Damaged Vows

Crowley Mafia Family #3

by B.B. Hamel

He wants a piece of my business and his ring on my finger.
Only he doesn’t know that I’m pregnant with his baby.

It may be the most cliche mistake ever, but I have the best night of my life with Nolan Crowley.

He’s a mafia prince, rich and handsome, dangerous in that scary-but-also-hot sort of way. Whenever he’s around, I’m torn between running for safety and throwing myself at his obscenely muscular body.

I figured one steamy night couldn’t hurt.

At least until I end up pregnant with his baby.

And find out that he’s my landlord.

Things can’t get worse until he walks through the door of the donut shop I’m trying to open and makes two impossible give him my business and my hand in marriage, or he’s going to kick me out onto the street.

It’s insane. I’ll lose everything. But he’s a gorgeous monster, and he’ll do anything to devour me.

We walk down the aisle with a gun to my head, and I become Mrs. Nolan Crowley.

Only he doesn’t know that he knocked me up, and when he finds out, I’m terrified I’ll never escape.

Welcome back to the Crowley family! Nolan's story is steamy and sparkles with hot banter. It's a full-length standalone novel, no cliff-hanger, no cheating, and a happily-ever-after guaranteed. Enjoy! XO BB

Genres: Mafia Romance, Dark Romance, Romance, Forced Proximity, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Dark

404 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 17, 2023

About the author

I'm a long time reader, writer, and lover of Romance! Writing is my dream and my passion, and I want to share my stories with you.

I live in the Philadelphia area with my husband and two dogs.

Website: http://www.bbhamel.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bbhamelwriter

Check out my mailing list for updates, giveaways, and more! http://bbhamel.com/signup

Reviews

[Jen ♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Keely is insufferable, she frustrates and annoys the crap out of me. She's wishy-washy and so judgmental about the Crowley's family, though some of her reasons were founded, it still irritates the heck out of me. Up to 90% of the book she still wasn't sure about what she really wanted, whether to stay with Nolan or to leave him. She's also selfish for hiding her pregnancy! Nolan only found out about it around 78% of the story, and it only happened by accident when he overheard Keely's conversation with her annoying best friend. She's not even planning to tell him about the pregnancy at all! What a selfish witch. Had she only talked about her concerns with Nolan, she wouldn't have to suffer all these what ifs and wrong assumptions. Seriously, she needs to talk to someone, her issues were deep seated and unintentionally she's being toxic to the people surrounding her. She hurt Nolan for the majority of the book, her pushing him away all the freaking time grates on my nerves and tbh, I really really want to slap some sense into her.

I'll never understand how Nolan put up with her. She's difficult most of the time, stubborn, and insensitive. How he fell in love with her is still a mystery to me. He deserves someone better and Keely isn't it. This is one of those times that I honestly wish the MCs didn't end up together!!! KEELY. DOESN'T. DESERVE. NOLAN!!!! 😤 He's waaaaay too good for her!!!!


I'm only giving this 2 ⭐ because of Nolan.

[Samantha (bookgramsaga reviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️.75

RTC

He was great - she and her best friend were insufferable and made this book not fun at all. 🥴

[Luna ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

»You are special. You are my something, my everything.«

★ ★

❥ 𝑲𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒚
She was kinda annoying. She was so judgemental and couldn‘t decide what she wants. That was frustrating.

❥ 𝑵𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒏
Loved him. He deserves better!

✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
I liked the previous books in this series and I am a big fan of the Crowley family but Keely as a main character was not the right choice. She get‘s pregnant by accident from Nolan and doens‘t plan on telling him which was not a cool move. He deeply cares for her and does his best to impress her and she just lies to him all the time. Nolan found out about her pregnancy by accident when Keely told it her friend and then she was mad at him! Like girl what the fuck. I just couldn‘t stand her.
The basic idea of this book is sweet but the female lead just destroys it.
Two stars for Nolan and the Crowley family.

plot: 2/5
spice: 2/5
humor: 3/5
couple/tension: 1/5
world building: 5/5
happy end?: yes

keywords: possessive and protective hero, touch her and you‘ll die, mafia, one bed, vegas wedding, forced proximity, secret pregnancy, fake marriage


#1 Marriage of Sin ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#2 Malicious Wedding ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#3 Damaged Vows ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
#4 Reckless Bride ★ ★ ★ ★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Fly FreeBird · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh man, Keely seriously drives me up the wall. I mean, I get that she's got her reasons, but her constant judgments just plain irritating. And don't even get me started on how long it takes her to figure out what she really wants, like whether to stick with Nolan or call it quits.

