I jumped on the Colleen Hoover bandwagon just last year and 3 books in I'll happily say I'm a CoHo fan. November 9 has that unmistakable Colleen HooveI jumped on the Colleen Hoover bandwagon just last year and 3 books in I'll happily say I'm a CoHo fan. November 9 has that unmistakable Colleen Hoover stamp ...
Maybe Someday had music, Confess had artwork and in November 9 the point of difference is the uniqueness of the story ... Fallon and Ben meet in unusual circumstances and continue to meet up each year on the same date; with absolutely no contact outside of that date.
What a wonderful mix of sweet, angsty, funny, heart-achy messiness. And that twist; did not see that coming. I don't have a problem with tragic pasts in fiction, I'm someone whose real-life past reads like a soap opera ... so November 9 #gotmerightinthefeels
I loved the bookie references, tongue-in-cheek, clever, funny but there were still things that bothered me (that note from Ben's mother was a biggie) and a couple of throw-up-in-my-mouth lines.
"Baby," he says, his lips forming a smile. "You already made this the best sex I've had and I'm not even inside you yet."
November 9 was not issue-free (for me) and yet here I am loving on it ...
Colleen Hoover's writing is just so darn addictive!!
Not just right book, right time but the perfect feel-good read for one of those not-feeling-so-good days. Which is kind of weird b4.5 stars loved it!!
Not just right book, right time but the perfect feel-good read for one of those not-feeling-so-good days. Which is kind of weird because this isn't a fluffy romance or even just a hot romantic romp, although it is hot. This romance has issues and I love issues.
And I read it in one sitting, which if you've been reading my blog lately you'll know how not-like-me that is ... Racing the Sun kicked my snail's pace to the curb. It was heat and heart and I loved it.
I suddenly remember where I am. Sad lemon house. Capri. New job. Traumatized twins. Hot mysterious Italian boss.
Sums it up well.
The breeze wafts in from the sea and carries the scent of fresh herbs and bracing salt and lemons, the way I imagine sunshine should smell.
When July slides into August like a hot greasy egg sliding off a frying pan, Capri becomes its most unbearable.
The descriptions of the Amalfi coast, Positano, Naples, Capri and the Villa dei Limoni Tristi had me dying for my own slice of Italy ... I settled for pizza. At least it was real Italian pizza :)
I loved Amber, she's adventurous and brave and she tells it like it is.
Somehow, and I don't know how, because that banana hammock is just begging for people to stare, I manage to tear my eyes away from him just as he looks up.
I turn around, about to ask Derio and his penis whether this is the place to go in the water, but he strides to the edge of the water and does a perfect swan dive off.
HA banana hammock :) Guys in Australia mostly wear boardies. Speedos (budgie smugglers) are so not cool. Unless you're a surf life saver or Derio.
The only thing I didn't love ... Amber's disparaging comments about her body. I hang there like a fat orangatan... sheesh really? luckily when things heat up with Derio, she gets over herself quick enough.
"Did you feel anything?" "No," he murmurs. "I felt everything."
Racing the Sun will have you fang-ing for Italian food. Hey, if you're not single, putting it out there that you want your very own hot Italian guy is just not on. So. Food it is.
Ciao. My bags are packed, I'm ready for Italy.
... Ok I'm off to plan my pinterest holiday.
Alrighty ... I'm heading to the Italian restaurant at the end of our street. ...more
I confess to a little case of Colleen Hoover insta-love after I succumbed to my friend Karen's nagging and read Maybe Someday. I meant to jump straighI confess to a little case of Colleen Hoover insta-love after I succumbed to my friend Karen's nagging and read Maybe Someday. I meant to jump straight into Ugly Love but you know best laid plans and all that. So ... Confess
"The confessions you read within this novel are true confessions, submitted anonymously by readers. This book is dedicated to all of you who found the courage to share them."
What a dedication. Doesn't that just grab you and suck you right in?? I loved this unique aspect. And it's not just the confessions. In Maybe Someday it was music, in Confess it's the art.
Owen Mason Gentry (OMG ... HA) is a local artist whose paintings are inspired by anonymous confessions. Auburn answers a 'help wanted' ad in his studio window. I liked them both, I felt the chemistry sparking between them and their growing connection. That doesn't mean I liked everything about them, at times I wanted to slap Auburn for her lack of backbone but I also felt for her and the awful position she'd been manipulated into.
Who else ... Auburn's flatmate Emory was weirdly awesome, a real bad-ass, she needs her own book. Trey, what an asshat, I'd have cheered if he'd been hit by a bus. And Trey's mother ... two-for-one. Confession: I have zero tolerance for abusive manipulators (can you tell??)
Confess includes original artwork by Danny O’Connor and it is beautiful! Check it out here. It defines Owen and provides intimacy between Owen and Auburn, it's a beautiful vehicle for emotion and communication and gives the story added depth.
The only thing that annoyed me was the whore/slut self-talk. I really wish Colleen Hoover wouldn't do that. Is that just my age showing? Whatever, it's so unnecessary. And Trey ... where's that bus?
Once again CoHo's writing is highly addictive ... real, sensitive and intensely emotional. Confess is hard to describe, it's not just a love story, it's multi-faceted ... love, loss, strength and courage, sacrifice, self awareness and second chances.
