LJ shen killed it with this book.. no spoilers but this is going to be a top read and will have it as out book club of the month book!

I loved Bane. I didn't think I would because he was a new character brought in in the last book (he was Edie's ex) I'm worried this series might be over and that makes me kinda sad. But I did really enjoy this. I won't spoil it but it turns out this is more taboo than Defy. There's also TW for rape, sexual assault, child abandonment, mutilation.

This is my first LJ Shen book, but I know so many people who are obsessed that I knew I had to give it a shot. While this isn't a new book, it is a refresh and reprint. Honestly, this was a hard read for me. The trigger warnings are real. Please pay attention to them before you read. No shade to LJ Shen or her fans. This one just wasn't for me.

Will I be cancelled if I say I loved this one more than Vicious and Ruckus?! Ahaha, I don't know what's wrong with me but Bane is my fave HotHole even if he's not really part of the OG crew! This series continues to get more emotional with each book and the characters really resonated in this particular installment. I do think the writing and the romance felt a bit dated sometimes, which makes sense as this is a 7-year old re-release but I hope it's a sign to the author to relax on the pop culture references because it doesn't make for long-lasting storylines. The writing does seem a bit cliche from the author's previous books so I hope she lets go of the formulaic style she's locked into and tries to explore other genres and character archetypes that are more original and less boxy! But this book really hit me in my Russian lit-loving heart! *gonna go hide in a cave from Vicious now*

✨ Publication date: April 3, 2024✨

Bane is the 4th hook on the Sinners of Saint series by LJ Shen. This is a refresh and republish. Bane can be read standalone (I actually haven’t read any of the others) and is a dark spicy romance. Please read trigger warnings before diving into this book!

Bane is a habitual bad boy. Surfer, criminal mastermind, con, liar and thief. He doesn’t date but he often gets paid for sex and a lot of it so he doesn’t need a relationship. Bane is also a businessman so when an opportunity he can’t refuse lands in his lap, he introduces himself to Jesse Carter.

Jesse has sworn off all men. After being drugged and gang raped by a group of boys from school including her boyfriend, Jesse kept to herself. Especially when the boys parents wrangled some deal that allowed them to stay free and Jesse to be forced back to school to see them day after day.

For the last two years she’s been avoiding life until Bane happens to be the one to help her when her car has trouble. Then Bane is everywhere all at once and she can’t get rid of him and can’t get enough of him. Bane just might be the man to pull her back out into the world.

Bane and Jesse just might need what each other needs but what if Jesse finds out the real reason they met? Why Bane happened to be there when she needed him? Bane has given up his entire lifestyle for Jesse but is it enough to keep her?

I really enjoyed this book. I like this author and will definitely go back and read the other instalments of this series. This was a 4 star read for me!

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #ljshen #bane

Bane by L.J. Shen is a rollercoaster of emotions, an arguably darker tale than the others in the Saints series that'll leave you breathless. The story delves into the complexities of love, loss, and redemption, wrapped in a that same upper crust society we know and don’t always love.

Roman "Bane" Protsenko is a man shrouded in mystery, a hardened criminal with a heart of gold buried beneath layers of scars. Jesse, a resilient survivor, finds herself drawn into his dangerous world, their connection as intense as it is forbidden.

L.J. Shen's writing is captivating, her characters relatable. The plot twists and turns, keeping you guessing until the very end. While the story is not for the faint of heart, it's a thrilling ride that explores the darker side of human nature. I found Jesse’s development as her own hero particularly compelling.

If you're looking for a passionate, heart-wrenching romance with a touch of darkness, Bane is a must-read.

Thank you NetGalley and xxx for the arc of Bane by LJ Shen.
4🌟

The last book of the Sinners of Saint and what an ending to the series! Jesse was such a strong powerhouse and I loved the way the story handled the difficult past of her. Bane was such an amazing source of comfort and one of my favourite MMCs of the entire series.

This book has a bit of everything - a sexy, angsty, wild ride. Jesse and Bane are one of my favorite couples. Bane is a reformed bad boy who helps Jesse come out of her shell after a difficult past. Check the trigger warnings.

This story was something else. This story dealt with SA in such a heart wrenching, real way. The FMC in this story was utterly brilliant. I don’t have the right words to express this story right now... . Bane was such a smudge of a human in previous books but he is quite easily the man of the series.

Bane is a bad boy. He smokes and curses. He surfs when he’s not making trouble. He is going to make a name for himself. But will it be because he’s broken all the rules or because he’s made a success of himself? Jesse is a good girl from a good family. She survives a horrifying experience that changes the trajectory of her life. Now she might just want to take a walk on the wild side. Will she crash and burn because she can’t get past tragedy or will she rise above to become everything she can be?

