4 stars

This is a departure from Colleen Hoover's more recent books. It is more of a YA story that does have some romantic elements. At the core of the story is high school senior, Merit Voss. She is introspective, passive-aggressive, angry, jealous, and feels invisible in her own family. Her twin sister, Honor is the more popular, easy-going, sweet one, although she does have her own interesting issues going on. And now Honor seems to have the one thing Merit wants more than the used trophies she collects, and that is Sagan. He is a broody, intuitive artist that actually seems to see who Merit really is. But he is just out of her reach due to circumstances.

Their family is an odd blended mash up of unique characters and their home used to be an old church so it fits with their quirkiness. And new people keep moving in and adding to the dynamics. The house seems to be built on secrets, lies, misconceptions, and pain. And everyone seems to have their roles that they fit into, but they all are hiding something and have made their share of mistakes. But as Merit begins to feel more overwhelmed and lost, she just cannot take things as they are anymore.

This is a thought provoking coming of age novel with dry humor, emotion, difficult topics, and a bit of romance. At times I was not sure where the story was going to take me and I was definitely curious. It focuses on exposing secrets, mending broken ties, hope, rebuilding relationships, and new beginnings. But getting there is definitely a challenge. The secrets are teased, the mystery is built upon, the tension rises until it all comes tumbling out and everyone is forced to deal with the fall-out. And this family definitely has issues that they have swept under the rug for way too long.

It is an interesting and unique story with good messages. It is relatable, real, and at times raw. It illustrates the importance of perspective, communication, and acceptance. There are some twists, surprises, and angst. And it gives Merit and all of the characters the chance for potential growth and reconnection. It is a CoHo book that is suitable for older teens and adults.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.
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Once again it seems like I’m the black sheep when it comes to Colleen Hoover’s books, ever since I loved November 9, I’ve been giving Hoover’s books a go, hoping there will be more of her books that I will end up loving, however once again this wasn’t the case for Without Merit. I know a lot of my friends liked this book, and I can understand their reasoning for it, Hoover does a good job of dealing and showing the many real life tough issues that people have to go through. Merit’s life wasn’t all fun and games and her family wasn’t your typical “everyone gets along” sort of family either. And of course, Merit’s family wasn’t the type to sit down and discuss their issues, Merit’s mother had secluded herself to their basement and never came out, Merit's dad's current wife and ex-wife were still living in the same house, there was the case of mistaken identity going on all the time with Merit and her twin Honor and on top of that there was all the stuff that some of the family members didn’t know about. So, you can say there was a lot of issues going on within this family and needed to be properly addressed, I guess you could say I found this a bit overwhelming at times. Like at the beginning, I enjoyed how the story kicked off, but as I got to know more of Merit’s family, the more I was put off from reading the story, which is a real shame, as this book in my eyes potentially could have been a brilliant read for me.

3.5-4 stars

The Voss family is a group of mismatched, quirky, unique characters. Merit collects trophies she didn’t earn and her family’s secrets. She is fed up with the way her family overlooks her while requiring she keep their confidence.

This family was an interesting study in characters with peculiar habits and traits. Her mother never leaves the basement. Her father is married to her mother’s nurse. Her twin sister loves boys with terminal illnesses. This family thrives on skimming the surface and turning away from problems rather than facing them straight on.

Sagan was almost too perfect in the context of the family he joins. As an outsider, he isn’t clouded by the secrets and notions of the family’s perceptions. But he is a perfect example of overcoming obstacles and powering through no matter the circumstances. I loved the calm he exuded and the big moments he has with Merit.

I wanted to love this book, but I struggled with the first half of this book. I was confused. Every single character had such outlandish traits. I had no idea where the book was going but it was heavy. But the last 20% was amazing. This story (once I figured out where it was going) has a great message. This felt different than her last few titles, in that it is definitely closer to YA than NA, but the themes are mature and serious enough that I would call it mature YA. I almost DNF’d the book just before the halfway mark, but I’m so glad I continued through. Because the last part made up for all my struggles.

Colleen does such a great job with her storytelling that even as I was struggling, I didn’t want to put the book down. Even as I worked to make sense of what I was reading I found bits and pieces that held me captive. Threads of the story that spoke to me and kept me moving forward.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.

It's probably a good thing Colleen Hoover only releases one book per year because I honestly don't think my heart could take the emotional strain of any more than that. I've read a dozen of her books and each has left an indelible imprint on my heart, so it's not surprising that her latest release, Without Merit, is just as impactful and thought-provoking as its predecessors. With a vibe that's a marriage between Slammed and It Ends with Us, Without Merit is a story about a dysfunctional family with more than its fair share of issues, and the title character with the power to unravel every single one of those issues. With a cast of characters that’s both eclectic and eccentric and a narrative that’ll keep you on your toes, Without Merit is an angst-filled, emotionally turbulent journey that’s unique, twisted, and delightfully, entertainingly weird.

At the center of Without Merit is Merit, a seventeen-year-old girl whose wise beyond her years but naive in so many ways. Quirky would be a polite way to describe the protagonist and the contents of this book, though odd would be slightly more accurate. Her dry, witty humor and unerring ability to bare her soul within each page of the book make for a refreshingly honest, incredibly vulnerable narrator. She’s the first to admit she’s flawed, which is perhaps why I liked her character so much, even when it didn’t always feel like I should. This is a coming-of-age story of sorts for Merit, though the subject matter is more mature and more intense than is apparent at first glance.

I can't recall reading the blurb for Without Merit (or if I did, I forgot by the time I started reading) so I went into this book blind, which, I feel, is the best way to read it. To say anything about the plot (at least anything aside from what’s in the blurb) would be to take that experience of discovery away from a potential reader, so I’ll refrain. I will say that this book is unexpected. It’s full of twists and turns, none of which I saw coming. The lives of Merit and her family members are so complicated and drama-filled, you just know the you-know-what is about to hit the fan at any given moment, which was a bit of a rush but also incredibly nerve-wracking. It's like you have to find out what happens next but you're apprehensive at the same time. Fortunately, my curiosity was stronger than my trepidation.

When I began reading Without Merit, I thought Colleen Hoover's more melodramatic, slightly unstable alter ego invaded her body to take creative control of this book. But the more I read, the more everything made sense. A lightbulb would go off each time a piece of the puzzle clicked into place, providing much-needed enlightenment when before there were only questions and confusion. There were many times while reading that I asked myself WTF was going on (I honestly didn't know) and if it could get any crazier (yes it could), but what I do know is that Without Merit is a story I won’t soon forget.

*complimentary copy provided by the publisher for an honest review

Rating: 5 WTF-did-I-just-read Stars

“Don’t make your presence known. Make your absence felt.”

Seriously just take a minute and think about that quote and how it relates to your life. Read it. Absorb it. Reflect on it.

When you think of your life and all the people who are in it—family, friends, coworkers, neighbors,—are your words just words? Or do you follow them through with your actions? So many of us want to make an impact, leave pieces of ourselves with those we love to remember us by.

So back to the actual book we’re supposed to be reviewing… if you read the synopsis, you know Without Merit is about a girl who chooses to reveal the secrets her family has held in the dark for so long before leaving them behind. It’s vague for a reason, leaving you wondering what story can Colleen Hoover magically weave this time around.

Without Merit is a story that proves that every person has a chance to make their absence felt. It’s also very unique and delivers an extremely powerful message. It never cease to amaze us how Colleen Hoover can literally take any issue and turn in into a story that will stay with you forever. How does she do it?

For Merit Voss, life is completely dysfunctional. And when we say dysfunctional, I mean like wayyy out there. So many people can relate to the lack of communication within a family, and the Voss family has secrets buried so deep, they’re bound to explode eventually.

She is struggling with her place in this world of chaos and resentment. Merit is one of the most unusual characters we’ve ever read. She is complicated and eclectic. At first you will wonder where is this heading. Where are we going? How will it all come together? And when it does, when all these little events come together, trust us it’s glorious. It’s raw, real and it will hurt at times. But it’s also endearing and full with heart.

She layers and layers, builds up the perfect storm almost. You know it’s coming, you can feel it. And when it hits, it will sweep you up and give you clarity at the same time.

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

Colleen Hoover wrote her heart out, delivering a novel that is nothing like she’s ever written. Her writing is powerful as always—emotional, funny, and deals with issues that many teenagers face on a daily basis. We wish we could give this book to every struggling teen and their parents. It provides a perspective<– we loved this word throughout the book.

Colleen Hoover book, this author proves time and time again that she can surprise her readers every single time with something new and original.

5 ‘you bury me’ stars

‘He takes a step closer to me and it suddenly feels like I’ve swallowed his heart because I have all these extra beats in my chest.’

Colleen Hoover is an author who beats to her own drum. An author who writes from the heart, never relying on trends or shying away from tackling the difficult and heavy subjects. In fact this is an area where Colleen Hoover shines. Her innate ability to deal with weighty issues in a fictional setting is always delivered with an abundance of heart, sensitivity, sincerity and honesty. Yet, she always manages to guard our hearts somewhat with her natural warmth, sense of humour and truly beautiful characters. It’s a heady mix we can’t help but devour.

“We’re just two different people in two different sets of experiences.”

A Colleen Hoover book is like Christmas. They only come once a year which makes a Colleen Hoover release so special. It’s like CoHoMas! The wait, the wonderment, and the tease – it all adds to that excited expectation that boils over the moment her next release lands on our Kindles.

We loved seeing this author return to her YA roots in Without Merit as she so perfectly captures the teenage indecisions, emotions and angst we all remember so vividly. Colleen Hoover has once again delivered a powerful and thought provoking story which tackles a prevalent, tough and crippling subject matter. Not only that, this novel also touches on current issues that pose food for thought.

Some readers pick up a book to escape, some to find an awakening. In Without Merit, we get to experience both through genuine loveable characters who each appear to have flaws, yet when we scratch beneath the surface we find these characters are perfectly relateable; they could be us, a friend, a relative. We care for them and can’t stop thinking about them.

‘I once read a quote that that said, “Don’t make your presence known. Make your absence felt.”
No one in this family notices my presence or my absence.’

The test of a good story is how you feel when you close the book. Was it a story you could easily move on from, or was it a story that consumed your thoughts, scarred your heart, left you worrying and wondering about the characters long after closing the last page? There is no doubt Without Merit affected us in all manners mentioned, as we discovered something of ourselves reflected throughout this story.

“I’ve met a lot of people in my life, Merit. But you might be the strangest of them all.”

Without Merit is told through the voice of 17 year old high school student Merit, and what a beautiful narrator she is. You can’t help but feel for this young girl who thinks she’s an outcast in her small town and within her dysfunctional family. Merit is weighed down by family secrets, and can only take so much. After reaching her breaking point, Merit decides to free herself by relaying the family secrets and shattering her family and herself in the process. What transpires is thought provoking and heartfelt. The feelings so genuine we felt every emotion.

“Why can’t we be a normal family?”
“I don’t think such a thing exists, Merit.”

To divulge more of this story could potentially interfere with your reading experience, so we’ll leave the storytelling to the expert. Suffice to say Without Merit carried all the trademarks we adore about this author, again reminding us why we come back time and time again to experience her incredibly potent, intoxicating and unforgettable stories. They say you can’t really understand someone until you walk in their shoes and that couldn’t be more true than the characters in Without Merit.

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

A touching, honest and incredibly heartfelt story. Each character will touch your soul. Each of their stories will leave an indelible mark on your heart. Oh and …prepare for Sagan and Merit to completely steal your romantic hearts. Sigh……..Sagan….a hero in every sense of the word!

Reviewed from an ARC copy received from Atria Publishing, with thanks.

Wow.

My friends, Colleen Hoover has done it again. This book was all encompassing to me. The Voss family soon became my crazy family as the words were woven so well and so effortlessly. Colleen Hoover has such a gift for storytelling; she has a way of taking a fairly simple day-to-day idea or concept, yet gives it to us in a way that is so interesting. I don’t know how she does it! This was the first young adult book that I’ve read in quite a long time, but it was one of the best adult books that I’ve read. There were so many characters in this book, yet I slipped right into the Voss family and got to know all of them.

I went into to the story completely blind, all I knew was that Colleen Hoover had a new book coming out I said YES, I must have it.

just.
like.
that.

easiest decision E V E R!

