Hopeless by Colleen Hoover: An Honest Review

Warning: This review has heavy spoilers to Hopeless by Colleen Hoover

My friends recommended that I read Hopeless by Coleen Hoover because the book’s theme is similar to mine—sexual abuse. I am glad that the author tackles a challenging topic in her novel; however, I feel the author could have handled the theme of sexual abuse and the consequent trauma much better. Below are some examples where the author did not deal with this subject appropriately.

1. The abuse survivor complains that the rapist took away her “first time.”

Sky, the main protagonist, gets amnesia and forgets the sexual abuse by her father for thirteen years. However, she remembers everything when she meets her boyfriend, Holder. The first thought that comes to her mind is not how morally wrong it was of her father to commit the heinous crime but that he took away her “first time.” This is a regressive thought, and no survivor must feel this way. It’s bad enough that society shames abuse victims. Survivors shouldn’t belittle themselves for no fault of theirs.

2. The abuse survivor’s boyfriend accepts her “apology.”

Sky apologizes to Holder for losing her virginity when her father raped her. Instead of telling her that she has nothing to apologize for and that the assault was not her fault, Holder cheesily declares that she is his forever, and it does not matter if he is not her “first time.” Am I the only one who thinks this conversation is ridiculous? Instead of feeling angry that his girlfriend faced sexual abuse at a young age, that too from her father, Holder decides to become romantic. How inappropriate.

4. The child sex offender justifies his crime and does not pay.

When someone commits a vicious crime in a fiction novel, readers expect them to pay for what they did. At least I do. In this book, the rapist blames his actions on alcohol, apologizes, admits to committing additional crimes, and kills himself. Does the author expect us to feel sorry for him? Which criminal who has repeatedly sexually assaulted multiple people would be remorseful within minutes of being confronted? This is the same person who brushed a previous victim’s complaint under the carpet because he had the power of a police officer. This scene was just bizarre and unreal.

5. The abuse survivor tells herself it’s okay to love her rapist father.

Sky tells herself it’s okay to love her father for his “good” qualities and hate him for his “bad” qualities. I completely disagree. The author’s message should be that it is not okay for anyone to abuse a minor. It’s particularly unforgivable if it is a biological parent. A parent is supposed to be nurturing and caring, not commit a crime against their own blood. It felt like the author was trying to convey that criminal acts are forgivable in the name of love. That is unacceptable.

6. The survivor’s boyfriend tries to be her therapist.

Sky’s boyfriend, Holder, who has his own issues, acts as her therapist. He asks Sky to imagine that she’s traveled back in time and consoled her younger self. Both protagonists are not mentally healthy and need therapy. It was dangerous for Holder to pose as Sky’s psychologist without understanding the extent of her trauma. The author should have approached this scene more carefully since it deals with mental health. Writers must remember that they could negatively influence young minds while writing about sensitive topics.

7. The survivor’s adoptive mother is too lenient, being a survivor herself.

I found it illogical that the survivor’s adoptive mother, Karen, was too lenient with Sky. Karen, Sky’s biological aunt, rescued Sky from her rapist father as a child. Karen knew about the abuser because she was a victim herself. Given this history, isn’t it logical that Karen would fix a window in Sky’s room that she uses to sneak boys inside? Would a survivor be so careless about their daughter’s safety?

In conclusion, the author of Hopeless could have tackled the sensitive subject of sexual abuse with more care and empathy. Have you read the book? What are your opinions? Let me know in the comments below.