NOW A TOP TWENTY AMAZON BESTSELLERRosieThey say that life is a beautiful lie and death a painful truth. They’re right.No one has ever made me feel more alive than the guy who serves as a constant reminder that my clock is ticking.He is my forbidden, shiny apple.The striking fallacy to my blunt, raw, truth.He is also my sister’s ex-boyfriend.One thing you should know before you judge me;I saw him … thing you should know before you judge me;
I saw him first. I craved him first. I loved him first.
Eleven years later, he waltzed into my life, demanding a second chance.
Dean Cole wants to be my bronze horseman. My white knight has finally arrived. Hopefully, he isn’t too late.
Dean
They say the brightest stars burn out the fastest. They’re right.
She sets my mind on fire.
All smart mouth, snarky attitude and a huge heart.
In a world where everything is dull, she shines like Sirius.
Eleven years ago, fate tore us apart.
This time, I dare it to try.
Getting to her is a battlefield, but man, that’s why they call me Ruckus.
Rosie LeBlanc is about to find out how hard I can fight.
And conquering her will be the sweetest victory.
Ruckus is a complete standalone and a part of the Sinners of Saint series
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Ruckus is another hot, complex story in L.J. Shen Todos Santos “Hotholes” series. I liked the characters in this story more than some of the others. Ruckus is a kindhearted soul with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove to his firends. Easy to love!
What makes you feel alive?
Reading a book. A book that is full of angst, drama, passion, love, steam and every little thing in between so that when you turn the last page it was totally worth reading it.
Picking up Vicious was one of the best decisions I’ve made at the beginning of the year and in my Blogging history.
“He wasn’t Sirius. He was planet Earth. He was oxygen. He was everything.”
The second book in the Sinners of Saint series, Ruckus was a much-awaited after I finished reading Vicious because two words… DEAN. COLE.
He seemed to be the kinder and sweeter and more perceptible to emotions than the rest of the HotHoles but in this, you see a whole new side and a whole new story about the fun, laid back, life-of-the-party stoner that he so well hid from everyone, including his three best friends.
Rosie LeBlanc has loved Dean ‘Ruckus’ Cole since the first time she laid her eyes on him at the age of 15. The only thing stopping both of them from being with each other — Dean dating Rosie’s sister, Emilia.
“You were always the one, Rosie. Before you even opened your goddamn mouth, I knew that I had to have you. And it took me a long time, but now that I own you — and let there be no mistakes, you’re mine, baby — nothing will come between us, get it?”
Jacob & Rachel
Earth & Sirius
Ruckus & Rose
Dean & Rosie
These two have been waiting a long long time to be with each other but time is not on their side. Will Rosie’s life-debilitating illness claim her life as soon a she gets her, much-awaited and wanted, happily-ever-after with the man she has loved all her life?
Rosie and Dean are two characters whose personalities correspond so well with each other. The chemistry, the banter, the character and every small element makes this book an absolute fun and pulling read that grasps you into and it; making for a story that will be talked about after the last page has been turned.
This book is made of angst, drama, chaos, passion and everything sweet and spicy and swoony and I highly recommend you start this series.
5 Stars!
I fell in love with Rosie in Vicious. She was the spunky, smart mouthed sister who cracked me up. But I didn’t expect to fall in love with Dean too in Ruckus. He’s a hot mess, but loves his Baby LeBlanc so good. I’m not gonna lie, this was a rough read for me. So much angst and heartache hidden below their smart, witty, better than gold facade. Was it worth it? Hell yes! Grab a box of tissue and settle in for one of the best reads of my life.
4.5 Stars
I know, I know. People told me all the time to read Vicious first and it’s been sitting on my kindle for a while now but I just didn’t come ’round to it yet. So, Ruckus was my first book by this author and I was positively surprised.
I also felt like everything about the characters was plenty explained in this book and I never thought that I missed out on something from the first book although I still plan on reading it soon.
Dean was a character I had to get used to. He was an arrogant manwhore and one scene reminded me of a take from batman, where Christian Bale was an arrogant prick and came to the restaurant with two women hanging on his arms. That was how I imagined Dean. A rich bastard with lots of women.
Anyway, looks are deceiving and someone’s attitude isn’t necessarily the mirror to their soul.
