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Hazel Says No: A Novel
When a tight-knit family moves from Brooklyn to Maine, their lives are upended by an event that will alter their new community forever in this bighearted, sparkling debut for fans of
Now Is Not the Time to Panic
,
Pineapple Street
, and
Schitt’s Creek
Hazel Blum, please report to the principal’s office. Hazel Blum.
When Hazel Blum’s father gets a tenured job at a prestigious college, she and her family relocate from the hustle and bustle of Brooklyn to a middle-of-nowhere college town in Maine. With her mother, Claire, a clothing designer, and her father, Gus, an American Studies professor, Hazel and her eleven-year-old brother, Wolf, spend the summer at the town pool, where they acclimate to their new lives and connect with the town’s sprawling community. That is, until a dramatic fallout on the very first day of her senior year tips the fickle balance of idyllic Riverburg and impacts everyone in her family.
Tracking through the perspectives of each member of the Blum family, this relatable fish-out-of-water story handles big issues with great empathy and humor, capturing the love that unites one unforgettable family and the essence of life in small-town Maine. Emotionally deft, authentic, and compulsively readable, Hazel Says No is a debut novel not to be missed.
This audio edition includes a bonus conversation with Jessica Berger Gross, Emma Galvin, and John Glynn (editor of Hazel Says No ).
Hazel Blum, please report to the principal’s office. Hazel Blum.
When Hazel Blum’s father gets a tenured job at a prestigious college, she and her family relocate from the hustle and bustle of Brooklyn to a middle-of-nowhere college town in Maine. With her mother, Claire, a clothing designer, and her father, Gus, an American Studies professor, Hazel and her eleven-year-old brother, Wolf, spend the summer at the town pool, where they acclimate to their new lives and connect with the town’s sprawling community. That is, until a dramatic fallout on the very first day of her senior year tips the fickle balance of idyllic Riverburg and impacts everyone in her family.
Tracking through the perspectives of each member of the Blum family, this relatable fish-out-of-water story handles big issues with great empathy and humor, capturing the love that unites one unforgettable family and the essence of life in small-town Maine. Emotionally deft, authentic, and compulsively readable, Hazel Says No is a debut novel not to be missed.
This audio edition includes a bonus conversation with Jessica Berger Gross, Emma Galvin, and John Glynn (editor of Hazel Says No ).
Audible Audio
First published June 17, 2025
377 people are currently reading
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About the author
Jessica Berger Gross
7 books154 followersJessica Berger Gross is the author of the memoir Estranged: Leaving Family and Finding Home. Her essays have appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The Cut, Longreads and many more. She lives in Maine with her husband and teenage son. Hazel Says No, coming June 2025 from Hanover Square Press/HarperCollins, is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 681 reviews
March 26, 2025
Deep exhale. What a wonderful book. A great book for book clubs that can discuss the characters motivations and are sure to have “what would you do in this situation” type discussions.
Do you like books in the LitFic genre that have deep character analysis? Ones that are about difficult subject matter yet offer hope at the conclusion? fish-out-of-water families faced with impossible choices? Then this will be one of your favorite books of 2025.
Hazel was propositioned by her principal the first day at her new school. They moved from New York City to rural Maine. This sets off a series of events that bring the family pain and yet notoriety. She is a precocious and bright teen, her 6th grade brother Wolf has struggles with ADHD and wants to fit in. Her father Gus is a professor at the local college and her mom Claire is an artist. The book alternates their perspectives. The kids are incredibly well developed.
I can hardly believe this is a debut. A fresh new voice in feminist contemporary fiction. A post #MeToo novel that gives us great setting, plot, and characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade publishing for the ARC. Book to be published June 17, 2025.
***a best book of 2025***
Do you like books in the LitFic genre that have deep character analysis? Ones that are about difficult subject matter yet offer hope at the conclusion? fish-out-of-water families faced with impossible choices? Then this will be one of your favorite books of 2025.
Hazel was propositioned by her principal the first day at her new school. They moved from New York City to rural Maine. This sets off a series of events that bring the family pain and yet notoriety. She is a precocious and bright teen, her 6th grade brother Wolf has struggles with ADHD and wants to fit in. Her father Gus is a professor at the local college and her mom Claire is an artist. The book alternates their perspectives. The kids are incredibly well developed.
I can hardly believe this is a debut. A fresh new voice in feminist contemporary fiction. A post #MeToo novel that gives us great setting, plot, and characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade publishing for the ARC. Book to be published June 17, 2025.
***a best book of 2025***
June 18, 2025
One little word. NO!!
Who would think that two-letter word could cause such an upheaval.
It certainly did in this small town, but it was a powerful exclamation.
Hazel and her family moved from New York City to beautiful Maine in hopes that they would have a more affordable life.
On the first day of school, Hazel is summoned to the principal’s office where he propositions her. He tells her chooses a girl each year to have sex with, and he has chosen her. She screams no and runs out.
He denies it all and said she is the one that suggested an illicit affair
What a disaster for the entire family.
We follow Hazel and her family as they go through this horrible event that unfortunately does happen in real life.
I did not like Hazel’s mother because she figured that keeping things hidden would take care of everything.
