“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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5* Nemesis Stars
The story of Wolfe and Francesca was engaging and addictive. It is a beautifully written story and will have you so absorbed in their tug of war love/hate relationship. The secondary characters were very fascinating and real. I highly recommend this read and going into it blind will only enhance your reading experience of this fantastic book.
L.J. Shen’s best work yet!!! The cover entranced me, once I opened the book it sucked me in and didn’t let me go.
Francesca is the daughter of the leader of the Chicago Outfit and betrothed to a young man under her father’s rule, who she has been in love with for most of her life. That all changed when Senator Wolfe Keaton walked into her life and demanded her hand in marriage. She wants nothing to do with him, but in her world she doesn’t get a say in her future. Her father makes that decision. After being strong-armed by Keaton he agrees to their union to his daughter’s dismay. And this is where the fun begins.
I cannot possibly convey to you how imperative it is for you to read this book. This is the ultimate enemies to lovers romance and you do not want you miss it!!!
Wow Wow Wow!!!! Yes I know, that really isn’t much of a review but seriously, WOW!! I knew before I even began reading this book that I would need to clear my schedule for the entire day because once I started I wasnt going to be able to put it down…..and of course I was totally right. I’m sure I say this with every new book she writes but this one is my favorite, hands down. It was extremely well written and the chemistry between the characters was palpable. It was completely unique and captivating.
Written with edgy, angsty, heart-wrenching emotion, LJ Shen has delivered an incredible 5 star story with The Kiss Thief. I can honestly say this is one of my favorite books, ever! TKT is everything I want in a romance–deep and heartfelt passion, memorable characters, and a gripping story that sweeps me away. There’s a feel to this book unlike anything I’ve read recently.
LJ Shen has infused this mafia themed romance with an old world vibe. Francesca has been raised as the heiress to her father’s empire. Sheltered as only a mafia princess would be, her dream is to spend her future in the arms of her first love.
But this isn’t a fairytale, and dreams don’t always go as planned when there’s a cold hearted kiss thief who has a plan of his own…
OMG, the thief is divine. Commanding, brash, experienced, and the complete opposite of Francesca’s first love. Wolfe might be LJ Shen’s best written “alphahole”. I died a little inside while reading, and felt every bit of the anger, tears and joy this book contained.
Through it all though, Francesca is the true hero of the story. She takes control of her fate in a way you need to read for yourself. She’s young and sheltered, but she’s strong enough to give Wolfe pause… This book, their story, will stay with me for a very long time!
If there’s one thing I know that I can always count on, it’s that L.J. Shen will deliver a book that I can’t put down, and true to form, ‘The Kiss Thief’ was such a sexy, angsty, and entertaining read!
Can we talk characters? Hands down, Shen always creates the most complicated, terrible, and then completely lovable alphas. In this story, she definitely achieved that, but all of the characters were great!
Angelo Bandini was charming and perfect in every way. He was Francesca Rossi’s dream come true, and I could definitely see why!
Underneath Francesca’s beauty was a really cute and quirky personality. I mean, how can you not love a character that talks to her plants? Innocent and naïve under the protection of her family’s wings, she was sweet and very kind-hearted. However, when it came to a certain someone, Francesca was a firecracker, and I loved her sass and quick wit!
Senator Wolfe Keaton was angry and bitter with a vendetta to avenge. The man was so brash, calculating, and his approach on life was so cynical. The crazy part? I kind of loved him! His sarcastic and dry humor was really funny, and I kept thinking that surely there had to be a kind heart to be found in that body of his somewhere!
The arranged marriage of Francesca and Wolfe, otherwise known as Nemesis and Villain was told by their point of views, and the Nemesis and her Villain didn’t hold anything back when they waged war on each other. They were both so competitive, stubborn, and just plain awful to each other, but it was so entertaining to follow! The Nemesis was every bit as cunning as her Villain, and they sparred with a ferocity that exploded into a passion and desire.
I loved the mafia feel of the story with Francesca’s family and their Chicagoan Outfit of Made Men. I really enjoyed the secondary characters in the story as well, and as I said earlier, Angelo was totally swoonworthy! The Rossi clan was a tough one to beat, but I was definitely on Wolfe’s side for him to dish out what they deserved!