So now that I’m done I have gone back and read the synopsis. Yes, I have a disease called spoiler-phobia. It’s real!! 😉 The synopsis is pretty much is the story so there are no spoilers here in my review… but the beauty of it is the journey – the magical way all of a sudden I actually really cared about how the Voss family would come out of their crazy mess, and how they dealt with, well… everything. And it wasn’t always pretty, but I could not look away (or put the kindle down in my case).

There were some parts of this book that were absolutely laugh out loud hilarious, and totally in line with Ms. Hoover’s sense of humor. It was absolutely fantastic and I just loved, loved, loved it. Humor is actually harder to do than something sad, but this was done so naturally and *whispers* dare I say, it almost made the story. I could tell it was just the way the words came out, nothing forced, and it put a smile on my face.

Even with her issues, I adored Merit and her inner dialogue. I was totally in her corner rooting for her so hard. But in addition to the heroine, I also end up loving all of the other characters and their stories. Yes, each back story left me wanting more. I think I went through Merritt‘s journey looking at it from her perspective, but just as she realized that maybe her perspective was just that – her perspective – I too lived through the realization that may be her view wasn’t necessarily always the truth. It was not always pretty, it was hard, and she was lonely, but in the end I loved how this family totally changed.

I do wish that there had been more romance in this book, or at least developed more than it did. However, I understand why it was written the way it was. I guess I would love to have a part 2, but then I don’t know what the story would be about. So I guess that’s my only teensy and extremely slight critique – I wanted more and it’s really just because I’m an incredibly greedy reader.

I have to discuss the title of this book in a non-spoiler way. When I read a story and come across the title within it, which I know is such a hard task, I always get tingly. Always. I seriously paused and put the kindle down so I could relish the moment.

Rec it? YES! YES! YES! For anyone. This story touched my heart and made me smile. Books like this are the reason we read – to get lost in another world, and Without Merit gave me that. What a heartwarming, funny, loving, quirky and silly story. I totally recommend it to anyone and everyone!

Happy reading!

Without Merit is one of the quirkiest yet one of the most human/compassion filled stories I have ever had the privilege of reading. Colleen Hoover has a wonderful way of shifting perspective and allowing readers to critically think about a range of issues. It allows the reader to step into the shoes of not only the protagonist, but also all of the characters you come to know and love in her novels. Without Merit tells the incredible story of a young woman who struggles to come to grips with her reality and all that has impacted her way of being. In true CoHo fashion I saw a lot of layers and complexities which is something I love most about her writing. I texted my sister immediately after I finished reading this book because I was in complete awe and needed to share it with someone. Her response was, “Colleen Hoover…geez man” she knew, she understood. That’s all the response you ever need reading her novels. You don’t quite realize the depth of the experience you will have when you commit to reading a Colleen Hoover novel, but I’d say you always know you will be in for one hell of a ride.
This novel comprised of one of the most peculiar dynamics I’ve ever encountered yet it fit and made sense. I laughed, I cried, I reflected and I devoured every word. One thing I love about her writing is she never fails to impress me with her ability to not only look at an individual in their context, but to get the reader to do the same. She discusses a few heavy and extremely relevant issues. Her worldview doesn’t stay in one frame of reference, she takes a very human approach to what’s happening in the world of each individual character and how their experiences have impacted and shaped them. She uses real world experiences and topics that I don’t see many authors acknowledge. I admire that about this author and it was nice seeing someone who could have taken a stereotypical approach about topics use her platform to shed light on numerous issues.
On a serious note, this book is worth the read (as are all her novels). This one is unique and challenges the reader to look beyond the surface…to see a new perspective. I feel as though every book I read by this author turns into “my new favorite book.” While I’ll probably say the same for this one Colleen Hoover takes a very different turn with this novel, one that addresses serious topics, but also one that makes you reflect on your own family dynamics. This is 100000000% hands down a top recommendation as I believe everyone can benefit from reading this novel. I’d say the best way to describe the feelings I had after reading Without Merit is connected. I felt connected to every member of that quirky family in an unusual yet gratifying way. I craved more and while the reader will feel completely satiated by the end, it allowed me to hope for a future sequel. Wishful thinking, I know…please make it happen CoHo 😉

I loved Without Merit so much it was a powerful, intense,fun and emotional story.From the beginning to end the journey is riveting!Colleen Hoover completely drew me into Merit's and the other members of her family story!

Merit is a unique heroine, I love her and I could relate with her.My heart was aching for her, she and her family doesn't communicate and can’t seem to find a solution to their problems as a family.All the characters have to deal with issues.There are some secrets between them and once they will be reveal things will change.I loved that Without Merit isn't focused to a romance but more in the family and the meaning.Everything about their family felt realistic.

The romance is a secondary to the story but it was really good.Without Merit was one of my highly anticipated books for this year and Colleen Hoover for one more time did an amazing job!A captivating and mesmerized story!

Colleen Hoover never ceases to amaze... Without Merit is one of my most favourite YA reads of all time. All.The.Feels.

I have tried for a week to write my review for Colleen Hoover’s latest release, Without Merit —this book was brilliant—but I’m having a hard time writing it without spoiling the story. Do I write about the main character, Merit Voss, and how she reminded me what it was like to view life through the eyes of a teenager? Do I write about how Colleen Hoover didn’t just give me one character to fall in love with, that she gave me an entire family?

There are so many reason why I loved Without Merit; the fabulous writing, the unique storyline, and the angst-filled moments that tore at my heart. The characters in this story are powerful and unforgettable—Wolfgang and Cheesus definitely won’t be forgotten— but for me, next to Merit, I will never forget Barnaby Voss. Pieces of every Colleen Hoover book I have read have stayed with me—usually angsty bits, and I knew as soon as I started Without Merit this would be another story to stay.

As a mother of a teenager, I’m excited for my daughter to read this story. I know she’ll be sucked in just like I was. I wholeheartedly believe there are lessons to be learned from this story and look forward to discussing it with my her.

If you are looking for a page turning story that will take your heart on an amazing rollercoaster ride, you need to read Without Merit. So many feels. So much more that a YA romance. A story not to be missed.

"Out of all the places we could be, we’re right here. At the same time.”

Colleen Hoover is at the top of my auto-buy list. Without question. And she returns to her Young Adult stories in 'Without Merit'. Merit Voss is a teenage girl who in addition to the normal angst of young adulthood, lives in a very unconventional household. From her perspective, her family is just plain WEIRD. No one can seem to get along and most poignantly, no one really seems to notice Merit at all. She almost seems like an afterthought.

"I can say with certainty that we live in the most unusual house in this whole town. I say house because it is certainly not a home. And inside this house are seven of the most unusual occupants. No one would be able to determine from the outside of our house that our family of seven includes an atheist, a home wrecker, an ex-wife suffering from a severe case of agoraphobia, and a teenage girl whose weird obsession borders on necrophilia.

Of course, Merit is a classic unreliable narrator and slowly the truth about her family emerges. Colleen Hoover knows how to treat delicate subjects with great dignity and care. She makes the entire cast of odd characters here sympathetic and very likable even though you may think the opposite of them at first.

Merit decides to just stop attending school. No one seems to even notice! While skipping school she meets a cute guy and they share an earth-shattering kiss. BUT Merit actually has a twin sister named Honor and the cute guy is actually Sagan, her twin's boyfriend. It seems as though Sagan might have thought he was kissing Honor.

Merit is angry and surly and can't seem to make many friends. She is offended when Sagan starts eating meals with the family and basically moving in. How could this have happened?

"I’m confused by two things. One being the constant and repeated presence of Honor’s boyfriend at our breakfast table. Two being the fact that everyone seems to know him so well that they’re perfectly fine with him joining in on the family conversation.

Merit eventually uncovers some very hard truths about her family's past. It also becomes very clear that Honor is not the perfect person that she at first thinks herself to be. Like all of Colleen Hoover's characters, Merit is unforgettable. She must make some hard choices about herself, her family and Sagan.

"Sagan just doesn’t say mean things out loud. Maybe that’s a product of how he was raised. Or maybe he’s some kind of saint. Or an angel brought to earth to test my morals."

I loved the message of this book!! The story is beautiful and the characters feel real and flawed and very relatable. The description of small-town Texas seems spot-on. Fans of Colleen Hoover will devour this story, and hopefully new readers will pick this one up and see why her readers are so devoted to her writing. Unconditional love, loyalty and forgiveness are some heavy topics but Ms. Hoover serves them up perfectly here.

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

ARC provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.

Man. Colleen Hoover has this way of ripping your heart out while making you smile. She does this numerous times throughout Without Merit. I've not read another book like this. It was real, it was funny and heart wrenching. One could easily relate to this family and all of their disfunction. This is definitely not my usual, smutty read, but I highly recommend this beautiful story.

What an awful book! Not really. I actually loved it. I haven’t encountered a CoHo book that I don’t like, and let’s hope I never do. There’s something about her writing that completely sucks me in and makes me feel what the characters do. That was that case with Without Merit. I was so absorbed in the story that I completely lost track of time and didn’t pay attention to the sun. So I blame Colleen for the sunburn I suffered while reading this. Thanks for the melanoma, Colleen!

Anyway, when I finished reading Without Merit, I immediately wrote down a bunch of words that related to the story so I’d remember those parts/aspects. So I’ve decided that I’m going to list those words and write a little something about each one.

♥ Characters – There are many!

• Merit – 17-year-olds are quite the species, aren’t they? 😀 I love & feel for this girl, and can totally relate to her in some ways at that age.

• Sagan – Love the name and the character! I really like what Colleen did with him and his story that slowly unraveled.

• Luck – #TeamLuck! I had the biggest smile because of him. An odd duck, but completely lovable. There were a couple times it started to get a little weird, but … haha … I don’t even know. It’s just funny and weird and hard to explain. He’s ultimately a great guy.

• Family – This family is definitely unconventional, with plenty of dysfunction and secrets to go around. And, oh, are they ever entertaining!

♥ Perspective – That’s what it’s all about, baby! It’s very important.

♥ Mental illness – It’s tackled in a couple ways here. It doesn’t go into serious depth about the issues, but still handled well.

♥ Trophies – Merit and her trophy collection cracked me up. How the hell does Colleen come up with this stuff?

♥ Books/Bookstore – Haha! What the heck? That was a strange, but funny scene. *wink* And I love Merit’s favorite book!

♥ Feels – It has it all. I laughed, cried, got angry, and everything in between. There are some truly touching moments.

♥ Humor – I think this falls in the dramady (drama + comedy) category. There’s serious issues and situations going on, but it’s done with lots of humor in the mix.

Honestly, Without Merit is absolutely another CoHo hit. It’s a little different than her previous work, but still an awesome read!

One thing I can say about Colleen Hoover is that she never writes the same book twice. I love that every time I pick up a book from her, it’s different than the last. She doesn’t have the same formula, but her writing is consistently strong and endearing. It’s refreshing! Without Merit is nothing like any of her other books. First of all, I wouldn’t classify this as a romance at all. It’s a book of self discovery and a coming of age tale.

Merit Voss comes from an interesting family. The Voss family is full of dysfunctional characters, and Merit is just as dysfunctional as the rest in a lot of ways. Merit is also the keeper of secrets in her family.

Merit is a unique character. I think she will be relatable to a lot of teenagers, and even adults. We all go through things. We all have familial relationships that aren’t 100% healthy, family members that are a tad bit crazy, and we all have hard times. I would like to say a lot about her story, but it would do a huge disservice to the reader. I loved that Colleen surprised me with this one. There were so many secrets and parts of the story I didn’t see coming, and that’s always a good feeling while reading.

There were characters I didn’t love at the beginning, but I did by the end. Everything is not how it seems when it comes to these characters and this family. People are redeemable. Forgiveness is key. There are so many important themes and great points made in this story. I’m excited for other friends to read it, because I can’t wait to discuss it more with others!

Without Merit is a book that hooked me from the first page. Merit’s story was original, powerful, and addicting. I loved the family drama, the surprises, and the topics that Hoover brought to light. Even though there wasn’t a ton of romance, I really did adore the love interest. There were so many fantastic characters in this book! If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, make you cry, make you feel, and one that’s heavy and light at the same time, and something that’s a little different, Without Merit is the book for you.

❝Don't make your presence known. Make your absence felt.❞

You know that feeling you get when you go into a book expecting one thing, but get something totally different, yet infinitely better than you could have expected? NO? Then you need to read Without Merit!

Without Merit is odd, it's quirky and funny. It is also filled with emotional upheaval and hidden gems on which to ponder.

