Bane

An unforgettable story that will make you cheer for Jesse and hug Bane for the man that he is…5+ stars!

Jesse Carter needs fixing. The aftermath of a traumatic assault has left her a shell of a person whose life is spent holed up in her room, except for the weekly trip to her psychotherapist. Her daily runs at night bring blissful exhaustion and oblivion for a dreamless sleep, enough to keep her demons and nightmares at bay. She’s become the Untouchable, shying away from all physical contact and avoiding interaction as much as possible. My heart ached over what Jesse’s endured. A young girl stripped of confidence, stuck in the past and incapable of moving forward because of a senseless act of violence. Beware this may be a trigger, but LJ Shen does a wonderful job with careful sensitivity to the matter.

Roman “Bane” Protensko, semi-pro surfer, con artist, entrepreneur, and gigolo is one bad dude. His handsome good looks has every woman vying for his services, but Bane has other ideas about building his newest project, and he needs investors. Darren Morgansen, Jesse’s step-dad, becomes a willing investor. But the hefty sum comes with a deal: bring Jesse back to life without her knowing about the deal. And don’t sleep with her. That seems fair enough until he meets Jesse. She’s intriguing, beautiful and witty, and Bane the real woman hiding behind the baggy clothes.

Bane is one story that stays with you long after finishing. It’s friends to lovers romance of two unlikely people who find common ground in how broken they are. A story filled with betrayal, heartache, intense emotion, humor and hope. LJ Shen writes with such focus and brings her characters to life with rich descriptions, brilliant dialogue and intense emotional connection. Hold on for the ride because the storyline includes underlying subplots with twists, turns, and reveals you don’t expect. I cheered so hard for Jesse at the end as she grows into a notable and confident, brave heroine. I highly recommend this enjoyable and emotion-filled romance with a great ending. Great job, Ms. Shen. I received and voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Move over Baron ‘Vicious’ Spencer there’s a new contender for number 1 bad boy. Roman ‘Bane’ Protsenko has won my heart! Right from the start this story hooked me & reeled me in!

Bane is the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Jesse is the girl who has everything yet has nothing; following an incident when she was 17 Jesse has become an introvert, a recluse. Bane is the man to save her & give her her life back. These two make a formidable couple and it was quite refreshing that the hero didn’t instantly fall in love and fore sake all other women for Jesse, he carried on being the man whore he was paid to be.

Told from a dual POV, the book has dark themes , but they are not overly descriptive. There are twists and turns galore as the details of that eventful night come to light unearthing a lot more along the way. LJ Shen has created another mouth watering alpha male that will make your spine tingle.

Roman Protsenko doesn’t really roll off the tongue nor does it illustrate the man who owns this name; in fact, in a way, the only thing the name has going for it is the fact that it sounds foreign and unique, something that very much encapsulates who this baddest of the bad boys seems to be.

L.J. Shen’s newest Sinner’s nickname ‘Bane’ aptly depicts the personality of this ego manic jack hole, not only because he epitomizes the definition of bane – a cause of great distress or annoyance, something, especially poison, which causes death, but also because he seems to be the bane of everyone else’s existence, wreaking havoc and igniting mayhem everywhere he goes.

But as much as Bane’s persona capitalizes on the fact that he doesn’t give two shits about anyone or anything, proving himself to be an asshole to his core, beneath his emotionless layers, beneath his backbone that was built from his ability to not care who he hurts or what he has to do to get ahead lies an imperfectly perfect man whose flaws, fractures, and felonious acts don’t truly define all that Bane is.

Once again, L.J. Shen has created the perfect heroine for her anti-hero. Jesse Carter is probably the only woman who could get Bane to give a shit about something other than surfing, stealing, or lying. That doesn’t mean that things are easy for Bane and Jesse; in fact, due to the reasons behind their ‘connection,’ as well as the hellacious circumstances she had to endure and the issues that still consume her due to her past, I wasn’t quite sure how anything would work out for them, but I do have to say that out of all of the couples who Shen has introduced readers to in her Sinners of Saint series, this is the one that I cheered for from the very beginning, and while I’m not exactly sure why this relationship resonated with me more than any of the other ones, but I knew beyond reason that even though Bane and Jesse would have to deal with quite a shitstorm of things and work their way through them, I never doubted what they would become, quite frankly because of everything they had already survived, especially Jesse.

One aspect of L.J. Shen’s writing that truly highlights how gifted she is at characterizing her heroes and heroines is her ability to construct complex and layered characters who are so much more than the façade they seem to wear. For the most part, Shen’s male leads are more anti-hero than hero, but as their story develops, other facets of their character is explored and with that exploration, readers truly begin to understand how they became the jackholes that they did while still holding on to qualities that have lain dormant due to a variety of reasons and are only being brought to the forefront because of a certain female lead who challenges who the heroes are and who they actually could be.

I have to admit that it took me a bit to get into Bane and Jesse’s story; it moved a little too slowly at the beginning, but I knew that if I held on, absorbing everything that Shen wanted her readers to understand before the angst and assholeness reigned, that I would find myself in one hell of a love/hate relationship with Bane and completely and utterly enthralled with Jesse Carter – her sass, her strength, and the fact that despite a shit past she was able to survive.

L.J. Shen’s Sinners are quite the group of enigmatic and charismatic characters, and what I find most remarkable about them is the fact that these hotholes wear that label with pride while still each being unique in the alpha male qualities they possess. I don’t know if I’ll ever meet a group of book boyfriends who aggravate the hell out of me as much as their filthy mouths enamor me.

4.5 Poison Apples

~5 +++++ STARS~

I’m not even sure how to begin this review except to say that “this book was AMAZING.” Bane is somewhat of a dark fairytale; I loved the references to Snow White. The princess in this story, Jesse, is broken and shattered, but underneath the fear and pain lies a warrior. Bane is in no way like the Prince Charming I read about as a child, yet he is so much more. As in all fairytales, this one is full of villains. I knew this one was going to be special when Shen told us that “this princess saves herself in the fairytale.”

Jesse Carter is my new heroine. She is shunned, isolated, and broken. Her only friend is her loyal dog, Shadow, and her elderly next door neighbor. When Bane comes into her life, she is totally unprepared for him. In fact, she really doesn’t see people anymore, giving up on them a long time ago.

“People as a concept, were starting to feel blurry and unfamiliar. Fuzzy, like black and white static flakes playing on an old-school TV.”

Bane changes all that. He wants to fix her. He wants her to be a part of the world again, one she was scared of and angry at, yet she wants to feel something again. As she was allowing Bane into her heart, she was also finding herself again…the strong Jesse. She was remembering what her father told her,

“You don’t need a prince, princess. You need a sword.”

I loved seeing her realizing that more and more every day!

Bane is also hurt. He hides it under his tattoos, his beard, and his attitude. What he wasn’t counting on was Jesse seeing his flaws and accepting him despite them. He believes she may be his atonement. He wants to save her, but she might be the one saving him.

As with all fairytales, Bane and Jesse will face a battle for their own HEA in the form of lies and betrayal. I totally didn’t see the twists and turns and emotional rollercoaster Shen was going to take me on.

I’m in awe of L.J. Shen and her ability to use her words like magic. This book is raw, realistic, at times very hard to read. In fact, there were several times I found myself in tears for both Jesse and Bane. Yet, Shen words were like poetry…just beautiful…pulling me further into the book. I literally never stopped reading until I was done…around 3 AM in the morning. I have been fortunate to read some fantastic books this year, but Bane stands out and now takes the top place of my favorite book of the year!!!!

Five snowflake stars! Bane and Jesse’s story completely bewitched me! I honestly think everyone should read this book.

Holy cow! L.J. Shen nailed perfection with Bane. This book was everything and more. I am overwhelmed and still on cloud nine in heaven. M*erde! My soul was consumed by each chapter. I rephrase it: My soul was consumed by Roman ‘Bane’ Protsenko. I am speechless. L.J. Shen never disappoints me! Her talent is supernatural. She is a LITERARY goddess and I am grateful she shares with us each of her SINFUL and wonderful masterpieces. There is not greater pleasure then reading L.J. Shen’s books! Her sassy and strong heroines plus sinful and possessive alpha males plus a brilliant story is equal to: PERFECTION with capital letters.

