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Astoria Royals Standalones #4
Lessons in Corruption
From Amazon Top 40 bestselling author Deborah Garland comes the Irish Mafia romance readers have been begging for: Cormac’s Redemption Story. This sizzling Professor/Student and Marriage of Convenience Romance is set in both the Astoria Royals and Quinlan Empire worlds.
My professor by day. My husband by night.
I’m the good girl.
The quiet medical student determined to live up to my father’s legacy.
Or at least I was until everything fell apart.
After escaping a manipulative relationship that nearly destroyed me, I’m left rebuilding my life from scratch.
And needing a place to live.
That’s how I ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Where a stranger with darkness in his eyes gives me the best night of my life.
For once, I stop pretending I don’t crave danger, too.
To be bad. Just once. One night.
Until that ONE night walks into my classroom.
Dr. Cormac O’Rourke.
The school’s new pharmacology professor.
The infamous ex-pediatric surgeon with a criminal past is teaching the one class I need,
or I’ll fall even farther behind.
When he tries to force me out, I threaten him with the one thing powerful enough to make him back down:
My father.
His boss.
We call a truce. And keep our hands to ourselves.
But that falls apart spectacularly.
I just want to be bad.
He just needs a wife to put his life back in order.
The only woman he wants?
Is me.
Lessons in Corruption is the final book in the Astoria Royals Series. And takes place during The Quinlan Empire series, but it can be read and enjoyed as a complete STANDALONE.
Tropes:
🖤 Irish Mafia
🖤 Professor/Student
🖤 Age Gap
🖤 Single Father
🖤 Marriage of Convenience
🖤 Boss’s Daughter
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤 F*ck It
🖤 No 3rd Act Breakup
*Follow Deborah for Updates*
My professor by day. My husband by night.
I’m the good girl.
The quiet medical student determined to live up to my father’s legacy.
Or at least I was until everything fell apart.
After escaping a manipulative relationship that nearly destroyed me, I’m left rebuilding my life from scratch.
And needing a place to live.
That’s how I ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Where a stranger with darkness in his eyes gives me the best night of my life.
For once, I stop pretending I don’t crave danger, too.
To be bad. Just once. One night.
Until that ONE night walks into my classroom.
Dr. Cormac O’Rourke.
The school’s new pharmacology professor.
The infamous ex-pediatric surgeon with a criminal past is teaching the one class I need,
or I’ll fall even farther behind.
When he tries to force me out, I threaten him with the one thing powerful enough to make him back down:
My father.
His boss.
We call a truce. And keep our hands to ourselves.
But that falls apart spectacularly.
I just want to be bad.
He just needs a wife to put his life back in order.
The only woman he wants?
Is me.
Lessons in Corruption is the final book in the Astoria Royals Series. And takes place during The Quinlan Empire series, but it can be read and enjoyed as a complete STANDALONE.
Tropes:
🖤 Irish Mafia
🖤 Professor/Student
🖤 Age Gap
🖤 Single Father
🖤 Marriage of Convenience
🖤 Boss’s Daughter
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤 F*ck It
🖤 No 3rd Act Breakup
*Follow Deborah for Updates*
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2026
About the author
Deborah Garland
55 books881 followersDeborah 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 😊
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 😊
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
May 28, 2026
5⭐️
There’s just something deeply addictive about a wounded, morally gray man trying to claw his way back into the light. A recovering ex-surgeon with Irish mafia ties? A med student rebuilding herself after a toxic relationship? A one-night stand turned professor situation? Sign me up.
Scarlett and Cormac both enter this relationship carrying a lot of damage, and I think that’s what made their connection work so well for me. Scarlett is trying to rebuild herself after the loss of her mom and subsequent horrible relationship, while Cormac is drowning in guilt from his addiction and the fallout from the choices he made during some very dark times. Their chemistry is intense, but there’s also so much vulnerability underneath it. Cormac doesn’t believe he deserves someone like Scarlett, which creates this constant push and pull between them that kept the emotional tension high the entire book.
This was my first Deborah Garland book, so I went in without any context from the previous series, but I honestly never felt lost. You can definitely tell this book is meant to be Cormac’s full redemption arc after being painted as the family black sheep in earlier books, and honestly, I’m kind of glad I met him here first. From the bits of his past we get, I’m not sure I would’ve loved him quite as much if I’d witnessed him during his worst moments. Watching him try to rebuild his life, repair relationships, stay sober, and become the father and man he wants to be felt incredibly emotional and real.
The relationship between Cormac and his twin brother Darragh ended up being one of my favorite parts of the book. There was something really special about the unwavering support Darragh gave him through recovery and everything that came after. And the scenes with Cormac and his son? Absolutely got me a few times. The guilt he carried over the damage he caused felt painfully authentic.
Cormac is intense, possessive, and very much in his “touch her and die” era, but what I loved most was how scared he was of ruining the good things in his life. Meanwhile Scarlett refuses to just back down from him, which made their dynamic even better. By the end, I was way more attached to this world and these characters than I expected to be. I may have started this series here, but the side characters definitely did their job because now I need to figure out where to start in the backlist immediately.
💫Thank you to The Author Agency for this ARC💫
There’s just something deeply addictive about a wounded, morally gray man trying to claw his way back into the light. A recovering ex-surgeon with Irish mafia ties? A med student rebuilding herself after a toxic relationship? A one-night stand turned professor situation? Sign me up.
Scarlett and Cormac both enter this relationship carrying a lot of damage, and I think that’s what made their connection work so well for me. Scarlett is trying to rebuild herself after the loss of her mom and subsequent horrible relationship, while Cormac is drowning in guilt from his addiction and the fallout from the choices he made during some very dark times. Their chemistry is intense, but there’s also so much vulnerability underneath it. Cormac doesn’t believe he deserves someone like Scarlett, which creates this constant push and pull between them that kept the emotional tension high the entire book.
This was my first Deborah Garland book, so I went in without any context from the previous series, but I honestly never felt lost. You can definitely tell this book is meant to be Cormac’s full redemption arc after being painted as the family black sheep in earlier books, and honestly, I’m kind of glad I met him here first. From the bits of his past we get, I’m not sure I would’ve loved him quite as much if I’d witnessed him during his worst moments. Watching him try to rebuild his life, repair relationships, stay sober, and become the father and man he wants to be felt incredibly emotional and real.
The relationship between Cormac and his twin brother Darragh ended up being one of my favorite parts of the book. There was something really special about the unwavering support Darragh gave him through recovery and everything that came after. And the scenes with Cormac and his son? Absolutely got me a few times. The guilt he carried over the damage he caused felt painfully authentic.
Cormac is intense, possessive, and very much in his “touch her and die” era, but what I loved most was how scared he was of ruining the good things in his life. Meanwhile Scarlett refuses to just back down from him, which made their dynamic even better. By the end, I was way more attached to this world and these characters than I expected to be. I may have started this series here, but the side characters definitely did their job because now I need to figure out where to start in the backlist immediately.
💫Thank you to The Author Agency for this ARC💫
May 11, 2026
ARC REVIEW
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I’ve fallen in love with Deborah’s mafia men ever since I first discovered her through Brutal Collateral, and she absolutely did not disappoint with Cormac’s story.
Lessons in Corruption completely pulled me under and refused to let go. From the very beginning, there’s this dark, magnetic tension surrounding Cormac and Scarlett that makes every interaction feel dangerous in the best possible way. I was obsessed with them immediately.
He’s intense, commanding, and impossible not to love, while Scarlett matches him with so much emotion and strength that together they completely stole the show.
What I loved most is how emotionally consuming this book feels. The chemistry is incredible, but it’s the tension, the vulnerability, and the push and pull between them that really made this unforgettable for me. I was stressed, swooning, heartbroken, and obsessed all at once.
Another mafia romance added to my favorites from Deborah Garland.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I’ve fallen in love with Deborah’s mafia men ever since I first discovered her through Brutal Collateral, and she absolutely did not disappoint with Cormac’s story.
Lessons in Corruption completely pulled me under and refused to let go. From the very beginning, there’s this dark, magnetic tension surrounding Cormac and Scarlett that makes every interaction feel dangerous in the best possible way. I was obsessed with them immediately.
He’s intense, commanding, and impossible not to love, while Scarlett matches him with so much emotion and strength that together they completely stole the show.
What I loved most is how emotionally consuming this book feels. The chemistry is incredible, but it’s the tension, the vulnerability, and the push and pull between them that really made this unforgettable for me. I was stressed, swooning, heartbroken, and obsessed all at once.
Another mafia romance added to my favorites from Deborah Garland.
May 21, 2026
4.5 stars!
After listening to Darragh's story I was anticipating Cormac's story! Cormac is struggling with the guilt of what he has done in his past due to his addiction and is now on a fresh start to get his life together. He starts his new job at a college as a professor but the only caveat is he must be married to be offered a full-time placement.
Enter Scarlett, Cormac's one night stand from a couple months prior who turns out to be the Dean's daughter. Cormac must fight his desire for Scarlett but when an opportunity presents itself...he must grab it with both hands.
I LOVE Cormac's redemption arc honestly he deserved it and being in his head I just love him so much. He was so devoted and obsessed and I can't cope. I only rated 4.5 because I felt towards the end it was a little rushed.
After listening to Darragh's story I was anticipating Cormac's story! Cormac is struggling with the guilt of what he has done in his past due to his addiction and is now on a fresh start to get his life together. He starts his new job at a college as a professor but the only caveat is he must be married to be offered a full-time placement.
Enter Scarlett, Cormac's one night stand from a couple months prior who turns out to be the Dean's daughter. Cormac must fight his desire for Scarlett but when an opportunity presents itself...he must grab it with both hands.
I LOVE Cormac's redemption arc honestly he deserved it and being in his head I just love him so much. He was so devoted and obsessed and I can't cope. I only rated 4.5 because I felt towards the end it was a little rushed.
May 23, 2026
There aren’t enough stars for this book. This book was emotional, sexy, angsty and everything in between. Cormac and Scarlett - such a beautiful and emotionally gripping love story. Cormac’s story was just so beautiful - the growth he came through from where he had been to the end of the book - just amazing. Scarlett - loved her strength and determination and her unconditional love for Cormac. Their connection and chemistry was 🥵🥵 and something everyone wants. I can’t say enough how you need to read this book!!!
May 8, 2026
I love Deborah’s books and I’m slowly making my way through all of them!
This one was so good! I love how hard Cormac worked to turn his life around and how the chance counter meeting Scarlett ! It was the perfect meet cute for a dark romance book !
This one was so good! I love how hard Cormac worked to turn his life around and how the chance counter meeting Scarlett ! It was the perfect meet cute for a dark romance book !
May 23, 2026
Lessons in Corruption had me hooked almost immediately. A recovering ex-surgeon with Irish mafia ties. A med student trying to put herself back together after a horrible relationship. One impulsive night that was supposed to stay a one-time thing. Then Scarlett walks into class and realizes the man she has not stopped thinking about is now her pharmacology professor. The DRAMA. I was locked in so fast.
Cormac and Scarlett together were such a mess in the best possible way. Scarlett is trying so hard to move forward and rebuild her confidence after everything she went through with her ex, while Cormac is carrying around years of guilt from his addiction and the damage it caused. They both feel a little broken when this starts, which made their connection hit even harder for me.
And the tension in this book?? Actually ridiculous. The classroom scenes alone had me stressed. Every conversation between them felt like they were one bad decision away from ruining their lives, and honestly that made it impossible to stop reading. Cormac is so emotionally repressed and convinced Scarlett deserves better than him, but at the same time he is painfully protective over her. The man was DOWN BAD and trying so hard not to admit it.
One thing I really appreciated was that Scarlett still felt strong throughout the story. She isn’t just there to fix him. She calls him out, pushes back, and makes her own choices even when everything between them gets complicated. I liked that their relationship felt emotional as much as physical because they both understood what it felt like to be trapped by their pasts.
Also the marriage of convenience storyline??? Yeah Deborah Garland knew exactly what she was doing with that. Watching them try to act like this was just an arrangement while getting more attached to each other by the second was genuinely painful in the best way. And seeing Cormac with his son completely changed the emotional vibe of the story for me because underneath all the broody chaos, he really was trying to become someone better.
I also thought the addiction recovery aspect added a lot to Cormac’s character. It never felt brushed aside, and you could feel how much shame and fear he carried with him the entire book. His character arc ended up being one of my favorite parts.
If you love:
🖤 forbidden professor/student tension
🖤 marriage of convenience
🖤 emotionally messy characters
🖤 protective MMCs who are secretly soft
🖤 angst with actual emotional payoff
🖤 dark academia vibes with mafia drama
🖤 men who are absolutely losing their minds over one woman
...this book is SUCH a fun read.
