Mafia King

Arranged Marriage, Book 1

By: L. Steele

Narrated by: Jason Clarke, Roxy Isles

Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

You are mine.

Michael Byron Domenico Sovrano. 

Lord of the underworld.

Master of all the criminal masterminds who ever crawled the underbelly of Sicily's notorious mafia company.

Who just happens to be hot and snarly, and with a demanding manner, gulp!

My father owed him, so he took me as payment. He gets what he wants, and I am his new obsession. To take. To break. As if I'll let him.

He's out to destroy me, but I'll go toe-to-toe with him every step of the way. I'll do everything to make him fall for me. 

Until he springs the ultimate surprise.

Note: This is book one in Michael Byron and Karma's story. A dark billionaire arranged-marriage mafia romance with intense emotional scenes.

©2021, 2022 Laxmi Hariharan (P)2022 Laxmi Hariharan

ZERO STARS

Even though I hadn’t come across this author before, I do like a good Mafia story and I love Jason Clarke’s narration so I really thought this story had potential (especially after book 0.5 which was enjoyable).. but boy, this book seriously failed to deliver. I didn’t feel any chemistry at all, I love a bad-boy but the thirty-nine yr old hero in the story is horrible and ‘uses’ women in front of the nineteen yr old heroine who, incidentally, looses her virginity to him via the handle of his favorite knife!! I’m up to Chapter 24 but it’s sex sex sex (with kinky violent tendencies) all the time with nothing else happening.. so I’m done. Flawed dislikeable characters, an awful plot and a weak female narrator added up to a listen that not even Jason Clarke could save.

Worth a credit? For me, it’s a hell no and I’m asking for mine back.

Gripping, Intense Mafia Romance!

Mafia King by L. Steele was a gripping, intense, and oh so steamy mafia romance. This dark romance also included an age gap and an arranged marriage. (Yes, please!) I am fairly new to L. Steele's books, and Michael and Karma's addictive love story captured my attention from start to finish!

Jason Clarke and Roxy Isles narrate this audiobook, and this was a new to me narrator pairing. Roxy Isles was an absolute delight to my ears. Roxy's performance of Karma was full of sass, wit, and spunk! I loved how Karma spoke her mind, and also gave into her wants and needs. Jason Clarke was the ultimate alpha hole using his deep, growly tone to voice Michael, the Capo. There were times when you wanted to fear Michael, but at the same time you couldn't help but desire him. I loved the push and pull and the love hate relationship between Michael and Karma.

Overall, I loved this book! If you are love a mafia romance with a broody arrogant alpha, a fierce outspoken heroine, arranged marriages, mafia connections, family drama, knife play, super steamy times, all the suspense, secluded islands in Italy, and a crazy plot twist cliffhanger that will leave you desperately needing and wanting more, then you will love Mafia King. I am looking forward to more from L. Steele in Mafia Queen, book 2 in the Arranged Marriage Trilogy.

Perfect mafia book

This book is so wrong in so many ways and I love it. I love every second this is so good. I read many mafia books but this i sure dont forget. I bought book 1,2 and 3 crazy plot twists you sure dont expect. But this is not for everyone if you expect sweet story about love you probably will be disapointment, no no this book is more and deep. Narators are incredible.
I bought a book and get experience. Thank you

Jason Clarke’s Italian is so swoony!

When Michael kidnaps Karma as payment for a debt left behind by her father, he has no idea what he’s started. Karma’s no wallflower, and she’s not afraid of Michael, even though he’s a Capo for the Mafia. There’s been an attraction between them from the time they met, but neither is ready to admit it.

As Karma settles in for what appears to be an indefinite kidnapping, she and Michael get to know each other, and try to deny what’s happening between them.

I’m really enjoying the conflict Michael feels between his responsibilities as head of his clan while developing feelings for Karma. Karma’s used to taking care of herself, but she’s starting to feel safe with Michael, and that doesn’t sit well with her. When they finally give in to what they’re feeling, it’s on!

Jason Clarke and Roxy Isles are so great with their narration. His Italian is heart-stopping, and so sexy. Can’t wait to start Mafia Queen!

Mafia King❣️

The storyline was good but a little dark…Jason Clarke’s voice is so yummy😍he was perfect for the capo part. As for Roxy Isles voice was too annoying for my liking.
Let’s hope Mafia Queen is better…❤️

Michael & Karma

Dark and twisted with sexy undertones. Michael and Karma’s push/pull dynamic ramps up the chemistry in this action packed installment. A cliffhanger ending that will leave you with so many unanswered questions.

A great collaboration between L. Steele, Jason Clarke and Roxy Isles. Jason and Roxy did an incredible job making each one of L. Steele’s wonderful characters come to life.

