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kimib79's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The selfishness of most of these people is astounding, yet the author writes them as "brave". The misappropriation of that word these days is amazing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Infertility, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Child abuse, and Cancer
inked_in_pages's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What did you think of the novel overall?
I absolutely loved this novel. It is a devastatingly beautiful book that was perfect for my family drama and generational story loving heart. Napolatino manages to cover almost 50 years of one family's battles with status quo, mental health and codependency with ease and in a way that is completely captivating to the reader. The mental health representation highlighted the many ways depression and anxiety can show up in a persons life and it was done tastefully without overdoing it.
Was there anything challenging about the novel? Surprising?
I loved, and was surprised, that there were so many odes to Louisa May Alcott's little women and the beloved March sisters, it almost read like a retelling at times. The novel itself is slow paced but there are so many nuances and perspectives that it feels like it moves quickly at times.
I loved, and was surprised, that there were so many odes to Louisa May Alcott's little women and the beloved March sisters, it almost read like a retelling at times. The novel itself is slow paced but there are so many nuances and perspectives that it feels like it moves quickly at times.
Was there anything you didn't like? Or anything for readers to know before they read it?
This is not a fast paced novel, it is one that is meant to be read slowly and with no end point in mind. I loved that aspect of the book but recognize that it's not everyone's cup of tea.
This is not a fast paced novel, it is one that is meant to be read slowly and with no end point in mind. I loved that aspect of the book but recognize that it's not everyone's cup of tea.
Who would you recommend it to? Hello Beautiful is the perfect read for anyone who is looking to immerse themselves in a character's life and feel the character's feelings alongside them. It's a character driven, slow paced, family drama that will be the a great read for anyone who loves dynamic family stories. Perfect for lovers of The Dutch House and fans of Little Women.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Terminal illness
mellowreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Very greatful to netgalley for allowing me to honestly review this book!
This book was not exactly what I was expecting. I have it a 3 because I don’t think it’s absolutely terrible or overall bad, but the themes and characters simply did not work for me, and I did not find the writing to be at all interesting or engaging. Yet, I kept picking the book up. This book does have a slow pace, but I never felt like it dragged.
I absolutely despised one of the main characters from the beginning, I think seeing just how much she could p*ss me off kept me engaged.
This may be a bit spoilery, but my biggest annoyance with the novel (beyond Julia and the prose/plot feeling dull/unnoteworthy) was the theme. Throughout the book, several characters make decisions ranging from questionable to deplorable, cutting one another out of their own lives and hurting one another for selfish reasons. In the last few chapters, everyone suddenly decides to be besties again and the book hammers in the theme that “you just forgive your family no matter what because you need them and that’s what love is.” And all of the characters brush years of neglect and trauma under the rug, without apology or even acknowledgement from other characters, because of this idea. This was not only extremely anticlimactic, but also this philosophy in general just annoys me. Obviously people irl are allowed to forgive on their own terms, but this being the ending sentiment of the book really soured it for me personally.
This book was not exactly what I was expecting. I have it a 3 because I don’t think it’s absolutely terrible or overall bad, but the themes and characters simply did not work for me, and I did not find the writing to be at all interesting or engaging. Yet, I kept picking the book up. This book does have a slow pace, but I never felt like it dragged.
I absolutely despised one of the main characters from the beginning, I think seeing just how much she could p*ss me off kept me engaged.
This may be a bit spoilery, but my biggest annoyance with the novel (beyond Julia and the prose/plot feeling dull/unnoteworthy) was the theme. Throughout the book, several characters make decisions ranging from questionable to deplorable, cutting one another out of their own lives and hurting one another for selfish reasons. In the last few chapters, everyone suddenly decides to be besties again and the book hammers in the theme that “you just forgive your family no matter what because you need them and that’s what love is.” And all of the characters brush years of neglect and trauma under the rug, without apology or even acknowledgement from other characters, because of this idea. This was not only extremely anticlimactic, but also this philosophy in general just annoys me. Obviously people irl are allowed to forgive on their own terms, but this being the ending sentiment of the book really soured it for me personally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Death, Child death, Grief, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, and Homophobia
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