WHERE THE GRASS IS GREEN AND THE GIRLS ARE PRETTY

 

SYNOPSIS

A seat at the anchor desk of the most-watched morning show. Recognized by millions across the country, thanks in part to her flawless blond highlights and Botox-smoothed skin. An adoring husband and a Princeton-bound daughter. Peyton is that woman. She has it all.

Until . . .

Skye, her sister, is a stay-at-home mom living in a glitzy suburb of New York. She has degrees from all the right schools and can helicopter-parent with the best of them. But Skye is different from the rest. She’s looking for something real and dreams of a life beyond the PTA and pickup.

Until . . .

Max, Peyton’s bright and quirky seventeen-year-old daughter, is poised to kiss her fancy private school goodbye and head off to pursue her dreams in film. She’s waited her entire life for this opportunity.

Until . . .

One little lie. That’s all it takes. For the illusions to crack. For resentments to surface. Suddenly the grass doesn’t look so green. And they’re left wondering: will they have what it takes to survive the truth?

Title: Where the grass is green and the girls are pretty

Author: Lauren Weisberger

Publisher: Random House

Publication date: May 18, 2021

REVIEW

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thanks to PRH International for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read most of Lauren Weisberger’s novels (only have left The singles game) and, although Devil wears Prada and Lululemons still remain my favorites, I found Where the grass is green and the girls are pretty a light and enjoyable read. It takes a fictional look into the college admission’s scandal that came to light a few years back, affecting the lives of all those involved even indirectly (am I the only one that imagines the character’s with Lori and Felicity’s faces?)

Peyton is a successful TV anchor, happily married to Isaac and mother to Max, a 17 yo going to college in a few months. Princeton, no less! Skye, Peyton’s older sister, lives in the suburbs and is focused on the creation of a house for underprivileged girls. When Isaac is arrested, accused of having bribed her daughter’s way into college, all their lives will turn upside down, forcing them to take a deep look into themselves.

Max was my favorite character, hands down. It was so disheartening to see how her parents didn’t take her opinions into consideration while trying to force on her what they thought was best. I know every parent wants what’s best for their children, but some of them seem to forget that their kid’s lives are their own and not a second chance for them to live/do how/what they would have liked.

I had a bit of a hard time warming up to Peyton. I could not understand how she could put her career ahead of everything else, even when it was causing so much pain to her family. As the story progressed you could feel her struggle and her final decision surprised me in a really good way.

Skye’s problem was so relatable cause, honestly, online shopping is the devil’s work! 

Weisberger’s writing was witty and fun and made of this look into the lives of the privileged a surprisingly relatable one that I absolutely recommend.