From bestselling author L.J. Shen, comes a new, standalone, contemporary romance. On special sale for only 99 cents for a LIMITED TIME.“Best book of the year” – Angie’s Dreamy Reads.“Best book I HAVE EVER READ” – Bookalicious Blog Babe.They call him The Mute for a reason.Hard, cold and calculated, he rarely speaks.When he does, it’s with disdain.When he does, his words aren’t meant for me.When he … does, his words aren’t meant for me.
When he does, my stomach flips and my world tilts on its axis.
He is thirty-three.
I am eighteen.
He’s a single dad and my father’s business partner.
I’m just a kid to him and his enemy’s daughter.
He’s emotionally unavailable.
And I am…feeling. Feeling things I shouldn’t feel for him.
Trent Rexroth is going to break my heart. The writing isn’t just on the wall, it’s inked on my soul.
And yet, I can’t stay away.
A scandal is the last thing my family needs. But a scandal is what we’re going to give them.
And oh, what beautiful chaos it will be.
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Trent is my FAVORITE hothole!
The “mute” wasn’t born rich and had to overcome struggles his friends never dreamed up. Trent was a poor, bi-racial kid growing up in ultra rich, ultra white Todos Santos California. Despite loosing his football scholarship due to an injury, he put himself through college and formed FHH with his friends.
His playboy ways changed when he was thrust into the role of single dad.
Quiet, Angry, Alpha…are just 3 words to describe this man…I loved watching Eddie turn his world upside down.
Another must read…over and over again.
As with the other books, Christian Rummel and Savannah Peachwood give outstanding performances in the audio version. Christian has quickly become one of my favorite male narrators…his voice….
5+ Scandalous Stars
I wish I could give this book more than five stars!
This book is gripping and addictive. Everyone need a HotHole in their life!
This book was written from a dual POV and I loved being able to get into the head of both characters. To see the struggle with Trent over his developing feelings for Edie was epic. As much as he tried to fight it, his downfall was imminent.
“I don’t hate you. Not even close. Not even if I try really f***ing hard.”
For Edie, life was full of secrets and lies. She had to grow up too fast and was always the savior of everyone around her. But the thing with secrets is they always come out.
She was such a strong heroine and her snark and a take-no-crap attitude was endearing.
“If you want to be strong, be.”
I loved that we got to catch up with Vicious, Dean, Jaime and their families. And of course, the book wouldn’t be complete without them adding their spin on things.
“We noticed you were in each other’s faces from across the hall, and we all know that hate turns to love more often than not. So here’s my two cents – keep your crotches to yourselves, kids. Right. F***ing. Now. ”
There were a lot of twisty pieces of goodness in this little gem too! LJ had me on the edge many times and in true Shen fashion, made me fall for a damn HotHole, loving him even at his worst.
“I should warn you, Edie. I’m not the prince in this fairytale. I’m the villain. The poisonous apple, the flame-breathing monster”
This book was, as all the others in this series, a sexy, hot read and had me gripping my kindle so tightly at some points I thought it would break. I had so many gasping and OMG moments in this.
Scandalous is one of my top reads this year so far. I’m just sad this marks the end of this phenomenal series.
Scandalous is the next installment in the Sinners of Saint series and can be read as a standalone. It was not at all what I expected. I kept going back and forth – I love it! I hate it! It is full of everything. It is raw, gritty, emotional, and maddening! Expect the unexpected. This is Trent’s story…..
“He looked, walked, talked and moved like a flawless demon.”
The story is slow in the first half. I guess you could say that was the buildup. Each character has complications and baggage. The layers and layers of them are revealed. Trent and Edie are very unexpected. Trent Rexroth is Fort Knox. There is a reason why they call him the mute. But people forget that just because you aren’t talking doesn’t mean you aren’t hearing. He is so angry and so hot! But also callous, crude, and calculating. Trent is dedicated to his daughter, Luna.
“He was a dark knight made of coarse material. Cruel in his silence and punishing in his confidence.”
Although Edie Van Der Zee is only eighteen years old, she is so much more mature than that. She has so much to deal with as well as many layers to unveil. Edie is such a free and gentle spirit trapped in a tough situation. But she is also strong and does what needs to be done. I was a little frustrated waiting for Edie’s secret to be revealed.
