Friday, April 19, 2013

Review: Belonging by Karen Ann Hopkins

Belonging (Temptation, #2)
Belonging by Karen Ann Hopkins
I left everything I knew behind.
But it was worth it. He was worth it.
No one thought an ordinary girl like me would last two minutes living with the Amish, not even me. There are a lot more rules and a lot less freedom, and I miss my family and the life I once had. Worst of all, Noah and I aren't even allowed to see each other. Not until I've proven myself.
If I can find a way to make it work, we'll be NOAH & ROSE together forever.
But not everybody believes this is where I belong.
”add
Publishes in US: April 30th 2013 by Harlequin TEEN
Genre: YA contemporary
Source: publisher for review
Series? Yes. 2nd in the Temptation series. The first is Temptation and you can read my review here. The second is Belonging. The 3rd is titled Forever and no info yet on release

Buy it:   Amazon  Barnes &Noble  IndieBound  BookDepository.com

Find Karen online:  

    Belonging picks up the theme of the intense and all encompassing love between Noah and Rose. I loved being in their heads, and how much they care for one another. Besides their dual perspectives, we also get to hear from Sam in this one. I didn't think I would like his point of view as much as the others, but I ended up really appreciating what he had to bring to the story. Even when he did stupid stuff. But seeing him fall for Summer, and the things that he realizes about himself, and how much he grows, the the very adult choice he makes in the end really impressed me. 
    This is not to say that I didn't have any issues with the books. Noah and Rose both are so mature and immature all at the same time. They make sacrifices for one another and in order to be together, and that proves that their feelings are real, but then the selfish side of each of them rears its head. Especially when there are misunderstandings and things trying to tear them apart. At times, their love seems more like an obsession, but then there are healthy things that seem to negate it. I was just so back and forth, but the one thing that kept drawing me in was their character growth. What they learn about each other, the respect they gain for their elders and others in the community, and how much they start to grow up really impressed me. Besides being caught up in their epic romance and the forbidden love element that I really loved. 
    I wanted them to be happy, and for them to work out if their love is true and they were making decisions for the right reasons. But when things threaten to tear them apart, and both Noah and Rose are under assumption of things that are not true, they make some really bad choices. It added a lot to their character development, but I was almost disgusted at the lengths they would go through to make themselves forget and try to move on from what happens. I just wanted their love to have a full chance or to fall apart without outside and dishonest things working against them.
    The story ended at a good point for wrapping up the second book, but at such an important moment, that as a reader I was left wanting to do almost anything to stay in this world and find out what happens next. 
    Belonging is incredibly fast paced, I never wanted to put it down, and I didn't want to blink in fear of missing a steamy moment between the two. I was swept up in their love and in their story. There is a lot of drama, secrets, misconceptions, and games that go on, so if you didn't like Temptation or thought the lengths they would go to for love is extreme, then you probably won't like Belonging, but if you can roll that way with your love story, like I can, then you will probably love it too. 
    The Amish culture and what Rose had to endure converting to the religion and way of life all seems very well researched. I can't imagine living that way, even for a boy, but I loved experiencing it through Rose.
    There were some pretty intense scenes and themes dealt with in here. While I agreed with Rose's heart in how she responded to of the issues (trying to free a friend from abuse and her terror over this person) I didn't agree with how she went about it. Other than the abuse aforementioned, there was also talk of and committing intercourse, violence, and near rapes. None of them were gone into detail, and they were handled well by the author. 
    I will definitely be picking up the next book. I can't wait to find out what happens with Noah and Rose next, as well as getting into Sarah's (Noah's sister--we get a preview of the 3rd book featuring her pov at the end) head. I am eager for more character development and to see if love can conquer all for Noah and Rose. 

Bottom Line: Encompassing love story with character development.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you think you could convert to Amish for a man you loved?

34 comments:

  1. I am really going to have check out the first one in this series. This sounds like a series that I would definitely enjoy. Lovely review.

