ARC Review: Playing With Fire by LJ Shen

 

LJ Shen continues to get better with each new book she writes! I love that she delivers everything we have come to know and love from her, yet continues to grow and give readers something new as well. Playing With Fire was angsty and addictive and I couldn’t put it down. 

Grace and West were everything! I felt so much for them, and my heart broke the more we learned as the story went on. I felt so connected to them and was so excited to be a part of their journey. These characters were unique and genuine and they seemed to be so real as though they could leap off the page at any time. I couldn’t get enough and I loved how different they were. 

I honestly can’t recommend this book enough. LJ Shen is such a talented author and has proven that she can write anything and excel at it. I always recommend her books because I believe that they have something for everyone and they never disappoint! Playing With Fire is a top read for 2020 for me and a must read for fans of Shen as well as those that have not yet read anything from her.

**ARC Provided By: Social Butterfly PR**

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ARC Review: The Hunter by LJ Shen

I love LJ Shen’s books so much, and I definitely couldn’t wait to get my hands on Hunter’s book after seeing him in the All Saints High series books. This book is a standalone, so you don’t need to have read anything before starting here, though I highly recommend reading Shen’s ASH series because it is fantastic! 

Hunter and Sailor had me from the very first page! They are both so different, and yet you could tell that they were exactly what the other needed! Sailor was so goal oriented and I loved that she was driven, yet still had time for her friends. She also had so much sass and knew how to put Hunter in his place! Hunter was the fun loving playboy that didn’t seem to take life too seriously, yet he also had this vulnerable side that drew me in and had me falling for him so hard! These two had sparks right away, and I loved seeing them as they got to know one another better and really open themselves up. 

This was such a great book, I didn’t want to put it down for anything! I loved seeing familiar faces while getting to know new ones too! Shen always creates such fun and sexy books that pack so much depth and feeling in them as well. She has become one of my favorite authors, and she has yet to disappoint. It seems like each book just gets better and her talent continues to grow. The Hunter is definitely one of my favorite books from her, and the perfect start to her new Boston Belles series. I can’t wait for more and think that this is a must read for fans of Shen as well as anyone who hasn’t read anything from her yet. It won’t let you down!

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

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ARC Review: Angry God by LJ Shen

Angry God is the third book in the All Saints High Series by LJ Shen. This series is a spin-off of her Sinners of Saints series and while each book is a standalone story, I highly recommend reading them in order if possible for the most enjoyment. I honestly feel like I’ve been waiting for this story forever! I love Vaughn’s parents so much, and I just knew their son’s story would become another favorite and LJ Shen definitely didn’t let me down. 

Vaughn was so fascinating to me and such a tortured soul. I couldn’t get enough and I knew whoever he ended up with would have to be special. (just like with his dad and mom) Lenora was everything I had hoped he would find and more. She balanced him out and was the light to his dark. I won’t go into details on the actual story here, trust me you need to just experience it! 

Each new book I read from LJ Shen just shows why she is one of my top favorite authors. Her talent goes beyond what I could put into words, and she just gets better with each new story. The emotion and detail she is able to add to each book is something that draws me in every time. This book was captivating and I think fans of this series are going to love it just as much as I did! Already anxious for her next book!

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

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ARC Review: In the Unlikely Event by LJ Shen

LJ Shen is one of those authors that I will blindly read whatever she writes! But the blurb for In the Unlikely Event was one that had me beyond anxious to get my hands on the story! It was everything I had hoped for and more, and I couldn’t put it down! I loved this one from start to finish and can’t say enough good things about it! 

For those that are already fans of Shen, this book is completely unlike anything she has written before. But honestly, I loved how she switched it up a bit here! There are things that definitely her signature style, yet she also proved that she is talented enough to write whatever she wants to. Mal and Rory were great characters and their story was so unexpected for me. They were meant for one another, and their connection was clear right from the start. But things weren’t easy for them and nothing was how it seemed. I was so invested in them and I experienced every triumph and heartbreak as they did. 

I think that readers are going to love this story and while it is different from what LJ Shen has written before, it was just as fantastic. Rory and Mal’s story is one that will stick with you long after you finish. I couldn’t get enough of them and I honestly can’t wait for more from Shen. This is a must read for me, and besides having a beautiful cover, the story is beautiful as well.

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

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ARC Review: Broken Knight by LJ Shen

I love LJ Shen’s books and writing, she has become one of my favorite authors over the last few years. After reading Pretty Reckless, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Knight’s story and it didn’t disappoint at all! Shen has really outdone herself with Broken Knight and I know fans are going to love this one. 

I won’t get into the details of the story, because honestly, this book is an experience. It needs to be read without knowing what is going to happen, and I can’t say enough that you should read this one blind. Trust me, the journey is worth it. 

I absolutely love the characters here. While you could read this as a standalone, I really would recommend reading this after you’ve read at least Pretty Reckless. I think it helps you understand a bit more about the characters here, though it isn’t necessary. But I have to say that I feel connected to Leigh’s characters in the Sinners of Saint and All Saints High series more than almost anything I’ve read before. My heart absolutely broke reading this book, but it was also put back together as only Shen can do. I felt like I was right there experiencing everything just as Knight and the characters were. 

Knight’s story is one that will stick with me, and I will admit that I haven’t been able to move on since reading. This one will stick with me forever, and I can’t wait for more from LJ Shen. This book is some of LJ Shen’s best work and is a must read, especially for fans of the All Saints High and Sinners of Saint series. I can’t wait for Vaughn’s story next!

