One delusional woman's quest, at whatever cost, to be the lead in a theater play.
This was darkly humorous, full of delusion and jealousy, with a stream of conscious-style writing and a flawed, unlikeable, but still root for-able main character.

This is very much in the style of All's Well by Mona Awad and Yellowface by R.F. Kuang. It's a relatively quick read with short chapters that build momentum, angst, delusion, jealousy, etc. to a satisfying conclusion. This was like watching a car crash in slow motion. Obsessed.

4.5, rounded up

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

A great story featuring delusion and determination. I loved following our unlikable narrator as she goes to any means to secure her fate playing Maria in <i>The Sound of Music</i>. The author has a real talent for slowly unveiling, Jessamyn, our main character’s unreliability. As the novel moves along, any pretense at glamor surrounding her circumstances (multiple boyfriends, a famous vocal coach, etc.) are slowly disclosed to us alongside Jessamyn, as her worldview comes crashing down. I thought the ending of this book was brilliant – it presented a great unraveling that not too many stories are able to achieve. I also enjoyed the subtle feminist themes throughout <i>She’s a Lamb!</i> The book is both a darkly humorous romp and an easy-to-read murder plot.

A huge thank you to ECW Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

AHHHH THIS IS SUCH A GEM! I initially gave this a 4/5 because in terms of some other 5 star ratings this wouldn't hold up on paper—but the vibesssss ugh I loved literally every sec. I feel like I lived it.

I was laughing out loud, smirking along with Meredith and reaching for my meds to make sure my mania never brings me anywhere near this point.

I joke because of the extreme measures taken here, but truly—this is an extremely accurate depiction of mania &/or delusions of grandeur in my experience. I'm no doctor, but I sure do go to a bunch of em ;)

I highly highly recommend this to fans of satirical fiction. And if you loved High School Musical, too?? Just stop what you're doing rn and go get She's a Lamb! already.

{Thank you bunches to ECW, Meredith Hambrock and NetGalley for the DRC & ALC in exchange for my honest review!}

Thank you to NetGalley and ECW Press for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fast-paced book with a completely unhinged main character. Jessamyn was so unlikable, but hearing her inner monologue become more delusional as the story progressed was entertaining. The ending felt a bit rushed, hence the three stars.

There’s is nothing I love more than an unhinged main character, and not only is Jessamyn unhinged but she is also one of the most delusional characters I’ve ever read, and I love that about her. Yes she may be insufferable at times, but she truly believes she is the greatest person alive and you know what, you go girl!

The story did feel somewhat repetitive at times, like I was reading the same scene over and over, but I suppose that just showed the extent to which Jessamyn really believed everything was just going to fall into place for her.

The book is a straightforward read with a plot that flows well. The characters are relatable, but their development could have been stronger. It’s engaging enough to keep you reading. Overall, it’s an enjoyable, easy read! Def unhinged!

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. I got to half way through the book and it didn’t feel like the storyline was picking up. I was expecting more unhinged main character energy. Have seen some great reviews for this so potentially a me thing!

She’s a Lamb! By Meredith Hambrock is perfectly flawed and unhinged - an enthralling book I inhaled in 3 sittings.

Following Jessamyn St. Germain and her musical theatre passion, we are given a thoroughly unreliable narrator that has charisma to boot. Jessamyn has all the traits of being unliveable, but it’s her unhinged qualities that made me root for her.

This book is funny, toxic, ridiculous and I couldn’t put it down. The writing was stunning - well paced, excellent dialogue that buzzes with energy and accessible.

I highly recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley for this eArc.

She's a Lamb! by Meredith Hambrock is a recommended novel, highly for the right reader. It takes a deep dive into the also spiraling mind of an aspiring actress.

Jessamyn St. Germain knows she is destined to be a star in the theater who is adored by fans. At age 26 she may just be an usher at one of Vancouver’s smallest regional theaters, but Jessamyn know she will get the part of Maria in the upcoming production of The Sound of Music. When she doesn't get a role and instead is offered the position of childminder for young actors playing the von Trapp children. Her vocal coach, Renee, reinforces Jessamyn's delusion that she was tasked with doing that so she can step in and take over the role when Samantha Nguyen, the actress playing Maria fails.

