SYNOPSIS
During junior year of high school, star student and stellar lacrosse player Alice Burton grew four inches, and, thanks to her mom’s experimental health food products, shed twenty pounds. Alice has mixed feelings about her surprising transformation.
On the plus side: Chris Thompson, the hot college guy she has a crush on, talks to her.
On the minus side: Her dad's creepy friend, professional athlete Karl Bell, lets his eyes, and his hugs, linger too long.
After a disturbing encounter in a dark hallway, Alice realizes the response some men have to her new body isn’t just disgusting, it’s dangerous. Her life is further complicated by her parents’ crumbling finances and the family’s entanglement with Karl.
Set in Pittsburgh in 1992, Wasted Pretty is about a girl determined to protect her body, her future, and her heart.
INDUSTRY PRAISE
“Every girl’s dream and every girl’s nightmare rolled into one. You won’t be able to put it down.” –Aimee L. Salter, author of Love Out Loud and Every Ugly Word
“Relatable if you’re in your teens and enjoyable if you’re looking back on that time, Wasted Pretty is an important and satisfying must-read novel for all ages.” –Lindsay Jill Roth, author of What Pretty Girls Are Made Of
“Jamie Beth Cohen drew me in completely with this heartfelt and deeply honest coming-of-age story steeped in the world of rock ‘n’ roll and radio and shot through with the ache of first love.” –Kit Frick, author of See All the Stars
“I lost a weekend to this book in the best possible way. I just could not put it down. Every time I thought I knew where it was headed, I was delighted to discover I was wrong.” –Gemma Baker, Co-creator and Executive Producer of the television show MOM
“Wasted Pretty, a chillingly real roller coaster of a read, left me breathless. Jamie Beth Cohen didn’t waste a word in this beautiful and complicated story about the challenges of being a teenage girl filled with equal parts suspense, love, and music. The story is so well-told that I felt each of Alice’s hopes and heartbreaks down to the bone.” –Caren Lissner, author of Carrie Pilby
INTERVIEWS and PRESS
Maddie M. White / Ask The Author, October 9, 2020
Off the Grid: Talking with Jamie Beth Cohen (by Emily F. Popek for The Rumpus), January 8, 2020
What We Will Abide :: Come As You Are with Liz Fulmer - Concert Album! - October 31, 2019
What We Will Abide :: Come As You Are with Liz Fulmer - Bonus Episode! - October 23, 2019
What We Will Abide :: Come As You Are with Liz Fulmer, October 18, 2019
A Cafe Chat With Author Lindsay Bandy, October 14, 2019
Writer, Writer Pants On Fire — Podcast — August 19, 2019
Kiddush Book Club — Podcast — Episode 4, July, 2019
Hello Neighbor! A Lankisster Podkisst, July 14, 2019
Ellis Graduate and Novelist to Return home, Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle, June 13, 2019
Lancaster County Writer Releases New Book, Fox43, Live Interview, May 22, 2019
Mountville resident writes coming of age novel set in her hometown of Pittsburgh, LNP, May 5, 2019
Writer, Writer Pants on Fire, April 23, 2019
A New Look on Books, April 15, 2019
Lyn Miller-Lachman, March 21, 2019
The BookBratz, March 16, 2019
Excerpt on Littsburgh, March 6, 2019
CONTENT WARNINGS and RESOURCES
WASTED PRETTY is about many things, but there are brief depictions of sexual assault on the page. If you are concerned that you or someone you love my be triggered by these descriptions, please email me (address below), and I can provide more context.
RAINN is a resource to anyone experiencing sexual violence. Call 800.656.HOPE (4673).
CRISIS TEXT LINE is available for additional support to anyone who needs it. Text HOME to 741741.