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
This book was one of those books you just want to hate the main character so bad but you can’t. Daria seems to have it all looks, popularly, fancy car, captain of the cheerleading squad. Unfortunately she has a sour attitude one bad decision from jealousy has changed her whole life and she can’t seem to get rid of the rotten hole in her heart.
Her mother wants to save others and help the unfortunate but it seems she just doesn’t care about Daria especially when Pen moves in… can it get any worse??
This book is one of the train wrecks that you just can’t put down it just gets worse and worse but through it all you just keep cheering for Daria.
She is not rotten to the core even if she thinks she is. She is sweet and caring and wants nothing more than her mothers love. When her life seems to get better a blast from the past makes it so bad she can’t handle anything.
As much as you want to hate her mother and shake her dad for all the crap going on it’s hard not to see it from both sides.
This book was just crazy good I can’t wait for book 2.
The characters were everything in this book. I hated and loved them in equal measure.
I have been waiting with bated breath for this book and I was not disappointed. I was wrecked and in turn repaired by Shen’s words. I never would have thought I’d say this but I’m gonna have to say this has displaced all the others as my favorite book of hers. Daria is so beautifully destroyed and Penn is just wow! He’s just so Penn. They are just ruined perfection!! The message in the words and the story is so honest and relevant and I’m floored. I’m ready to start a petition for the next one already.
If you like angsty, gut-wrenching teenage sports romance, you’ll love Pretty Reckless. I don’t normally read in this genre, but I love LJ Shen’s writing, so I had to give it a try. Deep emotion and a heartbreaking plot kept me riveted. I read it in one afternoon. Kudos to LJ Shen!!
This was a very well written dark, book. Even as I’m typing, I’m still absorbing the emotions that ran through me reading this. Happy, sad, scared, yelling at Kindle, hoping for a miracle, but if not for his friend, think I would have been truly traumatized in Ty’s life as he needs someone on his side As this author has not written anything this dark, but he did a very good job and hit it spot on. Poor Ty, I’m hoping in the 2nd book he gets his rewards. Recommend highly.
Pretty Reckless was a book I put of reading as I disliked her character so much as well as her parents Jamie and Melody. But this book rights my wrong assumption. Daria may have wealth but when you feel like you are nothing it doesn’t matter. Penn and Daria have this love hate relationship right from the start and they do something that changes the course of their lives. This book had me wanting to rip my hair out, sad and really anxious it made go to the end of the book to see what happened. This book is typical boy from the wrong side of the tracks and rich girl but with lots of F#%ked up twist and turns.
3 1/2*
Daria meets Penn the day her life is about to change, having discovered a letter in her mum’s bag she’s upset.
Penn doesn’t realise at the time how his actions cause such trouble for his family and both families futures.
A story of betrayal, deceit, and secrets.
This one’s definitely one of the hardest reviews to write for me, not to mention choosing a rating for this book.
I was hesitant to read this book because the blurb didn’t do it for me and I’m not into stuck-up bitches. But I loved the author’s previous books and her fabulous writing, so I decided to give it a chance. Well, to be honest, I didn’t regret it but it sure wasn’t my favorite book, though this was to be expected since I went into it with a weird feeling. The characters weren’t my favorites but I still enjoyed this story because the author has a way to put her stories into words that keep me reading no matter what. She’s very talented for sure, keeping me captivated enough to read until the end despite my struggle with the characters. Daria drove me freaking nuts and frustrated the hell out of me!! She was worse than a typical teenage brat, constantly complaining about everything.
Talk about a nerve-wrecking story. It was definitely one of a kind, one of those rare books that had me feeling all the hatred and anger and frustration but still somehow loved how it was done. Hats off to the author for managing this fine line of hatred and love with this fascinating story. Personally, I prefer to love the characters even when it’s sometimes a hate-love but there was just too much loathing on my part for a lot of the characters in this book to read this one again so I couldn’t give it a higher rating.
I felt bad for what Penn had been through but I just couldn’t deal with Daria, she kind of ruined the story for me. I should have expected this though since I knew it would be a hard read about bullying.
I really didn’t understand why she was so mean to people especially when she didn’t want to. Girl, you don’t have to be mean! And you really shouldn’t! I wanted to shake her out of her stupidity so very badly. She said things that made me shudder, stuff I wouldn’t even dream of thinking. It was really low of her to treat people like that.
And I actually did not at all understand why Penn and Daria constantly got it on with each other. I mean, it didn’t seem to me that he hated her. She hated everyone so that’s a natural, but she also had the illusion that nobody cared about her and everyone hated her. She was just always so overdramatic. Well, I’d call that teenage problems because everyone struggles through vulnerability and self-consciousness. But she was just delusional that everyone was against her. She really needed some serious help in form of a therapy.
Daria was always so harsh but thought she was the poor one nobody liked. But didn’t she for once think about how the other person felt she was belittling? She wasn’t better than the people she thought hated her. This girl frustrated me so much! I wanted to smack her upside the head to come to her senses!! But she wasn’t the only one. I mean, Via.. how much of a bitch can one person be?! I hated her so much I wanted to claw her eyes out! The characters definitely rallied each other for the position of craziest bitch.
Besides my feelings for the characters, I also didn’t get how Penn was suddenly a part of the family. Daria’s mom obviously kept track of him for whatever reasons, but why didn’t she help him or Via sooner when she already knew about their abusive family problems at home?!
And Daria’s little black book she kept writing her secrets in?! It was bound to cause damage, didn’t she realize that?! It reminded me so much of the movie Cruel Intentions…
I can’t believe all the stuff this author came up with. There was so much going on and one disaster was following the next. I really don’t know where she gets all of these ideas. It’s kind of brilliant how screwed up this story was. It felt like a bad accident one couldn’t look away from. The author did a great writing job because she captivated me with those frustrating characters that drove me nuts. I guess that’s ascribable to her talent and I can’t fault her for my dislike of the characters because it was still a well written and enjoyable book.
Okay, so, enough of my ranting. The last few chapters got a bit better although I will never understand the bond between Penn and Daria because although there was a physical connection between them – which I also did not really feel – I didn’t see any development of feelings between them. They were only sneaking around and hating on each other. Where were the deep feelings coming from so suddenly?!
It took me a long time to finish the first half of the book and I even picked up other books in the process. The second half though was read in a day because it kept me captivated with those vicious and mean characters.
Sigh. Every time. She gets me every time.
WOW, I almost don’t know what to say about this book! It tears you apart just to put you back together again. I am obsessed with this book. Every page kept my rapt attention. It broke my heart, had me laughing, made me fall in love and kept me very anxious.
This is Daria and Penn’s story. The totholes (kids of the “Hotholes”) from the previous series Sinners of Saint. They met at 14 and had an instant connection. Tragedy strikes and they are reunited 4 years later. Each in rival schools. High society vs The less fortunate. Daria the snobby conceited rich girl who is head cheerleader and Penn the vengeful boy from the wrong side of the tracks and captain of the football team.
This is a tale of revenge, rivalry, sins and secrets. And there is plenty of all to go around between everyone not just Daria and Penn. As the saying goes, there is a fine line between love and hate.
This book for me is easily a top read of 2019. LJ Shen outdid herself! I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. This is a book to be savored and reread time and again.
Daria Followhill, on the outside she has it all. The perfect family, queen bee status at her school, and more. Penn Scully, the boy from the other side of the tracks, with a crappy family and an even crappier upbringing. When the two first meet, they are drawn to each other. They don’t realize who the other is, but one thing is for sure, what the two of them do on that day changes the course for them forever. Fast forward a few years and the two are see each other again, but under much different and circumstances that are out of their control. It’s clear the two are drawn to each other, but it’s also clear that they don’t want to be. Penn feels like Daria ruined his life, and now he is ready to make her life miserable. As their story unfolds, the two must make tough decisions, and at the end of the day can they forgive each other for the damage that has been done?
Ever since L.J. announced that she was going to be writing about the ‘Totholes’ I have been impatiently waiting for the first book to release. I absolutely loved the four ‘Hotholes’ so I knew there was no question that these books would be amazing. I have to say, that the first book for the ‘Totholes’ did not disappoint. I needed this book like I needed my next breath. I built it up so much in my head, and L.J. smashed every thought I had. The way that she writes each of her books evokes so much emotion from the reader. The emotions that I felt during this book crazy, and I laughed out loud and there were some parts that even had me shedding a few tears. The chemistry between Daria and Penn was out of this world and left me begging for more. I also appreciate that we got to check in with the original four, I’m waiting for the next books in the hopes that we get even more glimpses of the originals! Thank you L.J. for giving us the ‘Totholes’, you truly are one of the best!
UGH. THIS BOOK. I LOVED IT.
I just really enjoy a good angsty read with characters you just love to hate. L.J. Shen is the master when it comes to developing these intense character arcs. As the twists of the story unfold, you really start to peel back the layers of each character. I found that Daria and Penn were a match made in Hell… in the best possible way!
I am in awe of the creativity and talent L.J. Shen holds and will forever be thankful I picked up Vicious a few years back.
I loved the Sinners of Saint series, but if all the upcoming books are as good as Pretty Reckless, I don’t think it will even compare to whats to come from this new generation.
I am unbelievably excited to see whats next for the ASH crew!
Pretty Reckless was everything I didn’t know I needed! Penn and Daria were a toxic, angst ridden ride that still has me reeling.
Penn Scully and Daria Followhill are two of the most damaged and complicated characters I’ve read in a long time.
Daria Followhill is not your typical high school girl. Sure, she’s the School Cheer Captain, the popular IT girl that everyones wants to be or be with but Daria has secrets. Insecure and jealous secrets that are her motivations for her actions.
Penn Scully is not your typical high school boy. Sure, he’s the football team captain, he’s the tortured bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks, but he also has secrets. Secrets that fuel his hate for Daria Followhill.
Penn and Daria have an intense and angst filled first meeting that turns both of there worlds upside down with one simple gesture.
While Pretty Reckless is about two high school students, it is most definitely not a YA book. The struggles, the secrets, the angst are all most decidedly not YA. I love L.J’s writing style, she knows how to suck you into a story and keep you there right till the very last page. With twists and turns at every stop you never know whats coming next or what to expect. L.J Shen always has unique storylines full of complex main characters and side characters that always add so much to the story. She not only knows how to suck you into a story but how to draw out every single emotion.
L.J Shen is an author who books you want to devour, who has a cult following desperate for any and every word she writes. And I can tell you that it’s not hype. She fulfils every promise that every one of her readers will make to you about falling in love with her words.
Read more of my reviews at http://www.DesperatelySeekingHEAs.com
Let me start with I loved the book. Furthermore, I loved Penn. Daria? She is an absolute hurricane. A force of nature that may or may not leave a path of devastation in her wake on any given day. She doesn’t intentionally do it try to hurt others, but it happens. At least I don’t think so .?!???
I feel like this book pretty accurately portrays today’s typical Drama triad you see in high school. I felt sorry for Melody as a mom. I know some reviewers hated her, but she’s a mom that’s kept out of the teenage loop.
Daria, whether she intentionally does it or not, she judges others by her perceptions of the situations at hand. Oddly enough she was mostly wrong about her perceptions and became a bully to other students in her HS, including Penn.
This was a great read! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I wanted to scream at Daria and love on Penn so many times. LJ Shen did an awesome job as usual. I can’t wait to see how the rest of this series unfolds!! If you haven’t read the Sinners of Saint series, it’s not required to read before this book, but it adds much more depth to know where this generation came from and their background. I LOVE THEM ALL!!!
Meet your new addiction. A sizzling, decadent, intense story I call dibs on Penn!”
“This book consumed me from the very beginning to its pulse-pounding end.
“Sheen dose it yet again delivers her words with a bang, her signature heart-pulverizing alphas with attitudes that makes your heart stop!
This is YA at its very best!!
OMG!!! Penn Scully and Daria Followhill we’re simply amazing!! I am so impressed with LJ Shen’s writing once again! She is an author goddess!! This book hooked me from the very beginning and I devoured it! Had me sucked in through the very end! I can’t wait for the next book she comes out with!
Pretty Reckless has drama, conflict, heat, lust, lies, betrayal, and secrets. In a Mean Girl meets Cruel Intentions meets Very Bad Things, LJ Shen provides twists and turns as the rich girl and poor boy make for a can’t-put-this-down friends to enemies to lovers read. Daria seems to have it all as the cheer captain and reigning queen at her high school, yet she’s got layers that only her enemy Penn seems to see. Penn’s only option is for a football scholarship and he’s destined for the NFL if he can keep himself in check until graduation. Penn and Daria have a tangled history and he’s definitely out for revenge. Their attraction is forbidden and inconvenient between their hate and that he’s living with her family. There’s more than what meets the eye, for both of them. L.J. Shen developed an interesting cast and I can’t wait to follow them in this series.
WOW!!! Leigh Shen has a remarkable talent of instantly drawing you into a story until it totally consumes your every waking moment! The characters are so complex, so broke, yet also have this incredible strength too. The plot kept me guessing throughout, laid out perfectly in every way. Penn Scully was one bad boy! Tough, hardened by life and unable to show any signs of weakness. He grew up on the wrong side of town in a nasty family life yet he keeps fighting his way to the top. His resilience is remarkable and I absolutely adored him. Daria is the daughter of our sexy “hothole” Jaime & Melody Followhill. She’s lead a privileged life yet finds herself gravely misunderstood and neglected, desperate for attention. I loved her sassy attitude and the way she handled Penn’s tough exterior. The chemistry between Penn and Daria was so real and intense, sizzling HOT!! I was also blown away by the amazing secondary characters and how important they were to the detailed plot. It was great having all the “hotholes” together again and I enjoyed every moment of that!! This was a wonderful Young Adult read that will stay with me forever. I must say it will remain a top read for 2019!!!!
Another great book! I loved Penn and Daria’s story. The book has it all, teen love/ hate, parent problems, and high school drama. Daria is Jaime and Melody’s daughter. I like how this book is an extension of their story. It is a next generation story. Penn is the bad boy they are trying to help. It is a complete story.
4.5 STARS!!!
The beginning of the story was slow for me but the more I read, the more I became interested in the characters and their story and I could not put this book down. There was major miscommunication between Daria and her mom Melody which led to months and years of heartbreaking moments and moments of feeling unworthy. I absolutely loved Daria’s dad Jaime. He was everything to his daughter and I loved the bond they had. Daria’s chemistry with Penn was one I loved to hate and hated to love at times but their story was one I would read over and over. Sylvia definitely showed her bad side and all I can say is that Jamie and Mel had huge hearts. Although it took me a while to get into this story in the beginning it is a story worth reading and I’m excited to read more books from this author.