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Bad Girls with Perfect Faces
When I looked up, his smile was wide and real. “Ready?” he said.
I faked a smile back. I had gotten so good at faking things.
I thought: You brought this on yourself, Sasha. You will have to pretend forever now.
He squeezed my hand again. He couldn’t begin to imagine what this actually was. He had no idea what I’d done. What any of us had.
When Sasha’s best friend Xavier gets back together with his cheating ex, Ivy, Sasha knows she needs to protect him. So she poses as a guy online to lure Ivy away.
But Sasha’s plan goes sickeningly wrong. And she soon learns to be careful of who you pretend to be because you might be surprised by who you become…
I faked a smile back. I had gotten so good at faking things.
I thought: You brought this on yourself, Sasha. You will have to pretend forever now.
He squeezed my hand again. He couldn’t begin to imagine what this actually was. He had no idea what I’d done. What any of us had.
When Sasha’s best friend Xavier gets back together with his cheating ex, Ivy, Sasha knows she needs to protect him. So she poses as a guy online to lure Ivy away.
But Sasha’s plan goes sickeningly wrong. And she soon learns to be careful of who you pretend to be because you might be surprised by who you become…
285 pages, Hardcover
First published October 31, 2017
177 people are currently reading
11580 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Weingarten
9 books480 followersLynn Weingarten is a New York Times bestselling author living in Brooklyn. Her fifth young adult novel, BAD GIRLS WITH PERFECT FACES, was released in the US on Halloween 2017. It will be out in the UK on January 11th, 2018.
Her previous books include SUICIDE NOTES FROM BEAUTIFUL GIRLS (a NY Times bestseller, a YALSA Teens’ Top Ten book for 2016, one of Vanity Fair’s list of Best Books for July, and on The Guardian’s list of 5 of the Best in Young Adult Fiction), and WHEREVER NINA LIES (an ALA Top Ten Popular Paperback for Young Adults, a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, a YALSA Teen’s Top Ten Nominee and a Sequoyah Book Award Nominee)
In the past, Lynn edited books and developed ideas for Alloy Entertainment. She is currently Creative Director of Dovetail Fiction, a new sister company from the book packager Working Partners.
She can be found on Twitter and Instagram as @lynnweingarten
Her previous books include SUICIDE NOTES FROM BEAUTIFUL GIRLS (a NY Times bestseller, a YALSA Teens’ Top Ten book for 2016, one of Vanity Fair’s list of Best Books for July, and on The Guardian’s list of 5 of the Best in Young Adult Fiction), and WHEREVER NINA LIES (an ALA Top Ten Popular Paperback for Young Adults, a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, a YALSA Teen’s Top Ten Nominee and a Sequoyah Book Award Nominee)
In the past, Lynn edited books and developed ideas for Alloy Entertainment. She is currently Creative Director of Dovetail Fiction, a new sister company from the book packager Working Partners.
She can be found on Twitter and Instagram as @lynnweingarten
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 937 reviews
December 6, 2017
4.5 stars, rounded up, mainly because I can't get this one out of my head!!
Dennis, thank you for letting me know about this book. You weren't kidding when you said it was great!
Wild, a little campy, and totally addictive, I devoured Bad Girls with Perfect Faces in a matter of a few hours. What a great read for a lazy Sunday!
"Be careful when your feelings are too strong, when you love someone too much. A heart too full is like a bomb. One day it will explode."
Sasha and Xavier have been best friends for about a year. They seem to get each other perfectly, to speak a language unique only to them. When Xavier starts dating Ivy, Sasha doesn't get jealous or weird about it. She's there for Xavier when Ivy blows off their plans, and she calms his fears when he thinks Ivy might be cheating on him. And when they break up, and Xavier barely leaves his room for about a month, Sasha is there for him, trying to make him laugh, and helping him do anything but think about Ivy.
Lately, Sasha realizes her feelings for Xavier have changed. She needs to tell him how she feels, but she's afraid to jeopardize their friendship. She just can't keep it a secret anymore. Or maybe just a little longer.
Before Sasha gets her courage together, they run into Ivy at a club. She wants Xavier back. She promises it will be different this time, that she'll never hurt him again. But Sasha knows better. She doesn't want Xavier to hurt the way he did for the month he and Ivy were broken up, and of course, there are her own feelings to consider.
She needs to prove to Xavier once and for all that Ivy can't be trusted. She creates an online profile for a guy named Jake, and starts building a friendship with Ivy. She knows that Ivy won't be able to resist. But she has no idea what ripples she'll set off.
"Back then I couldn't have imagined what would happen later, how everything would twist around inside me. But that's the thing about life. No matter how smart you are, you'll just never be able to imagine any of what's coming for you, not until it's right there, standing on your throat."
There are a lot of plot twists to be had here, so I'm not going to say anything more. Suffice it to say, even when what happened was a campy and/or unrealistic, I was completely hooked, because I had to know what happened. The book is a little melodramatic, but it's a book about high school seniors, so weren't relationships cause for melodrama back then?
I have never read anything Lynn Weingarten has written, but I'm definitely a fan now. I found this book utterly irresistible and compulsively readable, and the characters fascinated me. It reminded me a little of Karen McManus' One of Us is Lying with its multiple narrators and the general mood of the book.
If you're looking for a book to keep your attention on a sleepless night or a lazy day, pick up Bad Girls with Perfect Faces. It's troubling but definitely a wild ride!!
See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....
October 12, 2017
Sasha's best friend is Xavier. And Xavier's ex-girlfriend is Ivy. But Ivy is now seeking to remove the 'ex' from that statement, despite her frequent emotional manipulation, disappearances, and cheating, when they were previously together. But not if Sasha can help it. Because she will do anything to protect her best friend from harm. Anything at all.
This started out as a rather cliched and predictable young adult contemporary. The writing was sublimely beautiful and gripped me from the very first, perfectly formed sentence, but the plot was, initially, a little lack-lustre. I was convinced I knew the direction the story was going and, perhaps if not so enamoured with the writing, would have disregarded this entirely.
But this is where this novel so cleverly grasps you in its clutches. For, it seemed, in the turn of a page and a subtle redirection from the author, this novel became something else to what it immediately appeared. Something I was completely unprepared for.
I won't say what exactly occurs, to allow the permeation of darkness to sweep over the contemporary elements of this novel, as the excitement lies entirely in the surprise. From about a third of the way in, I was intoxicated with everything about this novel and devoured in it one breathless and sleep-deprived sitting.
This is the thriller novel at its best and at its darkest. This is also a novel that deals with so many contemporary problems - from gender stereotypes, online relationships, sexuality, mental health... I could go on. Multi-layered, complex, immersive, and completely engaging, this is one not to be overlooked.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Lynn Weingarten, and the publisher, Simon Pulse, for this opportunity.
This started out as a rather cliched and predictable young adult contemporary. The writing was sublimely beautiful and gripped me from the very first, perfectly formed sentence, but the plot was, initially, a little lack-lustre. I was convinced I knew the direction the story was going and, perhaps if not so enamoured with the writing, would have disregarded this entirely.
But this is where this novel so cleverly grasps you in its clutches. For, it seemed, in the turn of a page and a subtle redirection from the author, this novel became something else to what it immediately appeared. Something I was completely unprepared for.
I won't say what exactly occurs, to allow the permeation of darkness to sweep over the contemporary elements of this novel, as the excitement lies entirely in the surprise. From about a third of the way in, I was intoxicated with everything about this novel and devoured in it one breathless and sleep-deprived sitting.
This is the thriller novel at its best and at its darkest. This is also a novel that deals with so many contemporary problems - from gender stereotypes, online relationships, sexuality, mental health... I could go on. Multi-layered, complex, immersive, and completely engaging, this is one not to be overlooked.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Lynn Weingarten, and the publisher, Simon Pulse, for this opportunity.
August 22, 2024
"When someone you cherish does something incomprehensible, you will find reasons to decide they are the exception. You will cling to the details, tell yourself, but this is different. But it never is."
Bad Girls with Perfect Faces
by Lynn Weingarten
My review:
Have you ever felt like something.....about to happen? Something ominous?
Maybe in a film you saw or in a TV show you watched? Or in the life of someone you knew? Or even your own?
There's this feeling....like you are about to be enveloped.....ensnared in DANGER? It is a subtle distant type of danger. A danger you have no idea what it is about or where it is hiding....(maybe in the trees? in the twilight?) You don't know what it's made of, you just know it has shown itself.
And it is coming for you. Soon you will know. But for now it is a mood that is omniscient. It is all around you and you just cannot escape it.
THAT IS THIS BOOK!!
Bad girls with Perfect Faces is a gem. It is startling and dark, moody and tragic....I really liked it. I think you will too.
I so do not want to give anything away. I sometimes give plot descriptions. Not for this one though. Not much anyway.
I will say that the central plot involves Sasha and Xavier who are best friends. Xavier has been dumped by his mindfuck...sorry...girlfriend..Ivy.
Ivy is the type of person who gets off on making her lovers as humanly miserable as possible. She has a contempt for goodness and loving her also comes with punishment...because Ivy, on some level, hates herself and she does her best to make her boyfriends hate her as well.
So when a chance encounter throws the sweet Xavier and the nasty Ivy back together, Sasha is terribly worried for her best friend Xavier. She knows he barely made it through his LAST breakup with Ivy. She is worried and does not want Ivy to fuck with her friend anymore. So she decides she will show him just how awful Ivy is.
Until it all goes horribly wrong.
OK..I have said to much already. If you like moody YA mysteries you have got to read this. It really pulls you in and makes you want to keep reading until the end. Which I did!
There are some excellent plot twists which I doubt you will see coming although you might THINK you do.
Now I have to put spoilers up. If you are reading this review and have yet to read this book and want to, please stop reading my review at this point.
SPOILERS:
I know I often contradict myself. Sometimes I say I like dark endings, sometimes I say I don't. I think it is really different for every book. My only complaint with this one is how tragic the end was. I felt for Sasha although she absolutely acted in some very self destructive ways. But I wish it had ended on a happier note. Part two, Author?
Anyway....this one was just what I needed tonight and I do recommend it...it has it all...great characters, an alluring story, deep atmosphere an d excellent plot twists. Four stars for a very well written book.
Bad Girls with Perfect Faces
by Lynn Weingarten
My review:
Have you ever felt like something.....about to happen? Something ominous?
Maybe in a film you saw or in a TV show you watched? Or in the life of someone you knew? Or even your own?
There's this feeling....like you are about to be enveloped.....ensnared in DANGER? It is a subtle distant type of danger. A danger you have no idea what it is about or where it is hiding....(maybe in the trees? in the twilight?) You don't know what it's made of, you just know it has shown itself.
And it is coming for you. Soon you will know. But for now it is a mood that is omniscient. It is all around you and you just cannot escape it.
THAT IS THIS BOOK!!
Bad girls with Perfect Faces is a gem. It is startling and dark, moody and tragic....I really liked it. I think you will too.
I so do not want to give anything away. I sometimes give plot descriptions. Not for this one though. Not much anyway.
I will say that the central plot involves Sasha and Xavier who are best friends. Xavier has been dumped by his mindfuck...sorry...girlfriend..Ivy.
Ivy is the type of person who gets off on making her lovers as humanly miserable as possible. She has a contempt for goodness and loving her also comes with punishment...because Ivy, on some level, hates herself and she does her best to make her boyfriends hate her as well.
So when a chance encounter throws the sweet Xavier and the nasty Ivy back together, Sasha is terribly worried for her best friend Xavier. She knows he barely made it through his LAST breakup with Ivy. She is worried and does not want Ivy to fuck with her friend anymore. So she decides she will show him just how awful Ivy is.
Until it all goes horribly wrong.
OK..I have said to much already. If you like moody YA mysteries you have got to read this. It really pulls you in and makes you want to keep reading until the end. Which I did!
There are some excellent plot twists which I doubt you will see coming although you might THINK you do.
Now I have to put spoilers up. If you are reading this review and have yet to read this book and want to, please stop reading my review at this point.
SPOILERS:
I know I often contradict myself. Sometimes I say I like dark endings, sometimes I say I don't. I think it is really different for every book. My only complaint with this one is how tragic the end was. I felt for Sasha although she absolutely acted in some very self destructive ways. But I wish it had ended on a happier note. Part two, Author?
Anyway....this one was just what I needed tonight and I do recommend it...it has it all...great characters, an alluring story, deep atmosphere an d excellent plot twists. Four stars for a very well written book.
November 21, 2018
5 Words: Friendship, love, manipulation, secrets, lies.
When I picked this up, I have to confess I was expecting something a little Pretty Little Liars ish. Something mostly light, with a slight attempt at darkness. Something that I could easily predict. I was wrong.
Bad Girls With Perfect Faces is twisted and twisting. Just as I thought I had it figured out, I'd turn the page and be wrong. So wrong. It's like the writing was set up to make me think it was going to be a predictable cliche. After a slow start, all of a sudden it changed. I never felt at ease reading this story, I knew that whenever I felt I'd figured it all out that I'd be tripped up.
The story is gripping and addictive. It actually surprised me.
Make no mistake, this book is DARK. I loved the intoxicating toxicity of the relationships, the complexity of the plot, the steady drip of the truth between the split narrative. Although it took a small while to get going, I could not put it down.
The writing itself I thought was fantastic - even the writing style changes with the characters as the story progresses.
When I picked this up, I have to confess I was expecting something a little Pretty Little Liars ish. Something mostly light, with a slight attempt at darkness. Something that I could easily predict. I was wrong.
Bad Girls With Perfect Faces is twisted and twisting. Just as I thought I had it figured out, I'd turn the page and be wrong. So wrong. It's like the writing was set up to make me think it was going to be a predictable cliche. After a slow start, all of a sudden it changed. I never felt at ease reading this story, I knew that whenever I felt I'd figured it all out that I'd be tripped up.
The story is gripping and addictive. It actually surprised me.
Make no mistake, this book is DARK. I loved the intoxicating toxicity of the relationships, the complexity of the plot, the steady drip of the truth between the split narrative. Although it took a small while to get going, I could not put it down.
The writing itself I thought was fantastic - even the writing style changes with the characters as the story progresses.
December 2, 2017
5 stars!
I really didn't think I'd find a YA novel before the new year to give 5 stars to, but I'm pleasantly surprised! Lynn Weingarten's Bad Girls with Perfect Faces is the perfect YA quick-read to pick up this year. Main character, high school student Sasha, has a platonic friendship with fellow student Xavier, but dreams to one day make the next step towards having a romantic relationship with him. Sasha sets the perfect night to reveal her true feelings for Xavier—his birthday celebration. Sasha and Xavier have a low key celebration, partying at the local dive bar, and everything is set in motion, until Xavier's ex-girlfriend Ivy shows up. Ivy is a manipulative, impulsive, and a somewhat sociopathic foil to Sasha's plans. Xavier and Ivy end up rekindling their romance that night—spiraling Sasha to the point of no return.
Sasha arrives back at her place and plots her revenge. To prove Ivy's disloyal behavior, Sasha poses as a guy on Instagram and sets up the account perfectly. She plans on catfishing Ivy and showing Xavier exactly what kind of person he is dealing with. That is, until something horribly goes wrong.
Guys and gals, it's happened. I fell in love with a YA novel. Bad Girls with Perfect Faces is campy, dark, dramatic, and the ending is CHILLING. Honestly no tea/no shade, but this is everything that There's Someone Inside Your House tried to be and failed. Sure, the level of campiness here may not be suitable for everyone, but it really is a contemporary piece of a dramatic love story that is not only raw, but captivating (who knew?).
I really enjoyed that this book didn't carry on for longer than it needed to. At less than 300 pages, Ms. Weingarten covers the entire story, throwing twists that you will not see coming along the way. I was happy that this could be finished in either one or two sittings easily. Now what's my next read by Lynn Weingarten?
I really didn't think I'd find a YA novel before the new year to give 5 stars to, but I'm pleasantly surprised! Lynn Weingarten's Bad Girls with Perfect Faces is the perfect YA quick-read to pick up this year. Main character, high school student Sasha, has a platonic friendship with fellow student Xavier, but dreams to one day make the next step towards having a romantic relationship with him. Sasha sets the perfect night to reveal her true feelings for Xavier—his birthday celebration. Sasha and Xavier have a low key celebration, partying at the local dive bar, and everything is set in motion, until Xavier's ex-girlfriend Ivy shows up. Ivy is a manipulative, impulsive, and a somewhat sociopathic foil to Sasha's plans. Xavier and Ivy end up rekindling their romance that night—spiraling Sasha to the point of no return.
Sasha arrives back at her place and plots her revenge. To prove Ivy's disloyal behavior, Sasha poses as a guy on Instagram and sets up the account perfectly. She plans on catfishing Ivy and showing Xavier exactly what kind of person he is dealing with. That is, until something horribly goes wrong.
Guys and gals, it's happened. I fell in love with a YA novel. Bad Girls with Perfect Faces is campy, dark, dramatic, and the ending is CHILLING. Honestly no tea/no shade, but this is everything that There's Someone Inside Your House tried to be and failed. Sure, the level of campiness here may not be suitable for everyone, but it really is a contemporary piece of a dramatic love story that is not only raw, but captivating (who knew?).
I really enjoyed that this book didn't carry on for longer than it needed to. At less than 300 pages, Ms. Weingarten covers the entire story, throwing twists that you will not see coming along the way. I was happy that this could be finished in either one or two sittings easily. Now what's my next read by Lynn Weingarten?
July 31, 2018
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
3.5 Stars
“No one thinks the people they love are monsters. Because love is the biggest liar of all.”
Since it’s Young Adult Week, what better time than the present to post a review for a book I read LAST FLIPPING YEAR. Man I suck.
Anyway, since:
(1) I read this eleventy weeks ago; and
(2) it’s a mystery
I can’t say much about it.
Please note that:
(1) I am a lover of the teenie bopper book so my Starzzzzzz might be different than a non-teenie-bopping-thriller-connoisseur; and
(2) it featured my pretty much favorite topic ever . . . . .
There’s your caveat emptor. Don’t blame me if you don’t lurrrrrv it.
3.5 Stars
“No one thinks the people they love are monsters. Because love is the biggest liar of all.”
