Pretty Reckless (All Saints High, #1)

by L.J. Shen
Pretty Reckless (All Saints High, #1)
From USA Today and Washington Post bestselling author L.J. Shen comes an intense, high school enemies-to-lovers romance with a twist. Penn They say revenge is a dish best served cold. I’d had four years to stew on what Daria Followhill did to me, and now my heart was completely iced. I took her first kiss. She took the only thing I loved. I was poor. She was rich. The good thing about circumstances? They can change. Fast. Now, I’m her parents’ latest shiny project. Her housemate. Her tormentor. The captain of the rival football team she hates so much. Yeah, baby girl, say it—I’m your foster brother. There’s a price to pay for ruining the only good thing in my life, and she’s about to shell out some serious tears. Daria Followhill thinks she is THE queen. I’m about to prove to her that she’s nothing but a spoiled princess. Daria Everyone loves a good old unapologetic punk. But being a bitch? Oh, you get slammed for every snarky comment, cynical eye roll, and foot you put in your adversaries’ way. The thing about stiletto heels is that they make a hell of a dent when you walk all over the people who try to hurt you. In Penn Scully’s case, I pierced his heart until he bled out, then left it in a trash can on a bright summer day. Four years ago, he asked me to save all my firsts for him. Now he lives across the hall, and I want nothing more than to be his last everything. His parting words when he gave me his heart were that nothing in this world is free. Now? Now he is making me pay.

Pretty Reckless (All Saints High, #1) Details

TitlePretty Reckless (All Saints High, #1)
Author
LanguageEnglish
ReleaseApr 21st, 2019
PublisherL.J. Shen
ISBN-139781095447413
Rating
GenreRomance, New Adult, Young Adult, High School, Contemporary Romance

Pretty Reckless (All Saints High, #1) Review

  • Lana ❇✾Dirty Girl Romance❇✾
    January 1, 1970
    5 STARS He gave me the rarest thing in the world, and I gave him heartache." Oh the angst! The angst of it all!!!Welcome to your new addiction, angst addicts. Because this new series? It's about to reach into your very soul and tear out all of the feels!Pretty Reckless took high school rivals, added a splash of enemies to lovers, wrapped around heart-wrenching angst, and delivered one finger-licking utterly addicting page-turner! If NA angst is your crack of choice, then Shen is about to becom 5 STARS He gave me the rarest thing in the world, and I gave him heartache." Oh the angst! The angst of it all!!!Welcome to your new addiction, angst addicts. Because this new series? It's about to reach into your very soul and tear out all of the feels!Pretty Reckless took high school rivals, added a splash of enemies to lovers, wrapped around heart-wrenching angst, and delivered one finger-licking utterly addicting page-turner! If NA angst is your crack of choice, then Shen is about to become your favorite dealer.I don't have enough praise for this book and everything that I experienced along with it. This is the stuff that my NA romance dreams are made of. Delicious angst, multilayered characters, plenty of plot twists, and an unputdownable story.If you've read Shen's Sinners of Saint series, then you'll be familiar with the Followhill from Defy. Daria is the daughter of Melody and Jaime. And if you recall their forbidden union, then you already know that their daughter will have one big chip on her shoulder as she attends the same high school as her parents had their notorious relationship at.Daria is easily one of my favorite heroines of LJ Shen to date. I love a female that can own the fact that she's a queen B. But she's also not the stereotypical do-gooder. This is a girl with a huge chip on her shoulder and she can be downright vicious to those that cross her path. She's completely unapologetic about it, though being in her head, you see the glimpses of the vulnerability that causes her to lash out the way she does. Poor little rich girl.As for Penn. Sweet mother of ovaries! I turned cougar for this man and I have no regrets. The turbulent enemies to lovers relationship that happens between these two kept me absolutely riveted to the pages. Daria may give as good as she gets, but Penn doesn't pull any punches with her either. They are pure fire together.I devoured and I mean straight up DEVOURED this book and was left desperate for more. Shen is a master of her craft and just keeps getting better and better with each new book. I'm already frothing at the mouth for more ASH!beta readFind me on:
    more
  • Bookgasms Book Blog
    January 1, 1970
    L.J. Shen has once again delivered a powerful and emotional story that has left me obsessed and begging for more!! Her All Saints High series opens with a bang in Pretty Reckless where we see Queen B, Daria Followhill meet her match in Penn Scully, her opposite in every way.  But this Queen did not expect her gamechanger to ultimately become the landmine at her feet systematically blowing up her entire world.Gah!! This story was just outstanding. Penn and Daria have a shared past and secret from L.J. Shen has once again delivered a powerful and emotional story that has left me obsessed and begging for more!! Her All Saints High series opens with a bang in Pretty Reckless where we see Queen B, Daria Followhill meet her match in Penn Scully, her opposite in every way.  But this Queen did not expect her gamechanger to ultimately become the landmine at her feet systematically blowing up her entire world.Gah!! This story was just outstanding. Penn and Daria have a shared past and secret from years earlier. In an act of kindness, Penn irrevocably changes Daria showing her that there is still goodness in people. She repays him in an act of betrayal and selfishness that has lasting effects into the present. Now that misfit boy is back and has grown into a vengeful man who is out for the prissy princess' blood. OMG!!!! I loved this story so much. Shen gloriously paints a picture of Daria as the young woman who has the world at her shiny, polished fingertips but hides her broken, bleeding and dark parts under a facade. But Penn sees past her cutting barbs and superficial and perfect exterior to the wounded and defensive woman beneath. I loved how we are given a picture of two people who are so different but who see each other for what they really are inside, flaws and all.My obsession with this story knows no bounds!! It is EVERYTHING: the DELICIOUS cover, the FIERY sexual tension and the SPIRITED enemies to lovers banter - this is where Shen shines! Pretty Reckless is nothing short of phenomenal with the kind of fantastic writing this author is known for. It is an exciting rollercoaster ride from the beginning culminating in a deeply emotional and explosive ending. Every word is a shining example of Shen's profound writing ability. After every new creative masterpiece she delivers, it really feels like L.J. Shen was born to write. I am left more and more in awe of her God-given talent and fall deeply in love with her characters each time!! Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula 
    more
  • Sarah - Musings of the Modern Belle
    January 1, 1970
    - - AVAILABLE NOW- FULL REVIEW - - Wow....just wow! LJ Shen delivers with the second generation of sinners! Get ready. - - - 5 Hideous Monster CROWNSLEIGH SHEN certainly kicks of the second generation of the Sinners of Saints with a bang. The angst and twists and turns are many, the characters are mostly rotten and devious, and yet I was consumed by the whole world and each deviant tothole . These characters aren’t your standard YA girls and boys. Would you expect them to when they are the produ - - AVAILABLE NOW- FULL REVIEW - - Wow....just wow! LJ Shen delivers with the second generation of sinners! Get ready. - - - 5 Hideous Monster CROWNSLEIGH SHEN certainly kicks of the second generation of the Sinners of Saints with a bang. The angst and twists and turns are many, the characters are mostly rotten and devious, and yet I was consumed by the whole world and each deviant tothole . These characters aren’t your standard YA girls and boys. Would you expect them to when they are the product of the Sinners of Saint? They are entitled and privileged, and on some level ethically decaying, but none more so than Daria Followhill. What is interesting about Daria, though, is that Shen really digs into her character and is able to make her character sympathetic. My heart ached for her this spoiled princess, because I truly felt like understand her plights and her desire to be more but stuck where she was. I also found Daria’s character to be incredible authentic with her insecurities. Shen successfully takes this complex, three dimensional character and makes her someone we root for and hope for her to get her HEA. Penn is another complex character with loyalties torn between family and love. Nothing is easy for him, and in a world of secrets, some being his own, he makes mistakes that can’t always be taken back. Again, what makes those moments understandable is the he is young and reacts emotionally, he has a sense of loyalty, which is admirable, and he is trying to deal with the new emotions hitting his heart. Once he finally comes to his senses, the doggedness with which he pursues Daria is exactly what she is worth, and I love that these two broken people find themselves individually and as a couple. You think you know what Pretty Reckless is going to be about but you don’t. I never expected Daria and Penn to be so complex. I never expected the twists and turns that seem to come out of nowhere until you realize all the breadcrumbs she leaves for readers along the way. She also hits on highlights a severe issue plaguing high school students right now - the idea of perfection presented to the outside while dying internally. Pretty Reckless also exemplifies that everyone has secrets and parts of themselves they want to hide, but in this commonality, they can find solace and understanding. . More than anything, though, I love the topic of family that is addressed throughout the story. In fact, the story is not just one about Daria alone but of the Followhills. This family exemplifies that in the darkest of times families stick together, they forgive, and even if they don’t forget, they take the steps to mend what has been broken. Because familial love should be unconditional, even if you don’t like the way they behave. The romance of Penn and Daria, the evolution of the heroine, and the issues tackled in Pretty Reckless makes Shen’s newest foray into the YA genre an absolute must read and the perfect way to start out 2019! One thing is for sure, I can’t wait for more totholes. Beta read
    more
  • Tijuana *Book Twins Reviews*
    January 1, 1970
    #OneClick NOW - It’s Live!Amazon US: bit.ly/DariaPRUSAmazon UK: bit.ly/DariaPRUKAmazon CA: bit.ly/DariaPRCAAmazon AU: bit.ly/DariaPRAUA Top Read of 2019. These characters are the most complicated, entertaining, and unique characters I’ve ever read. Flat out AMAZING! Another EPIC read from one of my favorite authors!! This book is pure fucking kindle crack. The angst! The drama!! Prepare my lovelies! The second generation of Sinners will blow you away!Daria Followhill is my favorite L.J. Shen her #OneClick NOW - It’s Live!Amazon US: bit.ly/DariaPRUSAmazon UK: bit.ly/DariaPRUKAmazon CA: bit.ly/DariaPRCAAmazon AU: bit.ly/DariaPRAUA Top Read of 2019. These characters are the most complicated, entertaining, and unique characters I’ve ever read. Flat out AMAZING! Another EPIC read from one of my favorite authors!! This book is pure fucking kindle crack. The angst! The drama!! Prepare my lovelies! The second generation of Sinners will blow you away!Daria Followhill is my favorite L.J. Shen heroine. I’ve never felt this way, EVER, about a heroine in a book. She’s so complex, layered, and ultimately...misunderstood. My heart broke for her. Don’t get it twisted though, she is the ultimate Queen B and I loved that part of her personality just as much. What really works here, is the fact that the characters are so real. I was completely engrossed in their lives and struggles. Penn Scully is BAE! It takes a special guy to live the life he leads and come out on top. He’s resilient, resourceful, and street smart. I adore him immensely. His background and how he handles the situations he finds himself in were more than impressive. He is the quintessential YA hero. A brilliantly written character who jumps off the page. Overall, this book is one of the best I’ve read in this genre. It has everything YA angst junkies are looking for. Prepare you hearts and minds because the Totholes are coming for both. FLOVED****BETA READ****
    more
  • Vanessa When Vane Reads
    January 1, 1970
    This is without a doubt the best story of 2019 !!!I'm hyperventilating. I'm laughing and crying. I just finished reading my most anticipated reading of all time. And the wait was totally worth it. Mrs. Shen slays again. She caught me with her flawless prose that left me with an EPIC BOOK HANGOVER. Two days in Zombieland because I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN for a single second and immediately after finishing it, I wanted to read it again and again and again.OMG !! I loved the story so much. It is inte This is without a doubt the best story of 2019 !!!I'm hyperventilating. I'm laughing and crying. I just finished reading my most anticipated reading of all time. And the wait was totally worth it. Mrs. Shen slays again. She caught me with her flawless prose that left me with an EPIC BOOK HANGOVER. Two days in Zombieland because I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN for a single second and immediately after finishing it, I wanted to read it again and again and again.OMG !! I loved the story so much. It is intense, emotional and the anguish could be felt in spades, that sensation that shakes your body, that clouds your sight and suffocates you until you feel breathless.The plot brings us to Daria and Penn. Daria finds her match in Penn, who is her opposite in everything and her rival. An act irrevocably changes the future of both, and after 4 years without seeing each other, fate brings them back together and leads them to live together, however Penn only wants revenge and ruin Daria. But as time goes by, he sees beyond the queen bee, miss popular and cheerleader she uses as a way to hide insecurities, fear, vulnerability and pain, Penn sistematically undermines the facade that Daria built and turns her world upside down.How I loved Daria!!! She is without a doubt my favorite heroine of L.J. till the date. She behind all layers of designer clothes and makeup is a brave, loyal girl who fiercely defends her friends, who loves passionately and immensely.Both characters are so complex, so unique, so real that I want to be friends with them, live in their world and laugh with them. THIS COUPLE IS EVERYTHING, I loved the way they love each other so intensely and despite their differences fit so perfectly. I really enjoyed their chemistry and banter. NO ONE WRITES BANTER AS L.J. SHEN.But it's not just Penn and Daria, it's a story about friendship and family, about how family and friends always support and stand up for each other no matter what mistakes they make, it's about loyalty, love and forgiveness.THIS STORY OBSESSED ME, CONSUMED AND POSSESSED, A MASTERPIECE THAT I CAN NOT GET ENOUGH OF, it's delicious, epic, addictive and mind-blowing. With her characteristic style of writing, the author proves again and again that she is the best at what she does and that her talent has no limits. This story is a rollercoaster of emotions that I want to experience again and again and again. I'm completely ruined again and I'm not sure I can recover this time.Highly recommended!!!¡¡Esta es sin lugar a dudas el mejor romance del 2019!!!Estoy hiperventilando. Estoy riendo y llorando. Acabo de terminar de leer mi más anticipada lectura de todos los tiempos. Gahhh. Y la espera valió totalmente la pena. La señora Shen lo hizo de nuevo. Me atrapó con su narrativa perfecta que me dejó con una épica resaca literaria. Dos dias en Zombieland porque no pude ponerla abajo un solo segundo y inmediatamente después de terminarla, quería leerla de nuevo.OMG!! Amé tanto la historia. Es intensa, emocional y la angustia se podía sentir a montones, esa sensación que te sacude el cuerpo, que te nubla la vista y te sofoca hasta dejarte sin respiración.La trama nos trae a Daria y Penn. Daria encuentra su pareja en Penn, que es su opuesto en todo y rival. Un acto cambia irrevocablemente el futuro de ambos, y después de 4 años sin verse, el destino los vuelve a juntar y los lleva a vivir juntos, pero Penn sólo quiere venganza y arruinar a Daria. Pero conforme pasa el tiempo él ve más allá de la abeja reina, señorita popular y animadora que ella usa como fachada para ocultar inseguridades, miedo, vulnerabilidad y dolor, Penn sistemáticamente socava la fachada que Daria construyó y vuelve su mundo al revés.Como amé a Daria. Nuestra heroína es sin duda alguna mi favorita de L.J. hasta la fecha. Ella detrás de todas las capas de ropa de diseñador y maquillaje es una chica valiente, leal que defiende fieramente a sus amigos, que ama apasionada e inmensamente. Ambos personajes son tan complejos, tan únicos, tan reales que quiero ser amiga de ellos, vivir en su mundo y reír con ellos. Esta pareja es todo, amé la forma en que se aman tan intensamente y a pesar de sus diferencias encajan tan perfectamente. Disfruté muchísimo su química y juego de palabras. Nadie lo escribe como L.J. Shen. Pero no solo se trata de Penn y Daria, es una historia acerca de amistad y familia, acerca de como la familia y los amigos siempre apoyan unos a otros, no importa los errores que cometan, es acerca de lealtad, amor y perdón.Esta historia me dejó obsesionada, me consumió y poseyó, una obra maestra de la que no puedo conseguir suficiente, es deliciosa, épica, emocional, intensa. Con su estilo característico de escritura la autora prueba una y otra vez que es la mejor en lo que hace y que su talento no conoce límites. Esta historia es una montaña rusa de emociones que quiero experimentar una y otra y otra vez. Estoy completamente arruinada de nuevo y no estoy segura que me pueda recuperar esta vez.Una altamente recomendada