Love the twists and turns

I love all the twists and turns. The characters and their stories were amazing! I was thrilled and surprised more than once. I love a good mafia story but at times I struggled with Michael and his attitude. Eventually I came around as did he. Karma impressed me as she wasn’t afraid to stand up to Michael. Even though he owned her…or does she own him?

I did listen to this on audio. Jason Clarke and Roxy Isles are the narrators and both do a good job. I have listened to Jason numerous times but this is my first one by Roxy. They elevated an already amazing story.

Arranged Marriage Mafia Romance

This was my first L. Steele audiobook and I have no words. The story was captivating, but also a bit ridiculous. I can’t find the right words to describe. I have mixed feelings because I didn't fall in love with this story or characters, but there was still something about it that made me want to listen to see how this story went. I will say Micheal was biggest Alphahole jerk I’ve read in awhile. I hate him for most of the story, but in the end I started to like him a little and then boom, cliffhanger!?!
I totally didn’t see that twist coming! Jason Clarke & Roxy Isles narrate this story. Jason Clarke was brilliant as Micheal, and his growly deep voice was perfect to bring this mafia Capo to life. Roxy Isles is a new to me narrator and overall she did a good job. She definitely sounded the way I thought Karma would sound. If you like, dark mafia romance, arrange marriage, and steamy scenes, then this is the book for you.

Steamy Mafia Romance!

This is the first book in the Arranged Marriage series, a Mafia Romance, one of my favorite subgenre. Michael and Karma's story is steamy, and intriguing. They share a sizzling hot chemistry. Michael is alpha, dominant, powerful, possessive., and enigmatic. Karma is such a beautiful character, strong, sassy, funny, and talkative. They are like fire together! And OMG! The twists and turns! This is a sizzling hate/love slow burn romance. The world building is interesting, filled with twists and turns. The story ends with an unpredictable cliffhanger. Jason Clarke is already one of my favorite narrators. Roxy Isles is a new narrator to me. She has a beautiful voice, very pleasant to listen to. They did an excellent job with the narration. I am looking forward to listening to Mafia Queen, the next book in the series.

Book 1 - Arranged Marriage

Book 1 in L Steele's new series Arranged Marriage - a mafia enemies to lovers romance that will captivate and thrill from start to - cliff hanger finish! Ugh this cliffhanger! I love the dual point of view and dual narration which really brought these two main characters (Michael Byron and Karma) to life. The struggle Karma had to accept the desires society deems taboo is constant and Michael struggles with his all consuming desire for Karma. The suspense and deception along with this cliffhanger ending the juxtaposition of the sweet and steamy chemistry Michael shows will have you addicted to this read and series!

This book was given to me for free at my request and I voluntarily provided this review.

Issues!!!

Both Roxy and Jason are excellent in their narration of this book and are definitely worth the money for this!!

However, there are several issues between the book and the script they are reading from!!

If you're like myself, then you'll love listening to the narration while reading the book!! But the correlation between the two is extremely irritating!!

It has absolutely nothing to do with the performances of Roxy and Jason, as yet again they are excellent and while this is the first time I've heard them reading together, it's not the first time I've come across either before!!

They show their expertise in bringing these characters alive and giving them a personality that you can fall in love with.

But as I've previously stated the audio and book are different all the way through!! It makes you wonder as to why, as it really takes away some of the enjoyment of the two!!! If it was once or twice you can forgive it, as let's face it, no book and audio are without an issue of two!! But there isn't a single page where something has been changed!!

I have still given the stars i have, as this is about marking the performances of the two narrators and their performance was, as per usual, excellent!! You cannot blame the narrator for issues when they are saying what's out in front of them!!

So the question is, would I recommend this audio and my answer would be thus.....

Yes I would recommend, but I strongly advise that you don't read AND listen to them at the same time, or you could end up feeling as frustrated as myself!! And with that I will leave you to make up your minds for yourself!!

Terrible Narrator

could not listen to Roxy Isles, grated on me and ruined the whole audio experience for me and it's not cheap. Where do they get these narrators from she had an awful accent and her voice was dreadful. Ruined! have loved listening to this series. Will definitely pass audible books by if I see her name on it. I think audible should let you sample all narrators before you buy. They are supposed to enhance the book not ruin it, sorry but I'm so cross I was really looking forward to this one, what a waste!

Left Me Wanting More!

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved the audio book, I always think it's hard to please everybody as each Reader hears characters differently. These narrators were a great choice, especially for Micah! Need to purchase Mafia Queen quickly!
I received a free copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review.

Great

I love these leading ladies that play hard to get. They desperately want to get it on but know they shouldn’t so fighting is the only way to go. With a brilliant performance from both narrators i really enjoyed this book.

😭😭😭

It would have been nice to know that the female is with a British accent, I can’t stand that. And you couldn’t hear that in the sample

Great story so far

Mika & Karma’s story starts in this book. Jason Clark is great and his voice does the male character justice. Steamy and powerful story. Looking forward to the rest of the books