3.5/5.0
What a great new concept for a series starter! This story has everything readers love in a Tijan book - a sympathetic, kind heroine with a quiet backbone of steel, an enigmatic but totally alpha hero with all kinds of layers to be discovered and, of course, all the family drama one could expect mixed in! Almost every single character except Bailey, however, held multitudes of secrets that made it impossible for a reader to really connect with the characters. While we are just as in-the-dark as Bailey, it does not allow for any depth. So, the majority of the story stays on a surface level only. And that is extremely frustrating, especially since that amazing genius in Tijan’s writing is still present - just not fully tapped.

Still, it’s an engrossing story that will keep any reader turning the pages and enjoying the ride! And, as the final declaration is made (sigh) and the last tidbit falls, it becomes obvious we will anxiously be waiting for the next book - soon, please!

Bailey finds her life upended one night when she is almost kidnapped. She finds out that what she previously thought about her father was false and her mother has lied to her since birth. Chrissy was not very mature and seemed kind of erratic as a mother. Bailey then finds herself in the presence of Kash and they clash at first. She finds out who her father really is and so begins her journey with Kash.
After Bailey gives her decision on how her near future is going to go, she is thrust into the Francis family estate. She is then given an elaborate tale to tell so her step-siblings don't know who she really is. Kash pretty much lets her know that she needs to get on board with that. I don't want to give away too much, but I will say that some of the behavior of the Francis family was too much at points. Matt was beyond needing some discipline and direction in his life. Cyclone and Ser were both cute, but seemed to be inclined to believe their entitlements were givens. Bailey does lament a lot through this book how different their worlds are. She did fail several times to take into account that her mother was responsible for her being kept in the dark. She seemed to be willing to let her mother's dishonesty slide, yet felt that Peter needed to step up more.
Everyone in this book was dysfunctional on some level. There is a lot of turmoil and Kash has his own issues he is dealing with. It did have a Mason/Samantha feel to the book. I felt that Bailey needed to stand her ground and not let people dictate what was going to happen. She was pretty passive and didn't want to acknowledge her feelings at all. Peter needed to step up more and own his mistakes also. Felt there were too many secrets and not enough truth that came to light.
The ending was good and has me waiting anxiously for what is going to happen next.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

It has been a few years since I have read Tijan. Not for lack of publishing, but because I am not super into College-age romance. I saw this come up and read the blurb and was intrigued.
I really enjoyed this story for the mystery and twists and turns. I will say Kash's secret-keeping was getting a little old and I was glad when it was revealed. I really hated the discord between Peter and Baylie. I was so mad at him when he would not acknowledge her presence, let alone her existence. I was ready for that to blow up.
The instant bond with her secret siblings was the soft spot in the story and was very much needed.. So much mystery and suspense needed a little laughter..
The Kash and Baylie dynamic I found very interesting. I wasn't sure how bad I wanted them together until he started in on people who were rude to her. I love a man who will not let someone be disrespected. His protective nature was fantastic and I totally loved those two together.
I am very invested in these characters and am ready for more!
The only thing that made this a 4 star read for me was the excessive detail when describing the houses and surroundings. I get it, they are the 1% super-wealthy, I did not need page after page of house and grounds descriptions.

TIjan creates worlds that you just want to live in. Characters that you fall in love with. In her newest book, Bailey grabs you from the start - she is likeable and relatable. Kash is the dark, handsome man that you are never qute 100% sure of. The two of them together equals quite the match.

The side characters were amazing and there are so many I look forward to seeing developed further. One thing I love about Tijan's writing is that she doesn't hesitate to show you the UGLY but somehow keeps her characters likeable. It's a gift, I'm sure.

There is a solid mystery tied into the storyline and quite a few threads left hanging at the end. I look forward to having some of my questions answered and seeing where the next book takes us...

This is one of those books I was so excited to read and now I am so sad because I have to wait for book 2!

Highly recommend.

What a ride!

Tijan captivated me from the start with this intriguing story. There are so many twists and turns, so trying to figure out the bad guy from the bad attitudes of the rich people made it complicated.

I loved Bailey. She’s a quirky genius who’s finds out her childhood idol is actually her father. I don’t think we truly got to know all the ins and outs of Bailey in this first book because it was mostly her just trying to navigate life within this new part of society- the Uber rich.

Kash is all our broody, protective, bad boy Alphas that we have loved over the years. Bailey brings out his soft side far easier than he would like. But he has a lot of dark, family history that he doesn’t want to drag Bailey into.

These two are fire together. There’s chemistry, and hilarity, as well as suspense and intrigue. I love how Tijan has so many characters in her stories and the storyline continues to move forward. It doesn’t stagnate. While one storyline appears to be closed there are still others open, waiting for the rest of the story to be told. I am really looking forward to coming back into this world again.

I have been a Tijan fan for years now. Fallen Crest High is one of my favorite series. So, I was of course excited to read The Insiders.

This story had everything I like about Tijan's books, the characters, the over the top story, the possessive hero, the big families and supporting cast. In itself the book reminded me of the author's mafia books, the flair and the vibe is very similar.

I can't wait to read more from this author.

I think this is possibly my favorite Tijan book to date, in all honesty. THE INSIDERS is intriguing and captivating in a lot of ways and I was drawn in from the very beginning. The book literally begins with a kidnapping scene--if that doesn't get your blood pumping, I'm not entirely sure what will. Bailey is a computer genius with a photographic memory and a really corny yet endearing sense of humor who discovers that the man she's idolized in the tech world for her entire life is actually her father. Things get squirrely really fast, she's given a super hot and brooding bodyguard--Kash--meets new siblings and tries to find her place in a world she's usually on the outside of.

I loved Bailey completely. She's a genius without seeming unrelatable; her sense of humor made me laugh out loud a few times; she is a realistic character. The way her inner dialogue flows is so believable--watching her photographic mind catalog situations and work through scenarios at times was really interesting and translated well into the book, I think. Her sass is fun whenever it sparks up. The way she automatically loved and attached to her siblings was so endearing. I loved the pacing of the novel...I never felt like the story stalled out at any point. The awkward tension between her and her father was raw and the protectiveness that Kash showed in those situations was really heartwarming. I truly never saw that plot twist coming at the end. Either of them, really. This book was so good and I cannot wait for the next in the series!

After a kidnapping attempt, Bailey (student and hacker), finds out she is the illegitimate daughter of Peter (billionaire/cybersecurity genius), who is someone she's idolized all her life. Kash is taking her to Peter's home but no one is to know who she is - including her half-siblings. There's some serious stomach dropping things said that made me feel for Bailey and upped the angst.

This book is the same type of character set-up as Tijan's other books. Bailey is strong and stubborn and sometimes does impulsive or foolish things. Kash is dark, mysterious and all alpha. There's at least one person, in this case Matt her half-brother, who is all over the place. So far there isn't the standard bff who is loud and brash (maybe closest is her mother). Matt was the only character/element of the story that felt all over the place and inconsistent. There's one too many scenes of him doing the same dumb things and drawing Bailey into it making the book feel longer or going in circles.

Kash is... a lot more than her father's security chief of sorts. We find out all about that in the book. I didn't really know it was going to be a trilogy and I hate cliffhangers. The good news is that the initial plot is resolved for the most part and we're left with a HFN. The end didn't leave me frustrated but excited to read more about Kash and where the story goes.

Something else... who is the other woman on the cover of this book??

Thank you netaglley for the ARC!
This was my first Tijan book so I was really excited to read it since I've heard amazing things from this author. That being said I must say I was a bit underwhelmed by this book. I know it's a stand alone right now but it seems like it should be part of a series. The ending felt inconclusive to me. I wasn't crazy about Bailey's character she just seemed a bit flat to me. I liked Kash and Matt (even though he was a s*&%). I felt the sex scenes were meh not much going on there and I know thats not all a book should be but I expect a bit more for a book considered romance. I liked the whole kidnapping plot I thought that was a good hook and it definitely caught my attention but it really fell flat. Not sure I would recommend this to a friend.


Update I just learned this is going to be a trilogy, makes the ending better

Not my first by this author and definitely not my last but I’m wondering with this cliffhanger what will come. The cover caught my eye and blurb was nice but TIJAN was what I really wanted.

What did I like? So many things in this book brought me to pause. It’s not unheard of that Peter made a daughter like Bailey and she turned out most like him due to his neglect. Bailey is forced into a situation and the deets are now murky. Her ability to hack is better than her fathers and now her relationship with Kash might be hazardous.

Would I recommend or buy? I’d buy and recommend to Tijan book lovers. I’d read on but I’m hoping more explanation is forthcoming! Three and a half stars for entertainment!

I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review!

WOW, just WOW! This story is soooooo original. It keeps you engaged and intrigued. Forget about putting the book down! And I need the next book in the series ASAP. Bailey's life has been turned upside down. And her current situation is completely unfair. But she is not alone. Kash may have been an annoyance at the start but his intensity is with her every step of the way. There is no one better than him to have on her side. And don't think for a moment that this story is focused only on one track and you only have to worry about Bailey's baggage. Nah ah!! Kash has quite a lot of demons knocking at his door. And those are the big ones. He is holding on by a thread to keep control and keep Bailey safe at the same time. But that man is quite a specimen. Full alpha. You need to read this book. It's edgy, delicious, complicated and full of wanting.

OMG! This book sucked me in and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. When I started this book, I didn't realize it was part of a series. After the ending, I realize it is and I can't wait to read the next book and see what happens with Kash and his grandfather.

This book focuses on Bailey and Kash. Bailey is the genius daughter of a tech giant although she didn't know it until after the kidnapping attempt. At that point, she is taken in as a special friend of Kash Colello, who lives on her fathers estate and appears to handle safety and security for her father. When she is brought to her fathers estate and introduced to her siblings, they don't know she is their sister.....though it comes out in the end.

I liked Bailey and felt bad for her as she came to terms with her "new" family and her place in the family. She wants so bad to be acknowledged and wanted but neither her father nor stepmother give her that recognition. Her brother, Matt, is a spoiled rich kid who has his own issues with acknowledging Bailey, after he realizes who she is, because she is essentially everything he isn't and what their father has wanted from him. Meanwhile, she does spend some time with her younger siblings and forms a relationship with them under the guise of being Kash's friend. The family dynamic and how they all come to terms with the situation was well written.

While the story itself was fast paced and and easy read, I was a bit disappointed in the ending after all the buildup.....it was a bit anticlimactic. The book focuses so much on identifying Bailey's kidnappers but then at the end it comes across as more of just a blip on the radar. I wanted to know more. Maybe there will be a bit more about it in the next book??

Overall, I definitely recommend this book if your a fan of a romantic suspense with an instalove theme and some heat.

***I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.***

Tijan always knows how to throw you with her new series. This was a great start into that world and there is so much going on with this family dynamic. The way Bailey was thrust into this world at the beginning had you reeling with questions. There is this air of mystery throughout the whole book. For the most part we do receive those answers. Albeit, the ending leaves us wanting for more. I had a feeling about Quinn and I never liked her. Now Peter on the other hand completely dismantled me when he finally talked to Bailey. That speech made me feel for both of them on what they missed out on. I really adored Bailey. She was funny, quirky and smart. I liked Kash as well but something is still missing there. He is still a mystery and I have a feeling it is going to be bigger than what we found out. Bailey and Kash were good together and I can't wait to see what is next.

Arc provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

WOW!! I loved this book so much I couldn't put it down, read it in one sitting! I couldn't get enough of the smoking' hot chemistry between Kash and Bailey! I also loved every single twist and turn, the mystery of the story and the direction it was going had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Every time I just knew what was going to happen next...it never happened, I loved it! This is so different from any other Tijan book I've read previously and I can honestly say this is by far my favorite! I CAN.NOT.WAIT for the rest of this trilogy to see what happens next! Highly recommend!!

I don’t think St Martin’s did Tijan any favors by offering a poorly edited, pre-beta version copy of this narrative on NetGalley. The premise of the plot was interesting, however it didn’t once take the reader out of an element of predictability. Readers are offered a vivid cast of characters, that support most of the storyline with intriguing and entertaining qualities. This being a trilogy, some mystery is left to be discovered. The plot moves fast and is heavy in angst and anticipation. However, the writing is muddled and confusing as areas of detail are just skipped over or brought up but never mentioned again.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I didn’t like this. But I will say, I can see a different (perhaps younger?) reader enjoying it.

I struggled to get into the story because the plot just didn’t make any sense to me. Even applying romance logic, I didn’t get why the setup was happening. The book opens with a kidnapping attempt on the heroine, who then gets rescued by someone who works for a famous billionaire tech guy. She finds out that people are trying to kidnap her to hold her for ransom because said billionaire is her father who she never knew about. Her father, therefore, wants to offer her protection while they figure out who is targeting her so that she stays safe. So far, so good (again, applying romance logic here, not real-life logic). Then, the heroine gets told that she needs to leave her mother and hide out on the billionaire’s estate, but she can’t tell anyone who she is and she has to pretend to be an old family friend of the guy who rescued her? This is where it lost me. The story eventually reveals all and explains why this happens, but no one seemed to be really questioning it as it was happening and the explanation given still didn’t make sense to me.

Second, I never connected with the characters. At the start of the book, the heroine instantly both hates and desperately lusts after the hero, but there’s really no interaction that goes with this instant connection, so it doesn’t feel real at all. It’s like insta-love, but worse because it feels shallow. Then, once the relationship starts to develop, it never feels like equals or partners, but like Kash is calling all of the shots and Bailey is just following along (oof, as I was writing this, I completely forgot the heroine’s name and had to look it up, despite finishing this book less than 12 hours ago. Not a good sign.)

Thirdly, in romance, having strong side characters is something that often makes a story a favorite for me. There was potential here because there is so much time spent with the side characters. I didn’t enjoy the time with the side characters though. The characters often felt like caricatures of tropes, with then some random unexplained out-of-character moments to “redeem” them.

This new world is just....gah!!! I love it. I am not surprised at all because Tijan is an aging story teller, but I love how her writing pulls you in and wraps you up and you ARE listening to the characters, you are living it, you can feel every emotion and see every detail from the small to big things. Its a rare talent but one that she brings to the table every single time!!!! I'm really hoping there is more to this story, it was kind of a cliff hanger there.

I absolutely loved Insiders by Tijan. Tijan is not a new author to me. I feel like for the price you pay you always get your money's worth. From my knowledge this will be a trilogy. I am thoroughly looking forward to the other two books. I absolutely loved Bailey and Kash, and cannot wait to see how this story unfolds. Publish everything this author writes because it is pure gold! All of her books are so very rich with details, and it is a true escape from this reality.

I usually love Tijan's books and this one does not disappoint. It is a action filled story of a young woman thrust into a life she should have been born into but is now learning her way. It has love, deception, family dynamics, and a bit of action movie plot to it. It does wrap up the story by the end, but leaves plenty of room for the sequel to begin immediately after. I would recommend this to anyone who loves Tijan's books already and anyone starting out as well. #netgalley

This started out bumpy and unfortunately didn't get any better. We are thrust into the middle of a kidnapping attempt on page one, where one of the kidnappers inexplicably helps Bailey though we never learn why. After that, Bailey learns who her father is and is moved to his family compound. Everything happens quickly but the plot is scarce.

Bailey acts like a high school student instead of someone about to start graduate school. She falls in insta-lust with Kash, her father's advisor and won't stop thinking about him. Their romance felt off and the chemistry was lacking. He constantly leaves her and won't talk to her about what's going on or his past. I wish he had been more developed as a character and Bailey had been more mature.

Bailey's long lost family weren't great characters either. Her father is a poor dad and husband and treats people around him as lesser. Her stepmother is cold and cruel and her brother Matt is a selfish jerk. The little kids were cute but they weren't a big part of the story.

I was interested in the kidnapping plot, but it wasn't discussed much and we never circled back to the guy who attempted to help Bailey at the beginning. I'm not sure if that's just a loose end or if it will be addressed in the next book but I would have liked something more. The climax near the end was over too quickly and had low stakes. I hoped we were building up to something bigger, but I guess that will have to wait until the sequel.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed this book. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the copy.