    more
  • SueBee★bring me an alpha!★
    January 1, 1970
    LOVED IT! 4.5 STARS! REVIEW TO BE POSTED ASAP!Stand-aloneLIVE! | AMZ US | AMZ UK |Books in All Saints High series are stand-alones:Book 1: Pretty Reckless - Daria’s storyBook 2: Angry God - Vaughn’s storyBook 3: Broken Knight - Knight’s story
  • KAT ♕ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books ♕
    January 1, 1970
    "He gave me the rarest thing in the world, and I gave him heartache." MY REVIEW AND OTHERS: can also be found on my blog: ➽ KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS 'PRETTY RECKLESS' is the first book in L.J. Shen's 'All Saints High' series. This is Daria Followhill's & Penn Scully's story. 🙌Get ready for a high octane read of Angst 🙌Unquestionably a unique, unputdownable utterly fantastic read!! This book right here was one of my most highly anticipated, sought after, stalked its ass off, give "He gave me the rarest thing in the world, and I gave him heartache." MY REVIEW AND OTHERS: can also be found on my blog: ➽ KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS 'PRETTY RECKLESS' is the first book in L.J. Shen's 'All Saints High' series. This is Daria Followhill's & Penn Scully's story. 🙌Get ready for a high octane read of Angst 🙌Unquestionably a unique, unputdownable utterly fantastic read!! This book right here was one of my most highly anticipated, sought after, stalked its ass off, give it to me books. I would’ve given away a limb just to get my hands on it..Glad to inform, I am all intact.I knew by just looking at that drool worthy cover that we’d be getting epic, and epic we did get. This book, god this book ticked all the boxes..If like me angst filled books is your kryptonite then look no further than this, it comes at you full force. We're just two teenagers who never stood a chance to be friends in this world, so we became what was expected of us..Enemies. A jealous fit of hulk rage at the age of fourteen had a domino effect and was the catalyst of teenage revenge which brewed away in the background for four years. Until a little black book and it’s sins was revealed. Daria Farrowhill had it all, it wasn't until it was nearly all ripped out from under her feet when she realised how good she really had it. Skull Eyes & Tin Man (you’ll realise the significance when you jump into this) fast became my favourite character couples. Even though she was the plastic princess and he was the boy from the wrong side of the tracks, these two were perfect for each other. He was the light to her dark, she was the door to his heart. Highly recommend this!! Easy five stars given!!      
    more
  • Lisa (Two Bookish Brits)
    January 1, 1970
    Here we go, the time is here, kicking off with this first book in the All Saints High series from LJ Shen. The second generation of the Sinners of Saint and what a fucking beautiful first book it is. It’s packed with so much teen angst and filled with twists and turns that are so unexpected you’re left wondering what the hell happened. It’s takes over, completely consumes you until you’re left with no other thoughts except this book and the characters inside and you won’t regret a single damn se Here we go, the time is here, kicking off with this first book in the All Saints High series from LJ Shen. The second generation of the Sinners of Saint and what a fucking beautiful first book it is. It’s packed with so much teen angst and filled with twists and turns that are so unexpected you’re left wondering what the hell happened. It’s takes over, completely consumes you until you’re left with no other thoughts except this book and the characters inside and you won’t regret a single damn second of letting it do so. Daria and Penn are so...wow, so different and filled with so much hate, it’s crazy, insane and it WORKS.Daria Followhill, she’s rich, entitled and has everything she could possibly want. But even the most rich and Privileged kids aren’t happy deep inside and LJ Shen really dives into that with her leading female. Daria is different, she’s not your typical rich kid, she suffering deep inside with insecurities that take over her. She’s real and fake mixed together and those struggles she endures and survives are one of the many things that’ll have you loving this beautiful girl. Penn Scully, The complete opposite to the rich girl. He’s from the poorer part of town. Fighting his way through the tough life he’s been given. He’s a closed off, angry boy with a broken heart. He doesn’t love many but the few that he does he loves fiercely and whole heartedly. He’s an asshole at times and takes what doesn’t belong to him, he acts out when angry and does things he can’t take back, things that have consequences. LJ Shen really does deliver with Penn, he’s not like most leading male characters he’s so different and you just can’t help but love him. The relationship between Daria and Penn is something you wouldn’t expect. You don’t expect to see the things that happen, the impact they have or the repercussions. I just want to put this in here, Seeing Jaime and Melody as parents was also unexpected. I never expected Melody to be the way she was and Jaime, I love that man so damn much. He’s an amazing father and I absolutely love the family aspect of this book what it covers and all the feelings involved. Just when you think you know what’s going to happen in Pretty Reckless LJ Shen proves you wrong and shows you just how incredible of a writer she is. You expect one thing and the opposite happens and it just blows your mind at how amazing she truly is. Her talent has no limits, everything she writes blows you away EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. Pretty Reckless is angsty, consuming and mind blowing. It’s a rollercoaster filled with so many emotions and one that you won’t want to get off. One of the most incredible reads of 2019 by far!
    more
  • Harloe Rae
    January 1, 1970
    I read romance novels for a variety of reasons. On the top of that list is to escape from reality for a bit, get swept away in another world and forget everything else. Pretty Reckless by LJ Shen is the most incredible vacation I’ve ever been on. There are novels I read and love and cherish. But every so often I find a story that hits me so hard I’m irrevocably changed. Pretty Reckless is the latter. I’m certain, even months down the road when the typical grind returns, that I’ll still be obsess I read romance novels for a variety of reasons. On the top of that list is to escape from reality for a bit, get swept away in another world and forget everything else. Pretty Reckless by LJ Shen is the most incredible vacation I’ve ever been on. There are novels I read and love and cherish. But every so often I find a story that hits me so hard I’m irrevocably changed. Pretty Reckless is the latter. I’m certain, even months down the road when the typical grind returns, that I’ll still be obsessing over this book.It took me days to process the kaleidoscope of emotions this book brought forth. I was laughing over the teenage snark, envious of the poetic prose I could never pull off in my wildest dreams, crying over the injustice while my heart was shattering, gasping through the angst I feel in my bones, and wrapping myself in the love that was so damn hard to earn. My words are inadequate to describe how freaking epic Pretty Reckless is. I’m broken and destroyed for all else. The talent this author possess has once again soared to another level. LJ Shen takes us up to the stars with Pretty Reckless and I never want to come down. Whether you read 500 books a year or only get through a few, make sure Pretty Reckless is one of them. This is an unforgettable ride you don’t want to miss!
