I am back with another review, Her Pretty Face by Robyn Harding. Thanks so much to Book Sparks for providing me with a copy of this book as part of the #SRC2018 for an honest review, as always, all opinions are my own.
I don't really want to get too in-depth with the synopsis because I think this is one of those ones where it is better to go in blind but I will say that it is much more than you're typical story of two moms bonding over their children and the problems of private school life. I'd actually suggest that you not read the synopsis because I think it gives too much away, but then again, that might just be what some people need to be hooked.
Both women, Frances and Kate are interesting women with deep secrets. The book follows Frances's perspective, as well as that of DJ - a then-boy telling the events of what happened, and Kate's daughter, Daisy, who thinks her mother can't love her because there is something wrong with Daisy. Each of these perspectives offers a unique look at the story and its origins and helps to weave together an intriguing and suspenseful story.
I really have to give Harding credit - just when I thought I had everything figured out, she threw another twist in the mix. The 'big reveal' happened more like two-thirds of the way through, not at the very end, so we got a chance to see more of the repercussions of what happened.
This book talks a lot about domestic abuse and manipulation and walks a fine line when placing blame for some of the horrendous crimes committed. Even in the end, you aren't really sure whose side you land on because there isn't really a definitive answer to how things really happened. It becomes a deadly game of he-said/she-said with no real 'ruling.' I know this may seem a bit vague but trust me, once you read it, you'll know what I mean.
Writing style-wise, this was a quick read for me. I read it in one sitting and didn't put it down because of a mix of wanting to see how it ended and just generally wanting to spend my time reading. Was it super suspenseful? Not really. I would call this more of a slow-burner than anything, gradually building up to the denouement. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially if you are tired of break-neck paced thrillers.
Overall, this was a fairly unique and interesting read that I quite enjoyed!