This book was a palate-cleanser after many thrillers and it fit the bill. This book made me slow down and think about how one word can change the course of one’s life. This book details the huge ripple effect a sexual advance has on a student’s life and those of her entire family. It was interesting and impactful, just the what I think the author was going for. I really liked Hazel: she was well developed and an easy protagonist to root for. I will say that no huge events happen in the book, which is why I held back that last star. Many thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

Fabulous beginning, slow middle, and tidy ending—overall a worthwhile read and great debut novel from Jessica Berger Gross. Hazel is a high school senior whose family just moved to small-town Maine from NYC. First day of school she is propositioned by the principal, who’s been friendly all summer at the community pool. She says no, reports him, and all hell breaks loose. The chapters alternate between the family members: Hazel, her younger brother Wolf, and their parents, Gus and Claire.
The story of #metoo fallout for the new, Jewish family in an insular town was fascinating and messy. I found myself frustrated by the parents, who seemed a lot less mature than their children, and the subplots didn’t always work for me—underdeveloped but overlong. Everything resolved a little too tidily for all the mayhem that precedes the resolution, but it’s fiction. The main conflict with Hazel explored the ideas of victim blaming and ostracism that go along with these terrible events. I wanted it to be a little more empowering to young women, but ultimately 18-year-old girls still have a lot of doubt and vulnerability.
This author shows a lot of promise and I’m curious to see what she writes next!
P.S. Justice for Wolf, who seemed completely ignored by his family and ultimately the author. His journey felt so underdeveloped to me, and I thought it could have been quite interesting.
Thanks to the publisher for the advance copy!

I enjoyed this. I did feel like there were plot holes that lead to some confusion as to what the point of the story was. But the ending made up for it.

HAZEL SAYS NO has lots of potential. Unfortunately, I wasn’t among those who were wowed.

I really liked what the author was going for. I appreciated that we saw the fallout for each family member.

But I felt things worked out too easily, leaving missed opportunities for depth and an honest examination of the situation.

The audiobook didn’t work for me. Each of the four family members have POV parts. The narrator didn’t distinguish vocal tone or speech style for any of them, so they all blended into one another. The style worked well for Hazel, and her younger brother wasn’t a big issue, but I struggled with the parents’ POV parts because they sounded exactly like teenage Hazel.

*Thanks to @HTP_Hive, @HTPBooks, and @HTPBooks_Audio (#HiveInfluencer) for the free ebook and audiobook download!*

I really liked the premise of this book and had high hopes for it. The book started out strong and then I slowly found myself loosing interest. I loved the Maine setting and thought that was the perfect setting for the story, especially after Hazel and her family moved from bustling NY! I feel like a lot of people will be able to relate to Hazel and what happened to her and how it affected her and her family. I thought the author did a great job capturing the emotions related to the situation. The part where the book lost me towards the end of the book where Hazel was getting lots of publicity in the media for what happened. It seemed over the top and not in line with the rest of the book. I won’t go much more into it. So I don’t spoil the story.

Overall, this is an engaging story with a great setting and relatable premise. I think a lot of people will really enjoy this one.

emma galvin did incredible work with this! the narration was perfect and captured the characters personalities so well. pure excellence!!

the blum family is truly going through it, all trying to navigate their new, slow-paced life in maine. in the midst of grasping this new lifestyle, the family finds themselves notoriously in the center of the small town’s spotlight. this book was a delight! i enjoyed the plot, the characters, the setting, and the writing. the author tackles tough situations, showing raw and real emotions, while simultaneously supporting such situations with humor. the characterization of each member of the blum family was written so well, it was easy to understand their thought process and the actions that followed.

one of the main takeaways i loved about this book was how strong and inspiring hazel was. although she seemingly took her situation with a grain of salt in the beginning, she turned it around in a manner that paved the way for others. i enjoyed the perspectives of all the characters. i especially loved the tone and approach for each of their stories. despite the magnitude of such events, their stories are told with light humor that kept me engaged without feeling too heavy.

i thoroughly enjoyed every bit of this book! i still think back on some parts and giggle. i will always recommend this one!

thank you to the publisher Harlequin Trade Publishing, Harlequin audio, and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

This. book. is . everything. So current, so informative. Hazel says no is every parent's nightmare... a sexual predator in a position of power propositions your child. And even though you have brought them up well, the ramifications are life altering. Hazel's story, and the effect it has on both of her parents, brother, and the small town of Riverberg, Maine, is compelling and had me wanting to continue listening after each chapter. This will be on my short list of recommendations to friends when I am asked what they should read next.

Hazel Says No is a fantastic debut novel about Hazel, a focused high school student on track to go to get into a good college, when her family is relocated. She meets with the principal of her new school, who promptly ( and NOT subtly) propositions her. Hazel, however, is not the shrinking violet he was counting on. Hazel says no.
The story then focuses on the ensuing consequences for Hazel, her family, the school, and the principal, as told from the perspectives of the four members of her family. It’s a powerful, moving, and timely story, and it’s impossible not to root for Hazel along the way.

Emma Galvin does an excellent job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Jessica Berger Gross, Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press, Harlequin Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

On Hazel’s first day at a new school her principal pulls her aside to tell her that every year he selects a female student to have sex with, and this year; her senior year, it’s her. What happens next is the unraveling of the situation where Hazel has very little say in what happens---who reports to who, what does the town think and why is her dad, the new professor in town, being cancelled? A literary masterpiece Jessica Berger Gross dives head first into the emotional and social tolls of an unwanted advance from a prominent member of a community, and how it can change the trajectory of your life even when you say no.

I started and finished the book in a single day starting in print and ending in audio. I felt an array of emotions. Narrator Emma Galvin did a great job at bringing this story to life. Despite feeling a ton of rage because of the topic, this was an audiobook I couldn't shut off. I started and finished it in a single day because of how good it was. Hazel Says No is a book I’m not going to shut up about anytime soon and one I think everyone should read.

Thank you HTP Hive for the gifted copy.

I totally enjoyed this book. An 18 year old student-Hazel- finds herself in the principal's office with the door closed the first day of school and subsequently gets propositioned. What follows tells the story of how Hazel handles herself and how it affects her, her father, (a professor in a local college,) her brother (who is in school with the principal's daughter), and her mother. Over the course of a year, her story is told and told again, and we learn how it also affects the principal and his family. This story gives us the "me, too" movement the full treatment. It is an adult book but could also be an excellent read for high school students.
Thanks to Netgalley for the arc.

While there's no end to stories involving lecherous men in our future, I appreciated a story in which a vulnerable person is able to able to reject advances at no physical harm. The narrator succeeded in portraying a range of ages, genders, and insecurities. This would be a good book discussion pick, as there are many topics and characters to explore.

"Hazel Says No" is one of the best books I have read this year! I loved the premise--how one moment in time can affect what happens to a family over the course of a year. There is trauma and the subject matter is pretty dark, but there is also introspection, empathy, growth, and hope. Hazel is a magnificent protagonist and she and her family are complex characters, each constantly wrestling with their feelings and the actions they want or need to take. I loved the "fish out of water" scenario, as the family moves from Brooklyn to small town-Maine, and the individual and collective experiences of the family. Hazel's brother, Wolf, often said the words that others wanted to say and often had laugh-out-loud lines. I think that this will be a perfect read for book clubs, as there is so much to say. I believe that Jessica Berger Gross took a difficult topic, created characters that offer a variety of perspectives on the issue, and allowed readers to be captivated by how one family deals with a really challenging year. Highly recommended! Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the audiobook ARC and the opportunity to provide an honest review.

Hazel Says No by Jessica Berger Gross is a heartwarming novel that follows a family as they relocate from bustling New York City to a quiet college town in Maine. Each family member finds themselves in a unique season of change—switching careers, starting junior high, applying to college. But everything shifts on Hazel's first day of senior year at her new school, when she simply says, “no”—a moment that alters the course of their lives.

4,5 stars rounded up

What a great book - I loved the fresh voice the author brought to the pages. It made you feel so many different emotions throughout the story from laughing to your heart breaking for Hazel at times. It is hard to believe that this was a debut! All of the characters were so well developed and I loved this whole little family! I was left feeling inspired by Hazel's strength and courage. There were lots of sub-plots that kept things fresh and made the book feel even more real. This will be such a good book club read for this summer as it will leave you with lots to discuss. I would say you should 100% pick up a copy if you enjoy messy but lovable characters, small-town setting, and are looking for your next great literary/contemporary fiction read.

Loved the narration on the audiobook and the discussion with the author at the end!

