The Devil Wears Black by L.J. Shen Published by Montlake on March 9, 2021
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Ava Erickson, Sebastian York
Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins
Genres: Romance, Romantic Comedy
Amazon Audible
From USA Today bestselling author L. J. Shen comes a second-chance romance about love, loss, finding yourself, and getting lost in the right person.
Maddie Goldbloom stitched up a plan to ensure everything in her life was perfect—from a career in fashion to a chic NYC apartment to a pediatrician boyfriend.
When her ex, Chase Black, storms back into her life with an outrageous request, her immediate reaction is to refuse him. But he only wants to fulfill his father’s last wish. So even though he’s the man who broke her heart, playing his fiancée shouldn’t be hard, especially if it means she gets to watch the arrogant devil squirm a bit.
What ensues is a chain of events that detonates Maddie’s life—and when Chase’s walls come down, they both are forced to face reality.
They say keep your enemies close. But what if your enemy is also the man you love?
The Devil Wears Black is an enemies to lovers romantic comedy that is miles away from L.J. Shen’s norm, and it’s a welcome surprise. This author is an expert when it comes to addictive enemies turned lovers stories. She has a special knack for creating truly despicable, horrible antiheroes that are easy to hate and, astonishingly enough, most of the time I reluctantly grow to love them. When all is said and done, her tales are angst fests that leave this drama queen exhausted and satisfied. I have never ever EVER known her to write anything remotely lighthearted. Until now. Even the cover is playful. I mean, how cute is this?
I’m glad she chose to flex her comedic muscles because Maddie, with her kind heart and bizarre wardrobe choices, is such a quirky character and an absolute joy. I instantly detested Chase, but we’re allowed to see the cracks where his vulnerability slips through. It makes him a sympathetic character and less of a caricature. Chase and Maddie’s chemistry is amazing, and their texting banter is so much fun. The story unexpectedly hit me in the heart strings when it comes to the precious and fragile relationship between parent and child.
The villain in this story is Chase’s brother, Julian, and there is a great build-up of animosity between them. My one regret is that their conflict peters out. Still, the story is a treat.
I listened to the audiobook and although I’ve been a critic of Sebastian York in the past, he completely nails his performance as Chase. All the sarcasm, ruthlessness, humor, and sensitivity are present in his delivery and his speech flows naturally. I definitely recommend giving this a listen.
Recommended for fans of:
Weddings
Fake relationships
Enemies to lovers stories
Romantic comedies
Get your copy of The Devil Wears black. Read for free in Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon eBook: https://amzn.to/3dCpnVA
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3gtXi4F
Audible: https://adbl.co/3auQYpH
About L.J. Shen
L.J. Shen is an International #1 best-selling author of Contemporary Romance and New Adult novels. She lives in Northern California with her husband, young son and chubby cat.
Before she’d settled down, L.J. (who thinks referring to herself in the third person is really silly, by the way) traveled the world, and collected friends from all across the globe. Friends who’d be happy to report that she is a rubbish companion, always forgets peoples’ birthdays and never sends Christmas cards.
She enjoys the simple things in life, like spending time with her family and friends, reading, HBO, Netflix and internet-stalking Stephen James. She reads between three to five books a week and firmly believes Crocs shoes and mullets should be outlawed.
So this was light hearted? I’m shocked.
I have enjoyed a lot of her books, but there have been a couple where the angst was too much for me. You definitely have me wanting to give this one a try!!
Thanks. You definitely have to be in a certain mood to enjoy her books. Sometimes there’s too much drama even for me!
I’ve basically decided this author wasn’t at all for me, but this might be the book to get me to try her again. Great review!
She can be a bit hit or miss for me. Sometimes she’s a tad too dark and cruel.