And her poor father was so upset about everything that he messed up his first day of teaching at the college and is already having to watch his step.
Her brother Wolf had to turn down the lead in the play because of pressure from one of his fellow students. Loved Wolf!!
It was a mess all the way around and so sad.
HAZEL SAYS NO was emotional but also a lesson about what's right and what's wrong.
What will win out? What won out for Hazel? 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Who would think that two-letter word could cause such an upheaval.
It certainly did in this small town, but it was a powerful exclamation.
Hazel and her family moved from New York City to beautiful Maine in hopes that they would have a more affordable life.
On the first day of school, Hazel is summoned to the principal’s office where he propositions her. He tells her chooses a girl each year to have sex with, and he has chosen her. She screams no and runs out.
He denies it all and said she is the one that suggested an illicit affair
What a disaster for the entire family.
We follow Hazel and her family as they go through this horrible event that unfortunately does happen in real life.
I did not like Hazel’s mother because she figured that keeping things hidden would take care of everything.
And her poor father was so upset about everything that he messed up his first day of teaching at the college and is already having to watch his step.
Her brother Wolf had to turn down the lead in the play because of pressure from one of his fellow students. Loved Wolf!!
It was a mess all the way around and so sad.
HAZEL SAYS NO was emotional but also a lesson about what's right and what's wrong.
What will win out? What won out for Hazel? 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
July 18, 2025
The idea of this book was great…. But the follow through…. Terrible. It was incredibly boring. None of these characters were likable or relatable. I could have summed up this entire book in one chapter- and even that would feel drawn out. This was the most anticlimactic book I think I’ve ever read. I can’t believe I even finished it- but I had to know if something major (or even minor for that matter) was going to happen… spoiler alert- it didn’t.
May 1, 2025
Thank you to Hanover Square Press for the gifted ebook. This is one of my favorites of the year so far!
Hazel Says No is a stunning debut that explores the ripple effects of a MeToo moment on a close-knit family and a small town. After moving from Brooklyn to a seemingly idyllic town in Maine for her father’s job, Hazel Blum is ready to Rory Gilmore her way through senior year, staying on the straight path to Vassar. What she doesn’t count on is being proposition by the school principal on her first day of school. Hazel says no, but the reverberations of her accusation (and the inevitable he said/she said) extend well beyond school walls.
The story unfolds through the perspectives of each member of the Blum family, all struggling with their new reality in different ways. The novel approaches its heavy subject matter with empathy and nuance, balancing the weight of the situation with moments of humor and healing. While the topic is serious, the tone is not doom and gloom — an answer in itself to the question of how (and whether ) a MeToo experience should define a person.
I was blown away by the writing in this novel. Not only is it beautifully written, every single word feels carefully considered and deliberately chosen. This is especially evident in how distinct and authentic each POV feels. For example, the chapters from the perspective of Hazel’s 11-year-old brother, Wolf, read like the inner monologue of a precocious 6th grader. It’s so brilliantly executed that I was floored every time his voice took over.
Hazel Says No captures the essence of small town life for the Blum family — the cataclysms of middle school, the midlife ennui of an unintentional stay-at-home mom, the moral absolutism and righteous indignation of liberal arts students, and the struggle to not let a MeToo moment define the rest of your life. It’s thought provoking and compelling to the point of being unputdownable. It’s an unequivocal must read, so make sure to add it to your TBRs for this summer.
Hazel Says No is a stunning debut that explores the ripple effects of a MeToo moment on a close-knit family and a small town. After moving from Brooklyn to a seemingly idyllic town in Maine for her father’s job, Hazel Blum is ready to Rory Gilmore her way through senior year, staying on the straight path to Vassar. What she doesn’t count on is being proposition by the school principal on her first day of school. Hazel says no, but the reverberations of her accusation (and the inevitable he said/she said) extend well beyond school walls.
The story unfolds through the perspectives of each member of the Blum family, all struggling with their new reality in different ways. The novel approaches its heavy subject matter with empathy and nuance, balancing the weight of the situation with moments of humor and healing. While the topic is serious, the tone is not doom and gloom — an answer in itself to the question of how (and whether ) a MeToo experience should define a person.
I was blown away by the writing in this novel. Not only is it beautifully written, every single word feels carefully considered and deliberately chosen. This is especially evident in how distinct and authentic each POV feels. For example, the chapters from the perspective of Hazel’s 11-year-old brother, Wolf, read like the inner monologue of a precocious 6th grader. It’s so brilliantly executed that I was floored every time his voice took over.
Hazel Says No captures the essence of small town life for the Blum family — the cataclysms of middle school, the midlife ennui of an unintentional stay-at-home mom, the moral absolutism and righteous indignation of liberal arts students, and the struggle to not let a MeToo moment define the rest of your life. It’s thought provoking and compelling to the point of being unputdownable. It’s an unequivocal must read, so make sure to add it to your TBRs for this summer.
