Banana's Book Blog

So I know I have gotten to know Colleen Hoover’s work out of order since I read Hopeless first. But I feel like I’ve wasted time not knowing Will as I know Holder. This book had blood, sweat and tears, and I say that because the poetry found within these pages was so well written. I was performing the pieces myself, because I didn’t think they would be as good if the words were not spoken out loud. I think that having the little lyrics from the Avett Brothers’ songs was also a nice unique touch. One thing I have also observed about Colleen Hoover? She may give you an HEA, but man do you have to work for it. Now, I do not want to give any major plot points away, so this is either going to be a really short review, or a really wordy, confusing one.

So we meet Layken, she is 18, and in her senior year she is movies from texas to Michagan, for several reasons. Firstly her dad died a few months earlier, her mom can’t afford to keep their home and she just got a better paying job in Michigan. So, Layken, her mom and her younger brother Kel, pack all thei belongings and leave the only home she has ever known. And on the same morning they arrive, she looks across the street and catches a glimpse of Will Cooper. While Will and Layken get googly-eyed over each other, their younger siblings who are the same age, become fast friends. I think the complexities of life that Layken has to face at such a young age, makes her a great character. There are some moments that she deals with as a typuuical teenager, but then there are those that she deals with like a woman, who knows too much about the world. Her attraction to Will is very fast, and very honest, and I enjoyed that she never wanted to hold back from him, and she was always up front about that. She knew what she wanted from their relationship right or wrong. Willl on the other hand has rules, and he’s serious about those rules.

Will Cooper, is just one of those guys I hope exists but somewhere in the back of my mind, I tell myself he can’t. Will is the just such a great guy, there is no other way to describe him. He is kind, caring, compassionate, patient, loving, hot, and a freaking incredible poet. His poems move me like no other I have other read or heard. I think that he is just too good to be true, and I whole-heartedly agree with Layken when she told him, “You’re a good person. This thing about you that you think is your flaw-it’s the reason I’m falling in love with you.” I hated his circumstances, but I loved that he was so ready to deal with whatever life threw at him. He was so honorable and noble, and always tried to do the right thing, even if that meant hurting himself. By the end of the book, I was more than in love with him.

Julia is such a wonderful example of a great mother/parent. I see her as just the person that I want to be when I become a mother. I do like her relationship with her kids, especially after all they have been through. I like that she is always open to giving advice to both her kids, which I think is the best part some of my fave quotes in the book came from her.

“Regret is counterproductive, It’s looking back on a past that you can’t change. Questioning things as they occur can prevent regret in the future. I questioned a lot about my relationship with your father. People make spontaneous decisions based off of their hearts all the time. There’s so much more to relationship that just love.”

“There are three questions every woman should be able to answer yes to before they commit to a man…Does he treat you with respect at all time? The second question is, if he is the exact same person twenty years from now that he today, would you still want to marry him? And finally, does he inspire you to want to be a better person? You find someone you can answer yes to all three, then you’ve found a good man.”

Overall, I loved this book, I guess I should not have been so skeptical, it was really great. The poetry is phenomenal, the characters unforgettable, and the plot emotional. Be ready.