EmiliaThey say love and hate are the same feelings experienced under different circumstances, and it’s true.The man who comes to me in my dreams also haunts me in my nightmares.He is a brilliant lawyer.A skilled criminal.A beautiful liar.A bully and a savior, a monster and a lover.Ten years ago, he made me run away from the small town where we lived. Now, he came for me in New York, and he isn’t … lived. Now, he came for me in New York, and he isn’t leaving until he takes me with him.
Vicious
She is a starving artist.
Pretty and evasive like cherry blossom.
Ten years ago, she barged into my life unannounced and turned everything upside down.
She paid the price.
Emilia LeBlanc is completely off-limits, my best friend’s ex-girlfriend. The woman who knows my darkest secret, and the daughter of the cheap Help we hired to take care of our estate.
That should deter me from chasing her, but it doesn’t.
So she hates me. Big fucking deal.
She better get used to me.
Vicious a complete standalone and a part of the Sinners of Saint series
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OH WOW.!
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED This story.
I had so many conflicting emotions and I could not get enough of Vicious even though he was a difficult character to like at first.But he had his reasons behind his behaviour and attitude,it had hardened him towards life until Emilia LeBlanc…Pure,innocent,fiesty and a challenge..
No matter what happened their Hate/Love relationship had me hanging onto every exchange between them and every one of L.J Shen’s words had me mesmorized.
I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It was a perfect blend of angst,emotion,romance and steam..their chemistry sizzled.
Vicious and Emilia’s Romance captivated me from beginning to end.
It was just BRILLIANT
5 Pink and Black Stars.
Who doesn’t love a troubled soul you think you can save? Besides having a trope I am always one hundred percent here for, this book was h-o-t, hot. Shen didn’t hold back in her writing and descriptions, and the reader can feel the electricity zipping between the main characters. Can’t wait to finish the series!
Emilia and Vicious such an amazing journey!
They cross paths at an early age when Emilia ‘s parent’s come to work for Vicious and his family. He soon realizes that Emilia has a strange effect on him but looks at him with despise for the things he does. Emilia wants to see the good in everyone but each time she thinks Vicious will be the boy she hopes a switch flips and destroys her a little at a time.
He soon realizes that if he can’t have her on his terms than he shall make her life hell on Earth. I wanted to hate him but with each page he grew on me. He is a damaged boy that turns into a hateful, scorned brilliant man who does not let his guard down until she reappears in his life.
Emilia is such a beautiful person inside and out. She is selfless when it comes to her family . She will do anything to help them even if that includes letting Vicious back into her life for financial reasons. He makes her an offer she has no choice but to accept.
Is it possible for two people with such a turbulent scarred history can come together to heal, forgive and move forward with whatever the world has to offer them?
You will need to pick up Vicious and see for yourself! Get ready for one hell of a ride!
~~Michele McMullen ~~
Do I even need to write a review on this? This book is iconic. It’s amazing. It’s heart stopping. Nobody can write assholes like Leigh does and this book right here proves my point without me having to say any further words. Vicious is the one book I can always rely on to reread and successfully get me out of my reading slump because it’s THAT amazing.
Emilia is everything I want to be, shes soft and delicate but strong, sassy and confident.
(Spoiler if you haven’t already read it so don’t read further and just get the book, it’s worth it ;))
And Vicious being all the way in love with her since high school is the cherry on top. Because I mean who wouldn’t? I swear the chemistry between Emilia and Vicious is so evident. The pencils, the stealing her textbooks and trashing her locker. The hating him and going to the extent of dating his best friend. Damn. I could go on for days.
Instead, I’m going to hope my review enticed you to give Emilia and Vicious a chance. You won’t regret it, I promise
Well Baron “Vicious” Spencer is wow there really aren’t any words. This book is so well written that you honestly don’t see any redeeming qualities in this Gigantic Jerk. Enters Amelia Le Blanc a beautiful face from the past and it all starts to come together. You realize that not everything is how it seems and everyone deserves a chance at love
I had a good feeling that I would like this but was hesitant at first, I don’t know why. I want to point out that I thought the beginning was abit messy like it was confusing at first because I’m thinking “How old were Vicious and his HotHoles friends??”
Then I thought too much angsty maybe? There was a lot of love and hate feeling fueling between the main characters that I wasn’t sure how to feel about it, the complexity of the relationships with another was overwhelming to click for me (not in a bad way) I started to understand more as I read on and I could not put it down! I really enjoyed this..loved it
This is my first time reading a L.J Shen book of hers and I do want to read more of her work. I’ve been told about her writing style and I’m curious to see how it goes for me Also just throwing it in there, some steaminess and sexual content
Vicious is the first book in the Sinners of Saint series, and my absolute favorite! I mean… How can you read about Vicious and Emilia and not fall in love with them? This book has dual point of view, and it’s an enemies to lovers, steamy romance book that will leave you craving for more!
