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Beautiful People
The captivating new thriller from the author of The HavenMoney and power can buy you anything. Even silence.
When Victoria escapes her broken home for university in London, she is determined to reinvent herself and make a fresh start. She falls in love with Nick, who welcomes her into his privileged circle of friends, opening her eyes to a world she only ever dreamt of.
But things don’t go to plan and life takes a darker turn.
Twenty-five years later, the circle is reunited alongside a host of glittering guests to celebrate the wedding of Hollywood darling Ingrid Olsson to ruthlessly well-connected Julian Draper. Victoria has spent years trying to forget Nick and put the horror of what happened behind her. Now she has to face the past she tried so hard to bury.
As the champagne flows and painful memories resurface, Victoria can’t shake the feeling that some people seem to get away with everything.
But maybe not this time.
Maybe this time, someone will pay the ultimate price.
When Victoria escapes her broken home for university in London, she is determined to reinvent herself and make a fresh start. She falls in love with Nick, who welcomes her into his privileged circle of friends, opening her eyes to a world she only ever dreamt of.
But things don’t go to plan and life takes a darker turn.
Twenty-five years later, the circle is reunited alongside a host of glittering guests to celebrate the wedding of Hollywood darling Ingrid Olsson to ruthlessly well-connected Julian Draper. Victoria has spent years trying to forget Nick and put the horror of what happened behind her. Now she has to face the past she tried so hard to bury.
As the champagne flows and painful memories resurface, Victoria can’t shake the feeling that some people seem to get away with everything.
But maybe not this time.
Maybe this time, someone will pay the ultimate price.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2024
253 people are currently reading
955 people want to read
About the author
Amanda Jennings
13 books270 followersAmanda is mother to three daughters and lives in chaotic contentment just outside Henley-on-Thames with a houseful of pets and a husband. She is the author of five books, Sworn Secret, The Judas Scar, In Her Wake, The Cliff House and The Storm which is coming out in July 2020. She is currently working on her sixth novel. A psychological thriller set on the wilds of Bodmin Moor, in Cornwall. If she isn't by the sea then she would like to be.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
December 9, 2025
3 stars
You know how it is. You are sitting around in a semi-funk. Maybe you don’t feel so great. None of the books you have appeal to you, or you are “saving” them. You need something….mindless. That will just roll over you. I look to the Kindle Unlimited Page. This is not a KU book, but it’s a thriller about a group from university days reuniting at a wedding, plus there’s a murder. It’s only 99 cents. I LOVE the well-worn trope of a reunion of a friends group from college plus murder and _I_ have 99 cents. In.
So, this is a tiny bit different than every single other book in, as near as I can tell, almost everyone is a bad guy to some degree (FMC Victoria/Vix? Nut job.) except the two people in the little side story which might have been tacked on at the last minute. So, you know, it was fine. Just what I expected. Worth what I paid.
You know how it is. You are sitting around in a semi-funk. Maybe you don’t feel so great. None of the books you have appeal to you, or you are “saving” them. You need something….mindless. That will just roll over you. I look to the Kindle Unlimited Page. This is not a KU book, but it’s a thriller about a group from university days reuniting at a wedding, plus there’s a murder. It’s only 99 cents. I LOVE the well-worn trope of a reunion of a friends group from college plus murder and _I_ have 99 cents. In.
So, this is a tiny bit different than every single other book in, as near as I can tell, almost everyone is a bad guy to some degree (FMC Victoria/Vix? Nut job.) except the two people in the little side story which might have been tacked on at the last minute. So, you know, it was fine. Just what I expected. Worth what I paid.
October 24, 2025
Not the usual book I’d go for but it was a palate cleanser after the dense, information heavy last book I read.
It was perfect rainy Autumn day fodder. All the usual elements were there, a group of impossibly beautiful and glamorous rich kids which allows for the author to pepper the text with names of designer goods, and how much each bottle of champagne costs while her characters breeze past lines to be ushered in to the VIP areas of exclusive clubs. Of course in these times wealth is no longer what it used to be and the gold standard is now fame which means that the narrative revolves the wedding of one of the rich kids (now a forty something) marrying the hottest young actress of the moment.
Naturally all the braying and fanciness could be jarring so Jennings uses the familiar trope of having an outside, who is just a normal member of the hoi polloi, as one of the group, pointing out all their faults in case, heaven forbid, their lives look too wonderful. Don’t be guiled by Victoria though. In these books no one can be average, so to contrast her with the smart set her life is a series of tragedies that even Shakespeare would have trouble fitting into a single tale and in her middle-age is a prize winning painter living the kind of boho existence in a small French town that is mythologised in film.
Of course Victoria is asked to paint a wedding portrait of the starlet and is invited to the wedding where she will meet up with the uni set she hasn’t seen since she left in the first term among whom will be the man she fell in love with and hasn’t moved on from and a man she loathes. Of course anyone with an iota of nous will work out in the first few pages why a woman might have a pathological hatred of a rich white man.
There were many things wrong with this book, one of the biggest being Victoria’s age. The structure is split time narrative (uni and the present) but I had to keep working out the maths to remind myself that in the present she (and everyone else bar the actress) is meant to be in her early forties. She was written as if she were only a few years out of uni as were the others apart from the loathed one who going on description seemed about 50. There were other inconsistencies, minor but jarring, like the differing cost of the champagne and the ending was so unbelievably trite one can only assume it was meant tongue in cheek.
Having said all that I did read it over a couple of days and while it’s not something that will linger, like a quick snack satisfied a need with minimum effort.
It was perfect rainy Autumn day fodder. All the usual elements were there, a group of impossibly beautiful and glamorous rich kids which allows for the author to pepper the text with names of designer goods, and how much each bottle of champagne costs while her characters breeze past lines to be ushered in to the VIP areas of exclusive clubs. Of course in these times wealth is no longer what it used to be and the gold standard is now fame which means that the narrative revolves the wedding of one of the rich kids (now a forty something) marrying the hottest young actress of the moment.
