Playing with Fire: (Alternate Cover)

One of the top five favorite romance books for me. LJ Shen takes this book in a different direction than what I was used to. It was beautiful and made me laugh, swoon, and cry. Hit me right in the feels.Gracie was in an accident which left her scarred, mentally as well as physically. The accident changes her entire plans and career chose so she becomes “invisible”.West has his own issues and stressors as well. He is attractive and attracts a lot of attention. But with all the attention he receives, he does not open up to anyone. He does his best to make extra income to provide for his family which leads to Grace and West’s introduction.They now work together at a taco truck. They both struggle with their insecurities which leads to a few arguments. But once their friendship blossoms and they begin opening up more, their feeling for each other grow.I don’t feel like I’m exaggerating when I say it’s one of the best friends-to-lovers romance I’ve read. The connection I felt with the characters was amazing. They feel genuine and unforgettable. One of the bests.

Rise from the ashes. I loved Wes and Grace’s story. They are fierce and damaged and surviving. They go on despite their pain. They do better. They keep you riveted. I highly recommend this story.

This book was amazing, as always. I love the alternate cover too.

“I was a phoenix, slicing the air, flying farther away from the ashes that had buried me for years. I knew I would always remember how they’d felt against my wings. But that I would never let them bring me down to the ground again. And still, I rise.”Wow! I don’t know what I thought I was getting into while starting Playing With Fire by LJ Shen.. but this was definitely not it. What an absolutely beautiful slow burn novel about two lost souls finding each other.Grace. One of the strongest female leads in a book that I have read about in a long time. She’s a burn victim who stays in the shadows with her one and only BFF, Karlie. Quietly making her way through life while caring for her grandmother who is slowly losing herself to Alzheimer’s.West. A beautiful broken boy with a heartbreaking past struggling to find anything to live for. Keeping his family afloat financially, he does underground fighting. When that money wasn’t enough he took up a job at a taco truck where he meets Grace.And let the slow burn romance begin. I think LJ Shen did an absolutely phenomenal job creating these characters and really leading us into their minds on what they’re going through. Neither character had an easy life.As more background stories unravel, you can’t help but fall for these characters. And maybe even cry a tear or two.“Texas was The Chosen One whom I’d spent my birthday with. She was my so-called redemption. Antidote to my poison. The one Mom had been praying for.”Ugh. I’m a hardcore fan of LJ Shen. I have read every single one of her books to date. And I honestly think that Playing With Fire is her best writing yet.This is a stand-alone.No cliffhanger. Does have an HEA!The only triggers I can think of is a VERY brief paragraph or two talking in detail of dog fighting. (But it may be my soft heart/love for pit bulls that got my squeamish)Possibly depression/suicidal thoughts.

Love this book so much. Also this alt cover is GORGEOUS

Author just keeps getting worse. Very disappointed.