From bestselling author L.J. Shen, comes a new, standalone, contemporary romance. “BEST BOOK OF 2018!” – Sophie, Bookalicious Babes Blog.“Honestly the best novel L.J. has written to date.” – Ratula, Bookgasms Book Blog. Roman ‘Bane’ ProtsenkoNaked 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 … 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.
*This book contains material that might be offensive for some or elicit a strong emotional response.
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Vicious is still my number one Hothole, but Bane is a man of his own awesomeness. I loved the roughness and emotional change his character goes through, it felt different from the others in a way and I liked that.
Bane follows Romance and Jesse, their world collide when he needs her stepfathers help in purchasing a property and needs the financial back-up for it. Her stepfather agrees if Bane can help her get out of her head, the damage of the past keeps her locked away and not wanting to be around people. But Bane is in for a roller coaster of emotion with Jesse, not only does he help her see that she doesn’t need to let the past haunt her, but she also opens his eyes to something he didn’t know he was missing…her.
This story was a tough one for me in the sense of Jesse, she suffers from something horrible that was done to her by her ex and his friends. Its awful and I dont blame her one bit for wanting to hide and be somewhere she felt safe. Meeting Roman give her the boost she needs to not be afraid of the people that hurt her but gives her the strength to fight back and be herself again. I loved watching their journey, seeing Roman open up to her, he hide behind what he thought he wanted instead of finding what he needed. Their worlds are really screwed up but they make the best of it with each other and unexpected friendship. Overall this was a win for me, it was sexy, tearjerking, and heart pumping drama that kept me wanting more.
I love the men L.J. Shen creates. They are men we are supposed to hate. Hard, cruel, and selfish who do what they want, how they want and yet, we can’t help but want them. And Bane is all that and more! I devoured this story in one sitting. I could not stop turning the pages to find out what would happen next!
Jesse Carter was broken and lost, but there was something just underneath the surface. I absolutely loved her. Because despite everything that has happened to her, she is strong and has learned how to persevere. Bane was everything. He is blunt, strong, arrogant, full of himself and very confident. He thrives on power and does what he can to get it. Even make a deal with Jesse’s stepfather. How will it all end?
Jesse was supposed be part of a deal. A pastime and/or plaything and nothing more, but well we all know about best laid plans. Somehow Jesse and Bane find something they never expected. This book had everything that we have come to love from the Sinners of Saint series but was also emotional and full of angst. I loved it and highly recommend it. This can be read as a standalone, but all the book in this series are must-reads!
4.5 stars! Loved it! Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
“My Whole Life has Been Pledged to This Meeting with You.”
First of all, I don’t cry easily over books. And the fact, that BANE – well actually it was Jesse – made me cry at some point in the story, that says a whole lot about this book.
“You can’t be afraid of love, my dear. It’s like being afraid of death. It is inevitable.”
Did you ever sit down, wanting to write a special review about a special book and you have no idea where to begin? Where to find the right words? Your mind not able to bring down the words to describe the emotional turmoil inside you? Well, that’s me right now. I have a feeling that this is going to be one of my longest reviews and I hope you’ll stick with me until its end.
“Her life story was like a bitter winter, one that covers everything in a thick layer of ice you need to crash your way through.”
I expected from Bane and his story a lot of things. No he wasn’t one of the famous HotHoles, that much was clear from the beginning. Bane was something entirely else and his story just proved it. But what I didn’t expect was that the story touched such an intense point of my soul. That it make me cry at some point. So please be aware that this book deals with some heavy, soul crushing topics and if you have triggers, it might pull those.
“Falling in love is when you lose yourself slowly, piece by piece. Infatuation is when you lose yourself all at once.”
Bane was a lot of things and he was well aware of that fact. A liar, a thief, a con and an escort. He carried his reputation like a shield. He was shielding himself from the world and from his true self he refused to see. Bane was hiding a lot of things behind his beard, tattoos and man bun. That all until he met Jesse. The one girl who was able to crawl under his skin without him realizing. She made him want to watch himself in the mirror without flinching. To be the man he was in his heart all life long.
