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)

couldn’t stop listening...

...and I have no problem putting a book down if it fails to grab me. The characters were interesting and drew me in; I felt like I knew them. This is one of the few books read by the author that is read well. Very much worth the time.

Great

I apparently never reviewed this and I hate that. I can't remember details but I remember loving this, and it's in my favorites list, so it must have meant something to me. I'll have to read it again sometime soon.

Hella Great!

Fannie Flagg, Bailey White, Kaye Gibbons, Sara Gruen, Anne LaMott and now? Joshilyn Jackson. I can't wait to read every single one of her books!! Pitch perfect writing and reading... Love!!

Perfection

I will admit that it took me a bit to get hooked into this book. I think as a northerner is was the southerness that didn't instantly envelope me. Once it did, I couldn't have loved it more. Not a single troublesome event, character, voice. There is not a single thing I would want different. The last quarter of the book is impossible to put down. I stayed up long into the night because.. well... Who could sleep at a time like that? Best book I have read in a long long time.

A Grown Up Type of Book

The first thing that amazed me about this book was the fact that the narrator was the author herself. In the past I’ve listened to books that the narrator reads and for the most part they are quite horrible. Just because someone can write doesn’t mean they can read.

Thankfully, this was a wonderful exception. I think if I’d known she was the narrator before I bought it I might have passed it up. As it was, I looked about ½ the way thorough the book to see who was reading it because she was so fun to listen to!

Secondly, this is a great story. There are three very distinct people in this book and each is given a wonderful “voice” and purpose for being. The way it is told and the way they intertwined kept me enthralled to the end. I would highly recommend this book.

So good - Had book hangover

What did you love best about A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty?

It had twists and turns in it that I never saw coming

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty?

Cant say - might be spoiler.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It just sucked me in. I couldnt function because all I wanted to do was listen and find out what happens.

Any additional comments?

This one is worth it. Download and enjoy.

Enjoyed every minute of it.

Would you listen to A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty again? Why?

Yes, not only was the story entertaining but the audio performance by the author was perfect.

Another Southern Jewel

Heart wrenching story of three generations of southern women, a tiny grave in the back yard, characters flawed and painfully real. I wanted to listen nonstop. Made me want to cry, cheer, and root for them all.

Could have easily been a masterpiece!

This book could have easily been a solid 5 in both narration and story. Had a different narrator been used for both Lisa and Mosey it would have been much better. I don't think the author/narrator captured Mosey at all. There wasn't much to capture with Lisa, but it still was lacking. The story had lots of problems. It starts out with Big (main character) about to enter a custody hearing for her granddaughter armed only with her determination and a cup. The rest of the story gets to the importance of the cup. But the ending of the story doesn't mention the hearing or the cup at all. The story just stops. A second HUGE issue is with Little (Lisa). The first half of the story has Lisa as victim of a stroke and the last half of the story a victim of poisoning. Today's medical technology would not have confused the two. This problem is exacerbated by the fact the author keeps mentioning how the characters know from watching CSI how to do certain things and how to be top notch snoops. A mother so determined to figure out her daughter would not have accepted a wrong diagnosis. I also had a problem with how much brain trauma the author gave Lisa. Sometimes Lisa couldn't understand anything, the next minute she is making complicated associations. Big leaps for the listener/reader. Having said all that, I couldn't put the book down. I loved it. But it could have been a real masterpiece! Highly recommend, just don't think as hard about it as I did. :)

A great book for a Saturday afternoon!

Would you listen to A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty again? Why?

The narrator was outstanding and immediately set the stage for the book. The story was well done and wove a story of mystery, unsettled romance and coming of age when the cards were stacked against one. Well done!