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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Love the Hotholes! I couldn’t put it down. Enemies to Lovers is one of my favorite genres
So I both loved and hated this story. Vicious, our main man, was acting like a spoiled, over indulged rich boy and did not like other people playing with his ‘toys’. Emilia was a great female lead but at times I wished that she would stand her ground more firmly. I understand why she caved but it annoyed me when she didn’t push back harder. Although, it is hard to resist a bad boy 😉
The different points of view allowed us to see inside the heads of both Vicious and Emilia and that was a great writing technique. But ever time I read what Vicious was planning and the way he was acting towards Emilia ticked me off. He used his position to bully her at every turn and I wanted to slap him in his gorgeous face.
And yet, despite the strong feelings that were sparked in me, I couldn’t stop reading. I kept going and going and going and, before I realised it, I was half way done. I thought to myself, I’m reading too fast! The slow reveal of the past was a genius idea because it changed my feelings for the characters. As the truth was peeled back, I realised that there was a reason behind each action. There was a back-story to each character that explained how they had been shaped. Vicious was still an a hole but I don’t think I would want him to be any other way. I would recommend people read the story.
Vicious is one of my favorite antihero a-holes. He’s rude. He’s nasty. He’s a jerk. To pretty much everyone. I hated him and then slowly started to fall in love with him. If you love a good enemy to lovers story with a high dose of angst thrown in for good measure, then this book is for you!
Amazing, gritty, page turner
Emilia and Vic have a gritty, volatile love story that spans 10+ years. Vic is a damaged rich kid. Emilia is the daughter of the hired help. She was his from the beginning but he wasn’t good enough for her so Vic could never claim her. But that didn’t mean anyone else could have her while he was around. Vic hurt her to keep her away but it was also his way of staking a claim. His secrets haunt him. Once all the secrets are out between them they find a love that is everything. Heart melting good. Emotionally charged. Highly recommend.
LJ has an enormous talent in making me have all the feels every time I read something she has written. and this book is no different. I had so many feels and I didn’t want it to end. Why would you rip my heart out and then just end it??
There were so many traits that I loved about this book:
Lotsa Angst- CHECK
Alpha Hero- CHECK
Heroine with a backbone but innocent- CHECK
Enemies to lovers with plenty of steam- CHECK
Sexual Chemistry like no other- CHECK
Cover to cover read I couldn’t stop reading – QUADRUPLE CHECK
All Saints High is ran by the Four HotHoles. The guys wanna be them and hang out with them and all the girls want to be on their arms. They don’t care that women are nothing more than a one night stand. Who cares they have the world at their hands.
Vicious is the ultimate alpha asshole. He is cold blooded and doesn’t give a rats ass. His anger can brew over at the slightest bit. And the brunt of his anger is aimed at the girl who is the daughter of hired help to work in his family mansion, Emilia.
Emilia wanted to hate Vicious. But her hate was veiled with love she promised herself she would break her feelings for him. Emilia is the heroine you can’t help but fall in love with. She is everything and so much more.
She is down to her last penny even though she works two jobs for her sick sister to make ends meet. She has the back bone that not many have and she makes it work. Even though it is so much harder than she ever expected.
Within this story there are flashbacks to high school and Vicious that is set in the present day. But she doesn’t realize Vicious would be in her path before long. She would have to face the man who made her high school years hell.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I was kind of dreading this book based on how Vicious was in Defy, but this blew me away. I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars.
I read about 1/4-1/3 of the ebook before switching over to the audiobook. Both are great, but I think I preferred listening versus reading it. The narrators were fantastic, and added an extra layer to the storytelling! I pretty much finished this in two evenings because I didn’t want to put it down.
I liked Emilia (Millie), although I still felt like I didn’t know her character a lot by the end of this book; we got to know Vicious a lot more than her. And as much as I was scared to read his book, I found myself loving it. Yes, he was the definition of an anti-hero. Yes, he embodied the HotHole (hot a*shole) persona. But we really got to know him in the past and the present. My heart went out to him, and I finally understood his character.
We got to see a little of the other HotHoles in this book, but admittedly their parts were very minor. Each one was in a different major city, so their interactions were limited in the present. I saw the titles of the other books in the series, but I’m not sure who each book will be focused on. All I know is that I can’t wait to keep going with this series! Leigh writes some incredible books with amazingly complex guys.
Quotes:
“Lust is when you want the person to make you feel good. Love is when you want to make the other person feel good.”
“…love and hate are the same feelings experienced under different circumstances. The passion is the same. The pain is the same.”
“Be wise. Let your heart lead the way. And when you find someone who’s worth it never let them go”
Review:
It seems I’m in the minority on this one. I didn’t love it…I’m not used to reading darker romances and this was definitely a darker romance. There wasn’t this clear cut path leading us to Prince Charming. Our love interest, Vicious, had some serious issues. While I enjoyed his confidence, his hatefulness and constant disrespect wasn’t something I could ever be on board for. Vicious has a back story that we learn throughout this book. I won’t spoil you but there’s some twisted things that happened. I get why he’s damaged. I get why he doesn’t trust or love easily. BUT when you say you care for someone, you don’t constantly put them down or put them in debt to you. I felt every good thing Vicious did had strings attached to them. Granted, he did have that past I spoke about and I’m sure that’s how he was taught. It’s hard to say “you should just put your past behind you and become a better person.” That’s way easier said than done. But at what point do you give someone a free pass to constantly treat you like crap??
Emilia was this kind, sweet soul who thought everyone had some good in them. She greeted everyone with a smile and always gave others the benefit of the doubt. Emilia took care of her family members and really went above and beyond what was acceptable. You could feel how intensely she loved her family and how she would do anything for them. Emilia went through a lot in her life as did Vicious. She had a lot weighing on her shoulders. I admired the way she just kept pushing and grinding day to day.
Overall, this story was very interesting. This world is so fun to be immersed in. I love the characters, the setting, the drama, etc. Sadly, Vicious just wasn’t someone I could swoon over. I did enjoy his story though and look forward to continuing with this series. LJ Shen is quickly becoming a new favorite author!
I wasn’t sure how i was gonna like this book but the more i read the more i loved the characters and their complexity 🙂 i loved all the little twists and turns 🙂
Ok first off Vicious is a total asshole but i fell so hard for him (dude sounds so hot 🙂 he had a awful childhood after his mother died ,the fact that he kept everything that happened to him a secret really messed him up ,the moment he see’s Emilia she reminds him of his awful step-mom but she turns out to be nothing like her ,he can’t get her outta his head and the more he pushes her the more he’s hurting himself but he can’t stop until he drives her outta town for 10 years ,now that he’s run into her after all this time nothing has changed and he is finally gonna make her his 🙂 he’s such a cocky asshole but you still root for him !
I really liked Emilia but at times i wished she was more truthful to herself ,she wanted Vicious all along but she dated his best friend instead even through she didn’t like like him (if you know what i mean ) Vicious was an ass to her more then not and she still fell for him ,now that it’s 10 years later she still has the same feelings for him but this time she’s gonna give in and let it happened 🙂 they has chemistry and it pretty much sets the pages on fire 🙂 i mean they end up breaking a bed ! i loved that she was able to finally get him to open up and not be such an ass (he still has some work to do ) i think they are pretty great together and i loved their story 🙂
I loved the other side characters too ,Dean ,Trent and Jamie 🙂 they were all great !
One thing i didn’t care for is the nickname HotHoles for the 4 guys in this book ,it was just a little annoying and it’s used alot ! but other then that i really enjoyed this book and i look for to reading the next one in the series 🙂
This is a very emotional, intense, painful, brutal, angst filled read. I enjoyed Vicious and Emilia’s story. The relationship between these two was comlicated and even sometimes ugly. I felt really bad for Emilia. How Vicious treated and talked to her was so bad and yet, I could not hate him. This was because through it all I could always feel that those deeper emotions that he had for her and that there were many more layers to him than you could see. It did not make his action right and certainly not excusable. However, for me it did make him more likable and sympathetic. I was so happy that Emilia grew into a stronger person. I loved the chmistry and pul of attraction between these two and was rooting for this couple all the way.
