Irish mafia romantic suspense! Need I say more?

Vi Carter is continuing her winning Young Irish Rebels series with Mafia King. And what a fantastic story it is! Just the right amount of suspense, romance and angst to keep me on edge and falling in love with the couple. Emma is set for life. An arranged marriage to Jack O'Reagan is in her future and resigned to her fate, she has made her peace with it. And then the deal changes and she is told she is marrying Jack's cousin Shay! He is King of the North, and she will not go into this marriage willingly. Shay is everything I expect in a mafia king. Dark, dangerous, alpha, he isn't easy with Emma, but her feistiness kept her strong. Will these two find a way to bridge their gap? Emma at times showed her naivete, very hostile and judgemental, but as time went, her growth made it easy to like her. Shay too could be brutal, but his misunderstood character was easy to poke through and love. This story is full of action, not only in the bedroom and at times had me on edge thinking the worst was going to happen! It's the best kind of suspense blended with the growing love between Emma and Shay. A great addition to this series, and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Irish brogue is one of the hardest accents to sound realistic, but this narration team does it with ease. Curt Bonnem is amazing as Shay. He has a slight growl in his voice giving Shay a feeling of danger. Allyson Voller pulls out all the stops as Emma, from the slightly bratty to the mature woman. These two work well together creating this fantastic Irish mafia world and I look forward to more from them.

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Emma and Shay!

Born and raised in a mafia family Emma has always known that her marriage would be for power and not love. She has been preparing herself to marry one man only to have the groom switched and she is now facing leaving her family and her home to marry a man she doesn’t want.

Shay has agreed to marry as it will give him power in both the North and the South regions. He is surprised by his bride as she looks to be a damsel in need of being rescued but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. With so many different agendas in play from the people in their lives they find themselves trying to stay one step ahead of the danger surrounding them as well as get the justice that Shay and his family needs.

Emma’s feisty personality is a perfect match for Shay as she understands his lifestyle but with her he shows a gentler side. Suspense, surprises and two characters who found love where they least expected it. The narrators were a great match as they brought out the personalities of the characters and the suspense of the story. 🎧 Audiobook Obsession

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My Thoughts on Mafia King

My first thoughts on this story were that it was a good addition to the series, and also very entertaining. I found that when it came to the characters, I had varying feelings about many of them at different times but by the end I was satisfied with the story and at least liked both main characters. Some of the secondary characters I’m on the fence about and will have to wait and see what happens in future books.
There was a good range of not only twists and turns in the story but also character actions and developments. There were some moments when I didn’t like either main character because of something they had done or said but then shortly thereafter I was rooting for them or sometimes just feeling bad for them. I actually liked this fact. While I am all for characters that I love from start to finish, I also enjoy a character that can take me through a range of emotions about them. As long as I don’t end up hating the person I’m supposed to be celebrating their happy ending then I’m good.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series. There were certain plot points that were left open for the setup of the next book. But I felt satisfied with the way things wrapped up for these two characters.
The narration was really good as well. The male narrator, Curt Bonnem, was a voice I haven’t heard much from, but I found that I liked him very much. Allyson Voller I’ve heard several times before and really like her. This book was no exception.
🎧The Flock🎧

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Mafia King

Mafia King is a standalone with interconnected characters in the Young Irish Rebels series. This story is about Shay and Emma. It's a rocky start for these two with lots of murder, revenge, suspense and danger along the way. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Irish mafia stories. Curt Bonnem and Allyson Voller both did a good job bringing this story to life.
🎧Pink Flamingo Productions, The Flock Reviewer

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Fabulous listen

This story had me from beginning to end. The words made for a rich storyline. The narrators then elevated the experience with an amazing performance that brought life to the characters. The second book met all of my expectations and then some. I cannot wait for more.

🦩🦩 Flock Review 🦩🦩

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Brilliant!!

Mafia King is a brilliant addition to the Young Irish Rebels series. An arranged marriage mafia romance with depth. I love the realism Vi Carter's writing; the mafia culture and character came across as lifelike. Immediately, I connected with Emma and Shay, and I found their story to be exceptional. Loved Emma; only 18 years old but feisty, strong-willed, and is not afraid to speak her mind. However, the last thing she wants is to marry Shay O'Reagan, a Northerner, but she has little or no say in the matter. For Shay, a marriage with Emma is a contract, an opportunity to open previously closed doors. Shay is confident, intelligent, ambitious, dedicated, and on the path of revenge, trying to find the person responsible for murdering his brother. Their journey is packed with drama, intrigue, hidden agendas, suspense, revenge, excitement, passion, desire, love, and surprising twists. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.

