Beverly is socially anxious and awkward, without many friends. Things change though when she meets Henry and Quinn, who help bring her out of her shell. However, tragedy makes Beverly confront her demons.

Based on the synopsis of this book, I was expecting it to be much more positive in the end. It made it seem like Beverly would finally figure out how to live her life and be happy, but that isn't really where it went. It felt like all the positive strides Beverly made in the first half completely went away. It didn't really have Beverly deal with her trauma in a way that felt meaningful or satisfactory to her plot. The way it was written, which felt more light-hearted, also jarred with the ultimate result of the plot. I'm fine with books not ending in happy ever afters, but I don't feel like Beverly, the protagonist, really got meaningful growth either.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a poignant and heartfelt novel that explores the complexities of love, loss, and self-discovery. The story follows socially awkward Beverly as she navigates life with the help of her parents, books, and a homeless man named Bill. When she meets Henry, a persistent and friendly man, Beverly's carefully controlled life is challenged, leading her to step outside her comfort zone and forge new friendships. The novel is emotionally charged, with the author skillfully portraying Beverly's internal struggles and the challenges she faces. The writing is engaging and witty, and the characters are well-developed and relatable. Overall, Beverly Bonnefinche is Dead is a captivating and thought-provoking read that will resonate with readers who enjoy contemporary fiction with a touch of romance.

A powerful and thought provoking story about how we are all different and just because you are different doesn't mean you are not a good person. I really liked Beverly and she reminds me of myself in a lot of ways. The little bits of humor in the story were perfect and lightened the tale up nicely.

Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. One of my favourite reads of this year! Beverly loves reading, she has anxiety and is socially awkward, her joys in life are her books, her parents and her homeless friend Bill. This book was such a delightful read, I was captivated by Beverly and her world, for me she was a very relatable character and I found her to share a lot of my personality quirks. This book was such a moving read, one minute I was laughing and nodding along and then there were poignant teary moments of self reflection and sadness., all making it a very well rounded read. It was one of those reads where you find yourself wondering what Beverly is up to when you are doing anything other than devouring it. Once I had finished it, I felt like I had gained yet another fictional friend and I know pieces of this book will always stay with me. #netgalley #beverlybonnefincheisdead #tea_sipping_bookworm #goodreads #thestorygraph #getlitsy #bookqueen #bookstagram #risingactionpublishing

The book "Beverly Bonnefinche is Dead" covers some heavy topics. The author did a great job of exploring mental health and its impact on Beverly. The plot is driven by the characters, making it an engaging read. Before you start reading the book, make sure to check the warning triggered by it. Overall, I am glad that I read this book.

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

As someone who was thrust into adulthood head first and moving from my small town to an island in the Pacific Ocean...it is always challenging for me to picture myself as characters who are stuck in their bubbles. And I still read these books because I am interested in seeing the world from other point of views, and this is about as opposite as they come. Thank you Kristen Seeley for this. Beverly is a likeable character, trying to navigate the world and not lost herself in the process. She is learning to challenge herself, try new things, and these are all things I also do, she's just approaching it differently. I enjoyed this book a lot.

Thank you NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing Co. for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Beverly Bonnefinche is unapologetically Beverly. She's such a raw and realistic character. I absolutely loved reading her story. I really appreciated the mental health representation. Beverly has known all her life that she's never felt "normal." I can definitely relate with Beverly on that level. There will always be people who come in and out of your life that think you're too quiet, too loud, too boring, etc. Beverly's story let's the reader know that no matter what anyone thinks of you and no matter what your quirks are, it's perfectly fine to be yourself. You don't need to be "fixed." You are enough.
I loved Henry's character as well. Beverly and Henry were the cutest. I can't imagine going through everything they went though. Their story was truly heartbreaking.
I couldn't and didn't want to put this book down once I began reading. It's going on my favorites of 2023 list. Beverly Bonnefinche Is Dead is truly unique..you won't find another book out there like it!
Highly recommend reading!

