Where the Grass is Green is a 2021 book release by Lauren Weisberger. Lauren Weisberger is the international bestselling author of The Devil Wears Prada.
I enjoyed The Devil Wears Prada and I was intrigued by the premise of this one.
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Plot
Peyton Marcus seems to have it all – her dream job as an anchor on a morning show, a husband who adores her and a daughter who is headed for a prestigious Ivy League college. Her sister Skye is a stay-at-home mum living in Paradise, a luxury New York suburb full of rich parents and yummy mummies.
Skye devotes her time to looking after her beloved child but dreams of making a real difference. Max, Peyton’s daughter, is clever and spirited and dreams of becoming a film-maker. However, one act of dishonesty threatens to unravel all their lives.
Where The Grass is Green Book Review
This is a character-driven novel with no major plot twists. Instead, it’s a story of family ties, deception and finding your own way.
I really enjoyed how the characters were realistic and flawed. The story was told from the different perspectives of Peyton, Skye and Max and I liked how it showed how each character was perceived by the others. The sisters, for example, found faults in themselves while others envied them. It perfectly shows that the grass really isn’t always greener.
The fictional look at the college admissions scandal was really well done. I read about the original scandal where high profile parents were paying for their child to get into prestigious colleges, and I remember the jail sentences that followed. I like how within this novel it shows the impact it had on the child who, in this case at least, had no idea what was going on behind the scenes.
The characters developed really well and particularly warmed to Peyton a lot more towards the end of the book. The author cleverly manages to make privileged and wealthy families feel relatable.
It’s a light read but does have hidden depths. It encourages the reader to appreciate what they have and worry less about appearances and to remember we all have our own paths.
An enjoyable summer read.
What should I read after Where The Grass Is Green?
If you enjoyed Where the Grass is Green, you may also want to read Lauren Weisberger’s other novels.
Alternatively, I would also recommend The Echo Chamber by John Boyne and Scenes of a Graphic Nature by Caroline O’Donoghue.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. For more information please see my disclosure policy.