“But with Edie, I wanted to know. I wanted to pull the secrets out of her like a magician. To wrench this endless handkerchief from her mouth and know everything there was to know.”
The chemistry between Trent and Edie – explosive! The “forbidden” aspect is a bit awkward in the beginning as the both make references to Edie as a “child”. But as we get to know Edie her maturity shines through.
“Edie Van Der Zee consumed me in ways only my daughter ever had, and that should be enough for me to demote her ass to another floor, or better yet, get her fired.”
As I said above, expect the unexpected. The ride is rough. The outcome unique. It is so different from the previous stories. I love how the characters still had flaws and imperfections at the end, and that was ok. The epilogue was also great! And after all of the shock settled – I loved it!
“You’re mine and you hate it. You’re mine, and I’m not a wave you can ride. I’m the fucking ocean.”
4 stars!
I think I say this everytime I finish a hotholes book but I couldn’t put scandalous down I absolute loved it to the point I read it one sitting. This is one of the best books I have read in 2017 and this would have to be one of my favourite series ever loved it so much.
This is had it all, twist, shock, awesome story line, great characters and jus a story that gets you hooked from the first page. It was hot and actually had a big age gap which normally I stay away from but I was so glad to be out of my comfort zone and to be honest it didn’t bother me.
Edie was such a caring, beautiful, and loving character who also had her sassy side but also strength that she needed to find and only being 18 she had a little growing up to do, but she did what she thought she had to do to save her family at whatever cost even if it broke someone’s else’s heart.
Trent well he was everything rolled into one, he was a jerk, he was driven, he was nasty, and dirty which added some hot and sexy times. He was also a single father who was having a hard time as Luna she didn’t talk she could but just didn’t want to and I loved seeing the love he had for his daughter and tried really hard with her.
The two characters that stole my heart was Luna and Theo it just shows you doesn’t matter how different people are everyone deserves to be loved.
Loved loved everything about this book, if you love a little angst, with a as*hole who you want to punch and kiss then this is your book.
One of the best book and series for 2017 for me big, huge, 5 Stars
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~~ 4.5 SINFULLY DELICIOUS STARS!~~
“My girl, my obsession, my Tide.”
Age gap taboo romance is a HOT trope right now and omg did this torrid tale hit the mark!!! SCANDALOUS by L.J. Shen stole my heart, slayed my soul and INCINERATED my panties!!
Ahhh…and I do declare that T-Rex is my new favorite HotHole!
“The Mute’s” devastating good looks and glacial personality coupled with his pure animal magnetism, quietly commanding presence, and eternal love for his special-needs daughter made this broody, self-made millionaire numero uno in my book! And he more than meets his match in the last girl on earth he should EVER corrupt!
Ms. Shen’s masterfully woven plot is dripping with sinful temptation, churning emotion, torturous push-pull, deception, intrigue, secrets and lies, jaw dropping twists and turns, and an ALL-CONSUMING, FORBIDDEN PASSION that cannot be contained!!
All of which left me BREATHLESS.
The EXPLOSIVE chemistry between Edie Van Der Zee, the beautifully beleaguered and utterly fearless 18 year old surfer girl who’d grown up in the lap of luxury but abhorred everything it stood for, and 33 year old Trent Rexroth, the cold, callous corporate shark /fiercely devoted single dad extraordinaire, was all kinds of MAHVELOUS!
There is a fine line between love and obsession and this soul-burning page-turner pulverized my heart yet also left me completely and utterly titillated. The clandestine relationship between Edie and Trent progresses at a delicious slow burn, but when the kerosene meets the match it’s KABOOM!
I really relished how this relationship starts as a cunning cat and mouse game and evolves into SO MUCH MORE, finally building to a shattering crescendo where agonizing decisions and devastating choices must be made that will FOREVER alter a multitude of lives!
It goes without saying that the banter with the other HotHoles (especially the baddest one of all Vicious) was a true highlight but the emotional epicenter of the story for me was little Luna, Trent’s special, selectively mute little girl who was this big bad t-Rex’s Achilles heel! And though she rarely communicates with words her own unique language spoke volumes and this precious child was instrumental in bridging the gap between Trent and Edie in extraordinary ways!
