Review: Colleen Hoover's "Losing Hope."

@colleenhoover

5 Hearts Review of Colleen Hoover's "Losing Hope."

Amazon.com:   http://amzn.to/16LXm2S
Amazon UK:     http://amzn.to/14oaqeG

Synopsis: 

In the follow-up to Colleen Hoover’s #1 New York Times bestseller Hopeless, the charming and irresistible Dean Holder tells the passionate story that has melted thousands of hearts.

In Hopeless, Sky left no secret unearthed, no feeling unshared, and no memory forgotten, but Holder’s past remained a mystery.

Still haunted by the little girl he let walk away, Holder has spent his entire life searching for her in an attempt to finally rid himself of the crushing guilt he has felt for years. But he could not have anticipated that the moment they reconnect, even greater remorse would overwhelm him…

Sometimes in life, if we wish to move forward, we must first dig deep into our past and make amends. In Losing Hope, bestselling author Colleen Hoover reveals what was going on inside Holder’s head during all those hopeless moments—and whether he can gain the peace he desperately needs.

Review: Surj

Colleen Hoover's "Hopeless" is one of my all time favourite reads with a story line that had me bursting with emotion and a series of twists and turns that literally left me speechless.  I loved the plot, I loved the characters and I even loved the mess it left my heart and nerves in at the end.... a sign of an excellent book don't you think. So when Colleen announced we'd be getting "Hopeless" from Holder's POV, I was literally jumping for joy. I knew Colleen wouldn't have taken this leap had she not thought her fans would love the story so putting every ounce of faith I had in her, I started reading "Losing Hope."

Wow people, you won't be disappointed. "Losing Hope" was just .... god I'm speechless. Yes the outline of the story was the same but Colleen Hoover made sure that we got so much more, in fact there were moments I felt like I was reading a completely different story but in such a good way. There were so many extra scenes, so many new emotions I felt and I loved forming new connections with some of the old characters. 

From the moment I met Holder all them months back, he held a special place in my heart and I felt  the bond grew so much stronger as I progressed through his story. Having read this book, I can honestly say that everything I found out about him in "Hopeless" was literally just the tip of the iceberg; his feelings and emotions ran so much deeper than I could have ever imagined. He was such a strong person and the lengths he went to to protect his family and to protect Sky from the truth really made my heart swell. This was a man who shouldered so much blame, so much guilt and felt pain every single day but still put everyone ahead of himself. 

Because this book was told from Holders POV, I was given a better understanding of his character and why he behaved the way he did and at times this truly left me broken for him.

What are the chances that the only two girls in my life I've loved... I've lost? 

It's killing me piece by piece every single day. 

I don't want to forget that my inability to protect either of you is why I'm the only one of us left. 

The extra scenes that were in his story really helped to bridge some of the gaps from "Hopeless." A prime example is why he ran when he saw sky wearing the bracelet. Where did he go? Why did he keep his distance and what made him crawl back into her bed weeks later. It was scenes like this that really helped me to put all the missing parts of the puzzle together. We also got to see the real reason behind that tattoo. Yes it was their names but it was so much more than that.

The letters Holder wrote to Les left me sobbing at times but they were written from the heart and they were written with complete honesty. He had no one to turn to, no one to speak to and so he put pen to paper:

I'm just putting all the shit I'm living through down on paper for no other reason than the fact that there isn't a single goddamned person in the world right now that I can talk to. 

These letters were like conversations and whether it was anger, love, happiness or guilt he was feeling, it all spilled out. The last few letters in the book gave my heart that extra squeeze it needed pushing me over that emotional edge so please have a box of tissues ready. 

I loved revisiting some of the scenes from "Hopeless" especially the ones that had sent my heart all fluttery. I loved the baking scenes, the text messages, dinner quest, all the firsts and most definitely the "I live you" Parts. Yes they were the same scenes but they were so different at the same time. Seeing things through his eyes really showed me how much he loved this girl and that he'd do anything for her, even keep the truth knowing the hurt it would cause:

If I could trade lives with her I would do it in a heartbeat, just so she’d 

never have to feel what it is she’s feeling right now.

We also got to see how Breckin and Holder formed their unlikely friendship and we saw more of Daniel too who was just hilarious. How did he come up with those nicknames for people, I mean cheese tits, flipdick, mangina... Really? Lol

Although I already knew the outcome of Holder, Hope and Les's story, it still got to me and I was still a blubbering mess at the end. How do you keep doing that to me colleen??? This book was a masterpiece and I truly believe you'll love it if you pick it up but please do read "Hopeless" first because I'm not sure all parts of the puzzle would fit so well if you didn't. 

I'm so glad holder finally found the peace he had desperately needed since the moment Hope was taken and I'm so glad he never gave up hope. Read it. You won't regret it!!!!

I kiss her and silently thank her for helping me breathe again. 

I rated this book an emotional 5 Hearts and well deserved too. 

Review for Hopeless:    http://bit.ly/13jjpRt