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.

4.75 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing). Ok I am seriously super into this series, there is something about mafia romances that just gets me! The enemies to lovers and forbidden romance aspect in this book was so exceptionally well done. Carrigan the female heroine was seriously so iconic, the definition of a girlboss. I loved getting small snippets of POVs from some of the other siblings, Cillian and Sloan, I will definitely continue reading this series.

Carrigan and James have some freaking tension! Having the history they have I didn’t expect anything different and, man, does it add to the intensity of their relationship as a whole.

These feuding families is very Capulet and Montague which means Carrigan and James are 100% forbidden. I could not stand the fact that Carrigan’s father was trying to sell her off and we had to read all about those horrendous dates to the worst possible bachelor’s. However, the little moments between the two (Carrigan and James) were priceless. They had their secret moments full of that tension and flirtation that I could not get enough of.

As always, Kate Robert mixed plot with spice seamlessly and I really enjoyed this book.

The second in the O’Malley series was even better than the first. A few clunky places along the way, but it was fun to be with the characters again and learn more about the others…and the steam, whew!

This was a reread for me. This is def a signature Katee Robert read. I loved it so much. She can not go wrong really!

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for this ARC. Ok so here is my honest review on this book.

Being that I did not read the first book in this series im not sure I missed anything? I will say I was able to follow along and enjoy the book. I am going to have to give this book a 3.5 stars. As i loved the characters and the romance between James and Carrigan, I for some reason couldn’t get into it as much as other Katee Roberts books I have read prior. But i think what kept me interested were the characters, I just loved them. I think if i read the 1st book it will give me a bit of a different look on this book. Still I do believe this book to be worth the read and it will go on my shelf once released!!!

Heated Rivals by Katee Robert, which was previously already published as The Wedding Pact, follows Carrigan O’Malley who we met in book one in this series. In this book, we follow her as she is forced into an arranged marriage. With tensions rising between mafia families, now isn’t the time to actually develop feelings for an enemy. But there is something so alluring about James, who is from a rival family.

This book is full of fun mafia romance tropes. There is forbidden love and action and betrayal and some steamy fun scenes all wrapped up in this series. I will say if you have read Robert’s more recent books, this older series doesn’t have the same amount of character development. This series was originally written in 2016 and Robert has grown as an author so much. I know she went through this series and edited some of it but she didn’t rewrite it completely and I think that shows.

I would say this series is really great for anyone looking for something really fast paced and spicy. I did enjoy this book slightly more than the first book because I liked James a lot better than Teague as a male lead. I am definitely planning on continuing this series because it is fun but not the best that this author has out.

3.5 stars rounded up!

Katee Robert delivers allllll the spice, every single book she writes!!!!
This book really captivates you from the start!!! I could not put this book down, and the execution of plot and character development was beautifully done!!

This is a spicy book i could not put down!! I would absolutely read this again and again and recommend it to anyone. I can’t wait to see what comes next

This couple really owns me. OMG. I wasn’t the biggest fan ever of Dark Succession, but this one had me so captivated and invested and in love with these characters and this story. Such an intriguing plot like with characters I adored. I really loved and enjoyed this!

"Heated Rivals" by Katee Robert is a scintillating addition to her captivating O'Malley series, delivering a sizzling tale of passion, power, and family secrets. As a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Robert continues to showcase her talent for crafting engaging stories filled with scandal, desire, and forbidden love.

In this installment, Carrigan O'Malley finds herself caught in an arranged marriage, where power and prestige outweigh matters of the heart. However, everything changes when she encounters James Halloran, a man from the rival Halloran family. Their electric chemistry is undeniable, leaving both Carrigan and James longing for more despite the animosity between their families.

Katee Robert excels at creating complex characters who come alive on the pages. Carrigan's strength and determination shine through as she navigates the expectations placed upon her, challenging societal norms and forging her own path. James, with his intoxicating presence and whiskey-voiced allure, embodies the struggle between loyalty and desire. Their internal conflicts and magnetic connection make for a compelling and emotionally charged romance.

The tension between the Halloran and O'Malley families adds layers of intrigue and danger to the story. Robert skillfully explores the intricate dynamics of feuding families, highlighting the high stakes and consequences that come with breaking boundaries. The forbidden nature of Carrigan and James' relationship heightens the sense of urgency and passion, keeping readers hooked as they root for love to conquer all.

