Vicious by L.J. Shen
Emilia
They say love and hate are the same feelings experienced under different circumstances, and it’s true.
The man who comes to me in my dreams also haunts me in my nightmares.
He is a brilliant lawyer.
A skilled criminal.
A beautiful liar.
A bully and a savior, a monster and a lover.
Ten years ago, he made me run away from the small town where we lived. Now, he came for me in New York, and he isn’t leaving until he takes me with him.
Vicious
She is a starving artist.
Pretty and evasive like cherry blossom.
Ten years ago, she barged into my life unannounced and turned everything upside down.
She paid the price.
Emilia LeBlanc is completely off-limits, my best friend’s ex-girlfriend. The woman who knows my darkest secret, and the daughter of the cheap Help we hired to take care of our estate.
That should deter me from chasing her, but it doesn’t.
So she hates me. Big fucking deal.
She better get used to me.
Caroline's Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Love and hate are the same feelings experienced under different circumstances. The passion is the same. The pain is the same.”
OH MY GOD! I’ve found a new favourite author! I could NOT put this book down.
“His eyes were dead, but his lips were red, full, and very much alive. This guy is going to break my heart if I let him.”
When Emilia LeBlanc arrives in Todos Santos with her parents, who’ve taken up the posts of live-in servants to the rich Spencer family, her first meeting with Baron AKA Vicious Spencer is memorable but terrible. Lauded, courted, and rich, he is Vicious by name and vicious by nature – it’s hate at first sight for him. Completely bewildered by his animosity, Emilia lives her senior year out by being ostracised by her peers, as Vicious makes her life miserable. She hates him equally but also can’t help her attraction to him. When she starts to date one of his best friends, it stirs up uncomfortable and unwanted feelings, and causes a rift in Vicious’ close circle until, finally, Emilia leaves to start a new life on the other side of the country.
Fast forward ten years. Emilia is a struggling artist in New York, working two jobs and trying to make ends meets, whilst supporting her sickly younger sister. She’s having a particularly bad day, and her financial circumstances have become really dire, when an unwelcome face from the past turns up in the bar where she works.
“She was perfect. Perfect for my plans and perfect to pass the time with until they materialized…She was mine again the minute I saw her in her next-to-nothing outfit. She just didn’t know it yet.”
The years have been good to Vicious. He couldn’t be more opposite to Emilia. He makes her an offer she absolutely cannot refuse even though it sounds too good to be true. And, she’s right, he does need something from her.
“Vicious wasn’t only in my life without permission. He was in my veins.”
The more time they spend together, they start to see beyond their mutual animosity. Their old attraction is back in full force and Vicious is determined to have her, to get her out of his system once and for all. Emilia finds her resolve cracking. He’s going back to LA soon, so, why not indulge in a fling?
THIS BOOK!! Seriously! It was compelling and electric. So addictive!
Vicious is complex, troubled and secretive as a teenager. He goes through the motions. He’s rude, arrogant, and intrinsically a loner. His three close friends keep him in the eye of social popularity. As an adult, he’s polished and successful but still rude and self-serving. He’s on a personal mission. He hated Emilia for so many reasons but she was also his obsession. His turmoil of emotions tortured him and he was completely possessive of her. He had rules that he followed, where women were concerned, but he found himself breaking them for her – without regrets.
Innately good, honest, and independent, Emilia is a really strong heroine who only bends to her circumstances when there is no alternative. She’s sassy and defiant, and doesn’t really care what other people think of her, which only turns Vicious on more, since he’s usually surrounded by sycophants. He secretly admires and respects her for being true to herself.
“You’re obsessed with this girl. You’re in love with this girl, always have been, ever since you realized she’s not afraid or impressed by your bullshit.”
In spite of their animosity, their connection is undeniable. When they’re together, even as teens, everything fades into the background. There’s a heap of sexual tension between them that stretches out until Vicious is half-mad with his desire for her. I loved how Emilia handles him – teasing and pushing him beyond his comfort zone. This novel was as much about Vicious’ personal journey, as his dark secrets are revealed, as well as about their journey to each other. Amazing, unputdownable read! #TopRead2017.
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