Reckless Obsession

Astoria Royals Standalones #1

by Deborah Garland

Now a Standalone Enemies to Lovers Masked Stalker Romance by Amazon Top 40 Bestselling Author Deborah Garland and available in Audio!

Jillian:
It was supposed to be an open and shut case. The conviction I needed to get a promotion.
Then he showed up in my courtroom.
The hotter-than-sin Irish Mafia Lawyer who snapped his fingers and got my case against his brother dismissed.
And what was also supposed to be a night of blowing off steam in a bar ends up with him in my bed.
Taking my V-Card.
A Mob boss that sexy would never fall for a curvy prosecutor and
I have no plans to ever see him again.

Eoghan:
Fourteen years ago, I disobeyed my Mob boss father, and my life was never the same.
Now I’m cold and ruthless. Polished violence in an expensive suit.
Everything a Mob lawyer should be.
My life is perfectly under control until the gorgeous, curvy prosecutor who I beat in court,
gets drunk and tells me off in a bar.
And that’s the start of my downfall for a woman I have no business touching.
I do it anyway.
A one-night stand turns into me wearing a mask every night, fulfilling the fantasies she confessed on a dating app.
I tell myself I can stop at any time.
Until I find out she’s got evidence against my enemies and they want her dead.
I should walk away, not get involved, but she’s gotten under my skin and used my walls as a canvas.
Now I’ll risk anything to keep her safe, including burning down the Las Vegas Cosa Nostra.

But can I walk away after that, knowing I’m the last man on earth she should ever trust with her heart?

Reckless Obsession is now Book 1 in the new Astoria Royals Standalone Series.

🖤Jealous Possessive/Over the Top
💛Stâlk€r MMC
🖤Virgin FMC
💛Dating App F*kry
🖤Pr!mâl Plây
💛Mask Play
🖤No Third Act Breakup

*Follow Deborah For Updates, Sales, and New Release Alerts*

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Dark, Romance, BDSM, Forced Proximity

437 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 16, 2024

About the author

Deborah Garland is a top 45 Amazon Bestselling and a 4x Award-Winning author of emotional, funny, and steamy romances!

She loves pugs, Friday night Cosmos, and that feeling when she publishes a new romance novel.

She lives on the beautiful North Shore of Long Island and in the summer, she escapes to Maine with her very patient husband.

She eats cheap mac and cheese with expensive red wine, her heroes are ALWAYS over six feet tall, and they fall hard, HARD for the girl.

Visit her website --> https://www.deborahgarlandauthor.com/... to join her newsletter and browse her little love stories.

New Releases are always featured, but all books can be read as standalones. Don’t be afraid to jump in. The water’s fine 😊

Reviews

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this was.... interesting. It truly read like Mafia Erotica more than an actual story. After my last read by this author was a 5 star read, this was particularly jarring. There was just sex, sex, sex, the whole way through.

Now, I know, that may sell it for some people. I hope it does find the right audience, but it just felt off. I'm all for an obsessed hero and I love a heroine who knows her body and is exploring her kinks. No shade there. This presentation of those things just didn't work for me.

I also didn't like how long the double dipping was going on. At least as far as Jillian knew. There are plenty of excuses and reasoning in the story but it made me respect Jillian less, and I don't want to feel that way about my heroine. There can be justification to the moon and back, but it wasn't my vibe.

Overall, there was just too much sex and not enough story for me in this one. I didn't see what else they liked about each other but the sex. Not until they met each other's families anyway. There were some sweet moments there.

And for how long this book was... I feel like we could have had more time of them getting to know one another in between the sex scenes.

I still love this family and I will continue with this author, this was just a let down for me.

Aaron Shedlock and Stella Hunter did a great dual performance of this audio.

3 Stars
4.5 on the spice scale

CW: DubCon, CNC, stalking, kidnapping, SA, Parental illness, Somnophilia, roleplay, and more.

*Thank you to the Author Agency and the author for an ALC of this title.*

[Terry H · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to DNF this book. I’ve read a plethora of mafia/romance books and some have been quite good. This wasn’t one of them. There were two things that just caused me to eye roll so hard I nearly had a seizure.

