Review: Ruthless Rival

 

Title: Ruthless Rival

Series: Cruel Castaways

Author: LJ Shen

Release Date: May 3

From Wall Street Journal bestselling author L.J. Shen comes an enemies-to-lovers romance about the fine line between seeking revenge and finding love.

When she was young, Arya Roth became best friends with her housekeeper’s son. Soon, friendship turned to young love, and when Arya dared him to kiss her, a chain reaction of disastrous events led to the boy being sent away and out of Arya’s life.

Now, two decades later, Arya is an on-the-rise publicist with her beloved father as one of her biggest clients. So when her father is sued by a former employee, Arya sets out to prove that her father is not the monster he is accused of being. The only problem is the attorney who is determined to destroy her father’s good name. Christian Miller is charming, ambitious, and devilishly good looking, and Arya has no idea he is that same boy who kissed her all those years ago.

Past and present collide as Arya falls hard for Christian. But when she finds out who he really is and about his obsession with getting revenge on her father, can she choose love over family?

Arya spent the summers with her house keeper's son. Their friendship started to blossom into something more- and when Arya dared the boy to kiss her, it set off a chain reaction leading to the boy being sent away out of Arya's life. 

Now, two decades later- her father is being sued by a former employee, and Arya is trying to prove that her father isn't the monster he is accused of being. But there is just one problem and that is the attorney who is set out to destroy her father. 

What happens when past and present collide when Arya starts falling for the attorney, finding out who he really is? 

So... I really don't know what to say about this book. I loved quite a few of LJs works in the past, and always looked forward to reading them. But recently... They just don't bring me the same joy. 

It took a couple days to read Ruthless Rival with everything going on in my life currently, but... Honestly it wasn't really that remarkable. Nothing really stood out. I didn't like or care for either of the main characters, the parents were horrible and we didn't really see anything of the side characters. Their lives were pretty bland- I don't even care to know more about arsene even though he probably would have been my favorite of the three. 

 And we are made to believe that these two characters had fallen in love when they were 13 or 14 (they had their first kiss with each other at 14), and then after that one kiss and not seeing or hearing from either one for nearly twenty years that what? They still love each other? 

Neither had a successful relationship (not surprising for the male lead though he was aweful). And they clashed. The so called chemistry between them was non-existent. And the whole "we can't" but do it anyways knowing full well it would basically ruin each of their lives. He not only tears her father down, ripping everything from him- which given the circumstances was probably warranted, BUT he lies to her, and basically messes with HER life too. He comes out with one speech about being sorry and what? She forgives him just like that? 

They don't see each other for two decades and fall back in love in a matter of weeks with a "no strings attached" relationship that was always doomed to fail since he was the attorney against her father and held the secret of his real identity from her almost up to the very end, despite having MANY opportunities to come clean. 

All, in all I felt the story was bland. The characters were cookie cutouts of what they were "supposed" to be. They didn't have a spark or chemistry between them. And the romance was practically non-existent. 

Honestly, this book wasnt for me. Wasn't worth my time reading it. I loved the IDEA of it. The friends to lovers to rivals to second chance romance. I wanted to love this one.  But alas, I wanted to escape the book and return to my real life drama and dumpster fire rather then the other way around unfortunately. 

But, just because I personally didn't enjoy this book doesn't mean you won't like it. There is plenty of banter between the characters, which I enjoyed. But there are also so many of LJ's works that are better in comparison, and would recommend if you wanted to read an LJ Shen book to pick up one of her earlier works over this.  2⭐ out of 5⭐. 

Review: the Rake

 

Title: The Rake

Series: Boston Belles

Author: LJ Shen

Release Date: February 16

This is a DARK, royal standalone and the last book in the Boston Belles series.

𝐁𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧’𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐯𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲.

Emmabelle Penrose has cruised through life never needing a man, a plan that has worked stunningly well until about five minutes ago, when she decided she must have a baby.

Devon Whitehall is 6’2” of premium DNA, financial security, and British royal titles. Best of all, he fears the one thing she dreads the most: getting hitched.

Emmabelle figures it’s a no-brainer when Devon offers his services—sperm and involvement in her future child’s life. 

What begins as an innocent, modern-family arrangement, quickly erodes into a web of lies, dark pasts, and unfurled secrets. 

Inside this chaos, Emmabelle and Devon are forced to face the awful truth—they are capable of love.

Even worse, they might feel it toward each other.

https://amzn.to/33R5IyG

Ok, first while there are some trigger Warnings to be had with this book, it wasn't necessarily dark by any means. That being said I actually enjoyed this book after the last two didn't win me over. 

