What do you think?
Rate this book
The Associate
It has been fourteen years since I left. My father took everything from me. He destroyed my childhood and forced my mother and I to run. I thought I could escape this nightmare, but the past always catches up.
I am no longer the same girl I was when I left. My father dragged me back but this time I won’t run.
I’ve changed. I had to. The world I live in now isn’t for the faint of heart.
I never thought I would see Mason again, let alone in a bar on the outskirts of town. He doesn’t recognize me and I don’t blame him. I have changed everything about who I once was.
Mason Hawthorne was the only man I trusted, the man I thought would always be there. Now I need him to do the unthinkable for me. I am not asking for protection. I am asking for him to help me take down the monster I once called dad.
The question is, can I trust Mason to keep my secret or will he betray me for the family that raised him?
I am no longer the same girl I was when I left. My father dragged me back but this time I won’t run.
I’ve changed. I had to. The world I live in now isn’t for the faint of heart.
I never thought I would see Mason again, let alone in a bar on the outskirts of town. He doesn’t recognize me and I don’t blame him. I have changed everything about who I once was.
Mason Hawthorne was the only man I trusted, the man I thought would always be there. Now I need him to do the unthinkable for me. I am not asking for protection. I am asking for him to help me take down the monster I once called dad.
The question is, can I trust Mason to keep my secret or will he betray me for the family that raised him?
- GenresDark Romance
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 24, 2025
1 person is currently reading
27 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 23, 2025
This was such a fun book to read!
I loved the swapping POVs and different timelines made reading this so much fun because you never knew what was coming... past or present! Seriously though those TWISTS! 😵 just when you think everything is on track WHAMO twist applied!
I absolutely love Viv and Mason their relationship together, everything they've been through in the past building up to meeting again and the crap they had to go though/put up with aaahhhh so good! And the spice was juuuuuust right for everything 😍
The endiiinnngggg though! I wanna know what happens!!!! (Great way to end the book though kudos to you!)
Excited for book two 🤩
Please note though this is a dark mafia romance so do check the triggers!
I loved the swapping POVs and different timelines made reading this so much fun because you never knew what was coming... past or present! Seriously though those TWISTS! 😵 just when you think everything is on track WHAMO twist applied!
I absolutely love Viv and Mason their relationship together, everything they've been through in the past building up to meeting again and the crap they had to go though/put up with aaahhhh so good! And the spice was juuuuuust right for everything 😍
The endiiinnngggg though! I wanna know what happens!!!! (Great way to end the book though kudos to you!)
Excited for book two 🤩
Please note though this is a dark mafia romance so do check the triggers!
May 17, 2025
The Associate was a good read from start to finish. The story follows the sexy hit man Mason, who is well known and feared by the underbelly world. He has is target's and love's what he does, but he didn't expect her to walk back into his life. Viv, is the Mafia boss’s daughter, who has always had a crush on Mason. Dragged back into the life she never wanted, Viv needs Mason more than ever and she will do what she has to, to keep him by her side. This book has twists and turns, fake engagement, some spice, and a loving Doberman named Mia. There are some TW, please check them before you dive in. This book end on a cliffhanger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2025
The Associate - Alice Claire
Honestly this is a must add to the TBR if you love a dark Mafia romance, with a little added spice.
I received this as an ARC, and honestly loved every minute of Mason & Viv’s story.
The plot never lets you get too comfortable, with twists and turns just when you need it! And the ending! Oh the ending! I’m dying to know what happens next and I bet you will be too!
Honestly won’t be sorry you read this!
Fall into the world of the Murwood Mafia!
*please remember to check trigger warnings before deciding if this book is for you*
Honestly this is a must add to the TBR if you love a dark Mafia romance, with a little added spice.
I received this as an ARC, and honestly loved every minute of Mason & Viv’s story.
The plot never lets you get too comfortable, with twists and turns just when you need it! And the ending! Oh the ending! I’m dying to know what happens next and I bet you will be too!
Honestly won’t be sorry you read this!
Fall into the world of the Murwood Mafia!
*please remember to check trigger warnings before deciding if this book is for you*
May 24, 2025
I was hooked from the start!!
You will sink into this book like it's a soft cozy pillow and then BAM it hits you with the twists and turns, and when you are about to settle again she hits you with the ending that will make you scream! But what an ending. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Delve into the world of Murwood Mafia with Mason and Viv, you will not be disappointed
Thank you Alice Claire for giving me the opportunity to ARC read your debut novel.
Please read the trigger warnings
You will sink into this book like it's a soft cozy pillow and then BAM it hits you with the twists and turns, and when you are about to settle again she hits you with the ending that will make you scream! But what an ending. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Delve into the world of Murwood Mafia with Mason and Viv, you will not be disappointed
Thank you Alice Claire for giving me the opportunity to ARC read your debut novel.
Please read the trigger warnings
June 9, 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Mafia romance. Childhood friends. Forced proximity. One VERY hot bodyguard.
Genevieve thought she was free—until her mafia dad dragged her back and stuck her under lock and key… with Mason. Childhood friend turned second-in-command turned literal temptation.
The chemistry? 🔥
The drama? High.
The cliffhanger? Rude.
If you love mafia tension, slow burn spice, and a man willing to defy all for love—read this now.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Mafia romance. Childhood friends. Forced proximity. One VERY hot bodyguard.
Genevieve thought she was free—until her mafia dad dragged her back and stuck her under lock and key… with Mason. Childhood friend turned second-in-command turned literal temptation.
The chemistry? 🔥
The drama? High.
The cliffhanger? Rude.
If you love mafia tension, slow burn spice, and a man willing to defy all for love—read this now.
May 24, 2025
Excited to see more from this debut author, and to follow the rest of Mason and Viv’s journey.
If you are a mafia romance lover this one’s for you!
If you are a mafia romance lover this one’s for you!
May 26, 2025
I really really love it. And I need book 2 ASAP!!!!!
December 24, 2025
Speechless at the ending! It was such an enjoyable read, I got hooked in and couldn’t stop thinking about it. NEEDING book two ASAP!!!
May 23, 2025
Arc review - The Associate
I am a sucker for a good Mafia book 😍
This book had me from the start. We have a sexy hitman who is feared by all in the underworld and the mafias daughter who would love nothing more than to be out from this world. She reunites with our sexy hitman, who has a crush on him almost all of her life and needs him more now than ever! So may twists and turns, leaving you guessing! Can't wait to read the next book and to see more of Mason & Livs story!
I am a sucker for a good Mafia book 😍
This book had me from the start. We have a sexy hitman who is feared by all in the underworld and the mafias daughter who would love nothing more than to be out from this world. She reunites with our sexy hitman, who has a crush on him almost all of her life and needs him more now than ever! So may twists and turns, leaving you guessing! Can't wait to read the next book and to see more of Mason & Livs story!
June 4, 2025
** Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC. The following is my honest review **
This is Alice Claire's brilliant debut novel and an excellent start to what I anticipate will be a highly enjoyable series of books.
The story follows Mason and Viv as they navigate the mafia world of Murwood. Viv is dragged back into the world she has been running from by a father she despises. Mason is running from his demons and struggling to hold his place in the only world he's ever known. When their paths cross again after years apart, they are forced together, and their worlds change.
I loved that both the FMC and MMC show tough exteriors but also have their weaknesses. The switch between POV and different timelines brought a nice mix of pace to the story without it being too confusing or hard to pick back up. There was a good amount of spice without it overpowering the story, and it created a great connection between characters. The cliffhanger left me asking questions and wanting more.
Overall I really enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading the remaining books in the series as they are released.
This is Alice Claire's brilliant debut novel and an excellent start to what I anticipate will be a highly enjoyable series of books.
The story follows Mason and Viv as they navigate the mafia world of Murwood. Viv is dragged back into the world she has been running from by a father she despises. Mason is running from his demons and struggling to hold his place in the only world he's ever known. When their paths cross again after years apart, they are forced together, and their worlds change.
I loved that both the FMC and MMC show tough exteriors but also have their weaknesses. The switch between POV and different timelines brought a nice mix of pace to the story without it being too confusing or hard to pick back up. There was a good amount of spice without it overpowering the story, and it created a great connection between characters. The cliffhanger left me asking questions and wanting more.
Overall I really enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading the remaining books in the series as they are released.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews