Omg, I dont know where to start. I really tried to read this as slow as possible, but I couldn't put this book down. I loved the second chance meets enemies-to-lovers trope as much as I loved the fact that it was slow burn romance!



Arya and Christian have completely taken over my heart. The banter between these two was incredible and I enjoyed every second of it. Arya is an incredibly confident and quick witted woman who really impressed me, and Christian is the typical alpha who seems distant and arrogant at first but then won my heart within a very short time. I’ve loved the development of their relationship and all the feels these two have evoked in me. The present chapters got my heart racing while the past chapters broke my heart and I loved the pain as much as the love I felt. I just wished that we got more of the relationship between Arya und Christian. I loved their banter and the tension between them so much which is why the book ended way too quickly for me.



There were twists that I didn't expect and that really surprised me. I loved the secondary characters - I especially grew fond of Jillian and Alice. But I've also developed sympathy for Christian’s friends, Riggs and Arsène, which is why I'm really looking forward to reading their stories in the second and third book of this series. 



I absolutely recommend this book to L.J. Shen fans and people who are a fan of slow burn, enemies-to-lovers and second chance romance. 



Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for an early copy!

L.J Shen is an auto-read author for me so i knew i had to pick this up when i saw it on netgalley! this book shifts from past to present as we follow childhood friends to lovers turned enemies, Arya Roth and Christian Miller. this is a contemporary romance with a class difference as Arya befriended Christian who was their housekeeper's son when they were young. they were besties and almost more than until one disastrous event led to another and both of them were forced apart from each others lives.. up until now! Mr. Lawyer Christian is out to seek revenge on Conrad Roth in a case and goes head to head with Roth's PR manager, Arya herself! So ensues fiery hatred that turns to sizzling attraction between them both!

overall, i really enjoyed this book. i think it had the grit and intensity that Shen is known for in a lot of her works, which always draw me in. i am such a sucker for childhood friends to lovers that reconnect later on in life, particularly because we can see just all the ways they've grown up but still remained the same. also, love seeing how the moments/memories/jokes/places they shared as kids are remembered in their present, older selves UGH it's just everything, so much angstyyyy emotions.

i do wish we got to see more groveling on his end at the end but :/ as a whole, i really enjoyed this and definitely recommend :)

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to the publisher Montlake for the ARC via Netgalley.

📝tropes: second chance, childhood friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, hate to love, lawyer hero x pr manager heroine, class difference
🌶spice: 2/5
CW: grief, neglectful parent, abuse/violence

This book is such a steamy read. A classic rivals to lovers story, but there’s a history between Arya and Christian. There are some super spicy parts, but they fit with the story. The story itself has its super romantic parts, and is actually very sweet. I absolutely loved it!

Thank you to L.J. Shen, the publisher, and to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Having only read one LJ Shen book before (The Kiss Thief), I was interested in reading more from her, and was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book! I was not expecting to have this book sneak into one of my top reads of the year, but the plot and characters (and spice) in Ruthless Rival was excellent!

When it comes to romance novels, I judge heavily on whether or not the plot could stand on its own if you took out all of the spicy bits, and this one delivers. We have a story where childhood friends are torn apart and now find each as adults, although one of them has no idea who the other is. This story is told with a dual POV and incorporates flash backs, which help to give the plot more depth and help us to understand what happened to these characters and what made them who they are today. I really enjoyed the setting within the court/legal case and felt that added a lot to the engagement within the plot. The reader equally wants to see the relationship between the characters develop, while also being interested in the outside plot of this court case. There was some spice in the book, and what was written was well done, but there wasn’t a large amount of it within the book. It was a good balance of plot and spice, which I enjoy.

The characters were beautifully written, with each being likeable while also being flawed. I truly enjoyed getting to know Christian and Arya and their chemistry was amazing. Shen has a great way of writing tension and building chemistry. When they finally got together, we were overflowing with anticipation! I also really appreciated that they were both in their 30s. I do appreciate having both a FMC and MMC over the age of 22 in romance novels!

The secondary characters of their friends and Arya’s parents were also written really well. I especially liked how her parents were written, showing their flaws and parts of them that were redeemable. It was a great way to humanize them even when, in the case of her father, he is the antagonist of the story.

