3.5* ( )

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Introduction
Illicit King is the first book in a new series by Maggie Cole but it is connected to her Mafia Wars series. I do recommend if you want the full experience to read these books in order. You can read them as standalones, but they will make much more sense if you read them in order and it will give you more family depth to the stories as a while. I have had this book in my KU queue for a few weeks, I knew that this would be so angst filled, so I really wanted to make sure that I was in the right mood for this. So be ready for some delicious sexual tension and enemies to lovers vibes (and yes this is a true enemies to lovers) alongside with a romeo/juliet retelling and forbidden love and both characters being kick ass. And it has really authentic feeling mafia vibes to it so be prepared for the gritty mafia feel that so many mafia these days tend to lack at times.

My Outlook
I absolutely had a blast with Illicit King and it was so delightful to read this story and get back to Maggie Cole. I just love the way in which she writes mafia romance and the fact that she is starting a new series set in Ireland, just has me so hopeful for these books. Now this book is far from perfect, the heroine is very ignorant in her family. I am not sure why, she grows up with these men, like I wonder, why is she so so shocked? They also turn against her at every single turn. And the hero understands how the men in her family work way better than she comprehends. While I get some of it, its dragged out in a way that just doesn't appeal. It got to a point, where she was acting a bit "tstl" type of heroine. She is such a badass, and crafty, and you would think she would understand especially after what they do to her sister. But she just never ever learns. And I wonder how she survives as long as she does. It was hard though seeing so many people she trusts turn against her and I was also a bit disappointed that nothing happened to them. I mean she is a mafia badass, and she just lets it all go? Maybe I am complaining about nothing? I am not sure. While I enjoyed some aspects to the character, I think my primary issue was how long it gets dragged out through the story. The hero however, is fabulous; I love how much he is willing to sacrifice for her. He is definitely a hero that you can get behind and want to fight for. The romance was fiery hot and multi dimensional in some respects but there are some plot holes that may bother some readers. It didn't bother me too much, but I didn't exactly love it. Does that mean I didn't love this book? Hell no, I had so much fun with this book and I NEED the next book so badly. I can already feel the tension that book is going to bring.

Overall View
Illicit King is such a action packed mafia romance that will fuel your heart in such tension filled ways. Be ready for action, drama, and thrills to curl your toes from beginning to end!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 4
World Building: 5
Cover:5
Hero: 5
Heroine: 3
Steam: 4
Heart & Feels:4
Ending:4
Overall View: 4 ( )