By the end I was completely invested in these two and fully ignored my responsibilities to keep reading. Exactly the kind of book that sneaks up on you and suddenly you are emotionally attached at 2 AM.
*Thank you so much to The Author Agency for this ARC*
Cormac and Scarlett together were such a mess in the best possible way. Scarlett is trying so hard to move forward and rebuild her confidence after everything she went through with her ex, while Cormac is carrying around years of guilt from his addiction and the damage it caused. They both feel a little broken when this starts, which made their connection hit even harder for me.
And the tension in this book?? Actually ridiculous. The classroom scenes alone had me stressed. Every conversation between them felt like they were one bad decision away from ruining their lives, and honestly that made it impossible to stop reading. Cormac is so emotionally repressed and convinced Scarlett deserves better than him, but at the same time he is painfully protective over her. The man was DOWN BAD and trying so hard not to admit it.
One thing I really appreciated was that Scarlett still felt strong throughout the story. She isn’t just there to fix him. She calls him out, pushes back, and makes her own choices even when everything between them gets complicated. I liked that their relationship felt emotional as much as physical because they both understood what it felt like to be trapped by their pasts.
Also the marriage of convenience storyline??? Yeah Deborah Garland knew exactly what she was doing with that. Watching them try to act like this was just an arrangement while getting more attached to each other by the second was genuinely painful in the best way. And seeing Cormac with his son completely changed the emotional vibe of the story for me because underneath all the broody chaos, he really was trying to become someone better.
I also thought the addiction recovery aspect added a lot to Cormac’s character. It never felt brushed aside, and you could feel how much shame and fear he carried with him the entire book. His character arc ended up being one of my favorite parts.
If you love:
🖤 forbidden professor/student tension
🖤 marriage of convenience
🖤 emotionally messy characters
🖤 protective MMCs who are secretly soft
🖤 angst with actual emotional payoff
🖤 dark academia vibes with mafia drama
🖤 men who are absolutely losing their minds over one woman
...this book is SUCH a fun read.
By the end I was completely invested in these two and fully ignored my responsibilities to keep reading. Exactly the kind of book that sneaks up on you and suddenly you are emotionally attached at 2 AM.
*Thank you so much to The Author Agency for this ARC*
May 22, 2026
Lessons in Corruption delivers an emotional and addictive forbidden romance that blends angst, undeniable chemistry and second chances. Teaching is meant to be Cormac’s O’Rourke’s fresh start something he desperately needs. After a year of sobriety, he’s determined to rebuild his life and make amends for the past mistakes that had almost torn his family apart. Instead, his carefully controlled new life is thrown into chaos when he discovers that Scarlett Ford, a recent one-night stand, is sitting in his classroom. Meanwhile Scarlett is dealing with struggles of her own after escaping a toxic and emotionally abusive relationship, and with her medical degree on the line, she refuses to let Cormac intimidate her into dropping his class. Their dynamic is tense from the beginning, filled with sharp banter, attraction, and emotional conflict, especially since Scarlett is not only his student but the Dean’s daughter to boot. This slightly forbidden aspect of the romance adds plenty of tension, but what really makes the story work is the emotional depth behind their relationship. The marriage-of-convenience storyline was one of the strongest parts of the book. As a condition of his continued employment Cormac needs the respectability that marriage will bring to secure his future, while Scarlett, being hassled by her ex-boyfriend who is determined to cause trouble, needs stability and support to continue her studies. What begins as a mutually practical arrangement slowly develops into something far more genuine, and watching their walls come down was incredibly satisfying. Their chemistry is intense, but there’s also a vulnerability between them that gives the romance real emotional weight. Cormac is very much a flawed hero, carrying guilt and shame over his actions, and this story feels like a true redemption arc for him. His fears that Scarlett won’t accept the darker parts of his past adds another layer of emotional tension. Scarlett, meanwhile, is strong, ambitious, and unwilling to let her past define her. Together, they balance each other perfectly despite the complications surrounding them and while there is a slight age gap, it never feels overly significant within their story.
One of the highlights of this book, and of both the Astoria Royals and Quinlan Empire series overall, is the strong sense of family woven throughout the story. Cormac’s family may not always approve of his actions, but their support and loyalty remain constant adding an extra layer of warmth and emotional depth and ultimately, Lessons in Corruption feels like a redemption story as much as it is a romance. If you enjoy angsty forbidden romances, emotionally layered characters, and dirty-mouthed heroes with real vulnerability beneath the surface, this book is definitely worth picking up.
One of the highlights of this book, and of both the Astoria Royals and Quinlan Empire series overall, is the strong sense of family woven throughout the story. Cormac’s family may not always approve of his actions, but their support and loyalty remain constant adding an extra layer of warmth and emotional depth and ultimately, Lessons in Corruption feels like a redemption story as much as it is a romance. If you enjoy angsty forbidden romances, emotionally layered characters, and dirty-mouthed heroes with real vulnerability beneath the surface, this book is definitely worth picking up.
May 24, 2026
Lessons in Corruption reminded me exactly why I love a good mafia romance. Dark, emotional, addictive, and impossible to put down once the story gets its hooks in you.
This is the second book I’ve read from Deborah Garland, and once again she delivered a story that kept me fully invested from beginning to end.
What immediately pulled me into this book was the combination of tropes:
🖤 Irish Mafia
🎓 Professor/Student
💍 Marriage of Convenience
👨👧 Single Father
🔥 Forced Proximity
🖤 Age Gap Romance
The story follows a medical student trying to rebuild her life after escaping a manipulative relationship that nearly destroyed her confidence and sense of self. Just when she begins to take control of her future, one unforgettable night changes everything when the mysterious stranger she can’t stop thinking about turns out to be her new professor.
Cormac O’Rourke was everything I want in a dark mafia MMC. Protective, intense, complicated, and carrying enough darkness in his past to make every interaction feel layered and meaningful. Beneath the tough exterior was a man trying to put his life back together while balancing responsibilities that never seem to stop pulling him in different directions.
I especially enjoyed the tension between the characters. From their first interactions, there was chemistry, conflict, and plenty of moments that had me wondering how long they could keep their hands off each other. The forced proximity and marriage of convenience elements only made the story more addictive.
What I appreciated most was that the darker elements of the story never felt unnecessary. They helped shape the characters and added depth to both their personal journeys and their relationship. The emotional moments landed just as well as the spicy ones, creating a balance that kept me invested in both the romance and the characters themselves.
And if you’re looking for spice? Deborah Garland definitely understood the assignment. The chemistry starts early and the heat level delivers throughout the story.
Overall, this was another fantastic read from Deborah Garland and a mafia romance I thoroughly enjoyed.
If you enjoy:
🖤 Irish Mafia Romance
🎓 Professor/Student
💍 Marriage of Convenience
👨👧 Single Father MMC
🔥 Forced Proximity
🖤 Age Gap Romance
❤️ Possessive Protective Hero
🌶️ High Spice
then you’ll definitely want to add Lessons in Corruption to your TBR.
⭐️ Overall Rating: 4.5/5
🔥 Burn Level: 4.5/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 5/5
💧 Emotional Impact: 4/5
Thank you to The Author Agency and Deborah Garland for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.
This is the second book I’ve read from Deborah Garland, and once again she delivered a story that kept me fully invested from beginning to end.
What immediately pulled me into this book was the combination of tropes:
🖤 Irish Mafia
🎓 Professor/Student
💍 Marriage of Convenience
👨👧 Single Father
🔥 Forced Proximity
🖤 Age Gap Romance
The story follows a medical student trying to rebuild her life after escaping a manipulative relationship that nearly destroyed her confidence and sense of self. Just when she begins to take control of her future, one unforgettable night changes everything when the mysterious stranger she can’t stop thinking about turns out to be her new professor.
Cormac O’Rourke was everything I want in a dark mafia MMC. Protective, intense, complicated, and carrying enough darkness in his past to make every interaction feel layered and meaningful. Beneath the tough exterior was a man trying to put his life back together while balancing responsibilities that never seem to stop pulling him in different directions.
I especially enjoyed the tension between the characters. From their first interactions, there was chemistry, conflict, and plenty of moments that had me wondering how long they could keep their hands off each other. The forced proximity and marriage of convenience elements only made the story more addictive.
What I appreciated most was that the darker elements of the story never felt unnecessary. They helped shape the characters and added depth to both their personal journeys and their relationship. The emotional moments landed just as well as the spicy ones, creating a balance that kept me invested in both the romance and the characters themselves.
And if you’re looking for spice? Deborah Garland definitely understood the assignment. The chemistry starts early and the heat level delivers throughout the story.
Overall, this was another fantastic read from Deborah Garland and a mafia romance I thoroughly enjoyed.
If you enjoy:
🖤 Irish Mafia Romance
🎓 Professor/Student
💍 Marriage of Convenience
👨👧 Single Father MMC
🔥 Forced Proximity
🖤 Age Gap Romance
❤️ Possessive Protective Hero
🌶️ High Spice
then you’ll definitely want to add Lessons in Corruption to your TBR.
⭐️ Overall Rating: 4.5/5
🔥 Burn Level: 4.5/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 5/5
💧 Emotional Impact: 4/5
Thank you to The Author Agency and Deborah Garland for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.
May 26, 2026
Well, I'm still totally all over the place with this series and would normally be upset about this - but given that these books all read so well as standalones - and there are familiar characters popping up all over the place - I'm actually not mad about reading this out of order at all.
This is the fourth book in the Astoria Royals Standalone series and so far, I've only read this and book one from this series.
However, having met the characters before in other books, this really felt like coming home and I was able to settle right into this straight from the off.
I've loved Cormac through the other reads and I was so pleased to see that he's finally getting his redemption story.
For those coming into this afresh, we get to explore both Cormac and Scarlett's backstories here.
It was great to see how all of the connections linked up and how this affected both of our main characters and what it meant for their relationship.
Despite it's rocky beginning, we see the pair drawn together and the chemistry is off the charts.
It was so easy to see how things were going to go once they were in such close proximity - but that didn't make the read any less compelling.
As expected, this does get spicy - would it even be a book by this author if it didn't!?
These scenes were brilliant and added layers to the development of the relationship without taking away from the emotionally charged storyline.
I absolutely love this author and as much as I need to catch up with all the books I missed (before discovering them) - I'm a sucker for instantly grabbing any and all new releases and diving right on in!
This is the fourth book in the Astoria Royals Standalone series and so far, I've only read this and book one from this series.
However, having met the characters before in other books, this really felt like coming home and I was able to settle right into this straight from the off.
I've loved Cormac through the other reads and I was so pleased to see that he's finally getting his redemption story.
For those coming into this afresh, we get to explore both Cormac and Scarlett's backstories here.
It was great to see how all of the connections linked up and how this affected both of our main characters and what it meant for their relationship.
Despite it's rocky beginning, we see the pair drawn together and the chemistry is off the charts.
It was so easy to see how things were going to go once they were in such close proximity - but that didn't make the read any less compelling.
As expected, this does get spicy - would it even be a book by this author if it didn't!?
These scenes were brilliant and added layers to the development of the relationship without taking away from the emotionally charged storyline.
I absolutely love this author and as much as I need to catch up with all the books I missed (before discovering them) - I'm a sucker for instantly grabbing any and all new releases and diving right on in!
May 23, 2026
If you are a fan of Irish Mafia, forbidden professor/student dynamics, and a forced proximity marriage of convenience, stop what you are doing and read this book immediately!
From the very first page, the tension between Cormac and Scarlett is utterly electric. Cormac O’Rourke is the ultimate dark, brooding hero, an ex-pediatric surgeon with a dangerous criminal past who is trying to put his life back in order. He needs a wife, and the boss’s daughter is the last person he should touch, but the chemistry between them is impossible to deny. I loved Scarlett's dynamic of the quiet, determined medical student who finally decides she’s tired of being the "good girl" and craves a little bit of danger.
Garland weaves all of my favorite tropes together seamlessly. The age gap and professor/student dynamic are beautifully executed with the perfect amount of forbidden angst. Plus, adding the single father aspect gave Cormac a layer of depth and vulnerability that made me fall for him even harder.
Instead of unnecessary drama keeping them apart, watching them face the darkness together as a united front made the romance so much more satisfying.
Even though it crosses over with the Astoria Royals and Quinlan Empire worlds, it stands perfectly on its own, though it will definitely make you want to binge everything else Garland has written.
From the very first page, the tension between Cormac and Scarlett is utterly electric. Cormac O’Rourke is the ultimate dark, brooding hero, an ex-pediatric surgeon with a dangerous criminal past who is trying to put his life back in order. He needs a wife, and the boss’s daughter is the last person he should touch, but the chemistry between them is impossible to deny. I loved Scarlett's dynamic of the quiet, determined medical student who finally decides she’s tired of being the "good girl" and craves a little bit of danger.