One big issue was the dirty talk. I love dirty talk. Love it. It’s hands down my favorite kink but the MMC is so cringy he sounds like a frat boy. I just couldn’t read anymore.

Second, and I know this is petty but when the FMC character describes the MMC c*ck she says it’s a big around as a can of soda and as long as a hot house cucumber, all 10 inches of it. I’m all for our leading ladies getting big d*ck but this was just reminded me of wattpad fan fiction.

The sex was unrealistic to the point of absurd. Yes, I know it’s supposed to be a fantasy/erotic fiction but I just find it hard to believe that a 30 yr old virgin who uses sex toys on herself that are as large as the MMC d*ck is actually going to still have an intact hymen and going to actually bleed after having sex with him the first time.

Do these writers actually read their stuff cover to cover before they publish it? Where’s the editing?

[TheSassyNerdBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed it. It definitely won’t be the last.


What To Expect:

🔥 Virgin Lawyer
🔥 Irish Mob
🔥 Stalker Vibes
🔥 Full of suspense
🔥 Dark & Dangerous
🔥 Gritty
🔥 Spicy


I went into this blind and I’m glad I did. I love a good mafia romance and this one ticked all the right boxes. Eoghan and Jillian’s chemistry was instant and intense, to say the least. I loved these two together. Eoghan was hot as hell and Jillian gave him a run for his money! Irish man and virgin lawyer? Yes, please!

All in all, this was a fantastic read. I was hooked from start to finish.


Highly recommend.

5 STARS

[Amber (Amber Reads Romance) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Reckless Obsession is a very spicy Irish mafia romance and is definitely a wild ride. If you are looking for a book with a lot of kinky times, this is a perfect choice.

Eoghan is currently in Vegas to get his brother out of legal trouble as his mafia family's lawyer. Jillian is a prosecutor and was hoping this case could help her career, so she is very frustrated when her brother/boss makes a deal with him. She runs into Eoghan at the bar and sparks fly. They have a one night stand, and Eoghan becomes OBSESSED, especially when he realizes he popped her cherry. He has to stay in town to help her brother with another case against another rival crime family. He starts stalking Jillian and pursuing her while they work together.

Jillian does not want to get involved with someone involved in the mafia, so she joins a hookup app. Eoghan doesn't want her getting involved with anyone but him, so he sets up a profile, and they have random sex, but he wears a mask.

I had a few issues with this book, mainly how much sex is in it. Jillian was a 30 year old virgin (which is already crazy), and then she immediately became sex crazed. She goes from no sex all her life to meeting up with a stranger in the middle of nowhere to act out CNC. It was just a little OTT. I wanted more plot and less smut.

🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
This had dual narration by Aaron Shedlock and Stella Hunter. They did an amazing job bringing the spice and characters to life. The Irish accents were absolute perfection. Aaron Shedlock really stood out with his performance and accent.

Thank you to the Author Agency for providing the ALC.

[Marylou Menjivar · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY SMOKES Deborah! WOW!!! Speechless!

All the red flags were burgundy in my eyes!

The things that sweet, Irish man, Eoghan O’Rourke did I was left in awe! Gasping and gigging all at the same time! Best of both worlds!

Sparkles (Jillian) and Eoghan are FOREVER!!!

Thank you Deborah for giving me the opportunity to read Reckless Obsession in advance!

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎧🎤AUDIOBOOK REVIEW🎤🎧

When I was gathering my notes this morning for this review before I went to work, I laughed to myself because I just kept thinking how the title of this story matched my current situation with regards to all things Deborah Garland! I am obsessed, and I am recklessly spending all the money on all things Astoria Royals!! LOL But let’s not get sidetracked!

My first experience with this author and it is a grand slam hat trick! I love the world building. I like the attention to detail with all the twists, turns and “smoke and mirrors” of all the circumstances happening in this story. There’s a lot going on in this story, yet it was focused. I loved that the story was action packed with not just the “suspense” of it all, but also the “romance” of it all. I love that both MCs were strong characters in their own right and I even appreciated the “two sides of one coin” aspect about them with their careers as lawyers. There is just so much to like and be captivated by that I swear, the 10ish hours this story was in my ears passed like nothing! I couldn’t do it in one sitting, but I wanted to so badly! I am ridiculously excited to go back to the Astoria Royals series and begin at the start and also move forward with the Astoria Royals Standalone series!

