The End Zone

Another LJ Shen book which did not disappoint. A short, sexy novella. Loved the chemistry between Sage and Jolie. Only complaint is that it wasn't long enough! And the Viscious/Emilia epilogue - WOW! Can't wait for what's to come with the new series!

L.J. Shen delivers an epic read every. Single. Time. This novella did not disappoint!.. “You’re in my blood, in my veins, in my f******* soul. You’re in my heart and in my fingertips and on my f****** lips like a prayer. You’re f****** everywhere...... Always will be.” ...Such a hot read with just the right amount of emotion as well. Loved it! And so excited for what's to come!

The extra epilogue that hints at her future project is HOT. AMAZING. A GIFT FROM THE GODS. Too much? It isn’t. Once you read it, you will understand. I CANNOT WAIT! Thank God she has more for us in 2018 or I’d be crying in the corner due to the waiting period. All I can say is get ready, because you don’t even know! This scene is about cause her fandom to combust! I swear

The End Zone by LJ Shen gives readers a super angsty, high chemistry novella that is fast paced and entertaining with its dramatic and blush-worthy moments.

Sage and Jolie are best friends from childhood, and while we get minimal information about their friendship over the years, Shen establishes a believable relationship with the prologue. The foundation she creates between them in a single moment is one that makes their loyalty and love for each other believable. Once the story begins, though, the focus is on their sexual chemistry as well as the potential for it to be more.

Sage is the typical LJ Shen hero: abrasive, sexy, and, to be honest, a jerk, which is probably why I enjoy his character. I shouldn’t . I know this, but I just can’t help myself. There are moments when I wanted to punch him or roll my eyes over his antics, but I was also drawn to him with his cocky arrogance and vulnerability with Jolie. Plus, he knows that he can be an arrogant jerk, and he acknowledges it, which in part makes me okay with those parts, too.

Jolie, for me, is very reminiscent of Mel from Defy. She is smart and loyal to Sage. She works hard to suppress her feelings and protect her heart. When it comes to Sage, though, she isn’t always as fierce as I would like her to be. She gives in a lot to him, and I would have liked to see a bit more fight in her. Then, I also waver, and consider that she is like a lot of young women where the heart is concerned, easy to forgive and lost in their emotions. Her character, like Mel, is one I didn’t fully connect with.

No matter how one feels about the characters, it s undeniable that their chemistry is off the charts, partly because of the friendship that has developed of the years. I found that I really enjoyed their moments together where they could be intimate and laugh together, and Sage’s moments of possessiveness (it is one of the things I love most about her heroes) . There is certainly no lack of spark.

With all the angst and drama and the transition from friends to lovers, the pace moves incredibly fast. Most of the chapters deal with the exposition and rising action of the story, and although the conflict and climax of the story is a fantastic choice, it is introduced and resolved quickly. The resolution of the story, though, has to be one of the sweetest endings I’ve read in some time. I’m pretty sure an audible “Awww” slipped out of my mouth. Also, the new epilogue added a bit more to the ending of their story, and I felt good with where she left the characters.

LJ Shen is one of my absolute favorite writers, and The End Zone gives readers everything they love about her to romances in a tight little package, although there is nothing little about Sage..

This author here is one of my favorites. Every single book she writes gets better. Her stories always crack me up and then warms my heart in the same second. The End Zone proves that. This was one of the sweetest stories I've ever read. The push and pull between these two friends was perfection! Readers will love the connection between Jolie and Sage. The End Zone was previously published in the Team Player Anthology but is now being released as a novella with an extended epilogue. Also, we get a sneak peek into Shen's new series that I just about lost my mind over!

This is a short childhood friends-to-lovers novella featuring an All-star college football player, Sage, and his best friend turned roommate, Jolie. After years of secretly pining for one another, a close-call tragedy springs Sage into making the first move to cross the proverbial line, thus starting a story sprinkled with angst, sexy times, manipulation, and finally requited love.

Due to its length, there isn’t a lot of the angsty build up (the author’s speciality) in knowing the characters as I would typically have read in a full length LJ Shen novel. That was a bit disappointing to me, but totally understandable as this is a novella. The characters inherently have a built in history, thus an immediate familiarity between them. There is some description to their background, but it’s so brief that I felt disconnected to their chemistry and I ended up not really relating as much to the intensity of their feelings for each other. I got the feeling of insta-love, and it was sadly anti-climatic.

