This is my first Nora Ash book and I enjoyed it. 🙂 I don’t know a whole lot about mafias – only that there’s violence, drugs, weapons, money, reputation, torture, and lots of swearing – so I’m going to assume that Ash has touched on some truths about them. The pace of the book was pretty good up until the last 75%-ish, where it started to rush just a little.
Blaine and Mira have an arranged marriage based on a touchy alliance. Their first encounter was in Mira’s office and Blaine was her patient. It didn’t go very well as Blaine kept making verbal advances (at least he had some…manners-ish?) at her, but he proved to have a little bit of heart when he rescued her from an assault…with just a few words and a frown. Reputation helps, I guess! haha
Mira had succeeded in removing herself from the mafia world even though she is the “princess” of one. Unfortunately, her so-called father’s men found her and forces her to marry Blaine. She is a sassy little thing, but not very tough physically. Based on her position, she probably would have known some basic self-defense. However, her father and brothers really broke her spirit as a child and women aren’t exactly treasured or respected. Even though she doesn’t like Blaine and his stuffy house rules (for her protection), she does try to get along with him.
Blaine is a (super) cocky and tough “prince” of his father’s gang. He is the 3rd (i think) son and was chosen to marry Mira because he, according to Blaine, was the only “available eldest son.” He hates his father because he physically abused his mother and how everything is about the family reputation. He’d done things he’s not proud of and he actually sought help with Dr. Mira to try and work things out mentally. Blaine takes his word seriously and really does try to protect and bond (not sexually or romantically) with Mira. As a sign of truce, he orders and eats pizza comfortably with her in her room. No Netflix and chill. They understand they were forced into this unwanted marriage and do want to make the best of it. Their banters are hot, witty, and hilarious, though. 😀
Rachel Knight and Shane East were damned good narrators. Shane East is already a given. Obviously. LOL I couldn’t understand some of the words because of the thick accent he used for Blaine, but context clues help. Ha! However, I could understand later on in the book when it wasn’t so thick. Or maybe it’s because I got used to it! His voice is one of those “yep just keep talking even though I don’t understand yet and just want to hear your voice.”
I definitely want to read more of Ash’s super alpha men (who can be total teddy bears) and their just-as-tough women. 🙂 Five hours seemed too short for me as I’m used to 8-13 hours, but it was still a nice length. It’s not a super gooey HEA where Blaine and Mira completely leave mafia life and live peacefully for the rest of their days. They’re still stuck in it, but rule with morals unlike their fathers did. That still counts as a HEA! 😉