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Hearts #1

Stolen Hearts

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Outside a glittering party, I saw a man in the dark. I didn’t know then that he was an assassin. A hit man. A mercenary. Ronan radiated danger and beauty. Mercy and mystery.


I wanted him, but I was already promised to another man. Ronan might be the one who murdered him. But two warring families want my blood. I don’t know where to turn.


In a mad world of luxury and secrets, he’s the only one I can trust.

ebook

First published January 7, 2021

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M. O'Keefe

15 books209 followers

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5 stars
630 (35%)
4 stars
642 (36%)
3 stars
360 (20%)
2 stars
112 (6%)
1 star
29 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 425 reviews
January 5, 2021
Steamy, edgy, and full of angst, Stolen Hearts showcases M. O’Keefe’s phenomenal storytelling skills and sets the stage for an incredible series. This story has the perfect balance of romance and suspense, and introduces captivating characters who find themselves in a whirlwind of intrigue and danger.

“I never wanted a man the way I wanted Ronan. No man had ever made me so curious. Or reckless”.

I loved everything about this book. The characters were unique and intriguing, the intimacy was was sizzling hot, and the suspense was extremely well executed. Poppy was such a great character, one who was beaten down for so long but finally starts to find her inner strength. Her problems just kept piling on top of each other but rather than break down, she started to fight back, which I loved to see. Ronan, in the other hand, was a complete enigma. Sexy and mysterious, and with unclear motives, his interactions with Poppy were practically overflowing with tension and raw sexual energy.

“I break all my rules around you, Poppy. Every single one.”

The plot of this story was so well done. The suspense builds in a way that kept me glued to my screen as I tried to work out what was going on and figure out the motives of the characters. The ending was an insanely intense one and I am so anxious to see what will happen next with Poppy and Ronan. This was a breathtaking start to what looks to be a fantastic series.
Profile Image for Brigid Brown.
915 reviews23 followers
January 9, 2021
OMG!!! I am dying all the deaths right now!!! Stolen Hearts had me on the edge of my seat as soon as Poppy met Ronan.

There is so much mystery swirling around. What role do the Constantine's and Morelli's plan in her life? Who exactly is Ronan....other than dark and dangerous? Is he a danger to Poppy? Good lord she definitely doesn't need that, she's had enough tragedy in her life. But good lord they have this incredible, hot AF, slow burn going on!!

Gah!! I need the second book because holy f@ck, that cliffhanger had me screaming!!!
Profile Image for ♂️Must Have Book Boyfriends ♂️.
521 reviews2,271 followers
January 6, 2021
I CANNOT GET OVER RONAN! OMFG I love him!

I don't even know what to say about Stolen Hearts! This is the first romance I've read from M. O'Keefe and I'll definitely be reading her backlist! I couldn't put this fucking book down! This sexy, heart-stopping, intense, slow-burn romance lit my soul on fire! I could not get enough!!!
Profile Image for R Rais.
1,470 reviews42 followers
January 1, 2021
What a great way to start 2021!

My first read of the year and it start with a bang, i finish reading in one sitting!


Now, if you have read the other books in The Midnight Dynasty collection, you would be familiar with the Constantine and the Morelli and their long lasting bloody feud.

If this is your first read of the collection, no worries since they all can be read on their own.

Stolen Hearts is fast pace, sexy, bit suspence and mystery with old money and family feud mix in it.

Poppy is the Constantine's cousin. She is this sweet girl who is trying to protect her sister after their parents died. Unfortunetly that good only bring her suffering of two years abusive arrange marriage to an older senator.

And to call his death a freedom would be too naive since secrets are piling. Poppy cant even trust anyone. Not Caroline Constantine, someone she trusted for Caroline is like a mother she doesnt have. Not her homocidal sister. Not even the sexy Irish who's touch make her feel alive after so long beaten down.

Profile Image for Ashley Herndon.
1,112 reviews18 followers
January 10, 2021
A+++++ writing.

I mean this book. Lord. Grabbed me. Out the gate.

Poppy, trying to keep it together for her sister. An arranged marriage.

Ronan, out of nowhere. No one. Gorgeous. Secretive.

This is a fabulous slow burn. Sssoooooo hot.

Excellent writing. Excellent plot.

Who did it??

Cannot wait for next book!

Highly recommend
Profile Image for Isabella. R.
1,007 reviews2,020 followers
July 3, 2021
5 The New Monster in My Life Stars ⭐

“I break all my rules around you, Poppy. Every single one.”

Once a privileged daughter with a bright future, now reduced to a destitute young woman forced to marry for security. But sometimes monsters hide in plain sight.

Poppy already belonged to another man when she first crossed paths with the enigmatic Ronan. And it would be a full 2 years before they realise the significance of their meeting.

Now that Poppy is a widow and free from the horrors of her marriage, she'll quickly need to rediscover her backbone. With an unexplainable chain of events, she is realising that she has somehow become a pawn in a war being waged between the Constantine and Morelli families.

And through it all, the naive and broken Poppy is being awakened by a man just as damaged as she. The dangerous Ronan who's been playing her invisible protector the entire time. Yet figuring out his purpose is the biggest mystery of all.

“Jesus, Princess. If you want it, ask for it.”
Like he knew how hard I’d been conditioned not to. How my self-denial was so deeply ingrained. “I promise you,” he said. “I promise that girl in the ball gown cracking jokes, that if you just ask, if you just say it. I will give it to you.”


Ruined is the first book in the addictive Hearts Trilogy that will leave you with more questions than answers. This erotic tale was filled with devastation, suspense and eroticism surrounding a man that sits between the spectrum of good and bad and a battered girl at the centre of it all. With the full story yet to unfold, I didn't realise I'd reached the end in one sitting. Talk about being consumed…
Profile Image for Corinne [semi-hiatus].
530 reviews104 followers
December 24, 2021
5 "heartbreaking and amazing" stars

I will start my review by saying I absolutely loved this book. If there is one book in the Midnight Dinasty you should read, it would be this one.

Molly O'Keefe is a new to me author and I was really nervous about reading this book. But there was no reason to be. This book is amazing.
It is the story of Poppy and Ronan, told from her point of view. It is raw, angsty, heartbreaking. I was drawn into this book from page 1 and couldn't put it down.
Poppy has had a difficult life. Family with history of schizophrenia, manipulated, sold into marriage with an abusive husband at only 20 years old. She is really damaged and her story broke my heart.
Ronan is an enforcer for the Constantine family. He is Irish, brooding, dark and tormented. He is a total mistery.
The writing style is so good. The story flows seamlesly. I was there with Poppy for every shitty thing that happened to her. I was transfixed by her story and the build-up is very well done. My only regret is that this is book 1 in a trilogy, it ends in a cliffy and I have to wait some time to read the next books.

I will be definitely picking up more books from this author.

*** ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review ***
Profile Image for Celia {Hiatus until August}.
750 reviews146 followers
October 2, 2022
description
description
4,7 stars.
Another book in Midnight Dynasty universe.
This one is about Ronan (Constantine's Jack of all trades) and Poppy, a senator's widow.
Killed or suicide?
Well, this is Bishop's Landing, nothing is what it seems, and if Caroline Constantine's hand is around, there's always something obscure.
Ronan meets Poppy when she's so despaired in her engagement party to a senator, that she thinks of running away.
There's an instantaneously chemistry between the two of them.
description
Two years later, the senator dies, and Poppy is finally free, or isn't she?
After all that time, being abused by her husband, Poppy is nothing like the girl Ronan met in her party, but he's always around her.
Really interest?
Or is just a job?
Another Caroline's order?
“I break all my rules around you, Poppy.
Every single one.”

description
But Poppy is curious with the mysterious irish man, and she's in danger...
She can't trust anyone...
This ends with a cliffhanger.
description
Profile Image for Laurelin Paige.
Author 114 books15.6k followers
January 2, 2021
M. O'Keefe always delivers the best alphas, and Stolen Hearts is no different. Ronan is dark, dangerous, and dominating, and he owns me.
Profile Image for Melissa  ❤️ bookaddict_fanatic .
1,074 reviews102 followers
January 11, 2021
WTH..... REALLY??? OH-MY-GAWD..... I NEED BOOK 2 NOW!!!!

This is my first book by M. O'Keefe but definitely not the last. This review will be short and sweet because I don't want to give anything away. This book had me on the edge of my seat, there was so much push and pull I wanted to scream. It was an addicting, slow burn that had me holding my breath one minute and heart racing the next but I just couldn't get enough......it was absolute torcher!!! That ending had my heart in my throat and a WTF coming out of my mouth. All I can say is that I hope we don't have to wait too long for the next book!
Profile Image for Rain.
2,269 reviews28 followers
August 25, 2023
“I’m cruel, and you’re a stupid spoiled princess, and you’re in so far over your head you don’t even realize you’re drowning.”

I liked it, but it also felt a little generic.

Somewhat forced marriage
Misunderstanding trope
Lies and secrets
Bad boy vs good girl
Ends with a crazy cliffhanger

TW: Verbal and physical abuse, miscarriage
Profile Image for  Linathebookaddict  .
1,510 reviews401 followers
April 21, 2021
I adore this author and in this book she gave to me a new book boyfriend! I loved Ronan. Oh my God, this book had me glued to my Kindle.
Amazing chemistry, beautiful writing and romance that will set your heart on fire. Ronan was mysterious, captivating and I so want to know what he is hidding!
I loved Poppy, I could relate to her and that is the most important thing for me in books. She has been used abused and manipulated and my heart broke for her.
I have read a lot books but this author and this is my new favorite. Beware that this is a series. I cannot wait for the next book!
Profile Image for mira.
873 reviews1,361 followers
January 7, 2022
2.75⭐️

“I break all my rules around you, Poppy. Every single one.”


don't trust my rating for this book, i dont know what happened. don't get me wrong its not bad, it was good but i'm just confused. i might change my rating after finishing the trilogy.

first off, i don't knw what happened throughout this book. nothing i didn't understand a thing, and now i'm guessing that was the whole point right??? if so congrats because i'm fucking clueless.

other than the fact that i didn't understand a single thing in this book, the writing didn't help. i feel like it should've been organized better because i didn't understand when she was dreaming, or when she was imagining things. (i think its bc i'm fucking confused).

anyway i'm so curious about it so i'm obv gonna continue but like ??? am i the only one confused or what?
Profile Image for ✰ Liz ✰ .
1,397 reviews1,355 followers
November 28, 2021
"𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞."
description

Ruined is the first book in the story of Poppy and Ronan Byrne. A three-book series set in a dark and twisted world, M. O'Keefe has crafted another masterpiece. Poppy is a young woman who lost her mother at a young age. With a sister who needs medical help, she is desperate to be taken care of and finds herself engaged and married to a junior senator. When the marriage becomes another prison cage for young Poppy, she is desperate for an escape. When assassin Ronan Byrne meets Poppy, he quickly makes an impression on her that she will not forget. Although she knows that he is dangerous and is sure to bring nothing but grief, he offers an escape like she has never dreamed of before. However, with death, destruction, and two warring families weighing down on them, they will have to find a way out and hope that they can stay alive.

description
"𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮?"
Told in dual POV, Ruined is a creatively crafted mafia-type romance where the lines of good and evil are masterfully blurred. Poppy is a practically perfect American Damsel who has to learn to grow up and fight for herself. Ronan is a typical bad boy who knows that Poppy is completely out of his league. And yet, somehow, they are thrown together, and no matter how hard they try, they cannot get enough of each other!
"...𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐧.
Overall, Ruined will appeal to contemporary romance fans who like action, suspense, and intense situations. The characters are complex, and the story arc is uniquely crafted throughout each moment of the story. Be forewarned, and this first book ends on a massive cliffy hence the length it has taken me to go back and write these reviews! M. O'Keefe is a truly gifted author, and if you have not read her work, you need to!


For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

description
description
Profile Image for Erika P.
1,017 reviews164 followers
May 11, 2021
"Desire like I’d never felt, like I’d never been allowed to feel fueled by rage and champagne and his Irish accent rippled all the way through me."

Oh the Irish bad boys get me in the feels each and every time. Crazy slow burn, but sooooo worth it. So much to unravel, it's impossible to determine what comes next, who is an enemy and who is friend. This poor girl's life has been twisted up and spit out by the worst of the worst, and our Irish bad boy may or may not (not spoiling) end up not so much....Steamy, suspenseful SWOONFEST!! Read it NOW!
Profile Image for Jenn (The Book Refuge).
2,418 reviews3,875 followers
January 15, 2024
I haven't visited the Midnight Dynasty universe in a hot minute. So this was so fascinating to be thrust back into it. Though there still are some of the frustrations I remember, I also still listened with rapt attention. So maybe audio format is the way to go for me.

Poppy has survived a lot. She sacrificed herself to an abusive marriage, miscarriages, and a life living as a doll for her husband to use and abuse. When she finally gets free, there are more questions facing her than answers.

Ronan is a mysterious figure that has been in the back of her mind since she first met him years ago. She never quite forgot him, even though they barely met each other and then she was pushed into said abusive marriage. Now he's back with cryptic warnings and touches that make her come alive for the first time.

We don't get too many answers in this first installment, in fact we are left with even more questions. I look forward to the next audio book and seeing where the story goes.

4 stars
2 on the spice scale
Profile Image for Diana.
677 reviews171 followers
January 12, 2021
This is my first read by this author! The style was completely new to me, and Stolen Hearts is a breath of fresh air in the new year. It's an addictive read - I read it super fast! There were lots of secrets that kept me on my toes throughout. This is definitely not the last book I read by the author for sure!!!!

*arc received in return for an honest review*
Profile Image for Library of Romance.
216 reviews67 followers
April 12, 2022
M. O'Keefe - Stolen Hearts (Hearts Trilogy 1)
A Midnight Dynasty Collection


Stolen Hearts is the first instalment of the Hearts trilogy. Set in the world of Midnight Dynasty in Bishop's Landing, amongst the bloody feud between the Constantine’s and the Morelli’s. It follows the lives of the elusive Ronan who handles the dirty work for the Constantine family, and Poppy, a hopeless woman stuck under the thumb of her late mother’s best friend, Caroline Constantine.

“I was a paper doll. Crumpled when pressed.”


Poppy is an all rounded good person. Defeated, broken and down on her luck. She is uncertain of who she can trust. Her life in complicated and she can’t catch a break. Ronan’s character is mysterious and sexy. He plays a silent role behind the scenes of what goes down in Bishop's Landing.
Being the fixer for a powerful family, he is dark and dangerous. I enjoyed the good girl/bad boy dynamic in the story. I loved how they met and their chemistry was explosive from the get go. The relationship was a slow burn, years of denial and sexual tension.

“I never wanted a man the way I wanted Ronan. No man had ever made me so curious. Or reckless.”


M. O'Keefe is a new to me author. This was the first time reading her work and I absolutely fell in love with her writing. I enjoyed their slow burn romance. The plot was interesting and gripped me from the very start. Filled with secrets and mystery, and dark mafia undertones. We saw both sides of corruption and being powerless. I was intrigued to see another perspective in this world, especially with two characters who are not part of either of the two prominent families of Bishop's Landing, although strongly linked to the Constantine’s, through work or obligation. It was fascinating to find out how this plot would progress the series as a whole and how it would all connect to the many plots in this collection. We are left with a cliff hanger however, their story will continue in Broken Hearts.

“I break all my rules around you, Poppy. Every single one.”


With every new book the midnight dynasty collection becomes more complex and exciting. This book gave us a better understanding of Caroline Constantine. We got a closer look at how she operates her business. She is every bit as ruthless and conniving as she was described throughout the collection so far. I am intrigued by the complexity of her character. Known as dangerous and mysterious, and someone to be cautious around, her character unravels more and more with each book, and we learn to see different sides of her.

As the series progresses we also come across new characters. We are introduced to Eden Morelli in this book. I’m very interested to read more about Zilla and Jacob. Their interaction was very fascinating so it will be an interesting relationship to explore; two explosive characters who seem polar opposites.

“Someone should care,” he said, quietly. “Someone should care about you, Princess.”


I'm so excited to see where M. O'Keefe takes the series and how it fits with all the other characters in the Midnight Dynasty world. I have read every book in the collection so far and enjoyed collecting titbits of information about Caroline. I am looking forward to seeing how this series progresses and links more with the other books in the Midnight Dynasty collection. I need more of Ronan and Poppy.

Warning: mentions mental health, domestic abuse, miscarriage

Midnight Dynasty Collection: The following books are all within the Midnight Dynasty collection.
Dark Fairy Tales Anthology
King Midas by Skye Warren, Rumplestiltskin by Celia Aaron, Princess and the Pea by Sierra Simone, Little Red Riding Hood by Karina Halle, The Ugly Duckling by CJ Roberts, Beauty and the Beast by Willow Winters, Jack & the Beanstalk by Marley Valentine, King Thrushbeard by Cora Reilly, Swan Princess by Natasha Knight, Cinderella by Aleatha Romig, and Snow White by T.M. Frazier
Starcrossed Lovers Trilogy by Jade West (Lucian Morelli & Elaine Constantine)
Heartless
Soulless
Relentless
Cinderella Trilogy by K. Webster (Winston Constantine & Ash Elliot)
Stroke of Midnight
Prince Charming
The Glass Slipper
Hellfire Club Series by Becker Gray [All Standalones]
Wicked Idol (Keaton Constantine & Iris Briggs )
Callous Prince (Lennox Lincoln-Ward & Sloane Lauder)
Brutal Blueblood (Owen Montgomery & Tanith Bradford)
Ruined Sinner (Phineas Yates & Aurora Lincon-Ward)
Sweet Devil (Rhys Huntington & Serafina Van Doren)
Dark Hearts Trilogy by M. Okeefe (Ronan Byrne & Poppy Constantine)
Ruined (previously titled Stolen Hearts)
Broken (previously titled Broken Hearts)
Untamed
Beast of Bishop's Landing Trilogy by Amelia Wilde (Leo Morelli & Haley Constantine)
Secret Beast
Hidden Beauty
Fallen Rose
Standalone: Pam Goodwin - Lessons in Sin (Magnus Falke & Tinsley Constantine)
Dream Duet by Giana Darling (Tiernan McTiernan Morelli & Laney Belcante )
Dangerous Temptation
Beautiful Nightmare
Meet Me Under the Mistletoe Anthology
M. Robinson, Pam Godwin, Claire Contreras, Amelia Wilde, Skye Warren, Jenika Snow, Sam Mariano, Alta Hensley, Katee Robert, Maria Luis, Giana Darling, and Sam Mariano
The Collector Trilogy by Amelia Wilde (Emerson Leblanc & Daphne Morelli)
Dark Reign
Sweet Mercy
Last Resort
Deception Duet by K. Webster (Reverse Harem: Sully, Sparrow and Scout Mannford & Landry Croft)
Triple Threat
Death Wish
Wonderland Trilogy by Alta Hensley (Nick Hudson & Lyriope Bailey )
King of Spades
Queen of Hearts
Ace of Diamonds
Wedded Bliss Trilogy by Monica Murphy (Perry Constantine & Charlotte Lancaster)
The Reluctant Bride
The Ruthless Groom
The Reckless Union
TBC DUET by Skye Warren (Finn Hughes & Eva Morelli)
One for the Money
Two for the Show
Standalone: Skye Warren & Amelia Wilde - The Crash (Carter Morelli & June Porter)


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Profile Image for Molly O'keefe.
Author 103 books2,135 followers
Read
August 9, 2021
STOLEN HEARTS is live everywhere!

Ronan was danger and beauty, murder and mercy. To me, he was a mystery, but he was also the only man who ever knew me.



Amazon: https://amzn.to/3haobch
Amazon INTL: https://bit.ly/3rmoJAE
Apple Books: http://apple.co/34AScgr
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/37Hb92L
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3hiWDla
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3peROMn

The flare of a cigarette, the sound of a stranger’s voice, and the handsome Irishman in the shadows--I wanted it all, but I wasn’t allowed to want. Instead I was given to another man, one who broke my soul right along with my bones.

Now Ronan is the only man who could keep me safe from two warring families that wanted my blood. The spark that started two years ago burned brighter with each touch, each glance, each kiss. He woke me from the nightmare, giving me life with soft touches and sharp words.

"Powerful, sexy, and written like a dream, Stolen Hearts is the kind of book you wish you could read forever and ever. Ronan Byrne is my new romance addiction, and I'm already pining for more blue eyes and dirty deeds in the dark." USA Today Bestselling Author Sierra Simone



READ AN EXCERPT OF STOLEN HEARTS:

He was beautiful. I mean, like inarguably. It was simply fact. A law of nature.

Dark hair. Blue eyes like the sky at noon. Dark scruff along his hard, square chin.

He wore a tuxedo with the tie pulled loose. An angel kicked out of heaven for the trouble he caused.

There was blood on the collar of his white shirt. Blood from any number of wounds on his face. A black eye. A split lip. A tiny butterfly bandage over a cut on his cheekbone.

He was beautiful, and he was savage.

“What happened to you?” I whispered.

He touched the cut on his lip. “You should see the other guy.”

I stepped forward, drawn by the joke attempt. His eyelashes. The sudden urge to be on a side of kindness. Either side. Any side. Just to experience it however I could. “Who hurt you?”

His eyes snapped to mine, sharp and bright, and my skin prickled. Uncomfortable and aware.

“No one,” he said, ice cold despite the blood on his collar. The black eye and split lip. “Not for a long time.”

I thought he was joking, and I smiled, but his face was resolute. Calm in its strength. He wasn’t joking. He wasn’t being sarcastic. He’s been beaten, but he was telling me it didn’t hurt him.

Like he’d made a choice, and that was that. Pain didn’t matter.

“It’s that easy?” I whispered. Scared in my belly because it was only there that I could acknowledge that I knew what was coming for me was going to hurt.

“No,” he said and his hand, the one with the scar, the one I’d touched, brushed my cheek, his thumb at the edge of my lip. “It’s not easy. It’s very hard. But it’s how you survive.”

His thumb pressed against my lip, and I gasped, my lips parting. I could taste the salt of his skin and everything in me screamed to leave. This wasn’t just foolish, it was dangerous. For him.

For me. Especially for me.

But I couldn’t move. He pressed and pressed until my teeth cut into my lip and it hurt.

It hurt, and he kept pushing.

It hurt, and I stood there. Taking it.

Why was I doing this? Why was he? It felt like a warning and a lesson, and it felt real. Like the grass under my feet. Like the booze in my belly. Not at all like the threats inside that house, whispered and insinuated. The pain, the taste of blood and salt from his finger. The look in his eye willing me to stillness.

So. Real.

“Don’t let them hurt you,” he said.

His words broke the spell and heart pounding, I stepped back but I didn’t leave.
Like a fool, I stayed.

He didn’t have to be a Morelli to be trouble. Or to get me in trouble.

This man was lethal. And so attractive it hurt. It actually hurt.

“Who are you?” I asked, licking the blood off my lip. Hoping for a lingering taste of him.

He shook his head. “I am no one.”

Someone came to stand in the doorway, breaking up the light, casting a shadow across the stranger’s beautiful face. Both of us turned to look.

“Jesus, Princess,” my Irishman whispered when he saw who was standing there and he must have realized who I was.

“Poppy?” It was the Senator, and I went cold. Tried so hard not to, but head to toe the chill settled over me. “Everything all right?”

“I’m fine,” I said and smiled to prove it. He always believed my smiles. Everyone did. They were very good smiles. Or maybe he just didn’t care.

“We’re about to make the announcement,” the Senator said, and he summoned me with his fingers. A kind of snapping thing like you’d do with a dog, and I told myself, like I had for a while now, that it wasn’t personal. It was actually the opposite of personal. He treated everyone like that. That that made me feel better wasn’t something I was actually proud of. But I was seeking comfort from any corner.

“I’ll be in in a second,” I said. I wanted to say goodbye to this stranger. To these quiet moments of rest.

Or maybe I just wanted to pull my leash as taut as possible, to see how far it would stretch.

“Poppy?” The Senator smiled when he said my name, but the steel was there. That terrifying sharpness. Turns out my leash didn’t stretch far at all.

“You heard her,” the Irishman said from the shadows. “She needs a second.”

“I’m sorry, who are you?” Jim stepped into the light; he was smiling but it was the razor’s edge. Jim was blonde and blue eyed. He wore glasses that made him look smart. He worked out just enough that the suits he wore looked good.

Everything about him inspired comfort and confidence.

Voters loved him.

I’d never been so scared of someone in my life.

“I’m coming,” I said, and I stepped into the light with Jim Maywell the junior senator of New York who was 28 years older than me, and at midnight, we were announcing that I would be his wife.

Jim grabbed my hand too hard. But I expected it, and made my hand as small as I could in his. There was a trick to it funneling my fingers, so he couldn’t grind the bones together. I’d learned that fast. I wondered if that would be interesting on my application to the catering company.

Experience: eating canapes off trays and mitigating the pain my fiancé wanted to inflict on my body.

We stepped off the small patio into the doorway with the sound of the party filtering through the walls.

Don’t do it, I told myself. Don’t look. He’s not for you. Not ever.

But of course I couldn’t stop myself, and I looked back over my shoulder, but the Irishman was gone.

Nothing was left of him but the taste of blood in my mouth.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3haobch
Amazon INTL: https://bit.ly/3rmoJAE
Apple Books: http://apple.co/34AScgr
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/37Hb92L
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3hiWDla
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3peROMn
Profile Image for Amy [Book Addict Reviews].
2,499 reviews175 followers
January 11, 2021
Stolen Hearts is addicting and captivating from the very start. The moment I started this one I couldn’t put it down. I was completed sucked into the story. It was full of secrets, twists and turns and plenty of suspense that will have you on the edge of your seat.

I felt for Poppy. She had lost so much and was forced into a marriage that she was completely unhappy in and a marriage that changed who she is as a person. Ronan is a man of mystery. He works for the Constantines and happens to always be keeping an eye out for Poppy. He comes across as cruel but there are little glimpses of something more to him. There are loads of chemistry between Poppy and Ronan from the very first moment they met and only continues to grow. He makes Poppy feel alive and that isn’t something she had felt in the past.

The story is told only from Poppy’s POV and there are certain parts I wish we got to see Ronan’s POV, however, I don’t think that it had any negative effect on the story itself. This does also end on a cliffhanger so be prepared!

If you’re looking for a dark romance that is full of suspense, twists and turns and loads of secrets this is one to check out.
Profile Image for A HEA.
443 reviews52 followers
January 14, 2021
This was my first book by this author and she did not disappoint. This is book one in the Heart's series and part of the Midnight Dynasty world.

While I was reading this one I was imagining it in audio, imagining Ronan's voice.... Lets just say in my imagination it was pretty fantastic and I'm sure if Stolen Hearts is made into an audiobook it will be just as delicious.

In this book, we get Ronan and Poppy's story. From the get-go, Ronan portrays a certain mystery that had me intrigued. Poppy although a fighter found herself in an unfortunate situation and was dealing with it the best was she could see how. She had been battered throughout the story and I'm excited to see how she builds her strength back through book two.

