Sparrow

By: L.J. Shen

Narrated by: Michael Pauley

Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Troy Brennan:

Every Southie in Boston knows that name. The son of a dead mobster. The heartthrob with steel-blue eyes. "The Fixer" who can make or break you in this city. Oh, and my new husband.

Sparrow Raynes:

That's me. No one seemed to remember my name up until he barged into my life. But then he caged me. Kidnapped me. And killed every chance I had to run away from the place where we grew up. Put simply, Troy Brennan clipped my wings. I have dreams, big ones, but I doubt he'll ever let me chase them. I have no idea why he decided to take me as his wife. But I do know this: pissing off this man will not do me any good. At all.

Sparrow is a standalone, full-length novel. It contains graphic violence and adult situations some may find offensive.

©2016 L.J. Shen (P)2016 L.J. Shen

Surprisingly fantastic

This book surprised me. I wasn't sure about it after reading the intro, but it was such a beautifully twisted story that I listened to in one night. I thought it was fantastic. I am a huge reader and audible listener, so I am extremely picky on what books I like. This is one of my favorites by far. I recommend this book. I was sad when it was finished.

Fantastic gritty romance with amazing narration!

Wow, wow, wow!! I just finished this audiobook and it was INCREDIBLE! It's been a while since I've listened to a book that made me happy SoCal has such craptastic traffic. I just wanted to keep driving because the story is phenomenal and the narration is spellbinding.

L.J. Shen knocked this out of the park IMHO. If you like gritty romance novels, you need this book. This is no flowers and hearts story. Troy Brennan is an a-hole, but good luck holding on to your heart with him. Sparrow is an amazingly tough warrior of a heroine while still being fragile and broken. She may be one of my favorite book heroines ever.

The narration is done in a perfect Southie Boston accent and it took me a couple chapters to buy in and adjust. After that, I couldn't stop listening! Michael Pauley did an INCREDIBLE job. 😍😍😍😍😍

P.S. Not a cliffy, thank goodness!

You Hate That You Want Me

This is a love-hate story that I love to love! Sparrow and Troy are such an unlikely couple yet LJ Shen found a way to weave them with dark threads that makes an unbreakable bond. Family loyalty is what brought them together and is what they have to overcome to find the HEA. What makes this story so amazing is how this same old tired plot is given a breath of originality, creativity and twists that keep you wanting more. These characters are unapologetically flawed in a real life way and an uncompromising world. Shen is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

Michael Pauley does a great job with the Boston accent especially with the male characters. My only complaint is that sometimes it was difficult to distinguish Sparrow's voice because it sounded masculine like the other male characters.

Absolutely worth the credit.

🎧 ♥️ A REPEAT-LISTEN FOR ME ♥️ 🎧

L. J. Shen did it again! Sparrow is a dark, Mafia romance novel that has everything - the suspense, the arranged marriage, the secrets, and of course, eventually the love that blossomed between the two. This is one novel that I read in one sitting! That is how good it is.

Troy Brennan, known as the Fixer, has many secrets including his reason for arranging his marriage to Sparrow Raynes, the daughter of one of his father's and, since his father's death, his minions. In the beginning, I didn't like Troy. He is demanding and a cheater. As the story progress, we begin to see that behind his tough facade, Troy has a soft heart - hard on the outside, but gooey on the inside. That changed my mind about him and I begin to cheer him on.

The narration? Perfect! This is the first time I heard Michael Pauley's narration. I love his Boston accent. Although his female voice isn't as good as his male voice, it did not detract me from being so consumed with the story that I listened to it until the wee hours of the morning and this book will definitely be going to my "Repeat-Listen" list.

The author? L. J. Shen is one of my favorite authors! Her books are an instant download for me and I have never read/listen to her book that I didn't like.

worthwhile

Took a little while to get used to the characters' Boston accents, but I got used to it and glad I hung in there, because it was a fun & engaging story. Well done! Loved all the spicy hot tense fighting!

didn't think I was going to like it. totally wrong

everything about this book was so good!!! seriously read it!!!! I wish this was a series so badly!

Not a normal mobster

This was the first novel I’ve read/heard by this author. My my my... I really enjoyed it. I wasn’t 100% sure I would because I read more on the mythical creatures, crazy world genres, but Shen did a great job with this story. I really appreciated the fact that we got to start and get to the finish line in one book and not stretched out to numerous sequels.
Sparrow is a feisty red head who is basically forced into a modern day vow kept arranged marriage. She knows nothing of the secrets, only rumors of the past, and is dragged into the present. I liked her loyalty, her stubborn attitude, and the fact even if she is 5’ 3” she doesn’t take crap from anyone. Troy is the image you would think of if someone said New England modern day monster or “fixer” as they call him. He’s rough, hostile, no feelings, kind of guy. But with every good story line in my opinion it does take the love of a good woman and the willingness to realize everyone is made to be someone else other half that he doesn’t have to endure his life alone. The story line was intense at moments, frustratingly slow in other parts, but all in all a great listen. The narrator did a fabulous job with accents and bringing the characters to life from the pages.

Good book but I wish we had a female too

Good storyline but I do feel that it lost a little bit in the audible version by not having had a female portrays Sparrow. And not to reveal a spoiler but I do know in later books that Sam Ends up more involved with the lead characters but that was left out of this book so I wonder where that storyline picks up.

So good!

I absolutely loved it! Definitely listen to this before you listen to the Boston Belles series. It’s not a must, but a strong suggestion! It’s a good prequel to the series! I loved getting a glimpse into Sam’s like (The Monster). And I loved loved loved Troy’s and Sparrow’s story! Super firey 🔥 couple!!!

Amazing!!!

I wish I would have not waited so long to listen to this one. I love most of L J Shen's books but for some reason I was very hesitant on this one. But I am so glad I finally listened to it... this causes all of the emotions from the start through the unbelievable twists to the amazing ending. Please don't pass this one up like I did for so long.