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She's Too Pretty to Burn
An electric romance set against a rebel art scene sparks lethal danger for two girls in She's Too Pretty to Burn , an expertly plotted YA thriller by Wendy Heard.
The summer is winding down in San Diego. Veronica is bored, caustically charismatic, and uninspired in her photography. Nico is insatiable, subversive, and obsessed with chaotic performance art. They’re artists first, best friends second. But that was before Mick. Delicate, lonely, magnetic the perfect subject, and Veronica’s dream girl. The days are long and hot―full of adventure―and soon they are falling in love. Falling so hard, they never imagine what comes next. One fire. Two murders. Three drowning bodies. One suspect . . . one stalker. This is a summer they won’t survive.
Inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray , this sexy psychological thriller explores the intersections of love, art, danger, and power.
Christy Ottaviano Books
The summer is winding down in San Diego. Veronica is bored, caustically charismatic, and uninspired in her photography. Nico is insatiable, subversive, and obsessed with chaotic performance art. They’re artists first, best friends second. But that was before Mick. Delicate, lonely, magnetic the perfect subject, and Veronica’s dream girl. The days are long and hot―full of adventure―and soon they are falling in love. Falling so hard, they never imagine what comes next. One fire. Two murders. Three drowning bodies. One suspect . . . one stalker. This is a summer they won’t survive.
Inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray , this sexy psychological thriller explores the intersections of love, art, danger, and power.
Christy Ottaviano Books
336 pages, Hardcover
First published March 30, 2021
About the author
Wendy Heard
7 books1,049 followersWendy Heard is the author of acclaimed suspense and thriller novels for adults and teens. Wendy has spent most of her life in Los Angeles, California, which is on fire more than she would honestly prefer, and can often be found haunting local hiking trails and bookstores. She loves all things vintage and has a collection of thrillers and adventure books from the 80s. You can hear more from Wendy (and play some fun, murdery fiction games) through her newsletter at www.wendyheard.com.
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May 11, 2020the author really said Dorian Gray but make it sapphic, murderous, teenage girls
September 20, 2022
3.5 stars ♥️✨
This book is "Aesthetically Pleasing," as we call it.
Imagine this book being converted into a movie, with all those art installations and photography room sequences, ohhhhh (yup, that's how I feel).
It's been a few days since I finished this book, and the fact that I can't stop thinking about it compels me to write this review despite the fact that I have a mountain of work to do! There were elements I enjoyed, events I skipped because they were boring, and some things I pondered for an hour after finishing the book!
"Inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray, this steamy psychological thriller examines the intersections of love, art, danger, and power," according to the synopsis.
Now for the first fact: I haven't read "The Picture of Dorian Gray," so I can't judge whether or not this was an accurate retelling. And, speaking of seductive physiological thrillers, I'm not sure what they mean by that, but it had its share of swoon-worthy moments. And you absolutely got me there with that examination of love, art, danger, and power huff, not going to lie, it was beautiful there! This is the type of novel that will stick a sneaky foot out to trip you up. It's twisty-turny and oh-so provocative. I enjoyed the plot and some of the characters. It was a mesmerising, scorching thrill ride. The psychological suspense in Heard's YA debut crackles and bursts. I READ THIS BOOK IN ONE DAY. This had a lot of potential in terms of imagery.
I FLEW THROUGH THIS BOOK. The imagery in this felt like it would be perfect for the screen especially with all of the performance art. I am living for the way horror and suspense fiction are being queered in such an authentic, empowering way.
“Veronica and Mick's complex, compelling relationship grounds this intense and unrelenting thriller, full of impossible choices, betrayals, mistakes, and danger.”
I loved these gray characters a lot , and though I don't agree with some of their actions but I guess that could be best at that time. I loved the use of sapphic love , it was I guess cool. I liked Mick more than Veronika because of same reason why Nico liked her .
I SCREAMED A LOT, ESPECIALLY NICO CHAPTERS!
I mean that boy, fucking hell! If we exclude the murdering parts , I loved Nico like you know I have a thing for antagonist and he is one my favourite teen antagonist (call it my outrageous teen moms or whatever , I like dark and disturbing people a lot ).
Speaking of thriller aspect ,
it was so easy for me guess the twists and turns I mean there isn't much use of your grey cells , you can simply chill and read it on a perfect afternoon. It's gripping no doubt but I guess it wasn't that much thrilling in my opinion , like honestly it was more of dialogues than actions .
And lastly that ending ,
That fucking last line .
FUCK FUCK FUCK
you know that moment when the title of book is used in the book, that feeling of "OMFG HELL YES!"
I am not gonna spoil that for you guys , but honestly this book was very artistic and pleasing to read especially when you think it's over but it's actually not !
So yes get ready for this ride , it's crazy and wild !
I hope you enjoy it💙
This book is "Aesthetically Pleasing," as we call it.
Imagine this book being converted into a movie, with all those art installations and photography room sequences, ohhhhh (yup, that's how I feel).
It's been a few days since I finished this book, and the fact that I can't stop thinking about it compels me to write this review despite the fact that I have a mountain of work to do! There were elements I enjoyed, events I skipped because they were boring, and some things I pondered for an hour after finishing the book!
"Inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray, this steamy psychological thriller examines the intersections of love, art, danger, and power," according to the synopsis.
Now for the first fact: I haven't read "The Picture of Dorian Gray," so I can't judge whether or not this was an accurate retelling. And, speaking of seductive physiological thrillers, I'm not sure what they mean by that, but it had its share of swoon-worthy moments. And you absolutely got me there with that examination of love, art, danger, and power huff, not going to lie, it was beautiful there! This is the type of novel that will stick a sneaky foot out to trip you up. It's twisty-turny and oh-so provocative. I enjoyed the plot and some of the characters. It was a mesmerising, scorching thrill ride. The psychological suspense in Heard's YA debut crackles and bursts. I READ THIS BOOK IN ONE DAY. This had a lot of potential in terms of imagery.
I FLEW THROUGH THIS BOOK. The imagery in this felt like it would be perfect for the screen especially with all of the performance art. I am living for the way horror and suspense fiction are being queered in such an authentic, empowering way.
“Veronica and Mick's complex, compelling relationship grounds this intense and unrelenting thriller, full of impossible choices, betrayals, mistakes, and danger.”
I loved these gray characters a lot , and though I don't agree with some of their actions but I guess that could be best at that time. I loved the use of sapphic love , it was I guess cool. I liked Mick more than Veronika because of same reason why Nico liked her .
I SCREAMED A LOT, ESPECIALLY NICO CHAPTERS!
I mean that boy, fucking hell! If we exclude the murdering parts , I loved Nico like you know I have a thing for antagonist and he is one my favourite teen antagonist (call it my outrageous teen moms or whatever , I like dark and disturbing people a lot ).
Speaking of thriller aspect ,
it was so easy for me guess the twists and turns I mean there isn't much use of your grey cells , you can simply chill and read it on a perfect afternoon. It's gripping no doubt but I guess it wasn't that much thrilling in my opinion , like honestly it was more of dialogues than actions .
And lastly that ending ,
That fucking last line .
FUCK FUCK FUCK
you know that moment when the title of book is used in the book, that feeling of "OMFG HELL YES!"
I am not gonna spoil that for you guys , but honestly this book was very artistic and pleasing to read especially when you think it's over but it's actually not !
So yes get ready for this ride , it's crazy and wild !
I hope you enjoy it💙
December 29, 2021
Wow! After reading the last third of the book by holding my e-reader with my shaky hands, puffing, sweating, jumping up and down from my seat, I feel like I ran a marathon!
This is impressive dedication and realistic, present time reflection of Picture of Dorian Gray! It’s about the beauty, ecstatic, art, passion, forbidden love, secrets, longing for divine beauty and seeing and admiring it through the lenses of your camera.
Passion triangle around Veronica-Nico and Mick is definitely the great retelling, a new reflection of Basil-Henry-Dorian’s dysfunctional relationship patterns.
Veronica and Nico are best friends, but their passion for art, photography always comes first. Nico is controlling, manipulative just like Henry who liked to affect people’s opinions ( especially Dorian) with his impressive argumentative skills.
But Veronica is already looking for something different, bored with his husband-wife kind of routine relationship with Nico. One day her path crosses with shiny, adorable Mick. Just like Basil’s adoration to the beauty of Dorian, she gets enchanted by her magical beauty and their whirlwind, sexy, adventurous love story begins. But... they’re doomed with the tragedies. One fire... two murders... three drowning bodies.
Expect to get surprised, because there are so many foreseeable twists will blow your mind!
I’m not giving any more clues not to ruin those surprises! A very fast pacing, heart throbbing and jaw dropping adventure is waiting for you. Buckle up! Get ready!
It’s not a retelling of a legendary classic. The references and reflections of original text is such a fabulous truth and we may sense how it inspired the author’s riveting, exciting writing.
Overall: I enjoyed a lot. One of the most surprising reads of the year. Go blind and enjoy it!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co / Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.
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This is impressive dedication and realistic, present time reflection of Picture of Dorian Gray! It’s about the beauty, ecstatic, art, passion, forbidden love, secrets, longing for divine beauty and seeing and admiring it through the lenses of your camera.
Passion triangle around Veronica-Nico and Mick is definitely the great retelling, a new reflection of Basil-Henry-Dorian’s dysfunctional relationship patterns.
Veronica and Nico are best friends, but their passion for art, photography always comes first. Nico is controlling, manipulative just like Henry who liked to affect people’s opinions ( especially Dorian) with his impressive argumentative skills.
But Veronica is already looking for something different, bored with his husband-wife kind of routine relationship with Nico. One day her path crosses with shiny, adorable Mick. Just like Basil’s adoration to the beauty of Dorian, she gets enchanted by her magical beauty and their whirlwind, sexy, adventurous love story begins. But... they’re doomed with the tragedies. One fire... two murders... three drowning bodies.
Expect to get surprised, because there are so many foreseeable twists will blow your mind!
I’m not giving any more clues not to ruin those surprises! A very fast pacing, heart throbbing and jaw dropping adventure is waiting for you. Buckle up! Get ready!
It’s not a retelling of a legendary classic. The references and reflections of original text is such a fabulous truth and we may sense how it inspired the author’s riveting, exciting writing.
Overall: I enjoyed a lot. One of the most surprising reads of the year. Go blind and enjoy it!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co / Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.
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September 8, 2021
You had me at "Dorian Gray".
Then you had me again at the words murder, and mystery. Unfortunately, that's exactly where you left me.
First, let me say that this book was a rollercoaster and I am not quite sure how I feel about it. Second, let me tell you that aside from the use of art and the slight corruption of a muse, this had little to do with the masterpiece that is The Picture of Dorian Gray.
For starters, I think that all the wild events in this book, from the character's meeting to the drawings and the murders and arson, all took place within ten days hurt the story. Ten days for these characters to fall in love/ infatuation with each other, and for everything that could have gone wrong to go horribly wrong. The timeline made it hard to believe the relationship between the characters, especially since there wasn't any actual reason as to why Mick would have grown so attached to Nico and Veronica as quick as she did.
The unrealistic and toxic relationship between Mick and Veronica really bothered me at times. It's hard to believe that the two are friends, much less, girlfriends. Veronica constantly invades Mick's privacy and refuses to ask for consent before doing so. Then after a minor disagreement, the breach is treated as ok and Mick ultimately accepts and forgives Veronica. Also, Mick is a minor. A teenage girl whose face shouldn't be publicized either online or in print without permission, and whose half undressed pictures shouldn't be sold in auctions. There is no way that this relationship is healthy, despite the way the author tries to tell us that it is.
Also, the draw that both Veronica and Nico felt toward Mick was never explained and never made sense. Where Dorian Gray got the attention of Basil and Lord Henry through his beauty, innocence, and general charm, Mick is just sort of there, you know.
Then there was the plot of the book. It was a rollercoaster. A dark, violent, and strangely bloody rollercoaster. I actually liked the writing in the way it set the scene and atmosphere. And yet, I wasn't actually too invested in all the craziness that was happening. I also wasn't a fan of the ending either. Some characters got away with everything. There were too many loose ends, too many pieces that didn't need to be left on the board. Had the book ended a few chapters earlier it would have been better, in my opinion.
Lastly, there was no character growth. No big realizations being made about who these characters were. Mick is ok with taking pictures of herself. That's all the change we get from anyone.
Maybe I am being harsh on this book. But when you compare yourself to something as highly regarded as The Picture of Dorian Gray, and you don't deliver, it's hard to keep from pointing out the flaws. I think I just kept waiting for it to be a lot more like that novel than it was.
Overall, this book was ok. That said, I read it in one sitting and actually enjoyed the author's writing style. Still, I felt nothing while reading other than shock and disgust at some of the things done in the novel. If anything, it was effective at showing just how crazy the antagonist was.
Rating: 2.5/5
**I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.**
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Then you had me again at the words murder, and mystery. Unfortunately, that's exactly where you left me.
First, let me say that this book was a rollercoaster and I am not quite sure how I feel about it. Second, let me tell you that aside from the use of art and the slight corruption of a muse, this had little to do with the masterpiece that is The Picture of Dorian Gray.
For starters, I think that all the wild events in this book, from the character's meeting to the drawings and the murders and arson, all took place within ten days hurt the story. Ten days for these characters to fall in love/ infatuation with each other, and for everything that could have gone wrong to go horribly wrong. The timeline made it hard to believe the relationship between the characters, especially since there wasn't any actual reason as to why Mick would have grown so attached to Nico and Veronica as quick as she did.
The unrealistic and toxic relationship between Mick and Veronica really bothered me at times. It's hard to believe that the two are friends, much less, girlfriends. Veronica constantly invades Mick's privacy and refuses to ask for consent before doing so. Then after a minor disagreement, the breach is treated as ok and Mick ultimately accepts and forgives Veronica. Also, Mick is a minor. A teenage girl whose face shouldn't be publicized either online or in print without permission, and whose half undressed pictures shouldn't be sold in auctions. There is no way that this relationship is healthy, despite the way the author tries to tell us that it is.
Also, the draw that both Veronica and Nico felt toward Mick was never explained and never made sense. Where Dorian Gray got the attention of Basil and Lord Henry through his beauty, innocence, and general charm, Mick is just sort of there, you know.
Then there was the plot of the book. It was a rollercoaster. A dark, violent, and strangely bloody rollercoaster. I actually liked the writing in the way it set the scene and atmosphere. And yet, I wasn't actually too invested in all the craziness that was happening. I also wasn't a fan of the ending either. Some characters got away with everything. There were too many loose ends, too many pieces that didn't need to be left on the board. Had the book ended a few chapters earlier it would have been better, in my opinion.
Lastly, there was no character growth. No big realizations being made about who these characters were. Mick is ok with taking pictures of herself. That's all the change we get from anyone.
Maybe I am being harsh on this book. But when you compare yourself to something as highly regarded as The Picture of Dorian Gray, and you don't deliver, it's hard to keep from pointing out the flaws. I think I just kept waiting for it to be a lot more like that novel than it was.
Overall, this book was ok. That said, I read it in one sitting and actually enjoyed the author's writing style. Still, I felt nothing while reading other than shock and disgust at some of the things done in the novel. If anything, it was effective at showing just how crazy the antagonist was.
Rating: 2.5/5
**I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.**
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July 28, 2023
Artists, Veronica and Nico, are best friends. She's a photographer, while he is into edgy performance art.
As the summer days draw on, a girl enters their orbit, who will throw them both off course and away from one another.
The girl's name is Mick. She's serious and shy; a swimmer, who works as a life guard. She's also Veronica's dream girl.
Mick's strained relationship with her mother forces her to seek sanctuary outside of her home. She finds it with Veronica first, and then secretly with Nico.
When Nico's artistic pursuits get riskier, both girls find themselves in over their heads. Events begin to spiral out of control.
No one knows who they can trust. It's full on friendship chaos!
Described as being inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray, I definitely enjoyed the art scene aspects of this novel. Particularly, Nico's brand of subversive street art.
While the themes made this feel like a subtle, modern interpretation of Dorian Gray, I feel like Readers anticipating more of a retelling, may be disappointed.
