Reviews

The Damaged by Tijan

kfriend's review against another edition

4.0

Tijan always delivers such interesting characters and juicy drama- I just gobble her books right up, and I am loving this new series. It is full of secrets and mystery- a delicious mix of family drama, young love, elite machinations, power struggles, and mafia connections. We have a quintessential Tijan book boyfriend in the enigmatic, devoted, and protective Kash, and this second book made me love him even more intensely. And in Bailey we have a dynamic, fierce, and clever heroine- caught in a tangled web of lies and mystery while also just trying to handle the drama and challenges of finding her place in the world and in her family. This is shaping up to be a favorite Tijan series- and that ending will have you begging for the finale of this trilogy!

kidisitor's review against another edition

5.0

This story picks up shorty after book one (The Insider) ends. You can probably get away without having read that book, but you will miss much of the dynamics between the characters and some of the back story. You get some general info (of the events that took place then and the people, but thats about it.) That book was more about Bailey (the Heroine) and her discovering some secrets and starting a new life (of course there was a lot more to that story.) This book is also all about Bailey, but there's so much more going on around her. She's just the common denominator. This book is action packed and filled with twists and turns. It also has a surprise cliffhanger ending. There are highs and lows. It's not a mafia book, but there are some mafia-like vibes. It's written primarily from her POV, but there are also some chapters written from Kash's (Bailey's powerful boyfriend/protector) POV as well. It is intriguing and keeps you glued to the pages. It has a dark edge to it, but there are some lighter moments. It's an intense read, that's for sure. There is a lot of talk about sex, but the act itself is mostly behind closed doors. I mentioned the cliffhanger, so this story isn't complete and you will definitely want to read the final book in the trilogy to see how it all ends. (There's really no way to try to predict that.)

*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.

jess_l_lovessmut's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

 I enjoyed this book probably more than the first one. There is a lot of action and keeps you on your toes. Again, I love how smart the FMC is, it just makes for an awesome story. 

hannas_heas47's review against another edition

5.0

Oh this. Is. Good! Hawt cover alert! Phenomenal job on book two! I was sucked right in. @
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In case you don’t like reviews on books your dying to read! I get it!
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What did I like? So part one started on a kidnapping attempt gone wrong and we learn tons about Bailey! So part two had me romantically mixing the name of Kash and Bailey and came up with Kailey…. I just couldn’t help myself. These two just solidify and I don’t see anything breaking up these two. The dynamic of this book though is completely action packed. Intro to the characters are done and part two… well everyone has a role to play. And they play it….

Would I recommend or buy? Read these in order because it would be weird not to. The action in the book was fabulous and the heat between Kash and Bailey (Kailey) just explosive! Five intense stars. I’m ready for part three…please!

I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review! Omg did you have to kill off !@$&$$&&!

dreadawn1988's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

The Damaged was just as exciting as The Insiders. I just love the romance between Bailey and Kash. The supporting characters were awesome especially Bailey's brother Matt who I hope gets his own book in the future. With the way The Damaged ended I'm glad that I don't have to wait for the final book.

naiapard's review against another edition

3.0

If you have not read the first book, then go check out my review of The Insiders #1.

I will be the first one to admit that the sole reason for which I got again into Tijan is their Canary book. It was so freacking spectacular. I liked the protagonist so much. I loved the writing style, above all else. I have so many praises for that jewelry of a book.

I wanted to prolong that sentiment of fulfilment so I tried my hand at this new series of Tijan, hoping to be at least half a good as the Canary.

The sad part it was that indeed, it was just half as good. At least, the first book. This one, well, this one performed quite poorly.

My quarrel it is with the main couple. Their romace is immediately instaurated, no question asked, nothing to be weighted. We take the male lead as good from the start and we are not to let go of that assumption.

And I arrived to dispised how their relationship became to grow as the intslament advanced. At least for this book there were dozens of time she kept referring to the male love interest as “my man” when talking with others about him. I understand that you want to assert your territory, but holly f$ck.

“My phone buzzed. Kash.

At Naveah. Hallway.

I said, “Gotta go. My man’s here.”

stop saying that!

Often enough in Tijan`s book we get a version of a male protagonist that is akin to some divinity. I think it is a kind of objectivifying (of which I am not complaining because they do not hurt nobody), but holly cow, this time it was too much. He is a god on earth at how quickly he is there to save her or to help her with everything and anything. He knows what she needs before SHE is aware of those needs.

