Reviews

In the Unlikely Event by L.J. Shen

ashleyhosack1's review against another edition

5.0

Stop what you’re reading and grab this book!!!

steamy as ever and I loved the story line! The chocolate bar has the best day ever and please let me know what you think :)

jazmin's review against another edition

dnf @30%

- the characters have ZERO chemistry despite them saying they do??
- i hate the male main character
- no. just no

_bookish_kristy_'s review against another edition

5.0

4.5 Likely stars

I truly enjoyed this story. Loved the chemistry between King Mal and Princess Rory. Their banter was enlightening. Plenty of emotions throughout the book. And of course can’t not mention that one particular scene! Best. Day. Ever.

amgirl22657's review against another edition

funny sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

booklovershangout's review against another edition

5.0

This was such a beautiful story. It is an epic love story filled with emotion and passion that will keep you glued to the pages. The characters are complexed, but flawed and absoutely will make you fall in love. I adore their story and loved seeing how they grow and progress throughout the story. L.J. Shen never disappoints and this is one of my favorites. I probably say that in every review, but it's always true. I love her work and can't wait for what she has in store for us next.

rihoward's review against another edition

5.0

This author is one that I will add to my TBR and my calendar regardless of whether it even has a title or blurb. Case and point, for the longest time this was just known as ITUE. Once the title was announced and the blurb it became, even more, real and went from a want to read to a NEED to read. And now after having read it, I can say without a doubt that not only was it everything that I had come to expect from this author but it most assuredly will need to be read again because it is so very different than just about everything I have read including but not limited to anything that she has done before.

There is just something about the way that this author writes. Her characters are unique, the cadence and style that she uses are always different and meaningful. Her world-building and stylistic choices always make me posit what is going on in her head as to why she chooses to do it the way that she does. This stylistic choice is really apparent in this book. Trust me when I say this because this book is told from several different points of view. SEVERAL. Yet, I say this not in a disparaging way. It worked. Would it have worked for other authors? NO. Trust me on that (I will just say that #bestdayever has a new meaning). Yet, this author made me a believer. She made me laugh several times, hell, she made even rethink my stance on how much I detest chocolate. Seriously, I detest chocolate but not in an LJ Shen world. And before anyone can say how "bad" this is can stop. It is fiction. Would I do this in real life? NO. Have I experimented with other things than chocolate in my life? Yes? was it healthy? NO. But it didn't make it any more fun and messy during that point in my life. Which in my opinion is the point of how I appreciated the author for doing something, silly, and out of the norm. For me, it worked and that is what I am basing this and my entire review on.

This book truly had it all, humor, angst, betrayal, coming of age, Steam, Some questionable morals, dirty talking, and finally a love story that was written in the stars. It is very different from the usual work from this author but that just made me like it even more. She kept it fresh and in that difference, it made me see how truly talented that she is. That being said, there are some things (often something that is a hard limit in romance books--Nothing dark but a hard limit nevertheless) that are discussed in this book that other readers might find questionable or might not be their cup of tea. Considering the premise of the napkin note it would be hard to fulfill that no questions asked IF a line wasn't crossed. My take on that is to just work through it as it all can be explained in the end.

There are a lot of different facets to this just as there are a lot of different people involved in this story coming to fruition the way that it needs to for Rory and Mal to have their journey unfold the way that it does. These two characters made me believe in the power of the universe. It also made me wonder if there truly is a bigger plan in play when it comes to the universe and how much fate plays in finding true love. Is it serendipity or is it all planned? In the case of these two, I would like to think it was a combination of both because sometimes it takes a little guidance and assistance from the most unlikely of people and circumstances.

Off-topic, I hope that if this author ever gets another wild hair and wants to write something different than her norm that she revisits a certain friend and TDAH get the chance to tell their story!

victorianvickie's review against another edition

2.0

I had insomnia tonight so I read this book. I have to say I was in the middle. I really just wanted to slap some sense into the several times. The way it jumped from character to character, and the little tidbits at the end of chapters really made my head hurt.

bookmaniacforever's review against another edition

4.0

⭐️ 4 "New Jersey Princess" Stars ⭐️
After reading In the Unlikely Event, I can genuinely state that L.J. Shen can write any genre with the same aplomb and skill! This story is very different from her usual novels, but I felt captured by Aurora’s journey all read long. ITUE, as I still like to called this book, is a breath of fresh air!

Between humour, betrayal, passion and heartbreak Rory is searching answers about her late estranged father. On her quick trip to Ireland, she meets the eccentric Malachy Doherty. They connect instantly and after a pact to be together if they ever meet again, they both separate with a broken heart! When they reconnect after years, nothing is easy and secrets long kept are gradually revealed.

As much as I enjoyed the book, the romance was a little lacking on the sparks. For a couple supposedly destined to be together, I didn’t feel their passion like I wanted. Yes, the interactions are sweet and funny with a mix of angst, but it wasn’t as powerful as I wanted to feel it. Mal is what made me compelled by this story. There’s just something so charismatic about his personality and the way he acts that I just fell under his charm.

I won’t tell you all the detail about the plotline and let you judge by yourself. In the Unlikely Event is truly a story you need to experience blindly to appreciate better. Definitely worth the read!

** ARC received in exchange for an honest review **

bythebooks's review against another edition

1.0

I utterly hated that, it was so much insta love
both of the main characters I found annoying especially Mal

rushaye's review against another edition

5.0

Simply amazing. It made my laugh, it made me cry and it made me fall in love. Best book written by L.J. Shen.