Angry God (All Saints High, #3)

by L.J. Shen

[Romance Schmomance]

Note: I try to keep spoilers out and I'll do my best not to share any, but some things need to be said. Tread through this review carefully.

It absolutely pains me to write this book review because I have loved many of Leigh's previous work. The All Saints High series had definitely been on my most anticipated release lists and naturally I had really high expectations with Angry God. And with this book being about Vicious's son, you can imagine why this story was one that everyone couldn't wait to read.

Unfortunately, Vaughn and Lenny's story just fell flat for me and it makes me so sad to say that. I would say that this series is my first experience with reading high school bully romance, I don't normally gravitate towards this trope, but if Leigh wrote it, I'd be down to read it as well. I was a bit surprised to see that majority of the book takes place during the last year of high school and not a whole lot is happening except the fact that Vaughn is on a hate mission towards Lenny.

I know the heroes being a complete a**hole is a huge part of Leigh's writing style and this series, but for me, that really took me out of the story. He's set out on this vengeful path and it will remain a mystery on the why, but you can definitely make assumptions. Even with everything he has been through, I couldn't connect with him at all, much like his dad would state,  he was acting like a boy. And his main target was Lenny, even the justification of why he was being like that wasn't redeeming at all.

With all of that being sad, there wasn't much of a connection with Vaughn and Lenny. It was a bit of a flip of the switch towards the end and they were together and ok...that was that. But I just didn't feel it at all. As much of a bully as he was to Lenny, I loved that she fought back, always. Sometimes it just kills me when the heroines just never fight back.

My favorite part of the series is the little bit of POV from the parents. Vaughn has a great relationship with both of this parents and vice versa. Seeing Vicious as a parent was amazing especially when I wasn't a huge fan of his book. He will literally do anything for his family and that's not something anyone should ever mess with.

Lastly, this book needed a trigger warning. There are certain things that were revealed, but didn't need to be played out explicitly. It shocked the heck out of me and I personally thought even if it was implied, the impact would hit forcefully. I didn't think the readers needed a flashback of what actually happened.

I hate to say this, but I will be treading carefully from now on when it comes to Leigh's books. Nothing against as an author, but writing does evolve and sometimes it just doesn't work out with the reader. And it's ok. I still love many of her books and will constantly recommend them and hopefully her next one will be close to what it used to be.

trigger warning : child sexual abuse