Book Review: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

I picked up Hello Beautiful on the recommendation of many fellow readers who seemed to enjoy similar titles to me, and I am so glad that I took the time to dig into it. I found the characters and plot lines in this story deeply moving, and I know that it is one of those books where the characters will stay with me long after I’ve read the last page.

Hello Beautiful is the story of William Waters, a tall, lonely man who grew up with parents who withdrew from him rather than showing him any love following their own family tragedy, and the Padavano sisters, with whom William’s life becomes inextricably entwined. Julia Padavano, the eldest of these larger than life sisters, meets William in college, decides he’s the man for her, and forges ahead with building the life of her dreams with him. The decisions that follow threaten to tear the sisters apart.

This story is a beautiful exploration of love, loss, loyalty, and grief. It explores mental health and the ways that our past traumas appear in the choices we make later in life. It reminded me of The Great Believers, not just because it was set in Chicago, but also because of the vivid characters and beautiful writing. I found myself slowing down to read this book because I wanted to live inside it as I read. I slowed down so much that this was the only book I read in April, but I think it was worth it to do so. I highly recommend this one, and you can grab it here. I think it has something for everyone, but it would be an especially great read for the reader who loves character-driven, emotional novels.

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