Deviant Hacker: The O'Malley Family

Mafia Wars #9

by Maggie Cole

A Mafia Underboss Kidnapped Me.
The moment Declan O’Malley laid eyes on me the universe shifted. His inked muscles, seductive confidence, and bad boy vibes lured me to him. He’s twice my age. He’s experienced.
Now I’m in a dark cell. Bound. Cold. Helpless.
He’s determined to turn me into his obedient little captive until I convince him I’ve told him the truth.
The spark burns hotter, the hunger between us electric.
When he demands I call him daddy, more confusion reigns over me.
I should hate him, instead of wanting to submit.
Yet all I crave is his deviant touch.

Deviant Hacker is the ninth jaw-dropping installment of the Mafia Wars series and part of the O’Malley saga. It’s an extreme age gap, kidnapping Dark Mafia romance, interconnecting stand-alone, and guaranteed to have an HEA.

Genres: Mafia Romance, Dark Romance, Romance, BDSM, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary, Dark

463 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2021

About the author

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Maggie Cole is committed to bringing her readers alphalicious book boyfriends and fiercely strong heroines.

She’s been called the literary master of steamy romance. Her books are full of raw emotion, suspense, and will always keep you wanting more. She is a masterful storyteller of contemporary romance and loves writing about broken people who rise above the ashes. Her books can often be found hanging out in the top 100, even years after publication.

Maggie lives in Florida with her son. She loves tennis, yoga, paddleboarding, boating, other water activities, and everything naughty.

Her current series were written in the order below:
All In (Stand alones with entwined characters)
It's Complicated (Stand alones with entwined characters)
Together We Stand (Brooks Family Saga - read in order)
Behind Closed Doors (Read in order)
Mafia Wars
Mafia Wars New York
Club Indulgence Duet
Mafia Wars Ireland
Wilted Kingdom Duet
The Underworld
The Cartwright Family (Holiday Romance)

Reviews

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread. Still awesome!
.

*Thank you to the author for an eARC of this book.*

Deviant Hacker is book 9 in the Mafia Wars by Maggie Cole and it is one of the spiciest yet. It definitely has some of the most compromising situations of the series. It also won't be for everyone, the type of play in this entry will be off-putting for some. However, it is right up my alley and I was hooked right form the beginning.

This book has our youngest heroine yet. Usually this author has more mature characters, which has made it very unique in the mafia world. But I feel like it is warranted as our heroine Simona is struggling through some things that are common for college age women. She has so much talent and is also desperate to make ends meet and it made her ripe for getting into things she should stay away from.

When she ends up inadvertently sticking her nose into O'Malley business… she finds herself in the hands of Declan and he is determined to know all her secrets and he is willing to torture and tease to get the answers he needs. He can't believe that she doesn't know what he needs and though she is wrongfully kidnapped by him, he won't relent. Things are escalating in the Mafia Wars and as things come to a head, collateral damage may be unavoidable.

I can't go into perfect details without risking the "zons" wrath but…. This book has some spicy and steamy situations. I was fanning myself in multiple situations. Declan can get it and give it real good. Hold onto your lady bits.

I loved this couple so much and their romance starts in an unconventional way but it was so sweet and juicy in so many ways.

And it is all leading up to Relentless Hunter next month… so get ready. Maggie Cole has taken us on a daring ride and it will have a finale to remember.

5/5 stars

[QuinnReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Heart Stopping Ride

I was HOOKED from the very beginning! The twists and loops and spirals sent my heart into overdrive! Simona and Declan are better than a New Years' Eve fireworks display and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade all rolled into one. I. Loved. Them!

His mouth covers my lips. It's hot and aggressive, and his tongue ravishes mine, destroying my ability to reason or do anything but kiss him back. It's nothing like any other kiss I've ever had. It's savage, as if he could destroy me with his tongue alone. -- Simona Carter

There is scorching chemistry between this daddy and his angel. A must read! 🍾🔥💜🎉

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. FYI - You should be able to read this without having read the others in the series. I would recommend reading in order, though.

