Reviewed by Rita G. for Readers' Favorite

Pretty Monster by M. Raye Turner is the story of a young woman with a big opinion of herself. Tangie was raised by her grandparents who loved her very much. They provided for her as best they could afford financially. She was a very attractive and intelligent young woman. Once she decided she wanted something, she put all her energy into acquiring it. She learned from her mistakes and those around her. Her motto was to work hard/play hard. Tangie wanted a better life for herself and her two children. Working and going to school while raising her children was not easy. Life was difficult, but she fought her way out of the ghetto and persevered. She was a fighter.

Pretty Monster demonstrates life from an environment I have not lived. In the ghetto you quickly learn that if you want something for yourself, you are the one who must fight for it and prove to yourself it is really what you want. Education, a good job, and a happy home are what Tangie wanted. The lesson Tangie learned was that no matter what, God is always with you. God carried her through her mother’s time in a nursing facility, a terrible accident that almost killed her and an unplanned, unexpected pregnancy.

Pretty Monster will leave the readers laughing out loud and solemnly crying. The plot moves along at a nice rate as we watch Tangie become the young woman she was meant to be. I liked this book. I liked Tangie despite her huge ego. Pretty Monster has strong Christian under tones. There is a message in this book for young women everywhere.