Previously published as The Mafia's Uprising by Crowe, E.D. (AUTHOR) in The Rage Anthology, Fight For Reproductive Justice.
At age five, I learned my father was a ruthless clan leader in the Irish Mob.
At age eight, I learned I was his heir. Only he never wanted me, a girl, to take his place.
At age thirteen, he gave me to his second-in-command as his future wife. I was made to endure unspeakable acts and forced to bear it with gratitude. I am, after all, just a girl.
Now, at twenty, I’m taking back my control. Taking back my freedom. My power.
I never planned on Killian Linwood getting in the way. I never planned on letting him steal the key to my heart. But he took it anyway—and he’s determined to keep me, whether I want him to or not.
First, I’ll burn this clan down to ashes, let the smoke clear, and remake it into my image.
E.D Crowe is a new author who runs on coffee, chaos, and unhealthy amounts of dark chocolate.
When not writing (which is a lot), she can be found howling at the moon, crafting potions in her kitchen or swooning over the deranged villains.
She has two Australian Shepherds who think they’re lap dogs, three feral children, and a golden retriever husband who is as far from the villain as possible.
Too short. I liked what I read, enough to want to read the series. But I completely disagree with this story ending like this. There are so many things I want to know!
There are triggering situations off-page, check it out. Well, some are also explicit, but this is mafia, you know.
Wow just wow this was an amazing start to this series that I read in the wrong order lol but for a novella we get a chance to see how the relationship between a cold hardened Reaper known as Killian and the Irish Clan princess Maeve meet and go from rivals to lovers 😊.
Maeve is told as a teenager that she will never be the "Captain" due to her being a woman and is sold off to her fathers second in command, although Killian and Maeve are rivals at this point with who is the best at shooting guns etc, when Maeve starts getting injured right before Killian is sent away on missions he always checks on her before he leaves and starts to notice that she has bruised ribs, then knives marks manly on her back.
I really enjoyed this novella and especially the chemistry between the MCs and I honestly can't wait for the next time we see these two characters 😊
Honestly, I am glad I didn’t read this first. I love that I read this after The Mafia Bride. I didn’t like the MFC (Maeve) in book 1 but then jumping into this and absolutely falling in love with her character was refreshing. I am ADDICTED to the MMC… What a great book. Perfect, short and sweet and left me begging the Author for more. Literally!!! I hope we see more of them in future books as their story is FAR from over.
This is a dark, cute, quick novella that gives us a glimpse into the Mafia Girls world. I love that it’s written in dual point of view—it really feels like just a taste of what’s to come. When we finally get their full story, I have a feeling it’s going to get a lot better… and a whole lot darker.
I would definitely suggest reading this after the mafia’s daughter before Maeves book, but not before the mafia bride or the mafia’s daughter
I enjoyed this mafia romance teaser. The strong FMC in a male dominated world was refreshing and I am looking forward to reading more about her and this world soon!
The Mafia’s Princess by E.D. Crowe is a Prequel to the Women of the Mafia Series. This is an Enemies to Lovers, HFN, Dark Mafia Romance following the start of Maeve O’Brien and Killian Linwood. 🚩This is for readers 18 years and/or older as it has mature content and not suitable for underage readers. There are dark themes that can be triggering so please check out the content warning before you dive in 🚩
My thoughts 💭 Maeve is the first born to the O’Brien Clan Leader Ferguson O’Brien. At 13 she is given her decree which is not typical as this is usually given to clan members at 21. She’s promised to her father’s second Michael Langston- which is the same age as her father - and for the next 7 years she experiences horrific trauma at the hands of Michael Langston. In those years what starts off as two teenagers competing for Ferguson O’Briens attention develops into a friendship based on healing the wounds she’s suffering from and respect for each other. This is a very quick read focusing on how their relationship develops through the years until Maeve turns 21. Of course it’s perfect and I love it so much. It does have a Happy For Now but it does not end on a cliffhanger, thankfully. There are heavy topics so read the content warning!!
“Ownership, Possession. Safety. That's what Killian is offering. And it's something I want-desperately.”
"We're all broken, Maeve, every single one of us. But this? This doesn't make you broken. You did exactly what you needed to do to you're fucking magnificent." take back your power. You avenged yourself. You saved yourself.”
I knew I loved Killian the first time we met him! He’s mysterious and I think pretty misunderstood. He’s been quietly in love with Maeve since they were kids working their way through the ranks. She’s always kept to herself, it’s tough to be a woman in her dad’s world. But Killian sees her. She’s her tough exterior but longs to be the one person who sees all her flaws too.
I love his novella gives up readers enough of the backstory to keep it well worth the read but edges us enough to keep up DYING for more from this couple!!
I’m reading this in anticipation of book three of the women of mafia series. It could probably be read at any time but it five such excellent insight into Maeve’s personality as well as her relationship with Killian and how they came to be. There is still so much more to learn and I’m so excited to read more of this backstory as well as where they are going- their story is not even close to being finished!
