Without Merit: A Novel

Without merit

Without merit was uniquely different. I had no idea where it was going to take me. I was really like “come on give me a clue.” I was told my many keep reading, and I was so glad I did. The Voss family is strange but what family isn’t.

I really felt for Merit. Her character was one I could relate to. She was struggling with everything in her day to day life. It took an outsider to have her really take a good look at herself. To help her see the bigger picture so to speak.

Without Merit revolves around the Voss Family, which while they are odd, they all have the bond to love has a family when it truly matters. It’s solely based on Merit who is a twin, but she is so lost and hates the way her family perceives her. This book covers some topics that could affect anyone. Colleen has taken us back to YA in this book, and there isn’t anything that Colleen does that doesn’t leave a mark.

Wow. Just wow. I am speechless. Beyond speechless.
I read this book in less than 24 hours. It's the first full book of Colleen's I've ever read. I own so many of hers, but I've never read them... until now. I honestly don't know if I can pick up another book and read for a while. These characters are stuck with me. So rarely in a book you feel this way. You start a new book and you forget about the previous one. Not this book.
The story was powerful. Life changing. Heart altering. I ugly cried about six times. Hiccups and all. It's all about family and love and learning to accept what you cannot change and learning to love it for what its worth.
I don't know if colleen knows this... but it's literal magic that flows from her fingers with every word. I've never read a book THIS good and I've read a lot of books.
I wish I could give this book ten stars. It's certainly deserving of that.

4.5 Stars

The only reason this lost a half a star is because I was kind of disappointed at the end, I really felt that there was more story that I needed. That being said I loved everything else about this book. I loved the message it sends, the values that you can’t miss and I’m really glad that I grabbed it.

I’m a huge Hoover fan and Without Merit will sit with the rest of her books that I save to read on a day when I have no desire to read anything else and what a really great book.

I loved Merit. She’s was genuine and real. Typical in her skin and like all of us lost, craving, and alone. We all have it in us, some suffer more than others.

An emotion ride that I will not soon forget, all of us have lived in Dollar Voss at some point in our lives.

Oh and there were many, many laughs mixed in with the deep, deep feelings within these pages.

It's an odd book. The characters were a little too weird, at times the book was mildly entertaining, and I even laughed a couple of times, but it definitely fell short. Not the romance book I hoped for.

At first I wasn't so sure I was into this book. It just didn't have the same feel as other CoHo books, but the deeper I got into it, I fell in love! The names are unique as each character is. Honor is Merit's twin, but she is in a lot of pain. Utah is their brother, but he harbors some secrets of his own. Even little Moby is awesome. But, Merit is a very interesting, and sad girl. I love how she grows throughout the book. And Sagan, he is a typical CoHo boy. I don't know how she creates these amazing men that you instantly fall in love with. I mean he draws her pictures, he says "you bury me" and gives her a tattoo. Really?!?! But like other books Colleen coins a new saying, this time it's f..... dazing. I like it, but I love this book. What a great read!

I don’t know how Colleen Hoover does it. She creates fascination characters and stories that I cannot put down. I never know what kind of ride I’m in for when I pick up one of her books. I finished Without Merit in a few hours. I couldn’t stop reading. This was an emotional, roller coaster ride that I didn’t want to get off of.

I have no idea how to review this book without giving things away, so I will say this. Without Merit has opened up my eyes to some things that I never really thought of before. I’m taking a lot away from this book and these characters and I am so grateful for it. I laughed, I cried, I was shocked. I absolutely loved this book and I love Colleen for bringing us the strange, messed up Voss family.

Wow. Does Colleen Hoover know she has magic? Every book is different. Whenever I read a story by her, it takes me to a completely different universe. Especially this one it was so out of this world story. I feel like I was living through Merit. There were so many emotions I felt exactly the same as her. When so many feelings (secrets) you keep bottled up that you almost want to explode. I thought Colleen saw what thoughts I had in my mind. I really really really loved everything. I loved that in the middle of crying, you will still be able to laugh at some point. Another story and characters of hers that marked my soul.

Some of my fave quotes:

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

“I used to feel like I was on top of the world. Then one day, I noticed that it felt like I was no longer on top of the world. I was just floating around inside of it. And then eventually, it felt like the world was on top of me.”

?????

Let me start out by saying I am a huge Colleen fan! I am a CoHort and love her books!! I feel like each one she writes is better than the last one. She gets more amazing with each book.
However at the beginning of this book I thought it was weird and I wasn’t sure about it even almost half way. I wasn’t sure I would like it and was wondering where the Colleen who’s writing I knew and loved was.
Boy was I wrong. Yet again Colleen hit it out of the park!! An awesome book with some awesome life lessons in it!! Wtg Colleen!! I loved it and highly recommend it to everyone. Sometimes it is about prospective!!! Really makes you think!!!

Like so many of this author's tales, this one had me wishing for a sequel before I finished. Without Merit is a beautiful story about a troubled teen's perception of reality that uncovers truths about mental illness, depression and family love. Despite the heavy subject, it is a lighthearted, funny and upbeat book. Cleverly told by Colleen Hoover, it uniquely set in a quirky small town that mirrors her own. I didn't just read but fell into this book. I believe it's a must read. I recommend this for all ages, not just YA. I can't wait to read the next by this author, be sure to read her other books!

First of all, I’m not a long time Colleen Hoover fan. I only began reading her work about a year ago. I started with Too Late and then read some [all] of her other books. Without Merit, is something else entirely. I absolutely love Merit and the real struggles that go on with this wacky family. I can put myself in her shoes, I can laugh with Merit and cry with her. It’s something remarkable when an author can create these characters and worlds that really draw in the reader and make you part of that.
Excellent job, Colleen Hoover. You’re fans thank you!

Colleen Hoover never ceases to amaze me with her writing. I am always blown away by her ability to write some of the most beautiful stories and have these characters that burrow deep into my skin. Without Merit was more of a YA read and Colleen executed such a very serious subject with just the right amount of WTF & quirky dialogue. Merit was character I struggled without because I had a hard time looking past my own reflection with a lot of her struggles. This is one book I will share with my teenage nieces and my teenage son.

This was easily my favorite Colleen Hoover book to date. It's not her typical all consuming love affair book, but it had me laughing, crying and when I finished I had to share it. This is the story about a dysfunctional family (what family isn't?) who is going through a crisis but it's the kind of crisis that has been building for a long time until it explodes. I absolutely loved each character and at times I too disliked the main character one chapter and loved her the next. As each family secret is revealed it becomes clear things are not always how they seem and making assumptions is a terrible thing to do. I cannot express how much I loved this book and this family. It deals with mental health in a way that is both respectful and realistic and this is one I will be reading again.

Colleen literally never disappoints with any books. Going into this I didn't think she would be able to top It Ends With Us but then I started to read into the summary and I got an excerpt from Goodreads due to me highly rating her other books and OH MY GOD. This book was unbelievably good I read it in a day and it's now full of annotations like stars next to my favorite quotes and just underlining and I've even started making a playlist. My forever Colleen fav will be November 9 but this so GOOD. Sagan, I loved Sagan he was such a complex character and his backstory was amazing. Colleen accomplished finishing every plot hole that was open from beginning to the middle of the book to the end she made a confusing story an understandable one. I. Love. Luck. I ALSO LOVE MOBY SO DEARLY MUCH and Honor was such a great character. The mom story line broke my heart but it was amazing the part with the cats. Colleen never fails at making good books every single one makes me so happy and I finished it within a day. I found myself relating to Merit in so many ways like her style and humor and the way she was irritable. Colleen has a way of incorporating serious problems into her books. In IEWU she incorporated awareness for Lily being in an abusive relationship, in Without Merit she helped readers see the constant state of denial of someone who is severely depressed and suicidal without them even knowing. I love Colleen's books and will support her every day of my life, I hope she releases a new book next year and I cannot wait to read it. Colleen you are INCREDIBLE.

I flew through this book. I felt invested in these characters and I loved every second of reading about them. I know this won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s one of my favorite CoHo books. There is something so amazing about reading a book that slowly unravels secrets and lies. It’s addicting to say the least. I just can’t get enough of Hoover’s writing style! So now I’ll sit back and impatiently count the months that go by until I can devour another one of her books.

Colleen Hoover is in my top three favorite authors. I go into her books with complete abandon. Regardless of the vague blurb, I jumped right into this book as soon as I realized it was released and I don't regret a second of it. This was a little different than some of her other books that we're all familiar with, but it had such a deeper meaning. And something that must be important to her heart. It was amazing watching a family come together like they did!

Oh I loved this book just like I love everything that Colleen writes. This book was a big eye opener for me to be honest. I noticed all of these behaviours, but not once did I think oh hang on something isn't right. This in turns makes me a little nervous. I will definitely think more into things from now on and not just look at them through my own perspective. I want to read so much more on Merit to be honest I wasn't ready for it to end.

This book hit home for my teenage self and my teen daughters. Colleen has a unique way of writing that makes me feel like she knows my darkest secrets, and how I felt through each of them. Then creates a book that makes me feel so vulnerable while devouring it, that I can't even look anyone in the eye. I laughed, I cried even more, I felt my cold dark heart grow a little, and I shoved this book into the hands of all 3 of my daughters.

Colleen is my favorite author. I never hesitate to buy her books and I often have them read the day they release. Unfortunately, this book feel flat for me. I knew going into the book that it was going to be different than her other books. It’s not really a romance but more about the main characters family.

I just felt like the first 50% of the book was rambling and didn’t really lead to much of anything. The back half was a little better. But overall a little disappointing...
But with that said Colleen Hoover is still my favorite author. I admire the fact that she did something different and wrote a book that still had a heart felt message. So while it’s my least favorite, I still suggest fans read this book. There’s wonderful lessons to be learned. I really appreciated all the diversity in this book. This is the first book I’ve read with a main character that is biracial and I loved that! She also tackled mental illness, religious differences and sexuality in a wonderful way. Her writing is great. The story just didn’t grab me like her others. But I also prefer her new adult romances. I loved Sagan and wish he were apart of the story more. She does write the best men ❤️

There are only a few authors books I buy without thinking twice about....Colleen Hoover is on top of that list. I love everything she writes and this is no exception. The book is original and brilliant. I read so many books that disappoint and pages can be turned without reading due to the predictable plot. This is the not the case here...the only disappointment is it was over in 4 hours ! I just wanted it to go on...now the wait for her next book. I can't wait !

I've read every book by Colleen Hoover and this book is the first one that I struggled to get through and wasn't captivated by. The characters were hard to like and care about. I strongly disliked the ending - no closurer to any of the story lines. I would not recommend this book to friends/family. I also won't be rereading it.

Very different from all her other books. 'It Ends With Us' was so brilliant that this book seems a little but like a disappointment. I do like how it made me sympathetic to people with depression. I really enjoyed the complex characters.

Not my favorite Coho book but loved the different feel. She focused on family issues and how they can overcome them. This book spoke to me and I loved it. The weird family, issues that are brushed aside and never talked about, the importance of honesty no matter how hard that may be... I do hope there will be a sequel to this book, maybe about each child? But still continue on with Merit and Sagan? Thank you Colleen!!!!

It took me quite some time to digest all of the complex emotions I felt after reading this book. I have two children (teenager and pre-teen), and this book made me think about my own family dynamics.

Everyone has felt like Merit at some point in their lives, alone but not lonely. I also believe everyone has some dysfunctional element to their family dynamics. Or maybe it’s just me?

Without Merit is unlike anything Colleen Hoover has written. This is not a classic romance novel with your latest and greatest book boyfriend. This is the story of Merit, a seventeen-year-old girl who is battling her own personal demons within the walls of a repurposed church, turned family home. Merit is drowning in her own depression, which stems from issues with her own self-worth and her dysfunctional family relationships. Merit wonders if her family would even notice if she was gone.

"I didn’t matter, but I don’t. I hate it here, too. I don’t matter here, either. If I dropped out of life, just like I dropped out of school, everyone’s lives would go on. With or without Merit.”

Merit is tired of being the crypt keeper of lies and secrets. Years of compressing and compartmentalizing it all has taken its toll on her emotional well-being.

“Maybe if I let all the secrets out, they wouldn’t make me feel like drowning anymore. Yes. Maybe that would help. Maybe getting it all out will help me feel like I’m not about to implode.”

Without Merit is infused with Colleen’s signature wit and addictive writing style. She pulled on all of my emotions. This book was heartbreaking, humorous at times, raw and complex. While the topics were serious, as a reader I didn’t find this book either dark or depressing. It made me think and feel along with the narrator. Colleen tackled some complicated topics with grace in this all-consuming, coming of age, soon to be YA/NA classic. She weaved an intricate web of emotions while unmasking the ugly reality of teenage depression. This story is thought-provoking and simply must be read. Not because it's a CoHo book, but because it's important. This book will touch everyone's heart and soul in that special way that Colleen does, time and time again.

Thank you to Atria books for providing an ARC for review.

I feel completely conflicted and expect this will be one of the most difficult reviews I've ever written. I'm a huge Colleen Hoover fan and have read every one of her novels, I met her last year at The Bookworm Box, and consider her one of my favorite authors. I would even go so far as to say, my blog probably wouldn't exist if it weren't for Colleen Hoover. You wouldn't believe my excitement when I saw I was chosen to review Without Merit. Such is my luck that this would be the one CoHo book that didn't resonate with me.

Without Merit is an out-of-the-box novel, even for Colleen, and completely different than anything she has ever written. The characters all had their own quirks and oddities, almost to the point of being ridiculous. I found most of the characters challenging to like, and some downright repulsive. Obviously, Merit was the most likeable character within the 384 pages. She lives in a family of secret keepers, where no one is able to show love or tell the truth. Sick and tired of living with her family's burdens, Merit spontaneously decides she'll write a letter revealing her family's dirty secrets and take her own life. When her plan is foiled, she is stuck dealing with the consequences of airing the family's dirty laundry.

