Vicious (Sinners of Saint, #1)

by L.J. Shen

Emilia

They 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 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

• ISBN10: 0996135669
• ISBN13: 9780996135665
• Publish Date: 27 December 2016
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: L.J. Shen
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 340
• Language: English

Reviews

[Caitiebelle]

Wow...what a read!
I generally don't really go for the 'bully romance' books, especially NA ones that take place in senior year of high school, simply because I'm so much older so I tend to find them very immature.
However, L.J. Shen had a way of writing this book that was a bit "half n half".

We start "10 years ago"...get the gist of what is going on, then we're back in "today"'s timeline and it's still a bully romance (haha), but her writing is really good. It's got a very good flow, and Vicious is well...living up to his name, even as an adult.

But he's got layers, and I couldn't help be drawn in and actually love him despite his issues.
Amilia was also a great character, she grew so strong throughout this and by the time he was ready to admit his true feelings - she'd had enough and boy did our boy have to grovel.

This is a great book, the friends here have their own books I believe, and there is a spinoff series which are their children if I remember correctly, I know at least one of the books in the spinoff is of Vicious and Amilia's child (no they do not have a child in this book so no spoiler).

This book pulled me in, and I couldn't put it down. I went through a lot of emotions and believe it or not but Vicious does have reasons for why he is the way he is, and he can be redeemed.

I highly recommend this book.

[Molly J(Cover To Cover Cafe)]

Hotholes for the win! I absolutely loved every second of Baron “Vicious” Spencer and Emilia “Millie” Le Blanc’s story. From the start, Shen creates the angst beautifully. I didn’t like the way Vicious was with Millie in the beginning but I knew he needed to be that way for the readers to get the fully effect of his torture, his pain, his anger. I loved how Millie was with him. The slow burn between them in the beginning was amazing and enough to set my heart on fire. When Vicious realizes his feelings…..well, let’s just say I’ve never been so jealous of a character before as I was of Millie! This book is definitely worthy of all the stars! Vicious is MINE!

[Linda]

It's been a long time since I read a hero as damaged and broken as Vicious, and even though he was a douchebag to Emilia, I still couldn't help but loving him. Probably partly because Emilia loved him. But also because he truly needed (and deserved!) someone to love him as well.

[stacey_is_sassy]

My hesitation was justified...

I really enjoyed my Vicious experience but it was definitely outside my comfort zone. Maybe, it was easier listening, or maybe I prepared myself so well for the torture, that I could handle anything. See, it's kind of hard for me to fall for douchewaffles, and this guy was the king of them all.

I'm always dumbfounded when the heroine is uncontrollably attracted to mean and horrible heroes. Why do they go back for more? How do they know they'll eventually come good? Is it worth the risk? In this case, she was lucky. I don't think even in my young and crazy days I'd have given a guy a second chance if they upset me, rejected me or hurt my feelings. Then again, I'm not attracted to douchewaffles. It seems I'm only tolerant in my reads and even then I'm still a judgey mcjudgerson.

The journey was an interesting one and I couldn't help but become enthralled. What made it even more exceptional, we were treated (subjected) to some high school drama...and I survived.

The love story wasn't an easy one, but in the end, I was content with how it all played out. Vicious, while a confirmed douchewaffle (and proud of it) has a good reason for his cold and heartless outlook on life. His dedication (somewhat stalkerish) to "owning" Emilia is something he himself doesn't understand. Her ability to forgive him for his sins makes her a good person...or maybe a sucker for punishment. He was lucky she forgave him. She was lucky he was worth the heartache...in the end. Love is a tricky one, and sometimes the journey needs the bumps to enjoy the smooth ride.

The narrators do a fantastic job and at no time did I struggle with their performance. Both the female and male narrator were easy to listen to and it was easy to tell when the characters changed.

Another excellent addition to the Romance Package and I will definitely go back for more in this series.

[Cocktails and Books]

Vicious was a hard ass man to get behind. He was awful most of the book, to Emilia, his friends and just about anyone else who crossed his path. What was worse, he knew he was an a-hole and didn't care. There were moments when I found myself softening, just a little bit, towards him...especially when his truths started coming out. But then he'd do or say something that reminded me why I was having a hard time liking him.

That said, I did like this book. Emilia may have been a glutton for punishment when it came to Vicious, but she was the only one who was willing to look past his harsh exterior and money to see who he was and just how big his heart was. She was why I kept reading this.