In the Unlikely Event

By: L.J. Shen

Narrated by: Joe Arden, Shane East, Muffy Newtown, Savannah Peachwood

Length: 11 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's Summary

"The perfect blend of soul-crushing angst, laugh out loud wit, and heart-melting romance.” (Helena Hunting, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author)

From number one Amazon best seller L.J. Shen comes a new, star-crossed lovers romance about loss, love, and meeting The One when you are too young to know how to keep them.  

Sometimes you meet people who are out of this world, so you make them a part of yours.  

A one-night stand born from vengeance in a foreign land.
An explosive chemistry neither of us could deny.
We signed a contract on the back of a Boar’s Head Pub napkin that said if we ever met again, we would drop everything and be together.
Eight years and thousands of miles later, he’s here.
In New York.
And he’s America’s music obsession.
The intangible Irish poet who brings record executives to their knees.
The blizzard in my perfect, unshaken snow globe.
Last time we spoke, he was a beggar with no intention of becoming a king.
But a king he became, and now I’m his servant.
I’m not the same broken princess Malachy Doherty put back together with his callused hands.
I have a career I love.
A boyfriend I adore.
An apartment, a roommate, a life.
I changed. He changed, too.
But Mal kept the napkin.
Question is, will I keep my word?

©2019 L.J. Shen (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

No no no!!! That’s not how Vagina’s work!

Way too much make believe and the lead heroine is a complete idiot. There is a Mars bar scene which really “jumped the shark” and made me think the author has no idea how female anatomy works. Two of my favorite narrators were unfortunately used for this book. I wish they could get the time it took to produce this book back.

Uhhhhh

So here's the thing, to read/listen to this book and actually enjoy it, you have believe in fate and make believe. There's so many issues I have with this book. There are SPOILERS ahead, just a warning. First of all, at the end Rory finds out that everyone has been lying to her about everything and she just forgive them after a chat? What? Her whole life gets flipped turned upside down and she's just like "I accept your apology, we're good now". Huh? No. No one reacts like that and ends up happily ever after. Also, there is a scene that is supposed to be super hot, steamy, sexy, whatever. And as a female, I'm sitting there thinking, you have a UTI for sure, please go to urgent care. AND the messiest clean up that won't be done for WEEKS. And, again, please go to urgent care, you need antibiotics. Lastly, this has bugged me so much, how does Mal go from the verge of DYING to spry as young lad in the matter of one nap? I have a lot of issues with this book, the fantastical of it all. I can't. Narration was decent.

WOW, 10 ⭐️.. WHAT A RIVETING EPIC LOVE STORY

Oh where oh where do I start with reviewing this breathtaking, epically original, intricately woven, beautiful yet tragic love story? Should I start by explaining that Rory and Mal are star-crossed lovers from different Continents who fell in love the day they met.. which was the day before they had to say goodbye.. naively thinking they’d leave their futures to Fate? Or should I explain their destinies, like their hearts, were always with each other - but life, lies, betrayal, secrets and heartbreak got in their way? Perhaps I should just say what an utterly moving, beautiful, complex, powerful, unique, emotionally gripping, stunning masterpiece this was and I’ll never forget it. Ms. Shen gives you a loveable hero and heroine who just click and are destined to be together. But she also gives you villains too.. and lets you peek behind their masks by giving you brief glimpses from their POV’s which was insightful and flips your thoughts. Finally, and maybe most importantly, I should just tell you that this riveting, romantic, beautiful, heartbreaking, unpredictable rollercoaster is, in my opinion, Ms. Shen’s best book yet. Told from dual PoVs (Joe, I loved your sexy Irish accent for Mal) - with other characters and objects PoV’s.. (yeah that’s right objects!) being mixed in there too. The wonderful narration by these talented actors brought the story, its characters and the wealth of feels to life making it a perfect listen. Worth a credit? Oh boy oh boy YES.. please don’t miss this book. This well-crafted, intense, second-chance journey of Rory and Mal’s was painful to my heart, profoundly touching, very addictive, emotionally suspenseful and ridiculously romantic. It made my senses soar high then plummeted them hard when the tide turns on a sweet couple whose ‘not yet’ love takes eight long years, tears, tragedy and many misplaced steps before it can finally turn into a forever together love.

More negatives then positives

The beginning had me hooked, but it dragged, got over dramatic, and i couldn’t stand the insults. *SPOILERS FROM HERE* The fact that Rory let’s her get insulted page after page, by people that “love” her and she does nothing about it - no. She just shrugs things off and puts the blame on herself. She gives Mal the satisfaction when he doesn’t deserve it. Mal is supposed to be someone we love? He emotionally abuses her time after time, even after he realizes that they’re actually “meant to be”. I get that they’re both supposed to be “messed up” but things they did to each other and then forgave each other for just had me rolling my eyes. I cannot believe I stuck around, hoping there was this big reveal that would save their characters and faults. But there wasn’t. The bullying conversations everyone gives to each other is literally cringey and intolerable. The performance was decent - lol.

Outstanding!

What an explosive story! But most of all what an outstanding performance by the narrators!!! They really brought it to life! I fell in love with Aurora and Mal but even more with Ireland if that's even possible. The "notes" from different side characters was a really nice touch in the story that gave us a glimpse into their point of view while clearing up certain things. This story is full of drama and a well deserved HEA. Thank God for sexy, confident, charming, flirty, gorgeous Irish men that know what they want and go for it!

Find something else to listen to

Honestly don’t waste your money. I know people can have different opinions but how anybody would like this book is beyond me.

Overdramatic, poor narration, unlikable characters

It was difficult tog get through this, but it's the one book I downloaded to get through a long flight. I struggled through hoping it would get better. It didn't. The author relied too heavily on main characters who fall into ridiculous romance tropes, jump to the worst conclusions, make idiotic decisions, overdramatize everything (but who confusingly don't react more strongly to actual tragedies in the plot), and who refuse to make even slightly plausible choices that would clear up mistaken assumptions. Even the narrator for Rory's character overdramatized 90% of her part, sometimes even giving misplaced gravitas to something as simple as stating the chapter heading. Also, her attempts as an Irish accent were terrible. At times it seemed like she used loudness as a substitute for quality, as if all the Irish characters were yelling their way through certain chapters. Of the few things I enjoyed, the only one I can remember a day later is that there are surprise interjections from the perspectives of side characters (and animals, and objects). These round out the plot a little and give some humor. Those brief chapters were actually wonderful, and it's sad their brilliance is nowhere to be found elsewhere in the book.

Excellent!

Loved it. loved the quirky parts...the cow, the napkin, the notes... loved Joe Arden's Irish accent and Savanah Peachwood was excellent as ever. l

Prepare to be blown away!

This story will be one that stays with me for a long time. Different on so many levels, this story is one that grips you mind, makes you laugh, breaks your heart and heals your soul. The narrators did an amazing job. Kept you engaged throughout the whole book. I can say enough about how fantastic it wad! A MUST READ \LISTEN!

Amazing, Amazing and Amazing!

I knew that I was going to fall in love with this book... So it wasn't a surprise when I did and I fell hard. The characters and their personalities, the notes that let you see a bit deeper into the minds of everyone... and everything?! which was hilarious btw. Mal and Rory were meant to be, it was written in the stars, it was kismet. But of course life and love is never easy especially when there are lies and secrets involved. This read pulled at my heartstrings, confused me at first and frustrated the heck out of me. I wanted to yelled at them to get it together because Communication is key ppls, if you start to assume and withhold truths it will cause nothing but trouble.... When these two were around each other you felt the intense attraction and steam that pulled them towards each other. Let's not forget The. Things. That. Comes. Out. of. Mal's. Mouth. Omg!😜 Also, I never thought this before but the Irish accent is yummy, hot, sexy, goodness! 💚 Just thought I'd throw that out there. 🤷🏽‍♀️ I laughed, I cringed, I was teary eyed, I gasped, I sighed, I whisper yelled, so many different emotions reading this book. It was beautifully written, the audio and performance was Amazing, It was Angsty and emotional and funny and a wonderful experience. I enjoyed it so much from the very beginning till the end. L.J. Shen you are truly awesome.

Entertaining

I really enjoyed the narration and the story had some great funny parts. I found myself guessing what was going to happen and I predicted correctly. Overall a good book.

Worst Irish and British accents ever!

The female narrator/s did the worst accents ever! The Irish accent just sounded American and the northern English accent was laughable it sounded like they were from no further north than Watford! It really spoilt the story.

Great

A must read This is such a great moving and emotional story so many events resulting in a fabulous love story I loved the little notes in between some of them were so funny It was so cleverly written and brought together so many people and how their lives touched one one another The narrator s were awesome great voices I loved the notes in between x

Great story cringeworthy accents

The story line was really good. Took a few unexpected turns and the characters were well written. The performance however was dodgy. The accents were quite distracting from the story.

In The Unlikely Event that you can stay awake

Wow ... well, where do I start. Imagine that feeling when you're just coming out of anesthetic. And a fly lands on your nose and just stays there. But you're still too paralyzed to do anything about it. That's better than listening to this book.

Absolutely amazing

wow. I adored this book on paperback but listening to it but heightens the emotion, the laughter and the love. the narrators were exceptional, that irish accent...😍

Favourite of L.J. Shen

I loved this book so much. I was routing for the main characters and this is a captivating romance story . I finished it in 3 days. Couldn’t put it down .

Pure enjoyment!

Everything about this book was perfect for me, I loved the story, the characters, the love, the drama and the comedy. Brilliant narration as well. Thank you L.J. Shen!

Omg !!!! Sooooooo good

I love yourbooks .. this one hits the mark again .. more more more please Ms Shen .. it’s a must read 1million %

A contemporary romance with a twist

This was such an unexpected story from Shen. It felt fresh and quirky, and was so funny and snarky in places. There were some really standout monologues from the many different perspectives within this story. It was just a delight. Mal and Rory were the kismet star-crossed lovers who were torn apart by multiply different lies and multiple layers of mistruths. This book had passion, and angst, wit, and heartache, but it was never dull, was continuously unexpected, and it really was fun. It is definitely worth immersing yourself in this unconventional romantic experience LJ Shen has created. I listened to the book on audible and thought it was amazing. The four narrators really added alot to the charm and atmosphere of the story, and definitely brought the novel to life for me.