Member Reviews
I liked this one because, dare I say it, I'm a little nosey and this book had me feeling like I was able to eavesdrop on a lot of very interesting things! I also like reading about worlds I do not live in-whether it be the location, the living standards, whatever...this was a captivating and intriguing read because it wasn't related to my perceived reality at all of my own life. I think it was a good book, but I wasn't awed by it either.
This cover. I try to not pick a book by its cover but this one features a place I just want to hang out at!
Now to the book. The story reminded me a bit of Big Little Lies meets Desperate Housewives with a little more petty drama. Although, I guess those had their share of petty drama too! PTA moms, man. The power struggle is real. I loved the alternating POVs. It really helped pull the story forward but this was a lot of petty elementary school PTA drama that I just didn't get into. I don't love drama in general. There was a redeeming message at the end of the book though. I also liked the format with alternating POVs, announcement letters and interviews. I think this could work better as a mini series if they really flushed out the little storylines to amp up the drama.
Satirical novel about wealthy parents in an elite boarding school in Miami Florida. There is a scandal and a heated PTA election. It had some hysterical one liners especially from the character Darcy. Great premise, not much action and very very slow.
Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Asha Elias for the chance to read this digital ARC. All opinions are my own.
When I first started reading this, I was wholly engaged in the mommy drama and elite Miami social scene. Unfortunately, the wonder started to wear off about 25% in. For me, I think some of it stemmed from the multiple perspectives. I had trouble tracking them. The characters were unlikeable, which I generally enjoy, but they didn’t feel very well-developed. The ending eventually felt rushed. Overall, it just didn’t hit the mark for the expectations I had after the beginning of the story.
Such a great read! Highly recommend this one.
Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.
This book really reminded me of Big Little Lies. But, not quite as good. The conflict between Melody, recently from Kansas, and Charlotte the PTA fundraising virtuoso was kind of flat. Melody accidentally sends one snide text Charlotte and then reverts to a preteen in trying to win her back, then take her on in the PTA President race.
Don and Patricia were obviously going to be shady and then it wasn't even really covered in depth.
Throw in Darcy who has hated Charlotte since their kids were in kindergarten/first grade and seems to have her whole personality be that she's a working mom and Judge Carol Lawson who I actually wanted to read more about, and it seemed like the story could've used something to pump up the wow factor.
3.5 stars
"Pink Glass House" is a messy, fast-paced, drama-filled read that delves into PTA politics in one of the top public schools in Miami. The story is told from multiple points of view, incorporating flashbacks and newspaper articles, which adds a unique layer to the narrative. I was instantly captivated by the tea the ladies were spilling and couldn’t want to see which train would derail next! However, the multiple POVs sometimes became confusing. Additionally, the numerous flashbacks distracted from the current events, making it difficult to sometimes stay immersed in the unfolding drama. There was a significant buildup surrounding the main characters in the PTA, but I was disappointed that we didn't get to see the actual competition for the PTA president position. I wanted to witness the messiness and lengths the women would go to in order to win that coveted title. Instead, much of the focus shifted to the wealthy secondary characters and their dramas, which left me wanting more. I was particularly eager to see what Melody had in store for Charlotte regarding the presidency—such a showdown would have been the icing on the cake. Overall, if you enjoy the "Real Housewives" franchise, you will likely appreciate this book. I was fortunate enough to experience the audiobook version, featuring a full cast of narrators who brought the story to life. It’s a solid read
𝗣𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 takes place in fictional town in Florida and let me tell you, this school's PTA is crazy! They hold full-blown elections for presidents and their fundraiser events are beyond over-the-top. I loved how one of the characters was a new parent from Kansas, who could not believe these moms. It made me thankful that my kid's PTA was nothing like these women, but it made me wonder if there were schools like this out there.
If you love the rich behaving badly trope, parent drama, and Kieran Scott's 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆, be sure to read 𝗣𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀! Thanks for the advance copy @netgalley!
Pink Glass Houses did not hit me as a must read. I will admit that the description had me interested at first glance. However, in the end the many different things at play within the story seem some what every day in our current society. The wow factor was lost. Rich people, school PTA's influence, adults acting like children trying to fit in as well as how scandals happen. I did not feel this book had something new or different to offer.
This book was your typical wealthy family drama. I swear people with money have nothing better to do than stir the pot and this book totally confirms that. PTA Moms Gone Wild.
It was interesting for me to read and not my typical type of book. Thankful there was a bit of justice, or at least retribution, in the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for this arc in return for my honest review.
Pub date: 30 July 2024
If you like drama, then this book is it! I enjoyed this read. I felt like it was very reality television worthy!!! This story takes place in Florida and now I wonder if some parts can possibly be true!
This book was hysterical! For anyone who has devoted any time their kids' PTA will find this book very funny, I think these same people are still in PTAs now somewhere! I laughed out loud a lot! My only critique was that it all ended super quickly.
