“Instantly Have You Addicted” – Oprah Magazine#1 Contemporary Romance#1 New Adult Romance#2 Most sold book on Amazon#2 Most sold Fiction book on Washington PostTop 2 book in the entire Amazon Kindle store“My absolute favorite L.J. Shen to date. Indulgent and addictive.” – USA Today Bestselling author RS Grey“This book will ruin you for all other books in 2019” – Bestselling author BB Easton From … will ruin you for all other books in 2019” – Bestselling author BB Easton
From USA Today and Washington Post bestselling author L.J. Shen comes an enemies-to-lovers romance with a twist…
They say your first kiss should be earned.
Mine was stolen by a devil in a masquerade mask under the black Chicago sky.
They say the vows you take on your wedding day are sacred.
Mine were broken before we left church.
They say your heart only beats for one man.
Mine split and bled for two rivals who fought for it until the bitter end.
I was promised to Angelo Bandini, the heir to one of the most powerful families in the Chicago Outfit.
Then taken by Senator Wolfe Keaton, who held my father’s sins over his head to force me into marriage.
They say that all great love stories have a happy ending.
I, Francesca Rossi, found myself erasing and rewriting mine until the very last chapter.
One kiss.
Two men.
Three lives.
Entwined together.
And somewhere between these two men, I had to find my forever.
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4 ‘My Nemesis’ Stars!
Holy Mother, that surely was one hell of a roller coaster! I fell in love with L.J. Shen after finishing Dirty Headlines and I was definitely excited when she announced this book. And yes, I was also scared to death because I knew The Kiss Thiefwould be “darker” than my first book from hers and it also has a love triangle (which normally I do not enjoy much).
He was hell wrapped in a heavenly rugged mask. He was fire. Gorgeous to the eye, lethal to the touch.
However, Leigh Shen is an amazing writer. She is so talented! I was completely engaged to this story, my emotions were all over the place and I really, really enjoyed it. Oh yes, it also (for sure) it takes a while to understand why Wolfe is such an asshole to Francesca but he definitely grew on me, especially the second half of the book. I loved reading this unique love story, I loved the building of the relationship between Wolfe and his Nemesis and I adored the ending! So many surprises, emotions and love all over!
“It is you that I love. It is you whom I want. It is you whom makes living a spectacular thing I want to experience, rather than participate in reluctantly, every day.”
Guys, if you are fans of Leigh or you want to read a fresh, gripping and emotional love story, be sure to check The Kiss Thief because I am pretty sure it will not leave you indifferent. So many things happen in this novel, so many feelings, a great list of characters and a couple that will work their way into your heart. So yeah, I am definitely not complaining. I cannot wait to see what is coming next from L.J. Shen, I can assure you that!
Lookout Vicious!! We just met Wolfe Keaton, Leigh’s nastiest Alpha A-hole to date!! King of attitude and ruthless as hell. He wants to avenge the senseless deaths of his family by taking the daughter of his nemesis as his bride. Her father, mob boss has his hands tied as Wolfe has evidence against him. The daughter, Francesca is taken against her will, and in love with another man! She’s lived a sheltered life and now has to fend for herself. As time passes their chemistry takes over and they can no longer fight the pull between them. Following these characters was some ride!! Leigh spins a tale like no other. Between Francesca’s witty banter, desperate measures and Wolfe’s rough and calculating exterior, the constant clash between them is incredible. This story was sizzling HOT and I think Leigh has completely out done herself again!! Her books just keep me swooning and feeling for days!! I just hated to see it finish!! Absolutely INCREDIBLE!!
What a spectacular read. I found the detail, characters and utterly dark story particularly captivating. I have loved every story, by Shen, and I was excited to start this one, but I was definitely not prepared for where this story would take me! I felt whisked away, to the lives of the two men, who find themselves battling their nemesis, when they meet one another, and decide they both have to have the same woman.
From the start, you are pulled in to what is taking place. You can’t help but wonder what she will do and if there just happens to be a happy way out…or at least one worth living. The angst in this story really brings to life the trials taking place and the characters are created so well that Shen has given you enough to truly feel as though you are wholly a part of the story.
I loved this read, and if you are anything like myself, you’ll not even realise just how addicted to it you are, until you’ve turned that final, damning page and realised you didn’t sleep that night because you just had to know what happened.