I really enjoyed this book! Despite being a short novella, so much happened and I felt like I really got to know the characters. Maeve is such a fierce, independent FMC with a great deal of inner strength. I loved the dynamic between her and Killian; their banter and chemistry was brilliant. I’d love to read a full-length novel about the two of them.
Really looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
The Mafia's Princess, is the prequel for the Women of the Mafia series, which will come out in June.
This novella is not for the faint of heart, as it has a lot of trigger warnings, therefore, I advise everyone interested in reading it, to consult all the TW.
This book is so fast paced, I barely had time to adjust to one thing, that another one popped out. There is tension, there is spice, there is also some action.
Maeve is one of the strongest female characters I have met so far in a Mafia romance. She would do anything just to avenge all those who wronged her when she was merely a child. She thrived everything that has been thrown at her, because she couldn't bare in mind the image of her younger sisters in doing what she was made to do. She wanted to keep them both away for as long as possible from all the horrors.
Though she has been through a lot of pain, both physically and mentally, she did not gave up. Her sole purpose was to rid herself of the one thing that had subjected her to unthinkable, and soon.
Killian, also known as the Reaper is a protege of her father's. A boy who has been taken off the street and gave a purpose within the clan. He is strong and determined to see Maeve safe and happy.
I can't wait for the first book in the series to come out.
I received this from Stuff Your Kindle Day and had been sitting there for a month. And Holy. Shit. I can't believe that I sat on this book.
THIS is what I mean by a "strong" FMC. She isn't fucking annoying. She's ruthless physically and mentally. The MMC sees her darkness and her strength (although one could argue hyperindependence is misplaced strength) and relishes in it. He SEES her. To be seen is to be loved.
I also loved that she saved herself. Literally and so confidently, consequences be damned. She didn't come off as immature or rash. Very technical.
I want to point out that I looked up the trigger warnings (I'm not making the mistake of not looking again), and I found the line of mentions of past rape from villain confusing. I want to clarify that the villain doesn't mean the MMC. It is the ACTUAL villain to the villains in the story. And it was very loosely mentioned, more implied with injuries and one line of stating it out loud. I was not triggered, but you may be.
As I soon found out, this is a prequel for her upcoming "The Women of the Mafia" series, starting with "The Mafia's Bride" coming out June 2025. Added to TBR! 🖤
Maeve is the definition of badass female, she is a total powerhouse. Only her father wants to take that power away from her by handing her over at 13. She is told she will marry on her 21st birthday, to the man of her father’s choosing, his best friend and second in command. For year she is subjected to abuse from him. Killian finds her bloody, bruised and broken and helps stitch her back together, every time. The night before her 21st birthday, she takes her plan and stabs it open, taking back her power and vowing to take her birthright. Killian is a young man they call the hitman, after being found on the streets Maeve’s dad brings him home and trains him up, setting him up with work and becoming the man he is now. The trained killers. Who is obsessed and pining after Maeve. Until he finally gets his chance to make her his. Sweet little prequel, ready for the series to start. I would have loved for them to have a longer story, hopefully in the future.
Once again, E.D Crowe has me in her clutches (fret not because I LOVE being abused by her at this point). I trusted her and went in blind, as I haven’t read many Mafia Romance’s but I swear this is a perfect entrance to the genre.
E.D has a way of drawing you into a story from the very beginning. I get so invested into her characters! I feel their struggles, pain and most of all their RAGE. I love a fiery FMC who can save herself and Maeve gave me fire. As for the MMC, 3 words — whatever. Killian. wants. 🥵 he is an obsessed childhood rival who can make the wildest things sound like something you need in your everyday life.🙃
This prequel was HOT and the plot is incredibly engaging. The tension, chemistry and banter kept me flipping pages and annotating like a manic. Amazing read!
After meeting Maeve in The Mafia’s Bride, I knew I had to have some of her back story! Maeve is such a badass, always trying to show her worth to inherit her father’s throne in the mafia world, and protecting her family no matter the cost to her. Killian was the perfect son Ferguson never had, the assassin, the orphan who was willing to do anything to have a place. This rivals to lovers setting was perfect for the setup of Maeve and Killians relationship. It was nice to get some of their backstory.
This was a great novella and now I need the rest of the series.
Maeve Is the eldest but no female has ever led the clan. At thirteen her father arranges her marriage to his second, a horrid, abusive man. Killian, found and trained by the clan. Been healing Maeves injuries, not knowing how they happened, never asking, and she never telling. But Maeve has just been bidding her time.
This was such a good easy read, dark and a bit spicy. And like I said earlier I need to know how Maeves and Killian's story continues.
Maeve & Killian A short prequel to a series and I’m curious if that series will tell me more about what will happen after how we closed off this short story. It’s steamy, spicy, dark, has a really, really strong FMC and an MMC that can surely handle her fierceness, her darkness and her vulnerability. I really liked it and am curious what the series will be like.
ED Crowe never disappoints. Her writing is rich and descriptive and while this story was short and (not so) sweet, it was spicy and a perfect intro to her mafia series and her writing in general.
Looking forward to reading ALL THE THINGS from Miss Crowe!!!