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naomib171's review
0.5
illiterate_sasquatch's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kaydanielsromance's review
5.0
A wickedly and sinfully good book. Ivy did a great job, even if this was her first jump into the mafia realm, she's no stranger to RH, and these men are usually not the sharing kind. Ivy really worked her magic on capturing that spirit while still creating a unique story that totally fit. It was emotional and hit all the feels for each character.
First and foremost, I need the rest of this series, because...hello!! It was delicious.
The concept, the writing, the plot, the entire romance story...everything was excellent! All the interconnected links to the other mafias; whether bratva, cartel, etc...is intertwined and all twisted up. I desperately need to get my grubby little hands on the other books as I'm intrigued and completely invested in this world!!
Now back to this book specifically, the Kelly men, who are made men with the Irish mob are each unique and Rosa Hernandez, a woman from the Mexican cartel, is the perfect woman to stand by their side.
I love a well written reverse harem where the woman fits so well with each man and is able to adapt, or more appropriately, be herself with each man's individual personality.
Colin Kelly is this big, giant, stoic soldier who pretty much turns into a marshmallow for Rosa. He's the beautiful, poetic intellectual half that she needs, while also making her feel safe and secure.
Shay Kelly is the youngest, making him the playful, outgoing Kelly. His affection is exactly what Rosa needs in the lonely world she's just stepped into, but Rosa is also everything Shay needs for his needy affectionate personality.
Lastly we have Tiernan Kelly, the current head of the Irish mafia. He's cold, calculating and wants nothing to do with his new bride. However, Rosa continues to shock him with how fierce she is and deserving of the seat by his side.
I loved all the connections and information to the other mafias. I am totally invested and completely intrigued by the rest of this series. I want to know more and even though the other books are written by other authors, I'm sooooo there! Very well done and I'm excited to seek out and finish this series.
First and foremost, I need the rest of this series, because...hello!! It was delicious.
The concept, the writing, the plot, the entire romance story...everything was excellent! All the interconnected links to the other mafias; whether bratva, cartel, etc...is intertwined and all twisted up. I desperately need to get my grubby little hands on the other books as I'm intrigued and completely invested in this world!!
Now back to this book specifically, the Kelly men, who are made men with the Irish mob are each unique and Rosa Hernandez, a woman from the Mexican cartel, is the perfect woman to stand by their side.
I love a well written reverse harem where the woman fits so well with each man and is able to adapt, or more appropriately, be herself with each man's individual personality.
Colin Kelly is this big, giant, stoic soldier who pretty much turns into a marshmallow for Rosa. He's the beautiful, poetic intellectual half that she needs, while also making her feel safe and secure.
Shay Kelly is the youngest, making him the playful, outgoing Kelly. His affection is exactly what Rosa needs in the lonely world she's just stepped into, but Rosa is also everything Shay needs for his needy affectionate personality.
Lastly we have Tiernan Kelly, the current head of the Irish mafia. He's cold, calculating and wants nothing to do with his new bride. However, Rosa continues to shock him with how fierce she is and deserving of the seat by his side.
I loved all the connections and information to the other mafias. I am totally invested and completely intrigued by the rest of this series. I want to know more and even though the other books are written by other authors, I'm sooooo there! Very well done and I'm excited to seek out and finish this series.
beckers19's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
haleysasha4's review against another edition
3.0
3⭐️ Six mafia family’s agree to arrange marriage of their children for a peace treaty. I wanted to like this but wish it went differently. I did love fmc Rosa’s nickname “petal”. There was so much context about the Mafia Wars I was skimming and bored reading. Then the dialogue just wasn’t it for me, super cringy (iykyk “, wife”… ,husband”… gag me). Just wasn’t obsessed it was alright at best
the_sugared_bookworm's review
5.0
Definite Must Read!!
