Her Pretty Face
By Robyn Harding
Gallery/Scout Press, 9781501174247, July 10, 2018, 352pp.
*No Spoilers*
The Short of It:
Compelling with an unexpected twist.
The Rest of It:
I really enjoyed Harding’s other book, The Party, so when I saw that she had a new book coming out, I quickly requested a review copy.
In Her Pretty Face, I expected a lot of backstabbing, catty remarks from arrogant women/girls, etc. The cover is slightly misleading in that regard. The other possibility? A tragic accident that leaves a beautiful woman marred for life. Nope.
What is safe to say, is that it’s about a women named Frances. She lives in a ritzy neighborhood and sends her kid to an expensive private school, but she and her son do not fit the stereotype. She’s a little on the plump side, and her son Marcus has some behavioral issues that make it difficult for him to make friends. Her one saving grace is that she’s married well. Her husband is pretty good-looking but she always feels frumpy beside him.
In walks Kate. She’s tall, beautiful and doesn’t give a rip what other people think of her. So when Frances becomes a social outcast after her kid pees in another kid’s water bottle, Kate comes to her rescue and they are instantly BFFs. Kate is everything that Frances aspires to be.
But there is something about Kate that Frances can’t quite put her finger on. She’s a little too daring and perfect. Kate’s son, Charles is really good to Marcus and because he’s his only friend, Frances puts her doubts behind her until she no longer can.
I plowed through this one. It’s a quick read and will have you picking it up whenever you can. The ending was a little slow in coming which I only noticed because the rest of it was read at a blistering pace. But there are twists, and secrets and although I figured out one twist I did not figure out the other.
All in all, I am very happy I picked it up. It was just what I needed for a good escape.
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.
Book Chatter 
You read the BEST sounding books! I feel like I’m stalking your “books read list”. LOL In fairness, I do have the eGalley but it wasn’t tops on my list until now.
I’ve been drawn to quick reads and suspense this year. I just want to be entertained with a little depth.
I’ve been drawn to that cover for some odd reason so I’m glad to see it’s a fast paced read. I need something like this these days.
This one sounds good and a fast-paced read is always a good thing!
I’m so glad to hear this was a good one for you, Ti. I read The Party as well and liked it. This one sounds like a winner for me. The kid pees in another kid’s water – ick! Ha! I do like that cover.
I think the pee in the water bottle sets it up just right because it quickly shows you how hated this mom is for what her kid did. Think snooty PTA members. I was on the PTO which is basically the same thing and it was cut throat.
Oh, I was wondering how this one was. You had me at peeing in another kid’s water because now I need to see why that even happens.
I’ve been thinking about reading this’ and so I’m glad you liked it. I’m wondering how old the boys are if one of them peed on the other’s water bottle.
He is thirteen years old when he pees in the bottle.
Gross! I read it as he peed on the bottle. In it is 1000 times worse 🙂
Pees in a kid’s water bottle? Yikes. I liked this author’s novel The Party too so I hope to pick up this one as well. The author is coming to speak here in October but unfortunately I will be out of town then. Argh. This one sounds as suspenseful as her first one.
I love that the cover misled you. This sounds very interesting