Tijan Follow

If I thought that the first two novels in The Insiders trilogy were thrilling, the relentless suspense in The Revenge grows even more intriguing and action-packed. Tijan left me stunned at the end of The Damaged, and I can’t thank her enough for not making me wait too long for the mind-blowing conclusion. Also, with her cleverly cueing me back in the story, I had no issues returning to Kashton Colello and Bailey Hayes’ world.

Bailey’s on her knees. Deeply sad, she worried me since I’d seen her fighting spirit blossom in book two. Here, Kash showed me how insightful he was to her every need and at this point, his calming effect on the family couldn’t have been more appropriate. After awakening her inner strength, it felt like everyone, myself included, sighed with relief.

‘You know I would come back to me and I did. I’m here Me. And I’m ready for the next chapter.’

Delighted to see Bailey back in the groove, I wondered how she’d manage the stress. But let’s not forget that she has an extraordinary talent that might work for or unwillingly against Kash’s plans. I loved the more profound and self-analysing Bailey. And I had to smile when she’d made her mind up to do something. This young woman is headstrong—unstoppable.

“I cannot control you, nor do I want to, but I am terrified for your safety.”

Revenge is certainly the keyword. As the enemy is still hot on their heels, I did wonder how it would all pan out without more casualties. You see, Tijan’s expertise with plot twists is second to none. I thought I was on the right track, and then bam! Namely, a new character. Ally, enemy—trying to work out whose side this individual was on kept me on my toes. Throw in other could-be villains for good measure, and I honestly didn’t know whom to trust. And folks, that is just what I like about Tijan’s storytelling. She has a knack for convincing you that everything’s running smoothly in the now, which couldn’t be farther from the truth.

‘Bailey wasn’t the only one keeping secrets.’

Oops, Kash is mine, ladies! He’s his own man, knows what he wants, treats those around him accordingly and loves his lady so much that if his actions don’t make you swoon—well, I don’t know who will. Observing him and Bailey’s relationship progress was a joy to read. Wow! And to say their chemistry is explosive would be putting it mildly.

“I’m not supposed to do anything except love, cherish, and protect you.”

And how could I not mention Matt? Not only does he have cheeky wit, but he’s also got his heart in the right place. Yep, I never had any choice. I was always on Team Batt! And I dare you not to fall for Bailey’s younger siblings, who are simply adorable. Tijan has made all her characters come alive by developing their personality traits impeccably. The plot? Exceptionally well constructed!

“You’re right. You’d never be a part of Team Batt.”

The Revenge has just what I look for in romantic suspense and is a worthy addition to an enthralling series I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. Bravo, Tijan!

ARC gratefully received from St. Martin’s Griffin via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Lovers of romantic suspense, this is one trilogy you don’t want to miss, and it’s not over yet! If I enjoyed The Insiders, I was bowled over by The Damaged. It picks up perfectly from where the first book left off, Tijan giving her readers little reminders. Not that I needed them as everything was still fresh in my mind. Fast-paced and action-packed, the ending was so well-thought-out that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on book two. And when I did dive into it, putting Bailey and Kash’s story down wasn’t an option.

I’m a great admirer of Tijan’s narrative writing skills. She has a knack for making her characters come alive and giving her stories a realistic feel, her latest instalment equaling this fact. I was a tad concerned about the newcomers’ names since I often have trouble remembering who is who, but not this time. Everyone slipped in nicely despite my antipathy towards a couple of individuals. And although this sounds contradictory, I loved hating them!

Impatient to see Kash again, having even more of him was a delight. This time around, Tijan gets down to the nitty-gritty in Kash and Bailey’s relationship. One gets the impression that nothing ruffles this tenacious man’s feathers, but when it comes to his woman’s security, he'd kill for her. No pun intended! Always protective of the people he cares for, his very being will be put to the test. I couldn't possibly tell you what I sensed was going to happen or whether it panned out how I thought it would because it’s nail-biting stuff you have to experience for yourselves!

Even though Bailey’s still adjusting to her current surroundings and changes, she’s determined to make things work. There was a point when I felt my heart go out to this lass whose fleeting what-ifs and insecurities made me sit back and think about the situation she was in. I adored her attitude, her extraordinary intellect and the effort she makes to fit in with her peers. Her openness with some family members and her deep affection for all of them were emotions I couldn't get enough of. The dialogue flows seamlessly throughout, but something felt off-kilter—and I waited, and I was left aghast.

If I could have, I’d have given Matt, Bailey’s brother, a hug! I’d certainly like to see if he’ll be able to overcome his issues in book three. A glimpse of their younger siblings left me wanting more and keeping my fingers crossed that they’ll be back in full force, too.

What scorching chemistry; what a jaw-dropping twist, what a gripping page-turner! Tijan’s storytelling never ceases to amaze me! Bravo!

ARC gratefully received from St. Martin’s Griffin via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

As always, Tijan’s writing style is clear, concise and unique. I like that she doesn’t use long-drawn-out wordy sentences, yet still crafts a high-energy suspenseful story. In The Insiders, realistic dialogue ratchets up the tension between her characters, giving the reader an insight into their feelings. What I had a little trouble with was remembering all the players’ names. However, once I got into the flow, I lost myself in the protagonists’ world.

Before anything, I have to mention the gorgeous cover. I could see Bailey clearly in my mind’s eye, and she’s just what I look for in a heroine. Tijan did a marvellous job creating Bailey’s traits. A trooper, inquisitive and incredibly talented in what she does best, her life changes dramatically. Finding out the lie she’d been living doesn’t go down so well, but she’s not one to ponder and gets on with it.

Kashton Colello becomes Bailey’s tower of strength. He protects and defends her tooth and nail, and although this alpha male is an enigma when his true self is revealed, everything made sense. And you’ll see that he isn’t just her saviour. Those in need of serious damage control can rely on him. Regardless of all the upheavals, this guy couldn’t put a foot wrong for me.

The dysfunctional family surrounding is high frequency, and Tijan’s primary and secondary character and story development has enormous depth. Really looking forward to the follow-up and for romantic suspense lovers, it’s a must-read. Bravo, Tijan!

ARC received from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Tijan has delivered an emotionally charged romantic suspense that tempted me to do an all-nighter. Unfortunately, I couldn’t because the following workday was foremostly on my mind. But when the level of angst increased, I found myself reading faster and faster to get her every word in before lights out. Her usage of clipped sentences and edgy dialogue added punch after punch to the story; the rollercoaster pacing made me feel like I was holding on for dear life. And I loved every single minute of it!

Jess Montell had little idea what was in store for her when she and Trace West set eyes on each other. After doing his homework, he knew he’d have to make an effort to steer well clear of her or, at the very least, tread carefully. Jess learns who this gorgeous well-suited guy is the hard way, realising that there’s a lot at stake professionally and, perhaps, personally. Observing them fight against their inner desires captivated me; their thoughts and wishes for a change in the rules drove me deeper and deeper into their lives. 

Jess’ job is a real eye-opener. Not only did I love her dedication, her tact and how she treated her hmm—clients for a better word, but her stand-up attitude. Therefore it wasn’t difficult for me to imagine what she was going through. Doing the right thing, she had always done—and now, how would she cope with the thought of having an off-limits relationship, and how would Trace, herself included, deal with the fallout?          

There’s no doubt that the supporting characters are crucial for the plot’s flow, and while I could see a twist or three coming my way, I never envisaged how it would all pan out. I adored Trace’s best friend and work colleague—great witty guy banter here, ladies. And I liked that they had one another’s back more. But was it enough when they had ‘family’ breathing down their necks? I applaud Tijan for Jess’ best friend’s character development. Frankly, I didn’t like her that much to start with; but she grew on me, the boyfriend I questioned big time. That is what I like about Tijan’s writing. She evokes every imaginable feeling with such ease you’ll either want to give a character or two a good slapping or hug them to bits.  

Tijan cracked the Mafia ambience and supposedly deep family ties, and what I liked most was the importance she gave to the steaminess. Yes, Jess and Trace make sparks fly; nevertheless, abounding warmth will make the most indecisive readers swoon to the moon and back. Without any inkling of a cliffhanger, Tijan’s last words left me speechless. No complaints here since I love on-the-edge, mind-blowing endings, and no need to say much more aside from awarding A Dirty Business five well-deserved stars Bravo, Tijan!

My gratitude to Montlake Romance Publishers and NetGalley for an early copy in favour of an unbiased review.

Brace yourselves for an emotional roller-coaster in A Cruel Arrangement. Tijan’s second novel in the Kings of New York Series is the epitome of suspense, beautifully dark, exhilarating and daunting, and I couldn’t have turned the pages quicker even if I’d tried. Trust me when I say it’s a must-read for mafia romance lovers! And by now, you’ll know that it’s my favoured trope, but what I like about the author’s storytelling is her punchy writing in short sentences. She doesn’t mess around, making you wait for the action, and neither has she adhered to global collective mob syndicates as such. Two families with similar interests and ties; another the root of the problem they’re up against. 

Of course, a heroine in the ‘line of fire’ adds more spice to the read—no pun intended here because you’ll soon learn who’ll be calling the shots. This time, Tijan has brought Molly Easter, a courageous but at-risk woman, together with Ashton Walton, who’d been running his family affairs for a while. As I’d expected, theirs is not a love match; however, not only do circumstances force them to look at each other in a new light, sparks fly in all directions.  

Tijan has intertwined characters and prior events from A Dirty Business exceedingly well. I met Trace West, Ashton’s best mate and business colleague, and although their brotherly friendship is being tested, finding out who the true culprit is behind a savage happening will give them a run for their money. Sadly Molly’s on the receiving end of a fallout caused by whom you may ask! I got beyond exasperated to see that this person could easily have had the heart to tell her the truth. All I can say is he’d been a thorn in her side since she could remember; no surprise here after reading what she’d been through. Without wallowing in the past, she’s adamant about making her bowling alley a success. 

So when Ashton drops Molly the bombshell, it’s a game-changer. I wasn’t that keen on her having to make a cruel arrangement with him in the first place. It seemed to me to be a means to his end to please third parties. Read the first book, and you’ll catch my drift. Not forgetting what’s at stake, the author barely lets her readers come up for air. It’s vengeance at its purest. Molly and Ashton’s descriptive steaminess compensated for blood-curdling scenes in a nonstop battle that had me on tenterhooks, rooting especially for her. Ashton? He’s on the ball, worming out the enemy, and despite him being an annoyingly drop-dead gorgeous anti-hero with his own backstory, he’s a good leader and protective of those he cares for.

I recommend reading A Dirty Business if you haven’t already since the author has addressed unanswered questions. Hoping there'll be more where this came from. Bravo, Tijan!

Many thanks to Montlake Romance Publishers via NetGalley for an early copy in favour of an unbiased review.

3.5 Stars

I honestly love Tijan’s writing style, and in Hockey With Benefits, she has once again demonstrated her word wizardry. The catch is I’m a new reader of the Crew Series, and although her latest standalone offering is one of my fave sub-genres, there were intervals when I was trying to place and remember the students’ names and their respective sports clubs.

That said, Tijan’s heroine is an unforgettable character. Learning how Mara Daniels ticks, the reason she’s not exactly a people person and doesn’t do serious relationships is heartbreaking stuff. The first impression she gave me was wow–we’ve got a tough one here! But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Tijan has delved into intense family issues and even wove disturbing happenings in the story, leaving me speechless.

Mara gives her few faithful friends a wide berth, yet they’re always on her side. And Cruz Styles? Words fail me. To say he is a patient and generous soul is putting it mildly. So, he has this thing going on with her, but I liked that he was mindful of her wishes. However, their no-strings-attached arrangement also got me thinking. How long would it be before they overstepped agreed boundaries? Observing their emotional vulnerabilities, his possessiveness and not just towards Mara, but his family too, made me tear up.

There never seemed to be a right time for peace in their story—yeah, drama abounds in every unimaginable corner, but Mara’s change of attitude towards getting between the sheets stumped me. Aah, like Cruz, I cottoned on to her concerns pretty quickly, and get this, his admiration for her is more noteworthy than I ever thought possible. Kudos galore to Tijan. She made them stronger to face their pasts and get ahold of the present. There’s no doubt about it. Cruz sold me in so many ways. And turn down your winter heating, folk! Their oh-so-hot chemistry isn’t just fanning material; it’s the bomb!

I did so want to give this college sports romance all the stars. Tijan’s unique dual point of view storytelling, her truncated sentence usage, which I am always in awe of, and her excellent character development, is unquestionably hers to own lock, stock and barrel. And the witty banter from all those involved was simply beyond my expectations. If it weren’t for the name fraternity/sorority confusion, rating Mara and Cruz’s story would have been a piece of cake. Having had my say, if you’re familiar with the Fallen Crest/Crew Series, you’ll have no difficulty putting this book down.

4.5stars—HOCKEY WITH BENEFITS by Tijan is a stand alone, contemporary, new adult, erotic, college romance focusing on college hockey player Cruz Styles, and Mara Daniels. HOCKEY WITH BENEFITS is set in, and is interconnected with the author’s Fallen Crest series.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise including mental illness and acquaintance r@pe, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Cruz and Mara) HOCKEY WITH BENEFITS follows the unconventional relationship between college hockey star Cruz Styles, and Mara Daniels. Mara and Cruz are not quite friends with benefits but have an understanding to be one another’s intimate, sexual partners. Keeping their relationship a secret means the unwelcome scrutiny of, and questions from so-called friends, roommates, other students and bullies. Cruz has caught the eye of every female puck bunny, and Mara must deal with the sl^t shaming and vitriol of the jealous fans but all is not well in the lives of our story line couple as issues of fractured family dynamics and mental illness are slowing destroying the psyche of two young people whose entire lives are still ahead. What ensues is the building but atypical romance and relationship between Mara and Cruz, and the potential fall-out as Mara’s life begins to spiral out of control, wreaking havoc on anyone who has crossed her path.

Mara Daniels has many friends and supporters within the college community but Mara’s secrets are known only by a few. It is these secrets that are about to destroy the strained relationship Mara has with those who have only surmised about the real Mara Daniels, and with it, the spiral that continues to affect her private and personal life. Cruz Styles doesn’t want a girlfriend, and his ‘arrangement’ with Mara is perfect such that no heart will be broken until the heart wants something more than the head is willing to accept. Life as a star; a member of the popular crowd means exposing both the good and bad for our story line couple but no one ever expected that Mara would be thrown to the wolves in the wake of protecting someone else.

The relationship between Mara and Cruz begins as a sexual agreement; a ‘friends with benefits’ type of relationship but a relationship that supposedly starts and ends in the bedroom. Mara never thought she would find someone that would accept the emotional scars that have affected her ability to trust, and Cruz knew his position on the hockey team meant he couldn’t always trust the people who wanted something more than he was willing to give. The $ex scenes are passionate, erotic and intense.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and wild secondary and supporting characters including several members of the hockey team, roommates, friends, frenemies, rivals and family.

The world building focuses on issues of mental health, and the resulting consequences and ramifications for those standing in the direct line of fire. Until one has lived or experienced the true depth of the pain and heart ache of such an illness, there is always someone waiting to tear you down.

HOCKEY WITH BENEFITS is a story of fractured family dynamics, friendships and relationships, betrayal and mental illness, acceptance and love. The premise is emotional, heart breaking and unique; the characters are broken, damaged yet brave; the romance is seductive and provocative.

4.5 stars-THE REVENGE is the third and final instalment in Tijan’s contemporary, adult THE INSIDERS romantic, suspense trilogy focusing on twenty-two year old computer hacker Bailey Hayes, and fixer Kashton ‘Kash’ Colello. THE REVENGE should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately after the events and cliff hanger of book two THE DAMAGED.

NOTE: If you have not read books one and two, there may be spoilers in my review


SOME BACKGROUND: Weeks earlier, an attempted abduction of Bailey Hayes led to the discovery that she is the illegitimate daughter of a powerful IT billionaire, and not all is well with the new family dynamics. Bailey Hayes has a genius IQ like her estranged father, and will come to learn she has several half-siblings but the most important discovery is the love that will develop between Bailey and one-time Francis empire ‘fixer’ Kashton ‘Kash’ Colelle, a man who is more dark and dangerous than she could have ever imagined.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Bailey and Kash) THE REVENGE focuses on the continuing relationship between twenty-two year old computer hacker Bailey Hayes, and fixer Kashton ‘Kash’ Colello, as well as the take down of someone determined to control our story line couple. Kash’s past is after our story line heroine in an effort to destroy the man that she loves. Kash Colello is a powerful man in the world of underground crime, and as such, his reputation precedes his introduction to everyone involved but an intricate plan has been put into motion involving several people close to our story line couple, a scheme meant to take down Kash Colello, ruining Bailey Hayes-Francis’ name in the process. As our couple struggle to keep one step ahead, the domino affect of said plan has begun, and our couple find themselves battling not only the people in charge but one another and the people they love.

The relationship between Kash and Bailey is often combative as Kash is desperate to protect the woman he loves but Bailey is determined to ‘stand by her man’, a man who is about to discover another secret from his tormented past. As Kash struggles to pus an end to the threats against Bailey, another ghost from the past returns to add more fuel to an already out of control fire. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

THE REVENGE is an intense and dramatic story of secrets and lies, power and control, greed, betrayal and vengeance, surprises and love. The premise is complex, detailed, revealing and edgy; the characters are charismatic and dynamic, once again, the secondary characters play a significant role in the story line development- I am hoping the author has plans for more stories focusing on several of the aforementioned characters; the romance is edgy and impassioned.

This was intense!! It starts out with so much angst and pain. My heart was aching for Bailey and the loss she was dealing with. I loved how Kash was right beside her, giving her what she needed and ensuring that the rest of the family was doing the same when the situation merited it. I love him even more for his responses!

What followed took me completely by surprise. I was not expecting much of what happened and I could not look away. Soon I was so caught up in it all that I was turning the pages as quickly as possible.

This is filled with twists and turns and more punch than I ever expected! What a great read in every way!