Since it’s Young Adult Week, what better time than the present to post a review for a book I read LAST FLIPPING YEAR. Man I suck.
Anyway, since:
(1) I read this eleventy weeks ago; and
(2) it’s a mystery
I can’t say much about it.
Please note that:
(1) I am a lover of the teenie bopper book so my Starzzzzzz might be different than a non-teenie-bopping-thriller-connoisseur; and
(2) it featured my pretty much favorite topic ever . . . . .
There’s your caveat emptor. Don’t blame me if you don’t lurrrrrv it.
November 10, 2017
Bad Girls' With Perfect Faces by Lynn Weingarten was a dark, twisted tale of friendship, jealousy and misunderstanding. This is a Young Adult novel with a few twists and turns. Some people's addiction to Social Media play a big part in this story. It was a very interesting read. I would like to thank NetGalley and Egmont Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 27, 2019
3.5 stars
That was totally unexpected. With the title, I was kind of waiting for a Mean Girls type of story but this was totally different and not bad at all.
Told in different POVs, this is a story of how a love for someone could go horribly wrong and how one person would do anything for the person he/she loves even if it is bad. The characters are pretty messed up really. Just like the old saying goes, “All is fair in love and war.”
The story is fast-paced and the writing is good. It’s natural and compelling and easy to read. It’s definitely for more mature readers though because the language is quite harsh and there are scenes that are way too mature for younger readers.
There isn’t a dull moment which sometimes happens in some psychological-thrillers where too much musings and descriptions could take the thrill out. There are several surprising twists that I wouldn’t have guessed so plus points for that.
Overall, it’s a satisfying mature YA-thriller that can be read in one sitting.
That was totally unexpected. With the title, I was kind of waiting for a Mean Girls type of story but this was totally different and not bad at all.
Told in different POVs, this is a story of how a love for someone could go horribly wrong and how one person would do anything for the person he/she loves even if it is bad. The characters are pretty messed up really. Just like the old saying goes, “All is fair in love and war.”
The story is fast-paced and the writing is good. It’s natural and compelling and easy to read. It’s definitely for more mature readers though because the language is quite harsh and there are scenes that are way too mature for younger readers.
There isn’t a dull moment which sometimes happens in some psychological-thrillers where too much musings and descriptions could take the thrill out. There are several surprising twists that I wouldn’t have guessed so plus points for that.
Overall, it’s a satisfying mature YA-thriller that can be read in one sitting.
December 28, 2017
3.5 stars
"Bad Girls sink their teeth in.
Bad Girls use every weapon they have.
Bad Girls know there is no right and no wrong. There is just what you're willing to do. What you need to do.
Here is what I did."
Bad Girls with Perfect Faces is a short read but the context of it can speak volumes for those are in manipulative relationships. Not to mention what someone is willing to do in order to protect the person they love.
Sasha has been in love with her friend Xavier for a while now and wants to confess her true feelings. Just when she is about to do it, in walks Ivy, Xavier's ex and she's bringing in some trouble. Sasha knows Ivy is not good news considering how she cheated on Xavier and caused him to go into a slump. In order to protect Xavier, Sasha creates a fake persona online and starts to chat with Ivy, hoping to prove that she isn't trustworthy enough to be with Xavier.
From the start, the story does sound like a bit of a cliche. And even predictable at some points. But that's the first half. The second half goes dark very fast.
I can really appreciate what Lynn did with the second half of the story as well as how she handled such a very tough subject of manipulation. If anything, the second half of the story is where it shines best. The first half was okay but had some parts that did annoy me a bit, which is why I'm giving the book 3.5 stars.
My gripes would have to be with the first half of the story and some of the dialogue. The first half is cliche and predictable at times but it didn't deter me from reading because I wanted to see where it would go. Plus, the dialogue spoken from some of the characters didn't feel read. It felt forced and didn't flow well. I know everyone has their own quirks with their words, but it felt odd and a bit forced at times.
But the second half goes the extra mile. Like, takes-the-bull-by-the-horns extra mile. I can't go in depth with it because of spoilers, but it went in a new direction I didn't see coming and was pleasantly surprised by it. I wouldn't say this was a thriller, but I was very invested in knowing what would happen.
The characters themselves are what made the story all the more interesting. You could either like or hate Sasha and Xavier depending on their actions. The best way to describe them would be complex because of what they do and what they think. They aren't perfect characters and can make rash decisions, but they aren't bad.
Sasha is a devoted friend who genuinely wants to protect Xavier but does it in a way that could backfire and may even ruin the friendship. Even if she herself is lying to Xavier, she still does it to protect him from Ivy knowing well that it could break his heart should he find out the real truth.
I've seen a lot of mixed thoughts about Xavier and while I do understand why some people may not like him, there is more to him that a weak character. Keep in mind, he has been manipulated by Ivy so many times that he is willing to forgive her even after she does something bad. That is pretty common in cases where a person is being controlled by their significant other. There were times when I did want to knock some sense into Xavier but I also sympathized with him. He does have his own feelings but can't really express them. So, I did like his character.
I think my most favorite aspect of the story would have to be how Lynn made this a novel about manipulation. This is not a light fluffy read as you can guess by the title and the synopsis. It gets really dark when you find out about what Xavier is experiencing due to Ivy's manipulation. There are people out there who are in Xavier's situation where they know the relationship is very toxic but stay because their significant other is manipulating them. Ivy does this constantly by crying and saying she's sorry. The worse thing is, Ivy knows that Xavier won't do anything about it and takes advantage of him. Plus she did something in the first half that really pissed my off to no end. She is literal human trash.
Ivy is one big See You Next Tuesday.
The subject matter is dark, but it shows that this kind of things happens.
"Life messes us up in so many ways, messes all of us right the hell up. And when we fumble and bumble around, crashing into one another, stepping on toes and hearts, it's not on purpose. Being a person is nearly impossible."
Verdict
The first half did have some parts where I wasn't a fan of but the second half is what really took the cake as well as Sasha and Xavier. It's a short read so if you're interested in reading it, then go ahead.
Thanks for reading my review!
-Cesar
"Bad Girls sink their teeth in.
Bad Girls use every weapon they have.
Bad Girls know there is no right and no wrong. There is just what you're willing to do. What you need to do.
Here is what I did."
Bad Girls with Perfect Faces is a short read but the context of it can speak volumes for those are in manipulative relationships. Not to mention what someone is willing to do in order to protect the person they love.
Sasha has been in love with her friend Xavier for a while now and wants to confess her true feelings. Just when she is about to do it, in walks Ivy, Xavier's ex and she's bringing in some trouble. Sasha knows Ivy is not good news considering how she cheated on Xavier and caused him to go into a slump. In order to protect Xavier, Sasha creates a fake persona online and starts to chat with Ivy, hoping to prove that she isn't trustworthy enough to be with Xavier.
From the start, the story does sound like a bit of a cliche. And even predictable at some points. But that's the first half. The second half goes dark very fast.
I can really appreciate what Lynn did with the second half of the story as well as how she handled such a very tough subject of manipulation. If anything, the second half of the story is where it shines best. The first half was okay but had some parts that did annoy me a bit, which is why I'm giving the book 3.5 stars.
My gripes would have to be with the first half of the story and some of the dialogue. The first half is cliche and predictable at times but it didn't deter me from reading because I wanted to see where it would go. Plus, the dialogue spoken from some of the characters didn't feel read. It felt forced and didn't flow well. I know everyone has their own quirks with their words, but it felt odd and a bit forced at times.
But the second half goes the extra mile. Like, takes-the-bull-by-the-horns extra mile. I can't go in depth with it because of spoilers, but it went in a new direction I didn't see coming and was pleasantly surprised by it. I wouldn't say this was a thriller, but I was very invested in knowing what would happen.
The characters themselves are what made the story all the more interesting. You could either like or hate Sasha and Xavier depending on their actions. The best way to describe them would be complex because of what they do and what they think. They aren't perfect characters and can make rash decisions, but they aren't bad.
Sasha is a devoted friend who genuinely wants to protect Xavier but does it in a way that could backfire and may even ruin the friendship. Even if she herself is lying to Xavier, she still does it to protect him from Ivy knowing well that it could break his heart should he find out the real truth.
I've seen a lot of mixed thoughts about Xavier and while I do understand why some people may not like him, there is more to him that a weak character. Keep in mind, he has been manipulated by Ivy so many times that he is willing to forgive her even after she does something bad. That is pretty common in cases where a person is being controlled by their significant other. There were times when I did want to knock some sense into Xavier but I also sympathized with him. He does have his own feelings but can't really express them. So, I did like his character.
I think my most favorite aspect of the story would have to be how Lynn made this a novel about manipulation. This is not a light fluffy read as you can guess by the title and the synopsis. It gets really dark when you find out about what Xavier is experiencing due to Ivy's manipulation. There are people out there who are in Xavier's situation where they know the relationship is very toxic but stay because their significant other is manipulating them. Ivy does this constantly by crying and saying she's sorry. The worse thing is, Ivy knows that Xavier won't do anything about it and takes advantage of him. Plus she did something in the first half that really pissed my off to no end. She is literal human trash.
Ivy is one big See You Next Tuesday.
The subject matter is dark, but it shows that this kind of things happens.
"Life messes us up in so many ways, messes all of us right the hell up. And when we fumble and bumble around, crashing into one another, stepping on toes and hearts, it's not on purpose. Being a person is nearly impossible."
Verdict
The first half did have some parts where I wasn't a fan of but the second half is what really took the cake as well as Sasha and Xavier. It's a short read so if you're interested in reading it, then go ahead.
Thanks for reading my review!
-Cesar
November 3, 2017
I ran through this within about a day. I’d rate this 4 Stars. I don’t normally read YA but Bad Girls With Perfect Faces by Lynn Weingarten was calling my name. I mean, the blurb? Exactly.
So what’s it about? Sasha is (secretly) hands down just in love with her BFF, Xavier. They have been best friends for a long time. Sasha has helped him during his lowest point, she would do anything for him. The night Sasha plans to tell Xavier the truth about her feelings they run into his ex, Ivy, and HER BFF, Gwen. Of course Ivy comes crying back to Xavier. Now, Sasha knows she has to stop them. Immediately. She needs a plan. She decides to make a fake Instagram account to prove to Xavier how much of a sketchball Ivy really is. Sure enough, Ivy does respond to “Jake” aka Sasha. They actually text for weeks until... Sasha decides it’s time to meet. Annnnd, I’m stopping there!
Xavier was really weak to me. He was needy and kind of pathetic but nice lol. I enjoyed Sasha’s character. She was good for Xavier. Ivy was one of those jealous young girls who gets what she wants.
There were a few twists in Bad Girls With Perfect Faces. I was like pretty surprised with them. I saw a few reviews saying that this book is dark but to me it wasn’t at all.
So what’s it about? Sasha is (secretly) hands down just in love with her BFF, Xavier. They have been best friends for a long time. Sasha has helped him during his lowest point, she would do anything for him. The night Sasha plans to tell Xavier the truth about her feelings they run into his ex, Ivy, and HER BFF, Gwen. Of course Ivy comes crying back to Xavier. Now, Sasha knows she has to stop them. Immediately. She needs a plan. She decides to make a fake Instagram account to prove to Xavier how much of a sketchball Ivy really is. Sure enough, Ivy does respond to “Jake” aka Sasha. They actually text for weeks until... Sasha decides it’s time to meet. Annnnd, I’m stopping there!
Xavier was really weak to me. He was needy and kind of pathetic but nice lol. I enjoyed Sasha’s character. She was good for Xavier. Ivy was one of those jealous young girls who gets what she wants.
There were a few twists in Bad Girls With Perfect Faces. I was like pretty surprised with them. I saw a few reviews saying that this book is dark but to me it wasn’t at all.
May 28, 2018
Initial thoughts... I thought this book was a little messed up.
The carefully crafted plot led to me believing one thing and then turns out it is something more confusing and strange than I would have thought.
I did have a few issues with this book.
Firstly, the writing style. This book was written in all three of the different pov: first, second and third. I can understand writing in two of these, I don't mind that, but when you have written in all three it makes me a little confused.
Secondly, the length of this book. For a story like this, I felt like it was too short. It definitely could have been longer.
Lastly, I did not connect with any of the characters. I felt there were aspects of the story that were unrealistic.
To be on the positive side, there were things I actually liked about it, like the plot.
Every new piece of information was something that I would not have guessed. I have read enough of these kinds of thrillers where sometimes it can be very easy to guess what will happen. But I didn't with this book. Close to nothing was predictable.
The carefully crafted plot led to me believing one thing and then turns out it is something more confusing and strange than I would have thought.
I did have a few issues with this book.
Firstly, the writing style. This book was written in all three of the different pov: first, second and third. I can understand writing in two of these, I don't mind that, but when you have written in all three it makes me a little confused.
Secondly, the length of this book. For a story like this, I felt like it was too short. It definitely could have been longer.
Lastly, I did not connect with any of the characters. I felt there were aspects of the story that were unrealistic.
To be on the positive side, there were things I actually liked about it, like the plot.
Every new piece of information was something that I would not have guessed. I have read enough of these kinds of thrillers where sometimes it can be very easy to guess what will happen. But I didn't with this book. Close to nothing was predictable.
October 9, 2017
I was a huge fan of Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls so when invited to advance read the new novel from Lynn Weingarten, I didn't hesitate. Nor did I put in in the queue just dove straight in. For all the right reasons it turns out..
Like Suicide Notes this is a story featuring young adults but with a very adult theme - Sasha will do anything to protect best friend Xavier, caught up in an unhealthy relationship with an obviously very damaged girl - but what damage will that do to Sasha herself? And, inadvertently, to any number of people...
What I love about this is the depth given to the characters, the very real emotional core of the storytelling that puts you exactly where they are - you almost understand everything they do even when they are doing terrible things, it has that thought provoking "what would I do?" vibe throughout the narrative that leaves you ultimately a little melancholy. The tale twists and turns, Sasha sinks deeper into the mire, misunderstandings and assumptions cause chaos and it is totally totally gripping and realistically emotive.
It is beautifully written to immerse you into the lives of Sasha and the rest, one thing this author has proven with this book is she knows how to write an ending. Oh boy does she! The ending of Suicide Notes was cleverly divisive and the ultimate last moments of Bad Girls is another one that will leave you going back and worrying at it for a long time. Clever plotting, engaging and multi layered characters makes Bad Girls With Perfect Faces a right old page turner with a huge dose of soul.
Highly Recommended.
Like Suicide Notes this is a story featuring young adults but with a very adult theme - Sasha will do anything to protect best friend Xavier, caught up in an unhealthy relationship with an obviously very damaged girl - but what damage will that do to Sasha herself? And, inadvertently, to any number of people...
What I love about this is the depth given to the characters, the very real emotional core of the storytelling that puts you exactly where they are - you almost understand everything they do even when they are doing terrible things, it has that thought provoking "what would I do?" vibe throughout the narrative that leaves you ultimately a little melancholy. The tale twists and turns, Sasha sinks deeper into the mire, misunderstandings and assumptions cause chaos and it is totally totally gripping and realistically emotive.
It is beautifully written to immerse you into the lives of Sasha and the rest, one thing this author has proven with this book is she knows how to write an ending. Oh boy does she! The ending of Suicide Notes was cleverly divisive and the ultimate last moments of Bad Girls is another one that will leave you going back and worrying at it for a long time. Clever plotting, engaging and multi layered characters makes Bad Girls With Perfect Faces a right old page turner with a huge dose of soul.
Highly Recommended.
March 16, 2021
I am not okay.
It's 1 AM and I just realized I've spent the entire afternoon/night reading this. Read it in one sitting. Only breaks I made were to take a deeeeep breath.
I am in a state of shock.
RTC when I pull myself together.
UPDATE:
I pulled myself together, but I still don't know how to write a proper review.
This story revolves around a girl who's catfishing her best friend's girlfriend in order to prove to him she would cheat.
And I was warned about the dark turn this book takes, but I didn't believe it could get THAT bad. I mean, catfishing is not okay, but how wrong can it really go?
Apparently, terrifyingly wrong.
Both my head and my stomach were turning, I swear I wanted to cry out of desperation.
I didn't see the plot twist coming either, so good job Lynn Weingarten, I can't wait to read the rest of your books!
It's 1 AM and I just realized I've spent the entire afternoon/night reading this. Read it in one sitting. Only breaks I made were to take a deeeeep breath.
I am in a state of shock.
RTC when I pull myself together.
UPDATE:
I pulled myself together, but I still don't know how to write a proper review.
This story revolves around a girl who's catfishing her best friend's girlfriend in order to prove to him she would cheat.
And I was warned about the dark turn this book takes, but I didn't believe it could get THAT bad. I mean, catfishing is not okay, but how wrong can it really go?
Apparently, terrifyingly wrong.
Both my head and my stomach were turning, I swear I wanted to cry out of desperation.
I didn't see the plot twist coming either, so good job Lynn Weingarten, I can't wait to read the rest of your books!
January 25, 2020
Give me all the yummy darkness.
Bad Girls with Perfect Faces was such a good book. It had so many things happening throughout it which made me sit on the edge of my seat. It also made me think of some previous books I've read throughout the years but it also seemed a smidge different?
There's not many books out there that deal with this level of catfishing.. among other things. Besides keeping me on the edge of my seat, I honestly loved each and every character that I've met. Well, except for Ivy. I absolutely hated the self-centered bitch. Now Xavier and Sasha were absolutely adorable. I honestly couldn't help rooting for them until the very end. Even if Sasha does do some dumb stuff throughout the book and doesn't necessarily tell Xavier about her mastermind plan to find out the real Ivy.
Overall, it was so freaking good and I most definitely need another book by this author!
Bad Girls with Perfect Faces was such a good book. It had so many things happening throughout it which made me sit on the edge of my seat. It also made me think of some previous books I've read throughout the years but it also seemed a smidge different?
There's not many books out there that deal with this level of catfishing.. among other things. Besides keeping me on the edge of my seat, I honestly loved each and every character that I've met. Well, except for Ivy. I absolutely hated the self-centered bitch. Now Xavier and Sasha were absolutely adorable. I honestly couldn't help rooting for them until the very end. Even if Sasha does do some dumb stuff throughout the book and doesn't necessarily tell Xavier about her mastermind plan to find out the real Ivy.