“You’re poisoned. Sheltered. Yet, you’re no Snow White. Wanna know why?” “Why?” “Snow White waited for the prince. You’ll be the one saving yourself in this story.” … “You don’t need a prince, princess. You need a sword.”
Jesse, the girl who had been burned, broken by life. A girl who lost faith and had no idea how to regain her strength. She lost more than the last two years of her life. A lot more. Like Bane, she was hiding from the world. Withdrawn to her room trying to make herself invisible. Until Bane came along and reminded her how to breath again. By giving her no chance but to heal, Jesse became bit by bit the princess with the sword she was all along.
“Maybe love wasn’t about feeling happy and whole. Maybe love was about breaking so the person you cared for would feel a little more whole.”
Bane and Jesse were two lonely fucked-up souls, gravitating towards each other. Their soul connection already decided in heaven and carried out on earth. But the way Jesse had to go to get to this connection makes my stomach drop each time I get to think about it. I get downright sick and tears won’t stop running. There were so many people in her life who should have loved and cared for her and I could punch each of them for not doing so, until they don’t know where’s up and down anymore.
“You’re all my good parts wrapped together in a satin bow, Snowflake, and I can’t lose you. Because if I lose you, I stay with all the bad parts. I stay alone.”
Leigh, I have no idea how you did this. You literally poured your soul into this story. And it’s amazing how you were able to find a fitting balance between making us smile, making us hot and making us cry. Touching our soul, mind and heart. All on so many different levels. It’s like you work magic with words, breathing live into your characters making them real and raw to your readers.
“I wasn’t alive before Bane came along. Now I was present. I was feeling. My heart was an animal, caged and suppressed and angry. It was hungry. Restless. Out for blood.”
Thank you Leigh for giving Jesse to the world. To give her a voice. To give her the power to hopefully be an example for so many girls and women in similar situations. That they all may draw strength from Jesse, becoming their own princess with their own sword. Being finally able to stand up and fight their demons.
“Who the fuck are you, Jesse Carter?” “I’m the girl I need to be to save myself.”
Along reading BANE I found myself asking, if this book shouldn’t have been named JESSE – as for me, she was the shining star, the unique snowflake refusing to melt. Jesse is impressive, even though I had some trouble believing she could sexually open up to Bane so early in the story. Because IMO he didn’t do much to gain her trust on a proper level (except two scenes I don’t want to spoiler here) until then.
“Roman ‘Bane Protsenko was beautiful like a Pushkin paragraph. You could read his face a thousand times, and each time, you’d find something new to admire.”
Leigh, your writing progress through the whole Sinner of Saint story is pretty awesome. While reading Scandalous I thought you probably won’t be able to top this. And for a while, along reading BANE, I still thought so. But after finishing BANE, I can honestly say: YOU did it again.
“We were moving in sync, like we always did. Like the waves he liked to ride. Knowing where to peak, where to soar, and where to break.”
Ladies, BANE is a lovestory you will never forget. You get all the things you are looking for and all the things you never asked for. It’s a dark fairytale where the princess saves herself and gets the knight.
“Can you be there for me? Just in case I need someone to hold my sword for me?”
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
“You don’t have to touch me to ruin me” This about sums it up. This book! I can’t even find the words to express how good it was! Each time I start a new LJ Shen book, she surprises me by one upping herself! Banes story is dirty, gritty, nasty. But you can’t help but fall for the wh*re of a man! I didn’t want it to end, yet I ate up every word like I was starving!
I would like to give this book 5 flaming stars!! I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to do this book justice with this review…..Bane is now my favorite L.J. Shen book which is saying alot for me. I wasn’t sure how to feel about Bane but his sexy a** melted my heart pretty quickly! Jesse and Bane made quite an amazing pair in this very fast paced, complex story.
Bane, Bane, Bane! Or should I say Roman?!
You are a sight for sore eyes. You are the dirty nasty thoughts running through peoples heads. The sexed up epitome of every filthy dream they have…regardless of gender. You are the dirty little “not so secret” of Todos Santos. But you are even more than the rumors, the truths, and the lies, you are an awakening.