The book was very easy to read and I read it in a matter of a few days. It did take me a little bit to get into, and I did notice a few issues with phrasing ("toy boy" and pulling a computer out of their pocket instead of a cell phone) but overall I found the writing to be enjoyable. I did think the story wrapped up rather quickly, so for those few negatives I deduct a star.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series with Riggs and Arsene!

*I will be posting a review to instagram shortly, and will update this with the instagram link when I do.*

I always love L.J. Shen's books. They're my guilty pleasure - romances that are slow burn and make you want to keep reading. This book was no exception. I loved reading about the backstories of Arya and Christian and how their unfortunate pasts, ultimately led them back to each other. Definitely a solid 4-star book and I can't wait to read more from L.J. Shen.

4.5 ⭐️just because i think lj shen can do even better! OMGGG childhood best friends, enemy to lover and in wordplace with slowburn I love it.

I liked this story so much because the people are intelligent and mature.
I would have liked a little more plot twist to put 5 stars and describe the feelings of the characters a little more.
but I'm hyped for the rest of the series!!!!!

Oh My God!!! I have no idea where to even start!! Does L.J Shen book ever disappoint?! Like seriously I stayed up and devoured this book while my baby slept for the first time and I took 3 pages of notes while reading as it was just that amazing! I don’t even know what to include so not to ruin the story but that this is everything you want in a childhood friends-to-enemies-to-lovers story!

First Go Pre-Order Now because it’s out May 3!!! 

Christian Miller is in my Top 5 of L.J men! This book was so lovely and incredible and I loved it and all I know is Christian and Aria were meant to be from the moment they met! I loved all the teenage flashbacks because it gave you all the feels and somehow it felt like I could connect to these characters!

Here are some thoughts while reading….

-       Here I am at 46% screaming what!!!!

-       At 66% my heart is beating so fast I'm sure everything is about to fall apart omg I can't handle this!!

-       88% in…. Ohh my heart Christian!!! 

The ending was sooo soo good!!!! Christian just stole my heart with how perfectly he did everything for her and redeemed himself because I wanted to very lovingly smack him upside the head for his decisions!

When it finished I was just wowed! I felt all giddy and so many happy emotions after reading this story!! I loved how the story ended for each character and just like every other book I have read by L.J Shen  I want so much more!! I want everyone's story and I'm so freaking excited for Cruel Castaways Universe!!!

I really enjoyed this book! I have been an L.J. Shen fan since the beginning of the pandemic and this book certainly did not disappoint. Her stores are always a delight to read, with readable language and a different plot despite the many books she has written. I loved the plotline in particular, it kept me on my toes throughout dying to know when everything would be resolved by Arya. It was not something similar to anything I had read before. I also loved being dropped breadcrumbs of Christian's childhood throughout the developing story. I love Shen's writing style, I love the dual-perspective storytelling. It makes me feel like a confidant for both characters like I am the omnipresent narrator.

3.75 stars

‘Ruthless Rival’ is the epitome of a book that has an interesting premise, but loses a little bit of steam along the way. Author LJ Shen brings readers two complicated main characters whose bond is interwoven through past and present and is ultimately tested to its breaking point.

As a reader, I was intrigued by the premise: an innocent kiss that created a chain of events that morphed into something so huge, neither of the main characters could do anything to stop it. With that in mind, I completely understood Christian’s initial motivations. I didn’t really understand Arya’s at all. They have chemistry, to be sure, but I never quite believed their connection and bond. I think it’s because neither of them groveled enough. Both make mistakes, and both are repentant, but I felt like the apologies of both didn’t balance out the problems that they caused. So, I was left a bit wanting in that regard.

There is a heavy dose of miscommunication in this book, so if that is your cup of tea, yours will runneth over. I personally dislike this trope in most instances, so that was an element of the story I didn’t particularly care for but don’t fault the author for including. That’s just a personal preference that I have.

I did enjoy Shen’s setup for a potential new series, with Christian’s two best friends as prospective protagonists. As always, Shen does a great job of peppering just enough information in the narrative about her secondary characters that it entices readers into wanting to know more, and trying to anticipate what the future holds.

