“The perfect blend of soul-crushing angst, laugh out loud wit, and heart-melting romance.” – Helena Hunting, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author.From #1 Amazon Bestseller L.J. Shen comes a new, star-crossed lovers romance about loss, love, and meeting The One when you are too young to know how to keep them.Sometimes you meet people who are out of this world, so you make them a part of … this world, so you make them a part of yours.
A one-night stand born from vengeance in a foreign land.
An explosive chemistry neither of us could deny.
We signed a contract on the back of a Boar’s Head Pub napkin that said if we ever met again, we would drop everything and be together.
Eight years and thousands of miles later, he’s here.
In New York.
And he’s America’s music obsession.
The intangible Irish poet who brings record executives to their knees.
The blizzard in my perfect, unshaken snow globe.
Last time we spoke, he was a beggar with no intention of becoming a king.
But a king he became, and now I’m his servant.
I’m not the same broken princess Malachy Doherty put back together with his callused hands.
I have a career I love.
A boyfriend I adore.
An apartment, a roommate, a life.
I changed. He changed, too.
But Mal kept the napkin.
Question is, will I keep my word?
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I really enjoyed this new standalone!!
This author masterfully created a unique, edgy and smart story.
I was taken aback by some of the situations that occurred during this story. Like whoa wtf.
Sooo…
Boundaries were pushed, triggered were triggered!
After processing my emotions and my feelings about this story, I have to say kudos for the writing.
While there were certain pivotal moments in the story that to me felt rushed, the emotions evoked proved the creative savviness of this author.
4.5 stars!
Whimsical.
Magical.
Angsty AF.
Come see what all the fuss is about in this truly unique second-chance romance from LJ Shen!
This one is hard to categorize, and while it is peak LJ Shen, it’s a different flavor of her custom made hate-to-love romance brand.
Mal and Rory have an unusual meet cute. There are secrets, lies and ulterior motives all over their star-crossed pairing. There’s nothing easy about their love except their love. That may seem confusing, but it’s the truth. If you’ve read the blurb, you know that they have a long, rough journey!
The story-crafting here is impeccable as always, the language and voice totally engaging and entertaining. There’s never any regretting reading a book by this author.
This book was an absolute pleasure to read. First off, it’s very different from what you’d expect from Shen, but it’s also so her style with the charming characters, deep story and a touch of mystery surrounding major events in the book.
I’ve been searching for the right companions to find when thinking of Rory and Mal. They are two pieces to a puzzle, when those pieces aren’t together nothing makes sense and the big picture is incomplete. They’re both irritating and funny and a little messy but god do they work. Rory is sweet and quick witted and I loved that she gives as good as she gets with Mal. She’s just as sarcastic as he is and I died with laughter over their banter.
I do have a few books to finish on the authors back list, but this is the first time that I’ve read one where the H isn’t a huge alpha hole and I am here for it. Don’t get me wrong, I love her signature hero’s, but I adore Mal with his affinity for stout, chocolate and his NJ princess even more. These two were a readers dream.
I’m not sure I’ve read something quite like, it was unique and quirky and absolutely spellbinding. Shen has a lot of tricks up her sleeve in terms of storytelling. No surprise to me as I was anticipating another 5 stars read but this takes the cake as my favorite book of hers.
This book is brilliantly written and really clever. I haven’t read a book by this author quite like this before. At times I wasn’t sure how I felt about this book, I still don’t really if I am honest. I went from hating it to completely loving it. I did however hate a lot of the characters and situations, I know hate is a strong word but I challenge anyone to tell me I am wrong.
There are two main characters Mal/ Malachy and Rory/Aurora but for me all the characters played roles that were indeed in the forefront of this story making them just as important in my opinion. This book is heartbreaking, emotional, funny in parts and has a sexual air about it that makes a sexually charged chemistry run through this book.
The story I won’t explain, the blurb gives you a gist of what occurs but not really, this book messes with your mind and keeps you guessing. I had an idea about some of the things that happen but most of them where a shock.
This book is a total recommend from me. It took me till the end of the book to truly appreciate the whole story. My emotions are still mixed and I still am unsure. If my views on some situations will change but how I feel about this story and the main characters won’t change. I feel with this story you need to make up your own mind
Wow. LJ Shen is ending 2019 with one heck of an amazing story! In the Unlikely Event was so damn incredible! I love that she went outside the box and created something totally different, unique and downright awesome. I laughed. I wanted to cry. I got angry, had my jaw hit the floor a few times, and I laughed some more. Mal and Rory’s epic and crazy love story absolutely mesmerized me…..and I loved every second of it! They definitely have become one of my absolute favorite LJ Shen couples – they are truly something special.
This book is as intense as it is fun. It’s full of angsty romance and just pure unexpected fun. There are points of view from both main characters. But what I think puts this book over the top is the author’s ability to make a letter from a chocolate bar absolutely marvelous.
Aurora hasn’t had the picture perfect upbringing. When her absent Father dies she decided to travel from the USA to Ireland to get some long awaited answers. She doesn’t exactly get what she came for though. She ends up meeting Malachy, a musician who couldn’t care less about actually making money from his art, and they have a one night stand. A one night stand that throws everything else into motion for both of them for the next 8 years. Neither of them could predict where their lives would lead after that fateful meeting.
This book will lead you through the moment Aurora and Malachy meet the first time to their second meeting 8 years later. It will keep you guessing and laughing and also losing sleep. What a magnificent book to enjoy!
This book is soooo much more than just a love story. So many emotions, laughter and an unexpected secret …. Just everything about book is incredible, it will make you feel so much in very good way. I’m just so in love with Mal and Rory, how their love story reveals, everything in this book. Love like they have is very rare and what we dream of, Leigh once again, nailed it and deliver it to us in this amazing book so perfectly.
„There wasn’t one moment in time, from the second we met, that you weren’t mine. Just like I’ve always been yours.”
I’m stunned. In The Unlikely Event is like no other book I’ve ever read. It’s original and outstanding. It’s also so different from anything L.J. Shen has ever written, but at the same time it contains her well-known witty banter and unique phrases. Although this book contains moments that grab and squeeze the heart, ITUE has a kind of lightness that makes you absorb this story in one breath. This story is exceptional and remarkable, completely incomparable with any second chance romance you know. You’ll sigh, swoon and laugh out loud. It will also tug at your heartstrings because In The Unlikely Event is the proof of the existence of kismet and one true love.
You can be sure that you will fall in love with Malachy. He has bad boy vibe, without being actually bad. He oozes confidence, ease and lightness of being. He’s charming and being in his presence is like hypnosis – this guy steals all attention and doesn’t let look away from him. He also has a heartbreak written all over his face. This talented Irish poet will permanently settle in your hearts.
Rory is kind of girl you want to be friends with- laid-back, sassy and fun. Beautiful and smart. A kind-hearted girl who doesn’t judge or condemn, but at the same time is assertive and doesn’t let anyone to push her around. I adore her.
These two are a rollercoaster, a real storm of feelings, passion and lust. Malachy and Rory will make you giggle and burn with heat. But the most striking feeling this couple will give you is the heart-warming delight, because if you have any doubts about destiny, these two will assure you of its existence.
Shen didn’t lie when she announced that ITUE was completely different from her previous works. This book is not only the original and addictive storyline. It’s also a completely new writing style, in which the author expressed it. ITUE is told from many points of view, including the least expected ones, and this gave me experience like no other. Thanks to this I got to know the full picture of the events from different perspectives. And let me say that I will never look at cows and Mars bars in the same way… LOL!
L.J. Shen is a mastermind. A devilishly talented, amazing storyteller, who with her stories is taking the world of romance to a new level. I absorbed In The Unlikely Event and this story will remain inside me forever. This brilliant book taught me that life is full of moments and that I should always follow my heart and reach for what I want. Nothing is impossible and life’s too short. And ‘high stakes make good stories.’
Standing ovation!
Oh wow – I seriously don’t think I’ve ever read anything like this book before – and I mean that in the best possible way.
The basic story- Boys meets girl, boys loses girl, massive misunderstandings take place, boy reconnects with girl – has been told a million times with just as many variations that keep readers coming back.
What Ms Shen created with In The Unlikely Event transcends that basic story line. The main characters of Rory and Mal are two people that I sometimes didn’t like, but I still wanted to see them get their (collective) acts together.
The complicated circumstances of Rory, Mal, and various secondary characters weave in and out of secrets, intrigue, and some down right funny moments.
I don’t want to give anything away about this well written and entertaining book, but I will say that it is unique and I’m glad I was able to read it over a weekend (one day actually) because I would have been very frustrated it I had to stop to go to work!
Idk what to say to adequately put into words how amazing this story was…another PUNCH straight to the heart fo sho! I was crying at 15% in, laughing shortly thereafter, and swooning after that. LJ is the master of feels, and this is more than a roller coaster of emotion-it’s a GD rocket ship! Rory and Mal, another set of perfectly flawed people who are complete opposites yet compliment each other SO well. Amazing characters, amazing prose, amazing story. Perfect indeed.
What an unexpected, delightful, different kinda read from one of my favs and I enjoyed every minute of it. The angst, the funnies, the betrayal and the swoon worthy moments will have you yearning for more. I laughed, I threw my kindle and I completely devoured this book. Mal and Rory were a quirky relatable coupling. My favorite parts were the different notes throughout the book. Loved, loved, loved it!
Oh my goodness, I absolutely adored this book! It was absolutely different from anything she has written before! I feel like I say this every time, but this is my new favorite of hers! I swear, every book she writes, manages to be better than the last!! It was so beautiful, and nerve wracking, and sweet and emotional! It will definitely take your emotions on a roller coaster ride! I loved Aurora, and fell in instant love with Mal! Mal is definitely my new book boyfriend! They were so perfect for each other, but met when they were so young, and when do things ever work out for young love? I was a nervous wreck reading this book, wanting everything to work out, but there were so many twists and surprises, something was always coming between them! It was an amazing read, and I would recommend it to anyone!! Absolutely loved it!!