Naturally all the braying and fanciness could be jarring so Jennings uses the familiar trope of having an outside, who is just a normal member of the hoi polloi, as one of the group, pointing out all their faults in case, heaven forbid, their lives look too wonderful. Don’t be guiled by Victoria though. In these books no one can be average, so to contrast her with the smart set her life is a series of tragedies that even Shakespeare would have trouble fitting into a single tale and in her middle-age is a prize winning painter living the kind of boho existence in a small French town that is mythologised in film.
Of course Victoria is asked to paint a wedding portrait of the starlet and is invited to the wedding where she will meet up with the uni set she hasn’t seen since she left in the first term among whom will be the man she fell in love with and hasn’t moved on from and a man she loathes. Of course anyone with an iota of nous will work out in the first few pages why a woman might have a pathological hatred of a rich white man.
There were many things wrong with this book, one of the biggest being Victoria’s age. The structure is split time narrative (uni and the present) but I had to keep working out the maths to remind myself that in the present she (and everyone else bar the actress) is meant to be in her early forties. She was written as if she were only a few years out of uni as were the others apart from the loathed one who going on description seemed about 50. There were other inconsistencies, minor but jarring, like the differing cost of the champagne and the ending was so unbelievably trite one can only assume it was meant tongue in cheek.
Having said all that I did read it over a couple of days and while it’s not something that will linger, like a quick snack satisfied a need with minimum effort.
September 22, 2024
This could be up there as one of my favourite books of all time.
‘Beautiful People’ by Amanda Jennings has left me in a complete state of shock and I can already feel the weight of the book hangover this is going to leave. From start to finish this book was completely captivating, with multiple points of view and timelines to follow that beautifully weave together to create harrowing reveals. Once the initial glamour of this book and all of its extremely well written characters has worn off, you begin to see the darkness at the core. I genuinely haven’t felt as much emotion towards a book like this in a while, I felt such an attachment to these characters, I shed a few tears and was hanging onto every word - I didn’t want this to end!
As Victoria moves to London for University in the early 2000s, she wants to reinvent everything about herself and her past. In the present day, she is still dealing with the events that took place during her terms at uni, clearly never processing her traumas (which are initially unknown to us as readers) as she has to face her old friend group after 25 years. Obsession is her downfall. As this book develops, it becomes clear how Victoria’s state of mind is severely spiralling and you begin to trust her less and less. Just when I was ready to completely deem her as insane, the biggest, and most effective reveal is given - completely altering all perspectives. The distorting of Victoria’s narrative leaves you doubting right until the reveal, especially with all the small clues scattered throughout.
I’ve seen comparisons to ‘Saltburn’ when discussing this book and you can see how Victoria’s character has been influenced by Oliver’s behaviour - especially surrounding the way she speaks of her family. To me, Victoria is like how Oliver presents himself in front of others, and Mikey is his actions behind closed doors. I would love to see a film or tv production of this book but I just don’t think they would do justice to the imagery Jennings conjured in my head! Initially there were so many other books I was going to compare this too but now I’ve finished it, I don’t think anything else can compare. And honestly, I think ‘Beautiful People’ executes its ideas a lot stronger than ‘Saltburn’ or any other derivative materials did. Yes, shock factor comes into play but there is so much more than that beneath the surface.
‘Beautiful People’ is tender, heart breaking and full of obsession and revenge. My first book from Amanda Jennings and it’s left me desperate to read more.
Thank you to HQ and NetGalley for this arc !!
** All opinions are my own **
‘Beautiful People’ by Amanda Jennings has left me in a complete state of shock and I can already feel the weight of the book hangover this is going to leave. From start to finish this book was completely captivating, with multiple points of view and timelines to follow that beautifully weave together to create harrowing reveals. Once the initial glamour of this book and all of its extremely well written characters has worn off, you begin to see the darkness at the core. I genuinely haven’t felt as much emotion towards a book like this in a while, I felt such an attachment to these characters, I shed a few tears and was hanging onto every word - I didn’t want this to end!
As Victoria moves to London for University in the early 2000s, she wants to reinvent everything about herself and her past. In the present day, she is still dealing with the events that took place during her terms at uni, clearly never processing her traumas (which are initially unknown to us as readers) as she has to face her old friend group after 25 years. Obsession is her downfall. As this book develops, it becomes clear how Victoria’s state of mind is severely spiralling and you begin to trust her less and less. Just when I was ready to completely deem her as insane, the biggest, and most effective reveal is given - completely altering all perspectives. The distorting of Victoria’s narrative leaves you doubting right until the reveal, especially with all the small clues scattered throughout.
I’ve seen comparisons to ‘Saltburn’ when discussing this book and you can see how Victoria’s character has been influenced by Oliver’s behaviour - especially surrounding the way she speaks of her family. To me, Victoria is like how Oliver presents himself in front of others, and Mikey is his actions behind closed doors. I would love to see a film or tv production of this book but I just don’t think they would do justice to the imagery Jennings conjured in my head! Initially there were so many other books I was going to compare this too but now I’ve finished it, I don’t think anything else can compare. And honestly, I think ‘Beautiful People’ executes its ideas a lot stronger than ‘Saltburn’ or any other derivative materials did. Yes, shock factor comes into play but there is so much more than that beneath the surface.
‘Beautiful People’ is tender, heart breaking and full of obsession and revenge. My first book from Amanda Jennings and it’s left me desperate to read more.
Thank you to HQ and NetGalley for this arc !!
** All opinions are my own **
April 6, 2025
Unlikeable characters across the board, a little twisty, not everything's as it seems, oh and I'm a sucker for anything with even the slightest Saltburn vibe - and really there's only the merest smidge here - a very entertaining 4 stars.
February 16, 2025
This was so boring. I’m mad I paid 99 cents for this on my kindle. The only reason I gave it 2 stars was because the author’s writing style was decent.
The first chapter is great and it sucks you in: someone’s been murdered who clearly deserved it. The rest of the book is nothing but filler. Early on it is implied one of the horrible guys from their friend group did something very bad and the last few chapters tell you that it wasn’t actually horrible guy friend #1 it was really horrible guy friend #2.
That’s it?? That was the big twist? I slogged through the entire book to have the big shock be nothing more than an obvious reveal.
The first chapter is great and it sucks you in: someone’s been murdered who clearly deserved it. The rest of the book is nothing but filler. Early on it is implied one of the horrible guys from their friend group did something very bad and the last few chapters tell you that it wasn’t actually horrible guy friend #1 it was really horrible guy friend #2.
That’s it?? That was the big twist? I slogged through the entire book to have the big shock be nothing more than an obvious reveal.
November 7, 2024
This was a dark and twisted tale… I loved it! Jennings really creates an atmospheric narrative as we follow Victoria’s absorption into the world of the rich and privileged. But she discovers that with this comes a darkness and a world of deceit.
The narrative shifts between present day as Victoria heads to the wedding of old friend, Julian Draper; and twenty-five years previous during her university days. This part of the story is very significant because it leads into the connections Victoria has at Julian’s wedding. I was equally fascinated and appalled by Victoria’s university experience as she sees no problem with completely altering herself in order to fit in – and grab the attentions of her housemate, Nick.
Yet, over time this causes friction and Cami and Tilly are like the “mean girls” of the group, flaunting themselves to ensure attention from both sexes. Victoria’s jealousy drives her actions and her feelings for Nick grow to an obsession. It is this obsession that is reflected in these rich students around her as they continue to live a life of exploitation and extravagance, never truly appreciating anyone or anything.
I loved how Victoria’s personality grows as she realises the harm she is doing to herself. This is seen in the present day and I was itching to see Victoria finally speak her truth, once and for all – regardless of the wedding setting. Furthermore, Coco’s character is interesting because I could see the parallels between her and Victoria. These only increase as the wedding celebration progresses, leading to a very chilling conclusion.
With her wealthy “friends” there is a lurking darkness and deceit all around. Even the protagonist turns out to be equally deceitful and I was absorbed by the narrative to see how the truths would be revealed. Gripped from the beginning, I was engrossed by how Victoria’s classmates were behaving, knowing that this would eventually lead to a cocktail of disasters. This only comes to light in the final chapters, creating a high-intensity ending.
A fabulous read from Jennings that explores social differences, gender equality and university life. It isn’t all glamourous and the darkness haunts Victoria over the years. I could not foresee how the story would unfold and found the ending very satisfying.
With thanks to HQ and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The narrative shifts between present day as Victoria heads to the wedding of old friend, Julian Draper; and twenty-five years previous during her university days. This part of the story is very significant because it leads into the connections Victoria has at Julian’s wedding. I was equally fascinated and appalled by Victoria’s university experience as she sees no problem with completely altering herself in order to fit in – and grab the attentions of her housemate, Nick.
Yet, over time this causes friction and Cami and Tilly are like the “mean girls” of the group, flaunting themselves to ensure attention from both sexes. Victoria’s jealousy drives her actions and her feelings for Nick grow to an obsession. It is this obsession that is reflected in these rich students around her as they continue to live a life of exploitation and extravagance, never truly appreciating anyone or anything.
I loved how Victoria’s personality grows as she realises the harm she is doing to herself. This is seen in the present day and I was itching to see Victoria finally speak her truth, once and for all – regardless of the wedding setting. Furthermore, Coco’s character is interesting because I could see the parallels between her and Victoria. These only increase as the wedding celebration progresses, leading to a very chilling conclusion.
With her wealthy “friends” there is a lurking darkness and deceit all around. Even the protagonist turns out to be equally deceitful and I was absorbed by the narrative to see how the truths would be revealed. Gripped from the beginning, I was engrossed by how Victoria’s classmates were behaving, knowing that this would eventually lead to a cocktail of disasters. This only comes to light in the final chapters, creating a high-intensity ending.
A fabulous read from Jennings that explores social differences, gender equality and university life. It isn’t all glamourous and the darkness haunts Victoria over the years. I could not foresee how the story would unfold and found the ending very satisfying.
With thanks to HQ and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 23, 2024
Lots going on here but it never really came together cohesively.
January 28, 2025
If you are looking for a book oozing with luxury and wealth, this is the one. Beautiful People by Amanda Jennings features powerful and entitled characters who may be glamorous and gorgeous on the outside but are deeply dysfunctional on the inside.
This is a character-driven, slow burner of a story which takes a deep and uncomfortable look at power dynamics and privilege among the elite.
Victoria (Vix) is our main character and the story begins with the death of somebody at a wedding. We don’t know who is dead or why, but instantly the reader needs to know more.
With a dual timeframe, the story flits between Victoria in 2024 and Vix in 1999.
In 2024, Victoria is a successful artist now living in France. Victoria has just finished a commission portrait for the film star Ingrid Olsson. Ingrid will be marrying Julian Draper shortly at a lavish and no-expense spared wedding. Despite having known Julian at University and successfully avoiding him for over 20 years, Victoria is invited to attend.
In 1999, Vix attended University in London after fleeing Manchester and a violent and dysfunctional family. Her flat mate Nick introduces her to his group of friends a close circle of privileged students. In order to fit in, she reinvents herself by changing her accent, hair colour and clothing and quickly develops obsessive feelings towards Nick which are not reciprocated.
Slowly, the reader finds out more about what happened to Vix at University and why she has avoided those “friends” for so long.
If you enjoy character driven, subtle and slow burning stories, you will love Beautiful People. This story explore themes of grief and shame, especially Victoria who’s past traumas still impact her today. They also delve into family and friendships, self-discovery and redemption leaving the reader emotionally drained.
This is a character-driven, slow burner of a story which takes a deep and uncomfortable look at power dynamics and privilege among the elite.
Victoria (Vix) is our main character and the story begins with the death of somebody at a wedding. We don’t know who is dead or why, but instantly the reader needs to know more.
With a dual timeframe, the story flits between Victoria in 2024 and Vix in 1999.
