Release Week Blitz, Review & Giveaway: The Marriage Contract (The O'Malleys #1) by Katee Robert

The Marriage Contract

The O'Malleys #1

By:
Katee Robert

Release Date:
June 2, 2015

Published:
Forever Romance

Add to Goodreads

Source:
eARC from publisher for a honest review

Book Review:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katee Robert begins a smoking hot new series about the O'Malley family-wealthy, powerful, dangerous and seething with scandal. 

Teague O'Malley hates pretty much everything associated with his family's name. And when his father orders him to marry Callista Sheridan to create a "business" alliance, Teague's ready to tell his dad exactly where he can stuff his millions. But then Teague actually meets his new fiancée, sees the bruises on her neck and the fight still left in her big blue eyes, and vows he will do everything in his power to protect her. 

Everyone knows the O'Malleys have a dangerous reputation. But Callie wasn't aware just what that meant until she saw Teague, the embodiment of lethal grace and coiled power. His slightest touch sizzles through her. But the closer they get, the more trouble they're in. Because Callie's keeping a dark secret-and what Teague doesn't know could get him killed.

My Thoughts:

The  Marriage Contract is about the Irish Mob and takes place in Boston.  The story centers on three crime families, the O'Malley's, Sheridan's, and Halloran's, and sets the foundation for this new series.  My interest was drawn to this story because I enjoy books and movies about the mob, and was looking forward to stepping in to a bookish escape filled with organized crime, suspense, danger, and romance.

Callista "Callie" Sheridan is set to marry Brendan Halloran, so that the two families can forge a powerful alliance.  When Brendan is murdered, The O'Malley's step in and take advantage of the situation.  Now Callie has been arranged to marry Teague O'Malley.  This arrangement sets off the battle cry for the Holloran's who are insulted by the fact that Brendan was replaced by Teague and have decided to declare war.  Once Callie and Teague meet, there is no denying their mutual attraction and interest.  However, as these two begin to fall in love, will the secrets they harbor from one another, and the war that they are smack dab in the middle of, stop the chance they have of surviving and living happily ever after?

I had mixed feelings about The Marriage Contract.  Aspects that didn't work for me in this story were that I felt like it was slow moving, the characters gave off the insta-love vibe, when I prefer my romance to have a slow burn, and deep emotional connection first, and the story dragged a bit and felt really long.  There were a lot of characters introduced throughout the story from the three crime families, and at the beginning of it all, I felt a bit overwhelmed.

Things I enjoyed about the story were the whole Romeo & Juliet retelling aspect of two families being enemies, but then their kids falling in love.  I also liked seeing how the three crime families could be so diverse.  I loved the Sheridan's, enjoyed getting to know the O'Malley siblings, and detested the Holloran's, with the exception of James Holloran.  I liked the suspense in the story and watching how everything played out between the three families.  However, it ended in a to be continued, and set up the next book in the series which will be about Corrigan O'Malley and James Halloran. 

Although I would have liked a stronger emotional connection between Callie and Teague, I was still entertained by their relationship, and passionate chemistry.  There were a lot of spicy intimate scenes between these two!   

My Rating:

I am looking forward to the next book in the series, The Marriage Pact.  Ms. Robert has already started developing the storyline between Corrigan and James, and I can't wait to see what happens next.  Corrigan is intelligent, savvy, street smart, sassy, and very entertaining.  James is sexy, and has a bad boy edge to him!  When these two stepped on the page, I was hooked!  They have the whole love-hate, fiery vibe, and were very fun to watch!  I give, The Marriage Contract, by Katee Robert, 3.5 Irish Mob, Vengeful, Secretive, Lust Filled Stars!     

Book Teaser:

Purchase At:

Amazon | B&N | Google Play | iBooks | Kobo

About Katee Robert:

Katee Robert learned to tell stories at her grandpa’s knee. Her favorites then were the rather epic adventures of The Three Bears, but at age twelve she discovered romance novels and never looked back. 

Though she dabbled in writing, life got in the way—as it often does—and she spent a few years traveling, living in both Philadelphia and Germany. In between traveling and raising her two wee ones, she had the crazy idea that she’d like to write a book and try to get published. 

Her first novel was an epic fantasy that, God willing, will never see the light of day. From there, she dabbled in YA and horror, before finally finding speculative romance. Because, really, who wouldn’t want to write entire books about the smoking-hot relationships between two people?  

She now spends her time—when not lost in Far Reach worlds—playing imaginary games with her wee ones, writing, ogling men, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway