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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Love this series. The Hotholes are all alpha and all broody. Can’t wait for more
I’m not 100% sure how I feel about this. I did enjoy it a lot overall, but there were also some parts that I didn’t love. I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars.
Just a quick warning; there was substance abuse among some other things that could trigger readers. I went with the audiobook again, because it was easier for me to listen to that here and there versus reading the ebook. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about Dean ‘Ruckus’ Cole after what I saw of him in the last two books, but he won me over by the end. Yes, he was a messed up man (all of the HotHoles were in their own ways), but he ended up exceeding my expectations.
The narrators were once again good in my opinion. The plot was kind of set up in the last book, as was the plot for the next book in this one. I’m super excited to keep binging this series! Anti-heroes are a newer thing to me, and I’ve enjoyed Leigh’s writing immensely. This book had a pretty big twist towards the end that I didn’t see coming. And the ending to the last chapter before the epilogue…that was intense!
Speaking of the epilogue, it gave me all the feels, and set things up for future books. Time to binge Scandalous! If you haven’t tried anything by this author yet, and you can stand tormented/broken/complex characters, check out this series.
What even did I just read? This book was such a roller coaster ride. I think I went through ever single emotion imaginable. Even now, I’m not sure how to compose my thoughts.
Vicious is book one in this series and must be read first. Dean Cole previously dated Rosie’s older sister, Emilia. It was one of those things where they were together just because. The feelings weren’t there. Dean always had eyes for Rosie and Rosie always had eyes for Dean.
Now, Rosie suffers from cystic fibrosis and has been since she was 3 years old. She didn’t let this drag her down whatsoever. Of course, having this illness made her have challenges and yes, sometimes she had to depend on others but she kept persevering. Rosie was determined to hold down a job and even spent some time volunteering. She was truly inspiring. I also loved her spunk and sassiness. She was one a kind and didn’t take crap from anyone, especially Dean.
Dean….in summary, was a hot mess. Man, I rooted for this guy time and time again. He had so much going on and so much drama in his life. I felt so bad for him. At times I wanted to hug him, while others I wanted to punch in his well defined stomach. Dean drove me nuts turning to drugs and alcohol all the time. He had a serious addiction problem with no end in sight. That is until Rosie turned his world upside down.
Dean and Rosie were such a great fit for each other. They balanced each other out so nicely. The sexy times were off the charts with hotness. Prepare yourself with fans and a nice, cold drink of water while reading this one. You’ll need it for sure!! Overall, I’m loving this series and cannot wait to continue with Trent in the next book.
“Like you? You think I freaking like you? Are you kidding me here? I don’t freaking like you. I love you. Even that is under-freaking-statement. I live for you. I breathe for you. It. Has. Always. Been. You.”
By Dean “Ruckus”
Freaking loved this book!
I admire Ruckus for being so sure in himself and Rosie and about their feelings for each other. Without a doubt he knew that they were made for each other. Amazing. He is sweet and attentive and caring. Really not an asshole as Vicious was.
I have to say that I loved all the tension that Nina made. I have to admit that I didn’t see that coming. What a great way to keep me on edge. When I already forgot about her she pops up again and stirs trouble.
Rosie is a delicate flower, but on the other side very strong and feisty. I love that about her.
I didn’t think that it could get better than Vicious, but it obviously did get waaay better. Leigh know what she is doing and another one of her books that I couldn’t put down. Hands down to you! Amazing job!
Another fantastic read by LJ Shen! Ruckus is my new favorite Hothole. He’s definitely an antihero you can’t help but fall for. Their story is tragic and not without mind blown moments. Dean and Rosie’s banter and chemistry is scorching hot. You’ll devour this read. Completely hooked from beginning to end. A must read in this series!!
4.5 fabulous stars
Book 2 in the series and oh god they just get better I loved vicious but Dean just became my new fav hothole.
Oh the feels you can’t help but be drawn into the story from page one,we learn why Dean is the way he is and why alcohol and weed play such a huge part of his life until Rosie finally gives him the reason he needs to get his life straight.
He broke rosie’s heart before but now is his time to show her it’s always been her that owned his, but one selfish mistake can change the course of everyone’s life
This is the second book in the sinners of saint series and this one follows the romance between Emilia’s younger sister Rosie and the friend of Vicious, Dean Cole who also happens to be Emilia’s ex boyfriend. Unfortunately I just couldn’t get into this book I think it’s because the relationship that Dean had with Emilia was portrayed different in this one and contradicted itself. I also couldn’t connect with the character of Rosie she wants to be independent but then relied on everyone around her and her parents were just terrible to her in this book which again was completely different to how they treated her in the first book. I also don’t mind a little rough sex play in a book but some of it in this one just made me cringe.
Dean!!! Talk about heart melting!! This story had heartbreak written all over it!! The writing was so awesome that anytime mention on Rosie having issues with her lungs…I would have a hard time taking deep breaths! Dean has got some demons to battle. Rosie’s got her illness. But it’s meant to be them! I won’t say what happens…I don’t want to spoil anything. But I will say that I cried! This book had me emotional. I laughed out loud, I cried, I got angry…. My feelings were all over the map! If I could give more than 5 I totally would. This is definitely a story I will want to revisit!
This is Dean “Ruckus” Cole and Rose “baby” LeBlanc’s story. They both play I huge part in book 1, so I would suggest reading that one, before starting this second installment.
Dean is the big manwhore of the HotHoles, and he dated Rosie’s older sister Emelia in book 1. Emelia ended up marrying Vicious, Dean’s HotHole friend. Like I said…read book 1, because you will miss a lot if you don’t 😉
Dean and Emilia were still very young when they were together and even though their relationship lasted for months… she wasn’t who he really wanted to be with. He had set his eyes on “baby LeBlanc” Rosie, but circumstances pushed him toward her older sister.
Being with Rosie’s sister pretty much killed his chances of being with the girl he really loved and wanted.
Now years later, Emilia and Vicious are very happy together and Dean is passing his time working, drinking, smoking weed and screwing around as much as he can. Being the very rich and good-looking guy that he is…he gets to have his pick.
But what he still really wants is Rosie, and now that she is living in his apartment building in New York… he is gonna go for it. No is not an option.
“I’m about to rewrite the pages of our fucking history, baby.”
Baby LeBlanc put up a good fight, but I didn’t fault her for finally giving in, because Dean was very hard to resist. When these two “came” together, my ovaries wanted to explode.
I really liked Dean in the previous book and after getting to know him better in this one…I loved him even more. Sure he fucks up more than once….even spectacularly, but I never once questioned how much he loved Rosie.
“You shine, Baby LeBlanc. So fucking bright sometimes you’re the only thing I see.”
Rosie was a pretty awesome heroine. I admired her strength and I think Dean was the perfect man for her. She was dealing with a non-curable disease and all she wanted was to live her life her way, and not be coddled all the time. He gave her exactly what she needed…until he screwed up that is. She was also not the roll over kinda girl, and she gave as good as she got.
This book made me laugh and cry and scream. I was raw and it was beautiful.
I highly recommend this series and I’m jumping into book 3 right now…I’m so curious about Trent’s story
My reviews are posted on Wendys Wycked Words @Wordpress
I started reading this in my office, and halfway through the book I knew I wouldn’t have any work done, lol. This book, OMG. I can’t even describe it. It was so amazing! I laughed a lot, and cried even more. I think at some point my heart stopped and the world wasn’t spinning anymore. But that ending… it was EPIC! Believe me. Frigging epic!!
I barely even know where to start with this review. Dean and Rosie have the kind of epic love story that I will never be able to shake off as long as I live. This story hurt me and scared me and left me holding my pieces together by my finger tips. This is my forever favorite second chance romance. Dean had so many demons he was fighting that I physically hurt for him. Rosie had her own problems that had my heart in my throat the whole way through. Their need for each other was the glue containing their very existence. Their love for each other is the stuff dreams are made of. This is my very favorite book of this series and I hate that I haven’t read it sooner.
I loved Vicious. LOVED HIM. But I was so hesitant to read Dean’s book. Honestly I didn’t like him as a side character. I didn’t want that to be my only impression of Dean, so I opened up Ruckus.
