Sequels are “never as good as the first book, are they?” Well, in this case, the sequel is even better! In “The Plot”, Jacob Finch Bonner writes a blockbuster best seller based on a student’s idea. After accusations of plagiarism, he takes his own life. In “The Sequel”, his widow Anna has written and published a book of her own, but her past comes back to haunt her when she starts receiving vaguely threatening messages and excerpts of a manuscript that too closely resemble her own life.

Jean Hanff Korelitz is a brilliant storyteller, and The Sequel is just as clever and creative as I expected. Anna is so compelling as an anti-heroine; she’s self-centered, sarcastic, and more than a touch sociopathic. The plotting is tight and the prose is riveting; twisty, dramatic, and deliciously meta (those chapter titles - *chef’s kiss*). This is the kind of book where it’s hard to say too much without giving anything away, so I’m just going to tell you to go read it! Or better yet, listen to it! Julia Whelan is phenomenal as Anna, perfectly conveying Anna’s narcissism and sociopathy as well as her vulnerability. Highly recommended!

Many thanks to Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for the advance copies and for giving me the opportunity to participate in the read-along.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this wonderfully addictive eARC in audiobook format.

The Sequel: A Novel by Jean Hanff Korelitz, narrated by Julia Whelan, is a captivating continuation of the literary intrigue that began with The Plot. This audiobook delves into the life of Anna Williams-Bonner, who is now navigating the aftermath of her husband Jacob Finch Bonner’s tumultuous career and the accusations of plagiarism that once haunted him.

Anna, now a literary widow, finds herself basking in the success of her own debut novel, The Afterword. However, her newfound peace is shattered when she starts receiving excerpts from a novel that should no longer exist. This mysterious manuscript threatens to unravel the carefully constructed life she has built, revealing secrets about her late brother, her late husband, and potentially herself.

Julia Whelan’s narration is a STELLAR feature of this audiobook. Her expressive and nuanced performance brings Anna’s character to life, capturing her vulnerability, determination, and the underlying tension that permeates the story. Whelan’s ability to convey the suspense and emotional depth of the narrative enhances the listening experience, making it immersive and engaging.

Korelitz’s writing is sharp and insightful, blending dark wit with suspenseful storytelling. The plot is intricately woven, with twists and turns that keep listeners guessing. The exploration of themes such as identity, authorship, and the power dynamics within the literary world add depth and complexity to the narrative.

Anna is portrayed as a multifaceted protagonist, grappling with her past and the moral ambiguities of her present. Her journey is both compelling and relatable, as she navigates the treacherous waters of literary fame and personal secrets. The supporting characters, including the enigmatic figure behind the mysterious manuscript, add layers of intrigue and tension to the story.

The Sequel is a must-listen for fans of literary thrillers and character-driven mysteries. Jean Hanff Korelitz’s masterful storytelling, combined with Julia Whelan’s captivating narration, makes this audiobook a true standout in the psychological thriller genre.

Having read and loved this author's previous book The Plot, when I saw the audio of, well, The Sequel, available from NetGalley, I requested it right away. As discussed in the book, as well as being kind of general knowledge, sequels usually aren't as good as the first book, but in this case, I'd call it a dead heat.

Anna Williams Bonner mourns her husband of only 1 year. Jake Bonner was a writer and his last book CRIB was a huge hit. No one can understand why Jake would take his own life after writing such a successful novel. The grieving widow decides to write her own book, The Afterword, about her experience as the wife of a writer and about her shock at what he did. Surprisingly, her book also becomes a big success. As she heads out on book tours of her own, and learns to deal with her new fame and fortune, she receives pages of a manuscript in the mail. A manuscript that is very familiar and should have been wiped off the face of the earth. What is on those pages? Why are they scaring Anna so? You'll have to read this to find out!

I know it's cliche to say a book is un-put down able-but this really was. Well, in my case I did not want stop listening. Julia Whelan is the narrator here and I think her performance was outstanding. The character of Anna is rich and complicated and Julia voiced the hell out of her.

As this mystery unfolds, turns, twists and turns again I was holding on for dear life. Anna's character goes through so much and every single bit of it was deserved. Told in such a way that the truths are dropped like little bombs throughout the narrative, I just found myself thinking WTH about 15 different times. I can't say any more about the plot without spoilers, so I guess I'll wrap it up here.

I can't help but wonder why The Plot hasn't yet been made into a film because I think it could be incredible. As it stands, this book, just like that one, was compelling reading, fast paced, and filled with surprises at every turn. Is it too soon to request the author write another? Please? And as soon as possible? Thank you!

Highly recommended!

*ARC from publisher.