❝There's something freeing about refusing to stress over stressful situations. No matter how much thought or time you put into a decision, you're still only going to be wrong or right.❞

A family built upon lies and secrets, the Voss family is like no other family I've ever known, and for that I'm thankful. Because if they were real they would be the definition of family dysfunction. We have a dad who's an atheist and moves his family into a church, a mother who lives in the basement, siblings who barely tolerate each other, and a girl who collects other people's trophies as a coping mechanism.

Merit Voss carries the burden of the keeper of her family's secrets and yet she feels invisible. Collecting other people's trophies has become her solace in the chaos that surrounds her. When Sagan enters her life, he is a breath of fresh air. He helps her feel things other than sadness and despair. He opens her eyes to the world around her.

❝Not every mistake deserves a consequence. Sometimes the only thing a mistake deserves is forgiveness.❞

There is a lot going on in this book so don't be tempted to speed read (and you will be) because you will miss the gems that are buried within its pages. Hoover leads you on a journey using a treasure map, don't be fooled that the best part is where the X marks the spot (ie the ending). Enjoy the journey, revel in the digs, open each treasure as you reach them and don't be tempted to be judgemental because it's all about perspective.

Without Merit is by far the most un-Colleen Hoover book to date. This isn't a negative statement, just an honest observation. I also don't want her readers to think they won't enjoy it, because they will. While the overall story is outside the Hoover box, she still tosses in the things that make her HER. The quirks, the funny, etc. are all present.

I really had no idea what this book was even about before I began reading. Just something about a family with secrets. I love YA, so the idea of a teenage protagonist was right up my alley. And, as is the case with any book narrated by a teen, there are moments of pure frustration. Those moments where you wish you could jump into the book and shake the character(s). Merit is no exception.

The quirkiness starts from page one. A girl who collects trophies she hasn't earned. WTF? But, as her personality is better explained throughout the story, it makes sense. Then, there's the dynamics of her family---a seemingly more beautiful identical twin sister with an odd 'fetish', a dad who loves two Victorias, a stepmother that no one likes, etc. Add in the church they live in and yeah, it's a poster for dysfunction. I actually loved the family aspects and learning about each one (and why Merit doesn't get along with them).

But, Merit is definitely a flawed character. An unreliable narrator. And since we only see things from her point of view, it's hard to determine if we dislike the others because they are bad people, or if we are just being influenced by Merit's opinions. However, it becomes clear as the story progresses that the majority is simply our limited view through Merit's eyes. And, I really disliked her in many scenes. I found her to be juvenile, selfish, and judgmental. Which, I'm sure many would argue those are the traits of a teen. Maybe so, but some of the ideas she has in her head about her family are misguided and hurtful. Worst of all, though, is how she sees herself. It's quite sad (but realistic) to know and recognize that these are feelings a lot of teen girls have and deal with. It's also clear that she is going through some things; things that she needs to get help for.

I feel like I need to note that there is romance present in the story. It's just not the forefront. Sagan is quite the brilliant---and informative---character. He's not an over-the-top alpha male. That's not the CoHo way! Instead, he's a normal guy who is dealing with his own issues. And I also love that he's not just swooping in to rescue Merit from her family and their problems. He recognizes that she needs to help herself. And all he does is push her to that goal.

Now, there is one piece of the story I didn't love very much. And you'll know it when you get there. I absolutely HATED the way it was glossed over and defended/explained. At the time of this 'event' in the book, it just gets pushed to the side. And I don't know why it rubbed me wrong, but all I can say is it did. Maybe it felt as though Merit was trying to 'normalize' said action? Anyway, thankfully, towards the end it was rehashed and talked about. And thankfully, it was recognized for what it was. And what it meant. Because I think it's important to keep the discussion open. Also, it's imperative to keep these subjects as topics of discussion. The taboo label doesn't help anyone.

I enjoyed Without Merit. I can't say it's my favorite Hoover book, but I think it's worth a read. The characters, the plot, just everything are mostly fun. There are loads of serious moments and secrets. I appreciated what Colleen brought to light. The Voss family will make yours seem normal.

