The author of the bestselling novel The Party—lauded as “tense and riveting” by New York Times bestselling author Megan Miranda—returns with a chilling new domestic drama about two women whose deep friendship is threatened by dark, long-buried secrets. Frances Metcalfe is struggling to stay afloat. A stay-at-home mom whose troubled son is her full-time job, she thought that the day he got accepted into the elite Forrester Academy would be the day she started living her life. Overweight, insecure, and lonely, she is desperate to fit into Forrester’s world. But after a disturbing incident at the school leads the other children and their families to ostracize the Metcalfes, she feels more alone than ever before. Until she meets Kate Randolph. Kate is everything Frances is not: beautiful, wealthy, powerful, and confident. And for some reason, she’s not interested in being friends with any of the other Forrester moms—only Frances. As the two bond over their disdain of the Forrester snobs and the fierce love they have for their sons, a startling secret threatens to tear them apart. Because one of these women is not who she seems. Her real name is Amber Kunik. And she’s a murderer. In her masterful follow-up to The Party, Robyn Harding spins a web of lies, deceit, and betrayal, asking the question: Can people ever change? And even if they can, is it possible to forgive the past?
Her Pretty Face: A Novel by Robyn Harding
Publication Date: July 10, 2018
Pages: 352
Add on: Goodreads
Buy the Book: Amazon
Rating: ★★★½
Source: From the Publisher
Genre: Fiction / Thrillers / Psychological
Publisher: Gallery / Scout Press / Simon & SchusterREVIEW
Robyn Harding’s Her Pretty Face grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let up. Set against the backdrop of an elite private school, the story follows Frances Metcalfe, a mom whose life feels like it’s in permanent crisis mode. Frances is all insecurity and vulnerability, her son struggles to fit in, and she’s desperate for a fresh start when he’s accepted into Forrester Academy. But one bad incident leaves her isolated from the other parents, until the dazzling Kate Randolph swoops in and offers friendship. It’s intoxicating and immediate, but beneath the surface, both women are carrying secrets big enough to blow their lives apart.
The narrative shifts between Frances, Kate, and a teenager named DJ, offering a layered look at trust, identity, and the baggage we all carry. Harding’s characters are flawed, raw, and real. Frances is painfully self-conscious, Kate is the picture of confidence, and the dynamic between them is electric. The supporting cast, especially the kids, brings extra depth, showing just how far the ripples of dysfunction can spread.
This isn’t just a thriller about dark secrets; it’s about the masks we wear and whether anyone can ever truly change. Harding blends brisk, no-nonsense prose with a plot that keeps you guessing right up to the end. The pacing is tight, the suspense is relentless, and the emotional stakes feel genuine.
What really works here is the way Harding balances empathy with tension. You might not always like these characters, but you can’t look away. I did find the ending a little slow and the characters tough to love, but the complexity and suspense more than make up for it. Her Pretty Face is a smart, chilling page-turner, perfect for anyone who loves their domestic thrillers with a psychological edge and plenty to talk about after the last chapter.