She wasn’t living. She wasn’t doing much of anything. You forced her to live in the light. You made her open her eyes. You gave her the opportunity to breathe fresh air. You are more than everyone else thinks you are. So tell me Bane, what are you going to do to get the girl?
Not really a spoiler- HE does what needs to be done. He does it his way. And you will not be disappointed. Watch out for curve balls though because I got beaned and couldn’t stop giggling.
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
Helloooo Roman ‘BANE’ Protsenko… bad ass who doesnt care what people think.. called him a thief.. con.. he is a man with many talent and proud.. He remind me so much of Vicious but the other opposite..BANE was offered with something that he cant refuse… Jesse.. a broken young woman.. who close herself in her own little world.. with Mrs.B and Shadow…
They were so curious about each other… never knew that they are healing and drawn to each other attraction.. the amount of feeling and fire.. the- rebirth..
BANE wasnt an easy story to read.. its never easy when LJ Shen poured herself with words.. I am drawn to every pages.. every sentences meant something.. layer of secrets and synopsis .. I didnt expect what will happen..
Jesse is a dragon slayer princess.. she is a woman that deserve a highly respect.. with Bane … this book made a complete circle…
An enemies to lovers romance that will keep you turning the pages.
Bane is a man determined to do anything to become the new king of Todos Santos, a town filled with rich and ruthless people. But he is more ruthless than all of them and nothing is going to stop him, especially Jesse, a spoiled, rich girl. She is just part of a deal with her stepdad and Bane has done worse things than hanging out with a girl for money. But Jesse is nothing like he expects! Something horrible happened to her, she became a victim at the hands of people she thought were her friends. No one helped her and even those close to her turned their backs. Now Bane appears in her life, offering her friendship, a job and a chance to come out of her shell. What follows is a deeply emotional journey of two people who’ve been hurt and have found different ways to survive. But when they find each other, survival is not enough, they want love, passion, connection, affection, partnership, they want it all! Bane and Jesse’s love story is heartbreaking but also inspiring! L.J. Shen is an amazing author and I’m looking forward to her next books!
There’s just something about a Surfer that makes me weak at the knees, I had an obsession with watching Point Break maybe it’s that. The freedom of the sea. I can totally see the appeal.
So anyway I knew Bane was a Surfer from a previous book. He completely stole my attention then. You just knew this guy wasn’t side character material. I was so excited when LJ announced his book.
This story just swept me away with its intensity, it was tragically heart breaking. But utterly mesmerizing.
Bane just went beyond any expectations i had for him.
Yes he was every bit as cocky as I expected him to be, the guy has so much self confidence. Team that with an addictive personality and it’s impossible not to fall for his charms.
But as you read you kinda take a step back and realise this guy isn’t just what’s on the surface he’s so much more.
I absolutely loved Jesse this girl has amazing strength. Life hasn’t been easier for her. She hides herself away and doesn’t like contact with others.
I was seriously in awe, she’s utterly selfless and has a beautiful soul.
Yes she’s been damaged and lost her way but so has Bane, he’s just better at hiding his beneath the beard and attitude.
I seriously can not tell you how much I adored this story.
It pulled me in every direction imaginable.
I felt burning anger. Hatred, empathy and heartache.
I laughed my Ass off at times, the humour was infectious.
I felt immense pride over both Jesse and Bane.
This book may surprise you it wasn’t at all what I was expecting from their story.
I might even go as far as to say it’s my favourite from the Sinners of Saint series.
I’ve loved all of the couples for different reasons, they are all special in their own ways.
Vicious held the top spot for the best book and character and Rosie and Dean are my epitome of Soulmates.
But I don’t think any couple have affected me as much as Bane and Jesse now that I’ve read their story and had time to digest it.
Jesse and Bane bring out the best in each other, together they are a force of nature to rival that of the ocean.
I absolutely loved their journey.
I’m excited to see what’s in store next from LJ Shen because whatever it is will be amazing, of that I have no doubt.
My Whole Life Has Been Pledged to This Meeting with you – Pushkin
That quote, can be read over and over again and mean different things. That’s what I believe LJ was trying to convey in this book.
