Top #4 in the entire store.#14 Most Sold Book on Amazon“Best Romance Novels of 2019” – Oprah MagazineGoodreads Best Romance of 2019 Nominee“A runaway train of revenge, rivalry and angst. This complex and venomous tale takes on a modern-day Cruel Intentions/Mean Girls vibe. Pretty Reckless is unputdownable and absolute Kindle Crack.” – Kindle Crack Book ReviewsFrom USA Today and Washington Post … Crack Book Reviews
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.
more
I’m going to start off by saying this author never disappoints. She envoked so many emotions from me while I was reading, but I’m going to point out that she had me so…. absorbed with my feelings for Daria that it was like everything else was white noise. I loved Daria. I understood her and was able to just love her even with her faults. This story was more then about her but for me…. she stole the show.
Penn was also a great character. I felt for him too and everything he is dealing with. He may have been a hot hole, just like the previous generation, but he had a big beautiful broken heart in him that wanted to shine. I loved seeing all the secondary characters that I loved from the other series, and getting to catch up with them. The author really did amazing and drew me into this new generation of characters and I can’t wait to see what’s going to come next. Heartfelt and intense, this story is going to make fans of the Hotholes very very happy. 5 stars #2OCCjD
L.J. Shen proved once again that she’s an incredibly talented author and the depth of her imagination has no bottom. Pretty Reckless is an epic young adult story that’s filled with angst and emotions to the brim! If you think that you know in the least what to expect from this book… you will be surprised! As soon as I learned that the author is planning a spin-off for the Sinners of Saint series, which is in the forefront of my forever favorites, I was aware that it would be a hit. Hell- we’re talking about Leigh Shen! But what I received in Pretty Reckless surpassed my wildest expectations.
I won’t describe the plot of this story because every reader must get to know it by herself. Discovering it layer by layer was a real experience and it can’t be described in a few sentences. L.J. has put in this book a lot of life plots that blend into a coherent whole. Pretty Reckless is NOT an ordinary contemporary romance. It’s overcoming your own demons, family problems, friendship, love, sweat, pain and tears. It’s a story that will leave you breathless and make you beg for more.
Daria Followhill is the biggest surprise I’ve come across since I’ve been reading Shen’s books. Her character is extremely complicated and beneath the façade of mean spoiled girl she hides a girl who wants not only to be noticed – she wants to be seen. She reacts very emotionally and here I have often identified with her, because as much as Daria I give it twice as much. The sharp tongue and nasty ripostes are like a shield to her, what protects her from being vulnerable. The lack of understanding that she comes across is something that awakens sympathy and presents her in a completely new light. As a reader, I felt her. Her insecurities, her desire to be better, her jealousy, disappointment and pain.
Penn Scully is a personification of eternal fight for me. For others, for himself, on the outside and internally. His pride and stubbornness have no limits and this is what made him and Daria equally matched opponents. For most of the book I was holding a grudge against Penn because of one unexplained situation, but when I got the answer to the question that was bothering me, I melted like ice-cream in the heat and fell madly in love with him.
The old saying goes: there is a thin line between hatred and love.
Daria and Penn are the best example of this.
I’m completely enchanted with every word in this book. L.J. Shen is an amazing storyteller and her writing style is flawless and captivating. I’m waiting impatiently for the next books in All Saints High series- a small insight in the characters of Luna, Knight and Vaughn has awakened in me an insatiable beast that needs their stories to make a life complete.
Bravo, Mrs. Shen. You’ve created another masterpiece!
Loved it. Worth the wait. It’s like Young/New Adult gone wild. Meaner than mean girls. Dirty, gritty, raw, emotional and full of angst. L.J. Shen at her finest. She brings our beloved characters back giving them new facets while introducing us to their offspring who might just be worse than them. This fiction escapism at it’s finest and I love Shen’s style, her edginess, and zero cares given attitude while still working within the genre and giving readers something sultry, passionate, careless, and fascinating. In Pretty Reckless the baddest bad boy and the imperfect bad girl collide in this un-put-downable enemies-to-lovers, new generation extension of the Hot Holes that you don’t want to miss.
Oh my Marx!! I’m not even sure where or how to start. I feel like Leigh ripped my heart out and then proceed to run it over with a Mac truck, again and again, and when she was done I asked her to do it some more. She has ruined me in the best possible way. I felt like I could not read this book fast enough. I absolutely craved the next word as I read. The words that she used, the sentences she wrote, each one was purposely chosen and one thousand perfect fit perfectly and almost everyone held a meaning.
I have read thousands of book and only one time have I ever wanted to immediately start a book over, and that was because I thought I had missed something that lead to the end. That was until Pretty Reckless! As soon as I read the words the end I wanted to go back and dive back in.
The emotion, raw rollercoaster that is this book is like nothing I have ever experienced. Yes, I have cried while reading before, and I have laughed, and been angry. But this was different, this was gut wrenching sorrow I felt. I think the signs of a good book is when an author can make you feel the emotions of the characters. I didn’t just feel Daria’s pain, I felt like I bled it.
There are all times in life when we “judge a boo by its cover” we judge others based in the outside and never truly know who they are. But what are we missing out in when we do that? What are we assume that is false? What are the lies we tell ourselves to feel better about it? maybe it’s easier to pretend the stuck up, rich bitch, cheer captain is really and insecure, depressed girl who doesn’t believe she is good enough for anyone’s love, and hides behind whispered rumors that aren’t true. What about the ballerina that wears $200 leotards and shows up late to class, that gets all your mom’s attention? Maybe she’s a poor girl from the wrong neighborhood leaving a nightmare everyday. See the thing is the mean girl is always mean for a reason and it’s usually to hide what’s really happening. “Those’s with the brightest smiles have the most secrets.”
While Daria does a fantastic job at keeping up her guars and never letting it show how hurt she is by the actions of her mother, one boy who she promised her all her first to, can see right through her.
“Throwing rocks when yours is made of glass.”
“She loves you. But you hate yourself, so it doesn’t matter.”
“The sun is like hate – beautiful and lethal, and essential for our survival. It can blind you, but it also keeps you going.”
When a boy loves a girl he hates, he does really dumb things. But when a boy hates him himself because of what they both did, it’s soul crushing for everyone. Penn Scully has layers and layers. He peels back ever so slowly. Never show your emotions so you can never get hurt. But does not showing you emotions get you an less of a heart break? No, as a matter of fact probably worse. Lies, and secrets pile up. Hate and revenge eventually drown you.
Pretty Reckless gives you an up close look at the girl who has everything, at the family that has everything, and the heartache that really exists. Money doesn’t buy happiness or a perfect life.
Jealousy is an ugly monster that lives in us all. It makes us do horrible things that we can never take back. It eats at your soul until there is nothing left. Children, teens, adults all have the same feels and sometimes none of us know how to deal with them. So what do we do we get angry and lash out.
Via and Daria two young girls who want the exact opposite things, that never quiet figure out who to tame their inner hulks.
I fell in love with Jamie all over again when I read this book. He never questioned Daria and always did what was best for her. He held her, and comforted her when she needed someone to. He took revenge on when he needed to for her. Melody broke my heart in this book and I really did want to punch her in the face.
The anxiety, and heartache during this book kept me on edge. I felt like I read so slow, because I did not want to miss any of her words.
The evolution of Daria in this book was absolutely amazing and shocking. The depth of Daria and her hurt, then her ability to make the decision to step and let everyone heal, including herself.
Pretty Reckless may just be my top read of the year! LJ Shen this book was absolutely magnificent!! So many life lessons to take out of this books. The topics are everyday issues we all see. The biggest being you really never know someone else’s story unless you ask, and they trust you enough to tell you.
“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.”
By the end of this book, my heart was aching and rejoicing at the same time from the countless emotions it had been exposed to. This story is so unique, unlike anything else out there, and it is in my humble opinion, her best work thus far.
My goosebumps got goosebumps!
Talk?
This is the second generation from ASH, and dang if they aren’t as much of a handful as their predecessors were. This is the first in series for the Totholes (children of the Hotholes).
Shen did a remarkable job of bringing this story to life. From the first moment the Green-eyed hulk reared his ugly head to the last Apple passed between to opposing teams – I was hooked. I don’t want to give anything away, there are so many ‘OMG’ moments and small revelations that together make this an emotional and heartwarming story. Watch your step and hold your judgment – Everything you thought you knew – It was all lies
If you loved the original bad boys of All Saints High then you are going to love the next generation
“Kismet. Kiss-met. Fate.”
Daria is the ‘mean girl’ – She rules her kingdom with a twisted sense of retribution – Her actions are not outright mean she just has no intentions of letting ANYONE best her. It is not always the green-eyed monster that drives her decisions sometimes it is just to remind someone where their place is in the hierarchy.
“Love is humbling.”
Penn is from the other side of the tracks. He had a heart once – until the day a Kismet of fate, one selfless act cost him everything. He is empty now. Only a Tin shell of who he used to be. But Fate can be a fickle mistress and not all he knows are truths.
This book didn’t start out as a fairytale, but it sure did ended up like one. And like any other fairytale romances, the characters’ journey were fought hard. This syory wasn’t easy. Nor was it cheesy and bubble-gum-popping girls, like your favorite Chick Flick movie. Penn and Daria both went through hell. They went through each other too and everything they stand for.
PR is swimming in drama, angst and high-leveled emotions that’s all too consuming and liberating at the same time.
The plotting of events was superbly done. The drama is real, raw and intense. This book is also provocative and honest and heartbreaking as it is enlightening, humbling and accepting.
This book is another proof that the author upped her writing style status another notch.
Oh My Marx! Where the hell do I begin. I knew it was gonna be angst fueled because of whom these kids parents are but I had no idea it’s was gonna this intense and fueled by hate. This story starts long before we get to see what is going on but we do get a glimpse as the where it all went wrong.
Daria is a fantastic character, she is a force to be reckoned with in school, amongst her friends and at home. I got really emotional in a more than a few areas in this book. Although Daria was all those things, under it all she was just a lost little girl that wanted to be loved.
Penn was like a mirror of Daria and the chip on his shoulder he carried was huge. He was a mean as they come to Daria and he truly believed she deserved it. Like they say hate is so close to love that sometimes it gets very blurred. These two are a match made in heaven and hell. Other characters play huge parts in this book and their actions make huge impacts.
I really can’t say anything about this story as it would totally spoil everything. You get a glimpse of the hotholes and the life they all have accomplished in life including all their kids. Oh the joys we will have reading their stories. I will wait with baited breath.
This emotion fueled book is a huge recommend from me. I am gonna put myself on the line and say this book will definitely be in my top 5 for the year.
Prepare for the ride! Once you start Pretty Reckless you won’t stop and L.J. Shen never let you take a breath.
« It was love at first sight Hate at second Lust at third But four is my lucky number So mine your ass shall be »
Daria & Penn’s story is like a storm you don’t see coming. I already knew it would be war but what I didn’t expect was to hurt so much, to feel so much and to love so much.
L.J. Shen is now a master in terms of story-telling. No author is like her! N.O.N.E.
She has this style who put you right in a different world. She tells story the way she wants and she won’t let you go before she has said it all!
« Love is content and peaceful. Happy people aren’t driven. They simply…exist. Now, us, hateful people, we’re something else. Hungry and desperate. »
Pretty Reckless was a wrenching story of two teenagers who loved to hate each other. It was a complex and emotional ride of epic proportion. High-school drama, angst, enemies, loyalties without forget the love, You’ll have to go through hell.
Everything you’ve read about the book is true! It’s even more than what you can wish for. It’s la « crème de la crème ».
You know this new series follows the children from our beloved Hotholes. I enjoyed tremendously having a glimpse on the other children. I also loved how we see Melody & Jaime’s love is as strong as it was before but I was also pained for the relation they had with Daria.
My poor little heart suffered so much for Daria who’s a real teenager with her problems and how she was struggling to make people see her true self.
Penn Scully was an incredible character. He has a heart of gold even if he tries to hide it most of the time.
All is fair in war, so be prepared to live it!
Now I’ll just have to take a step back and wait for the next story! As you can imagine I’m d.y.i.n.g. for it!
LJ Shen is the master of the anti-hero. When I started this I was afraid – Daria is very hard to like. Penn was her equal alpha-hole. This was an amazing, angsty read. Definitely New Adult due to sexual situations. This is the new generation of the Hot Holes and you will love them as much as the originals. Beautiful and twisted I loved it!!
Definitely read the Hot Hole series. See what kind of parents the Hot Holes are. This book was a work of art!
WHOA! L.J. Shen has out done herself with this PHENOMENAL read! Going back to Todos Santos and All Saints High was EPIC! I cannot get enough of this world that she has so brilliantly created. The characters are authentic and real. Their raw emotion is all over the pages. I absolutely LOVED Penn and Daria. Their story, the dialogue, their connection… the sexual tension between them was OFF. THE. CHARTS! The twists, the revelations…THE FEELS! Gah! I am ADDICTED! This story is hands down one of the BEST stories I’ve read this year. It will tie your stomach in knots, keep you hanging on every word, and then leave you breathless. I HIGHLY recommend!
5 Stars
I went into Pretty Reckless quite blind. I was late in discovering Leigh’s work and I haven’t actually read any of the Sinners of Saint series. I kept hearing her name being volleyed around as a must read author and after picking up Midnight Blue and The Kiss Thief, I fell in love with her style and prose.
Daria and Penn’s story is a young adult romance, and if you love an enemies to lovers romance, a forbidden romance, or an angst ridden, dramatic story this one ticks all the boxes.
Pretty Reckless is full of twist and turns that will captivate you, but it’s the characters that will keep you enthralled. They are complex, dynamic, charismatic but most importantly feel real. Daria is entitled and comes from a background of wealth and privilege. Money doesn’t always bring happiness and she doesn’t always do the right thing, even to the point of acknowledging that she can be quite evil at times. Penn is damaged from his own upbringing, life hasn’t been easy, and he’s resilient, resourceful and driven.
These characters feel so real and relatable, despite their different backgrounds they are both flawed, imperfect, and suffer from insecurities and vulnerabilities like all teens.
I loved everything about Daria and Penn’s book and cannot wait to discover more of All Saints High, and it’s left me desperate to read the Sinners of Saint series to discover more of the previous generation.
Shel: My first foray into the novels of LJ Shen started with the #hotholes series (Sinnders of Saint) and I thoroughly enjoyed each book in that series so it’s surprising to no one that I’d be all over the first #tothole book, Pretty Reckless. Equally not surprising—I enjoyed every angsty moment of it. Court: Girl…you are so right. We absolutely LOVE LJ Shen, and this delicious world she has created…but yo…I declared it via text the other night – I love Leigh Shen. Her books evoke a lot of emotions in us, and it is the best.
Shel: This novel had me all up in my feelings. From the first page I was wrapped up in the messed up love story of Daria + Penn—a story that felt momentarily hopeful and then completely doomed. Their enemies to barely tolerating each other to dysfunctional friendship to real feelings was so much angsty fun to read. I was totally caught up in my feelings –of understanding the betrayal and hurt they felt (especially Daria—god was she suffering)– and LJ Shen had me wanting to comfort them, face palm them, or rage at them/for them. I loved Penn and his protective nature and how loyal he was—especially since that loyalty turned out to be not always returned. And, I felt very strongly about Via—LJ Shen knows how to write so extremely unlikeable characters. Court: I relate to Daria so much. So, so, so much. And I really loved how well written her character is. She seemingly has the perfect life, but inside…she is anything but. The book was quite an emotional journey for her, and I really loved Penn too. Their meeting was interesting, and how things came back around when they were older. Stories of kids who are ran through the ringer by a parent can be hard, but I really felt like this one was so very genuine and gave us all of the feels! Jamie is still hilarious and great. And…wow…Via, Via, Via. She is something else…she invoked a lot of feelings in me, for certain!
Shel: I also enjoyed the quick looks we had into the #hotholes as grown ups. Getting a look at them parenting their own teens was interesting and amusing, to say the least. Court: FOr sure, they’re still trying to control the universe, but I love that their mini-me’s are making them work for it…hard core.
Shel: Pretty Reckless was a fun-tastic start to what I’m hoping is a other series with these characters..a series bound to have me glued to my kindle with each new angsty twisty-turny intense love story. Court: I cannot wait! I am obsessed, and will definitely be looking for any and all information about when we will get our next taste of this world!
Shel: My first foray into the novels of LJ Shen started with the #hotholes series (Sinnders of Saint) and I thoroughly enjoyed each book in that series so it’s surprising to no one that I’d be all over the first #tothole book, Pretty Reckless. Equally not surprising—I enjoyed every angsty moment of it. Court: Girl…you are so right. We absolutely LOVE LJ Shen, and this delicious world she has created…but yo…I declared it via text the other night – I love Leigh Shen. Her books evoke a lot of emotions in us, and it is the best.
Shel: This novel had me all up in my feelings. From the first page I was wrapped up in the messed up love story of Daria + Penn—a story that felt momentarily hopeful and then completely doomed. Their enemies to barely tolerating each other to dysfunctional friendship to real feelings was so much angsty fun to read. I was totally caught up in my feelings –of understanding the betrayal and hurt they felt (especially Daria—god was she suffering)– and LJ Shen had me wanting to comfort them, face palm them, or rage at them/for them. I loved Penn and his protective nature and how loyal he was—especially since that loyalty turned out to be not always returned. And, I felt very strongly about Via—LJ Shen knows how to write so extremely unlikeable characters. Court: I relate to Daria so much. So, so, so much. And I really loved how well written her character is. She seemingly has the perfect life, but inside…she is anything but. The book was quite an emotional journey for her, and I really loved Penn too. Their meeting was interesting, and how things came back around when they were older. Stories of kids who are ran through the ringer by a parent can be hard, but I really felt like this one was so very genuine and gave us all of the feels! Jamie is still hilarious and great. And…wow…Via, Via, Via. She is something else…she invoked a lot of feelings in me, for certain!
Shel: I also enjoyed the quick looks we had into the #hotholes as grown ups. Getting a look at them parenting their own teens was interesting and amusing, to say the least. Court: FOr sure, they’re still trying to control the universe, but I love that their mini-me’s are making them work for it…hard core.
Shel: Pretty Reckless was a fun-tastic start to what I’m hoping is a other series with these characters..a series bound to have me glued to my kindle with each new angsty twisty-turny intense love story. Court: I cannot wait! I am obsessed, and will definitely be looking for any and all information about when we will get our next taste of this world!
5 stars!
“There is nothing more poetically inspiring
Than loving the right person
At the wrong place
At the wrong time”
I don’t know how I was expecting this story to go but it was nothing like I imagined. One of the amazing things I love about L.J. Shen is that you can’t assume anything when it comes to her stories. She writes books that are twisted and surprising. She doesn’t follow the rules, pushing boundaries and making you think outside the box. She challenges her characters and challenges her readers, and does a fantastic job as she does it.
Pretty Reckless is raw, intense, and angsty. It’s addictive, consuming, and emotional. I dare you to read this and not feel everything. It will make you scream, cry, smile, and swoon. It will make you fall in love with the broken characters. Characters that are complex and multi-dimensional. They can be vicious and vindictive in the worst ways but they have vulnerabilities and faults that make they relatable and endearing. They are far from perfect but that is what makes them real.
Daria and Penn’s story is not a simple one. It leaves you guessing at every turn, and while some truths are revealed, others are buried deeper. You think you know what is going to happen only to be left slack-jawed. You think you know the characters only to be shown a new side you didn’t see before.
My heart broke for both Daria and Penn. For their past and future, for what they lived through and what they must face, and for what they were and what they become.
“She’s not the head cheerleader right now, and I’m not the football captain of the rival team. 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.”
Daria and Penn shared a moment. But that moment was ripped from them in a reckless heartbeat and both their lives changed forever. They hate each other but they can’t stay away, and it creates massive amounts of sizzling sexual tension.
“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.”
They may be young adults but this book is far from a YA read. There is some serious heat going and the buildup is delicious. Penn and Daria create a spark that sets the pages on fire and I felt the intensity between them. They love fiercely and completely, and I loved watching them open up and really let the emotion out.
“I love you, Daria Followhill, and I think you love me, too. In fact, I think we fell at the same time. You, like rain, in drizzles, over the weeks. Me, like the fucking sky above my head, all at once, crashing without the faintest chance of stopping.
…
“You were never a drizzle, Penn Scully. When I fell for you, you came beating down, and I felt you everywhere. You were hail.”
Though some of the secondary characters infuriated me, they played such an important role in Daria and Penn’s journey and without them the story wouldn’t have been the same. There were times I had to pull myself together because I was so upset with their choices; however, even during those times, none of the actions were out of place. They only added to the story and helped Daria and Penn grow both individually and together even when it hurt. The story is harsh at times but it’s the sweet moments that pull at your heartstrings and make everything better.
I have to add that Jaime is amazing! He has a special bond with Daria and his love is unwavering. I loved him in Defy but I love him even more when I see him as a father!
And the Totholes!! OMG, they rocked my world! Their loyalty and friendship is everything and they have each other’s back no matter what. They are all unique and bring their own personalities to the story, and I cannot wait for more!! Angry God and Broken Knight are coming soon!!
L.J. Shen did a really good job with this book. It’s a great combination of Mean Girls and Cruel Intentions with a creative edge. Ms. Shen really put me through a whirlwind of emotions. The drama level is HIGH and my anxiety level was through the roof at times. I was on edge wondering what in the hell was going to happen next. And in the end, it was well worth it. I must say that this is probably the first time I’ve loved a hero more than the heroine. Penn was everything and I felt so much compassion for him. In the beginning I disliked Daria…. A LOT but eventually I warmed up to her.
Pretty Reckless is a fantastic way to start off this series and I am definitely looking forward to reading more books in this series. It’s a definite must read!!
It’s difficult to describe this book without getting too much spoilery so here’s what I can say:
Go in as blind as you can.
Don’t just read it. FEEL IT
When I heard Daria was getting her story,I tried to avoid as many snippets,teasers,and excerpts as I could. And man I did good!
I was expecting her to be a true Queen B (itch) but I was met with 150% more than I thought she was going to be.
A badass heroine with so much spine that she left me speechless at some points.
But don’t be fooled…there’s so much more to her story besides being the IT girl. Believe me.
And Penn….what can I say about him?
The underdog who came to stole your heart. Imperfectly perfect. I didn’t picture him in my mind that much so when I met him I was flabbergasted because I loved every bit of him.
Filled with angst,laugh and many heart wrenching moments,this book was everything I was expecting to be.
All the swoons. All the angst. ALL THE THINGS!! If there’s ever an author that can write bully/enemies-to-lovers, it’s LJ FREAKING SHEN!!
This book is a ride you don’t want to miss so read. it. now!
Leigh Shen has blown me out of the water with this one. I was late to the game with the original Hothole books (Sinners of Saint Series) and I did enjoy them BUT they have nothing on this book! This is right up there with The Kiss Thief for me it was angsty as fuck, wonderfully written with a complex storyline and characters that surprised you throughout. I will say that Pretty Reckless can be read without reading Sinners of Saint Series first.
Daria Followhill is of course the heroine of the novel, I expected her to be the Queen Bitch, head cheerleader, Miss Popular quintessential mean girl of All Saints High, and she was…..but…. she was so much more than that, lost, lonely and completely misunderstood. Daria carries a huge chip on her shoulder, with a whole pot of rage bubbling away just under the surface that feeds her sharp tongue followed by the bitter after taste of regret. I guarantee whatever you think you know about Daria Followhill, whatever stereotype you have formed in your head, Leigh Shen throws it back in your face!
Penn Scully is our Hero, a guy from the wrong side of the tracks, with a shitty home life that goes from bad to worse the day he meets Daria. When Penn is taken in by Jamie and Mel (Daria’s parents) things get messy. Penn is determined to get revenge for the day Daria ruined his life, and his quick witt, give zero fucks attitude leaves Daria wondering if she has met her match. Penn brings the brooding, alpha male to the mix, he is is a box of contradictions and it is hard not to become addicted to all things Penn Scully as you read Pretty Reckless.
I want to keep this review as spoiler free as possible so I won’t say much more of the plot points. Trust me there is so much complexity to this story, chemistry is off the charts HOT! Penn and Daria both appear stone cold and chill on the outside, on the inside however they both have huge hearts with gaping holes in them that are waiting to be healed. The book had me laughing at parts and crying in others the stark contrast shows the skill in Leigh’s story telling that reaches out beyond the two central protagonists.
As I read, I got lost in the All Saints World, despite how much there is going on, the story was easy to follow. Secondary Characters a plenty all had a purpose in the narrative, it was awesome to see the Totholes in their elements as well as our Hotholes all grown up in their parental roles *swoon*
Pretty Reckless was an epic 5 star read from me and I cannot wait for the remaining two books in the series! If you are lover of YA or not, I don’t know how you can’t enjoy this book, it’s a deliciously addictive, deviant must read romance!
This book was absolutely phenomenal and soooo sooo worth the wait . This is one of those books that kept me on tenterhooks broke me and eventually put me back together. This was a roller coaster of emotions, angst and heart touching moments. Leigh has done her magic again . I was a bit skeptical if I would love the All Saints High as much as I enjoyed and loved Sinner of the Saints series but I loved it as much . One thing is to go in without reading any spoilers and you are in for a fabulous ride . Penn and Daria were a perfect match and seeing the other characters from Sinner of the Saints made me nostalgic and I am anxiously awaiting for the other books in the series. Without giving any spoilers this is one of the best books of 2019 with brilliant plot , amazing characters and beautiful poetic words. Leigh casts her magic on her readers again . Highly recommend this book. A must read and not to be missed.