I couldn’t believe it was on Netgalley. Of course I jumped on it and started it right away. This 6 star story didn’t let me go until I was done.
Emilia has to start over in a new house, new town and new school. Her parents cater to the rich. Vicious is the same age as she. Upon landing eyes on her, he instantly hates her. He makes her life miserable. Now 10 years later they cross path. He’s the same jerk. Emilia is having a hard time making ends meet. Holding 2 jobs and taking care of her sick sister. Vicious makes her an offer she can’t refuse. There’s a blurry line between love and hate.
I just LOVED this unique and highly addicting story that sucked me in so deep in the heart of this amazing storyline. Amazing characters that made feel so much. It was entertaining and there was never a dull moment. The bantering between these 2 was quite funny at times. Vicious‘ s POV was kind of funny and sarcastic. He tried to be a jerk 99% of the time but deep down he was full of feelings. Bottomline is this is a must read.
Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA. I strongly recommend this story.
Meet Vicious, the bad of the bad boys.
Vicious by LJ Shen is the second installment in The Sinners of Saint Series.
Vicious- Baron is an egotistical hard to like human being. He cares only for his friends Trent, Jamie and Dean. And nothing else. And there is Millie. She´s shy , works two jobs to make meets end and cares for her sick sister.
Spencer Baron is the guy you don’t want to be your enemy, he could become your worst nightmare. But for the people he cares for he’s the best friend ever – in his hard to love way. Vicious is the perfect anti-hero. The alpha of all alphas.
He’s a charter that intrigued me. I have a love- hate relationship to him. I love redaing how he found his mistress, but I really really hate how he acts with the people around him. On the other hand he’s not a people’s person just like me, so I should get him.
I love this book, I love the characters and I love the words. The writing is excellent and I wish I could give more than 5 Stars .
He’s a scoundrel that will make you want to jump into the story and rip his heart out if you call what he has a heart! Vicious is a mean spirited individual who takes great joy in what he does. He hates Emilia on sight but there is an attraction as well. She is the daughter of the hired help and she is drawn to his character. This love hate story draws you from the start and keeps you emotionally invested until the very end!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
By far the best book I have ever read. Definitely deserves a TV series.
4 Stars.
Barron “Vicious” Spencer <- Holy Moley what an ALPHA-ASSHOLE!! I love, love, loved him. He runs All Saints High, along with his three best friends known as the HotHoles. All of which are equally as yummy. He is a ruthless jerk and just so damn arrogant, but I seriously couldn't help but love him by the end. Emilia LeBlanc is the daughter of the hired help, employed by the Spencers in their home. She also has a target on her back when it comes to Vicious. Who doesn't love a hate-to-love romance, especially when the heroine isn't a doormat? I enjoyed reading it and highly recommend it to my book buddies who a good bully romance. Keywords: Bully Romance, Hate-to-love, Alpha-Assh*le, Fighters
WOW! I enjoyed every single page. It’s HOT and Edgy
I LOVE Vic! Forever… I love Emilia to pieces. She’s strong and selfless and not afraid to say or do what she thinks. Yes there were circumstances where her hands were tied but she came upon top, Not one to stay down.
This was an exhilarating ride with Vicious and Emilia. I read it in one sitting and I miss them now, Wish I’d taken my time reading- BUT I didn’t want to…LOL
Può la tentazione assumere sembianze umane? Molti pensano di no, eppure quando Emilia incontra i capelli neri e lucidi, dal taglio alla moda, e gli occhi blu indaco, luccicanti e induriti di Vicious, le sembra che il diavolo in persona sia piombato nella sua vita ma ciò nonostante ne è ammaliata. La famiglia di Emilia si trasferisce a Todos Santos per lavoro. Qui diventano i domestici e i tuttofare di una delle famiglie più influenti della California, gli Spencer. Emilia finirà nel mirino di Vicious, il quale farà di tutto per rendere la sua vita un incubo; tiro che verrà perfezionato quando scoprirà che uno dei suoi migliori amici sta frequentando la sua Serva.
, ‘. ‘ . ‘ . ‘ ̀. ? . ̀.
