Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Tropes: dark romance; contemporary romance; romantic suspense; alpha hero; antihero; adversariestolovers; mafia; oppositesattract; starcrossed lovers
Tijan’s A Dirty Business has similar vibes to her recent Insiders trilogy: intrigue; shadowy characters; opposites attracting; danger around every corner. In the space of 439 pages, Tijan takes her readers on a fast-paced journey between two oppositional forces who are drawn together like magnets. This book is two people who exist in oppositional forces, falling hard for each other. They are star-crossed, fated, and decidedly messy, messy, messy. For much of the story, Tijan keeps her readers curious, wondering how Jess and Trace can transcend their obstacles. This is deep love with severe consequences. And it makes for a story that is unputdownable.
There are a few issues with this book, though. For one, a few details are lost as Trace and Jess push and pull their way into a relationship. What happened to the papers that Jess took for her aunt? What happened the night of Justin and Kelly’s fight? Why do Ashton and Trace discuss situations, and I find myself lost? The narrators of this story are unreliable, and it leaves the reader questioning parts of the story. There are small details that feel like loose ends, and I wanted Tijan to cauterize them into neat endings.
What did I love?
Well, for one, I adore Jess because she’s a strong woman who, for the most part, takes no business from anyone. The one time she does it’s confusing because, aside from her mommy issues, she’s tough. She’s the perfect mate for Trace because she’s fairly impenetrable with her emotions, which entices him. These two are fated. This is touches that feel like knowing, and a metaphysical draw that keeps them connected. Jess and Trace simply can’t help themselves, and I think Jess, at times, overshadows Trace in the story, which I love.
A Dirty Business is a HFN. There is more to come in the next book, but Trace and Jess find a resolution at the end, much like Bailey and Kash held in The Insiders Trilogy. However, there is more plot here, more suspense, and a devastating cliffhanger for Jess.
If you’re a fan of mafia romance, main characters who are morally oppositional, but who are drawn to each other, and a storyline that has more twists than you know what to do with, you’ll want to read Tijan’s A Dirty Business.
In love and romance,
Professor A
Professor Romance 