Curt Bonnem and Allyson Voller did a stellar job with the narration. I really enjoyed the Irish accents, giving the story authenticity. They each played their roles flawlessly, making the story even more engaging. Overall, Mafia King was a fantastic story with quality narration, one I'll recommend.

🎧 TheFlock, PinkFlamingo 🎧

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Arranged Marriage Mafia Romance.....

Mafia King is an arranged marriage mafia read. Emma ends up being told she is marrying Shay despite her thoughts she was marrying Jack, and this does not make her happy. Shay is really just looking to be King and needs this marriage for that to happen. In addition, his sole focus is on finding the person who ordered his brother's death. Needless to say, Emma and Shay's relationship at the beginning was very much like oil and water. Like any good mafia romance, there was also a lot of drama, action and some turmoil along the way.

I really liked both Shay and Emma. Emma was strong and vocal. She expressed how she felt and didn't just sit back and let things happen. I also liked that she was willing to open herself up over time to Shay and see a different side to him. Shay wasn't very likeable in the beginning, but his loyalty to his brother was commendable and he was very protective and caring of Emma. Although their relationship started unconventionally, they definitely had some good chemistry.

It took me a little while to truly get into the book but once I did it was enjoyable. Both Curt Bonnem and Allyson Voller did a fantastic job with the narration of this book. They were both very pleasant to listen to and did a great job bringing this story to life. #PinkFlamingoProductions #TheFlock

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Dark Mafia Romance

This is book 2 but I didn’t know that and had no idea it was. I followed along with it as if it was a standalone book and enjoyed it. But there are definitely some really dark themes here. So don’t proceed if you have triggers.

It starts in innocence enough with Emma looking forward to her upcoming arranged marriage to Jack O’Reagan but is shocked to find out that it’s all changed last minute to her being married to none other than Shay O’Reagan and he’s a Northerner. The Murphy’(Southerners) despise the lot of them and Emma wants no part of it.

There is so much that happens to Shay and Emma even before they get to the altar and it’s hard to tell who is going to help and who is wishing them both or one of them died.

Curt shows us how twisted Shay O’Reagan can be but then also shows us that even the most troubled alpha hole can change their hearts when they find the one! Emma is quite the brat and silly defiant at the start, both main characters wrestle around each other at the start but as things enfold, they quickly realize they are better off together. Their trust and relationship grows throughout the book and I was happy for that because at the start I was wondering if they could make a connection. Those Irish don’t mess around and there is so many twists and turns that develop which will leave you shaking your head in wonder who they should trust! All while trying to get to the altar.

Allison’s performance was one I really enjoyed. I thought her accent was authentic and she showed Emma’s incredulity at the start then her sassiness when Shay and her have to fight for their lives. The growth of their trust and love for each other was what swings this book around and makes a gal believe in love again.

I think I may wish to listen/read book one before I go on in the series but I don’t think it took anything away from my enjoyment in this story.

#ALC #TheFlock
#ViCarter #AllisonVoller
#CurtBonnem

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Shay story

🎧 AUDIO REVIEW 🎧

AUDIO 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
BOOK 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I enjoyed the book, at points I thought the heroine Emma was a bit unfair to Shay.

I loved Shay though and was really glad got to hear his story. Audio was lovely to listen to.

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This series hits all the marks!

I love Vi Carter’s books- they’re layered, complex, and a fast-paced listen. This audiobook had me thinking long after it was over. Curt Bonnem and Allyson Voller do an excellent job bringing this story to life.

Emma is already promised to another in an arranged marriage. She has long ago accepted her fate as a mafia princess. Things change, and the marriage she expected is changed: She is instead promised to Shay O’Reagan. The relationship is on rocky ground from the start. Shay doesn’t trust her or her family, even though he accepts the arrangement for his own political future within the Irish Mafia. Although there is undeniable chemistry, the deep-seeded distrust and family rivalries don’t sleep easy.

Emma is no shrinking violet- she’s smart, tough, shrewd, and ready to fight. When she pushes back, there’s a reason behind it. It doesn’t take long for both Emma and Shay to realize the enemy isn’t the other, but larger forces at work.

I really loved this book. I loved the very human depiction of lust, suspicion, slow-building trust, and the undying need for vengeance. I can’t wait to listen to the next book in this series.

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