Title: Hopeless by Colleen Hoover
Pages: 408
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, New Adult
Published by: Atria Books (May 7, 2013)
Summary
Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…
That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.
Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.
What I Thought
Hopeless is the second Colleen Hoover book that I’ve read. The first one was Maybe Someday, and you can check out my review for that one here, and while it was good, I didn’t love it. Because of that I was a bit more tentative going into this book. There were parts I loved about Hopeless, and other parts that, quite frankly, I didn’t like at all.
Okay, I don’t want to be super negative, so I’ll get what I disliked out of the way first. Honestly, I didn’t like Holder – especially in the beginning of the novel. Keeping it spoiler free, he comes off as incredibly creepy and controlling. In the beginning of Sky and Holder’s relationships, all sorts of red flags were going off in my head about him, and it bothered me how those issues were never truly addressed. Holder was just written off as “passionate.” Umm…no thank you. Call it whatever you want, but I’m going to tell you it was abusive. I almost didn’t finish this book because of him. His character does flip about halfway through the book, and he no longer comes across as abusive, but his behavior in the beginning of the book really turned me off of his character, and quite frankly, part of the story.
That being said, I’m glad I did stick around to read the end! The rest of the characters are quite interesting. I really did like Sky and her best friend. I wish Six, her friend, had been in the story more.
Also, this book had so many plot twists and unexpectedness that I was fly through the pages after the halfway point. My emotions were all over the place while reading it!
Just a head’s up though, this book is very intense! There are a lot of heavy topics in this book, and honestly, it was almost too much for me to read at time. Don’t go into this book expecting something romantic and fun. No, the whole book isn’t heavy, but when it is, it really is.
Overall, this is another Colleen Hoover book that I liked, but didn’t love. The ending of this book really redeemed the entire story for me, but I don’t like romance books where I don’t like the love interest, and I didn’t like Holder. I wish I liked her books more, but I don’t think I’m on the Colleen Hoover train just yet. I think if you’re a fan of romance novels, but are looking for more depth, and don’t mind some heavy themes, then Hopeless is definitely the book for you!
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Hello! Today, I’m wrapping up my reading and blogging for both the months of August and September. I don’t know what I’ve been doing, but I will tell you, that I haven’t been reading very much. I did pretty well in August, but honestly, I’m a little disappointed in how little I’ve been reading the past few months, especially in September. On the plus side, at least I’ve enjoyed all the books I’ve read.
In August and September combined, I read 6 books and listened to 1 audiobook.
BOOKS READ IN AUGUST
– Forgotten God by Francis Chan (audio) \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
– Hopeless by Colleen Hoover (library) \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
– Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold by Iain Reading \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
– The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
– Once and For All by Sarah Dessen \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
BOOKS READ IN SEPTEMBER
– The Mystery of the 99 Steps by Carolyn Keene \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
– Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur (library) \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STANDOUT BOOK OF THE MONTH
I really loved Once and For All by Sarah Dessen! Her newest book did not disappoint, and I’m so glad I read it!
BOOKS REVIEWED
That Summer by Sarah Dessen \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kitty Hawk and the Curse of the Yukon Gold by Ian Reading \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
BOOK HAUL
Okay, someone needs to stop me, because I bought wayyyyy more books than I should have these past 2 months! 😂🙈
In August, I didn’t buy anything, so that was good…but then September happened…
First, I bought One of Us is Lying. I’ve heard good things about this book, and it was on sale at Target, so I couldn’t resist.
I’m really proud of this picture I took for bookstagram! Follow me @thecalicobooks 😉
Then, I won a contest for Echo (book 2 in the Illusion trilogy)!
Sounds like not too many, right? Well, then my library had a book sale, and I. Went. Crazy!
I bought 33 books while I was there! Some of the books I’m most excited to read are Trouble is Friend of Mine by Stephanie Tromly, Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway, A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron, Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella, Where I Belong by Krista McGee, and Beartown by Fredrick Backman. Obviously, I’m super excited for all the books, but I’m just not going to write out every single book I got.
MISCELLANEOUS
I participated in two readathons! First was The Hedgeathon, which ran from August 8th – 22nd. You can check out my wrap-up for that here.
I also participated in Wonder Week, which ran from August 25th – September 1st. Check out my TBR for it here. Also, here’s how I did:
I’m really disappointed I didn’t get a bingo, but oh well! Better luck next time!