Shen did an amazing job creating such a unique and complex plot! It was very intriguing, fast paced, and suspenseful, keeping me guessing at what was next in store. I only had one niggle with the storyline, and it was only because I didn’t believe it was in the heroine’s character to not speak up in a particular situation. But it wasn’t enough to sway my overall thoughts at all.
‘The Kiss Thief ‘was a fantastic story, such an enjoyable read, and I highly recommend it!
“I loathed him. But I also craved him. Terribly.”
WOW!!! That’s it….just WOW!!! I don’t know how to express how great this book was! How intense, complicated, angsty, messy…it just about broke me at times. The characters were so flawed, so complicated, and it tore my heart to shreds at times. It was beautiful as walls were lowered and eyes were opened to truths and realities. But then something would happen to try and ruin that progress. But it was beautiful to watch how love grew, unknowingly, and the beauty in the way it was all presented to us. I’m rambling, I know! This is LJ Shen’s best book yet!!! And that is completely un-freaking-believable!!! Wolfe and Francesca…they will continue to haunt me for a while, this is not the kind of book you finish and move on. It’s going to be with me for a while now.
HUGELY RECOMMEND THIS ONE!!! ALL THE FREAKIN STARS, ALL OF THEM!!!
Wow just wow what a book
This book will have you on the edge of your seat because you can’t believe the love story that you are reading. There are parts of this book that are hard to read. There are other parts that made me swoon and sigh. A heart-wrenching, slow burning, delicious read that left me feeling like I’d just gone through the wringer by the end. I swear just when you think you’ve read what you thought was an amazing book by Leigh she goes and writes this book and I promise you this is one book you will not want to miss reading. Absolutely hands down an amazing story.
This is my unbiased opinion and my review
This is the first book I read by L.J. Shen and OMFG I loved it! A young woman, Francesca, is taken by force to marry a youngish, rich, arrogant, and ruthless senator named Wolfe but it’s not the kind of arranged marriage we are use to reading about. The girl is merely just collateral damage in a bad blood scuff between her father and groom. Add on top that her heart is already set on a childhood friend. However, this also is not your typical love triangle.
Francesca is a strong willed, intelligent smart-mouth who will not bend to no one’s will but her own and I love a strong character like this. Wolfe has his walls up, does not believe in love, and comes off very cold-hearted and uncaring.
While opposites, they are also the same which makes them the perfect couple. I loved reading how they each took down each other’s walls, between the fights and the intense love making and mutual understanding. Bit by bit, Wolfe showed he actually loves Francesca and how long it took for him to even realize this himself as she herself witnessed this truth towards the end.
I got angry, happy, anxious, and turned red at times while reading this story. The way the characters grew and the way it ended just made me fall in love hard with these characters. It’s pretty rare for me to get attached and cry and this story made me do just that. I read this in 5 hours through the night as I couldn’t put it down and I am left with happiness and tears.
Bravo L.J. and you made an awesome first impression on me!
L.J. Shen has written another great book.
This is the story of Francesca, a young girl, whose father is the head of The Outfit. Francesca is expected to do what all Outfit children do, fulfill their parents expectations. She may not have the freedom she desires, but it’s okay for Francesca. As long as she can marry the boy she loves- Angelo. But little does Francesca know that destiny has other plans for her. One in the form of Wolfe Keaton, the man who steals her first kiss, and seals her fate.
Francesca’s life takes a drastic turn. She’s no longer the protected princess, but is instead under the mercy of a man she doesn’t know. A man who is not all bad, but is misunderstood. A man who locks himself away behind walls that were built because of the shit hand life dealt him.
If there’s one person who can bring out the real Wolfe, its Francesca. That girl is resilient. She may be small, but the fighting spirit inside of her is large.
One gilded cage traded for another, Francesca is forced to face many truths. She is forced to fight for what she believes in, even when no one believes in her. You can’t help rooting for her, throughout the story.
What do I say about this book? It was angsty, emotional, and a very interesting read. What I appreciated the most was that even though the drama was rampant throughtout the story, it was never over-dramatic (which I was not in the mood for).
