A compelling psychological thriller peers into Her Pretty Face and sees a bubbling cauldron of duplicity.

Frances’ son Marcus has ADHD and oppositional defiance disorder making him difficult to control. Recently accepted to an elite middle school, an offensive act makes both him and his mother pariahs. Kate’s son Charles is in Marcus’ class. When Kate defends Marcus, she and Frances become best friends.

Frances has something unpleasant in her past. In flashbacks, the story of the rape and murder of 15-year-old Courtney is told by her 12-year-old brother DJ. Courtney’s killer Shane was assisted by his young girlfriend Amber, herself abused by Shane. Is Frances really Amber? Does Kate have ulterior motives for her friendship? Why does Kate seem distant from her 14-year-old daughter Daisy?

Her Pretty Face merges both trepidation and anticipation for what is about to happen. It is recommended for thriller readers that enjoy a intriguing character study. It’s perfect for fans of Big Little Lies, where the sophisticated surface covers up a web of deceit. 4 stars!

Thanks to the publisher, Gallery/Scout Press, and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

This was a very dark and intriguing read! I was totally wrapped up in the story from beginning to end!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I gave this book 3.5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, although I thought it was a little slow in some spots. I really enjoyed the multiple POV’s. It made the book more captivating to be figuring things out about different characters lives with every chapter. I thought the characters were decently developed. I definitely did not see the twist coming, so that was great but I was slightly disappointed with the way the events were wrapped up. I was hoping something big, something crazy would happen but I’m not mad at it. I very much enjoyed this book and I will definitely read more from Robyn Harding in the future!

Thank you, Netgalley, for allowing me to read this for an honest review.

Two mothers, Frances Metcalfe and Kate Randolph, bond after Frances is ostracized for what her son did to another girl at the Forrester Academy. Frances is a stay at home mom whose son, Marcus, is her full time job. She is in her forties, overweight, and insecure. All she wants is to fit into this new academy. Kate is considered beautiful, healthy, wealthy and confident. Kate has a son named Charles and a daughter named Daisy. Charles and Marcus hit it off and Frances assumes that her and Kate are best friends. It wouldn't be a thriller without secrets, and that secret is that one of them is a murderer.

The writing style of this novel is actually done quite well. It was told in multiple perspectives, which seems to be a theme with mysteries. I guess it helps to not be one sided and biased. You thoroughly learn what each and every character is feeling and going through. I think it helps me connect to the story a little bit better. That's the perk of this book.

I wasn't a fan of the execution of the story. The writing style was great but the story just didn't keep me that interested. I already knew who was a murderer when I first learned all the characters. There wasn't much suspense and the synopsis basically gives half of the story anyway. Kate and Frances were both very annoying. The story lines I wanted to continue with was probably DJ and Daisy. They had the most going on, and honestly they were the most suspenseful story lines. The murder part of the story was sad, but you don't really hear A LOT about it. Every once in awhile it would pop up. You learn most of it from DJ's perspective.

I gave it two stars because even though the writing was good, the story was attention grabbing. I like a good domestic thriller, but this one was just not very fun. I had it figured out very early on, and nothing surprised me. I wanted more, and it never came through. The characters were developed well but I didn't like half of them. This doesn't mean that I won't pick up Robyn's other book, because I do love the way she writes. This book just wasn't for me.

Great book! I read the author’s other book and enjoyed that as well. This one kept you guessing as to who the bad guy was and how that would come out. The multiple narrators was confusing for the first couple of chapters, but then it made sense. I started reading it at the beach, and could not put it down when I got back to work.

Her Pretty Face is a quick read. I did figure out the characters fairly early in the book so it was somewhat of a letdown. I did like the parallel storylines, although I wish that Kate had a voice in telling the story as that may have added some drama. This soon to be published thriller is a good read- 3.5 stars. Many thanks to NetGalley, Scout Books, and Robyn Harding for an ARC of this book.