As expected the book ends with an epic cliffy that flows into book two. Overall a really solid twisty read.
Profile Image for Rhonda Ziglar.
4,197 reviews41 followers
January 13, 2021
5 PHENOMENAL STARS!! If I could give more stars....I WOULD!!! I loved this book from page one and could not put it down. Poppy and Ronan were everything, they hit every emotion button I have. This story had it all....where has this author been in my reading career?!?! I will definitely be reading more by her.
Profile Image for Mirjam.
1,865 reviews113 followers
May 22, 2023



This is Poppy's story that starts on the night she got engaged to Jim Maywell, the junior senator of New York who was 28 years older than me.
Poppy lost her mother when she was sixteen and was now staying with Caroline Constantine, My mom’s best friend and a fairy godmother out of the dark when my dad died. I slept in her pool house.





On the night of the engagement party Poppy meets Ronan Byrne, inscrutable with a darkness over him. Two years later,Poppy's supposedly commits suicide, and Ronan is back in her life, working for Caroline.






The last pages of this very mind-blowing book, it is revealed that all that is happening has to do with the Morelli family.
The book ends on a major cliffhanger and I'm anxiously waiting for book 2, Broken Hearts



Part of the Hearts Series and must be read in order:
Stolen Hearts (Hearts, #1) by M. O'Keefe Broken Hearts (Hearts, #2) by M. O'Keefe Untamed (Hearts, #3) by M. O'Keefe


Welcome to the Midnight Dynasty... The warring Morelli and Constantine families have enough bad blood to fill an ocean, and their brand new stories will be told by your favorite dangerous romance authors.
Dark Fairy Tales by C.J. Roberts Heartless (Starcrossed Lovers Trilogy, #1) by Jade West Stroke of Midnight (Cinderella, #1) by K. Webster Triple Threat (Deception Duet, #1) by K. Webster Stolen Hearts (Hearts, #1) by M. O'Keefe Once Upon a Dream by Sierra Simone Wicked Idol (Hellfire Club, #1) by Becker Gray Secret Beast (Beast of Bishop's Landing #1) by Amelia Wilde Lessons in Sin by Pam Godwin Dangerous Temptation (Dark Dream, #1) by Giana Darling Dark Reign (The Collector Trilogy #1) by Amelia Wilde The Reluctant Bride (Arranged Marriage, #1) by Monica Murphy King of Spades (Wonderland, #1) by Alta Hensley One for the Money (One for the Money, #1) by Skye Warren Blackmail (Controlling Interest #1) by Amelia Wilde Force of Nature (Deserted Island, #1) by Skye Warren Velvet Cruelty (Snow White, #1) by Eve Dangerfield Claim by Sienna Snow
Profile Image for Book Maniac Forever.
1,063 reviews384 followers
March 7, 2021

Stolen Hearts was a fantastic start to the Hearts Trilogy. I enjoyed every single book I've read set in the Midnight Dynasty world and this story was a right blend of mysterious, emotional and erotic!

The main protagonists, Poppy and Ronan, are such opposites but there's an undeniable connection that forges right away between them. Poppy is light and naivete, while Ronan is darkness and aloofness. In their own way, they're both broken by life and their struggles which certainly help them create this special bond.

Poppy knows that the man is dangerous, but she grows courage and confidence in his presence. I enjoyed how she blooms into a bolder person throughout the story. Ronan knows that her soul is too pure for him, but his need to protect her is stronger than anything. This hero is cold at times and a mystery that I appreciated discovering more about.

The intrigue of this book was alluring with a few surprizing events that made the pursuit of my read even more gripping. The feud between the Constantines and Morellis is at the center of these twists and promises an exhilirating journey for the last two books!

M. O'Keefe was a new to me author and I really liked her writing, so I'll gladly read more of her books in the future. I'm more than excited about Broken Hearts, the next book in the trilogy! With that huge cliffhanger, I just need answers ASAP!
Profile Image for Connie Lafortune.
Author 12 books524 followers
May 10, 2021
Wow, just wow! Stolen Hearts was an intriguing suspense read from the very first page. Poppy and Ronan are on fire, no pun intended, and that cliffhanger??? I'm desperate to read the next one, but not on KU and 4.99 is a tad too much right now. So, I popped it in my wishlist and I'm hoping for some book money very soon. I need me some more Ronan!!!
Profile Image for Yesmina.
511 reviews23 followers
February 1, 2025
I'm not much for series, but when a unique thrills charged love story grips my interest, I'm here for it!

Don't have much to say but: Poppy is 100% innocent and she's thrust in a political mafioso corrupt world. After the wonderful assassin/vigilante murdered her senator abusive husband, she needs to face all the horrible murderous ties woven around her.

Who wants her blood? What are the secrets? Who's really the bad guy/woman?
I have some theories but things are definitely going to be much clearer in the second book of the trilogy.

PS: Ronan: you can lurk in the shadows of my window and make me feel pain close to pleasure anytime of the day ^^

Going back to my Bingo Challenge of 2025:
25 ┃37┃87┃13┃68┃40┃32┃59┃76┃44
10┃86┃4 ┃45┃47┃98┃50┃14┃85┃75
88┃51┃ 9┃2┃42┃29┃ 24┃92┃ 82┃1
100┃34┃17┃96┃43┃49┃64┃70┃15┃38
84┃31┃ 62┃7┃21┃73┃28┃46┃90┃77
3⭕┃12⭕┃80⭕┃ 69┃52⭕┃ 65⭕┃54⭕┃ 91⭕┃23⭕┃ 72⭕
18┃95┃ 22┃99┃93┃74┃41┃8┃35┃ 58
57┃94┃ 16┃56┃ 5┃60┃78┃ 26┃81┃ 61
97┃48┃ 79┃67┃ 53┃30┃ 6┃36┃89┃ 33⭕
71┃19┃ 39┃66┃ 55┃27┃ 20┃63┃ 11┃83
Profile Image for Samantha (bookgramsaga reviews).
806 reviews1,007 followers
August 11, 2022
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐


Safety gang:
- Small age gap (5 years) H 27 / h 22
- Physical abuse (not by H)
- Mention of sexual abuse of a minor
- Mention of suicide
- Mention of miscarriages
- Mental illness
- No cheating
- No ow/om drama
- Cliffhanger

I almost and I mean almost didn’t want to read this one as I wasn’t too interested in reading about Ronan, but I am so glad I gave this book a shot.

I really really liked their chemistry and how they are both depicted as outsiders in this Morelli/Constantine feud. She is the daughter of Caroline’s best friend and yes we see A LOT of Caroline here. No changes to her manipulative ways though but Poppy is clueless and sees her as someone to care about and who cares about her but slowly she gets a good idea of WHO Caroline could be and a better understanding of her games.

Ronan is Caroline’s henchman/right hand man who basically does all the dirty work for her. We met him briefly in previous Midnight Dynasty books, but he didn’t leave an impression until this book.
He really is a conflicted character, he seems loyal to Caroline, but meeting Poppy has made his allegiance possibly waver.

Poppy’s sister Zilla is mentally struggling and needed to have her committed to get better care and with no parents or money she was manipulated by Caroline into marrying a man that was 28 years older than her, who ended up physically abusing her and also manipulating her. They were married for 2 years before he ‘’killed’��� himself. Now the twist about his death was not shocking to me as I had a feeling that Ronan was the one behind it but I would of thought he could have been given the push by Caroline but now I am thinking he did it to save Poppy and protect her once he found out how abusive he was towards her. We also get told quickly that Poppy’s mom would sleep with guys during her married and she mentioned the 19-year-old pool boy – this makes me think Caroline and her had depraving tastes.

Their brief meeting during her engagement announcement party solidified their connection and of course he won’t admit to it and left her alone while she was married but I kind of wanted him to be more dominating and take control of his feelings.

The spice was there – they didn’t actually have sex as he always denied her which made me sad, but I know it’s coming in book 2 so I will wait patiently.

We also find out about his childhood and what led to him being who he is now. He was physically abused by his father and later on the priests he lived with in Northern Ireland (yes he is Irish with a thick accent). He also hinted he was possibly molested by the priests.

Overall, I am already enjoying this book more than Leo and Lucian’s stories. I really like Ronan and Poppy as individuals, and I especially like them together and I cannot wait to see what is in store. As there are so many questions that need to be answered:

1. Who set her house on fire?
2. Why was Theo (her driver and only staff member to stay after the Senators death) connected to the Morelli’s?
3. Why do the Morelli’s want her?
4. What is Caroline up to?
5. Why did Ronan kill the senator? On behalf of Caroline or his own doing?
6. Is Zilla behind some of the things going on in Poppy’s life?
7. What is in the box that the lawyer gave to Poppy after her husband died?


This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kelly - Words We Love By.
752 reviews16 followers
January 6, 2021
Wow! Why have I never read M. O'Keefe!? What an amazing find for the new year!
Poor Poppy, I don't think she has ever been told the direct truth. So I'm not sure if she has anyone in her life that she can truly trust! Poppy's life seems to get more and more complicated as the years pass. When finally she meets a man in the shadows but isn't sure who he is or why he's always turning up. Just when she thinks she has a grip on everything she is thrown a major curve ball that could actually end her life. Yes, Ms. O'Keefe leaves this one with a cliffhanger but it's one I would gladly read again. Can't wait to see what she has in store for us next.
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