The Devil Wears Black is hands down one of the best books I’ve read this year. LJ Shen is an absolute goddess & one of my favorite romance authors, and I knew TDWB was not going to go disappoint.

TDWB is a steamy enemies to lovers/fake fiancé standalone romance that will have you laughing one moment and crying the next. The chemistry between Maddie & Chase is off the charts, and their banter is 👌🏻👌🏻

Cannot recommend this enough. Shout out to Netgalley for letting me get my hands on an ARC!

This is a non-ironic 4 star rating, but in return I demand it be marketed as a rom-com because the way it made me laugh? I can't even understand it myself.

Chase's father is dying and Chase thought the best thing at this time was to show him that he had his life settled (hint: he doesn't), so he recruited his ex-girlfriend –who hates him because he broke her heart–, to pretend to be his fiancee because seriously what could go wrong?

Madison Goldbloom is a rare mix between Emilia LeBlanc's annoyingly sunny personality and odd fashion sense, and Eddie Van Der Zee's witty and sassy comebacks. Her only "flaw" is that she's TOO good person and wear her heart on her sleeve allowing some people to walk on her and take advantage of that, but luckily she grew a backbone and not that late.

Chase Black is a LJ Shen hero through and through, meaning: crass asshole. At first it was hard to warm up to him because he seemed like an idiot, and his logic and reasoning on why breaking up with Maddie was so stupidly stupid that it made me roll my eyes so hard I swear I saw my brain, BUT after a while he became this funny and sarcastic character and his gestures towards Maddie won me over. He's still an asshole tho.

I think I liked this because it was so funny that I didn't expect it. This author's books are a hit or miss for a lot of people, but I'll say the second-chance romance, fake dating, Maddie giving Chase a hard time after he broke her heart, the rich familie problems and the cute epilogue in a very Maddie-and-Chase way are worth it.

This is my first time delving into a book by L.J. Shen and I must say I am pleasantly surprised. Romance isn't my favorite genre and I found myself enjoying this a lot.

The Devil Wears Black has the classic enemies-to-lovers trope, which I adore. And Shen writes it so well! Chase and Maddie ooze chemistry and their banter was so much fun. I wasn't a fan of Chase at first because of how he bullied Maddie, but in the end, I've grown to like him. Maddie was a strong character and I found her relatable!
The ending was predictable but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It was a feel-good ending that left me satisfied.

Overall, this was a fun steamy read. I recommend if you're looking for likable characters and a sweet romance.

Woohoo, what a sexy, fun book! This is my first by this author, but most definitely not my last! She knows how to write hot, hot, hot! A deliciously addictive enemies to lovers story, which will have you swooning, laughing, maybe even crying. The characters were flawlessly developed, which helped set the story into motion in a way that was unputdownable! I have made sure to get more by this author, as I think she’s one I will definitely enjoy more of. I highly recommend to my fellow sexy seekers, this one is sure to make you swoon!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

This book makes me happy. Maddie is an amazing character- sweet and sassy, fun but so caring and I wish we could be friends in real life. Her ex, billionaire Chase Black, needs her to pretend to be engaged to him. The family is dealing with a catastrophe and Chase, wanting to bring happiness to the family, lies to this family and says that they are still involved because they all love Maddie so much. It's a little convoluted but it works so well because of excellent character development.

Chase is also a well characterized man with many layers that tie in perfectly with his behaviors- the reader gets a good understanding of why he did the things he did as his past and intentions are revealed. There's lots of fun banter between Chase and Maddie which made me laugh. There are also beautifully heart felt letters from Maddie's deceased mother that brought me to tears, especially because the feelings are so relatable (I lost my father to cancer.) Paired up with excellent supporting characters, this book truly has it all. This is my favorite book from LJ Shen thus far because it allowed me to go through a gamut of emotions and it did it so so seamlessly that I didn't want the book to end. I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to read this book from NetGalley.

I've been an avid L.J. Shen reader since becoming a romance reader, but I have to say, The Devil Wears Black is L.J at her VERY best.