Garland weaves all of my favorite tropes together seamlessly. The age gap and professor/student dynamic are beautifully executed with the perfect amount of forbidden angst. Plus, adding the single father aspect gave Cormac a layer of depth and vulnerability that made me fall for him even harder.
Instead of unnecessary drama keeping them apart, watching them face the darkness together as a united front made the romance so much more satisfying.
Even though it crosses over with the Astoria Royals and Quinlan Empire worlds, it stands perfectly on its own, though it will definitely make you want to binge everything else Garland has written.
May 29, 2026
Another new author to me and another great arc read.
Imagine you have a steamy one night stand with a stranger and find out he's the new professor at your college. To secure a permanent position he needs a wife and because of your piece of sh*t ex, you now need a place to live and money to finish school.
Lessons In Corruption is age gap, workplace romance with lots of spicy moments including some under the desk action! There are Mafia and Brätva connections, a toxice ex that needs to be put in his place and a dark secret that might just be to big to cover up no matter what connections you have.
Lessons In Corruption was my first Deborah Garland read my first in the Astoria Royals series but I would absolutely love to check out more!
Imagine you have a steamy one night stand with a stranger and find out he's the new professor at your college. To secure a permanent position he needs a wife and because of your piece of sh*t ex, you now need a place to live and money to finish school.
Lessons In Corruption is age gap, workplace romance with lots of spicy moments including some under the desk action! There are Mafia and Brätva connections, a toxice ex that needs to be put in his place and a dark secret that might just be to big to cover up no matter what connections you have.
Lessons In Corruption was my first Deborah Garland read my first in the Astoria Royals series but I would absolutely love to check out more!
July 13, 2026
ARC Review | Lessons in Corruption by Deborah Garland | 4.5⭐️
I knew Cormac’s story was going to hurt… but I was not prepared for how much I would end up loving this man.
Because excuse me? The same man who had me questioning everything in the previous books had me over here defending him like I was on his legal team. 😂
Cormac is complicated. Messy. Damaged. And honestly? That’s what made his story so good.
He went from a respected pediatric surgeon to losing everything after one decision changed his entire life. The guilt, the addiction, the shame, the belief that he didn’t deserve happiness… my heart BROKE for him.
Watching him fight to rebuild himself and stay clean while still carrying the weight of his past was such an emotional journey.
And then there’s Scarlett. 🥹
This woman has been through it. After escaping a toxic relationship, she’s trying to rebuild her life, return to medical school, and become the doctor she always wanted to be. She’s kind, determined, and stronger than she gives herself credit for.
Now let’s talk about the absolute chaos of Cormac and Scarlett.
A one-night stand. Nothing more. But what do you do when your ONS happens to also be your new professor? 💀
The tension between them?! EVERYTHING. The banter, the push and pull, the constant “we shouldn’t” while absolutely wanting to? Delicious.
And then comes the marriage of convenience. A fake marriage? Sure. Fake feelings? Absolutely not.
Watching Cormac slowly realize that Scarlett wasn’t afraid of his past, his scars, or the parts of himself he hated? That got me.
The way this man loves his son? The way he protects the people he cares about? The way he would burn everything down for Scarlett? A true O’Rourke🫡
I loved that Scarlett didn’t “fix” Cormac. She didn’t erase his past or magically make everything okay. She stood beside him while he fought for himself. And Cormac gave Scarlett the safety and support she needed to finally believe she deserved better.
Also… watching her deal with Pierce? Ma’am, I needed her to throw hands. 😂 Thankfully, Ana was there because that friendship was EVERYTHING.
This book gave me everything I wanted and more!
I knew Cormac’s story was going to hurt… but I was not prepared for how much I would end up loving this man.
Because excuse me? The same man who had me questioning everything in the previous books had me over here defending him like I was on his legal team. 😂
Cormac is complicated. Messy. Damaged. And honestly? That’s what made his story so good.
He went from a respected pediatric surgeon to losing everything after one decision changed his entire life. The guilt, the addiction, the shame, the belief that he didn’t deserve happiness… my heart BROKE for him.
Watching him fight to rebuild himself and stay clean while still carrying the weight of his past was such an emotional journey.
And then there’s Scarlett. 🥹
This woman has been through it. After escaping a toxic relationship, she’s trying to rebuild her life, return to medical school, and become the doctor she always wanted to be. She’s kind, determined, and stronger than she gives herself credit for.
Now let’s talk about the absolute chaos of Cormac and Scarlett.
A one-night stand. Nothing more. But what do you do when your ONS happens to also be your new professor? 💀
The tension between them?! EVERYTHING. The banter, the push and pull, the constant “we shouldn’t” while absolutely wanting to? Delicious.
And then comes the marriage of convenience. A fake marriage? Sure. Fake feelings? Absolutely not.
Watching Cormac slowly realize that Scarlett wasn’t afraid of his past, his scars, or the parts of himself he hated? That got me.
The way this man loves his son? The way he protects the people he cares about? The way he would burn everything down for Scarlett? A true O’Rourke🫡
I loved that Scarlett didn’t “fix” Cormac. She didn’t erase his past or magically make everything okay. She stood beside him while he fought for himself. And Cormac gave Scarlett the safety and support she needed to finally believe she deserved better.
Also… watching her deal with Pierce? Ma’am, I needed her to throw hands. 😂 Thankfully, Ana was there because that friendship was EVERYTHING.
This book gave me everything I wanted and more!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I hardly know where to start with a review of Comac O’Rourke’s redemption story, Lessons in Corruption. It was everything I hoped for and so much more. But then that’s always how it is with any book by acclaimed author Deborah Garland. She just has this voodoo magic with words, both the narrative and the dialogue. It’s bold, witty, ironic. She makes you laugh with the absurdness of a situation and then shocks that smile right off your face with the cold, calculating violence and brutality. The code that must be followed, always, whatever the cost. Loyalty and protection of the family come first and life or death decisions are made and carried out in an instant. But at the center of everything is the capacity for love these men have; the soft sides, the gooey centers, the desire and possessiveness and the absolute willingness to die to protect those they love. I never knew Mafia Romance was a thing before I read Deborah Garland. Sounded like an oxymoron, but now I am hooked.
We’ve known about Cormac for a while. He and Darragh are the baby brothers, the identical twins, the doctors. They chose not to actively participate in the Irish Mafia family business. Which, by the way, does not exempt them from the loyalty and don’t put the family at risk rules.
Cormac’s life has taken some extreme swings. An extraordinarily talented pediatric surgeon, he broke the rules and performed an unauthorized surgery. It didn’t matter that he saved the child’s life; there were consequences to his career. In Las Vegas at loose ends he temporarily hooked up with a Bratva princess from the old neighborhood on the run. Together they spiraled down into drug addiction and a dangerous lifestyle. She became pregnant but their relationship was never based on love and he was out of control: selfish, neglectful, rejected the unborn child. And a Mafia son getting a Bratva daughter pregnant is a recipe for disaster to the O’Rourkes. Garland’s Ring of Truth is the deep dive into all of that, describing how Ana and Cormac’s twin end up together parenting the baby, how Cormac is sent to Dunbar torture camp in Ireland as punishment, and how this child becomes important to him and he vows to make himself worthy of someday calling himself the baby’s father. And somehow through all of this beyond bad behavior and his prickly attitude, author Garland makes you join Team Cormac and hope for redemption.
Lessons in Corruption opens with Cormac’s second (or third, or whatever) chance. Out of the torture camp, settled in an apartment in Manhattan, about to take over as part-time professor at a medical school where Darragh has been teaching. Addiction is hard to overcome, though. Cormac is no longer addicted to drugs, but he is now addicted to removing drug dealers from the streets one at a time. Injecting them with their own poison. On his way home from one of these missions his taxi hits a woman crossing the street, and from that point the story blossoms into another Deborah Garland masterpiece.
Scarlett Ford has just been literally kicked to the curb by her cheating hot shot doctor ex. No where to go, no money. She dropped out of medical school to appease him and it will be difficult to get her loans back and reenter the program, but this is her desire. She’s currently an EMT and medicine and helping people are what she’s meant to do. Getting hit by a taxi wasn’t on her to-do list tonight. She’s uninjured but shaken up, both by the accident and the events of the night. Cormac goes into doctor mode and wants to be sure she’s okay. But – and this is the really good part – Cormac and Scarlett’s reactions to each other is as if they’ve both been struck by lightning. This is her chance to do something dangerous while being cared for for a bit, something she hasn’t experienced in a long time, and Cormac feels like she sees the real him; she tastes like hope. Swooning yet? You will be. One night, that’s it. Until – oops – it’s not.
Garland takes us on a fast-paced, exciting journey with many moving parts, big surprises, family popping in and out of both their lives in unexpected ways, some of that family definitely not what they seem, a required marriage of convenience that becomes so much more, threats to well-being and reputation, so much going on that you just can’t stop turning pages; you can hardly wait to see what happens next. Cormac is perfect and Scarlett is perfect for him. They are the two missing puzzle pieces. She is brave and determined and talented and willing to risk everything when it counts. He is so emotional and caring yet afraid of the dark that may still be in him. I guarantee you will wipe away a tear like I did when you see the room he has set up in his apartment for his son, when he is finally good enough and has earned it.
Lessons in Corruption wraps up the Astoria Royals Standalones, takes place during the Quinlan Empire Series and has ties to all the Astoria Royals. It’s a completely satisfying standalone but why wouldn’t you read all the other books? They are all so expertly woven together; reading each book, in whatever order, gives you a deeper look into this family, their way of life and their epic romances. All those hot, brutal, sensitive tough guys and the strong, capable women who are their soul mates. I received an advance copy of Lessons in Corruption. It’s definitely one of those read-over-and-over books and I cannot wait for the audiobook. Garland’s spellbinding words with her remarkable cast of narrators is unbeatable. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
We’ve known about Cormac for a while. He and Darragh are the baby brothers, the identical twins, the doctors. They chose not to actively participate in the Irish Mafia family business. Which, by the way, does not exempt them from the loyalty and don’t put the family at risk rules.
Cormac’s life has taken some extreme swings. An extraordinarily talented pediatric surgeon, he broke the rules and performed an unauthorized surgery. It didn’t matter that he saved the child’s life; there were consequences to his career. In Las Vegas at loose ends he temporarily hooked up with a Bratva princess from the old neighborhood on the run. Together they spiraled down into drug addiction and a dangerous lifestyle. She became pregnant but their relationship was never based on love and he was out of control: selfish, neglectful, rejected the unborn child. And a Mafia son getting a Bratva daughter pregnant is a recipe for disaster to the O’Rourkes. Garland’s Ring of Truth is the deep dive into all of that, describing how Ana and Cormac’s twin end up together parenting the baby, how Cormac is sent to Dunbar torture camp in Ireland as punishment, and how this child becomes important to him and he vows to make himself worthy of someday calling himself the baby’s father. And somehow through all of this beyond bad behavior and his prickly attitude, author Garland makes you join Team Cormac and hope for redemption.
Lessons in Corruption opens with Cormac’s second (or third, or whatever) chance. Out of the torture camp, settled in an apartment in Manhattan, about to take over as part-time professor at a medical school where Darragh has been teaching. Addiction is hard to overcome, though. Cormac is no longer addicted to drugs, but he is now addicted to removing drug dealers from the streets one at a time. Injecting them with their own poison. On his way home from one of these missions his taxi hits a woman crossing the street, and from that point the story blossoms into another Deborah Garland masterpiece.
Scarlett Ford has just been literally kicked to the curb by her cheating hot shot doctor ex. No where to go, no money. She dropped out of medical school to appease him and it will be difficult to get her loans back and reenter the program, but this is her desire. She’s currently an EMT and medicine and helping people are what she’s meant to do. Getting hit by a taxi wasn’t on her to-do list tonight. She’s uninjured but shaken up, both by the accident and the events of the night. Cormac goes into doctor mode and wants to be sure she’s okay. But – and this is the really good part – Cormac and Scarlett’s reactions to each other is as if they’ve both been struck by lightning. This is her chance to do something dangerous while being cared for for a bit, something she hasn’t experienced in a long time, and Cormac feels like she sees the real him; she tastes like hope. Swooning yet? You will be. One night, that’s it. Until – oops – it’s not.
Garland takes us on a fast-paced, exciting journey with many moving parts, big surprises, family popping in and out of both their lives in unexpected ways, some of that family definitely not what they seem, a required marriage of convenience that becomes so much more, threats to well-being and reputation, so much going on that you just can’t stop turning pages; you can hardly wait to see what happens next. Cormac is perfect and Scarlett is perfect for him. They are the two missing puzzle pieces. She is brave and determined and talented and willing to risk everything when it counts. He is so emotional and caring yet afraid of the dark that may still be in him. I guarantee you will wipe away a tear like I did when you see the room he has set up in his apartment for his son, when he is finally good enough and has earned it.
