L.J. Shen returns to the world of angst-driven, deeply intimate storytelling with Truly Madly Deeply, the first installment in the Forbidden Love series. This contemporary dark romance gives readers all the intensity of a forbidden love story with a Michelin-starred twist. Known for her emotionally volatile narratives (The Villain, Midnight Blue, The Kiss Thief), Shen once again proves that her ability to blend desire with dysfunction is unmatched. Set in the searing kitchen heat of culinary ambition and emotional baggage, this novel sizzles with palpable chemistry and an undercurrent of aching vulnerability.
The novel follows Ambrose Casablancas, a broody, razor-sharp, and emotionally walled-off chef, and Calla Litvin, the sunshine soul who never learned how to dim her light. Their story is a rollercoaster of withheld passion, childhood connection, and undeniable adult tension, navigating the unspoken rule of not falling for your sister’s best friend.
Plot Stirred with Passion and Peril
The narrative opens with Calla returning to her hometown after personal and professional upheaval. Back under the same skyline as Ambrose, she applies for a job at his prestigious restaurant. He’s reluctant. She’s desperate. And that, dear reader, is where the slow burn begins.
Ambrose, wrapped tightly in his ambitions and shadows, is the kind of protagonist who pushes everyone away—especially those who threaten to matter. Calla is chaotic, clumsy, and unapologetically emotional. Their past is littered with awkward moments and unresolved tension, and now, years later, they are forced into daily proximity, stirring feelings long suppressed. Shen laces this tension with a razor’s edge—balancing wit with grief, anger with yearning.
What makes the plot work is its refusal to shy away from mess. Their interactions aren’t smooth—they’re frustrating, funny, emotionally charged, and wonderfully real. Layered over the romantic conflict is a subplot involving Ambrose’s stalker, adding a sharp edge of danger to the emotional turmoil.
Key Plot Highlights
- Enemies-to-lovers dynamic rooted in a shared history.
- Grumpy x sunshine trope executed with emotional intelligence.
- Slow-burn romance with heart-pounding payoff.
- A suspense thread that escalates the stakes beyond romance.
- Culinary metaphors that enrich the storytelling—food becomes both a weapon and a love language.
Character Study: Flaws, Fire, and Growth
Ambrose Casablancas
Ambrose is the archetypal grump, but Shen avoids flattening him into cliché. He’s not merely rude or distant—he’s exhausted by the weight of responsibility, personal trauma, and the fear of vulnerability. A celebrated chef, he finds structure in control, especially in the kitchen. His journey is about learning that love is not chaos, it’s courage.
Yet his protective instinct, especially towards his sister Dylan, is commendable. He sees himself as the anchor of those around him but has yet to realize he’s also allowed to drift, to hope, and to want. Watching him battle and eventually surrender to his feelings for Calla is as painful as it is cathartic.
Calla Litvin
Calla is everything Ambrose isn’t: emotionally expressive, joyfully chaotic, and unfiltered in her affections. She’s struggling—with grief, with purpose, with self-worth. Her sunshine disposition is not a mask but a weapon forged from survival. Shen crafts her with care, showing her evolution from awkward childhood crush to a woman learning to advocate for herself.
Their contrast doesn’t feel gimmicky. It feels essential. In loving Calla, Ambrose learns to breathe. In loving Ambrose, Calla learns to believe.
Supporting Cast
- Dylan Casablancas, Ambrose’s sister and Calla’s former best friend, is a quiet anchor of loyalty and emotional grounding.
- Nikolai (Nick) and Aunt Rosa add layers of familial tension and warmth.
- The stalker subplot introduces a lurking darkness that tests boundaries of trust and safety.
Themes: Burnt Edges and Tender Centers
Shen’s narrative isn’t just about romance. It’s about how we love—and what loving someone truly costs us.
Forbidden Love and Emotional Boundaries
The novel dives into the repercussions of wanting what you shouldn’t. Ambrose’s loyalty to his sister and self-imposed rules become barriers. But Shen challenges the notion that forbidden equals wrong—what matters more is intention, honesty, and growth.
Control vs. Chaos
Ambrose’s need for control—over his kitchen, his emotions, and his relationships—contrasts with Calla’s organic, free-flowing approach to life. Their love story is a battle of balance.
Healing from Grief and Shame
Both protagonists are haunted by losses and past choices. Shen handles this with surprising tenderness, offering no quick fixes. Healing comes slowly—through conversations, setbacks, and finally, vulnerability.
L.J. Shen’s Signature Style: Angsty, Artful, Addictive
L.J. Shen doesn’t write romances for the faint of heart. Her prose is poetic without losing its bite. In Truly Madly Deeply, her style leans toward sensory intensity—textures, smells, sounds—especially in kitchen scenes that pulse with more than just culinary energy.
Her dialogue crackles. Every confrontation between Ambrose and Calla is layered with subtext, sexual tension, and emotional stakes. There are monologues that burn slowly and one-liners that cut deep.
She also continues her tradition of showcasing imperfect characters—those who love messily, speak harshly, and yet earn the reader’s empathy. Her ability to romanticize flawed people without glamorizing toxicity is a standout skill.
Notable Writing Strengths
- Strong emotional beats that don’t over-explain but make readers feel everything.
- Rich scene-setting, especially in culinary environments.
- Authentic internal monologue, particularly Ambrose’s conflicted thoughts.
- Clever use of motifs, like food and fire, to explore emotional landscapes.
Critique: Where the Recipe Falters
Even a Michelin-starred meal can have a misstep or two.
Pacing in the First Third
The first third of the book drags slightly. The tension between Ambrose and Calla is palpable, but the narrative meanders around their dynamic before snapping into focus.
Predictability in Tropes
Some readers familiar with Shen’s oeuvre—or the contemporary romance genre at large—may find the enemies-to-lovers arc and “forbidden crush on sibling’s friend” setup predictable. However, it’s Shen’s execution, not originality, that keeps things compelling.
Stalker Subplot Resolution
While the subplot adds thrilling stakes, the resolution feels a touch rushed compared to the deeply developed romance. A bit more time and tension could have elevated the suspense arc.
The Forbidden Love Series: What Comes Next?
Truly Madly Deeply is the foundation of what promises to be a high-stakes, emotionally layered trilogy.
Book 2: Wildest Dreams (2025)
Slated for release in early 2025, this sequel reportedly follows a new couple while maintaining ties to Ambrose and Calla’s world. Shen has hinted at darker themes and emotional betrayal—hallmarks of her most intense work.
Book 3: Handsome Devil
Not much has been revealed about this final installment, but fans speculate it may revolve around a morally gray character introduced in Wildest Dreams. Expect emotional carnage wrapped in velvet prose.
Readers Also Enjoyed…
If Truly Madly Deeply is your flavor, here are a few other books that might whet your romantic appetite:
- Twisted Love by Ana Huang – for the brother’s best friend trope with angsty fire.
- Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan – for emotionally damaged leads and healing arcs.
- The Fine Print by Lauren Asher – for billionaire broods and sunshine charmers.
- Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover – for tender intensity and family complications.
- Shen’s own Midnight Blue and The Villain – similarly charged with forbidden, emotional love.
Final Verdict: A Romance That Cuts and Heals
Truly Madly Deeply is a gorgeously messy exploration of love that dares to bloom in impossible soil. With richly drawn characters, emotionally taut prose, and an arc that simmers before it boils, L.J. Shen delivers a romance that is just as much about becoming as it is about belonging.
The novel’s flaws—its slightly uneven pacing and familiar trope setup—are forgivable within the lushness of its execution. Shen’s fans will devour this book, and newcomers will be tempted to fall deeply into her literary world.
