The blurp of this book in Netgalley caught my attention. This is the first book I read from Clare Boyd. Anna has to welcome Bay, her husband's daughter from her first marriage, into their home. Here she is trying to be a great mum for her blended family. It's hard to believe that you can't see through your family members despite you are living in one roof and share a dinner table, but again, family is always a complicated thing. 

It's a domestic family drama involving step-siblings jealousy, manipulation and guilt trip, as well as body shaming and sexual exploitation in a teenage modelling world.

The Pretty One - a not very pretty story of a very pretty girl. Nell is a teen at school when she is headhunted to join a modelling agency. The narrative follows a complicated relationship between Nell and her half sister Bay who has tried to control Nells life since she was a child all through jealousy. The book depicts the grim life of young female models being exploited and how a problem in their home life can push them towards making bad decisions and being exploited more. It was an unusual book, interesting to read but seemed a bit chaotic.

📸THE PRETTY ONE REVIEW📸

Synopsis-Nell, Bay and Iris are Anna’s perfect daughters and although Bay is her step daughter she loves all three girls equally but there is a terrible secret that two sisters share that will ruin everything...
When Nell is scouted as a model, Anna is in two minds about what is best for her daughter who is about to take her GCSEs but when the modelling begins and Nell starts to change, the secrets between her and Bay threaten to unravel and tear the family apart but which daughter is telling the truth and who should Anna trust? 

My thoughts...
This book is a family fiction tale with some deep and dark parts featuring abuse, which made for uncomfortable reading. It was a different read as it wasn’t a thriller but a dark story about different relationships. It gave insights into different worlds and influences, which was really sad and heavy but I was also desperate to know the sisters secret and what had happened. There were side stories of love and friendship, which I wish were delved into more as I wanted to know more background to particular characters to understand their reasons for their actions. Overall I enjoyed this book, it was dark and gripping, difficult but interesting and the short chapters from different perspectives kept me intrigued! The revelation of the secret did lay a little flat for me, even though it was twisted and heartbreaking, I wanted to know more but I got the ending I wanted from this book!

What would you do if your 15 year old daughter was offered the chance of a modelling career? This is the question which Anna and her husband  Dom must answer. 

Nell is the pretty 15 year old.  The question divides her parents. Anna her mum worries about her losing her education and innocence while Dom her dad , is more swayed by the potential of wealth. 

Nells sisters are divided in their options too, younger sister Ivy is quietly supportive while her older stepsister Bay seems willing to do anything to stop Nell becoming a model. 

With Nell stepping into the limelight, the childhood secret she and Bay share is uncovered and this threatens to destroy the tight knit family. 

As a mother myself I found it difficult to imagine how Anna was feeling throughout the book. Loving all your children equally but to be forced to choose one child’s story over another would be unimaginable. Is it possible to know your children fully? Can you protect your family from outside influences?  

The description of the book as dark and emotional is spot on. Some parts of the book were difficult to read but very relevant to the story. I highly recommend this book and throughly enjoyed the great writing style. 

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the copy.

This is an interesting take on family dynamics and relationships with dramas. Nell is a beautiful teen girl who has been asked to model. Her step sister Bay, is jealous of the attention and of Nell, so she sets out to prove herself in her own way and in return damages the family on a whole other level. The parents, Anna and Dom are already struggling, so when all this comes to a head, including secrets from the past, it is hard for them to recover. 
This took a bit to get going, but once it did, it was quite intense. The characters were well developed and it really delves into the unseen side of the modeling world. 
It won’t be for everyone-there are definitely some triggers, but it is worth the read. 
Thanks to netgalley and bookouture for this arc in exchange for my review.

“ Nell is the perfect child; more beautiful and more likeable and more loveable than me. If my pretty little sister never came home again, I’d finally be free from the terrible secret we share… “


This book had me hooked, it was compelling, although a little uncomfortable to read at some points, I couldn’t put it down. Another book written from multiple character viewpoints, with flashbacks thrown in. Brilliant. The tension was unbearable, had to keep reading!

This book has been completely and utterly impossible to put down. I have been completely gripped, suspicious of all the characters involved and completely unable to predict where this book was going. This is well-written, completely addictive and all round a wonderful gem. I absolutely recommend this book. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced e-book addition of The Pretty One by Clare Boyd in exchange for my honest review.

A blended family getting on well until sibling rivalry rears it ugly head. How is a mothers set on loving all her children equally pick a side.  Things go wrong, secret are revealed and this kind of trouble could cost a life. 