Chase and Maddie were two characters unlike anything I've read in romance in a long time and the PERSONAL GROWTH they both went through?? So good. I will say this book was a really slow start for me. It felt like I was never going to get to the good stuff. Like the rip your heart out, stare at your kindle for an extended amount of time and hope that the conclusion brings it all together stuff - and once it got there, IT GOT THERE. The ending helped me feel the 5 Stars for this one were warranted.

Writing this all I can think about is the scene that starts on the stairs of Maddie's apartment and now I kinda want to just do a reread of the whole thing. haha

Anyway, this book is worth every single moment. The payout of the end? The personal growth? Basically every alpha moment L.J. Writes SO WELL?

Read this one when it comes out MARCH 9TH! Preorder it. Prepare yourselves. Do whatever you gotta do.

Thanks to Montlake for the ARC of this one! All thoughts and feelings are my own.

L. J. Shen isn't my favorite romance writer. After giving 1 and 3 stars to the books I've read from her, it's safe to say that I'm probably not going to fall in love with her future books and that I should probably read something else if I'm looking to find a new favorite. That's a little sad but I wanted to request and read this book as an ARC in order to find out if I would change my mind. And while I liked this book more than Midnight Blue & In the Unlikely Event, I didn't completely love this one.

The Devil Wears Black follows Maddie after she broke up with her ex, Chase Black, when she saw him with another woman. This is where I started disliking the main male character. Obviously like many readers I hate cheating in romance and here even though I knew the author would make it "okay", I wasn't up for it. Another thing was that Maddie for most of the book let people walk all over her without really standing up for herself because as usual, she's "Martyr Maddie". I prefer my FMCs with more of a backbone but that's just a personal preference.

Now, as for the plot, Chase asks her to pretend to be engaged when his family find out about his dad's cancer. It's bad, he doesn't have a lot of time and Chase is desperate to give some kind of peace by appearing settled down. I have to say some of the scenes made me emotional because my father died of cancer and obviously, that's a big trigger for me. I really liked how his family came together in the end.


(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)

If I could give The Devil Wears Black more then five stars I would. I loved this book so much. Maddie is approached by her ex boyfriend Chase asking her to pretend to be his fiancé. Because he never told his parents they broke up six months ago. And his dad is dying. In the beginning I didn’t think it was possible to like Chase. But as the story went on that slowly changed. Maddie is such a nice person, you want her to find love and be happy. This story had all the feels. I love L. J. Shen and her writing. This book is a perfect example of why.

➳ Rate: 4,5/ 5 stars

Chase Black was something else. I didn't immediately love him because he was hard to understand and I didn't like how he acted towards Maddie, especially with her helping him out. He seemed pretty ungrateful in the beginning like he was the one doing her a favor instead of the other way around almost. But as the story unfolded and we got to know the real guy within, got to see him struggle with what was happening with his family, and also learned what had left him so jaded towards love, we could finally understand him and his actions and I gotta admit that he was much softer than what he seemed. I loved that, getting to see his different sides and also the way he described things with Maddie was, at first frustrating, because he was an AH but also so nice because you could read how he truly felt between the lines, he just needed to realize it and accept it.

I loved Maddie. Her whole aesthetic and aura. She was such a nice person, maybe at times a little too nice for her own good but I loved that about her. She was always ready to help out and be there for people. It really worked for her and this book... she could not be more different from Chase and that was mainly why they fit so well, they really completed each other and made each other better versions of themselves. It was a true opposites' attract with them and there was nothing not to love about that.

Chase and Maddie also had amazinggg banter. I loved whenever Maddie gave Chace a hard time and made him work for things. I love to see those kinds of things in books. And the chemistry between them, even when nothing was really happening, was sizzling. And once it was happening again, my god!!

The fact that they had previously dated brought an interesting side to things, obviously there were a lot of feelings involved... Maddie had a lot of hurt and hate towards Chase but it was also obvious that no matter how much she wanted to hate him she also still loved him. Chase still had a lot of feelings towards Maddie too, it almost felt like he used the excuse of his father's sickness to get a second chance with Maddie. And thank god it worked.

