-This is the second book in a trilogy, you need to read The Insiders before this.-

Intense, action packed and steamy!
Bailey and Kash started their relationship in the first book, their beginning and their lives aren’t typical at all. It’s high octane and extreme in so many ways.
In this book they got closer and I was happy to “see” more of their relationship. Bailey and Kash are living together and they’re really hot and heavy. Their chemistry plus his alpha protectiveness is intense and smoking hot. He’s really sexy and dreamy.

Bailey and Kash went through so much in a short time in the first book.
Threats, mysteries, suspense AND a kidnapping (that Bailey managed to escape from.)
AND Bailey is adjusting to a new family who are high profile, well known people.
And because of her newfound family’s high profile/celebrity status she has a “new normal” that includes bodyguards, etc. It’s a lot for her to come to terms with.
Bailey already had emotional damage and then in the aftermath of her kidnapping it seems she is not facing her deeper feelings or issues. I don’t think that’s serving her well and it’s definitely leading to a big fallout.

She’s in college and she makes some friends, that’s a new and pleasant thing for her.
It adds some fun and lightness to the story. I’m happy that she has found “her girls”.

Her siblings bring great moments and a nice emotional dynamic to Bailey’s life and the story in general.
I love them and think they’re a great part of the story. They are quirky, lovable and fun characters.

This author does over the top and hectic storylines that should make me roll my eyes with so much happening. Theres a lot of far-fetched and dramatic everything…but, I’m addicted.
It somehow works and is like comfort food for my mind.
It’s like a beloved soap opera. I’m here for it!

Kash’s grandfather is the new threat to their safety.
It was known, kind of and out there, I felt it coming..but now the intensity and seriousness keeps ramping up throughout the story.
It’s extremely BIG and scary! It’s an epic showdown!

It’s very extreme, intense and a fun escape from reality.
Theres a lot of tension, anticipation and suspense.

I love the pairing of alpha-protector Kash and sweet yet saucey Bailey! They’re an explosive couple!

The end is of course shocking and a big cliffhanger hits… Bam 💥
I can’t wait to see how everything plays out and what happens in the last book. I have absolutely no idea.

If you haven't check out book one, The Insiders, stop now. Go check that out!

Now, you have to read these books in order, and The Damaged picks up where we left thing at the end of The Insiders. Bailey and Kash are together, and we get to see more of their relationship develop, which I LOVED. Bailey is dealing with her PTSD from the events in book 1, so things are smooth sailing. But, Kash is primo book boyfriend material, and you get his POV in this one. I also loved seeing more of the bond between Bailey and her siblings.

Now, this book is not without the danger and action and the ending will leave you gobsmacked and dying to get your hands on book 3! Don't say I didn't warn you!

Tijan always delivers such interesting characters and juicy drama- I just gobble her books right up, and I am loving this new series. It is full of secrets and mystery- a delicious mix of family drama, young love, elite machinations, power struggles, and mafia connections. We have a quintessential Tijan book boyfriend in the enigmatic, devoted, and protective Kash, and this second book made me love him even more intensely. And in Bailey we have a dynamic, fierce, and clever heroine- caught in a tangled web of lies and mystery while also just trying to handle the drama and challenges of finding her place in the world and in her family. This is shaping up to be a favorite Tijan series- and that ending will have you begging for the finale of this trilogy!


Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4457429631
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3719137443

First with The Insiders and now with The Damaged Tijan gives us an interesting, gritty story. This is not formulaic romance. There are lots of deep relationships, most very new. There are characters who are hard to like and none of them are sugary. Kash and Bailey are so in love but there is so much swirling around them. New people, new businesses, new relationships, stressors galore. Bailey is off to her graduate program and while she's earned it with all her hard work and incredible brains a cloud hangs over her. Her fellow students don't know how to handle the child of a business genius whose fame is legendary. She's only known her father for a few months, she's caught between her humble beginnings and her current unwanted fame. The rumors that daddy got her into school are so not true but even she can't help but question the school's motives a bit. Then there's the press. It's not easy starting a new school with new peers but being hunted by paparazzi at every turn doesn't help.

Kash just inherited an unbelievable fortune and the businesses that made the money. He's still dealing with his evil, manipulative grandfather. His work keeps him away from Bailey too much but is necessary. He must put eliminate the grandfather's threat to Bailey and himself.

If that isn't enough (and it really is) to create a lot of stress and plot twisting, there's also the evil stepmother and her legal issues, mostly missing mom, dad and mom's relationship, a very out of control stepbrother and so much more!! It sounds untenable describing it here but Tijan does a great job of weaving all these different threads into a very interesting story.
I recommend this book. I’m awaiting the next and final parts of the story!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Griffin for the ARC.

What a great book that will keep you entertained and fanning your face.... Love this author!! And this series!

The Damaged is the second book to Tijans The Insiders Trilogy.

If you loved the first book you will love this one even more. Family drama, a heroine who is strong and sassy and a alpha hero who is very possessive and dangerous. I am very excited to see Kash and Bailey deepening their relationship even more. It was a very satisfyingly to read two characters who are meant for each other and how they grow together. It's not just physical with these two, but much more.

We finally get to have some of Kash's thoughts that we didn't get in the first book. There is so much drama from the beginning to the end of this book. But to know that Kash and Bailey are so solid it made me as a reader love this series even more.

Kash is still keeping Bailey safe and out of dangerous situations and being the protective guy we love to see. The ending ended with a huge bang and I can't wait for the next book! You will enjoy this book very much. Would highly recommend. Received an ARC for an Honest review.

The Damaged 𝘣𝘺 𝘛𝘪𝘫𝘢𝘯 ⁣
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~⁣
Overall: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
Steam: 3/5 💥💥💥
Feels:😮😬😮🙂😥😍😮
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~⁣
🔎𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒🔎⁣
Leads: Bailey and Kash ⁣
HEA: second book in series ⁣
Release Date: ⁣February 8, 2022
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~⁣
📖 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎 📖 ⁣
Kindle Unlimited: ❌⁣
Audible: ✅
Series: ✅
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~⁣
📝𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝗪📝⁣
Tijan is one of my top favorite authors and The Damaged hit all the marks for me. I loved every minute of this book. After devouring the Insiders (book 1) I was super excited to start reading the Damaged. One of the aspects of this book that made me like it even more is that we got Kash's POV as well as Bailey's POV. 
🔹
Throughout the book we get to see Kash and Bailey's relationship develop even more. They have such a dynamic relationship and I can't wait to see it develop even more in the last book. We see Bailey struggle with bodyguards now that her secrets are out. Kash as always tries to shield and protect Bailey at all cost and I am obsessed with their dynamic relationship. Every feeling hit me right in the heart throughout the whole book. 
🔹
I can't wait to read the final book in this trilogy. I recommend this book, but you do need to start with book 1 The Insiders. I really hope we will get to see some of the side character have their own book at some point!

As The Insider's Trilogy continues the stakes get higher and higher with subtle and not so subtle innuendos building the underlying suspense that makes this series the ultimate addictive read. With lots of intense interactions and family dysfunction things get real fast!

The natural synchronicity of Bailey and Kash's relationship continues in book two of The Insiders Trilogy showing the power of their draw. Bailey's vulnerability despite her extraordinary abilities makes her a fabulous heroine and shows her versatility and humanity. Kash is powerful and tender even as his seemingly invincible strength is put to the test in The Damaged. The supporting characters are incredibly interesting in their own rights and will keep readers interested on multiple levels in this work. Who does not love a fated love with danger coming in from all sides, you will get that and more with Bailey and Kash!

This author continues to produce distinctive works that are each unique in their own rights and leave their own standout imprints. Her characters easily tap into a broad base no matter their circumstances making them uniquely common even in extraordinary situations. There is an ease in this writer's unnerving revelations that readers can relate to and make her such a sought after author. Tijan knows what her audience wants and more so what her characters need, delivering this perfect combination in The Damaged for an intense and edgy read!

3.5 ⭐️ This second installment of the trilogy deals with a little more of the same thing as book 1.... But there’s also parts that I feel that personally just don’t mind at all because instead of read that I preferred to see more of Bailey’s skills. I'm never opposed to sexy scenes hahahaha, but I wish there’s more about her and how she works her codes. I would have preferred her to put a little more focus on hacking and how to make life miserable for the ones who tried to hurt her. I feel like she was also too focused on seeing who she likes her than what is seriously her priority, like her family and trying to recover from what happened to her. I get the feeling that Bailey is like trying to prove that she didn't need anyone else but her loved one and that's it... Something I liked a lot was to read Kash POV, that is something I enjoyed, been able to read what is going through his mind is always a plus. He is obviously so used to lead and protect and be in charge that immediately take that protection on Bailey, but to me feels a little to much at some situations. But also understand the threat they facing with all this new plot we read in this book. Definitely there’s lots of things going on, some really caught me and got the evil side towards those characters that in my opinion deserves the worst, what can i say. One thing is the way the author end this second part, the cliffhanger left me biting my nails . The waiting for book three is going to be a time to prove my patience 😵‍💫 ————————————————— I received an early review copy of this ebook from the publisher and NetGalley on exchange of my homes review. Thank you so much and until the next one :)

I have to keep this review short because it's so hard to talk about this series without spilling any spoilers and I don't want to do that.

There is something about this story that just sucks you right into the world of wealth, technology and competitiveness that is Bailey and Kash's world. I really couldn't put this down until I got to the end, and omg, it's a doozy of an ending.

The relationship between Bailey and Kash is really the centerpiece of this story, They really do fit together... or do they? Ha, there are parts that may have you questioning things. Loved that about this story.

I must be honest and say there are some things that I just don't believe, and the graduate school wasn't at all like the technology graduate degree program I was in, but I was willing to overlook that and just enjoy the ride. The second half of the book is really when things get going and some very unexpected things occur.

So overall, if you are looking for an addictive story you might like this trilogy. You'll need to read the first book in the series, The Insiders, before reading The Damaged. This is not a standalone. But it is one crazy fun ride!

Omg this book was amazing. This book had some answers but left us with some questions and new questions. Bailey and Kash story is just getting started. This trilogy is just starting getting started and I can't wait for the next book. Especially after that cliffhanger.

Bailey and Kash are back and well worth the wait. This series continues to keep it interesting. Relationships are forged but who can you trust with all the drama.
Bailey starts a new chapter of college that adds even more changes. She is still the string sassy woman from the first book. Kash is still Kash, alpha and protective. We get more of Kash thoughts in this installment. Which just adds to the the goodness.
A page turner, good character growth, drama, romance along with other relationship growth, emotion and a whole lot more
Can’t wait to see where this series goes next. As usual the ending leaves us stunned and wanting more.

I have been anticipating this second book since I finished the first a while ago and I can say that I really did enjoy it. We are back with Kash and Bailey after everything that happened in book one and things are better and some things are not. Kash is now a busy man trying to plot and plan against those who want to hurt him or Bailey and Bailey is trying to move forward anyway possible except she is still haunted by her kidnapping. As they both try to navigate these new waters it is challenging trying to adjust to it all, yet one thing remains true and the same that’s their love for each other. They now have an unbreakable bond that no matter what comes their way or who tries to come between them nothing can stop the love they share. I have to admit it started out slow building us up for what was to come yet it did take a while and a few things became a tad repetitive like Kash swooping in to save the day only for them to speed off in his car. I was eagerly trying to figure out what everyone’s endgame was but there are still so many people hiding so much and other’s that just have devious plans. I loved that no matter what Kash and Bailey were going through they never strayed from each other, they relied on each other and nothing tore them apart. I also love the bond that Bailey and Matt are trying to continuously grow and I hope we see more from that and their other siblings. This does end on quite the cliffhanger preparing us for the final book and I must say this was shocking. The las of the book was suspenseful and held me captivated that I was shocked and can’t wait to read the next book. There is still a lot of secrets and both characters will be tested in the next book, it is going to be very intriguing to see how it all plays out.

