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gizdawgs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
pattyfgd's review
5.0
Brutal Defender
The O'Malley Family (Mafia Wars, Book 8)
By: Maggie Cole
Narrated by: Kelsey Navarro, Lance Greenfield
Stellar! That is what this book is. I absolutely loved Killian and Arianna. Killian has a decision to make. Marry Arianna as Tully is telling him to do or there will be dire consequences. It’s the least he can do too pay his debt to Tully. Arianna is now told she has a choice as well. Marry Killian or the mafia king in Italy. There is no contest. Except she doesn’t want either. This spunky, independent minded woman is the perfect fit for Killian, though neither knows it yet. Constantly at each other’s throats with incredible passion and chemistry, they are slowly finding their rhythm. But with mafia life comes danger, and it has one O’Malley in mind. Arianna may love her new family, but she still has that wild streak and doesn’t always take the necessary precautions. Will Killian get to her time? Maggie Cole does it again, keeping the suspense high and the story spicy! Killian shows no remorse for his decisions. I think my favorite scene is his confession and penance. Arianna appears a little bratty, but her journey to find her dream is beautiful. And seeing all our favorites with their families and even the visit to the garage has become all part of the fun of listening to these books. I love the continuity between the books, the love between the characters and the peek at the next installment.
Narration made this book even better. Kelsey Navarro and Lance Greenfield bring it! I am a huge fan of both, and their interpretation and use of nuances create the perfect characters. Loved their telling of this story and their fabulous collaboration.
The O'Malley Family (Mafia Wars, Book 8)
By: Maggie Cole
Narrated by: Kelsey Navarro, Lance Greenfield
Stellar! That is what this book is. I absolutely loved Killian and Arianna. Killian has a decision to make. Marry Arianna as Tully is telling him to do or there will be dire consequences. It’s the least he can do too pay his debt to Tully. Arianna is now told she has a choice as well. Marry Killian or the mafia king in Italy. There is no contest. Except she doesn’t want either. This spunky, independent minded woman is the perfect fit for Killian, though neither knows it yet. Constantly at each other’s throats with incredible passion and chemistry, they are slowly finding their rhythm. But with mafia life comes danger, and it has one O’Malley in mind. Arianna may love her new family, but she still has that wild streak and doesn’t always take the necessary precautions. Will Killian get to her time? Maggie Cole does it again, keeping the suspense high and the story spicy! Killian shows no remorse for his decisions. I think my favorite scene is his confession and penance. Arianna appears a little bratty, but her journey to find her dream is beautiful. And seeing all our favorites with their families and even the visit to the garage has become all part of the fun of listening to these books. I love the continuity between the books, the love between the characters and the peek at the next installment.
Narration made this book even better. Kelsey Navarro and Lance Greenfield bring it! I am a huge fan of both, and their interpretation and use of nuances create the perfect characters. Loved their telling of this story and their fabulous collaboration.
tj_darkreads's review
5.0
Phew this book was all kinds of hot as fire testosterone energy mercy it was a constant toss up of wanting to wring Killian's neck or do some naughty wicked thing's to this man all I can say is I'm glad Arianna has to deal with him and maybe use that duct tape lord that man and his mouth kept constantly getting him into trouble
melinda1962's review against another edition
5.0
Maggie Cole would have to change her writing style for one of these books to get less than 4.5 or 5 stars. The world is great. Now we have the Italian mob added to the mix of Irish and Russian mob families. The characters are great. Storylines are fun, a bit gruesome and sexy. I’m enjoying the Mafia Wars so much.
quinnreads2's review
5.0
Paying Penance
4.5 stars - Arianna sets the tone for her forced marriage to Killian from the first "introduction" and it is one of rebellion and sass. Oh, Killian is really in for it with her! The tension between them is SKY HIGH.
4.5 stars - Arianna sets the tone for her forced marriage to Killian from the first "introduction" and it is one of rebellion and sass. Oh, Killian is really in for it with her! The tension between them is SKY HIGH.
megs004's review
5.0
Brutal Defender is the eighth book of the Mafia Wars series and the third book about the O’ Malley family. This book had it all, arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, drama and steam. Maggie always does a great job making the reader get hooked on the story and this book is no different! I loved Killian and Arianna’s story. They both hated each other at first but their chemistry is off the charts. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
shedevilreads's review against another edition
5.0
Brutal Defender by Maggie Cole is an enemies to lovers dark mafia romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Kelsey Navarro and Lance Greenfield. This is the eighth book in the Mafia Wars series. The book can be read as a standalone but the stories are interconnected.
I absolutely love Maggie's books! She does an amazing job pulling me into the story. I loved the relationship that bloomed between Killian and Arianna. I really enjoyed getting both of their points of views throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.
I can't wait for the next book in the series Deviant Hacker to be released on December 1, 2021 so I can get Declan's story.
Kelsey and Lance did an amazing job on the narration. They both really know how to bring a story to life. I look forward to listening to more of their work in the future.
I would recommend this book you if you love arranged marriages, age gap romances, dark romances, mafia romances, or romantic suspense.
I absolutely love Maggie's books! She does an amazing job pulling me into the story. I loved the relationship that bloomed between Killian and Arianna. I really enjoyed getting both of their points of views throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.
I can't wait for the next book in the series Deviant Hacker to be released on December 1, 2021 so I can get Declan's story.
Kelsey and Lance did an amazing job on the narration. They both really know how to bring a story to life. I look forward to listening to more of their work in the future.
I would recommend this book you if you love arranged marriages, age gap romances, dark romances, mafia romances, or romantic suspense.
isx_x33's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.5
Average and many childish arguments in the beginning
nycitybookworm's review
5.0
With this book we have arranged marriage trope. Which is so amazing considering it is a staple in any Mafia Romance series. This situation is so perfect for these two and watching them spark off of each other was amazing. Arianna is a mafia princess and spoiled woman in the Italian Mafia in New York.
There was crazy antics between this couple and at times it could have been a bit over the top. There were times that I wanted to throw the my ipad against the wall because of these two. like any good arranged marriage, there comes a time when the switch gets flipped and things get real. Killian and Arianna were explosive from the start whenever they got together and watching them grow throughout the story was great.