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
🧍🏼‍♀️🧍🏼‍♀️
This is one of the best, most realistic mental health books. And to think I didn't like the first few chapters, that was quickly remedied when I finished the rest of the book in three hours, the kind of book that you go just one more chapter and you forego sleep. Reading a book on mental health while studying Mental Health Nursing gits differently
🧍🏼‍♀️🧍🏼‍♀️
It was a wonderful book, and I applaud the author for what she has done. I've never read of a character like Beverley Bonnefinche. I loved her that she was able to get diagnosed and got the treatments she needed. I loved that she found the support of her parents, husband, and her neighbors.
🧍🏼‍♀️🧍🏼‍♀️
I also loved the ending, it was perfect for this book. My heart broke for Beverly, and at first, I was annoyed at her parents because they should have taken her to see a doctor or therapist. But, I understand that not everyone is aware of deficiencies in mental health. I'm so glad the times are different now, but there's still more awareness to be brought to mental illnesses.
🧍🏼‍♀️🧍🏼‍♀️
I can't say enough good things about this book. You have to read it to know how wonderful it is. I recommend this book, but I'd advise you to see the content warnings before reading.

Beverly is an interesting character. Introverted, ready to be forever alone save for her books and her one friend- another social outcast that would throw no stones at her. Slowly, two new people force their way into her life- Henry with his warmth and wide smiles that would be the person she loved; and Quinn, who would become the only other friend she felt she needed.

But her demons won’t let her rest. Always seeing the worst case scenario, fixating and cycling, her mind won’t be quiet. She is a study in how mental health issues mess with people, with their lives. It broke me watching her move through life, not understanding for so long. That in itself seemed very real to me. Our brains are sometimes the worst liars. I loved the growth she showed toward the end, but it was an incredibly hard road and hard to read at times. She isn’t a character you’ll always like, but she’s real and damaged and part of her calls out to you. Dual timelines of “then” and “now” add to the suspense of the novel, keeping you wondering about her story.

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For me, this was a five star book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
It wasn’t an easy or comfortable book. Parts of it broke me and others gave me hope, but there was definitely more pain than laughter. Still, it was a well written and introspective look into the mind of someone with untreated (for most of the book) mental illness. Well written and easy to follow, this was a book that I flew through simply because I had to know what happened.

As far as adult content, this has a lot. Drinking, language, bullying and gas-lighting. It is definitely geared towards adults. Trigger warnings: self harm, attempted suicide, thoughts of self harm and harming others.


I was lucky enough to receive an eARC of this book from Netgalley and Rising Action Publishing in exchange for an honest review. My thanks.

There was something about this cover that lured me in, and I'm so happy I had the chance to read Beverly Bonnefinche Is Dead by Kristen Seeley!

Reading a character driven story is like making a new friend, and Beverly is a friend I won't soon forget. This character-led novel is another example of a heavy yet worthwhile read. Normally, I place my trigger warnings at the end of the review, but I feel they need to be first with this one: pregnancy/child loss, mental health struggles, suicide and self-harm. Again, it is a very intense book.

I started reading it back in July, finally finishing it at the end of August. This book sat on my currently reading shelf for 53 days. Why? It's truly a sad story. And when I was falling asleep after it ended, I was thinking about it in a new light, and my heart broke for the characters all over again.

This is the best mental health representation I have EVER read. As someone who has been diagnosed with depression and has had family members face other aspects represented in the book, reading the inside of Beverly's mind was so spot on. The plot also shows how there is no one-sized fits all cure and just how important it is to have someone advocate for you.

I loved how this book was written. I don't want to say too much about it, but it's done in such a way that had me trying to piece it together, but I never quite managed to.

I can't help but love Beverly with all my heart. The growth she experienced within these pages was incredible to see; she is real, raw, and incredibly powerful. She's now my friend, claiming a special spot in my mind, and I will think of her and wonder how she has been doing for a long time.

