Heart Bones: A Novel

Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ “‘…You can fill your life with nice things, but nice things don’t fill the holes in your soul.’ ‘What fills the holes in a soul?’ Samson’s eyes scroll over my face for a few seconds.’Pieces of someone else’s soul.'” I guess you could say that I’ve been sitting on writing this review. It isn’t that I didn’t love this book. I adored it. I think it’s more about the idea of letting it go when I wanted to hold onto it a bit more. This is my second Colleen Hoover book, the first one being her last book, Regretting You. I know that her popularity comes from her stories such as Verity and It Ends with Us, and I have every intention of reading those stories. For me, Heart Bones, her newest book, along with Regretting You, have shown me the ways in which she pours herself into her storytelling in ways that are nuanced. That nuance makes for reads that impact you straight into your heart asthe secrets of her stories are divulged. And Heart Bones…it is no different. The premise of Heart Bones is a young woman on the cusp of change (going off to college) is thrust into her father’s world, a father who can only be considered very absentee. This world is a world of privilege, a world that she did not live in with her mother. There, she meets Samson, the local rich boy. They agree to a summer together before she leaves for college, and they pour themselves into each other. However, as the summer comes to an end, the ability to let go of Samson seems impossible. It is also in that space where the secret of Heart Bones is shown. What I loved most about this book is its elemental message about loving a person. As humans, we need people to “see” us, to seek to understand us without facade, and we oftentimes go through life without being regarded in elemental ways. It’s like we’re apparitions carrying ourselves through life, never fully engaging and becoming solid in the adoration of another. This is the underlying crux of this story. It’s the beauty of it, quite frankly. As Samson and Beyah encounter each other, (and this may sound corny), their souls acknowledge their similarities, and it creates this romance that is less about the physical (these two are slow-burn) and more about the emotional pull between them. This is a book about soulmates acknowledging their existence for the other, and that makes for a romance rife with depth and gravity. Even more, Hoover pokes and prods at the notion of socio-economic influence. In many ways Samson and Beyah are the same person, yet they exist at odds in terms of wealth. There is a complication to this in the story that illustrates the farce that a person who is wealthy cannot understand a person who is poor. Hoover bridges this idea with that connection. It’s a reminder that money does not soften life experiences. That it’s possible to understand a person even if your past or upbringing or wealth or lack of it is different from your own. As Samson and Beyah realize this notion, they recognize the reflection of each other in the other. Over and over again, their connections draw you into Heart Bones. And nuances of Colleen Hoover’s Heart Bones reside in the way it resonates in your soul even though it isn’t romantic by traditional romance standards. In this book and her last, the $exual relationship between her heroes and heroines are minimized in a way. The story isn’t about that. Instead, Hoover sets to tell stories about the human condition that transcend traditional romantic tropes. This is what has bowled me over about the two stories I’ve read thus far. Heart Bones is a story about learning to love yourself, as you find yourself reflected in another. It’s about recognizing that everyone has a story, and you aren’t alone. It’s about finding that person whose story connects with your own and loving them even through the difficulties of life. These messages roll over you again and again in Heart Bones, that when you’ve turned the last page, your heart feels like it’s grown its own heart bones, and you’re already nostalgic for a story that resonates with you in its basic truths about the human condition.

Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover is a poignant novel that swept me off my feet from the very first page. This story beautifully intertwines love, loss, and the healing power of human connection, making it an unforgettable read. The characters are vividly brought to life, each with their own complexities and struggles. The protagonist, Beyah, is a strong and relatable character who navigates life's challenges with courage and vulnerability. Her journey of self-discovery and healing is both heartbreaking and uplifting, leaving a lasting impact on the reader. What sets Heart Bones apart is its unique blend of romance and suspense. The chemistry between Beyah and her love interest is palpable, drawing the reader into their whirlwind romance. At the same time, the underlying mystery adds an element of intrigue that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Colleen Hoover's writing is as mesmerizing as ever, with prose that is both lyrical and evocative. She has a remarkable ability to capture the depth of human emotions, making you feel every joy and sorrow along with the characters. In conclusion, Heart Bones is a masterpiece that will tug at your heartstrings and linger in your mind long after you've turned the last page. I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone looking for a captivating and emotional read.

Firstly, let me just say I’m such a huge fan of CoHo! Heart Bones is another one of her phenomenal reads that was so enthralling from start to finish. I know better then to start a book late at night, thinking I’ll put it away and go to sleep. I do wish it was slightly longer, only selfishly! I was able to finish it in about 6 hours, so it was a quick little read. If you’re teetering on the edge of reading this or not, why on a Earth would you do that? Stop right this instant and read it! I’ll get into my actually review from here, so stop reading if you don’t want spoilers! The story literally captivates from the very first chapter. Beyah’s mothers death is so beautifully and heartbreakingly raw in its depiction that it starts the book magnificently and keeps you enthralled and wanting more. Beyah is amazing. Her character is developed so well and you can feel what it’s like to be in her shoes. The story captivates and takes you in a journey through life experiences maybe you’ve never been before. One of my favorite parts early on was the part about the angry, starving cat in her stomach tearing her up from the inside. The hunger pains we’re so vividly depicted and beautifully written and made me get goose bumps. I never saw her character as bitchy or woe is me. She was genuinely a beautiful person who was just dealt a horrible hand but handled it wonderfully. The horrific things she endured by her mother, men, and society as a whole made her a badass woman able to look at the world outside of the box and see people for who they are on the inside and not the situations they create or circumstances. Samson! What’s not to love about Samson! He is aloof and mysterious just as Beyah is, demons of his own, piled high with mistakes, secrets, and hopes. His love for her is so real and sweet. I was rooting for them the whole way. I only have a few negative comments about the book! 1- I wish it was longer! 2 - I think it was rushed at the end and further development of Samson’s secrets could have been better uncovered and addressed. They didn’t seem that bad to me compared to Beyah’s but they definitely were rushed. The books pace was just slightly off because we had this buildup of Samson’s horrible secrets through 80% of the book, then they were rushed at the end. 3 - I wanted more of when she went to school and how that distance took a toll on her. It jumped 4 years in 2 pages. 4 - The ending was too abrupt and not fully developed. Again, I just keep reiterating that I wish we had more of the end part do the story like we had at the first. I love you CoHO! 4/5 stars for me!

Very raw and deep love story that describes how broken people can change their lives if just given the opportunity. Shed lots of tears with this book but loved it!!!

Stunning. Seriously, just a really beautiful, powerful romance. I had no idea what to expect going into this - and that’s how I’d recommend everyone go into it - so the story unraveled in such an organic, mesmerizing way. From page one, you can tell that there’s an intensity about the book that sets it apart from the rest; a heaviness that gives this love story such WEIGHT. And it truly is a love story. Our heroine goes on her own journey throughout the course of the book, but through it all, there’s that one guy who makes an impact. It’s one of the best books I’ve read all year, hands down, and the kind of story that you’ll want to reread with fresh eyes as soon as you turn the last page. I’m not going to go into a lot of detail about the plot on this one, because I think you should discover it as you read. I will say that I don’t love summer fling romances, so the appeal here was the writing style - and I’m happy to report that it’s so much more than that. There’s an incredible build in intimacy, a slow burn romance with depth, and a mysterious quality to both our hero and the story as a whole. The book kicks off on a somber note and does have a heavy feel to much of it, but there is also so much wonder and that feeling you only get with young love. It’s new adult romance with a 19-year-old heroine who is just starting to really live. She comes from a troubled background, with many, many triggers in her history, and they appear right away. My favorite part about the book? It is so THOUGHT-PROVOKING. Told exclusively from the heroine’s perspective, there are little breadcrumbs along the way that tell us more about the hero. These two seem so different on the surface, but the more they wade into the depths, the more commonalities they discover. At one point, I was so convinced that I knew where the story was heading... but I was completely wrong. And I love that. It kept me engrossed from start to finish, and I ended up devouring it in one sitting. I may have even shooed my husband away a time or two when he tried to interrupt my reading. So, the book is bad for your marriage, good for your heart, and that title will make complete sense once you finish reading. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC (then purchased it for my collection), and am voluntarily leaving a review of this heartbreaking romance.

