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Book Review: CONFESS by Colleen Hoover

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CONFESS

BY COLLEEN HOOVER

 

Atria Books | Paperback
On-Sale: 03/10/15
Paperback ISBN: 9781476791456, $16.00 

eBook ISBN: 9781476791463, $7.99 
320 pages

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 From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a new novel about risking everything for love—and finding your heart somewhere between the truth and lies.
 
Auburn Reed has her entire life mapped out. Her goals are in sight and there’s 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 risk and puts her heart in control, only to discover that Owen is keeping some major secrets 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.
 
The last thing Owen wants is to lose Auburn, but he can’t seem to convince her that truth is sometimes as subjective as art. All he would have to do to save their relationship is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin…
 
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REVIEW

*This was an ARC provided to me for free in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and comments are my own.*

Some secrets should never turn into confessions. I know that better than anyone.

There are a million reasons why I love reading and Colleen Hoover is one of those reasons! Authors like her grab your attention from the very first line and keep you hanging on to their every word. To say I experienced emotional turmoil reading Confess is an understatement. I cried big ugly tears, but what else is new when it comes to Colleen? I think she is the only author that consistently makes me cry and for some reason I read and repeat the process with every release. She’s figuratively punched me in the gut time and time again and yet I keep coming back for more. All I can say is, so far every book has been well worth the tears. She brings the reader into a very realistic world with relatable issues (for the most part). When I read Colleen’s books it’s as if a piece of art is being painted in my head (how apropos) or puzzle pieces coming together, either way, she’s ingenious. Her creativity knows no bounds, she’s made a book with an accompanying album, one that included slam poetry and has even co-authored a book with Tarryn Fisher. Now she’s teamed up with the amazing UK based artist Danny O’Connor. Together, they have created an absolute masterpiece. The art in Confess creates the perfect visual for the reader. Danny O’Connor’s work is brilliant. His art adds so much intensity to this novel. I spent time looking at his work and I absolutely fell in love. I understand why Colleen decided to work with him. The joint effort was well worth the wait!
 
I’m not a fan of spoilers, never have been, never will be. I’ll attempt to give you as much information about Confess without giving away too much of the storyline. Confess is the story of Auburn Reed and Owen Gentry. It reveals how their lives intersect and the upheavals they experience following their first interaction. There is an attraction that begins as curiosity, but slowly builds to an indescribable desire and a connection that makes you feel as though you’ve just witnessed a fairytale match coming alive, but all fairytales experience trials and tribulations before they ever make it to the HEA and boy did Auburn and Owen get a run for their money. This book will give you angina. I hurt for these two. I cried for them and I wanted to throw this book against a wall at times.
 
I don’t watch much television and people like to look at me like I’m crazy for admitting I prefer to read, but to me, I am visualizing everything as if it were TV or a movie. I like to tell people when I read I AM watching a movie (in my head). With Confess you’re living the movie with Auburn and Owen. Every emotion, every heartrending incident, every breathtaking moment you LIVE with them. I wasn’t sure what direction she would take with the storyline and I have to admit I grew nervous as the ending grew closer. ANGINA I’m telling you! I kept looking at my kindle like, “Why are you at 80% and all the things I need to happen aren’t coming together yet? Please tell me this will be a HEA or I really will throw this kindle.” Yes, I had this internal monologue. Don’t judge me because trust me, you will too! I have to admit Colleen vividly and flawlessly captures the emotions and behaviors of all the characters. And although I was heartbroken for a while I felt as though I were truly witnessing an accurate portrayal of control, helplessness and genuine heartfelt love.
 
This is one of those novels that make you enjoy every step of the reading process. It is utterly heartbreaking at times, yet incredibly beautiful. This book gutted me and I wasn’t sure I’d ever recover. So many things were happening and as usual Colleen kept the surprises coming. I laughed, I cried and held my breath waiting patiently for my demise at the hands of a book. I was captivated by the realistic and complex characters, the multilayered plot and emotionally charged storyline. This book is the epitome of unputdownable. I was addicted from the minute I started reading and I COULDN’T stop, until I begrudgingly turned that final page. Confess is an incredible read with plenty of bumps along the way, but the final outcome is well worth your time ahem and tears. Oh, and did I mention this book is written in dual POV!!!!
 

Colleen has Confess prints for sale at her online store HERE and if you’re interested in viewing or purchasing art from Danny O’Connor you can find his work HERE

 

My Confession:

 

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 Comment with yours.


 GIVEAWAY

 

Enter for a chance to win! Visit Atria’s Tumblr page from 3/9 – 3/22 to enter to win and a grand prize of a signed framed print of one of the images in the book plus a signed copy of CONFESS or one of the runner up prizes of one of four signed copies of CONFESS.

 


11109_408567071_hrAbout the Author:
Colleen Hoover is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Slammed, Point of Retreat, This Girl, Hopeless, Losing Hope, Maybe Someday, Finding Cinderella, and Ugly Love. She lives in Texas with her husband and their three boys. Please visit ColleenHoover.com

 

Find Colleen online:
Website   |   Facebook   |   Twitter   |   Instagram

My (Current) Top Ten Fictional Boyfriends

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Bookwhoredom isn’t easy but someone’s got to do it. How could I live up to my name if I didn’t have a series of book boys I’m swooning over all at once. Here’s a list of fictional boyfriends I’m currently obsessed with…they aren’t long winded descriptions of the book just blurbs describing my undying devotion to these fab men! Christian Grey isn’t on this list BUT this is a CURRENT list…I will undeniably find my way back to him! LOL.

10. Jessie Ward – This Man Trilogy (Jodi Ellen Malpas)

Talk about swoon worthy alpha males. I love love love Jessie Ward he is my number 10 pick…I know, I know #10 seems far off but he was a bit too possessive for my liking. I love him but let’s face it he had some batshit crazy moments. HA!

This Man  |  Beneath This Man  |  This Man Confessed

9. Tristan Michaels – Finding Love’s Wings (Zoey Derrick)

Hot movie star…um need I say more? Oh wait, Hot tattooed (and pierced) movie star! Yes, please! ::Fans self:: excuse me while I swoon some more. Tristan Michaels is just hot! Lock me away in a hotel room on a remote island with him any day!  Must read book with a must have book boyfriend!

Finding Love’s Wings

8. Matt Watkins – Flat Out Love (Jessica Park)

Witty, lovable Matt. One of my must read picks is Flat-Out Love and I swear this guy had me swooning from the start. Nerdy and adventurous what a combo.  He’s  the ultimate book boyfriend.

Flat-Out Love  |  Flat-Out Matt

7.  Ryan Christensen – The Love Series (Tina Reber)

Another movie star! Hello…notice a pattern…I’m kind of digging the rockstar/movie star romance. Hollywood IT man Ryan Christensen is hot let’s face it, the man is sex on a stick but he doesn’t want all the glitz and glamour. He wants the girl…loyal, humble and absolutely swoon worthy…what’s not to love?

Love Unscripted  |  Love Unrehearsed

6. Kellan Kyle – Thoughtless Trilogy (S.C. Stephens)

ROCKSTAR Romance! Who doesn’t love them? Kellan Kyle you had me swooning from the beginning and I am still reeling from that experience. I would’ve dropped my man for you too…ok maybe not, but I’d consider it! hehe 😀

Thoughtless  |  Effortless  |  Reckless

5.  Andrew Parrish – The Edge of Never (J.A. Redmerski)

I love, love, love Andrew Parrish. If I had to take a road trip across the country with a random stranger…he’d be my guy! Seriously though, what’s not to love…he is smoldering hot and sweet as candy.  This is the guy you take to bed that will NEVER disappoint, the one you introduce to your parents and marry! The one you want to spend every waking moment with because he’s so flipping perfect! Oh and did I mention he’s also tattooed…I think I’m in heaven! Someone pinch me!

The Edge of Never  |  The Edge of Always

4. David Ferris – Lick (Stage Dive #1)  (Kylie Scott)

Oh dear God, lock me in a room with David Ferris. Accidentally marry me off to him…I promise I’ll never leave! Another ROCKSTAR romance to die for. Hot is not the word for David Ferris…jeez the things I’ve mentally done with him! HA!

Lick (Stage Dive #1)

3. Dean Holder – Hopeless/Losing Hope & Will Cooper – Slammed Trilogy (Colleen Hoover)

Need I say more.

Colleen Hoover creates amazing characters who you fall in love with regardless of gender but Holder, sigh, Holder is something special. And I had to include Will from the Slammed trilogy because, well, I just love him, but since I wanted to be fair to other authors I love. CoHo gets a pass and you get a two-for! Lol.

Hopeless  |  Losing Hope

Slammed  | Point of Retreat  |  This Girl

2. Rush Finlay – Too Far Series (Abbi Glines)

Rush, I love you. Marry me! The End.

Fallen Too Far  |  Never Too Far  |  Forever Too Far

1. Fitzwilliam Darcy – Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)

Need I say more? Classic and timeless! My all time favorite book boyfriend. He will always be #1. I’d give up my bookwhoring for him. LOL.  Mr. Darcy, the elusive Mr. Darcy. I love this book I’ve read it more time than I’m willing to admit and have watched every movie, series or show based on the book. My all time favorite Darcy portrayal is Colin Firth! Best adaptation I’ve seen! And guess what, I might leave my man for Darcy…in fact, I think I have. Quite a few times…while he was present…but shhhhhh don’t tell him!

Pride and Prejudice – there are no excuses for not reading this book, the download is FREE!!!

If you haven’t read any of the books I highly recommend them. Not just because they’re awesome but because the “eye candy,” come on folks you’re readers use your imagination. Seriously though, check these books out. You won’t be disappointed!

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