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 #booked_this_weekend
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 #booked_this_weekend
June 17, 2025
When Gus Blum gets a great opportunity to be a professor and department head at a prestigious college in Maine, the father of two is anxious to take it. Wife Claire is ready to design her own clothing line, and a change could give her that chance. Daughter Hazel is a senior in high school, so she only has a year left before she heads off to college (hopefully Vassar). Eleven-year-old Wolf, who struggles with ADHD, is starting junior high school with dreams of performing in a school play and yearns to fit in and make new friends. The family leaves the hustle and bustle of Brooklyn and moves into their new home in Riverburg, Maine. After a fun summer, things seem to be going well for the Blum family. However, on Hazel's first day of school, something unthinkable happens to her. The impact of a # MeToo event sends the family into a tailspin, leaving the small town shocked and divided.
Author Jessica Berger Gross presents a thought-provoking story in her beautifully written, impressive debut, Hazel Says No. While the crisis revolves around Hazel, each member of the Blum family is a well-developed, interesting, and authentic character. I especially loved Wolf. The novel deals with the consequences of speaking the truth when something bad happens. It sensitively addresses some serious topics yet includes lighter moments as well. I enjoyed this fish-out-of-water family story, especially having grown up in Brooklyn.
Many thanks to HTP Books | Hanover Square Press for providing an advance copy. I read the book and also listened to the audio version. Narrator Emma Galvin did an excellent job giving each character a distinctive and engaging voice.
4.25 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
Author Jessica Berger Gross presents a thought-provoking story in her beautifully written, impressive debut, Hazel Says No. While the crisis revolves around Hazel, each member of the Blum family is a well-developed, interesting, and authentic character. I especially loved Wolf. The novel deals with the consequences of speaking the truth when something bad happens. It sensitively addresses some serious topics yet includes lighter moments as well. I enjoyed this fish-out-of-water family story, especially having grown up in Brooklyn.
Many thanks to HTP Books | Hanover Square Press for providing an advance copy. I read the book and also listened to the audio version. Narrator Emma Galvin did an excellent job giving each character a distinctive and engaging voice.
4.25 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
June 10, 2025
Hazel Says No by Jessica Berger Gross. Thanks to @hanoversquarepress for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hazel, her parents, and brother move from the city to small town Maine expecting quieter lives. That all changes on the first day of school when Hazel is propositioned by her principal.
This was an interesting story based on a pretty heavy and serious topic. The main point of view is Hazel for the majority of the book but we also hear from a few others as well. The ending slowed a little for me when it veered more towards Hazel’s possible writing career but it quickly came back to the family and grabbed me again. It was a great coming of age debut.
“Sometimes, it wasn’t about right or wrong. You just had to be on the side of the person you love. No matter what.”
Hazel Says No comes out 6/17.
Hazel, her parents, and brother move from the city to small town Maine expecting quieter lives. That all changes on the first day of school when Hazel is propositioned by her principal.
This was an interesting story based on a pretty heavy and serious topic. The main point of view is Hazel for the majority of the book but we also hear from a few others as well. The ending slowed a little for me when it veered more towards Hazel’s possible writing career but it quickly came back to the family and grabbed me again. It was a great coming of age debut.
“Sometimes, it wasn’t about right or wrong. You just had to be on the side of the person you love. No matter what.”
Hazel Says No comes out 6/17.
June 26, 2025
First 50 pages or so were great…the rest was boring🤷♀️
July 1, 2025
Why was the 11 year old the only person acting like an adult??
June 15, 2025
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!
wow, i cannot believe this is a debut — this was such a powerful punch of a novel that had perfect satirical humor to balance out the multiple depressing and exhaustingly urgent real life issues, but ends on an encouraging and realistically hopeful note.
as for the audiobook, the narrator did a fantastic job!
wow, i cannot believe this is a debut — this was such a powerful punch of a novel that had perfect satirical humor to balance out the multiple depressing and exhaustingly urgent real life issues, but ends on an encouraging and realistically hopeful note.
as for the audiobook, the narrator did a fantastic job!
December 1, 2024
It’s refreshing to read a post-#MeToo novel that takes on the delicate topic of sexual harassment and assault with such thoughtfulness, empathy, and nuance.
And when I say nuance, I don’t mean sympathy for the abuser or any of that nonsense. I mean that it addresses how complicated and difficult these situations can be for the victims themselves and those in the community who are indirectly affected.
Hazel, the victim, grapples with her feelings about not only the incident itself but also the opportunities that arise because of it. When her story goes viral and she has the chance to write a memoir about it, she is forced to consider how much she wants this one horrible situation to define her future.
Intelligent and socially progressive, she ponders the complexity of things like, for instance, the fact that her being smart and white and pretty is what made her desirable to the high school principal who harassed her and the publisher who is pressuring her to write a memoir. What does this say about her, and about the society in which she lives? How much is she willing to resist her place in it as she comes of age and charts a path for herself?
Everything about this novel feels contemporary and extremely realistic. For example, Hazel’s viral moment comes during a Q&A at an event for a feminist writer named Maxine Joy, who is clearly a stand-in for Roxane Gay.
The narrative alternates between Hazel and the members of her family, who each deal with the fallout of the incident in different ways. Each character is compelling in their own way.
I loved this novel and the writer’s confidence in addressing such sensitive and topical themes.
