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New York Criminal Empire #1

The Irish Redemption

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God, I never asked for this life.
Just needed to pay rent, clean rooms, keep my head down.

Then I found him—lifeless in that cheap motel bathtub.
And his brother found me.

Cormac's hands aren't gentle when he takes me in the night.
His eyes burn with something darker than just grief.

"Tell me what you saw," he demands, but keeps me after I confess.
Strange how captivity feels like salvation when he shields me from my past.

The Russians think I'm a spy, the Italians want me silenced.
Between powerful men and their bloody vendettas, I'm just trying to survive.

His family's ranch should feel like prison, but it doesn't.
When did his anger soften into something that makes my heart race?

I hate how his touch sets my skin on fire.
I hate even more that I crave it when he's gone.

The same hands that kill without mercy now trace my curves with reverence.
I never meant to need the devil, but here we are.

They're hunting us now. My blood has already stained these streets.
And the killer who murdered his brother won't stop until I join the body count.

This isn't some fairytale—it's a death wish wrapped in forbidden desire.
But the Irish devil has marked me as his, and I've already sold my soul.

The question isn't whether I'll survive loving Cormac Gifford.
It's whether any of us will survive what he'll do when they try to take me away.


Author’s This mafia romance features a possessive alpha male, kidnapping, stalking, obsession, power play, steamy scenes, and a dangerous criminal empire. Not for the faint of heart.

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 16, 2025

1601 people are currently reading
961 people want to read

About the author

Ava Gray

97 books221 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
Profile Image for Miranda Marie.
63 reviews
April 6, 2025
If you’ve read a lot of mafia romance and know some ins and outs this is just not it. Very amateur imo
Profile Image for Rozebudzz.
375 reviews8 followers
August 1, 2025
Evie and Cormac

I didn’t like the way this started, esp how violent, abusive and mean Cormac was to Evie at the start. She was scared and crying and pleading with him and it was like he was getting off on just how scared she was. He used his size and power to degrade her. This was so much worse than bullying. I know, I know, he was trying to find out who killed his brother but the violence he exhibited made it hard for me to believe that he would suddenly just fall for her in the next couple of chapters and become completely obsessed with her. So that transition wasn’t well written. I never really saw Evie and Cormac as a couple and don’t think they’re a good match.

The plot was convoluted and a little far fetched and confusing. Characters appeared and disappeared. There was a subplot about a betrayal that wasn’t resolved so maybe it continues in a future book. I’ll never know.

I would normally re-read parts of a story if I got confused by the plot but I didn’t care about this one enough to go back. They all got their answers, the two main characters got their HEA and a side character gets the next book. Which I will not be reading.
498 reviews13 followers
March 16, 2025
This is book 1 in the new series, A New York Criminal Empire Series.
A fantastic hard mafia read. Has murder, attempted murder, assault, mayhem, sabotage, grittiness, strong female leaders, mystery, love found, love lost, losing loved ones, fulfillment, spicy love, adult situations, heartache and after a hard road traveled...happiness.
Evelyn Morris our MFC, works at Sunrise Motel as maid.
She had to experience something that none of us hope we never do. A murder, gruesomely done.
Now she has Cormac Gifford our big handsome MMC kidnapping her. Once an Irish Prince, he’s now Captain of the Gifford Clan, the Irish Mafia. The necessity being it was Brenden Gifford body, Cormac’s brother, the original Captain that Evelyn found slaughtered in the motel bathtub where she works.
Now she has a rival gang along with Cormac after her. And that person wants her dead!
All the characters in this story are just awesome.
The bond between his family is so different from hers that I couldn’t help to feel sorry for her. It affected her whole life.
Two quotes stand out to me…
“No one has ever deemed me important enough to protect.
Except Cormac”, and in the end there was a loving memory between brothers when little, that will make you laugh….
“He told me he was raising an army of swans that would eat me in my sleep.”
A good book to read and add to library….👍🏻🥰.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Lisa Ann D..
261 reviews9 followers
August 9, 2025
“Wow. Mr. Scary Killer Mafia Man has a soft, romantic heart involving horse riding and picnics. Whatever must your enemies think?”-🌱🦚

The Irish Redemption (A New York Criminal Empire Series
Book 1) by Ava Gray
🍀🔫🍃

𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲. 𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲. 𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗋𝖾 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝖼𝗁𝗈𝗉𝗉𝗒, 𝗈𝖿𝖿 𝗄𝗂𝗅𝗍𝖾𝗋, 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝖻𝗅𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗀𝖾𝗇𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖼. 𝖭𝖮𝖳 𝖺𝗍 𝖺𝗅𝗅 𝗅𝗂𝗄𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝗎𝗀𝗀𝖾𝗌𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝖨 𝗋𝖾𝖼𝖾𝗂𝗏𝖾𝖽 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄.

𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌? 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚠ere 𝚘𝚔𝚊𝚢

𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗋𝖺𝗅𝗅 𝗉𝗅𝗈𝗍? 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐- 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊 𝚖𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝

𝖢𝗈𝗋𝗆𝖺𝖼 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖿𝖺𝗆𝗂𝗅𝗒 𝖽𝗂𝖽 𝗁𝗈𝗅𝖽 𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗋𝖾𝗌𝗍 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗆𝖾, 𝗁𝗈𝗐𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖾𝗑𝖾𝖼𝗎𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝗐𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝗅𝖺𝖼𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗂𝗇 𝗆𝗒 𝗈𝗉𝗂𝗇𝗂𝗈𝗇.

🍀🔫❎
Disappointing but not everything is going to be a winner.

TWO STARS
★★☆☆☆

↠↠↠Concept could have used something to make it more compelling. And: honestly the spice wasn’t spicing.


✅ realize some people enjoyed it and obviously the author and people behind it believed in the book; the above is just my personal opinion and experience of this novel.

❇️

★•*´¨`*•★• Happy reading ┊┊┊┊ ➶ ❁۪ 。˚ ✧
Profile Image for Mandie.
86 reviews3 followers
May 17, 2025
Pretty solid story line

This one had more development and story than the last one I read from this author. I would be interested to read about the other siblings.
160 reviews
May 21, 2025
Not a terrible read. Would probably even recommend it as a lite read.

Going to give some more of her work a go.
Profile Image for amunett.
99 reviews
July 8, 2025
i cried so much at the end so that is an upgrade, it felt different to other mafia romances that I’ve read, a whole different vibe but i got drama and tears so it was worth it
Profile Image for Joy.
231 reviews133 followers
June 3, 2025
La protagonista necesita un baño de sal y una pulsera roja con el ojo de fátima, porque qué wea la cantidad de cosas que le pasaron en menos de 6 meses?
131 reviews
March 26, 2025
Nicole T.

This was the cheesiest Non mafia story I have ever read. I thought the story was in Ireland turns out they would fly to Ireland but Cormac and his siblings only say a few Irish words just to remind you they are Irish. Evie and her monther/ money problems were juvenille.
The mom sounded horrible! If you are
looking for
alot of mafia and a tough alpha mob boss this is not it!!
Profile Image for giuligatt.
202 reviews2 followers
July 20, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
The first few chapters made me want to bash my head into the fucking wall. Her ass kissing him just cause he did one thing for her was annoying as fuck. Like bitch get up. Make him grovel and beg or something, the man literally kidnapped you, what are you doing? And he was so fucking mean and rude so i was like this switch up made NO SENSE. I’ve read tumblr stories that have more build up than this. The main girl was just annoying me.

