It’s been quite awhile since I’ve read a L.J. Shen book. So when I read the premise for The Devil Wears Black I knew I had to read it. To top it off it had some of my favorite tropes. Second chance, enemies to lovers and fake fiancé so I was beyond giddy as I started reading and as the story unfolded.
Madison was such a wonderful character. I just adored her and she grew so much throughout the story. Finally taking a stand for herself and her beliefs.
Chase was the man who didn’t do relationships but only flings. He strikes a deal with his ex Madison to be his fiancé and boy does that result in amazing bantering and sizzling chemistry. At first I felt Chase was one dimensional, lacking depth, but he just needed time to reveal himself and his fears. Then I was all in and consumed with Mr. Chase Black. He too had quite the growth in TDWB.

Madison and Chase were so much fun because of their past history and connection to one another. Chase had hurt Madison in the past so she knew what she was getting herself into and made Chase aware of that. So it added some delicious tension to the mix.
There were times when I felt the story went in circles and not much happened but thankfully the two MC and certain side characters were strong enough to make that a minor issue for me.

The Devil Wears Black tackles a variety of topics especially the loss of a parent. I liked how that was explored and depicted. Madison’s relationship with her mother hit a soft spot with me. Also the epilogue just made me swoon and smile.
Chase Black definitely was the Devil and it was good!

4 Flowery Stars

I Love LJ SHEN. I was so excited to see this book up for request. I know I love an author when no matter what length; I always feel like I want more of the story and the characters. Jacob Black, doesn't quite handle things the right way when it comes to Maddie; his fear of commitment or maybe even failing cause him to push her away. I enjoyed this book and the way Maddie was completely herself. More and more we are seeing heroines cast in a more relatable light; whether that be through unconventional beauty or sassy quirky personalities and Maddie shined in this book! Really hoping we get an upcoming book centered around the the supporting characters!!

Another great book!!! I was in love with the characters from this book from chapter one. Such a well written piece that draws you in.

Its october 1998. Ethan comes back into Maddie's life. Chase had broke her heart. Chase had cheated and gave her an STD. I liked the dialogue. I liked the letters from mom.

I enjoyed this more than I anticipated - Chase turned out to not be as awful as he seemed in the beginning and Maddie grew as a character as well. Sometimes the fake fiancee trope is just too ridiculous but this one was well-written and had good intentions.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Every time I read one of L.J. Shen's book I am like 'this is my favorite', but each book she gets better and better. L.J. Shen is a mastermind. Every word she writes is so beautifully written you cannot help but fall in love with her writing. The characters are so well written you feel so connected to them. You can feel the love. This book was no different. She has created such an epic story that is a perfect mix of love, banter & sass. This story will stay with you long after you read it. You will wish this book lasted forever. It was THAT good.

Wow. All the freaking WOW. This story had me staying up way past my bedtime to finish it! I completely LOVE Maddie and Chase isn’t so bad himself. Second-chance, enemies to lovers (again), family issues and love. It’s just all literally AMAZING!

5 stars!!! L.J. Shen’s novels are always a sure thing for me so I jumped at the opportunity to read The Devil Wears Black! This addictive read has it all—second-chance-romance, enemies-to-lovers, and the fake fiancé premise...oh my!

When Maddie Goldbloom’s ex-boyfriend, Chase Black, asks her to be his fake fiancé to make his dying father happy, she doesn’t have the heart to say no. After their horrible breakup Maddie is apprehensive to even pretend to be with Chase again, but she’s determined to keep Chase emotional distance...or so she thinks! I completely adore what L.J. Shen had in mind for these two!

I really hope this book is the first in a loooong series! L.S. Shen is so good a creating amazing character! Maddie is so darn endearing and so beautiful on the inside and out! Chase is a alpha male with a huge heart (that he likes to hide) and that I promise will completely win you over! I also found the supporting characters amazing—hence my wanting a long series ;). I’ve enjoyed every L.J. Shen novel I’ve read, but this my favorite from her yet! The Devil Wears Black is an absolute MUST READ!

I seem to be in the minority, but I did not enjoy this book as much as I hoped I would. I found it to be a little slow moving for me. I just kept waiting for something to happen and then it did and the book was over. I really loved “Mad” - she was a great character and I felt like we got to know her so well. I wish I felt the same about Chase.
I think this is an enjoyable book, just not one of my favorites by L.J. Shen.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

There's no words to describe what an absolutely delightful suprise this book was. This books comes close to L.J She's older work in my opinion which I adore with all my heart. I mean the fake relationship/enemies to lovers trope? It doesn't get better than that.