The biggest drawback to the narrative is Jessamyn, who is not simply an unlikable and unreliable character, she's an intensely unhinged woman who believes she is talented in her fantasied mind. Since the whole plot unfolds through her point-of-view it is exhausting to be immersed in her magical thinking, anger, self-aggrandizement, mental-health issues, and delusion.

However, it will hold your attention, especially if you enjoy being inside the unraveling mind of a person. Sometimes the fantasy she is making up in her mind of her stellar abilities can actually be so absurd it is humorous (but usually it is disturbing). 3.5 rounded up. Thanks to ECW Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

I love a book with an unhinged protagonist, so I definitely anticipated loving this one, but something about it just didn't click with me. I felt that the voice of the character to read a little too juvenile/immature.

Jessamyn St. Germain is a star inside and out! There is no one more committed to breathing every breath to perform. She hasn't had her "big break" yet, but when the local Vancouver theater has open auditions for The Sound of Music, Jessamyn knows this is her time. She is perfect for Maria! The only problem is everyone else has a hard time seeing her star power.

She had been assigned the position of childminder for the kids playing the von Trapp children, but she knows the real reason she is there is the director wants to keep her close for when Samantha, the woman cast as Maria, fails, Jessamyn can step in to save the show.

I loved this book! The cover was what grabbed me first on NetGalley and the book was great. The dark satire humor and delusional, unreliable narration keeps you hooked. Jessamyn's disconnection from the real world and very optimistic opinion of herself is something you want to cheer for and makes you cringe at the same time. The horror aspect was more on the mild side (if you read Victorian Psycho, this has similar dark humor vibes but way less gore). I flew through this one and honestly wanted to start it again. The narrator was awesome and really brought Jessamyn's inner dialogue and intrusive thoughts alive. This one is coming out next month!

Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and ECW Press for the ARC/ALC for review.

One of my favorite kinds of books is women spiraling on the edge and She’s A Lamb definitely delivered on that. Holy hell. It reminded me of Temper by Layne Fargo but with the main character an unhinged, delusional, hilarious lunatic.

The book had me hooked when we find out Jessamyn is dating her stalker. “If you’re going to be consistently harassed and abused, and if no one is going to do anything about it, you may as well find a way to enjoy it. Make it work for you.” This is just one of many balls to the wall insane things she does and I love her for it.

As much as you (well, I at least) wanted Jessamyn to win, it’s clear from the start things aren’t going to end well. Like watching a tornado barreling down on a house in slow motion.

This book was just so much fun to read and had me laughing out loud at certain parts. Absolutely loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

This book is dark, weird, and totally unhinged—in the best way. Jessamyn is a delusional, unlikeable narrator who will do anything to land the lead in a Vancouver production of The Sound of Music, and watching her spiral is both disturbing and oddly entertaining. The story walks a fine line between dark comedy and tragedy, and while the ending felt a bit rushed, the emotional impact stuck with me.

I really wanted to love this book, especially reading other reviews compare it to books like 'Boy Parts', but I just didn't.

We follow our protagonist, Jessamyn, who works as an usher in a local theater and is waiting for her big break. She thinks she deserves it more than anyone. When her theater puts on a production of 'The Sound of Music', she knows she's perfect for the part of Maria. Not only does she not get the part, but she's asked to be the wrangler for the child actors in the play. She becomes convinced that they only asked her to do this because they secretly want her to play Maria instead of her rival, Samantha, and things escalate from there.

I love a good book about an unhinged woman and this seemingly had all the components I like. My biggest gripe is that I wanted Jessamyn to have a little bit more to her and a slower descent into madness. From the get go, she seems like just your run-of-the-mill psychopath. It's far too late in the book that there's any sort of push-pull in her psyche and that left the book feeling a little flat to me. It's definitely action-packed, but I just couldn't get interested in Jessamyn as a character at all. The writing style from her perspective was unique, and I'm sure many people will enjoy it, but overall just not my cup of tea.

