Book: The Sequel
Author: Jean Hanff Korelitz
Publisher: Celadon Books
Pub Date: October 1, 2024

I was so excited to see this book on NetGalley. I loved The Plot and had no clue that she would do a sequel. We all know how I feel about series books but for this I am making an exception. Even the characters in the book admit that sequels aren’t as successful as the first book. But The Sequel proves us all wrong. I really really really enjoyed this story. I think I loved this one even more than The Plot. It’s a very smart well played out novel. Anna is a woman you want to like. She seems like a good person but as the story plays out you see a very dark side. The ending was brilliant and I can see a third book. Which I’m not mad about. I loved the chapter names so be sure and read the acknowledgements at the end of the book to see all the references.

Thank you Celadon Books and NetGalley for this sneak peak! Publication date is October 1, 2024.

Yes, yes, it's clever and witty and has that intricately woven thing that I especially love when it still manages to be suspenseful, but most importantly: This is such a fun read.

Deranged but brilliant– I certainly expected no less after the INSANE twist in its predecessor. I am genuinely curious as to whether there will be a 3rd book and what surprises will it contain.

This is a sequel to the book The Plot and it picks up directly on the heels of the end of that book. No review can begin without any spoilers of “The Plot” so if you haven’t read that book, 1. This book will make no sense and 2. It will be ruined within pages. It is overall a very strong sequel with unique twists following an incredibly strong and unique mystery. It follows Anna Williams Bonner the widow of the famed writer of Crib after is untimely death shortly after his book becomes a sensation but he starts receiving threats that will expose him of plagiarism. After his death the threats continue and Anna goes on a mission to uncover who is responsible for these threats that are harassing her. There are sections that are a little tedious but overall I enjoyed the book. It was a story that was again unique and interesting.

Thank you to Jean Hanff Koreliz and Celadon Books for the opportunity to read this book

Absolutely loved The Plot!!! So excited to see The Sequel and doubly excited to receive an ARC.

This was a good read especially if you were a fan of The Plot. The twist in The Pliot got me. The Sequel follows Anna after the death of her husband the famed author. Thinking that she is safe with all her secrets taken care of she writes an autobiography that becomes a huge sensation that puts her in the spotlight.

But do secrets ever stay buried??

Korelitz is one of my favorite authors, so I was excited to have the opportunity to read and review this novel. I don’t know where to begin. I was absolutely knocked out by this incredible and compelling change of pace from anything I expected.

We are seduced by the story of the unassuming narrator, Anna Williams-Bonner, poor widow at a turning point, deciding what to do with her life after the so-sad suicide of her brilliant, beloved husband Jacob Finch Bonner. We follow the miracle of her ability to write her own novel.

Anna shares her story with us, such a sad childhood. At some point, it dawns on the reader (me) that Anna is not the sympathetic narrator of a story, but the main character in one of the most unexpected novels I have ever read.

So, I’m not a spoiler, I will leave it to other readers to let Anna’s story unfurl into an unexpected and twisted novel, that I can only hope has absolutely no autobiographical connection.

I highly recommend this to my readers. Book groups will enjoy discussing this novel. Korelitz has managed to write something both brilliant and totally unexpected!

I absolutely loved The Plot so was thrilled to learn about The Sequel and even more delighted to receive an advance read copy. Unfortunately The Sequel does not live up to the brilliance of the plot. Anna is a hard character to root for and so much of this book felt like a retelling of The Plot. I was left satisfied or even angry at the end, I just kind of felt like I read fanfiction of The Plot. The author is a brilliant writer so credit to that but perhaps great novels don’t need sequels.

Thank you to Celadon and NetGalley for an ARC of the Sequel releasing in October 2024.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Celadon Books.)

I loved The Plot - twists are my crack. I always know that sequels don't usually match the first books but this one was a valiant effort. Obviously the twists are much less but what made this book so readable to me was the main character - a deeply flawed, fascinating, tough nut to crack. I loved being inside Anna's head and how no matter what, she was coming out on top. PS: I had to read the Cliffs Notes of the first book but the author does a great job of weaving in that story, maybe almost too much.

#TheSequel #NetGalley

What do you expect? Of course this is a 5 star read. I may have enjoyed The Plot a tiny bit more but only b/c the entire premise was new to me….theft of a (deceased) author’s work. One of my favorite books ever. The Sequel was awesome as well. You know the idea of the story b/c it’s pretty much a continuation (or sequel) to The Plot. That said, the premise wasn’t new but wow, this one had twice the twists & turns. Do not think you have it figured out until it’s revealed. I mean @ 80%, it still had me confounded. So glad I discovered this author cuz her work is just phenomenal. Run, don’t walk to purchase The Sequel. If you haven’t read The Plot…..,Do. It. Now. THEN read The Sequel⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Have you ever decided to read a book that was a follow up to a book you read three years ago and worried you might not remember the first book? Well you won’t with this book. While I read both synopsis’ and crossed my fingers I would be good without rereading the first book I set off on my own mystery of adventure. I will say this author does such a good job weaving the original storyline into this web she’s magically created you are unaware that she’s doing it. While memories are sparked you’re not really paying attention as to who is the real villain of this story because you find yourself cheering her on as she is defying death at every turn to deepen this story.

the TWISTS! the TURNS! this was such a ride!! and honestly kind of fun to find myself rooting for the (very much unlikeable) protagonist at times! The Sequel explores a dynamic, flawed character and expands the world of The Plot in such an un-put-downable way. you love to see a remorseless #girlboss winning

As a big fan of The Plot, I was delighted to get the opportunity to read an advance copy of The Sequel thanks to the publisher and Netgalley. I had forgotten some of the details of The Plot, and I wish I had re-read it before starting The Sequel. I ended up rereading it afterwards. Once again, the author did a wonderful job with the characters and story from The Plot, but from a different perspective. I also enjoyed learning more about the publishing industry. I found it interesting that seemingly minor events and characters from The Plot have significance in The Sequel. It was all very cleverly done, suspenseful and even sometimes humorous. Fans of The Plot won't want to miss reading The Sequel. I highly recommend reading both books (in order).

