BookLife Review: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

Chicago, sisterhood, love triangle, mental health, mental illness, and parenthood

@annnapolitano (author of Dear Edward) crafts #hellobeautiful, a stunning story of sisterhood and family that expressly self-references #littlewomen. A bit slow at the start, the story gains momentum as the focus shifts from eldest problem-fixer, Julia, to the more #ethereal second-eldest, Sylvie. A #lovetriangle, #suddendeath, #depression requiring hospitalization and #relinquishing of parental rights complicate and test the bonds of sisterhood. Lovingly set in #chicago, the Windy City is a worthy setting/character in its own right. For me, the start of the story overplayed a forced, flawed relationship and the wind-up to the central conflict felt labored and heavy-handed. Nonetheless, when the conflicts arose, the drama escalated and the book grew more compelling straight through to its sad if satisfying conclusion. #booktok #bookpeeps