The Kiss Thief

When you read a book and you literally can't stop thinking about it and it sticks with you for days after finishing it, you know you just read a masterpiece. That's what The Kiss Thief was, a complete masterpiece by LJ Shen.I was FLOORED by this book! Words to express how much I loved it are so hard to find. The plot was riveting, the characters were complex, the book was so full of such an array of themes and emotions it has literally has it all! Lies, mysteries, passion, rivalry, depth, growth, banter, steam, forgiveness, truth and love. How LJ was able to convey a story that encompassed all of that and more just proves how talented she really is.So, let's delve into the book - or at least I'll try to convey with words some of the things I loved throughout reading it!We meet Francesca, (or Nemesis as she's more aptly referred to later in the story by Wolfe.) Francesca is ill prepared to live, truly live her life. She has followed the path her parents set forth for her, and she's done so for her entire life. She's resigned to live this life that they've allowed her to and when we meet her, there's no indication that she even yearns for anything more than that. She's promised to Angelo, whom she's known since childhood and loves. She shares insight to her feelings for him and that she wants to be with him, the one thing she seems to truly agree with her parents on. But she's impatient for her future and her one act of rebellion occurs when she opens a box, a box revealing something that will set in motion a future not anywhere near the path in which has been laid out by her parents. A path that she has even less control over.Wolfe Keaton is a kiss thief... but he's so much more than that. He's honest and unforgiving in his pursuits. He's undeniably the big bad wolf. But, even a wolf has a hart and I loved getting to know all facets of his personality and getting to know who he was in his heart of hearts was an amazing journey to read."I'd learned people come and go out of your life frequently and without notice. Solitude was more than a life choice. It was a virtue. A vow of sorts"This right here to me stood out as a cry for help in a way. Wolfe was used to feeling abandoned by people, so he literally distanced himself from people and thought of his solitude as a coat of armor of sorts. But, in donning his armor he closes himself off to so many amazing things in life. Could their be someone strong enough to break through his 'fortress of solitude?'With one stolen kiss, everything changes. Francesca is not prepared when Wolfe comes to her home and even less prepared when she learns that her parents agreed to allow him to marry her. With no other choice, she goes along. But she's not as weak as she always let on and Wolfe is about to meet his match. His Nemesis."I am air. Invisible and insignificant, but vital ask the same"This line is so significant to me throughout the book because, it does seem as if Francesca feels invisible at times but she truly is air because she is vital to so many people's lives and their literal survival. Her growth throughout the book was astonishing and admirable."Arrogance is a disease, compassion is the cure. Most Gods didn't like Nemesis, but that's because she had a backbone"(Francesca = Nemesis!)As the story unfolds there is a lot revealed, the story always continually moving. There of course was a reason she was "chosen", Wolfe has a vendetta against her father and he'll stop at nothing to see him destroyed. He just didn't count on feeling anything for his little Nemesis."What are you going to do with my father?""I'm going to ruin him""And with me, what are you going to do with me?""Save you"But what he doesn't know, is that she is the one who will ultimately save him, she will be the one to break down his fortress of solitude and give his life purpose again."You took a hammer and broke down his walls, brick by brick. I watched as they collapsed, how he scrambled to try and rebuild them every time he left your room. Your love story was no fairy tale. More like a witch tale. Wicked and real and painful"Wolfe may have stolen a kiss and her 'freedom' but he also in a way gave her the keys to open up her own freedom. To discover who she really was and that in turn allowed him to open up to his own freedom. The path may have been broken and bumpy but it lead to something truly beautiful."We were no longer two strangers sharing a roof. We were entwined and entangled, connected with invisible strings, each of us trying to pull away, only to create more knots that made us closer"That quote RIGHT THERE! SWOON! As I read I could practically see the knots forming, becoming so unbreakable and strong, not even Houdini could undo those knots the strings created! I honestly can't put into words how much I loved this book. I highly recommend reading it. Wolfe Keaton won't just steal a kiss, he'll steal your heart!"Wolf Keaton was a kiss thief, but it wasn't only a kiss that he stole. He stole my heart too. Ripped it from my chest and put it in his pocket" ----- I feel you Nem, I totally feel the SAME WAY! Thank you Leigh, you wrote a truly remarkable book and I give you tons of kudos for a job well done!

When you start a book and you instantly dislike both the main characters it takes everything an Author has to slowly strip away the layers to reveal the real 'them' the ones you are going to slowly fall in love with. When I started The Kiss Thief I wanted to shake Francesca or Nem as Wolfe calls her and Wolfe, well he needed a good slap. So arrogant, so cold, so cruel, so 100% alpha male and so delicious. It's impossible not to fall for him which is exactly what Nem finds herself doing much to her confusion. Francesca is sweet, a little naive and a bit of a princess and totally out of her depth as she navigates her relationship with Wolfe. It's a story of revenge for past deeds that have brought sorrow to Wolfe Keaton's life and Francesca is caught up in the middle of it. Believing her first kiss belongs to the man she will spend her life with she finds herself lip to lip with Wolfe and not Angelo her childhood sweetheart. As Wolfe plots his revenge on Francesca's family he finds himself falling for her and she, in turn, realises that her father isn't the man she thought him to be and so begins to fall in love with Wolfe. It's pretty steamy and has a lovely slow burn which along with the twists and turns of the story keeps you invested in it. I have to say that I really enjoyed The Kiss Thief. LJ Shen has a lovely style of writing and it flowed well. The side characters are entertaining and you can't help but love Mrs Sterling. A couple of things that I didn't sit well with me was Francesca's age. I would have liked her to be a little older and I found the pregnancy a little cliched. But that's me. Would I recommend The Kiss Thief.....absolutely #LovedIt

The Kiss Thief by LJ Shen was the very first book I read by her a few years ago. I decided to reread it again and I have the same feelings as I did back then. Actually, no. I feel more.This book... this story is simply imbedded in my heart and will continue to do so for many years to come. LJ has written so many beautiful and impressive romance stories that will have me one clicking every single one of them. This book though, will always have a special place in my heart.Wolfe Keaton is a deliciously vengeful, cold hearted, spiteful, sophisticated and ruthless older and experienced man. He's calculating, unfeeling and stoic. He has an agenda and nothing was going to stop him.Francesca is young, naive, sheltered and breathtakingly beautiful and hopeful. A romantic who believed in true love and fate.The two clash like oil and water, fire and ice. He's like a tiger rounding his prey. She's the unassuming looking prey who yearns for independence and hides a strength neither of them accounted for.Their union was sudden and rooted with vengeance and malice. Their relationship came slowly and painfully filled with secrets and mistrust. Their journey was a struggle from the beginning but their love was stronger for it in the end.This enemies to lovers romance story is a masterpiece! It's an epic story to last for all ages.

a) Amazing chemistry between Wolfe and Francesca.b) The love triangle was bearable… until there’s something unforgivable for me as a reader of romance especially if the characters are married. It was “just a kiss”, has no justification. Terrible.c) The heroine doesn’t deserve the hero. Shen tried very hard to justify stuff and humiliated the hero after all the losses he had in his life because of Francesca’ s father. Just no.d) The plot is good.e) Wolfe is an amazing male character. He just needed his equal for real.~ ~ ~🥂Best books of Shen? Sparrow & The Villain.

Gosto demais da escrita da autora, a forma como os personagens são pacionais é bem intensa e gosto disso, gente vive aquele momento.Keaton e Francesca começaram com a pé errado, mas aprenderam depois de muito lutares um contra o outro o que é preciso para se unir e lutar a favor do outro.O final é feliz como todo livro que leio e isso aquece o coração.Não gostei de um dos plots, mas da para relevar.

she is beautiful

I have read this book online and liked it so much I bought it in paperback. It’s gorgeous :)

This was an ok read, i enjoyed the book. I did have some minor issues with the female character tho for a little to long way in for my linking, was a very childish way of acting but when getting to know her bit more it was easier to read the book. It was still a 4⭐ for me.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐛𝐲 𝐋𝐉 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰♡𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒔♡♣️standalone♣️Arranged marriage♣️Enemies to lovers♣️Age gap♣️Mafia x politics♣️Forced proximity♣️Love triangle♣️Dual pov♣️Revenge plot♡𝒎𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 ♡ (spoiler-free)One of my favorite books I read this year! This is one of those books which you can re-read wholeheartedly.Arranged marriage trope has been my top fav since day 1, and all the other tropes combined in a single book? You bet; this book was PERFECT in all senses.Tbh, after seeing the book cover, I was instantly drawn to it. It's sooo gorgeous! 🥺❤️‍🔥Senator Wolfe Keaton has stolen my heart 😩🤌🏼He’s that arrogant, powerful, scary and determined male protagonist with sexy, hot vibes. Francessa is our little mafia princess who is sensitive and kind. They will forever be one of my fav book couples 💗🥺The angst, stolen glances & kisses, and the sexual tension between both of them was through the roof! 🥵😮‍💨This was my first read by her and will not be my last. I finished this book within a night. It was such a delightful binge-worthy read!It’s a very captivating book which I couldn’t put it down. Definitely recommended to anyone loving for enemies to lovers’ trope .Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5 /5