Troy BrennanEvery Southie in Boston knows that name. The son of a dead mobster. The heart-throb with steel-blue eyes. “The Fixer” who can make or break you in this city. Oh, and my new husband. Sparrow Raynes That’s me. No one seemed to remember my name up until he barged into my life. But then he caged me. Kidnapped me. And killed every chance I had to run away from the place where we grew up. … every chance I had to run away from the place where we grew up.
Put simply, Troy Brennan clipped my wings.
I have dreams, big ones, but I doubt he’ll ever let me chase them. I have no idea why he decided to take me as his wife. But I do know this: pissing off this man will not do me any good. At all.
Sparrow is an Amazon international bestseller.
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This is my second time reading this book. There’s been times where I’ll give a book 5 and then do a re-read and think… what was I thinking! But this so wasn’t the case with Sparrow! I loved it just as much as the first time! I love Leigh Shen to death! All her books are amazing and I’m really looking forward to more and more from her! You rock sister!
Sparrow by LJ Shen is the stand alone novel about Troy Brennan and Sparrow Raynes. Troy is known as “the fixer” and is a business owner. He is also the son of late mobster Cillian Brennan. Sparrow is the sassy daughter of Abe Raynes who worked for Cillian Brennan. Sparrow is an avid runner and fantastic chef. When Sparrow is forced into marrying Troy, they both work through a ton to try and make things work. When betrayal and secrets come to light the two struggle to get along. Throughout the book the reader is left wondering what will happen next between Troy and Sparrow and if they will get their happily ever after.
I enjoyed reading this book. The story was very engaging and much like all of LJ’s characters they were very realistic. This book really got your emotions going! I will say that the main character, Sparrow, really bothered me for a good part of the book but I did come around to her. The character development was great in this book but the real showstopper was the story. It had a lot of twists and on top of a romance forming there was also deceit and an element of suspense. I strongly recommend this book!
Favorite Quote:
“…destiny will find a way to get you two back together. Real love doesn’t disappear. It can turn into hate, and hate can turn into love, but those feelings won’t ever turn into indifference.”
Sparrow by L.J Shen has been in my TBR for years and so I decided to give it a shot after reading The Hunter. Surprisingly, this book ended up being one of my favourite books from her and I really regretted not reading it sooner. You see, I’m a sucker for mafia romance and arranged marriage trope, so this book gives me what I truly hope for.
In this book, Troy Brennan basically forced Sparrow to marry him without giving her the real reason why he wanted to do so. Whereas for Sparrow, she didn’t really have any choice but to comply with his wishes, so finally they ended up getting married. Obviously, their domestic life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows since they really dislike each other and Troy even has a mistress that he still kept even after his marriage. However, somewhere along the way, they started to grow more connected to one another where they slowly develop mutual respect and finally something even more.
Throughout the whole book, I really liked the chemistry between Troy and Sparrow despite them not being agreeable with each other in most parts of the story. What makes it so much better is the development of their relationship since their romance is pretty slow but at a pace that is acceptable. Not only that, but I also liked their characters even tho both of them have their own flaws.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this book especially the suspension of what’s going to happen next, and also the amount of angst that LJ brings to wrench her readers’ hearts. I think LJ did a great job in writing this book despite it being one of her earliest books that she has written. Now, I’m extremely excited to see more of Troy and Sparrow in The Monster.
Could not put this book down! Enter the anti-hero! He’s everything you should hate, he should be the stereo-typical bad guy. But, just like a huge onion he has many layers.
This was probably the first book that I stayed awake all night reading.
Refreshing!
After reading The Hunter, I had to read about Sailor’s parents love story, Sparrow and Troy! Sparrow was awesome! She gave as good as she got and didn’t let Troy get to her, even though she was afraid of him at first. She was feisty and strong willed and the perfect match for Troy. Troy was complex. He was a bad guy, but didn’t do bad things for evil. He was emotionally unavailable due to his past relationships, but still tried to make Sparrows life easier and better by giving her a job at his restaurant and avenging her childhood trauma. He and Sparrow had a complicated story, there were too many secrets between them and an undeniable attraction they could not be ignored. This story was captivating from the beginning. The chemistry and sassy banter between the characters kept you hooked into the story. It was wonderfully beautiful story of finding love and redemption in a world full of darkness. Definitely, a great read and would recommend if you have read/thinking of reading L.J. Shens new Boston Belles series which will feature Sparrow and Troys children, Sailor and Sam.
Sparrow has got to be one of, if not my favourite LJ Shen book.
