My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Series: All Saints High Book 1

Hey there to all my book friends! Sorry, It’s been a week with my finals for some classes I’ve been in but I have some posts to share with you! This first one is a story that’s full of feels, the first book of the All Saints High Series. It’s all about contrasts, heartaches, and the search for redemption that will pull at your heartstrings and keep you totally engrossed. I hope you’re ready because we’re about to dive into the complex lives of Daria Followhill and Penn Scully.

Let me start by saying that I’m giving this book a well-deserved 4 stars for its compelling storytelling, richly developed characters, and the emotional journey it takes us on. Whether you’re a fan of intense romances or nuanced explorations of human nature, this book has something truly something special. It’s no surprise why BookTok is in love with L.J. Shen’s novels.

We first meet Daria Followhill and she seems to have it all the looks, the wealth, and the status that come with being part of the elite in All Saints High. But beneath the surface of her seemingly perfect existence lies an overwhelming feeling of not quite being enough. It’s a sentiment many of us can relate to, right friends? That nagging doubt that shadows our brightest moments with thoughts of inadequacy in a room full of people or even those who we think are our friends. Sometimes, even surrounded by abundance, you yearn for something more fulfilling.

Then there is Penn Scully, the boy from the other side of the tracks, whose life is anything but easy. After losing his mother and finding himself homeless, and. with his twin sister gone without a trace, Penn’s world is one of survival, not just physically but emotionally too. He has been hardened by the trials he’s faced in life and a betrayal that cut deep, courtesy of Daria Followhill herself.

Now, fate throws them together under the same roof, thanks to the charity of Daria’s family. But this proximity does nothing to make the heart grow fonder, or does it? Penn vows to make Daria pay for the pain of the past, setting the stage for a tumultuous cohabitation filled with tension, raw emotions, and, unexpectedly, a journey toward understanding and healing.

What I absolutely adore about this story is its raw honesty and the depictions of the complexities of human emotion and relationships. It’s a rollercoaster of feelings, from the highs of youthful hope to the lows of despair and the pain of feeling misunderstood. Daria and Penn are more than just characters in a book my friends. They’re the reflections of the struggles we all face when seeking acceptance and love. Their journey from adversaries to something more is special. L.J. Shen’s ability to make us love characters who are flawed and yet see beyond the surface, to the heart of who someone truly is shows us how awesome of a writer they truly are. This book is about the firsts and the lasts, the pain of growing up, and the beauty of finding someone who, against all odds, becomes your everything.

So friends, if you’re in the mood for a story that blends the sweetness of love with the bitterness of life’s trials, pick up this book. The”All Saints High” series promises to be a memorable addition to your reading list. As always friends pick up a copy, find your cozy spot and a delicious drink, and snuggle up and read all about Daria and Penn. Happy reading friends!