The O’Malleys was originally slated to be a 5 part series. That was before Dmitri Romanov muscled his way onto the scene and into readers’ hearts in book two. Katee Robert created such a magnetic, compelling character in this villain that readers—including myself—begged for the sexy Russian’s story. And then, thankfully, there were six. In decades of reading romance & romantic suspense, I have never, ever, fallen for a villain. So falling for Dmitri was a complete shock, and one I wasn’t comfortable with at first. After my initial shock wore off, I fully embraced my feelings for the mobster. Ever since Carrigan O’Malley boldly outplayed him in The Wedding Pact, I’ve hungered for his story. The two year wait has been long. One would think the exceptional stories in between would have made the wait more bearable. Yet they only served to heighten the need. Yes, need. After the deal Dmitri struck with the O’Malley patriarch to marry his oldest daughter was thwarted, Dmitri was determined he would have the remaining single daughter. But did he settle? It becomes clear Dmitri recognized something in Keira O’Malley that no one else had seen: Not her extensive family; certainly not me; not even Keira herself. It was this that made the unlikely pair a formidable force against the evil threatening all four crime families and the Romanov empire specifically. I must admit pairing my Dmitri with the youngest, most unstable, and my least favorite O’Malley wasn’t a move I appreciated until book five. It was then I began to warm up to Keira and trust that Katee Robert would do right by the menacingly seductive Russian who captured part of my heart. I should have never questioned Robert’s genius. This much anticipated finale is a culmination of a uniquely complex, deliciously hot, incredibly well-written series unlike any other. The Bastard’s Bargain is many things, but paramount is (crime) family drama, betrayal, justice, vengeance, love, and the ultimate metamorphosis. I not only got my hero, I got a bad@ss shero too. Many thanks to Katee Robert for an epic series that I will re-read for years to come. Just one more request, if I may: Epilogue novella, please. To fully enjoy each story, this series should not be read out of order. 4.5 stars

Keira is the youngest of the O’Malley’s and going downhill fast with her drinking. Dmitri Romanov has been her family’s enemy for years. He is the Russian mobster who lives in New York, where his territory is. He wants Keira. and tells Aiden, her brother, that they’ll make peace if he gives him Keira. Aiden starts too but decides to back out and Dmitri knows this. So he calls Keira and tells her to marry him and he’ll leave her family alone for trying to double cross him. Keira agrees and leaves with him. He tells her right off he doesn’t believe in romance and love. She keeps that in her head but he slowly shows her the real man no one knows. There is still danger out there and there seems to be a traitor in Dmitri’s ranks. As they are looking for the threats, they slowly fall in love. Can they find their enemies before they can attack? Excellent story. Kept me on the edge of my seat. You’ll need a cold shower after the sex scenes. Loved Keira and Dmitri. I love this series but I believe this is my favorite. If you like mobsters, steamy sex, and suspense this is for you. * Voluntarily read and reviewed this for Netgalley *