Tonight I have a review of Her Pretty Face, an addictive domestic drama publishing tomorrow by Gallery/Scout Press.
My Thoughts:
Her Pretty Face by Robyn Harding
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 second-guessing stars to Her Pretty Face! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I’m not second guessing giving four stars to Her Pretty Face. In fact, I’m awarding Her Pretty Face four stars for making me second guess myself throughout the entire novel! Four stars also for sleep loss because I found this book compulsively readable!
Her Pretty Face is told from three different points-of-view: Frances, a stay-at-home mom, Daisy, a teen, and DJ, a young child. Part of the fun in this book is figuring out how these voices are connected, so that’s all I’ll say about the narrators.
Frances is a stay-at-home needs a friend as much as her son, Marcus, who has some behavioral difficulties. She meets Kate who is beautiful, confident, and the opposite of Frances in every way. The two build a strong friendship just as their sons eventually do.
However, one of these women is actually a murderer by a different name. That’s where my guessing game took place because it was clearly narrowed down to two choices, Frances or Kate.
I was especially drawn to Daisy as a character. Robyn Harding did an exceptional job with characterizing a relatable, vulnerable, but strong, teen girl.
I noticed in the synopsis that Her Pretty Face is referred to as a domestic drama, and I think that is suitable. It was not intended to be a psychological thriller that gives me chills or makes me check the locks on the door, and it was not a jigsaw puzzle’s worth of analysis on my part trying to figure out what happened. Instead, I second-guessed myself over and over, and more and more, I’m finding myself enjoying the simplicity in that.
Overall, I found Her Pretty Face to be well-written, original, and addictive!
Thank you to Gallery/Scout Press for the ARC. Her Pretty Face will be published on July 10, 2018.
View all my reviews
Synopsis:
The author of the bestselling novel The Party—lauded as “tense and riveting” by New York Times bestselling author Megan Miranda—returns with a chilling new domestic drama about two women whose deep friendship is threatened by dark, long-buried secrets.
Frances Metcalfe is struggling to stay afloat.
A stay-at-home mom whose troubled son is her full-time job, she thought that the day he got accepted into the elite Forrester Academy would be the day she started living her life. Overweight, insecure, and lonely, she is desperate to fit into Forrester’s world. But after a disturbing incident at the school leads the other children and their families to ostracize the Metcalfes, she feels more alone than ever before.
Until she meets Kate Randolph.
Kate is everything Frances is not: beautiful, wealthy, powerful, and confident. And for some reason, she’s not interested in being friends with any of the other Forrester moms—only Frances. As the two bond over their disdain of the Forrester snobs and the fierce love they have for their sons, a startling secret threatens to tear them apart…because one of these women is not who she seems. Her real name is Amber Kunick. And she’s a murderer.
In her masterful follow-up to The Party, Robyn Harding spins a web of lies, deceit, and betrayal, asking the question: Can people ever change? And even if they can, is it possible to forgive the past?
Sounds good to me and I just always love your pictures too!
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It was a great read, Marialyce! Thank you- I’m so happy you enjoy my pics!
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This sounds really intriguing, right up my alley. Also, you take really pretty pictures. Totally envious. Haha! 😀 Have a great week ahead of you.
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Thanks, Rachel! I loved this book! Thank you for the compliment on my pictures, too. I have so much fun with them and love sharing them. ♥️ I hope you have a great week, too!
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Wow this one sounds intense! Another wonderful review Jen! There is something I don’t understand…….when the heck do you sleep??😊💖💖😴😴
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Thanks, Sus! I loved this book, and it kept me up even later than normal! 😂 I’m a night owl, but I have to get up early in the mornings….I’m working on it though. Hoping tonight I’ll go to bed on time! ♥️
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I’ve been eyeing this one and its sounds rather quite compelling! And sometimes you just want a straightforward thriller minus all the twists and turns. Also, I absolutely love it when stories have hidden connections between all the narrators. 😀
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So true, Kathy! It’s nice to be able to settle in and let it all unfold without all the analysis! This one was perfect for that. 💕
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Haha funny and fantastic review Jennifer! I really liked this one too when I read it. 🙂
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Thanks, Carrie! I’m happy you enjoyed it too! It was different in a good way.
