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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WOW!!! Just wow. This book is spectacular!!! While I haven’t read all of Tijan’s books, of the books I have read, this is the best!!!
Riley is living her life on the down low. She’s fierce and feisty and trying to do good things despite her less than stellar upbringing. She’s quickly thrown back into her past when her childhood friend comes up missing.
Kai… *dreamy sigh* He’s an epic jerk, but my Lord do I love him. I love made men, and Kai now tops my list of favorites. Ever. He’s smart and calculating and conniving and sexy and swoony and scary and sweet and loyal and kind and just plain amazing.
The chemistry between Kai and Riley is off the charts. I could feel it! Gah!!! I love how they challenged each other. Made each other better. Gave each other a good balance of light and dark.
This book is full of suspense and intrigue and so many twists and turns that I didn’t know which way was up. It’s fantastic. The writing is perfect. The storyline is fresh and unique and well-thought-out. And the ending… *cries sad tears* *cries happy tears* *cried all the tears* So good!
The thing I love about Tijan’s writing is that it’s so vivid. I can visually picture the whole book as I’m reading. It’s like a movie playing in my mind. Her books would make amazing movies.
I really hope we’ll get more from this world, because all the characters are amazing! And there was a tidbit thrown in towards the end in regards to one particular character that makes me think we’ll get their book. *fingers crossed* This book is a must read, whether you’ve read Tijan before or not. Just, do yourself a favor, read it. Right now.
As soon as I saw this cover, I knew I needed to read this book. It just screams angsty, bad boy here for the taking! And boy was Kai a bad boy. Head of the mafia, appears cold but deep down you just know he has his heart locked down tight just waiting for the right woman to come along and unlock it. And she comes in the form of his sister’s old friend. So, why not start this romance off by kidnapping her?
I was riveted to the pages as I watched their story unfold. I became attached not just to Riley and Kai, but all of the Bennett siblings. I would love to read more about them, just saying 😉
This book was full of surprises, twists, angst and love. A perfect mafia story!
I love Tijan’s books. She captivates me from page one and doesn’t let go until the end.
Absolutely love The Bennett Mafia. Kai is so broody and alpha. But I would love to read a book about Tanner
A stand-alone novel, full of angst and smoking hot chemistry.
Kai is the head of the Bennett family. He stands for everything that Riley hates in the world. Crime, corruption, violence. Riley was everything Kai never thought he deserved. Good, honest, real. When his sister, who is also Riley’s old roommate from school goes missing, he takes Riley against her will. He wants answers but what he finds is something so much more significant.
A fabulous read. In true form to Tijan’s novels, this will leave you with a pang in your chest. It’s dark, broody and full of instant chemistry. The characters are dramatic and well-crafted, each holding their own eccentric style. The plot holds a mysterious underpinning as it weaves through the some of the more sinister aspects of the mafia lifestyle. The twists and turns that develop along the way make for a spectacular narrative. Great read.
Bennett Mafia by Tijan is hands down, my favorite read in 2019.
Meet Riley Bello, Kai Bennett and his siblings and indulge in a fantastic read, a addicting story full of twists and turns.
Riley and Kai are complicated characters and their story isn’t what it seems at the first look. There are so many twists and turns, The story left me breathless and wanting more.
I was captivated from chapter one and was glued to the pages. I read the book, cover to cover in one sitting, was on the edge pof my seat , I simply couldn’t put it down.
What was truth at the beginning changed and at the end I was in tears over a monster, the darkness became tempting.
Bennett Mafia is an intense read, a story that gave me all the feels. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and at some point I was angry at the characters.
Bennett Mafia is excellent written, beautifully thought out and beautifully told. I highly recommend this in a single pov written book and give 5+ stars.
I’ve read many mafia romance books and only a few of them have I really enjoyed. This was one of them. I could relate to the characters in the story, and I thought the book cover revealed the hero very clearly. If you like a mafia romance with realism, this book is a great read.
Title: Bennett Mafia
Author: Tijan
Publication Date: March 3, 2019
3.5 Stars
I love mafia reads and this is my first read by Tijan. Although the first seven chapters are used to set up the storyline the pace was good and the background was needed.
