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The Bastard's Bargain (The O'Malleys #6) by Katee Robert [arc review]

I have two weaknesses when it comes to romance books: pnr and mafia romance. So obviously I was very excited when I got this and could not wait to read it. Thank you Forever Romance for my copy!
The blurb:
The Bastard's Bargain, Katee Robert
When Keira O’Malley was a child, she used to picture her perfect wedding. The flowers. The dress. Her husband. But nothing could have prepared her for saying “I do” to Dmitri Romanov—cold, domineering and always one step ahead of everyone else in the ever-shifting power plays of New York City. She agreed to his bargain to secure peace for her family, and she may want the bastard more than she’d ever admit, but she’ll be damned if she’ll make this marriage easy for him.

Dmitri knows better than to underestimate Keira for one second. Molten desire smolders between them, a dangerous addiction neither can resist. But his enemies are already on the move, and he needs every ounce of his legendary focus and control to keep them alive. Keira could just be his secret weapon—if she doesn’t bring him to his knees first.

The Review:
Let me start by saying I made a grave mistake... I started reading the book without checking if it was the first book in a series or not. To do that with mafia romances is not clever, there is a usually a whole background story with enemy families, blood feud, etc that gives context to the plot. I noticed that was the case here when I was about 30% in and a little confused with all the names being thrown around. I really enjoyed the book but I don't feel like I have the whole picture even after I finished reading it, this will definitely be a reread for me someday -because I will be reading the series! 

With that in mind... the plot was awesome! All you could expect from a Mafia Romance. Katee Robert did a great job at juggling different family dynamics, the politics of it all and the constant fight for dominance. I just wished I knew the background story to all of them, I was often lost. As good as the plot was I don't recommend you read it as a stand alone. I am very much looking forward to reading the other 5 books and being lost into that world properly.

Or main characters were Keira and Dmitri. 
Dmitri was outstanding. It was pretty obvious from start that he had strong feelings for Keira and wanted her to be well. He did all he could to help her get to a healthy place in life again. Keira may not know it but Dmitri didn't force the marriage on her so he could have a play thing. He remembers her as a feisty strong woman and not the broken thing she is now and that is what he wants. He wants that strong woman by his side, his equal. 
Keira is broken. And here is another part of the book I wish I understood better. There is a background story here, one where her brother dies because of the family business. It is obvious her brother was very important to her, the one that gave her hope for something outside the family business. She used to paint and dream. Now she drinks, uses drugs, and is a skeleton or her former self. She annoyed me to start, but that is byproduct of the alcohol and drugs, Katee wrote her well. 
Dmitri forces her to get clean and sober and so their story unfolds... she thinks he is nothing but a bargaining chip for him and he does all he can to bring her out of her shell again. Their story was great and I can't wait to read their previous interactions in the other books and have a fuller picture of them as a couple.

All in all great book, just not one that should be read as a stand alone. 
I would like to say I learn my lesson but I am sure I will make that mistake again someday... hehe

Go Read Sunnies! 

Find the book at: GoodReads - Amazon


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