Liam

The Auckland Kings Crime Family #1

by A.J. Macey

When forced to make an impossible choice, which do you your life or your freedom?

Harper Davis was faced with that exact challenge on the fateful day when she stumbled into the wrong place at the wrong time.

Her only hope at escaping the monsters now hunting her?
Liam King, one of Auckland’s most notorious criminals.
Cold. Ruthless. Deadly.

The one thing she hadn’t anticipated when being shoved into the back of Liam’s car was the irresistible pull to the man who could just as easily kill her as kiss her.

Can Harper keep her heart safe while under Liam’s protection, or will she lose more than just her freedom?

Book 1 of The Auckland Kings Crime Family

The Auckland Kings Crime Family series is a mafia romance M/F trilogy with each book following a different couple. Each book ends in a HEA and can be read separately, but please note these books contain mature content and may include references to violence, attempted assault, abuse, and other themes that some readers may find triggering.

Genres: Romance

130 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 19, 2021

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author A.J. Macey has an addiction to coffee, cats, and swearing. Sucks at adulting and talking to people, so she'll frequently be lost in a book or running away with her imagination when she's not spending time with her husband, daughter, or two cats Thor and Loki. A.J. has a B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice, and previous coursework in Forensic Science, Behavioral Psychology, and Cybersecurity. Before becoming an author, A.J. worked as a Correctional Officer in a jail where she met her husband. She started writing just for fun when she was little and continued to create stories for years until finally sitting down to finish and publish a book in 2018!

Be sure to keep up with A.J. and her releases at:
https://www.facebook.com/author.ajmacey/

As well as join the reader group for teasers, giveaways, and other random shenanigans at:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/27102...

Reviews

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun quick read with a ton of action and a sprinkling of mystery. Strong FMC and really hot MMC take on some real badies with a HEA, what's not to like?

[Bethany (Bee_TheBibliophile) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first non-RH book I’ve read from A.J. Macey and it definitely won’t be the last. Liam was a quick read, really fast paced and gets right down to business. I loved Harper’s sassy attitude and her ability to take care of herself when she needed to, not giving up but working to get herself out of questionable situations. Liam, even though he’s the youngest King brother, proves himself to not only be decisive and headstrong, but also protective of what is his. He chose to continue helping Harper even after he could have left her to deal with things on her own, showing his heart from the very beginning.

I really enjoyed this book - it’s well written and sassy, but couldn’t quite give it 5 stars. The connection between Liam and Harper was definitely lust at first sight, but I wanted a little more substance to their relationship built throughout the book. They only had one conversation in the book about themselves (after days together) and it just didn’t feel like enough to support their ongoing relationship.

Looking forward to Hunter next and hoping for more Harper and Liam appearances/continuations of their story as part of his book!

[Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I discovered the Reverse Harem genre in 2020 A.J. quickly became one of my favorite authors. (Seriously, go check out her other books as well!) So when I heard she was writing a f/m I knew I had to give it a read and the book did not disappoint. Though there were some things I wish she would have added, I loved the book and give 5 stars. I can't wait to read about the other Auckland Kings!

Likes:
-Harper was a great MC. Tough and sassy. Though she essentially found herself in the mob world and around criminals, she held her own.
-Liam was portrayed as very tough but also a cinnamon roll when it came to Harper. It was adorable!
-A.J. is amazing with the steamy scenes and did not disappoint with this book

Things I would have liked to see:
-More steamy scenes between Harper and Liam
-A bit more detail into Harper and Liam's relationship and how it grew during the plot
-More scenes between Liam/Harper and Liams family. I feel like there was great potential to show some bonding type scenes between Harper and Liams brothers since they seemed to love her attitude.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper and Liam kinda fell into each other at the beginning of this book when Harper witnesses a murder. It just so happens to be a rival gang of the Auckland Kings which Liam is part of. It run by his family. Harper is an absolute riot considering all thats happened to her in this book she still manages to keep her wise cracks, wit and sarcasm. Even in front of gang members. The woman just didnt care, lol. The dynamic between her and Liam made for a great read and at times had me laughing even if it was a little dark in places. I loved this book. Liam and Harper are cracking characters. So good

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Marcy has again hit it out of the park with this first book in the Kings Crime family trilogy. While this is a shorter story than the usual A.J. Macey stories, in no way has the story telling suffered. The slight badassness of Harper is just enough to have her hold her own with Liam and the snarkiness of comments give it a touch of humor that adds to great story telling. Can't wait for Hunter and Theo's stories.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great quick read that was full of all the suspense, drama and sexual tension you could want in a book based on a crime family. What happens when you witness something you shouldn’t and the man that saves you is just as dangerous as the men who are after you. One wants to make you his, whilst the others want to make you disappear. It really is a choice between freedom or to live. A great book to get us heading into a new year of fantastic writing.

