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Hopeless #2
Losing Hope
ŷ Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Romance (2013)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.
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.
321 pages, ebook
First published July 8, 2013
13.9k people are currently reading
208k people want to read
About the author
Colleen Hoover
101books750kfollowersInternational and #1 New York Times bestselling author of romance, YA, thriller, women's fiction and paranormal romance.
I don't like to be confined to one genre. If you put me in a box, I'll claw my way out.
My social media username is @colleenhoover pretty much everywhere except my email, which is [email protected]
Founder of charity and Book Bonanza.
I don't like to be confined to one genre. If you put me in a box, I'll claw my way out.
My social media username is @colleenhoover pretty much everywhere except my email, which is [email protected]
Founder of charity and Book Bonanza.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 15,485 reviews
July 28, 2013
Holy hell. HOLY. HELL.
I can't stop living, breathing and feeling this story. Losing Hope was just absolute, beautiful perfection.
I thought I already loved Dean with all my heart, but now I love him more. So. Much. More. I now understand every part of him. Everything he experienced, I went through it with him. The bracelet... finding the letter... needing space... needing her. Finding her. Wow.
I felt this book with every single part of my heart and soul. I swear, it owns a piece of me now.
It. Was. Perfect.
So much of Losing Hope is new. It's not just an alternate perspective, it's actually a whole different part of the story entirely. But if you piece it together with Hopeless, you just get EVERYTHING.
Losing Hope took me through all the same emotions of Hopeless but they were magnified because every single thing that happened now carried the weight of the emotion you already knew from Hopeless PLUS the new emotions created by all the new things we learned in Losing Hope about Holder.
This is Holder's story. You need to understand just how much I mean those words. This is HIS story. This isn't just Hopeless from Holder's POV, this is his story during Hopeless, his story before Hopeless, and his story apart from Hopeless.
We see a lot of his past - it's heart breaking and devastating but we live it with him. I went through everything with him. I felt his anger, his loss, his fears. When he fucked up, I cringed. When he was happy, my heart overflowed.
You know, it's funny 'cuz you think you know a character. I mean, after reading the whole of Hopeless, I really felt like I knew him. But now I'm just realizing that there was so much more going on. And I loved that it didn't change him, just... I guess connected me with him more.
There were times when I had to just stop and read a single sentence over and over again because it was so beautifully written. There were scenes that gave me full body chills - from head to toe. There were moments where I just closed my eyes and sat there sobbing, letting the emotions sink in.
I read Losing Hope as slowly as I could because I just didn't want it to ever end. I was WITH the characters every single step of the way. Totally connected. Totally involved. Totally absorbed in every aspect of the story.
I didn't just read this book, I lived it.
I have to say that in all honesty, even though I knew all the twists from reading Hopeless, each one of them hit me as though it was the first time in Losing Hope. Probably because it wasn't as though I was just re-reading them, I was actually re-experiencing them through Holder's eyes. And I loved that there were new twists too - things that were going on with just him personally that took me by surprise in the most wonderful way.
While so much of this book is just completely new, even the scenes that are the same as in Hopeless feel SO special when you read them because a) they are just awesome scenes to relive period, and b) the slightly different angle on them gives them just enough of a twist to make you fall in love with them all over again.
Colleen Hoover's talent for writing vivid and effortlessly beautiful stories is astounding. The level of emotions conveyed in each chapter just took my breath away over and over again. She has a gift for bringing everything to life with her words and can write even the simplest scene in such a way that the words just sink right into your heart.
Pain. Devastation. Love. Loss. Hope. Losing Hope. Finding Hope. Closure. This book has it all.
When I was finished reading I just sat there hugging my book, letting the emotions sink it, letting the tears flow, and letting myself just FEEL.
This is a must-read for every fan of Hopeless. It truly completes that story.
I can't wait for the world to really meet Dean Holder �
6 stars - A must read of 2013!
Release date: July 9, 2013
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
� FAVORITE QUOTES �
“What are the chances that the only two girls in my life I’ve ever loved� I’ve lost? It’s killing me piece by piece every single day.�
“Thirteen years. I’ve been looking for her for thirteen years� I’m not sure that I’m ready for her to remember me yet.�
“It’s causing my hands to shake and my heart to pound and my chest to ache because all I want to do is wrap my arms around her and hold her and thank God we finally found each other again.�
“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.�
“I’m scared if I kiss her too soon, it’ll feel like every other kiss she’s ever received. She’ll feel nothing. I don’t want her to feel nothing when I kiss her. I want her to feel everything.�
“I let everything I’m seeing sink in because this is what I want to remember the most. I want to remember exactly what she looks like the second she hands over a piece of her heart.�
“Fuck all the firsts, Sky. The only thing that matter to me with you are the forevers.�
I'll admit, this is kinda how I'm feeling right now:
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December 4, 2013
No one writes male P.O.V's like Colleen Hoover. No one. Losing Hope was utterly heartbreaking, compelling, and beautiful. And...I somehow managed to fall even harder for Holder than I already had in Hopeless.
Stunning.
Stunning.
Stunning.
Stunning.
Stunning.
Stunning.
July 8, 2013
It is really hard for me to review this book since it's one of my favorite books ever.Hopeless and losing hope show us the same events but from differents POVs.In this book we have Holder's POV and I was kind of expecting it to be like the first book but NO.Even though the events are almost the same his book is different and I dont think you will get the feeling of reading the same book.At least that's how I felt.I fell in love again with him and Sky.There were those parts where I knew exactly what will happen and yet I cried a river and for this reason I love the author.LOL dont worry I'm not a masochist but the fact that I got the same feelings like I was reading it for the first time means a lot.
Holder
It's been years now but every time I look up at the sky I think about her.
Sky
She's the one that will give him hope everyday.
Holder's life was never easy.For years he had been accusing himself for Hope's missing but it wasn’t his fault.He was a protective brother and he loved a lot his sister.He always knew that something was off with her as she was spending nights crying in his arms but he did his best to be there and strong for her.However she managed to break him with a selfish decision that she took.She left him alone and hopeless.
A few months after his sister loss he decides to return back to his previous life but he never thought that a trip to the grocery's store would change his life.
My heart stops.
Time stops.
The whole world stops.
I recognize those eyes.
Those are Hope's eyes.
He is not sure if she is his friend but he has to know her, be with her.As it seems they have many things in common and these two are simply the best book couple ever!I laughed a lot with their sarcasm but mostly I loved being in his head.Ughh I remember reading somewhere that he is just a horny teen. Well yeah what do you expect?He's a guy and of course his only purpose was to tease her to hell and have naughty thoughts.I'm glad that Holder is not the perfect guy who would do this skinny love thing.He is outspoken and arrogant.
Life for these two is full of surprises.If you have read the first book you know what I mean.It hurts him so much that she cant remember him and it's actually devastating reading how he feels .I wanted to hug him so much *sigh*.
I cant protect her from all the memories that are flooding her mind (...)
And then we have the breaking down point.God I felt like I had never read this before , like I didnt know what was coming.I was literary hanging from the words.
I cry for her.I cry for Les.I cry for myself.
These scenes brought to me so many tears.We dont get all the details from Sky's POV and I was so surprised with a few revelations.
Ok,I know it has nothing to do with the review but I feel like writing a letter to Les and to every Les that might read it :)
Dear Les ,
I know it was hard for you.It broke you to pieces and I'm really sad about it. I'm sure you dont want anyone’s pity so no pities are given.You had been through to so many difficult situations and yet you managed to stay on your feet.You seemed happy.You were smiling .You seemed content but we have now conluded to the fact that you were the best actress. I'm not accusing you for lying, I'd never do that. You were only pretending because you actually cared about the people you loved. You were always the best for this. Unfortunately we are humans and we have boundaries. You were strong enough for so many years but you met your crux point.You couldnt take it anymore and many will blame you for being a coward.On the other hand there is also a handful of people who will think that you were brave to take a decision like this.Sadly,I dont think I belong to either of these groups. You have to know that we admire you for being strong but decisions shouldn’t be shellfish and yours was.Dont take me wrong!I know you fought a lot but you actually left behind you debris and destroyed people.So you that you can relate with Les's story take care and think wisely before you act because there might be someone who really cares about you.
Be save ,
Kristina
A heartwarming series that had its ups and downs came to the end.I will never forget these characters and I'm really glad I met them. these kind of book should be read by everyone because these are stories of life and love.
She's my saving grace.
My Hope,
And I'm never walking away from her.
I honestly thought I'd always be hopeless but I find hope every single day .
Arc courtesy of Atria books via NetGallery in exchange of an honest review.
January 28, 2025
5 Stars
Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better than Hopeless, Colleen Hoover proves me wrong! I loved that Losing Hope wasn’t just Hopeless from Holder’s pov... it was so much more. Dean Holder is just perfection. You get his story from before Hopeless, and during, and those letters. Those letters destroyed me in the very best way. This book was just amazing. Every book I read by this author gets better and better. I don’t know how she does it, I’m just glad that she does!
I always have trouble reviewing books like this. If you’ve read Hopeless, then you already know the bulk of the story. If you haven’t read it- you need too asap. It was one of my top reads last year! I’ll give a quick recap... Dean Holder is back after spending a year away at his dad’s. He lost his sister Les, and he’s trying to deal with that. Les and his childhood best friend, Hope were the only two girls he’s ever loved. Both are gone. Les is gone permanently, and Hope... well, he doesn’t know.
Everything changes when he see’s her. This girl reminds him so much of Hope, its really uncanny. Her name is Sky. There is just something about Sky, he has to know her. OMG one of my favorite things about this book was getting some of the scenes from Holder’s pov... the first almost kiss- wow!
Holder made me swoon and fall in love with him all over again. The more he gets to know Sky, the more he starts to suspect she could be Hope. He’s not sure if he wants her to be. He just wants her to be happy. He just wants her. He is falling for her.
And finding out the truth from Holder’s pov, watching all the pieces fall into place... even though I knew what was coming, I was captivated.
Perfection.
�
Getting this arc, and getting to read this now was like Christmas came early for me. It did not disappoint. Not at all. Anything that was a little unclear during Hopeless got clarified. Holder and Sky are an amazing couple and this story is so well written and so freaking beautiful! Colleen Hoover is seriously talented. She has a way to tell a story like no other. I get sucked into her books- I can’t get enough. And the letters...Those letters were so emotional, they were the best part for me. This book was a work of art, perfection. I am so excited for everyone to read it! Just amazing!
I can honestly say I’ve found the only other person in this world who understands my guilt. The only other person who understands my pain. The only person who accepts that it’s who I am. I used to think the best part of me died with Les, but the best part of me is standing right here in front of me.
**ARC provided by Atria Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better than Hopeless, Colleen Hoover proves me wrong! I loved that Losing Hope wasn’t just Hopeless from Holder’s pov... it was so much more. Dean Holder is just perfection. You get his story from before Hopeless, and during, and those letters. Those letters destroyed me in the very best way. This book was just amazing. Every book I read by this author gets better and better. I don’t know how she does it, I’m just glad that she does!
I always have trouble reviewing books like this. If you’ve read Hopeless, then you already know the bulk of the story. If you haven’t read it- you need too asap. It was one of my top reads last year! I’ll give a quick recap... Dean Holder is back after spending a year away at his dad’s. He lost his sister Les, and he’s trying to deal with that. Les and his childhood best friend, Hope were the only two girls he’s ever loved. Both are gone. Les is gone permanently, and Hope... well, he doesn’t know.
What are the chances that the only two girls in my life I’ve ever loved... I’ve lost? It’s killing me piece by piece every single day.
Everything changes when he see’s her. This girl reminds him so much of Hope, its really uncanny. Her name is Sky. There is just something about Sky, he has to know her. OMG one of my favorite things about this book was getting some of the scenes from Holder’s pov... the first almost kiss- wow!