Lucky for me Ugly Love awaits ... time to feed the addiction. ...more
Thanks to my friend Karen (who guest reviews on my blog, The Eclectic Reader) for raving about Maybe Someday and cheering when I finally picked up my Thanks to my friend Karen (who guest reviews on my blog, The Eclectic Reader) for raving about Maybe Someday and cheering when I finally picked up my first Colleen Hoover novel. I'm so happy I did. Colleen Hoover's writing is smart and funny and sweet and refreshing and she's big on music.
I have a thing for stories with music.
Music has always played an important part in my life, it's my warm place and safe harbour, it connects people, it comforts, inspires and uplifts. Music plays an integral part in Maybe Someday, it's a character in itself and I LOVE that in a book. The unique thing about the music in Maybe Someday is, Sydney and Ridge write the lyrics, they connect through music, it's their way of communicating, expressing themselves, the music moves the story forward.
I loved what was happening between Sydney and Ridge, their dynamic, the humour, awkwardness, the sweet heart-skippy feeling it gave me. BUT it didn't sit well that Ridge was emotionally cheating on his girlfriend and I didn't buy into his bullshit justifications. It felt real, I might not have liked it (that's just me) but Colleen Hoover kept it real.
Maybe Someday is sensitive, emotional and surprisingly refreshing. I wish I could tell you why it is so refreshing but that would spoil things so just trust me and read it :)...more
Finding Home is a story of self discovery with tough issues front and centre ... grief, alcohol abuse, unprotected sex, acceptance and relati3.5 stars
Finding Home is a story of self discovery with tough issues front and centre ... grief, alcohol abuse, unprotected sex, acceptance and relationship difficulties.
It should have been easy to dislike Amy, she's a train wreck, spiteful, obnoxious, immature and self destructive but she actually felt real. I cut her some slack as she's grieving not only the loss of her mother but what she feels is abandonment by her father.
And in truth, the significant 'parents' in the story are pretty much absent, clueless or completely irresponsible ... no parent of the year awards need be handed out here. I know communication with teenagers is challenging at the best of times, add grief, pain and misunderstanding and you get a whole world of hurt, but really ....
Amy grows up over the course of the novel, it was good to see her find her place, and a little peace ... I'm sure the metaphorical slap around the head from true friend Lucy helped. I liked Lucy, a lot and Nick too, he was probably my favourite character. Luke on the other hand was a total ass-hat, and Amy falling for such a dick, made me throw up a little ;)
Despite my low tolerance for angst I thought Finding Home was well written and a quick, satisfying read, one I'm sure teens will relate to....more
I struggled a little to get into this one, but Lyster's beautiful turn of phrase kept me reading and I finished up enjoying this new age re-i3.5 stars
I struggled a little to get into this one, but Lyster's beautiful turn of phrase kept me reading and I finished up enjoying this new age re-imagining of Romeo & Juliet a lot more than I initially thought I would.
Not wanting to settle for an 'ordinary' life in Byron Bay, Sahara breaks up with Rip and moves to Sydney. But her bid for independence and artistic growth becomes a melting pot of toxicity and Sahara's life slowly unravels.
There's quite a spiritual focus to Rip's side of the story and maybe it was that, that took me a bit to get my head around. Not to say that it isn't my thing, it just wasn't what I expected. I can't really say any more without getting spoiler-ish ... but the author's lyrical writing style is lovely to read.
The alternating chapters by Rip and Sahara work well, I really enjoyed the dual narrative and I loved the contrast in setting from Byron Bay to Sydney.
It's a profound, bittersweet story. It's about healing, self discovery, finding your place in the world, standing on your own two feet and being in charge of your own happiness. It's about that beautiful thing called serendipity. ...more
I really wanted to love this one, it had all the makings of a great fantasy series but sadly lacked in execution. The amateur writing style was often I really wanted to love this one, it had all the makings of a great fantasy series but sadly lacked in execution. The amateur writing style was often tedious to read making it feel much longer than 280 pages but Scarlett Dawn managed to win me over with her refreshing portrayal of friendship and loyalty.
In a world of Mysticals and Commoners there are four Mystic factions; shifter, mage, vampire, and elemental. Each group ruled by a King who names a new prodigy to become the future King or Queen.
These are Lily, (shifter but shhh she's a hybrid) Ezra (vampire) Pearl (mage) and Jack (elemental.) Kudos to Scarlett Dawn for creating a believable and lovable bond between these four. A friendship based on unwavering loyalty, support, shared laughs, tears, banter and sarcasm.
"Never mind. You guys won't understand. You're mated, and the only one that's not is a man-whore."
There's a lot of talk about sex, relaxed attitudes to sex, getting enough sex, sexual innuendo, some gag-worthy references to sexual fluids, some "getting your freak on" bahaha but once a Mystic is 'mated' take them off the market ... yeah I like that.
After all the death I'm looking forward to sweet revenge in the next installment, a show of power from the awesome foursome and fingers crossed Scarlett Dawn breaks more Mystic rules and gives us some Lily & Ezra 'action'.
Recommend: Could have been totally awesome but instead an okay read with flashes of awesome. There's definitely promise and I want to read King Cave so that's saying something. ...more
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