[Jacquie Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something a little bit different from A.J Macey as this is an m/f pairing rather than RH. Having written a great MC series, this crime family saga comes across well.
A little shorter than usual but it is so fast paced that more pages would have been overwhelming.
Liam and Harper were interesting and likeable, Harper in particular didn't fall into the usual traps of acting weak and stupid because of her hormones (pet hate).
Looking forward to the next in the series.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Macey is one of my favorite authors. Her characters and storytelling skills are brilliant. That being said this book wasn't something I was really into. Of course that's on me not the author. I prefer the suspense and anticipation of the story being drawn out and in a standalone you don't get that. These characters and storyline are still amazing though so it's worth the read just not my preference.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a bit different to A.J. Macey's usual books. A m/f instead of rh. I loved it. An entertaining and interesting story set in New Zealand, Auckland in fact.

Harper is entertaining and watching Liam react to her is funny. Starts with a bang and has action aplenty.

Well written and enjoyable. I can't wait to read more.

[Krys DeCantillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow Mrs. Macey did it again. This book is a fast paced story with action, drama, suspense and steam. Harper and Liam are the perfect couple. I’m so glad the author went out of the reverse harem zone and wrote this beauty. You can’t put this story down from start to finish. Can’t wait for Hunter and Theo’s stories. Well done!!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

The suspense, the violence, the build-up, the dirty, all of it is just..... *chefs kiss*.
I love the feisty, sassy lead and a grumpy man trope.
This is the first book in a good while that is MF that has actually kept my interest, as I’m all about a harem.
My main complaint.... it wasn’t long enough.

[Ali J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense and thrills from page one... WOW. I've always wanted to go to New Zealand, but I definitely don't want to find the kind of trouble Harper gets herself into! Stepping away from the longer RH novels, AJ Macey has packed action, love, suspense, and a badass sassy FMC into a MF story that I just couldn't put down. Two thumbs WAY up!

[Dominique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liam jumps straight into the story with our FMC Harper finding herself in a bit of trouble and her potential love interest being the one to help her. I loved Harper's snarky inner monolog and the banter between her and Liam. The story had a steady pace, a bit of steam, and was perfect for an evening read. I can't wait to see what happens next with the Auckland Kings!

[Boo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an amazing book! Fast and short and just all around amazing! I love Liam and Harper. Harper has so much spunk and she’s so sassy I love it. This is AJ first m/f novel and let me tell ya she hit it on the head. It was great. A must read.

[Emily Franzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sassy and sexy story. I love the chemistry between the characters, despite them being from completely different worlds. Harper is not a weak flower, which I love, and Liam is a growly alpha. Can't wait for more in this series!

[Jaima Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

First mafia romance from A.J. Macey!

Wow! I can’t believe how quickly I devoured this book! I was halfway done before even realizing it! I loved Harper’s character so freaking much! Smart, sassy, and fierce. Liam never stood a chance. Lol.
Can’t wait for Hunter’s book!!

[Michelle Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good quick read! Full of actions and very likable characters! Really enjoyed it!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read with a good balance of action and romance. The mc is tough and sassy. This book wraps up nicely and I look forward to reading the other books in the series.

[Rheannon Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good

I love a quick read sexy mafia story. Nothing is better than a fast burn romance with a HEA and this author is one if my favorites. Always delivers what I need in a story.

[Dawn Milligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this it is sooooo well written and I loved the characters dynamic a phenomenal story line and I devoured it!!

[Brii Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was so easy to fall into and get hooked. I love liam and Harper! The characters meshed in so well. Trying so hard not to add in spoilers so il just go ahead and say woot must read!!

[Tatted Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

AJ Macey never disappoints! Loved this quick action packed read with a little bit of mystery thrown in there. Loved Liam. Such a great read.

[Stacey Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though it was fast-paced it still packed a punch. I was entertained the whole time. This story swallowed me whole, chewed me up, and then spit me out when I was done.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

I love this author and working on reading all of her books. I did enjoy this one, but it didn't grab me like her other books.

[Felicia's Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haper just happened to be in the wrong place and saw something she shouldn't have. Liam helps her out. Liam his is own kind of trouble being part of the Auckland Kings. This book was amazing Haper is sassy and is smart. Her and Liam relationship is an instant attraction. I can't wait for more.

[Mary Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read, fun ride! Characters have great chemistry. I love their sassy banter back and forth. Liam is a tough guy with a lot of heart, and Harper is an independent woman able to take life as it comes. Looking forward to reading the next book in the Auckland Kings series!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A.J. Macey has once again created another story that I completely fell in love with. This story was fast-paced and the characters Liam and Harper have become my favorite M/F couple that I have read in a while. I am excited to see what A.J. Macey has in store for the rest of The Auckland Kings Crime trilogy.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this quick, but well wrote book! I really cant wait for the next one! Thank you for such an enjoyable read.