L.J. Shen

They say that life is a beautiful lie and death a painful truth. They're right. No one has ever made me feel more alive than the guy who serves as a constant reminder that my clock is ticking. He is my forbidden, shiny apple. The striking fallacy to my blunt, raw, truth. He is also my sister's ex-boyfriend. One thing you should know before you judge me; I saw him first. I craved him first. I loved him first. Eleven years later, he waltzes into my life, demanding a second chance. Dean Cole wants to be my bronze horseman. But my clock is ticking. See, I'm not like the rest. I have an illness. Sometimes I conquer it. Sometimes it conquers me. My white knight has finally arrived. Hopefully, he isn't too late.

Ruckus

“And if you think I’m going to settle for something, you’re dead wrong. I am taking everything. We will have kids, Rose LeBlanc. We will have a wedding. And we will have joy and vacations and days where we just fuck and days where we just fight and days where we just live. Because this is life, Baby LeBlanc, and I love the fuck out of you, so I’m going to give you the best one there is. Got it?”

“You are chaotic, crazy, and full of wars and angst. But you’re the liveliest place I’ve ever been to.”

“Contrary to general belief, stars don’t twinkle. There is only one star that sparkles that scientists can agree on. It twinkles so bright, sometimes people mistake it for a UFO. It’s not big, but it stands out. That’s Sirius, and it’s also you. You shine, Baby LeBlanc. So fucking bright sometimes you’re the only thing I see.”

Levi-Mae 

“I love you’s!” Knight bolts into the room, throwing the door open, jumping onto the bed between us, hugging my belly. “We love you.” Dean puts his hand on my stomach, and now we all touch Lev.

“I’m kind of hoping it will end like this. You made me happy. Very happy. But...you deserve everything. Wife, kids, a white picket fence.”

 “And I’ll have all of it. With you.” 

“You know that can’t happen with me.” 

“Then it can’t happen with anyone. There won’t be a next Rosie. And there won’t be another story like ours. This is it, Rose LeBlanc. And this is us. If there is no you, then there is no me.”

“It’s not my fault you fell in love with a dying girl.” 

“It’s not my fault you made it fucking impossible not to.”

“Your friends want you to get the girl. Your father wants you to get the girl. Your mother will probably kill you if you don’t get the girl. So...are you going to get the girl?” 

‘I hadn’t noticed because Rosie LeBlanc told me that she loved me, several times, and I was going to put a diamond on that finger.’

“Forever starts now, Baby LeBlanc. With you.”

Like you?” My face twisted in abhorrence, spitting the words like they were revolting. Her eyes widened. I shook my head, a dark chuckle on my lips. “You think I fucking like you? Are you kidding me here? I don’t like you. I love you. Even that’s an under-fucking-statement. I live for you. I breathe for you. I will die for you. It. Has. Always. Been. You.

“I’m too selfish to let you go, Dean Cole. Like I knew I would be. I’m yours as long as you’ll have me. The only condition is—no baby talk and no marriage. I can’t give it to you. Not because I don’t want to. I can offer you all the love and devotion in the world, Dean. But just for a fraction of time.”

‘I wanted her to know that I was a beast of a man who’d carry us both through storms and hurricanes. Hell and back. Through life—and if necessary, then yes, even through death.‘

‘For Dean ‘Ruckus’ Cole had many faces. And all of them were beautiful. At least to me.’

“What does Miss LeBlanc have that the rest of the human population doesn’t?” she inquired, meaning I’d never sent anyone flowers, let alone an amount that could potentially fill a whole forest. I smirked, because the answer was so fucking simple, yet so fucking complicated at the same time. “My heart, Sue,” I said. “She has my heart.”

“Every rose in Manhattan,” I amended.

“Are you mine, too?” I arched an eyebrow. 

 You’re fucking gorgeous to a fault, you know that?

 Seriously. Fuck everyone and everything. Let’s do it.

Dear Ms. LeBlanc, it’s your landlord. Regarding the rent reevaluation - I’m raising it by a trillion percent. Take it or leave it.

