Summary:
When Julia Bennett, a spirited and ambitious teenager, finds herself thrust into the glamorous but ruthless world of high society, her life changes forever. Julia, who has been struggling with her fractured family life and mounting debts, is suddenly uprooted from her small town after a shocking revelation. Her estranged father, a wealthy businessman named Victor Carter, has left her a substantial inheritance, but there's a catch-she must move in with the Carter family and attend the prestigious Carter Academy.
The Carters, led by Victor's sharp and imposing wife, Eleanor, and their three charismatic children, are not thrilled about Julia's arrival. They are especially resistant to the idea of Julia blending into their elite circle. Julia's presence is met with a mix of hostility and intrigue from the Carter siblings-Aiden, the arrogant and handsome eldest son; Sophie, the scheming middle daughter; and Lucas, the rebellious youngest son.
As Julia navigates the treacherous social landscape of Carter Academy, she faces the challenge of proving her worth to the family and the high-society elite who view her as an outsider. Despite the icy reception from her new step-siblings and the social politics of her new school, Julia finds herself drawn to Aiden, whose own troubled past and inner demons mirror her own struggles.
Tensions rise as Julia uncovers hidden truths about her family's legacy and her father's secrets. She must balance her desire for acceptance with her quest for self-discovery and justice. Amidst the glamour, deception, and rivalry, Julia's journey is one of transformation, love, and the struggle to forge her own identity.
"If I told you my secrets, you would never look at me the same."
His fingertips graze my jaw, travelling up behind my ear and into my hair. I let out a soft sigh, unsure of how I feel about all of this. It's all sort of abrupt, but the way my stomach flutters when I'm around him is undeniable. Jaxon inches his face closer and I'm sure he's going to kiss me. Only he doesn't. He shakes his head and steps back, rethinking his choice. And now, he's gone. He's left me, in the empty parking lot of Cardinal Carter, and all I'm left with is the chanting from the field. I turn my head and watch him pick up his pace as he nears his Jeep. He fooled me. Again. Really, I should've never let an old flame burn twice.
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If anyone's experienced childhood trauma, it's Stella Blake. In her just fourteen years of life, she's witnessed her abusive, alcoholic father repeatedly beat her mother, saved her mother's life during the last straw, and truly knows what poverty is like. Headed into her freshman year of the prestigious Cardinal Carter Academy, Stella finally feels as if she's better. She knows she is. Her mother and her are doing fine now-financially and mentally. So what could go wrong?
Jaxon Spade is the complete opposite. A once good boy turned Juvenile, the Junior carries an immense secret. One that he's sure will dethrone him as king. Jaxon is set to be the heir of the Canadian Mafia, also known as his fathers company, Spade Industries. Often seen as a rich boy who doesn't understand the ways of survival, he was once declared as Stella Blake's first love. Hiding family troubles of his own, Jaxon emotionally struggles to get by. That is, until he lays his eyes on Stella Blake.
Prequel to Good Gone Bad - if you'd like some insight on the characters after their high school experiences, I suggest you read that first.