What really gets me steamed is how she keeps her pregnancy a secret from Nolan. He only finds out way later in the story, and it's like, come on, Keely, really? And the fact that she's not even planning to clue him in on it? That's just plain selfish, no doubt about it. She's holding onto all these issues when a simple heart-to-heart could've saved everyone a load of trouble.

The way she keeps pushing Nolan away throughout the book is beyond frustrating. I've got to admit, I seriously wanted to give her a reality check. Her emotional rollercoaster with Nolan makes me want to scream at times.

All in all, Keely's actions and decisions seriously put a damper on the story. It's clear she's got her demons, but dang, it's hard to root for her when she's causing so much unnecessary drama and pain.

[Krissreads · Rating 1 out of 5]

How this book has an average of just over 4 stars blows my mind because it fucking sucked and the author butchered the shit out of it when it had so much potential.

💀💀💀💀

Keely was drooling over Carson in the last book as she wanted a rich man… She then catches the attention of Nolan at Carson’s and Ash’s vow renewal, enough for a one night stand and then wants nothing to do with him only to find out she’s pregnant and this is all the book is about, her hiding the pregnancy…. No real storyline or plot… nada🫠

There was so much about this book that annoyed me the main one being the book its self!!!
1🖕🏼The amount of grovelling Nolan did only for Keely to say “I can’t. I just need some time to think”… really? This had to be the most repetitive fucking sentence throughout the book and I was ready to scream.
2🖕🏼The comments made throughout the book just didn’t sit right with me, one being “I think you imagine what it will be like to be a father, but do you really know?” Or “The baby will just be an inconvenience to you”… Um, do you know what it’s like to be a mother? No! You come from a rough upbringing too, you hypocritical judgemental twat!! Not to mention Nolan was the one talking about how much he wants a family and a life outside of the family business… while she was keeping the baby from him so she could take his money and run off🙄
3🖕🏼 Jamila I don’t care how the book ended with their friendship because I hated her character. She was nothing but a stuck up little bitch who annoyed the shit out of me!

Completely ruined a good thing and I was hoping for such a better story for Nolan after Carson’s book was just as shit as this.

⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5

[Verna Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story at first, but between the typos on the kindle version, and the weird inconsistencies in the story, I was disappointed. Keely says her parents haven't contacted her since she left at 19, not even once. Yet the book starts off with saying her mom called her to tell her that her Nana died. She also had both an emotional abusive Nana and then later on it was her parents? I feel like the story was very low risk, nothing too exciting happened in the story. Her best friend having family in a rival-ish mafia family, but nothing drastic coming from that or playing out heavily in the story. Nothing mafia related outside of them saying they were in it. The marriage wasn't even a fake marriage, it was more of a forced marriage. Also felt let down that the story just kind of ends. Was worried it was going to be a cliff hanger as nothing exciting had happened yet like 80% into the book, nope, just a rushed ending. No substantial flash forward into their lives. Felt like a bunch of loose ends and nothing that held together. There were a lot of pieces in this story that could have made it more complex and nuanced, or even more interesting, but the author didn't do anything with them.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this story

By the ending, I really did enjoy Nolan's and Keely's story. But it took me a good while to actually like both characters. She was so nasty to him at times that I wondered WTH he saw in her. And, some of his ideas about how she was going to suddenly turn around and love him seemed to not be based in reality. But then, Nolan finally breached the castle walls (no, not THOSE walls!) and won her heart. And also after Keely accepted some truths of her own as well. Still, in all, a very good story.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nolan Crowley has a one night stand with Keely with unexpected results. Keely wants to open a donut shop but is strapped for money. She reluctantly agrees to marry Nolan to save her dream. Keely's afraid to admit her feelings for Nolan because of her past. Can Nolan convince Keely his feelings are true? Find out in Damaged Vows.

[Cherye Elliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmmm

The premise of this book had merit. But.....the characters just didn't click. Kind of silly. It was extremely difficult to finish the book. Keely's decisions and logic was immature. I repeat, extremely difficult to read.

[Giorgia Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hero was pathetic, so was heroine. Neither actually seemed to be in love with the other or have genuine reasons for a relationship. But hero was the worst.

[Mackenzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ending was so lame. No glimpse into their future or anything

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nolan Crowley is dealing with the changes in his family and seeing his brother take over the Crowley Family Mafia is interesting but at the same times he feels like the closeness he had with his brother is drifting. Seeing Keely at the wedding event, he finds himself intrigued by her and one night leads to him wanting more. Nolan offers Keely a chance to live her dream but in return he wants her hand in marriage. What happens though when Keely ends up pregnant and is hiding it from her husband?

This was probably my least favorite in the four. I liked a lot of it but Keely was vastly different then she was in the previous book. I think the chemistry was there but it seemed more angsty then it needed to be and I was a bit confused by Keely. Great series though.

[Jesmin Nawaz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Keely got on my last nerve the entire book. She wouldn't take money from her friend who has helped her out in the past, took a chance on her blah blah blah. But no, she cant let her help again. The better option in her eyes is to get blackmailed by the man backing her into a corner. That did not make sense at all. She supposedly had all the trauma with her grandma who was abusive yet she's opening a donut shop and using her recipe. She had a traumatic childhood where she was made to feel less than, but we never got to read about that to be able to understand her decisions. Her character was a hot mess. And then there's Jamila - the worst friend in the world. She's hating on Nolan but ignoring the fact that her family also attacked and killed people in Nolan's organization through the "war" they had. I get she doesn't like him, and her reasons are valid, but taking her issues with Nolan out on her friend was uncalled for. She didn't apologize and instead it was Keely that groveled after her. Toxic friendship.

Nolan was a sweetheart (crazy as he may be) and deserved better than Keely.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damaged Vows is third book the Crowley Family Mafia series. A steamy full-length standalone novel with no cheating, no cliffhanger and a happily-ever-after guaranteed. A exquisitely written story with complex characters and great storyline that captures and keep your attention from start and turning pages until end. Welcome back to the Crowley family! This Nolan and Keely's story which was told from a dual point of view. A passionate, seductive and sexy read. I love this series. It keeps getting better and better the ups and downs kept me captivated till the end.
An enemies-to-lovers romance, arranged marriage, forced proximity story, hate-to-love vibes, opposite attracts romance, filled with lies, secrets, deception, banter, laugh out loud humor, lust, passion, secret pregnancy, insta-lust, blackmail, anger, angst, tension, emotions, possessiveness, surprise, obsession, steam, revelations, passion, fear, power play, danger, and love. Keely has a hard life growing with a mother that doesn't care about her so she had to fend herself, this made her grow up to defended on herself. She has dreams and aspirations of being a business owner. Her dream is to open a donut shop.
Nolan is a mafia princes from the Crowley family, he also the underboss to Carson who's the Don of the Crowley Mafia Family and also middle child. Carson and Ash was having their renewal of vows and her best friend Keely was there to support her. Nolan see Keely across the way and was instantly attracted to her. He approached her and then they started to drink and dialog throughout the night and one thing turn to another and the two had a passion filled one night stand. However, Nolan leaves something of him behind which will be there in nine months time. Nolan has everything in his life money, cars, a nice home, and wealth expect the love of woman and a family to call his own.
He's unaware that their encounter has resulted in the conception of a child the very to that he yearns for. Keely decides to keep the baby a secret from him because he's in the mob and she doesn't want any part of that life nor to raise a child in that world. Nolan became obsessed with her after that night, and he wants her, and will do anything to have her even if he has to play dirty. Keely figured an one night stand wouldn't hurt with Nolan until she finds out that he was her landlord for her donut shop. When Nolan find out he blackmail her with options marriage and her shop or she will be out on the street. Then he dragged her down the aisle, she was an unwilling participant. Nolan is handsome, relentless, dangerous and rich. Keely is beautiful, defiant, and challenging. Their chemistry is sizzling and set your kindle on fire. She has no escaping his clutches now.

I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75stars-DAMAGED VOWS is the third instalment in BB Hamel’s contemporary, adult CROWLEY MAFIA FAMILY erotic, Mafia romance series. This is thirty-four year old, Irish Mobster businessman Nolan Crowley, and baker Keely’s story line. DAMAGED VOWS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Nolan Crowley is the brother to the head of the Crowley Irish crime family Carson Crowley; Keely is best friends with Carson’s wife Ashlyn.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Nolan and Keely) DAMAGED VOWS follows in the wake of a one-night stand between our leading couple. Several weeks earlier, at Carson and Ashlyn’s vow renewal, Keely spent the night with Nolan Crowley then ghosted our hero the next morning. Fast forward to present day, Keely is trying to realize her dream of owning her own donut shop but everything begins to spiral out of control. Enter Nolan Crowley, who offers Keely a much needed infusion of cash but her pride and stubbornness are about to push away her one and only partner, and force Keely to accept Nolan’s propositions-a fake marriage of convenience in exchange for help with her fledgling business. What ensues is the building but contemptuous relationship between Keely and Nolan, and the potential fall-out when Keely discovers she is pregnant, and refuses to acknowledge her growing love for a dangerous man.