Thank you NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing Co for the complimentary copy to read and review.

First and foremost, please read the beautiful note from the author at the beginning discussing all trigger warnings within and providing resources.

This book is an emotional journey that puts you right in the mind, the troubled and dark mind, of Beverly Bonnefinche. Every step of the book felt genuine, realistic and filled with empathy.

Beverly has always been a little different, preferring her own company or that of books ever since she was bullied/ostracised as a child in school. Her closest friend is a homeless alcoholic, Bill. One day, Henry enters the bookshop where she works and convinces her to go on a date. From here, her world expands greatly before collapsing in on itself.

I read this book in a single day. I was engrossed in the story and felt anxious to see Beverly emerge from the dark periods of her life. She isn't particularly likeable for a lot of the book but I think it goes to show we have no idea what a person is dealing with behind closed doors, what undiagnosed illness they might have. I do recommend this book to people, despite the heavy topics it covers. It is a great character analysis into how mental health can impact every single part of our lives and those around us in seemingly innocent ways until things explode.

Meh this book wasn’t bad but it also wasn’t good. Beverly was just an awful person no matter how you try to sweeten it up. She treated everyone, including herself, terribly. The ending was not satisfying and just left a bad feeling.

*Title: Beverly Bonnefinche Is Dead -a standalone

*Release date: 9/5/23 read: 8/17/23

*Author: Kristen Seeley, 1st time read author

*Book cover: perfect for Beverly. Sitting in a chair, book covering her face w/ toilet paper and coffee beside her.

*POV: h Beverly

*Setting: Newport, RI

*Genre: CR, Women's Fiction, Adult Fic, Suspense

*Tropes:

✅Mental Health
✅ virgin heroine
✅ makeover or transformation of the h
✅ love that helps h find her true self


Look out for:
⚠️ grief, suicide attempts, pregnancy/loss of a child, alcoholism, homelessness, bullying

*Synopsis:

Beverly Bonnefinche loves three things in life: her parents, books, and a homeless man named Bill. She is riddled with social anxiety and self-doubt, so she hides from everything else. Things changes when she meets Henry- a friendly, unassuming insurance salesman. Their relationship allows Beverly to step outside of her comfort zone and make new friends. When faced with challenges, it blows up Beverly's carefully constructed world. She learns to pick up the pieces and start living.


*Characters:
Beverly-the heroine. 25, lives w/ her parents. Works at a bookstore, no friends, no life outside of reading and her homeless friend Bill
Bill-an alcoholic homeless man w/ a wife and kids 10years estranged. He meets Beverly outside her job on a white bench everyday where they talk about life.
Henry-walks into the bookstore (a little awkward and shy himself) asks Beverly out. After a disastrous 1st no date, they try again and have a meaningful relationship that changes Beverly.


*Review: I've cried tears of joy because someone finally captured what social anxiety/depression is as a daily nonstop fight inside your mind and heart.

*Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐


Thanks to NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing Co. for this ARC🖤!
I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions are my own.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

I must admit, I was tricked by the cover. This was a weighty and sorta sad story. I do advise checking out the author's content warnings if you are sensitive to certain types of issues.

This story follows Beverly at a time of change in her life. I was so happy for Beverly when she started spreading her wings, taking chances, and making meaningful connections. But, Beverly didn't have a plan for her mental health care, and it was to her detriment. Having done in and out patient care for many years, I related to so much of Beverly's story. Her emotions and a lot of her thinking patterns were very familiar to me. I commend Seeley for the sensitive exploration of Beverly's mental health issues. It felt so real to me.

What surprised me was how drawn to this story I was. This was a sad story. It had bright spots, but it was still sad. I can understand many readers finding it difficult to like Beverly. But, I understood her, and therefore, found myself very invested in seeing her succeed and live a wonderful life. I cared for her, I raged for her, I cried for her.

