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Vicious (Sinners of Saint) : Shen, L.J.: desertcart.co.uk: Books Review: Vicous and Emilia are inevitable. - Enemies to more books are some of my favourites , because the hero and heroine are so set against each other, watching them fall in love is so much sweeter. They say there is a very thin line between love and hate, and this could not be truer for Emilia Le Blanc and Vicious Spencer. Vicious and Emilia have known each other since they were 18, when Millie’s parents started working on the Spencer estate. Vicious takes an instant disliking to Millie, who has no idea why, and from there, bullying and other awful events take place, leading to Millie being driven out of their town, Todos Santos, after graduation. When they meet again ten years later, Vicious is the same merciless man, and the minute Emilia Le Blanc reappears in his life, he knows he can use her to his advantage to get the revenge he so desperately wants. Vicious Spencer is the world’s biggest a$$hole. He is ruthless and cruel, he lives up to his nickname time and time again, and he is the most outwardly awful member of the Four HotHoles. Vic is everything men want to be, gorgeous, rich, powerful and a player. But he has deep rooted issues, which mean he treats everyone except his three closes friends as temporary and never makes meaningful connections, even though it’s clear he is capable of love through his friendship with the boys, he’s just picky over who’s worthy of it. He has secrets and a past and has spent years planning revenge on those who did him wrong. He is vindictive and callous, hiding his pain behind an angry façade so when Emilia turns up at his door, she immediately has a target on her back, because she is so good. Emilia is sweet and light, both at 18 and ten years later, when she is living in New York caring for her younger sister Rosie, who has cystic fibrosis. She is the only person in the world who is immune to Vicious and his cruel ways, she stands up to him and gives it back. ‘Her indifference to my power somewhat disarmed me’ is the perfect quote to describe how Emilia is around Vic. She is also the good that he most desperately wants but doesn’t think he is deserving of. Her refusal to compromise is outstanding and she challenges Vicious every step of the way. Sometimes it’s hard to see the love between them, but the more you read, you see that their relationship is blurred, just like the line between love and hate. His awful actions as a teenager and also ten years later are barely forgivable, but when he reveals his truth to Millie, you can begin to understand the man behind the monster and fall in love with him too. Vicious’ character evolves rapidly throughout this book as he lets down the wall to Millie and I loved him. He shouldn’t be likable, but he is, especially as he spends more time with Millie, not just for his need for revenge. He feels so guilty about what he did to her in the past, he knows he was wrong, and that’s why he was so different to other bully’s in romance novels, he feels remorse. He always loved her, he just didn’t want anyone else to have her until he was ready. Their attraction is strong, and their coupling is inevitable. The other FHH, Trent, Jamie, and Dean, are very similar to Vicious in terms of how they live their lives, but I know that they too have reasons for behaving the way they do. These men don’t act like a$$holes for the sake of it, they have reasons which they keep buried, not even revealing them to each other. I loved revisiting Jaime and Mel and seeing the start Trent and Dean’s story’s play out has me hooked again. None of these men are finding their HEAs through the conventional way and that’s what makes their stories even more memorable and intriguing. Vicious is told in dual-pov which is needed for this type of book to truly understand how the mind of Vicious Spencer works, it’s the perfect dark enemies to more read. An alpha possessive hero who you want to hate but can’t help but love (I don’t know how LJ does that, so many books with similar H I just dislike them). A heroine who will fight for herself and stand up to others but is so open and accepting with the man she loves. Scenes which will make you swoon, but also make you blush and light the pages of the book on fire. A plot which grips you from start to finish and twists you can’t see coming, the ending was perfect and showed how much he had changed, because you will learn the Vicious never does something he doesn’t want to do. I am re-reading this series for a second time and I actually forgot how much I loved Vicious Spencer. Review: Similar to The Villian - I read Vicious after really enjoying The Villian. The two charcters sound very similar and so do their love interests. I would venture to say the stories were the same with a few of the details changed to make it sound different. That said, I enjoyed this book. No backdoor action. Nothing too bad. Yea, he’s a douche at times, but she punishes him for it fairly. A good push and pull between guy and gal. It was a page turner, and I think part of why I enjoyed it is because I already knew how The Villian went. The similarities between the books made me deduct a star, but it was a good read in my opinion regardless.