Lessons in Corruption wraps up the Astoria Royals Standalones, takes place during the Quinlan Empire Series and has ties to all the Astoria Royals. It’s a completely satisfying standalone but why wouldn’t you read all the other books? They are all so expertly woven together; reading each book, in whatever order, gives you a deeper look into this family, their way of life and their epic romances. All those hot, brutal, sensitive tough guys and the strong, capable women who are their soul mates. I received an advance copy of Lessons in Corruption. It’s definitely one of those read-over-and-over books and I cannot wait for the audiobook. Garland’s spellbinding words with her remarkable cast of narrators is unbeatable. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
June 25, 2026
“Lessons in Corruption” is the fourth book in the “Astoria Royals Standalone Series.” Like most of us who love this series, I have been looking forward to Cormac O’Rourke’s story….we have all been waiting for his redemption story. This is a sizzling Professor/Student and Marriage of Convenience Romance that is set in both the Astoria Royals and the Quinlan Empire worlds. This book is the conclusion to this series.
For the last four years Dr. Cormac O’Rourke life has been turned upside down and now thanks to his twin brother Dr Darragh O’Rourke, he is taking over his position as a lecturer at Hamilton Medical College. “Recovery isn’t a crime. You owe Dr. Ford competence. You owe your students the gift of knowledge. You owe yourself a bright future.” One condition of keeping his position is that Professors are expected to be married to the end of semester….which ends in a few months!
Scarlett Ford is currently working as an EMT at the Bronx ambulance station after dropping out of medical school after her mother passed away. Currently she is living with her boyfriend Dr Pierce Langston. He is considered medical royalty as he is the oldest son of celebrity heart surgeon Ramses Langston. Coming home from work early one night/morning, she catches him in bed with his sister in law. When she gets angry at him, he backhands her across the cheek….after telling him to find someone else to plan his parties and have his babies, she walks out. “You’ll be sorry, Scarlett,” Pierce calls out from behind me.”
Walking in the rain and nowhere to go, she accidentally gets hit by a taxi when crossing the road. After exchanging first names only, he takes her to a hotel so that she has someplace safe to sleep tonight. “Stay,” I whisper. “For a little while. Make me feel….Something else. Not whatever this darkness is. Something.…better.” After an incredible night together, he leaves….”Thank you. I really enjoyed that,” he says and presses a kiss to my forehead. “Goodbye, Scarlett.”
The next day, it’s time to sort her life out and go back to medical school. First step is to talk to her father about getting reinstated at Hamilton and then sorting out housing. “For the first time in months, I feel excited about my future. Thank God I had last night. And that one reckless, beautiful moment. In a few weeks, I will completely start over.” Sitting in her Pharmacology and Clinical Therapeutics class, in walks her Professor….it’s Cormac, her one night stand that she cannot forget. “The professor’s eyes lift slowly at my voice. We lock gazes. His anger is smoldering….”Damn, this is going to be a problem….”She’s going to ruin me. And the worst part is that the masochist in me will enjoy the pain.” Will they both survive this or not?
The story is full of passion, humor, intrigue, betrayal, vengeance, power, control, twists and turns around every corner. There is never a dull moment - you will be hooked! The book goes from pages that sizzle, to extreme violence, to the most beautiful tender moments!
“He growls a curse from his chest, and then.…Good Lord.…the man is on me. His mouth crashes over mine, hungry, starved, and desperate. I gasp, grabbing his shirt to feel his heartbeat pounding against my palm. The muscle is trying to escape his chest, so it can bleed in my hands. He hauls me onto his lap, large hands locking around my hips. My fingers tangle in his hair, and he groans into my mouth, deep and sinful. Heat and thunder and need. Every line we swore we wouldn’t cross just got obliterated.”
You will fall in love with Cormac and Scarlett, hoping that everything with work out for them and if they have a future together. There is never a dull moment - you will be hooked! I know I was - just love these two! A thoroughly enjoyable read from page to page, one chapter to the next - at times you are metaphorical “on the edge of your chair” wondering what will happen next. Overall, I would highly recommend this book and you will not be disappointed 😊
For the last four years Dr. Cormac O’Rourke life has been turned upside down and now thanks to his twin brother Dr Darragh O’Rourke, he is taking over his position as a lecturer at Hamilton Medical College. “Recovery isn’t a crime. You owe Dr. Ford competence. You owe your students the gift of knowledge. You owe yourself a bright future.” One condition of keeping his position is that Professors are expected to be married to the end of semester….which ends in a few months!
Scarlett Ford is currently working as an EMT at the Bronx ambulance station after dropping out of medical school after her mother passed away. Currently she is living with her boyfriend Dr Pierce Langston. He is considered medical royalty as he is the oldest son of celebrity heart surgeon Ramses Langston. Coming home from work early one night/morning, she catches him in bed with his sister in law. When she gets angry at him, he backhands her across the cheek….after telling him to find someone else to plan his parties and have his babies, she walks out. “You’ll be sorry, Scarlett,” Pierce calls out from behind me.”
Walking in the rain and nowhere to go, she accidentally gets hit by a taxi when crossing the road. After exchanging first names only, he takes her to a hotel so that she has someplace safe to sleep tonight. “Stay,” I whisper. “For a little while. Make me feel….Something else. Not whatever this darkness is. Something.…better.” After an incredible night together, he leaves….”Thank you. I really enjoyed that,” he says and presses a kiss to my forehead. “Goodbye, Scarlett.”
The next day, it’s time to sort her life out and go back to medical school. First step is to talk to her father about getting reinstated at Hamilton and then sorting out housing. “For the first time in months, I feel excited about my future. Thank God I had last night. And that one reckless, beautiful moment. In a few weeks, I will completely start over.” Sitting in her Pharmacology and Clinical Therapeutics class, in walks her Professor….it’s Cormac, her one night stand that she cannot forget. “The professor’s eyes lift slowly at my voice. We lock gazes. His anger is smoldering….”Damn, this is going to be a problem….”She’s going to ruin me. And the worst part is that the masochist in me will enjoy the pain.” Will they both survive this or not?
The story is full of passion, humor, intrigue, betrayal, vengeance, power, control, twists and turns around every corner. There is never a dull moment - you will be hooked! The book goes from pages that sizzle, to extreme violence, to the most beautiful tender moments!
“He growls a curse from his chest, and then.…Good Lord.…the man is on me. His mouth crashes over mine, hungry, starved, and desperate. I gasp, grabbing his shirt to feel his heartbeat pounding against my palm. The muscle is trying to escape his chest, so it can bleed in my hands. He hauls me onto his lap, large hands locking around my hips. My fingers tangle in his hair, and he groans into my mouth, deep and sinful. Heat and thunder and need. Every line we swore we wouldn’t cross just got obliterated.”
You will fall in love with Cormac and Scarlett, hoping that everything with work out for them and if they have a future together. There is never a dull moment - you will be hooked! I know I was - just love these two! A thoroughly enjoyable read from page to page, one chapter to the next - at times you are metaphorical “on the edge of your chair” wondering what will happen next. Overall, I would highly recommend this book and you will not be disappointed 😊
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thanks to Deborah Garland for the ARC. All opinions are my own in the following ARC Review.
Genres: Mafia Romance, Dark Romance
Tropes: One Night Stand, Single Dad, Age Gap, Professor/Student, Boss’s Daughter, Forbidden Romance, Redemption Arc, Second Chances, Pining, Marriage of Convenience, Fake Relationship, Forced Proximity, Hurt/Comfort, My Wife
MC: Scarlett (FMC), Cormac (MMC)
Setting: New York
Triggers: domestic abuse, cheating, past addiction
Epilogue: Yes
Synopsis: After a year of sobriety, Cormac has finally begun rebuilding his life while carrying guilt over the mistakes that shattered his family. When Scarlett leaves her toxic boyfriend after a fight, she unexpectedly finds safety in Cormac. One night together sparks an intense connection neither can forget. Scarlett returns to medical school only to discover Cormac is now one of her professors after accepting a teaching position arranged by his twin brother. Their chemistry becomes impossible to ignore, even as they try to keep their distance. Complicating matters further, Cormac’s new job requires him to be married by the end of the semester. As Scarlett’s ex continues harassing her, Cormac proposes a marriage of convenience that would protect both of them. Though reluctant to risk her heart, Scarlett agrees. Their relationship deepens as Cormac struggles to reveal the truth about his past, including his addiction and the complicated circumstances surrounding his young son, whom he wishes to co-parent with his twin brother and sister-in-law. While Cormac fears the truth will drive Scarlett away, she instead sees the man he’s worked hard to become rather than the mistakes he made. Through love, honesty, and forgiveness, Cormac slowly begins to let go of his guilt and finally allow himself the future he never believed he deserved.
Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book, especially because I didn’t think there was any way to redeem Cormac after his actions in his twin Darragh’s book, Ring of Truth. I honestly didn’t think he deserved forgiveness or happiness after reading that story. However, Deborah did a fantastic job showcasing the depth of Cormac’s guilt and his path to recovery as he works to become a man worthy of a second chance. You can truly feel his remorse for his past actions, and I’m glad his entire family supported him throughout his recovery journey. I’m especially happy that both his twin and his ex forgave him, because I think that was what he needed most in order to finally move forward. I also commend Scarlett for her acceptance and understanding of Cormac’s past. He needed an open-minded and compassionate partner to fully heal, and I think she provided exactly that. At the same time, Cormac was a wonderful partner for Scarlett because he never held her back from her dreams. Instead, he encouraged her, and admired and applauded her talent. I also loved how naturally Scarlett fit into Cormac’s family, especially with his ex, considering they’re going to have an unconventional dynamic moving forward. I’d love to see Cormac become a father again with Scarlett someday, so he can experience the journey the right way with someone he truly loves.
Genres: Mafia Romance, Dark Romance
Tropes: One Night Stand, Single Dad, Age Gap, Professor/Student, Boss’s Daughter, Forbidden Romance, Redemption Arc, Second Chances, Pining, Marriage of Convenience, Fake Relationship, Forced Proximity, Hurt/Comfort, My Wife
MC: Scarlett (FMC), Cormac (MMC)
Setting: New York
Triggers: domestic abuse, cheating, past addiction
Epilogue: Yes
Synopsis: After a year of sobriety, Cormac has finally begun rebuilding his life while carrying guilt over the mistakes that shattered his family. When Scarlett leaves her toxic boyfriend after a fight, she unexpectedly finds safety in Cormac. One night together sparks an intense connection neither can forget. Scarlett returns to medical school only to discover Cormac is now one of her professors after accepting a teaching position arranged by his twin brother. Their chemistry becomes impossible to ignore, even as they try to keep their distance. Complicating matters further, Cormac’s new job requires him to be married by the end of the semester. As Scarlett’s ex continues harassing her, Cormac proposes a marriage of convenience that would protect both of them. Though reluctant to risk her heart, Scarlett agrees. Their relationship deepens as Cormac struggles to reveal the truth about his past, including his addiction and the complicated circumstances surrounding his young son, whom he wishes to co-parent with his twin brother and sister-in-law. While Cormac fears the truth will drive Scarlett away, she instead sees the man he’s worked hard to become rather than the mistakes he made. Through love, honesty, and forgiveness, Cormac slowly begins to let go of his guilt and finally allow himself the future he never believed he deserved.
Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book, especially because I didn’t think there was any way to redeem Cormac after his actions in his twin Darragh’s book, Ring of Truth. I honestly didn’t think he deserved forgiveness or happiness after reading that story. However, Deborah did a fantastic job showcasing the depth of Cormac’s guilt and his path to recovery as he works to become a man worthy of a second chance. You can truly feel his remorse for his past actions, and I’m glad his entire family supported him throughout his recovery journey. I’m especially happy that both his twin and his ex forgave him, because I think that was what he needed most in order to finally move forward. I also commend Scarlett for her acceptance and understanding of Cormac’s past. He needed an open-minded and compassionate partner to fully heal, and I think she provided exactly that. At the same time, Cormac was a wonderful partner for Scarlett because he never held her back from her dreams. Instead, he encouraged her, and admired and applauded her talent. I also loved how naturally Scarlett fit into Cormac’s family, especially with his ex, considering they’re going to have an unconventional dynamic moving forward. I’d love to see Cormac become a father again with Scarlett someday, so he can experience the journey the right way with someone he truly loves.
