Pink Glass Houses

Wow! My first ARC and I loved it! This book was written from multiple pov that took you on the roller coaster called “Life with the “elite”. Hang on for a crazy ride!

Melody and her Husband Greg had no idea what environment they were moving into. Greg got a promotion that moved them from small town Wichita Kansas to Miami Beach.

They got their first taste when they pulled in for back to school night….

Melody POV: We were in the wrong place. We had to be. We pulled into the Sunset Academy parking lot for Back to school night and I double checked Google Maps….Stepping out of rows of fancy cars were the oddest families I’d ever seen.

Catty women and all their pettiness running the PTA. Melody was not in Kansas anymore.

I’ve never watched the “Real Housewives” on tv but from commercials this put my mind to that show.

I loved this book and I couldn’t wait until I could get back to reading! It was a fun ride and I’m sad it’s over! Twists and turns and unexpected events. I would read this one again. Loved the drama and the audacity of the characters. If you enjoy some drama go read this one! Not my typical read but it was a great break from my norm.

Way to go on your first book Asha! You kept my attention! I was in a tad bit of a slump and this broke that for me. Thank you!!!

Thank you NetGalley and Asha Elias for the opportunity to review this book.

Elias's writing is evocative and atmospheric, with vivid descriptions that bring the sights, sounds, and smells of coastal India to life. From the bustling markets to the tranquil shores, she captures the sensory experience of the setting in a way that is both immersive and enchanting. Through her lyrical prose, she invites readers to journey alongside Maya as she navigates the complexities of her past and discovers the true meaning of home.

At its core, "Pink Glass Houses" is a story about the power of love, resilience, and the human spirit to overcome adversity and find redemption. It is a testament to the enduring strength of family bonds and the transformative power of forgiveness. Whether you're a fan of literary fiction or simply looking for a moving and compelling read, "Pink Glass Houses" is sure to captivate and inspire readers alike.

This such an enjoyable reading experience. From the writing to the ridiculous antics these characters get up to… so much fun!

Melody and her family have just moved from the Midwest to Miami-Dade County Florida and life is whole different ball game here… especially among the parents of her school-aged child attending Sunset Academy.

Among a cast of other parents of varying degrees of sophistication and extravagance, we have Charlotte. These two moms are vying for the coveted PTA president and so much shenanigans ensue.

Between thin veiled social media posts to accusations of adultery and bad parenting, all the pins are pulled and grenades are detonating everywhere.

If you enjoy juicy dramedies about mommies behaving badly, about crazy mom groups and seeing the facades of the elite exposed for the truth, this is the book for you. One thing I really loved was that Elias creates this addictive story revolving around these powerful women doing crazy things, while still letting you see the humanity they hold within. Usually books like this are filled with unlikable characters, but not Pink Glass Houses. I loved these characters. They were flawed, yet relatable.

This was a fun read and sort of like the book version of one of the Real Housewives franchise. There isn't one single likable character yet you find yourself immersed in their stories.

Pink Glass Houses is an intriguing satire shining its light on the PTA at an elementary school in Miami Beach.

Welcome to Sunset Academy, the number one coveted elementary school in Miami Beach . The families of this school fall into the categories of rich, wealthy and ultra-wealthy. Nobody is as well known as Charlotte, the PTA’s Vp of fundraising, who plans elaborate events to bring as much money to the school as possible. She’s primed to be the best PTA President and has the backing of the richer families of the school, including the ultra wealthy Walker family. Enter Melody Howard, a new transplant from Wichita, KS. All this looks ridiculous to her, but she quickly finds herself falling in with these Miami Beach moms. When she emerges as rival candidate to Charlotte, all hell begins to break loose. Remember what they say about Miami Beach: it’s a sunny place for shady people.

This book felt like a biting satire take on The Real Housewives franchises and Big Little Lies. It’s frothy at times, but I liked it. I liked the characters, especially Darcy and Judge Carol Lawson. The alternating POVs were fun and it was written very much like these ladies were talking directly to you like a talking head on one of those reality programs.

My only issue around the book was some of the centering around The Walkers. I didn’t fully jive with their story and I felt like it took over at a point and wasn’t pushed far enough.

Other than this aspect, I did like this book quite a bit and would recommend it to someone looking for a light fun read.

