Just Pretend

About this book

Seventeen-year-old Luna Parker is just trying to survive. After killing her abusive stepfather in self-defense, she is uprooted and forced to live with her estranged older brother in a quiet beach town. With a looming court case, mandatory therapy, and a reputation that threatens to alienate her from her new peers, Luna’s only goal is to remain invisible. However, she finds herself squarely in the sights of Kai Miller, the school’s arrogant, tattoo-clad hockey captain. When toxic rumors about Luna’s past begin to circulate, the hostility between her and Kai creates an unlikely opportunity. Kai proposes a fake dating arrangement to make Luna appear untouchable and draw unwanted attention away from both of them. It is a strictly tactical alliance, but as they spend more time together, the lines between their performance and reality begin to blur. Utilizing the classic enemies-to-lovers trope, *Just Pretend* explores the fragile connection between two guarded teenagers. As Kai begins to see through Luna’s defenses, she realizes that the boy she once despised is the only one who truly understands her deepest scars. In a world where secrets have the power to destroy, they must decide if their fake romance is worth the risk of real heartbreak.