I definitely recognized opposing philosophies for Veronica and Nico; art for art's sake, versus art for a purpose.
I also enjoyed how Heard framed the societal reaction to art in this narrative; capturing the idea that beauty and youth, through the viral photo of Mick, are of the utmost importance.
Regardless of any immoral actions taken by Mick, her beauty was what mattered.
These were interesting characters. While the beginning took a while to take off, by the end, the narrative was wild as heck! It certainly went places I didn't expect.
Overall, I think this is a good story. I feel like if you can connect in anyway to the art scene portion of this book, you'll enjoy it.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Henry Holt and Company, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I appreciate it!
As the summer days draw on, a girl enters their orbit, who will throw them both off course and away from one another.
The girl's name is Mick. She's serious and shy; a swimmer, who works as a life guard. She's also Veronica's dream girl.
Mick's strained relationship with her mother forces her to seek sanctuary outside of her home. She finds it with Veronica first, and then secretly with Nico.
When Nico's artistic pursuits get riskier, both girls find themselves in over their heads. Events begin to spiral out of control.
No one knows who they can trust. It's full on friendship chaos!
Described as being inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray, I definitely enjoyed the art scene aspects of this novel. Particularly, Nico's brand of subversive street art.
While the themes made this feel like a subtle, modern interpretation of Dorian Gray, I feel like Readers anticipating more of a retelling, may be disappointed.
I definitely recognized opposing philosophies for Veronica and Nico; art for art's sake, versus art for a purpose.
I also enjoyed how Heard framed the societal reaction to art in this narrative; capturing the idea that beauty and youth, through the viral photo of Mick, are of the utmost importance.
Regardless of any immoral actions taken by Mick, her beauty was what mattered.
These were interesting characters. While the beginning took a while to take off, by the end, the narrative was wild as heck! It certainly went places I didn't expect.
Overall, I think this is a good story. I feel like if you can connect in anyway to the art scene portion of this book, you'll enjoy it.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Henry Holt and Company, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I appreciate it!
February 23, 2024
Stupid decisions all over, of course.
Annoying characters.
Worst parents award winning characters.
Silly plot.
Unlikeable misrepresented main characters.
But I still kept on reading because the writing is good and vivid.
I hate Mick's mother. How could she just....?
I hate Nico. One of the worst fictional characters without a conscience.
I didn't like the two main characters as well. Even if they tend to feel guilt and regretful at times, that's not how relationships work. And that's not even how mistakes work. These turned out to be more manipulative and utterly senseless.
But yes, the writing is good. It just sucks you in. The chemistry is there. The romance works fine but ugh I didn't like the characters at all.
Most of the things happening in this one are a little far fetched and there's lack of presence of adult characters even though they were there. And the characters never learnt and kept doing the same stupid mistakes over and over again.
The so called romance seems to me a bit toxic. No means no. Get the hint. And the one who is saying no, do not keep giving mix signals and then run away acting like a victim all the time when you encourage the other person.
The characters seem like they still did things even when they knew they were taking part in something harmful and illegal.
I really don't like it when adult characters keep mum and not do anything even though they know the problems the young characters are facing until they get caught up in something illegal or problematic.
The two main characters sometimes act out of proportion, act too less when it was time to do sk and then overreact out of nowhere. But yes again, like Veronica's mother said they were just teenagers! Stereotyping much but yes, typical.
One thing this book did well was the lgbtq representation.
The second half of the book could have been much shorter. I got bored from chapter 35 onwards (it has 49 chapters in all).
The plot fell short. It's one of those stories which started out really well but the later half of the book doesn't have much to offer. And it sucks more because it was supposed to be a thriller/mystery kind of story.
The story could have ended at chapter 39.
That's all.
Thank you, next ☕
Annoying characters.
Worst parents award winning characters.
Silly plot.
Unlikeable misrepresented main characters.
But I still kept on reading because the writing is good and vivid.
I hate Mick's mother. How could she just....?
I hate Nico. One of the worst fictional characters without a conscience.
I didn't like the two main characters as well. Even if they tend to feel guilt and regretful at times, that's not how relationships work. And that's not even how mistakes work. These turned out to be more manipulative and utterly senseless.
But yes, the writing is good. It just sucks you in. The chemistry is there. The romance works fine but ugh I didn't like the characters at all.
Most of the things happening in this one are a little far fetched and there's lack of presence of adult characters even though they were there. And the characters never learnt and kept doing the same stupid mistakes over and over again.
The so called romance seems to me a bit toxic. No means no. Get the hint. And the one who is saying no, do not keep giving mix signals and then run away acting like a victim all the time when you encourage the other person.
The characters seem like they still did things even when they knew they were taking part in something harmful and illegal.
I really don't like it when adult characters keep mum and not do anything even though they know the problems the young characters are facing until they get caught up in something illegal or problematic.
The two main characters sometimes act out of proportion, act too less when it was time to do sk and then overreact out of nowhere. But yes again, like Veronica's mother said they were just teenagers! Stereotyping much but yes, typical.
One thing this book did well was the lgbtq representation.
The second half of the book could have been much shorter. I got bored from chapter 35 onwards (it has 49 chapters in all).
The plot fell short. It's one of those stories which started out really well but the later half of the book doesn't have much to offer. And it sucks more because it was supposed to be a thriller/mystery kind of story.
The story could have ended at chapter 39.
That's all.
Thank you, next ☕
May 6, 2021
I was so!!!!!! excited to read this one because a reimagining of The Picture of Dorian Gray with a queer female main character set in California sounds like EVERYTHING to me, but unfortunately this was not for me. The entire plot was completely bizarre (which, fair considering it is a Dorian Gray reimagining tbh), but I really struggled to believe the things that were happening or to care about the characters at all. This clearly didn't work for me, but if you're looking for a YA book with a dark tone/plot, this might be something you would enjoy!
CW: toxic mother/daughter relationship, abusive parent, animal cruelty, drowning, arson, mass shootings
CW: toxic mother/daughter relationship, abusive parent, animal cruelty, drowning, arson, mass shootings
January 12, 2022
“sexy psychological thriller”?? where?
The premise led me to believe that this would be about murdering sapphics that was inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray… spoiler: (1) there are sapphics but they aren’t murderous, (2) I see how it could be TPoDG inspired but that was a stretch in marketing.
There is a way to write about toxic relationships and manipulation without coming across as enabling it. I know because I have read books that have represented it well. This was not one of those. I was really hoping the romance would pull through in the end but it was just toxic, manipulative, and full of lies from both parties that I it bothered me to think that some people might find it romanti.
What is this about?
This is a YA mystery-thriller that revolves around two sapphic girls, photography, and murders. That's the bare minimum I can give because I think the synopsis of this book is misleading.
Something I want to address right off the bat is about Lily's (a supposedly Asian character) descriptions. The first time she was introduced, Lily was described as (and I quote): “She looks Asian”...
what do you mean? what do you mean she ”LOOKS ASIAN”? This is conforming to the stereotype of the Asian monolith and that all Asians look the same. NEWS FLASH: not all asians look the same. As an Asian person, I can tell you that I had no idea how to picture this character. I hate how there wasn’t even any other description about her before… things happened. She was just cast as “that Asian girl” and I am very tired of it. At first I cast the thought aside because I was thinking it was going to be a one-time encounter but Lily pops up multiple throughout the story. To think that the author went out of her way to describe someone's supermodel mom in detail but did not think to describe the one Asian character in this whole book.
Full of choppy writing, details that made no sense, red flags, and toxic behavior. I find it tricky with Mystery-Thrillers sometimes because I’m not sure right away if the toxic nonsense is the point of the story or it really is problematic, in this case, it was problematic because the resolution didn’t feel satisfying in the least bit. There were no proper closures and the toxicity of the relationship never passed through proper communication channels between the parties involved.
The fact that Veronica knew that Mick had a photophobia and still proceeded to take her photo without Mick’s knowledge was already a red flag to me. What message does that say? that it’s okay to consciously trick someone even though you knew it was wrong from the very start? It's extra disturbing because it wasn't a one-time thinking. So many versions of this happened throughout the story.