🎧🎙️About the very talented Stella Hunter & Aaron Shedlock … these two were fire and I cannot sing their praises louder!! Their voices blended and matched so well together, and they have outstanding range! These two get stronger and stronger as I listen to more of their work. They are both such great narrators and should not be missed in any work they perform! 👏👏Well done!👏👏

[Jacklyn B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook:

I read this last year when it released and was excited to get my hands on the audio! Stella and Aaron are two of my favorite narrators and I loved how they played these two characters. Stella brought strength and vulnerability to Jillian and Aaron brought this great unhinged, yet caring Irish character to life!

Eoghan is completely unhinged in this story and I loved every minute of it!! This book has red flags galore! He goes all in with her in an alpha/over the top/possessive way…but he also comes to care deeply for her and would burn the world for her.

Jillian and Eoghan had immediate chemistry! She was feisty and pushed back on him in ways he wasn’t used to! She knew what she wanted and he wasn’t going to get in the way. I had to laugh at their DM exchange on the dating app. I loved how her confidence grew and he made sure she knew how beautiful she was.

This book has some very steamy scenes!! Be sure and check the TW’s first!

✨What to expect:
🖤Dark Romance
🩶Morally Gray Mafia Lawyer
🔥Dirty Talking Anti-hero
💋Curvy Brave Prosecutor
🚩OTT/St@lker Vibes
🎲Age Gap
💜V Heroine
🩵No: Cheating, OWD, or Third Act Breakup

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was talking to my friend about mafia romance (HI ALYSSA!) and this popped up on my Instagram (and my 2025 TBR plan already went to shit). I love a good mafia romance and this gave me so many mixed feeling but we'll round up to 3 stars since I enjoyed the ride.

To enjoy this book, you have to accept that Eoghan is crazy for her right away. This book was full of crazy things that you just need to accept.
1. She found 2 men with the same build and huge dick.
2. soda can thickness and 10 inches long. I'm dead. I can't.
3. He is OBSESSED WITH HER.

Will I continue on with the series? probably not. Did I enjoy the craziness? yes.

[OutsideOfTheTrack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute Perfection—I’m Obsessed!

“He may have beaten me in a courtroom that day, but I slayed him in the bedroom.”

I love it. I absolutely love it.

Mafia lawyer & a Vegas prosecutor—what more do you honestly want? Plus-size FMC? Ungodly hot Irish accents? First times that turn him into a feral, possessive monster? Kink exploration? Masked men? Desert rendezvous? I could go on and on. This book had everything, and I loved all of it.

And don’t even get me started on the audiobook narrators—book? 5 stars. Narration? 10 stars.

[QuinnReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Effing HOT!

Jillian Diamond and Eoghan O’Rourke are FIRE! Holy h-e- double hockey sticks. The fact that my earbuds haven't melted amazes me.

He plans to stick around. And do what?

Oh right, take me hard enough so I see stars.

I must be dreaming.

And if I am, please don’t let me wake up…
-- Jillian Diamond

Cooling down from this may take a day or two, but I think it is worth getting all riled up. Eoghan and Jillian are extremely adventurous even when one of them takes on a secret identity in this kink friendly read. I love all the variety!

There is a plot with dark elements that include SA in between all the steamy encounters. The plot is a little thin at times, but in this case, I don't care one ounce. This delivered on everything I wanted and expected. It also has me wanting the next book soon.

There are multiple references to prior Astoria books. While I've only read some, I don't think it is required. Reading them (in release order) might make this experience better, though.

