This book justifies it's title perfectly. The plot is twisted, the characters ruthless and shen spares no mercy in making them run the gauntlet of hardships and separation, raising the angst level sky high.
A maelstrom of swirling emotions, sucking the readers into its powerful vortex. It's a story that churns at warp speed, sweeping and lifting you right in the midst of all the drama, commotion happening. It's Raw, it's Real and it stole my heart. A piece is left behind in its pages somewhere, and I'm already missing Nicky & Arya terribly.
I. Could. Not. Put.the. Book. Down!!!
Fascinating, compelling prose with endearing, magnetic characters. The blistering, steamy love stemming from trauma and tabboo, Sweet and tragic at the same time, it evokes poignance and distress early on.
Nicky & Arya's love never stood a chance. Conrad's dark shadow doomed their fate from the get go. As the story progressed, so did my morbid interest. I was now fully invested and wanted my pay off in form of HEA for them.

"we were frighteningly alike. Fighters. Bloodthirsty.
Claws out, at a seconds notice"

There were twists, deeply broken love and devastating ripples that pulled upon the cords of my heart. I cried for them a lot.
There's a particular scene where I got to peek behind the gruff obnoxious armor of Nicky

“I need people,” I heard myself say. “I can’t get through this alone.”

I mean sobs literally racked my body people!!!
Such is the power of the mighty pen shen yields. The narration was slick paced, very action oriented. Not a line wasted, no sentiment missing, no sequence unwanted. Very tight & taut storyline which is why I think my beloved Vicious Barron Clit-throbber Spencer is dethroned.

“Just remember, to become king, you must dethrone someone first.”

Nicolai Ivanov has arrived and HOW!!
Arya was instantly likeable. A lonely, lost princess with nothing to her name. Not even her choices, her happiness. Her pristine personality appealed to me immediately.
Her heart docks in the same cemetery where Nicky hides.

"My soul . . . it feels calm when it’s next to yours.”

It's fate and Karma that two mirror image souls find a piece of heaven in the uncaring, ruthless city. His journey unfolds in layers. Betrayal, trauma, injustice shape his personality and his being lives for vengeance
The beauty of their coupling was a delight to watch for the briefest moment it was allowed to flourish. I loved their sneaky romance. As equally as the ferocious enmity they manifested

A bow to the queen who creates men I lust
5 stars for Thieves Of Pleasure

“You’re already halfway mine.”

An enemies-to-lovers, slow burn with ALL of the angst. L. J. Shen’s Ruthless Rival was a new take on how some pasts return unknowingly, albeit via scandal, making it a perfect recipe for revenge and justice.

“I’ll hold you when you fall.”

Overall, this rating is for unique plot, world building, and new series promise. I think more development of climatic moments between Arya and Christian in the past and present would have helped solidify their connection.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily, and look forward to future novels by the author.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

This was brilliant!

The characters were so addictive and enjoyable to read, I’m totally in love with Christian/Nikolai, his character is so diverse and mixed up , but in some ways I understand him, his feelings and his emotions.
His Lady is a strong character too, one that is his perfect match in every way.
This book made me want to read more of the secondary characters in their own stories, I hope there are more soon.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

I'm a sucker for second chance and L.J. Shen has once again hit me with all the feels. Christian will steal your heart and you'll gladly let him. I, for sure, have no regrets. This book will have you hooked from start to finish. It was definitely a rollercoaster, but it's so worth it in the end! I'm so ready for what Shen has in store for us next.

An enemies-to-lovers romance about the fine line between seeking revenge and finding love. Such a wonderful book. Utterly unique, exquisitely crafted and quietly powerful.

LJ shen blew me away with this childhood friends to enemies to lovers! This book is amazing! I loved every single second and I don't know how it can very topped! Arya is everything! i loved the role reversal and I can't wait for more! LJ continues to be a one click author and just amazing 👏 😍 🙌

This is one of the best friends-to-enemies-to-lovers books that I've ever read. L.J. Shen does not disappoint. The romance is addictive; the tension gripping and the banter unparalleled.

Arya and Christian are written perfectly, and you can understand the reasons behind every decision, even when you're mentally screaming at them to do the opposite. This book deals perfectly with ideas of grief, justice, and finding who you are. It shows that blood does not make a family and things are not always what they seem.

Arya is the confident, perfect and rich 'Daddy's Girl' whose entire life is turned upside down when she meets broody, powerful, handsome Christian. Their souls are intertwined, and despite everything, they can't stop their growing feelings. A legal case, a book obsession, expensive dinners, and family issues are only the beginning of this spicy romance.

I could not put this book down and I can't wait for more in the Cruel Castaway world. L.J. Shen has only cemented her position as one of my favourite authors. I can only say that you need to read this book.

Thank you to NetGallery and Montlake for this ARC in return for an honest review.

Wow – Beautifully Written! Christian & Arya’s Second-Chance Romance Follows An Explosive Courtroom Drama That Could Potentially Ruin Both Their Lives. Fans Of Atonement May Enjoy This Story About Guilt, As Arya Believes That She & Nicky Were Cecilia & Robbie, Who Never Got A Happy Ending.


ABOUT THIS BOOK:

This is book one of the Cruel Castaways series about three rejected teens who, together with an older widow, form their own unlikely family. As teens, Nicky, Arsene, and Riggs were left behind, each in their own way. They all ended up enrolled in the Andrew Dexter Academy for Boys in Connecticut, a Catholic school and the number one all-boys boarding school in the country. The friendships they forged helped to fill the void in their young lives.

Nicky Ivanov is from Hunts Point – a place that reeks of crime and kills dreams. This is his and Arya’s story.

Arsene Corbin is an evil genius who has a difficult time relating to those who cannot keep up with his brilliant mind. He has a logical approach to life. He dresses to reflect his $200 million trust fund, and the women he beds must meet his exacting requirements – only the finest for him. School never took much time and effort for him, so he has enjoyed the party scene over the years. He bought an NYC penthouse after college, and his two friends followed him to the city. He doesn’t have a job per se, but he has an entrepreneurial spirit and dabbles in various projects. His family owns real estate in Manhattan, but he has been estranged from them for years. He detests his stepsister, and Gracelynn Langston appears to be instrumental in Arsene’s strained relationship with his family. He is jaded, cruel, and antisocial. Might an enemies-to-lovers stepsister romance be in the works for him?

Riggs Bates was raised in San Francisco by his wealthy and beloved grandfather, who had died the Christmas before Nicky came into the picture. He was then alone in the world, and he reinvented himself in the aftermath. His outgoing and magnetic personality ensures he can always find a good time and he enjoys the party scene. He is easy-going, a free spirit, traveling the world and avoiding most forms of commitment. At thirty-two, he still has no home of his own, preferring to crash with his friends when in town. You wouldn’t know by looking at him that he is the most wealthy of the three friends. The billionaire prefers to dress down and fly coach, and he is not picky when it comes to women. He is a delinquent at heart and lacks much sincerity. He does work despite his hefty net worth. His profession is a little unclear, as he is described as both a professional award-winning nature photographer and a professional mountain climber. It is also said that he has no responsibilities, but keeping a job should qualify as a responsibility.

Alice Gudinski had enjoyed a happy marriage, but her life became lonely after her dear husband had died. She hired Nicky Ivanov to be a stable boy one summer, and she soon found new purpose in her life. She took the young man under her wing, teaching him the ins and outs of the wealthy class that he so desperately wanted to prove himself to. Nicky and his two best friends, Riggs and Arsene, became her new family.

