Cian

Dublin Kings #1

by L.K. Shaw

Cian Donnelly is my Da's bitter enemy. He's also the man who won me—and my virginity—in a single hand of cards.

Now, he's come to collect.

Except I'm tired of being a pawn in a game I have no wish to play. Maybe it's time to make my own rules. The only thing I have to lose is my heart.



CW: Attempted SA (not by hero)

Genres: Mafia Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Dark Romance, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Forced Proximity

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 25, 2023

About the author

LK Shaw is the bestselling author of sexy, sinful suspense. She resides in South Carolina with her high maintenance beagle mix dog, Miss P. An avid reader since childhood, she became hooked on historical romance novels in high school. She now reads, and loves, all romance sub-genres, with sci-fi romance and dark romance being her favorite. LK enjoys traveling and chocolate. Her books feature hot alpha heroes and the strong women they love.

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Reviews

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

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5)
Trope: revenge
Angst: 😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥.5

Nessa is betrayed by her father who hands her over Cian Donnelly after wagering her virginity in a card game he loses. Cian plans on using Nessa to humiliate her father, but never imagined he'd fall for the unassuming curvy girl. Cian is a super fast paced ride that easily held my attention from beginning to end! The story was well written and the chemistry between them was fantastic. Loved Nessa and how she was able to find her inner strength during the course of the book. Cian was a bit of a turd in the beginning, but he definitely grew on you as the story went along and I appreciated the time he took to woo Nessa despite the circumstances. Cian is the first book in the Dublin Kings series by LK Shaw and can be read as a standalone. This series is an offshoot of the Brooklyn Kings series.

⛔️ My bookshelves can sometimes be spoilers

[Sarah | Retro Girl Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Cian” is a fabulous dark romance read that will hold your attention from beginning to end. Nessa Sheehan’s father is the ultimate scum of the earth, and when he gambles away Nessa’s virginity, none other than Cian Donnelly, one of her father’s bitterest enemies, comes to collect. At first, Cian sees Nessa as a pawn in the war between their two families, but the more time he spends with her, the harder it is for him to stay away from her. I thought this was a really good book; Cian and Nessa have the kind of relationship that just kind of sneaks up on you, but it’s extremely obvious how much they care for each other. I loved Cian because he was growly, dominant, and possessive, and I loved Nessa because she was smart, sassy, and sweet. I loved their banter, and I was rooting for them the whole time. I’d definitely recommend!!!

[Hollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ate this right up! Nessa has been living with her abusive father and his ways for far too long, thinking this is how it will always be until one night he comes home and he tells her company is coming. Cian and his brother show up to a confused Nessa when he then tells her that her father bet her virginity and Cian won. She’s not even surprised, but also still hurt but wanting to be far away from her father she goes with him. Cian plans to just keep her around until he’s done with her, show her father - his enemy how he’s won and then let her free. Of course that’s not how it goes at all, when feelings get involved and war threatens when her step brother shows up - it’s never easy. I was on the edge of my seat till the very last page.

[Cécile Smits · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this one for free,and having read it,i can say it was a decent mafia story.
With a virgin that’s been handed over to her father’s enemy to settle a gambling debt.
Her age made it a little hard to believe she still was a virgin,but the explanation was plausible enough….mostly.
The “hero” was a man that was supposed to be this rough Irish mobster,but turned out to be anything but.
The storyline was engaging enough to finish.
But to say i feel a need to read more? Not really….

[Tiffany Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I loved this book! I read the beginning of Liam from the Dangerous as Sin Anthology wondering how in the world this ties in and why it's first....now I know!

Cian at first was a d-canoe. All he wanted was revenge and to give a hefty dose of humiliation. He never expected Nessa. Once the story started to unfold, I loved Cian more and more!

I absolutely loved Nessa. She came into her own and I enjoyed every second. She had some sass and bite under her unassuming layers. She gave Cian a run for his money which I appreciated.

