Bane

A MONUMENTAL & SLOW-BURN TO REDEMPTION

L.J.Shen is an auto download author for me.. and, this lyrical poetical book not only highlights why, but it also cements her place as one of my favorite author too. The quick-witted, snappy dialogue, witty one liners, thought provoking raw scenes, passion-filled pleasures, heartfelt sentiments, rich multi-layered characters, seismic chemistry, simmering sexual chemistry, the anti-hero you can’t help but fall in love with and the addictive storyline are all here.. but so is a lot more. More.. that had me holding my breath, more that had me reeling in disbelief, more that had me high fiving a heroine who claimed her life back, more that had me swooning a hero who started off as anything but one.. but redeemed himself beautifully. And more because their touching journey to forever was filled with dark pitfalls they climbed out from, unforeseen hurdles they cleared, mountain they moved and demons they slayed.

Twenty-five year old Bane is a self-professed asshole, a pot-smoking surfer, an extortionist, a liar, a con artist, a thief, a manwhore and a paid escort for anyone’s hire.. his moral compass is way waaay off and he’s unapologetically proud of it too. He is also a beautiful, sexy-as-sin, tattooed and pierced bad-boy alpha, a brash and blunt player, a business owner and an entrepreneur.. which is what leads him into Jesse’s life.. because, for the backing of $6 million dollars from her stepdad for Bane’s dream project, he is secretly contracted to bring a broken girl they call ‘the ghost’ back to life. However, that comes with one caveat.. do not, under any circumstances, have sex with her.. well that’s no problem she’s so not his type. He’s a carefree player, a warm-hearted womanizer, he doesn’t need or want complications and can get any woman he wants - so he takes the deal.. the deal that’s going to blow his well-ordered life apart, shatter his world and piece it all back together again.. and Bane has a broken, damaged, haunted, untouchable twenty year old to thank for that. Because it will eventually unlock her bitter dark memories, empower her inner strength, ignite her buried courage, enable her to face her past and she’ll become an avenging angel.. and slay all their demons. And Jesse’s heartbreaking tale?.. well that’s her emotional story to tell.

Worth a credit? Pheweee, where do I start with saying how much this is definitely worth a credit. Is it the writing skills of this well-loved author who has penned an unforgettable love story weighted down with so many emotional feels? Or is it the drama, angst, passion and pleasure that balanced and blended and brewed and baked over howevermany delicious hours? Perhaps it’s the awesome character growth that bends and binds and alters and remoulds them both? Or maybe it’s the dual POV narration which make these characters and their stories so captivating to listen to as I smiled and sighed and frowned and cursed and prayed along with them? Well, whatever the answer is, I’m grateful.. and long may this trio continue to mix and weave their magic. The last story in the Sinners of Saints series.. and each one can be a standalone.

11 of 11 people found this review helpful

Absolutely a must read

I love Bane’s story and the girl who captured his heart. It was everything you want in a love story. If you haven’t already please pick up this book

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Bane!!!!

Bane!!!!! I am still experiencing a major book hangover with this one. I was hooked from page one until the VERY LAST PAGE! I wanted to move in and live in this story, in this town, with these beautifully flawed characters. This made me feel ALL THE THINGS and I loved it!! Gahhhhhhh! Pure freakin' magic! The narration was spot! I can't think of a better narrator to bring Bane to life and Savannah was the perfect Jessie!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Couldn’t even past the first quarter

I usual love this author but the minute Bane talked about screwing guys for money, I was out. I’m not into guy on guy action, if that’s your thing than great. It’s a deal breaker for me.

8 of 11 people found this review helpful

Like her use of humor

Enjoyed this series and truly didn't think would. The Authors use of humor kept heavy or potentially dark topics from becoming hopeless and depressing

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

My Whole Life Has Been Pledged to This Meeting with You

This book was not what I was expecting and everything I wanted. Shen’s writing is raw, dark, intense and powerful. She has a way of making chaos and pain look beautiful and extraordinary. This book drew me in from the very first lines of the prologue. Shen drop a huge bomb in the beginning that had me open mouthed and wanting to devour the book in one sit. It mixed very intense and sensible topics with a dose of fun banter, undeniable passion and raw emotions. This is not a pretty romance or fairytale by any chance. In this story THE PRINCESS doesn’t need a Prince to save her. In this story the prince will simply provide the sword she needs to slay the demons. She will also save HIM.

I have read and listen to every one of Shen’s SINNERS OF SAINT books and until now my heart and south under belonged to Baron “ Vicious “ Spencer. Now I have to say that ROMAN “ BANE” PROTSENKO has completely and utterly stolen me away.

Let’s get to know a bit about this messy, broken beautiful couple.

Jesse Carter came into Bane’s life as a new piece to complete his most important hand of chess. To finally gain what he thought he ever wanted and definitely wasn’t a girl. Jesse is so shattered that when you first meet her you think NO ONE will be able to pull her through and you aren’t sure what will become of her. Once you get to know her you’ll see that her fierce self, her strength it’s just dormant under all those layers of clothes waiting for the right moment and person to burst out to fight and shine bright. She looks like a scarred princess but she will be able to fight and conquer. She just needed a little push and a sword. You’ll be cheering her on and waiting for her to slay in that final battle.

Bane Bane Bane! He is a thief, a con, a whore and the biggest bad boy with no moral compass and tattoos for days. But under all his layers, his surfer sexy as sin body and rough attitude it’s a huge heart ready to come out to love, to protect. He Just needed to find the right person. Even with his naughty mouth and jerk attitude he was a good person. He SEES Jesse, understand her and doesn’t judge. Bane has some demons of his own and in reality has been hiding behind his beard and tattoos. He may think he doesn’t want anything more than his uncomplicated life but this unexpected young woman will change EVERYTHING and will make him FEEL.


I seriously want to keep talking Bane but I can’t. I want you to pick this audiobook up because if you love Shen’s stories so far YOU HAVEN’T SEEN NOTHING YET. If she is a new author to you PREPARE YOURSELF to be blown away. And last but not least the narration by Christian Rummel and Savannah Peachwood is PERFECTION. Shen’s couldn’t have pick better narrators for her Sinners of Saints books.

You need Bane in your life!! A must listen!

A fantastic story to conclude this series! An amazing story involving tough subject matters. I absolutely adored Bane! So cocky, confident and so sexy! I loved Jesse, she’s so tragically broken yet so strong when she finds her strength! Their chemistry is sizzling hot and their banter is so enjoyable on so many different levels. The narration was perfection!! A must listen in this series.

truly beautiful

this was an amazingly beautiful story of 2 people that were thrown together. my heart soared by the end.

The Smart Assery in On Point

Great book. Level of angst and smart ass humor that exceeds expectations. Great narrating, these two brought it home! Honestly I am such a smart ass, LJ Shen Gave me a good run for my money, and some great lines for future use!It is tough to make a complete asshole look fantastic, but she nailed it. I was rooting for these two since the get-go!

DNF - Obsession with virginity

I don't generally require my romance reading to be particularly progressive, but I got a couple hours into this audiobook and just could not stand the obsession with this girl's "virginity". Being angsty that there wasn't blood and discomfort at first intercourse is just so outdated (and inaccurate!). So yay for a male protagonist who isn't homophobic. Boo all the handwringing about wishing the girl's first sexual experience was painful and unpleasant. Yikes.