I listened to the audio book. The narrators, Stella Hunter and Aaron Shedlock, are wonderful. While I wish they were in duet, this is so hot that their voices still own the moments. The cherry on top is the accent Aaron brings to the table. 🎧💛🎧

Story: 4.5 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Listening Speed: 1.8x

H = 35; h = 30

TROPES & TRIGGERS:
🖤 Jealous Possessive/Over-the-top
💛 Anal play
🖤 CNC / Dubcon
💛 Stalker MMC
🖤 Virgin FMC
💛 Dating App F*kry
🖤 Primal Play
💛 Mask Play
🖤 No Third Act Breakup
💛 Fun with Toys
🖤 Somnophilia
💛 Spicy AF 🌶
🖤 Dark romance

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jillian is an up and coming DA who was trying to prosecute Cormac O'Rourke. Attorney, Eoghan O'Rourke was sent to Vegas to get his brother out of trouble. The only way the charges would be dropped was if Jillian and Eoghan work together to convict members of the Cosa Nostra for money laundering. Their attraction is instant but their on opposite sides of the law. Eoghan wants to keep her forever and only has a short time to make it happen.
I'm going to start with Jillian, I was a bit shocked when I read that she was a 30 year old virgin. She's smart, driven, curvy and beautiful. She wants a promotion and works incredibly hard to prove that she deserves it. The dating app part put me off a bit, but I can see why she'd try to distract herself from Eoghan. Eoghan went in wanting a one night stand with the attactive DA, but once he punched her V-card, he became a man obsessed. There was some stalking, some hacking of her dating app, a mask.... all of the real life red flags that I eat up in books. This book is spicy, I feel like it's the speciest so far in this series. I love these brothers and the insane lengths they go for their women. And of course, no cheating or OWD. Next is Balor and I can't wait to see him fall.

[Bookhookedmum📚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

🚨Audiobook review at the bottom🚨


Loved this book! I think it’s my favorite Astoria Royals book. Eoghan is absolutely unhinged and I fell in love with Jillian. Deborah definitely delivered again and I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a plot driven, hot af story about an over the top, possessive man who has stalkerish tendencies towards a bada$$ woman! This is what you are looking for!! I rated it a big 5stars and four chilies because when they get it on, they really Get. It. On.

🎧audiobook review🎧
I already loved the story so of course I devoured the audio. The accent of Eoghan was spot on. And I listened to the whole book in one day. I give the audio 4.5 stars and HIGHLY recommend!!

[Raquel.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it in one sitting

If you are looking for a mafia romance with a smart, driven and curvy FMC where he is unhinged and becomes obsessed with her then, this book is most definitely for you.

Being sent to Vegas to get his brother out of trouble, Eoghan finds the person trying to prosecute him is a curvy woman that gets his attention. Forced to work together the attraction and chemistry between them is undeniable and what develops is a wild and entertaining ride that kept me hooked till the end.

I loved these characters and this book. Although part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.

[Asmeeta Sidhu]

i would give this a negative if i could… the writing was so so bad. no smooth continuation in their thought process and the MCs spouting weird thoughts that were more funny than cute. I should’ve DNF-ed but it’s like a train wreck you can’t help yourself witnessing even when you know it’s bad 🤡

[Brynette Turner · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 28%. No plot. Unrealistic insta-obsession and naivete. I hate stupid FMCs.

[Hannah Reads a lot of Smut · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars for Eoghan and Jillian’s stalker mafia romance 💅 this book was SMUTTY y’all 😂 and it did leave me wanting a bit more room for the plot, especially because the writing style was engaging. Overall it was fun while also having serious themes.

Jillian is trying Eoghan’s brother, both are lawyers and completely into each other. After getting tipsy at the bar post-loss Jillian takes Eoghan back home. Only he doesn’t realize she’s a 30 year old virgin (because why would he assume his one night stand would be 😅) and is super into her “bleeding on him” 💀 buuut for Jillian this is a one time thing. Eoghan’s not from Las Vegas, he works for his mafia family, and she’s an ADA. 😬

Eoghan gets obsessed with his thicker than a snicker heroine. He’s also conveniently stuck in LV. Which means, in no time at all he’s gone full stalker mode 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 He has cloned her phone and is outraged she’s trying to hook up with others on a dating app. He tries blocking all incoming messages 👀 and when that doesn’t work he takes matters into his own hands 😈 now this is where I get weirded out. I don’t like the whole impersonation thing in my romances 😂 and it drags on for a whileeeee 😅 also Jillian literally sleeps with him and doesn’t realize it’s the same body she lost her v-card to 🙃 like girrrrl how?

