Truly, Madly, Deeply: Forbidden Love, Book 1

Okay, the last few books I’ve read by L.J. Shen have been just like the Sinners of Saint series. Mike drop. No way is this book ever leaving my consciousness. Will love rent free in my head for days, weeks, months, YEARS!!! I loved the premise of this story. I love the story of them, from kids to adults. From all the bumps and tragedies along the way. They both suffered so much individually growing up yet didn’t allow (well, mostly) those things to make them stop loving their families and being able to GIVE love period after the world showed them just how truly evil it can be. I absolutely loved Cal! She is my hero!! So self aware, compassionate, funny smart and awkward. She was a big ole dorky mess and I loved every moment of it. Row 😮‍💨🥹😘 woah, Row…this man is boyfriend goals for real! He was so self aware he knew things some of us spend the better part of our lives trying to determine. He was a quiet unassuming cheerleader who did EVERYTHING in his power to be what his people needed and even things they didn’t even know they needed. He had a huge heart and will unalive anyone who tells that secret! This novel touched me, I had tears in my eyes at times and that is always my great story indicator’s. I have been on such a positive streak with Leigh’s books lately that I preordered the physical version was it last year?? Idk, I just know I didn’t hesitate being on the list to get one as soon as the book came out. Even before the blurb. My confidence is back in this lovely author and I can’t WAIT to see who’s next! Twice I thought I had it figured out. I guess I’ll have to wait and see if it’s either or something completely different. L.J. Definitely keeps us on our toes. Of course I had to read and listen as there was no way I’d have been able to wait u til I was driving or not. Um, no. Teddy Hamilton and Lily Winters kïlled it! They took these characters to another level and really helped you feel the emotion, not just read it. They are both masters at narrating and I love it!! All in all, I’m in heaven. You know that feeling you get when you’ve just finished something was taking forever to complete? Or built that shelf? Bookcase? Painted, or driven your 1st car? This book left me with this type of euphoria. Hands down, one of the best books I’ve read this year and I’ve read a lot! Cheers to you Mrs. Shen!

I loved this book, from start to finish. The characters are relatable, fun, and have wonderful chemistry. I had been in a reading slump and this book got me out. This book was a great surprise in how the love interest interact and have a history. There wasn't a part of this book I did not like. I adored Cal, for everything she has gone through and fighting to get out of the darkness she had lived with for years.Row was such a great character. He brought love, affection, strength, and security to all the women in his life. His sister was a great character and I loved her. Row put himself out there for another possible heart break and I adored him for that.Great book! Must read story.

✨Thoughts✨The story starts with a bang, quite literally, as our FMC, Cal, sets her sights on losing her v-card to her best friend's older brother. The situation takes a bitter turn, and Cal immediately relocates to NYC for college. However, years later, a personal tragedy forces her to return to her hometown.♡︎ If you're familiar with LJ Shen's writing style, you'll know that she has an incredible ability to hold the readers' attention from the very first page. Personally, I couldn't put this book down, devouring it in a single day. I absolutely love it when characters have layers that unravel as the story progresses, and this book certainly delivers in that aspect.♡︎ The intense and sometimes unpredictable attraction between Row and Cal had me hooked from the start. Their push-and-pull dynamic provided endless entertainment, enhanced by the angsty vibes that made this book utterly irresistible. Cal and Row shared incredible chemistry, along with some of the best banter I've ever read. I couldn't help but fall in love with both of them and all their flaws and quirks.♡︎ While LJ Shen touches upon weighty themes that add depth to the story, overall, this book carries a lighter tone, brimming with swoon-worthy moments and a strong 90s vibe. I highly recommend listening to the suggested music for each chapter to fully embrace the experience.✧ To sum it up, if you're a fan of stories about friends-turned-enemies-turned-lovers, featuring interesting characters, then this book is an absolute must-read.♥︎𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝’𝐬 𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫♡︎𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐬-𝐭𝐨-𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬♥︎𝐁𝐨𝐬𝐬/𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞♡︎𝐆𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞♥︎𝐇𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭♡︎𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟓⭐️𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 𝟑/𝟓🌶️

Loved the story. Loved their personalities and loved the banter. I laughed out loud a few times almost waking my husband!I would have given it 5 stars but one nothing threw me off-The zucchini and the candy cane. But otherwise it was well written. I really enjoyed reading this book.

Row,Row, Row...what more can I say. Row is just utterly delicious he is my new favorite book boyfriend. Cal's heart never stood a chance. But Cal is a hilarious disaster, but oh, so lovable. This book gave me an emotional overload, and I loved every minute of it. I even forgive Ambrose being a smoker,a nasty habit, and having an abrasive personality. The two of them complimented each other, and I couldn't get enough of them. Cal is quirky, clumsy, and unapologetically awkward. Row is mean, abrasive, talented, and sexy. This book gave me everything. A definite five-star read. My only wish is that I could read it again for the first time, but I can read it for a second time.

This book was so dang good, I loved these two--their past and present are both just SO messy, it was such a journey to get these two flawed humans to the finish line. I ate up every single second. This book is funny, swoony, sexy and everything in between. Their banter was just done SO WELL.Narration: Teddy Hamilton & Lila Winters absolutely killed it. I believe this was my my first audiobook with Lila and I will absolutely be looking for more from her because she was excellent as Cal. I loved her cadence, and even at 2.5x speed it was so pleasant to listen to. And as for Teddy? Well it's not secret he is one of my top narrators but as a hot grumpy chef?! Holy...say less. He was so good. This is definitely an audiobook you don't want to miss.

Eu amei esse livro, me tirou da resseca literária, não estava conseguindo ler NADA, até eu achar esse livro, mais um livro gostoso de ler da L.J. Shen, um slow burn, second chance. Amei conhecer outro casal que espero que seja o segundo casal dessa série que é a Dylan e o Kieran. Enfim, você não vai se arrepender de ler esse livro.

Omg L.J what a beautiful love story. Wonderfully written, funny in parts but sad in others. Cal had lovely parents but because of their ethnicity, she was dreadfully bullied, so much so that she was left for dead and intimate images of her appeared on social media. This all caused her to close herself off and become introverted. Her only friend was Dylan and she fell in love with Row, Dylan's brother. He fell in love with her too.But......does it all end up okay? Well you'll have to read it and find out. Suffice to say though I was gripped😍

So, I just finished this book. Probably a minute ago. I very much enjoyed it and am sad I’m done. I’ve read so many books these past months; they are blasted on all the social media channels and you just get sucked in, some of them great, some of the okay and some of them simply not good. I was waiting for a book to move me, I still wanted the spice but I also wanted emotions and to lose myself in the story. This one just hit the mark for me. This was my first book by L.J. Shen, but definitely not my last.Row is the perfect book boyfriend, definitely not your golden retriever, but in this book simply perfect, a hard shell with a gooey enter for the people he loved and cared for. My heart was hurting for him so many times. Cal was charming, broken, annoying and very oblivious. But together, they were perfectly imperfect. I’m not going to rehash what the story is about. I can tell you that I didn’t really know what I was in for and that made it even more perfect for me. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the spice was definitely spicing, even if it was a bit of a slow burn at first, but once it hits, whew…. Zucchini and candy canes…well IYKYK. If you’re on the fence about reading this, done be. You won’t regret it. If I could, I would give it ten stars.

A beautiful story, a well thought plot with many memorable elements, both happy and sad events make this tale an unforgettable journey. The dialogues are fast paced and lively, the banter is fun adding some light to the more intense moments. Endearing characters that will make your reading experience so special.