You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.

1.9k reviews for:

Pretty Things

Janelle Brown

3.81 AVERAGE


Engrossing read

This one grabbed my attention and never let go. It’s a cat-and-mouse drama with lots of twists and turns. I can easily see it as a miniseries or movie.

empathyforgoonies's review

5.0

This was the first novel I’ve read by this author and I can’t wait for my next read.
It was full of twists and turns, perfect for someone who loves to put the pieces of a story together.
honeyedhearts's profile picture

honeyedhearts's review

4.0

This was actually so so good, but unfortunately, I do not know if it's because the book was actually good or if it's because this is a genre I don't read much and it was just refreshing to not memorize a fantasy world and magic governance system.

Marketed as a thriller, but I feel like it was more urban adventure? I've stayed far away from thrillers because I'm a fraidy cat about horror, but this was just light suspense and a casual, almost brushed over, murder.

Followed a professional conwoman, her boyfriend (also a pro conman), her mother (pro conwoman), and the mark. It was layers and layers of lies and light suspense polished up with a backdrop of rich people and easy money.

REALLY wish this was a femslash I'll be real. There was SO much good chemistry and scenes between the MC and the mark (they even killed the BF together!!) there's SO much there. They coulda kissed. 

Well written, solid through-lines, but missing that extra oomph to bite into that really makes me love a book. 
abraid1014's profile picture

abraid1014's review

4.0

479 p.

ppowsutor's review

1.0
adventurous slow-paced

jess75's review

5.0

I loved all the twists!

Fun read and I liked the two narrators. I can definitely see it as a movie or TV series (and would watch it).
readwithmaleah's profile picture

readwithmaleah's review

4.0

I am pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed listening to this book on audio! It was more than a well-written mystery/suspense with interesting characters and a poignant plot; it was hauntingly relevant for today's image-obsessed, social media-addicted culture. There was a lot of thought-provoking material here that not only made me pause to consider how much I share online and with whom, but also... why? To what benefit? What versions of ourselves do we dress up or down online, and who are we behind the veil?

A favorite quote from the book: "Social media feeds the narcissistic monster that lives within us all."

I knocked a point because as far as suspense novels go, it was pretty predictable. I guessed the "big twist" in the first 10% of the book and there were no other shocks or reveals. Overall, a good read (or listen, rather), just hoped for a more "wow! I did not see that coming!" ending.
mardob95's profile picture

mardob95's review

4.0

3.5 stars. A solid thriller, but not all that much plot. Some surprising twists. I enjoyed the dual perspective.
clancyms's profile picture

clancyms's review

4.0

- SO girlboss
- curious to know if this has been in further talks of production at all bc i NEED it to be
- truly don’t know which of the 2 girls nicole kidman would play but she will EAT im sure! my best girl!
- i love manipulative women
- definitely a page turner for me at multiple points