The Rake follows Emmabelle's and Devon's relationship- if it can be called that. They made a agreement to have a baby together- making the baby is the fun part- but everything that comes after, they might not be ready for. 

Emmabelle's life is a mess- not to mention in danger. Devon's has a marriage hanging over his head since he was fourteen. Neither may be currently in the position to have a child- but Belle is short on time, and Devon doesn't hate the fact he may have someone to pass down his title and inheritance to. 

There is just one problem - neither wants a relationship, or have anything to do with intimacy and feelings... But what happens if they might actually be falling in love with one another?

So, I did enjoy the book- the story of Emmabelle and Devon, and it tied off the Boston Belles series nicely. Emmabelle was fiercely independent, hated men and didn't need help from anyone. Devon was rich, was a rake-slept around without commitment. Both had past traumas, their past shaping them into who they became. They bantered, and fought, they had crazy sex, and shared weird facts. But they didn't get personal. Their relationship started with sleeping with each other, to a business arrangement to drama before becoming something more. They didn't seem to fit together well, and their attraction - besides the sex- didn't leap off the page for the readers. 

Don't get me wrong, Belle was great. I loved her quick wit and sassy attitude. I felt for what she had been through. I felt for what Devon had been through. But I didn't see their connection to one another. It didn't make sense (something they pointed out themselves). They fought, pushed each other away and had crazy sex. One was demanding and practically controlling (for the others safety) the other didn't want to relinquish any control, and because they didn't want to accept help was sometimes reckless. 

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book, it was ok, but I just didn't see or feel the connection between the characters. 

4⭐ out of 5⭐. 

Trigger Warning: sexual abuse/rape, miscarriage, child abuse/endangerment. 

Review: Bad Cruz

 

Title: Bad Cruz

Author: LJ Shen

Release Date: November 10

I would say Dr. Cruz Costello is my archenemy.

But that would require acknowledging one another, which we haven’t done in over a decade.

He’s the town’s golden child. The beloved quarterback-turned-physician.

I’m the girl who got knocked up at sixteen and now works at a diner.

He is Fairhope royalty.

I get my monarch dose from tabloid gossip.

He’s well-off.

I’m…well, off.

When our siblings get engaged, Cruz’s parents invite both families to a pre-wedding cruise.

Except Cruz and I find ourselves stuck on a different ship from everyone else.

Cue ten horrible, insufferable days at sea with a man I cannot stand.

(My fault, of course.)

But when the alcohol pours in, the secrets spill out, and I’m left with one question:

Can I take another chance on love?

Dr Cruz Costello is town royalty. The golden boy. He could do no wrong. 

Tennessee Turner is the town screw up- viewed as nothing but a hussy. A single mom, and push over when it comes to her family. 

When their siblings get engaged, their families decide to go on vacation together to bond and get to know each other before the big day. 

Except of course messy Nessy strikes again, messing up yet another thing and booking the wrong cruise ship for her and cruise. 

10 days away from their family, away from anyone who knows them... What's the worse that can happen? 

So... I read this book. That's a thing that happened. It's suppose to be a romcom, and a few parts had me chuckling but otherwise, it was just... More bland. Don't get me wrong, I normally love LJ's bad boys & the storylines, but this one just wasn't for me. I didn't really connect with either of the characters, the girl was more of a push over then anything and I don't know. They deserved one another. They could have resolved the whole thing years before the book even took place if they just talked (but then there wouldn't have been much of a story I suppose). The story wasn't terrible, but it lacked humor or depth or well, much of anything. It was a light, fun read, hardly any angst and tons of drama (not the good kind either, just toxic). Just because I didn't like this book as much as some of LJ's other works, doesnt mean it might not be for you. If you love your guys, golden who could do no wrong, loved by the whole town and rocking a porn 'stache & your girls single mothers, who don't have their life together, push overs & make a mess and scandal out of everything then this is the book for you. 3⭐ out of 5⭐. 

Review: The Monster

 

Title: The Monster

Series: Boston Belles

Author: LJ Shen

Release Date: June 15

The most important thing I’d ever read was scribbled on the door of a portable restroom, engraved into plastic at a carnival on the outskirts of Boston.

Lust lingers, love stays.

Lust is impatient, love waits.

Lust burns, love warms.

Lust destroys, but love? Love kills.

Maybe it was always my destiny to fall in love with a monster.

When other kids stayed awake at night fearing the pointy-toothed beast hiding in their closet, I longed to see mine.

I wanted to feed it, domesticate it, understand it.

Sam and I were only allowed to love each other in the dark.

Once our story unfolded, and the truth came to light, I was the one to cut the cord.

My name is Aisling Fitzpatrick, and I have a confession to make.

Sam Brennan is not the only monster in this story.

 

Aisling Fitzpatrick wasn't your average Boston princess born with a silver spoon in her mouth, spoiled beyond belief. 

In stead of falling in love with a prince who might deserve her, she fell in love with the monster in the night. 

Stolen glances. 

Hidden kisses. 

But the thing about monsters is they can't be tamed. And maybe Sam Brennen wasn't the only monster of the story. 

I have been looking forward to this story for months. I love the dark and gritty. The blood and the monsters. I love to see what makes them tick. And seeing those who are incapable of love and feelings fall, and those who put them there. I spent my day devouring this book like I do any other LJ Shen novel. 4.5 ⭐ out of 5⭐. 

Grab your copy today or read FREE on Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mppmqP

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TheMonster

 

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Review: the Devil Wears Black

 

Title: the Devil Wears Black

Author: LJ Shen

Release Date: March 9

Maddie Goldbloom stitched up a plan to ensure everything in her life was perfect—from a career in fashion to a chic NYC apartment to a pediatrician boyfriend.

When her ex, Chase Black, storms back into her life with an outrageous request, her immediate reaction is to refuse him. But he only wants to fulfill his father’s last wish. So even though he’s the man who broke her heart, playing his fiancée shouldn’t be hard, especially if it means she gets to watch the arrogant devil squirm a bit.

What ensues is a chain of events that detonates Maddie’s life—and when Chase’s walls come down, they both are forced to face reality.

They say keep your enemies close. But what if your enemy is also the man you love?

"If it doesn't make you grow or blossom- let it go." 

Maddie has been making sure her whole life is perfect- everything from her career, to NYC apartment, down to her boyfriend. But what she didn't account for was her ex, Chase walking back into her life, with a crazy request, to fulfil his father's last wish. It shouldn't be too hard to fake an engagement with the hottest, richest bachelor in NYC, even if he is an arrogant jerk. But the events that follow detonate their lives, forcing them to face reality. 

So, the Devil Wears Black is a cross between Dirty Headlines, The Hunter and something else entirely. It's funny, touching and brings out emotion, but this book seems slightly off from other of LJ's works. I can't quite put my finger on it. But, I enjoyed it thoroughly. It still had the alpha-hole bad boy we all love. 

Chase Black is a handsome, rich, successful, but arrogant, sarcastic and cold. He doesn't do real. He lives for his business and his family. But when bad news strikes, he strolls back into Maddie's life- with a not-so-fully thought-through plan in mind- to fake an engagement with her for his family's sake, how could Maddie say no?

Maddie is known as a Martyr, she will do anything for anyone- a fact that Chase knew. But, she has grown more of a backbone since they were last together- more assertive and putting Chase in his place when it called for it. She also wore quirky clothes, and was a florists' daughter. But she was different from anyone else that Chase knew, and despite her differences, something about her drew him in. 

They bantered and argued over everything. Chase cared too little about anything that wasn't himself, his family or his business. Maddie cared too much. Yet, what they had worked together. It wasn't perfect by any means. 

I absolutely loved this story. It was funny and light hearted when it came to Maddie and Chase but also emotional and heart wrenching. I laughed and cried. It was well balanced between the two. I loved Maddie- and her growth. How despite everything she learned to stand up for and love herself. I loved Chase and his alphahole ways. A great spring read. 4.5 ⭐ out of 5 ⭐

PS- Chase is the police officer paw patrol. Marshal is the firefighter. That bothered me. I know bc of my daughter's excessive collection of paw patrol toys. For someone (Chase) who claims to know everything... He got one thing wrong 😂😂

Download your copy! 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/35mycgA 

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/devilblack 

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3jOHfO9

Audio: https://amzn.to/2CPy9Ad

Add The Devil Wears Black to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2KSYbTj

Blog Tour: The Villain

"A love story with teeth and claws. I dare you not to fall in love with Cillian Fitzpatrick." - USA Today bestselling author, Parker S. Huntington

The Villain, an all-new twisted modern day Greek tragedy from USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author L.J. Shen is available now!

Cruel. Coldblooded. Hades in a Brioni suit.

Cillian Fitzpatrick has been dubbed every wicked thing on planet earth.

To the media, he is The Villain.

To me, he is the man who (reluctantly) saved my life.

Now I need him to do me another, small solid.

Bail me out of the mess my husband got me into.

What’s a hundred grand to one of the wealthiest men in America, anyway?

Only Cillian doesn’t hand out free favors.

The price for the money, it turns out, is my freedom.

Now I’m the eldest Fitzpatrick brother’s little toy.

