Maggie Cole is committed to bringing her readers alphalicious book boyfriends and fiercely strong heroines.
She’s been called the literary master of steamy romance. Her books are full of raw emotion, suspense, and will always keep you wanting more. She is a masterful storyteller of contemporary romance and loves writing about broken people who rise above the ashes. Her books can often be found hanging out in the top 100, even years after publication.
Maggie lives in Florida with her son. She loves tennis, yoga, paddleboarding, boating, other water activities, and everything naughty.
Her current series were written in the order below: All In (Stand alones with entwined characters) It's Complicated (Stand alones with entwined characters) Together We Stand (Brooks Family Saga - read in order) Behind Closed Doors (Read in order) Mafia Wars Mafia Wars New York Club Indulgence Duet Mafia Wars Ireland Wilted Kingdom Duet The Underworld The Cartwright Family (Holiday Romance)
Book info: - Age gap (20/38) - Irish organized crime - Enemies-to-lovers - Forced marriage - Exhibitionism - Virgin FMC / Manhoe MMC - Smex club - HEA
I'm not going to rate this because If I could give a 0 I would. I'd never hated a character the way I did with Maeve, she's stupid, stubborn, and naive. If I could get inside the book I would shake her so hard for all the foolishness she did in this story.
As for Tynan, he's a disgusting hoe who's unashamed of his lifestyle. He's also a misogynistic and crude asshat.
They're perfect for each other, truly. They're one the most annoying couples I've ever read and wished to forget. I don't know how I was able to finish this almost 500 pages book. I should've followed my gut to DNF earlier on.
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trope: arranged marriage Angst: 😱😱😱😱 Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
An beautiful, angsty ride from beginning to end! We met Maeve in the previous Mafia Wars: Ireland stories and I was definitely excited to see her with the last O'Connor brother, Tynan. Tynan had wanted her for a while and wasn't above using her father's issues as a way to finally get her.
Illicit Monster is well written, super fast paced, and has complex characters you can't help but love - even while wanting to wring their necks sometimes, lol. Maeve is super sweet and truly conflicted about her feelings for Tynan, with her biggest vulnerability being for a father that doesn't deserve her loyalty or tears. Tynan can be super manipulative, but truly cares for Maeve and wants her to spread her wings. Great characters in what's been a fantastic series. The epilogue was perfect and I'm super excited at the possibility there could be a next gen Mafia Wars series!
I absolutely loved this story! I fell in love with Tynan and Maeve from the very beginning. While their love story isn’t typical in any way you could feel their connection the entire way. I loved the playfulness and protection they showed each other and their ability to overcome every obstacle they faced. Age gap is one of my favorite tropes so of course I was totally digging this romance. A fantastic story you don’t want to miss!
I got booorrreeeddd. My reading slump might contribute in my impatience and intolerance. I just didn’t feel like being generous nowadays. It’s hard to give a chance in something that didn’t seem like it has potential in dragging me out of my slump.
The h was veeeerrryyy doormatty when it came to her dad. He was a drunk and a gambling addict and he bet on her then she kept making excuses for him and defended him. The H didn’t seen as mature as I would like him to be.
Maybe I’ll get lucky with my next read. And oh there’s a exhibitionist kink and that’s not something that I like all that much. If I can avoid that, I would. But if the book was good I’d make allowances. Since this didn’t work for me, I’ll just end my rant here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
So she goes with the big bad to spare her dad. They marry that night. Dad shows up the next day at their “reception” dinner and she says he smells like he hadn’t bathed in days. It’s not even been 24 hours. In the first 16%, she’s wailed”but he’s my dad” no less than 5 times. She is a very immature 20. He’s a complete dick at 38. The constant “babes” and the car were too much .
This story is the perfect example of the thin line between love and hate! The struggle Maeve has to love the one you should hate and hate the one who should love you is so real you feel it. What she gains is much more than love. It’s family.
Illicit Monster by Maggie Cole is a great book that I would rate 4 stars. The book is part of the Mafia Wars Ireland series and is an arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, age gap, and dark mafia romance.
The author does a great job of re-exposing old characters from previous books to make everything tie in. The main character, Tynan, is a girl who is by nature a caregiver, and it was interesting to see her in a different position. The book has steamy romance scenes that are well-written. The enemies-to-lovers trope was well-executed, and the age gap added an interesting dynamic to the story. The book has a good amount of suspense that kept me engaged throughout the story. Maggie Cole is a masterful storyteller of contemporary romance. Her writing style is engaging and easy to read.
The pacing of the book was a bit slow in some parts, which made it drag a little.
Overall, I would recommend Illicit Monster to anyone who enjoys dark mafia romance novels. The book has a great storyline, well-developed characters, and steamy romance scenes that make it an enjoyable read.
Good read to end off a series until the next one comes out, Maggie Cole has a way a grabbing you into a story and feeling like your actually there while everything is happening.
Wow!! The last book in the Mafia Wars Ireland series was in my opinion my favorite of the O'Connors.
