For my first Young Adult Corner I chose Hopeless by Colleen Hoover. This was a phenomenal book. I had recently read Colleen’s Slammed and Point of Retreat and was not disappointed when I fell in love with this story and its characters. I know this book kinda skirts the genre of Young Adult and New Adult, but I was so moved by this book I wanted to share it. ***Warning: This book does contain very strong material. Recommended for 17 and older***
Book Blurb: (courtesy of Barnes and Noble)
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 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.
Review:
Hopeless is a book that will affect you mind, body and soul. The subject matter is heavy and there is a lot adult subject matter, but you have to keep in mind these are still two teenagers. I know I forgot that at one point. Hopeless begins with Skye and her best friend Six sneaking guys into their bedrooms. Very typical teenage girl behavior. Skye though never went any further than kissing with all of the guys because she never truly feels anything for them. She basically does it as something to do. She doesn’t get any feeling doing this, in fact she lays there and counts the stars on her ceiling. This is her same M.O until she meets a guy in the super market. This is Holder. Rumors swirl around Holder and Skye can’t get away from her feelings for him. Yes, she begins to have such strong feelings for him that it drives her to distraction. As there love story begins a history that Skye never knew about unfolds with Holder leading the way. But, even Holder doesn’t know the worst of Skye’s past. Holder and Skye’s past hurts begin to truly heal with the love they share as a balm.
This book truly rips your heart out only to put it back in and rip it out again. I know this sounds horrible, but even as your sobbing uncontrollably you are turning the page for more. The story was phenomenal. It will leave an indelible mark on me. Skye and Holder though still teenagers have experienced such pain and loss that some adults have never faced. Their characters were so well written you could really see them as if you were watching a movie on T.V. Breckin, Six and Karen also add as counter balances on what could be an incredibly lopsided story. Colleen Hoover handled the subject matter with extreme delicacy yet truthfulness. The aspects of molestation, suicide and teenage sex are so powerful that not just anyone can write such a moving and touching story. I must say that this is one of the best books I have read that covers such controversial and strong subject matter. Overall, this book is fully deserving of being 1 on any bestsellers/must read list. If you haven’t read it yet then you must go out and read it today! Be prepared…you will need tissues.