5.0 out of 5 stars Dean and Rosie were always written in the stars!

R. · 17 April 2020

Ruckus took me on an emotional rollercoaster, and I adored every second. This book brought out every emotion in me, the sadness, the pain, the fear, the heartbreak, the happiness, the lust and finally the love. At the end of Vicious, I thought I wouldn’t like Dean, but wow, was I proven wrong.Dean Cole, resident addict and chill guy of the Four HotHoles is a mess. He puts out this calm, cool and collected persona, the playboy who never wants to settle down and just goes with the flow, but underneath he is complex, broken and fragile, and all you want is to see is him heal. He has so many layers, it was such a ride to see him peel back each one as he got closer and closer to Rosie, the one who got away, the one girl whose attention he wants but never gets, the sister of his only serious girlfriend.Rosie Le Blanc, the younger sister of Emilia in Vicious, has always loved Dean. But her need to protect those she is closest to has meant that she puts her family first always, because as a sufferer of Cystic Fibrosis, she knows her life will be cut short. Because of this, she watched Emilia and Dean as a couple in high school, resigning herself to never being with him. Ten years later, she is determined to live her life to the fullest and achieve her dreams, whilst also staying realistic about her illness. She longs to be treated as a person though, and not be defined by her CF, something that her parents and sister struggle to do. Dean, however, doesn’t. He doesn’t treat her like she is fragile, he protects her and heals her, and they make each other whole and happier than they have ever been. They open up to one another fully, embracing each other’s flaws and accepting them for who they are. But that doesn’t mean that Rosie doesn’t stand up for herself and push Dean into letting her in. These heroines of the SoS series surely know how to give their heroes a run for their money, they push back at every chance they get.Dean and Rosie were always meant to be, but events took place which prevented them from ever seeing where their chemistry could go as teens. A decade later, when they are thrown back into each other’s lives thanks to Vicious and Emilia, they see that chemistry never really went away, they just need to overcome the boundaries which are now between them. The flashbacks helped to see the foundation of their bond, even though the denying of feelings was tough to read at times. Secrets are kept and once they are revealed, everything in Dean’s life is thrown into question, which causes a knock-on effect in Rosie’s. The ending is a shocker and left me desperate to know the ending, and LJ wrote it perfectly. She stays true to the characters and doesn’t sugar-coat anything.I adored Dean and Rosie’s story, they are up there with Vicious and Emilia. I am predicting that by the end of this series, I will struggle to pick my favourite couple. They are all unique in their own way but so lovable. Ruckus was brilliant, a truly gripping story that plays with your heart and your emotions. I loved every page and I believe Dean and Rosie were always written in the stars.

4.0 out of 5 stars Very enjoyable!

L.R. · 1 June 2017

Another good book from LJ Shen in this series. I've got to say though, I still love Vicious more!! Having said that, Dean 'Ruckus' Cole managed to give him a good run for his money.Dean and Rosie's story is intertwined, told in dual POV, from both past and present. As we know, Dean used to date Rosie's older sister Emilia, who is now with Vicious. Yes, it's all a bit complicated, but the story does take us through the motions of why everything happened the way it did. With Rosie thinking about her sisters happiness over her own, her illness, Dean's secret from his own past, and the way he deals with it all, this book covers a lot of bases.One thing is for sure whilst reading this book is Dean's loyalty, passion and determination. We really see his alpha possessive side! And his sweet side too... He knows what he wants and he's not leaving things as they are any more, what ever the circumstances...."You're awfully possessive," I complained, glaring at him through sleepy eyes like he was my sun, the moon, and everything worth seeing in the constellation."That's because you're awfully mine."With plenty of twists the turns, the majority of the book leaves you wondering what is going to happen and how things will pan out. It took me a while to get into the story line, and didn't find I connected quite as quickly as I have the previous books in this series. Although by 35% I was far more invested and things started to pick up from there for me.There is plenty of emotion in this story, plenty of heart-break, ups and downs for all parties. There is also a huge amount of humour and banter between the characters as well.I look forward to Trent's book next!! I'm hoping my inkling about that becomes true....3.5/4 Stars

Absolute Perfection!