As someone who is about to take her kiddo to a new co-op preschool and attend PTO meetings for her 1st grader, this one was fun and juicy and I really enjoyed all the drama! This is definitely not a thriller, so I would recommend not going into it thinking it's going to give you all the excitement and thrills. Big Little Lies even had a much bigger mystery arc than this one. But if you enjoy rich people problems and mama drama, you could enjoy this.
This column doesn’t typically include audiobooks, but I consumed Asha Elias’ “Pink Glass Houses” (William Morrow, $28) that way and had to recommend listening to it because the immersive audio experience will make you feel involved and entertained — like your friend group catching you up with their perspective on the latest drama.
Equatable to the juiciest reality TV show, Elias’ novel drops you into the world of elite Miami PTA moms as a new mother joins their ranks. Dubbed “‘Big Little Lies’ and ‘Pineapple Street,’ but with diamonds, a tan, and a glass of rosé,” by the publisher, crack open a bottle of bubbly and join this delectable journey of gossip, underhandedness, lies, betrayal, and, since this is a thriller mystery column, a death when you least expect it.
I don't watch the Real Housewives franchise but, I would imagine this is the real housewives meets the PTA! Kansas girl Melody enters a completely foreign world when her husband receives a job promotion and moves the family to the glitz and glamour of sunny Miami. The Moms here are supermodel wannabes and have money to flaunt. Except, behind those flashy jewels and blown-out hair are real problems. And fitting in brings out the worst in Melody. There isn't some huge plot here, it's more like reading a soap opera. If drama and cat fights are what you are in the mood for, you've found your book! 3.5 stars.
"Pink Glass Houses" by Asha Elias is a dazzling and sharp-witted satire that offers readers a voyeuristic glimpse into the high-stakes, high-gloss world of Miami Beach’s elite. Elias’s writing is sharp and engaging, filled with clever observations about the absurdity of extreme wealth and the superficiality that often accompanies it. The novel’s humor is biting, but it also offers moments of genuine insight into the pressures and insecurities that drive its characters, particularly the women who navigate the complex social terrain of Miami Beach’s ultra-wealthy. "Pink Glass Houses" is a thoroughly entertaining read that offers both laughs and a scathing critique of the social elite. Elias’s portrayal of Miami Beach as “a sunny place for shady people” is both glamorous and grotesque, a world where the pursuit of status can lead to spectacular falls. The novel’s pacing is brisk, its dialogue snappy, and its drama deliciously over-the-top, making it a perfect pick for readers who enjoy their satire with a side of scandal.
Mix the glitz and glamour (real or imagined) along with the petty competition of PTA mothers in Miami. It makes for a story that is relatable, laughable, and quite shocking in the end. The mothers in the story will battle to the death for their children while putting on a soap opera worthy performance for all to witness.
First I would like to thank Netgalley and William Morrow Publishing for the ARC of this novel.
This book reminded me so much of Big Little Lies but in a more satirical way. It was so over-the-top that it made it fun and lighthearted.
The characters we terrible and not a single person in the book was likeable (except maybe Melody’s husband) but because of the way it was written it still was a fun read.
This book focused on a PTA election season in an exclusive neighborhood in Miami Beach. It is showed all the adults behaving badly and showing extravagant ways of showing off their wealth. I did feel like the book was a little rushed and there were some unanswered questions at the end but overall it was a fun read.
3.75 stars rounded up to 4/5 for this review.
Pink Glass Houses is a book about Miami Beach PTA moms behaving badly.
Melody is newly arrived in Miami Beach from Wichita, and quickly discovers that she is definitely not in Kansas anymore. The PTA at her daughter's elementary school consists of very invested mothers who take fundraising very seriously with opulent galas. At the center of the fundraising efforts is Charlotte. Melody begins to develop a friendship with Charlotte, but after a terrible mix-up she finds herself at odds with Charlotte and the rest of the PTA moms.
It was a lot of fun reading about the ridiculous shows of wealth and watching Melody and Charlotte bring out the worst in each other. However, the plot loses a bit of steam in the third act and the book takes an unexpected and dark turn.
I really enjoyed the bulk of the book, but the ending left me being a bit dissatisfied. The antics of the moms reminded me of Big Little Lies at times, and readers who enjoyed that book will find a lot to like here.
This review will be posted to Goodreads on August 23, 2024.
I thought this was a good audiobook! It was different from what I normally read. Good palate cleanser. It was entertaining, funny but dark. Can definitely agree with the remarks it is similar to Mean Girls combined with Big Little Lies. However, the majority of the book was predictable and I kind of wanted it to go off the wall crazy, which it never got to that point. There was something that happened at the climax that I wasn’t expecting but it was too late to fully redeem it and give it more than a four stars. Overall still a good book! I did a review post on my Bookstagram that I have linked down below.