Ed è qui che il sentimento di odio e amore inizia a confondersi. Due sentimenti che hanno molti tratti in comune, soprattutto l’intensità assoluta con i quali li si vive; il dolore e la passione che li caratterizzano, in egual misura. Vicious la ricatterà, cercherà di spezzarla in tutti i modi possibili; spingerà Millie fino al punto di non ritorno, lontano dalle persone che ama più di ogni altra cosa, solo per gelosia e possessività ma soprattutto perché non riuscirà subito a dare un nome al tumulto interiore che questa giovane ragazza gli provoca. Passeranno dieci lunghi anni, prima che i due possano rincontrarsi.
Vicious non è più un adolescente carico di rabbia ma un uomo che ha come unico obbiettivo la vendetta. Veste gli abiti di avvocato della FHH, società che dirige con i suoi amici più stretti, gli Hot Holes, i quali saranno protagonisti dei prossimi volumi della serie. Millie si trova a New York e verte in una situazione economica penosa, senza soldi per poter comperare le medicine per sua sorella Rose, con un licenziamento improvviso e un possibile sfratto all’orizzonte. Quando i suoi occhi si scontreranno nuovamente con quelli azzurri del ragazzo che le ha fatto palpitare il cuore da sempre, Vicious capirà subito che la situazione di Emilia è allo stremo e le offrirà di lavorare per lui; Emila, d’altro canto, sarà costretta ad accettare un lavoro che ha sicuramente dei doppi fini perché sa benissimo che Vicious non lascia nulla al caso. Cosa si è disposti a fare per amore? Si può perdere la propria etica e la propria morale, solo per difendere le persone che amiamo?.
, .
Se Vicious ed Emilia con la loro impeccabile caratterizzazione non riusciranno a convincervi, sappiate che L.J. Shen non lascia nulla al caso e che i suoi libri sono sommersi da dettagli e descrizioni mozzafiato. L’autrice ha infatti un talento mostruoso nel servirsi di ambienti e oggetti per richiamare il simbolismo che caratterizza il romanzo. Mi è piaciuto che la casa degli Spencer sia arrivata alla mia immaginazione come un tempio fatto di oscurità, specchio dell’anima delle persone che ci vivono. Una casa troppo grande che ospita solo tre persone della famiglia, due delle quali poco presenti. E questo mi fa pensare molto al senso di abbandono, un elemento fondamentale se si pensa al passato di Vicious e ai sentimenti che esso suscita. Solitudine, angoscia e dolore, saranno tre delle principali emozioni che guideranno il senso di vendetta di Vicious. Infatti, a primo impatto e soprattutto all’inizio del romanzo, è un personaggio che vi farà sentire umiliate e arrabbiate, ma dietro l’enorme muraglia che Vicious si è costruito intorno, c’è un bambino di nove anni che ha subito numerose ingiustizie. Il fatto che il nero sia il colore predominante della casa, crea una sorta di emozione oscura anche nel lettore, che tenta di immaginarsi qualcosa di spartano e soffocante, timoroso al tempo stesso, creato per intimidire chiunque vi entrasse. E questo richiama fermamente proprio ciò che ho citato poco prima: sono elementi che vanno a richiamare la corazza che Vicious si è costruito durante gli anni della sua crescita e che l’hanno portato ad essere un uomo senza pietà.
̀? : . ̀ , .
Ho amato il fatto che Black e Pink siano stati scelti dalla casa editrice come colori della cover perché racchiudono più significati, legati strettamente ai protagonisti di questo libro. Anche in questo caso, l’autrice ha giocato su un contrasto netto di colori, che andasse a marcare l’oscurità presente in Vicious e la purezza e spensieratezza che sono legati al personaggio di Emilia. Quest’ultima è una delle protagoniste più forti e coraggiose di cui io abbia memoria. E non sto parlando solo della sua lotta per reggere il fardello che comporta essere innamorata di una persona emotivamente instabile come Vicious, ma mi riferisco al fatto che è una ragazza che si prende cura delle persone che ama, che ha fiducia nel mondo nonostante questo non sia stato sempre buono con lei, che mette la sua famiglia sopra ogni cosa e che non riesce ad essere malvagia o cattiva neanche quando dovrebbe perché ha un indole buona.