This book is part of the Sinners of Saint Series but can be read as a standalone. My advice for you is to read all the books in the series for a better ENJOYMENT. Between the pages of this book you will find a raw romance and strong and complex characters. This is not a fairy tale where the princess needs to be saved by the prince. This book is something more deep. Yes, there is a happy ending but the princess is going to save herself alone. Oh did I forget to tell that there is not Prince instead there is a con, a liar and a thief: a sinful bad boy, a fallen angel ready to defy everyone and everything.

Bane is an explosive, stunning, mind-blowing book that literally will leave you craving more and more. Once you start this book you won’t be able to stop until you devour it whole. The pacing is fast and each chapter will have you at the edge of your sit. The plot is extraordinary well developed, unique and 100% original. It is hands down one of my ALL TIME favourite reads and one that I will never forget.

The storyline is tempting, forbidden and deliciously intense. It’s a compelling story that makes the characters real. Their messed past cannot dictate their present although there is a lot in. Jesse is at the top of my favourite heroines. She has impressed me like no other. Her past is a shadow that is haunting her. Her brightness was replaced with darkness and fear but as a Warrior Princess she defeated her demons. She didn’t feel whole. The ones who should have protected failed her. No one fought her demons BEFORE until Bane: The bad boy, the thief, a con. He will fight them and will fix Jesse to any cost.

Bane is sin personified and maximized. He is a hunter, a fallen angel who hides his real colours. He is dangerous and toxic. He is the kind of boy you won’t introduce to your parents. He is trouble. He also has his demons but he controls them. His soul was lonely until Jesse. He accepted her as she is, broken and damaged. To know her past made him want to protect and fix her. She is forbidden but the chemistry is there, burning his blood. She tempts him like no other woman and he will give up in his desires.

How could someone too toxic save a broken soul? How could a lonely soul fix a damaged angel?

Secrets, money, power and ambition can tarnish the purest soul. Jesse will learn that she doesn’t need a prince. She needs a sword and Bane is it. He is the knight that will kill the dragons.

I loved the interaction between Bane and Jesse. They are lonely souls trying to survive. Each one in a different way but both are survivors and fighters. I adored the way Bane gave Jesse the weapons to tame her demons. They belong together. They are imperfectly perfect for each other. The were destinated to be more; to be eachother saviour.

An awesome book! L.J. Shen penned a strong story, hard, sometimes brutal and savage, but the magic of the narrative is such that it ends up becoming the most subtle of the experiences and a love story like few, one of those that you do not forget. Bane and Jesse’s story completely bewitched me! I honestly think everyone should read this book. It can’t be compared with any other because perfection can’t be compared.

I have a love/hate relationship with books that give me a book hangover. On the one hand, you’re ecstatic, knowing you read something that was so incredible you won’t soon forget it. On the other hand, you’re miserable, knowing you read something so incredible you won’t soon forget it. This is the case with Bane, the fourth book in the Sinners of Saint series. This story toyed with my emotions; the writing was so raw at times that I felt both amazing highs and painful lows, all on the same page. Both main characters had such sorrowful stories, told in such a way I felt real grief and empathy for them. Jesse’s story is especially disturbing, slowly revealed in fragments, and some readers who have triggers might want to take into consideration. I can’t say enough about Bane, he might be one of the ‘baddest’ heroes I’ve fallen head over heels for; his complete transformation took me by surprise, I didn’t think he’d be able to redeem himself.

“I was the guy everyone knew and she was the girl desperate to be forgotten”

At twenty-five Roman ‘Bane’ Protsenko has been the king of Todos Santos, the small, incredibly rich community he’s lived in, since high school. His mother emigrated from Russia to raise him and to get away from his sperm donor. He’s always been a player and has made money, most of it dirty, by doing mostly illegal deals; including working as a paid escort for most of the upstanding citizens of Todos Santos.

Now Bane needs an investor, for a straight and legitimate project he’s working on, and he has someone in mind. Darren Morgansen had moved there four years ago with his new family, and he had money, lots and lots of it; he came from “oil money” and was willing to part with six million of it, to invest in Bane’s deal, for something in exchange.

