This book was pretty dang good, but I think I was anticipating liking it MORE. I read that it was in the vein of Big Little Liars, so I was expecting to like it so much more than I actually did. In all fairness, Liane Moriarty is one of my favorites, so I had high standards for a book being compared to something that great. I don't have any complaints, per se, and overall this was an enjoyable Women's Fiction story.

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Emily, Kate and Ginger were college roommates, attending the wedding of their fourth friend at a swanky, upscale resort. From the beginning of the book, we know there was a murder. We don’t know who was killed or who the murderer is, since all three women, plus Lulu, a new found friend, all admit guilt. The structure of the book is an interesting mix of detective interviews, and straight narrative. Recommended; thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

It’s being compared to BLL, but his just didn’t live up to the hype. Yes it will keep your attention till the end, but there is just something lackluster about it. That being said, it’s a good book

In "Pretty Guilty Women" by Gina LaManna four women have confessed to the murder of the same man at the Banks wedding - but they all insist they acted alone. They each have their baggage that they've brought with them to this posh resort for a week of wedding festivities and that have contributed to their motivations for saying they've committed this crime.

I'll be honest, I've been underwhelmed by most mystery/domestic suspense novels I've read lately but thankfully "Pretty Guilty Women" was the one to finally break through. This one had me guessing for almost the entire book - I was only able to figure out how things were going to unfold towards the very end; however there was still another twist I wasn't able to anticipate. But more than just the mystery at the center of the plot, what I really enjoyed about "Pretty Guilty Women" was the character development of all of the women; they were not just one-dimensional characters but they had real depth to them that was fascinating to explore.

4.5/5 stars

I really enjoyed this book, the characters were well developed. It had an interesting plot. I would be interested in reading more

I am no longer interested in the content of this book. So, I'm DNF'ing this book for now. I may circle back around to this book one day.

Even the most amateur of sleuths knows that to solve a murder, you must find the killer. But in Gina LaManna’s PRETTY GUILTY WOMEN, the detectives at the Banks wedding have one body and four suspects --- each of whom claims to be the sole perpetrator. So how, at one of the most lavish weddings ever seen, did worn-down mom and wife Ginger, successful and gorgeous Kate, alcoholic and depressed Emily, and glamorous and wealthy Lulu all end up confessing to the same murder, and what are they hiding? LaManna answers these questions and many more in her fun, suspenseful and powerfully female-driven book.

Ginger, Emily, Kate and bride-to-be Whitney were the best of friends in college, practically inseparable, but they have drifted apart since then. Now Ginger is working impossible hours to make ends meet for her family of five, Emily is three sheets to the wind at all times, and Kate is watching her perfect relationship fall apart because of her inability to have children. And Whitney? She has invited all of her oldest friends to the wedding of the century: a week-long affair held at an exclusive resort and spa in sunny California. The only problem? Emily and Ginger are sworn enemies, Kate’s boyfriend dumps her at the reception desk --- and, oh right, someone is murdered during the dinner.

Our fourth murder suspect is Lulu, the wife of the groom’s uncle, who is just as sexy and desirable as ever, regardless of her approaching 70s. LaManna kicks off PRETTY GUILTY WOMEN as each of our four main characters is preparing to jet off to the wedding. While Ginger, Emily and Kate are grappling with their own issues and fears of facing their friends again, Lulu is desperate to find out if her husband is still faithful. She has been married five times to four men, and this is about to be her longest and most successful marriage yet --- or it would be, if she could figure out why her husband keeps one of his office drawers locked, where he is when he says he’s at late-night meetings, and who the contact labeled simply “S” is in his phone.

Following some semi-disastrous trips and arrivals, the four women are finally checked in and ready to hit the bar. It is here that they meet, share wine and champagne, and find a new friend in Sydney, a single mother with an infant, Lydia, constantly in tow. With Kate billing everything to her jerk of an ex-boyfriend, Ginger avoiding her moody teenage daughter, Emily drowning in champagne, and Lulu guiding them through the highs and lows of love, what could possibly go wrong? LaManna intersperses her characters’ wine-fueled hangout sessions with police transcripts and awkward family run-ins that will have readers turning pages at a rapid pace (between sips of wine, of course) to discover who exactly is dead, who murdered him and, above all, why these four women are lying...or telling the truth.