And when I say nuance, I don’t mean sympathy for the abuser or any of that nonsense. I mean that it addresses how complicated and difficult these situations can be for the victims themselves and those in the community who are indirectly affected.
Hazel, the victim, grapples with her feelings about not only the incident itself but also the opportunities that arise because of it. When her story goes viral and she has the chance to write a memoir about it, she is forced to consider how much she wants this one horrible situation to define her future.
Intelligent and socially progressive, she ponders the complexity of things like, for instance, the fact that her being smart and white and pretty is what made her desirable to the high school principal who harassed her and the publisher who is pressuring her to write a memoir. What does this say about her, and about the society in which she lives? How much is she willing to resist her place in it as she comes of age and charts a path for herself?
Everything about this novel feels contemporary and extremely realistic. For example, Hazel’s viral moment comes during a Q&A at an event for a feminist writer named Maxine Joy, who is clearly a stand-in for Roxane Gay.
The narrative alternates between Hazel and the members of her family, who each deal with the fallout of the incident in different ways. Each character is compelling in their own way.
I loved this novel and the writer’s confidence in addressing such sensitive and topical themes.
June 18, 2025
HAZEL SAYS NO by Jessica Berger Gross starts off with a major bang that made my jaw drop and eyebrows shoot to the sky. Hazel Blum’s family is new to town, so she’s a bit surprised when she gets called to the principal’s office on the first day of school. The high school senior has a conversation with her principal that instantly changes the trajectory of her final year. It throws Hazel and her entire family for a huge loop.
The characters in this debut were absolutely EVERYTHING to me! Gah! I seriously loved them all. Hazel, Wolf, Claire, and Gus will live rent-free in my heart and mind forever. The author crafted this family impeccably. The character development was top-notch and extremely impressive. What a realistic, relatable, and lovable family!
This novel explores some heavier themes that the author handles with heart and humor. You can’t help but root for and sympathize with the Blums. I kept asking myself what I would do if my family was in a similar situation. (Especially with my daughter entering high school in the fall.)
READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:
- Family drama and dynamics
- Multiple POVs
- Maine setting
- Small town vibes
- Feminist activism
- Marriage and parenting
- High school life
- Teenage angst
- Witty dialogue
- Jewish representation
- Well-developed characters
I HIGHLY recommend the audio version of this novel as Emma Galvin knocks the narration completely out of the park! She brings the entire Blum family to life with plenty of emotion and enthusiasm. I couldn’t stop listening.
Overall, I absolutely LOVED this debut and have zero complaints. I will be the first in line to read whatever Jessica Berger Gross writes next! 5/5 glowing stars for HAZEL SAYS NO!
The characters in this debut were absolutely EVERYTHING to me! Gah! I seriously loved them all. Hazel, Wolf, Claire, and Gus will live rent-free in my heart and mind forever. The author crafted this family impeccably. The character development was top-notch and extremely impressive. What a realistic, relatable, and lovable family!
This novel explores some heavier themes that the author handles with heart and humor. You can’t help but root for and sympathize with the Blums. I kept asking myself what I would do if my family was in a similar situation. (Especially with my daughter entering high school in the fall.)
READ THIS IF YOU ENJOY:
- Family drama and dynamics
- Multiple POVs
- Maine setting
- Small town vibes
- Feminist activism
- Marriage and parenting
- High school life
- Teenage angst
- Witty dialogue
- Jewish representation
- Well-developed characters
I HIGHLY recommend the audio version of this novel as Emma Galvin knocks the narration completely out of the park! She brings the entire Blum family to life with plenty of emotion and enthusiasm. I couldn’t stop listening.
Overall, I absolutely LOVED this debut and have zero complaints. I will be the first in line to read whatever Jessica Berger Gross writes next! 5/5 glowing stars for HAZEL SAYS NO!
June 22, 2025
If you're looking for a book that draws you in right from the beginning, this is it. As a teacher, this book really pulled at my heart strings.
With so much hope of moving to a new town in order to succeed in life, the characters' POV showed that it isn't always roses.
Hazel was my favorite character, along with her little brother, Wolf. This story is written in third person, and I always enjoyed the point of view from those two characters. I felt like the parent's problems were just an add-on, and to be honest, they detracted from the story line,
The book made me a little sad for the world. It's hard to be the person that no one believes. It's also hard to be the teacher, like Gus, who is doing his best to not offend anyone in his lessons. It's hard to be the daughter of a father that ruins your family.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book. Then it went sideways for me. It was a little too much lecturing about the wrongs in the world. It moved too slowly for me, especially when it wasn't about Hazel or Wolf. This is the reason I gave it three stars.
That being said, you will probably enjoy this book if you like to read about:
*family dramas
*feminism
*antisemitism
*teaching
*Maine
*Me Too
It is a well-written book. It just moved too slowly for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Jessica Berger Gross for sharing this book with me. This is my honest opinion.
With so much hope of moving to a new town in order to succeed in life, the characters' POV showed that it isn't always roses.