“I’m scared if I kiss her too soon, it’ll feel like every other kiss she’s ever received. She’ll feel nothing. I don’t want her to feel nothing when I kiss her. I want her to feel everything.�
‘Fuck all the firsts, Sky. The only thing that matters to me with you are the forevers.�
Holder made me swoon and fall in love with him all over again. The more he gets to know Sky, the more he starts to suspect she could be Hope. He’s not sure if he wants her to be. He just wants her to be happy. He just wants her. He is falling for her.
I’m pretty sure its too soon to love her, but shit. She’s got to stop doing and saying these things that make me want to fast forward whatever’s going on between us.
I’m not falling in love with her piece by piece anymore. I’m falling for the whole girl. Every single piece of her.
And finding out the truth from Holder’s pov, watching all the pieces fall into place... even though I knew what was coming, I was captivated.
Perfection.
�
Getting this arc, and getting to read this now was like Christmas came early for me. It did not disappoint. Not at all. Anything that was a little unclear during Hopeless got clarified. Holder and Sky are an amazing couple and this story is so well written and so freaking beautiful! Colleen Hoover is seriously talented. She has a way to tell a story like no other. I get sucked into her books- I can’t get enough. And the letters...Those letters were so emotional, they were the best part for me. This book was a work of art, perfection. I am so excited for everyone to read it! Just amazing!
I can honestly say I’ve found the only other person in this world who understands my guilt. The only other person who understands my pain. The only person who accepts that it’s who I am. I used to think the best part of me died with Les, but the best part of me is standing right here in front of me.
**ARC provided by Atria Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
May 27, 2016
DNF at 25%
� First book: Hopeless ★★★☆�
I can't go any further through this book! *lost interest*
It's the same as "Hopeless" but from Holder's POV this time.
So, I see there's no point in completing a book I already know what happens in it.
� First book: Hopeless ★★★☆�
I can't go any further through this book! *lost interest*
It's the same as "Hopeless" but from Holder's POV this time.
So, I see there's no point in completing a book I already know what happens in it.
July 16, 2013
� 5 BRILLIANT, EMOTIONAL, HEARTBREAKING, BEAUTIFUL STARS. �
Colleen Hoover has done it again!
Colleen Hoover can do no wrong in my book. I've read and loved each and every single one of her books and they were all brilliant, and Losing Hope was no exception. Hopeless was one of my favorite books of 2012 and reading the story again from Holder's POV made me exactly remember why.
***Review contains spoilers for those who haven't read Hopeless yet***
In Hopeless Sky told her side of the story, but this time, in Losing Hope we get Holder's sode of the emotional journey...
Holder hasn't had an easy year, to say the least. After his twin sister commited suicide, his whole life has spiraled out of control and he hasn't been truly happy ever since. He feels guilty about what happened with his sister and decide to leave the they lived in with their mother and his moves back in with his dad. After having lived with his father for a year, he returns back home only to be confronted with the last person he could have ever expected. The person, he'd been looking for for the past thirteen years...
"Time stops.
My heart stops.
The whole world stops.
My quick glance turns into a full-on, unintentional stare.
I recognize those eyes.
Those are Hope's eyes."
When Holder meets Sky, he immediately recognizes the young girl who used to be his best friend Hope, but who disappeared thirteen years ago and who's been missing ever since.
Holder soon befriends Sky and starts to spend more time with her, but Sky herself doesn't seem to have any idea who Holder is. She doesn't remember anything from what happened before she was taken away from her home and family when she was just five years old. The more time they spend together, the more Holder starts to fall in love with the girl Sky is now and the more he wishes that she wouldn't be Hope so that their present won't be affected by the events that happened in the past.
"I've loved Hope since we were kids.
But tonight?
Tonight I fell in love with Sky."
What follows is an emotional journey in which Holder has to decide whether Sky should know the truth about what happend all those years ago or if she's better off without those memories of the past. And if she does find out the truth, how I'll it effect her relationship with Holder? In Losing Hope we find out how Holder struggles with knowing the truth but being unable to confide in anyone about it. It's not an easy journey, but we all know that eventually they do get their much deserved happy ending.
Holder and Sky's story is filled with heartbreaking moments and reading their story from Holder's POV didn't make it any less emotional. In fact, Holder's side of the story made me even shed more tears than the Sky's story and a huge reason for that were the letters added thoughout the story. Aal of them but one were written by Holder to his sister Les, but the one that tripped me the most was .
There are so many more wonderful and memorable quotes I highlighted throughout the story and that I could include in my review, but I feel like you should really read it for yourself in order to grasp the true message behind this story and it's powerful words. It's a story about losing hope, being hopeless, but being able to find hope once again in the arms of love...
Colleen Hoover has done it again!
Colleen Hoover can do no wrong in my book. I've read and loved each and every single one of her books and they were all brilliant, and Losing Hope was no exception. Hopeless was one of my favorite books of 2012 and reading the story again from Holder's POV made me exactly remember why.
***Review contains spoilers for those who haven't read Hopeless yet***
In Hopeless Sky told her side of the story, but this time, in Losing Hope we get Holder's sode of the emotional journey...
Holder hasn't had an easy year, to say the least. After his twin sister commited suicide, his whole life has spiraled out of control and he hasn't been truly happy ever since. He feels guilty about what happened with his sister and decide to leave the they lived in with their mother and his moves back in with his dad. After having lived with his father for a year, he returns back home only to be confronted with the last person he could have ever expected. The person, he'd been looking for for the past thirteen years...
"Time stops.
My heart stops.
The whole world stops.
My quick glance turns into a full-on, unintentional stare.
I recognize those eyes.
Those are Hope's eyes."
When Holder meets Sky, he immediately recognizes the young girl who used to be his best friend Hope, but who disappeared thirteen years ago and who's been missing ever since.
Holder soon befriends Sky and starts to spend more time with her, but Sky herself doesn't seem to have any idea who Holder is. She doesn't remember anything from what happened before she was taken away from her home and family when she was just five years old. The more time they spend together, the more Holder starts to fall in love with the girl Sky is now and the more he wishes that she wouldn't be Hope so that their present won't be affected by the events that happened in the past.
"I've loved Hope since we were kids.
But tonight?
Tonight I fell in love with Sky."
What follows is an emotional journey in which Holder has to decide whether Sky should know the truth about what happend all those years ago or if she's better off without those memories of the past. And if she does find out the truth, how I'll it effect her relationship with Holder? In Losing Hope we find out how Holder struggles with knowing the truth but being unable to confide in anyone about it. It's not an easy journey, but we all know that eventually they do get their much deserved happy ending.
"I was in love with the way you loved me. When you wrapped your arms around me and held me, I knew that no matter what happened with my life you were my home."
Holder and Sky's story is filled with heartbreaking moments and reading their story from Holder's POV didn't make it any less emotional. In fact, Holder's side of the story made me even shed more tears than the Sky's story and a huge reason for that were the letters added thoughout the story. Aal of them but one were written by Holder to his sister Les, but the one that tripped me the most was .
There are so many more wonderful and memorable quotes I highlighted throughout the story and that I could include in my review, but I feel like you should really read it for yourself in order to grasp the true message behind this story and it's powerful words. It's a story about losing hope, being hopeless, but being able to find hope once again in the arms of love...
If you've read and loved Hopeless as much as I did, you will not be disappointed by this wonderful re-telling of the story! And if you haven't read this series yet, READ IT! And I promise you won't be disappointed either...
**ARC courtesy of Atria Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
July 13, 2013
**Warning: Spoilers for those who haven't read the first one**
Absolutely breathtaking.
A story about love.
Loss.
Pain.
And forgiveness.
Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, Colleen Hoover comes and just knocks it out of the park!
Dean Holder
Linden Sky Davis
Holder still hasn’t forgiven himself from walking away from Hope thirteen years ago. And with Les� death, he isn’t the same person her used to be.
And then he sees her.
And gets to know her.
And falls in love with her.
There are two sides to every story.
And this is Holder’s.
Honestly, I knew I was going to like Losing Hope, but I was afraid that it was going to be a lot like Hopeless, and therefore, a little boring. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Yes, some parts were the same but it was also different looking at it from Holder’s POV.
The writing was phenomenal. The author pulls you in and I was experiencing everything with them like I was right there. I didn't want to put it down for a second. I was hooked. Like, wrap my iPad in ziploc bag and read while I shower, hooked.
Seeing everything through Holder’s eyes, while sometimes cute and hilarious, was heartbreaking. There was so much guilt and pain. I really felt for him in this book, even more than I did in the first one.
His guilt and pain over what happened to Les had me tearing up a few times. I don’t even know how to explain how much I felt, for him and for Les. It’s something you definitely need to experience on your own.
And the weight of walking away from Hope� was devastating.
In Losing Hope, I really began to understand Holder. There were a few times in book one where I would question him but now I really know what went on and how precious Sky was to him.
Their relationship was even more beautiful reading it from Holder’s POV. With everything they have been through, they deserved each other.
If anything would make me believe in soulmates, it would be Holder and Sky.
The series is an absolute must read. You'll fall in love with the characters, the writing, and the story.
Just stunning.
**ARC courtesy of Atria Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
Absolutely breathtaking.
A story about love.
Loss.
Pain.
And forgiveness.
Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, Colleen Hoover comes and just knocks it out of the park!
Dean Holder
Linden Sky Davis
Holder still hasn’t forgiven himself from walking away from Hope thirteen years ago. And with Les� death, he isn’t the same person her used to be.
And then he sees her.
And gets to know her.
And falls in love with her.
There are two sides to every story.
And this is Holder’s.
My heart stops.
Time stops.
The whole world stops.
I recognize those eyes.
Those are Hope’s eyes.
Honestly, I knew I was going to like Losing Hope, but I was afraid that it was going to be a lot like Hopeless, and therefore, a little boring. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Yes, some parts were the same but it was also different looking at it from Holder’s POV.
The writing was phenomenal. The author pulls you in and I was experiencing everything with them like I was right there. I didn't want to put it down for a second. I was hooked. Like, wrap my iPad in ziploc bag and read while I shower, hooked.
Seeing everything through Holder’s eyes, while sometimes cute and hilarious, was heartbreaking. There was so much guilt and pain. I really felt for him in this book, even more than I did in the first one.
His guilt and pain over what happened to Les had me tearing up a few times. I don’t even know how to explain how much I felt, for him and for Les. It’s something you definitely need to experience on your own.
You knew I would be the one to find you and the fact that you knew that and you still killed yourself?
I hated that you did it anyway, knowing you wouldn’t be the only one who died. I was so mad because you let me die, too.
And the weight of walking away from Hope� was devastating.
What are the chances that the only two girls in my life I’ve ever loved� I’ve lost?
In Losing Hope, I really began to understand Holder. There were a few times in book one where I would question him but now I really know what went on and how precious Sky was to him.
Their relationship was even more beautiful reading it from Holder’s POV. With everything they have been through, they deserved each other.
If anything would make me believe in soulmates, it would be Holder and Sky.
“You know how I feel about you,� I whisper, staring into her eyes. “You know how much I love you. You know I would do whatever I could to take away your pain, right?
She nods, never pulling her gaze from mine, even for a second.
“I need that from you so fucking bad right now, Sky. I need to know you love me like that.�
The series is an absolute must read. You'll fall in love with the characters, the writing, and the story.
Just stunning.
**ARC courtesy of Atria Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
June 24, 2016
Well it wasn't the worst thing I read but it was not the best. I am not a fan of the "same book, different person perspective" ordeal. This just didn't feel necessary but okay
July 11, 2014
”I love you, Holder. So much,� she says firmly. “And just so you know…so did Hope.�
This story had me thinking from the first chapter what a fan-freaking-tastic read Hopeless would have be if it would have been written in alternating povs!
Seriously, I really enjoyed Hopeless but with the knowledge of Dean Holder’s past, inner most thoughts, his sister Leslie and that ending, the completed story was…perfection.
If you had read my review for Hopeless then you’ll get my comparison of the story to a puzzle that came without a box. I thought that it was “complete� by the end of the book but I was wrong.
Not until you read Losing Hope can a reader sit back and fully absorb the beauty of the full puzzle.
