Yaaaas we’ll have all of the delusion!

3.5 stars rounded up. I listened to this as an audiobook and the performance of Jessamyn was great, I feel like they really nailed the character. It was interesting to be inside her head, living in her version of the world as it slowly crumbled into reality. It was funny at times, but nothing which made me laugh out loud. Overall it was entertaining, but nothing which really wowed me, the ending was not bad but could have resolved more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

If you want to like your main character, this book is probably not for you. But if you enjoy an unreliable narrator this book is enjoyable, in an unnerving and uncomfortable way.

Murder. Mania. Delusion.

I really enjoyed the narrator of the audiobook and the pacing of the story.

Reminder always listen to children. They aren't scared to tell you the truth!

This book was absolutely unhinged. I had no idea what to expect going in, but it completely surprised me with how dark, chaotic and utterly entertaining it was. I was hooked from the very first chapter, and the narrator’s performance only heightened the madness, perfectly capturing the spiralling delusion of a narcissist on a mission.

We follow Jessamyn St. Germain, a fiercely ambitious aspiring Broadway star who currently spends her days ushering at a theatre in Vancouver and auditioning for commercials. When a local production of The Sound of Music holds auditions, she's convinced the lead role is hers. She believes she's the most talented person in the room, without question. However, instead of being cast, she is offered the humiliating role of childminder to the young actors.

Jessamyn is clever and committed to her craft, but she is also manipulative, entitled, and fuelled by a simmering rage that makes her both unpredictable and dangerously entertaining to follow. She is, quite literally, a menace – emotionally, mentally and even physically destructive in her relentless pursuit of fame. Despite all this, she is strangely compelling. On paper, she should be unbearable, yet somehow Meredith Hambrock achieves the near impossible and makes you root for her. Against all logic, I found myself hoping Jessamyn would get what she wanted, even as I winced at the trail of destruction she left behind.

I love when a book gives me a villain I want to root for. Jessamyn is not likeable or relatable, but she is unforgettable. By the end, I was completely invested in her twisted journey, cheering her on despite knowing full well she is the last person who should succeed. I expected dark humour (and got it in spades), but I did not anticipate how emotionally stirring the story would be. There is a real sense of desperation beneath Jessamyn’s delusion, and it adds a surprising layer of depth to the chaos. I loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley, Bolinda Audio and Meredith Hambrock for the ALC.

4.5 stars

She's a Lamb! by Meredith Hambrock is a darkly comic suspense novel that delves into the psyche of Jessamyn St. Germain, an aspiring actress working as a childminder in a small Vancouver theater. Jessamyn is convinced that the role of Maria in the upcoming production of The Sound of Music is meant for her, even though she's been relegated to supervising the child actors. As the story unfolds, Jessamyn's obsession with the role deepens, leading her to take extreme measures to secure her place in the spotlight.

The novel is a sharp and satirical exploration of ambition, delusion, and the cost of chasing stardom. It critiques the patriarchy and the lengths to which one woman will go to achieve the life she believes she deserves. While the book has received praise for its dark humor and incisive commentary, it may not resonate with all readers.

While I acknowledge that She's a Lamb! has garnered positive reviews for its unique narrative and character development, I found that it didn't align with my personal preferences. The portrayal of Jessamyn's delusions and the dark humor, while compelling to some, felt unsettling and disconnected for me. The satirical elements, though sharp, did not fully engage me, and I struggled to connect with the protagonist's journey.

In conclusion, while She's a Lamb! offers a thought-provoking and satirical take on ambition and delusion, it may not be for everyone. If you're drawn to darkly comic narratives with complex characters and a critique of societal norms, this book might be worth exploring. However, for readers seeking a different tone or style, it may not be the right fit.

This was a lot of fun!

We spend the run up to a small production of the sound of music inside the head of Jessamyn who has a small backstage role but has deluded herself into believing she’s the star. It was great seeing how she maintains this belief despite events going in a very different direction.

And it was made even more enjoyable by the audio performance. Stephanie Willing utterly sold the character and kept the energy so high throughout.

Jessamyn is, quite frankly, delulu. She is an aspiring actress, but something is… off. She knows that she has the talent everyone is looking for and those who can’t see it are not worth her time. This all comes to a head when she convinces herself she is the one meant for the role of Maria von Trapp, at the theatre she works at (as in usher)!

Stephanie Willing gives an immersive performance as the unreliable narrator. Her voice is compelling, the pacing is spot on and you can hear the passion and depth of Jessamyn’s volatile emotions in her tone.

