Vicious
by L.J. Shen
Millie fled the cruelty of her past only to be dragged back in by a man who’ll stop at nothing to fracture her again. Abuse, obsession, backstabbing, intense power dynamics: this enemies‐to‐lovers tale will mess with your perceptions—and isn’t shy about emotional and verbal violence.
Tropes & Themes
About This Book
"Vicious" by L.J. Shen follows the tumultuous relationship between Emilia LeBlanc and Baron "Vicious" Spencer Jr. Emilia, the daughter of the Spencer family's domestic staff, first crosses paths with Vicious during their teenage years in Todos Santos, California. Their initial interactions are marked by Vicious's cruel treatment, stemming from his own traumatic past, and Emilia's resistance to his advances. This animosity leads Emilia to leave town, seeking a fresh start away from Vicious's influence.
A decade later, their paths cross again in New York City, where Emilia is struggling to support her ailing sister, Rosie. Vicious, now a successful and powerful figure, offers Emilia a lucrative job, intertwining their lives once more. As they navigate this complex dynamic, the story delves into themes of power, control, and the lingering effects of past traumas. The narrative is intense and suspenseful, exploring the blurred lines between love and hate, and the challenges of forgiveness and redemption.
What Readers Say
Readers praise the intense emotional journey and complex character development in 'Vicious'. Many commend L.J. Shen's sharp, vivid writing style that immerses readers in the story. Fans note the book's compelling enemies-to-lovers dynamic and its exploration of dark themes. Some readers find the protagonist's behavior unsettling, with content warnings for abuse and manipulation. Ideal for readers who enjoy dark romance with complex characters and intense emotional depth.
Reader Reviews
6 curated reviewsLely
Jan 10, 2013
Fun and different!
What a great read! Bailey's character took me by surprise. She was funny, confident, and insecure. Probably one of my all time favorite heroines. JL Paul really did a great job with her character development. Overall, the story was a fun and easy read. I didn't want to put it down. I can't wait to see what this author writes next.
Mady Rivas
May 14, 2015
Tale of survival against the odds
I read this after I read Scars. If you like Scars, you'll find this equally as compelling. It is another tale of two broken people who have to struggle to find the light in each other, but ultimately find a way to happiness in a relationship with dubious beginnings. The mafia back drop is somewhat like that in Scars, yet the character problems are very different, so it is a complementary tale rather than a simple retelling of that book with different characters. Violet is extremely well done - broken teen trying to just make it through life, alternating between survival mode and wanting to
Melanie G.
Aug 1, 2014
Stunned...
Stunned is the emotion I am feeling right now after reading this raw, exposed and painful story. Violet is seriously a strong, determined and did what she had to do to survive woman. Brody on the other hand was mean, vicious and manipulating yet in search of something. Violets life was one bad thing happening after another and her staying strong and moving forward. When she meets Brody she is at rock bottom with no where else to go but yet that is the best part. This story was gripping, hard to digest at times and beautifully written. Glad I came across this book.
READING, EATING & DREAMING
Oct 11, 2011
ALL THE WRONG REASONS SEQUEL
Vicious Circles is the sequel to All the Wrong Reasons by JL Paul. There were things about Vicious Circles that I liked better than All the Wrong Reasons, but there were also things about Vicious Circles that bothered me! It really irked me how Bailey talked about her daddy and his money. It made her sound like a spoiled, immature brat. Example, "Not much-shopped, spent daddy's money, hung out on the beach, went to a party." Another thing that bothered me was the way Bailey put herself down. I understand that people are going to think what they want, and it is hard to change people's opinion
Michelle New
Nov 22, 2012
Good read
Bailey's story was a good one. Her story is a honest take on what most girls who go out of their way to seem casual about sex feel. I am glad it was a happy ending and so glad I came across her two books.
Kindle Customer
Mar 27, 2015
Dark and deep.
If you like dark romance this is for you. Although it has a happy ending, it takes you on a wild ride of deep despair and remorse for the characters of the book. Violet is so broken but her strength and courage make you want to wrap her up and tell her everything will be alright and you will find your way.
