Thin, Rich, Pretty (original 2010; edition 2011)

Just fun to listen to in the audio version. It needs to be all tied up with a bow in the end and the story is successful--light and easy. ( )

The title of this book was a little silly, but I really enjoyed it. It's about Lexi, a former princess who is down on her luck financially; Holly, who is struggling with a few extra pounds; and Nicola, whose nose keeps her from landing the choicer parts in Hollywood. Each woman confronts her problems while facing many truths and insecurities that will resonate with most female readers. ( )

This wasn't my usual fare but still interesting and the author's style made it a quick & easy read. It made me realize how lucky I was as an adolescent to have good friends, and glad I wasn't one of the "mean girls". It also made me realize that I'm really happy with what I've got. :) ( )

Holly, Nicola and Lexi first meet at summer camp. Lexi was the mean girl who hung out with even meaner girls. Holly was overweight and very self-conscious. Nicola was painfully shy and never felt pretty thanks to her perception of her nose.

Holly and Nicola became fast friends. They often found themselves enduring the wrath of Lexi and her friends. Until one they, both decide to get their revenge.

Fast forward twenty years later. Holly is now dating Randy and they’ve just gotten engaged. Well, pre-engaged. Randy claims he wants to marry her, however she only needs to lose a few pounds first. Nicola is an actress living in LA. She’s had success with one major movie, and is still trying to make it big. Unfortunately she still doesn’t feel pretty enough, so she decides to have plastic surgery. After the bandages are off, she no longer recognizes herself. And Lexi… Well, Lexi just recently lost her father. He changed his will and left everything to her step-mother. Lexi has just a month to move out of her family home and find a job. This will be the first time she will be employed.

While each woman continues to struggle with issues of her past, Holly accidentally bumps into Lexi while shopping. Thoughts race back to their time at summer camp and Holly feels compels to make things right with Lexi. She solicits the help of Nicola and to two set out to make amends.

Thin, Rich, Pretty is a book that deals with common issues that haunt girls and can carryover into adulthood. It also speaks to people are more than what we see at first glance. Alternating between the time spent at summer camp and the present, the reader gets a feel for the relationship between the three women.

Thin, Rich, Pretty is recommended for chick lit fans looking for a quick read. ( )

Finding a friend in summer camp was easy for Holly and Nicola, they had to be friends with each other because the others girls wouldn’t be. While Holly had been fighting her weight and wanted to be thin, Nicola had a nose that no one thought was pretty, so a bond was formed to protect themselves and each other from the mean girls in the cabin with them. Always being grouped with the mean girls helped keep Lexi from being picked on like Holly and Nicola were, but it also left her more lonely than anyone would have guessed. Jump forward twenty years to find that Holly and Nicola have remained friends. While Holly runs an successful art gallery, she still struggles with her weight and Nicola may have been the lead actress in a hit movie, but she still regards her nose as less then her best attribute. The years have not changed Lexi much with the exception of her father dying and leaving everything to the step-mom. Now making her way on her own for the first time, Lexi must find a job, a place to live and a new way of life for herself. Her surprising turn of fate may change more than just her life.

Found so many of aspects of all of these characters that I could relate to. Bouncing back and forth with the summer at camp gave a good indication of just what type of people these girls/ladies are. Really enjoyed this one with it’s subtle romance but mostly it is a good friendship story. Surprisingly cared about Lexi as well as Holly and Nicola. A good view at the theory of “getting what you want doesn’t always make you happy”. A feel good story, thanks Macmillian audio books (I won this audio book through a facebook contest), I am interested in seeing what else Beth Harbison has written. ( )