I always expect intensity from a Tijan novel and I feel that this was exactly what I needed from her.

I think that there was a lot more description of Trace and Jess than of their relationship, but I think that it worked out well especially if there's going to be a sequel. The intensity of what was happening to both Trace and Jess within their jobs and then how it put them in conflict with each other, despite their attraction was a perfect balance Tijan was able to make happen. I loved the support that Trace and Jess had even when they weren't talking to each other.

I liked that elements such as the 411 Network (used in previous books) is still a recurring element. I honestly think that this is one of my favorite surprises in a Tijan book, because it's not used very often, but it's cool how it links books together in the same world.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Montlake for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 stars

OMG....this book was fantastic. A Dirty Business had me fully engrossed and I enjoyed every minute of it. I liked the characters. Trace and Jess had intense chemistry from the minute they met and I loved the push and pull between them and how they were practically dancing around each other. With him having ties tot he mafia and she being a Parole officer they both knew nothing could come of their attraction however they couldn't stay away. Their story was a bit of a slow burn but was also sexy and emotional and filled with action, drama, tension and conflict. They were both strong independent characters who balanced each other out and I loved them. They were supported by a cast of secondary characters who played a major role in the story.
There is so much happening in this novel I was at the edge of my seat at times with all the twists and turns. This page turner was well written and I could not put it down. The ending left me in shock and I can't wait for the next book. It was a fantastic read and I would highly recommend it to lovers of romantic suspense.

When Mafia Boss Trace West collides with Jess Montell at a hockey match, the attraction and sparks fly, that is until they realize they are both on different sides of the law, she is a parole officer!!
And that right there and then got my full attention, this girl was gutsy, sparky and could hold her own, definitely no walk over.
I just knew this book was going to drag me right into this whole can of worms and i would love every moment of it.
I was not wrong.
They purposefully avoided each other, but life kept landing them in each other's orbits and those moments between hating each other and trying desperately not to give in to their mutual attractions became moments i lived for!!! so freaking hot!!
Tijan has none to gently brought us a story of blurred lines, a girl on the edge, dealing with an alcoholic, verbally and mentally abusive mother, Trace, loyal to his family, but tries to keep his personal business on the right side of the law.
There are twists that blow you away and you can't even prepare for them coming. Lies and truths, betrayals most people wouldn't survive, but this is also a love story, strong and powerful, a love story that does not give up!!!
This author excels at getting into your mind and your emotions and this book is no exception!! Absolutely loved it from beginning to end !!

I will say upfront I am a huge fan of Tijan. I have loved everything she has written and will buy and read anything she writes. She is an amazing writer and I will always recommend her books. She writes all kinds of stories and in A Dirty Business, we get a romantic suspense that kept me on my edge of my seat from start to finish. I absolutely loved this book. Trace West is the prince of his family. A family with mafia ties. He is strong, determined, and a total alpha. If you are in his world, he will do anything to protect those he cares about. Jess Montell is in law enforcement and has what she believed a very right and wrong view of life. They should never have met, much less felt anything towards each other. But from the moment they lay eyes on each other, their attraction and connection is undeniable, even as they try to ignore it.

The push and pull between Trace and Jess is magnetic. No one around them believes they should be together. There is too much at stake, but how can you stay away from the other piece of your heart? As a reader, I felt that connection between them deeply. Every time I had to put the story down, I could not stop thinking of it and just wanted to pick it up again. So many things are happening around them and danger is always around the corner. After some things happen to each of them separately and together, you wonder if they will ever truly be together. Then the last few chapters changed everything and that ending crushed me. I feel like I am not doing this story justice, but though I loved her last romantic suspense series and was an overall 5-star read for me, this one was a 5-star read for me at a totally different level and I highly recommend it. I will now just be sitting in the corner waiting for the next book.

Happy reading!

This was my first Tijan book, and what a whirlwind it took me on. I love the concept of a parole officer (badass woman) and a mafia guy. There was a great balance of plot with the tension between these two, and where they give in.. 🥵💥

There were so many moving parts and I did not see what was coming at the end. I love when the authors can keep me guessing the whole time.

