Rating: 4/5 Stars
Pub Date: 10/1
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What a follow up! This is the second in the series and you must read The Plot for everything to make sense. This story is told from the POV of Jacob’s wife Anna.
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I absolutely loved where Korelitz went wit this story. It was seriously the perfect installation. This is also a slow to steady burn with some pretty intense and suspense induced parts. I once again had some suspicions about where the ending was going to lead but I didn’t exactly know how the story would get there, and once again loved every second of each twist and turn on this wild ride.
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I listened to this one via audiobook and Julia Whelan, as per usual, was phenomenal in this role. I loved everything about her performance. If you want to read this sone pick up the audio. Huge thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Jean Hanff Korelitz for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
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Highly recommend these books!!

The Sequel 3.5 stars - When a novel is written with such a clever and unique plot, it is often hard to duplicate. That is mentioned a few times throughout this book. While this story kept me entertained and interested, it did not wow me like The Plot. Like The Plot, there was someone I was suspicious of throughout but just couldn't figure out the motive. The reveal and motive really surprised me. I just found this installment to land a little flat and it was quite farfetched. With the way it ended, it is possible there could be a third book in the series, but I have no idea who is left "to know". I was hoping this was just a duology and there would be an epilogue to wrap it up. I would still recommend the series. Even though I did not love this one, it is still entertaining and has a few blindsiding moments.

The sequel to The Plot, I'm not sure if it could get any more meta than this (I mean a sequel called The Sequel with the cover being a book with The Plot also on it!!) I'd definitely classify this firmly in the thriller category rather than a mystery, for though it had some mystery elements to it, nothing was super surprising, but I couldn't put it down. If you loved The Plot, I'd definitely recommend this one because it is definitely the same vibe!

THE SEQUEL
Jean Hanff Korelitz

Let me just spoil the whole thing for you…THE SEQUEL is not as good as THE PLOT, it’s not as good as everyone is saying it is, and it’s not as good as you want it to be. It is, however, good.

Anna is now a widow. Her late husband was a notorious author whose fame was tarnished by talk of plagiarism. But Anna ended all the rumors when she buried her husband last year. She doesn’t have much to prove to anyone but herself. She decides to publish her own book one day, because how hard can it be?

When the book is published with overwhelming success, she find herself in a curious situation that goes beyond what her next book should be about. She again has a situation to take care of. She again has a rumor to bury, and again she must prove to herself that she is the writer of her own story.

The reason why you are seeing it on everyone’s Fall to read list is because it is about the publishing industry and people in the publishing industry love nothing more than a self-indulgent bookish book.

Now I didn’t say that the book was bad, I gave it four stars. I listened to the audiobook, and it’s narrated by Julia Whelan. Whelan is nothing if not superb and she handles the material like the professional narrator she is.

I thought THE PLOT was more imaginative and that might be because it was to me. I had not read a book like it. It felt original but assuredly it was inspired by something that had come before it, I simply had not read it yet.

Jordan Harper said, and Jean Hanff Korelitz seconded “Everything is a sequel…” Essentially there are no “new” ideas. It’s the best line in the book and it is parroted itself. It is a sequel.

Should you pre-order it, reserve it at the library, put a hold on it on Libby…yes!
Should you tell your friends about it…you’ll have to let me know!

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy!

Out next Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

Let’s talk about it in the comments!

THE SEQUEL…⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The audiobook was narrated by the incredible Julia Whelan, who never disappoints—she's probably my favorite narrator, and her performance here was spot on, as usual.🎧
✨
If you enjoy thought-provoking, character-driven stories with a blend of suspense and literary depth, I highly recommend giving this one a listen! It’s the perfect mix of plot twists and complex characters that will keep you thinking long after the final chapter.

The Sequel is book two in the The Book Series by Jean Hanff Korelitz.
I loved The Plot! So I was eager to jump into the second book.
The story is interesting and I found myself glued to the pages.
This book became quite addictive, unexpected and a delicious mystery at the same time!
A fascinating, unputdownable read I highly recommend.
The narrator Julia Whelan did a fantastic job!

Thank You NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This was a pleasant surprise…I actually liked “The Sequel” far better than the first book in this series. The first book, “The Plot” was about struggling author Jacob Finch Bonner who appropriates the idea/plot for his latest bestseller from one of his students who tragically passed away before publishing his own version of the book.

Jacob was a despicable character, a liar and a whiner. His book, I think it was called “Crib”, was wildly successful and on his book tour he ends up meeting Anna Williams, who ropes him into appearing on a radio show she that works for. They end up dating, and eventually marrying. If you haven’t read The Plot, I’d recommend you read that first, even though I really didn’t like it, because it sets up the background for The Sequel.