What I liked:
-mafia romance 🔫
-mostly competent heroine. She’s a literal lawyer 💼
-Eoghan was ALL about his woman. He was laser focused on getting with her 🤌🏼
-the side characters when Eoghan went back home for his niece’s birth. This was my first book by this author and I was so intrigued by everyone else’s story 😭
-Jillian didn’t have a perfect life. In a lot of ways she was figuring things out as she went along which was really relatable ♥️
-when Eoghan finds out Jillian’s mom is Irish 😂 the scenes where he’s being a mother hen for her mom are top tier!
-Eoghan opening up about his past, his trauma, and giving a literal ADA testimony (pillow talk) about his criminal activities.
-Eoghan broke it to Jillian he was her masked man, which was so important.
-his nickname is Sparkles 😂 I love it when the nicknames are weird
-Eoghan is hecka jealous about literally so much 😂
-thicker than a snicker heroine, she’s a size 18 💅♥️
-the audiobook is worth it. Both cast members do a great Irish accent 👏🏼

What I didn’t like:
-these two take foreverrrr to actually get together. I wanted so many more tender moments because these two, because they had such a funny dynamic
-there was almost too much smut 👀 it definitely made wish this book had a bit more plot
-I don’t love the lying about who you are thing. It’s just not my vibe 🙃
-Eoghan should’ve come clean he was her masked man BEFORE Jillian got kidnapped 😂

FAQ:
Dual POV
No OW drama
Slight OM drama (Jillian thinks she’s seeing 2 guys and she meets up with a colleague which drives Eoghan crazy 😂)
No third act break up
Pregnancy in epilogue (and assumed in story)
HFN epilogue

TLDR;
A fun smutty mafia romance, with stalker vibes. An enjoyable listen since the audio cast was top notch 🤌🏼

[neerj · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.35 stars….. (im being generous)

dislikes:
- the fmc was like a broken record saying the same two things every chapter ; aka something about her weight and something about how she can’t b with eoghan
- i HATED the way eoghan talked about jillian to his brothers. it really irked me the way he claims to be possessive but speaks so derogatorily about jilly to them. and ik they’re his brothers but just the way he spoke of her wassss…weird. idk i js don’t like it
- okay no offence but the ages 😭😭 like wdym ur thirty and u still have ur v ?!!??? and not to say u cant when ur that old BUT clearly it wasn’t like no one wanted her by the notifications she got from the dating app…..and ik she said she was busy but busy for like 10 years..??? idk its just not realistic!!! and by the way she’s obviously a very sensual person who reads smut and has lots of dark fantasies? yeah SURE.
- i did notttt like the way jilly was basically seeing TWO GUYS AT THE SAME TIME. LIKE IK THEY WERE BOTH EOGHAN BUT STILL….i just don’t like thattttt. how can u claim to like him and “just as obsessed” when she would text him right after being w eoghan. IM SORRY BUT … LIKE SHE DIDNT EXACTLY DELETE THE APP WHEN SHE WAS “working things out” w him!!!!!???? WHATEVER I GUESS.
- jilly’s reasons for not being able to b w eoghan honestly weren’t even that valid like girl 😭. nobody care if ur w him…… LIKE LITERALLY NOBODY BLINKED AN EYE WHEN THEY TOLD PPL… which makes the whole book so pointless ???? idk just like it was so slow burn i got annoyed w fmc jill.
- AND THAT PART WHERE SHE WAS AT LUNCH W TRISTA AND SHE WAS LIKE GIGGLING W TRIS ABT HOW SHE HAD DINNER W EOGHAN THEN WENT BACK TO HIS PLACE AND TEXTING NOW… girl was so smug it was actually embarrassing for her 😭. she was like so giggly WHEN SHE WAS ACTIVELY SLEEPING W JOHNNY AND WAIYING FOR A TECT BACK. PMO. at that point i hated jillian icl.
- honestly by like a little or a bit over halfway the book started to get boring. STARTED TO GET REPETITIVE AND ANNOYINH. HONESTLY FROM LIKE PAGE 360ISH TILL END I STARTED TO SKIM.

okay now for the likes!!!

likes:
- i liked eoghan!!! except for the thing he did that i alr mentioned! i liked him wayyy more than jilly.
- i looovvveddddddddd eoghans stalking. IT WAS PERFF!! (only thing author did right)

anyways yeah that’s it!!!

