<i>The Last Beautiful Girl</i> was a solidly <i>okay</i> read. Nothing outstanding. It very much read like perhaps this author’s first book? The blurb compares it to Black Mirror, but I didn’t quite feel like that comparison was accurate apart from it revolving around the darker side of the internet. I suppose this was more like a modern-day retelling of <i>Dorian Grey</i> (one of my favourite books of all time) for the social-media-age. The main character even references that book early on in this story. I really wanted to enjoy this one more because of the creepy, haunted-house setting!

Is social media fame all its cracked up to be for the main character, Izzy? She suddenly starts going viral online after posting in some gowns and jewellery she found in an old Manor House she has moved into with her family. She suddenly gets a new best friend and a new love interest, things seem to be going well for her as the new kid. But, will the darkness that’s inside this old house, grow inside Izzy too?

<b>3 Stars</b>

<b>Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review</b>

Not only was the cover beautiful, but so was the inside. I really enjoyed Nina Laurin's writing and I'm definitely interested in checking out future releases!

When i saw that this book was compared to Black Mirror I was really excited. Unfortunately, it didn't really live up to my excitement.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

What started off as mildly intriguing became absolutely sloggy by halfway through. The last third was a genuine struggle. Okay concept, but ridiculous delivery.

I was excited to get started reading this book after falling in love with the beautiful cover. Unfortunately this book didn’t click for me. I couldn’t relate to the main character, who I found to be a bit of an insipid ‘not like other girls’ trope, with no real stand out qualities. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Last Beautiful Girl started off pretty interestingly. Especially after meeting Izzy, the main character, who isn't pleased about the big move from the city to a small town. At sixteen, I can see why she wasn't exactly excited about this. If I was moving somewhere at the age, I doubt I would be either. The only good thing out of this move was a giant house but it does come with some spooky vibes.

With the house being super mysterious, I was very intrigued with what was going to be slowly revealed. It was also interesting to see how she would change and adapt to it all as well. Now I knew that this was going to give certain Black Mirror vibes before diving into it. I will admit that it did a very good job of weaving those throughout the book. Definitely made me want to stop everything and rewatch that show but I had to see how things would end.

In the end, the mystery and haunted house vibes were intriguing enough but I was expecting something a bit, well, more. Don't get me wrong, I liked the book. I totally did. It was easy enough to devour within a sitting. I just felt like it had potential to be something more. Especially when it came to certain twists thrown our way.

Still, I'm really happy that I got the chance to jump into this. Will definitely be on the lookout for what Nina writes next!

Nina Laurin delivers an eerie story that does not disappoint. The connections between The Last Beautiful Girl and Black Mirrors is clear, and this book is sure to delight fans of the series.

A timely and deeply creepy narrative that deals with the exploration of beauty in the digital age. I absolutely loved the gothic vibes of this novel. It's a really smart look at beauty standards through the lens of Shirley Jackson-esque gothic fear. So clever and beautifully written.

Unfortunately this book just was not for me. I cannot get behind the main character. I am all for an unlikable character most times however she has a very "quirky, not like other girl" mentality and everyone else is just dumb or preppy. Reminds me of 2009 but not in a good way. I think the writer has a good flow and hope to try something else by them.

atmospheric, spooky, and immersive, this was everything i wanted "Horrid" to be but didn't deliver. i've looked for ages for a book that captured the eerie mystery spirit of the film "Nancy Drew" starring Emma Roberts and have finally found it. with blends of "American Horror Story" season 1 this book hit a really sweet spot for me.

set in a turn-of-the-century-era house built by a former artist's muse, the haunted setting of this book was truly such a highlight. the imagery of the original architecture, fixtures, and belongings of the late homeowners' painted a vivid picture that added charm to its spooky backdrop. the deterioration of the MC from the beginning to the end was so organic and subtle that i felt like i was descending into madness alongside the characters. laurin does a great job of artfully revealing bits of the overarching mystery throughout the story without overwhelming the reader. and with a commentary on the darker side of social media and its addictive properties weaved among the mystery, it has a lot of undertones to keep readers' interest.

while none of the characters are particularly likeable and the ending is fairly abrupt, i really loved the pacing of this book and laurin's writing style. i would've gladly devoured a longer version of this book if it could've fleshed out a few of the characters more. i'm definitely left with some questions after finishing this, but overall i was satisfied. this is the first time a modern book has made me want to read a classic and i can see myself picking up its inspiration "The Picture of Dorian Gray" in the future.

The Last Beautiful Girl is a YA retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray that explores vanity, fame, and beauty. Dorian Gray is one of my favourite classics so I enjoyed the references in this book to the original, updated to the present time with the elements of influencers and social media. But I didn't think the storyline is as strong as it could have been. Some scenes feel repetitive and the multiple POVs didn't feel necessary because they're just confirming what we already know. The creepy elements were fun though I wish the story has more surprises. But it's a quick read if you're in the mood for a gothic supernatural teen story!

Isa moves from Brooklyn, where she loves her life, to a small community that doesn’t seem to have much to offer. Isa, her mom and dad move into the Granger House, which was elegant and decadent a century ago but has faded and become decrepit. The house also has deaths in its history. The community is in awe of the Granger House because of the mysteries surrounding it. Bodies have been found, supposedly homeless vagrants; a teenage girl has disappeared from there; and the home owners’ unknown endings. Isabelle Granger was a beautiful model who many artists painted portraits of. These portraits are all over the house. Isabelle’s husband was discovering new art forms dealing with photography but his shop was burned to the ground but no one knows what happened to him. Isa meets an aspiring photographer at school and together they recreate Isabelle Granger’s portraits through photography and post them on an Instagram account that becomes very popular. Isa’s personality begins to change and she becomes impatient, arrogant and self-important. Her family and friends notice and they try to intervene before tragedy strikes. This is a spooky, suspenseful book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading, 5 stars!

I need to stop reading YA - I’ve clearly moved past enjoying this age category. An interesting premise, and I love anything gothic - but I didn’t love this.

Nina Laurin's deeply dark and at times disturbing retelling of the classic 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' hits all the right notes and immerses the reader in a troubling, disconcerting atmosphere.

In the same vein as Wendy Heard's Dorian Gray retelling, 'She's Too Pretty To Burn,' readers will find the classic approachable and similar in the best way since the authors have been able to mimic the tone of the original.

I will certainly recommend this novel to readers who are looking to explore a darker text and as a bridge to comprehending Dorian Gray!

Synopsis:
BLACK MIRROR meets Darcy Coates in this exploration of the dangerous, dark side of beauty in the digital age, with a gothic, haunted-house setting.

When Izzy is dragged from Brooklyn to a tiny town for her parents' new job, she's not thrilled. The silver lining is the gorgeous old mansion she's moved into: the former home of an artist's muse who died tragically in a fire. But the house has its quirks: whole floors are closed off, paintings are covered up, and cell reception is nonexistent.

Izzy throws herself into starting an Instagram fashion account using the gowns and jewelry she finds hidden away in the house. She looks perfect in the photos—almost unnaturally perfect—and they quickly go viral. Soon she's got a new best friend, a potential boyfriend, and is surrounded by a group of girls who want the photoshoots and fame for themselves. But there's a darkness in the house, and a darkness growing in Izzy, too. When girls start dying, it's clear that something—or someone—in the house is growing in power, with deadly intentions.

I really enjoyed this one. The writing was beautiful and the atmosphere was creepy. I couldn’t put it down because I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen. My only complaint is that I feel like the ending was a little rushed and the ending left me with so many unanswered questions.

A huge thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advaned copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was really hyped up for this after seeing the gorgeous cover and reading the blurb
But it turned out okayish for me!

The opening was good and although the story was interesting I was expecting some spice, and also the ending was meh ...

Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire, and NetGalley for the gifted ebook of The Last Beautiful Girl! All opinions in this review are my own.

In this YA adaption of The Picture of Dorian Gray, Izzy is forced to leave her life in Brooklyn behind as her parents move her to a small town. At least she gets to live in a beautiful mansion once belonging to an artist's muse, even if it does need some updating.

When Izzy discovers some of Isabella's old dresses and jewelry, she creates an Instagram account where she dresses up as Isabella. Izzy looks gorgeous in the photos, almost unnaturally so, and they quickly grow viral. As her account gets more and more popular, a change comes over Izzy. When other girls start getting hurt, it's clear there is something sinister going on.

I haven't read The Picture of Dorian Gray (hoping to change that this year) so I went into The Last Beautiful Girl with only a vague understanding of the novel it is based on. Laurin does an excellent job creating a sinister atmosphere that creeps up on you as you read. Despite the book being conversation heavy at times, the trepidation that something much worse was coming kept me reading. I cannot wait to read The Picture of Dorian Gray now!

Oh My Goodness!!! I cannot begin to express how much I adored 'The Last Beautiful Girl' by Nina Laurin! This was such a compelling read, whilst I breezed through it, there are many aspects that compelled the reader. I would recommend it in a heart break to anyone.

TW: Murder, obsession, possession & self-esteem

Think Dorian Gray with possession vibes set in the self-obsessed world of social media.
The highly refreshing storyline shows how a dislikeable character can change for good THEN can become even more unlikeable. Still, you start to wonder if the character development is downhill or possession from a darker force.

This book is an excellent job balancing between supernatural and creepy usual reality and problems. I also think it did a good job jumping into another pov to show how bad the situation truly is getting from the outside.

That opening ending did bother me, though, because I WANTED TO KNOW if the characters were alive or if the evil was truly gone or not.