Ultimately, the turbulent journey that “Tide” and “The Mute” embark together is chock full of stormy seas but sighhhhh…so worth it in the end!!!
BOTTOM LINE:
SCANDALOUS is a brilliantly penned, powerfully provocative and tantalizingly taboo read, with high octane feels, stunning emotional depth, juicy drama and erotic thrills galore, and is NOT to be missed!
Now I cannot wait to dive into BANE, and from what I hear, the gloriously talented Ms. Shen just might have saved the best for last with that final Sinner of Saints book!
I might be in the minority with my dislike of this book, although it’s probably too strong a word for my feelings since the book had a lot of potential, but especially Edie’s character ruined it for me. The story per se was good and kept my interest until the end.
I don’t know why I didn’t pay more attention to the blurb. Maybe because I liked the author’s previous book so much that I was really excited for this one and skipped the part about him being thirty-three and her being just 18 years old.
Would I have known of her childlike behavior I’m sure I wouldn’t have picked up this book. The story might not have been that bad but the h just made everything so much worse. Also Trent’s treating her like a child didn’t help much in warming up to the characters.
It wasn’t all bad though because I loved the moments when I could see Trent trying really hard to be a good parent and caring so much for his girl that he’d give up everything and do anything for her in a heartbeat.
Reading about his emotional struggles and also his plot against Jordan was what I liked. He was a complex character and I did like him at times but I wondered what he wanted from Edie Van Der Zee when he thought of her as a child, because he already had one and didn’t need one as a girlfriend as well. So what was so special about her?
The Story:
Just because Jordan Van Der Zee has too much money to count doesn’t mean Edie has too. Having no other chance she starts working at her dad’s company, even though she’d rather spend her time surfing.
When she thought that this alone is a pain in the ass, she has another thing coming because Trent Rexroth and the hidden agenda of her dad will have her right in the middle of a war between her father and the man she can’t seem to stay away from.
It’s time for Edie to choose between love and love -> because there’s a difference when you look closely.
Thoughts:
I wished for the h to be more mature, 21 years would probably have helped and would have made a huge difference to the story I believe. She was a total brat and I’m just not into those daddy stories because this really felt like one at times.
After half way through the book I was getting more and more into the story. But I still didn’t get their attraction toward one another. Ok, I did understand Edie’s attraction to him because who wouldn’t be drooling all over this guy. Trent on the other hand I didn’t get, because what was so attractive about Edie? She was an adolescent brat that served her father for ruining Trent. So what was so appealing that he didn’t care about all of that? She didn’t like money (although she needed it badly) and she cared for Luna. But that was it with the commonalities. He didn’t even like her most of the time because of her childlike behavior and I really didn’t understand where the sexual desire came from.
And the ending?! Ugh. Normally I’d be all for that but in this case I’d rather have her grow up first. Their big age difference was something I couldn’t overlook especially with her behavior and I was bothered by all the problems they’d faced and didn’t sort through but had just swept under the rug.
What shocked me most was Edie’s father. Jordan seemed like the worst father ever but after a while it turned out he was not just the worst, he was evil. I wondered why he didn’t send Edie to boarding school to be rid of her while he could when she was still underage.
There was one thing in the story that held most of my attention. It was all the secrecy about Theo. I was wildly guessing what’s going on and this was one of the main reasons (apart from Luna and Edie’s thing going on with Trent) that kept me reading and glued to the pages.
Recommendation:
If you don’t mind or even like young girls and older men, then go for it. This will be your read because the story was really good. I just wasn’t into the age difference and the adolescent behavior.
Each book in this series gets better and better. I koved this one so much I could nit put it down for a moment. Edie and Trent were brilliant. Little Luna needs her story told, I want to see her thrive.
I devour this series, I love the Hotholes so much.
Trent is the less asshole of the clan, he’s a fave but did not replace Vicious for me.
I love each hothole they are all different and have their own personality.
His infatuation with Edie plays on his conscience because of the age gap, I like that a young girl has him twisted.
He’s a single dad and that has me swooning, nothing sexier than a man who loves his child.
He has definitely meet his match with Edie.
OMG I Freakin Loved Everything About This Book one of my favorites for sure
Scandalous definitely lived up to its title with the the relationship between Trent and Edie, Edie’s family, Trent’s Ex and all the twists and turns that will leave you screaming WTF!! LJ is one author that gives you amazing characters with depth, story lines that pull you in and leave you breathless plus sexy as sin chemistry between characters that will leave you in need of a panty change. This read will leave you with all the feels!
