Colleen Hoover is an amazing story teller. Her books draw you in and keep you invested. The characters are likable. The plot is awesome. It was easy to lose yourself in this book.

I only read an excerpt of this title, but really enjoyed it. I purchased a hardback copy to read. I think this is going to be a really great book, and I am excited to read it.

KEY WORDS: Dysfunctional family, Mental health, Love at first sight.

Without Merit is a return to Colleen Hoover’s YA roots, much like that of Hopeless and Slammed. It tells the story of the Voss family, specifically following Merit, an identical twin, and her feelings towards her siblings, parents and step-mother. This dysfunctional family, proclaimed by Merit’s own words as “an atheist, a home wrecker, an ex-wife suffering from agoraphobia, and a teenage girl whose weird obsession borders on necrophilia,” is both the problem and resolution of the story. Everything revolves around family and I really connected with that. Hell, the Voss’ lack of communication to each other what so much like mine, it scared me a little.

However, I felt like the romance was very much a sideline in this book. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it was just so different to what I was used to from CoHo. I find her books cathartic – I read them and spend the day crying from the heartbreak before she slowly stitches my heart back together. Without Merit was completely different in that respect. The focus was more on Merit’s mental health struggles, the dysfunctionality of her family and how they can overcome their difficulties to come together when necessary.

I really loved the way this book made me feel. No, it didn’t have the same cathartic punch that the other novels do, but there was something heartwarming about it which made me feel closer to my own family. I really loved this book, and I hope you do too.

Also, even though romance wasn’t the main plot point in the same way as before, this quote has become everything to me. Please appreciate it’s romantic beauty.

This one from Colleen Hoover did not disappoint! As always I fly through her books and can't put them down. While this one didn't have the relationship ups and downs as some of her others it was a nice change! The YA still tugged at your heartstrings and the character progression was great. Can't wait to read her next release!

I swear, Colleen Hoover can do no wrong! This story was quite different from the typical romance she writes, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Merit is probably one of my favorite female leads. Colleen Hoover has a way of writing characters that are so relatable, and Merit’s dysfunctional family is about as relatable as it gets. But what I loved most about this book was the message behind it: “Sometimes the only thing a mistake deserves is forgiveness.”

Colleen Hoover writes romance. That's what you usually think, right? Well, this is more of a YA romance book, not like anything else we've seen from her before. For a long time now, I've felt like I've outgrown YA books, because it's not where I am in life anymore, and I'm finding it harder to connect with the characters for that reason.

This one worked for me though. I loved Merit as a character. I especially loved Luck, and I'd love to read more about him one day. I kind of shipped him and Merit in the beginning.

As for the plot, so many things were going on at once. Really. It was pretty amazing how CoHo handled it all. So many secrets! So many unspoken words. While this is a love story, it's also a story about family dynamics, accepting each others flaws, listening and not jumping to conclusions. While it is definitely a YA book, it also deals with some tougher issues like mental health and sexuality, but it suits the book and is well written.

I wasn't the biggest fan of Merit to begin with, but she grew on me big time, and I understood her actions toward the end. I'd like to see more closure for Sagan, but maybe we'll get to that some day. I really hope so

Hoover does it again!

“Not every mistake deserves a consequence. Sometimes the only thing it deserves is forgiveness.”

That quote is only one of the many notable ones in the book. A book so beautifully written you can’t put it down.

3.5 Mixed up stars - I am not happy to give a Colleen Hoover book only 3.5 stars but I always give my true opinion when reviewing books. This book touched mental illness, sexuality, suicide and abuse. I understand Colleen wanted to tackle a lot of sensitive issues but maybe there were too many in one book. Maybe if one issue was concentrated on it would have been better. If someone gave me the book without an Author’s name I would never have guessed this to be a Colleen Hoover book.

The biggest heartfelt book that I have read in 2018. I adored everything and all about Colleen's writing. She is the kind of writer where you can feel the heart and soul that she pours onto the pages and makes you weep with it. I do reccomend keeping a glass of water with you and a box of tissues because you will definitely need it!

This short excerpt was all I needed to be convinced that I need to buy and read this book. It has the premise to be one heck of a book and Colleen Hoover knows how to write a good one. From what I read so far, I can see how the story will go on in a way, but Merit seems to have a unique personality and it makes me think that the book won't follow the direction I think it will. I want to see more of Merit and her life.

Without Merit started slowly for me. Normally a Colleen Hoover book has me within the first few pages. This one took a while to grow on me....but once it did I wasn't disappointed. I hope you give it a chance, who knows maybe you'll love it!!

I really liked Without Merit. The main character was great - especially with her little idiosyncrasies. I didn't see the twist coming (shockingly) and was very pleasantly surprised by the outcome. Overall, another great book by the fabulous Colleen Hoover.

Colleen Hoover is amazing at creating characters that are unique but relatable. Merit was no exception to that. She has issues that I think most people have gone through and Colleen did a great job telling Merits story. It was funny and sad and we'll. Worth the read.

Holy cow did I LOVE this book! Colleen Hoover is a serious queen and I need more of her books asap! This book was so unique, extremely heart wrenching at times and i seriously teared up for Merit. Seriously another five star read from one of the most amazing authors ever!!!

I love It Ends with Us. I love Maybe Someday. I love November 9. I love so and so and so. Basically, I love all of her novels. But Without Merit is that book that spoke to me in a different kind of level. It was released at a time, the perfect kind of time, that I truly needed it the most.


In Without Merit, Hoover went back to her YA roots and touched situations that most of us are facing and battling today. Knowingly and Unknowingly.

Already saying this right here, Without Merit is way different from Colleen Hoover’s previous releases. I mean it still is a Hoover novel with her quirkiness all over it but it isn’t a couple-getting-together centric novel. It reminded me of Slammed but with a heavier tone to it, more complicated and dysfunctional family set-up. Yes, there are a lot of family stuff that the book dealt with. Also highlighted in this book are the teenage angst and emotions that were neatly channeled through Merit’s character.

I won’t dwell on talking about Merit, her family and the events that transpired in Without Merit. I want you to get to know all of them through Merit’s eyes, the same way I did. You’re surely guaranteed to know tons of things about them because Merit talks about them like 24/7. There were times wherein I got so overwhelmed with all the information Merit shared and even pissed on how she couldn’t stop talking about them. I want to know more about Merit and not that much about them. But then … things made sense later on in the book.

I want you to take all the bombs that Hoover dropped in every page and every chapter on your own. I want you to take it all in by yourself and fully immerse in it.

What made Without Merit special, for me? Colleen Hoover wrote about depression in a way that it’s not too broad, scientific and just the plain illness labeled as depression. She wrote about it in its simplest and sneakiest form. That’s how depression is, it sneaks up on us and doesn’t need for a big moment to happen to set it off. We either deal with it early on or brush it off yet at the same time it is starting to grow and fester inside of us. Sometimes…its too late for people to do something about it or for the people around them to save them.

Just like how depression is sneaky, Without Merit has that slow build up but in actuality is carrying a powerful message enough to knock you off kilter. I love that she wrote Without Merit this way, it feels the closest to reality considering Merit’s situation and kind of thinking.

When we read books, we either put ourselves in the shoes of the main character or by chance we see something in them that reflects even just the tiny bit of ourselves.

I’m on the latter.

I may not have the exact life experiences and situations that Merit went through but I can see bits and pieces of myself in her. Merit is so real and flawed. There were times that it felt like I was reading something about myself. I’m sure people who will read Without Merit will one way or another identify with her character (or any of the characters in the book). As for me, I identify with Merit so much that it scared me to continue reading. But then, I have to know how things fared with her.

Without Merit is an eye-opener. It raises awareness about depression yet at the same time touching the readers’ hearts. Honestly, the depression check list hit me so hard. I never acknowledged that I have depression. Me? depression? Well not until I read that check list and this book. Whenever I have dark thoughts (there were a couple of moments wherein I was already eyeing for objects…), I brush it off and just go about my happy ways. Fangirling or reading books all day and all night and being indifferent with the things that are happening around me. I’m normally a happy person. In which makes me think that it really is true, sometimes the happiest people you’ll see…could also be the saddest ones you’ll come across. Not to worry, I’m starting to talk about it with the people around me. Talk about the emotions that I’ve kept inside me. Letting my thoughts and feelings out.

Last point, I’m sure you are curious if there’s romance thrown in the book. There is. But nothing to be afraid of because not one bit did Hoover use it to romanticize depression. Sagan is the perfect boy for Merit and he handled everything perfectly.

I’m leaving you now with… Without Merit is important and definitely needs to be read by everyone. By everyone.

Great author! Amazing book! Expected nothing less. Colleen Hoover knows how to reliever an excellent book and this one was nothing short of perfection!

3.5 stars

It's quirky. I have no problem with quirky. I usually like quirky. A lot. It almost felt like it was quirky for the sake of being quirky, however.

I had trouble with the first half of the book. It was hard to connect with any of these characters because they are all described as fairly flawed...granted they are described by Merit and we learn that she has some issues. I like fairly flawed characters but in a household with 9 people in it, the 4 year old seems the most likeable.

My biggest beef is this, Colleen Hoover books usually tackle a tough subject and she makes you look at it and feel it and it may be uncomfortable but she does a great job of making you think about whatever issue she's writing about and evaluate your thoughts and stance on it. Sometimes you may agree with her and sometimes maybe not but I appreciate the intense subjects and feelings she exams. This book didn't just tackle one issue it touched on many....suicide, depression, Syria, being gay, cheating, mental illness of sorts, being an atheist...there was a lot there! But it never seemed to delve much below the surface on any of these topics, just kind of skimmed off the top. I'm feeling a little cheated on the emotional gut punch I usually get from her writing and I think it's because of this, the book tried to do too much. I enjoyed the last half of the book more than the first and really adored 4 year old Moby. It's not a bad book just not my favorite Colleen book by far.

This was a two chapter sneak peek of Without Merit By Colleen Hoover. I have since read the full book but I won't give anything away but what I will say is that Colleen Hoover has such a way with words! Definitely a great and moving read.

It doesn’t matter what Colleen writes I know I am going to love it and WITHOUT MERIT was no exception.


Colleen deals with the subject of depression very well and the signs and symptoms someone may experience. I feel this would help alot of readers suffering themselves to identify and hopefully seek any help they may need.

The thing I loved most about this book was the Voss family. Families come in all shapes and sizes and the Voss family are certainly no exception. With the head of the family seemingly uninterested the kids seem to play by their own rules. Colleen manages to turn this on it’s head and we see a very different side to this family. There are alot of characters in this family that I would love to hear more from, I certainly feel that some of them deserve their own book!

Of course it wouldn’t be normal to have a Colleen Hoover book that doesn’t take you on a rollercoaster emotionally and that is definitely the case here. From reading with your heart in your mouth to laughing out loud this book has it all.

Colleen goes back to her Y.A. roots with WITHOUT MERIT and doesn’t let us down.

A Stunning five star read. I only hope Colleen can keep going with these amazing stories she manages to give us.

Loved this little taste! Look forward to reading the whole story now that it is out and I have my copy!