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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
MMC Finn O’Reilly has a hotel empire and controls a crime syndicate. FMC Una Murphy works in the hotel at the front desk and as a singer in the evenings. Una and Finn have a history. Una’s father worked for Finn and her brother does too. Una and Finn had a relationship years back and she broke it off, fearing that she was a distraction to Finn and a liability to his business. But they have carried a torch for each other the entire time. They finally decide that they must be together. I loved this book! Once they decided to stop fighting their feelings a beautiful romantic relationship developed. I loved the shopping montage and they way Finn quietly spoiled Una, and Una’s acceptance of Finn’s gifts. Una’s trust that Finn would come for her during the book’s third act showed her strength (I don’t want to give anything away!) and perfectly set up the second book for Niall and Una’s new friend, Anna.
Tropes:
Tropes:
🔥 Morally Grey
🔥Crime/Syndicate
🔥Second Chance
🔥Found Family
🔥Touch her and die
🔥Alpha Male/Protector
🔥Boss
🔥Heroine in Peril
🔥Crime/Syndicate
🔥Second Chance
🔥Found Family
🔥Touch her and die
🔥Alpha Male/Protector
🔥Boss
🔥Heroine in Peril
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I just love the romantic suspense from Melanie Moreland. Especially when they are “Canadian grey” (IYKYK). Finn is included with all the Canadian gray heroes. This story is a second chance with a morally grey character, Finn, who has never stopped loving the red headed daughter of a loyal solder, Una. He becomes enchanted with her when they first meet at a dinner. She was 18 and he was 28. There is an age gap between the two but Una’s old soul makes these two characters connect. Finn doesn’t try anything with Una but quietly protects her from afar. When Una’s father dies, these two reconnect and there starts their relationship. When these two connect, their connection ignites. However, a situation happens that scares Una enough to break things apart. The two orbit each other but stay in the friend zone… that is until Una’s brother becomes an issue to the both of them. The story does go into the past a few times. I read this book in a day and wished the second book was already available… thankfully, I wont have too much of a wait. If you like a morally grey man with a cinnamon roll heart, then Finn will be your cup of tea.
Finn was incredible, there isn’t anything about him that I didn’t love and the devotion he had to Una was unparallel to anything I have read. They had a love that you knew was soul deep true, but Una was put off by his lifestyle which to me was strange in a way and understandable in others. She watched her father devote his life to Finn and his syndicate, so she grew up knowing all about this lifestyle and she knew who Finn was so it shouldn’t have taken her by surprise when things go bad and yet it did and she walked away. To me that was incredibly selfish that she walked knowing how much he loved her and would do anything to protect her. I get that it scared her and hurt her but she could live with her brother living the same lifestyle and part of the syndicate, yet she couldn’t get over Finn being in that same lifestyle? It was strange and the devotion she had for her brother was admirable and goes to show how people are willing to go beyond to help those they love, but she was a doormat that was used by her brother and she enabled him when she needed to stand up to him. If it wasn’t for Finn and his undying love and devotion to Una, I may have ended up hating her, but I loved Finn enough to overlook her for the most part. I can’t wait to see what Niall’s story has for us because I think I’ll love him just as much.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I think obsessed is the perfect word to describe how I feel about Una and Finn. I absolutely loved how in love they were with each other. Doesn't matter how much time they spent apart their chemistry and connection never went away.
Finn gave slight stalker but in a green flag kind of way. This man knew he every move and whenever he had the time he always had his eyes on her. She knew that he was always watching and loved it. They matched each other perfectly.
He was protective and even though he was this big scary mafia guy he practically turned into a teddy bear whenever they were alone. I LOVE how from the beginning he never hesitated to tell her how much he loves her and show her support. Una was very sweet and a hardworker. I liked her character a lot she was very independent but man did I want to shake her a little bit. She's seems like someone that always tries to see the good in people especially when it comes to family and that definitely kept her eyes closed when they needed to wide open😭😭.
The romance part of this was phenomenal but I also enjoyed what was going on in the background as well. It kept me at the edge of my seat bc I knew something was bound to happen I just didn't know when so that kept me on my toes most of the book.
I am looking forward to Nialls book so bad.
Finn gave slight stalker but in a green flag kind of way. This man knew he every move and whenever he had the time he always had his eyes on her. She knew that he was always watching and loved it. They matched each other perfectly.
He was protective and even though he was this big scary mafia guy he practically turned into a teddy bear whenever they were alone. I LOVE how from the beginning he never hesitated to tell her how much he loves her and show her support. Una was very sweet and a hardworker. I liked her character a lot she was very independent but man did I want to shake her a little bit. She's seems like someone that always tries to see the good in people especially when it comes to family and that definitely kept her eyes closed when they needed to wide open😭😭.
The romance part of this was phenomenal but I also enjoyed what was going on in the background as well. It kept me at the edge of my seat bc I knew something was bound to happen I just didn't know when so that kept me on my toes most of the book.
I am looking forward to Nialls book so bad.