Hazel was my favorite character, along with her little brother, Wolf. This story is written in third person, and I always enjoyed the point of view from those two characters. I felt like the parent's problems were just an add-on, and to be honest, they detracted from the story line,
The book made me a little sad for the world. It's hard to be the person that no one believes. It's also hard to be the teacher, like Gus, who is doing his best to not offend anyone in his lessons. It's hard to be the daughter of a father that ruins your family.
I really enjoyed the first half of the book. Then it went sideways for me. It was a little too much lecturing about the wrongs in the world. It moved too slowly for me, especially when it wasn't about Hazel or Wolf. This is the reason I gave it three stars.
That being said, you will probably enjoy this book if you like to read about:
*family dramas
*feminism
*antisemitism
*teaching
*Maine
*Me Too
It is a well-written book. It just moved too slowly for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Jessica Berger Gross for sharing this book with me. This is my honest opinion.
August 19, 2025
*4- -
Hazel ha detto no é la lettura estiva che ci meritiamo. Sono d’accordo che un libro da portare sotto l’ombrellone debba essere scorrevole, ma perché non cercare un libro che ci lasci anche qualcosa? In questo senso Jessica Berger Gross e le ragazze di Heloola, che hanno portato in Italia questo titolo, sono venute in nostro aiuto. Hazel ha detto no non é un libro perfetto: é un esordio che pecca a mio avviso di diverse ingenuità, come cercare di affrontare un po’ troppe tematiche, alcune in maniera per forza di cose superficiale. Il romanzo é il racconto di come una famiglia, trasferitasi dalla City al Maine, si trovi ad andare avanti con la propria quotidianità dopo che la figlia appena diciottenne ha rifiutato una proposta sessuale in cambio di raccomandazioni dal proprio preside. Non é facile affrontare l’opinione pubblica, ancora meno se ci si sente già degli outsider.
Il punto di vista della narrazione non é solo quello di Hazel ma anche quello degli altri membri della sua famiglia: i genitori Gus e Claire ed il fratello Wolf,ci dimostrano come il no di Hazel al preside abbia avuto anche delle conseguenze sull’intera famiglia.
Hazel viene inizialmente travolta dal trauma per quello che le é accaduto, ma ad in certo punto la sua voce riceve l’attenzione mediatica spalancandole una serie di opportunità fino ad allora insperate… ma é giusto cavalcare l’onda del successo se a definirla rischiano di essere solo quei 5 minuti passati nell’ufficio di una persona che poi non ha mai più nemmeno incontrato?
Hazel ha detto no é la lettura estiva che ci meritiamo. Sono d’accordo che un libro da portare sotto l’ombrellone debba essere scorrevole, ma perché non cercare un libro che ci lasci anche qualcosa? In questo senso Jessica Berger Gross e le ragazze di Heloola, che hanno portato in Italia questo titolo, sono venute in nostro aiuto. Hazel ha detto no non é un libro perfetto: é un esordio che pecca a mio avviso di diverse ingenuità, come cercare di affrontare un po’ troppe tematiche, alcune in maniera per forza di cose superficiale. Il romanzo é il racconto di come una famiglia, trasferitasi dalla City al Maine, si trovi ad andare avanti con la propria quotidianità dopo che la figlia appena diciottenne ha rifiutato una proposta sessuale in cambio di raccomandazioni dal proprio preside. Non é facile affrontare l’opinione pubblica, ancora meno se ci si sente già degli outsider.
Il punto di vista della narrazione non é solo quello di Hazel ma anche quello degli altri membri della sua famiglia: i genitori Gus e Claire ed il fratello Wolf,ci dimostrano come il no di Hazel al preside abbia avuto anche delle conseguenze sull’intera famiglia.
Hazel viene inizialmente travolta dal trauma per quello che le é accaduto, ma ad in certo punto la sua voce riceve l’attenzione mediatica spalancandole una serie di opportunità fino ad allora insperate… ma é giusto cavalcare l’onda del successo se a definirla rischiano di essere solo quei 5 minuti passati nell’ufficio di una persona che poi non ha mai più nemmeno incontrato?
September 12, 2025
Very YA and nothing happens.
July 16, 2025
Era una storia con molto potenziale ed ero molto curiosa a riguardo, purtroppo lo stile di scrittura mi ha reso faticoso andare avanti nella lettura. Sotto molti aspetti forzato, i riferimenti al femminismo o altre branchie attiviste sono estremamente pop, da social. È praticamente ciò che potresti trovare su un post di Instagram. La maggior parte dei passaggi sono anche molto scontati. La tematica non è affrontata come avrebbe dovuto a mio avviso, ci sono altri titoli decisamente migliori.
June 30, 2025
Everyone everywhere needs to read this.
May 20, 2025
I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I picked up Hazel Says No, but now I'm glad I went into it with curiosity and uncertainty as to what to expect. This is such a perfect book of the moment. Jessica Berger Gross does such an outstanding job of making each narrator in the Blum family distinct, empathetic, and relatable. I couldn't get enough of Hazel, Wolf, Claire, or Gus. I was hooked on this book from the opening pages.
I would be shocked to hear of any woman reading this book without being able to relate to Hazel's experience. This book has so much heart and humor packed into its #MeToo, fish out of water, coming of age, messy family story. I has relatable and hilarious awkward teenage angst, hilarious family dynamics, and contemporary feminist energy.