In 2024, Victoria is a successful artist now living in France. Victoria has just finished a commission portrait for the film star Ingrid Olsson. Ingrid will be marrying Julian Draper shortly at a lavish and no-expense spared wedding. Despite having known Julian at University and successfully avoiding him for over 20 years, Victoria is invited to attend.
In 1999, Vix attended University in London after fleeing Manchester and a violent and dysfunctional family. Her flat mate Nick introduces her to his group of friends a close circle of privileged students. In order to fit in, she reinvents herself by changing her accent, hair colour and clothing and quickly develops obsessive feelings towards Nick which are not reciprocated.
Slowly, the reader finds out more about what happened to Vix at University and why she has avoided those “friends” for so long.
If you enjoy character driven, subtle and slow burning stories, you will love Beautiful People. This story explore themes of grief and shame, especially Victoria who’s past traumas still impact her today. They also delve into family and friendships, self-discovery and redemption leaving the reader emotionally drained.
April 18, 2025
3.75⭐️
September 23, 2024
In the late 90’s Victoria is off to university in London. Having lived in Knutsford with her now imprisoned father, mother and mentally ill brother.
She wants a new start and finds it in a boarding house near the uni. She meets Nick who introduces her to people in her course. He also names her ”Vix” which is exactly the kind of new start she needed.
Unfortunately, everyone she meets from her course are privately schooled, upperclass and cliquey.
The story is told from the 90‘s and now, where Vix, now Victoria lives in France, and has been commissioned to paint a portrait of a film star for her upcoming wedding. As it happens, the film star is marrying someone Victoria knows from University and has some very unresolved anger with. Making all of this more difficult is the Bride’s insistence that Victoria come to her wedding and help present the portrait.
There is another narrative of a young girl who ends up involved in the forthcoming wedding and this was written with such care and beauty I could almost feel the weight of her mother‘s expectations.
The story is rich with the constant feeling of not belonging, while Vix is relatable you become sure she may be an unreliable narrator. All of the characters are well described, fleshed out and whether repulsive or wonderful they are written beautifully.
There is a mystery in this book, but I’m not sure it was typically so. It was a slow burn, a very sad and horrific at times one at that. But this book has beauty, rarely in those that are the typical beautiful people.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy dual timelines and multiple narrators, and readers who love to see women supporting women in the end, and abusers receiving no favor.
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, which this is.
She wants a new start and finds it in a boarding house near the uni. She meets Nick who introduces her to people in her course. He also names her ”Vix” which is exactly the kind of new start she needed.
Unfortunately, everyone she meets from her course are privately schooled, upperclass and cliquey.
The story is told from the 90‘s and now, where Vix, now Victoria lives in France, and has been commissioned to paint a portrait of a film star for her upcoming wedding. As it happens, the film star is marrying someone Victoria knows from University and has some very unresolved anger with. Making all of this more difficult is the Bride’s insistence that Victoria come to her wedding and help present the portrait.
There is another narrative of a young girl who ends up involved in the forthcoming wedding and this was written with such care and beauty I could almost feel the weight of her mother‘s expectations.
The story is rich with the constant feeling of not belonging, while Vix is relatable you become sure she may be an unreliable narrator. All of the characters are well described, fleshed out and whether repulsive or wonderful they are written beautifully.
There is a mystery in this book, but I’m not sure it was typically so. It was a slow burn, a very sad and horrific at times one at that. But this book has beauty, rarely in those that are the typical beautiful people.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy dual timelines and multiple narrators, and readers who love to see women supporting women in the end, and abusers receiving no favor.
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, which this is.
November 12, 2024
Beautiful People is an intense, beautifully written narrative that not only enthralls the reader, but makes them rage too. It’s compelling, intelligent and gripping and I loved it. My full review is on the My Weekly website.
November 13, 2024
This book is probably closer to a 3.75 rating but I’m still processing.
I liked the set up to this book, the whole execution could have been better but overall I enjoyed it!
I liked the set up to this book, the whole execution could have been better but overall I enjoyed it!
March 21, 2025
I have some thoughts on this book. It wasn’t horrible but too many annoying or unrealistic things made this book more and more undesirable. The list is below if anyone cares to read. Spoilers are included.
-Victoria’s infatuation with Nick is ridiculously immature as a college student but even more so as a full grown 40 something adult
-This college professor literally offing himself in front of students? Not believable
-The students hating her for what she did? Less so but still not very believable
-Cami not saying anything is a little ridiculous but understandable…much more ridiculous after all this time and is now an adult
-All these people having access to her room while she’s passed out is not normal
-Fraser’s wording during the climax was not realistic and totally made a jab at white republicans
-Getting in this giant physical argument and pushing him off the balcony was overdone/too much
-They took WAY too long to sound concerned after they pushing him off the balcony and you’re telling me no one saw this man fall to his death and say something within the 5 or so minutes everyone was talking upstairs…?
-A body going over railings is near impossible unless they jump up and over them so that is not realistic
-Victoria’s infatuation with Nick is ridiculously immature as a college student but even more so as a full grown 40 something adult
-This college professor literally offing himself in front of students? Not believable
-The students hating her for what she did? Less so but still not very believable
-Cami not saying anything is a little ridiculous but understandable…much more ridiculous after all this time and is now an adult
-All these people having access to her room while she’s passed out is not normal
-Fraser’s wording during the climax was not realistic and totally made a jab at white republicans
-Getting in this giant physical argument and pushing him off the balcony was overdone/too much
-They took WAY too long to sound concerned after they pushing him off the balcony and you’re telling me no one saw this man fall to his death and say something within the 5 or so minutes everyone was talking upstairs…?
-A body going over railings is near impossible unless they jump up and over them so that is not realistic
March 19, 2025
This was a very nice, well written, perfectly paced story, it indeed befuddled me! It’s funny how you think you know a character and then you just don’t !
This was my first book by this author and I will be checking for more of her work! I recommend this book!
This was my first book by this author and I will be checking for more of her work! I recommend this book!
March 23, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. I didn't like the cover which could have put me off but, I read the reviews and went in with an open mind. The story was interesting and intriguing.