I was literally blown away by this book! It was so enthralling that it kept me reading late into the night and early again the next morning. It is the story of a friendship between two women, one of whom has the hidden identity of being a convicted murderer who got a light sentence. Which woman is the killer? And what kind of woman is she really? Both Frances and Kate seem very normal on the surface.. Frances is suffering from being overweight and not being accepted while Kate is everrything Frances wants tos be. Frances has one son, Marcus who is also overweight and not accepted at his posh private school. Kate has two children, Daisy and Charles. Daisy is a teen with a lot of secrets who has no relationship with her family at all, so she seeks relationships outside of the home. Charles is in Marcus’s class at school and they befriend each other, leading to the friendship between Frances and Kate. I love how the author tells the story from the point of view of Frances and Daisy as well as some unknown entity known as DJ. His identity is not explained until close to the end of the book. The whole book was a thrill ride, as I constantly waited to find out who was the killer in hiding and what would happen to their friendships. But I must admit that the story that fascinated me the most was that of Daisy. Readers of psychological thrillers will definitely enjoy this twisted and mysterious novel from Robyn Harding which teaches all of us about appearances and friendships.

Robyn Harding, Author of “Her Pretty Face” has written a chilling, captivating, intense, edgy, novel that should be accompanied by a WARNING: DO NOT READ BEFORE GOING TO BED.!!Of course that hasn’t stopped me, AND I am addicted to the author’s vivid description of the dysfunctional characters, and her story. I just couldn’t put this thriller down for the life of me. Perhaps I shouldn’t use that phrase. The Genres for this Novel are Thriller, Mystery, Suspense, and Fiction.

The author describes her cast of characters as complicated, complex, unbalanced, (to say the least), and toxic. There are deep dangerous secrets, betrayals, lies and twists and turns. Do you think that a person can change? Can a leopard change its spots? Are people who we think they are.? Should people have second chances?. In this novel, the author discusses the dynamics of friendship, family and community.

Two women become friends after bonding at an affluent exclusive school. Both women have sons the same age. The emotional climate of this school is one of bias , bullying and snobbery. Frances Metcalfe is a stay at home Mom, who struggles financially and emotionally. Her son has major emotional problems, that stress Frances . After her son does something unacceptable in school, the other mothers’ disapproval is overwhelming.

Kate Randolph, a wealthy, confident and extremely attractive mother defends Frances and her son, and puts the other mothers in their place. Before long, the two have what appears to be the perfect friendship.

Both women have deep secrets from the past. One is not who she says she is. One of these women is really Amber Kunik, a cold-hearted killer that served six years in jail.

I highly recommend this novel for readers that enjoy a chilling thriller that keeps you guessing. Just be warned, don’t read this before you go to sleep!!! I received this ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

A killer hiding in plain sight? Kind of, but not exactly. The blurb and even the beginning of the story sets this one up as what could have been a gripping domestic thriller. The glimpses into the past paint a disturbing picture, but the modern day happenings left something to be desired, mostly the suspense that should've been there. There are questions, but it was all way to easy to figure out in spite of the misdirection with certain points of the story. I kept waiting for something to happen in the present day chapters, some unexpected or shocking twist, and maybe that's where this one lost me. It was all just a little too predictable. The story is well-written and I did keep going, looking for that twist, that wow factor. Maybe I've just read too many domestic thrillers lately, but the 'thrill' of this one was lost on me. It felt more like a personal interest story, a where are they now type of thing, than anything else.

Her Pretty Face by Robyn Harding is a recommended domestic thriller.

Frances Metcalfe has low self-esteem and feels like a pariah to the other mothers at Seattle's exclusive Forrester Academy. Her son, Marcus, eleven, who was recently accepted into the elite school, has ADHD and oppositional defiance disorder. After an incident at the school, Frances and Marcus are now shunned and looked down on by the other mothers and students. Then Kate Randolph steps up, befriending and supporting Frances. Kate's son, Charles, even makes friends with Marcus.

The two women are very different, but share a common scorn for the arrogant snobs from the school. While acceptance with the others might be nice, it is even better to have a confident friend by your side. The problem is that both women are hiding secrets. One of them is hiding her real name, Amber Kunik, and she was involved in a murder in 1996. Can people change their essential personality and character? Can all past actions be forgiven?