Anyways, then somewhere after idk it kinda reeled me in. The main girl finally started having a personality (god bless). Yeah, the plot was predictable to any romantic suspense girlie like myself, but idk I was into it. I did basically skim the last chapters after eveything went down cause by that point it’s like who even gives a fuck? But the whole brother, murder mystery thing was interesting enough to keep me going. I also thought the drowning thing was pretty creative not gonna lie. Haven’t read that one before.
Profile Image for Nicole.
1,325 reviews23 followers
March 30, 2025
The Irish Redemption is the first book of New York Criminal Empire Series. A full-length standalone novel with no cheating or cliffhanger and a guaranteed happily-ever-after. A brilliantly written story with extraordinary characters driven by revenge that grabs the reader attention from the start and keeps you hooked and on the edge of your seat and turning the pages. An absorbing addictive and unputdownable read. Hang on to your kindle and brace yourself for this tantalizing rollercoaster ride of tension and Heart-stirring emotions and follow along as these two characters fall in love with each other. A fast paced, dark, twisted and thrilling read. This is Cormac and Evelyn story which is told from a dual point of view.
An action & adventure romance, possessive alpha male hero romance, stalker romance, dark mafia romance, contemporary romance, organize crime story, romantic suspense story, touch-her-and-die romance, protective alpha hero romance, captor-captive romance, crime thriller story romance with passion, enemies, rivalry, revenge, mob war, retaliation, possessiveness, obsession, dominance, loss, submission, power play, dirty talking, anger, consensual intense rough sex, kidnapping, danger, violence, drama, threats, murder, hurt and pain, trauma, bloodshed, attacks, twists and turns, fear, revelations, mystery, angst, suspense, tragedy, stockholm, captivity, guilt, jealousy, heartbreak, power control, grief and love.
Twenty-four year old Evelyn Morris a.k.a. Evie is drowning debt from her poor choices in her teenage years and struggling from paycheck to paycheck and works as a cleaner at the Sunrise Motel, a seedy rundown motel with paint peeling from the walls and rust covered drain pipe. It's more like a reputable drug den with a under the counter policy. She was cleaning one of her assign rooms when she came up on the carnage in the bathroom. It was the blood soaked body of a man in the tub with his throat slit wide open where you could see the white bone. Cormac heard there was a witness that the police was interested in and believe that she could be the key to solving his murder. Evelyn was question at the station for hours then she was on her way home from police station by Cormac Gifford. It was his older brother Brenden Gifford the the Irish Captain of the Gifford Mob whose is dead, murdered in cold blood in some disgusting motel that he should have never been anywhere near.
With the death of Brenden he's now thrust from his position of Underboss to leader, the Captain of the Gifford Clan. Cormac knows that his brother didn't deserve this. He was good dealer who sought peace over war. His level-headed perspective had allowed him to become the first Irishman to negotiate a business treaty with the Italians who doesn't trust anyone. He took her back to his house where he threatened and interrogate her for information because he it didn't have anything on the the death of his brother. She was very fearful and scared for her life when she saw him with a gun. She told him how he died which devastate him. Because he couldn't get any information from the guys who was on his payroll he decided to use her. He told her that she had to do two things for him before he let her go. He forced her to go back to the police station to bug the detective office and computer since she wasn't on their payroll and she couldn't be bought.
She also had to go back to the murder scene which was very traumatic for her because he wanted to see if his brother had left some type of clue on why he was there so that he could start figuring out who kill him. But when she was leaving she ran into Dillon a man we had been pressuring her to go out with him. Cormac was very attracted to her and know that he shouldn't and when he saw Dillon assaulting her he lost and beat him to a pulp and told him that if he ever touch her again he would kill him. All the aggression, pain and no lead on his brother's murderer came out. Evelyn was so taken aback because no one has ever stood up for her before that she kissed him. The kiss later resulted with them having sex in the back of the car. He let her go home as promise but kept an eye on her. Evie had borrow money from a loan shark who skyrocketed the interest. She came over to her house for his money and beat her because he thought that she was selling him out to the cops when he heard that she was the station.
He gave he forty-eight hour to have his two hundred and fifty thousand dollars unless he was going to kill her. Cormac received information that the Russians were responsible for his brother's death. And when he heard that Evelyn was dealing with a Russian he was livid and when to her house and they started arguing. He thought that she had setup his brother. She didn't know what he was talking about because she didn't know that the man Harry was in the mob. She just know that she had a large debt that caused her everything and he gave her the money. When Cormac saw her face and what Harry had done all the fight went out of him and he was no longer angry with, he wanted to kill him. He offered to pay the money and the two set-up a meeting to deliver it so that he could have a talk with Harry about his brother's death.
Evelyn was stabbed in her stomach in an alley while waiting for Cormac and almost died. He then declare war on the Russians. He took her to his childhood home to recuperate. The two developed feelings and embark on a relationship as he searches for his brother's killer. Cormac wasn't looking for a relationship or love but this sad situation has brought him his soulmate. Someone was trying to let it look like the Russians was responsible but new pakhan doesn't have time for a war because she's business fighting the internal war in her organization. This story was filled with suspense, mystery and intrigue. Did Cormac find out who killed his brother? Did they find out who was trying to kill Evelyn? Did they get their HEA?

I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,468 reviews12 followers
March 17, 2025
One blood-soaked bathtub changed my destiny forever.

From motel maid to mafia pawn in the blink of an eye.

A ruthless captain demanding my silence, then craving my surrender.

