Name: Hello, Cruel Heart
ISBN: 9781368057769

Maureen Johnson

"Based upon the novel "The one hundred and one dalmatians" by Dodie Smith"--Title page verso.

Hello, Cruel Heart

Jana Jenkinns 

Thoroughly enjoyed this Disney Villains story revolving around Cruella De Ville. I always found her interesting and wanted a look into her past to see how she ended up the way she did, and this was a perfect back story. Definitely would recommend.

𝑂𝑑𝑖𝑙𝑒

It's a great prequel to the movie it was based on, and honestly just full of vibes. Don't take it seriously!! A great quick read, finished it in two days :) I wish there was a bit more fashion to it though.

Lauren Attaway

An original novel starring a teenage Cruella de Vil is exactly the book I so enjoyed that I never knew I needed. I was curious but not sure if I would love this based on the premise, and I was happy to be wrong! Sixteen-year-old Estella is a talented aspiring fashion designer who is also a thief. She catches the attention of a pair of posh siblings that bring her into their world of fashion, glamour, and rock stars. She is determined to make the most of this lucky break, even if it means changing herself and ditching her friends Jasper and Horace. It is not a simple task to still surprise when this book is set before a stack of movies. And yet I was still rooting for Estella to triumph, and that is on the strength of the writing. A fun, wicked little novel. 

Thanks to Net Galley and Disney Press for the ARC!

Jelke Lenaerts

I received a galley of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 


This book was fine, I guess. It's very much a middle of road book and the definition of a three star book for me. It is a very quick and entertaining read. However, the characters were pretty one dimensional, the plot wasn't anything too exciting and the romance was absolutely terrible. I wasn't too invested in this either but I did have fun reading it. It also got me more excited about the Cruella movie that this is a companion to so I guess it also did its job. I don't have much more to say about this book though because it's just so 'meh'. I do think a younger audience might have a great time with this book.

Denise B.

This was fast paced and it holds your attention once you start reading. Maureen Johnson knows how to set an atmosphere without being too flamboyant and does not natter on endlessly with dialogue. There is a nice balance between the two in this quasi-short take on how Estella became Cruella but not really. There is parental loss, mental health, romance, betrayal and heartbreak in this concise and easy going read. I will say that I wish the incident involving her mother was expanded upon more but can understand why it wasn't and that I loved the ending. This book isn't spectacular (3 stars) but it is perfect if you're in a reading slump (as I was) and I would definitely recommend, especially if you want some light-hearted tea on Disney villains.

Krystal Pollock

This was a quick fast paced read about Cruella in her teenage years before she became so cold hearted and what made her become that way. It was nice to see a back story to the ever popular clothes maker before her puppy stealing days.

Hello, Cruel Heart

Reviews

Highlights