Mafia Wars: Prequel

by Vi Carter

I'm the villain in most people's stories.

Ruthless, wealthy—the O'Reagan name demands respect. No one would ever call me reckless. But when I discover my maid, Luna, bearing bruises left by her so-called boyfriend, I snap.

There’s a fragile beauty to her innocence, and her vulnerability does something to me I can't ignore.

So I take matters—and the law—into my own hands.

In broad daylight, I walk right up to her boyfriend and pull the trigger, ending his life and starting a war I hadn’t anticipated.

He was the son of a powerful gangster, a man who wants Luna back and vengeance for his son's death.

But he’s getting neither.



Luna is mine now. And I’ll scorch the earth to keep her.

Genres: Dark

171 pages, Paperback

Published January 18, 2025

About the author

When Vi Carter isn’t writing dark romance books that feature the mafia, are filled with suspense, and take you on a fast-paced ride, you can find her reading her favorite authors, baking, taking photos or enjoying long walks in the Irish countryside.

Vi’s biggest selling series, Young Irish Rebels, is available in Audio, English and Dutch.

Married with three children, Vi divides her time between motherhood and all the other hats she wears as an author.

She has declared herself a coffee & chocolate addict! Do not judge. 

Subscribe to Vi’s newsletter for a free book to follow her down a dark path alongside the Mafia!



Keep up with Vi on all platforms:
Newsletter Sign up ➜ https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5f609c...
Facebook➜ https://l1nk.dev/AuthorViCarter
Twitter➜ http://hyperurl.co/qzbewu
Goodreads ➜ http://hyperurl.co/qcw7g0
Website ➜ https://authorvicarter.com
Instagram➜ https://l1nk.dev/authorvicarter

Reviews

[MMSTFUATTDLAGG]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice/Steam: 🌶️
Relationship: FM
Tropes/Triggers: DV (off page)
Series: Mafia Wars - Young Irish Rebels Prequel

Synopsis
FMC Luna Tobin is in an abusive relationship and has no means to escape. She is qualified to be a nurse but her boyfriend refuses to let her work as one, so she takes a job as a cleaner.

MMC Cian O’Reagan is part of a powerful mafia family and Luna happens to be a new cleaner at his house. He is intrigued by her and instantly notices signs of abuse. When he finds out her boyfriend was the one who hurt her, he intends to get retribution for her…which comes at a cost and creates a war between mafia families.

Review
As someone who has read every book about the O’Reagan family (and nearly all the books by this author), I was confused by this prequel. It doesn’t help bridge the gap between Wild Irish and Young Irish Rebels (next generation of Wild Irish) and it doesn’t really add to the story of Young Irish Rebels. While Cian plays a part in Young Irish Rebels, there is no further mention of Luna or any character resembling her. Also, Cian’s character is pretty different, especially his hair color.

I don’t know if I would recommend this book but I absolutely loved Wild Irish and Young Irish Rebels. The first book of Young Irish Rebels is Mafia Prince, which is about Jack. There is some Jack slander in this prequel but don’t let it fool you, he is the best ❤️

[Anne Harris]

Wow, what a book I could not put this one down I’ve got to say that I really liked Luna. She was in a bad place. She had run away from home when she heard her father talking about selling her, and this is where she met Mark. who wanted to help her and nurture her and look after her, but that was just a show, because it wasn’t long until he was controlling, manipulating isolating her and abusing her. Luna is a trained nurse, but Mark would never let her work as a nurse so when her friend tells her about a job cleaning she knows Mark will allow that because it would be belittling her. What he doesn’t know is, it would be working for a mafia family.
Cian O’Regan was a womaniser. He never slept with the same girl twice they are just there to be used. But the new maid kept catching his eye and when she walked in on him in the shower, Cain commands, Luna to remove her clothes. But Luna is hiding something and it angered Cain. And what he does next starts a war!
There is something so special between Cain and Luna. I really liked that came back down to his family about Luna, and I understand what Luna did to save a man, but Luna needs to understand that Cain will protect her. Will keep her safe. A really good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S)]

Mafia Wars is the prequel to the Young Irish Rebels series. It's a shorter, slow-burn, opposites-attract, age gap, forced-proximity, dark Irish mafia romance. Cian is the hunky and ruthless son of one of the mafia leaders. Luna is a strong but sweet girl in an abusive relationship. She was a nurse until her boyfriend, Mark, put a stop to it. Now, she takes a job as a maid in Cian's house. The two are drawn to each other, but when he sees bruises on her, he is upset. When they are out, he kills Mark, starting a turf war. But he will do anything to protect his woman. We didn't have any true intimacy until the epilogue, but their chemistry and sexual tension were intense. Our couple does end on a happy note after a lot of danger and drama, but I really hope we get more of this couple in the future. I loved how Cian just wanted to love and protect her. She had never had that before. Now, on to the rest of the series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dawnmarie Burke]

This is the fast-paced action-packed intense dark mafia slow-burn romance prequel to the Young Irish Rebels series. We meet Cian O'Reagan a ruthless mafia man who discovers that his maid Luna is being abused and he won't let the fragile beauty that he knows is his suffer. Cian turns into a fierce possessive protector Luna is his so he takes matters into his own hands. However it turns out that her boyfriend was the son of a powerful gangster who wants vengeance for his son and he wants Luna. Luna is fragile she hasn't had an easy life so far until Cian rescued her and he will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. I don't want to say anymore and ruin it for anyone else with spoilers. You really need to read this fast-paced action-packed intense dark mafia slow-burn romance prequel to see what happens. I would recommend reading this book and I'm looking forward to reading this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather Dudley]

Mafia Wars: Prequel, I found to be quite suspenseful and definitely a page turning mafia romance. This book follows the journey of Cian and Luna. I absolutely love that Cian and Luna have a happy ending with them being happy together as a couple. Mafia Wars: Prequel is fabulously written, exceptionally balanced and beautifully executed by VI Carter. VI Carter continues to show what a brilliant author and writer they are with each book that I have read by them thus far. I can hardly wait to read more amazing romances from this author in the future. In my opinion, VI Carter pours their all into the stories they create and write for their audience’s enjoyment. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a mafia romance book to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aspen G]

Mafia Wars is an intense, dramatic, slow burn dark romance with all the feels, compelling characters, and a plot that sucks you in instantly and keeps you turning pages till the end then asking for more. Author Vi Carter always delivers delicious connection and dangerous appeal in her writing, with creative and complex worlds that have you returning book after book until I’ve devoured the entire series. Luna is thrown headfirst into Cian’s world when his drive to protect her takes over all other senses—its dynamic, exciting, intense, and so much fun to follow these two as Luna comes to grips with her new reality and Cian learns he cannot live without her. The ultra-alpha touch-her-and-die vibes are just divine. What a great way to kick off this series!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anna M. Diaz]

Luna/Cian O'Reagan. Maid, ex-nurse/Mafia. Younger woman/Older man. Ran away. Addicted parents. Mark Fitzsimons - boyfriend. Domestic violence. Richard Fitzsimons - Mark's Father, gang leader. Beaten. Bruised. Desperate. Distraught. Disheartened. Disillusioned. Liam O'Reagan - Mafia Don, Cian's uncle. Jack O'Reagan - Liam's son, Cian's Cousin. Finn and Darragh O'Reagan - Cian's uncles. Niall and Taghd O'Reagan - Cian's Brothers. Organized crime. Gangs. Dangerous. Deadly. Violent. Assassination attempt. Retaliation. Secrets. Lies. Revelation. Possessive. Protective. Endearing characters. Gripping story. Action-packed. Thrilling. Attraction. Taboo. Affection. Consensual. Acceptance. Love. HEA. Entertaining.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy Chestnutt]

Oh my gosh, this story is a wild ride! You've got this not-so-great mafia boss and a lovely girl stuck in a rough relationship. She's a nurse, but her partner won't let her do her job, so she ends up working as a cleaner for that mafia boss. Things take an intense turn when she shows up one day with some bruises, and he goes into protective mode! Just when you think it's all figured out, a war breaks out, but surprisingly, love blossoms between them, and the family backs the whole thing. Then there's a dramatic twist with her getting kidnapped, but don't worry, it all turns out okay in the end. I absolutely loved this story—it was fast-paced and packed with excitement!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jin]

Luna was trapped in a relationship she couldn't get out of. She couldn't even work as a nurse since her boyfriend forbids her. Now she waits at home until boyfriend shows up. She ran away from her parents to face another monster. She is allowed to work as a cleaner as long as her boyfriend allows her.
Luna started working at Kian O'Reagan's. They didn't interact until he found her bruises. Now he will protect her from everyone even if she doesn't want him to.
Kian and Luna falls quickly and it starts another war. It was great prequel to O'Reagan family saga. It only took a day to read and really enjoyed reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marlene Davis]

Luna was young woman at crossroads, when she got job to work at O'Regan mansion, with the idea of leaving her abusive boyfriend, Mark, since he won't allow her to work as a nurse which she was trained as...she met Cian O'Regan at the house when she inadvertently walked in on him as he was finishing a shower...since she got eyeful, demanded that she strip...seeing the evidence of her abuse...making him upset...but when Cian decides to teach the boyfriend a lesson, Mark ends up dead...oops...but when head of O'Regan clan hears of it, as dead man was son of local gang leader...you will need to read the story to see what happens...I voluntarily read this book through an Advanced Reader Copy.

[Carole]

Mafia Wars is a prequel to the author’s Young Irish Rebels series and a good lead into the dark and steamy stories to come.
MFC Luna Tobin who has suffered abuse from her gangster boyfriend Mark for years has finally been allowed to have a job, as a maid on the staff of MMC Cian O’Reagan. Not a man to be trifled with, and when Cian discovers the bruises on Luna he is incensed.
Taking matters into his own hands he takes care of things, in his way, and a mafia war is about to begin.
I enjoyed this short read that was steamy, entertaining, and nicely written, with tantalizing characters who delivered a fast paced, hypnotic read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[JaneH]

Luna and Cian, their story starts with her as a maid in his house. It’s the only job her creepy boyfriend with allow her to get!
They see each other and both feel an attraction to the other.
Reviewing the story is hard as I might give away aspects of the book that could be spoilers. Suffice to say Cian and his mafia family are tough. Luna doesn’t want Cian involved in her boyfriend issues.
Lots of sexual tension. I did like these two, ending was incomplete so I trust we will get more on them in future books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel]

Luna makes a bad choice when she accepts Mark as her boyfriend and moves in with him. It doesn't start off on a bad footing, but it gradually moves into an abusive relationship with him controlling every aspect of her life. Things take a turn when she gets a job as a cleaner in Cian's residence and accidentally walks in on him taking a shower. When he learns about her past, he is livid and takes matters into his own hand. Cian knows that he wants Luna in his life and will go to war for her. Will Luna be able to accept the man that Cian is and get a second chance for happiness.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Char]

Cien and his father, cousins and uncles are Irish mafia. They are involved in selling and shipping weapons, contraband, and some killing. Luna comes to work for Cien as a housekeeper. Cien shows an interest in her and soon sees bruises and black and blue marks all over her arms. He becomes very angry and promises to keep her safe. This story is filled with danger, darkness, fear and death. But it also has moments of tenderness, protectiveness, caring and kindness. It’s filled with all kinds of possibilities as this family moves forward. Very enjoyable read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brooke Torrey]

I thought this book was exciting and pages-turning!! I loved Cian and Lina’s book, it was original and filled with drama, angst, spice and suspense had me devouring this prequel in one day!!! Vi Carter has created an amazing and addicting series that’s kept me going back to reread several times. The characters are complex and have an intense chemistry. I loved the push and pull between Cian and Luna. He was possessive, broody and determined to protect her. Luna was strong, loyal and smart. Such a beautiful love story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa]

Luna's story is filled with pain. It is a quick read with lots of action. I like how she picks herself up and keeps moving and gets over her childhood and later on, lets go of her guilt and trouble with her boyfriend Mark. I like how Cian is protective of Luna even though he is a rough and dark member of the Mafia. I am a little confused on who is the actual head of their group and who lands where in the pecking order. I am also a little confused by his Gran, his mom's mom, I think but yet his dad's brother's sons are also her grandsons. I want more of Luna and Cian's story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tesh]

Great story. Suspense, danger and emotion.

Abused by her boyfriend, Luna goes to work for Mafia man Cian who discovers her secret.

Can is both protective, and possessive over Luna. Toying with her initially when she first comes to work for him but the attraction and connection is there from the start. Not steamy, but a love that's ignited by trauma.