Thrust into his shadowy empire where mercy dies and desire kills.



Cormac Gifford wasn't supposed to set my soul on fire.

Irish crime prince with vengeance in his veins and sin on his lips.



He took me as leverage.

He kept me as witness.

He claimed me as his.



His enemies circle closer,

His family demands loyalty,

His obsession marks my skin.



Russians track my movements in shadow.

Italians whisper my name with dread.

While I surrender to hands that have executed men without mercy.



Each night in his bed erases another piece of my conscience.

Each morning brings new threats to our forbidden bond.



I’ve become the key to a war that could destroy three families,

Yet all I crave is another night in his dangerous embrace.

I never meant to crave the very monster I should fear.



He's promised death to anyone who dares touch what's his.

What terrifies me most? I'm desperate to be claimed.

This contemporary billionaire Irish mafia romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building in New York, a dangerous criminal empire, that is engulfed by danger, violence, stalking, kidnapping, power play, and grit, and characters that are alpha, exuding power, dangerous, violent, possessive, obsessive, captivating, ruthless, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with the Irish redemption, a mature, explicit romance that is consumed by steamy, sizzling passion, lust, desire, and spice with all the feelings to leave readers breathless and begging for more, suspense that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, she became the key to war that could destroy three families yet crave another night in his dangerous embrace, a forbidden, bond, drama, heartfelt emotions, loyalty, secrets, deception, his enemies circle closer, Irish crime prince with vengeance in his veins and sin on his lips kept me as his leverage, witness, and claimed me as his, Russians track my movements in shadow, action, adventure, and never meant to crave the very monster I should fear... I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with the Irish redemption and an explicit mafia romance that is sure to transport readers into a world that is violently dangerous, lustful/explicit, and unforgettable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
389 reviews22 followers
October 2, 2025
This author is a clown.

“You see, we own most of the businesses in this part of the city, and we lend them out to struggling families and business owners who wouldn’t be able to afford the property tax or rent otherwise. In return, we sometimes do business through them. The corruption in this state runs deeper than I or any of the other families can fix, so we take care of the little guys as much as we can.”

“We’re also in charge of the guns. You might think that it’s ridiculous to flood the market with high-quality weapons, but let me tell you something. Those people out there who want guns? They will do anything to get them. So we match the supply with decent weapons that aren’t rigged to explode in the hands of a teenager. If we don’t do it, someone else will, so at least we can make sure the weapons are safe.

“And thanks to a deal my brother secured with the Italian families, we also have the market on pharmaceutical drugs so we can ensure that the same people we protect can get the healthcare they require without losing their homes.”

Oh wow! Mafias are social workers and messiahs who work for poor people’s benefits? I never knew that. Where is the Nobel prize when we need them? Why isn’t anyone declaring Mafias a world UNICEF member? Anyone?

Ms. Ava. Just write your dark mafia romance and go. Why are you trying to whitewash Mafia business? We all know what mafias are. We are not here to cleanse our conscience by justifying their actions. That’s the whole point of “Dark romance”. Its for guilty pleasures and finding romance in imaginary situations. We are not weighing our moral compass here. SO STFU about mafia business reasons.

The second most stupidest thing is the speed with which the h spreads her legs for a literal stranger slash her ex kidnapper mafia boss. One moment the H is torturing her tied to a chair, pointing a gun at her, all-ready to shoot her like a dead horse.. and then within Hours, WITHIN HOURS, suddenly SHE is comforting HIM, has feelings for him, the next day they are fcuking in the back of a car. Call a stockholm syndrome on steroids. And now the H who is using her like a pawn, repeatedly putting her in dangerous situations, LITERALLY, is in love with her and wants to keep her, take her to see his home and is all cuddly. He SAYS he will protect her but she literally is in danger because of him and he never actually protects her. What a way to show your love.

This is even worse than insta-love. This is “out of the blue” love which is lazy imagination on the part of the author and inadequate writing skills. No thanks.
Profile Image for Regan.
163 reviews
July 8, 2025


I ATE THIS BOOK UPPPPPPP

ITS A MAFIA ROMANCA SIGN ME UPPPPP


Cormac was so incredibly grumpy but SO HOT


Blurb
God, I never asked for this life.
Just needed to pay rent, clean rooms, keep my head down.

Then I found him—lifeless in that cheap motel bathtub.
And his brother found me.