Sometimes I'll give a book three stars but I still enjoyed the experience of reading it. This is not really one of those times. If I could recoup the hours I spent listening, I'd likely choose a different title to fill the time. That being said, it would make a good book club discussion title. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

4.5 rounded up. Really well written and interesting. The plot is a spin on an all too common problem. However, there are so many sub-plots that this book feels so very much like real life. Not only that, the characters have depth and feel like real people you could know. Overall an absolutely great book with perf t for this book narration.

Advanced listener copy provided by Harlequin Audio but all opinions are my own.

This was a good read. I could easily see this book in my library, recommended to my students. It was great, I liked the plot, I found it interesting and it hold significance. The matters a heavy and full of depth while holding strong family values.

When the Blum family trades Brooklyn for a quiet college town in Maine, they’re hoping for a fresh start. Instead, they get a wild first day of school, a town rocked by drama, and a senior year Hazel Blum will never forget.

Hazel Says No is a charming, bighearted debut about a creative, close-knit family figuring out how to fit into a new place—and what happens when one unexpected moment sends ripple effects through their lives and the community around them. Told through the eyes of Hazel, her quirky younger brother Wolf, and their parents, Claire and Gus, this story captures the awkwardness, humor, and tenderness of starting over.

This is a warm, witty, and surprisingly emotional novel, perfect for fans of Now Is Not the Time to Panic, Pineapple Street, and Schitt’s Creek. And honestly? It’s just a really cute book—with heart, smarts, and plenty of moments that’ll make you smile.

Title: Hazel Says No
Author: Jessica Berger Gross (Debut Author)
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Emma Galvin
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Genre: New Adult
Pub Date: June 17, 2025
My Rating: 3 Stars
Pages: 352

Hazel and her family move from New York City to rural Maine as her father Gus is a college professor and has been offered apposition at the local college which also cover the tuition costs of family members. Since Hazel is precocious and bright senior in high school this is an offer they cannot turn down. Claire, Hazel’s mother is an artist so is delighted with the moves as Maine is so beautiful!

They move in the summer and Hazel doesn’t know anyone so spends the rest of the summer taking her younger brother Wolf swimming at the local perhaps only pool. Wolf will be in the sixth grade and struggles with ADHD and wants to fit in.
The Principal of the high school is also there with his children and notices Hazel as being new and wants to make her feel welcome so starts to chat with about the book she is reading.
Little did anyone realize that this is the beginning of a series of events that bring the family pain.

The story is well done. I worked in the school system for years so I know things like this happen but not enjoyable to hear about.
I do believe as many others mentioned it would make a good Book Club discussion ~ What would you do? Plus I am sure a discussion of the characters would be included...

At the end of the audiobook there is an interview with the author and narrator which was interesting and I did enjoy hearing their POV.

Want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this audiobook.
Audiobook Publishing Date scheduled for June 17, 2025.

⭐️⭐️ 2/5 Stars (Meh)
Setting: Maine
Genre: Literary Fiction; Contemporary Fiction

Hazel Says No starts off with genuine potential. The setup is compelling: Hazel Blum’s family relocates from the chaos of Brooklyn to the quiet rhythms of small-town Maine, offering a fresh backdrop for a coming-of-age story. Early chapters capture the uncertainty of change, the awkwardness of fitting in, and the quiet charm of a sleepy college town. Hazel’s voice feels real, and the family dynamic is initially engaging.

But as the story unfolds, the novel loses its way.

What begins as a heartfelt exploration of identity and belonging quickly shifts into something more preachy than poignant. The multiple POVs—while a nice idea in theory—become repetitive and indistinct. Characters start to feel more like mouthpieces for the author’s views than real people with depth and nuance.

The major theme at the heart of Hazel Says No is one that absolutely deserves attention. It’s timely, important, and could’ve offered meaningful insight. Unfortunately, it gets buried under layers of political messaging that feel more like a lecture than a story. Rather than allowing readers to engage and reflect, the narrative often insists, leaving little room for interpretation or emotional connection.

That said, the book isn’t without merit. The writing itself is solid, and some of the quieter moments do land. But overall, Hazel Says No trades its initial emotional resonance for a soapbox, and the story suffers because of it.

A decent premise with a few bright spots, but ultimately overwhelmed by its own agenda. #netgalley #hazelsaysno