Good afternoon, fellow readers! Happy Tuesday to you all! Hope it's treating you well!
I'll try to make this short and sweet because, well, you'll see my disclaimer below. I just finished
Confess by Colleen Hoover, so let's delve right into it, shall we?
**
DISCLAIMER: let's talk about how I've written an extensive review for this book twice now and once, the computer froze so I had to close out of the program, and twice, I hit a random key by mistake in the whole "copy and past" process and deleted everything I had just written..**
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I follow numerous book accounts on Google+, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.. and I never seemed to know more about this story save for the cover (which is aesthetically pleasing). My only other encounter with Hoover's books was months ago when I read
Ugly Love, and I just don't have much to say once I was done. I didn't fully connect with that story, or it had something missing for me so I didn't love it, but didn't hate it either. With that as my first experience with her books, I can't help but admit that I was a bit wary of reading her other books. However, I'm glad I went on impulse and grabbed this book off the shelf on my last B&N run.
As far as plot premise, this story was not something I have experienced before, which is saying something. There's your basics in love and angst, but
Confess added extra elements that just make it a special tale to tell.
Owen Gentry and Auburn Reed meet, and it is serendipitous. He needs help for a showing at his art gallery, and she's looking for some extra money. The rest is history/fate! The way their story entwines is really touching. I enjoyed every twist and turn their journey took, despite if it was good or bad.
Auburn loses one of the most important people in her life early on, and it's tragic. Owen loses two people, and you have to wonder how he'll survive and continue on for the rest of his life. Somehow, both of their losses turn into their own gain together. They're both determined individuals and despite all they've been through in the past, they've learned to cope and even attempt to be happy.
The things Owen and Auburn learn from each other in a short period of time is nothing short of remarkable. They make you realize the important things in life and also how necessary it can be to find a deep connection with someone that goes past anything earthly and almost transcends into spiritual. Owen's idea of people deserving second chances really made me smile.
The whole concept behind the confessions and their paintings in Owen's gallery was really spectacular. I read the little author's note thanking her readers for sending them in and I was floored! Kudos to all of you who participated in sharing such secrets. It helps keep us aware of the fact that we're all fighting an unknown battle. Thank you so much for being so brave and sharing an unknown piece of yourselves with the world!
Lastly, the added bonus of the artwork within the text was awesome! The pieces were stunning and really helped to put an image to the description I was reading on the page. I'm contemplating removing them from the text and framing them for my bedroom. They're gorgeous pieces.
My Final Rating:
four out of five stars
