First and foremost I loved that the main character was black. Even better that he was just a regular black kid with none of the stereotypical problems black characters are given in books these days.

It was an easy read though not at all thrilling for a book about Spies. The characters seemed to spend a lot of time stopping and talking instead of doing which I found very infuriating.

The story itself was pretty decent but there was no level of danger for the characters or a sense of anticipation for them achieving their goals - which is essential for a novel of this genre.

This is going to be a short and sweet review as I find I don't have much to say about this book.

The cover? Meh.

The overall story? Predictable and flat.

Props for diversity. We need more of that.

In the end, I was just left hoping for so much MORE, that I was quite disappointed. I think this could have been a great book. I think this could have been a suspenseful book with lots of intrigue and "spy"-ness, but it just really .... wasn't anything.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for granting me an eARC of this book!

When I learned this book was a spy novel, I was super happy. I love going through a mystery with a protagonist, and try to solve it. But, unfortunately when I knew the 'mystery hacker' from the beginning of the book, and the CIA trained boy couldn't, I was totally let down.
I loved the idea of the book, the concept and it sounded really fun, easy read. The writing wasn't bad, it was simple. The plot was a little messy, and I think the main character needed to be a lot more clever. If he was a spy, I would expect him to be really comfortable with what he's doing, which was not the case.
Good character building could have saved the story, but I couldn't relate to any one of them. Jake/ Peter himself, his best friend Bunker or Katie.
So, unfortunately, the idea was very good, and I wish the plot and characters met this very good idea.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of the book.

The thing about this book is that it's pretty fun to read. Jake, aka Peter, aka #Prettyboy, is fun to get to know. He's scrappy and he's a survivor. He's also whip-smart (although perhaps the story behind that is a little too mysterious), and he's the type of guy you'd want to hang out with if you were in high school. Or even college. He's FUN.

But ..... well ..... there is a teensy problem with Kimberly Reid's story: it is completely implausible.

Could something like this happen in real life? Yeah, sure. I guess it could. It probably has, for all I know. But it doesn't read like it could. The book reads as if Reid writes with a wink and a smile, nudging you with a raised eyebrow to strap in and enjoy the ride. You get the feeling that she doesn't want you to take this all that seriously.

And that's a problem sometimes because of where she takes the plot. You kind of have to buy into Jake's ability to do what he does in order to keep reading. Fortunately, the way Reid draws Jake, you want to spend time with him and see where his paths take him.

The ending feels a little open. You get the feeling that Reid (and her publisher) wants to see how we receive Jake before she commits to a follow-up book. I can't say I'm counting the hours till I am reunited with him, though. I liked this book, but I was okay when it was over.

#Prettyboy Must Die did not take long for me to read, which is one of the few points in its favor because I just really didn't care for this book. It's okay, but it's not really great. I can look past the idea of the CIA recruiting teenagers for covert ops because, let's face it, that would probably not be the worst thing our government has done. But the main character was arrogant and annoying and probably should have been killed at least twice, but because he's the POV character you knew he was never in any real danger.

The writing is basic; we know whatever the main character is thinking, and I wish we didn't a lot of the times. I can often overlook simple or even bad writing if the story is fun, but this really wasn't that fun. I kept thinking that the premise would make a good movie, and then I remembered that they already made this movie. So if you find yourself wanting to read this book, you should watch Masterminds with Vincent Kartheiser instead.

Thank you for the chance to read this book. Unfortunately it wasn’t for me. I’m not sure what it was that I couldn’t connect with but there was just something.

Sorry.

I really enjoyed his story. It reminded me of the movie Agent Cody Banks, which was one of my favourites when I was a kid. It was also about a teenage secret agent.

I liked the beginning of the story. It throws us right into the action in the Ukraine. Then, the majority of the book is about a lockdown in Peter’s school. I wish there was some more background on how he became an agent. It would have also been nice to see him in more situations than just the one day at school.

Peter is a diverse character, but that isn’t obvious from the boy on the cover. When I started reading the book, Peter mentions that he is black. However, the boy on the cover doesn’t necessarily look black. Perhaps if his whole face was shown, it would have been more obvious, since only part of his face and hands show his skin.

This is a great book for fans of spy novels in a school setting.

This was such an entertaining read! I loved how light and funny it was, and the spy theme was also very cool! It's perfect for reading when you just want to sit down, relax and have a good time.

I loved the comedy and the scenes in this book. The unique storyline was fantastic and very fun to read. This is the first book I have read by this author and it won't be the last. Some parts of this book made be laugh out loud. Thank you for allowing me to read this book and write about it.

#Prettyboy Must Die is an action adventure spy novel in a high school setting. Peter Smith, CIA operative, is undercover as a high school senior trying to find an international hacker that he’s tracked to this campus. While running late one night with his buddy Bunker, he’s caught with his shirt off, on camera by a freshman girl who posts it on Picturegram. (think fictional Instagram) Unbeknownst to Peter, the photo goes viral and blows his cover. Peter figures out he’s in trouble when a team of terrorists break through the roof of his chem lab and take his school hostage. How will Peter (real name Jake Morrow) save the day?

It was pretty obvious to me that this author’s inspiration was the Jason Bourne films and novels by Robert Ludlom. Matt Damon looked pretty young in the first movie, and that was the face I put to Peter Smith while reading this book. As Peter and his friend Bunker race around trying to save the other students in the school, as well as find the terrorists and incapacitate them, it was Matt’s face that helped give the visual more impact. The writing was fun, the action sequences written for a movie, but the characters fell a little flat. I think the action took away from the characterizations and unlike with Jason Bourne, I didn’t care too much what happened to Peter. (Although, I did like his friend Bunker a lot. HE was interesting!)

#Prettyboy Must Die was not a bad book though. The writing was great and there was some good dialog. It had a lot of promise but not a lot of heart. ❤❤❤
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for my honest review and it was honest!

This book was such a fun read and I really flew through it! It was such a fun thriller. I normally loved books about teen spies and this book was prob the most realastic books of them I have read recently. I like the POC lead in this story but also how it was not the "focus" of the story. I thought the story was such fast pace advenure. I loved all the various twists and and turns. I really loved the lead character a lot. I would love to see sequel one day :)

I picked up this book because it has everything I love: spies, exclusive high schools and a pretty boy! The first chapter was a little hard for me to get through but once I did - I couldn't put this book down. The idea of teenagers working for the CIA is so fantastical but amazing. I mean, that would have been like my dream as a teenager. Peter's voice throughout the book is great and the action is perfectly paced. My only question is: when does the next book come out? I need more Peter Smith!

#Prettyboy Must Die is an easy-to-read, uncomplicated young adult spy novel, set in a high school with all the usual suspects.

Peter Smith is an unassuming student in the last year of high school. That is, until his cover is blown when a local school girl snaps a photo of him on a late night run and posts it over social media with a snappy caption that sends the post viral. Shortly after, the high school is taken hostage by unknown hostiles and Peter’s identity is compromised and he’s forced to be who he really is - a recruit from the CIA’s early intact program, and the hostiles are after him.

There’s nothing complicated in the storytelling of this book, and it’s a lot of fun. Due to the nature of the story, we don’t spend a lot of time delving into the personal lives of the characters, and you’ve got your stereotypical few in there, along with a healthy dose of representation (which is fantastic to see). Peter/Jake is determined to succeed and become a staple figure within the CIA, if only he can fix a few mistakes he’s made along the way.

The plot is nothing to write home about, and there are a few parts that drag in the middle, but nevertheless, it has all the elements you’d want in a teen spy novel, that’s focusing more on the characters and the humour than on the thriller aspects.

While not groundbreaking, it’s definitely entertaining, and I gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

The marketing for this book ruined it. Prettyboy is being sold as YA, but the writing is very middle grade. Juvenile and a little outlandish.

Now, this story had a lot of potential. Rogue CIA agents and espionage, and POC main characters. But the main character is kind of a jerk? And the story just unraveled and wasn't very realistic.

I have a mini-rant - discounting girls just because they're girls is sexist. I don't care how old your character is, it just doesn't work. Blatant sexism within the first couple of chapters, and I was pretty much done with the story.

I know there's a lot of chatter about how crazy the plot for this book is, so I won't go into the multiple plot holes. You know when you want to read a book, but your brain won't shut up? Protesting that the plot is just a bit too farfetched? That's what it was like reading #Prettyboy Must Die

#Prettyboy Must Die, by Kimberly Reid is a contemporary action-suspense young adult novel with an underlying romance interspersed through the story.

Jake Morrow is a former foster-kid turned CIA operative. Due to an incident on his first mission, Jake is sent back to high school as Peter Smith with his new job on hold. However, his CIA cover is jeopardized when his photo accidentally goes viral online and #Prettyboy becomes his new nickname.

During an average day at high school, hostiles drop through the ceiling to trigger various suspenseful and unusual events. Jake is forced to determine his friends versus his enemies, from his best friend and his girl crush to his teachers and classmates, as well as his new fan club. By the way, one of #Prettyboy's fans is highly entertaining. :) While trying to survive, Jake (also known as Peter) is attempting to keep his job, save his school and possibly the world.

Even though the story dispenses reality, it was an enjoyable and suspenseful story with various twists throughout the book. I'm intrigued to read more, yet I didn't see a sequel mentioned on Goodreads.

#Prettyboy Must Die is ideal for those who are interested in unusual romances amidst a contemporary action-suspense story, particularly geared towards junior high and high school ages (and those who enjoy YA books).


Note: I received this book from NetGalley, which is a program designed for bloggers to write book reviews in exchange for books, yet the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

When I requested this one I hadn’t heard much about it, I saw it floating around but then I stumbled upon it on Netgalley and the premise really intrigued me so I decided to go for it. I love all spy everything, it’s just something that’s always fascinated me, especially when it has a side of comic relief, it’s the perfect mix which this is so eventhough I kept my expectations low, I still hoped I’d love it. But I sadly did not. It has enjoyable elements, but overall, #Prettyboy must die let me down and I will tell you why.

The writing is simple and fun although it got a little rough around the edges at times. Let me explain. The narration is Jake’s thoughts as he gets them, unfiltered, which served a purposes in some parts, especially when he’s trying to figure out clues but for the rest of the novel, it was giving unnecessary information I didn’t really care for. Furthermore, this being an espionnage novel, there are a set of emotions I think should be conveyed through the writing, like fear, anger and urgency and that sadly wasn’t the case here, I think the fun overtook the rest and I couldn’t take any of it seriously. There was also phreaking instead of freaking multiple times and…what’s up with that? I just? Did not compute? In addition to ableist language like cr*zy, ps*cho, and sociopathic.

Don’t get me wrong, the story is still enjoyable, if you can get over the ridiculousness of most of it and read it for the light, silly read it is. I unfortunately could not do that because it threw me off from the start. Jake’s first cover was as a tunisian boy named Pierre…I mean, tunisian, yes. But Pierre, REALLY? Pierre isn’t a tunisian name, it’s a french name so that cover is blown because it’s innacurate but it somehow lasted weeks. And this is a pattern I’ve noticed through most the novel,.

Most conclusions Jake draws are based on assumptions instead of facts (which I suspect an operative wouldn’t do) and hints that fall in his lap way too easily which made the whole plot flimzy and easily take apart. The biggest example is the thing that started all of this. It’s a tweet. And he’s a hacker. He could’ve taken it down in the blink of an eye and even if that’s acknowledged, we’re never given a reason and I think that a trained operative would definitely take care of that first. So the whole foundation the story was built on was kind of wobbly.

That’s not saying that the plot is predictable through and through. It has some predictable elements sure, but it still managed to surprise me multiple times which kept me on my toes and made me enjoy it a bit despite disliking a lot of elements, some situations and twists were really pleasant and the humour was cute and placed in moments that needed it.

Jake is an effortlessly likeable character, his voice is enjoyable and personality perky. He’s a black teen CIA operative, smart, funny and very impulsive at times which puts him in less than desirable situations. I love the friendship he striked with Bunker, it felt really genuine and was heartwarming especially because he wasn’t supposed to care about anyone. Bunker is quite a funny character but I thought he was very two dimensional. Along with all the other side characters to be honest. Even Katie, with whom there was some kind of romance I didn’t really care for. <Spoiler>For the whole time, they’re fighting evil people and next to nothing happens between them besides a few exchanged words but by the end they’re both like “well now there’s something between us, isn’t there” and I felt like there was no build up to it </spoiler>

All in all, if you can read this mindlessly for the light, not-to-overthink, read it is, go for it but if not, maybe don’t. I still enjoyed bits and pieces of the story like I said, but I wish there was more substances and credibility to it.

Jake Morrow, aka Peter Smith, is a foster kid turned CIA operative and since he epically failed his first assignment he's been given a pity mission at a school. He's trying to keep a low profile (there are terrorists out there looking to get bloody revenge), but when a classmate snaps his #Prettyboy photo during a jog around the track and uploads it to social media he becomes a viral sensation. Before he knows it, the school is under attack and he's stuck in the building with psychotic killers (and fans). This #Prettyboy's going to have to put all of his skills and training to the test if he doesn't want to be a #Deadboy.

#Prettyboy Must Die by Kimberly Reid sounded like it would be so much fun, like a combination of #AlexFromTarget (remember that guy) meets the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter and Spy Kids with a great sense of humor. The concept behind this is very promising and the story starts off well enough. The author drops us right into the action from Jake/ Peter's point of view. Reid keeps the pacing fast and light, and she does a decent job of writing action scenes. Unfortunately, as the the story moves on the plot just begins to get silly and ridiculous - forget about suspending your disbelief. Good characters could have saved the story, but I couldn't relate to anyone here, from Jake/ Peter himself, his best friend Bunker, Katie the hot girl with a secret of her own, or anyone for that matter. Jake/ Peter is the most irritating of them all - he is very arrogant, treats his one friend like nothing more than his flunky (are they only friends because Bunker doesn't know any better after living in a bunker with only his dad for company for fifteen years of his life?), and constantly underestimates girls and women (if they're good looking they can't be much more than an airhead space cadet, right?) even when they clearly have talent. I'll admit, there are some fun moments, but for the most part what I just mentioned overshadows all of that. If it's supposed to be funny, I must have missed it.

Overall, I really wanted to like Kimberly Reid's #Prettyboy Must Die, but it just wasn't for me. I was actually close to DNFing it, but I kept pushing through it. It's one of those novels where the concept behind it sounds incredibly promising, but the execution does not live up to your expectations.

I guess that it was okay. Yeah, this is not the great start ever. I know, I know. Sadly this novel left me with little to say. Or too little impression to actually elaborate a long review.

The book looks like an interesting read, a funny action packed young adult. It's that for sure. But I was looking for more? I don't mean that I started this one waiting for the next more impressive young adult thriller but the plot, the character, the story... none worked for me.

It's a really short read and that should help all the other readers that are looking out for something fun and fast, something immersive maybe, but my reaction of the whole was just no. At a certain point, while reading, I asked myself when this was gonna end, losing my interest a bit a after a bit.

So, talking about the plot, I was not that impressed. What I mean is that the story can be perfectly fine for the book itself but a lot of things happened. And there was no actual depth how the characters, main character in this case, felt towards the situation. Well there are some details but all of them seemed to be wrapped around the plot so much that the result was a empty one.

And I don't feel that there's more to say. Things happened, things that don't always make actual sense. Everytime was easy, too much easy and really bad organized. Putting aside the fact that the villains were totally childish, expect for one of them. Kind of.

Another bad thing is that I almost got immediately who was the main antagonist. Yes, I'd  few doubts during the reading because the fact got messed up and messed up, situation and alliances changed, but yes, the first impression was the right one.

Talking about the characters, I didn't like Jake. He's kinda sexist and swallow. Like a typical stereotyped teens. He likes a girl mainly because she's pretty and with an accent. Something else, thank you? I followed his narration but I didn't connect with him. In the end it was me reading what he was saying, all sure of himself.

I was hoping to like much more the secondary character Katie and Bunker but I cannot say that I did. Neither I hated them. They just go with the flow and had really little pages, all related to Jake. And from other sides one remains the strange nerdy guy that always need to be saved and the other is the pretty, perfect girl who can does everything. I would be fine with this if I could have seen something more about them. Showing their POVs' would have helped a lot.

In the end #prettyboy Must Die let me down quite a lot, but I enjoyed it a bit. Just a bit. I'm probably going to read other books by the author to see some changes.

3.5 stars
Quick moving YA read. Seems perfectly written for the Hallmark Mystery Jr channel. Seriously, I can easily see this as a movie. With the right casting, the tweens would go crazy. I twigged to the villain but I've read a lot of mysteries.

#PrettyBoy Must Die is a cute book. It's not earth shattering or groundbreaking, but it doesn't have to be. You don't pick up a book with a hashtag in the title expecting the Citizen Kane of Literature, but that doesn't mean it's frivolous. Peter Smith is a CIA agent who's cover is blown because he's just so attractive he goes viral. That is a hilarious premise and a clever one at that. Most of the book is a sort of cat and mouse game between Peter, other operatives, and obsessive fans. And the ride is just fun, it's a fun quick read that isn't that dark or twisted or intense, but a nice adventure that's just thrilling enough to keep the smile on my face and the page turning.