This book is anther installment of life in Todos Santos. Some of the people have a lot of money and some of the people work for the wealthy. I found Bane to be mostly unlikeable. Of course, the author doesn’t really want readers to like him until the end because he is the broken bad boy. I really like that the author showed how hardened he is by life, the impact that Jesse had on him and how it is possible that Bane will be a success later in life. He gets a satisfying growth curve. Jesse gets a devastating story. She is protected and pampered by her family so when a terrible thing happens to her, she is transformed into something different. If you are sensitive to abuse stories, you might want to skip this one since the abuse Jesse suffers drives a huge portion of the story including Bane’s actions. Jesse doesn’t not become the same carefree girl but the author does give her back her joy. The author does not give Jesses back her joy in the obvious ways.

This is a contemporary romance that takes place in Todos Santos in California. If you have not read any of the other books that take place in Todos Santos, that’s okay but characters from the previous series do appear in this book and their actions might seem odd or misplaced if you haven’t read the other books. I will definitely read more from this author in the future.

what a way to end a series (and leave the readers wanting more!)

Each book in this series, I thought that mmc was best but damn nothing tops Bane (sorry Vicious)! Bane truly had to put in the work to get what he has today and none of it was glorious. He’s ruthless and an asshole but also says some really freaking funny stuff.

Jesse is also my favorite fmc, she has grit to her, shes overcome so much and still is super badass once she finds herself again. That poor girl. Damn.

I felt the plot in this one kept me hooked more so than the others, even though they’re all really great. I did see Darrens storyline unraveling before it did.

I can tell LJ Shen was going through a BMTH phase while writing this one and I was not disappointed.

There are some sad parts to this book, especially that involving death of a pet (not graphic, but still there) so if you’re not in the right headspace for that, I do recommend waiting.

Now to finish the second gen series.

Electrifying read that you won’t be able to put down. This standalone in the Sinners of Saint series follows Bane, a complex anti-hero, and Jesse, a resilient heroine. Their chemistry is intense, and their journey from pain to healing is beautifully portrayed. Shen’s raw and unapologetic writing, combined with unexpected twists and deep character development, makes this book a must-read.

If you love intense, emotional romances with a touch of darkness, Bane is perfect for you. Dive into this gripping story and experience the power of love and redemption. Five stars!!!

Bane is the fourth book in the Sinners of Saint series by author L.J. Shen. This is a dark contemporary romance that can be read as a standalone. This story was dark, sexy, angsty with the typical alpha a-hole and sassy heroine.
In this story we get Bane and Jesse. Both of these characters are broken and have their own demons and ghosts to deal with. This has caused both to be hardened and guarded. Bane is just living his life, hustling and doing what is required to survive. Jesse is dealing with her own trauma and these two meeting one another is what was needed for them both to heal, grow and flourish.
Overall, this is probably the best book in the Sinners of Saint series. Bane and Jesse were perfect for one another. This story was slow burn filled with angst, steam, banter and redemption. If you haven't read this yet, I highly recommend picking it up. You won't be disappointed.

Unfortunately I struggled with this one. I knew it had triggering content, but it was just a bit too vivid for me. So this is a "it's not you, it's me" situation. I always love Shen's punchy writing though!

(Please ignore the star rating, I'm never sure what to do in these cases)

Thank you NetGalley and LJ Shen for the ARC of Bane! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this!! Was quick and spicyyyy! Could not put it down even if I tried!! Cannot wait to finish the rest of the series!!

I love the Sinners Of Saints series! And I loved Bane and Jesse’s story. Bane is a complete jerk that doesn’t care for anything. But that changes when he crosses path with Jesse. He has met his match. Both Bane and Jesse are able to look past the others exterior. Jesse has been through so much, but has managed to stay strong and persevere. This is a story that will consume you. There is definitely twist that took me by surprise. Their story is full of passion and angst. Definitely recommend!

Holy smokes! I couldn’t put this down. I was hooked instantly, God L.J Shen never disappoints me. I read this in one sitting despite my husband complaining he wanted dinner.

LJ Shen is the master of the dark-contemporary romance crossover. This book will please a lot of her fans. The male main character is swoony and the romance is hot hot hot.

For me, the trauma and bullying experienced by the female main character felt too extreme to really connect me with the book. It felt beyond reality but not so far that it reached fantasy. So it was this middle place where I couldn’t fully connect with.

Overall, this is a steamy, emotional romance that will please a lot of LJ Shen fans.

spicy spicy spicy!! a quick fun read by one of my favorite authors. good plot and likeable characters. would highly recommend this one!

I was so excited for this book and it did not disappoint! The banter and spice were spot on throughout the entire book, this may have been the best one of the series!