I understand how difficult it is to write a novel. It takes years and a ton of revision. And while I respect that this book found a home in the publishing industry, it was not for me at all. I didn't like the writing--it seemed rudimentary at times--and I didn't feel a connection between the main characters at all. I also found the motivation for Row to be lacking. I don't understand what he saw in Cal, and by the end, I still didn't. Finally, and let me say that I gobble up sexy romance, the scene with the zucchini and the candy cane? It could have been epic, but it just wasn't.

**Truly, Madly, Deeply** by L.J. Shen is a total page-turner. It's got all the good stuff: enemies-to-lovers, a super hot chef, and a sassy podcaster.

Calla and Ambrose are like fire and ice, but you can *feel* the tension between them. Their banter is hilarious, and their chemistry is off the charts. It's a rollercoaster ride of emotions, and I was totally hooked.

The story is full of twists and turns, and I couldn't put it down. If you're looking for a steamy romance with a lot of heart, this is definitely the book for you.

Love is a high stakes game

Audiobook Narration:

This was my first audiobook with both Lila Winters and Teddy Hamilton.

Transparently I find narrators to be very hit and miss for me in general. These two were absolute HITS and I look forward to finding more of their other works. Their voices and delivery were spot on in addition to the written text and dialogue of the book itself. A great pairing on all fronts.

This is an audiobook I will personally listen to again and intend to read the e-book to highlight some of my favorite lines as well. You really feel like you are in the scene itself. Each chapter is announced as well as if Cal or Row is going to narrate so you know what to expect and is easy to follow along.

I think this would be fabulous to do audio and read at the same time. I just to listen at the default speed but feel if you decided to speed it up that would work just fine with these narrators.

Lila did fantastic with Cal’s different inflections and specifically stood out during times or insecurity, bubbly deliveries and mimicking other characters in the book as she read their lines.

Teddy was great at the broody delivery needed and expressing his begrudging lines. He was fabulous at delivering with passion and conviction.

Truly, Madly, Deeply:

Calla Litvan + Ambrose Casablancas= an explosive start.

As a big 90’s fan myself the song choices and references stole my heart in this story and fit Cal so well. Row is so detail oriented, thoughtful (to those that matter to him) and takes the candy cane. He can be filthy while feeling it all. Prepare to giggle and feel the magic of their tension throughout their story.

Cal is definitely slow to let her guard down and jump all the way in. Row provides her the reassurance she needed to know that by taking a chance on herself she could absolutely give their relationship her all too.

The chemistry with these two is overflowing and the length and depths it goes back will leave you clutching your pearls.

This book blends together two great elements: sister’s best friend and moving on after traumatic events.

Around the 85% mark I really started to stress there might not be an HEA within this book. Just know it all works out in the end of this book.

Content warnings to be aware of:
Death of a parent
Bullying
Sexual exploitation

This book is has taken its place as one of my favorites. Going audio or text route I really don’t think you can go wrong either way.

Thank you Dreamscape Media for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Woweeeee what an opening scene! Was definitely not expecting that! But from that point on, I’d knew I was in for a spicy treat—and it did not disappoint. We love an enemies to lovers trope.

And honestly, I really liked this book! The friendship between the FMC and her childhood BFF was great, the longing from afar from the MMC, and the spice! Although it was a bit of a slow burn after the opening scene, once we got there again, it was worth the wait. It was like a 4-4.5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ for me.)

Now I want a hot, world famous tattooed chef!!!

(Thank you, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.)

Truly Madly Deeply is book 1 in the Forbidden Love series that features Ambrose ‘Row’ Casablancas, and Calla ‘Cal” Litvin’s story. This is a story about returning home and facing your fears. It's about love, friendship and family.

The story gave us second chance, friends to enemies to friends to lovers, best friends older brother, workplace romance tropes and I was fully engrossed and captivated with the story from beginning to end.

There was so many things I loved with this novel. Row and Cal's story was a unique one. Told in the present day with snippets from the past, we get their history but learn so much more as the story progressed.

They were two complex characters, flawed in their own way, with past trauma that shaped them and made them unable to trust. I loved Row even with all his broodiness, and the fact that he loved Cal wholeheartedly had me swooning.
I loved Cal's quirkiness, but she frustrated me at times, as she refused to believe Row when he communicated his feelings to her. However they were perfect together as bit by bit they gave each other the strength to move forward.

The back and forth banter between them was excellent. We get sarcasm, and dry humor and not just between these two, but also amoung family/friends, and we got fascinating secondary characters who added support and humor to the story.

Although a slow burn, the steam, when it did come was downright scorching.

There was a mystery element that surprised me but it added another layer to the tale and it had me at the edge of my seat.

All in all, this story was a wonderful read. It was a great start to the series and I can't wait for the next book. I would definitely recommend this novel to romance readers.

🎧🎧🎧
I listened to the audiobook of this novel which was narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Lila Winters. They both did an incredible job with the narration and their voices were perfectly suited to the characters. They brought out the emotions of the characters, giving them differing personalities and voices and really brought the story to life. It was a pleasure listening to them narrate this novel.

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.