Illicit King

Mafia Wars Ireland, Book 1

He’s not my king.

Tall, rugged, and focused on destroying my family, Brody O'Connor's the one person I need to avoid.

He seduced me on purpose, and now I’m paying the consequences.

Every step I take, he’s there, lurking in the shadows, studying me, waiting for any chance to undermine my efforts to become my father’s successor.

He’s succeeding.

No matter how much I try to shake him or our heated encounters, I can’t.

He insists I’m naive, in the dark about what my family is really about, and what he tells me I can’t fathom.

He’s lying.

Screwing with my head.

It can’t be true. My father is cruel, but he wouldn’t do this.

Or would he?

If Brody’s right, then where does that leave me?

Where does it leave us?

Illicit King is book one of Mafia Wars Ireland. It’s a forbidden-love enemies-to-lovers age-gap dark-mafia romance.

©2023 Maggie Cole (P)2023 Maggie Cole

Wonderful Narration

Wen Ross and Mia Madison are smoking hot as Brody and Alaina. The narration made this book even better. I felt like I was really in Ireland. The first book of this series is nothing short of superb. I can’t wait for the next installment.

Fantastic enemies to lovers

This is Brody O'Connor the first born of the Connor clan, of course a badass alfa as pretty much every MC in Maggie Cole books and Alaina O’Leary one of the strongest FM character Maggie ever gave us. I was hooked from the start. Brody trying to get close to Alaina to while deceiving he but didn't count in consideration how attract he was to her and how protective he became after actually meeting her. Alaina of course falls for him...I mean who wouldn't 🤭 the chemistry between them was 🔥 from the start but been from 2 two rivalry clan made it difficult for them to be together specially when one of the doesn't know the whole truth about the other. Alaina wants to be the boss but since her father is old school and doesn't believe she has what it takes for the part even if she's the one cleaning up after her brothers.
This was to me the perfect enemies to lovers full of angst, sexy time, betrayal, pride, action, love and soo much more and the end 😲.
🤣 yeah you need to read it or better listening to it. Wen Ross and Mia Madison brought this story to life and the Irish accent was perfection. This book is a great start to Mafia Wars Ireland and I cannot wait for Illicit captor, I already know is going to be great.

not her best

I struggled with the accent, not sure I liked it. The story was good but it took to half way through to get into it because of the accents,

Highly entertaining!

Brody O'Conner and Alaina O'Leary are from rival families in the Ireland mafia. Both are preparing to step into their future roles in their corresponding families, which involves getting rid of the other. There can be no love or mercy. There is an unchangeable truth about who they are and the oaths they are sworn to uphold. They know its forbidden to be together, and the two of them can never be. Fate may have other plans.


One trope I absolutely can not refuse is star-crossed lovers, and I loved this one!! This author always entertains me, and this was no different. Brody has watched and waited. When they first meet, their chemistry is undeniable. I love books with badass female main characters, and Alaina definitely fit that to perfection. From the beginning, the plot was fast-paced with the perfect ratio of push and pull. Although this ends on an HEA for Brody and Alaina, the series story arc ends on a cliffhanger. I can't wait to see what happens next. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Wen Ross and Mia Madison.  The severe Irish accent was a little difficult to get used to but once I did, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. I highly recommend this read. This is my honest opinion, freely given.

Dark Mafia Forbidden Romance

Illicit King by Maggie Cole is a dark mafia forbidden romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Wen Ross and Mia Madison. This is the first book in the Mafia Wars Ireland series.

I really enjoyed the relationship that bloomed between Alaina and Brody. It was messy but you couldn't help but root for them. I liked that we got both of their points of views throughout the book.

I can't wait for the next book in the series Illicit Captor to be released on June 15, 2023, so I can get Aidan and Scarlett's story.

Wen and Mia did a great job on the narration. I look forward to listening to more of their work in the future.

I would recommend this book if you like dark romances, mafia romances, forbidden romances, age gap romances, or enemies to lovers romance.