I don't know quite what to say about this book except that it was, apologies to the author, one of the Worst Books I've Ever Read. I'm scarred. Hunter is the absolute worst male lead I've ever encountered, and Sailor isn't much better.

Boo! Boo! (Just picture that woman from the Princess Bride, because that's me @ this book.)

I don’t even know where to begin! This book was everything!!!!!!! I absolutely adored these characters! Hunter is my new book boyfriend for sure. This book follows Sailor who is chasing an Olympic bid at archery and Hunter who is a billionaire playboy. When Hunter has a sex tape leaked, his father threatens to cut him off unless he can remain, sober, celebate, and can convince Sailor to live with him for 6 months. The tension is off the charts, the banter is HILARIOUS, and there is even a little mystery to keep you on your toes. This book gets all the stars, 100/10 would recommend!

⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5 stars
🌶🌶🌶🌶/ 5 Spice

I have been itching to bite my teeth into L.J. Shen for awhile. This book was just as spicy as I hoped it would be.

We start off this book with a detailed Orgy and my heart was not prepared for it. Due to this event our leading man was in hot water and required a babysitter and good behaviour to get his family inheritance.

I really enjoyed the budding relationship between our leads. I love our lead heroine and her development with her sport, life and family.

I found the drama was easy for me to tell what was going to happen, however it was an enjoyable read and I definitely want to try more from this author.

He was the Hunter. I was the prey

THIS BOOK IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT!!!🤭
I really don't know if it was supposed to be romance, but it's mostly a comedy. I was laughing off my ass, it was so quick and light. My first, but definitely not last LJ Shen book.

"You're going to do a six-month stint to prove to me you are not the pile of sexually transmitted diseases and bad decisions I see you as."

Our hero Hunter played main role in sex tape📽️🎞️🎞️🎞️so now his father sentence him to six months of celibacy.🦴❌✋

""I hope she'll be a fool- that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool." - F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
In this book, she isn't"

Our heroin - whose also Hunter's roommate and nanny - is an archer trying to get to the Olympics🏅🏅🏅 Sailor is supposed to watch Hunter and not let him drink/have sex🌚🌚🌚

"Aww. Even this serial-killer-ninja-asshole loved his kid more than Da loved me."

Hunter has also daddy issues ✅💅💃

"'Aingal dian,' he said. 'Well, for the most part,'
'Does that mean crazy bitch?'"

But he also calls Sailor names in different language🥵💦🧑‍🍳💋

"I'm not sharing an apartment with Cillian. He probably performs satanic rituals involving puppy blood and baby tears on the daily."🐶🩸

"It didn't surprise me that Cillian remained quiet. Watching Da give give me third degree was his favourite pastime, aside from sacrificing virgins and kittens to Satan, maybe."🐱🐱🐱😈👹

"The older Fitzpatrick brother always looked a step away gracefully dipping a sword into your chest and watching you draw your last breath with a pretty smile."🔪🔪🔪

There's also sociopath older brother Cillian Villain. I love him. Can't wait to read his book. 🥵🥵🥵 5/5⭐

Last, but not least ✋😌
"My dick was about to slip out of sweatpants and curl around her ankle like an eager puppy."

Many thanks to Netgalley for popping my ARC-reviewing cherry and providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️2 🌶4
CONTENT WARNINGS: animal death, blood and violence, perpetuation of Asian-American stereotypes, micro-aggressions against Asian characters

With a sample size of exactly two (2) books — this is only the second book of L.J. Shen’s that I’ve read; I requested to review this book precisely because I'd enjoyed my first time with this author — I must admit I have more wildly mixed feelings about The Hunter than I do with the other book.

Hunter Fitzpatrick is an entitled fresh graduate from high school, born into a family of such immense wealth as to merit their own manor; Sailor Brennan is a determined and aspiring Olympic archer, the beloved daughter of an Irish-Bostonian mobster. Their story begins in a very promising, very interesting prologue, revolving around the image of a lonely boy trapped in a magic castle, and a girl watching with concern from afar. Years later, Sailor and Hunter cross paths again when Hunter’s antics leave him, through some peculiar parent-induced arrangement, with a chaperone in the form of Sailor.

A number of incidents later — by the time we reach Chapter 15 — the lovely image from the prologue is all but forgotten as our two protagonists have resorted to a wide range of metaphors to describe their budding relationship. Consider this conversation from that chapter, sans all character movements and dialogue tags:

Hunter: “When the temperature drops to a certain degree, butterflies hibernate. They actually freeze in time — in age — waiting for summer to come and unchain them from the weather, to set them free. Butterflies can’t fly when they’re cold.”

Sailor: “Like Sleeping Beauty.”

Hunter: “The prince is not going to save you, aingeal dian. He is stuck in his castle, fighting his own battle. Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone and live? You have to let life touch you. Drown a little with me, baby.”

That’s butterflies, Sleeping Beauty, and drowning right there in a single conversation. For a time, I was especially fixated on this one passage because I couldn't for the life of me figure out whether people actually jump from metaphor to metaphor like that when they talk in real life.