The Instant chemistry Tynan and Maeve had was panty melting hot. I loved the game of truth or dare that they constantly played. The banter between them made their love/hate relationship real.
The fight they had to endure for the love they have for each other made this book hard to put down. You feel the love that Maeve has for her father, but you also feel the pain that she's feeling every time he lets down. The struggle Tynan has trying to tell her that her father is not trustworthy plays a toll on him, as she doesn't want to believe what he is saying. When she finally realizes everything, he's been telling her is true it's too late and she's in trouble. Tynan and his brothers do everything in their power to rescue her, and maybe unalive everyone that hurt her.
In the end, they finally admit that they love each other. I always love that part. The explosive ending was icing on the cake.
Kudos Maggie on an amazing series starting with the Original MW. It's a little sad seeing it all end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The finale to the Irish Mob series definitely had me engaged the whole way through. Tynan and Maeve I was eager for during book three. Maggie does a great job with mafia age gap romance. Tynan and Maeve story starts by a betrayal of an addict. Thrown together Tynan sees what all his brothers have and is sick of his father asking about his bride. He thinks of a way to get everyone off his back. He doesn’t understand how his feelings can grow so quickly. Will he cave into all her demands? Maeve has always been the caretaker of all. She is always the one bailing out her dad and cleaning up his messes. How will she adjust to having someone there for her to give her all she wants and more.
“I can’t argue with him. It was band now, all I can think is how luck I am that this is my life and how much I love my husband.”-Maeve
Maggie Cole does a great job of re-exposing old characters from books to make everything tie in, and it’s great to see all the mafia families in this finale. Awesome Job Maggie. Can’t wait for what you have next!
Tynan has wanted Maeve from the moment he saw her. So when her father places a bet with Tynan’s bookie he sees that as a golden opportunity to cash in. He wants Maeve as collateral. Maeve can’t believe what her father has done, she is married to the enemy. Of all of the O’Connor brothers he is the worst. Will they finally come together?
This is the last book of the Mafia Kings Ireland and it was well worth waiting for. Tynan was the last to get married and settle down,and the perfect opportunity arose,when he collected a debt from the "Da" of the one who he didn't realise would be his everything. They've met before,but not like this...Maeve was a woman who hadn't had the chance to live her life the way she wished to...all for the sake of family,or so she thought. Although the circumstances were not traditional...but what is traditional with these guys lol? being with Tynan opened her eyes to so much,what she's been missing out on,what she's truly capable of doing and being,and I loved the aspect of Truth or Dare throughout the book,because it showed how even the most strong willed and stubborn of the O'Connor men could be silenced every once in a while! From start to finish,it was jam-packed with action,secrets,lies and it was truly the perfect end to the series.
Loved the finale of Mafia Wars Ireland, which is Tynan and Maeve’s story. Won in a bet, will Maeve go easy on Tynan, or will she fall for his cheeky charm - who will win the truth or dares?? Has Tynan met his match.. These two characters bounce of each other perfectly and I always appreciate that Maggie Cole is a genius at linking her books and giving us the opportunity to still read about the other characters we have already met in previous books/series - her writing brings raw passion, intensity, and brilliant storylines, and as ever, leaves me wanting to read more, more and more!!!! Can’t wait to see what’s in store next - excellent work Maggie Cole!
3 stars I’m hoping this is the end of the many mafia wars series. This set was not my favorite. Tynan is an annoying man child. Maeve is an immature, annoying, Pollyanna child. Her father is a waste of oxygen. “But he’s my da” she exclaims over and over as he takes her money. And Tynan’s. Then he sells her to be “serviced” by two vile rivals of Tynan’s family. Ugh. I don’t mind age gap romance. I live in one. But I hate a man who calls himself Daddy, and his wife/partner Baby Girl.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Illicit Monster by Maggie Cole is a dark mafia romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Aaron Shedlock and Felicity Cole. This is the fourth book in the Mafia Wars Ireland series.
I really enjoyed the relationship that bloomed between Tynan and Maeve. I loved the push and pull between them. I liked that we got both of their points of views throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.
Aaron and Felicity did an amazing job on the narration. They both really know how to bring a story to life. I look forward to listening to more of their work in the future.
I would recommend this book if you're looking for a dark romance, mafia romance, enemies to lovers romance, age gap romance, or arranged marriage romance.
Another book from Maggie Cole that I could not. put. down!!!!
Tynan won Maeve from her father. That night he made her his wife. It was not the what she had dreamed of, as he’s the enemy, an O’Connor, and she’s part of the O’Learys. But she has no choice.
Tynan wanted Maeve since he first saw her months ago, and the bet with her father made it happen. But she has a choice. He’ll always give her one, but maybe not one she wants. Her life as his, or her dad dies. There’s always a choice. He’s not a total monster, after all.