November 8, 2024
3.5 stars ✨
I enjoyed this book, I struggled to get into it but once I was 5/6 chapters in I couldn't put it down. I wanted to read this as it was described as saltburn vibes and I would agree it had similarities for sure.
For me, vix was annoying and she was the FMC at the start, she was quite needy and didn't understand Nick loved cami and then I grew to like her especially towards the end when you find out what happened.
I didn't like the parts with her teacher, made me feel uneasy.
I liked the book but felt something was missing, didn't grab me but still enjoyed it, but I would still recommend to freinds.
Thank you for an ARC copy! I would love to read more of Amanda's books, her writing was good!
I enjoyed this book, I struggled to get into it but once I was 5/6 chapters in I couldn't put it down. I wanted to read this as it was described as saltburn vibes and I would agree it had similarities for sure.
For me, vix was annoying and she was the FMC at the start, she was quite needy and didn't understand Nick loved cami and then I grew to like her especially towards the end when you find out what happened.
I didn't like the parts with her teacher, made me feel uneasy.
I liked the book but felt something was missing, didn't grab me but still enjoyed it, but I would still recommend to freinds.
Thank you for an ARC copy! I would love to read more of Amanda's books, her writing was good!
May 5, 2025
Another great book Amanda, thank you
December 31, 2024
Finished just in time! Book 30 of 2024!!
“How many chances of happiness had I thrown away by loving a man and couldn’t have?”
“How many chances of happiness had I thrown away by loving a man and couldn’t have?”
June 1, 2025
Really more like 3.5. Overall I enjoyed the book. It just was a bit difficult in the middle to remain engaged and not just walk away as there were points where I hated everyone. It all came together nicely in the end however.
November 15, 2025
3.5⭐️ perfect beach read
May 9, 2025
So now I have another book up for award of most hated of the year. , Silly characters, obvious tropes and a London 2000 that is more call the midwife Sunday night tv , than class war or Brit pop millennium . How many more poor misunderstood naive girl goes to uni and life is ruined by posh do we ever have to read. Bring back satire, even Black Lace did better social commentary than this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2024
I have been a fan of Amanda Jennings for well over ten years. She writes dark, emotionally challenging novels filled with beautiful prose and expertly created characters.
I think Beautiful People is my favourite of her books so far, her best novel to date. It totally captured me, thrusting me into a world of glamour and wealth, but at the same time, exposing the dirt and the grubbiness that the beautiful people so often hide from people outside of their circle.
The reader knows from the prologue that someone dies. We do not know how, or who it is, or who the person standing close to the body is, but this short scene sets the pace for the rest of the novel.
One of my favourite narrative structures is a dual time line, and in Beautiful People, Amanda Jennings does this to absolute perfection. As we meet Victoria in June 2024, and then go back and acquaint ourselves with her when she was known as Vix, at University in 1999, the stories are wonderfully woven together.
Present day Victoria lives in France, alone. She's an artist and has been commissioned to create a portrait for the wedding of a very famous, wealthy couple. However, Victoria really doesn't want to attend the wedding, but the bride insists that she attend for the unveiling. It becomes clear to the reader that Victoria and the groom, and many of the invited guests have history, a painful history and one that Victoria doesn't want to re-visit.
We learn about young Vix. Fleeing a dysfunctional family to find refuge at University. Making friends with the grand and the elite. Slightly changing her accent to fit, examining the clothes that the other girls wear, making sure that she can fit in, and also falling in love. This is not an ordinary, romantic love though, it becomes something of an obsession for Vix and leads to her making many many decisions that are not the best for her.
Let's talk about the 'beautiful people' themselves. A bunch of wealthy, entitled, gorgeous people who want for nothing. Who go through life expecting to receive everything that they wish for, who rarely consider the feelings of others, yet who attract so many hangers-on. People want to be seen with them, they think their beauty will rub off on them.
This is a complex, captivating and extremely dark story, one that lures the reader in and doesn't let go until the crescendo of a finish. The toxicity of this group of friends is palpable, and the vulnerability of Vix and her desperation to be accepted is both heart breaking, and recognisable. There are characters who do go some way to redeem themselves, there are others who just become worse and more evil as the story progresses. It is a finely tuned tale of privilege and power and the absolute destruction that this can cause.
Powerful, emotive and utterly brilliant. Highly recommended by me.
I think Beautiful People is my favourite of her books so far, her best novel to date. It totally captured me, thrusting me into a world of glamour and wealth, but at the same time, exposing the dirt and the grubbiness that the beautiful people so often hide from people outside of their circle.
The reader knows from the prologue that someone dies. We do not know how, or who it is, or who the person standing close to the body is, but this short scene sets the pace for the rest of the novel.
One of my favourite narrative structures is a dual time line, and in Beautiful People, Amanda Jennings does this to absolute perfection. As we meet Victoria in June 2024, and then go back and acquaint ourselves with her when she was known as Vix, at University in 1999, the stories are wonderfully woven together.
Present day Victoria lives in France, alone. She's an artist and has been commissioned to create a portrait for the wedding of a very famous, wealthy couple. However, Victoria really doesn't want to attend the wedding, but the bride insists that she attend for the unveiling. It becomes clear to the reader that Victoria and the groom, and many of the invited guests have history, a painful history and one that Victoria doesn't want to re-visit.
We learn about young Vix. Fleeing a dysfunctional family to find refuge at University. Making friends with the grand and the elite. Slightly changing her accent to fit, examining the clothes that the other girls wear, making sure that she can fit in, and also falling in love. This is not an ordinary, romantic love though, it becomes something of an obsession for Vix and leads to her making many many decisions that are not the best for her.
Let's talk about the 'beautiful people' themselves. A bunch of wealthy, entitled, gorgeous people who want for nothing. Who go through life expecting to receive everything that they wish for, who rarely consider the feelings of others, yet who attract so many hangers-on. People want to be seen with them, they think their beauty will rub off on them.
