Bane (Sinners of Saint, 4) Paperback – July 30, 2024

Bane, the fourth and final book of the Sinners of Saint series. It took me a minute to want to read this, because in Scandolous, I honestly wasn't a fan of Bane. However, it turned out to be my absolute favorite.Bane, a surfer, an escort, a con artist, and so many other titles. Jesse, a victim and a survivor who has a love for books, her dog, and her neighbor. Bane wants to build 'Surf City,' his dream, but he needs an investor. He signs a contract with Jesse's stepfather, who turns out to have a creepy infatuation/obsession with her. Bane is to bring her back to life, but NOT touch her; he is not to have any romantic relationship with her, and she MUST never find out about the business arrangement.They fall in love, but there are many challenges. I loved this book so much because Jesse, a victim, struggled for over two years before Bane brought her out of her darkness. And in the end, she took her sword and slayed her demons herself.

Not gonna lie, this book didn’t feel like it connected to the other stories. I only say this because the other heroes are connected to each other and this one is a friend from one of the heroines. This honestly feels more like a spinoff, but I promise you that its just has beautiful if not more.The heroine, I cannot even begin to describe the amount of strength she has after everything that’s happened to her. TBH, I don’t know if there are many that can survive from what she went through. And the author creates this amazing journey where we see her learn to live again and get her happy ending.The hero was the reason why I read this book and while I still love him, he was all but forgotten when we were introduced to the heroine. That being said, I loved how he helped her shine and in turn rediscover a part of himself.This was honestly such a beautiful book that everyone should read.

Um, wow. Just wow. As in the Holy Grail of Wowza. This book has ruined me for everything: favorite sinner from Todos Santos, favorite angst read, favorite book boyfriend & girlfriend, favorite LJ Shen read...I just, WOW. I keep on saying how ready I am for this, how I have prepared myself already, how I can't wait for this book to hit me but NOTHING will really brace me for this read's impact and aftermath. Bane and Jesse and LJ Shen's power...their power practically leaks out off my e-reader. JFC!!! (And gdi amazon is making it hard for me to lay my review down eloquently!!! I need all the !!!s and curses to comfortably express my thoughts and feelings!!!)Bane (Not just Bane-Roman but also Bane-the whole read) is everything I have ever wanted in a romantic literary. The savageness, the raw sensuality, the complex feelings...my thirst has been quenched. I just...I'm a mess right now. I still don't know what to say; I often find myself just staring off at space because thoughts are running amok inside my mind. But I'm going to die trying to give this review justice in turn for the soul-wrenching, breath-stopping and heart-breaking read that is Bane.The writing has been flawless. I have said this one before countless times and I'm saying it again: I FREAKING LOVE L.J. SHEN'S BRAND OF ANGST AND ROMANCE. She has a way of writing these stories about not-so-gentlemen men and the strong women behind them. And I think her heroes were one of the only few prickly and rakish and kind of contemptible men I am freaking in love with; the rest of those so-called bad guys I just barely tolerate.The plot is dynamic and vivid. The ride started out as if in a trance, a beautiful prologue. It feels like the calm before the storm-and it really is. The whole ride after that has just gone adventurous in a turbulent way. Every chapter is escalating into something badder and bigger. And it all leads to serving justice; a silver platter full of mf rightful punishment to those who wronged them (mostly, Jesse. Only God knows how much she deserves those things and more).The characters, mainly Roman, Jesse, Gail, Roman's mom, Mrs. Belfort and Hannah have been compelling, complex and beautiful in every freaking sense. Gail is the badass best girl friend Jesse has been needing of all her life. I'm so glad she has been there for Jesse esp when the latter doesn't have anyone else during her toughest times. Mrs. Belfort and Hannah have been Jesse's guardian all this time. I'm so glad they have been there, too, when Jesse's mother is too much of a selfish B to ever be a mother. Sonya aka Mamul is the epitome of tough single mom and as Jesse has said, also responsible for Bane's huge af personality. I'm glad I'm able to get to know her better during this read. I'm even happier that Jesse has found a mother in her, too. Such great women in one frame.Roman 'Bane' Protsenko. Oh, Bane. He's just my ideal depiction and embodiment of a bad boy. Savage af to everyone except for his mom and Jesse; he's such a marshmallow to them instead...but don't tell him I've said that. But back to Bane. I can say, looking at the mirror and meeting my eyes without flinching type, that I never truly have a favorite sinner. I mean, I may rank Dean and Trent a bit higher than Vic and Jaime. But Bane, jfc Bane-he can easily dethrone the HotHoles anytime, anywhere. He's like all four HotHoles in one man.Of course, that's not to say this hero is faultless. In fact, I have never seen a hero more mindful of his sins than Bane. And he embraces all his faults-he's down-to-earth actually (one just has to peel his layers off of him). He has no qualms using his charms and advantages full-on. But at the same time this man knows where he has come from and where he belongs. He has no desire to associate himself with useless things and shallow people.And the most man he has ever done is to break away from his sidelines, cutting off his connections to his clienteles in respect to what he has with Jesse. And in the end? The timing isn't right but the thought that he's decided once and for all to come clean? I personally think that's the closest one to being a real man./cries in the corner because Bane may have ruined me for any man irlAnd Jesse. Beautiful in all that matters. I am disgusted and angry and freaking frustrated on her behalf. There's no doubt in me whatsoever that this woman (yes, she's a full grown woman despite her physical age) has decided to just break it off with everybody and has sworn off men forever. No man really deserved her, no one but Bane. And I just want to hug and give love and support all women who has been wronged just like her. A real queen fixes another queen's crown and all that jazz.And though she's become a shell, I have seen through the chapters her progress and development when Bane coaxed her out of it. And she's even more beautiful. Vibrant. Sassy. And when she is able to stand for herself, to right all the wrong things done to her? I personally feel empowered, too. I can't sit still. I have been shaking in excitement for her to deliver lawful vengeance to those despicable people. And it has been more than satisfactory!!! (I do have a vindictive streak, sue me!)I can't, you guys. I can't. How can one book devastate and inspire me simultaneously? I can't! And now I don't know what to read after this. Just so unfair if nothing else can come to this level. And it's just the 5th month of 2018. Send help???

SOLID FIVE STARS. But this may be the darkest LJ Shen book I’ve read. Jessie has been through it all and Bane isn’t the best option to help her, or is he? Jessie doesn’t need help because princesses save themselves