I really hate the instalust. It’s just not my thing. I’ve read several books by this author so far and every single one just feels like the same book, with different versions of the same characters. There’s no tension or suspense. The plots are very thin. The world-building nearly nonexistent. I feel like the mafia aspect was not done very well, even though it had so much potential. Everything falls extremely flat for me. I couldn’t even really get into the smut scenes because there just wasn’t enough build up. Sometimes I love a fun, fast, exciting romance to breeze through and enjoy as a guilty pleasure type of read. But this was not that kind of experience for me. It was all rather meh. I ended up DNFing this series because I just have no interest to continue and this may just not be an author for me.

(3.5 stars, rounded to 4)

Another great book by Katee Roberts!

I loved James & Carrigan’s forbidden attraction, SO HOT!

I do feel like I should have read book one before i requested this. I was able to follow the plot, but there are a lot of characters and I think that would have made it easier.

One thing Katee Robert is going to do is make HEEEAAAAATTTTT!

This title is a rerelease making it an exciting piece for fans of Katee Robert's writing to pick something up while waiting for her other titles to release!

However, I will concede that I mostly loved this book because I love Katee as an Author, and while entertaining this is not one of my favorites from her. In general, I am not much of a Mafia romance lover but I am a sucker for a good Romeo and Juliet esq love story. (And let me be so real the spice is unmatched). I love how she builds tension and connection between characters but I found I just wasn't completely feeling the direction this story was taking. Even while it is not one of my favorites I feel that those who really enjoy mafia romances will definitely be excited by this one!

I usually really enjoy Katee Robert's books, but this one was a bit of a letdown. I'm not sure if it's because it's the second book in the series and I'm not totally connected to the characters, but the whole plot seemed a bit forced and rushed.

I wanted to like it so badly, but I just couldn't get into this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I always love a good Katee Robert and this one did not disappoint! Full of spice, wild moments and all around fun

I do love the new packaging of these books and am so happy that Katee Robert is getting the recognition she deserves. I think that mafia romances, however, are just not my cup of tea. I found the main characters to be quite bland. Characters actions’ - good and bad - have to be justified in a way that waters everything down. James does some pretty extreme things which are just glossed over. I think they were more interesting in the first book - and I fear this is what will happen to every other side character during their starring novel. I was glad about who saved who in the end, flipping the dynamic that seemed to be the whole basis of the heroes’ relationship. I’ll read the other books because I am curious about what will happen to Carrigan’s siblings, but I’d definitely recommend Katee’s newer novels to anyone interested in her work.

So good! I can't believe I haven't read this yet. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series.

Katee Robert is an instant buy author for me! I know I can always count on diversity, inclusivity, and next level spice. Heated Rivals is the second book in the rebranded O’Malley series and all I can say is “more please!” I love that Katee also incorporates secondary characters from other series, giving them their own stories in a completely different setting. She is amazing with character crossover and breaches different genres with a fluid ease that I love. The tension between the O’Malleys and the Carrigans can be felt through the pages and the passion that develops is scorching. I preordered these all in paperback and I’m so excited for the next one!

This book was previously known as the marriage pact. After the first book, we know that the O’Malley’s and Halloran‘s who always arrivals now both hate each other, even more because of their respective deaths in their families. Karagen, O’Malley and James Hallaron have an instant chemistry, and they cannot resist one another. It’s fascinating to see how the relationship develops and how they both try hard not to fall for each other but at the same time can’t stop themselves. the complications of family and the family businesses make everything feel like it’s heightened in the book. I love this book and the next in the series is just as good.

Katee Robert has me in a chokehold. I will read everything she writes in this is no different. The characters in this story captivated me in such a different way than her other series have. I will literally her grocery list if she would allow it.

I really love this author & this series great! I’m so glad I was able to get a chance to read this one! I loved that Carrigan & James were enemies, who couldn’t stay away from one another! Carrigan was such a vibe! She’s the oldest girl. Speaking her mind(not to her father) and enjoying life until her father said she must choose a husband! James is now the heir to his family buisness even though he doesn’t want it. James is tough but does have a heart. And he wants Carrigan! Nothing will stop him from getting her. I really loved these two and how they fought for what they wanted! This was such a good mafia romance with all the steam! Plus all the drama! I can’t wait for the next one!