I highly, highly recommend this book.
THE KISS THIEF is an enemies to lovers standalone that’ll make you wish for more!
Francesca Rossi was only nineteen but she was groomed to be a “lady” her whole life. She was born the daughter of a dangerous Chicago mob boss but she was taught at a young age that her job was to marry into another well-known Italian family. So she grew up loving the son of another mob boss, Angelo Bandini. Frankie thought she’d marry him but then the horrible Senator Wolfe Keaton swooped in and stole her very first kiss, changing her fate forever.
I have so many things to say about this book, gah! Where do I start? First of all, I love the cover. I mean there’s not a handsome Italian on it but that’s ok…I think it absolutely fits the story. Secondly, I realize the blurb is a bit vague and it eludes to a love triangle which technically I suppose it is but not in any real traditional sense. (Yeah, I’m being vague too but you just gotta read the book!) Third, the characters. My thoughts ping ponged between liking and loathing Frankie in the first few chapters. Let’s face it, she practically set women’s lib back a couple of decades! I can definitely see how her upbringing molded her way of thinking but to put it bluntly, she was a wimp…at first. Yet, I found myself rooting for her and cheering her on as the story progressed because she grew into her wings with a flourish that I adored watching. In the end, she became a strong woman, a character worthy of the enigmatic Wolfe Keaton. Ms Shen does an amazing job of writing an anti-hero that I just hate to love! Wolfe was the character who wore a sexy smirk so well that I couldn’t decide if I wanted to slap it off or kiss it off. (Kiss!) Of course, behind the smirk is a story: a huge, extremely horrible reason for why he was so cold and callous. Wolfe called Frankie “Nemesis,” she called him, “Villian” and both were so fantastically fitting. Their relationship was anything but conventional yet their chemistry was explosive, titillating, salacious. But when Frankie finally captured Wolfe’s heart, their romance was actually deliciously sweet, practically swoon worthy.
I’m writing this review in the beginning of January but I’m shelving it in the BEST OF 2019 category as well as my READ AGAIN E-SHELF. Yes, I’m that much in love with this book! It’s an extremely well written, angsty drama that will curl your toes. Told from dual POVs with a sticky sweet happy ever after. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
Loved!! This was an all consuming book that I could not put down. The cover is gorgeous and the story will pull you in from the first page. Once you start you will not be able to put it down.
This book was just what I needed to start the New Year. It was fantastic and I loved every minute of it. LJ Shen has a way of brining a unique story to life full of twists and emotions.
Francesca has known since she was little she would have an arranged marriage to someone who help her family. Growing up she has always had a privileged life as the daughter of the mafia. She knows her life is planned for her and is excited to one day become the wife of her childhood crush. She never saw Wolfe Keaton coming into the picture. Wolfe is in politics and is out for revenge. Francesca is the unlucky one he has his sights set on for his plan.
This story blew my mind; I honestly could not put it down. Shen brings a tale of young love and passion forward and then destroys it.
Francesca is a princess and has been treated as one her whole life. She has known whom she wanted to marry since she was a child and now it was time to make it happen. When she finally gets the nerve to kiss the man she has wanted all her life, Francesca finds she has kissed the wrong man.
Wolfe is a man that gets what he wants. Moreover, he wants to destroy Francesca’s father, but she was never part of the plan until he sees her in action. Now he will make her his at any cost. However, if she thinks this is a real marriage or will become one, she has another thing coming.
I have to say that Francesca is the whole book. Usually, the man takes center stage and becomes the sole person you want to change. However, in this story, I didn’t wish for Wolfe to improve as much as maybe see what was in front of him. Francesca may be young, but she is strong, mature, and takes Wolfe on like nothing else. It was a delightful story to read.
“Break. Crack. Feel me. Accept me.”
He saw an opportunity – He took it – She was his Nemesis and soon she would be his instrument for revenge
She was in love – She peeked -She could see her future unveil before her- Angelo -He stole it – Narcissus
He saw her first – Loved her first – She was his – His light – His future – Until she was no longer his – Goddess
Frankie is everything I love in a heroine – Witty, Determined, Intelligent, Fun. Her age did not really seem a factor within the storyline. I honestly only would remember because it was brought up. Her love for Angelo was so pure and filled with such childhood innocence.