This book just caps the series and wraps everything in a nice bow. There’s great relationship building, incorporation between past characters, and the love that blooms between Tynan and Maeve is just the sweetest. There are a couple of cringe moments but that’s in every book for me. Lol. It’s just a great way to wrap up this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
We know the O'Connor brothers don't stop until they possess exactly what they have set their sights on. Tynan is no exception when it comes to Maeve. He may have used her dad's gambling to make it happen, but he definitely puts in the work to make their relationship work. Maeve doesn't make it easy for him either. I absolutely loved seeing. I loved seeing their relationship developed as their story unfolds. It definitely isn't full of only sweet moments. They have to fight for it all against those they thought would love and support them, but also the enemy. Maeve does struggle with her father in so many ways, but she also struggles to see that Tynan always has her safety and well-being when every move he makes. Maggie definitely wrapped up this series with a bang. I love this whole series. I can't wait to see what comes next.
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What a great read ! Illicit Monster did not disappoint. Maeve and Tynan were captivating from beginning to end ! I loved their characters, but I despised Maeve’s Da. The story moved quickly and showed the true character of the O’Connor family. They were Irish Mafia, but they were family first and foremost. Seeing a different side of Tynan’s dad, Tully did my heart good. Tynan and Tully were finally on the same page after many years of disagreements.
Once again Maggie Cole wrote a great series .....and left the door cracked for possibly more from the O’Connors . Get your copy , settle back with your favorite beverage and get to reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksproutband am voluntarily leaving a review.
Illicit Monster is the fourth and final book in the ‘Mafia Wars Ireland’ series and is the story of youngest brother Tynan O’Connor. Although I did enjoy this book somewhat, it wasn’t as dark, thrilling and entertaining as the previous books in the series. The plot was a little thin and lacked the usual intensity that Ms Cole usually creates and I found Maeve to be a little immature and annoying at times.
That being said, i have enjoyed immensely the full Mafia Wars series starting with ‘Ruthless Stranger’ many moons ago and would recommend this author if dark Mafia is your genre.
I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a way to finish out this series! So, if you were like me, I was unsure going into this if I would like Maeve or not, just for how her part played out in the previous story. But knowing the author and that she wouldn't steer us wrong, I dove in headfirst, and I was not sorry! Giving us the best of everything, this is the perfect amount of drama, danger, violence, do not even get me started on how hot the naught bits are, they were by far the hottest of the series! Tynan and Maeve took the whole shebang! I give them 5 stars.
This is the last book for this series, although it’s not my favorite bc I felt like bother Tynan & Maeve need to grow up. I felt like both were very immature. The writing was great and that is why I’m giving 4 stars. Although I didn’t like this couple, the book is still great.
This was my favourite book of the series and a fitting end to Mafia Wars Ireland. As it's the last in the series, I don't want to say too much about the plot so as not to reveal any spoilers. But what I will say is...
Poor Maeve. She really didn't have a chance when her father was using her as collateral to support his gambling habit. But if you have to be sold off to a mafia hero, you'd definitely want it to be Tynan. I love the fact that she stood her ground and took every opportunity to trick him into doing all kinds of things, including buying her a very nice car!
I also love the fact that we saw some of the other characters from previous series, that we've come to know and love, and that they welcome Maeve into the family with open arms.
I'm sad that another chapter of Mafia Wars has come to an end, but looking forward to seeing what Maggie Cole does next.
Illicit Monster is the final book in Mafia Wars Ireland! So sad to see them go! Going to miss the Mafia books! Such a fantastic series! The book is filled adventures in an arranged marriage, unusual twists and fantastic characters!!!
Maddie Cole books should be must read for any romance fanatics!!!
I loved this story . Meave tried to be there for her dad but every time . The only good thing to come from her dads gambling was marrying Tynan. The story is very enthralling. You won't want to put it down.
What an end to the series.Tynan and Maeve’s story.
Loved Tynan's character, he came across so cheeky, won her in a bet, but think this was his plan all along, he wanted Maeve and he made sure he got her.
Maeve took a while to fall for Tynan's charm, but she soon realised that life with Tynan was 100% better than the life she left behind. But it's never that easy, especially when she has a gambling father that gives her away to anyone he can get a bet from.
This story was hot, cheeky, funny, and a great wrap-up to the series.
I always find Maggie’s books such a pleasure to read, so easy and thrilling, well thought out and suspenseful. This series has been one of my favourites.
Irish/ American Mafia, it’s full of great characters and a wonderful story. The whole world is just so addictive that you never want it to end. These guys have my heart, and that’s saying something, considering before now it was definitely her Russian Mafia that was at the top for me. Don’t miss this one it rounds off the series beautifully.
This is the last book of Mafia Wars Ireland series and it did not disappoint. I fell in love with Maeve and Tynan from the start. Who doesn’t love an age gap romance with a younger woman without a ton of experience, set in a mafia family? There are a lot of twists and turns when it comes to her Da and the O’Learys. Maggie did an amazing job completing this series. I strongly recommend reading her other Mafia wars series as well. they are amazing!
The final installment of the Mafia Wars Ireland series will take your breath away. A very dark side of humanity is explored caused in part by a “father’s” addiction. Is passion enough to endure and battle this evil or will real love be necessary to survive? This book has to be my favorite of the Ireland series and only second to the first book in the entire Mafia Wars trilogy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.