Hopeless, Book 1
So-so sexy teen romance takes on healing from past trauma.
Kids say
Based on 2 reviews
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Hopeless is a romance by popular author Colleen Hoover that it deals with two deaths by suicide and flashbacks/memories of the repeated rapes of a 13-year-old by her 23-year-old brother and a 4-year-old by her father. Recovering memories, confronting the past, and starting to heal from the trauma are major themes. A note in the back provides hotlines and websites for assistance with sexual abuse and suicide prevention. Most violence is in the past and no acts are directly described, but circumstances and emotions are. Blood spatter in the present is mentioned, and scrubbing it off in the shower is described. Sexy stuff includes sensual descriptions of making out, kissing, caressing, and sexual activity described specifically but without mentioning body parts -- rocking against each other, moving together, using condoms, penetration, rhythmic lifting and lowering, and describing orgasm with words like shuddering, release, and moaning. There's some troubling stalker-like behavior early on that's played as romantic. Strong language includes "s--t" and variations, "f--k," and "p--sies." Past violent crimes are blamed by the perpetrator and a victim on alcohol abuse.
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What's the Story?
HOPELESS is the story of 17-year-old Sky, who's been home schooled by her adoptive mother, until this year when Sky finally persuades her mom to let her attend public school. It's about as big a disaster as Sky was afraid it would be, but she's way too stubborn to back out now. The only bright spots are her new best friend, and the class she shares with the really hot guy she had a strange encounter with outside the grocery store. As Sky and hot guy Holder get to know each other, Sky starts remembering parts of her past from before she was adopted. When the shattering truth is finally discovered, neither Sky nor Holder may be able to piece themselves or their relationship back together.
Is It Any Good?
Although it isn't marketed to teens, there's plenty of teen appeal, which romance fans will enjoy, in this sexy romance between two 18-year-old high schoolers. Hopeless also has its share of cliches, stereotypes, and some problematic behavior like stalking and a violent temper that could be a good starting point for talking about these issues.
Intertwining passages in italics of memories as they're slowly uncovered with the rest of the story about first love keep the pages turning. Although the past trauma is hinted at enough that it's not a surprise, there are still a lot of surprises to come as the whole truth is revealed. Best for mature teen fans of romance who can handle the potentially triggering themes of sexual abuse and suicide.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the past sexual abuse in Hopeless. It can be hard to talk about, but do you think this book handles the complicated and painful topic well? Why, or why not?
What about the sexy stuff? Is it too much? How much is OK in books, movies, and other media?
Have you read any other books by this author? If you have, which is your favorite? If you haven't, would you like to now?
Book Details
- Author: Colleen Hoover
- Genre: Romance
- Character Strengths: Courage
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Atria
- Publication date: May 7, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 18 - 18
- Number of pages: 408
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Kindle
- Last updated: December 1, 2022
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