𝘌𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭, 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦!

The Damaged is book two in The Insiders series, and I recommend you read book one first. It took me a bit to engage with this book, the first half felt a little slow, but by 50% it picked up pace and it was impossible to put down. It ends on a cliffhanger, again, so I need the next book soon.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this gifted copy.

𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦: 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦, 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦, 𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺, 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘦.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcoffeemx/

Wow – Hang On For A Surprise Ending! Kash & Bailey’s Romantic Thriller Continues As The Couple Is Tested & Danger Lurks On The Sidelines. While Their Love Deepens, So Do The Complications That Threaten Their Happiness. Their Story Has A Great Blend Of Mystery, Romance, & Angst. The Couple Has Fabulous Chemistry Together In This Exciting Second Book In The Insiders Trilogy.


This is the second nail-biting book in an angsty trilogy that follows the story of Bailey Hayes. Her story is a thriller that takes her from an unassuming computer genius from a small town outside of Chicago to the suddenly-privileged daughter of the iconic software titan that she idolizes.

In book one, The Insiders, Bailey gets swept up into danger and hidden away with the family of her famous tech idol after a failed kidnapping attempt sheds light on the true identity of the father she never knew and had believed to be dead. While there, she learns about secrets and intrigue. She discovers that her own life is not what it had once seemed. Bailey is thrust into a world that is foreign to her and struggles to find her place in the cut-throat environment. She is seen as a threat to the status quo by some. Her new status triggers jealousy in others. And for some, she represents a way to get to her father.

In this book the story shifts. Bailey tries to settle into her new life as her first semester of graduate school commences. The book will leave you on the edge of your seat with a devastating ending that leaves you gasping in surprise.

FROM THE INSIDERS, BOOK ONE:

Bailey Hayes, twenty-two, has led a fairly normal life in her small hometown of Brookley about an hour outside of Chicago. Her father had died when she was small, so it was always just her and her larger-than-life single mother, who works as a nurse at the hospital. Chrissy Hayes is fiercely independent and stubborn, and while some single moms might appreciate a helping hand, Chrissy never liked handouts. The two are very close, although Chrissy’s colorful character sometimes makes Bailey feel like the adult in the relationship. Bailey had developed a love for computers while in elementary school, earning her the nickname Brainiac Bailey. Her idol is Peter Francis. Like Bailey, Peter Francis has a photographic memory. He is CEO of Phoenix Tech, a Fortune 500 company that deals in cyber security. Bailey’s dream is to one day work there. And though her hacking skills are good enough to get her a job now, her mother insists on an education. Bailey starts work on her master’s degree in three months. She plans to study information systems. And like with her undergraduate studies, she has earned a scholarship from Phoenix Tech to help pay her way.

When Bailey is accosted by a group of men in her home one evening, men who make mention of a rich father, nothing makes sense. She somehow survives the attack, but soon learns that everything she knew about her late father was a lie. It is no coincidence that she has so much in common with Peter Francis since he is in fact her father. And her relation to him has now made her a target. Though her idol clearly has no interest in a relationship with her, it turns out he feels obligated to ensure her safety. Kashton Colello represents him, and he gives Bailey a choice: witness protection with her mother, or come with him, meet her siblings, and her mother can return home.

Kash’s presence seems to capture the attention of anyone in the same room with him, and Bailey is not immune to his allure. He appears to be just a few years older than her. He is commanding and exudes confidence. Still, Bailey doesn’t like being told what to do. But she already knows a considerable amount about her father’s personal life from reading about him over the years, and she doesn’t want to let the opportunity to learn more pass. Stepping into a world where money is no object is a bit of a shock, and Bailey doesn’t just feel like an outsider – she is treated like one. Her relation to Peter Francis is meant to remain a secret, so she is officially staying with Kash as his guest and a very old family friend of his.

Kash, though, is shrouded in mystery. He comes and goes without explanation, and his relationship with the Francis family is exceedingly odd. He is largely treated like family, and yet sometimes oddly revered by them. He was orphaned and raised by Peter as one of his own. Bailey cannot help but be attracted to him, though his good looks and the respect he commands convince her that those feelings would not be reciprocated. Bailey knows she is no competition to the likes of Victoria and her friends. Bailey lacks the expensive wardrobe and social standing that seem so important to the Francis family and their friends.

According to plan, Bailey’s introduction to the family as Kash’s guest gives her the opportunity to get to know her younger half-siblings, Cyclone and Seraphina, as well as their mother Quinn, who isn’t exactly pleased with Bailey’s presence. She also gets to know her older half-brother Matt, whose exploits she is already very well aware of thanks to his regular appearance in the gossip magazines. Her father, though, remains elusive.

As Kash works to bring down Arcane, the group responsible for her attempted kidnapping, Bailey struggles to find her place as a visitor in her own family. And as the barriers between her and Kash begin to come down, they find that their attraction to one another is too strong to deny. As the pair gets closer, though, Kash continues to harbor secrets. With the kidnappers still on the loose and without the support of her mother to help her weather the storm of uncertainty she faces, Bailey begins to do things she never would have expected – like crying. No self-respecting Hayes woman cries.

With her heart so vulnerable with a man who seems devoted to her safety but incapable of truly opening up, Bailey bonds with her brother Matt, who parties like the tabloids suggest but is more complex than he is portrayed. Quinn makes it known that she is not thrilled with the present arrangements, and Bailey’s father seems determined to avoid her at all costs. Bailey begins to experience some breakthroughs in her new relationships, but danger waits on the horizon. This book concludes with some closure, but that doesn’t mean that the danger has all passed. It ends with a surprise as the story advances. Book two appears to go deeper into Kash’s past as everything is on the line.

The story is written in first person in Bailey’s POV. I rate this book 4.5 stars.

IN THIS BOOK:

As book one came to a close, Bailey’s mother had taken temporary quarters at the main house in the Chesapeake Estates, and her father had finally come around. He publicly announced Bailey as his daughter at a party hosted at the estate, but that event gave Quinn, Bailey’s new stepmother, the opportunity she had been waiting for. Quinn needed to eliminate the threat she perceived that Bailey posed to her marriage and the status quo, so she arranged for a second kidnapping attempt. Kash had quickly come to her rescue, but beyond the physical damage, the damage to Bailey’s emotional well-being was very real. It left a deep imprint. Kash had moved Bailey into his city home, giving them both more privacy as she recovered. He thought they would be safe there, but when his grandfather bypassed security and showed up at his door, a new kind of fear took over. Quinn remained behind bars, but Calhoun Bastian had come to Chicago. The war between grandfather and grandson was imminent.

As this book opens, Bailey begins her first semester of graduate school at Hawking University. She has missed just one week of classes, and despite being approved for a longer leave of absence, she is desperate to return to a sense of normalcy. Technology and coding are her life, and immersing herself in her degree brings her comfort. More importantly, it helps to distract her from the memories that haunt her. She had heard her kidnappers’ plans for her, and she is desperate to bury that knowledge. Kash is concerned because she dropped her counseling after only two weeks, but she insists upon moving forward with her life. Bailey remains stubborn and ever-determined to do things her way – she is a Hayes woman, after all.

Her mother continues to stay at the Chesapeake, but Bailey has been putting distance between herself and her family – both old and new. Initially, she was told to give Cyclone and Seraphina some space as they, too, underwent counseling to deal with their mother’s actions. But Bailey finds it difficult to return once she discovers that Quinn’s sister Payton has moved in to help with the children. Their likeness is uncanny, and it does not sit well with Bailey. Marie’s absence is notable, too, and it only leaves Bailey more unsettled. Matt is also upset by Marie’s mysterious absence, and he begins to spiral.

Kash has always stepped in to keep Matt out of trouble, but things seem to be changing. Kash’s role as protector of the Francis family continues, but he is stretched thin as he plots against his grandfather and embraces his love for Bailey. When his identity as one of the ten richest men in the world hits the media, it doesn’t help matters, either. People now know who he is – and who his grandfather is as well. It makes it harder for him to work under the radar. Bailey’s identity as the daughter of Peter Francis is splashed across the tabloids as well, which makes her security an even bigger challenge.

Kash begins to take over control of his inheritance as his birthday approaches. Peter has overseen some of it, but Kash is still uncovering some of his parents’ business interests. His mother was quite the businesswoman, he discovers. He takes over his father’s old office at Phoenix Tech, but Kash begins spending his evenings working out of his office at Naveah.

Naveah is Chicago’s hottest club and a hangout for Matt and his friends. Kash, too, had once been a regular. It had been run by Peter, but Kash is now stepping in to take control. Much centers around the club, which serves as Matt’s social hub. Kash’s business keeps him busy, though, and he spends a lot of time traveling. He plans to win the war against his grandfather, which means that he must stay ten steps ahead.

As Bailey continues to throw herself into her studies at Hawking University, she also begins to make new friends. She had never felt comfortable around Matt’s friends, so this is a positive change. But not everyone is welcoming, and being the daughter of Peter Francis proves to be a liability in some circumstances. When Calhoun Bastian tries to wiggle his way into her life, it becomes apparent that he has insiders. Someone has betrayed Bailey’s trust, and danger still sits at Bailey’s door.

As Kash works against the clock to stay ahead of his grandfather’s moves, he puts his relationship with Bailey at risk. They are challenged as a couple, but their biggest struggle is yet to come. As the book comes to a heart-stopping end following homecoming weekend, the plot thickens. It seems Chicago is on the brink of an all-out war, and nobody is safe.

Watch for the last installment of this thrilling trilogy. Allegiances and alliances will likely tear apart the old order – and things are sure to get angsty when Bailey’s mystery man returns to town.

Wow! Kash and Bailey’s story is full of unexpected twists and turns. While their love deepens, so do the complications that threaten their happiness. Kash is all in, but he has never been in love before. He lives in black and white, so he struggles with the grey areas. Bailey is a ticking time bomb full of buried emotions waiting to burst through. She pretends to be fine when in reality she is nothing but. Kash patiently supports her through her trauma, but there is no way to control where or when she will crash.

This story is not quite as tight as the first book, but it is still a great read. Note that I am reviewing an ARC copy, so it is possible a few things have since changed. That said, there are several instances in which one character or another does something predictably dumb and seemingly out of character. These instances obviously advance the plot, but they are distracting. The action begins to feel a bit tedious and off course in the latter half, but it does suddenly pull together. The ending might seem a little predictable as it approaches, but be prepared to be surprised.

