Sunday, March 30, 2014

Hopeless Series by Colleen Hoover - Review



I can't believe that I didn't already write a review for Hopeless!  I re-read it recently before I read Losing Hope: A Novel which is the same story but in the male character's POV.  And as a bonus the author released a follow up story, Finding Cinderella: A Novella.

All three amazing books are written by one of my favorite authors, Colleen Hoover.  The same author who wrote another of my "5 Book Boyfriend" rated series: Slammed: A Novel, Point of Retreat: A Novel (Slammed), and This Girl: A Novel (Slammed)

To keep with my "spoiler free" reviews I will try to give these books the credit they deserve without giving anything away.  This is going to be a tough one!

First I will touch on Hopeless.  This was heart wrenching,  sometimes disturbing and absolutely beautiful story!

After pleading with her mother, Sky finally convinces her to let her go to public school instead of continuing with homeschooling.   Shortly after, her best friend Six, announces she will be leaving to study abroad in Italy.   Leaving Sky to face high school and all its drama alone.  Despite Sky's intact virginity, she has quite a reputation that she doesn't bother to defend.   This unfortunately does not help her make friends at her new school.  Although, she does get the attention of one boy,  Dean Holder.  Holder, who's dealing with a major loss, also has to deal with the rumors and gossip that circulate through school.  Holder can be a bit intense at times and Sky's logic says she should stay away,  but she can't deny the connection they share and follows her heart instead. 

Ok, that's all the synopsis I can write for Hopeless and I'm not sure I can write one for Losing Hope without spoiling both.

Now let's talk about, Holder.  Wow!!  The things this boy says and the way he takes care of Sky is beautiful.  Holder is beautiful, inside and out!!  He is way more than just a boyfriend, he's a best friend and a protector.  Seriously, his words and his actions make your heart skip a beat and weak in the knees (I don't recommend reading while standing ;) ).   Holder is definitely in the top of my list of book boyfriends.   I put him in the same category as Josh Bennett from The Sea of Tranquility: A Novel by Katja Millay.  There's even a The Sea Of Tranquility reference in both Hopeless and Losing Hope!

Next is Sky,  She is a strong and fragile at the same time.  She deals with all the torment at school, her quirky mother, and all the stresses of a teenage girl.  However, once her world as she knows it, gets flipped upside down, her strength gets put to the ultimate test.  She is one female character that you don't get frustrated with, instead your heart breaks for her.

I may as well group in Losing Hope with this portion of my review.  Even though its the same story, it fills in some missing pieces (AKA Holder's thoughts and motives) and gives some background and explanation into Holder's past.  I was just as wrapped up in the story even after knowing the outcome.  It is such a great companion story to Hopeless.

Alright, now I am excited to talk about Finding Cinderella!!  Don't get me wrong I LOVED the first two but something about this little novella that took my breath away.  I seriously fell hard for Holder's best friend Daniel!!  Maybe it's his wit, his endearing immaturity, or his typical teenage boy antics, but he absolutely stole my heart!  I laughed and smiled through the entire story.  This one is a little more lighthearted than the other two.  There is still a little shocker and unexpected drama but it only made the end that much sweeter.  But isn't that what we expect in a good romance book?

Sorry no synopsis for Finding Cinderella, but once you read Losing Hope you can figure out what the story's about.  

As for the the two full length novels and the little novella (my favorite) I give the entire series my 5 Book boyfriend rating.  If I was rating them separately they would each get 5.  Well maybe Finding Cinderella would get 5.5   :D




Next up in my Colleen Hoover marathon is Maybe Someday,  which is a standalone novel.   If its anything like all her other books, I know I will not be disappointed!!  Look for my review very soon!