This was another great and sexy read from Katee, however, I felt like compared to some of the other books , this one fell a bit short. Both the main characters were eh, Cillian was a bit too whiney and guilt-ridden and Olivia's trust issues were also getting a bit annoying. The villain was a bit of a caricature villain. The two main characters' development felt fleshed out, but a bit at the expense of the plot. Unlike the other books in the series, it felt like less plot development in the larger world besides some random POV changes to Sloane to highlight bigger things happening in the world. Fun read if you just want the smut, but otherwise pretty subpar.

Cillian is still recovering from his brother's murder, which he blames himself for. Olivia is trying to start her life over while protecting her daughter. They're both trying to change their life, be "good", yet they can't stay away and the book starts with that passion igniting. From there, the couple needs to figure out where they go, and finally get to know each other's secrets.

I really loved how Cillian interacted with Hadley, Olivia's daughter, and respected and cared for them both. He was protective of them both and fought for them. He was the first person to put her first and come to her when in need (truly, Olivia family sucks and still concerned about Sergei's age).

I liked how Katee set up the next book with Sloan's POVs and am intrigued by what it will entail since it seems like it will be very different from the previous books in the serious.

feat: starts with a bang, single mom, protective hero, mafia familes (with history)

3.5 stars
2.5 spice

I really enjoyed the twisty plot of this book. It was very captivating and I had a hard time putting it down. This is from years ago but definitely a good read!

I absolutely LOVE anything by Katee Robert. Love her writing so much that I own almost every book she’s come out with. This doesn’t disappoint just as anticipated. Love the series and how they are all interconnected even though each book follows a different couple

I requested this one because I had also gotten the chance to read its predecessor through NetGalley, and because I've really enjoyed (most of) Katee Robert's "Dark Olympus" series. Unfortunately, this one fell a little flat for me in comparison to both "Heated Rivals" and the Dark Olympus books, because I just didn't vibe with the characters or the pairing. This really isn't through any fault of Robert's, because all of the hallmarks of what I enjoy about her writing are generally present; I just felt like the plot was flimsy, and came to too quick a conclusion in too short a timeframe. (And yes, I understand that most people don't read these books for the plot, but Robert is usually so good about including a strong plot with the spice that I found myself missing it, here.) Cillian was a much more interesting character in "Heated Rivals" as a supporting role, and I found myself missing feisty, hard-to-get Olivia. Maybe it just wasn't the right book at the right time, but I'm not positive I'll keep going with the O'Malleys series after this one; I'll stick to Dark Olympus.

Twisted Secrets is about forbidden love between members of two rival crime families, the Russian and the Irish mafias. This is the third book in a series, not a standalone. A single mother from a mafia family gets caught back up in mob drama when she falls for a man in a rival gang. Katee Roberts excels at writing steamy romances and this is good but I preferred her paranormal/fantasy writing.

I did not know this was the third book in a series. I enjoyed it but feel like I was missing a lot.

Twisted Secrets is Cillian’s book. The family book keeper and known wild child. It also follows Olivia, who has a connection to a former acquaintance of the O’Malleys. She is a single mother. Forbidden love because of rival families.

Thank you to Netalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Olivia and Cillian's chemistry sizzles off the pages. They met at the bar where Olivia worked where she pretended to hate him, but she couldn't fight the spark she felt and they ended up in the alley out back. It was supposed to be a one time thing but they couldn't stay away from each other.

Throw in enemy families, an over protective brother, a temperamental, unpredictable ex, and you get one fast paced, spicy romance. Recommended to read this series in order, however, can be read as a stand alone.

Love a good Katee Robert novel and this one did not disappoint! Perfect for when you're looking for something easy and smutty

If you enjoy mafia/romance, insta-love, and kind of forbidden love trope this book is for you. I love the way Katee Robert writes. I think my problem was I kinda don't like Insta-love tropes. I really enjoyed the way the single mother trope was written. The chemistry between them was incredible. I loved that it was multiple POVs written. I enjoyed reading and seeing their different point of view on situations. I didn't know this was the 3rd book in the series so maybe it's not Insta-love but I haven't read the other books yet. This book had me instantly hooked and I read it in a few hours. I love how Olivia isn't a damsel in distress and knows how to take of herself but also asks for help when she needs help. I loved how Cillian was there for her no matter what and helped in whatever way he could. I found it a simple and easy read.

4 stars

This was one of my favorite books in the O'Malley series. In the other books, I always liked Cillian and I think that Olivia is a good match for him. It was a slow-burn relationship but a fast-burn coupling of sorts. I think that it was a great mafia book, there was great development of the plot I like how it mixed with the other stories. It was overall just a great read.

Thanks Forever and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Twisted Secrets was my first single mom, mafia romance, and I am absolutely obsessed! 🥰 Katee absolutely killed it with this story! We’ve got a reformed playboy, Cillian, who changes his entire tune after the murder of his brother but even more so once he falls for Olivia. Olivia is my absolute favorite of the series. She knows the mafia life and has tried to stay away but who could resist Cillian?!?! I love Cillian so, so much!

They have a few HOT trysts before their first date but one thing is clear: these two have intense chemistry! They are so perfect for each other and we get to see that through their actions but also through their narratives. Cillian makes Olivia see that she is more valuable that just a bartender or pawn in her family’s games. Olivia shows Cillian that he can move forward from the loss he’s suffered and have a full life complete with a family of his own.

Their first real date though, I was a swoony-melty mess! The conversation was to die for! I have gone back to reread chapters 9-11 a few times at this point. It was honestly such an amazing first date. The way their perspectives of the other person become clearer AND affirms their physical attraction with their emotional one… I ate it up! I loved seeing these two characters in such a mundane setting though they are so far from “normal” individuals.

