Book Review: Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

My Rating: 3.5⭐

William Waters attends Northwestern University in Chicago on a basketball scholarship, a welcome opportunity for him to leave his family and unhappy childhood in Newton, Massachusetts. Playing basketball, attending classes and the connections he makes with his friend Kent who works with him in the student laundry and his relationship with classmate Julia Padavano signal a new life for him. Marrying Julia and becoming a part of the Padavano family gives him a sense of belonging after a childhood spent with parents who never showed any affection or emotional attachment toward him after a tragic loss in the family that occurred when William was just a newborn. The basketball court was William’s only refuge during those years. But the Padavanos – Julia, her parents and her three sisters Sylvie, Emeline and Cecelia welcome William into their family. Julia is ambitious and wants a life different from the one her mother had. She sees potential in William and steers him toward a life in academics. A series of injuries leads to William giving up basketball. William initially welcomes Julia’s guidance but as they embark on their new life together and welcome Alice their daughter into the world, William is gradually engulfed in a darkness that pushes him to end everything his new life has to offer. This triggers a shift in the dynamics within the Padavano family – the repercussions of which leave no one unaffected.

A homage to Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women (the book and characters are referenced by the sisters quite a few times throughout the novel) set in modern times (1960-2008) Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano is a beautifully –written, engaging family drama. However, I would prefer to discuss this book on its individual merit instead of comparing it to one of my all-time favorite classics.

This story revolves around themes of family, mental health, ambition and expectations. The author does an exceptional job of exploring the female characters in this story- the four sisters and their mother and their bond, their differences and their distinctive personalities. I found how the author describes Charlie’s influence on his daughters’ lives, even though not physically present for a large part of the story (the title of the novel is of particular significance in this regard). My heart broke for William and his struggles. William’s storyline highlights the importance of communication, awareness and empathy for those struggling with mental health issues. Following the Padavano sisters and William through decades, this is a lengthy novel but the narrative flows easily between multiple perspectives rendering it an easy read. Relationships are complicated, family is complicated and more often than not we need to learn how and when to hold on and how to let go, giving one other the space to breathe and grow as an individual. The author carries the story well up until the end where the inconsistencies in the plot and character development become evident. While people can change and/or open their minds, accept and forgive, the ending of this story, bittersweet as it may be, is overly simplistic, too convenient and therefore, unconvincing. Overall, I did enjoy reading this novel but was a tad disappointed with the way the story is wrapped up.

Many thanks to author Ann Napolitano, Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on March 14, 2023.