Cormac's hands aren't gentle when he takes me in the night.
His eyes burn with something darker than just grief.

"Tell me what you saw," he demands, but keeps me after I confess.
Strange how captivity feels like salvation when he shields me from my past.

The Russians think I'm a spy, the Italians want me silenced.
Between powerful men and their bloody vendettas, I'm just trying to survive.

His family's ranch should feel like prison, but it doesn't.
When did his anger soften into something that makes my heart race?

I hate how his touch sets my skin on fire.
I hate even more that I crave it when he's gone.

The same hands that kill without mercy now trace my curves with reverence.
I never meant to need the devil, but here we are.

They're hunting us now. My blood has already stained these streets.
And the killer who murdered his brother won't stop until I join the body count.

This isn't some fairytale—it's a death wish wrapped in forbidden desire.
But the Irish devil has marked me as his, and I've already sold my soul.

The question isn't whether I'll survive loving Cormac Gifford.
It's whether any of us will survive what he'll do when they try to take me away.


Thoughts
honestly I went into this book completely blind and it was honestly the best mafia romance ive read this year!! it had it all!
Cormac was grumpy like really grumpy but my goodness this mans love for his family and Evelyn was everything he was soooo protective and I low key cried when this man cried..
Evelyn my goodness this poor girl couldn't Catch a break first she witnessed a murder the she was kiddnapped then she fell in love with her kidnapper( side note I also choose t0 believe I would also fall in love with Cormac if he kidnapped me...) she was so strong during really tough times and watching her character development was everythinggg.
I cried quite hard at the end and I would 100% do it again! this book took me on a emotional rollercoaster and AHHH it was so good the plot was so interesting and kept me intrigue the whole book!!
highly recommend and I already got the second book on my kindle and I cannot wait to read it!!
Profile Image for Shelley  Drinkel.
143 reviews2 followers
October 13, 2025
I love Ava’s mafia romances, and this one was a good refreshing take on the theme, with a good little twist to the storyline.

Evelyn works at a motel and after discovering the body of a murder victim in one of the rooms when doing her cleaning rounds she finds herself pulled into the dangerous world of the mafia, as the man whose body she has just discovered was the captain of the Irish mob and Cormac’s older brother. Cormac kidnaps Evelyn to find out what she knows and if she was involved. Cormac decides she wasn’t involved but she is his best chance at gaining clues to lead him to discover who was responsible and makes her a deal that if she helps him to gain some information on the case then he will let her go. But he soon realises that doing that is easier said than done and keeps an eye on her, but he just can’t seem to stay away.

I liked the characters and the storyline and it kept me guessing at what was happening and who the killer was, I did feel it dragged in places and the storyline felt a bit weak at points but I was invested in the storyline and wanted to finish it to find out why Brendan was killed and who did it, and I liked the twist on who the killer was, it wasn’t just your run of the mill mafia murder.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
919 reviews3 followers
March 17, 2025
So hot!

Evie was in the wrong place but she was trying to do her job when she came across something she hopes never ever come across.Now she get question by the police numerous times then let go ,but on the way home she is attacked,then when she is finally home a man breaks the door down,wants to know about the interview at the police.Evie can't get a break at all,if she isn't attack,she is threatened by a loan shark,police department. Cormacis now the Don now since his brother was murdered, brutally. He and his family are trying to fine out who done it,but he has to tread carefully or he could start a war.With everything that is going on with Evie and Cormac they are getting closer but he doesn't believe in love and he is fighting but losing badly.Every time they think they find answers someone trys to snub them out.Cormac almost loses Evie again and maybe for the last and at the last moment he saves her.They do fine the answers of why his brother was killed,Jealously senseless! This is the part that made me she'd a few tears for Brenden,Cormac's brother,who was killed for caring,helping others,for having a heart of gold,to end up being snub out for senseless jealousy!
Profile Image for S Celeste.
628 reviews45 followers
April 7, 2025
Evie is working at a motel as a housekeeper when she finds an un-alived man. Cormac is the brother of the man in question and now the new head of the Irish mafia. When he snatches Evie after she is released from police custody to see is she was involved or what she knows, what follows is a pretty wild ride that involves a brother seeking revenge, several mafia factions, a hitman, police, and a lot of twist and turns.