There are a few issues that merit mention. *Spoilers* Several things remain unclear. Why was Marie sent away – was there something more to it, as implied? Is Payton blackmailing Peter, or is there another explanation for her presence? Who is the mystery man that Kash speaks to on the plane, and why did he bring a guest? Where was Matt in the end? Whatever happened to Kash tracking down Arcane – the group responsible for kidnapping Bailey the first time. He seemed to have dropped it in this book. What is the story behind the fallout mentioned in Bailey’s family, and how is that relevant? Why would Bailey ever include Victoria’s friends, Fleur and Cedar, on purpose? Exactly why would Kash use Victoria, and how? That Kash would presume for a minute that any discussion with Victoria would not immediately get back to Bailey is not credible. Reeling in Victoria is likewise not credible since it is not necessary – she has clearly expressed her sentiments. How did Kash not realize sooner what Victoria’s goal was with him? Finally, there is some confusion about the reason for Victoria’s trip. There are three explanations given. Kash implies that he might need her for access. Later she is there not by his choice, but by that of an unnamed mystery man. Why that man included her is never explained. Finally, he says he wanted her to hear the truth for herself – implying that he wanted her there for that reason – a very weak excuse for involving her, especially considering his relationship with Bailey and Victoria’s part in the second kidnapping attempt. Besides her friends, nobody even likes Victoria – Kash included.

Kash and Bailey’s romantic thriller continues as Bailey struggles to move forward and find a new normal. She refuses to let Kash push her away despite the threat that his grandfather poses. The paparazzi add a new problem to the mix, making their lives more complicated and security more difficult. Bailey buries herself in her graduate studies, but trouble follows her to Hawking University. Kash sets about to take down his grandfather, working tirelessly in the process. The couple is tested as danger lurks on the sidelines.

This book will have you desperate to see how it all ends. It has a great blend of mystery, romance, and angst. It is intelligent and keeps you guessing. Although some things are worked out in the end, there are still many unknowns that could take the story in a variety of directions in the final book of the trilogy. Kash’s family will almost certainly become pivotal. Victoria’s background and connection to Kash could be further developed. Matt and his friends seem poised to factor into the storylines further, as does reporter Camille Story. And the various parents and their dynamics could add interest. Let us not forget the mysterious Chase, whose identity has finally been revealed.

Kash and Bailey have fabulous chemistry together in this exciting second book in The Insiders trilogy. It is well-written. It is plot-driven. The characters are well-developed, though there remains a hint of mystery even as the second book of the trilogy comes to a close. Kash and Bailey are great together. When Bailey’s safety is at risk, he takes charge of keeping her out of harm’s way. In fact, it seems the entire Francis family would be lost without him. There are several questions that pop up while reading, and while many are answered by the end of the book, a few yet linger. The story is largely written in first person in Bailey’s POV. Unlike book one, Kash gets his own voice here. Nine of forty-seven chapters are in Kash’s POV. The final chapter is in Chase’s POV. I rate this book 4.5 stars.

I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This has been an amazing trilogy so far and I can’t wait to find out what’s going to happen next! I love this story because it’s unique. I haven’t really read a story like this one and I have been hooked from the very beginning. This book also has some good twists that will keep you guessing. Bailey and Kash are so good together and have become some of my favorite characters. This story is intense, dramatic, and intriguing. I would highly recommend!

This is the second book in this trilogy and it's definitely more plot-driven. And it's getting very interesting as it goes on. Though the pace can get slow or it will go lull sometimes. There are more twists and secrets unravelled in this one. But what I loved most in this one is Kash and Bailey's relationship. It's so amazing to watch it grow and I'm sure it's going to become more intense in the next book, which I can't wait for.

This book was everything I hoped for and more! I devoured the book and I was left on the edge of my seat at the end and eagerly wanting more.

In this novel, I felt a lot more connected to both Kash and Bailey. I adored Bailey. She is a technological genius and I love how she is a strong heroine pursuing a career in a STEM field. Her quirky personality and huge heart endeared herself to me. She is perfectly flawed and I would love to have this girl as a friend. Kash’s character was further developed and as his personality shined through the pages, I found myself enamored with him. In the previous book, I did not truly feel the draw between Bailey and Kash. In this novel, as their relationship evolves, their magnetism was palpable and the connection tangible.

The secondary characters all play huge roles in this book and I reveled in all of their contributions to the story. I found many of them intriguing and really enjoyed the dynamic between them. Friendships are forged and there are moments of angst along with elements of suspense. The story flows well; it moves at a good pace; and I couldn’t put the book down! The Damaged is book 2 in The Insiders Trilogy so that means there are plot twists and a cliffhanger. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I cannot wait to see what happens next!

"The Damaged (Insiders 2)" by Tijan
Price TB: $ 17,99
Price eBook: $ 8,99 (as of February 8th, 2022)
Audio book price: $ 19,99 (as of February 8th, 2022)
Running time audio book: 8 hours 59 minutes (unabridged)
Audiobook Voice Actor: Emma Galvin, Joe Arden
Number of pages: 320 pages according to publisher information
ISBN: 978-1-250210791
Audiobook ISBN: 978-1-250840684
Released: 02/08/2022 by St. Martin's Griffin --- 02/08/2022 by Macmillan Audio (audiobook)
Buy the book here (external link)
Excerpt (external link)
Buy audio book here (external link)
Audio sample (external link)
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In advance:
Reviews are always a personal opinion. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for giving me a free review copy of the book, which in no way affects my opinion!
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Blurb:
No longer an outsider, Bailey has a family and love that she never could’ve imagined.

Used to living in the shadows, Kash will now do anything to protect his family and his woman.

They will take on the world together…

In the meantime, stunning motives, lies, and explosive secrets continue to unfold.

1. Quinn is in jail, awaiting trial.

2. Friends might actually be enemies.

3. And what is Calhoun plotting? More importantly, will Kash discover it before it’s too late?

Everything will come to a head as passion and danger ignite in The Damaged.
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Book/series title & cover:
"The Damaged" is part 2 of the Insiders series. The books build on each other and the story only ends with the third book ("The Revenge" - to be released on September 16th, 2022), which has not yet been published. The cover shows the protagonist Kash and the design matches the first book in the series.
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Characters & Plot:
Main characters in "The Damaged" are again Bailey and Kash. The secret of Bailey has been revealed, she has "arrived" for the first time in her life and is trying to lead a normal life despite the circumstances. Of course, as an heiress, nothing is normal, the intrigues continue ...
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Writing style:
"The Damaged" is a typical Tijan book. The writing style is casual, fluid, engaging and HOT! 😉
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My conclusion:
I'm an absolute fan of Tijan, and I already liked book 1 (The Insiders) of this series very much. I had to wait for a long time for book 2, but it was worth it. I've always been enthralled by the male protagonists of Tijan, and I feel the same way about Kash. Yes, he's badass about everything and everyone - except Bailey. He loves her with all his heart, and it shows.
Maybe I personally like the whole story so much because it takes place "in my world" (not that I have anything to do with the mafia or organized crime, but IT is totally my thing 😊). I can empathize with many of Bailey's characteristics, and I think that because I have an affinity for IT, it's particularly easy for me to let myself fall into the story.
Of course, most of the characters were already familiar to me from book 1 and haven't changed much, but I think they're built really well. Once again, a Tijan book got me totally carried away.
I'm already looking forward to the conclusion of the series, but I'm not sure how I'm going to make it until September ...
I highly recommend reading it, but make sure to read book 1 first, as it is a coherent story.

5 of 5 ★★★★★

Tijan brings all the angst and suspence at one place!!!!

After book one, I wasn't sure, If I'll come back to this series, before all books will be published. Today, I want to smack myself hard that I thought that at the start haha - book2 is so good!!!! As the events, from book no 1 gathers pace in Damaged, every single page feels like the new adventure. There are angst, which is chased by drama, with romantic story between Bailey and Kash, and I'm all in baby!!!!

I couldn't put this book down, Author delivered amazing story, with breathtaking ending, that hurts. I'll be hoping for very fast release date of last book with conclusion. If these 2 books gave me such a huge rollercoaster of drama and emotions, I cannot wait to see how thid story flow by until the end.

Must read title!