✮🖤✮ Favorite quotes ✮🖤✮

“Don’t look so terrified, sweet mouse. I promise you’ll enjoy everything I do to you.”

“I’m not a woman prone to violence, but you certainly tempt me to change my mind.”

[Cristina]

Maybe it’s me? DNF - I just couldn’t engage with the story.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (7/19/2023)! 🎁

[Denise H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not turn the pages fast enough! This is an enemies-to-lovers mafia romance that evokes a wide array of emotions. Starting with revenge, determination, and cunning on Cian’s side to an escape, longing, and loneliness on Nessa’s neither expected the outcome they found. What started out as collection of a debt from a poker game turned into something so much more.

Cian and Nessa were great together. I really enjoyed the character growth and development of these two and loved watching their relationship move from enemies to friends, to more. They had many challenges and roadblocks along the way but it made their HEA all the more worth it. It was also great to catch up with many of the characters from the Brooklyn Kings series as well. I cannot wait to read Liam’s story next.

Engrossing read and a great start to the series!
*I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Keri M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story was ok - loved the characters. Wasn’t anywhere near as spicy as I was expecting. Message finds herself in the arms of a very broody Irishman. Cian finds himself falling for someone he shouldn’t.

[Jos]

No rating a dnf:(

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Great story line of a timid “mouse” and a ruthless family that protects what is theirs and more importantly what they love.

[annasbook nookk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by L. K. Shaw. I was pleasantly surprised.
Nessa gets taken by Cian after he wins her virginity in a card game with her FATHER!!!
The book starts as revenge for Cian, but the tension comes through slowly.
Nessa really came into her own in this book, going from the quiet, shy woman to standing up for herself and using her voice, a choice she didn't have living with her father.
I loved reading about the other characters and can't wait for Liam's story next.

[booknotez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cian & Nessa

Nessa is put in a difficult position thanks to her no good step father who treats very bad then there also horrible name calling. Nessa is to go with Cian and that’s how their relationship starts.

Cian and Nessa’s relationship starts with a lot of back and fourth along with a attraction that they both don’t want to admit. It was good to read Nessa coming out of her shell after the hard time she had at her fathers house.

Overall a good read.

[Regina Blume]

DNF @ 56%

I thankfully got this on kindle for free because it was not the book for me.

I didn’t feel any chemistry between the characters and even worse they just felt completely flat to me. Nessa had a been abused by her father for most of her life which is absolutely terrible but I just didn’t see that in her character. Not that she has to be cowering in the corner every moment but everything’s just chill with her. She has no trust issues, no signs of mental or physical trauma (for as much as I’ve read) and easily accepts being given to another man like a possession not as a way of escaping her father but just as a ‘oh well nothing I can do, I’ll just go be cheeky and flirty over here until I’m given back to my father after this enemy sleeps with me’ she’s not trying to escape, she’s not trying to convince them not to give her back. She’s just there.

Also in case it isn’t obvious 2 seconds into reading this book that Nessa is a plus size character, don’t worry you’ll be reminded of it every scene she’s in (which is nearly all of them) that and her hair are the only 2 characteristics she has if this author is to be believed.

Cian also made no sense to me. Is he the nice guy? Is he the enemy? I don’t know and neither is the author. This was advertised as enemies to lovers but really it was two strangers whose families have history are thrown together and immediately start playing house with some very petty sarcasm at the start. He has no chemistry with his brothers or his father, the closest we’ve seen to any type of bond is with the house keeper-lover of his father but it’s pretty cliche.

Outside of that the plot is very basic and honestly pointless. Nothing up until this point really has any weight behind it. As someone who definitely appreciates that I don’t have the storytelling skills to be an author I can’t quite put my finger on what is missing from this book it just feels very 2 dimensional to me and after repeatedly telling myself I’m going to stop wasting time on books I’m not enjoying this time I’m going to listen and give up on this o e.

