“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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He captures me in such a vulnerable moment, I want to scream at him, but when he dumps the camera on the quilt next to us and looks down, I let it go. He doesn’t look smug or happy or offhanded about it. He looks…tortured.
This story was amazing, the characters brilliant. Two lost souls who found each other, just to lose each other again. The main reason of the loss being the ugly things that people did and the horrible secrets people held. Rory being in the middle of that whirlwind. And didn’t even know it.
Beautiful and gripping and filled with such fierce passion. It kept me locked in from beginning to end.
I do belive that Leigh breaks our hearts more and more with every book she writes next, all the while smooting those cracks in our hearts, and as time progresses she so cleverly makes it whole again.
“Love me in secret, darlin’.”
4.5 stars!! Another L.J. Shen masterpiece!!
Ok so usually I give you some type of quick sentence or two about the book but this time I am not going to do it. Sure you can read the blurb but it won’t be me. I didn’t read anything going into this book. I was so pumped like everyone else of the cover, name and that L.J. was putting out a new book. I will say this book involves love, love lost, secrets, lies, cheating, sex, scandal, tragedy and so much more.
I really enjoyed the different POV’s the author gave you. I am not even going to let you in on that secret but know some of them are hilarious.
The book didn’t grab me at first and then I spent a lot of the book angry and wanting secrets to be spoken, there was so much petty tension. But as we moved forward it got so much better and then I couldn’t put it down. I think there were two people in this book that did irreparable things and I was angry and hurt for these characters. What killed me
was how the author wrapped this up. You will see and know these people shouldn’t be where they are. But beyond that I am happy how everything turned out.
This book was weird and not at all like this author usually writes. Though she does usually kill it with the misconstrued romance. I enjoyed the hills and valleys this book took you on. I laughed ALOT and I even teared up. No matter what she writes (even a contract on a napkin) L.J. will bring you in and make sure you felt this ride from beginning to end!!
**I received this book as an ARC and in return gave my honest review**
I tell ya, this author has no boundaries. This book sure will test your thoughts about how well rounded this author truly is. She has nailed the Sinners of Saint and All Saints High series. Has brought us wonderful standalones to devour. But this book, In the Unlikely Event is so raw, so different and so binge worthy. Once you start this book, you must read straight through.
The twists and turns, the lies, the deceit, the rumors, the sexiness. This book has it all.
This is the first book of this type for me to read. Chocolate bars, to napkins, to cows, you hear from everyone. Quite a quirky yet entertaining story that kept me guessing until the very end.
Read this book, it’s got some really great life lessons.
I love L.J. Shen and how she tells stories. I loved the last 25% of this book and am glad I hung in there to get to a great ending. So much happens with all the characters in the beginning and not knowing the history made it hard to follow at times. I was annoyed because of the secrets.
In the Unlikely Event takes readers on a journey of the past mixed in with the present with a lot of miscommunication between the characters.
I feel in love with Rory throughout the book. Mal was misunderstood.
This book is complex and full of twists and turns. What I get out of it is be honest with those in your life. It makes life better. I laughed, I cried, I felt.
This event book is epic! 5 stars
LJ Shen just made me laugh, made me swoon, did something so unique in chapter 3 that I had to take a moment, pause and breathe, then made me sob all by the end of chapter 3! Aurora (aka Rory) and Malachy (aka Mal) are electric together, and it was kismet that they met the first time and in an unlikely event that they met the second time. The words LJ Shen put on the pages was captivating, and she even used a different writing technique than she has before that I thought was brilliant. I couldn’t read fast enough to see how Mal and Rory’s story unfolded. After chapter 3, the angst started, and LJ Shen took my heart out of my chest, shredded it, eventually taped it back together (look at the cover for reference) and put it back in my chest. This is another LJ Shen book that will be going into my top reads of 2019. I highly recommend this epic story of second-chance, star-crossed lovers.
I received a copy of this ebook from Social Butterfly PR for my honest review.
This is a beautifully written story which is a tale of star crossed lovers, who were always destined to be together, and their incredible journey throughout the years which leads them to their final destiny. This story is intriguing, with unexpected twists, and is filled with lies, deceit, secrets, angst, emotion, and love. This gifted author has done an awesome job in penning yet another masterpiece, and I was totally captivated throughout, and I recommend this for all.
In The Unlikely Event by LJ Shen is the story of Aurora. At 18 she decides to go to Ireland to visit her father’s grave and find out about him since she never met him and her half siblings. The visit doesn’t go as she had wanted but she does meet Malachy aka Mal. He is a few years older than her and has information on her father. With his violet eyes, talent with a guitar, his singing voice and cocky attitude she is in trouble. He has plans for her. Their one day and night together was everything. They end up writing a contract on a napkin that stated they would marry each other regardless if after 8 years they ran into each other. Fast forward 8 years and Mal ends up walking into an event her record label executive boss is hosting in New York. She now finds herself back in Ireland staying at the cottage they spent that memorable night at for the next 2 months. There is several problems with this scenario. Aurora now has a boyfriend who is coming along for part of the trip. Something is going on with Mal because be is not only acting strange but also hostile towards her and to top it off the cottage looks like no one has been there in years. I have read many books by this author and her storytelling style was different. I liked it. It was comical at times and emotional at others. The journey that Aurora and Mal went on was definitely filled with sexual tension: you could cut it with a knife. Their love/ hate to back to love was tough and filled with betrayal and secrets. Needless to say I didn’t get much sleep last night. Read this story straight through. 4.5 stars for me
I loved this book so much.
It evoked so much feelings and emotions from me.
The story had me smiling and laughing.
It had me crying and feeling sad.
And it had me believing in love.
I LOVED LOVED the storyline.
Beautiful emotional story.
Set in a small village in Ireland.
Where everyone knows everyone.
Where no one has secrets from one another.
Unless you are an outsider.
I loved Malachy and Aurora!
Mal is so simple.
So uncomplicated.
He loves his music.
He sings for his own pleasure.
He’s sexy and funny.
Unassuming and witty.
Aurora is an aspiring photographer.
She loves capturing life on paper.
She’s a free spirit.
She’s sweet.
She’s thoughtful.
Aurora doesn’t have a mean bone in her body.
With Aurora’s need to know more about her father has her flying to Ireland.
Life for her and Mal will be forever changed.
One encounter in a graveyard with set off a domino effect.
So many people will be effected.
This book was like the beautiful ray of sunshine that breaks through a cloudy day.
One of my best reads of 2019.
Thank you Ms. Shen for a beautiful story and incredible characters!
There is something about Leigh’s writing that I know, no matter what book of hers it is, that I will fall in love with the story and a little bit more obsessed with the Queen herself after finishing her story.
LJ has not failed me with ITUE. She promised us something she’s never written before. Something unique. Something different. In the Unlikely Event is all of the above. It’s beautiful and breathtaking. But filled with heartbreak and pain.
The relationship between Rory and Mal is passionate. Their chemistry is undeniable. Their love is unbreakable. Their story is one that can withstand anything, even time.
This book had me laughing, crying, grieving, pissed off, and ecstatic. It gave me whiplash. I wanted to throw my phone but I never wanted it to end. I truly loved this story and the characters inside of it.
Leigh is and always will be my top favorite author ever and she NEVER disappoints me with a new story. Even one that she says is unlike anything she’s ever written. It doesn’t matter. If it came from her beautiful mind, I will love it regardless.
5+ stars for this breathtakingly beautiful story between two souls that were destined for one another.
Rory came to Ireland for one reason, and that one reason was NOT to have a one-night stand. However the minute she meets Mal, he assures her their hook up is inevitable. Their chemistry is out of this world, but they only have the one night, because the next day, Rory is headed back the US. The two draw up a “contract” that said if they were to ever meet again, they would be together no matter what. Eight years have passed since that day/night and things have changed for both Mal and Rory, the one thing that hasn’t is their chemistry. Will Mal and Rory keep their word, or was it just a one-time thing between them?