Once again, a reader could highlight a majority of the book seeing as Colleen Hoover is a brilliant weaver of words. Don't hate me, but I gave up on two popular books that came out with alternate pov of the same stories. That being said, this is definitely worth the read and I have no regrets.
Dean Holder’s pov added several intricate and relevant scenes to story and I can’t think of anything that she could have done more with this book. Even though there are scenes that were the same in this book and the outcome is the same there are additions to even the ending that complete the overall picture.
Dean’s losses, his frustrations, his grief, his struggle with wanting her to be Hope as well as the fear that she could be Hope�
“How can she not remember? How anyone not remember being stolen from her own home? From her best friend?
How can she not remember me?�
Dean falling into live and then love was just swoon worthy...
”I can’t even explain to you how perfect this girl is. And when I say perfect, I mean imperfect, because there’s just so much wrong with her. But everything wrong with her is everything that draws me in and makes her perfect.�
“I’m scared if I kiss her too soon, it’ll feel like every other kiss she’s ever received. She’ll feel nothing. I don’t want her to feel nothing when I kiss her. I want her to feel everything.�
Overall, job well done Colleen Hoover, you are truly a gifted writer. Readers will love Dean's pov and live and love him even more if possible!
**ARC courtesy of Atria Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
This story had me thinking from the first chapter what a fan-freaking-tastic read Hopeless would have be if it would have been written in alternating povs!
Seriously, I really enjoyed Hopeless but with the knowledge of Dean Holder’s past, inner most thoughts, his sister Leslie and that ending, the completed story was…perfection.
If you had read my review for Hopeless then you’ll get my comparison of the story to a puzzle that came without a box. I thought that it was “complete� by the end of the book but I was wrong.
Not until you read Losing Hope can a reader sit back and fully absorb the beauty of the full puzzle.
Once again, a reader could highlight a majority of the book seeing as Colleen Hoover is a brilliant weaver of words. Don't hate me, but I gave up on two popular books that came out with alternate pov of the same stories. That being said, this is definitely worth the read and I have no regrets.
Dean Holder’s pov added several intricate and relevant scenes to story and I can’t think of anything that she could have done more with this book. Even though there are scenes that were the same in this book and the outcome is the same there are additions to even the ending that complete the overall picture.
Dean’s losses, his frustrations, his grief, his struggle with wanting her to be Hope as well as the fear that she could be Hope�
“How can she not remember? How anyone not remember being stolen from her own home? From her best friend?
How can she not remember me?�
Dean falling into live and then love was just swoon worthy...
”I can’t even explain to you how perfect this girl is. And when I say perfect, I mean imperfect, because there’s just so much wrong with her. But everything wrong with her is everything that draws me in and makes her perfect.�
“I’m scared if I kiss her too soon, it’ll feel like every other kiss she’s ever received. She’ll feel nothing. I don’t want her to feel nothing when I kiss her. I want her to feel everything.�
Overall, job well done Colleen Hoover, you are truly a gifted writer. Readers will love Dean's pov and live and love him even more if possible!
**ARC courtesy of Atria Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
September 1, 2016
3.75 stars
“I've loved Hope since we were kids. But tonight? Tonight I fell in love with Sky.�
Losing Hope was a book I told myself at the beginning of 2015 that I would read this year. I just didn't realize I'd wait until the year was finally over to read it. But New Year's Resolution partially accomplished! Got a few more books to read to do so.
It's been a while since I read Hopeless, and that went in my favor when reading this book. Because it had been almost 2 years since reading the first book, reading from Holder's point of view was a fresh perspective and didn't feel like a reread of a book I already read.
“All those nights you held me and just let me cry . . . you have no idea how many times you’ve already saved me.�
My favorite part was Holder's letters he wrote, they were an easy way to show what he was thinking without it being entirely inner monologue. I also got to see Hope/Sky through new eyes and view Holder's struggles with his decisions.
In a way I am sad and glad I waited so long to read this book. Sad because it's really good but glad for reasons stated above, it was like reading something new. I recommend this book to all Colleen Hoover and Hopeless fans, it's a real treat for those who love her books.
"I’ve learned over the past year what it really means to be able to miss someone. In order to miss someone, that means you were privileged enough to have them in your life to begin with.�
“I've loved Hope since we were kids. But tonight? Tonight I fell in love with Sky.�
Losing Hope was a book I told myself at the beginning of 2015 that I would read this year. I just didn't realize I'd wait until the year was finally over to read it. But New Year's Resolution partially accomplished! Got a few more books to read to do so.
It's been a while since I read Hopeless, and that went in my favor when reading this book. Because it had been almost 2 years since reading the first book, reading from Holder's point of view was a fresh perspective and didn't feel like a reread of a book I already read.
“All those nights you held me and just let me cry . . . you have no idea how many times you’ve already saved me.�
My favorite part was Holder's letters he wrote, they were an easy way to show what he was thinking without it being entirely inner monologue. I also got to see Hope/Sky through new eyes and view Holder's struggles with his decisions.
In a way I am sad and glad I waited so long to read this book. Sad because it's really good but glad for reasons stated above, it was like reading something new. I recommend this book to all Colleen Hoover and Hopeless fans, it's a real treat for those who love her books.
"I’ve learned over the past year what it really means to be able to miss someone. In order to miss someone, that means you were privileged enough to have them in your life to begin with.�
February 1, 2020
4 Stars
“Swoonworthy, Heartbreaking and Lovely�
“Losing Hope� is the story of “Hopeless� by Colleen Hoover told from Dean Holder’s perspective.. and yet it is oh so much more. I said earlier (in my review of “Hopeless�) Holder is swoonworthy did I not? Romantic, kind and considerate - he’s the most incredible brother, boyfriend and friend. If this guy was the real deal well, I’d hunt him down already! Baawaahh!!! (Of course I don’t mean it.. I’m more than twice his age but one can pretend.. lol.)
Anyhow, this novel, should not be missed!! If you loved “Hopeless� - this truly rounds out Holder’s story and just makes you love him more so please check it out.
Published on ŷ on 2.1.20.
“Swoonworthy, Heartbreaking and Lovely�
“Losing Hope� is the story of “Hopeless� by Colleen Hoover told from Dean Holder’s perspective.. and yet it is oh so much more. I said earlier (in my review of “Hopeless�) Holder is swoonworthy did I not? Romantic, kind and considerate - he’s the most incredible brother, boyfriend and friend. If this guy was the real deal well, I’d hunt him down already! Baawaahh!!! (Of course I don’t mean it.. I’m more than twice his age but one can pretend.. lol.)
Anyhow, this novel, should not be missed!! If you loved “Hopeless� - this truly rounds out Holder’s story and just makes you love him more so please check it out.
Published on ŷ on 2.1.20.
July 8, 2013
5 in the SKY Stars
For more reviews, visit .
I must warn you, there will be A LOT of hand holding pictures, I just COULD.NOT.HELP.MYSELF!!!
What can I say� I absolutely loved Hopeless and is probably if not my favorite read of all time.
Damn Colleen Hoover, YOU.CAN.WRITE
Losing Hope is Hopeless from Holder’s POV. Remember the part where Sky and Holder didn’t talk to each other for one month, oh.my.gah�. it was killing me� I wanted to know what Holder was doing, what he was up to, what he was thinking, who he was seeing and YES, Yes, and YES I got it! Thank you!!!
I am mad at you Holder� But no matter how mad I’ve been, I never for one second stopped wanting you here with me
If you kind of liked Holder from Hopeless then you basically want to pin him to the bed and face rape him when you finish Losing Hope
I LOVED HOLDER from Hopeless, but by GOD having Holder’s POV is like drinking a glass of wine� no matter how much you consume� you just want more and get drunk on it
And� so did Jacqueline (just saying)
Do not even get me started on the first non-kiss. Oh lord, who knew dry humping and NOT kissing was so freaking hot! I just LOVE IT! I’ll say it again, I LOVE Colleen Hoover’s writing. I want to go into my kitchen right now and force husband to make me dinner, just so I can make-out with him or have him grope me.
What made Hopeless such a great read was all the dynamics that went on, like Sky unraveling her past and Holder making Sky whole again. Now, what makes Losing Hope such a great read was seeing the inner struggles Holder was dealing with and how he overcame them. I didn’t think he was so abrasive in Hopeless, but damn, when he fights, it’s SEXY!
Oh and the things that come out of his mouth�
You can hold my hand, you can run your fingers through my hair, you can straddle me while I feed you spaghetti, but you are not getting kissed tonight.
F&ck all the firsts, Sky. The only thing that matters to me with you are the forevers
Sheesh� FAINT right here
One last thing, I think Hopeless/Losing Hope had one of the most moving, intense and yes BEST sex scene. It wasn’t just steamy, it was just such a vital and pivotal point in the read and I am so glad it was written the way it was written. To this day, I compare that scene to other scenes in my current reads and there is just no comparison.
This isn’t me saying yes, Holder. This is me saying yes
You were always there, you know. Even when I couldn’t remember� you were always there
Despite the first tiny part was a little slow for me, the rest definitely made up for it. If you had any questions about Les and Holder’s relationship, Losing Hope answers that.
5 STARS!!!
**Quotes are from Hopeless
I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review through Atria via NetGalley
For more reviews, visit
July 11, 2013
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
Thank you Colleen Hoover for writing this amazing novel in Holder’s POV.
You are an amazing author and I loved every minute of it!
Thank you thank you thank you!
June 30, 2013
**If you haven't read book 1, please, stop reading right now. I don't wanna spoil this amazing story for you :) **
**ARC courtesy of Atria Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
I'll be lying if I said this book wasn't the one I was most looking forward to reading this year. It was. And I'm so grateful I got to read this ARC before it was released because I'm sure the wait would have been absolute torture. My expectations were high, and well, this is Colleen Hoover we are talking about, so I wasn't the least worried.
Using and adapting some of those perfect words by the author:
Those of you who have read Hopeless you pretty much know what the story is about and well, why read this book then if all the mistery has been revealed? Let me tell you that there is SO much more to know. This boy/man can still surprise us and melt our hearts. Reading this story again from Holder's POV is a gift and being inside his head is a privilege.
The book starts right before Les, Holder's twin sister, makes a decision that will shatter Holder and his family's life, again. He is the boy who lost Hope and he could never recover himself from that, and now, he is completely broken.
Fortunately he meets Sky and discovers that after all, he might not be completely hopeless. She might be the one to put him back together in so many different ways, because she was his past and she now could become his future.
You all know what comes after that, cute but absolutey hot moments, also completely heartbreaking, that keep you hooked until the very end. And being able to get to know what's in Holder's head in those moments, believe me, it's PRICELESS.
It's painful to read all that guilt and pain from Holder's POV, but it's also so powerful how little by little he starts to heal, the incredible way he expresses his feelings by writing to his sister. It's so totally worth it. It's incredible how a man, a monster, can make so much harm and at the same time create as a consequence such a beautiful and perfect story of two people who are meant to be together, even if for a while, they were forced to be apart.
Once again, this story broke my heart and put it back together, as if it was the first time. So READ it and LOVE it. That's all *.*
**ARC courtesy of Atria Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
I'll be lying if I said this book wasn't the one I was most looking forward to reading this year. It was. And I'm so grateful I got to read this ARC before it was released because I'm sure the wait would have been absolute torture. My expectations were high, and well, this is Colleen Hoover we are talking about, so I wasn't the least worried.
Using and adapting some of those perfect words by the author:
I've loved Hopeless since I read it back in January. But today? Today I fell in love with Losing Hope.
Those of you who have read Hopeless you pretty much know what the story is about and well, why read this book then if all the mistery has been revealed? Let me tell you that there is SO much more to know. This boy/man can still surprise us and melt our hearts. Reading this story again from Holder's POV is a gift and being inside his head is a privilege.
The book starts right before Les, Holder's twin sister, makes a decision that will shatter Holder and his family's life, again. He is the boy who lost Hope and he could never recover himself from that, and now, he is completely broken.
Fortunately he meets Sky and discovers that after all, he might not be completely hopeless. She might be the one to put him back together in so many different ways, because she was his past and she now could become his future.
