Kerrin 's Reviews > Hello Beautiful
Hello Beautiful
by
by
3 1/2 stars, rounded down.
Hello Beautiful is a tribute to Little Women in that it revolves around four Chicago sisters who are very close as children. Their father, Charlie Padavano, would always greet each of them with "Hello Beautiful!" when they entered the room. Charlie was loved by everyone who knew him, except his wife who was always disappointed in his lack of success.
Julia, the eldest, is described as her father's "rocket" who is destined to go places. She is very much like their mother, who can be distant. Sylvie, only a year younger than Julia, is more like her father. Emmeline, the nurturer, and Cecilia, the artist, are twins. The four women seem to move in a group at times since they are so interconnected.
In college, Julia falls in love with a basketball player named William Waters. William's parents were very broken after the death of their daughter. They never loved William and he grew up isolated and alone, with basketball his only refuge. William is thrilled to be taken in by the whirlwind that is the Padavano family.
Tragedy strikes, not once but twice, causing a rift. In the end, just as in Little Women, one of the sisters learns she is dying. Will that be enough to heal the deeply wounded family?
I mostly enjoyed this story, but I never fully connected with the characters, especially Julia and William. When I rate something 3 stars, it doesn't mean I didn't like it, just that I didn't love it. I would be hesitant to recommend it, but I think I will be an outlier on this.
Hello Beautiful is a tribute to Little Women in that it revolves around four Chicago sisters who are very close as children. Their father, Charlie Padavano, would always greet each of them with "Hello Beautiful!" when they entered the room. Charlie was loved by everyone who knew him, except his wife who was always disappointed in his lack of success.
Julia, the eldest, is described as her father's "rocket" who is destined to go places. She is very much like their mother, who can be distant. Sylvie, only a year younger than Julia, is more like her father. Emmeline, the nurturer, and Cecilia, the artist, are twins. The four women seem to move in a group at times since they are so interconnected.
In college, Julia falls in love with a basketball player named William Waters. William's parents were very broken after the death of their daughter. They never loved William and he grew up isolated and alone, with basketball his only refuge. William is thrilled to be taken in by the whirlwind that is the Padavano family.
Tragedy strikes, not once but twice, causing a rift. In the end, just as in Little Women, one of the sisters learns she is dying. Will that be enough to heal the deeply wounded family?
I mostly enjoyed this story, but I never fully connected with the characters, especially Julia and William. When I rate something 3 stars, it doesn't mean I didn't like it, just that I didn't love it. I would be hesitant to recommend it, but I think I will be an outlier on this.
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Reading Progress
January 24, 2023
–
Started Reading
January 24, 2023
– Shelved
February 2, 2023
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Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 64 (64 new)
message 1:
by
Libby
(new)
-
rated it 5 stars
Feb 02, 2023 05:38PM
I enjoyed Dear Edward by this author but I'm not feeling a strong pull toward this one. Thanks for your insights into this one, Kerrin :-)
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Libby wrote: "I enjoyed Dear Edward by this author but I'm not feeling a strong pull toward this one. Thanks for your insights into this one, Kerrin :-)"
Thanks, Libby. The Dear Edward mini-series starts this Friday on Apple TV. I am hoping to watch it since I enjoyed the novel.
Thanks, Libby. The Dear Edward mini-series starts this Friday on Apple TV. I am hoping to watch it since I enjoyed the novel.
Kerrin wrote: "Libby wrote: "I enjoyed Dear Edward by this author but I'm not feeling a strong pull toward this one. Thanks for your insights into this one, Kerrin :-)"
Thanks, Libby. The Dear Ed..."
Oh wow. Thanks for sharing that!
Thanks, Libby. The Dear Ed..."
Oh wow. Thanks for sharing that!
Libby wrote: "Kerrin wrote: "Libby wrote: "I enjoyed Dear Edward by this author but I'm not feeling a strong pull toward this one. Thanks for your insights into this one, Kerrin :-)"
Thanks, Lib..."
You're welcome.
Thanks, Lib..."
You're welcome.