I didn’t know what I was going into when I started this book because it had been a while since I had read the blurb, but once I started it I couldn’t stop. Troy and Sparrow were so addictive. The chemistry in this book was through the roof.
Every line was so insane that I found myself highlighting basically every single chapter to the point where the entire book was just filled with highlights and notes.
If you’re looking for an amazing mafia romance, this is the book to read. Not even if you’re looking for a mafia romance, just be looking for a swoon worthy romance and this is it!
Well dammit. I’m a 100% positive that I’m going to be in love with all the men in her books and all the women are freaking Saints
Highly recommend this book! I love the storyline of Tony and Sparrow! The secrets that were kept, how they were unleashed, and the happy ending made for a book I will re-read again and again.
Sparrow Raynes is a young woman who finds herself suddenly and curiously forced into marrying a fearsome older man, one who never gave her second glance before informing her they were to be married. She is not one to take things easily and quietly. She pushes Troy back every step of the way. I really liked Sparrow. She was strong, in a gentle sort of way.
Troy Brennan is out for revenge. He may be connected to the mob, but for the most part, he has his own agenda. Part of those plans involve caging Sparrow. He is cruel and most are frightened of his darkness and power, but Sparrow doesn’t cower.
“He gave me lies, and for him, I closed my eyes.”
The relationship between Troy and Sparrow begins as one filled with resentment and frustration. Slowly, Troy’s attraction to Sparrow is joined with reluctant admiration and concern. And Sparrow finds herself falling in deeper with this man she knows is dangerous. However, Troy is hiding dark secrets from her. Can their marriage ever be more than physical and a piece of paper?
“It was wrong…but it was ours.”
I have to say, when I finished this book I was completely shocked that I had given it 5 stars! There is a certain hot spot for me (one that I typically avoid at all costs) and I’ll admit I was angry at Troy for a while. But the way it all turned out, the way Sparrow saw it all at the end… it just made sense to me. I got it. People say love doesn’t conquer all. But I think it can, if you let it. If you decide that love matters most. That maybe it’s possible that something that should be wrong is somehow right for you. As always, LJ Shen’s writing is beautiful and captivating. Sparrow was a gripping read, one that was well-written and complex.
What a dark and fascinating story! The romance between Sparrow and Troy wasn’t the kind that I would want in my real life. Yet the author knows how to create characters that are perfect for each other. And the journey is so amazing that you can’t help but ship them and enjoy every single moment of the ride.
An arranged marriage gets sprung on Sparrow out of the blue by her Dad. Her husband to be has a horrible reputation and she fears what a life with him will be. Troy has done things he’s not proud of but he lives by his own moral code. Although Sparrow just found out about this arranged marriage, Troy has known about it much longer. The story of their marriage will have you on a wild ride that keeps you guessing what’s coming next. There’s too many twists to mention and besides if I told you all about them you wouldn’t need to read the book.
This book is full of suspense, an odd sense of romance, humor and of course some dirty scenes. The banter between Troy and Sparrow are in my opinion what makes this whole book. Without their back and forth this book just simply wouldn’t be the same. LJ Shen created quite the dynamic between this duo.
So I have had this on my Kindle for a while and I was hesitant to read because L.J. Shen is a new author to me. But let me assure you that I wasn’t disappointed at all. This story is lot different than I have ever read before. Troy and Sparrow were initially shown as worst enemies of each other but eventually they fall head over heals in love with each other. I absolutely loved them and L.J. Shen’s writing. I can’t wait to read more.Most definitely worth more than 5**************
I thoroughly enjoy Shen’s books. Sparrow is one of the first books that I read by her and I often reread it because it is that good.
The characters are multifaceted and well written. Sparrow is more than someone to push around and she stands by her convictions, even if it means talking back to her fixer husband. Troy is complex; he isn’t just a heartless fixer, he has a moral code that he lives by and acknowledges when he is close to crossing the line. I enjoyed how they grew together as the story progressed because they each had to learn about the other in order to become better people.
The prologue might be disconcerting for some, but that doesn’t dictate the rest of the story. Remember: you are reading a book about a Boston fixer; it won’t be all sunshine and daffodils, it’ll be a bit more gritty and morally ambiguous.
L. J. Shen did it again! Sparrow is a dark, Mafia romance novel that has everything – the suspense, the arranged marriage, the secrets, and of course, eventually the love that blossomed between the two. This is one novel that I read in one sitting! That is how good it is.
