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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Could not really get into this book. Too many parts of the book were unbelievable and I didn’t find myself caring about the characters. Yes, I had an idea what I was getting myself into when I purchased this book and thought I would give it a try. Just not my cup of tea. Not interested in any of the characters so I won’t be reading any of the other books in the series.
So glad I started this series!! Love Vicious and the Hot Holes! Can’t wait for the Tot Holes!
I already read Dirty Headlines by her and LOVED it! I have a couple of her books on my app but I haven’t read them yet (I know, I know). I found this book a couple of months ago on NetGalley even though it’s been released like two years ago. So hint: if you look through thousand ARCs there, you can find a hidden treasure
Back to the book.
I had a feeling since the beginning that Vicious secretly liked Emilia. His actions said so. But he was also a bully to her, hiding behind his own pain. He was a domineering, bossy, angry boy who wanted to hurt her. Deep down though there was love.
Emilia was portrayed as a naive, sensitive but overall a happy kid, who in ten years just wanted to help her sister. She didn’t have other choice – and Vicious wouldn’t let her – but to work for him.
I loved this push and pull between them but sometimes I wish Emilia was stronger and she wouldn’t forgive him that quick. Honestly, the hero annoyed me at times because he was so demanding. That’s why I am contemplating between 4 and 5 stars, so I’ll give this book 4.5 stars. I need to read about other HotHoles, like asap.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Slovenian review and full post here: https://slovenianbookworm.wordpress.com/
This is a great story of growth, understand, faith, and forgiveness. Vicious was exactly what his nickname implied. He was a vicious and vindictive, he only thought of himself and no one else. Or did he? He told everyone including himself he hated her from the minute they met, but he was so stubborn it took him years to listen to his heart.
Emilia moved into his family home when her parents got a job there, they were the same age and she wanted nothing to do with him. She agrees that his name fits him to a T and everything he does is to make someone else mad. But years down the road when they meet again, she can’t deny the feelings she has for him. She can’t get him out of her head or her heart.
I just finished reading Vicious by LJ Shen and I have never been so conflicted over a romance novel before.
Like, you thought 50 Shades was toxic and fucked up? Child’s play compared to Vicious.
Undeniably hot and slow buildup only to feel shortchanged on the sex scenes. I gave it 4 stars on my Amazon review and here but it was more like 3.5.
I like dark and twisty fucked up romances but I think it was the bullying angle that got to me. Which is my own damage. Not the author’s fault. She told a good story. Hence why 4 stars and not 3.
It’s one of those books I declare cautiously good but don’t say I didn’t warn you if that makes sense.
As for the supporting characters and the rest of the subsequent books in the series? Their stories just don’t really do it for me so my exploration of them stops with this one. Still, if you like a good hate to love story this definitely has what you’re looking for.
Vicious is proof you just don’t really know what goes on in someones life behind closed doors. Vicious spent his entire senior year of high school treating Emilia like garbage. She was after all the daughter of “the help.” His step-mother hired Emilia’s parents and she was subsequently thrown into school with him. To say they hated each other was an understatement. What was it exactly that made Vicious so darn vicious? L.J. Shen writes a gripping story that will answer that very question. This whole series is simply amazing. I can’t wait to jump into the next one. I am hooked and definitely obsessed with the Four Hot Holes.
Loved the entire series….must read all of them, but Viscious is still my favorite, he’s an absolute jerk alpha bully but he makes you love him even when you should hate him
oh man, his character was created intensely complicated. vicious’ intricate personality was so well thought out that im in awe of this author. absolutely beautiful. out of all the books containing the typical alpha jerks we cant help but love, vicious tops them all, hands down. true to his name towards the kind of lady he fell absolutely in strong emotions for, this book is easily 5 stars.
Viciously loved this book! 5 stars
I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book or what to expect at first, but I am so glad I read this book. I ended up viciously loving this book! At first, Vicious, that is his nickname as he does not want to go by his real first name, really is vicious to Emilia. I wondered if Vicious was going to have any redeeming qualities. But once it is revealed what happened to Vicious as a child, my heart broke for him and his coldness, ruthlessness and viciousness is understood. Emilia is a strong woman, doing anything she could to make sure her family was safe. In her own way, she stood up to Vicious. She made him be human and feel things. Their love is hard earned and beautiful. I highly recommend this book, and I cannot wait to continue the Sinners of Saint series!
OMG ANGST!!!! Barron “Vicious” Spencer, #1 Hothole of Todos Santos, was true to his name. He was unapologetic ruthless, vicious and cruel and he hated Emilia LeBlanc. He made it his goal to bully her and make her life as miserable as possible. Emilia reminded Vicious of who he would never be or could be. He thought she knew his secrets and that made him feel as if she had something over him in which she could eventually put him in a vulnerable position.
