I liked the Cliff House a lot but I LOVED Beautiful People! Sort of thriller, sort of mystery and sort of coming age , it rocked all the boxes for a perfect holiday read for me . Jennings does such a great job of writing a page turner with believable characters , a vivid setting and a plot which isn’t unrealistic . The dual timeline works so well and helps you to pierce things together as you read . Aside from the great story the novel also has a dark undertone which makes you think about the whole class / privilege society that we live in. . It’s a story about obsession, identity and also revenge , in fact it did give me vibes of the show revenge r so if you like rich people novels go grab this !

Amanda Jennings' Beautiful People is a captivating read that delves deep into the complexities of human emotions and relationships. The novel's strength lies in its well-developed characters and a plot that is both intricate and believable. Jennings masterfully touches on themes of grief, shame, and the journey of finding one's footing as a young adult.

The story follows Victoria, who escapes her troubled home life for university in London, only to find herself entangled in a world of privilege and dark secrets. The characters are incredibly realistic, and as the plot unfolds, my feelings towards them shifted based on their actions and the events that transpired. This dynamic character development kept me engaged and invested in their journeys. This book definitely deserves the moniker 'page-turner!'

Jennings' exploration of grief and shame is poignant and relatable, making the characters' struggles feel authentic. The plot is well-paced and filled with twists that keep the reader on their toes. The way Jennings weaves these themes into the narrative adds depth and makes for a compelling read.

Overall, Beautiful People is a thought-provoking novel that offers a profound look at the complexity each of us faces during life's journey and the impact events can have later on in life. It's a story about overcoming past traumas and finding strength in the face of adversity. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping and emotionally resonant read.

Im a sucker for any story set in a luxury setting, and Beautiful People is a great addition to the collection. Film star Ingrid Olsson is marrying Julian an extremely rich man 20+ years older than her and there's no expense spared at their wedding.

For her wedding gift to Julian, Ingrid commissions a portrait from up and coming artist Vix. Unbeknownst to her, Vix is an old university acquaintance of Julian but does not like him at all since an unspecified incident 25 years previously.

Vix is also invited to the wedding along with other university chums; will Nick, the man that she's loved for all these years, finally be hers?

We've also got Coco, a 16 year old whose mum is desperate for her to be famous and has managed to get her a job working at the wedding so she can schmooze the rich and famous. can Coco use this to break into showbiz or is there a darker motive afoot?

Its a well-spun tale with some deep moral issues at its heart- well worth a read.

This is a dark and beautifully written book that gripped me from the start. I didn't necessarily warm to Vix, but I did feel for her as she tried to navigate university life with the feeling of never quite fitting in. A compelling book with a twist at the end.

The author tackles some difficult issues well and combines several issues to make a deep storyline. I like how the author's narrative reveals the misconceptions towards the end of the book highlighting just how much things are not always as they seem which is so relatable to the real life complexities of relationships and friendships. Although not my favourite of thus author's books, if you've liked her previous novels then you will fine this a good read.

Sometimes, it feels like the rich get away with murder. And even if that is not always literally the case, beautiful people certainly get away with outrageously bad behaviour.

All. The. Time.

Leaving in their wake so many unhappy and bitter people, those who are wealthy rarely spare a thought for the consequences of their actions - at least, not with regard to the outcome for other people.

But every now and then, one of them might get what they really deserve. And at a glittering event that also commemorates the 25 year reunion of a group of University friends, one of their number is mulling over plans to that effect...

This is a compelling read with plenty of twists to keep the reader engaged. It gets 3.5 stars. Worth checking out if you like thrillers that bring it!

I’ve read a few of the authors novels and this is definitely my favourite.
It’s a dual timeline novel set in 1999 when Victoria/Vix arrives at university in London and becomes friends with Nick who is part of a privileged clique that Vix immediately feels on the outside of. 25 years later Victoria is an artist living in Paris, thrown together again with Nick and his friends as they attend a wedding in Cornwall.
This is a beautifully written novel that really captures the feeling of being an outsider at university and an insightful portrayal of the privileged rich and beautiful people and their selfishness and self entitlement. Vix is a frustrating character and there were so many times I wanted her to walk away from Nick but could understand her attraction to him and the group as she was so isolated and desperate to escape her family life.
Beautiful People is a compelling read with a good twist and a satisfying ending. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
4.5 stars

What I liked about this book was the way the reader's perceptions of the characters shift as the book progresses, and we learn more about them and see the things they do differently. It's one of those where the reader feels like they know it all but with a subtle perspective shift, it's quite different. We're already predisposed to dislike Vix's friends because they're rich and pretty and, unless you happen to be rich and pretty yourself, you've probably experienced being snubbed by 'people like that', and immediately relate to Vix's experience on first arriving at university. I think it's a clever book which takes our expectations of a story like this, distorts them a bit, and comes back with a book with a fair few shocks in the plot. I really enjoyed it.

Another absolutely stunning read from Amanda Jennings - Beautiful People focuses around what my son always refers to as 'pretty privilege' whereby all the pretty people always get preferential treatment, and once you are aware of it you can see it happening everywhere as clear as day.

This dual time-lined story has a delicious darkness to it that will draw you in, there are some sweet, almost innocent little moments peppered among the hedonistic, arrogant, entitled, throbbing pulse that beats throughout the lives of the key characters.

Much like in her previous books, Jennings has absolutely nailed the excruciating feeling of being on the outside and not quite knowing how to fit in. Victoria, Vikki, Vix is the epitome of this as she tries again and again to reinvent herself and shoehorn herself into the mould of a 'beautiful person'.

There were many people in this book that I loved to hate and I was torn between feeling compassion for Victoria and wanting to shake her!

I would expect no less from this author but Beautiful People is a masterpiece in the fragility of human emotion and how we tie ourselves into self-imposed restrictive knots. It is a coming of age tale that is as old as the hills and shines a light on the parallels of depravity and entitlement of Hollywood, capturing perfectly the all too familiar #metoo culture that is synonymous with fame and fortune, yet also with our everyday mundane lives.

3.5 stars ✨

I enjoyed this book, I struggled to get into it but once I was 5/6 chapters in I couldn't put it down. I wanted to read this as it was described as saltburn vibes and I would agree it had similarities for sure.

For me, vix was annoying and she was the FMC at the start, she was quite needy and didn't understand Nick loved cami and then I grew to like her especially towards the end when you find out what happened.

I didn't like the parts with her teacher, made me feel uneasy and her family situation too.

I liked the book but felt something was missing but I would still recommend. Thank you for an ARC copy! This was my first Amanda Jennings book and I would defiantly read more.

This was a dark and twisted tale… I loved it! Jennings really creates an atmospheric narrative as we follow Victoria’s absorption into the world of the rich and privileged. But she discovers that with this comes a darkness and a world of deceit.

The narrative shifts between present day as Victoria heads to the wedding of old friend, Julian Draper; and twenty-five years previous during her university days. This part of the story is very significant because it leads into the connections Victoria has at Julian’s wedding. I was equally fascinated and appalled by Victoria’s university experience as she sees no problem with completely altering herself in order to fit in – and grab the attentions of her housemate, Nick.

Yet, over time this causes friction and Cami and Tilly are like the “mean girls” of the group, flaunting themselves to ensure attention from both sexes. Victoria’s jealousy drives her actions and her feelings for Nick grow to an obsession. It is this obsession that is reflected in these rich students around her as they continue to live a life of exploitation and extravagance, never truly appreciating anyone or anything.

I loved how Victoria’s personality grows as she realises the harm she is doing to herself. This is seen in the present day and I was itching to see Victoria finally speak her truth, once and for all – regardless of the wedding setting. Furthermore, Coco’s character is interesting because I could see the parallels between her and Victoria. These only increase as the wedding celebration progresses, leading to a very chilling conclusion.