I finished this book nearly in one sitting. I had such a book hangover when I finished Hazel Says No, it took me a few days to pick up anything else.
I love this book, y'all, and I think it will appeal to a lot of contemporary fiction readers.
Thank you so much to HTP/the Hive, Harlequin Books, for sending me an arc of this beautiful book. It is a book I will gift and recommend to a lot of my reader friends.
I would be shocked to hear of any woman reading this book without being able to relate to Hazel's experience. This book has so much heart and humor packed into its #MeToo, fish out of water, coming of age, messy family story. I has relatable and hilarious awkward teenage angst, hilarious family dynamics, and contemporary feminist energy.
I finished this book nearly in one sitting. I had such a book hangover when I finished Hazel Says No, it took me a few days to pick up anything else.
I love this book, y'all, and I think it will appeal to a lot of contemporary fiction readers.
Thank you so much to HTP/the Hive, Harlequin Books, for sending me an arc of this beautiful book. It is a book I will gift and recommend to a lot of my reader friends.
March 6, 2025
Very Rory Gilmore - pretentious and overprocessed and alienating
August 2, 2025
Urca che bello. Bello, bello, bellissimo.
Insospettabilmente bello da quanto in Italia sia purtroppo poco noto.
La cosa più incredibile di questo romanzo di Jessica Berger Gross è che, nonostante tocchi temi dolorosi, dall’abuso sessuale al ricatto, dalla depressione all’antisemitismo (volto a mascherare minacce di altro tipo, a dire il vero), non è un romanzo disperato. I personaggi non sono annichiliti, nonostante le privazioni e gli sconvolgimenti che, la loro nuova vita in una nuova città, si trova ad affrontare. Reagiscono invece con grande intelligenza, con senso pratico, non si abbattono d’animo, sono ingegnosi, riflessivi, creativi e uniti fra di loro, nonostante il rischio, la maldicenza della gente, la paura per il futuro. E’ un grande insegnamento, la loro formazione al servizio degli ostacoli della vita. Penso a Gus, padre di Hazel e professore di Storia Americana, che si trova a combattere pregiudizi sul suo lavoro e sulla sua persona impegnandosi ancora di più nella preparazione delle lezioni, nella gestione dei rapporti con gli alunni, nell’abbattimento di barriere per costruire ponti. Penso a Claire, la madre stilista e lavorativamente nel limbo fra una vita in una città e l’altra, potrebbe essere una facile preda del pianto e della desolazione, invece no, non smette di parlare con la figlia, di progettare, sperare e ipotizzare qualcosa per il suo futuro e anche quando parla con rabbia, pensando al professor White, in qualche modo rientra sui binari, combattiva, controllata. Penso a Wolf, il fratellino undicenne affetto da ADHD, sarebbe la perfetta ispirazione alla descrizione di un disagio eppure porta sempre con se una sana dose di ironia, affetto e voglia di fare, che lo rende un piccolo eroe irresistibile per ogni lettore. E infine c’è Hazel, la protagonista, talmente intelligente da trasformare la sua inziale sfortuna in una grande ricchezza per il suo futuro professionale, per poi fermarsi quando sente che si stanno superando i limiti dei suoi stessi desideri.
Insomma, i Blum prendono in mano la loro sfortuna e combattono per se stessi, con intelligenza e ironia, furi da ogni stereotipo in cui sarebbe stato facile incasellarli.
E poi, fra le pagine, c’è tanta America, tra tradizioni, vita quotidiana, sogni e aspettative: la lotta per entrare nel college che si desidera (per gli Americani pare sempre una conquista), la differenza tra le luci di Long Island e lo scenografico Maine, il “dolcetto o scherzetto” di Halloween a cui non si può rinunciare, nemmeno se si è chiacchierati per tutta la città, e tanto altro ancora.
In definitiva, “Hazel ha detto no” è uno spettacolare romanzo di formazione che alza il sipario su uno spaccato della moderna vita americana, regalandoci personaggi che possiamo ammirare profondamente.
E’ infine il romanzo perfetto per aprire dibattiti su temi attuali, quali la conquista della consapevolezza di sé e del controllo sulle proprie scelte (troviamo infatti, alla fine, una sorta di “Book club kit” con una serie di domande che invitano alla riflessione post lettura).
Chapeau!
Insospettabilmente bello da quanto in Italia sia purtroppo poco noto.
