Book Review: Every Exquisite Thing
I was immediately drawn to Every Exquisite Thing because I absolutely love stories inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray. Taking that concept and reimagining it through a female lens felt fresh, timely, and incredibly intriguing. Also, look at the book cover! Swoon.
One of my favorite aspects of the novel was how it explored beauty standards and the pressure placed on women to achieve impossible ideals. Laura Steven tackles these themes in a way that feels both relevant and impactful. Penny's journey serves as a powerful reminder that beauty is far more than skin deep, and I found myself reflecting on many of the messages long after I finished reading.
Penny herself was a character who evoked a lot of emotion from me. As both an adult reader and a mother, my heart absolutely broke for her. Her childhood experiences and struggles with self-worth made her easy to sympathize with, and there were many moments where I simply wanted things to be better for her.
The supporting cast was also memorable, even if I occasionally wished we had gotten more backstory and development for some of them. Several characters were wonderfully ruthless, adding tension and complexity to the story.
As the novel progressed, I especially enjoyed the darker atmosphere that emerged. There were strong gothic undertones woven throughout the story, along with thriller elements that heightened the stakes and kept me turning pages. The blend of beauty, obsession, art, and ambition created a compelling reading experience.
That said, the pacing wasn't always perfect for me. Some revelations and character conclusions felt a bit abrupt, and there were moments where I wanted the story to spend more time developing certain emotional beats. I also felt there were additional layers to Penny's character that could have been explored more deeply.
Despite those minor issues, I found Every Exquisite Thing to be an engaging and thought-provoking read. Its exploration of identity, beauty, and self-worth delivers an important message, particularly for younger readers navigating a world that often equates appearance with value.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy Dorian Gray-inspired stories, dark contemporary fantasy, gothic atmosphere, and books that examine society's obsession with beauty, Every Exquisite Thing is worth picking up. While the pacing occasionally stumbled, the novel's themes, emotional impact, and unique premise make it a memorable read.
You can see my review for Goodreads here:
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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