Hello ! You remind me I still need to read the second part of Little Women, and maybe Little Men too. Beautiful review Kerrin ;)
I always struggle to really love a book when I don't connect to the characters! I hope your next read is 5 stars Kerrin, wonderful review! 🧡
Federico wrote: "Hello ! You remind me I still need to read the second part of Little Women, and maybe Little Men too. Beautiful review Kerrin ;)"
Thank you, Federico!
Thank you, Federico!
Ellie wrote: "I always struggle to really love a book when I don't connect to the characters! I hope your next read is 5 stars Kerrin, wonderful review! 🧡"
Thanks so much, Ellie!
Thanks so much, Ellie!
Sounds like this work definitely had potential, but characters that are difficult to connect with can be quite off-putting. Glad that you still managed to enjoy it overall, and great review, Kerrin!
A wrote: "Sounds like this work definitely had potential, but characters that are difficult to connect with can be quite off-putting. Glad that you still managed to enjoy it overall, and great review, Kerrin!"
Thanks, A!
Thanks, A!
Sujoya wrote: "Enjoyed your review, Kerrin!😊 I'm eager to read this one!"
Thank you, Sujoya! I hope you love it.
Thank you, Sujoya! I hope you love it.
Margaret M - Apologies for taking time to respond. wrote: "It is a shame when you can’t connect with the characters. Wonderful review Kerrin"
Thanks, Margaret!
Thanks, Margaret!
I loved the author's last book and have this ARC. I will certainly adjust my expectations.
Btw, I completely agree on a 3 star rating, but I hope I won't be joining you on outlier island lol
Btw, I completely agree on a 3 star rating, but I hope I won't be joining you on outlier island lol
JanB wrote: "I loved the author's last book and have this ARC. I will certainly adjust my expectations.
Btw, I completely agree on a 3 star rating, but I hope I won't be joining you on outlier island lol"
LOL. I hope you love it, Jan!
Btw, I completely agree on a 3 star rating, but I hope I won't be joining you on outlier island lol"
LOL. I hope you love it, Jan!
Excellent review, I loved Dear Edward so it is sad to see that you didn't love this one. I have been debating about reading it, I think I'll wait for the library.
Melissa (LifeFullyBooked) wrote: "Excellent review, I loved Dear Edward so it is sad to see that you didn't love this one. I have been debating about reading it, I think I'll wait for the library."
Thanks, Melissa!
Thanks, Melissa!
I was thinking about this one, as I did adore "Dear Edward". Sorry this was a disappointment Kerrin!
Barbara wrote: "I was thinking about this one, as I did adore "Dear Edward". Sorry this was a disappointment Kerrin!"
Thanks, Barbara. I enjoyed Dear Edward, too.
Thanks, Barbara. I enjoyed Dear Edward, too.
Fabulous review, Kerrin! It's so hard when you don't connect with the characters. I hope you find that connection in your next read.
What a beautiful cover. It definitely makes a big difference when it is difficult to connect with the characters. Terrific review, Kerrin!
Meredith (Slowly Catching Up) wrote: "Fabulous review, Kerrin! It's so hard when you don't connect with the characters. I hope you find that connection in your next read."
Many thanks, Meredith!
Many thanks, Meredith!
Nancy wrote: "What a beautiful cover. It definitely makes a big difference when it is difficult to connect with the characters. Terrific review, Kerrin!"
Thanks a bunch, Nancy!
Thanks a bunch, Nancy!
A fine review, Kerrin. I liked it a lot more than you did, but I understand your reasons for a lower rating. I always like reading reviews with different ratings than mine!
Christine wrote: "A fine review, Kerrin. I liked it a lot more than you did, but I understand your reasons for a lower rating. I always like reading reviews with different ratings than mine!"
Thanks, Christine. I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks, Christine. I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Cheri wrote: "I enjoyed this more than you, Kerrin, but I hadn't really expected to enjoy it as much as I did!"
I am so glad you, like many others, enjoyed it Cheri!
I am so glad you, like many others, enjoyed it Cheri!
Barbara wrote: "I am tempted by this one I agree with your rating system, Kerrin. Enjoyed your take on this one."
Thanks, Barbara!
Thanks, Barbara!
Kerrin wrote: "Alex wrote: "Thanks for the spoilers."
OOOPS!!!" I have edited them out. Sorry about that!!!
OOOPS!!!" I have edited them out. Sorry about that!!!