Yet another great compelling story from this author! I love everything they write, and I have yet to be disappointed.

This was good but not as good as the first one in this series. I had trouble staying invested in the storyline and had to go back to parts to remember what was actually going on.

I’ve been waiting for Ashton’s story and it did not disappoint! This story is more mafia, more grit and has a kickass heroine. That’s what I love in a mafia romance and that’s what you are going to get in this book. Molly is the light to Ashton’s cold, calculated darkness. She has some darkness in her as well and watching her embrace it is empowering. When the switch comes, you never know what is going to happen. The war is full blown and the twist and turns will have your mind reeling. Molly and Ashton were just perfect for each other. I really enjoyed this book and how the series wrapped up. Justin and Kelly’s killers are dealt with and we get a HEA in the midst of all this darkness.

Tijan nailed it again! I was expecting this to be focused on Hess and Trace again, especially after that ending but was pleasantly surprised to find Ashton and Molly’s story instead. Molly’s resilience and acceptance to the hand she has been given, while also making the best of it and not letting anything drag her down was fun to see portrayed while Ashton tried to get any sort of read on her. The dynamic between the two was captivating as Ashton didn’t know how to deal with Molly’s abnormal responses to her world being blown up. While I was expecting Trace and Jess, any questions left unanswered by the ending of book one was wrapped up here and Trace and Jess still played major roles in the story. I can’t wait for whatever Tijan writes next!

Thank you Tijan, Netgalley and Montlake for giving me an ARC to read.

Two Mafia families.
One bowling alley ....

True story, that's how this one starts (well, that's the short version anyway), and don't you know it I've picked it up in the middle of a series. It's called the Kings Of New York.

There's alot in this book to get your head around if you pick it up without reading what went before it. Molly owns the bowling alley, buying it from her deadbeat Dad who is in with the mafia. She gets held up, and ends up at the hospital, and gets picked up by one of the Mafia Head Honchos Ashton. Molly and Ashton have a history of sorts.

I won't go too much into the plot, as it's everything that usually comes wrapped up in a nice bow in a mafia romance.

Good characters as individuals and as a collective. Some tricky relationships to navigate - like Ashton torturing the girlfriend of his rival mafia boss (who is actually his friend).... again backstory I didn't really have. Some action. What I didn't expect was the depth of Ashton, and his "niceness" amongst all the macho bullSH&*. This book is a long one, so you have to invest in it for the payoff. It's worth the read... but I need to get the backstory and read it again, if I'm being honest to really get it.

Thanks to Montlake for approving my request for this book. It's greatly appreciated.

Thank you to Tijan, Montlake, and NetGalley for chance to read A Cruel Arrangement in exchange for my honest opinion.

What an interesting book! This book was my first time reading Tijan’s work. It does work as a standalone, however, I do wish I had read first book to become a bit more familiar with the characters. This book is fast paced and engaging! Due to me not reading the first book in this series, I was a bit confused at points and found some of the filler to be a little bit of a drag.

I would still recommend this book just would advise that reading the first book is highly recommended.

Tijan is one of my most favourite author in the whole wide world. And I love her books. But mainly her writing style. And this book was no different. Everything made sense and I loved how much closure and how the things ended on a very positively happy note. Definitely full 5 stars from me!!

Molly’s had a not-so fun life, with a dead mom and a wastrel dad who’s the lackey and info getter for Walden mafia family, but she thought her life was separate from all that, until she flips, the switch that is. Ashton tried to be good, somewhat any way, but the death of most of the men in his family led to him picking up the mantle and letting the darkness inside have full control. He seizes the opportunity that Molly’s little situation presents to him trying to use her to his advantage but soon realizes he’s met his match. Ok so I should warn you this is book two in a series, which I didn’t realize when I first started reading, so those of you who have yet to read book one (like me at the time) will probably find the beginning a bit confusing as it picks up from situations that where in the previous book ( although I have since read book one and must say it’s just as.crazy good). Do not give up, I repeat do not give up. It all makes sense (sort of) within a few chapters as it references to what happened before so I promise you’ll soon understand and be happy that you stuck with it. The way this author blends heat, tension, and a crazy slew of characters is amazingly good, leaving you reading just one more and one more chapter until you finish the book before you know it. This is a young group of mafia leaders, but the action is jam packed and the suspense of who’s behind it all is done so well ( I was guessing until almost the very end). Molly and Ashton complement each other in all ways:, anger, steaminess and tenderness. 5 stars must read. I voluntarily read and reviewed an arc copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I am so grateful that I got sent an ARC copy of this book, because I could not put it down. The MCs are AMAZING, the story is AMAZING.
Love, love, love.

For a mafia romance novel this book has relatable characters and a lot of plot with emotion. Ashton and Molly are both so different but somehow work perfectly. They start on on a path that seems almost impossible to navigate but make it work. One of my favorite Tijan couples.