[Lyla Nadeau · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this story you get introduced to the character Cian. Cian meets Nessa after her father in a card game bets her virginity to pay off his debt. Cian after winning the game goes to her fathers house to pick her up undenounced to her what has happened. From there they become intrigued by each other and their relationship starts to blossom. Despite Nessa being a curvy, full figured women with a love for reading, he does not look at her the same way others do. He starts to contemplate whether he's collecting a debt or if there's something more there. When she becomes a distraction and realizes his facade is fading it's used against him in more ways than one. Nessa although a bit shy, awkward and self conscious she fakes it till she makes it and I love that about her. she really finds strength through out the story and is no longer anyone's pawn and can make her own life decisions.

I rate this story 3 out of 5 stars. although I could relate to Nessa in so many ways and I appreciated Cian's love of her body type, I feel like the story could have had a little more. I did find it sweet in the end so I did enjoy it overall I just wasn't wowed.

[Brandi-Lynn Weiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cian is the first book I’ve read by L.K. Shaw, but I’ve been wanting to read her other books for awhile now, and after reading Cian I can’t wait to!
I loved Cian. He only was suppose to take Nessa as a debt when her father loses to him at a card game. But as he gets to know her, he realizes there’s so much more to her than meets the eye. Nessa hasn’t had it easy, her father’s abuse comes in many forms. But when he tells he’s basically sold her to cover a debt, she can’t believe it. But she’s also happy to away from him. I loved watching her character grow throughout the book. She ended up becoming a stronger person and had more self confidence in herself- and a lot of that is thanks to Cian. These two were so good together and had great chemistry.
I’m really really curious about her stepbrother Liam! I’m excited for his story next. And I’m hoping for his relationship with Nessa to strengthen. You could tell he had some emotions towards her and their past, but he puts up a strong front. One I can’t wait to see crumble!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting read, male dominated world where men will die for family without a thought

Cian had remembered Nessa Sheehan but finding her father gambling in their establishment and losing was simply too good to be true, then when he put up Nessa’s virginity against his bet Cian could not simply let that stand so had gone into the bet and won and now Sheehan was peeved and would take it out on Nessa.

She has been simply reading one of her books when Cian and his brother came into the house and told hr that she had been her father’s ante and that she was his until he took her virginity, she knew he hated her but was beating her no longer enough?

Cian and his brother hated the man bur Nessa did not deserve their animosity she was a victim; her father had been beating her since her mother died and since she had been six years old, she had never known the love or care of a parent since her mother died. Even her stepmother and stepbrother Liam who she had cared a great deal for had no time for her, he had escaped and had left her to suffer “Donal’s” brutal beatings as soon as he was able too. She did not blame him for escaping his merciless cruelty however, a little girl cannot understand why her Hero simply ran and left her with the “Monster” who had been beating her for over twenty years.

Cian is unable to assimilate his feelings for Nessa who is not a shrinking violet even though she is a virgin and has no real experience, she gives as good as she gets and she understands what being in a Bratva/Crime family means and she has an inner strength, an intelligence and sense of humour that he wants to get to know better.

This is a simply wonderful read and you cannot help but be inspired by the two main characters and you will see the bratva women at their best, Cian’s cousin is always happy to show any man they should play the gentlemen in their presence or else!!

I assure you that you will love every moment of this book it is simply a fantastic read.
I voluntarily received and review an Advanced Reader Copy
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the great writing.

[Linda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alpha male meets Feisty female with steam, passion and revelations
BAM! This book starts off strong and continues that way. Liam Campbell was Nessa Sheehan’s step-brother who ran away in his teens after continued abuse from Dónal, her father. Dónal was a drunk and abusive man who gambled away or drank away any money they accrued. He was also head of a local Dublin crime family. The Sheehan’s had one opposing arch enemy, the Donnellys who were the primary crime family in Dublin. They allowed Dónal his little bit of territory through a truce. When Dónal has gambled away everything else, he gambles his daughter’s virginity and loses to Cian Donnelly. Nessa is 26yo, generous in size and frumpy because she really doesn’t care. What will Cian think when he comes to make good on the wager her father lost?! Being a full-figured woman, I loved the characterization of Nessa as Cian’s love interest. He likes her that way! Maybe more than he thought.
Although there are cameo appearances of past characters from other books, Ms. Shaw has a way of writing that will not make you feel lost if you didn’t read that book. They are just spice for the sauce.
Another winner! Already plan on reading LIAM which is the next book in this series. If you like strong men who like their women strong too and a little spirited, you’ll want to read this book. I volunteered to review an ARC of it and am so glad I did.