Other than that, there were so many holes in the details and the writing. There were certain scenes wherein it feels like it skipped a line where it was supposed to mention a detail. I understand if this was an ARC but I read a final copy so it should’ve been resolved in editing. If the details were not missing, they were just stupid (i.e. what kind of lifeguard has no extra set of clothes? and I've never heard of paramedics taking an hour to arrive?)... making it both unbelievable and tone-deaf.
The plot and the conflicts felt so silly, mainly because the character relationships had no backbone. Mick’s relationship with her mother just sucked and wasn’t given justice or a proper explanation. I don’t think it was well written and she was just a bitch.
There are so many triggering contents but what puts me off is that they weren’t resolved nor addressed properly. If you’re going to write about manipulation and toxicity, you need to be able to handle the consequences and realities of it. WOW it’s obvious how frustrated I was.
I would understand if the point of the story was the toxic relationship and how that was dealt with it but it wasn’t. The story wanted to focus on the murdering aspect (i guess) but the details just made it feel like there was always something missing.
I can’t begin to explain how many times I wrote “too many unrealistic and unbelievable details” in my notes because as the story went on... they just kept piling up. Which might not be noticeable to some people but when it comes to contemporary stories, I enjoy them more when they have more of a touch on reality. I didn't even realize it was mick who had neon pink hair until half way through the story oops
And the characters… just made no sense? I found a lot of the dialogue to be cringey and the chemistry between themain characters whole cast was nonexistent. I get that teenagers can make stupid decisions but even those who weren’t teenagers in the story were acting immature and it’s like everything was written to give the main character the hardest time possible without considering the consistency of the book. The characters and their mindsets annoyed and bothered me a lot.
UGHHHH ANYWAYS...
I feel like the story would have been better if the perspectives weren’t between Mick and Veronica. I maybe would’ve enjoyed it more if it was from the perspective of one of them and then from the perspective of someone else. It just removed too much of the thrill of the story itself because as the readers, you already know everything that both of them were thinking… so everything was so obvious ohmy, I knew who the killer was from the start. WHERE'S THE THRILL.
Overall, I didn’t like the message that the story delivers about manipulation because it normalizes it without giving actual or realistic consequences. It comes across as very enabling. The plot was so weird and not at all what I expected for a “Picture of Dorian Gray retelling”. Events felt rushed without being given the proper time to be processed by the readers before we move on to another major plot point that has a different tone to the previous plot point. Thus, there was little impact on the parts where I think it could’ve been more hard hitting.
I don’t think the themes that they aimed to communicate were particularly well written. The only character I somewhat liked was Veronica’s mom because she was the only one in this whole situation who even acknowledged properly that the relationship/s toxic. But in the end, even that was glossed over and wasn’t resolved properly (I keep saying that).
I wasn’t attached to any of the characters even though they interested me at first. I don’t think they were built up enough before all the drama and nonsense started. My favorite aspect was the times when it points out that women should stop apologizing but I don’t think even that was well represented and was just forced into the story. I got bored less than half-way through the plot and I just continued to see if how things would resolve.
There is an "open ending" if I can even call it that. Don't read this if you want a satisfying ending that makes sense. It's not that.
↣ This wouldn’t be at the top list of things i would recommend. These aren’t the kind of thrillers that I enjoy because it mostly just feels like the purpose of the story is to make you uncomfortable (not even in the good way LOL) while trying (but failing) to add romance. If you can look past everything I just said and enjoy this story for what it is... I’m happy for you. This just gave me no joy and while i do like thrillers… i still expect satisfying endings and developments. Or at least to have themes that are written in a way that makes you feel something. ↢
I kinda get what the author was trying to do... but this was not it. I don't want to read about one-dimensional toxic and manipulative characters surrounded by even more characters that see no wrong in it and enable it.
— overall thoughts: 1.5 —
⇢ content warnings//
The premise led me to believe that this would be about murdering sapphics that was inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray… spoiler: (1) there are sapphics but they aren’t murderous, (2) I see how it could be TPoDG inspired but that was a stretch in marketing.
There is a way to write about toxic relationships and manipulation without coming across as enabling it. I know because I have read books that have represented it well. This was not one of those. I was really hoping the romance would pull through in the end but it was just toxic, manipulative, and full of lies from both parties that I it bothered me to think that some people might find it romanti.
What is this about?
This is a YA mystery-thriller that revolves around two sapphic girls, photography, and murders. That's the bare minimum I can give because I think the synopsis of this book is misleading.
Something I want to address right off the bat is about Lily's (a supposedly Asian character) descriptions. The first time she was introduced, Lily was described as (and I quote): “She looks Asian”...
what do you mean? what do you mean she ”LOOKS ASIAN”? This is conforming to the stereotype of the Asian monolith and that all Asians look the same. NEWS FLASH: not all asians look the same. As an Asian person, I can tell you that I had no idea how to picture this character. I hate how there wasn’t even any other description about her before… things happened. She was just cast as “that Asian girl” and I am very tired of it. At first I cast the thought aside because I was thinking it was going to be a one-time encounter but Lily pops up multiple throughout the story. To think that the author went out of her way to describe someone's supermodel mom in detail but did not think to describe the one Asian character in this whole book.
Full of choppy writing, details that made no sense, red flags, and toxic behavior. I find it tricky with Mystery-Thrillers sometimes because I’m not sure right away if the toxic nonsense is the point of the story or it really is problematic, in this case, it was problematic because the resolution didn’t feel satisfying in the least bit. There were no proper closures and the toxicity of the relationship never passed through proper communication channels between the parties involved.
The fact that Veronica knew that Mick had a photophobia and still proceeded to take her photo without Mick’s knowledge was already a red flag to me. What message does that say? that it’s okay to consciously trick someone even though you knew it was wrong from the very start? It's extra disturbing because it wasn't a one-time thinking. So many versions of this happened throughout the story.
Other than that, there were so many holes in the details and the writing. There were certain scenes wherein it feels like it skipped a line where it was supposed to mention a detail. I understand if this was an ARC but I read a final copy so it should’ve been resolved in editing. If the details were not missing, they were just stupid (i.e. what kind of lifeguard has no extra set of clothes? and I've never heard of paramedics taking an hour to arrive?)... making it both unbelievable and tone-deaf.
The plot and the conflicts felt so silly, mainly because the character relationships had no backbone. Mick’s relationship with her mother just sucked and wasn’t given justice or a proper explanation. I don’t think it was well written and she was just a bitch.
There are so many triggering contents but what puts me off is that they weren’t resolved nor addressed properly. If you’re going to write about manipulation and toxicity, you need to be able to handle the consequences and realities of it. WOW it’s obvious how frustrated I was.
I would understand if the point of the story was the toxic relationship and how that was dealt with it but it wasn’t. The story wanted to focus on the murdering aspect (i guess) but the details just made it feel like there was always something missing.
I can’t begin to explain how many times I wrote “too many unrealistic and unbelievable details” in my notes because as the story went on... they just kept piling up. Which might not be noticeable to some people but when it comes to contemporary stories, I enjoy them more when they have more of a touch on reality. I didn't even realize it was mick who had neon pink hair until half way through the story oops
And the characters… just made no sense? I found a lot of the dialogue to be cringey and the chemistry between the
UGHHHH ANYWAYS...
I feel like the story would have been better if the perspectives weren’t between Mick and Veronica. I maybe would’ve enjoyed it more if it was from the perspective of one of them and then from the perspective of someone else. It just removed too much of the thrill of the story itself because as the readers, you already know everything that both of them were thinking… so everything was so obvious ohmy, I knew who the killer was from the start. WHERE'S THE THRILL.
Overall, I didn’t like the message that the story delivers about manipulation because it normalizes it without giving actual or realistic consequences. It comes across as very enabling. The plot was so weird and not at all what I expected for a “Picture of Dorian Gray retelling”. Events felt rushed without being given the proper time to be processed by the readers before we move on to another major plot point that has a different tone to the previous plot point. Thus, there was little impact on the parts where I think it could’ve been more hard hitting.
I don’t think the themes that they aimed to communicate were particularly well written. The only character I somewhat liked was Veronica’s mom because she was the only one in this whole situation who even acknowledged properly that the relationship/s toxic. But in the end, even that was glossed over and wasn’t resolved properly (I keep saying that).
