(CLOSED) Pretty: A Novel by Jillian Lauren (Book Review & Giveaway)

I don’t read much fiction. So, when I do, I read books that have nothing to do with working, parenting, or cooking.

(Book Review) Pretty: A Novel by Jillian Lauren

I read books about parenting, saving money, Christianity, cooking, and how-to-do-everything-better-and-faster. It is not often that I just sit down to read…and definitely not read a book about a woman…that has nothing to do with the last sentence. And, that’s exactly what I did with Pretty: A Novel by Jillian Lauren.

Bebe Baker is an ex-everything: ex-stripper, ex-Christian, ex-drug addict, ex-pretty girl.

It’s been one year since the car accident that killed her boyfriend left her scarred and shaken. Flanked by an eccentric posse of friends, she is serving out a self-imposed sentence at a halfway house, while trying to finish cosmetology school.

Amid the rampant diagnoses, over-medication, compulsive eating, and acrylic nails of Los Angeles, Bebe looks for something to believe in before something–her past, the dangerously magnetic men in her life, her own bad choices–knocks her off course again.

What Did I Think of the Book?

It was a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Bebe’s journey. Although I cannot personally relate to the things that Bebe used to be (ex-stripper, ex-Christian, ex-drug addict, ex-pretty girl), I can relate to a woman on a journey who tries lots of things, right and wrong, in her quest to find her (true and pretty) self. The book is painted with vivid descriptions of life as all of Bebe’s five senses experience them. You feel like you’re right there with her. I admired Bebe’s honesty, courage, and desire to make positive changes in her life, despite the hand that she had to play.

BUY IT!

The first 250 people to order “Pretty” on Amazon on Wednesday September 7, 2011, and email the receipt to pretty.the.book@gmail.com, will receive a Limited Edition run of the “Pretty” necklace, made by Fairy Tale Jewels.com (http://fairytalejewels.com)

WIN IT!

~~One randomly chosen winner will receive a copy of Pretty: A Novel by Jillian Lauren.~~

Ways to enter:

1. Tweet and then leave a link to your tweet in the comments below.

Example:

Check out @jillylauren’s new book, Pretty- http://amzn.to/prettybook (include the hashtag #PRETTYBOOK)

2. Post on Facebook and then leave a link to your post in the comments below.

Example:Check out @jillylauren’s new book, Pretty- http://amzn.to/prettybook

3. Follow @OutTheBoxMom on Twitter

4. Subscribe to OutsideTheBoxMom updates by email or RSS feed

Enter as many times as you would like.

~~Giveaway will be open until midnight EST on Thursday, September 15, 2011. Winners will be chosen at random and notified via email. Please respond within 48 hours to claim your prize.~~

Disclosure: I was provided a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own and not influenced in any way by the publisher.