This modern day Mafia Romance gave me all kinds of Romeo and Juliet vibes ((which this tragedy gets referenced in the book)) that I was not expecting but was pleasantly surprised by. Forbidden love between two kids tied to rival families who fight to be together but end in heartache. Betrayal, bargains, a missing brother and love that has been burning for years as a second chance romance was so much fun. I'm usually hit or miss when it comes to mafia romances but Katherine Carter executed Through Any Fire so deliciously that I couldn't put it down.

You can feel the chemistry, tension and longing between our two MC's coming off the page and I absolutely appreciated the dual POV's bouncing between them as we get a clearer picture of what's happening. Katherine allows you to feel the tension further with the marriage of convenience and forced proximity trope while enhancing it by giving moments of flashbacks to the first time around. Everything that was left unsaid and the secrets that have been buried for a decade.

I'm also loving the season of strong FMC's who know how to fight and defend not just themselves but those they love, no damsel in distressing for Loren, no, she fights, and it's so refreshing. Callahan, our torture MMC, his longing is buried underneath anger but you can feel it in its subtly throughout the book till the both of them finally give in.

Through Any Fire isn't simply just a mafia romance with all the tropes I listed above, it's about loyalty, healing from trauma, finding the heart for forgiveness and even a little found family. Not to mention being a woman who doesn't need a man to save her.

Like I said in the beginning, I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. Katherine Carter is a new to me author and I devoured this book. I am so excited for the next installment following Alice, especially after what she endured and where we are left with her in the story. If you're looking to dip your toe into the Mafia Romance world, I highly recommend Through Any Fire, it was such a good time.

Thank you so much Katherine Carter for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review! I can't wait to see where we go from here.

4.5 ⭐️!

This was seriously amazing! I was slightly skeptical since normally I don’t read dark books, but I was so into this. I was hooked from the start and read almost the whole book in one sitting! The plot was well structured and I actually enjoyed that this was mostly Loren’s POV, because you were looking at what was happening without knowing Callahan’s side. There were so many out loud gasps when crazy stuff happened, which rarely happens for me. The smut was a little much intensity wise for me, but I’m aware that’s what comes with this type of book. I will 100% be reading more books by this author as I really loved how it was written, and I love to support small authors!

Thank you to Netgalley and Katherine Carter for this E-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Through Any Fire 🍒💍🐰✨

So you’re telling me that they were childhood lovers but a family feud separated them and 11 years later, she needs him and doesn’t want to go ask for his help, but doesn’t have any other option and he casually goes “ huh? You’re in luck because I need a wife”, and he doesn’t want us any wife because he has been obsessed with her his whole life, and he has been waiting for the opportunity to make her his forever? Yeah exactly. ✨

When I tell you that, my man Cal is so obsessed with every little detail of her, that he remembers every single thing. It just makes you flutter in the stomach (& 🐈‍⬛)!!! The tension, the yearning, the plot twists, the spice 👅, a strong level headed mature FMC, and just everything about this story is so good!!!

What to expect:
🗝️ second chance
🗝️ marriage of convenience
🗝️ mafia romance
🗝️ boy obsessed
🗝️ slow burn
🗝️ rivaled families

I had the pleasure of receiving this book and so many freaking goodies (like the ART!!!!!!!!!!) Katherine truly spoiled me, and I’m just obsessed with her! 🩷✨ Through any fire is out now and you can get a signed copy in Katherine’s shop as well as read on KU! if I have to beg you for anything it is to give this book a chance!

I'm not normally one for mafia romances, but I had so much fun reading this book!

Loren and Callahan were born into opposing mob families- Callahan the heir to the Keane family business, and Loren the daughter of the right hand to the Bianchi boss. They dated in secret as teenagers until one fateful morning changed everything. Loren has spent the last eleven years avoiding the man she once loved, but when her brother goes missing after being sent on a surveillance mission into Keane territory, she knows that Callahan is the only person who can help her find him. Callahan agrees to help, but only if she marries him.

