Tijan's books are different. They're not sweet romances but there's definitely romance there. They're gritty. They're interesting. A Cruel Arrangement was definitely what I'd expected in all the right ways.

Gritty certainly describes both Ashton and Molly. She's what this Westerner expects a New Yorker to be. She's tough. When she's robbed, she's not one to cower in a corner and wait for it to be over. And Ashton? Well he's a mob boss, enough said.

I normally can't like characters that "gritty" (sticking with a theme) but I can learn to enjoy their story sometimes. I actually liked these two. There's something redeeming about Ashton. Like he's a nice guy under his tough as nails exterior. He's equally the mob boss and a decent friend and nice lover. Molly is good and wants to live a nice life but he dad has made that all but impossible. Just when she thought she had her bowling alley and life was on track, Ashton has news she's shocked to hear.

As the two go about dodging all manner of bad guys and bad situations they start to really come together. I just thoroughly enjoyed their tale. Part love story, part intriguing crime story, part just plain life and the problems it throws at you, I can recommend this story to anyone who enjoys any of those elements.

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC.

I love the book. The characters were so loveable. The chemistry they had was so good. Also it was easy to read, I could imagine it all. The character development was amazing. And the story was too good. The plots were ohmygod!!! Love the book overall.

A Cruel Arrangement is Molly Easter and Ashton Walden love and hate and love story. The second book in Kings of New York duet by Tijan.

A Cruel Arrangement - Kings of New York #2 - Review

Couple: Ashton Walden & Molly Easter

Author: Tijan

Tropes: mafia romance, dark romance, forced proximity, frenemy to lover

Review: This book is Ashton’s story and it is dark, twisty and a bit lonely. It is a dual POV romance that picks up where the first book left off.

I think Ashton was my favorite of the couple in this story. He is so complex and I enjoyed reading from his mind. His loyalty to Trace and then his confusion and then realization to why Trace reacted so violently after he came clean about what he did to Jess in book 1 was super pivotal to me. I enjoyed how he began to admire Jess’ strength and want her forgiveness so him and Trace could be close again. I also loved ow Ashton was so oblivious and Trace’s humor to his situation made the tension hilarious.

I felt like Tijan did a wonderful job with making Ashton’s inner darkness relatable and mystifying at the same time. I enjoyed how she did not try to humanize his actions all the wya thought.

Molly was a firecracker and I liked her wit and obstinance towards Ashton. I enjoyed how her struggles with her father and the realization that her bowling was not her own were raw and honest. I did not enjoy how she did not communicate a lot with Ashton at first or about how she tried to save her father over and over.

The couple has a ton of chemistry in this book and it is HOT. Both of them fit each other in small and intricate ways. I felt like the progression was good and enjoyed how both of them fit into the overall plot of the series.

Rating: 8.5/10, Wanted more communication and better apology to Jess

4.5 Stars

You know how you can find that one character that is so quirky and odd to a point, but you can’t help but love them? That’s Molly. I loved all of her idiosyncrasies. She and Ashton are complete opposites, but compliment each other so very well. He definitely had his hands full with her lol. Another great story in this series of standalones from Tijan. Can’t wait for more.

Angela - Alphas Do It Better Book Blog

This book was okay but I didn’t really love the love interest so I have to give this book 3,5 stars. I really really loved the ending tho so that’s why it gets that +0,5 stars.❤️

Going into book 2 I was a little leary of Ashton, he was not a favorite in book one Dirty Business. When I noticed that spark Molly had when being near him in book 1, I thought perhaps I could grow to like him.
Molly has a backbone and isn't exactly afraid of Ashton, more like intimidated. She knows who he is and what he is capable of. When Molly finds out secrets of her past that Ashton is apart of, she is beyond angry and wants to make her father pay. Ashton has ideas to use Molly as bait to get answers about what happen to a mutual friend and use it to help get back in good favor of Jess, from book 1.
This book is a good follow up to Dirty Business. As danger starts to get closer and closer to Molly, Ashton's protectiveness of her becomes paramount. The chemistry between Ashton and Molly is palpable and intense even if they both want to deny it.
I will say the ending was not my favorite, it just seemed too rushed and ended to abruptly.

