By Colleen Hoover
At this point, I feel like everyone has at least heard of Colleen Hoover. No matter your stance on her content or writing, I think we can all agree that she is great at creating gripping emotional drama.
In my opinion, Heart Bones is her most underrated novel. It leans toward the darker end of the spectrum of her work and touches on topics of addiction, grief, and poverty. The events in the book are realistic, so the content makes it a standout story, as it forces you to reflect on gritty themes. I’ve read eight of Hoover’s novels, most of which have faded from my mind, but scenes from Heart Bones have continued to stay with me.
Following the death of her mum, Beyah spends the summer before college at her estranged dad’s beach house. There, she meets Samson, a friend of her stepsister’s boyfriend. Beyah and Samson are two avoidant teenagers who start a summer fling. During their time together, they slowly open up to one another and teach each other that it’s okay to trust and be loved.
Heart Bones is written in first-person perspective. The writing is simple and to the point, allowing the story to move at a fast pace. The depth the writing lacks is made up for by the characters and the storyline, which, like most of Hoover’s novels, ends with a shocking plot twist. It is an easy read, perfect for a family or beach vacation.
Descriptive writing: 6/10
Character depth: 7/10
Pace of the story: Fast.
For fans of It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover.