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McGowan Mafia #1
Dark Escapes
I’m supposed to marry the man who killed my mother, but I’ll do anything to escape my fate.
When I flee into the night I’m hoping to find a better tomorrow.
All hope is dashed when Alec is sent to drag me home.
He’s tall, tattooed and ruthless. I’m screwed.
But I fight. Escape after escape, I will make every second of his job miserable.
The more I fight, the more heat sizzles between us, both of us battling to avoid giving into baser desires.
He’s going to return me to my intended whether I like it or not, but will his growing feelings give him a reason to fight with me instead of against me?
Dark Escapes is a stand alone dark romance involving Scottish mafia and adult themes. Heat level is high. Expect one bed trope, other man drama, road trip and plenty of pining and angst with an occasional ‘good girl’ for good measure.
When I flee into the night I’m hoping to find a better tomorrow.
All hope is dashed when Alec is sent to drag me home.
He’s tall, tattooed and ruthless. I’m screwed.
But I fight. Escape after escape, I will make every second of his job miserable.
The more I fight, the more heat sizzles between us, both of us battling to avoid giving into baser desires.
He’s going to return me to my intended whether I like it or not, but will his growing feelings give him a reason to fight with me instead of against me?
Dark Escapes is a stand alone dark romance involving Scottish mafia and adult themes. Heat level is high. Expect one bed trope, other man drama, road trip and plenty of pining and angst with an occasional ‘good girl’ for good measure.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 4, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
November 17, 2023
This was just ok. Short and spicy. The spicy scenes were great. The plot was….not plotting haha. Kinda cheesy but I’m still going to read the next book 😂.
May 5, 2023
Effie Campbell delivers a smashing first novel. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series, and will definitely be keeping an eye out for more books by this author.
Here’s the breakdown:
MMC/FMC- Alec and Esther
POV- 1st person dual
Genre- Mafia Romance
Sub Genre- Dark erotic romance
Heat- they do all the things and use the words beginning with C
Language- UK English
Series? Y
Cliffhanger? N
HEA/HFN? Y
Triggers- graphic violence, language, explicit erotic content, s. assault
Tropes- Hot Scots, Arranged Marriage, Bodyguard Romance, Uptown Girl/Downtown Boy
What I liked- the book was action-packed and impossible to put down. The heroine was feisty, intelligent, and determined never to give up. The hero was hot, capable, and fierce. They were a good match. Chemistry? The book nearly set fire to my Kindle.
What I didn’t- I don’t have the next book yet.
Verdict- excellent debut that will be loved by readers who love Mafia romance, heavy on the romance. Recommended.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Here’s the breakdown:
MMC/FMC- Alec and Esther
POV- 1st person dual
Genre- Mafia Romance
Sub Genre- Dark erotic romance
Heat- they do all the things and use the words beginning with C
Language- UK English
Series? Y
Cliffhanger? N
HEA/HFN? Y
Triggers- graphic violence, language, explicit erotic content, s. assault
Tropes- Hot Scots, Arranged Marriage, Bodyguard Romance, Uptown Girl/Downtown Boy
What I liked- the book was action-packed and impossible to put down. The heroine was feisty, intelligent, and determined never to give up. The hero was hot, capable, and fierce. They were a good match. Chemistry? The book nearly set fire to my Kindle.
What I didn’t- I don’t have the next book yet.
Verdict- excellent debut that will be loved by readers who love Mafia romance, heavy on the romance. Recommended.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 18, 2024
I was hooked on the first half, not so much on the second half. I'll eventually read the entire series ❤️
February 4, 2024
Plot is not plotting.
July 30, 2023
1 star
MMC is basically a wet spaghetti.
FMC’s dad is actually AWFUL? As is the rest of her family to just sell her out to someone like that. What’s worse is that the FMC’s family wasn’t painted as “bad” so it felt very contradictory.
FMC herself is so annoying too.
And the ending…??? What in the Wattpad is going on… also the fact that the MMC spends the ENTIRE book bringing her back to her abusive fiancé and then only once he’s basically put her back in said abusive fiancé’s hands does he change his mind and realised he f*cked up?
Honestly.
MMC is basically a wet spaghetti.
FMC’s dad is actually AWFUL? As is the rest of her family to just sell her out to someone like that. What’s worse is that the FMC’s family wasn’t painted as “bad” so it felt very contradictory.
FMC herself is so annoying too.
And the ending…??? What in the Wattpad is going on… also the fact that the MMC spends the ENTIRE book bringing her back to her abusive fiancé and then only once he’s basically put her back in said abusive fiancé’s hands does he change his mind and realised he f*cked up?
Honestly.
January 23, 2024
This was my first book that had UK formatting. So it was very interesting to read. Alec, to me, seemed like a very hard-headed man but I also soon realized that Esther is his weakness and he can give in to her very fast. He is the protector you would want in your life but you would also have to realize that he has a very dark side. Esther, to me, seemed like she had it all but I quickly learned that she is a tough one and that to the outside world, she might seem spoiled but is a very powerful woman. Her runaway path was written amazingly. I feel like it is the first time that Esther actually shows the outside world that she is more than just a mafia princess. Alec becomes a softy more and more but brings out his dark side when needed. Let me tell you, when sh!t went down I was so stressed. And I feel like that scene was rushed. But I did my research and I guess I will get more of the aftermath in the second Book. All in all, this was a great read with a new author on my radar.
💀Dark Romance
💀Mafia
💀Forbidden Love
💀Forced marriage
💀Abuse
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
💀Dark Romance
💀Mafia
💀Forbidden Love
💀Forced marriage
💀Abuse
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
May 11, 2024
This hands down was a great mafia book read. Hands down a solid 5 star. Esther, a spoiled bratty mafia princess was being forced to marry Harold, the man who offed her mother and brother, in order to settle the peace between the two families. Harold was a vile man, and the only way Esther knew she could escape him was disappearing for good. She just needed to get passed her hot attractive crush bodyguard Alec. After escaping and running off, Alec was made to find her and bring her back. Did Esther make this easy for him? Heck no lol. Not only did she ruin every one of his plans, but she tangled herself into his heart and had him falling in love with him. So what happens when the bodyguard falls for the bratty mafia princess who’s to be married off to a dangerous man? Read to find out!!!!
Rating: 5⭐️
Spicy: 5⭐️
Rating: 5⭐️
Spicy: 5⭐️
March 6, 2024
I could not put this book down! Mafia romance with a plot. The way it was written and the suspense of everything.
Can’t wait to get the 2nd book!
Can’t wait to get the 2nd book!
August 11, 2024
2.5⭐️
The first half was a lot of fun to read. I liked how resourceful Esther was.
It was a bit cheesy and predictable. I also didn’t really believe the romance, probably because it was cheesy.
The story definitely had potential, but could’ve been worked out a bit better.
The first half was a lot of fun to read. I liked how resourceful Esther was.
It was a bit cheesy and predictable. I also didn’t really believe the romance, probably because it was cheesy.
The story definitely had potential, but could’ve been worked out a bit better.
September 22, 2024
Plot had so much promise but didn't quite meet expectations. The ending felt a bit rushed and I'm lowkey mad that some of the main issues were skipped over.
March 11, 2024
Yikes 😬 There's actually so much of this that I didn't like, I don't even know where to start.
Alec is so bipolar with his emotions towards Esther that he actually gave me emotional whiplash. One second he's treating her like a prisoner and talking to her like she's not even a person. The next minute he's internally battling himself on his feelings towards her and hating that he has to bring her home to someone who's ready to destroy her. Someone he's been willing to take her to because he's jealous of the life she's had.. even though he knows absolutely nothing of her life, just what he wants to believe. I literally wanted to smash his face in.
Let's not even talk about the multiple pet names he gives her.. it felt so awkward and unnatural. And I love how in the end they totally just move on from everything that was caused.. Maeve is left on her own YET AGAIN even though Esther was so concerned about her being left to Harold.. umm what? The back and forth feelings from her was insane.
I own the next three books so let's hope they're better than this train wreck.
Alec is so bipolar with his emotions towards Esther that he actually gave me emotional whiplash. One second he's treating her like a prisoner and talking to her like she's not even a person. The next minute he's internally battling himself on his feelings towards her and hating that he has to bring her home to someone who's ready to destroy her. Someone he's been willing to take her to because he's jealous of the life she's had.. even though he knows absolutely nothing of her life, just what he wants to believe. I literally wanted to smash his face in.
Let's not even talk about the multiple pet names he gives her.. it felt so awkward and unnatural. And I love how in the end they totally just move on from everything that was caused.. Maeve is left on her own YET AGAIN even though Esther was so concerned about her being left to Harold.. umm what? The back and forth feelings from her was insane.
I own the next three books so let's hope they're better than this train wreck.
May 5, 2024
3.75🍁 | 1.5🌶️
Can someone explain to me why I thought this was an RH, and I was only half way through the book when i finally realised that somewhere my TBR recommendations got messed up and the whole series is interconnected stand-alone about the same family and I won’t be getting my RH….
It took me some time to get into the book, I both liked Esther and she was pissing me off. She had balls to disappear but at the same time, the girl had no wits about her. The girl should have devised a plan on how to unalive her future husband and take over his empire. But nah, she was on the verge of being a damsel in distress with her moping around the whole house. Now don’t get me started on her father, that man doesn’t deserve to be a father. Don’t get me wrong I’ve read my share of irredeemable ahole fathers, but this man somehow is topping the charts! At least with other guys if they would propose such a union they didn’t care about their daughter, but it seems like Malcolm did care about his kids, but for some reason he cared more about all others and not Esther. Why was he even contemplating to literally bring his daughter to a slaughter just so his other kids would survive (which honestly I’m pretty sure Harold would have never upheld his end of the deal).
Alec, Alec, Alec, our MMC was one one huge red flag trying to pass as a green one. The dude seriously thought that paying off his house was more important than his friends sister… What kind of friend are you? Also her brothers offering a bounty for him to bring her back? That whole family needs a lobotomy!
If you’re reached up till here, well with all my rant I did enjoy the book, especially once it started to pick up and those spicy scenes!!! I was melting! Will I finish off the series? I will for sure!
Can someone explain to me why I thought this was an RH, and I was only half way through the book when i finally realised that somewhere my TBR recommendations got messed up and the whole series is interconnected stand-alone about the same family and I won’t be getting my RH….
It took me some time to get into the book, I both liked Esther and she was pissing me off. She had balls to disappear but at the same time, the girl had no wits about her. The girl should have devised a plan on how to unalive her future husband and take over his empire. But nah, she was on the verge of being a damsel in distress with her moping around the whole house. Now don’t get me started on her father, that man doesn’t deserve to be a father. Don’t get me wrong I’ve read my share of irredeemable ahole fathers, but this man somehow is topping the charts! At least with other guys if they would propose such a union they didn’t care about their daughter, but it seems like Malcolm did care about his kids, but for some reason he cared more about all others and not Esther. Why was he even contemplating to literally bring his daughter to a slaughter just so his other kids would survive (which honestly I’m pretty sure Harold would have never upheld his end of the deal).
Alec, Alec, Alec, our MMC was one one huge red flag trying to pass as a green one. The dude seriously thought that paying off his house was more important than his friends sister… What kind of friend are you? Also her brothers offering a bounty for him to bring her back? That whole family needs a lobotomy!
If you’re reached up till here, well with all my rant I did enjoy the book, especially once it started to pick up and those spicy scenes!!! I was melting! Will I finish off the series? I will for sure!
November 20, 2023
4.5/5⭐️
4/5🌶️
4/5🌶️
July 19, 2023
Book: Dark Escapes
Read By: Ebook
Author: Effie Campbell
Narrator: N/A
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Main Characters: Claire
Recommend: Yes
Spice: 🌶️️ 🌶️️ 🌶️️
Age recommendation: 18-30+ Years
My feelings:
‘So nothing out of the ordinary happened at all?’
I love love love verbal banter! Its honestly is like my bread and butter for a book.
‘I was figuring it out. You know nothing about me. Your head is so far up your ass you only see what you think to be true.’
This book was full of it.
“Heat arose in my cheeks as I looked down and watched him inside me, his tattooed fingers pressing me down firmly while my legs were splayed wide. It was intoxicating.”
I Really enjoyed this! Reminded me of Painted Truths which I also loved! Holding high hopes for this author for the future.
‘At least you have a family. No ones cared about me since I was four years old. You’ll have to excuse me if I don’t give in to your pity party. Lots of people have shitty marriages to shitty people.’
Read By: Ebook
Author: Effie Campbell
Narrator: N/A
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Main Characters: Claire
Recommend: Yes
Spice: 🌶️️ 🌶️️ 🌶️️
Age recommendation: 18-30+ Years
My feelings:
‘So nothing out of the ordinary happened at all?’
I love love love verbal banter! Its honestly is like my bread and butter for a book.
‘I was figuring it out. You know nothing about me. Your head is so far up your ass you only see what you think to be true.’
This book was full of it.
“Heat arose in my cheeks as I looked down and watched him inside me, his tattooed fingers pressing me down firmly while my legs were splayed wide. It was intoxicating.”
I Really enjoyed this! Reminded me of Painted Truths which I also loved! Holding high hopes for this author for the future.
‘At least you have a family. No ones cared about me since I was four years old. You’ll have to excuse me if I don’t give in to your pity party. Lots of people have shitty marriages to shitty people.’
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2023
1 Stat - DNF @ ~45%
Just no. I'm surprised I made it to 45%. It was intriguing enough at the beginning - FMC (mafia princess) is sold off to marry some nasty old mafia head (he killed her mother???) and runs off. Alec, a lower level guard (?) works for her father and is sent off to bring her back. He finds her in Spain and is attempting to drag her home (she's making this extremely difficult). Of course, they have this attraction between them and can't help but hook up with each other in the midst of the cat and mouse chase/constant fighting.
It's not even well done. So lackluster - both MCs have the depth of a puddle. Their attraction is based on both being hot (which, sure, that's the basis of 99% of books in this genre but this felt especially thin and lacking). The chase is extremely repetitive and I find myself not caring.
Just no. I'm surprised I made it to 45%. It was intriguing enough at the beginning - FMC (mafia princess) is sold off to marry some nasty old mafia head (he killed her mother???) and runs off. Alec, a lower level guard (?) works for her father and is sent off to bring her back. He finds her in Spain and is attempting to drag her home (she's making this extremely difficult). Of course, they have this attraction between them and can't help but hook up with each other in the midst of the cat and mouse chase/constant fighting.
It's not even well done. So lackluster - both MCs have the depth of a puddle. Their attraction is based on both being hot (which, sure, that's the basis of 99% of books in this genre but this felt especially thin and lacking). The chase is extremely repetitive and I find myself not caring.
January 29, 2024
What do you do when you’re forced to marry the head of the rival mafia? Get on your knees for your guard who is the enforcer for your family and once he’s blissed out… run. And keep running. But what happens when the enforcer comes to find you? He punishes you.
The banter. The back and forth. I laughed. It was tense. The lengths Esther goes to not return home is brave, extremely laughable.
This is book 1 in the McGowan Mafia series… and I can’t wait to read the next one!
The banter. The back and forth. I laughed. It was tense. The lengths Esther goes to not return home is brave, extremely laughable.
This is book 1 in the McGowan Mafia series… and I can’t wait to read the next one!
July 20, 2024
Got this for free today on the dark romance stuff your kindle day.
It was ok, it was a quick read. Not sure yet if I’ll continue the series.
No owd in this book.
I’m not really a fan of UK based books though, even though I’m from the UK I just prefer my books to be set anywhere but here. This is my own fault though because I knew it was going to be set in the UK when I started so that’s on me.
It was ok, it was a quick read. Not sure yet if I’ll continue the series.
No owd in this book.
I’m not really a fan of UK based books though, even though I’m from the UK I just prefer my books to be set anywhere but here. This is my own fault though because I knew it was going to be set in the UK when I started so that’s on me.
February 10, 2024
I’m glad I kept going after the first 15% or so. I think the editor maybe put an original version of the 1st chapter in because it was riddled with mistakes, but the rest of the book wasn’t bad for grammar (just a few spots).
The storyline was good, but it took a long time to get where we were going but there were some good spicy scenes along the way so I won’t complain too much.
The storyline was good, but it took a long time to get where we were going but there were some good spicy scenes along the way so I won’t complain too much.
August 2, 2024
Esther and Alec
So this is a new to me author and I really enjoyed this book. Can’t wait to start the next one in the series. There are a few things that were kinda cringey in the book but overall it was fun. I like Esther more than Alec. Sometimes I wanted to shake him because I felt like he was too soft. She had the fight in her that made me love her character. Can’t wait to see what happens with the family next!
So this is a new to me author and I really enjoyed this book. Can’t wait to start the next one in the series. There are a few things that were kinda cringey in the book but overall it was fun. I like Esther more than Alec. Sometimes I wanted to shake him because I felt like he was too soft. She had the fight in her that made me love her character. Can’t wait to see what happens with the family next!
September 16, 2024
Effie Campbell is surely not from Glasgow.
Esther caught the “red eye” to Madrid - girl the flight is about 2 hours..
Everyone has guns???? Sorry no they don’t??
The most ABRASIVE use of the words “aye” and “pal” made this borderline unreadable
OF COURSE there is a character called Jock 🙄🙄🙄🙄
Esther caught the “red eye” to Madrid - girl the flight is about 2 hours..
Everyone has guns???? Sorry no they don’t??
The most ABRASIVE use of the words “aye” and “pal” made this borderline unreadable
OF COURSE there is a character called Jock 🙄🙄🙄🙄
February 18, 2024
Promptly buying the next two books in the series.
Want to read
February 26, 2024Prch Amz Feb. 26, 2024
April 12, 2024
Sorry Effie but I renamed your FMC to Amy because I hated Esther.
July 22, 2024
Decent book, I liked the storyline. Nice, easy, smutty read lol
November 22, 2023
Did not finish
February 7, 2024
It was pretty good. I got a little bored about 30% in and did not finish this. LOL
February 11, 2024
I enjoyed this book! I liked the story and the characters and the spice! The only reason it isn't getting the 4 stars is because of the multitude of errors (spelling, missing capitalization, missing quotation marks, etc) that I noticed throughout the entire story, and I'm not talking about the difference in UK and US spelling.
Rating: 3.5⭐️
Rating: 3.5⭐️
February 16, 2024
The book starts good but it turns into an annoying imposible love story with too much sex that become boreing after a while and the fact that Alec somehow made to get Esther for his own is too fake and the story becomes too far from reality for me. I'm sorry that it could be good bc it started good but Effie made it too fake and annoying with irealistic things and too much pulled time😪
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2024
I really enjoyed this one. Esther’s strength and tenacity were amazing, as was her resistance and will to survive. I loved that she was able to find herself in the midst of utter chaos. Alec comes across as this big scary Doberman, but in reality he’s just a fluffy golden retriever. That man just needed love and acceptance for his true personality to come out. And Gladys, oh sweet Gladys. She stole the whole show. I loved her so much, she must be protected at all costs!
August 31, 2024
It was an okay book until all the drama near the ending. The writing wasn't the best, and there were things that annoyed me, but around 80% it all started to fall apart.
Main things I didn't like:
- I hated that the hero was already into kink and had experience, while the heroine discovered kinks with him. And I hated how many times he compared her to other women he's been with. Even once is too much, and he did it a few times. And what's worse is that, especially in the beginning, he didn't say that she was the best, but one of the best. But saving grace here was that the heroine wasn't a virgin and she actually had good sexual experiences.
- there were too many sex scenes. It was fine in the beginning, but it started to become distracting from the plot and unnecessary.
- it took the hero 70% of the book to decide that he didn't want to get her back to the family but he brought her back anyways.
- Also, I hated how weak and how much of a coward the hero was. After all they've been through, after he told the heroine he loved her, he stood aside and watched another man forcibly kiss her. He even watched that man slap her. He kinda tried to defend her there, but, in the end, he did nothing. And after witnessing that, he left her alone for days, and he did nothing to try and save her.
- I really hated the heroine's family. None of her 3 brothers stood up for her or defended her at any point. And we are supposed to believe that her family is close and loving. Her father basically sold her to a man who killed his wife and son. What kind of mafia boss was he? Where is his pride? Where is everyone's pride? One of the grossest things here was when the heroine's oldest brother said to the hero something like 'someone will kill her husband soon, you can have a chance if you can wait for her'. And the hero said how it'd be too painful to wait, and never mentioned that he'll save her and do something, but he was ready to leave her and move on. I can't describe how gross they all are.
I just can't get over the fact that no one fought for the heroine - not the hero, not her siblings, no one. They were willing to give her away, but not the younger sister. They were all going to let her be abused and possibly killed. Not once had her brothers stood up for her. And I don't understand how her father was a mafia boss, when he was such a pushover. He was going to let his daughter marry a man who killed his wife, a wife he supposedly loved, and son. He should've been dead set on revenge and killing his rival, not marry his daughter to him.
There were other illogical and stupid things that happened, but these are the main ones. There's also an 'accidental' pregnancy near the end. I mean, they did fuck without protection for weeks. I'm not actually sure why that was included, because it was unnecessary.
And hero's neighbor who inserted herself in their plans and run away with them. I thought it was so stupid and she was annoying.
I may try the next book in the series, because I already own it, but I will never read books about the heroine's coward brothers.
Main things I didn't like:
- I hated that the hero was already into kink and had experience, while the heroine discovered kinks with him. And I hated how many times he compared her to other women he's been with. Even once is too much, and he did it a few times. And what's worse is that, especially in the beginning, he didn't say that she was the best, but one of the best. But saving grace here was that the heroine wasn't a virgin and she actually had good sexual experiences.
- there were too many sex scenes. It was fine in the beginning, but it started to become distracting from the plot and unnecessary.
- it took the hero 70% of the book to decide that he didn't want to get her back to the family but he brought her back anyways.
- Also, I hated how weak and how much of a coward the hero was. After all they've been through, after he told the heroine he loved her, he stood aside and watched another man forcibly kiss her. He even watched that man slap her. He kinda tried to defend her there, but, in the end, he did nothing. And after witnessing that, he left her alone for days, and he did nothing to try and save her.
- I really hated the heroine's family. None of her 3 brothers stood up for her or defended her at any point. And we are supposed to believe that her family is close and loving. Her father basically sold her to a man who killed his wife and son. What kind of mafia boss was he? Where is his pride? Where is everyone's pride? One of the grossest things here was when the heroine's oldest brother said to the hero something like 'someone will kill her husband soon, you can have a chance if you can wait for her'. And the hero said how it'd be too painful to wait, and never mentioned that he'll save her and do something, but he was ready to leave her and move on. I can't describe how gross they all are.
I just can't get over the fact that no one fought for the heroine - not the hero, not her siblings, no one. They were willing to give her away, but not the younger sister. They were all going to let her be abused and possibly killed. Not once had her brothers stood up for her. And I don't understand how her father was a mafia boss, when he was such a pushover. He was going to let his daughter marry a man who killed his wife, a wife he supposedly loved, and son. He should've been dead set on revenge and killing his rival, not marry his daughter to him.
There were other illogical and stupid things that happened, but these are the main ones. There's also an 'accidental' pregnancy near the end. I mean, they did fuck without protection for weeks. I'm not actually sure why that was included, because it was unnecessary.
And hero's neighbor who inserted herself in their plans and run away with them. I thought it was so stupid and she was annoying.
I may try the next book in the series, because I already own it, but I will never read books about the heroine's coward brothers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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