Aside from readathons, I also shared my Summer Reading Goals Wrap-Up.
I posted a couple Waiting on Wednesdays, and a Top Ten Tuesday!
Also, Movie Monday is back! In September, I shared my thoughts on the Netflix show, Anne with an “E”!
That wraps up my August and September. Hopefully October will bring more books and blogging, but for the last week or so of September at least my blogging picked up the pace! With Halloween coming up, I’m sure October is going to be a fun, spooky-filled reading and blogging month.
Thanks for reading!
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Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature started by Breaking the Spine that puts the spotlight on upcoming releases!
Today’s pick is:
Ringer (Replica, #2)
Releasing October 3rd, 2017!
Like its ambitious companion novel, Replica, this far-reaching novel by powerhouse bestselling author Lauren Oliver digs deep into questions of how to be a human being in a world where humanity cannot be taken for granted.
In the world outside the Haven Institute, Lyra and Caelum are finding it hard to be human—and neither of them knows where they belong or who they can trust. When Caelum leaves without warning to pursue the dream of a place he belongs, Lyra follows him, convinced that together they will hunt down a cure for the illness that’s slowly consuming her mind. But what they uncover is a shocking connection to their past—even as their future seems in danger of collapsing.
After discovering the uncomfortable truth about her connection to the Haven Institute, Gemma struggles to return to her normal life. But when she learns that her controlling and powerful father has new plans for Lyra and Caelum, Gemma and her boyfriend, Pete, leave in the middle of the night to warn them of the danger they face.When an untimely accident derails them, they are mistaken for the escaped replicas and seized by strangers hired to capture them. The Haven Institute wasn’t destroyed after all, and now Gemma is the one behind the walls.
Lyra’s and Gemma’s stories can be read separately—with either story first—or in alternating chapters, but no matter which way you turn the book, the two distinct stories combine into one breathtaking experience for both heroines and readers alike.
I read Replica way back in January, and I loved it! It’s been one of the best books I’ve read so far this year, and I am just so excited for the sequel to be released, and see how things end!! This series is just so intriguing, and set up in such a unique format. Lauren Oliver’s writing never disappoints, and I’m sure this book will be no different.
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It’s Top Ten Tuesday again! It’s a weekly bookish list created by The Broke and the Bookish. This week’s topic is:
Top Ten Books with ________ Characters
I’ll be honest, I was having trouble coming up with ideas for what kind of character I wanted to use. Characters with magical powers? Maybe dancers? Super smart characters? After reading Holly, from the Nut Free Nerd’s, TTT, I really loved her post, and decided to be a copy-cat and go with top ten books that feature non-human characters as well! So, thanks for the idea, Holly! 🙂 Obviously, I’m not going to be a complete copy-cat, so I won’t be using any of the books she used in her post. Okay, let’s get started:
Angel Eyes
The Graveyard Book
A Great and Terrible Beauty
Charlotte’s Web
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Warriors: Into the Wild
The Host
Twilight
Bunnicula
A Monster Calls
That’s it for this week’s Top Ten Tuesday! Let me know about yours!
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Hello, and welcome back to another Movie Monday – a [intended to be] semi-monthly feature on my blog where I compare and discuss books and their movie or television adaptations!
Today I’m discussing the new (it was released in May 2017) Netflix show, Anne with an ‘E’ (or just Anne, as it’s known in Canada), based off of, you guessed it, Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery.
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature started by Breaking the Spine that puts the spotlight on upcoming releases!
It’s been forever since I’ve posted one of these, but I’m super excited for this book, so I thought I’d start doing WoW again, occasionally! 🙂
Today’s pick is:
The Midnight Dance
Releasing October 17, 2017!
When the music stops, the dance begins.
Seventeen-year-old Penny is a lead dancer at the Grande Teatro, a finishing school where she and eleven other young women are training to become the finest ballerinas in Italy. Tucked deep into the woods, the school is overseen by the mysterious and handsome young Master who keeps the girls ensconced in the estate – and in the only life Penny has never known.
But when flashes of memories, memories of a life very different from the one she thinks she’s been leading, start to appear, Penny begins to question the Grand Teatro and the motivations of the Master. With a kind and attractive kitchen boy, Cricket, at her side, Penny vows to escape the confines of her school and the strict rules that dictate every step she takes. But at every turn, the Master finds a way to stop her, and Penny must find a way to escape the school and uncover the secrets of her past before it’s too late.
