[arc review]
Thank you to Forever Publishing for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Heated Rivals (re)releases July 3, 2023

2.5 (0.5 for the spice lol)

Heated Rivals is the second installment in the O’Malley’s series, and takes place 4 months after the events in book one. This story focuses on James Halloran and Carrigan O’Malley.

Compared to the first book in the series, this felt like such an excruciating slow burn — even though there was plenty of spice, it felt like it was taking forever for the main plot to move and at times the sex really overshadowed the ability for the mafia elements to be fully fleshed out.

The relationship dynamics between James and Carrigan started out angsty, but then it tapered off and they became too comfortable too fast for their enemy situation and the extremities of what happened between them in book one.
The whole list of potential suitors for Carrigan’s “arranged marriage” felt so dragged out when we could all see the final outcome from a mile away.

For this being a rerelease under a new title and cover, there were too many large continuity errors to ignore:
In chapter 11, where it said a week went by since Carrigan’s first date from the list of men and the night she spent with James in his car, but then her mother comes into her room and says “you had a date last night” in reference to said first date, when in actuality 6 days have passed so it would not be “last night.”
In chapter 13, where it opens stating that “James didn’t call her back since the first time”, when in actuality he did, but she just chose to ignore it, and she even says this a couple paragraphs later which contradicts her first statement of him never calling her back.
And further sentences and statements such as: “he wanted to grab her, to shake her until some sense popped into that gorgeous head of hers, but he’d never laid a hand on a woman in anger and he sure as fuck wasn’t about to start now. Tying her up until she saw reason wasn’t an option, either.” — are we all just collectively ignoring the fact that he kidnapped her a mere 4 months ago and did exactly that?! Tied her up out of anger from realizing that he fucked the enemy?! Like come on.

Again, this was a multi-pov written story, though I wish it would have stayed as just dual pov.
I also don’t understand the incorporation of the whole “she stole his photo album” because it just doesn’t seem like something Carrigan would do.

cw: death, violence, mentions of human trafficking, mentions of physical abuse (domestic and child)

Heated Rivals is the second book of The O’Malleys series of interconnected standalones. I love Carrigan and James! I couldn’t put this one down just like the first in the series. Carrigan is being set up by her father to marry a man of his choosing to better their family. She has never wanted this life but her time is up and her father is demanding she get married sooner rather than later. James is now the head of his family and they are enemies of the O’Malleys and with good reason. But he can’t help but be drawn to Carrigan. The love and connection between these two is palpable! I was rooting for them from the little taste I got of them from book one. I was hoping for a bit more for the ending though. I felt like it ended too quickly and left me wanting more. With saying that, I am invested in the O’Malleys and I can’t wait to read the next in the series!

I received a digital copy of the second book of the O’Malley’s series for an honest review through Netgalley. This will be re-released July 2023 in paperback. (Which I have preordered because I am really enjoying these AND the new discrete covers are gorgeous!!)

Okay, so I was really excited about Carrigan and James' story. I liked their dynamic in dark succession and their spicy scene in book 1 still lives in my mind rent-free. So when I found out they were the second book - I was over the moon.

Despite that, it did take me longer to get into the story this time. Which was a bit concerning with how excited I was for them. I thought it was because I don’t like a lot of 3rd person POV and it had been a few months since I read one that wasn’t first pov. Though I felt parts were repetitive about Carrigan’s family requests. I understood how bad it was and I just wanted to jump quicker into the plot of the story. And when it did start, that plot went full force - it was so good. I read the last 60% in one sitting. So, ya. Sucked me right in.

First off, Katee is legendary when it comes to writing sexual tension and smut… but when she decides to throw the emotions in there. It is literally candy. I think Jarrigan (yep… their name fr now on) is one of my favourite KR couples to date. I felt Jarrigan’s pacing was smoother and more natural than Teague and Callie’s. (but don’t tell them I said that because I loved them too)

Katee’s very good at creating worlds with lots of characters and making them all unforgettable. Even the ones you don’t like. It’s the perfect way to pull people like me into a big series like this one, or any of her series. I think in 3rd pov, we get even more of this because it doesn’t always have to be the main stars! I loved being able to see through Cillian’s eyes in this and am looking forward to diving into his character more. Aiden too… !? He hasn’t won me over yet tho. It’ll be hard to compete with Teague (dark succession) and James!!

Lots unfold in these books but with good pacing. If you like Katee’s wicked villains or the Dark Olympus series - this would be another great one to try out. Shady politics, spice, and hot main characters who will burn down the world for you!


Forbidden love!
Enemies to Lovers!
Mafia!

5⭐️ 4🌶️

LET ME TELL YOU HOW MUCH I LOVE A TRUE ENEMIES TO LOVERS ROMANCE 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

And mommy Katee never ever everrrrr disappoints. If one of the main characters isn’t actively trying or has tried to kill one another… I do not want it… it’s not true enemies to lovers.

