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Marked
The stunning conclusion to the Mafia Born Duet.
Darragh
Once, I only cared about a few things: family, honor and doing my job for the mob.
Then, she came into my life and nothing was the same.
My wife took over my world and completely changed the game.
But now she’s in the hands of the enemy, and I’ll burn down the entire city if that’s what it takes to get her back.
Lucien Rocci should enjoy his final days while they last, because I’ve marked him for death.
_____
Once upon a time, all Giuseppina Delarosa cared about was escaping her suffocating past. Then Darragh entered her world and offered the unlikeliest of escapes. But in the dark world of the mafia love doesn’t come easy, and now she’s playing a dangerous game to keep Darragh alive. Staying one step ahead of her captor is a necessity to save everyone she loves, but it will take more than Giuseppina’s ever sacrificed to win this power game with Lucien Rocci.
Darragh O’Callaghan never cared for anyone until Giuseppina changed his entire life. As the new Kingpin of the Irish mafia, the stakes are higher than ever before. In a world where tradition and honor rule them all, he’s faced with new consequences as he searches for the woman he loves. As war erupts around the city and new alliances are formed, Darragh will have to play a dirty and bloody game to keep his family alive.
Can they overcome the dangers from every corner of NYC, or will the life finally catch up destroy them both?
Marked is the second and final book in the Mafia Born Duet. It is a direct sequel to Hit and cannot be read as a standalone.
Darragh
Once, I only cared about a few things: family, honor and doing my job for the mob.
Then, she came into my life and nothing was the same.
My wife took over my world and completely changed the game.
But now she’s in the hands of the enemy, and I’ll burn down the entire city if that’s what it takes to get her back.
Lucien Rocci should enjoy his final days while they last, because I’ve marked him for death.
_____
Once upon a time, all Giuseppina Delarosa cared about was escaping her suffocating past. Then Darragh entered her world and offered the unlikeliest of escapes. But in the dark world of the mafia love doesn’t come easy, and now she’s playing a dangerous game to keep Darragh alive. Staying one step ahead of her captor is a necessity to save everyone she loves, but it will take more than Giuseppina’s ever sacrificed to win this power game with Lucien Rocci.
Darragh O’Callaghan never cared for anyone until Giuseppina changed his entire life. As the new Kingpin of the Irish mafia, the stakes are higher than ever before. In a world where tradition and honor rule them all, he’s faced with new consequences as he searches for the woman he loves. As war erupts around the city and new alliances are formed, Darragh will have to play a dirty and bloody game to keep his family alive.
Can they overcome the dangers from every corner of NYC, or will the life finally catch up destroy them both?
Marked is the second and final book in the Mafia Born Duet. It is a direct sequel to Hit and cannot be read as a standalone.
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About the author
Mallory Hart
6 books132 followersMallory Hart is the writer of steamy romance novels. With a love for the taboo and a soft spot for villains, her stories feature bad boys, morally grey characters and dark themes. When not writing, she can be found with a glass of red wine, blasting music and dancing in her underwear. When she’s had a little bit too much wine, she usually settles down with a book that makes her blush.. For updates on new releases, visit her website or subscribe to the newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
December 4, 2024
“For two people that loved each other this much, we caused a ridiculous amount of pain.”
this is so true. this whole book is filled with the push and pull between Darragh and Pina. they're literally the most stubborn characters i've ever read. neither one was willing to accept that they wanted each other. too much angst, and it was only near the end that they finally got their hea!!
ᯓ 32-24
pina suffered a lot. she was extremely indecisive, hurt, temperamental, and selfless, and because of that, she suffered a lot. it all makes sense in the end when she put it all out clearly—how she killed his father instead of lucien (the enemy) and got herself kidnapped. darragh, for all his love for pina, only thought that pushing her away was the best option. this dynamic continued throughout the book.
pina's trauma from the time she was with lucien, paired with the months she spent alone with her brother because darragh broke up with her, was really bad for her. i do understand that he thought everything that happened to her was because of him, and being with him meant she would die. but, as pina said, they all assumed what was better for her rather than asking her.
after a lot of angst, getting shot, and being constantly hurt, darragh finally confessed—but not before he was about to lose her again. long story short, he killed lucien in the end, and pina was shot in the lung (they're soulmates jahsjsjs, because he was shot in the same place by her brother lol). she recovered, and he gave her the choice to have a year for herself. she took it, they reunited after a year, and he waited for her. they got married 😭
i'll just say, i did love the angst. it frustrated me a lot but kept me hooked. the smut is really hot, like really. as for andrea—her brother, I felt seriously so bad for him in the end when lucien killed every single member of his family, and he had to rebuild his empire from scratch. the betrayal he got from massimo and the traumas he faced... both the siblings are seriously insane, impulsive, and wear their hearts on their sleeves. i'll just have to read SECOND SON now.
• Hit – 4 stars
this is so true. this whole book is filled with the push and pull between Darragh and Pina. they're literally the most stubborn characters i've ever read. neither one was willing to accept that they wanted each other. too much angst, and it was only near the end that they finally got their hea!!
ᯓ 32-24
pina suffered a lot. she was extremely indecisive, hurt, temperamental, and selfless, and because of that, she suffered a lot. it all makes sense in the end when she put it all out clearly—how she killed his father instead of lucien (the enemy) and got herself kidnapped. darragh, for all his love for pina, only thought that pushing her away was the best option. this dynamic continued throughout the book.
pina's trauma from the time she was with lucien, paired with the months she spent alone with her brother because darragh broke up with her, was really bad for her. i do understand that he thought everything that happened to her was because of him, and being with him meant she would die. but, as pina said, they all assumed what was better for her rather than asking her.
after a lot of angst, getting shot, and being constantly hurt, darragh finally confessed—but not before he was about to lose her again. long story short, he killed lucien in the end, and pina was shot in the lung (they're soulmates jahsjsjs, because he was shot in the same place by her brother lol). she recovered, and he gave her the choice to have a year for herself. she took it, they reunited after a year, and he waited for her. they got married 😭
i'll just say, i did love the angst. it frustrated me a lot but kept me hooked. the smut is really hot, like really. as for andrea—her brother, I felt seriously so bad for him in the end when lucien killed every single member of his family, and he had to rebuild his empire from scratch. the betrayal he got from massimo and the traumas he faced... both the siblings are seriously insane, impulsive, and wear their hearts on their sleeves. i'll just have to read SECOND SON now.
• Hit – 4 stars
November 24, 2023
Meh. It was good but i have issues with it. More thoughts to come!
March 1, 2022
This was was incredible and I’m so glad to have discovered Mallory Hart and this series. This series also taught me i will never read another series until all the books are out. The wait for this book after reading HIT just about caused me to perspire and pass away from anticipation and anxiety to find out what happens.
First, can I just say how grateful I am that Mallory Hart did NOT write a sexual assault or rape scene? Thank you!! I get so invested in my heroines that reading scenes like that make me feel physically ill bc it is so brutal to read! It is a huge trigger for me and completely destroys my faith in authors when they use this plot in what is ultimately supposed to be a ~romance~ book.
Now back to my review…the plot was banger and i’ve never read a more badass h, Pina, in my life. Darragh, the H, was almost surplus to requirements bc the h was so good at saving herself.
I kinda anticipated the twist with the Lucian storyline, so it didn’t shocked me. I expected it was someone in Pina’s family who killed Paulina and somehow Lucian was related to Paulina. What did shock me was Andrea shooting Darragh out of no where, and why Pina wasn’t understanding that Darragh loves her when he ran to her while he was dying to check on her instead of getting help for himself.
I wish more of Lucian’s motives were explained—like why did he keep putting her on interviews and wanted them to act like they were in love? I know he wanted to draw Andrea in but why act like they’re in love? I can come up with some theories but I would have preferred it answered explicitly. Also, did Lucian misunderstand the black hand to have been delivered by Andrea instead of Darragh? I am still unclear.
This whole book has a completely different vibe than book 1. This could be considered a good balance so that it doesn’t feel repetitive after the first one. However, something was missing to me. Book 1, the romance was SO palpable. This time I was slightly annoyed by the constant back and forth about where Darragh & Pina stood with each other. After everything they went though, I couldn’t understand why they kept hiding things from each other and their feelings. I also didn’t love that they chose to be apart willingly for a year. It was so random. Everything she wanted—couldn’t she achieve it while being with him? I mean I get that they didn’t want her experience to be clouded by his nearness, but at the same time, i don’t get it. Part of me wishes their story ended in Book 1 bc I grieved while reading how much they lost in this book, especially Pina. I wish she didn’t have to go through all this and that she had her HEA in book 1.