IN THIS BOOK:

Nicholai “Nicky” Ruslan Ivanov was born an illegitimate and unwanted child. The father he never met bought his mother a plane ticket from Belarus to the US when he learned about her pregnancy, and that was the extent of his involvement in Nicky’s life. His mother had no other family, so it was just the two of them. They lived in Hunts Point, a tough and crime-riddled neighborhood in the Bronx that gave little Nicky his profound sense of injustice in the world. Ruslana Ivanov might have given birth to him, but she hardly felt like a mother. He felt disconnected from others. Ruslana worked in the home of a very wealthy family in Manhattan, and the stories Nicky heard about that family furthered his belief that life was unfair. There were different standards for the wealthy and those born into loving families.

At age twelve, Ruslana worried that Nicky might find trouble if left to his own accord on the streets of Hunts Point over the summer break, so she took began taking him to work with her during the day. That is when he met Arya, the privileged little Roth princess about whom he had heard for years. He had always hated her for everything she had that he didn’t. But in reality, she was much different than he expected. He didn’t want to like her, but he couldn’t help himself. They became the best of friends. They swam and read books voraciously. He treasured their friendship, and eventually, he wished for more. There was one simple rule that he had to follow, though, and he was not about to jeopardize his ability to see Arya by breaking it. He was forbidden from touching Arya. He had excellent self-control, but Arya was his biggest weakness, and denying her was impossible.

Arya Roth, almost thirty-two, is fiercely independent. Highly competitive, bookish, and clearly intelligent, she is not afraid to speak her mind. She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth but chooses to live within her own means. Her father, Conrad Roth, runs a well-known hedge fund and once ran for mayor. She is the apple of his eye, and he was present for all the important moments in her life despite the crazy hours he always worked. Her mother was a different story. Beatrice Roth was active at the club and in various other activities, but she was more likely to vacation by herself than to spend a holiday with her family. Her mother seemed to be fixated on the loss of Arya’s twin, Aaron, who had died from SIDS as a baby. Most days growing up, Arya felt invisible in her mother’s eyes. It only made her cling more to her father, who could always be counted upon.

After attending Columbia University, Arya went on to work in politics for several years. Four years ago, she and her longtime best friend Jillian co-founded their own PR firm, Brand Brigade. Their company has been a great success, and it has Arya doing what she loves most – helping people. Arya has never had great luck in the relationship department. Many men are intimidated by her assertiveness and indifferent attitude, and her wealthy upbringing is apparent in her sometimes prudish air. She doesn’t date too much – she hasn’t been with a man in over a year – but she selects her male companions carefully. She prefers men with average looks, who she finds to be far less drama. Though she has a hunger for life, dating is not a priority. She throws herself into her work, and her workaholic habits don’t leave much time for a big social calendar. There had been one real love in her life, but that ended in disaster when she was fourteen and Nicky left her behind. She had tried to track him down years later only to learn that he had died. That discovery broke her heart again, and despite her efforts to move on, no man ever compared to Nicky.

Christian George Miller, thirty-two, has very few principles. Highly competitive and determined to achieve whatever he sets his mind on, he is now achieving his greatest dreams. After Harvard Law School, he worked two years at the DA office and made a name for himself in a big case. He was then recruited to Cromwell & Traurig, his Madison Avenue law firm. It is Manhattan’s finest, and leaving before making partner would be career suicide. It would add years to his efforts to make partner, which to him, was one of the best ways to prove his worth to the city that had destroyed him in his youth. He wanted to become one of the wealthy elite, to blend in, and in his mind being named partner was the pinnacle of success. As Nicky Ivanov, that would have been impossible, which is why he had his name changed after graduating from the Andrew Dexter Academy. That school had been his punishment, but at the same time, it was his saving grace. Because of it, he had met Alice, his benefactor, and his best friends, Riggs and Arsene. It cost him dearly, though. There was nothing he wouldn’t have done for Arya, but she had set him up to take the fall, so he had since scrubbed her from his life.

