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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
***TW: SEXUAL VIOLENCE***
I wanted to love this book. With everything in me. I have loved so many of Colleen Hoover's novels and I wanted this one to be just like that one.
I'll keep this review relatively short and simple.
I liked the story and I liked that it kept me on my toes. "Sky" is certainly a different kind of protagonist than we're used to seeing. She isn't the sunshine girl meeting the grumpy boy. She has a lot of trauma that's unpacked over the course of these 400 pages.
Therein lies my problem.
I personally do not think the trauma is handled well in this book and I think that if an author wants to take on topics like this, they really need to think about the feelings they are bringing out in the reader. More specifically, they need to think about the necessity of trigger warnings and ensuring that their audience goes into the reading knowing that the book is going to be tackling all the tough subject, which this one does.
The "consensual" sexual encounters in Hopeless were what really rubbed me the wrong way. Sky has spent her life blocking out what happened with her father. She hasn't felt the slightest of feelings for most of the boys she's come into contact with. Once she has come to the climax of understanding what her past was made up of, Colleen Hoover writes her character into having sex. It seems unlikely, given what we know about sexual trauma, that Sky would have been able to have consensual sex so soon after putting all the pieces together. Everyone grieves and heals differently, of course, but - having just found out about her full history - it doesn't seem like she had time to process, much less to heal. Hoover writes as if they are using sex to heal their wounds and express their love for one another. They are kids. The way this was written makes it seem like this is normal or okay. They are kids. I think we should all remember that these two ARE KIDS. There are so many other ways she could have expressed them healing trauma that could have communicated healthier healing to the reader. Let me be clear: if you are the victim or survivor of sexual violence, you DO NOT NEED TO FIND HEALING THROUGH SEX.
My other big bone to pick is the way Holder asked Sky to get on birth control. I need us all as a collective to acknowledge that this was gross and definitely not indicative of a healthy relationship. Though (before anyone even says it), of course they couldn't have had a very healthy relationship under their conditions.
I'm knocking it down two stars because I truly believe that authors need to write about these subjects, but they need to do it with more care to their audience. I think that I am especially critical given how young the characters are.
Lastly, if you're struggling with sexual trauma, if you're a survivor, or if you're still fighting, you're not fighting alone. You're loved and you deserve to feel good love, not polluted love.
I wanted to love this book. With everything in me. I have loved so many of Colleen Hoover's novels and I wanted this one to be just like that one.
I'll keep this review relatively short and simple.
I liked the story and I liked that it kept me on my toes. "Sky" is certainly a different kind of protagonist than we're used to seeing. She isn't the sunshine girl meeting the grumpy boy. She has a lot of trauma that's unpacked over the course of these 400 pages.
Therein lies my problem.
I personally do not think the trauma is handled well in this book and I think that if an author wants to take on topics like this, they really need to think about the feelings they are bringing out in the reader. More specifically, they need to think about the necessity of trigger warnings and ensuring that their audience goes into the reading knowing that the book is going to be tackling all the tough subject, which this one does.
The "consensual" sexual encounters in Hopeless were what really rubbed me the wrong way. Sky has spent her life blocking out what happened with her father. She hasn't felt the slightest of feelings for most of the boys she's come into contact with. Once she has come to the climax of understanding what her past was made up of, Colleen Hoover writes her character into having sex. It seems unlikely, given what we know about sexual trauma, that Sky would have been able to have consensual sex so soon after putting all the pieces together. Everyone grieves and heals differently, of course, but - having just found out about her full history - it doesn't seem like she had time to process, much less to heal. Hoover writes as if they are using sex to heal their wounds and express their love for one another. They are kids. The way this was written makes it seem like this is normal or okay. They are kids. I think we should all remember that these two ARE KIDS. There are so many other ways she could have expressed them healing trauma that could have communicated healthier healing to the reader. Let me be clear: if you are the victim or survivor of sexual violence, you DO NOT NEED TO FIND HEALING THROUGH SEX.
My other big bone to pick is the way Holder asked Sky to get on birth control. I need us all as a collective to acknowledge that this was gross and definitely not indicative of a healthy relationship. Though (before anyone even says it), of course they couldn't have had a very healthy relationship under their conditions.
I'm knocking it down two stars because I truly believe that authors need to write about these subjects, but they need to do it with more care to their audience. I think that I am especially critical given how young the characters are.
Lastly, if you're struggling with sexual trauma, if you're a survivor, or if you're still fighting, you're not fighting alone. You're loved and you deserve to feel good love, not polluted love.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So, I've revised my original thoughts about this book. I don't hate the entire thing, but I dislike almost everything about it except the ending.
This book is EXTRMELY TRIGGERING. Triggers: rape, child abuse, child-rape, alcohol, some violence, slut-shaming, suicide mentions, and kidnapping. I specifically mention these here because none of the other reviews that I've seen point out any triggers beyond slut-shaming.
This book was impactful, I won't deny that. I just wish that Hoover had started the beginning a bit differently. Slut-shaming from page 4 onward is really not a great way to start a book. I was initially bothered by the insta-attraction between Holder and Sky, but towards the ending, I think it sort of levels out. There's a major reason behind their connection, and I just wish that Hoover hadn't drawn everything out so much. I was honestly ready to chuck this book in the trash after 200 pages. The actual plot lines don't even come in until the 300th page or so, in my opinion.
I've told a few people my preliminary thoughts about the book, and those haven't changed much. The instant slut-shaming bothered me immensely, along with Holder's almost obsessive stalker-ness. The fact that Six randomly and conveniently exits towards the beginning of the book didn't have much of an impact because her leaving was clearly put in to move the plot along. I also was (and am) very on the fence about Holder. His frequent mood swings aren't even really noted until the ending of the book, where (in my opinion), the excuse given is heart-breaking, but does not justify his actions. If a man I knew acted a quarter of the way Holder did, I would run in the opposite direction.
Also, I did not appreciate the
I'm glad I finished the book, but it took all of my willpower to get through it. I just noticed that this book is part of a series, and I am going to aggressively NOPE out of here now.
This book is EXTRMELY TRIGGERING. Triggers: rape, child abuse, child-rape, alcohol, some violence, slut-shaming, suicide mentions, and kidnapping. I specifically mention these here because none of the other reviews that I've seen point out any triggers beyond slut-shaming.
This book was impactful, I won't deny that. I just wish that Hoover had started the beginning a bit differently. Slut-shaming from page 4 onward is really not a great way to start a book. I was initially bothered by the insta-attraction between Holder and Sky, but towards the ending, I think it sort of levels out. There's a major reason behind their connection, and I just wish that Hoover hadn't drawn everything out so much. I was honestly ready to chuck this book in the trash after 200 pages. The actual plot lines don't even come in until the 300th page or so, in my opinion.
I've told a few people my preliminary thoughts about the book, and those haven't changed much. The instant slut-shaming bothered me immensely, along with Holder's almost obsessive stalker-ness. The fact that Six randomly and conveniently exits towards the beginning of the book didn't have much of an impact because her leaving was clearly put in to move the plot along. I also was (and am) very on the fence about Holder. His frequent mood swings aren't even really noted until the ending of the book, where (in my opinion), the excuse given is heart-breaking, but does not justify his actions. If a man I knew acted a quarter of the way Holder did, I would run in the opposite direction.
Also, I did not appreciate the
Spoiler
use of sex as a coping mechanism for such a situation. It seemed forced and out of place, given the situation the characters were in.I'm glad I finished the book, but it took all of my willpower to get through it. I just noticed that this book is part of a series, and I am going to aggressively NOPE out of here now.
medium-paced
Intriguing story about Sky, a sheltered home-schooled girl, about to begin her senior year at a public school while her best friend, Six, who talked her into public school, leaves for a semester in Italy. Sky meets the mysterious Dean Holder and their relationship slowly builds.
Sky is missing the memories of her early years before her adoption. Does Dean know something about that mystery or is he just still healing from what happened to his twin sister the previous year?
Great quick read and was thought provoking. It make me think about fate and the people that are brought into our lives and why.
Sky is missing the memories of her early years before her adoption. Does Dean know something about that mystery or is he just still healing from what happened to his twin sister the previous year?
Great quick read and was thought provoking. It make me think about fate and the people that are brought into our lives and why.
This easily just made it to the top of my favourites from Colleen Hoover. Why is this not talked about enough??
One of the best books I've read in awhile. Colleen Hoover is an amazing writer and is such an inspiration. Sky was so strong and I loved her throughout the whole book. Dean Holder is perfect, enough said. Literally where can I find boys like him? Thank you so much Colleen Hoover for this wonderful read, I'll remember it forever!