[Bethie_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where's all to mafia obsessed men when I need one?!?!?

🌟 4.5/5

🛑 Look at the author's trigger warning!!!

‼️ While this book could be read as a standalone, this is book 6 in the Astoria Royals series.

ℙ𝕆𝕍: first person, dual perspectives

𝕊𝕦𝕞𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕪:
Eoghan's Story- He's a Fixer, but she's his insatiable fix...
After I pull a fast one in her Las Vegas courtroom, prosecutor Jillian Diamond gets drunk in a bar and gives me a piece of her mind. But we settle the score tangled in the sheets, where I show her I’m even better in the bedroom than the courtroom.
Only, to my surprise, I’m her first.That changes everything, releasing a side of me I don’t know how to control. Obsessed doesn’t begin to describe my behavior when I find a dating app on her phone and men in her DMs who want what I just got. I will keep her from touching another man by wearing a mask to give her the fantasies she craves.
Don’t ask me how I know what her fantasies are. Or how I get into her locked apartment. Or how I spy on her through my phone. She has no idea the attorney she hates and loves mouthing off to during the day is the same man driving her crazy at night. Watching her. Manipulating her. Obsessing over her.
But with every touch, I’m slowly unraveling, risking everything for one more taste of my diamond in the rough. When my enemy targets her, I’m ready to burn down this entire city because Jillian belongs to me. And no one touches what’s mine.

𝕄𝕪 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
While some of the other books in the series have been a hit or miss for me, I was ecstatic when the ARC popped up in my Kindle. Y'all, let me just tell you that I couldn't get over how good this book was!

Jillian and Eoghan's fall to the land of eventual matrimony was one that hit most of my marks. Want an obsessed MMC? Want a powerhouse FMC? How about a little mafia? This is for you, then!

I'm so very excited to get Baylor's book. I think he's been my most anticipated brother to read about!😍

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reckless Obsession is another fantastic Astoria Royals book from Deborah Garland. If you’re looking for v!rgin Prosecutor x Irish Mafia Lawyer with all of the spice, then you are going to love Reckless Obsession.

Jillian has a sure thing case against an Irish Mafia man, that is until his lawyer brother, Eoghan shows up and the case gets dismissed. Jillian was counting on this case to advance her career, so when she runs into Eoghan at a bar afterwards she has no problem giving him a piece of her mind. Her feisty attitude only has Eoghan wanting her more though and when he takes her v!rginity he is officially obsessed. The only issue is Jillian isn’t willing to pursue the chemistry and connection she has with Eoghan, leading Eoghan to create a fake dating profile to get closer to her (obsessed, right?). When she does finally give in to her feelings, will she forgive Eoghan for deceiving her?

I have really enjoyed all of the Astoria Royals books, and Reckless Obsession was no exception. The O’Rourke men are the ultimate alpha male protectors and it’s hot! Jillian exploring her desires was refreshing, all females should feel empowered enough to take what they want without shame. Eoghan’s backstory was intriguing and made this one a page turner. He was unlike his brother’s with his clean cut appearance, but he was still equally protective and ready to do anything for Jillian.

The narration was great. Reckless Obsession is narrated by Aaron Shedlock and Stella Hunter. This was a dual narrated audiobook and they both rocked their roles in addition voicing the opposite sex and side characters. Stella portrayed Jillian’s character growth perfectly and Aaron was able to bring Eoghan’s possessiveness to life so well!