I wasn’t attached to any of the characters even though they interested me at first. I don’t think they were built up enough before all the drama and nonsense started. My favorite aspect was the times when it points out that women should stop apologizing but I don’t think even that was well represented and was just forced into the story. I got bored less than half-way through the plot and I just continued to see if how things would resolve.
There is an "open ending" if I can even call it that. Don't read this if you want a satisfying ending that makes sense. It's not that.
↣ This wouldn’t be at the top list of things i would recommend. These aren’t the kind of thrillers that I enjoy because it mostly just feels like the purpose of the story is to make you uncomfortable (not even in the good way LOL) while trying (but failing) to add romance. If you can look past everything I just said and enjoy this story for what it is... I’m happy for you. This just gave me no joy and while i do like thrillers… i still expect satisfying endings and developments. Or at least to have themes that are written in a way that makes you feel something. ↢
I kinda get what the author was trying to do... but this was not it. I don't want to read about one-dimensional toxic and manipulative characters surrounded by even more characters that see no wrong in it and enable it.
— overall thoughts: 1.5 —
⇢ content warnings//
Read
May 8, 2021Explores the intersection between love, desire, art, power and violence. Absolutely enjoyed this so much, am really surprised by some of the reviews, and think some kind of missed the point? It isn't a straight retelling of Dorian Gray, but it attempts to explore similar themes, especially about aestheticism and the pursuit of beauty at the expense of their morality. Also how desire and eroticism can be intrinsic to art, but can dangerously lead to obsession.
Honestly, just felt this book had so many fresh themes to explore I don't see all the time in YA, and I really liked the portrayal of the relationship between the two main girls. It was nice to have a lesbian relationship portrayed erotically, not in the sense of deriving pleasure from in like when you read a romance book, but in the sense of acknowledging teenage lesbians have sexual thoughts about women? And it's normal and exciting in the way it is in heterosexual first romance books. I feel so many YA books shy away from this thought and in general, it's a kind of taboo
The plot is kind of bonkers, especially toward the end (but so is Dorian Gray), I do think the last portion was a little rushed and maybe this could have been a duology, but overall I really liked this a lot and I don't understand a lot of the reviews on here, lmao
Honestly, just felt this book had so many fresh themes to explore I don't see all the time in YA, and I really liked the portrayal of the relationship between the two main girls. It was nice to have a lesbian relationship portrayed erotically, not in the sense of deriving pleasure from in like when you read a romance book, but in the sense of acknowledging teenage lesbians have sexual thoughts about women? And it's normal and exciting in the way it is in heterosexual first romance books. I feel so many YA books shy away from this thought and in general, it's a kind of taboo
The plot is kind of bonkers, especially toward the end (but so is Dorian Gray), I do think the last portion was a little rushed and maybe this could have been a duology, but overall I really liked this a lot and I don't understand a lot of the reviews on here, lmao
May 6, 2021
Library overdrive...
Audiobook....narrated by Frankie Corzo, Bailey Carr, Stephen Dexter
FANTASTIC VOICE NARRATORS
8 hours and 25 minutes
“She’s Too Pretty to Burn”, inspired by “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, is a young adult thriller. I’m not proud....
....sometimes these young adult books are a needed mood booster.
It’s filled with thrills, drama, danger, betrayal, ambition obsession, secrets, psychological candor, compelling characters, toxic relationships, friendships, first love, sexy nuances, queer love, a creepy plot, devious twists below the surface of the posh art culture, and not to forget to mention: two murders, one fire, three drowning bodies, one starker....
with the last part of this book coming to a crashing crescendo.
In-vogue contemporary chic....
....with beautiful views of the San Diego coastline.....eyes glued to the darlings in the sunset light....photography, art deco, swimming, shyness, coolness, neon pink hair, vintage clothing, tattoo elegance, gorgeous beauty....violence....wild fires....smoky air....
gallery highlighted photos, bathing suit straps hanging off shoulders,
dark haunting family pressures and abandonment, desire for recognition, anxiety, deception, destruction, unresolved reconciliation....
“If you go after a man, you create a martyr; if you want people to see the failings of a system, you have to attack the machine”.
Mick, Veronica, and Nico will linger in your thoughts belatedly after finishing this swanky sweltering thriller!
Adrenaline Fun!
Audiobook....narrated by Frankie Corzo, Bailey Carr, Stephen Dexter
FANTASTIC VOICE NARRATORS
8 hours and 25 minutes
“She’s Too Pretty to Burn”, inspired by “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, is a young adult thriller. I’m not proud....
....sometimes these young adult books are a needed mood booster.
It’s filled with thrills, drama, danger, betrayal, ambition obsession, secrets, psychological candor, compelling characters, toxic relationships, friendships, first love, sexy nuances, queer love, a creepy plot, devious twists below the surface of the posh art culture, and not to forget to mention: two murders, one fire, three drowning bodies, one starker....
with the last part of this book coming to a crashing crescendo.
In-vogue contemporary chic....
....with beautiful views of the San Diego coastline.....eyes glued to the darlings in the sunset light....photography, art deco, swimming, shyness, coolness, neon pink hair, vintage clothing, tattoo elegance, gorgeous beauty....violence....wild fires....smoky air....
gallery highlighted photos, bathing suit straps hanging off shoulders,
dark haunting family pressures and abandonment, desire for recognition, anxiety, deception, destruction, unresolved reconciliation....
“If you go after a man, you create a martyr; if you want people to see the failings of a system, you have to attack the machine”.
Mick, Veronica, and Nico will linger in your thoughts belatedly after finishing this swanky sweltering thriller!
Adrenaline Fun!
May 22, 2021
1.5 stars
No.
This is another one of those thrillers where the thriller part makes absolutely no sense. It’s one of those book where once you read the last chapters everything that comes before that is thoroughly ruined and makes you angry for wasting your time.
I think I was too enamored with Mick’s character to see what I was getting into. I really liked the first 30ish%, it was a decent beginning despite being slightly sluggish, instalovey, and too indie artsy. I just thought the book was setting up for a real rollercoaster given Mick’s family issues and Veronica using Mick’s pictures without consent to get high places, but no. First of all, there is so much miscommunication between those two it seriously tired me. They keep things from each other for no reason at all except to make the plot longer. But the main thing is that the second half is rushed and chaotic and plain stupid. It’s as if the author had no idea how to make this a dark thriller so she threw in the most random guy ever and made him the villain with no motive outside of killing people “for the arts”. Why is he killing all these people out of nowhere I LITERALLY DON’T UNDERSTAND. I will never stop being angry at this ugly turn the book that promised me a sexy thriller inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray took. Hello? Have you even read the Masterpiece?
This book could have at least gotten the obsession part right. There is a creepy and unsettling behavior coming from all three main characters from the very beginning. I could definitely see that the relationship between these characters was unhealthy. I thought that would play some kind of role in the thriller but Veronica and Mick even get an undeserved happy ending. Ffs if you want to go that toxic route with a thriller you go there. Period. You don’t make it ambiguous because your audience is young adults.
So, no. At least it was readable, but everything else? A whole waste of time I’m never getting back.
No.
This is another one of those thrillers where the thriller part makes absolutely no sense. It’s one of those book where once you read the last chapters everything that comes before that is thoroughly ruined and makes you angry for wasting your time.
I think I was too enamored with Mick’s character to see what I was getting into. I really liked the first 30ish%, it was a decent beginning despite being slightly sluggish, instalovey, and too indie artsy. I just thought the book was setting up for a real rollercoaster given Mick’s family issues and Veronica using Mick’s pictures without consent to get high places, but no. First of all, there is so much miscommunication between those two it seriously tired me. They keep things from each other for no reason at all except to make the plot longer. But the main thing is that the second half is rushed and chaotic and plain stupid. It’s as if the author had no idea how to make this a dark thriller so she threw in the most random guy ever and made him the villain with no motive outside of killing people “for the arts”. Why is he killing all these people out of nowhere I LITERALLY DON’T UNDERSTAND. I will never stop being angry at this ugly turn the book that promised me a sexy thriller inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray took. Hello? Have you even read the Masterpiece?