It's emotional, it's sexy, it's funny, it's heartwarming. I devoured it in two sittings and I'm not even sorry. It's L.J Shen. Of course I'm not sorry. The more I read, the more I fell in love with the characters.

I want Maddie to be my best friend really. That girl has a heart of gold! She's feisty, smart, quirky, talented, and such a strong woman. She needs to be protected at all costs. Don't get me started on Chase Black. At the beginning of the book I hated him but also was intrigued by him. As I read, I didn't even noticed the moment when he stole my heart. He did redeem himself in that irresistible way L.J Shen's heroes do. The sexy bastard did a great job.

The angst, the witty banter, the chemistry, the texts and post it notes they exchanged and ultimately the smut, it was all perfectly balanced to make me giggle, sigh, and cheer for their love. Yeah giggle. It's good enough to make me giggle like a fool. The way the characters grew both together and separately was beautiful to follow. I just loved it. The beginning wasn't convincing enough for me but somehow along the way I fell in love with the story.

If you're expecting an erotic romance well this is not it. This was sweet and swoony but sexy, it was funny but emotional, it was light but also intense. This book shows the romance genre in its best light.

Thanks to Montlake and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Devil Wears Black is without a doubt the best book LJ Shen has ever written. I'm truly, madly, deeply and all-consumingly in love with this story! I just want to shout it from the rooftops until my throat is sore and my lungs are burning. This epic masterpiece needs to be on everybody's TBR list. TDWB is a complete standalone, second chance at love Rom Com which doesn't have the same level of heavy angst like the usual LJ Shen novel. It's much lighter despite some heavy topics and a true feel good book. This story is hands down outstanding is so many ways - from the highly entertaining and fast-paced plot, witty and funny dialogue, intriguing and well-developed characters to the beautiful and poignant writing.

I've read and loved many books by this amazingly talented author who has managed to create her own brand of romance heroes she is well known and admired for - damaged, broken bad boys who hide their kind, caring hearts behind a thick wall of arrogance, sarcasm and cynicism. Devilishly handsome, playful and sexy guys who you want to punch in the face and then kiss it better while questioning your own sanity and taste in men.

Madison Goldbloom is a wedding dress designer who loves her job. She is living in a small studio apartment in New York and dating a pediatrician. Now imagine her surprise when her ex who broke her heart suddenly shows up at her door months after their painful break up and asks her to play his fake fiancée in order to fulfill his father’s last wish. Chase Black is a successful business man and the CEO of the Black & Co. empire. He is not used to beg for anything but he adores his old man and would leave no stone unturned in order to make his family happy. Even if it's to take advantage of his former girlfriend's kindness and compassion. Maddie agrees to his horrible plan while promising herself to not fall victim to the Chase effect again. But when the usually closed off commitment phobe stars lowering his walls she will realise that she is still not over him.

While Madison lives her life in technicolor, Chase deliberately chooses to stay in his neat, all Black universe. Madison likes to dress in bright colors and eye catching patterns showing off her quirky and artsy personality proudly while Chase is a stuck-up corporate guy who is wearing expensive watches and, you guessed it right, black designer suits. Madison is called Martyr Maddie by her friends because she doesn't have a mean bone in her body. She has this need to please everyone and to not get into any kind of conflicts. Chase is the complete opposite, he is used to people catering to his every whim. He is very stubborn, extremely unreasonable at times and can be a moody and rude jerk. But he is also hard-working, loyal and devoted to his family. He deeply cares although he would rather get his teeth pulled than admit it. Chase is terrified of falling in love and making himself vulnerable but with Maddie's help he will realise that love makes you stronger and a better person. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between Chase and Madison with all the sexual induendo. They also had combustible chemistry inside the bedroom which made for some really hot scenes.

I could gush about this fantastic story for hours but the key massage I want to convey is that this book is absolutely worth your time and money. Please do yourself a huge favor and one-click The Devil Wears Black. LJ Shen did a terrific job with her first Montlake Publishing novel and I truly look forward to more of them in the future! Standing ovations for Leigh and this 5+ stars must-read and a new top favorite read of all time!

Here I am, with tears in my eyes, thanking mastermind LJ Shen for writing one of the most funniest, epic and heartbreakingly beautiful stories I ever had the pleasure to read: The Devil Wears Black. I've been a fan of this incredibly talented author for a while now and know firsthand that she's a very versatile wordsmith. She can make you laugh like crazy in one second, only to make you cry your eyes out in the next one. And don't get me started on the angst, because she can write that well too! But this book, is compared to her others, less angstier. In fact, it's lighter, while still bearing the typical LJ Shen trademark: hilarious and highly entertaining banter, an arrogant, sexy jerk of a hero and a loveable, smart and sweet heroine. I loved the way she told this enemies to lovers/second chance romance in dual POV and incorporating letters from the heroine's mother.

Maddison Goldbloom has been obsessed with weddings since her childhood. As the daughter of a flower shop owner, she loved watching her mother arrange beautiful bouquets for brides. Now at twenty six, she's living her dream and is working as a wedding dress designer in New York. Just when she starts to date Ethan, a pediatrician and epitome of prince charming, the devil himself knocks at her door: Chase Black. Her super rich and super evil ex. The guy she dated for six months. The one who cheated on her and broke her heart. Now he's back in her life and asking for a favor. He needs her to act as his fake fiancée, for his dying father's sake. Can sweet Martyr Maddie, who can't say no and always puts others first, pretend to be a fiancée in love, when all she wants to do is to strangle Chase for everything he's done? And is Chase Black really the heartless devil in a suit everyone is taking him for? Or is there more to the young and successful businessman who's sworn to never get trapped by marriage?

If you've read some previous books from LJ Shen, then you definitely know that nobody writes bad boys better than her! I was ready to hate Chase right from the start but I had no idea how many facets his character would have! I must confess that I misjudged him. All I saw at the beginning were his flaws like his stubbornness, arrogance and manipulation of Maddie. But deep down, he had a good heart that he was desperately trying to protect. Chase loved his family and deeply cared about his parents and sister, as well as his cousin and niece. When he met Maddie, she turned his world upside down and made him feel things that scared him. Once he let the walls around his heart drop and allowed me to see him for who he really was, I started to love him with all my being! Damn you LJ Shen, for always making me fall hard for your heroes!

I adored Maddie instantly. How could I not when she was such a sweet, compassionate and loving person? Despite everything Chase has done, she agreed to act as his fake fiancée to make his father happy, even though she was scared to be hurt again. Having lost her mother at a young age, she knew the devastation of losing a parent. In the end she wasn't only helping Chase, she was also there for his entire family at their darkest hours. No wonder they all loved her so much! I could never understand why she felt like she wasn't enough for Chase. Because she was the best thing that ever happened to him. I was so proud of her for overcoming her insecurities and realizing her own worth in the end.

One of the best parts about this book was the funny, witty and sexy banter between Maddie and Chase. They had great chemistry and were simply made for each other. Like two broken pieces that made a perfect whole. It took some time until they both dealt with their issues, but once they did, everything klicked into place.

I could gush about The Devil Wears Black all day! After all, it isn't just my top favorite LJ Shen book, it's also one of the best rom coms ever written. I highly recommend it to everyone, because it's beauty and epicness will touch you in a way you won't be able to forget. I seriously can't remember ever laughing and crying so much at the same story! Thank you Mrs. Shen for writing this masterpiece about love, loss and finding your true self. I loved everything about it and will keep it close to my heart forever and always. 5+ stars!

When I read the synopsis to this book I just needed to read it. It is enemies to lovers romance, with ex lovers and fake relationship.
I just eat this book up.
I must confess this is not the first book from this author, but it is the first that I really loved.
Let just say that I don't like the way Shen describes her main male characters.
They are always arrogant, rude, bullies. They treat the main female character badly and I would dare to say they are abusive. ( With words)
But this time this was tune it down.

Maddie Goldbloom is just the sweetest. I just love,love, love her. I hate that people mistake a goodness as a weakness. And If you are good, you are also a pushover. But she absolutely isn't.
She's a sunshine on the cloudy day. She tries to stay positive and fun, although she had the huge loss in her life. And the wound might be healed, but the scars remain.

Chase Black is arrogant billionaire, but when you peel of the layers there is just a sweet guy, who will do anything for his family and who is broken and scared of love, because he doesn't want to get hurt.

Love the Chapters that are told from his point a view. Because You can just see how he's even lying to himself.

Yes mainly this is a romance novel, but also deals with death, loss, family and all above love.

I really enjoyed this one. Just didn't expect I would enjoy this much. A pleasant surprise.

This is almost 5 stars. 4.75 stars from me.

This book was great! The chemistry between Chase and Maddie was off the charts! The book had so many different tropes in it: enemies-to-lovers, second chance romance, fake relationship, billionaire romance. It was amazing! The way the characters grew in the span of the book and the way they helped each other grow was one of my favorite parts of the book. It was cheesy and fun but also hot and steamy! I really expected this book to be highly predictable but there were some parts that really surprised me. Definitely recommend it if you are a romance fun!

I am in love, is that enough to make you want to read this? Chase and Madison’s story was just what I needed. This story is full of push and pull, alpha male and quirky personalities. It has been a long time since I have smiled this much while reading or highlighted so many phrases.