I absolutely ate up Loren and Callahan's story! Even though this romance was darker than what I normally go for, I was very into Callahan's character and how possessive he was. If you're looking for a book with "get your hands off my wife" vibes, look no further! I also liked how strong Loren's character was. It was fun to read an FMC who didn't shy away from danger and was more than capable of defending herself. And, of course, I love a second-chance romance, especially when the characters never stopped yearning for each other. I know that this is planned to be an interconnected standalone series, and I am very much looking forward to book two!

My only real criticism of this book is that even though it is action-packed, I felt it was missing some bigger reactions from the characters in some of the pivotal moments. There are multiple instances of lying and betrayal, and I was ready for big emotional scenes with all the delicious (verbal) fighting, heartache, and angst, and they never really came. The characters had more internal reactions versus external, which is fine, it was just different from what I was expecting.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it if you are a fan of:
- second-chance romance
- marriage of convenience
- "my wife"
- star-crossed lovers
- secret tattoos

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

This is how to do the marriage of convenience trope. Callahan yearns for Loren and everything he has done has been for her. Callahan broke Loren's heart but she seeks him out when her brother goes missing. So what does he do, propose marriage, which she accepts so that he will help her find her brother. We got a few Callahan POV's but I definitely wish there were more. I was happy to get to understand more of his actions though.

You can feel Loren's pain from the past and how thing have impacted her. She truly loves her baby brother and is willing to marry the man who hurt her for him to help find her brother. There is so much tension between Callahan and Loren but it makes the story all the better because of it.

You definitely get the mafia vibes with all the action packed into this story. It has a good plot and pacing to keep you interested and wanting to know what happens next. This is the first in the series and I can't wait for Alice's story.

Thank you NetGalley and Katherine Carter for an advance copy. All of my opinions are my own.

finishing this book today made sense since it’s also the release day — so happy release day ‘through any fire.’ i’d rate this three & a half stars.

‘through any fire’ is a fast-paced second chance romance, one i think many romance readers are going to love. i sped through the first half, but the second half lost me slightly — there were a lot of characters and i lost track of who everyone was and it all seemed to be wrapped up very quickly. i would have liked it to have been even longer and to have spent even more time with the main couple and their current relationship. that said, katherine carter paints a vivd picture with her imagery and writing style, creating a love story that i think will garner many fans. i’ll definitely be reading the next in the series.

4.5 ⭐️
I read this book in two days. It kept me up until 3 am and I couldn't put it down
I loved Cal from the very first page and I knew he would be my new favourite character. He was kind and caring, but also possessive. He believed in her and gave her a choice.
Loren was a string FMC. She didn't need protection, but support. I loved how independent she was and how protective over the people she loved.
I loved the side characters so much.
Cohen was so funny and the banter between him and Loren was the best.
I loved Jude and Jenna and how kind and supportive they were.
This book was a good start to the series and I can't wait to read Alice's story.
Thank you Netgalley and the author for giving me a chance to read this beautiful story.

This was so good!! It’s a second-chance, marriage-of-convenience, mafia romance with just the right amount of drama, angst, and spice! Loren and Callahan used to be in love as teens but were torn apart by their feuding families. Now, years later, Loren’s brother goes missing and she turns to the one person she hoped she’d never need again. Callahan Keane, the leader of the rival mafia family! He agrees to help her, but only if she becomes his wife!
Loren is such a bold and determined character, I loved her from the start! She doesn’t wait around to be saved and knows how to fight for what (and who) she loves! Cal is totally unhinged in the best way! This man has been pining for over a decade and I was living for it! He remembers everything about her, from her favorite drink to the side of the bed she used to sleep on. He’s not just protective, he’s completely obsessed in the most romantic, head-over-heels way possible!
Their chemistry is off the charts, whether they’re arguing, sneaking glances, or pretending not to care, you can feel the tension building! This book is a wild ride from start to finish! If you love angsty romances, an obsessed MMC, and fierce FMC, you need to read this one!

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐫𝐞:
💍 Second chance romance
💍 Forced proximity
💍 Old betrayals
💍 Groveling
💍 Reformed playboy
💍 Romeo & Juliet vibes

Think Romeo and Juliet, but set it in a world of rival mafia families, and give them a second chance as adults, plus a dash of suspense.

