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Dark Escapes: A Dark Mafia Romance
‘If you can’t love me right, then love me wrong.’ My father gave me no choice. Marry his enemy to make peace. His enemy old enough to be my father, and with a penchant for leaving his partners dead.
Escape is my only option.
Using my father’s enforcer to create a diversion works, unfortunately it leaves him with a vendetta against me. Hot on my heels, he tracks me down, determined to take me home to be wed.
Little does he know that I’m not going to make it easy. Slashed tires, sliced credit cards, a burning car…But our tumultuous trip across Spain brings us both into uncharted territory. Will I end up wed to a monster, but with a broken heart too?
Dark Escapes is a standalone mafia romance with dark themes and heat. It’s part of a compete series of interconnected standalone books featuring the McGowan Mafia family.
Dark Themes
O Denial
Bodyguard/Mafia Princess
Forced Proximity
Touch Her and Perish
On the run
Escape is my only option.
Using my father’s enforcer to create a diversion works, unfortunately it leaves him with a vendetta against me. Hot on my heels, he tracks me down, determined to take me home to be wed.
Little does he know that I’m not going to make it easy. Slashed tires, sliced credit cards, a burning car…But our tumultuous trip across Spain brings us both into uncharted territory. Will I end up wed to a monster, but with a broken heart too?
Dark Escapes is a standalone mafia romance with dark themes and heat. It’s part of a compete series of interconnected standalone books featuring the McGowan Mafia family.
Dark Themes
O Denial
Bodyguard/Mafia Princess
Forced Proximity
Touch Her and Perish
On the run
Audible Audio
Published August 21, 2025
1 person is currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 22, 2025
4.25 ⭐️ 4 🌶 5 🎧
🎧Release: 08.21.25
⏳ 𝟴hrs 𝟱𝟳mins
MCs: esther mcGowan ♡ alec
💭arranged by her own dad to marry the man who unalived their mom & eldest bro, esther fought tooth & nail against it!! she did NOT make it easy for alec, thats for sure😆 as their family's enforcer, he was sent to bring her back when she ran away. but on their long journey home, he realized everything he knew about her was wrong. & falls for her HARD !!so hows he supposed to juz return her to her despicable husband-to-be knowing theres impending doom if he doesnt, & knowing shes the love he didnt know he needed?
🎧betty black & william macleod did a fantastic job at bringing the characters to life in this duet narration. esther's passion, determination, & dread were so palpable. & william... SIR !! EVERY praise in 𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙍𝙔 spicy scene juz made it hit so hard!! 1 of the best brat taming scenes ive ever heard!! yall def brought the story to the next level♥️
✨ Book 1 of the McGowan Mafia Series. a complete series of interconnected STANDALONES
🖤 ʙටᴅʏɢᴜᴀʀᴅ 4ʙıᴅᴅᴇɴ ʀටᴍ
⛓ ᴇɴғටʀᴄᴇʀ 𝐗 ᴍᴀғıᴀ ᴘʀıɴᴄᴇss
🖤 ටɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴜɴ
⛓ ғටʀᴄᴇᴅ ᴘʀටxıᴍıᴛʏ
🖤 ᴛටᴜᴄʜ ʜᴇʀ & ☠️
⛓ ʙʀᴀᴛ ᴛᴀᴍıɴɢ
🖤 "ට" ᴅᴇɴıᴀʟ
⛓ ᴘʀᴀısᴇ
🖤 ᴀғᴛᴇʀᴄᴀʀᴇ
✨ thankU Blue Nose Audio & Effie Campbell for this ALC♥️
‼️ ur mental health matters.✔️🆃🆆/🅲🆆
🎧Release: 08.21.25
⏳ 𝟴hrs 𝟱𝟳mins
MCs: esther mcGowan ♡ alec
💭arranged by her own dad to marry the man who unalived their mom & eldest bro, esther fought tooth & nail against it!! she did NOT make it easy for alec, thats for sure😆 as their family's enforcer, he was sent to bring her back when she ran away. but on their long journey home, he realized everything he knew about her was wrong. & falls for her HARD !!so hows he supposed to juz return her to her despicable husband-to-be knowing theres impending doom if he doesnt, & knowing shes the love he didnt know he needed?
