Dear Evan Hansen, I'm old enough to be your grandmother and before I read this book I had never heard of you or your musical. I hadn't even realised it was a YA book. In a lot of positive ways it reminded me of bits of "lovely bones" and the diaries of Adrian Mole. You are a wonderful character and speak across generations -you have certainly found a place in my heart and I wish you many amazing days.

What a read. Aimed at anyone who has ever felt alone and wanted to "belong". The story is of one lie spiralling out of control with wide reaching consequences. Is there a way back? How I felt for Evan. What a miserable existence he led, mirroring that of young people the world over. He's not one of the popular ones at school, and he is an introvert, school and socialising is torture. How to get through the day until he can return to his room and peace. His mum is always at work, or studying at night school to better their lives. Since Evan's dad left his life seems to have changed dramatically, and his poor mum is trying to live her life and get Evan the help she feels he needs. This really made me think - if Evan had been able to talk to the other kids at school who were classed as the "outsiders" he may have found friends and his life completely changed. His introversion, as so often happens, looks like self absorption. It's a vicious circle. One day, Evan makes contact with others at school, and ends up crossing paths with Connor Murphy. When Connor completes suicide, Evan's whole world changes. How does he get out of the situation he finds himself in? Evan becomes part of the Murphy's family, hurting his mother in the process. How long can he live a lie and where will it end up? But does some good come from it. A wonderful read, about the intensity of adolescence. At the end of the book, there is a note from the authors with links to mental health resources. What a great idea. I've just closed my kindle and I am wrung out. And I'm praying for Evan's future. #netgalley #dearevanhansen

Dear Evan Hansen is a YA novel about the hugely successful Broadway musical of the same name. I liked elements of the book but didn't really like how it was written- I felt it was very clear it was a collaborative effort and it didn't flow very well. Having heard the music from the show I found it hugely helpful to get the context for the songs and I wish more musicals would release books like this. Evan Hansen is unpopular at school but is catapulted into fame when another student kills himself and people come to believe that the two were friends. It's an enjoyable enough read but I imagine its much better told in the musical.

Although it explores the topical issue of teen mental health, the story isn't terribly original & I felt as though I was missing something...perhaps some knowledge of the musical is necessary to stir the emotions but it's a bit flat overall.

I find this story really sad. My heart hurts for Evan and the struggles he faces and the situations he gets himself into. Reading the book was more emotional than the musical because the novel format allows you to delve further into Evan's brain and really expand on the emotions and issues he experiences. This also makes the book far heavier than the musical as there are no lighthearted catchy tunes to raise the mood. With no light relief the book is a really intense reading experience which is incredibly immersive.

The author's writing is captivating and very believable. I imagine it was extremely hard to write this story without making it sound preachy- how can Evan learn his lesson without making it sound like a cheesy cautionary tale?
The authors managed to tell the story with compassion and through it all Evan remains a sympathetic, lovable character.

I recommend curling up with this book with the soundtrack on in the background. You can never have too much Dear Evan Hansen!

* Interested to read before the musical hit the British shores.
It was such an easy read (despite not such easy subject matter) mainly due to the voice of Evan Hanson.
A really likeable guy,all wound up and in on himself,that let's a small lie get totally out of control.
The situations seemed pretty accurate to me.
Some good light hearted humour,along with the mental health issues and the lies we all tell.
Looking forward to the show already.

This book was sent to me unsolicited. I am not going to read and review a children's book that I have no interest in.

Highly emotional, sensitively dealt with subject matter but brilliant. I adored it and cannot wait to see the theatre production.

I admit, I'm a bit disappointed. I think I went into this story with too many expectations and succinctly, was led down. I still enjoyed Dear Evan Hansen, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to anyone.

What struck me as the most peculiar was the sudden switch during the Epilogue- the writing style and overall arc of Evan just shifted into something quite unbelievable. Evan Hansen has a somewhat distinct voice, and then all of a sudden, it felt like the author was trying to wrap up the story as fast as possible by a very reflective look at Evan's graduation and taking a year off and it just felt like an entirely different novel. Evan is suddenly realizing all these things and honestly, it felt like those moments in horror movies when they get the only survivor to appreciate life and marry and stuff so the movie doesn't end with blood and gore.

The pacing also really wasn't for me. At times I had to drag myself through the story while at others things just seemed to happen with no reason whatsoever.
The characters weren't fleshed out - at all. Jared, Evan's "family" friend has no personality besides being a hacker - which is never explained or addressed - and making crude jokes about every woman that crosses his path. Been there, done that.

And while I did like Evan, I couldn't entirely relate to his anxiety because it was mentioned so infrequently, and only when it seemed to fit a certain scene, then to be forgotten for thirty pages. I know that this could be attributed to the fact that his anxiety lessens with the use of his medication, but it just felt very inauthentic. I also do understand how he kind of got roped into lying about his own letters, but he was so unfair to his mom and the grieving Murphys in the process that I could just not relate to that, at all.

All in all, this novelization just wasn't for me. I think I'll stick to the soundtrack for now.