Full of angst and drama, I can see why so many people like LJ Shen. It was a little melodramatic for my taste and not dark at all for involving the mafia. But it was strangely addicting and kept me turning pages.

I'm shocked this is a highly rated book that bordered on statutory rape. It was like a modern bodice ripper where the hero is super mean and dominant while she is innocent and well mannered. There was verbal abuse, demeaning behavior and cheating. It was weird and uncomfortable for a contemporary novel. Did not enjoy it.
Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Where to begin? I loved this book! The plot is what drew me in. Super vague, and very enticing. From the first chapter I was hooked! Francesca was a strong character that made me feel all of her emotions. Wolfe was someone you loved to hate. It was a roller coaster through the whole book, but it was worth it! L. J. Shen is now added to my list of authors to follow!

Oh, this started off a little rough. Wasn't sure if I was going to finish it. When Franchesca finally began speaking up I knew I would be able to stick with it. Liked Frankie but hated her family culture. Really thought I was going to hate Wolfe and really didn't think Shen was going to be able to change my mind...but she did. It was a long road though, LOL.

4.5 stars

I was a little unsure going into this read whether I’d like it. However, the premise for this book of an arranged marriage and the cover won me over into giving it a try.

LJ Shen likes to write about mobsters some of the time. I have to be honest that this isn’t my favourite context for a story, however in this read, it is not constantly in the fore. LJ Shen always writes jerks and Wolfe was a jerk-a-thon to read but he didn’t irritate me (much). I liked that he was supposedly a straight guy, not a criminal. The heroine, Francesca was young and naive but she was strong-willed and I really came to like her a lot. She made some stupid decisions that irritated me but I lived with it.

The story was unpredictable in some ways and I really liked not knowing the direction. Most of all I enjoyed the begrudging connection between these two. The emotional connection is slow burning which is my favourite kind. Their chemistry and heat was sometimes uncomfortable at first but became rather lovely.

Definitely give this book a try, if like me, you’re unsure.. I hope you enjoy this angsty ride.

If there was a ten star option this book would get it. This will most likely be one of the best books I read in 2019. This book was amazing. It had everything and so real that I read it cover to cover in 4 hours. I couldn't put it down. Wolfe and his Nem, was a crazy match.

I really thought especially with Angelo in the picture that things would go differently. In true LJ fashion her H is definitely a bit dark and brooding. He flies off the handle and is a total alpha. This book had a great story line, tons of drama, tons of steaminess and a ton of alphaness. Plus I laughed out loud about 20 times- especially with the engagement stories! I would totally recommended this book!!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I imagined this book would be a bit more dark but to me it wasn't. Very fast read and wonderful characters. I highly recommend this book.

E-arc provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING! I LOVED IT SO MUCH!
Okay, now that you know how I feel about it I'm gonna try to break it down for you.

THAT COVER! Does it not give you Cruel Prince vibes? Because it does to me!

One kiss.
Two men.
Three lives.
Entwined together.

And somewhere between these two men, I had to find my forever.

Do you really need to know more?
The book was quite fast-paced and I loved the multiple point of views in the book.
This is stand-alone and so it's packed with goodies! I loved it from the very first line until the end.
MUST READ PEOPLE!

Wolfe, Senator Keaton to be precise, doesn't realize he'll have his hands full when he decides he'll marry Francesca Rossi. Well, maybe not decides. More like coerce.


I'm normally not a fan of enemy to lover stories, but the title was intriguing and wow, was I blown away. The book made me upset, it made me want to curse, and then it made me smile and cry. Shen did an excellent job with character development and the climatic points in the plot. And just when you think it's over, not!

Take a chance on the book. I promise it will be worth your time.

(I have a feeling that this might not be a popular opinion and that's okay because different strokes for different folks - ya dig? So don't come for me... Or do. Whatever...) Now that I've set myself up (ha!), I did enjoy The Kiss Thief. It took me a while to get into it and I figured out why as soon as I got to my first Wolfe chapter - apparently, I do not care for Francesca (the female lead). She grew on me a bit as the book went on, and I understand where the author was coming from with her characterization, but I just could not vibe with her. In the long run, that's one of the things that kept me reading the book - I could not put it down because I just had to see what this girl was going to do next! There were literally times when I exclaimed expletives over some of the moves she made. Now Wolfe, the epitome of the alpha jerk that I've come to love and expect from LJ Shen's male characters, him I liked. Immediately you could tell that there was so much more swimming under the surface of his douchiness and I was so here for it. I found myself wanting to speed through the other chapters to get to his (the book is told in alternating first person POV). I found his character, background, and arc to be truly compelling. He sort of saved the book for me. So I'm left with mixed feelings: the story/plot was interesting and entertaining, and I truly liked Wolfe, but Francesca left me feeling sort of meh. Where I find all of the other LJ Shen books that I've read highly reread worthy, I'm not quite sure The Kiss Thief falls in that same category for me. I may give it another shot to see whether my opinion changes if I'm in another head space, but as it stands, I can't see this as a book that I go back to repeatedly. Since that is not the only marker of a great book (imo) and I truly did find the book entertaining and unputdownable, I feel comfortable giving it 3.75/4 out of 5 stars. I'll still read and buy whatever the author blesses us with and can't wait to see what she does with Sinners of Saint: Gen 2 in her upcoming All Saints High Series!