Reviews

You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne

iris_parsons's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It made me think about todays world - very thought provoking.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence

thebookdragon_taylorsversion's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

freyathefridayfairy's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Medical content, Sexual violence, Body shaming, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Misogyny

Moderate: Domestic abuse

charl0ttelucy's review against another edition

4.0

absolutely loved this book. LOVED IT. there were some slightly predictable elements to this book but the message is everything

charlotte_alt's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

eliza628's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

rgoodhart's review against another edition

4.0

I found this a tough read in a variety of ways.

Firstly the different language: mask, sin, hair stripping etc. was clever but required a little bit of extra thought/concentration at first. It makes a good point though by challenging the reader to rethink things we just accept.

Secondly the whole challenge to readjust our ideas and attitudes is hard work in some ways.

Thirdly, the shock of some of the more extreme attitudes regarding the treatment of girls and women, particularly in terms of porn etc. made me stop and think about what young women and girls have to deal with today. It may not be being shown openly in screens in schools, but it’s so easily available perhaps we’re not far off that.

Lots of reviews reference The Handmaid’s Tale and Uglies… neither of which I’ve read.

I warmed to both Belle and Joni as the book progresses.

Thank you to Usborne for an early copy. I’ll be recommending this to some of the older/more mature students at my school library.

ckhallett's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

beckylouise's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

noodanica's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book opened my eyes to things I had experienced and seen that I did not fully realise was not and should not be normal.