First, I'm not sure I've every loved a FMC as much as I love Jesse, she is one of a kind. I felt ever emotion I could for her and was rooting for her the entire time.
Bane is the perfect annoying bad boy who you couldn't help but fall for.
This book captivated me and I could not put it down.
This book has Banter
This book has Angst
This book has Drama (and heartache from a woman's POV)
This book has sex but more importantly this book has a Knight in shinning armor (even if its unconventional)

Definitely a MUST READ!

"My Whole Life Has Been Pledged to This Meeting with You"

Bane is book #4 in the Sinners of Saint series but can absolutely be read as a stand-alone. There is so much to say about this story! Raw & gritty are the two words that kept floating in my head. This is definitely not for the faint of heart. There are so many layers to this story! It will grip your heart then make you laugh.

Roman “Bane” Protsenko does things his way. He is a naked surfer. Habitual pothead. A con, a liar, a thief and a fraud. He is a mover and a shaker. He has a lot of irons in the fire. He is also feared. He does what needs to be done. Survival is key. Bane is the ultimate anti-hero. But there is so much more to him….

I didn’t see the point in making an effort to look like them. I wasn’t them. I was me. I was an outsider, with no lineage, no fancy last name, or historic legacy.

His quest to secure financing to build a surf park leads him to oil tycoon Darren Morgansen. Part of the deal to secure the financing is to befriend his stepdaughter Jesse, give her a job, and help to bring her out of her shell. She is a self-imposed shut in. Only leaving the house when absolutely necessary. The prologue was devastating as we learn why Jesse doesn’t want to leave the house. Her story is told bit by bit.

The combination of Bane & Jesse is amazing. Two halves that make a whole. They have crazy chemistry. Jesse sees Bane for who he is, not the outcast that he is portrayed as. Likewise, Bane connects with Jesse and sees through her issues. He embraces them. They challenge each other on many different levels.

The story unfolds and the layers are peeled away like an onion. There are so many back stories. There are so many emotional parts but funny parts as well. I loved watching the evolution of both Bane and Jesse. It is a long fight to overcome their fears and really open up to one another. And let’s talk about sex! Whooo! Bane is not shy or simple. Hot hot stuff! I also love the way Bane encouraged Jesse to be herself and heal herself – not wait to be “saved.”

“You don’t need a prince, princess. You need a sword.”

Strap yourself in and get ready for the ride! Bane will have you flying around on a roller coaster! Just when you think the ride is over, you hit another huge drop. Ruckus move over, you have been replaced.

“I wanted to see for myself.”
“See what?”
“What my successor looks like.”

My first L.J. Shen book and the chemistry between Bane and Jesse is freakin’ hot! Both are scarred and trying to overcome their grief from traumatic experiences in their own way end up finding healing through each other! As they say, like calls to like. So, so, so good! On my way to get other books in the Sinners of Saint series. This is one I’ve already started telling everyone about!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Bloom Books and Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

So much more to this book than romance. The twists and turns were a nice surprise. Intensely emotional.

In the grand finale of the Sinners series, the story reaches its apex with what is arguably the best book of the whole series. The novel brilliantly showcases Bane as an anti-hero, a character whose complex moral compass had me captivated from the beginning. His transformation is both surprising and satisfying, largely thanks to Jesse, who stands out as a recluse with an enigmatic past.

Jesse’s character brings out a previously unseen heroism in Bane, unraveling his anti-hero tendencies and revealing a deeper, more compassionate side. The interplay between their characters drives the narrative forward, adding layers of emotional depth and intrigue.
The story itself is a twisted web of emotions and unpredictable action. Each twist feels organic, adding to the tension and excitement. This intricate and gripping conclusion is the perfect way to end the series on a high note, leaving readers both fulfilled and eager for more.

“Bane” by L.J. Shen is a provocative and intense contemporary romance that explores the tumultuous relationship between Jesse Carter and Roman “Bane” Protsenko. Jesse, scarred by her past and determined to keep her heart guarded, finds herself unexpectedly drawn to Bane, a notorious and enigmatic figure known for his reckless lifestyle and manipulative ways.

The story unfolds with Jesse wary of Bane’s sudden appearance in her life, especially knowing his reputation for exploiting others for personal gain. However, as they navigate their complex connection, Jesse discovers layers to Bane beyond his facade of indifference and ambition. Despite her initial resistance, Jesse begins to unravel under Bane’s charm, leading to a passionate and tumultuous romance filled with tension and undeniable chemistry.