I’ve read all CoHo books, this is in my top 5. Such a heartwarming storyline. Super easy read. Recommend reading this while on the beach or on vacation!

As always, Colleen never disappoints with her words. Heart Bones is another great read by Colleen...so if you’re already a fan of hers, you won’t be disappointed with this one. The first 75% of Heart Bones deserved 5 stars for sure. I love the slow-burn romance buildup of Beyah and Samson’s relationship. I thought it was beautifully done with just the right amount of angst. I love Beyah and was sad by how broken she felt with the people in her life letting her down, her upbringing, just everything. And I love how Samson brought the happiness out of her, made her feel less alone, and made her want to trust again. They both had so many secrets hidden, especially Samson, and I had a feeling it was going to be bad when it was finally revealed. And it was! So here’s why I’m knocking off a star (spoilers ahead). I felt like the ending was rushed and probably wrapped up in a nice pretty little bow...which I’m fine with, but it was done too nicely, if that makes sense. It felt like there was no time apart from when Beyah went to college to when her and Samson separated, to when they meet again. I think if Colleen would have expanded that time apart a bit, it would have felt more realistic and satisfying when they finally meet again. Like it would have been really good if we could have seen what Beyah’s life in college was like, her relationships with other guys, etc. I felt like Beyah waited for Samson the entire 4 years of her college life, which felt like she never really moved on and I would have loved to seen how Beyah came to her own. In a way, so much of her was defined by her time with Samson...but it would be nice to have seen how strong of a woman she turned out to be without depending on a guy. I don’t think that’s what Colleen was shooting for...but that’s what it felt like because it was rushed. Nevertheless, still a great read and worth a try.

Beyah has been dealt a crappy hand in life. Her mother is an addict and Beyah has had to fend for herself since she was little. When Beyah's mother dies, she is left with no alternative but to stay with her estranged father for two months until she leaves for college. When Beyah arrives at her father's place, she is thrown into a foreign life of luxury and leisure. She begins to spend time with Samson, the neighbor, and although she has no interest in a summer fling with a rich guy, she ends up falling for him. This book spoke to me on so many levels. As someone who grew up in a family with financial struggles, I was astonished and amazed by Colleen Hoover's ability to capture the complexes and experiences of someone who is poor so genuinely and eloquently. Many of Beyah's thoughts and how she related to others who have money resonated with me. I loved the journey that Beyah took in this book. She started off as having come from a small town and only knowing poverty. She made a lot of assumptions and judgements about people with money and she didn't realize how harmful this was in her being able to build connections with her father, step-mother, and step-sister. As she got to know them, she began to see that maybe she was too quick to judge people in the same way she didn't want to be judged. Beyah's loneliness was palpable. She built high walls around herself because she had been in survival mode most of her life. Beyah was used to hiding herself from others, lying and keeping secrets and she had no one in her corner, cheering her on. Being able to open up to Samson gave her a freedom from that loneliness. Samson and Beyah had an interesting first encounter that tore at my heart. I knew from that first meeting that their connection was going to grow fast and deep. Although they didn't know each other for that long, they were more real with each other than they had been with anyone else. As I re-read this book via audio, I noticed things that I hadn't the first time around and it made me appreciate the book even more. Knowing the ending, I was able to catch even more layers of nuances to the story. This is one of my all-time favorite books and it is a must-read! It's an engrossing and heart-wrenching story that lives rent-free in my mind. Steam level: 🔥🔥½ ⚠️: addiction, overdose, death of a parent, sexual assault, mention of drowning, racism

Loved this book such a fun and easy read with the most crazy plot twist

Good book, and satisfying

I became a fan of colleen hoover after reading the first book #reminders of him, but this has struck a cord in my heart yet again. From the beginning to the end, an excellent narration of human emotions... For a change i got to read a story of love and feelings where the characters had nothing to do with a billionaire CEO or heir. A very good read .

The book came in good condition and the book was sooooo good!! I really like Colleen Hoovers books, they are so well written. This love story is so warm and good plot twists. Trigger warning: Sexual abuse, grief, death and drug use

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