You all know what comes after that, cute but absolutey hot moments, also completely heartbreaking, that keep you hooked until the very end. And being able to get to know what's in Holder's head in those moments, believe me, it's PRICELESS.
It's painful to read all that guilt and pain from Holder's POV, but it's also so powerful how little by little he starts to heal, the incredible way he expresses his feelings by writing to his sister. It's so totally worth it. It's incredible how a man, a monster, can make so much harm and at the same time create as a consequence such a beautiful and perfect story of two people who are meant to be together, even if for a while, they were forced to be apart.
Once again, this story broke my heart and put it back together, as if it was the first time. So READ it and LOVE it. That's all *.*
July 12, 2013
“I wonder if it's possible for people to fall in love with a person one characteristic at a time, or if you fall for the entire person at once.�
Okay, I will not explain the story behind this book because it’s the exactly same one than the first one. If you haven’t read it yet, I advise you to do it faster.
I will only say that this was already an amazing story under Sky’s POV and it was even a greater one under Holder’s. Oh, how I love his mind and the fact that he never actually lose hope.
Usually, when I read books under the hero’s POV the girl annoys the hell out of me. I’m happy to say that didn't happen in this one. I liked Sky as much as I in the first book and the connection she and Holder have is one of the amazing things in this book.
How he falls in love with Sky, for the girl she is now, and not because she’s Hope, the girl he searches since he was a kid.
“But I'm not falling in love with her piece by piece anymore. I'm in love with the whole girl. Every single piece of her.�
Although this book was sadder than the first with the entire Les story, it was also better and had the addiction of some great characters (Yes, Daniel!! A book about him would be the greatest thing ever!)
I really don't know what to say. I loved it. :D
I couldn’t get enough of Holder’s mind and if I had one complaint, and it’s just one, I wish a longer epilogue. (Both in time and in length.)
If you liked the first, you really can’t miss this one. :)
Okay, I will not explain the story behind this book because it’s the exactly same one than the first one. If you haven’t read it yet, I advise you to do it faster.
I will only say that this was already an amazing story under Sky’s POV and it was even a greater one under Holder’s. Oh, how I love his mind and the fact that he never actually lose hope.
Usually, when I read books under the hero’s POV the girl annoys the hell out of me. I’m happy to say that didn't happen in this one. I liked Sky as much as I in the first book and the connection she and Holder have is one of the amazing things in this book.
How he falls in love with Sky, for the girl she is now, and not because she’s Hope, the girl he searches since he was a kid.
“But I'm not falling in love with her piece by piece anymore. I'm in love with the whole girl. Every single piece of her.�
Although this book was sadder than the first with the entire Les story, it was also better and had the addiction of some great characters (Yes, Daniel!! A book about him would be the greatest thing ever!)
I really don't know what to say. I loved it. :D
I couldn’t get enough of Holder’s mind and if I had one complaint, and it’s just one, I wish a longer epilogue. (Both in time and in length.)
If you liked the first, you really can’t miss this one. :)
August 27, 2013
Just got this from NetGalley!! EEEEK!
More Holder?! Holder's POV?
More Holder?! Holder's POV?
January 28, 2025
***5 Soul Crushing Stars***
Losing Hope is Dean Holder's POV of the story . Best rewritten book I've ever read. Learning about Holder and his family and friends added a wonderful dimension to this story.
Grief over his sister's suicide crushes Holder's soul.
To cope he writes her letters in a notebook he found in her bedroom. Those letters give us more insight into the dynamics of their relationship and Sky's relationship with Holder.
I was positive that Ms. Hoover would NOT make me cry in this book like she did in Hopeless. I was so wrong. When I read Lesslie's letter to her brother I started crying.
SERIES:
Each book is one character's POV of the same story.
Novellas:
[bookcover:The “best first kiss� from Holder’s POV]
(#1.5)(#2.5)
**ARC courtesy of Atria Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Losing Hope is Dean Holder's POV of the story . Best rewritten book I've ever read. Learning about Holder and his family and friends added a wonderful dimension to this story.
Grief over his sister's suicide crushes Holder's soul.
To cope he writes her letters in a notebook he found in her bedroom. Those letters give us more insight into the dynamics of their relationship and Sky's relationship with Holder.
I was positive that Ms. Hoover would NOT make me cry in this book like she did in Hopeless. I was so wrong. When I read Lesslie's letter to her brother I started crying.
"You stole a piece of my heart that night."
"You stole a piece of mine, too."
SERIES:
Each book is one character's POV of the same story.
Novellas:
[bookcover:The “best first kiss� from Holder’s POV]
(#1.5)(#2.5)
**ARC courtesy of Atria Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
July 10, 2013
4.5~Stars
Even if it was a box of tampons.....
Because I can't keep my honesty to myself, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. I really wasn't that excited about a book from Holder's POV!! And the acapella choir sang, "WHAT!!?" True story. Don't get me wrong I was excited, but not for the right reasons. I was more excited about getting to read something else written by Colleen Hoover and less excited about what it actually was. If the woman wrote the insert directions on a box of tampons, I don't care what point of view it was written in; I'd just have my period all the time!!
My apprehension sprung from my doubt. Do I need more from Hopeless? Do I even want more from Hopeless?
Leave it to Colleen Hoover to give me something I didn't even know I wanted. She gave me more.
More experiences. More characters. More story.
Yes, you are reading a story you already know, but in Losing Hope Colleen Hoover gives us additional pieces we didn't get before. Pieces that make the story whole. Pieces that will shock your heart and cause your emotions to bleed. Stuff I seriously didn't see coming.
The new parts of the story are what I loved the most, and Daniel. Sweet weened baby Jesus, Daniel. He needs his own book! I loved all things him. I also loved the scene with him, Holder, and Breckin. Daniel brought the more, and I couldn't get enough. But when it comes to Colleen Hoover, will I ever?
The reason I didn't rate this as high as Hopeless is actually more about my emotions and less about the writing. I couldn't pretend not to know what I already knew, and though having those experiences from another perspective was amazing, they weren't as strong as they were the first time around. Not because of anything Colleen did. Only because I'd already had those experiences and emotions once, and it didn't hit me as hard the second time around. However, she did find away to create new emotions and allowed me to experience things in a new way. There were also moments where I wished I was feeling more of what Holder was feeling instead of just seeing what he was seeing.
You know from the start that this is Hopeless from Holder's POV. So yes, there will be repetition. Yes, you will know what's going to happen. But...we gave our hearts to Hope and Holder a long time ago. This is a way to relive a beloved story from a different angle, a different perspective. We get extra story, extra characters, and things we didn't know before. If you don't want that, then don't read it...but Colleen Hoover wrote this book for us, her readers. For every fan that wanted more Holder, for every fan that wanted to experience the story from his point of view. A story through his eyes. It isn't about capitalizing or making money; it's about giving something back to her readers. This book is a gift, and I just want to say thank you!!
READ ON!!
More reviews at:
Even if it was a box of tampons.....
Because I can't keep my honesty to myself, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. I really wasn't that excited about a book from Holder's POV!! And the acapella choir sang, "WHAT!!?" True story. Don't get me wrong I was excited, but not for the right reasons. I was more excited about getting to read something else written by Colleen Hoover and less excited about what it actually was. If the woman wrote the insert directions on a box of tampons, I don't care what point of view it was written in; I'd just have my period all the time!!
My apprehension sprung from my doubt. Do I need more from Hopeless? Do I even want more from Hopeless?
Leave it to Colleen Hoover to give me something I didn't even know I wanted. She gave me more.
More experiences. More characters. More story.
Yes, you are reading a story you already know, but in Losing Hope Colleen Hoover gives us additional pieces we didn't get before. Pieces that make the story whole. Pieces that will shock your heart and cause your emotions to bleed. Stuff I seriously didn't see coming.
The new parts of the story are what I loved the most, and Daniel. Sweet weened baby Jesus, Daniel. He needs his own book! I loved all things him. I also loved the scene with him, Holder, and Breckin. Daniel brought the more, and I couldn't get enough. But when it comes to Colleen Hoover, will I ever?
The reason I didn't rate this as high as Hopeless is actually more about my emotions and less about the writing. I couldn't pretend not to know what I already knew, and though having those experiences from another perspective was amazing, they weren't as strong as they were the first time around. Not because of anything Colleen did. Only because I'd already had those experiences and emotions once, and it didn't hit me as hard the second time around. However, she did find away to create new emotions and allowed me to experience things in a new way. There were also moments where I wished I was feeling more of what Holder was feeling instead of just seeing what he was seeing.
You know from the start that this is Hopeless from Holder's POV. So yes, there will be repetition. Yes, you will know what's going to happen. But...we gave our hearts to Hope and Holder a long time ago. This is a way to relive a beloved story from a different angle, a different perspective. We get extra story, extra characters, and things we didn't know before. If you don't want that, then don't read it...but Colleen Hoover wrote this book for us, her readers. For every fan that wanted more Holder, for every fan that wanted to experience the story from his point of view. A story through his eyes. It isn't about capitalizing or making money; it's about giving something back to her readers. This book is a gift, and I just want to say thank you!!
READ ON!!
More reviews at:
July 1, 2013
Initial reaction: Honestly, I'm feeling rather gutted and not in a constructive way with "Losing Hope". Holder's account, noted against Sky's, does retread a lot of ground in the story to the point of where in places it feels repetitive (much like Jamie McGuire's "Walking Disaster" did with Travis being in the primary seat versus Abby.).
I realize it's a challenge to write a companion story that "flips the script" or tells a variant version of a same story, but usually the strength in being able to tell an alternate story is to offer new grounds of intrigue and insight specific to the character you're writing the perspective point in. I'll admit there was some potential with that considering Holder reflects on his sister's death and has to deal with the rumors about his person and his own family issues, but I'll admit in the whole time that I followed Holder in this, it was like reading someone's account at arms length and the major measures that shaped him were only with respect to Les's death and Hope's disappearance. Not to mention that I don't think there was anything that new added to the cast at large in this account - the characters had very little dimensions and connectivity, and the mystery was not so much compelling as the first account because you already know what happens in so many measures. Plus, there were some revelations given here that I had a very hard time believing, much like in the first book.
So, I'm torn. I don't know whether to give this 1 star or 1.5 stars. I definitely do not think it was as strong as the first book in what it provided, but I need to think about what the experience gave me as to how I'll rate it in the end. Suffice to say, I'm disappointed.
Full review:
I'm going to start this review with some words on singular stories told from multiple vantage points. In a given scheme of events, despite similarities, no two people have the same interpretation or stakes in a given environment. It takes a level of complexity to be able to tell a similar story from multiple perspectives, plus give weight to the surrounding players who have stakes in that respective story, without repetition. You may have *some* repeating events, but when you repeat a given scenario, it's to highlight details or call attention to things that may not have been seen before or give weight to the measure at hand (usually both). One of the movies I've seen in the past several years that I thought did it well was, aptly titled . And to make a reference of an anime series I also thought did the multi-perspective juggling well, one I've rewatched in recent weeks, was
Now you might tell me "Rose, those are completely different stories and scenarios versus the story that Colleen Hoover's telling here," and you would be correct, but there's a reason why I point it out. Both of the examples I cited above tell a single story from multiple viewpoints in one expansion, or a collection of intersecting stories set in one environment but with shared experiences. This is very hard to pull off.
You would think if you gave one perspective character a story of their own and then attempt to tell the same story from a different character's perspective in that same environment that it would be easier, because you have more wiggle room to develop them in a separate account, but it presents a similar problem in that you have to challenge yourself not to repeat information there, and carry the story based on that person's account and their respective stakes and experiences. Not to mention, if you have shared characters between both stories, you have to develop them as well.
"Losing Hope" is a companion novel to Colleen Hoover's "Hopeless". I'm going to tell you straight off the bat that you cannot read this novel without reading the first one. It does not stand alone and quite frankly, it does not stand alone well. I said the same thing with another New Adult author this past year - Jamie McGuire, who wrote a companion novel to her book "Beautiful Disaster" called "Walking Disaster." Both McGuire and Hoover suffer from the same problems with trying to retell their stories of romance by trying to "flip the script" and tell the same story from the hero's perspective. But the thing needed to carry such stories is that you need a strong characters to carry the weight of the full narrative and you need to have variance in the story enough to where you're not blindly rehashing events without good reason.
