5 stars for Hopeless by Colleen Hoover — Scandalicious Book Reviews

Review: Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

14 Jan posted by scandal

15717943 Title: Hopeless

Author: Colleen Hoover

Genre: Young Adult

Rating: 5 stars

Source: self purchase

from Goodreads…

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.

So, this is me, breaking my no YA book rule before we even get halfway into January. Fuck me. I tried to fight it, I really did, but after hearing so many incredible things about this book I broke down and jumped on the bandwagon. I’m going to say upfront. I fucking love this book. I mean, in my soul, couldn’t put it down, saving it for my girlie when she’s older, will stick with me for a very long time, LOVE this book. I love this book so much I’m afraid to review it, I may not have the right words and I don’t want to do it any harm. Having said that…this book fucking crushed me. Shattered. And frankly, I think I’m going to say no to all other YA books for the rest of the year. I know, much like Sky says in the book, it shouldn’t matter the genre as long as its good but damn, these kids went through so much, so freaking young…so very young, it’s too much for my heart, or what’s left of my heart that is. I’m pretty sure Colleen Hoover kept a piece of my heart at the end of this tale. I’m not complaining, it’s a fair price, I’ll give a piece of my heart for the young characters in this book who gave so much of their innocence.

So here’s the deal…as I read Hopeless, I completely forgot how young Holder and Sky are. (that’s right, judgey me, non lover of YA books completely forgot about age in the book) Because of shitty circumstances, they are functioning at a level far older than their years. That would lull me into forgetting they are 17 and 18 years old and all the horrible shit that happened to them when they were much much younger. Sky is only 17 years old and this is what she thinks of a less than happy ending to a movie.

“It’s real, Six. You can’t get mad at a real ending. Some of them are ugly. It’s the fake happily ever afters that should piss you off.”

Did you feel that? It was a sliver of my heart breaking. She’s so young, too young to be this wise and jaded. Then, there would be a part that would remind me of their youth and I’d have to stop and cry – literally mourn their innocence lost. It’s just so much. Do they even make 18 year old guys like Holder? Seriously. They didn’t when I was 18…they made plenty of 18 year olds like Grayson but I never encountered a Holder. Thank the stars Sky did. I’m not joking when I say these kids made better decisions than most adults I know. Not once did I want to shake either of them and knock some sense into them. They are the most mature, well adjusted, adult kids I’ve ever read, in spite of, or maybe it’s because of, their younger years.

When they slowly start to give in to the painfully obvious chemistry, a whole discussion surrounds their first kiss…here are some highlights…

“Sky, I’m not kissing you tonight but believe me when I tell you, I’ve ever wanted to kiss a girl more. So stop thinking I’m not attracted to you because you have no idea just how much I am.”

“Because I want your first kiss to be the best first kiss in the history of first kisses.”

“I’m pretty sure we just broke the record for the best first kiss in the history of first kisses—without even kissing.”

Oh yes, yes they most certainly did break that kissing/non kissing record. It was the most chaste, romantic, pure, loving, emotional orgasmic encounter I’ve ever read in the history of my time on Earth. I should’ve know what my emotions were in for after that…the intensity of the book kicks into high gear from this point forward.

I’m not going to dwell on the plot too much, if you’ve not read it I don’t want to give anything away. If you have read it…really, what more can be said? So I’m going to encourage you to read this book because of its entirety. The characters are so well developed. The plot is so twisted, in every sense of the word twisted yet perfectly paced and layered. Honestly, the writing pulled me in on such a level, I forgot the world was still around me. I felt the pain, the joy, the passion, the confusion, the deep sense of loss, the betrayal and the love. The love between Holder and Sky, Holder and Less and Karen and Sky – unconditional, all encompassing, all consuming love. I’m going to stop now – I need a “chapter break” and a scotch to settle my nerves. I’ve said all I can say. All that’s left is a word of warning. When you read this book, be ready to hand over a piece of your heart…and make sure you have plenty of tissues on hand.

“Fuck all the firsts, Sky. The only thing that matters to me with you are the forevers.” ~~Dean Holder

As an added bonus, Colleen Hoover added a little extra scene on her website. It’s Holder’s thoughts during that kissing/non kissing scene and like the rest of the book, it is simply outstanding. Go here to read it.