Every Exquisite Thing is exactly as it says on the cover: exquisite in every way. A sapphic, dark academia retelling of Dorian Gray which delivers a real punch to the gut. Think mysterious school, sentient portraits, compelling mystery and complex characters with powerful emotion. 

Penny is starting at the magnificent Dorian Academy in her pursuit to become an actress. Having lived in the shadow of her famous actress mom all her life, this is Penny’s chance to really make her mother proud. A mother who is cold and quite frankly callous to her daughter, showing little care or love no matter how hard Penny tries to impress her. 

Upon securing a lead role in Macbeth, Penny starts mentoring with the infamous Orlagh Camran who offers Penny an opportunity not to be missed: to have her portrait painted by the mysterious Masked Painter. A portrait that will immortalise Penny forever - but at what cost? 

From here Penny’s world unravels as she comes to terms with the consequences of her deal with the ‘devil’. Little does she know how much her own fate will become intertwined with her new enemy: the ‘barbed wire’ Davina. 

“I was so perfect before the world told me otherwise.” 

I loved the exploration of beauty standards, power and self-worth in this book. Penny’s journey through self-loathing and self-loving made me feel so many different emotions and I think Laura Steven has done a spectacular job with her character. 

Full of complex, layered characters with a compelling, addictive storyline, I can confidently say that Every Exquisite Thing is going to be HUGE when it hits shelves in September. Get your preorders in now - you won’t want to miss this! 

Thank you to Farshore Books, Laura Steven and NetGalley for my early review copy in exchange of a fair and honest review.