A review by life_full_ofbooks
A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

4.5

This is such a fun book filled with laughs and an interesting mystery. When I first picked it up I thought I was about to start a good family drama and I got so much more than I expected!

The number 15 is a terrible number for the Slocumb women. Jenny had her daughter, Liza, when she was 15. Liza had her daughter Mosey She was 15. Mosey did not have a baby she was 15, instead Liza suffered a stroke. On the day Jenny has a tree pulled out to put in a pool for Liza’s aqua therapy, a small grave is discovered. No one knows how it got there or of whom the remains belong. Both Jenny and Mosey go on their own journeys to solve the mystery. 

Told in alternating viewpoints of all 3 women, Joshilyn Jackson has weaved such a beautiful and enthralling story. I listened to this in a day because I just couldn’t put it down. 

I loved how Ms. Jackson so clearly saw the world out of the eyes of a 15 year old and a 45 year old and also through the eyes of a 30 year old stroke victim. The characters she created are so charming and sweet and I truly loved all of them.

This is the first book I’ve read/ listened to by Ms. Jackson but it certainly won’t be the last!