Anyway, looking forward to Andrea and Claire’s story!! thank god it’s a stand alone or I couldn’t bear it!! 🥳
First, can I just say how grateful I am that Mallory Hart did NOT write a sexual assault or rape scene? Thank you!! I get so invested in my heroines that reading scenes like that make me feel physically ill bc it is so brutal to read! It is a huge trigger for me and completely destroys my faith in authors when they use this plot in what is ultimately supposed to be a ~romance~ book.
Now back to my review…the plot was banger and i’ve never read a more badass h, Pina, in my life. Darragh, the H, was almost surplus to requirements bc the h was so good at saving herself.
I kinda anticipated the twist with the Lucian storyline, so it didn’t shocked me. I expected it was someone in Pina’s family who killed Paulina and somehow Lucian was related to Paulina. What did shock me was Andrea shooting Darragh out of no where, and why Pina wasn’t understanding that Darragh loves her when he ran to her while he was dying to check on her instead of getting help for himself.
I wish more of Lucian’s motives were explained—like why did he keep putting her on interviews and wanted them to act like they were in love? I know he wanted to draw Andrea in but why act like they’re in love? I can come up with some theories but I would have preferred it answered explicitly. Also, did Lucian misunderstand the black hand to have been delivered by Andrea instead of Darragh? I am still unclear.
This whole book has a completely different vibe than book 1. This could be considered a good balance so that it doesn’t feel repetitive after the first one. However, something was missing to me. Book 1, the romance was SO palpable. This time I was slightly annoyed by the constant back and forth about where Darragh & Pina stood with each other. After everything they went though, I couldn’t understand why they kept hiding things from each other and their feelings. I also didn’t love that they chose to be apart willingly for a year. It was so random. Everything she wanted—couldn’t she achieve it while being with him? I mean I get that they didn’t want her experience to be clouded by his nearness, but at the same time, i don’t get it. Part of me wishes their story ended in Book 1 bc I grieved while reading how much they lost in this book, especially Pina. I wish she didn’t have to go through all this and that she had her HEA in book 1.
Anyway, looking forward to Andrea and Claire’s story!! thank god it’s a stand alone or I couldn’t bear it!! 🥳
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2025
"For two people that loved each other this much, we caused a ridiculous amount of pain"
This quote basically sums up the entire book.
This quote basically sums up the entire book.
April 9, 2022
This one was soo different than the first!
Honestly, it was so angst ridden I wasn’t sure they would ever have their happy ending! I even had to put it down a few times because it felt heavy. 😅
I did appreciate that it was realistic. They were from rival families so their love didn’t cure all. Pina had trauma that left her confused and depressed. Darragh pushes her away, etc.
(Some spoilers ahead)
I wish it was a little less of their constant struggles and some more expanded happy time at the end, but that’s what the situation called for I guess. I wanted to slap Darragh a few times - don’t let the girl think you don’t love her!! But I do like how he respects her at the end, and Pina grows and is able to finally make an informed choice for herself.
Her situation with Andrea was sad as well, and I felt like you watched their relationship crumple slowly. I’m excited to see his book and what happens there.
The writing is really good throughout, and I like that the characters know each other and consider each other best friends. It’s a dynamic you don’t usually see in mafia books and I am here for it.
Overall, the first one was my favorite, but this was a really good duology!!
Honestly, it was so angst ridden I wasn’t sure they would ever have their happy ending! I even had to put it down a few times because it felt heavy. 😅
I did appreciate that it was realistic. They were from rival families so their love didn’t cure all. Pina had trauma that left her confused and depressed. Darragh pushes her away, etc.
(Some spoilers ahead)
I wish it was a little less of their constant struggles and some more expanded happy time at the end, but that’s what the situation called for I guess. I wanted to slap Darragh a few times - don’t let the girl think you don’t love her!! But I do like how he respects her at the end, and Pina grows and is able to finally make an informed choice for herself.
Her situation with Andrea was sad as well, and I felt like you watched their relationship crumple slowly. I’m excited to see his book and what happens there.
The writing is really good throughout, and I like that the characters know each other and consider each other best friends. It’s a dynamic you don’t usually see in mafia books and I am here for it.
Overall, the first one was my favorite, but this was a really good duology!!
February 28, 2022
I think I’ve made it absolutely no secret that I loved Hit, so I had sky high expectations going into Marked. Especially after that ending! I can happily report that this book is the perfect conclusion to this duet. You do need to read Hit first so if you haven’t done that yet go. Like right now.
Pina had the choice to fulfill her personal revenge or to eliminate her husband’s enemy. The decision she makes traps her in her worst nightmare. While Darragh tears the city apart trying to get her back Pina knows she has to play the game to keep them both safe. Pina may have been a princess in an ivory tower but that girl is long gone and a strong, capable & badass woman replaced her.
Unfortunately Pina lives in a world where strong woman aren’t welcome. Her husband helped Pina 2.0 emerge but outside of their cabin upstate and back in the real world with his mafia men this new Pina doesn’t fit. As Darragh struggles to keep control of his men his defiant wife isn’t doing him any favors. They have to figure out how to make it work in the mafia world or even if they can as enemies lurk in the shadows plotting their attack. Do they really belong together or is Darragh being selfish keeping her in a world where she’ll never be safe or respected?
Pina in this book slayed me. Her take no shit attitude even in the face of the tough mafia men was delightful. But our girl didn’t escape without some mental scars and while it was heartbreaking to see how she tried to cope with this it was raw, real and powerful. This book had me all over the spectrum but the resounding final emotion was love. Don’t expect an easy journey for these two. They have to go through it for their HEA but damn if it isn’t satisfying as hell when we get there.
Thanks so much to Mallory for giving me an early copy of review! I can’t wait for more and I am pushing for a book on Rory still. If anyone wants to join that train please let me know.
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟+
Pina had the choice to fulfill her personal revenge or to eliminate her husband’s enemy. The decision she makes traps her in her worst nightmare. While Darragh tears the city apart trying to get her back Pina knows she has to play the game to keep them both safe. Pina may have been a princess in an ivory tower but that girl is long gone and a strong, capable & badass woman replaced her.
Unfortunately Pina lives in a world where strong woman aren’t welcome. Her husband helped Pina 2.0 emerge but outside of their cabin upstate and back in the real world with his mafia men this new Pina doesn’t fit. As Darragh struggles to keep control of his men his defiant wife isn’t doing him any favors. They have to figure out how to make it work in the mafia world or even if they can as enemies lurk in the shadows plotting their attack. Do they really belong together or is Darragh being selfish keeping her in a world where she’ll never be safe or respected?
Pina in this book slayed me. Her take no shit attitude even in the face of the tough mafia men was delightful. But our girl didn’t escape without some mental scars and while it was heartbreaking to see how she tried to cope with this it was raw, real and powerful. This book had me all over the spectrum but the resounding final emotion was love. Don’t expect an easy journey for these two. They have to go through it for their HEA but damn if it isn’t satisfying as hell when we get there.
Thanks so much to Mallory for giving me an early copy of review! I can’t wait for more and I am pushing for a book on Rory still. If anyone wants to join that train please let me know.
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟+
March 4, 2022
This is a book in which in every chapter you will have something happening, keeping you in the edge through all the reading! I loved everything in this book: the pace, the main characters, the side characters (amazing), the timing, the surroundings, everything was amazing! I’m looking forward for what’s next!
December 10, 2024
3.5⭐
I feel like it'd have been a lot better if the drama has been lessened but yeah, that's the thing about mafia novels
I feel like it'd have been a lot better if the drama has been lessened but yeah, that's the thing about mafia novels
February 28, 2022
Loved the first book. This one dragged a little too much and she lost some of her spunk! I also think she should have left the H for some time so he could feel her loss. He kept rejecting her over and over again and I dunno anyone whose psyche wouldn’t be affected by that.
March 21, 2022
Now I'm left with the knowledge that I'll never have a romance like this. Thank you f***ing much, Mallory Hart.
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Please write more books like this.
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Please write more books like this.
January 21, 2024
So we agreed to continue this series on our buddyread because I actually thought the second book would be better but I’m sad to announce that this series just doesn’t cut it for me.
Yet again it feels like the author didn’t really decide on which route to go and just lightly grazed the different characters and happenings. Like the black hand, did Lucian think it was it from Andrea or Darragh? Pina’s weird going out barefoot to a club? Andrea selling her off yet again to a dirty Made Man? Really?
Personally I don’t like Pina’s character, or Darragh either in some ways. They shift back and forth in personality and how they swing sideways in their little illegal relationship and doubting vs dying for each other just like in the first book neither of them knows the word Communication.
By the pure lack of communication (again) between our little illegal couple, our dear Pina is a sad little deer in headlights and Darragh is the broody caveman. Pina is pretty awesome in the beginning of the book, but frail and very self pitying too often, and then she’s a spoiled brat in between that.
