There were always whispers about my roommate at Hillcrest Academy.The wealthiest of the wealthy sent their kids to our boarding school, and Brooke Bennett had been at the top, though I never quite knew why. She was fun and outgoing, but she kept quiet about her family. The only things she showed me were photographs of her brothers.I became fascinated with her second-oldest brother. Kai Bennett.He … second-oldest brother. Kai Bennett.
He was the most of them all. Smoldering. Hypnotic. Alluring.
Kai had eyes that pulled me in and a face that haunted my dreams.
Then I met him.
He came to our school with their father, and that’s when I learned what kind of family Brooke came from. They were mafia, and Brooke’s oldest brother was dead. Her father said accident, but Brooke said murder.
Three months later, her father died, and Kai became the head of the Bennett Family. Brooke left Hillcrest for good, and that was the last time I saw her.
Fourteen years later, I’m staring at her face on the television. Brooke is missing.
Two days later, Kai Bennett kidnaps me.
** This is a 120k full-length standalone.
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“…he wasn’t hiding himself, he wasn’t showing anything either. He was dead. That’s what I saw when I looked into his eyes. Death.”
This is my first Tijan read. Holy smokes it blew me away. This was so much more than I had anticipated. I was so lost in the story I felt I was living it.
“I just wanted to fall free. Away from him. To him. In his arms. I wanted all of it, and my chest heaved.”
My emotions were everywhere…anger, desperation, empathy, heartbreak, hope, vengeful, lust…this story had so much depth, twist and turns…my heart is still racing and wishing for more of the Bennett Mafia.
“He pushed all the darkness away. It didn’t matter in that moment that he was the reason it was there in the first place.”
I just finished this last night! Ugghhhh it was so tragic yet I had to know what was going to happen next! Tijan really knows how to write a book that will hook you from start to finish!!!
I loved this book!
I need to start by saying that, because the rest of my review seems pretty negative. But I think that is only because I loved it so much and I guess I feel like I need to explain why that last star wasn’t given.
There were times when I felt disconnected from the characters, maybe because I needed more back story. I wish there were more scenes at the school, it seemed hard for me to believe the connection between Riley and Brooke when they were only together for a year when they were 12. And I had almost no interest in Riley’s time with her friends. What they did seemed intriguing, but not really the characters themselves. And the ending felt rushed to me. After what seemed like a really long book (in the good way,) the ending finally came and the last few chapters were just rushed through. The final 3 months in the timeline were skipped over, and while they might not have been essential to the story line, I felt like I needed to know more about what happened during that time.
Lastly, to the author: I know this is a stand alone, but would love to see more about both Jonah’s and Tanner’s lives!
OMG!!! I opened this book with no expectations. There were a lot of twist and turns. I wasn’t disappointed it was a good read.
Oh my god the feels! This NEEDS to be turned into a series! I can’t let go of Kai just yet!
Absolutely spellbound, the touch of mystery kept me turning the pages til the end!
Oh. My. God.
Bennett Mafia was FIRE and SEX. I loved every single damn second of it!
When Tijan writes a book she doesn’t do it by halves, oh no no no. She puts her all into it and delivers a masterpiece like Bennett Mafia
From the get go I was hooked, consumed, I knew I wouldn’t be able to put it down until I had completely devoured the book and that’s exactly what I did. I read and didn’t stop until it was finished and my god, I’m absolutely loving this book.
Kai and Riley’s story is a thing of interest. It’s different and absolutely fascinating to read. From the beginning I loved both characters. A woman destined to help others after living a horrible life and a man so dead set on getting his sister he doesn’t care who he hurts or uses. Watching them spend almost every day together is so much fun. There’s so much tension, heat, anger and hatred surrounding them it’s amazing!
Kai Bennett is the biggest asshole amongst assholes. He’s an asshole you just can’t help but love but if peel back the layers you just might find something more to him. He’s one of the best Alphaholes I’ve ever come across. I’m going to leave it at that because I don’t wanna spoil this beauty for anyone. Just know that this book is a book you’re going to WANT and NEED to read.
I’ve read a few of Tijan’s books now and I have to say every new book gets more and more amazing. The talent of this woman is never ending and I’m always, ALWAYS excited to see what she brings us next.
Bennett Mafia is Dark, Delicious, Sexy and Addicting. One of the best books in 2019!
The Details:
– 18+
– Dark Romance
– Standalone book
– Addictive, page turner
– Unexpected Twists
From the blurb I was hooked and because it was a Tijan book, I knew it was going to be good, but this book exceeded every expectation that I had and was so much more than I anticipated.
More addictive, more unexpected, more angsty and adrenaline inducing.
From the moment that I started reading, I had an idea about how the story might go, things that might happen – when you read an author’s work often enough, you start to get an idea about things that may happen in the story – happily and surprisingly, I was completely wrong.
The events in this story were an unexpected delight, completely surprising me again and again.
I think it says something that the moment that I finished reading this, all I wanted to do was re-read Carter Reed and Cole so that I could stay immersed in the world that Tijan has created, but it wasn’t enough.
I still want more!
Move over Carter Reed, Cole and Fallen Crest, Crew and every other Tijan book that I have read, because I have a new favorite now and I don’t think I’m alone in hoping that one day in the future, Tijan will bring out more books about the Bennett Mafia.
Highly Recommended Reading
A Review by Rhianna of Bingeworthy Book Blog
This was such an unbelievable story!! You literally feel every type of emotion reading Kia and Riley’s story. There are so many twists and turns in their story that just suck you right in. They such you in and spit you back out with another shocker just as a bonus. Mind blown
I couldn’t put it down, I was hooked from the first page to the last 🙂 i loved the characters and the world that Tijan created ! i have falling in love with her unique writing 🙂
Omg what can i say about Kai ! he’ dark .alluring ,sexy and so smart, you just feel pulled to him ! from the moment he saw Riley he felt something for her and now that its been 14 years since he’s seen her in person there is still a pull to her ,he wants her but he doesn’t want to drug her into his world and he knows that once she’s in there is no going back and she might hate him for it ,he tries to do the right thing but it almost destroy them both ,he won’t make that mistakes again !
I really loved Riley ,she went though hell when she was a kid and now that she is all grown up she knows how to take care of others who are going though the same thing she did, the moment the Bennetts reappears in her life she knows everything is gonna change , she just don’t know how much until Kai is in front of her 🙂 there is this magnetic pull between them and neither one of them can’t stop it from happening, she didn’t want this life but she is willing to accept it if it means she and Kai can be together 🙂
Omg i loved this book ,it was so great and i had a hard time putting it down and trying to savory it ,i was so happy with how everything went down in this book ,i just wished that it was a series and not a stand alone that way i would get to see Tanner, Brooke and Jonah get their own books but even though that isn’t gonna happen i still enjoyed this book so freaking much 🙂 i can’t wait for what Tijan is gonna come up with next 🙂
4.5 stars
I loved Kai! Riley made me slightly nuts at times, but overall this was a thoroughly enjoyable read. As head of his family, Kai radiates power, authority and charisma but there is no doubt he is a stone cold killer who makes the difficult decisions when necessary. Riley feels a magnetic pull to him despite the fact she was kidnapped to help him find his sister, and her conflict is clear throughout this story. Her job is to help women escape abusive and dangerous situations and Kai’s business stands for everything she works so hard to fight. She has to decide if she can live with the fact that Kai does bad things but often for the right reason: to keep his family safe and whole.
The dynamics of the interactions between Riley and all of the Bennett siblings were great. She never had a loving relationship with her own family, and she yearns to have someone love her as much as Kai, Tanner, Jonah and Brooke all care about each other despite their differences.
This book has a serious sizzle factor when it comes to Kai and Riley, and I loved seeing Kai’s evolution with her. Of course there are plenty of gritty and darker moments thrown in too! Overall – great read that will go on my re-read list.
Unlike all the other Mafia books by Tijan and I love them all, this one was just so captivating. I just couldn’t put the book down, even while cooking dinner. I just had to finish it in one seating.
Yeah so I had bags under my eyes and people that I cried myself to sleep. Yeah that’s cool but Kai. . . Kai is probably my new book boyfriend. But then, that would be cheating on Mason so. . .
I highly recommend this amazing read and impatiently waiting for whatever else is brewing with Tijan, because with her., you never know!Tijan
**3.5-4 stars**
*Hidden spoilers*
The story has got me going from the first page of the book but when I reached the 87% mark, Tijan gutted me.
The idea of the plot was kind of refreshing for me and even though (for me) the heroine wasn’t acting according to her role as a “Hider” ie. agent, it didn’t ruin my reading pleasure. The story was more important to me and the author kept my interest for a while.
But then, 87% mark happened.
I was so deeply invested to the story and to the characters when everything went sideways. I know that something bad was coming. I felt it, hard. And BAM! The unexpected happened. It would be fine with me if I didn’t felt like it dragged too long, ending in 98% mark.
That was too much torture right there.
I was completely devastated. I was snarky and in a bad mood ever since because of this. Again, because I was wholly invested in the story and characters. That plot-twist was a game-changer for me. It took away my sanity, my heart and my rational side. I almost didn’t finished this because I was too hurting, I was such a mess.
That being said, even if the heroine doesn’t do justice on her role (IMO) and with that “killer plot-twist”, the whole story was good and entertaining.