Passing details like these are usually easy to forgive because the main story makes up for them in the long run. In The Hunter, though, it’s these many passing details that add up to cast one large shadow over the story. And as I write this review, I find myself dwelling on the if-onlys. If only Hunter wasn’t explicitly preoccupied with his penis every few pages or so (though he did for a time find some purpose outside of himself when he was investigating Sylvester Lewis, which was gratifying to watch). If only Sailor was a wee bit clearer about her faith, what with her praying and talking to her God about Lent and sins, then casually mentioning in a text conversation some chapters away that she was an agnostic. If only she simply walked away or flipped the bird at her Korean trainer Junsu when he was found out, instead of bowing to intentionally mock one of the most respectful gestures in his culture. If only the author had given Junsu the dignity of at least a surname.

To round out this review, let’s list down some at-leasts. At least Sailor’s positive relationship with her family was intact, practically unshakeable. At least Hunter once said in Chapter 13, “But if that’s what you want, I respect that.” At least Sailor had Belle, Percy, and Aisling, female friends who seemed to be what one another needed. If anything, a romance novel can never go wrong with strong and healthy friendships.

I love me some L.J. Shen. She writes tortured heroes, conflicted heroines, and unique and fun storylines each and every time I pick up one of her books. I really enjoy how she creates her stories, and the perfect mix of a dirty talking hero and sweet heroine. Incredibly naughty but enough story to balance out that spicy, I highly recommend this one. Chef's kiss!

Definitely check out the following titles as they go with the series: The Villain and The Monster.

I liked Hunter and Sailor as a couple, and how they were perfect opposites at almost every single thing. I liked their story, and how it grew with living together, and how they became more for each other, day after day. They literally brought out what was the best and hidden in each other. (More her to him anyway).
He was so outgoing and free, she was so centered and repressed.
One was definitely able to heal the other's wounds, and was able to be exactly what the other needed. It was beautiful to see they falling in love, even with Hunter taking so long to think outside his dick.

That said, I have to say that up to 40% maybe 50% of the book, it didn't flow as I expected, or I couldn't connect with Hunter... (He's really a douchebag, a manwhore, a self centered stupid Playboy, and isn't equal to Sailor in feelings or meanings or anything really).
To begin with, I didn't expect the story to be told with them so young... With him finishing high school, and before going to college. I hoped it was already with him as an adult, in his mid-twenties at least. A more adult and not so teen story.
The fact that he is 18/19 years old, for me, does not justify him being described and acting like an air shit head, who only has his good looking as quality.
All the time he is branded as the useless handsome billionaire. It really bothered me, since in Broken Knight, he was the one who was even watching CNN while having sex.
The language used was also extremely exaggerated! I confess that I felt bad about having to resort to Urban Dictionary a few times, to decipher the amount of new slangs that Hunter used... It seemed to me that I was reading a book written by an excited teenager, which made me angry at times, since I expected a more mature story, outside of teen' language and dramas.

Anyway, I say again that despite this, I didn't had the story I was expecting from the middle to the end of the book. But don't give up because of the poor description of the characters and the initial development in the story. The end (the very last end) worth it.

Seeing Troy and Sparrow as parents, as well as Sam as a big brother, was amazing! Hard to believe that they would be so permissive at times, but definitely very close. Troy definitely become a soft person as an old man, because no way would he permitted his baby girl with Hunter, after an orgy sex tape with five girls.

Finally, it is already clear who the next 2 couples in the Boston Belles series will be, and I hope that the rhythm of their story, as well as it's quality will only grow from here, because I don't think that it could be worst.

I liked how she closed this book, the plot twist for both, Hunter and Sailor, were "dope" but also lame, as Hunter would say! 😂😂
I just thought the book had the potential to be perfect from the start, and it's really frustrating when that doesn't happen. Lots of things could've be done differently here.

This book by LJ shen is very sexy and angsty. Hunter is not a very like able character at first, but he does grow on you. The chemistry between Hunter and Sailor is fire, though! I am eager to see the next book in the series

'THE HUNTER' is the first full length romance book in L.J. Shen's 'Boston Belles' series.

Hunter Fitzpatrick was every single thing I was expecting and MORE. SO MUCH MORE. Is he a playboy? Yes. Is he crass? Also yes. But did I laugh, sigh and swoon at every one of his comments? HELL YES! This author thrives in the language of "dirty" romcom and I LOVED every page of this story!!

I can't wait to read the rest of this series and more from author LJ Shen- she is quickly becoming one of my favorites!

4.5⭐
WOW! This book was so so good and I've become a little bit obsessed with LJ Shen. The banter between Hunter and Sailor was hilarious and the spice was hot as hell!!

