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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
*** 4.5 stars*** I started this book the first time and just wasn't into it, so I gave up. I picked it up a second time from the library because I really wanted to give it another go. I have loved the other books I have read by Colleen Hoover and wanted to like this one just as much. I didn't really know what it was about but it impressed me more than I thought it would. Even though the characters are teens it doesn't read as a young adult novel at all. The emotions are just so real in Hoover's books and this one is no exception. I can't wait to explore more of her books. A truly great read.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was so odd to me. I liked the characters, they were imperfect and not 2 dimensional. But the story was… not really a story? The main character was so oblivious that the reader had to be surprised by things that should have been shared in the normal course of the book. The family’s home life and complications were just sooo out there. I’m just not sure what the point was.
I loved the story.
The ONLY thing I’m taking the star from was… the voice reader. I had to constantly remind myself that this was a story from a 17-yo perspective but the voice just didn’t sound 17.
The ONLY thing I’m taking the star from was… the voice reader. I had to constantly remind myself that this was a story from a 17-yo perspective but the voice just didn’t sound 17.
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
"So many secrets in this house. And yet the one secret I should have told years ago is the one I've kept the quietest."
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review. To say I was excited when it landed on my doorstep would be an understatement. WITHOUT MERIT was one of my most anticipated reads this fall. Colleen Hoover is an auto-buy author and I couldn't wait to read this book. I like to go into her books completely blind, so I had only skimmed the synopsis. So I went into WITHOUT MERIT knowing next to nothing about the book.
"I've met a lot of people in my life, Merit. But you may be the strangest of them all."
This is the story of Merit Voss. A teenager who has seemingly lost her way in life. She's dropped out of school, is fighting with everyone in her family and appears to all around be miserable. We find out that her thoughts and actions are completely merited (see what I did there?). She has the strangest family. No, seriously. This family is so odd and so messed up.
"I can't think of anything to say, though. Or maybe I have way too much to say and I don't know where to start."
For the longest time while reading, I sat there starting to wonder what I was even reading. The characters were over the top ridiculous and the MC was not very relateable for me. I couldn't put my finger on what it was that I didn't like about the book. Colleen's writing was superb, as always. I wanted to keep reading, but felt confused. As time went on, I found myself more than once asking myself what exactly I was reading. What was the purpose or moral of this story. I've always felt like Colleen has something big she wants me to take away from reading her books. It became clear by the end of this book what her focus was for WITHOUT MERIT. I wish that this had been the sole focus of the book. I felt like too many big issues were put into just one book.
"You don't get to decide what you life means to anyone else."
Maybe it was just me that didn't connect with this book. I've seen a lot of high ratings and positive reviews for the book. I'm not even saying that the book was bad. Her writing was amazing and the story was definitely intriguing. I just think that this particular book was not for me. Fans of Colleen's work will probably love this one. It's classic CoHo. If you pick this one up, I hope you enjoy it!
"Not every mistake deserves a consequence. Sometimes the only thing it deserves is forgiveness."
"So many secrets in this house. And yet the one secret I should have told years ago is the one I've kept the quietest."
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review. To say I was excited when it landed on my doorstep would be an understatement. WITHOUT MERIT was one of my most anticipated reads this fall. Colleen Hoover is an auto-buy author and I couldn't wait to read this book. I like to go into her books completely blind, so I had only skimmed the synopsis. So I went into WITHOUT MERIT knowing next to nothing about the book.
"I've met a lot of people in my life, Merit. But you may be the strangest of them all."
This is the story of Merit Voss. A teenager who has seemingly lost her way in life. She's dropped out of school, is fighting with everyone in her family and appears to all around be miserable. We find out that her thoughts and actions are completely merited (see what I did there?). She has the strangest family. No, seriously. This family is so odd and so messed up.
"I can't think of anything to say, though. Or maybe I have way too much to say and I don't know where to start."
For the longest time while reading, I sat there starting to wonder what I was even reading. The characters were over the top ridiculous and the MC was not very relateable for me. I couldn't put my finger on what it was that I didn't like about the book. Colleen's writing was superb, as always. I wanted to keep reading, but felt confused. As time went on, I found myself more than once asking myself what exactly I was reading. What was the purpose or moral of this story. I've always felt like Colleen has something big she wants me to take away from reading her books. It became clear by the end of this book what her focus was for WITHOUT MERIT. I wish that this had been the sole focus of the book. I felt like too many big issues were put into just one book.
"You don't get to decide what you life means to anyone else."
Maybe it was just me that didn't connect with this book. I've seen a lot of high ratings and positive reviews for the book. I'm not even saying that the book was bad. Her writing was amazing and the story was definitely intriguing. I just think that this particular book was not for me. Fans of Colleen's work will probably love this one. It's classic CoHo. If you pick this one up, I hope you enjoy it!
"Not every mistake deserves a consequence. Sometimes the only thing it deserves is forgiveness."
I laughed so many times. Merit’s sarcasm and character is awesome. I just really really enjoyed this. 5/5
I hated everything about this book. I did not like a single character and was not interested in the story line at all. I know the whole point of the book was that everyone has their own issues and problems. But Merit had such an annoying victim, "oh woe is me" complex that made me hate every second of the book. I honestly didn't even feel a connection between Merit and Sagan. Their romance was forced and not very interesting.
Just know there is very little romance in this book. Perfect coming of age book for a teenager. A few cuss words and mentions of sex/ loosing virginity, etc. But still enjoyable for adults. As someone who struggles with anxiety I connected with the character. It was a cute, easy, quick read.