Justine's Thoughts: Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess

Such a Pretty Girl
By Laura Wiess

Source: Library
Pages: 212
Book Description:

They promised Meredith nine years of safety, but only gave her three.

Her father was supposed to be locked up until Meredith turned eighteen. She thought she had time to grow up, get out, and start a new life. But Meredith is only fifteen, and today her father is coming home from prison.

Today her time has run out.

A quote:

And I don’t want to be hurt anymore. I want to be someone who makes it through.

Rating:

4/5

Any thoughts:

Such a Pretty Girl is an intense read. Laura Wiess has laid out a gripping plot and tells it with incredible, beautiful writing. Suspenseful parts kept me on edge while the hair on the back of my neck stood up and my heart skipped beats. It is so deep and dark and heartbreaking that it will pull you in with a strange compelling feeling.

Meredith has gone through rape at such a young age. What’s worse is that it was done by her father. And now he’s come back again, released early from prison. What Meredith does upon his return takes guts. She is a strong heroine. She does not want to make herself seem fragile, does not crumble in front of her father but instead she stands up. Her mother is a serious pain in the buttocks. She just gave me the worst irritating feeling ever, for she believes that they can become a happy family by forgetting anything ever happened. Andy, a paraplegic guy who lives next door to them, has a story of his own that is heartbreakingly tragic. His relationship with Meredith is special; their pasts reach a deep level, which connect them perfectly.

The book description may seem vague. The details about Meredith’s father and why Meredith isn’t safe aren’t mentioned. Throughout the novel, the story behind it is revealed slowly. The whole thing even takes place in only a few days.

The last line is absolutely shocking. It left me with a feeling of hope and happiness. Needless to say, Laura Wiess has amazed me. This was a remarkable debut and I will definitely be looking forward to reading more of her books.