There are some dark themes in this story (ones that relate to the treatment of women in the industry and the mistreatment of women in general) but a lot of funny and cutting satire, which leads you to follow our “protagonist” as she gets herself further and further away from reality. You can see she is so wrong, but you kind of end up rooting for her, right up until the end! Fans of Yellowface will enjoy.

Thank you to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for this ARC; all opinions are my own.

i really enjoyed this audiobook - definitely pure weird girl book vibes, the main character is DELUSIONAL to the max which makes her both annoying but also funny, there were very few moments where i somewhat felt bad for her but otherwise i was kind of either laughing at her or kind of worried for her

i definitely think this could’ve been darker, i think the topics touched on were very big but i feel like it should’ve had more gore! it gave me similar vibes to sweetpea, except sweetpea was more vulgar and you actually felt bad for her!

overall recommend though! thank you netgalley & bolinda audio for this advanced listener copy in exchange for an honest review! :)

Listen, usually one of my prerequisites of loving a story is loving the main character.

This book smashed that rule to absolute Corelle shards.

The only one that loves the main character (an unhinged horror of a human being) is the main character herself, and I am here for all of it.

She’s narcissistic and paranoid and judgmental and singularly lacking in musical talent.

Watching her spiral completely down the drain was a joy that I should probably unpack with my therapist.

She’s a Lamb! is a dark, somewhat uncomfortable satire that follows Jessamyn St. Germain, a struggling actor convinced she’s destined for stardom despite her minor role at a small Vancouver theatre. Obsessed with the idea that she’s meant to replace the lead in The Sound of Music, Jessamyn clings to delusions of grandeur, interpreting every slight as part of a grand plan. As her desperation grows, her grip on reality loosens and the brutal cost of ambition under patriarchy’s shadow is exposed.

This book really confused me, I found Jessamyn utterly horrifying and unlikable most of the time until her vulnerability and humanity occasionally broke through her delusion to make her momentarily sympathetic. Being inside her disturbed mind throughout the book was very uncomfortable and yet it absolutely fascinated me and kept me listening. This book was not enjoyable but was also very well written and absorbing. I don’t think I’ve read or listened to anything quite like it before. I think I prefer to enjoy my books which is why I went for 4 stars but this is subjectively an excellent book.

The narrator, Stephanie Willing, was excellent and completely embodied Jessamyn’s dramatic, delusional & deeply unhappy character.

Stepping into the mind of Jessamyn St. Germain is a real trip! The way she rewrites the past, present and future to make her the center and star of everything, how even when she loses out on the role of Maria in Sound of Music, and ends up being an assistant director and child minder for the child actors in the play, it is a sure fire way to upstage Samantha and get the part anyways, just as soon as the director sees her pure talent. It doesn't help that she surrounds herself with boyfriends (that are kinda deranged stalkers) and Broadway star turned teacher who raises her up (as long as Jessamyn pays) to believe she is the best, and her protege. And the way it is written, it mostly seems quite logical, except perhaps the spirals of imagination of injuries and death of the people that are hating on her (and acting on those thoughts!).

The narrator did an amazing job bringing Jessamyn to life, craziness and delusions woven seamlessly with the truth (which you do get a quick glimpse of before Jessamyn changes it to better fit her world) and I laughed and gasped and possibly went a little insane imagining this crazy tale. Very entertaining and wild! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to enter into this deluded world of Jessamyn and her dream of being the one Maria!

I really enojoy when books gives us an unhinged main character but still make them human enough to sympathise with. Jessamyn is crazy, but she is also a victim of patriarchy. I do wish tbis was a tiny bit shorter or more plot focus as it was hard to be stuck in her head, but I still overwhelimingly enjoyed this.

Köstlich! Einfach sehr lustig, wirklich. Thematisch gut umgesetzt, realistische Story und nachvollziehbar. Super.

The hills are alive with the sound of delulu!

What an absolute gem of a book if you llike a deluded, psychotic fmc you will love Jessamyn, if you’ve ever had any experience of theatre land you may even recognise her, she’s 100% dedicated to the role of Maria, a role that isn’t hers.

Sharp, funny and edgy. She’s a Lamb brings something a bit different to the table.

Trigger warnings apply for references to historical sexual assault and stalking.

The narration was fantastic.

All the stars 🌟
#Jorecommends

Huge thanks to Bolinda Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC🎧

This was a great audiobook, well narrated and with some twists and turns.

I loved Yellowface and can't help loving unreliable narrators, so this was an easy pick for me. It delivered in being fun, twisted and engaging.

The only downside is that the plot is a bit lacking and the MC rather irritating, but she's meant to be I suppose.

Overall, a great book and one that I'd recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bolinda Audio for the ALC

pearl retelling
she's insufferable but god it was hilarious
the audio book narrator was very very good

thank you netgalley for the copy