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Astoria Royals series each can be read as a standalone with a dangerous sexy and the one who captures his attention in the best way. Jillian a sweet innocent to a fault somewhat, curvy working as a DEA aiming for a promotion that would come with winning her case against an O’Rourke but she isn’t as seasoned as her opponent, but she is sassy enough to catch the attention of her opponent in the best way and after a few drinks her opponent discovers something that makes him want to changes sides keeping her. Eoghan sexy as all get out seasoned attorney representing his brother Cormac after he landed in a bit of trouble, but he is more attracted to the beautiful DEA the things he wants to do to her sassy mouth, but she needs to know he never loses so when they go out have a few drinks things end up in a room together. The moment they met in court they had to fight the magnetic pull but after a few sparing words and drinks they end up in bed for him to realize he was her very first ever that moment he realizes he wants her all to himself so he pulls her in by wearing a mask but the more time they spend trying to take down Cosa Nostra for money laundering the closer they grow but what happens when she figures the truth or the man behind the mask, will she understand why he did what he did with her dating app., will she forgive him, can they find a way to work together considering they are on opposite sides, will she get that promotion she is aiming for, and can these two find a way to win their way to happiness?

[Jersy.the.romantasy.moms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, hot damn, friends. Deborah Garland knows just how to write mouth-watering characters to bring us to our knees. 🔥

Huge kudos to @aaronshedlock and @stellahunternarrator for this performance. I couldn't have picked better voices for these characters. The banter, the steam, and the tender moments all hit perfectly. It's my favorite audiobook of 2025 so far!!

On this episode of Which O'Roark Brother Did Me Good... Her.. I mean, Did Her Good... 🥵🤭
Eoghan O'Roark
He could be overlooked as a faithful family lawyer.
He could seem like the straight, no funny business brother.
But no, no, no, my dirty Mafia Sluzz.

Eoghan is the dirty, obessessive, make all her fantasies come true, (but stalker style and a mask to boot) brother. Dare I say, my favorite yet!?

He meets a curvy prosecutor trying to put his brother away. And once he puts eyes on her, it over! He falls hard and fast. Just the way we like those mafia men!

Jillian Diamond is trying to keep her professionalism. But a few too many drinks has her losing her innocence to Eoghan. It's an uphill battle from there of her newfound obsexsion, her heart, and knowing he will be leaving to go back to Astoria.

10/10 would highly recommend. I swooned, I laughed, I said some curse words, and I changed my panties more than twice...
My advice is to binge audio the whole Astoria Royals series from book 1. 100% worth it.

[Maz · Rating 5 out of 5]

My goodness was this book full of hot spice. I've not read Deborah's books before and I certainly won't be stopping now. She hits the mark when it comes to spice.
Eoghan (pronounced Owen) is one of the 7 O'rourke brothers and one of the last 2 to find their other half.
He has found himself in a deal to save his brother to work with DA in Vegas. He has a very filthy and delicious mouth 🥵.
The prosecution lead is Jillian, a curvy and confident woman. She is also a 30 Yr old virgin. She has caught Eoghan's attention.
They now have to work close together on a case against the Italian Mafias.
Eoghan is obsessed with Jill Ian from the get go and he will do anything to win her.
He has a big family and they're very close and I loved how they would support each other.
There is a lot of drama, secrets, action, suspense, family bonds, clever play, spoon much spice and blooming love.
I am intrigued by Balor's story and can't wait for it.

[Becky Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book, but I just couldn't 🤦‍♀️

I'm being generous with the 2 stars. This book could've been so good. The beginning was good and it was set up to have a pretty solid plot, unfortunately, it just fell flat 🤦‍♀️

I'm all for powerful men in books to dirty talk but my god, this was ridiculous. I don't think Eoghan and Jillian had a single conversation without Eoghan propositioning Jillian to "ride his c**k". It was all the damn time.

I almost DNF'd a few times but Mamma didn't raise a quitter. I was hoping it would get better.

The FMC bugged the hell out of me. Yes, we get it. You're a bigger girl. Own it! I'm a bigger girl and idgaf! Also, considering she's supposed to be a smart prosecutor, she's the most idiotic person ever! She literally dives head first into danger 🤦‍♀️

I really did want to love it. I love a good mafia romance but this wasn't it.