I can *still* safely say that Tijan’s storytelling and writing has improved a lot. She may have done an inexplicable thing here for me but it’s the plot and story as a whole that I think she delivers well. Well, minus the 87% mark, that is. And I still do recommend this book. Whatever my issues are, it’s mine and it shouldn’t be yours. Experience the book yourself and be the judge of how it is for you, not others.
And yes, I am hoping for more from this world, “Bennett Mafia”. The other characters has some serious potential I hope one day Tijan will explore.
Mafia reads are one of my favorite. Ever since I read CARTER REED, I fell for this genre. BENNETT MAFIA blew my expectations, I couldn’t believe how much you get to love something that seems wrong.
Riley and Kai were born into this world, this mafia world. Even though they don’t agree with it, it’s what it is and they can’t change it. Riley hated this life, and she got the chance to disappear to do the good, but as you can never escape from fate, she had to go back to the life she despised the most.
Kai can’t leave mafia. If he leaves, his family will die. That is his life and the life of his siblings. Family comes first no matter what, so when his baby sister’s life is in danger, he had to bring Riley back to this world.
I love Riley’s inner fight. Kai is all that she despises, all the darkness that he is surrounding. But she is beginning to know him more. She knows he loves his family and that he cares for her, but still being WRONG. Riley is the light in Kai’s darkness, he can’t not be who he is but for her he’s willing to make some changes, Riley makes him want to be a better person.
I loves this book so much. No matter the darkness on the story, it always felt right. I enjoyed every single word of this amazing story. All the angst, the pain, the drama and of course the romance. Tijan nailed it again with this book. I absolutely devoured it. I was on the edge most of the time with all the suspense and I LOVE IT!! Did I mention Kai was super HOT???
Bennett Mafia, hands down, is one of my favorites. Kai is . He commands respect where ever he goes. All the women want him and all the men want to be him. He’s got the looks, the money, and the power. To everyone on the outside he’s a cold ruthless mafia boss that has no heart. Riley is the opposite. She’s kind, compassionate, and has morals. That’s why she’s the light at the end of Kai’s dark tunnel.
When Kai’s sister Brooke goes missing he kidnaps Riley, knowing she can help find her. Of course Riley fights him at every turn. She hates him, at least she thinks she does. The attraction and connection they have is undeniable. When she finally stops fighting it, sparks fly. They work together to bring Brooke home but that’s not all they have to worry about. Secrets need to be told. Truths need to come to light. Together they deal with it all.
Tijan has written a story that brought the characters to life. She’s brings us into their world and makes it easy to love them. Bennett Mafia will always be one of my favorites. I’m hoping this won’t be the last we see of these characters. I need more!
Love it could not put this book down every flip of the page kept you glued to every word written. I would love more from the Bennet family.
Holy Smokes, Batman! This book is beyond good! This is one of my top reads of 2019! Riley’s roommate at boarding school, Brooke, was missing. Brooke was a Mafia “princess”. Riley works for an organization that helps free women from dangerous situations. She is in hiding from her dad. Kai, Brooke’s brother kidnaps Riley to help find his sister. This is truly the best enemies to lovers book I have read in a long time. The plot twists are wonderful. Read this book! You will not be sorry you did! 5 stars—but really All the Stars!!!
Kai is quiet but deadly and oh so dirty
This is my first Tijan book and it was a great one to start with! I could not put it down unless forced! It’s an action packed and sweet romance all rolled together. I cannot tell you how amazing this book is and I know you will enjoy it too!!
Bennett Mafia is my second book to read by Tijan. With lots of suspense, twist and turns from beginning to end it kept me on my toes. The sexual tension between Kai and Riley is off the charts. Kai is a mystery. Definitely one you want to hate but can’t help falling in love with. I felt the ending was rushed some but overall it was an amazing read.
“No words. None at all”
“Just right now.”
“Need. Want. Claim.”
“Mine.”
“Out mouths battled, both of us trying to dominate the other. I was almost bursting with need.”
“I needed to feel him.”
“I needed to touch him.”
“I needed to claim him.”
The Blurb pulled me to read this book. I mean, what’s not to love when a book is about mafia and includes kidnapping!
Kai Bennett has taken over the family. After losing his mother, brother and father he was next in-line to take over. But now his sister is missing. Kai will stop at nothing to return her to the safety of the family nest.
Riley is working with 411 Network as a Hider. Although it takes a bit of reading to find out what the heck this is and why she chose to go to work here.
To me there was just too much going on in this book to keep a good flow of the story going. Some pretty unrealistic and unlikely events to believe. I found some of the parts to be confusing and had to go back and do re-reads of prior pages/chapters to see, did I miss something?
With that being said, after finishing the book and putting all the puzzle pieces together myself, I get the whole picture. It’s not a bad read, just not a favorite for me. Give the book a read for yourself and see what you think.
I love the angst she puts into every single one of her books.