| Best Sellers Rank | 12,032 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 133 in Workplace Romance 176 in New Adult Romance (Books) 210 in Billionaires & Millionaires Romance |
| Book 1 of 5 | Sinners of Saint |
| Customer reviews | 4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (40,674) |
| Dimensions | 12.8 x 3.4 x 19.6 cm |
| Edition | 1st |
| ISBN-10 | 1399743481 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1399743488 |
| Item weight | 320 g |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 480 pages |
| Publication date | 27 Mar. 2025 |
| Publisher | Hodder Paperbacks |
R**E
Vicous and Emilia are inevitable.
Enemies to more books are some of my favourites , because the hero and heroine are so set against each other, watching them fall in love is so much sweeter. They say there is a very thin line between love and hate, and this could not be truer for Emilia Le Blanc and Vicious Spencer. Vicious and Emilia have known each other since they were 18, when Millie’s parents started working on the Spencer estate. Vicious takes an instant disliking to Millie, who has no idea why, and from there, bullying and other awful events take place, leading to Millie being driven out of their town, Todos Santos, after graduation. When they meet again ten years later, Vicious is the same merciless man, and the minute Emilia Le Blanc reappears in his life, he knows he can use her to his advantage to get the revenge he so desperately wants. Vicious Spencer is the world’s biggest a$$hole. He is ruthless and cruel, he lives up to his nickname time and time again, and he is the most outwardly awful member of the Four HotHoles. Vic is everything men want to be, gorgeous, rich, powerful and a player. But he has deep rooted issues, which mean he treats everyone except his three closes friends as temporary and never makes meaningful connections, even though it’s clear he is capable of love through his friendship with the boys, he’s just picky over who’s worthy of it. He has secrets and a past and has spent years planning revenge on those who did him wrong. He is vindictive and callous, hiding his pain behind an angry façade so when Emilia turns up at his door, she immediately has a target on her back, because she is so good. Emilia is sweet and light, both at 18 and ten years later, when she is living in New York caring for her younger sister Rosie, who has cystic fibrosis. She is the only person in the world who is immune to Vicious and his cruel ways, she stands up to him and gives it back. ‘Her indifference to my power somewhat disarmed me’ is the perfect quote to describe how Emilia is around Vic. She is also the good that he most desperately wants but doesn’t think he is deserving of. Her refusal to compromise is outstanding and she challenges Vicious every step of the way. Sometimes it’s hard to see the love between them, but the more you read, you see that their relationship is blurred, just like the line between love and hate. His awful actions as a teenager and also ten years later are barely forgivable, but when he reveals his truth to Millie, you can begin to understand the man behind the monster and fall in love with him too. Vicious’ character evolves rapidly throughout this book as he lets down the wall to Millie and I loved him. He shouldn’t be likable, but he is, especially as he spends more time with Millie, not just for his need for revenge. He feels so guilty about what he did to her in the past, he knows he was wrong, and that’s why he was so different to other bully’s in romance novels, he feels remorse. He always loved her, he just didn’t want anyone else to have her until he was ready. Their attraction is strong, and their coupling is inevitable. The other FHH, Trent, Jamie, and Dean, are very similar to Vicious in terms of how they live their lives, but I know that they too have reasons for behaving the way they do. These men don’t act like a$$holes for the sake of it, they have reasons which they keep buried, not even revealing them to each other. I loved revisiting Jaime and Mel and seeing the start Trent and Dean’s story’s play out has me hooked again. None of these men are finding their HEAs through the conventional way and that’s what makes their stories even more memorable and intriguing. Vicious is told in dual-pov which is needed for this type of book to truly understand how the mind of Vicious Spencer works, it’s the perfect dark enemies to more read. An alpha possessive hero who you want to hate but can’t help but love (I don’t know how LJ does that, so many books with similar H I just dislike them). A heroine who will fight for herself and stand up to others but is so open and accepting with the man she loves. Scenes which will make you swoon, but also make you blush and light the pages of the book on fire. A plot which grips you from start to finish and twists you can’t see coming, the ending was perfect and showed how much he had changed, because you will learn the Vicious never does something he doesn’t want to do. I am re-reading this series for a second time and I actually forgot how much I loved Vicious Spencer.