So, as much as he was a prick at the beginning, Dean slowly worked his way into my heart during this read, while he had Rosie’s all along. She was a tough person I admired. If people had just half of her strength, generosity and outlook on life, the world would be so much better.
Secrets were revealed which haven’t all been known to the reader from the beginning. I was in for a surprise because I was so wrong on Dean’s secret. I don’t know if it was just me but I was totally off with my guess.
The Story:
Eleven years ago, she should have been his, but things turned out differently. It was his own fault for what he wanted to help her sister. But now he’s determined to finally get her and he’s prepared to fight.
Rosie doesn’t care for his attempts to take her in his bed. Or maybe she does. But she shouldn’t because he’s her sister’s ex and that’s one line she shouldn’t cross. There’s also another reason why she doesn’t want to get too close to him and that’s also true for any other man. She has enough to deal with already and there’s no way she wants to drag anyone into this, not knowing how much time there is left.
Thoughts:
Dean came across as a bastard who couldn’t give a damn. But he had a soft core and scared to get hurt just as anyone else. I liked that he shared a special bond with Rosie because she was like the only one able to see behind his facade.
It was both awe-inspiring and heartrending but beautiful and sad at once to read Rosie’s story. Not only did she had to deal with her illness but also with the way people treated her because of it, which made everything even harder for her.
I absolutely loved the writing. The story felt so realistic with its loveable characters. This is definitely a book I’d recommend reading!
As slow as the story started out, it skyrocketed until the end. I was glued to the pages and couldn’t put it down. I was anxious to find out how it will turn out and I had no clue until the very last page if it will end well or take a turn for the worst.
Oh my!! These books just keep getting better and better!! They also definitely keep you on your toes I was crying to hard at the end I to re-read the epilogues.. Rosie and Ruckus are just amazing and leave you gasping for air so you have to keep reading!!
If you thought Vicious was intense Ruckus will blow you away! This was everything I thought it would be and then some! The twists and turns in this book have left me catatonic. I can’t even think about moving on. Wow! Just WOW!
Dean and Rosie’s story is a rocky road and many a time I was scared to continue. There were so many jaw dropping moments. This book blindsided me as revelation after revelation was thrown at us like a tsunami. Told from a dual POV the book is fast paced and leaves you wanting more of Dean Ruckus Cole. I think I may have fallen in love with him.
I loved that all four Hot Holes featured in this book and that it continued from where Vicious left us. The four boys together just add humour and lighten the book in places. I have laughed, I have cried, I have been through a full range of emotions. I cannot recommend this book or this series highly enough.
LJ Shen, you rock… Another fabulous book and I am more than made up to see that there will be a book 3.
Ruckus was such a great read. I enjoyed Dean and Rosie’s story a lot and I also enjoyed a few laughs along the way. There were definitely some surprises in the story and they were so worth it. This story lets you know that second chances are worth everything and the ending was sweet. I look forward to reading more books from this author.
“Stars also symbolize the cycle of life, solitude and gravity. They glow in the dark energy that’s the majority of space, and remind us that even in the pitch black, there’s always something that can shine.”
“”Do you know why the Pierrot is sad?” Dean asked.”Broken heart.” I swallowed, fighting tears. “He is pining for love that can never be his.””
While Vicious got me hooked, Ruckus got me fucking addicted!
Ruckus is an intriguing second chance romance. It is as dark as it is soft and the force with which Rose and Dean keep pulling back to each other is extraordinary.
Both of them have their own demons to overcome and their chemistry is undeniable sizzling. This is a dangerous combination for keeping your heart racing and your eyes glued to the pages.
With Dean as a damn attractive alpha, hot sex combined with Rose as strong and loyal character L.J. Shen created an addictive story line which will consume you easily.
“I don’t like you. I love you. Even that’s an under-fucking-statement. I live for you. I breath for you. I will die for you. I. Has. Always. Been. You.”
“There won’t be a next Rosie. And there won’t be another story like us. This is it, Rose LeBlanc. And this is us. If there is no you, than there is no me.”
Love this book for the alpha men and the boxing. Their is love that will have u feeling the love though out the book. Their is alpha men though the book and fun of excitement and fun will guide i a book hangover when u get done. Will have a hard time getting started with a new book.