All Bane had to do was be a companion to Darren’s nineteen year old stepdaughter, a friend of sorts. Her therapist insists she needs a job, to get out of the house, and start living again. But, Bane isn’t to touch her. At all, or the deal’s off. He’s whored himself for a lot less, how hard can it be? When he realizes it’s the girl with the Pushkin quote tattoo he’d noticed two years earlier, it might not be such an easy deal after all.

“My Whole Life Has Been Pledged to This Meeting with You”

Jesse’s life had changed drastically two years ago. She’d been the darling of Todos Santos High after moving there, the beautiful girl with raven hair and big blue eyes; she reminded every one of Snow White and soon began dating Emery, one of the most popular boys in school. But that all changed one horrible night and she’d been a virtual recluse since then, an outcast that everyone hated. Including her mother, it seemed, not that it bothered Jesse too much. As long as people left her alone, she was fine with it. She had an older neighbor with Alzheimer’s that Jesse shared her secrets with, knowing they were safe with her, and her dog, so Jesse wasn’t completely alone. But now, out of the blue, the notorious Roman ‘Bane’ Protsenko was everywhere she turned.

“I don’t date.

I don’t do boys.

I’m The Untouchable.”

Jesse wondered if Bane knew her story. Or what everyone thought was her story.

Everyone in town heard a version or two of my story. I was the town’s slut. Jezebel.

The whore of Babylon. I’d asked for it, so they’d given it to me.”

As they begin a strangely needy and unusual friendship they soon realize it’s more than that and the attraction is mutual. But Jesse realizes Bane is just as damaged as she is; with his own demons and secrets that might destroy not just him, but both of them.

“I survived many things, but Roman Protsenko was probably not going to be one of them.”

What an unlikely pair they made and together they were a force to be reckoned with. This story is one you won’t forget, so whatever you do to get over a book hangover, have it handy! You’ll need it.

Holy smokes……Bane was absolutely incredible! Such an emotional punch right out of the gate, that I was not expecting. But, that prologue left me breathless and wanting more. And once I dove into the story, I quickly fell for the dirty, foul-mouthed mama’s boy and the snowstorm that he wasn’t prepared for. (Sorry Dean & Trent……you have been replaced by Bane and are now are tied for #2 on my list of favorite LJ Shen heroes)

I just love the friendship and subsequent relationship that developed between Bane & Jesse. Yes, it definitely started out under false pretenses, but what happened between them was real. Bane saw past the outer scars and saw the true beauty of her soul. He didn’t look at her as damaged. He saw a survivor. A fighter. Jesse just needed that little push from Bane in order to reclaim her life. She didn’t need to live in fear anymore. He helped breath life into her again, and truthfully…..Jesse did the same for Bane. He was able to see past the scars of his past and realize he didn’t have to hide his truths anymore either. Such a beautiful connection and chemistry between these two, and the journey they took together was absolutely incredible.

I absolutely love the Sinners of Saint series, but Bane is on a completely different level than the rest of them. And to me, this is by far the author’s best work to date. I highly recommend this story and it will easily be going on my list of favorites of 2018.

Amazing story!!!

LJ Shen writes hard-hitting stories that will make you cringe, cry and laugh! She tells the stories of difficult men that we hate to love and strong women who can handle them. She gives us stories that we will remember long after we turned the last page.

Bane and Jesse’s story is not an easy one to read, there are a lot of triggers that can slow you down. But, the ending is soooo worth it all!!!

{I received this as an ARC in exchange for an Honest review}
“Bane” is one of L.J. Shen’s BEST WORKS!! It is such a powerful and amazing story! Roman “Bane” is everything!! He is similar to the other “Hotholes” but so utterly unique at the same time. He is hungry for power and when a deal he has been waiting for only comes with one small stipulation he readily accepts. All Bane has to do to get the six million he needs to create his dream is get Jesse Carter back out into the world to make some friends and to keep his hands off of her at all times.