Darragh is just killing everyone he sees. Blinded by his “love” and quite frankly I feel bad for the Irish family who has a business to run and plans to achieve with him as their boss. And when did he become such a disrespectful piece of shit? (Read; ignored the fact that she’s not on birth control, fucking her, and then saying it’s not his problem)
And sex not even 5 hours his lung collapsed? Or sliming around with blood? Lord. These two are ## in the head.
The back and forth of them is just… no. They feel like two teenagers.
Rory is the best thing about this book, I love his personality and witty comments.
2/5.
Buddyread w Emily 🤍
Yet again it feels like the author didn’t really decide on which route to go and just lightly grazed the different characters and happenings. Like the black hand, did Lucian think it was it from Andrea or Darragh? Pina’s weird going out barefoot to a club? Andrea selling her off yet again to a dirty Made Man? Really?
Personally I don’t like Pina’s character, or Darragh either in some ways. They shift back and forth in personality and how they swing sideways in their little illegal relationship and doubting vs dying for each other just like in the first book neither of them knows the word Communication.
By the pure lack of communication (again) between our little illegal couple, our dear Pina is a sad little deer in headlights and Darragh is the broody caveman. Pina is pretty awesome in the beginning of the book, but frail and very self pitying too often, and then she’s a spoiled brat in between that.
Darragh is just killing everyone he sees. Blinded by his “love” and quite frankly I feel bad for the Irish family who has a business to run and plans to achieve with him as their boss. And when did he become such a disrespectful piece of shit? (Read; ignored the fact that she’s not on birth control, fucking her, and then saying it’s not his problem)
And sex not even 5 hours his lung collapsed? Or sliming around with blood? Lord. These two are ## in the head.
The back and forth of them is just… no. They feel like two teenagers.
Rory is the best thing about this book, I love his personality and witty comments.
2/5.
Buddyread w Emily 🤍
February 19, 2022
Where to even begin with this....how about Pina is a 100% certified bada** mafia princess!!!! Darragh taught her well! Marked is the conclusion to the Mafia Born series and it had me on the edge of my seat the ENTIRE TIME I was reading it. After the cliffhanger we were left with in Hit I knew this book would consume me all the way down to my soul before I even started it! I needed answers and Mallory Hart DID NOT DISAPPOINT in giving them.
Pina has been taken by Lucien Rocci and Darragh has her brother, and last surviving member of her family, hostage. He knows he needs to use extreme caution when developing a plan to get her back. Meanwhile Pina spends day after day after day being toyed with by Lucien. She doesn't know what his end game is and she doesn't even know if Darragh is looking for her until the day she overhears/sees he does know where she is and he will be coming for her. The problem is, Pina fears for his safety and decides to take matters into her own hands.
Darragh NEEDS to get Pina back and when he finally does she is a broken version of the woman she was, his love. He doesn't know what to do for her and she isn't talking. This is where the storyline reached inside me grabbing my emotions and wrecked havoc on them.
Darragh and his whole “do what’s best for Pina even though I love her” mentality has him attempting to stay away from her and yet finding that really hard to do. There is a lot of push/pull between these two and I absolutely LOVED it! I spent much of this book infuriated at both of them and yet still feeling so attached to them. Throw in her brother, Andrea, and my blood was boiling quite a few times. To sweeten the story there was a huge plot twist that I did not even remotely see coming and all of the sudden EVERYTHING made perfect sense.
Mallory Hart is one of those authors whose writing grabs you and sucks you in making you feel like you are right there in the story. You feel every emotion the character is feelin. That, to me, is a sign of an exquisite author. She did not make the story that is Darragh and Pina an easy one. There were so many events/things taking place at variable times that even if you wanted to take a break from the story you were not going to be able to until your burning questions were answered. I thoroughly enjoyed Darragh, Pina, Rory, and even Andrea and cannot wait for his story.
Pina has been taken by Lucien Rocci and Darragh has her brother, and last surviving member of her family, hostage. He knows he needs to use extreme caution when developing a plan to get her back. Meanwhile Pina spends day after day after day being toyed with by Lucien. She doesn't know what his end game is and she doesn't even know if Darragh is looking for her until the day she overhears/sees he does know where she is and he will be coming for her. The problem is, Pina fears for his safety and decides to take matters into her own hands.
Darragh NEEDS to get Pina back and when he finally does she is a broken version of the woman she was, his love. He doesn't know what to do for her and she isn't talking. This is where the storyline reached inside me grabbing my emotions and wrecked havoc on them.
Darragh and his whole “do what’s best for Pina even though I love her” mentality has him attempting to stay away from her and yet finding that really hard to do. There is a lot of push/pull between these two and I absolutely LOVED it! I spent much of this book infuriated at both of them and yet still feeling so attached to them. Throw in her brother, Andrea, and my blood was boiling quite a few times. To sweeten the story there was a huge plot twist that I did not even remotely see coming and all of the sudden EVERYTHING made perfect sense.
Mallory Hart is one of those authors whose writing grabs you and sucks you in making you feel like you are right there in the story. You feel every emotion the character is feelin. That, to me, is a sign of an exquisite author. She did not make the story that is Darragh and Pina an easy one. There were so many events/things taking place at variable times that even if you wanted to take a break from the story you were not going to be able to until your burning questions were answered. I thoroughly enjoyed Darragh, Pina, Rory, and even Andrea and cannot wait for his story.
February 18, 2022
I will do a proper review when this book is officially released but can't give too much away!!
This is book two in the mafia born duet, following Pina (an Italian mafia princess) and Darragh (an Irish mafia son/enforcer). The first book left us wondering about Pinas motives.. this book.. well I'm pretty speechless!
This book is very different to the first book but don't let that put you off, the first book is a story of revenge and independence. This book is a story of bloodshed, heart ache and love. You are shown every single emotion in this book but it couldn't be done any other way.
Mallory you are Honestly going to be come one of the best authors out there if you keep writing like this. Thank you for letting me be part of that journey ❤
Check out mallorys reader group-
https://www.facebook.com/groups/61619...
Check out marked - (release in two weeks)
Marked: A Dark Mafia Romance (Mafia Born Book 2) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09KFTW8T...
#bookrecommendations #booktok #amazonfinds #ebook #kindle #kindleunlimited #topbook #topauthor #pageturner #paperbacks #romance #reading #story #storytelling #bookaesthetic #amwriting #amreading #bookworm #goodreads #booknerd #bookporn #bookstagrammer #darkromance #amreading #mafiaromance
This is book two in the mafia born duet, following Pina (an Italian mafia princess) and Darragh (an Irish mafia son/enforcer). The first book left us wondering about Pinas motives.. this book.. well I'm pretty speechless!
This book is very different to the first book but don't let that put you off, the first book is a story of revenge and independence. This book is a story of bloodshed, heart ache and love. You are shown every single emotion in this book but it couldn't be done any other way.
Mallory you are Honestly going to be come one of the best authors out there if you keep writing like this. Thank you for letting me be part of that journey ❤
Check out mallorys reader group-
https://www.facebook.com/groups/61619...
Check out marked - (release in two weeks)
Marked: A Dark Mafia Romance (Mafia Born Book 2) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09KFTW8T...
#bookrecommendations #booktok #amazonfinds #ebook #kindle #kindleunlimited #topbook #topauthor #pageturner #paperbacks #romance #reading #story #storytelling #bookaesthetic #amwriting #amreading #bookworm #goodreads #booknerd #bookporn #bookstagrammer #darkromance #amreading #mafiaromance
February 28, 2022
5 Off the chart stars for Marked by Mallory Hart
This book is not a standalone it is the second in the Mafia Born series. I highly suggest reading Hit Book 1 you will not be disappointed ! Advanced reader copy received from author. This is my honest review and it has not been influenced in any way.
If you are a fan of mafia genre romance this series is a must read ! I will go as far as saying Hit and Marked are top reads for me already this year.
What I loved :
Cover is a great visual of Pina Delarosa
Happily ever after with a resolution to Pina and Darragh’s love story
This book is packed with plot twists and incredible story telling
Great secondary characters who I hope may also get books ( Andrea and Rory)
Very strong heroine who is emotionally and physically scarred
Sizzling chemistry
Unexpected humor
I can’t say enough how much I loved these characters !
Sometimes to find your way back to your true love you have to let them go !
The sign for me of a great read is never wanting to leave the characters or for the story to end ! I devoured Marked in fact I plan on re-reading both books in the series.
Highly recommend this book , series and author ! In a word - excellent read !
This book is not a standalone it is the second in the Mafia Born series. I highly suggest reading Hit Book 1 you will not be disappointed ! Advanced reader copy received from author. This is my honest review and it has not been influenced in any way.
If you are a fan of mafia genre romance this series is a must read ! I will go as far as saying Hit and Marked are top reads for me already this year.