Oh this book was such a great start to a new series. I stayed up all night just to finish it. I may look like w zombie the next day but it was so worth it. Can’t wait for Niall’s book.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is the first book in the Irishmen series. I believe it’s connected to another mafia series that I have not read since I have just recently discovered this author. This book featured Finn who is part of the syndicate. He owns many legitimate and illegal businesses. He owns several hotels and lives on the top floor of one of them. Finn is deeply, passionately and unapologetically in love with Una. Her father worked for him and took a bullet for him. Finn took care of her father and promised to watch over his children. When he met Una was eighteen, he knew he was smitten but he left her alone. Years later when her father dies they meet again and he decides to pursue her. Their relationship is told in retrospect by both Finn and Una. They are now not together although Finn is still madly in love with her. Finn is my favorite book boyfriend of 2025. He is just so caring and thoughtful, he can’t imagine himself with anyone else other than Una. Although this is a mafia book and I felt that Finn was morally grey and dangerous but it was a more romantic, softer mafia and even Finn admits that it isn’t as dangerous as it used to be. I enjoyed this soft mafia (but I still need my hard mafia) and I loved this book. This was a great start to a new series. I’m eager to read Niall’s book next.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Finn may not be with the only woman he's ever loved any longer, but he still watches over her and protects her from slightly afar. He wants her back, but the reason she refuses to be with him is something that's never going to change, so he has to be content with listening to her sing in his casino, and watching her on the security cameras. He knows he'll probably never get her back, but then her brother's irresponsible choices lead them back to each other. He'll protect her and keep her from the consequences of her brother's dangerous decisions if it's the last thing he does.
Una loves her brother, refuses to see that turning a blind eye to his behavior enables him. Until it's too late and now his choices are having an effect on her own life. Thank God for Finn, the man she still loves, but refuses to grant a second chance because she can't handle his dangerous life. But when she needs him most, he's there, protecting her, loving her, keeping her from having to suffer more because of her brother. Perhaps now in close proximity with Finn, she'll see who she should trust, and it's not her brother. Perhaps she will grant him that second chance because she can't imagine her life without him.
The mafia men of Melanie's are exactly the kind I like - protective, strong, with tender hearts that beat most for the women they can't be without. Finn is the kind of hero I love most, he's willing to not demand a second chance even when it's all he wants most, because he loves Una and won't go beyond her boundaries. Even when her brother brings the real danger to her, he's only protective, not controlling. If it's possible for an Irish mobster to be sweet, Finn is. Don't get me wrong, he's fiercely protective and a ruler not to be trifled with, but with Una, he's loving and patient. Una really irritated me that she could not see how ridiculous she was regarding her brother, to her own detriment even, but she eventually came around and I kind of forgave her. Still, Finn is the star in my eyes, and the perfect kind of hero. Their story is just the right mix of sweet, spicy, and suspenseful. Niall's up next, and I am so impatient to read as he tries to reconcile how he's feeling for Anna.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Kidnapping
dark
emotional
This is the kind of book that gets you very annoyed when real world duties call and you have to put it down. The story was easy to jump into and you didn't want to pause for anything.
Finn is the strong silent type that if you're on his side you are protected and safe. But if you aren't, well, safety isn't something you'll have very long.
Una was a bit frustrating to me. Her unwavering loyalty to her brother was commendable but he definitely did not deserve it. She is always trying to care of others while putting herself last. Even trying to do what she thinks is the right thing for the man she loves - staying away. Which farthest from the truth for either of them.
This story really sucked me in. The next book will be about Niall, Finn's second in command and cousin. I'm sure it will have then same effect on me.
Finn is the strong silent type that if you're on his side you are protected and safe. But if you aren't, well, safety isn't something you'll have very long.
Una was a bit frustrating to me. Her unwavering loyalty to her brother was commendable but he definitely did not deserve it. She is always trying to care of others while putting herself last. Even trying to do what she thinks is the right thing for the man she loves - staying away. Which farthest from the truth for either of them.
This story really sucked me in. The next book will be about Niall, Finn's second in command and cousin. I'm sure it will have then same effect on me.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Have you met Roman and Aldo? If not it's okay, you will absolutely still be wowed by Finn and Niall! However if you have met Roman and Aldo I'm sorry to say you will likely be torn because none of them are good at sharing and all will want your loyalty. Good luck choosing because Finn and Niall are definitely just as swoon worthy as Mrs. Moreland's first characters in her trip into the syndicate trope.
The action is wrought with tension. The tension lingers in the relationships. The relationships run hot and are very passionate. The passion is unforgiving and the emotions are high. Which really should be no surprise when you think of the Irish and the rumored temper that comes with that heritage.
Finn and Una's tale is a smooth read with a great pace, a bit of suspense, a fair amount of danger and just the right amount of danger. Have no fear it's not over Niall is right on Finn's heels.
I have voluntarily left this review.
The action is wrought with tension. The tension lingers in the relationships. The relationships run hot and are very passionate. The passion is unforgiving and the emotions are high. Which really should be no surprise when you think of the Irish and the rumored temper that comes with that heritage.
Finn and Una's tale is a smooth read with a great pace, a bit of suspense, a fair amount of danger and just the right amount of danger. Have no fear it's not over Niall is right on Finn's heels.
I have voluntarily left this review.