I found Wolfe to be on the more logical side of Leigh’s heroes. I wasn’t sure I was going to like him, but he is my favorite so far because he was softer and more accommodating towards Francesca. I was a bit leery about the love-triangle aspect, but if you want my advice, go into it blind. You can trust Leigh not to lead you wrong.
5 stars!!
Going into TKT I knew that this story would be different. It’s a tad bit darker, more somber, and has less of the banter I love. Actually the entire atmosphere around TKT was utterly engrossing with its forbidden and emotionally charged love story. With a flair for the dramatic, the author spun two epic love stories and weaved them together seamlessly into a thoroughly fascinating novel.
TKT is one of those novels, you would want to read in a dramatically beautiful setting like a gorgeous library, with a crackling fire, and a glass of something delicious to the side. Big windows with dramatic views, chandeliers and a grand piano. Grand stairways, marble hallways, big limousines, and a butler at the ready.
This book gave me all the feels.
And even though it didn’t reach the absolute perfection that Dirty Headlines was for me, The Kiss Thief checked many of my favorite boxes, and performed brilliantly.
The prose was beautiful and the writing was vibrant, and eloquent. The story was well rounded, fully fledged and conveyed in a way that was enchanting and captivating from beginning to end. The author’s writing skill has been honed to perfection and TKT is the best example. Brilliant writing, excellent story telling, and main characters that stood out by being delightfully unique, and unforgettable – The Kiss Thief delivered in spades!!.
With amazing performances by both Francesca and Wolfe, I was sucked into their epic love story without a moments hesitation.
Francesca and Wolfe were wonderful characters and they certainly had me on the edge of my seat at times. Both were the way they were because of outside circumstances and both accepted the fact and moved on. They also stood their ground, pulled, pushed and conquered on their own merit. Neither victim, nor villain. But equal footing was still paramount for a lasting and well deserved HEA!
I must admit I was looking forward to Wolfe’s POV the most. Getting a glimpse into his mind was my favorite thing in the entire novel. His thought process was utterly fascinating especially since his emotions were completely locked up. And his public facade and even the small glimpses he allowed Francesca to see, were nothing like what was going on in his mind. The author truly excels at writing utterly engrossing male characters.
So, what are you waiting for? This book needs to be devoured!
Final Score – 5+ Stars!
I’ve agonized … I’ve written long paragraphs, re-read them, shorten them and then deleted them … I’ve spent the last 5 days pulling my hair trying to fit in ALL the love that I have for this story into an epic review … And I’ve finally decided short, sweet, honest and to the point is going to have to do. So here it goes –
This story … I found myself at times both unable to tear myself away from this book and vowing that I will never, EVER read another one like it again. *insert tears* It very nearly broke me. The drama, angst, that heart breaking love triangle!
Added into the mix are vendettas, broken dreams, broken promises, broken lives … well, is it no wonder that IT NEARLY BROKE ME?
Both leading men had qualities that made them attractive and alluring and even I couldn’t decide who I wanted the heroine to end up with. I will say that with all of LJ Shen’s book, we are in for one hell of bumpy ride down a road to the end. But oh what a ride it is! I love everything about this book even when I hated myself for loving the dark parts.
Knocked it out of the park Ms. Shen has and you don’t want to pass this one up as it will leave you with #AllTheFeels.
All the anticipation and waiting for the last few months for TKT was totally worth it!! I devoured every word, every paragraph, every chapter, every page of this book. This is by far my favorite book written by LJ Shen (and I have read every one, some of them twice, because I am such a huge fan.) She is an amazing author, writes the hottest alphas with equally amazing female leads, and tells stories like it is nobody’s business. BUT this book right here is nothing like the others. I don’t know if I can put it in to words, what I experienced while reading this book. It was somewhat nostalgic, fairy-tale-esque, transporting me to another time, another place….reminding me of the hopes and dreams I had growing up. I am totally screwing this up, because I haven’t read anything else like this, and it is not easy trying to express how it made me feel. I laughed, cried, sighed, fanned myself several times, blushed, and swooned all the way through the whole book. I never wanted it to end. I am going to stop right here and just say….THIS IS A MUST READ FOR 2019!! It is going to be hard to top this one!! LJ outdid herself. And read it ASAP, so you can pass it on and discuss it with all your book loving friends.
