Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Griffin and the author for an advanced reader’s copy of The Insiders in exchange for my honest review.
- Title: The Insiders
- Author: Tijan
- Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
- Pub. date: 4 May 2021
- Series: unnamed trilogy #1
- Pages: 384
- Genres: new adult, romance, contemporary
The Insiders is the first in a brand new, page-turning romance trilogy from New York Times bestseller, Tijan!
Bailey is as normal as could be, with a genius IQ and a photographic memory. But still, normal for her. Then, things happen—a guy breaks into her house in the middle of the night to take her hostage. She finds out her father is actually billionaire tech genius Peter Francis, the same guy she’s idolized all her life. She learns all this when she meets dark, mysterious, and electrifying Kashton Colello. He’s an associate of her father’s, and he gives Bailey two choices—go with him and meet her father or survive on her own because those kidnappers are going to try again. It’s a no-brainer.
After this, three things become clear for Bailey:
1. She’s living at her father’s sprawling estate, complete with bodyguards and the best security that money can buy.
2. She’s no longer an only child. She has three siblings and has no idea what to do with them and vice versa.
3. She is being guarded by Kash himself. Personally guarded. And there is a lot of guarding going on there and some of it is going to drive her crazy.
A complete outsider in a world of wealth and decadence, Bailey has to find her way within a family that has more secrets than she could have imagined. One of these secrets could be deadly…
I have never read a Tijan book, but I’ve seen many good reviews about her romances. Thus, I jumped at the first chance to review this eARC as soon as I saw it up. However, I am not a big fan of the cover because, let’s be honest, book covers with real people on them are not really on my favourites list.
The blurb pretty much covers the whole story minus the grand finale. Bailey Hayes is this great kid with a genius IQ and photographic memory. She ends up being almost kidnapped and comes to learn that the kidnappers are after her because she is the illegitimate daughter of tech tycoon, Peter Francis. Soon she comes face-to-face with Kashton Colello, the hot, enigmatic associate of her birth father who also seems to be head of security.
Within 24 hours, Bailey gets uprooted into the sprawling Francis estate, where she ends up housemates with Kashton. Along with getting familiar with her “new” siblings and trying to gain her father’s attention, she shares an instant connection with Kash.
However, there are bad guys hellbent on kidnapping Bailey for some reason and it’s up to Kash to keep her safe and out of their hands. But Bailey starts to realise that there are many secrets in the Francis household, including the identity of the object of her attraction, Kash.
- The plot twists that I never saw coming. There were a few twists that Tijan properly built the suspense up to and I thoroughly enjoyed when those final reveals came along. I can’t say too much without spoiling the plot much so you’re gonna have to make do with that very vague descriptions!
- I think Kashton is possibly my favourite character here. His mysterious aura and dark looks are totally my jam when it comes to male leads. Honestly, the mystery around Kash is possibly why I’m drawn to his character.
- The suspense can actually get nerve-wracking but, in retrospect, that feels like a good thing. The story is through Bailey’s POV so there is a lot we don’t know. I thought the mystery was very well done. Nothing is that obvious and I’m kept guessing.
- I found the side characters way more interesting than the main characters. I wish they had more screen time, especially Matt.
- That ending really set the scene for Book Two. It was not shocking really but it really got me curious about the sequel even though I’m not impressed by the book as a whole. I liked that.
- I came across multiple reviewers saying that this book is Tijan’s usual style. Now this is my first Tijan book but even I felt that the characters and the direction of the plot were a bit predictable. I even sort of guessed the main reveal at the end of the book, and that just takes the fun out of all that suspense.
- I didn’t find Bailey that relatable or likeable. I literally didn’t care about her other than the bits of the plot that I couldn’t figure out.
- The romance between Bailey and Kashton was just textbook insta-love with no substance! I was legit confused as to why they ended up together. I am pretty disappointed at how great the roommates turned lovers trope could have been done here but wasn’t.
- The steam level was lower than what I generally like in books. I found that surprising since the author got pretty explicit describing Matt’s party scenes. It’s so disappointing when you’ve got a character as hot as Kash and half the steamy scenes fade into black.
- Tijan’s writing felt a bit haphazard and messy. I am aware that this is an advanced copy but it still felt too messy for an advanced copy either way. If anyone read this, let me know if this is her normal style?
I really wanted to like this book more, but I just couldn’t get along with the story. I found the plot a little predictable and the romance was only okay. And those points disappointed me the most. The addictive pace and mystery of the book were its strongest points for me.