The narrative is told through the alternating voices of Frances and Daisy, Kate's fourteen-year-old daughter, who is going through some problems and not telling anyone about them. Additionally, there are flashbacks showing Amber Kunik's role in the 1996 murder. The big questions are who is Amber and what is happening to Daisy. The characters, Frances, Daisy, and D.J., are basically well developed and their storylines are interesting.

The writing is okay. I had a few issues with some of the descriptions and remarks made by characters. The problem for me was that the big questions were easily figured out early on in the novel so the plot needed to be interesting enough to hold my attention as the characters all figure things out or have their big secrets revealed. It is an okay mystery/thriller. It is not a stay-up-all-night to finish book. Certainly it fits the airplane book rating - it is interesting enough to pass the time but you aren't going to cry if you lose it, misplace it, or never finish it - which is fine. Be forewarned that the ending is weak and anticlimactic.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Gallery/Scout Press.
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This was an awesome and creepy book! Which I love a good suspense novel... Fantastic. All I have to say is that this will take you by surprise, in a good way!

Y'all got any more of those domestic thrillers? This one's on that list. Middle of the road. There was literally almost zero redeeming qualities in at least half of the characters but the read wasn't bad. Free e-copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book. Suspenseful, dark and engaging. Keeps you guessing from start to finish. This story drew me in from the first page. Frances is a stay at home mom who is struggling to raise her son who has many issues. When Frances befriends a fellow mother at the school she finds out that she isn’t the only one with skeletons in the closet. Fast paced, impossible to put down.

I read and enjoyed Robyn Harding’s The Party, last year. I was excited to see if I liked her newest release as much as I did the last one. I definitely did! I read this book in less than two days and it had me guessing and second guessing myself at every page. Robyn can really write a psychological thriller!
I won’t tell you anything about the story line but I can say it makes you second guess everything you think you know about people. At about the halfway point, be prepared to not be able to put the book down until it is over.

Frances and her son are social pariahs in the wealthy mean-mom run private school of Forrester. When pretty put together Kate and her Charles, befriend the pair their social lives start to turn around. Frances and Kate share an instant connection and find their unique dark humor is appreciated. However, as they get to know one another more they begin to see that there's more darkness in their lives besides just their humor and more to one another than just a pretty face. Once secrets are exposed can these new best friends trust one each other and forgive each other or themselves?
This was a very fast, entertaining book. It was hard to put down and kept me interested through the entire book. Sometimes this genre of books goes a little too far off the realm of realty but I thought Her Pretty Face stayed within the spectrum of believable. Lots of family dynamics and character development within the story. If you are looking for a good book with twists and suspense that won't terrify you but will keep you turning page after page, this one is for you!
4.5 Stars!!!
Thank you Gallery Books - Scout Press and Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be released on July 10, 2018!

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for letting me read a copy of this in advance! 4.8 stars..

You ever see a book and the cover just catches your eye and the title is the cherry on top? You know you want to read this book before you even read anything about it? The cover just lured me in and the title just left me so curious! I was of course thrilled that when I read the synopsis because this was the kid of books I love.

When we first meet Frances Metcalfe she is having a hard time with just about everything in her life. Her son has issues and though Frances does everything she can to help him she was hoping that by being accepted to and attending the prestigious Forrester Academy thing would really improve. Instead she finds that things just seem to get worse. Her son Marcus is an outcast and pretty much friendless just like she is. Then the beautiful, tall, & slim Kate Randolph comes into town and her life and things change. That fact that she is shunned by the other Forrester moms no longer matter. Her son has a friend, Kate's quiet and sweet son Charles who helps Marcus begin to fit in at the school. Frances also no longer feels alone. She now has someone she can talk to, have fun and just do the things friends do together.For Frances who feels alone and has not really had a best friend as an adult except for her husband Kate is a godsend.

