If Dark succession was going to be an indication of how addicting this series was going to be, Heated Rivals just blew my mind.

I am absolutely obsessed with Carrigan and James, they’re my perfect duo and this series keeps on getting deliciously 🥵🌶️ and dangerous!

Talk about forbidden love! Arranged marriage! Over protective and possessive MMC! Ugh! I love all the drama between the families and the new characters!

Dimitri has my full attention and I CANNOT wait to read his story… , Actually I need to read Sloan, Kiera, Scilian and Aiden’s book NOW!

Behold, my new favorite mafia romance 💘

Thank you Forever and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

I always love a steamy forbidden romance and James and Carrigan don’t disappoint. When the “bad boy” falls for the “good girl” who isn’t quite as good as she appears to her families world. When he is a man of few words but really sees who she is and says the swooniest things. Their chemistry is dynamite and they can’t keep their eyes or hands off of each other.

I always love a mafia romance but I do just feel for Carrigan being married off as a pawn for her family because her father just wants power and doesn’t even care what kind of scum marries her, but is closed minded to “the enemy” who would actually treat her like gold.

Some of the inner dialogue of the other siblings sort of felt like it went off course for me a few times but then I also imagine it’s to have you meet characters for the next story. Overall I liked this one and would continue reading to see how the rest of the story pans out. I liked that we got a sneak peek of Teague and Callie again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is the second book in The O'Malley's series, and let me tell you, it's an absolute rollercoaster. Carrigan and James come from these rival crime families and let me say, their families hate each other's guts. But the sparks between them are insane. They can't resist each other, even though they know they shouldn't. This book is jam-packed with suspense, deceit, and sizzling romance. I was hooked from the get-go and couldn't tear myself away. Katee Roberts, the author, knows how to keep you on your toes with unexpected twists and turns. I wouldn't have minded a tad more worldbuilding and suspense, but overall, it's a rock-solid read. I am so freaking excited to jump into the next book and see what kind of craziness unfolds in this dangerous, intense world.

I loved this book just as much as the first one. I am a huge sucker for a forbidden romance add in mafia romance you have me hooked!!

James and Carrigan are such likable characters. Both are very devoted to their families but seeing their character growth was fantastic. Katee Roberts knows how to write spice that is for damn sure

DNF at 22%
I read the first one and I gave it 3.5 starts. There were too many POVs besides the main couple and I would prefer to only hear from the main couple for each book. I may try it again later but this just wasn’t a book I could read right now.

Carrigan and James have so much chemistry but with things so strained between their families I wondered how these two would finally end up with one another. That part was pretty twisty and angsty but Carrigan stands up for herself in the end grabbing hold of her HEA.

Carrigan O'Malley has stalled as long as possible, she must now pick from a list given to her by her father, her future husband. She has always known that her marriage would be about her family gaining power and not for love.

One steamy night with James Halloran and she's ruined for anybody else. The only problem? Their families are enemies. That's how it's always been.

James has recently taken over the family business. But his focus is pulled by thoughts of Carrigan. Despite the family rivalry, he wants Carrigan by his side for the rest of his life.

Thank you so much to the author, Forever and NetGalley for this ARC to review.

I found the writing to be a little clunky and difficult to keep up with .

Overall an enjoyable experience! Thank you NetGalley for the eArc

I’m a sucker for Romeo and Juliet parallels, and this delivers! I really loved the secrets shared, and of course the epically hot sex. Katee Robert always gives well rounded characters with a story that will hook you, and I really enjoyed this one.

3.5⭐️
2.5🌶

Another drama and tension-filled installment of The O'Malleys!

Carrigan O'Malley has spent most of her life avoiding the inevitable: a marriage, arranged by her father, to secure political/business/family alliances and further the O'Malley agenda in Boston. While Carrigan has had her fun and made a name for herself in the family circles, there's no getting around the fact that at 28, she's at the end of her single life. That's when she meets James Halloran, the man at the head of the family responsible for one of her family's greatest tragedies. James is different, and he has his eyes set on Carrigan; it's heat that's in his gaze, not danger. And she stares right back with fire and determination all her own.

When faced with a list of suitors, she must choose. And she won't be the only one hurt by the outcome of her decision.

--

I'm really enjoying touring the alleys and pubs of Boston with the O'Malleys, Hallorans, and Sheridans! This series is full of family business, rivalries, danger, betrayal, death, tradition, and drama,

Carrigan and James' story is riddled with tension and I loved every time the bubble burst. James has big plans, a good heart, and a dirty mouth, and he is utterly obsessed with the eldest O'Malley daughter. Their plans and dreams crash and collide, and they manage to find one another amidst the chaos. To find love in their world is nearly unheard of, and Heated Rivals highlights all of the danger that love in the mob can bring.

This series has its share of action and excitement without being overwhelming or confusing. I wanted a bit more from Heated Rivals at times, but overall, it's a solid, entertaining romantic suspense that I look forward to continuing.

**Thank you Forever, Katee Robert, and NetGalley for an ARC of Heated Rivals in exchange for my honest review!**

Heated Rivals was great!
I really enjoyed the first book, but Heated Rivals surpassed that.
Who doesn't love forbidden love?
Or enemies to lovers?