To play, to mold, to break.

Too bad Cillian forgot one, tiny detail.

Persephone wasn’t only the goddess of spring; she was also the queen of death.

He thinks I’ll buckle under the weight of his mind games.

He is about to find out the most lethal poison is also the sweetest.

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3lWU0pT

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TheVillain

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3757c81

Audible: http://adbl.co/3npfKvW

Add The Villain to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/LJVillianGR

For more information, join L.J. Shen’s reader group:  http://bit.ly/2lTnonw

Stay up to date on all release news. 

Follow L.J. Shen on Instagram: https://bit.ly/LJShenIG

Review:

"I absolutely loved Cillian and Persephone together. They were explosive and steamy and perfect." 

https://natashareadsbooksbookblog.blogspot.com/2020/12/review-villain.html?m=1

Excerpt

I leaned against the doorframe, hands tucked in my front pockets, and observed. It took her three minutes to notice me. Another two to lift her jaw off the floor, straighten her spine, and turn scarlet. Our eyes met across the room, and that nagging murmur in my chest happened again.

Get that checked. If you drop dead from a heart attack at forty, you’ll have no one else to blame. She winced, looking like I physically slapped her. 

“Mr. Fitzpatrick.” 

“Miss Penrose.” 

“Veitch,” she corrected, just to spite me. 

“Not for long,” I noted dryly. “A word?” 

“I know many. My favorite one right now is—leave.”

“You want to hear me out.” I cracked my knuckles. “Now say goodbye to your little friends.” 

She looked back and forth between the kids and me, then turned and murmured something to the teacher next to her, and hurried my way, dunking her head down. “What are you doing here?” 

She closed the door behind her, whisper-shouting. 

I’ve been asking myself the same question since bailing on Keith and his snooze-fest speech. What the hell was I doing here?

About L.J. Shen

L.J. Shen is a USA Today, Washington Post and Amazon #1 best-selling author of contemporary, New Adult and YA romance. Her books have been sold to twenty different countries. 

 

She lives in California with her husband, son, cat and eccentric fashion choices, and enjoys good wine, bad reality TV shows and catching sun rays with her lazy cat.

Connect with L.J. Shen

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2OhSvp1

Twitter: http://bit.ly/36ELHZc

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2oMbFsu

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2AIOiTo

Stay up to date with L.J. Shen by signing up for her mailing list:

http://bit.ly/36MnmAQ

Website: http://www.authorljshen.com/

Review: The Villain

 

Title: the Villain

Series: Boston Belles

Author: L.J. Shen

Release Date: December 16

To marry or not to marry Boston’s favorite villain?

The Villain, an all-new dark and decadent love story from USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author L.J. Shen is available now!

Cruel. Coldblooded. Hades in a Brioni suit.

Cillian Fitzpatrick has been dubbed every wicked thing on planet earth.

To the media, he is The Villain.

To me, he is the man who (reluctantly) saved my life.

Now I need him to do me another, small solid.

Bail me out of the mess my husband got me into.

What’s a hundred grand to one of the wealthiest men in America, anyway?

Only Cillian doesn’t hand out free favors.

The price for the money, it turns out, is my freedom.

Now I’m the eldest Fitzpatrick brother’s little toy.

To play, to mold, to break.

Too bad Cillian forgot one, tiny detail.

Persephone wasn’t only the goddess of spring; she was also the queen of death.

He thinks I’ll buckle under the weight of his mind games.

He is about to find out the most lethal poison is also the sweetest.

Gahhh!!! Where do I even begin to explain this book?!?!

Cillian Fitzpatrick is cruel, cold-blooded, and wicked. Dubbed by the media as the Villain. 

Persephone Penrose is sweet, pure, quiet, but has a backbone. Often compared to Hades wife, and the goddess of spring, but also forgot that she was the queen of the underworld too. 

Cillian was everything. He was wicked and cruel. He didn't care about anything except his business making money. 

Persephone was amazing. She may have been quiet and sweet but she also had a backbone and pushed Cillian when needed. 

I absolutely loved Cillian and Persephone together. They were explosive and steamy and perfect. My heart went out to Cillian, and fell in love with their story.

"But what are villains, my dear wife, if not misunderstood heroes?" 

5 "cloud wish" ⭐ out of 5 ⭐. 

Add The Villain to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/LJVillianGR

PURCHASE

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3lWU0pT

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TheVillain

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3757c81

For more information, join L.J. Shen’s reader group:  http://bit.ly/2lTnonw

Stay up to date on all release news. 

