REVIEW: Fallen Foe by L.J. Shen

Fallen Foe by L.J. Shen: Arsène Corbin has always been a man with a plan, cunning and manipulative, however even he could not have foreseen how one simple country girl could alter the course of his entire universe. From a very young age Arsène knew that he would not marry for love but for revenge and control, after all Grace stole more than just his childhood, she stole a part of his soul. Which is why her sudden death sends him reeling in disbelief more so when he learns that she has been playing him along. Arsène just never expected to wind up team up with struggling actress Winnie Ashcroft to try and uncover the secrets that both of their loved ones had been hiding. The only problem being neither of them can stand each other! But then again the saying does go the line between love and hate is rather slim…

“Hate and love are the same mistresses under a different mask.”

Fallen Foe was incredible! One of the things that I love the most about Shen’s books is the dark suspense that she always delivers and that was most certainly the case with Arsène and Winnie. After reading the first installment in the Cruel Castaways series I was eager to get my hands on Arsène’s story, just from the snippets that we got in the first book I could already tell that his book was going to be a gut punch read and boy was it just!

I think Winnie was easily one of the cutest leading ladies ever. Not only was she a ball of hope and sunshine but our girl was a survivor. The thing that made me love Winnie to bits however was how  resilient her character truly was. Aside from being a all round good person, I liked that she had depth, there was more to her than met the eye. I really enjoyed getting to see her find her place in New York and truly embracing being herself.

Now for our dark tortured hero Arsène, gosh this guy had a lot going on! At first glance he came off as this aloof, cold, sarcastic, cruel man but as we got to know the man behind his mask we got to see that he actually cared fiercely for the people that mattered to him. I just loved getting into Arsène’s character, there were so many complexities about him that I really enjoyed. The more we got to delive into his past the more my heart broke for him and what he had been put through.

I just loved Winnie and Arsène together, even before everything changed for them, the chemistry that bounced between them in Italy was incredible! The banter and tension between these two was just so on point. One of the things about their relationship that I loved was the fact that Winnie never backed down or cowered to Arsène, she always held her own and spoke her mind. Winnie really was the light to Arsène’s darkness, these two brought out the best in each other in a way that no one else ever had. I loved the fact that she took an interest in his love for astronomy and actually looked at him as Arsène the man not the billionaire. Truly if ever there was a couple that had passion it was Arsène and Winnie, these two are soulemates to their core.

The secondary characters in this book were just amazing! I loved getting to see Christian and Arya and how their relationship has grown and getting to see a bit more of Riggs. Though I do have to say I just couldn’t stand Grace, thankfully she exited the book fairly quickly. Talk about a snobby gold digger.

Fallen Foe was a brilliantly heartbreaking read that I most certainly recommend reading. If you are looking for a dark, emotional second chance romance then this is defiantly the book for you!

Book Info:

Publication: May 9, 2023 | Montlake | Cruel Castaways #2

Arsène Corbin does not intend to marry for love. His fiancée has always been a means to an end, a woman he wants to conquer. But when she dies suddenly in an accident, Arsène’s grand plan unravels.

Still reeling from his fiancée’s death, he meets Winnifred Ashcroft, a struggling actress who lands a coveted role in a play at his theater…and knows things about his late fiancée no one else does. The only problem? They can’t stand each other.

Backstage at Arsène’s theater, Winnie begins to let down her guard around the tempestuous billionaire. She appreciates his wit and quirky affection for astronomy. And Arsène, jaded as he is, respects Winnie’s headstrong personality.

Tragedy and betrayal bring them together, but will their painful pasts hold them back—or fuel their desire?