Angelo was determined to free Frankie from Wolfe. Compromised or not his love for her would conquer
Wolfe wanted what he wanted and took it. Wolfe does not compromise. He demands, He rules and he has no qualms with regards to the carnage left in his wake and I love him for it.
I found myself reading this in one sitting – The storyline flows seamlessly and it was easy to get lost in the myriad of emotions that cascades from the pages – Wolfe is out for revenge and Francesca becomes his ultimate tool to acquire it. Angelo and Frankie have been in love since childhood, no one questioned that they would make a future together. Can true love actually find its way through this tangled mess?
There are times in the storyline I would have liked a bit more also a few times I wanted to wring Frankie’s neck. Oh and wait for it!! There are some shockers revealed that left me breathless
A must read for 2019!
Where do I begin with my feelings on this book? This book deserves so much more than 5 stars, truly. The story of Francesca and Wolfe will blow your mind. When Wolfe came to claim Francesca out of vengeance for her Father, I was outraged. But as you read thru the story, was that really the reason? While Francesca is an innocent, Wolfe is not and he was determined to defile her, but did he? The unbelievable chemistry between these two was so far chart topping, you can’t even imagine it. This story of hate, love, sadness, happiness, anger, intrigue and so much more will have you on the edge of your seat wanting to know what happens. I can’t help but love a book that gets you so emotionally vested that you don’t want to put it down. I am in awe of this authors writing abilities and can’t wait to read more by her. Please, don’t hesitate, read this book. You definitely need it in your life.
This is like one of the bestest christmas presents ever! An ARC from Leigh Shen would definitely brighten your day like chocolate cake and ice cream! This is my forth ARC from her and I just feel so honored.
I knew this one would rock! I mean I know everything rocks when it comes to a LJ Shen book, but this book is by far the best! The story was so unexpected. There’s nothing more alluring than a love triangle between a young mafia princess, a resilient childhood sweetheart and a formidable vengeful politician.
It was all so unexpected… how the story unravelled page after page… the twists and turns were just too gripping for me to put the book down. It kinda reminded me of one of her older books, Vicious. But this one, this one I love better. This one is definitely the best as of date… Definitely deserving of all the praises.
I was having anxiety towards the last couple of chapters in the book because I simply do not want it to end… the butterflies were everywhere and you fall in love right along with them (characters). If I could give this book 100 stars, I would.
I highly recommend it! I can’t praise it enough! Love, love it so much!
This book deserves more than 5 stars! Seriously. If I could rate it 100 stars I would!
I don’t even know where to begin. This book is absolutely everything. And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING! I sat and stared into nothing as I finished this book, trying to gather my emotions and keep them in tacked. This book has ALLLLLLL THE FEELS!
Intense.
All consuming.
Beautiful.
Captivating.
Raw.
Those are just a few words to describe this amazing story!
The Kiss Thief has chewed me up inside and it’s not about to let me go any time soon. 12 hours later and my mind is still reeling.
Francesca Rossi is the heir to the Rossi business. She’s strong, she’s brave, outspoken, and beauty surrounds her inside and out, she’s loving to everything and everyone around her. She’s not the typical mob daughter, she’s so much more, but though she may be kind hearted and sweet, she’ll never have an issue putting people back in their box if they step out of line. She’s not afraid to speak her mind, and voice her opinion.
Angelo Bandini is the sort of man that you feel protected by, at ease and safe. He’s the heir to a massive powerful family. He’s the man you want on your side, that you’ll automatically just click with, and someone you crave to be close to. He’ll have you weak at the knees.
Wolfe Keaton is a smart, dominant, hot as hell alpha, a guy that’ll have you swooning and on your knees in a matter of seconds. He’s every girls fantasy… well he sure as hell was more. He’s calm, collected, yet he’ll have you begging with no mercy. Cruel, in a way.. but oh so damn irresistibly HOT!
I’m not about to write a massive review, telling you piece by piece what happens. Nope. I believe you should go into this story blind. Trust me it’s the only way, and honestly you will not regret it. All I will say is, be ready to have your body rocked right down to the very core. This story is unforgettable, it’ll take you on the ride of your life and by the end, you’ll be begging for more, your heart pounding in your chest and your mind in completely shambles!
