The Hunter: Boston Belles, Book 1

Quote:He was fearless, and a rebel, and a sinner, and a saint.A prince who’d never wanted his title.A pure-hearted rake.He was everything a woman should run away from, personified.And yet here I was, falling deeper.L.J. Shen just completely blew me away with The Hunter. It’s true that I expect quite a lot of a L.J. Shen story. After all, as a reader that’s read all of her work, she’s set her own hallmarks with a clear a precedence for excellence. Her writing is epically entertaining, with incredibly well written characters, and tangible chemistry between them that often leads to one needing a cold shower or BOB!😉 Shen writes original plotlines that are delivered flawlessly and completely captivating from beginning to end. Yet through all of her work, The Hunter brought an entirely new element to the table that I wouldn’t have said I associate with her work in the past. Humor. So. Much. HUMOR! Hunter literately had me LOLing. Although to be clear, I wouldn’t call The Hunter a romantic comedy by any stretch of the imagination. Yet, you can bet your hiney that you’ll find Sailor and Hunter dance around the growing chemistry between them combined with the angst inherent in all of Shen’s stories, and this new witty element will have you as enthralled by Shen’s writing as you ever will be!Quote: Hunter believed he was dumb, and I believed I was unattractive—and that these opposite sources of insecurity made us enemies. I despised him for his looks, and he thought I was an unattractive bore.The Hunter has so many elements that draw me to L.J. Shen’s writing. I love interconnected standalone books. The ability to revisit past character’s that you’ve been particularly attached to, or storylines that moved you, seen through the eyes of a new protagonist is absolutely one of my favorite style of literature. Plus, I absolutely HATE cliffhangers…although the serve a purpose, they destroy my soul a little bit each time I get sucked into them!! 😉 (Not really but you get the idea, right?) Anyway, Shen’s done the interconnected standalone remarkably well for quiet a while through multiple series. Each contains a unique flavor, while still offering me the absolute best part of her writing—her alphaholes! No one writes alphaholes like Shen. So, if following characters is your thing, you’ll be able to do this by reading Sparrow, the Sinner of Saint series, followed by the All Saints High series. However, you don’t have to read these in any particular order as they are all written to be enjoyed independently.Quote: Sailor Brennan had managed to sail through life without going on dates, falling in love, going to parties, applying to college, or living; because everything posed a threat to archery. Love. Friendships. School.Reading The Hunter was amazing as it connected the book that brought L.J. Shen into my orbit, as well as her latest series, the All Saints High books. I was ecstatic just learning that Hunter Fitzpatrick—a large secondary character in Shen’s All Saints High series—would be getting his own story. And I slapped myself in the forehead when it dawned on me that I hadn’t put two and two together right off the bat to connect the heroine to Sparrow! Yes, it’s true it’s been years since I read Sparrow… however, it felt like coming home to have Troy and Sparrow’s daughter—Sailor Brennan—get her own book.Quote: I’d always been the idiot. The fool. The ...kup.Quote: How did I not realize Sailor Brennan had the most amazing ... smile in the entire ... world?Hunter and Sailor are complete opposites that couldn’t have been written as a better counterparts for one another. Hunter in the Yin to Sailor’s Yang. It’s beautifully illustrated and completely charming in the manner delivered. The story is arguably a little slower to burn then I often feel with Shen’s work, but it serves to ratchet up the epic tension between the pair to combustible levels. Besides, Hunter needed a cooling off period after the eff up of making a sex tape. 😉Quote: “You don’t know how to live, and I don’t know how to do anything but live hedonistically.”The Hunter is written in dual POV and is a coming of age, opposites attract, fake relationship enemies to lovers romance with all the intensity I associate with Shen’s writing. She does a fabulous job of laying a framework that’s both unpredictable and well thought out and heartbreaking. Oh, how my heart hurt reading the Hunter’s POV however, it’s also what drew me to his character from the get-go. I knew he had to be more then the dumb male slut he showed the world. And oh was he! This is one glorious example of only seeing the tip of the iceberg. Sailor is the nerdy girl who doesn’t draw immediate attention for her beauty but shines bright nevertheless. She’s as obsessed with archery as Hunter is obsessed with sex. Initially, she’s seen as the weak, ugly duckling but by the end of the book emerges stronger than she gave herself credit for and as the proverbial beautiful swan. And just as Sailor’s metamorphosis connects beautifully with transformation of Hunter’s character andQuote: “You are my butterfly, Sailor. And…make no mistakes—when I finally catch you, I intend to capture you, too.”The Hunter takes readers on a new journey by revisiting the connection to Todos Santos, Shen’s most common story setting, while we also spin off into a new local—Boston—for a whole new series. The new series, The Boston Bells, is already set up to offer readers everything we expect with a Shen book while also creating entirely new characters to grow to love! I can’t wait to see where L.J. Shen takes us with this new series. And you absolutely shouldn’t wait to read The Hunter!! If you’ve never read an L.J. Shen book in the past, you’re missing out and it’s time to pop that cherry! One-click The Hunter now and find out just why I’m such a diehard fan of L.J. Shen’s work and this story in particular!Quote: “I have a glass soul, baby. Pretty to look at, but it breaks easily, can make you bleed, and nobody gets attached to it.”

There are few authors who inspire as much loyalty and deep devotion as the amazing LJ Shen- so you can imagine the mystery and mania that has surrounded this all new series arriving on the heels of the end of a series that not only inspired legions of devoted fans but that has also indelibly sealed LJ as the queen of emotional, angsty, soul-wrenching love stories.We have everything we’ve come to expect about an LJ Shen story- carefully crafted menagerie of characters, vivid and nuanced character development, artful writing with a plot full of twists and turns and drama but that also sings with quiet, intimate moments that flutter your tummy, a larger than life hero who can’t be tamed, a heroine with layers that is somehow both gentle and fierce, soulful connections, and the right dash of STEAM. (holy chapter 1, LJ)While The Hunter has what I know and love about LJ- The Hunter also felt fresh and different, not only perhaps the next iteration of LJ as a storyteller but also what felt like a new breed of hero in Hunter. I love to see an author stretch, take risks, evolve- even in subtle ways that somehow help me open my eyes to them anew. The pace, the hero, the tone all feel evolutionary to the Shen catalog- and open exciting possibilities for this series.The Hunter took more time to hook me than prior LJ books (particularly when I’m STILL hungover from Angry God)- I didn’t find myself reading with the frenzied fervor I’ve come to expect from LJ books until about midway, but the more I reflected, the more I appreciated this. This book not only feels different in tone (more on that later), but also feels different because it isn’t mired in 2 generations of history and backstory in a world we’re already rabid for, with characters we’re already planning to name our children after. No, The Hunter is a whole new (adjacent) world, a whole new series, with all new characters (we didn’t really KNOW Hunter before now). Thus, LJ smartly takes her time here- letting us swim around in this new world, marinate in the essence of our characters, eat up the scenery. Sailor and Hunter don’t have the kind of history that the totholes do- their love story wouldn’t be believable at the same pace as Luna and Knight’s, for example, who start their book by already loving each other. And that wouldn’t be true to these characters. I started to appreciate the seemingly leisurely but more than likely intentional way LJ just lets these characters, this story breathe- she builds the foundation, pouring steadily and evenly- she lays the characters and the intricate web of interconnected dynamics brick by brick, layer by layer, and she gently and subtly builds Sailor and Hunters connection one carefully engineered and beautifully rendered moment at a time. The pace is softer, lighter, more languid, to match the tenor of the nature of this love story, to match the steady, careful threading of these beautiful souls.Now one of my favorite LJ men ever, Hunter is a new breed of LJ hero, a fresh and inspired evolution of leading men from her long list of delicious heroes. He really ran away with my heart and this book. He’s not your typical LJ alpha. Sure, he has some painful histories that shape his attitude like all her other leading men that gives him that familiar veil of sadness- but the way he manifests that is fresh and different. He’s more laid back, purposefully aloof, even non-assertive at times. He’s got that crude brashness, but he’s kinder, gentler, less dominant (but still enough), and a lot more open and honest about himself and to others. He’s also FUNNY- yes, FUNNY- instead of being a tortured soul like his friends. For many of LJ’s men you love them in spite of their less than awesome moments/characteristics, but with Hunter, I found myself loving him BECAUSE of them. Despite being aloof, he’s incredibly self aware. Not to mention insanely charming- he is simply magnetic. He just wants to feel seen and understood, to have purpose.While Hunter lives too much, Sailor lives too little. She took more time for me to adore, but when I found her heart’s center, I felt so connected to her. She’s reclusive, disciplined, independent, and tenacious. She’s principled and lives with integrity, in part a facade to protect herself from emotional harm. She’s kind and gentle but is also sassy and assertive. She, too, is funny. Underneath it all, she just wants to feel worthy, to feel unique and special, and I’ve never related to a character's motivation more.Their chemistry felt more intimate and subtle, slower and less linear- less explosive but no less sizzling and warm. Their fire was slowly stoked and thus feels more steady, more stable, because our characters learned to admire and respect each other as people and as unintentional friends first, and I loved seeing a sweet, tender depiction of how building an intimate and meaningful connection with someone not only changes how you see them but how you see yourself, how you understand yourself.As for tone, as I mentioned, this book is really funny at times. LJ has nailed the dark, the angsty, the deeply tortured souls and painful love stories in her last series, and sure, we still get some of that, but the tone is lighter here overall- less twisted, less intense, and much more humorous (thanks to Hunter). The connections are no less sacred, no less meaningful- but our characters have fun together, they are both funny as hell, and I laughed so much in the first few chapters that I knew this would have more whimsy.Did the Hunter shatter and devastate and rip out my soul like her last few books? No- but I’m glad it didn’t. My soul was no less impacted- just in a different way. Instead, I felt affirmed and emotionally raw for a different reason- because Hunter inspired some tenderness, warmth, and joy in me, left my soul feeling fuller and a lot more hopeful. I’m both excited about this new series and excited to see an author I love both nail what she does best while also branching out in this new world.

The story following “Sparrow”….2nd generation, the story about Sailor, Troy and Sparrow’s daughter (from “Sparrow”, which was also an wonderful book) and Hunter, the playboy 19 year old who got into trouble and got roped to live with Sailor as his “nanny”.Keep him celibate, sober and in check after a huge sex scandal he was involved in. In return, his father will sponsor her sports career, and she can live rent free together with Hunter in his spacious luxurious apartment.Classic opposites attract.There were issues with Hunter which was aligned to his character but I found his “fraternity talk” a little too much.He was adorable and I loved the insights, but at times he was too childish, even though I understand what the author was trying to do with his character. There is such a thing as “too much”.Still, I enjoyed the development of the characters, the dual POV and some emotional scenes I found delicious and required in their relationship.This series is building up to be a new “guilty pleasure”. I inhaled this book and cannot wait to read about his cold blooded brother.

Oh wow where to start? This book was like a breath of fresh air! I don't remember laughing so much while reading. And actually re-reading certain lines so I can store them into memory🤣🤣 The characters and dialogue feel so real and genuine that you feel like you are actually talking to them. Like meeting with best friends and bantering and laughing! Hunter's and Sailor's interactions and especially their internal monologues were hilarious and I can't wait to start this book again 😍 but their unconventional love..oh my heart...it was everything!!!! Congratulations LJ Shen on writing such an amazing, funny, heartfelt story!

hunter fitzpatrick is the middle child, and he definitely lives up to the stereotype — which i think is why he acts out and builds a reputation for himself as a player billionaire brat🙊 sailor is quiet, introverted and quite guarded, the opposite of hunter. i love these worlds lj creates and how all the characters link/know each other. hunter is friends with knight & vaughn in the all saints high series, and sailor is the daughter of troy and sparrow brennan from sparrow! i was intrigued with hunter ever since reading the all saints high series🤤how hunter is with sailor at the fundraiser ball just melted my heart🥹 the reckless, player side of him is gone and he’s just super sweet, attentive and patient with her🫠💗 there’s more to hunter than meets the eye, he’s complex, smart and super loyal.hunter and sailor’s “relationship” is complicated to describe.. guess you could call them frenemies? the chemistry between them is 🔥 the back and forth, one liners and banter had me!!🥹 we love a player that changes his ways for the right girl😮‍💨 i fell for hunter he is soooo charming (but also a little gross, but i liked it??🫠)🥵🌶twist after twist, i was so shook🤯 some i saw coming but others i definitely didn’t! i’ve said this a million times but will continue to do so — lj is one of my favourite authors because her books always grip me with mystery and suspense, as well as epic romances and spicy chapters🥵🔥i didn’t expect to love hunter as much as i did, the epilogue actually got me tearing up! hunter’s character development and growth as a person was just beautiful to read and watch unfold, he finally steps up as a man and is far from the boy he was in all saints high🥹 proud of him💗 i was honestly swooning all over the place for hunter fitzpatrick in the last few chapters! can’t wait to read more of the boston belle’s series!

Another LJ Shen hit for me! The Hunter was angsty with an arrogant playboy with a penchant for the ladies... and trouble, and a spitfire strong woman who knew when and how to fight.Sailor - I simply loved her and her fire. I loved how passionate and loving she was, and I loved how she put Hinter in his place when he needed it and I loved how human she was, seeing her vulnerable, allowing herself to be vulnerable. Her character holds a special place in my heart.And the same goes for Hunter. I loved his carefree personality, and his banter, especially with Sailor, charmed me a lot. I enjoyed seem through this facade he held and it slowly cracked under Sailor's eyes. With all that though, I still wanted to smack him across his head sometimes.The book was not what I was expecting at all. No book by this author is ever the same, her magic making each story unique and incredible, however, I expected A****** falls in love with a beautiful strong woman, but I got so much more. I got see them as humans with flaws and pasts and seeing them fall in love was like finding treasure.I, however, kinda have an unhealthy addiction to Cillian. He's the brute who looks good in a suit... and can speak French. Yummy!I loved this book, and I can't wait to see what else happens in the lives of the Boston Belles. Bring it on!

"Sparrow" is my absolute favourite L.J shen book, so to dive into this spin-off I am truly excited.First we meet Hunter.Hunter is an incredibly spoilt, immature man with zero respect for anyone or anything. Self gratification is all he thinks about. It's really hard to like him.The first chapter of this book sets an incredible precedent for what to expect in this book. It was funny, dirty, and a little bit cringy. But I loved it!Then we meet sailor. She's an overachiever, a young woman who has a goal and is determined to make it.The two of them coming together just spells disaster and that's where all good romances are born!!Throughout the book, the pair are battling with the trials of their lives, trying to work out how to make it through the next phase of their lives. With conspiracies and death threats, the two young lovers trudge through their challenges with quick whit and plenty of sexual innuendos! We see Hunter begin to grow up, step away from his playboy ways, and find some focus in his life. And we see Sailor really come out of her shell and discover who she is.This book has held me captive and I have really enjoyed the lightness of it. There is an undercurrent of danger with the other issues but the jokes and innocence of the characters balance it out beautifully. I've very much enjoyed it.

The Hunter brings in characters from this authors previous books in particular Sparrow, to enjoy this book you do not have to of read any previous ones but once you’ve finished this you’ll be “one clicking” away!Hunter is in trouble, his days of drug taking,alcohol and women all implode when he is filmed staring in a sex tape that goes viral. His father has finally had enough and will disinherit Hunter and not allow him to come and work in his oil company. Enter Sailor Brennan, virgin, scrawny ginger haired and intense. An athletic she is determined to win fold at archery in the next Olympic and is consumed by this desire. She is persuaded to stay with Hunter to keep an eye on him for six months, in return she will receive endorsements towards her goal.So starts a story of mutual hate and loathing. It romps along with great dialogue, wonderful characters and surprising depth. As these two opposites start to become attracted each does their best to resist…..Resistance is futile!A wonderful book, it was great to catch up with previous characters, and I’d you loved this wait until the next…The Villian.My thanks to net galley and publishers for the opportunity to review this book honestly.