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alexalowry's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
alyssamaly's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was okay. A bit far fetched on getting revenge from a high school bully. Not my favorite book but not horrible.
devansbooklife's review against another edition
3.0
This was a great audiobook. The performers did a fantastic job and held my attention. I am not sure I would have enjoyed it as much if I had read it. This book has a slower pace with detailed character development. It centers around two women, Nina and Vanessa, who are polar opposites. They have a few similarities and these similarities are the focus of much of the plot. They both cling to their beliefs. Both like placing blame on others. Both have major insecurities.
I really only connected with Nina. I rooted for the underdog despite that she is actually the villian of the story in a way. I found Vanessa shallow and irrational. Honestly, my opinion never really changed. The last third of the book started to bore me. When the story focused on Vanessa and Michael I kind of zoned out. I just didn't care truthfully. The twist was predictable. Only one revelation surprised me and it was about a supporting character. I still can't decide if I enjoyed the ending.
I am giving this 3 stars because the character development was thorough and allowed me to really understand the characters behaviors.
I really only connected with Nina. I rooted for the underdog despite that she is actually the villian of the story in a way. I found Vanessa shallow and irrational. Honestly, my opinion never really changed. The last third of the book started to bore me. When the story focused on Vanessa and Michael I kind of zoned out. I just didn't care truthfully. The twist was predictable. Only one revelation surprised me and it was about a supporting character. I still can't decide if I enjoyed the ending.
I am giving this 3 stars because the character development was thorough and allowed me to really understand the characters behaviors.
mkw's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I didn't love it it, but it did get interesting towards the end.
teresaalice's review against another edition
4.0
A page turner about a grifter and the woman she tries to deceive. Twisty, turny and less predictable than i had feared. I would recommend this book.
mncsangar's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
candacesiegle_greedyreader's review against another edition
5.0
This is a an unputdownable novel with great character development and a rip roaring story. Nina has struggled to get an education and change the trajectory of her life, but still she ends up grifting with a handsome friend of her mother's. Their latest mark is from a family that disparaged Nina in the past in a way that marked her for life. Vanessa is a glittering Instagram star who is living the #Vlife, being whisked all over the world by brands so that she can post wearing them. For some reason, she has returned to her family's freezing stone pile of a mansion on the shores of Lake Tahoe, hunkered down, renting out the caretaker's cottage on AirBnB.
There's a lot of juicy backstory and good twists. You'll learn about grifting, which seems like a lot of work for little return. I wish there'd been more about the fencing and resale of historic furniture (think about that one for a minute) but I'm glad there was as much as there was.
The problem with grifting is that it is possible for the deception to seep in to unexpected corners of one's life. This happens to Nina, and to Vanessa. Janelle Brown has the craft of the relatable but unreliable narrator down pat.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the nod to read and review "Pretty Things." While you're waiting for this novel to be published, read Brown's "Watch Me Disappear," a similarly entrancing read.
~Candace Siegle, Greedy Reader
There's a lot of juicy backstory and good twists. You'll learn about grifting, which seems like a lot of work for little return. I wish there'd been more about the fencing and resale of historic furniture (think about that one for a minute) but I'm glad there was as much as there was.
The problem with grifting is that it is possible for the deception to seep in to unexpected corners of one's life. This happens to Nina, and to Vanessa. Janelle Brown has the craft of the relatable but unreliable narrator down pat.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the nod to read and review "Pretty Things." While you're waiting for this novel to be published, read Brown's "Watch Me Disappear," a similarly entrancing read.
~Candace Siegle, Greedy Reader
nickyfox13's review against another edition
2.0
The plot hinges on people being oblivious and not asking questions. It wasn't thrilling on top of starring cardboard cutouts of characters whose motivations made little logical sense. Not to mention the portrayal of mental illness felt ableist.
samanthajoanna0's review against another edition
4.0
this was so good!!!! kept me on my toes the whole time!
_j3ss1ca's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Murder, and Mental illness