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Girls with Scars
My life’s a mess. One sister’s in jail and the other ran off to Reno, leaving me a thousand bucks and an eviction notice for our apartment. Thankfully, I secure a work-study job at a local auto garage. All I gotta do is avoid child protective services until I’m eighteen, finish senior year, and snag a college basketball recruiter’s attention. No biggie, right? Then I meet Pen, my new boss’s beautiful, mysterious daughter…
Senior year’s just begun, but given how quiet things are so far, I’m optimistic I’ll finish the rest of high school unscathed. Then Nate Palmer, gorgeous basketball star, trips over my bag…and asks me if I’m new here. Evidently, he has no idea who I am, or what I’ve been through the last two years. Despite my undeniable attraction to him, I try to keep him at arm’s length. But Nate’s gentle, caring affection breaks through my emotional defenses. When old enemies resurface and threaten our budding relationship, I’m forced to walk away from Nate for good to protect my fragile heart, or reclaim those painful scars and finally heal.
Senior year’s just begun, but given how quiet things are so far, I’m optimistic I’ll finish the rest of high school unscathed. Then Nate Palmer, gorgeous basketball star, trips over my bag…and asks me if I’m new here. Evidently, he has no idea who I am, or what I’ve been through the last two years. Despite my undeniable attraction to him, I try to keep him at arm’s length. But Nate’s gentle, caring affection breaks through my emotional defenses. When old enemies resurface and threaten our budding relationship, I’m forced to walk away from Nate for good to protect my fragile heart, or reclaim those painful scars and finally heal.
- GenresEbooks
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 24, 2022
About the author
April Kerner
10 books12 followersApril a non-practicing librarian, grew up in California, but currently calls Switzerland her home. When not writing, she can be found traveling, taking long walks in the forest, or naturally, reading a good book.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 23, 2023
Pen is sweet and caring. But school has become a nightmare for her since rumors have been circulating about her. Rumors that hold no truth.
Nate is a star basketball player who has been dealt a raw hand in the life area. Now abandoned and homeless he needs to figure out his next step to get closer to the basketball scholarship that will be his future and the only way out of his mess.
Nate meets Pen and his world is askew. She is all he thinks about now. With all things turning around after meeting Pen the future is within reach until the source of Pen's rumors and her bullies decide Nate belongs to them. Now the couple must navigate a slippery slope to be together and Pen must steep out of the shadows and into the light. Pen must do a let of soul searching and self work to get herself right in her own thoughts. To do this she must start confronting the rumors and stand up for herself and put herself in the line of fire.
Nate does screw up but Pen is forgiving and selfless so they try to hold on to the love they have and hope that will get them them through this mess and they will be together in the end.
I love Pen and her love and care for others. I understand her need to hide and protect herself from harm. Nate is in a tough spot and I feel like life was never giving him a break but the fact that Pen helped him with even just a friend to listen to him and be there for him was the sweetest. The fact that Nate knows Pen is his best friend and he never wants to upset or hurt her shows his love for her.
It is a sweet story of 1st love and some of the drama that goes along with being a teenager in high school.
Rating 3 1/2 stars
Nate is a star basketball player who has been dealt a raw hand in the life area. Now abandoned and homeless he needs to figure out his next step to get closer to the basketball scholarship that will be his future and the only way out of his mess.
Nate meets Pen and his world is askew. She is all he thinks about now. With all things turning around after meeting Pen the future is within reach until the source of Pen's rumors and her bullies decide Nate belongs to them. Now the couple must navigate a slippery slope to be together and Pen must steep out of the shadows and into the light. Pen must do a let of soul searching and self work to get herself right in her own thoughts. To do this she must start confronting the rumors and stand up for herself and put herself in the line of fire.
Nate does screw up but Pen is forgiving and selfless so they try to hold on to the love they have and hope that will get them them through this mess and they will be together in the end.
I love Pen and her love and care for others. I understand her need to hide and protect herself from harm. Nate is in a tough spot and I feel like life was never giving him a break but the fact that Pen helped him with even just a friend to listen to him and be there for him was the sweetest. The fact that Nate knows Pen is his best friend and he never wants to upset or hurt her shows his love for her.
It is a sweet story of 1st love and some of the drama that goes along with being a teenager in high school.
Rating 3 1/2 stars
April 21, 2023
I binge read this book and loved it!
For any mood readers, this one might be hard because there was a lot of stress coming from the male protagonist.
I loved the dialogue and the general self awareness from all main characters. I usually hate feeling like the female protagonist is clueless or like the plot is being forwarded by a lack of communication that could easily be resolved with any person just speaking up. This book does a great job of being super self aware and real.
The main characters are in high school, so its a sweet romance but not necessarily for people who want steamy content.
I generally really liked this author and loved how both Pen and Nate were feminists and aware of how their actions would come across in the real world.
Will be reading the rest of Kerner’s books!
For any mood readers, this one might be hard because there was a lot of stress coming from the male protagonist.
I loved the dialogue and the general self awareness from all main characters. I usually hate feeling like the female protagonist is clueless or like the plot is being forwarded by a lack of communication that could easily be resolved with any person just speaking up. This book does a great job of being super self aware and real.
The main characters are in high school, so its a sweet romance but not necessarily for people who want steamy content.
I generally really liked this author and loved how both Pen and Nate were feminists and aware of how their actions would come across in the real world.
Will be reading the rest of Kerner’s books!
August 22, 2024
This book is an emotional and empowering journey that truly resonates. The story of Pen and Nate is one of healing, trust, and finding strength in love despite life's hardships. I fell in love with Nate from the first page—his determination to turn his life around and his gentle persistence with Pen won me over completely. Pen’s struggle to come out of the shadows and reclaim her voice is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Their relationship is a beautiful reminder that love can heal even the deepest scars. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a sweet, powerful romance.
April Kerner is an absolute genius!
April Kerner is an absolute genius!
February 18, 2025
After falling in love with April Kerner’s adult series, I knew I had to dive into this one—and wow, I’m so glad I did! This book is an emotional and empowering journey that completely pulled me in. Pen and Nate’s story is one of healing, trust, and finding strength in love despite life’s hardships. I adored Nate from the start—his determination to turn his life around and his gentle persistence with Pen made him impossible not to love. Pen’s journey of reclaiming her voice was heartbreaking and inspiring in equal measure. I love a good YA novel, and this one had everything I could want—deep emotions, meaningful relationships, and a romance that felt raw and real. I binged it in one sitting and couldn’t stop thinking about it afterward. She has done it again!
April 19, 2023
Kept my attention
I know this is a teen book, and the issues that were dealt with were important to consider. I nearly stopped reading because of the f word, but it almost disappeared the further I got into the story. I was disappointed that sex was such an easy response to loving someone. I wish that there was more honesty about the emotional damage that happens in sex without commitment.
That said, I did feel there were some good decisions made, and I loved seeing that while some adults were selfish and self serving, there were many others who were caring and were good role models.
I know this is a teen book, and the issues that were dealt with were important to consider. I nearly stopped reading because of the f word, but it almost disappeared the further I got into the story. I was disappointed that sex was such an easy response to loving someone. I wish that there was more honesty about the emotional damage that happens in sex without commitment.
That said, I did feel there were some good decisions made, and I loved seeing that while some adults were selfish and self serving, there were many others who were caring and were good role models.
January 28, 2025
This book is an emotional and uplifting story about healing, trust, and finding strength in love. The characters feel real and relatable, with sharp, self-aware dialogue that avoids frustrating clichés. Pen and Nate’s connection is heartfelt and inspiring, making their journey a joy to read.
The romance is sweet and thoughtful, perfect for those who enjoy meaningful emotional growth over steamy content. April Kerner’s writing is both empowering and deeply touching—I’m excited to read more of her work!
The romance is sweet and thoughtful, perfect for those who enjoy meaningful emotional growth over steamy content. April Kerner’s writing is both empowering and deeply touching—I’m excited to read more of her work!
March 24, 2025
This book provided us with a story of not only new love but for both Nate and Pen it really was a story about growth and overcoming trauma. Nate finally feels safe enough to rely on others, he doesn't have to everything by himself. Pen finally faced her demons and bullies. Very cute story, would love to see more of them.
April 12, 2023
A taste of life as a teenager
Author April Kerner provided us with a story of not only new love, but for both Nate and Pen it was a time of facing thr traumas in their life, acts of bullying, and in the case of nate realizing that he no longer has to do things on his own. Pens father, syd,little, and nate team mates were a nice touch to this story
Author April Kerner provided us with a story of not only new love, but for both Nate and Pen it was a time of facing thr traumas in their life, acts of bullying, and in the case of nate realizing that he no longer has to do things on his own. Pens father, syd,little, and nate team mates were a nice touch to this story
April 18, 2023
Absolutely LOVED this book. Pen and Nate’s relationship is the best (young love) the storyline is amazing. The ‘problem’ that came into their relationship they handled it well and it was just a great book!! I feel like the ending was a little rushed to end and I would love to have a sequel!
August 9, 2023
This book surprised me in the best of ways. I binged it in one sitting and once I was done with it I didn’t really know how to move forward. Needless to say I’m hooked to Nate and Pen‘s dialogue and interactions!
February 7, 2024
This wasn't a horrible book but wasn't really my cup of tea.
It's an easy to read young love/high school sweethearts romance with a little drama and an expected ending. Not something I'd read again but I'm sure others enjoy this genre a lot!
It's an easy to read young love/high school sweethearts romance with a little drama and an expected ending. Not something I'd read again but I'm sure others enjoy this genre a lot!
March 24, 2025
This book surprised me in the best of ways. I don't really know what I was expecting but it was not this! This was so great! I binged it in one sitting and once I was done with it I didn’t really know how to move forward. I loved how the characters' interactions with each other felt very real.
August 3, 2023
This was a heartwarming YA romance novel about healing, hope, and facing trauma. Nate and Pen's story is very empowering, and their challenges had me eagerly turning the pages to find out what happens next. I loved this novel and definitely recommend it!
January 13, 2024
I can’t even begin to explain the addiction I’m having to this book
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews