can almost forgive his assholish treatment of Carrigan. Almost. 

Can't wait for the next book!

Forbidden Promises was a great 5 star read.

Sloan has fled her home and the family. She has to keep a low profile so that won't find her, her brother has done a great job of hiding her. She ends up getting a waitressing job working for a great couple. When she meets her neighbor Jude, he seems like a real jerk. Very standoffish and cruel, but hot. Sloan can’t help but think about him.

He couldn’t very well tell her that he thought she might be one of his targets, wandered into his lair.

Jude is more than a neighbor, he's a man on a mission of revenge. He tries to keep Sloan at a distance but there is something about her that pulls him in. They eventually end up in bed and it was hot. Jude was so great with her and the dirty mouth Jude had, WOW. It was freaking hot.

The pleasure is always worth the pain. Life is too short for that to be anything but the truth.

When Jude finds out who Sloan is, things change drastically. He inadvertently puts Jude in danger and now has to try and keep her safe. He want’s more with her, more than he thought he would ever want. Will he be able to complete his mission and keep Sloan safe? What will she do when she finds out who he is?

I’ve never been good at walking away when I have my mind set on something. And sunshine, I have my mind set on you.

I loved Sloan and Jude’s story. There are a few surprises and twists that added a great element to the story. The secondary characters were great as well. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t put the book down until I was done. We do get a HEA but it was not an easy journey. This was my first read in the series and can be read as a stand alone. However, I do plan to go back and catch up. I’m also really looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Katee Robert does a great job of pulling you in with her writing. Thank you for a great read.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club