 This is a nail biting phycological thriller that is sure to please.  A mother who doesn't listen to that gut instinct, some competitive siblings along with a very unlikeable husband all make for a roller-coaster of a ride that is certain to entertain.
Good page turner and face paced.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher.   I have not read anything from this author before but will be looking out for other titles from her.   Great storyline, great characters and a real page turner.

I really enjoyed this book. A dark and sometimes creepy storyline which explores the family dynamic when a stepchild is brought into the family. A good solid read that I read in a couple of days as I wanted to find out what happened! My only criticism is the ending could have been better and not so rushed but I would still recommend this book.

The chance at a modeling career for 15 year old Nell threatens to tear down the  façade built around her family from the outside and between one another in Clare Boyd's "The Pretty One". Nell sees a life of excitement and fun, her mom Anna worries about disruption of her schooling and exposure to danger, and father Dom sees the dollar signs. Most nefarious, however, is stepsister Bay anticipating the loss of attention from Nell and Anna, and her quest to do anything to prevent that.

"The Pretty One" was dark, disturbing, and hard to put down. The codependency of the characters really lent itself to the plot's forward momentum, and Boyd's exploration of their complex emotions seemed spot on. The probing of the modeling industry felt authentic without being preachy or obviously biased. I do wish the Epilogue was a bit more detailed, as I had come to connect with the characters and wanted to know more about how they ended up. Overall an interesting story and well worth the read.

Note: I received a free ebook copy of "The Pretty Ones" from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I would rate The Pretty One 3.5 stars. I found the premise to be intriguing. Bay is brought to live with her Dad’s family. She’s gone from a home with her mum where she wasn’t shown any love to a family with her Dad, a new mum Anna and two half sisters, Nell and Iris. They become a normal family until one day fifteen year old Nell is scouted by a model agency. This leads to jealousy amongst the siblings. The plot deepens as Nell becomes sucked into the world of modelling and as things happen she starts to keep secrets from her parents, although it seems she’s not the only one with a secret.

This book has a number of complex characters who are all a bit like marmite but do add to the plot. Although I enjoyed this book I found the plot to be quite slow at first and it didn’t grip me as much as I wished. 

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.

From the outside, Anna’s life looks perfect.  Married to her husband Dom, running a small millinery business, and mother to three lovely daughters – two by birth, and one stepdaughter.  But she loves Bay just as much as she loves her biological daughters Nell and Iris… right?
 
The novel begins with the pivotal encounter that is the catalyst for the family’s unraveling.  Teenage Nell is spotted at a gallery by a scout for a modeling agency.  Nell is thrust into the modeling world, forcing Anna to upend her life to chaperone Nell on calls across Britain and even internationally.  The story explores the dark and dangerous underbelly of modeling – sexual exploitation, body shaming, eating disorders, partying, and underage drinking/drugs. 
 
Nell’s modeling career also causes drama between her and Bay.  Bay is jealous of the attention Nell is getting, not to mention the fact that it takes Nell’s attention away from her.  Only eighteen months apart in age, the stepsisters are close, but the foundation their relationship is built on dark secrets… secrets that are threatening to destroy this blended family.  What lengths will Bay go to in order to keep her family’s attention and affection?
 
This story is billed as dark and emotional, and it definitely is!  Although this book was a tad slow to start (and a little too fast to wrap up at the end), it drew me in before too long.   The story is told from alternating viewpoints between Anna, Nell, and Bay, and interspersed with some flashbacks to when the girls are young.  Each character’s voice is distinct and rings true.  The insider view of the modeling industry feels authentic too.  As a mother myself, I felt sick watching Nell get sucked into seedy environments, cringing as she made one bad choice after another.  I felt Anna’s anxiety and despair as Nell grew more rebellious and out of control, while Dom enables Nell’s behavior and because her modeling was so financially lucrative.  My sense of dread grew steadily as the story unfolded and the characters’ relationships fractured.
 
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4 solid stars!

The novel begins with Dom's eight year old daughter, Bay, moving in with him and his partner Anna and their two young children, Nell and Iris. Many years later at age 15, Nell is approached by a modeling scout while visiting an art gallery. Nell is thrilled about this, but Anna is concerned about how it could affect her schooling. She shares her reservations with Dom but he insists it will help to pay for Nell's college. As things progress, Nell becomes defiant and rebellious. This tears up Anna who adores her family so much.

The story is told in three parts and in three POV; via Anna, Nell and Bay. Told from past to present, we learn a lot about how truly troubled Bay is. The turbulent relationship between Nell and Bay has many ups and downs and in the end a shocking discovery is made.