This book sounds super intriguing to me! When I first heard about this book on Swoon Reads before it was even called The Midnight Dance, I just knew I was going to love it. Plus, if any of you have been following me for a while, you know how much I love books involving ballet. Combine the fact that this book is about ballet, the synopsis sounds SO good, and that gorgeous cover; I think The Midnight Dance is going to be so great, and I cannot wait!
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Hello! It’s been almost a month since I’ve posted, and I honestly can’t believe it’s been that long. I hadn’t planned on taking a blogging break, but it just sort of happened, and I went with it. Lately, I haven’t been reading as much, and thus, I haven’t had as much to blog about, so I just decided not to push myself to post, and took a mini, unplanned, unexpected hiatus. The past few weeks have been busy with school, dance, and just life in general, and so the blogging break has been just what I needed. That being said, I think I’m ready to start blogging again! I really have missed it!
Also, just in case anyone is wondering, I know you’re not, and that’s okay lol, since September is almost over, I’m just waiting another week and a half and combining August and September’s wrap-up, as well as the Wonder Week Readathon wrap-up together.
Anyway, here is my Summer Reading Wrap-Up!
In the beginning of summer, I shared with you all my reading goals and plans for the summer months. You can check that post out here. Today, we are going to see how well I did actually achieving those goals!
1. READ AT LEAST 20 BOOKS | ❌
Unfortunately, I didn’t get there this year! While, for the most part, I really enjoyed all the books I read, I only read 14 books this summer.
2. COMPLETE MY LIBRARY’S SUMMER READING PROGRAM | ✔️
This is one goal that I definitely completed! Not only did I complete it, but I also completed the extra challenges!
3. READ MORE CLASSICS | ❌
I read the children’s classic, Holes, does that count? No? That’s the closest I got, and that wasn’t really what I had in mind when I said I wanted to read more classics.
4. READ GONE WITH THE WIND | ✔️
Okay, so maybe I sort of completed the read more classics goal, although I was thinking more like 4 or 5 classics, not one? I did start Gone with the Wind this summer! Unfortunately, it is taking me longer to read it than I planned. I’m still reading it (🙈), but I am loving it, and even though I didn’t finish it in “summertime,” I’m still counting that I reached this goal!
5. FINISH SOME SERIES! | ✔️
I finished the Angel Eyes trilogy by Shannon Dittemore. Also, I read book 2 in the 5th Wave series, and even though I’m not finished with the series, I furthered my progress, so that counts!
6. REREAD THE BOOK THIEF | ❌
Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to reread The Book Thief. I will reread this book…soon!
7. PARTICIPATE IN A READATHON | ✔️
I actually participated in 3 readathons this summer! 😄 First there was the Booktubeathon, then the Hedgeathon, and finally Wonder Week!
Overall, even though I didn’t reach my goals, I had a pretty great summer, reading-wise and just life in general. Some of my highlights include swimming, camping, going to the fair, and buying a bunny! 🐰 Her name is Violet, and she is a Jersey Wooly. Isn’t she just too cute?! 😍
Thanks so much for reading, and you can look forward to seeing new posts from me again!
Also, during my blogging break, I had also taken a break from Bookstagram. I’m back on there posting consistently again too, so I’d really appreciate it if y’all checked me out on Instagram again, as well! 🙂
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Hey everyone! I know I just wrapped up a read-a-thon a few days ago, but I’m already ready to jump into another! I’m so excited to be participating in Wonder Week, a bingo read-a-thon, hosted by Rimpy from rimpysreads. The read-a-thon starts today, August 25th, and goes through September 1st.
The goal is simple. Based off the bingo board below, read books that fit the descriptions and get a bingo!
I’m going to start with the lower left corner, and go diagonal to the upper right corner. So, here is my tentative TBR for that bingo line:
Set in High School
I know of so many people who absolutely adore The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and I feel like it is time that I finally read it and see what all the hype is about!
Under 200 Pages
The Mystery of the 99 Steps has 176 pages, and I’ll forever be a Nancy Drew fan, so I thought it would be a perfect time to get to one of the books in the series that I own, but haven’t read yet.
Free Space
I’m still deciding which book I’m going to read for the free space. I’m just going to see what I feel like at the time!
Contains Pictures
I think The Borrowers looks like such a fun, light-hearted book. It is definitely the type of easy-going book I am going to want to read once school starts back next week!
Over 400 Pages
Illuminae has 608 pages, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about this book! I’m excited to finally read this book and see what all the buzz is about.
I am quite excited for this read-a-thon. Hopefully I’ll be able to get a lot of reading done this week!
Let me know if any of you are participating in Wonder Week!
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Hey everyone! Today I wanted to share with you all what I read for this year’s Hedgeathon. The Hedgeathon is an annual summer read-a-thon hosted by the lovely Natalie from The Hedgie Press. I participated last year, and had such a blast, so I was really excited for The Hedgeathon this year. Unfortunately, I didn’t complete the challenge this year, but that’s okay, because the books I did read, I ended up really enjoying!
The goal/challenge of this readathon was to complete at least 5 of the challenges. I only completed 2 – better luck next year, I guess? 🙈
Below is the complete list of challenges, and the ones I crossed off are the ones I completed, and which book I read!
Pick a book that is/has…
- A summer romance: A book involving a summer fling of some sort.
2. A blue cover: Inspired by this photo. Your book doesn’t have to be from that photo it just has to have blue on the cover.
I finally read The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey!
3. A new release: A book that came out in 2017.
I read Once and For All by Sarah Dessen, and it did not disappoint!
4. About a road trip- This was on the list last year and it is one of my favorites.
5. That takes place in a school setting: This can be college or high school.
6. Historical fiction: Or historical nonfiction if you prefer.
7. Takes place somewhere other than Earth: Space, a space ship, mars, anywhere other than here.
8. A random book on your shelf: Close your eyes, spin around three times and pick a book.
Unfortunately, I just didn’t read that much, but that’s okay! I still had fun, and I look forward to next year’s Hedgeathon!
Thanks for reading!
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Title: Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson
Pages: 468
Genres: YA, Contemporary
Published by: Simon & Schuster (May 8, 2012)
Summary
Taylor Edwards’ family might not be the closest-knit—everyone is a little too busy and overscheduled—but for the most part, they get along just fine. Then Taylor’s dad gets devastating news, and her parents decide that the family will spend one last summer all together at their old lake house in the Pocono Mountains.
Crammed into a place much smaller and more rustic than they are used to, they begin to get to know each other again. And Taylor discovers that the people she thought she had left behind haven’t actually gone anywhere. Her former best friend is still around, as is her first boyfriend…and he’s much cuter at seventeen than he was at twelve.
As the summer progresses and the Edwards become more of a family, they’re more aware than ever that they’re battling a ticking clock. Sometimes, though, there is just enough time to get a second chance—with family, with friends, and with love.
What I Thought
First of all, oh my goodness! I loved this book!! I decided to read Second Chance Summer, because I, personally, don’t feel like my summer reading is complete without at least one book by Sarah Dessen and/or Morgan Matson. And let me just say, this book delivered!
I really adored all the characters in this novel. One of the things I love the most about Morgan Matson’s books are that they’re never just about the romance. Her characters always delve deeper into friendships and family relationships, and Second Chance Summer was no exception. While I really loved Henry and Taylor’s relationship, the character growth that happened in her own family was my favorite thing about this novel. Aside from a few flashbacks, this book completely takes place during the summer months, and to be able to see these characters learn and grow in such a short time left my heart filled to the brim and aching at the same time.
Obviously, this book is quite heavier that Matson’s other books – I did ugly cry, I’m not even gonna lie. That being said, the whole book is not overly sad. There are just as many joyful parts as there are sad ones. I felt all the emotions while reading this book, and I think that’s why I loved it so much.
Another thing I really loved, is just the overall atmosphere. My family and I have a trailer we go to often in the summer at a campground, which reminded me of Taylor and her family’s lake house. There’s not a whole lot to do, but that’s why people love it; everyone is just a little more relaxed while they’re there, and everyone sort of gets this vacation-y state of mind. In the beginning of summer, anything feels possible, but as the days go by that slowed down feeling of summer settles in, and Second Chance Summer really conveyed those feelings for me.
Overall, Second Chance Summer was a perfect summer read for me. The romance was sweet, the friendships were strong, and the family relationships were real. This book will make you laugh and definitely cry. Second Chance Summer was exactly the book I needed to read when I read it. I would definitely recommend it to fans of contemporaries!
the calico books 