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!

Thanks a lot Sandy!

Due to Hurricane Sandy's un-welcomed visit to the mid-Atlantic, I and thousands of others were left with out power.  Luckily we only went a day and half without.  The positive side was I had nothing else to do but snuggle in bed with my iPad (and kids occasionally).  Not having Internet access I was unable to review any of the 4 books I read.  Yes, I read 4 books in 2 days!  So, my reviews will be brief since My brain absorbed too many characters and stories all at once.  I really hope I keep them straight! ;)

Slammed by Colleen Hoover,

My mom has been on me to read this and the sequel for awhile now.  It went on sale and I decided to stock up some books, which came in handy during the hurricane.

Eighteen year old Layken moves from Texas, with her mother and 9 year old brother, to Michigan after her father passes away. She meets her neighbor, Will, who is the sole guardian for his 9 year old brother after the death of his parents.  The two young boys become instant best friends, while Will and Layken (or Lake) have an instant attraction for each other.  They hit it off and have a perfect first date.  Unfortunately, and unforeseen circumstance does not allow them to continue their relationship.  Then Lake must deal with more heartbreak plaguing her family once again.  Will is there to offer support and the relationship grows despite the obstacles blocking them from being together.

I really enjoyed this story and it was a little different then the other young adult romances I have read.  Also, there were more in depth secondary stories besides the love story between the main characters.  I liked that the author developed the supporting characters and you could connect with all of them.  I even got choked up at Layken's best friend, Eddie's, story.  Another aspect I'd unexpectedly enjoyed was the poetry.  I'm not one to read or listen to poetry but after reading the poems and learning about slam poetry, I am now a fan!

My Rating 4.5 stars

I was satisfied with the way Slammed ended and didn't feel the story needed to continue.  However, I was happy it did.   Point of Retreat continues where Slammed leaves off.  I won't go into too much detail that will spoil the first book.

I loved that this story is in Will's point of view.  It gives you a deeper connection with Will and a new perspective on Lake.  Of course their relationship gets tested and there is a major misunderstanding all while they are trying figure out how to move forward with another tragedy in their lives.  I love the involvement Lake's mother, Julia, has on their relationship even if it's not how they would have wanted it.  The story very heartbreaking, real and sweet adding a nice continuation to the first story.

My Rating 4.5 stars

Unravel Me by Kendall Ryan

Ashlyn,  a psychology student working towards her PhD, finds herself intrigued by the amnesia patient she studying for her Thesis.  "Logan" is thought to be dangerous, possibly a murderer, but she sees him differently and wants to help him remember who he is.  The lines of professionalism gets blurred when she finds him on the streets of chicago after he is released from the hospital and offers him a place to stay. She helps him get back his life and he helps her learn to live in the moment.

The book was fairly short, however I did not feel the story or the characters lacked in development.  The story had steamy passion, mystery and of course romance.  Once I started I could not put it down.  I had to find out who "Logan" was and if their relationship could survive once it was revealed.

My Rating 4 stars

In the Band by Jean Haus

Out of all the books I read during the power outage this was my favorite.  I was so involved with the story that I read it so fast and into the early hours of the morning. I feel that I may have missed parts of the story.  So to give it a fair review (and because I am obsessed) I am reading it again.  My complete review will be posted soon.