This book was exactly what I thought I would be getting from a Lauren Weisberger book. The storyline was kind of current and cliche, and it just all felt very surface level, and despite the ending it still didn’t feel like any of the main characters had to take any responsibility for their actions.

You can’t go wrong with Lauren Weisbeger. I’ve enjoyed all of her novels and Where the Grass is Green and the Girls Are Pretty is no exception. Such an intriguing and scandalous read! It has a college admissions scandal amongst privileged and elite socialites, as well as a focus on the tumultuous relationship between two sisters. A super fun and witty read that will give you a delightful escape!

This is exactly what you expect from a Lauren Weisberger novel: frothy, witty, and someway unsettling. This is a novel meant to be read by the side of a pool alongside a bottle of rose, as the reading experience is just like drinking a whole bottle of rose. The story is sweet, satisfying, and also too much at the same time.

Oh man... I feel like I may have just been the wrong reader for this book.

The premise behind this one... I feel like fell extremely flat for me. I was expecting to have a witty and sassy read but unfortunately I was hit in the head with way too much botox, brown spots, and wrinkles talk.

Ugh.. talk about the wrong audience I guess. Yikes... unfortunately, this one was a complete dud for me and found myself putting this one down too much and skimming to the end.

I can't say much else but sadly didn't really enjoy this one at all.

2/5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Pub date: 5/18/21
Published to GR: 2/16/21

I haven't read anything by Weisberger since The Devil Wears Prada, and I admit I chose this book mostly because the title put a smile on my face and a song in my head. Weisberger calls the book a "beach read" in the Acknowledgments, and I'd say that's pretty accurate. In the middle of these crazy times it was wonderful to read some escapist fiction where interesting characters actually learn from mistakes and move forward, rather than point fingers and shout about blame. I will definitely be picking up some more novels by Lauren Weisberger.

The Grass Is Green And The Girls Are Pretty was a nice and relaxing read. I found the story moved slowly at the start but picked up speed towards the end. I liked the plot of a realistic newsworthy event mixed with a bit of family dramatics.

Of the three female characters, I enjoyed Max the most. She was a strong young woman who never faltered from her core desires. I found the character Peyton entirely frustrating throughout the novel as she demonstrated such selfish behaviour. As much as I disliked her, I kept turning the pages to see what was next for her and her sister Skye.

I'd recommend this book for anyone looking for a family drama that is a relaxing read. Thank you to NetGalley, Random House and the author for the ARC in exchange for my review.

I will also be posting this review on my Instagram @tays_booknook on the publishing day.

What I love about Lauren Weisberger is that her characters aren't straight-cut and likable. They often do some kind of cringey things! They often say things offhandedly that make you think "Ooh, I don't know if I want to be friends with her." But they're still immensely relatable. The mistakes they make are mistakes we could make in a slightly different unvierse. They make sense.

This novel was no exception. Lots of delightful escapism and glimpses into the world of the ridiculously wealthy--but perhaps not too ridiculously, in this case. I had an absolute blast reading this.

Thank you to NetGalley, who provided me with an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book is a fun, timely, satirical romp through the privileged lives of two sisters, loosely based on the college admissions scandal.

Peyton Marcus is a vapid, successful morning news anchor, in a healthy marriage with husband Isaac and mother to high school senior, Max. Her sister, Skye, (married and mom to adopted daughter, Aurora) is championing a nonprofit housing developing in her quintessentially perfect suburban neighborhood, her only focus outside of her helicopter parenting. But when Isaac is arrested for bribing Princeton to accept Max as an incoming freshman, both of the sisters' lives begin to fall apart -- neither more so than Peyton, who is actually the one behind the check writing.

Both of the sisters are so human, both flawed and yet both so motivated, persistent, and with a strong bond between the two of them. Even when the plot was a little slow, it was fun to be with the sisters - their banter never left contrived, and their reactions and dialogue always seemed realistic. It was also fun to tag along with Max, who was vulnerable yet brave, wise yet immature. The plot itself wasn't necessarily exciting or surprising, though.

I can't say this is a particular memorable book, but it was such a joy to read and I blew through it! Quippy, light and fun.

“Where the Grass is Green and the Girls are Pretty” was overall an easy and quick read that included topics that have been prevalent in today’s news cycle. The most recent college bribing scandal has shown wealthy parents who will do anything to get their children into top universities. Peyton Marcus is at the top of her game, a beloved morning news anchor who has worked hard to get to the top of her profession. She has a loving husband and a senior ready to head to Princeton. Until it’s discovered her husband is arrested in the latest college bribing scandal. What we come to find out is SHE was the one who paid off the recruiter. I wish that detail was left to later in the book, build up the suspense throughout that it wasn’t her husband. Her sister Skye is relying on an investor to open her home for struggling girls but when her brother-in-law is arrested her funding is gone. How does she get it back, especially after spending thousands of dollars in her own name?

I felt we didn’t get resolution in Skye’s story. We didn’t find out if she confessed to her husband about the debts or how the money raised by Max was distributed at the project or about the new addition to their family.. we did get closure for Peyton, in the end she did the right thing by turning herself in, even if it meant losing her own career.

A story of privilege ripped from the headlines as a parent is accused of paying for their daughter's admittance to an Ivy League school. Why did they do it? What are the ramifications for the relationships of the family? A story of family and privilege and figuring out what really matters.

I have always been a huge fan of Lauren Weisberger, and I was very excited to be chosen to read her new book. This story, for me, was pretty good. I loved her look at the psychology behind the current college admissions scandal, and I really enjoyed all of the characters in this book. I did find it to be a bit slow at times, mainly because I never really felt as enamored by Peyton's life as much as I have by some of her previous characters. To me, Skye was the real stand out. She was incredibly relatable and I enjoyed reading about her struggle to balance her parenting with her need for her own career.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

We all recall the college admissions scandal of a few years back, and WHERE THE GRASS IS GREEN takes us into a similar scenario, with similar parents wanting to grease the wheels for their child’s admission to the Ivy League. What could be taken at first blush as an overdone topic turns interesting and nuanced with Weisberger’s novel. I enjoyed the characters, and I found myself rooting for them while still wanting consequences to play out. Light but still thought provoking, pick this one up!

I really enjoyed this book from Lauren. The storyline was very current with todays news and events. It was an enjoyable read with great women characters. The characters seemed real and believable and the struggle of mom hood to older daughters and sister relations. If you are looking for a book break this is it. The book dived into the current blunders privilege people make to make sure their children excel in todays world. It ended with a great finish.

Great book! It really tells the story that no matter how much you think you know someone you really don’t. Also the true power and love of family no matter what.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Lauren Weisberger hit it out of the park for me in The Devil Wears Prada and I was so excited to be able to read this book before all my friends! Once again, she out did herself with this book! I have already been telling all of my friends to read this as they will absolutely love it! It is that GOOD! I personally just went through the whole college admissions process (fairly) for my son so I could relate and this book focuses on the college admissions process we have been watching play out on the news with our celebrities. I loved the everything about this book. I can't wait to hear what everyone else thinks once they have had a chance to read it as I think this book will be a much talked about book this Spring/Summer.

A great, topical read. The family dynamics were interesting and real. Peyton is not very likeable but I don't think she,s supposed to be.

So this was a 2.5/3 star read for me. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t get into this book and I found myself not connecting with the characters or the storyline.
I love Lauren Wiesberger and have been a fan of all her previous books, however, this one for me just didn’t work.
Peyton and Skye are complete opposite sisters who look nothing alike and are nothing alike.
Peyton is a news anchor and her life has suddenly fallen apart when her husband is arrested for an admissions scandal.
I think even though this book wasn’t for me it will definitely be a beach read hit.

Thanks to Edelweiss and NetGalley for my advanced ebook copy.

Lauren Weisberger does it again with this newest book. Even the perfect family who has it all can have it all come crashing down. In the realistic novel, it tells the story of secrets, scandals, and lies. A father who has been arrested for a college admissions scam (oooohhhh doesn't that sound familiar) where he tried to buy his daughter's way into Princeton. I was incredibly vocal while reading this and was told I needed to leave the room for being "too loud while reading". If you want a page-turning summer read - this is the book to get. Flaws humans at their best.

I was provided this book for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

This novel is an engaging story of Peyton and Skye, two sisters who are part of the privileged few who take draconian measures to give their families all the advantages in life. Peyton is a news network anchor who is suddenly furloughed due to a college admissions scandal. Skye is a stay at home adoptive mom who surreptitiously charges tens of thousands of dollars of credit card debt. Both of these women find out what's truly important in life, and what they need to achieve happiness.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It focused on a college admissions scandal and the fallout of that, following a family. I found it engaging enough to keep reading in like a soap opera kind of manner. 4 stars for me. Thanks to netgalley for the arc.