Something truly horrible happened to Jesse two years ago and ever since then she has stayed to herself. She rarely leaves the house and will not let anyone near her. She is drowning in her past. It is a challenge for Bane to get to know her but nothing is going to stop him. He makes his way into her life and becomes somewhat of a life preserver that she didn’t know she needed. He becomes her friend, her first real friend she has ever really had. It takes time but she starts to feel comfortable around him. She slowly starts to get a tasted of life and she doesn’t want to go back into hiding. She wants to take back control and get Bane along the way! Bane is honestly the best!! I Love him so much!!! His pov and inner dialogue is amazing!! He makes me laugh so much!! He is this big bad tattooed up guy that has a reputation yet he finally finds the girl to make him fall to his knees. His feelings for Jesse are so genuine and he just really loves her!! The push and pull between these two was electric!! They are so freaking hot together! Like DAMN SEXY AF!!! I loved it!!

Their journey isn’t easy. It is hard for both of them. Jesse has to deal with her past and Bane has to deal with his future. They have to figure out how to fit each other in! This will bring so many strong emotions out of you. This is one of my Favorite Books of 2018!! Truly amazing!! I am so in love with Roman and Jesse!!

A deep, heart-wrenching and haunting coming of age romance that’s beautifully written…

I feel like I have a lot to say about this book. Like, A LOT. BUT, at the same time I’m still trying to recover from it. Leigh Shen did a right number on me with Bane. I have to be honest here and say that this story surprised the heart right out of me, and not necessarily in a good way. Before you assume that I’m trashing this story, I have to clarify that this is one of the most brilliantly written stories I’ve read in a while, however, it should come with a big fat warning on it because the blurb doesn’t prepare you for any of it. I’m a pretty emotionally staunch, but this book broke me. Let me clarify, Jesse’s story shattered me.

I adore the Sinners of Saint series and I have to admit that Bane is a freaking incredible addition to the clan. If it weren’t for the repeated sensitive occurrence that affects not just one but two of the characters, I would’ve adored it too. You know what’s funny? It wasn’t the detail to which Ms. Shen went to that obliterated me, it was the emotionally crippling way in which she drew out Jesse’s feelings and emotions. It was the way in which she didn’t go over board with background noise and the visuals. She focused on the emotional turmoil, especially in the internal monologues.

Plot wise, I actually found that the romance at its core is spunky and fiery and the love story brutal…in a completely good way. I loved that both the hero and the heroine aren’t your typical romance characters, saying that, they needed to be something special considering the hard hitting topics explored. I say that like it’s some of handed comment about some fictional incident…which it is, a fictional incident…but what you need to understand is that the way in which Ms. Shen has portrayed all the mental, physical and emotional fall out hits you square in the gut and chest. It throws you completely. It does it in a way that you can’t ever get your head around and it freaking haunts you. It haunts you.

The characters themselves are likeable, lovable even. I don’t think there is any other author that can write an anti-hero like L.J. Shen. Roman ‘Bane’ Protsenko is just everything. He is so rough and rugged and bad, that he is good and wait for it…righteous. For a con man the guy has morals and he has heart. A lot of heart beneath all the ink and surf bad boy bravado. I loved him from the off. Likewise, Jesse was impossible not to love. I loved her wit an her strength and resilience. Even through everything that happens to her I never pitied her, I was enraged for her and sad even, but it was never pity. Her strength doesn’t give you the chance to pity her. She is just kick-arse and smart. She is freaking smart and I love that she uses her brain over Bane’s brawn If that makes sense? I think thats what I really adored about them as a couple, they were the Yin to each others’ Yang. They balanced each other out beautifully. Couple that with the off the charts chemistry and they are a freaking match made in book heaven.

Honestly? I loved Bane. I loved everything about it, however I just don’t think I could ever endure all that pain and anguish again. I couldn’t do it the first time, I just about managed to bandage my heart back together. Saying that, I am 100% sure that not everyone will be impacted the same way that I was and I have to stress that this book is a testament to Ms. Shen’s writing skill. The writing is formidable and heart-wrenching. It is just bloody brilliant and based on that alone this is one incredible read. However, it needs a big fat warning because you need a serious heads up.