A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty

A Novel

By: Joshilyn Jackson

Narrated by: Joshilyn Jackson

Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

A Grown Up Kind of Pretty is a powerful saga of three generations of women, plagued by hardships and torn by a devastating secret, yet inextricably joined by the bonds of family.

Fifteen-year-old Mosey Slocumb - spirited, sassy, and on the cusp of womanhood - is shaken when a small grave is unearthed in the backyard, and determined to figure out why it's there. Liza, her stroke-ravaged mother, is haunted by choices she made as a teenager. But it is Jenny, Mosey's strong and big-hearted grandmother, whose maternal love braids together the strands of the women's shared past - and who will stop at nothing to defend their future.

©2011 Joshilyn Jackson (P)2011 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"A mesmerizing tale of a family coping with the revelation of a secret that will change their lives...Jackson's most absorbing book yet, a lush, rich read with three very different but equally compelling characters at its core." (Kristine Huntley, Booklist, starred review)

"A deeply felt, engaging story." (The Atlantic)

"Highly immersive... a compelling page turner." (Publishers Weekly)

Overall quite entertaining - slow start

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Once I was engaged , I wanted to know how things were going to end.

Loved, loved, loved it!

Best Joshilyn Jackson book since Gods in Alabama! The worst part is when it's over - I'm so sad to say goodbye to Big, Liza and Mosey!

Addictive

This was my first audible download, and it definitely didn't disappoint! I was hooked on the story by the end of the first chapter, and listened at every opportunity until the story was over. The story and the characters drew me in very quickly. I particularly enjoyed how the chapters were from a rotating point of view, with enough variation in the writing and reading style to instantly know whose point of view you were listening to. Joshlyn Jackson's performance was fantastic, really adding to my enjoyment of the book. I highly recommend this audiobook.

what a great listen

I have never listened to this author or read this author but I will be seeking more of her books that I loved her comedy the intenseness of the book it was great!

Love these people!

I cannot call them characters, because I have come to know them, to respect them, and to cheer for them, as good and strong females fighting through life, and through the challenges of being a woman in this world. They are not fictional characters. They are people and lives and experiences and disappointments and hopes and battles and dignity, and sorrow and loss and horror and struggle and fear and weakness, and strength and sin and redemption.

I did not expect to like this book so much. I’m not really into chick lit. My mistake, this is not to be taken lightly. I loved this book and have recommended it. As a mature woman, I understand the struggles. I appreciate the talent that was required to sweep me along in a story that I had kept in my library for months and did not know I wanted to listen. I loved it. It is a very good book. A VERY good book.

This One Ought To Butter Your Biscuit

"Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion." Truvy from Steel Magnolias

Kept seeing this title scroll down the "what's trending in fiction" column with 5 stars and felt like I was missing a fun parade! I'd never read Joshilyn Jackson, (embarrassed to admit I'd never heard the name) but, I love a parade; gardening and iced tea was on the day's agenda--perfect pick.

If you are a fan of Southern women fiction (or is this a Southern comedy/drama?) this one will surely butter your biscuit. It reminded me just a little of the gals from Steel Magnolias(Truvy, M'Lynn, Ouiser [Weeza], Shelby). The characters are quirky and fun, the family bond is touching, the humor is self-deprecating fun and not belittling, and there are some catchy phrases that will keep you smiling and laughing to yourself. Not my usual type of read, but I found Grown-Up Kind of Pretty a sweet, fun, easy listen that was pure enjoyment. The overall consensus I get is that this is also a Jackson fan favorite, one of her best, so a good introduction to J. Jackson; good suggestion from fellow listeners! While not all authors should read their own work, I enjoyed Jackson's performance and thought it was a treat to have her do the narration. Great fun, appreciate the recommendation, and I enjoyed a perfect day!

Get it!

Wow - different, powerful, disturbing yet enchanting. You will want to find out what really happens and though you might think you know, cause you know, you have heard it and seen it or read it all, ah no, you have not. This book is not an "easy read" , but a well worth read. Heavy at times, but also brings you close to the characters. I would get, even if not on sale.

Too much bad language for my taste!

Any additional comments?

There is a lot of bad language in this book as well as some serious sexual content. If you don't like these things, then this book is not for you!

Superb!

Joshilyn Jackson continues to impress me! I've listened to "The Girl Who Stopped Swmming" "Gods in Alabama" and "Between, Georgia" and while those were all fantastic, "A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty" is my favorite.

Jackson, who has the rare ability to narrarate as well as she writes, crafts a tale of three women (grandmother, daughter, granddaughter) and an unearthed (literally) secret that changes their lives. It's part chick-lit, part mystery, part southern gothic, part contemporary fiction.

Great story, well developed characters, wonderfully written, pretty prose, fantastic narration -- what more could you ask for??

Wonderful Listen!

What made the experience of listening to A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty the most enjoyable?

The story is wonderful and the writing is beautiful. The author is also a very good reader, changing her voice slightly for the different perspectives. This is a great book about strong women. This is my first Jackson book and I have already put her others on the wish list! I like a good story, but I also need good writing and interesting language and this has it all!