🎧betty black & william macleod did a fantastic job at bringing the characters to life in this duet narration. esther's passion, determination, & dread were so palpable. & william... SIR !! EVERY praise in 𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙍𝙔 spicy scene juz made it hit so hard!! 1 of the best brat taming scenes ive ever heard!! yall def brought the story to the next level♥️
✨ Book 1 of the McGowan Mafia Series. a complete series of interconnected STANDALONES
🖤 ʙටᴅʏɢᴜᴀʀᴅ 4ʙıᴅᴅᴇɴ ʀටᴍ
⛓ ᴇɴғටʀᴄᴇʀ 𝐗 ᴍᴀғıᴀ ᴘʀıɴᴄᴇss
🖤 ටɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴜɴ
⛓ ғටʀᴄᴇᴅ ᴘʀටxıᴍıᴛʏ
🖤 ᴛටᴜᴄʜ ʜᴇʀ & ☠️
⛓ ʙʀᴀᴛ ᴛᴀᴍıɴɢ
🖤 "ට" ᴅᴇɴıᴀʟ
⛓ ᴘʀᴀısᴇ
🖤 ᴀғᴛᴇʀᴄᴀʀᴇ
✨ thankU Blue Nose Audio & Effie Campbell for this ALC♥️
‼️ ur mental health matters.✔️🆃🆆/🅲🆆
August 27, 2025
Intense, Driven Audio
Effie Campbell’s prose is punchy and mood-forward. Short, clipped sentences drive urgency, then stretch into lush, sensory lines for intimacy. She leans on visceral detail—impact sounds, breath, texture—over exposition, which keeps scenes immediate. Dialogue carries much of the characterization; banter is sharp without feeling quippy, and internal monologue is sparing but strategic, letting subtext do work. The tone balances grit and tenderness, with violence described plainly rather than glamorized. Trope beats are familiar, yet framed with a grounded emotional logic; consent cues are explicit in the spicy moments, and Campbell uses praise and power exchange to deepen character rather than just heat. Pacing is kinetic, occasionally lingering a touch long in travel reflection, but the line-level writing remains tight and intentionally rhythmic.
The duet narration is a genuine asset. Betty Black disciplines the emotional range: crisp when Esther is calculating, raw when fear or resolve spikes, and she threads a consistent European accent that marks identity without muddying diction. William Macleod’s performance is measured and low-grained, shifting from restrained control to vulnerable charge in a way that sells the character’s arc. His praise-forward delivery in intimate scenes lands with precision and avoids camp; timing and breath work amplify tension. Chemistry between the two readers feels lived-in—overlaps and micro-pauses make dialogue sound like true exchange rather than alternating solos. Production is clean, levels are even, and scene transitions are easy to track. Together, the performances elevate the text, sharpening both the menace and the tenderness baked into Campbell’s style.
Effie Campbell’s prose is punchy and mood-forward. Short, clipped sentences drive urgency, then stretch into lush, sensory lines for intimacy. She leans on visceral detail—impact sounds, breath, texture—over exposition, which keeps scenes immediate. Dialogue carries much of the characterization; banter is sharp without feeling quippy, and internal monologue is sparing but strategic, letting subtext do work. The tone balances grit and tenderness, with violence described plainly rather than glamorized. Trope beats are familiar, yet framed with a grounded emotional logic; consent cues are explicit in the spicy moments, and Campbell uses praise and power exchange to deepen character rather than just heat. Pacing is kinetic, occasionally lingering a touch long in travel reflection, but the line-level writing remains tight and intentionally rhythmic.
The duet narration is a genuine asset. Betty Black disciplines the emotional range: crisp when Esther is calculating, raw when fear or resolve spikes, and she threads a consistent European accent that marks identity without muddying diction. William Macleod’s performance is measured and low-grained, shifting from restrained control to vulnerable charge in a way that sells the character’s arc. His praise-forward delivery in intimate scenes lands with precision and avoids camp; timing and breath work amplify tension. Chemistry between the two readers feels lived-in—overlaps and micro-pauses make dialogue sound like true exchange rather than alternating solos. Production is clean, levels are even, and scene transitions are easy to track. Together, the performances elevate the text, sharpening both the menace and the tenderness baked into Campbell’s style.
