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Irish

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He watched the towers fall alongside his childhood best friend, Sean, and together they made a promise to always have each other's backs. But when Seamus Patrick Murphy, known as "Irish," returned home from the military to a disastrous divorce, he knew he needed a fresh start. So he drove hard and fast towards the mountains of Colorado, leaving behind the East Coast and his ex-wife.

Now, five years later, Irish is the Vice President of The Spartan Watchmen Motorcycle Club and the leader of a nonprofit adventure camp for at-risk inner-city teens. He's found purpose and fulfillment in his new life, and he's sworn off love. The only thing he needs is his loyal mountain sheepdog, Clover.

But when Sean calls in a personal favor, Irish finds himself hiring and babysitting Sean's little sister, Makenzie. The last time he saw her, she was just a little girl in elementary school. Now, she's a beautiful, curvy thirty-year-old woman who has run away from her own wedding. And she's in desperate need of a Daddy to sweep her off her feet, hold her tight, and take care of her.

But Makenzie is off-limits. She's his best friend's baby sister, and Irish knows he shouldn't want her. But as they spend more time together, their undeniable chemistry and growing feelings make it harder and harder to resist. And when danger threatens Makenzie, Irish will do anything to protect her.

For fans of forbidden love and protective alpha males, “Irish” is a heart-wrenching, steamy romance that will have you rooting for love against all odds.

199 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2024

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About the author

R.J. Gray

53 books625 followers
RJ Gray is a USA TODAY bestselling author of Explosively Hot Romance. She is also an international bestseller. Residing on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu with her husband, two young sons and their rescue pup, RJ lives an active life. When not writing, her hobbies include whipping up delicious meals, capturing life's beauty with her camera and attending her children's multiple sporting events. Hobbies she shares freely about in her FB Group Gray's Bibliophiles.

Having spent the past fifteen years married to an active duty military bomb technician, and as a veteran herself, RJ has a passion for military and veteran causes. You will find these themes in many of her books.

You can find out more about RJ Gray on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRJGray

Feel free to contact her: AuthorRJGray@gmail.com

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5 stars
95 (67%)
4 stars
28 (19%)
3 stars
12 (8%)
2 stars
3 (2%)
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3 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Kristen Lewendon.
8,429 reviews64 followers
May 29, 2024
At its heart, this book was a deliciously taboo story about falling for your best friend’s little sister/big brother’s best friend. But that wasn’t the only situation Irish and Makenzie needed to deal with. I felt like there was a lot going on in this book, but it was never so much as to be overwhelming. I loved how deep this went into the Lifestyle and how it focused on what makes a healthy versus unhealthy dynamic. It was a sweet and spicy story that kept me glued to the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the one villain’s justice, and now my vindictive side is quietly crossing her fingers that we’ll learn about the punishment the other villain receives in a future book. I understand Irish’s choice in the matter, but it leaves me feeling a little like I’m missing something without it. I can’t wait to see what the author gives us next.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author.
Profile Image for Kathy Heare Watts.
7,068 reviews175 followers
June 6, 2024
RUNAWAY BRIDE

The story is the first in the Spartan Watchman MC which is a spinoff from the Veterans of Valhalla. There will be the mention of Valhalla in this story and a few characters will have cameo appearances. Makenzie Sullivan will be dressed and ready to walk down the aisle to marry Eugene when she realizes it isn’t what she wants. With the help of one of her older brothers, Sean, he will make arrangements for her to leave and go to Grand Ridge, Colorado to stay with his best friend, Sean ‘Irish’ Murphy, a retired Navy SEAL.

The story is a new journey for Makenzie and Irish as she stays with him to try and decide what she wants to do about her future. She just knows that marrying Eugene isn’t it, and isn’t fair to either one of them. When she meets friends of Irish’s at Spartan Watchman, she feels a connection and even talks with a few of the women. Sharing a piece of her past that caused her emotional and physical damage. Learning that this is a judgment-free zone allows her to open up and explore the desires of her heart. For Irish, he sees characteristics in Makenzie to believe she is hiding her Little side—and he is just the Daddy to help her open up and trust.

I loved the story of Irish and Makenzie and watching them traverse the dynamics. For her to trust this lifelong friend, knowing he would never hurt her. For Irish to learn of the abuse she suffered, and with the help of friends, find the troublemaker and make them pay. Even Irish will discover that his trust and faith in others has been abused doesn’t come easy.