La cosa più incredibile di questo romanzo di Jessica Berger Gross è che, nonostante tocchi temi dolorosi, dall’abuso sessuale al ricatto, dalla depressione all’antisemitismo (volto a mascherare minacce di altro tipo, a dire il vero), non è un romanzo disperato. I personaggi non sono annichiliti, nonostante le privazioni e gli sconvolgimenti che, la loro nuova vita in una nuova città, si trova ad affrontare. Reagiscono invece con grande intelligenza, con senso pratico, non si abbattono d’animo, sono ingegnosi, riflessivi, creativi e uniti fra di loro, nonostante il rischio, la maldicenza della gente, la paura per il futuro. E’ un grande insegnamento, la loro formazione al servizio degli ostacoli della vita. Penso a Gus, padre di Hazel e professore di Storia Americana, che si trova a combattere pregiudizi sul suo lavoro e sulla sua persona impegnandosi ancora di più nella preparazione delle lezioni, nella gestione dei rapporti con gli alunni, nell’abbattimento di barriere per costruire ponti. Penso a Claire, la madre stilista e lavorativamente nel limbo fra una vita in una città e l’altra, potrebbe essere una facile preda del pianto e della desolazione, invece no, non smette di parlare con la figlia, di progettare, sperare e ipotizzare qualcosa per il suo futuro e anche quando parla con rabbia, pensando al professor White, in qualche modo rientra sui binari, combattiva, controllata. Penso a Wolf, il fratellino undicenne affetto da ADHD, sarebbe la perfetta ispirazione alla descrizione di un disagio eppure porta sempre con se una sana dose di ironia, affetto e voglia di fare, che lo rende un piccolo eroe irresistibile per ogni lettore. E infine c’è Hazel, la protagonista, talmente intelligente da trasformare la sua inziale sfortuna in una grande ricchezza per il suo futuro professionale, per poi fermarsi quando sente che si stanno superando i limiti dei suoi stessi desideri.
Insomma, i Blum prendono in mano la loro sfortuna e combattono per se stessi, con intelligenza e ironia, furi da ogni stereotipo in cui sarebbe stato facile incasellarli.
E poi, fra le pagine, c’è tanta America, tra tradizioni, vita quotidiana, sogni e aspettative: la lotta per entrare nel college che si desidera (per gli Americani pare sempre una conquista), la differenza tra le luci di Long Island e lo scenografico Maine, il “dolcetto o scherzetto” di Halloween a cui non si può rinunciare, nemmeno se si è chiacchierati per tutta la città, e tanto altro ancora.
In definitiva, “Hazel ha detto no” è uno spettacolare romanzo di formazione che alza il sipario su uno spaccato della moderna vita americana, regalandoci personaggi che possiamo ammirare profondamente.
E’ infine il romanzo perfetto per aprire dibattiti su temi attuali, quali la conquista della consapevolezza di sé e del controllo sulle proprie scelte (troviamo infatti, alla fine, una sorta di “Book club kit” con una serie di domande che invitano alla riflessione post lettura).
Chapeau!
July 15, 2025
A contemporary family drama where the entire family is pretty pretentious and insufferable.
June 4, 2025
This is a well-crafted multi-person contemporary novel that jumps off from the question of what if Hazel said no - specifically to the lecherous small town principal who propositions her. And not just no, but no and then telling her community about it rather than sinking into shame for something wholly not her fault and likely happening to others. The catch though - this happens on Hazel's first day of high school in her senior town in a small depressed town in Maine to which her Jewish Brooklyn based family has just moved so that her father can take a better paid and tenured teaching position at the local small liberal arts college. What unspools from Hazel's decision affects her, her younger brother, and her parents in ways foreseen and unforeseen. Jessica Berger Gross is a talented writer and I am eager to see what she writes next. Highly recommend. Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing | Hanover Square Press and NetGalley for the DRC.
July 6, 2025
Loved this! It was the kind of story where you fall in love with the characters and just want to keep reading. Very much a novel of our times. Charming, infuriating, thoughtful and funny. I thought she did a great job showing the absurdity of modern life through Hazel and her dad ‘s experiences.
I also want to shout out the cool mom and realistic portrayal of parents in their mid 40s who are always low key worried about money. I feel like I never see that in books — it’s always extreme poverty or wealth. All of the descriptions of Hazel’s parents made me feel very seen.
I also want to shout out the cool mom and realistic portrayal of parents in their mid 40s who are always low key worried about money. I feel like I never see that in books — it’s always extreme poverty or wealth. All of the descriptions of Hazel’s parents made me feel very seen.
July 9, 2025
i listen to audiobooks now? writing was good but not great, but a decent coming of age story overall 😌
October 3, 2025
3.5 stars
July 3, 2025
Wow I could not put this book down! I really loved Hazel and her coming of age in a REALLY devastating way. Her story is one that rings true for so many people, and it is super tough to hear how people react to what happens to her. But she remains resilient and learns over time that staying true to her identity is what’s most important.
June 30, 2025
I absolutely loved this! 😁
Okay in the little blurb for this book, it says it’s perfect for fans of Schitt’s Creek. And I’m a huge fan of that show, so it was no surprise that I loved this book, too. While it doesn’t have a similar plot, it has the same humor and heart. And it had me smiling or laughing throughout (except for the scenes I was enraged, but it still made me laugh soon after). There has to be something special said for a book that can handle heavy topics in a lighthearted way without diminishing their significance.
This one thoroughly surprised me with how much I loved it, how much I was rooting for the whole family, and how I couldn’t put it down. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while!
𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑰'𝒅 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐:
Everyone! I think it’d be a great one to read and discuss with others, too.
𝑨 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:
At first, I wasn’t a huge fan of the narrator’s voice. But I thought she did an excellent job narrating the book- she always managed to keep it light, and per the interview with the author at the end of the book, is exactly what the author intended. I highly recommend the audio.