Overall, I did enjoy this book and could really connect with certain parts of the story since I currently have a teenage daughter. This was a very well written family drama and although it might not be for everyone, it did resonate with me and I would recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC and for an honest review.

I was given an ARC of this book for an honest review. Thank you Net Galley 

This story took me back to the time of raising my daughters. This is a blended family so I could relate. They were girls as I also had girls and remembered the fighting and sibling rivalry. These girls have dark secrets about each other and their Mom Anna tries to keep them all happy. Nel the oldest gets a modeling job at the age of 15 and that affects the whole family. The story of a young girl modeling takes you down a path that is disturbing and difficult to read . 
I enjoyed this book but not as much as I thought I would.

I loved this and finished it in three days! Pacy, dark and a bit creepy but in a very convincing way - I liked how well developed the characters were. My only criticism is that the ending felt a little rushed.

The Pretty One touches on the family dynamics of a blended family, sibling rivalry, mental health issues, wanting to follow your dreams no matter what the cost, giving up your dreams and hopes for other people. This also touches upon the corruption and exploitation which can take place within the teen modelling world and the dangers some young models are placed into by their bookers/agents.
I had many feelings whilst reading this book and despite some of the characters behaviour I couldn’t help but feel for them as Clare has so cleverly written their history and personality.
I don’t want to write too much as I do not want to leave spoilers but I will say I highly recommend this book

The Pretty One is a family drama about Anna, who is married to Dom,  and their 3 daughters, 2 of which are teenagers, Bay and Nell.   Bay is smart and serious, Nell is adventurous and beautiful.  That alone would be enough for any pair of teenage sisters to bicker but these two have some serious sibling rivalry happening.  Both fighting for their parents attention, love, loyalty and respect.  When Nell is singled out for her beauty, Bay struggles with both losing her sister's attention as well as all the extra attention Nell is receiving from so many others.  This leads to both of them spiraling out of control until the explosive ending!
This was a quick read and was very emotional, heavy and dark.  Issues of physical, emotional and sexual abuse are brought up in this story.  But it also speaks of empathy and forgiveness and the love of family.
Great writing and a really good book!

This book is described as “a dark, emotional and absolutely gripping page-turner.” Please believe the “dark” and “emotional” adjectives if you are considering reading this novel. For those who are uncomfortable with rather explicit sexual content, you may want to pass on this offering.

In "The Pretty One," the author has stripped away the façade of a relatively happy, blended family to reveal the dark underbelly of serious dysfunction. Anna and Dom Hart seem like typical middle class parents with two daughters, Nell and Iris, complete with a house in the English countryside. Both are maintaining a fragile detente in their relationship. Dom is dissatisfied with his lot in life; Anna has sacrificed her dream for her own career; and both have had to accommodate their family and home life to include Bay, Dom’s daughter from his first marriage. Add in Anna’s neurotic mother and you have a cast of characters that are intriguing and, for the most part, unsympathetic.

Nell, at age 15, is “discovered” by a booking agent for a modelling agency. As she embarks on this path, the underlying tensions in the family rise and eventually reach the breaking point. Stoked by Dom’s greed and desire to experience success vicariously through his daughter and haunted by Bay’s passive-aggressive jealousy, Nell soon finds herself swept away into a world of parties populated by lecherous, older men. I have no personal knowledge of the teen modelling scene, but given the prevailing cultural climate, the author’s description of the manipulation and exploitation associated with this field is both believable and horrifying. 

As the storyline slowly progresses through first person accounts by Anna, Nell and Bay, many themes of emotional and physical abuse are revealed. Co-dependency is rampant within this family and huge mistakes are made under the guise of love. There is some redemption in the conclusion, which seems a bit rushed after pages and pages exploring past and present drama.

For all of the above reasons, I found this book an exceedingly challenging read. In a paradoxical way, my discomfort with so much of the content also reflects the author’s skill in evoking strong emotional responses through her writing. Overall, this was not a pleasant reading experience and one I don’t recommend.

My thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing a digital ARC in exchange for an independent, honest review.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

Twisty and dark, The Pretty One explores the complicated relationships in a blended family and the secrets you sometimes have to keep to maintain the peace. Anna is proud of her three daughters, Bel (from her husband Dan's first marriage), Nel, and Iris and the strong ties between them, but she doesn't know the truth. Nell's foray into the ugly world of fashion starts the slow untangling of the lies the girls are living and the compromises Anna has had to make for the sake of her family.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.