Summary (from Goodreads):

Carrigan O'Malley has always known her arranged marriage would be more about power and prestige than passion. But after one taste of the hard-bodied, whiskey-voiced James Halloran, she's ruined for anyone else. Too bad James and his family are enemy number 1.

Hallorans vs. O'Malleys—that's how it's always been. James should be thinking more about how to expand his family's empire instead of how silky Carrigan's skin is against his and how he can next get her into his bed. Those are dangerous thoughts. But not nearly as dangerous as he'll be if he can't get what he wants: Carrigan by his side for the rest of their lives.

I was provided an ARC for this book from Netgalley.

Not my most favorite from Katee Robert, but she never fails in delivering the BEST spice. It reminds me of a modern day Romeo & Juliet retelling. I honestly didn't think I would like it as much as I did. The pace is fast and it will wreck your emotions. Although I would not re-read this, I would recommend for a quick read if your looking for mafia spice. :)

Fun to revisit some of Katee Robert's backlist, though this wasn't my favorite of hers -- a bit too much macho/possessive protective energy, YMMV!

Thank GOODNESS book 2 in this series goes right to Carrigan and James. No joke, if I would have had to wait after the way things between them started in Dark Succession there would have been a tantrum.

I mentioned in my review for the first book that the O’Malley series is my new go-to Mafia romance recommendation. If anything changes with the second part of the series it’s just this: I love it even more now. Carrigan and James as a couple were it for me. The instant attraction to immediately betraying each other? Lovers to enemies to lovers is just peak tension and I ate it up. Book 3 can’t come out fast enough because I need to have the full series on my favorites shelf!

(4.25 rounded down to a 4)

Heated Rivals by Katee Robert is a dark mafia romance novel and the second book in The O'Malleys series. We follow multiple POV characters but have a deeper focus on two: Carrigan and James.

Carrigan O'Malley always knew she would have to marry for politics, not love. Now her father has only given her the month until her next birthday to choose a husband from a list. As a second son, James didn't expect to run the Hallorans. And though there may be peace at present, war is always brewing between the families.

This book was previously published as The Wedding Pact. I've really been liking the designs on the new alternative covers from Forever.

Let me start out by saying that I love Katee's books, I support her on Patreon. So I'm probably a little biased.

But y'all... this was great and I inhaled it within 24 hours. I liked it better than the first book, and I'm so excited to keep reading in this series!

I was already here for Carrigan and James from our interlude with them in the first book in the series, Dark Succession (previously published as The Marriage Contract). As in all of her books, consent is shown really well here, which I always appreciate.

We peek into the lives of a few of the other O'Malley siblings here. Sometimes their chapters dragged a bit for me, but I appreciate the conceit that this story is about a group of siblings and I do like checking in on them and watching their growth.

Tropes in this book include: enemies to lovers, forbidden love

CW: abusive father, sibling death (on page), guns, blood, assault, murder, torture (mentioned), firearms, sexual assault (brief), abduction (mentioned)

Such a solid mafia romance. I devoured this entire series. Katee Robert will also be an easy to read author for me

I absolutely loved the first one in this series and was so excited for this book. It just unfortunately fell flat for me. There was so much going on that I felt confused pretty much the entire time. The relationship also didn’t feel natural.

Love Katee Robert's books! Her writings and stories always leave me satisfied and wanting more by her!

Just finished the book and there are so many thoughts running through my mind right now!

I truly devoured this one. As a mafia/dark romance girlie, this book had absolutely everything that I adored! Enemies to lovers, forbidden romance, the hottest smut, and a mind-blowing finale. Perfection.

I’m so ready to read the next one, and the fact that this is an interconnected series is just *chef's kiss*.

This mafia romance is hot and definitely worth the read. These two opposing sides wind up falling in love. Cariggan and James are definitely worth reading about. This book is excellent. Worthy of those who love enemies to lovers and mafia. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.