He’s a killer. A mobster.
The last man on earth I’d ever want to be with. I won’t lose my head just because he’s hot, Irish, and has a wicked accent to boot.
He’s one of the only leads in my best friend’s disappearance, and I don’t trust him.
So I’ve got a few rules in mind when it comes to dealing with Lachlan Crow.
Keep a clear head and don’t get distracted.
Do what’s necessary and … distracted.
Fourth and final rule?
Throw out the book altogether. Because the rules don’t apply when it comes to the Irish mafia.
It was only supposed to be temporary, but now Lachlan thinks he owns me. He says he’s not letting me go.
And I believe him.
Lachlan.
I don’t know who she is. I don’t know why she’s here.
But if it’s my attention she wants, she has it.
The Russians want her dead, and now it’s up to me to look out for her. This girl is trouble. A distraction I can’t afford.
So why have I already decided she’s mine?
I’ve claimed her and there’s no going back now.
This is a full-length standalone novel full of hot Irish bad boys with accents. Steamy and dark mafia themes throughout. HEA included.
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One of my all time favorite mafia reads!!
Wow!! Irish, Russians, and Armenians oh my! Hot alpha Lachlan and fiery Mackenzie. Fast pace, sexy, suspenseful and hold your breath kind of ride. Highly recommend reading this one!! Can’t wait for Ronan’s story!!
Zaverelli has great character development which leads to two very dynamic leads. Mackenzie Wilder is an Irish girl from South Boston and has survived on the streets. She is a MMA fighter and nothing scares her. Mack is looking for her missing friend, and Crow is her only lead. Mack is quickly get submerged into a world she has never been part of, but she will do anything to find her friend.
Lachlan Crow is bad news and next inline for the head of the Irish Mafia and Mack has caught his eye. Crow came to the US from Ireland as a teenager. Crow is trying to advance in the organization and he is willing to make sacrifices to achieve his goals.
This is normally not my genre, but I found this book compelling.
I absolutely loved this story! It is well-written with well-developed characters and a fast paced plot. Crow was complex and hard with a loving core. Mack was tough, strong and sassy. I loved her and Crow’s relationship. It wasn’t insta-love like so many stories these days, their relationship was given time to develop. They had to make hard choices, but everything they did was what was right for them at the time. No cheesiness here.
The Luck of the Irish !!
Aye ! Ye is a fine lad , Lachlan Crow and wee Mackenzie’s Wilder !
This book is A Total KNOCKOUT !
First chapter is a blow to your head that makes your teeth rattle and the hits just keep on coming chapter after chapter.
Mackenzie’s is a born fighter, searching desperately for her friend Talia , after she disappears into thin air.
I’m the daughter of Jack Wilder. A third generation Irish-American with champion’s blood running through my veins. I was raised on the streets of Southie, and I’m not afraid of anyone. I’ll take on every single one of those motherfuckers and I’ll do it with a smile on my face. And when it’s all over, they will rue the day they ever met or fucked with Talia Parker.
She’s a foster home survivor with Talia and they have a special bond along with a street worker , scarlet. They’re all survivor’s together , scrapping on the streets, watching each others backs, just trying keep their heads above the water.
Even now, I still live on the fringes of society. I have a nice warm bed and food in my belly, but the resentment is still there, and I’m not sure why. Maybe because I don’t have a place in this world. Or a family. Or anyone who cares if I go missing.
Her hunt takes her to Slainte, where she meets Lachlan Crow, next in line as a Leader of Mackenna clan , Irish Underground Mafia .
Her mission , to work, infiltrate and gather info of her friend Talia.
His aim , to keep an eye on her, leash her and trade her off to Russians in exchange for a traitor.
Both fail and fall in love With each other.
The twists and turns, plots and counter plots will make your head spin. A thoroughly researched story. There’s threats and dreads at each step
“You belong to me,” he tells me. “And if ye had some doubts about that, there should be none now. Anyone who tries to touch ye will die.” *Shudders*
Zavarelli spins the tale like an old folklore , who started what gang, who begets who and I’m just standing and staring wide eyed as the events unfold right in front of me. Brutally Raw story of Underground world where Italians , Russia and the Irish divide Boston like a pie , dividing territories, trading traitors, inter marrying for alliances and planting Trolls.
The book gripped me from the word go and it’s kept me engrossed throughout . I couldn’t look away , even for a second.
after a long time , a true Gritty , Bloody , action packed Mafia story to sink my teeth in has come in my hands .