Not even sure what to say here except LJ Shen’s writing is indescribable!! She takes readers on a journey where you just don’t know what to feel but by the end you are so whole and content as a reader and wanting more of her words.
Wolfe- he’s messed up. Francesca- her youth and first love stolen from her… and somehow – when they are together- all is right in the world!
This is a story of the messed up world we live in but when you look at someone for who they truly are and just love them for them- it’s perfect!
I loved Ms Sterling’s character so much and her honesty. I loved the twists and turns and how two people who hated each found happily ever after!!
There are no words to describe this book. It takes many twists and turns. The characters are amazing and make you long for so many things. I was enthralled as I devoured this book as fast as possible. Wolfe and Francesca are the epitome of arranged marriages and how they feel about it. The power involved with the families makes you cringe with pity for Francesca. The feelings they have for each other change throughout the whole story. My feelings were all over the place for this story. I hated Wolfe, loved him, hated him….. the constant battle of my feelings towards him were ever changing. I absolutely loved, enjoyed, was infatuated, despised, and adored Wolfe.
Wolfe, Francesca, and Angelo are the epitome of relationships and how people can feel. We think we know love and then we realize we had no clue. Their story draws you in and captures your attention from the first word. They have ups and downs all throughout the story. You have to read it for yourself to get the whole entire story! I cannot ruin this for anyone!
I highly recommend this book to anyone. You will love it! LJ Shen, you are amazing! Keep writing and readers will keep reading!!
An arranged marriage??? Yes please!!! LJ Shen writes stories I can’t put down.
This was my first read of the new year, what a way to kick it off! This was exactly what I needed in a new book, one I didn’t even know I needed. The romance is sexy, angsty and delicious. The drama is suspenseful, gut retching and holy moly did that just happen. This story will knock you off your seat, the characters will take hold and shake you to the core, not just emotionally but because you as the reader will be sucked into their world. L.J. Shen beautiful wrote a story that I was on edge about, the synopsis was iffy at first but once I read the story, I got it, the worries I had, obviously are gone. This is nothing like I thought it was going to be.
The Kiss Thief follows Francesca Rossi, the princess of the mafia world. She is spoiled and loved, but also trapped. She wants to go to college and learn, her father wants her to marry and have children. She’s only loved one man, who also wants her, but they have been waiting for the right moment. Until everything changes, her first kiss is stolen by a Wolfe, not just any wolf, but a gorgeous, frustrating, cruel man named Keaton Wolfe.
Francesca at the beginning is spoiled, blind to what is really going on around her, but she is also young, only nineteen and unsure about the realty of her world. In the beginning I felt she was too naive, too sheltered, too whiny. But then this girl started to grow, she started to see what was in front of her, the people, the life she lived, the life she now will have with Wolfe. She has to grow up fast, get tough, and bring out the side of her she had but pushed away.
Wolfe is a force to be reckoned with, he doesn’t care about what other people say, he has the power, the control and the secrets to ruin a lot of peoples lives. Francesca is another piece to a game that he’s playing to win, but he doesn’t expect that this little girl will change something in him, make him see what he didn’t think he could ever have. He is downright cruel at times, his worlds are harsh, but they need to be, he has a plan and he will make sure he takes down the very people who destroyed his family.
This is a love hate kind of romance, there are so many times where I held my breath because I have no idea what I would do in Francesca situations at times. I felt for her, sometimes I wanted to shake her in frustration, same with Wolfe. Both of them have these insane layers that peel off bit by bit and they both come to realize that they need each other. I don’t want to say much more because this story has so many shocking moments, sexy moments, holy crap moments. I loved it all.
Yup, this is definitely an arranged marriage novel you don’t want to miss!
Amazing!!!!
