Hello Beautiful: A Novel

This was such a great book. I had been on the waiting list for over 10 weeks. When I finally had a chance to read it, I only had 3 days left on the loan. Most of this book was listened to on Thanksgiving while cooking all the food. It was a perfect day for a family saga. I hope that Ann Napolitano writes many more books for me to read ;) I think that Moura Tierney was the perfect person to read the audio book. Some audio book narrators can make the book even better and she did.

A very engrossing read - I appreciated the story and depiction of these four sisters - Sylvie, Julia, Cecilia and Emeline - (*the writing was not a pull-factor for me) but I enjoyed the weft that the author created - the entanglement of emotions, rawness, and how a few select choices and decisions can completely alter the course of one's life - I also enjoyed reading the differing character perspectives and one of the story's central themes - "what does it really mean to be brave in one's own life story?" Whether it is bravery in love...loss...bravery in overcoming or suppressing - bravery in confronting or rejecting or bravery in anticipating and/or acceptance... The story did get me teary in some parts as it invites one to reflect on one's own family, upbringing, presence or absence of love or affection, first loves...last loves...and love we miss our on or never experience...

My first book by Napolitano. It was a sweeping family saga centered around four sisters spanning more than 25 years. It includes selflessness, (perceived) betrayal, abandonment, and how we navigate through life with the support of family and true friends—our chosen family. I didn’t like all the characters, nor did I relate to their choices. But it was an interesting character study. The audiobook was well narrated by Maura Tierney.

Wanted to love it, really I did. I heard so many good things about it, and the concept of the book was very appealing but execution is everything obviously. It was just super boring at times, quite hard to get into if I must say. I’d go into detail but really it just wasn’t my cup of tea ☕️ Little Women was in the back of my mind while reading this, like haven’t I heard this all before?

Modern version of Little Women, but better!