The story has the good, the bad, and the ugly and evilness of people. It was fun seeing some of the former characters from previous books too. The story has mystery, suspense, and danger, along with the abuse of trust and information, along with hacking and cyber crimes. In the end, Makenzie and Irish will discover that they belong together.
2,091 reviews3 followers
June 11, 2024
This is the latest entry in the Spartan Warriors series, which itself is a spin off from the Veterans of Valhalla books. As you would expect from a setting where community is integral, characters from previous books make appearances, but you're never expected to know their backstory, which makes reading this as a standalone very easy.
I loved the relationship between Irish and Mackenzie, it was so full of love and caring right from the start. I loved that it addressed Mackenzies desire to be Little as well as Irish's desire to Daddy. This would be an excellent book to read if you're just starting in the DDlg genre as it communicates the relationship very clearly. However, there were a few instances where the writing was a bit clunky during conversations between the two MC's.
I had started to think that it wasn't going to address a storyline but instead it's mentioned in the Epilogue, so obviously it will be resolved in a future book.
Overall, this is a great book and a good balance of both characters.
Profile Image for Melanie.
4,274 reviews35 followers
June 13, 2024
Makenzie has spent her life trying to live up to other's expectations. But, there was one expectation she couldn't fulfill. Mattying a man she didn't/couldn't love. She ran away on her wedding day and ended up in the arms of her brother's best friend, Irish. She's known him all of her life. Irish is a former SEAL, the Spartan's VP, the owner/operator of succesful troubled youth outreach program and a Daddy. Taking care of Makenzie is a no brainer but discovering that she a Little g8ves him the chance to pursue his attraction to her. It's not aneasy road to their relationship. She's been butned badly by someone posing as a Daddy then manipulating her. Learning to trust him won't be easy but fulfilling her Little desires is a deep seated need. He has her trust and he wants her love.
1,287 reviews
May 28, 2024
Irish is a member of The Spartan watchman.
Sean is Irish’s longtime friend.
Makenzie is Sean’s sister.

Irish and Makenzie have known each other along time.
Makenzie needed a place to regroup after becoming a runaway bride.
Sean called his friend Irish to look after Makenzie.
Irish and a Makenzie have an attraction and chemistry a slow burn to igniting and explosive.
She is shy and hesitant about opening up, since she was hurt, bullied and taken advantage of.
Can Irish help solve things and have a Happily Ever After?

This book has suspense, intrigue, bullying, betrayal and extortion.

Great Job R J Gray !!!
Profile Image for Rhonda.
3,802 reviews63 followers
May 30, 2024
In the second book in this series, we get Irish and Makenzie's story. Irish's best friend, Sean, asks him to take care of his sister, Makenzie, when she runs from her wedding before it happens. Both Irish and Makenzie try and fight what is happening between them but you know them coming together is going to happen. The story was wonderful in telling how their relationship is suppose to work and I loved that Irish took his time with her. There is some danger and at times the story went deep but it wasn't enough to put the book down. Ms. Gray is an excellent story teller and I can't wait to read what she brings us next.
Profile Image for Karon Price.
1,282 reviews34 followers
Read
June 3, 2024
Irish is more than willing to help out his best friend's sister. Then he discovers Makenzie escaped from a wedding to a guy she wasn't really in love with, literally meeting her at the airport with her still in her wedding dress. These two are more than attracted to each other, but Makenzie has been burned by a wanna be Daddy Dom. I loved how this was a very hot, but still slow burn as they explored and learned just what they both wanted. Also, great storyline about the bad guys, those you know and those you don't (lips zipped to avoid a spoiler). Loved the familiar characters we saw and looking forward to the next story in the series. Great HEA.
Profile Image for Carolyn Spence.
1,973 reviews17 followers
May 30, 2024
I always love Ms. Gray's book, they always offer information on how relationships work, or what the basics of relationships should have. Every relationship is different and that's the beauty of each story she tells. It's a wonderful journey to be a part of each character's growth in each story. The alpha guys are perfect and swoon worthy. The ladies, well, they are adorable and are very strong. Reach out for that life vest whenever you need to, you won't sink.