I wasn't sure if Jean would do a follow up to The Plot and when I saw The Sequel was on NetGalley I could not have been more excited. It picks up a little after the end of The Plot so there's enough of a refresher that you don't forget the events that have occurred. Anna is one of my favorite characters because you just never know what to expect from her. She has a resiliency you don't see too often in novels anymore and she's such a strong female lead that you really root for her even though she's not the best person. I highly recommend this one and am very hopeful for a trilogy!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.

It's not obvious, so I was already a few chapters in when I realized that this is a sequel to The Plot. I enjoyed this sequel and Anna is a well crafted antiheroine. The author is able to bring this character to life in a way that is believable and realistic. I think this is one of those situations where because Anna is a woman, she will be seen a certain away as opposed to a man. Like how men are bosses and women are bossy for doing the same thing.

I cannot believe I finished this in a couple of days. I just had to find out what happened next!

The sequel is a great continuation of Jean Hanff Korelitz’ the plot. The Sequel follows Anna (the widow of Jake from the Plot) who decides to write a book following her husband’s death. Multiple twists and turns and I highly recommend for someone who was a big fan of the plot.

Thank you to Celadon and NetGalley for an ARC of the Sequel releasing in October 2024.

It seems like a lot of people who got this via arc are already loving this so I may end up being the outlier.

Pros: writing is superb, I was never bored, and the commentary throughout about writers and the publishing industry was very funny.
Cons: no matter what, I couldn't root for the antihero. She felt very two dimensional who basically sleepwalked through all the bad things she did. Everything just seemed too easy for her to overcome.

Overall this book is entertaining and a little humorous but it's a 2 star for me.

The Sequel follows The Plot, Jean Hanff Korelitz’ bestselling novel about hapless plagiarist Jacob Finch Bonner. His widow Anna Williams-Bonner has polished his reputation and written her own novel, The Afterword, to much fanfare. History repeats itself, however, when Anna receives very familiar pages and threats from an unknown source, possibly linked to her own brother and Jacob’s novel. While she deals with her new found fame, she searches for her tormenter and identifies a few likely suspects. Anna is not as easily cowed as Jacob. Whoever is implying she has stolen her novel is in for a surprise for Anna is not just a writer. She has other hidden talents.

Although The Sequel can be read as a standalone, it helps to have read The Plot. The “plots” are similar although Jacob’s reaction to threats is desperation while Anna goes on attack. Dialogue shines and characters are so well described, especially Matilda, Wendy and Arthur Pickens) that you would recognize them if you saw them on the street. The Sequel will follow The Plot onto the bestseller list.

Thank you to NetGallet, Celadon Books and Jean Hanff Korelitz for this ARC.

I really enjoyed The Plot so I was looking forward to The Sequel, but unfortunately it's true what they say about sequels never living up to the original.
The first 1/3rd of this book basically just rehashes what happened in The Plot and nothing happens. Part Two and Part Three finally pick up, but it's so out there, even for a thriller. Anna has to be the luckiest person in the world to get away with everything she does.
I really wanted to love this but it just fell flat for me.

The title, “The Sequel” doesn’t give anything away. It’s simply tells a reader it’s a book that follows “The Plot.” And yet, the reader has to wonder what’s going on. It can’t be that simple.

Those that have read Jean Hanff Korelitz’s books, know there’s so much that revolves around her stories with a lot of depth in her characters. They make you sink into someone else’s footprints with details of their movements where it’s complex, messy and gripping at times.

In “The Plot,” Jacob Finch Bonner was a best-selling author. Now, we learn that he tragically died just before getting his next book released. His grieving widow, Anna Williams Bonner, was heartbroken and said he was struggling from someone accusing him of plagiarism. Sadly, Jake ended his life.

Could Anna also become an author? It didn’t take her long to develop a story. Jake’s agent and publisher were thrilled and agreed her book would be a great success and it was. I found it to be an interesting part when Anna went through the steps working with an agent, sending rewrites to an editor, and then showing up at book tours. Anna was fortunate to get a profile in The New York Times which increased book sales.

Here was a woman that you wanted to like. She was super talented as a best-selling author when so many others were struggling. And yet, at the same time, there was a dark, creepy side of her that kept showing up. I kept picturing Anna in a movie with the mysterious actress, Anya Taylor-Joy.

I found some of the comments fascinating such as if you want to write, then it’s best to read Stephen King’s book, “On Writing.” And even though people say to write what you know, it’s better to create an original story that hasn’t been done before. Is this It? I’d say…yes. The author has a way with words that is worth reading.

My thanks to Celadon Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of October 1, 2024.

I loved the Plot and was so happy to see it get a sequel (ie this book). Yes, you should definitely read "The Plot" before picking up this one. I couldn't wait to solve the mystery and read this in a couple days! Pacing was good after the first 50%, felt like we were saying the same thing over and over again, so I did start skimming at some points.