Truly, Madly, Deeply by L.J. Shen – Audiobook Review 🎧

Synopsis

Cal is a rule-follower with a plan for everything. She plays it safe, sticks to lists, and avoids messy feelings. Enter Jesse, her best friend’s rebellious brother with tattoos, secrets, and a no-care-in-the-world attitude. When Cal gets caught in the pull of Jesse’s orbit, everything she thought she wanted starts to shift. But falling for your best friend’s brother? That’s a disaster waiting to happen. Still, some messes are worth making.

My Thoughts

Okay, this book? I loved it. Five stars, no hesitation. This had all the things I crave in a romance… grump/sunshine dynamic, forbidden tension, banter that made me smirk out loud, and emotional moments that hit hard.

Jesse is that delicious brand of broody with a hidden soft side. Cal is sunshine with a stubborn streak. Watching them fall for each other was like watching fireworks slowly build toward the biggest, most explosive finale. The angst was so good, like “I was one dramatic gasp away from launching my phone” good. And that tension? Chef’s kiss.

There’s one chapter (35) that completely gutted me. But somehow the rest of the book gently put me back together. It’s that kind of emotional rollercoaster that hurts in the best way. The chemistry between Cal and Jesse is intense but so full of heart. Their love felt earned.

If you love characters who battle their feelings, who try (and fail) to stay away from each other, and who come out stronger in the end, this one will hit you right in the feels. It’s L.J. Shen at her angsty best.

The Vibes It Brings:

💔 Forbidden love
🌞 Sunshine girl meets tattooed grump
🔥 Slow burn with serious heat
💬 Sharp banter and tension you can feel
📖 Emotional gut-punch moments
💘 Best friend’s brother romance
🎢 Feels like a rollercoaster in book form

Narration

Lila Winters and Teddy Hamilton were perfect for this. Lila nails Cal’s mix of sweetness and sass, while Teddy brings that deep, gravelly, emotional edge Jesse needed. Their voices were distinct, their delivery had emotion without going over the top, and they really made the characters feel real. If you’re on the fence about audiobook versus ebook, go with the audio. This duo makes the story even more addictive.

Final Thoughts

Truly, Madly, Deeply isn’t just a love story, it’s a full-body experience. It had me laughing, swooning, and nearly crying into my pillow. It’s messy in the best way, raw in just the right moments, and so satisfying by the end. I’ll be thinking about these characters for a long time. If you’re in the mood for a steamy, emotional, forbidden romance with characters who steal your heart and run off with it, you need this one on your TBR.

Buy it now 💗

Libro.FM: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781666670066-truly-madly-deeply
Chirp Books: https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks/truly-madly-deeply-by-l-j-shen
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GIxnFE