[🦉Maggie Whitworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥
💋💋💋

Dark, Dirty and entertaining, that’s what you get with Declan, and it’s so good to read.
After waiting quite a while to find out who the Hacker is he’s chasing, unsuccessfully I might add, he finally finds her. Yes I said her.

Simona is everything he wasn’t expecting and he treats her terribly, then it all changes.
Things start to slot in place.
I really can’t tell you more just go get the book yourself.
Your going to love it and your heart is going to break and beat faster all at the same time.
This is a spicy one full of steam and dark delicious situations.
Get reading, what you waiting for.

[nikki · Rating 1 out of 5]

6 chapters in and I've already DNFed it. I usually don't like to DNF ARCs but I had no choice but to do that in this one, sadly.
I had high expectations from this book since I pretty much enjoyed the previous books in this series.
The part that really turned me off was when Declan decided to be a complete psychopath and leave a young girl - his supposed love interest - to almost die of hypothermia.
The second part that actually made me put this book down was the amount of usage of the word "Daddy". It was used in literally every other sentence and had me cringing internally.
I don't normally enjoy books with daddy kinks but I like to keep an open mind and neutral approach whilst reading them. A little bit is fine, but this...this was a bit much. I was expecting more of a push and pull/enemies to lovers/forbidden romance tbh. Sad to say this, but I am thoroughly disappointed with this book and I do not intend to read the next book in this series if it's gonna be this bad.
I do not mean to be rude/harsh in any way but this book just didn't do it for me, I'm sorry.

[Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: kidnapping/age gap
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Triggers: torture, dubious consent, edging, daddy kink

What an intense, smexy read! When someone threatens to undermine his family financially, Declan O'Mally isn't going to wait around. He tracks the person down until he covers the suspects, kidnaps them, and plans on torturing them until they tell him why. His plan all goes to hell when he realizes it's the hot, young girl he met at his family's pub a month before.

Alrighty... I had some big feelings about this story. Very conflicted big feelings, but at the same time it was REALLY good read hence the 5 star rating. I laughed, I shed a tear - it was great... just left me feeling a little ick a couple of times in the beginning. Let me explain: So Declan, our hero, kidnaps this girl, tortures her a bit (withholds food, practically freezes her), and then starts a sexual relationship with her that involves a huge daddy kink along with edging. I don't have an issue with daddy kink, in fact I love a good daddy kink, but her history made it a little cringey for me emotionally. She's a former foster kid - with huge daddy issues. He knows this and it seems exploitive - too realistically exploitive - in the beginning. Their relationship does evolve. She does gain more "power" - so that was great and one of the reasons I felt I could keep reading and enjoy the story.

The story itself was fantastic! Well written and super fast paced. The character development for the whole series has been great, but I just really loved both Declan and Simona. Their dynamic was definitely different, but with everything going on it made for the best emotional roller coaster ride!

Deviant Hacker is the 9th book in the Mafia Wars series and can be read as a standalone, but best read in series order. There is an overarching storyline that continues through all of the books, but this book is great if you're looking for a smexy, intense read. Deviant Hacker is told in first person, from multiple POVs.

[Warda · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Twas a captor-captive romance. I really don’t think I need to say more than I’m here for this toxic mess of a trope. It was a enjoyable!

[Lover of Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

“You want me to fight for you? I will. I’m not going to back down about this.”

First Impressions
Deviant Hacker is the ninth installment of the Mafia Wars series and in this book we have Declan’s story and this is one that I didn’t know too much and to be honest I hadn’t heard too much about but with certain events leading up to it, I had a guess that this one would be a kidnapping set up. Ironically we haven’t had too many of those in this series which in some ways has kinda surprised me. I do like that Maggie Cole has a whole group of tropes and set ups that she has worked with on this series and I never know what she will use from one story to the next. I really liked this one, its not my favorite set up and most of that is due to the kidnapping scenario that is used in the book, it just isn’t my favorite but I did think that the way it was done was quite an interesting dynamic but Maggie Cole definitely made it work in the way that it needed to.

Summary
Declan O’Malley has been on the hunt for the hacker who has put their family at risk at them losing millions and the only reason that they have kept Jack Christan alive as long as they had and now they know that all of their plans could go down the drain if its not handled carefully. When Declan who is a machine on the computer, is able to track down the hacker, he finds the hacker and kidnaps the culprit and takes the hacker to his basement, only shocked to realize its a woman, and not just any woman, a beautiful angel, one that he saw at his family’s pub one night and they had a connection but nothing more happened but now he needs to know why his angel is trying to destroy his family. At first he binds her in a cold cell, and will keep her his captive until she tells him the truth, there is a powerful chemistry between them, and Declan is determined to get her submission but when he finds the truth and realizes his angel intentions, he will have to work back into her good graces and prove that he will always protect her and cherish her….

“I haven’t let you go. You’re here because you insisted you need this right now. Don’t confuse it with the truth. We will be together again, angel.”

What I Loved
I really found this one to be quite interesting and I didn’t know what to make of the kidnapping dynamic, it definitely has its darker elements obviously due to the set of circumstances and you can see how there is such a divide between our hero and heroine. My heart just broke for Simona, as you can see that she is an innocent and is an innocent caught in the middle of this war. I found it quite interesting to see this captor/captive situation would last and I wasn’t always a fan of Declan and how he handled the situation with Simona. You can see how torn he is at times, but he is also loyal to his family and you see how divided he is and not just by all the events leading up to this moment, but also that Simona doesn’t fit the profile of someone out to destroy them. She is completely honest in everything that she does. I really found her to be so fresh and spirited but I also understand her reactions and her ways of submitting to Declan and knowing when to fight her battles. I loved the balance of fire and submissive nature she has. Once we get past the captor/captive scenario and where they are working together and rebuilding levels of trust in their relationship , then that is where this book really begins to shine and where the hero becomes redeemable for me because you definitely see how he has to prove himself and allow compromise into the relationship. Even though the first half was a struggle, the later part of the story definitely made up for it.

What I Struggled With
I really struggled with the first half, and I didn’t care for some of the actions that Declan take again Simona at times, and while I understood it, I also saw Simona as being innocent so it was this inner battle in wanting this tension of the set up to be over and for them to work past it. I do think it got dragged out a little bit more than made sense at least for me.

Overall View
I found Deviant Hacker to be a stunning and riveting read that is a great addition to this power-packed series that has easily won my heart! It’s a story that will push your boundaries, have you stretching limits, and opening up to new possibilities.

“Every ounce of what I feel for you, you feel for me. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be here. You’re sugar and I’m hot water. We’ve been stirred and shaken. There’s no more you or me. It’s us.”

Trigger Warnings:
Kidnapping, Torture, Violence

[Katie ratherbereadinggg · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars is generous, but I try to reserve 1-star ratings for truly offensive or problematic books. I didn’t like anything about this.

[Megan Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Daddy!

This is the ninth installment in the ten book series and we are almost finished but not without more twists and turns!!! Declan O'Malley is hunting the best hacker he has ever encountered. Once he catches his "man"...the one trying to ruin what his family has worked so hard for....he can't believe it is actually the woman he has been trying to find since she caught his eye at the family pub months ago. Declan has to figure out why he was set up and try to fight his attraction to the enemy. Simona comes face to face with the man she has tried to forget about. Why does he have her locked up and why is he so mad?? This book will tear your heart out and make you hurt for Declan and Simona. When he demands to be called Daddy and Simona can't understand why she gives in the heat cranks up. But can neither of them trust each other after what has happened and will they find that connection the had the first time they met? And then Maggie Cole adds the twist and the family drama gets even deeper! We are all most at the end and these books keep getting HOTTER....OH DADDY!!

