Amazing!!!

I was so excited for this book by L.J Shen and she did not disappoint. Nobody writes true anti-heros like her, and Arsène is just another one to add to the list. This story was different from the normal enemies-to-lovers trope with betrayal, bereavement, and not knowing which direction this love story would go in. I loved all of the interactions and sarcasm between Arsène and Winnie. The journey to their happy ending was truly beautiful but heartbreaking. Joe Arden and Savannah Peachwood were amazing narrators and really brought the characters to life. I can't wait for the next book in the series where I'll be staying up till 4 in the morning just so I can find out the ending. 5* across the board and a must listen.

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A must read.

Complicated is the best word to describe this story. It's a very emotional read.
It was a slow build between Arsene and Winnifred. Besides banter and entertainment, there are betrayals and a bit of cruelty from Arséne's and Winnifred's previous partners.
This book switches between past and present events in a way that reveals the depth of the characters.
I love the narration

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Good

As always a great story and fantastic narration.
Will definitely be listening to the next book

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Emotional ride

This was like riding a roller coaster! Tough and delightful all at once. The narration is brilliant!

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Addictive!

I listened to this in one day, I was hooked!
Brilliantly written, better than other enemies to lovers tropes I've read recently. The first book in the series was as good and I'm looking forward to the next one.
L J Shen is definitely on my must-read list from now on.

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A book in two halves

I nearly gave up on this book. It spent about a third of the book telling us about Grace, who we know from the blurb dies, so it seemed rather pointless. Plus the relationship is so toxic it’s not an enjoyable listen. However, once you get through the first third, and Grace is dead, it improves immeasurably. I think it would have been better if we learnt about Grace in flashbacks, like we learned about Paul, or through the investigation by Arsen and Winnie. Somehow the main storyline didn’t seem to occupy as much space as it should.

Arsen is great, if you like you MC to be taciturn , dark, grumpy, sarcastic, rude and witty. In the beginning it’s hard to find his softer underside, but it’s there. As you learn about his upbringing then you become more sympathetic. I found him funny and endearing. Winnifred is softer, but not a pushover. She’s described as sunny, but I don’t think she’s that optimistic, she’s just a product of a loving family, with dreams and ambitions, who took a wrong turn in marrying Paul.

The last two thirds of the book are entertaining, but perhaps a little thin. I just think the story could have been reordered somehow to make it stronger.

Narration was great, particularly Joe Arden who does a really good job.

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Absolutely loved it!

Totally engrossed from the off!

I flicked between audio and reading, the audio was fantastically narrated.

Arséne comes over as a total tool! And he is, most of the time.

He’s a man of money and power and gets what he wants, and what he wants is to make his step-sister pay for their past. He enjoys nothing more than dangling what she needs in front of her, money, power, ensuing she is the centre of attention…….until it’s all taken away from him. She was his obsession!

Winnie is the southern Belle living in New York, trying to make her dream come true, married to a wonderful man, unit tragedy strikes and if that’s not enough finding out he wasn’t the fantastic and faithful husband she thought he was, nothing could be further than the truth.

Thrown together to accept the deceit of their partners, Arséne immediately goes on the defensive whilst Winnie lives in denial!

The proof they uncover is soul destroying!

As the going says “things happen for a reason”

Neither want to accept their feelings for one another to the point of destruction, but they just can’t stay away.

This was an absolutely fantastic read, the tension between them both was palpable, Winnie takes no shit and brings Arsène to his knees, he’s never loved anyone, until now.

An amazing read, I thoroughly loved Ruthless Rival, and Fallen Foe was a brilliant continuation of the Cruel Castaways series.

Bring on Riggs 😏

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Absolutely blooming brilliant

L J Shen is such a fabulous storyteller. You really get to know each character and grow to love (or hate) them. I love the witty repartee and cry buckets and laugh in equal measure. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.

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meh

not my favourite Shen book. I liked the backstory for both MCs but then the love between them seemed rushed and out the blue. I also really dislike the male voices that the female narrator does - they all sound old!

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