Vice + Virtue: Part 1

North Side Boys #1

by Wren Gray

EOIN
The first time I see her, she’s been broken—by the sort of cruelty I myself enforce.
She knows exactly who I am and what I’m capable of.
But I won’t let the sins on my hands or the darkness in my heart touch her.
Her uncle’s murder pushes us closer, and I can’t bring myself to let her go.
Even though it’s all wrong.
Because she’s a beacon of light in a dismal world. An angel.
Because she’s mine.

EVELYN
They say he’s a monster.
The Irish Devil.
To me, he’s a shadow living in the periphery of my life, pulling strings and crossing off names.
A man with a reputation that colors him various shades of red.
When I see him covered in my uncle’s blood, I believe every rumor I’ve ever heard.
But the Irish Devil won’t stay away.
He’ll ruin me in the end. And while every bone in my body warns me otherwise, I don’t think I’d mind.

No sense in fearing Death when he’s walking straight at you.

349 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2024

About the author

Wren is a former Southern girl living in Michigan with her little family, two dogs, and two cats. Obsessed with all things mafia-related, she loves few things more than a good, angsty Mafia Romance. She spends most of her time reading, writing, and designing. Her stories often deal with dark, deep elements and she always makes her characters earn their happily ever after.

Her favorite tropes are Enemies-to-Lovers, Arranged and Forced Marriages, “Touch Her and Die”, Age Gap, and Morally Grey Men.

Reviews

[Stephanie Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow burn mafia romance? I'm here for it! ALL. OF. IT. You can bet I'll be checking out Part 2 of this story!

"Eoin O'Malley is a good man. Brother, friend, businessman. The Irish Devil is a monster. Criminal, murderer, villain."

When Eoin takes over the bootlegging North Side Boys brotherhood from Seamus, his job gains a whole new depth as the mantle of boss. Add in the extra responsibility of taking care of Seamus's niece, Evie, after he is murdered in talks gone wrong with the old boys, and the Irish Devil begins to masquerade as a guardian angel...or is he?

Evie is nieve and a little petulant, but her ballerina story counteracts the hardened mafia criminal of Eoin superbly. The action scenes are also perfection... not too much detail, just enough to provide that big impact moment and keep you hooked for how things will turn out.

This story takes the "slow burn," "mine," and "touch her and die" tropes to a whole new level! 🔥

[Stormy Shadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75
Pub date: March 15th,2025
Format: kindle from BookSirens
I really enjoyed this, it’s first in a series. This is a mafia romance, it isn’t dark at all but it is entertaining and we get some backstory on the main character Evie and what she’s been through. She’s a ballerina and she loves dancing, she lost her family and in the beginning she loses her uncle who she really loved by his actions in the mafia world that she wasn’t aware of. Eion has always been around for Evie and is very protective over her and it’s a slow burn as she’s very reluctant toward him but slowly feels safe around him. There’s a dirty cop, Tommy who I hated.. and this ends on a cliffhanger. Very interesting though about the gangs between the Irish and Italians. I loved it and recommend

[Lo Sea · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I say I devoured this book, I am not exaggerating. She’s a slow burn, but in the most delightful way. That car scene… 🥵 Evie and Eoin are like oil and water while simultaneously complimenting each other in all the best ways. I was hooked from the jump and was fully immersed in the Chicago underworld from start to finish.
Beautifully written with fleshed out characters, backstories, distinct personalities and a plot twist or two. It’s not a cookie cutter book with scenes and dialogue you could copy and paste from any other book of similar genres. I’m massively surprised that this is Wren’s first book. She writes like a seasoned pro and I can’t wait for part 2 to drop!

[Tracy ann Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

what an amazing read from this Author left me wanting more. Eoin and his brothers were taken in. off the streets and looked after. Buy Seamus Kennedy and his wife. And now he is his boss. Eoin helped. Seamus to get his niece Evelyn.to safety. And into Seamus care. years later Seamus wants Eoin to take over the business. as Evelyn grows up Eoin is besotted with her. when Seamus is murdered Eoin will do anything to protect her. what is at play why do people want their hands on Evelyn? It ends on a cliffhanger so can't wait for book two.

[Michelle Shamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. Eoin is the last person Eve should want to be around. Especially after seeing her uncles blood in him. But something pulls her to him. And she is the same for him. He wants her but he knows he shouldn’t. These two are the best kind of wrong. They’re so right in all the wrongs ways. But it works due for them. And they’re explosive when they’re together. I absolutely fell in love with this book, the characters, the story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nicole Hamman · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want historical accuracy, skip this book. Our MMC grew up as an Irish street urchin at the turn of the century, however, he waxes poetic during all of his internal monologue, quite the poet for what should have been uneducated and mostly illiterate for the era. The author has a few misses in her timeline. Example: First the girl is naked under her robe and minutes later it’s pink panties and bra under it. Oops. The story is a lot more plot than spice. Spice is 1-1.5 chile peppers.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

the ending

I found this author on threads. And glad I did

Eoin in my mind looks like Tom Hardy. Very Peaky Blinders feel. Can I say that? I hope so.

Well written, characters fleshed out and the plot moves fluidly.

[Master Oogway]

Couldn't put it down

This was amazing. I have read mafia romance before, but not this time period. The attention to detail and accuracy is amazing. The sexual tension is high throughout, and it is so hot. Can't wait for the next one.

[Whitney Mayoral · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Slow burn mafia romance. He would do anything to protect her. When everyone around her starts dying, he comes in as her protector. I loved this book and can't wait for the 2nd one to come out.

[Kalia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with the tension between the 2 main characters. The story is so well written. You can tell the author did her research into the prohibition era. I binged this book because I couldn't put it down. I can not wait to read part 2 whenever it comes out. I need it!

[Wendy Arana · Rating 5 out of 5]

the book is amazing, the story is exciting and intriguing, I couldn't stop reading until I finished it. The development of both the story and the characters is incredible. I can't wait to continue with the next book. 🥰🥰

[Emerie Quyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing introduction to the North Side Boys! Gray did a wonderful job of intertwining historical aspects of the prohibition era mafia with the intriguing story of Evie and Eoin! Can’t wait to read the next book!

[Michellelovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book

[Mandy Kerns · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very well written. Wthe author does a great job of keep the story moving and a great pace. The alternating POVs worked very well I like knowing the inner monologue by the two main characters you get to know both characters way of thinking.