At the end of the day, those who already love Shen’s work will be utterly captivated, and those who haven’t might just discover a new author that they enjoy.

Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned unless you’re Christian Miller! Christian had a vendetta and it’s one he didn’t know he needed till fate brought him his revenge wrapped in a pretty bow! The only problem is a beautiful spot fire named Arya!

This is my first Shen book and it’s one I happy to have read! Christian and Arya have a past and it’s not an easy one especially for Christian! Both have to search deep for the truth and decide what future they want and if the other can be a part of it!

Shen really does know how to write a big fluffy man wrapped in darkness and pain! Christian isn’t an easy man but Arya has always loved to fight and together they were explosive!!

I love nothing more than being totally surprised by a book and that’s what Ruthless Rival was for me. The initial press sounded interesting and I knew I would probably “like” this book going in, but I absolutely LOVED Arya and Christian.

The story alternates point of view between Arya and Nicky/Christian and also follows two timelines from them around age 14 to almost two decades later. Meeting in adolescence they begin as frenemies that become each other’s love interests with time. But because of one mistake, Arya and Nicky lose contact and never see each other again for 20 years. Fate? Life circumstances? and a lawsuit bring them hurtling back into each other’s lives as true enemies, but because of time and distance (along with a name change), Arya does not recognize her childhood crush. I think this could have been very problematic for the entire novel, but L.J. Shen had me BELIEVING it could be true by convincing her audience with Arya’s perspective. I think an author has to be very careful that the reader does not feel duped him/herself and that the reader actively WANTS the fooled character to see the truth otherwise the story falls apart.

Ruthless Rival was a slow-burn in the best of ways; using time, backstory, family, and heartache to bring Arya and Christian’s story to fruition. I found myself thinking about these characters when I wasn’t actively reading and feeling their truths. Family plays a huge role in the storyline for both Arya and Christian and both characters are deeply wounded by family members. But pseudo and adoptive families as well as friends are just as important to character shaping for Arya and Christian and I could see many of these friends having a spin-off for the series.

There is a third main character in the novel and that is Ian McEwan’s novel, Atonement. Having only seen the movie and never read the book, I am definitely curious now as it plays a large role in Arya’s life. The characters discuss whole scenes from the book and it crosses the past and present timelines. I imagine Atonement may have similar significance for Shen.

I think what made this novel work so well was the depth of character backstory and history. I WANTED to see a happy ending even though it felt like all odds were against Arya and Christian. And any book that can make me really truly feel for the characters and hope for them, easily earns five stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one was a slow burn for me. My heart shattered for Nicky and Arya. For what was done to them and especially for Nicky. He just wanted to love Arya and be loved by her. And his mom. And he got neither. He had his heart shattered by everyone who was supposed to love him. Then we get Christian and Arya. Christian with a chip on his shoulder thinking the world owes him something or that he has something to prove. Some revenge to dish out. And I get it. I want him to win! And then Arya. I don’t know how I feel about her. She seems so naive in the beginning, and I really didn’t like her then. But as she grows with the story so do my feeling for her. She was done wrong as a kid. I completely understand that. My heart broke as I read how the truth was hidden from her. I can’t imagine ever forgiving someone capable of doing that to me. I liked her journey in the story. I liked how she got stronger as her world fell apart. I love her and Christian together. A true power couple. Loved it!

Ruthless Rival is the long anticipated new book by LJ Shen. LJ Shen is one of my top authors on my favorites list. Her list of books are highly recommended, wildly popular and this story between Arya and Nickolai will most definitely on the top of the list, without a doubt.

Two young kids from different family backgrounds meeting and finding what they needed that they couldn't get in their own families. Someone to spend time with, someone to care and be cared by.

A safe place. A friend. A love. A soulmate.

A first kiss turns into a disaster of epic proportion that sets the two in separate paths instigated by lies, miscommunication, misunderstanding and a conniving father who would do anything to keep his daughter from the boy from the "wrong" side of the tracks.

Nicky grows up believing that Arya had set him up... to be cast out. Arya believing Nicky left of his own accord and died soon after.

As adults, Nicky reinvents himself to become Christian Miller, an up and coming lawyer. Fate lands him an opportunity to have his revenge against the family that wronged him and the two are reunited as enemies.

