This is book two of the Kings of New York series and it dives straight into where things left off from the previous book. This book follows Ashton and Molly and they had me by the THROAT. Book one was good for me, I liked it enough but I LOVED this book. I love morally grey men and Ashton is morally grey to a f*cking tee. He's so unhinged and from the glimpses that we got of Molly from book one, I had a feeling that she would be his perfect match.

I love an unhinged MMC but put him together with an unhinged FMC??? It was the most perfect mess. I loved Molly from the jump and knew she would have Ashton wrapped around her in no time.

What started off as a deal between the two, turned into the hottest duo I never knew I needed. Molly and Ashton weren't just hot, they were FERAL for each other. The spice in this book and the connection between Molly and Ashton was amazing. I loved the slow burn and the build up to what they became. They're so possessive over each other and they're a new fav couple of mine. Molly is as cute as she is crazy and Ashton LOVES her for it. He loves the way her mind works and loves the sunshine in her just as much as he loves the darkness.

I wouldn't say this is a standalone so be sure to read book one first so you can understand the plot to everything that's happening!

Thank you Tijan and Valentine PR for this ARC!

4.5 'Pinkie' Stars!
ARC provided via Valentine PR in exchange for an honest review.

After the cliffhanger that Tijan left us with at the end of A Dirty Business, I was definitely curious to know what was coming next in this series. I was also excited to know who would be the special lady to make Ashton fall in love. Tijan did not disappoint, of course. If you are a fan of mafia romance and bad boys falling head over heels in love, you have to check out this series and this new release!

So, A Cruel Arrangement is the second (and I believe last) installment in Tijan’s Kings of New York series and, as I mentioned, it tells the story of Ashton Walden and Molly Easter. We met these two characters in the first book, both being friends of the main characters there. Ashton is now the head of the Walden family mafia and he has Molly’s business in his hands. If he helps her with something, he is willing to give her back the place she calls home. However, what happens when Ashton’s darkness is attracted to Molly’s light?

She was mine.
I wasn’t letting her go.
She was, just, she was mine.
She owned me, and god help anyone who tried to take her away from me.

I did thoroughly enjoy the two books in this series. They do share similarities but they are still very different from one another. Maybe that’s why I enjoyed A Cruel Arrangement even a bit more. I do love reading characters who cannot stop being drawn to each other. While Ashton and Molly don’t want to accept the sparks between them, it’s not so easy to ignore them. When that chemistry finally explodes, it’s not only sexy, it gets emotional fast and it was really amazing to read. These two fall HARD for each other and I loved it. And yes, there are many obstacles on the way, secrets and mafia business but this couple is stronger than all of that.

I was in the arms of a guy who was my next chapter. Whether it was good, long, bad, brief, whatever, or wherever Ashton planned to take me, he was the next chapter.

Therefore, I am rating A Cruel Arrangement with 4.5 STARS because it was a great continuation of the first installment of this series. I loved getting to know more about all these characters and reading how Ashton and Molly fall in love. It wasn’t all easy but it was worth it in the end. Their connection is just truly beautiful. I wish we had a bit of a longer epilogue though to wrap everything up but still I really enjoyed this book overall. If you are a fan of mafia romance, make sure to check out this series!

In my opinion, this is not a standalone book. I hadn’t read the first in this series and I struggled to understand the book at first.

But having said that I still really enjoyed Molly and Aston’s story. She was definitely the light to his dark, but had some real spunk to her and knew how to act in tense situations. I love a story with a protective man who hates everyone but his lady love.

The overall storyline was intense and definitely kept you intrigued. If you are a fan of mafia romance, this is surely one to check out.

The second book in the Kings of New York series and while I was expecting the continuation of Trace and Jess’s story that had begun in A Dirty Business, A Cruel Arrangement is the story of Trace’s partner and fellow mafia King, Ashton Walden and Molly Easter. The story starts with the Kings at war and Ashton sees Molly as a tool to get what he wants and he’ll use any means at his disposal to do so .

After his actions regarding Jess in the first book I really didn’t like Ashton, in fact I’d go as far as saying I actively hated him and for the first few chapters here I couldn’t see that changing. I couldn’t tell if even liked Molly or if she was just a means to an end. He was definitely not my idea of hero material but then he started to grow on me as his feelings for Molly developed and he did a complete turnaround going from being willing to use her to being ultra-overprotective giving off a definite “touch her and die” vibe. With Molly in his life it meant he could see how messed up some of his previous actions were. His relationship with her was actually quite complex once their childhood connection was revealed. Molly is an intriguing character. Her mother dead and a hunter for a father who only remembers he has a daughter when he needs bailed out of jail so she spent much of her childhood in care. All she cares about is her bowling alley and the handful of friends she has and when either is threatened it’s like some switch is tripped in her almost like a Jekyll and Hyde moment so, in her own way, she’s just as much of a bada$$ as Jess. Unfortunately she’s a magnet for danger with a habit of ending up with a gun pointed in her face much to Ashton’s displeasure so let’s just say the body count is high. The overall story is fast paced with lots of danger, violence and threats but for me the strong point in A Cruel Arrangement is the character development especially that of Ashton and the impact it has on the relationships between the other characters.

Tijan is this author, that I really love to read, but honestly sometimes it's hard for me to dive in for a 100% in her words. With this title, I didn't have this problem, the whole story line sucked me into in a matter of seconds. A Cruel Arrangementt definitely is this book that had kept me in line since the first pages and I loved it so much. I could feel from the beginning, that Author knows exactly how to lead her characters thru the pages. It was emotional, intense and packed with tons of unexpected twists and action.

The relationship between Molly and Ashton is everything. They are opposite to each other, but they can't denied the push/pull between them. Their feelings were intese, but built in typical Tijan's style. Where is the love and drama, she knows how to put everything together and left readers speachless at the end.

Highly recommend this title.

A Cruel Arrangement by Tijan, is the second book in the Kings of New York Series, this time we will get to know Molly Easter better, who is a sweet, independent girl, loyal to her friends and with a positive attitude, even though her life has been full of difficult moments and not so pleasant experiences, we met her in the first book as the owner of Easter Lanes, although now she will discover in the worst way that once again she was deceived by her father, this is where comes into play the enigmatic, cold, calculating and extremely handsome and dangerous Ashton Walden, who after what happened to his family is the head of his organization, which together with Trace's family, are the ones who dominate the Mafia in New York, this man will approach Molly with the intention of using it and thus being able to get answers and the person behind of what happened. This puts Molly in danger and is Ashton's chance to use her as a token to get what he needs, but little did he know that he would be drawn to this woman so unique and unlike anything he's ever known and determined to protect her. . Just like in the first book, get ready to live with these characters moments full of action, suspense, anguish, unexpected twists, new alliances, loyalties put to the test, as well as sad moments and tears but also crazy moments that will make you laugh out loud, I really enjoy this story from beginning to end.
I advise you to read the first book before entering this story so that you don't spoil the first book since the main reason for the plot in this story has to do with the end of the previous book, well, now that the clarification is done, I tell you to go read this story now, you won't regret it. Highly recommended!!

Tijan has created such an awesome duology with the Kings of New York. Although a part of me wishes for more in this universe, I enjoyed the conclusion and felt it ended the duology well. After leaving us on a heckuva cliffhanger at the end of A Dirty Business, I wondered how Tijan would bring the two together, and like the true magician she is she crafted an intense and dazzling follow-up with A Cruel Arrangement.

Ashton has far more darkness in him than Trace, Ashton is taking over as head of the family, and he's far more ruthless. He finds himself being drawn more and more into Molly Easter's life and business because of her father's involvement with the family. There's some history between the two, which is slowly revealed in the story. What shines about this story is Molly; she is tough, loyal, mouthy, and resourceful. She has her own darkness, but what's more important is the flexibility in her personality. She's not constantly digging her heels in and refusing help; she goes with the flow that will keep her safe. That is, until she doesn't and decides to follow her gut. There were a few moments in this book that were cute and giggle-worthy between Molly and Ashton.

This book was a freaking fantastic read from cover to cover 400+ pages that I devoured pretty much in one sitting because I didn't want to stop the story. This suspenseful story moves at a great pace, with fantastically complex characters who blend so well that you would like to hang out with them for a while. Tijan's writing in this duology as well as her previous series, The Insiders, have been somewhat dark with anti-heroes who are fabulous, and stories you can't get enough of. Grab A Cruel Arrangement today!

This was a good read. That ending was very good. I need more from this series. I have no words how to describe how I feel about read this book! I need more!!!!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in this series – and I would definitely recommend that you read them in order, and possibly close together. Tijan does a good job of reminding the reader of the importance of elements of the story from the previous book, and actually, that reminder of what Ashton did... makes it very difficult to warm to him.

Any fan of Tijan's books will know that it can be quite a stretch to see how on earth a happily ever after can come from what is first given to us, and in this book I found it even more difficult – but Molly was a far stronger character that one might have first imagined.

Be ready for a bumpy ride, but have faith. I am looking forward to the next installment already!


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Mafia Romance

Molly owns a bowling alley that has become the local hangout. Her family is there for her. But when tragedy strikes and she loses two of her own, Molly will have to rely on old skills learned from her con man father to survive what's to come.

Ashton is the new head of his family. While he knows what's at stake, he doesn't truly know how it will play out. Molly is his new target, but when he gets to see how strong and amazing Molly is, Ashton will have to decide if he's still willing to go through with his plan.

Tijan does a good job of walking you through the issues from the previous book without going histrionic. You could read this as a standalone, but I don't recommend it.

I wish that Ashton was stronger in this story. Afterall, it was his story. I felt that he had a stronger voice in book one. For me, the romance just didn't work well. Ashton and Molly were an odd pairing and just didn't seem to mesh as well as other Tijan characters have. But if you're a fan of Tijan, that will only be a slight blip in the story. You'll still enjoy the heck out of it.


Erica – ☆☆☆
3.5 stars

A CRUEL ARRANGEMENT is the second installment of the Kings of New York series.

Can it be read as a standalone? Honestly, I do believe so, especially since this is two new narrators connected to the previous two. It has been so long since I read the first in the series, I had forgotten many plot points, yet I had no problem diving in. While I do believe the novel can be read as a standalone, the emotional payout is greater if read in series order.

Tijan did an excellent job spiking my memory to events that happened in the previous novel without a dreaded info-dump. A smooth transition between sets of narrators, the novels flawlessly connecting as the story continues.

Molly Easter is sweet yet has tons of moxie. She owns the bowling alley, which she purchased off her gambling addict of a father. They're connected to the mafia through his debts. Molly keeps a clear divide between her life and her father's, only to discover what she thought was truth was false, upturning her entire life.

Ashton is the new head of the Walden family. While he is a loyal and supportive friend, the darker and grittier aspects of life are his true calling. He enjoys the cruelty of it all when it comes to those who put his way of life at risk.

Opposites attract, yet there are some similarities too. Ashton is on a quest to discover who murdered a pair of their friends, especially since his best friend's girlfriend is hurting. Ashton sees it as a way to heal the wound he created during the last novel. Since it all connects to Molly, a shared group of friends, Molly is willing to do anything to help.

On the mafia front, there are three mafia families preparing for war. Ashton and his best friend, new to being in charge, are allies. The murdered friend was a member of a rival mafia family by blood but not by deed. Add law enforcement in the rival mafia family, burglaries drawing Molly into it, along with her shyster of a father, Molly become Ashton's full-time job.

While I was entertained, I was not hooked as I usually am with Tijan's novels. All the right elements were there, but they just didn't seem to grab my interests. I enjoyed Molly's character and personality, but Ashton wasn't as intriguing during his own narration as he was in the previous novel when I wasn't deep inside his head.

There were a ton of pages, but I felt it meandered. I didn't feel the need to feverishly read as I usually do with a Tijan novel. I was able to put the novel down and go do other things without the story invading my thoughts. I wasn't connected to it. I wasn't hooked. I wanted to love it, and I did enjoy most of it, I just wasn't as enthralled as I hoped to be.

I loved Molly other than the odd "switch" and I wanted the intriguing Ashton from the previous novel instead of the one-note character I felt him to be while inside his head. Honestly, I felt the "voice" of both narrators sounded more like teenagers, not fully grown adults who owned businesses and were in charge of many beneath them.

Ashton and Molly are fire together… I loved these two and the way their personalities actually fit, though they seem like they might not at first glance. This one was a complex puzzle of pieces, but Ashton is the man to solve the mysteries that keep cropping up, and Tijan was the perfect author to craft this one, ensuring it truly worked. It is a generous mix of spice and story, and I devoured every last word!

This is the second book in the King of New York. This can be read as a standalone but there is information from book one you will be spoiled on. This book is about Molly and Ashton. This mafia story has so many twist and turns that I didn't see coming. I loved how Ashton was with Molly and to see Molly grow as a strong fmc. Wouldn't mind seeing more in this world.

Great ending!

Molly is a unique and quirky character. She and Ashton take us on a wild ride as they find their way to an HEA as well as concluding the story from book 1.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

Book two of the series is here and should be read after A Dirty Business. Ashton was on my *hit list after his actions in the first one so I wasn't sure if I could grow to like him but I had faith in the author and it was rewarded. This is a story that builds the further you get and it wasn't long before I was hooked on the dynamics between Molly and Ashton.

I loved them as a couple the slow build only intensified the give and take of their relationship. Molly is a strong independent woman with a feisty personality, she is fiercely loyal and loves hard. Now Ashton is the very definition of closed off, he is ruthless, unapologetic and demanding you don't get a second chance with this guy. The romance was well written, it was a mix of spicy sexy and sweet with some seriously intense chemistry. I enjoyed the mix of suspense and romance it worked perfectly with the pace of the storyline. Jess and Trace are an integral part of the story, I loved seeing the four of them coming together ... eventually. I really hope this is not the last we see of these characters and this world.

Don't we all have a switch that makes us go off to crazy town? I love that Molly knows when she hits that switch. She had a lifetime of betrayal, yet she still managed to find contentment and peace in living in the moment.

I read and reviewed a copy of this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.

This was my place. My business. Easter Lanes. Then a guy comes in, trying to rob, daring to take it away from me. My home. My life. Heck no. I won't let my livelihood be threatened. No one know what I've done to build this life for myself. Except he might. Ashton Walden, a man I remember from when we were kids. Even back then I could tell how dangerous he would be one day. He's now the head of the Walden mafia family, and my father is so in debt to them that they practically own him. My dad and I are estranged and I want nothing to do with him or his debt. but the day after the attempted robbery, I didn't wake up in the hospital. I woke up in Ashton Walden's home. And he drops a bomb on me. If I want my livelihood back, I need to earn it back. And thus begins our cruel arrangement.

This is the story of Molly and Ashton. Molly is one of the funniest characters I have ever read in a Mafia book. She is bubbly and fun and just had a great personality. She also has a father that is so in debt to Ashton the head of his family's mafia that she is shocked that he isn't owned by them. Ashton is super smart and very headstrong and has a protective streaks miles long. All the protectiveness is aimed right at Molly too. Molly is hard working and has built from the ground up everything that he has and is certainly estranged from her father for various reason but his debt is something that she wants no part of just like she has no part of her dad anymore. Someone though tries to rob Molly and things go very wrong and she ends up needing to be in the hospital. However when she wakes up she isn't in the hospital she is in the house of Ashton Walden. Things are about to get very interesting and all of your questions from the first book are answered in this one. It was a really good read that I enjoyed.

Received an Advanced Reader’s Copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

If you’re like me, and you just auto-read some authors and barely bother to ever read the blurbs of their books, then I’ll have you know The Cruel Arrangement is second in the Kings of New York series. I happened to read book one, The Dirty Business, a few months ago and remember being curious about Molly and Ashton and despite that it took me a moment to connect the whole story back again to this series when I started TCA.

The first largest advice I would give anybody, given my experience, is to read the book in a fairly continuous stretch. I ended up being forced to take breaks in between because suddenly my schedule had 482929 things I needed to do. Coming back to the story in intervals did real harm to the thread of the story. I was so lost and confused despite having read about 50% of the book in a stretch. So definitely read the book without long breaks.

Molly was definitely my most favourite heroine/character written by Tijan. She was somehow the perfect kind of quirky, whimsical and sensible. I can’t remember the last time Tijan wrote a character like her. Ashton was an interesting person to see fall in love. The people with the hardest hearts, feel the deepest for someone.

The pace was set from the very first page and it was brutal. Had it not been for those unavoidable breaks I took, I would’ve finished the book much faster. While this book could work as a stand-alone from the perspective of Molly and Ashton’s story, the entirety of the plot works well only if you’ve read the books in order. So definitely dive into The Cruel Arrangement after reading The Dirty Business.

Four stars! Definitely read the trigger warnings for this series before you enter the Kings of New York series. Be safe and happy reading.

After reading A Dirty Business I was intrigued by Ashton.
So I was excited knowing he was getting his story told. And it was absolutely not what I expected.
There is so much more to him than what meets the eye.
As more is revealed about him and his past, his actions are better understandable and why he trusts very few people.
I liked Ashton and felt for him. He’s loyal to those he loves. He protects those he is responsible for.
He’s tough, dangerous and enjoys mafia life. He lives for the danger and the thrill of the hunt.
Trying to do right by Jess after his abhorrent behavior. He’s determined to find who murdered Kelly and Justin.
By any means necessary and whoever he needs to use to get his answers.
Molly I so adored her. She’s quirky, sweet and has a flip side that surfaces when she’s under extreme duress.
. Her inner dialogue is funny and interesting. She has a unique way of thinking and analyzing.
And she is the best friend anyone could ask form.
Right away the tension between her and Ashton could be felt. Tension that starts off in a hostile way.
And slowly that tension goes from hostile to more intense feelings.
Their physical attraction builds and builds then explodes. It’s hot and sexy.
I loved how Molly was able to reach Ashton’s heart and soul. I don’t think he ever thought he’d have his one.
So it warmed my heart that he was able to find his joy and peace with Molly.
The drama and suspense to figure out who killed Kelly and Justin was exciting and had me guessing who the murderer was.
I was gripped with the story and couldn’t put it down.
And the epilogue left me with a big smile on my face.

Omg. Ashton is such a jerk and I fell deeply in love with him! This is the second Kings of New York book and all hell has broken loose. Ashton and Trace are the Dons and it picks up where we left off in A Dirty Business. The book starts off with a bang and gives us a good look at Molly. We get learn about the past through the present and are taken on a ride. Things aren’t what they seem and by the end of the book I was in shock. We get to see Trace & Jess’ life and are then are pulled into Molly and Ashton’s relationship. I really did fall in love with Ashton by the end. I loved these characters and although it’s a duet and loose ends are tied up I wish for more. It’s such a good series and Tijan again showed her talent is endless.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🔥🔥

“You run and I’ll burn the world down for you.”

This is the second book in the Kings of New York series. This book had me invested from beginning to end.

Molly is the owner of Easter Lanes and one day a guy comes in a tries to rob, let’s just say the robber wasn’t expecting Molly to fight him and things get out of hand. Which leads Molly to end up in the hospital, where Ashton takes her from. Aston is the head of Walden Mafia and is looking for people reasonable for the death of Kelly & Justin. He knows the only person who can find the information is Molly’s father and so he decides to reveal to Molly that he is the actual owner of the Easter Lanes and she has been conned by her dad, also the truth behind something that happened from their past. So they made a deal that she would get the Easter Lanes, if she gets her dad to find information for him but Molly is struggling with the things she’s learned and she not taking it well. During this time, Molly is often caught in the line of fire and Ashton always seem to be there to saving her. Ashton is known for being cold and only ever cared about his best friend Trace but he now finds himself not only caring and wanting to protect Molly from harm. The relationship between these two go from them not liking each other to frenemies to lovers and once they gave into each other they couldn’t keep their hands of each other. They had a great chemistry and banter throughout the entire book. Molly becomes Ashton’s sunshine through all his darkness but don’t think that Molly doesn’t have a bit of darkness in her when she needs it, that’s why I thinks she so perfect for Ashton. Overall this book has action, suspense, steam, romance, tension, secrets, and many twist & turns I didn’t see coming. This was a great ending to this series.

I would recommend if you like:
🖤Mafia
🖤Slow burn
🖤Grumpy/ Sunshine
🖤Opposites Attract
🖤Steamy scenes🔥

Thank you ValentinePR for the ARC in exchange for a honest review!!!

This is the second book in the Kings of New York series, and it was an absolutely captivating read! I was hooked from start to finish by the intense and dark plot, and the author did an amazing job of capturing the twisted vibe of the story and its characters. This was Ashton and Molly's story, and I found his chemistry with Molly to be quite thrilling. The book was filled with heart-pounding suspense, and I was constantly on the edge of my seat. Despite all the danger, the book also had a lot of heart, especially between Molly and Ashton. I found the twists in the plot to be unexpected and the characters to be engaging, especially Molly who was a total badass and managed to handle everything that came her way. Overall, it was an excellent second book in the Kings of New York series. The romance was swoon-worthy, the plot was thrilling, and I can't wait to see what happens next in this world.