This is a complex, captivating and extremely dark story, one that lures the reader in and doesn't let go until the crescendo of a finish. The toxicity of this group of friends is palpable, and the vulnerability of Vix and her desperation to be accepted is both heart breaking, and recognisable. There are characters who do go some way to redeem themselves, there are others who just become worse and more evil as the story progresses. It is a finely tuned tale of privilege and power and the absolute destruction that this can cause.
Powerful, emotive and utterly brilliant. Highly recommended by me.
October 17, 2024
4 ✨
Beautiful People by Amanda Jennings has honestly given me the biggest book hangover ever. I am slumped and it’s all because of how amazing this book was. From start to finish, this book had me hooked. I was honestly a fish on a hook that couldn’t get away. The multiple points of view were *chefs kiss* and the how the timelines follow was amazing. The book was extremely well glamoured and made all the characters seem so beautiful and like butter wouldn’t melt but after it had all worn off, you got to see their true characters and colours. This book had me hanging onto every word and I loved each and every character.
Victoria moves to London for University in the early 2000s, she wants to reinvent everything including herself and most importantly her past. In the present day, she is still dealing with what happened during her time at uni. Clearly, she never processes the trauma, which to us as readers are unaware of in the beginning. I’d like to say, this was very well written and had you on the edge. Obsession is her downfall and now she has to face her old friendship group after 25 years. As the book continues, it becomes clear how Victoria’s mind is spiralling and she becomes an unreliable narrator as you lose the trust in her. Her state of mind is unstable and it makes you think if what she is saying is even true. However, just when I was about to give up all hope on her, a MASSIVE plot point is given to us readers and completely alters any perspective I thought I had. The author set this up amazingly, leaving little bread crumbs that all make sense after it happens but at the time you don’t really think twice about it.
This book has been compared to Saltburn a few times and honestly, I don’t think that does this book any justice. It’s 100% better than the movie and the execution is 10/10.
This is my first book by Amanda Jennings and it definitely won’t be my last. I’ve already got this book preordered on Amazon ready to have the physical copy displayed on my shelf to constantly remind me what a rollercoaster of a book this was and how much I loved it.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for providing me a copy of this arc in return for an honest review.
Beautiful People by Amanda Jennings has honestly given me the biggest book hangover ever. I am slumped and it’s all because of how amazing this book was. From start to finish, this book had me hooked. I was honestly a fish on a hook that couldn’t get away. The multiple points of view were *chefs kiss* and the how the timelines follow was amazing. The book was extremely well glamoured and made all the characters seem so beautiful and like butter wouldn’t melt but after it had all worn off, you got to see their true characters and colours. This book had me hanging onto every word and I loved each and every character.
Victoria moves to London for University in the early 2000s, she wants to reinvent everything including herself and most importantly her past. In the present day, she is still dealing with what happened during her time at uni. Clearly, she never processes the trauma, which to us as readers are unaware of in the beginning. I’d like to say, this was very well written and had you on the edge. Obsession is her downfall and now she has to face her old friendship group after 25 years. As the book continues, it becomes clear how Victoria’s mind is spiralling and she becomes an unreliable narrator as you lose the trust in her. Her state of mind is unstable and it makes you think if what she is saying is even true. However, just when I was about to give up all hope on her, a MASSIVE plot point is given to us readers and completely alters any perspective I thought I had. The author set this up amazingly, leaving little bread crumbs that all make sense after it happens but at the time you don’t really think twice about it.
This book has been compared to Saltburn a few times and honestly, I don’t think that does this book any justice. It’s 100% better than the movie and the execution is 10/10.
This is my first book by Amanda Jennings and it definitely won’t be my last. I’ve already got this book preordered on Amazon ready to have the physical copy displayed on my shelf to constantly remind me what a rollercoaster of a book this was and how much I loved it.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for providing me a copy of this arc in return for an honest review.
October 15, 2024
Victoria is an artist living in France, who has been commissioned by Ingrid, a famous British film star, to paint her portrait as a wedding gift to her soon to be husband. Ingrid is so impressed with the final piece that she insists that she fly Victoria over to London to attend her wedding in person to hang the painting and present it to her during the wedding. There is a slight catch to this request though for Victoria, as Ingrid is engaged to Julian Draper, who just so happens to be an old friend of Victoria's from her university days and someone who she really would rather not see ever again. While Victoria is scanning online articles about Julian she comes across a picture of Nick, someone she hasn't seen in over 11 years and clearly has some history with.
The story is set over two timelines, with one timeline in the here and now and the other timeline starting back in 1999 where Victoria is leaving behind her life in Manchester and heading to London to join the Queens School of Architecture, prepared to reinvent everything about herself and leave her past firmly in the past in an effort to fit in with the trendy people she meets within her first few days.
The way the author crafts this group of characters throughout the book is absolute perfection. I felt like I knew them and that they were people in my own life. Even though the story is told predominantly from Victorias POV, the background and depth given to each character makes them all equally important to the story. I enjoyed this story and the writing so much I didn't want it to end. I could have read this story even if it was double the length as the writing is so captivating and engaging.
There is a really strong message portrayed through this story that wasn't really apparent until the last few chapters. A story of strength, realisation, and acceptance. I finished this book feeling empowered and deeply satisfied with how things had concluded. I would throughly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a dual timeline story with strong female characters. I hope this gets made into a short series or a film!
The story is set over two timelines, with one timeline in the here and now and the other timeline starting back in 1999 where Victoria is leaving behind her life in Manchester and heading to London to join the Queens School of Architecture, prepared to reinvent everything about herself and leave her past firmly in the past in an effort to fit in with the trendy people she meets within her first few days.
The way the author crafts this group of characters throughout the book is absolute perfection. I felt like I knew them and that they were people in my own life. Even though the story is told predominantly from Victorias POV, the background and depth given to each character makes them all equally important to the story. I enjoyed this story and the writing so much I didn't want it to end. I could have read this story even if it was double the length as the writing is so captivating and engaging.
There is a really strong message portrayed through this story that wasn't really apparent until the last few chapters. A story of strength, realisation, and acceptance. I finished this book feeling empowered and deeply satisfied with how things had concluded. I would throughly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a dual timeline story with strong female characters. I hope this gets made into a short series or a film!