Colleen does a great job of making her readers feel connected to Merit through the first half of the story. It's obvious why she feels the things she feels, living in a family of crazies. Though I'm not advocating suicide, I was able to see why Merit in a moment of weakness, considered this a viable option for her problems. However, I felt the story dragged in getting to this point that the blurb details as the main event of the novel. I was unsure of which direction things would go throughout the majority of the book, making me wonder what the point of the story was. Finally, around the halfway mark things started rolling in true Hoover style, allowing me to understand the build-up in the first half.

I will say, I found Without Merit to have an important message overall. I think this book can have a positive impact on people who may struggle with some of the things Merit thought to be challenging in life. I was able to appreciate getting into the character's heads to understand the causes for their actions. Unfortunately, it seemed as if Merit was left out to dry, for the most part, in the conclusion. At times, I even felt as if Merit was being manipulated by those around her to see situations the way they wanted her to. And though there were resolutions in the end, many of the characters did not learn the lessons I hoped they would. It seemed as if they were making excuses for their actions, rather than accepting responsibility. Though, one of the main points Colleen makes in this novel is this:

"Not every mistake deserves a consequence, some just deserve forgiveness."

I suppose because I like "karma" as some call it, that makes me less apt to understand the feeling of forgiving without consequences. I prefer to see justice for mistakes, because many times people don't properly feel remorse and learn otherwise. Nonetheless, Colleen gives readers things to think about, which leads to my conflicted feelings over the whole of this novel. There were parts I liked and beneficial topics discussed, but on the whole, I did not relate to the story which created a bit of a disconnect. Regardless of my feelings and difference of opinion on many topics discussed within the plot, I will continue to be a Colleen fan and will eagerly read anything she produces in the future. This highly anticipated novel is sure to resonate with many readers, so please take my adverse opinion with a grain of salt. It may be just what you need at this moment in your life and simply wasn't a favorite for me.

Without Merit has an important story and message to tell and I think it is beneficial to read it. I do recommend this book for the message alone, but I do take issue with some things. Mainly, that it feels like an afterschool special (Hoover even pokes fun at that at one point) where scenes feel rehearsed instead of organic. Events don’t unfold naturally but forced or rehearsed (if a novel can feel rehearsed). The flow of the story is in a chunky fashion of fiction with mini-lessons thrown in rather than a cohesive blend of the two important aspects. A chunk of story and then a chunk of information, repeat. I really wish the important messages and moments blended into the story in a smoother way. I think they would be even more impactful and easier to relate to but they are impactful regardless.

This novel could have used one more revision, especially the first…quarter maybe? The present events would be happening and then suddenly cut to background info/history explained for a lengthy period and then I would forget what was happening when the story returned to the present event. I found this to be quite frustrating.

I must mention this: The Bookworm Box store makes an unnamed appearance and who I’m guessing is Hoover’s sister. I don’t have a problem with it being in the book, but it needs to hold more weight or less; it felt awkward. What was the purpose of Merit having that weird conversation with the sales clerk? We never see anything come from it other than Merit and Sagan being comfortably weirded out. That’s it. It feels like a total cameo, which is fine, but if that’s all it’s meant to be then the scene was just too long and drawn out. The length warrants meaning or importance, but it never comes.

This story is worth reading, especially if a reader is unfamiliar with mental illness or wants to be more informed in a way that makes it easier to step into someone else’s shoes, to allow them to be more empathetic. I’m well-acquainted with a wide range of mental health issues from multiple perspectives so it felt a little more like telling me what I already know as if I don’t know it. It can be helpful to a wide audience, though, and I think there is value in reading the story.

I was engaged with the story and compelled to finish but I also don’t feel the need to pick it up again. Just like I didn’t watch reruns of afterschool specials. It’s good; it addresses important topics that are under-addressed, but it feels like the primary purpose of this fiction book is to highlight a (worthy) cause and the characters are secondary to that instead of being the vessel in which we discover the message and moral of the story. I recommend reading it but be prepared to hear “The More You Know” in the back of your mind every time scenes feel rehearsed.

Messy plot and unlikeable self absorbed characters. Isn't incest, depression, agoraphobia, coming out, Syrian refugees, polygamy and more a bit much for one YA book? Ms. Hoover like Sandra Brown needs to stick with romance and forget issue driven books. It Ends With Us was fantastic, this one not so much.

This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review - read till the end to see how you can win a signed copy!!

I'm sad to say that this is my first 3 star rating for a CoHo book.

After falling in love with It Ends With Us, and crying for days after it was over, I was excited and nervous to read yet another emotional Colleen Hoover book. Without Merit didn't have much of a description, so needless to say I was going into this book pretty blindly. Once I finished the 1st chapter, I was already hit with some crazy news, which ultimately led into a story that I was not expecting.

I'd like to describe this book as a different take on the 2007 play, August Osage County. Without Merit was alarming, sad, deranged, yet filled with dry humor. Underneath all the chaotic mess, was a family living with lies that grew darker, and eventually, someone was going to explode.

Merit is a character that I feel people will either love or hate. I am in between with her at the moment because her character is so complex. When you first meet her, I already knew she was a girl that is dealing with a lot of issues. Any person in their right mind would not do the things she did from the start. Of course, as the story unfolded, you started to see the underlying issues with Merit and how her family plays a key role in it.

This book describes the saying "less is more" perfectly! Yes, it's supposed to be a piece of fiction, but that's the thing about Colleen's previous books, you were able to relate to them on almost every level. While this book touched on a lot of dark subjects that happen every day to people, as a whole, it just wasn't realistic in my opinion. It didn't need the twist and turns and the omg moments to feel something from this story. If just a few of the “shocking” moments were taken away, it would have been enough for me, and the true meaning of the story would still be able to come through.

With all that aside, what really saved this book for me was the oh so lovely, Sagan! Oh, you are all going to fall head over heels in love with this boy. He wasn't a bad boy, a geek, or the jock, just an everyday GOOD guy with such a kind soul. His story was touching and I am so glad Colleen tied his story to things that are happening right now in the world.

After being almost half-way done with the book, I was 50/50 on where I thought it was going, but I am happy it went to a place I was hoping it would go. Merit improved dramatically as a character, as well as everyone else. Even though I think the book has many flaws, it sheds a little light on mental illness and the struggles we all deal with. Mental illness does not discriminate; whether you're old, young, black or white, it can affect you. But it is also important to surround yourself with others that can guide you in a better direction, and to find hope within ourselves that things will get better.

If you like dysfunctional, meandering stories, this might be for you. Honorable mention for a unique premise and world-building but deductions for little romantic content, and dialogue that reads like an after school special. Ironically, even Merit refers to her life as such. I found the odd names a further distraction to an already challenging plotline.

This is a convoluted story that another reviewer aptly described as “a big stew of weird people behaving badly.” With last year’s It Ends With Us, Hoover was getting her feet wet in murky waters. Without Merit finds her diving in headfirst. While the primary theme is depression and suicide, it tackles LBGT issues, infidelity and overwhelming family dysfunction fueled by multiple secrets. Hoover also throws in a half-hearted attempt to draw in the Syrian refugee crisis and leaves it hanging unresolved. Considering the baggage it carries, this book wraps up on what feels like an unrealistic positive note. There are discussion questions at the end along with referrals for mental health resources.

All of Hoover's books deal with some social issue but her early works focused on some really amazing romantic connections. The chemistry between her couples was what made her books outstanding and it’s sadly lacking in her recent releases. In all honesty it felt more like something Tarryn Fisher would write. Fisher has consistently put out really offbeat, bizarre stories but that's her niche and she does it well. Maybe some of their Never Never: Part One of Three collaboration has rubbed off on Hoover, but this is so far from what built her fan base I can't help but be disappointed.

I was very fortunate to receive the review copy of Without Merit for which I’m utterly grateful. This review is being written minutes after finishing the book and therefore it will be full of raw feelings, but I’ll do my best to avoid the spoilers like a plague!

Without Merit is a book that deals with teenage depression, insecurities (not just teenage ones), mistakes and flaws and misconception.

“Everyone’s lives would go on. With or without Merit."

It evolves around the Voss family that is made of absurd life twists and seemingly broke relationship. Father, his kids, his current wife and his ex-wife all living together in a former church. Yes, church.

Merit is the narrator and main character. We get to see the story play out from her perspective. And this is the first thing that got me gutted – exactly, it’s her perspective. Merit is just one of the characters in the book that doesn’t see and hear everything. Therefore, her point of view is just hers and does not mean it’s the right one, the correct one. That is how life goes I guess and Colleen hits the bull’s eyes with the point she presents in Without Merit.

Each of the character has its own story. That’s one of the things I love about Colleen’s writing – she doesn’t just use the supporting characters to hold the narrator’s hand and give them hug and crappy advice when they don’t even need it the most. Each of Colleen’s character is given a spotlight for a while to show their own story, to kind of prove themselves to the reader.

It was the same with this book of course. There are stable characters that will be with you throughout the whole story. Either a part of the family or friend. They each have a story that Merit, and consequently all of us readers, don’t really see. They are flawed, some might even say broken, but to me, they are perfect. Perfect as in real. (By this point I should apologize for not making sense bunch of times, but I really am speechless!)

The writing – what can I say about that? It’s Colleen and that itself speaks about the style and quality. If you are a long-time reader of hers you will see her usual word play again, how she uses metaphors to express the absurdity of certain situations. And trust me, there are a lot of crazy moments in Without Merit. For example, the fact that Merit collects trophies she didn’t win to kind of make shitty things that happened to her more memorable.

For hardcore CoHorts – you have a little nice surprise to look forward to. I’m sure you’ll recognize it straight away!

I hope so far, no spoilers! And now, I just want to share with you my favorite line:

“You shouldn’t feel so special, Merit. We are all a degree of fu**ed up.”

Without Merit taught me a lot of things in matter of hours it took me to read it. You live your lived from your own perspective and sometimes miss what others see because you are blinded by it. That’s also why you can’t compare your miserable sad broken stories with other – no one’s story is harder than ours and ours is not more difficult than someone else’s. Also, you don’t have to carry the secrets of those around you if all they do is pull you down, weight you down. They are not your burden to carry. And last, but not least:

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

I’m giving this book 5 stars, although it’s hard to just put a 5-star label on it when for me it’s value is much greater.

With Merit and love,

Rebecca A I All Books Obsessed

P.S. Thank you for reading my review!

Merit.
She's 17 years old, somewhat lost and and a bit of an outsider in life and in her own family.
She has a twin sister, a brother who is only 10 months older and a four year old half-brother. She also has a used-car-salesman-dad and a mom and a step mom and a newly aquired 20 year old step-uncle. And they all live together in an fixed up old church.
Then she meets this one person. The one boy who could be her future. Something - someone just for her. But he's not hers. He was someone else's first. Or wasn't he?
But would he want her with all her problems? She might have to work on herself and her family for a bit before she can think about her happily ever after ....

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MERiT & SAGAN? WILL THERE BE A HAPPY END?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT ☺
___________________________________

So adorable! I just loved it!
This was such a different and sweet and quirky and charming and angsty and dramatic and lovely small-town Texas young adult novel.
There were so many 'new' things in here - things I've never read about before - or at least not very often.
Just little things like the marquee or later the fence. The serious parts. So much more. Just amazing!
Merit is such a great character! So real and teenagy but also kind of the most grown-up person in that house!
And Sagan! He's an amazing guy. A bit mysterious, so sweet and kind and smart and talented.
And ugh - I just loved everything about this book.
Their house! The little brother. The dog. The patchwork family. The trophies. The drawings.
Of course not everything is adorable and cute. Merit is a typical teenager with all that comes with it... she needs some more time to find her place in life - and in her strange family. There are lots of secrets and problems in that house!
It won't be easy, but she's not alone!

♥ amazing book ♥

I also LOVED that Colleen used her own little home town as Merit's town. The fountain really exists! And Colleen's charity bookstore is being visited - it might even be possible that Merit and Sagan are real and she stole their story when she overheard them talking in the bookstore! ☺
Merit reminds me a lot of Colleen - the way she talks just like Colleen in her book reviews or anti-Tarryn posts! ☺

I loved everything about this book and I NEED for Netflix to come and grab it asap! I need to binge-watch that show!!!

►► WITHOUT MERIT was such an amazing coming-of-age-love-story-family-drama! Funny, heartbreaking, sweet & just ... so real!
Run to your nearest the store asap for your very own Voss-Family-Saga!

(don't worry - we're not going into extreme detail about every single family member - Merit is the main character!)

Another PS - DON'T READ IT IF YOU'RE AFRAID OF TINY SPOILERS!!!

↓
↓
↓

The end - I loved it. Like I said, I loved everything about the book. And I might have a tiny little spark of hope that we'll one day get to see a sequel. Maybe college-age Merit and Sagan or grown-up! I would really love for that to happen!!!☺

Colleen Hoover is a terrific writer and is fast becoming one of my favorites. Right off the bat, I have to point out that I am not at all sure if this book is really more Young Adult, New Adult or just fiction, as the publisher has it. The protagonist is a 17-year-old girl, Merit Voss, and the book revolves around her, her dysfunctional family and mental illness. That said, it doesn’t really matter. The fact is that I couldn’t put it down and it was an excellent, emotional read – what I’ve come to expect from this author.

Merit has been having a rough time lately. She has a huge crush on her identical twin sister Honor’s boyfriend Sagan and can’t really see how or why those two are together. Her relationship with her sister and her older brother Utah has deteriorated to the point where she feels like a third wheel. At one point she passively-aggressively decides to stop speaking to anyone in her family and wait to see how long it takes for anyone to notice – and they don’t.