Wow I don’t even know where to start this book. There has been so much talk about this book for months with the title then cover and blurb. I ‘ve just been dying for it. So when I got my hands on it I had to jump in straight away. Which I have to do with any of L.J. Shen’s books. But this as just become my new favourite. It’s amazing the story had me at the edge of my seat from start to finish. There is so much goin on in this book you don’t have time to get bored. Francesca is an amazing character and one of my favourite heroines she is so strong no matter what is thrown at her she deals with it. And dealing with L.J’s be her best yet Mr Wolfe Keaton wasn’t an easy job.
Wolfe for I don’t know where to start but this guy is everything. He’s sexy, a total arsehole, protective, harsh, ruthless and so guarded. You don’t know what this guy is thinking. But when he sets his mind on something he gets it. Throughout this book I went through so many emotions. He made me crazy there were time I wanted to slap him hug him kill him and even throw myself at him. He is the best hero.
I’m not goin to say to much about the overall story cause you have to read and I highly recommend it. The story is twisted, sexy, adfictive, emotional and intense. The writing is just so good L.J. Shen just keeps getting better. I alway get sucked into her books and with every book is a brand new story to be told. I’m not goin to lie when I heard that there was an historical theme to this book was nervous it’s just not my think. But she just put her stamp on making historical different and more up to date if that makes sense. But you have to read this book you won’t be disappointed.
A Masterpiece and my all-time favorite book!!
OMG!!! How could I ever do this book justice with my review?! There’s just no way. I had sleepless nights because of this unputdownable and phenomenal book!! The author absolutely outdid herself with this outstanding story, which is definitely her best written book that I’ve read!
You know those books which you want to read in one sitting but at the same time don’t ever want to end?! Well, that’s one of those books! I was captivated by this story from the first page on and knew already at the very beginning that it would become my all-time favorite! It had all the feels, twists and turns, wonderful characters and a brilliant storyline to make this book one of the best I’ve ever read.
I rarely gush about books so much as I do with this one, which says a lot about how brilliant it is! Pick it up, you will not regret it!
These characters! Wow. To have such a talented author create those characters is magic.
Francesca was so strong and courageous beneath her exterior of a sheltered teenager. I fell in love with her instantly and felt for her so strongly when she was dealt such a bad hand in her life. I was furious on her behalf a lot, despite already knowing what was bound to happen due to the synopsis. But when her feelings changed into something fierce, I couldn’t help but fall in love with her man too, no matter the very bumpy introduction he had. He was infuriatingly rude, crude and very mean to Francesca. I wanted to slap him so hard every time he taunted and aggravated her.
The story was unbelievably hot and intense! This is definitely my favorite book of all-time in which I’ve found my new book-boyfriend and man of my dreams. Who knew that after all the frustration and hatred, I could love this infuriating man as much as I do, but I really do love him to the moon and back. This was not only his doing though with his often cruel actions, but how Francesca viewed him and saw the good in him. I couldn’t stop the growing of my love for him inside my heart because of her. Now, after I finished the book, I desperately want him back because he’s all I ever wanted and needed. =P
I wanted to cry at how unfair this story started out to be, but couldn’t help myself and love it even more for it in the end!! My emotions were very hard to handle, so I don’t even want to say any more because it would give too much away. Just read it! Read this book and be amazed by its brilliancy!
The Story:
Francesca and Angelo have known each other since they were kids. When they both grew into young adults their feelings for each other changed into more than just a teenage crush. They were meant to be together and expected to marry each other not only by their families. Francesca’s life was dictated and sheltered by her parents and while she would have loved to attend college, she didn’t want to fight her parents on things she couldn’t change anyway when the outcome would be severe for her. As long as she had Angelo at the end, she would deal with the rest. One fateful night though, a black knight stole her away and changed her life forever.
Ahhhhhh!!!!!
Why do I love this A-hole so HARD?!?!?!
This was brilliantly written!!!
Wolfe Keaton is the new man that I hate to love and it hurts so good!!
Francesca Rossi is my new favorite heroine, she is strong willed and maintains a mind of her own despite her situation. (I hate the doormats)
I was entranced and enthralled from the first chapter (more like the cover) and I could not put it down. I don’t know how to describe the feelings this book invoked in me, but it was a rollercoaster range of them!!!
Thank you L.J. Shen for starting my year off right!!! The bar has definitely been set!!!