This is a book that, I personally think, is completely different from any of the other books I’ve read by L.J. Shen, but at the same time, it’s still very familiar. Mal isn’t her typical in your face alpha male, but he’s still very much an alpha. It’s honestly a little hard for me to describe, but I think this difference alone is what will have people falling in love with this book. While it is different it’s still so much of the author we all know and love. The instant chemistry between Rory and Mal was palpable. I swear I could feel the heat between these two while reading. The highs of lows of this story make for a book that you can’t put down because you have to know what is going to happen next. Another stellar book for L.J. Shen!
In the past she had questions that needed answering, and he had the answers. This is where their story begins.
They signed a promise to each other, that next time they meet no matter what it will be their time!
Shes a photographer, and hes a song writer their careers loosely entwine, and with one lucrative job they are brought back together.
Will they drop everything for the other, or laugh it away?
Wow what a read! The suspence, the twists and turns, and now there’s simply nothing!
Expect the unexpected with this read that’s for sure! batten down the hatches because once the hits start they keep on coming until you cant take anymore!
There are so many emotional moments in this, followed by moments of comedy genius. There’s such a fine line in obtaining perfection but once again Lj Shen is firmly dancing upon said line.
This is unlike any of her other books that I’ve read. It’s unique, powerful and I can honestly say its doubtful I will ever eat a Mars bar again!
The characters all have a story to tell, a need to be heard and trust me you will want to know their story as much as I did!
Amazing and worthy of nothing less than five stars!
Luv luv luv !!!
Wow this book was brilliant! I don’t really know why I’m so surprised. LJ Shen just keeps getting better and better. I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. The story was emotional, heart breaking, funny and sexy in parts God that part was just wow. You have to read it and when you do you will know what I’m talking about. The characters were so good I luvd the them straight away. The way this book was written was amazing I think it what made this book so good for me. It’s so different to any book I’ve read the pov’s were just brilliant. I luv getting into characters heads and this was just perfect for me.
Mal was just a great character I luvd his confidence, swagger and Irish charm. When the guy knew what he wanted he was getting end of story. No woman stands a chance with him. Once he seen Aurora/Rory that was it he knew she was the one and he would do anything to have her even if he couldn’t have her straight away. Just thank God for a napkin contract.
Aurora/Rory where do I start with her. She is great I liked her straight away. She hasn’t had it easy but she still tries to look at things in a good way. When she goes to Ireland it’s meant to be a quick trip she wasn’t meant to find a hot sexy Irish rockstar. But Rory didn’t stand a chance with him. There connection was instant and so hard to fight. But there story is no way pretty they go through so much.
This story really was great I luvd that Mal’s character had the Irish slang and humor. The author did this so good with not being Irish it couldn’t of been easy. Living in Ireland and hearing it everyday I have to say she did good. I’m true LJ Shen style the angst was there and heart breaking. Mal and Rory’s story is beautiful and sad. I felt for them in parts they just needed to talk and listen there both so fiery characters and think they know everything. But with the secrets and lies there wasnt a chance they did. The twists had me gripped to the book I was dying to know what was goin to happen next it had me scared and excited. I would highly recommend this book. If you have read anything from this author you have to read this. It’s one of my favourite books from her.
I didn’t know what to expect when I started this book. I love LJ Shen, but this book seemed like something so different from what she would normally write. I can’t even believe how much I loved it. I devoured it in a day. In the Unlikely Event is unique, beautiful, and tragic. It’s full of chemistry and feels, with awesome characters and a world I never wanted to leave. I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend if you’re looking for something different and special!
I’m going to start by saying I’m definitely be in the minority here with my 3.5 stars. I was so excited to read this book, dropped everything to start.
While reading In the Unlikely Event I just could not get into the book. I’m as shocked as anyone. The plot was great, the storyline was good, the characters were ok. There was just something missing for me.
There is one glaring issue I had with the book which would be a spoiler if I post, but it is really what made my decision on the rating. I feel like it was a big thing not to mention was in the book. I absolutely avoid books with it in it. So had I known ITUE had it, I would have never read the book, at least not yet.
Although this is not my favorite LJ Shen book, I’m sure many of you will really enjoy In the Unlikely Event.
