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Knotted by the Irish
Not yet published
Expected 1 Oct 26She thought she was marrying a monster. She had no idea what kind.
My father sold me to settle a debt.
One signature on a contract and I belong to Cillian Kavanagh — the youngest don in Ireland, the most dangerous man in Dublin, and the husband I never agreed to.
He's everything they warned me about. Cold. Brutal. Beautiful in the way a sharp blade is. He doesn't want a wife. He doesn't want me. He made that clear the moment I walked into his estate.
So why does he look at me like he's starving?
Why does my body burn the second he walks into a room?
And what the hell is he hiding behind those green eyes?
I came here expecting a marriage of convenience. A name on paper. A cage with nice furniture.
I didn't expect the heat clawing under my skin.
I didn't expect him to growl when another man got too close.
I didn't expect to find out my new husband isn't just another alpha...
Knotted by the Irish is a forced marriage, fated mates, possessive alpha, omegaverse mafia romance with a brutal Irish don, a curvy heroine who didn't sign up for any of this, and a knotty happily ever after. Part of the multi-author Knotted by the Mob series — each book is a standalone.
My father sold me to settle a debt.
One signature on a contract and I belong to Cillian Kavanagh — the youngest don in Ireland, the most dangerous man in Dublin, and the husband I never agreed to.
He's everything they warned me about. Cold. Brutal. Beautiful in the way a sharp blade is. He doesn't want a wife. He doesn't want me. He made that clear the moment I walked into his estate.
So why does he look at me like he's starving?
Why does my body burn the second he walks into a room?
And what the hell is he hiding behind those green eyes?
I came here expecting a marriage of convenience. A name on paper. A cage with nice furniture.
I didn't expect the heat clawing under my skin.
I didn't expect him to growl when another man got too close.
I didn't expect to find out my new husband isn't just another alpha...
Knotted by the Irish is a forced marriage, fated mates, possessive alpha, omegaverse mafia romance with a brutal Irish don, a curvy heroine who didn't sign up for any of this, and a knotty happily ever after. Part of the multi-author Knotted by the Mob series — each book is a standalone.
141 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 1, 2026
About the author
Imani Jay
467 books575 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Imani Jay writes sweet and spicy romance with instalove, instalust, and little to no drama. Just curvy queens who get claimed by their hunky alpha males. Whether it’s in the boardroom, the mafia, OmegaVerse, or with a forbidden twist, Imani’s stories deliver high heat and heart. Ready for your next dirty pleasure? Imani’s got you covered!
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is my review for the ARC of Knotted by the Irish
I enjoyed this books so much! The characters and the world building was done so well. Declan and his wolfs reaction to finding his mate showed his true strength. Because at any time he could have really just left the prison if he truly wanted to. He was still running the business from the inside and made sure Zahra and her family was protected. Zahra loved her man down and did everything to make sure he got out of prison. Their rules and the "don't ask" policy was a great way for Declan to tell her things without putting her in the middle of things. My favorite part is when Declan's true FAFO stepped in!
Yes, you should really read this book. Imani Jay is a great author, and she will never disappoint you.
I enjoyed this books so much! The characters and the world building was done so well. Declan and his wolfs reaction to finding his mate showed his true strength. Because at any time he could have really just left the prison if he truly wanted to. He was still running the business from the inside and made sure Zahra and her family was protected. Zahra loved her man down and did everything to make sure he got out of prison. Their rules and the "don't ask" policy was a great way for Declan to tell her things without putting her in the middle of things. My favorite part is when Declan's true FAFO stepped in!
Yes, you should really read this book. Imani Jay is a great author, and she will never disappoint you.
Review of advance copy
Tropes: Omegaverse, Fated Mates, Mafia, Age Gap, Shifters, Paranormal
Wow! What a way to start a story! I am sitting in my doctor’s office on the edge of my seat devouring the opening chapter of Imani Jay’s newest book, Knotted by the Irish and for once I am glad things are moving slowly and that the office has patients backed up😁. Knotted by the Irish is a part of the series, Knotted By The Mobsters, featuring various authors and the series will be releasing throughout the month of October with Ms. Jay’s book expected to land October 1!
Declan Greene has been incarcerated for the past four years and has decades left on his sentence. He is the Alpha of his clan and continues to run his organization from the inside. When his lawyer, another Alpha named Cillian, comes for a routine visit, things turn out to be anything BUT routine. Cillian is accompanied by one of the associates at his firm, brilliant and savvy Zahara Cole. Zahara is there to assist Cillian with Declan’s complicated case. However, Declan and Zahara soon discover that fate has placed them in the orbit of their true mate.
