I was sent Pearl in exchange for an honest review…and can I just say I’m so glad I was because I really enjoyed it.

It’s about the daughter of a drug addict who used to be a famous singer. When Pearl’s mother messes up for the million time, Pearl is sent to a private boarding school by her rich uncle to save the family face. Once there, Pearl finds herself battling the demons of her rough past, while trying to refresh her life and make something of her life.

I mainly liked this book because Pearl is a great protagonist. She is relatable, arty and her hard upbringing gives her a great perspective for the story. Pearl meets private school teenagers that are rebelling for different reasons with drink and drugs, but because Pearl has come from that life, she sees what’s actually going on with them while joining in, which puts her above them in an unpretentious way, but an unspoilt real world way. She felt older than her peers, but that came at the price of what she’d been through.

Nearly everyone around Pearl is the absolute worst, including her awful extended family and many of the private school kids, and I found myself screaming at Pearl to put them in their place. But this is all made worth it by the few good friends she makes and a believable romance that acts as a good rising undercurrent for the whole story.

Pearl goes through a lot of pain and self-realisation throughout the story and this is what made it so good. The way Pearl dealt with her struggles felt very real and the messages that come from her journey make you think and relate to her. They can even be applied to things you may be going through in your own life.

If you want a boarding school story (that has more that just boarding school) about overcoming your inner demons and discovering who you really are, then Pearl is a great book for you.

Great idea and concept for a book. A thoroughly enjoyable read. Highly recommended. .

This book had so much potential and a wonderful cast of characters, although they did need just a hair more personality, since the novel itself was so character driven. It was still a great and emotional novel!

Pearl Jaeger is tired of living a messed up life with her washed up druggie rocker mom. When tragedy strikes, her wealthy uncle offers to send her to boarding school, a chance at a new beginning for Pearl.

Pearl blossoms in an art class with a difficult teacher, and makes new friends, but her dark past and relationship with her mother are obstacles on her path to a new and better life.

Really a great harrowing read.