I really enjoy reading this author's books. I requested it, got it, and knew I was going to enjoy it. Cal and Row are 2 damaged souls and I found myself rooting for them through the entire book. I am doing to continue with this series, as this is the first installment. The narrator were awesome!!!

Many thanks to Net Galley and Dreamscape Media for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4/5

Thank you NetGalley for this book.

This was my first read from L.J. Shen and I was not at all disappointed, I was hooked after the first page. I usually get annoyed by grumpy x sunshine tropes but Ambrose "Row" Casablancas was such a perfect MMC. Calla Litvin character strength and growth were so well developed that I loved her.

The plot stayed on track and I loved how everything we were introduced to had a clear ending. Sometimes romances gives us the hea and leaves everything else hanging. The banter was entertaining from each character. It was realistic and not too far-fetched.

The SPICE? Ate it up and left no crumbs. I don't think I'll ever look at a Zucchini or Candy Cane the same ever again.
I can't wait for the second book in this series!

If LJ Shen writes it, I am going to read it - and that’s not changing. Cal and Row are childhood friends to lovers done with a side of unrequited love and a disapproving sister. After they lose contact for years, they’re back in their hometown and suddenly working together. Row is a famous chef and Cal is just trying to cope with the loss of her dad. Once the tension breaks, their chemistry is HOT. Both narrators do so well to portray their emotional and physical connection.

Truly Madly Deeply is a book about second chances. It is a friends-to-lovers, grumpy-sunshine book. I listened to the audiobook version, which was well done, editing and production-wise. I wasn't too fond of the female narrator's male voice choice. Her cadence was different and I'm not sure if it was a choice for the character or just her normal male voice. It was told in alternating chapters from the male POV and female POV.

~~What I liked~~
-The two main characters had a good banter and some witty dialogue.
-I liked some of the side characters.
-There was a happy ending.

~~What I didn't like~~
-There was little chemistry between the MCs. They were so back and forth, hot and cold, I didn't get it.
-It was long, dawdling, and I really struggled to stay interested in the book. I ended up skipping to the end after 82% because I was over it.

Overall, this book unfortunately didn't hold my interest and the characters were not my favorite.

♥︎𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰♥︎

🎧𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝐓𝐞𝐝𝐝𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧 & 𝐋𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 🎙️

ꨄ𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐬-𝐭𝐨-𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬
ꨄ𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝’𝐬 𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫
ꨄ𝐆𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞
ꨄ𝐇𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭

✨Thoughts✨
Recently, I had the opportunity to read this book, and let me tell you, I was completely in love with the story. So naturally, I had to listen to the audiobook version. And oh my, let me assure you, it did not disappoint in the slightest. In fact, it breathed life into this enemies-to-lovers romance in a way that exceeded all expectations.

🎧Teddy Hamilton and Lila Winters truly brought Cal and Row to life with their incredible voices. The dual narration captured the essence of these dynamic characters. Lila Winters, in particular, took charge of narrating about 75 percent of the story, and she had me bursting with uncontrollable fits of giggles. Her portrayal of Cal, with all her charming quirks and love for the 90s, was amazing. And what can I say about Teddy Hamilton?! His portrayal of Row, with his dry wit and grumpy demeanor, was executed with such precision and skill that I found myself completely immersed in the story. To put it simply, these two remarkable voice actors made this audiobook an absolute joy to experience, and it has instantly earned a permanent place among my all-time favorites.

♥︎ If you are a fan of the grumpy sunshine trope, with good humor and a touch of angst, then this audiobook is an absolute dream come true for you!

✧Thank you to LJ Shen and Dreamscape Media for this amazing ALC.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟓⭐️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 𝟑/𝟓🌶️

Thank you, Dreamscape Media, Bloom and L.J. Shen, for my gifted ALC of this book.

🥒ᴀᴠᴀɪʟᴀʙʟᴇ ᴏɴ ᴋᴜ🥒

𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐲 by L.J. Shen

My audiobook thoughts:

The narrators' portrayals of their characters, Cal and Row, made me feel all sorts of things in the best way. They also had great chemistry.

My Thoughts:

This book was my first time reading a book by L.J. Shen, and wow, the passion and intensity in this story kept me hooked. If you read this and get to the knives part, let me know your thoughts because that part was steaming hot! I will say I may never look at candy canes or cucumbers the same again.

The way MMC Row held a torch for Cal and couldn't resist saving her from any pain tugged at my heartstrings. No amount of anger he had towards Cal could keep him away. I resonated with Cal as she reminded me of my quirks and ability to fit in with others around me, which has always been difficult. I also lost a parent and had a troubled past, so that was very real to me. The way Cal conquers her fears and faces her past is inspirational.

Read this if you like:

💖 Grumpy/Sunshine
💖 Enemies to Lovers
💖 Best Friend's Older Brother
💖 Boss/Employee
💖 Billionaire Romance
💖 He is a Chef
💖 Forced Proximity
💖 Second Chance
💖 ALL the angst and banter

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher; and of course the author, for providing me with an ALC copy of this novel.