"That is what happens when you muster some sympathy for the devil, I thought bitterly. He drags you to hell, and you get burned".

Chase and Madison’s story that really hit home tugging on my heart strings evoking emotions that I swore were buried. I laughed, I cried, and I whispered to myself “that’s exactly how I felt”.

"The devil didn’t have to drag me down to hell. I had come with him willingly".

What started as a simple request to help an ex-boyfriend fulfill his father’s last wish turns into a rollercoaster ride mixed with a tilt-a-whirl of life and a hearty dose of reality.

"I learned a simple thing recently. That gap between reality and our dreams. That’s where life is tucked".

^That… if you find that space live in it for as long as possible. Life is short.

Read it!

Enemies to lovers, fake fiancé arrangement, sizzling-steamy- pants dropping, eyes popping chemistry, extremely entertaining, smart banters, favorite cultural references. Yes, I’m sold! We’re talking about L.J.Shen, one of the brilliant romance authors of the century! Of course I was dying to have an ARC. I was not patient enough to wait for release date!

Oh, I know, her last standalone romance novel definitely didn’t work for me but I had a real good feeling about this one as soon as o saw the cover and read the blurb. Guess I didn’t get wrong by listening my intuitions.

Book started as a three starred read- then characters started to grow on me and it turned into four and second half of the story: the romance parts melted my heart. So yes I cannot wipe the stupid smile on my face which will probably stay at my face for a week but this turned into a five starred, extremely enjoyable read for me!

This is a first! I assure you, it didn’t happen to me before!At first I felt fifty shades of hate to Chase Black as soon as I’m introduced him. His cocky smile, arrogant, pretentious, mansplaining, egotistical style made me see red! I stopped reading and fantasized five billion ways to torture him. He’s a real target carrying a dartboard glued to his forehead.

And as soon as I’m introduced Maddie Goldbloom, eccentric, smart, artistic, sweetheart but also deserves her nickname as martyr because she doesn’t stand for herself and she is a real people pleaser. I want to drag her out of this story to position her in a different romcom with a gold hearted hero who can treat her better.

And of course before I start my reading I got spoilers telling me the douchebag hero may be cheater! Another punching point went to hero!
So my suspicions start to grow and I question myself if I chose the right romance book for me! But

But a few chapters later, MAGIC started to happen. I slowly start to understand our black souled, heartless, very punchable hero may be not the villain I really thought. He and Maddie had a relationship and Maddie thought he cheated on her and called the quits and six months later he wants her acting like her dead fiancée as a dying father’s last wish, taking her to family house in Hamptons to spend time with the entire Black clan.

That’s why I felt this was regular three starred read at first because I got angry at Maddie not to let douchebag grovel more. He wanted a real big favor and he manipulated her because he knew she had a good heart and she could never reject a dying man’s wish.

But as soon as I learned more about their past relationship and heroine’s insecurities, reading to Chase’s POV ( see, I stopped calling him jerk or any other offensive nicknames. He’s still not my favorite hero but he turned into a tolerable one) everything made more sensible.
I loved Chase and Mad’s post it messages, nonstop teasing texts, discovering different sides of each other at the family gatherings, their newly formed friendship, extremely hot chemistry, passion, the way of facing their insecurities and changing.

Oh, let’s not forget letters to Maddie written by her mother before dying from cancer, telling the real meanings of flowers and giving important life anecdotes to Maddie which made me cry a lot.

This is not erotic romance or standalone romance. This book is hilarious, emotional, entertaining, laugh out loud and poignant rom-com. I can tell you this is the most enjoyable, smart and funny book of the author!

I know there were cliches and some parts were foreseeable but I adored the characters ( yes, surprise even the hatable douche a.k.a Chase Black stole my heart at the end. ) interestingly I also adored Chase’s family, his interactions with his all time nemesis cousin and half brother Julian. And I loved to see how Maddie blended with their lives.

Summary of my words: I LOVED IT SOOOOO MUCH and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT to true romance/ rom-com lovers!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for sharing this incredible Arc with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

This is classic L.J. Shen. If you have read any of her other books, you know exactly what that means and what you are getting with this story.

Her books are usually hit or miss with me and, luckily, this one is leaning more towards a hit. I still have a difficult time reading about MC love interests who are rude and use bullying as a form of 'affection.' While Chase does have jerk tendencies, I wasn't massively put off by them. I think it helps that Maddie could stick up for herself.

Overall, a cute (albeit predictable) story that is easy to read and gets your mind off of the world for a little bit. If you enjoy enemies to lovers with a rich boy a-hole who tries to redeem himself, then this is the perfect story for you.