Thank you to William Morrow and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Publishing Date: 7/30/24

This is definitely PTA moms on steroids! Maybe another title could be “The Real PTA Moms of Miami “. . It was an interesting, funny , sad and satirical look at mothers. You will want to go along for the ride! Put it on your TBR list!!!

Thank you to Net Galley and William Morrow Publishing for an advanced digital copy to read and review!

Thanks to NetGalley for my copy of this book.

I found this story really hard to get into at first, which almost made me put the book down altogether. None of the characters are particularly likeable, and I was put off by their over-the-top antics from the start. I guess I don't like reading about this specific type of setting and these kind of characters, because I find the constant competition, need for attention, and obsession about image and money to be annoying. I already deal with people who act like that in my own life. However, the writing was top-notch and I would still be willing to read works by this author. I just need to avoid certain plots is all.

This was an entertaining ride! Very absurd and over the top, none of the characters were really likable, but of course that was the point. I enjoyed all of the different POVs and how obsessed with their images everyone was, as well as the emails and interview snippets interspersed between them. I think the subplot about Charlotte and Axel was the most interesting to me and hey, she even grew a little bit by the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

They say not to throw stones, but where's the fun in that? When everyone else throws stones, newcomer Melody is not about to be outthrown.

Pink Glass Houses is centered around the third-grade Sunset Elementary PTA. Is there any better status symbol than being PTA president or fundraising chair in charge of raising tens of thousands of dollars "for the children"? In this Miami community, no. The Howards move to Miami due to a job transfer and Melody is determined to find her place. Maybe she can ground these women. Maybe she'll transform into one of them. Maybe the gossip and drama are what she's been missing all her life.

Very Big Little Lies meets Little Fires Everywhere meets Mean Girls, if you love drama and trainwrecks then this one is for you! It is an easy, enjoyable read- perfect for lazy summer days! I was immediately sucked into the world of the wealthy elite and kept needing to know what they would do next. The story was told from several perspectives, and the shift was too frequent and widespread for me. Fewer POVs could have allowed for a deeper connection to the main characters, more character development/backstory, and maybe more of a character arc. The ending was predictable and felt a little rushed.

I enjoyed the novel and can't wait to see what else Asha Elias has up her sleeve!

Thanks to NetGalley for this eARC. #PinkGlassHouses #AshaElias #WilliamMorrow

This is a satirical look at the lifestyle, PTA and parenting at the countrie’s best public school located in a wealthy neighborhood in Miami Beach! There is scandal, fraud, fashion, money, mom cat fights, gossip and more!

If you’re a fan of books like, “Big Little Lies,” then you’ll want to pick this one up!

The story is told through rotating first person POV from the different mother’s of this elite public school. Each POV has a drastically different look at this insane social scene that is Miami Beach and the politics behind it. Each mother also has a very different take on motherhood and what that role looks like which makes for such an interesting change in each chapter.

This is a fabulous debut novel by this author. She kept things moving at a quick pace and the story was constantly moving along and engaging. She managed to write an entire book without major lulls.

This book is so good! It was such a fun read and I enjoyed every single second of it and had me laughing out loud at some points. The writing is very laid back but it is absolutely perfect for this book since it gives off the Miami vibes. The story of the book juggles mom drama, the struggles of parents, and even the struggles of kids. It was a balanced book that would be perfect for the summer months!
Every character has a distinct tone, and I think Asha did a great job distinguishing between them. The moms not realizing their entitlement is absolutely hilarious. I loved how we saw all different sides of the Miami moms, even the ugly. The book's ending shocked me and kept me on my toes. Seeing the dark side was very interesting; I'm glad that was included!
My favorite parts of the book were the emails, interviews, and articles. They gave the book a unique aspect I have not seen in many books, so I'm glad that was included. So when does the next book come out??

Though this novel was compared to some of my favorites, I didn’t find myself pulled in. This is the story of wealthy moms and the rivalry and changing alliances in a fancy Miami school. For readers who enjoy a “Real Housewives experience” this is fun. So, despite my reservations, I think this will be an appealing summer read. It is set in posh Miami and this debut author has done a good job of making these vapid characters entertaining.

Thank you Netgalley for this book by a new author.

