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2.94 AVERAGE
2.94 AVERAGE
3.5 stars, really. This was one of those books where the summary is incredibly misleading, and not in a bad way.
Rose is a thirtysomething housewife and mother of three children. Her unhappiness comes from her aging body, her husband not being home enough, and the fact that she can't forever live in her dream world with Hugo, the beautiful boy that goes on adventures with her. In this dream world, around since she was in a coma when she was six years old, Rose is perfect as she fights huge spiders and angry deer, and she's forever beautiful. She even tells her children the adventures of Hugo and Rose, and they eat it all up. But then Rose runs into Hugo in real life and things...quickly escalate from that point.
Where I thought that this would be a romance novel, one filled with swash buckling adventure and finally meeting one's soulmate, this book took a really dark turn near the end. What happens after Rose meets Hugo in real life is crazy and so unexpected that I kept waiting for the cliché woman waking up from coma or woman changing her entire life for her soulmate or woman leaving her soulmate for a crippling life of normality because she can't possibly leave her children. None of those happened, and I think I kept waiting for it because I was not anticipating everything that Rose had to go through when her dream world collided with her real world.
This book was slow to start, because the first couple of chapters are about setting the story up and there were some moments in there where I absolutely hated Rose because she had this wonderful life, but all she wanted to do was sleep so she could go off to Castle City with Hugo. I think the only character in this novel that didn't annoy me at least once was Adam, Rose's six year old son. But it made the characters real, and even though I hated them in those moments of realness, I understood. Of course Rose would want to spend so much time with this man she thought was only in her dreams. Of course her husband would be angry that she was spending time with the man in her dreams. Of course her son would be a spoiled brat on his birthday. So, while they were all slightly annoying, I was sympathetic toward them all, even Hugo.
It was a great read, but just remember, after reading the summary, this is not a run of the mill romantic women's fiction novel. This is so completely different that if I tried explaining it to you, we would both think I was nuts.
Rose is a thirtysomething housewife and mother of three children. Her unhappiness comes from her aging body, her husband not being home enough, and the fact that she can't forever live in her dream world with Hugo, the beautiful boy that goes on adventures with her. In this dream world, around since she was in a coma when she was six years old, Rose is perfect as she fights huge spiders and angry deer, and she's forever beautiful. She even tells her children the adventures of Hugo and Rose, and they eat it all up. But then Rose runs into Hugo in real life and things...quickly escalate from that point.
Where I thought that this would be a romance novel, one filled with swash buckling adventure and finally meeting one's soulmate, this book took a really dark turn near the end. What happens after Rose meets Hugo in real life is crazy and so unexpected that I kept waiting for the cliché woman waking up from coma or woman changing her entire life for her soulmate or woman leaving her soulmate for a crippling life of normality because she can't possibly leave her children. None of those happened, and I think I kept waiting for it because I was not anticipating everything that Rose had to go through when her dream world collided with her real world.
This book was slow to start, because the first couple of chapters are about setting the story up and there were some moments in there where I absolutely hated Rose because she had this wonderful life, but all she wanted to do was sleep so she could go off to Castle City with Hugo. I think the only character in this novel that didn't annoy me at least once was Adam, Rose's six year old son. But it made the characters real, and even though I hated them in those moments of realness, I understood. Of course Rose would want to spend so much time with this man she thought was only in her dreams. Of course her husband would be angry that she was spending time with the man in her dreams. Of course her son would be a spoiled brat on his birthday. So, while they were all slightly annoying, I was sympathetic toward them all, even Hugo.
It was a great read, but just remember, after reading the summary, this is not a run of the mill romantic women's fiction novel. This is so completely different that if I tried explaining it to you, we would both think I was nuts.
The basic premise of the book was intriguing, and I was looking forward to reading it. In actuality, the characters weren't very likable and I skimmed my way through most of the plot. Glad I got this from the library instead of buying it.
Check out my full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
Note: This ARC was provided by St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.
Hugo & Rose is a novel by first-time author Bridget Foley and had an interesting premise: what would happen if the guy in your dreams is actually real but you're married with children? There are some flashbacks in the story, explaining how Rose and Hugo first meet in their dreams as well as when Rose and Josh begin their relationship. Rose's life in her dreams appears to be as rosy (pun intended) as ever, even decades in, while her life in real life has lost its luster over the years. Just as her frustration with her family gets to a high point, she sees Hugo and he's able to give her some spark she seems to have been seeking.