I picked up The Plot, the first book in the series, after seeing this new release narrated by Julia Whelan. I would highly recommend reading The Plot first; otherwise, you might feel a bit lost jumping into this one. Despite Anna being a very unlikeable main character, I still enjoyed the book. The storyline is dark and twisted, which adds to its intrigue, though it doesn't have quite the same impact or shock value as the first book, especially now that we know Anna better. That said, I’d still recommend this one—especially as an audiobook!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Julia Whelan Did an awesome job with this audiobook.

I do think it’s best if you read the first book, The Plot first as it will give you a lot of background information which will make this one easier to understand as there are a lot of names and relationships that can get confusing.

In this one we meet Anna who is now an author after her husband took his life. Soon she receives pages from a novel that shouldn’t exist and could get her in trouble. We follow Anna as she tries to find out who is sending these pages, what do they know and what do they want.

Overall enjoyable listen but the ending was chef’s kiss.

In this captivating sequel to The Plot, Anna Williams Bonner is enjoying the spotlight as a famous literary widow and now a best-selling author in her own right. Life couldn’t be better, that is until she feels an unwelcome situation from her past. It turns out a “buried” manuscript still exists, and someone is sending pages not just to her, but to her in-laws and editor. In order to keep her darkest secrets under wraps. she sets out to find out who’s stalking her and destroy the manuscript once and for all. Now Anna knows someone has knowledge about her late brother, her husband and likely her.

The Sequel is Anna’s story. It is immensely satisfying, very suspenseful, an anti-heroine I cannot believe I was rooting for by the end. This book far exceeded my expectations.

I recently read The Plot and so I was eager to read The Sequel while it was fresh in my mind. I love the plot twists of the first book and the unconventional ending of it. Where was the Sequel going to take me?!?

I was pulled in right away and brought right back to the mysteries surrounding The Plot. That was a crazy ride and we were just getting started! The events and people that unravel in The Sequel will keeping you reading well past your bedtime to know what happened next.

Also pay attention to the chapter titles. One of my favorite features, is that each is a sequel itself!

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC

The Sequel
Jane Hanff Korelitz
Available now

Riding the coat-tails of her late husband, a woman embarks on a literary journey of her own. But someone knows her secret, and threatens to unravel everything.

💭 The Sequel cleverly blends a twisty mystery with biting commentary on the literary world. The main protagonist is marvelously and intentionally unlikeable, and is executed just brilliantly. This story is sharp and witty, deliciously meta, and utterly captivating, showcasing Korelitz's immense skill as a writer.
🎧 The audio of The Sequel is definitely the way to go! Julia Whelan brilliantly encapsulates the protagonist, delivering a knockout performance through and through.

** Actual book rating 4.25 stars.
And a 5 star audiobook performance

✨Pub Day Review ✨

Happy Pub Day to The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz

The Sequel is truly a sequel to the author’s first book, The Plot. I highly suggest reading that first book before diving into The Sequel!

I love going into my thrillers for the most part knowing as LITTLE as possible! I don’t want to ruin anything for anyone. So, IF you’d like a book synopsis, swipe to read. But what I will say is ….

Pick up this Series if you love:
✨Fast Paced Thrillers
✨ An Atmospheric Read
✨ Rooting for the Anti-Hero
✨ Dark Comedy
✨ Drama on Drama
✨ Messed Up Family Dynamics
✨ Books about Books & the Writing process
✨ Behind-the Scenes in the Publishing World
✨Twisty Twists

A HUGE thank you to Celadon Books as I read this one as a part of their Read Together Initiative. My Reading Buddies were
@kristis_literary_corner
@bookishboujeeandbossbabe
@drea_looks_atbooks
@lifewithasideofskincare
Over on Instagram

I’d also like to thank Macmillan Audio, NetGalley netgalley and the author for my gifted copy and my ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I LOVE an immersive read and being able to read this physically while listening along to as the Award Winning Voice Actress and incredibly talented Julia Whelan narrated and brought this story to life! It was next level amazing! I mean who better to bring Anna to her fullest potential as the classic villain.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I loved The Plot, so I was nervous starting this one, and guess what? The Sequel was even better! The story is dark, twisty, a bit disturbing and I love that wicked sense of humor. It’s just one of those addictive thrillers you can’t stop reading.

Thank you so much Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for this gifted copy and complimentary audiobook.

At first I didn’t realize that Jean Hanff Korelitz’ The Sequel was itself, a sequel. But a quick search will point you to The Plot and I highly recommend you read this book first. While I’m sure Korelitz’ includes enough bread crumbs for The Sequel to stand on its own, the protagonist Anna Williams is so intriguing it’s worthwhile to dive in to both books in the series to better understand her complex psyche.
Both novels center around the creation of a novel with a too true to life, gruesome plot line and a blackmail scheme to expose it. Korelitz writing is so effortless to read. I was frequently awed, experiencing her mastery of the written word, much like Stephen King. I guarantee you’ll have a book hangover after this one and other author’s attempts at prose will pale in comparison.