Christian is a newly minted millionaire and now one of NYC’s most coveted bachelors. His rugged good looks and confidence ensure he can have any woman he wants. His playboy ways work out well with his workaholic habit. He is hungry for achievement and success. He was never one for parties, too bent on rising to the top. He has never been capable of love, and he blames Arya for that. He does sometimes engage in physical arrangements. Claire Lesavoy is the sexy junior associate with whom he recently came to an understanding. It is convenient, given the long hours he works. After three years as a senior associate, he is ready to demand to be named partner. He pulls more than his own weight, and he wants what he feels rightly belongs to him. Cromwell, however, is resistant to the idea. To delay the inevitable, Christian is asked to prove his worth. His specialty is torts and equitable claims, a messy field in which he thrives. He settles nearly all his cases out of court, however, due to his fierce reputation. No lawyer wants to go against him in a courtroom. The partners, however, want him first to give them a sensational case that takes place in the courtroom, showcasing the firm and his own abilities. He considers it a temporary setback, confident that he can achieve that in a matter of weeks.

When Amanda Gispen walks into Christian’s office, it is like fate sent her to him. It is the chance to earn his partnership and to ruin the man that had taken everything from him. He can also get his revenge on Arya by ruining her family. Conrad Roth is being accused of harassment in the workplace, and a case with him as the defendant will captivate the public. Sweet revenge has been dropped in his lap. He has no business taking the case because of his history with the Roth family, and if his real identity is discovered, he could face disbarment. Still, he cannot pass up the opportunity. He has an excellent ability to control his impulses in all areas of his life, except when it comes to Arya. And he is willing to risk everything to see the Roth family’s destruction.

When Christian and Arya come face to face once again, the chemistry they once shared immediately comes to life. Christian, always the professional, finds himself acting irrationally. Arya finds herself fired up by the infuriating attorney that is bent on taking her father to court. She hates him, and she hates herself for being so attracted to him. He is not her type – and he looks like trouble. As the case commences, they find themselves at odds. Eventually, though, they find their chemistry too strong to resist. Christian makes her promises that he cannot possibly keep, and as the case continues on, Arya does some investigating of her own. As the facts unfold, they are torn apart. The couple eventually finds a happy ending.

Wow! Christian and Arya’s story is incredibly angsty from beginning to end. It is the sort of book that I would read a second time. It is dense with facts and details that lend a terribly realistic feeling to their story. The story in the present revolves around the court case that will forever change the Roth family. When it dips into the past, it sets up the pivotal events in Nicky’s youth and helps give perspective on the jaded power-hungry attorney that he becomes. Both Christian and Arya have struggled with relationships since their separation at age fourteen. Each has issues to address before moving on. They have both made false assumptions that have only served to exacerbate their pain. They also must both face some hard truths and question their priorities in life. Their story is incredibly emotional. There is some mean-spirited behavior that is difficult to digest without perspective. But as their love story unfolds, it is beautiful to see the pieces of Christian and Arya’s story come back together.

Christian and Arya’s second-chance romance follows an explosive courtroom drama that could potentially ruin both their lives. It is a story about guilt, about how a moment in time can change more than just one life. Fans of Atonement may enjoy this story, as it is Arya’s favorite book. She believes that she and Nicky were Cecilia and Robbie, who never got a happy ending. She lives with the guilt of what took place during her fourteenth summer. Their story is beautifully written. There is a blend of realism and angst along with a little steamy chemistry. There is a lot of buildup here, and much is at stake for both as the truth unfolds. There is an occasional inconsistency in the ARC copy; at least some of that made it to the published copy, but these points are rather insignificant so they are easily overlooked. The plot is somewhat complex; the truth is slow to be revealed. The characters are carefully crafted, three-dimensional, and very real. The story is told in first person. The POV alternates between Christian and Arya. I rate this book a strong 4.5 stars.

I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Absolutely loved this book, one of the best enemies to lovers, second chance stories I ever read. LJ Shen writes such compelling stories that the characters stay in your mind for a long time afterward. This is, hand down, one of my favorite books this year.

One kiss, past and present.

Arya and Christian have a past, shared a kiss, and now are on a collision course in Christian's road to revenge.
Arya thinks her father is perfect (he's more tarnished than she thinks). Christian is hell bent on vengeance.
Past and present.
Steamy and so LJ Shen.
Recommend.

Ruthless Rival by LJ Shen is the First book in the Cruel Castaways Series. This is the story of Christian Miller (Nicholai Ivanov 'Nicky') and Arya Roth. Arya and Nicky where young friends...secret friends. Reason being was that Nicky was the maid son for Arya's father. Nicky knew that he wasn't supposed to touch or interact with anything on the property. When they grew older of course they had crushes on each other and when Arya dared Nicky to kiss her he did. But they where caught by her father. Now in their preset day we learn that Arya thought Nicky had died. Nicky changed his name to Christian Miller and is vowing to bring her father down. Arya doesn't recognized him at first. Christian thinks that Arya set him up and he out to break her too.
Exciting read and can't wait to read more from this series.

Ruthless Rival is in my honest opinion another winner that L.J. Shen has written for Montlake Romance and a great first installment in a very promising new series. Enemies to lovers is hands down one of my favorite tropes and Leigh is famous for writing one of the best ones out there (for instance Vicious). There is nothing more intriguing than watching two characters walking the fine line between hate and love. The strong and contradictive feelings the protagonists go through and all the passion, pain and sexual tension between Arya and Christian made reading Ruthless Rival such a wild, exhilarating rollercoaster ride.

I loved all the flashbacks from the past and the chapters from both of their POV's where we get to meet these two as teenagers and see how they form a rather unusual friendship growing up on the opposite sides of the track. Arya's family was wealthy - the upper crust of New York. She was spoiled and privileged whereas Christian came from a humble and socially disadvantaged background. He was the housekeeper’s son who befriended the silver-spooned princess. Both of them just clicked from the beginning and formed a special bond that held them together until a kiss ruined everything and set of a chain reaction of disastrous events. When they meet again years later Arya is not aware that Christian is her first love and the one that got away. He is a charming, gorgeous and ambitious attorney but he is also very determined to destroy her father’s good name and reputation. Despite their rivalry she starts falling hard for the sexy devil in a suit. But when all is said and done, Arya will figure out the hard way that the villain of the story is not always the one we initially suspect.

I've absolutely adored the chemistry between the protagonists. The head butting and verbal sparring was foreplay for these two. They were both competitive, extremely intelligent and fiercely independant. Two workaholics who always put their jobs first but who finally needed to realise that when you find someone worthy of your love nothing else matters. I've thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic book and now look forward to Riggs' and Arsène's stories - Christian's two best friends who deserve their own HEAs. A round of applause for the talented L.J. Shen for writing this entertaining story and creating such compelling characters you can't but fall hopelessly in love with. I'm highly recommending Ruthless Rival and giving it 5 well deserved stars and a place on my "favorite reads of 2022" shelf.

When LJ Shen announced that she's writing a new book for Montlake Romance with an enemies to lovers trope, I instantly knew that I needed to read it. After all, noone writes angst, banter and sexual chemistry like her! I love how her stories always take me on a journey full of unexpected twists and turns. Even knowing all of that, I wasn’t really prepared for the whole impact this story would have on me. I expected a fun, sexy, easy to read story - but what I got was so much more! Ruthless Rival had heartbreak, betrayal and emotions galore, but there was still enough light to balance the darkness. The best part about it wasn’t only the beautiful love story between Christian Miller and Arya Roth that started to bloom way back when they were teenagers, only to be separated and re-united as enemies years later. It was also the heartwarming friendship between Christian, Arsène and Riggs who couldn’t be more different from each other. They were all deeply disappointed at a point in their lives by the people who should have loved and protected them, making them each others family by choice. I'm so glad that all of them are getting their own book in the Cruel Castaways series!

