The characters are what make Tijans books so great! The plot was a little predictable but the characters were exceptional😍

Don’t try to figure out the mystery…just get lost in the story!
This is another brilliantly brutal ride in the world of the Kings of New York. Here we get to know Ashton, best friend of Trace and the now, somewhat reluctant head of the Walden family. He took the role for his own reasons and he is going to make it work for both himself and Trace.

We pick up shortly after the shocking revelations at the end of book one…I would strongly recommend you read the first one as it is edge of your seat drama.
Anyway in this one we also meet Molly….what a complete trip she is. She’s scrappy and a survivor and no one really gives her credit for that…she’s fought tooth and nail for herself and her small circle of friends.
Ashton has a use for Molly…..but she’s going to bring more than just answers for this closed off tough guy….
I loved their dynamic, I loved Molly’s unpredictability and I especially loved getting to know the real Ashton….almost in the same time as he really got to know himself.

This lady writes mystery and suspense in the most perfect way and I love getting lost in her Mafia worlds…..well all her worlds to be fair!!

This is one of those books that builds. At the beginning I was thinking I wasn't sure I would enjoy this book, but the story built, and built, and I freakin loved this book and couple! I now need to go read the first book in this series! I devoured this book, it was that good, I couldn't put it down.

I have been waiting for this book and soon as got chance I literally jumped right . I was so engrossed from page one . this whole book kept me on the edge of my seat. i was completely eating this story up . I don’t want to give to much away but let just say you are in one heck wild ride !!!!

This was so well written. I was engrossed from the first page and it ticked all the boxes of my expectations. The character development was excellent. I would definitely recommend to others, a must read!

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
FMC: Molly-an entrepreneur and owner of a local bowling alley… at least that’s what she always thought until Ashton came in and changed her life. According to Ashton, her dad, Shorty Easter, owed a debt and gambled away much of Molly’s life and possessions to set himself straight. Now Molly will do anything to get what’s rightfully hers, even going as far as to make an arrangement with the local Mafia boss to get it. The only problems? She’s had a crush on Ashton since they were kids, and she keeps getting guns pointed at her.
MMC: Ashton- the leader of the local mafia who is known for torturing and getting what he wants. What he never sees coming is how attached and protective he becomes to Molly after being in her presence for only a short time. They met when they were kids and she’s always had a sort of hold on him, but she’s always been just far enough away for it to not be on his mind. Now that he has to protect her after being held at gunpoint there’s no turning back.
POV: 1st person, dual POV
HEA: yes
spice: several-door spicy scenes
TWs: death of a parent from murder (recounted), death of parent by drugs (recounted), manipulation, murder, torture, kidnapping, attempted murder
standalone: book 2 of Kings of New York series, but can be read as a standalone
final thoughts: the writing took me a minute to get into and it wasn’t always my favorite, but the story was captivating, and I loved the dynamic of the couple. He understood that she was a strong independent woman but has also gone through a lot of trauma and he was so cute and understanding… as much as he doesn’t like to be portrayed that way. I love the way he takes care of her, especially during the slowburn aspect.

read this book if you love

🤜 rivals-to-lovers
🤐 miscommunication
💓 slowburn
🔫 mafia
😠 grumpy/sunshine vibes
⁉️ murder mystery
🏝️ forced proximity (safe house)
☠️ touch her and die vibes
🍪 MMC is a cinnamon roll only for his FMC
💞 childhood crush

Absolutely loved this book!

Tijan you are amazing!

I was hooked throughout and couldn't put this book down.

Thank you for accepting my ARC request.

The second book in the series opens with Molly Easter at the bowling alley that she owns being held up. After that whole fiasco she ends up in the hospital and there is Ashton Waldon she has always liked him but now he is also scary because of who he is. He decides to protect her and also gives her information about her father shorty which is not good and only makes her more upset with her father. The group is still trying to fight off a war with another Mafia family but it does not look like that will happen. Most of the characters from the first book are back and many questions are answered, with some surprises that I did not see happening at all. Once again a good story with some intense scenes but still very good.

Ashton! I enjoyed his and Molly’s story so much. This mafia/grumpy and sunshine/forced proximity romance kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t stop reading and wanting to know more. There were some questions that got answered and we got to see more of Trace and Jess’s relationship, which I really loved.

A Cruel Arrangement by Tijan was absolutely fantastic! I have read almost all of Tijan's books, and not one has ever disappointed me. Every time I read a book by Tijan, I am immediately transported into her world that she's created and I can't get my fill of it. I will never not buy a Tijan, and I would just like to thank Tijan for this beautiful world she has created. Amazing job, Tijan!

Molly and Ashton are out of this world! I couldn't get enough of them. I felt the tension between these two from the second I read about them in A Dirty Business, and boy was it quite the experience. Tijan, you never disappoint and Molly and Ashton most certainly did not. Again, an amazing job, Tijan!

Go read A Cruel Arrangement by Tijan to meet the tension filled couple Molly and Ashton!

im obsessed with the kings of new york. I loved that while this is book 2 it can be a standalone and is just as amazing of a story. Its fast paced. There is soooo much in this book it will hit really well with anyone who loves a mafia romance for sure.

This was such a wonderful romance. Molly is on the fringe of the mafia, her father is a jack-of-all-trades, low man on the totem pole, for one of the local mafia families. Molly runs Easter Lanes, her father's bowling alley. Ashton is the don of the Walden family who sees a way to use her to get some crucial information. Their attraction is overwhelming, but both fight it. Molly is a bit of a lunatic at times and can be quite funny. Ashton is the ever suffering protector and lover. Great story with lots of suspense and action. Fantastic entertaining read!

Dnf at 45%

A Cruel Arrangement is the second book in the Kings of New York series by Tijan and tells the story of Molly and Ashton.

For me, the story was a constant up and down. At times I couldn't follow some of the situations and dialogue, which made it hard for me to really get into the story.

Although the book is not lacking in action, it was quite boring in places, whenever I wanted to stop the book, it became more exciting again, unfortunately, the tension later for me was completely absent.

Also the protagonists could not win me over. Molly is naive and impulsive in many ways. She grew up in the foster system and bought the family business, the bowling alley Easter Lane, from her father. At least that's what she believes until after a robbery, when mafioso Ashton tells her the truth. To save her business, which means everything to her, she gets involved in a dangerous deal.

Ashton I find superficial as a character and has little character. As the head of a mafia-like corporation, I honestly expected more.

For me, "A Cruel Arrangement" was unfortunately a flop and gets only 1 of 5 stars.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

How much I waited for Ashton's book!!! He's my fav that's for sure even though I was a bit disappointed in the end. After book 1 I wanted to know all the answers, what happened with Justin and Kelly, so I was ready for a good murder investigation. However, this whole part where we get an insight into who killed them, plans and guesses were missing. The focus was on Molly and the many different ways she for into trouble and Ashton's role was the save her from his own reputation because everyone wanted her dead while they slowly started gaining feelings for each other. Ashton had a great plan to use Molly but quickly dropped it. And while book1 we got to know Ashton as a cruel man who doesn't hold back anything to find out the truth he changed his mind right away when he got close contact with Molly. But I swear I was so ready for that betrayal. And after that, it was just about them, Molly runs away from Ashton, and with that, she gets into trouble, and ofc Ahs runs to save her. EVERY. FREAKING. Time.
And I still didn't like Tristan and his love of his love in this book. Still mad at Tristan for giving up his brotherhood with Ash bc of that girl who clearly seemed like a mole in the first book. I know I am cruel, that's why I would fit with Ashton:))))
By the end when out of nowhere the truth was told I wasn't invested in the story anymore. And they gave up the whole mafia stuff for love. Like I wanted them to be bad together:'( Anyway we got a happily after epilogue for both couples, that's what matters.

Thank you for the arc to Netgalley.

A Cruel Arrangement, the second book in the Kings of New York series, exceeded my expectations. It immerses you in a dark and twisted world that is addictively captivating. Make sure to read A Dirty Business beforehand to fully appreciate this mesmerizing story. Ashton and Molly's chaotic and intense relationship is a highlight. The book keeps you hooked from the first chapter, revealing secrets and posing intriguing questions. Molly's strength and resilience shine through, and the pacing intensifies the suspense. The chemistry, anti-hero, twists, and emotional moments make this a must-read. I hope there's more to come in the Kings of New York series.

A Cruel Arrangement is the second book in this mafia duet and I loved Ashton and Molly! We get all of the answers we needed from the first book and more. If you love mafia, morally grey characters, twists and turns, and a touch her and die delicious anti-hero then you need to read this book. Start with the first one, Dirty Business, and then read A Cruel Arrangement. The chemistry in this book is off the charts and I loved Ashton. I would love more in this world and hope we get more books in the future!

Molly and Ashton is a dynamic couple who have a rocky past that she's not even aware of how twist it really is. However, a war is heating up between the families and Molly some how seems to be in the middle of it all. As Ashton and Trace try to find Jistin and Kelly's killers the Worthings are trying to move in on the Kings of New York. Ashton is determined to keep Molly safe while keeping her at a distance so he can keep his feelings in check. Unfortunately, Molly makes both of this things impossible. She is constantly finding herself in the line of fire and Ashton keeps falling harder for her when he comes to her rescue. But in the end can he keep her safe while staying at the top of the mob. Grab this series and fall in love with this couple.

Molly has never been able to count on her father and that now includes the situation she finds herself in. Through no fault of her own the only way she can save her business is by agreeing to his demands so that they both can get the answers they need.

Ashton is a powerful and dangerous man who is leading his mafia family. He knows what has to be done and isn’t afraid to use whatever means or whoever is necessary. Molly was supposed to be a means to an end, however he certainly never expected her to be so intriguing.

Molly has had to fight for everything in her life and the same holds true when it comes to Ashton while he is used to everyone doing exactly as he says but he has met his equal in every way when it comes to Molly. Great chemistry, suspense and surprises as Molly and Ashton take us on quite the adventure.

I'll be honest that I did not realize this was a continuation in a series when I picked it up. I do think this left me missing some pre-existing investment in the Kings of New York world.

Overall I enjoyed the book - it held my interest and I was rooting for the couple, but ultimately I kept expecting a bit more and that *more* never came. The premise of the book had so much potential and I really enjoyed Molly as the protagonist. But the book lacked depth, maturity, and character development - which I usually expect from Tijan! I loved her Insiders trilogy and she executed the suspense well there, but not so well in this book. There were some good lighthearted moments and I at least WANTED to know more about Ashton and Molly, but it just was not there.

I love mafia romance and was really excited for this read, so I'm disappointed that it's only a 3 star for me!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

Rezension: Dieses Buch ist Ashtons Geschichte und sie ist düster, verwinkelt und ein bisschen einsam. Es handelt sich um eine Romanze aus zwei Perspektiven, die dort anknüpft, wo das erste Buch aufgehört hat.

Ich denke, Ashton war mein Lieblingspaar in dieser Geschichte. Er ist so komplex und ich habe es genossen, aus seinen Gedanken zu lesen. Seine Loyalität gegenüber Trace und dann seine Verwirrung und dann die Erkenntnis, warum Trace so heftig reagierte, nachdem er offengelegt hatte, was er Jess in Buch 1 angetan hatte, waren für mich von entscheidender Bedeutung. Ich genoss es, wie er anfing, Jess‘ Stärke zu bewundern und sie um Vergebung bat, damit er und Trace sich wieder näher kommen konnten. Mir gefiel auch, wie ahnungslos Ashton war und Traces Humor gegenüber seiner Situation die Spannung urkomisch machte.

Ich hatte das Gefühl, dass Tijan wunderbare Arbeit geleistet hat, indem er Ashtons innere Dunkelheit gleichzeitig nachvollziehbar und mystifizierend gemacht hat. Mir gefiel, dass sie nicht versuchte, seine Handlungen zu vermenschlichen, obwohl sie dachten.

Molly war eine Feuerwerkskörperin und ich mochte ihren Witz und ihre Hartnäckigkeit gegenüber Ashton. Ich habe es genossen, wie unverblümt und ehrlich ihre Auseinandersetzungen mit ihrem Vater und die Erkenntnis waren, dass ihr Bowling nicht ihr eigenes war. Es gefiel mir nicht, dass sie anfangs nicht viel mit Ashton kommunizierte oder wie sie immer wieder versuchte, ihren Vater zu retten.

In diesem Buch herrscht zwischen dem Paar eine Menge Chemie und es ist HEISS. Beide passen auf kleine und komplexe Weise zueinander. Ich hatte das Gefühl, dass der Fortschritt gut war und es gefiel mir, wie beide Teile in die Gesamthandlung der Serie passten.

Bewertung: 8,5/10, wollte mehr Kommunikation und eine bessere Entschuldigung an Jess