The Voss family live in a house that is also a bit nutty – it was a church that their father bought in anger at the pastor and his barking dog. They used to live in the house behind the church, so now they own both. Merit’s father is remarried to an oncology nurse, Victoria, who he met while she was caring for his first wife, also named Victoria. Wife number one has recovered from her cancer but has a severe case of agoraphobia and lives in the basement of the church. She has her own apartment there and her kids bring her food and occasional company.

Every character is a bit off, but all have redeeming qualities and most are endearing in one way or another. This is one nutty family but it is Merit who is the narrator here so everything is taken from the point of view of a teenager who takes teenage-angst to a new level.

The story moves on its characters, and the reader can’t help but be sucked into this family and their problems. Once I started reading I couldn’t stop, and I was very sorry to turn the last page. As an aside, I was especially appreciative of the link to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America website.

These characters are going to stay with me for a long time. If you love quirky family stories that delve into real problems, you won’t want to miss this book. I loved it.

I SO wanted to love this book. I just didn't. I just finished the book and I keep shaking my head and am really disappointed. The opening few pages are great and pull you in immediately, but the story drops off for me after that, and I couldn't get into the book.

The story is told from Merit's point-of-view, and there's lots of internal thoughts to read through, of which I'm not a big fan. Merit and Sagan together share just as much page time with all the other characters in the story...and there are many. Sagan in such a terrific character, I would like to have read much more dialogue between him and Merit. I wasn't invested in their relationship, nor did I feel the love. This really isn't a "romance" story; maybe it wasn't meant to be.

The second half of the book was better, but it seemed to wrap up too quickly. I actually chuckled at one point because everyone kept going to their rooms and shutting/slamming doors, then only to have someone show up to their room for a late night visit. It reminded me of a t.v. episode where a similar situation occurred and it was quite comical.

In my opinion, Colleen Hoover tried to tackle too many social issues in one story. Without Merit wasn't one of her best. Unlike most of her books, it was very put-downable. I'm now going to reread one of Colleen Hoover's previous novels because I still need a COHO fix.

As I finish Without Merit, I'm not quite sure how to review it. But I'll start with the easy part... have you seen that cover? Probably one of my most favorite covers ever. It's beautiful. It's fabulous. 

"No matter how much thought or time you put into a decision, you're still only going to be wrong or right."

The harder part... I'm going to be completely honest here. As I was reading this book, I had no clue where Colleen was going to go with it. I kept thinking I can't put this book down, but I don't know why. I asked myself more than once why I was even reading it. And that scared me because I thought maybe I wouldn't like a Colleen Hoover book. **GASP**

But I got to a certain point, and the guts of this book, like most YA books, revealed itself.  And I thought how tricky Colleen was. How incredibly brilliant she was. How she keeps surprising me Every. Damn. Time. 

This book won't be for everyone. If you want traditional Colleen, I don't think this is it. If you want YA like Hopeless and Slammed, I still don't think this is it. I feel the only likeness to Hopeless/Slammed is the fact that this book also falls into YA, but the likeness ends there. I didn't even get the same feels in this book as her previous YA titles.

"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 issues.

If you're looking for another fabulous read from Colleen, this is it. Merit, as odd as she is, is surrounded by even more odd. All of the characters have odd names and they are all just a little touch of weird.  But Colleen takes each of these odd-ball characters and gives them each a purpose in Merit's life. All of them significant. 

This is a story of a girl with a whole lot of secrets who stumbles into a way to get everyone to see not only herself, but each other as well. And with that, Merit discovers a little more about herself. 

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

Another fabulous YA book to add to my top reads of 2017!!

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 absolutely love everything that Colleen Hoover writes. She is my go to author and she never lets me down. I was so honored to have received an ARC from Atria. Without Merit was so much different that what we normally expect from Colleen as it is more YA based but I loved it. Each book that Colleen writes gets better and better and I am always excited when she announces that a new one is coming.

Merit is a very unique character with lots of personal and family issues that she needs to deal with but she she is unsure how to go about it. She is a very closed off person that has lost herself throughout the years and is desperate to find herself again. It’s a long uphill battle but she keeps pushing even when things get uncomfortable and finally find what she is looking for in life. The secondary characters added lots of depth to the storyline.

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

Without Merit is a very unique, intriguing, intense story that kept me on my toes the entire time. It starts out slow and has a steady build as the story unfolds and then BAM huge surprise. There are many layers to this story and the message it conveys is a very powerful one.

I have Utah’s secret.

I have my father’s secret.

My mother’s secret.

Honor’s secret.

Luck’s secret.

I don’t want any of them anymore!

Maybe if I let all the secrets out, they wouldn’t make me feel like drowning anymore.

Without Merit is a definite must read book! Colleen Hoover never disappoints with her writing. This is one of my favorite books so far this year and I can’t wait to see what Colleen is working on next!!

Colleen Hoover is a gifted writer who never fails to provide an emotional rollercoaster read. Nothing is as it seems in Merit Voss’, life. When she reaches her last straw Merit takes matters into her own hands in a very dramatic way. In Without Merit, Colleen Hoover explores family dynamics, mental health, and the power of honesty and forgiveness. If you think your family is dysfunctional, you haven’t met Merit’s family yet!

The title, Without Merit, does lend itself to a sense of foreboding. However, Ms. Hoover’s latest novel is not all doom and gloom. This story is filled with an amazing array of quirky family members who compliment each other perfectly. The motley cast of characters will draw you in and capture your heart. Main character and narrator Merit Voss is timid and uncertain; she lives in the shadow of her twin sister, Honor. Whether a family member or a guest in the Dollar Voss house, the young adults’ problems are representative of most teens’ issues. Some characters are instantly empathetic and lovable, and the rest I fell in love with by the end. This odd family will wreak havoc with your heart.

The well-paced story takes place over a short period of time, but the meat of the plot involves the years and years of secrets each family has kept from one another. These secrets and half-truths involve each family member. When Merit exposes her secrets and assumptions she essentially opens Pandora’s box. How does the truth impact the fractured family? You will have to read this creative, unique coming-of-age book to find out.

I loved this young adult, coming-of-age story. There are so many little details in the story that make it a gem. Ms. Hoover respectfully addresses tough subjects, sprinkles in hope, and added in one of the best bookstore scenes ever. Without Merit is on my top read for 2017 list.

I seem to be having a love-hate relationship with Colleen Hoover's books... Somehow she is able to get strong emotions and opinions from me, positive or not. Without Merit ended up belonging somewhere in the middle. While not my favorite and a bit different than I've become used to, there is no doubt that it is still a good story and I can understand why so many love it. It felt more YA than NA to me, but that on it's own wasn't a problem for me. The romance was also doable for me, which is something I have become used to with CoHo... Somehow she manages to make me forget I'm not into the whole romance genre most of the time. There are a lot of things to love in Without Merit, and I think that this abundance of different elements actually worked against the story in the end. Depression, agoraphobia, the Syrian refugee situation, lgbt elements, Honor and her boyfriends, Wolfgang and the church, family problems... Those and other elements are all incorporated into the plot, making it almost feel crowded and I don't think each of these get the attention it deserves. I would have preferred less topics and a more developed appearance during the story. As it is, some of the more important elements are just skimmed over (suicide, the Syrian refugee situations etc) and feel more like plot fillers rather than something important to talk about. I still enjoyed reading Without Merit though and especially Sagan won over my heart easily. I like that the characters are flawed and feel realistic despite their strange names. All in all an interesting read, although not perfect.

I love every single thing Colleen Hoover has ever written. Without Merit is no exception.

This book follow's Merit Voss and her family. For starters, the Voss family is completely out there. They live in what used to be a church, complete with a huge statue of Jesus on one wall. Dad's an atheist, mom (the ex-wife) lives in the basement and won't come out, and in the meantime the new stepmom (who happens to have the same name as wife numero uno) is trying to get the family to accept her. Relationships are totally dysfunctional and it's really just one huge, hot mess of a household.

Merit is the central character of the story and when the book opens, she's at her wits end with the family. She feels invisible, she has the weight of the world pressing down her in the form of the grudges she's holding against her siblings and parents, and she's just in a really bad spot in her life. Then Sagan shows up and really turns her world upside down. (I'm keeping this brief so I don't spoil anything for those who haven't yet had the opportunity to read this gem.)

In terms of character development, Colleen nailed it, like she always does. Reading about Merit felt a lot like watching a caterpillar spin up into a cocoon and come out on the other side as a butterfly. The Merit at the end of the book is nothing like the Merit at the beginning. Her transformation was both refreshing and heartbreaking to witness. But in the end it seemed like she felt so much peace compared to where she was at before, and that was what mattered. And seeing a family come together and overcome some tough obstacles was heartwarming.

Sagan is yet another example of Colleen's ability to craft the best male leads. He's caring and loyal, likes to have adventures and has a huge heart. He's seen his share of dark days, but he doesn't let that stop him from believing the sun will always be shining on the other side.

My favorite part of this book was the characters. They were all so quirky and hilarious. Merit and her trophy collection, Sagan and his random tattoos, Luck and his kilt ... I haven't read such a memorable cast of characters in a long time.

Without Merit touches on some tough topics, and a large focus of the book is mental health. More than one family member has mental health issues, and I personally appreciated the way that Hoover addressed this area. I've seen a lot of criticisms about the way she portrayed Merit and while I totally get that everyone is entitled to his/her opinion, and the concerns that reviewers have presented are certainly valid, I have to respectfully disagree with people on this one. As someone who has suffered from both depression and anxiety since my teenage years, and who attempted suicide several times during my teenage years, I felt like Merit was a relatable character. I could go into detail here about my own personal experiences and the parallels I see between Merit and myself, but as I said before I don't want to spoil anything, nor do I want to bestow my history on everyone reading this.

I'm a big fan of Colleen's work. I've read all her books and am head over heels in love with her ability to write angst. She has this unique ability to bring me to my knees while also filling my heart and making me swoon. Without Merit is a departure from what she usually writes and probably won't be everyone's cup of tea. I loved it though, and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in a story that's sad yet humorous at times, quirky, and filled with characters you'll love and remember for a long time to come.

Five stars to this novel!

Colleen Hoover sure knows how to take one twisted family and turn it into a beautiful, heart wrenching story! I've read a few of Colleen's books now, and I really wasn't sure what to expect going into this one, but it turned out to be just as amazing as the rest of her work!

Merit was a girl who was a bit misunderstood. She came across as brash and mean, but the more I learned about her and a few of her secrets, the better it was to understand her. It was easier for her to withdraw from her twisted family, so she could avoid all conflict. But seeing Merit getting to know her family again really opened her eyes, as well as mine, to see that there was more to her family than what she perceived.

I enjoyed seeing Merit with Sagan. He brought a spark back into her dull life. It was interesting to see him express himself through his drawings, which was one of Merit's favourite things about him. He also helped her see her family in a whole new light after her little incident.

The whole Voss family had it's quirks, and they didn't gel like a family should. They each had a secret of issue that kept them apart. When these secrets are in the open all hell breaks loose, as the family is then forced to deal with one another.

Hoover touched on a delicate issue that those who have it, don't realise they are suffering. There were some sad moments, but there were some moments that happened toward the end that had me laughing out loud. There were some awkward events and some tender scenes that had me swooning as well. Altogether, it was an incredible read, that touched my soul and I'll be thinking about it for a long time to come!

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS - This story is representative of anyone's family who is raising teenagers & of course the author does a fantastic job of making me laugh & cry through all of the family drama. Merit's life is spiraling out of control during her senior year of high school. "No one in this family notices my presence or my absence." She lives in a renovated church with her father, his new wife & little boy, her twin sister and older brother, and her mother lives in the basement. Again, this is laughable because mixed families are much more common these days. The secrets happening within her family cause her to have a mental breakdown, with her crush Sagan piling on. The story teaches us that Merit isn't a crybaby, she isn't a brat, she is going without love & protection from her family & feels invisible in this house of lies. The breaking point comes with a letter from Merit telling truths...or at least the way she views the truth. Each member of the household, including "uncle" Luck and cutie Sagan tell their story & it makes Merit realize she didn't have the full story, and if maybe some of these relatives would talk to one another it would relieve a lot of stress. "Not every mistake deserves a consequence. Sometimes the only thing it deserves is forgiveness." Merit learns throughout the book to see things in a different light & no longer let the past fester within her heart. I am a strong believer in therapy & goodness, these people to talk things out! There is one beautiful moment that stands out, a tattoo that Sagan gives her to let her know that life would not be the same without Merit on this earth. Isn't that what we all need, just to be significant?

Without Merit is a compelling story about love, family and the hardships of being a teenager. A book I think would be great to read and discuss with family or in a book club.

Merit Voss is seventeen, and her life has never been easy. Her family situation is very unconventional and sometimes hard to be part of. Merit is angry and her heart feels heavy because if full of heavy secrets. But one day in the middle of the town's square the eyes and the presence of a boy will make her feel light and happy for the first time in a long time.

Merit will learn a lot about herself through the life experiences of her parents, siblings and even strangers. Through pain and also laughter she will begin to recognize all the problems that surround her and also that there are also solutions.

In the end one thing will be certain, and that is that family is forever and you can loose just about everything in life but one thing, hope.

Coming from a large and very dysfunctional family I was able to relate and even find comfort in this story. Colleen Hoover has the beautiful ability to create stories that reach deep inside your heart, stories that truly matter. Just like Merit my heart felt lighter after I was done reading. Beautiful story!

Without Merit is very different from her last book, It Ends With Us. This story is more on the Mature YA side. Merit has a very unique family. She would probably even call her family dysfunctional. She struggles with depression and at times does things that could be seen as a cry for help. If anyone would notice her that is. There is a lot of family drama and airing of dirty laundry. Some of it can be expected when you have such a interesting and vocal group of people living under the same roof. But in a family that lacks good communication, how can they all coexist peacefully?