One of the many things I loved about this book was that almost immediately Declan and Zahara accepted that they belonged together and started to act as a loving, cohesive unit. But how are they going to be “together” when steel and concrete separates them so effectively?
Conclusion:
I have read several Imani Jay books and Knotted by the Irish is easily in the top three of her works for enjoyability, emotional resonance and sheer entertainment. Declan was in a precarious position with active strikes from enemies lingering in the shadows. Declan, with excellent assist from his mate’s legal expertise and his three loyal brothers had the difficult task of proving, from behind bars, that a network of injustice existed (I did like that he didn’t miraculously get discharged). Zahara was tenacious and brilliant as she worked to unravel the threads of deceit. As always, I am imagining future stories for secondary characters; Cillian and Simone (Zahara’s best friend) appear to already have some sort of strained history and Rian seems to be pining over someone. I hope we learn the backstory behind the tension and the angst! Final word, Ms. Jay gave her readers an excellently executed story that had all the elements needed to keep us invested in the main characters and looking forward to future intrigue from the Greene brothers and their associates.
Favorite Lines:
Out, he says. Every single day. Out. Out. OUT. I know, buddy. Me too.
Except I’m not, because every breath I take feels… empty. Like I’m looking for something in the air, and it’s not there anymore.
He’s forty- five. And he looks like a man who’s been in a fight every one of those days, and won.
Because apparently I’m now a woman who can’t be left alone in a room with a photograph.
Oh, my God. He grins, slow and wide and so damn happy, it knocks ten years and two prison sentences right off him.
Just my woman, pouring into me, filling up places that have been empty so long I forgot I had them.
Mm- hm. Sure… I file the whole crazy interaction away under things to be extremely nosy about later.
https://theretiredreader.com/f/knotte...
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow! What a way to start a story! I am sitting in my doctor’s office on the edge of my seat devouring the opening chapter of Imani Jay’s newest book, Knotted by the Irish and for once I am glad things are moving slowly and that the office has patients backed up😁. Knotted by the Irish is a part of the series, Knotted By The Mobsters, featuring various authors and the series will be releasing throughout the month of October with Ms. Jay’s book expected to land October 1!
Declan Greene has been incarcerated for the past four years and has decades left on his sentence. He is the Alpha of his clan and continues to run his organization from the inside. When his lawyer, another Alpha named Cillian, comes for a routine visit, things turn out to be anything BUT routine. Cillian is accompanied by one of the associates at his firm, brilliant and savvy Zahara Cole. Zahara is there to assist Cillian with Declan’s complicated case. However, Declan and Zahara soon discover that fate has placed them in the orbit of their true mate.
One of the many things I loved about this book was that almost immediately Declan and Zahara accepted that they belonged together and started to act as a loving, cohesive unit. But how are they going to be “together” when steel and concrete separates them so effectively?
Conclusion:
I have read several Imani Jay books and Knotted by the Irish is easily in the top three of her works for enjoyability, emotional resonance and sheer entertainment. Declan was in a precarious position with active strikes from enemies lingering in the shadows. Declan, with excellent assist from his mate’s legal expertise and his three loyal brothers had the difficult task of proving, from behind bars, that a network of injustice existed (I did like that he didn’t miraculously get discharged). Zahara was tenacious and brilliant as she worked to unravel the threads of deceit. As always, I am imagining future stories for secondary characters; Cillian and Simone (Zahara’s best friend) appear to already have some sort of strained history and Rian seems to be pining over someone. I hope we learn the backstory behind the tension and the angst! Final word, Ms. Jay gave her readers an excellently executed story that had all the elements needed to keep us invested in the main characters and looking forward to future intrigue from the Greene brothers and their associates.
Favorite Lines:
Out, he says. Every single day. Out. Out. OUT. I know, buddy. Me too.
Except I’m not, because every breath I take feels… empty. Like I’m looking for something in the air, and it’s not there anymore.
He’s forty- five. And he looks like a man who’s been in a fight every one of those days, and won.
Because apparently I’m now a woman who can’t be left alone in a room with a photograph.
Oh, my God. He grins, slow and wide and so damn happy, it knocks ten years and two prison sentences right off him.
Just my woman, pouring into me, filling up places that have been empty so long I forgot I had them.
Mm- hm. Sure… I file the whole crazy interaction away under things to be extremely nosy about later.
https://theretiredreader.com/f/knotte...