Emilia was the opposite of Vicious. She was kind, pleasant, and friendly despite not being in the same social circle as Vicious. Her parents worked for Vicious – they were his “help” – she was his “help” and he reminded her of that every day.
As teens, Emilia and Vicious where always going head to head, arguing and always engaged in a constant battle. Despite the fact that her parents worked for Vicious, Emilia didn’t cower to Vicious’ hate for her. She always stood her ground and let him see that he didn’t scare her. Vicious, making sure he lived up to his name and abuse of power drove Emilia out of town; sending her off without considering the position he was putting her in.
After an encounter years later, Vicious and Emilia begin another cycle of hate and love, but this time as adults. Adult Emilia was sarcastic and witty. She was not a pushover and had no problem looking Vicious directly into his eyes and putting him in his place. Vicious, as always, was intrigued by Emilia, who he always considered was his.
I LOVED THIS BOOK! I loved that L.J. Shen wrote this story in past and present times giving us a back story of the strong connection that developed between Vicious and Emilia from the moment they met. Their relationship was toxic, but it was theirs. It was the kind of relationship that only the two of them could possibly understand and thrive from. Vicious wan unapologetic a fucking jerk. Emilia, despite being kind and humble, accepted Vicious as he was. This wasn’t a love story of trying to change the way someone was, but a story about loving that someone along with his secrets and sins.
‘My Grandma once told me that love and hate are the same feelings experienced under different circumstances…I didn’t believe her until I met Baron Spencer and he became my nightmare.” – Emilia
Baron ‘Vicious’ Spencer is just that, Vicious. Emilia, Millie to her family and ‘Help’ to the cold hearted Vicious is just trying to get by. She “leaves” Todos Santos after high school and moves to New York in hopes of better things to come. One day, she runs in to Vicious and all of her best laid plans are thrown out the door. As the two continue to collide, it’s safe to say that while they think they hate each other, they are drawn to each other as well. When secrets start to come out all logic seems to go out the window. Millie can’t help but feel for the boy who tries to hide everything. The question is, can Vicious finally put aside his viciousness and be what Millie needs? And can Millie forgive all of the years of torment?
This book is the ultimate in enemies to lovers. This was the first book that I read by LJ and I was NOT disappointed. From start to finish I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen next. Vicious is the ultimate alpha a-hole and just when you think he can’t be any more of a jerk, he surprises you. He is the guy that you hate to love and love to hate. You can’t help but love Vicious though, and you end up rooting for him to get it together and get with Emilia. That’s the thing about LJ, she writes these alpha jerks that you can’t help but fall in love with. This book flashes back and forth between present day and when the main characters were in high school. This book is a must read, and as the first in the Sinners of Saint series, you won’t be able to wait to move onto the next book!
Though I’m a bit late to meeting Baron ‘Vicious’ Spencer I must admit this book consumed me and had me hooked from the start. I thought I would read a few pages before bed but found once I started I couldn’t nor did I want to put Vicious down!
Vicious is an enigmatic antihero that I adored even when I couldn’t believe some of the things that poured from his mouth. He’s a rude and rather obnoxious alphahole yet there was something about his character that kept me craving to learn more about him. Emilia was a quirky, kind and truly beautiful soul. I loved the tension and chemistry between them and how well they balanced each other out.
Emilia and Vicious both caught me off guard in the best of ways and put my emotions through the wringer but I loved every moment. Captivating with truly unforgettable characters Vicious was an addictive and fantastic must read book.
So much could you write about this book and still not even I would describe her half. That’s why I leave it for your disposal, so that you may know that we read and meet with Baron and Emilia.
“Vicious” is a book with a plot hate- love. But before ye compare it to some other position, such as “Bully” from Penelope Douglas, I must warn you that that this baby, in relation to this book.
“Vicious” is a position which brutally tells the story of two characters.
Brutal because the nickname is Baron typical alpha male parent bastard (and this is the best word) and criminal accomplished and perfect liar. All are dressed in extravagant, expensive suit is my ideal man (oh, those psychopaths).
Emilia is a delicate and fragile girl who, despite many breakdowns did not give up and trudged after their dreams. The girl, however, has one weakness – the family. For their loved ones, the painter is able to do everything, and Brutal knowing this well, he is also trying to take advantage of it. Emilia, however, while reading a book matures before our eyes and see clearly a change in her behavior. With flimsy and weak beings, it becomes brave and tough.
Love hate relationship in “Vicious” is shown very strongly. The author does not play in embellishing the facts. What’s more, the Baron and his behavior is explained to Emilia-factly, and the boy hides in your heart secrets that we would have never thought of.
Sex scenes are delicately written while brutally and harshly. There are, however, described very well and have not been specially lengthened, which makes that they are only a nice addition to the whole story.