I you like a mafia romance with touch her and die vibes plus a large amount of suspense and mystery, this is a great choice. I have read several books by this author and I have enjoyed them all. Evie has made a lot of really poor decisions that make you wonder how she wasn’t in mortal danger before now. Cormac is trying to find a way to avenge his brother and figure out he out his new roll as the head of the family at the same time. Evie and Cormac’s meeting is unconventional even in mafia terms but the way they fall for each other is instant. Evie and Cormac are exactly what each other needs at the worst time and that makes for a fun read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,032 reviews2 followers
March 15, 2025
This is the 1st story in the New York Criminal Empire Series that has an innocent, Evelyn becoming immersed into the Irish Mafia once she finds a dead body in the hotel room she’s cleaning. Cormac is now the leader of his family as the man was his older brother and intent on finding those responsible for his death. The Russians are the most logical so while investigating Cormac takes the one witness, Evelyn to question himself. These two have an interesting reaction to one another and when Evelyn does everything asked of her, Cormac sets her free. All Evelyn wants is to be back in her normal quiet life only to be pulled back in with Cormac by her side. As clues come out about their enemy is not who they thought danger, violence, death, threats of war, take over. With Cormac and Evelyn becoming more Cormac finds inter peace and deals with those threats and getting Evelyn to safety. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for The Bou.
273 reviews16 followers
April 10, 2025
It’s the second book I read from this author and the feeling is the same: it’s neither super good nor super bad… it’s just different.
Loved the storyline of the maid finding the body then being kidnapped by the Irish ☘️
If at first I wasn’t sure I will finish it I am happy I did… the writing/story was just different than what I usually enjoy.

I found the MMC to be too weak for my liking:
- he cried (yeah yeah I know, men can cry bla bla bla but not my fictional ones 🤣)
- he lost his temper way too often and most of the time his brother had to step in to settle the matter
- he presented Evie as his girlfriend… what happened to « my wife »?
I prefer when the MMC is more controlled and possessive

Their sexy times were good
Once they acknowledged their feelings I think they developed a healthy relationship with funny and sweet moments (no male dominance for a change )

So yes it was decent
532 reviews3 followers
April 26, 2025
Evelyn works as a housekeeper in a motel that customers come and go. As she goes into clean a room she gets near the bathroom and finds a dead man whose throat has cut. She goes to her boss who tells her not to tell the police anything about the motel. She is interrogated for hours. As she walks home she is kidnapped The people want to know what she told the police. They were the family of the dead man. Cormac was now the man in charge of the family and he wanted answers now
The family keeps her tied up and interrogates her. She still has no answers. After a couple of days they let her go but Cormac is intrigued by her. He has her apartment watched. Cormac convinces her to go back to the hotel to se me if his brother left a clue. Nothing found.
The start to think it could be the Russians or the Italians.
This was an excellent book. The storyline and the characters were awesome.
Profile Image for judy.
571 reviews6 followers
March 10, 2025
Mafia life is crazy to the outsider. The Irish mafia is no different. This is a love story between Cormac and Evelyn. It starts when she finds the body of Cormac’s older brother in a hotel bathroom she is cleaning. This become a live story with a “ who done it” theme. It is filled with lust violence and the threats of mafia wars between the Russian and the Irish and the threats of war between the Irish and the Italian mafia. It all stems from the death of Cormac’s brother because his family want to know who is responsible for his death. The love story is epic because it includes an unexpected death and a lot of violence because of this tragic event. It is very fast paced and convoluted. I enjoyed reading this book. It is dark , dangerous and steamy. I would give it more than 5 stars if possible.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kristi Lange.
436 reviews7 followers
March 22, 2025
a mafia man in touch with his feelings?! that’s a new one and i love it.

Evie was in the wrong place at the wrong time and becomes the only witness in a case around the murder of the Irish mob chief when she finds his body while cleaning a motel room. Cormic, who was second in line and is now the new Chief due to his brother’s murder, won’t rest until he finds out who took out his brother. Evie is the only link he has and he’ll do anything, including kidnapping her, to get the info he needs.

i loved Evie and Cormic!! they didn’t start out on the best terms but Cormic felt almost an immediate need to protect Evie. And he did his best to do so but unfortunately my girl got kidnapped not once, but twice