The Sequel takes place after Jacob has apparently committed suicide, and follows the life of his widow, Anna Williams Bonner, as she deals with everything that comes next. Without revealing too much, there’s a lot more to love about this book, and even though Anna is the true villain in both books, I was oddly rooting for her not to get caught as she met every obstacle in her life by eliminating everyone who crossed her path and threatened her in any way. It’s so dark and so funny, and although Anna is a total sociopath, I found the book far more entertaining than the first in the series.

I was so happy to get this egalley because I loved The Plot. The Sequel is even better! I love how there is always a twist with this series and I loved the main character Rose. I would read or listen to a third book if one was to be released.

If you’re looking for a light, easygoing listen for your next road trip or your morning walk through the neighborhood, that’s not The Sequel. Instead, it’s a dark and haunting thriller that’s full of surprises.

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery

Over the weekend I finished THE SEQUEL by Jean Hanff Korelitz and really enjoyed it! If you read and liked the first in the series, THE PLOT, then I highly recommend you pick this up. I actually liked this one a little more than the first one. I might be crazy but I loved the story told from the POV of the villain, and I felt some sympathy towards her despite her murderous ways.

With multiple twists, The Sequel will keep you on the edge of your seat. Just when I thought she couldn’t get crazier…Anna just kept finding others that were threatening to expose her. She’s not out to kill everyone but people can’t let her be. I think my favorite part of this book was the chapter titles, each one being the name of a sequel from another series. The titles fit so well and braced you for what was coming that chapter. It was brilliant!

I did most of The Sequel in audio because the narrator is THE @justjuliawhelan, and I love her narration in everything she’s done! She gives a rich voice for Anna and no one could’ve done it better.

Many thanks to @celadonbooks for the physical copy and @macmillan.audio for the audio!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook ARC!

First of all, my favorite thing about this book was that the chapter titles were all the titles of novels that were sequels. I know, I'm a book nerd. But that's not to say that I didn't love the book for other reasons also. I really can't remember the last time I've encountered a literary character so cold and brutal, but also so compelling and likable-despite-it-all as the protagonist of The Plot and The Sequel. By whatever name you want to call her, she is formidable! The audiobook is brilliantly narrated by Julia Whelan, and was a delight to listen to, from start to finish.

I love the back side of publishing tell all fiction novels. The MC has an agenda to clear her deceased husband of plagiarism. She writes her own novel to high acclaim which leads to her finding out more about her late husband's and late brother's involvement. If you enjoyed Yellowface or Who Is Maud Dixon? grab this one. While it would be best to read the first book, The Plot, you might find it enjoyable as the author does take some time to touch back while moving forward. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC audiobook where the reader does a wonderful job capturing the tone of the novel.

“Sequels can be very enticing when the initial book has done well. Readers want to know what happens to a character they’ve connected with.”
“But they’re never as good as the first book, are they?”

In this case, I think the sequel is just as good as the first book. I liked that this picked up right where we left off. It's great that this book is very similar to the first, in that we follow the main character as they are harassed by an unknown person. I really liked the perspective of our protagonist and the background it gives to the entire series. She was kinda evil but I love that for her.

The narration was great (Julia Whelan is my fave).

This was a great follow up to the plot! I thought the events of this book and the pacing were done very well. The narrator is so unlikable but at the same time I was rooting for her to get the justices she felt she deserved. The ending felt a little crazy to me but overall really enjoyed this one!

A huge Thank You to @celadonbooks for the invitation to participate in the #CeladonReadsTogether for #TheSequelBook by Jean Hanff Korelitz!

In a word, Brilliant!

I absolutely loved The Plot and was thrilled to see that we get to keep following Anna! I had no idea where it would go, but I was buckled in and ready. Getting to see more of her story, from her perspective, was enlightening and added depth to her character and her actions. It gave a weird level of empathy for an otherwise unsavory character!

The publishing world satire felt sharp and a bit fun to read! I am always amazed at how many people are involved in traditional publishing, and it helps to know how much is poured into one while anxiously awaiting.

I was fortunate to be able to read and chat with a fun group, @debs_shelves @neverwithoutmybook @novelsnlatte & @thethumbedpage which we all agreed it was tough or impossible to quit reading once we started! Also a thanks to @macmillan.audio who provided me with the audio via @NetGalley before I even got the book!

I must say the audio was fantastic and if you are a Julia Whelan fan, it will be predictably perfect. I was entirely brought inside Anna's mind.