We also have the opportunity to meet buddies Baron, which are the next part of the series. Each of them has a different personality and other problems, by what we have here are really good variety. I admit that most men all of this series take for yourself, but only to refrain Brutal.
“Vicious” is a book you should read. It is a different story than all so far known. Better, clearer and sharper. It pulls on the whole, but there you want to warn you not read her “hurray” just savored it as the best whiskey in the world. They sipped slowly, and this story is padded with it. This book is a kind of feast for the soul and heart. Read it quickly, do not.
I would recommend it to you with all my heart.
I read this book last year, and it is still one of my favorites. It does have bad language which I typically don’t like, but it’s part of the character’s personality and took that into consideration while reading. There was a bit too much sex towards the end. However, the writing and story were so good that the sex was secondary, unlike most stories where the sex is the story. I definitely recommend reading this book.
You know those stories you read where the two main love interests hate each other then love each other and it is so cute and romantic? Yeah, this story is not like that. LJ Shen’s Vicious is definitely a hate to love story but it is so far to the extreme of hate, you are left with some incredibly awkward feelings. You wonder how any bad guy could be so bad. But then the story continues, and you aren’t left wondering anymore.
LJ Shen creates her male character Vicious with such amazing skill and shows us some of the deepest most passionate intense love, you start to understand where his hate came from. It’s an incredibly beautiful story but it sure isn’t comfortable and sweet. It is one of my favourites though.
Love this author.
Love the dual Pov.
Full of angst.
I really enjoyed this book but i felt more of a pull towards the secondary characters than
Vicious and Emilia so i cant wait to read more of the series.
BARON SPENCER JR, & EMILIA LEBLANC & A VICIOUS LOVE STORY
OK….a friend of mine recommended a book named Scandalous by L. J. Shen, but when I went on Amazon, I realized it was Book 4 of a series of StandAlones, and my OCD just WOULD NOT let me read Book 4 before reading Books 1-3….So, VICIOUS is the 1st book in the SINNERS OF SAINT Series, and I abso-freakin-lutely LOVED this book, the characters and this author about whom I knew nothing before I read VICIOUS……and, now, I can’t wait to read the other books….and anything else written by L. J. Shen….
For wealthy and, basically, abandoned, Baron “Vicious” Spencer, Jr. and sweet Emilia LeBlanc, daughter of “the help,” it is practically, “love at first sight”, but even though Vicious (which, btw, is a perfect name for him) wants her, he is so cruel to her….and then his friend decides to date her….and, all bets are off….We get to see why he’s called VICIOUS…
If the rest are as good as Vicious, I have “discovered” another favorite author…..LOVED. IT!!!!
The bigger the HotHole the harder they fall. So of course Vicious was going to be epic!!
I don’t know how I could dislike a character so much, and yet, my heart literally ached for him. I laughed, I cried, and I wonder at all the shapes and sizes cruelty comes in. In the end I adored Vicious and the man he became!!
I couldn’t have loved this book more.
Vicious
I was blown away by this story. I loved every bit of it, from Vicious the a$$hole to the twists and turns in the story that made Video copy’s the dick he is. Then to the love he has for Emilia but is too stubborn to see it. *jerk* I wanted to punch Vic a few times and love Em for her good old country girl personality. This story worked and I couldn’t quit reading it!!!!!!! I’m anxious to finish this series to start the next generation. I am kicking myself for letting them sit on my shelf!!!
Read it!!!!
“Ask me what I want.”
This book was every bit as good as everyone told me it would be. Yet another series I’m late to the party on, but BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, right?!
This was definitely a frustrating one, which is exactly how I like them. And not frustrating because the characters couldn’t get it together, which is the case with a lot of romance novels. These characters seemed to have known exactly how they felt about each other the whole time, but there were too many past mistakes in the way. Mostly on Vicious’s side…
I absolutely loved Emilia. She’s now a fave heroine of mine. I thought I wouldn’t like her because I couldn’t relate to her southern drawl and her lack of cursing, but then I realized how strong and selfless she is and I was amazed. Especially toward the end.
Vicious was exactly the kind of jerk I knew I was going to be swooning over, regardless of how much he pissed me off. I just knew he meant well. It was SO OBVIOUS that he was always head-over-heels for Emilia, even when he was trying so hard to prove to himself he wasn’t. And of course when he finally admitted it, everything fell into place and I felt all the butterflies! I will admit, I shed some tears at the end… At the gallery. And his I love you. Guh! *insert heart eyes emojis to the moon*
This book was essentially perfect. The beginning to a series I know I’m going to love so hard. And now that the next generation is coming out, I have to catch up fast.
So if you need me, I’ll be reading. DO NOT DISTURB.
Applause for LJ Shen! You are truly a gem and your work makes me immensely happy!