I fell in lust (yes, I said lust) with Bane when he was introduced in Scandalous and I was so excited to find out that he was getting his own story and damn what a story it was!
Bane and Jesse. These two just blew me away.
Jesse is what Bane calls “a dazzling tragedy” and that what she was, by no fault of her own. I don’t think I have ever cried or cringed so hard for a heroine before, her back story absolutely killed me in the best way. And as LJ’s spoiler says before you even get into the story “the princess saves herself in this fairytale” and she does so brilliantly and bravely.
Bane…I am glad have found out what his real name was and to be able to read his backstory too. What happened to him that made him become the man he is. But with a financial opportunity he became a sort of savior to Jesse and he became a beautiful soul. Never giving up and yet keeping his surfer boy swagger.
I have been a long time fan of LJ and she has yet to write something that I haven’t fell in love with and Bane is absolutely no exception, in fact I will be putting this into the running for one of my best of 2018 books!
Well done LJ!
Final Score – 5+ The Princess Saved Herself Stars!
This book touched on a lot of subjects – neglectful parenting, abuse, depression, redemption, salvation – which all help to culminate in one of the BEST BOOKS OF 2018 I’ve read yet! Now granted, I expected some filthy, dirty sex times courtesy of Bane (after all, he’s the cockiest #Hothole) and I wasn’t disappointed. He still can’t hold a candle to my man Trent though (#TrentForever).
I was obsessed with this book from beginning to end. I knew I couldn’t put down – no matter what the consequences. So I said goodbye to 6+ hours of uninterrupted sleep and prepared for the showdown. Our story once again takes place in Todos Santos and we even get a cameo from the #Hothole who started it all, Vicious (he’s still and will always be #ViciousIsDelicious to me).
However, the story takes a very serious turn from there … and that’s just in the prologue! My god the events that unfolded in this book were enough to make my head spin. Never have I ever highlighted passages as I did in this book – ask Leigh as I had to talk to someone about what was going down! My nerves were shot and I don’t think I ate at all during reading, so completely immersed was I in this story. And now days later, I’m still suffering from #BookHangover.
Bane. Egotistical. Unapologetic. Brutally Honest. A total asshole, but underneath those layers, he’s just that little boy who’s still tormented by how he came to be. God, my heart hurt for what he must have felt all those years knowing how he came to be. He’s built an empire by wielding street smarts & savvy and overall cockiness to become one of the big players in town. A player no one would dare to cross. Isn’t it fitting that he be placed in the same league as Vicious and Trent?
Jesse Carter. Strong. Resilient. Warrior Woman. Victim? I have an issue with calling her that, because to me she’s not. She’s a fighter – that’s a more adapt description of her. And I absolutely, 100% am in love with her. I understand Jesse. I was Jesse. And like Jesse, I picked myself up out of the ashes, dusted myself off and battled with those who hurt me. Never before have I read a female character with such strength, bravery, and perseverance. To have been through what she had and still have her fire, her passion for life, her acerbic whit & sassy attitude intact? We need more characters like this!
I can go on and on about all the things I loved about this book – most especially Jesse & Bane’s relationship – but the one that touched me the most was Bane’s relationship with his mom. I just don’t see or read enough stories where sons & mothers have such a good, realistic relationship. That’s great writing, compliments of LJ Shen. She is hands down my go to author and has been since I read Sparrow.
This is a definite must read and certified 5+ Star read. I’ve never given a book that grad before – this is the first, so you know it’s something special. So what are you waiting for? Better get on this one quick.
Audio review from April 2019
This book is not your typical romance.
Both characters are broken in some ways but strong in others.
They support each other and lift each other up.
What’s most interesting is the story can go from the highest hottest high to a super sad low with such ease you don’t see it coming!
The narrators are amazing!
Narrated by Christian Rummel and Savannah Peachwood
This is one of my favorite books in the whole world so it’s no surprise Bane and Jesse are two of my favorite characters of all time. They’re both fascinating and leave you wanting to know more. Bane is gorgeous and mysterious, part businessman, part escort, all stoner and surfer. He’s the kind of guy you’d love to hang out with and grab a drink just to find out more because you know he’s got some fantastic stories to tell. Jesse is one of the most heartbreaking characters I’ve ever read.
