Hopeless by Colleen Hoover Narrator: Angela Goethals
Series: Hopeless #1
Published by Audible Studios on 29 May 2013
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Length: 12hrs 34min
Format: Audiobook
Source: Audible Purchase
Would you rather know a truth that makes you feel hopeless, or keep believing the lies? Beloved and bestselling author Colleen Hoover returns with the spellbinding story of two young people with devastating pasts who embark on a passionate, intriguing journey to discover the lessons of life, love, trust--and above all, the healing power that only truth can bring.
Sky, a senior in high school, meets Dean Holder, a guy with a promiscuous reputation that rivals her own. From their very first encounter, he terrifies and captivates her. Something about him sparks memories of her deeply troubled past, a time she's tried so hard to bury.
Though Sky is determined to stay far away from him, his unwavering pursuit and enigmatic smile break down her defenses and the intensity of the bond between them grows. But the mysterious Holder has been keeping secrets of his own, and once they are revealed, Sky is changed forever and her ability to trust may be a casualty of the truth.
When I first read Hopeless, I think it became my favorite Colleen Hoover story, because it is so very deep, and so very gritty, and my emotions were all over the place because Sky and her past were unraveling so very slowly. And I adored both Sky and Holder, and I was fond of Six, too, even if she didn’t stay for the whole story. Listening to the audiobook brought all my feelings from Hopeless even more to the surface! I was crying two rivers on the bus one day on my way to Uni, and I would have much rather stayed on the bus all the listening to the story than going to class.
Angela Goethals narrates Hopeless beautifully, the characters’ anguish shines through in her voice, her inflections brought the point across a little differently from when I read the story on my own. I also love her voice, it is very agreeable to listen to, and the speed at which she narrates fits the story perfectly.
When the really difficult parts of the story arrived, I was almost amazed the narrator wasn’t crying along with me, but she still managed to share emotions in the way she told me the hard truths of Hopeless.
I just realized that my first three audiobook reviews are all books written by Colleen Hoover; Slammed, Maybe Someday and Hopeless all were enhanced by the experience of actually having a story told to me, and that is in big part thanks to the wonderful narrators. If you aren’t sure yet if you’ll enjoy an audiobook, I definitely recommend these, but only if new adult contemporary romance novels are part of the genres you enjoy.
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
Your really getting into these audiobooks. 🙂 I find them to be great for doing outdoor chores or walking. 🙂
I agree, I even love listening to audiobooks when I have ironing to do (I hate ironing!) it helps make the task at hand more bearable 😀
Thanks for stopping by, Stormi!
Deep, gritty and emotional, yes that about sums it up I loved it too
Yeah, my heartstrings almost burst! Thanks for stopping by, Brandi.
Yaay! I’m so glad you loved this one! I looovvedd this series so much and then Maybe Someday came out and that was amazing too! I just need to read Slammed now.
Slammed is amazing, Laura – both in written and audiobook form! I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
*grins* I noticed that, too, Lexxie. I wondered if you intentionally reviewed audio version of Hoover’s work, but I guess not? I haven’t read Hopeless yet but the audio version sounds pretty spectacular. That it evoked such an emotional response – just as the book did – says a lot to me. You’re really tempting me to try audio, girl!
Happy Sunday! *big hugs*
Great audio review Lexx! I think it’s great when the audiobook reader, can evoke and get across such strong emotions. I bet it was hard to go to class when you were i the middle of Hopeless!