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story is about the locked-up Irish Alpha Mob Boss Declan and Attorney Omega Zahra. Declan has been locked up for four years for first-degree murder, and his lawyer, Cillian, has come to see him about the progress he has made so far, but Cillian is not alone this time. Zahra has walked in with Cillian, and the mate bond activates immediately for both Zahra and Declan, but even more so for Declan because he ripped a metal table from the ground to get to Zahra. It takes a bunch of guards to take him down while Cillian protects Zarhra from him, who has gone ballistic upon smelling her scent. After all this goes down, Zahra spends a few days researching how she and Declan can be together while in prison. She finds it, and in 11 days, she and Declan get married in the prison church, with Cillian as their witness. Now married, they can spend a couple of hours together every few weeks, or 48 hours if she goes into heat. In the meantime, Zahra sets some ground rules for Declan to follow as she tries to get proof to get him out of prison, and he agrees because he knows her way is the perfect way for them to be together. As Zahra is doing her research to get Declan out of trouble, trouble starts to arise when one of Declan's enemies notices Zahra, and, like any other man, Declan decides to take care of it. But there is the issue about a material witness who was the one to put Declan in prison, who was hit by a car a few weeks ago and has been in the hospital ever since. Zahra goes to this witness and gives him a couple of opinions on how they want to go about this, seeing as someone wanted them dead. An said person sings like a canary, and that's all Zahra gets her man out of prison for. Once out of prison, Declan moves Zahra into his house, and not even 24 hours after they start living together, Declan's enemy tries to kill him. Bad move on his part, because he woke up the beast, and that beast wants his mate back. When Declan does find her, the enemy tries to use Zahra's moral code as a lawyer to save his butt (it doesn’t work), but doesn't threaten her future. (ARC Reviewer)
Review of advance copy
Knotted by the Irish is a wickedly wild ride that left me with a heart full of happiness and my imagination filled with wonder. I found myself thoroughly entertained and wonderfully enthralled by the OTT possession and passion found within these pages. Nothing compares to the incomparable beauty of the raw passion, the incredible complexity of the marvelous characters, and the utter phenomenon that is the extraordinary story that ties them together irrevocably.
Zahra is a brilliant lawyer who is working on a very visible and dangerous case to free Declan who is a local mob boss. She knows what is at stake, but when she gets the surprise of her life, she knows what she has to do no matter the consequences. When Declan finds his world turned upside down as well, he needs to decide what he really wants. Can they live with the way things are, or will changes need to be made for them to be able to work together?
Zahra not only has a beautiful name, but she is a beautiful person as well. She does her job with integrity and honesty most of all. She will not change who she is or how she does her job, so she must reconcile how a life with Declan will work. While Declan knows what he must do to keep Zahra in his life, he finds that he is willing to change whatever he must to keep her close. Neither can live without the other, so will enough good compromises work, or will life throw too many barricades and redlights their way to make it worth the effort?
Imani Jay has never failed to capture my attention and enthrall my imagination with her incredibly ever evolving talent and brilliantly unending well of wonder and awe. I greatly admire her brilliant storytelling and her soul deep well of passion and life-changing love. Nothing softens my heart more then her brand of molten passion and her priceless literary ability. This is a wickedly pleasing combination sure to be a welcome weakness of any romance reader looking for a new hit of romance with heart and action.
Zahra is a brilliant lawyer who is working on a very visible and dangerous case to free Declan who is a local mob boss. She knows what is at stake, but when she gets the surprise of her life, she knows what she has to do no matter the consequences. When Declan finds his world turned upside down as well, he needs to decide what he really wants. Can they live with the way things are, or will changes need to be made for them to be able to work together?
Zahra not only has a beautiful name, but she is a beautiful person as well. She does her job with integrity and honesty most of all. She will not change who she is or how she does her job, so she must reconcile how a life with Declan will work. While Declan knows what he must do to keep Zahra in his life, he finds that he is willing to change whatever he must to keep her close. Neither can live without the other, so will enough good compromises work, or will life throw too many barricades and redlights their way to make it worth the effort?
Imani Jay has never failed to capture my attention and enthrall my imagination with her incredibly ever evolving talent and brilliantly unending well of wonder and awe. I greatly admire her brilliant storytelling and her soul deep well of passion and life-changing love. Nothing softens my heart more then her brand of molten passion and her priceless literary ability. This is a wickedly pleasing combination sure to be a welcome weakness of any romance reader looking for a new hit of romance with heart and action.
Review of advance copy
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a fun, jam packed novella. The author did a wonderful job of providing a lot of world building in so few pages. I enjoyed Declan, Zahra and their relationship. They both brought power and strength into their relationship, and I had fun watching this dynamic play out. I have to laugh when I think about the irony of the setting, yet their relationship was so steady. It was truly a refreshing read.
I will definitely be looking for future books in this series.
