Boston Belles

Book reviews

22 Dec

“And of course, in true Fitzpatrick fashion, he had to go and fall in love with the daughter of a legitimate businessman, unless proven otherwise.”

⭐⭐⭐

1. THE HUNTER by L.J. Shen

SYNOPSIS

Hunter

I didn’t mean to star in a sex tape, okay? It was just one of those unexplainable things. Like Stonehenge, Police Academy 2, and morning glory clouds. It just happened.

Now, my ball-busting father is sentencing me to six months of celibacy, sobriety, and morbid boredom under the roof of Boston’s nerdiest girl alive, Sailor Brennan. The virginal archer is supposed to babysit my ass while I learn to take my place in Royal Pipelines, my family’s oil company. Little does she know, that’s not the only pipe I’ll be laying…

Sailor

I didn’t want this gig, okay? But the deal was too sweet to walk away from. I needed the public endorsement; Hunter needed a nanny. Besides, what’s six months in the grand scheme of things? It’s not like I’m in danger of falling in love with the appallingly gorgeous, charismatic gazillionaire who happens to be one of Boston’s most eligible bachelors. No. I will remain immune to Hunter Fitzpatrick’s charm. Even at the cost of losing everything I have. Even at the cost of burning down his kingdom.

BOOK REVIEW

L.J. Shen started the Boston Belles series with a bang caused by one and only Hunter Fitzpatrick, who we first met in All Saints High. The Hunter was everything and even more. OMG the book was so wholesome and easy to get into. It was a perfect mix of light-hearted fun, witty romance, and entertaining drama. I really enjoyed it!

He remembered it because he cared. But he didn’t want to care. Hunter wasn’t stupid at all. He just built walls upon walls around himself that made it difficult to get through to him, because in his experience, people weren’t there to stay.

Hunter Fitzpatrick was such a refreshing character among the usual hotholes of L.J. Shen. Although he did possess some crazy amount of vulgar arrogance and unseen narcissism, he was so lost and pure, wanting nothing more but genuine love and unconditional acceptance. Hunter was talented in a lot of ways (aside from giving mind-blowing orgasms to the beautiful half of the book population). He was funny and stupidly likable and carried some explosive and enviable energy inside his sexy body. Hunter could make anyone feel comfortable around him. Charming, confident, and loyal to a fault… But self-loathing at the same time… At least, until Sailor Brennan.

“Never met a girl who can be so ice cold and fire hot at the same time. One second I think you’re for sure gonna faint if I touch your hand, the other I’m certain you’re about to kill me in my sleep. You’re trip, CT.”

Sailor Brennan was a completely new to me character (except I’m quite familiar with her parents, Troy and Sparrow). The girl was fierce and sometimes ruthless even. The dedication and passion she had for the people she had genuine feelings for was seriously admirable, while all the insecurities of hers were relatable and cute.

“If I freeze you in friend-zone winter, will you run for my heat, or stay content with your useless little wings?”

I absolutely loved Hunter and Sailor as a couple. They balanced each other out so damn well while making one another the better versions of themselves. The ‘opposites attract’ element was executed great. Hunter and Sailor were so different on so many accounts but both lonely and vulnerable inside and out.

Their banter was the highlight of the entire book. Their chemistry was dangerously explosive. The sexy times were illegally filthy and hot.

To be completely honest, it was kind of scary to dive into The Hunter because of nagging disappointment in recent works by L.J. Shen. But this time around, the author created an amazing NA romance between a unique and strong heroine and a hero with a street dirty mouth and a heart of polished gold. The side characters, as well as the family drama only made the story that much more entertaining and enjoyable! Don’t miss it out!

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

2. THE VILLAIN by L.J. Shen

SYNOPSIS

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.

⭐⭐⭐

BOOK REVIEW

L.J. Shen gave a new meaning to the word ‘alphahole’ in The Villain. And I’m not sure I was totally fine with the dramatic extend.

“It’s never too late to change the name of the prince in your story. Just as long as you don’t end up with the villain.”

Cillian Fitzpatrick was an infuriating jerk, unnaturally perfect on the outside and painfully flawed deep inside. And Persephone Penrose was a good match, I guess. Their chemistry was great as it always is in the author’s books. The push-and-pull game was one hell of an angsty ride.

I’m a little bit disappointed about the partially false advertisement. The Villain didn’t feel like a Hades and Persephone retelling per se. But it was still a highly enjoyable and entertaining read.

“Maybe we were never meant for each other. But that night at the carnival, when you showed me who you were, I figured out who I wanted to be.”

⭐⭐

3. THE MONSTER by L.J. Shen

SYNOPSIS

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.

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

4. THE RAKE by L.J. Shen

SYNOPSIS

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.