W**E
Similar to The Villian
I read Vicious after really enjoying The Villian. The two charcters sound very similar and so do their love interests. I would venture to say the stories were the same with a few of the details changed to make it sound different. That said, I enjoyed this book. No backdoor action. Nothing too bad. Yea, he’s a douche at times, but she punishes him for it fairly. A good push and pull between guy and gal. It was a page turner, and I think part of why I enjoyed it is because I already knew how The Villian went. The similarities between the books made me deduct a star, but it was a good read in my opinion regardless.
K**T
“Love and hate are the same feelings experienced under different circumstances. The passion is the same. The pain is the same.”
OH MY GOD! I’ve found a new favourite author! I could NOT put this book down. “His eyes were dead, but his lips were red, full, and very much alive. This guy is going to break my heart if I let him.” When Emilia LeBlanc arrives in Todos Santos with her parents, who’ve taken up the posts of live-in servants to the rich Spencer family, her first meeting with Baron AKA Vicious Spencer is memorable but terrible. Lauded, courted, and rich, he is Vicious by name and vicious by nature – it’s hate at first sight for him. Completely bewildered by his animosity, Emilia lives her senior year out by being ostracised by her peers, as Vicious makes her life miserable. She hates him equally but also can’t help her attraction to him. When she starts to date one of his best friends, it stirs up uncomfortable and unwanted feelings, and causes a rift in Vicious’ close circle until, finally, Emilia leaves to start a new life on the other side of the country. Fast forward ten years. Emilia is a struggling artist in New York, working two jobs and trying to make ends meets, whilst supporting her sickly younger sister. She’s having a particularly bad day, and her financial circumstances have become really dire, when an unwelcome face from the past turns up in the bar where she works. “She was perfect. Perfect for my plans and perfect to pass the time with until they materialized…She was mine again the minute I saw her in her next-to-nothing outfit. She just didn’t know it yet.” The years have been good to Vicious. He couldn’t be more opposite to Emilia. He makes her an offer she absolutely cannot refuse even though it sounds too good to be true. And, she’s right, he does need something from her. “Vicious wasn’t only in my life without permission. He was in my veins.” The more time they spend together, they start to see beyond their mutual animosity. Their old attraction is back in full force and Vicious is determined to have her, to get her out of his system once and for all. Emilia finds her resolve cracking. He’s going back to LA soon, so, why not indulge in a fling? THIS BOOK!! Seriously! It was compelling and electric. So addictive! Vicious is complex, troubled and secretive as a teenager. He goes through the motions. He’s rude, arrogant, and intrinsically a loner. His three close friends keep him in the eye of social popularity. As an adult, he’s polished and successful but still rude and self-serving. He’s on a personal mission. He hated Emilia for so many reasons but she was also his obsession. His turmoil of emotions tortured him and he was completely possessive of her. He had rules that he followed, where women were concerned, but he found himself breaking them for her – without regrets. Innately good, honest, and independent, Emilia is a really strong heroine who only bends to her circumstances when there is no alternative. She’s sassy and defiant, and doesn’t really care what other people think of her, which only turns Vicious on more, since he’s usually surrounded by sycophants. He secretly admires and respects her for being true to herself. “You’re obsessed with this girl. You’re in love with this girl, always have been, ever since you realized she’s not afraid or impressed by your bs.” In spite of their animosity, their connection is undeniable. When they’re together, even as teens, everything fades into the background. There’s a heap of sexual tension between them, that stretches out until Vicious is half-mad with his desire for her. I loved how Emilia handles him – teasing and pushing him beyond his comfort zone. This novel was as much about Vicious’ personal journey, as his dark secrets are revealed, as well as about their journey to each other. Amazing, unputdownable read! #TopRead2017.
M**.
An okay read.
