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

Tijan's books are different. They're not sweet romances but there's definitely romance there. They're gritty. They're interesting. A Cruel Arrangement was definitely what I'd expected in all the right ways.

Gritty certainly describes both Ashton and Molly. She's what this Westerner expects a New Yorker to be. She's tough. When she's robbed, she's not one to cower in a corner and wait for it to be over. And Ashton? Well he's a mob boss, enough said.

I normally can't like characters that "gritty" (sticking with a theme) but I can learn to enjoy their story sometimes. I actually liked these two. There's something redeeming about Ashton. Like he's a nice guy under his tough as nails exterior. He's equally the mob boss and a decent friend and nice lover. Molly is good and wants to live a nice life but he dad has made that all but impossible. Just when she thought she had her bowling alley and life was on track, Ashton has news she's shocked to hear.

As the two go about dodging all manner of bad guys and bad situations they start to really come together. I just thoroughly enjoyed their tale. Part love story, part intriguing crime story, part just plain life and the problems it throws at you, I can recommend this story to anyone who enjoys any of those elements.

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC.

I love the book. The characters were so loveable. The chemistry they had was so good. Also it was easy to read, I could imagine it all. The character development was amazing. And the story was too good. The plots were ohmygod!!! Love the book overall.

A Cruel Arrangement is Molly Easter and Ashton Walden love and hate and love story. The second book in Kings of New York duet by Tijan.

A Cruel Arrangement - Kings of New York #2 - Review

Couple: Ashton Walden & Molly Easter

Author: Tijan

Tropes: mafia romance, dark romance, forced proximity, frenemy to lover

Review: This book is Ashton’s story and it is dark, twisty and a bit lonely. It is a dual POV romance that picks up where the first book left off.

I think Ashton was my favorite of the couple in this story. He is so complex and I enjoyed reading from his mind. His loyalty to Trace and then his confusion and then realization to why Trace reacted so violently after he came clean about what he did to Jess in book 1 was super pivotal to me. I enjoyed how he began to admire Jess’ strength and want her forgiveness so him and Trace could be close again. I also loved ow Ashton was so oblivious and Trace’s humor to his situation made the tension hilarious.

I felt like Tijan did a wonderful job with making Ashton’s inner darkness relatable and mystifying at the same time. I enjoyed how she did not try to humanize his actions all the wya thought.

Molly was a firecracker and I liked her wit and obstinance towards Ashton. I enjoyed how her struggles with her father and the realization that her bowling was not her own were raw and honest. I did not enjoy how she did not communicate a lot with Ashton at first or about how she tried to save her father over and over.

The couple has a ton of chemistry in this book and it is HOT. Both of them fit each other in small and intricate ways. I felt like the progression was good and enjoyed how both of them fit into the overall plot of the series.

Rating: 8.5/10, Wanted more communication and better apology to Jess

4.5 Stars

You know how you can find that one character that is so quirky and odd to a point, but you can’t help but love them? That’s Molly. I loved all of her idiosyncrasies. She and Ashton are complete opposites, but compliment each other so very well. He definitely had his hands full with her lol. Another great story in this series of standalones from Tijan. Can’t wait for more.

Angela - Alphas Do It Better Book Blog

This book was okay but I didn’t really love the love interest so I have to give this book 3,5 stars. I really really loved the ending tho so that’s why it gets that +0,5 stars.❤️

Going into book 2 I was a little leary of Ashton, he was not a favorite in book one Dirty Business. When I noticed that spark Molly had when being near him in book 1, I thought perhaps I could grow to like him.
Molly has a backbone and isn't exactly afraid of Ashton, more like intimidated. She knows who he is and what he is capable of. When Molly finds out secrets of her past that Ashton is apart of, she is beyond angry and wants to make her father pay. Ashton has ideas to use Molly as bait to get answers about what happen to a mutual friend and use it to help get back in good favor of Jess, from book 1.
This book is a good follow up to Dirty Business. As danger starts to get closer and closer to Molly, Ashton's protectiveness of her becomes paramount. The chemistry between Ashton and Molly is palpable and intense even if they both want to deny it.
I will say the ending was not my favorite, it just seemed too rushed and ended to abruptly.

4 Stars

I am a massive fan of Tijan and this story has great build and anticipation for what is to come. It is twisty but swoony. I was not sure how I could have gotten over what Ashton doing what he did in the prior book attached to this one but he redeemed himself. Molly is quirky and I adored her character. Great read!

4.5 stars

This is the second book in the Kings of New York duet and it is one emotional roller coaster ride and readers will need to brace themselves. If you are into mafia reads, then this is one for you. Molly is living her life doing what she can to distance herself from her father and his reputation within the criminal world by running a bowling alley, Easter Lanes, that she bought her father out of. Unfortunately, an armed robbery at her workplace lands her in the hospital and things get interesting. Ashton is the new head of the Walden mafia after a few of his relatives were killed by a rival family. Along with his best friend Trace, they rule the criminal underworld in NYC. When Ashton gets wind of Molly being in the hospital, he goes to her side and takes over ultimately removing her from the premises and bringing her to his home. The two have known each other since childhood but their relationship is strained. However, when two of Ashton and Trace’s friends wind up dead, Ashton asks Molly to ask her father to see what information he can get along with surprising her with news about Easter Lanes. Overall, this is one dark and gritty read that started a little slow but picked up as the pages turned. The simmering chemistry between Molly and Ashton is palpable. Tijan has a writing style that make her characters seem lifelike and it can make you shiver because it’s so good. I would recommend reading A Dirty Business prior to this book.

I absolutely love Tijan and reading the wide range of stories she writes. As soon as I know she has written a book, I am all over it. But I have to say I was a bit weary of A Cruel Arrangement. I absolutely loved A Dirty Business and both Trace and Jess so much, so I was not sure how I would feel about Ashton’s book. But I should have known Tijan would have me covered and getting into his mind helped me understand (even if not totally forgive), but we get to see him realize what he did.

I adored Molly. She is a caring and likeable, but also so strong and determined. Ashton knew who he was and what he was capable off. He had no regrets but was protective of those he cared for. Watching them interact was so much fun. They were attracted to each other, but so much suspense was happening all around them. But as the danger got close, I loved how protective Ashton became. Their chemistry was undeniable and loved the friendship and connection they had with Trace and Jess. Another great read from this author.

Happy reading!