Emilia LeBlanc is a proud and passionate woman. She’s brave, kind hearted, while also being super sassy. She’s the most caring sister and an artistic soul. It’s hard not to fall in love with her once you’re inside her head. She doesn’t deserve to be treated with anything other than respect, but that’s the one thing she’s never going to get from a guy like Baron Spencer — also known as Vicious.
Even from her first encounter with Vicious, Emilia knew that he wasn’t the type of man you mess with. He was the devil trapped inside the body of a hot seventeen (at the time) year old. He was cold hearted, the type of guy fathers warn their daughters about. Yet she couldn’t help but feel attracted to him, despite him always being awful towards her.
.
.
“His eyes were dead, but his lips were red, full, and very much alive.”
.
.
Emilia was unfortunate enough to experience the most brutal side of Vicious. Not only did he bully her constantly during the one year she attended his highschool, but he also drove her away from her home and her family. As far away from him and Todos Santos as possible.
Ten years later, Emilia comes face to face with Vicious yet again —this time in New York. Fate just doesn’t seem to want them away from each other, and now that Vicious stumbled upon her again, he’s not letting her go easily. Because Emilia might be the most precious chess piece in his game for revenge.
.
.
“I thought I’d escaped him. I was even stupid enough to think he’d forgotten I ever existed.”
.
.
For Vicious, Emilia had always been the forbidden fruit, someone he wasn’t allowed to touch even though he desperately wanted to. He might have seen her first, but she was his best friend’s girlfriend nonetheless. When he sees her again ten years later, he’s not about to let her go again. He’s gonna consume her, body and mind. But Emilia has been burned by him before. Will she risk her heart for him again?
Complex storytelling at its finest! The characters are so real and the entire story is compelling. Vicious was worth getting to know because there was a lot under the surface. I loved learning his secrets and being able to understand his motivations. But my heart belongs to Emilia in this one. She was a total badass. She was incredibly brave and didn’t let Vicious walk all over her. Yet she was also kind to everyone. And gave everything she had to those she loved most. The two of them complemented each other perfectly.
Broke my heart and then put it back together.
I think we all need and want our very own vicious.
Before I started this series, I had no idea what a Hothole was. Then I had no clue how in love I could be with said Hothole!
This is the first book I’ve read by LJ Shen and holy hotness!!! This story is about love and hate and lust. Millie is the kind of heroine that doesn’t take crap from anyone, ANYONE no matter who they are and what they have. Vicious is just that oh so lusciously vicious. But what I love the most is his love for her because he truly does in his own sort of messed up way, he loves him some “Help”. You read or watch so many stories that start off like this and you expect him to be this cold hearted jerk because that’s how they usually end. But the story is written in a way that you can’t help but root for Vicious and know that he’s a loving care soul, for the right one. Millie is totally self aware, she does not deny how this hothole makes her feel. We all need to learn from Emily.
The narrators were perfect for the story. Listening to them I could picture Millie and Vic as if they were right in front of me.
This is a great series, I just finished Defy and have Ruckus downloaded and ready to read/listen.
Thank you Ms. Shen for brining me into a world of romance I didn’t know existed and didn’t know I needed in my life. Fan for life.
Oh Vicious what a tortured soul you have! He is the ultimate hothole and Emilia is the only one who can tame him. Their “relationship” started with secret letters which I loved and came to a quick halt when Emilia left their town. Jump several years later and their bond is as strong as ever. This story was hot and emotional and as horrible as he could be I loved Vicious!
Cinq extraordinaires étoiles ! Une grande romance qui vous fera délirer.
Je suis un grand fan de cette autrice et puisque j’ai lu presque tous ses livres en anglais, permettez-moi de vous dire quelque chose – “Vicious” est son meilleur livre. Leigh s’est surpassée avec cette histoire de haine, d’amour et d’obsession. Elle a réussi à créer une lecture aussi intrigante et addictive, mélangeant parfaitement la douceur et la sensualité.
C’était fantastiquement écrit, addictif, obsessionnel, angoissant et sexy. L.J. Shen a cloué l’aspect haineux et catapulte ce livre dans la stratosphère. C’est essentiellement comme si elle a embouteillé ce que sont l’obsession et l’angoisse, et les répandait sur ce chef-d’œuvre. Les personnages. La romance. La parcelle. L’écriture. Tous ces éléments m’ont fait délirer.
Ils disent que la haine et l’amour sont des sentiments forts. Ils sont le côté opposé de la même pièce. Fort. Puissant. Consommant. Si vous ne faites pas attention, vous pourriez vous perdre. Emilia et Vicious marchaient sur une ligne mince entre l’amour et la haine mais c’était trop parfait. La chimie entre eux est palpable dès le début. Et j’ai adoré le fait qu’en Emilia, Vicious ait trouvé son match. Leur genre de romance ne peut être décrit que comme ÉPIQUE.