This was an okay read. Vicious is indeed vicious, down right nasty but it took far too long for him to redeem himself, although the character for that part is well written. Without giving away the plot there is a root cause to his nastiness which is painful but its revealed too late, and as he confided in a responsible adult it is unbelievable that he wasn't helped as a child. His behaviour toward Emillia is in no way endearing until the very end by which time it's ridiculous that she wants anything to do with him. The Black and Pink thing could have been so much more, it would have made their connection so much better if it had been brought in earlier and expanded. The fact that he is so strongly reminded of his hated, evil stepmother when he looks at Emillia yet he is so captivated by her is really perverse and the middle section could have been tightened up to give the story more drive. All that being said I still read on and wanted a decent ending which was delivered even though it was done with a bit of a fairytale flourish. I can't make up my mind about this author, some of the writing and characterisation is really good and then there are juvenile weaknesses that let the book down.
O**A
Oh my gosh, I had mixed feelings in some parts of the book. Some feelings were good and some were bad. Sometimes I was hoping she didn’t get with him but overall, I absolutely loved them together. Their banter was absolutely everything. The writing was spectacular. I loved the plot. I loved the FMC because she didn’t take his crap and it was just refreshing. She really stood her ground. But overall, that is what made them that much better together. Roller coaster of emotions. Kicking, screaming, giggling. I experienced it all.
B**A
Fue mi primer libro de LJ y caí enamorada jaja. Todos los libros de ella son bastante buenos y los he leído todos, y me gustan todos solo que siempre regreso con Vicious. Léanlo, si te gusta el género no te vas arrepentir.
H**G
5 “Ask Me What I Want” Stars! The Review: WOW! What. An. EPIC. Read! The minute this story ended, I wanted to go back to the first page and start it all over again. That has only happened a handful of times in my reading life and this read is at the top of that list. Vicious was a gritty, powerful and steamy enemies-to-lovers story with amazing and complex characters I won't let go of for a long time to come. It was filled with fantastic writing displaying an emotional, sexy journey that consumed me. In short, this book was brilliant. Story/Characters... This story takes place in two time lines, told in alternating POV’s. Ten years before with some amazing flashbacks, and present day with a riveting plot of revenge and lust. In the past, this read starts with Emilia LaBlanc moving into the servant quarters of the Spencer estate after her mother and father take jobs there. On her first day living in her new home, she has an unpleasant run in with Baron “Vicious” Spencer, the only son of the Spencer family and quickly realizes that this first meet sets the tone for her journey with Vicious when he thinks she knows more than she does. After a torturous senior year in high school being bullied and ostracized and eventually run out of town at the hands of Vicious, the story moves forward to tens years later when Emilia is living in New York with her ailing younger sister, who she has assumed sole responsibility for. She’s put her own dreams of being an artist on hold so she can work two jobs to support herself and her sister. But she’s struggling in a huge way. Enter Vicious, who she hasn’t seen in years, and things heat up quickly, in more ways than one. I couldn’t get enough of Vicious! He was beautifully broken and he pulled at your heartstrings from the moment you meet him, because you just know his perfect life is anything but. Emilia was incredibly loving, optimistic, full of light and her goodness was a complete contrast to Vicious's vileness. But you soon learn there is more to the story then just a rude rich kid with a dirty mouth taking advantage of the help. Vicious has reasons for the pain he’s in. He’s angry at the world and feels like love and goodness don't really exist. Emilia confuses him with her sweet, unsuspecting innocence and with all those feelings he’s holding inside, he can’t separate the love from the hate. Their relationship is filled with a delicious sexual tension that brought the chest pangs and butterflies as they explore their feelings and what they could mean to one another as adults. I loved every steamy interaction, every witty dialogue scene (because a grown up Emilia isn’t taking his crap anymore!), and every moment Vicious lets his guard down. It was clear the author took time to suss out the motivations and feelings of these characters. There was love for them in every chapter because you could feel their pain and excitement through the exquisite writing. You experienced everything right along with them and the author totally nailed all those wonderful “feels” in each captivating word. The Wrap Up: This is going into my reread over and over again pile! It’s that spectacular! This was also my first read by this author and I can tell you I’m hooked. She definitely has a new fan and I’m excited to read her other books.
