A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty
By Joshilyn Jackson
Grand Central Publishing, 9780446582360, 2012, 352pp.
The Short of It:
A thoroughly engaging story about three generations trying to live the best life they can, but battling demon after demon along the way.
The Rest of It:
Liza is a “grown-up kind of pretty” which gets her in trouble more times than her mom “Big” can count. Boys are not her issue, but men? Grown men, preferably married ones are what catch her eye. Drugs too. But when Liza becomes pregnant at the age of fourteen, Big becomes her fierce protector.
Years later, when Liza’s daughter Mosey enters her own teen years, Liza suffers a massive stroke which leaves Big as Mosey’s primary caregiver. Big’s sole purpose in life is to keep Mosey from going down the same path as Liza. But Liza has many secrets. Some of which Big is just now discovering and include something buried in the back yard.
I have to tell you. I have had this book on my shelf for a long, long time. Seven years. Possibly more. One of the Instagram accounts I follow posted a photo of the book and since she was reading it, and I happened to have it, I joined her. So glad I did. This book has it all and it’s not full of fluff, which the cover might lead you to believe. It reminded me a lot of Steel Magnolias. You know how the women stuck together no matter what? Plus, Jackson can write her fanny off. These characters leap off the page with all their faults but I still loved them.
If you need a quick read but one that is kind of fun but deep at the same time, go find a copy of A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty.
Source: I won this copy in a giveaway!
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.
Book Chatter 
This was a good one! Glad you enjoyed it.
Most definitely my kind of book!
I may be the only blogger who has yet to read Joshilyn Jackson! No real reason why, just haven’t gotten around to it. This sounds like fun.
Well, give her a try. I really like her writing and she is funny but still covers meaningful topics.
This sounds like a good combination of fun and family, and I bet there is a bunch of emotional thrown in there, too.
Oh yes, a lot of emotion too, and struggles and battles to be won.
Glad you enjoyed this one. I need to know what’s buried in the back yard now. Pregnant at 14? Yikes. Hope Mosey makes the right choices.
I liked that there was a little bit of mystery to this story too. Kept me turning those pages.
This was my first Joshilyn Jackson novel, and I was hooked. She can definitely write.
I like good characters. I am often willing to forgo plot for good characters but this one had both. She has a brand new one coming out in July, Never Have I Ever. I requested an ARC, we’ll see if I get it.
i’m glad you enjoyed this one. I don’t think I’ve read this author before, but this one sounds interesting