You’ll survive. I’ve missed you for eleven years.

‘and we both collided and exploded like two lonely stars somewhere in the dark atmosphere.’

Dean and Rosie might just be my favourite couple from both series' hands down. And that says something given I'm not even done with the series. 

But Dean, dear God, Dean really is something else isn't he? 

He didn't fuck with Rosie emotionally the second they met. No, he has ALWAYS made sure she knew of his feelings. And honestly, I loved how he didn't dick around when he was with her. He was always there for her. Except the one time and that's justified. Him. He is the standard in that fucked up community they live in periodt. 

Rosie, my sweet, spunky Rosie. She's my fav girl from the series'. Yes, yes, more than Daria and Luna and Lenny. Yes, I know. Crazy. But there's something too incredibly good about her that makes me wanna cry. Like I cannot knowing her future. My brain refuses to connect the two Rosies' together 😭 She didn't deserve that ending. 

Which made this book so bittersweet. I already know what happens to this couple and I feel so incredibly sad. Like I cannot begin to describe how sad I am because of their end. 

Dean and Rosie are soulmates. And everyone knows how I feel about the term soulmates. I mean they both were destined for each other since the start. What a shame that it took them 11 years to figure it out. I love, LOVE, them. And only them. 

Keira 💫

THIS. BOOK. 

Dean and Rosie might just be my favourite couple from both series' hands down. And that says something given I'm not even done with the series. 

But Dean, dear God, Dean really is something else isn't he? 

He didn't fuck with Rosie emotionally the second they met. No, he has ALWAYS made sure she knew of his feelings. And honestly, I loved how he didn't dick around when he was with her. He was always there for her. Except the one time and that's justified. Him. He is the standard in that fucked up community they live in periodt. 

Rosie, my sweet, spunky Rosie. She's my fav girl from the series'. Yes, yes, more than Daria and Luna and Lenny. Yes, I know. Crazy. But there's something too incredibly good about her that makes me wanna cry. Like I cannot knowing her future. My brain refuses to connect the two Rosies' together 😭 She didn't deserve that ending. 

Which made this book so bittersweet. I already know what happens to this couple and I feel so incredibly sad. Like I cannot begin to describe how sad I am because of their end. 

Dean and Rosie are soulmates. And everyone knows how I feel about the term soulmates. I mean they both were destined for each other since the start. What a shame that it took them 11 years to figure it out. I love, LOVE, them. And only them. 

Incluso en la oscuridad, ella era la estrella que lo iluminaba todo... Para Rosie, Dean Cole es un amor prohibido, pero es el único que la hace sentir viva. Dean es fascinante y salvaje a partes iguales. Vive en un mundo sin reglas y su oscuro pasado lo persigue sin tregua. Para él, Rosie es como una estrella: brillante, efímera e inalcanzable. Y Dean está dispuesto a luchar contra todo para hacerse con su luz. Una novela de segundas oportunidades de L. J. Shen, autora de Vicious. "Cada libro de L. J. Shen es mejor que el anterior. Esta serie me encanta." Kylie Scott, autora best seller

Ashley

☆ 4 / 5 ☆ 

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I enjoyed this book more than  Vicious . It was more entertaining but it still had its icks for me. 

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  "That's Sirius and it's also you, Baby LeBlanc. So fucking bright sometimes you're the only thing I see."  

  "There won't be a next Rosie. And there won't be another story like ours."  

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The end is where I enjoyed mostly the read. It was full of emotions and I spilled a tear or two. Dean and Rosie's love story is unsual and kind of twisted, if you ask me.

Kathleen Tom

4 Stars ★★★★

HI BOOKLOVERS,

I've been putting this entire series for a long time and last Friday I manage to read this and I'm kind of bad not reading it at first. The story-line is not that bad but it was fun to read. But I did read this ending of the book on Broken Knight I know how it end up with Rosie and Dean and I cry my heart out. 

I'm glad that at this book they got to be happy at least for awhile. I never read any books that the Heroin is sick before. I guess this is my first time. 

I highly recommended this. 

xoxo. Kath!

freya.nightwolf

This book got a lot of emotions out of me. Out of the FHH, I think I can say that Dean is the only one that actually listens to his heart from the beginning, even if he dated the wrong sister. And when Dean and Rosie are finally in the same state, it's not that they refuse to recognize love. Their story is totally different from the rest. You actually can't fight with health, and from Rosie's point of view, I totally get her wanting what's best for the one you love: a life without death knocking on your day every damn second. 
I think this book is a test and also a lesson to those who say they love one another, and the minute something bad happens, one of them walks away from the other. And also a true meaning of the vows "for better or worse". You really love someone when you love the bad parts too and also, in this case, the fact that you cannot beat death and knowing you don't have many years or decades with your half, and still want to have the best year together, well, that is love. 
Personally, this book kind of gave me a push on doing what I want, while I still can, and the push I guess I need is to fight for what or who I want or love. So, I recommend this book to everyone. It gives you hope even when is none left.

marie anna

I love it! Gosh Rosie and Dean are so cute together, i want a relationship like they have. It's definetly my favourite book of the series!!! Btw i'm so sad i finished it, i already want to read it again..🥰

Nikki

re-rating from 2 stars to 1 bc goddamn did i hate this book

allie

5/5⭐
⬇️
He disfrutado muchísimo con la historia de Rosie y Dean. En esta historia nos encontramos a Rosie y Dean, protagonistas de este segundo libro de la serie "Sinners of Saint". Rosie es la hermana pequeña de Millie, protagonista del primer libro de la serie y Dean es el mejor amigo de Vicious, protagonista del primer libro también.
Me ha encantado reencontrarme con Millie y Vicious. Disfruté mucho también con su novela y volver a saber de ellos me ha gustado mucho. Son una parte muy importante de esta novela y también para los protagonistas y me ha encantado.

Rosie y Dean me han apasionado. Su historia es intensa, emotiva, fuerte y muy intensa. Una historia de superación, lucha y sentimientos que he disfrutado desde la primera página hasta la última. Ha sido súper especial, con escenas increíblemente emotivas y con unos capítulos finales increíbles.
El epílogo es pura fantasía.

Nedu

Mikayla

Haven’t been doing in depth reviews but this book was just as amazing as the first. I liked Rosie as a character more than I did with Emilia. She was more my style with the way she acted and represented herself. With regards to the romance between Rosie and Dean, I appreciated their romance for what it was. Sweet, will go to the depths for one another, bold and caring. This pair complimented each-other extremely well. Love love loved this book.

Nia Kharebashvili 

** spoiler alert **
           
  ’”I don’t want to make you forget. I want to make you remember. And I’m about to, Rosie.” He breathed hard against my skin. “I’m about to rewrite the pages of our fucking history, baby.”’



  ”I would take any emotion from her. Even pity. Even hate. Anything, as long as it’s not indifference.”


Dean and Rosie was the reason I started reading this series in the first place. That’s why I decided to just dive in even if I would have to force myself to get through book 1— which reeked of toxic ship—first. (but surprisingly, I loved “Vicious”). 


  ’”Contrary to general belief, stars don’t twinkle. There is only one star that sparkles that scientists can agree on. It twinkles so bright, sometimes people mistake it for UFO. It’s not big, but it stands out. That’s Sirius, and it’s also you. You shine, Baby LeBlanc. So fucking bright sometimes you’re the only thing I see.”’


Dean and Rosie’s story was everything. Their love was so pure and genuine and strong but also fragile at the same time. Seriously, the best thing about this book was the way these two declared their feelings for one another. It was beautifully-written (the beauty I haven’t found in “Vicious.” For obvious reasons, of course). 


  ’”I love you,” she whispered. “I love you so much that I hated you for a while. And now that I know that you are damaged, I love you even more. Perfect things are not relatable. Unbreakable is fascinating, but not lovable. You’re breakable, Dean Cole. I’m going to do my best to keep you whole.”’


Rosie. Strong and independent twinkling Sirius! I loved her so much.
Rosie LeBlanc is one of those characters who actually makes you think. How courageous and strong-willed she was even after being forced to let go of her dreams. But slowly, unsolicitedly coming face to face with the inevitably of dying before the right time.
I cried several times. I was so sure that Rosie wasn’t gonna make it. Even before starting the series. Thought I was already prepared beforehand, you know? 
And guess what?! The epilogue happened. 
Three years later they’re married, have a son and another on the way. I can’t stop grinning. And Seeing how baby HotHoles hang out and are so carefree just warms my heart! 
But this happiness dies every time I think about “Broken Knight.” I have a feeling it’s gonna break me...

Despite every glorious detail mentioned above, there still was a thing or two that bothered me, though. 
Now that I’ve read book 2, Dean’s reaction to Vic and Emilia’s relationship seems kind of inconsistent. If it’s been Rosie all along, then why would he stress out this much about those two being together?! And “keeping Emilia safe from Vicious” was a very bullshit reason for Dean and Rosie to push each other away. My baby Emilia is stronger than she looks. She doesn’t need anyone to protect her! 
Fortunately, as the book went on, it focused on this topic less and less so it was easier for me to brush the inconsistency off.

I didn’t expect to love Dean this much.
Dean Leonard Cole managed to capture my heart. 
  ”Truth was, weakness invited more weakness.”

This hit. Hard.
The best thing about Dean was that despite his traumatic experience he still remained good. And still remained honest! It takes guts to admit that you still love your worthless, psychotic, junkie mother mother who was very quick to leave you in a public bathroom. It was the ugly truth. But also was the truth of a human manner.
Dean’s self-destructive behavior was relatable. That’s why I connected to him on a deeper level.

Overall, this book was very enjoyable. While the romance in “Ruckus” was way more beautiful than that in “Vicious”, the plot wasn’t as intriguing as it was in the latter. Plot in “Ruckus” was a bit over-dramatic, sure, but it didn’t give me chills or make me gasp as often. 
But still, I will never ever get over Dean and Rosie’s stunning words that they keep for their family only! And this is enough to pick up this book and dive in.

fallinallinlines

Aayusma Aryal

celeste

i can't believe i wasted two days of my life reading this just so that i could get to trent's book, and at this point, i don't even know if it was worth it. i must be a masochist to wanna put myself through another one of this author's books tbh. also, she kept repeating the phrase 'dangerous chemistry' in relation to the characters, which was ironic because said characters had as much chemistry as a lamp and a fucking piece of bread.

Ionițoaei Alexia

”Ruckus” by L.J. Shen was one of my favourites, of course. The author hasn’t disappointed me this time either. She has talent, charisma and originality! So, congrats! 
 Ruckus, the one who was thought about as being a total jerk, the cool and relaxed one from the 4 Hot Holes group was actually the one with the most painful scars in his background. He was a pure, but unfortunately a too damaged soul at some point. He was in love with the only girl he couldn’t catch, Rosie LeBlanc, his lover’s little sister. He suffered in silent when he found out about Rosie’s illness, but he wanted to be by her side every last moment she would have. She was dying slowly, but wanted to live, to feel; and he was living to the fullest, but wanted to end everything and hide the truth just to stop the pain. She was peace, he was war. But maybe, just maybe, sometimes the war that is hiding behind the peace is worse than hell. She sacrificed her own happiness for her sister but it comes a moment when you cannot run anymore from what you feel and what you truly want, especially when you have so little time left. They learn together to live and to risk, not even knowing if there’s tomorrow.
It was one of the best books I read, but honestly I expected nothing less. Somehow it made me realize more than any time that we need to live in the present, because we don’t know the future and we should not care about the past. The present moment is everything we have now, so take your chance and live!

Ashlie Oliver 

Chefs kiss. In the end, you just want to love and root for the guys in this serious. 

**If you LOVED Viscious, I would give yourself a break before picking this up. I think if I would have picked it up right after I wouldn't have been able to love Dean and Rosie the way I did. This really shifts your perspective of them and if you are still hungover from Viscious and Millie you may miss out on the perfection that is Dean and Rosie.

Ruckus

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