shawna_reads's Reviews (471)

"Artificial overstimulation seemed like the perfect way to stifle a generation of young people who wanted more and more from a world where less and less was available."

Penny is a low-level associate working at a law firm in Manhattan when she meets megabillionaire C. Linus Maxwell. They start dating, and she is head over heels as he brings her to extreme gratification everyday. Little does Penny know, she is being experimented on for the final development of a line of feminine products called Beautiful You that will change every woman's life.

This book is an interesting take on female domination. Maxwell creates special, euphoric potions along with sex products that are so potent that it effects every woman and changes their lives drastically - they stop going to work, taking care of their families, and leave their husbands as they lock themselves in their rooms with these products. Penny is devastated that she was the last subject as part of the development of this product, so she tries to do something about it, but no woman wants their special toys taken away.

The topic at hand is interestingly funny. Imagine a world where women are so obsessed with masturbation that they can no longer function, go to work, or even eat. That is wild 😂 Just so a guy like Maxwell can control all women and dominate the world by getting what he wants! He appears charming at first until his heinous acts come into fruition. Penny is a bland character who let her judgement slide and fell in love with him but soon realized what was happening and had to face the horrors.

The story is a little slow going, and Penny is kind of a boring person as you follow her life, but the topic keeps you intrigued as you figure out what's going on and what will happen next. There are unnecessary twists that throw you off, but in the end it ties the story together.

"Nothing of me is original. I am the combined effort of everybody I've ever known."
 
The protagonist is a fashion model that has it all - a career, a boyfriend, and a loyal best friend. She loses everything when a sudden accident leaves her disfigured, transforming her from a beautiful woman to an invisible monster. Cue in Brandy Alexander, who teaches her how to reinvent herself.
 
I love everything about this book - the characters, the humour, the meaningful exploration of identity. The protagonist remains nameless throughout the book as she tries on many different identities while rediscovering herself. Her world completely changes after her accident as you follow along on her journey. She realizes there is more to life than being a beautiful model who is constantly dictated by agents.
 
The characters are either lovable or unlovable. There's her best friend, Evie, her ex-boyfriend, Manus, and her new friend, a trans woman named Brandy. They all have their own buoyant yet envious personalities that bring the story together as they explore life, do drugs, and travel across the country. 
 
I'm not going to say anymore as so much happens in this book. There are a lot of reveals, making it a lot of fun and twisting the overall story. Definitely a great book!