Bad Cruz

Bad Cruz was completely unexpected. I have never been so blown away, have my expectations so blown away or have a book that I couldn’t have imagined in my wildest dreams. ZLJ Shen out did herself with this story. OK…admittedly I have loved everything that she has written. How does she do it and where do all these ideas come from? I have no idea but keep them coming!!!! Cruz and Tennessee were so beyond any characters that I have ever read. I laughed out loud at some of the words that flew from Tennessee’s mouth. Her all out avoidance to swearing was funny. By the end of the book I found myself filling in the blanks for her as this was a highly addictive tendency that I might just adopt. There was so much more to this character. She was so strong, brave, fearless, caring, sweet and oh so broken. She was the ideal puzzle of emotions for Cruz since they were toddlers. **Sigh** Cruz was every girls dream. He loved Tennessee from the beginning and he held fast despite all the challenges that they faced over the years. He faced his own challenges as he was seen as the golden boy that could do no wrong. But he was more than all his good deeds. He just needed for Tennessee to help him live for himself and not the expectations everyone else in town had for him. I honestly think my heart melted at the wedding. All the truth and honesty they shared in front of the whole town. It was the perfect way to end the story. Well, her getting pregnant under the bleachers was the perfect ending. There were lots of other hilarious aspects of the book that need mentioning. The lies that kept building and spreading while they were on the cruise. After all haven’t we all been tempted to do that? I know I have and now I have some new material to use. I also loved the side notes in parentheses throughout the book. They added a bit of insight into the characters and told us more was to come. I have to say that I enjoyed them so much that they became my favorite passages to highlight. There is so much that you don’t expect but are delighted to read in this story. You will find yourself rooting for this couple. Hoping that they will find a way to each other and loving everything about the book on the way. This is a 2021 must read!!! ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

An enemies-to-lovers, rom-com that takes place in a small town. It's full of snark and funny moments, but also personal struggle and hot chemistry. She's the girl no one wants (other than to torment) and he's the guy who walks on water. The most unlikely of matches, yet they make perfect sense. Tennessee is a single mom just trying to raise her kid the best she can. Small towns don't let you forget who you were, and being a mom at sixteen has made her the town's pariah. Constantly berated and degraded, she perseveres. She's been beaten down by family, and in some ways she has let them break her spirit. However, she's a spit-fire with everyone else. Cruz is the beloved doctor in their town. The man can do no wrong. He is the golden boy and considered the most eligible bachelor. Anyone would be lucky to land him...except Tennessee. She wants nothing to do with him. Unfortunately for these two, their siblings are getting married, so they'll be forced together whether they like it or not. The perfect man and the girl they refer to as Messy Nessy will have to find their common ground. And they just may discover that they have more in common than they imagined. I was totally torn up for Tennessee. So many villains in this story; the baby daddy, her sister and parents, Cruz's ex-girlfriend. This was tough because I just wanted her to stop taking everyone's crap and stand up for herself. Cruz also needed to man up and defend her to his friends and family. This girl was treated so poorly by everyone around her that I have no idea how she didn't crack. I wanted more happy moments between Cruz and Tennessee. The poor girl was always fighting just to be left alone rather than ridiculed. She took abuse from strangers, family, and acquaintances. At times it was hard to read. I am definitely conflicted over this one. I would have liked to see Cruz redeem himself more, along with her family as she deserved better. In the end, she got her HEA, but so many people owed her more. The characters were layered and there was quite a bit of side story going on. It kept my attention because I wanted to see how it played out, but in the end I just wanted more. More happy moments, more acceptance, more from the town to stand up for Tennessee and I wanted the people who wronged her to earn her forgiveness.

Gah!! Every story that L.J. Shen writes is a story that will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on my heart that will never fade. I absolutely LOVE and die for Cruz and Tennessee. These characters completely pulled the rug out from under me and left me pining for more!! Bad Cruz was phenomenal and definitely one of 2021's most addicting and "Unputdownable" books! Without giving much of the plot away, it can be said that Bad Cruz, and Cruz in particular, is L.J. Shen's answer to a nice guy. He is sweet, sexy and so delicious. I loved him from the first page all the way to the epilogue. He was honest, forthright and just so perfect. Likewise, Tennessee was just THE BEST: raw, sassy, misunderstood and so so strong and endearing. I really loved how blunt and caring she was and the fact that she was a protective Mama Bear was just the icing on an already fabulous cake. Overall, this story was just SO different and unexpected. This single mom/romantic comedy is not one we would expect from Shen, but that is the best part - it is heartwarming, hilarious and so consuming, proving how once again this author can write anything she sets her heart and mind to. Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula ❤

This is a totally different LJ Shen writing that we are used to, she write the best A holes ever usually, but please do not let that deter you. This book is AMAZING, honestly I loved every word and mostly every character. LJ Shen's writing is as per usual perfection. Her characters are mesmerising and addictive to read. This book is funny, sweet and romantic with a small dose of angst thrown in for good measure. So we get to meet Cruz, town doctor, gorgeous and popular, from a good family and well respected. A good honest man and I fell totally in love with him from the first words that popped out of his gorgeous sexy mouth. Cruz has known Tennessee all their lives but they have always been at loggerheads with each other; lets face it he has the attention of every woman in town as the most eligible single batchelor and is never short of admirers. Tennessee is the towns disappointment. Pregnant at sixteen to her high school boyfriend Rob, who ran and left her as soon as he found out he was to become a dad. Now she is raising her son all alone with the help of her awful judgemental family and works in the local diner to make ends meet to provide a life for herself and her son Bear who is now thirteen. The whole town has an opinion about Tennessee and none of it good, she is labelled the town slut. She dresses and acts the way people perceive her until she really believes this is the part she has to play. Tennessee lets people put her down constantly and yet never defends herself, ultimately believing this is what she deserves in life for her mistakes. Really this lady is the bomb. Funny, strong (but underneath vulnerable ) she has no filter when she speaks her mind which leads to some awkward but hilarious situations that made this book what is is, amazing in all ways. I loved Tennessee but felt so sorry for her at the same time too. With her sister getting married to Cruz's brother very soon, all the families decide to take a cruise together, only Tennessee having had one too many to drinks this particular night and feeling very sorry for herself she ends up booking her and Cruz onto the wrong ship and this is where the fun really starts. I loved the way no matter what happened Cruz had Tennessee's back, he sees the woman and the potential she could really be and sets out to show her just that, but things start to get complicated and before they know it a little thing called chemistry is playing with their feelings, each fighting to ignore what they really feel for each other. A wonderful feel good book that made my heart ache with joy. A book that makes you smile, believe in humanity and one I won't forget in a hurry. PS. There are plenty of A holes in this story, just not the ones you would expect!!! LOVED LOVED LOVED - end of.

This story was sweet, funny & very entertaining. Great characters and story line … made me laugh out loud a few times !!!

I couldn’t keep the book down till I finished it…. What a story … LJ SHEN I love ur dark romance novels but this surpasses them…..looking forward to reading more such wonderful stories.

As usual, L J Shen's books never disappoint.. The only disappoint I had was over the heroine. I felt thought that she was too weak whenever her family was involve. However, the banter between the two main characters was amazing. Well 👍

Black sheep meet golden boy She's a single mum He's getting married to her younger sister. They can't stand each other ( well he pretends she doesn't exist ) A little misunderstanding will mix everything up. This book. Loved it even if it gave me anxiety. Like enemies to lovers + forbidden