Vicious est un dur à cuire, au cœur froid, principalement antisocial et en colère contre le monde. Arrogant. Exigeant. Possessif. Injuste. Cruel. Il est sans cœur et le plus impitoyable et brutal de «The Four HotHoles Il s’en fout de rien et il traite tout le monde comme de la merde. Il aime intimider Emilia, la fille de l’aide salariée vivant dans le manoir de sa famille, qui est également l’une de ses camarades de classe.
Emilia est le vrai contraire de Vicious. Elle ne s’incline pas devant lui. Elle est provocante et courageuse, tout en gardant la bonté et l’innocence qu’elle possédait avant de venir à Todos Santos. Vicious fait de la vie d’Emilia un véritable enfer. Chacun de ses mots et chacune de ses actions fait croire à Emilia qu’il la déteste comme aucun autre. Il est brutal envers elle, la faisant se sentir insignifiante. Cependant, Emilia ne peut s’empêcher d’être attirée par son bourreau. Elle ne veut pas tomber dans la convoitise avec celui qui rend sa vie misérable, mais autant qu’elle le souhaite, elle ne peut pas nier les sentiments forts qui lui serrent le cœur.
Tout change complètement lorsqu’il la chasse hors de la ville, compliquant ses sentiments et sa vie. Des années plus tard, ils se retrouvent. Les deux ont changé, mais à bien des égards, ils sont restés les mêmes. Certaines circonstances les feront travailler ensemble et passer beaucoup de temps ensemble. La relation entre ces deux personnages était pour le moins compliquée. Le push and pull entre eux était si bien fait et la tension sexuelle entre eux était parfois combustible. J’ai adoré la relation désir / haine entre eux et à quel point c’était divertissant. Ces deux-là étaient absolument fantastiques, leur chimie étant hors du commun. Je les ai aimés ensemble, les interactions ludiques et les scènes de sexe incroyablement écrites.
Si vous recherchez une angoisse, aimez-détester/histoire avec un scénario engageant et deux personnages fantastiquement représentés, alors vous devez essayer celui-ci. Vous ne serez pas déçu. Et je vous assure que ce livre répondra à toutes vos attentes.
This enemies-to-lovers romance is unforgettable! It was amazingly written and gripping with many complex details between Vicious and Emilia. The story line and the flashbacks kept me intrigued and on the edge of my seat to find out what happened between them next. I had a hard time putting into words how much I loved this book.
Baron “Vicious” Spencer is labeled as one of “the four hotholes” and he definitely lives up to that name with his assholeness. He treated Emilia poorly in the short time they knew each other when they were younger by bullying her and eventually running her out of town. But behind all of his cruel, hateful behavior, he is tortured, misunderstood, and actually very sweet in his own way, and is a very interesting character.
Emilia LeBlanc was bullied by Vicious when they were younger and as hard as she tried she couldn’t help but have feelings for her him, and couldn’t deny how strong they were. When he threatens her family’s livelihood, she is forced to leave town. Emilia is such a kind and selfless, loyal and strong character. When her sister moved to live with her in NY, she put everything on hold to take care of her.
Couldn’t put it down. Dark and steamy romance!
Another series I have read (and listened to) repeatedly but have yet to sit down and write a review for. LJ pulled me into the world of the Hot Holes and has yet to retract her claws because I find myself going back and reading the books repeatedly. Vicious and Emilia’s story is a enemy to lover sort of romance packed full of angst and emotion. Emilia is such a sweet, strong, and resilient individual – sacrificing herself to care for her sister Rosie. Vicious is a tortured soul, his back story breaks my heart everytime I read this book. But when these two come together – their banter is amazingly fantastic and their love for one another shines thru even when they try to deny it. LJ has an amazing talent of writing stories filled with so much emotion, angst, and love that shines, this one being a perfect example. I adore this book and this series – I know I will continue going back to read again and again.
Vicious is my favorite alpha ever!!!
If you’re into books where the male hero is a complete jerk, this is probably for you.
Editing/Proofing:
Seems like the author could use a better editing team. Author does some telling where she could show, which got a bit boring at times and grammar could be better. Continuity could be tighter, the little discrepancies serve as distractions. (I believe a strong editor could help with this.)
Overall:
This is slow burn with one of the biggest alphaholes I’ve ever read. It was an okay experience … I didn’t miss it or feel compelled to read on, rather I felt like it was ‘good enough’ to see how it played out, for most of it. It did pick up towards the last 25% or so. (Predictably, if you’re wondering.) Sex scenes were a bit generic, but got the point across. I do recommend patience, as it was a sort-of-fun read, eventually.
Note:
I listened to the audiobook. The male narrator’s voice is awful, takes a bit of getting used to.
The female’s is easier to take, though annoyingly, overly breathy. If you’re a picky listener, you might prefer to opt for the read.
3.5 stars
LJ’s Sinners of Saint series hooked me with the first book that I read. The characters, with all their flaws, twisty ways, and devoted, HARD loving, roped me in and didn’t let go. I’m a little in love with Vicious.
Raw and compelling!!!