Very well done. I'll look forward to more in the series. It was a great first book and a simple but interesting plot to explore.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dorrita Winch]

Cian O’Reagan is mafia. He big, handsome, possessive, protective and our MMC. When he sees Luna, our MFC, he know she’s his for life.
Luna Tobin is fairly broken as a human being. She’s had a sad childhood and recently was in an abusive relationship… untill Cian saw that she wasn’t😉.
They’re going to face a gang war, retaliation from her dead boyfriend’s dad, finding herself. Acceptance, found family and a happy ending….

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kristi Shepps]

I LOVED reading this prequel for her book series Young Irish Rebels! Luna and Cian’s love story was so satisfying to watch unfold. He literally becomes her Dark Knight that rescues her from her abusive relationship. I haven’t read the Young Irish Rebel Series but I CANNOT wait to. Vi Carter is an absolute Queen with writing the Dark Romance genre that has a healthy dose of swoon worthy romance and storytelling that keeps you on the edge of your seat!!! You cannot help but fall in love with the characters in her books. Definite must read!! It short, sweet and oh so beautiful detail!

[Lisa Parker]

This is a prequel to the author's Young Irish Rebels series. Cian O'Rourke is ruthless and calculated, never seen as reckless. When he discovers his maid, Luna is being abused by her boyfriend, he snaps. He walks right up the boyfriend in broad daylight and takes him out, starting a war. His father wants vengeance for his son's death and wants Luna.

Cian has not desire to give the man either, he will do everything necessary to keep her safe.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Priscilla]

Desperate, Luna takes a job as a cleaner at a mansion whose owner has questionable ties. Once Cian noticed bruises on her, he needed to know who caused it but he didn't expect to start a war when he ended her abuser's life.
This was a quick read, I would have liked more depth to Cian and Luna's developing relationship. It was still a good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Yvonne]

Dark mafia prequel…

Luna has problems with her soon to be ex-. Trying to prepare a way to get away from him, she gets a job as a cleaner in the home that’s part of the Irish mafia. After encounters with Cain, the homeowner, things begin to turn in her favor. Will he bring her the HEA she deserves? Have to read it and see.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Peggy]

This is a great read and a solid prequel for this author’s the Young Irish Rebels including Luna and Cian’s love story. You can not stop yourself from loving and rooting for this couple. I loved watching Cain become the man Luna needed and deserved. She got her dark night when he rescues her from her abusive relationship. It helped me fall in love with this author once again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Happyscribe]

I swear to God I am becoming a certifiable Vi Carter groupie with the amount of books I have read by her over the past 24 months. And this is a perfect example of why her writing is so addictive!
Outstandingly bad-but-beyond-lustworthy MMCs
Strong, smart female characters
So much spice and lust
The perfect blend of danger and violence

Bring on more!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Crystal Junebug]

I love villains in stories and Cian would definitely be qualified for that label. This short and not-so-sweet read pressed all of my buttons in the best way. A dangerous Irish man who is built like a brick house who knows his way around so many delicious things... What's not to like? Overall, this was a fun appetizer for the Young Irish Rebels series. Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenni]

When Cian takes matters into his own hands after seeing his maid Lunas bruises made by her boyfriend he snaps and takes his life. Igniting a war with the man's father who wants revenge and hebwanta Luna. Well written fast paced quick read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Katherine Cannone]

How can you not fall in love with a Mafia hunk? Especially one who sees all the good in you that you thought was invisible. The story was quick and kept my attention the whole time. Great start to the series!! Can’t wait for the next book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tracy]

Great prequel. I loved how the love story developed. I really liked that while highest ranking characters were introduced, they were not the focus. This book did a great job introducing you to all the characters - especially those who I assume will be focused on later. It really set the stage for the dynamics. There was plenty of romance and danger. Great book.

[Amy]

What a tantalizing look into the Mafia through the eyes of an innocent. Luna knows what Cian is but is still drawn to him and isn't bothered by what he does so much as she is drawn to his protective, caring side. A nice introduction to the other characters for the next books in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Erika Komáromi]

A great start to a series. We get to know the world where I think the series will take place. Even the prequel short story is full of tension and secrets. I'm looking forward to the first part, the author really piqued my interest!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.