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!

There’s no one who can write an angsty romance quite like LJ Shen. Staying true to that magical formula, Bane gives us all the passion, intensity , and complexity that we expect from an LJ couple, and these two are some of my favorites. I love the deep connection between these characters. They are layered, flawed, and also beautifully complex.

The storytelling is masterful, keeping us engaged from start to finish with an engaging plot and memorable side characters adding depth and dimension to the overall story.

Absolutely loved the finale to the Sinners of Saint series and Bane definitely solidified why LJ Shen is a one-click author for me!

Big thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this book. I will start off by saying, while I've ready other L.J. Shen novels, I have not read any of the other Sinners of Saint books, but I didn't feel I was missing anything so this did feel like a true standalone.

Where to begin? Bane and Jesse have such an interesting relationship from start to finish. It was refreshing to see two characters who both felt like they didn't deserve better. Two characters who were flawed and at times broken. There was no grumpy/sunshine, or hero and damsel saga in this book and it was wonderful.

Bane is approached by Jesse's stepfather to help bring her out of her shell and back into "normal" society after suffering one of the most tragic things possible and watching their relationship go from friends to so much more was beautiful. Neither one felt the need to change or rescue the other. Instead, they just loved each other as they were and found happiness WITH the other person instead of because of them.

Not my favorite LJ Shen book, or maybe I was too burnt out from binge reading the first three books in the series in less than a week. Bane took me a little over a week to read, I wasn’t emotional connected with these characters. The topics were sensitive subjects but I didn’t feel they were explored enough to make me believe. It was a difficult book to read as it didn’t have the usual high angst and tension from her books.

Whew baby was Bane a character lol love me a morally grey MMC. I loved their relationship with one another, it was so mature. They were really made for eachother, both having been through things in life there was this level of understanding and respect. I will always be down for a dual POV in a romance and this did not disappoint. The ending was a bit too fast for me but overall I really enjoyed this story.

wow, what a ride! Bane is the ultimate bad boy with a heart, while Jesse is a fierce queen overcoming her past. Their chemistry is 🔥 and the story is packed with emotions and healing. Loved the blend of grit and humor, and Jesse's character growth was top-notch. Bane's laid-back surfer vibe mixed with his ambitious side was a bit of a contradiction, but it added to his charm. Check the trigger warnings, though – it gets intense. Overall, a must-read for fans of dark romance with deep, relatable characters. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

LJ Shen never misses, and I loved this story of Bane (of her existence). The FMC has a seriously messed up past life, including r*pe, etc. so check those trigger warnings! She has essentially become a hermit, and Bane's main goal is to get her to live again. He gives major laid back surfer vibes, while also being a go-getter business man? That part was a little confusing and contradictory. Still, I liked the story, though not as much as the original guys.

This book is the kind of hot that makes you burn from the inside out with need, and not only is it hot but also emotional and intense with lots of grit.

Bane (Roman) is one of the most tentative bad guys. He's hot as hades, The stuff he does, and how he does it will have you drooling. His inner dialogue is absolutely hilarious, and I really hope the majority of peoples inner dialogue really is because omg the way he had me rolling from laughter.
Jesse, this girl is just an absolute queen 👸 and such a spit fire. I love the way her character was written as a survivor. You won't look at her as a victim, and honestly, I rarely cried. I believe L.J. Shens intentions are for us, the reader, to view Jesse the way Jesse wants to be seen and the way Bane sees her. He never treats her like a victim and rarely gives her slack.
I love how Bane empowers her and lets her be the one in control. Together, Bane and Jesse grow, heal, and become the best versions of themselves.
This whole book is just amazing! It has all the butterflies in your stomach feels proceeded by the girly kicks and giggles and dont forget the best part the tingles 🥵.
Believe me, you'll want to read this one because Jesse doesn't need a man to save her and Bane well, he's the bad guy we all need in our lives.
I can confidently say this book can be read as a standalone. I haven't read any of the other books in this series yet, and I never felt lost or confused.
L.J. Shen is now one of my top favorite authors, and from now on, whatever she writes, I'll read.

Favorite book quote: The demons inside her made her beautiful in a unique once-in-a-lifetime way. -Bane

⚠️ Check trigger warnings before reading your mental health matters.

Wow 🥵

This was an easy read with spice. I loved how hooked Bane was from the moment he started hanging out with Jesse. Jesse had great character development throughout the book especially with everything that happened to her.


Thank you SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books and NetGalley for the arc!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

"You can't be afraid of love, my dear. It's like being afraid of death. It is inevitable."

Bane, looking for funding for his new surf mall, decides to strike a deal with a business man, Darren. In exchange for money, he needs to befriend Darren's stepdaughter, Jesse, who hasn't been the same since "The Incident", as she calls it, a couple of years prior. "The Incident" has left her traumatic, unable to really function in life, and Darren is hoping that Bane can bring her back.

This book was dark, with heavy themes and a lot of trauma to work through. It was difficult to read at times, only because it was so well-written and you really felt for Jesse. The change in her that comes through meeting and getting to know Bane is a work in progress and felt natural. You could see how she was gradually changing and getting stronger with him by her side. Meanwhile, you could also see Bane change as a person by getting to know Jesse. Together, they were healing.

As always, L.J. Shen has a way with words that just makes you breathless and heart aching because you feel so strongly for the characters and what has happened to them. The journey of Jesse and Bane makes you feel like you're rooting for two close friends, rather than fictional characters.

As mentioned, this book deals with heavy themes so please mind your triggers before you read it.

Thank you so much Netgalley & SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the advanced reader copy & the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

You should add this to your TBR if you love these tropes:

- Bad boy/Good Girl
- Forced Proximity
- Trauma & Healing
- Friends to Lovers
- Revenge

I loved this so much. The banter between the two MCs is perfection and I love that this isn’t your average story where the girl is saved by the guy. No, this girl saves herself and her man stands beside her, cheering her on.
Random notes from my read
* I appreciate that Bane treats his dick like a sentient being
* Darren feels creepy to me
* Strawberry, banana, and cantaloupe doesn’t sound like a good combo. Cantaloupe is throwing me off
* Jesus Christ, that letter
* I hope those boys have the lives they deserve, where they’re going


Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me with the DRC and allowing me to provide my honest review