I liked Merit. She was a bit quirky and different. She’s basically your typical teenager. A 17 year old girl trying to rebel against her family and finding the consequences of her actions to not be what she expected at all.

Romance sort of takes a back seat in this book. And I have to say that I did not have a problem with that at all. Aside from that, the characters are unique and colorful. Colleens ability to write stories that not only entertain the reader, but have a sense of realness and depth to them amazes me each time I read one of her books. Without Merit took me on a emotional rollercoaster ride filled with highs and lows. It is definitely a story that will stay with me.

*Though I received this book from the Publisher, the thoughts and opinions expressed are solely my own.*

There isn't much that I can say that hasn't already been said before about Colleen. The fact that she always leaves us impress with her words is just incredible. No matter what the subject is about, she blinds us and then kills us slowly. And the fact that all of her books deals with sensitive topics and how she brings it to the light is confusing... Like how does she do it? How does she never disappoints?

Without Merit was very confusing at first, specially reading the synopsis. Merit Voss collects trophies? What? Why? What is Colleen up to now? But as I began reading the book, Merit was someone I can relate to. The story is very different than Colleen's other YA books, yet still intriguing. The story is slowly developed, with information about a family that is upside down. But like any other family, a family is a family. And eventually the slow burn turns into a torch and things got pretty interesting. When isn't with family? And once Colleen's story becomes interesting, goodbye world... I was hooked and I couldn't put the book down.

As you all know, when it comes to Colleen's stories, it is best to always go in blind. So I am not saying much about the story. But that it does deals with sensitive topics that will leave you with provoking thoughts. You will go into darkness but Colleen always finds a way to bring the light back and make your heart feel better. Even though I was feeling sorry about Merit and her family, there was no room for no judgments. Because like any other family, everyone has secrets and everyone wants to hide them. However, the best remedy is by talking about it as we learn in this story.

Without Merit is a life lesson. It's a story that will keep you reading all night. And even though it's YA, anyone can relate to. We all have layers of secrets that we need to learn how to peel off. And Without Merit will teach you the reason why. I highly recommend this book to everyone. Please go read it!

4.5 star rating from his reader."Not very action/mistake deserves a consequence ~ sometimes it just needs forgiveness." Think about that for awhile.

Never having read anything by this author before I am very happy to have met her. When I first started this novel I thought "Oh no, teen angst" not one of my fave subjects. I flipped through the pages before reading it and saw it continued all happening in the matter of a couple of weeks. I thought it should be in the YA (young adult) classification, and still think it should/could be, but it wasn't run of the mill. This surprised me, in a good way, however. It's the writing that does it.

An odd cast of characters, the Voss family. Each well-fleshed out. The main character is Merit, a 17-yr old twin who has lost a closeness with her twin sister, Honor, in recent times and can't find her way back to it. They have a male sibling named Utah, and a 4-yr old half brother named Moby (yes, for Moby Dick) who lives here with his own mother Victoria and Dad Barnaby, father of all these kids. Barnaby's ex-wife Vicki (yes, another Victoria, mother of his first 3 children) lives in their basement with a bad case of agoraphobia. Their residence is referred to as Dollar Voss, it used to be a church, until Barnaby practically stole it outbidding the pastor for it, so he wouldn't have to listen to his dog bark all night. It came complete with a non-removable statue of Jesus hanging in the corner of their now "living room" permanently built into the wall structure. Now one thinks who names their kids Merit, Honor & Utah? Moby's not so bad, even if he's named after a whale. The dog in the story is Wolfgang. The resident/visitor is Sagan, with a story all his own but who shows the most maturity of all at age 19 ... and then there's Luck, a step-uncle who shows up out of the blue, with his own quirky story. What a menagerie of characters, but what a story it is... all bringing us humor, laughter and food for thought. I do remember being a teenager once, and this is written believably in a reactionary manner. There are many lessons to be learned, one is not jumping to conclusions made by our own perceptions. Things are not always what they seem.

The Voss family has a lot of issues to deal with. The infidelity of the father of the family, Barnaby, the mother in the basement, a past secret the has eaten away at Merit, and their relationships to each other as siblings/extended family. There is a lot to learn about dealing with emotional issues here, and remember these are teenagers. Depression is an issue that is explored here as well, but with a delicacy and reality and plenty of humor thrown in to balance the odd behavior... which like Merit states, "that's ok, I like odd."

... I have to admit I did too. I would have never read this if it were not for all the rave reviews from other readers, thank you. I loved it, and won't easily forget it either.

“So many people dream of living in a house with a white picket fence. Little do they know, there's no such thing as a perfect family, no matter how white the picket fence is.”

One thing I love about Colleen Hoover’s books is that you never know what to expect when you open one, I think that was especially true in Without Merit. CoHo is known for her quirky, addictive love stories and while this one did have romantic elements, I wouldn’t really classify it as a romance novel (despite the fact that it won the 2017 Goodreads Choice award for romance). Instead, I would call it a coming of age story about a 17-year old who is trying to not only navigate her feelings for a boy who should be off limits but also trying to deal with her dysfunctional and unconventional family and the secrets she’s been forced to keep for them. It’s also about facing the consequences of your actions and learning to look at things with a new perspective. That’s really about all I can tell you regarding the storyline, this book is definitely one that you have to just experience for yourself. You may not really understand what’s going on at first but you just have to go along for the ride and trust that everything will come together eventually.

'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.'

The Voss family was definitely a motley crew, and each new addition only made them a little crazier. Just when I didn’t think things could get any more insane, I’d learn something else and was proven wrong. Merit may have seemed like the only normal one in the bunch, but as we discover, she’s got her own issues and it’s debatable as to how much of her problems can be attributed directly to her family and how much was simply the by-product of her interpretation of the situation. Regardless of the cause, it all becomes too much and she makes a drastic decision that has far-reaching consequences for everyone in her family. It was interesting to see how everyone reacted once their secrets were out in the open. As we learn, not everything is as black and white as it may have seemed. We do get some slight resolution on a few of the things, but I feel like the majority of the issues only had steps taken toward resolution but were still left up in the air by the end. This may or may not be a good thing for the readers depending on how nicely you like things tied up at the end. I do think that the themes of this book can be appreciated by people of any age, but I can imagine that teenagers will particularly be able to relate to Merit and the thoughts and feelings that she experienced during this story. This may not have been one of CoHo’s epic love stories, but it was still a unique and addictive read that I most certainly enjoyed!

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

Colleen Hoover is perfect. There really is just no question about it. Her books always floor the hell out of me! This book was, of course, no exception!

This book covers a lot of subjects. I will admit, at first I found it to be too much, BUT Colleen really pulled it all together near the end and everything will make sense by the time you finish the book.

Colleen also scared me at first with this book. I was worried I was going to hate it because she made Merit's father an atheist. HEAR ME OUT. Her father was villainized at first. He was absent and cynical. He cheated on her mother who had cancer and left her for another woman. He stole a church. He hated a dog. He did a lot of things that seemed a**hole-ish. Well, him being an atheist and an a**hole did not sit well with me. I am an atheist. It bothered me to see someone being villainized AND an atheist; like all atheists are bad people. Granted, this is a totally personal thing. Anyway... Everything her father does MAKES SENSE in the end. There are reasons for the things he's done, and Merit doesn't know the whole story. Her father is slightly misunderstood. We find out A LOT of things that really transform him into a really great father and character overall. So, this sort of leads me to my next point:

This book is packed with diversity. An atheist, first of all. Yes. I like this. I want more of this. Also, sexuality. Not just gay/lesbian, either. There is a more complex character with a more complex sexul identity. I loved this. Finally, Sagan is Syrian. There is a small spotlight put on the Syrian refugee crisis and I enjoyed this as well. It gave a perspective that some don't understand.

The characters.

Let me talk about Merit herself for a moment. Merit is someone you may not like at first. She is always negative, feels sorry for herself, and is just a downer in general. This is all a part of her mental illness. I wasn't aware, when going into this, that the book was heavily centered on the subject of depression. Merit is depressed. It is a real mental illness and I always appreciate a book that portrays it properly. Colleen did this, of course. It was almost subtle. Merit was just increasingly feeling awful mentally and just couldn't get into a good headspace. Her mental illness comes to a head eventually and Merit really transforms as a character. I loved going with her on this journey. It was definitely an emotional one.

Sagan was a mystery to me for at least half of the book. I enjoyed trying to figure him out. His intentions were never quite clear, and Merit struggled with this as well. Sagan is an artist—I liked this. I also appreciated that there was a certain darkness to his artwork. The romance is a little different, but in a good way. There were a lot of questions, but it kept me on the edge of my seat and just wanting more. As with most of the subjects in this novel, it all comes together and makes perfect sense in the end.

Also of note: Merit is a twin. Her twin, Honor, plays a decent role in the book as well. I liked her character and I think she contributed a lot to the story.

Overall: This book was fantastic! Prepare for a lot of different sub-plots, but fear not, it is done well. The characters are so unique and very relatable. The romance is angsty and very different from what I normally expect from Colleen Hoover, but it was wonderfully done. The diversity is real with this book, and that is always a plus. Prepare yourself for some possibly triggering issues, such as depression, suicide, and abuse. Also prepare yourself for some humor. Colleen breaks up the serious nature of the book with small reprieves that'll make you laugh-out-loud. The tough subjects are all written tastefully and will capture you as a reader. I recommend this book and anything by this author, 100%!

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

I started me love affair with Colleen Hoover books after reading "It Ends with us". I then went on to binge read several of her other books and have "November 9", "It Ends with us" and now "Without Merit" as my top 3 favorite books by her.

The Voss Family is a very unique and dysfunctional family. Merit Voss collects trophies and family secrets. The collecting of trophies is voluntary - the family secrets not so much. Merit is a unique and melancholy girl. She is also the complete opposite of her twin sister who appears to be obsessed with death and dying after a boyfriend became ill and passed away.

Top that off with living in a former church. Her Mother lives in the basement while her father and his new wife (his ex-wife's former nurse) lives upstairs with the kids in the family. Sounds messy, right? Well, it is messy.

While looking through a thrift store one day, she meets Sagen who kisses her passionately outside and then later reveals he mistook her for someone else. Yup, messy. Making matters worse, Merit really likes him, he is witty, charming and interesting but doesn't appear to be available. Just when it can't get worse, it appears he has moved into her home and she can't escape him or her feelings. Bring on the teen angst.

So, what is there to like about such a messy book? Everything! I love how Hoover can take a plot which entails a man living in the same home as his ex-wife and current wife, his children and his child from his second wife and have it be so readable and endearing. People do stupid things in this book, they make mistakes, they act before knowing the full truth, they make assumptions, they are flawed and feel incredibly real.

This book touches on issues such as infidelity, mental health issues, death, loss, illness, suicide, sexuality, family secrets, and forgiveness. It is also about being your own person, accepting your faults (and those of others), moving forward and self-acceptance. There is a lot going on in this book and it could easily seem like too much but for some reason it all seems to gel. This book is at times funny, sad, heart breaking, and entertaining. There are also a couple of twist and turns in the plot to keep things interesting.

Another great one by Hoover!

I purchased this book when I finally got the chance to meet Colleen Hoover, one of the authors on my must-meet list since I first read one of her books about two years ago. It was a little later before I finally got around to reading this, because I really wanted to listen to the audiobook from the library, even though I owned a physical copy of the book. This was one really messed up family. But we start out not knowing exactly what all those issues are. And then this guy named Luck shows up, and I loved him! He made me laugh so much! Although later in the book he does do something that made me very angry. The book just got weirder and weirder as it went. The craziness just piled on to this family. And then it took a turn I totally didn't see coming! One that had me in tears and at about 35% in the audiobook, I gave up and just picked up the book to start reading. I can read so much faster than it takes to listen to the audiobook. Halfway through she had me sobbing so hard I could barely see through my tears to keep reading. ANd I had to stay up and read, couldn't go to bed without getting past a certain point.

A couple things that I loved, there's a funny fact in the book about how you can't hum when you're holding your nose closed. I want to know who actually read that part and didn't then actually try it. I admit it, I tried! Then there is a quote about not trusting an overconfident person, and I totally agree with that 100% from all my past experiences in life.

DNF after the first hour of the audiobook.

I actually tried to listen to this one twice, but it just wasn't working for me. I didn't connect with Merit, and I thought the family dynamics were a little too strange. The mom lived in the basement, the dad and his new wife shared a room upstairs, and they all lived in an old church that was purchased out of spite... even the sibling relationships seemed off.

Merit was able to miss school and what... no one noticed? Sleeping and looking for trophies seemed like a poor alternative to going to school. The school made a phone call that was briefly mentioned and never addressed, but it seemed like a lot went unacknowledged in this book. A living, breathing person moved in and Merit didn't notice for an entire week.

I really thought their mom needed help, or someone to talk to that wasn't online or related, and staying shut away in the basement seemed wrong. I understand that she had a legitimate problem, but that means she needed assistance and not avoidance.

I've heard so many wonderful things about Colleen Hoover and her books, so I don't want to give up on the author! I just couldn't finish Without Merit. If you have another suggestion, let me know!

Originally posted at Do You Dog-ear? on March 31, 2018.

Without Merit is not your typical Colleen Hoover book. Colleen went back to her beginning roots as an author and dipped her toe into YA again.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I have to be honest, the feelings that it caused were NOT expected. Colleen had talked about how she needed something light after finishing It Ends With Us. Don't let that fool you. Colleen ALWAYS writes about subjects that her readers can relate to. Situations that some may have experienced.

Without Merit is a story about a teenage girl named Merit and her dysfunctional family. At least Merit thinks they are. Merit is tired of keeping the secrets of her family. She is fed up lying to cover for their discretions.

Merit meets a guy named Sagan, who she instantly feels connected to. Funny thing is, he feels it too, but for totally different reasons. Merit feels like an outsider in the Voss Family. Sagan seems to be the one person that understands her.

One night changes everything in the Voss household. Secrets are revealed, people are forced to take responsibility for their actions. When Merit discloses all of the family's secret, she is forced to deal with the consequences of HER actions. We are always taught that every action has a consequence. But is that true? Rather than a consequence, couldn't we just offer a second chance. One bad judgment, doesn't make a person bad.

This book delivers all sorts of emotions. To see this girl struggle with who she is, where she fits in, what her role in all of this is. My heart broke for her. I wanted to pull Merit into my arms and just hug her.

If you are looking for a great YA read, with all the feels, then WITHOUT MERIT is definitely a book you want to pick up.

I was given a copy of this book for a fair and honest review.

One of the things I’ve come to realize in life is that an old saying really rings true: Perception is reality. However reading Without Merit by Colleen Hoover has also made me come to realize another truth: Perspective can change everything.

In all honesty, after I purchased this book I realized that it broached a topic that I really had never considered reading in fiction before. That being said I almost didn’t read it. Wow! What a mistake that would have been!

It wasn’t even the first chapter that drew me into this book. It was actually the dedication. How crazy is that? But I knew with such a fascinating dedication the rest of the book had to be amazing. And I was certainly not disappointed.

Colleen Hoover has a magical way with words. I really could have finished this book more quickly than I did, but there were so many phrases that I read again and again. They just pulled me in and created such a beautifully written story, even though the subject was not so beautiful.

Merit Voss lives with her irritatingly perfect siblings (although 4-year-old Moby is pretty sweet), her father and his new wife while their once cancer-stricken mother lives in the basement. Oh, yeah, her dad’s new wife used to be her mom’s nurse. And they live in a repurposed church they call Dollar Voss. Then there is the very quirky Merit who collects trophies she didn’t win and barely speaks to anyone in the house except Moby.

Without Merit by Colleen Hoover. A Propensity to Discuss review.

While picking out her latest trophy, Merit meets Sagan, who is smart, gorgeous, funny, and artistic, all the things that make him the perfect guy. And then she realizes that he is unconditionally off-limits. And Merit slides a little further into self – and family – loathing. She positively despises all of the secrets that the Voss family keeps and the day that she learns a secret that no trophy in the world can fix, she can no longer hold her tongue.

Once Merit lets loose and puts all of the secrets out there for the whole family to reckon with, she intends to leave, but that plan failed and now she has to reap the consequences of her actions and the possibility of losing the one person she loves.

I cannot believe I almost missed this book! What a tragedy that would have been! Colleen Hoover takes plain old ordinary words and weaves them into captivating and enthralling phrases that you will want to read again and again. For example: “…and it suddenly feels like I have swallowed his heart because I have all these extra beats in my chest.” Or this: “Not every mistake deserves a consequence. Sometimes the only thing it deserves is forgiveness.” YES! So true, and so beautifully written!

This novel has a great deal of truth hidden in the lies of the Voss family and by reading it, you may realize, as I did, that perspective can change everything. Though it is written from the perspective of a teenager, making it a YA novel, it is absolutely something that adults will love as well. Have a few tissues handy!

Without Merit took me by surprise. I fully expected it to be a great book just like every other Colleen Hoover novel I've read. Ever since this book came out I've been told how its a great story about a unique family. And there is A LOT of unique things about the Voss family. Their names for one. They live in a church. One of them collects old trophies. And that's just to name a few of the things that make the Voss family unique.

Without Merit is a fun one of a kind coming of age story, but it's so much more than just a fun young adult story about a quirky family.

It's about how we shouldn't judge people's actions without knowing their true motives. It's about the effects and importance of mental health. It's about the dangers of secrets and keeping our feelings bottled up. It's about the importance of communicating with and understanding those around us. It's about how sometimes we are so focused on our judgements and living in our own reality that we have no clue that the villains in our reality aren't villains. They are simply human beings struggling with their own experiences and realities.

I've read a few Colleen Hoover books now and I honestly just keep finding myself blown away by her worlds, her characters, their stories, and how she can make me feel. Without Merit was definitely no different.

The characters in Without Merit are so insanely realistic that it's hard not to fall in love with each and every one of them. Each individual personality in this book has a little bit of something that you can either recognize in yourself or the other people in your life. Merit's issues with all of these people around her were also extremely realistic and her life, though a littl eccentric, is easily relateable for readers.

This book drew me in from line one and I couldn't stop myself from reading and reading to find out what was going to happen next. Merit's story is such a beautifully tragic reflection of real life and her confusion and struggle with her depression was one that I could deeply sympathize with.

Great real-word based story. I highly recommend it.

Rating: 4 Stars

Read book on another platform

Well, that was an interesting read (not)... Another reviewer, who like me, usually loves the author, found this book to be boring and preachy. That about sums it up. While there are many commendable, important, and serious issues covered in this book, the end result is a little bit instructional and ALOT preachy. Actually, there isn't even a plotline. Just days of intense interactions between an ensemble cast of characters that lead to the explosive revelation of family secrets. The claustrophobic drama takes place over the course of two weeks in the life of a dysfunctional family with SO MANY SECRETS. TOO MANY SECRETS. The action rarely goes outside the confines of the house. Some of the characters are more fascinating than others, and the dialogue is always good for Ms. Hoover; but their interactions got bogged down in unveiling and showcasing lots of serious issues embedded in these various secrets. Many of them have to do with types of mental illness. I've read lots books dealing with serious, downbeat subject matter, but this was more like the author just had something to get off her chest and the issues were too personal and too numerous to do justice to the intent. I didn't hate it or love it, yet found myself rushing to get it over with because the story grew tiresome with heavy-handed treatment that was overkill. Actually,there is so little story movement that the only thing different at the end than at the beginning is the revelation of the family secrets supposedly to explain all their crazy behaviors. I found that I really didn't care after being dragged through all their emotional muck and mire; and the constant talk about sex, without actually having any, made it too YA for me. It also seemed like they got past the drama and nature of all those secrets literally overnight. I still love the author, but not this book. Would never read it again.

The entire book world has been waiting for this book for what feels like forever!!!! The hype! The excitement!!!! Aaahhh!!!!
Ok.... now that thats out of the way, I have to say that Colleen Hoover IS one of my favourite authors. I love love love her books. Her previous book 'It Ends With Us' is by far my favourite books for the year 2016 and also one of my favourite books of all time. My god did that book kill me! You should have seen me after I was done with 'It Ends With Us'....you'd expect those small sniffs of heartache right? NOPE! Ugly crying all the way! Not pretty!
One thing I can say about Colleen Hoover... at least for me.. she writes books that are relatable, books with deeper messages within them. I love that about her books.. you never know what you're getting into..plus, you don't feel like you are reading a 'self-help' (Not all her books)book but the message is loud and clear when you are done with the storyline of the book.

Without Merit is relatable and an eye opener! The more I think about it, the more I like.
Merit is a unique character. She has a family that isn't 100% healthy -family members that are a little bit crazy (who's isn't right?) and just like any 'normal' family, they too have hard times.
Without Merit surprisingly didn't have that much of 'romance' that we are use to from Colleen Hoover but it was addictive from the every first page.
BUT I hate hate hate to admit it but I must- Yes the book was good! yes the book was really addictive..I finished it in one sitting! BUT BUT BUT it's not my favourite Colleen Hoover book! I'm sorry ..I didn't really feel it... maybe to some it might have but not me. It felt a little incomplete and yet 'predictable/cinderalla-y'- if THAT Cinderella had an atheist father, a gay brother and a twin sister -her's is a whole another story! I found the ending a little rushed too...
There I said it! Don't hate me! I still Love Colleen Hoover's books.

Without Merit by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Why are you even reading this review? This a Colleen Hoover book. You don’t need to read reviews of Colleen Hoover books. They’re published with a seal of excellence. This book in particular is well-written and very moving. It has romance, some plot twists and some angst. Go get yourself a copy ASAP.
(I notice that you are still here reading this review. Fine then. I’ll share my thoughts on this book with you. But you really should get yourself a copy).
Merit is pretty much ignored by her entire oddball family. She is known as the troublemaker, the one who always seems to have issues with everyone else. What no one realizes is that the reason why Merit is so miserable is because she is forced to keep all of her family member’s secrets. Merit buries her feelings with an unusual hobby of buying trophies that once belonged to other people.
One day while looking for a trophy, Merit runs into the gorgeous Sagan. They share a passionate moment but Merit quickly discovers that Sagan is taken. When he reappears in her life, Merit becomes even more isolated.
This book was like a combination of the romance in “Hopeless” and the serious issues raised in “It Ends With Us” (which explains that cover that look so much like IEWU).
This book retains Colleen Hoover’s wit and beautiful romance but also tackles real-life issues which I appreciated. This was an amazing read that I recommend to anyone who is able to read. Trust me, you’ll enjoy this book.
(Now PLEASE go and get yourself a damn copy already).

Here’s the thing about Colleen Hoover’s books. They are addictive. There’s no denying the way she has a way with words that just draws you into the world she’s created and makes you feel. WITHOUT MERIT, while maybe not my absolute favorite by her, is a gripping story about a girl and a family that need to heal. Mistakes made in innocence or ignorance have had a snowball effect and the repercussions are at an all time high.

I don’t want to tell you much about what happens in the book because, honestly, what’s the point? I’ll tell you how it made me feel. Just like with her last book, this was a thought-provoking read. Amongst the mess our characters find themselves in, it makes you question your decisions in their circumstances, your assumptions based on the evidence the characters see, and makes you understand the value of perspective. Because it’s so easy to brush that aside as something we all know we need to have but so few of us use it. We always jump to the most convenient assumption about everything and that may be the reason we end up hurt.

This book tackles the difficult subject of mental health, and in many ways is not just about one character but a family as a whole. There are so many little details about all these peoples’ lives that need to be healed. At one point I started to wonder how much more one family or person could take because the surprises just kept on coming. But back to the subject of the book. I think Ms. Hoover managed to handle the portrayal of mental health in a way that is easy for people to open their minds to. It’s not done in a heavy way in my opinion, although there are some heavy moments in the book. I think the tone that’s used serves the narrative of this book very well and I think makes this book a great read for both young and adult readers alike.

I admit, though, that some of the stuff towards the end (especially when it comes to the romantic interest) felt like it was just piling on too much. I almost didn’t think that extra “hot button” topic was necessary for me. And if I’m being honest, I never fell in love with Sagan as a character and love interest. I actually liked that the message really focused on being strong for one self and not dependent on a love relationship but I wish his character would’ve pulled me in more.

I loved the way Ms. Hoover made you feel Merit’s despair… it was palpable because it was so real to her and I wanted nothing more than to give her a hug. And after that, quite frankly, send her and everyone to much needed therapy. But also we got to see Merit’s character in all her imperfections. Yes, there’s a lot going on externally that needs to be fixed, a lot of secrets and lies, but she also has a lot of things she needs to work on about herself to be better. To herself and to others.

I highly encourage you to take a look at this book, even if you’re not normally a YA reader. I’m certainly not a usual YA contemporary reader but I think that Ms. Hoover managed to transcend that genre and just delivered a poignant story with a great message that hopefully will touch your heart as well. I hope you let Ms. Hoover’s words take you on this unputdownable journey.

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 ?

Holy moly, y’all. The day is finally here. My first ever Colleen Hoover (a.k.a my favorite writer) blog post/review.
I always said I would never, ever review a book by her because I love her books so darn much that the only thing I want to say is “I LOVE THIS BOOK. LOVE IT TOO PLEASE.” and my brain just shuts down and I can’t even find the words to describe how amazing her books are. In a nutshell, I get a brain fart every time I try to write a review of one of her books. But the day has come. I couldn’t not support my favorite writer! I’m going to try my best to make justice to this beyond fantastic book but I’m telling you know, no matter how many beautiful things about it, you HAVE to believe it is more amazing than it sounds. You might as well buy it right now.

Whatever it is I was hoping for when I picked up this book was not at all what I got… and I loved it. I loved the unexpected. Colleen’s books are usually full of angst, uniqueness, tear-jerker moments, it’s-getting-hot-in-here steam, laugh-till-you-have-abs scenes and a whole lot of toe-curling romance—like really, a lot of romance. But Without Merit is kind of a different side of Colleen, almost as if she let her teenager self take over and shine bright like a diamond. It’s still hilarious like only Colleen Hoover’s books can be and it still unique and we still get a very cute romance story; however, the main focus of the story is not the romance.

Merit Voss collects trophies she’s never won, secrets from her humongous family and lives in a church. Actually, it’s no longer a church but it used to be.
Anyway, she lives there with her twin sister, big brother, little brother, mom, stepmom and dad. Yeah, mom AND stepmom. That alone makes the situation extremely weird.
But wait… there’s more!
Sagan (her twin sister’s boyfriend) is suddenly always around, how come he’s there at her house ALL THE TIME. He’s not making it easy for her to get over her crush, with his mysterious facade and extremely dark drawings that she can’t seem to be able to stop stealing from her sister. Swooning after your twin sister’s boyfriend is wrong, wrong, wrong.
And then her stepmom’s brother comes barging into their house and he is a pain in the butt, with his accent from all around and promiscuous ways.
Can life get any worse for Merit?! Apparently yes, yes it can.
When Merit feels like she’s reached her limit as secret keeper, she takes matters into her own hands. She will not stay around to see how the world shatters when she opens Pandora’s box and everyone’s truths come out. She’s getting out of that madhouse.
But like that Murphy guy said, “everything that can go wrong, will go wrong”. Merit’s plan backfires and now everything is in even deeper crap.
Fortunately, the good thing about hitting rock bottom is that there’s nowhere to go but up.