, . . , ‘.
Un giorno è stato il tempo che ho dedicato a questo libro. Se si pensa che in tutto questo io abbia lavorato, dormito, mangiato, badato al cane e studiato, le ore si riducono drasticamente. Mi è stato difficile rinunciare al Kindle e avrei volentieri bigiato al lavoro, se solo avessi potuto farlo. Vicious è forse il primo personaggio maschile stronzo che prendo a cuore sin da subito. Tra me e lui è scattato qualcosa, una scintilla che mi ha stretto il petto fin da subito, perché la sua cattiveria e il suo odio sono legati ad un sentimento più profondo e più puro, ad un amore viscerale, difficile da recidere e che forse può essere compreso da chi ha dovuto saper gestire determinati sentimenti. Come si fa a riconoscere l’amore quando non si ricorda più cosa significa amare? Emilia scatenerà emozioni primitive in Vicious ma ne dovrà passare di acqua sotto ai ponti, prima che quest’ultimo riesca a dare un nome al tumulto che sente ogni volta che Millie orbita intorno a lui.
. , , , .
Un libro che racconta di emozioni difficili da esprimere a parole, proprio come lo è la difficoltà di buttare giù queste righe per trasmettere a tutti voi il mio amore viscerale per questi due protagonisti. Ho adorato anche tutti gli altri personaggi che hanno caratterizzato questo primo volume della serie e che saranno fondamentali nei prossimi. Inutile dire che i quattro Hot Holes vi faranno girare la testa! Una scrittura fresca, scorrevole e ricca di dialoghi con descrizioni vivide, è la penna di L.J. Shen. Non avevo mai letto nulla di questa autrice, di cui la Always Publishing ha pubblicato una novella natalizia nel 2018, e ora sono diventata schiava di colei che mi ha fatto innamorare dei fiori di ciliegio, del nero intenso e del chiedimi cosa voglio.
I really am mindblown by this book.
I hated Vicious and then I liked him, at the end I loved him.
He is perfectly unperfect.
He is damaged to the core, but manages to see the light, thankfully.
This is an incredible story about wealth, disrespect, neglecting your child, being vicious and I could go on and on. But it is also a story about unconditional love. Love for a parent, love for a girlfriend and love for friends.
The HotHoles really are bastards but I guess they have their reasons. I read the book in two evenings and if this one is that good, I can’t wait to read the other ones.
Emilia is an amazing woman. She lovea her family unconditionaly and tries to do her best in the given circumstances. I adore her. She deserves a happy ending.
Amazing job L.J. Shen, I am mindblown by every book I read of yours. Amazing!
You have to read this book!!
Emilia Le Blanc lives with her family as they work for a wealthy family she is used to being called the poor help, Emilia is quiet, kind and caring but for the son of the house he certainly lives up to his nickname “Vicious”. He’s spoiled, rich, arrogant, entitled and neglected by his own family so he takes out his anger on bullying Emilia with such cruelty that he makes her life a living hell. Denying the chemistry he feels when he’s in her presence Vicious even chases her away from her family and her home and out of his sight and temptation. Ten years later they meet again and the chemistry is still there and stronger than ever. I did enjoy this book but Emilia was such a lovely, sweet character that she was completely blinded by love and lust at how much of a disgusting pig Vicious was to her (Although a quite sexy pig). After what he put her through I have no idea how their relationship works, but it does. The story line was interesting and heartbreaking, and the sex was way above the hotness level.
Ok why have I only just read this ?????? So many books to read so little time and this little gem slipped straight through , loved vicious complete arse but who doesn’t love a dark and moody bad boy.
The whole story is very well written was gripped from first page
Looking forward to reading about the rest of the hotholes .
Holy Hot Holes this book was amazing!!! I can’t believe it took me so long to read it!!! Vicious was everything you could want in an a-hole bbf! And Emilia is just so freaking great at handling him! And the best part is that she doesn’t think she handles him well, but she mastered that man and didn’t even know it! I absolutely love the aspect of going back to high school and the whole group dynamic with everyone. I’m eager to get on to the next ones!!! If you haven’t started these books yet….. DO IT!!!!