This is a well written book, with some fine lines and a few well-conceived set pieces. That said, try as I might I found neither the characters, nor their situations, nor the overall narrative engaging enough to arouse or hold my curiosity and attention. As a consequence, it doesn't seem fair to write much more of a review, apart from encouraging inquisitive readers to give the book a try.

A novel about twenty somethings in Berlin who are discovering themselves through adventure. The narrator is not entirely reliable which makes the story a bit more interesting. I do wish there was a bit more depth, but overall I enjoyed.

Thank you netgalley for the advanced eARC!

Stuff happens and yet nothing happens? I like an unreliable narrative but this one is so unreliable I truly never knew what was the truth which made for an unsatisfying reading experience.

Story: Engaging, possibly a bit wandery when descriptions of Berlin come to the fore - and they often do. Having lived there decades ago, it was a lovely walk down memory lane, but for those with little interest in the stuff, I could see it as grating. In terms of plot, the narrator's challenges will be revealed as quite universal, particularly when it comes to loneliness, difficulty in establishing relationships, and the compulsion to not be as honest to others (or ourselves) as we should be.

A worthwhile read. I enjoyed it.

If you had a tough time in your teens and 20s with body image, sense of self and belonging, you will recognize that Bea Setton NAILS it in Berlin. An anonymous 26-year-old woman leaves her family in London to learn German in Berlin. She is so painful uncomfortable in her own skin — she becomes who you want her to be and lies, lies, lies. Then, she suffers an attack when bricks are thrown through the window in her sublet. Things continue to go downhill. Who is stalking her? Favorite line (in a footnote) pasted in the comments. Thanks New York Times for putting this one on my radar.

I am so thankful to Penguin Books, Netgalley, and Bea Setton for granting me advanced digital access to this jarring thriller. I couldn't put it down and can't wait to consume more of this like-minded content going forward.

This story is told from the perspective of a twenty-something female who has abruptly moved to Berlin from London. Daphne doesn't speak German or have a solid plan, but that's okay because her parents pay for everything. I found her observations and inner monologue very relatable but also sad. (Trigger warning if you have any food/eating issues though).

This novel embodies the beautiful stage of one's 20s I like to call, "No thoughts, just vibes". Everything is a foreign land (and in this novel quite literally), overthinking social interactions is the norm, and everyone is confused by everything. Daphne is growing through the internal chaos of growing, being on your own, and overall navigating what it means to pursue what you want & while having no idea what you really want. This novel was funny,dark, and chaotic.

Absolutely adored Berlin by Bea Setton. It follows the narrator with life in Kreuzberg/ Neukölln and it drew me in. Not the easiest experience, but an interesting slice of life.

Berlin by Bea Setton provides an immersive and cultural portrait of the German capital. Setton's detailed descriptions and encounters with locals bring the city to life, offering a glimpse into its rich heritage and artistic atmosphere. Although the pacing could be more consistent, the book offers an engaging read for those seeking a deeper connection with Berlin.

Dark, interesting, brooding, and experimental. I'm not sure this was exactly my cup of tea but I'm nevertheless glad I had the experience.

This might be appealing for "new adult" readers: for me, it was too buried in the concerns of being a vapid 20-something expat. Very vivid depiction, but it neither sparked nostalgia in me nor was compelling, and it was just too grating to spend time with the protagonist and her trivial neuroses.

I had such high hopes for this novel, I love that it’s set in Berlin, young woman finding her way, escaping her super privileged past…maybe that’s the problem, there was no tension. When things inevitably go south, she can just leave. Not satisfying, but I’m glad I read it.

An enthralling mix of Coming of Age novel and meditation on the frailties of the human mind.

Novels about twenty somethings moving to Berlin seeking adventure and self discovery aren’t unusual, and on the surface there isn’t much new about Bea Setton’s version of it. It’s enjoyable in a voyeuristic, frothy kind of way.

But upon further examination, this book goes beyond what others like it do, seeking to demonstrate how far we’ll go to seem unique and interesting, and the devastating realization that we are usually our own harshest critics.

It took me a while to catch on to what was really happening with the protagonist here, though all the signs were there. Setton does an excellent job of slowly unfolding her protagonist’s distorted reality in a manner that feels almost gothic. It seems so trivial at first. Who among us hasn’t told a small lie at some point to seem more interesting or to keep secret something we’re ashamed of. It’s not until we’re deep into the story that this is something beyond the norm, and the slow descent into realization is riveting.

Books that leave you feeling sorry for the protagonist are often a tough hang, but this is interesting enough to leave you feeling more intrigued than filled with pity.

Quirky coming-of-age story in a foreign land, full of entertaining surprises and self-deprecating humor.

Berlin is a serpentine unreliable narrator-driven story chronicling a young woman’s experience in a new city. Fast-paced, witty, and leaves you wanting to know how it unfolds.

Bea Setton’s debut novel follows our main character, Daphne, in her new move to Berlin. We can tell she is running from her past and trying to reinvent herself in order to make sense of her life. As the story progresses, we quickly learn she is a pathological liar and tends to falsify aspects of her life in order to appeal towards others - often coming in the form of added footnotes discounting her own recollection of events.

Following recent literary trends popularized by Sally Rooney, this novel is more character-driven than plot driven. The plot is anchored to these wild and spontaneous events that add a dark tone to Daphne’s stay in Berlin. Smoothly interweaving tales of her daily life - dating, friendships, exploration, and attending classes - with wild events of discomfort - stalking, eating disorders, break-in’s, and unhappiness. We witness the downward spiral and details of her disordered lifestyle coming to light, ultimately breaking her facade she’s created.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing an advanced copy through Netgalley.

Sutton deserves praise as much for what she doesn't do as what she does. The unreliable female narrator undergoing a crisis in isolation is already enough of a cliché that it deserves its own genre. But while Sutton toys with this trope she doesn't completely invest in it. Her narrator's self-awareness plays a part in keeping the book from being too invested in the non-mystery of who is mysteriously tormenting her. The city itself is the star, as they say, and Sutton's portrait of Berlin in all its grungy glory is just specific, insightful, pungently descriptive, and clear-eyed enough to be more rewarding than any plot twist.

"Do you think that maybe you might be cursed?"

Wherever Daphne goes, trouble seems to follow: late night disturbances, broken windows, smashed crockery . . .

Does she have a stalker or a ghost or a serious mental problem?

I'm not sure how to rate this one. It left me feeling uneasy and uncertain. I didn't care for the insanely unreliable (or maybe just insane) narrator, though a few of the other characters won my heart. On the other hand, the author is a born writer, and I'm looking forward to reading her next effort.

Wow! This books is so exquisite. While reading it I felt that I had many points in common with Daphne. She is the protagonist and narrator of this novel. She tells us about the brief time she spent in Berlin trying to find herself, a fresh start from her conflicted life in London. But things take an unexpected turn that will throw her in a spiral of lies and self destruction. Online dating, eating disorders and a growing paranoia are the background of this "sad girl novel" that will grip the reader from the first page. Setton is an amazing writer that I would definitely read again. Her style reminded me of Sally Rooney, with a humorous twist. Her writing is flawless.

Thank you Penguin books and NetGalley for a chance to read this ARC. Bea Settons writing is so immediate, visceral and enchanting that Germany itself is a brooding character on a street corner with a cigarette dangling from its mouth. Yes, the book is light on actual story but deep in atmosphere. Yes, Daphne is a pathological liar and you might not like her but I promise you this, you won't ever forget her. Bravo, Bea Setton.