Hopeless

By: Colleen Hoover

Narrated by: Angela Goethals

Length: 12 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

©2012 Colleen Hoover (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Seems Like An X Rated YA Book- Has Promising Start

Sky was not a typical teenage girl. She and her friend snuck boys in their rooms after their mothers would be asleep and they spend time at one another's homes like they were sisters. This in itself is nothing odd when dealing with teen 'BFF' relationships. However, Sky has some pretty strict guidelines she has to follow. She was adopted by her mother who remains single, and never had a serious boyfriend since she adopted Sky at age 4. While her friends go to high school and have computers, televisions, cell phones and internet, Sky's mother doesn't allow any of these modern technologies for her daughter. Not only is Sky homeschooled, but she hasn't been exposed to the media or things like Facebook and Twitter.

When Sky bothers her mother to the point where she wants to spend her senior year in a high school, they decide she may do so. Right away Sky meets Holder, and immediately has a strong attraction to him. This is so odd because Sky spend a lot of time making out with random boys but really never felt attracted to any of them. It was just time to waste and Sky maintained her virginity while basically blowing off boys who wanted relationships with her. When she met Holder, her world was turned upside down.

The problem with Holder is he's weird. He seemed sort of stalker-ish at first and at times, creepy as well. However, the attraction could not be denied and as Sky's relationship with Holder continued to progress. We find out that there is a reason for Holder's strange behaviour as past secrets begin to reveal themselves. Sky's entire identity is shaken to the core as she quickly goes through a journey of self discovery which reveals a horrific part of the life she had been purposely forgetting.

The suspense while Sky met Holder and the very graphic sex scenes made the book very interesting, and until half way through I was hooked. After we find out about Sky's past, the book starts to drag and it becomes very obvious what the conclusion will be. There is far too much time spent on Sky and Holder 'making out' and far too much description of their kisses. The book began to ramble in the last two hours of listening time and I found myself hurrying the reader to a '3' so that I could finish it quicker.

This book is more like a teen book or young adult novel. It's a very simple story with a plot that has some good primary twists and turns, but then the writing as well as the performance becomes boring.

3 stars across the board- good for those who might enjoy young adult with a little spice

22 of 24 people found this review helpful

Another 5 Star Favorite

Would you listen to Hopeless again? Why?

Yes, its a definite book I would listen to many times over. I hope that Audible releases the sequel...

Who was your favorite character and why?

I didn't feel one character was more favorable than the other.

Which scene was your favorite?

I really am not one to give spoilers so lets just say I was completely surprised many a few scenes in this book. This book took me by surprise. I absolutely fell in love with it!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, I went thru a half a box of tissues towards the end. This book has all the winning qualities ....romantic, tragic, passionate, heartfelt!

Any additional comments?

You will not be disappointed if you purchase this book.

32 of 36 people found this review helpful

Amazing

It has been awhile since Ive given a book FIVE stars. I read and listen to so many books that nothing really stands out any more. But this book kept my interest. The charactors and story were amazing. I will be listening to this book again in the future.

18 of 20 people found this review helpful

Emotional roller coaster of love and betrayal.

First of all, as a mother of a teenager, the romance level was difficult to enjoy. I would not tell my 16 year old teenage daughter to read it, but I would tell my daughter to read it when she turns 18.(I know it's just a number, but it's a number that says you are an adult and legally and fully responsible for your actions). It is easy to portray in a book that sex is an emotionally binding act between teenagers, but the truth is that boys are usually not able to respond in a way that supports a teenage young woman. In this story, Holder is amazing; better than any adult male I've ever encountered!
Putting that aside, it was a heart-wrenching story, and very well written. I laughed and I got teary. It actually helped me clarify my own issues with a heart-wrenching teen experience. For that I am truly grateful, because now I can work on letting it go and moving on from that pain and betrayal. It always feels like karma when something like that happens when I read a book. That could not have happened if the writer was not so talented. I've read all of Colleen Hoover's books and have enjoyed them all. I would strongly recommend this book and all her books.
The narrator is very talented and adds depth to the audio-book. There is nothing worse than in inappropriate narrator to ruin a great story. Fortunately Angela Goethals has an appropriate voice and speed for all the characters and timing of the story. I would listen to other books narrated by her in the future. Definitely worth the credit and the time. I could not stop listening to it!