I voluntarily reviewed this book.
779 reviews7 followers
May 28, 2024
Irish and Mackenzie’s story has a little more in depth knowledge of how a good DDLG relationship should be and what can happen when it all goes wrong. Mackenzie becomes a run away bride when she realizes she needs to listen to her needs and not those of her family. She’s wisked away to the waiting arms of Irish her brother’s best friend. How their relationship unfolds and their feeling for each other develop makes for a great page turning read!
1,506 reviews10 followers
May 31, 2024
Wow, this is a fabulous read. The emotional push and pull is well written and really pulls you deeper into the story. The story covers the good and the bad of the lifestyle. The bullying, manipulation, and boundaries being completely ignored in and out of the lifestyle were horrific but the author does a great job of not letting it overtake the story. She focuses on the good things in the lifestyle with grace and style. This story was unputdownable.
Profile Image for Marybeth.
2,316 reviews22 followers
May 31, 2024
I loved this new book in the Spartan Watchmen MC series. Makenzie is a Little looking for a Daddy. She definitely wasn't finding that with her former fiancé, so she left him at the altar and escaped with her brother's help to Irish, his boyhood friend. When Irish sees her again, he knows that she is the one. He then convinces her that he is the one she is looking for. He also introduces her to more Littles and the lifestyle. Great story, and I'm looking forward to more in the series.
354 reviews
June 6, 2024
This was a very sweet story. Irish is patient and protective. Mackenzie has just turned her whole life upside down and she knows her brother's best friend can give her what she needs. Irish knows they belong together from the moment he sees her again and he just needs to convince her. This is a great series and I love all the connections Grand Ridge has to offer. Another great addition to the Valhalla world!
Profile Image for Charlotte.
980 reviews
May 30, 2024
Irish & MacKenzie

RJ Gray, this Irish: A Best Friend’s Little Sister, Forbidden love, Former Military Daddy Romance (Spartan Watchmen MC Book 2) gut wrenching with the many atrocities one person faced but the alpha males so willing to love and protect was everything!! On to Book 3!
378 reviews3 followers
June 5, 2024
Amazing, every sub must read

So many insights to take into your life. So many thoughtful moments. So much to hear if you have been shamed, abused, in an unhealthy lifestyle. So much to hear about healthy submissive relationships.
A masterpiece that leaves you thinking and going back to page one in order to reread the book
Profile Image for Tiffany Barnett.
676 reviews5 followers
June 13, 2024
I absolutely loved Irish & Mackenzie together! Best friend’s sister and Daddy trope put together for a whole bunch of goodness.

I loved how protective Irish was of Mackenzie. She was foing through some sruff and that Irish just wanted to be there for her. The chemistry was great, and I loved seeing them together.
Profile Image for Judy.
2,112 reviews13 followers
June 13, 2024
Losing a parent is very hard. These Comfort boys are cursed, or so they say. Reagan is new in town and was their lawyer for the reading of the will. Billy is willing to put down his wild oats for a chance at a HEA. LOVED reading this. What's next. I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
2,120 reviews15 followers
June 17, 2024
I Liked Irish and Mackenzie. I Liked that she is his best friend's sister so he helps her escape a wedding she doesn't want. I Liked that this book has Mackenzie finding the right man for her in Irish. I Liked their romance with more going on.

I read an ARC and am leaving my honest and voluntary review.
51 reviews1 follower
August 12, 2024
This was yet another fantastic book by the wonderful RJ Gray. I love how Makenzie and Irish met again as adults, how he had already guessed that she was a Little, and how their relationship developed in leaps and bounds from the moment she opened up to him, and once she did, there was no going back. He stood by her through thick and thin. I can't wait for all the other books in this series.
Profile Image for Kassie.
1,506 reviews4 followers
March 21, 2025
Story 2.75⭐️ Spice 1.5🌶️
This book focuses way too much on the boring mundane conversations and basically skips over some of the good parts. Even if you can decipher the misspelled words and the using of the wrong names, there are also so many questions left unanswered. I won’t be reading anymore by this author.
7 reviews
June 14, 2024
more of a lecture

Than a story. Just about every chapter was on how to treat others. Not much of a story the main conflict was handled off page until the end. I found only a few grammatical and spelling errors.
63 reviews2 followers
June 7, 2024
Couldn't put it down. Such a great book with just the right amount of everything I love in a book including family drama. Can't wait for the next one in the series.
508 reviews1 follower
July 13, 2024
love 💕 this book

I am so in love with this series! I cannot wait for Arrow’s story. Irish is a great daddy and I love Mackenzie so much. She’s brave and so strong
758 reviews
October 27, 2024
About this book

Love this book and it's series and would recommend it to anyone who loves to read about DDLG romance and the writer is awesome 👌
5,002 reviews10 followers
July 27, 2025
Romance

Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novel series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews