The Insiders by TijanMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
That was intense! I wasn't sure what to expect from this, as it is a bit different from Tijan's other books. It reminded me alot of Bennett Mafia in the sense that it is dark and suspenseful, and it has that crime family vibe as well. If you liked Bennett Mafia, I think you will really enjoy this. There are some pretty graphic scenes in here involving sex, drugs and alcohol use and trigger warnings for things you would associate with mafia and crime families.
We have Bailey, who is ridiculously intelligent and the product of a single mom. Bailey was raised not knowing who her biological father was until she is kidnapped. Her true parentage is revealed and she is given a choice to live at her father's estate under his protection or go back to her life and wait to be kidnapped again. Bailey knows everything about Peter Francis, he was her idol growing up, so naturally she is shocked to find out she has an entire family. Unfortunately, for her protection and theirs she is not being introduced to them as part of the family, but as a family friend of her personal guard Kashton Colello aka Kash. Kash is our mysterious, broody head of security who basically takes charge of every situation. As Bailey gets to know more about him she finds out that there is more to him that just the security details and cleaning up the messes of the Francis family.
The character dynamics were really interesting in this. Bailey is taken from her life and forced into a situation she didn't ask for. Her presence is not wanted by many of those involved in the running of the Francis family daily schedule, but as she gets to know them they begin to warm to her. Bailey just wants a place to belong and wants to be accepted by her new found siblings and of course her father who she has spent her life idolizing. She quickly realizes that she is very protective over her siblings, but she wants nothing to do with the glitz and glam of their posh lifestyle. Her relationship with Kash develops in an interesting way as well. They are definitely attracted to one another, but nothing happens right away. They are always getting interrupted by some shenanigans with Matt, or Kash is pulled away for work, or something happens. When they finally do get together is is steamy, but not over the top. Kash has issues opening up to Bailey, but she is determined to make it happen. Overall, I thought Tijan did a good job with the character development. I think there is more yet to come in the future books from these characters, and I look forward to seeing where she takes them.
The ending was left a bit open-ended for my tastes. I do believe this is a trilogy, so I can forgive that knowing we are getting more books. We end with a mini-cliffhanger which sets us up nicely for the start of the next book. Overall, I really enjoyed this and had a hard time putting it down once I got started.
I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
We have Bailey, who is ridiculously intelligent and the product of a single mom. Bailey was raised not knowing who her biological father was until she is kidnapped. Her true parentage is revealed and she is given a choice to live at her father's estate under his protection or go back to her life and wait to be kidnapped again. Bailey knows everything about Peter Francis, he was her idol growing up, so naturally she is shocked to find out she has an entire family. Unfortunately, for her protection and theirs she is not being introduced to them as part of the family, but as a family friend of her personal guard Kashton Colello aka Kash. Kash is our mysterious, broody head of security who basically takes charge of every situation. As Bailey gets to know more about him she finds out that there is more to him that just the security details and cleaning up the messes of the Francis family.
The character dynamics were really interesting in this. Bailey is taken from her life and forced into a situation she didn't ask for. Her presence is not wanted by many of those involved in the running of the Francis family daily schedule, but as she gets to know them they begin to warm to her. Bailey just wants a place to belong and wants to be accepted by her new found siblings and of course her father who she has spent her life idolizing. She quickly realizes that she is very protective over her siblings, but she wants nothing to do with the glitz and glam of their posh lifestyle. Her relationship with Kash develops in an interesting way as well. They are definitely attracted to one another, but nothing happens right away. They are always getting interrupted by some shenanigans with Matt, or Kash is pulled away for work, or something happens. When they finally do get together is is steamy, but not over the top. Kash has issues opening up to Bailey, but she is determined to make it happen. Overall, I thought Tijan did a good job with the character development. I think there is more yet to come in the future books from these characters, and I look forward to seeing where she takes them.
The ending was left a bit open-ended for my tastes. I do believe this is a trilogy, so I can forgive that knowing we are getting more books. We end with a mini-cliffhanger which sets us up nicely for the start of the next book. Overall, I really enjoyed this and had a hard time putting it down once I got started.
I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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