I don't know if I would classify this story as contemporary romance because I simply didn't feel as if this was a love story between Rose and Hugo or even between Rose and Josh. This was about a woman who was desperately trying to find something different in a life that she felt was sucking the energy and inspiration out of her and believed that finding Hugo was that very thing she needed. It was a creative and interesting enough tale and maybe it would be more fitting under women's fiction than contemporary romance. I certainly didn't find myself swooning over Rose with Hugo and I just felt bad for poor Josh.
I'm a bit torn when it comes to giving this book a rating. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either. I wouldn't say that I'm ambivalent but I'm the kind of reader that wants to have a strong enough feeling for a book so that I know that it's affected in some way, whether positively or otherwise. The writing itself was good, and while I did take numerous breaks while reading, I was never tempted to shelve it unfinished. I wish I had felt more of a connection with Rose but lacking that, the dilemma she was facing was the wake-up call she needed to finally figure out what it is she really wanted and needed. I'm giving Hugo & Rose 3.5 stars. ♥
Note: This ARC was provided by St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.
Hugo & Rose is a novel by first-time author Bridget Foley and had an interesting premise: what would happen if the guy in your dreams is actually real but you're married with children? There are some flashbacks in the story, explaining how Rose and Hugo first meet in their dreams as well as when Rose and Josh begin their relationship. Rose's life in her dreams appears to be as rosy (pun intended) as ever, even decades in, while her life in real life has lost its luster over the years. Just as her frustration with her family gets to a high point, she sees Hugo and he's able to give her some spark she seems to have been seeking.
I don't know if I would classify this story as contemporary romance because I simply didn't feel as if this was a love story between Rose and Hugo or even between Rose and Josh. This was about a woman who was desperately trying to find something different in a life that she felt was sucking the energy and inspiration out of her and believed that finding Hugo was that very thing she needed. It was a creative and interesting enough tale and maybe it would be more fitting under women's fiction than contemporary romance. I certainly didn't find myself swooning over Rose with Hugo and I just felt bad for poor Josh.
I'm a bit torn when it comes to giving this book a rating. I didn't hate it but I didn't love it either. I wouldn't say that I'm ambivalent but I'm the kind of reader that wants to have a strong enough feeling for a book so that I know that it's affected in some way, whether positively or otherwise. The writing itself was good, and while I did take numerous breaks while reading, I was never tempted to shelve it unfinished. I wish I had felt more of a connection with Rose but lacking that, the dilemma she was facing was the wake-up call she needed to finally figure out what it is she really wanted and needed. I'm giving Hugo & Rose 3.5 stars. ♥
Hugo & Rose is definitely an original take on the "bored housewife" novel. I suppose it's technically a fantasy though the fantasy element only exists to serve the characters' psychology, and this book would appeal to folks who normally don't read fantasy. I found the story really engrossing, maybe because I identified with certain aspects of the protagonist's life and the ways in which having young children completely re-shapes your life and identity. I really like how Foley took a fantastical element and used it to explore an otherwise ordinary life.
Hugo and Rose by Bridget Foley is a weird (I’m sorry, but the word fits) contemporary novel. Rose has been dreaming about Hugo since she was six years old and injured in a bicycle accident. She has been dreaming of him and the island for the last thirty years. Rose is now married to Josh, a surgeon, and they have three children: Adam, Isaac, and Penelope. Rose has shared her adventures on the island with the boys (they like the stories). Rose is tired of her life and unhappy with the way she looks (she has gained weight, forgets to shower, shave, or change her clothes). She does not consider her problems “real problems” but she is tired and frustrated. Rose loves her husband very much, and she knows, even though he is very busy, that he loves her and their children. However, the only things Rose wants to do is sleep so she can dream of Hugo.
One day she takes the kids through an Orange Tastee for some food and she sees a man who looks like her Hugo. She stalks him for weeks before finally approaching him. He is the Hugo from her dreams. Hugo cannot believe that Rose is real. He has books of drawings and recently he had begun doing comic books of their adventures on the island. Seeing Hugo in real life is starting to change their dreams. Rose seems drawn to Hugo and Hugo wants to spend time with Rose (they are obsessed). Rose neglects her children and sort of “check out” of real life. She finally tells Josh and he does not believe her when she tells him about real life Hugo. Josh is a guy who only believes in reality (a scientist) until he sees irrefutable evidence. Rose tries to stay awake and avoid Hugo. She loves her family and wants to do what is best for them. Then things get really strange and Hugo takes drastic actions.
I did not enjoy reading Hugo and Rose. The book describes their dreams at length (childish dreams of pink beaches, strange monsters, and trying to get to the Castle City). The idea of two people seeing each other in their dreams is good, but the way it was carried out was not. Hugo and Rose was not my type of book (which is okay). I give Hugo and Rose 1.5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of Hugo and Rose from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.
One day she takes the kids through an Orange Tastee for some food and she sees a man who looks like her Hugo. She stalks him for weeks before finally approaching him. He is the Hugo from her dreams. Hugo cannot believe that Rose is real. He has books of drawings and recently he had begun doing comic books of their adventures on the island. Seeing Hugo in real life is starting to change their dreams. Rose seems drawn to Hugo and Hugo wants to spend time with Rose (they are obsessed). Rose neglects her children and sort of “check out” of real life. She finally tells Josh and he does not believe her when she tells him about real life Hugo. Josh is a guy who only believes in reality (a scientist) until he sees irrefutable evidence. Rose tries to stay awake and avoid Hugo. She loves her family and wants to do what is best for them. Then things get really strange and Hugo takes drastic actions.
I did not enjoy reading Hugo and Rose. The book describes their dreams at length (childish dreams of pink beaches, strange monsters, and trying to get to the Castle City). The idea of two people seeing each other in their dreams is good, but the way it was carried out was not. Hugo and Rose was not my type of book (which is okay). I give Hugo and Rose 1.5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of Hugo and Rose from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.
I really enjoyed this book. Based on the summary and cover, I was expecting a lighter, fluffier tale but it was really dark and poignant at times. A unique concept, beautifully told.
i received this book as good-reads giveaway. I was thrilled with the novel. I really felt like i could relate with the character Rose. I'm the mom of a two year old and sometimes its really hard to feel time for yourself sometimes it feels like the only time you feel like your self is in your dreams. but i loved the story of Hugo and rose its amazing how there psyches clicked together and they dreamed together.
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rose has vivid dreams of a fantasy island with a boy named Hugo. She grows up with him on their dream island having adventures every night. After 30 years she still can’t wait to go to sleep and escape from her insecurities and busy family life. Then one day she sees Hugo in real life and her dream world and reality collide. What is real? Which version of herself does she want to be?
So this cover is what first caught my eye, and then the synopsis sounded so interesting. A dream that kind of becomes reality. This was such an intriguing book. It kept me engaged and wondering how these worlds are colliding. What made these two people dream about each other every night for 30 years? My theories kept changing throughout the book. I was so curious on how this would all play out. I went back and forth with hating and loving Rose. She was in a very confusing situation and didn’t always handle it as I wanted her to.
And in the end, the answer was slightly surprising, but it made sense. It wasn’t really as sci-fi as I thought it might be. It was more mental and psychological. The answer just kind of came and went and you end the book thinking “Wow. That was kind of sad. But I’m also happy with how this ended.”
My thoughts are everywhere. It was a good book. Not really what I expected.
Disclaimer: This book does have foul language and sexual content in it.
So this cover is what first caught my eye, and then the synopsis sounded so interesting. A dream that kind of becomes reality. This was such an intriguing book. It kept me engaged and wondering how these worlds are colliding. What made these two people dream about each other every night for 30 years? My theories kept changing throughout the book. I was so curious on how this would all play out. I went back and forth with hating and loving Rose. She was in a very confusing situation and didn’t always handle it as I wanted her to.
And in the end, the answer was slightly surprising, but it made sense. It wasn’t really as sci-fi as I thought it might be. It was more mental and psychological. The answer just kind of came and went and you end the book thinking “Wow. That was kind of sad. But I’m also happy with how this ended.”
My thoughts are everywhere. It was a good book. Not really what I expected.
Disclaimer: This book does have foul language and sexual content in it.
I was really disappointed by the ending. Like weak and cliche. I'm giving it two stars. It started strong, but as it went on, I was let down