I love this author and really love the writing style. This is such a fun take on one of the cruelest villains out there - such a fun read.

In Hello Cruel Heart 16-year-old Estella dreams of being a fashion designer in 1960s London but spends most of her time designing trick clothes to use in heists she and her friends Horace and Jasper do to stay afloat. When she has a chance encounter with trust funder twins Magda and Richard, they take her in and peddle her designs in exchange for accommodations and what she thinks is friendship. Her clothing designs are worn by their high society friends, as well as an up-and-coming rock band, whose lead guitarist becomes her boyfriend. But when they tire of her and make plans to leave on vacation without her, her alter ego Cruella exacts revenge. A vivid Swinging 60s setting and Estella's creative clothing designs add a colorful twist to the tale of a classic Disney villain. This is the prequel to the new live action film Cruella, starring Emma Stone, which continues the tale into the 1970s.

I really enjoyed this book overall. At the beginning of the book, I was extremely confused between Estrella and Cruella. However, after getting a little further into the book I began to understand more and I fell in love with the overall plot and all the characters! For some reason, I think part of my confusion was the fact that I kept thinking about Cruella 2021 movie and getting confused. I didn't want the book to end so soon but, I loved getting to know Cruella's backstory and felt so bad for her at the end of the book.

Hello, Cruel Heart is an interesting movie tie-in novel for the live-action Cruella. Admittedly, I saw the movie before I read the book, although it did not stop me from enjoying the book as they are separate stories. I would not call this an origin story by itself, it is more of a prequel adventure for the movie.

Set in 1967, this story follows Estella as she really starts finding her own direction and path. She becomes enamored with some new friends, as most teenagers do at some point, and life seems like it can't get any better. Until suddenly, things are not going so well and Estella begins to see how cruel the world can be.

Overall, I found it a fun story that matched well with the movie. I definitely watched the movie again afterwards because they paired well. And it was written what I am discovering to be Maureen Johnson's flair, although maybe without some of the depth. I think that is more of a by-product of working within the movie universe without too many spoilers for what is to come.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC ebook from NetGalley and Disney Publishing in exchange for this review.

I loved everything about this novel! I loved looking into Cruella's past and seeing her as a teenager and understanding why she was the way that she was. I feel like this novel made her relatable and I enjoyed learning more about how her friends are her friends and the dynamic between them. This was a really enjoyable read.

I'm a long-time fan of Maureen Johnson, and so I was excited to see that she would be writing a Cruella YA book for Disney that was (somewhat) related to the upcoming film Cruella. And then I got approved for an ARC of that book, and I couldn't wait to dive in.

Hello, Cruel Heart takes place before the film Cruella does a little bit, starting with Estella at age 16 in 1960s London. Along with her two friends (and found family) Jasper and Horace, she makes a living as a thief but dreams of being a famous fashion designer. When she falls into a new group of rich friends and falls in love with a budding rock star, Estella has decide who she'll be (Estella or Cruella) and who she'll be loyal to (her found family or her dreams).

Hello, Cruel Heart might be the most fun I've had with a book in a while. I could not put it down; I was so amused and invested in Estella and her hijinks that I kept turning the pages. I hadn't seen the Cruella film before I read it (and you don't really have to; they're separate stories), but after reading Hello, Cruel Heart I was very pumped up about it. Now that I have seen Cruella, I would say I almost wish they'd just made this story instead. Not that I didn't like Cruella because I did. It's also very fun, and Emma Stone is great. But this story just had so much of the found family content I crave, and I wanted more of it in the film. I was so invested in Estella, Jasper, and Horace, and I'd take a sequel of their hijinks please and thank you.

Disney, hire Maureen Johnson to write a sequel to this to coincide with the release of Cruella 2 please. I need it. I want it. Hello, Cruel Heart? Definitely recommended!

I absolutely adored Cruella so I will devour literally anything about the character and her life. The setting of 1960s London and the fashion scene in places like Carnaby Street was a breath of fresh air as far as a YA setting. It's a time period and place that I'm fascinated with and there aren't many YA books that take place then. Maureen Johnson does a fabulous job of setting the scene and also highlighting the class differences and the nuances that entails between Estella and her new friends.

Hello, Cruel Heart gives readers a look at Cruella, before the latest movie, highlighting 1960s London and life for a struggling 16-year-old girl.

Cruella or Estella?
One of the more exciting aspects of this novel is that Cruella exists as a manifestation of Estella’s negativity. This concept is interesting because it gives Cruella a chance to be relatable to the reader before she turns into the villain everyone knows her.

Estella lives on the street with Jasper and Horace, obsessed with fashion. A thief by day, she wants nothing more than to be a great fashion designer. However, when a chance encounter puts her in the world of the rich and fabulous, Estella finally has a moment to achieve her dreams.

However, it puts her at odds with Jasper and Horace, and Estella’s dark thoughts, Cruella, begin to change her personality.

This change, this development, highlighted in her internal narrative, the way she talks to herself and challenges herself gives readers a deeper insight into her characterization. The reader understands her passion and drive; they understand Cruella as another personality, her darkness, and see where it comes from.

The creation of Cruella gives the narrative a firm footing for future development into the villain everyone knows her as.

Needed More Depth
Johnson wrote a good story, but it feels like it could have been more. No, one does not need to have seen the Cruella movie in order to understand this novel. So whether your liked or hated the movie, this book stands apart from it.

It had a solid familial aspect to the story as it focused on building up the dynamics between Jasper, Horace, and Estella, which gives their relationship more depth. No longer are Jasper and Horace just hulking minions for her to boss around. Instead, here they are, her brothers’ people who accept and love her just as it is. They understand her without her needing to explain herself. She only has to say “clothes,” and they get it.

