Sugarcube Review | Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

Would you rather know a truth that makes you feel hopeless, or keep believing the lies? Beloved and bestselling author Colleen Hoover returns with the spellbinding story of two young people with devastating pasts who embark on a passionate, intriguing journey to discover the lessons of life, love, trust—and above all, the healing power that only truth can bring. Sky, a senior in high school, meets Dean Holder, a guy with a promiscuous reputation that rivals her own. From their very first encounter, he terrifies and captivates her. Something about him sparks memories of her deeply troubled past, a time she’s tried so hard to bury. Though Sky is determined to stay far away from him, his unwavering pursuit and enigmatic smile break down her defenses and the intensity of the bond between them grows. But the mysterious Holder has been keeping secrets of his own, and once they are revealed, Sky is changed forever and her ability to trust may be a casualty of the truth. Only by courageously facing the stark revelations can Sky and Holder hope to heal their emotional scars and find a way to live and love without boundaries. Hopeless is a novel that will leave you breathless, entranced, and remembering your own first love.-Amazon

The only thing you really need to know about Hopeless by Colleen Hoover, is that it will snatch out your heart, and leave you with that gutted feeling for days afterward.

Hopeless is about a a girl named Sky who's life is uprooted by the presence of, Dean Holder, a guy who causes unsettling memories of a past long forgotten to rise to the surface. Hopeless contains everything you would want in a romantic YA/NA novel: an outsider protagonist, and a love interest with a questionable past that both draws you in, and makes you wonder for the safety of the protagonist. But Colleen Hoover weaves a story with a hidden depth that will blow you away as you peel back its layers. Hoover tackles a disturbing topic with such sincerity and power that it's impossible not to take it with you. I especially loved that even as I thought I had pegged Sky and Dean's situation, it is startlingly far from what I thought. Sky and Dean are two beautiful characters who endure what young people should never have to endure. Their romance is pulsing, and grows more realistic as the novel progresses.

Bare in mind: Hopeless contains profanity, sexual content, and disturbing scenarios of abuse.

             

I give Hopeless by Colleen Hoover 4 out of 5 cups of Irish Breakfast.

Crash by Nicole Williams Book Review

Southpointe High is the last place Lucy wanted to wind up her senior year of school. Right up until she stumbles into Jude Ryder, a guy whose name has become its own verb, and synonymous with trouble. He's got a rap sheet that runs longer than a senior thesis, has had his name sighed, shouted, and cursed by more women than Lucy dares to ask, and lives at the local boys home where disturbed seems to be the status quo for the residents. Lucy had a stable at best, quirky at worst, upbringing. She lives for wearing the satin down on her ballet shoes, has her sights set on Juilliard, and has been careful to keep trouble out of her life. Up until now. Jude's everything she knows she needs to stay away from if she wants to separate her past from her future. Staying away, she's about to find out, is the only thing she's incapable of. For Lucy Larson and Jude Ryder, love's about to become the thing that tears them apart.

-Barnes & Noble

When I encountered Crash by Nicole Williams, I'll admit I was excited...but I believed that it would be your regular bad boy meets good girl story. While I was right in my assumption, I was also very surprised at its depth. Lucy is a young dancer with aspirations of attending Juilliard...loads of responsibility. Jude, on the other hand, is a well known delinquent who has no faith that he can override his past. When Lucy and Jude come together, their chemistry sizzles from the very beginning. I love when a novel can make me feel this very early on in the story! 

The aspect of Crash that I was surprised about were the happenings that connect both Lucy and Jude together. I did not expect that Jude and Lucy would have to deal with such series issues. Right from the start, Lucy encounters the darker side of his life in stride, but I did enjoy how Williams took them both through a series of trust tests. Lucy does not just fall into Jude's every whim. Jude was an enjoyable character to experience. I will admit that in the beginning to middle, I thought him a bit too self deprecating, however, as the story concluded, his sincerity becomes clear. It was heartbreaking that such a sweetheart could feel this way about himself, and I know that others will fall n love with Jude's sincerity.  I also enjoyed Jude and Lucy's journey towards healing and forgiveness.

The only thing I didn't connect with as much in Crash is that I found it a bit brash and raw. This novel is definitely for older readers (late teens and up). 

Bare in mind: Crash contains violence, profanity, and sensuality. 

Crash by Nicole Williams was quite a ride, with characters that definitely touched me in the end. I'm looking forward to its sequel, Clash! 

I give Crash by Nicole Williams 4 out of 5 cups of Irish Breakfast. 

PS: I'm sooo sorry that I have been MIA from Novel Days for the past few weeks. I've recently started a brand new job, and so I'm trying to acclimate to my new schedule, as well as prioritize now that my free time is a bit more limited. I'm also coming into the home stretch of the first draft for my New Adult novel...finally (after 5 years). I promise I haven't left! Please bare with me. Thank you all so much for your continued readership! Just think, this means more giveaways!