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aejohnson85's review
4.0
I would give this 4.5 stars if I was able to! I really liked Jackson's writing style and that she chose to write from the perspective of all three main characters - Big (who is trying to hold her family together), Mosey (the fifteen year old that is desperate to figure out who she is and where she came from), and Liza (who is suffering from the after effects of a stroke - and who holds the key to all the secrets). I really liked Liza's flashbacks being revealed in small pieces because it helped create the mystery of who the body was and where Mosey came from. I was also pleasantly surprised that many of my predictions were incorrect - it made the book more surprising and interesting!
I took a half star off because I thought the confrontation between Mosey and her birth mother to be a bit over dramatic. Also, the book wrapped up very quickly and I would've liked to see what happened with Big's pregnancy and relationship!
Interestingly enough, I read this directly after finishing The Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain - both books have similar themes (a baby girl raised by parents who were not her own, unbeknownst to her and another key player in her life), though I didn't know that when picking them both up from the library!
I took a half star off because I thought the confrontation between Mosey and her birth mother to be a bit over dramatic. Also, the book wrapped up very quickly and I would've liked to see what happened with Big's pregnancy and relationship!
Interestingly enough, I read this directly after finishing The Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain - both books have similar themes (a baby girl raised by parents who were not her own, unbeknownst to her and another key player in her life), though I didn't know that when picking them both up from the library!
hannahbellz's review against another edition
2.0
This book was okay. It's set in Mississippi, and it alternates perspectives between Ginny, mostly called Big, Big's daughter Liza, and Liza's daughter Mosey. Big had Liza at 15, and Liza had Mosey at 15. Big believes that every 15 years is a "trouble year," and this is one as now Mosey is 15. The story begins with Big uprooting a willow tree in her backyard in order to put in a pool for Liza to do physical therapy, as Liza recently suffered from a stroke. When the tree is uprooted, what is discovered leads into the beginning of a cliché mystery.
Mosey's and Big's chapters are both written in first person, and Liza's are in third. Mosey's chapters sound ridiculous, because the author tries way too hard to make her sound like a stereotypical teenager. Mosey literally says "WTH?" when talking. She also says "unpossible," and other incorrect words, yet laughably, in chapter 19, she corrects her friend's speech, saying that something she said "isn't a word." Okay Mosey. Don't even get me started on how Mosey texts. Honestly, I thought the way Mosey's chapters were written took away from writing quality of the book overall. It reminded me of the series with the book [b:ttyl|301023|ttyl (Internet Girls, #1)|Lauren Myracle|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1350771009s/301023.jpg|292090] by Lauren Myracle which I read in middle school.
Basically the book was okay; it was a cliché and fairly entertaining mystery story. Not great, but I would try another book from this author.
Mosey's and Big's chapters are both written in first person, and Liza's are in third. Mosey's chapters sound ridiculous, because the author tries way too hard to make her sound like a stereotypical teenager. Mosey literally says "WTH?" when talking. She also says "unpossible," and other incorrect words, yet laughably, in chapter 19, she corrects her friend's speech, saying that something she said "isn't a word." Okay Mosey. Don't even get me started on how Mosey texts. Honestly, I thought the way Mosey's chapters were written took away from writing quality of the book overall. It reminded me of the series with the book [b:ttyl|301023|ttyl (Internet Girls, #1)|Lauren Myracle|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1350771009s/301023.jpg|292090] by Lauren Myracle which I read in middle school.
Basically the book was okay; it was a cliché and fairly entertaining mystery story. Not great, but I would try another book from this author.
celiapowell's review
3.0
A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty is told from the perspectives of three generations - 45 year old Ginny, or Big, her 30 year old daughter Liza, and Liza's 15 year old daughter Mosey. Sensing a pattern? Ginny is convinced that trouble falls on her life every 15 years - first when she was 15 and became pregnant with her daughter, and second when her daughter was 15 and pregnant with Mosey. Now on the third of these 15 year cycles, she is nervously awaiting the latest upheaval, and it arrives with a vengeance on several fronts.
I really enjoyed this family-saga-esque mystery, as it moves between the present and past with both Ginny and Liza recalling younger years, and Mosey's almost reluctant investigation into her mother's past, and how much it reveals about herself. I listened to this as an audiobook, and it was an enjoyable engaging read.
I really enjoyed this family-saga-esque mystery, as it moves between the present and past with both Ginny and Liza recalling younger years, and Mosey's almost reluctant investigation into her mother's past, and how much it reveals about herself. I listened to this as an audiobook, and it was an enjoyable engaging read.
aradne's review
3.0
Such a fun book. I listened to the audiobook which is read by the author. It takes a bit to get used to her voice, but it really added to the character of the book.
booklover0923's review
4.0
A very quick read. Kept my interest and had a few surprises to keep me pushing for the end. Characters are easy to connect with, but the ending felt rushed.
smcbain89's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nclawall's review
4.0
This was my first time reading this author. The presentation of the story through chapters dedicated to the character voices added to the story, although there were times when the author went back and forth in time and I had to catch up. Reinforced that a Mother's love is above all else!
alexaferg's review against another edition
5.0
This book took me forever to listen to for some reason, but I'm not sure why because I actually loved it. The narration was perfect, and the story was great. I loved the ending.