Her story can only be described as brutal. She’s been through the unthinkable and come out stronger but she doesn’t know that because she’s cut herself off from the world. Her poor excuse for a mother has done nothing to protect Jesse or help her heal and has done her far more harm than good. Jesse really has no idea how to function in the world but she’s smart and tough and just needs a push out into the world.
Bane is courting investors for a business deal and Baron “Vicious” Spencer declines but refers him to oil tycoon Darren Morgansen as a potential backer. He’s eager to make a deal with Bane but wants something in return: companionship for his troubled stepdaughter. Her dad died when she was young and she’s been through severe trauma, so Jesse rarely leaves the house anymore. Jesse is lonely and hurting so Darren wants her to get a job and make a friend. He has two stipulations, one that Jesse never know about this deal and the second that Bane will not touch her.
Once they have a deal, Darren shares Jesse’s story and it makes a huge impression on Bane. He wants to help this tragic girl and admits he’d do this job for free.
Quote: “My whole life has been pledged to this meeting with you.”
These two have something incredible in common before they even meet, which is what draws Bane to want to help. He finds a way to bump into her and offer her a job in his coffee shop and they become acquainted. The attraction is mutual and immediate. The chemistry between them is intense and the heat off the charts. Bane struggles to ignore his feelings because laying a finger on her breaks the contract and means he forfeits the six million bucks Darren was investing in his surf park dream but it’s more than that. Jesse’s complicated background cements Bane’s decision to refrain from getting closer. She’s still healing and Bane thinks he’d be bad for Jesse, for various reasons but as their bond grows, Jesse isn’t willing to take no for an answer.
They click from the beginning and we see Jesse blossom, coming out of her shell with his support and with new friends around her. He goes to great lengths to show he cares, despite his determination that their relationship remain platonic. When he finally gives in, I thought they’d both get their HEA but then everything comes crashing down. There’s a second something in the past that connects them and the discovery is intense but nothing is as bad as when Jesse learns of Bane’s deal with Darren. He was trying to tell her but she found out elsewhere first and it was heartbreaking to watch.
Quote: “You don’t need a prince, princess. You need a sword.”
Even without him, Jesse is strong and determined to get justice for herself. It’s not easy and her awful mother has made this even more difficult for her, but Jesse is tenacious. She’s also smart, driven and fierce so she’s a force. The men who hurt her and the bullies who blamed and taunted her as she suffer are all in her sights.
Quote: “Spoiler: the princess saves herself in this fairytale.”
This book is dark and emotional in places but so sweet and funny in others. It’s a story of loss and suffering and hope and redemption. It’s one of the most beautiful love stories I’ve ever read and has one of my favorite quotes ever (below). I loved everything about this book and have read it more than once. There’s an epilogue available from the author that isn’t part of the book, showing them a little further in the future and I loved every word there, too.
Although this is book 5 in the series, it’s far and away my favorite. The first four need to be read in order to avoid spoilers but these are all standalones. The fourth book, Scandalous, is where we briefly meet Bane but that context isn’t necessary to read his story. Bane does have some spoilers in it for Scandalous though so if that’s a deal breaker, read them in order.
“Where have you been?’
‘Gail’s, Pam’s, Mrs. B’s. Just…around?’
‘No, Snowflake. Where have you been before? Where have you been all my life?’
‘I was right here. Waiting for you.’ I pressed my palm against his heart, smiling.”
Raw, real, slow-burn sexy. Every bit worth reading. Great story – great storyteller.
The topic, the deprecating humor, the amazing characters make this my favorite L.J. Shen book to date.
This is a Snow White retelling and maybe I wouldn’t have caught on to this had it not been for the blatant way the author announced it during the story, but mostly at the end.
Jesse is broken beyond belief. She is a victim of gang rape by 3 golden boys from Todos Santos during her senior year in high school. She was then forced to lie and cover the truth by her evil mother and stepdad cause they were too afraid to lose their social status over this. She had to have an abortion afterwards and was bullied and humiliated in school until graduation. At the start of this book, Jesse has no social life, no friends, no job and she doesn’t talk to her family.