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

    ReplyDelete
  2. I don't know... if he loved ME enough, would HE leave his Amish ways? >.> it's all very difficult. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She has def had that thought, but he would be changing just as much

      Delete
  3. Oh, I'm reading this one soon! I can't wait to get back into the world of Noah and Rose! Lovely review Brandi, I'm dying to get to this one! (:

    Um, I'm not sure. I kind of wish that there was more of a happy medium thing that could happen for them. (:

    ReplyDelete
  4. Fascinating by the Amish community I'm away to add this to my wish list. Great balanced review, thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This sounds like a great series, I've been looking for a good book that delves into the Amish community.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I haven't read the first book in the series, but it sounds interesting.
    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I don't know much about the Amish culture but if the significant other truly loves me, wouldn't he want the best for me and respect my free will?

    Honestly, I'm quite fascinated by what you're sharing in the review. It looks like Noah and Rose are learning to be the person whom they want to be. I'll see if I could get hold of the first book. Thanks, Brandi!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are learning a lot about themselves, and I can't wait to see how they grow and what they chose

      Delete
  8. I didn't know you could convert... how interesting. I think I would have problems with the immature parts, but as long as they aren't only like that I think I could enjoy the book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, they aren't only immature.

      I guess if you are willing to buy into their beliefs and live the way they do, they'd be happy to have you, but hard for outsiders to do that

      Delete
  9. The first book wasn't that high on my to-read list, but yay - you enjoyed the sequel! I like the sound of "intense and all encompassing love," as you put it, because let's face it: a lot of the romance in YA novels nowadays aren't all that deep or serious. Intense, maybe, but not deep. Also, I'm glad that the author did research about the Amish culture! The Amish aspect already makes the book stand out.

    Hopefully I'll be able to try this out someday, because it sounds really good. Awesome review as always!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow this sounds intense! Sounds like a very good story about love and how it conquered all.

    ReplyDelete
  11. It sounds like a nice and intense story. And I'm in love with the cover, just for that I want to read it!

    ReplyDelete
  12. No way would I convert to Amish. Love me the way I am or leave me! I know very little about the AMish culture so the book is interesting to me. Thanks for shaing have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow some serious themes in this book. I could never convert to Amish. The thought scares me.

    Great review.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This series really intrigues me. I think I want to give the first book a shot and see what I think. It concerns me a bit that they are mature, yet... not. I think I know exactly what you are saying there. I guess we'll see whenever it is I read the first one!

    ReplyDelete
  15. No, not Amish. Maybe some religions, but not that way of life. Too submissive.

    Excellent review! I've wanted to know what this series was about, or how it was and you've satisfied my curiosity. Thank you!!

    Heather

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, I would have a hard time giving up technology as well.

      Delete
  16. This seems like such a great series! I am so fascinated w/Amish lifestyle and a couple that souls go through so much to be together. I need to give Temptation a try!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I didn't like the first book in this series and that's why I never requested this one. I'm happy to see that you enjoyed it though! :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. The Amish way of life has always interested me, although I don't actually know much about it. I read The Hallowed Ones last year and that was a brilliant read for me. I also really like a hint of forbidden love in romances. Will definitely have to check this one out!

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is the second one, is the first book about them too or someone else? It's just that temptation series makes it sound (or at least to me) like they could be different characters each time. If they're not the same characters, do I need to read the first one before reading this one? I'm so intrigued by her converting to Amish for him and seeing they're life as Amish. Saying that, I wouldn't change for a guy, on any level, sure I'll follow him (if it was real love on both sides) wherever he had to go, but change, I wouldn't.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is the same characters, but we do get Sam's POV as well

      Delete
  20. I do think the Amish culture is quite fascinating. And love stories that sweep you away are the best. Great review! :)

    ~Sara @ Forever 17 Books

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hmm, I get what you're saying about the characters - I would probably feel the same way! But it's good that you liked this one overall!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Its just hard watching them grow and make these hard LIFE altering decisions

      Delete
  22. I never even considered reading Temptation, but I keep hearing good things about it, and about this sequel, so I'm beginning to rethink my decision. It's great that you enjoyed this one overall. I don't know if I could convert for love, but I assume I'd feel pretty strongly that I'd want to :-)

    ReplyDelete

I would love to hear from you! (I always try to visit your blog back) I love links, so feel free to link to your blog or a post you like.
Sorry, but I am award and tag free zone, I do not have the time to return. Comments are reward enough :)