A Captive Situation is book 3 of the Kings of New York series which I read almost two years ago. I hate to say it but this book was my least favorite. It also took me some time to remember how book two ended even though book two, A Cruel Arrangement was my favorite, and honestly I still can't recall those facts.

The book starts with Sawyer getting away from her small town to visit NYC after discovering her fiancé was cheating on her with her best friend. She also wanted to connect with her cousin but when she finally made it to his place of work she ended up being arrested because of her suspicious behavior.

Former Detective Jake Worthing, now the head of the Worthing Crime Family walks into the police station to pick up his cousin and Sawyer ends up tagging along with them. Unbeknown to Jake he has been put on a kill list and because Sawyer was with him she found herself also on that list.

Honestly I couldn't connect with the FMC at all. Sawyer was winny, weird and did not listen for anything even when her life depended on it. The addition of Sawyer's cousin and his husband was fine but the gang of aunts was a bit much. I think I counted three aunts, Sawyer's mother, the cousin, his husband and two dogs. Talk about a supporting cast! It was a three ring circus dropped into a mafia romance.

I’d recommend A Dirty Business & A Cruel Arrangement is a must but personally I’d pass on this one.

Thank you NetGalley & Brilliance Audio for access to this ALC. I wish I would have liked it more.

This was a great third book in my opinion. The storyline was still very interesting and kept me engaged. The characters were well thought out and came together nicely with the story from the previous two books.

Tijan delivers yet another gripping book, A Captive Situation, the third installment in the Kings of New York series. From the very first page, I was hooked by Sawyer’s heartbreak and her unexpected plunge into a world of danger, secrets, and sizzling chemistry.

The dynamic between Sawyer and Jake is electric with equal parts tension, vulnerability, and undeniable attraction. Tijan masterfully balances dark romance with emotional depth, crafting characters who are flawed and incredibly real. Jake’s brooding intensity and Sawyer’s resilience make them a compelling pair you can’t help but root for.

The plot is fast-paced and full of twists, blending mafia intrigue with personal redemption in a way that feels fresh and addictive. I especially loved how the story explores themes of trust, betrayal, and healing, all while keeping the stakes high and the romance hotter than ever.

Whether you're a longtime fan of Tijan or new to her work, A Captive Situation is a must-read. It’s intense, heartfelt, and utterly unputdownable. I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series!

This FMC is insufferable. She's supposed to be 36 but she's a certified nincompoop. I would sooner trust a 12 y.o. alone in NYC. I cannot. I don't need a badass FMC with a black belt and "sassy" attitude but I really don't want someone who makes such trash decisions. No amount of naïveté can justify these actions at her big age.

There is no chemistry, it's instalust and he's a trigger happy ex-cop. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this title.

Thank you to the author, Brilliance and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this title. I attest that I am leaving my review voluntarily and honestly.

Review: The Captive Situation by Tijan (Kings of New York #3)
Verdict: The story starts slowly but soon builds into a high-stakes, emotionally charged romantic suspense. It highlights Tijan's mix of angst, action, and engaging character dynamics. Some readers may struggle to relate to the heroine's backstory, but the payoff is very rewarding.

The Setup:
Sawyer escapes a painful betrayal in Montana, looking for peace and a new beginning in New York. She has a list of tourist spots to visit and wants to find her cousin. Jake Worthington, recently retired from the police, is now the head of his powerful family. He is overwhelmed by grief and the danger he faces. Their paths cross dramatically, from a subway run-in to a police station, sparking a strong, immediate connection.

The Good:

Jake Worthington: He truly stands out. His fierce protectiveness, internal struggle with his family's criminal background, and his deep need for Sawyer make him captivating. His claim that he is "more than ready to set the world on fire" for her captures his character well. His fight against betrayal within his own family adds a gripping element.

Sizzling Chemistry & Banter: The connection between Jake and Sawyer crackles. Their conversations are witty, funny, and filled with genuine closeness. Tijan shows how well they see and understand each other, making their relationship feel real and powerful.

High-Stakes Suspense: Once the plot picks up (around the 30-50% mark), it's hard to put down. Kidnappings, stalking, and threats to Jake's life create constant tension. Certain scenes, like the one in the closet at Graham's house, are excellent examples of how to do dark romance tropes right—suspenseful, thrilling, and driven by character.

Sawyer’s Feistiness: While her backstory has its issues (see below), Sawyer's current character stands out. She's no passive victim. Her boldness and strength in danger are inspiring, creating a great dynamic with the commanding Jake.

The Fabulous Furies (Mom & Aunts): Sawyer's mother and aunts are hilarious. Their unwavering support and fierce protectiveness, along with their disregard for traditional gender roles, provide vital humor and warmth. They truly steal every scene.

Series Integration & Hooks: Tijan skillfully ties threads from the broader Kings of New York universe into the story. The shocking revelations about Ashton will leave series fans eager to reread. The hints for Book 4 (Blake!) and the possible connection to the NY mafia world are thrilling and leave you wanting more.

The Challenge:

Sawyer's Backstory & Initial Relatability: A major issue, especially in the first 30%, is fully accepting Sawyer's past. Spending almost 20 years with a clearly awful partner in a small town where no one seems aware of his cheating strains believability for many readers, myself included. This makes her initial feelings of being a victim and her detachment tough to connect with emotionally. A younger heroine or a prologue showing her ex’s manipulation might have helped.

The Takeaway:
The Captive Situation is a story of two halves. The beginning can be challenging as you work through Sawyer's hard-to-relate-to past trauma. However, stick with it. Once Jake and Sawyer's bond grows and the danger increases, Tijan delivers what fans adore: thrilling suspense, a fiercely protective hero, a heroine finding her strength, laugh-out-loud moments (thanks to the fantastic aunts!), and deep emotional closeness. Jake’s journey from brokenness to a fierce purpose for Sawyer is worth it.

While Sawyer's backstory may not resonate with everyone, the strength of the central romance, the skillfully crafted suspense, the excellent secondary characters, and the exciting developments in the series make this a must-read for Tijan fans and lovers of romantic suspense. Just be ready to push through the first part—the explosive, gripping, and swoon-worthy payoff is absolutely worth it. Bring on Book 4!

Sawyer is in New York City crossing off her list of things to do on vacation when she meets Jake on the subway while having a panic attack. Swayer then meets Jake again a few days later when she is brought to the police station and Jake is there to pick up his cousin. Now retired from the police force Jake is knee deep in the family buissness of organized crime when a hit is placed on his head. Now he must figure out who is behind it and also keep Swayer safe since the mob boss think that they are together. This is a fast paced book that will have you on the edge of your seats. It is full of action and spice that wont disappoint the reader. While this was book number 3 in the Kings of New York series you don't have to read the other two for the book to make sense. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for letting me listen to an advanced copy of this audiobook.

✨✨✨ NetGalley ALC Review ✨✨✨

Tropes:
Morally grey hero
Kidnapping (for good reasons 😉)
On the run from the mafia
Bad boy / good girl
Enemies to 🖤
Woman scorned
Touch her and 💀
Forced proximity

3⭐️
3🌶️

🎧 Narrators:
Amelia Hugh and Jeffrey Kafer

Great addition to the KINGS OF NEW YORK series. Sawyer flees home and finds herself in NYC to meet estranged family. Hilarity ensues but quickly turns into a fast paced, not-so-funny, mafia romance. I loved Sawyer and Jake’s chemistry. Their back and forth jabs, even while being under fire, was hysterical. While this does not end on a cliffhanger, I was left wanting more of this couple. Loved the cameos from the first two books AND I DO BELIEVE there are some other characters whose stories need to be told. Fingers crossed.

Unfortunately, this one just didn't work for me. Sawyer is 36 but would believe 18 more. Her boyfriend got her best friend pregnant so she's running away to find a cousin in New York she's never met before and ends up in loads of trouble. I think she's kidnapped 3 times?! throughout this 1 short book. Twice by our MMC even. Their chemistry is non existent and I honestly was hoping they didn't end up together in the end and something else happened. The story was very choppy and repetitive. did enjoy the narrators and thought the audio itself was enjoyable and fast paced. Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for access to the ALC+ ARC

Book Rating: ⭐️ 3.25/5

I enjoyed this book overall and thought the story had potential, but there were a few elements that didn’t fully connect with me. I’m not usually a fan of insta-love or insta-lust, especially when the emotional depth isn’t fully developed, and that was a bit of an issue here. Jack and Sawyer were cute together, but at times their connection felt a little too fast and surface-level for me.

Another challenge for me was the FMC’s voice. At 36, I expected a bit more emotional maturity, but her actions and inner dialogue often felt more fitting for a new adult or late-teen character. While I know that not every adult has it all figured out, I found myself wishing for more groundedness from her.

On the positive side, I really loved the found family element. That trope is a favorite of mine, and it was executed well here. The characters had each other’s backs in a way that felt genuine and heartwarming without crossing into cheesy territory. That dynamic gave the story warmth and weight that I appreciated. Overall, I think the characters just needed a bit more depth and intention behind their choices to really land for me.

A Captive Situation by Tijan continues her King of New York series about warring mafia families. Jake Worthing is an ex (dirty) cop and de facto head of the Worthing mafia family, and he is begrudgingly (and temporarily) allied with the other two local mafia families. While picking up his cousin from the local precinct, he meets Sawyer, a tourist who has come to the city to escape after her fiancé dumped her for her best friend. To make herself seem less pathetic, she's also in town to try to connect with a cousin she's never met, to try to mend the rift in her family, only she wound up in a police station after a semi-public meltdown. But now there's a problem--Jake has a bounty on his head, and after she's seen with him, her life is now in danger, too. So Jake does what any good mafia boss would do in that situation--kidnaps the beautiful woman for her own safety.

Is it dark? A little. Violent? Sure. But it was just as addicting, propulsive, and sexy as the first two books. If you love mafia romance, this series is a must read. I've loved every installment. Amelia Hugh and Jeffrey Kafer both delivered fantastic performances. I can't remember if I've listened to any books narrated by them before, but I'll be sure to look up other titles they've done because they did such a good job, and I've always looking to expand my favorite narrator pool.

A Captive Situation sounded exactly like the type of book that I’d adore. A high-stakes romantic suspense with a captor/captive dynamic, flawed characters, and dangerous underworld threats? Yes please.

I was all set to love it, but we were hit with insta-lust right off the bat, and it quickly became insta-love, and I just don’t enjoy that trope. It came on way to strong and was completely unbelievable for me. There was no buildup, no tension, and I felt like Jake and Sawyer lacked chemistry.

Sawyer is supposed to be in her late 30s, but she talks, thinks, and behaves like a teenager. Her inner dialogue was very immature, and if you had removed the spice, it would have read like a YA book.

The audiobook narrators did a good job, and listening to the story was enjoyable. But because of the things listed above, I found myself not caring about the characters or storyline and just feeling disconnected with it overall.

Thank you to Valentine PR, Brilliance Audio, Brilliance Publishing, Tijan, and NetGalley for the ARC and ALC.

📔A Captive Situation
✏️ Tijan
📆 June 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️

READ IF YOU LIKE:
▫️romantic suspense
▫️mafia and dirty cops
▫️captive x captor
▫️grumpy x sunshine
▫️family drama
▫️dual POV

Mafia romance
Morally gray MMC
Enemies to lovers
Close proximity
Grumpy/sunshine
Jealous/possessive
Suspense
On the run
Touch her and die


Main characters
Jake
Sawyer

This is a wild ride with plenty of action and amazing characters. After a bad ending to a relationship that spanned close to two decades, Sawyer heads to NY for a change of scenery. She is trying to meet her estranged family and mend fences. She gets so much more. She finds herself on the run and in the middle of a mafia war. We get to see her character grow strong and confident as she goes through her NY adventures.

The story was fast paced and so much fun. The danger and excitement was blended with laughter. Jake was the serious, broody, morally grey ex police officer with mafia ties. His story is tragic. He does what he had to go to survive and keep Sawyer alive. Some of the things he did were not exactly the best but they kept her alive. He is loyal and will burn down the world for her.

Sawyer and the aunt brigade added a lighter side filled with laughter and love. This family could be more dangerous than the actual bad guys.

The epilogue gives us a glimpse of their HEA.

Thank you to NetGalley and @BrillianceAudio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 stars A Captive Situation is chaotic, addictive, and wildly entertaining audiobook! Tijan delivers a fast-paced, trope-filled ride that’s equal parts romance, suspense, and an emotional rollercoaster .

Our FMC starts the story at absolute rock bottom—her ex-best friend is marrying her ex, she’s fled across the country, and she’s riding the New York subway barely holding it together. Enter Jake Worthing: hot, grumpy, mysterious, and apparently incapable of minding his own business. Their first encounter is basically an accidental therapy session followed by mutual irritation... and sparks. Lots of them!!!

Things escalate quickly and I mean that in every way possible. One misunderstanding later, she’s in a police station, there’s a shooting, and suddenly she’s being kidnapped by the same guy who annoyed her into emotional clarity earlier. Cue forced proximity, tension, danger, and major chemistry.

The banter is sharp, the pace never drags, and Jake is the kind of broody love interest who slowly chips away at your defenses (and the FMC’s). While the plot leans toward the over-the-top at times, I was fully here for the ride. It’s fun, sexy, and filled with just enough emotion to make you care deeply about these two imperfect, scarred people finding their way to something real.

If you’re into grumpy/sunshine dynamics, forced proximity with a dash of danger, and stories that don’t take themselves too seriously but still give you all the feels—this is your next binge read.
4.25 Stars!

#NetGalley, #BrillianceAudio, #Tijan, #ACaptiveSituation, #KingsofNewYork

This is a nice read! Spice was spicing, plot was plotting, and the man was morally grey! Mafia romance and I’m here for it! I do like the twist of it where the woman has the control of a situation! That was flipping awesome!! Definitely a must read.

I wasn't sure what to think of this one. It wasn't hard to get through, but the story was all over the place and the chemistry just wasn't there. I felt like there were all these elements that should go together to make sense, but they didn't. It may not have worked for me, but if you like mafia romance give it a try. The audiobook was entertaining and may be the best way to enjoy this book..

Absolutely loved this. Could not put it down! The character relationship, the dynamic between main characters. Touch her and die vibes. Everything you look for in a mafia romance 😍😍

This one follows Sawyer and Jake, and the title ties in pretty early on. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Sawyer. She’s quirky and very in her head, which can get a little exhausting at times, especially when it comes to some of the choices she makes. On the other hand, I really liked Jake. It was so interesting seeing how he moves through this new world of his. There’s definitely a lot of chemistry between them, but for me, it didn’t totally land at the beginning . I had to suspend disbelief a bit more than I wanted to. I absolutely loved the darker world the men are part of. And Sawyer’s family? Loved them. They were such a delight. The narrator, Amelia Hugh does a wonderful job portraying the characters. The tones and inflections used are spot on! She really nailed down Sawyer. Amelia Hugh kept me engaged till the very end.

A very special thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the gifted ALC.

2.5 stars... I just can't round it to 3.
To start, I do think that this book has potential.
It was my first book by this author, and I will admit that it took me a bit to adjust to the writing.
There are mature themes in the book, but it is written in an immature voice.
Sawyer, our FMC, has been jilted by her ex; he is marrying her best friend. She comes to NYC for somewhat of a fresh start and to meet her cousin whom she has never met.
Enter Jake, a protective ex-cop, who is now the head of his mafia family.
The two have a not-so-meet-cute on a train.
Sawyer ends up getting brought into the police station because she is having a near panic attack breakdown outside of the building where her cousin works.
Jake, there to pick up his cousin, sees Sawyer again, his cousin wants Sawyer to come with them to take her to rehab, and Jake/Sawyer end up stuck in a car together.
Things start happening, bodies start dropping... and Sawyer ends up under Jake's protection/sort of kidnapped (not really).
This book took me so long to get through because I just couldn't stand Sawyer's character. Jake was okay, but the whole thing was written so immaturely. Particularly Sawyer.. she was a 36-year-old woman who acted like a teenager.
I also can't stand the whole insta-love if it is done in such an immature way - and this was not done well.
The plot was structured okay. The pace was too slow for me.
The characters were developed enough. Couldn't connect with them much at all.
Overall, just can't recommend this book. Maybe if it has an extensive rewrite, I could see maybe some potential in the premise, but as it is now, not a great one.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Happy Reading!

2 stars.

"A Captive Situation" by Tijan is a miss for me. I love dark romances, and I also love mafia romances. Unfortunately, this one fell almost entirely flat. The beginning of the book was weird as heck, and it took me a good long while to get into this. There are A LOT of characters and A LOT of things going on. It was difficult to keep track of everything going on, mostly because of how this book is written. I did not feel any chemistry between Sawyer and Jake, the main characters. It's all insta-lust with no love whatsoever. I have no doubt that, if put in a different situation, they would absolutely not be happily ever after, or even happily for now. It's more "forced proximity for a little bit of fun for a limited amount of time." No chemistry, no solid foundation, no faith in their pairing at all. If this book wasn't about a former cop-turned-mafia head and a 36-year-old woman, I would have thought this was a young adult story, that's how immature it all sounds. The way they talk, the situations, the inner monologue... it's s juvenile, but with guns and spice. Sawyer, thinks people are going to break out in song on the subway her first time in New York City. What is she, 11? I really, really disliked Sawyer. It has been a long time since I have vehemently disliked a character like this! Jake isn't much better. They are such white bread characters that I had to look up their names again, and I literally *just* finished listening to this book. Bland, bland, bland! Something is missing here, and I can't quite put my finger on what. Maybe it's in the execution, maybe it's in the prose, maybe it's in the lack of chemistry, maybe because it's too long and not a lot happens but there is so much going on that it feels like a stimuli overload??? There is plenty to like here, but something doesn't add up quite right. I will say that Amelia Hugh and Jeffrey Kafer do a fine job narrating this book. Their diction is great, and I enjoyed their portrayals of these characters. I admit, though, they both read the material a little bit fast for my liking. I am disappointed by this one!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tijan, Brilliance Publishing, and Brilliance Audio for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.