Pretty Things by Janelle Brown
This was without a doubt a case of “I couldn’t take my eyes off the cover” and then the blurb sealed the deal!! Gorgeous cover, a plot about con artists, and a setting like Lake Tahoe – a dream come true!!
Synopsis
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.
My thoughts
Pretty Things by Janelle Brown
How to start?
First, I’m extremely critical about authors not researching their books. That includes jobs, specific areas of expertise AND locations. I’ve detracted stars before, if locations didn’t match up with real life. In the case of Pretty Things and Lake Tahoe, the author did a great job, researching and especially portraying the area as it is. Loved it!! Lake Tahoe is the one lake I’ve been to the most over the years, it’s actually THE lake everyone spends time at in the Bay Area and I’m a bit bias about it – lol.
Second, the book was LONG!!! 496 pages or 16 hours in my case. The book can be split into two parts. The first half establishes the backgrounds of each of the women. In the second half the plot goes into the nitty and gritty of the story. The overall build up is slow, hence the 496 pages.
Third, Pretty Things is a story focused on character development. It has a slower pace, with lots of backstory, some overlapping chapters, as well as twists and turns which kept me guessing. I rarely knew who told the truth, until each character spilled the beans.
Fourth, I enjoyed the second half of the book, when all the pieces came together, way more. It was more engaging, since the background was taken care of, and the real story could finally develop.
Overall, the story was well done. Well written, with a couple of sub-plots, and some rally nice twists and turns.
About the audiobook:
I wouldn’t have known, if I hadn’t read it on Goodreads that there were actual two female narrators narrating this audiobook, one was a favorite of mine, Julia Whelan. The voices were just too similar for me. But the quality and the overall narration was fantastic, nuances were on point and it was easy to listen to.
my rating
I received a copy of this book from Random House for free.
My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
Goodreads • Amazon • Author’s Website
Favorite Thriller: Chestnut Man
Pretty Things by Janelle Brown
I’m reading this book right now and I can feel it is going to take me longer to finish this book. I don’t know anything about that Lake but that prologue made me want check it online. Great review!
It was super long, at least I had the feeling it would have been totally fine with 100 pages less, especially the first half. Enjoy it and happy reading!!
I know it took me more than an hour to read 10% of the book.
Oh boy, I hear you!!! Fortunately it was an audiobook for me, otherwise I might not have made it through the first half.
I think with longer books …..it needs to be fast paced or I will struggle with it. Probably why I can do KA with no problem. Glad to hear it had some good twists and turns for you though.
I feel the same! The story has to be well paced, with lots of plot movement, engaging characters, and a fine balance when it comes to background info. And I agree with you. I have no issue reading a KA book in one sitting, or a Mariana Zapata. I’ve read enough 600+ page books without feeling bored. Not everyone can pull off a LONG book.