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

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ARC Review: Bane by LJ Shen

I will admit that I wasn’t sure about Bane going into this book, but I should have known that LJ Shen would make me fall for him. Bane is a standalone story, but if you have read the Sinners of Saint series, you will recognize familiar faces here. It isn’t necessary to read those books, but I highly recommend it as they are great and will help you understand Bane a bit more as well as this amazing world that LJ Shen has created. 

I really don’t want to get into much of the story details here so as not to spoil anything. This is Bane and Jessie’s Story. Bane is a pothead and surfer that has made a habit of sleeping with anyone necessary to get what he wants. So when a deal requires him to befriend the loner Jessie, he views it as nothing more than a transaction. But Jessie has her reasons for not letting anyone in, and the more Bane spends time with her, the more he realizes that he can’t just be friends with her. 

I have to say that this book will definitely have some triggers for some, and that if you have any this might not be the book for you. It was tough to read parts of it without having any myself, and I couldn’t even begin to imagine going through what Jessie had gone through and being as okay as she was. Bane was absolutely perfect for her, and I loved him with her. He might have started off there for the wrong reasons, but it quickly became more than that. He was patient and kind, while also helping her out of the comfort zone that she had put herself in. They had a genuine and undeniable connection and the chemistry between them was easy to see right from the start. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I think that readers are going to love it just like I did. These two each had so much that they were trying to overcome, and with each other it was as it was always meant to be. They went through everything that they each did to get to where they were, and I couldn’t have imagined anyone more perfect for the the other. Bane and Jessie’s story is one that I couldn’t put down and I cannot wait for more from LJ Shen.

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

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ARC Review: Ruckus by L.J. Shen

Ruckus is the third book in the Sinners of Saint series. I know it says #2 but the first book in the series is technically a novella so I guess the author doesn't count it in the series count. The series tells the stories of four friends from Todos Santos, "the hotholes" (uh yeah, that's the stupidest clique name EVA but they got in high school so we'll give them a pass), and Dean- "Ruckus" is the third friend whose story we get. You could technically read any of the books in this series as standalones but I would not recommend that. Each book contains at least minor spoilers of the book that came before it and this series is so good that you don't want to mess it up by reading it out of order.

So, for all of you Todos Santos fans, you know that Dean is the fun loving, mostly high, often drunk member of the hotholes. Dean was somewhat of a mystery to me in prior books. He was the guy who seemed to have a good heart but he had an A hole switch that he seemed perfectly comfortable switching when the occasion called for it. Dean seems to have the most stable family of all his friends and also seems like he is the most easy going. But, hold off on any assumptions you might have about this one. This book reveals a character that is way more nuanced than what we see in other books. In fact, it takes time for Dean to come into full view in this book. He is a man who is fighting some seriously ugly demons and the book is as much about his struggle to defeat those demons as it is his relationship with Rosie.

And speaking of Rosie, she is another dynamic character for the ages. Rosie is so much more than Emilia's sickly younger sister. The problem is proving that to her family can be a little difficult. Rosie was gutsy, outspoken and independent. Rosie has an illness which gets in the way of her doing all the things she wants to do in life. But Rosie doesn't hide, she embraces even what she doesn't have and lets herself experience joy in others even when it's not her own. Rosie knows that Dean is effed up way beyond what other people see of him and she sacrifices herself for him. Rosie lets Dean take out all of his issues on her body and in exchange she accepts his love and loves him in return.

I was worried about how I would feel about Rosie and Dean since Dean did date Rosie's sister in prior books. The relationship between Rosie and Emilia, however, is not at all what it was cracked up to be and both of them knew it. The really fascinating thing was how Dean and Rosie basically agreed that Dean would be with Emilia to protect Emilia. They sacrificed their own happiness for Emilia's. You can't help but to root for a couple like that.

So you know...Rosie is kind of dying and the end is not at all guaranteed in this book. The author forces the reader to pull a Rosie. Embrace the moments you have and don't worry about what happens in the end. Just enjoy the journey. This book is amazing as is the entire series. This one has more emotional angst than the last one but it's good angst and I think you'll like it.

**ARC provided by Enticing Journey Book Promotions**

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Feature: Ruckus by L.J. Shen

Rosie

They say that life is a beautiful lie and death a painful truth. They're right.

No one has ever made me feel more alive than the guy who serves as a constant reminder that my clock is ticking.

He is my forbidden, shiny apple.

The striking fallacy to my blunt, raw, truth.

He is also my sister's ex-boyfriend.

One thing you should know before you judge me;

I saw him first. I craved him first. I loved him first.

Eleven years later, he waltzed into my life, demanding a second chance.

Dean Cole wants to be my bronze horseman. My white knight has finally arrived. Hopefully, he isn’t too late.

Dean

They say the brightest stars burn out the fastest. They’re right.

She sets my mind on fire.

All smart mouth, snarky attitude and a huge heart.

In a world where everything is dull, she shines like fucking Sirius.

Eleven years ago, fate tore us apart.

This time, I fucking dare it to try.

Getting to her is a battlefield, but man, that’s why they call me Ruckus.

Rosie LeBlanc is about to find out how hard I can fight.

And conquering her will be the sweetest victory.

Purchase: | Amazon |

My Favorite Things Event with L.J. Shen

L.J. Shen is a best-selling author of Contemporary Romance and New Adult novels. She lives in Northern California with her husband, young son and chubby cat.

Before she’d settled down, L.J. (who thinks referring to herself in the third person is really silly, by the way) traveled all over the world, and collected friends from all across the globe. Friends who’d be happy to report that she is a rubbish companion, always forgets peoples’ birthdays and never sends Christmas cards.

She enjoys the simple things in life, like chocolate, wine, reading, HBO, spending time with her girlfriends and internet-stalking Chris Hemsworth. She reads between three to five books a week and firmly believes Crocs shoes and mullets should be outlawed.

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