I wanted to like this a lot more than I did, I think that's why I put off reviewing it for so long. The writing was okay and so were the characters, but nothing was really hooking me. The story felt really predictable, and I think that's what really made me struggle to get into it.

I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley. As always, my opinions are entirely my own.

Not exactly what I expected, but I shouldn’t have been surprised, this author does like to keep us on our toes

Tijan has done it yet again! I loved Ashton and Molly's story. The forbidden push and pull between the two of them kept me enthralled in the story.

Molly was caught in a attempted robbery at her business and due to the mafia families at war, Molly is on the front line. Ashton and Molly have a past and he doesn't know what to do with the feelings he has for Molly. Ashton is the leader of a mafia family and has no time for anything other than business. There are many secrets that could make or break them and Ashton is not willing to let those secrets free.

As Ashton tries to cope with the killing of a friend and feelings for Molly, can he prepare himself for what's in store? Does he has the power to stay away and be the boss everyone know him to be?

You do not want to miss this story!

BAD. BAD. THIS BOOK WAS SO BAD. take a shot every time the fmc tries to be the hero for completely selfish reasons, take a shot every time she mentions how many times a gun has been held to her ehad, take a shot every time they have sex instead of communicating- you will be blacked out.
they are breaking up and heres how i know- they are mistaking love for lust IF YOU SAY ILY FOR THE FIRST TIME DURING SEX you will break up i swear it
i just hated this book with a burning fiery fury it was so cringe and lame the plot wanted so bad to give murder mystery but all it gave was 'i watched one youtube video about the mafia and now im gonna write a book about it'
way too many characters that had no point
i felt like the scenes were stuck in sludge, nothing was happening but the same thing over and over again- reminded me of after by anna todd if it was not fun
i highly do not recommend that you waste your time with this dumster fire. the only reason i finished it is because i was listening to it as an audiobook

Ashton stole my heart. He grabbed in the last book but this is what solidify him there.

This mafia guy meets his match in Molly who is not as weak or innocent as one would think. She can handle herself in some very creative ways. Watching him unwrap her was so much fun because you know he was a goner. No matter how hard he tried.

The last book left us shook and in this one we get to the heart of that tragic cliffhanger. Not really a surprise in some way as to who was behind it but still enjoyed the ride as more mysteries evolved and were solved.

It’s a bit of slow burn but man when they hit the sheets, it’s explosive.

I enjoyed this second book in the Kings of New York series. Which is an interconnected standalone. You don't have to have read the first one to read this. But the first one is great, definitely recommend and it also comes with the audio included/available if you Kindle Unlimited limited which is bonus great feature. The dual narration is done well. 

The characters from the first book do make appearances because the FMCs are friends and MCs are best friends. The first book in the series is summarized in a way that gives you enough information to understand what's going on with the character's in the world read aa standalone. While also being told In a way that if you have read it,  refreshes your memory but isn't too much repeated information. 

I really liked Ashton in the first book and was really excited for him to get his story. I like him throughout the first since that happened towards the end is mentioned in this one. Again always been a fan and I think this will make anyone a fan. I think he's a great character and I really like him as an MC. It's told Duel POV so we get both of their perspectives which I really enjoy. And there was a great setup for the relationship. Twist and turns in a lot to keep you reading. Just like the first book in the series. I'm really enjoying this vibe for Tijan.

The book keeps you reading and the the audio keeps you listening in the narration is done well. Definitely recommend this book and this series.

If you like mafia romances, I would recommend A Cruel Arrangement. Ashton is in the mob, while Molly is the daughter of a lowlife who's in debt to them. The story is told from both their perspectives.

I would have liked to see more of the couple's past, because they already have an established acquaintanceship when the story starts. At times the narration felt meandering, which seems like a stylistic choice - for me, it felt somewhat extraneous. Ashton's narration was more concise, and I felt the writing was stronger there.

There were a couple lines that really blew me away, for example: "She was either my target, my mark, my woman, or my cross to bear. Any and all ways I split it, she was mine." I mean, that's what you want from a mafia romance!

I had some trouble keeping track of the cast of characters. I'm not sure if there were two characters named Jess? And this is most likely just a me issue as I watched the movie From Justin to Kelly 100 times when I was younger, but naming a couple Justin and Kelly was giving me flashbacks to the early aughts.

Thank you to Tijan and the publisher for the ARC!

Woah, WOW, Wonderful! My first read by this author. The story was so, so detailed, the complexity and the the characters we so well thought out and deep. Ashton is one complex man, and you only see what he admits at the very end, how really true that is. Molly totally makes me smile, especially with "the switch", and "the fuzzies", it's amazing. The transition from first meeting to where they ended up is quite the journey, filled with highs and lows. Amusing in the bowling alley in the beginning and swoon worthy in the latest compound. A high intensity read but also with big, big smile moments, e.g., like her computer password! I loved the secondary characters, Avery and Elijah. The make up of the foursome, the roles of each of them, the layers that are being peeled back in Ashton and Molly and it's wonderful to see. "Pinkie" You have to read this story!

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

I loved this book so much Ashton was totally redeemed for me in this book and this was the perfect ending to the duet!

From New York Times bestselling author Tijan comes the intensely passionate story of a man trying to make amends and the woman who makes him want to keep his promises.
_
I am new to the Kings of New York, this is Ashton's story. Luckily it can be read as a standalone since this is book 2.
Molly and Ashton's chemistry is intense. Ashton is the head in his Mafia family. Molly has had a bad childhood and finds out she was conned and is connected to him. Now someone is after her.
This story had so much suspense and action.

Read if you like:
✨ Mafia
✨ Murder mystery
✨ Touch her and die
✨ Rivals to lovers

Thank you montlake for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

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!