Vicious

Book Title: Vicious

Author: L.J. Shen

Description:

Emilia LeBlanc is a struggling artist, haunted by the name “Vicious”—the man who destroyed her childhood and made her run away. Now, a decade later in New York, Vicious—her former bully, best friend’s ex, and ever-powerful figure—reappears, determined to make her his again. As tension simmers between excruciating hate and burning attraction, Emilia must decide if her survival means resisting him—or surrendering to the dangerous pull he still holds over her. 

Tropes:

• Enemies-to-lovers: The fiery push-pull dynamic between Emilia and Vicious is the emotional engine of the story.  
• Bully-to-lover: Vicious is notorious for his cruelty—until his obsession with Emilia becomes all-consuming.  
• Rags-to-riches / Class conflict: Emilia comes from modest roots, while Vicious is wealthy, powerful, and used to getting his way.  
• Alpha, jealous, possessive hero: Vicious embodies the dark, domineering romantic anti-hero archetype.  

Spice rating:

High (4/5 — Explicit open-door). The romance is electric, compressed with steaming scenes, heavy sexual tension, and sharp chemistry. 

Subgenre:

Contemporary dark romance / New Adult. Expect intense, angst-driven romance with emotional and psychological twists, anchored by a toxic-but-compelling enemies-to-lovers arc.