Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Review: Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Hopeless (Hopeless, #1)
Hopeless (Hopeless #1) by Colleen Hoover
Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…
That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.
Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

”add

Publishes in US: December 19th 2012
Genre: NA contemp
Source: free on amazon (not anymore though)
Series? Hopeless #1

Buy it:
Author stalk away: ~site ~twitter ~facebook ~blog ~book trailer

 
   I wanted to read Hopeless because I love NA, and I have heard so many great reviews about it. So, when I saw it for free on amazon about a month ago, I knew that I had to get it, and my trip to NJ provided some time in my reading schedule that I could get to it. 
   I was not disappointed. I loved Sky's character even though I was a bit confused by the opening. I was yearning to know what was going on and it took us back so that we could piece together what led her and Holder to that moment. Sky has some unique relationships all around and that kept things interesting. Her adoptive mom Karen is strict on no-technology and then very lenient in others, and I love the way they are together, just accepting but still Karen wanting the best for Sky. Sky and her best friend from next door have this friendship where they love and support each other even if they may not necessarily agree with the other's choices. Six, the above mentioned best friend, sleeps with a lot of guys and has gotten quite a negative name for herself, which makes me so infuriated--guys can do whatever and sleep or say they sleep with all kinds of girls and its okay, but women get judged and I think that its an important issue that they talk about. 
    Holder is infuriating at times, and so sweet, thoughtful and considerate at others. Sky just doesn't blindly accept his mood swings though, she knows that he has a dark past and she knows part of it about his sister. They also share the bond of rumors about them both going around of which, not all of it or none of it is true. They feel this deep connection though and they talk about so much and try to always be honest with each other, but some things are hard to talk about and they cover that well. 
    TRIGGER alert and Spoilerish paragraph. Highlight to read. I also must give disclosure, I think that some of my readers also have suicide triggers, so be aware, it is in here. Someone sees it, and it is in another family and is talked about. I was effected more than usual because I wasn't expecting it. Nothing was gory but a character did witness and it was so similar to my dad's. For those with sexual abuse triggers, also present in this story. 
    They have an undeniable chemistry and sexual tension between them, and I love every second of it. Knowing that Sky feels numb when kissing most boys, Holder really takes that aspect slowly. Especially kissing on the lips, kissing other places is def okay, and we see that he makes Sky feel things. Sexy things. Romantic things. Lustful things. But they never really get as explicit as most NA, so I think that makes a good transition if you've never read an NA before and used to just kisses or fade to black in YA. 
    I really appreciate how they don't jump to saying I love you, and admit that they aren't there but still want to acknowledge that its deep and they haven't really felt that before. 
     The more we learn about Holder though and see his actions at times, the more that I want to know about what he hasn't told yet. 
     The secret that finally came out was def unique and shocking, but little clues and some of her dreams and the timing led me to believe something similar. I just couldn't piece together the details and man were they amazing and so well thought out. I can't imagine being in a similar situation for any of them or what I would have done. 

Bottom Line: Powerful and romantic NA.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Any time where believing lies is better than truth?
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20 comments:

  1. I have heard really great things about HOPELESS and her new one, MAYBE SOMEDAY. I can't wait to read both and I'm so glad you enjoyed this one! Thanks for the review!

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  2. Wonderful review! I've been meaning to read a Colleen Hoover novel for ages but wasn't sure where to start, I think it might be with this one though. Also thank you for mentioning the trigger warnings, because it's always nice to know those will come up.

    - Wattle @ Whimsical Nature

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  3. I really enjoyed this one too Brandi, and got wrapped up in the characters and interesting plot.

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  4. I really liked this one. Colleen Hoover does NA well, imo. Glad you loved it. :)

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  5. I'm not always a fan of NA romances, I get a little annoyed with them sometimes. But I've heard good things about this so I might have to give it a try!

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  6. I really need to read an NA romance; I can't really think of one...at least not some of the newer, popular ones!

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  7. This was one of the few NA romances I actually liked. It is an emotional rollercoaster and so heartbreaking.

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  8. NA is a tough genre for me but everyone has been encouraging me to read some of Hoover's stuff. All the excitement about her books is definitely good motivation :)

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  9. I grabbed this one as well but haven't read it yet. I'm going through NA slump so I don't want to ruin my experience with this one. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one. Great review, Brandi :)

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  10. I remember devouring this book in a day and not expecting ANY of the things that happened in it to happen. Sky and Holder were HOT and had MAJOR chemistry in this book so i loved every second of it. I agree that the twist was unexpected but a GOOD one and i liked how the characters both handled every situation they were faced with (the hitghlited with part in particular) it felt authentic.
    Lily @ Lilysbookblog

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  11. Oh this one sounds fab! Too bad I missed the freebie, but I think I will add it to my wishlist!

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  12. I've been waiting to read this one. It's been highly recommended. I don't like NA much but I think I'll like this one. Wish I had grabbed it when it was free!!

    As for your question- yeah, I know someone who is so brutal in their honesty that I wish they'd rather lie, lol!

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  13. I've always felt like, due to the ages, Hopeless was more of a YA book, but I agree, it is a good transition into NA. I'm glad you enjoyed, Brandi!

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  14. I really loved this one, too, Brandi! Glad to see you enjoyed it as well. Great review! :)

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  15. How awesome that you got this one for free! It sounds like a great read and I like that the story and relationship build. I haven't read many NA books, so this transition books sounds like a good one for me. ;)
    ~Jess

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  16. Awesome review Brandi. I loved this book and even the next one is just as good, if not better in my opinion. I liked how both Holder and Sky didn't jump into the whole I Love You thing too.

    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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  17. I should try this author, I keep hearing great things about her, It makes me curious.

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  18. Was this whole book not shocking!?? I really liked it too.

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  19. This book was one of the few that had me ugly crying. Losing Hope, told from Holder's POV was also really good. Wonderful review!

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  20. I love Colleen Hoover! I'm glad you weren't disappointed about this one and that you really enjoyed it! I loved the characters and their chemistry! :D

    Great review!

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