I am not always a fan of Mafia romance usually I can take them or leave them, but this new book from Tijan hooked me right from the start and kept me reading to the end. Jess and Trace were amazing characters both hardcore and tough and perfect partners but were unfortunately on opposite sides of the law. Given their totally incompatible lives it seeemed impossible for these two to be together. No matter how much they fought their attraction to each other they were unable to stay away and we were treated to some wonderfully sexy steamy scenes.

This story kept me on a knife edge all the way through just waiting for the heavy boot to fall, everything was leading that way and I wanted to know how they would deal with it. Which one of them would have to cross the line into good or bad so they could stay together, would their love be strong enough?

I didn't realise that there would be a cliffhanger in this book when I picked it up and I was a bit disappointed. However with the totally unexpected happenings and the tension towards the end of the book I think I am glad to get a break before taking on the next part, it was so intense.

I have not read many of Tijan's books as her tropes are not usually my favourites but I absolutely loved A Dirty Business for it's heart stopping action and incredibly steamy romance and I cannot wait for the next part.

A Dirty Business by Tijan is the first in her new series Kings Of New York. It is an absolutely gripping suspense romance about Tristian ‘Trace’ West and Jess Montell. What happens when two strangers accidentally meet and desperately want each other but they are from two different worlds. If they start a relationship everything will change for her, so is he prepared to pursue her knowing what it will cost her to be with him.

Trace is a businessman in Wall Street but he also happens to be the heir to one of New York’s biggest mafia families. His Uncle currently runs the family business and Trace helps out when needed. His best friend Ashton Walden also lives the same two lives. They don’t mind helping their families but do question if they want to live the full mafia lifestyle. Jess is a parole officer who loves her job and lives with her best friend Kelly. She also works weekends at a local nightclub to help support her alcoholic mother and her brother who is in prison. She has a very strained relationship with her mother who causes her lots of upset.

Trace and Jess meet totally by accident and the sparks fly straight away. She has no idea who he is but her instincts tell her he is dangerous. Neither can forget about the other and to satisfy his curiosity he gets a PI to find out as much about her as possible. Their attraction to each other is so strong and every time they cross paths the connection is undeniable. Although she tells him to stay away, he just can’t because the temptation is too hard to resist.

Things become more difficult and complicated when his Uncle needs him more than ever to handle situations. When her family becomes embroiled with his family business, decisions have to be made and options fully considered. Can he leave his family behind for her? Can he keep her if he stays working for the family?

Lines are blurred and nothing is black and white anymore as she becomes more involved in his life. She is the enemy to his family, with her on one side and he on the other. He really wants her in his life but what would the fallout be if they continued seeing each other. She is finding she wants him as much as he wants her. Her life revolves around law enforcement so could she chose him because there is no getting around who he is and what he does.

It was fun seeing two mentally and physically strong characters losing control whenever they got together because the chemistry between them was so strong. The way they affected each other totally took over and I hoped they would finally give in. Their relationship is full of angst, drama, hurt and yearning. Ashton becomes very concerned over Trace’s infatuation with Jess and worries she could be a target against him.

There are so many twists and turns in this thrilling story. I loved how the author sucks you in with their relationship then blows the story apart with unstable parents, mafia turf wars and family dynamics to negotiate. I loved the way she wove a mysterious web of connections between everyone which will leave you with so many questions. Then she tops it all off with a shocking cliffhanger. I loved this and couldn’t put it down. It is definitely one of my favourite reads this year, I just didn’t want it to end and I can’t wait for book two.

Jess and Trace were a push and pull of damning proportions and high stakes as morality ran rampant. Tijan has incorporated the thrill of the chase and the chill of danger, and combined it with that delicious ‘hate to want you’ tension that fans go wild for, and it paid off!

