The Pretty One

By: Clare Boyd

Narrated by: Charlie Norfolk

Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

Everyone in the village admires Anna because she’s a wonderful mother. Juggling family life with a small sewing business, she’s the one they turn to for a warm hug after a hard day. Her kind, polite daughters are a credit to her - even Bay, her stepdaughter, whom Anna loves as much as her own two girls. 

But normal family life changes overnight when Anna’s middle daughter’s beauty catches the eye of a stranger in a café. As jealousy erupts between the siblings, Anna’s perfect blended family begins to unravel around her. A devastating secret about the dangerous game they played when they were little girls threatens to break the surface - and the bonds of this close-knit family forever....

To save her girls, Anna must rethink everything she ever thought she knew about love, motherhood, and family. She must pick a side, an impossible decision for any mother, but believing the wrong daughter could be fatal. 

Anna has already sacrificed so much for her family, but there are no limits to what a mother will do for her daughters....

The Pretty One is a stunning family drama that explores the dark consequences of sibling rivalry and the heart-wrenching emotional cost of keeping secrets from those you love. Perfect for fans of Big Little Lies, Little Fires Everywhere, and My Dark Vanessa. 

©2021 Clare Boyd (P)2021 Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.

Expect the unexpected!

While this book is not in my opinion a psychological thriller, it was none the less a very good book. It's this kind of book that makes one appreciate and admire the author, narrator etc.

This was an interesting listen but unfortunately

the ending was lacking. It just kind of left me with a feeling of, "is that it?"

Brilliant, Unexpected, Very Original

I almost stopped listening to this book after the first couple of chapters.
It seemed that the story was well on its way to becoming another silly, far fetched, and shallow disappointment.
But I was so intrigued by premise, and because I truly loved the narrator, I stayed with it.
Slowly, layers develop. The characters become multi dimensional. And this book becomes so interesting and one can’t help but wondering where it’s all going.
The location is charming, there are several perspectives, and each is completely valid and relevant in its own way.
I could not believe how good this book got.
I ended up being just completely riveted by this extraordinary and unique read.
Just be patient with it. It will grow on you.
There are segments which are a little triggering but overall this book is well worth getting through those parts because, by the end, I was so glad that I finished it.
Things are so beautifully and artfully wrapped up.
This is a rare treat, a writer who understands how critical it is to bring things full circle and give her readers a totally satisfying finish.
I loved it, even though it’s got a thread of darkness running through. It is purposeful, poignant, and it is totally necessary to bring the story to its conclusion.
I highly recommend this one.
Claire Boyd understands human nature, and she writes descriptively and beautifully.
The narration is excellent, could NOT be better.
This also is such a pleasant surprise.
Excellent, entertaining, and thought provoking.

easy read

easy read a s a a a a a a a a all is good

Hard to keep up with

I had the absolute hardest time trying to keep up and understand what was happening in the book. The narration was horrible. Every single character in the book, both male and female had the exact same voice. You could not keep up with who or which character was talking. They all sounded the same. This book should be read, not listened to.

very enjoyable

Very basic .. but good writing and I ended up really enjoying the story. Focuss on 2 sisters, family issues and secrets .... wanting to find out what happened kept me going. Big focus on teen modelling and dysfunctional sisters

Another slam dunk!

Love Clare Boyd’s stories. Her characters are so real and interesting and you feel like you know them! Couldn’t stop listening. Perfect listening for my walks, makes me want to walk more!

Families Are All Challenging

Every one has so many challenges in life. So many types, so much trouble, such Love & Joy and so much horror you may Never Know.....Love is Love & true to itself..... follow your own true self!!

Just okay.

Maybe my hopes were too high from the other reviews. Slow and uneventful. If you want something that takes little focus then I recommend.

Psychological drama

A captivating tale of sibling rivalry. I don't usually enjoy any novels with speech or thoughts from children but this book was different.
Strangely I enjoyed listening to the dark details of the modelling industry, mixed with the exploits of a dysfunctional family.
Perfectly narrated. Thankfully I couldn't relate to the jealousy between Nell and her stepsister but I could see how realistic the relationship was.
There weren't really any twists and turns but the characters were well-crafted and the psychological manipulation of Anna, their mother, was chilling.

Stick With It

At first I wasn’t sure.. But stick with the story.. it’s very good and topical snd makes some pertinent observations. The main reason I did not instantly like it was the narrators voice did not quite sit right with me..but hey, the story was great !

I couldn't put this book down.

Great story, even though I guessed where it was going, it was interesting following the story line to get there.
I had to make myself stop listening to go to sleep at night.

Living the dream becomes a nightmare

Intriguing story of a young girl spotted by a Booker and thrown into the corrupt world of modelling, told through three different viewpoints of two sisters and their mother, each one has their own tale to tell. Fascinating especially as one sister is not as she seems bitter and revengeful and determined to get her way whatever the cost.

Loved this one!

wow, so different from other storylines! It was a pleasure to listen to. Well worth reading x

Boring

This book was so boring and long winded - it could have been over in an hour and the narrator was dreadful, she had the same dreary voice for every character. It took me 3 months to get through it as I kept switching it off .

Great story - great characters

Enjoyed this. It’s a slow steady listen but the family dynamics and exposed feelings are intriguing throughout. The characters are surprisingly likeable and you can understand why they are behaving the way they do when their histories are made explicit.

A good listen, well narrated

Thoroughly enjoyed this, stories with the story, and well narrated. Was sceptical after reading reviews. I'll check out more by this author.

Disappointing

I feel this book could have been a short story . The content was tedious and boring. There was no plot nothing that wasn’t expected just a boring drawn out story about the modelling industry snd mixed up young girls . Whoda thunk it 😱
I hate to give up so I laboured on waiting for something exciting or meaningful or vaguely interesting to enfold but no ... a pointless waste of time
I would return the book but audible have said I can’t return anymore ( I’ve only ever returned a handful over the years ) therefore I warn you unless you like bland characterless storylines don’t buy this book .

Loved this book!

I found this book intelligent and well written. The author knows what she’s talking about, and there are no inconsistencies or plot holes. The characters are likeable and believable - at the start I wondered why Nell never spoke out but I came to understand the complicated dynamic within the family. I’m looking for more books by this author, I find it rare to get books that tie together so well. The reading was also great. Initially a bit annoying as it was from the point of view of a small child but that part is short and the rest is really excellent!

Highly recommended!