August 27, 2025
Esther is a mafia princess, and after her older brother gets murdered, her dad tries to end the war between families by offering her as a bride to his killer. Esther is understandably distraught and is determined to escape. The night before her wedding only one thing is left preventing her escape, Alec, an enforcer who works for her family. Little does he know that when she tricks him into helping her escape, she sets off a chain of events that will make him determined to bring her back, no matter what.
I listened to this on audio, and it was an excellent choice for this story. The narration is done in duet by Betty Black and William Macleod, and they did a fantastic job of conveying the tension and attraction between Alec and Esther. I love strong female characters in my mafia reads, and despite being a semi-sheltered mafia princess, Esther’s resourcefulness is remarkable, and her determination to forge her own path is a fun ride. Alec and Esther’s banter and struggle make for some tension filled scenes. The way this book starts really makes you wonder how there could possibly be an ending that brings them together. The ending was unexpected and a great pay off.
I listened to this on audio, and it was an excellent choice for this story. The narration is done in duet by Betty Black and William Macleod, and they did a fantastic job of conveying the tension and attraction between Alec and Esther. I love strong female characters in my mafia reads, and despite being a semi-sheltered mafia princess, Esther’s resourcefulness is remarkable, and her determination to forge her own path is a fun ride. Alec and Esther’s banter and struggle make for some tension filled scenes. The way this book starts really makes you wonder how there could possibly be an ending that brings them together. The ending was unexpected and a great pay off.
August 20, 2025
Dark Escapes by Effie Campbell
Ok this one had it all. Suspense, strong FMC, banter, arranged marriage and so much more. I absolutely loved the FMC she was head strong, smart, resourceful and was a definite handful trying to escape the pending marriage. The MMC who searched , tracked her down and fought the good fight bringing her back home. All the while falling for her only to bring her to her fiancé. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
The voice actors did a great job bringing life to the characters and leveling up the story. William McLeod and Betty Black showed chemistry they were the perfect duo for this book. Definitely recommend. 4 stars!
Ok this one had it all. Suspense, strong FMC, banter, arranged marriage and so much more. I absolutely loved the FMC she was head strong, smart, resourceful and was a definite handful trying to escape the pending marriage. The MMC who searched , tracked her down and fought the good fight bringing her back home. All the while falling for her only to bring her to her fiancé. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
The voice actors did a great job bringing life to the characters and leveling up the story. William McLeod and Betty Black showed chemistry they were the perfect duo for this book. Definitely recommend. 4 stars!
August 21, 2025
5 ⭐️
🎧: Dark Escapes by Effie Campbell
Why you’ll love this audiobook!!
Dark Themes
Bodyguard/ Mafia Princess
Forced Proximity
Touch Her & ☠️
On The Run
This audiobook is duet narrated by Betty Black and William Macleod they did an amazing job bringing these characters to life .. Esther wants to live her life like she wants but being a mafia princess doesn’t always get what they want but I love her fire and personality she is a kickass FMC. She will do anything for her family especially her sister.. I loved how Alec didn’t stand down to Esther’s father or brothers he fights for her and I loved him for this.. their story is amazing and I loved this audiobook!!
🎧: Dark Escapes by Effie Campbell
Why you’ll love this audiobook!!
Dark Themes
Bodyguard/ Mafia Princess
Forced Proximity
Touch Her & ☠️
On The Run
This audiobook is duet narrated by Betty Black and William Macleod they did an amazing job bringing these characters to life .. Esther wants to live her life like she wants but being a mafia princess doesn’t always get what they want but I love her fire and personality she is a kickass FMC. She will do anything for her family especially her sister.. I loved how Alec didn’t stand down to Esther’s father or brothers he fights for her and I loved him for this.. their story is amazing and I loved this audiobook!!