To give Hoover credit compared to McGuire's narrative, at least there was an attempt to develop Holder's character in this work, particularly with respect to the loss of his sister, the loss of his childhood best friend (Hope), and trying to fit himself back to sorts after his behavior lends to rumors that run every which way but loose.
I didn't think Holder's account was enough to carry this entire novel (maybe if it was a novella, but it would depend on the focal points), and you could tell where Hoover retraced details from the previous novel to the point where it was tediously trying to evoke the same emotions that were so potent from Sky's perspective in the previous novel. Sadly, that wasn't to be.
Holder starts the novel in a rough place just after losing his twin sister, and he lashes out in his grief. Some of it rubbed me the wrong way (i.e. sleeping with Les's best friend shortly after she died, and then blaming it on Les). He keeps a journal in the book that belonged to his sister, and some of that was fine for summarizing details that were in the previous story alongside new details that fleshed out his childhood experiences, but at the same time, I didn't understand why that couldn't have been applied more to avoid some of the repetition that was in the narrative.
I had problems with how Holder preoccupied himself over both Hope and Les to the point that's all his character really encompassed. When Sky comes into the picture, apart from the bargaining he does over her identity, it doesn't provide much that's new. Some of the conversations are verbatim except for supplementing his thoughts during those scenes, but not given enough weight or dimension to see significance there. It's nothing that those who have already read the first novel don't know apart from a few exceptions. The narrative isn't as intimate character-wise as Sky's account (and oddly, Holder still feels like he's telling his grief in many points here instead of coming to terms with it gradually. He sounds a little more like he's 18 here, but it's still hard to find focus with.) It's the same way with him telling of his love for Sky - I don't feel it, I'm informed of it, many times. Mostly telling, not showing.
The larger cast of "Losing Hope" is underdeveloped and not given much scene time. I thought Sky's presentation here was threadbare at best. And Breckin makes a brief appearance in the novel to serve as a bridge between Holder and Sky when they're apart, but apart from his puppeteering as a "Gay Mormon" - he's not really a functional character here. Worse, there's one scene where it seems like he's okay with a character making a homophobic statement to him - I didn't understand that at all.
Towards the end of the novel, a revelation's made where Holder finds out his mother knew who kidnapped Hope and withheld the information from him after she (along with Les) came across Hope and her aunt in a diner. That was a MAJOR hole in the story for events, because how would Hope not remember her aunt begging the other family not to tell anyone? It didn't make sense and was hard to buy when Hope had no recollection of anything from her past and she would've been old enough to remember that encounter, even if she was ushered in the vehicle at the time. I don't know, I had a hard time buying that among other details in the work.
The melodrama was as problematic in this novel as the former, but with notably weaker character resonance and little offering in the way of substantated story. In the end, I was disappointed with it.
Overall score: 1.5/5
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Atria Books.
I realize it's a challenge to write a companion story that "flips the script" or tells a variant version of a same story, but usually the strength in being able to tell an alternate story is to offer new grounds of intrigue and insight specific to the character you're writing the perspective point in. I'll admit there was some potential with that considering Holder reflects on his sister's death and has to deal with the rumors about his person and his own family issues, but I'll admit in the whole time that I followed Holder in this, it was like reading someone's account at arms length and the major measures that shaped him were only with respect to Les's death and Hope's disappearance. Not to mention that I don't think there was anything that new added to the cast at large in this account - the characters had very little dimensions and connectivity, and the mystery was not so much compelling as the first account because you already know what happens in so many measures. Plus, there were some revelations given here that I had a very hard time believing, much like in the first book.
So, I'm torn. I don't know whether to give this 1 star or 1.5 stars. I definitely do not think it was as strong as the first book in what it provided, but I need to think about what the experience gave me as to how I'll rate it in the end. Suffice to say, I'm disappointed.
Full review:
I'm going to start this review with some words on singular stories told from multiple vantage points. In a given scheme of events, despite similarities, no two people have the same interpretation or stakes in a given environment. It takes a level of complexity to be able to tell a similar story from multiple perspectives, plus give weight to the surrounding players who have stakes in that respective story, without repetition. You may have *some* repeating events, but when you repeat a given scenario, it's to highlight details or call attention to things that may not have been seen before or give weight to the measure at hand (usually both). One of the movies I've seen in the past several years that I thought did it well was, aptly titled . And to make a reference of an anime series I also thought did the multi-perspective juggling well, one I've rewatched in recent weeks, was
Now you might tell me "Rose, those are completely different stories and scenarios versus the story that Colleen Hoover's telling here," and you would be correct, but there's a reason why I point it out. Both of the examples I cited above tell a single story from multiple viewpoints in one expansion, or a collection of intersecting stories set in one environment but with shared experiences. This is very hard to pull off.
You would think if you gave one perspective character a story of their own and then attempt to tell the same story from a different character's perspective in that same environment that it would be easier, because you have more wiggle room to develop them in a separate account, but it presents a similar problem in that you have to challenge yourself not to repeat information there, and carry the story based on that person's account and their respective stakes and experiences. Not to mention, if you have shared characters between both stories, you have to develop them as well.
"Losing Hope" is a companion novel to Colleen Hoover's "Hopeless". I'm going to tell you straight off the bat that you cannot read this novel without reading the first one. It does not stand alone and quite frankly, it does not stand alone well. I said the same thing with another New Adult author this past year - Jamie McGuire, who wrote a companion novel to her book "Beautiful Disaster" called "Walking Disaster." Both McGuire and Hoover suffer from the same problems with trying to retell their stories of romance by trying to "flip the script" and tell the same story from the hero's perspective. But the thing needed to carry such stories is that you need a strong characters to carry the weight of the full narrative and you need to have variance in the story enough to where you're not blindly rehashing events without good reason.
To give Hoover credit compared to McGuire's narrative, at least there was an attempt to develop Holder's character in this work, particularly with respect to the loss of his sister, the loss of his childhood best friend (Hope), and trying to fit himself back to sorts after his behavior lends to rumors that run every which way but loose.
I didn't think Holder's account was enough to carry this entire novel (maybe if it was a novella, but it would depend on the focal points), and you could tell where Hoover retraced details from the previous novel to the point where it was tediously trying to evoke the same emotions that were so potent from Sky's perspective in the previous novel. Sadly, that wasn't to be.
Holder starts the novel in a rough place just after losing his twin sister, and he lashes out in his grief. Some of it rubbed me the wrong way (i.e. sleeping with Les's best friend shortly after she died, and then blaming it on Les). He keeps a journal in the book that belonged to his sister, and some of that was fine for summarizing details that were in the previous story alongside new details that fleshed out his childhood experiences, but at the same time, I didn't understand why that couldn't have been applied more to avoid some of the repetition that was in the narrative.
I had problems with how Holder preoccupied himself over both Hope and Les to the point that's all his character really encompassed. When Sky comes into the picture, apart from the bargaining he does over her identity, it doesn't provide much that's new. Some of the conversations are verbatim except for supplementing his thoughts during those scenes, but not given enough weight or dimension to see significance there. It's nothing that those who have already read the first novel don't know apart from a few exceptions. The narrative isn't as intimate character-wise as Sky's account (and oddly, Holder still feels like he's telling his grief in many points here instead of coming to terms with it gradually. He sounds a little more like he's 18 here, but it's still hard to find focus with.) It's the same way with him telling of his love for Sky - I don't feel it, I'm informed of it, many times. Mostly telling, not showing.
The larger cast of "Losing Hope" is underdeveloped and not given much scene time. I thought Sky's presentation here was threadbare at best. And Breckin makes a brief appearance in the novel to serve as a bridge between Holder and Sky when they're apart, but apart from his puppeteering as a "Gay Mormon" - he's not really a functional character here. Worse, there's one scene where it seems like he's okay with a character making a homophobic statement to him - I didn't understand that at all.
Towards the end of the novel, a revelation's made where Holder finds out his mother knew who kidnapped Hope and withheld the information from him after she (along with Les) came across Hope and her aunt in a diner. That was a MAJOR hole in the story for events, because how would Hope not remember her aunt begging the other family not to tell anyone? It didn't make sense and was hard to buy when Hope had no recollection of anything from her past and she would've been old enough to remember that encounter, even if she was ushered in the vehicle at the time. I don't know, I had a hard time buying that among other details in the work.
The melodrama was as problematic in this novel as the former, but with notably weaker character resonance and little offering in the way of substantated story. In the end, I was disappointed with it.
Overall score: 1.5/5
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Atria Books.
July 11, 2013
˥˥� 5 beautiful, Hope-filled stars!!˥˥�
Well, it's official. CoHo has done it again with Losing Hope. Now, I know most you are probably sick of this alternate POV trend as I was. I mean, why not write a book with dual POV in the first place. Anyway, CoHo has written something very insightful about why she wrote Losing Hope on her blog, which you can find
Now onto our review...
In a nutshell, Losing Hope is more than just a retelling of Hopeless. Yes, we know what happened already so why should we bother reading the same story again? Well, as I mentioned above there is more to it than just retelling the same story in Hopeless. We get to see/read about two new characters, Les and Daniel. Les is not really new but we get to know her a little better here. We also get to know the enigma that is Dean Holder.
It's been a long time since I've read Hopeless and I have actually forgotten how swoony Holder can be. I swear, if you loved him in Hopeless, you will fall in love with him more in this book, if that's even possible. And you get to see his tortured and wounded side, which was just totally heartbreaking.
In this book, we also get to explore or at least, we get a clearer picture of the relationship between Les and Holder. Gah! Those journal entries had me bawling like a baby. And the fact that Holder poured out his feelings to his sister through that journal was just heartbreaking. And although we pretty much knew what happened to Les, as it was already revealed in Hopeless, reading it again from Holder's POV was just gut-wrenching.
Plus of course, we really get to see how Holder felt about Sky from the moment he saw her and his developing feelings towards her. Swoon! I mean really, I'm 34 years old but their story still gets to me.
I just love the way CoHo writes her books. There's an honesty and openness, coupled with her effortless prose that makes reading her books easy. Easy in a sense that the story just flows wonderfully, from the highs to the lows, through the conflicts and resolutions without the reader ever feeling duped or short-changed. There are no purple prose here, folks. It's just concise and straightforward writing. Nothing more. And it works every time. It's definitely worth reliving Holder and Sky's story all over again.
ARC provided by Atria through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Well, it's official. CoHo has done it again with Losing Hope. Now, I know most you are probably sick of this alternate POV trend as I was. I mean, why not write a book with dual POV in the first place. Anyway, CoHo has written something very insightful about why she wrote Losing Hope on her blog, which you can find
Now onto our review...
In a nutshell, Losing Hope is more than just a retelling of Hopeless. Yes, we know what happened already so why should we bother reading the same story again? Well, as I mentioned above there is more to it than just retelling the same story in Hopeless. We get to see/read about two new characters, Les and Daniel. Les is not really new but we get to know her a little better here. We also get to know the enigma that is Dean Holder.
It's been a long time since I've read Hopeless and I have actually forgotten how swoony Holder can be. I swear, if you loved him in Hopeless, you will fall in love with him more in this book, if that's even possible. And you get to see his tortured and wounded side, which was just totally heartbreaking.
In this book, we also get to explore or at least, we get a clearer picture of the relationship between Les and Holder. Gah! Those journal entries had me bawling like a baby. And the fact that Holder poured out his feelings to his sister through that journal was just heartbreaking. And although we pretty much knew what happened to Les, as it was already revealed in Hopeless, reading it again from Holder's POV was just gut-wrenching.
Plus of course, we really get to see how Holder felt about Sky from the moment he saw her and his developing feelings towards her. Swoon! I mean really, I'm 34 years old but their story still gets to me.
I just love the way CoHo writes her books. There's an honesty and openness, coupled with her effortless prose that makes reading her books easy. Easy in a sense that the story just flows wonderfully, from the highs to the lows, through the conflicts and resolutions without the reader ever feeling duped or short-changed. There are no purple prose here, folks. It's just concise and straightforward writing. Nothing more. And it works every time. It's definitely worth reliving Holder and Sky's story all over again.
ARC provided by Atria through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2017
Have to add it I give up!
April 7, 2015
I know I've said that I wasn't planning on reading this book, but I was in a mood for something written by Hoover and desided to give it a shot. Also, I've had this on my iPad for a while and thought "I already bought it, why not."
DNF at 40%.
My 1 star doesn't mean that the book was horrible and it's not given for the same reasons I usually give one star for. The writing was good, the pace was good. I gave it one star because it was the exact same story I read in the first book, but from H pov.
I wasn't a huge fan of the scene in the parking lot in the first book, but in this one, it seemed even creepier. She volunteered to show him her ID, to a complete stranger, then he went and googled the hell out of her. Yes, she did think, and said to him, it was creepy, but come on, he's hot.
Then there was him missing her for 13 years. I want to tell you a story. When I was four, I met a boy in kindergarden. His family lived only couple of houses away from us. We played together, we planned and played tricks on others together, hang out a lot together, talked a lot. He had a twin sister who hang out with him. She was alright, but often felt like a third weel, because at the time I felt I had nothing in common with her. One day, when they were six years old, she told me that they were moving, THE NEXT DAY, and that they won't be starting the same school as I in August. I thought my life was over. I'm not kidding. I got so upset. I told her to tell him that I loved him and that I will never forget him. I think I asked her couple of times, just to make sure that she heard me. I said "You tell him I love him and I will always miss him. Remember to tell him that." Pathetic, I know. I'm sure she thought I was being weird. Her only answer was "mhm" while she kept on playing with her doll.
I missed him, terribly if I may add, for about a year. But I never wanted to get a tattoo with his name on me when I got older. I made new friends at school and, didn't forget him, but... Things went back to normal. I found new friend to play with, kids I had things in common with. So my question is: why was H so hanged up on her for so many years? To the point that he tattooed "Hopeless" on himself when he grew up. He didn't seem so unreasonably obsessed with her in the first book.
In this book, randomly, he would say/think something like "I miss her." Missed her because...? She was his neighbor? Because they played well together? What was the reason that he was still missing her when he was all grown up? It made no fucking sense.
I didn't think much of it while reading the first book, but when I got to read the story from his pov, it felt so random. He kept mentioning that he thinks of her and misses her, not so much why.
The biggest issue, and the main reason for me giving it one star, is the fact that I got to read the same story, not twice, but three times. The book is written from his pov, same story but from different pov. Then there is him writing a journal, his way of couping with his sister's death (which is sweet). It's sweet, but adds nothing to the story other than the repetition of the same thing. First you read his day's events, then you get to read about it again when he writes that to his sister, telling her what happend that day. I already know what happened!
I don't know if that's the reason that this book was written, but I can't help but think that it was the author giving in to fans demands. Not necessarily wanting to tell something different, just giving them more of the same. I don't know what happens in the rest of the 60%, but I doubt that anything new will be revealed, if the first 40% is anything to go by.
With that being said, I'll still read books by Colleen Hoover, because her writing is captivating. I'll just make sure it's not a re-tell of the same thing next time. Fool me once and all that.
DNF at 40%.
My 1 star doesn't mean that the book was horrible and it's not given for the same reasons I usually give one star for. The writing was good, the pace was good. I gave it one star because it was the exact same story I read in the first book, but from H pov.
I wasn't a huge fan of the scene in the parking lot in the first book, but in this one, it seemed even creepier. She volunteered to show him her ID, to a complete stranger, then he went and googled the hell out of her. Yes, she did think, and said to him, it was creepy, but come on, he's hot.
Then there was him missing her for 13 years. I want to tell you a story. When I was four, I met a boy in kindergarden. His family lived only couple of houses away from us. We played together, we planned and played tricks on others together, hang out a lot together, talked a lot. He had a twin sister who hang out with him. She was alright, but often felt like a third weel, because at the time I felt I had nothing in common with her. One day, when they were six years old, she told me that they were moving, THE NEXT DAY, and that they won't be starting the same school as I in August. I thought my life was over. I'm not kidding. I got so upset. I told her to tell him that I loved him and that I will never forget him. I think I asked her couple of times, just to make sure that she heard me. I said "You tell him I love him and I will always miss him. Remember to tell him that." Pathetic, I know. I'm sure she thought I was being weird. Her only answer was "mhm" while she kept on playing with her doll.
I missed him, terribly if I may add, for about a year. But I never wanted to get a tattoo with his name on me when I got older. I made new friends at school and, didn't forget him, but... Things went back to normal. I found new friend to play with, kids I had things in common with. So my question is: why was H so hanged up on her for so many years? To the point that he tattooed "Hopeless" on himself when he grew up. He didn't seem so unreasonably obsessed with her in the first book.
In this book, randomly, he would say/think something like "I miss her." Missed her because...? She was his neighbor? Because they played well together? What was the reason that he was still missing her when he was all grown up? It made no fucking sense.
I didn't think much of it while reading the first book, but when I got to read the story from his pov, it felt so random. He kept mentioning that he thinks of her and misses her, not so much why.
The biggest issue, and the main reason for me giving it one star, is the fact that I got to read the same story, not twice, but three times. The book is written from his pov, same story but from different pov. Then there is him writing a journal, his way of couping with his sister's death (which is sweet). It's sweet, but adds nothing to the story other than the repetition of the same thing. First you read his day's events, then you get to read about it again when he writes that to his sister, telling her what happend that day. I already know what happened!
I don't know if that's the reason that this book was written, but I can't help but think that it was the author giving in to fans demands. Not necessarily wanting to tell something different, just giving them more of the same. I don't know what happens in the rest of the 60%, but I doubt that anything new will be revealed, if the first 40% is anything to go by.
With that being said, I'll still read books by Colleen Hoover, because her writing is captivating. I'll just make sure it's not a re-tell of the same thing next time. Fool me once and all that.
July 13, 2013
4.5 �'s
Holder sees Sky at the grocery store and is immediately drawn to her. Thinking she is someone he used to know, he chases after her only to find out it's not her. They keep "running" into each other...is it fate or something else?
This is basically the same story as Hopeless just from the male character's POV. Because of that, I'm linking my review here:
It was interesting getting Holder's POV. I don't why I was taken back by how intense he is especially since I thought that in the first book. I guess just getting all his thoughts and reasonings made it even more so. I loved the things he thought about Sky and it made me giggle all the times he said "Holy Sh*t" or "Holy H*ll".
There were some extra scenes that weren't in the first book, mainly at the beginning and mostly having to do with Les. It is hard to read and pretty depressing. My heart went out to Holder even more...and his Mom! Ugh....Holder is right, "the word devastated should be reserved for brothers, too."
I really enjoyed Les' notebook and Holder's letters...sometimes they were sad but I really loved the funny ones! I also got a kick out of the chapters - the half and three-fourths...even though they were a little scary! I always felt like they were going to be really emotional.
And it was great rereading my favorite lines and the things I loved....the ego deflating texts, the Firsts, the Forevers and especially the Lives. Her baking and his cooking, their reading books and "chapter breaks", holding pinkies and looking at the sky when you're sad....there is just so many romantic things!
It was nice getting to see more of Holder's relationship with Daniel and Breckin and it made me laugh when they were playing Modern Warfare. I liked that Holder knew right away how special Breckin was to Sky.
There are a few new insights to things that happened that added to the story. I'm not sure how I feel about Holder not being told. The last letter made me laugh and it was left open for ...."possibilities" which is always a good thing!
Favorite quotes:
� "I casually lean against the mailbox and pretend to ignore the fact that she totally just checked me out. I’ll ignore it to save her embarrassment, but I’m definitely not going to forget it. In fact, I’ll probably be thinking about the way her eyes scrolled down my body for the rest of the damn day."
� "My attention is constantly homed in on her like I’m a compass and she’s my North."
� “I can’t believe you think I’m hot,� I say, breaking the silence.
“Shut up.�
“You probably faked passing out the other day, just so you could be carried in my hot, sweaty, manly arms.�
� "The sensation of her pinky in mine feels way too familiar. Way too right. Way too long overdue. I squeeze my eyes shut and attempt to deny my conscience the satisfaction of being right."
� “F*ck all the firsts, Sky. The only thing that matters to me with you are the forevers.� {best. line. ever.}
� "I knew that no matter what happened with my life, you were my home. You stole the biggest piece of my heart that night.�
Holder sees Sky at the grocery store and is immediately drawn to her. Thinking she is someone he used to know, he chases after her only to find out it's not her. They keep "running" into each other...is it fate or something else?
This is basically the same story as Hopeless just from the male character's POV. Because of that, I'm linking my review here:
It was interesting getting Holder's POV. I don't why I was taken back by how intense he is especially since I thought that in the first book. I guess just getting all his thoughts and reasonings made it even more so. I loved the things he thought about Sky and it made me giggle all the times he said "Holy Sh*t" or "Holy H*ll".
There were some extra scenes that weren't in the first book, mainly at the beginning and mostly having to do with Les. It is hard to read and pretty depressing. My heart went out to Holder even more...and his Mom! Ugh....Holder is right, "the word devastated should be reserved for brothers, too."
I really enjoyed Les' notebook and Holder's letters...sometimes they were sad but I really loved the funny ones! I also got a kick out of the chapters - the half and three-fourths...even though they were a little scary! I always felt like they were going to be really emotional.
And it was great rereading my favorite lines and the things I loved....the ego deflating texts, the Firsts, the Forevers and especially the Lives. Her baking and his cooking, their reading books and "chapter breaks", holding pinkies and looking at the sky when you're sad....there is just so many romantic things!
It was nice getting to see more of Holder's relationship with Daniel and Breckin and it made me laugh when they were playing Modern Warfare. I liked that Holder knew right away how special Breckin was to Sky.
There are a few new insights to things that happened that added to the story. I'm not sure how I feel about Holder not being told. The last letter made me laugh and it was left open for ...."possibilities" which is always a good thing!
Favorite quotes:
� "I casually lean against the mailbox and pretend to ignore the fact that she totally just checked me out. I’ll ignore it to save her embarrassment, but I’m definitely not going to forget it. In fact, I’ll probably be thinking about the way her eyes scrolled down my body for the rest of the damn day."
� "My attention is constantly homed in on her like I’m a compass and she’s my North."
� “I can’t believe you think I’m hot,� I say, breaking the silence.
“Shut up.�
“You probably faked passing out the other day, just so you could be carried in my hot, sweaty, manly arms.�
� "The sensation of her pinky in mine feels way too familiar. Way too right. Way too long overdue. I squeeze my eyes shut and attempt to deny my conscience the satisfaction of being right."
� “F*ck all the firsts, Sky. The only thing that matters to me with you are the forevers.� {best. line. ever.}
� "I knew that no matter what happened with my life, you were my home. You stole the biggest piece of my heart that night.�
August 22, 2013
Whaaaaa??? Im so excited!!! Eeeeeeee
August 3, 2014
~~
After reading This Girl its proven Colleen Hoover can even ROCK re-telling a story in a different pov!!
Eagerly waiting for this book!! :D x_x Its going to be one ride!!
Cover is so 'I want to hug Holder's pain away' types! hehe BUT Holder is HOTTER in my head!! :P ;))
We even get a blurb!!
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.
Am I seeing this right???? 9th July???!! :D :D :D :D
Tell me its not a dream!!
OMFG!!!! HOLDER's POV!!!! *woot woot*
After reading This Girl its proven Colleen Hoover can even ROCK re-telling a story in a different pov!!
Eagerly waiting for this book!! :D x_x Its going to be one ride!!
Cover is so 'I want to hug Holder's pain away' types! hehe BUT Holder is HOTTER in my head!! :P ;))
We even get a blurb!!
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.
Am I seeing this right???? 9th July???!! :D :D :D :D
Tell me its not a dream!!
OMFG!!!! HOLDER's POV!!!! *woot woot*
Want to read
June 6, 2013Colleen Hoover just posted a teaser from Losing Hope.........
Ahh, Can't Wait!!!!
*Happy Dance*
“Yo, flipdick. We on for tonight?� Daniel says, walking up to my locker.
The last thing I feel like doing tonight is going out. I know Daniel would probably get my mind off her with all the crazy shit that comes out of his mouth, but I don’t really want to get my mind off her. I haven’t spoken to her since Monday and the only thing that sounds appealing besides being with her is wallowing alone in self-pity.
“Maybe tomorrow. I don’t really feel like doing anything tonight.�
Daniel leans his elbow into the locker and he lowers his head, leaning toward me. “You’re really being a mangina,� he says. “You didn’t even date the chick. Get the fuck over it and…� Daniel glances over my shoulder without finishing the sentence. “What the hell is your problem, powder puff?� He’s speaking to someone now standing behind me. The way he says it can only mean it’s Grayson. Fearing I’m about to get sucker punched from behind, I spin around.
It’s not Grayson.
Breckin is facing me and he doesn’t look very pleased about it.
“Hey,� I say.
“I need to talk to you,� he says. I know he wants to talk about Sky and I really don’t want to talk about Sky. Not to Breckin, not to Daniel, not even to Sky. No one understands anything about anything and frankly, it’s nobody’s business.
“Sorry, Breckin. I’m not really in the mood to talk about her.�
Breckin takes a quick step forward and I take a quick step back because I wasn’t expecting him to rush me like he just did. My back is against the locker and Daniel is laughing. Probably because Breckin is a good fifty pounds lighter than me and several inches shorter and he’s wondering why the hell I haven’t laid Breckin on his ass yet. But that doesn’t stop Breckin from moving in even closer to get right in my face.
“I don’t really give a shit what kind of mood you’re in, because I’m in a pretty shitty mood myself, Holder. You aren’t the one having to pick up all the shattered pieces of Sky this week. I don’t know what the hell happened in the cafeteria Monday, but it was enough to show me that I don’t like you. I don’t like you one damn bit and I have no idea what Sky sees in you because what you did to her? How you led her on for days and then just walked away like she was a waste of your time?� Breckin shakes his head, still fuming. He drops his eyes down to my arm. Down to the tattoo. “I feel sorry for you,� he sighs. He inhales a calming breath and slowly looks back up at me. “I feel sorry for you, because people like her don’t come along more than once. She deserves someone who realizes that. Someone who appreciates her. Someone who would never just…� he shakes his head, looking at me disappointedly. “Someone who would never crush her hope and then just walk away.�
Breckin backs up a step when he’s finished and Daniel gives me the look. The look that indicates he’s ready to start one of his fights. Before I even have the chance to tell Daniel to refrain, he begins to lunge forward toward Breckin. I quickly step in between them and shove Daniel against the locker with my arm, keeping it pressed against his chest. “Don’t,� I say, holding Daniel back.
“Let him hit me,� Breckin says loudly from behind me. “Or better yet, why don’t you just do it, Holder? You proved to her on Monday what a badass you are. Have at it!�
I release Daniel and turn around to face Breckin. The last thing I want to do is hit him. Why would I hit him when everything he just said to me was the absolute truth? He’s pissed at me because of how I treated Sky. He’s pissed and he’s protecting her and I have no idea how to tell him how much it means to me to know she has him.
I turn around and open my locker, then grab my backpack and car keys. Daniel is watching me closely, wondering why I’m not kicking Breckin’s ass right now. I face Breckin again and he’s eyeing me with just as much confusion as Daniel. I begin to walk away, but pause when I’m shoulder to shoulder with Breckin. “I’m glad she has you, Breckin.�
He doesn’t respond. I pull my backpack onto my shoulder and walk away.
***
----------------------------------------------------------
SWEET LORD JESUS!
OMG OMG OMG
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE the cover!!!! HELLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOO HOLDER!!!!!!!! *SWOON* CAN'T. FUCKING. WAIT.!!!
drool worthy!!!!!
Isn’t it just…perfect?
Incredible?
Yeah.
*Sigh*
Here it is even bigger.
And an even closer close-up.
Go ahead. Stare for a while. :)
I know so , because I did so.
Istalked (errm) followed him at
Now, off you go ladies.
Ahh, Can't Wait!!!!
*Happy Dance*
“Yo, flipdick. We on for tonight?� Daniel says, walking up to my locker.
The last thing I feel like doing tonight is going out. I know Daniel would probably get my mind off her with all the crazy shit that comes out of his mouth, but I don’t really want to get my mind off her. I haven’t spoken to her since Monday and the only thing that sounds appealing besides being with her is wallowing alone in self-pity.
“Maybe tomorrow. I don’t really feel like doing anything tonight.�
Daniel leans his elbow into the locker and he lowers his head, leaning toward me. “You’re really being a mangina,� he says. “You didn’t even date the chick. Get the fuck over it and…� Daniel glances over my shoulder without finishing the sentence. “What the hell is your problem, powder puff?� He’s speaking to someone now standing behind me. The way he says it can only mean it’s Grayson. Fearing I’m about to get sucker punched from behind, I spin around.
It’s not Grayson.
Breckin is facing me and he doesn’t look very pleased about it.
“Hey,� I say.
“I need to talk to you,� he says. I know he wants to talk about Sky and I really don’t want to talk about Sky. Not to Breckin, not to Daniel, not even to Sky. No one understands anything about anything and frankly, it’s nobody’s business.
“Sorry, Breckin. I’m not really in the mood to talk about her.�
Breckin takes a quick step forward and I take a quick step back because I wasn’t expecting him to rush me like he just did. My back is against the locker and Daniel is laughing. Probably because Breckin is a good fifty pounds lighter than me and several inches shorter and he’s wondering why the hell I haven’t laid Breckin on his ass yet. But that doesn’t stop Breckin from moving in even closer to get right in my face.
“I don’t really give a shit what kind of mood you’re in, because I’m in a pretty shitty mood myself, Holder. You aren’t the one having to pick up all the shattered pieces of Sky this week. I don’t know what the hell happened in the cafeteria Monday, but it was enough to show me that I don’t like you. I don’t like you one damn bit and I have no idea what Sky sees in you because what you did to her? How you led her on for days and then just walked away like she was a waste of your time?� Breckin shakes his head, still fuming. He drops his eyes down to my arm. Down to the tattoo. “I feel sorry for you,� he sighs. He inhales a calming breath and slowly looks back up at me. “I feel sorry for you, because people like her don’t come along more than once. She deserves someone who realizes that. Someone who appreciates her. Someone who would never just…� he shakes his head, looking at me disappointedly. “Someone who would never crush her hope and then just walk away.�
Breckin backs up a step when he’s finished and Daniel gives me the look. The look that indicates he’s ready to start one of his fights. Before I even have the chance to tell Daniel to refrain, he begins to lunge forward toward Breckin. I quickly step in between them and shove Daniel against the locker with my arm, keeping it pressed against his chest. “Don’t,� I say, holding Daniel back.
“Let him hit me,� Breckin says loudly from behind me. “Or better yet, why don’t you just do it, Holder? You proved to her on Monday what a badass you are. Have at it!�
I release Daniel and turn around to face Breckin. The last thing I want to do is hit him. Why would I hit him when everything he just said to me was the absolute truth? He’s pissed at me because of how I treated Sky. He’s pissed and he’s protecting her and I have no idea how to tell him how much it means to me to know she has him.
I turn around and open my locker, then grab my backpack and car keys. Daniel is watching me closely, wondering why I’m not kicking Breckin’s ass right now. I face Breckin again and he’s eyeing me with just as much confusion as Daniel. I begin to walk away, but pause when I’m shoulder to shoulder with Breckin. “I’m glad she has you, Breckin.�
He doesn’t respond. I pull my backpack onto my shoulder and walk away.
***
----------------------------------------------------------
SWEET LORD JESUS!
OMG OMG OMG
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE the cover!!!! HELLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOO HOLDER!!!!!!!! *SWOON* CAN'T. FUCKING. WAIT.!!!
drool worthy!!!!!
Isn’t it just…perfect?
Incredible?
Yeah.
*Sigh*
Here it is even bigger.
And an even closer close-up.
Go ahead. Stare for a while. :)
I know so , because I did so.
I
Now, off you go ladies.
Want to read
August 8, 2015July. 2013.
Yeah. July. That's cool.
Yeah. July. That's cool.
July 5, 2013
Reviewed for Totallybookedblog.com
I am in awe of Colleen Hoover’s talent. I love her stories, characters and have the utmost respect for this author’s work and seriously, if she doesn’t write a crappy book soon I’m going to run out of superlatives to describe her books in my reviews.
Now, if I thought my expectations couldn’t be surpassed with Slammed, Point of Retreat, This Girl and Hopeless�.well, I was completely wrong because in Losing Hope this author once again astounded me with her brilliance and Losing Hope did indeed exceed my expectations. There are not enough accolades to express how wonderfully moving this book was.
God, why does every single thing about her throw me off like this?
In Losing Hope we hear Holder’s voice as he narrates his side of the story. But readers, once again this author hasn’t merely provided us with a retelling of Hopeless. The complete opposite in fact.
Because of the way Losing Hope is crafted, the story feels new, fresh and very different and for that reason I urge you to please read Hopeless before embarking on your experience of Losing Hope. Whilst these two books do intertwine, they both have a completely different feel, and as such both books are a must read in order for you to fully grasp the experience that is Sky and Holder.
All she did was hug me back, but little does she know she just knocked a whole lot of life back into me.
Getting inside Holders head was a revelation. If you thought you knew Holder in Hopeless then think again because you are in for a whole world of new experiences as we live and breathe the pain, conflict and the utter despair this man has felt over his past. You are definitely in for an emotional ride in this one. That kiss. The bracelet. The realisation. All of it. It’s heart stopping and every feeling is intensified tenfold via Holder’s voice.
I’ve never looked forward before. I’ve always looked back. I think about the past way too much and I think about what I should have done and everything I did wrong and I’ve never once looked forward in my life. Being with her had me thinking about tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that and next year and forever.
We are there with him every painful step of the way and afforded a truly different version through Holders voice. And what a beautiful, tragic, heartbreaking, yet at times very witty and fabulous story this is. Hold onto your hearts in this one folks because it will be shattered. Hearing Holder express the depth of sorrow that has consumed him broke my heart.
I just don’t want it to be insignificant to her. When I touch her…I want her to feel it. I want every single thing I say to her and every single thing I do to her to have significance.
I cried through it and after it. But I also laughed. Out loud, at times as that trademark Ms Hoover wit is brought to the forefront once again.
I loved the banter between Sky and Holder in Hopeless and in LH we have more of that and the addition of Daniel who cracked me up. Daniel is hilarious and the interaction between him and Holder is priceless. I really did giggle out loud and he gave me some fantastic crude new sayings! His humour and the wonderful interaction between all the characters perfectly offsets the sadness you feel throughout the book. This author sure knows how to lighten your heart one minute and crush it the next with a simple turn of the page.
As soon as I see the first words written on top of the page, my heart comes to a screeching halt.
As I said before, Colleen Hoover doesn’t just offer the reader an alternative POV in Losing Hope. I don’t know how this author does it but somehow she manages to take an existing story, existing characters, and then turn the story on its head to offer the reader a whole new experience.
My heart sinks and my stomach drops because I just realized with those words that no matter what I try to do to protect her, there’s something way stronger than me that’s tearing her apart.
In Hopeless I did ponder some of Holders actions and reactions and wondered just what was going through his head during the many poignant moments in that book, and I’m so happy to say everything was answered and conveyed in Losing Hope.
The depth of this character is immense. Your heart will ache for him in ways you never imagined. This is Holder telling his story, not simply retelling Sky’s story. It’s new, it’s intense and at times overwhelming in the emotions it elicited from me. Holders voice is staggering. It’s real and it’s raw.
The way this story is presented is sheer brilliance. I am very conscious not to say much about this book as to give anything away, and not afford other readers the same experience I garnered from Losing Hope would sadden me indeed.
I want to kiss her so fucking bad but I’m too scared. I’m scared if I kiss her too soon, it’ll feel like every other kiss she’s ever received. She’ll feel nothing. I don’t want her to feel nothing when I kiss her. I want her to feel everything.
No details given here but I will say that there is a particular point in the story where, even though you expect it’s coming, and you read it with your heart in your mouth and tears streaming down your face there is still nothing that could prepare you for how it would eventuate. You approach with trepidation because you know it’s going to crush you, and even though you think you’re mentally prepared for it the utter devastation and heartbreak you will feel for Holder at this poignant moment will knock you for six. The expected becomes the unexpected and I unashamedly snotty cried.
I make my way outside and, as soon as I’m alone in the parking lot, I scream out of frustration. I pace the sidewalk for a while, trying to figure out what to do. I turn and hit the building, over and over, then fall against the brick wall and wonder how the hell I’ve let her end up here. How the hell did I allow it to get to this point.
Colleen Hoover blew me away with Will’s POV in This Girl. In Losing Hope she once again achieved the impossible. She managed to turn an existing story, told from an alternative POV into something incomparable. If any reader out there is questioning whether or not to read Losing Hope all I can say is please do not give it a second thought. You HAVE to pick this one up because to not do so would be depriving yourself of a rare and beautiful reading experience that should not be missed.
I don’t deserve her. I don’t deserve her understanding and I sure as hell don’t deserve the way she just made my heart feel.
Believe me when I say that Losing Hope is an absolute MUST READ. Holder’s story has to be heard because his is a story that is told with passion, wit, pain, unmatched emotion and breathtaking beauty. Read it. Devour it. Love it.
Superb. Just simply superb!
Note to Ms Hoover: I loved Daniel. That guy HAS to have his own book! What a fun, refreshing character he was. Not to mention I need me some more of his hilarious crude sayings!
ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review
I am in awe of Colleen Hoover’s talent. I love her stories, characters and have the utmost respect for this author’s work and seriously, if she doesn’t write a crappy book soon I’m going to run out of superlatives to describe her books in my reviews.
Now, if I thought my expectations couldn’t be surpassed with Slammed, Point of Retreat, This Girl and Hopeless�.well, I was completely wrong because in Losing Hope this author once again astounded me with her brilliance and Losing Hope did indeed exceed my expectations. There are not enough accolades to express how wonderfully moving this book was.
God, why does every single thing about her throw me off like this?
In Losing Hope we hear Holder’s voice as he narrates his side of the story. But readers, once again this author hasn’t merely provided us with a retelling of Hopeless. The complete opposite in fact.
Because of the way Losing Hope is crafted, the story feels new, fresh and very different and for that reason I urge you to please read Hopeless before embarking on your experience of Losing Hope. Whilst these two books do intertwine, they both have a completely different feel, and as such both books are a must read in order for you to fully grasp the experience that is Sky and Holder.
All she did was hug me back, but little does she know she just knocked a whole lot of life back into me.
Getting inside Holders head was a revelation. If you thought you knew Holder in Hopeless then think again because you are in for a whole world of new experiences as we live and breathe the pain, conflict and the utter despair this man has felt over his past. You are definitely in for an emotional ride in this one. That kiss. The bracelet. The realisation. All of it. It’s heart stopping and every feeling is intensified tenfold via Holder’s voice.
I’ve never looked forward before. I’ve always looked back. I think about the past way too much and I think about what I should have done and everything I did wrong and I’ve never once looked forward in my life. Being with her had me thinking about tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that and next year and forever.
We are there with him every painful step of the way and afforded a truly different version through Holders voice. And what a beautiful, tragic, heartbreaking, yet at times very witty and fabulous story this is. Hold onto your hearts in this one folks because it will be shattered. Hearing Holder express the depth of sorrow that has consumed him broke my heart.
I just don’t want it to be insignificant to her. When I touch her…I want her to feel it. I want every single thing I say to her and every single thing I do to her to have significance.
I cried through it and after it. But I also laughed. Out loud, at times as that trademark Ms Hoover wit is brought to the forefront once again.
I loved the banter between Sky and Holder in Hopeless and in LH we have more of that and the addition of Daniel who cracked me up. Daniel is hilarious and the interaction between him and Holder is priceless. I really did giggle out loud and he gave me some fantastic crude new sayings! His humour and the wonderful interaction between all the characters perfectly offsets the sadness you feel throughout the book. This author sure knows how to lighten your heart one minute and crush it the next with a simple turn of the page.
As soon as I see the first words written on top of the page, my heart comes to a screeching halt.
As I said before, Colleen Hoover doesn’t just offer the reader an alternative POV in Losing Hope. I don’t know how this author does it but somehow she manages to take an existing story, existing characters, and then turn the story on its head to offer the reader a whole new experience.
My heart sinks and my stomach drops because I just realized with those words that no matter what I try to do to protect her, there’s something way stronger than me that’s tearing her apart.
In Hopeless I did ponder some of Holders actions and reactions and wondered just what was going through his head during the many poignant moments in that book, and I’m so happy to say everything was answered and conveyed in Losing Hope.
The depth of this character is immense. Your heart will ache for him in ways you never imagined. This is Holder telling his story, not simply retelling Sky’s story. It’s new, it’s intense and at times overwhelming in the emotions it elicited from me. Holders voice is staggering. It’s real and it’s raw.
The way this story is presented is sheer brilliance. I am very conscious not to say much about this book as to give anything away, and not afford other readers the same experience I garnered from Losing Hope would sadden me indeed.
I want to kiss her so fucking bad but I’m too scared. I’m scared if I kiss her too soon, it’ll feel like every other kiss she’s ever received. She’ll feel nothing. I don’t want her to feel nothing when I kiss her. I want her to feel everything.
No details given here but I will say that there is a particular point in the story where, even though you expect it’s coming, and you read it with your heart in your mouth and tears streaming down your face there is still nothing that could prepare you for how it would eventuate. You approach with trepidation because you know it’s going to crush you, and even though you think you’re mentally prepared for it the utter devastation and heartbreak you will feel for Holder at this poignant moment will knock you for six. The expected becomes the unexpected and I unashamedly snotty cried.
I make my way outside and, as soon as I’m alone in the parking lot, I scream out of frustration. I pace the sidewalk for a while, trying to figure out what to do. I turn and hit the building, over and over, then fall against the brick wall and wonder how the hell I’ve let her end up here. How the hell did I allow it to get to this point.
Colleen Hoover blew me away with Will’s POV in This Girl. In Losing Hope she once again achieved the impossible. She managed to turn an existing story, told from an alternative POV into something incomparable. If any reader out there is questioning whether or not to read Losing Hope all I can say is please do not give it a second thought. You HAVE to pick this one up because to not do so would be depriving yourself of a rare and beautiful reading experience that should not be missed.
I don’t deserve her. I don’t deserve her understanding and I sure as hell don’t deserve the way she just made my heart feel.
Believe me when I say that Losing Hope is an absolute MUST READ. Holder’s story has to be heard because his is a story that is told with passion, wit, pain, unmatched emotion and breathtaking beauty. Read it. Devour it. Love it.
Superb. Just simply superb!
Note to Ms Hoover: I loved Daniel. That guy HAS to have his own book! What a fun, refreshing character he was. Not to mention I need me some more of his hilarious crude sayings!
ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review
July 2, 2013
This is one of those magical books that only come around so often. I'm not going to rehash the whole story because chances are if you're reading this, then you've already read Hopeless and know Holder's and Sky's story. All that I will say is that this book is perfect. I often get emotional in books but this book wrecked me in the best way. It was funny, it was sad, and it was inspiring. I don't want to write anymore than this- because I want whoever reads this review to experience Holder's point of view for the first time. There are not enough stars in the sky to rate this book. There are not enough ways to express how much I loved it. It's simply beautiful.
**ARC provided by Atria Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
June 27, 2013
Intense. Heartbreaking. Passionate. Hopeful.
Oh good lord...where do I begin??? I honestly didn't think it was possible to love Dean Holder more. This book? This book isn't Hopeless retold. This book is Holder's story. Yes, there are some recapped moments, but there was so much more that I learned about Holder in this book. Seriously, I fell in love with him even more.
~If I could pre-order a girl, I wouldn't even come close to the version standing in front of me right now.-Loc 949
I always have trouble writing my reviews for Hoover's books, because I can't ever convey how emotionally impacting these books are for me. Generally, I knew what was going to happen, but I honestly wasn't prepared to feel so much or to cry as much as I did. We see what his relationship was like with his mother, his sister, and then with Sky. I loved watching Holder and Sky's story unfold from his point of view.
~I'm pretty sure it's too soon to love her. But shit. She's got to stop doing and saying these unexpected things that make me want to fast-forward whatever's going on between us.
Because I want to kiss her and make love to her and marry her and make her have my babies and I want it all to happen tonight.
But then we'd be out of firsts, and the firsts are the best part. Good thing I'm patient.-Loc 1905
Dean Holder is one of the most complex characters I've read. He feels with a high level of intensity and he is really a very passionate person. Holder was, in every sense of the word, Sky's true partner. They compliment each other so well. But they also healed each other.
~I have no idea what to say, so I just hold her. I hold her and I kiss her hair and I silently thank her for helping me to breathe again.-Loc 2878
Now, I could write out a play by play for you, but that would completely ruin your experience. And believe me when I tell you that there are moments in this book that will leave you breathless, as well as completely sobbing. There were a few surprises along the way too that were unexpected, unknown, and made me thank Hoover for writing such a beautiful piece of art. Because it was. Colleen Hoover is a word artist. This book was beautiful, tragic, heartbreaking, and made me feel a wide range of emotions. LOSING HOPE will sit along side HOPELESS as one of my all-time favorite reads. If you fell in love with HOPELESS, like so many others, you won't want to miss LOSING HOPE!
Review will post on autumnreview.com on July 7th and I will have a giveaway, so be sure to check it out!
Oh good lord...where do I begin??? I honestly didn't think it was possible to love Dean Holder more. This book? This book isn't Hopeless retold. This book is Holder's story. Yes, there are some recapped moments, but there was so much more that I learned about Holder in this book. Seriously, I fell in love with him even more.
~If I could pre-order a girl, I wouldn't even come close to the version standing in front of me right now.-Loc 949
I always have trouble writing my reviews for Hoover's books, because I can't ever convey how emotionally impacting these books are for me. Generally, I knew what was going to happen, but I honestly wasn't prepared to feel so much or to cry as much as I did. We see what his relationship was like with his mother, his sister, and then with Sky. I loved watching Holder and Sky's story unfold from his point of view.
~I'm pretty sure it's too soon to love her. But shit. She's got to stop doing and saying these unexpected things that make me want to fast-forward whatever's going on between us.
Because I want to kiss her and make love to her and marry her and make her have my babies and I want it all to happen tonight.
But then we'd be out of firsts, and the firsts are the best part. Good thing I'm patient.-Loc 1905
Dean Holder is one of the most complex characters I've read. He feels with a high level of intensity and he is really a very passionate person. Holder was, in every sense of the word, Sky's true partner. They compliment each other so well. But they also healed each other.
~I have no idea what to say, so I just hold her. I hold her and I kiss her hair and I silently thank her for helping me to breathe again.-Loc 2878
Now, I could write out a play by play for you, but that would completely ruin your experience. And believe me when I tell you that there are moments in this book that will leave you breathless, as well as completely sobbing. There were a few surprises along the way too that were unexpected, unknown, and made me thank Hoover for writing such a beautiful piece of art. Because it was. Colleen Hoover is a word artist. This book was beautiful, tragic, heartbreaking, and made me feel a wide range of emotions. LOSING HOPE will sit along side HOPELESS as one of my all-time favorite reads. If you fell in love with HOPELESS, like so many others, you won't want to miss LOSING HOPE!
Review will post on autumnreview.com on July 7th and I will have a giveaway, so be sure to check it out!
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