I typically enjoy tijan books. I think this one for some reason I could just not get into as well as her other titles. Nothing bad or wrong with the book, or writing style. I think perhaps this is on me, and timing. I may try again when I’m more open but do not let that dissuade you of trying this title.

A Dirty Business is the first book in Tijan’s all-new mafia series, and if you love mafia as much as I do, you will not want to miss this.

As is usually the case with any book by this author, once you open it, there’s no going back. The first page pulls you in, and you stay completely immersed in it until you’ve devoured every page. Secrets from the past and actions of the present blend together in this heart pounding read.

Jess is a BA in her own right. Not just because she’s strong and can hold her own against her parolees but because she’s made a decision to be better than her parents. She doesn’t just succeed at it; she excels at it. She’s a BA when needed, but she’s also caring and loyal to those she’s close to. I adored her character, and as the story went on, I felt the development of who she was at the beginning to who she was at the end was a natural progression.

Trace is a businessman who leads two different lives. Both sides are who he is; it’s just that they are quite different. He and his best friend own a club, a legit business that isn’t a part of the "Family." On the other side is Trace, the man set to become head of the West Family mafia. He seems to be split between the two sides of his life. No matter which side of Trace you were dealing with, there was never any question that he wasn’t the one in charge. He owns every room he walks into, and with a quirk of the brow, he’ll have panties melting and the mouth on him.

Jess and Trace are fire, ice, and a hurricane. Their chemistry is palpable the moment they meet, but because of who they are, it’s not quite as easy to give in to the lust between them. I loved that Jess was never afraid to push back, even after knowing who he was. There were so many times that my heart ached for them. It was clear that they were meant to be, but it seemed as though as soon as they took a step forward, something knocked them 10 steps back.

A single touch would cause a feverish burn, but then something or someone was there to remind them of who they were, and it was as though they were doused with ice water. It was the two of them and what they stood for that was the hurricane. I did love that once they waded through the push and pull of what their bodies told them, which was the opposite of what their heads said, they were all in.

My emotions were all over the place, from all the fluttery feels of the closeness both Jess and Trace had with their best friends to the way Jess had no fs to give when she stood her ground against others. The pain they felt, especially in the moments when it was caused by others, made my heart ache.

I have never opened a book by this author and not been immediately sucked in, but there was something different about A Dirty Business. Everything felt like what I would expect, but to the nth degree. The storyline was more mesmerizing, the characters more intriguing, the connection between Jess and Trace deeper, and the steam hotter; all of it just felt like it was on steroids. I’m already looking forward to diving further into the Kings of New York series.

I love Tijan’s mafia books! This one is no different but she has put such a different spin on this storyline that I was hooked when I read the description. Jess is a strong female main character who has been fighting the bad guys. Trace is the bad guy but is he really? Jess’s internal conflict is conveyed so well I could feel it. Trace’s loyalty, street smarts and fortitude made me fall in love with him. The supporting characters are well developed and I had a love/hate relationship with Ashton. The story had so many surprises and I didn’t want it to end. The ending was so shocking and it left me wanting to read the next book right now. This is a great start to new characters and a great storyline. Tijan is so creative and talented. She did not disappoint with this book.

4.25⭐

This is my initial introduction to author Tijan and if this fascinating story is anything to go by I will definitely be reading more. As I devoured A Dirty Business in just a day.

With a story that was well-written and that pulled me in from the start and characters who were interesting too. Especially Jess, whose career choice is in complete conflict with Trace and what he does.

Not to mention the pace at which Jess' and Trace's relationship developed was pleasantly slow burn and passionate. And it had the perfect amount of sexy too.

Furthermore, there was an element of the forbidden which I adored and that definitely made the story more intriguing. And I did find it very enjoyable, and even though the book is over four hundred pages long it flew by.

Oh, and that ending wasn't what I was anticipating and it did leave questions unanswered. But I guess that's what book two is for. Which is a book I'll be definitely be looking out for in 2023!

I would happily recommend A Dirty Business to Mafia Romance lovers everywhere!