November 3, 2024
Victoria leaves home to make a fresh start at university in London. It is there that she falls in love with Nick and becomes entwined in his group of privileged friends. Although things don’t go as planned. Twenty Five years later the group of friends reunite at a celebrity wedding. Victoria has spent years trying to forget her time at university and now has to face up to it all.
I am just going to start by saying how much I loved this book! Having previously read The Storm by Amanda Jennings and really enjoying it, I was keen to read this and I also found the synopsis and cover compelling. I am so pleased that I picked this up as I had such a great time reading and felt such a wide range of emotions. The writing style was beautiful and while at times I felt angry, at others I cried real tears.
I absolutely loved the characters, even though some were unlikeable, as I could really envision them and felt a strong connection which them all. The author does such a good job at initially making you feel one way but then have you questioning your own interpretations. The story is set over two time lines, past and present, with both working together perfectly to tell the story. Although this is full of shocking scenes and darkness, by the end this powerful story makes you draw strength and feel the need to reflect. While there are a lot of serious topics explored, they are told in an expertly crafted and authentic way.
Having loved the previous book I read by Amanda Jennings and now this one, I ask myself why I haven’t read anymore by this talented author. I will definitely be diving into the rest. This is up there with one of my top books of the year, possibly even at the number one spot. I will be shouting about this to all! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
I am just going to start by saying how much I loved this book! Having previously read The Storm by Amanda Jennings and really enjoying it, I was keen to read this and I also found the synopsis and cover compelling. I am so pleased that I picked this up as I had such a great time reading and felt such a wide range of emotions. The writing style was beautiful and while at times I felt angry, at others I cried real tears.
I absolutely loved the characters, even though some were unlikeable, as I could really envision them and felt a strong connection which them all. The author does such a good job at initially making you feel one way but then have you questioning your own interpretations. The story is set over two time lines, past and present, with both working together perfectly to tell the story. Although this is full of shocking scenes and darkness, by the end this powerful story makes you draw strength and feel the need to reflect. While there are a lot of serious topics explored, they are told in an expertly crafted and authentic way.
Having loved the previous book I read by Amanda Jennings and now this one, I ask myself why I haven’t read anymore by this talented author. I will definitely be diving into the rest. This is up there with one of my top books of the year, possibly even at the number one spot. I will be shouting about this to all! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
November 11, 2024
When Victoria escapes her broken home for university in London, she is determined to reinvent herself & make a fresh start. She falls in love with Nick, who welcomes her into his privileged circle of friends, opening her eyes to a world she only ever dreamt of. 25 years later, the friends are reunited alongside a host of glittering guests to celebrate the wedding of Hollywood darling Ingrid Olsson to ruthlessly well-connected Julian Draper. Victoria has spent years trying to forget Nick & put the horror of what happened behind her but now she has to face the past she has tried so hard to bury. As the champagne flows & painful memories resurface, Victoria can’t shake the feeling that some people seem to get away with everything. But maybe not this time…
I read this book in two sittings, it would’ve been one but life inconveniently got in the way! I did not want to put this book down, each chapter left me wanting to know more and, even when a twist dawned on me, I had to keep reading to see if I was right and how!
At each stage of the story the vivid descriptive prose means that you can imagine every scene as it happens, from the location descriptions to the outfits the characters are wearing, I felt I was there, in the moment, with the action unfolding before my eyes. I also particularly enjoyed how certain perceptions are explained at the end, proving that not everything may be as it first appears in life.
This was the first title I have read by this author and I can guarantee you it won’t be my last, I was a huge fan of the captivating writing style in this title and I look forward to reading more by Amanda. A must read title, add it to your Christmas list now!
I read this book in two sittings, it would’ve been one but life inconveniently got in the way! I did not want to put this book down, each chapter left me wanting to know more and, even when a twist dawned on me, I had to keep reading to see if I was right and how!
At each stage of the story the vivid descriptive prose means that you can imagine every scene as it happens, from the location descriptions to the outfits the characters are wearing, I felt I was there, in the moment, with the action unfolding before my eyes. I also particularly enjoyed how certain perceptions are explained at the end, proving that not everything may be as it first appears in life.
This was the first title I have read by this author and I can guarantee you it won’t be my last, I was a huge fan of the captivating writing style in this title and I look forward to reading more by Amanda. A must read title, add it to your Christmas list now!
November 9, 2024
Another absolutely stunning read from Amanda Jennings - Beautiful People focuses around what my son always refers to as 'pretty privilege' whereby all the pretty people always get preferential treatment, and once you are aware of it you can see it happening everywhere as clear as day.
This dual time-lined story has a delicious darkness to it that will draw you in, there are some sweet, almost innocent little moments peppered among the hedonistic, arrogant, entitled, throbbing pulse that beats throughout the lives of the key characters.
Much like in her previous books, Jennings has absolutely nailed the excruciating feeling of being on the outside and not quite knowing how to fit in. Victoria, Vikki, Vix is the epitome of this as she tries again and again to reinvent herself and shoehorn herself into the mould of a 'beautiful person'.
There were many people in this book that I loved to hate and I was torn between feeling compassion for Victoria and wanting to shake her!
I would expect no less from this author but Beautiful People is a masterpiece in the fragility of human emotion and how we tie ourselves into self-imposed restrictive knots. It is a coming of age tale that is as old as the hills and shines a light on the parallels of depravity and entitlement of Hollywood, capturing perfectly the all too familiar #metoo culture that is synonymous with fame and fortune, yet also with our everyday mundane lives.
This dual time-lined story has a delicious darkness to it that will draw you in, there are some sweet, almost innocent little moments peppered among the hedonistic, arrogant, entitled, throbbing pulse that beats throughout the lives of the key characters.
Much like in her previous books, Jennings has absolutely nailed the excruciating feeling of being on the outside and not quite knowing how to fit in. Victoria, Vikki, Vix is the epitome of this as she tries again and again to reinvent herself and shoehorn herself into the mould of a 'beautiful person'.
