This review post is all about the “Pretty Things” book by Janelle Brown.
CATEGORIES: BOOK BLOG POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS,
ABOUT THE BOOK
title: pretty things
AUTHOR: jANELLE BROWN
GENRES: THRILLER, SUSPENSE
PUBLISHER: RANDOM HOUSE TRADE PAPERBACKS
PUBLISHING DATE: 4/21/2020
FORMAT: PAPERBACK
PAGE COUNT: 496 PAGES
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MY THOUGHTS ABOUT “PRETTY THINGS”
As a newcomer to author Janelle Brown’s works, the captivating synopsis of “Pretty Things” and the overwhelmingly positive reviews on Goodreads piqued my interest. I can assure you, it was a worthwhile read.
The novel is a psychological thriller that unravels like an onion, with each peel revealing a fresh angle or perspective that enriches the narrative.
This book review of “Pretty Things” will contain a breakdown of the plot, characters, and writing style. It will also contain book recommendations for books similar to this one. Let’s get into it.
this review post is all about "pretty things" by janelle brown.
goodreads: pretty things book summary
Nina once bought into the idea that her fancy liberal arts degree would lead to a fulfilling career. When that dream crashed, she turned to stealing from rich kids in L.A. alongside her wily Irish boyfriend, Lachlan.
Nina learned from the best: Her mother was the original con artist, hustling to give her daughter a decent childhood despite their wayward life. But when her mom gets sick, Nina puts everything on the line to help her, even if it means running her most audacious, dangerous scam yet.
Vanessa is a privileged young heiress who wanted to make her mark in the world. Instead she becomes an Instagram influencer–traveling the globe, receiving free clothes and products, and posing for pictures in exotic locales. But behind the covetable façade is a life marked by tragedy.
Nina, Vanessa, and Lachlan’s paths collide here, on the cold shores of Lake Tahoe, where their intertwined lives give way to a winter of aspiration and desire, duplicity and revenge.
This dazzling, twisty, mesmerizing novel showcases acclaimed author Janelle Brown at her best, as two brilliant, damaged women try to survive the greatest game of deceit and destruction they will ever play.
"PRETTY THINGS" BOOK REVIEW
UNPACKING THE PLOT OF “PRETTY THINGS”
If I were to encapsulate the plot of “Pretty Things” in a single word, it would be “unputdownable.”
The plot revolves around Nina’s hustle to scam Vanessa, her arch nemesis, but the unpredictability of the plot kept me guessing.
What propels this story is Nina’s quest for revenge against a wealthy family, her desperate need to avoid the police, and her fervent desire to secure funds for her ailing mother.
Simultaneously, Vanessa’s journey of discovery unfolds, as she realizes that her new friends aren’t as they seem.
The plot twists were a mix of the expected and the unexpected, keeping me on the edge of my seat. One aspect that stood out was the double-crossing involving Nina’s mother and her long-held secrets. This twist was shocking and emotional, making me truly empathize with Nina.
Lastly, the central theme of the narrative is that appearances can be misleading, and this theme is expertly woven into the story from beginning to end.
“Nothing is ever as pure as it seems at first glance; there is always something more complicated to be found when you peel back the unmarred surface of pretty things.”
THE CHARACTERS THAT BROUGHT “PRETTY THINGS” TO LIFE
Every character, even the minor ones, felt well-developed. I felt Nina’s pain as she recounts her sense of alienation due to her unconventional upbringing with her con artist mother.
Her justification to scam “rich brats” stems from deep seated anger due to past hurts.
Furthermore, her tumultuous past shaped her character, adding layers of depth. Her prickly, cynical demeanor is understandable, given her well-crafted backstory.
“It's easiest to judge from distance. That's why the Internet has turned us all into armchair critics, experts at the cold dissection of gesture and syllable, sneering self-righteously from the safety of our screens.
Even the spoiled heiress, Vanessa, despite being somewhat irritating, also evokes sympathy. As her layers are peeled back, we discover that her glamorous life is a facade.
Her unhealthy obsession with social media and the need to capture every moment really struck a chord with me.
Another aspect that resonated with me was her desperate need for love and attention that led her down a path of living a pretty hollow existence despite her apparent wealth.
Also, Lachlan and Nina’s mom are two characters who are intriguing due to their ability to adapt, seduce, and manipulate their way out of any difficult situation.
Janelle Brown’s ability to create such dynamic, fully fleshed out characters is what makes her writing sparkle. Her dialogue is deep and thought-provoking; there were so many gut punching quotable lines throughout this novel, some of which I’ve shared in this review.
“When you're documenting everything you do, you stop living life for yourself and start living it as a performance for others. You're never in the actual moment, just the response to the moment.”
THE WRITING STYLE THAT MAKES “PRETTY THINGS” MEMORABLE
The writing style of “Pretty Things” is commendable. The dialogue feels genuine, as if it’s drawn from real life experiences, rather than a fabricated narrative.
The plot, while solid, sometimes felt slowed down by the dual POV chapters and the dual timelines. There were instances where the same scene was revisited from another character’s perspective, which felt unnecessary. I believe that sometimes, less is more.
Despite this minor issue, Brown masterfully weaves a tale that not only keeps you glued to the page, but also serves as a thought-provoking cautionary tale on the perils of overindulgence in social media.
“Pretty Things” by Janelle Brown is a captivating read. I highly recommend it. It’s rare to find a book that resonates with me on such a deep level, especially a book in the thriller genre.
The emotional journey, the drama, the suspense, and the overall theme kept me hooked from start to finish. It was an emotional rollercoaster that I didn’t want to get off. The writing in this novel was top tier – a true gem.
I am now a fan of Janelle Brown and can’t wait to explore her other books. To learn more about this author, check out her author website here.
OTHER BOOKS BY JANELLE BROWN
If you’d like books similar to “Pretty Things” check out this post “10 Best Psychological Thriller Audiobooks That Will Give You Chills.” Or, check out these book recommendations below.
BOOKS SIMILAR TO PRETTY THINGS
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