The truth of the matter is that people tend to not show you who they really are deep down inside, We never really see what goes on in people's minds. We end up only know who they want to be seen as. Frances has a secret past that she has tried to forget, to hide from everyone. A past that she has mentally punished herself for years. She thinks she is a terrible person and yet in reality Frances has no idea what a truly terrible person is. She has no idea who her friend Kate really is....

This story is told through three POVs labeled then and now. We hear Frances, Kate's daughter Daisy and DJ whose sister Courtney's horrific rape and murder connects all three of them. Yes, this is a thriller in a way. I would say it is a thriller in the way that some may say "Big little Lies" is a thriller. It is more of a character study that connects people by a tragedy.

Some people were upset because they felt that the "twist" was easy to predict but in all honesty the blurb about the book gives away the so called twist right away so you go into this book knowing what it is. There is no secret This is more about the characters and how they react.

I truly enjoyed this book and will more than likely read it again sometime.

Her Pretty Face by Robyn Harding is a twisty tale of two women who become friends because their sons are at school together. Frances is reserved and feels like an outcast among the other mothers at the school. She is thrilled when Kate becomes her new best friend. Not only do Frances and Kate get along but so do their sons and their husbands. Everything seems to be going along great until Frances begins to get some weird vibes coming from Kate. She begins to suspect that not all is as it appears when it comes to Kate. This book moves along very quickly and has all of the twists and turns you look for in a great tale. Read and enjoy!

I initially was drawn to this book because of the intriguing cover. Told from multiple points of view and across time, we learn about two women with very dark secrets from their pasts. The story was fairly easy to figure out and not what I’d necessarily consider to be a thriller. I could see it being a quick and easy beach read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for the book in exchange for my review.

A fast read that works well as a beach read with multiple story lines told from the point of view of Daisy, a young 14 year old, DJ, a man whose sister was murdered years ago, and Frances, the young insecure mom of Marcus who becomes friends with Daisy's mother.The alternating point of view was very easy to follow with smooth transitions. When overweight Francis sends Marcus to a new private school she is befriended by Kate , a tall willowy beautiful woman. Francis can't believe her good luck that someone like Kate would want to be friends with her. However, small hints of dysfunction peep through but Frances's need for friendship overrules her qualms. When rebellious Daisy needs rescuing one night from a situation, Frances finds a picture that sets the story on its end. Though I had figured out the story line it did not detract at all from its enjoyment. This is a perfect book club book for those looking for an easy read but want to delve into some moral and philosophical issues...Can one change? Do we hold people accountable for their past actions ? How do you think you would act in a similar situation? I hesitate to say more as I don't want to spoil the book for others but just read it and find out for yourselves.

“Camouflage is a game we all like to play, but our secrets are as surely revealed by what we want to seem to be as what we want to conceal.”
Robin Harding’s novel, “Her Pretty Face” gives us a domestic thriller full of lies, murder and deceit.
Frances is an insecure, anxiety ridden, overweight Mom to Marcus. We are introduced to Frances at a fundraiser for her son’s private school . Adults are not immune from cliques along with bullying. Just as Frances is feeling uncomfortable and anxious with the “popular” Moms who make her feel inadequate, in steps beautiful, confident and popular, Kate Randolph, to save Frances from the unkind “popular” Moms. The self-assured Kate rushes to Frances’ defense and immediately forms an unlikely bond with her. Their sons become close friends and suddenly Frances and Kate start planning more time together with spouses included as well.
Everything is clicking for Frances and her family but with any thriller, things begin to unravel and cracks start to form in everyone’s perfect life.
As we learn more about Frances in this domestic thriller, we learn that she has secrets from her past that she shares with no one including her husband.
We also learn that the “perfect” Kate has secrets from her past that she fights to keep hidden.
Two women with deep dark secrets from the past but one has a much darker secret that will dispel the phrase, “the truth shall set you free.”
This book was not that edge of your seat thriller that leaves you hanging until the last page. Her Pretty Face begs us to ask questions about forgiveness and whether a person can really change or are they just wearing camouflage.
I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley. This did not effect my review of this book.
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