Vicious (Sinners of Saint, #1)
by L.J. Shen
Emilia thought she knew who Vicious was—a former best friend who became her tormentor. But ten years later, in New York, his obsession isn’t just hateful; it’s intoxicating. This is dark romance at full throttle: he's a bully, criminal, and liar, and she might just be the one who breaks him.
Tropes & Themes
About This Book
Emilia LeBlanc's life intertwines with Baron "Vicious" Spencer Jr. when her family begins working in the Spencer mansion. Vicious, a wealthy and ruthless heir, initially torments Emilia, whom he nicknames "Help" due to her family's service role. Their relationship is marked by tension, with Vicious's cruelty rooted in his own traumatic past. Emilia, a resilient young woman, endures his mistreatment, leading to a complex dynamic between them.
A decade later, Emilia, now a waitress in New York City, encounters Vicious again. He offers her a lucrative job, aiming to use her to exact revenge on his stepmother, Josephine Spencer. Emilia accepts, driven by the need to support her sister's medical expenses. As they work together, their past animosities resurface, and a volatile attraction develops. The story delves into themes of power, control, and the blurred lines between love and hate.
Set against the backdrop of high society, "Vicious" is a dark, intense romance that explores the complexities of a toxic yet magnetic relationship. The narrative is filled with emotional turmoil, suspense, and a slow-burn dynamic, as both characters confront their pasts and the evolving nature of their connection.
What Readers Say
Readers praise 'Vicious' for its intense emotional depth and complex character development. Many commend L.J. Shen's writing for creating a compelling and addictive dark romance narrative. Fans note the book's exploration of morally grey characters and the intricate enemies-to-lovers dynamic. Some readers caution about the book's mature themes and power imbalance, which may be triggering for some. Ideal for fans of dark romance seeking a story with complex characters and intense emotional journeys.
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.