"Heated Rivals" is a steamy and enthralling tale that delves into themes of power, loyalty, and sacrifice. Katee Robert's writing is both sensual and captivating, immersing readers in a world filled with opulence and intrigue. The palpable chemistry between Carrigan and James leaps off the page, igniting the story with a fiery intensity that keeps the pages turning.

Robert's ability to balance the heat of the romance with intricate plotlines and well-developed characters is commendable. The pacing is impeccable, and the story unfolds with a perfect blend of tension, passion, and unexpected twists. Readers will find themselves fully invested in the lives and fates of the O'Malleys and Hallorans, eagerly devouring each page to uncover the secrets and revelations that lie ahead.

"Heated Rivals" is a captivating addition to Katee Robert's O'Malley series, delivering a tale of forbidden love that will leave readers breathless. With its captivating characters, scorching romance, and a backdrop of family feuds, this book is a must-read for fans of passionate and addictive contemporary romance. Prepare to be swept away by the enthralling world of the O'Malleys and Hallorans as their rivalries collide with undeniable desire.

Katee Robert can write anything. Im obsessed with the Irish Mafia families of Boston. Carrigan and James’s story was hot.

I love the strength that Katee writes in her female main characters. They’re such badasses in a world determined to look down upon them for simply being a woman.

I will be continuing the story to see how this war goes!

Heated Rivals is dangerous, steamy, and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

After I began reading this, I realized that this was book 2 in a series. However, I still enjoyed it and could follow along with the story even reading out of order.

Carrigan and James are from two different mafia families who just so happen to be enemies. Their attraction and sexual chemistry are so hot that I was fanning myself while I was reading. They have a past but saying no to their desires is almost impossible.

What makes it even more captivating is the danger and suspense aspects. They are literally risking their lives because their feelings are just too powerful.

I don't want to give any spoilers away because it is a must-read! If you are a romance and suspense fan, then you have to read this!

I always enjoy reading books from Katee Robert because she knows how to wright a good forbidden romance. Carrigan and James are seriously my favorite!! They are such badass characters. Carrigan has to face a decision of marriage that she had no input in because her father is demanding her. They have a list of males who can be her groom that she gets to pick from… and i won’t give anymore spoilers you’ll just have to read to find out :)

This wasn't for me? I guess maybe I'm just not into mob romance. I didn't like much of this, and generally I'm a fan of Robert. I love her writing style, but the gender stuff in this book was too much for me. I found most of the characters either boring or easy to dislike (but not in an interesting way.) There also isn't much plot, but it's not fluffy either. I'm sure someone will like this, but it's certainly not me!

Please don't take this as a negative at all, but this series is bonkers ridiculous and I absolutely LOVE every word of it. I cannot wait to read the rest of the books and hope that it only gets more and more loony. I am here for it.

Okay, so if you like me found book one in the series (Dark Succession) lacking in the spice department do not fear this book steps it up. Very glad I stuck with series and gave this book a chance. James and Carrigan's story of forbidden love just gave me everything I love in romance, the tension, the yearning, and the jealously.

Dual POV
Enemies to Lovers
Forbidden Love
He Falls First & Harder

This book was previously published as 'The Wedding Pact', second book in the O’Malley series, that deals with the aftermath of the events in the first book. Not only the now strained relationship between the two families, but also the O’Malleys dealing with the loss of Devlin.

Even though the book mainly focusses on Carrigan and James, we also get glimpses at the other siblings and how they handle things now.

Carrigan and James met (if you can call it that) in the first book and now hate each other. Carrigan is in the process of picking a husband of which her father approves, to gain more power for the family. She feels trapped in her world and knows she can’t escape without some serious consequences. She was strong even though she felt so powerless, and the struggle felt so real to me. I also liked getting to know James more and how he tries to handle things with his new-found power since his father was imprisoned and the fight with his brother for said power.

As a bonus we meet Dmitri for the first time in this book. This series slowly makes it way to the top of my favorite series list and I’m not a bit sorry about it.

As always, Robert delivers a sexy and fun story centered around a larger than life man of someone's dreams.