Okay in the little blurb for this book, it says it’s perfect for fans of Schitt’s Creek. And I’m a huge fan of that show, so it was no surprise that I loved this book, too. While it doesn’t have a similar plot, it has the same humor and heart. And it had me smiling or laughing throughout (except for the scenes I was enraged, but it still made me laugh soon after). There has to be something special said for a book that can handle heavy topics in a lighthearted way without diminishing their significance.
This one thoroughly surprised me with how much I loved it, how much I was rooting for the whole family, and how I couldn’t put it down. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while!
𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑰'𝒅 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐:
Everyone! I think it’d be a great one to read and discuss with others, too.
𝑨 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:
At first, I wasn’t a huge fan of the narrator’s voice. But I thought she did an excellent job narrating the book- she always managed to keep it light, and per the interview with the author at the end of the book, is exactly what the author intended. I highly recommend the audio.
June 14, 2025
4.5 - I stopped halfway through bc of busyness and resumed a few weeks later, but I think if I read it straight through it would’ve been 5 stars!
I loved the author’s voice and changing POV. Each character was flawed, funny, and familiar (in a good way). This story is a really good take on the “me too” movement in my opinion. It makes it very human, and it’s told in a family-drama style which allows other topics and characters to be explored. In other words, the “me too” of it all drives the narrative, but is not the only narrative.
I’ll be eager to read this author’s next novel!
I loved the author’s voice and changing POV. Each character was flawed, funny, and familiar (in a good way). This story is a really good take on the “me too” movement in my opinion. It makes it very human, and it’s told in a family-drama style which allows other topics and characters to be explored. In other words, the “me too” of it all drives the narrative, but is not the only narrative.
I’ll be eager to read this author’s next novel!
June 23, 2025
Come ho scritto “a caldo” alla casa editrice, questo romanzo ha estrema necessità di essere letto capitolo dopo capitolo, con un’alternanza di pause di riflessione nel mezzo. Sono vitali. Per elaborare e soprattutto tirare respiri profondi.
Si ha un nuovo inizio, una tipica famiglia americana (vero Gus ?) lascia il caos della City per il Maine: padre professore, madre artista/stilista, Hazel futura scrittrice attualmente affamata teenager interessata a carpire quanto la circonda e Wolf, adorabile fratellino super incasinato. Ah e il cane, Pickle.
La (apparente) banalità del semplice, no?
Eppure- durante il primo giorno di scuola della nostra protagonista, succede qualcosa. Si parte da un monosillabo- un NO- ben formulato che sembra quasi interrompere la narrazione: perché si avrà quindi un prima (vita newyorkese e successivo trasferimento) e un dopo (un uragano di proporzioni epiche si andrà ad abbattere sulle coste del Maine).
Ed è da quel preciso istante che la narrazione si dipana, dapprima singola diventa ora corale: ognuno dei membri della famiglia Blum (escluso giusto il cane) ha voce in capitolo, esprime tanto le proprie percezioni quanto le proprie complicate vicissitudini, trasportandoci prima del clamore mediatico del #metoo di provincia, poi nelle prime turbe pre-adolescenziali (fatte di provini teatrali, scelta strategica del tavolo in mensa o del perfetto costume di Halloween), passando per le insonnie e le ansie di una madre che vede i cuccioli crescere e ha il terrore che questi vengano mangiati vivi e sputati dalla bruttezza del mondo. Per finire, ci sono spietati spaccati di vita da collage, dove una slide datata di una presentazione Powerpoint può essere ottimo pretesto per spolverare forconi e inneggiare alla caccia allo stregone (punto molto interessante che forse avrei approfondito un attimino). Interessante il parallelismo tra quello che succede al liceo e quello che coinvolge il campus del college.
Il romanzo ha una scrittura fluida e molto armoniosa: i capitoli sono brevi (un paio di pagine al massimo) e contribuiscono all’innalzamento del livello “dramma” dell’opera.
Il finale è degna conclusione del romanzo: i colpevoli vengono messi in croce e devono passare sotto la gogna mediatica e pubblicamente chiedono scusa (* capitolo "Estate nel Maine" chiusura perfetta del cerchio), la vittima ottiene clamore e riconoscimenti, ma al contempo si rende conto di quanto le parole possano pesare (soprattutto non sul carnefice, quando sull'entourage di questo) e arriva al ravvedimento per il bene supremo (e credo anche un pochino di Sindrome dell'Impostora del Memoir in troppo giovane età).
Sarebbe stupenda una serie TV tra incantevoli fari nel Maine, distretti scolastici e scorci di vita da collage.
ps. Wolf (che risulta essere super adorabile come fratellino, per quanto stronzetto) meriterebbe di sapere che a volte un'email ad un contatto importante ha più risonanza mediatica di una segnalazione anonima su una app...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2025
I love books with narrators of all ages -- and HAZEL SAYS NO won me over with its portrait of a family deeply changed by one event that no one asked for, that no one wanted, and that never should have happened. This story offered a character-driven look at community, at loyalty, at the assumptions we make about ourselves and others (right or wrong), and about the unexpected moments in life that reveal who we really are ... even if we still have some growing up to do.
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