Whilst reading the previous book in this series, I had decided I didn’t like Ashton Walden. I like my mafia men ruthless, but he was on another level, the way he’d tortured Jess Montell for crying out loud, and I love Jess Montell. Fast forward to book 2, and move over Trace West, your best buddy has just taken centre stage in my dreams. Yes he’s manipulative, ruthless, and cruel, but it turns out, with the help of his childhood nemesis, he can be protective, passionate, and dare I say, loving. Molly (owner - or not - of the infamous Easter Lanes Bowling Alley) might just be Ashton’s Kryptonite. When they agree to an arrangement to benefit the both of them, Ashton discovers that Molly isn’t just the bow down and take orders kind of girl, she’s got a backbone (and a switch), and she’ll do whatever it takes for those she loves. Some gruesome scenes, some funny scenes, some highly unpredictable scenes, and all this amounts to an extremely entertaining and highly addictive mafia romance. You don’t have to have read book 1 beforehand, but it definitely helps in assisting in the whole scenario set out in this story that starts out with a group of ‘friends’ searching for answers, to so very much more. I loved it. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Thank you netgalley for the eARC. I got this book because i read book one. I was NOT DISAPPOINTED in book two. This was so good! The storyline is so well placed and just flows! I love it. The sex stuff is just like a bonus to all the action and yet it’s still a love story! I just love this author completely.

Tijan has done it again! This book is Molly and Ashton's book. This book explains why Ashton and Molly are the people they are today. Their pasts and what they grew up with explains so much and answers so many questions. Molly is able to open Ashton up and realize there is more to him than work and revenge. He has a great heart and is able to find it with the help of Molly. Ashton and Molly are a great couple and they way they feed off each other is great. Molly is not scared of the bad Ashton and lets him know it. She listens for safety reasons but she still has her own mind and drive to do her own thing if she wanted.
In this book Ashton has a plan to figure out the motive's for the attacks on his and Trace's family and also who killed Justin and Kelly. Jess lost so much in the last book and had so much trama that Ashton is trying to correct some of his mistakes with her. This book is full of twists and turns and keeps you on your toes. Having to put it down to pay attention to the outside world was really hard to do.
Tijan has yet to disappoint me and always hate for the end to come.
Honest review in exchange for ARC

A great mafia romance.I usually do not like mafia romance but the characters had depth and were likeable. The writing and dialogue was superb.

Book picks up exactly where book 1 ended. I loved reading everything from Ashton’s perspective and how deeply he truly loves the people who matter to him, as well as the depths that he will go to to protect them.

This is the story of Molly and Ashton.

Molly is the proud owner of her very own bowling alley thanks to blackmailing her father into selling it to her for $30,000. Too bad it wasn’t his to sell. It belongs to the Walden Mafia family. Yikes! Ashton threatens to take it from her and she’s not having it! This bowling alley is her life! So Ashton makes her a deal…

Fast forward…. She’s held at gunpoint AGAIN and Ashton is beginning to realize he cares about her.
Oh yes, this bad boy mafia man is falling in love!!! I absolutely love his alpha domineering ways towards her throughout this story!

These two characters were wonderfully written and are both easily lovable. I enjoyed seeing Trace and Jess from the last story in this series. I also have a feeling we won’t be seeing the last of a certain detective. At least this is my hope! (PLEASE TIJAN!!!)

I loved this book !!! It was so much better than the first one. Ashton and Molly are so hot and love each other so much. Loved the darkness of Ashton and the others characters, the intrigue, the mystery. So entertaining I was hooked at the first page !

🖤“There’s beauty in pain, baby…Your strength is in learning how to breathe through it; how to keep living even when it feels like you want to die.”🖤
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Be Still My Heart checked ALL my romantic suspense loving boxes! Did I get the recommendation, read the book, and write this mini review in under 24 hours? I did. Should you do the same? I vote yes!
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A grumpy veteran and a driven homicide detective collide when a serial killer pops up in Skelm Island—a small town filled with skeletons and people prepared to do whatever it takes to make sure they stay buried.
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Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
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Read if you like:
🔪 Romantic Suspense
🥵 Tattooed MMC
❤️‍🔥 Enemies to Lovers
🙊 ALL the dirty talk
🩸 Serial Killers
👿 Grumpy MMC
🪦 Touch Her and Die
🤐 Small Town Secrets

There is absolutely something for everyone in this book!! First book is on KU so pick that up and this one will be out soon.

Thank you NetGalley for eARC in exchange for an honest review

A Cruel Arrangement takes place three weeks after the ending on A Dirty Business (the first book in this series), but from the point of view of two different characters. While Trace and Jess are still prominent characters in the plot, in this book we get to hear from Molly and Ashton.

For those who loved Trace and Jess (like me), hold onto your hats, because Ashton and Molly will blow you away. Molly has had some hard breaks thrown at her in her life growing up with a loser con-man as a father who has screwed who her over more than once, but still exudes a positive attitude about everything. Ashton is the enforcer part of our mafia duo who likes getting his hands dirty. In this book, we get to find out exactly what the past is between our unlikely couple, and we get to see their scorching chemistry.

Tijan did a masterful job of continuing the plot from our first book, while giving us an entirely new couple's point of view. No cliffhanger endings for this book, as things were wrapped up nicely from A Dirty Business, but I hope it won't be the last we hear from this mafia duo!

Thank you to Montlake Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.