4.5/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️

This author has been on my TBR for a while and I’m so glad this was my first introduction! This story follows celebrity chef Ambrose “Ro” Casablancas and his little sister’s best friend, Calla “Cal/Dot” Litvin. Cal moved to NYC from small-town Maine after graduating HS. She’s back years later, following the death of her father. She promises to stay with her mother for a couple of months to help her adjust. Problem is — she’s broke and needs a job. Ro gives her a serving job in his super fancy restaurant he opened in their hometown.

I truly adored this story and how it approached some triggering subjects (please read TW before reading). I fell in love with all the characters and hope to see future stories with some of the side characters we were introduced to in this book.

Also, as a person who grew up in the 90s, I adored the 90s references and 90s theme song title chapters!

These two have a past together, so when destiny puts them back together, they are unable to hide their feelings.From the first page, I could tell this story was going to grab my attention. I love Row and how he sacrifices his life for Cal and protects her. This author's writing is always refreshing to read, and her style is perfect. I loved the internal twists and suspense. I am looking forward to reading more from LJ Shen!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC of this audiobook.

In Truly, Madly, Deeply by L.J. Shen, Calla Litvin returns home after her father's death to reconcile with her childhood best friend Dylan. However, her unresolved feelings for Dylan's older brother, Row (Ambrose Casablancas, can I just say I LOVE that name and it’s shortened version, Row), resurface, complicating things. Ambrose, now a successful chef, still has feelings for Cal despite the heartbreak they previously endured. Their slow-burn romance is filled with tension, emotional growth, and the grumpy-meets-sunshine dynamic we all know and love.

Shen is a master at the "best friend's brother" trope while still showing the personal healing journey the characters need to go on. Cal is a lovable heroine, struggling with past traumas, cultural pressures, and her fear of intimacy. Lila Winters narrates her beautifully. There is depth and emotion in her tone, and you really feel for the emotions she’s endured. Ambrose, despite his tough exterior, proves to be a compassionate hero, I would even go as far as to say he’s a cinnamon roll on the inside, while also being fiercely protective of those he loves. Row is voiced by Teddy Hamilton in the audiobook, and he is one of my favorites. Any audiobook with him is one I will happily listen to. Teddy is an expert narrator. His performance was emotional and the way he performed their physical chemistry is riveting. The chemistry between the two main characters is beautifully built, with both characters supporting each other through tough times. I did dislike how Cal almost felt like a doormat, but she redeems herself.

The supporting cast add layers to the story, I enjoyed them. Truly, Madly, Deeply is a heartfelt romance that will tug at readers' emotions, offering both angst and warmth. It’s a must-read for fans of the "grumpy-sunshine" trope with slow-burn intensity.

This book had a great mix of cute, quirky, challenges, and intensity! I loved seeing how the characters evolved throughout the book and the village that supported them. There was a scene with zucchini I was not prepared for but what can you expect from a Chef?

This book was so good!
I loved the FMC with her weirdness and anxiety! She felt relatable and real.
Another thing I love is a MMC who falls first and falls hard! That is what made me want to read this book even though it was a second chance romance.
Usually I have trouble with second chance romance because of the angst and hurt but this one was manageable.
Oh, and the songs for the chapters! Loved! Haha there was so much to love about this book.
I fully recommend!

This was my first encounter with L.J. Shen's writing, and I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of emotions and well-developed characters.

The story centers around Calla Litvin (Cal), a relatable FMC struggling with PTSD and some other mental health issues, and Ambrose (Row), a grumpy but swoon-worthy MMC. Their contrasting personalities create a dynamic and engaging narrative, filled with witty banter and playful teasing. One of the highlights of the book is the incredible chemistry between Cal and Row. Their interactions are filled with humor, understanding, and a deep connection.

The narration by Teddy Hamilton and Lila Winters is a significant asset to the audiobook. Their performances bring the characters and their emotions to life, making for a very enjoyable listening experience.

What to expect from this book:
Billionaire Romance
*Best Friend's Brother
*Second Chance
*Forced Proximity
*Enemies to lovers
*Boss/Employee
*Anxiety Rep
*Secret Pen Pals
*Banter & Angst
*He falls first
*He's a chef

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC of this audiobook. I voluntarily listened to it and gave an honest review.

If there is one thing L.J Shen excels at its writing great MMC. And Ambrose Casablancas is no exception. Couple his parts being read by Teddy Hamilton and I was in BLISS. I wish the whole book was ready by Teddy. Ambrose is a grumpy Ahole chef who trying to keep his distance from his sister’s best friend, Calla Litvin, who is back in town after his father passed. My favorite part of the whole book is the banter between Ambrose and Ryland in Ambrose’s restaurant. If we don’t get an Ryland book next it will break my heart. Ryland was the one person not intimidated by Ambrose’s demeanor and would tell him straight. The book had me huffing out laughs while listening to it every couple minutes. I started the audiobook worried the person voicing Calla was too serious but she ended up being perfect.
One thing about this book I didn’t like was the characters intrests didn’t really match their age. Calla is 5 years younger (I’m pretty sure it was 5 it could have been 2) than Ambrose who I believe they said he was 27 so Calla would be 22. But she’s obsessed with the 90’s. If she’s 22 in 2024 (when the book was published) that means she be born in 2002 and know nothing about the 90’s. Even if the age gap was just 2002 years that mean she be born in 1999 and been a infant in the 90’s.I just thought it was weird to be obsessed and dress like a decade you didn’t even live in. This is a totally nitpick that didn’t detract from the book it’s just that Calls drove me crazy the way she acted in Ambrose’s restaurant. She’s suppose to be the quirky sunshine character and I get that but that’s both his and her job. Calla was a little too immature for me.