When the action starts it’s a big bombshell that helps propel the storyline forward. We have no idea who the real Kai is, all we know is what Broke has said and Riley isn’t sure what to believe.
This is a saga at sixty six chapters and there were times I felt it dragged but I couldn’t stop reading. The big reveal is amazing and you see Kai is a genius at keeping his family safe and finding the enemies that try to topple their empire.
The heat between the H/h is intense but I didn’t sense a real connection between them until the end. As stated before I found it dragged a little but I can’t put my finger on what should have been left out to help the flow. Secondary characters were a mixture of great and so so, were all of them actually needed? All in all I would recommend this to Mafia lovers.
Tijan has done it again a brilliant story with strong character’s!!!
Kai is the ultimate definition of a mafia bad boy, strong,brooding ,authoritative and oozes countless amounts of swoon worthy sex appeal.
This book is a one click must it grips you from the turn of the first page sinks in it’s claws and never lets go till way after you’ve turned the last page.a story full of twists and turns and moments that shatter your heart only to put it back together again.
The story is very well written with amazing secondary characters I’m hoping that tijan decides to make this into a series instead of standalone as they are screaming to tell there own stories.
An absolutely fantastic read !!!!!
I promise, Tijan’s books never disappoint! This book was no exception…
I loved every second of the story. I could not get enough and I could not wait to get back to reading it after having to do the obligatory mundane things in life.
Riley and Kai are amazing! I loved their story. I went through the motions with them. I would have liked to see a little more detail on their life at the end of the book, but it was still really good. The rest of the characters were just as amazing too! I would love to read their stories as well.
This is a book you need to read without interruptions. From the moment you start reading you will be on a nonstop roller coaster ride. Bennett Mafia is intense, full of angst and your mind is constantly trying to keep up with everything that’s happening. Kai is an enigma. Riley is brilliant, sassy and a true fighter. The characters will have you intrigued and will completely captivate you. Tijan has once again produced a brilliant storyline that you will immediately fall in love with.
Buy the book and happy reading!
Dude.
First step. Get the girl.
Second step. World domination.
Kai is like an evil genius and Riley is a total badass. My only one small complaint is that I wish this was in dual POV. I would’ve loved to get inside of Kai’s head, that man is stone cold. You know, this would make a great movie. I’d buy tickets to see it while shoving my face hole full of popcorn. This is some good stuff.
**4.5 Stars**
Hold on to your seats,
you all are in for one wild ride!
About Bennett Mafia:
Bennett Mafia is a complete standalone told in Riley’s point of view.
The Bennett Mafia family is known to be brutal and sadistic. They hold all the power within the Mafia circuit. But one man stands out high above all other Bennett’s, and his name is Kai. Kai is a man who gets what he wants, and he wants answers. Answers that only Riley knows.
But Riley has changed her ways in life. She once lived a life of riches under the heavy thumb of her sadistic father. She now works as a hider, protecting those in need and making sure no one finds them. But while looking out for others, Riley forgot that she’s also undercover from one of the toughest Mafia Bosses around, Kai Bennett.
My Thoughts:
Holy hell! Tijan, what are you doing to me! I’m sleep deprived and blurry eyed. My body yearns for rest but my brain keeps telling me one more chapter. Bennett Mafia is my newest addiction and I’m only 14 chapters in! This book is such a rush! This is what I posted on my Instagram yesterday while I was still reading Bennett Mafia. At that moment, I was 14 chapters in, which was about 20% of the way through the book. I thought I was sleep deprived then! I knew absolutely nothing containing to what I was actually in for!
Tijan has done it again! She’s found a way to write a completely addicting novel with alluring characters. A novel that has her reader’s sitting on the edge of their seats throughout the whole damn book. A novel that makes us all break that one simple promise to ourselves, I’ll put the book down after I finish this chapter. I honestly don’t know how many times I told myself this while reading. Too many times to count.
Kai Bennett is not only fiercely dangerous, but also very smooth! He knows what he wants and he knows exactly how to get it, that’s for damn sure. This man has put me on an emotional roller coaster throughout this book. There were moments that made me curse him up and down while throwing air punches. But then there were also moments where I wanted to pull him into my arms and hug the daylights out of him.
I freaking loved Riley! I loved her inner monologue and how she fought her attraction to Kai until the very end, until it was too late. Riley is also lethal, but in her own ways. She’s a character that shouldn’t be underestimated.
These two separate characters are dangerous, but in different ways. One uses their danger for personal vendettas, while the other lives a life of danger simply to help others. But when you put Kai and Riley in the same room and give them a goal to set towards, the combination is lethal.
Overall, I couldn’t get enough of Bennett Mafia! This novel is freaking crazy with twists and turns around every corner. Some I was expecting, while others blew me the fuck away! The only thing negative I found in this novel was the fact that a few key moments felt a tad bit rushed. But that could be summed up to my selfishness and not wanting this story to ever end.
If you are looking for a slow burn romance filled to the brim with danger, sexual tension, and a love that’s worth fighting for. Get your 1-click finger ready, Bennett Mafia by Tijan is about to blow you out of the fucking water!!!
BENNETT MAFIA by Tijan
4.5 stars–
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 4, 2019
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 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.
••••••••
REVIEW: 4.5 stars– BENNETT MAFIA by Tijan is a contemporary, adult, stand alone, Mafia romance story line focusing on the head of the Bennett family Kai Bennett, and Riley Bello.
NOTE: BENNETT MAFIA contains graphic scenes of violence and murder, that may not be suitable for more sensitive readers.
Told from first person point of view (Riley Bello) BENNETT MAFIA follows twenty six year old Riley Bello as she navigates the world that has become her life. Fourteen years earlier she would befriend her boarding school roommate and Mafia princess Brooke Bennett only to lose the only friend she would ever love when Brooke’s world imploded leaving Riley to fend for herself. Fast forward to present day wherein Riley works undercover for an organization that helps women and children escape the violence that has become their lives. When Brooke Bennett goes missing, Riley will come face to face with her future-Mafia boss and head of the Bennett Family- Kai Bennett, and the man with whom she would fall in love. What ensues is the acrimonious and contemptuous relationship between Kai and Riley, and the fall-out as Kai pushes Riley out of his life.
BENNETT MAFIA is a story about the rich and powerful; the dark and dangerous; the damaged and controlled. Riley knows what it is like to lose the people you love but struggles in the face of her attraction to a man she knows could destroy her in the blink of an eye. Kai Bennett is the hardened head of the Bennett family and refuses to acknowledge his feelings for the woman who was once his sister’s best friend. Desperate to uncover Brooke’s whereabouts Kai kidnaps our story line heroine in an attempt to protect the sister he loves from a future of which she is not prepared.
The relationship between Kai and Riley is fraught with animosity, malevolence, prejudice and hostility. Riley has become a virtual prisoner of a man she believes is a cold, blooded killer, a man with whom she will pledge her love only to discover that she was part of a larger plan. Kai Bennett has lusted after his sister’s best friend for as long as he can remember but pulling Riley into the Bennett lifestyle means placing the woman he loves in the direct line of fire. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Kai’s siblings: Brooke, Jonah and Tanner, as well as numerous guards and security, and several members of other crime families associated with the Bennett Mafia ; Riley’s fellow 411 Chapter members and friends Blade and Carol, as well as Riley’s father Bruce Bello. I am hoping the author has plans for future stories with Brooke, Johan and Tanner.
BENNETT MAFIA is first and foremost a story about family; about power; about betrayal and control. The premise is raw and gritty; the characters are animated and energetic; the romance is impassioned, complex and heart breaking.
Dark and gritty with twists and turns at every corner that be sure to get your heart pumping. I love that the heroine was so badass and knew how to take care of herself. I don’t even look to see what Tijan’s books are about anymore. I one-click and read them the day they come out and I’m never disappointed.
This is my first read by this author, but it won’t be my last. This book had a gripping storyline that kept me reading long after I should have been asleep. If you love your romance with a mafia twist, this book is for you!
If I am to be kidnapped can it please please please be by the Bennett brothers!
I grabbed a copy of this when it was recommended for a group read the author was new to me but the feedback for the book was nothing but positive –
So I dove in and suddenly found myself drowning in its inky depths caught in the current that was Kai – And honestly, I do NOT want to be rescued
The story line was easy to follow and engaging from the opening scene to the closing epilogue – I read this in one sitting- I do not want to give away any spoilers as there are so many scenes that will have you doing a double take- I admit there were a few situations that I would have liked more background or more explanation regarding. Also, a few scenes that had me asking “huh?”. And the end felt a bit rushed- But to be honest that could just be my greed in wanting more of what the story offered and time with the characters
The characters- * swoon*
Riley was intense – She holds a lot of secrets, most by choice. Her heart seemed to lead her life choices even after all the darkness she has experienced, which I actually found endearing. I felt it added a bit of innocence to her. She was such a complex mix of emotions. She was strong (emotionally and physically) and she had brains – that she knew how to use. She wasn’t a pushover, but when confronted with a truth that was not black or white she weighed her decision very carefully – IMO this was an important trait especially as the story progresses
Kai – where can I get one? There are more skeletons in this man’s closet than in your local boneyard – He is such a delicate balance of dark and light. He is the head of the Bennett family and he rules with an iron fist. Nothing, and I truly mean Nothing gets passed him. He is always five steps ahead of any situation. He is ruthless yet honorable. Quite the conundrum.
And the brothers – I can not wait for their stories!
If you enjoy romantic suspense with strong characters, a solid story line, lots of “OMG” “Hell No” and “WTF” moments look no further
The Bennett Family has it all
This was a really fascinating mafia romance with plenty of twists and unexpected turns… Kai is the cold, ruthless mafia boss and Riley is everything that he is not, but together there is a spark…
The Bennett family and their associates are not good people, however, the love and loyalty that the Bennett children display somehow makes their wicked deeds seem less despicable and leads to conflicting emotions in Riley… I really felt the hopelessness and yearning of many of the characters for a better life, which was impossible in their world.
The premise was original and the imagined world gritty and believable..a gripping and enthralling read.
Wow. Kai Bennett completely threw me off guard. I hated him so much! Or so I thought but then I was completely conflicted and wasn’t sure if I should love him or hate him.
Kai is a mafia boss. He is cunning, ruthless, and vindictive. But he’s also well… in Riley’s way of saying it, more. He’s just more. That is the best word to use. I was so enraptured by him. I don’t have words adequate enough to describe the turmoil I felt because of him.
Riley was absolutely amazing. I loved her so much. Her strength and audaciousness were unmatched. I was in awe of her, I wanted her to thrive!
This book is one that catches you off guard, and knocks you on your ass. Let’s see if I can explain myself without giving any spoilers away.. So the way the events play out was something that I never expected. I read all the blurbs, teasers, reviews.. Everything on this book before reading it and still had no idea what was to come. Literally knocked me on my ass. I felt such hatred toward Kai and I didn’t even know him, then I started to not completely hate him, then I started to see the real Kai, started to understand him. Then I fell, face first off a cliff, in love with him. Blinding, blissful, all consuming love. (Hubby was slightly jealous of the amount of swoon I had going on over him!) Then I came full circle and absolutely hated him. I wanted to kick his fictional ass I was so mad at him. How could he? Why? But wait, isn’t that who he’s always been? Then well, no spoilers here but shock. I was in complete shock. OK I’m rambling now.. I just can’t help it. I will just say this book literally gives you ALL THE FEELS!! Every emotion on the spectrum was touched for me in this book.
Tijan is a phenomenal writer, I have been a long time fan but this book.. This book takes the cake and the damn table its sitting on! I am flabbergasted by how much this book touched me.
Thank you Tijan for taking the plunge on writing and never looking back!
I feel like there is so much more to say but instead I will just say Bennett Mafia is a MUST READ for everybody!
Wow Tijan you did it again. Riley has lived threw hell with her Father and gets out and is free. She is a strong and independent women who loves fierce. She is a women who loves a dangerous man who things she needs to live a safer life. Kai is a boy who grows up way to fast. Becomes bad man but does a lot of good. He is loyal to his family and the people he loves. He is a calculated man. Brooke is a friend and sister. Who Riley thinks needs help but turns out she does but not for the reasons she thinks. This book kept me turning the pages I couldn’t out it down. Love all the Characters. Tijan I sure hope you write more about the Bennett Family.