It may sound odd to describe a murder mystery as “fun,” yet that’s exactly what PRETTY GUILTY WOMEN is. LaManna’s characters are unique and fully fleshed out, and although they are dealing with some major issues --- infidelity, domestic abuse, fertility, dysfunctional everything --- they are written with humor and love. Lulu was a particular favorite of mine (think Blanche from “The Golden Girls”) due to her sass, confidence and style, but what is important to note is that every woman will see herself in at least one of these ladies. LaManna alternates between each character’s point of view and transcripts from police interviews with not only the main players, but also the concierge, receptionist, bartender and more to give readers every side of the story --- and yet there are major twists I promise you won’t see coming. The book reads like a mashup of “Sex and the City,” BIG LITTLE LIES and the game of Clue all in one, with a hearty dose of “Say Yes to the Dress” for anyone who has a Wedding board on Pinterest.

Of course, PRETTY GUILTY WOMEN is not just fun and suspenseful, as it covers some powerful topics, including female friendship. Even as you are wondering whodunit, you’ll also be racing to figure out why these four women are no longer friends (and if you should call your own college roommate) and how they can ever come together again with all the tension and guilt between them. Juxtaposing these hearty issues with the fun of a murder mystery set at a wedding, LaManna pens the perfect end-of-summer read for anyone who loves girl power, suspense and the open bar at a wedding.

I completely enjoyed this book, 4 women confessing to a murder and one detective trying to untangle the knots and get to the truth.

4 best friends in college were no longer best of friends as one single act had broken them up. Each of the 4 have had problems in life but wanted a week to relax and enjoy. Add to them a single mother and a worried septuagenarian and a potboiler of a book was made, filled with regrets and new beginnings.

My first book by author Gina LaManna, I found it a light hearted read but filled with enough mystery to keep me engrossed in their lives. The chapters started with the cop taking the statements of the witnesses and then giving me the backstory, which I found to be an interesting concept.

Different points of view gave me the lives of the women and the sequence of events leading to the murder from different angles. My niggles too popped up. Some scenes were clichéd. Depths of friendship could have explored more.

Overall, it was a great read, it diverted my mind when I am not well. The book was easy to grasp using the text to speech app. I liked it.

I admit I didn’t think this book was going to be as good as it is. This book is great! I was shocked at who did the crime. It definitely kept me guessing. I loved all the characters. I really felt connected to them and felt for them. From the teenager who has an over protective mother to the woman who thinks her husband is having an affair. Great book.

A fun read! Someone has been murdered, and four women confess to committing it.

It gave me Big Little Lies vibes, showcasing each woman and the troubles they face away from the resort. With twists and turns, I found this to be quite enjoyable!

*thank you publisher and netgalley for the digital copy for review. All opinions are my own

Anyone else read this because of Big Little Lies?

I’m not deducting any points from the book just because of its resemblance to BLL, truth is I chose to read it because of this fact. It’s just that it is TOO similar in format, (including the interviews with a detective in between chapters) but with none of the brilliant narrative. It just builds on the suspense with a rather anticlimactic conclusion, and too much exposition.

With that being said, it is still a worthwhile read as we get to know four strong ladies, each dealing with her own personal struggles. Despite their different personalities they find friendship and empowerment with each other. It’s a heartwarming story of women taking control of their lives and their bodies. It’s unputdownable and you will really want to get to the end to know what happened. I was cheering for our Pretty Guilty Women all throughout, in spite of the grey areas. I am left wishing these characters peace and happiness as they live out their separate, but forever connected lives.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Sourcebooks for providing a copy of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.

Pretty Guilty Women by Gina LaManna is a mystery about how far a group of friends will go to protect one of their own. Emily, Ginger and Kate are invited to Whitney's wedding at a posh spa resort. Many years ago, all four were close friends during their college years. Much has happened since college and the friends are apprehensive about reuniting. While at the resort, they become acquainted with Lulu, an older woman and Sydney, a young single mother. Each chapter ends with a detective interviewing guests of the resort because a murder has been committed on the property but the victim's identity is not revealed. Before long, the detective realizes that four of the friends are individually admitting to murdering the victim. Who are they protecting? Who has been killed? Who is the real killer? This is a very enjoyable mystery: no matter what happens, the reader will never guess the outcome. Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Pretty Guilty Women by Gina Lamanna takes place at a luxury resort over the course of a wedding week that has brought together four women who all end their stay by confessing to the murder of a man. The book is interspersed with interviews with the women by a police detective. This is how the reader learns about the crime. I liked this format of storytelling. The plot moved along quickly and I had not figured out who the guilty party was before it was revealed. That's a good sign! Read and enjoy!

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I went in thinking it was just going to be another bland mystery with “just ok” characters. I loved all of the women and the backstory for each. I would highly recommend this one! Thanks netgalley for my courtesy copy!

Pretty, Guilty Women reads similarly to Big Little Lies. This novel is not surprising in its plot twists, but it is an enjoyable read. The simple synopsis is that four women confess to the same murder. The more detailed summary being that this book is a great beach read. It’s a fast paced read with a lot of drama mixed throughout. If you want a book to travel with that is fun and moves quickly, then this is it. Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

▪️Thank you to NetGalley, Source Books & Gina LaManna for the free advanced digital copy. This book is available now!
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🌟BOOK REVIEW🌟
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▪️MY THOUGHTS
✔️This Book!! What a ride! The synopsis had me hooked right away. Each chapter is told from a different perspective and includes discussion with the Detective questioning the women after the murder. I really enjoyed the writing and how the relationships between the women were so intertwined. I read this book on my vacation and read it at every opportunity I could get! It was that good! If you’re looking for a quick read that you just need to keep reading to see how it ends - this one is for you!
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▪️TITLE RUNDOWN
Guests
Unique
Invited
Lies
Thoughtful
Young girl

Loved getting to know these characters and seeing how their lives intertwined and evolved. It was suspenseful but not creepy or overly violent. This book is a great vacation read.

Title: Pretty Guilty Women
Author: Gina LaManna
Genre: Mystery, thriller
Rating: 4 out of 5

At the exclusive spa where the Banks wedding is about to take place, the luxurious surroundings promise a peaceful, posh vacation where old friends can catch up and relaxation is key. Until a man ends up dead—and four different women claim they murdered him.

Kate is used to excess and luxury—but not to being dumped at the front desk by her wealthy boyfriend. She’s used to being envied, but she is the one feeling jealous on this trip as she meets up with her college roommates and sees the lives they have.

Ginger has just about had it with the chaos of family life. Her kids won’t listen, her husband is oblivious, and everyone depends on mom to hold things together. Ginger just wishes she were a bit more carefree—like her college days before her best friend betrayed her.

Emily just wants the pain to stop. She’ll eventually drown it in a bottle, like always, but seeing her old friends dredges up secrets she’d prefer to keep hidden.

Lulu’s used to love being easy-come, easy-go, but she really loves her fifth husband. Now he’s hiding something, and she’s determined to find out the truth—or else.

This book was well-written and engrossing from the first page. All these women are fascinating, and I was drawn into their stories immediately. I love how the story is told in bits and pieces from each of their viewpoints, while drawing out the mystery of what really happened. Entirely binge-worthy, this is a book that will keep you hooked as you race to find out what really happened.

Gina LaManna lives near the beach. Pretty Guilty Women is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Sourcebooks Landmark via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)

I really enjoyed this book and sped through it really quickly. It had the right amount of suspense with some chick lit that mad it enjoyable. I would highly recommend this to my friends and family.

When one ends up dead and four confess to the crime, things are bound to be a bit dramatic. Follow along as the confusion throws everyone for a loop and the search goes on to find the real killer.