With her wealthy “friends” there is a lurking darkness and deceit all around. Even the protagonist turns out to be equally deceitful and I was absorbed by the narrative to see how the truths would be revealed. Gripped from the beginning, I was engrossed by how Victoria’s classmates were behaving, knowing that this would eventually lead to a cocktail of disasters. This only comes to light in the final chapters, creating a high-intensity ending.

A fabulous read from Jennings that explores social differences, gender equality and university life. It isn’t all glamourous and the darkness haunts Victoria over the years. I could not foresee how the story would unfold and found the ending very satisfying.

With thanks to HQ and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Dark, Devilish…
Dark, glittering, decadent and decidedly devilish, this compelling and compulsive novel of suspense, retribution and comeuppance is spellbinding. Relayed over a dual timeline and populated with an eclectic, eccentric and wholly credible cast of characters and with a pacy and intricate plot where the most toxic of secrets will out in a timely fashion.

I enjoyed this well written book, but it didn't wow me. I felt the author really needed to bring something new to this genre of disadvantaged student wanting to fit in with the spoilt rich kids at Uni then all meeting again after a number of years and exposing many secrets.
Thank you to netgalley and HQ for an advance copy of this book

Victoria leaves home to make a fresh start at university in London. It is there that she falls in love with Nick and becomes entwined in his group of privileged friends. Although things don’t go as planned. Twenty Five years later the group of friends reunite at a celebrity wedding. Victoria has spent years trying to forget her time at university and now has to face up to it all.

I am just going to start by saying how much I loved this book! Having previously read The Storm by Amanda Jennings and really enjoying it, I was keen to read this and I also found the synopsis and cover compelling. I am so pleased that I picked this up as I had such a great time reading and felt such a wide range of emotions. The writing style was beautiful and while at times I felt angry, at others I cried real tears.

I absolutely loved the characters, even though some were unlikeable, as I could really envision them and felt a strong connection which them all. The author does such a good job at initially making you feel one way but then have you questioning your own interpretations. The story is set over two time lines, past and present, with both working together perfectly to tell the story. Although this is full of shocking scenes and darkness, by the end this powerful story makes you draw strength and feel the need to reflect. While there are a lot of serious topics explored, they are told in an expertly crafted and authentic way.

Having loved the previous book I read by Amanda Jennings and now this one, I ask myself why I haven’t read anymore by this talented author. I will definitely be diving into the rest. This is up there with one of my top books of the year, possibly even at the number one spot. I will be shouting about this to all! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

This was such a dark and at points disturbing read that peels back the layers of family, society and class. I was hooked all the way through,

4 ✨

Beautiful People by Amanda Jennings has honestly given me the biggest book hangover ever. I am slumped and it’s all because of how amazing this book was. From start to finish, this book had me hooked. I was honestly a fish on a hook that couldn’t get away. The multiple points of view were *chefs kiss* and the how the timelines follow was amazing. The book was extremely well glamoured and made all the characters seem so beautiful and like butter wouldn’t melt but after it had all worn off, you got to see their true characters and colours. This book had me hanging onto every word and I loved each and every character.

Victoria moves to London for University in the early 2000s, she wants to reinvent everything including herself and most importantly her past. In the present day, she is still dealing with what happened during her time at uni. Clearly, she never processes the trauma, which to us as readers are unaware of in the beginning. I’d like to say, this was very well written and had you on the edge. Obsession is her downfall and now she has to face her old friendship group after 25 years. As the book continues, it becomes clear how Victoria’s mind is spiralling and she becomes an unreliable narrator as you lose the trust in her. Her state of mind is unstable and it makes you think if what she is saying is even true. However, just when I was about to give up all hope on her, a MASSIVE plot point is given to us readers and completely alters any perspective I thought I had. The author set this up amazingly, leaving little bread crumbs that all make sense after it happens but at the time you don’t really think twice about it.

This book has been compared to Saltburn a few times and honestly, I don’t think that does this book any justice. It’s 100% better than the movie and the execution is 10/10.

This is my first book by Amanda Jennings and it definitely won’t be my last. I’ve already got this book preordered on Amazon ready to have the physical copy displayed on my shelf to constantly remind me what a rollercoaster of a book this was and how much I loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for providing me a copy of this arc in return for an honest review.

Victoria is an artist living in France, who has been commissioned by Ingrid, a famous British film star, to paint her portrait as a wedding gift to her soon to be husband. Ingrid is so impressed with the final piece that she insists that she fly Victoria over to London to attend her wedding in person to hang the painting and present it to her during the wedding. There is a slight catch to this request though for Victoria, as Ingrid is engaged to Julian Draper, who just so happens to be an old friend of Victoria’s from her university days and someone who she really would rather not see ever again. While Victoria is scanning online articles about Julian she comes across a picture of Nick, someone she hasn’t seen in over 11 years and clearly has some history with.

The story is set over two timelines, with one timeline in the here and now and the other timeline starting back in 1999 where Victoria is leaving behind her life in Manchester and heading to London to join the Queens School of Architecture, prepared to reinvent everything about herself and leave her past firmly in the past in an effort to fit in with the trendy people she meets within her first few days.

The way the author crafts this group of characters throughout the book is absolute perfection. I felt like I knew them and that they were people in my own life. Even though the story is told predominantly from Victorias POV, the background and depth given to each character makes them all equally important to the story. I enjoyed this story and the writing so much I didn’t want it to end. I could have read this story even if it was double the length as the writing is so captivating and engaging.

There is a really strong message portrayed through this story that wasn’t really apparent until the last few chapters. A story of strength, realisation, and acceptance. I finished this book feeling empowered and deeply satisfied with how things had concluded. I would throughly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a dual timeline story with strong female characters. I hope this gets made into a short series or a film!

This was a good read I flew thought this book. Read in a day. Would definitely recommend to others

Thank you for the opportunity to review

In the late '90s, Victoria left her troubled home behind for a fresh start at university in London. Eager to reinvent herself, she quickly falls for Nick, who sweeps her into a world of privilege and wealth, introducing her to a new circle of upper-class friends. But life takes a darker turn, and the new beginning she craved doesn’t unfold as planned.

Fast forward 25 years: Victoria, now living in France as a successful artist, is commissioned to paint a portrait for the wedding of Hollywood star Ingrid Olsson. To her surprise, Ingrid is marrying Julian Draper, someone from Victoria's university days, dredging up painful memories she'd spent years trying to bury. As the glittering wedding approaches, and old friends resurface, Victoria must confront the unresolved trauma of her past—wondering if this time, someone will finally pay for the dark secrets they all share.

The book alternates between the late '90s and the present, offering dual timelines and multiple narrators, which adds depth and intrigue to the story. Victoria’s narrative, tinged with feelings of not belonging and self-doubt, makes her relatable, though there’s a lingering question of whether she’s an unreliable narrator. The other characters, whether charming or despicable, are richly fleshed out, making the story compelling from every angle.

There’s also a secondary storyline of a young girl caught up in the wedding, beautifully written with a poignant exploration of parental expectations. This layer adds emotional weight to the book, balancing out the mystery with raw, human emotion.

The book is a slow burn, filled with tension, sadness, and moments of horror. But amidst the darkness, there is beauty—often found in unexpected places, far from the usual glamorous circles. The mystery at the heart of the book is subtle, with the tension slowly unravelling, and the ending is deeply satisfying, especially for those who love seeing women supporting one another and abusers getting their due.

I highly recommend this book to fans of dual timelines, slow-burn mysteries, and powerful stories of women reclaiming their power. A compelling read with layers of emotional depth and tension.

Read more at The Secret Bookreview.

Wow i devoured this, the writing and story are incredible, the timelines flowing seamlessly. A really great book i could imagine the whole story vividly its so believable in its telling. Overall its excellent.