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Jennifer this looks so good! Wonderful review! 💜
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Thanks, Berit! I think you’d enjoy this one! It’s so well-done! 💗
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Oh you’ve completely sucked me into this one. Love that it leaves you second guessing but not checking your locks! Lol. That I can deal with! 😄
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lol Nina, I’m happy I could tempt you a little! 💕
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Fabulous review! I really loved this one. It was fun trying to figure out who the killer was without the book being graphic or overly creepy! I’ve already picked up her other book The Party and I hope it is as good!
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Thank you, Stephanie! So true! I was thinking about picking up The Party, too! You’ll probably get to it before me, so I will wait to hear what you think of it! ♥️
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You’re welcome!! I don’t know if I will! I have quite a few ARCs to get read before classes start in August…I usually try to read all my August and Sept ones before it does because the 1st few weeks of the semester I’m just swamped. But I want to read it soon!
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I understand! I have way too many ARCs still (I thought June was busy???) and life really picks back up for me in August too. I haven’t read a book that wasn’t an ARC in a few months because I way over-committed myself with reads! By the way, I was able to pick up Rose’ Colored Glasses as a read now before it archived, so I’m excited about that one, thanks to you! ♥️
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July is busier for me than June was with my number of ARCs I have but I’m too lazy to write my reviews, ugh. But I’m not behind yet…woohoo! I will be if I don’t get writing though (I’ve now got 10 unreviewed books to catch up on, which makes me wonder why I don’t write all my reviews when I’m done reading them. Pure laziness, lol).
Oh that’s too bad! I’ve been able to squeeze in some “just for me” books. But I normally don’t have more than 10 ARCs a month and less in fall although I did overcommit myself for July!
August is always fun when real life kicks back in. And I’ve insanely decided to homeschool my 8 yr old for 3rd this yr too, so that will be interesting along with teaching 4 classes this semester. I might lose my mind.
Yay! I’m so glad! 😊 It’s a super quick read, and they’re fun. They were live on Facebook on the 10th and were just so funny!! Enjoy! ❤
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Steph, I stayed up late reading it and am almost done. I couldn’t even contain my laughter on many of the stories. I’m so grateful I read your review and picked it up! Oh, you do have a lot on your plate for the fall! I think I need to try not to have more than 10 ARCs a month, too, and be much more selective. I will work on it! Good luck writing your reviews! Hope you have a great Sunday! 💗
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So glad you loved it! They are fabulous! I do…I’m overwhelmed right now, ugh. I didn’t think about how I would need to have lesson plans finished for her before I started back and all the curriculum bought, etc since I’ve just been floating along in lalaland! Then it dawned on me it was the 2nd week of July and I better get my tail in gear! So I’m not going to have much time for blogging the rest of the summer with 4 classes to plan for and a her things to get together as well….I’ll do what I can! Life first And thanks! I’m still going to try to get what I can written and hope they aren’t late. I’ve never gotten behind on reviews and I hate to start now…Hope you had a great weekend!
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Totally understandable, and you really do have a full plate. I’m sending good thoughts for all you have to get done! At least you get to do it all at the beach! 🏖 ♥️
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Thank you!! i’ll take them…and yes, at least this is a good place to be (minus all the distractions that make you not want to do anything, lol).
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Any novel making you second guess yourself is definitely 4 star material! Great review. I’ve officially added this to my list 🙂 .. I love this cover too! Either I keep seeing it everywhere, or the few times I did, it really stood out. I’m not sure which, but it’s very memorable!
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Thank you, Didi! I totally agree about the second guessing, and also that this cover is memorable!
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Don’t Believe It by Charlie Donlea has been my favorite suspense novel thus far this year.
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I loved that one, too, Laurie! Perfect choice! 💗
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Great review Jen! I’ve seen this book so much now I might have to add it to my TBR! 👍🏻🤗
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Thanks, Beth! It was such a great read, I don’t think you’ll regret it! ♥️
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Awesome review, Jennifer! I do have this one added. Can’t wait! 💗💙💗 xoxo
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Thanks, M! I can’t wait for you to read it! When you start it, you’ll have to let me know! 💗 xo
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Definitely sounds like an interesting read! I love something that will keep me guessing!
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It was such an original read and kept me on my toes! It’s unusual to know from the beginning that it’s an either/or on the killer. Flip of a coin!
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Reblogged this on Angie Dokos.
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Thanks, Angie! 💕
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