Truly Madly Deeply Arc: Review I absolutely loved this story and I am so excited to read this new series! I feel it might be my favorite yet, and that’s saying something because so many of her series are at the top of my list!!! Okay so here we go honest review time. I won’t give you any spoilers. Listen I’m a sucker for siblings best friend trope anyways, but with this story Leigh knocked it out of the park. I loved it! Ambrose and Calla were amazing characters to live vicariously through. It had angst, witty banter and a whole lot of spice. Cal has had a crush on Row since they were teenagers and when her dad’s funeral brings her back to her hometown and bring them back together man do those old feelings start to resurface. Row being a broody award winning chef. 🥵 Phew the Hero trope I didn’t know I needed. And Cal and her fun sense of fashion was the perfect combo. Completely unique and unexpected. The character growth through this story was amazing and even the side characters had me swooning! I cannot wait for the rest of this series to release!

I couldn't love this book anymore, I've read it 3 times now. Obsessed with the main characters & every single character in this amazing book. It truly is a gem 💎 💖 Tropes 💖 I H*te Everyone But You Touch Her and You D*e Best Friend's Brother Mystery Small Town Slow Burn Forced Proximity Spicy Second Chance A throwback to the 90's with the clothes, phrases, & playlist brings back so much nostalgia. The main characters have soo much qualities they feel real. Cal as know as Dot is a quirky, amazing fmc that saves herself is this fairytale. Row is dark, brooding doesn't care much for others besides his family & the lead fmc. This story has soo much angst it left me with anxiety about their endings..which I did not want to end. This has been 1 of my favorite reads of the year. L.J. Shen writes such emotional characters they seem so real, so true. These characters are very unique & different than the typical bad boy L.J. Shen alpha holes. Row will do anything for Cal...anything even if it means breaking his own heart for the 2nd time. He has become one of my new favorites bookboyfriends. Even the side characters have so much real qualities I can't wait to see who ends up in the 2nd book.  The conversations made me laugh so hard, & feel soo connected with them all. The uniqueness of all these characters really brought this amazing book together. I couldn't get enough. This book is all about true deep love, second chances, taking charge of your life. This book gave me all the feelings..happy, sad, anxiety,  hopefulness,  laugh, cry & much more. Had me on the edges of my seat. L.J. Shen has created such a new amazing world that I can't wait for more of. “Everyone wants to shine bright like a diamond, but no one wants to get cut.” —Eric Thomas

I loved the characters and their witty banter; it had me laughing throughout. Row’s snarkiness was a highlight, making their interactions such a joy to read. The male lead's disdain for everyone except his family and Cal was perfect for the grumpy-sunshine dynamic, which was executed flawlessly. I absolutely enjoyed it! The mystery element was also engaging, even though the twist wasn't entirely unexpected. I also appreciated how each chapter began with a song that connected to the story, a really nice touch. Shen does a fantastic job crafting well-rounded characters, and even the supporting ones are intriguing and skillfully woven into the plot. Rhyland was definitely a standout for me! I hope he gets his own book, as he stole my heart right away. I’d love to read about his (fake) dating adventures!

LJ Shen has proven once again what a remarkable writer she is. From the first page of *Truly, Madly, Deeply*, I knew I was in for a heck of a ride. She completely presented us with two main characters who were so meant for each other—Cal and Row—but having emotional baggage made it hard to come by at first. When I say that Row will be my one and only book boyfriend from now on, it is an understatement. He should be everyone’s book boyfriend! Yes, he can be an alpha hole at times, but then we wouldn’t be reading one of LJ’s books if we weren’t. He is everything that Cal needs and more! This grumpy x sunshine, enemies-to-lovers story centers around Ambrose Casablancas (aka Row), a brilliant but conceited Michelin-starred chef, and Calla Litvin, his baby sister’s quirky best friend, who unexpectedly re-enters his life. Ambrose, with his sharp focus on his career and passion for food, has always kept women at a distance, seeing them as a distraction—especially Cal. But when she shows up at his restaurant, looking for a job after their tumultuous past, his carefully built walls start to crumble. Cal has always had a crush on the “bad boy,” but their reunion ignites a fiery tension between them, complicated by Cal’s compassionate nature and Ambrose’s tough exterior. What makes this story truly shine is the depth of the characters. Cal is an endearing ball of sunshine, a character you can’t help but root for, but her internal struggles make her complex and endearing. The banter between them is sharp, humorous, and full of chemistry, pulling you deeper into their story. As the heat between them rises, so does the danger lurking in the background, making for a gripping page-turner. Shen’s writing style is engaging and full of emotional depth. The tension between Ambrose and Cal keeps you on the edge of your seat, while the heartwarming moments will make you fall in love with both characters. Fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope will adore the way this romance unfolds with a perfect blend of angst, passion, and charm. *Truly Madly Deeply* can be read as a standalone, but it also kicks off LJ Shen’s exciting new *Forbidden Love* series. For fans of intense, fiery romances, this book is not to be missed.