Mafia Romance presented a new face as these two went up against their definitions of right and wrong, their pasts, family, and the rising tension burning between them. Both Jess and Trace were strong-willed, likeable leads, and I loved the direction Tijan chose to go for their story. It’s not everyday you uncover a mafia lead wrapped up (literally) in the law 😉

There is a maturity to Tijan’s writing and the play of events, and the added conflict lended by Jess’ job bolstered that tension and presented a display of strength and passion from both parties that I loved to see. The side characters were strong, and the world that’s been sculpted vivid as every element came into play in crafting this dirty new obsession. With a little less gore and bloodshed for bloodshed sake, everything worked in sync, from the politics of a thriving dynasty, the abundance of tension and heat, and the blurred lines and family dynamics playing out alongside one another. I loved every second!

For an obsession worth getting dirty over, look no further than this opportunity to get all up in this dirty business - The temptation is too good to pass up!

Tijan has a unique writing style where I slightly have to adjust my mind when it comes to reading her books, it’s so hard to explain, but when you pick up a Tijan book you just know straight away that she’s the author, this book just had a different vibe, a different writing style, maybe it’s because the characters are that much older than what were typically used to by her so that was a surprise also.

But wow she pulled it off 💯 I had the feels wash over me within that first chapter. There’s nothing I’d change about this book, I loved the characters, like loved loved, the slow burn, the two best friend side characters just added to my love for this book.

It wasn’t dark, gritty or your typical mafia read where blood was shed on a daily basis it was like a well oiled machine, the family dynamics of each character and their families came into play. Where everything wasn’t so black and white it became blurred. I loved Jess, how she tried to stay clean, tough in her own right, but loyal to a fault when it came to her best friend Kelly.

Trace had my heart beating for him, I loved his stalkerish ways (not sure if that word exists but I’m using it any way) he was so protective of his loved ones, and their loved ones, so much on his shoulders.

Wow! Great read and can’t wait for the next book.
I received an arc of this book from the author and this is my honest review. If I could give this book more than five stars I would! I hate cliffhangers and this one ends on one so be aware there is a book 2 coming. Trace and Jess live in two different worlds. Trace tries to stay on the straight and narrow but that’s difficult in a mafia family. Jess is in law enforcement and believes in her job and not being dirty. The two of them meet and there’s so much going on they can’t see straight without the other to ground them. It takes both of their brains and minds to figure out what’s really going on but when they do you don’t want to be on the wrong end of it. I cannot wait to see what happens in this series.

4 1/2 stars

Wowza! I loved this book. It was a clever storyline. I love a star-crossed lovers tale and a cop and a mafia head couldn't be more improbable. Jess and Trace are a combustible couple with crazy chemistry. But is it enough to overcome their most important differences?

Jess and Trace try to resist one another but keep falling back into one another's arms. Meanwhile, her career is struggling because of her association to him and he is struggling with the thought of his mafia career because of her. They are opposites in many ways but still can't deny their attraction.

Tijan does a good job of creating a new world for the reader in the Kings of New York series. I enjoyed this first book even though it had one heck of an ending. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what Tijan does with book two.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

A Dirty Business by Tijan was absolutely shocking! This book threw me for quite a few loops, and I'm still reeling over that ending. This book is definitely different from most of Tijan's other books, but I'm here for it. I absolutely adored all of the characters, the story line, and the oh so crazy plot twist. An absolute amazing job, Tijan!

Trace and Jess were an unique couple. At times I couldn't believe the way they were towards each other, and the slow-burn was definitely there, but it was worth the wait of finally seeing them get together. I loved these characters so much. I appreciate how Tijan portrayed Trace and Jess, and their relationship. I cannot wait for book two, and am definitely looking forward to more of these amazing characters. Congratulations on your release, Tijan, and I cannot wait for everyone to meet the lovely characters in this wonderful book!

Go read A Dirty Business by Tijan to meet the wonderful Trace and Jess!

This story is fantastic! Filled with intrigue, suspense, and anticipation, I couldn’t put it down.

Trace is part of the mafia, Jess is a parole officer, and from there the story becomes a whirlwind of ups and downs, excitement and intrigue, and so many emotions. These two characters are amazing. I loved the push and pull and the intensity. This story was so full of energy. It was shocking at times and had great turns of events. I’m so excited with this story and can’t wait for more!

Oh, man! Talk about an ending that had you hedging, and anticipating, and then….woah! Can’t wait for more!

Without giving too much away I found this to be a fast paced, absorbing and compelling read. The story flowed really well, there were lots of plot twists to keep my attention. The further I read with this book, the better it got and I enjoyed it more.

Mafia romance. But the guy isn't the only one side a dark side. Jess has had previous run ins with the law. If her parole officer knew she was dating a mafia member, she'd be in big big trouble. But she can't stay away.

I just didn’t feel drawn to this story like I have with many of Tijan’s other novels. The story seemed quite far fetched and chaotic. So many moving parts and intertwining storylines. I liked Trace and Jess individually as the main characters but felt like there just wasn’t enough interactions between them. The story was so focused on their families or their jobs, that we barely got to see them as a couple or had the opportunity to see their feelings develop. Some of the plot twists were so absurd but a few of them I actually enjoyed. It was constantly up and down, road block after road block. Everything that could be, was thrown at the MCs.

I liked the cliffhanger ending and will read the follow up story.

What an intense and thrilling read! From the first chapter I could not put this down. I am such a sucker for Tijan mafia books and this one was up there with my favorites. Jess and Trace could not stay away from each other and I loved their chemistry. And can we talk about that cliff hanger?! I can’t wait for the next book.

First of all I have to say Tijan is a must read for me and all of her new releases I go into blind because full trust. Like I’d do the fall backwards trust exercise any day with her books, probably her too! So I did not realize this was not a standalone. I thought it was until the last sentence of the book. Then I panicked looked it up and calmed my heart that there is more to come!

This book was a page turner. I. Love, trace. I loved this mafia romance because it wasn’t the usual it was new! Also loved there was list, heat, love and drama, mystery, omg moments, ugh heartache. It really had it all!

Also I went back a forth from reading to audio depending on my day and both experiences were so wonderful. The narrators are amazing.

Seriously only thing I didn’t like was that cliffy at the end.

3.5 - This was a good mafia romance. We have Jess who does have Mafia ties In her family but she has left that side of her behind and she is a PO trying to live a straight life, intill she meets a handsome stranger at a hockey game and they can’t help but feel a strong connection. But there is a problem he is a mafia prince ready to step into the head of the family Trace. They don’t go together at all Criminal and Law it’s forbidden in every sense. I liked this book I really did and I thought it was a good start in the series and a good start if you wanna get into mafia romances but it dragged on a little to much for me, and the relationship was not together as much as they where apart and it was hard to feel the connection between the two. Jess also drove me crazy, I think I like my FFMC in mafia Less goody goody. This ended on a cliff hangover tho and I am
Looking forward to reading the next book!

What a cliffhanger! This book had me zoned in the entire time and oh how I loved it! Jess is a woman who can handle herself and Trace I couldn't help but fall for. The tension between them I really wanted to see come to a spark, but it was on the slow burn side! I wasn't ready for that cliffhanger, but Im ready for the next one!

4.25stars— A DIRTY BUSINESS is the first instalment in Tijan’s contemporary, adult KINGS OF NEW YORK erotic, Mafia romance series. This is twenty-nine year old, parole officer Jess Montell, and heir to the West Mafia Tristian ‘Trace’ West’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Trace and Jess) A DIRTY BUSINESS follows the forbidden but building romance and relationship between PO Jess Montell, and Trace West. Jess’s mother is an alcoholic, her father is dead, and her brother is in prison serving a life sentence but to make ends meet Jess has been bartending at a local night club where she will discover her boss’s boss is the heir to the West Mafia. Enter Trace West, and the man with whom Jess will fall in love but life straddling the line between law enforcement and the world of crime pits Jess against the people in charge, people working both sides of the law. With her best friend in hiding, her mother in rehab, and Trace’s right hand man suspecting Jess is an undercover spy, our heroine must face reality that to fall in love with Trace means walking away with a broken heart. What ensues is the building relationship between Trace and Jess, and the potential fall-out when several members of organized crime are targeted, not only by the police but by someone else hoping to take charge.

Trace West never expected to fall in love with a member of law enforcement but his attraction to Jess is immediate and intense, forcing his men to question his allegiance to the family.Desperate to protect the woman he loves, Trace must walk away, breaking Jess’s heart in the process. As Trace struggles to uncover the identity of a potential mole in the organization, Jess quick discovers that the people she once loved and trusted may be the very people who take her down.

The relationship between Jess and Trace begins acrimoniously but quickly turns into a forbidden romance. Jess knows that to get involved with Trace could mean the end of her career, but the heart wants what the head refuses to accept. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to Jess’ brother Isaac, and their long suffering, abusive and alcoholic mother Chelsea: Jess’ best friend and roommate Kelly, and her boyfriend Justin, as well as Justin’s brother Detective Worthing; Trace’s best friend and fellow crime lord Ashton Walden, as well as Jess’ boss Leo, and her mother’s friend Bear. The requisite evil has many faces; there are three crime families fighting for control of New York.

A DIRTY BUSINESS is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, death and destruction, acceptance and love. The fast paced premise is gritty, dark and captivating; the romance is provocative and seductive; the characters are determined, charismatic, powerful and lost. A DIRTY BUSINESS ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned.



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This was an amazing rollercoaster ride, Tijan just knows how to capture me and never let me go until I hit the last page. Trace and Jess's story is refreshing, a parole officer and a Wall Street manager, who is part of a mafia crime family. These two are made for each other, their chemistry is ready to ignite the entire room. I can't wait to read more about this couple, hope we don't have to wait long.

This book! I'm trying to write this review without giving anything away, and I'm struggling. Let me start by saying I could not put this book down. It completely sucked me in from the first page. Jess is a parole officer during the week and a bartender on the weekend. She is fierce and carries the weight of the world on her shoulder. I love her! Trace is a businessman, mostly legit, but this "family" tries to bring him to the not so legit side. Chance meeting at a hockey game and both of their worlds are blown apart. I can't say anything else without giving parts of the story away. You just need to read it. The connection between these two is off the chart! It does end on somewhat of a cliffhanger, but completely worth it. Excellent read! I don't know why I haven't read Tijan before now.

This is the first book in the new Kings of New York series. It is Trace West and Jess Montell story. Parole Officer Jess Montell, isn’t easily intimidated. She has to be tough to work with parolees. She hadn’t originally planned to become a PO, but she doesn’t regret the choice. When crisis hit her family, Leo had been there for her, and things changed. Jess had been away at college at the time, and she returned home to a shattered family. Her father was murdered. Her brother Isaac, now twenty-five, still sits in prison. He had been into drugs at the time but now regrets what happened. Tristian “Trace” West, doesn’t do relationships. As a high-profile Wall Street wizard, his life is busy and he doesn’t need the hassle. Women fall in line, so he has his pick when in the mood. But it is the other side of his life that really made him take a step back from getting close to a woman. He gave up girlfriends after college, when the family business began asking for help. Growing up in the mafia wasn’t his choice, but it is a fact of life for him. His father, Dominic West, had been head of the West Mafia, but his Uncle Stephano took over when his father’s recklessness got out of control. 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. Add in the suspense and danger that is lurking in the background this is one hell of a page turner.

A Dirty Business is another very good book from Tijan. She's done a great job of creating characters you can like and care for even if you can't identify with them. She's given us a tense story with a lot of twists and turns. Trace and Jess are at odds but from the moment they meet there's something strong and irresistible between them. Trace notices Jess and he's taken. She just does it for him. Despite some creeper-like stalking, he comes across as a highly desirable man and his scariness comes from his family not the way he watches Jess. Jess is a dedicated parole officer. She's got no business with the heir-apparent of a mafia family. She feels the same attraction Trace does though so now what?

These two can't be together. They can't be apart. How will they move ahead? Trace is a self-made Wall Street mogul. He's worked hard on his legitimate role. His uncle has different plans and they're in direct conflict to Jess's life plan. Both Jess and Trace's families have secrets. Deep, scary secrets that neither know. It's just one thing after another.

The characters are so well written, the story alternately nail-biting and romantic. And the twists at the end were, at least to me, completely out of left-field.

I really enjoyed this book and recommend it for anyone who likes romance, suspense, mafia and hot, Alpha men.

Thanks to NetGalley, Montlake and the author for the ARC.