What I loved :
Cover is a great visual of Pina Delarosa
Happily ever after with a resolution to Pina and Darragh’s love story
This book is packed with plot twists and incredible story telling
Great secondary characters who I hope may also get books ( Andrea and Rory)
Very strong heroine who is emotionally and physically scarred
Sizzling chemistry
Unexpected humor
I can’t say enough how much I loved these characters !
Sometimes to find your way back to your true love you have to let them go !
The sign for me of a great read is never wanting to leave the characters or for the story to end ! I devoured Marked in fact I plan on re-reading both books in the series.
Highly recommend this book , series and author ! In a word - excellent read !
February 28, 2022
If I had to use only one word to describe this book, it would be EPIC. We were left on a cliffhanger at the end of Hit and Marked picks up just there, we see everything that’s happening with Pina, how she struggles to remain sane and true to herself. In the meantime Darragh is a mess, he cannot function without her and it’s costing him everything.
I absolutely love this book, their love is rough and wild and so uniquely Pina and Darragh, not everyone will understand. But it works for them and that’s enough, because their love is larger than life, larger than their families, larger than every single obstacle that’s thrown at them. Pina is one of the best female characters I’ve ever read in a book, she’s not perfect! She’s real and smart and so strong and determined. She has your heart weeping for her the entire time. And my Darragh, what a man. Born in a world where his actions and his strength is everything, he chooses love. And that says it all! Love is letting go, it was beautiful and powerful!
Thank you, Mallory for giving us the opportunity to feel this kind of love. I’m honestly still on cloud nine as I write this review. I cannot wait to continue reading your books. This duet was out of this world!
I absolutely love this book, their love is rough and wild and so uniquely Pina and Darragh, not everyone will understand. But it works for them and that’s enough, because their love is larger than life, larger than their families, larger than every single obstacle that’s thrown at them. Pina is one of the best female characters I’ve ever read in a book, she’s not perfect! She’s real and smart and so strong and determined. She has your heart weeping for her the entire time. And my Darragh, what a man. Born in a world where his actions and his strength is everything, he chooses love. And that says it all! Love is letting go, it was beautiful and powerful!
Thank you, Mallory for giving us the opportunity to feel this kind of love. I’m honestly still on cloud nine as I write this review. I cannot wait to continue reading your books. This duet was out of this world!
January 5, 2023
4.5 ⭐️ Can we take a moment to talk about Pina!! Seriously hands down the BEST FMC I’ve read in a mafia book. She impressed me so much that I was in awe with everything she did. The way she escapes and all the pain she endured. My goodness. I love that this book was mainly about her and how she handled everything. Darragh… I was very much annoyed with him. But he did came around at the end. I loved that he gave her the opportunity to choose what lifestyle she wanted. This was really good and the spice scenes were 😮💨🔥. I’m so excited to read about Andrea! So I’ll be starting his book soon
February 16, 2022
Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶🌶🌶
Oh my…..the chemistry between Darragh and Pina is 🔥 Part two of their story is just as good if not better than the first. Their banter is some of the best I’ve read!!Throw in some serious level drama and endless twists and turns and what you get is another excellent fast paced read that left me satisfied yet wanting more.
Spice 🌶🌶🌶
Oh my…..the chemistry between Darragh and Pina is 🔥 Part two of their story is just as good if not better than the first. Their banter is some of the best I’ve read!!Throw in some serious level drama and endless twists and turns and what you get is another excellent fast paced read that left me satisfied yet wanting more.
February 24, 2022
“The Hitman and the Princess.”
Badass Princess for that matter!!! Pina really comes into her own and becomes such a strong, very sassy and stubborn woman. She is just perfect for Darragh!
Darragh becomes the New Irish Mafia King and takes on the challenges that comes with being on top.
What an EPIC ending to Darragh & Pina’s love story!!! There were defiantly some twists where I still wanted to throw my kindle, lol. But when looking at it, they had to go through everything in order to get to where they ended.
✔️Possessive Hitman/King
✔️Badass female lead
✔️Mafia romance
✔️Revenge
Thank you Mallory for the opportunity to ARC read for you and for such an amazing ending to the series.
Badass Princess for that matter!!! Pina really comes into her own and becomes such a strong, very sassy and stubborn woman. She is just perfect for Darragh!
Darragh becomes the New Irish Mafia King and takes on the challenges that comes with being on top.
What an EPIC ending to Darragh & Pina’s love story!!! There were defiantly some twists where I still wanted to throw my kindle, lol. But when looking at it, they had to go through everything in order to get to where they ended.
✔️Possessive Hitman/King
✔️Badass female lead
✔️Mafia romance
✔️Revenge
Thank you Mallory for the opportunity to ARC read for you and for such an amazing ending to the series.
December 25, 2024
Hit 4/5⭐
Marked 2.5/5⭐
The 1st book was good, and I expected the 2nd one to be better, but after reading it , it felt like a total letdown , it was as if the story just lost its direction and the plot became rondom and aimless.
I wish this book had never been written , I wish the story had ended with the 1st one
Marked 2.5/5⭐
The 1st book was good, and I expected the 2nd one to be better, but after reading it , it felt like a total letdown , it was as if the story just lost its direction and the plot became rondom and aimless.
I wish this book had never been written , I wish the story had ended with the 1st one
February 21, 2022
ᗰᗩᖇKEᗪ: ᗩ ᗪᗩᖇK ᗰᗩᖴIᗩ ᖇOᗰᗩᑎᑕE (ᗰᗩᖴIᗩ ᗷOᖇᑎ ᗷOOK 2)
—(••÷ By Mallory Hart ÷••)—
This book is the epic conclusion to the Mafia Born duet.
Holy moly, this is just perfect. Pina und Darragh - they are the most stubborn, hot headed, *smash head against wall* couple I’ve read about in a long time. They are perfect for each other in their own f up way and nobody can call each other on their own BS, except them.
Pina grows from book 1 throughout book 2 from a damsel in distress to a badass hitwoman. She has to cope with quite some NS. Mallory does not go easy on her. Due to this, the development of her character is amazing and the spine she develops is exemplary.
More than once there were unexpected events that made me want to throw the kindle against the wall or scream at them both.
Overall, epic epic epic and very well done. 5 stars.
—(••÷ By Mallory Hart ÷••)—
This book is the epic conclusion to the Mafia Born duet.
Holy moly, this is just perfect. Pina und Darragh - they are the most stubborn, hot headed, *smash head against wall* couple I’ve read about in a long time. They are perfect for each other in their own f up way and nobody can call each other on their own BS, except them.
Pina grows from book 1 throughout book 2 from a damsel in distress to a badass hitwoman. She has to cope with quite some NS. Mallory does not go easy on her. Due to this, the development of her character is amazing and the spine she develops is exemplary.
More than once there were unexpected events that made me want to throw the kindle against the wall or scream at them both.
Overall, epic epic epic and very well done. 5 stars.
November 25, 2023
I like book 1 more than this book.
March 27, 2022
The best mafia series everrr
December 12, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
IMO this was a really good mafia duet, and probably one of my fave mafia reads!
The FMC was badass, strong, independent woman and I loved her!!!!!! Let’s go Miss. Pina 🫶🏼
IMO this was a really good mafia duet, and probably one of my fave mafia reads!
The FMC was badass, strong, independent woman and I loved her!!!!!! Let’s go Miss. Pina 🫶🏼
February 12, 2023
"I shouldn’t have touched her. I shouldn’t have given in to her ridiculous outburst and slept with her on the goddamn hood of a car. But I hadn’t touched her in months, she wasn’t wearing panties, and apparently, I was a very weak man for one specific pussy."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I love this couple. Darragh & Giuseppina know they "shouldn't" be together, but they just can't stay away from one another. They're each trying to find ways to draw out their time in each other's lives.
I'm usually not a fan of bad-ass women in books, but when they're pushed to their limits by the men in their lives, I'm here for it, and that's what happens with Pina. Her brother tries to smother her with protection and Darragh does the opposite, in staying away to protect her. She gets fed up with both men and takes matters in to her own hands.
These two have to fight for their love and will go down as one of my all-time favorite couples. Mallory Hart gives them such a great story and I can't tell you how thankful I am that she finishes their story out so perfectly. So many authors rush through a book's ending, but Mallory Hart ties things up just as she wrote the rest of the book...with a sweet, slow burn. I can't recommend this duet enough.
Nicknames/Endearments: Pina, Love
“We’re not married,” she said. I nodded. “That’s an easy fix.”
That was it. The Princess Bride, Dirty Dancing, Pretty in Pink . . . they were complete fucking bullshit. The hero doesn’t show up in the end to save you and tell you everything was a mistake and how much he loves you. He curses you out, kills your date, and says he’s only there because your brother is a raging asshole.
“You want to shoot me? Hit me with the car? What, Pina?”
“I want you to fuck me.” He blinked.
“Hit me with the car.”
