Book Review: Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover
12:30 AM
Maybe Someday
by Colleen Hoover
E-book edition
Published March 18th, 2014 by Simon & Schuster UK
E-book edition
Published March 18th, 2014 by Simon & Schuster UK
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Sydney is living in an idyllic bubble - she's a dedicated student with a steady job on the side. She lives with her best friend, has a great boyfriend, and the music coming from the balcony opposite hers is fast becoming the soundtrack to her life.
But when Sydney finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her, the bubble bursts. The mysterious and attractive man behind the music, Ridge, gives Sydney hope that she can move on and they begin to write songs together. But moving on is harder than she expects, Sydney can only hope…. Maybe someday…
Colleen Hoover draws you in to this passionate tale of music, love and betrayal…
I really have complicated relationship with this book, which is really surprising because I really liked her other book, Confess. Apparently, NA and me haven't been on good terms lately, since I also hated (and even DNF) Bad Romeo by Leisa Rayven. Or maybe it's just me not in the mood for romance. *shrugs*
This book started out so well. I really enjoyed the first quarter of the book. I love it when book couples just seemd so connected and attracted and just can hit it off directly because they do have similar interest, rather that just "jolt of electricity" or "fluttery feels". In Sydney and Ridge case, they're attracted to each other because they lived across each other and they're passionate about music (which is why they noticed each other at the first place). And then Ridge being honest with her and tell her that her boyfriend has been cheating with her roommate, and she moved in with him. I thought, "well this is going to get interesting. I can't wait to see how their relationship will go from there". By that time I already shipped them, so I should liked what happens next right?
Wrong.
Their relationship did blossom. Turns out Ridge is deaf, which is unexpected and really makes me happy because I never read about one. But my feelings turn 180º when we know that Ridge already has a girlfriend.
The thing is, cheating is not okay. Sydney has been on the other side of it, and I bet it's very unpleasant. And yet she's doing it to other people right after her own experience. And this book justify it. I don't care about "the heart wants what it wants" and "you can't control matters of the heart" shit. Cheating is cheating. It's not okay. No one wants to be cheated, so no one should be cheating. STOP JUSTIFYING IT.
And I absolutely despises how Hoover uses Ridge condition as an excuse to have sexy times between Ridge and Sydney. First it's inconsiderate to actual deaf people, and second, it shows how thoughtless Ridge and Sydney are. Call it making music or whatever, but if your boyf/girlf do that with other people, I bet you won't appreciate it as a creative process.
Both Ridge and Sydney also don't feel guilty about what they've done. "Having feelings isn't guilty". Well it isn't if you have feelings for someone who isn't taken. Ridge is taken, of course it's not okay. And Sydney is a hypocrite, she doesn't want to admit that she's wrong and even get defensive when someone points it out at her. I'm not saying that Ridge isn't guilty, because he is. He encourages things first, then tell Sydney about his girlfriend. How very nice of him.
I really wish I enjoyed this book more, since I really do enjoyed the first quarter of the book. But the rest of it just went downhill. Despite its flaws through, I found that Colleen Hoover's writing really clicks with me. Which is why I force myself to keep reading while I want to throw my phone repeatedly.
I think I just stay off NA for a while now.
10 comments
I hate it when books go downhill so quickly! NA is one of those genres that I am just being introduced too! I love a few of Colleen Novel's but I haven't read many! I'm glad I read your review, maybe I should check out her other books before jumping straight into this one!
ReplyDeleteyou should! I recommend you to read her book, Confess. It's not that problematic, only it has LOTS of drama happening!
DeleteOh, no! I'm so sorry this one wasn't for you, Tasya. Especially since you have really liked a previous book by this author.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I don't know if I will read this book. I am not keen on reading about cheating - especially if the characters try to justify it. I don't understand why characters in books and movies don't break it off with their previous partner before getting with the new person they have feelings for. It's just cruel.
I think it is very hit or miss when it comes to NA, especially because it is such a romance-saturated genre at the moment. If you're looking for gritty and diverse NA books, then I suggest Elliot Wake's books (writing as Leah Raeder). They are probably the NA books I've enjoyed the most so far!
I hope your next read is more to your taste, lovely <3
I know right? At least breaking up with their current partner would make things easier and it's a better way to part ways than them catching you while cheating... Thanks for the recs, I would definitely check her books!
DeleteI'm so sorry you didn't enjoy this one! Personally I really liked it, but I wasn't sure on the cheating aspect. Also, I actually really loved Maggie (a lot more than Sydney), so I was disappointed that she got hurt! Have you read the online epilogue? It helped give me a lot more closure!
ReplyDeleteDenise | The Bibliolater
Ah I didn't even know there's an online epilogue exists! Thanks for the info, I'd read them now!
DeleteIt's pretty crazy because I'm thoroughly against cheating in books but when it came to this one, it's like it just worked in some way because they were creating music? But I like how you reminded me that Ridge was deaf, that was a fantastic part of the book I thought! Thanks for the honest review Tasya!
ReplyDeleteI don't know... Maybe they're just got carried away or something but I'm still quite pissed off at them! I just finished reading the epilogue (about Maggie) and that epilogue really makes me more open-hearted with the story! But I understand what you meant. I also against cheating but somehow I was okay with Anna and the French kiss... I guess some books could change your opinion!
DeleteOh my god, this book was the worst with its validations for cheating. Plus the ridiculous way that Sydney and Ridge 'made music' together - surely, that's just nonsense excuse for skinship? This was my first Colleen Hoover book and it scared me off her for a little. I know loads of bloggers are huge fans but I was just as conflicted as you are right now about it.
ReplyDeleteAentee at Read at Midnight
Yes! I also felt the music making just an excuse for skinship, especially with the way Ridge lays his head on Sydney's chest. I was like WHYYYYYYY. The story goes from 100 to 10 real quick!
DeleteHi guys! Thank you so much for visiting, feel free to leave a comment and talk to me, I don't bite :D