Losing Hope (Hopeless #2) - Colleen Hoover

#1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover held readers spellbound with her novel Hopeless, the story of what happened when a troubled girl named Sky encountered a long-lost childhood friend, Dean Holder. With Holder’s help, Sky uncovered shocking family secrets and came to terms with memories and emotions that had left deep scars.

Hopeless was Sky’s story. Now, in Losing Hope, we finally learn the truth about Dean Holder.

Haunted by the little girl he couldn’t save from imminent danger, Holder’s life has been overshadowed by feelings of guilt and remorse. He has never stopped searching for her, believing that finding her would bring him the peace he needs to move on. However, Holder could not have anticipated that he would be faced with even greater pain the moment they reconnect.

In Losing Hope, Holder reveals the way in which the events of Sky’s youth affected him and his family, leading him to seek his own redemption in the act of saving her. But it is only in loving Sky that he can finally begin to heal himself.

"I don't sit here and wonder if the face that she's dead will ever sink in.  I sit here and wonder when I'll stop having to watch her die."

OMG! Colleen Hoover, I don't know how you do it.  I feel like I should just give you my heart and you keep it and let me know when you are done.  

I don't know how you make everything you write turn to gold, but somehow (and for the second time) you've take the same story and given me something that I didn't even think we necessarily needed when I finished the first book, but now that I've read them, I can't imagine these stories not being written.  

I loved Hopeless, it was a five star book for me and I thought it was truly the best work to date for Colleen.  I didn't think it needed anything more, but somehow Colleen made me see how much adding Holder's POV to certain scenes makes Hopeless more complete.  

Was it as perfect as Hopeless? Probably not...but that's because with few exceptions, the mystery...the shock and awe, is gone and the few things we do learn in this book weren't enough to compare to the original....BUT and that's a big but, I do feel like Losing Hope, makes Hopeless, even better.    

We start with what happens before Lesslie dies and get a little more insight into what makes Dean the "Holder" we've all come to know and LOVE!

"What are the chances that the only two girls in my life I've ever loved...I've Lost?"

We are given a unique way of reading through his thoughts and I couldn't believe how much my heart broke all over again.  

I honestly can't imagine this book, now that I've read it, not being written.  I can't imagine a reading list without Colleen Hoover on it.  She is ridiculously talented and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!