May 22, 2026
This is the final book in the Astoria Royals series. We first met Cormac in his brother‘s book Ring of Truth which was amazing. He’s very different there. He’s an addict. He was mean to his pregnant ex-girlfriend. He doesn’t really care about anything but himself. He knows he’s in trouble but the one thing he does love is his brother and niece so he does everything he can to save them when danger is near them. He gets sent away or punished for his behavior and this is when his redemption begins. In Lessons in Corruption, he is now clean and wants to do better for his life. He wants to prove himself to his brother and the one thing he wants in this whole world is his son. He wants to spend time with him. He wants to see him grow and is trying to be better for him. The night he meets Scarlett, he gets her out of a jam and tries to be a gentleman, but the attraction is there and they spend one incredible night together. He has a new job and is told he needs a wife. He will be teaching a class and the last thing he expected was to see Scarlett walk through the door.
Scarlet Ford is a promising young student. She wants to be a doctor and she knows she has to take classes. Those are very expensive however. She’s having problems with her boyfriend. He’s a jerk so she dumps him. The night she meets Cormac, she’s not exactly having the best time. It is nice to know there’s still nice guys out there and she’s also very attracted to him. She decides to forget the consequences and spends an amazing night with him later on when she walks into her classroom she is blindsided by the fact that he is now her professor. Her ex makes her life miserable, leaving her without a place to live and no money. Cormac offers her a solution. He’s been told he needs a wife and he doesn’t want to go out and look for one so he’ll help her out if she helps him out. He’ll pay everything she needs and give her a place to stay. All she has to do is marry him. This is supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but the chemistry is way intense. Cormac hasn’t told her anything about his life. She doesn’t know he’s a recovering addict or that he’s a father. How is Scarlett gonna handle all this?
Deborah Garland had me crying with this book. Cormac really picked up the pieces of his life. He’s trying to be better for his son and he wants to be good with Scarlett. He cares about her, but he’s scared he’ll ruin it. I loved the scenes with him and his brother. I loved seeing him with his son, and I felt bad that the guilt would eat at him because he wasn’t honest with Scarlett in the beginning. I loved their scenes together. They were extremely hot. I felt bad for Scarlett because all she wanted to do was be a doctor. She was very attracted to Cormac and I thought the scenes when she’s trying to avoid him were really funny. It was heartbreaking to see her ex mess with her. This was definitely an emotional roller coaster. It was filled with drama, heat, danger, tender moments, humor, action, and shocking twists. I am going to miss these characters.
Scarlet Ford is a promising young student. She wants to be a doctor and she knows she has to take classes. Those are very expensive however. She’s having problems with her boyfriend. He’s a jerk so she dumps him. The night she meets Cormac, she’s not exactly having the best time. It is nice to know there’s still nice guys out there and she’s also very attracted to him. She decides to forget the consequences and spends an amazing night with him later on when she walks into her classroom she is blindsided by the fact that he is now her professor. Her ex makes her life miserable, leaving her without a place to live and no money. Cormac offers her a solution. He’s been told he needs a wife and he doesn’t want to go out and look for one so he’ll help her out if she helps him out. He’ll pay everything she needs and give her a place to stay. All she has to do is marry him. This is supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but the chemistry is way intense. Cormac hasn’t told her anything about his life. She doesn’t know he’s a recovering addict or that he’s a father. How is Scarlett gonna handle all this?
Deborah Garland had me crying with this book. Cormac really picked up the pieces of his life. He’s trying to be better for his son and he wants to be good with Scarlett. He cares about her, but he’s scared he’ll ruin it. I loved the scenes with him and his brother. I loved seeing him with his son, and I felt bad that the guilt would eat at him because he wasn’t honest with Scarlett in the beginning. I loved their scenes together. They were extremely hot. I felt bad for Scarlett because all she wanted to do was be a doctor. She was very attracted to Cormac and I thought the scenes when she’s trying to avoid him were really funny. It was heartbreaking to see her ex mess with her. This was definitely an emotional roller coaster. It was filled with drama, heat, danger, tender moments, humor, action, and shocking twists. I am going to miss these characters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
5⭐️
3🌶️
🔥Dark Academia / Mafia Adjacent
🔥Professor/Student
🔥Boss’s Daughter
🔥Age Gap
🔥Single Father
🔥Marriage of Convenience
🔥Forced Proximity
🔥F*ck It
🔥Dual First Person POV
This takes dark academia and the professor/student forbidden relationship to another level. She’s the Dean’s daughter and he’s trying to rebuild his life with family ties to the Irish mafia. This is Cormac’s redemption arc, he has been through hell and is doing everything he can to be there for his son. His twin brother sets him up with a teaching job, but is shocked to find out he is required to get married to be hired full time. After a draining day of work she comes home early to find her boyfriend in bed with his sister-in-law. He gets physical when she says she’s leaving him and hastily packs a bag. Cormac and Scarlett have an unconventional meet-cute when his taxi hits her. Cormac offers to pay for a hotel room for as long as she needs. She decides to invite him up. WOW! The sizzling chemistry between them and how Cormac doesn’t hold back was H-O-T-T hot! That one night sparks an intense and magnetic connection neither can forget. When they see each other again it’s in the last place either expected, in his classroom. They have a push and pull that keeps ratcheting up the tension. He fights his attraction and connection to Scarlett because he doesn’t feel he’s good enough for her. Plus he can’t risk having the distraction while he gets his life together. Scarlett is strong, resilient, and has a fiery attitude. She isn’t afraid to push him and when she does, Cormac can’t resist. Cormac is intense, commanding, and possessive. When her ex threatens her, he makes the quick decision that will solve both their problems, marriage. He’ll fulfill the requirement for his job and in return he’ll pay for her school and a place to stay. The high emotions, sizzling chemistry, and family dynamics are so well balanced and together create an unputdownable story.
Plot: 5
Engaging: 5
Character: 5
Thank you Deborah Garland for the gifted advanced copy. I love being on your team!
📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦🔥
A Few Favorite Quotes:
“Every inch of you is made for me. How did I get so lucky to find you?”
“You didn’t find me, you ran me over.”
“That’s an exaggeration. And let’s be thankful that you’re unscathed. I can’t promise you’ll be intact and sane in a few minutes.”
“She’s going to ruin me. And the worst part is that the masochist in me will enjoy the pain.”
“Use me like I’m a real wife,” I say on a ragged inhale. “I’m going to use you until you can’t walk.”
“I’m your husband, but I’m going to f_ € k you like you’re my dirty wh0r£. Hold on.”
3🌶️
🔥Dark Academia / Mafia Adjacent
🔥Professor/Student
🔥Boss’s Daughter
🔥Age Gap
🔥Single Father
🔥Marriage of Convenience
🔥Forced Proximity
🔥F*ck It
🔥Dual First Person POV
This takes dark academia and the professor/student forbidden relationship to another level. She’s the Dean’s daughter and he’s trying to rebuild his life with family ties to the Irish mafia. This is Cormac’s redemption arc, he has been through hell and is doing everything he can to be there for his son. His twin brother sets him up with a teaching job, but is shocked to find out he is required to get married to be hired full time. After a draining day of work she comes home early to find her boyfriend in bed with his sister-in-law. He gets physical when she says she’s leaving him and hastily packs a bag. Cormac and Scarlett have an unconventional meet-cute when his taxi hits her. Cormac offers to pay for a hotel room for as long as she needs. She decides to invite him up. WOW! The sizzling chemistry between them and how Cormac doesn’t hold back was H-O-T-T hot! That one night sparks an intense and magnetic connection neither can forget. When they see each other again it’s in the last place either expected, in his classroom. They have a push and pull that keeps ratcheting up the tension. He fights his attraction and connection to Scarlett because he doesn’t feel he’s good enough for her. Plus he can’t risk having the distraction while he gets his life together. Scarlett is strong, resilient, and has a fiery attitude. She isn’t afraid to push him and when she does, Cormac can’t resist. Cormac is intense, commanding, and possessive. When her ex threatens her, he makes the quick decision that will solve both their problems, marriage. He’ll fulfill the requirement for his job and in return he’ll pay for her school and a place to stay. The high emotions, sizzling chemistry, and family dynamics are so well balanced and together create an unputdownable story.
Plot: 5
Engaging: 5
Character: 5
Thank you Deborah Garland for the gifted advanced copy. I love being on your team!
📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦🔥
A Few Favorite Quotes:
“Every inch of you is made for me. How did I get so lucky to find you?”
“You didn’t find me, you ran me over.”
“That’s an exaggeration. And let’s be thankful that you’re unscathed. I can’t promise you’ll be intact and sane in a few minutes.”
“She’s going to ruin me. And the worst part is that the masochist in me will enjoy the pain.”
“Use me like I’m a real wife,” I say on a ragged inhale. “I’m going to use you until you can’t walk.”
“I’m your husband, but I’m going to f_ € k you like you’re my dirty wh0r£. Hold on.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
🖤 Dark Academia
🖤 Mafia Adjacent
🖤 Professor Student
🖤 Age Gap
🖤 Single Father
🖤 Marriage of Convenience
🖤 Boss’s Daughter
🖤 Dad’s Best Friend Vibes
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤 Forbidden Romance
🖤 High Emotional Tension
🖤 No Third Act Breakup
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Lessons in Corruption by Deborah Garland delivers a tense, emotionally charged story that leans fully into its forbidden dynamic while still grounding the characters in real vulnerability. As the fourth book in the Astoria Royals series, it brings a darker, more complicated edge, and Cormac’s journey is at the heart of it all.
Cormac is not your typical alpha hero. His struggle for control feels constant and believable, shaped by his past and his commitment to staying clean. That internal battle adds depth to every decision he makes, especially when Scarlett walks back into his life and turns everything upside down. Their history gives their connection an immediate intensity, and the shift from one unforgettable night to a high stakes, off limits situation creates tension that never really lets up.
Scarlett holds her own in a difficult position. Being the dean’s daughter, his student, and someone dealing with a threatening ex puts her under pressure from every direction. Her choice to enter a marriage of convenience does not come across as weak but as calculated and necessary, which makes the dynamic between her and Cormac even more compelling.
The marriage trope is executed well here. What starts as transactional quickly becomes messy and emotional, with both characters struggling to maintain boundaries they were never going to keep. The forced proximity and power imbalance are central to the story, but the emotional pull and growing attachment are what make it addictive to read.
Cormac being a single father adds another layer to his character, softening some of his harder edges and giving glimpses of the man beneath the control he clings to. It also raises the stakes of every choice he makes, especially when his carefully structured life begins to unravel.
The tone stays consistent with its dark academia and mafia adjacent elements, creating a backdrop that feels both elite and dangerous. The absence of a third act breakup is a refreshing change, allowing the story to focus more on growth and commitment rather than unnecessary separation.
Overall, this is a high tension, emotionally driven romance that thrives on its forbidden nature and complex characters. If you enjoy age gap, professor student dynamics, and marriage of convenience with real emotional weight, this one will pull you in and keep you hooked.
🖤 Mafia Adjacent
🖤 Professor Student
🖤 Age Gap
🖤 Single Father
🖤 Marriage of Convenience
🖤 Boss’s Daughter
🖤 Dad’s Best Friend Vibes
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤 Forbidden Romance
🖤 High Emotional Tension
🖤 No Third Act Breakup
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Lessons in Corruption by Deborah Garland delivers a tense, emotionally charged story that leans fully into its forbidden dynamic while still grounding the characters in real vulnerability. As the fourth book in the Astoria Royals series, it brings a darker, more complicated edge, and Cormac’s journey is at the heart of it all.
Cormac is not your typical alpha hero. His struggle for control feels constant and believable, shaped by his past and his commitment to staying clean. That internal battle adds depth to every decision he makes, especially when Scarlett walks back into his life and turns everything upside down. Their history gives their connection an immediate intensity, and the shift from one unforgettable night to a high stakes, off limits situation creates tension that never really lets up.
Scarlett holds her own in a difficult position. Being the dean’s daughter, his student, and someone dealing with a threatening ex puts her under pressure from every direction. Her choice to enter a marriage of convenience does not come across as weak but as calculated and necessary, which makes the dynamic between her and Cormac even more compelling.
The marriage trope is executed well here. What starts as transactional quickly becomes messy and emotional, with both characters struggling to maintain boundaries they were never going to keep. The forced proximity and power imbalance are central to the story, but the emotional pull and growing attachment are what make it addictive to read.
Cormac being a single father adds another layer to his character, softening some of his harder edges and giving glimpses of the man beneath the control he clings to. It also raises the stakes of every choice he makes, especially when his carefully structured life begins to unravel.
The tone stays consistent with its dark academia and mafia adjacent elements, creating a backdrop that feels both elite and dangerous. The absence of a third act breakup is a refreshing change, allowing the story to focus more on growth and commitment rather than unnecessary separation.
