Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein


Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands – earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx – Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing – like she is nothing.

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over.

My Review:

Just a quick warning, this review may be a bit more harsh than needed. Don’t let it stop you from reading this book though because a lot of people loved it and you may too. Now, with that out of the way…

I really wanted to love this book but in the end it left me depressed and disappointed. For me, there was no ‘often hilarious and heartwarming journey’ like it says in the description.

Amy is a classic follower, she does anything just so her ‘friends’ will like and accept her. Fine, I get that it’s sometimes like that but she has no growth throughout the book. Even after they get into trouble and she’s facing possible jail time she doesn’t change. It was so frustrating to me that I couldn’t feel for her; I wanted her to have moments of realization or touching moments where she let someone in just a little. But she was just a flat and monotone character and really I didn’t like any of the characters except for Amy’s dad.

I could go on and on, but I think I’ve done enough damage. I hope you all enjoy it more than I did if you decide to read it.

Overall Rating: 2.5 out of 5

5 comments

  1. One of the things that I enjoy about Goodreads is that you guys like strong characters. I'm not sure that's true of every genre or literary novel, but the stronger the protagonist, the better the book. And that's fun.

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    1. I definitely do enjoy strong characters. If they're not strong, then I like when I can see them grow throughout the book.

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  2. UGH I hate writing a review for a book that I didn't care for. I thought you did it well.
    Connection with the characters can really make it or break it with a book.

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    1. Thanks, writing the view was fairly easy since the book left me a strong feeling, but I always feel bad posting a bad review.

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  3. I kind of agree with you. I liked the plot, but I hated the characters. I really wanted to like them, but it was too hard :'(( Great review, I liked that you were honest!

    Rabiah
    Confessions of a Readaholic

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