The Cover: I think the cover is very attractive and the font is nice but it literally has no connection to the story or the characters. I mean you could say it was Alex but meh, really underwhelming for me. I would just like to see a book cover that connects to it’s story better. B+
Basics: Midnight Blue was released on January 16th 2018 and is 338 pages long. Genre wise Midnight Blue belongs to contemporary romance.
Description: It should have been easy. I needed the money. He needed a babysitter to keep him from snorting himself to death.
I was cherry-picked especially for him. Responsible. Optimistic. Warm. Innocent.
The worst part is that I should have known better.
Alex Winslow. British rock star. Serial heartbreaker. Casanova with whiskey eyes.
“Don’t get near the devil in a leather jacket. He’ll chew you up and spit you out.”
Sounds familiar? That’s because it was a headline in a tabloid the second time he got arrested.
Guess what? I didn’t listen. I signed the contract. World tour. Three months. Four Continents. One hundred shows.
My name is Indigo Bellamy, and I sold my soul to a tattooed god. Problem was, my soul wasn’t enough for Alex Winslow. He ended up taking my body, too.
Then he took my heart. Then he took my all.
Excerpt: Nat’s words came back and haunted me like a bad haircut from the eighties. An irrational need to check the goods took over me. It wasn’t like he minded. According to the rumors, his dick had seen more cameras than Kendall Jenner. Slowly—so painfully slowly—my eyes drifted down his sinewy body. I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Whatever I had in mind, though, didn’t come close to the real thing. Thick, long but not atrocious. With thin veins running through its length.
“Nice view?” he groaned, tucking his junk back into his briefs. His profile was glorious. Strong jaw, pouty lips, eyes like sex…
My eyes snapped up when I realized he was talking to me. “I wasn’t…”
“Looking? Yes, you were. Next time take a picture. It lasts longer.” He rolled his zipper upward and flushed the toilet with the toe of his boot. He turned around and squirted soap into his palm, washing his hands almost violently—rubbing between each finger and scratching his knuckles like he wanted to shed his own skin. When he was done, he looked around for a towel.
I cleared my throat, scrambling to regain my wits. “Longer than the glimpse or longer than your performance?”
Casually—so unbearably casually—he wiped his wet hands over my purple dress. I gasped, moving sideways. It looked like he was about to open the door and get out, but before I had the chance to yell at him for using me as a human towel, he slammed me against the wall, bracing both his arms above my head and pinning me to my spot. I let out a shriek of surprise at the sudden proximity.
Alex Winslow is touching me. Willingly, my surprisingly pitiful brain squealed.
Heat rolled off his body, making my back arch and my breath catch in my throat.
“Let’s make one thing clear—I could fuck you to a point of numbness without even breaking a sweat if I wanted to. Now, careful, New Girl. If you don’t keep your distance from me, I think I just might.”
Overall thoughts: LJ Shen is one of the truly gifted writers when it comes to the romance genre book world; that being said, all of her male muses are starting to really rub me the wrong way. Being an asshole when you’re alpha male or the hero in a romantic story apparently is becoming a huge trope in the romance genre. Most of the time I’m fine with it because later reasons come out and explain the male guy is a jerk. Most of the time the reasons are valid, but being a jerk to the leading lady? Not so much. Again most of the time with but Alex Winslow really annoyed me.
I noticed it when I read Vicious by LJ Shen too; the leading male is a complete and utter douche to the heroine and a lot of readers find this attractive and swoon. However I do not; I don’t think it’s attractive and I honestly find it a scary at how many readers are drawn to someone written like that. It took me literally three reads to sort of like Vicious and I honestly kept reading because LJ Shen is a great writer and storyteller. Little did I know the same issues I had with Vicious would come back to haunt me with Midnight Blue. There are little things that irk me when it comes to reading but being a complete jerk to the person you fall in love with is a big one. But the other issue I have when it comes to reading? Really, really awful and hurtful jokes.
I am part of a military family and the “going to war” and ISIS jokes really upset me. Even if it was meant to be funny towards someone who isn’t involved with the military, how can the idea of going off to fight war or include ISIS, the group that is known for atrocious and demoralizing acts funny? It’s not funny. At all. Those were my only two issues with Midnight Blue, the bad “jokes” and Alex being a jerk. But after saying all that is Midnight Blue worth reading to dear reader? Absolutely.
Everyone loves a good comeback and lord knows fallen from grace rocker Alex Winslow needs it. He needs a babysitter too apparently Indigo, down on her luck, family loving and fashion designer guru is perfect for the job. What could go wrong when a normal person falls in love with additive rock god? A lot. But the ride that was Midnight Blue was worth taking. The characters are great and holds a great message when it comes to doing the right thing and addressing drug abuse and addiction. Indigo and Alex was electric hot when it comes to chemistry and I enjoyed the high’s and low’s of their relationship. Although I may not agree with some of the things included her in stories, LJ Shen is not meant to be overlooked because her stories truly are great and excuse the pun but rocking.
Couple Chemistry Rating: 5/5 Shells
Favorite Quotes: “I don’t want to fall in love with you.” “You don’t seem to have much choice.” -Indigo & Alex
“I can’t believe this shit’s for real, Stardust. How can you not answer me? How can you not need me the way I need you?” -Alex
“She was my muse. She was my life. She was my all.”
My Rating: 4/5 Shells
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About The Author: L.J. Shen is an International #1 best-selling author of Contemporary Romance and New Adult novels. She lives in Northern California with her husband, young son and chubby cat.
Before she’d settled down, L.J. (who thinks referring to herself in the third person is really silly, by the way) traveled the world, and collected friends from all across the globe. Friends who’d be happy to report that she is a rubbish companion, always forgets peoples’ birthdays and never sends Christmas cards.
She enjoys the simple things in life, like spending time with her family and friends, reading, HBO, Netflix and internet-stalking Stephen James. She reads between three to five books a week and firmly believes Crocs shoes and mullets should be outlawed.
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