I’ll buy paperbacks to store it with me now
Off to read Reaper now
Title: Crow (Boston Underworld #1)
Author: A. Zavarelli
Publisher: Createspace
Amount of Pages: 314
Genre: Dark, Romance, New Adult, Mafia
Date Read: 20-02-2018 – 21-02-2018
Favorite Quote: “The thing about butterflies, Mr. Crow, is that they need to be admired from afar.”
“I never realized how empty my life had really become until I had him in it. He did that to me. He said I wrecked him, but he completely destroyed me. Everything was fine when I was alone. When I didn’t have to feel or think or care about someone else. Sure I was sad and broken, but I was okay. Now, I’m anything but.”
Review:
Great read! It was very interesting. I’ve read about the Italian mafia, some Bratva here and there but never about the Irish mafia. I liked it.
I look forward to read more books in the series. Each book is a standalone set in the same world.
What is this book about:
This book is about Mackenzie and Lachlan. Mackenzie lives in some very harsh conditions. She lives in a crappy apartment and has little to no money. After one of her friends goes missing she is doing whatever she can to find her.
That led to her meeting Irish mobster Lachlan. She impressed him when she stepped into the fighting ring and wins.
Mackenzie is telling herself that she is only trying to get close to Lachlan to find her friend but she can’t help being attracted to Lachlan.
Lachlan is telling himself that he’s only keeping Mackenzie close because he thinks that she has something to do with the russians but he can’t help but want her.
Will they give in to how they feel, for how they could feel or will the Russians get to them first.
What did I like about this book:
I liked the setting. It was fun seeing some other branches of the mafia.
I liked how strong Mackenzie was. She is a good fighter but what I loved most is her realizing that its not bad to let people in, to feel something.
One thing I didn’t like is how fast they went from lust to loving each other so much they can’t live without each other. That went a bit to fast for my liking. Other than that it was a very enjoyable read. I can’t wait to read more about some of the other characters in this book.
Rating:
4 I really liked it stars
Mack is a strong, determined woman. When she sets her mind to do something, look out world! When her friend went missing, she decided to undercover and infiltrate the Irish Mafia club, Slainte, since that was the last place her friend had worked as a waitress. Her friend had a Russian boyfriend. The Russians want Mack at any costs.
Mack had rules about staying away from the hot Irishman, but we all know rules are meant to be broken.
When Lach met Mack he acted as though he didn’t like her. She became an enigma to him. He didn’t trust her. Then the hot Irishman became very possessive. He has secrets that could destroy his relationship with Mack.
There is a mole in the club causing chaos, death and a war is on the brink. Will the Irish Mafia and the Russians form an alliance or will the mole succeed in starting a war?
A. Zavarelli has written a magnificent story that will leave you on the edge of your seat with this action packed romantic mystery. She sucks you in with this incredible story and you feel as though you are a part of it.
I loved the way the author used the Irish language when Lach spoke. It just made him hotter!
Crow is definitely a sinfully delicious read! The mystery and suspense has you flipping the pages craving more. The sex scenes are so explosive your kindle will be on fire!
Five stars just isn’t good enough for Crow. It deserves at least ten!
Loved it!
Completely blew me away. I could not put it down. Mackenzie has to be one of the most alpha female characters, along with an unbelievably sexy Crow, his accent as it was written was just too hot. The book was crazy exciting, and made you hit all the emotions, I laughed, cried, got angry, and of course, butterflies. One of the best mob books I have read yet!
~~~Erika, Book Haven Book Blog
I got this book back when I had a serious mafia romance phase. I have it in different formats, ebook and audiobook as well and I actually started to read it/listen to it several times but somehow never got more than a couple of chapters in it. I don’t know why because now, after finishing it I can safely say that it is a phenomenal story.
Writing:
I enjoyed the writing even if it took me a couple of times to get into it. It is interesting, has a bit of a gloomy, bleak atmosphere to it especially in the beginning of the story. I either got used to it or with the progression of the events it changes with them. If it’s the later, this is a possibility, then thas a brilliant solution on the part of the author. The story is basically narrated from dual point of views and one of them is Lachlan. I liked the dual perspective but the whole Irish accent thing going on was sometimes a bit hard to understand. I personally don’t like when the writers try to incorporate the accent and specific phrases of their characters in writing, it rarely works but a lot of them does it. For me it caused a bit of disruption in my flow but it was the only thing I didn’t like in the writing.