“You owe me double. Which means I get to pick my consolation prize.” He scowled.
“That isn’t how it works, love.”
“Fuck me. Right here. Right now. Or you can enjoy the leisurely fifty-mile walk home with me.”
“There’s no back seat in that car, love.” I groaned, leaning my head back on his chest.
“Then fuck me on the hood."
Whiskey. Evergreen. Musk. Man. I didn’t know gods could smell so good.
His eyes met mine for one heated second before he pressed his mouth to me. I didn’t move. Just watched. Watched as he took my sensitive skin in his mouth. Ran circles with his tongue around where I wanted him to touch most. Lightning shot so heavy I wondered how I ever thought coke was special at all.
My eyes rolled back in my head while he fisted my hair, forcing me to look at him before shoving his tongue between my teeth. I wanted to taste him. I wanted him to spit in my mouth. I wanted as much of him inside me so the feeling would never leave, even after he did.
There were few things in life I could admit made me lose control, but none of those things held a candle to Pina. She didn’t make me lose control. She drove me fecking insane.
I shouldn’t have touched her. I shouldn’t have given in to her ridiculous outburst and slept with her on the goddamn hood of a car. But I hadn’t touched her in months, she wasn’t wearing panties, and apparently, I was a very weak man for one specific pussy.
I came to the apartment for supplies to start gathering intel on her, but Pina was here, in her underwear and a T-shirt, eating sugar cereal like she was sucking dick.
I wanted her to know how much I tried. How much of my own family I killed to protect her. That I went through every possible scenario I could trying to figure out how to keep her close and safe without putting her in a cage. That ever since that night in February, I’d been obsessively trying to take care of her in every distant way I could.
I wanted to protect her more than I wanted to keep her, but with the lines becoming so blurred and wrong, it was no longer clear how mutually exclusive those two things were. I’d succeeded in making her hate me but barely in keeping her alive.
I used the knife to sweep all my misshapen vegetable bits into a pan. I’d spent my entire life trapped at home, learning to be a good little wife: raising children, doing laundry, neatly cooking. All for fucking nothing, because now I couldn’t even chop a pepper right. Any other skills Darragh gave me were useless without a trigger finger or the ability to write. I was nothing now.
Shooting again felt like the old Pina was coming back, and besides that, she needed to protect herself. I couldn’t watch her all day, the people I paid couldn’t watch her all day, and we all saw just how well her brother was at managing her: she blew coke and shacked up with her ex-husband.
I wasn’t jealous. I just thought anyone who wanted to touch her deserved to die.
She didn’t bring up demand five again for the rest of the night. Part of me was relieved but mostly very disappointed.
Right. Shooting. He wasn’t wrong—I was avoiding that too. Just not as much as I avoided thoughts of him.
“This was a lot less boring the last time.”
“I was tied up in a hotel room the last time.”
“Exactly.” I pouted, resting my elbow on the arm of my chair. "I want to sweeten our deal."
“What did you have in mind?”
“I’ll tell you everything right now,” I lilted. “For one night of demand five."
“I need you so fecking bad,” I breathed, hot breath dancing over her nipple. Her back arched, and I shoved her down. “Tell me how bad you want it.”
“Wow.” I nodded my head. “I get that, I do. But all I’m saying is, if I were trying to impress a girl’s family, I’d just bring a vintage wine or something. But, you know—” I waved my hand at his desk. "-half a mill worth of coke works too."
“Well, when I want to impress a girl’s family, I usually just bring flowers or something.” He tapped his forehead. “But teaching her to murder people works too."
The Hero of Orphans looked between us, a tense smile across his face.
“And if that Irish fuck comes anywhere near you, I’ll have him shot on sight."
“And put some makeup over that shit on your neck. You look like you’re in fucking high school.”
“I didn’t go to high school!” I called back, not bothering to ask what he was even talking about. It only took one glance in my bathroom mirror to figure it out. A ridiculous laugh bubbled up my throat. I had a massive hickey.
His eyes followed me around the room, around the couch, something heated and sensual and violent. All we would ever be, but right now, that was all I ever wanted.
I smiled, crouching in front of him. Those two Gaelic words, written on his thighs in black ink, stared back at me. Between them, them, the one thing I was about to make mine.
“Do you want me to dance for you, love?” He shook his head.
“I want you to stop acting insane."
“Call me crazy all you want, but I think you like it."
“I’m going to make you fecking scream for this."
He breathed heavily, running a hand through his hair. He turned and kissed my forehead before reaching up and grabbing a pack of cigarettes off the table. He lit it with one hand while the other stayed wrapped around me. Smoke curled above us, floating toward the ceiling.
He pressed at my entrance, angry eyes meeting mine. They always reminded me of ice, but that was a stupid comparison now. He was a tempest, a winter storm, and anything caught in it usually suffered.
“Tell him if he so much as lays a hand on you, does absolutely anything to treat you wrong, that nothing can stop me from finding him. When I kill him, it'll take me days."
A heavy beat of silence passed between us, my eyes on him, his hand on my face. I sucked in a deep breath, tried to think of what I could say. But before a single word could be conjured, he slid all the way inside me, hip to hip. The free hand gripped my hair while the other stayed on my cheek. He kissed me softly, slow and deep as my legs trembled around him. A tear formed in the corner of my eye, and he quickly brushed it away. The next one he kissed, and then he just let them fall while he rocked hard against me. It felt so good, so perfectly right, but I sobbed quietly the entire time. Because this felt so natural, it had to be wrong. Because in a few days, I'd never have this again. Because even after everything, I didn't hate him at all. I loved him so much it fucking hurt.
“I’m sorry about the casino. The thirty-dollar dress. If I could go back and change it all, I swear to god I'd make it perfect."
“We have to be up early, love."
“I love you more than anything. I always have, and I always will. No matter what, I want you to know that’s the truth. I’ve never stopped, and I couldn't if I tried."
The clock said 2:00 a.m. when I noticed she was staring at me. Her heart monitor kicked up when my eyes found her gaze. Hair splayed on white sheets and light from the monitor above, I wondered if I wad already dead. She looked like an angel.
“Thanks for saving my life,” she whispered, eyes trained on the ceiling. I reached out to take her hand, folded it into my larger one. "It's what we do," I murmured.
“I never stopped wanting you,” I whispered. “You have to know that. You’re in my thoughts, in my dreams. I was only doing what I thought was-"
There were choices we had to make in life. Big ones, small ones, and the ones in between. But as my brother laughed with the love of my life, I knew I had to make a huge one.
“What do you want?”
“It doesn’t—”
“What do you want, Darragh?"
“I always want you."
“You don’t know what else is out there."
"And what about you?" I breathed. Do you know who you are outside of me?"
“I know who I am. This is who I am.” He gestured around the penthouse, the guns and liquor and paperwork. A palace for the king. “The best moments of my life have been with you. I love you, more than you could ever realize, and that’s why I want you to do something for yourself for once. Not for me, or your family or for the sake of the mob. But for Giuseppina."
“After all this, why aren’t you fighting for me?”
“I am fighting for you. I’m always fighting for you.” He pressed his hand to my cheek, wiping away the tears. "I will always be here."
“Believe me, love. I’m not going anywhere."
“A year is a long time,” I murmured. “I wouldn’t expect you to wait for me.”
“There's nothing else I want."
I closed my eyes, forgetting about the audience. That scent, that sound . . . it was like being in heaven again. The most perfect drug, hitting in all the right ways. I already knew I'd never let it go.
“You’re early,” he said.
With the smile he wore, for a moment, it was impossible to see what he really was. He could be dark to the rest of the world, but that other part, the hidden one, I knew immediately that part belonged to me.
She’d better understand when I said I wouldn’t stop, I didn’t mean now—I meant forever. I swore on the fecking lord, not a day would go by I didn’t spend between these legs. If she was here, it meant she wanted to be. And if she wanted to be, I was never letting her go.
“I love you, Giuseppina.” Her breath hitched in the quiet room. “You’re absolutely insane, always know what you want, you’re my best friend, and when you try to shoot me, it's kind of a turn-on."
“You’re beautiful, way more violent than any woman should ever be, and there’s no doubt in my mind you’ll make an amazing wife. “Pina, will you do me the honor of marrying me?" I paused. "Legitimately, this time."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I love this couple. Darragh & Giuseppina know they "shouldn't" be together, but they just can't stay away from one another. They're each trying to find ways to draw out their time in each other's lives.
I'm usually not a fan of bad-ass women in books, but when they're pushed to their limits by the men in their lives, I'm here for it, and that's what happens with Pina. Her brother tries to smother her with protection and Darragh does the opposite, in staying away to protect her. She gets fed up with both men and takes matters in to her own hands.
