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pecmomof2's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
- 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
4.0
“My battle scars were external, on the surface. His were internal, but cut deep. He was disfigured inside, perfect outside. A lethal combination.”
The story was raw and honest, the chemistry between Grace and West was electric. The storyline of overcoming your past was reinforced, making you cheer for the characters to get the happy ever after they both deserved. The anger felt so real, and the growth from both Grace and West was wonderful and true to life learning from our mistakes.
The story was raw and honest, the chemistry between Grace and West was electric. The storyline of overcoming your past was reinforced, making you cheer for the characters to get the happy ever after they both deserved. The anger felt so real, and the growth from both Grace and West was wonderful and true to life learning from our mistakes.
caseroo7's review against another edition
5.0
Find this review and more at Ramblings From This Chick
LJ Shen continues to get better with each new book she writes! I love that she delivers everything we have come to know and love from her, yet continues to grow and give readers something new as well. Playing With Fire was angsty and addictive and I couldn’t put it down.
Grace and West were everything! I felt so much for them, and my heart broke the more we learned as the story went on. I felt so connected to them and was so excited to be a part of their journey. These characters were unique and genuine and they seemed to be so real as though they could leap off the page at any time. I couldn’t get enough and I loved how different they were.
I honestly can’t recommend this book enough. LJ Shen is such a talented author and has proven that she can write anything and excel at it. I always recommend her books because I believe that they have something for everyone and they never disappoint! Playing With Fire is a top read for 2020 for me and a must read for fans of Shen as well as those that have not yet read anything from her.
**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**
LJ Shen continues to get better with each new book she writes! I love that she delivers everything we have come to know and love from her, yet continues to grow and give readers something new as well. Playing With Fire was angsty and addictive and I couldn’t put it down.
Grace and West were everything! I felt so much for them, and my heart broke the more we learned as the story went on. I felt so connected to them and was so excited to be a part of their journey. These characters were unique and genuine and they seemed to be so real as though they could leap off the page at any time. I couldn’t get enough and I loved how different they were.
I honestly can’t recommend this book enough. LJ Shen is such a talented author and has proven that she can write anything and excel at it. I always recommend her books because I believe that they have something for everyone and they never disappoint! Playing With Fire is a top read for 2020 for me and a must read for fans of Shen as well as those that have not yet read anything from her.
**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**
saychall's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sienna727's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
aridgel's review against another edition
5.0
LJ does it again!
I just love LJ Shen’s writing! Playing with Fire sucks you in from the very beginning and you won’t be able to put it down. I love how this book lets you see the characters go from so broken to greatness. It’s amazing to watch Grace accept her flaws and feel comfortable in her own skin. This story is inspirational!
I just love LJ Shen’s writing! Playing with Fire sucks you in from the very beginning and you won’t be able to put it down. I love how this book lets you see the characters go from so broken to greatness. It’s amazing to watch Grace accept her flaws and feel comfortable in her own skin. This story is inspirational!
readfrenzy's review
5.0
Playing with Fire shows off the softer — but no less angsty — side of L.J. Shen’s writing. Her stories frequently feature alphaholes — truly despicable men of privilege that you hate to love. This book isn’t about bored little rich bullies. It’s about misunderstood misfits, about loss, and rising above one’s demons.
Grace and West are both damaged college students but they carry their scars differently. I felt every one of Grace’s insecurities and the burden of her responsibilities. West might be a bad boy but he’s not cruel. My heart ached for him, even before I fully understood the source of his immense pain. There’s a complexity to these characters and I couldn’t help but admire their grit. Their love is sweet and invigorating.
I enjoyed all the scenes in the taco truck, and man, do I want a taco and a margarita slushie right now! Grace’s easy friendship with her 90’s-loving bestie is so fun. I also liked the relationship between West and his loyal best friend Easton.
It was easy to get sucked into this inspiring story. Quite a satisfying read.
Recommended for fans of:
Bad boys
Damaged characters
Underground fighting
College romance
Food trucks
Grace and West are both damaged college students but they carry their scars differently. I felt every one of Grace’s insecurities and the burden of her responsibilities. West might be a bad boy but he’s not cruel. My heart ached for him, even before I fully understood the source of his immense pain. There’s a complexity to these characters and I couldn’t help but admire their grit. Their love is sweet and invigorating.
