She wants my help to make her stronger, but this girl can bring me to my knees . . .

Growing up in Chesterboro, good girls were warned away from my brothers and me, and Penny Hampshire is a good girl. We're from opposite sides of town—her side has money and mine barely makes ends meet. But when a trauma leaves her feeling out of control and vulnerable, she asks me to teach her to fight. My family owns a martial arts gym, and I've been training and teaching forever, so I agree. Besides, private lessons pay well, and I'm saving up to move away from Chesterboro for good.

Penny is different than I expect. Sure, she's gorgeous, but she's also smart and braver than I ever imagined. We shouldn't be compatible, but the more time I spend with her, the more we feel right together. But when forces from the past resurface to stir trouble for us, can what we're building together overcome small-town prejudices?