The relationship between Keely and Nolan begins as a one-night stand but Keely’s introduction to Nolan reveals a pretentious, judgemental young woman who battles between attraction and the knowledge of Nolan’s life. Keely’s attitude from the outset is rude and condescending, and when her life begins to spiral, she refuses to accept the help from anyone including Nolan, or her best friend Ash. The ‘pride goeth before the fall’ is the perfect proverb about Keely’s life. ON the other hand, Nolan is desperate to keep Keely in his life, and begins a shake-down of our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The secondary and supporting characters include the return of Carson and Ashlyn Crowley (Malicious Wedding 2), as well as their mother Molly Crowley; as well as Keely’s partner Jamilia, and several members of Nolan’s Irish crime family.

DAMAGED VOWS is a story of secrets and lies, trust and defiance, judgement and acceptance, love and understanding. The premise is dramatic and tense but less dark than most crime world story lines; the romance struggles in the face of Keely’s less than friendly attitude; the characters are determined and dynamic but saying that, the character of Keely is irritating, judgemental, irrational and often emotionally on the edge.


copy supplied by Booksprout

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of The Crowley Mafia Family series each can be read as a standalone interacting with the family so hang on and double check that you are buckled up, dangerous men, alpha’s personified, possessive, oh, gorgeous, brooding all the makings of a story consisting with three D’s (dark, delicious, and dirty) 😊. There will be suspense, betrayal, death, darkness, secrets reveled, violence, hope, forgiveness, and maybe even love (ALL THINGS TO EXPECT FROM THE MAFIA WORLD). By the time you’ve figured out who is who and what is what, you’re already hooked, and you may as well give up the fight and prepare yourself for an all-nighter! CAN’T SAY YOU WEREN’T WARNED!!!. Nolan sexy as all get out Crowley sweet when needed, a great book boyfriend for the most part, but don’t get it twisted ruthless on a good day, deadly every day, protective of those he cares about and will do what needs to be do to keep them safe. Keely, well Ms. Keely, she leaves a very sour taste. She is really a huge headache starting out with complaints nothing seems to go right one thing or another but as time goes, she gets just a tiny bit better. The attraction is there between two of them one night and he knows it one be enough, and his last name isn’t Crowley for nothing he isn’t above blackmailing but what he doesn’t know is that one night he left a part of himself with her that will arrive in a few months. She doesn’t want him to know or grow up with his last name of course but she doesn’t just walk away he convinces her to stay for five months but fate has other plans for the two of them where it leads well read on but will she keep the baby to herself, will he find out about the baby, if he finds out about the baby will he still allow her to walk away, will he show her that just because his family is apart of the mafia doesn’t mean they are horrible people, can he show her that they are capable of loving, and will they get their own happiness as a family?

[Ellen Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story.
I loved Nolan & Keeley's story it was sweet, steamy, emotional & at times you couldn't help be smile. Keely & Nolan knew of each other but met properly at the wedding vow renewal of her friend Ash & his brother Carlton & spent the night getting to know each other better thanks to the open bar leading to a night of passion. It was supposed to be one night but Nolan already felt so much more for her already knowing she was the one so gave her an ultimatum, she knew how the Crowley family's mafia business worked so didn't want anything to do with Nolan & kept turning down his advances but when he delicately threatened her new business she had no choice but put a time limit on it. There was a sassy, cheeky side to Keeley & that was one of the things he loved about her but although there was mega sexual chemistry & an emotional connection she was wary & scared about getting attached to him especially as she was keeping a secret from him. He was addicted to her & wanted to prove to her how special she was to him even if it meant going against his family. Her best friend Jamilla made it obvious that she didn't like Nolan but had no idea why until she forced him to tell her which only made her reason for staying away from him even stronger. I couldn't help but feel sorry for Nolan as he loved her but I could also understand Keeley's reluctance because her own upbringing & I was so desperate for both of them to admit they loved each other no matter what had happened with their families in the past. Although I loved this I felt a bit let down at the end I'd have liked to know a bit more of the baby's first days with the family.
I can't wait to read the last Crowley brother Liam's story.

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

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Damaged Vows” is a fake marriage, Mafia romance by B. B. Hamel. It’s the third book in a series about the Crowley Mafia Family, but it can be read as a standalone story.

Keely and Nolan have a no strings, one night stand at a vow renewal for his brother and her dear friend, an event as elaborate as a wedding. Casual encounters are nothing unusual for him and very unusual for her. The connection between them turns out to be more than either of them ever expected. Nolan can’t stop thinking about Keely, and she can’t stop thinking about him, either. Meanwhile, Keely has a business goal she’s fixated upon so strongly that a couple of months pass before she realizes that she’s pregnant – and playboy Mafia prince Nolan is the father. She doesn’t want to tell him because she doesn’t want to get involved with someone deeply entrenched in organized crime, or have her child grow up that way. Nolan wants to be involved with Keely on a long-term basis, but it’s nothing he’s ever experienced before, so he uses Mafia manipulation techniques to get what he wants.

There is some solid, understandable inner turmoil in both main characters. Events in their respective pasts have caused them each to have the insecurities and fears that affect them today. I thought Nolan was a great antihero, willing to open his heart with great sincerity. I have to admit that at a certain point, I wanted to shake Keely because of some of her decisions! There are good secondary characters who add a lot to the story. As I mentioned, you can read this as a standalone … but I think it’s better if you’ve read at least the previous book to give you some wider background.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily sharing my thoughts and opinions.

[Linda Whitacre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t seem to please someone no matter what you do!
I loved Nolan Crowley. Nolan is second under his brother Carson in Boston’s, Crowley Irish Crime Family. Nolan works hard for the family, he is a very friendly likable guy but now that his brothers have fallen in love and married he feels lost and alone. At a wedding renewal event Carson hits on a beautiful lady, even convinces her to a wild night and he is hooked with insta want and lust! Keely on the other hand is very afraid of the “mafia guy”, doesn’t know why she let her guard down and “slept” with him, many times, and now Nolan is actively pursuing her. Nolan knows what he wants and it's Keely. He sees a wife, kids, big house out of the city so he is actively pursuing that. Nolan doesn't play fair now that he knows what he wants. Keely is scared about getting involved with a mob guy and when she finds she’s pregnant she freaks out, then hides it from Nolan. The story mostly revolves around Keely’s indecision and rebellion against Nolan’s advances and his throwing money and attention at Keely to win her love. Keely has major growing-up issues with her hateful family which holds her back from committing. Well, that and that the "mafia kills people, sells drugs, and bla bla bla"! I just think her indecision was a little much but I liked the story and most of the characters. I received an advanced copy of this story from Booksprout and these are my thoughts. Linda

[Danielle Graves · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a 3.5 star read if you could give half stars.

This was an incredibly difficult read, not because it’s badly written or because of how dark the story content was but because in the thousand plus books I’ve read I have never met two insufferable, stubborn and unnecessarily combative characters such as Nolan and Keeley before. If I could have reached into the pages and knocked some sense into them then I would have.

After what should have been a one night stand Nolan has fallen for Keeley but he doesn’t know how to go about having a normal relationship and so his spoilt son of a mob boss entitlement breaks through and he relies on blackmail and coercion to force his way into her life. His actions just go on to further irritate Keeley and to in a way prove her point about the type of man he is. Keeley’s behaviours aren’t much better - she’s secretive and judgemental and likes to push Nolan’s buttons. What both of them needed to do was communicate but if that had been the case the book would have been a lot shorter than it was.

Irritating characters aside, I enjoyed the premise of him falling first and falling hard and the banter between them worked well especially when every altercation ended up with a sex scene. It was well written by the author. I just didn’t enjoy the two main characters and that is what made me mark it down on stars, the world building and sideline characters were great