Note: I think the current book summary on Goodreads is referring to another book (Cillian is a side character in this book). This book features Declan and Zahra.
This was a fun, jam packed novella. The author did a wonderful job of providing a lot of world building in so few pages. I enjoyed Declan, Zahra and their relationship. They both brought power and strength into their relationship, and I had fun watching this dynamic play out. I have to laugh when I think about the irony of the setting, yet their relationship was so steady. It was truly a refreshing read.
I will definitely be looking for future books in this series.
Note: I think the current book summary on Goodreads is referring to another book (Cillian is a side character in this book). This book features Declan and Zahra.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Mobster, wolf shifter, Omegaverse, fated mates, prison setting …..
Just a really good time! Zahra meets her fated mate Alpha wolf Declan in prison - he’s the Irish mob boss down for murder, and she is his lawyer. It’s hot and heavy from the get go. Declan is feral for his mate once he scents her.
The insta-lust is expected, the deep feelings and love was a delight. Zahra is strong and smart, and she falls hard for her scarred, enormous, dangerously delicious all male Alpha. The Omegaverse touches were a great addition to the story, and the HEA was justice served and true love strong.
Loved this one!
Just a really good time! Zahra meets her fated mate Alpha wolf Declan in prison - he’s the Irish mob boss down for murder, and she is his lawyer. It’s hot and heavy from the get go. Declan is feral for his mate once he scents her.
The insta-lust is expected, the deep feelings and love was a delight. Zahra is strong and smart, and she falls hard for her scarred, enormous, dangerously delicious all male Alpha. The Omegaverse touches were a great addition to the story, and the HEA was justice served and true love strong.
Loved this one!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
“KNOTTED BY THE IRISH” by Imani Jay, is an exciting, drama filled romance dealing with Declan Greene a wolf shifter who’s also an Irish Mobster leader and an Omega, Zahra Cole who turns out to be his fated mate.
Scenting her when she comes with Cillian his lawyer to the maximum security prison where he has been imprisoned. Declan knowing immediately that she will be his queen..and mate.
A fantastic Omegaverse romance read with a sweet, curvy and beautiful Omega MFC, who’s obsessed with her Declan. And a possessive, protective, dirty talking, dark, mafia boss who’s obsessed with his Omega.
What a journey for these two! But after it all, they get a well deserved happy ever after.
Scenting her when she comes with Cillian his lawyer to the maximum security prison where he has been imprisoned. Declan knowing immediately that she will be his queen..and mate.
A fantastic Omegaverse romance read with a sweet, curvy and beautiful Omega MFC, who’s obsessed with her Declan. And a possessive, protective, dirty talking, dark, mafia boss who’s obsessed with his Omega.
What a journey for these two! But after it all, they get a well deserved happy ever after.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a page turner from the very beginning! Declan is in prison and with his lawyer visiting he's slammed with someone he wasn't expecting...his mate! She wasn't expecting it either, but baby she takes to the notion like a duck to water. Zahra immediately realizes you can't fight fate, it's useless. Get ready for an OTT Alpha/Omega union that leaves you wanting more and waiting for your next mafiaverse! Happy Reading Y'all!💋.
I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
When the Process is Due
This was alot of fun to read. It's fresh and spunky. I'm an old hand reading Ms. Js stories. The best part is where most of it takes place. Brilliantly written.
Mafia/shifters yeah im in. The danger is alwaya probable. Dec is danger personified. His legal team rocked his world. Zara she plays no games. And is set on what she said she'd deliver.
Dec and her signed some paper her protective boss less than happy about it.
Then it all hits the fan and the big bad is unleashed.
This was alot of fun to read. It's fresh and spunky. I'm an old hand reading Ms. Js stories. The best part is where most of it takes place. Brilliantly written.
Mafia/shifters yeah im in. The danger is alwaya probable. Dec is danger personified. His legal team rocked his world. Zara she plays no games. And is set on what she said she'd deliver.
Dec and her signed some paper her protective boss less than happy about it.
Then it all hits the fan and the big bad is unleashed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
OMG, what a good book!!
I absolutely loved this story.
Declan and Zahra are such a great couple. The chemistry, the love, everything between them just jumps off the page.
I really loved seeing Zahra completely step into her power as a lawyer and fight for Declan. And the way she solves the case? So good!
There’s also a really exciting and suspenseful part that kept me on the edge of my seat. I honestly couldn’t put this book down.
This was such an amazing story with great characters, romance, suspense, and so much love. I absolutely loved it!
I absolutely loved this story.
Declan and Zahra are such a great couple. The chemistry, the love, everything between them just jumps off the page.
I really loved seeing Zahra completely step into her power as a lawyer and fight for Declan. And the way she solves the case? So good!
There’s also a really exciting and suspenseful part that kept me on the edge of my seat. I honestly couldn’t put this book down.
This was such an amazing story with great characters, romance, suspense, and so much love. I absolutely loved it!
September 29, 2026
Overall great book, original storyline!
Will need some editors to fix grammar, and diction, as well as some sentence flow. The book was very quick and relatively short which is good. Sometimes the storyline does not match the overall timeline to plot points. Also the ending was very quick, maybe flush it out, the whole baby/pup plot point was good but again didn’t line up with timeline. Sexy time was perfect! The epilogue was …well very interesting not my cup of tea but it made sense to the story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Will need some editors to fix grammar, and diction, as well as some sentence flow. The book was very quick and relatively short which is good. Sometimes the storyline does not match the overall timeline to plot points. Also the ending was very quick, maybe flush it out, the whole baby/pup plot point was good but again didn’t line up with timeline. Sexy time was perfect! The epilogue was …well very interesting not my cup of tea but it made sense to the story.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
Love you these characters and their chemistry. Declan is decadence and Zahara is sass wrapped in silk. They compliment and demolish one another. Love their love. Can’t wait for the Greene’s brothers’ stories, nor Zahara’s friend Simone and her boss Cillian’s story!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 29, 2026
5 ⭐️
Oh my, I loved this one! Declan and Zahra were so perfect for each other! And I loved the mob boss - lawyer twist. And how accepting of Declan's everything Zahra was. I also really liked this version of Alpha/Omega shifter world. It's a version I haven't really read much of, where shifters co-exist with humans. And it was so funny! I also really loved when they first met. Absolutely amazing story.
Oh my, I loved this one! Declan and Zahra were so perfect for each other! And I loved the mob boss - lawyer twist. And how accepting of Declan's everything Zahra was. I also really liked this version of Alpha/Omega shifter world. It's a version I haven't really read much of, where shifters co-exist with humans. And it was so funny! I also really loved when they first met. Absolutely amazing story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is so much fun! Doesn’t everyone find their future spouse in a prison. Absolutely love Declan an over the top possessive Alpha shifter. Zahra his attorney, strong independent and his instant mate a definite no nonsense woman. Minimal plot which you won’t miss, made up for with the super steamy attraction between them. Once again Imani comes through for all of us looking for a fantasy.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
Finished this in one sitting. A bit different from the author’s usual approach but my oh my it was the bomb.
There was never a dull moment- from start to finish was action packed and I didn’t want it to end. I can’t wait for the brothers to get their own stories.
I received an advanced copy and my review is voluntary.
There was never a dull moment- from start to finish was action packed and I didn’t want it to end. I can’t wait for the brothers to get their own stories.
I received an advanced copy and my review is voluntary.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved this book! Declan and Zahara were amazing together. He is a mob boss but her sass and attitude held her own with him. The spice was sooooo good, yum! I felt invested in the characters right away. The book hooked me from the first chapter! Read this book right now.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
Declan and Zahra
They meet in prison and the rest is history...
This was a quick and addictive read!
We get just a bit of danger and suspense. There was also humor and spice.
They definitely have the instant connection being mates. Overall, their chemistry was off the charts.
Declan will do anything to protect Zahra.
They meet in prison and the rest is history...
This was a quick and addictive read!
We get just a bit of danger and suspense. There was also humor and spice.
They definitely have the instant connection being mates. Overall, their chemistry was off the charts.
Declan will do anything to protect Zahra.
Review of advance copy
Oh Dec was a fine, giant, hot mess and I was here for it. Zahara she had black girl magic all over her (lol) she knew her stuff when it came to law. As a woman I love when we can cut you down and not loose ourselves or allow someone to have us relinquish our character.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was an intense sit on the edge of your seat type of read. I loved every single moment of it. You can't loving the intensity that this couple delivers. This is guaranteed to keep your attention all the way through. This is a must read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another fantastic, fast paced read by Imani Jay. The possessive alpha energy was off the charts paired with the smart lawyer omega. Chefs kiss perfect.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was an instant gratification story. No big, complex plot or any hint of playing hard to get by the two main characters. Great if you don't have much time or patience for a world building, character development or captivating plot. Expression that comes to mind is 'A little afternoon delight'.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
this was an absolutely great quick read! loved the main characters, they are so matched and the banter is so good!! declan is for the yearning.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review
Review of advance copy
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how Declan and Jahra recognized each other as mates and especially how she first gets access to him. Even better is how she gets him free. When the enemy tries to get them again, he is dealt with.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews