Thursday, March 12, 2015

A Bittersweet Confession dedicated to Colleen Hoover ♥ Review

Thursday, March 12, 2015


  • Confess
  • Colleen Hoover

  • Publisher: Atria Books (March 10, 2015)
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
  • ISBN-13: 978-1476791456
  • Genre: New Adult
  • Purchase: Amazon | B & N
  • Source: Personal Purchase

  • Synopsis: A new novel about risking everything for love—and finding your heart somewhere between the truth and lies. At age twenty-one, Auburn Reed has already lost everything important to her. In her fight to rebuild her shattered life, she has her goals in sight and there is no room for mistakes. 

  • But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry. For once, Auburn takes a chance and puts her heart in control, only to discover that Owen is keeping a major secret from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it. To save their relationship, all Owen needs to do is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin.

When I first heard about Colleen's new book..

Now that I have actually read it..

  • First Thoughts: *drumroll* I must confess I've never been this much disappointed in a novel this year than I have with this one. I've seen only one negative review of this book out of probably 600+ so I might be the minority that's having issues with CoHo's latest novel. I haven't read a book that has me quite frustrated this year, this might be it.  Have you guys read every work of the author that you love, and you're anxiously waiting for their new release - but then their new novel is is the biggest let down ever? It happened twice already, first with Khaled Hosseini, and now Colleen Hoover.. I usually do like her work except I didn't like Slammed or Hopeless as much. I had high expectations for Confess, I wanted to love it. I did like it though for the most part, it's a nice attempt. I couldn't put it down - it was a quick and addicting read that I had to finish it.
  • I love the concept of Confess, secrets made into real life confessions that are inspired to make art .. That's NOTHING like I have ever read before, I totally fangirled at the concept. Did I mention, the book is ACTUALLY COLOR CODED WITH THE ARTWORK? I want to own it just so I can stare at the pictures. I just realized there's actually a girl's face on the cover of the lettering.. Now, that's creative and something unique as well. When I first started reading along and the male lead Owen mentioned he has some crazy secrets that he's hiding that relate to Auburn, I thought he was reincarnated from someone in Auburn's past.. Yes, don't ask - I feel silly for thinking there would be a paranormal aspect to Confess.
"She would be shocked if she knew how much of her past has affected my present, which is why I won’t be sharing the truth with her. Some secrets should never turn into confessions.”
  • I didn't like Auburn as much as I liked Owen - I love both of their names too, Owen's my favorite male lead name after reading the book Just Listen. I'm giving too many book names, let me stop. They're both independent characters, and I like that the male lead is an artist, I can relate to him since I have an inner artist in me. I related more to the male lead than the female, which isn't really a bad thing. Owen is a complete stranger, yet, Auburn enters his studio looking for a job. Turns out the studio is also his apartment, yep I would so run out of there. It has the same dumb heroine concept of Hopeless except it's worse here.. She even invites him to her bedroom for coffee when no one's home. IT'S ONLY THE FIRST MEETING. He could be a serial killer. SHE WOULD NEVER INVITE HIM UP IF HE WAS A FOURTY-FIVE YEAR MAN WHO ACTUALLY LOOKS OLD. Am I seriously going to go through this again?

  • Hate is a strong word, so I must confess I quite strongly disliked the instant love and the romance. It didn't work for me.. It was just some love at sight, which isn't REALISTIC. I can understand why Owen had such a strong connection because of his secrets but WHY AUBURN? I want to pull my hair out .. The romance itself did not make me cringe, but the instant love and the connection did. I did not get the romance, it didn't connect with me. It was way too intense by the second meeting.. Their feelings were all over the place.  What happened to the relationships that took time to develop? I did not expect this from the author, she usually takes time for the romance to develop. It wasn't a cheesy romance though, I loved the dialogue and the conversations they had.. but it was too deep when you're meeting someone for the first time. The insta love does depress me because the plot and concept is wonderful. The love triangle made me cringe as well, I didn't like Auburn running back and forth switching men. Just choose one, and move on with your life instead of weeping about it.. There are more difficult decisions in life to make.
  •  Colleen is a wonderful writer, even when one of her books don't appeal to me as much, her writing always engages the reader. Confess is an original work for the most part minus the instant love, the concept is different from everything she has previously written. I actually like some parts of this a bit better than Maybe Someday which is my most FAVORITE novel of hers. There are some major parts that are flawed that prevented it from being a great novel, atleast for me. This is her most unique novel yet.. but it's flawed.
  • Overall: The confessions aspect of the novel is fantastic, it's obvious it has to do something with Auburn from the blurb of the book. The actual confession is not that bad at all.. I was expecting something that would pull my heart out of my body, but, instead I received disappointment.. I don't believe it would have shocked someone that much, I was just slightly surprised mainly. I don't think authors should cause so much excitement for that secret, when it can't be executed as well. If the insta love and the strange love triangle wasn't there, it could have been her best novel yet. My high expectations will forever be the end of me.. I have decided officially, I have no favorite authors unless I love ALL of their books. I still have hope in her next novel November 9; however, I must confess, my expectations will be much lower.
Sincerely, heartbroken reader.

P.s It's not explicit like most NA novels, I might haven't loved this, but people probably will eat it up esp. NA fans.

P.s.s I'm ready for the backlash.. Bring it.

Recommended for fans of Hopeless, and Slammed.

  • Shukran for reading this! Leave your blog links in the comments & I'll be sure to check them out & follow :) Stay in tuned pretty creatures.. 

    “Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness.” —George R.R. Martin 
    femmmefatalee@gmail.com

59 comments:

  1. OH WOW...okay, I totally get it, the insta-love would bother me too...like a lot and that would (most likely) always ruin a story for me. Bummer. And there's nothing worse than being disappointed. Sometimes there's one book that you don't love but everyone else does, which happens and it's okay. It's a fantastic review and I hope the next book you read is amazing my friend. ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Christina, lately, many books have been disappointing me .. </3 It's depressing at time, I hope the next read is better for me. Thank you ♥

      Delete
  2. Ohgosh, I hate instalove and love triangles too. They're kinda like a deal breaker for me, though it depends on the author's writing. I just got this book too and I'm so hyped to read it. Sorry this didn't work out for you as what you expected it to be. Awesome review, Benish!

    Blessie @ Mischievous Reads

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The writing is pretty great though, which saved the novel though. The insta love was just annoying.

      Delete
  3. Great review! I do love your honesty! I actually just started this book- only a few pages in - and I hope I enjoy it. I do love the confessions turned into artwork. That really is a very unique and original concept. Something I am really enjoying. I do get where you are coming from. The insta-love thing is something hard for me to like. Usually I can put it aside and enjoy the story- if it's really good- or if I do enjoy the characters. If not, I usually have to put the book down. I love Colleen Hoover. She is an amazing writer. I'm sad you were disappointed in this one, but at least you gave it a shot and wrote a nice and honest review :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It could have been a great novel, I believe - just some parts were unexpected. I didn't like the cheating in it though, hope you do like it more than me though ♥ Waiting to hear your thoughts on it soon :)

      Delete
  4. I skimmed a bit through the review cause this will be one of my next reads and I'm trying to go in it quite blind, so... I'm SO excited! *-*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you like it like more than me then ♥

      Delete
  5. This sounds like another book that I would like to read. You write some of the best book reviews.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw that means so much to me! Thank you Jessica ♥

      Delete
  6. This one is actually on it's way to me, so i skimmed your review, but it's a shame you didn't enjoy it as you had such high hopes... I am keen to read it now and see why.

    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you enjoy this one though, even if I couldn't :)

      Delete
  7. Uh oh! I just got this book for review. I was uber excited to read it because I haven't read any of Colleen Hoover's books. I really dislike insta love, but i will probably give this a go simply because I said I would. Thanks for the spoiler free review.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by Karen, I quite disliked the insta love in this novel - it really wasn't necessary, the writing and plot was interesting though. I hope you do enjoy this one more than me, waiting for your thoughts on it soon :)

      Delete
  8. Aw, I am so sorry that you have been disappointed with this novel, Benish. I havent read it myself, I do not enjoy novels by CoHo (I know I am probably only person in the world). And after reading your review, I am sure I will never pick this up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's okay, I know a few people who don't enjoy her novels as well :)

      Delete
  9. Aw I'm sorry to hear the book didn't hold up to your expectations, I hate when that happens! I'm definitely not a fan of insta-love either, but how awesome is it that the book is color coded with the artwork?! I haven't read a book by Hoover yet, so if I ever decide to I for sure won't start with this one. Thank you for you honest review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, the color coded artwork is beyond beautiful - it does have a wonderful concept unfortunately, the book fell a little too short for me. Thank you for dropping by ❤️ You should try Maybe Someday, it's amazing x

      Delete
  10. Love the gifs they made me giggle! Sorry you didn't enjoy this one Benish. Hopefully her next book with knock you off your feel :)

    Courtney @ Storybook Slayers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hehe thank you Courtney - & I hope so too ❤️

      Delete
  11. Errrr. I would hate this book. The heroine sounds AWFUL. I'd probably want to shake her if she existed in real life. Good on you for toughing out this one!

    Excellent review, Benish :)

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Alyssa, and yes the heroine was a disappointment in this area. Thank you for dropping by ❤️

      Delete
  12. I didn't even notice there was a face there! Ahhh I see it now! Oh, and I was very disappointed with And the Mountains Echoed as well :( It seems like we both seem to be needing some good reads lately, and I hope they come soon for the both of us, and that the next Colleen Hoover book blows you off your feet ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Mountains have Echoes was such a disappointment :( It had too many secondary characters that weren't needed - the beginning of the novel was great though! I hope our next read will be amazing, thank you for dropping by Olivia ❤️

      Delete
  13. It is nice to read a dissenting voice. I am not a huge fan of Hoover. I really liked Hopeless but after that I have been disappointed. Her books are falling into a predictable pattern and I am tired of the drama and angst. So I have decided to pass on this one especially after Ugly Love.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I liked the concept of Hopeless but it was waaaay too over dramatic, I hope her newer books get better soon because she is a great writer.

      Delete
  14. I'm actually the opposite Benish, where I loved both Hopeless and Slammed, but have been disliking each of her releases more and more since then. I'm not a fan of new adult, and her last few releases (apart from having Maybe Someday with it's own soundtrack) have been similar storylines that you can really find in any other new adult release. Girl meets boy, denies attraction, both have secrets, they get it on, someone cried, secrets revealed. Happy ending. It's the same template over and over. While I like the concept and drawn into the prospect of art, I might read this with caution. I think I'm just over her hype too. Lovely review Benish, sorry you couldn't have enjoyed this a little more <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Slammed was the first novel I read about it, it was alright. I do like Hopeless, I have read it atleast 3x yet I can't really like it that much though - it's too over dramatic and I didn't like the dumb heroine concept :( Hopefully her new book gets better though, I think she deserves another chance from my side ❤️ Thank you for dropping by :)

      Delete
  15. Wow that's a shame it didn't live upto your expectations, I do love the cover and concept so I might look into this one soon. I love the honest review though, your reviews are always so detailed with breakdowns of every aspect, now that's talent :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw that means so much to me! Thank you, I've always loved details & writing ❤️

      Delete
  16. I've never read anything by Colleen Hoover but I have nearly all of her books on my TBR besides this. I don't know why but I never felt the need to read it, and now I feel it even less haha. When one of your favorite authors' disappoints you that's THE WORST feeling ever, so I feel terrible because this didn't work for you.
    Great review. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Veronika ❤️ She has some cute books - You might like Hopeless and Maybe Someday :)

      Delete
  17. I am not sure if the whole secret and confession thing would work for me as a plot, as I often dislike it in books when characters keep thigns from each other and you know that eventually the truth will come out, it's only a matter of time. It's sad when the romance doesn't work for you in a book. I have only read one book by Colleen Hoover so far Hopeless, I did enjoy it, so I might give another one of her books a tyr, but haven't felt the urge to buy one of them so far.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have mixed thoughts on her books now, her old books used to be really good - I'm not sure about her new ones, Maybe Someday is my favorite novel of hers ❤️

      Delete
  18. I don't know about this one. I mean, I can't with insta-love and ridiculousness. And if the plot isn't even that exciting... what's the point? Though I DID love Slammed. I liked Hopeless too, though not as much as Slammed. So I am kind of conflicted. It was on my TBR, so I will leave it there for now, but I am definitely not running out to grab it. GREAT review, I am sorry you were disappointed though!

    Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The insta love kinda killed the plot for me, it completely took me off guard. The plot is catchy for the most part, otherwise the concept is the best thing about the novel. It could have been a beautiful novel, unfortunately it wasn't executed right. Thank you Shannon x

      Delete
  19. It's a shame that you didn't like this one Benish!I hate it when anticipated reads disappoint me.
    But I think I personally would enjoy this one,as I am a huge fan of Slammed.Well,I just have to read it myself and see then.
    Thanks for the honest review,anyway,and I am a new follower btw.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do hope you enjoy this one more than me though :) Thank you for following and dropping by, hope to see you around ❤️

      Delete
  20. You know, I've been looking and looking at this one, thinking about how much I need to own it, and then you said insta-love. If there is one thing that kills a book for me more than anything else it's that. That's a huge disappointment. I might just borrow it!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Borrowing is best for this novel, I was quite Disapponted in it. Maybe it might work out for you :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I tried a few of Hoover's books but they just aren't for me so from hat you said I'm sure this one wouldn't be either. I can't handle all that drama and she (& a lot of other NA authors) have this thing with having guys behave in disturbing ways but it doesn't matter because they're hot &.or damaged.

    Karen @For What It's Worth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah a lot of the NA drama is quite repetitive where couples make & break up .. Thank you for dropping by ❤️

      Delete
  23. Oh I have yet to read a book by CoHo. I should probably get on that haha. I have to admit though, the cover looks so pretty! Oh and yes you are not the only one that was disappointed by this book! Or so I've read from other reviews :)

    Awesome review Benish! I like your reviewing/writing style :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Val! ❤️ I was quite disappointed in this novel - it was like every other NA novel, hopefully her latest novel will be great! She deserves another chance❤️ Hope you do it enjoy it more than me though :)

      Delete
  24. It's always incredibly disappointing when an author you love comes out with a totally weird book to put you off. It happened with Richelle Mead's Gameboard of the Gods book *shudders*. Anyway, I'm so disappointed to hear of the insta-love here! It kind of reminds me a lot of Hopeless, as you said. And yes, that lack of self preservation and judgement on the heroine's part kind of sounds weird. Wonderful honest review Benish!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's really disappointing when that happens, I love Richelle Mead's books especially her Vampire Academy series & bloodlines - I haven't gotten a chance to read her other books but I'm planning on to soon - Im actually real excited for her new Soundless series, going to pre-order that soon :)

      I do hope you enjoy Confess more than me though, hoping to hear your thoughts on it soon ❤️ Thank you for dropping by Jeann xx

      Delete
  25. You write done of the best reviews, AWESOME reviews, I love how honest they're always are and you're not afraid to dislikd a book everyone raves about. Fantastic review.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw that means so much to me, thank you ! :)

      Delete
  26. Oh Benish I had to skim, since I have it on audio and am going into it totally cold. I haven't even read the synopsis. I will stop back once I've read it. I am sorry it disappointed you since I know you were looking forward to it

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was quite disappointed - hoping to hear your thoughts on it soon :)

      Delete
  27. So far this year I'm lucky that I haven't really had a letdown from an author I love, but last years was A Thousand Pieces of You, I love Claudia Gray, I've read most of hers (just haven't finished the Evernight series) but I hated A Thousand Pieces of You, not just disliked, really, really hated it, haha. I haven't read any of Colleen Hoovers (I'm a little intimidated) but really glad I haven't read this one. She invites him into her bedroom for coffee when no one's home and she doesn't even know the guy? Okay then. No, no, no, no. For real? Seriously, even if this was your only issue with the book, I still wouldn't read it on principle. Just no.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, A Thousand Pieces of You did have a beautiful cover, the plot fell a little too short for me though - I wanted more Science fiction than romance. Some of Coho's books are good though, you can try Maybe Someday :) Thank you for dropping by Kristy ♥

      Delete
  28. To answer your question -- "Have you guys read every work of the author that you love, and you're anxiously waiting for their new release - but then their new novel is is the biggest let down ever?" HELL YES! It's happened to me TWICE THIS YEAR! And I HATE when that happens :(
    That really sucks this one didn't work for you. I absolutely LOVED it but I can see that you have valid points for not liking it. As if you need them LOL. You're allowed to not like a book just because, well... you didn't. And, not liking a book everyone else loved sucks, I've been there. It always feels like I'm missing out on the big secret everyone else is privy to or something. I have to agree though that her Slammed series and Hopeless were not my FAVs of hers either. Actually my FAV was Ugly Love with your FAV Maybe Someday a close second.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, we share the same pain now </3 & I agree, I really did want to love this book - the concept and plot is fantastic but the insta love and love triangle made me cringe, the romance couldn't get to me you know? and yes, someone who isn't a fan of Slammed and Hopeless either, I thought I might be the only one lol. I hope her next novel November 9 is a hit for me :) Thank you for dropping by Stacy ♥

      Delete
  29. Oh yeah and thanks for pointing out the girl on the cover I totally missed that!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You welcome ♥ I missed it as well, until someone pointed it out to me too lol.

      Delete
  30. Your reviews are always on point, I love your honesty .

    ReplyDelete

Powered by Blogger.