Truly, Madly, Deeply

Forbidden Love, Book 1

By: L.J. Shen

Narrated by: Lila Winters, Teddy Hamilton

This old flame just might set them on fire.

Conceited, unattainable, and downright delicious, renowned Michelin-starred chef Ambrose Casablancas has one passion in life: food.

Women are a distraction, and he doesn’t do those. Especially Cal Litvin, his baby sister’s best friend. Her entire existence is a complication; she’s awkward, eccentric, infuriating…

And, much to his chagrin, hotter than his kitchen.

Ambrose has a lot on his plate: a new restaurant to open, a multi-million-dollar property deal to execute, and a violent stalker to tame.

Then Cal shows up at his doorstep, looking for both a job and salvation after their messy goodbye. His resolve, like his patience, is ebbing each day she works at his restaurant.

Because Cal is no longer a doe-eyed girl.

Now? She’s the woman he’ll do anything to conquer.

Quirky, compassionate ball of sunshine Calla Litvin can’t catch a break, and not just because she swore off running.

Back in her hometown to nurse her mother’s broken heart after losing her father, she finds herself jobless, hopeless, and penniless. She hopes to rekindle her friendship with her former BFF, but Dylan is attached at the hip to her cruel brother—the one Cal’s been secretly crushing on since middle school.

Falling for the bad boy the second time around would be a mistake of gargantuan proportions.

Too bad she’s always been clumsy.

Truly, Madly, Deeply is a grumpy x sunshine, enemies-to-lovers romance. It is the first in the Forbidden Love series but can be listened to as a standalone.

©2024 L.J. Shen (P)2024 Dreamscape Media

Wonderful!

I really liked this story! I love how he loved her and how he loved her forever. The narrators are wonderful.

LJ's best book to date!

The. Banter. Was. Top. Tier.
I can't wait for book 2 in this new series!

Stunning

I loved everything about the performance. Hot and steamy, as well as emotionally charged - wish I could read and listen to it again for the first time - haven’t felt so whole after a book in a long time.

🥹🥰🥹😍🥹 Yes!!!! She’s back!!!

Okay, the last few books I’ve read by L.J. Shen have been just like the Sinners of Saint series. Mike drop. No way is this book ever leaving my consciousness. Will love rent free in my head for days, weeks, months, YEARS!!!
I loved the premise of this story. I love the story of them, from kids to adults. From all the bumps and tragedies along the way. They both suffered so much individually growing up yet didn’t allow (well, mostly) those things to make them stop loving their families and being able to GIVE love period after the world showed them just how truly evil it can be.
I absolutely loved Cal! She is my hero!! So self aware, compassionate, funny smart and awkward. She was a big ole dorky mess and I loved every moment of it. Row 😮‍💨🥹😘 woah, Row…this man is boyfriend goals for real! He was so self aware he knew things some of us spend the better part of our lives trying to determine. He was a quiet unassuming cheerleader who did EVERYTHING in his power to be what his people needed and even things they didn’t even know they needed. He had a huge heart and will unalive anyone who tells that secret!
This novel touched me, I had tears in my eyes at times and that is always my great story indicator’s. I have been on such a positive streak with Leigh’s books lately that I preordered the physical version was it last year?? Idk, I just know I didn’t hesitate being on the list to get one as soon as the book came out. Even before the blurb. My confidence is back in this lovely author and I can’t WAIT to see who’s next! Twice I thought I had it figured out. I guess I’ll have to wait and see if it’s either or something completely different. L.J. Definitely keeps us on our toes.
Of course I had to read and listen as there was no way I’d have been able to wait u til I was driving or not. Um, no. Teddy Hamilton and Lily Winters kïlled it! They took these characters to another level and really helped you feel the emotion, not just read it. They are both masters at narrating and I love it!!
All in all, I’m in heaven. You know that feeling you get when you’ve just finished something was taking forever to complete? Or built that shelf? Bookcase? Painted, or driven your 1st car? This book left me with this type of euphoria. Hands down, one of the best books I’ve read this year and I’ve read a lot! Cheers to you Mrs. Shen!

Overall good, BUT...

I needed a pallet cleanser and I always choose Teddy Hamilton. I really enjoyed the banter and character development but I have a couple big BUTS. 1. The FMC started string and great but by the end of it, I was so annoyed. I hate stupid women playing into clichés. 2. the writing turned into a Coleen Hoover vibe by the end with unnecessary baby nursing talk. 3. the smut was so forced. it was like "let's just have them say and do all the typical things but just blurt them out really fast and half heartedly go through the motions." Also.... the candy cane 😆