A rather strange tale of a young man determined to make a name for himself. And a whale! A definite must read.

The premise of this book sounded promising, but the execution so far is not hooking me in. Izzy's POV is not keeping my interest enough to want to keep reading. I liked the synopsis and the title of this book, but it isn't giving me what I was hoping it would give me. I am sure there will be readers that will love this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for this Advanced Copy!

Part love letter to Miami, part Pitbull fan fiction, part ode to Moby Dick, Jennine Capo Crucet's newest work definitely puts it all on the line with a dazzling cast of characgetd. We start with Izzy, a washed up first generation Cuban American. Threatened by a cease and desist from Pitbull, Izzy turns to another hero, Tony Montana from Scarface. In his attempt to find glory, and his own Michelle Pffiefer, Izzy navigates through the seedy underbelly of Miami. As much as Capo Crucet romps in the hilarious absurdity of Miami, she also asks deeper questions of ourselves, our histories, and our legacies. I found this book somewhat difficult to start with, especially the portions that were in the form of an orca named Lolita who is in love with Izzy, the book definitely picks up steam and is worth weathering out the storm (pun intended).

This novel has to do with a boy who escapes from Cuba, the limits of love and the chasing of a tragic inheritance.

This has all kinds of different aspects including humor, absurdity and very much tragedy. There were aspects of the book that were unpredictable and it shapes the characters in this book.

this book was very well written and i loved the writing style. Was thought provoking and kept my interest.

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

"Say Hello to My Little Friend" takes readers on a wild and absurd journey through the eccentric dreams of Ismael Reyes, better known as Izzy, a failed Pitbull impersonator with aspirations to become the King of the 305. The novel kicks off with Izzy receiving a cease-and-desist letter from Pitbull’s legal team, catapulting him into an unexpected quest to transform himself into a modern-day Tony Montana.

The narrative takes a surreal turn when Izzy's quest intersects with the life of Lolita, a captive orca at the Miami Seaquarium. As the story unfolds, the power and influence of Lolita permeate not only the sinking streets of Miami but also Izzy's memories and the very essence of the novel itself. What begins as Izzy's comedic pursuit of fame transforms into a super-saturated fever dream, mirroring the sprawling and surreal landscape of the Magic City.

The novel delves into Izzy's boyhood escape from Cuba, revealing the truth behind his past and forcing a reckoning with the forces of nature, the limits of love, and the perils of chasing a tragic inheritance.

"Say Hello to My Little Friend" represents a notable departure for Jennine Capó Crucet, showcasing a blend of humor, absurdity, and tragedy. The narrative, while exploring the complexities of human ambition, unfolds against a backdrop of unpredictable forces that shape the characters' lives, providing readers with a unique and thought-provoking reading experience.

3.75