From Mesmerizing Blurb to Disastrous Read: A Review of “The Kiss Thief” by L.J. Shen

The Kiss Thief by L.J. Shen

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 322

Format: eBook

My Rating: ⭐

I had high hopes for “The Kiss Thief” by L.J. Shen, but it fell short of expectations. I was mesmerized by the blurb since the very first moment I laid my eyes on it, but the spell broke the day I started reading the book. I know that many loved it, but everyone has different tastes in books after all, and I wish I could give this book zero stars because it was one of the worst books I’ve ever read. It was a waste of time and brain cells. It was full of clichés, stereotypes, and unrealistic scenarios. To be fair, it was well written, but it was poorly executed. 

The plot is ridiculous and unbelievable. It revolves around Francesca Rossi, a 19-year-old daughter of a powerful mafia boss who’s in love with her childhood crush Angelo Bandini. But one night Wolfe Keaton, a 30-year-old jerk senator, steals a kiss from her, turning her life upside down. Later, she finds herself engaged to Wolfe, who, in fact, wants to destroy her father’s empire.

Francesca hates Wolfe and resists marriage, but eventually falls in love with him after he kidnaps her, manipulates her, and abuses her. Wolfe also hates Francesca and uses her as a pawn in his revenge scheme, but gradually falls in love with her after he sees her kindness, innocence, and beauty. They face many obstacles, but they overcome them all and live happily ever after.

The characters are shallow and unlikable. Francesca is a spoiled, naive, and weak heroine who has no personality. She is supposed to be smart and compassionate, but she acts like a dumb and selfish brat who only cares about herself. She had no ambitions or goals other than marrying her childhood crush. She lets everyone walk all over her and make decisions for her. She is denied the freedom to choose her own career, education, and love. She is forced into an arranged marriage with a man who hates her and uses her as a tool for his revenge. She is subjected to verbal, physical, and sexual abuse by her husband, who treats her as his property and trophy. Eventually, she falls in love with Wolfe for no apparent reason and forgives him for everything he did to her without any remorse or consequences.

Wolfe is a cruel, arrogant, and rude man, with no redeeming qualities or morals. He is supposed to be cunning and ambitious, yet he acts like a petty and obsessive jerk who only cares about his revenge. He has no backstory or motivation other than his hatred for Francesca’s father. He treats Francesca like garbage and violates her rights and dignity. He lied to her, cheated on her, hurt her, and humiliated her. He fell in love with Francesca for no reason other than her innocence and beauty. 

The romance is toxic; there is no chemistry, no respect, and no consent between Francesca and Wolfe. They have nothing in common and no reason to be together. They don’t communicate, trust, or support each other. They don’t make each other happy; they only make each other miserable. They only have a twisted and abusive relationship.

The author tried to romanticize and justify their relationship by using tropes like enemies-to-lovers, forced marriage, and dark romance. But she failed to execute them well or give them any depth or nuance. She didn’t show any growth or development in their characters or their relationship. She didn’t give any reason or explanation for their attraction or their love. She only relied on clichés, stereotypes, and fantasies that were unrealistic and harmful. 

The Kiss Thief is a book that I wouldn't recommend to anyone; it’s a book that I regret reading and wasting my time on. It’s not a romance; it’s a disaster. So, if you’re looking for a cringe-worthy romantic novel with cheesy stereotypes about Italian Americans, featuring a naïve heroine who acts like a damsel in distress and a creepy senator who all of a sudden becomes the President of the United States, then this book is perfect for you.