Magnetic, this book is pure magnetism. I couldn't stop reading until the end in twenty-four hours I had finished and browsing the next book that I want to read yours
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Hunter is a Cali dude bro or at least it is in the image that he fills trying to find his place in the world but when he pushes the limits and is involved in a sexual scandal his family decides to take action on the matter, he has to spend six months out of all scandal without drinking or having sex under a designated guardian capable of resisting his charms or that is what they think
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While Sailor has been building her career for ten years and working to become part of the Olympic archery team but she could use a sponsor to guide her and the opportunity presents itself when Hunter arrives asking her to accept his father's agreement
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I love the characters although sometimes Hunter's vocabulary had me on the edge but the rest of the characters and especially Sailor balanced the book so well. I am not very into romances with rich men, there are few who take me out of that statement and even more those who manage to earn a place in my favorites and this is one of them
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Thanks to L. J. Shen and Book Buzz net for give me this amazing book to read in exchange for my honest opinion

Always have to love a forbidden, angst ridden romance! This was steamy and entertaining and made for a great romance to read! The tension between these characters was something else and kept me so invested! This was my first LJ Shen book and I can’t wait to continue to read more from this author!

*Thank you to Netgalley for gifting me an arc in exchange for an honest review.*

So good and spicy!!

I really enjoyed this one!! It's all I want in a steamy romance book and I enjoyed every single second if it! Hunter's character is just the most dramatic and over the top and he was written to perfection. I'm so so interested to read the rest of this series! Especially Cillian's story because man, I need to see who gets to that heart of stone.

Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley for the earc in return for an honest review.

OKAY - NOOOTTT what I was expecting but I love LJ Shen and the Boston Belles series. In all honesty, I wanted to punch Hunter in the face multiple times throughout this book and every series he pops into. We've seen Hunter Fitzpatrick in multiple series written by LJ Shen and I have to say that he is the most annoying character I've read about.

OH - You thought this was a negative review. Naw. This story is raunchy as hell and kept me entertained with each passing page. I love dark romance and the raunchier the better. By only real complaint is that Hunter is a character that always gets what he wants. He doesn't care at what cost; as long as he gets it. I conclude he is a complete mess and that's the most relatable thing about him. All of his decision is driven by his d*ck, which makes you question his intelligence and life choices. At the same time - He is an attractive character that keeps your attention with each page and it's become your guilty pleasure to know what he does next.

The story itself was a fun read - I loved seeing what kind of chaos Hunter was going to get himself into next. He's definitely not my favorite character written by LJ Shen, but I truly love how each of her characters brings something different to the table for the reader.

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC!
This book kept me entertained but overall was forgettable and cliche. I also think the writing was really cringy in some parts. But I still read the whole thing! I love enemies to lovers and Sailor was a strong female lead.

Finished in two days and can't wait for more from the Boston Belles!!! Some of the story is a bit far-fetched, and more like a movie than real life, but isn't that what fictional books are for? Escaping? This one was great at sucking me in and keeping me entertained, I devoured it.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book.

Fair warning, if you have triggers of language or sex scenes, this book is not for you.

Hunter has made some extremely questionable life choices and now has to have a live-in babysitter to help keep him in line in the form of Sailor, the daughter of Sparrow and Troy Brennan, from the author's book Sparrow. He also has to work at his family business while attanding college and remain sober and celibate and out of trouble if he wants to receive his inheritance. Sailor is an archer, training to go to the Olympics, and Hunter's family is helping her with exposure if she goes along with the deal to help Hunter for six months.

Hunter's character in the beginning of the book was extremely unlikeable and off-putting. There was very little redeeming about his character at all, but I think his character showed tremendous growth throughout the course of the book and I very much appreciated that. He worked very hard to help his family's business and protect it from harm, and he clearly cared for Sailor over time.

I liked how well Sailor and Hunter worked togther, almost like a team and partners. They saw and appreciated each other for what really mattered. I think the book was well written, and while I definitely didn't like Hunter's character in the beginning, I can understand how the author maybe chose to write his character the way she did in order to ultimately show growth and change, at least I am choosing to think that way.

Nope. Nope. Nope. That first chapter set the mood for the whole book.

Arrogant a$$hole Hunter is not a typical alpha male like we read about in some romance novels. He’s an immature, know-it-all douchebag that thinks he rules the world. He can’t stop his ways with girls even though he has Sailor.

Every time he did something stupid….I started counting at first to see how many times this character can do hurtful things, but I gave up after a while.

Oh Sailor. Poor Sailor. I’ll just leave it at that. I also cannot write anything good about her.

I received this ebook copy from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book, true to the author's style, goes to the extremes. Take a bunch of unlikable characters and double down on just how horrid they can be. The characters, the situations, every is taken as far as it can possibly be taken. So, it stands to reason that it will provoke similar reactions in the reader, you will probably either love it or hate it, but it's definitely not a lukewarm feelings kind of book. I find it entertaining to read, to see where it will go. I want to see where train wreck of Hunter's relationship with Sailor will lead, even if I'm not emotionally invested in them. The author has a very defined style and you can count on that style to be alive and well in each of her books. I would, however, love to see what she could do if she ever decides to branch out from what she is known for.

I received and ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you like steamy, smutty, forbidden romance then pick this one up! I loved Sailor and Hunters story. They both didn't know what they needed until they ended up living together. So much smut and steamy time. I couldn't stand Hunters father but I guess that was the point. I recommend picking this up for a quick romance read.