Man, the characters in this story. There’s so much going on in the Dollar Voss house. Every single character is like no other character you’ve read before. We have a girl who collects trophies she’s never won, a boy who draws very disturbing but fantastic images (that you can see in the book! How cool is that!?), another girl who dates only guys that are basically on their deathbed, a mom who never leaves the basement, a big brother who tries too hard and that’s just a sneak peek.
I’m still wondering how one person can come up with such unique characters. If only you could’ve seen my face while reading Without Merit, my jaw was about to fall off. I will never forget the Voss family.

Let’s talk about that one moment Colleen appeared in the book. Yes, you read correctly. She’s in there somewhere as an actual character in a book she wrote—I think it’s her but I could be an idiot and it could be another person. She even included The Bookworm Box. She’s a fictional character standing in her fictional Bookworm Box bookstore in a book she wrote. Is that the coolest, dumbest thing you’ll ever read? Probably. But it is definitely funny.

Without Merit is a fantastic coming-of-age book that will keep you up until four in the morning if you decide to start reading in the afternoon. It has super glue in the cover and you will not be able to put it down, even if you need to take a wee so beware. It is also a book that will give you the ugliest bags under your eyes so brace yourself when you look in the mirror or avoid them at all costs. I guarantee you’ll laugh, and swoon a little and hate Colleen and love Colleen and cry a whole lot (that if you’re a cry baby like me). And most importantly, go into it knowing it is like nothing Colleen has ever published before but hopefully you’ll love it as much as you did her other books.

This story is quirky. It reminded me a bit of a few independent family dramas I've watched on screen. You know the type. Those movies that feel a little weird right from the start, the kind that confuse you with the bizarre dynamic between the characters, the movies that have you feeling completely unsure where the storyline is going, but despite all of it you can't look away. Without Merit is just like those movies because amidst all the weirdness is a hidden message about humanity, about hope, about family and what we call home. The Voss family is odd. Everything about this book is odd and strangely addictive and I just couldn't look away. And the messages Colleen Hoover allows the Voss family to deliver to readers are pretty unforgettable, especially when they're set against the unorthodox backdrop that is Dollar Voss.

Merit's family functions seamlessly in their dysfunction. Everything about their life is so strange, but they go through the motions, ignoring their problems, accepting that they're social outcasts. Merit's day to day interactions with a colorful cast of characters had me equal parts intrigued and confused straight out of the gate. This is a story that is unlike anything else Colleen Hoover has written, truthfully it's unlike anything else I've ever read. This story is fascinating in all of its dysfunction, in all of its quirks, and you really just need to buckle in and see where Hoover takes you because the destination is an important one. It's unpredictable and riddled with curveballs, always entertaining, always a bit strange, often funny, sometimes emotional, and it's profoundly important in the end.

What starts out lighthearted and quirky certainly becomes much heavier and more emotional when the Voss family secrets start coming to the surface, when each turn of the page brings new insight into the dysfunctional dynamic that is this family. At the heart of it, Without Merit is a thought provoking story of an eccentric family struggling to come to terms with the rifts and resentment that lies between all of them. While I can't say I necessarily connected with any one character in particular on the level I typically do while reading a Colleen Hoover novel, I was certainly fascinated by the refreshing dynamic in this book. I was fully invested in where Hoover was taking me even though it was difficult to see the path at times. These characters aren't the most relatable and I think Colleen Hoover deliberately made them feel a bit quirky, a bit outside the box because who can define normal anyway? But their issues are certainly relevant, certainly the kind of issues we can each relate to in some way. I didn't always understand the Voss family but I did understand their fears, their sibling rivalry, their quiet resentment, their family secrets, their need to be seen and understood.

This was such a different book, such a different reading experience for me, and I absolutely enjoyed it. Without Merit is a refreshing change for this author and it offered a refreshing change for me as a reader. If you need something different, something outside the box, something entertaining that'll make you shake your head at times and laugh and feel, but that will also stun you with it's twists and turns, with it's important message, Without Merit is that book. This is a book that will make you think. It's certainly a bit out there, in the same way some artsy, dark indie family dramas are in the movies. But amidst the quirks and the eccentricities and the family secrets are some perfectly placed messages about forgiveness and acceptance and love that I truly appreciated.

I love everything that Colleen Hoover writes. I have read and loved every single one of her books. So for that reason Without Merit was my most anticipated book of 2017.

For those who follow Coho on social media she has said that Without Merit is unlike anything that she has ever written. I would agree with that assessment. This book is nothing like any of her other books.

I went into this book completely blind, knowing nothing about the story except for the book's previous title.

This book is a mature Young Adult contemporary novel. The narrator is 17 year old Merit Voss. Merit lives in a small town in Northeast Texas.

The first part of this book was so unusual. So different. So unpredictable. I had no idea where the story was headed. And for someone like me who finds many stories to be fairly predictable this was so fresh, new, and original.

Merit is a very unusual narrator. She is so focused on her own life that she has no clue what is going on around her. Normally Coho heroines are super likable. So this was different too. Merit is spontaneous. She refuses to weigh the consequences of her decisions. She just acts without thinking.

I feel like this book might not be for everyone. It is very different from other Coho books. It deals with some heavier/ difficult topics. This book focuses less on romance than other Coho books. It is YA. And the narrator is less likable.

The town has a negative opinion of the Voss family. I really enjoyed this aspect of the story. Also, every character is different and quirky, which made the story very fun to read.

There are so many unexpected events in this book. It was one unexpected event after another. It was crazy.

Is there romance in Without Merit? Yes there definitely is. But it was not the core focus of the book.

The book deals with some very serious issues. But the book isn't dark. There are so many funny and quirky things about this book. I think that this was the most surprising thing about this story.

For much of the book I honestly could not figure out where the story was headed. Certain things would happen and I would think that meant something. But the book would go in a completely different direction. I absolutely loved that there were so many shocking reveals.

The ending was satisfying. But maybe I wanted more. I think I would have preferred a few more chapters or an epilogue.

Overall, my mind was whirling after reading this book. It is classic Coho in that it is original, fresh, with lots of twists that you won't see coming. But it is also a completely new Colleen Hoover. Maybe after It Ends With Us she wanted to write more meaningful stories. This book is unlike anything that I've ever read before. I will be curious to see if people love this book. I will be curious to see if people love Merit. I will be curious to see what people think of her family and her problems. I will also be curious what people think of the fact that there is romance, but the story isn't 100% focused on the romance.

Colleen Hoover is amazing. Her words are like gold. I am so happy that I got a chance to experience this book.

*P.232 was my favorite thing ever.

This was my most anticipated read of 2017. Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me with a copy of this book!

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

And here I am, sitting down again to write ANOTHER 5-star review for a Colleen Hoover book. I know... shocking! There's a reason why I absolutely adore this incredibly talented human being. Her words affect me like few others' can. Her stories, especially this one, are so authentic, unique, and inspiring. Let's take a little looksie into this new CoHo masterpiece, shall we? :)

Without Merit is completely different from Colleen's other books for several reasons. First off, it's a mature YA novel. Her first YA. Merit, our MC, is 17 and living with the most dysfunctional family I've ever read about it. (Yes, just from this part alone I knew I would love this book. Colleen writes dysfunction like no other.) This story is also quite different for the fact that it doesn't use romance as the main focus. Sure, there is a romance brewing (and it's super adorable, if I may say so myself.) but it's not the core focus of this incredible story. Hard to believe, right? It was for me too. But boy, it really worked! Lastly, though I wouldn't categorize this book as "dark" per say, it did address several very important and sensitive issues. Trigger warning: (view spoiler)

"I'm not even sure home is a word that can be used to describe where I live. It's just a house filled with people who are counting down the days until they don't have to live with each other anymore."

This was definitely the most unique, quirky bunch of characters I've ever come across. I'm continuously astounded by the level of creativity Colleen Hoover has when developing these masterful characters. I'm super curious to know what you guys think, after reading this story, about Merit and the other characters as well. Who's your favorite? Who do you think was the most interesting?

Colleen Hoover's characters, in my opinion, are usually quite relateable and easily likable. Merit is so different. She's spontaneous, quite a bit selfish, and doesn't take any responsibility for her poor choices. She's, quite honestly, a bit of a mess. But I loved her. So, so much.

Without Merit is definitely one of my favorite reads this year. I didn't expect to be quite this taken by this story. It's one of those stories that I wish I could read again for the first time. It was unique, entertaining, quirky, silly, inspirational and even hopeful. I'm so impressed with how much of a punch was packed into such a cute little package.

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

Whether you're a die-hard CoHo fan (like I am!) or you've never read a single one of her books, I would definitely urge you to read this story. No need to read the synopsis, just go in blind and take it all in. Then stop back over here and let me know what you think. :) I have a feeling you just may love it as much as I did.

(Thank you to Atria Books and Colleen Hoover for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

Five Amazing Stars

I was just thrilled to read this most wonderful truly am exciting book by the most loved author, Colleen Hoover. With this total most incredible heartfelt story she has written. This is such an unbelievable tale written so beautifully, it was just such such a blessing to read it too. I just simply couldn't put this book down!!

My name is Merit Voss I have an a huge amount of trophies I own. Yet not one of them are my own or won. I bought some from cheap stores and house sales. I also received two from from my father for a birthday present. Whilst I stole only one myself. That was from an old boyfriend I had who broke up with me. After he felt me up, left the room. I took it immediately from his bedroom.

Poor Merit now has twelve trophies in total. That means twelve awful thing have occurred. To really bring her down. She is now looking for another in a store to buy now. Finding it difficult I’ve been looking for one for months now. This one is quite strange. It’s from an old Texan pageant. It’s shiny gold platted with the winner wearing cowboy boots. It’s the best. As I find it in the store I notice someone standing directly up stairs smilingly me. He asked what I was doing so I told I was buy the trophy. He had tattoos on his arm and was completely delicious.

As we both leave the store and cross the road ahead. I still notice that he’s still smiling at me. When he finally asks why I bought. Telling him I buy them for myself, which makes he laugh. Then asking why I’m not in school. Telling him I didn’t feel like it. It’s a wonderful day today. As it’s late in the year. It quite cold time of year. Make the most of a warm day. Standing close to him I can now read the tattoos on his left arm. We then start playing a game while shooting water at each other.

Until my mind starts imagining things about him while he stares. He gets even closer to me. Maybe he going to kiss me. Until he whispers to me. Not even realising what he meant, but still knowing what he said was perfect as he kissed me so dearly. I was so happy now. Yet I’m not sure what even what him to do this off me.

When suddenly him mobile starts ringing. He goes to answer it and is shocked when he likes directly to me again and asks me is this a joke. He assumes that Merit knows who is on the phone. When I finally realise that woman chatting to him is my twin sister Honor Voss. I quickly grab my thing and turn away. He thought he was kissing my sister. But not me. I should have known. That would never happen to Merrit Voss. She’s my identical twin!

I thoroughly adored this wonderful book. Such a dysfunctional family indeed. Such an emotional story that was so well written. I thoroughly enjoyed this emotional story of this girl, Merit. I loved this most wonderful story. Definitely one of the best too!!

* I recommend this book to everyone!!

She's back, and my socks have been knocked off! Masterful and ingenious, Colleen Hoover returns with a story unlike any other in her repertoire. It's powerful, edgy, and gripping. You can bow down to the Queen right now, go ahead, you know you want to. I already have a few times while reading this gem, because when it comes to Coho- we are SO not worthy *wink* but we're greedy; always lusting, craving, and begging for more. No doubt about it, Without Merit will be kicking a$$ and taking names! It certainly kicked mine a few times along the journey!!

If you like the colour purple, you're going to love this book. If you've never won a trophy, fret not for you can live vicariously through this book. Score! Quirk and oddities lure you in to the gradual and passive buildup of this relatively peculiar story line. I was engrossed and mesmerized in it's fog of eccentricity, it was like an accident moving in sloooow motion that I couldn't look away from. To be honest for the first hundred or so pages I was in a constant state of WTF and WTF does this all even mean? Like, where are you going with this CoHo?!? BUT, I was thoroughly enamored with all things Voss. Because, well, because how can you not be?! This is sooo straaaaange!

Layer upon layer that continues to build and progress the story along and page after page, Colleen Hoover takes the reader on a whirlwind journey down the rabbit hole of small town Texas where there's a shining darkness within the messages divulged throughout Without Merit, perspective being key. A storm of emotions is brewing, it's unsuspected and ever so quietly and gently it sneaks up on you, however, the results will turn your world upside down and will blow EVERYTHING that is important apart for all to see; all the ugly and beauty that lies within.

Perspective. Don't let it rule you, fool you or ruin you.
Perspective. It's a bitch that can destroy you.

After every storm the sun will shine again if you're willing to open your eyes and heart and let the light in.

Without Merit is one of my top favourite CoHo reads ever!! This book took me on a journey I was not expecting at all. The depth and intricately woven story line with a general 'open you eyes and mind and don't be so quick to judge' message was delivered phenomenally. She definitely is a literary mastermind!! I loved every character just as much as I hated them at times. The quirkiness and perfectly place humour balanced out the serious tone of the story and underlying mental heath theme throughout. I'm simply in awe at the raw talent that Colleen Hoover possesses.

READ. THIS. BOOK!

Before anything else, I just want to make you aware that WITHOUT MERIT is my very first Colleen Hoover read. I know! I know! I’m a MONSTER! After absolutely DEVOURING this book, I can safely say that it will DEFINITELY not be my last. The myriad of emotions that went through my whole body was indescribable. I felt SO MUCH with every single turn of the page. This book was my bubble and nothing could penetrate it. I didn’t know what time it was or how much time had passed. The fact of it was, I wasn’t calling it quits until the very end. I’ve never been so fully unaware of my surroundings like I was while reading WITHOUT MERIT. Yes, Colleen Hoover (even though I do know who she is) is a new-to-me author and to tell you the truth, after finishing up Merit Voss’ story, I feel like I’ve known this author my whole life! Her unique and impeccable writing calls to me on every single level, and with each turn of the page, I dreaded those two words that would make it all go away. T H E E N D.

If you follow my blog you are well aware of how much I love to quote the books I read. With WITHOUT MERIT, there was absolutely NO TIME for that. I was too involved…too wrapped up in this family drama to even think about taking the extra couple of seconds to highlight a quote. Truthfully, this book stands on its own. You don’t need tons of quotes from the book to know that it will be spectacular. You don’t need a bunch of teasers and excerpts to know that this book will utterly change you and the way you view your family and your life. It is what it is…an EPIC JOURNEY, an EMOTIONALLY-GRIPPING story, and an INCREDIBLE tale that absolutely EVERYONE should get their hands on.

The die-hard COHO fans are correct in everything they say about their leader. Colleen Hoover writes for herself and for her readers. There is no one else. She doesn’t do it to please the masses. She writes what’s in her heart and she shares the journey almost effortlessly. Ms. Hoover has always been on my radar, but after actually diving in to her work for the first time, I’m afraid the obsession will grow stronger from here on out. The story of Merit Voss and her eclectic family is EVERYTHING. No matter if you are a romance, young adult, or new adult reader, EVERYONE needs to read this book. Perspectives WILL change with every page you turn. I guarantee it.

*ARC provided by the publisher*

Everyone thinks that they have a messed up or unusual family. If you think that your family is strange, unusual, or messed up, I can guarantee you this: your family has nothing on the Voss family. For starters, they live in an old Church. A Church that Merit’s atheist father purchased to spite the former preacher who owned it. Their “home” has a giant Jesus statue in the middle of it that Merit decorates frequently. Additionally, Merit’s father had an affair and married his mistress, both his ex-wife and mistress turned current wife live in this house.

All of the above information is given within the first couple of chapters. I repeat: your family has noting on the Voss family! I usually abhor this much drama in one book, but I was LIVING for it in Without Merit. Nobody writes a good drama like Colleen Hoover. Over the course of the book, she somehow got me to somehow fall in love with the entire twisted family, mistress turned wife included. I also loved the romance, it was slow to develop, and a little bit strange at times, but so believable. Sagan managed to give me as a reader butterflies a time or two.

Overall, I can’t say enough good things about Without Merit. It deals with a lot of deep issues, something that CoHo is known for writing about. The book discusses depression, suicide, sexuality, and adultery to name a few. As someone who has never dealt with depression personally, this read was a real eye-opener. I have friends and family who have experienced it and this really helped me understand what they may have been going through.

My Takeaway: As a recent CoHo covert, I can’t yet say that this is my favorite of her books total, but I can without a doubt say that this is one of my favorite YA contemporary reads of the year. It was both entertaining and insightful. I can’t wait to read more CoHo!

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

As the synopsis indicates, the Voss family is far from ordinary. Merit Voss is simply lost within the chaos of her own house. Under the heaviness of secrets and the brokenness of her home, she’s voiceless. Until Sagan comes roaring into her life. Merit doesn’t care about much inlife. But Sagan changes that. Too bad he’s not hers to have. But when everything comes to a point of no return, Merit learns that the secrets she threatens to reveal come with consequences.

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

The writing was absolutely mesmerizing. It was honest. Raw. Nothing was held back as you learned about Merit and her family. It was heavy at times, quirky and odd at others. The depth of the story, the characters will sit with me for a long time to come. My heart was heavy, yet so full at the same time. I was absolutely blown away by the magnitude of the impact this story really had on me. It’s so much more than YA. It gives a voice to the forgotten. Even in Merit’s silence, her pain and her want for life spoke so loudly. The words poetic. The storyline, inspiring and thought provoking. There are no words that could adequately describe the importance of a story like this in today’s society. Gone are the days where we fit in boxes. Despite our circumstance, we are all worthy of love, forgiveness, and most of all understanding.

“Your emotions are valid, Merit. Don’t let anyone tell you any different. You’re the only one who feels them.”

Without Merit is not the book you expect, but it’s the book you certainly need to read. It’s not your typical Colleen book as you will have problems with Merit. She’s flawed yet you can’t help but want to know her story. At the same time, it is a Colleen book as it is written with truth. Unapologetically. She weaves you through a story of a family (and friends) with secrets I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. Her writing is unfiltered in that she never abandons the authenticity of the characters and their discourse. Poignant and exhilarating, Without Merit is the type of book to leave you thinking DAYS later. About life, mistakes, and how we are all trying to find our way. What a moving read. As Sagan says, Colleen… “You bury me.” Well done!

I don't think I could ever be disappointed by this author. I haven't read everything she's written yet, but every book has amazed me so far.

In Without Merit, we get to see a girl who is troubled and doesn't realized the extent that trouble until it's almost too late. I applaud the author for shedding light on a subject that is often swept under the rug and one that affects me on a very personal level.

I found myself relating to Merit at the same time as I was annoyed by some of her actions. I guess it's fair to say that she reminded me of myself at that age, even though our problems were quite different. I was also intrigued by the history of Sagan's family and found myself learning as I read. I'm not usually one to read in order to learn (as strange as that sounds, but hey, I'm not in school anymore!) But I was so drawn into the story and wanting to find out what was going on with Sagan, that I found myself enjoying the lesson, no matter how tragic. It's not often that I read a book with a bit of history or political science in it and truly find myself lost in the story and not getting annoyed at it reading like a text book (which this did not.)

One underlying theme that really resonated with me, was that everyone has their own stress baseline. No one should consider their stresses more or less than anyone else simply because they are different. We all feel stress in our own way and for our own reasons and no one should make you feel belittled because of that. I hope a great many of high school kids will read this book and learn that lesson earlier than this 30 something woman did.

Overall, I have to say well done once again to Ms. Hoover. I know the YA/NA style of this book may not appeal to everyone, but I think the writing is superb and will entertain as it enlightens.

Another brilliant CoHo story!

A beautifully written story of a family who has lived with buried secrets that are weighing them down. Simply put this family is dysfunctional. Every family has their own dysfunction but the Voss family seems to have taken that as a challenge and upped the ante.

”Little do they know, there’s no such thing as a perfect family, no matter how white the picket fence is.”

Merit Voss is a 17-year-old senior who finds herself trying to make sense of her surroundings. The young adult years can be a confusing time when everything in life seems to bring you down. ”So many secrets in this house. And yet, the one secret I should have told years ago is the one I’ve kept the quietest.” Merit has internalized all of her family’s baggage. The ignoring of past transgressions is the family's way of sweeping the ugly things under the rug.

Now that you know a little about Merit, our narrator, you’re probably wondering if this story is a romance. It definitely has elements of romance in it but on the forefront, this is a story about family. But don’t get me wrong there is a love story mixed in - it just doesn’t overpower the overall arc of the story. It’s woven in like a subtle ray of optimism.

The story is a good combination of having a deeper meaning to it and in the same breath having the humor to keep things balanced. At times when the story would become heavy, there’d be a moment that’d have the reader giggling. As with all of CoHo’s books, there is some form of art in the story. In WITHOUT MERIT there is one drawing in particular that caught me by surprise and had me doubling over with laughter. I even had to show my husband when he gave me a strange look for my outburst.

The healing elements of this story warm the heart and give hope for all families out there. No matter what secrets a family may have there’s always an opportunity to learn and grow.

Without Merit is a standalone set in Texas. A poignant story of the family life of Merit Voss.

I am always a little terrified when I open a CoHo book. I know it seems weird, most people will open their kindle as soon as it arrives and tear into it. Not me. I have to work up to opening it up. It's not that I am scared it is going to be bad. I know its not - they never are! Colleen Hoover at her worst is still better than most books out there. She just has a knack for pulling you in to her stories. But I am always scared to read her new releases, fearing it won't live up to my unrealistic expectations. LOL!

I typically go into books blind. I rarely read a synopsis if I know and love the author. Without Merit was no different for me. From her first introduction I instantly fell in love with Merit Voss. She is the epitome of a perfect character - quirky, flawed, funny, witty and wonderfully human. And it's not just her it's her entire family of supporting characters.

This isn't one of those reviews where you're going to find any pertinent details of the story or really even any kind of a synopsis. All you need to know is this story is truly one of a kind and you will not be disappointed in any way. Without Merit has a YA feel but it's not all rainbows and unicorns, this story tackles some pretty heavy themes, but it's handled with really beautiful storytelling as the author peels away layer after layer revealing what's beyond the surface. The pace is perfect, not rushed at all. It's a gradual build-up where seemingly insignificant moments are muddled with life changing ones. Colleen Hoover thru the Voss family really shows just how life altering perspective can truly be. Simply put I loved reading this book, it reminded me all over again why I first feel in love with Colleen Hoover as an author. She know's exactly how to string together a bunch of words that will have readers laughing and crying and feeling as though their life has been changed just because they spent money on a book for a pastime they love.

I don’t know how Colleen does it?! I don’t know how she starts these books with these seriously off the wall, near impossible beginnings that snatch you out of your chair and in to whatever crazy world she has created but she does and she does it every single time!

Without Merit does it. You’re wondering how in the world someone can collect trophies they did not win and why on earth they would save up money to buy one and then BAM she hits you with Merit covering for a young boy who broke a piggy bank and your heart is won over and you feel a connection for this character you just met!

And yet Colleen tells us she is not an emotional person?! How?! All of her characters come to life and make you FEEL, feel everything! Merit is no exception and her first encounter with Sagan is the thing of fairy tales. A lot of this story is the thing of nightmares but the truth is terrifying! But that right there is life folks, even if it is fictional life.

Merit is filled with so many realities, but ultimately it is filled with lies. The lies we tell ourselves, the lies we tell others, the lies that we must keep to ourselves and finally the lies we must overcome. “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.”

Colleen had courage to write this book because it hits on a ton of touchy subjects that a lot of people do not want to talk about but it also has laughs, love, craziness that you must read to believe and then honestly you still won’t believe it, and coming to terms with the fact that people are not perfect, they make mistakes, they screw things up, they hurt people and that you will continue to hurt until you face it, all of it, the good, the bad and the ugly and then maybe, just maybe you can heal.

A very powerful book! And let me tell you, I need With Merit as soon as possible!!! This cannot be the end of Sagan & Merit! I need MORE and I need it NOW!!!

I started reading WITHOUT MERIT right when I was supposed to be unpacking after moving once again! Needless to say, my husband was constantly yelling at me to stop reading! Obviously he has never read a Colleen Hoover novel because everyone knows once you start there is no way to stop. I devour her stories and everyone of them has crushed my heart and left me crying. WITHOUT MERIT does not disappoint. Colleen Hoover, you owe me a box of tissues! There isn’t a single thing about this book that I didn’t love. It was wonderful, mesmerizing, hypnotizing, heartbreaking and breathtaking.

This is going to be a shorter review because my honest opinion is that it’s best to go into WITHOUT MERIT knowing as little as possible about the actual story so I won’t tell you anything that’ll ruin the experience here. But I can say that I was hooked from the very first page and completely drawn into these characters’ lives. I loved that the story was serious but little parts made me laugh out loud which broke up the more emotionally charged scenes. I swooned, proclaimed my undying love for WITHOUT MERIT, and had to take many breaks to wipe the tears that were flowing freely down my face more than once.

Once I started reading WITHOUT MERIT I discovered that there’s even more to this story than meets the eye. There’s an added layer to it that I absolutely loved but that I won’t mention because discovering it as you read is honestly the best. One of the things I love most about Colleen Hoover’s writing is how deeply she makes me care for her characters and how strongly she makes me feel for them. Deception and pain, love and loss, secrets and truths, hope and redemption—they all twist and tangle together creating another unforgettable novel from one of the freshest and most trusted voices in romance.

Finally, you need to read this one. It will surprise, shock, impress, grip and absorb you into its story. And those wonderful characters, how happy I am for having ‘met’ them! They will stick with me for a very long time. I just know the same thing will happen for you…

Colleen Hoover has stole my heart with this book.

This is only my second book by the amazing Colleen Hoover and I'm wondering why I've not read more by her. I'll have to get on that because her stories move me to tears.

Without Merit revolves around Merit Voss. She's a seventeen year old girl who seems to know the secrets of all her family members—and not because she wants to know them. What she wants more then anything is to be 'normal' and really for her entire family to be the same. She lives in a small Texas town and her father bought the church—which considering he's an atheist—went over well in town. You'd think living in a former church would be enough to send any teenager into hiding but it doesn't end there for Merit. Her Dad divorced her Mom for the nurse that was taking care of her and her Mom still lives with them! Plus there's a ton more strange things that are going on in her house.

Basically they are the gossip of the town and it all just gets to be too much for Merit and so one day she skips school. That's where things really change for her. She meets Sagen and although I'd not categorize him as weird he has a story and in somehow mingles with Merit.

I was engrossed in this story and spent most of last night and this morning finishing it. Colleen Hoover wrote a story that touches on so many issues that teens this day and age deal with all the time. I love the overall message in the story. It's one every older teen should read. I'd probably categories this book as mature young adult because of the topics covered.

No surprise here that I highly recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley from publisher for my unbiased honest opinion of this book.

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.

I really should not have looked at some of the reviews while I was reading this book. They started to cloud my judgment while I was reading. Colleen Hoover is one of my all-time favorite authors so I am reading whatever she writes, regardless of the content.

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

This quote resonated with me and changed my perspective of the characters for the remainder of the book. Merit Voss' family has got to be the most dysfunctional family I have ever read about. Merit was such an unlikeable character for most of the book. I couldn't stand her twin sister Honor and her brother Utah was weird. The only characters I liked throughout the whole book were Sagan (Honor's boyfriend) and Moby (four-year-old half-brother).