This is hands down my favorite read of 2019!
This book pulled out all my emotions. L.J. knows how to write the perfect characters and ITUE fully delivers with a strong heroine full of sass and a sexy as sin broody Irishman I want to f@$%!
I read this book in one sitting and then started it all over again. I just could not get enough of these amazing characters.
In The Unlikely Event showed once again why LJ Shen is the best. She never stops surprising me. A completely unexpected story told in the familiar hypnotizing LJ Shen way, In The Unlikely Event made me speechless and overwhelmed. I surrendered to the emotions wholeheartedly and unconditionally.
This story is told in a completely new way. That was totally genius and mindblowing. I was hooked to it from first page. Essentially it is the story of Mal and Rory and a contract on a pub napkin. It spans across years, continents and persons. A whole lot of supporting and obstructing characters were brought to life with simple and expert touches. Every character had their own story to tell and that made this story an incredible read. I laughed with the smart humor that is so LJ Shen. I know it is supposed to be a soft romance but trust me, the emotions knocked me sideways. The angst and heartbreak made me cry stupid tears. The epicness of the romance made me swoon, sigh and die. The storyline weaves across so many dimensions. The puzzle pieces fall into places with a loud click at the end.
LJ Shen cannot write an unattractive male lead. Mal has stolen my heart. I can feel the appeal to my very core. A broken and talented Irish singer-songwriter, he is romance himself. He changes colours rapidly but his heart is golden. ( And so is his body). He can be arrogant, inconsiderate, vengeful, hurtful and bitter when he is angry or hurting. And this very man becomes the sweetest lover and ferocious protector when he loves. There is no in between for this guy. And Aurora aka Rory matches him in intensity. I am so in love with this quirky, strong, compassionate, insanely amazing woman. LJ Shen is the queen of writing heroines outside the box. And Rory is exactly that. Her whole life carried scars of lies, deceits, pain and secrets. And yet she loves with everything she has. The most important persons in her life hurt her and she wanted to be fair to them. I could not do it.
I want to spend some words on the chemistry between Mal and Rory. It was INTENSE. It was explosive. It played with my heart. I cannot describe this ache in my heart that I tried to stop physically rubbing my chest. Some love stories are so honest and pure and raw that I cannot help but turn into this emotional mess. This is the very definition of EPIC. It is also definition of out of the world, extraordinary, mesmerizing and genius. Rory and Mal are bound by fate and if I did not believe in it, I do now. They fought like they loved, they loved like they will die without it and they endured every tear and pain. A glorious love story all the way.
In The Unlikely Event is full of breathtakingly beautiful emotions. It seems I love each LJ Shen book more than the last one. This story has the best of everything in romance. And then some more. And that is the extra special touch of LJ Shen’s magical writing. A love story that will change you irrevocably.
Received ARC for Honest review
Leigh Shen delivers this unique second chance romance filled with heart-wrenching angst and witty comebacks with some very unique side notes from varying characters throughout the story. I mean – who has read the point of view from a cow?!
Rory travels to Ireland at eighteen and is directed to Mal in order to learn about a person she never truly got to know due to circumstances out of her control. When they met, the chemistry was off the charts instantly and they had a whirlwind romance in the span of 24 hours! They both felt drawn towards one another but they didn’t know how to make a relationship last with an ocean between them and neither one was sure how to be in a relationship that far apart. Neither one was at a place where they could or wanted to uproot their lives. So in a drunken and lust-filled instant, they came up with a pact on the back of a napkin stating if they ran into each other in the future they would drop everything and be together, circumstances be damned.
In the span of eight years, life took its toll on Mal and he went from a carefree and spontaneous musician who loved living life to the fullest and making choices on a whim to a cold and closed man with his heart cracked by loss and thoughts of revenge!
Enter Rory whose life looks glorious on paper and to everyone around her but her heart still bleeds for the man she hasn’t seen in eight years even if it looks like she’s moved on. But she can’t admit that to anyone now can she?!
And life leads these two back together but not without roadblocks and obstacles and other people meddling in their business. Secrets and life decisions hidden from one another from the beginning takes a toll on both characters but will true love really conquer all or will they end up heartbroken all over again?!
