Truly Madly Deeply (26 in 2026 #22)

Author: L.J. Shen Title: Truly Madly Deeply Publisher: Bloom Books Date Published: 09/10/2024

Read Dates: 10/13/2026- 10/15/2026
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Truly Madly Deeply is a dual POV enemies-to-lovers(ish) second chance romance. Ambrose and Calla practically grew up together since she was best friends with his younger sister, Dylan. But when Dylan and Cal had a falling out after high school, Row cut her out, too. Four years later, they’re both back in their tiny small town: Row has become a renowned chef and Cal is struggling to find the courage to pursue her dream job and ends up getting a job at his restaurant. As cruel as he is at first, it isn’t long before she’s under his skin again, and Row decides to view their temporary return to each other’s orbit as a chance for a fling to get it all out of their system!

Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d come across an LJ Shen couple I liked more than Emilia and Vicious, but Cal and Row have edged them out! There are some similarities between both couples but Row wasn’t a childhood bully to Calla, instead he was quietly there when she needed him, content to play the long game and watch over her from afar. Cal was in some ways quirky and unapologetically herself, but was also dealing with the ramifications of some severe trauma. What I loved about them is that, even before Row knew the extent and root of her trauma, he was aware of it and protective of her to keep from triggering it. I also loved that he had a sense of self preservation, that he wasn’t willing to settle for scraps in the name of love.

This old flame just might set them on fire.

Conceited, unattainable, and downright delicious, renowned Michelin-starred chef Ambrose Casablancas has one passion in life—food.

Women are a distraction, and he doesn’t do those. Especially Cal Litvin, his baby sister’s best friend. Her entire existence is a complication; she’s awkward, eccentric, infuriating…

And, much to his chagrin, hotter than his kitchen.

Ambrose has a lot on his a new restaurant to open, a multimillion-dollar property deal to execute, and a violent stalker to tame.

Then Cal shows up at his doorstep, looking for both a job and salvation after their messy goodbye. His resolve, like his patience, is ebbing each day she works at his restaurant.

Because Cal is no longer a doe-eyed girl.

Now? She’s the woman he’ll do anything to conquer.

***

Quirky, compassionate ball of sunshine Calla Litvin can’t catch a break, and not just because she swore off running.

Back in her hometown to nurse her mother’s broken heart after losing her father, she finds herself jobless, hopeless, and penniless. She hopes to rekindle her friendship with her former BFF, but Dylan is attached at the hip to her cruel brother—the one Cal’s been secretly crushing on since middle school.

Falling for the bad boy the second time around would be a mistake of gargantuan proportions.

Too bad she’s always been clumsy.