This was such a great follow up to "A Dirty Business" Molly was such a wonderful character to read (she kind of reminded me of Cheyenne from "The Not-Outcast") and I really enjoyed reading more about Ashton and figuring out what made him tick.

The driving force of this book was the mystery of Justin and Kelly having been killed and Ashton trying to figure it out, but having Molly reach out to people for him. As this is happening there's the overall threat of a mafia war that's brewing in the city. But of course Ashton and Molly also have a bit of shared history from their childhood binding them together, making it hard for Ashton to let go of the wrongs committed on Molly's behalf. I loved that both of their pasts shaped them in ways that surprised the other, like Ashton was accepting of Molly's flight response, but also telling her that she needed to start sticking around so that they could talk things out. Molly thinking that she was the sealant for the group dynamic of Jess, Trace, Ashton and her and Ashton accepting what she was saying was fact. I am so glad that there was a redemptive moment for what he did to Jess in "A Dirty Business" and it was brought about because Molly helped to force the issue.

All in all a really great book and I can't wait to see if there's another book in this series about Jake Worthing.

This is the second book in the Kings of New York series and I couldn't wait to read it. The first part ended in a sudden and unexpected way, and in the second part I was looking for answers. The story is based on Molly and Ashton and the fact that Molly was part of the tragedy that happened in the previous part.. Her and Ashton's story is dynamic, intense and full of unexpected situations.
I like the connection that the main characters of this story have, I like the brotherly relationship between Trace and Ashton. I don't like Mollys selfish and manipulative father who doesn't choose any means to reach his goal, even at the cost of affecting his family's life.And finally, the book is excellent and has all the recommendations from me.

Thank you NettGalley, the publisher and Tijan for this opportunity, I enjoyed it.

I loved the couple in this book - I was a bit iffy right when they were introduced but they grew on me. I would like for the plot to be a little more formed out but the characters gave it a little grace in that aspect.

The main characters Molly and Ashton were introduced in the first book so it was interesting to see their love story progress in this one. We also got to see more of Jess and Trace (the couple from previous book) which was an added bonus! This book also answered a number of questions left unanswered in book 1. This was an action-packed, engaging story with lots of twists and turns. I definitely did not see the end coming.

However, I would have liked to see more of them as a couple to show how their relationship developed.

I didn't love this book, but it did hold my interest.

This book was a bit slow for me. While the premise was good, the story lacked the execution.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC

I loved Tijan! I read anything she puts out and without disappointment. One of my favorite tropes is Mafia! Always spicy with an edge of thrill!

I was expecting A Cruel Arrangement to be a continuation of Jess and Trace's story with the way the first book in the Kings of New York A Dirty Business ended. In a way, it was a continuation but it focuses on Molly and Ashton. The ending of the previous book shocked me so I was looking forward to seeing how things would develop in this book. The relationship between Molly and Ashton was pretty explosive, and I enjoyed their banter a lot. Molly is a strong woman who has a mind of her own, and didn't let Ashton bully her around. I was intrigued by Ashton from the moment I met him and I loved how protective he was of Molly and his family/friends.

We also get to see what Jess and Trace are up to. I was looking forward to seeing how Jess would handle Ashton after what he did in the first book. We also get to see the friendship between Trace and Ashton grow stronger, and the same goes for Milly and Jess. This book was overall a pretty good romantic suspense novel. The balance between action and romance was great, there were also some lighter moments that added relief from the grief and suspense. All of the characters were great and I hope to get to see more of them.

4/5
Tijan never disappoints. I've been a fan of her books since fallen crest high and when she announced a cruel arrangement i was sold the moment i read the blurb.
In true tijahn fashion this book is a serve. The plot, the main couple, the side characters, the writing... everything is perfect from beginning to end. I have to say the hero might be one of my faves by her and the tension and the chemistry is inmaculate.
I think at this point i'll ready anything by this author because she's fantastic.
Thank you so much for providing me with an ARC of this book. All of the opinions are my own.

Cruel Arrangement is the cataclysmic ending to this action packed romance!

I definitely did not expect what happened! When everything fell into place I screamed so loud I woke my kids! Ashton and Molly both have had to fight and claw for their HEA! It was not an easy one but it was all worth it in the end!

Ashton is a man who knows what wants and will not take no, especially when it comes to Molly! He takes no chances and together they are unstoppable! I loved this high action, angsty romance!

I highly enjoyed and greatly recommend this intense read from Tijan. There are so many twists and turns which keep you guessing until the very end. Loved the characters and their story.

Back in October I read an ARC of A Dirty Business, the book that precedes A Cruel Arrangement. I absolutely loved Jess and Trace’s story, but was frustrated as hell when it ended on a cliffhanger. So when I came across book two as I was perusing NetGalley, I immediately requested A Cruel Arrangement so I could learn what happened next!

A Cruel Arrangement follows the story of Trace’s “business partner” and best friend, Ashton. In the first book, Trace and Ashton both rise to the head of two powerful Mafia families. Ashton’s new empire includes owning Easter Lanes, a bowling alley owned by Jess’s friend Molly. Ashton makes a promise to resolve the fallout from the end of A Dirty Business, and in the process sucks Molly into his plans. What begins as a scheme to leverage Molly’s connections quickly evolves into something more as Ashton & Molly become closer.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I love Ashton & Molly’s dynamic and I’m so grateful the events from the first book were resolved. I haven’t looked to see if there will be more books, but I see the potential for some of the secondary characters to have their own stories and I am here for it!

I did not finished this book and I am ok with that.

I must first say that I have read enemies to lovers and mafia romances before, but this one was not structured to my liking. I believe that the plot did not have any hold on me. Granted, I believe there is a first book to this that I do not have. However, this was not appealing regardless.

The employees, turned friends who would die for someone at the drop of a dime? The ruthless mafia man who suddenly changes without any specific reason? A woman clinging to a man she couldn't stand within hours? This felt rushed and farfetched. And don't even get me started on the closest friend Jess who did not really seem to be that close, but somehow wanted to remind us that she loves the female main character and goes out of her way to get inserted into affairs that are ultimately not her business. And why was Jess so mad and needed to remind us of what happened to her every five minutes? Once or twice maybe. If you're really mad, get revenge or something. Don't use that to insert yourself into every single narratives.

I went halfway through and really wanted to finish this book, but I will have to let it go. Maybe I will give it another try one day.

I am a big fan of Tijan since I first read Carter Reed a few years ago so I was pretty disappointed by how much I struggled to get into this book!! If I hadn't been reading an ARC and planning to review I don't think I would have stuck around as it took me until the 40% to feel like I cared about the characters/plot.
Once I got into it I can admit that I really liked the connection between the MMC and FMC but overall the writing felt a bit like a ramble and I definitely enjoyed the first in the series a lot more!
2.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Tijan for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

First things first, I did not read Kings of New York #1. Should I have? Probably. Maybe I wouldn't have picked this one up, or maybe I would've understood it more clearly.

This is told in a dual POV fashion by Ashton and Molly.

I'm not exactly sure what I should say, what I can say, or what I want to say. I always pick up books like this in the hope that I'm going to find a feeling different than I usually do, but it always ends up being this:

This book is way too long for the story that's told in it.

I think maybe it's the writing that isn't it for me? Maybe it's the timing? The pacing? Something about the way Tijan tells stories like this one, just don't hit right for me.

Also, don't get me started on the 'fuzzies' for Molly to Ashton, or this 'switch' that Molly has?

I'll be honest, I DNF'd this one about half way through and I just couldn't finish it.

Tijan has a unique way of writing that keeps you engaged in the story. I also think that I want to read more. Loved it and will definitely read again one day!

This is definitely a great upgrade to convert Kindle Unlimited users to Library Card Maximalists. A solid e-material purchase

“I’m not your knight.” I swallowed over a lump. “No, you’re not. You’re the bad guy.”

This is a mafia romantic suspense book with lots of action and thrill. I adored Molly, she was such a bubbly, funny and cute girl. Looking at her personality, it fit why Ashton called her his sunshine! And Ashton was perfect! He was smart, capable, headstrong and protective. They balanced each other perfectly! After cliffhanger of the last book, I was left with so many unanswered questions but all of them were finally cleared up in this one. Overall, the characters were delightful, the execution was brilliant and the storyline will undoubtedly keep you hooked!

3.5 Stars
I'm a big fan of Tijan's books, so I hate admitting that getting into A Cruel Arrangement wasn't easy for me. It wasn't until about 25% in that I was hooked into the characters, the plot, and the romance. I assumed having read the first book in the series that it would be easy to jump right in since the story picks up not too long after that first book ended. I was wrong. Now, that might have been because I was pretty tired when I tried to start this book. Or Tijan's rambling writing (not a bad thing, just something she is known for) rambled a bit too much in the beginning for me. Or it could just be that I wasn't all that interested in the buildup to Ashton and Molly's romance. I didn't feel their chemistry like I expected I would in those first few chapters. It wasn't until I finally did that I was into the story. There's something about the way Tijan writes all-consuming attraction that makes her romances work like magic for me.

Okay, now that I've admitted all that, let me get to the rest of the book. I ended up loving how connected Ashton and Molly were. Their chemistry came alive, and I felt that all-consuming attraction I mentioned above. I liked how they became a team. The action also ramped up the closer they got. I loved getting answers to many questions I had from the first book. I enjoyed seeing Trace and Jess again and how they were involved in the story. The only thing that really bugged me in the rest of the book was Molly's "switch" thing. That was just... I don't even know what to say about it. There were also a couple of pacing issues for me, but I would attribute those to maybe overexplaining. Overall, it was a good conclusion to the story that began in A Dirty Business. 

One last comment, or question I guess... Did anyone else think American Idol or From Justin to Kelly when Justin and Kelly were mentioned? Was that just me? I pictured those two every time the names were brought up. Kind of funny for a mafia romance.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for allowing me to read this book for free in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t end up completing the book. I didn’t like the language in the book. I’m sure the author is really great, but this book just isn’t in my preferences.

Molly, a bowling alley owner, and Ashton, a Mafia king, know of each other but live very different lifestyles. But now Molly must agree to a cruel arrangement with Ashton to keep her business and her livelihood.

I did not realize this was the second book of the series until the very end. With that being said this can be read as a standalone. A fantastic plot consisting of Mafia rivalries, a little bit of mystery, a love story and plenty of plot twists. Just when you think you have something figured out you get another curve ball.

I really liked how Ashton and Molly’s relationship really evolves throughout the entire book

This book is great for anyone looking for plot twists, Mafia romances, forced proximity, or enemies to lovers.

Now to go back and read book 1 to see how this all started!