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nessa, the female lead, has been trapped by her Irish mafia abusive father in the family home for years. When he offers up her virginity as part of the stakes in a game, Cian, the male lead, collects. He’s leadership in an enemy mafia group but they don’t treat women the way Nessa’s father does. Cian is intrigued by Nessa and, slowly, Nessa’s true personality emerges. But there’s a war brewing between enemy families and Cian and Nessa’s relationship may be a casualty of that war…

This story is dual POV, well written, and an interesting, angsty, enemies-to-lovers romance starting a new series. It is a spin off from the author’s previous Irish mafia series, of which I have read none. This story stands alone, though I think engagement with secondary characters would have been enhanced if I had read their stories. I enjoyed Nessa’s determination to start to have her own choices. I enjoyed Cian’s support of her emerging independence. I appreciated the realism of her response when her abusive father confronted her again. I enjoyed the secondary character interactions and the immersion of Nessa in a family. I applauded Cian’s approach to consent, and the sweet and steamy intimate relations. I enjoyed the overarching plot and am looking forward to more in this series, though mafia romance isn’t usually my thing.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Stand-alone: Yes**
Author: L.K. Shaw
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Spiciness Rating: 1/5 🌶
POV: First Person Dual Perspective
Main Couple: Cian and Nessa
Trope(s): Mafia, Protector, Arrangement

Cian is the first book in the Dublin King’s Series. L.K. is expanding their Mafia world and we are meeting the Brooklyn Kings cousins. This was an easy read. A little angst. A little suspense. A little bit o’ heat. And, a little peek into what is to come. Nessa has been starved for affection, family, and acceptance. Her curves have drawn the negative comments from others, but Cian embraces all of her. I love reading about the not-so-average h. Cian gives her the one thing no one else has- freedom.

Nessa Sheehan has led a lonely existence all thanks to her abusive father. She has spent the last twenty years living in fear of her father and his moods. She spends her days living vicariously through her books. Until Cian Donnelly, her father’s enemy, shows up to collect his debt. Her, more specifically her virginity.

Cian cannot deny that he is intrigued by Nessa. But, having power over Donal Sheehan was his motivation for accepting the bet Donal proposed.

Nessa fights her attraction to Cian. Her virginity is hers and hers alone to give.

Nessa is just the pawn in the game played by powerful men. And, now her stepbrother has thrown his cards on the table and made his move taking over her father’s organization.

[Terra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nessa's abusive father comes home and proceeds to physically and emotionally abuse her, making her feel like she is less than, that she is fat and ugly. He has lost her to a card game (her virginity is what he bet) and his nemesis is coming to get her. Cian and his brother show up and take her away, Cian lets her know that she is his until he has had his full and then she will be returned.

What Cian didn't expect was the fiery firecracker that he got. The verbal sparring between the 2 is hot and really just makes the story. In the process, Nessa finds herself with help from Cian and Caitlin (who we met in LK Shaw's story Irish Rebel - if you haven't ready you really should. It was hot!) Nessa is not going to be a pawn anymore, used by the men in her life. She is a strong, curvy woman. The steam between Cian and Nessa is hot and you can see the love before they do. Cian is a good and likeable character.

Nessa's brother, Liam, is another problem but we will learn more about him in the next book - in this book we see the start of his book and his relationship with Nessa. And her father, well he learns his lesson too.

Good start to new series! Can't wait for the next books.

I received a free copy of this story and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh Cain Donnelly...I have waited for you!!!!