Christian didn’t have an easy childhood and had huge trust issues because of that. At some point I thought that he might loose himself in his quest for revenge. On the outside he was the tough, ruthless lawyer who was feared by his peers. But on the inside, he was still the boy who managed to climb the social ladder he was never supposed to.

Arya was such a wonderful heroine. I loved her kind heart and determination. She was a very smart woman with a very competitive streak, making her the perfect match for Christian.

If you are looking for a great book with a alphalicious, possessive hero who’s a little bit of a jerk you'll love to hate, but simply can't (because once you know his whole back story you are going to love him beyond words!) and a smart, sassy heroine who doesn’t let him walk all over her, then this gem of a book is the right one for you! The explosive love/hate chemistry between Christian and Arya will make you bite your nails in anticipation when passion will finally consume them both. I had a blast reading their epic story and recommend it from the bottom of my heart and soul! 5 stars for one of my top favorite reads of 2022.

Young love is a precious thing. Fragile and beautiful, but when it all falls apart Nicky finds that all he has left is hate. Hate for the suffering and pain that has been his life until he made it something different. He never forgot the girl that betrayed him and when her father seems to fall in his lap on a silver plater he cant seem to help himself. To the mans downfall and maybe even to the one he loves to hate. As her world crumbles around her Arya hangs on as long as she can. To the father she thought she knew and the past she will never forget. The boy who broke her heart. As she let's in this new man, Christian, she cant help but remember the boy she used to love. Its a beautiful story of young love, betrayal, heartbreak and revenge. I could not put it down!

Childhood friends to enemies to lovers. The push and pull between Christian and Arya until eventually their ruthless alpha-souls align is perfection. The title is seriously so fitting for this book. Slow burn then damnnn the chemistry explodes. Clothes ripping, Johnny’s foregone, need it now or I’ll die kinda situation.

Opposite of Vicious in that Arya was from the wealthy family and Christian was the son of the help. If you liked Vicious (which I mean, who didn’t?) I think you will love Ruthless Rivals. Similar vibes, but also a totally new story.

One of my most anticipated releases of 2022 and it did not disappoint! This is one of those books I really enjoyed while reading it, but now a few days later, I keep thinking back to it and loving it even more!

The details of NYC included have me dying to visit there more then ever. A perfect intro to LJ’s new world that I cannot wait to explore more of in the rest of the Cruel Castaways series!

Thank you to LJ Shen and team for the opportunity to read this arc and provide my honest review!

Ruthless Rival deserves all the hype with it's touch of LJ Shen magic. Young Christian is a Ruthless attorney about to make partner at his law firm but he needs to take one case to court to seal the deal. The client that walks into his office asking him to take her case happens to be suing Conrad Roth...wealthy hedge fund manager who destroyed his life and friendship with his daughter Arya. Arya is fierce in her own rights and doesn't recognize Christian, only wanting to defend her father but as the case progresses so does their relationship despite the consequences if it becomes public. This was a great enemies to lovers romance with two strong willed characters determined to end up on top. I loved the history these two shared and their story coming full circle. Christian is a strong alpha that's easy to empathize with while Arya comes to terms with all the lies she's been lead to believe and sort her emotions out. Both feel like an equal match for the other. This book has steam and angst although not to a soul crushing degree. It felt like the right ratio of everything including plot. There are some secondary characters I'm completely interested in and hope this is part of a series so we can hear their stories. This is a book I'd certainly reread and one of my favorite stand alones from Mrs. Shen all together!

Arya is close to her father as due to a tragedy in her childhood he was the only parent who was there for emotionally so when he finds himself in legal difficulties, she will do whatever she can to assist. This brings Christian Miller into her life who is not only the man determined to bring her father down but also the man she can’t stop thinking about and someone who feels very familiar.

Christian is a man on a mission. He holds Arya and her father responsible for events in the past and is determined to make them pay. He may have expected the attraction he had for Arya but the feelings were something he wasn’t prepared for or wanted.