Overall, it was so freaking good and I most definitely need another book by this author!
November 11, 2017
Thanks to the publisher who provided me a copy of this book via netgalley!
When I looked up, his smile was wide and real. “Ready?” he said.
I faked a smile back. I had gotten so good at faking things.
I thought: You brought this on yourself, Sasha. You will have to pretend forever now.
He squeezed my hand again. He couldn’t begin to imagine what this actually was. He had no idea what I’d done. What any of us had.
Can you hear me screaming from here "cover lust" ? Because I'm screaming and it's real, that cover is absolutely gorgeous and I adore how the title and the cover work so perfectly together.
This book is about two friends, Xavier and Sasha, the relationship they have with one another, the relationships they have with other characters and how that influence everything in the end. Bad Girls with Perfect Faces is a very wicked tale of morally grey characters doing rather questionable things.
It's kind of difficult to review this book because I don't want to reveal anything to you because it would be totally fun-ruining. But it's also hard to fangirl over it/rant over it without spoiling anything. So, I'll try to speak less of the plot and more of the way the book will make you feel.
This book shows perfectly how obsession can make people do very crazy things. I feel like every character in this book had a very dark kind of attachment towards someone. There were no healthy relationships in this one, only these very strong, intense connections.
I loved Sasha, she was a very complex character, very loyal to those she loved (I think her loyalty could be her downfall, actually). I adored the scheming plots that took place in the book, it was interesting to see how the 'bad' characters weren't punished in the end, but it was also a very open ending, building up the suspense that it might happen sometime in the future.
To be honest, I felt bad about most of these characters, they were so messed up (usually because they had some family issues or self-esteem issues or whatever) that you could barely hold them accountable for what they did. I felt like Weingarten did a great job at making you feel sorry for these characters. You knew what they were doing was very troubled, but you couldn't help understand their reasons behind their actions.
I took off a star from this one because I felt like after the climax, things weren't as interesting as before, it might have been my mood, I don't know. But I didn't really feel it, I wasn't really interested in Sasha and Xavier's trip.
Also, I thought Xavier, as a character, was a bit too bland. It might be because he was surrounded by those girls who had such strong personalities and completely overshadowed him.
When I looked up, his smile was wide and real. “Ready?” he said.
I faked a smile back. I had gotten so good at faking things.
I thought: You brought this on yourself, Sasha. You will have to pretend forever now.
He squeezed my hand again. He couldn’t begin to imagine what this actually was. He had no idea what I’d done. What any of us had.
Can you hear me screaming from here "cover lust" ? Because I'm screaming and it's real, that cover is absolutely gorgeous and I adore how the title and the cover work so perfectly together.
This book is about two friends, Xavier and Sasha, the relationship they have with one another, the relationships they have with other characters and how that influence everything in the end. Bad Girls with Perfect Faces is a very wicked tale of morally grey characters doing rather questionable things.
It's kind of difficult to review this book because I don't want to reveal anything to you because it would be totally fun-ruining. But it's also hard to fangirl over it/rant over it without spoiling anything. So, I'll try to speak less of the plot and more of the way the book will make you feel.
This book shows perfectly how obsession can make people do very crazy things. I feel like every character in this book had a very dark kind of attachment towards someone. There were no healthy relationships in this one, only these very strong, intense connections.
I loved Sasha, she was a very complex character, very loyal to those she loved (I think her loyalty could be her downfall, actually). I adored the scheming plots that took place in the book, it was interesting to see how the 'bad' characters weren't punished in the end, but it was also a very open ending, building up the suspense that it might happen sometime in the future.
To be honest, I felt bad about most of these characters, they were so messed up (usually because they had some family issues or self-esteem issues or whatever) that you could barely hold them accountable for what they did. I felt like Weingarten did a great job at making you feel sorry for these characters. You knew what they were doing was very troubled, but you couldn't help understand their reasons behind their actions.
I took off a star from this one because I felt like after the climax, things weren't as interesting as before, it might have been my mood, I don't know. But I didn't really feel it, I wasn't really interested in Sasha and Xavier's trip.
Also, I thought Xavier, as a character, was a bit too bland. It might be because he was surrounded by those girls who had such strong personalities and completely overshadowed him.
November 1, 2017
4 WTF stars!!!
Eu nem sei o que dizer sobre esse livro, ainda estou tentando digerir tudo e principalmente esse final...
Mas, uma coisa é certa: essa história me surpreendeu muito com o rumo que tomou e com revelações que eu realmente não esperava!!!!
A leitura valeu super a pena porque eu adoro surpresas e tenho a impressão que não esquecerei desse tão cedo...
Eu nem sei o que dizer sobre esse livro, ainda estou tentando digerir tudo e principalmente esse final...
Mas, uma coisa é certa: essa história me surpreendeu muito com o rumo que tomou e com revelações que eu realmente não esperava!!!!
A leitura valeu super a pena porque eu adoro surpresas e tenho a impressão que não esquecerei desse tão cedo...
January 31, 2018
Release Date: October 31, 2017
Genre: Young Adult Thriller
Bad Girls with Perfect Faces gives readers an in depth look at how one small mistake can cause a huge ripple effect on a ton of people. When I first started reading this, I thought that it was quite dull. The first 40-50 percent of the novel follows two people who are secretly in love with one another (neither knows it though) but don't quite connect outside of being friends. Then the author adds in a bitchy and lame girlfriend who makes the guys life a living hell because she stands him up all the time and never answers his texts. It's clear to everyone that she is a lying cheat, but he doesn't want to believe it. Drama filled, right? Due to all of this I ALMOST didn't finish it. But then something changed... And the book got a lot more interesting...
MORE ABOUT THE BOOK
When you are secretly in love with someone (or even not so secretly) you will do anything in your power to protect them. This is exactly what the main character, Sasha, does for Xavier. You see, Sasha knows that Ivy is cheating on him, but he doesn't seem to be catching on to it. So she goes undercover as a male and seduces Ivy through text messages. The whole point of this all is to prove to Xavier once and for all that he is getting cheated on. But then something goes terribly wrong and Ivy is found dead on the exact night that Sasha was going to confront her. So what does she do?
As you are reading this novel you are going to go down a very dark rabbit whole and the title of the story is going to make a lot of sense to you. You are going to FEEL every bit of the thrill and every aspect of the suspense the happens. You will also get very deep into the mind of someone who is not quite right in the head... I think you'll enjoy the ride. Just be sure to expect the unexpected. Because you probably won't see the ending coming until it is literally dropped in your lap.
OVERALL THOUGHTS OF THE BOOK
Overall, I LIKED this book. I didn't love it because as I mentioned above, the beginning of it was pretty dull (for me). But I can see why the author treated the first half of this book as such. It's kind of like the big build up to the bang. So on a whole, I enjoyed the book for the most part.
If you're looking for a twisty read, this would certainly be a good one for you. It's fast paced, interesting, and has a lot going on. The characters are all pretty messed up in their own right, and I liked how we got to get into their heads. However, be warned that the book goes from first person POV to third depending on the character narration. I thought this was a bit bizarre but also clever.
ACTUAL RATING 3.5 stars
PURCHASE A COPY
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2DQ2QjV
Amazon Print: http://amzn.to/2DYPCol
Listen with Audible: http://amzn.to/2E1fv6U
Want more book reviews, recommendations, sales, upcoming releases, and other bookish stuff?? You can find all of this on my blog >> http://bit.ly/2zWy7QJ
LET'S CONNECT!!!
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/PrettyLilBooks
Genre: Young Adult Thriller
Bad Girls with Perfect Faces gives readers an in depth look at how one small mistake can cause a huge ripple effect on a ton of people. When I first started reading this, I thought that it was quite dull. The first 40-50 percent of the novel follows two people who are secretly in love with one another (neither knows it though) but don't quite connect outside of being friends. Then the author adds in a bitchy and lame girlfriend who makes the guys life a living hell because she stands him up all the time and never answers his texts. It's clear to everyone that she is a lying cheat, but he doesn't want to believe it. Drama filled, right? Due to all of this I ALMOST didn't finish it. But then something changed... And the book got a lot more interesting...
MORE ABOUT THE BOOK
When you are secretly in love with someone (or even not so secretly) you will do anything in your power to protect them. This is exactly what the main character, Sasha, does for Xavier. You see, Sasha knows that Ivy is cheating on him, but he doesn't seem to be catching on to it. So she goes undercover as a male and seduces Ivy through text messages. The whole point of this all is to prove to Xavier once and for all that he is getting cheated on. But then something goes terribly wrong and Ivy is found dead on the exact night that Sasha was going to confront her. So what does she do?
As you are reading this novel you are going to go down a very dark rabbit whole and the title of the story is going to make a lot of sense to you. You are going to FEEL every bit of the thrill and every aspect of the suspense the happens. You will also get very deep into the mind of someone who is not quite right in the head... I think you'll enjoy the ride. Just be sure to expect the unexpected. Because you probably won't see the ending coming until it is literally dropped in your lap.
OVERALL THOUGHTS OF THE BOOK
Overall, I LIKED this book. I didn't love it because as I mentioned above, the beginning of it was pretty dull (for me). But I can see why the author treated the first half of this book as such. It's kind of like the big build up to the bang. So on a whole, I enjoyed the book for the most part.
If you're looking for a twisty read, this would certainly be a good one for you. It's fast paced, interesting, and has a lot going on. The characters are all pretty messed up in their own right, and I liked how we got to get into their heads. However, be warned that the book goes from first person POV to third depending on the character narration. I thought this was a bit bizarre but also clever.
ACTUAL RATING 3.5 stars
PURCHASE A COPY
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2DQ2QjV
Amazon Print: http://amzn.to/2DYPCol
Listen with Audible: http://amzn.to/2E1fv6U
Want more book reviews, recommendations, sales, upcoming releases, and other bookish stuff?? You can find all of this on my blog >> http://bit.ly/2zWy7QJ
LET'S CONNECT!!!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prettylittle...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PrettyLilBooks
July 21, 2018
I'm dead-- this book just ripped out my soul. Thanks Lynn Weingarten for writing books with characters that are so messed up that I can't possibly look away from the words on the page!!
I've been a Lynn Weingarten fan for a while, but now I think I've graduated into SUPER-FANDOM. This might be the most "me" book that I've read in the last 2 years.
It starts off with Sasha, who is this girl with a hard heart but a soft spot for Xavier. She wants to tell him her feelings, but Ivy gets in the way. First by breaking his heart and sending him into a downward spiral, and then by whisking in and wanting him back at the worst possible moment.
Ivy is a memorable character because she's so obviously damaged and puts Xavier through hell. Ivy is the kind of girl who does what she wants and doesn't worry about the people she's hurting. She's confident that people will let her off the hook because she's good at manipulating them. Typical sociopath. I spent so much of the book wishing that Xavier would wake up and tell her to FUCK OFF-- until I realized that really isn't what the book is about at all.
What is the book about?? Well, I try to be spoiler-free around here, so I'm not going to tell you what's actually happening. But I will say that it's about a WHOLE LOT MORE than crushes and cat-fishing damaged girls. It's the best dark romance that I've read in a long time, and I can't wait to read more from this author.
My Fave Part: Underneath all the lying and drinking and pain, there was a legit beautiful friendship there. I couldn't help but feel a little jealous over how Sasha and Xavier just "got" each other. The sense of humor they had with each other was something only people who genuinely love each other could cultivate. I would reread this book just to jump back into the glimpses of their relationship that didn't revolve around Ivy.
This is the type of YA that I LIVE for-- the type that is raw and full of characters that have a bite to them. I couldn't put this book down, did not want to stop reading. The thrilling lead-up to the reveal had me turning pages like a madwoman. My emotions are still reeling a little bit after finishing this dark, twisty book. I SO recommend to people that love the darkness.
OVERALL: 1,00000 times YES!! I love nothing more than the dark YA books that are full of messed up characters. I recommend to my fellow YA Thriller lovers-- people who liked The Female of the Species-- who want to read a book that is twisty and leaves you feeling a little bit lost.
My Blog:
Pink Polka Dot Books
I've been a Lynn Weingarten fan for a while, but now I think I've graduated into SUPER-FANDOM. This might be the most "me" book that I've read in the last 2 years.
It starts off with Sasha, who is this girl with a hard heart but a soft spot for Xavier. She wants to tell him her feelings, but Ivy gets in the way. First by breaking his heart and sending him into a downward spiral, and then by whisking in and wanting him back at the worst possible moment.
Ivy is a memorable character because she's so obviously damaged and puts Xavier through hell. Ivy is the kind of girl who does what she wants and doesn't worry about the people she's hurting. She's confident that people will let her off the hook because she's good at manipulating them. Typical sociopath. I spent so much of the book wishing that Xavier would wake up and tell her to FUCK OFF-- until I realized that really isn't what the book is about at all.
What is the book about?? Well, I try to be spoiler-free around here, so I'm not going to tell you what's actually happening. But I will say that it's about a WHOLE LOT MORE than crushes and cat-fishing damaged girls. It's the best dark romance that I've read in a long time, and I can't wait to read more from this author.
My Fave Part: Underneath all the lying and drinking and pain, there was a legit beautiful friendship there. I couldn't help but feel a little jealous over how Sasha and Xavier just "got" each other. The sense of humor they had with each other was something only people who genuinely love each other could cultivate. I would reread this book just to jump back into the glimpses of their relationship that didn't revolve around Ivy.
This is the type of YA that I LIVE for-- the type that is raw and full of characters that have a bite to them. I couldn't put this book down, did not want to stop reading. The thrilling lead-up to the reveal had me turning pages like a madwoman. My emotions are still reeling a little bit after finishing this dark, twisty book. I SO recommend to people that love the darkness.
OVERALL: 1,00000 times YES!! I love nothing more than the dark YA books that are full of messed up characters. I recommend to my fellow YA Thriller lovers-- people who liked The Female of the Species-- who want to read a book that is twisty and leaves you feeling a little bit lost.
My Blog:
Pink Polka Dot Books
May 11, 2023
I absolutely loved everything about this book!
It's my new favorite, I read it in only a couple of hours.
Bad Girls with Perfect Faces is the type of story that's hard to summarize without giving away details so I'll just say if you're a fan of psychological, thriller, YA, and suspense check it out! You will not be disappointed!
It's my new favorite, I read it in only a couple of hours.
Bad Girls with Perfect Faces is the type of story that's hard to summarize without giving away details so I'll just say if you're a fan of psychological, thriller, YA, and suspense check it out! You will not be disappointed!
January 9, 2018
This is one of those books that makes you hate being an adult with responsibilities because you just want to eat it up in one sitting. I wish I could have read this while I was working, or showering, or driving (probably not the safest), but hopefully you'll get what I'm saying. It was simply addictive.
Bad Girls with Perfect Faces, was a nice little reminder of why I enjoy reading thrillers, and also a reminder of why I need to read more of them. Seriously, why don't I read more of them? Anyway, the story revolves around Xavier and Sasha who are best friends (who maybe feel a little something extra towards one another if you get what I'm saying). Basically the story goes like this. Xavier, is dating queen bee Ivy, who is basically a manipulative, jealous of everything, needs to be better than everyone type of bitch. Xavier and Ivy are an on again off again type of couple. Ivy is a known cheater. Sasha does not like this. Sasha creates "Jake" a fake instagram profile and flirts her way into Ivy's life to prove to Xavier that Ivy is still not a good person. And it all goes SO HORRIBLY WRONG.
That's all I can say plot wise without spoiling anything. Trust me, you don't want anything spoiled for you. There's SO much "he said, she said" and other drama involved that makes this book an instant page turner and incredibly hard to put down. Overall, I was super happy with this book because it was so highly entertaining and constantly kept me guessing on what was going to happen next. The only mini issue I had with the book was the ending. I tend to like books with a solid definitive conclusion and this was very open ended. But honestly, I can't really picture any other way this story could have ended so I think it's really just my personal preference of things that got in the way. All in all though, I would totally recommend this to anyone who loves YA thrillers!
Bad Girls with Perfect Faces, was a nice little reminder of why I enjoy reading thrillers, and also a reminder of why I need to read more of them. Seriously, why don't I read more of them? Anyway, the story revolves around Xavier and Sasha who are best friends (who maybe feel a little something extra towards one another if you get what I'm saying). Basically the story goes like this. Xavier, is dating queen bee Ivy, who is basically a manipulative, jealous of everything, needs to be better than everyone type of bitch. Xavier and Ivy are an on again off again type of couple. Ivy is a known cheater. Sasha does not like this. Sasha creates "Jake" a fake instagram profile and flirts her way into Ivy's life to prove to Xavier that Ivy is still not a good person. And it all goes SO HORRIBLY WRONG.
That's all I can say plot wise without spoiling anything. Trust me, you don't want anything spoiled for you. There's SO much "he said, she said" and other drama involved that makes this book an instant page turner and incredibly hard to put down. Overall, I was super happy with this book because it was so highly entertaining and constantly kept me guessing on what was going to happen next. The only mini issue I had with the book was the ending. I tend to like books with a solid definitive conclusion and this was very open ended. But honestly, I can't really picture any other way this story could have ended so I think it's really just my personal preference of things that got in the way. All in all though, I would totally recommend this to anyone who loves YA thrillers!
January 20, 2020
"Be careful when your feelings are too strong, when you love someone too much. A heart too full is like a bomb. One day it will explode."📚 Series: No.
📚 Genre: YA Mystery.
📚 POV: Multiple.
📚 Cliffhanger: No.
⚠ Content Warnings: Catfishing. Toxic relationships/manipulation.
⚠ Read if: you love One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus.
💄💄💄💄
This book was my first read of 2020 and I have to say that I loved that I started with this one! There's nothing like Mystery/Thrillers to get you warmed up and eager to hit your reading momentum!
Bad Girls With Perfect Faces is my first read from this author, though I also have her other book. All I can say is that I am glad that I took the chance because I absolutely enjoyed this one. This book has all the elements of a YA thriller that I was craving for.
This book is a tale of young love, friendship, jealousy, obsession, and how far you are willing to go for love.
This book is entertaining and the writing style will keep you reading on without noticing the time.
Plot-wise, it would be best to go in blind so that you can enjoy the twist towards the end.
If you are looking for characters that are good at being bad, writing that will pull you in, and a dark-themed YA read, this book is perfect for you!
☁ THE CRITERIA ☁
🌼 Blurb:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Main Character:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Significant Other: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Support Characters:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Writing Style:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Character Development:⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Thrill Factor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
m🌼 Romance: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Ending: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Unputdownability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Book Cover:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Audiobook Production: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
☁FINAL VERDICT: 4.30/5 ☁
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December 4, 2021
This book was a total cover buy and came out of left field and totally surprised me. I absolutely loved this story and couldn’t get enough of it. As soon as I started I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, all I wanted to do was devour this book! I really loved the whole story, it was just wildly entertaining and had me completely hooked. There was twist after twist and so many crazy reveals that I started to feel like I was living through the insanity in the book with the characters and it was a DELICIOUS feeling. I’m normally pretty good at guessing what’s going to happen in books like this but this one kept proving my guesses wrong and shocking the hell out of me and I just loved it. The ending was SO far from what I could have EVER predicted and I’m still kind of in disbelief, a sure sign of one hell of an excellent story!
March 26, 2018
What another WILD book. It kept me on my toes the whole time until the very very last page. It messed with my head and just WOWZA that was so good xD I definitely will read any book this author writes.
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Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls honestly messed my head up so much and it was so werid and wild that I expect nothing less from this. If I am not completely Mind Blown, I’m going to just stop reading for the rest of the year.
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Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls honestly messed my head up so much and it was so werid and wild that I expect nothing less from this. If I am not completely Mind Blown, I’m going to just stop reading for the rest of the year.
July 17, 2019
This is one of my all over the place reviews, I apologise in advance 🤫
I want to preface this by saying that I have been obsessed with teen true crime docus lately. After watching I love you, now die I was in shock, and in all honesty, terrified of the workings of the teenage mind. Also, binging Euphoria episodes didn't help 🙁
After watching these, I mentally went back to the 90s when I was a teenager and tried to remember if I was remotely the same, if I had similar thoughts and emotions and I just didn't express them so loudly.
While at first I emphatically denied being anything like "them", after mulling it over I actually remembered times when I too had dark thoughts, when I too was extremely lonely, when I too felt like shit. Unfortunately, this is what adolescence is: it universally sucks. And it mostly sucks because of other people, and the way they choose to treat you and see you as.
That was me in the 90s when I could count these people on one hand.
Now, you can take this handful of people and multiply them by a billion, because that is how many people have the right to have an opinion about you now and talk in any way they want about you.
The internet: what a marvel.
So when a 18 year old boy kills himself because his girlfriend texted him to do it, I can't help but wonder: what's next?
---
What does that have to do with Bad Girls with Perfect Faces you ask. Something similar happens in this book when Ivy starts chatting with a guy named Jake who DMed her on Instagram, and who she's never met in person. Ivy starts to get very close to Jake, believing that he is the only one that gets her and really sees her. It is only after they agree to meet in person that things go horribly wrong.
Something I am 100% sure I would never do in my teens, or rather knew better than to do: meet a stranger in the woods.
I mean, it's common sense right? I don't want to victim blame or anything like that, but
1. how can you be sure this person you, a teenage girl, is talking to, is not a sexual predator??
2. how do you agree to meet him in person??
Where is this behaviour, this mentality stemming from? Kids are definitely way more educated in these matters now than I was back then, but they also seem to have this cavalier and daredevil attitude which we definitely didn't have. Can someone please explain it to me because I don't get it at all.
I am obviously not going to reveal any spoilers here, but I have to admit that I did not see any of the twists coming, so the mystery/suspense part was very compelling.
But what made this book so riveting, was its characters: Sasha, Xavier and Ivy.
Sasha and Xavier are best friends. Sasha is this no nonsense, sure of herself, but for some reason quite detached, girl and Xavier is this sweet, goofy guy who wears his heart on his sleeve. After Xavier gets back together with Ivy, who completely ruined him when she first dumbed him, Sasha is determined to do aaaanything to save her best friend from being hurt again, and finally tell him she's in love with him.
Ivy was a hateful girl, who enjoyed stringing people along and emotionally abusing them. She had no redeeming qualities whatsoever (none that I could see) and I was finding it very hard to understand why Xavier, this kind hearted guy, would ever be so in love with this girl. He said Ivy was so fearless and I guess that's what he loved about her. But Ivy was fearless because she had never faced any consequences for her actions. Xavier, and I guess all the other people in her life, always made excuses for her, justifying her actions as "Ivy being Ivy". They were all essentially enabling this deeply troubled teenage girl to be even more mean, more evil, to test people's limits and bring them to their breaking point.
So you'd think that Sasha trying everything to save her best friend from Ivy's clutches would make her the hero.
Not quite so.
Sasha is immensely jealous of Ivy. She often wonders why all the guys were into Ivy when she was so clearly vile and "not that attractive". She decides to create this fake Insta profile and DM Ivy to catch her in the act and then prove to Xavier that "See? She has been cheating with you all this time."
After the incident though, all that changes. Weingarten does an amazing job here, shifting 1st person narration to 2nd, showing how Sasha had to leave her body and become someone else in order to do what needs to be done and how, once it's done, she comes back to life in a sense with narration changing back to 1st. She is driven by such a deep love for Xavier, that is willing to do the unthinkable to save him. I loved Sasha and I think her and Ivy were the most interesting characters.
That being said, I found Xavier weak, especially for a guy who has two girls "fighting" over him. He never really showed any backbone in his relationship with both Ivy and Sasha, and he very willingly let himself be led throughout the whole book.
I would have also liked for Gwen to have a bigger presence in the book so the final twist could make more sense and have an even bigger impact.
Also, I think the CAPS in her narrative were pointless.
I loved the bleak, non HEA ending. After everything these kids did, it would completely ruin the book if everything ended up fine and dandy. They deserved an even worse ending if you ask me.
This is a dark, twisted story about an angry, confused girl who did a very bad thing. I am not sure if it's an appropriate read for pre teens, but what do I know? I read Carrie when I was 10.
These kinds of books are my jam, and I really really enjoyed this one. I have to say though, I am very surprised at the low ratings of Weingarten's other books. I wonder if it's because they are really that bad, or because YA readers had different expectations going in? I mean, I heard Bad Girls described as a love triangle and pff that can't be further from the truth. It's sad how many great books go unnoticed or negatively critiqued because of bad marketing.
I want to preface this by saying that I have been obsessed with teen true crime docus lately. After watching I love you, now die I was in shock, and in all honesty, terrified of the workings of the teenage mind. Also, binging Euphoria episodes didn't help 🙁
After watching these, I mentally went back to the 90s when I was a teenager and tried to remember if I was remotely the same, if I had similar thoughts and emotions and I just didn't express them so loudly.
While at first I emphatically denied being anything like "them", after mulling it over I actually remembered times when I too had dark thoughts, when I too was extremely lonely, when I too felt like shit. Unfortunately, this is what adolescence is: it universally sucks. And it mostly sucks because of other people, and the way they choose to treat you and see you as.
That was me in the 90s when I could count these people on one hand.
Now, you can take this handful of people and multiply them by a billion, because that is how many people have the right to have an opinion about you now and talk in any way they want about you.
The internet: what a marvel.
So when a 18 year old boy kills himself because his girlfriend texted him to do it, I can't help but wonder: what's next?
---
What does that have to do with Bad Girls with Perfect Faces you ask. Something similar happens in this book when Ivy starts chatting with a guy named Jake who DMed her on Instagram, and who she's never met in person. Ivy starts to get very close to Jake, believing that he is the only one that gets her and really sees her. It is only after they agree to meet in person that things go horribly wrong.
Something I am 100% sure I would never do in my teens, or rather knew better than to do: meet a stranger in the woods.
I mean, it's common sense right? I don't want to victim blame or anything like that, but
1. how can you be sure this person you, a teenage girl, is talking to, is not a sexual predator??
2. how do you agree to meet him in person??
Where is this behaviour, this mentality stemming from? Kids are definitely way more educated in these matters now than I was back then, but they also seem to have this cavalier and daredevil attitude which we definitely didn't have. Can someone please explain it to me because I don't get it at all.
I am obviously not going to reveal any spoilers here, but I have to admit that I did not see any of the twists coming, so the mystery/suspense part was very compelling.
But what made this book so riveting, was its characters: Sasha, Xavier and Ivy.
Sasha and Xavier are best friends. Sasha is this no nonsense, sure of herself, but for some reason quite detached, girl and Xavier is this sweet, goofy guy who wears his heart on his sleeve. After Xavier gets back together with Ivy, who completely ruined him when she first dumbed him, Sasha is determined to do aaaanything to save her best friend from being hurt again, and finally tell him she's in love with him.
Ivy was a hateful girl, who enjoyed stringing people along and emotionally abusing them. She had no redeeming qualities whatsoever (none that I could see) and I was finding it very hard to understand why Xavier, this kind hearted guy, would ever be so in love with this girl. He said Ivy was so fearless and I guess that's what he loved about her. But Ivy was fearless because she had never faced any consequences for her actions. Xavier, and I guess all the other people in her life, always made excuses for her, justifying her actions as "Ivy being Ivy". They were all essentially enabling this deeply troubled teenage girl to be even more mean, more evil, to test people's limits and bring them to their breaking point.
So you'd think that Sasha trying everything to save her best friend from Ivy's clutches would make her the hero.
Not quite so.
Sasha is immensely jealous of Ivy. She often wonders why all the guys were into Ivy when she was so clearly vile and "not that attractive". She decides to create this fake Insta profile and DM Ivy to catch her in the act and then prove to Xavier that "See? She has been cheating with you all this time."
After the incident though, all that changes. Weingarten does an amazing job here, shifting 1st person narration to 2nd, showing how Sasha had to leave her body and become someone else in order to do what needs to be done and how, once it's done, she comes back to life in a sense with narration changing back to 1st. She is driven by such a deep love for Xavier, that is willing to do the unthinkable to save him. I loved Sasha and I think her and Ivy were the most interesting characters.
That being said, I found Xavier weak, especially for a guy who has two girls "fighting" over him. He never really showed any backbone in his relationship with both Ivy and Sasha, and he very willingly let himself be led throughout the whole book.
I would have also liked for Gwen to have a bigger presence in the book so the final twist could make more sense and have an even bigger impact.
Also, I think the CAPS in her narrative were pointless.
I loved the bleak, non HEA ending. After everything these kids did, it would completely ruin the book if everything ended up fine and dandy. They deserved an even worse ending if you ask me.
This is a dark, twisted story about an angry, confused girl who did a very bad thing. I am not sure if it's an appropriate read for pre teens, but what do I know? I read Carrie when I was 10.
These kinds of books are my jam, and I really really enjoyed this one. I have to say though, I am very surprised at the low ratings of Weingarten's other books. I wonder if it's because they are really that bad, or because YA readers had different expectations going in? I mean, I heard Bad Girls described as a love triangle and pff that can't be further from the truth. It's sad how many great books go unnoticed or negatively critiqued because of bad marketing.
October 19, 2022
I don’t know completely why… but this booked worked for me.
December 6, 2017
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Well that was one twisted love story.
•Pro: There was something special about Weingarten's writing. It was like arms that wrapped themselves around me and pulled me right into the story.
•Pro: Weingarten created this layer of darkness that gradually got thicker and thicker, building with the direction of the plot.
•Pro: Xavier and Sasha are both interesting characters. I wanted to know more about them. I wanted them to make good choices. I was devastated when I thought they were in trouble.
•Pro: This book surprised me in the best way, because it went from a story of longing to a mystery, which I found myself engrossed in.
•Pro: I thought Weingarten used the third POV well. It heightened my tension and did a good job of deceiving me.
•Pro: I would like to thank Weingarten for giving me a satisfying ending. It fit the story and answered my questions.
Overall: A dark tale of friendship and unhealthy obsession, which kept me captivated from beginning to end.
*I would like to thank the publisher for the review copy.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
Well that was one twisted love story.
•Pro: There was something special about Weingarten's writing. It was like arms that wrapped themselves around me and pulled me right into the story.
•Pro: Weingarten created this layer of darkness that gradually got thicker and thicker, building with the direction of the plot.
•Pro: Xavier and Sasha are both interesting characters. I wanted to know more about them. I wanted them to make good choices. I was devastated when I thought they were in trouble.
•Pro: This book surprised me in the best way, because it went from a story of longing to a mystery, which I found myself engrossed in.
•Pro: I thought Weingarten used the third POV well. It heightened my tension and did a good job of deceiving me.
•Pro: I would like to thank Weingarten for giving me a satisfying ending. It fit the story and answered my questions.
"A heart too full is like a bomb. One day it will explode"
Overall: A dark tale of friendship and unhealthy obsession, which kept me captivated from beginning to end.
*I would like to thank the publisher for the review copy.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
November 14, 2017
Bad Girls With Perfect Faces
By
Lynn Weingarten
What it's all about...
This is a YA psychological thriller about some strange relationships that ultimately lead to disaster. Sasha and Xavier are friends. Ivy and Xavier are in a relationship. Ivy and Gwen are friends. I can't pinpoint one destructive force in this book because everyone appears to be quite dysfunctional. There is far too much texting, instagramming, drinking, and pill taking. No one is really supervised. Everyone is left to their own devices. It's the way of the world with these people.
Why I wanted to read it...
I read a review of this book that made it sound irresistible...it was.
What made me truly enjoy this book...
The writing was so good in this book. This author made these characters feel vivid, real and very much flawed. Sasha was so good for Xavier even though she hid her true feelings about him. Xavier was needy and sad. Ivy was manipulative, selfish and kind of evil. Gwen was sort of a nonentity until she wasn't.
Why you should read it, too...
Readers who enjoy psychological drama and unique characters should really enjoy this fast paced book.
My thank you to the publisher, Edelweiss and Amazon for enabling me to read this book on my Kindle Oasis. I made no promises other than writing my honest thoughts.
By
Lynn Weingarten
What it's all about...
This is a YA psychological thriller about some strange relationships that ultimately lead to disaster. Sasha and Xavier are friends. Ivy and Xavier are in a relationship. Ivy and Gwen are friends. I can't pinpoint one destructive force in this book because everyone appears to be quite dysfunctional. There is far too much texting, instagramming, drinking, and pill taking. No one is really supervised. Everyone is left to their own devices. It's the way of the world with these people.
Why I wanted to read it...
I read a review of this book that made it sound irresistible...it was.
What made me truly enjoy this book...
The writing was so good in this book. This author made these characters feel vivid, real and very much flawed. Sasha was so good for Xavier even though she hid her true feelings about him. Xavier was needy and sad. Ivy was manipulative, selfish and kind of evil. Gwen was sort of a nonentity until she wasn't.
Why you should read it, too...
Readers who enjoy psychological drama and unique characters should really enjoy this fast paced book.
My thank you to the publisher, Edelweiss and Amazon for enabling me to read this book on my Kindle Oasis. I made no promises other than writing my honest thoughts.
December 1, 2017
So good! So very good. Review to come.
May 6, 2024
3.75 Another twisty suspenseful YA mystery that had me glued to the page. I really like the was this author writes and I find myself unable to predict how the stories are going to end. I really enjoyed this one, though I liked SNFBG by this author more
October 10, 2017
According to Sasha no one is ever going to be good enough for her best friend Xavier.Sasha would do anything to stop Xavier from getting hurt,especially by his cheating ex Ivy who has suddenly reappeared back in the picture.Worried that Xavier is ready to forgive and forget,Sasha decides to do a little catfishing.She poses as a hot guy online,to prove cheaters never change.
But Sasha`s plan goes wrong fast,and soon the lies lead down a path from which there is no return.
Told in chapters that alternate between Sasha and Xavier and also including italicized chapters that are voiced by a unknown person this is a dark tale that is split into two parts.The reader spends most of the first part getting to know the players in this twist packed drama.You know something bad is going to happen,you have a good idea who it's going to happen too,you just don't know what is going to happen and who is involved.Then the event occurs and Sasha`s life falls apart completely.The second part is packed full of tension,twists and unexpected revelations that took me by surprise.The characters were well developed,realistic and believable,all of them had hidden secrets,complex behavioural issues and not one of the characters had any likeable qualities.
I don't normally read young adult titles but the blurb for this one grabbed my attention and I'm really glad I requested this book.I was hooked from the gripping prologue right through to the unexpected ending,I changed my mind a number of times about who was voicing the italicized parts.I loved the tree branch illustrations at the start of the chapters.It's a well written,dark,gripping tale of young love,obsession,friendships,mind games,mental illness,control,misinterpretation and the fear and confusion our emotions cause us to feel when we are in the limbo years between being a teenager and a adult.I thought it was a very very good book and I would happily read more books by this author in the future.
Many thanks to Egmont publishing/electric monkey for a arc of this book via in exchange for a honest review
But Sasha`s plan goes wrong fast,and soon the lies lead down a path from which there is no return.
Told in chapters that alternate between Sasha and Xavier and also including italicized chapters that are voiced by a unknown person this is a dark tale that is split into two parts.The reader spends most of the first part getting to know the players in this twist packed drama.You know something bad is going to happen,you have a good idea who it's going to happen too,you just don't know what is going to happen and who is involved.Then the event occurs and Sasha`s life falls apart completely.The second part is packed full of tension,twists and unexpected revelations that took me by surprise.The characters were well developed,realistic and believable,all of them had hidden secrets,complex behavioural issues and not one of the characters had any likeable qualities.
I don't normally read young adult titles but the blurb for this one grabbed my attention and I'm really glad I requested this book.I was hooked from the gripping prologue right through to the unexpected ending,I changed my mind a number of times about who was voicing the italicized parts.I loved the tree branch illustrations at the start of the chapters.It's a well written,dark,gripping tale of young love,obsession,friendships,mind games,mental illness,control,misinterpretation and the fear and confusion our emotions cause us to feel when we are in the limbo years between being a teenager and a adult.I thought it was a very very good book and I would happily read more books by this author in the future.
Many thanks to Egmont publishing/electric monkey for a arc of this book via in exchange for a honest review
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