If you love a book that is full of suspense, intrigue, attraction, control, romance as well as sizzling passion that will keep you riveted until the very last page then this is the story for you! This story unfolds quickly and flows effortlessly from the start. A strong plot, complex characters, with twists and turns that were exciting and unexpected. This author has the uncanny ability to outdo herself every single time she writes a new book. I love how she develops not only the story, but her characters. I love how real they feel, their hidden depths and flaws, and how they evolve as the story progresses.

Jess Montell is enjoying herself at a hockey game with her best friend when she accidentally takes an exit stairwell and comes face to face with a gorgeous suit guy and their attraction is immediate, until he see her badge.

Jess loves her job as a parole officer by day and is very good at her job. She also works at a trendy nightclub Katya as a bartender on the weekends to help make ends meet. So the fact that the gorgeous guy didn’t like seeing her badge means only one thing in her book and that means he is no good for her. But it seems she just can’t get him out of her mind and the sizzling attraction to him.

Tristian “Trace” West makes his living on Wall Street as a hedge fund manager as well as many other nefarious family business ventures that he is tasked by his uncle Stephanie who is head of a mafia family. When Trace runs into Jess in the stairwell at a hockey game he is immediately taken by her and their immediate sizzling, attraction between them that is hard to resist. But when he finds out she is a parole officer he should realize that in his line of business these two are enemies. But when he sees her working in the club him and his best friend own, he can’t seem to stay away. And talk about his stalker-ish ways he was just so protective with Jess. And their connection was just so HOT!

A Dirty Business will grab your attention immediately, so full of the intense world of the mafia and their business and corruption you will be unable to put this story down. Fantastic from beginning to the end. And what a ending…aargh!!!

But now I need the next book in this series asap!!!

Received an early copy and this is my honest review.

Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Tropes: dark romance; contemporary romance; romantic suspense; alpha hero; antihero; adversaries to lovers; mafia; opposites attract; starcrossed lovers

Tijan’s A Dirty Business has similar vibes to her recent Insiders trilogy: intrigue; shadowy characters; opposites attracting; danger around every corner. In the space of 439 pages, Tijan takes her readers on a fast-paced journey between two oppositional forces who are drawn together like magnets. This book is two people who exist in oppositional forces, falling hard for each other. They are star-crossed, fated, and decidedly messy, messy, messy. For much of the story, Tijan keeps her readers curious, wondering how Jess and Trace can transcend their obstacles. This is deep love with severe consequences. And it makes for a story that is unputdownable.


There are a few issues with this book, though. For one, a few details are lost as Trace and Jess push and pull their way into a relationship. What happened to the papers that Jess took for her aunt? What happened the night of Justin and Kelly’s fight? Why do Ashton and Trace discuss situations, and I find myself lost? The narrators of this story are unreliable, and it leaves the reader questioning parts of the story. There are small details that feel like loose ends, and I wanted Tijan to cauterize them into neat endings.

What did I love?

Well, for one, I adore Jess because she’s a strong woman who, for the most part, takes no business from anyone. The one time she does it’s confusing because, aside from her mommy issues, she’s tough. She’s the perfect mate for Trace because she’s fairly impenetrable with her emotions, which entices him. These two are fated. This is touches that feel like knowing, and a metaphysical draw that keeps them connected. Jess and Trace simply can’t help themselves, and I think Jess, at times, overshadows Trace in the story, which I love.

A Dirty Business is a HFN. There is more to come in the next book, but Trace and Jess find a resolution at the end, much like Bailey and Kash held in The Insiders Trilogy. However, there is more plot here, more suspense, and a devastating cliffhanger for Jess.

If you’re a fan of mafia romance, main characters who are morally oppositional, but who are drawn to each other, and a storyline that has more twists than you know what to do with, you’ll want to read Tijan’s A Dirty Business.

In love and romance,

Professor A

This is my first Tijan book and I was very impressed. I went into this blind and I’m glad I did; This isn’t your typical mafia romance. It’s a little different, not so much blood shed but still enthralling where enemies turn to lovers. She’s a cop, he’s a made man and the morally grayness that is their dynamic.

