Tuesday, February 8, 2022

The Damaged by Tijan

The Damaged
(The Insiders Trilogy #2)
by Tijan
Published February 8, 2022 by St. Martin's Griffin

No longer an outsider, Bailey has a family and love that she never could’ve imagined.


Used to living in the shadows, Kash will now do anything to protect his family and his woman.


They will take on the world together…


In the meantime, stunning motives, lies, and explosive secrets continue to unfold.


1. Quinn is in jail, awaiting trial.


2. Friends might actually be enemies.


3. And what is Calhoun plotting? More importantly, will Kash discover it before it’s too late?


Everything will come to a head as passion and danger ignite in The Damaged.


"Obsessed from page one! The Insiders is yet another addicting read from Tijan."—Jennifer L. Armentrout, #1 New York Times bestselling author


Review
4 Stars

    Do I really have to wait for the next book? Can't I have it right now? The Damaged was IMPOSSIBLE to put down, more so than The Insiders even, and I just know the third and final book will be the same. Suspenseful, sexy, and somehow both a new adult and adult read. The Damaged packs a punch, taking readers back into Bailey's world, but this time we also get the occasional glimpse into Kash's mind. We're back in the world of the rich and famous-by-association. The money drips, from their clothes and their cars and the hotels they call home. Doors open for them, clubs open ropes up, and Bailey is finally going to see what money and power can do for her as she begins school at Hawking University.

    One of my favorite parts of The Insiders was Bailey's brain, she's so dang smart and even when she relaxed into her family role she still responded smartly. In The Damaged it is clear love has taken over some space in her brain, she's a bit less insightful, and she's always dripping in lust for Kash. It would be annoying, if there chemistry wasn't so off the charts and if I didn't love books with all-consuming relationships so much. Her brain shows its stuff when it comes to school though and I really enjoyed her world expanding, to see her gain friendships, to grow her relationship with Matt, and to see a future setting itself up for her.

    Unfortunately, things go off the rails, as they do when you're Peter Francis' unknown daughter and dating the ninth richest man in the world. Jealousy, greed, anger, lust, and revenge take Bailey and Kash on a wild ride and based on the ending of this book, it's not done yet. It's a rollercoaster, one that Tijan gives you a break from with intense romance scenes and brother-sister bonding. I knew though that the unknown figure from the first novel would show up again, I knew there was something to come, and my word I cannot wait for it! I need book three. I need to know more. Tijan did such a good job foreshadowing what is to come and I am just begging to have it revealed to me this instant.

    The Damaged is another excellent release from Tijan and a stunning secondary novel in the trilogy. I rarely love the second book in any series, but oh my word, this could end up being my favorite. The writing is new-adult-ish, with quicker dialogue and a lack of complex world building, but I sort of enjoyed that. While The Damaged isn't challenging to read, it is entertaining and what it lacks in depth it makes up for in excitement and intrigue. The Insiders Trilogy is one I am highly recommending to romance-suspense fans like me.

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