Some may tell you that there’s a lot of miscommunication and that’s one of the things they do not like about this journey. But in my opinion, this book is about survival and finding the truth. Certain circumstances occurred that led Mal to his beliefs for eight years and led him to be cold and closed off to life and his feelings. He may have had doubts but it does not mean it’s easy to open old wounds and revisit heart wrenching issues. Rory tried to find out the truth behind the change in Mal but it was a struggle and I feel like her story is about discovery and perseverance! And in the end, they had to fight and claw their way to the truth and have an open mind on what the truth holds.
This story is raw and gritty filled with emotions that span the whole spectrum! Their journey is something that could happen in real life and is relatable. I found myself going back after I finished just to relive moments that I loved! Shen delivers a unique and unexpected journey of life and love that is an amazing ride that you need to approach with an open mind and heart. Take a ride with Mal and Rory and try on their shoes for size because life can take unexpected turns and require you to make split second decisions that you may regret but in the end it’s how you decide to conquer the unexpected and live the life that you want to the fullest!
Ahhhhhh!!! You guys!! Remember that time L.J. Shen dropped a book promising that it was different from anything she has ever written? Well that day is today and I can 100% wholeheartedly attest that this is one of her best books. It is SO unlike any of her previous books but no less incredible. It, without a doubt, has that PERFECT LJ touch that I die for. Malachy and Aurora were nothing short of magnificent! They are one of my favorite couples from this author!!
When Aurora “Rory” Belle Jenkins and Malachy Doherty made a contract to marry years earlier she could never have expected that the charming young musician she met in a foreign land would make such a lasting impression on her heart and mind. Fast forward eight years later and the man she remembers has turned into a cold, callous and genius musical lyricist with secrets and anything but forever on his mind.
In The Unlikely Event (ITUE) was absolutely magical!! Malachy and Aurora’s story was so different but it still has the unflinching honesty, raw angst, spitfire fiery banter, intelligent writing and the sexual tension and love affair we DIE for. Their love was tumultuous and delicious, smothered in warmth, secrets and lies and topped with a love that can rival any Disney fairytale. Read this story to end your year with a BANG!! 5 stars! ~Ratula
“You look like the more beautiful stepsister in a Disney movie. The underdog who gets the prince at the end. The one who wasn’t born with the title, but earned it”
Wow! My emotions are all over the place. That was one crazy, hilarious, angst filled ride. I loved Malachy and Aurora to pieces! I didn’t know what to expect but it sure wasn’t that. So much joy, sadness and love. So many secrets. And the angst! I never knew what would happen next. So many twists and turns. My heart broke a couple times.
The banter between Mal and Rory was everything. Mal’s humor is one of a kind. His love for Rory is everything. He made me cry. My poor heart. I loved Rory. She had the perfect balance of being sweet and kind, but not being a pushover. There were so many great characters with so much depth! And so many amazing quotes in this book. We also got the point of view from some very “special” characters. I just know I will never look at chocolate the same way ever again. This second-chance romance brought all the emotions. I was always rooting for Mal and Rory. I just knew they were meant to be together. They deserved their own happily ever after.
Well this book was a roller coaster of feelings and a great story of destiny and i loved every part of it.
This book i read in one day i couldn’t put it down, from the start you knew there was secrets and you needed to get to the end to find out how the whole story fit together.
I loved Rory she was a strong and lovable character who was different and basically like the men in the books you fell in love with her straight away.
Malachy was such a different character for me i will admit sometimes i wanted to punch him but then when you found out why he was the way he was you could do nothing but fall in love with him, he held his secrets and i loved finding everything’s was hiding, but i felt for him how is story unfolded.
I loved how we got these little notes from all different people and sometimes things lol (you will get it when you read this book) it was so interesting because its like you got every side of all the stories and that made me love it that little bit more.
This is an emotional, got you in feels kind of book and this is another fantastic book from LJ Shen, if your a fan of her work you will not be disappointed and if you are just discovering her words I’m jealous and you will live this story.