A review by maggiestraveledbookshelf
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

“You were born to two broken people, and that’s part of why you’re here.”

“When your love for a person is so profound that it’s part of who you are, then the absence of the person becomes part of your DNA, your bones, and your skin.”

Rating: 4.5 stars ⭐️ 
Spice: —

I went into this book completely blind, and one hundred pages in, I was very frustrated with the characters. But my goodness, I’m glad I kept reading. What a story.

Overview:
•Literary Fiction - Family Drama
•Alternating POVs
•Spanning multiple decades 
•Sisterhood and familial bonds
•Little Women references 
•Morose tone

This book revolves around 4 sisters, their individual personalities, and their intrinsic link. There are multiple references to the sisters of Little Women, and at times, it did feel somewhat like a modernized retelling or at least tribute to that story. 

I had a hard time for the first half because I tend to enjoy books with wholly lovable characters, and these MCs were making frustrating decisions and putting up questionable barriers. 

However, it was worth the turmoil. What an exquisitely portrayed character-study of how grief and trauma affects us. Every one of these characters was profoundly influenced by their parents’ hardships and losses, and it was heartbreakingly realistic. 

To avoid spoilers, I’ll refrain from commenting on the individual characters - but I was able to find a piece of myself in each of them. 

Overall, this was such a gripping read that portrayed love in all of its many forms, the cost of decisions, and the sheer impact of family - both genetic and found. 

I recommend this book to all readers who enjoy literary fiction stories revolving around family!

CW: suicide


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