Bane is a liar, a con, a thief, a male escort. He is the unofficial successor to Vicious. He makes money by sleeping around and extortion. He is wild and not a good guy. He gets an interesting proposal from Jesse’s stepdad: to get Jesse to open up to the world, without sleeping with her, in exchange for 6 mil. dollars.
Bane is drawn to Jesse’s sad story, his own father having raped his mother.
As Jesse hides behind baggy clothes and staying inside her room most of the time, Bane hides behind his villain persona, the way he looks and dresses.
Day by day, they each strip a new layer and get closer and closer. Bane helps Jesse to start living again and, in return, she gets him to realize he is not his rapist father.
I liked Bane so much. Is he a criminal? Sure. Does he start his relationship with Jesse on a false pretense? Yes. But the way he goes about helping, defending and building back Jesse’s confidence in herself is amazing.
This book can be a hard pill to swallow. Jesse is really broken down. Her story made me sad and angry. Despite this, she is a fighter and she rises from the ashes like a phoenix. Both characters get great character development arcs.
The only reason this is not a 5-star read for me is because of some cringy sex scenes and the “neatly wrapped in a red bow tie” ending. I felt everything got solved too well. And there is one villain who never got punished for his crimes but I guess that’s life for you.
TWs: rape, abortion, child abuse, bullying.
Bane is the fifth book in the Sinners of Saints series. This book is a bit different then the rest in the series because it follows Roman ‘Bane’ Protsenko who is younger and from a different graduating class then the Hot Holes from the previous books. This book is the story of Bane and Jesse Carter.
Bane is a local business owner, owning a coffee shop and an inn that is being fixed up into a boutique hotel. However, Bane is interested in opening up a mall exclusively for surfers. He goes to Vicious with a business proposition and is turned down. That is when he meets Darren Morgansen and given the offer of a lifetime. Darren agrees to give Banethe money as long as he gives Jesse Carter, Darren’s step-daughter, a job and becomes her friend. Jesse has had a troubled past. Her father died when she was young and shortly after her mother got remarried to Darren. This caused a strained relationship between Jesse and her mother but it was only deepened when Jesse was raped by her classmates a number of years later. After this Jesse shuts herself in her room and barely leaves the house, only to go run or to go to her weekly therapy. This causes Darren to worry and that when he creates the deal with Bane. Well things between to heat up between Bane and Jesse and Darren does not like it. Darren begins to try to interfere in their growing relationship. Meanwhile Jesse is remembering things from her past and begins to search deeper.
This book was a tough read. It deals with heavy topics such as; rape, suicide, pedophilia, and extreme bullying. That is something to keep in mind when reading this. This book was different from the rest in the series but was just as good. I was super enthralled in the book and found myself needing to know what would happen next. I would recommend this book, but again only if you are okay with reading about the topics listed above.
Favorite Quotes:
“You don’t need a prince, Princess. You need a sword.”
“You can’t be afraid of love, my dear. It’s like being afraid of death. It’s inevitable.”
Bane bane bane. Pure alpha male. Sorry buddy but the heart wants what it wants I love how open he is. He doesn’t care what anyone thinks of him. I didn’t think I could love anyone the way I do vicious and dean but boy was I wrong! My heart has been divided by all these godly men evenly and I don’t even want it back. This book has all the feels! You will absolutely love it!
Jesse and Bane are so steamy. Their banter is funny and flirty. The sparks fly between these two. Bane is a protective and kind person disguised as a jerk. Jesse is broken and shut off from the world. It was beautiful to watch him help her heal and thrive. When he gives her his birthday present, it gave me all the feels. On top of all that there are some incredibly hot scenes between them. I can honestly say I didn’t see the twist coming. This is a very dark book. Definitely some possible triggers for some people. personally I think it was so well written and I loved it.
This was the darkest book in the series. And I must be more twisted than the story because I was enthralled. Like the rest of the Sinners and Saints books, our hero was definitely flawed. Bane and Jesse were both broken. Yet they balanced each other out and were able to heal. Together.