[Meagan Grauel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know that writing wise this was the best story, but as far as possessive, VERY stalker-like MMC books go, this one was decent. I love the author's candor at the beginning of the story about the obsessive level of the MMC as well. She lets you know up front that the MMC sees the FMC and it's an insta-connection for him and that he stalks her, obsesses over her, almost at a consuming level, and that there's really no rhyme or reason for it. It's just something that happens and you can either get on board and enjoy the upcoming ride or choose another book. I for one, really enjoyed how stalker-y the MMC gets. In a fiction world, it was nice to see the dedication and care that he wants to give to the FMC. She hasn't been the priority for most of her life and he gives her what she's been craving but didn't really realize it. In addition to the possessive MMC and his stalker ways as he develops a relationship with the FMC, there's a ton of mafia drama going on in the background. Because of her connection to the MMC after he claims her, the FMC ends up becoming the center of the drama and swept up into a world that she had kind of vowed to take down.
There's a little bit of kink and fantasies played out in the book and the FMC gets herself on a hook-up app where she asks a stranger to do all sorts of things to her. She's definitely not being careful and she's lucky that it ended up alright for her. The MMC is hot as shit and is very dominant. Leads to a lot of hot as hell smut. AND the FMC is a curvy girl and he loves every single one of those curves. Get it girl.
There's no third act breakup in this story and there's a HEA that makes all the ups and downs worth it! I would recommend this slightly dark-ish mafia story with a forced proximity twist and witty banter characters. The way the MMC loves the FMC (despite nefarious beginnings) is really very sweet.

Side note and not related to the overall story at all: Not sure how a cock head can be “pillowy” but the author describes Eoghan’s (MMC) as such so many times, it kind of lost meaning.

[Catherine Hare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one definitely lives up to the name... Jillian becomes his obsession and he is definitely reckless!

I love the chemistry and banter between these two! The MMC is overly obsessed with the FMC. He wants her at first sight, needs her after their first discussion, and decides to keep her after one night together. I loved this book!

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Of course the MMC is drop dead gorgeous with a body like a Greek god and the FMC is overweight described as having a big butt with a pot belly - big breasts, wide shoulders, thick thighs— 🤣🤣🤣
She’s constantly insecure about being heavy —
So much focus on this- i’m picturing a linebacker!! 😂😂
I can’t even finish the first 20%
What’s the point of this?

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author and I quite enjoyed it! I have been loving mafia romance lately and this one was great. I definitely will be going back and trying some of the previous books in this series (I had no clue it was not the first book haha). Fun fact you can 100% read this one and enjoy it without reading the previous 5 books, I did! This one has good steam mixed with good story, a few unbelievable plot points but it’s mafia romance what do you expect.

That said the one thing that I didn’t love was the fat representation in this one. This is purely a me thing as a fat woman, but I’m so tired of reading about fat women who hate their bodies, hide what they eat, 30 year old virgin, etc. The character had some super fat hang ups only to in the end discover she was a size 18 insert my eye roll here. I’m not saying women of all sizes don’t have body/weight issues because we all do… but the way she went on you’d think she was 300 pounds. Anyways I read for escapism not reality hence dark romance, so I’d love get representation where being fat is just a descriptor or a feature of the character and not half her personality. Anyways I didn’t take away from my rating for this as this is a subjective issue.

Thank you to the author for my eARC copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[camms.bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dedication of this book hooked me! Every page was a must to turn! Blurred lines and red flags are my favorite. I loved this book! A confidence successful woman owning her self is just so attractive. A crazy morally grey?! Yup! Great book!

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reckless Obsession by Deborah Garland is Book 6 of Astoria Royals Series. This is the story of Jillian and Eoghan. Jillian is a up and coming DA. Eoghan is a lawyer sent to help his brother Cormac get out of trouble. Eoghan is quickly take with Jillian. Enjoyed

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stella Hunter and Aaron Shedlock did a phenomenal job narrating Eoghan and Jillian’s complicated enemies to lovers romance. This was definitely spicy. The accent and sexy chatter were on point and the possessive crazy he falls first vibe was prominent. If you’re looking for a steamy mafia listen …