A Dirty Business by Tijan

A Dirty Business is the first book in the Kings of New York series by Tijan and I enjoyed every moment of Trace and Jess' whirlwind romance. I had never read a book by this author before and was pleasantly surprised by the slow burn romance and suspense that unfolded. The story was engaging due to the many unexpected twists and betrayals. Every character played an important role to the story, no matter how insignificant they were. In addition, the longing and angst between these two was beautifully written and refreshing, especially considering that Trace was the one chasing Jess while she resisted him. There were also many barriers to their relationship because of their profession—Jess was a parole officer while Trace was the heir to his mafia family. Despite their differences and internal conflicts they had with each other, I loved their stolen moments together because they simply existed as themselves instead of what others expected them to be.

"I realized tonight that when you chose me, it made me want to choose you back."

Although Jess was portrayed as this stubborn, resilient, and strong female character, she was also incredibly vulnerable to the brokenness of her own family. The constant verbal abuse from her mother was difficult to read but made her relatable. Jess wasn't perfect but she had her own sense of moral justice and this often clashed with her feelings for Trace. I enjoyed their push and pull dynamic, especially since Jess was to the type to run away from her feelings while Trace would pursue her relentlessly. I enjoyed both characters and rooted for their happy ending. Trace had similar struggles with his own family who wanted him to take over the family business or dead. He was living between worlds—one that was legitimate and the other illegal, and would have to make a choice sooner or later. Meeting Jess changed everything because it made him question his identity and future as head of the West family.

"I'll never stop worrying about you. It's what you do when you love someone."

In the end, Trace and Jess' story was a fantastic introduction to the series and it ends with a cliffhanger that will leave readers questioning everything. I was completely surprised by the ending and I look forward to seeing whether or not Tijan will continue this story. In addition to our main couple, I was also interested in Ashton and Molly's potential story. Ashton is Trace's best friend and business partner who also happens to be the heir to his own mafia family. On the other hand, Molly is Jess' friend and owner of the bowling alley that she often goes to. These two have an interesting relationship and I can't wait to read their story in the future. Fans of the slow burn and mafia romance with suspenseful elements will absolutely enjoy this book because it features a devoted and obsessed hero who persistently chases his stubborn and independent heroine.

*This ARC was generously provided by the author and publisher for an honest review* 

Rating: ★★★★☆