There were many people in this book that I loved to hate and I was torn between feeling compassion for Victoria and wanting to shake her!
I would expect no less from this author but Beautiful People is a masterpiece in the fragility of human emotion and how we tie ourselves into self-imposed restrictive knots. It is a coming of age tale that is as old as the hills and shines a light on the parallels of depravity and entitlement of Hollywood, capturing perfectly the all too familiar #metoo culture that is synonymous with fame and fortune, yet also with our everyday mundane lives.
November 29, 2024
manda Jennings' Beautiful People is a captivating read that delves deep into the complexities of human emotions and relationships. The novel's strength lies in its well-developed characters and a plot that is both intricate and believable. Jennings masterfully touches on themes of grief, shame, and the journey of finding one's footing as a young adult.
The story follows Victoria, who escapes her troubled home life for university in London, only to find herself entangled in a world of privilege and dark secrets. The characters are incredibly realistic, and as the plot unfolds, my feelings towards them shifted based on their actions and the events that transpired. This dynamic character development kept me engaged and invested in their journeys. This book definitely deserves the moniker 'page-turner!'
Jennings' exploration of grief and shame is poignant and relatable, making the characters' struggles feel authentic. The plot is well-paced and filled with twists that keep the reader on their toes. The way Jennings weaves these themes into the narrative adds depth and makes for a compelling read.
Overall, Beautiful People is a thought-provoking novel that offers a profound look at the complexity each of us faces during life's journey and the impact events can have later on in life. It's a story about overcoming past traumas and finding strength in the face of adversity. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping and emotionally resonant read.
The story follows Victoria, who escapes her troubled home life for university in London, only to find herself entangled in a world of privilege and dark secrets. The characters are incredibly realistic, and as the plot unfolds, my feelings towards them shifted based on their actions and the events that transpired. This dynamic character development kept me engaged and invested in their journeys. This book definitely deserves the moniker 'page-turner!'
Jennings' exploration of grief and shame is poignant and relatable, making the characters' struggles feel authentic. The plot is well-paced and filled with twists that keep the reader on their toes. The way Jennings weaves these themes into the narrative adds depth and makes for a compelling read.
Overall, Beautiful People is a thought-provoking novel that offers a profound look at the complexity each of us faces during life's journey and the impact events can have later on in life. It's a story about overcoming past traumas and finding strength in the face of adversity. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping and emotionally resonant read.
November 23, 2024
Thirty years ago, I went backpacking and working abroad with Amanda. Even then, as we both wrote journals of our adventures, it was clear that she was a natural writer and storyteller. Fast forward three decades, and Amanda Jennings’s talent has evolved into something extraordinary.
Beautiful People is an absolutely gripping novel that I devoured in one weekend. I couldn’t put it down, racing through the pages to uncover the truth while simultaneously wanting to slow down and savour every beautifully crafted sentence. Amanda’s writing is exquisite—rich in imagery, brimming with raw emotion, and layered with artistic detail that brings the characters to life. The dual timeline where we meet Victoria in 2024 and then go back to Vix in her university days of 1999 adds depth, seamlessly merging in a finale packed with plot twists that I tried to second guess, but unsuccessfully!
As the story unfolds, the layers of deception, privilege, and vulnerability are peeled back, revealing a poignant tale of tragedy, resilience, and the human desire for acceptance and belonging. Amanda masterfully weaves themes of toxicity, friendship, entitlement, self awareness and personal reckoning, creating an emotional rollercoaster that left me both breathless and reflective. This is escapist fiction at its finest—beautifully written, emotionally charged, and utterly unforgettable.
Beautiful People is an absolutely gripping novel that I devoured in one weekend. I couldn’t put it down, racing through the pages to uncover the truth while simultaneously wanting to slow down and savour every beautifully crafted sentence. Amanda’s writing is exquisite—rich in imagery, brimming with raw emotion, and layered with artistic detail that brings the characters to life. The dual timeline where we meet Victoria in 2024 and then go back to Vix in her university days of 1999 adds depth, seamlessly merging in a finale packed with plot twists that I tried to second guess, but unsuccessfully!
As the story unfolds, the layers of deception, privilege, and vulnerability are peeled back, revealing a poignant tale of tragedy, resilience, and the human desire for acceptance and belonging. Amanda masterfully weaves themes of toxicity, friendship, entitlement, self awareness and personal reckoning, creating an emotional rollercoaster that left me both breathless and reflective. This is escapist fiction at its finest—beautifully written, emotionally charged, and utterly unforgettable.
November 11, 2024
I’ve read a few of the authors novels and this is definitely my favourite.
It’s a dual timeline novel set in 1999 when Victoria/Vix arrives at university in London and becomes friends with Nick who is part of a privileged clique that Vix immediately feels on the outside of. 25 years later Victoria is an artist living in Paris, thrown together again with Nick and his friends as they attend a wedding in Cornwall.
This is a beautifully written novel that really captures the feeling of being an outsider at university and an insightful portrayal of the privileged rich and beautiful people and their selfishness and self entitlement. Vix is a frustrating character and there were so many times I wanted her to walk away from Nick but could understand her attraction to him and the group as she was so isolated and desperate to escape her family life.
Beautiful People is a compelling read with a good twist and a satisfying ending. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
4.5 stars
It’s a dual timeline novel set in 1999 when Victoria/Vix arrives at university in London and becomes friends with Nick who is part of a privileged clique that Vix immediately feels on the outside of. 25 years later Victoria is an artist living in Paris, thrown together again with Nick and his friends as they attend a wedding in Cornwall.
This is a beautifully written novel that really captures the feeling of being an outsider at university and an insightful portrayal of the privileged rich and beautiful people and their selfishness and self entitlement. Vix is a frustrating character and there were so many times I wanted her to walk away from Nick but could understand her attraction to him and the group as she was so isolated and desperate to escape her family life.
Beautiful People is a compelling read with a good twist and a satisfying ending. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
4.5 stars
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