A horrifying look at the pressures girls and women actually face to hide their aging, to remove their body hair, to groom, to pluck and to teeter around in stupid shoes to be "acceptable".
Although the book is voiced as if it were in the future it is very clear without the Authors note that it is actually right now and has been the same for decades.
The 2 lead characters (one masked and one labelled as objectionable) are wonderfully written, with their insecurities clearly visible and their support circles (or lack of them) perfectly described.
I thoroughly enjoyed the way the friendships in the story grow and change as the girls become more aware of the other side of the dividing line and during the awakening of both young women to the fact that all is not right with the doctrine, the world and the situations they find themselves in.
If only this could be a set text for secondary schools.

Have I put on weight? When did these wrinkles appear? Should I cover up my grey hairs or can I get away with leaving them as they are?

This book is about women and the demands that a beauty-obsessed culture places upon us all. It asks what it is to be a woman, and whether we have a choice over how we look when the consequences of not conforming are rejection, ridicule and reduced life chances. It is a powerful indictment of patriarchy and the beauty myth and how they affect women. Does this sound a bit heavy? Well, it’s also a great read, with a pacy story, well-drawn characters and an opening sentence that throws you right into a dystopian world. Although there are moments when it almost tips into polemic, these sit well in the story and leave the reader in no doubt as to where the author stands.

Bourne has created an Orwellian world, where the pretty girls are called “the chosen ones” and everyone follows The Doctrine. ‘The Bad Times” when women were oppressed (states the Doctrine) are over and now women have the choice to make themselves beautiful or not. But is this really the case? We follow the stories of Jodi and Belle, who go to the same school but move in very different circles. Belle (a chosen one) has worked hard to be beautiful, strictly managing her diet and spending hours on her “mask” in the morning. Jodi, however, is an objectionable who doesn’t bother with “masks” and whose mother (an invisible) helps victims of domestic abuse. After a shocking encounter with a man on their way to school, the two girls begin to interact and find their beliefs challenged.

This very book is good, and it made me angry, sad and determined to keep challenging attitudes and beliefs that still hold back girls and women.

This one hurt. But I think it meant to?

A dystopian novel that easily could be passed as a portrayal of non-fiction.

Poses some hard-hitting questions about beauty standards, expectations and desire to please- at any cost.

As always, a captivating, yet painful book that encourages growth through reframing thinking around our societal norms.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Holly Bourne never fails to create powerful stories that tell endless tales. This one tells the story of two girls who join together to question what it means to be a woman in the world. Their experiences shape their opinions of the future of women in society. A powerful read that I can’t wait to tell my students about and use as a discussion point for self esteem, confidence, and defining what is pretty.

It is no secret that I love a dystopian novel and Holly Bourne has created something rather special and chilling in 'You Could Be So Pretty'. The vibes are certainly along the lines of another favourite of mine, Scott Westerfeld's Uglies/Pretties etc, centring on a world in which being beautiful and pouring every ounce of effort into your appearance is the most valuable thing a person can achieve. We follow Belle, who is beautiful and a shining example of following 'The Doctrine' and Joni, who is an objectionable and puts little effort into her appearance. Both are chasing a prestigious academic scholarship and so are continually thrown together, their vastly differing ideals causing both girls to learn and grow from their new proximity.

Bourne has developed a whole societal system in the novel, such as applying make-up being 'masking', The Ceremony being rather than being crowned prom queen and constant posting reels on this world's version of social media. Whilst this world is a slightly warped and darker version of our world, it is close enough to reality to be uncomfortable reading. The normalisation of sexualised language towards girls, and having to suffer through the type of sex boys feel is their right from watching explicit videos, is just one example of how Bourne magnifies actions to highlight injustices which are very real. Without spoiling anything, the plastic surgery storyline with Belle's mum is also deeply tragic and horrific.

My only slight gripe was how it did not end as I hoped it would. I think I live in a world where I would rather there be an idealised and neat end to the story which I was denied. Very skilful from Bourne. I was also applying make up the morning after finishing the book and suddenly questioning everything - am I applying this for me and my happiness or because I am expected to wear make up? Will people think less of me if I don't? This may be a YA book but even as an adult, it left me chilled and outraged!

Overall, 5 stars and a must-read for teenagers and beyond.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Oof, there’s a lot going on here. I picked it up hoping it would be a bit of light-hearted relief in between a few heavier books I’m reading, and.. it was nothing of the sort! I’m so glad I read it though. Many, many issues are covered and I know a lot of young people who could benefit from this frank look at the way some of us present ourselves and the stories behind our ‘masks’.

You Could Be So Pretty absolutely blew me away, I was in love. Although when I went into this it was a slow start getting used to what was happening in this dystopian world and the new terminologies everyone uses such as 'the pretties' and 'the objectionables' however I loved how creative and unique this concept is whilst also having such an important and relevant message. This really makes you reflect on modern society and misogynistic culture and how it affects young girls and women. I do suggest that you rea the trigger warnings before reading but I definitely recommend and think it is an incredibly important and amazing read.

I absolutely LOVED this. Although it took me a little while to get used to the terminologies used -I love how this is a magnified take on modern society and culture! I will be recommending this to everyone!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I'm a big Holly Bourne fan and have enjoyed several of her other books, so I was super excited to read You Could Be So Pretty!! And I ended up loving and hating this book. Loving because it's brilliant, but hating because it's so sad that it is so relatable. It is definitely a commentary on society today and the world that we live in, and it really does make you think and break your heart just a little. Although this is YA, it is still enjoyable for adults, as are all of Holly's books. The only thing I struggled with in this one is the language changes, they were a bit difficult to get used to and to follow at times .

I have loved everything Holly Bourne so when I saw that she had a new dystopian book coming out, I had to have it. It’s a very fitting book With the misogyny that is prominent in society currently and the pressure on women and girls to be perfect and pretty and thin this book is such an important book for everyone to read although I would say due to some of the themes I’d recommend for the upper end of YA as it can be a hard read at times but there are trigger warnings at the start of the book so you can decide.

Brilliant book - unfortunately a horrible reflection of our cuRrent society and although dystopian it has many echoes of our lives

Holly Bourne creates a dystopian world of 'the pretties' and 'the objectionables', based on a very real world and the ridiculous expectations of women - to be thin, pretty, hairless, weak, likeable, and overall, to follow societal expectations without question.

Belle and Joni are complete opposites but have everything in common, especially the need to escape.

An important book that I hope will remind us that the fight for equality is not over.

Don't get me wrong, I love Holly Bourne and will finish reading this, but I hope Louise O'Neill's people haven't lawyered up.

I haven’t had emotions evoked in me so strongly for some time.

At first, this reminded me of ‘Only Ever Yours’, and I was sceptical. I didn’t want another book mirroring horror at me and ending in such bleakness… but this is not that book.

It’s not cozy, or happy, but it is hopeful. It made me so angry and so sad. It’s easy to read and easy to follow and easy to understand.

I love women 🥲

Set in a dystopian world that is actually scarily close to real life, You Could Be So Pretty explores a whole host of important topics - how women and girls are taught from a very young age that we must conform, look perfect, never age, behave just the right way, all to benefit the male gaze. Companies profiting from our insecurities, filtered photographs and the the damaging impact of explicit videos online are just some of the other topics covered.
All of this is such a complex issue - it's supposed to be our choice, yet we are shamed no matter which we route we choose. Told we're conforming for society if we glam up, or ripped to shreds for "letting ourselves go."
Despite this, Holly has handled all of this SO well. Honestly such an important book, and although it is young adult, I honestly believe everyone could benefit from reading this one.
I liked both our main characters- at times frustrated at both of them, but I enjoyed seeing them both team up and educate each other.

I love Holly Bourne so when I saw that she had a new dystopian (my fave genre) book out, I had to get my hands on it. Wow. What a book. With the misogyny that is still prominent in society, this book is such an important book for everyone to read. I’ll be recommending this to all my students - it’s important for them to see that beauty is from within.

You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne

You Could Be So Pretty is a dystopia written with feminism at its core, set in a world in which the majority of women “Mask” at the beginning of each day, and those who do not are seen as outcasts.

The novel is split between the perspectives of Joni and Belle, Joni rejects the rules of the Doctrine and doesn’t Mask, and Belle is striving to be a Pretty and is working hard to keep up appearances to win the Ceremony. Despite there differences, they’re both fighting for a scholarship for the Education and are forced to spend more and more time together in order to prepare.

This book is so head-on with the issues of the beauty industry and sexism in modern society. Bourne doesn’t shy away from the gritty details and of her own criticisms of normalised sexism that is experienced by teenage girls, highlighting modern issues from porn to eating disorders and the impact these have on beauty standards. I also thoroughly enjoyed the theme of ageism in society; how the main characters are teenage girls, but we also get to learn how society treats the women around them and how their mothers react to the effects of aging.

You Could Be So Pretty is often hard to read, but there are clear trigger warnings for the issues at the start of the book, which is greatly appreciated, as well as support information at the end. This is definitely an older YA novel, probably best for 16+, I’m 22 and struggled to read some of the content! Holly Bourne was able to critique so many different areas of society and by retitling many of the words used to similar ones, it allowed me to read these difficult topics and feel a separation, helping it feel less overwhelming but still have an impact.

I absolutely devoured this book and cannot wait to discuss it with others when it’s published!

Enter a world of extremes where image is everything. Without the right “Look” a woman can become invisible but if she has it all she can look forward to becoming a man’s possession. There are some trigger warnings to watch out for but I would definitely rate this book for young adults and older adults.

I really liked the main characters Joni and Belle and I was rooting for them both so much. This book is an exaggeration of life but more so for some than others. It really made me think about what young people are exposed to, the pressures of social media and if we are losing rights and choices that we have fought so hard for in the past. I feel positively Awakened!

Due for release September 2023 however I was lucky enough to read an early copy thank you to #netgalley in return for an honest review.

When I started this, it reminded me vividly of Louise O'Neill's Only Ever Yours. As I read on, I thought what a clever dystopian it was, how closely it mirrors our world. And the more I read, the more I realised; it's not a dystopia, or at least not in the sense that's usually used. Holly hides it by using new terms for things, but it's our world. It's here and now.

Consider:

Girls have to wear (masks) make up to look 'normal'.
The more make up, the 'prettier' they are...unless they go too far the other way. Boys like a natural look, and the only consideration is what boys like.
Men get more handsome as they age. Girls are best in their late teens and only go downhill from there.
Girls are told that it's their choice to wear make up or not, but girls who don't are ostracized and miss out on opportunities the others get.
Clothes for girls are both revealing and restrictive.
If a boy attacks a girl, it's because she's so pretty she drove him to it. It's a compliment, really, girls shouldn't be upset about it!
Girls have to exercise to burn off (sins) fat if they want the boys to look at them.
Life as a (Chosen One) model means a lot of manhandling and groping, and then the final product is airbrushed out of all recognition anyway because even the prettiest girls don't look good enough.
Boys can be as lewd as they want, and they're encouraged to sleep around, but girls should be pure. But not too pure. But not too slutty.
You have to lose your virginity at Prom, or everyone will know you're frigid.
I could keep going, but I think I'm making my point here. Holly has always written about feminist and human issues, and by writing them as though in a dystopia, she's shining a very bright light on our real world. The line that keeps going around in my head (paraphrased as I don't have the book to hand) is: "My mother spent years telling 'oh, my darling, you could be so pretty'. She never once said 'oh, my darling, you could be so free' ."

Buy this. Buy it for your teenagers of any and all and no gender. Read it, before or after or with them, and talk about it. Teachers, school librarians, get it into classrooms. Librarians, get it into libraries. You won't be sorry.

Wow! The feminist message in this book hits you right between the eyes and makes you evaluate the way you live, all within the guise of a dystopian YA novel. As you read (and it's a good story with excellent pace) you realise that the fictional 'Doctrine' is here and now; this is how we're all being manipulated and this is how our young women, indeed all women, are being brain-washed, objectified and belittled. Worse, we're welcoming and embracing it!

An extremely powerful read that I can't recommend highly enough. It's not simplistic; it shows us the alternative and the pain that is suffered if you step outside society's rules but it also shows what freedom from these rules can be like.