This dark comedic novel didn’t quite live up to the hype. If you despise unlikable characters then don’t read this book. The protagonist is a highly delusional young woman. She loves acting/theatre and wants to be cast as Maria in her upcoming local theatre production of The Sound of Music. Unfortunately she doesn’t get the lead and the rejection leads to a major meltdown. I liked this novel, the writing was strong but I couldn’t fully connect to the protagonist. I don’t mind an unlikable protagonist but she was too immature and aggressive for my personal taste. The ending felt a bit rushed and anticlimactic. It is a fun and campy novel, but I wanted to be wowed and I was not. The cover art is absolutely stunning though.

A riotous read and a brilliantly dark comedy.

Jessamyn is undoubtedly the most unlikeable, deluded main character I have come across in recent literature. I have to admit I was quietly gleeful watching her descent into complete and utter meltdown, though by the end of the novel I was feeling sorry for her and hoped that she would find happiness now that she has finally been able to see the truth of her lack of talent.

Who hasn't at some point in their lives groaned at a wannabe star whose family/coaches/whoever keep their undeservingly oversized egos overfed?

Hambrock has brilliant comedic talent and I look forward to reading more of her work in the hopefully not too distant future!

Thank you so so much to Netgalley and ECW Press for allowing me to read this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve found it, my new “I’m never going to stop talking about this” book. The desperation of this main character was palpable, you could feel her unreliability clear through the metaphorical pages (I read this electronically). I love theatre and this story so boldly unwraps how it feels to try and try and try again to book a role you want so much and how your confidence and desperation meld into something truly other worldly. Theatre is an animal and it turns you into one too.
A genius mix of Yellowface, Boy Parts, Pearl and the Scottish play this is a book you won’t want to miss

3.5
This is an upcoming book from EWP Press and first of all I love the cover! It is so eye catching and weird and beautiful- right up my alley.
This book is about Jessamyn who is the very definition of an unlikeable character, an unreliable narrator and someone who you love to hate.
The book is a romp though campy, theatrical violence from a main character who will do anything to get her turn in the spotlight. The spotlight being a mid-range theater production in Vancouver.

In the production of "Sound of Music" Jessamyn wants to play Maria. She is not cast as Maria, but she is not going to let that stop her! It keeps getting more and more unhinged and goes from bad to worse and she puts her claws into getting the lead.

While I enjoyed this read, I also found it a bit sad. Jessamyn loses control near the end and I felt like it was an epic unraveling and maybe it just wasn't that funny. Like it was dark? Dark comedy I suppose. We know she has had some past trauma in her life, but she refuses to look at it like that, which again, delulu, but sad. She wants no pity, and in an odd way this makes me give her props.

The ending felt a bit rushed and left things a bit - make up your own mind ish.
I felt sort of insane for being a bit on team Jessamyn at the end. I mean in a way you are rooting for her, which I guess, good writing Meredith Hambrock?!
I also was surprised many times that Jessamyn had not been killed, the way she is so out of sorts with who she is and what she does. She uses men to get power, or do they use her?
Either way, some dangerous shit girl.

If you are someone who likes a dark and deluded character study, this is probably the book for you.

Well-written book with dark themes. I knew this going in, but I didn't know how I'd react, and apparently, this narrator (should I call her disturbed? Is that a strong enough word?) bothered me more than I thought. (We won't go into why, as this is not the proper forum). So why the four-star rating? Because if an author can cause this emotion in my with a character, then they succeeded in what they wanted to do, and I can appreciate the talent it takes to do that. Also, the premise is really attractive, as is the cover.

What an unhinged wild ride this book was! I have absolutely no idea if anything Jessamyn says is true or not and it just leaves me wondering what is real?? I loved the story and how frantic she becomes in the second half of the book!