Will Arya recognize the boy she once knew in her ruthless adversary, named Christian, who's hell bent on destroying her family? Will Christian succeed in finally having his revenge? What secrets will be uncovered? What truths will finally reveal itself? Who played which part? Who lied?

Ruthless Rivals by LJ Shen is addicting and riveting with strong characters and written expertly. I would certainly recommend this book.

I enjoyed reading this one! Arya and Christian make a good contrasting couple. I enjoyed their back and forth relationship - although I found the end to be less dramatic than I expected it to be. Will definitely check out the next in the series,

Honestly one of the better Shen books since Broken Knight. Arya and Christian are both great characters with a lot of growth through the book.
I'm a sucker for an enemies to lovers, slow burn with angst and swoon. LJ hit them all in this book! I would for sure recommend this book to friends.

Unputdownable! Ruthless Rival is L.J. Shen’s latest novel and trust me when I say it’s an absolute must read! Ohhhhh my, this novel will 100% consume you so prepared to carve out some time to read because once you start, you will not want to stop! The storyline had all the feels and cast of characters that will stay with you! I honestly have loved all of the L.J. Shen novels I’ve read and I am constantly amazed how she wow’s me every single time—love that! I highly recommend this 5++++ addictive romance novel to everyone! As per usual, I am already excited for L.J. Shen’s next book!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and L.J. Shen for this ARC.

This book was delicious in every way possible. If you love childhood friends, slow-burn, smutty and intense chemistry then this book is definitely for you. I can not wait to read the rest of this series!

When I came upon this book while browsing, I was very excited. As someone who devoured LJ Shen's Vicious, Angry God and The Villain within 24 hours, a book named "Ruthless Rival" from the author who does angst extremely well raised my expectations sky high.
Unfortunately, the book did not meet said expectations. This book took me a five days to finish (my standard is usually to finish a book within 3 days). I did try to keep an open mind, but I felt like the premise is one that has been done and dusted a lot of times and this story has nothing new to offer. It is a childhood friends to strangers to enemies to forbidden lovers tale. A whole gamut of tropes, yet they all fall rather flat. It was very difficult to connect with the main characters, so immersing myself in the story was not as easy as it's been in other books.
Arya Roth and Christian Miller have a complicated relationship. It began as a childhood crush, where Christian was the housekeeper's son and Arya was the princess in the penthouse. One forbidden interaction later, Christian was banished to boarding school and his life was made a living hell, courtesy of Arya's father. Tables turn years later, when Christian takes a case that would in turn ruin the Roths. He may hate Arya, but he wants her. And honestly, the hate does not seem to last too long. All he does is pine and chase after her while Arya goes around doing her thing- oscillating between wanting to help her father and hating him, which also doesn't last too long before she decides he's a despicable human being. The forbidden aspect of their relationship feels like it has been needlessly tacked on, as opposed to it being intrinsic of their relationship.
In conclusion, this book has a decent premise, but is not quite a 4 or 5 star read where you get lost in the storyline. It could be a quick read, with a storyline that will not stick in your head, unlike Shen's previous works.

Omg! It’s one of those books! Those books that you live and breath. Those books that when you’re unable to read you go through scenarios in your head - all the time. One of those books that you cannot put down. You want to find out what happens, you need to know how it turns out, yet you don’t want the story to end.
A friends to enemies to lovers, with a story and characters that I just couldn’t get enough of. Lies, deceit and a whole lot of hatred fuel this story. I absolutely loved Nicholai ‘Nicky’ Ivanovo/Christian Miller, he was besotted when it came to Arya Roth, and was unable to deny her, that was his downfall, and both Nicky and Arya would pay the price for his moment of weakness. An emotional read at times, I felt so sorry for them both, but got to say I was salivating for more. The drama and the chemistry were combustible, I was rooting for them throughout. Twists, turns, and a series of unfortunate incidents changed their lives forever. Truly loved, loved, loved. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

This was a cute read! I enjoyed the back and forth flashbacks & getting to see their childhoods. Christian and Arya sure had a lot of tension & really served the childhood friends to enemies to lovers trope. I think the pace slowed down from about 70% which put me off but otherwise this was an enjoyable read!