Story:
This is a pretty kick-ass and slightly dark romantic suspense. I loved how the book started out with one mystery but slowly the focus shifted and transformed onto a completely different but still connecting one while still keeping the romance in the limelight. The in the end there is a huge explosive finish, which surprised the heck out of me since I didn’t expect it at all. I loved the romance between the characters and I also loved the balance between it and the suspense. So yes, maybe I’m a bit disappointed that actually how small part of the whole mobster world we get to see, because let’s be honest most of those things happen in the background. Still the storyline was great and had a phenomenal flow to it. I also loved how the author shows a lot of the dark and painfully realistic side of life, she doesn’t tries to sugarcoat the worse side of life or look for excuses for the less angelic characters. It was a pretty nice part of the story. This was a really thrilling read.
Characters:
Mackanzie is a brilliant main character and she is just like I like them, at least at first glance. She is mouthy, scrappy, street smart and a great fighter. She has a lot of monologues that just gave me the impression that she is going to be a perfect mafia queen in the end. I liked her drive and loyalty to her friends despite their faults. Her mission she prepares for quite a while for starts out great, planned out and well developed, she is intelligent and knows the dangers around her so someone tell me while was the whole bull in the china shop routine needed in the middle of the book??? Along the she transforms from the levelheaded, daring and brave girl into someone who makes a lot of stupid and reckless mistakes. I liked her tender side she shows when she is alone with Crow and loved the fragile love that forms between them; it was just a bit annoying how she made her mistakes regarding her investigation. Those were armature and not at all something the girl form the rest of the story would commit.
Crow was also a great character. He is driven, possessive, bossy and dangerous. He keeps himself back from MacKenzie in the beginning because he suspects she has some ulterior motives, but in the he can’t deny the attraction and the companionship between them. He is sweet and tender with her and willing to sacrifice everything he worked for his entire life just to save her life.
As for the main characters, I loved the mafia side Ronan, Alexei, Rory and the rest of them. They all show snippets of their characters and some possibilities for their own stories and I really excited for them. However, I don’t think I like the pairings for them and this is something I need to consider before getting to them.
If you’re a fan of suspenseful, mafia romances, then this book is a must read. Mackenzie and Lachlan were written perfectly. They clashed, they combusted, they overcame. Their story had just the right amount of steaminess, intrigue, action and suspense that made the pages practically turn themselves. I’m definitely looking forward to starting book two of this new series.
The writer A. Zavarelli is a new writer to me (although this book has been on my TBR pile for a long time) but I finally got around to reading ‘Crow’ the first book of her ‘Boston Underworld’ series. And I must say that I really enjoy this mafia world that the writer created. I love mafia romance books and one of the things that I found fascinated here was that the story was filled with Irish (and Russian) mafia men. I just love Irish accents!
Lachlan Crow was definitely a bad guy but he also had some soft spots inside him too. I love the interaction between him and Mack . And Mack, I loved her loyalty to her friends, her stubbornness but also the fact that she knew when she had to stop pushing Lachlan. She wasn’t too tough, of over the top stubborn. (Which I don’t find likeable when the woman just goes on and on and on without much thought or with much reason.) Mack and Lachlan’s friends were also very interesting characters and I’m already looking forward to their stories. The story is told from both POV’s.
For me, personally, this book had the perfect balance between action, suspense and romance. The story had some tough subjects in it but it was certainly not dark (or at least not for me!). It was an easy read and when I finished it, I wasn’t ready to leave this mafia world so I read the second book next.
I’m very happy that I discovered this writer.
A pulse pounding, page turning, steamy read that is worth every minute.
I love mafia books and this one was great. My first Irish Mob read was a great experience and I can’t wait for book two.
I’m preparing to meet this author at a book signing in July and have had this on my TBR list for a while now….after turning the last page and closing the cover on my kindle, I’m kicking myself for waiting so long to read this book.
This was one of the best mafia story lines I’ve had the pleasure of reading. I experienced real heart pounding fear, and gut wrenching sorrow for these two MCs. Lach and Mack really worked hard for their HEA and I was so happy they finally got there. I loved the way the author surrounds them with “family” and hints at the match ups for the upcoming books in the series. These side characters are relevant and add depth to a very engaging plot line.
I’ve read one other book by A. Zavarelli, but after wading in to the Boston Underworld this author will be on my go-to list from now on. If you haven’t read this series, I highly recommend it…I will definitely be reading the rest!