I enjoyed all the scenes in the taco truck, and man, do I want a taco and a margarita slushie right now! Grace’s easy friendship with her 90’s-loving bestie is so fun. I also liked the relationship between West and his loyal best friend Easton.
It was easy to get sucked into this inspiring story. Quite a satisfying read.
Recommended for fans of:
Bad boys
Damaged characters
Underground fighting
College romance
Food trucks
ashleybashley's review against another edition
4.0
i actually really enjoyed this???
there were def some cringe moments, but not too many to make me dislike this one.
im realizing that romances are almost exclusively the books that pull me out of a reading slump, so thank YOU LJ Shen.
I will say the school setting felt more high school than college to me lol. The idea that there are popular students at a D1 university really does not make sense to me. Or that bullying would happen in a hallway??? no lol
Still had a great time tho!
there were def some cringe moments, but not too many to make me dislike this one.
im realizing that romances are almost exclusively the books that pull me out of a reading slump, so thank YOU LJ Shen.
I will say the school setting felt more high school than college to me lol. The idea that there are popular students at a D1 university really does not make sense to me. Or that bullying would happen in a hallway??? no lol
Still had a great time tho!
ipariszara's review against another edition
4.0
in all seriousness, i think this might be her best standalone yet. usually her standalones are a hit or miss, but i digged this one so hard, i think my shovel broke. her witty comebacks and crass humor killed me every time and i. could. just. not. stop. smiling.
lauren_soderberg's review against another edition
5.0
L.J. Shen’s Playing with Fire is a poignant, angsty, steam fest that is as captivating as it is well written. It’s an opposites-attract, friends-to-lovers feast that I want to devour over and over again.
Grace Shaw has withdrawn from the life she used to know. She hides in plain sight, wishing for a time when things weren’t so complicated. The last thing she expects is for bad boy West St. Claire to take notice of her. But he does, and their friendship grows from a place of mutual understanding and underlying pain. She knows that she shouldn’t fall in love with him, but can’t help but be attracted to him like a moth to a flame.
One of the things that Shen is masterful at is creating a story so enthralling, so heartbreakingly REAL, that it seeps inside your bones and take residence there. Reading an L.J. Shen novel is always a wholly immersive experience.
Playing with Fire is, in many ways, a departure from her typical oeuvre, but is as well-sketched and as brilliantly written as its predecessors. Shen presents us with a version of love that isn’t all flowers, candy, and heart eye emojis; rather, it’s a deep, genuine love that is borne of pain, trauma, and, ultimately, healing and redemption. Grace and West are riveting characters, and the bond and chemistry they share leaps off the page. The narrative arc in this novel is brilliantly paced, the dialogue is full to the brim of Shen’s typical sardonic wit. It’s a work that will stay with you long after you’ve finished, and that will be an even richer experience the next time around.
If you are new to Shen’s work, this is a wonderful place to start. Prepare to have your heart ripped out and then placed lovingly back into your chest… in the best way possible.
Grace Shaw has withdrawn from the life she used to know. She hides in plain sight, wishing for a time when things weren’t so complicated. The last thing she expects is for bad boy West St. Claire to take notice of her. But he does, and their friendship grows from a place of mutual understanding and underlying pain. She knows that she shouldn’t fall in love with him, but can’t help but be attracted to him like a moth to a flame.
One of the things that Shen is masterful at is creating a story so enthralling, so heartbreakingly REAL, that it seeps inside your bones and take residence there. Reading an L.J. Shen novel is always a wholly immersive experience.
Playing with Fire is, in many ways, a departure from her typical oeuvre, but is as well-sketched and as brilliantly written as its predecessors. Shen presents us with a version of love that isn’t all flowers, candy, and heart eye emojis; rather, it’s a deep, genuine love that is borne of pain, trauma, and, ultimately, healing and redemption. Grace and West are riveting characters, and the bond and chemistry they share leaps off the page. The narrative arc in this novel is brilliantly paced, the dialogue is full to the brim of Shen’s typical sardonic wit. It’s a work that will stay with you long after you’ve finished, and that will be an even richer experience the next time around.
If you are new to Shen’s work, this is a wonderful place to start. Prepare to have your heart ripped out and then placed lovingly back into your chest… in the best way possible.