    more
  • Amo Jones
    January 1, 1970
    Pretty Reckless. This book rendered me speechless. I think I broke the highlight option on my kindle because Leigh had woven a web of perfect, beautiful words. I am still thinking about this book days after I finished it. I’ve read all of Leigh’s books, and I don’t know how she does it, but every single one gets better and better. Which is ridiculous because she started out **** better to begin with. Her writing is insane, the pace to her perfectly executed plot was a work of art, and yup you gu Pretty Reckless. This book rendered me speechless. I think I broke the highlight option on my kindle because Leigh had woven a web of perfect, beautiful words. I am still thinking about this book days after I finished it. I’ve read all of Leigh’s books, and I don’t know how she does it, but every single one gets better and better. Which is ridiculous because she started out **** better to begin with. Her writing is insane, the pace to her perfectly executed plot was a work of art, and yup you guessed it…. She’s made me want to sit in the corner of my room and second guess my writing life. Pretty Reckless wasn’t just everything I expected. It was so, so, much more. ONE CLICK when it goes live. You will not be disappointed. If you love high school romances and angst filled stories – one click! This is Leigh’s world and we’re all just existing in it.
    more
  • chandler ainsley ♕
    January 1, 1970
    oh fuck. this suck.this one of my most anticipated reads of 2019. to say i was hyped for a spin off of Sinners of Saint would be a massive understatement. i love me a depraved bully romance.but i think i should have known after reading LJ's last two standalones that maybe her shit just wouldn't be for me anymore. because this was formulaic as hell.what you can expect usually is - some sort of enemies to lovers situation- girl falls first, gets betrayed by the dude- and then the dude grovels and oh fuck. this suck.this one of my most anticipated reads of 2019. to say i was hyped for a spin off of Sinners of Saint would be a massive understatement. i love me a depraved bully romance.but i think i should have known after reading LJ's last two standalones that maybe her shit just wouldn't be for me anymore. because this was formulaic as hell.what you can expect usually is - some sort of enemies to lovers situation- girl falls first, gets betrayed by the dude- and then the dude grovels and gets her backbut it seems like every book she's writing lately tries to do the extra mile into depravity. and like, i'm here for fucked up stories, truly. but you can't make me suspend my disbelief, hate the male character, have unconvincing side relationships AND shitty plot twists and still expect me to be having fun. cause i ain't having fun anymore. compared to Vicious and most of the other books in the Sinners of Saint series this is a convoluted mess.the main characters have history based on a really big fucked betrayal. a little unbelievable but whatever. but then we have - horrid mother daughter relationship hinging on the female main character not getting paid attention to- student teacher pseudo relationship- black book of sins- potential other woman/baby scenario- bitchy mean girlshonestly i can't put into words have convoluted and stupid the plot was. and i didn't love either main character. i'll be trying to read the subsequent books in the series, especially Vaughn's but so far. not impressed. do not recommend.------------------------------god give me strength to keep thine panties upon my person because this cover is HOT
    more
  • Christy
    January 1, 1970
    4 stars This was so much more than first love. It was first hate, too. LJ Shen is the master of writing enemies to lovers/bully romances. I knew exactly what I was getting into when I picked up Pretty Reckless. It was intense, angsty, and an all consuming read. This book is the first in Shen’s newest series, All Saints High. I’ve been eagerly awaiting these books ever since I realized that these were the kids of the original HotHoles in her Sinners of Saint series, which I loved. This book is 4 stars This was so much more than first love. It was first hate, too. 
LJ Shen is the master of writing enemies to lovers/bully romances. I knew exactly what I was getting into when I picked up Pretty Reckless. It was intense, angsty, and an all consuming read. This book is the first in Shen’s newest series, All Saints High. I’ve been eagerly awaiting these books ever since I realized that these were the kids of the original HotHoles in her Sinners of Saint series, which I loved. This book is about Daria Followhill, the daughter of Jaime and Melody (the couple from Defy).Daria meets a boy when she’s fourteen named Penn Scully. She and Penn have a moment, but something happens that changes everything. Now, fast forward several years later and they have a rivalry. Not only that, but Daria’s parents take Penn in, and they’re living together. It’s a hot mess but I loved it. 

Daria appears to be your typical rich mean girl, and in many ways that’s exactly what she is. But there is also more to her than that. Penn seems to be your typical kid from the wrong side of the tracks, but there is also more to him. These two have so much freaking chemistry. And you know what they say about the line between love and hate…Things between them are so intense. Just as things start to heat up and get really good, someone else comes into the picture and everything changes. I was so stressed out while reading this book. SO stressed. The characters, sometimes I loved them and sometimes I hated them, but I felt for them. I ended up loving both Penn and Daria by the end. One of the only things I didn’t love about it was the Principal story line. I didn’t feel like it was necessary to the story and I didn’t like it. Other than that, I really enjoyed this one! If you’re a lover of enemies to lovers, you need this book in your life! Pick it up for all the angst you could ever want!! “Victories are sweeter when you celebrate them together”
    more
  • Ariadna Basulto
    January 1, 1970
    Pretty Reckless. WOW. I legitimately swooned all the mf swoons and cried all the damn tears! I was beyond excited to get to dive back into the All Saints world I know and love, but this wasn’t just the YA HotHoles 2.0 version, this was even better! These kids are meaner, more entitled, and the last time they gave any f*cks was probably 2015. Maybe. The drama is still there and more captivating than ever. And no one conjures up drama better than the Queen B herself, Daria Followhill. Daria is a s Pretty Reckless. WOW. I legitimately swooned all the mf swoons and cried all the damn tears! I was beyond excited to get to dive back into the All Saints world I know and love, but this wasn’t just the YA HotHoles 2.0 version, this was even better! These kids are meaner, more entitled, and the last time they gave any f*cks was probably 2015. Maybe. The drama is still there and more captivating than ever. And no one conjures up drama better than the Queen B herself, Daria Followhill. Daria is a spoiled, entitled, poor little rich girl with plenty of sins hidden just beneath her perfectly polished surface. She’s straight up wicked and manipulative, but through L.J Shen’s expert storytelling she’s also vulnerable and even endearing. And oh my god don’t even get me started on Penn! He may not technically be a Tot-Hole, but he’s 100% sinner. Penn and Daria have all the magic of previous Shen couples with an added freshness that makes them irresistible and memorable. Pretty Reckless lived up to my expectations and then promptly blasted them out of water. There was plenty of angst, sizzling passion, so much drama it made The CW jealous, and a flood of feels big enough to cancel out the California drought. Buckle up people, the new Sinners are here and they don’t play. All. The. Stars.
    more
  • Angie - Angie's Dreamy Reads
    January 1, 1970
    This book! I am reeling. This was the ultimate binge read. It’s dramatic, it's sexy, it's twisty and dark and so intoxicating you won’t be able to put it down! I'm obsessed. Obsessed with every detail of the story. I LIVE for books that make you feel big, deep, delicious feels, and I LOVE it when a novel has a twist you don't see coming. This was one of those books, and I ate up every word. I devoured it, and I can't get it enough. I seriously ADORE LJ Shen's writing and this world she has creat This book! I am reeling. This was the ultimate binge read. It’s dramatic, it's sexy, it's twisty and dark and so intoxicating you won’t be able to put it down! I'm obsessed. Obsessed with every detail of the story. I LIVE for books that make you feel big, deep, delicious feels, and I LOVE it when a novel has a twist you don't see coming. This was one of those books, and I ate up every word. I devoured it, and I can't get it enough. I seriously ADORE LJ Shen's writing and this world she has created. I want to be one of her characters and have one of these heroes as my own. THEY ARE EVERYTHING. THIS STORY IS EVERYTHING. And I'm crazy in LOVE. SOOOOOOO. CRAZYYYYYYY. IN. LOVE. God! It's magical. BEYOND! When you go into this you might not be expecting the deepest story but what you get leaves your jaw hanging open. I was stunned at the turn of events in this book. And I LOVED the whole enemies to lovers / bully storyline. Both Penn and Daria have so much heart, so much sass, so much SOUL. I adored these two! But I have to say that Daria STOLE MY HEART COMPLETELY. That girl... OMG. I fell head over heels for her. She's so much snark and bite and fire and ice, a tough girl that hides the softest, sweetest heart. She made me ache all over. And Penn... what a dreamy jerk. LOL. You'll be so enamored with him. There's major chemistry between our hero (poor kid / football captain at a rival school) and heroine (rich girl / head cheerleader) and this story get super steamy. Daria and Penn have history before he moves into her house. The basic plot rundown is this:Daria and Penn meet, thus creating a backstory. It goes bad super FAST. Penn ends up HATING Daria. They come together later when Jaime and Mel do something crazy and take Penn in (there's a big story to why they do this).And then ... SPARKS, FIRE, AND JUICY GOODNESS ensues. There's tons of back and forth. Lots of biting, witty dialogue. A mountain of feels. More twists and turns. Drama, drama, drama, and more drama. And it's so addictive and so magic, you guys. To say I loved it would be an understatement. I'm crazy about this book! I went into it unsure what to expect but it turned out to be MORE than I ever thought it would. It's was so BEYOND good. And seeing the crew-- Dean, Jaime, Vic and Trent again, brought me PURE joy! What a read. I'm giddy over it. I can't wait for more. CANNOT FREAKING WAIT. 5 stars.
    more
  • Prince charming doesn't exist
    January 1, 1970
    Esta es una historia dolorosa y hermosa ... oh wow5 RECKLESS SEA-GLASS STARS!This was super duper intense.During the prologue i chocked on my drink twiceit is soooo heartbreaking What Daria takes (or does something to) Penn is something BIG. it isn't easy to forgive nor forget. But what leads to it is a lot of misunderstanding and misjudgment. and for the readers a lot of heartache.In the beginning Penn and Daria have instant attraction to each other when they are is fourteen, aww our strong her Esta es una historia dolorosa y hermosa ... oh wow5 RECKLESS SEA-GLASS STARS!This was super duper intense.During the prologue i chocked on my drink twiceit is soooo heartbreaking What Daria takes (or does something to) Penn is something BIG. it isn't easy to forgive nor forget. But what leads to it is a lot of misunderstanding and misjudgment. and for the readers a lot of heartache.In the beginning Penn and Daria have instant attraction to each other when they are is fourteen, aww our strong hero even used to watch her secretly thrice a week. Through out the book penn does have hatred for Daria. at some parts he's like: "Part of me wants to chase her. To watch in slow motion as she collapses underneath me and I rip her to shreds. The other wants her to stand toe to toe with me so we can battle it out until we’re both bloody and exhausted." and this: "It saddens me that I can half-understand how rich, gorgeous girls like Daria turn out the way they do. Too smug to feel, too bitchy to be tolerated. They are so much yet so little. They have everything, but they earned nothing by themselves. It’s like winning the lottery and expecting to make wise investments on your own without any financial background." yeah and there's the show dow of knight and Vaughn--yup, aggressive like their dads. Penn isn't rich and happy. his mom is/was a drug addict, his stepdad an abusive arse and his real dad was not nice as well. so that's what shaped his personality. Daria in this book is mean--naturally--but i feel like she was slightly neglected or idk not much praised by melody (her mom).but there is a soft spot in Daria's heart obviously, it just needed to come out.despite Penn and daria's hatred towards each other deeeep down they care like bonkers.Daria often feels guilty for what she did. And because of that she has to suffer a lot by a lot of people.She doesn't have much vengeance towards Penn. Thank God "I smile at his bravery. Penn never much cared about getting hurt. Even when he was the tin man, even when his heart was just a faint beat, merely surviving and not doing much else, he always gave me a run for my money. It is stupid, if not completely awful, that I’m too scared to love him.Too terrified to get hurt.More than anything—I’m too unsure of myself to know I wouldn’t screw it up." What I immensely liked was how L.J. painted this book by Daria's and Prichard's (not-appropriate) scandal.yeah, i found it unsettling.and Daria's and Via's hatred towards each other. oh wow... that was the thing that made me cry during this book. This book was soo intense, i had soo much angst l.j. literally made me feel the characters. Penn was very similar to the sinners of saints boys, i feel like they all are octuplets. Daria's situation was different from what i was expecting, yeah she is a natural meanie but her surrounding's reactions to her made her more aggressive and definitely provoked her at wrong times. life isn't completely a sugar kingdom for Daria she has her sour days as well.anyways it would have worked out for Penn and Daria earlier but y'know when their loved ones problems and reactions barge in, their love story got an emotional twist.A lot of drama in this book was circling around jealously,there were so many MISUNDERSTANDINGS,tons of teenage IMMATURE DECISIONSso many secrets, secrets that would have saved a lot of trouble.starting off with why melody didn't tell Daria about via's troubled present at 14it would have saved sooooo much drama (which i liked heeeheeeheee)Penn and Daria didn't rip each others faces off but the people around them made their life a living hell.there is a lot of character, so many interesting events, at the climax i felt like i was on crack. (no drug authorities, i'm clean )I LOVE this bookIt's my new FAVORITEThe poetry at the beginning of each chapter reached my soul.Reading this book was like eating a piece of cake after a long cake drought...yummmmI highly recommend this book to L.J.'s fans. It's a do-not-miss.
    more
  • Sonya ♕Chatterbooks book blog♕
    January 1, 1970
    Pretty Reckless gave us everything that our hearts were so desperately craving from this author’s writing. Pulsing pain from betrayals that you never saw coming, a crack in our armor for the confidence that we thought we had and that we were going to come out of this story unscathed and not fall head over heels for these characters. If it’s one thing that I have learned over the years when it come to Leigh Shen, is to NEVER underestimate this woman. After all, there’s a new queen bee in town Pretty Reckless gave us everything that our hearts were so desperately craving from this author’s writing. Pulsing pain from betrayals that you never saw coming, a crack in our armor for the confidence that we thought we had and that we were going to come out of this story unscathed and not fall head over heels for these characters. If it’s one thing that I have learned over the years when it come to Leigh Shen, is to NEVER underestimate this woman. After all, there’s a new queen bee in town…. Being rich and popular is nothing new for the most loved and envious girl at All Saints High. Daria Followhill plays by her own rules and if you don’t like it, kindly see yourself out of the game or be forced to limp out of her orbit with one less Prada shoe. It takes a lot to stay on top and when everyone wants your crown, being basic,is not going to cut it. They say the greatest downfall is the one you never see coming and Daria is in for one heck of a ride. Four years ago Penn took a chance on someone whom he knew was too good for him. But did that stop him from whispering five words to a girl he barely knew? Luck has never been on his side but fate sure has so when an incident forces him to look at the source of a betrayal, he takes it with open arms. After all, Penn wants nothing more than to have the girl who started a chain reaction to the number one complication in his life, be at his own mercy. I have to say that as much as I was anticipating this nothing could’ve still prepared me for Daria. This chick was a straight up BEOTCH but I loved her!! Yes I really and I mean really wanted to wrap my hands around her fictional throat a time or two, but you know what I loved about her? She showed heart and she came at you with everything she had. Her motives always had an endgame whether it was good or bad but you loved her for it. You embraced her wicked ways and you admired her strength because bad girl or not, she did things her own way.With sizzling chemistry, witty banter that could’ve been categorized as foreplay, and characters that you love to hate, Pretty Reckless will have you wishing for more. More drama, more angst, more heartbreak, just MORE!!    
    more
  • Obsessive Book Whore
    January 1, 1970
    Just W.O.W.! This book spoke to my inner teen. So much angst, so little time. I don’t know how she does it, but each book this woman writes is better than the last! Penn and Daria stole my heart. These two have some issues, but had each other’s backs throughout. Daria brings the mean girls mentality to a whole new level. But when you are left feeling invisible and let down time and time again by the same people that are meant to show up for you, protect your heart and not smash it, walls are bui Just W.O.W.! This book spoke to my inner teen. So much angst, so little time. I don’t know how she does it, but each book this woman writes is better than the last! Penn and Daria stole my heart. These two have some issues, but had each other’s backs throughout. Daria brings the mean girls mentality to a whole new level. But when you are left feeling invisible and let down time and time again by the same people that are meant to show up for you, protect your heart and not smash it, walls are built. You form that icy shell so your cracked heart won’t get broken. “I’m Daria Followhill. Cheer captain. Rich Bitch. Little Miss Popular.”Penn came from the wrong side of town and believed himself the “tin man”. But nothing was further from the truth if you were someone he cared about. One simple act at age fourteen changed him forever. It turned the girl he was falling for into his enemy. The only thing left for him to do is ruin her like she ruined him. “You poured misery into me. Let it simmer for a while and now it is time for you to taste what you’ve created.”Until he really saw her and became the one person who would always have her back. “You are the fucking equation, I want to yell in her face. The riddle and the answer and the numbers within it. You’re math. You make sense.”The way they loved each other was pure. Innocent yet ferocious at the same time. I caught feelings for them both. I loved them at their worst, cheered them on when they were most vulnerable, and swooned when the love was too much to be contained.   “You were never a drizzle, Penn Scully. When I fell for you, you were hail.”Their story was a throwback to a time when everything was life or death and when there was no drama or angst it wasn’t a normal day. Survival of the fittest so to speak. You later figure out that sometimes not everything is as it seems.   I also LOVED getting to see into the lives of the other Totholes. Vaughn was ohhhhh so yummy (like father like son) and completely MINE! Hands off Tijuana! His book will be interesting. He has a tortured artist vibe going on. I’ll be anxious see who ends up bringing him to his knees.   “Vaughn has the ability to hang out with perfectly sane girls and turn them into bunny-boilers.”I fell a little in love with Luna in this book. OK A LOT! She is just Luna. So sweet she will rot your teeth and so real that you just can’t help but fall in love with her. And Knight…Lawd help me with this beautiful cocky boy. I need both of their books like I need air. Who will they end up with? I can't wait to find out. “She’s trapped in her own little universe. She is the sun, and he is earth. Always circling around her, getting an inch closer every lifetime, even though the burn could ruin him.” Daria said of Luna and Knight.So there it is. This book consumed me and left me wanting more. Never wanting it to end, wanting one more glimpse into these characters that have completely come to life in my head.Hey book whores, if you want to follow me, you can find me here
    more
  • Nikki
    January 1, 1970
    BEST FUCKING NEWS OF THE CENTURY. THANK YOU, L.J. Shen 😱😱😱
  • Nicole Dykes
    January 1, 1970
    That's it, Pretty Reckless is my top read of 2019! Hell maybe of all time! It has everything I need in a book. Angst, pain, drama. A strong heroine (that some may hate to love, but I adore her). A hot, broken alpha male. Push and an undeniable pull! She presumably has everything, but appearances are deceitful. He comes from nothing and has to make his own way.There are so many twists and turns. Nothing is predictable. Heart stopping, oh my 'Marx' moments! It was everything I wanted it to be. Eve That's it, Pretty Reckless is my top read of 2019! Hell maybe of all time! It has everything I need in a book. Angst, pain, drama. A strong heroine (that some may hate to love, but I adore her). A hot, broken alpha male. Push and an undeniable pull! She presumably has everything, but appearances are deceitful. He comes from nothing and has to make his own way.There are so many twists and turns. Nothing is predictable. Heart stopping, oh my 'Marx' moments! It was everything I wanted it to be. Everything I craved and everything I knew Leigh Shen would bring. I was dying to read this book. I'm so grateful for the experience of these characters! Getting to see the hotholes grown up was an awesome bonus, but the totholes can hold their own.Gah, now I'll just be not so patiently waiting for the next books in the series! Vaughn, Knight and Luna! Yes please!Trust me, this book is worth every penny, every second, every bit of sanity as you dive into their world and one of the things I LOVE about this author is you can truly get lost in her hauntingly beautiful words. The experience is magical. I couldn't put it down and had to force myself to slow down and savor it. And now I'm settling in from a book hangover from hell because it was just that good! 
    more
  • Yamina -Women Who Stare at Books
    January 1, 1970
    OH MY MARX For the first time, I found myself staring at my computer screen in silence, struggling to write a review. Yes, I was super excited to read Pretty Reckless , Yes I freaking love the covers, Yes I am a big fan of LJ Shen’s words BUT this time it was different. Don’t get me wrong it was not different bad… it was a different that left me speechless and in awe. Love is so contaminated. It tarnishes all that is beautiful and corrupts the soul. Love is so much uglier than hate because wh OH MY MARX For the first time, I found myself staring at my computer screen in silence, struggling to write a review. Yes, I was super excited to read Pretty Reckless , Yes I freaking love the covers, Yes I am a big fan of LJ Shen’s words BUT this time it was different. Don’t get me wrong it was not different bad… it was a different that left me speechless and in awe. Love is so contaminated. It tarnishes all that is beautiful and corrupts the soul. Love is so much uglier than hate because when you hate, you’re not confused. When you’re in love, you’re dumb.This is the reason why my words will fail me for this review, because there are no words that could really describe what this book meant to me. I have been thoroughly touched on so many emotional levels by the story of Pretty Reckless.If you believe that LJ Shen writing YA means that her words and her story are going to be an easy and sexy read about two young characters, you could not be more wrong.The author knocked me off my feet and made me fall madly in love with this angst, emotional and heart wrenching story….. and as I kept reading I was stunned by the depth of this epic tale.Pretty Reckless drew me in like a drug. LJ Shen is a seriously addictive writer. I don't know what it is she has, but it's the kind of magic that compels you to read on after every chapter. The author throws you into two different worlds that are so unique : On one side you have All Saints High on the other side you have Las Juntas. On one side you have the Totholes and on the other side you have the parents...Daria Followhill is Miss PopularDaris Followhill is the girl that every girl wants to beDaria Followhill is the girl that every guy wants to be seen withDaria Followhill …. Everyone always talks behind her back about how much they hate her, even though everyone secretly wishes they were her friend.Daria Followhill has the power until she met Penn Scully. There’s some relief in this pain I’m feeling. It reminds me that despite my bitchy ways, I’m still capable of hurting for someone else.That moment, their encounter was simultaneously gut wrenching and beautiful.Penn Scully is perfectly imperfect, he is extremely handsome but he has walls, barriers…His love for his twin sister Via is unconditional, his loyalty for his friends/teammates inspirational but everything changes the moment he met SKULL EYES….They meet again four years later and they couldn’t be more different on the outside, Penn’s eyes remind me of a snake. Mesmerizing but inhuman altogether. They weren’t like that before. but when you really take a good look at them- they’re more alike than you would think. They bring out the best in each other and the worse. It was more than just desire and lust between them. It went deeper than that. They had an exceptional connection. They understood each otherThey respected each other “You’re Saturn,” she whispers. “Made of iron-nickel and surrounded by protective rings of ice and rock.”But do they deserve an HEA? Can they get it without any sacrifices or collateral damages?Mental and emotional connections are always so much more powerful and this is why when you read Pretty Reckless .........You shut off the world and embraced theirs. Penn and Daria are in a class of their own. The words just grabbed me and pulled me in so deep that even the thought of ever resurfacing never entered my mind. There was just so much emotion in the pages of this book that it was so hard not to feel them.I rooted for them from page one but I knew that it was going to be a hell of a ride. Being in the world of the Hotholes again, was sinfully good. Vaughn, Knight, Luna and Daria love each other hard and this transpires in Pretty Reckless.Some books will leave a mark on you not only because they made you cried or made you laugh until it hurts, but because you felt something as you were reading it and that feeling would never leave you forever.Pretty Reckless left that kind of mark in me.It made me cry and made my heart ache. As a teacher , I come across Darias and Penns on a daily basis but most importantly, I come across parents that struggle to get it right for their child despite their best efforts. I come across parents that do not know their child when we talk about them and very often say to me “ We do not talk, she comes homes and goes to her room, we know nothing” It will be the easy option to blame them for their parental skills and the author has portrayed this PERFECTLY- essentially through MEL. LJ Shen is one of the most eloquent authors I've ever had the pleasure to read.Pretty Reckless is so much more than a love story. It’s packed with important life lessons. It’s real, raw and moving … because it reminds us all that even when the world seems to be throwing one bad thing after another at us, there’s always someone out there going through a rough patch too and looking for the light.Daria Followhill is magic and is hail, she is without a shadow of a doubt my favourite heroine.*Arc provided for an honest review
    more
  • Ginger Scott
    January 1, 1970
    Nobody gives me the feels for a bad boy like LJ Shen! I loved every minute of this delicious read, and I went back and reread the end twice just to get the rush again and again!
  • Arabella ~♡AB♡~
    January 1, 1970
    🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Pretty Reckless is the first in a series that follows the children of this series -> ViciousHere's what I loved about this book - the heroine is flawed, she's a bitch, and she is 100% real. I am now in my forties, but this story really took me back to my teens. Girls are often brought up to be "kind always" and all that jazz. But, the fact of the matter is that girls have emotions, huge angsty teenage feelings that are not always pleasant and nor should girls have to be kind to people th 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Pretty Reckless is the first in a series that follows the children of this series -> ViciousHere's what I loved about this book - the heroine is flawed, she's a bitch, and she is 100% real. I am now in my forties, but this story really took me back to my teens. Girls are often brought up to be "kind always" and all that jazz. But, the fact of the matter is that girls have emotions, huge angsty teenage feelings that are not always pleasant and nor should girls have to be kind to people that do not take their thoughts and feelings into consideration.Daria is the daughter of Jaime and Melody from Defy. She is a spoilt brat, of course, and she has a very complicated and tumultuous relationship with her mother. She gets jealous a lot and hits back using her defence mechanism of being a complete an utter mean girl.However, I adored her and I mostly loved how Penn Scully is the one who 'sees her' and the girl who just wants to be loved.Penn was an interesting character too, and although he didn't realise it yet, he also yearned for love because he'd been let down in the past by the only two females in his life who were important to him. When Jaime & Melody take him in after becoming homeless, he has a chance to break down Daria's walls, the girl he was always intrigued by, and who hates him as much as he hates her. Enemies to lovers at it's finest.Pretty Reckless for me, was an unputdownable story of raw emotions. I absolutely loved it!
    more
  • Jessica-❥Chatterbooks Book Blog❥
    January 1, 1970
    RTC!
  • Hulya Kara Yuksel
    January 1, 1970
    Expected publication: April 29th 2019-COVER REVEALED- BLURB :We were supposed to be best friendsBut turned out to be worst enemies…PennThey say revenge is a dish best served cold.I’d had four years to stew on what Daria Followhill did to me, and now my heart is completely iced.I took her first kiss.She took the only thing I loved.I was poor.She was rich.The good thing about circumstances? They can change. Fast.Now, I’m her parents’ latest shiny project.Her housemate. Her tormentor. The captain o Expected publication: April 29th 2019-COVER REVEALED- BLURB :We were supposed to be best friendsBut turned out to be worst enemies…PennThey say revenge is a dish best served cold.I’d had four years to stew on what Daria Followhill did to me, and now my heart is completely iced.I took her first kiss.She took the only thing I loved.I was poor.She was rich.The good thing about circumstances? They can change. Fast.Now, I’m her parents’ latest shiny project.Her housemate. Her tormentor. The captain of the rival football team she hates so much.Yeah, baby girl, say it—I’m your foster brother.There’s a price to pay for ruining the only good thing in my life, and she’s about to shell out some serious tears.Daria Followhill thinks she is THE queen. I’m about to prove to her that she’s nothing but a spoiled princess.DariaEveryone loves a good-old, unapologetic punk.But being a bitch? Oh, you get slammed for every snarky comment, cynical eye roll, and foot you put in your adversaries’ way.The thing about stiletto heels is that they make a hell of a dent when you walk all over the people who try to hurt you.In Penn Scully’s case, I pierced his heart until he bled out, then left it in a trash can on a bright summer day.Four years ago, he asked me to save all of my firsts for him.Now he lives across the hall, and there’s nothing I want more than to be his last everything.His parting words when he gave me his heart were that nothing in this world is free.Now? Now he is making me pay.
    more
  • Shabby -BookBistroBlog
    January 1, 1970
    "It started with a lemonade And ended with my heart This, my pretty reckless rival, is how our screwed-up story starts" When life gives you lemons, your heart turns acidic. Simple. "Totholes--children of Hotholes" And so the new generation replaces the older ones. Judging by the first book, the parents are going to have their hands full. Daria Fallowhill is a spoiled little princess, baby daughter of Dean & Melody and it's her misfortune she goes to the same school her parents hooked up in, "It started with a lemonade And ended with my heart This, my pretty reckless rival, is how our screwed-up story starts" When life gives you lemons, your heart turns acidic. Simple. "Totholes--children of Hotholes" And so the new generation replaces the older ones. Judging by the first book, the parents are going to have their hands full. Daria Fallowhill is a spoiled little princess, baby daughter of Dean & Melody and it's her misfortune she goes to the same school her parents hooked up in, so it's a chip on her shoulder. Add to the fact that she feels invisible, her chips keep piling on till the burden becomes unbearable.Penn Scully is the brother of Via, the Prima Ballerina in the making and bane of Daria's existenceThe story is very sharp and cutting edge.In viciousness and venom, it seems to upstage Hotholes.Let's see how it progresses when other Totholes join the lot. 4 stars if you guess who's the Hideous Monster #BookBistroBlogApproved Follow us on :FB - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BookB...Blog -https://bookbistroblogcom.wordpress.comBlog -https://bookbistroblogger.blogspot.comTwitter - https://www.twitter.com/BookBistroInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/BookBistroBlog
    more
  • Keri Loves Books
    January 1, 1970
    We all have a little Daria in us.This story was every single thing that I hoped it would be, yet so much more than I expected. Hands down...my favorite LJ Shen book! We fell in love with their fathers, so the love for their offspring was inevitable!The problems Penn and Daria faced were relatable. Their pain and heartache will break you. Their attraction was completely unstoppable and unbelievably HOT! Their love was fated. This book delivered! The writing was flawless. The characters made you e We all have a little Daria in us.This story was every single thing that I hoped it would be, yet so much more than I expected. Hands down...my favorite LJ Shen book! We fell in love with their fathers, so the love for their offspring was inevitable!The problems Penn and Daria faced were relatable. Their pain and heartache will break you. Their attraction was completely unstoppable and unbelievably HOT! Their love was fated. This book delivered! The writing was flawless. The characters made you either love them or love to hate them! The story was deep and emotional. I never wanted it to end.I was totally consumed and I loved every word! You NEED this story! The second I finished I wanted to read it all over again...this has never happened to me before. You are going to fall in love all over again...this time with The All Saints High Series.