September 14, 2025
This audio just made this story even better! Bringing a book I already loved to life and giving these characters voices just makes my soul happy!
If you love Mafia let me introduce you to the McGowan’s of Scottish Mafia family.
Ester is set to marry the enemy that night only killed her mother but her oldest brother also.
Sacrifice the one for the many.
Ester is not having it and runs away leaving behind her family, but her bodyguard Alec is after her and will do anything to bring her back.
What he doesn’t expect is for Ester to fight back and burn his car and every means he has, she will stop at nothing to escape her arranged marriage.
Highly recommend
If you love Mafia let me introduce you to the McGowan’s of Scottish Mafia family.
Ester is set to marry the enemy that night only killed her mother but her oldest brother also.
Sacrifice the one for the many.
Ester is not having it and runs away leaving behind her family, but her bodyguard Alec is after her and will do anything to bring her back.
What he doesn’t expect is for Ester to fight back and burn his car and every means he has, she will stop at nothing to escape her arranged marriage.
Highly recommend
August 19, 2025
Review:
This series has been on my TBR for over a year now so when I saw an audio was dropping I ran to listen to it! I am so glad I waited because these Scottish accents are no joke! The way that "good girl" just hits different with a Scottish accent had me melting! Absolutely love the Scottish mafia and what could be better than a mafia princess with the Enforcer that was sent to find her while mixing in forced proximity! You definitely don’t want to miss this one!! Get it tomorrow!
Betty Black and @williammacleod are absolutely AMAZING!
This series has been on my TBR for over a year now so when I saw an audio was dropping I ran to listen to it! I am so glad I waited because these Scottish accents are no joke! The way that "good girl" just hits different with a Scottish accent had me melting! Absolutely love the Scottish mafia and what could be better than a mafia princess with the Enforcer that was sent to find her while mixing in forced proximity! You definitely don’t want to miss this one!! Get it tomorrow!
Betty Black and @williammacleod are absolutely AMAZING!
November 12, 2025
Effie is a new to me author and I really enjoyed her writing style. Very smooth storyline with a fierce FMC and an MMC who is a bit broken and rough and you just want to hug him for being so alpha swoony. Betty and William were new to me as narrators but I really enjoyed their voices. Betty did a great job changing her voice for the other female characters and William modulated his tone as well. All the men had that rough alpha quality so the voice was similar but William gave them each a perfect tone to distinguish. On to book 2!
August 21, 2025
Duet narration by Betty Black & William Macleod
I really, really enjoyed this one! The banter and push-and-pull were so good, and the spice was so hot right from the jump, but without losing the plot. I’m already hooked on this crime family and absolutely ready for more.
I also loved how strong the FMC was. Her father? Pissed me off a lot (no lie 😅). It definitely took a bit for that redemption arc to come through, but now I’m counting down until we get her sister’s story. Bring it on! 🙌
I really, really enjoyed this one! The banter and push-and-pull were so good, and the spice was so hot right from the jump, but without losing the plot. I’m already hooked on this crime family and absolutely ready for more.
I also loved how strong the FMC was. Her father? Pissed me off a lot (no lie 😅). It definitely took a bit for that redemption arc to come through, but now I’m counting down until we get her sister’s story. Bring it on! 🙌
August 20, 2025
This book was HOT. The way at every turn the FMC surprised him at every turn. Even going so far as to BURN his car so he couldn’t take her back to the life she was trying to escape. And don’t get me started on the performance. The accents were perfection, and I felt so invested in the characters. I will absolutely be getting book 2.
November 17, 2025
My personal favorite trope which is FMC on the run.
This girl does it. She has no capabilities, but she does everything, literally everything she can to stay away from her betrothed. There were so many times that I was on the edge of my seat because of some crazy stuff she was about to pull. If you like a feisty FMC who gives ZERO Fs... THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!
This girl does it. She has no capabilities, but she does everything, literally everything she can to stay away from her betrothed. There were so many times that I was on the edge of my seat because of some crazy stuff she was about to pull. If you like a feisty FMC who gives ZERO Fs... THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews