A review by mrtvavrana
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 Hello Beautiful is my first book by Ann Napolitano, but definitely not my last. It is a book that makes you think about life, about love, about death. It makes you see the world a bit differently—perhaps more vividly. It also completely shatters your heart. 

 
Hello Beautiful is a well-written and realistic life story. I might be biased with my rating as this book was recommended to me by a dear friend, who loved it at least as much as I did. 
 
When I started reading, I always felt a sense of impending doom. That feeling stayed with me until the very end, and while at first it scared me, in the end it made so much sense. I think it is supposed to be a part of the reading experience. 
 
Let me warn you: this book is a roller-coaster. I felt so many powerful emotions, from joy to fear, sadness, and ultimately, pain. It's been a while since I read a book this incredibly written, and I have to say that it is probably my absolute favourite read of 2024. 
 
I loved the characters, their depth and their individual stories. The way Hello Beautiful is written makes you feel like they are real people, and you´re simply just observing their lives from afar. I have to say there are three things I was not fully satisfied with, though. 
1. not seeing all of the sisters together again for the last time 
 
2. Alice never properly meeting Sylvie 
 
3. the book ending before William and Alice properly spoke.
 
 
I am not saying that I did not like how the book ended, no. I really liked it. It´s just that I hoped it would be more positive.