[Brandi-Lynn Weiser · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed opinions about this book. I have always loved everything I’ve read by BB, but this book I had a hard time getting into. Mainly because of Keely, the mfc. I don’t particularly like it when the woman purposely hides and lies about a pregnancy. And she did it for more than half the book, almost 3/4 of it. Nolan had every right to know she was pregnant, especially since they were married. All he talked about was wanting a marriage and kids, Keely knew that and still hid her pregnancy from everyone. It wasn’t just her baby, it was Nolan’s too. From the beginning of the book everything was about her. She was selfish and her reasoning for doing so just didn’t work for me. I was actually glad when Jam finally walked away from their business, they were partners, yet Keely never took her thoughts and feelings into consideration. But I also wasn’t a fan of Jam’s either. I didn’t think it was right or any of her business how she injected herself into Nolan and Keely’s relationship. I hated it when Nolan finally heard them talking and found out Keely was pregnant, and then Jam jumped in and told Keely they were leaving and drug her out. And Keely actually went!
I liked the story plot, and absolutely loved Nolan, but I didn’t like Keely and Jam. If it had only been a small part of the book where she hid her pregnancy, I wouldn’t have mind. But not the majority of the book.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd story in The Crowley Mafia Family Series where we meet Keely and Nolan at Ash and Carson’s wedding and vow renewal. These two have an amazing one night stand and Keely shares personal details about her life with Nolan and he’s a man who knows he wants Keely he makes decisions to corner her into a shake down. Keely’s parents were never kind and she only knows to depend on herself to make her dream come true, opening a donut shop. Nolan feels a bit lost among the Crowley family so his reaction to wanting more with Keely is unknown territory for him. The humor and banter between these two only shows Nolan they belong together. He goes all in and pushes hard and Keely being independent resist until she doesn’t have a choice. We get to see a new side to Nolan and what lengths he’ll go to for Keely and how she fights it only to enjoy the reward of being together! When Keely shares what’s going on with her friend Nolan overhears and it takes him down a dark path until his mom gives him the advice needed to be the man she knows him to be. Kelly’s friends stand no by her and Nolan’s brother Carson has to come to terms with their marriage. Nolan’s kindness and generosity towards Keely shows that his heart belongs to her! I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay so before I start I really did enjoy this book. I just had some real issues.
spoilers

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Jamila. Jamila infuriated me because she was super tough love throughout the whole thing and then bam she just suddenly accepts everything. She was a terrible friend. Like couldn’t think of anyone but herself the entire time. I understand she was trying to be there for her friend, FINALLY. And, I understand she has issues with the crowleys in general but her acceptance felt really rushed. like the author was trying to wrap up the book so she just had jamila accept it.

Keely. I understand her character was supposed to have resistance. But honestly she came off whiny and it got super annoying. I skimmed through a lot of her whiny scenes where once again she’s super hot and cold. She felt like such a surface level person who constantly droned on and on about independence but would wait and let anyone besides herself make all the decisions. Honestly she was just confusing and annoying.

This book should be re-categorized. The whole thing of “fake marriage” is not a fake marriage. They get legally married very quick and she just whines the entire time about independence. It’s more of a miscommunication trope/ Secret baby trope than anything because the communication was terrible and she had a “secret baby” the entire time.

[Ashkenia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Bad

H: Nolan Crowley (2nd Brother in the Crowley's Family)
h: Keely (Works Bottle of Smoke and friends with Ash
Ash and Carson are having their vows renewal ceremony and after getting not so great news Keely decided to separate herself from the party. She catches Nolan's attention and he follows her out. She then confides in him that her abusive grandma died and she always used to bake donuts with her and to her grandma she was never enough. Her goal/dream was to one day own a donut shop and prove to her that she did become something with her life. Nolan plants the seeds in her to give her faith to go ahead and follow her dreams. They sleep together unprotected. 2mths passed and Keely decided to buy the bottom floor of this building to fulfill her dreams of opening a donut shop. Nolan shows up and tells her he is the new owner and he wants to invest in her shop. Keely doesn't want to, she knows she is a mth pregnant and is Nolan who she tries to convince to leave her and her shop alone. Then Nolan decides that investing is not enough and he wants to marry her as well.
The story is not bad at all. I understand why she was hesitant to tell him about the baby but at the same time she was going to just run away w/out telling him that she was pregnant with his baby. In the end everything worked out. 

[Bobbie Saben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Nolan!

I loved Nolan completely in this book. He made the whole story in my opinion. Keely drove me absolutely nuts throughout this whole story. She was just constant repetition throughout the entire book. Spoilers ahead.
It was as though her entire storyline was the marriage was ending in 5 months, he couldn't know about the baby. That he was just sooo bad because his family were mobsters. Etc, etc... it got very tiring and old to me and I wanted to often skip her chapters because of it. Then, towards the end of the story, it seemed like the author acted as though she had a reason to have him give her space like he was in the wrong for anything, when in all actuality, she kept the pregnancy from him the whole time she was basically married to him. She should have felt guilty and in the wrong. Wanting to apologize to him and ask for his forgiveness. It annoyed me. She went on and on saying how he would end up regretting the baby and end up making the baby feel like a mistake. But in the whole book he couldn't wait to be a father. She was the one calling their baby a mistake. I did enjoy the book because of Nolan. He was great throughout the whole story.