[Kayleigh bonallie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never get enough of the O'malleys and their women! I can't believe the series is coming to an end.

This book hit me on a personal level and made me emotional, the love and hate between the devil and his angel left them both insatiable, and inseparable despite Declan having a job to do!

Simona has overcome so much, making her one of the most vulnerable Hs in Maggies books, but she is clearly made of strong stuff and knows how to stick up for herself and her morals all while Dirty Daddy Declan vows to protect her forever.

I'm so lucky I got to read this book in advance but I'm devastated my journey will the O'Malley clan is ending sooner!

Prepare for the ultimate ride through hell and back again with Declan and Simona as they 'eliminate the darkness and find the light'.

[MJ's Book Blog and Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review by: Jennifer
(5 Stars)

I'm not even going to do the usual spiel about it being a series bla, bla, bla. No, I am going to just gush about how freaking awesome this story was. This blows all the rest of the stories out of the water. From the first "Daddy" said I was hooked. Maggie Cole just seems to get better and better, and I have no clue how that happens. Filled with drama, danger, violence, and naughty times that were F***ing HOT. I can't even put into words how fantabulous this was. I would give this 10 stars if I could but since 5 is the highest I'll have to settle for that.

[Debra Webb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have been reading this in order of the books and up until the ninth book I loved it. I had to make myself read this book I did not like this book I didn’t like the way it went I didn’t like the way the main characters behaved in it. If this had been book number one I would’ve never read book number two

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Story & Listen🎧 Gripping, Twisted & Sizzling🔥Hot!
Deviant Hacker
The O'Malley Family (Mafia Wars, Book Nine)
By: Maggie Cole
Narrated by: Wen Ross, Kai Kennicott

Maggie Cole’s brilliant “Mafia Wars” series continues and despite this being the ninth book, she still wows me and blows my mind. She is a gifted author with a wonderful writing style and a brilliant mind, each book in this series featured a different lead character of a mafia family, the first five were the Ivanov’s, the last five the O’Malleys, the two families are bound thru pact and marriage. Each book stand’s on its own but to get the most of out the series and the phenomenal world building it is best to enjoy the books in order, not only are they all outstanding stories but the featured characters are usually secondary characters and/or major players in each other’s book and it is beneficial to know their backstories and where they stand the world dynamics. This book brings us Declan O’Malley, the hacker and brains, it was great to learn more about him and it was surprising to find what a naughty boy he could be. He has been trying to find out who is behind the stories that are messing with their plans to make a ton of money. He is on the trail of who is leaking the articles, wreaking havoc on the stock funds and raising the prices, he finally dings on a location and goes to grab the person so he could interrogate them, turns out this person is nothing like he expected them to be. First off, it is a female, second off, it a beautiful one, the O’Malleys to not hurt women, but they may have to make an exception in this case. But Declan will have a go at her first, he takes her back to his house and puts her in a cell in his basement and plans on breaking her to find out why and who is trying to ruin his family. This causes a bit of a riff because he is not going by protocol, meaning taking her to the warehouse. Declan had met Simona Carter before and he was attracted to her then and that attraction never went away, but was he being played? Simona, a bright college student, half his age, but he is having trouble putting her involvement and putting all the pieces together. But in the meantime, he’ll get to know her better in more ways than one. Turns out Simona is a natural submissive and her attraction to Declan includes not only his dominance but his care and his daddy ways. This book captivating my attention from start to end, the story is cleverly plotted with plenty of drama, angst, surprising twists and turns, some mystery, thrilling and suspenseful moments, heartfelt emotions and a sizzling hot, hot, hot romance. Maggie Cole, thank you for another exciting installment of this amazing series, I loved every minute and every word of it.

🎧📚🎧 And for the wonderful narration, Maggie Cole cast the perfect narrators to bring her characters and story to life. Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott are talented narrators and versatile voice artists. They had a complete understanding of the characters they portrayed, gave each a voice that fit their character’s persona to a tee, sounding believable in every role they played and just as I pictured the characters to sound. Wen Ross nailed it as Declan, brought out his inner daddy Dom, Kai Kennicott played Simona with perfection, grasped all sides of her personality, her submissive side and her strength and brains, they were great performing the roles of the secondary characters too. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the character’s emotions and projected them into their performance. This dynamic duo is entertaining storytellers and pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another fantastic listen.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 The other 8 books in this series got 4-5+ stars but this one, nope. I don’t like the use of “daddy” in my books but that isn’t the reason for the low rating. It’s the use of “daddy” over 90 times. And how Declan refers to himself in 3rd person as “daddy”. Too much ick for me. In one page:
“…daddy will reward you”; “Daddy’s ready to throw some holiday spirit on you”; “Daddy’s ready to play”; “What now, Daddy?”; “Merry Christmas, Daddy”. Incredibly ick! And what is with the siblings all accidentally falling for someone from a rival family, three not even knowing they were part of rival families due to unknown parentage. It’s getting old quick. I still love the overall storyline and all the characters though. The writing is fun and easy.

[Karon Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

The one word that describes the majority of this story is misunderstanding. And sexy, don't forget sexy, so okay two words. These two have met in a previous book in the series, but their night is interrupted by Declan's work. When he discovers she's the hacker who's been posting the positive articles that threaten to ruin his family he kidnaps her to get to her boss. And she has no idea what's going on, other than the fact she's very attracted to her captor. There's a lot of back and forth, with family drama and past trauma thrown into the mix. And yummy sexy times that were so good I wanted to scream out, "Oh Daddy!" Thankfully all the misunderstanding (at least between these two) are resolved for a very satisfying HEA. And now I can't wait for all the secrets to be revealed and get the final story in this series. Bring on Relentless Hunter!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy moly! I was sucked in from the beginning. At first I thought Declan was awful, especially for kidnapping a woman, but he definitely grew on me. Simona has no idea why the heck she’s been kidnapped and just wants to be released. I could tell from the beginning that Declan would try to hold onto Simona as long as he could. It was that instant attraction for him. Wait til you find out what happens between these two. It’s definitely a roller coaster of events. Between finding out if Simona is involved with what Declan is trying to figure out about articles being put out, to the relationship he forms with Simona. These two may sound so wrong for each other, but they also seem so right. Can Simona possibly give into a man like Declan? What does she have to do with this whole situation? I absolutely loved the nicknames Declan gave Simona-“lass” and “angel” and vice versa-“daddy”. Prepare to be in shock because this book was amazing, steamy, and definitely a page turner.

[Laura Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow this series gets better and better with each book. I’ve been excited from the beginning to see the woman that would steal Declan’s heart. Simona‘s story is unlike any of the other women’s. We met a lot of strong women that were dealt unfair hands in life, but none like this. I cried learning about her life and childhood. I loved though that in addition to learning why she is as strong as she is, that we got to see just how smart she is in the end (can anyone say cliffhanger)! My favorite part was the realization that even though he called her angel that he was really her angel. He saved her from so much. I cannot wait to see where their story goes next! It was well written, emotional, exciting, twisted, page turning, and sexy as can be!

[peggylovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age Gap ✔
Kidnapping ✔
Sexy Alpha ✔
Dark Mafia ✔

This book has it all!! Who wants to have a Daddy that wants you so bad that he will do anything to have you.
Declan is the O'Malley that you will fall in lust with! He goes hard core with Simona and hacker that is better then him.
Simona is young, beautiful and Declan can not live without her.
Will they survive the threat that is still after their family will Simona help save them.
This is what makes this series draw you in, you don't know what will happen from page to page.
If you are looking for a book that has kink that will make you take a shower after you read it....this is it.

[Teresa Juckett (Love Dark Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man did was this book all kinds of naughty goodness. The more stories I read in this series the more I fall in love with this arthurs book's and this story was hot and so flipping good. When I starting reading this I quickly realized this is probably going to be my favorite, but who am I kidding they're all my favorites lol. If you haven't started this series yet you abso-freakin-lutely need to all these stories are totally amazing it'll be hard to figure out just which one is your favorite. Definitely a must read.

[Cinquepineapple · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was good and the smut was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. Simona has a past that motivates her to constantly better her self. When she's kidnapped by Declan who doesn't treat her well at the beginning. But we gradually see how that changes. The secrets that come out in the book had me 😲. It so good to see how everything is being tied up and coming together. I liked how Maggie brought out the Marino's again. Shes definitely getting is ready for the next series. The ending had me jaw dropped and wanting more. I can't wait to Finn's book (the last book to the series) to see how she brings it all together.

[Marina Mariles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Declan makes you drool from the moment you start reading. His alphalicious ways makes you wish you were his captive. When Declan kidnaps the person responsible for stealing from the O´Malleys, he never imagined it would be his heart that would get stolen. Simona has no idea why shes being held captive but she does know she doesnt want to be set free. The summer heat is nothing compared to Dirty Daddy Declan!

´

[Booze Boobs Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely in love with this series! Mafia Wars is everything you could want in not only a romance but a great series in general . The action, drama and thrills only add to the heat and passion of each storyline. Dirty Daddy Declan will be making you beg!! Definitely one of the hottest stories I have read in a long time! And absolutely one of my favorite books in this series!!

[Marcella Gillespie thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once in a while you come across a book written so good you forget your reading and you feel whatever the characters feels. You loose your self so completely that you laugh cry rejoice with the characters as they do. This book was so good it took me to that place! I was so emotionally tied up in this book. It was hot! I had to lock my self in my car so I would be left alone to finish

[R M · Rating 1 out of 5]

Hypothermia is not consent

Well, this one ruined the series for me. He’s more than twice her age. He makes her call him Daddy.

[bones 🌱 · Rating 1 out of 5]

━━ ⋆¸* ★ 1 star


⋆¸* weirdly placed daddy kink and zero chemistry

[Jela Heneghan]

Ohhhh this book! I’m sure you’re reading through reviews just to see if you want to read Deviant Hacker, but I’m going to stop you right here. I’m here to tell you that you do, without a doubt, want to read it.

Declan O’Malley is tasked with finding out who’s behind the articles being published that are sabotaging his family’s plans to increase their wealth. It’s been such a process, and he’s itching to take down the person responsible. Simona Carter is the talented hacker/college student who’s been posting the articles. At the very start of the book, we find that an incensed Declan takes matters into his own hands and begins to deal with Simona without telling the family about it. Little does he know that his hacker enemy is none other than a coed he met months before at the family bar where they both definitely felt a connection. Unfortunately for them, things happened that night, and they never met again until the night Declan finds Simona. This story follows what happens with these two characters that had at one point both thought something more might come of their chance meeting but now find themselves in enemy territory with each other.

The chemistry between Declan is Simona is so palpable and so volatile. Clearly, these two have some sort of amazing connection despite all the goings on between them that are filled with anger and trauma and hurt. They connect on some crazy, deep level and simply can’t help themselves when they’re around each other. And the steam level of this book is like a 6 out of 5 (yes, I know that’s technically impossible, but that’s how steamy it is). When these two are around one another, the connection is just insanity. There’s angst, trouble, and all the reasons they shouldn’t be drawn together, but the way they’re written is so flawless and compelling that it all just works.

The pacing, flow, secondary characters, and larger plotline all culminate into a book that I found myself unable to put down. I read this book in about a day and a half and would’ve read it even quicker if could’ve. I absolutely did not want to stop reading. It’s the kind of book where it’s written in such a way that you just need to keep going until the end. It sucks you in at the very beginning, and it keeps you enthralled and entertained the entire way through.

This is, hands down, an absolute must read. It’s got two totally compelling characters with such chemistry and a larger plotline that’s simply riveting. Especially if you’ve read any other books in this series (but even if not), this is a gripping page turner that is not to be missed.

[Cat H · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2 stars.
This was really sexy.
It was also super frustrating at times.

Declan is so hot and cold at the beginning that it just confuses Simona to no end, even through her fear(and lust).
He’s trying so hard to be the emotionless interrogator that his family expects and needs him to be, but he just can’t fully convince himself to get there.

The plot was fun and interesting, other than the fact that she’s his prisoner, there’s not too much drama. Just the perfect amount to keep things interesting.
The characters were all dynamic, unique individuals who grew and healed throughout the story.
The was hot, steamy, and a bit kinky, with bondage and our FMC calling Declan ‘Daddy’, plus there was some spicy piercings😉.

I had a good time with this book.
It was fun and sexy.

I did skip all the books in between this one and Ruthless Stranger, but it didn’t really matter all that much thankfully. Anything that was a tiny bit confusing, eventually got explained.

I’m glad I picked it up.
I’m sort of interested in what’s going on with Finn now, so I might just read that when it comes out.
Not sure I’ll ever read the other 7 or so in the middle though.

You can blame BookTok for this read. Lol.

[Liz Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings you straight into your feelings from the start. The beginning of this book is the biggest emotional roller coaster yet. I mean , around one turn you were feeling for Simona Carter, the smoking hot hacker that’s been sabotaging the O’Malley financial plans. Then it whips around and you’re backing up Declan O’Malley. I mean, come on! Why wouldn’t you??!?!? He’s everything a woman could ask for.

So the issue is why did Simona do it? And what’s Declan going to do about it? Let’s just say, the family isn’t exactly thrilled with how he handles things. But the plot starts to really thicken when they start to discover why she did it.

This book had me interested from the very first sentence. My emotions were definitely all over the place in this book. This was an emotional roller coaster I didn’t want to end. Simona was so relate-able. This is one of my favorites in the series. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the ending of this series. ❤️❤️❤️

[Dawn Greaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little reluctant to start and finish this story as I knew it was one book away from bringing the series to an end. This series has proven Maggie Cole to be a very talented author that brings the readers plenty of excitement, action, drama, suspense and so much steamy, hot passion that you need a fan with every page you read. While reading this, I felt like I was getting ready to jump out of a plane...My emotions were all over the place. With this, the 9th book in the Mafia Wars series we get Declan and Simona's story. In this we have age gap, kidnapping and some "Daddy kink." There were plenty of times in this story that had me sitting back, putting my Kindle down and taking a deep breath-The story was just that intense at times. I hated Declan at times during this story with how he treated Simona, but as we all knew he would, he redeemed himself and I gave a little of my heart to Declan. Simona has a past that explains the woman that she is, but as the story goes on, we see her becoming the strong heroine that we know Maggie writes about. The development of Simona was interesting to watch and I loved that she made Declan work endlessly for her forgiveness. The ending will leave you waiting impatiently for the final book, Relentless Hunter.

[Tina Laws · Rating 5 out of 5]

Declan O'Malley has been trying to get the family out of the crime business into the cybersecurity business. However, there is a hitch to that plan. Namely an unknown person is posting positive stories about Jack's company which is putting the family's plan to go legit in serious trouble. So what does Declan need to do? He needs to find this person and stop the stories but who he finds is a shock to his system. Simona Carter is a poor college student who has gotten caught up in something that she could never have imagined due to her unique computer skills. She has a tragic past that keeps her fighting for her independence and Declan can only see that he loves her and wants to take care of her. Is the Deviant Hacker going to find his nemesis and get his girl in the end? Continue reading this addition to Maggie Cole's "Mafia War" series to find out.