-best friend’s brother
-grumpy/sunshine
-hate to love
-he falls first
-boss/employee

This book started with a bang… Cal has always had a crush on her best friends brother, Row, but what she didn’t know was he’s been in love with her. Right before Cal moves away for college, the two are caught a little too close. Cal loses her bestfriend that night. When Cal returns years later, can she win her bestfriend back and resist the pull of the tall, dark, handsome Row?

I loved the storyline of this book but felt it could have been just a little bit shorter. Cal really struggles with how she sees herself and interacting with others but Row is so patient with her.

I’m in love with this “he fell first” aspect because Row sure fell HARD. While this is grumpy/sunshine, I definitely felt like Row was just a huge a**hole most of the time to everyone and that lost him a few points in my book.


The narrators did a fantastic job bringing this book to life!

Enemies-to-lovers. Delicious banter. Childhood crush. She falls first, he falls harder. Touch her and lose a limb. He gives her space to figure out what she needs and wants.

Cal shows up to her hometown for her father's funeral. There she runs into her former best friend Dylan and her brother Row. Row is a successful chef and the man Cal lost her V card to before she left for college. Cal wants to reignite her friendship with Dylan, which ended when Dylan found Cal and Row together. While Cal & Dylan work on their friendship. Row needs help in his restaurant and reluctantly hires Cal as a server. There banter and angst reignite.

Thanks Netgalley for ALC.

I should have known by the authors note on page 1 that this was going to be a 5 star read. Everything Leigh put in that note for her dreams of this book were more than true.
Row is one of the most amazing MMCs I've had the honor of reading and his love for Cal truly might be one of my top 5 favorite book couples.
-"Show me I'm worth it. Because to me? You're worth the fucking world"
The way Leigh wrote Cal and her triggers and her trauma was so beautiful and meticulous and so full of love.
-"You're not broken Dot. A little cut, sure. All diamonds
The banter and angst spilled from each page and I replace my annotation tabs for laughter twice.
I will be fighting to feel the way this book made me feel for months.
-"The darkness envies the moon because it helped the dark shine. Don't let people tell you, you are anything less than perfect"

The relationship itself want bad, it was well and realistically developed with needed banter, angst and pace not rushing not slowing so that’s a win. The characters fight inner battles yet still opened up to each other.

The Mmc ’s considering and have been in love with her for YEARS. And supported her dream even tho when he thought he lost her, he had a Tiffany ring on him all the time because he hoped to propose to her. He’s the stander.

I absolutely adored *Truly Madly Deeply* by L.J. Shen, and pairing it with Teddy Hamilton as the voice of the male main character was a match made in heaven! Hamilton is hands down my favorite male narrator, and his performance in this audiobook is nothing short of perfection. His voice captures the depth, intensity, and vulnerability of the character, making every emotion hit that much harder. Listening to him bring the story to life elevated my love for the book even more.

Hamilton’s ability to embody the character's essence and deliver each line with such authenticity truly enhances the entire experience. He has a way of drawing you into the story, making you feel every moment, from the fiery tension to the heartfelt romance. Paired with Shen's masterful writing, this audiobook became an unforgettable journey that I couldn’t get enough of. If you're a fan of emotionally charged romance with outstanding narration, this is an absolute must-listen!

After the death of her father she runs into her childhood ex best friend, and her childhood crush. She states spending time with her ex best friend trying to fix the wrongs that happened when they were kids. The crush starts hanging around and making comments towards her, and when she ends up staying in town he begrudgingly gives her a job at hoods restaurant, and starts falling for her all over again even though he doesn’t want to get hurt. The end up falling for each other but end up not being able to fully commit to each other since their lives were in different directions.


🔹 he falls first
🔹 hometown romance
🔹 possessive male
🔹 standing up to childhood bully

I went into this with no expectations and I was still blown away by how good this was! I flew through this.

This was the perfect contemporary enemies to lovers, grumpy x sunshine, & best friend's brother. It had all the drama, angst and tension I love with the hot & swoony romance too. This was definitely messy but I think that made it so entertaining. Cal & Row were captivating characters and I couldn't get enough of their interactions. I thought they were both complex too.

Lila Winters & Teddy Hamilton really knocked me off my feet with their narration. These two were the perfect fit for Cal & Row. I cannot picture anyone else capturing these two better.

*Note: this does have some dark elements which I was not expecting so I would check the TW*