16 of 18 people found this review helpful

Not a Teen Romance, Excellent story

I downloaded this book thinking I would like it. When I started to listen I almost quit but something kept me listening. I tend to stay away from young adult books and I am not a romance novel person and that is what this book starts out to be. If you stick to it, after a while, maybe a couple of hours, the story changes dramatically. It moves from a light teen love story to an absorbing story. It includes the detail that will make you flinch, cry, throw things, and finally at peace. There is no fairytale ending but it does bring everything together in a very realistic way.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Another BETTER Listen than Read!

Thanks to Angela Goethals powerful narration of Colleen Hoover's Hopeless, I was so happy I decided to listen to this. I did not like the book/digital version nearly as much. The characters that seemed vague and not well developed when I read it took on a real intensity and depth that the book did not convey. This is a hard book to listen insofar as the substance and topic unfolds in a superbly crafted idea. I got somewhat weary of the angst but considering the topic again, it was more than justified. This is not only an excellent coming of age book, it is a reminder that not all teenagers lead charmed lives and that bad things happen to them. Dean Holder will always be one of my fave heroes of a book; Skye was amazing in her own right. It's a worthy listen and I highly recommend. I immediately downloaded Losing Hope thinking that it would pick up where Hopeless left off...I did not read the blurb on it intentionally for fear of being spoiled. I sent it back as it is the same story from Dean's POV...not what I wanted to hear again. So I returned it. That being said, Hopeless is indeed a terrific audio.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Amazing!!

Just WOW!!!!!! What an INTENSE and EMOTIONAL story that captivated me from start to finish!! I absolutely loved Holder - he was wise beyond his years and his undying love for Sky just made my heart melt!! This story was unpredictable and had twists that I never saw coming, and also no crazy OTT drama!! Just PERFECT!!!!!

I thought that Angela Goethals was great at the female parts but she didn't seem to put much effort in the male speaking parts! At times I was confused as to whom was actually speaking. At times she also sounded robotic.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Love Love Loved It

This is such an amazing love story, and I love how Colleen writes. The sexual tension between Sky and Holder is amazing, and the love scenes are very tasteful. The story definitely has a serious side with what Sky has to deal with from her past, but the love story seemed more real and grounded because of it..less like a fairy tale. I am so excited that the story is told from Holder's point of view in "Losing Hope" ... I didn't even know that there were two books until after I finished this one. I can't wait to start the next one because I couldn't get enough of this story.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Tissues!!!

This book came out of left field... It took a turn that I did not see coming OMG it was so good. This is a great love story and worth your money. MOST DEF a relisten.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Depressing

This was by far the most depressing book I've ever listened to/read. The main characters are high school kids who are very messed up. Not a feel good story.

13 of 16 people found this review helpful

sweet sad and unexpected

it brings you a ray of hope! it's unexpected and sweet! very easy to listen! would definitely recommend to anyone that likes this genre!!!

An intensely moving, mature read

I’m so late to the Colleen Hoover party but boy am I making up for lost time. After already devouring two of her other novels, I sunk my teeth into the raw and raunchy Hopeless. I opted for the audiobook for a more immersive experience.


Hopeless juggles hard-to-stomach topics in a consciously sympathetic way; Colleen often skirts around issues such as suicide and abuse to avoid spelling out horrific details. Without personal experience, it’s hard to judge how appropriately these issues have been dealt with, but the right intentions are definitely there.

We are presented with an incredibly flawed and troubled cast, who you can’t help but love. Their feelings are a tangible, palpable thing dragging you in by the gut. Your heart bleeds for them throughout, their bond obvious from the start. There is no denying the unhealthy aspects to Sky and Holder’s relationship - yes, there’s problems, yes it’s messy but it’s REAL.

The ferocious intensity of Hopeless is certainly gripping but sometimes verges on self-indulgent with repetitive phrases, melodrama and exhaustive dialogue. Nevertheless, none of this detracts from the artful narrative structure. Colleen repeatedly blindsides you with jaw-dropping plot twists that both satisfy and shatter your theories. She certainly knows how to tell a story and this one will leave you gasping for air.

An intensely moving, mature read - Hopeless gains 4.5 stars from me.

This is book is sensational

I recommend this book it is so powerful and unpredictable and simply flawless. It is one of the few genuine couples i have read.

Tragic but nice happy ending

This made me sad and happy at the same time but also it was funny made me laugh too ..

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Poor performance.

For a long time i never really had a use for the 'performance' rating but within 30 minuets of listening to this book i completely understand why its there.
The speech was constantly being cut short and you could even hear background noise on accession.
It wouldn't be half as bad if the story line was really well written... but after finishing the book i didn't feel anything other then being slightly relieved i had finished it.

The story was okay, it had an interesting concept but i found waiting for it to get better.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful