The Book
The Author:
What It’s About:
Willow, Krista, and Evie are twenty somethings based in New York. They’ve got all the typical problems every twenty something faces as they try to make it into the real world — making rent, online dating, relationships, self-esteem issues, and trying to be somebody significant. Though they’re best friends, they’re different in their own way. Willow comes from a wealthy background, is an artist, and can’t seem to find security and comfort within her relationship. Krista is an aspiring actress who can’t seem to catch a break. And Evie is a self-proclaimed feminist who wants to report on actual issues going on around the world, and find love as well.
One day, Krista stumbles upon someone she went to acting class with who slips her a bottled potion called Pretty. She takes it home and shares it with her two best friends, one of whom is skeptical while the other is willing to try. Upon taking a drop each, they became beautiful, near perfect looking girls, and decide to use these new faces and bodies to get ahead in parts of their lives.
What ensues are adventures for all three of them as they try to navigate through their different issues as completely different people. In the end, they have to decide if being “pretty” is everything they thought it would be or if it has its dark side as well.
Thoughts:
I’ll start off by saying that this was an easy read. The chapters were short and the writing is easy to follow. The plot, as well, is quite unique so it has you flipping the page every time because you want to see what happens to these characters.
However, I had a few issues. One, why was the Krista character so annoying and immature? It took her the whole book to understand the consequences of her actions, and some of them were so bad that I was genuinely second hand embarrassed for her. A few of the characters made me feel this way, actually. There wasn’t any one that I was particularly rooting for. For example, Evie, who is a feminist is a white feminist. Yet the book catered to her as though she was all inclusive. If some of her feminist role models are Lena Dunham and Jennifer Lawrence, then…lol.
And quite frankly, a lot of the plot seemed sort of ridiculous. Some events that occurred had me questioning whether the author was trying to be funny or not. And I expected a bit more character growth for some of them. Despite this, I think that the fact that there was diversity in terms of POC and sexualities really set this book apart. There still isn’t enough diversity in books, so that much was refreshing.
Overall, however, I think if you’re looking for a mindless, quick read then this would be it.
FTS Rating:
5/10
Georgia Clark is a Brooklyn-based novelist with a weakness for cute girls and cheese platters, not necessarily in that order. She loves improv, OITNB, rosé Sundays, New York, beach days, sleeping in and fun snacks.