These two have to fight for their love and will go down as one of my all-time favorite couples. Mallory Hart gives them such a great story and I can't tell you how thankful I am that she finishes their story out so perfectly. So many authors rush through a book's ending, but Mallory Hart ties things up just as she wrote the rest of the book...with a sweet, slow burn. I can't recommend this duet enough.
Nicknames/Endearments: Pina, Love
“We’re not married,” she said. I nodded. “That’s an easy fix.”
That was it. The Princess Bride, Dirty Dancing, Pretty in Pink . . . they were complete fucking bullshit. The hero doesn’t show up in the end to save you and tell you everything was a mistake and how much he loves you. He curses you out, kills your date, and says he’s only there because your brother is a raging asshole.
“You want to shoot me? Hit me with the car? What, Pina?”
“I want you to fuck me.” He blinked.
“Hit me with the car.”
“You owe me double. Which means I get to pick my consolation prize.” He scowled.
“That isn’t how it works, love.”
“Fuck me. Right here. Right now. Or you can enjoy the leisurely fifty-mile walk home with me.”
“There’s no back seat in that car, love.” I groaned, leaning my head back on his chest.
“Then fuck me on the hood."
Whiskey. Evergreen. Musk. Man. I didn’t know gods could smell so good.
His eyes met mine for one heated second before he pressed his mouth to me. I didn’t move. Just watched. Watched as he took my sensitive skin in his mouth. Ran circles with his tongue around where I wanted him to touch most. Lightning shot so heavy I wondered how I ever thought coke was special at all.
My eyes rolled back in my head while he fisted my hair, forcing me to look at him before shoving his tongue between my teeth. I wanted to taste him. I wanted him to spit in my mouth. I wanted as much of him inside me so the feeling would never leave, even after he did.
There were few things in life I could admit made me lose control, but none of those things held a candle to Pina. She didn’t make me lose control. She drove me fecking insane.
I shouldn’t have touched her. I shouldn’t have given in to her ridiculous outburst and slept with her on the goddamn hood of a car. But I hadn’t touched her in months, she wasn’t wearing panties, and apparently, I was a very weak man for one specific pussy.
I came to the apartment for supplies to start gathering intel on her, but Pina was here, in her underwear and a T-shirt, eating sugar cereal like she was sucking dick.
I wanted her to know how much I tried. How much of my own family I killed to protect her. That I went through every possible scenario I could trying to figure out how to keep her close and safe without putting her in a cage. That ever since that night in February, I’d been obsessively trying to take care of her in every distant way I could.
I wanted to protect her more than I wanted to keep her, but with the lines becoming so blurred and wrong, it was no longer clear how mutually exclusive those two things were. I’d succeeded in making her hate me but barely in keeping her alive.
I used the knife to sweep all my misshapen vegetable bits into a pan. I’d spent my entire life trapped at home, learning to be a good little wife: raising children, doing laundry, neatly cooking. All for fucking nothing, because now I couldn’t even chop a pepper right. Any other skills Darragh gave me were useless without a trigger finger or the ability to write. I was nothing now.
Shooting again felt like the old Pina was coming back, and besides that, she needed to protect herself. I couldn’t watch her all day, the people I paid couldn’t watch her all day, and we all saw just how well her brother was at managing her: she blew coke and shacked up with her ex-husband.
I wasn’t jealous. I just thought anyone who wanted to touch her deserved to die.
She didn’t bring up demand five again for the rest of the night. Part of me was relieved but mostly very disappointed.
Right. Shooting. He wasn’t wrong—I was avoiding that too. Just not as much as I avoided thoughts of him.
“This was a lot less boring the last time.”
“I was tied up in a hotel room the last time.”
“Exactly.” I pouted, resting my elbow on the arm of my chair. "I want to sweeten our deal."
“What did you have in mind?”
“I’ll tell you everything right now,” I lilted. “For one night of demand five."
“I need you so fecking bad,” I breathed, hot breath dancing over her nipple. Her back arched, and I shoved her down. “Tell me how bad you want it.”
“Wow.” I nodded my head. “I get that, I do. But all I’m saying is, if I were trying to impress a girl’s family, I’d just bring a vintage wine or something. But, you know—” I waved my hand at his desk. "-half a mill worth of coke works too."
“Well, when I want to impress a girl’s family, I usually just bring flowers or something.” He tapped his forehead. “But teaching her to murder people works too."
The Hero of Orphans looked between us, a tense smile across his face.
“And if that Irish fuck comes anywhere near you, I’ll have him shot on sight."
“And put some makeup over that shit on your neck. You look like you’re in fucking high school.”
“I didn’t go to high school!” I called back, not bothering to ask what he was even talking about. It only took one glance in my bathroom mirror to figure it out. A ridiculous laugh bubbled up my throat. I had a massive hickey.
His eyes followed me around the room, around the couch, something heated and sensual and violent. All we would ever be, but right now, that was all I ever wanted.
I smiled, crouching in front of him. Those two Gaelic words, written on his thighs in black ink, stared back at me. Between them, them, the one thing I was about to make mine.
“Do you want me to dance for you, love?” He shook his head.
“I want you to stop acting insane."
“Call me crazy all you want, but I think you like it."
“I’m going to make you fecking scream for this."
He breathed heavily, running a hand through his hair. He turned and kissed my forehead before reaching up and grabbing a pack of cigarettes off the table. He lit it with one hand while the other stayed wrapped around me. Smoke curled above us, floating toward the ceiling.
He pressed at my entrance, angry eyes meeting mine. They always reminded me of ice, but that was a stupid comparison now. He was a tempest, a winter storm, and anything caught in it usually suffered.
“Tell him if he so much as lays a hand on you, does absolutely anything to treat you wrong, that nothing can stop me from finding him. When I kill him, it'll take me days."
A heavy beat of silence passed between us, my eyes on him, his hand on my face. I sucked in a deep breath, tried to think of what I could say. But before a single word could be conjured, he slid all the way inside me, hip to hip. The free hand gripped my hair while the other stayed on my cheek. He kissed me softly, slow and deep as my legs trembled around him. A tear formed in the corner of my eye, and he quickly brushed it away. The next one he kissed, and then he just let them fall while he rocked hard against me. It felt so good, so perfectly right, but I sobbed quietly the entire time. Because this felt so natural, it had to be wrong. Because in a few days, I'd never have this again. Because even after everything, I didn't hate him at all. I loved him so much it fucking hurt.
“I’m sorry about the casino. The thirty-dollar dress. If I could go back and change it all, I swear to god I'd make it perfect."
“We have to be up early, love."
“I love you more than anything. I always have, and I always will. No matter what, I want you to know that’s the truth. I’ve never stopped, and I couldn't if I tried."
The clock said 2:00 a.m. when I noticed she was staring at me. Her heart monitor kicked up when my eyes found her gaze. Hair splayed on white sheets and light from the monitor above, I wondered if I wad already dead. She looked like an angel.
“Thanks for saving my life,” she whispered, eyes trained on the ceiling. I reached out to take her hand, folded it into my larger one. "It's what we do," I murmured.
“I never stopped wanting you,” I whispered. “You have to know that. You’re in my thoughts, in my dreams. I was only doing what I thought was-"
There were choices we had to make in life. Big ones, small ones, and the ones in between. But as my brother laughed with the love of my life, I knew I had to make a huge one.
“What do you want?”
“It doesn’t—”
“What do you want, Darragh?"
“I always want you."
“You don’t know what else is out there."
"And what about you?" I breathed. Do you know who you are outside of me?"
“I know who I am. This is who I am.” He gestured around the penthouse, the guns and liquor and paperwork. A palace for the king. “The best moments of my life have been with you. I love you, more than you could ever realize, and that’s why I want you to do something for yourself for once. Not for me, or your family or for the sake of the mob. But for Giuseppina."
“After all this, why aren’t you fighting for me?”
“I am fighting for you. I’m always fighting for you.” He pressed his hand to my cheek, wiping away the tears. "I will always be here."
“Believe me, love. I’m not going anywhere."
“A year is a long time,” I murmured. “I wouldn’t expect you to wait for me.”
“There's nothing else I want."
I closed my eyes, forgetting about the audience. That scent, that sound . . . it was like being in heaven again. The most perfect drug, hitting in all the right ways. I already knew I'd never let it go.
“You’re early,” he said.
With the smile he wore, for a moment, it was impossible to see what he really was. He could be dark to the rest of the world, but that other part, the hidden one, I knew immediately that part belonged to me.
She’d better understand when I said I wouldn’t stop, I didn’t mean now—I meant forever. I swore on the fecking lord, not a day would go by I didn’t spend between these legs. If she was here, it meant she wanted to be. And if she wanted to be, I was never letting her go.
“I love you, Giuseppina.” Her breath hitched in the quiet room. “You’re absolutely insane, always know what you want, you’re my best friend, and when you try to shoot me, it's kind of a turn-on."
“You’re beautiful, way more violent than any woman should ever be, and there’s no doubt in my mind you’ll make an amazing wife. “Pina, will you do me the honor of marrying me?" I paused. "Legitimately, this time."
May 21, 2023
DNF at 237 - I loved the first book. But somehow found this book to be underwhelming in some way I can’t precisely put my finger on…. I liked some elements- the tension between them, her staying at his apartment, them slowly interacting and the relationship rebuilding….. but some parts made no sense to me. Like the night she went to a club with strangers, us not fully understanding Rocci’s motives, why they stopped talking for a year, etc etc. some things in this story just felt like they were not fully fleshed out or didn’t make sense. It became overwhelming and I just couldn’t continue. Also the level of spice was too much for me. I love gritty interesting plots and can overlook spice sometimes so I can read a good dark romance but it was just exhausting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
March 1, 2022A frustrating sequel
I'll start this as I loved these characters and the story moved along in a great natural non rushed way. BUT like 93% of I was a miscommunication type storyline (gah if you would just tell eachother you love eachother none of this will happen) and it was frustrating and annoying.
I'll start this as I loved these characters and the story moved along in a great natural non rushed way. BUT like 93% of I was a miscommunication type storyline (gah if you would just tell eachother you love eachother none of this will happen) and it was frustrating and annoying.
August 21, 2023
Book 1 was good but 2nd one was dragging
February 23, 2022
Marked is book 2 in the Mafia Born Duet. You MUST read Hit FIRST. Check TW.
I received an ARC for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.
"The stunning conclusion to the Mafia Born Duet.
Darragh
Once, I only cared about a few things: family, honor and doing my job for the mob.
Then, she came into my life, and nothing was the same.
My wife took over my world and completely changed the game.
But now she’s in the hands of the enemy, and I’ll burn down the entire city if that’s what it takes to get her back.
Lucien Rocci should enjoy his final days while they last, because I’ve marked him for death.
_____
Once upon a time, all Giuseppina Delarosa cared about was escaping her suffocating past. Then Darragh entered her world and offered the unlikeliest of escapes. But in the dark world of the mafia love doesn’t come easy, and now she’s playing a dangerous game to keep Darragh alive. Staying one step ahead of her captor is a necessity to save everyone she loves, but it will take more than Giuseppina’s ever sacrificed to win this power game with Lucien Rocci.
Darragh O’Callaghan never cared for anyone until Giuseppina changed his entire life. As the new Kingpin of the Irish mafia, the stakes are higher than ever before. In a world where tradition and honor rule them all, he’s faced with new consequences as he searches for the woman he loves. As war erupts around the city and new alliances are formed, Darragh will have to play a dirty and bloody game to keep his family alive.
Can they overcome the dangers from every corner of NYC, or will the life finally catch up destroy them both?
Marked is the second and final book in the Mafia Born Duet. It is a direct sequel to Hit and cannot be read as a standalone.
If you want the TLDR version of this review, I'm not sure there is one.
This duet is by far one of my top five favorite reads ever. Hit was amazing and Marked? It was phenomenal. The conclusion to this steamy and intense whirlwind of a dark mafia world was incredible.
"When you were mafia born, you were meant for something else."
You want enemies to lovers? This duet has it. But what about throwing a curve ball and making it enemies to lovers and then lovers to enemies, back to lovers? Yeah. Marked has that along with steam and making your heart jump while your stomach has a thousand butterflies going through it.
"The devil himself was likely watching this all and taking notes."
Mallory's writing in Marked skyrocketed into a whole new level of greatness. The entire story flowed so seamlessly. She makes it look easy writing a book with how amazing the story was. Darragh and Pina's story is one that is all consuming, incredibly hot, and two forces that when together are unstoppable. The chemistry between these two powerhouse characters is undeniably sexy. Not only are the main characters swoon-worthy, but the side characters are too. We really get to see more of them in Marked with Rory and Andrea (the brothers of our two main characters), who play bigger parts in this book versus the first one. We get more banter, more tension and a whole lot more at stake.
"His son became a man, and his daughter became the silent principessa she was always meant to be. Fate was an evil, laughing b**ch"
Pina isn't a perfect person; she has scars and is flawed but that is what makes her such a relatable and loveable character. We really get to see her at her lowest during Marked and then rise up from the ashes of her trauma becoming the ultimate FMC. With saying that, Darragh isn't perfect either and has truly nailed the "if you love something you need to let it go" motto (stubborn freaking man). Two stubborn and resilient characters that have to fight through fire to be able to see their happy ending and boy do they go through it.
"I was just like any other woman in our world now: the men had finally broken me."
This dark romance mafia story is action packed and will keep you on your toes while reading. You won't want to put it down. The plot twists and incredible story line will satiate you. There were moments in the story where my jaw truly dropped because I did not see it coming at all until it smacked me right in the face.
"I wasn't jealous. I just thought anyone who wanted to touch her deserved to die."
Yes, baby. We LOVE the touch her and die trope.
I do want it noted that Mallory has truly mastered her aesthetics when it comes to her branding. Her work flows so seamlessly, and the covers really stand out and they depict the main characters so well. I'm not a huge fan of people on covers and these are sensual with perfect contrast for this story. In conclusion, this duet has a solid, unforgettable story, characters that will forever be ingrained into your mind, and of course, a perfectly balanced amount of seggsy time.
Hats off, Mallory. Congratulations and thank you for an unforgettably incredible story. 10/5 stars.
I received an ARC for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.
"The stunning conclusion to the Mafia Born Duet.
Darragh
Once, I only cared about a few things: family, honor and doing my job for the mob.
Then, she came into my life, and nothing was the same.
My wife took over my world and completely changed the game.
But now she’s in the hands of the enemy, and I’ll burn down the entire city if that’s what it takes to get her back.
Lucien Rocci should enjoy his final days while they last, because I’ve marked him for death.
_____
Once upon a time, all Giuseppina Delarosa cared about was escaping her suffocating past. Then Darragh entered her world and offered the unlikeliest of escapes. But in the dark world of the mafia love doesn’t come easy, and now she’s playing a dangerous game to keep Darragh alive. Staying one step ahead of her captor is a necessity to save everyone she loves, but it will take more than Giuseppina’s ever sacrificed to win this power game with Lucien Rocci.
Darragh O’Callaghan never cared for anyone until Giuseppina changed his entire life. As the new Kingpin of the Irish mafia, the stakes are higher than ever before. In a world where tradition and honor rule them all, he’s faced with new consequences as he searches for the woman he loves. As war erupts around the city and new alliances are formed, Darragh will have to play a dirty and bloody game to keep his family alive.
Can they overcome the dangers from every corner of NYC, or will the life finally catch up destroy them both?
Marked is the second and final book in the Mafia Born Duet. It is a direct sequel to Hit and cannot be read as a standalone.
If you want the TLDR version of this review, I'm not sure there is one.
This duet is by far one of my top five favorite reads ever. Hit was amazing and Marked? It was phenomenal. The conclusion to this steamy and intense whirlwind of a dark mafia world was incredible.
"When you were mafia born, you were meant for something else."
You want enemies to lovers? This duet has it. But what about throwing a curve ball and making it enemies to lovers and then lovers to enemies, back to lovers? Yeah. Marked has that along with steam and making your heart jump while your stomach has a thousand butterflies going through it.
"The devil himself was likely watching this all and taking notes."
Mallory's writing in Marked skyrocketed into a whole new level of greatness. The entire story flowed so seamlessly. She makes it look easy writing a book with how amazing the story was. Darragh and Pina's story is one that is all consuming, incredibly hot, and two forces that when together are unstoppable. The chemistry between these two powerhouse characters is undeniably sexy. Not only are the main characters swoon-worthy, but the side characters are too. We really get to see more of them in Marked with Rory and Andrea (the brothers of our two main characters), who play bigger parts in this book versus the first one. We get more banter, more tension and a whole lot more at stake.
"His son became a man, and his daughter became the silent principessa she was always meant to be. Fate was an evil, laughing b**ch"
Pina isn't a perfect person; she has scars and is flawed but that is what makes her such a relatable and loveable character. We really get to see her at her lowest during Marked and then rise up from the ashes of her trauma becoming the ultimate FMC. With saying that, Darragh isn't perfect either and has truly nailed the "if you love something you need to let it go" motto (stubborn freaking man). Two stubborn and resilient characters that have to fight through fire to be able to see their happy ending and boy do they go through it.
"I was just like any other woman in our world now: the men had finally broken me."
This dark romance mafia story is action packed and will keep you on your toes while reading. You won't want to put it down. The plot twists and incredible story line will satiate you. There were moments in the story where my jaw truly dropped because I did not see it coming at all until it smacked me right in the face.
"I wasn't jealous. I just thought anyone who wanted to touch her deserved to die."
Yes, baby. We LOVE the touch her and die trope.
