A review by theoriginal_b00k_nerd
Ruthless Rival by L.J. Shen
5.0
Ruthless Rival - Cruel Castaways #1 - Review
Couple: Arya Roth & Christian Miller
Author: L.J. Shen
Tropes: frenemy to lover, hidden identity, second chance romance, dark romance, hidden agendas
Review: Another great high angst enemies to lovers read from LJ Shen! This book is once again written in dual POV and is written from past and present. The story is about Arya and Christian (formerly Niko) who were childhood friends and then innocent lovers to enemies as adults.
The tale is old as time and focuses on the hate Christian felt when he believed his childhood best friend betrayed him and made him go away. It is tension filled and emotional and it will leaves you needing more from this dynamic duo. I loved this book, it was so full of strife and coming of age/new adult themes that it makes you feel like you are in the midst of the plot watching it happen.
Arya is a socialite but also a business woman. I thought her plights and desires to branch out from her family were strong willed and amazing. She is a string FMC who feels drawn to Christian but also repulsed that she is attracted to the man trying to put her father in prison. Add on the fact that he is disturbingly familiar to her and the plot thickens with their attraction and hate.
Christian is a man who takes what he wants. I admired and hated his character. He truly rose from the ashes after being exiled from New York at a young age. I enjoyed his POV and loved how he grew into a man who valued true relationships. I felt like the addition of his friend group and pseudo-mother were important to who his character was and loved how cynical his thoughts were.
The book is HAWT on the spice level and this couple is it! Arya and Christian are two halves of one soul and it is amazing to read them coming together again. I felt like the deceptions and betrayals were so smoothly done that at times I was surprised. I really liked how she confronts her father at the end and makes amends with her mother.
This book is good for anyone who loves enemy to lovers reads.
Rating: 10/10, OMG Christian Miller!
Couple: Arya Roth & Christian Miller
Author: L.J. Shen
Tropes: frenemy to lover, hidden identity, second chance romance, dark romance, hidden agendas
Review: Another great high angst enemies to lovers read from LJ Shen! This book is once again written in dual POV and is written from past and present. The story is about Arya and Christian (formerly Niko) who were childhood friends and then innocent lovers to enemies as adults.
The tale is old as time and focuses on the hate Christian felt when he believed his childhood best friend betrayed him and made him go away. It is tension filled and emotional and it will leaves you needing more from this dynamic duo. I loved this book, it was so full of strife and coming of age/new adult themes that it makes you feel like you are in the midst of the plot watching it happen.
Arya is a socialite but also a business woman. I thought her plights and desires to branch out from her family were strong willed and amazing. She is a string FMC who feels drawn to Christian but also repulsed that she is attracted to the man trying to put her father in prison. Add on the fact that he is disturbingly familiar to her and the plot thickens with their attraction and hate.
Christian is a man who takes what he wants. I admired and hated his character. He truly rose from the ashes after being exiled from New York at a young age. I enjoyed his POV and loved how he grew into a man who valued true relationships. I felt like the addition of his friend group and pseudo-mother were important to who his character was and loved how cynical his thoughts were.
The book is HAWT on the spice level and this couple is it! Arya and Christian are two halves of one soul and it is amazing to read them coming together again. I felt like the deceptions and betrayals were so smoothly done that at times I was surprised. I really liked how she confronts her father at the end and makes amends with her mother.
This book is good for anyone who loves enemy to lovers reads.
Rating: 10/10, OMG Christian Miller!