In the Unlikely EventBy:
L.J. Shen
Published:
November 19, 2019
Source:
eARC from Social Butterfly PR in exchange for a honest review
Add to: Goodreads
Book Synopsis:
"Romance Masterpiece" -Kylie Scott, New York Times bestselling author
From USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author L.J. Shen comes a new, contemporary romance with heart-wrenching twists and laugh-out-loud moments. In The Unlikely Event is available now!
𝑆𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑚𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑, 𝑠𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑎 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠.
A one-night stand born from vengeance in a foreign land.
An explosive chemistry neither of us could deny.
We signed a contract on the back of a Boar’s Head Pub napkin that said if we ever met again, we would drop everything and be together.
Eight years and thousands of miles later, he’s here.
In New York.
And he’s America’s music obsession.
The intangible Irish poet who brings record executives to their knees.
The blizzard in my perfect, unshaken snow globe.
Last time we spoke, he was a beggar with no intention of becoming a king.
But a king he became, and now I’m his servant.
I’m not the same broken princess Malachy Doherty put back together with his callused hands.
I have a career I love.
A boyfriend I adore.
An apartment, a roommate, a life.
I changed. He changed, too.
But Mal kept the napkin.
Question is, will I keep my word?
My Thoughts:
You know how when you read a book, and it immediately captures your attention, you just know it is going to be a great story? Well, that was my experience with In the Unlikely Event. I was able to completely lose myself in these characters, and their raw, emotional, passionate, and captivating story.
When Rory's father dies, she travels to Ireland in order to learn more about the man she never knew. While there, she meets, Mal. These two experience a connection and passion that they had never experienced before. Mal wants Rory to stay in Ireland, but she has college, friends, and a life in the United States, and Mal's home is in Ireland. So they make each other a promise, that if fate ever leads them back in to each other's lives, they will drop everything and everyone to be together. Eight years later, they will be put in each other's paths, and their lives will be turned upside down...
In the Unlikely Event was a love story that held me captive. Rory and Mal made me believe in love at first sight. L.J. Shen took me on a journey where she painted a picture of love, lust, longing, and an all consuming passion that could never be forgotten. This story kept me engaged, and there was never a dull moment.
It was told in the dual points of view of Rory and Mal, as well as giving us secondary characters thoughts sprinkled throughout. The plot dealt with secrets, lies, deceit, manipulation, miscommunication, and the purposeful withholding of pertinent information. It was a story full of twists, and went back and forth between the past and the present.
Rory was a strong character. She was confident, strong, sassy, and full of life. I loved her. Mal was sexy, had a wickedly fun sense of humor, and spoke his mind without a filter. He had a zest for life, and cared more about his passion for music and truly living, than money and materialism. Together these two were made for each other, and brought each other to life. I loved them as individuals, and they made a dynamic pair!
In the Unlikely Event is a story that blew me away! If you enjoy sizzling hot second chance romance with lots of ups and downs, twists, and surprises, you should check out this story!
In the Unlikely Event was a love story that held me captive. Rory and Mal made me believe in love at first sight. L.J. Shen took me on a journey where she painted a picture of love, lust, longing, and an all consuming passion that could never be forgotten. This story kept me engaged, and there was never a dull moment.
It was told in the dual points of view of Rory and Mal, as well as giving us secondary characters thoughts sprinkled throughout. The plot dealt with secrets, lies, deceit, manipulation, miscommunication, and the purposeful withholding of pertinent information. It was a story full of twists, and went back and forth between the past and the present.
Rory was a strong character. She was confident, strong, sassy, and full of life. I loved her. Mal was sexy, had a wickedly fun sense of humor, and spoke his mind without a filter. He had a zest for life, and cared more about his passion for music and truly living, than money and materialism. Together these two were made for each other, and brought each other to life. I loved them as individuals, and they made a dynamic pair!
In the Unlikely Event is a story that blew me away! If you enjoy sizzling hot second chance romance with lots of ups and downs, twists, and surprises, you should check out this story!
Book Excerpt:
When I finally come face to face with the street artist standing on the side of the pavement, his guitar case open and full of rolled-up notes and change, I understand why his grandfather told me I’d recognize him with the self-assurance of an avid believer. I’ve never seen someone like him before.
He is beautiful, true, but that’s not what stands out to me. He is radiant.
It’s like his presence has a presence. He sucks the air out of everything in his vicinity, making it impossible not to look at him. Malachy is tailor-made for a huge, colossal heartbreak. Everything about him—his tattered jeans, filthy boots, white shirt, and leather jacket that was broken in decades ago—screams trouble. He looks like a seventies heartthrob. An icon. A Terry Richardson muse. Bruce Springsteen pre-fame.
His voice is like honey and warm spices. It lulls me into a place in my mind I’ve never been before, even though it’s far from beautiful. It is gruff, throaty, and smoky. When someone bumps my shoulder to get closer to him, I snap out of my reverie and realize what I’m listening to.
“One” by U2.
The coincidence is strange. I try to tell myself it’s nothing. This is Ireland. U2 is a national treasure.
His eyes are squeezed shut as he sings. It’s like no one exists other than him and his guitar. Something warm rushes through my skin, like a heat wave, and I shudder in delight.
Warmth.
I always thought there was something melancholy about street performers—the way people walk past them, ignoring their music, their art, their passion. But this guy, he’s the one doing the ignoring. The tables have turned. He’s got the crowd eating from the palm of his hand. Every woman here is under a thick, sweet spell. He’s got that Harry Styles quality that makes girls want to bed him and older women want to adopt him. The men are a cross between impatient, annoyed, and jealous. You can see it in the way they tap their feet, check their watches, nudge their wives and girlfriends to move it.
The song ends, and Malachy Doherty cracks his eyes open and stares directly at me, like he knew I’d be here. Like he watched me watching him through closed eyes. Disoriented—and for some reason wanting to do something, anything—I throw a bill into his guitar case and look away, realizing to my horror that I threw the fifty euros his grandpa gave me. Everyone around me murmurs and whistles. They think it was intentional. I can feel my face flaming red. I bet he thinks I want to sleep with him.
Do I? Probably. But should he know that? Hell no.
Purchase At:
Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
In the Unlikely Event is now available in audio! Narrated by: Shane East, Muffy Newton and Savannah Peachwood
About the Author:
L.J. Shen is a USA Today, Washington Post and Amazon #1 best-selling author of contemporary, New Adult and YA romance. Her books have been sold to nineteen different countries. She lives in California with her husband, son, cat and eccentric fashion choices, and enjoys good wine, bad reality TV shows and catching sun rays with her lazy cat.
Connect with L.J. Shen
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I have a book by this author that I need to try. I hear a lot about her name
ReplyDeleteAll of her books are on kindle unlimited! You should try one :)
DeleteThis one sounds so good! Combines so many good tropes. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks Teresa :)
DeleteOh you know I've seen this reviewed before and you both really like it. It sounds like something I could really enjoy too. Thanks LIndy
ReplyDeleteYou're Welcome Debbie :)
Deletei've seen that cover and glad it blew you away. great review
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Thanks Sherry!
DeleteThis sounds like it was an awesome read. I love a good second chance romance, so this sounds perfect for me. Great review.
ReplyDeleteThis does sound like a captivating story! I wonder how she handles this with already having a boyfriend. Tricky situation! I have KU so I'll have to check this out. Glad to hear you loved it, Lindy! :)
ReplyDeleteI need KU!!! Thanks Rachel :)
DeleteI've never read anything by Shen but as soon as I read the synopsis for this one I knew I had to read it. I love the sound of the main characters and I'm always on board for a second chance romance.
ReplyDeleteTanya @ Girl Plus Books
I hope you enjoy it Tanya :)
DeleteI love that set up and the feeling you got right away that this was going to be epic for you. I've not read her books, but the twists and secrets you mention have me intrigued. Enjoyed your review, Lindy!
ReplyDeleteThank You Sophia :)
DeleteIt’s hard not to love a character without a filter! I don’t know why but they just feel honest and raw... everything you need for the best seduction. I’m so glad you enjoyed this so much. The excerpt sure pulls you in too. ♥️������������
ReplyDeleteReading a character without a filter has a way of entering and holding interest throughout the whole story. That's for sure!
DeleteI can't wait to read this one, thanks for sharing your review!
ReplyDeleteYou're Welcome Victoria!
DeleteLooks like a fun book to read. I like 2 points of view.
ReplyDeleteIt was! I enjoy dual points of view too :)
Delete