Toxic: Mafia Wars New York, Book 1 (Unabridged‪)‬

Brilliant Story & Listen🎧 Engrossing & Heartfelt!

Maggie Cole takes her readers and audiobook listeners to New York for some more Mafia Wars greatness, I loved her original series which is set in Chicago and was happy that she would not only continue her Mafia Wars greatness but was taking us to New York where different mafia family’s rule. This book is Dante Marino and Bridget O’Connor’s story, and it drew me in right from the start, grabbing my attention and captivating it the entire time. These two were friends when they were younger, both wanted it to be more, but Dante was not ready for a commitment and was more of a player and it wasn’t until he lost her did he realize she was the only one for him. She moved on, went to college in Chicago and found happiness with another man, Sean O’Malley. As much as he wanted to, Dante could not hate Sean because he was such a great guy, and he made her happy. Dante never met his special someone because no one come close to what he felt with her and he had many women, he rid of them when they got too clingy. Bridget’s happy life in Chicago takes a tragic turn, and she returns to New York with her children to live with her father. Dante wants a second chance with her, but she still wants nothing to do with him, thinks he still plays the same games as he did when they were younger. Dante does not give up on her and works his way back into her life. He realizes there is something going on with her and it is something from her past that she is hiding. He tries to get her to talk, but she is not ready for that. This is a beautifully written and cleverly plotted second chance romance, not an easy romance but one that was almost a lifetime in the making. Dante and Bridget were not ready for each other when they were younger, Bridget found happiness and a love with Sean but it got torn tragically away, what she went thru was gut-wrenching and the sacrifices she made for her children were not easy but her love for them gave her the strength to do it. Maggie Cole, thank you for another amazing story and start to a new Mafia Wars series.

🎧📚🎧 And for the amazing narration, Maggie Cole could not have chosen a better cast to bring her story and characters to life. Aaron Shedlock and Ava Lucas are entertaining storytellers and versatile voice artists. They had a complete understanding of the characters they portrayed, giving each a voice that suited their character’s persona to a tee, sounding believable and just as I pictured the character to sound. Aaron Shedlock played Dante’s role with perfection, alpha gangster style. Ava Lucas’ Bridget was spot on, she captured her strength and determination and her vulnerable side. Both were great at performing the roles of the secondary characters as well. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured all the characters’ emotions and projected them into their performance and have you feeling every single one. Thank you for another brilliant listen, it is always a pleasure to listen to your work.