Audio Review from April 2019
This book starts off a little bit slow until Dean and Rosie start seriously interacting and then picks up.
The whole “who is Nina?” Thing was driving me nuts trying to figure out until that mystery was solved and totally wasn’t what I expected!!
The end had a NICE twist to it!!
The epilogue was great and had an epic line in it!! (Have to read not gonna spoil it)
And then there is the connection to the love interest for the next book Edie… and she ends up with Trent. Ohhh that’s going to be fun!!
As always Savannah Peachwood rocks and Christian Rummel is perfect!
Ruckus:
L.J. Shen (Sinners of Saints #2)
L.J. Shen is a phenomenal author. She was the one to get me out of a reading slump after years but now? I’m so obsessed with her books it isn’t even funny. A massive thank you to L.J. for that.
Okay so… this book broke me in ways I didn’t think I could be ever broken before. I’ve always been wary of the sister’s ex trope because it’s just odd to me that sisters could do something like that? But this… THIS BOOK. I don’t know how they were ever NOT together. They are the very definition of meant to be.
Rosie is literally one of my all time favorite characters. She’s strong and loyal and so kind despite being dealt one of the most unfair cards. Her parents lowkey pissed me off this entire book. I love that she doesn’t let her sickness get the best of her. She’s so determined and she loves fiercely–her sister, Dean, everyone around her.
Dean Cole has my entire heart. He is literally my favorite man of the Sinners of Saints AND All Saints High series. He’s a different kind of alphahole but one you can’t help but love regardless. The way Dean loves Rosie is what every single person in their life should strive to have. Personally, I will not be settling for anything less than what they have.
Their love story is so tragically beautiful. So unbelievably heartbreaking. I love them to death (literally).
Sirus x Earth forever.
Ruckus is the second full book in the Sinners of Saints series. This book follows one of the 4 hotholes (hot asshole), Dean Cole. Dean is “frenemies” with Vicious and is often seen butting heads with him throughout the series. While Dean has an alpha personality like his friends, he also has a kinder side. Dean is living in New York where he is running the shared business with his friends. In New York Dean lives in the same apartment building as Rosie LeBlanc. Rosie is Emilia LeBlanc’s younger sister. In this book we learn of Rosie’s cystic fibrosis diagnosis and learn of how she is preparing for a young death. In preparation for this early death Rosie swears off the idea of marriage and having a family, much to her parent’s chagrin. In the book Rosie is working at a coffee shop as well as volunteering in the hospital’s NICU. As mentioned, Dean and Rosie live in the same apartment building, that happens to be owned by Dean. Throughout the story Dean is seen holding the “rent-controlled” apartment over Rosie’s head as leverage. One of the things Dean uses it to do is to get Rosie to accompany him on a plane to Todos Santos where they will attend her sister’s wedding. While at the wedding things begin to heat up between the two. However, Rosie is still unwilling to have a serious relationship with anyone. As a result, Dean is willing to try anything to get the girl. This book is full of star-crossed lovers, heart break, and shocking family secrets.
I liked this book and really enjoyed the story line. Rosie is an amazing character and is the sweetest person ever. However, I was not a fan of Dean in this book. Even though his character development was amazing I just could not like him. With this book it was the story line and all the shocking twists and revelations that made the story. I do recommend reading this book as well as the other books in this series!
Favorite Quotes:
“Life is like justice, it’s not always fair.”
“…Unlike justice and life, love is fair. What’s more? Eventually, love was enough
My second favorite Sinners of Saint book after Bane. I liked Dean and Rosie a lot. There was character growth that I appreciated.
The first 50% of the book was great in terms of flow, banter, story but then something happened and I can’t quite explain what it was lacking.
I hated Dean’s backstory all together. I felt deceived by how it was constructed. There were deliberate hints about where the story was going only to change direction later. And it wasn’t even a great twist. There are authors out there that do it better.
Rosie’s struggles with cystic fibrosis are realistic and well depicted and it’s the main reason I feel this book has value.
I wish we would have had more scenes in the hospital. There was a real opportunity to explore deep feelings such as loss and desperation and hope. I am sorry the author felt the need to keep it short and almost meaningless. This book had potential to be so much more.