LJ Shen is a master at her craft, with each book she writes, the more and more I fall in love with her stories. Once you’ve been Shen’d you’ll never look back! Trust me 😉
5-I-Wish-I-Could-Rate-It-100-Stars
I couldn’t wait to read The Kiss Thief and OMG it was so worth the wait!! LJ Shen has this amazing way with words and brings a story to life. No one would ever have paired up Wolfe Keaton, a U.S. senator, and Francesca Rossi, daughter to the head of Chicago’s mafia, the were polar opposites. They definitely don’t have a fairy tale romance. There is much to overcome and that only makes their HEA that much sweeter. I can’t recommend this book enough!!! It just really had it all…..a growly H, a sassy and quirky h, angst, tears and laughter. Good lord, Wolfe’s internal dialogue was hysterical!!! So wait no longer, one-click this book RFN!!!
This one almost did me in, I almost couldn’t handle the angst in it!
Another amazing book by LJ!!
Holy mafia craziness!!! This book was all the things!!! Francesca handles her changed situation like the spoiled teenager she is… At first! Once the shock is over she starts trying to acclimate to the new life ahead of her… The problem is Wolfe keeps throwing the hostility and shocking revelations out there…. Throwing her off right when you think she’s in track! There were a couple of tough things to read, but it all fit very well with the story line! Leigh killed it! I seriously almost developed the lunch time flu because I didn’t want to stop reading and go back to work! I was dying for this book! It was so much more than I could have even imagined!!! Such a great book….I don’t even think my words are doing it justice! But just know that 5 is not even close to being enough!
I didn’t want to put this book down and I also didn’t want to finish it!! this is how good TKT was..
TKT for me is the come back of LJ Shen, I’ve missed this side of her and this type of writing.. TKT was a super pleasant surprise one that really blew me away.. the characters, the story everything was amazing, and the best part is that I didn’t know what I was getting into… I went completely blind and I did enjoy it so much!!!
This is the story of Wolfe and Francesca an enemies to lovers story.. one that was epic and will leave you wanting more..
Francesca was a beautiful heir of a dangerous family, her destiny was already written since the day she was born, she already had all of her life planned and ready to be unleashed but life had other plans for her and those plans weren’t the same of her father or even hers.. sooner or later her comfortable, dreamy life will change forever, making her dreams more bitter than sweet and her reality a new nightmare..
“You tasted like ash. Like betrayal. You, Senator Keaton, taste bitter and cold, like poison. You taste like a villain.”
Wolfe a very eligible bachelor that has no intention to settle down anytime soon, his plan was to destroy the only man who ruined him forever, he wasn’t seeking for love or someone to settle but the stars had other plans for his revenge, a revenge that will more likely serve him the coldest dinner he will ever experience, making him, her worst villain, the one who will hurt her the most.. now is about time to see if she will ever forgive him and open her heart again ..
“to answer your question, Wolfe is capable of feeling whatever you feel toward him but much, much stronger. More resilient and more powerful. For everything he does, he does thoroughly and brilliantly. Most of all, love.”
The chemistry between Wolfe and Francesca was really strong since the very first minutes they were near to each other. even if at that moment their agendas had another propose, still their attraction and feelings were really showing more than any old plan and believe..
“No love is fully requited. No love is equal. No love is fair. There is always one side that loves more. And you better not be that side—because it suffers.”
Francesca and Wolfe had so many secrets that keep making them second-guessing and doubting about each other especially Wolfe who has a lot of past that not even Francesca was able to decifer..
“You know, he is just as confused and disoriented by your situation. Only difference is he’s had years of perfecting how to hide his emotions.”
One of the things that I really love about TKT is the hate/love relationship between the main characters.. Wolfe and `Francesca, they both are so strong and stubborn, you don’t really know if there is going to be any break for them or if they will meet in the middle.. is like whenever you feel they will finally lower their walls, they built them even bigger and larger and stronger.. these two were so hard to break but they knew that they were the only ones with the key to each other hearts..
“It is you that I love. It is you whom I want. It is you whom makes living a spectacular thing I want to experience, rather than participate in reluctantly, every day.”
The secondary characters also were great Ms. Sterling was my favorite, she really was a fairy in this story and I love how much she was able to see and help whenever these two were so stubborn to realize what was happening.. Another great character was Angelo, he was very dreamy and pleasant to read, he was strong but in his own way, always respectful a gentleman through and through.. Francesca’s mother also was a great important key in this story, as well as clara.. so many great characters that made this story even more deeper and amazing..
