You Could Be So Pretty cover art

You Could Be So Pretty

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About this listen

Uglies meets The Handmaid's Tale for the new YA generation, in the mind-blowing new novel from best-selling queen of YA Holly Bourne.

Beauty comes at a price. And girls must pay.

In Belle and Joni's world, there are two options for girls:

One, follow the rules of the Doctrine like Belle: apply your Mask, work hard to be crowned at the Ceremony, be a Pretty.

Or two, fight the rules like Joni: leave your face bare, work hard to escape to the Education, be an Objectionable.

But maybe there is a third option....

Change the rules. Reclaim your power. If you can....

What would you choose?

©2022 Usborne Publishing Ltd (P)2023 Usborne Publishing Ltd Dystopian Fiction Science Fiction Women's Fiction

Critic reviews

"I devoured this—so compelling and with such a powerful message." (Katherine Webber, co-author of Twin Crowns)
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A dystopia that isn’t a dystopia. An excellent commentary on what has become disturbingly normalised. Holly Bourne never disappoints.

Excellent

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one of those books where I wasn't feeling really gripped initially but had to keep reading.....
By the end I had completely reflected on my own relationship with cosmetics, dispensed with my huge make up bag and bought myself so much more time each day!
its quite dystopian/handmaid's tale but very credible. I've found that whilst it wasn't the best book Ive ever read, it was certainly one I recommended a lot, talked about and thought about, long after I'd finished it

food for thought

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Dystopian ya tale of beauty. Such a good story, I didn’t want to put it down

Beautiful narration of an incredible story

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When I first started this my instinct was that I didn't like it it's ridiculous the things these people are doing/accept, but I continued to have my eyes opened up as Bell did, that this is all very familiar maybe that's why I took a dislike to it at first. Just as I came to the end of this book I saw a post on FB about Sarah Jessica Parker and how she was being scrutinised for going out without makeup on and daring to just grow old, so there it was slapped in my face right before I finished. How could I not give it 5 starts ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow❗❗❗

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So relevant, even today, even in England and especially in project 2025 America. I would recommend it to everyone.

so relevant, even today

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