This is the story of Hot-Hole Dean “Ruckus” Cole and Emilia’s little sister Rosie LeBlanc aka Baby LeBlanc! My favorite couple out of the whole series! Everything about this book was amazing!
Dean Ruckus Cole LJ Shen the most amazing author!!! Dean stole my heart, shattered it then yanked it right back. I didn’t think I could love anyone as much as vicious but then I read ruckus and man oh man was I wrong. You’ve got it bad dean cole and I can’t blame you. Rosie is beautiful inside and out!
Oh Dean and Rosie are finally getting their story! I loved them in this book . The entire Hothole crew is a favorite of mine.
Dean is our bossy, demanding, sexy workaholic. He is adventurous shall we say when it comes to women. He has only has eyes for one girl but he knows she will never become his and fights her feelings for him at every turn.
Rosie has always had a struggle she is beautiful on the inside and out. Her health has always been her burden, Cystic Fibrosis can take its toll physically and finically . She has built a wall of sassy , witty comebacks to protect her from the outside world including Dean.
She despise his whoring ways, they nauseate her and she makes him aware of it on daily basis. Having him as a landlord only comprises the problem. She has fought her feelings for him since high school. She has no idea the fight she has on her hands once Dean sets his sights on her . She could have never realized what a worthy opponent he is!!!
Dean and Rosie have an amazing chemistry compiled with witty sassy dialogue !! Loved them!
~~Michele McMullen ~~ (
Dean and Rosie are everything to me. The only words I can use to describe their story are painful, beautiful and passionate.
I sort of knew from the beginning of SOS that I was going to adore Rosie and Dean. They’re so perfect for each other. Dean was so caring and loving and Rosie was just… Rosie. I remember reading this book for the first time and being so hooked that I stayed up all night (this happens a lot with me when I read Leigh’s books).
Just like Vicious and Emilia, Rosie and Dean were meant to be together from the beginning. The fact that their love for each other lasted for years and still burned as bright as the day they met.
If you’re looking for the sweetest, most passionate love story (with a little side of pain), this is it.
In the end, the pain is so worth it because their story is so beautiful that I want to reread this book on a daily basis.
Well we have a new HotHole favorite and it’s Dean! I totally swooned over this one. He may be a jerk but he won me over. This book has love, friendship, frustration and a great back and forth between past and present.
This book revolves around HotHole #3, Dean and Rosie. Rosie just happens to be the sister of Dean’s one and only ex-girlfriend Emilia. Rosie has a Cystic Fibrosis and her parents treat her like she can’t take care of herself. It was completely infuriating at times. Her independence means everything to her. Then there’s Dean….. he has an amazing family but carries around something from his past that he is yet to work through. I was kept guessing for the majority of the book. It was definitely a sweet torture kind of situation waiting to find out what it was. The story between Dean and Rosie started when they were young and I absolutely adored the flashbacks.
Ruckus is a poignant, sweeping story about a love that can overcome even the most daunting of obstacles.
Rosie LeBlanc has always loved Dean Cole. Even when he started dating her older sister in high school. Even though she’s vowed to remain alone. And Dean has always loved her back in his own complicated way. Years have passed and now they’re in each other’s orbits once again. And this time, Dean’s not giving up until he gets the girl. This time, the strength of their love may just be enough to get them through the worst moments of their lives.
One of the most compelling elements of this novel is the inextricable link that Rosie and Dean share. Rosie’s strength is so refreshing to read in a heroine. And the way that L.J. Shen peels back Dean’s layers is masterful. There’s so must heat, passion, and love between the two protagonists, it sweeps the reader away. It’s perhaps my favorite in the Sinners of Saint series, and that is high praise, because they’re all captivating in their own way.
Start this series at the beginning, and prepare yourself to feel all of the emotions.
What a wild ride! This series is tearing me apart in the best possible way. I loved Rosie and Dean’s story. While everyone is obsessing over Vicious, I’ll just be over here drooling over Dean. Seriously, the banter, the wit, and the dirty talk drove me crazy. Like Rosie, I never stood a chance. I absolutely abhorred her parents though. They didn’t show up much in “Vicious”, so I didn’t realize how awful they were. At least to Rosie. They babied her and tried to control her. And I was so upset with Emilia at first for agreeing with them. There was so much drama. So many ups and downs that I was completely riveted from start to finish.