Only the best from Colleen! She is a bright, shining light in the book world. I will always shout her books as recommendations.

This was an excerpt of Without Merit by Colleen Hoover. This was a great read and I cant wait to read the rest of the books.

Definitely wanted more. After reading just the small part. Definitely buy and read the rest!

Colleen Hoover’s unique storytelling has made her a must-read author, and once again she has delivered a clever, original and compelling story about a family riddled with secrets and one girl’s struggle to deal with to deal with it all. It’s a surprising, heartfelt and beautifully written coming of age book that is very different from her usual work, and I couldn’t put it down.

Merit Voss is a high school senior whose family is far from conventional. They are functionally dysfunctional, and though Merit exists in a bit of a bubble inside of her own home, she is the one that knows the secrets that exist within its walls.

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.
No one would be able to determine any of that from inside our house, either.


Merit is a wonderful character – unique and well-developed, she is flawed, and she struggles with a lot of things, but she’s relatable and loveable, and she’s a wonderful narrator for the story. And as we are introduced to her individual family members and the people that come into their lives, we get to see the role that she plays in her family, and are drawn into the complexity of the Voss family dynamic.

“We’re all a degree of fucked-up.”


When Merit feels herself drowning under the weight of all of the secrets, she finally reveal all, setting the stage for everything to change as all of the things that never get talked about are finally out in the open, and the Voss family are left reeling as they try to deal with the consequences of it all.

It’s all about perspective and not everything is as it seems. There are secrets, twists and turns, and the shifting character dynamics are wonderfully written, and I loved watching it all play out.

“Maybe that’s the root of a lot of family issues. It isn’t actually the issues people are hung up about for so long. It’s that no one has the courage to take the first step in talking about the issues.”


There are so many profound lessons in this book. Key to them is the dangers of perception, the importance of forgiveness and communicaiton, and the love of family – even the messed up ones. It’s a book that makes you think while it makes you feel and I thought it was all so cleverly written.

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


There is a romantic storyline, but it is most definitely in the background of everything else that is happening. That’s not to stay that I didn’t swoon a little bit at the perfection of Coho’s YA romance. It’s beautiful and sweet, and fits into the story really well, bringing a little something extra, with a love interest that will absolutely steal your heart!

I really enjoyed this book. It’s intense and dramatic, yet funny and sweet, and it surprised me over and over again. It’s a really well-written story, and I was captivated from start to finish.

4 stars!

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.

Colleen delivers an amazing story that doesn’t disappoint.

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.