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Shakedown #3

Tough Love

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Carragh has waited years for the perfect moment to overthrow his father. Take the crown, the throne and the fortune due him as the eldest son.

Then redheaded burlesque dancer Luna Belle sashayed into his view and refused to leave his dreams. Fine. He’ll take her, too.

No matter her refusals.
No matter her futile protests.
No matter her denial of the red-hot heat between them.
He will have her.

After all, a King needs his Queen.

Luna Belle has plans. They do not involve an underworld life. They do not involve being a slave to an untenable, consuming passion for one Irish kingpin.


She’s not about to let someone like him ruin her and her sister’s lives. She can live the rest of her life knowing she’ll never want a man as much as she wants Carragh.
She can resist him.
She has to.
Otherwise, people will die.

First published January 1, 2020

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About the author

Elizabeth SaFleur

34 books517 followers
Award-winning author of steamy romcom, erotic romance and steamy contemporary, Elizabeth SaFleur promises all the "feels" in her stories. And, hot heroes, HEAs and (many) spicy, sexy times.

~~Laugh out loud in her Meet Cute Series.
~~Experience luxurious, glamorous escapes in her Elite Doms of Washington series
~~Join her burlesque & gangster book world in the Shakedown series
~~Meet the heroines who take charge in the Justice Series, her Femme Domme romance books

News From Elizabeth (newsletter: http://eepurl.com/WK5EH
Elizabeth’s Playroom: http://tinyurl.com/ElizabethPlayroom
TikTok: https://bit.ly/ESaFleurTikTok
Bookbub: http://tinyurl.com/ElizabethBookBub
Facebook page: http://bit.ly/30pJVI2
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2KLWSX5

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5 stars
35 (72%)
4 stars
10 (20%)
3 stars
1 (2%)
2 stars
1 (2%)
1 star
1 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Khurram.
1,867 reviews6,665 followers
July 13, 2021
A very good book. I think this is my favourite of SaFleur's books so far. The only reason I did not give this 5 stars is the mafia/crime family angle just seemed to fade into the background for me towards the end.

I really did like Luna's character development. She impressed me throughout the book, but the end of the book I thought se was tougher than Carragh. I could actually see her as a mafia boss.

This is a very good ending to the series. I would recommend teadingvthe whole series before reading this book, but this does pretty much catch you up on the main points of the other books.
Profile Image for Rhonda.
3,309 reviews65 followers
May 15, 2021
I have loved every book in this little series and this one has the perfect ending that ties everything up nice and neat. Luna and Carragh are not suppose to be together because of the bad blood between their families but that doesn't stop Carragh from wanting Luna, and he determined to show her the belong together. I laughed, I cried, I got mad and all in all, I think this is my favorite book out of them all. Perfect series!!!!
Profile Image for Bonnie Natola.
111 reviews6 followers
June 1, 2021
Tough Love is the perfect ending to a perfect and addictive series. Elizabeth took us on a ride that I will always remember because of her characters, they always pull you into their works so deeply you feel like your drowning in what they feel. I love this book deeply and Everything this series stands for. It’s definitely a must read and one that Elizabeth nailed in every possible way
Profile Image for Kaye.
7,178 reviews68 followers
June 1, 2021
☄️☄️ONE SENSATIONAL ADVENTURE☄️☄️
Busting barnacles bert! Elizabeth whips this puppy out in stunning wonder, blazing the path and leveling the field with this tantalizingly tumultuous, wickedly delicious, enticingly addictive, skillfully scrumptious, sinfully evocative, rock-my-world piece of delight, spinning through every nuance, essence and sentiment, jetting this jewel to staggering heights. Attributes and perceptions in each thread you unravel with every page your lured into this tangled web so securely and precise, exhibiting the soaring ups and agonizing downs, breathtaking in it's simplicity and inspiring in it's strength, secrets are shared, revelations are revealed and vows are pledged, launching this sweet treat to life flawlessly. A raging vortex chocked-full of riveting drama, gripping intrigue, underlying threats, spiraling danger, electrifying suspense and nailbiting situations ensue, exhibiting the horrendous struggles and thrilling triumphs, while cognizant of the stunning twists and shocking turns unfolding, propelling this gem into a frenzy with mind-blowing results, wrapping this gem up sleek, shiny and tight. The attraction and chemistry collides with such intoxicating intensity and scorching heat, exploding with boundless emotions and infinite affections, bringing our characters closer, uniting them together beautifully. The characters interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits add depth and diversity, transforming into amazing personalities. The scenes are abundantly descriptive with colorful details that blend and flow, creating a majestic backdrop that's so rich and lively it feels as though you're part of the story instead of on the sidelines, feeling everything the characters feel. Fabulous job Elizabeth, thanks for sharing this bad boy with us.
Profile Image for Roxs Reads.
730 reviews1 follower
June 2, 2021
Shakedown #3 has landed in Tough Love. I have been enjoying the captivating stories of the O’Malley sisters immensely. These ladies are tough where it counts, loyal to each other till the end, and ready to fight to the bitter end for each other. During book 2, Tough Break, I was over the moon excited when I realized how taboo and forbidden Tough Love was going to be. How on earth was author Elizabeth SaFleur going to pull this one off. There was just no way that Luna would allow herself to fall for the Irish kingpin who was responsible for so much turmoil in her life. Not only that, her sisters would never allow it. I knew at that very second that Tough Love was probably going to be my favorite of the series and added it to my TBR immediately.

Luna Belle has always been the sister who sacrificed her wants and her happiness for “the better good”. Family means everything to these sisters, and that is what made this whole series stand out. The pages are chocked full of action, suspense, and drama. These three sisters, who have been glued to the hip for years, never making a decision without the others in mind, are now starting to go on their own path in life. Luna is the last sister standing and she had some tough decisions to make. When one of those decisions is whether or not to listen to her heart and finally accept the undeniable chemistry between herself and Carragh MacKenna, cue the steamy sizzle. Who are we kidding? He was never taking NO for an answer!

Elizabeth SaFleur has finished this series on a high note. Always leave them wanting more – I think that is what they say. Luna’s strength made me smile and I couldn’t help but be happy for her and all the sisters. This has been an entertaining and unique series that I’m sad to see end, but it ended perfectly.
Profile Image for Melanie Marnell.
3,656 reviews28 followers
May 28, 2021
I am sad to have the Shakedown series end. The O'Malley sisters and the men they love have made for some fantastic reading. "Family Forever & Friends Always" is the triplets mantra. This is a romance about family, forgiveness, loyalty, deception, doing the right thing, changing direction and leaving the past behind.

Things are changing now that Phee and Starr have found their "one." Luna is definitely feeling like the odd girl out. That increases tenfold when she finds she can no longer resist Carragh McKenna. He is afterall the enemy. The heart wants what the heart wants. Try as he might to keep Luna at arm's length, if for no other reason than keeping her safe, she occupies his every waking moment. The time has come to make his long planned move but it seems theirs a spy in his camp. Things get dicey but he's more or less handed the keys to the kingdom by two different sources. What he set in motion at age 14 is now becoming a reality plus he gets the woman of his dreams and an HEA!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
923 reviews
May 31, 2021
Tough Love is the final book in the Shakedown series revolving around Luna and Carragh. This unlikely pair have been drawn to each other from the beginning of the series and we finally get to see them fully connect. Luna fully loves her sisters but has this secret strength that gets to shine through when she realizes her sisters have their own relationships while she is on her own. Then Carragh is a man wanting to do right for everyone despite what his father has planned. This series is one that will grab you with the suspense and danger at every turn while delivering such emotional stories about all the characters that we have come to know over the series. Well done!
10 reviews
June 2, 2021
Carragh is introduced in the first book of this series as a Irish Kingpin son and cousin to Declan. Declan owns the Burlesque Club where the triplet sisters Starr, Phee and Luna Belle dance. Carragh has set his sites on Phee and can’t keep away from her and wanting her to be his Queen. Phee has an attraction to Carragh but doesn’t want to have anything to do with the underworld, plus her sisters, Declan and Nathan warns her to stay away. But the heart wants wants what the heart wants, but can they make it work and will Luna Belle family accept her decision. I have volunteered as a Arc Reader to read this book and give my honest review.

A great ending to this series, Elizabeth SaFleur is one of my favorite authors. She never disappoints. If you have never read any of her books I suggest you start now.
495 reviews5 followers
May 28, 2021
Tough Love is an absolutely brilliant ending to this three book series. Luna and Carragh are enemies on paper but find themselves falling in love. Carragh is part of a crime family but wants to take power and go legit but there is much that the family has done to hurt the people that Luna loves. In the end, Carragh chooses Luna but not without suspenseful and dramatic events. This story had me thinking about the family oriented books by one of my favourite authors Maeve Binchy - the writing was beautiful and highlighted the strength and power of love and reconciliation. I loved this story and happily and voluntarily reviewed it.
Profile Image for Suzette.
2,884 reviews16 followers
June 1, 2021
The Shakedown series has come to a gripping conclusion. The last of the triplets, Luna, has found her love in an unlikely match. Carragh and his family is the enemy and the one man she shouldn’t want. But the the heart wants what it wants. Despite threats and danger they still find a way to be together. It is a wonderful conclusion to the series that you will be hard pressed to put down once you start reading.
May 31, 2021
With the final book of the Shakedown Trilogy Luna and Carragh, two unlikely partners, must come to grips with their past in order to build a future. It's never easy and Elizabeth SaFleur brings the conclusion to us in a satisfying and emotional story. Do. Not. Miss. This.
Profile Image for Book Buddies.
695 reviews14 followers
May 17, 2021
Things have certainly changed for the O'Malley sisters. Up to now, it's just been the three of them...
Family forever... Friends always...

But now, Starr is going to marry Nathan and Phee has Declan, and our last girl standing, Luna Belle, is feeling adrift. Carragh MacKenna is the last man on earth that Luna should be drawn to, but fight as she may, this man makes her see that not everything is as it appears.

I'm in awe of the emotion that bled from these pages, the author made me feel Luna's loneliness to my very soul. And guilt, so much guilt...she has her fair share, but life doesn't come with a road map for traveling the roads to all the right choices. I wanted to sit down with her, hold her in my arms and tell her the things she did, she did with love and now... it was ok for her to be a little selfish and choose her own happiness. I did a little fist pump for her when she made her stand...nicely done Luna!

If you haven't started this series yet, I highly recommend you do. Don't miss this one, it's full of family, and second chances, danger and life-altering events, but also wonderfully written characters and love...so much love. Binge read this series now that it's complete, it will be your go-to, feel good series for sure <3
Profile Image for Elaine.
719 reviews5 followers
May 20, 2021
Tough Love is one of my top 5 books this year!! Luna at last get what she's ever wanted from life is love, not the love of her sister's but a love that was everlasting, and she found it with Carragh but at what cost?
Will Carragh be enough when it comes to her sister's or will they try break them apart or will she go behind their backs to get what she's ever wanted?
1,490 reviews26 followers
May 12, 2021
Wow! I’m a lover of this entire series and this last book ties it up perfectly! It’s a story of forbidden love and Carragh and Luna are not meant to be. There is too much bad blood between the families, yet the attraction between them is so sizzling, that your fingers will burn as you turn the pages. Carragh wants to set things right, but can he prove to Luna that he is truly the one for her?

You can’t help but love Luna. She is a complete breath of fresh air. She has such love for her family, that she is torn when it comes to Carragh. Can she show her family that he is not all that he seems to be? There is just so much to love about this series and this story as it brings it all together it one perfect book.

Quite a bit goes on in this to make your head spin. My heart broke, was put back together, I cried, I laughed and I fell in love with Carragh and Luna. This is a brilliant series and I can’t recommend it highly enough!!
Profile Image for Rebecca Whaley.
1,456 reviews33 followers
May 15, 2021
Omg this was awesome! This story is Luna bell and Carragh's story and I loved it. Their story is intense! Luna bell is fighting her attraction to Carragh nut you know that's not gonna work. Carragh is dominant and definitely knows what he wants and he definitely wants Luna bell. There romance is rocky and angsty and everything I wanted. This is definitely a book you'll want to get your hands on!
2,195 reviews17 followers
June 2, 2021
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of "TOUGH LOVE" WOW!!!! What a rollercoaster ride full of emotional turmoil, intrigue, suspense, danger, angst, betrayal, secrets, lies, passion, intense drama, twists that have you on the edge of your seat.
Luna Belle dances at Shakedown Burlesque Club when Carragh MacKenna see her for the first time the gorgeous redhead won't leave his dreams he's obsessed with her.
Carragh oldest son to Tomas MacKenna wants to over throw his father its his time to take over the crime family & the fortune that's belongs to him he wants Luna to be his Queen.
Luna is attracted to Carragh he's not like his father but he's Forbidden to her their families have history & not the good kind Tomas tried to kill Starr & Phee if it wasn't for Carragh saving them Luna could have lost her sisters their triplets.
I definitely recommend to get this amazing book the last of the series so well written with amazing well developed captivating engaging characters I loved Luna & Carragh what they went through to be together was difficult will get sisters accept him in Luna's life you have to get it to find out. PHENOMINAL STORY EXCELLENT SERIES!!!!
131 reviews1 follower
June 4, 2021
For me this is easily the best of the series. The beautiful red-headed Luna Belle is the only dancer left of her sisters at The Shakedown Burlesque Club in Baltimore. Phoebe and Starr are married or as good as and Starr is expecting a baby. Carragh Mackenna the heir to his crime family has been stalking Luna for weeks but in a seductive way and Luna is drawn to the forbidden side even knowing her sister's have good reasons to hate the MacKenna's. Thank goodness Carragh's brother Riork is in prison and unlikely to emerge but he still has to deal with his homicidal father the boss. A nasty piece of work called Nicole although beautiful causes problems but a relationship secretly develops between Luna and Carragh who are so strongly attracted to each other and evinced by some steamy scenes. Cherry is a lovely character and a bit of political glue for the sisters. A sweet and steamy romance, rather light on the mafia side. Received this ARC and have voluntarily reviewed.
Profile Image for Cindy Montgomery.
160 reviews
June 2, 2021
Forbidden and Intense Makes an Exciting Conclusion

This is the third and final story in the Shakedown series. Luna is the youngest of the O Malley sisters. Carragh MacKenna has a father that wants power and control and doesn’t care who is in the way. These two people have a
strong attraction which neither family approves of.
Elizabeth SaFleur creates a suspenseful journey and these two characters how love and trust make a powerful relationship. This story touched my heart when there was a death and honestly Luna’s reaction was spot on. I felt her sadness and that speaks to the author’s ability to bring the reader into the story. This was the perfect ending to a wonderful series. This is a must read!
1,537 reviews
May 15, 2021
I have really enjoyed this series and it would be hard to pick a favourite but I think Luna and Carragh’s was the most poignant and they had everyone against them but they managed to not only survive but also to love one another when everyone tried to break them apart. There was a melancholy to the first part of their story but then there was love and a resolute determination to put right old grievances. I was hoping Cherry would get a book but that doesn’t appear to be the case, so knowing the integral role she plays behind the scenes will have to be enough but she is a great character. The ending to Tough Love was perfect and gives a real sense of fulfillment.
Profile Image for Kelly Kemmerly.
618 reviews9 followers
June 1, 2021
Luna Belle is the quiet, confident sister who stands strong to protect family, friends, and her heart.
Then she meets Carragh, the dangerous Irish mafia son who has the the bluest eyes and shows her the kindest heart behind those wicked ways. Carragh’s family has caused so much destruction in Luna’s life can she continue to resist his charm? Is Carragh capable of rewriting history and carving a new path that includes the gentle Luna Belle and her family? I think this one has been my favorite!!
Profile Image for Deidre.
87 reviews
June 8, 2021
The triplets have been inseparable since birth. But Luna has love that may break them apart. She dares to love the Bad Boy. Elizabeth SaFluer Has yet again brought us fun yet riveting love that is sure to win over even the most skeptical hearts when she brings Luna and Carragh together. Their worlds collide in a spectacular and fun to follow way and you just can't get enough.
2,991 reviews24 followers
June 3, 2021
Awesome ending to an amazing series. Elizabeth SaFleur knows how to write a flowing suspenseful story that captivates her audiences. The sisters were entertaining, the story was well written, and I am sad to see this come to an end. Way better than five stars!!!!!
Profile Image for Phyllis Lopez.
968 reviews5 followers
June 5, 2021
Amazing Story!

The story of Luna Belle O'Malley and Carragh MacKenna was exciting and crazy. The O'Malley sisters always stuck together, but when it came to the MacKenna family and Luna falling for one of them the claws come out. I loved this series. A must read.
November 18, 2021
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Fabulous Series , it kept me on my toes and I loved every single day reading all of their adventures
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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