I loved that she held her own and a total badass and he wasn’t the typical “I see you. You’re mine and I’m gonna bulldoze myself into your life until you say yes.” I loved that. It was refreshing to see a different type of male main character and a female main character that can hold her own and challenges him and doesn’t need coddling because she understands the good, white and grey of the world. Their chemistry was great and I could totally see her taking over as a mafia queen, she would be amazing at it.

However the book does end on a cliffhanger which had me at the end of the book a little upset that I can’t jump into book two but I am very eager to see how this series ends. Overall I thought it had great side characters, intriguing plot and it was pretty evenly paced and how he was actually pretty sweet for a mafia man and cared deeply for his loved ones and how they matched each other well. If you’re okay with waiting, I’d say read and have some fun. I cant wait for the next book

I absolutely love Tijan's stories. This story was no different. I enjoyed Jess and Trace's connection. Their banter was fantastic and I lived their chance meeting. Tijan is an amazing story teller as I was consumed from the very first page. I loved the secrets in the story and hmthe whirlwind of passion, action and danger! 4 stars! ~Ratula

This book follows a parole officer and a mafia heir can't be together but can't stay away. I'm a sucker for mafia stories and having read Tijan's The Insiders Trilogy, I knew I had to check this one out. I have to say that I was a bit disappointed. I enjoyed the story of the book but there wasn't much mafia about it. I think it will develop in the upcoming books so we will see. The writing wasn't good all throughout the book. I felt that some parts were confusing as it didn't blend with the other parts of the book and the dialogue were a bit cringe worthy at times. The pacing was great and I enjoyed the conflicts in the book as it kept you hooked but some parts were confusing as readers like me get lost. This book is written in two povs which I enjoyed.

The main characters in this book are Jess and Trace. Jess is a parole officer and I enjoyed how tough she was. She didn't let anything get in her way and so many people respected her. Trace is a great, hot man but not the mafia type. He's still a good character but I felt his story could have been written differently. They had a character development but not a huge amount which might get development in the upcoming books. There were many side characters in this book and I really enjoyed Trace's best friend, Ashton, even though he sucked at one point. Ashton gives off more of the mafia man then trace does. The romance is forbidden love, instant love, and enemies to romance which is a bit steamy. Not the best romance but it works for the book.

The ending was honestly shocking and ends with a minor cliffhanger that I did not expect at all. I half loved this book and half not so much as there were pros and cons with so many things. I really love Tijan's books and I think the next books will get so much better but we will see. I mostly had problems with the writing style as it makes you kind of lose focus on the story. I think readers who enjoy mafia but not so much will love this one.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.

When Jess Montell meets Trace West at a hockey game, she doesn't know his name or occupation. What she does know is that's an instant attraction that's impossible to ignore-or forget. And forgetting is exactly what she wants to do when she learns he's not just a successful Wall Street suit but the heir to one of New York's biggest Mafia families. The last thing Trace needs is a romantic anything with law enforcement, and parole officer Jess has trouble written all over her. too bad he likes trouble. Especially when it's a brunette bombshell with attitude and legs for days. She's an absolute spitfire, and he wants to stoke that flame. Trace didn't ask for the Mafia life. Jess doesn't want any part of it. they both know it's safer to stay away, but the temptation is too hard to resist-no matter how great the danger.

This is a mafia romance but I wouldn't call it a dark book. I will go ahead and tell you that you will not be able to put this book down once you pick it up. I devoured it. Jess is at a hockey game just trying to get herself a drink when she locks herself in the stairwell with the most handsome man she has ever seen. But when he sees her badge, not knowing that she is a parole officer, he bolts and leaves her locked in there. He has to know everything he possibly can about her and he has the means to find out. He is the heir to the Maifa. One of New York's largest Mafia families actually. She on the other hand doesn't even know his name. but when they meet again she sure does and things are steamy and spicy and I was living for it. However he doesn't want anything to do with law enforcement or a parole officer and she doesn't want to be involved in anything Maria related. However they can't stay away from each other. That is all I can tell you about the story or I will give something away. I loved these characters. They are pure fire together. I will tell you that the ending was quiet the shocker so to say I need to know what happens next is a understatement.

This book is just not for me. I am not loving the writing style of this one. I have tried one of this author’s book before and found the writing to be awkward for me but I thought it was a one time thing. I don’t think I will be picking up any more of this author’s books. It’s not necessarily bad but just not flowing right for my reading pleasure.

*Arc review*
Woooooooooooooo Chile. The plot twist at the end. Now let me forewarn you that this is not your typical Tijan romance book. This wasn't just a romance story where the Mc's fall in love. It had a few drama and suspense that would keep you guessing

The story starts off slow, so you would have to be patient. The connection between Trace and Jess takes a while to fully develop, and it may drive you crazy. But the way Trace never wavered or gave up on his feelings for Jess makes you love him. That man was so patient, understanding, and loyal. He is definitely what you want in a book bf.
JESS, on the other hand, I can't lie, was annoying af. I wanted to fight her indecisive a$$ half the time. And I need her to ride for Trace the way he does for her. That man showed over and over how much he is obsessed and in love with her, and the one time I needed her to pick him, she didn't.

In addition, you would definitely love the side characters. I need a book on Ashton asap. He loved everything about his character. When he told home girl

“I don’t care what kind of badge you’re carrying. You need to be aware of what I’ll do if you hurt him. If you hurt my best friend, I will kill you.”

I knew I was in love. The fact that he is a side character and I love him just as much as the MMC says a lot. I'm totally here for a book on Ashton.

Overall, i really was torn over this book, but the last maybe 20 % had me in a choke hold. The next book needs to drop tomorrow.

This is the first in the kings of New York series. Jess and Trace meet at a hockey game and they have no idea I would each other’s occupations are. There is of course instantaneous chemistry between the two. Unfortunately as they discover Jess is a parole officer while Trace is in the mafia. Of course Trace wants nothing to do with somebody who is connected to the police and any which way or form. But he is so attracted to Jess’s spitfire nature and cannot keep away from her. We meet other characters that are both connected to Jess and trace in the book. It’s a very interesting world that is set up and as you see the progression of a relationship you can also see the danger that both Jess and trace are in. It’s a fast pace book and the conclusion which is not set in stone is very interesting. I am intrigued to see what the next book in the series will hold.

POV: First person / Dual
Genre: Opposites Attract / Mafia / Law Enforcement / Secret Romance

𝗔 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 was a forbidden opposites attract romance between Jess, a parole officer, and Trace, the heir apparent to his families Mafia kingdom. The plot itself was very character rich, it focused heavily on the family dynamics of each character, the impact their relationship has on them as individuals and their chosen life paths.

The progression of Jess and Trace's relationship; from their instant attraction, to the stalkerish chase and their simmering connection, was beautifully written, there was definitely a slow burn aspect to it that had me wonderfully enthralled and frustrated in equal measure.

𝗔 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 was emotional, unpredictable and suspenseful. Whilst being a Mafia book, it wasn’t particularly dark and gritty making it a very palatable introduction to Mafia romance with a side of romantic suspense.

Tijan has delivered an emotionally charged romantic suspense that tempted me to do an all-nighter. Unfortunately, I couldn’t because the following workday was foremostly on my mind. But when the level of angst increased, I found myself reading faster and faster to get her every word in before lights out. Her usage of clipped sentences and edgy dialogue added punch after punch to the story; the rollercoaster pacing made me feel like I was holding on for dear life. And I loved every single minute of it!

Jess Montell had little idea what was in store for her when she and Trace West set eyes on each other. After doing his homework, he knew he’d have to make an effort to steer well clear of her or, at the very least, tread carefully. Jess learns who this gorgeous well-suited guy is the hard way, realising that there’s a lot at stake professionally and, perhaps, personally. Observing them fight against their inner desires captivated me; their thoughts and wishes for a change in the rules drove me deeper and deeper into their lives.

Jess’ job is a real eye-opener. Not only did I love her dedication, her tact and how she treated her hmm—clients for a better word, but her stand-up attitude. Therefore it wasn’t difficult for me to imagine what she was going through. Doing the right thing, she had always done—and now, how would she cope with the thought of having an off-limits relationship, and how would Trace, herself included, deal with the fallout?

There’s no doubt that the supporting characters are crucial for the plot’s flow, and while I could see a twist or three coming my way, I never envisaged how it would all pan out. I adored Trace’s best friend and work colleague—great witty guy banter here, ladies. And I liked that they had one another’s back more. But was it enough when they had ‘family’ breathing down their necks? I applaud Tijan for Jess’ best friend’s character development. Frankly, I didn’t like her that much to start with; but she grew on me, the boyfriend I questioned big time. That is what I like about Tijan’s writing. She evokes every imaginable feeling with such ease you’ll either want to give a character or two a good slapping or hug them to bits.

Tijan cracked the Mafia ambience and supposedly deep family ties, and what I liked most was the importance she gave to the steaminess. Yes, Jess and Trace make sparks fly; nevertheless, abounding warmth will make the most indecisive reader swoon to the moon and back. Without any inkling of a cliffhanger, Tijan's last words left me speechless. No complaints here since I love on-the-edge, mind-blowing endings, and no need to say much more aside from awarding A Dirty Business five well-deserved stars. Bravo, Tijan!

My gratitude to Montlake Romance Publishers and NetGalley for an early copy in favour of an unbiased review.

Having been a fan of Tijan's for years now, when I saw A Dirty Business I had to grab it. Let's be honest, with one of her books you know you will be in for one hot as hell ride - this did not disappoint.

A Dirty Business brings us Jess (A parole officer) and Trace (Hot as hell top tier family member of a mafia group). I don't really need to tell you a single thing other than that, why you ask? Well, Tijan will take you on a journey of love, betrayal, friendship, murder and family. And again, did I say mafia? Seriously I think this book had a little of everything in it.

I read this over a 24 hours period, I consumed this bad boy (Trace not the book, he's well worth consuming). But I will say this, even though I could see this was part of the Kings of New York series, I had hopes that it would be just one book. So there's me happily reading this and then boom.... A bomb drops and I'm like, 'Tijan, why you do me like that?'

As I said before, I am a huge fan of Tijans books, I've read a lot of them and even though I had not enjoyed (As much) my past two books by her I can say hand on heart this one is good, real good. Yes I got this free as an ARC but I will add I've paid for almost all of her books (Less they where on kindle unlimited). So, if you are a fan of Tijan's, then pre-order A Dirty Business, I'm sure you won't be disappointed. If you aren't a fan or haven't heard of her (Have you been asleep under a rock?), then give it a go. A solid 4 stars, there is a bit of a bomb at the end! Roll on the second book ASAP please, I need more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

When a seriously broody Trace is next in line to take over his mafia family meets the tough and tenacious Jess, sparks fly but a criminal empire and parole officer shouldn’t mix. As much as they try to fight this attraction it almost seems impossible for them to do so, but fate has its own ideas. The suspense, chemistry, and storyline were one I did enjoy yet at times there was just something about Jess that irritated me, and I couldn’t connect with her fully. With so much happening in twists, turns, loyalty and betrayals the story takes the reader for a ride wondering where it will take you next. While at times the story seemed to drag, I still enjoyed reading because Trace really stole the show for me.

Tijan does it again!! Do not miss out on this steamy, heart pumping, and unpredictable storyline. There are twists and turns you'll think you have predicted but will be so wrong in the best way! You'll love all the characters you meet but Jess and Trace take the cake. Do not miss out on this wild and beautiful ride!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance
CLIFFHANGER

Jess loves her job. She is a parole officer and is good at what she does. She is also a bartender at a popular bar and she's just as good at that job. Jess has not had an easy life. She has a brother who did an unthinkable thing, but she still loves him. Her dad was not the best person either, but he's gone. Her mom, the most abusive person in her life, is someone who Jess can't seem to let go of, despite the abuse she endures.

Jess' boss is a family friend who has loved her since she was small. He has helped her look after her mom too. Also, Jess has a friend who runs a bar who has also helped her with her mom. They have been her surrogate dads. With things turning up the heat, everyone around Jess is suspect.

Trace is a businessman who is incredibly successful. When he first meets Jess, he's intrigued by her ability to be tough and feminine at the same time. She isn't afraid of him. She doesn't know him. Trace gets information on her and is even more intrigued.

Trace's family life is less than ideal too. Family comes before everything. That also means that when someone threatens the family, it's Trace's job to "take care of the issue." With Trace needing to take over more of the family, his uncle, who Trace sees as more of a father, is relying on Trace to keep the family safe and solvent.

Trace and Jess have an uphill battle. Tijan makes the characters interesting, relatable, and complex. I couldn't put the book down and am really looking forward to seeing more. You won't be disappointed in how this story develops.

Triggers: Murder, substance abuse, verbal abuse


Erica – ☆☆☆☆
A DIRTY BUSINESS is the first installment in the new series, Kings of New York, by Tijan.

Cliffhanger warning.

Jess and Trace have a clandestine meeting in the stairwell at a hockey game, changing the trajectory of their lives. Jess, who daylights as a parole officer, carries her badge even when she's off duty to keep the parolees on the straight and narrow. In her free time, Jess bartends to barely scrape by to take care of her alcoholic mother. By day, Trace works on Wall Street. By blood, Trace is high up in one of the most notorious crime families in New York.

With the glint of her badge, Trace goes from interested in Jess to disgusted. Let's be honest, Trace – you ought to direct that disgust inward, instead of being upset that there are those out there who catch you in the act. Just saying. Weariness of law enforcement would make sense. Disgust is another beast. It's not as if the entitled, privileged Trace is an innocent party being targeted for things outside of his control like many demographics. Eye roll.

As you can see, I wasn't a fan of the loathing aspects. Not pro or con anything, just felt it was unwarranted. Weary, yes. Loathing, no. As the novel unfolds, moral lines blur, just as Jess was afraid would happen, while it has the opposite effect on Trace.

Annoyed with himself, Trace cannot stop thinking of Jess. Do I believe Jess could have moved on after a few stray thoughts toward Trace? Yeah, I do. But Trace was instantly obsessed to stalker degrees. I mean, it was creepy shenanigans to read, and the pages turned at a rapid rate. But it did make me feel empathy toward what Jess was going through too.

Time after time, their lives intersect. Jess is struggling with her uncles (parents' best friends from back in the day) and her mother. Jess's mother is a drunk, but it's the mental instability that takes a toll on Jess. The mental, emotional, and verbal abuse was hard for this reader to stomach. While I felt this dynamic was realistic, there were parts of Jess's backstory that were never explained, as if there was this huge twist that was going to drop out of the air at any moment, but it never happened. So while there was a resolution between Jess and her mother, there was no closure for the reader, since the rage and abuse, along with all the things said and that which was left beneath the surface, was never explored let alone explained. Perhaps in the next installment, but it felt right to give it closure now. The momentum was built, only for it to die out with little to no explanation. Furthermore, the responsibility was accepted by other parties, and I cannot see where Jess's mom would think Jess should shoulder it. I still have no idea why Jess's mother treated Jess as she did, after an entire novel.

The dynamic Trace had with his uncle and their family, his father and sister, and his best friend and his family, along with the strife with the other families was intriguing to unravel. This part of the story took the forefront, thoroughly developed and intriguing, leading to a fast-paced novel.

I was able to spot the main bad guy from the beginning. It would have been more exciting had I not, and less frustrating as well. I just kept thinking how Trace and Ashton were all-knowing yet beyond dim when it came to the bad guy – it was all laid out for them. The other bad guy was a slight twist that I had a gut feeling about, so I enjoyed how that unfolded.

Ashton. Ashton. Ashton. Yes, I cannot wait to read your point of view, but at the same time, I hope there is closure and resolution over an incident, because what was put on the pages wasn't good enough.

The main reason I couldn't give a five-star review is on the character development front. There were times they acted out of character, or far more immature than their age group/education/upbringing/profession, or they acted/reacted to things in a manner that should destroy relationships. A punch isn't enough, let's just put it that way, making Jess go from strong to doormat, be it with her family, Trace, or those in Trace's orbit. Same with Trace, decisive and action-forward in one regard, yet lets things go in the next, things that bite them later.

There were snippets introduced, shown as if important, that were eventually just lost in the shuffle to be forgotten about and never brought up again. These snippets may or may not come up in other installments, but they were written as if they were to be mysteries or twists. Since they were left dangling and barely mentioned, I'm not sure why they were added at all but to distract the reader with a false narrative, same goes with Mom's rage toward Jess.

While I loved every minute of this chaotic story, reading it from cover to cover. Had I read it slower, the issues would have revealed themselves and taken away the entertainment value. I'm a sucker for an angsty trainwreck of a novel, with equally trainwrecked characters – A DIRTY BUSINESS delivered that in spades.

It doesn't matter how amazingly or poorly plotted, written, and edited a novel is, the true test is if I would do just about anything to get the next installment. In this case, gimme more. Now.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the first in a new series – and I really would appreciate book two appearing very soon as I am hooked!

What is really clever about this story is that we know that Trace is not someone that we should like, not in any way, and we are encouraged to see his darkness, and his utter unsuitability for Jess... but it is almost impossible not to want them to work out the many layers of complication. Jess's career as a parole officer excludes her from his orbit – he knows this immediately, and it makes him incredibly angry.

I found the fact that Jess could work in a bar and wear her badge slightly jarring – I am convinced that in the UK that would just not be allowed – but it was quite a clever way for her to keep an eye on her parolees, even if inappropriate to be moonlighting. I found her relationship with her 'uncles' and their dealings with her alcoholic mother very messy and confusing, but I guess it took a level of shine off her character which made it easier for her to be considering Trace at all.

I enjoyed the twists and turns, which are done as always with style by Tijan, and I just love the point where things become clearer, and unexpected plotlines find their way to resolution – at least partially. That moment when Trace becomes potentially a suitable boyfriend for Jess is when you know that your mind has been messed with again by this talented author!

Enjoy, I certainly did!

This book was so good! I loved that she was in law enforcement. I liked that he still fell for her and did what he could to protect her. I didn’t see the twists with her family coming!

An intense mafia romance with plenty of twists and turns. A page turner that will keep you entertained until the end. Things get tense and dangerous. Secrets, lies and betrayals come from every side. Just when it looks all the questions will be answered, we are slapped with a shucking cliff hanger!
Jess and Trace are not a good match on paper. She is in law enforcement and he has mafia affiliations. He is a Wall Street hotshot but “helps” his family when needed. He is constantly pulled between both worlds.
Jess wants Trace but not his mafia world. She has a hard time separating Trace her lover and Trace the criminal.
The chemistry between them doesn’t care about their differences. They more they try to stay away from each other the harder it gets. Something or someone is always blocking. Danger comes unexpected places and morals are put into question.
Great story, easy to read with great characters.

Tijan has done it again! I didn't think she could top the Outsiders, and she hasn't, but if A Dirty Business is any indication of how good this series will be, it will be as good as the Outsiders. Jess and Trace are trying so HARD to stay away from each other, but when they get together, it is explosive! Trace's friendship with Ashton is bromance at its best!! But all the questions after the end--😲. The double-crossing, the people Jess has trusted her entire life that were not who she thought they were--there are a lot of secrets we have no idea about yet.

And then the ending! After reading the Outsiders, I wasn't expecting such a heart-stopping cliffhanger that rivaled Book 1 and Book 2 of the Outsiders, but yep it was.

Dive into A Dirty Business now!

This was a great story that was different from Tijan’s previous books to me! Jess had some grit to her and was such a great strong female role. I felt the emotions she had wonderfully as well. Trace had a hidden side to him that I so enjoyed to see and the connection between the two was great. I loved watching them face their troubles both together and separate. I was entertained throughout the entire story.

Completely addicted! This book sucked me and I loved it! The twists and turns. The pace was perfect! And that ending!!!! Trace and Jess- just wow! If you want an addictive read - you found it!!