Overall, this is a high tension, emotionally driven romance that thrives on its forbidden nature and complex characters. If you enjoy age gap, professor student dynamics, and marriage of convenience with real emotional weight, this one will pull you in and keep you hooked.
May 22, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️.5
FMC: Scarlet Ford — Dean’s daughter, medical student, survivor of a violent ex with a powerful name
MMC: Cormac O’Rourke — recovering addict, doctor, teacher, father, and a man fighting for his redemption
Tropes:
🖤 Dark Academia / Mafia Adjacent
🖤 Professor x Student
🖤 Age Gap
🖤 Single Father
🖤 Pining
🖤 Marriage of Convenience
🖤 Boss’s Daughter / Dad’s Best Friend
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤 “F*ck It”
🖤 No 3rd Act Breakup
Author’s Note: The MMC is a recovering addict. He does not relapse.
“This woman will break me all over again. I feel the addiction crawling through my veins, tempting me to want more. More of a high. More of her. I should stop, but that’s not what addicts do…”
Lessons in Corruption by Deborah Garland is the fourth and final book in the Astoria Royals series. While this book can be read as a standalone, I would personally recommend reading the first three books first to get a better understanding of Cormac, his past, and everything that led him to where he is now. I did not do that, but best believe they are now on my TBR because I need to know about the other relationships too and everything Astoria related. 😈 After reading just this one book, I can officially say I am a Deborah Garland fan for life. I devoured this book… or maybe this book devoured me. 😏 Either way, I read it in one sitting. I tried to put it down, but I kept getting pulled right back in. UNPUTDOWNABLE.
I was completely addicted to Cormac’s redemption story. He is a man trying to rebuild himself after a past full of mistakes, addiction, guilt, and pain. He carries so much shame, but underneath all of that is a man who wants to be better, wants to do better, and wants to believe he is still worthy of something good.
Scarlet is returning to medical school after her ex-boyfriend convinced her to take a year off following the death of her mother. She is trying to reclaim the life that was slowly taken from her, while also learning how to trust herself again. Scarlet is strong, but not in a perfect, untouchable way. She is strong because she keeps going, even after everything life has put her through.
What I loved most about this book was that both Cormac and Scarlet were on separate but deeply similar healing journeys. They were both trying to take their lives back. They were both fighting past trauma. They were both learning that their worst moments do not define them forever.
Scarlet showed Cormac that just because he made mistakes does not mean he is undeserving of love, forgiveness, or happiness. And Cormac gave Scarlet a safe place to feel wanted, protected, and seen.
The tension between Cormac and Scarlet was absolutely electric. The forbidden aspect, the pining, the emotional pull, the forced proximity… every interaction between them felt charged. Their chemistry built in a way that made me feel every look, every touch, every almost-moment. It was messy, emotional, forbidden, and oh so addicting.
I loved this book so much. Five stars. No regrets. Add it to your TBR. 🖤🔥
I would like to thank Deborah Garland and The Author Agency for the early read. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
🌶️🌶️.5
FMC: Scarlet Ford — Dean’s daughter, medical student, survivor of a violent ex with a powerful name
MMC: Cormac O’Rourke — recovering addict, doctor, teacher, father, and a man fighting for his redemption
Tropes:
🖤 Dark Academia / Mafia Adjacent
🖤 Professor x Student
🖤 Age Gap
🖤 Single Father
🖤 Pining
🖤 Marriage of Convenience
🖤 Boss’s Daughter / Dad’s Best Friend
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤 “F*ck It”
🖤 No 3rd Act Breakup
Author’s Note: The MMC is a recovering addict. He does not relapse.
“This woman will break me all over again. I feel the addiction crawling through my veins, tempting me to want more. More of a high. More of her. I should stop, but that’s not what addicts do…”
Lessons in Corruption by Deborah Garland is the fourth and final book in the Astoria Royals series. While this book can be read as a standalone, I would personally recommend reading the first three books first to get a better understanding of Cormac, his past, and everything that led him to where he is now. I did not do that, but best believe they are now on my TBR because I need to know about the other relationships too and everything Astoria related. 😈 After reading just this one book, I can officially say I am a Deborah Garland fan for life. I devoured this book… or maybe this book devoured me. 😏 Either way, I read it in one sitting. I tried to put it down, but I kept getting pulled right back in. UNPUTDOWNABLE.
I was completely addicted to Cormac’s redemption story. He is a man trying to rebuild himself after a past full of mistakes, addiction, guilt, and pain. He carries so much shame, but underneath all of that is a man who wants to be better, wants to do better, and wants to believe he is still worthy of something good.
Scarlet is returning to medical school after her ex-boyfriend convinced her to take a year off following the death of her mother. She is trying to reclaim the life that was slowly taken from her, while also learning how to trust herself again. Scarlet is strong, but not in a perfect, untouchable way. She is strong because she keeps going, even after everything life has put her through.
What I loved most about this book was that both Cormac and Scarlet were on separate but deeply similar healing journeys. They were both trying to take their lives back. They were both fighting past trauma. They were both learning that their worst moments do not define them forever.
Scarlet showed Cormac that just because he made mistakes does not mean he is undeserving of love, forgiveness, or happiness. And Cormac gave Scarlet a safe place to feel wanted, protected, and seen.
The tension between Cormac and Scarlet was absolutely electric. The forbidden aspect, the pining, the emotional pull, the forced proximity… every interaction between them felt charged. Their chemistry built in a way that made me feel every look, every touch, every almost-moment. It was messy, emotional, forbidden, and oh so addicting.
I loved this book so much. Five stars. No regrets. Add it to your TBR. 🖤🔥
I would like to thank Deborah Garland and The Author Agency for the early read. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ꍏꋪꏳ ꋪꏂ꒦ꀤꏂꅐ
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 - 𝖢𝗈𝗋𝗆𝖺𝖼
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 - 𝖲𝖼𝖺𝗋𝗅𝖾𝗍𝗍
5 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘶𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬
𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧
Deal with the Devil, which was released in 2023, was my very first book by Deborah and also an introduction to the O'Rourke family and world.
The Astoria Royals world, has been my absolute favourite and Cormac's book...my most anticipated.
His redemption book...so f****** good.
Scarlett, her passion for helping people is what lead her to be a certified EMT since she was nineteen. But being an EMT was just the beginning, she was determined to be a doctor.
A year went since she took a break from her studies. It was time she desperately needed, but after a year she is more than ready to get back into the swing of things.
Her ex boyfriend however, well he isn't happy with that and will do everything possible to not only make her his once again, but also make her fail.
Cormac! Damn this man...two years! My most anticipated book for two years...and Deborah delivered.
Cormac, he is one of eight kids. Being one of the younger ones, he and his twin brother got to choose their path rather than being part of the mafia world.
Being a pediatric surgeon was a career he worked hard for, but after doing a risky surgery that was successful, he was suspended. A suspension that eventually led him down a very dark path.
Addiction made him someone he didn't recognise, and that will forever haunt him. It also makes him believe that he isn't worthy of love or happiness.
Cormac and Scarlett spent one night together, one that impacted them in ways they never expected.
The probability of seeing each other afterwards was slim.....well until they come face to face when he takes a teaching position at the university she is studying in, and she ends up being his student.
The chemistry between these two was so good, and I loved the development of the relationship. And loved the fact that she stood by Cormac regardless of everything that he went through.
The main leads vulnerability, the love he felt for his son. His determination to right all the wrongs but also having the O'Rourke blood running through his veins and being completely and utterly in love and protective of his wife...perfect.
𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
Lachlan freaking O'Rourke. This man 🤌🏻
Darragh, Ana and Sophie 💜
Trace & Shea 💛
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 💉🩺💉🩺💉
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 📖🩺📖🩺📖
𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 🥵🌶️
𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭 📚📚📚📚📚
𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 💧
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 - 𝖢𝗈𝗋𝗆𝖺𝖼
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 - 𝖲𝖼𝖺𝗋𝗅𝖾𝗍𝗍
5 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘶𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬
𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧
Deal with the Devil, which was released in 2023, was my very first book by Deborah and also an introduction to the O'Rourke family and world.
The Astoria Royals world, has been my absolute favourite and Cormac's book...my most anticipated.
His redemption book...so f****** good.
Scarlett, her passion for helping people is what lead her to be a certified EMT since she was nineteen. But being an EMT was just the beginning, she was determined to be a doctor.
A year went since she took a break from her studies. It was time she desperately needed, but after a year she is more than ready to get back into the swing of things.
Her ex boyfriend however, well he isn't happy with that and will do everything possible to not only make her his once again, but also make her fail.
Cormac! Damn this man...two years! My most anticipated book for two years...and Deborah delivered.
Cormac, he is one of eight kids. Being one of the younger ones, he and his twin brother got to choose their path rather than being part of the mafia world.
Being a pediatric surgeon was a career he worked hard for, but after doing a risky surgery that was successful, he was suspended. A suspension that eventually led him down a very dark path.
Addiction made him someone he didn't recognise, and that will forever haunt him. It also makes him believe that he isn't worthy of love or happiness.
Cormac and Scarlett spent one night together, one that impacted them in ways they never expected.
The probability of seeing each other afterwards was slim.....well until they come face to face when he takes a teaching position at the university she is studying in, and she ends up being his student.
The chemistry between these two was so good, and I loved the development of the relationship. And loved the fact that she stood by Cormac regardless of everything that he went through.
The main leads vulnerability, the love he felt for his son. His determination to right all the wrongs but also having the O'Rourke blood running through his veins and being completely and utterly in love and protective of his wife...perfect.
𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
Lachlan freaking O'Rourke. This man 🤌🏻
Darragh, Ana and Sophie 💜
Trace & Shea 💛
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 💉🩺💉🩺💉
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 📖🩺📖🩺📖
𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 🥵🌶️
𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭 📚📚📚📚📚
𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 💧
May 24, 2026
From the moment Scarlett walked back into that lecture hall and locked eyes with Cormac, I knew I was done for. Their one‑night stand was supposed to be a sealed‑off moment, a reckless spark they’d both pretend never happened. And then suddenly he’s her professor, and every rule becomes a line Scarlett can’t resist stepping over.
What makes this book so addictive is Scarlett herself. She’s brilliant and ambitious, but she’s also sassy, bratty, and absolutely fearless about pushing boundaries. She tests Cormac’s control with a raised eyebrow, a sharp comment, a look that says I dare you to pretend you don’t want me. She’s chaos wrapped in confidence, and watching her poke at every wall he tries to build is half the fun. She pokes at his control like it’s a sport, daring him to pretend he’s unaffected. And honestly? He never stood a chance.
Cormac, meanwhile, is the definition of a man unraveling in slow motion. He’s controlled, brilliant, and determined to do the “right” thing. The tension isn’t just forbidden; it’s layered with secrets, guilt, longing, and that sharp ache of I shouldn’t want you, but I do. He’s also fighting battles on multiple fronts. He’s a former addict who clawed his way back from the edge. His tenure is the first part to more stability in his life. One misstep, one rumor, one hint of impropriety and he could lose everything he’s rebuilt. And yet he can’t stay away from Scarlett. Not when she’s the one person who sees him without judgment. Not when she’s the one thing he’s never been able to forget.
And then the story throws in the twist that made me feral:
a marriage of convenience.
Cormac needs to be married to keep his position. Scarlett needs protection from an ex who won’t back off. It’s reckless, impulsive, and absolutely doomed to get complicated which is exactly why it works. Their marriage isn’t tidy or strategic; it’s a collision of need, desire, fear, and the kind of loyalty neither of them knows how to name yet.
The secrets he’s keeping from her only heighten the tension. Every time he tries to shield her from the darker parts of his past, she pushes harder, refusing to let him hide behind guilt or shame. Their dynamic is raw, unfiltered, and beautifully human. Just two people trying to hold themselves together while falling apart for each other.
A huge thank you to Deborah Garland & The Author Agency for the early copy!
What makes this book so addictive is Scarlett herself. She’s brilliant and ambitious, but she’s also sassy, bratty, and absolutely fearless about pushing boundaries. She tests Cormac’s control with a raised eyebrow, a sharp comment, a look that says I dare you to pretend you don’t want me. She’s chaos wrapped in confidence, and watching her poke at every wall he tries to build is half the fun. She pokes at his control like it’s a sport, daring him to pretend he’s unaffected. And honestly? He never stood a chance.
Cormac, meanwhile, is the definition of a man unraveling in slow motion. He’s controlled, brilliant, and determined to do the “right” thing. The tension isn’t just forbidden; it’s layered with secrets, guilt, longing, and that sharp ache of I shouldn’t want you, but I do. He’s also fighting battles on multiple fronts. He’s a former addict who clawed his way back from the edge. His tenure is the first part to more stability in his life. One misstep, one rumor, one hint of impropriety and he could lose everything he’s rebuilt. And yet he can’t stay away from Scarlett. Not when she’s the one person who sees him without judgment. Not when she’s the one thing he’s never been able to forget.