Loren (Ren) and Callahan (Cal) had a secret relationship as teens, but things didn't work out. Now, Loren is desperate to find her brother Mason, and that has her turning back to Cal for help, despite loathing him. Faced with her teenage love in a marriage of convenience and the backdrop of both the attempts to find Mason and some nefarious actions happening against the Keane mafia empire Cal leads, all serve as tension-building background for the reuniting of Loren and Cal.

I personally always love when we have a badass FMC like Loren, and honestly, it was a bonus that she was a little morally grey too! She was a perfect complement to Cal and didn't let his stubborn, overbearingness tamp her down. And Cal: the badass man who is incredibly down bad for Loren. Witnessing them coming back together and finidng their happiness was so enjoyable and the suspenseful elements kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Even if mafia isn’t typically your thing but you’re a romantic suspense fan, I highly recommend picking this book up!

I LOVE marriage of convenience so much, I did walk to read this book but ran. Loren and Callahan were something for sure. Loved the ”my wife” moments and the whole forced proximity. The dark romance setting was something clear and realistic to understand. I just fell in love with Callahan broody's behaviour. Loren's love for her brother is unconditional and so authentic. This book is just a must, and you should read it if you're into ”my wife”, marriage of convenience, and forced proximity.

Through Any Fire by Katherine Carter is a breathtaking, five-star read that beautifully blends emotional depth with relentless suspense. Carter’s writing is lyrical yet raw, pulling readers into a powerful story of love, resilience, and redemption.

Denial is a river in Egypt!! You’re still in love with your ex 🤭

Favorite quote: “I’ll spend the rest of my life on my knees if it means you’ll spend even a second loving me back.”

Tropes: enemies to lovers, second chance, rival families, arranged marriage, touch her and d!e

(Light spoiler)summary:

WOW WOW WOW

I was not expecting to love Loren as a FMC so much but she’s strong, capable, and has a little weak spot for Callahan

Towards the end of the book we learn how the two leads met, which makes this a YEARS long slow burn. So it is all the more satisfying to see their chemistry and care for each other grow throughout the story.

Loren is to marry Callahan in exchange for him helping her find her brother who has been missing. Although she knew she would not have the most peaceful life, fires being started, cars exploding, and having her friend abducted was not what she expected in the least.

Will they figure out who is hunting the Keane family down? Or will they d!e trying??

Find out on July 28th 👀🩷
4.25 ⭐️ Spice🌶️: open door, detailed descriptions

I'm not one to pick up mafia romance, but my goodness! I enjoyed this book!!
I loved the writing, it was fast paced and very easy to read.
The plot was entertaining, from the angsty banter, the secrets, the yearning, and those plot twists!? Highly enjoyable!

Thank you to the author & net galley for the arc!

The first half of the book was extremely interesting and had great plot potential. However the second half seemed incredibly rushed and also brushed off major trauma. There was nothing about that relationship by the end of the story that had me excited for them getting back together.

Read content and trigger warnings.

Thanks to NetGalley & author for the arc!

**1.5 stars** I came across fanart of the two main characters on Instagram and LOVED it so much that I looked on my kindle app to see if this book was available. When I saw the arc on NetGalley, I never clicked apply so fast. Sadly, the fanart did not live up to my expectations which led me to dnf at 30%.

When Loren’s brother goes missing, she turns to none other than Callahan Keane–the supposed love of her life when they were teenagers. After Callahan’s betrayal, the two don’t speak for the next 11 years until Loren walks into the Keane family establishment to beg for help. Only Callahan has been waiting for their reunion and proposes a mutually beneficially arrangement: marriage. Conflicted, Loren accepts his marriage proposal and then spurs the ongoing search for her brother.

As a lover of mafia romances, this one didn’t work for me. The writing wasn’t terrible and it definitely fits the genre but everything else needed some flourishing. While arranged marriages are a common trope in mafia romance, I haven’t read a second-chance arranged marriage before, so I was intrigued. The opening chapters pulled me in, and I initially thought Loren was a strong female lead. But as the story progressed, her supposed strength gave way to constant begging. It began to feel like I was reading the inner monologue of a 17-year-old girl on summer break—stubborn and convinced she knows everything.

Despite this book being 400 pages long, the foundation of the story was not solid enough for the story to be built off of. We’re told they had a relationship as teens, then didn’t speak for 11 years—but we’re never told their actual ages, which made it hard to place them. The constant repetition of “the past 11 years” and “as teenagers” became grating, especially since so many questions about their history remained unanswered. I kept hoping the details would come later, but I couldn’t push through.