I**I
I have re-read VICIOUS and completed it today and fallen for him again. Oh wait Rosie warned me "Don't fall in love with him again" but I did. Oh Vic. Vicious book is first book in the series of Sinners of saint. It's a slow churning hate to love between Vicious and waitress turned Emilia . Emilia's parents are hired as servants in Vic's estate and both Emilia and Vicious are in same high school. She stirs something in the son of estate. Emilia was Vicious' best friend's gf too. While her heart secretly beats for him (ViC) even when he bullied her and made her life hell during their high school years. (AGE 17 -18). Even as he is somewhat protective and possessive. She is his to torment and he makes it known. When Emilia begins dating one of his closest friends, Vicious steps it up a notch. He is outraged at the defiance of Emilia and Dean, used to being in control of everyone and everything around him. Emilia is essentially ran out of town by Vicious and doesn't see him again until their paths cross again a decade later. Baron Vicious Spencer is a hot, angry, cold - hearted, and a bully. He is one of the FHH. And, CEO of one of the branch of FHH. (You guys will know what FHH stands for in book)./No spoiler. Emilia is a proud, simple, beautiful,selfless and a good hearted 'Goody Two Shoes' girl with self respect. She is an artist and bullied by Vicious. VICIOUS and EMILIA are of same age. So, there isn't any age gap. She is a great lead and a fighter. Vicious has reason to be what he is. They call him VICIOUS for a reason after all. He has a past story which was really deep. When a decade later (Age 27-28) their paths crossed again story takes a turn and Vicious is intent on picking up where they left. What I think?? Well vicious was a fantastic read for me. This was also my first book By LJ Shen a year ago and then I became her fan. And, now after almost an year I read the book again. (And fell again I should say) First book of this kind. I didn't even know that there are these kind of hot , angsty romance novels too and now I love only hate to love stories specially with anti heroes. And, I loved the PEN - PAL part. Those letters of PINK AND BLACK. It's an amazing story with Amazing characters to fall for.
I**H
This book is the second book from The FourHotHoles series. Reading Defy (Jaimes story) first is not necessary, Vicious can be read as standalone. Okay first.... yes, yes yes i love the book, I recommend the book, I want to read more from FHH and more from Leigh Shen. 5 Stars for my happy first read in 2017. Story: Vicious is one of the FHH Jaime, Vicious, Trent and Dean, four boys once ruled their highschool in Todos Santos and now founders and owners of FiscalHeightsHolding with branches in LA, NY, Chicago and London. Emilia is an young artist in New York, who tries to make meets end, supports her sister and left her parents 10 years ago. Her Parents who work for Vicious family. Emilia and Vicious went to the same highschool during senior year. And Vicious was just that: vicious, rude and mean to Emilia. Now, 10 years later, they come face to face again. And there are some things Vicious wants Emilias help for. So he makes an offer she can't resist. But Vicious once manipulated Emilias life and bent it to the extreme, now he could break her. "I was her black and she was my pink." Vicious is someone you know you should resent for his behavior but i wanted to find something to like him. And i did. Inbetween i was angry about his behavior, shocked about what he did and sad about what he thought. But that was just inbetween i fell in love with him for Emilia. And i love Emilia. She is soft but strong, young but sure of herself and what she wants and deserves. She is a talented artist, an awesome sister and daughter who gives everything for the people she cares about. "He was in my veins. But I'd managed to crawl under his skin." When Emilia and Vicious met back in highschool and meet again one night in New York, there isn't just some chemistry there is something explosive like firework. They are fierce in hating each other but it's really clear all their actions revolving around their feeling for each other. It's relationship kind of "When love and hate collides" or "sometimes the line between love and hate is such a small one, that you can't clearly recognize the truth". There is so much in that book i love and would love to write about but i don't want to spoil too much. Vicious is a great read, not just made of feelings and actions like cherryblossoms and soft pink colors but also of black stormclouds and cold stone. But it is a story about two people who got lost and on the wrong path in life but always were meant to find their (sometimes dark and dirty) way. And they find each other. Because there is a HEA. Until now...
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