Wild stuff. I don't think I've read anything like this before in terms of the stream-of-conscious narration. Closest thing I could compare it to would be The Princess of 72nd Street by Elaine Kraf meets Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos meets whatever Forever Magazine is doing lately.

Stream of conciousness books are soooooo hit or miss and this book was a hit! I really loved how dread inducing so many of our MC's thoughts were. I loved that it was very relatable...like I think she's a milennial for sure??? I loved it. HAllie Elizabeth Newton knows exactly how to pace a book. It was very stress inducing, but also slow, but also fast?? Very har to describe it. I enjoyed myself reading this book a lot!

Agnes Lives! is urgent, unsettling—it teeters on the knife's edge. Would recommend to people who love "The Guest" by Emma Cline and crave a complete and utter loss of control.

Follow sad, lonely, suffering Agnes as she tries to get someone to kill her in 24 hours before her next SoulCycle class.

Did I like Agnes or any characters in this book? No. Was it maddening? Yes. Was the pace breakneck? Yes. Was the stream of consciousness chaotic and over-the-top? Yes. Was I gripped to see how this train wreck ended, and did I devour it with haste? Absolutely.

A blistering single-day odyssey through Manhattan in which a woman's search for her own death. Agnes Maurer's stream of consciousness - veering from makeup tutorials to Derrida, from SoulCycle orgasms to quiet devastation - is at once hilarious, horrifying, and heartbreaking, a voice so fully realised that putting the book down feels like abandoning someone mid-sentence.

3.75 stars! Stream of consciousness galore. At points, it felt like I WAS the character. You are truly deep inside of Agnes's head. Every single thought spews right at you. She was a captivating character to follow. At the same time, you are questioning her manic thoughts. It felt very fast for two reasons. First, it is a shorter book. Second, it takes place over 24 hours. I love this type of read; it feels more intimate when it's a shorter time period, truly diving deep into the character.

Thank you NetGalley, Bloomsbury USA, & Hallie Elizabeth Newton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Agnes Lives! is released on June 23, 2026!

Agnes Lives! by Hallie Elizabeth Newton is a clever, engaging novel that blends humor, heart, and a touch of the unexpected. Newton’s writing has a lively, distinctive voice that draws you in quickly, making Agnes a character who feels both unique and easy to root for.

The story balances lighter, whimsical moments with deeper themes about identity, second chances, and finding meaning in life’s twists and turns. There’s a warmth to the narrative that makes it an enjoyable and often uplifting read, while still offering thoughtful insights beneath the surface.

A delightful, character-driven novel with humor, heart, and a unique perspective.

I loved this book. Taking place during one frenzied day, Agnes's adventures skewer the world and haunt the reader. It takes a very skillful writer to handle both the novel's pacing and the narrative's extreme interiority. The book reminded me of American Psycho (compliment!) and I'll look forward to the author's next book.

Very character driven and lit fic-y! I really enjoyed Agnes as the main character. I also enjoyed the writing, and I can see this being a cult favorite.

Thank you for approving me! This was awesome. I'm a huge fan of American Psycho, and this scratched the same sort of itch. The ending was satisfying, I had been worried that it would all sort of fizzle out like I've seen in other books. I feel like I've been where Agnes is. (I'm a late Sagittarius, I think we could almost relate to our horoscopes together.) Perfect pacing, almost a Scott Pilgrim esque characterization of the exes, the seven men, but not nearly as gimmicky. I could say so much more! Will definitely be adding this to all of my recommendation lists.

A woman desperately trying to escape her life by finding someone to kill her. This is the kind of fiction I live for. This is great for anyone who loves a stream of consciousness from a quirky girl narrator. This is for the My Year of Rest and Relaxation girlies. I had so much fun reading this book. I can’t wait to hear it as an audiobook. Add this to your TBR!