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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
There were many things I enjoyed about this book - but honestly a woman who loves the 90s and continually makes pop culture references will win me over every time.
Both Cal and Row were deeply flawed but came together so beautifully in this story.
Both Cal and Row were deeply flawed but came together so beautifully in this story.
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I simply can’t I’m not even at chapter two and the FMC is fucking annoying me
4.5⭐️
Now tell me why it took me so long to bump this up my TBR because I devoured this!!
I honestly devoured this story! I mean DEVOURED. It was read in one sitting! This was the perfect combo of enemies to lovers, he hates me vibe mixed in with pure obsession! It was full of that slow burn angst that I absolutely EAT UP! Cal was so quirky and Ambrose “row” Casablancas was equal parts d*ckhead and utterly swoon worthy!
In true LJ Shen style it also had such a good trauma backstory which kept me hooked wanting to know more.
And the spice was soooooo GOOD! Pardon the pun but chefs kiss
Now tell me why it took me so long to bump this up my TBR because I devoured this!!
I honestly devoured this story! I mean DEVOURED. It was read in one sitting! This was the perfect combo of enemies to lovers, he hates me vibe mixed in with pure obsession! It was full of that slow burn angst that I absolutely EAT UP! Cal was so quirky and Ambrose “row” Casablancas was equal parts d*ckhead and utterly swoon worthy!
In true LJ Shen style it also had such a good trauma backstory which kept me hooked wanting to know more.
And the spice was soooooo GOOD! Pardon the pun but chefs kiss
I really enjoyed this book, it was just the kind of fast-paced story I needed at the end of the year. It was kind of predictable and cheesy sometimes, but honestly, I don't mind that in a romance book. I love the grumpy, hurt, bad boy (full of tattoos by the way) and I even love it more if they fall first. If you're looking for a book with a lot of storyline, this might not be the right book. But, I found the dynamics between the characters very enjoyable and I loved all the smirky remarks. If you’re looking for a book with a big plot twist, this might not be the book for you. But if you’re looking for a lovers to enemies (kind of?) to lovers, you’ll like this one I think.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Truly Madly Deeply - L J Shen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 4.5
🌶🌶🌶 / 3
No one does a funny enemies to lovers like L J Shen and my oh my was this one fun 🎉
The banter in this was top notch, the ping-ponging between Row (Ambrose - MMC) and Cal (Calla - FMC) was top notch 👌 I lost count of the amount of times I wanted to highlight something just cos it made me snort.
Row is Cal's best friends older brother and from the get go (literally chapter one) they are caught in a comprimising position (on the hood of his car) and thus begins a 5 year separation.
A lot can happen in that time, Row becoming a famous Michelin chef renound for just generally being an ass, and Cal coming back to town following the death of her father. Whilst in her hometown, she decides to stick around for a few weeks for her mum, and thinks getting a job will help tide her over until she goes back to New York.
Why not try her luck at waitressing?
Oh... at Row's restaurant?
Sure... What's the worst that could happen?
This had it all - fun, banter, joy, hope, trauma, the longing, the filth, and a bunch of old women rapping to the same tune as Eminem's 'Stan'... yeah, you heard me right 🤭
More, more, more, L J Shen. Keep 'em coming!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 4.5
🌶🌶🌶 / 3
No one does a funny enemies to lovers like L J Shen and my oh my was this one fun 🎉
The banter in this was top notch, the ping-ponging between Row (Ambrose - MMC) and Cal (Calla - FMC) was top notch 👌 I lost count of the amount of times I wanted to highlight something just cos it made me snort.
Row is Cal's best friends older brother and from the get go (literally chapter one) they are caught in a comprimising position (on the hood of his car) and thus begins a 5 year separation.
A lot can happen in that time, Row becoming a famous Michelin chef renound for just generally being an ass, and Cal coming back to town following the death of her father. Whilst in her hometown, she decides to stick around for a few weeks for her mum, and thinks getting a job will help tide her over until she goes back to New York.
Why not try her luck at waitressing?
Oh... at Row's restaurant?
Sure... What's the worst that could happen?
This had it all - fun, banter, joy, hope, trauma, the longing, the filth, and a bunch of old women rapping to the same tune as Eminem's 'Stan'... yeah, you heard me right 🤭
More, more, more, L J Shen. Keep 'em coming!
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
There was so much in this book and I loved that the struggles made the good times so much more satisfying. The tension was throughout and hit hard when it finally was released.
There was so much in this book and I loved that the struggles made the good times so much more satisfying. The tension was throughout and hit hard when it finally was released.