This book could have at least gotten the obsession part right. There is a creepy and unsettling behavior coming from all three main characters from the very beginning. I could definitely see that the relationship between these characters was unhealthy. I thought that would play some kind of role in the thriller but Veronica and Mick even get an undeserved happy ending. Ffs if you want to go that toxic route with a thriller you go there. Period. You don’t make it ambiguous because your audience is young adults.
So, no. At least it was readable, but everything else? A whole waste of time I’m never getting back.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2022
yeah so this definitely was not it
—☆—
[pre-read]
there is truly not a single line of this synopsis that doesn’t sound intoxicatingly enticing
—☆—
[pre-read]
there is truly not a single line of this synopsis that doesn’t sound intoxicatingly enticing
March 30, 2021
”That girl? That’s a girl on the edge. Give her a push, and she’s going over.”
This is not at all what I expected. The first half is 80% toxic teenage relationship, 20% ART IS MY PASSION. The second half is chaos. Pure. Unadulterated. CHAOS. I mostly enjoyed the first half, but the second half had me so blown.
I think if you want a YA book that’s dark and chaotic think Heathers but make it artsy, then She’s Too Pretty To Burn may tickle your fancy. The reason I gave this book 3* is because I couldn’t keep up with what the heck was happening here, and the relationship that was featured was uncomfortably toxic. That said, although I was baffled and bothered, I also couldn’t put it down.
TW: toxic relationship, neglectful parent, dubious consent, death, violence, murder
AVAILABLE NOW!!
*ARC
This is not at all what I expected. The first half is 80% toxic teenage relationship, 20% ART IS MY PASSION. The second half is chaos. Pure. Unadulterated. CHAOS. I mostly enjoyed the first half, but the second half had me so blown.
I think if you want a YA book that’s dark and chaotic think Heathers but make it artsy, then She’s Too Pretty To Burn may tickle your fancy. The reason I gave this book 3* is because I couldn’t keep up with what the heck was happening here, and the relationship that was featured was uncomfortably toxic. That said, although I was baffled and bothered, I also couldn’t put it down.
TW: toxic relationship, neglectful parent, dubious consent, death, violence, murder
AVAILABLE NOW!!
*ARC
September 30, 2020
She’s Too Pretty to Burn by Wendy Heard is a young adult thriller that is inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray. This isn’t a retelling of the classic but a new modern young adult psychological thriller that you can feel the same artistic dangerous essence of that original story infused in the pages of this one.
Veronica is a photographer who is very much stuck in a rut with her work and trying to find something new and fresh to inspire her. That is when Veronica meets Mick. Mick is exactly the muse that Veronica needed in her life but Mick is shy and afraid of the camera lens after being raised by a self centered mother who is all about a life of fame and being in the limelight.
With a bit of deception Veronica convinces Mick to pose for her and gets the shot of a lifetime she had been looking for. Soon Mick and Veronica are inseparable and falling in love when Veronica brings Mick into her best friend Nico’s world of dramatic exibitions he calls art but border between pranks gone wrong or even terrorism as things begin to spiral out of control.
She’s Too Pretty to Burn really starts off feeling very much like a contemporay young adult LGBT romance with the shy girl being swept away by the much braver outgoing teen. However, it doesn’t take long for things to heat up beyond the romance taking a darker turn into so much more to put a reader on the edge of their seat. It’s easy to see how the author was inspired by Dorian Gray as this has the same elements with the art, passion and eventually danger around every corner as it progressively becomes darker as the story goes on taking it far away from the contemporary beginning.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Veronica is a photographer who is very much stuck in a rut with her work and trying to find something new and fresh to inspire her. That is when Veronica meets Mick. Mick is exactly the muse that Veronica needed in her life but Mick is shy and afraid of the camera lens after being raised by a self centered mother who is all about a life of fame and being in the limelight.
With a bit of deception Veronica convinces Mick to pose for her and gets the shot of a lifetime she had been looking for. Soon Mick and Veronica are inseparable and falling in love when Veronica brings Mick into her best friend Nico’s world of dramatic exibitions he calls art but border between pranks gone wrong or even terrorism as things begin to spiral out of control.
She’s Too Pretty to Burn really starts off feeling very much like a contemporay young adult LGBT romance with the shy girl being swept away by the much braver outgoing teen. However, it doesn’t take long for things to heat up beyond the romance taking a darker turn into so much more to put a reader on the edge of their seat. It’s easy to see how the author was inspired by Dorian Gray as this has the same elements with the art, passion and eventually danger around every corner as it progressively becomes darker as the story goes on taking it far away from the contemporary beginning.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Shelved as 'lost-interest'
May 12, 2020Wendy Heard said “Dorian Gray, but I’m making it a sexy psychological thriller about sapphic girls and murder”, and we’re here to listen. 🔥
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Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Bloglovin’
January 5, 2022
(1.5/5)
This book was just not it, man.
Thank you to Netgalley and Henry Holt and Co. for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Special thanks to Rein forsuffering through buddy-reading this with me! Check out their review here!!
She's Too Pretty to Burn follows Veronica and Mick after they meet at a party and spontaneously fall in love. Unfortunately, I'm not joking when I say this. The pair meet once (1) before wildly falling head-over-heels in love with one another. Mostly, the book is about Veronica and Mick's unhealthy relationship amidst ongoing art rebellions led by their friend Nico, but towards the end, things change drastically, leading to the only part of the book I actually liked.
Regrettably, much of the book is focused on Veronica and Mick's relationship, like I said earlier. The first problem here is that their relationship is born of insta-love - so extreme that I'm pretty sure they were confessing their undying love for one another by page 20. The second and, quite frankly more serious, issue is the toxic relationship that the two share being passed off as some semblance of healthy.
See, the issue is that Mick dislikes having her picture taken, but Veronica, seeing her as the perfect model, repeatedly lies to her and manipulates her to take her pictures for her own ends. Now I'm not saying that this sort of relationship can't be written about in books - if anything, it should, because it certainly exists in real life. My problem with Mick and Veronica's relationship is that it was never really discussed in any way, never properly addressed. Mick just sort of normalized it and internalized it, while Veronica kept apologizing for lying but also kept repeating it?? Even after Mick was clearly uncomfortable with what was going on???
Idk. I didn't write this.
Nothing interesting or vaguely thriller-like happens for almost 80% of the book, making for a relatively boring read, until the reveal of a certain character's real personality. If we're all being honest here, it wasn't very surprising. I mean, the fact that I of all people guessed it?? That in and of itself should tell you something. Still, this character was just about the only thing that made this book interesting.
There were also quite many unbelievable aspects thrown into the book, and I'm not just saying this about the "thriller" parts of the book. There were certain scenes that just didn't feel like they would happen in real life, despite this being a contemporary novel. This, of course, isn't to mention all of the inescapable ✨cringey✨ dialogue plaguing the book and covered up as romance.
The ending was alright; again, one of the only appealing aspects of this book. But I got the feeling that something was missing, and the conclusion felt more than a bit incomplete to me. The ending was definitely not worth suffering through so much of the book, especially for such a lackluster one.
Overall, I'm extremely disappointed with just how bad this book was. There was no compelling character. relationship, or thriller component to the book, and suffice it to say, the synopsis had already left my expectations sky-high. I would probably warn people away from this book if I ever chose to talk about it at all.
This book was just not it, man.
Thank you to Netgalley and Henry Holt and Co. for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Special thanks to Rein for
She's Too Pretty to Burn follows Veronica and Mick after they meet at a party and spontaneously fall in love. Unfortunately, I'm not joking when I say this. The pair meet once (1) before wildly falling head-over-heels in love with one another. Mostly, the book is about Veronica and Mick's unhealthy relationship amidst ongoing art rebellions led by their friend Nico, but towards the end, things change drastically, leading to the only part of the book I actually liked.
Regrettably, much of the book is focused on Veronica and Mick's relationship, like I said earlier. The first problem here is that their relationship is born of insta-love - so extreme that I'm pretty sure they were confessing their undying love for one another by page 20. The second and, quite frankly more serious, issue is the toxic relationship that the two share being passed off as some semblance of healthy.