Korelitz creates a heroine and villain that readers will cheer for with a driving plot that you won’t be able to walk away from. I highly recommend it!!

Considering I loved the Plot, I figured I would love The Sequel. I was right.
This book grabs you from the get go, like the first, and keeps you invested and entertained along the way. I have to say, I didn’t loveeeee the end, but I loved following Anna through her new found fame as an author herself. Would totally recommend! I enjoyed the journey she goes on to keep her secrets so much. Thank you Netgalley for the AAC! Great first read of October!

"Anna Williams-Bonner watched...the writers, as they...offered up laughably shallow praise to the man who'd just read to them. Then, before her eyes, the group defaulted to their eternal topics: the shortcomings of their former teachers, the inadequacies of the publishing world, and inevitably the writers they knew who happened not to be present...And she thought: If those idiots can do it, how f$cking hard can it be?"

So begins our journey with Anna, the debut author, widow to a renowned writer, and the catalyst for the bestselling The Plot by clever plotting author Jean Hanff Korelitz. Now this brilliant writer gives us The Sequel, where Anna is truly the entitled star.

Though the author does a seamless job explaining what happened in The Plot so you understand Anna's determination to keep her deadly secrets, reading or listening to it before The Sequel will only enhance your enjoyment of this twisty WTF thriller.

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Reading how Anna so easily dismisses, and just ends, those who may try to end the life she has meticulously created is a fascinating study of entitlement. She believes in her right to live at the cost of everyone else. Yet I often rooted for her despite her murderous ways. My reaction is a testament to the creative brilliance of this masterful storyteller.

Having the award winning voice actress Julia Whelan, a favorite actress, performing the words of a favorite author, is pure joy. There's no one better to bring Anna to her full potential as a classic villain.

I haven't really told you The Plot because The Sequel deserves to be experienced with all its surprising twists. Just know you will be entertained, shocked, and impressed by this perfectly crafted, brilliantly plotted sequel.

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Sequel (The Book Series #2)
By Jean Hanff Korelitz, narrated by Julia Whelan

Following on the heels of the first book, The Plot, we now have The Sequel. This second story works fine as a standalone because the necessary to know past events are explained here, actually adding more information due to a different POV, but for the full experience, I would suggest reading the first book before reading this one. This is Anna Williams-Bonner's POV as she navigates and manipulates life after the death of her husband, bestselling novelist Jacob Finch Bonner.

Anna is not torn up about the death of her husband. Oh no, being the extremely dysfunctional nutjob that she is, Anna's husband being dead is a "feature, not a bug". Anna is very happy living off her husband's perpetual earnings and the fame that comes with being the grieving widow of a famous man who has committed suicide. She does throw a glitch into this easy to float through life when she flippantly mentions she is writing a book, something she had no intention of doing. But once she's said this enough times, she knows she needs to cough up the goods and being the grieving wife of a famous suicided author grants her instant passes into workshops and such that allows her to fake it until she makes it, book wise.

Once Anna has written her novel, with all the literary acclaim that comes with having her husband's former backers backing her all the way, Anna is living the life of a exalted published author. But, the past comes back to haunt her. Just as her husband was accused of plagiarism, now it's happening to her. She's seeing excerpts of a novel she thought she's wiped from existence, just as she's wiped certain people from existence, to keep her past a secret. This can't be happening! Who, among the living, can possible know of this damaging novel that is haunting her now, again? Never fear, Anna is not to be deterred, she's on a mission to wipe out any knowledge of her past and no one will stop her.

Julia Whelan's narration is just what is needed for the POV of Anna. She sounds like herself when narrating Anna, which is just the way Anna needs to be narrated, so matter of fact, so calm and firm in her justifications for all that she does. But then Julia does a great job with the other characters, too, giving each one a distinctive voice. I was able to both listen to the audiobook and have a physical copy of the book on hand, best of both worlds when enjoying a book. This was a really good addition to the first book and I wonder if there is more to come in the future.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Celadon Books, and NetGalley for the print and audio of this ARC.

The Sequel is the follow-up novel to Jean Hanff Korelitz's novel The Plot. Anna Williams-Bonner is busy promoting her late husband's book when she finds herself being asked consistently what she plans to do with her career. She ends up writing a book! This is not kindly regarded by all authors as she is perceived to have received a leg up in the publishing world due to connections she forged through her husband. However, Anna is not someone who lets the little things get in her way. She proceeds to do what she wants how she wants and this makes for a thrilling novel. I listened to the audiobook and found it an easy listening experience. The narration is pleasant to listen to and no annoying quirks to distract me from the story. Read and enjoy!

