It was an instant New York Times bestseller, plus an Oprah Book Club pick, and it’s easy to see why!
Hello Beautiful is an exceptionally well-crafted novel that effortlessly weaves the intricate threads of family, love and the human spirit. From the first page, this book draws you into the lives of its characters.
The novel revolves around the Padavano sisters; Sylvie, Ceceila, Emeline and Julia. They are a quartet of best friends who bring a whirlwind of love to their Italian-American neighbourhood.
We also meet William Waters, who is haunted by a painful past, but when he meets Julia his world transforms. The heart of the story, however, lies in the unexpected bond that forms between William and another sister. Soon, this leads to a heartbreaking rift within the family.
Ann expertly navigates this emotional terrain with sensitivity, delivering a heart-wrenching narrative that offers hope. Hello Beautiful poses the fundamental question, can love heal a broken family? She explores the thought-provoking themes of love, forgiveness and redemption on a deeply emotional level. Combined with her richly developed characters, vivid imagery and evocative style, I was thoroughly engaged throughout. Despite the decades of time that passes, the narrative flows seamlessly from start to finish.
Hello Beautiful is captivating storytelling at its best. Most importantly, it reminds us of the enduring power of love and the potential for redemption, even in the most fractured of families. I was disappointed to finish the final pages knowing that I had to say goodbye to each of the sisters.
Ann Napolitano is an American writer who lives in New York with her family.
Reviewer: Andrea Molloy Penguin Viking