I have been super excited for this series since I saw it announced and Binding Rose, the first book, did not disappoint! I read this book in one sitting. Once I started reading, I was immediately sucked in and could not stop. After decades of war, the Mafia families accept a treaty in the form of arranged marriages, to ensure a "mixing of the blood" to keep the peace. This is the story of Rosa, from the Mexican cartel, and her marriage to Tiernan, head of the Irish Mafia. There is instant hate and tension. And so much angst! It's also a RH so there is so much spice! The characters have tragic backgrounds. This is a Mafia romance, so there are dark elements. I loved it! I cried with these characters and their struggles to find their HEA but it was such a good story! Definitely a must buy because you will want to read more than once!
I have been super excited for this series since I saw it announced and Binding Rose, the first book, did not disappoint! I read this book in one sitting. Once I started reading, I was immediately sucked in and could not stop. After decades of war, the Mafia families accept a treaty in the form of arranged marriages, to ensure a "mixing of the blood" to keep the peace. This is the story of Rosa, from the Mexican cartel, and her marriage to Tiernan, head of the Irish Mafia. There is instant hate and tension. And so much angst! It's also a RH so there is so much spice! The characters have tragic backgrounds. This is a Mafia romance, so there are dark elements. I loved it! I cried with these characters and their struggles to find their HEA but it was such a good story! Definitely a must buy because you will want to read more than once!
angepants's review
5.0
I have been waiting unpatiently for this series to start releasing and was not disappointed with Binding Rose! With a new stand alone mafia reverse harem, set in the same shared universe, releasing every two weeks by some of the best authors out there, this is bound to be good right? It was awesome! With Rosa, the Hernandez daughter, being married to Tiernan, the head of the Kelly family, the end of the Mafia Wars is supposed to be a done deal. But it's the war of hearts, minds and bodies that really matter here. Tiernan's carefree younger brother and battle scarred and hardened cousin Colin, are definitely about to either make Rosa's new life hell or heavenly, it's just a matter of riding out the angst and the lifetime of hate built up! I could not put this down and loved it!
pattyfgd's review
5.0
Binding Rose
Mafia Wars
By: Ivy Fox
Narrated by: Alexander Neal, Maeve York
The first of 6 intertwining books, Ivy Fox has created an original mafia war series that is spicy and filled with action. Each of the 6 families has to intermarry their daughters to keep peace amongst all of them. Rosa is the first one married, and she is quite a woman. Completely understanding her role, she is prepared for her marriage. If she could just have an heir, she will be golden. What she finds is a disinterested husband who uses her and pawns her off to his cousin and brother. But what the three find is a woman who can satisfy all their needs, is smart and the perfect fit. A little reverse harem, a dark and delicious romance and the action of the families as they find their way through this arrangement. It's suspenseful and romantic! Looking forward to the next story to see if this crazy proposition will work with every family.
This duet narration is phenomenal. Alexander Neal is all the men, each voice perfectly fitting the character. He plays the dark extremely well, pulling me in and making me listen. Maeve York is Rosa, smart, sassy, strong and passionate. These two are fantastic together, their voices complimenting the other and creating an incredible world.
Mafia Wars
By: Ivy Fox
Narrated by: Alexander Neal, Maeve York
The first of 6 intertwining books, Ivy Fox has created an original mafia war series that is spicy and filled with action. Each of the 6 families has to intermarry their daughters to keep peace amongst all of them. Rosa is the first one married, and she is quite a woman. Completely understanding her role, she is prepared for her marriage. If she could just have an heir, she will be golden. What she finds is a disinterested husband who uses her and pawns her off to his cousin and brother. But what the three find is a woman who can satisfy all their needs, is smart and the perfect fit. A little reverse harem, a dark and delicious romance and the action of the families as they find their way through this arrangement. It's suspenseful and romantic! Looking forward to the next story to see if this crazy proposition will work with every family.
This duet narration is phenomenal. Alexander Neal is all the men, each voice perfectly fitting the character. He plays the dark extremely well, pulling me in and making me listen. Maeve York is Rosa, smart, sassy, strong and passionate. These two are fantastic together, their voices complimenting the other and creating an incredible world.
tj_darkreads's review
5.0
Oh holy hell what a freaking book. I absolutely loved it. This is book 1 in the Mafia Wars series and mercy was it intense as well as hot af those smexy scenes I swear could start a fire they were so hot