YA has been a genre I have not been reading for a while and listening to audiobooks has also fallen by the wayside. I fully appreciated being granted this audiobook ARC but at this time not something I am interested in.

Thrilling and very fast-paced as an audiobook, couldn't stop listening! The characters were all well developed and complex, as well as the relationships between Veronica, Mick, and Nico. Highly recommend and would read again.

The narrator made this unenjoyable. Though I did find I liked parts of the story I just couldn’t get past the poor performance and delivery the narrator was giving. It was as if they didn’t like what they were reading and decided to allow their voice and readings to reflect that.

Unfortunately, the audiobook version of this novel was not a hit for me. While there were some characteristics of the book that I enjoyed, I struggled to get through the narration.

This book was dark, chaotic, and not necessarily what I expected which is why it took me a year to actually finish reading it.It was also a reminder as to why not all YA works for me, too much teen drama, too many annoying characters, too many bad decisions.

I will start by saying, I really do like this book a lot. The toxic build up, the manipulation from all the characters. I liked both Mick and Veronica, but I felt like they were terrible together. And if it had been framed as a toxic relationship, I could have given it 5 stars. But it wasn't. They were given a happily ever after. And I don't like it. They both were terrible to each other. Particularly Veronica. But Mick wasn't much better. I liked the build up of Nico. How they progressed his...Art installations. It felt creepy, even as you started to realize what was happening. I loved the last chapter. But I really wish the creepy angle of Mick and Veronica's relationship had been addressed. But yeah, overall I liked it. Just don't look at it as a model of a good relationship.

I really enjoyed this audiobook! I loved the narrator and the story was well written! It did feel a bit out of my comfort zone but it was still a great time!

She’s Too Pretty to Burn is a really fun summer read that’s equal parts nail-biting as it is thrilling! It was so easy to get swept up with these characters and the whirlwind of a summer they themselves had. ☀️ I felt like reading from the perspectives of both Mick and Veronica really helped move the story along and kept me at the edge of my seat.

Yet, as exciting as Mick and Veronica’s spontaneously passionate romance was, there was something dark and foreboding about it too. While their relationship became more turbulent and all three characters began to act more impulsive and unpredictable, a lingering sense of unease kept growing that was impossible to shake and gripped me wholely until the very end.

And speaking of that ending? WHAT. A. TWIST! 😱

I almost wish there was more to the story – I would have loved to have seen what happened next after that reveal! But it was definitely more chilling that things weren’t tied up oh-so-neatly at the end, but instead you, as the reader, were left to wonder what the future might hold for these characters…

I really enjoyed following Mick and Veronica as they got themselves tangled up in more and more dangerous activities. Yes, they were a little unlikeable at one point or another, even while having good intentions – Veronica especially – but that was obviously the point. In She’s Too Pretty to Burn complicated characters and toxic behaviours are taken to the extreme.

I think this book is a good recommendation for readers looking for a wild ride set against an idyllic summer backdrop. With morally gray characters who have realistic flaws thrown into totally unrealistic situations. She’s Too Pretty to Burn is, above all else, a darkly entertaining book that’s almost impossible to put down.

Thank you to the publisher, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this audiobook. All thoughts are my own.

2.5 stars

I wish I could say I loved this book and that I remember everything about it weeks later (because yes, I'm writing this weeks after listening to the audiobook). I'm late writing reviews but I'm hoping to get everything done today and have a fresh start.

Anyway, She's Too Pretty To Burn was entertaining and I remember being interested by the main characters. I could relate a little to Mick who didn't like to have her picture taken and put online. That's not something everyone is comfortable with but her mother didn't get it and put her out there. I hated that. Veronica was your interesting artist who saw Mick as the perfect subject for her photography. It was nice to see them evolve. However, the murders and crimes didn't hook me all that much. Overall, this wasn't as memorable as I wanted it to be that's why I have to rate it low.

(Thank you for letting me listen to an audio ARC via Netgalley)

Art can be beautiful and representative of changes or destruction happening in life. Yet, what happens when the obsession to create interactive art turns deadly. Mick wants to stay in the shadows while participating in the swim team but when she b begins a friendship with Veronica, her whole life will change. Heard weaves environmental art with the ordinary lives of teens, giving a glimpse into gorilla-style art. Yet, Heard takes this style of interactive art a step further, crossing a dangerous line. While the stunts the teens participate in are thrilling and illegal, there is not much suspense in the story. Only when they are actually knee-deep I'm trying to put an installment up does the suspense rise. Overall the plot was fairly slow for a thriller and often the reader is left with a sense of wanting more excitement. The audio to this book did add much-needed suspense with the great inflictions and tones.