Don’t get me wrong, the storyline, pace, and supporting characters were all very present, but it all felt rushed. Too many events trying to be fit in a short amount of pages. I felt as if I read a skeleton, the muscle super thinned out. I would have liked to have read a shorter story arc, leaving more focus on developing a little more angst into Sage & Jolie’s transition into coupledom.

However, overall it was a fun and quick read. I was intrigued by the prologue and I hooked into their story. I never felt the need to not finish. (Pun intended?)

3 SWEET STARS

BONUS VICIOUS EPILOGUE:
5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This came with an AMAZING epilogue to the Vicious, book 1 of the Sinners of Saint series. Now this was a treat!! Emilia and Vicious are now parents to a 16 year old Vicious mini-me. It was a sheer delight to get a peek of their HEA and how Vic and Em are as parents. The sexual chemistry was still starkly present (no surprise there with Vicious), along with Vicious’ uber protective nature. It made a great segue and prologue into the YA spin-off series that features the Sinners of Saints kids called “All Saints’ Sinners”. The first book titled: “Pretty Reckless” is due to release early 2019.... whoop!!

Ebook and Audio Review- I would like to start out that the narrators, both male and female, do a fabulous job telling the story!! Highly recommend listening!!

The quarterback and the girl who has loved him forever. Sage and Jolie have known each other since they were 10 years old. A forever bond of friendship but romance would only ruin it. But years later, roommates in college and well, Sage has figured out that Jolie is not only his best friend but the girl he wants forever with. But can Jolie risk the friendship for a pretend relationship with Sage? A sweet funny sexy friends to lovers story that will make you glad as kicking the game winning field goal!!

PS- There is an extended Epilogue in this story and it’s perfect and wonderful and makes the novella have a deliciously even better ending than when the story appeared in the Team Player Anthology. A Must Read!!!

Ebook- Due to circumstances beyond the author’s control, Audible has constraints about bonus content. But being a Vicious Lover......I had to read the extended Vicious Epilogue.
And let me say.........

OMG......IT WAS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLY FANTASTIC!!! I’m all GIDDY!!! The second generation has me so excited..... I CAN NOT WAIT!!!! And knowing who their parents are......all I can say is 2019 better get here FAST!!!

I absolutely (from the bottom of my heart) love the way L.J. Shen writes. I swear - I've said this before but I really feel like she has a finger on the pulse of what her readers and fans want. The banter between Sage and Jolie was FIRE and the sexy times, inner thoughts and connection between them was just the AMAZING cherry on top. I loved their story and the feels and never wanted this story to end. 

When Sage Poirier asks his bestfriend Jolie Louis to be his fake girlfriend to keep his campus admirers at bay in exchange for free rent, she had no idea what she was getting into. How could she magine that her lifelong crush with the boy next door would ignite into such an explosive chemistry? And OMG does Shen deliver PURE FIRE!! 

This story was the perfect bestfriends to lovers/sports /roommates romance. The author paints such a beautiful picture with her words. We felt every emotion and alll the feels from Jolie and Sage. In addition, the banter was so fiery and on point. The fact that I am so invested in every story she has written is testament to her innate skill. And um? That extra epilogue and tease into the new series. BRILLIANT!!!! I cannot wait for more as L.J. Shen has become a desert island author for me!! Bravo!! 5 stars!!! ~Ratula

Jolie and Sage have been best friends since they were 10 years old, and they have never let anything get in the way of their friendship. When Sage gets news that could flip his world upside down, he realizes Jolie is the only girl he has every wanted. Jolie is very apprehensive because she would rather have his friendship than nothing but a shattered heart. Unfortunately not everything is as it seems and their trust will be tested.

Jolie was such a great heroine. She was independent and stood up for herself when the time came.

Sage was kind of all over the place. He wanted Jolie, but then went crazy when he didn't know how to handle his feelings.

I loved their friends to lovers relationship. L.J. Shen really knows how to transition relationships into more.

I absolutely loved the extended epilogue, but I felt that it was a completely different couple. Jolie was insecure and Sage was very dominating. The scene was amazing, but it just didn't seem to represent what I have learned of the couple from the book. It was almost like the scene was about one of my favorite Hot Holes.

