I have been loving the O'Malley series.

Carrigan O'Malley has always known her place in her family, her destiny would always be to be married. Growing up with a father like hers. Right after Carrigan and her sister's return back home to Boston, her father gives her a list of six candidates and she must date them and choose one to marry. The problem, the one who catches her eye is the enemy. The same man who kidnapped her six months prior.
THE CHEMISTRY was SO good.

I really enjoyed this book, it was a fun read!

This series has me absolutely hooked, after reading the first book I was super excited to read Carrigan's story. The forbidden love trope where both the mc's are from high profile crime families made for such an intense and suspenseful story but I loved every second. I like how the series interconnects so there's always little bits of the other siblings stories in each book.
I loved seeing James try to create a new path for his family's empire now that his father's not in the picture. He's trying so hard to change things around and I can't wait to continue seeing what he does with Carrigan by his side.

So good, this series just sucks you in to the characters lives and the different dynamics between families.

Carrigan O'Malley and James Halloran have a history - not a good one. His family kidnapped her not that long ago.

While she is trying to deal with that Trama, her father has declared she needs to get married, and James isn't happy about it, although they should have nothing to do with each other

I could get why someone would love this story; however, the fact that Carriagn has no power over her life and that isn't addressed is a bit annoying.

She just moved her loyalty, but she never fount that freedom. I mean, I can get the appeal, just not for me.

I love Katee Robert and I love this series. As always, I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. She always has the absolute best romance plots and dialogue!

I was ready for another steamy and gritty mafia romance, so I picked up Heated Rivals* the second book in Katee Robert's The O'Malleys Series.

Oh my! The angst and desire between Carrigan and James! The heat between them was amazing and the sexy scenes came as a welcome relief to that built-up tension! Carrigan is a take no prisoners, no holds barred type of character, and I loved her. She's never wanted the life that has been set out for her and instead has always wanted to follow her own heart and passions; I love how headstrong she is. James really has a soft side, a side that is compassionate and wants to do the right thing. I found the sweetness of his character really refreshing, especially in this type of romance. Speaking of, I really enjoyed the mafia side to this story.

I love how each book ends with a hint at the couple in the upcoming novel - and I’m ready to learn more about Cillian and Olivia in the next one, so bring on the third book!

*Heated Rivals was previously published as The Wedding Pact.

Thank you NetGalley and Forever for the complimentary copy to read and review.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

"Heated Rivals" by Katee Robert is the next in the O'Malleys series that combines elements of mafia romance with the timeless themes of arranged marriages and family power struggles. Having previously enjoyed the first book in the series, I was eager to delve into this second installment, and it did not disappoint.

The story centers on Carrigan O'Malley, who is facing an arranged marriage chosen by her controlling father, a common theme in this world of power-hungry families. What struck me is how these modern-day mafia romances often resemble regency romances, where daughters are married off for the family's gain.

Carrigan's passionate history with James Halloran, the leader of the rival Halloran family, adds complexity to their relationship. Their deeper feelings for each other are palpable, despite the family conflicts and past tragedies that should keep them apart. James's character, with shades of an alpha male, is both compelling and intriguing.

One of the strengths of this book is the portrayal of family dynamics. As the story progresses, it's clear that the dynamics within the O'Malley family are changing, and the potential for transformation within the Halloran family also emerges. These shifts provide hope and satisfaction that future romances between characters in the next installments in the series.

While I thoroughly enjoyed "Heated Rivals," I couldn't help but compare it to the first book in the series, Dark Succession, which I found even more enchanting. Nonetheless, it still earned a solid four stars for its engaging characters, intricate family dynamics, and passionate romance.

In conclusion, if you're a fan of mafia romance with complex family relationships and a touch of forbidden love, "Heated Rivals" is a worthwhile read. It offers a satisfying blend of contemporary themes and timeless romance, making it a great addition to the O'Malleys series.

Katee Robert is very rapidly become one of my most read authors. This is a continuation of the O'Malley's and we follow Carrigan O'Malley and James Halloran. These two have some burning hot tension and circumstances that are trying to keep them apart. I really enjoyed seeing more of the O'Malley's and I'm looking forward to the next book!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

Ugh. Swoon. I love James and Carrigan so much! This was so good, just the right amount of steam and story ;). The action near the end was so good too. Carrigan is such a bad ass woman. I loved her character development.

Thank you netgallry for thr earc in exchange for an honest review

We all knew after Dark Succession that it was only a matter of time before Carrigan and James had another run in and we all knew it would be fireworks. They did and it was. In Heated Rivals, we follow along as they try deny their attraction because of how problematic it would be for their pride and their family rivalry. The more they try to deny it though, the more attractive they become to each other. Unfortunately, Carrigan is being forced into a marriage that will benefit her family and James is absolutely not on that list. So even though all she can think about his him and all he can do is think about her, she feels like she has no choice but to select someone her father approves of. ....and that is the first three fourths of the novel....they're push and pull to want each other and deny each other. The last fourth is where it gets juicy. Loyalties are tested, family decisions are huge and on the line, and the end leaves you just waiting for what will happen with next.

I'm digging the weaving of the narrative of the other siblings into each of these novels and wonder where they'll end up and with whom.

This was so freaking good. I love a mafia romance and although this series isn’t perfect it is entertaining and definitely keeps me intrigued. I can’t wait for the next in the series the siblings just keep getting better and a lot more mysterious. Aghhhhh and James, God I love him

I love Katee, and will probably always read everything she publishes. These, meh, I would have loved more development of the crime families and their dynamics.

Mafia romances by Katee Robert are definitely my thing now! This was an excellent second book in the series. I am again so excited that these are being re-released. I love the cover design of this one - and the series in general. I read this one in less than a day - it's super fast paced and engaging, picking up on all the breadcrumbs of this relationship that were seeded in the first book. I enjoyed getting to know more of the family members and thought that the two MCs in this story were very well matched. The strong FMC is really well done. Not as many breadcrumbs to set up the third book, but I'm still looking forward to reading it! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I loved this series so far I was highly excited to read this book from having a little taste of what it would be about in the first book and it did not disappoint I like that it’s mafia but the men are sweet usually when you read a mafia the men are super mean don’t care, so that was a nice difference I like that’s theirs still spice but a lot of plot like i came for the spice but stayed for the plot I give the book a 5/5 and I’m very excited for the next one!

Do you have a favorite show you turn on in the background while you’re getting your to do list done? Like Desperate Housewives? This series has become that for me.

This series definitely is a interconnected series but these books can be read as a stand-alone.

Katee was able to create a world with characters who have so much drama and tension that you have to keep coming back to find out what happens. I feel like sometimes when a series is just one character who keeps have things happen to them it gets a little redundant and unrealistic for the reader. That doesn’t happen here at all!

I love how each book is based off a different family member because it really shakes things up! This one was about Kerrigan and James and 🥵. Our girl, Kerrigan, always put herself first and went after what she wanted knowing she would lose everything! We love a FMC who gets what she wants! James definitely gives off <I> 50 Shades of Gray</I> vibes in the best way because that’s how we all got here in the first place.

Previous characters are sprinkled in (they are related after all) so it’s nice to get updates on how they are doing!

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for the ARC copy of this rerelease in exchange for my honest review.

**I received this book as an ARC through Net Galley**
I was really looking forward to Heated Rivals after being introduced to James and Carrigan in Dark Succession. I am a sucker for a forbidden romance and Katee does such a good job writing based on that trope. It very much gave me Romeo and Juliet, just with a happier outcome and conclusion! Carrigan is a spit fire and who doesn't love a strong female lead who goes a bit soft for that one special guy?? There was a decent story line and plot throughout Heated Rivals and some plot twists that I did not see coming. I was rooting for James and Carrigan from the get but they do face many challenges throughout the book. The spice was also sooo great and I loved the more smutty portions!! I am excited to continue this series and see what else is in store for the O'Malleys, Sheridans, and the Halloran's.

Overall rating: 7.5/10
Spice rating: 4/5

Mafia Romance isn't my favorite romance sub genre but I love Katee so I obvs had to read this series. I enjoyed Teague and Cassie's story but I liked Carrigan and James' story even better! I am much more an enemies to lovers girl than an instalove girl and Carrigan and James are killing the whole enemies to lovers thing after the events of Dark Succession. I hate the way women are treated in the mafia world (a big reason why I don't read a lot of them) so it was hard to watch Carrigan try to submit to her dad's wishes but I do love that they get their HEA.

I loved this book. This is the second book in the O"Malleys series. I loved the first one too. I don't generally read Mafia romance books but this series may. have made me change my mind. I've seen this book in Target - go get a copy, :)

In this series there are three families in Boston that are vying for the most power in the area, the Sheridans, the O'Malleys and the Hallorans. In the first book Callista Sheridan was to be married off to Brendan Halloran who was an abusive person. Ultimately she marries Teague O'Malley and they have a love match.

It really took me until this second book to realize these current mafia romance books are essentially regency romances in current times. The father marries off the daughters to get more power and the daughters are forced to marry a stranger/person for the "family's" gain.

In this book, Carrigan O'Malley is being married off to someone of her father's choosing. In the last book she had had a tryst with James Halloran, the current leader of their family. In this book Carrigan and James have deeper feelings but because of deaths caused by the Hallorans and the Sheridans, James is not in the running for her husband.

We also hear more from Sloan, Carrigan's younger sister, and Cillian, her younger brother, so these two are clearly getting books of their own soon.

What I loved about this book was the relationship between James and Carrigan and how James was usually able to be there for her. The family dynamics have now changed, but I was very happy with the ending and how James and his family might be able to do some good in the world

I received a promotional copy and am giving an honest review.

Chef's kiss! Every time I read a book of Katee's I just know I'm going to love it. This book being one that I devoured in one sitting and fell madly in love with her characters. Katee knows just how to write the perfect dark romance and create complex characters that you can't help but fall in love with. Each character in Heated Rivals was just written to perfection and whether I hated or loved them really depended on how they acted, which Katee always writes so well. With each character I felt a genuine emotion towards them that rooted deep down in me and fuelled me to continue reading more of the book to get to the end.

I loved this series when it was first published and I can't wait to continue reading these books as they continue to be released!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.