[Claudia, Cmarie927 · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, if you thought Nolan was going to be any less intense than Finn, or Carson... you'd be wrong.
The methods might be different, but the end result is the same.

Keeley is just as independently minded as her friend Ashlyn (Carson's now wife) is/was, and as we all know, this is entirely too tempting to a Crowley man. Nolan is smitten with her, and spins the situations that she finds herself in to his advantage. Only, he doesn't know the secret she's keeping. She thinks what's going on between them is temporary... Ha!
(We all know, once a Crowley has you in their sights, there's no escape -yes please 😏😉).

I appreciated how this family's storyline continues to evolve, with Carson as the Boss. Their mother Molly's appearance in this story adds another layer to it all.

The steamy scenes and crazy chemistry between this couple is just as engaging as the struggles these two characters face to reconcile their pasts, and move on together, as true partners.

I recommend reading in order for the best experience...
Marriage of Sin, Malicious Wedding, then this one. Worth your time.

I was fortunate to receive a free ARC of this story and I voluntarily leave my review.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Something
Nolan Crowley and Keely “Something” had one good night together and that it all it was suppose to be. One night is not the basis of a marriage, but the moment Keely is standing in Nolan’s house looking at him with those big eyes of hers, he feels it. How right it is and he is not the kind of man that can ignore that intuition. Keely does not want his money and she certainly does not want her baby growing up as a Crowley. Nolan is not above using blackmail to get what he wants. Finally after negotiations he convinces her to marry him with the stipulation she can walk away after five months. Now he needs to convince her to stay. This is my favorite book in “The Crowley Mafia Family” series so far. Its loaded with chemistry, steam and hot, fun banter. These brothers all end up finding love through fake marriages even if they tend to be a bit psychotic getting there. Cannot wait to see if Liam Crowley is going to come home and be the next brother to fall in love.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Candi J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story line, but I wasn't too connected with the characters. Nolan is part of the Irish Mafia who has a one night stand with his sister-in-law's friend Keely. Two months later their paths cross. Keely hates Nolan for some reason - Nolan is interested and infatuated with her.

I liked the concept, the secret baby which unfortunately doesn't shine as a trope. I didn't connect much with Keely, she behaved like a child throughout the book. I got the feeling that she was looking for reasons to "hate" Nolan. He on the other hand decide he wants to marry her.

I enjoy this author's books, I often read them as they come out, but I wasn't much of a fan for this one. It was just okay in my opinion. I wish it had more fire and that the highlight was more the secret baby that brings them together and not set them apart. Maybe a little more Mafia business etc.

This won't stop me from reading this author in future, I actually do enjoy most of her books.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a different fake marriage mafia romance than I’ve typically read. Which was nice. Keely attends her boss/friends vow renewal. Where she meets Nolan, the grooms brother. She is aware that the family is in the mafia even though it’s not discussed. Keely is waiting until she can leave when Nolan approaches her. And despite her resistance Nolan’s able to break down her walls for the night. And in the morning she’s back to her life. Having realized that she needs to just go for it and open a doughnut shop that she’d wanted To for a long time instead of waiting, her and her best friend find the perfect location with a great price. Things start coming together until she realizes that Nolan is the force behind everything. And he’s set his eyes on her and not going to give up until she is his. This is an entertaining read!

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is love at first site ever a reality?
I fell in love with Nolan’s seduction of Keely at his brother’s wedding vow renewal that is over the top steam and mind stimulation, but more importantly snaps Keely out of her funk about her past. Keely believes in herself to take a big step by opening a donut shop with her best friend, Jamila. When unforeseen improvements strap their cash supply, Nolan, aka her landlord, enters with an offer to which Jamila and Keely have differing opinions. With no way out of the jam she is in with an added surprise, Keely reaches out to Nolan who changes the terms of his offer. Nolan and Keely’s relationship is like a snowball rolling down the hill getting bigger and bigger until it collides with something and explodes. I loved every page of this story and the ending is priceless!