-An ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review. -

This was a great little friends to lovers Sports Romance.
It was really witty and I found myself giggling a time or two whilst reading this one. Not to mention it's Hott as Fxxk too.

Sage and Jolie have been friends since they were kids.
An unexpected friendship that has lasted throughout them growing up.
Now as adults they live together as roomies.
Sage is a womanizer a different girl no strings kinda guy.

Jolie has always had feelings for Sage but she's never acted on his persistent flirting not wanting to loose their friendship over a fling.

When Sage finally realises she's the only girl for him, he has a job convincing Jolie he's serious. But Sage is a sportsman and loosing isn't an option. If he has to play dirty to get what he wants he will.

These two will draw you in, with all the will they won't they you can't help but root for them.
And let me tell you Sage got the moves to back up all that bravado. ;)

I loved him and I adored Jolie too.

That extra little bit of info at the back about Leighs future writing plans has me all kinds of excited. It's gonna be awesome.

LJ Shen is a fail safe writer... she always delivers stories that are so compelling even with the cockiest alpha’s. In ‘The End Zone’, Sage Poirier is the most self-assured, arrogant quarterback, thankfully his bestie, Jolie keeps him grounded.

Sage is the man about campus and Jolie is the only woman who keeps him at arm's length. The problem... Sage is a ladies man and Jolie doesn't want to do anything to mess up their friendship.
I loved their spirited banter and because this is a novella, Shen put us out of our misery faster than normal.

It was great to see Sage make the first move, as he had to wear his heart on his sleeve to prove to his girl that they could actually be together long after college. All it takes is jealously to make Sage realise that he better make his move or he is going to lose the love of his life to some guy who isn't afraid of his feelings.

This book is part of Team Player: A Sports Romance Anthology which previously released in December of 2017. Loved it.
I am a verified purchaser in AUSTRALIA

OH. MY. GOD! I take back everything, well almost everything, I said in the last review. I still stand by the 'fake girlfriend' angle but I kinda, sorta understand the need for it. Makes sense?

Even though I understand that Shen wanted to keep it as a novella, that does not stop me from making absurd demands (LOL!), such as I would have loved to see these two in a full-length novel because I just know that there is some much more to them and the intensity would have been amazing! Having said that, The End Zone is still as a quick and fun as it was previously but holy moly guacamole, the extended epilogue was just the added bonus I was looking for Sage and Jolie, the missing piece that makes this novella complete.

PLUS!!! A freaking EXTENDED EPILOGUE for Vicious and the news of a new series coming in 2019! Let's just this girl hasn't stopped smiling once since she came to know about it and what possibly turned this review from a 3.5 Star to a 4 Star for me, personally.

This author here is one of my favorites. Every single book she writes gets better. Her stories always crack me up and then warms my heart in the same second. The End Zone proves that. This was one of the sweetest stories I've ever read. The push and pull between these two friends was perfection! Readers will love the connection between Jolie and Sage. The End Zone was previously published in the Team Player Anthology but is now being released as a novella with an extended epilogue. Also, we get a sneak peek into Shen's new series that I just about lost my mind over!

This is a short childhood friends-to-lovers novella featuring an All-star college football player, Sage, and his best friend turned roommate, Jolie. After years of secretly pining for one another, a close-call tragedy springs Sage into making the first move to cross the proverbial line, thus starting a story sprinkled with angst, sexy times, manipulation, and finally requited love.

Due to its length, there isn’t a lot of the angsty build up (the author’s speciality) in knowing the characters as I would typically have read in a full length LJ Shen novel. That was a bit disappointing to me, but totally understandable as this is a novella. The characters inherently have a built in history, thus an immediate familiarity between them. There is some description to their background, but it’s so brief that I felt disconnected to their chemistry and I ended up not really relating as much to the intensity of their feelings for each other. I got the feeling of insta-love, and it was sadly anti-climatic.

Don’t get me wrong, the storyline, pace, and supporting characters were all very present, but it all felt rushed. Too many events trying to be fit in a short amount of pages. I felt as if I read a skeleton, the muscle super thinned out. I would have liked to have read a shorter story arc, leaving more focus on developing a little more angst into Sage & Jolie’s transition into coupledom.

However, overall it was a fun and quick read. I was intrigued by the prologue and I hooked into their story. I never felt the need to not finish. (Pun intended?)

3 SWEET STARS

BONUS VICIOUS EPILOGUE:
5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This came with an AMAZING epilogue to the Vicious, book 1 of the Sinners of Saint series. Now this was a treat!! Emilia and Vicious are now parents to a 16 year old Vicious mini-me. It was a sheer delight to get a peek of their HEA and how Vic and Em are as parents. The sexual chemistry was still starkly present (no surprise there with Vicious), along with Vicious’ uber protective nature. It made a great segue and prologue into the YA spin-off series that features the Sinners of Saints kids called “All Saints’ Sinners”. The first book titled: “Pretty Reckless” is due to release early 2019.... whoop!!

Ebook and Audio Review- I would like to start out that the narrators, both male and female, do a fabulous job telling the story!! Highly recommend listening!!

The quarterback and the girl who has loved him forever. Sage and Jolie have known each other since they were 10 years old. A forever bond of friendship but romance would only ruin it. But years later, roommates in college and well, Sage has figured out that Jolie is not only his best friend but the girl he wants forever with. But can Jolie risk the friendship for a pretend relationship with Sage? A sweet funny sexy friends to lovers story that will make you glad as kicking the game winning field goal!!

PS- There is an extended Epilogue in this story and it’s perfect and wonderful and makes the novella have a deliciously even better ending than when the story appeared in the Team Player Anthology. A Must Read!!!

Ebook- Due to circumstances beyond the author’s control, Audible has constraints about bonus content. But being a Vicious Lover......I had to read the extended Vicious Epilogue.
And let me say.........

OMG......IT WAS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLY FANTASTIC!!! I’m all GIDDY!!! The second generation has me so excited..... I CAN NOT WAIT!!!! And knowing who their parents are......all I can say is 2019 better get here FAST!!!

I absolutely (from the bottom of my heart) love the way L.J. Shen writes. I swear - I've said this before but I really feel like she has a finger on the pulse of what her readers and fans want. The banter between Sage and Jolie was FIRE and the sexy times, inner thoughts and connection between them was just the AMAZING cherry on top. I loved their story and the feels and never wanted this story to end. 

When Sage Poirier asks his bestfriend Jolie Louis to be his fake girlfriend to keep his campus admirers at bay in exchange for free rent, she had no idea what she was getting into. How could she magine that her lifelong crush with the boy next door would ignite into such an explosive chemistry? And OMG does Shen deliver PURE FIRE!! 

This story was the perfect bestfriends to lovers/sports /roommates romance. The author paints such a beautiful picture with her words. We felt every emotion and alll the feels from Jolie and Sage. In addition, the banter was so fiery and on point. The fact that I am so invested in every story she has written is testament to her innate skill. And um? That extra epilogue and tease into the new series. BRILLIANT!!!! I cannot wait for more as L.J. Shen has become a desert island author for me!! Bravo!! 5 stars!!! ~Ratula

Jolie and Sage have been best friends since they were 10 years old, and they have never let anything get in the way of their friendship. When Sage gets news that could flip his world upside down, he realizes Jolie is the only girl he has every wanted. Jolie is very apprehensive because she would rather have his friendship than nothing but a shattered heart. Unfortunately not everything is as it seems and their trust will be tested.

Jolie was such a great heroine. She was independent and stood up for herself when the time came.

Sage was kind of all over the place. He wanted Jolie, but then went crazy when he didn't know how to handle his feelings.

I loved their friends to lovers relationship. L.J. Shen really knows how to transition relationships into more.

I absolutely loved the extended epilogue, but I felt that it was a completely different couple. Jolie was insecure and Sage was very dominating. The scene was amazing, but it just didn't seem to represent what I have learned of the couple from the book. It was almost like the scene was about one of my favorite Hot Holes.

-An ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review. -

This was a great little friends to lovers Sports Romance.
It was really witty and I found myself giggling a time or two whilst reading this one. Not to mention it's Hott as Fxxk too.

Sage and Jolie have been friends since they were kids.
An unexpected friendship that has lasted throughout them growing up.
Now as adults they live together as roomies.
Sage is a womanizer a different girl no strings kinda guy.

Jolie has always had feelings for Sage but she's never acted on his persistent flirting not wanting to loose their friendship over a fling.

When Sage finally realises she's the only girl for him, he has a job convincing Jolie he's serious. But Sage is a sportsman and loosing isn't an option. If he has to play dirty to get what he wants he will.

These two will draw you in, with all the will they won't they you can't help but root for them.
And let me tell you Sage got the moves to back up all that bravado. ;)

I loved him and I adored Jolie too.

That extra little bit of info at the back about Leighs future writing plans has me all kinds of excited. It's gonna be awesome.

LJ Shen is a fail safe writer... she always delivers stories that are so compelling even with the cockiest alpha’s. In ‘The End Zone’, Sage Poirier is the most self-assured, arrogant quarterback, thankfully his bestie, Jolie keeps him grounded.

Sage is the man about campus and Jolie is the only woman who keeps him at arm's length. The problem... Sage is a ladies man and Jolie doesn't want to do anything to mess up their friendship.
I loved their spirited banter and because this is a novella, Shen put us out of our misery faster than normal.

It was great to see Sage make the first move, as he had to wear his heart on his sleeve to prove to his girl that they could actually be together long after college. All it takes is jealously to make Sage realise that he better make his move or he is going to lose the love of his life to some guy who isn't afraid of his feelings.

This book is part of Team Player: A Sports Romance Anthology which previously released in December of 2017. Loved it.
I am a verified purchaser in AUSTRALIA

OH. MY. GOD! I take back everything, well almost everything, I said in the last review. I still stand by the 'fake girlfriend' angle but I kinda, sorta understand the need for it. Makes sense?

Even though I understand that Shen wanted to keep it as a novella, that does not stop me from making absurd demands (LOL!), such as I would have loved to see these two in a full-length novel because I just know that there is some much more to them and the intensity would have been amazing! Having said that, The End Zone is still as a quick and fun as it was previously but holy moly guacamole, the extended epilogue was just the added bonus I was looking for Sage and Jolie, the missing piece that makes this novella complete.

PLUS!!! A freaking EXTENDED EPILOGUE for Vicious and the news of a new series coming in 2019! Let's just this girl hasn't stopped smiling once since she came to know about it and what possibly turned this review from a 3.5 Star to a 4 Star for me, personally.

I absolutely loved ‘The End Zone’ by L.J. Shen, an author I’ve discovered this year and I’m so happy I did, honestly! I love everything she writes, and Sage and Jolie’s story was oh-so-hot!
I love best friends to lovers stories, and this one even if it was a novella was totally AMAZING!
I felt every emotion, I absolutely loved Jolie and her sweetness and fragility as much as I loved Sage, the angry boy who plays football and that all girls at school would love to have!
But he just has eyes for Jolie... and a secret she’ll soon find out.

I first read this novella as a part of the Team Player anthology, but when I heard it was coming out again as a whole new book, I immediately wanted to read it!
Plus, there was an extended epilogue AND an extended epilogue for Vicious, too! So how could I miss it?
Again, I loved reading Jolie and Sage's story. And that extended epilogue?? Absolutely freaking hot!
I'm sure you won't get disappointed by this part Leigh gave us as a plus... and wait until you read about Vic and Emilia! Omg!
That's all I can say... you'll LOVE this book, as much as you loved other Shen's books!

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
Elisa from Romance_Book Blog

THE END ZONE is a quick little sports themed novella that was originally part of an anthology published last year.

Sage is big man on campus, the hot quarterback who bags all the chicks. His roommate and best friend since childhood, Jolie, is the nerdy girl, the one who spends most weekends studying instead of partying. But when a particular incident opens Sage's eyes to all the greatness that is Jolie...can he convince her to take a chance on him?

This one is a much lighter and sweeter story than what I'm used to from L.J. Shen. It reads super fast so of course you won't find a bunch of in depth characters, twisted plots or detailed backgrounds. But you WILL find that signature sexiness that makes it completely worth the few hours it takes to read! And bonus, it's worth buying just for the scorching hawt extended epilogue from Vicious!!