See, the issue is that Mick dislikes having her picture taken, but Veronica, seeing her as the perfect model, repeatedly lies to her and manipulates her to take her pictures for her own ends. Now I'm not saying that this sort of relationship can't be written about in books - if anything, it should, because it certainly exists in real life. My problem with Mick and Veronica's relationship is that it was never really discussed in any way, never properly addressed. Mick just sort of normalized it and internalized it, while Veronica kept apologizing for lying but also kept repeating it?? Even after Mick was clearly uncomfortable with what was going on???
Idk. I didn't write this.
Nothing interesting or vaguely thriller-like happens for almost 80% of the book, making for a relatively boring read, until the reveal of a certain character's real personality. If we're all being honest here, it wasn't very surprising. I mean, the fact that I of all people guessed it?? That in and of itself should tell you something. Still, this character was just about the only thing that made this book interesting.
There were also quite many unbelievable aspects thrown into the book, and I'm not just saying this about the "thriller" parts of the book. There were certain scenes that just didn't feel like they would happen in real life, despite this being a contemporary novel. This, of course, isn't to mention all of the inescapable ✨cringey✨ dialogue plaguing the book and covered up as romance.
The ending was alright; again, one of the only appealing aspects of this book. But I got the feeling that something was missing, and the conclusion felt more than a bit incomplete to me. The ending was definitely not worth suffering through so much of the book, especially for such a lackluster one.
Overall, I'm extremely disappointed with just how bad this book was. There was no compelling character. relationship, or thriller component to the book, and suffice it to say, the synopsis had already left my expectations sky-high. I would probably warn people away from this book if I ever chose to talk about it at all.
Shelved as 'maybe'
February 27, 2019sapphic
dorian grey
YA retelling
nuff said
dorian grey
YA retelling
nuff said
March 11, 2022
WOW... BITCH I DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY RN
August 31, 2021
Have you ever expected something from a book, but have gotten something completely different from what you expected and fallen in love with that book nonetheless? For me this was that book.
After seeing the cover and the blurb I'd thought it'd be some cutesy YA book with a love triangle that would brush upon a few murders happening in the background.
I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be so much more breathtaking and adventurous with no love triangle.
It's just 3 friends who unknowingly enter a world of lies, murder and deceit , and by the time two of them realise what's happening they're too deep in it.
While I didn't exactly love the main characters and romance I didn't not love them either. They're so morally gray and their relationships are on the verge of toxicity that it befuddles you as to whether or not you should root for them but in the end, you end up rooting for them even though you don't really like or support any of it.
That is how beautifully this book is written, it makes you support someone you don't even like, someone you know you shouldn't like or support.
The ending was another part that left me awestruck. It was something I hadn't seen coming and it was wonderful. So many are unsatisfied with it but I loved it. There's so much I want to say about how the book ends but I can't without including major spoilers, and this is one review of mine that I want to keep spoiler free.
It takes talent to weave something so complex yet simple and Wendy Heard is oozing with talent.
I'd like to end by saying that I want to marry Nico regardless of how fucked up he is because... he's soo alluring. That's Wendy Heard's talent back at work, making me want to be with someone so toxic.
Go read it, it deserves to be read.
________________
whoa.
Rtc
After seeing the cover and the blurb I'd thought it'd be some cutesy YA book with a love triangle that would brush upon a few murders happening in the background.
I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be so much more breathtaking and adventurous with no love triangle.
It's just 3 friends who unknowingly enter a world of lies, murder and deceit , and by the time two of them realise what's happening they're too deep in it.
While I didn't exactly love the main characters and romance I didn't not love them either. They're so morally gray and their relationships are on the verge of toxicity that it befuddles you as to whether or not you should root for them but in the end, you end up rooting for them even though you don't really like or support any of it.
That is how beautifully this book is written, it makes you support someone you don't even like, someone you know you shouldn't like or support.
The ending was another part that left me awestruck. It was something I hadn't seen coming and it was wonderful. So many are unsatisfied with it but I loved it. There's so much I want to say about how the book ends but I can't without including major spoilers, and this is one review of mine that I want to keep spoiler free.
It takes talent to weave something so complex yet simple and Wendy Heard is oozing with talent.
I'd like to end by saying that I want to marry Nico regardless of how fucked up he is because... he's soo alluring. That's Wendy Heard's talent back at work, making me want to be with someone so toxic.
Go read it, it deserves to be read.
________________
whoa.
Rtc
April 4, 2021
What do you get when you mix a teenage romance, toxic relationships, arson, and drowning? The answer is a YA thriller with unexpected twists and surprising villains. Inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray, this fast paced thriller has art, danger and an ending that will absolutely take your breath away. The narration adds an intriguing element that brings the drama to life. Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for my audiobook.
May 5, 2020
SHE'S TOO PRETTY TO BURN by Wendy Heard is an anxiety-ridden ride as two girls' lives crash together through secrets, love and danger. There is masterful tension throughout the story as Mick and Veronica's lives pull and tangle together and they find themselves in over their heads and fighting for their lives. I burned through the final 50 pages, desperate to see how it ended and was left with literal goosebumps at the final lines. Captivating and stunningly visual, fans of Lauren Oliver's PANIC will love this book and be hungry for more by Wendy Heard.
March 29, 2021
This was one of my anticipated reads for this year.. and it was a hot mess. I really have no desire to give a long review but I will say this was poorly written and the characters were some of the most dramatic characters I have ever had the displeasure of reading about. I'm glad so many others seem to love it though so take my thoughts with a grain of salt.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 15, 2023
I have very, very mixed feelings on this one. RTC
*ARC received in exchange for honest review
*ARC received in exchange for honest review
April 20, 2021
3.5 stars
August 27, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me this ARC.
I was really disappointed by this book in so many ways, and on top of that there were some things that genuinely made me uncomfortable. Also, I want to mention that this has little to do with The Picture of Dorian Gray. I could see how it was trying to be kind of a retelling, but the framing was confusing and lacked impact. I feel as though if maybe Mick was an interesting character and perhaps the book had been her perspective and Nico’s perspective, then perhaps it might have worked better. I also want to mention that none of the murders are committed by the two main characters, which I was under the assumption that that would be the case from how it has been marketed.
A lot of the beginning of this book has instances of dubious consent, where Veronica is pushing boundaries with Mick and not listening to her when she says no whether it’s about kissing or taking her picture. And then there’s the scene at the gala where sexual pictures of Mick (who is 17 years old) are sold at auction. These are just some of the instances that are uncomfortable and weird in my opinion.
Another thing I found strange was the obsession that Veronica had with Mick. Their relationship is presented as something good and they get a happy ending, but I don’t buy their relationship at all. There’s no real chemistry and I don’t even see how they’re friends let alone girlfriends. Veronica is constantly going out of her way to violate Mick’s privacy and personal boundaries. It just feels like a really toxic relationship that never gets addressed. And I would get it if the tone of this book was satirical and it was meant to be like Heathers or Kill The Boy Band, but it’s played pretty serious.
I also really didn’t like that so many of the scenes were repeated and basically just written slightly different in order to fill up space. Mick is continuously whining and sad and uncomfortable, and Veronica is constantly making her feel that way. It’s the same thing at least a dozen times with no resolution and no character growth or development. These characters are basically the same people they were at the beginning.
The only redeeming quality was the writing. It was really nice but simple, and I enjoyed that. But other than the writing, this book failed for me in every level.
I was really disappointed by this book in so many ways, and on top of that there were some things that genuinely made me uncomfortable. Also, I want to mention that this has little to do with The Picture of Dorian Gray. I could see how it was trying to be kind of a retelling, but the framing was confusing and lacked impact. I feel as though if maybe Mick was an interesting character and perhaps the book had been her perspective and Nico’s perspective, then perhaps it might have worked better. I also want to mention that none of the murders are committed by the two main characters, which I was under the assumption that that would be the case from how it has been marketed.
A lot of the beginning of this book has instances of dubious consent, where Veronica is pushing boundaries with Mick and not listening to her when she says no whether it’s about kissing or taking her picture. And then there’s the scene at the gala where sexual pictures of Mick (who is 17 years old) are sold at auction. These are just some of the instances that are uncomfortable and weird in my opinion.
