Tuesday Reviews: Pretty Reckless by L.J. Shen

They say revenge is a dish best served cold…

Penn Scully has had four years to stew on what Daria Followhill did to him, and now his heart is completely iced over. He took her first kiss, and she took away the only person he ever loved. He asked her to save the rest of her firsts for him, and she walked all over his heart in stiletto heels and left it bleeding out on a bright summer day.

Now, everything has changed. When circumstances leave Penn homeless in his senior year, the Followhills take him in as their latest shiny project. That means, for the time being, he's Daria's housemate, living right across the hall. And once he sees her again, he's determined to make this spoiled princess pay for ruining the only good thing in his life.

But Daria is used to being misunderstood. Being slammed for every snarky comment, cynical eye roll, and foot she puts in the way of the people who hurt her. Being the girl everyone wants to see cry, and keeping her tears hidden. Penn wanted her firsts, but she wants to be his last everything.

The problem is, once they see past each other's cutting barbs and wounded hearts, the truths they uncover might just start something new altogether.

"Pretty Reckless" by L.J. Shen is a gripping contemporary romance novel that takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster ride filled with passion, angst, and redemption. This book is the first installment in the All Saints High series and introduces readers to a captivating cast of characters and a complex love story that will leave you utterly spellbound.

The story follows the tumultuous relationship between Daria Followhill and Penn Scully, two high school students from opposite ends of the social spectrum. Daria is the privileged princess of All Saints High, while Penn is the brooding, mysterious boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Their initial encounters are fraught with hostility and secrets, creating a magnetic tension that practically leaps off the pages.

L.J. Shen masterfully weaves a tale of forbidden love, betrayal, and personal growth. Both Daria and Penn are flawed characters, making their journey towards love and self-discovery all the more compelling. Shen delves deep into their psyches, allowing readers to connect with their vulnerabilities and root for their happiness.