As I continue to read through this series, I just love the O’Malley family more and more and love the partners that they pick to bring into this life. There’s so much fun with this family saga as we continue to see them after the death of their beloved brother, Devlin, and all the ways that these mafia families are entangled with each other. It was more than just the spice… It was a lot of amazing mafia content that I just love from Katee. I cannot wait to see what happens next with Sloan because she’s our next O’Malley!

I highly recommend this story and highly recommend this series. If you have not already been convinced by me loving on this series! 🫶🏽 Please go and check them out, especially with these amazing new covers. 💚💚

I was so excited to get Twisted Secrets through NetGalley!

I have been so invested in this serious and was very excited to learn more about Cillian and Olivia. I was very curious to learn who Olivia was and how she was connected to these mafia families.

Through the series I was so intrigued to learn more about Cillian and understand was really matters to him as he was just going through life with no sense of responsibility. You really can see his character development through the series and his meeting Olivia and fighting through the guilt of losing his brother really has us see Cillian find more to life and fight for what really matters.

Olivia is a great addition to this series. She is feisty and knows what she wants for herself and her daughter. She has tunnel vision in keeping a separate life from the mafia family she was born into. Her attraction to Cillian is undeniable and I love how hard she fights to resist his charms and believe he isn't getting under her skin.

This story really brings two unlikely people together and is a great continuation of the series. So excited to continue the series.

I have really enjoyed the way that Katee Robert writes characters and relationships in the past, and I absolutely loved this book for those reasons. It was a compact story without any unnecessary drama or plot points, and Olivia and Cillian had very realistic emotional reactions to their situations and with the context that was given for them. I do think that their first romantic encounter happened very quickly in the book with seemingly little lead-up, but I haven’t read the first two books in the series and that could be the reason behind that. I also think that reading the previous books would have helped to build a frame of reference for the events that happened and the way that all of the characters are entangled, but I really enjoyed reading this book without having the background knowledge. I will definitely be reading the rest of this series!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Olivia is the half daughter to a former Russian mob boss in NYC. She fled to Brooklyn to give her daughter a better life. Cillain is the son to a rival family. She sees all the red flags of his life. The life she tried to leave behind, but she can’t stop falling for him.
The chemistry between them was 🔥 a perfect amount of spice between this couple! You’ll fall in love with them and can’t help but root for them!
I loved the multiple pov’s. They were perfect for this story! This book was addicting, fast paced, and overall really well written. The characters have a lot of depth and you can really feel their emotions. Katee Robert has a really special gift of writing these amazing stories. She never disappoints! I got so involved in this book that I had a hard time putting it down! I can’t wait to read the rest of the O’Malley series!
Amazing book!


📘: Twisted Secrets by Katee Robert
🗓️: August 30,2023

Thank you to NetGalley, Katee Robert, and Forever Grand Central Publishing for this ARC!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*Reviewed on NetGalley and Goodreads.

Olivia has run from her past to the relative safety of Boston where she had started a new life with her daughter Hadley. Everything changes when she hooks up with Cillian O'Malley, who is part of the dangerous O'Malley family. When Olivia's half brother sends her ex, Sergei, to bring her back to the Romanov family in New York, Olivia asks Cillian for protection. As they try to avoid the Romanovs, Cillian and Olivia find themselves falling in love.

Recommend this story to anyone that enjoys mafia/romance with rival family’s. This is a short and fast paced read

Katee Robert's O'Malley series is wildly entertaining and keeps you on your toes. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two installments of this series and 'Twisted Secrets' has continued the pattern.

Cillian and Olivia have great chemistry! Their first meeting and interest in each bloom so naturally. The plot picks up very quickly and there are many high intensity moments that keep you on edge. Cillian was the mysterious O'Malley brother at the start of this series with a deep rooted sadness about him. It was great to see an exploration of his character!

Thank you to Forever Pub for the e-copy!

Why is Katee Robert not more well known for this mafia series?? It’s everything you want from a mafia romance and I am here for it.
Twisted Secrets is Cillian’s book. The family book keeper and known wild child. It also follows Olivia, who has a connection to a former acquaintance of the O’Malleys. This book features the single mom and he fell first and hard tropes.
What I love about the O’Malleys, is that even though their father is a straight bastard, they all believe children are off the table. Hard stop limit. That belief propelled this book and I enjoyed watching Cillian go from wild bad boy to soft and sweet.

I like how Katee is sprinkling in tidbits from other siblings and already building their story arcs while keeping it seamless to the story. It was jarring at first not realizing whose POV I was in when I first thought it was only dual, but I’m not upset with it in anyway. Once I realized it was multi-POV I was all in.

The romance and spice were just right in this book. Hot and spicy right where you need it.

I can’t wait to dive into the next book! Solid 4.5 stars for Twisted Secrets

Katee Robert is an amazing romance writer. I absolutely love this series and how you see each sibling grow and change. I can't wait for the next one!

Twisted Secrets by Katee Robert
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

This was my first Katee Robert read, and I am definitely excited to keep exploring her stories! Twisted Secrets, previously published as Indecent Proposal, tells the spicy tale of Cillian and Olivia who are caught between two major crime families. This mafia romance had times where things felt predictable, but times where I felt on edge. Katee Roberts delivers with the spice immediately in this book, but ties the story up with love and care.

While other siblings were introduced as a way to prepare for their story in the series, I do felt like it felt a bit random with how Sloan was left in the story. Either way though, I am excited to delve into more of the O’Malley family. I also can’t wait to read some of Roberts other series as well and am so glad to have checked Twisted Secrets off my list!

If you’re one to enjoy mafia shows and movies, go ahead and add this spicy romance to your tbr! Luckily, Twisted Secrets is available now to read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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