Another thing I found strange was the obsession that Veronica had with Mick. Their relationship is presented as something good and they get a happy ending, but I don’t buy their relationship at all. There’s no real chemistry and I don’t even see how they’re friends let alone girlfriends. Veronica is constantly going out of her way to violate Mick’s privacy and personal boundaries. It just feels like a really toxic relationship that never gets addressed. And I would get it if the tone of this book was satirical and it was meant to be like Heathers or Kill The Boy Band, but it’s played pretty serious.
I also really didn’t like that so many of the scenes were repeated and basically just written slightly different in order to fill up space. Mick is continuously whining and sad and uncomfortable, and Veronica is constantly making her feel that way. It’s the same thing at least a dozen times with no resolution and no character growth or development. These characters are basically the same people they were at the beginning.
The only redeeming quality was the writing. It was really nice but simple, and I enjoyed that. But other than the writing, this book failed for me in every level.
August 30, 2020
She’s Too Pretty To Burn, a young adult book, was a solid 4.5 stars.
The book, told in multiple POVs, centers around teens Veronica and Mick, as well as Veronica’s best friend Nico. Veronica and Nico are heavy into the art world-Veronica with her photography and Nico into (much illegal) shocking and dangerous art installations. When Veronica meets quiet and introverted Mick at a party, they start a relationship that pulls Mick into their dangerous art world.
She’s Too Pretty To Burn, was an interesting and enjoyable book to read. The characters are well-developed and realistic in nature. I honestly didn’t know that the book was going to take the interesting turn it did but it made it all the more exciting to read. Highly recommend to fans of young adult and thriller books. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The book, told in multiple POVs, centers around teens Veronica and Mick, as well as Veronica’s best friend Nico. Veronica and Nico are heavy into the art world-Veronica with her photography and Nico into (much illegal) shocking and dangerous art installations. When Veronica meets quiet and introverted Mick at a party, they start a relationship that pulls Mick into their dangerous art world.
She’s Too Pretty To Burn, was an interesting and enjoyable book to read. The characters are well-developed and realistic in nature. I honestly didn’t know that the book was going to take the interesting turn it did but it made it all the more exciting to read. Highly recommend to fans of young adult and thriller books. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
August 13, 2020Things I Like: Oscar Wilde, The Great Gatsby, sapphic romance, artsy books, THIS COVER!
Things I Do Not Like: E. Lockhart, YA thrillers/murder mysteries
Do you see my dilemma?
Things I Do Not Like: E. Lockhart, YA thrillers/murder mysteries
Do you see my dilemma?
February 19, 2021
THIS BOOK FINALLY TAUGHT ME THAT A PRETTY COVER DONT MEAN SHIT
DNF @61%
For starters the "plot" didn't even start until we were 47% through the book, now for a YA Contemporary, that's a hot minute... And while we were waiting for the "plot" to start the "entertainment" we had to deal with was just toxic characters, toxic relationships, and honestly just unbelievable bullshit in general. No matter how hard I tried to dispend my belief, I just could not do it. The biggest reason why is because the stuff we had to dispend our belief for, was just absolutely stupid. The reasoning in this book? Art..... Yeah. No. So Terrorizing a Certain Person is all for the sake of art? Disgusting.
I gave it a try but after 61% I had to put it down because I was starting to lose hope in humanity.
DNF @61%
For starters the "plot" didn't even start until we were 47% through the book, now for a YA Contemporary, that's a hot minute... And while we were waiting for the "plot" to start the "entertainment" we had to deal with was just toxic characters, toxic relationships, and honestly just unbelievable bullshit in general. No matter how hard I tried to dispend my belief, I just could not do it. The biggest reason why is because the stuff we had to dispend our belief for, was just absolutely stupid. The reasoning in this book? Art..... Yeah. No. So Terrorizing a Certain Person is all for the sake of art? Disgusting.
I gave it a try but after 61% I had to put it down because I was starting to lose hope in humanity.
Want to read
November 17, 2020
August 13, 2020
***Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of SHE’S TOO PRETTY TO BURN by Wendy Heard in exchange for my honest review.***
5 THRILLINGEST STARS (thrillingest needs to become a word because SHE’S TOO PRETTY TO BURN is such a book)
Shy awkward Mick, high school swimmer and daughter of a narcissistic mother meets and falls in love with photography phenom Veronica. V’s best friend and shadow, tagalong Nico, who has a propensity for blurring the lines between art and domestic terrorism, accepts Mick into his inner pranks-gone-wrong circle. The three dance on the edges of love, friendship and violence as people start dying.
As a fan of Wendy Heard’s adult thrillers, so when I learned she was debuting a YA novel, I was eager to read. SHE’S TOO PRETTY TO BURN is one of the best, most thrilling thrillers I’ve ever read. It’s a true thriller, not a mystery falsely advertised as such.
Heard challenged me as a reader to get past some biases I have that usually turn me off. What appeared to be Veronica and Mick’s instalove was more insta unbridled passion. The love between the young women wasn’t gentle and tender, as I’ve come to expect. Their kisses were often unexpected, abrupt and rough which reminded me of the romances Kalinda from TV’s THE GOOD WIFE. She’s a bisexual investigator whose many romances mirrored Veronica and Mick’s. A decade ago, I saw Kalinda’s romances as abusive. Mick and Veronica made me realize because it was consensual, the roughness was merely a different style than me. I can’t remember the last time a book gave me such a personal insight.
SHE’S TOO PRETTY TO BURN touched me in other personal ways. Some of the scenes between Mick and horrible mother could have been directly from scenes from my childhood with my father, almost as if Heard had been an observer. Let any reader who finds it over-the-top send me an email.
Both Veronica and Mick were complex, flawed characters. I identified more with Mick, yet understood Veronica’s artistic ambitions even though her choices wouldn’t have been mine. My favorite character was Veronica’s wonderful mom. I loved their relationship and how she was open-minded, sex-positive yet she had boundaries and appropriate anger toward bad behavior.
SHE’S TOO PRETTY TO BURN is pretty much the perfect thriller. I can’t wait to listen to the audio when it’s available.
5 THRILLINGEST STARS (thrillingest needs to become a word because SHE’S TOO PRETTY TO BURN is such a book)
Shy awkward Mick, high school swimmer and daughter of a narcissistic mother meets and falls in love with photography phenom Veronica. V’s best friend and shadow, tagalong Nico, who has a propensity for blurring the lines between art and domestic terrorism, accepts Mick into his inner pranks-gone-wrong circle. The three dance on the edges of love, friendship and violence as people start dying.
As a fan of Wendy Heard’s adult thrillers, so when I learned she was debuting a YA novel, I was eager to read. SHE’S TOO PRETTY TO BURN is one of the best, most thrilling thrillers I’ve ever read. It’s a true thriller, not a mystery falsely advertised as such.
Heard challenged me as a reader to get past some biases I have that usually turn me off. What appeared to be Veronica and Mick’s instalove was more insta unbridled passion. The love between the young women wasn’t gentle and tender, as I’ve come to expect. Their kisses were often unexpected, abrupt and rough which reminded me of the romances Kalinda from TV’s THE GOOD WIFE. She’s a bisexual investigator whose many romances mirrored Veronica and Mick’s. A decade ago, I saw Kalinda’s romances as abusive. Mick and Veronica made me realize because it was consensual, the roughness was merely a different style than me. I can’t remember the last time a book gave me such a personal insight.
SHE’S TOO PRETTY TO BURN touched me in other personal ways. Some of the scenes between Mick and horrible mother could have been directly from scenes from my childhood with my father, almost as if Heard had been an observer. Let any reader who finds it over-the-top send me an email.
Both Veronica and Mick were complex, flawed characters. I identified more with Mick, yet understood Veronica’s artistic ambitions even though her choices wouldn’t have been mine. My favorite character was Veronica’s wonderful mom. I loved their relationship and how she was open-minded, sex-positive yet she had boundaries and appropriate anger toward bad behavior.
SHE’S TOO PRETTY TO BURN is pretty much the perfect thriller. I can’t wait to listen to the audio when it’s available.
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