A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson

Amy   
Lynnie   

women's fiction

The grim discovery of a baby’s bones buried under a back yard tree, prompts a grandmother and granddaughter to figure out the mystery of someone’s true identity while the only person who knows the answers is unable to divulge the information while recovering from a stroke.

Amy's Review

This is the fifth novel I’ve read by Joshilyn Jackson and this was a good one. Jackson crafted this novel cleverly by revealing just enough information to satisfy the reader until another big clue was provided to help clarify the picture. The characters were very believable and genuine. Again, Jackson’s themes of children being raised by loving people who aren’t their actual parents, religion, teenage difficulties, and life in the southern United States were present. This novel was lacking the level of humor that I adored in some of her other novels. But it felt right without it. I enjoyed the story and the mystery. I was rooting for the characters. I also gave Jackson extra points for including clever references to several characters/themes from some of my childhood favorite movies/shows, like the Sleestak from Land of the Lost.

I did not love the title, A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty, and almost didn’t read the novel because of it.  It sounded like the sort of chick lit I don’t like.  Thankfully, it’s the sort of smart chick lit that I do like!

The audiobook was narrated by the author, as has been the case with her other audiobooks. She’s a wonderful narrator and really added to my enjoyment of the story.  I give her an A+ on this one because she was perfect.

Lynnie's Review

I've read several books by Joshilyn Jackson and, with only once exception, I have loved them all. Her writing just flows and her characters grab you by the heart and bring you into their world. A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty is no different.

I was instantly taken by Mosey, Big, and Liza despite being annoyed early in the book by the text exchanges between Mosey and her bestie Roger (who texts "anywai"- it doesn't even save you any letters, just looks dumb) which often felt like Jackson was trying a little too hard to channel a teenage brain. I was drawn into the mystery of the book and eager to see how the next piece of the puzzle would slot into place. There were a few instances of "Checkhov's gun" which foreshadowed some elements of the story, but even the ability to guess several of the outcomes did not make the reveal any less enjoyable.

Jackson's books almost universally make me smile. I love her style of writing and the stories that she is able to craft. If you've enjoyed her books before, you will surely like this one as well.