I LOVED The Plot, and I loved this. Maybe a hair less than The Plot. But truly only a hair.

IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE PLOT, YOU ***MUST*** READ IT FIRST!!!

I’m not kidding. I was so glad I did. This book is so much better for having done so.

The character continuation from book 1 was perfection. I loved that this felt like a straight continuation of it, even though The Plot ended in a finite way. The plot twist was both unexpected—and also kind of not, but surprising anyway. The loose ends were tied up nicely in an ugly little bow. (That’s a complement…but if I say more it may give things away).

The narration was perfect in both books—After loving Kirby Heyborne in the first, I was initially hoping the same narrator would do both, but holy wow Julia Whelan was perfect. Gritty, edgy, and perfect for Anna.

Overall, I absolutely am obsessed with this series and would wholeheartedly recommend it!

Now that Anna is a literary widow she has to figure out what to do with her notoriety. Anna could easily live off royalties but she wants more, and she decides that she too can be a writer and so she writes her own novel. When her novel is released to the same acclaim as her husband’s, she also receives the same type of disturbing notes that he did making her have to delve back into a past that she never wanted to revisit.

I didn’t know that The Plot needed a sequel, but @jeanhanff created it and I am all in! I wasn’t sure how I would feel to be in the mind of a sociopath/psychopath for an entire book but somehow it worked and I enjoyed the entire ride. While I would absolutely recommend reading The Plot first, The Sequel has its own mystery built in as well and I loved the twists and turns that it took (and I actually found it less predictable than the Plot). There were also a bunch of meta moments in the novel that made me laugh (making fun of writers, sequels, the publishing industry, etc.) Plus when you have Julia Whelen as a narrator - listening to the audiobook is just amazing.

4.25 stars

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC to review

The Sequel follows the wife of the main character in The Plot, Anna Williams-Bonner. At the beginning of the story she is the widow of bestselling novelist Jacob Finch Bonner, and has also just released her own debut, The Afterword. In The Plot, her husband received anonymous emails accusing him of plagiarism, and In this book Anna receives excerpts from another book which she thought had been buried. As she searches for the source of these incriminating documents, clever twists emerge and I was surprised at the ending. There's also a fantastic play on words with the chapter titles.. to say any more may be a spoiler but all will be explained in the end.
The audiobook of The Sequel is narrated by the fabulous Julia Whelan. And she is as amazing as always, I will listen to any book she narrates!

Thanks to @celadonbooks for inviting me to participate in a buddy read for The Sequel. And a huge thanks to @macmillan.audio for early access to the audiobook, too. I hadn’t listened to an audiobook narrated by @justjuliawhelan in far too long - her narration is just so great.
Earlier in September, I reread The Plot, the author’s previous release, via audiobook, as I had originally read it close to publication in 2021 and wanted a refresher before diving into this. I really enjoyed The Plot, both when I originally read it and when I reread it, and I appreciated how well the “plot” of the mystery unfolded. Therefore, I went into The Sequel with high expectations.
I enjoyed this book, and it is again a slow burn mystery full of twists. I incorrectly predicted the ending, and I found myself surprised but at the same time, I could remember specific moments that set it up which I had not previously seen as important. I think you’ll enjoy the book more if you’ve already read The Plot, but I guess it’s not completely necessary. I loved that the chapters were named after other book’s sequels; Chapter 1 is It Starts with Us.
I’m looking forward to connecting with the author on Zoom and discussing more with my buddy reading partners.

"Sequels can be very enticing when the initial book has done well. But they're never as good as the first book, are they?" - Anna Williams-Bonner, The Sequel

Well, Anna, let me tell you something. You couldn’t be more wrong, because this sequel blew me away! I loved this book more than the first and was drawn to Anna’s character.

The Sequel is nothing short of masterful. Korelitz has once again delivered a compelling, thought-provoking narrative that grips you from the very first page. Her character development is nuanced and layered, and I was drawn to Anna’s character. The plot unfolds with perfectly timed twists, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat while never feeling rushed or contrived.

Korelitz has an exceptional talent for creating rich settings that immerse you completely in the world she's crafted. The twists just kept coming and Korelitz did an excellent job of keeping me guessing. While you don’t have to read The Plot first, I highly recommend it.

I was so happy when I realized Julia Whelan narrates the audiobook. She truly brought this story to life with her perfectly timed execution. There was no better choice to voice Anna than Julia!

Thank you Celadon for a gifted copy and including me in the read together. Thank you Macmillan Audio for an advanced listeners copy in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up