After Vicious, Trent is my next favourite. This book was well worth the wait and Leigh certainly saved the best til last. From page 1 I was hooked into a world of lies and secrets. The storyline was intricately woven and thoroughly captivating.
Loved the character of Edie, it needed a strong female to take on Trent, she was perfect and wouldn’t be controlled by either Trent or her dad. The heat and sexual tension between Trent and Edie was scorching as each tried to fight their attraction to each other; and when they finally did give in… OMG! Electrifying, LJ Shen writes powerful sex scenes that leave you panting for more! It was great to see the softer side of Trent too; as a single dad to four year old Luna. If that doesn’t make your insides go squidgy nothing will.
Told from a dual POV; the book is action packed from the off; Leigh kept us hanging for a long time to find out Jordan and Trent’s secrets of each other and damn if it wasn’t funny that Trent called Jordan, Jordi. It’s a bittersweet ending now as each of the Four HotHoles have told their story and there won’t be any more but those four hot delish guys have a place in my collection of BFF’s.
Loved this series, it’s a definite must read!
I still keep thinking I’ll get all the way through a Sinners book not liking the male lead. Got me again L.J. Shen! I didn’t know where this book was headed and the twists, while I had a good idea about some, still left me gasping when revealed. Edie and Trent are a very unconventional pairing and from the outside it certainly looks like a relationship that won’t ever work, especially because they spend most of the book hating, lying to and cursing one another. Add in some extra secrets, lies and crime and you have this story! I wasn’t sure how I felt about Trent in the other books… I realize now he was quiet and in the background for lots of reasons and it all makes lots of sense. Great series!
This book consumed me! I loved every moment of it. I love that we got to see a different side of Trent that I didn’t expect and Edie was such a great addition. These two were both super fierce, had so much to fight for and the attraction was magnetic. I loved the chemistry and the wrongness of their relationship and I love the added details we got. Getting to see relationships bloom with his daughter and other people and some really interesting plot twists really took this book to the level we all wanted with the series. Can’t wait for more!
“Her rage was pouring out in buckets and I wanted to gargle on her sweet fucking wrath, drinking from her well of sorrow”
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&r…
THIS. Leigh literally SLAYING with her verbal prowess. Scandalous is the fourth, and final story of the HotHoles and oh what a tale she weaves! Trent & Edie, both broken….flawed…imperfectly perfect. Each fighting for what they love. Trent straining against the tide, determined to do everything HIS way. Edie…going with the flow, just trying to stay afloat.
“She wore her emotions like jewelry. Proud and unapologetic”
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&r…
So many passages that were so eloquent, so rich, so visceral….I was highlighting all the time. I flove Leigh’s novels, but THIS…..but Edie….she truly got me. I went through the gamut of feels with her. How?!?!?! How in the world Leigh manages to gut you, only to sew you back together better than before….I can’t even.
“Whatever we were, we were toxic. A lullaby on a thoroughly scratched record that keeps hiccupping again and again on the line that you hate”
There is a passage (don’t want to ruin/spoil) where Edie is shattered…..bounding away through the streets…my breath hitched…my chest constricted & heart pounded wildly…tears….I felt what her despair so real in that moment. To evoke such passion, such emotion in a reader-is a testimony to the amazing ability of the author. Leigh Shen is a Goddess, and I live to bask in the glow of ALLLLLLL the feels her characters emote so beautifully.
“You’re my Delilah, Edie, and I’m your Samson. You want to ruin me, destroy me, strip me of my power, and betray me. I should stay away from you, but I want too fucking much. And when it’s all over, when all that’s left of us is sweaty flesh and shattered minds and torn hearts, you will remember me as the man who made you cry, and I’ll remember you as the girl I had to break to stay afloat”
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&r…
So yeah, buy this….like NOW….devour it, FEEL it, because you will love it.
Trent was sure a tough case to crack open . I found his nickname “the mute” to be fitting. Luna’ s love for seahorses was adorable, we all need something to be fascinated by. Edie was much more mature than what people face her credit for. I admired her courageous attitude to everything life threw at her to deal with.
