Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
So-so sexy teen romance takes on healing from past trauma.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
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
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