I tried. I really, really tried. This was my second attempt at reading the book, and I only managed to get through 50% of it. The synopsis sounded good, and I figured it would be right up my alley. Unfortunately, I wound up finding the story really slow and boring. 50% of the way through, and we still had no answers. Zero. Zilch. Which don't get me wrong, I understand a story would not be good if you give all the juicy stuff in the beginning, but we could have at least gotten some sort of breadcrumbs. Also, dual POVs don't usually bother me, and I can't pinpoint what I didn't like about it in Such a Pretty Smile, but I didn't like it at all in this story. Also, I agree that the over sexualization of teenagers, young teenagers at that, made me really uncomfortable. Yes, some are highly sexual at this age, especially if they had a terrible childhood, but that doesn't mean we have to get into all of the details about it. I so wish I could have enjoyed this book!

i wanted to like this but i feel that the author couldn't decide on which story she wanted to write more. the back and forth between the mom and daughter timelines was inconsistent and the overly sexual scenes with 13 year old girls was too much. Lila was written to be much older than the age she was supposed to be.

I both loved and didn’t love this book. It was an absolutely horrifying, gripping, thought provoking book. It hit on all the elements of horror that I love so that was fantastic. The only reason I say “didn’t love” was that it felt like the author was trying a bit too hard to make this a girl power/not girl power book, the feminist/political messages throughout were a bit forced and unnecessary. There were also times where the pace slowed (usually whenever there was ruminating on just how crazy Caroline might or might not be…) and it took awhile to get back into, but not so much so that I couldn’t. The ending was just okay, it felt rushed and maybe it’s just me, but I really wanted to understand more of the details of all the “what” and such behind the Cur. But overall a well done horror novel. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This unfortunately did nothing for me which is why I never got around to reviewing. The surface level feminist horror trend is not for me. I wish this had been more subversive and less "Woman Studies 101"

While I love seeing horror written by women and horror featuring angry female voices and main characters, Such A Pretty Smile was just ok for me. The story was interesting as was the idea of The Cur. But maybe I’m a little dumb but I needed way more explanations then what we receive about what is happening and why.

Even though I didn’t love this I’ll give the author another chance.

**Thanks to the author and St Martin’s Press for the e-arc I received in 2022 via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.**

I can't *not* say this: this book isn't for everyone. It's dark, creepy, reflective, and so good, but there are definitely a lot of triggers of readers: mental illness, murder, kidnapping, sexual assault, assault, etc. It's so good, the supernatural/paranormal aspect is so well-written that you question it the entire time. Such a great read. Also, if the paper mentioned in the book was real, I'd love to read it.

I found this book to be really strange and can't decide if I liked it or not. It felt like a stretch that it was touted as being about "powerful women being brought down by men" - almost like the book was written and then the author went back and tried to give it some political meaning. That just didn't land for me.

The novel starts out with the brutal murder of a girl, and jumps between timelines of a daughter and her mother, both refusing to give up control, refusing to allow this serial killer to get away with murder.

Such a Pretty Smile is a masterful blend of horror and social commentary. Kristi DeMeester's writing is atmospheric and poignant, effectively capturing the reader's attention from start to finish. The novel's strengths lie in its complex characters and the powerful themes it explores. While the narrative can be intense and unsettling, it is a thought-provoking and engaging read that challenges societal norms and highlights the struggles women face. The book's feminist horror elements make it a standout in the genre, and it is highly recommended for readers who enjoy dark, thought-provoking fiction.

I really enjoyed this dual-timeline thriller! I love books that make me say "What the heck did I just read?" and this was one of them.

I wanted to like this book, but from the beginning discussion of Acworth, something about it bothered me. I understand the author and I live in similar areas (and went to the same college) so it's not that it's a non-Georgian discussing our small towns.

I tried to let this go, and I read about half this book, but just could not get into it. The age of the younger protagonist -- 13 -- feels too young for the book, or at least takes me out of everything that happens to her? I don't know.

I'd be willing to give the author another read and likely will. There's just something about the pacing of the story -- how long it takes for the second POV to come about -- that kept me from getting into the story.

DNF, couldn't get into it but may come back later in life. I didn't originally request this, it was part of an ARC bundle I won.

I was looking for something different to read when one of my friends recommended this one to me. Well, it's definitely different! This mother - daughter look into the darkness surrounding them is going to be responsible for my nightmares for awhile. Each of them is having "visions" of the dark character that is claiming many young women. This is hardcore horror that will pull you in and keep you in that dark pit through the end.

In "Such A Pretty Smile," Kristi DeMeester delves into psychological horror, exploring obsession, identity, and the sinister side of suburban life. While the novel boasts atmospheric prose and vivid imagery, its uneven execution and pacing issues detract from its potential impact. DeMeester's exploration of a woman's descent into obsession offers a fresh take on horror tropes, examining themes of beauty and societal pressures. However, the narrative's fluctuating pacing and underdeveloped plot elements may leave some readers feeling disconnected, despite its chilling moments. Despite these flaws, DeMeester's skillful prose and willingness to tackle complex themes make "Such A Pretty Smile" a compelling read for fans of psychological horror.

The whiplash this book gave me!! The build up was incredible. I did not want it to end, and I could not put it down.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martins press , whom never fail to surprise me when they allow me an ARC, 🥰, and Kristi DeMeester for this ARC. I read many a thriller book, and my scariest thriller/horror book is by Simone St. James, called “The Butcher.” I am going to compare this book to the scary feelings I felt for that one. That is a great complement coming from me as I never can get enough of a good thriller book ! But this one did it ! I had to stop reading a few times as my heart honestly couldn’t take it, but then I’d pick it up again and hold my breath so I could read more and hopefully finish it. The ending was a bit of a surprise for me, as I’m thinking Vampire, Werewolf, not a multitude of them.. so congratulations to this author for scaring the begeezes out of me..5 stars aand recommendations to my fellow thriller/horror book lovers..

Come on with this story! What did I just read? Nightmares, creepy people, good writing and a story that keeps you coming back for more. Yes!

I love how eerie the book was. The author did a great job describing atmosphere and gore that made you feel like part of the story. I found Caroline to be more compelling and interesting than Lila but having both of them intertwined was definitely the best choice for the story. I liked the allegory to women’s oppression but there were a lot of excuses made for characters doing gross misogynistic things, which felt against the point of the book.

Thrilling from beginning to end, Such A Pretty Smile will be an unputdownable favourite for anyone that loves a shocking, twisty read.