Review: Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein

Pretty Amy

By: Lisa Burstein

Pub. Date: May 15, 2012

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Pages: 304

Source: eARC from Publisher

Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands—earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx—Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing—like she is nothing.

Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over. 

I was so happy when the publisher sent me an eARC of Pretty Amy. I started it right away and finished it in one setting. It was a fast and interesting read and it wasn't at all what I was expecting, but I loved every minute of it!

Amy is a normal teenage who feels like she is all alone. Her parents don't understand her and pretty much ignore her, and her two best friends, Lila and Cassie are the "bad girls". They smoke, drink and have sex. When Amy started hanging out with them, she lost her best friend, the All-American boy next door, Joe. On the night of the prom, which was supposed to be the best night of her life, their dates stood them up and they weren't able to get into prom because they didn't have tickets. Instead, the three of them decided to  drive around while smoking and drinking. This leads to her prom night arrest.

Man, I really loved Amy. I felt her pain, and it brought back so many high school memories of being awkward and never feeling like you belong. Her voice was just so realistic. I felt like I could have been friends with her in high school.

Only two boys are mentioned in Pretty Amy. There is Aaron, the bad-boy who stood her up at prom. He came off like he really cared about Amy and gave her the attention she so desperately wanted, but I knew he was bad news from the very beginning and didn't like him one bit. Then there is her childhood friend Joe. He was very sweet, but I would have liked more scenes with him and Amy together.

Amy's mom was my favorite! She was such a realistic portrayal of mothers. She even reminded me of some of my friends moms. The way she twists everything that Amy is going through and makes it about her...I loved it! It cracked me up because there are so many mothers like that!

The writing was fantastic. Every single character felt realistic and I think Lisa Burstein created a very realistic story about being a teenager and trying to get through it the best way you know how. There was also some very funny one liners.

I seriously loved everything about Pretty Amy and I can not wait to have a pretty finished copy on my bookshelf on May 15th.