“It is you that I love. It is you whom I want. It is you whom makes living a spectacular thing I want to experience, rather than participate in reluctantly, every day.”
in love with LJ Shen writing, TKT definitely one of the best book of 2019!!
I don’t think I wanted to highlight a whole book like before! The way the words bleed though the pages in your heart. There were so much emotions, descriptions and so much more in them. Somehow LJ Shen found a way to out do herself,
She wrote an even more spectacular book than normal. I loved Wolfe and Francesca. Their story is going to be one that leave a book hangover for a while! I wish I could give more than five stars!
The Kiss Thief starts by taking my heart one direction and sending it another.
L.J. Shen did a great job of developing the characters in the book. Wolfe was someone I wanted to hate. He’s cold and uncaring. Totally undeserving of any love.
Francesca’s innocence and way of seeing her surroundings brought me into her world. Seeing the story through her eyes was my favorite POV.
The suspense and conflict was well paced and kept me reading well into the night. My need to know who, what, when, why grew with each page.
As a HEA reader this story did everything I wanted it to do.
I went into this book thinking it’d be a sexual, love triangle without a happy ending. Why? Who knows. Teasers, posts, talk. We always judge the book by its cover before we read it, right? This book was beyond any expectation that I had. While I won’t give spoilers, I will say this wasn’t a love triangle trope. It was a story of family obligations, identity, vengeance, and love. Beyond the plot and wonderful characters that were written; this book was just good because Shen crafted words together so beautifully, that I highlighted over 2/3 of the book. I’ll re- read this one for a while and yes there’s a happily ever after friends. A perfect ever after
This may get some backlash for my opinion but I am giving a very generous 4 stars but I would probably go 3.5 if I’m being honest. I freaking love Leigh so hardcore but I just couldn’t get into this one. I knew it might be a difficult read for me but I nearly stopped reading about 65% through.
I did not like Francesca at all. I hate to say it but she was whiny and so annoying! I understood she was is horrible situations but even when those situations turned good she spit on it in disgust. I grew so angry that I wanted to throw up when she was talking to Angelo in the rain. I read that part and got so sick I had to stop reading all together. She grew up in the last chapter and epilogue but I could not stand her 19 year old self being the way she had been. I could possibly be taking this too much to heart but I did not like her. And the notes…….she took the notes so freaking literal and I just got fed up!
Now Wolfe, holy hotness!!! I got to read both sides and understand his actions more than Francesca did so in some parts I didn’t hate her as much but her age showed and I didn’t like it. Wolfe knew exactly what he wanted and how he was going to get it. He made me fall for him while he was being the way he was to his bride. I loved him fiercely at their introduction and knew he would be a hell of a character!!!
I am so sorry that I didn’t like this book as most did but I really disliked Angelo and so many characters in this book. I wish you nothing but the best with this book. This just wasn’t for me. You came across cheating, abuse, death, violence, blackmail and even some love but the one I couldn’t get passed was the first….cheating. It’s a no go for me.
This was my first book read by Ms. Shen and it certainly won’t be my last. This books was amazing! My best read so far of 2019 and it’s going to be so very hard to top this one. I loved Wolfe. So difficult to get along with, set in his own ways, yet loved fiercely. Francesca took me by surprise. Her strength, her courage, the actions that she goes through to prove her point to Wolfe…she was unbelievable. It brought me to tears. I loved this book so much. It’s definitely a must read from me.
I love LJ Shen. She’s the queen of angsty romance with strong heroines and men you love to hate and later figure out that you simply just love.
This story is no different. It’s one of her best. It is reminiscent of where I started with her work, Sparrow, but still a different flavor. Francesca is a functional dichotomy of strength and fluff, and Wolfe Ms. Shen’s particular flavor of alpha-hole. As always, the accompanying cast of characters is vital, and Ms. Sterling deserves her own tribute, IMO. Anyone could see why Frankie falls for Angelo, it takes a bit more to work through why someone would have genuine feelings for Wolfe – but it’ll happen… it always does.
If you like romantic reads with moments that make you look up and stare across the room for a few minutes before continuing, a heroine that makes you cheer and a hero that makes you want to kick him in the junk, anything LJ Shen writes is for you, TKT is just the newest addition to the list!