A father bets his only daughters' virginity in a card game and LOSES...to the enemy.

You think its going to be this captive situation; "just until the debt is settled" but all of a sudden Cain shows his human softie side and you swoon for him faster than you'd think (considering how the story starts!). He shows interest in her outside of a physical relationship...he even does that thing we wish out husbands/boyfriends would do for us (not going to spoil that, because its ADORABLE)! But don't let the sweet side fool you, the possessive protector bad-ass is still in there, and don't mess with someone he loves.

Nessa goes through her own evolution. Cain clearly rubbed off on her and I am here for it! Enter Nessa's inner badass! Raised by an abusive father from early childhood, we get to watch this docile mousey victim morph into the survivor she really is.

This is the first book in the Dublin Kings series. A stand-alone (but connected to her previous series the Brooklyn Kings) and after this one, I can't wait for the rest of the series.
Spicy with a storyline, dark and sweet; this story has a little of everything.

TW: almost SA(by another character) kidnapping, child abuse, substance abuse.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cain is the first full length book set within the Dublin Kings series. Cian has taken a deal with his family’s enemy: his daughter’s virginity to wipe out his debts. Thinking only of a power move, Cian is surprised by Nessa’s strength and courage. With so many enemies on the playing field and Nessa right in the middle of it all, can they have something deeper and lasting, or will their time together just be the only peace before a deadly storm?

Oh my goodness. Holy smokes. You need to pick up this book right now!! It’s so good! Full of emotions, all the ups and downs, and there’s passion and love that tries so hard to weather all of the storms it faces. Nessa and Cian were just dynamite together. Even though Cian called her Mouse, I loved her inner strength, the ways she was willing to change, and the ways that she never gave up and looked for the best in almost everyone. Cian was determined to find the right power move to show the might of his family, but I adored how confused he got over his feelings and love that developed for Nessa. He was calculating at times, but protective and quite yummy. I loved them together. So much fire and passion and goodness. And all of the background drama, oh man! I had to stop this book halfway through because I knew the ending was going to be a wild, emotional, bloody mess and Ms. Shaw did not disappoint! So good! I am loving the direction of this new series so far and I can’t wait to see what’s going to come next!

[Hanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An emotional enemies to lovers story.
I was so invested in the book and the characters but most especially Neesa.
Nessa has never had an easy life. She’s treated with cruelty and abuse.
And now she’s being used as a pawn by two men. She’s just a means to an end in their games.
I adored her. She’s strong and tough. Life kept knocking her down. But she always got up.
Stood tall and never broke. May be bent but never broken.
Cian is out for revenge. And he will get it anyway he can. Be any method available to him.
And the revenge now comes in the form of Nessa. He plans on using her in a vile way because of the hatred he has for her father.
What Cian didn’t expect is what he found in Nessa.
I loved seeing their relationship bloom and blossom.
Going from enemies and developing into something so significant and beautiful.
But their road is smooth. It’s paved in obstacles and and challenges.
Cian the first book in the Dublin Kings series, a spinoff of the Brooklyn Kings series.
And I’m looking forward to reading more of this world.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book. L K sure knows how to pull you into a story and hold you hostage. I didn't want to put it down.

I love forced proximity tropes, and this one didn't disappoint. Nessa's father bets her in a game and loses her to the son of his greatest enemy, Cian. Cian goes and picks up his prize, much to her surprise, and takes her home. He is the first crush she had when she was younger, but he doesn't know that.

The sexual chemistry between these two was instant and so fun to read. I also love that despite everything she has gone through, Nessa is a strong woman. She puts her foot down right at the start, and Cian actually listens to her words. He may not be a nice man in his business, but he apparently has a soft spot for Nessa.

This book had everything in wanted and so much more. I can't wait to read the rest of this series because I know it's going to be absolutely amazing. I wish I could give this book more than 5 ⭐️'s.