Nevertheless, that is where the depth ends. Johnson built up the scene of 1960s London wonderfully, and while she touches on the differences of class status, she could have done more.

The reader sees Johnson’s attempt between Cruella and her newfound friends. They may be higher class, but the way they look at the world, how they are flippant and ostentatious, and how they treat Estella as an accessory rather than a person gives the reader something to think about. I just wanted more from it. I wanted Johnson to delve into those social injustices more to give the story more depth overall.

Final Thoughts
Hello, Cruel Heart is a quick and easy read. It focuses on giving Cruella de Vil a strong foundation that does make her understandable for the reader while also building the foundation for the future Disney villain she becomes.

First line: “All right, you,” a voice said.

Summary: It’s the summer of 1967 and London is swinging. Estella has spent the last four years living by her wits with her partners in crime, Horace and Jasper. She steals what she needs to survive and the fabric she loves for her clothing creations. Then by chance she meets rich siblings who take her under their wing and show her a whole new world. Dazzled by the money, food, clothes and lifestyle Estella sees the world she believes should be hers but it does come with some downsides as well.

My Thoughts: This was a fun juvenile book. It is neat to see authors looking into the lives of villains. I loved that it was placed in Swinging London. The colors, people, lifestyles and music were all reminiscent of Austin Powers but for young people. I loved the way the name Cruella was introduced and her back story. It always seemed rather strange that someone’s name is Cruella but the author made it seem more natural. And that Horace and Jasper were included was great to tie it in with the original cartoon movie. I have yet to see the live action movie but I am looking forward to seeing it. Especially after reading this.

FYI: Prequel to 101 Dalmatians.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Surprisingly, I really, really enjoyed this one! I am by no means a Disney super fan, but I thoroughly enjoyed this take on Cruella's backstory, and I think if you are a huge fan of Disney, you'll love this one even more than I did! So much fun!

Estella hasn't had it easy. Living in a falling down building at 16 and relying on petty theft for income is better than one might imagine, but certainly leaves something to be desired. When Estella gets involved with some of the upper crust, it seems as though things are looking up. She is spending time creating beautiful clothing and attending the best social gatherings. When things start to fall apart though, Estella's darker side (Cruella) starts to take charge.

This adaption was great! I really enjoyed reading it and spent a lot of time considering Estella's mental health and how that might contribute to her actions. I highly recommend giving this book a chance!

this was such a cute little book! i really enjoyed this one a lot. i'm so thankful to netgalley for letting me read all of these books early. it's so wonderful!!

So i LOVED the Cruella movie. It had such a vibe that I resonated with, so I had high expectations for this book. I'm happy to say that this lived up to the vibe that I was looking for. Punk England in the 50's-60's is one of my favorite time periods and this definitely held up.
It definitely felt YA with an unnecessary romance that felt forced and not needed. But I can't really fault the book for that, because I'm clearly not the target audience. So this was a fun, easy read.

It was interesting to read a YA book about Cruella, who (IMO) is one of the most evil Disney villains, and see some of her origins. If you're interested in Disney, I would definitely suggest reading this book!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

I absolutely loved this. I will be honest in saying I love stories from the villain's perspective. I always find stories like this intriguing and that was definitely the case with this story. I couldn't put it down. I loved seeing the origin story of one of my all time favorite villains and getting to know her and learning about how she came to be the villain she is portrayed as in all the other stories. It gives her depth and complexity and even makes you feel for her. I would love to read more stories like this and look forward to more from this author.

I was so excited about this one. The problem I have may actually be with the author. I've tried a few of her books and can never get past the 20% mark. I was easily bored with this one as much as I wanted to love it.

Overall all I am really disappointed in the book. I loved Maureen Johnson Truly Devious series but this was just not it. For one I am not the biggest fan of Historical Fiction in general. But the biggest issue with the novel was the fact that It didn’t really have a plot. Estelle starts and end a basically the same spot with only a little bit of character development. You could also tell this was just a cash grab from Disney with no real story to it. The prologue starts off pretty interesting but is never brought up again because it is the plot of the cruella movie instead. Also on of the main turn points in the story makes no sense and is totally out of character. So overall this was definitely not the best.

I really enjoyed this one! I love all the Disney movie books and love when they give a little extra insight into the character's life that you don't get to see in the movie. This book did that really well, and pairs really well with the Cruella movie. I love the movie too! If you love Disney books, you'll love this one too! Also, I think readers who love fashion and adventure will also enjoy this book.

Fans of Cruella in all her incarnations will enjoy this prequel to the latest film starring Emma Stone and Emma Thompson.

Hello, Cruel Heart was a really fun read with lots of hijinks, betrayal and found family that was very entertaining. I liked the character development as Estella goes to Cruella, and also really liked seeing how Cruella, Jasper, and Horace all came together to be the dastardly villainous trio that we all know and loathe. You can't help but feel bad about what happens to Cruella in this book, especially towards the end, so it adds a small layer of depth to her character. Maureen Johnson's writing is sharp, smart and funny in this one as well. I think my favorite thing about this book was the way that Johnson brought 1967 Swinging London alive with all of its vivacity and flare. There were times reading it I felt like I was transported into that setting which really added to my enjoyment. The main reason for this 3 star rating is nothing bad, but it's because I felt that this book was a little less than extraordinary. I liked it well enough, but there was nothing in it that made me feel super hooked or invested in Estella's story. Nothing in this book had me jumping up and down for joy, which isn't a bad thing. In the end, Hello, Cruel Heart is alright.