After reading strictly crime thrilling novels for a whole year, this was such a REFRESHING read that I needed. I have been a Colleen Hoover fan for last 2 1/2 years. Her first novel I read was Confess. Upon reading that book, she put me under he spell. I spent the next several days, weeks, and months binge reading all of her novels she had published back then. Along the way I have purchased every physical copy and have my own shelf dedicated to her. 

I was so excited to read Without Merit when I found out she wrote a new novel but not as excited as when I finished it. This book is hands down my most favorite one she has written. I have never felt so many emotions in any other books than a Colleen Hoover book and this book hit all my feels. I laughed, I became angry, I sympathized, I cried, and I was thankful. This will be a book I will recommend over and over again. 

I do want to warn readers though, without giving anything away, you will read about depression and you will read about anxiety. I personally have never had depression symptoms but I've definitely have had bursts of anxiety. I loved the way the book referenced each of these mental health issues and how they handled it as a family. It broke my heart in so many good ways.

I know some of you may now be thinking that this is going to be a dark read that may put off readers. I'm here to tell you now that it's not. Even though it touches on some dark issues, it is a light read that will have you falling in love with the Voss family. 

Without Merit was a face paced, captivating read and I encourage any Colleen Hoover fan to buy this book NOW! If you have not read a book by her yet, please choose this one to be your first. You will not regret it and if you do, well this will be a subject we disagree on! :) 

It is so hard for me to sit here and talk about a novel that I am going to deem as my most favorite of 2017 and not talk about the characters and give away spoilers. This is a book I wished characters were real life because I would surround myself with these people to not only learn from them, but to learn how to love with them. 

Well done Hoover. (5 Stars)

Thank you to Atria Publishing for providing me with this advanced readers copy, and thank you to Colleen Hoover for bringing out the ugly cry in me once again! It was an absolute joy to provide my honest thoughts on this novel.

This is one of those instances where I went into a book blindly, without reading the synopsis. I just knew it was a CoHo book and I wanted to check it out. After getting into it, I definitely feel like a lot of readers should go this route. Just trust me, if you like Colleen Hoover and her writing style, then grab this book. I remember saying that I loved, was addicted to, CoHo books years ago (i.e. the era of Slammed and Hopeless), but kind of fell out of love with her after reading some of her later books. I also remember saying that my love for CoHo was rekindled with It Ends With Us and basically reestablished with this book.

Without Merit is definitely a different kind of read. I was surprisingly so engrossed with this book, which I didn't expect for some reason, and the pages just flew by. Merit's family and their dynamic is just so interesting and downright crazy, I couldn't look away. Each family member has characteristics and a lifestyle I've seen before, but seeing them all together and how everything plays out was what kept me engaged in this book.

I don't want to go into too much detail, because I want you to try to go into this blind as well. Just know that you're in for quite a ride with this family. I will say that CoHo has really redeemed herself in my eyes with her writing after reading this and her previous book. I just love how captivating her style is. Her characters are real and raw and she truly makes you feel all the feels and makes you really think about life in general and kind of relate it to your own life. I definitely look forward to her next book and would highly recommend this one to everyone.

Colleen Hoover is never one to disappoint and she has once more managed to write a book that completely enchanted me.

I have many favorite authors, but there is something particularly enthralling about Hoover's writing and books. She isn't afraid to write about the hard stuff, always has plot twists we never see coming, but more than anything her writing feels REAL.

In Without Merit CoHo is back with another incredible book that stayed with me long after I was done reading it. I don't want to say much about the story, I'd hate to give away too much or more than was given in the description, but I can tell you I loved this story to bits!

The characters in this book are complicated, their relationships dysfunctional, they are all more than they seem and so very flawed. It worked so perfectly for this story, though, and I have to applaud Colleen writing something that was so real and that I could relate to in such a personal level. Her writing about mental illness is admirable, especially her the fact that she doesn't romanticize it, which we see way too often these days.

Without Merit is amazing, clever, funny, impossible to put done and more than anything else, the story feels very real! I wouldn't change a single thing about it.

Also, I have to congratulate CoHo for managing to keep me up past 10 pm willingly 😂 I ended up going to bed at 4 am finishing this one!

Without Merit is a mass bundle of quirkiness and heart. It touches on a subject matter that many people are afraid to speak about, but they shouldn't be. To be honest, it made me think about my own life and the life of my children. I will recommend this to all of my friends with teens in their lives.