Pretty Is As Pretty Does

Title: PRETTY IS AS PRETTY DOES

Author: Debby Mayne

Publisher: Abingdon Press

June 2013

ISBN: 978-1426733581

Genre: Women’s fiction

Priscilla Slater goes to her ten-year high school reunion with equal parts dread and eager anticipation. Even though she’s a successful owner of a chain of hair salons and no longer has the mousy brown hair, crooked teeth, and discount-store wardrobe, she still feels like the ugly duckling. But when she arrives at the reunion, Priscilla soon realizes that her old classmates aren’t exactly as she remembers them. With humor and a just a touch of sassiness, Priscilla finds herself facing her own truth—and she may be surprised at what she discovers.

PRETTY IS AS PRETTY DOES is the first book I’ve read by Debby Mayne, but if this indications of her style, it won’t be the last. I didn’t go to my ten-year reunion (my school skipped it) but if I had, I probably would’ve faced it with all the angst that the main point of view characters all faced it with. Laura, who married the class drunk. Celeste, the ugly duckling. Tracey, the beauty queen who’s ex is dating a high school student. Tim, in love with Priscilla, and Priscilla, the most likely to succeed…but the one who feels the least successful.

PRETTY IS AS PRETTY DOES has enough drama to fuel a soap opera for a season. And enough angst to make you relive your teenage years. Ten year reunion? What has really changed?

Priscilla is a great heroine. I fell in love with her wisdom, her gentle approach, her gift of giving, of mercy. I did hope she’d get together with Tim and see what a treasure he is instead of longing for her high school crush, but… this isn’t a romance. It’s women’s fiction.

I’m looking forward to reading the second book in the Class Reunion series, Bless Her Heart, releasing in August. 304 pages. $14.99 pages.