2.5 Stars

Jess Montell is a parole officer who takes pride in her career, but when she meets Tristian West, life as she knows it is about to change irrevocably...

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A Dirty Business was a mafia themed, opposites attract, forbidden romance! Jess and Trace are completely wrong for each other, but with an attraction that refuses to dissipate, will they risk their very lives for a chance to be together?

Jess was a parole officer whose identity was her career, and everything about her infatuation with Trace risks her losing it.

Trace may belong to a mafia family, but he has found his own success on Wall Street, and with owning a nightclub. And while he may want nothing to do with the family business, his choice in the matter is nonexistent...

The premise of this book had so much potential, but for me, the story was just too all over the place. There were too many moving parts, too much back and forth between the characters, and too much repeating scenes. With so many great aspects included in this story, I think I would have loved it if it had gone through a really good edit for length. 

I really wanted to like this book, and I definitely enjoyed the basis for Jess and Trace's romance and their individual characters. Jess's backstory was important and deserved a spotlight on it, but with a cliffhanger at the end of the book, I fear it will be quite awhile before any answers are given...

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.

When I first read the synopsis for this book I was very intrigued because I was really in the mood for a mafia romance but unfortunately this book fell flat for me. I usually really enjoy Tijan's writing but this time I felt like it dragged on for me and I lost interest halfway through, thats not to say that it was all bad, I really enjoyed Jess's character and how she handles the world and what is going on in her life and how both how her and Trace change throughout the book.

Due to her family situation and her career as a parole officer Jess has a clear view of what she believes is right and wrong. When she meets Trace at a hockey game the sparks fly however he abruptly ends their conversation and isn’t sure why until she finds out who he really is.

Trace is a successful businessman and is also part of a mafia family. He knows distancing himself from law enforcement is the best decision however she fascinates him despite her career. The more he learns about her the more he wants to know even if their meetings are to say the least unorthodox.

Jess has had to be strong and independent so she clashes with the man who seems to know her activities as well as she does. Suspense, surprises and steam combine with two entertaining characters leave us wanting the next book in this series.

Mafia romance has been one of my favorite tropes. I discovered it around 4 years ago and got obsessed with it. But Dirty business is a bit different from the other books I read as the FMC is a cop, a parole officer to be exact. I see already the conflict there and got excited to dive into the story.

It was kind of insta-love as Trace got totally attracted with Jess the first time they met. At first, Jess does not know Trace's connection with mafia, but as soon as she found out, it was already a done deal that she will stay away from him. But the attraction has been undeniable between the two. They are both put in a place where they need to choose between duty and love.

The premise of the story is very interesting, however I just felt that the mafia romance was not the heart of the story. It just became a situational conflict between Trace and Jess. Most mafia romance I read are about close-knit family stories in which the main characters are put on crossfire between love and family. I just felt it is more of occupational hazard rather than a relationship dilemma. Also, Trace does not exude the alpha male aura the mafia leaders are known for. As to the mafia element of the story, I did not get much of action until the last 100 pages of the book.

I guess the story has a potential to be more exciting as the story ended in a cliffhanger. That is something I'm interested to read. It was a fun-read but could have been better.

Right out the gate, I was hooked with this one simply because of the fact that is a story between a criminal and a parole officer! It blurs the lines so much and I lived for that. The connection that Jess and Trace is magnetic and I loved watching it all play out.. that ending though.... I NEED MORE!

Oh my days!!!! This book had me all twisted up in knots! It is action packed from start to finish and man what a ride!!
Tijan has the most unique writing style…her ability to set the scene and bring the pages to life is absolutely wonderful. The visual she manages to create…to be able to capture the emotion and enable the reader to see the action is exactly what you want in a suspense filled storyline.
This story has so much going on that you really have to read it and get lost in the mafia/cop world. The whole grey area of right and wrong, the crossed lines of justice and villain….it is deliciously twisted up and nothing is beyond the realms of possible and who knows who can be trusted!

Then we have Jess, she is the most fantastic female character…with sass and grit for days. Her personal life is a disaster as she tries her best to keep the peace with her family and take on everyone else’s problems…She’s take no nonsense, hardened but with a mallow centre. All she wants is to do the right thing. Her moral compass guides her straight and true but no matter how hard she fights it she just can’t seem to stay away from Trace….
And let’s talk about Trace…. at first we think he’s a city boy with family connections…a bit of a hotshot….but oh my goodness he is so much more and so much better than that! No wonder poor Jess is struggling! He’s the calm in her storm and no matter how hard she tries to fight it he is her safe place, her person……pretty ironic really!!

I just loved this story, it kept me guessing, made me swear and had my heart racing…that ending, wow what a doozie!!
Can’t wait to get started on the next instalment and let’s hope it doesn’t all go to hell in a handcart…..though I fear that may already have happened!

ARC Review ✨
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Thank you to Tijan and Valentinepr for the ARC to review.
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Dirty business was a great read. The characters were so well written and the story line was full of twists and turns. I loved Jess. She was strong, fierce, and a take no crap kinda girl. She was the perfect match for Trace. This story was action packed and a very fun slow burn tension filled story.
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Okay, okay slow deep breaths. A dirty business Kings of new york #1 So I am secretly (not so secretly) hoping this will definitely NOT be the end for Trace and Jess's story.🤞🤞🤞

I felt this book was the same feel for a Tijan story but a little different all at once. It was a Mafia read so I was sold on it from the very beginning.

Trace is riding the side of good and bad more so the bad. Jess is a parole officer and when these two meet sparks fly.
Until Trace realises who she is, he storms off and leaves Jess a little annoyed and confused but Trace can't forget her.

I loved this book it had everything I love in a book. The mysterious and dangerous suspense, lust, sexual tension that boils over and more. Of course Tijan never disappoints her readers new and old.

Absolutely fantastic read! 📚

This was definitely an interesting read! We have a forbidden romance and while there was instant attraction, it was also slow burn. I liked this pacing as it allowed us to get to know the characters better and how they developed feelings for one another, making it more believable. There was an element of suspense and danger, which kept me turning the page, wanting to know what the fate of our couple was. The rest of the cast helps to round out the story. Overall a good read!

I'd like to thank Netgalley and Montlake for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a big fan of Tijan, especially her YA books. Sometimes her mafia series can be a hit or miss with me. But anyway I like her writing style and she is pretty much one of those authors I will pick up just because her name is there. I'm happy to say that this book was a hit with me.

I really liked all the main characters and I could totally understand and feel for the struggles Jess went through with wanting a relationship with Trace, even knowing the mafia part of him and wanting to be true to herself and her career as a P.O. I liked that this author could capture Jess as an independent bad ass because I think a lot of books get it wrong.

I did think the "romance" parts were a little cringe. So I skimmed those parts but I did like the attraction they felt for each other and how they were drawn together. This book was filled with action and did have some twists that I didn't see coming. The cliffhanger at the end was pretty gut wrenching so I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Tijan will never disappoint. She always writes the most amazing books and A Dirty Business was so good! When I received this book I still had a major book hangover from her last book The Revenge, but this book is another great romantic suspense that you will not be able to put down. You will love Jess and Trace. Can’t wait for the next book!!!

So I have read a couple of Tijan's works and it's safe to say I am a fan. I liked the plot, characters, romance, and the spice. What I especially liked was the question of ethics and morals Jess had to deal with internally along with what she truly wanted. I am all for a slow burn but this a little slow for me personally. The short chapters helped but I still feel like I'm being led in a circle in some parts but overall can't wait for the next book as there is a cliffhanger.

Jess and Tristian meet in an unexpected way; once their eyes make contact, they both became intrigued. Jess looked into the handsome businessman's eyes and saw that something was lingering in them. Jess has always seen things in black and white due to her profession. Tristian portfolio looks great to the outside world, it's his family that is seedy. 

Tristian uncle Stephano is the head of the west family mafia, he's been known to help them out. Stephano has become ill and asked Tristian to take over. There isn't anything Tristian wouldn't do for his uncle since his being a father figure to me more than his own.

Jess Montell tries to do the best she can in her professional job as a portal officer during the week and on weekends bartender at a hip nightclub in the city. Jess has her family problems: her brother is in jail for the murder of her father, mom an alcoholic. Jess and her best friend Kelly are like family, they live together to make ends meet. 

Tristian is having a hard time letting go of his meeting with Jess, but once he finds out she the law it changes everything. Jess knows Tristian is someone she needs to forget, she sees it in his eyes...she hears all the gossip.  Can they stay away from each other or will they give in to the temptation of crossing the lines?

Tijan books are more geared towards YA and the characters are younger, so this was a bit different with older more professional characters. The mafia storyline was edgy, dark drew you in from the very first page. There w a few times that I was shocked by the turn of events.  The chemistry between the main characters was a slow-burn romance. The secondary characters weren't t shabby either. A Dirty business is a new series that is very different than the rest of her books

Absolutely nowhere have I seen any notice that this doesn't stand on its own, and I had no interest in starting a series with no end in sight. I'm a Tijan fan, but let readers make that decision themselves. Feeling disappointed in this.

It's been a while since I last read Tijan's books and the fact that this is a mafia romance, I jumped on it real quick. I enjoyed Trace and Jess' story. It's fast-paced, full of suspense and kept me intrigued the whole time. However! Ugh, I don't know why Tijan didn't preface that it's going to end on a cliffhanger though. That really made me want to throw my kindle. Now I have to wait for the continuation.

I have read some of Tijan's books released in Poland and I'm here reviewing the newest story - A Dirty Business. This was something else - a unique experience.
Our main heroine, Jess, is a parole officer. a law officer, that is good at this, but this job does not have a big income. This is the reason that she needs to work at the bar as a bartender - a mix that should not work, but when you want you to make everything work, right? An easy life was not her case, a family that is divided so much that it hurt from reading about it. I wanted to hug her, but she was a strong girl that can survive. Jess also has friends that will help her in case of any needs - different sex, and she can count on them.
Tristan (Trace) is a successful man, and when he first met Jess he was intrigued by her - a strong woman that has also a feminine side. And she's his match not cautious when with him - which is a pleasant surprise. Trace's family is not a law-abiding one, they are mafia and he's the one that will be leading his family in the future. Family needs to be always safe, no matter what!
Some twists and turns will give us a great read and allow us to get deeper into the story. I hope there will be more intriguing parts in the next book in the series as I will read it! Can't wait for it!

Every time a book ends with a cliffhanger I am just stunned. Like what the heck!! That was so rude to just end the book that way 😂 but anyways I loved this book!!! I originally got this book as an arc but didn’t get to read it until now and I’m mad at myself. This book had me hooked I loved the mafia tie in and the law enforcement side as well. I also loved that there was a plot throughout the entire book and not just romance. Now I guess I just need to patiently wait for the next book 🫠

I am not always a fan of Mafia romance usually I can take them or leave them, but this new book from Tijan hooked me right from the start and kept me reading to the end. Jess and Trace were amazing characters both hardcore and tough and perfect partners but were unfortunately on opposite sides of the law. Given their totally incompatible lives it seeemed impossible for these two to be together. No matter how much they fought their attraction to each other they were unable to stay away and we were treated to some wonderfully sexy steamy scenes.

This story kept me on a knife edge all the way through just waiting for the heavy boot to fall, everything was leading that way and I wanted to know how they would deal with it. Which one of them would have to cross the line into good or bad so they could stay together, would their love be strong enough?

I didn't realise that there would be a cliffhanger in this book when I picked it up and I was a bit disappointed. However with the totally unexpected happenings and the tension towards the end of the book I think I am glad to get a break before taking on the next part, it was so intense.

I have not read many of Tijan's books as her tropes are not usually my favourites but I absolutely loved A Dirty Business for it's heart stopping action and incredibly steamy romance and I cannot wait for the next part.

A Dirty Business by Tijan is the first in her new series Kings Of New York. It is an absolutely gripping suspense romance about Tristian ‘Trace’ West and Jess Montell. What happens when two strangers accidentally meet and desperately want each other but they are from two different worlds. If they start a relationship everything will change for her, so is he prepared to pursue her knowing what it will cost her to be with him.

Trace is a businessman in Wall Street but he also happens to be the heir to one of New York’s biggest mafia families. His Uncle currently runs the family business and Trace helps out when needed. His best friend Ashton Walden also lives the same two lives. They don’t mind helping their families but do question if they want to live the full mafia lifestyle. Jess is a parole officer who loves her job and lives with her best friend Kelly. She also works weekends at a local nightclub to help support her alcoholic mother and her brother who is in prison. She has a very strained relationship with her mother who causes her lots of upset.

Trace and Jess meet totally by accident and the sparks fly straight away. She has no idea who he is but her instincts tell her he is dangerous. Neither can forget about the other and to satisfy his curiosity he gets a PI to find out as much about her as possible. Their attraction to each other is so strong and every time they cross paths the connection is undeniable. Although she tells him to stay away, he just can’t because the temptation is too hard to resist.

Things become more difficult and complicated when his Uncle needs him more than ever to handle situations. When her family becomes embroiled with his family business, decisions have to be made and options fully considered. Can he leave his family behind for her? Can he keep her if he stays working for the family?

Lines are blurred and nothing is black and white anymore as she becomes more involved in his life. She is the enemy to his family, with her on one side and he on the other. He really wants her in his life but what would the fallout be if they continued seeing each other. She is finding she wants him as much as he wants her. Her life revolves around law enforcement so could she chose him because there is no getting around who he is and what he does.

It was fun seeing two mentally and physically strong characters losing control whenever they got together because the chemistry between them was so strong. The way they affected each other totally took over and I hoped they would finally give in. Their relationship is full of angst, drama, hurt and yearning. Ashton becomes very concerned over Trace’s infatuation with Jess and worries she could be a target against him.

There are so many twists and turns in this thrilling story. I loved how the author sucks you in with their relationship then blows the story apart with unstable parents, mafia turf wars and family dynamics to negotiate. I loved the way she wove a mysterious web of connections between everyone which will leave you with so many questions. Then she tops it all off with a shocking cliffhanger. I loved this and couldn’t put it down. It is definitely one of my favourite reads this year, I just didn’t want it to end and I can’t wait for book two.

Jess and Trace were a push and pull of damning proportions and high stakes as morality ran rampant. Tijan has incorporated the thrill of the chase and the chill of danger, and combined it with that delicious ‘hate to want you’ tension that fans go wild for, and it paid off!

Mafia Romance presented a new face as these two went up against their definitions of right and wrong, their pasts, family, and the rising tension burning between them. Both Jess and Trace were strong-willed, likeable leads, and I loved the direction Tijan chose to go for their story. It’s not everyday you uncover a mafia lead wrapped up (literally) in the law 😉

There is a maturity to Tijan’s writing and the play of events, and the added conflict lended by Jess’ job bolstered that tension and presented a display of strength and passion from both parties that I loved to see. The side characters were strong, and the world that’s been sculpted vivid as every element came into play in crafting this dirty new obsession. With a little less gore and bloodshed for bloodshed sake, everything worked in sync, from the politics of a thriving dynasty, the abundance of tension and heat, and the blurred lines and family dynamics playing out alongside one another. I loved every second!

For an obsession worth getting dirty over, look no further than this opportunity to get all up in this dirty business - The temptation is too good to pass up!