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A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty  By  cover art

A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty

By: Joshilyn Jackson
Narrated by: Joshilyn Jackson
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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)

What listeners say about A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

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!

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65 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautifully written and read!

I recently listened to Hunger Games and 11-22-63 and loved both. However, I really needed something in the here and now - something real I could relate to. I found it in this lovely book. My family didn't see much of me this weekend because I was tucked away in the heart and soul of this book. This is my first book by Joshilyn Jackson but it won't be my last. I highly recommend this book!

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31 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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My first but not last for this author

I enjoyed this story, having taken a chance on an author I didn't know. I was put off at first when I saw that the author was reading her own book, as that often doesn't work, but in this case she did a wonderful job and it added to the experience. It was a "southern, chick lit" book if that is a real genre - if not, that is my description. Being a northerner, I find it really interesting to read about the southern perspective and I always enjoy the accent. I will definately be listening to more of this author in the future!

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25 people found this helpful

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I wanted to cheer out loud!

Would you consider the audio edition of A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty to be better than the print version?

Have only listened, but Jackson is one of very few authors that I look forward to hearing read her own work.

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

If I had the time, yes.

Any additional comments?

The best of Jackson's books that I've read so far, and I've enjoyed all I've read immensely. The author breathes real life into her quirky, loving characters, and gives us a mystery to solve as a bonus. The strength and southern sass of Mosey and especially Big make them immediately accessible, and through obvious stroke research and instinct for human nature, even Liza becomes a fully developed member of the cast. Supporting characters are all spot-on. The ending made me want to cheer out loud. I recommend Jackson's books to all of my reading friends, and try hard to get them to listen to them as audio books for the wonderful reading by the author.

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25 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Sad for it to end ..

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

I feel like I need to read Joshilyn Jackson's books with a highlighter in hand. Her turns of phrase are so perfect that I want to remember them. I would (and will!) listen to this again because it's a wonderful story, beautifully read.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters draw you in from the first chapter.

What about Joshilyn Jackson’s performance did you like?

She has a real southern accent that adds to the telling of the tale.

If you could rename A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty, what would you call it?

The title is pretty perfect.

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24 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Love it! Truely amazing! Another Jackson Win!

J. Jackson has done it again. Creating a clan of characters that cling together and journey to find the truth.

Joshilyn gives a wonderful performance of all the characters. Well written, wonderful story, well developed characters.

Every time I had to stop listening I spent my time waiting to be able to dive back into the lives of these 3 amazing ladies. A journey worth the trip. This novel left me willing to fight for what is good and right and just in this world.

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22 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Hang in There

These three southern beauties deliver in this story, but after a bit of a start and stop beginning. Others reviewers have set the stage describing the plot, so I'll just say that this is a good book, an enjoyable read. I did feel it got off to a slow start and maybe it is because the narrator/author sounds very much the same in each character so make sure you pay attention in the beginning of each paragraph where the author/reader indicates who is speaking in the first person.
And I did glow in the loveliness and the fun of the characters', especially Mosey's southern (we called them) diddy's...cute as a pixie sayings.

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17 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A rare one!

Where does A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

A Grown-up Kind of Pretty was wonderful. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks and this one is first rate.

Have you listened to any of Joshilyn Jackson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I generally hate it when authors read their own books, they often ruin what would be an otherwise wonderful book, not so this one. Joshilyn Jackson makes this book sing!

Any additional comments?

My first thought when I listened to the sample of this book was

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14 people found this helpful

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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.

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12 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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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!

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9 people found this helpful