I'm still processing this book, but can definitely say that it surpassed my expectations in a very good way.
After the introduction of the Ferrantes and Callahhans in "Handsome Devil" I wasn't exactly a fan of them. One needs to be in the right headspace while reading dark romance, that's happily now for me.
I won't lie, the first pages where brutal and described to detail.
After that being established, the introduction to the FMC Lila is impressive.
The book is written from both POVs (Lila & Tiernan) which always helps me to get better access to their thoughts and feelings. It made me closer to them.
Do I understand or even accept all their actions? No, but I still understand that's a story and they act accordingly to their beliefs, thoughts and feelings.
Did I feel everything in this book? Definitely, even when I sometimes even wished I couldn't. That's why I'm going to insist on everyone to read the content warning beforehand.
All that being said, I liked the chemistry, the banter the everything between Lila and Tiernan. They're grown into my Heart.
Won't let you miss to know about the spice. There's spice enough too. Not too much nor too less.
Oh, and there are some cameos of beloved characters years after reading about them. It's so good to know what they're doing now.
conclusion
Great story but with the awareness that it's darker than all of L.J. Sheets books with the exception of "Blood to Dust".
book description
He's Deathless.
She's trying to find a reason to live.
Lila
My innocence was ripped from me one fateful night under the starless sky.
Resulting in an unwanted teenage pregnancy and a secret the Camorra must bury.
My father decided to hand me off to the highest bidder.
The lucky winner? Tiernan Callaghan, psychopath extraordinaire.
The Irish mafia prince wants me for all the wrong reasons.
Alliance. Money. Prestige. War.
I am but a pawn in his twisted game.
The man who sits on a throne of his enemies' skulls thinks I'm a weakling.
Little does he know, in this chess game, the underdog wins.
Because the thing about bad bishops?
They protect good pawns.
Bad Bishop is a dark and twisted romance. Please read trigger warnings before reading.
Information
This is the first book in the Society of Villains series with references of a view of the most beloved villains of L. J. Shens books.
book 1: Bad Bishop
book 2: Twisted Pawn (coming 2026)