4 Stars

I am a massive fan of Tijan and this story has great build and anticipation for what is to come. It is twisty but swoony. I was not sure how I could have gotten over what Ashton doing what he did in the prior book attached to this one but he redeemed himself. Molly is quirky and I adored her character. Great read!

4.5 stars

This is the second book in the Kings of New York duet and it is one emotional roller coaster ride and readers will need to brace themselves. If you are into mafia reads, then this is one for you. Molly is living her life doing what she can to distance herself from her father and his reputation within the criminal world by running a bowling alley, Easter Lanes, that she bought her father out of. Unfortunately, an armed robbery at her workplace lands her in the hospital and things get interesting. Ashton is the new head of the Walden mafia after a few of his relatives were killed by a rival family. Along with his best friend Trace, they rule the criminal underworld in NYC. When Ashton gets wind of Molly being in the hospital, he goes to her side and takes over ultimately removing her from the premises and bringing her to his home. The two have known each other since childhood but their relationship is strained. However, when two of Ashton and Trace’s friends wind up dead, Ashton asks Molly to ask her father to see what information he can get along with surprising her with news about Easter Lanes. Overall, this is one dark and gritty read that started a little slow but picked up as the pages turned. The simmering chemistry between Molly and Ashton is palpable. Tijan has a writing style that make her characters seem lifelike and it can make you shiver because it’s so good. I would recommend reading A Dirty Business prior to this book.

I absolutely love Tijan and reading the wide range of stories she writes. As soon as I know she has written a book, I am all over it. But I have to say I was a bit weary of A Cruel Arrangement. I absolutely loved A Dirty Business and both Trace and Jess so much, so I was not sure how I would feel about Ashton’s book. But I should have known Tijan would have me covered and getting into his mind helped me understand (even if not totally forgive), but we get to see him realize what he did.

I adored Molly. She is a caring and likeable, but also so strong and determined. Ashton knew who he was and what he was capable off. He had no regrets but was protective of those he cared for. Watching them interact was so much fun. They were attracted to each other, but so much suspense was happening all around them. But as the danger got close, I loved how protective Ashton became. Their chemistry was undeniable and loved the friendship and connection they had with Trace and Jess. Another great read from this author.

Happy reading!

The new series written by Ms. Tijan continues with this newest installment titled "A Cruel Arrangement" where we follow Ashton (a friend of Trace West) and Molly. Their past is saddening and we will learn quite a lot about it while reading.
Molly's life was not an easy one due to her father being in shady businesses under Ashton's family - and we know it's mafia's work so nothing pleasant - her upbringing was not with him fortunately, but foster care is nothing to be happy about as well. She's protective of her places, of her friends - no one can touch them.
Ashton is a newly appointed mafia boss so he will have to get himself used to a new position. He's strong, dominating, and has power and brutality in himself that's needed for dealing with dirty business. Let him take you on a wild ride where secrets will be brought to light.
This story was a well-written one in a style that is true to Tijan and makes me really like her books. I think it can be read on its own. but still, I recommend reading it in order as stories are coming after each other. Our characters are well developed and for sure reading their story will be enjoyable for each reader - don't be afraid of the number of pages! I recommend this one!

ARC Review

Rating: 3.75 /5⭐️

Publication Date: April 25th 2023

Author: Tijan

Review: so good!! I did start reading this one before the fire book in the series and I was a little lost until I figured it out so this is a series that you need to read in the correct order. I did get a little eh in the middle it just felt like it was repeating it’s self and stuff was coming out of no where the ending also felt like it just dropped off I wanted a little more but probably because I loved the characters. This one is definitely spicer than the first one too which keeps your interest along the way.

Loved Ashton and Molly's story!

"A new fire had started in my stomach. It was low and simmering, but it was always there when Molly Easter came into play."

Molly has been Ashton Walden's cross to bear since they were kids, even though she's been oblivious to it all. When Molly is suddenly in the cross-hairs of a Mafia war, there's no one better to protect her than Ashton, although she wants nothing to do with him. It doesn't matter that this stupidly gorgeous man gets her body revved up, she can't stand him. However, a terrible truth places Molly right where Ashton wants her. And, he wants a favour from her in exchange for something she really wants.

"Molly was mine. She was either my target, my mark, my woman, or my cross to bear. Any and all ways I split it, she was mine."

Wow! These two. I loved them! Molly was independent, stubborn, and trouble found her easily. Ashton was ruthless, powerful, and not to be crossed. I thrilled at the fact that Molly affected him so much, but once he admitted to himself how he felt, he was all in. Molly was helpless against her attraction to him. She recognised the darkness in him but she wanted all of him nonetheless. These two were incredibly passionate. The love and devotion that Ashton exhibited for Molly made me swoon hard! This story had plenty of action and a plot that turned and twisted. Ashton and Molly burned brightly, and I also loved their friendships with their respective best friends. I was fully invested in their happy ending. Thoroughly recommend!

I was unalive at the end of A Dirty Business. I needed more of this story line. I loved what we get with Ashton’s story. He intrigued me so much in Trace and Jess’ story. Ashton did not disappoint. I loved the new take on mafia, I loved the story lines continuing and new. I just loved it all.

Molly Easter, owner of Easter Lanes, is in a precarious situation. Partially raised in the system, she’s learned to take care of herself. But when one incident leads her into the protection of the Walden Mafia Family, all bets are off.

Ashton Walden head of the Walden Mafia family. Ruthless and unforgiving, he’s not to be messed with. When Molly gets herself into a situation, Ashton is there to bail her out. He has a dark and sordid past. But he never thought he would find himself caught up in Molly.

5 fantastic stars! What a ride. I love Molly and all her sass and quirks. She’s headstrong, and determined to show her worth. Ashton is dark, broody, and ruthless. But Molly worms her way into his heart. He then realizes everything that he’s been missing. What an amazing ride. This duet was absolutely phenomenal.

A Cruel Arrangement is an exciting Mafia romantic suspense full of some amazing characters.
I did not read Book 1, but I think I am going to have too now!
Ashton and Molly, have known each other for years.
Ashton needs Molly's help, finding out who killed two of his friends.
He plans on using Molly to help him get answers from her rat of a father.
These two have such an intense connection. And are perfect for one another.
I could not put this book down, and look forward to more in the series.

"...and I loved that people didn’t know how to read me. Except Molly. She could read me."
I am absolutely totally head over heels in love with Molly and Ashton! I felt so many emotions while reading their story. I laughed, I rooted for these two, and I loved every moment of it! Superb writing, exquisite storyline, and fantastic characters! This is definitely one of my new favorites from this author.

I was looking forward to learning more about Ashton and his story after reading A Dirty Business.

Molly Easter finds herself in the middle everything she never wanted when Ashton decides to use Molly’s dad to help find the parties responsible for the deaths of Jess & Molly’s friends.

Ashton and Molly have history, even though only one of them is aware of it. He has always had a soft spot for Molly but lately he’s been catching feelings for her.

Molly definitely is attracted to the talk, dark and dangerous Ashton. She likes to test her boundaries with Ashton. Their banter and angst was a definite plus to the story. When they finally connected it was lije fireworks.

I absolutely loved catching up with Trace and Jess and watching Ashton and Jess try to navigate their new normal.

This story is action packed and had me engaged from the beginning right through to the end. Tijan threw in a few curveballs that I didn’t see coming but they added to the underlying story.

A perfect conclusion to the Kings of New York duet but I can’t help wanting more Trace and Ashton.

Ashton was a dark complex character, however there is a side that he displays when it comes to Molly. She is not a weak female character that needs saving and she is quite sassy. I enjoyed the interactions with the side characters as well. The scene with Ashton and Trace regarding Remmi was comical.

***ARC Provided by the Publisher via NetGalley***

I really enjoyed the previous book in this series, but there was something about this one that I didn't love...and I am not sure why. I think it's that I was really invested in the initial couple in this story, and as a result had a hard time looking past those events to really feel engaged with the characters in this story.

I am unable to fully recommend this title, but it was also nice to know how this storyline resolved.