I knew from book one that the love story between Carrigan and James was one I would love because their banter and chemistry was off the charts!!! That bar scene in book one and what happened after 😮‍💨🥵 PLS IT WAS SO HOT I COULDN’T HANDLE IT. We love a gentleman with kidnapping tendencies but who also does anything and everything to protect said kidnapped FMC.. 🤭🫡 He obviously fell hard and fast and obvs first. He was such a goner from the very first time they hooked up at the bar and it just developed so well from there. Besides… he may be a mafia baby but he is such a huge cinnamon roll with a golden retriever personality 😂 love to see it!!

I was reading this book and at some point had to stop to take a cold shower because when I tell you I seriously could not stop squirming. I have to say I think this series will soon replace Dark Olympus and Wicked Villains for me because if it continues to be as good as the first two books… I shall book arrangements for my own funeral.

GO READ THIS NOW AND THANK ME LATER 😜😜

Heated Rivals brings us back to Boston, this time watching Carrigan O’Malley as she navigates her family’s demands for marriage. Her father has given her a list and a deadline - find a husband, make the family proud, and do her duty. But Carrigan has eyes for one and only - her family’s number one rival, James Halloran.

The chemistry between these two is off the charts - the closet scene, the car in the park…smoking hot. But there’s so much more to them - they truly need each other, there’s a possessive streak on his end, and he’s obsessed with letting her be true to herself, which is just the freedom she craves.

Once again Katee Roberts brings her readers into a web of deception, rivalry, and backstabbing family war games while also weaving a tale of forbidden love and sexy spice. I cannot wait to read the next installment in this series.

This was a quick mafia romance read. If I’m being honest, I didn’t enjoy this one as much as dark succession.

I loved Carrigan. She seemed very steadfast and fearless. I didn’t love James, though, and I think that made it hard for me to root for them. The story was pretty predictable, but also very sad and intense at times. I will definitely continue reading through the author’s backlist!

⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Thank you to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
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The second book in the O’Malleys series is Carrigan’s story. After being kidnapped by James Halloran, and subsequently saved by him, in book one, Carrigan has found herself in a predicament. She has to marry a man of her father’s choosing, but she’s secretly interested in James. They know they can never actually be together - their families are sworn enemies - but can she settle down and be the stepford wife of her father’s dreams or will she throw her family to the wind in pursuit of love?
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I thought book one in the series (which I also received as an ARC) was fun, different, and enjoyable. This one… not so much. It was incredibly repetitive, the same dialogue happened over and over again, and it was most definitely too long (even though it only took me two hours to read it). Katee is great at spice, but of all of her books that I’ve read, only one has kept me captivated with the plot and character development. I wish there was simultaneously more and less here, and I really struggled to enjoy any aspects other than the three spicy scenes.

I really enjoyed stopping back into the world of warring families in Boston. Carrigan and James were so fun to read, and the tension was exquisite. I love that I can see the set up for whose next, and I can't wait to read it!

The Wedding Pact is a steamy forbidden romance that will draw you in from the start!

What You'll Find:
--Mafia Romance
--Forbidden
--No Strings Fling
--Insta Lust
--Multiple POV

James carried this book for me. I enjoyed him most of all. A man of few words but when he speaks you listen. He comes off as a bit arrogant, but in a playful way. And he could certainly dirty talk!! They have a chemistry from the start, but they know this is just a fling. Some short time fun. Because their families are rivals. And Carrigan is being forced to marry soon. You get a peek into the start of their story in book one. But their banter and connection carries over and I was here for it. Fiery, but also with glimpses of intimacy.

While I really enjoyed the MC's and the storyline. I didn't completely love the execution of it. It didn't seem to flow smoothly. There is quite a bit of inner monologue again, especially with it switching through various POV's. It lost my attention at times. Mostly in the middle where I just wanted things to get moving. But overall, I like this Boston crime world setting and the glimpses into the family members. I want all their stories. Especially Aiden's. Will continue this series.

3.5 Stars ⭐

*Check TW's if needed. Thank you to Forever Publishing for the complimentary ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and given freely.

Heated Rivals is a dark and suspenseful mafia romance that I would recommend it to fans of Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score, My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey, The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L Jensen, Scandalized by Ivy Owens, A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L Armentrout, or Redeemed by Lauren Asher. So far, I don’t feel like this series has lived up to my high expectations; I was expecting big things after reading and enjoying Court of the Vampire Queen by Katee Robert.

Katee Roberts just keeps knocking it out of the park! Though this can be real as a stand alone, it is highly suggested to read the first in the series. This book will keep you on your toes and gives you a much more grounded version of millionaire romance kind of story. Loved it!

Rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ /5
Spice 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶 /5

I was really excited to read this book after having read Dark Succession, the first book in this series.

I really loved Carrigan when she was introduced in book one. Her independence and fight against the chains of her families demands. She is so torn between her obligations and following her wants and needs. James being her greatest want and need of all. The pure carnal pull between the two was obvious in ever bit of their actions. I loved that there was both of the POVs and we were able to see both of their thoughts and feelings as the relationship built.

This book reminded me of a play on Romeo and Juliet with them being from enemy families. Both Carrigan and James having no want to continue the sins of those who came before them. The two of them realizing that the more they ignore the spark between them, the stronger it would get.

This book was exactly what I wanted it to be. While predictable at times there were still some surprises I didn't expect. I can't wait for the next book in this series!

I'm a massive Katee fan. 2rd person is not my jam. But it was well done. Carrigan is my favorite type of FMC!!!!

Again, Katee Robert just does not miss. I'll read anything she writes - she has even converted this former mafia romance hater.

Carrigan O"Malley and James Halloran come from different worlds. As Carrigan approaches her 30th birthday, her father gives her a list of 6 men that he has approved for her to marry. She hates all of them and there is only one man that she has ever had true feelings for, despite the fact that he had kidnapped her and his family wants her dead. James Halloran lost his mom at a young age and was raised father. Their father trained his kids to be like soldiers, emotionless and business driven, but James chose not to turn evil. James was working on turning the family business into something good after he took command since his fathers arrest. There is just one thing on his mind that he can't stop thinking about, Carrigan. James truly cares for Carrigan, even though she may be stubborn. The two sneak around being their families back until Carrigan has to make her decision on who she will end up marrying. Will she end up with James, or will she be forced to marry someone just for the sake of her family's business?

This enemies to lovers, and forbidden romance novel is about two people whose families prevent them from being together. My favorite thing about this book was the romance plot between James and Carrigan. You can tell that James loved Carrigan from the beginning, but we got to see Carrigan falling in love with James. While the romance in this book is great, the family/mob activities are hard to follow. While this book does focus of Carrigan and James, there is a lot of appearances from their siblings. Katee Robert gives us little scenes with the siblings in this book that make us question what will happen with them as the series continues. While I do love a little bit of foreshadowing, this does make the story a little hard to follow.

This book is intense and will leave you rooting for James and Carrigan until the end!

So I was already a fan of Katee Robert but hadn’t read any of her mafia series. This did not disappoint. Sometimes I struggle to enjoy the mafia genre because of the “woman’s place” and this does have that construct but I felt like the way it was handled was really refreshing and I was definitely satisfied by the end.

I would recommend reading this series in order as I did not read the first and felt like I missed some things, even between the two love interests of this story. This is written with some random albeit short POVs from other characters and that took me out of the story a bit. Also being in 3rd person I kept not realizing it was one of those moments and thinking it was the main characters at first.

The spice is written to perfection per usual. I loved the star crossed/rival families vibe and wondering how they would resolve it, definitely had some angst there.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for this ARC!

Katee Roberts writing continues to be very compelling, and extremely hard to put down, with the second installment in this series.

While I do love a heroine that ‘saves the day’ and stands up for what she believes in, I didn’t feel the connection between James and Carrigan. There was definitely chemistry and a lot of lust, but nothing really beyond it.

Book 2! This is the second in Katee Robert's amazing O'Malley's series. It picks up right where Dark Succession ends. I do recommend reading this as a series in order, as James and Carrigan first meet in the previous book. The backstory there is essential to begin able to fully understand and enjoy Heated Rivals.

This one is a bit of a star-crossed lovers. James Halloran is the leader of his family, and Carrigan is the eldest daughter of the O'Malleys. Her father has a short list of men that she must choose among to marry. But she and James have a hot and complicated history.

This is such a great mafia romance. There's a lot that is morally gray. But the way that James and Carrigan show up for each other is amazing. I love all of the family drama and the insight we get in to Carrigan's siblings and their upcoming relationships.

I highly recommend this series, and I absolutely adore the gorgeous new covers.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.

I didnt realize that this was the second in a series and was confused at the references to previous occurances, but other that that this book was hot, sexy and sinfully delicious! Loved the absolute sparking chemistry between Carrigan and James!

Heated Rivals continues the tale of the O’Malley siblings in this Boston mafia series from Katee Robert. In the second installment, we have Carrigan O'Malley, the smart and cunning daughter whose father provides her with a list of men from whom she has to pick a husband, and James Halloran, newly in charge of the rival Hallorans and a man who is most definitely not on that list. The problem? A shared moment of passion that, even with a minor kidnapping and near death incident, leaves these two unable to think of anyone else. Will their secret tryst just bring them passion, or will it lead to the next great war of Boston mafia families?

This book was a solid second installment in this series! It's starts off 4 months after the events in book one, but doesn't give much refresher so took me a minute to remember all of what happened in the first. While about different couples, they do need to be read in order so you understand the family dynamics and plot.

I find Katee's writing to be so fun and engaging. Whether she is writing about mafia gangs or magical beings, I love her style. This book was such a quick read and was a good mix of character development, plot, and the spice we know that she is so good at!

This book is your classic rival mafia story. We have families who hate each other and hidden love affairs. People who know they shouldn't be together, but there is just something about the other that makes it hard to stay away. I loved the main characters in this! Carrigan wants so badly to be taken seriously and seen for the smart woman she is, but her father only values the marriage connections she can make. James wants so badly to get his family on a better path but is cleaning up the mess made by his father and older brother. They have such an incredible dynamic together and I really loved seeing them care so much about the other and open up to each other.

As always, she does such a good job with secondary characters and letting us get snippets of them to lead into their own stories. We were also introduced to a new bad guy and I cannot wait to see where the series goes after this as it is getting EXCITING.

I received a copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.