Vicious

By: L.J. Shen

Narrated by: Savannah Peachwood, Christian Rummel

Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

Emilia

They say love and hate are the same feelings experienced under different circumstances, and it's true.

The man who comes to me in my dreams also haunts me in my nightmares.

He is a brilliant lawyer.

A skilled criminal.

A beautiful liar.

A bully and a savior, a monster and a lover.

Ten years ago, he made me run away from the small town where we lived. Now, he came for me in New York, and he isn't leaving until he takes me with him.

Vicious

She is a starving artist. Pretty and evasive like cherry blossom.

Ten years ago, she barged into my life unannounced and turned everything upside down.

She paid the price.

Emilia LeBlanc is completely off-limits, my best friend's ex-girlfriend. The woman who knows my darkest secret, and the daughter of the cheap help we hired to take care of our estate.

That should deter me from chasing her, but it doesn't.

So she hates me. Big deal.

She better get used to me.

©2016 L.J. Shen (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

THE PERFECT BLEND OF EVERYTHING I LOVE

This is a new Author to me.. and, after this shockingly awesome book, I intend to download many more based on her amazing abilities which were showcased throughout this compelling story. Because LJS has taken an old 'enemies-to-lovers' theme, spun it on its axis, and very skilfully given it a fresh new approach, a fresh new vibe and a fresh new voice.. and that takes serious talent. There's no wonder LJS is a No.1 Best selling Author in the contemporary romance genre.. bravo Ms. Shen.. bravo.

The All Saints High School's wild and wicked Four HotHoles are privileged notorious womanizing bad boys.. and one of them is the handsome hot 18 yr old Party-boy Vicious who first comes across as an arrogant, indulged, rude, fearless a$$hole with a careless f off vibe persona - and YES, that's him.. but there's an angry little boy with a heartbreaking tortured tale waiting to be told beneath this teenager's cool facade of indifference. But it's going to take someone very special to unlock the truths, penetrate his mask and melt those icy walls around his now dormant heart.

Emilia's much loved parents have worked for Vicious' absentee Father for years as the Estate's live-in hired help so Emilia has seen and heard all the wild parties, the sizzling sex scenes, the crazy antics and the fun filled frivolity that goes on at the house.. but, when Emilia least expects it, she comes face-to-face with the maestro of the mayhem - Vicious - the most handsome boy she'd ever seen. However, when he snarled through gritted teeth and spewed hate, Vicious lived up to his name by stomping all over her with his nasty words, he backed it up with months of disrespect, disinterest and verbal abuse making her life a living hell and finally he forced Emilia away. And it would be ten long years before these enemies would randomly meet each other again which would relight smouldering embers, reawaken feelings both good and bad.. and would give Vicious an idea for closure.. an idea that was going to beautifully backfire on him. When they finally stopped denying and fighting against the animal attraction, combustible chemistry and lust, they touched each other's souls and reached heaven.. but also hell when someone inevitably f'ed up.

Vicious the Lawyer was such a full-bodied multi-layered character.. a villainous damaged charming hero you can't help but like - and his nemesis the Artist/PA Emilia was a loving and kind woman with a quirky fashion sense and a strong kick-ass backbone that bent but never broke under the stress of all things Vicious. Their complicated push/pull dynamics and rollercoaster relationship made it an 'edge of your seat' thrilling ride and I liked that LJS wasn't tempted into changing Vicious' outlandish 'loveable rouge' character.. instead he kept most of his traits and made room in his life for all things Emilia. LJS also blended the sweet and the sexy, the light and the dark and the humorous and the heavy perfectly to give a storyline that was totally addictive, one hundred percent enjoyable, absolutely gripping and this well written dual POV dysfunctional hate-love tale is dripping with everything I love and it delivered far more than I ever expected. It probably was a great book to read.. but the awesome narration brought everything to life and gave it the WOW factor that makes a book both unforgettable and also on the re-listen list. Told in present and then with flashbacks to the past.

Worth a credit? YES.. don't hesitate it's a high charge listen that left me on a literary high - and I've already got book 0.5 Defy in the Sinners of Saint series downloaded so now I'm impatiently waiting for books 2 and 3. Although these are all standalone books there is an undeniable flow and build up of partnerships from one to another in the series.

33 of 36 people found this review helpful

Can't get enough of Vicious!

Read the book months ago and I just had to get the audiobook. Loved Vicious and Millie's story. Once you read an LJ Shen creation, you can't put it down. Defy next, and then, of course, Ruckus!

13 of 14 people found this review helpful

This book sends the wrong message

The female character in this book needed some kind of therapy. Vicious was cruel to her and yet she made excuses for his behavior and continued to tolerate his verbal and emotional abuse. I understand that it's a book and not reality but I'm a firm believer that these kinds of messages are not harmless to women, especially young ones. I can't believe how good the ratings are for this book. The best thing about it is that the narration was good. I am disappointed. This was my first and last book from this author.

14 of 16 people found this review helpful

A Highly Addictive Story with Phenomenal Narration!!!

OMG!! Best Book EVER!!!
I could not stop listening once I started!
Christian Rummel is AMAZING as Vicious!!
He had such a deep alpha way with his voice that comes off just the way I'd imagine Vicious sounding. There's so much depth and emotion in his voice and he totally owned the part.
I could listen to him all day every day and never tire of his storytelling.
Vicious is ruthless and detached but has such a huge heart hiding underneath. I felt for him on so many levels and sympathized with his pain. A broken boy who carries his pain with him all his life. Now a lost man just searching for his happiness and revenge.

Savannah Peachwood was also the perfect narrator for Amelia. She has that sweet innocent southern drawl. I loved everything about her character.

The story line was so catchy and unique. The characters were both strong and lovable.
Amelia aka Help, stood her ground with Vicious and I LOVED the back and forth play for power between the two.

LJ Shen is such a talented author and her books always leave me in such a hangover.
Her writing is flawless and fierce. Her way with words, sensational. I become so engrossed in her characters and their story, never wanting to come up for air, yearning and needing more!!!


This book will definitely stay with me!!
So glad I was able to listen to this on audio!
Top read of 2017 and quite possibly my top read ever!! That's how phenomenal this book is!!! A MUST READ!!!!!


Highly Recommend!!!!

14 of 16 people found this review helpful

✫✫ 4 Stars ✫✫

While I enjoyed Vicious & Millie's story I have to say I didn't love Vicious. He was just a little too hard for me. I love an asshole who shows a little of his softer side and redeems himself in the end but he was more asshole than I think was necessary. I liked how they had a past even if it was a rough one and maybe a little unnecessarily full of drama that could have been handled with a discussion but I get it, the book needs some sort of drama. I liked Millie and her relationship with her family. I think my favorite thing about this book was the way they come together, it was the softer side I needed. Even if I had a hard time with his attitude, I couldn't wait for book 2!

The narration was good. Both Savannah Peachwood and Christian Rummel were well cast in this book and are both good narrators!

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

This was so good!

Shen's writing gets better with each book and this one is pure perfection. She creates these characters that you fall in love with no matter how VICIOUS they are. She draws you in and MAKES you love them. BELIEVE THE HYPE! This book deserves all of the 5 stars and the praise that it has been getting. I'm so excited to see what L.J. Shen has in store for the rest of the HotHoles.

I already loved this story but listening to the Audible was great! Both narrators did an amazing job of bringing the characters personality to life! Vicious with his nonchalant attitude and Emilia's loving nature. I never go back to a book once I've read it because I just don't like repeats but I was so excited to see how the narrators would bring these characters to life. They get an A++ because I was so deep into the performances that It was like the first time all over again! I Loved everything about it! This is not a audible that you want to miss out on!

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Awesome Story!!

All reviews were spot on! Every emotion and great hot stuff too! I'm very picky but this story had me listen to every single word. Sometimes you will forward on extras but Vicious and Emilia's story was amazing! If you've been stumped looking for a great read you'll love this one! Narrators were spot on!!

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Pink and Black

I loved this book when I first read it and decided that I would listen to it when I felt the desire to visit it again. I'm so glad I did! The narration by Christian Rummel and Savannah Peachwood was fantastic! The book is heartbreaking, raw, emotional, and definitely lives up to the title of Vicious. Even though I knew what was going to happen, listening to it all play out brought the emotions and scenes to a whole new level. Christian Rummel's voice was spot on for how I imagined callous, brooding, arrogant, and all around a-hole Vicious.

The writing was incredibly captivating and gripping.I haven't been this conflicted over a character in a long time. Vicious is an intriguing and complex anti-hero. I'm equally disgusted and sickened by him as I am sympathetic and fascinated. Though we learn the motivations and history behind his callous nature, it still doesn't excuse all the terrible things he has done and continues to do. He is so broken and damaged though that my heart hurt and I found myself rooting for him. In real life, I wouldn't touch Vicious with a 10 foot pole, but the author's writing is so addictive and compelling that I ended up falling for him completely in this book. Honestly, I'm not sure what that says about me. Even though he's a world class a-hole, those sweet and tender moments when his guard is down draw you completely in. It's hard for my brain to reconcile that I would end up loving a brutal, possessive, and remorseless hero, but by the end all I wanted to do was hug him. To me, this is the hallmark of an incredible book. One that challenges you and makes you question your beliefs.

I loved the dual POV and I don't think the book would have worked without it. It helped show all the love, hate, and confusion our characters experienced. I would have actually loved more chapters in the past to help understand Vicious and Emilia's push and pull relationship, but I'm not sure my heart could have survived it. The majority of what was revealed was painful and distressing, but there were moments of tenderness and vulnerability too. (Sigh. Pink and Black.) I can completely understand why some readers/listeners will read this and absolutely hate it, while others will swoon and fangirl. This book, the plot, and the characters are not black and white, but all different shades of grey. It questions the idea of good, evil, wrong, and right. I'm clearly in the fangirl camp and I'm looking forward to questioning my morality again with Dean's book, Ruckus. This one is definitely worth the credit!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

One bad reader and the main character is mean

I wanted to like this book. I listened all the way to the end. But it wasn’t good. The female reader was annoying because she used this breathy (trying to sound sexy but came across as a bimbo) voice. The male reader was great.

The main character was such a jerk. And even once I found out why he was that way it still didn’t make his character likeable. I can’t recommend this book.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

If you like abusive “romance”...

... then this is for you. I have zero respect and even less tolerance for women who are hot for and “in love” with men who consistently treatthem like $hit.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

What a sexy guy

Omg I am in love! I love vicious so much. It's funny sad and the characters are great together. This man is a complete b*****d but so loveable

Vicious

In not sure how to rate this book, at first I was going to stop listening when it was only part way then I decided that I would listen to the rest,I was pleasantly surprised to hear that it just got more interesting,I recommend this book as it will make you scowl and smile it turned out to be a really good read. The story was interesting and far fetched but sadly all to true in many ways.

Vicious and Emilia 💔💖

A fantastic narration of an addictive story. I could listen to this book every day.

I love the Hotholes ❤️

I’ve already read this book before but I’d thought I’d give the audio version a go as it’s such an amazing book! Vicious is the typical rich asshole who you fall in love with every time! It was such a good listen and had me hooked all over again even though I knew the story

Characters you hate but love....

Vicious!!!
Listend on audible...

I was expecting him to be a reformed bad boy.. you know. HA!! He is a total pr!ck and I love it.

Great listen full of characters that you hate but love to read about.

Good book

Well this book was unbelievable at first I didn't like it , vicious was an arrogant pig then I settled down an new there was a reason for his bad behaviour, glad they both got there happy ever after.

Engrossing reading and listening.

Great audio of a fantastic story. Definitely will be listening to this again! One click now!

Loved this book

Another great listen from L.J. Shen , enjoyed the narration also ,Baron (Vicsious)and Emilia (help)was addictive ,him a total arse her sweet and innocent a worthy listen