I understand this is the first book in a new standalone series, which likely explains the overwhelming character dump at the beginning. It became confusing quickly, though I assume each Keane sibling will get their own book.

If you're an avid mafia romance reader, this one might be worth skipping—there are stronger books in the genre, especially on Kindle Unlimited. But if you're new to mafia romance and looking for a low-stakes introduction, this might be a decent starting point.

“𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒆, 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒐𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏…𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔.”

I picked up Through Any Fire by Katherine Carter because the pretty cover and the character art caught my eye, and the tropes definitely got me curious. Marriage of convenience, rival families, and second-chance romance? How could I pass that up? I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump, so this felt like the perfect book to shake things up. I don’t usually go for darker themes, but this one turned out to be such a refreshing change.

The story follows Loren and Callahan, whose past is tangled with betrayal and family rivalry. I really liked how the single POV mainly from Loren kept certain things hidden, especially what really happened in the past between them. Callahan does get a few POV chapters too, but they’re spaced out just enough to give insight without that overwhelming back-and-forth you read in other books. I had a feeling there was more to his past actions than Loren believed, and as the story unfolded, those suspicions proved true. The way it was revealed felt realistic and built up well, keeping me curious to the end.

As I said earlier, the book has a good mix of romance, action, betrayals, and a few 'explosive' moments that kept things moving quickly. Loren’s choices had me frustrated at times, but they felt believable with everything she was dealing with. I also liked that not everything was wrapped up nicely at the end, it leaves room for the next book, and I’m curious to see where her friend’s story will go. And Cohen? I like him.

Thanks to the author @katherinecarterauthor & @netgalley for the early copy.

*I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.*

4.5/5⭐️
Loren is such a bada$$. I loved how she was able to defend herself and rescue others when she herself was in danger. Strong female characters who can stand up for themselves are just so sexy.

As for Cal, who can resist a man who loves his wife wholeheartedly, putting her safety first before his own. While he resorts to various tactics to win over Loren, deep down at the core of his motive is true love.

I wished we had more scenes of them from their younger days. In the present, while their relationship is full of animosity initially…the sparks soon turn into blazing hot chemistry and an eventual explosion of deep love between them. The suspense also kept the pace interesting and I can’t wait for Alice’s book next.

4.5 stars......"I’d follow you anywhere, Ren. Anywhere you lead, I'll be your shadow. Every step I take is toward you. Through any fire, through any agony, I'm yours."

Through Any Fire by Katherine Carter delivers everything I want in a mafia romance — tension, angst, action, and a marriage of convenience that had me hooked from page one.

When Loren’s baby brother goes missing, she turns to the last person she ever expected: Callahan Keane — her childhood ex and the leader of a rival mafia family. Cal agrees to help… in exchange for one thing: a wife. The deal is struck, the wedding is fast-tracked, and suddenly we’re neck-deep in a forced proximity, high-stakes marriage brimming with unresolved feelings and undeniable chemistry.

There’s no shortage of action here — from tracking Loren’s brother to navigating explosive mafia turf wars — but what really had me feral was the slow burn tension between Loren and Cal. I devoured this book in under 24 hours. Marriage of convenience is one of my all-time favorite tropes, and this one hit every mark.

I cannot wait to continue this series. If you love second chance romance, forced proximity, and intense emotional stakes — grab this immediately!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Katherine Carter for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Through Any Fire is a Mafia Romance about a marriage of convenience between two people on opposite sides of warring drug families….who happened to be childhood sweethearts gone wrong. When Loren’s brother goes missing and Callahan is the only one left who she can ask for help all the feelings that had been buried come crashing back in. The action is fast paced and non-stop, the secrets just keep unraveling themselves, and there is just enough spice to keep you coming back for more! As always check the trigger warnings and happy reading! Thanks to Katherine Carter and NetGalley for giving me this opportunity!

Unfortunately DNF’d at 24% nothing had happened at this stage it was all very boring and predictable. If you’re not used to reading mafia romance maybe you’d like this more than I did! I didn’t like the MMc either