Troy Brennan, known as the Fixer, has many secrets including his reason for arranging his marriage to Sparrow Raynes, the daughter of one of his father’s hands, and since his father’s death became one of his minions. In the beginning, I didn’t like Troy. He is demanding and a cheater. As the story progresses, I begin to see that behind his tough facade, Troy has a soft heart – hard on the outside, but gooey on the inside. That changed my mind about him and I begin to cheer him on.
L.J. Shen has mastered the art of creating the most perfect despicable male characters and then, somehow, redeeming them. Troy Brennan is a world class jerk and he owns it. His father (before his death) had made him promise that he would marry Sparrow Raynes. After his father’s murder was when he found out why. If Troy doesn’t marry Sparrow, his father’s will stated he wouldn’t get any of his inheritance. If they divorced, Sparrow would get the majority of it, too.
Initially, I thought I was going to be annoyed with Sparrow’s character and that she would be a mousey, quiet woman. I was so wrong. Sparrow is a strong woman and goes toe to toe with Troy. Troy is not all bad, either. It was good to see him fall in love with Sparrow.
I listened to this on audiobook. There is only one male narrator. While he did a good job, I really wish there would have been two narrators for Sparrow’s POV.
4.5 stars
I wanted to read this book as soon as possible before the release of The Hunter (but I guess I’m late now but better late than never) since it is a Sparrow crossover and my oh my I freaking loved it!!!!
Sparrow and Troy were an amazing couple and here are my thoughts for each of them!!!!
Sparrow is such a delight to read. She is feisty and a redhead (my fav), does not submit at all to whatever things people say or tell her to do and I really loved that about her character. She is also a tomboy which I don’t read that much but really enjoy whenever I find one.
Troy. Where do I even begin with the delightful bastard!!!! I love him as much as I love Vicious from SOS which I did not expect at all (though I think I like Vicious a bit more but Troy is VERY close). He is ruthless and you get to see that in the prologue (it gave me chills) and of course with every L.J. Shen book, there is some mystery that makes you keep wanting to read till you find out.
This book if you don’t know already, is a mafia romance book so while I did enjoy the romance, I kind of wished that the we got a bit more brutal mafia elements in it. Mind you, there is a particular one that kept me at my toes but other than that, the romance was more and I kind of wished that there was a balance between mafia goodness and steamy romance (which Leigh succeeded in)!!!!!
I love the friendship aspect of the book which I didn’t expect. Sparrow has two best friends, Lucy and Daisy, and I love how they stick together and have each other’s back. It was really heartwarming. I wonder if they would make an appearance in the crossover!!!!
I love the writing style and I can’t seem to get enough of it and I don’t WANT to get enough of it!!!! I am so looking forward to see what happens in The Hunter!!!!
Overall, I really enjoyed my time reading it and would highly recommend checking it out!!!
Troy Brennan, the Fixer as he’s called, is the son of a dead mobster and is after the person responsible for his father’s death. He’s good looking, an asshole that’s closed off and doesn’t open his heart to anyone. He’s also arranged to marry Sparrow Raynes, one of his employees’ daughters. She is fiesty, independent, loves to cook, and has no idea why her marriage to Brennan has been arranged. She’s strong, stands her ground and doesn’t give in until she begins to fall for him.
First book I read by L.J. Shen and it did not disappoint! Her writing was great and it held my attention from beginning to end. This story was so intriguing! I was curious to see where everything was leading, and how they got to where they started out. The love in this story was slow burn, but when it finally came around it made a lot of sense why it played out the way it did. There was steam, action, some drama, and a twisty turn of events.
Sparrow and Troy get married and they hate each other. Troy is a ruthless business man and Sparrow is a strong, independent woman who doesn’t take orders. The push and pull between this too is insane. The story has great twists. Great characters and storyline. Highly recommended. Amazing book
Open your mind before you read!! This story is a page turner and gripping love story!! You can escape into this world!
This book isn’t hearts and flowers. If that’s what you’re looking for, this isn’t it. Troy is a cruel and vengeful anti-hero. You will hate him in the beginning. This book had me on an emotional roller coaster! There was mystery, violence, betrayal, anger….God! Troy made me livid with some things that he did! However, Sparrow is not a weak bird and does not take his s**t. She challenges him when nobody else does and she isn’t afraid of him. I love seeing the small changes in Troy, letting you know his developing feelings for Sparrow as the story progresses. I absolutely love Sparrow’s strong-willed character and she’s exactly the kind of woman Troy needs. Certain parts of this story made me want to stop reading, because I didn’t think I could ever come to like Troy. But I pushed through and I’m so glad I did! This book is dark, gritty, twisty and brought out so emotion in me! Definitely a must read!!!