And then the story throws in the twist that made me feral:
a marriage of convenience.
Cormac needs to be married to keep his position. Scarlett needs protection from an ex who won’t back off. It’s reckless, impulsive, and absolutely doomed to get complicated which is exactly why it works. Their marriage isn’t tidy or strategic; it’s a collision of need, desire, fear, and the kind of loyalty neither of them knows how to name yet.
The secrets he’s keeping from her only heighten the tension. Every time he tries to shield her from the darker parts of his past, she pushes harder, refusing to let him hide behind guilt or shame. Their dynamic is raw, unfiltered, and beautifully human. Just two people trying to hold themselves together while falling apart for each other.
A huge thank you to Deborah Garland & The Author Agency for the early copy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is intense, emotional and addictive. Cormac is a man with a dark history and demons that haunt him. He is finally getting his life back on track when Scarlett makes an appearance in it. Their very passionate one night stand is never far from his mind. Discovering she is not only the Dean’s, his boss’s, daughter and now one of his students is a shock. Cormac struggles to control his attraction and to avoid all personal interaction with the woman he can’t get out of his head. Keeping his new job requires him to be married, so when he discovers that Scarlett’s abusive ex is bothering her, he makes a bold proposal. A marriage of convenience would give them both a measure of safety. The close proximity makes it impossible to keep their hands off each other, though, and both are forced to acknowledge their feelings for each other are definitely not platonic.
The connection between Cormac and Scarlett is intrinsic and the chemistry blistering hot. Both have wary hearts, but find it impossible to keep their guards up around the other. Scarlett gets to see the softer side of the indomitable, tightly controlled and demanding Cormac. She sees his vulnerability and sincere regrets as he reveals his past, the guilt and shame that have spurred his efforts to find redemption and to be a better man. Scarlett’s generous heart and compassion rather than judgement of his actions goes a long way to helping Cormac heal. His support, encouragement and pride in her pursuing her dreams help Scarlett to heal emotionally too.
I enjoyed the advance and retreat nature of Cormac and Scarlett’s relationship, as well as realization and revelation of their deep feelings for each other. Cormac’s redemption is hard won and riveting. His dark and dangerous past is put to rest and his family’s support is wonderful part of this story. Together, Cormac and Scarlett can handle whatever the future brings. The bitterness of the past makes their new found love and happiness all the sweeter.
I give this book two thumbs up, five stars and my full recommendation.
The connection between Cormac and Scarlett is intrinsic and the chemistry blistering hot. Both have wary hearts, but find it impossible to keep their guards up around the other. Scarlett gets to see the softer side of the indomitable, tightly controlled and demanding Cormac. She sees his vulnerability and sincere regrets as he reveals his past, the guilt and shame that have spurred his efforts to find redemption and to be a better man. Scarlett’s generous heart and compassion rather than judgement of his actions goes a long way to helping Cormac heal. His support, encouragement and pride in her pursuing her dreams help Scarlett to heal emotionally too.
I enjoyed the advance and retreat nature of Cormac and Scarlett’s relationship, as well as realization and revelation of their deep feelings for each other. Cormac’s redemption is hard won and riveting. His dark and dangerous past is put to rest and his family’s support is wonderful part of this story. Together, Cormac and Scarlett can handle whatever the future brings. The bitterness of the past makes their new found love and happiness all the sweeter.
I give this book two thumbs up, five stars and my full recommendation.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Hey Teacher, Leave Those Kids Alone! Lessons in Corruption is the fourth book in the Astoria Royals series by Deborah Garland. If you like tropes of Dark Academia, Mafia, Professor/Student, 8 year Age Gap, A Single Father and a Marriage of Convenience then this book has them plus it has no cheating, no third act break up and ends with a HEA. Sadly, no epilogues, but this is a stand alone and we have interconnectable characters that revisit.
TW: Graphic Violence, Murder, Domestic Abuse (on page), Stalking, Threats, Death of a parent (mentioned, not on page), Suffering of a parent with cancer (mentioned, not on page), Death of an adult child from drug overdose (Not an MC, mentioned, and not on the page), Past addiction of a MC, Past neglect of a MC, Graphic Sex, CNC, Cheating but not a MC.
I would like to Thank The Author Agency and Deborah Garland for my ARC and in return I voluntarily promised an honest review.
Scarlett Ford turns down her boyfriends marriage proposal and then finds him cheating so she leaves and ends up with a handsome older man who shows her what good sex is.
Cormac O'Rourke has goals and the most important is to stay clean and stay focused on his new job as a Professor so he can see his son more.
When Scarlett walks into her MS-3 class she is surprised to see Cormac who she hasn't forgotten and tries to keep her head down.
Cormac finds out he spent the night with his Dean's daughter who also happens to be his mentor. Now she's off limits and he can't put his hands back on her.
But when Scarlett's ex threatens her future, Cormac proposes a solution of a marriage of convenience with no intimacy.
When Scarlett starts learning of his hidden secrets will she leave him or will she let the Lessons of Corruption sway her into a real marriage?
TW: Graphic Violence, Murder, Domestic Abuse (on page), Stalking, Threats, Death of a parent (mentioned, not on page), Suffering of a parent with cancer (mentioned, not on page), Death of an adult child from drug overdose (Not an MC, mentioned, and not on the page), Past addiction of a MC, Past neglect of a MC, Graphic Sex, CNC, Cheating but not a MC.
I would like to Thank The Author Agency and Deborah Garland for my ARC and in return I voluntarily promised an honest review.
Scarlett Ford turns down her boyfriends marriage proposal and then finds him cheating so she leaves and ends up with a handsome older man who shows her what good sex is.
Cormac O'Rourke has goals and the most important is to stay clean and stay focused on his new job as a Professor so he can see his son more.
When Scarlett walks into her MS-3 class she is surprised to see Cormac who she hasn't forgotten and tries to keep her head down.
Cormac finds out he spent the night with his Dean's daughter who also happens to be his mentor. Now she's off limits and he can't put his hands back on her.
But when Scarlett's ex threatens her future, Cormac proposes a solution of a marriage of convenience with no intimacy.
When Scarlett starts learning of his hidden secrets will she leave him or will she let the Lessons of Corruption sway her into a real marriage?
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lessons in Corruption by Deborah Garland completely pulled me in from the very first chapter and refused to let go. First off, I have to say how incredibly thankful I am to Deborah for the beautiful PR box because it honestly made this reading experience even more special. You can feel the love and care poured into everything she does and this book absolutely delivered.
Cormac and Scarlett had the kind of chemistry that practically crackled off the pages. The tension between them was intense, emotional, messy, addictive, and impossible not to obsess over. Cormac is trying so hard to stay in control of his life and his recovery, and I loved that this story showed strength without falling into the typical relapse storyline. His journey felt raw, honest, and incredibly powerful. Scarlett was equally amazing because she was strong, determined, and willing to fight for herself even when everything around her was complicated.
The professor/student dynamic mixed with the marriage of convenience trope was EVERYTHING. Add in the dark academia vibes, forced proximity, mafia-adjacent tension, and the emotional depth underneath all the spice, and I was completely hooked. Every interaction between them had so much intensity behind it that I found myself flying through the pages because I needed to know what would happen next.
One of my favorite things about this book was how emotional it felt underneath all the tension and chemistry. The relationship development felt genuine and addictive at the same time. And can we talk about the fact there was no third act breakup? Thank you for sparing my heart because these two had already been through enough.
If you love age gap romances with possessive energy, emotional depth, protective MMCs, and enough tension to make your heart race, you need this book on your TBR immediately.
Lessons in Corruption by Deborah Garland completely pulled me in from the very first chapter and refused to let go. First off, I have to say how incredibly thankful I am to Deborah for the beautiful PR box because it honestly made this reading experience even more special. You can feel the love and care poured into everything she does and this book absolutely delivered.
Cormac and Scarlett had the kind of chemistry that practically crackled off the pages. The tension between them was intense, emotional, messy, addictive, and impossible not to obsess over. Cormac is trying so hard to stay in control of his life and his recovery, and I loved that this story showed strength without falling into the typical relapse storyline. His journey felt raw, honest, and incredibly powerful. Scarlett was equally amazing because she was strong, determined, and willing to fight for herself even when everything around her was complicated.
The professor/student dynamic mixed with the marriage of convenience trope was EVERYTHING. Add in the dark academia vibes, forced proximity, mafia-adjacent tension, and the emotional depth underneath all the spice, and I was completely hooked. Every interaction between them had so much intensity behind it that I found myself flying through the pages because I needed to know what would happen next.
One of my favorite things about this book was how emotional it felt underneath all the tension and chemistry. The relationship development felt genuine and addictive at the same time. And can we talk about the fact there was no third act breakup? Thank you for sparing my heart because these two had already been through enough.
If you love age gap romances with possessive energy, emotional depth, protective MMCs, and enough tension to make your heart race, you need this book on your TBR immediately.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was the redemption story I needed in my life. When we first met Cormac he was not a very good guy in his brothers book. At the end he showed promise and I was hopeful that he would get his own redemption and he got just that. I was blown away by his story. I felt all the feels for Cormac. I'll be honest the emotionally damaged men are my favorite. Cormac was no different. You could feel that he was really sors]ry and that what he did in the past really weighed on him as a person. He was slowly trying to piece back the pieces of his life. He wanted to be the man that he should have been before addiction took a hold on his life. When his cab accidently runs over Scarlett it was fate stepping in to give him exactly what they both needed even if they did not know that they needed it. Cormac was trying to fix his mistakes and hopefully get shared custody of his son. Scarlett left her abusive ex and was trying to find her way back to medical school. What better way to leave a bad relationship by getting under a new man. She just wanted a one night thing but they both got way more than they bargined for. Their surprise second meeting was perfection. Not knowing he had a twin was epic. I would have loved to been a fly on that wall. I absolutely love this world that Deborah has built. I find more and more chracters to fall in love with. She makes characters that you want to get to know and that you will easily fall in love with. Not to mention all her stories keep you engaged from start to finish. I just love this world and the characters and I cannot wait what is left in store for us. Getting to see old friends was also a fun little addition. I also like that their is not a third act break up. I love a story with out that. If you love a good redemption arc this is the book for you.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
5 ⭐️
3 🌶️
🌟ARC read🌟
Dr. Cormac O’Rourke 😮💨
So I read the Quinlan Empire series but not the Astoria Royals series. Cormac’s book is technically a standalone, though his family is involved in the mafia world.
I honestly didn’t realize how intense his backstory was. This is definitely his redemption arc. I’m actually kind of glad I didn’t read his twin’s book first because I don’t think I would’ve liked Cormac much going into this one.
Cormac is one year sober and trying to turn his life around. He’s basically out ridding the world of drug dealers and terrible people.
Poor Scarlett just wants to become a doctor. Her father is the dean of Hamilton, but she left medical school after her mother passed away. She’s dating a well-known doctor, or really dating his famous father’s son 😒 Well, she comes home early and catches him cheating with his brother’s wife. Absolute misogynistic POS.
She leaves, gets hit by a cab, and Cormac just happens to be in it. He helps her, gets her cleaned up, and gets her a hotel room because she doesn’t want to be alone.
Then they have a HOT one-night stand 🔥 but he makes it clear that’s all it can be before leaving.
Until surprise surprise… he shows up at the dean’s office for a job and sees Scarlett there.😅
He gets the job, but there’s one condition: he has to be married by the next semester to keep it. Then once he starts teaching, he realizes Scarlett is the dean’s daughter!!
This book was SO good. Even without reading his siblings’ books, I was able to keep up just fine. I loved seeing how much Cormac truly changed and fought to prove himself. Scarlett was amazing too.
Also, his twin and his wife, who is ALSO the mother of Cormac’s son… yeah, definitely complicated 😳 But I loved that they genuinely wanted him involved in his son’s life.
Definitely worth the read!
Spicy chapters 🔥
5
6
26
37
38
47
50
3 🌶️
🌟ARC read🌟
Dr. Cormac O’Rourke 😮💨
So I read the Quinlan Empire series but not the Astoria Royals series. Cormac’s book is technically a standalone, though his family is involved in the mafia world.
I honestly didn’t realize how intense his backstory was. This is definitely his redemption arc. I’m actually kind of glad I didn’t read his twin’s book first because I don’t think I would’ve liked Cormac much going into this one.
Cormac is one year sober and trying to turn his life around. He’s basically out ridding the world of drug dealers and terrible people.
Poor Scarlett just wants to become a doctor. Her father is the dean of Hamilton, but she left medical school after her mother passed away. She’s dating a well-known doctor, or really dating his famous father’s son 😒 Well, she comes home early and catches him cheating with his brother’s wife. Absolute misogynistic POS.
