Playing with Fire

By: L.J. Shen

Narrated by: Desireé Ketchum, Christian Fox

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

A broken boy on the path to destruction. A scarred girl without direction. A love story carved in secrets, inked with pain, and sealed with a lie.

Grace Shaw and West St. Claire are arctic opposites. She is the strange girl from the food truck. He is the mysterious underground fighter who stormed into her sleepy Texan college town on his motorcycle one day and has been wreaking havoc since. She is invisible to the world. He is the town’s beloved bad boy. She is a reject. He is trouble.

When West thrusts himself into Grace’s quiet life, she scrambles to figure out if he is her happily-ever-after or tragic ending. But the harder she pushes him away, the more he pulls her out of her shell.

Grace doesn’t know much about anything beyond her town’s limits, but she does know this: She is falling in love with the hottest guy in Sheridan U. And when you play with fire - you ought to get burned.

©2020 L.J. Shen (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

Absolutely Fantastic Story and Narration!

“My battle scars were external, on the surface. His were internal, but cut deep. He was disfigured inside, perfect outside. A lethal combination.”⁣
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This audiobook captivated me and had me falling in love with the beautiful and tragic love story between Grace and West. I love the freedom of a college romance, so many opportunities for the characters to meet and interact, creating sparks of love and madness over and over again. With both Grace and West impacted by tragedies, they were an unlikely pair but living through and surviving what they had, they were kindred spirits, destined for each other.⁣
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“We’re playing with fire,” he croaked. I nodded, my eyes dropping from his gaze to his mouth. I wanted more. I didn’t feel ugly in his arms, even when his hand touched my scar. “I’ve walked through fire before, so I know what I’m getting into.”⁣
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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and for Grace and West, seeing beyond the scars and tragedies created this deep connection that nothing could break. The story is slow building with an unusual friendship developing between them, West coming into her life when her world is being upended yet again. Behind his gruff and crass exterior, there was a sweetness to West that would peak out and have me rooting for him and Grace to get a happily ever after. I admired Grace’s strength for rising above her circumstances, she was truly more than her scars and I loved her transformation to accepting her new beauty. Together they are truly something special, a story of redemption and believing that happiness is possible no matter what.⁣
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And talk about perfect casting for an audiobook! Desiree with her sweet southern accent captured the sass and strength of Grace, I laughed so many times at her wit. And Christian, just YES, it has been a while since I listened to his narration and I forgot how much I love his voice. Perfect for West, his surly and take no bull attitude shone through and had me swooning and laughing too. This is definitely one of my favorite audiobooks I have listened to this year.

AMAZING!! A must read!

Just like everyone of Leigh's books it sucks you in and you just fall in love with the characters and their stories.. I would definitely recommend this amazing book. You don't want to miss out!

Very good

Best narration duo for one of Leigh’s books in awhile. Desireé Ketchum was a delight and I have been a Christian Fox fan for awhile. Story was far less angsty than her previous works, but that did not make the story any less special. I have not connected well with this authors last few stories, but this was a win for me.

Beautiful story filled with angst.

A great angsty yet beautiful storyline. You’ll feel the connection between West and Grace from the get go and as usual in LJ Shen’a style, prepare for a roller coaster ride of emotions. Desiree Ketchum and Christian Fox nailed the narration. Definitely worth the listen.

On Fire!

These damaged main characters stole my heart and set it on fire. The narrators did an amazing job bringing the masterful L.J. Shen’s book to life.

Raw, hot, and sweet all wrapped up together

The performance was wonderful, the story was raw and honest, and the chemistry between Grace and West was electric. The theme of overcoming your past was reinforced over and over, making you root for the characters to get the happy ever after they both deserved. West's anger in the beginning was a little scary, because it felt so real, and I loved his transformation. Grace grew into herself and learned from her mistakes. I couldn't stop listening!

Another Awesome story by LJ Shen!

The Male narrator was Perfect. The female narrator's voice a bit irritating to listen to but you get used to it, must be her country twang. Her Male voice was better than the female. I love how LJ Shen books are deep, sensual, and have a HEA ending. Every time I read or listen to an LJ Shen book I can never truly guess the main conflict or problem, which is refreshing. Keeps me on my toes the entire way through. Always worth it!!

Another great one!!

I loved this book! I loved the characters! And I loved the story! Grace and West are both damaged and hurting and they come together so perfectly. From beginning to end...amazing!!

Five stars

Unbelievably soul catching!! If you don’t already love L. J. Shen, you will after this story!!
I rarely give 5 stars-this is such a feel good book I couldn’t do it justice without spoilers! I LOVE West!!

Amazing. couldn't get enough if this one.

from the prolong to the epilog I was hooked. I couldn't get enough of this book. the struggles that both Grace and West go through are both heart wrenching and relatable at the same time.