Shen skillfully develops the characters of Jesse and Bane, imbuing them with depth and complexity. Jesse’s resilience and inner strength contrast sharply with Bane’s vulnerabilities and inner turmoil, creating a dynamic and compelling relationship dynamic. As their bond deepens, both characters confront their past traumas and insecurities, challenging each other to confront their true selves.

The narrative is driven by Shen’s evocative prose, which captures the intensity of their emotional journey while exploring themes of trust, redemption, and the healing power of love. The pacing is brisk, with twists and turns that keep readers engaged and invested in the outcome of Jesse and Bane’s relationship.

Overall, “Bane” is a gripping and passionate romance novel that delves into the complexities of love and forgiveness amidst personal and external conflicts. L.J. Shen’s storytelling prowess shines through in this compelling tale of two individuals navigating their way through past scars and present desires, making it a captivating read for fans of contemporary romance with a touch of suspense and redemption.

4.5☆

Trigger warning:
s*xual assault victim

Tropes:
Forbidden love
Dual POV
Asshole alpha MMC
Strong FMC

"They can't hurt you if you don't give them permission to."
"The princess saves herself in this fairytale"

So I have actually read this book before, 3-4 years ago and this is my first reread since. I am a big fan of LJ Shen's books and this one is no different. This story follows Bane, the new big bad bully of Todos Santos, the city of the richest people in the country, who is supposed to be taking over Vicious' mantle and is trying to expand his business. He takes on a business deal involving Jesse Carter, a girl out of touch with society after she was betrayed by people she trusted.

Phew can I just say, that first chapter was emotionally heavy. There were many times when my heart broke for Jesse because she didn't deserve the shit she went through., no one does. She begins the story as this meek girl who can't stand even being touched to being the person to save herself out of the situation she was in. Jesse was such a commendable FMC, like she is by far one of the strongest I have read about.

Bane? Dear God, somebody get me one PLS. What I liked about him was that he continued to treat Jesse normally, without kid gloves or without the judgment the city has given her. They were both outcasts in a city that hated them but they grew to having each other. Oh AND???? He just simply did not give a damn about anybody's money and will fuck anybody up for Jesse. We love overly obsessed alphas!!!

This was the last installment of LJ Shen's Sinners of Saint Book, and I highlyyyyyyyy recommend it. It was a great ending to the story, and while I reread Dean's and Rosie's stories frequently, looks like I'll be reading Bane's and Jesse's too.

Thank you NetGalley, Bloombooks and LJ Shen for this ARC Copy!!!!

Roman is freaking 🔥

He was my favorite part of the book

Snowflake - I thought it was odd that she wasn't turned off by the nickname considering all the things snowflakes were linked to.
Her character was good also, although the child rape turned me off for sure.


The story line was good, I was happy to see the ending turn out how it did.
There were definitely a lot of twists I did not see coming.

being on a boys ban is rough but when if he is all man? and attractive? but then she's only there to pass his time...

This is now my favorite book in this series. I loved Bane and Jesse. I loved how they were both broken and were able to heal each other despite their circumstances. I felt their connection and rooted for them through the whole book.

I will start this by saying I have read all of the books by this author. More so I read the books previous to this one. While it wouldn’t be required, I would absolutely recommend it so that you can get the most out of the characters and feel.

Just like with the previous books this one is dark, bastardly and worth devouring.

Read if you like: emotionally unavailable fmc, blackmail, secrets, alpha-hole MMC, traumatised fmc, forbidden romance, nightmares

3.5 ⭐️
Bane has a horrible reputation of being a liar, con, thief and manwhore. He thrives on gaining power and thinks that people are a game.
Jesse has gone through traumatic situations and she’s now a shell of a human. Learning her story horrified me and broke my heart.

Ngl I didn’t like Bane at first at all. I really thought he was a terrible MMC. But then he won me over the first time he protected Jesse 😂 I am WEAK for a man who will physically protect the FMC

Not bane firing someone just to give her a job 😫😭
I loved them together. I hated how the town cast them out, called them names, and judged them. But I’m glad that they could be outliers together.
I would’ve loved to see more romance, and I still have a few unanswered qs
The random ending to do with his mum I was questioning too 😭

Ever since I read "The Monster" by L.J Shen any of her books are an auto read for me and "Bane" did not disappoint. The banter it top notch. At one point Bane tells Jesse thanks for an invite to her pity party but he's busy tonight.

Roman "Bane" Protsenko is a bad man/ paid escort who is trying to open a surf mall. To get the money he needs to edge out Baron "Vicious" Spencer he makes a deal with Darren, a dowdy businessman who has some conditions. For 6 months Bane needs to befriend Darren's stepdaughter Jesse Carter. And drag her out of hiding from the world after an incident. However, if Bane touches Jesse or lets her know about the deal, its off. Jesse is a tough person to befriend as Bane learns and keeping his hands off her is even harder.

The only thing I did not like about this book is how you are kind of beat over the head with the fact Bane is a bad person. At one point Bane even says, "I f*** women I shouldn't be f****** to get away with f*****-up s*** I shouldn't be doing". Like they want us to know he is such a bad person, but it gets to the point where it's not realistic. Like how he's always smoking. Or he turns around and says like "oh the next person who gawks at me is out. How about them apples?", like no one says that I got to admit I did laugh at that one thou.

“Falling in love is when you lose yourself slowly, piece by piece.
Infatuation is when you lose yourself all at once.
Love is like ivy. It wraps around you, chokes every part of you quietly. It is not patient, or kind, or gentle. It is needy, cunning, and suffocating.” — Bane by LJ Shen

I really loved this story. Jesse has been through hell and back and just wants to fade into the background and pretend she doesn’t exist. Her stepfather wants her to come back to life and so he hires Bane, the town baddie, to help him do it. The only rule? Leave Jesse untouched. Bane isn’t worried, the money he can gain is far more important to him than a quick hookup.

But as Bane and Jesse get closer and he starts to unravel her tough exterior, he realizes his own walls aren’t nearly as tough as he once thought and things just got a whole lot more complicated.

This story has some very heavy subjects so I highly recommend checking triggers but overall, it’s a great story of overcoming some really awful things.

I adore a fast paced book! And this one was no exception. We get right into the action and even though the topics throughout were very heavy, I could not put this one down. Bane is a charmer for sure and the way he calls Jesse snowflake melted my heart. Jesse is a strong, bad ass woman. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series 😍

I'm a huge fan of LJ Shen. She never disappoints. I loved Bane and Jesse's story. Sad to see the series end. What a great conclusion.

LJ can be a hit or miss author for me. She has her brand locked down though. Bane was actually a decent read and I enjoyed the story. It has some darker moments (as most of LJs books do) but I think they were handled well. One of her better works in my opinion!

Bane is a dual POV darker contemporary romance. Roman/“Bane” is a thief, a conman, and a paid escort who is trying to find funding for a surf mall he wants to open up. He finds a business partner in Darren, a man willing to fund Surf City in exchange for Bane spending the next six months befriending his step-daughter, Jesse. Jesse was the victim of a brutal sexual assault two years ago and had retreated from the world as a result. The deal’s catch… Bane cannot sleep with Jesse

This was a much darker romance than I normally read, with a lot of trauma. The story is well written and Jesse is an admirable character but it might not be for everyone just due to the subject matter. I loved how perfectly imperfect Bane and Jesse were together and I’m definitely glad I read this one!

Read dates: 07/12/2024- 07/17/2024
Goodreads review: 07/17/2024
Instagram review: 07/18/2024
Blog review: 07/30/2024

I adore LJ Shen she really knows how to bring a story to life. I loved the story between Bane and Jesse. This was one of her darker more emotional works and completed her series Sinners of Saint. I went through all the emotions , this story will stick with me.

Thank you Sourcebooks, Bloom books & netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Every single LJ Shen book I have read, I have LOVEEED!!! I stumbled upon her books randomly, I never read her series in order for some reason (idk how that happened) but I have thoroughly enjoyed every single one of them (Angry God is literally one of my fave books of all time), This book was no different. I have read all of the All Saints High series so it was interesting going backwards in time and reading Bane. It made me really miss this universe and want to read the beginning of the series to learn more about the parents!! Roman and Jesse 🥺🥺 it was literally love at first sight. I enjoyed the journey of growth and recovery in this book.

If you're looking for a book slightly on the darker side, with lots of tension and drama, I would highly recommend checking this book out!!

Bane: ★★★★☆ (4)

*Romance*Excitment*Bane
I absolutely loved this book. The character development was wonderful. It was such a beautiful story and I loved how it ended. “Bane” is such a loving character and so is Jesse. Definitely a great read for the summer.