This was such an emotional journey. When the title states that Beverly Bonnefinche Is Dead, it's a nod to Beverly's personal journey. She struggled with her mental health since her childhood and thought that she could not have things like love and friendship due to her "broken brain", but here she had a chance. I experienced Beverly's highs and lows, but I also saw her rise from the wreckage as a stronger and wiser person, and I was left hopeful for this new Beverly.

I received this book via NetGalley for my honest review. First and foremost, there are definitely trigger warnings to be aware of with this book. The storyline touches on suicide, loss of child, grief, alcoholism, homelessness, adultery and severe mental health struggles over all. Please be aware of your own mental and emotional state before taking this on.

All that said, I gave this 3 stars because while I went through an entire journey with the main character Beverly, I don't know that I, or she, really learned anything from it. I don't want to give any spoilers away, but the POV of the story is Beverly telling an unknown person her story from present day. It isn't clear who this person is until the very end and once revealed, frankly it does nothing for the story. My response to the reveal of her final location and listener was "okay...so what?" The format of the story telling suggested a significant reveal or revelation at the end. We as readers do not get that. I believe the story could have been told without the snippets of present day and the author just allowed the final chapter to be Beverly arriving in this final place to live her life. The "listener" added nothing to it for us, the reader.

That downfall aside, the depictions of mental health struggles felt genuine for me. Neither Beverly nor the author makes excuses for the behavior throughout and oftentimes it's obvious Beverly has not grown or learned anything. Her motivation and ultimate desires aren't entirely clear as the story moves. At the beginning, she just wants to read her books in peace but as the story continues on it is not clear what her new "happiness" looks like as she forms and navigates a relationship with Henry.

Unfortunately, despite Beverly's odd coping mechanism and the difficulties she faces throughout her life (some her own fault, some not) I fear this book will be forgotten quickly for me. Doesn't mean that isn't right for someone else of course!

I loved BEVERLY BONNEFINCHE IS DEAD. Kristen Seeley handled several difficult subjects such care and expertise. I thought I knew what was going to happen at several moments in the book, but I didn’t. I had a really hard time putting this one down.

**Note: make sure you read the content warnings.

Thank you to Rising Action for an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

Don’t let the cartoony cover fool you, this book is dark and I loved it so much! It’s a terribly sad story that focuses on the issue of mental health. It is told in a very realistic and sensitive manner and with a light touch of humour. There are many other heavy topics through these pages and reading the author’s trigger warnings before forging ahead is a good idea. There is suicide, loss of a child and mental illness throughout.

Beverly isn’t your typical quirky female character but she does learn what having friends can do to your psyche. Beverly has a job, makes some friends, gets married and even becomes pregnant, but when all the walls come tumbling down in Beverly’s life she is faced with the truth and has to decide what to do about it. I felt so bad for Henry tried, he really did but it was all for naught. As sad as this book was I was compelled to keep reading. Even though she is not very likeable I kept hoping for the best for Beverly and cheered her on while reading the book.

I liked how the book showed how mental illness affects those around the sufferer and I enjoyed being on Beverly’s journey to better health. Beautifully told and poignant in all aspects Kristen Seeley will draw you in and won’t let you go until the last page is turned. All. The. Stars.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

It was a book that I was definitely not in the right mindset to read, but I'm glad I did. It is a very unique story with unique characters. As someone who deals with many mental health issues Ifound it a hard read,but not triggering.

3.5
This book is honestly hard to even give a one sentence tease of....Let me explain.

Beverly is going through life with so much going on in her head that it makes it hard for her to interact with others. As then book goes on, you realize it is all even worse than you think. It was hard to read this book at times. It was genuinely terrifying because of the first person POV. You are dropped right into Beverly's thoughts and even they are deceiving at times. It's hard to explain all of it without giving too much away, just know this book is not for the faint at heart.

Check trigger warnings and be prepared for a very large, emotional ride.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the gifted copy. My reviews are always honest.