-mob chief x maid
-kidnapping
-age gap (24 & 32)
-revenge plot
-touch her and die
-OTT protective/possessive
Profile Image for Metz.
18 reviews
October 14, 2025
I stopped at about 31% in. I couldn't force myself to finish it, which is really disappointing because I was looking for a dark romance with a surprise pregnancy plot. The writing started off strong in Evelyn's perspective, but once we switched to Cormac's point of view, I couldn't help but cringe. There's no way a mafia boss would talk like that or reveal his family's secrets so easily. The tone of the writing became sloppy, too casual, and extremely unrealistic.
The tipping point for me was when Evelyn kissed Cormac after he beat Dillon to a pulp, and somehow that turned into them having sex in the car while Hank was right outside. How is that even realistic? It was so cringey and uncomfortable to read.
Overall, this was a very disappointing read. It had so much potential to be great, but the author didn’t follow through on that potential.
3,133 reviews47 followers
March 5, 2025
Evelyn life is one big struggle and working as a maid at a run down trashy motel, she thought it bad as she can get. That is until she finds a dead body in the bathtub, Brenden the head of the Irish Mafia. Now his younger brother Cormac kidnaps her and blackmails her.
What starts off as dark soon turns to hot and heavy.
Cormac is a strong family man, whose life is in the shadows and he is protective, alpha and sexy, Evelyn life is one of looking for love and wanting a family to love. These two are brilliant together, both bring the best out of each other.
Let’s not forget Russians, Italian Mafia and loan sharks, lost love and family.
Great characters, full on steam and a great plot.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
208 reviews2 followers
March 6, 2025
when you are a maid/cleaner working long hours for a horrible boss, the last thing you want is to find a dead body in a bathroom.
It turns out he was Brenden the head of the Irish mafia and the police want all the information from her.
Leaving the police station she is kidnaped by Cormac, Brenden's younger brother now in charge of the Irish mafia.
Knowing she isn't responsible for the death Cormac blackmails her into spying on the police so that they can see what information they have.
This story is about one man who killed for jealousy and is really insane and must be stopped.
A great story and a must read.

I received this book free from Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
533 reviews2 followers
March 14, 2025
This author is new to me and the story was very enjoyable. Evelyn is a maid in a motel in a not good area of town. She is cleaning rooms and finds a man's body in the bathtub. The police question her and then she gets kidnapped. Cormac is the brother of the victim and is now the new head of the Irish mafia. He enlists Evelyn's help to find his brother's killer. Evelyn and Cormac form a twisted relationship. They begin to care for each other while searching for the killer. This story was full of suspense and twists. It is well-written and very engaging. I look forward to more from this talented author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for laura.lovesreading.
1,213 reviews5 followers
March 16, 2025
Evelyn is working as a maid in a run down motel, when she suddenly finds a dead body in the bathroom she is cleaning.
Unlucky, or lucky 🫣, for her he is part of the mafia.
And his brother, Cormac, who wants to find out, who did it, blackmails and kidnaps her.

They have an instant reaction to each other and that changes everything for both of them.

They are perfect for each other, he is protective and possessive and she is loving and the light to his dark.

It’s a darker story full of drama, violence, steam, love and war.

It’s engaging, hot and full of unexpected twists and turns.

A must read for all lovers of that genre!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kristi Shepps.
96 reviews3 followers
March 29, 2025
Evelyn is just barely getting by and working as a cleaner in a rundown motel. She never expects be thrown into the chaos that comes when she stumbles upon a dead body. Not only is she a witness but she is now tangled in a web of the dark mafia underworld. Along with Cormac, the new Captain of the Irish Mob, she tries to help him get justice and solve the murder. I could not put this book down! It was non-stop action, drama and spicy romance the whole ride through! Cormac is one of my favorite book boyfriends with the perfect combo of touch her and die alpha male with unreserved devotion for Evelyn. I definitely recommend this book for those who love crime thrillers mixed with Mafia and a forced proximity that forms a strong romantic relationship.
1,636 reviews15 followers
March 3, 2025
Evelyn or Evie is a maid at a run down trashy motel when she runs across a dead body in the bathtub. He was the head of the Irish Mafia and his younger brother kidnaps her to see what she knows. He blackmails into spying on the cops for him while he is trying to figure out who killed his brother and why. There was a lot going on trying to find out and while that was happening, Cormac (younger brother and now the boss) and Evie fall in love. Who it was was surprising, but he was taken out finally. A very good read.

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