Such a Pretty Face

"An affecting portrait of one woman's heroic journey from tragedy to her own version of happiness" from the acclaimed author of All About Evie ( Booklist ). Two years and 170 pounds ago, Stevie Barrett was wheeled into an operating room for surgery that most likely saved her life. Since that day, a new Stevie has emerged, one who walks without wheezing, plants a garden for self-therapy, and builds and paints fantastical wooden chairs. At thirty-five, Stevie is the one thing she never thought she'd be: thin. But for everything that's changed, some things remain the same. Stevie's shyness refuses to melt away. She still can't look her gorgeous neighbor in the eye. The Portland law office where she works remains utterly dysfunctional, as does her family—the aunt, uncle, and cousins who took her in when she was a child. To top it off, her once supportive best friend clearly resents her weight loss. But as Stevie starts to uncover some surprising revelations—about who she is, who she wants to be, and how the old Stevie evolved in the first place—she realizes the most important part of her transformation may not be what she's lost, but the courage and confidence she's gathering, day by day. Praise for the novels of Cathy Lamb "A story of strength and reconciliation and change." — The Sunday Oregonian "I loved this beguiling novel about love, friendship and the enchantment of really good chocolate." —Luanne Rice, New York Times -bestselling author "Lamb is an awesome storyteller and moves seamlessly from the past to the present." — RT Book Reviews In this warm, funny, thoroughly candid novel, acclaimed author Cathy Lamb introduces an unforgettable heroine who's half the woman she used to be, and about to find herself for the first time. . . Two years and 170 pounds ago, Stevie Barrett was wheeled into an operating room for surgery that most likely saved her life. Since that day, a new Stevie has emerged, one who walks without wheezing, plants a garden for self-therapy, and builds and paints fantastical wooden chairs. At thirty-five, Stevie is the one thing she never thought she'd be: thin. But for everything that's changed, some things remain the same. Stevie's shyness refuses to melt away. She still can't look her neighbors' gorgeous great-nephew in the eye. The Portland law office where she works remains utterly dysfunctional, as does her family--the aunt, uncle, and cousins who took her in when she was a child. To top it off, her once supportive best friend clearly resents her weight loss. By far the biggest challenge in Stevie's new life lies in figuring out how to define her new self. Collaborating with her cousins to plan her aunt and uncle's problematic fortieth anniversary party, Stevie starts to find some surprising answers--about who she is, who she wants to be, and how the old Stevie evolved in the first place. And with each revelation, she realizes the most important part of her transformation may not be what she's lost, but the courage and confidence she's gathering, day by day. As achingly honest as it is witty, Such A Pretty Face is a richly insightful novel of one woman's search for love, family, and acceptance, of the pain we all carry--and the wonders that can happen when we let it go at last. Outstanding Praise For Cathy Lamb And Her Novels Henry's Sisters An Indie Next List Notable Book "A story of strength and reconciliation and change."--The Sunday Oregonian "Lamb delivers grace, humor and forgiveness. . .positively irresistible."--Publishers Weekly "If you loved Terms of Endearment, the Ya Ya Sisterhood, and Steel Magnolias, you will love Henry's Sisters. Cathy Lamb just keeps getting better and better." --The Three Tomatoes Book Club The Last Time I Was Me "Charming." --Publishers Weekly Julia's Chocolates "Julia's Chocolates is wise, tender, and very funny. In Julia Bennett, Cathy Lamb has created a deeply wonderful character, brave and true. I loved this beguiling novel about love, friendship and the enchantment of really good chocolate." --Luanne Rice, New York Times bestselling author In This Warm, Funny, Thoroughly Candid Novel, Acclaimed Author Cathy Lamb Introduces An Unforgettable Heroine Who’s Half The Woman She Used To Be, And About To Find Herself For The First Time... Two Years And 170 Pounds Ago, Stevie Barrett Was Wheeled Into An Operating Room For Surgery That Most Likely Saved Her Life. Since That Day, A New Stevie Has Emerged, One Who Walks Without Wheezing, Plants A Garden For Self-therapy, And Builds And Paints Fantastical Wooden Chairs. At Thirty-five, Stevie Is The One Thing She Never Thought She’d Be: Thin. But For Everything That’s Changed, Some Things Remain The Same. Stevie’s Shyness Refuses To Melt Away. She Still Can’t Look Her Gorgeous Neighbor In The Eye. The Portland Law Office Where She Works Remains Utterly Dysfunctional, As Does Her Family—the Aunt, Uncle, And Cousins Who Took Her In When She Was A Child. To Top It Off, Her Once Supportive Best Friend Clearly Resents Her Weight Loss. By Far The Biggest Challenge In Stevie’s New Life Lies In Figuring Out How To Define Her New Self. Collaborating With Her Cousins To Plan Her Aunt And Uncle’s Problematic Fortieth Anniversary Party, Stevie Starts To Find Some Surprising Answers—about Who She Is, Who She Wants To Be, And How The Old Stevie Evolved In The First Place. And With Each Revelation, She Realizes The Most Important Part Of Her Transformation May Not Be What She’s Lost, But The Courage And Confidence She’s Gathering, Day By Day. As Achingly Honest As It Is Witty, Such A Pretty Face Is A Richly Insightful Novel Of One Woman’s Search For Love, Family, And Acceptance, Of The Pain We All Carry—and The Wonders That Can Happen When We Let It Go At Last. After losing 150 pounds from bariatric surgery, Stevie Barrett finds that life isn't so easy as a thinner person, as she contends with a jealous friend, bad romantic relationships, and a difficult family dynamic