I loved getting to know Chase's family as well and to see that Maddie just fit in with everyone else as well. She seemed to make everything better for (almost) everyone. There were some characters that were not on their side and made things harder, definitely brought in some drama. It was interesting to understand the dynamics between everyone once you learn everything that happened between certain characters and how those events snowballed and affected everything that came after. I really enjoyed how Leigh worked everything out in the end and redeemed a certain someone in my eyes. I'm glad Chase at least got him back.

The Devil Wears Black was a really great opposites' attract, fake fiancé, second chance romance. It was a story with so much feeling yet it was also incredibly entertaining and fun. You'll fall in love with these two as they figure things out and come to the realization that they are it for each other. Leigh knows how to write feel-good stories with a lot of heart. Chase and Maddie were a delight to read about.

What a read! L.J. Shen's The Devil Wears Black was such a good book!! Maddie Goldbloom AKA Martyr Maddie's ex-boyfriend Chase Black appears on her doorstep ages after their breakup to ask for a favor: pretend to be his fiance in order to make his dying father happy.

Can you really say no to that? Well, Maddie should be able to since their breakup was less than amicable, but Martyr Maddie strikes again!

Will she be able to resist being "back" with Chase? Especially since she already has a new semi-kind of-boyfriend currently?

I finished this book in a few days. I wanted to really savor it. I absolutely recommend to those who enjoy a good romance with some drama and humor.

I really like L.J. Shen and I'm happy I got the chance to review this. It had good pacing, some nice steamy moments, and plenty of drama. I liked the family bonds throughout the story and the letters from Maddie's mom almost made me cry. Unfortunately, I didn't connect with the main characters and struggled to come back from something Chase did.

Chase doesn't think he'll ever settle down, he plans on keeping things casual with women and never involving his heart. When he realized he'd been dating Madison for six months, he did something terrible to push her away. I hated what he did and if I were in this situation, there would be no forgiveness from me. Luckily for Chase, Madison 'Martyr Maddie' will do anything for anyone even if it rips her heart out. Maddie let others walk all over her and treat her poorly and I hated it. I just wanted her to stand up for herself.

I was happy at the end to see both characters had gone through some big changes and the relationship wasn't toxic anymore. Chase and Maddie realized the people they wanted to be and made a cute couple.

I received a copy of this book from NetGally in exchange for an honest review

LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Talk about taking a fake romance, enemies to lovers, and second chance to a whole new level. LJ Shen is queen. Her characters are unique and refreshing. Maddie's quirkiness and personality is both emphasized and shines through her clothing choices. Chase is so stoic and cunning. The wit and banter between the characters is what truly takes this story line to a whole new level.

I can honestly say I love this side of LJ Shen. You still have the angst but there is more humor and feistiness within this book. Chase and Maddie's banter is fun. There is some heavy issues going on but it does not take away from the book. The Black family are really lovable aside from Julian and Amber. When I tell you I laughed so hard at Chase and Maddie and the photographer when they were taking their engagement photos! I don't even know why Julian would even come for Chase like that. I was highly impressed that Chase did have a heart when it came to Maddie and his family. His heart was not as black as he'd like for you to believe. Overall, this was a great read. I was thrilled that Julian came back around.

Arc provide by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love how twisty LJ Shen books can get, but now I know I love when they’re wholesome (ish), too. Just as addictive, but perhaps not as dark, this book hooked me from chapter one.

Normally, the blurb of this book wouldn't really entice me to pick it up. The Fake Fiancée trope is one I try to avoid reading, but something in me said to give it a chance. I am happy I did, because it really worked well in this book. I was very pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. The biggest reason why is because of Maddie's beautiful personality. I also enjoyed Chase's broody emotionless character. They say opposites attract, and that was definitely the case with these two characters. Maddie and Chase dated a couple of months, while Maddie had the impression they were boyfriend and girlfriend, Chase was looking for more of a friends with benefits kind of deal. Things were getting a bit too serious for Chase so he did something to make Maddie dump him. However, now Chase is back to ask Maddie to play his fake fiancée until his father passes away. Maddie being her caring self tries to resist this request, but eventually gives in because she really likes his family.

The banter between the two was awesome and I really enjoyed Maddie finally being strong enough to show Chase her true self. Chase is surprised by this new fierce Maddie, and can't help but fall for her. I loved that even though Maddie is very sweet and tries to help everyone, that she finally stood up for herself. I enjoyed seeing her bloom and transform into this amazing woman who put herself first for the first time. Chase who blocks every emotion because of some things he went through in the past, finally opened himself up to love. The individual growth of both characters was great, and I really liked seeing them grow closer together and opening up. This is a second-chance romance, but they weren't showing their true selves the first time they were dating and that is why it didn't work out. Chase was closed off and Maddie tried to be the perfect woman she thought Chase was after. But the second time around the banter between them was fun and there was a lot of different emotions involved. The Devil Wears Black is a fun enemies-to-lovers second-chance contemporary romance. PS: don't you just LOVE the cover!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Fake engagement/marriage, enemies-to-lovers, and second chance romance? Say no more because I'm SOLD.

Now it's no secret some of LJ's series haven't worked for me in the past. My favorite book of hers: The Kiss Thief is a standalone. When I saw The Devil Wears Black was also a standalone, I had high hopes.

Maddie and Chase are total opposites, so they start off rocky as expected. I enjoyed the banter and sexual tension between them while both hiding the fact that they don't like the situation they're put in. While they both try hard not to catch feelings, they ultimately do. I loved watching them grow not only into themselves, but as a "fake" couple as well. They had a little of the grumpy/sunshine trope going on, which I'm a major sucker for.

I loved the family drama and dynamic with the Black family. A billionaire family with an inheritance up for grabs is sure to have high tensions and games, which is exactly what we got.

What I loved most about this book is that it's not overly steamy or drama ridden. I expected major angst, drama, and sex scenes before reading, but this definitely has more of a romcom/lighter feel to it- which was not bad at all!

I think people will be pleasantly surprised with this. It was certainly a very welcome change to all of LJ's past work.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3526827922

The minute I started The Devil Wears Black (TDWB) I knew it would be something special. But I truly did not expect that I would be so deeply obsessed and enthralled with Chase Black!!! Jesus Christ! If you loved Vicious and Dirty Headlines then YOU WILL DIE for TDWB!!!  Chase is EVERYTHING!!! His cutting and sarcastic personality coupled with his intense connection with Maddie made this story completely UNPUTDOWNABLE. This is one of my favorite L.J. Shen stories hands down!!!!

Everyone who knows me knows that the fake-fiancée trope is my jam. But when you add in a bastard hero through and through and a sassy spitfire of a heroine, you just checked every box I die for!!!! And what a story this was!! Chase was pompous, arrogant and nothing less than a cutting straight-shooter. But his match? Maddie Goldbloom, his previously meek and agreeable girlfriend, now his fierce and formidable ex, decides the gloves are off and it's high time to show her ex who she really is and where he can stick his outlandish request. But what follows is a sexy, swoony and powerfully emotional story that took my breath away!

GAH!!! After reading this story I can say without a doubt, L.J. Shen broke the mold with Chase and Maddie!! This story is filled to the brim with amazing banter like only this author can deliver, blisteringly fiery sexual chemistry and witty comebacks and sarcastic retorts that will leave you captivated and speechless. What I loved more than anything however was how Shen once again showcases the healing power of love between two people who were once afraid to show who they really are and the powerful bonds of family that hold us together when the world is turned upside down. This story was truly outstanding and a notable best by this fantastic author! 5 stars! ~Ratula ❤

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I truly enjoyed this book, I could not put it down.

I would recommend if you're looking for

-loves to enemies to lovers
-second chance romance
-fake engagement
-a cute puppy
-millionaire romance
-opposites attract
-flirting through sticky notes

This book was so readable and well written. While Chase was definitely an *ss in the beginning but his layers and prior heartache reveal a grump with a heart of gold underneath. It was Maddie's journey realizing being nice doesn't mean being a pushover that was so relatable. The sexual tension in this one was so well done. The perfect book to get me out of my reading slump.

Rating: 5
Steam: 3

This in one of LJ Shen's best books! The characters are so well written, and the perfect opposites attract couple. I had a hard time letting go of this one, I didn't want it to end. I hope there will be another book with some of the secondary characters.