“I wanted to get wet and let the tide wash over me without dipping a toe in the ocean. I wanted what was forbidden, and wrong, and f*cking crazy. I wanted my partner’s daughter, who was nearly half my age.” -Trent Rexroth.
“My girl, my obsession, my Tide.” -Trent.
“I’m his tide and he’s my anchor. Or maybe the sand itself.” -Edie
“This is where it’s at. The thing I’ve been looking for. In those eyes. In those lips. Our story isn’t perfect…
But imperfection is where we thrive.”
Each book in this series gets better and better! L.J.Shen is making it impossible to not love each and every couple in this series and with each new book, I find a new favorite couple!
This book was the PERFECT mixture of instant sexual tension, with a dormant desire that smolders within that gives a slow burn feel, and also has the best kind of forbidden romance element (age gap) that kept me glued to the page. Everything about SCANDALOUS spoke to my love for reading…the plot, the characters, the angst, EVERYTHING was what I look for in a novel.
I have to say, I’m loving how Leigh keeps building onto the series, but yet each book could be read as a standalone (I wouldn’t advice that though because once you read about one of the sexy hotholes, you will want to read about them all *wink*) I am officially a #hotholefangirl4life.
Audiobook: I LOVED the audiobook version of this book! 10 stars as well! The narrators were spot on with portraying Trent and Edie.
10 f*cking stars!
“Whatever we were, we were toxic. A lullaby on a thoroughly scratched record that keeps hiccupping again and again on the line that you hate.”
Enemies to lovers expanded by one million!!! I’ve been dying for Trent and Edie’s story and it was one of the best of the Hotholes so far!! Moody, broody Trent with a heart of steel cracked wide open by rebellious, much younger, and equally broken Edie made for a can’t-put-down masterpiece of snark and one-liners that had me laughing, yelling at my kindle, and as always tears when my feels overflowed at the beauty of this unlikely romance.
“I should warn you, Edie. I’m not the prince in this fairy tale. I’m the villain. The poisonous apple, the flame-breathing monster.”
And so he was….until he wasn’t. That’s the beauty of Shen’s leading men, and why I’m left reeling after each and every one. Not to be outdone by his friends, the romance factor shot way up and the angst kept me riddled with unknowns. Expertly crafted imagery, this time ocean related, packed a punch to my gut and my heart and by the time I was done, I was a puddle on the floor. Scandalous lived up to it’s name, but done so well that you cared very little about the forbidden factors and were drawn like a kid to cake to this equally messed up, yet meant to be couple. Hands down a can’t -miss read!!!
~~~Erika, Book Haven Book Blog
Absolutely loved this story featuring the final Hot Hole, Trent Rexroth. His story skirts the edge of taboo as his love interest, Edie Van Der Zee, is just barely eighteen. L.J. Shen shows once again why she’s a force to be reckoned with in contemporary romance. With hero that’s a good guy but a domineering, overprotective, ruthless business men wearing a mask of indifference he’s bound to make young Edie fall hard and fast. Their cat and mouse game is a puzzle, each of them revealing a new piece ever so slowly. The tension and passion are palpable creating a heated romance and connection for readers. L.J. Shen doesn’t hold back her characters. They are exactly who they are without apology or regret. That distinct honesty helps show the vulnerabilities in interesting ways and allows readers to fall hard and fast for her stories.
Dang this was so good. It lived up to all the hype and then some! I’m Team Trent all the way!
Scandalous was a good read. Jordan was in revenge/firing mode from the very beginning of the book and I truly disliked him throughout the whole story. He was just an evil and hateful character and I think he is the only character I disliked. Edie had such a big heart. She might not have gone about things the right way but she had the best intentions so I couldn’t hate her for that. Trent and Edie seemed so wrong but oh so right. There were times I was smiling at something Trent would do or say and at the same time wanting to throat punch him. The age difference between the two didn’t bother me one bit; its a story and I took it as that. The games they played got downright dirty, especially with Edie watching him in the office but even then I didn’t dislike him for his actions, they weren’t committed to each other and they both were playing games. I wished Trent had a better relationship with his Luna. I wanted to feel that connection between them and never truly got it. There were a few twists, turns and surprises in this story but the ending was sweet and this story was worth reading.