Four women are moms at a posh public school in Miami Beach—a lawyer, a judge, an influencer, and one new to the group who works with nonprofits. Elias has combined the snarkiness of Good Little Lies with the nouveau riche vibe of Miami. The moms compete to raise money for the school while patting themselves on the back for not enrolling their kids in private academies. Elias used multiple points of view as well as interviews from the local lifestyle magazine of a mega-donor couple. The women keep their problems well hidden but over time the cracks in some of their facades begin to show. I loved this and highly recommend it. It will be a book everyone is talking about this summer. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This was a quick, easy read! Miami is a fun setting, and I thought the author did a good job of describing the schools, neighborhoods, etc. I was excited to read this one because I loved Big Little Lies, but it fell a little flat for me. The characters all sounded pretty much the same and were not very likable. I also felt the twist at the end was predictable and would have liked a little more resolution for some of the characters. But, was a fun read and would be a great vacation book! Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

I really enjoyed reading this book, so much that I read it the whole thing in one day! This book is great for any elementary teacher or parents of elementary students (I’m both!)

The context is super cute, I love the description of the characters. I also enjoyed the silly gossip and the “mean girls” vibe of these silly elementary school parents!

The ending kept me wanting more… I wish I knew what happened to all of the characters… I needed a “two years later” chapter or something like that to feel closure!

But, I would recommend this to my fellow teacher friends and parent friends as well.

I could not put this book down once I started reading it. I was obsessed with the plot and the characters. It gave me grown up Mean Girls vibes plus Bad Moms, which I absolutely love too. I would love to have this book in my library!

This book is Big Little Lies meets Real Housewives of Miami. I do love a good catfight/drama and this book delivers on these tropes very well. Meow. If you are a fan of Chick Lit with PTA drama and elite social status then this book will be right up your alley. It is engaging and over the top but very well written.

Thank you NetGalley, William Morrow and Asha Elias for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a satirical novel about the elite in Miami. The mothers of schoolchildren, PTA moms, and the ultra rich who are funding every aspect of the school.

We follow four main perspectives:

Melody - New mom in town. She’s from Kansas, and having to see all of this crazy shit go down first hand. She’s trying to make friends, and also run for PTA president in the upcoming school year.

Charlotte - Current PTA president, fundraising junkie. Perfectionist in all that is PTA, but seriously lacking in the actual parenting department.

Darcy - Anti current PTA and befriends Melody. Lawyer, bland.

Patricia - The wife of the rich man funding the school. Lives in the infamous Pink Glass House.

This was just… predictable. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fun to follow these moms in their extremely privileged lives, but the writing is just so clunky and off. Things happen that are never truly answered, and I’m pretty sure the author did that on purpose, but it just doesn’t work. It felt like a slog. Repetitive, surface level, and dull. All of the characters are so far up their own asses it kills me. I know it’s satirical, I KNOW THAT. But, this just felt so pointless and, frankly, weird. None of the characters have a true “aha” moment or redemption. They all felt bland and as sticky as the Florida humidity. If the author had taken this and turned it into a thriller, focusing on the Don and Patricia arc… well, that could have been something.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of these thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Real Housewives of Sunset Academy lead a far more lavish life than any of the ladies featured on Bravo…a top-rated public school where no exotic car or designer outfit is too grand for the parents here. Charlotte has her sights set on winning the coveted PTA president role, turning Back to School Night into a near six-digit fundraiser. When Melody and her family move to this Miami school from the midwest, she worries they might be in over their heads! Thankfully, Darcy, another mom without the designer tags, is willing and eager to take her under her wings. What follows during the course of the school year is an absolutely delicious read! It’s truly a guilty pleasure to watch Midwest Melody settle into this posh PTA…as it all unravels after her arrival. Miami society is upside down and the gloves come off the ladies’ perfectly manicured hands. Ladies who lunch should not throw stones at pink glass houses after all…

Review is on Goodreads and will be posted on Instagram 4/6

Hi Asha! Congrats on your first book! I thought the story was very interesting, I have not read a storyline quite like this one. It was a fast-paced book, and the ending was totally unpredictable. I thought the cattiness between the women was just enough and not too ‘caty’. I also loved reading everyone’s perspective and had a fondness towards Charlotte. I felt like she was a misunderstood character. All in it was a great story, there was alot of different things going on especially with Ax but all in all I rated the book at a 3 stars. It would have been nice to hear how everyone was doing after everything unfolded. Thank you for sharing this story!