Beautiful Graves

Written by L.J. Shen

Narrated by Cassandra Campbell

From USA Today bestselling author L.J. Shen comes a passion- and angst-charged story about a woman caught between a secure relationship and a once-in-a-lifetime spark with her muse.

They say first loves are oftentimes the end of one’s innocence.

Those words couldn’t ring truer for Everlynne Lawson, whose first brush with romance came with a heartbreak…and the thing that seems to follow her everywhere she goes. Death.

After a great tragedy, Everlynne loses all she cares about—her dreams, her family, and her soulmate, Joe.

Guilt-ridden, Everlynne decides to isolate herself in Salem, Massachusetts. A shell of the woman she once was, she takes her days one at a time, careful not to allow herself the joy she believes others in her life were robbed of. But when the mysterious, handsome Dominic storms into her life, it becomes more difficult to stay in solitude. Dominic is different: adventurous, joyous, with lust for life and a passion to make her his.

Everlynne is on the cusp of reinventing herself once again when the old wounds of her past are resurrected, rawer than ever. There is nothing worse than being in love with two men.

Especially when one of them hates you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Oct 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9781799790334

L.J. Shen

L.J. Shen is a USA Today, Washington Post, and Amazon number one bestselling author of contemporary, new adult, and YA romance titles. She likes to write about unapologetic alpha males and the women who bring them to their knees. Her books have been sold in twenty countries and have appeared on some of their bestseller lists. She lives in Florida with her husband, three sons, pets, and eccentric fashion choices and enjoys good wine, bad reality TV shows, and catching sunrays with her lazy cat.

Reviews for Beautiful Graves

[Jen Hole · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Listen. This book is heart wrenching and has twists and turns. My 3 star rating is because I couldn't stand Ever. She's whiny, self destructive, insecure. While it is well written and a good book, my personality doesn't agree with Ever. I would not like her in real life. She's too negative.

[Yolandi Kruger · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I was conflicted by this book. I loved Joe. I liked the story with him. I didn't like the Dom portion of the book. It was totally unnecessary and just brought the value of the story down.
I also thought that Dom, Joe/ Seph and Ever/Lynn had some serious issues. Might be worth their while to see someone. Lots and lots of issues to deal with and leave in the past.
Ever is an indecisive brat. Making strange decisions and then complaining for hours. So melodramatic! The story was abit long and dragging. All and all I think it was OK, but will not re-read.

[bitchqueenhsgirl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved it. I loved the characters and the writing, but I adored the plot. Another fantastic creation by L. J. Shen!

We meet our heroine - Everlynne, during a trip to Spain, where she meets a cute boy who steals her heart. However, this romance doesn't last long, and soon they are forced to break up. 6 years later, when she starts to move on with her new boyfriend, the ex comes back and tries to steal her away. Who is going to take her heart? The man who taught her how to live again, or the one that makes her feel alive?

The characters

I really like Ever. She was funny and brave in her own way, but the broken girl that lived inside her was just fascinating to follow. I was rooting for her to choose the right person so much.

The boys were amazing. To be fair I loved them both, maybe Dom just a little bit more (so you can understand why I was heartbroken when THAT thing happened) I really liked how alive he was making her, how he was motivating and inspiring her, and I knew she was a better person with him. I never felt the bad vibes from Dom, and I can't really hate him, even after knowing the truth, in the end. Joe, however, was just mysterious. I did like him a lot, but I think he was one big question mark, and I would have loved to read more about him. But his creative soul was beautiful, and its blossoming was powerful.

The writing was sucking you in, and the plot was stealing your complete attention. I loved it. And it made me cry. However, I needed something more - maybe more spice, more romance, or more dirtiness, and that's why I give it 4.25 stars.

But the book is totally worth it, and I strongly recommend it!