I loved this book! It was very well written and I became so involved with the characters who were well drawn and very convincing. The plot works so well relying on misconceptions, preconceptions and characters who do not believe in their own self-worth. I will definitely be looking to read more by this author. Four solid stars! Many thanks to Netgalley for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

Nina’s a grifter, Vanessa is a a heiress — two women who live worlds apart are brought together through a series of deceit and lies. Pretty Things is a book full with emotion, bringing the thrills of an action-packed scam of a lifetime with real life issues surrounding health and mental illness, two things that definitely need to be discussed more in books. The writing style allows you to quickly and easily connect you with the characters, drawing you into their lives and seeing the world through the eyes of two radically different women. I do wish that Benny’s character would have been explored further, however. I found that the first half of the book started off slower and the plot did take a while to develop, but once it did, the writing was extremely fast paced and I found myself unable to put it down, needing to find out the ending. Overall, Pretty Things is an enjoyable read for thriller lovers. Definitely one to add to your new season reading list.

I’ve noticed some previous reviewers felt this book was too long, I felt it was just the right length and was a fast paced, page turner. Have read that Nicole Kidman is to star in a tv adaptation of this book and I think it will have viewers hooked from the start. It opens with us meeting one of the main characters Nina who is a con artist (or grifter in the US). She’s dressed up for a night out in a glamorous LA nightclub and has a target in her sights. All her life Nina has tried to escape her legacy - a life of crime predetermined by her career criminal mother. Unfortunately Nina’s mother has cancer so due to a series of events Nina has to leave LA to find her next victim who can pay the medical bills and potentially fund an escape route . She takes with her Lachlan, a smooth charismatic conman and soon they find themselves in Lake Tahoe one of Nina’s many childhood homes. Part of the story is told in flashback and we see how and why Nina has turned to crime. The other main character is Vanessa Liebling an Instagram influencer who has inherited Stonehaven a historic mansion on the shores of Lake Tahoe. She has had a troubled family life and although from a wealthy background lacks confidence and any idea of what to do with her life. On the face of it she’s the perfect victim for Nina and Lachlan. However, appearances can be deceptive and no one in this novel is really who they appear to be. It’s all about perception and deception. There are plenty of twists and turns and whilst some of the events seemed a bit contrived and unlikely, you don’t read these types of thrillers for realism. I found the portrayal of all the female characters to be strong and even though Nina’s lifestyle was not to be admired, I felt a lot of sympathy towards her. The shallowness of the Instagram influencer’s life and her constant need to be at the latest place, wearing the latest outfit was well described. Mental health features heavily in this book and I felt it was handled sensitively. Overall I enjoyed it and did predict the outcome but there were plenty of surprises along the way. What really appealed to me was the way that the story unfolded and that it was told alternately from Nina and Vanessa’s perspective. If you liked Gone Girl or Girl on the Train I think this book will appeal to you. Thanks to Net Galley and Random House Publishing for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Nina Ross is a grifter like her mother Lily before her. Her latest mark is successful Instagram influencer Vanessa Liebling with whose family Nina has history. She sets off to Lake Tahoe with her partner Lachlan, her eyes on the prize and a sweet dose of revenge. The story is told by Nina and Vanessa. One of my favourite programmes several years ago was The Hustle which was so colourfully entertaining with multiple twists. Whilst this has some good plot turns especially later in the book it doesn’t have the same va va voom. I like the first twenty per cent or so as Nina sets the scene meeting Benny Liebling at school and this is very enjoyable. Benny is a lovely character and their growing friendship is a sweet one born out of both being misfits. The wealth of the Lieblings, their dysfunctional Stonehaven home in Lake Tahoe is very clearly depicted as is how their situation changes dramatically setting Nina on a destructive course years later. Vanessa’s story initially repeats a lot of what we know and this slows the pace down. I’ve read other books about Instagram influencers and so I don’t find her story resonates much but maybe that’s the cynic in me! I don’t think the length of the book helps either, it’s very long, some sections could have been much shorter and the storytelling would have then been crisper and sharper. Then we get to the second half and that’s when things start to get a whole bunch more interesting and immersive. There are some jaw dropping revelations (one I definitely didn’t see coming), the pace is much faster thankfully and the plot twists and double twists are good. The cons and counter cons are clever, we have manipulation, betrayal, revenge, blackmail and lets chuck in some contempt and arrogance into the mix. Overall, aside from the story dips this is entertaining and makes for escapist reading.