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.

14 of 14 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!

4 of 4 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 6 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.

9 of 12 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

loved it!

loved the struggles the characters had and pulled eachother through. enjoyed this book as I did the others in this series.

Wasnt expecting that!

At first it was kind of a struggle to keep my interest but I kept reading and boy was I hooked!! This entire series has kept me on edge. Lj Shen is a very creative Authur I am loving her books! Great read!

Story has the power to “take me away”

First, this was a great performance. Well done. I sincerely want an encore. It was that good, I never wanted the story to end. One of the better narrated books I have listened to-and switched back and forth to ebook periodically. I love that convenience. I’m left happy, impressed, and wanting to hear more-particularly from the male narrator, although the female narrator was also excellent-this guy just may be one of my favorite voices.
The story itself is a little different in some ways from the series, mostly due to the nature of the heroine’s experiences. Bane, the H, is somewhat typical of the hothole tradition that comes from this town, the epi-center of the series. He is a brash and irreverent surfer with some secrets that instill a great deal of self loathing and leads him to be both an entrepreneur and an escort. Jesse, aka, snowflake as Bane likes to call her is interesting and troubled. She suffered a brutal attack that also triggered some repressed memories. Her sorry is tragic, but for me also very relatable. I like where this character took us. I thought the journey was like that of the mythical Phoenix, we see a character who is consumed by pain and reborn from it as well. I have a strong desire to quote Bane from Dark Knight about things Born in darkness :) but I will resist. Sort of, cause now I’m geeking out with a raspy voice as I read this review to myself. I like the Russian Literature Reference in the story line and the profound quote Jesse tattooed on her back by Pushkin. I did think the author could have elaborated a bit more if Pushkin was to be a part of this, why limit us to just one line? Go for the gusto! I do adore the fact that when Bane thinks Snowflake is reading Russian literature she often has a dirty novel tucked inside.
Baron makes an appearance in this book, I understand the need to tie-in the hotholes, but for the sake of THIS story, his role should have been fleshed out a little more. There is no real clarity at the end that Bane is in a position to one day take over this town, not convinced why he is viewed as the town’s future ruler. This book works more as a stand alone novel in my headspace. The location and the appearance from Baron Spencer are the real tie in’s to the series and how brutal it can be on the heart. This is a very talented author. I recommend this to readers of gritty romance and dark treasures.

Love Roman and Jessie 🖤

I could literally listen to Christian Rummel read a phone book....loved hearing him voice one of my favorite book boyfriends 🖤

#teambane

WOW! I swear, I opened this book thinking there’s no way it can be better then the other #hotholes, I was way wrong. It’s better! And don’t get me wrong, all of her books are fabulous, but Bane & Jesse’s book has all the feels. The plot twists that you don’t see coming until she spells it out for you. This is the kind of book that you don’t want to end. I’m so sad it’s over and can’t wait for next one!

Christian is the perfect voice for Bane & Savannah is the perfect Jesse.