The romance started out steady, and slowly builds to the climax, which I appreciated. Dark Succession was an insta-love story that lacked build up. Heated Rival's does not.

Putting aside my dislike for third person narrative, Heated Rival's is exciting. It's hot.
There is the added tension from their personal issues.
Carrigan being forced to choose a husband from her fathers list in 30 days, added a sense of doom to the story. She loses something vital no matter what choice she makes.
James thrust into a role he doesn't want, but does because there are people relying on him. With the added threat of his brother gunning for his position as the leader of the family, and unrest amongst his bloodthirsty men, there is another layer of potential doom here.
As the reader, you are left to wonder - how does this end happily?

Heated Rivals felt very much like a Romeo and Juliet retelling, but was infinitely more interesting, and sexy. There is just something about a man who loves a woman for who she is, and doesn't want a single thing to change about her - even the things other men find undesirable. If you enjoy Katee Robert's work, or read Dark Succession and wanted more Carrigan and James, you will LOVE Heated Rivals. I can't wait to read the next one!

DNF @ 30% -- I really tried to get into this one but I had two major issues. One, which is purely a personal preference, is that I really struggle to connect to characters when books are written in third person POV. And two is that this was advertised as a standalone but there were so many references to events that had happened in the previous interconnected standalone that I felt lost or lacking too much crucial information for a majority of what I read. For readers that don't mind third person writing and are willing to read the first book in this world, this may very well be a great book. Unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me.

I've been anxious for this book since reading Dark Succession and I was not disappointed.
Heated Rivals continues the O'Malleys series with Carrigan O'Malley and James Halloran.

This is a Romeo and Juliet / enemies-to-lovers/mafia romance as these two are from rivals Mafia families, however the attraction and chemistry between them was off the charts and impossible to deny.

They were both strong characters who challenged each other but also respected each others boundaries and their steamy scenes were on fire. I loved see the growth their characters as the story progressed and I loved that we got to catch up with the other family members.

The story had me captivated and at the edge of my seat at times and I enjoyed every moment.
This second installment in the series was fast paced, action-packed, and steamy, with high stakes and family dynamics. It was a fantastic read that gave us a great blend of love and danger and I would definitely recommend it.

Love the O’Malley’s series by Katee Robert! Think the Departed meets Romeo & Juliet. This novel is a reissue. Previously it was published as The Weddinig Pact and it’s the 2nd in the O’Malley series. This time it’s Carrigen O’Malley and James Halleran starring in this forbidden romance. The best part of Katee Robert’s books are they’re not just steamy romance novels; there’s actually a plot to every book.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Forever for this reissued e-arc.*

Not the typical Katee Robert book. Like all of her other books that I've read, I expected for it to draw me in. This one was a little slow for my taste. The plot and story line was cool, spice level about a two. Cute story for a contemporary romance read.

Thank you NetGalley and Katee Robert for the ARC!

This is the second book for Katee Robert that I've read so far.
I know her fan's and most of my friends will love this book so much. It wasn't my cup of tea, however, it was a quick read and I read the whole thing in almost one sitting. Her writing is excellent, I just don't love the entire storyline. I think I've learned from her last two novels that I'm not a mafia romance fan and that's okay. Her fans will love this as much (if not more) than her others!

Thank you, Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to review this book honestly.

I flew through this book in 24 hours, because I could not put it down. I had to find out what happened with Carrigan and James -- because there were just so many obstacles against them finding their happily ever after. Even though I knew this was a romance, at several points while reading them being together felt actually impossible. This series is an amazing way to dip your toe into dark romance, because while it is a mafia romance with some very morally gray characters there is also an emphasis on consent and female agency within this story. The sexual tension and chemistry between these characters was also just so well done. I think it would help to read book 1 in the series, The Marriage Pact, first. But this book also definitely works as a stand alone.

THE FIREWORKS!

Heated Rivals is the explosive, forbidden love story of James Halloran and Carrigan O'Malley. The O'Malley's book #2, Heated Rivals, begins at the conclusion of Dark Succession. These two Irish families are rivals running the crime syndicate in Boston. It's a banging' good time for James and Carrigan one night at the club, and that's all it takes for them to get under each others skin.

Carrigan is torn between her family duty, as her father as aligned her with potential suitors. Only NO ONE compares to James, and they ways he knows her wants and desires. Their chemistry explodes off the pages. And in Robert spirit, the sexiness is "lovely." OH I enjoy everyone time James says lovely in the book - insert Boston accent.

Look forward to reading The O'Malley;s #3.

Thank you Forever for the complimentary copy.

Must read the first book of this series before reading this book. Really enjoyed this book, and can't wait for the next book to release.

This was my first Katee Robert book I read and I loved it! This is book 2 in a series and I did not read the first book ahead of time (but I plan on it in the near future) but the story had a nice flow! The main character is given a list by her father of eligible bachelors whom she has to choose to marry. An arranged marriage. She hates the idea of that and tries everything to get out of it. But she is starting to fall for her kidnapper. She has to choose to follow her families orders or have a life of her own! The end left me wanting more!

I enjoyed this one too. Romantic suspense and mafia draw. I enjoyed the chemistry between both characters. I’m excited for book 3