[Deb Richmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dónal Sheehan has sold off his daughter Nessa’s virginity to settle a gambling debt, and Cian Donnelly is the winner. Cian takes Nessa to live at his family’s home until the debt is settled, and as they get to know each other, they grow closer. As tensions rise between the various mafia factions, both Cian and Nessa are placed in dangerous situations and may not survive long enough to realize their true feelings.

I love this book, and now I’m looking forward to the rest of the series. Shaw has written some amazing characters, great world building, and an exciting, fast-paced plot. I love that Nessa goes from being timid to fierce and learns to stand up for herself. It’s great to see Cian let Nessa see his vulnerable side. I’m really excited to see what’s going to happen between Liam and Imogen in the next book.

Cian is book one in the Knights of Dublin series, and i highly recommend it. Read it and let me know what you think - I’d love to discuss!

[Marlene Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since her mother's death years ago, Nessa's father, Donal Sheehan, has been declining into a drunken, misogynistic, abusive shell of a man with a gambling problem to add to his miserable countenance...so when her father tells her that she's finally worth something, he's bet and lost her virginity to Cian Donnelly and she has a few minutes to get ready...she finally can escape her existence as his punching bag....Cian vaguely remembers his family enemy's daughter, and figures to return her when she has repaid what her father bet. What he didn't count on was Nessa...or that she would be feisty, curvy beautiful and let him know that her virginity was NOT something her father could bet....but could she be the card the Donnelly's need to win the Mafia war brewing since another rival, Nessa's step-brother, Liam now gained control of Sheehan's territory??? You will need to read this steamy story to see what happens...I voluntarily read this book through an Advanced Reader Copy.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.

This is the story of Cian and Nessa. She is a girl who has a father that is really what nightmares are made of as far as parents go. He is dirt on the bottom of shoes or even worse. I could not stand that man and I don't see how Nessa survied him. .He and Cian are better enemies, but that sure doesn't stop him from betting his daughters virginity in a card game. A game that Cian has won and is coming to collect. She is the ultimate pawn in his war with her fathers. Or at least that is how he sees her at first. However when he begins to spend more time with her he realizes that she is so much more than that. There really is a lot more to this book than that but I think this is one of those books that you need to go into blind. I loved every second of it and devoured the book. You do not want to miss this book.

[Amber C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nessa has an abusive father who gambles away her virginity to a mafia mob man named Cian. I was not a huge fan of Cian and how he treated Nessa at the beginning since he only wanted to use her as a form of revenge to get back at her father and then discard her. In truth, the chemistry between Cian and Nessa was enticing but their feelings for each other escalated quickly. One moment Cian is vengeful and ready to use Nessa as he pleases and the next he's all of the sudden inevitably falling in love with her. I love the slow burn, the build up and this one did have some but I wish there had been more. It was very fast paced for my taste. My favorite part was the Ireland setting and how much growth Nessa's character goes through. She goes from a shy virgin to a strong, "I'm not taking any crap from anyone", type of woman. It's definitely an entertaining mafia romance I would recommend to all romance mafia trope loving bookworms.

[Ms. Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nessa Sheehan feels like everyone is staring at her and thinking that she is Donal Sheehan’s fat, ugly, motherless daughter. Her father is a mean drunk who gambles. He has been hitting Nessa for no reason since her mother died when Nessa was 6 years old.

Nessa is now 26 and gave up dreaming a long time ago. When she was 12, she dreamed about Cian Donnelly. Cian Donnelly is the son of Donal Sheehan’s worse enemy. Nessa is surprised when her dad comes home at 5 am in the morning and Cian Donnelly is with him. Apparently Donal lost at cards and part of his bet was Nessa and her virginity. Cian is at the house with his brother Liam to collect his winnings meaning Nessa.

Liam Campbell is Donal Sheehan’s step son. He used to beat Liam up until Liam ran away. He hates Donal. There is a power struggle going on between the Donnellys, Donal Sheehan and Liam Campbell.

Is Nessa going to be caught in the crossfire between her dad, her stepbrother and Cian?