3.5 rounded up. I think this was a great audiobook and I don't think I would have been as engaged if I was reading it physically. I thought it was good but it felt like something was missing. I'm not sure what it was though. I LOVED the ending though.

This book is pitched a sapphic reimagining of Dorian Grey. I really liked the story in the beginning but for me as the story went on the two girls’ voices weren’t different enough for me and the plot didn’t go in the direction that I had hoped. Still enjoyable but not what I was expecting. I liked the two main narrators but didn’t like the male narrator as much.

Mikela Jones, aka Mik Jagger to her new group of friends, hates having her picture taken. Her mom is a small time model, who wants to use her daughters model appearance to pay the rent. But Mik is a swimmer not a model, and her hate of pictures is more than just hate, it’s anxiety inducing. Veronica is an artist who loves to take photos and is involved with some prettier interesting/crazy artist group. The two girls fall for each other and Veronica takes a picture of Mik that is so compelling that it goes viral on instagram, and blows up in her local art world.

The description says this book is an “expertly plotted YA thriller”. Umnn. Maybe not so much. It is very much a character study of these two girls and the world around them. It was pretty ho hum until the audio book was 52% complete and we get the first dead body. Then the rest wraps up pretty quickly. Some of it was predictable, some a little cringe inducing, and some truly entertaining. However, I would not really call it a thriller.

The book leaves itself open to multiple sequels, but to be honest, I’m not sure I would read them. The characters, even the villain, are likeable enough (until they isn’t), but when you are wanting a thriller and get sad romance with a bit of trouble… makes it hard to want to come back.

Overall I did like the book, and I can think of many people or teens would love it. It would even work for a book club read because there is so much emotionally going on. But I think this book might have been better if written from the killers point of view.
#popsugarchallenge

Unfortunately, I am not able to access this title. I’m not sure if I failed to download it in time or if I just hadn’t realized how close the expiry date was, my apologies!

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity though! I’ll definitely be checking out the final copy.

Loved every minute of this book, it's one of the best books I've read , everything from the romance, the friendships and the thrill ride you go on , this is a masterpiece and I'm so happy I read this book.

A great YA book about toxic relationships (familial, platonic, romantic, etc.), what is means to feel like you're entirely on the edge, trauma, and triggers. This book has a wonderfully suffocating feel of teenage adolescence that is so hard to replicate authentically, but Heard has done it well. She has created tragic and and toxic characters that are messy and teenagers and so *real.* A great job.

This book is supposed to be inspired by Dorian Grey. Having read both, the only connection I made was that both include pictures and a downfall of events. I found the relationship between Mick and Veronica to be a bit toxic, yet it had it’s sweet moments. As for Nico, I wasn’t a fan -- he gave off creepy, big ego vibes and actions were questionable... While I predicted where this book was headed, I had no clue how big of a mess would unfold. Not my fav, but I did like the slow burn suspense and the disturbing undertone of this book!

Thanks NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for my copy!

I've loved Wendy Heard's previous books, but you know what? This one is the best yet!

The vibe this books is raw. Immediate. Intense. I instantly connected to the two characters, and couldn't stop reading--well, listening, since I get the audiobook version, which I would recommend, by the way. The narrators did an exceptional job becoming these characters in my head.

I loved falling in love with these characters as they fell in love with one another, but then... things go awry. Twists. Turns. You won't be able to step away from this book.

Thanks to Dreamscape Media for the audiobook of this title.

She's Too Pretty To Burn is an edgy, sapphist YA thriller. If you like stories with edgy, passionate characters and a lot of action - I think this would be a great choice.

For me it wasn't particularly my cup of tea as the questionable decision making was a bit frustrating for this mom of a teen.

The production qualities on this audiobook were first rate.

5/5⭐️ to She’s Too Pretty to Burn by Wendy Heard. Thank you to Dreamscape Media and MacMillan Kids for an audiobook egalley to review!
I am definitely growing to be a fan of YA thrillers, and it’s book such as this that are why! From the very first pages I was hooked and needed to know what would happen next. I really enjoyed our two main characters and their budding
relationship. I felt their emotions alongside the characters with all the craziness that happens (yes, this is a thriller so I’m trying to keep it vague). The bad guy gave me super creeps that was perfect for this genre! The pacing in the book was most excellent! Plus I thought all the twists and turns were very well done, and at least for me, weren’t too predictable. I also think that some of the events in the book speak to how sometimes activism for things like the environment can be taken way too far, and how easily naive people can get involved in a potentially dangerous situation. I really don’t want to say much more, other than if you want a delightful & suspenseful YA Thriller, go check out She’s Too Pretty to Burn!!