Jess and Trace are straight heat. Like everything from the author, the characters immediately pulled me in and I couldn’t get enough. It was so hard to put this book down. Jess has a complicated life, balancing her responsibilities to her alcoholic mother with her job as a parole officer. She has a brother in prison for killing their father, a boss who’s like a father to her and her best friend, Kelly. Jess lives and breathes her work so the last man she’s going to get involved with is the infamous Trace West – Wall Street finance guy and unwilling heir apparent to the West crime family – but she also can’t stay away from him.

Their drastically different lives pose various problems for the couple but no matter the risk, they can’t walk away. I loved these two together and the way they needed each other despite the life-or-death consequences. Things get tense when her best friend falls for a guy from another family, one that’s trying to take over West territory but Trace is there to support her when Kelly is forced to disappear. I loved every minute of this story but the last line made my head spin and I don’t know what to expect next. This is an amazing start to a new series and I can’t wait for more.

A Dirty Business is the first book in the new Kings of New York Series by Tijan. When I first read the title, it sounded like a book I would like. I liked the premise of the book, but it took me a while to get into it.
Jess Montell is a parole officer who loves her job. She works as a bartender at a nightclub on the weekends. She does not have a good relationship with her mother. Her brother is in jail for killing their father. Jess lives with her best friend Kelly.
Tristan West, a.k.a. Trace, is a manager on Wall Street; he is also the nephew of a head mafia boss. He is called upon to help the family when his uncle asks him. His uncle has been more of a father to him than his actual father. When his family starts having problems; his uncle’s health is failing, and another family is moving into their territory. He is then asked to take over the family business.
Trace sees Jess at the hockey game and is intrigued by her; they have such amazing chemistry. Jess doesn’t know who trace is when she meets him, but she knows he is bad news based on his reaction to her badge. Trace’s best friend Aston is very protective of him and isn’t sure what to think. Trace must know more about Jess and as he is learning more about her, he can’t stay away from her.
I was excited to read this book. It was a good book. I just got bored with Trace and Jess. I found myself getting annoyed earlier in the book because I kept reading about how Jess and Trace were dancing around each other; she wants to be with him, but her job is preventing her. When she does choose him, there is still the issue of her job and if she should tell Trace about the information, she gets it. I felt like we spent more time with Kelly and Justin than with Trace and Jess.
If you love Tijan then I would recommend this, but if you love mafia romance, there are other books that I would recommend you read.

Tijan does it again! She is such an amazing storyteller, and her books are always so well-written and well-thought-out, and this one is just another in the long list of them!

Trace and Jess had this electric pull between them, and their chemistry was off the charts! There was nothing that was going to keep them apart, and the suspenseful story within the story was so twisty and turny, I was immersed from the very beginning, and it was really hard to put it down. As usual with this author, this amazing mafia romance is highly recommended with all the stars!

Absolutely amazing! I loved all the character depth and build of the story. I was kept engaged and intrigued and needing to turn the page.

Jess Montell is a parole officer who hasn’t had an easy life. Being a PO gives her a sense of control over her life. She’s also a bartender at Katya. But what happens when she meets a man who turns her world upside down?

“Your happiness is your happiness.”

Tristan “Trace” West is a Wall Street Hedge fund manager by day, with deep family ties to the Mafia. Trace has always toed the moral line. But when pressured to take over the family business, he has decisions to make.

“We’re exploring. Call us the New York Goonies.”

5 action packed stars! This book consumed me from page 1. The detail that Tijan puts into her characters is crazy good. You feel their struggles, and the tension is off the charts. Trace is a hot alpha male that knows what he wants, and is willing to do everything he can to keep Jess safe. Jess is a total baddy who can take care of herself. I have to say I was thrown by the epilogue (especially the last paragraph). So excited to know there will be a book 2.

I struggled with this one. I had such a hard time connection with both Jess and Trace and really feeling that there was something between them more than lust. It was hard to get invested in their relationship. I found myself caring more about Trace and Ashton’s friendship over anything else.
I wish I had known that this would end on a semi cliffhanger before starting. I don’t know if the next book will continue with Jess and Trace or if it will be a new couple and their will be something that continues throughout each book of the series.
I was switching between the audiobook and the ebook of this one and when it came to audiobook how Tristian’s name was pronounced would change depending on if the chapter was from Trace’s POV or Jess’s POV and for me it made the audiobook much less enjoyable.
I really wanted to enjoy this story but it just wasn’t it for me, but it may be perfect for someone else.
If you’re looking for a light mafia, romantic suspense then check this one out.

This is only the first part of the story.
Jess is a probation officer and Tristan is between good and evil. He has his own business but he also has his family business.

Nothing is easy for them, but they can't take the fingers from each other.

Exciting and wonderful story of love, with strong characters, many family issues and more love.

I'm expecting part two so hard.

Have fun reading!

A Dirty Business is the first book I have read by the author Tijan. I picked this book up when I discovered the mafia world would be the setting for the story. Yes! Mafia stories are my catnip. It’s my understanding that Tijan is a master at young adult stories. It would seem that A Dirty Business is her first adult romance book and her first venturing into the mafia world. While I cannot make a comparison between her newest release and her backlist, I believe she did a fairly good job with A Dirty Business, which featured a forbidden romance between a parole officer and the heir to a mafia empire.

A Dirty Business introduces readers to parole officer Jess Montell and hedge fund manager and heir to a mafia family Tristian aka Trace West. In addition to her job as a parole officer, Jess also works at a nightclub on the weekends. Unbeknownst to her, the club is owned by Trace and his best friend, Ashton. As parole officer, Jess sees the world through a black and white lens. Meaning a situation or person is either good or bad. For her, a middle ground does not exist.

Trace’s job as a hedge fund manager kept him out of the family business. However, with the failing health of his uncle, the man who raised him, and the threat of the takeover of the West territory, he knew it was a matter of time when he would step up to the helm.

Trace and Jess had an interesting first meeting. Their attraction to each from that moment sizzled and popped. Learning she was a parole officer engaged the brakes on his attempt to have her in his bed. However, this discovery did little quench his desires, and it proved too difficult to stay away from her.Despite sensing the air of danger surrounding Trace, Jess could not stop thinking about him. Then she learns of his connection to the criminal underworld. A discovery which should have the effect a fire extinguisher would have on a blaze. Instead, her attraction to him grew stronger and soon she can no longer stay away. 

Now this story did not possess the darkness and grittiness one would expect from this world. Sure, there was torture and murder, but not a large scale. Neither were the details graphic.

The slow burn romance which developed between Jess and Trace had its share of angst, which came as no surprise given their differing views and affiliation. Yes, there was a lot of back and forth between these two. Then we had Jess trying to maintain a balance with her morals and a relationship with Trace.I enjoyed the Mafia storyline. There were scenes which had me on the edge of my seat. Also, there were some interesting revelations. Now, as much as I enjoyed the story, two things prevented it from being a five star read. First, the pacing was off in some parts of the story. Second, the ending threw me for a loop. Can you believe it? The story ended on a cliffhanger. I never saw it coming. 

Readers who enjoy the forbidden romance trope set and love stories with heat, family ties to traditions and their livelihood, A Dirty Business makes a great addition to your library. 

This book was narrated by the duo of C. J. Bloom and Joe Arden. Joe Arden, I’ve listened to before and really liked - C. J Bloom, was new to me. They complimented each other well, and I really enjoyed listening at 1.5x speed.

Since when do a parole officer and a mafia (almost) kingpin get together? Since never but the instant attraction that Jess (parole Officer) and Trace (the mafia kingpin, almost) feel and the chemistry between them is undeniable.

What both Jess and Trace know, is that theirs is a relationship that really should not and could not happen. But, Trace is like a dog with a bone, he can't just leave it and move on. He starts to find out everything he can about Jess. There wasn't the spilled blood and torture you might expect from a mafia romance book, but there was a lot of conflict surrounding both Jess and Trace, professionally and from "The Family" perspective. There are also a lot od twists and turns before you find yourself plunged into the world of a major cliffhanger.

This is actually the first book I have read from Tijan and I can honestly say that I don’t know why I waited so long.

Mafia, law enforcement, desire and a forbidden romance. A member of the mafia should not want a parole officer in his bed but that’s exactly what Tristan West wants.

Jess and Tristan meet as a chance encounter. No names exchanged, a brief encounter that leaves a lasting impression.

I was so caught up in this storyline and I am not generally a fan of mafia books. Trace and Jess were engaging characters. Both loyal to their family and professions but drawn to each with no regard for the undeniable outcome.

Tristan is juggling life between his legal businesses and illegal activities. But his desire for Jess has him making concessions to be with her even if its by flying under the radar.

Jess is knowingly creating her own professional trouble by giving into the the draw of Tristan/Trace West. But it’s as if she cannot resist the pull and that causes her to make choices that cost her everything she knows.

The story also centers around Tristan’s best friend. Ashton is considered family although he is part of his own “family. Loyal to one another to a fault but even best friends can cross a line.

This is the first installment in the this duet and I am looking forward to the next book and checking out Tijan’s backlist.

I love Tijan’s creativity in the way she plays with tropes- and while this is a mafia story, there is so much about it that doesn’t play to what you expect. A antihero with a moral compass who is torn between his identity, obsessed with a tough and stoic parole officer heroine who has little emotion, that struggles to connect. THe beginning was a bit rocky, but the ending of this story was unexpected and engaging, leading to a cliffhanger that was quite brutal.

Like man of Tijan’s hits, I immediately fall for the hero and struggle to connect with the heroine’s psyche at first. Trace is a captivating and layered hero, one you can’t help but root for. And Jess, well, Jess was perplexing at times. I had a hard time understanding her, and with her emotional substance so buried (for reasons), I was thirsty for her to thaw and evolve faster. Trace puts himself out there over and over, and Jess just shuts down. And her own family drama at times outshone the romantic aspect. The mafia suspense elements kept the story moving, and with some character growth with our heroine, I think this is a broader story I could sink myself into- the foundation seems to be there, so I’m excited to see where book 2 goes.

THE CLIFFHANGER THOUGH! I need the next book STAT. This world that Tijan has created has completely enveloped me. I need more ASAP. Trace and Jess are everything and the dynamic between all of the characters had me absolutely cruising through this book. I cannot wait for the next installment.

I was satisfied a million time every chapter of this book fed me, I’m a colossal mafia romance and Tijan know how to build a world around this genre, She burst my soul with Canary and nothing could have topped this but A Dirty Business I don’t even know how to put word because you need to read it, even the action are written perfectly.

As I said this is a mafia genre, but you will not find the dark and threatening world. You’ll find several families, and you’ll read names or organizations you have already read (this girl was overjoyed just reading a past character she liked). However, still there is betrayal, and lies but also passion, and love…. Forbidden love and choices need to be made.

I enjoyed Trace and Jesse's dynamic; it was love at first sight but how a badass parole officer and a future heir could build a relationship. Tijan keeps us on the edge of whatever you are seating on and will make you crave for more because ladies and gentlemen we got a huge cliffhanger and I hated it so bad

Tijan has done it again. The Hero is mafia and the heroine is a Parole Officer. It’s not easy when your worlds collide. There are twists I did not see
coming. I found it hard to put the book down. I can’t wait for more

Tijan is a bloody genius at writing mafia romance books. I had very high expectations going into this book after the Carter Reed series and the Insiders trilogy. As usual, she did not disappoint. Welcome to the Kings of New York series! A Dirty Business is riveting and kept me up all dang night. Bloody fantastic. Just drop everything else you are doing and go read it right now. No seriously.

Wow. I think that pretty much sums up this story.
It was addictive and so so good. I read it in one sitting, once I started I just didn't want to stop. The story itself was amazing. I absolutely loved it.

A Dirty Business by Tijan was a 4.5⭐️ for me. It’s book one of a series I believe is going to be really good.
It’s an opposites, attract romance. The h and H had great chemistry between them a smexy open door relationship.
It’s well written and I’m all in! I’m super excited about the next one and
thoroughly enjoyed it. I highly recommend this one.
Thanks Montlake via NetGalley.

Tijan’s “A Dirty Business” was my first mafia romance ever and it’s a book that I could not put down. The drama, the forbidden passion, the twists…They were all so on point. It was like watching an HBO drama…

Parole Officer, Jess, and mafia prince Tristian/Trace are two cross starred lovers who off and on find themselves in a pickle. Their loyalties lie on opposite tracks—one of the law and one of organized crime. They both tread on thin ice as they attempt to make their secret love for each other work.

Of course, their family drama doesn’t help: While Jess’s brother is in jail, Jess is also struggling to be mentally and emotionally stable when it comes to her alcoholic mother. And there’s the king of Trace’s mafia family, Uncle Steph, who is pressuring Trace to take over. He’s lucky to have by his side, Ashton, Trace’s not-blood-related brother (cousin) and best friend.

Dedication. Loyalty. Love. It’s all here, along with some side characters whom you just don’t know WHAT to think.

This was my very first Tijan book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I went into this mafia romance knowing that there would be a cliffhanger and YO it was worth it. Don’t you just love it when you already have theories?

“The hard part of living in a world where it was either wrong or right was that you forgot that being human meant you were never only on one side of that equation. What did you do then? Apparently, what I did. You chose, and you tried to survive your choice.”

A Dirty Business is the first Tijan book I’ve read and I was not disappointed. This was not the typical dark mafia read I was expecting and that made me love this even more. I liked both our MCs and their chemistry, but wish there was more spice thrown in. A Dirty Business was suspenseful, angsty, sexy, and kept me guessing til the end. There’s a cliffhanger ending that I was not expecting and can’t wait to see what will become of Trace and Jess!

“We are literally getting every roadblock thrust in front of us, and where are we? Still here. Still in this vehicle together. We are insane. This is the definition.”

“I hadn’t realized that he did this to me. He made me feel okay. Protected. Loved. Just by being around me. I’d never gotten this from anyone before, and knew I wouldn’t again.”

“I physically ache every goddamn fucking day for you, but you’re right. I am toxic for you, so I tried to stay away, but not tonight. I have to be here.”

“I choose you, and I’ll lose everything else.” “It doesn’t have to be like that.” “It does, and you know it. It is how it is, so the question should actually be for you: Are you okay knowing what it’ll cost me to have you?”

I don’t have pretty words, all I know is that I have fallen in love with Tijan’s writing.
Jess is a strong character that can take care of herself. She’s tough and won’t take crap from anyone. She’s a parole officer and everything to her is black and white, right or wrong. But once Trace comes into the picture things change.
There’s instant chemistry between Trace and Jess. I was drawn in from the prologue and didn’t want to put it down.
I highly recommended this book and can’t wait for the next one.