I can't find the words for that ending. This story is easy to read, it has a lot of suspense, a lot of emotions, some amazing friendships, some unexpected events and a lot of love. I really enjoyed reading about the lovestory of Jess and Trace.

Another amazing read from Tijan!!! I can’t put her books down!!! An incredible author, who can keep you interested in the storyline and characters!!

“I was thirsting for some of that sin tonight.”

WOW!!! So many emotions captured between these pages. Revenge, entitlement, trust, betrayal, truth, heartache, yearning, chemistry, compassion, loss, hope, friendship, family, redemption, fear, regret…

“This whole time, he’d been toying with me, but now he was off kilter, and I was the reason. This wasn’t just a one-way street. I had power over him too.”

Caught between two worlds. Testing your scruples. Justifying your desires.

“There’s no half-in and half-out. You’re not half of a criminal. You are a criminal, and today, I became one too.”

When everything you believed in is being questioned. When everything you’ve sacrificed for is being tested. When your truth becomes a lie.

“Are you okay knowing what it’ll cost me to have you?”

4.5 stars. I was excited to finally read a Tijan mafia book, but then found out this ended in a cliffhanger (which I typically do not like- especially when it is not disclosed upfront), so it took me a bit to get into the story. This was a great back and forth with Jess, a parole officer, and Trace who is walking the line between a legitimate businessman and the mafia. This story pulled me in and made me want to know what was going to happen. The only thing I didn’t like about the story was that it ended without a resolution. Looking forward to the next book that has the ending, which I will definitely read.

I love Tijan's YA/NA stuff but this one is going to be one of my favorite of her mafia romances! Some of Tijan's female characters can be a bit angsty and cave under pressure, but I loved Jess. She had been the no nonsense voice of morality in her family and friend group, and it carried over to her career choice and was an integral part of who she is. Trace was trying to walk the fine line between family and business, right and wrong, legal and not. I loved the development of their relationship and the complete slow burn between the characters. Sometimes it's nice to have that character development and sexual tension.

There was a bit of a mystery involved and figuring out who was trustworthy was hard. I didn't think the book would end the way it did, but that hopefully means we get more of Jess and Trace! So good!

Where is this book going? It just draaawwwssss it out so much. I wanted to give this author another chance, SO BADLY, but it's just not gonna be the one for me.

I didn't feel the chemistry between them. It was basically lust at first sight, but then we never DO anything with it. And because of the barriers keeping them apart, we just never get to see them have the time to build that. Their relationship (or lack there of) is immediately under attack, and it never stops. But I never saw what was worth fighting for. Even up to 70% in which is where I DNF'd.

I did rate this, because whenever I get past 50% I still do.

But I don't think I will be trying anymore Tijan. I gave it the good old college try. 3 different time.

2 stars

Tijan knows how to write an intense and forbidden romance. The attraction between Jess and Trace is instant and though both move in opposing circles, they can't seem to keep apart. I enjoyed these two characters who because of where they are in life and familial obligation, have to fight what could be right for them.

Tijan is an author I have been curious about for a long time. It’s a name that constantly crops up, and many of the author’s books have had me curious. I finally decided to give the author a try with A Dirty Business, and it’s safe to say we do not mesh.

From the start, I had difficulty with this one because I did not like the writing style. I’m not quite sure what it was, but it felt so awkward to me. To the point where I ended up re-reading the first chapter because my brain disconnected partway through and went ‘none of this is matching up’. While my brain finally accepted it, it never stopped feeling awkward. Bland, too. I kept waiting for deep emotions to hit, yet there was never anything about it that sucked me in. Which was made worse by the fact I could not connect with the characters. I never felt anything for them as individuals, which meant I never felt anything for their relationship. It felt all over the place and forced, and the entire thing felt like a chore to me. I’m sure there are many people who are going to scream ‘you’re wrong’ at these views, especially with how everyone else seems to love the author’s work, but this one did not work for me at all. Clearly, the stylistic choice here is one of those where my brain cannot connect.

It is possible I will give another of the author’s books a try in the future – I do have a few of them sitting on my Kindle from when I downloaded them as freebies – but I doubt it will be soon. In fact, it will probably only happen if I decide to see if this was a one-off in terms of style choice or if this is the norm.

oh wow wow. you just can’t finish a book with a cliffhanger like that. my mouth is actually hanging open at the same time i’m like NO ITS NOT THEM. THEY CANT BE-

This book is wow. I’m on fifty-fifty. So I’m around 3.5⭐️s.

What I liked - the whole set up in the maffia world, the twist, the betrayals and the lot of actions, Ashton and Justin. Actually this are the reasons why I kept going and going. And I was delighted.

What I didn’t liked - the beginning, the main character Jess, had problems with Trace, the love/ lust between them, the in-going off-going feelings they had. Jess again. Kelly until the end and her friendship with Jess.

This was my first Tijan book but I definitely will pick up her others books in the future. I was scared in the beginning because it’s starting a bit off, wasn’t a fan of Jess and I just couldn’t understand why she was telling details about random people she met, i mean their weight and height, it just didn’t fit in my mind even if she was a PO. And there was the sentence when she first saw Trace “the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen” aka instant attraction, lust and etc. After that I didn’t really care about their relationship I hated that all of their decisions depended on the other and they sacrificed everything they loved and I was just like blah.

Hated how Trace reacted about Ashton when he took Jess and they lost their brother bond after that. But honestly if I didn’t get Jess pov and see how boring life she has even I’d suspect that she’s the mole. And I didn’t find her character lovable.
And the friendship between Kelly and Jess was just horrible. I wouldn’t call that sisterhood. They couldn’t count on one an other. Kelly and Justin… my heart hurts for them. They deserved better.


Thank you to Netgalley for the arc!

A Dirty Business is the first book in the Kings of New York series by Tijan and I enjoyed every moment of Trace and Jess' whirlwind romance. I had never read a book by this author before and was pleasantly surprised by the slow burn romance and suspense that unfolded. The story was engaging due to the many unexpected twists and betrayals. Every character played an important role to the story, no matter how insignificant they were. In addition, the longing and angst between these two was beautifully written and refreshing, especially considering that Trace was the one chasing Jess while she resisted him. There were also many barriers to their relationship because of their profession—Jess was a parole officer while Trace was the heir to his mafia family. Despite their differences and the internal conflicts they had with each other, I loved their stolen moments together because they simply existed as themselves instead of what others expected them to be.

Although Jess was portrayed as this stubborn, resilient, and strong female character, she was also incredibly vulnerable to the brokenness of her own family. The constant verbal abuse from her mother was difficult to read but made her relatable. Jess wasn't perfect but she had her own sense of moral justice and this often clashed with her feelings for Trace. I enjoyed their push and pull dynamic, especially since Jess was to the type to run away from her feelings while Trace would pursue her relentlessly. I enjoyed both characters and rooted for their happy ending. Trace had similar struggles with his own family who wanted him to take over the family business or dead. He was living between worlds—one that was legitimate and the other illegal, and would have to make a choice sooner or later. Meeting Jess changed everything because it made him question his identity and future as head of the West family.

In the end, Trace and Jess' story was a fantastic introduction to the series and it ends with a cliffhanger that will leave readers questioning everything. I was completely surprised by the ending and I look forward to seeing whether or not Tijan will continue this story. In addition to our main couple, I was also interested in Ashton and Molly's potential story. Ashton is Trace's best friend and business partner who also happens to be the heir to his own mafia family. On the other hand, Molly is Jess' friend and owner of the bowling alley that she often goes to. These two have an interesting relationship and I can't wait to read their story in the future. Fans of the slow burn and mafia romance with suspenseful elements will absolutely enjoy this book because it features a devoted and obsessed hero who persistently chases his stubborn and independent heroine.

I so love mafia type romances and this did not disappoint. Jess and Tristan were literally on opposite sides of the law and it was oh so good. Both were strong in their own right which I enjoy and I think that we really got to know and understand them both. The chemistry between the two were off the charts and I would highly recommend. Please be advised that the only drawback is a cliffhanger! I usually struggle to remember what happened in the previous books. I received an advanced copy and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.