She leaves, gets hit by a cab, and Cormac just happens to be in it. He helps her, gets her cleaned up, and gets her a hotel room because she doesn’t want to be alone.
Then they have a HOT one-night stand 🔥 but he makes it clear that’s all it can be before leaving.
Until surprise surprise… he shows up at the dean’s office for a job and sees Scarlett there.😅
He gets the job, but there’s one condition: he has to be married by the next semester to keep it. Then once he starts teaching, he realizes Scarlett is the dean’s daughter!!
This book was SO good. Even without reading his siblings’ books, I was able to keep up just fine. I loved seeing how much Cormac truly changed and fought to prove himself. Scarlett was amazing too.
Also, his twin and his wife, who is ALSO the mother of Cormac’s son… yeah, definitely complicated 😳 But I loved that they genuinely wanted him involved in his son’s life.
Definitely worth the read!
Spicy chapters 🔥
5
6
26
37
38
47
50
May 22, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ OH MY GOD MY JAW IS ON THE FLOOR!!! 😭😭😭
I am completely, utterly, and historically obsessed with Cormac O’Rourke and Scarlett Ford. Deborah Garland literally ripped my heart out, ran it over with a yellow cab, and then beautifully stitched it back together with surgical precision. I am typing this through actual tears of joy. This book is a masterpiece!! 😭😭😭
First of all, Cormac is the absolute blueprint of a dark, tortuous hero. He has so many demons, yet the way he treats Scarlett when her world completely shatters is so profoundly gentle it made my chest ache. And Scarlett? My fierce, brilliant queen! She is going through it, but her strength is unmatched. Their chemistry doesn't just sizzle, it literally sets the pages on fire from the very first encounter.
The prose is just breathtaking. Look at these lines!!
👉 "The torture of a bad conscience is the hell of a living soul." (Chills. Literal chills.)
👉 "This woman is perfect because she doesn’t know who I am... She doesn’t look at me like I’m something broken trying to pass for fixed." (I am crying again, don't look at me.)
If you live for elite character dynamics, look at this trope lineup:
🔥 Dark Academia / Mafia Adjacent
🔥 Professor/Student
🔥 Age Gap
🔥 Single Father
🔥 Marriage of Convenience
🔥 Boss’s Daughter / Dad’s Best Friend
🔥 Forced Proximity
🔥 F*ck It
🔥 No 3rd Act Breakup (THANK GOD!)
The vibes are immaculate. Think rain-slicked NYC streets, heavy leather jackets, neon lights blurring through hotel windows, and the most intoxicating midnight confessions. It is fast, gritty, emotional, and so redemptive.
I went into this expecting a dark romance, but I left with a new top-tier book boyfriend and an obsession that will last for months. If you haven't started the Astoria Royals series yet, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! Buy this immediately! Did you love Cormac as much as I did? 🖤🖤🖤
I am completely, utterly, and historically obsessed with Cormac O’Rourke and Scarlett Ford. Deborah Garland literally ripped my heart out, ran it over with a yellow cab, and then beautifully stitched it back together with surgical precision. I am typing this through actual tears of joy. This book is a masterpiece!! 😭😭😭
First of all, Cormac is the absolute blueprint of a dark, tortuous hero. He has so many demons, yet the way he treats Scarlett when her world completely shatters is so profoundly gentle it made my chest ache. And Scarlett? My fierce, brilliant queen! She is going through it, but her strength is unmatched. Their chemistry doesn't just sizzle, it literally sets the pages on fire from the very first encounter.
The prose is just breathtaking. Look at these lines!!
👉 "The torture of a bad conscience is the hell of a living soul." (Chills. Literal chills.)
👉 "This woman is perfect because she doesn’t know who I am... She doesn’t look at me like I’m something broken trying to pass for fixed." (I am crying again, don't look at me.)
If you live for elite character dynamics, look at this trope lineup:
🔥 Dark Academia / Mafia Adjacent
🔥 Professor/Student
🔥 Age Gap
🔥 Single Father
🔥 Marriage of Convenience
🔥 Boss’s Daughter / Dad’s Best Friend
🔥 Forced Proximity
🔥 F*ck It
🔥 No 3rd Act Breakup (THANK GOD!)
The vibes are immaculate. Think rain-slicked NYC streets, heavy leather jackets, neon lights blurring through hotel windows, and the most intoxicating midnight confessions. It is fast, gritty, emotional, and so redemptive.
I went into this expecting a dark romance, but I left with a new top-tier book boyfriend and an obsession that will last for months. If you haven't started the Astoria Royals series yet, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! Buy this immediately! Did you love Cormac as much as I did? 🖤🖤🖤
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Fated Connection Worth Exploring -
The first time Scarlett and Cormac met, it ended in a one night stand between strangers, but fate had other plans in store for them and brought them back into each other’s lives when they least expected it. The moment Scarlett and Cormac found themselves in a complicated situation due to their intense attraction for each other, he tried to convince her to walk away, but she wasn’t prepared to derail her plans.
Although Cormac and Scarlett tried everything possible to maintain a professional relationship, they soon found themselves in a situation where they were forced to enter into a platonic marriage of convenience. However, the sparks between Scarlett and Cormac kept growing over time and escalated into stolen kisses that turned into mind blowing steamy encounters.
Unfortunately, not long after Scarlett and Cormac settled into their new life, her ex-boyfriend decided to wreak havoc on their lives, but the consequences of his actions made him realise Scarlett and Cormac weren’t people he could ness with. Luckily, Scarlett and Cormac finally acknowledged the inevitable and confessed their feelings for each other, so they could work together to build the life that they wanted.
I really enjoyed reading this unique emotionally charged romance story that drew me in from the beginning and was so captivating, that I could take a break until I finished reading the book. I found the real strengths of the story lay in the dynamic between the characters and the realistic interactions they had with their families, which made the story a lot more interesting and enjoyable. Grab a copy of this book now and entertain yourself for a few hours.
I received a free review copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
The first time Scarlett and Cormac met, it ended in a one night stand between strangers, but fate had other plans in store for them and brought them back into each other’s lives when they least expected it. The moment Scarlett and Cormac found themselves in a complicated situation due to their intense attraction for each other, he tried to convince her to walk away, but she wasn’t prepared to derail her plans.
Although Cormac and Scarlett tried everything possible to maintain a professional relationship, they soon found themselves in a situation where they were forced to enter into a platonic marriage of convenience. However, the sparks between Scarlett and Cormac kept growing over time and escalated into stolen kisses that turned into mind blowing steamy encounters.
Unfortunately, not long after Scarlett and Cormac settled into their new life, her ex-boyfriend decided to wreak havoc on their lives, but the consequences of his actions made him realise Scarlett and Cormac weren’t people he could ness with. Luckily, Scarlett and Cormac finally acknowledged the inevitable and confessed their feelings for each other, so they could work together to build the life that they wanted.
I really enjoyed reading this unique emotionally charged romance story that drew me in from the beginning and was so captivating, that I could take a break until I finished reading the book. I found the real strengths of the story lay in the dynamic between the characters and the realistic interactions they had with their families, which made the story a lot more interesting and enjoyable. Grab a copy of this book now and entertain yourself for a few hours.
I received a free review copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed this book!
Cormac is trying to rebuild his life after a year of sobriety and working hard at redemption and forgiveness for his past wrongdoings. He is determined to remain committed to his new life and forge ahead in order to reclaim an existence he can be proud of.
Scarlett is also trying to reclaim her life after leaving her toxic boyfriend and re-entering medical school to follow her dream of becoming a doctor.
Their paths collide in a bit of meet-cute and they have such an intense connection and one unforgettable night together. It's not until Scarlett returns to medical school that she discovers Cormac is her professor. They are now faced with an impossible decision as their chemistry is undeniable and becomes harder to ignore. But the complications don't end there. An antiquated requirement of the college means in order to secure a full-time teaching position, Cormac must be married by the end of the semester. He proposes a marriage of convenience with Scarlett that will serve them both.
Cormac has a lot of demons and secrets that hold him back from believing he deserves to be happy and watching him unravel and slowly show vulnerability, revealing his true self to Scarlett is deeply satisfying and helps the reader to empathise with Cormac and the challenges he has overcome to redeem himself. Scarlett was full of grace and understanding and the perfect fit for this broken man that she helped to piece back together.
There are equal parts chemistry, angst, tension, sass and spice with a F**k it moment thrown in. I mean, who wouldn't want a tatted filthy-mouthed Irish doctor connected to the mafia ❤️🔥
Cormac is trying to rebuild his life after a year of sobriety and working hard at redemption and forgiveness for his past wrongdoings. He is determined to remain committed to his new life and forge ahead in order to reclaim an existence he can be proud of.
Scarlett is also trying to reclaim her life after leaving her toxic boyfriend and re-entering medical school to follow her dream of becoming a doctor.
Their paths collide in a bit of meet-cute and they have such an intense connection and one unforgettable night together. It's not until Scarlett returns to medical school that she discovers Cormac is her professor. They are now faced with an impossible decision as their chemistry is undeniable and becomes harder to ignore. But the complications don't end there. An antiquated requirement of the college means in order to secure a full-time teaching position, Cormac must be married by the end of the semester. He proposes a marriage of convenience with Scarlett that will serve them both.
Cormac has a lot of demons and secrets that hold him back from believing he deserves to be happy and watching him unravel and slowly show vulnerability, revealing his true self to Scarlett is deeply satisfying and helps the reader to empathise with Cormac and the challenges he has overcome to redeem himself. Scarlett was full of grace and understanding and the perfect fit for this broken man that she helped to piece back together.
There are equal parts chemistry, angst, tension, sass and spice with a F**k it moment thrown in. I mean, who wouldn't want a tatted filthy-mouthed Irish doctor connected to the mafia ❤️🔥
Review of advance copy
ARC REVIEW!🩻Available on KU May 22nd!
Thank you so much Deborah Garland and The Author Agency for the ARC opportunity!
Rating: ★★★★.25/5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5
Tropes: Dark Academia, Mafia, Professor x Student, Age Gap, Marriage of Convenience, Forced Proximity
I honestly think I could write an essay on this book. Wow. Can I just start off by saying I literally threw myself into this universe. I’ve never read anything from Astoria Royals prior to this, and I feel like I’ve been missing a whole new favourite book world.
Now, let me just talk about Cormac for a minute. I honestly had no idea how he was going to get redemption after his past, but boy oh boy was I along for ride. You can literally feel his pain and remorse, his passion to prove himself to everyone that he really could redeem himself and come back from such a difficult past was such a cool thing to watch unravel.
As for Scarlett, her life hasn’t been a cake walk either, dealing with a powerful yet crazy ex, and demanding father, who also happens to be the schools dean. I LOVED that not only did Cormac embrace Scarlett’s ambitions, he heavily encouraged, and that’s exactly what she needed. I loved their chemistry from the very beginning. I’ll be bee-lining back to the beginning of the series to fully experience it, I can’t wait.
Quotes I liked:
*ARC copy, quotes may be subject to change in final version*
“I feel the addiction crawling through my veins, tempting me to want more. More of a high. More of her. I should stop, but that’s not what addicts do...”
“She’s going to ruin me. And the worst part is that the masochist in me will enjoy the pain.”
Thank you so much Deborah Garland and The Author Agency for the ARC opportunity!
Rating: ★★★★.25/5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5
Tropes: Dark Academia, Mafia, Professor x Student, Age Gap, Marriage of Convenience, Forced Proximity
I honestly think I could write an essay on this book. Wow. Can I just start off by saying I literally threw myself into this universe. I’ve never read anything from Astoria Royals prior to this, and I feel like I’ve been missing a whole new favourite book world.
Now, let me just talk about Cormac for a minute. I honestly had no idea how he was going to get redemption after his past, but boy oh boy was I along for ride. You can literally feel his pain and remorse, his passion to prove himself to everyone that he really could redeem himself and come back from such a difficult past was such a cool thing to watch unravel.
As for Scarlett, her life hasn’t been a cake walk either, dealing with a powerful yet crazy ex, and demanding father, who also happens to be the schools dean. I LOVED that not only did Cormac embrace Scarlett’s ambitions, he heavily encouraged, and that’s exactly what she needed. I loved their chemistry from the very beginning. I’ll be bee-lining back to the beginning of the series to fully experience it, I can’t wait.
Quotes I liked:
*ARC copy, quotes may be subject to change in final version*
“I feel the addiction crawling through my veins, tempting me to want more. More of a high. More of her. I should stop, but that’s not what addicts do...”
“She’s going to ruin me. And the worst part is that the masochist in me will enjoy the pain.”
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