I wasn't impressed with the first chapters of this book. It probably seemed like it would be my least favorite CoHo book. But since I didn't get to read the novel as a wholesome, I can't judge it properly.

As always, Colleen Hoover does not disappoint. I was intrigued by the excerpt, and knew without a doubt that I would enjoy the rest of the book.

Another solid read by CoHo. Wasn’t my favorite of hers, but it still peaked my interest and was full of vibrant, deep characters. The relationships in this book were well written, honest, and believable.

Here is a book that I have been looking forward to for a long time! Can't wait to read more by this author!

Colleen Hoover always pulls us in within the first chapter and this book was no different. That 2 chapter taste? Left me wanting more. What is Merit's story and why the trophy? Oh goodness. I can't wait to read the whole thing!


(edit to add...review of full book on amazon which is posted below, this was only for the 2 chapters available here. What a tease! ;-) )

This book it both touching and gripping. I loved every minute of it and devoured. I already loved Colleen Hoover but this book is now my favorite of hers. It’s different from her other books in so many ways, yet as you are reading you just feel it’s hers.

Loved this excerpt, it made me even more excited to read this book!

Love Colleen Hoover's books and this excerpt was a tempting and fun read!! Don't miss out on this book, it's INCREDIBLE!!

This excerpt had me wanting more. This was a great book. Colleen Hoover never dissapoints!

Cannot wait to read this book!! I was totally drawn in from the fist page and it was a great little teaser.

ohhh this sounds great! Im so glad Colleen came out with another book!

Just from the excerpt I find my self drawn in and can't wait to read the entire story. Colleen Hoover is an expert storyteller and I hate missing any book she releases. I'm adding the book to my TBR and looking forward to reading it over the holidays.

good young adult book with a touch of romance. I liked the examination of teen depression.

I had mixed emotions reading this book. It's not the usual full-of-bed-scenes like her previous works. I had a lot of WHAAATs and stuff as I read the chapters because of the twists and turns of the story of each characters in this book. I loved it!

Loved this sneak peek into Colleen Hoover's newest book. I will be getting it and reading the entire thing

This was an amazing introduction to the book. Colleen has a magic touch and you will get immediately drawn into the story. I purchased a signed copy can't wait to get my hands on it to see what happens.

I have chosen to wait and read the book in its entirety. I have ordered it through Barnes & Noble and it's expected to be delivered within the next few weeks (I had a few other pre-orders so for shipping purposes it's delayed). I look forward to reading Without Merit when I have the book in hand will review on all the appropriate outlets. Thank you!

When you settle in with a Colleen Hoover book, you know that you will experience three things:

You will laugh, particularly at things you think you shouldn't find hilarious;
1. You will cry. A LOT. A whoooooole lot, even at times when your heart is full of joy.
2. You will emerge from this book feeling altered somehow, as if you both better understand the world and are also more confused by it.
3. In other words, reading Colleen Hoover's books is akin to living a paradox.

Without Merit introduces you to Hoover's quirkiest cast to date: the Voss family and their associates. You have patriarch Barnaby Voss, whose agoraphobic ex-wife lives in the basement of the repurposed church the Vosses inhabit while he current wife lives upstairs with his family, which consists of oldest son Utah, youngest son Toby, and identical twin daughters Honor and Merit. Two more people come to live with the family, but you need to read the book to find out about them.

Merit narrates this story, and it is hers to tell. She is quirky in her own right, but, at seventeen, she can't quite see how her quirkiness contributes to her family. She lacks, as her new friend (and the possible boyfriend of her sister) points out, perspective.

As Hoover shows, you must acknowledge that perspective differs from person to person, and no one's perspective is more correct than another's. In order to understand each other, we need to understand our varying - sometimes contradicting - perspectives. For instance, Merit buys trophies. Her perspective is that they represent validation she does not receive within her family, but someone else's perspective may be that Merit is a little nuts.

Perhaps the greatest lesson in perspective comes within the various romances Hoover develops. The romances - platonic and otherwise - within a family, both with established and new additions. The romances of a girl trying to ease the sufferings of others. The romance of self-discovery. And the romance of a girl trying to figure out her place with the guy who understands her perspective better than she does.

I loved this book so much. I loved the Voss family, I loved how ostracized they felt within their family, not to mention within the community. And I loved how Hoover showed that varying perspectives make a family, rather than break it.

Yes, this is a Young Adult book, but its appeal cuts a wide swath. When you read it - as you should  come back and let me know your thoughts. What did you think of Merit Voss and her family?