Follow L.J. Shen on Instagram: https://bit.ly/LJShenIG

Cover Reveal: The Villain

 "A love story with teeth and claws. I dare you not to fall in love with Cillian Fitzpatrick.”

 – Parker S. Huntington, USA Today Bestselling Author

The Villain, an all-new modern retelling of Hades and Persphone from USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author L.J. Shen is coming December 17th, and we have the drop-dead sexy cover!

Cruel. Coldblooded. Hades in a Brioni suit.

Cillian Fitzpatrick has been dubbed every wicked thing on planet earth.

To the media, he is The Villain.

To me, he is the man who (reluctantly) saved my life.

Now I need him to do me another, small solid.

Bail me out of the mess my husband got me into.

What’s a hundred grand to one of the wealthiest men in America, anyway?

Only Cillian doesn’t hand out free favors.

The price for the money, it turns out, is my freedom.

Now I’m the eldest Fitzpatrick brother’s little toy.

To play, to mold, to break.

Too bad Cillian forgot one, tiny detail.

Persephone wasn’t only the goddess of spring; she was also the queen of death.

He thinks I’ll buckle under the weight of his mind games.

He is about to find out the most lethal poison is also the sweetest.

Add The Villain to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/LJVillianGR

For more information, join L.J. Shen’s reader group:  http://bit.ly/2lTnonw

Stay up to date on all release news. 

Follow L.J. Shen on Instagram: https://bit.ly/LJShenIG

Cover designer: Letitia Hasser at RBA Designs

Model: George Alsford

About L.J. Shen

L.J. Shen is a USA Today, Washington Post and Amazon #1 best-selling author of contemporary, New Adult and YA romance. Her books have been sold to twenty different countries. 

 

She lives in California with her husband, son, cat and eccentric fashion choices, and enjoys good wine, bad reality TV shows and catching sun rays with her lazy cat.

Connect with L.J. Shen

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2OhSvp1

Twitter: http://bit.ly/36ELHZc

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2oMbFsu

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2AIOiTo

Stay up to date with L.J. Shen by signing up for her mailing list:

http://bit.ly/36MnmAQ

Website: http://www.authorljshen.com/

Review: Playing with Fire

Title: Playing With Fire
Author: L.J. Shen
Release Date: September 15

Blurb:

A broken boy on the path to destruction.

A scarred girl without direction.

A love story carved in secrets, inked with pain and sealed with a lie.

Grace Shaw and West St. Claire are arctic opposites.

She is the strange girl from the food truck.

He is the mysterious underground fighter who stormed into her sleepy Texan college town on his motorcycle one day, and has been wreaking havoc since.

She is invisible to the world.

He is the town’s beloved bad boy.

She is a reject.

He is trouble.

When West thrusts himself into Grace’s quiet life, she scrambles to figure out if he is her happily-ever-after or tragic ending.

But the harder she pushes him away, the more he pulls her out of her shell.

Grace doesn’t know much about anything beyond her town’s limits, but she does know this:

She is falling in love with the hottest guy in Sheridan U.

And when you play with fire—you ought to get burned.

I... I am utterly at a loss for words right now.

I just finished playing with fire and I absolutely loved this story.

Grace is a scarred girl in her little town who wants to be invisible. Hide away from the world, after being the talk of the town for so long.

West is the bad boy from out of town who rolled in on his motorcycle. Both have secrets they wish to keep to themselves.

They're love story is written in pain, will it end in a happily ever after, or tragedy?

I'm still struggling to come up with words for this story. It was beautiful, and heart felt and tragic and amazing all rolled into one. I laughed, and cried, and cheered.

Grace was a normal teenager, who had the  world at her feet, until one fateful day changed everything. Her strength shown through, when she faced each and every single day. She was a sarcastic, nineties-loving small town Texas girl.

West was the out of town bad boy, who the girls adored. He was a bully, a brute, but also was broken. Fate gave him a blow he couldn't recover from. Where Grace rose up, from her past, West ran from his.

The town's hottest guy, zeroed in on the girl who didn't want to be seen. And an unexpected friendship occured.

Their banter was funny, the sex was steamy, and the characters swoon worthy. I adored Grace. She was brave, strong, and funny. And I fell for West. Yes, he was a class-A jerk, but he was also sweet too. Their stories brought me to tears, their banter and playfulness made me laugh, and the ending had me cheering.

I love LJ's writing, and this is no different. I resonated with Grace. I fell madly in love with West, and I was enamored by their tale.

Round of applause to LJ for writing such an amazing story. 5 ⭐ out of 5⭐. 

Goodreads - https://bit.ly/MDVljgr 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/35scdah

Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/PWFLJShen

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3bDlzRh