Awards

• Joint winner of Read for Empathy Collection 2025 (UK)
• Long-listed for The UKLA Book Awards 2025 (UK)
• Long-listed for The Yoto Carnegie Medal 2025 (UK)
• Nominated for The Yoto Carnegie Medal 2025 (UK)
• Winner of Sheffield Children's Book Award 2024 (UK)

Overview

""If you loved the Barbie movie, you'll adore this."" THE SUN""The Handmaid's Tale for the Insta generation."" THE TIMES""Razor-sharp and compelling, it is essential reading for every teenage girl."" THE OBSERVER""Holly Bourne is truly a one-in-a-million author."" DAILY MIRROR""A searing exploration of beauty and its meaning for women and girls. Don't miss it."" STYLIST""Ideal for fans of Louise O'Neill and Laura Bates."" THE GUARDIANLIMITED EDITION FIRST PRINTING FEATURING EXCLUSIVE CUT-OUT DOUBLE COVER available while stocks lastBEAUTY COMES AT A PRICE. AND GIRLS MUST PAY.In Belle and Joni's world there are two options for girls:One, follow the rules of the Doctrine like Belle: apply your Mask, work hard to be crowned at the Ceremony, be a Pretty.Or two, fight the rules like Joni: leave your face bare, work hard to escape to the Education, be an Objectionable.But maybe there is a third option...Change the rules. Reclaim your power. If you can...What would you choose?Uglies meets The Handmaid's Tale for the new YA generation in this mind-blowing novel from bestselling queen of YA Holly Bourne.Content warning - this novel deals with issues that some readers may find upsetting, including references to pornography and sexual assault.

Full Product Details

9781474966832

Table of Contents

Reviews

You Could Be So Pretty reads like a compulsive thriller, but this dystopian story felt frighteningly real. Vital, compelling, heart-wrenchingly relatable - this book is a shot of adrenaline, an empathetic friend and a furious call to arms. I loved it. * Laura Wood *

"If you loved the Barbie movie, you'll adore this. * The Sun * A furious, fast-paced feminist commentary on a ""post-equality"" world, ideal for fans of Louise O'Neill and Laura Bates. * The Guardian * Razor-sharp and compelling, [You Could Be So Pretty] is essential reading for every teenage girl. * The Observer * YA author Bourne's much-anticipated dystopian read is a searing exploration of beauty and its meaning for women and girls. Don't miss it. * Stylist * In a style reminiscent of Orwell's 1984, this brilliant, timely, scary novel explores The Doctrine - the pressure on young girls to conform to high-maintenance beauty norms and the porn-fuelled patriarchy that supports it. Sound familiar? * Daily Mail * Gripping and smart * Woman's Own * Holly's novel is brilliant and frightening. If you know a teenage girl, pre-order this for her as the best gift she'll receive this year. * Sarah Crossan, author of One * I devoured this - so compelling and with such a powerful message. Bravo Holly Bourne! * Katherine Webber, co-author of Twin Crowns * This book will make you angry, in a good way. Holly shines a light on the dysfunctional way our society keeps women and girls small and apologetic by relentlessly targeting our bodies in a way that's as clever as it is compelling. I couldn't put it down. * Natasha Devon * You Could Be So Pretty reads like a compulsive thriller, but this dystopian story felt frighteningly real. Vital, compelling, heart-wrenchingly relatable - this book is a shot of adrenaline, an empathetic friend and a furious call to arms. I loved it. * Laura Wood, author of The Agency for Scandal * I haven't been able to look at myself, or social media the same way since reading this novel. Belle and Joni stole my heart. * Florence Given, author of Women Don’t Owe You Pretty * This book is brilliant, brutal and beautiful. A spectacular must-read that manages to put into words all the things that can be so hard to say about the world today. * Beth Reekles, author of The Kissing Booth *"

Author Information

Holly Bourne is the author of Am I Normal Yet?, How Hard Can Love Be?, The Manifesto on How to be Interesting and Soulmates. She graduated with a first class degree in Journalism Studies and spent two years working as a local news reporter on the Surrey Mirror, garnering a nomination for Print Journalist of the Year in 2010. She worked as a journalist for TheSite.org, an advice and information website for 16-25 year olds. She lives in Lewes.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available