Irish Rebel by L.K. Shaw

Irish Rebel
L.K. Shaw
(Brooklyn Kings, #7)
Publication date: November 22nd 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Mafia, Romance

Caitlín

After finally convincing my over-protective family to let me visit my uncle in Dublin, I know this may be my only chance to experience everything I’ve always wanted: Adventure. Excitement. Freedom.

Until I’m introduced to the man assigned to be my bodyguard. With his silver-flecked hair and wicked scar, Roarke radiates power and danger. Everything I’m drawn to. Except, he’s also the one standing in my way. I push all of his buttons, until one night I push too far.

Roarke

They call me a killer. And with each death I cause, my soul turns a little blacker. As an enforcer for the Irish mafia, I’ve always done what’s been asked of me. Including becoming the reluctant bodyguard for a woman who shines so bright, I’m afraid of tainting her with my darkness.

Caitlín tests my patience at every turn, determined to make my life hell. Even worse, she tempts me with her smart mouth and lush curves. In a moment of madness, I forget she’s off-limits and cross a line I can never come back from.

Now I’m torn between loyalty to the family I owe everything to—including my life—and the woman who just might be my salvation.

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

My review: 

Iris Rebel is the seventh book in the Brooklyn Kings series by L.K. Shaw.  This was a new-to-me author, but I had no trouble reading the book as a standalone.  It was fast-paced and an entertaining short mafia romance. 

Hoping to get out from under her family’s heavy scrutiny, Caitlin visits her family in Dublin.  Only to be assigned a reluctant bodyguard, Roarke, whom she enjoyed provoking. 

“…it’s in the ugliness that you can truly find and appreciate the beauty…”

Roarke was loyal and an enforcer for the Irish mafia.  Babysitting Caitlin was not a job he wanted but he couldn’t turn it down.  Her light brightens the darkness he is surrounded by and couldn’t live without.

The chemistry between Roarke and Caitlin was off the charts.  I loved Caitlin’s personality and her sassiness.  Their life experiences were completely different, but they still completed each other.  This was a thrilling, emotional, and intriguing mafia romance.  I enjoyed reading it and look forward to more books by the author.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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SNEAK PEEK:

“So,” Caitlín says, interrupting my musings. “How long have you worked for Uncle Carrick? I don’t remember seeing you the last time I was here.”

Not sure what she hopes to gain, I answer her question. “A little over ten years.”

“How come I never met you until yesterday?”

I cast a quick glance in her direction. “Have you met every person that works for your uncle, then?”

“All the ones he trusts enough to babysit,” Caitlín retorts.

“Obviously not,” I say drily.

“What do you do for him, exactly?”

My fingers tighten their grip around the steering wheel. I’ve never hidden what I do. Then why am I so hesitant to tell her? I keep my mouth shut.

She pivots in her seat to face me. “You must be the one who tortures and kills people for him, then. You remind me of my best friend’s brother-in-law, Pierce. He’s got the same ice-cold demeanor as you and that’s what he does.”

I force myself not to flinch at her description. Ice-cold. I’ve certainly been called worse, I suppose. Still, I’m not sure I like Caitlín having that impression of me. It’s for the best, though. She should understand the type of man I am. A killer. Maybe that will keep her from pushing me too far. Not that I’d ever hurt her. But a bit of fear never hurt anyone.

“How many men have you killed?”

As if that’s a question I’m going to answer.

“I almost killed someone once,” she says with extreme nonchalance after the silence continues.

My head snaps in Caitlín’s direction. She laughs the same glorious laugh from five years ago. The one that held me riveted. That drew me in. It’s the one that makes her whole being light up.

“You should see the expression on your face.” She cackles and then mimics bugged eyes and open mouth.

My lips flatten and I turn back to the road. I didn’t look like that.

“Seriously, though, I kind of sort of almost did.”

I assume this is another one of her games. To say something this outrageous so I’m forced to feed my curiosity. Because, damn it, I am curious. Fine, I’ll bite. “Who did you almost, kind of sort of, kill?”

Caitlín waves her hand around. “Some Polish guy. I would have got him, too, if Jack hadn’t screeched like a girl and thrown off my aim.”

If I remember correctly, he’s her eldest brother. “Where and when did this happen?”

“About four years ago, on a raid.”

Who the hell lets a twenty-year-old girl put herself in that kind of danger? “Your family let you go on a raid?”

She snorts. “Of course they didn’t. I snuck in.”

That makes more sense. No wonder I’ve been assigned this job and what Carrick meant when he says Caitlín is reckless and needs protection from herself. It does put her in a new light though. Maybe she’s not as innocent as I’ve assumed all this time.

She swivels again in her seat and her attention turns to our surroundings. A desire to get to know her rises up, but I squash that idea. It’s best to keep my distance. I can’t help but sneak a few glances in her direction though. At the way her dress rides up to mid-thigh exposing creamy porcelain skin. The barest hint of cleavage that’s just enough to make a man wish for more.

Author Bio:

LK Shaw is the bestselling author of the sexy, sinful suspense. She resides in South Carolina with her high maintenance beagle mix dog, Miss P. An avid reader since childhood, she became hooked on historical romance novels in high school. She now reads, and loves, all romance sub-genres, with dark romance and romantic suspense being her favorite. LK enjoys traveling and chocolate. Her books feature hot alpha heroes and the strong women they love.

Want a FREE short story? Be sure to sign up for her newsletter and download your copy of A Birthday Spanking, a short story set in the Doms of Club Eden world! http://bit.ly/LKShawNewsletter

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