I do want it noted that Mallory has truly mastered her aesthetics when it comes to her branding. Her work flows so seamlessly, and the covers really stand out and they depict the main characters so well. I'm not a huge fan of people on covers and these are sensual with perfect contrast for this story. In conclusion, this duet has a solid, unforgettable story, characters that will forever be ingrained into your mind, and of course, a perfectly balanced amount of seggsy time.
Hats off, Mallory. Congratulations and thank you for an unforgettably incredible story. 10/5 stars.
May 31, 2022
I am a survivor.
I am strong.
I am not a little girl anymore.
Pulling the trigger is the easy part.
The choice to protect the one you love?
That’s the hard part…
Just how far are you willing to go?
Now, the hitman was a king. And the princess…well, she just killed a man in cold blood. She was something much worse.
Following on from the shocking twist from the previous book Hit, Pina & Darragh are now apart and trying to find their way back to each other.
Both lives have been changed from a single bullet, Darragh is now the kingpin of the Irish Mafia family in New York and Pina is now in the clutches of Lucien Rocci. The deal was made, to save the one she loves then Pina had no choice in agreeing to marry Lucien and until then, Pina will never stop fighting her fate that’s now tied to a monster of a man.
Darragh will stop at nothing to have Pina back in his bloodied arms and even then the risk of having her by his side…might be more deadly.
I wanted to protect her more than I wanted to keep her, but with the lines becoming so blurred and wrong, it was no longer clear how mutually exclusive those two things were.
Pina knows the role she has to play in this Man Made world, it’s her bread and butter that she’s grown up in and now after the training that Darragh has drilled into her, Pina must pretend to be a perfect helpless woman…while she plans her own game of survival…whatever it takes…
Even if it means losing a part of herself.
I swore to myself I’d never play damsel in distress again. That I was a woman. I was strong, but look at where that’d gotten me.
If you loved the first book then you will be gripping the pages on this conclusion to Pina’s & Darragh story!
Twisty, emotional-my gosh all the feelings, smoking hot scenes to have your toes curling and damn well great characters! Wow yes, I loved that this story picked right back up and followed the events in soo much detail. You know events were going to take place, but actually reading them is something else and even then you couldn’t predict the outcome.
Reading from both Pina’s & Darragh POV really does give you the full story, their emotions they keep hidden from others (including each other) and the depth of those emotions are second to none. I really enjoyed the flow of this story, the time that moves and each event is carefully included in each moment.
Makes for a very, very interesting read to see how things really will wrap up in this duet and now with the next book too with ties that will unravel, I’m looking forward to reading that one!
I’d forgotten who I was, but I wasn’t forgetting again.
I am strong.
I am not a little girl anymore.
Pulling the trigger is the easy part.
The choice to protect the one you love?
That’s the hard part…
Just how far are you willing to go?
Now, the hitman was a king. And the princess…well, she just killed a man in cold blood. She was something much worse.
Following on from the shocking twist from the previous book Hit, Pina & Darragh are now apart and trying to find their way back to each other.
Both lives have been changed from a single bullet, Darragh is now the kingpin of the Irish Mafia family in New York and Pina is now in the clutches of Lucien Rocci. The deal was made, to save the one she loves then Pina had no choice in agreeing to marry Lucien and until then, Pina will never stop fighting her fate that’s now tied to a monster of a man.
Darragh will stop at nothing to have Pina back in his bloodied arms and even then the risk of having her by his side…might be more deadly.
I wanted to protect her more than I wanted to keep her, but with the lines becoming so blurred and wrong, it was no longer clear how mutually exclusive those two things were.
Pina knows the role she has to play in this Man Made world, it’s her bread and butter that she’s grown up in and now after the training that Darragh has drilled into her, Pina must pretend to be a perfect helpless woman…while she plans her own game of survival…whatever it takes…
Even if it means losing a part of herself.
I swore to myself I’d never play damsel in distress again. That I was a woman. I was strong, but look at where that’d gotten me.
If you loved the first book then you will be gripping the pages on this conclusion to Pina’s & Darragh story!
Twisty, emotional-my gosh all the feelings, smoking hot scenes to have your toes curling and damn well great characters! Wow yes, I loved that this story picked right back up and followed the events in soo much detail. You know events were going to take place, but actually reading them is something else and even then you couldn’t predict the outcome.
Reading from both Pina’s & Darragh POV really does give you the full story, their emotions they keep hidden from others (including each other) and the depth of those emotions are second to none. I really enjoyed the flow of this story, the time that moves and each event is carefully included in each moment.
Makes for a very, very interesting read to see how things really will wrap up in this duet and now with the next book too with ties that will unravel, I’m looking forward to reading that one!
I’d forgotten who I was, but I wasn’t forgetting again.
September 8, 2023
mmmm
so it was really good but…
i do have some opinions
you’re great like seriously i commented before that your writing with Pina was seriously sometime i have never seen before in fact i think you put everything you had on her si h is truly amazing
but all the men in this book were fucking idiots ALL OF THEM
i didn’t guess the plot twist but i’m kind of mad? like all of that could’ve been avoided if they had just killed THE dad, but mainly who knew about this truth…?
ANDREA
your only crime writing these books author was making his character so hatable and then do a whole book about him. do i hate him? yes. am i going to read it? also yes?
but first i just want to say that i’m sorry but he’s a bad brother, i know everyone makes mistakes and nobody can know it all but seriously? how can you be such an asshole AND an idiot
first he does nothing when they first wanted to marry her off, not even a little fight NOTHING
then they capture him she puts herself in danger to visit him and he tells her that she’s dead to him?????? because she didn’t want to marry a dude who she thought killed her bff and instead was with man that saved her CMON bffr
but THEN he’s released, she saves HERSELF from the mf and what does this little bitch do? tries to marry her off AGAIN without her knowing AGAIN
writing this is making me question if i should really read his book bro i’m so pissed off
andrea is selfish and inmature
actually everyone is a fucker, because Pina went through hell and back and still stood straight
she’s so fucking smart i lover really, and i love these book i just think these characters were seriously wrong
also i hated that basically the whole book was them being toxic:/ i know we have a whole book of them being sweethearts but, the whole book!!?? ALL?? it was a bit too much tbh, i still liked that Pina had the chance to finally know herself, but the post Pina saving herself arc was horrible i felt so bad for her and how not even Dar was there for her i know he thought he was doing the best for her bla bla bla, i personally at some point would have folded because bro if you’re just making it worse then you probably are doing the wrong thing
EDIT!!!: i just finished “Second Son” and well like i said on my review there, i don’t think what happened to Andrea is a pass for the way he acted but i understand his struggles and where he’s coming from, so if you hated Andrea a little bit give Second Son a try, not saying he’s forgiven but it is kind of realistic for him to be mad about the whole situation with the context given.
so it was really good but…
i do have some opinions
you’re great like seriously i commented before that your writing with Pina was seriously sometime i have never seen before in fact i think you put everything you had on her si h is truly amazing
but all the men in this book were fucking idiots ALL OF THEM
i didn’t guess the plot twist but i’m kind of mad? like all of that could’ve been avoided if they had just killed THE dad, but mainly who knew about this truth…?
ANDREA
your only crime writing these books author was making his character so hatable and then do a whole book about him. do i hate him? yes. am i going to read it? also yes?
but first i just want to say that i’m sorry but he’s a bad brother, i know everyone makes mistakes and nobody can know it all but seriously? how can you be such an asshole AND an idiot
first he does nothing when they first wanted to marry her off, not even a little fight NOTHING
then they capture him she puts herself in danger to visit him and he tells her that she’s dead to him?????? because she didn’t want to marry a dude who she thought killed her bff and instead was with man that saved her CMON bffr
but THEN he’s released, she saves HERSELF from the mf and what does this little bitch do? tries to marry her off AGAIN without her knowing AGAIN
writing this is making me question if i should really read his book bro i’m so pissed off
andrea is selfish and inmature
actually everyone is a fucker, because Pina went through hell and back and still stood straight
she’s so fucking smart i lover really, and i love these book i just think these characters were seriously wrong
also i hated that basically the whole book was them being toxic:/ i know we have a whole book of them being sweethearts but, the whole book!!?? ALL?? it was a bit too much tbh, i still liked that Pina had the chance to finally know herself, but the post Pina saving herself arc was horrible i felt so bad for her and how not even Dar was there for her i know he thought he was doing the best for her bla bla bla, i personally at some point would have folded because bro if you’re just making it worse then you probably are doing the wrong thing
EDIT!!!: i just finished “Second Son” and well like i said on my review there, i don’t think what happened to Andrea is a pass for the way he acted but i understand his struggles and where he’s coming from, so if you hated Andrea a little bit give Second Son a try, not saying he’s forgiven but it is kind of realistic for him to be mad about the whole situation with the context given.
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