Unlikely Event is truly a masterpiece of a book written by an author who does nothing short of magic in her words. This book had me captivated from the opening pages, the premise of the napkin promise and all the angst and emotions that followed. These characters were so easy to love and hate and cry and cheer for throughout the entire read. Their love story was nothing short of messy and raw but one of the most epically beautiful stories ever.
It is not often I look down at percentage left in a book and actually get upset it is almost over.
In the Unlikely Event is Brilliant! Excellently written with many points of view, you may think that it doesn’t work but it so does. The story is idiosyncratic with secrets galore, twists and turns some expected, some, not so much. The characters are eccentric and hilarious it makes for excellent craic! You may never look at a chocolate bar in the same way, ever!
Princess Aurora Belle (Rory) of New Jersey goes to Ireland after her High School Graduation, she is interested in getting to know her father, Glen O’Connell whom she never met in person but has heard some stories from her mom. However, he passes before she has the opportunity to meet him but goes on her journey to uncover information and to find herself and her half-sibling.
Malachy Doherty is a busker, a poet with song, a one night stand with explosive chemistry that she agrees to a written contract that states if we ever met again, we would drop everything and be together. It may take eight years for them to meet again, the lies that were told to protect or cover up the truth is unbelievable.
WHAT THE EVER LOVING F*CK DID I JUST READ.
In the Unlikely Event was a beautifully spellbinding and angsty as f*ck second chance romance that wholeheartedly captivated every inch of my soul…even managing to break through the dark parts, shining in warm light. This is the kind of story that will have you smiling from ear to ear one moment and clutching your chest in the next breath. It was a story so unlike anything L.J. Shen has ever written before and it was completely mind-blowing…my mind and heart was BLOWN to smithereens.
Aurora “Rory” Belle Jenkins and Malachy “Mal” Doherty’s chemistry was OFF THE CHARTS! Their story took me on the ride of my life and I never knew someone could experience so many emotions at the same time. The love these two shared was EPIC and I knew they belonged together, even if there were obstacles standing in their way. When fate FINALLY intervenes and they are reunited, things aren’t always as they seem.
Not only do we have the opportunity to hear Rory and Mal’s thoughts along the way, but we also get to experience a unique viewpoint through the eyes of the napkin, a cow (yep you read that right) and everything in between! I absolutely LIVED for those moments and my heart swooned throughout their journey! This is HANDS DOWN one of all-time favorite reads and one of L.J. Shen’s BEST RELEASES!
In L.J. Shen’s own words, she showed all her crazy with this story, and I’m so glad she did! I totally embraced this wild ride with it’s quirky characters, angst, hotter than hot sex scenes, and the points of view you have to read to believe!
Aurora (Rory) meets Malachy (Mal) while on a quick trip to Ireland. Twenty-four hours together, a connection they weren’t expecting, a contract made on a napkin, and their fates are sealed.
Eight years later…a hateful, confusing reunion. Rory is in a new relationship and Mal seems to be hell bent on revenge. What happened during those 8 years?! They’ve both changed, become completely different people in many ways, but why does Mal hate Rory now, what does he think she did, or what did she do, what’s the mystery surrounding Rory’s life that no one will tell her?
So much intrigue, so many secrets, lies, and gut wrenching heartbreak, but never fear, everything comes to light, hearts are mended, and the ending is all worth it!
Final Score – 4.5 Stars
Once again, I’ve been dropped into a story that has seemingly already unfolded – yet no catch up is necessary. That’s a superior talent for an author to have. And what L.J. Shen brings to each of her stories. Not one is the same as another.
Her style of writing fascinates and thrills me. When I start to read, I loose myself in the worlds she constructs and the characters she brings to life. Even though I’ve been sick this past week, I could not put this book down for more than a few hours at a time and that was just to sleep.
Fantastic story. I can’t wait to add the paperback to my collection of her works.
In the Unlikely Event is a fantastic second chance romance as only author LJ Shen could write. It is unlike any of her other books, but just as amazing. Mal and Rory stole my heart and their story is a rollercoaster of highs and lows. It is angsty, sweet, frustrating, funny and filled with secrets and surprises. It is quirky and I could not put it down and you won’t be able to, either.
Malachy Doherty is delicious. I fell for him and wanted to throttle him at the same time. Rory is fiesty and sassy. I loved her and wanted to shake her, too. The push/pull between them is intense and hot AF. The tension is so thick, it’s palpable. I love the alternating POV and the laugh out loud moments, as well as the swoon worthy ones. The story hooked me from the start and kept me turning pages.
In the Unlikely Event is not what I expected but it is fabulous. This book continues to prove that author LJ Shen is an extremely talented, versatile, and creative writer. Highly recommend.
A very different LJ Shen read, but don’t be deterred, it’s different but in a good way.
This book tugged at my emotions from all directions, be prepared for a little heartache.
Mal and Rory’s love story is a second chance romance, but it is full of twists and turns, funny little excerpts, hot steamy scenes, and rotten families / friends.
Was it true love when they met 8 years ago? will it end in a happy ever after or will revenge be served? Read it for yourself.