Book Chatter

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.

Sunday Matters

This will be brief because with the long weekend and all, I am going to take a break and do nothing. Plus, I tacked on a few extra days to celebrate my birthday! It’s a milestone birthday for me and I am all over the place with how I feel about it. It’s not until Wednesday but it’s looming.

Right Now:

I plan to eat a huge breakfast, drink tons of coffee and read.

This Week:

Back to school night is this week. It’s high school and many parents don’t go but The Girl’s choir performs and I like to meet the teachers to get a sense for what will be expected throughout the year. Personality tells you a lot.

There is also one volleyball game and book club and I still haven’t read the book.

Reading:

I guess I will be reading my book club book. Exit West.

Watching:

When I have time to watch TV I usually tune in to home improvement shows like Fixer Upper. I also like shows about purchasing beach front properties. Cooking shows are a comfort to me but are there any good ones anymore?

Making:

Don’t plan to make a thing. However, somewhere in the plan there needs to be a really good burger.

Grateful for:

Long weekends and extra days off.

What do you have planned for today or tomorrow, if you are lucky enough to have it off?

Chatting with friends about books and life…