Sinners of Saint

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0.5. DEFY by L.J. Shen

SYNOPSIS

My name is Melody Greene, and I have a confession to make. I slept with my student, a senior in high school. Multiple times. I had multiple orgasms. In multiple positions. I slept with my student and I enjoyed it. I slept with my student and I’d do it all over again if I could turn back time.

My name is Melody Greene, and I got kicked out of my position as a teacher and did my walk of shame a la Cersei Lannister from the principal’s office, minutes after said principal threatened to call the cops on me.

My name is Melody Greene, and I did something bad because it made me feel good.

Here is why it was totally worth it.

BOOK REVIEW

Defy is a smutty, insta-lust/love short novella. It was first included in Hot for Teacher Anthology: 19 Stories Filled with Lust and Love. I’m usually not a huge fan of novellas just because of the weird pacing but this one sets the foundation for one of my most favourite series ever. So, I cannot complain much.

I honestly don’t have much to say about Jamie and Melody, a pretty average sex turned into much more than that story of an arrogant but cute at the same time high school student lusting over his annoyingly clueless (and she’s still clueless in the spin-off series sigh) but horny teacher. A mixture of steam and drama with sprinkles of my favourite Vicious (I’m weak for him, sorry not sorry) on top.

SPOILER! I loved the book about Daria (their daughter in the spin-off series) though, in Pretty Reckless.

1. VICIOUS by L.J. Shen

SYNOPSIS

Emilia

They say love and hate are the same feelings experienced under different circumstances, and it’s true. The man who comes to me in my dreams also haunts me in my nightmares. He is a brilliant lawyer. A skilled criminal. A beautiful liar. A bully and a savior, a monster and a lover.

Ten years ago, he made me run away from the small town where we lived. Now, he came for me in New York, and he isn’t leaving until he takes me with him.

Vicious

She is a starving artist. Pretty and evasive like cherry blossom. Ten years ago, she barged into my life unannounced and turned everything upside down. She paid the price.

Emilia LeBlanc is completely off-limits, my best friend’s ex-girlfriend. The woman who knows my darkest secret, and the daughter of the cheap Help we hired to take care of our estate. That should deter me from chasing her, but it doesn’t. So she hates me. Big fucking deal. She better get used to me.

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BOOK REVIEW

L.J. Shen is a genius when it comes to creating a true antihero, a cold and arrogant bastard who leaves you no choice but to fall head over heels in love with him, a pile of ruthlessness underneath which lays a broken heart silently waiting for love!

My Grandmama once told me that love and hate are the same feelings experienced under different circumstances. The passion is the same. The pain is the same. That weird thing that bubbles in your chest? Same. I didn’t believe her until I met Baron Spencer and he became my nightmare. Then my nightmare became my reality.

And in this particular book, it’s Baron Spencer aka Vicious (my all-time bias), who definitely lived up to his nickname, because he was one heartless cock with a dirty, snarky mouth who hit all the right spots! Sigh. What does that say about me? I know, I know… I’m a disgrace to all the progress of the women’s movement. BUT! Just keep in mind that even though Vicious clearly ostracized Emilia and made her life hell in the most unforgiving way, their emotional connection was never just a physical thing, and you don’t need to wait very long to understand that.

There are past/present switches that are written with precision and fluidity, the love/hate relationship between these two was colourful, expressive, and oftentimes witty. The chemistry between Emilia and Vicious was undeniable, setting me on fire page after page (I think this one was the fastest read I’ve ever had because I just couldn’t get enough). Their push/pull game never felt repetitive, setting a foundation for the justification of such intense feelings for each other (not a matter of ‘will or will not,’ but rather ‘when’).

There’s no denying Vicious was an emotionally void and truly damaged character, and I don’t think he managed to fully redeem himself even in the very end... But that’s totally OK with me because he brought both Millie and me to the knees, nonetheless.

PS. Vicious is my most favourite book from the entire series! And the book cover is hot! The model is Andrea Denver.

SPOILER! Angry God is Vaughn’s (their son) story.

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2. RUCKUS by L.J. Shen

SYNOPSIS

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 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.

BOOK REVIEW

Ruckus is the type of book that ripped my heart to shreds, obliterated it, and left my insides twisted and turned long after the book was finished.

This is Dean and Rosie’s story, which was so unexpected after Vicious because Rosie is Emilia’s little sister and Dean is Emilia’s ex. And I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about them together, but leave it to L.J.Shen to twist their story where they just fit, and not just any way but a perfect one. Their feelings towards one another were raw and truly inspiring, really.

Sure, Dean was mostly a self-centered asshole (or a hothole, whatever you prefer), just like any alpha male character created by L.J.Shen, and took what he wanted to take. But once you come to see the reasons behind his decision-making process and actions, it all just clicks and you cannot help but fall in love with this broken man with a heart of gold (and damn, now that I think about it, I’m so mad at L.J. for her merciless heart).

Perfect things are relatable. Unbreakable is fascinating, but not lovable. You’re breakable, Dean Cole. I’m going to do my best to keep you whole.

I loved Rosie as she carried the weight of her illness like a champ and just wanted to be treated like a normal woman—not forced into a protective bubble both her parents and Emilia had created around her. Her “what makes you feel alive” moments had me reflecting on what truly matters in my life... Dean was the only person who didn’t treat her as if she was about to break, constantly pushing her out of her comfort zone and protecting her in his unique, not strangling way.

SPOILER! Their heart-stopping love story didn’t end in Ruckus; there is Broken Knight (their adopted son’s story).

3. SCANDALOUS by L.J. Shen

SYNOPSIS

They call him The Mute for a reason. Hard, cold and calculated, he rarely speaks. When he does, it’s with disdain. When he does, his words aren’t meant for me. When he does, my stomach flips and my world tilts on its axis.

He is thirty-three. I am eighteen.

He’s a single dad and my father’s business partner. I’m just a kid to him and his enemy’s daughter.

He’s emotionally unavailable. And I am… feeling. Feeling things I shouldn’t feel for him.

Trent Rexroth is going to break my heart. The writing isn’t just on the wall, it’s inked on my soul. And yet, I can’t stay away. A scandal is the last thing my family needs. But a scandal is what we’re going to give them. And oh, what beautiful chaos it will be.

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BOOK REVIEW

When it’s all over, when all that’s left of us is sweaty flesh and shattered minds and torn hearts, you will remember me as the man who made you cry, and I’ll remember you as the girl I had to break to stay afloat.

This book is a deliciously addictive story of forbidden love (age-gap romance), executed with breathtaking, not surprising perfection of L.J.Shen who has this deep understanding of her characters like not so many other authors do.

Whatever we were, we were toxic. A lullaby on a thoroughly scratched record that keeps hiccupping again and again on the line that you hate.

Both Trent and Eddie were crazy and so perfectly flawed but completely driven by selfless love and devotion and willing to do anything in their power to protect the ones they loved the most (not going to lie though, Luna and the feelings she evoked in Trent were the highlight of the book for me). I must say that their relationship was never purely physical, to begin with. Sure, the chemistry was dangerously explosive and super intense, but so was irresistible gravity on an emotional level between them. I think, they just knew they were very similar in a lot of unexpected ways.

SPOILER! You can also check out Luna’s (Trent’s daughter) story in Broken Knight!

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4. BANE by L.J. Shen

SYNOPSIS

Bane

Naked surfer. Habitual pothead. A con, a liar, a thief, and a fraud. Last I heard, he was extorting the rich and screwing their wives for a living. Which is why I’m more than a little surprised to find him at my threshold, looking for my friendship, my services, and most puzzling of all—looking humbled.

Thing is, I’m on a boycott. Literally—I cut boys from my life. Permanently. Problem is, Bane is not a boy, he is all man, and I’m falling, crashing, drowning in his sweet, perfect lies.

Jesse Carter

Hot as hell, cold as ice. I wasn’t aware of her existence until a fat, juicy deal landed in my lap. She’s a part of it, a little plaything to kill some time. She is collateral, a means to an end and a side-bonus for striking a deal with her oil tycoon stepdad. More than anything, Jesse Carter is a tough nut to crack. Little does she know, I have the teeth for it.

BOOK REVIEW

Unlike other books in the series, Bane is not exactly relevant to Saint hotholes, but entertaining, nonetheless. It’s a good book filled with lots of emotions and oftentimes triggering suspense, and definitely not an easy read. It’s a story of finding the light of love while fighting the overpowering shadow of inner demons. As people say, the princess doesn’t need the prince in the story, but she still wants him (who IS there, just in case). I won’t add anything more in order not to spoil the story, but you should know that this was the type of book which made me scream 'fuck you’ or ‘you’re such a bitch’ from time to time.