Book Review – Pretty Things by Janelle Brown

Description

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER – Who’s really following you on social media? The scam of a lifetime brings together two wildly different women in this page-turning thriller about greed, legacy, and betrayal from the New York Times bestselling author of Watch Me Disappear.An ID Book Club Selection – “It’s Dynasty meets Patricia Highsmith.”–The Washington Post

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. After a broken engagement, Vanessa retreats to her family’s sprawling mountain estate, Stonehaven: a mansion of dark secrets not just from Vanessa’s past, but from that of a lost and troubled girl named Nina.

Nina’s, Vanessa’s, 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.

Book Reaction Navigation

The Gist

What Worked For Me

What Did Not Work For Me

Content Warnings

Final Verdict

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The Gist

Meeting someone by chance is one thing, but purposely crossing paths with them again is another. Written in a dual timeline from the perspectives of Nina and Vanessa, a grifter and an heiress, Janelle Brown’s Pretty Things highlights how the world of these two women merge and impact each other amid a scheme gone awry. The twists and turns in this story culminate into a book you won’t want to put down.

What Worked for Me

Twists/Red Herrings

Admittedly, Pretty Things is not the first book I’ve read from Janelle Brown. In the early stages of planning content for the blog, I was preparing to do an Author Spotlight on her books because I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by her. Out of the three books I’ve read from her catalog, Pretty Things is my favorite, followed by Watch Me Disappear and I’ll Be You. Pretty Things is neck and neck with Watch Me Disappear because I never could figure out the truth until close to the end of the book. I enjoy thrillers written this way and appreciate being in suspense until the end. 

Format

The dual timeline with alternating perspectives helped explain character relationships, behaviors, reactions, and motives. 

Setting

I like how the setting drove the plot and skewed my predictions. It kept me engaged and asking questions. 

What Did Not Work For Me

Characteristics

When can impulsivity be considered utter stupidity? I am unsure of the measure, but I know the impulsive character did not work for me. There were many “Oh Girl!!” moments when her actions became even more and more chaotic and reckless. Instead of getting rid of the shovel before digging, she picked it up and kept digging with gusto.

I’ve read my fair share of annoying characters, and that usually isn’t something I would categorize as “not working for me.” It irritated me that the character could not make sound decisions outside the impulsive ones.

I wonder how the story would have developed if she wasn’t so rash. 

Content Warnings

Final Verdict

5/5, I recommend this book. Although I had to suspend my disbelief at some moments, I thoroughly enjoyed this thriller for its ability to throw me off.

***Note: There are affiliate links in this post and if you click on them and make a purchase, we will earn a commission from it. We appreciate your support and thank you in advance.