![](blob:http://localhost:5321/04772b83-4d93-4c1f-bd75-07b9ec9f0d7b)
I received an e-arc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have not read all of LJ Shens books but I have read 12 of them. She’s coined the phrase “hothole” to describe her hero’s (anti-hero’s?) in several books and the name could not be more apt.
They’re generally bad boys (hot ones). In the young adult though sometimes slightly older range. To my mind Hunter the hero (anti-hero?) of this book is the most cinnamon roll of any I’ve read. Which is fine by me somehow I love them all. She writes these males who are perceived as arrogant, unfeeling and often cruel but it’s because they are emotionally scarred by their soul torturing tragic back stories. So if you hadn’t guessed these are high drama, high stakes contemporary romances. For me personally the elements are so far beyond anything in my reality that my character empathy is engaged but not stressed out because there’s an element of unreality (to me). Which is not to say that elements of these books could not be relatable to other readers therefore just assume - like a lot of triggers.
And very open door high steam. Read other books if you don’t want steam. Like the most decadent dessert these are so so delicious.
For this book we have Hunter a “playboy” from a rich business type Boston family who is in hot water for partying much too hard. It is determined he requires babysitting by Sailor the kind and straight laced no nonsense daughter of a mob boss and also Olympic level archer who needs a sponsor in exchange for her warden duties.
Forced proximity adventures and chemistry ensue. If you’re intrigued at all just read it and then read the rest of the books. This is the first in the Boston Belles series which is my favorite so far. The ladies are all so feisty and self possessed.
I have also listened to this audiobook and many of her other audiobooks and the narration is always top notch.
5/5