I think this omnipresence should have been read as sexy and cute, but the only thing that crossed my mind was “CONTROLLING”.

Take this situation: A colleague of HERS was working at a place owned by HIM. That colleague wronged HER and because SHE knew that HE would fire that colleague on the spot, SHE kept that hidden. But HE found out about it and this is a piece out of their conversation on that subject (It is in her PoV):

“I’m assuming you don’t want her fired. That’s why you tried to hide that from me?”

I nodded.

“Okay.” He tugged me back to him. His arms wrapped around me, his head resting against mine.”

I don't like how little agency she has here. All these men in her life that have so much wealth and connections --it makes her fall silent in arguments and stay silent--where is her spunk? Where is that kick-ass-heroine energy I was so used with in a Tijan book?

Overall, a pretty decent book if compared with what has been published in the past two years, but in comparison with Tijan`s other masterpieces this falls short.

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theoriginal_b00k_nerd's review against another edition

5.0

**ARC Review of [b:The Damaged|57693291|The Damaged (The Insiders Trilogy, #2)|Tijan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1636365773l/57693291._SY75_.jpg|90371527]**
[bc:The Damaged|57693291|The Damaged (The Insiders Trilogy, #2)|Tijan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1636365773l/57693291._SY75_.jpg|90371527]

[a:Tijan|4851199|Tijan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1612813356p2/4851199.jpg]
[ai:Tijan|4851199|Tijan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1612813356p2/4851199.jpg]

Book 2 starts exactly where book 1 ended. We learn Bailey has started recovering mentally from her attack and is back to good physical health. We also learn she has been banned from seeing her siblings due to putting them in possible danger.

The beginning of this book made me angry since Bailey went through so much and is essentially being blamed for her new families issues. I also was mad that Kash was not as involved in the beginning. I was really wanting to see how his father showing up affected him.

Overall, I loved book 2. This book had a lot packed into it and we got to see alot of relationships develop for Bailey, especially her and Kash. I loved reading her take control of her life and education. I am excited for book 3 to see what culminates in the trilogy.

**SPOILER**
Seeing Kash come through for Bailey at the end (you all know what I am talking about) made me SWOON!! I love Kash and he is one of my fav male characters from Tijan.

***I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review**

natneedsbooks's review against another edition

3.0

Bailey is not working for me. She’s weak. She keeps letting Kash fight all her battles and even though she continually repeats to herself “Hayes women don’t cry. Never let them see you break” she continues to be broken and emotional.
And as much as I love how intense and alpha Kash is… he’s pissing me off too. He leaves her too much. He’s gone all the time and he keeps too much from Bailey. Even at the end, when he knows going with Victoria will hurt her, he does it anyway. Tijan usually gives us an alpha male who puts his woman first… but Kash is wrapped up more in his grandfather and business. He shows up just in time to slip in bed, have sex, and off he goes again.
I’m not impressed and it breaks my heart because I’ve been dying for a new Tijan story, waiting till all 3 books were out so I could devour them. But I wanted more than what this trilogy is giving me

juliapac's review

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

trish_beautifulchaosreviews's review against another edition

5.0

The trouble with reviewing the second book in a suspenseful trilogy is not giving away the good stuff while still raving about why you loved the book. Such is my predicament with The Damaged, the second book in the Insiders trilogy. So what to say? Kash is opened up to us more, and his love of Bailey and his desire to protect her is epic. Bailey is going through many emotional upheavals as she begins graduate school, navigates family dynamics, and does not deal with her trauma from book one. The story is fast-paced and a page-turner. Kash and Bailey are stunning together, and I love their relationship. Bailey is such a brilliant yet unassuming girl, which makes her growing relationships with her brothers and sisters so much sweeter. But don't cross her--she can get you on the interwebs!

Trouble is crashing on them in the person of Kash's nefarious grandfather, and everything is a game of outsmarting your opponent. Kash is up for the task, but...

Must stop that right there; you need to read the book. Start there if you have not read the Outsider (the beginning of Kash and Bailey's story). If you have read the Outsider---Ummm, hello? What are you waiting for? Grab The Damaged TODAY!!