This is a story about second chances and righting the wrongs of the past. In their own way both Arya and Christian became collateral damage and I enjoyed seeing them emerge stronger and realizing what truly mattered even if there was some turmoil along the way to overcome.

There is always that one love in our life that we cannot forget. Whether we like it or not, sometimes the circumstances surrounding it just aren't what we want and things just don't go our way. That is what happens for Arya and Christian. This love story was so poignant and heart-achingly beautiful to me. A second chance at a love that almost wasn't.

They met when they were young. She's the little rich girl, his mother worked for their family. They were told to stay away from each other, no touching, she's off limits but you know what happens when you tell someone that what they want most is forbidden. They get closer, they touch, they kiss and get caught. The consequences are devastating for the two of them. She loses her best friend, Nicky, and he ends up being thrown out by his mother at age 14. She just can't accept or get over Nicky being gone, and at 18 she hires a PI to find her friend, only to be told he died.

Fast forward over a decade. Christian Miller is asked to represent a woman against Arya's father. The lawyer seems to bring out a strange feeling in her but she doesn't know why. His eyes seem so familiar, a mesmerizing colour of blue. Christian is bound and determined to bring her father down, not just for his own client but for his own reasons. Will Arya end up being part of the collateral damage?

This was a phenomenal read that sucked me right in. The writing totally blew me away. It was a slow burn, second chance at love that gave the two main characters a chance to reconnect and build their relationship in a different way from what their teenage infatuation was into a mature bond that will stand the test of time.

Arya and Christian are amazing. There’s no other way to put it. Their story is emotional and angsty and steamy and so good. They formed an unlikely friendship as kids only to be ripped apart in the cruelest of ways. Arya struggled with the loss for years while Christian suffered immensely, both physically and emotionally. There’s so much loss in their young lives and they bond over the emptiness they live with every day, finding so much common ground despite being from radically different worlds.

When they meet again, nothing is as it seems and the roles are reversed. Christian has spent the years nursing a grudge and is ready for his revenge. He holds all the cards and she has no idea who he is. He’s at the pinnacle of his career while Arya’s world has been turned upside-down in every way. I adored these characters from the start. They’re both damaged and real in every way. The story of their childhood is heartbreaking, making me want so much for these two and the author truly delivered. This is a slow-burn HEA with family drama, evil fathers, jealous exes and so much more. I loved every minute of it and couldn’t put this book down. Christian and Arya made me so happy, I didn’t want this story to end but it was the perfect ending for them.

Woah! I think I just found my new fave LJ characters, Arya and Christian are…wow!

It’s always a great moment when I pick up a new LJ Shen book, the excitement of not knowing what’s going to come and what emotions will follow it is exhilarating and honestly, Ruthless Rival gave it all. The aching heart, the laughing out loud, just all the feels.

Arya is incredibly fierce and independent. She goes above and beyond for those she loves and even though she came from money she knew she wanted to be independent and fend for herself so she did. I absolutely adored that about her, she wanted something so she made it happen.

Christian my heart hurt for this guy. He was wronged by many and that in turn made him the man he is today. He’s an absolute shark in the courtroom and a man of steel outside. He knows what he wants and he’s clear about it. He’s sharp, demanding and incredibly handsome.

Now I loved Christian, I truly loved everything about him but there’s a moment or two in this book when he irritated me over certain things but even though he did, he earned the love back. This guy was incredible considering the things he had to go through. I had a lot of admiration for that guy.

And I just have to say I can not wait to get Riggs and Arsène’s stories. I just know they’re going to blow me away as much as Christian’s did.

Ruthless Rival was packed with all the fun bits. It’s an exciting enemies to lovers slow burn romance, filled with angst and accompanied with some major swoon worthy moments and I could not have loved it anymore than I did.

I have to say LJ Shen truly outdid herself with this book and the characters. Her writing is impeccable and had me captivated from the get go. I am in awe of LJ and her incredible knack at writing stories that keep me hooked.