And I still didn’t really like Dean. The “Man-Whore” persona is one of my least favorite tropes. It took about halfway through the book before I started to like Dean as a person. He ended up having a lot more substance than I anticipated.
I also loved Rosie. She was insanely loyal to Emilia, her sister. Additionally, she dealt with having a major disease really well, which was refreshing. Slight side note here: I loved that you can tell the author did research. One of my major pet peeves is when there is incorrect medical information provided. Having all this correct information gave me an accuracy boner. L.J. Shen, you’ve earned a loyal reader for life.
I thought I had a favorite in this series but honestly..
I love them all so much!!
The men are lovable jerks and the women are strong, complicated and amazing women!!
The emotions this story had me feeling was just WOW!!
I’m in love again
So good, so well written and I loved it!!
Heart wrenching at times and oh so good!!!
Another fantastic read in this intoxicating series! Who knew I found fall in love with
all the #hotholes.
Missed timing, health issues, friendship and family issues, so many hurdles to finally finding the HEA. Dean and Rosie’s story is one of my favorite in this series.
Well edited.
Both Rosie and Dean were very prominent in Vicious and Emilia’s story. Part of this one revealed just how their story played into what happened with Vicious and Emilia. As teens, Dean dated Emilia, which caused a lot of the angst and drama with them and Vicious. The truth of what happened one fateful day was so surprising. A moment, and things might have turned out so very differently for all of them. Friendships were tested, feelings kept secret, and love was delayed all because no one would embrace their true feelings. Ah, the immaturity of youth. Present day, Vicious has finally allowed himself to love Emilia, and it may be possible for Rosie and Dean to finally go through the open door. But, will Rosie allow herself to be with the man she has loved since forever when she believes her sister loved him first? Dean sets out to win Rosie, no matter what it takes. However, her illness is a major hurdle. Most of the people around her treats her with kid gloves. Most see her as fragile and damaged. Rosie, herself, worries about a future defined by her illness. How much of a future would she really have, and is it fair to let someone love her when her life expectancy is shorter than most?
Really loved the journey of Dean and Rosie. I did find myself wondering where in the world ‘Ruckus’ came from, since it wasn’t referenced at all in the first books. Otherwise, truly lovely story. Enjoy!
Ruckus
Can I get an AMEN up here, because that was golden! I’m a Vicious girl all the way, but almost traded up for Dean (shhh don’t you dare tell Vic). Real talk though, I loved how we got the past story of Dean & Rosie without reliving all of the first Sinners of Saint. LJ gave us MORE. I’ve read sequels that are basically a recap of the first book from a different POV, and I wasn’t a fan so I appreciated that facet of the book. Loved the chemistry – gave me all the FEELS people. You get all the angst and heat you expect from an LJ Shen novel AND….Plot twist(s), plural. Just when you think you know…you don’t. Then you’re thinking you’ve got it dialed…no girl. Plot twist!
Safe to say I loved it, 5 stars. All. The. Way!
My favorite of the series actually!
RUCKUS is that one Fantastic, Mind blowing book you need in your life!!
That will pull you to the ends of the earth with that snarky banter, then make you fall from the heavens with the love!
A true masterpiece in every sense of the word!!
L.J. Shen will have you selling your soul to the devil himself! Then dancing in joy, with the angels in your next breath!! OMGF!! AMAZING!!!
10 breathtaking Stars!!!!
Dean Ruckus Cole.. can I describe him in a single word? No.. when Vicious showed the ugly mean SOB.. no offense Dean is a total player.. went through women like changing underwear.. funny sense of humour.. despite all those cheerios… Dean has darker side that no one knows…
Rosie LeBlanc is sassy… smart girl who can keep Dean incheck.. she is immune to his charm beside she is secretly having feelings that was complicated….
This two combination is awkward.. spicy… I had a lot of laugh reading how Dean waa trying to court Rosie.. hey no chasing means no hardwork.. especially for such a player..
I love how their relationship bloom.. from insecurity.. to second chances as I may say..
Dean and Rosie take the cake for sure!
I am excited to read the next chapter..
Another sexy LJ Shen book. I listened to the audiobook and it was fantastic. A couple of unexpected plot twists had me reeling. A bit of sadness grounds Dean’s character and Rosie is infuriating at times but sweet.