    more
  • Megan✦❋Steamy Reads Blog❋✦
    January 1, 1970
    “It started with a lemonadeAnd ended with my heartThis, my pretty reckless rival, is howour screwed-up story starts” Pretty Reckless by L. J. Shen was probably my most anticipated read of the year. The lead up was agonizing and long, so when a copy finally landed on my Kindle, I just couldn’t believe my eyes. The wait was absolutely worth it though because this story is phenomenal and no review, I attempt to write will do justice to how positively epic Pretty Reckless is. Anyone who loves the “It started with a lemonadeAnd ended with my heartThis, my pretty reckless rival, is howour screwed-up story starts” Pretty Reckless by L. J. Shen was probably my most anticipated read of the year. The lead up was agonizing and long, so when a copy finally landed on my Kindle, I just couldn’t believe my eyes. The wait was absolutely worth it though because this story is phenomenal and no review, I attempt to write will do justice to how positively epic Pretty Reckless is. Anyone who loves their highly addictive and angsty reads will fall head over hills just like I did.Daria Followhill is the daughter of Jamie and Mel and is an entitled and spoilt Queen B; she is unapologetic, ruthless and retaliatory. Even though you want to hate her, you just can’t. One thing I found really surprising about Daria was that I found myself quite sympathetic towards her and felt every ounce of her pain, the struggles she was enduring and the reasons behind her somewhat cruel behavior. I even found myself rooting for her throughout and wanting nothing more than to see her reach for the stars and get everything I felt she deserved. I thank Leigh for her exquisite talent of having the ability to write a character people generally would consider horrible and turning her into someone with depth and a multitude of layers you just can’t wait to peel back. “Nobody wants to be a bad person. But some people – like me – can’t help themselves. A tear rolls down my cheek, and I’m thankful we’re alone.” Penn is the stuff bad boys are made of; he is from the wrong side of the tracks and has endured a life-time of drugs, criminals and tragedy. He smokes and has no qualms about throwing a punch here and there. His bad boy persona is a reflection of the life he has led and despite all this still manages to be the star football player. I was intrigued by him instantly and wanted to know absolutely everything there is to know about the enigma Penn Scully. I couldn’t get enough and the more I delved deeper into his character the more I was hooked.I absolutely adored every aspect of Daria and Penn’s relationship; the push and the pull, the intense and powerful connection and the steamy and fierce chemistry. These characters are so complex, real and have both lived in a life full of struggles and deep-seated pain, but despite this they both know what they want and always come out on top. “He gave me the rarest thing in the world, and I gave him heartache…”“…There’s some relief in this pain I’m feeling. It reminds me that despite my bitchy ways, I’m still capable of hurting for someone else.” One thing I love about reading is being completely blindsided with twists and turns that I never saw coming. I love nothing more than being completely surprised by a plot twist that was so unexpected and jaw dropping. I was on the edge of my seat and I just had no idea what was going to happen next and my heart was almost pounding right out of my chest.Pretty Reckless is an extraordinary and remarkable piece of literature you certainly won’t forget in a hurry; the ups and downs, the twists and turns and the heart racing moments will leave you breathless and wanting so much more. Leigh has upped the ante once again and this book is seriously as good as everyone says it is. The writing was carefully crafted to perfection and the characters were well thought-out, real and unique. Daria and Penn have left a massive mark on me and this is epic read is positively unforgettable. I wait with bated breath for Vaughn’s story in ASH book 2.
    more
  • Pavlina Read more sleep less blog❤❤
    January 1, 1970
    Live https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R9PNH9F/...<3 5 stars <3Another masterpiece from Leigh Shen, this book was amazing!From the beginning till the end I was hooked!Daria and Penn for me were complex characters and unique.They will have a special place in my heart!I loved the connection between Penn and Daria, intense,angst and their chemistry is off the charts hot!This was an emotional roller coaster and my heart was aching!I loved the connection I felt for both characters.This was a fantast Live https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R9PNH9F/...<3 5 stars <3Another masterpiece from Leigh Shen, this book was amazing!From the beginning till the end I was hooked!Daria and Penn for me were complex characters and unique.They will have a special place in my heart!I loved the connection between Penn and Daria, intense,angst and their chemistry is off the charts hot!This was an emotional roller coaster and my heart was aching!I loved the connection I felt for both characters.This was a fantastic beginning to this new series, we all know how talented Leigh Shen is but believe me when I say each of her books has something new to give away!This is a must read!    
    more
  • Deanna❤Pink Lady❤️
    January 1, 1970
    5 “Skull Eyes” StarsL.J. Shen is a masterful storyteller. In this new series of the second generation of her Sinners of Saints series, the kids of All Saints High Scool are anything but saintly. The apples don’t fall far from the trees. While this story is a standalone, I think I enjoyed this story so much more because I knew the background to these kids parents. But even if I didn’t know the former stories, the author sprinkles past information that keeps the reader well informed. This isn’t a 5 “Skull Eyes” StarsL.J. Shen is a masterful storyteller. In this new series of the second generation of her Sinners of Saints series, the kids of All Saints High Scool are anything but saintly. The apples don’t fall far from the trees. While this story is a standalone, I think I enjoyed this story so much more because I knew the background to these kids parents. But even if I didn’t know the former stories, the author sprinkles past information that keeps the reader well informed. This isn’t a simple story, it’s filled with many conflicting layers in its complexity. It’s an enemies to lovers story and it’s intense on both ends. It’s also a Very Very Very Angsty Romance filled with disruptive family dynamics, growing pains, diverse socioeconomics, self deprecation, peer pressure and high school drama. The mother-daughter relationship angers as well as tugs on your heartstrings. It’s an intense and emotional and extremely raw read. Daria Followhill and Penn Scully......the blurb tells you all you need to know and I won’t tell you more except that their story isn’t cut and dry. It’s filled with deep dark emotions and because you get sucked in, it is a fast read. There are twist and turns, angst and drama and of course, their hatred towards one another is anything but hate. I’m really not a fan of YA but this story didn’t really feel YA to me and I credit this author’s magnificent writing talent. I loved this story, I loved all the dynamics of this story and I loved the epilogue. A must read for angsty lovers, enemies to lovers lovers, and readers who love masterful storytelling!! This author always hits her stories out of the park for me and this one was no different!! #skulleyes #allsaintshigh #daria #penn #mustread*advanced copy provided by Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review*
    more
  • Bibi
    January 1, 1970
    Too little time, too many books. DNF @ Hesawhernakedonhisfirstdayatthehousepage. 🙄.
Write a review