Before you read The Sequel, you must read The Plot. Skipping the first, despite how repetitive the narrative can be, would be absurd, in my humble opinion. If you are going to only read one, please let it be The Plot.
The Sequel is a master class in writing style. It feels like exactly the kind of novel a prestigious MFA program would hope a writer to produce. It is extremely clever and creatively efficient, retelling the same story now 3 times over in the voice of 3 different writers.
I appreciate the versatility that takes as a writer, but at the same time, I genuinely cannot stand a single character in this novel, alive or dead. Not even the pets are likeable. For that reason, I did not enjoy reading this novel. It centers around Anna, and I ravenously anticipated her comeuppance throughout. As this includes retelling of Crib before it was Crib, as well as Anna's truth, none of this is revolutionary to readers.
I listened to the audiobook read by Julia Whelan. She is a queen.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫(3.5)

Anna Williams-Bonner is living the perfect life of a literary widow, enjoying her late husband's royalties—until she publishes her own debut novel, The Afterword. As Anna basks in success, mysterious excerpts from a long-lost manuscript surface, threatening her secrets and control. Someone knows too much, and Anna will stop at nothing to protect her story.

“The Sequel” is a twisty, layered follow-up to “The Plot” that hooked me with its unreliable narrator, Anna. Julia Whelan’s punctuated narration brings Anna’s morally gray, sociopathic tendencies to life in a way that kept me listening, even when the plot didn’t always land. Anna’s voice is strong, sharp, and keeps you guessing, but the publishing world drama felt flat—especially when I compare it to the biting satire in “Yellowface” by R.F. Huang.

That said, the tension comes from Anna’s unraveling secrets, not the insider publishing look. I loved the slow, suspenseful buildup as Anna fights to protect her perfectly crafted life. The story within a story element and those chapter titles gave the novel a clever, meta touch that was fun, but ultimately, I was more invested in Anna’s unraveling than the plot twists. If you enjoy a strong, unreliable narrator and psychological intrigue, this one is worth a listen, even if you haven’t read the first!

Thank you @macmillan.audio for the ALC 💙 #macaudio24

Perfect for you if you like:
Unreliable narrators who keep you guessing
Dark humor and clever meta-narratives
Consequences of hidden pasts unraveling

Similar to:
Yellowface by R. F. Kuang
The Plot by Jean Hans Korelitz (I haven’t read)
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

⛔️no romance
⚠️explicit language, extreme violence, drugging, kidnapping, blackmail, gun violence, mention of suicide

I absolutely loved The Plot. So I had to read The Sequel. I'd say for the first 1/4 of the book I was just getting annoyed at listening to Anna's inner thoughts. All of us that read The Plot know her. She was a layered character, to say the least. She seemed very flat as she went on her book tour for the book she wrote after the death of her husband. It takes a few more chapters to get those layers back to the story.

What you are reading for is the back story of Anna. We think we know it. We've read all about it before. But we don't know it. What we know is what someone wrote about what someone else wrote. It's a telephone game of a novel. You have to keep going back to get to the truth. By the end, I was on her side. I still didn't like her. I liked not liking her, though. I liked watching her fight for the rights to her own life.

The writing is dark but in a light way. Not a dark that takes you down a hole you have to climb up out of. Instead a dark that keeps you there until it's done. I binged this book the first chance I got. If there is another sequel, what will we call it? Because I don't feel done with Anna. This particular road has come to an end. It should not be revisited. But a character like this cannot be happy earning her life back only to live it cashing in on her dead husband and her one book. Can she?

You MUST read The Plot before reading The Sequel! I’ve tried to be as vague as I can while still showing how much I loved both stories. I wish I could just say: Read it, read both! I even went back and re-read quite a bit of The Plot before starting The Sequel to refresh my mind with the details. Such a good twisty plot, and bonus, you can read this one right after!

Loved this one even more than the first one! I wasn’t a big fan of Anna in The Plot, but then we didn’t get her side of things. Here, I could feel for her and understand her motivations as her story is revealed and getting her POV, and I was outraged in her behalf! I liked being in Anna’s head more than Jake’s. Not sure how that reflects on my character, haha, but I liked that she didn’t wallow in her situation, just evaluated and proceeded accordingly.

The Sequel was thrilling! Anna gets herself into a few dangerous situations confronting the threats coming at her and I was on the edge of my seat, rooting for her every step of the way!

The talented Julia Whelan narrates, and her performance of Anna is perfection! Timing, emotion and all the different voices were spot on! Highly recommend the audio version!

This was a miss for me. DNF @47%. I enjoyed books one, this one just kinda forced it. I know people will love it, it just didn’t connect for me.