Member Reviews
Wow what a book! It’s my first by Tijan and won’t be my last. I wasn’t sure about a mafia book but I love Trace and Jess. The intrigue and passion is smoking hot. Can’t wait for book 2. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC
This the perfect book to settle into for a long flight. I was sucked in right away and loved every minute of this one. It's exactly what I love about a Tijan book - lots of layers and depth with my characters, chances to really see them interact with each other and a complex story.
When the story opens Jess is at a hockey game with her best friend and stumbles upon Trace. The chemistry and attraction between them is strong right away, and Trace seems intent on Jess until he learns she is a parole officer. Anything to do with the police is something he avoids since he is heavily involved in the "family business".
Both Trace and Jess have complicated and dark backgrounds that have shaped them into who they are when they meet. Jess very much lives her work and takes her job very seriously. Trace knows getting involved with Jess is not a good idea.
I loved how strong of a character Jess was. She was adept at taking care of herself, but at the same time I also loved how protective and caring Trace was of her as the story moved along. The mystery and intrigue surrounding them was also incredibly well done - it's one of the few times I haven't figured things out early on. I thought it was weaved well into everything else.
I had completely missed that this was part of a series - and I'm not entirely sure if the next books will be a different couple, or more with this same, but either way I can't wait!
I got this book as an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book had me hooked from the very start. There was so many twists and turns and I really enjoyed this read. I read it in 24 hours! This is my first book that I've read from Tijan, but I guarantee it will not be my last.
Can we talk about that major cliffhanger ending though?!? When does the next book come out? This book also reminded me of my relationship with my mother, it's always been rocky and I hope one day she is able to face her battles and come back to me.
I loved the back and forth between Jess and Trace, they were an incredibly hot and strong couple. The chemistry between them is incredible and I hope for a bit more than sexual chemistry between them in future books, though I don't necessarily complain about spice.
Romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres because it combines so many different feelings and there is never a lack of action or drama. Add in a Mafia theme and we get the power plays too.
This book was awesome. From the very beginning, I knew it was going to be a winner. Both characters are hardcore and tough. They balanced each other perfectly. One did not overpower the other and because of that, it was an amazing read.
One thing that I did want more of was the heat. Their connection was fabulous but this book was so much more about the mafia connections and the chase that the fiery scenes seemed lacking. Making choices for the long term was tough but the heart speaks louder than words sometimes. Tijan did them proud.
A Dirty Business is a story that grabs your attention immediately with sizzle and spark and then launches you into the world of underground business and corruption. This is one story you will be hard-pressed to put down, so you may as well clear a day when cracking open this one!
Unbelievably, I have never read a Tijan book before. Well, now that has changed and I do know that I am definitely going to keep this author on my radar for her future work. Maybe even pick up a few old series too.
Awesome read!
This was so good! I jumped in and could not stop reading. Tijans writing style is just so charming and fun and has the perfect balance and flow for my tastes. Of course, I adored Trace and how he absolutely worshipped and protected Jess.
Jess subtle character development was spot on. I love when you get to see the h become more secure and stronger and more herself because of how comfortable and confident the H makes her. I really hope we get to see more of them in the future books!
The mystery was so well woven in this book, a lot of times I can find it hard to focus on the journey because my brain is trying to solve the mystery before we have all the details but not here I was just along for the ride and surprisingly patient but I was loving the journey that much. Gah, just so good.
I can not wait to see what happens in this world next; I’m so excited to see how Molly handles Ashton’s darkness and I’m dying for Jess and Ashton’s confrontation. Im giddy over how much I enjoyed this world and all these characters, it was so full bodied and detailed without being draggy. Fingers crossed that Cole, Carter, and Bennett show up at some point!! I loved Traces little name drop/throw down with the Worthing assholes at Cole and Carters club.
Love the chemistry between both protagonists. I have read few books by the author and I have always enjoyed her writing style and how it pulls you to the world she is bringing to you. The suspense and plot is a great addition to the Mafia trope.
Now the cliffhanger is painful so be ready for it. Anxiously waiting for the next one!
It was a good book. Not gonna lie, I found the plot a little bit bland towards the middle but then i enjoyed the story overall
A forbidden romance between the heir apparent of the mafia and a parolee officer. An affair that shouldn't happen but is impossible to resist.
Tristan "Trace" West is absolutely everything, gorgeous, smart, obsessive. Jess Montell is fierce, quick tempered and the obsession. Together they are addicted to eachother, unable to stay away no matter what goes around them.
This story is everything, sweet, sexy, suspenseful, quick to read and understand. The plot is edging as is their chemistry, its instant, hot and sweet. Their characters are well written, their thoughts well put, the whole story was good and I was hooked.
I love Miss. Tijan writing, her stories and I loved even more that there were mentions of her other works here.
I enjoyed this mafia/parole officer love story. Having it with dual POV was amazing. Seeing behind Trace’s and Jess’ emotions and actions. I want you, but we shouldn’t… push and pull throughout the book.
There were a couple things left open and some characters (like Ashton and Molly) that I need more off. I can’t wait for the next installment!
Jess is a parole officer with a dead father, a brother in jail for killing him, and an abusive alcoholic mother. Trace works on Wall Street, owns a nightclub (where Jess has a side gig as a bartender), and is the heir to a mafia empire. Sparks fly between them, but they both know that they should be enemies.
I haven’t read a book by Tijan that I haven’t loved and this one is no different! The push and pull between these characters is amazing, and every meeting of the two is sizzling with chemistry. A Dirty Business has so many moving parts, that i was kept on the edge of my seat reading to find out what was going to happen next. Be warned that this book does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I’ll be anxiously waiting for next year when the second installment in this series will arrive.
If you’re looking for a slightly dark dive into the gray world of a mafia heir and law enforcement, this book will tick off all your boxes!
Thank you to Montlake Publishing for providing me an ARC of this book.
3.5-4 stars
This book was entertaining and I’ll continue to read the series, but it just felt like something was off with the story. In trying to be mysterious, it just felt like some of the plot was missing. The pacing also felt a bit strange at times and the main characters’ relationship felt really underdeveloped.
That was intense. I don't think I have ever been so keyed up reading a book before. The way this author had these two dancing around each other enthralled me, and frustrated me...in a good way.
I absolutely loved Jess's character. Talk about a woman who can hold her own against the baddest of the bad. I loved how she handled herself. She's perfect for Trace and his occupation even though she's trying to stay apart from that side of him. Heck, I can see her taking over the mafia, that's how much of a boss she is.
Trace is even better. His obsession with her had me hooked from the start, and I loved how he didn't just bulldoze his way into her life. That man is a patient man. He also treated her with such respect. It's what really had me so impatient with these two. I wanted them to get past the issues and faster and yet I know the way it went is why I was a big reason why I couldn't put this book down.
It's going to be so hard to wait for the next book. I just didn't want to stop reading and I have to know what happens next! This was an excellent read!
Holy smokes!!!! I haven’t had a book keep me up till wee hours of the morning for a while but this one definitely did! Trace umm not sure you can get any hotter! Jess tough girl who wouldn’t take crap from anyone but still made me love her. I was captured into their lives and fighting for both. For their attraction for their families for them emotionally. Sometimes you have to lose it all to protect the one you love and sometimes you lose it all to stand and choose the one you love!!! Sometimes you go through both and end up with way better situation than you thought would ever be!!! I can’t say enough for this story and book and Tijans writing!!!For Jess and Trace’s love. After that ending there better be another one coming because I can’t be left like that. If so I also need that book right now Tijan. Thank you Tijan for writing this story. It was definitely one I needed and will be on my top list of favorites for sure!!!!
Awesome and Unpredictable!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚🖤💙💜❤️
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌍🌏
Character development: 😠😘🤓😉🥰
The heroine: Jess Montell - she is a parole officer during the week and works as a bartender at a trendy New York Nightclub on the weekends. She has a brother in jail for killing their father and an alcoholic mother. Jess lives with her best friend Kelly and loves her job as a parole officer and she is very good at it. In her job she sees good and bad like black and white, you are on one side or the other with no gray areas in between.
The Hero: Tristain West (a.k.a. Trace) - he is a Wall Street hedge fund manager and his uncle Stephano is the head of a mafia crime family. He often helps out the family when his uncle, who is more of a father to him than his own, asks it of him. When his uncle’s health starts failing and another family tries to start moving in, Stephano tells Trace he wants him to take over the family business.
The Story: From the moment Trace sees Jess, he knows he wants her, though finding out she is a parole officer puts the kibosh on his plans to get into her bed. However, he can’t stop himself from finding out more about her and when he sees her in the club he and his best friend own, he can’t seem to stay away from her.
Before Jess even knows who Trace really is and who his family is, she knows his reaction to her badge means he is bad for her. She tries to keep away from him but can’t get him out of her mind. Trace has the same issue but I like him, he is a bit obsessed with Jess and is stalking her a bit. His stalking is a lot more high class than in some books. More like background checks and watching her work from his VIP room at the club. Either way, these two have a ton of chemistry going on and you can feel it in the air every time they get near each other.
This book was a bit different than most of the Tijan books I have read. She usually writes about a younger crowd of people and these characters were in their late twenties/early thirties and though they didn’t quite have everything in their lives all together, who does? They both had bad childhoods and crazy parents and I think they really needed each other.
The writing was great, and like all Tijan books, the supporting characters were all that and a bag of chips! The world building was on point and I just love a lead female character that is a total rebel and yet feminine as well and the hero was nothing to sneeze at either. I definitely wouldn’t kick a guy like Trace out of bed. The mafia storyline was really good as well and had me on the edge of my seat throughout the book. I want to know more about Ashton and that ending threw me for a loop!
I voluntarily read & reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
Seriously….
I can’t believe it ended on a cliffhanger with no warning! The push/ pull between Trace and Jess was well written and really pulled you in. I loved the twists and can’t wait to see what happens next.
I voluntarily read in advance copy.
I'm a huge fan of Tijan's YA/NA high school/college romances. On the other hand her mafia romances are hit or misses at times. Just thinking about [book:Rich Prick: A Shy Girl Bad Boy Sports Romance|54104751], [book:Ryan's Bed|36615592] and [book:Fallen Crest High|16134551] makes my heart beat faster.
Nevertheless, when a new Tijan book hits my kindle, it becomes immediately priority #1.
I devoured A Dirty Business in one sitting! My Saturday afternoon was completely taken over by this mafia romance that was surprisingly mature and less over the top than what I'm used to from this author. I also really loved how well written the book was and the story pulled me in from the very beginning. Like I said, I started the novel and finished it in one sitting, only putting it down for necessary bathroom breaks.
The story/plot was a typical mafia trope, but best of all the story was surprisingly believable and I really loved Jess's professional career choice. Her being a parole officer was such a fascinating part of the book, it was really well done. And added some interesting conflict and tension and made the plot another touch more grounded.
Jess's and Trace's relationship was deliciously slow burn at times, overall deeply emotional, and just the right amount of sexy. The instant attraction was definitely there, it's a Tijan signature, but the forbidden romance, and the deadly consequences of such a romance made the story extra fascinating.
All in all, the book was a very enjoyable and quick read for me.
I'm definitely curious about what's coming next. Since the ending was quite the shocker.
Honestly, I'm actually a bit conflicted about the ending. I wasn't prepared for a cliffhanger. Somehow I thought the book was a standalone novel. In the end the ending came rather abruptly, and left a lot of questions still unanswered. Nevertheless I'm in for the long run.
Unfortunately "A Dirty Business" by Tijan is DNF for me (47%).
I am reading it 3 days and I don't fell like I did any progress. The Book is boring. I've read a few books wrote by Tijan and I've decided to give her one more chance, but it didn't work. I am not even curious how should it end.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me opportunity to red this book.
Love reading Tijan's books and this one didn't disappoint!
I really enjoyed reading it and absolutely love Trace!! The book was fast paced and kept me wanting to read more and more. I loved the characters and love the plot of the story.
Looking forward to reading more of Tijan and this series!
A Dirty Business is a riveting suspenseful mafia type novel with a great cast of characters with depth ,emotion and fragility.
Jess is a parole officer and very good at her jod, she takes no s**t and is as hard as nails on the surface. Bumping into Trace West at a hockey game there is instant attraction until he sees her badge and says ‘you’re police and makes a speedy exit. Jess discovers who he is and his connection to the criminal world, although Trace is trying hard to stay legal as a financial expert, his uncle is constantly trying to get him to take over all the illegal businesses.
Not able to forget Jess he pursues her relentlessly, here a great romance story starts but more than that we have suspense, excitement and multiple family problems on both sides, plus people who are out to stop their relationship in its tracks by any means.
Well written, page turning and a read I throughly enjoyed.
My thanks to netgalley and publishers Montlake for the opportunity to review this book honestly.
Trace has a strong desire for Jess from the minute he first meets her, but his attempts to get into her bed are derailed when he learns that she is a parole officer. He finds himself curious in her, though, and he can't help but approach her when he sees her in the bar that he and his best friend run.
A relationship between a parole officer and the Mafia family's heir. It is hot, steamy, and sexual like all of Tijan's stories are. I adore both of the characters. The characters have such sultry chemistry!:) I enjoy the suspense and the quick pacing.
Thanks to the publisher for the arc.