Overall, Jolie and Sage's story was a fun, cute take-your-mind-off-of-things-for-awhile read. Told from dual POVs with a happy ever after. I received, read and voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

This is being re-released, was originally part of the Team Player Anthology but has been extended with an epilogue and has bonus content also.

I really enjoyed this hot, sweet, sexy and fun novella from LJ. Its a friends to lovers / sports romance with a touch of fake romance and douchebag added in for good measure!! Jolie and Sage have been friends since they were 10yrs old, now they're roommates at college, he's a star quarterback with muscles everywhere, and she's fancied him from afar for ages, but won't ruin their friendship by taking it any further. It takes a clash in the hall between them and not many clothes on to realise what he's missing out on.

I loved the prologue, it really caught my attention in such a short space of time and kept those pages turning. The story line was good and well paced, the sexual chemistry was off the charts, it was sweet and swoony and laugh out loud funny in places!! The epilogue is just to die for, just right as far as I'm concerned!! Loved it, well worth the read.

Josie and Sage have been best friends since they were ten years old. Now college roommates, Josie has watched Sage develop into a star football player, and a player off the field as well. Josie gave her heart to Sage back when they first met, but has vowed to keep their relationship in the ‘friends’ zone. She doesn’t want to risk their friendship or her heart by wanting something more.

Sage has enjoyed all the perks of being the star football player on campus, especially when it’s come to women. But lately he’s losing interest in the endless stream of hook-ups. He’s realizing that what he wants is right there in front of him. Now, if only he can convince Josie that they can be together and still be friends.

The End Zone was previously released in the anthology, Team Player. This re-release features an extended epilogue and bonus material. If you’re looking for a lighthearted, friends-to-lovers story with a sports theme, give this a try.

Dee
Words that Sparkle

Sage, Sage, Sage!!! OMFG I couldn't get enough of this broody *expletive* L.J. has a knack for writing alpha douches, and I love every single one of them!!! Gah, give them all to me. I. CAN'T. GET. ENOUGH. The End Zone is a sexy friends to lovers romance. Sage and Jolie have been friends for a long time. And with time, each of them started seeing the other in a different light. Even though both Sage and Jolie were stubborn and didn't want to acknowledge those feelings, you couldn't deny all their sexual tension. More than anything, I loved the friendship between Sage and Jolie. No matter what, they were there for each other and that just added so much more to their relationship. I found myself wanting more and more and more of these two. But in the end it was the perfect amount of swoon and satisfied me.

Oh, and that little nugget at the end? SIGN ME UP!!!! NEED! WANT! NOW! Seriously, counting down the seconds, minutes, hours and months. AHHHHH, SO FREAKING EXCITED!!!!!!

Gaaahhh!!!!! I love Jolie and Sage. Their dynamic is so real and so true. I love their friendship and how Sage realizes that he's in love with her and needs to have her.

The extended epilogue was fantastic. I love Jolies craziness even after knowing Sage is completely devoted to her! It's awesome!

But let's talk about my #1 Shen man. Vicious I love him. I loved the extended epilogue for Vicious and i love how even after 18 years he and Em are still the same. And Vaughn, oh Vaughn I'm so looking forward to your story and the rest of the Hothole kids. It's going to be epic!!!!

I so enjoyed The End Zone!!!! Well written,well personages as Sage(playboy football player) & Jolie(the roommate,smart.....)where both knows from childhood ,they both will take you to a sexy,push & pull relation,they flirtation until come the real love,the offer,humor...and more to come into this novella,quick,short but wit potential from start to finish that you will be hook and will love the characters,the way they handle the story....As always author L.J. Shen did delivered and there is never disappointment when you read her work...So i can't wait to see the more more more of her ...

Love Leigh's work so this little novella which was a treat for the reader hit the right spot.

Loved Sage and Jo Jo story, their banter and sarcastic remarks to each other was great to read, the chemistry and that bond they had shared since childhood was very much in evidence all through this short story; I so enjoyed their shall we, won't we relationship. I have to give Sage 10/10 for sheer determination.
Great writing, short but addictive little story from this very talented author. Make sure you read right to the end of this book because Leigh gives us yet another treat in an exclusive epilogue of Vicious, Emilie and their son - hilarious and intriguing and I so can't wait to see where that story might take us. Vicious has always been my Fav and I realised just how much I had missed him, time for a re read maybe !!!