S.T. · 24 May 2017

Reviewed by Sharon ThérèseShen has nailed it! Beautifully written words at the very beginning of the novel would eventually make sense to me, and the first paragraph of the prologue which was not how I would expect a novel to start, left me speechless. But I liked it. A lot. From there on in, it was a matter of how fast I could read without missing out on the tiniest detail of Dean ‘Ruckus’ Cole and Rosie LeBlanc’s story. So hold on tight for a very bumpy ride because the author unravels their story at a dramatically heart-stopping pace. By the time I reached the epilogue, I felt like I'd been chewed up and spat out, and whether I was put back together or not is for you to find out!In Vicious, I didn't get to see Dean's true colours. He hasn't changed much in the respect that he's still an a-one jerk, spoilt and full of himself. But one thing is for sure, he's a natural protector, unarguably patient and a hot-panty-dropping-problem-solver. He never once contradicted himself. He's not only aware of his traits, but he also lives up to them...even puts on a show if you like. All his shortcomings are revealed in Ruckus and if I mentioned more of them, the list would be longer than my arm!The author never gave me reason to think he'd change his ways, or make an effort to abstain from his vices and just when I thought all was lost, she offered me a smidgen of hope. Shen’s storytelling tactics glowed when she gave snippets of Dean's backstory in moments of either angst or when the reader least expected it. Despite my eagerness to know more, he wasn't in the slightest bit forthcoming regarding what he'd been through. In due course, the whole truth was revealed leaving me in a blubbering mess. Regardless of his imperfections, this guy whose persistence seemed endless won my heart.I adored Rosie. She made me laugh, she made me cry but I couldn’t feel sorry for her. Compassion was the last thing she wanted. A few of the characters’ attitude towards my heroine was difficult for me to comprehend. All I could see before my eyes; yes, Shen’s narrative writing is beyond descriptive, was a strong-willed young woman that only asked for her space to be respected. I couldn't believe how unfair and single-minded they were. Humiliating her in one scenario made me so frustrated and so damn angry, I cried. (She didn't!). Rosie-bug’s inner-strength never ceased to amaze me. She outshone all the characters in the Sinners of Saint series because she never gave up on anyone at anytime and more important, was totally honest with herself.This isn't your typical love-hate-love-story. Dean and Rosie have known each other for years but both avoid soul-searching questions. Since Shen made me wait for the answers; and by now I should have known that she would, to get to crux of the matter meant speed reading. However, in parts of the book I had to slow down and even re-read because I couldn't believe what was happening. The sensitivity used in one of the issues squeezed my heart, the other didn't worry me at all. Albeit some readers may consider the second mentioned blameworthy, it exists and I had no reason to see why the two protagonists couldn't make it work. Only there's that one damn handicap hanging over their fragile relationship, constantly breathing down their necks.Now for the banter! Goodness me, I'm not exaggerating by saying it's pure dynamite, risqué and pushing boundaries. In some scenes I even felt like an intruder. Dean’s also given a new meaning to the word innuendo and Rosie’s faster than lightening comebacks had me laughing my head off. I freaking well love how the Hotholes pulled together, and Vicious impressing me is an understatement! Of course, how could he not mellow with Rosie’s sister by his side!It's been a long while since a book of this calibre has crossed my emotional threshold. Dean and Rosie's story affected me so much that I had to sit back and seriously ponder over what I'd read after finishing it. This just goes to show you how much I freaking well loved it! Ooh, and the hot-steaminess on the verge of erotic is simply off charts! Bravo Ms Shen!

RUCKUS WILL CREATE HAVOC AND COMPLETELY BLOW YOUR MIND

C.V. · 8 June 2017

OMG.. THIS BOOK DESTROYED ME. especially when I really hadn't expected to fall in love with this one more than I loved VICIOUS. but did fall hard. Ms. Shen is such an excellent writer. Her stories will grab you and drag you into the storm. The writing is always so intense and such that makes you feel the intense emotions of the characters. DEAN AND ROSIE... This is it for me. I just want to go back and read this book all over again.. Ruckus will create havoc on your mind and you'll be completely blown away. Right till the end. Ah, my heart has completely fallen in love with Ruckus. I especially loved that epilogue. As always AMAZING, MIND BLOWING READ. 💖

Ruckus...

T.G. · 8 July 2017

... ist für mich bis jetzt der beste Teil der Serie. Ich habe gelacht, geweint und mit gelitten und das macht für mich eine gute Geschichte aus. Außerdem erfährt man auch, wie es mit den anderen weiter geht.Beim lesen von "Vicious" war mir nicht ganz klar, was eine falsche Entscheidung (falscher Freund mit falscher Schwester) für Auswirkungen auf das Leben der Betroffenen hat, aber in "Ruckus" sieht man die Konsequenzen.

I’m so happy!!!

C. · 18 May 2023

I was prepared to come here to tell you that books should give people hope, something to dream of and not a sad ending, but you gave us hope. Thank you so much for this ending, I’m crying so hard!

Ruckus Love!!!

M.S. · 19 September 2017

I loved this book HARD!!I loved this couple HARD!!!OMG this book is raw, gritty & real. This one is not all flowers & fairy tales. It's nitty gritty, in your face kinda read. It gives you all the feels. The big feels & the little feels. It will make you curse this author because why do this to them, they're so meant to be. Let them have some easy times. Sometimes the best things come from what you have to fight for."Love felt like dipping each other in gasoline and burning together. Love felt like dancing with madness in the dark, watching all of its bright lights. Love felt like gasping for air when your lungs were already full."So I know some people are going to read the blurb & think it's not for them because of the whole sister's ex concept. Believe me when I say this book is so much more than that one little facet of it.I have to share this quote because I just absolutely loved it!!"Daddy said I was a magnet for the wrong kind of boys, but that was like sugarcoating a ball of dirt and rusty nails."If you haven't started this series then do so soon. The next one is releasing very soon & I'm so excited!!