Ruckus

By: L.J. Shen

Narrated by: Christian Rummel, Savannah Peachwood

Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

Now a top-20 Amazon best seller

Rosie

They say that life is a beautiful lie and death a painful truth. They're right.
No one has ever made me feel more alive than the guy who serves as a constant reminder that my clock is ticking.
He is my forbidden, shiny apple.
The striking fallacy to my blunt, raw, truth.
He is also my sister's ex-boyfriend.
One thing you should know before you judge me: I saw him first. I craved him first. I loved him first.
Eleven years later, he waltzed into my life, demanding a second chance.
Dean Cole wants to be my bronze horseman. My white knight has finally arrived. Hopefully, he isn't too late.

Dean

They say the brightest stars burn out the fastest. They're right.
She sets my mind on fire.
All smart mouth, snarky attitude, and a huge heart.
In a world where everything is dull, she shines like Sirius.
Eleven years ago, fate tore us apart.
This time, I dare it to try.
Getting to her is a battlefield, but man, that's why they call me Ruckus.
Rosie LeBlanc is about to find out how hard I can fight.
And conquering her will be the sweetest victory.

Ruckus is a complete stand-alone and a part of the Sinners of Saint series.

©2017 L.J. Shen (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

My effin' heart!

I'm so glad I purchased he audiobook even after I read Ruckus. LJ Shen is one amazing author who knows how to write stories that dig into your heart and stay there. She can create the most 'Vicious' (yes pun intended) character and you'll still fall in love. When she wrote Dean and Rosie's story, she for sure wanted to make her readers cry like freakin babies! I read the book but getting to hear the narrators, who've done an amazing job, really did a number on me. Shen's books are always worth the purchase and if you haven't yet, do it! 5 explosive stars for Ruckus! Can't wait for Scandalous!!!

Loved the story and narrators

This was a wonderfully funny, emotional book. I absolutely love LJ Shens writing style. The banter between the Hot Holes, especially Vicious and Dean is hilarious. I can't get enough of this series. All book I've read/listened to by this author have been repeat reads so far. Love love love!

This story almost broke me!

I started this Audiobook immediately after I finished Vicious. Because my need was so great it could not be ignored. And I was in the middle of a four hour drive and it kept me entertained. I was thoroughly exited when I discovered that Christian Rummel was narrating again. As I mentioned in my review for Vicious, after only one performance he has claimed a spot as a top favorite male narrator. Christian, if you're reading this, I'm DYING for you to narrate more romance! I'll one click them ALL! I really liked Savannah Peachwood in Vicious, but her performance in Ruckus really endeared her to me. She did a spectacular job of portraying not only Rosie's character, but the raw emotion as well.

Ok, so about the story. If you listened to Vicious, you caught a glimpse of Rosie and Dean. But there is so much more to know! They have secrets! Dirty, flirty, heartfelt secrets. If I thought that Vicious pushed me to the limits of my sanity, I was so very wrong. I had no idea just how close I could get to losing my mind until near the end of Ruckus. Leigh Shen, you naughty, naughty girl. I almost had an adult sized temper tantrum. You tricked me, and I LOVED it! Well played you evil genius. Well played! End result of this audiobook? I have yet to find a story and narrators that live up to the performances and emotions this series has evoked in me. I'm DYING for the next book in this series! Book hangovers are real.

worth reading but not LJ’s best work.

I enjoyed this book but I didn’t love it. I liked Rosie’s character. Shes strong, Independent, knows what she wants, and holds her family together.

I didn’t like Dean. I didn’t like the “manwhore” thing and I didn’t like how they portrayed him as a good guy in the first book but jerk in this book. I also didn’t like how they made Rosies family look. In book one they were very loving and sweet and loved Dean. In book two they hate Dean and they are controlling and judgmental. I cant believe that the same please who loved Vicious would not like Dean. They also made Em look weak and a little dumb. There was deans parents. I have a very hard time understanding his dad’s motives and actions towards the end of the book. It just didn’t make sense.

Overall the beginning was slow and awkward. The middle was great and fast passed. The end was slow and drawn out.

Bottom line…worth reading but not LJ’s best work.

A HIGHLY ENTERTAINING HOT HOLES AUDIO LISTEN!

Would you consider the audio edition of Ruckus to be better than the print version?

Yes

What other book might you compare Ruckus to and why?

None. It's a true original.

Have you listened to any of Christian Rummel and Savannah Peachwood ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first audio listen from them and it was awesome!

Any additional comments?

L.J. Shen sure knows how to scintillate and RUCKUS was one wildly intense ride!!

I have to say that the male narrator Christian Rummel is a REVELATION!!!! He personated Ruckus to T and had me giggling like a schoolgirl and panting shamelessly throughout!!! His inflections were spot on and I also loved the distinct voices he took on for the various hot holes. I also thought he did a commendable job depicting the female voices too. As for the female narrator, I enjoyed the soft, breathless quality to Savannah Peachwood's voice which seemed to suit the heroine well! And I thought she emoted beautifully infusing the character of Rosie with spirit, sass and aching vulnerability too.

L.J. Shen is one of my all time fave authors and her natural born talent ALWAYS shines through but it took me a little longer than her previous books to get swept up in the story because this romance was definitely a slow build. There was a lot of push-pull throughout which had me a tad frustrated but once Rosie end Dean finally get together there are FIREWORKS galore and the sex scenes are deliciously filthy and smoking hot!! The second half of the book was my favorite, where all the romantic angst and passion and emotional peril comes to a head and from that point on I was ENRAPTURED!! There were some shocking plot twists that I never saw coming that gave me literal CHILLS, and I also think the author did a commendable job of depicting a heroine with a chronic illness who's determined to live life on HER terms! The existential soul-searching snippets with Rosie and her therapist resonated deeply, and my heart ached for this sassy spitfire whose future was so uncertain. I also appreciated that while Dean refused to treat Rosie like a China doll, he never once gave up on his girl. His love and devotion toward her, in his own wildly dysfunctional and crazy passionate way, was extremely touching! He was FAR from perfect, but as it turned out, he was perfect for "Baby LeBlanc."

Finally, it goes without saying that the most entertaining moments in this book were the exchanges between Dean and his fellow Hot Holes, especially the razor sharp banter with the delightfully devilish Vicious, which was an absolute RIOT!

Bottom line: Despite the slow burning romance and sometimes stagnant plotline, L.J. Shen’s Naughtylicious Hot Holes, the witty, acerbic humor, and sizzling erotic encounters never failed to electrify. And once the book kicked into high gear there was a plethora of heart-tugging angst and eye-popping family drama that sure kept the adrenaline flowing!! And the epilogue with all the key players was PURE PERFECTION (and yes, I even shed a tear or two.) Now I am very much looking forward to seeing Trent's story unfold in the upcoming Sinners of Saint standalone, SCANDALOUS, which I have a gut feeling is going to shred my heart!

5 Let's Start a Ruckus Stars

I've read it before, but I couldn't resist the audio. I couldn't resist the allure of Dean Cole and Rosie. I couldn't resist the bad boy vibes and the good ol' boy appearances. I couldn't resist the pain and the hurt and the vivid imagery that only LJ Shen can create.

If I thought I was in love with Dean before, I'm head over heels in love with him after hearing this audio.

Dean and Rosie get all the stars. And I officially can't choose between these HotHoles. Each is amazing in his own right.

Hoping this is not where the story ends

I enjoyed both Vicious and Ruckus. Both have likable characters, good storylines and hot scenes. I hope that Ms. Shen is working on a follow-up because there is much more of the story that can be told.

oh, my heart

It's stories like this that remind me why I love romance books. This one tore my heart in two and put it back together. The Narrators were phenomenal in bringing to life LJ Shen's words.
If you don't read any other book in this series, definitely read or listen to this one... (although you would be missing out on some really great stories about horrible guys who really are good underneath it all).

Awesome Narrators!

This was my favorite book so far of the series. Narrators did an excellent job! Loved the story of Rose and Dean. A Romeo and Juliet love story. LJ Shen is an awesome writer!

Unexpected turns

I love this series. I enjoyed the twists in the story I didn't see coming. Highly recommended.

In love with Dean and Rosie story.

Incredible voice narration by both Christian Rommel and Savannah Peachwood.
I put off reading Ruckus for months because I was so blinded by my love, infatuation with Vicious... I’m peeved at myself but all this wait has truly made me fall in love with both Dean and Rosie and their love story.
As with the HotHoles there is so much more than a one dimensional story. It’s so great to feel so connected to the other characters that we have grown to love.
This is the magic that LJ Shen brings to her stories, and Ruckus is yet another exceptional incredibly moving story.
“ Now is forever.
I am not a wilted rose,
For I am in full bloom”

This book with capture your heart in every way.
This story will own you.
These characters will become your heartbeat, the breath in your lungs.

I’d give all the stars in the universe for this book!! And the audiobook is beyond perfection.

The book is amazing

I love this writer am losing sleep because I can’t stop listening to her book 4 books in 3 days she is awesome.... can’t wait to read the rest

Great listen

Loving this series and following on from Viscous is Ruckus . This story is quite unexpected sorry I never read the blurb just dived in cause I like the authors work, but oh my such emotions from both the male and female POV had me in tears on more than one occasion . I can’t recommend this listen bore and both narrators do a Stella job , will look forward to the next in series

Per - fec - tion!

a killer story. a movie worthy. a master tv series as the story unfolded I was helpless. it happened in page one and that effect was repeated with an excellent narration by Savannah Peachwood and the uber brilliant Christian Rummel.
not a word misplaced, not a second to breath. A masterpiece.

Emotional but good

I really enjoyed this story. All is not as it appears, they both have secrets and are holding back. He loves her, she loves him but the past, present and future is getting in the way. There’s a really emotional bit in this book and the epilogue really tied up the story.

I cried

This story made me feel so many emotions! I criend and like said, it was emotions rollercoaster I didn't know I needed.

I love this book

This book is funny and sweet and tragic... the narrators are amazing too. I love there are 2 narrators and, whilst Savannah has a sweet voice, Christian’s voice is enough to make ladies cream their pants.

Rukus

I felt the story line was just dragged out,it got predictable with Dean and alcohol every time he had an issue to deal with, and sadly so did Rosa, so although I did enjoy the book I was glad it ended.

so beautiful

I loved "broken knight" and its series, and it was a pleasant surprise when I realised this series is the prequel of that one.. I knew the future from that book and I still managed to get emotional. this writer has magic hands. never happened that I loved EVERY book from an author before! the dialogues are so realistic and the storyline makes a lot of sense. the narration was absolutely faultless. perfect performance. perfect choice. absolutely brilliant.

Sooo freaking good

I really loved the first book, Vicious, and this one (Ruckus). Amazing, dark, love story with attitude, tears and laughter. Such dark pasts that come to light but make the people in this story more beautiful instead of breaking them to a point of no return. highly recommended. I couldn't stop listening once I started. brilliant narration. Absolutely love the voice of Christian Rummel.