Whose parents divorce and the mom moves into the basement of their house that was once a church that the dad purchased in a foreclosure. That's not even the crazy part. Merit's dad divorces her mom, Victoria and marries her nurse and her name is also Victoria. Victoria #2 does not get along with the three older Voss children. Then Victoria #2's brother Luck shows up unannounced and moves into this dysfunctional family. I think Luck brought some much-needed clarity to this weird family.

I disliked Merit so much in this book for the horrible things she did but her hateful actions actually forced the family to address their issues. They had some weighty issues to work through. It definitely was not one of my favorite books but it is a book worth reading. My mind was still blown.

As a fan of Colleen Hoover's books, I had been looking forward to reading this book especially when the cover was released, and I instantly fell head over heels for the cover. I have to say this book was different to anything I have read but I loved it as it showed readers what true dysfunctional families are like and that no matter what family you belong to, all families have quirks and secrets. Within With Merit, we have the Voss family who out of spite brought an old church and made it their home. In the Voss family, we have the OG wife Victoria, her twin daughters Merit and Honor and their older brother Utah. Then we also have her Dad and his new wife also known as Victoria, their son Moss and later Victoria's brother Luck. Also added to the crazy mix is a dog named Wolfgang and Sagan. The book starts with Merit kissing Sagan who later turns out to be attached to her twin sister Honor. Then one thing leads to another, and we are thrust upon a cray-cray household filled with dark secrets, estranged family members, quirks. This goes on for most of the book until Merit can't swallow her tongue anymore and explodes releasing all of the secrets that the family have been hiding and then does something stupid. Will her act of stupidity and wanting to die to bring her family together or will it push them further apart? What would the Voss family be like Without Merit? Find out in Colleen Hoover's latest release which also just won Goodreads Choice Winner for 2017.

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.

This review is bittersweet to write... I love Colleen Hoover and all her books, but this one didn't quite reach my expectations. Though I guess it's unfair of me to put that pressure on her as a writer. I did enjoy the book. It had all the quirky, imperfect and damaged characters, and the young teens who are wise beyond their years (reminding me of Dawson's Creek.) There were the 'lessons' to be learned and conflict... this one revolved around the one family (and their many many issues) and pretty much took place in one location (their house.) This one felt almost over exaggerated with all the issues the characters have though. It might be because this is a YA novel, and I am beyond that in years (I'm an old fart,) so it may be better accepted by the younger crowd. The writing itself was as good as it always is with Colleen, even having those classic lines that will be quoted years to come, ie "You bury Me." There was plenty of incidents happening to keep the story flowing. I was a little disappointed in the ending. It had a happy ending but it felt lacking. Like we were missing out on the real ending of their story. There is a bit of humor to lighten some of the heaviness the story carries. While there are a few different issues the characters are dealing with, the main one is anxiety and depression. The language is mild and it's a sex free zone (though it is talked about on several occasions.) It is safe for teens and up.

Merit Voss is a 17 yr. old senior in high school. She lives in a small town in Texas, in the middle of nowhere. She lives with her large unconventional, dysfunctional, unusual family, & often feels insignificant in her household, and almost invisible. She’s grown apart from her siblings, & lives in a home of secrets & lies. With so many strained relationships, she doesn’t feel like she belongs, or fits in anywhere. She thinks everyone hates her, & constantly feels like her family is falling apart. Their screwed up & all have issues.

Merit’s family has a bad reputation in town, but she prides herself on being spontaneous, & doesn’t often think of consequences. She has a strange habit of collecting random trophies, & while out one day locks eyes with a random guy. Something about the way he looks at her makes her feel things she’s never felt before. There’s this electric connection between them, & she’s intrigued by him. His intensity catches her off guard & excites her. They share a kiss that completely rocks her world, & she can’t stop thinking about him, & wondering if he’s meant for her. When he unexpectedly pops back up in her life things get complicated as her two worlds collide.

This was a thought provoking book that has romance, but is mainly about the life & family dynamic of Merit. It deals with love, forgiveness & some serious subject matter. It is a reminder that we live in a society where our peers put pressure on us, but often nobody judges us as harshly as we do ourselves. Nobody is perfect, & everyone has their own problems. This book really makes you think about what’s right & wrong, and not judging others since you haven’t walked in their shoes. It also reminds us how important communication is with the ones we love.

I read romance typically. Like, I'm a heavy duty romance reader, but I have read this authors previous YA works and loved them. I didn't exactly know what I was getting with Without Merit. But I want to start by saying this, this is a YA novel about family and secrets and mental health and so many many other things, with a very light side of romance.
All of that said, I really loved this book.
Colleen Hover has a way about her writing. A very delicate of touching on subjects that are important but too many people shy away from even talking about because they are scary or they are scared they will offend someone or hurt somebody. And she did this in Without Merit impeccably. My chest ached for this girl and her odd family that I somehow found endearing even when I thought they were being awful to one another. Even though they were incredibly quirky and flawed, but so very real.
As for the romance, it's there in the form of Sagan. A wildly different boy than Merit's loud, boisterous, odd family and all it's quirks. He's quiet, tentative, and he makes Merit incredibly angry. She loves him.
So this book y'all. It pulled at my heart strings. It made me laugh with all it's craziness. It made me cry too many times to count. Sometimes happy tears. Sometimes tears so ugly my heart hurt for Merit. But most of all, this book made me remember that no matter how impossibly imperfect my family is, their mine and I love them. It made me want to pull my loud sometimes crazy momma closer. It made me want to tell my quiet, odd engineering brained husband that I loved him a little more. It made me want to cherish my children's oddities, because their quirks make them so incredibly special.
Five "family is everything'" Stars!

I've been a big fan of Colleen Hoover's and her newest book, Without Merit did not disappoint me! As one of my most anticipated books of this year it no reason why I wouldn't love this one as well. You should've seen my face when I received the ARC from Simon Schuster. Colleen out did herself with this one because its not like any other of her books! The book is for mature YA and our main character is 17 year old Merit who lives in a little small town in Northeast Texas (very small). The Voss family is very interesting/odd. But its such an addicting read that you won't forget it.

While Merit's family is dysfunctional like any normal family, their life is interesting. You go see the family go through a rollercoaster of motions like accepting who they are in their community and ignoring their main problems. There's also Merit's interactions throughout her day right from the beginning of the book. Colleen Hoover has written us a story that is anything like normal but the story is amazing because of its flaws and it will touch so many people. I just loved it right from the start because in ways I could relate to Merit.

If you love any of Colleen's book you will want to grab this book immediately. It was refreshing and a good change for any reader. While you might not understand her families quirks like their fears, secrets and trying to be understood. There are so many twists and turns and times where you light and have the feels. Also Sagan!! Just loved him. Definitely swoony. Colleen has taken us a little away from her normal romance side but this book had so much more. Any CoHorts will fall in love with this story and it will help bring topics that are concerning today! Go pick Without Merit!!

Without Merit features a strikingly unconventional family dynamic that'll make your head spin. I mean a family that lives in a rehabed church? Peculiar? Yes. Entertaining, too. Everything takes place from Merit's viewpoint - her strained relationship with her twin sister, her distancing from her parents and brother, the animosity directed at her stepmother, and then the new guy she wants. She tends toward a cynical outlook with extra bitterness on the side for good measure. All the while she's withdrawing from her surroundings, allowing her feelings to overwhelm her and close in on her. The only emotional tether keeping her connected is Sagan, the mysterious boy who's with her sister.

The beauty of Without Merit is how it starts off with Merit's version of her immediate world and gradually moves beyond that to where she receives a shocking awakening, realizing that she isn't as insightful as she thought she was. Every character has a vital role to play and they become a mirror for Merit to see herself. It's how Hoover gives each one of them their truth that's the stunner and by the end, Merit has no other option than to face hers.

I don't typically slam books shut in excitement when I'm done with them, and I especially won't do anything to hurt my beloved Kindle, but oh my gosh, THIS book!! I thought I knew Colleen Hoover because I've read quite a few of her novels but it wasn't until after this that it occurred to me how she approaches each new book so differently. I've become a firm believer that she'll always surprise me, make me think and most importantly make me feel something so deeply with every new story she shares with us.

Maybe it makes me mean, but whenever there is so much fuss over a book, I can't help thinking it is overrated.
Surely it makes me a fool, but whenever that happens with one of Colleen Hoover's books, she proves me wrong.
She is an extraordinary writer. Her books are so emotional that, after finishing them, you are left in a hangover state. A hangover provoked by the intense feelings she makes you feel.
But this time is different... First things first:
This is the story of the Voss family. A family too strange to even make sense. Probably that's the beauty in them. They make it work.
This book has an in crescendo rhythm. When you think the plot is settled, everything comes down. With the loudest crash ever. And your heart starts pounding while you whisper: no, no, no...
And that's it.
Everything settles down again and stays that way. And you are left waiting for something big to happen... But it doesn't.
What I did like was some of the messages Colleen sends. Especially, the one about changing our perspective. Maybe we don't understand people because we don't see things from their perspective. We don't make the effort to understand.
Although the story is ok, I can not help feeling disappointed. It's like there is something missing. As if the book is incomplete.
It is the first time that I am not in love with one of Colleen Hoover's book. I even thought it was boring at some point.
I can't even believe I'm writing this.

HANDS DOWN, this is my FAVORITE Colleen Hoover book!!! Without Merit is heart wrenching, dysfunctional, sweet and will have you reaching for the tissues.

Merit is a very, very complicated character. Her life is not what people would call "normal." Her family dynamic is anything but "normal." I believe that people come into your life for a reason, whether you know that reason right away or if it takes time to understand. Sagan coming into Merit's life, happened for a reason and the events that unfold throughout the book are very poignant issues.

The journey that not only Merit goes through throughout this book, but her whole family, it one that will break your heart (a few times), but eventually put your heart back together.This family needs to learn to be open with each other and learn how to trust and depend on each other. Things have happened to where Merit and her sisters are no longer close, to where her father has some secrets and when those come to light, more hearts will break, to where Sagan helps heal Merit and helps her see what all of that anger she is holding onto, is doing to not only herself but how it is putting a strain on her relationships with her family.

This book will open your eyes to issues people don't like to talk about, but Colleen Hoover talks about them and she does it with class and finesse. Without Merit will make you fall in love with falling in love, but it will also make you think about your life and the people in it. Like I said before, this is my FAVORITE Colleen Hoover book and these characters and this story is going to be staying with me for a long time.

CoHo never ceases to impress and even stun me with her work. Her books are always so emotional and moving that it is hard to not pick them up as soon as you get them, dive in and enjoy the ride. It is hard not to get chocked up, be shocked, cry, laugh, get mad, and a whole other slew of emotions. The woman knows how to bring them all out and she never lets me down.

With her last book she went into a territory that was not only a sensitive topic, but one that was near ad dear to her heart. Something personal and that emotional connection for her revealed itself to all her readers and we loved her all the more for it.

Her latest release is just as mind blowing and is what I love CoHo for best. No matter what she writes, no matter the genre, she can do it and do it well and still leave it feeling fresh and new and even dare I say unique. She catches us by surprise and again, that is why we love her and anxiously await each new release from her. We know we are going to get something amazing and wonderful and something even heart wrenching.

Time will stop while we are engrossed in her words, things will be left undone, meals may be missed, and sleep even lost and still, we will keep reading because once started, they are so very hard to put down.

There is very little said in the description of this book and it should be left this way. It is best read with no expectations, with no idea of what you will get because it makes what comes, the emotion, the feels so very worth it and so satisfying. This isn't like her other stories and yet it is the same because once again CoHo poured her soul into it and it shows. It is real, it is raw and it is wonderful.

Have not read any of this author's books before and I've need to think seriously before getting another one. Glad I just checked Without Merit out of the library. And probably because I was desperate to read a book, any book, that I stuck with it. Need another trip to the library. But I kept thinking, is this for young adults? A 17 year old who probably in every chapter is moaning and groaning about something and at the same time "the kiss" is brought up every few pages. The plot is really not much of one. Not a lot of redeeming qualities about any of the characters.

spoiler here: the poor damn dog. Seriously? They thought the dog was a male and were surprised to find puppies after the poor thing died. Who was obviously a female?? So caught up in their own pathetic mess of a family to ignore the poor crying animal. But this family with their homophobia, mental illness, suicide attempt and weird basement mother suddenly at the end of the book is all fixed up.

Usually when I don't have a new book to read I grab a Neil Gaiman one off my book shelf and reread it. I should have done that.

☆☆☆☆☆ 4.5 STARS ☆☆☆☆☆

This book made me feel so much, this family was so real. They are one messed up family, but everything they were going through was as real as it could get. This story doesn’t fall in the romance category, but falls in the family and relationship. It’s about learning to live with life and everything it throws at you. It’s about loving your family no matter what and learning to forgive most of all.

Merit was one depressed girl who was suicidal and didn’t even really know it. Her story and what she was going through had me in tears. She literally pulled my heart out and cried with me. Then there’s Sagan, oh man I love the guy. He seemed like the only sane person in this story, he was perfect. I loved him and enjoyed every interaction he had with the family. I was basically holding my breath every time Merit and him got together, to talk, to hug, to kiss, anything. They had me and I wanted more. Every time these two got together, I felt cheated, because Author Colleen Hoover never really gives us the love story they deserve. We get a little here, a little there and keeps us wanting more. I think Merit deserves a sequel. We need more Merit and Sagan, lots more.

When this book ended, I was left loss for words on how I felt about it. It’s so different from all of Colleen Hoover books I’ve read, but it was so real that I couldn’t help but love it. Even though romance wasn’t the main focus of this book, I was still glued to the story and I couldn’t stop reading. Colleen Hoover, please give us a sequel.

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

Merit seems like your typical teenager but she is slowly losing interests in things and one night tries to end it all but things don’t go according to plan. Like the old saying goes “everything happens for a reason” and this was actually a good thing. Lots of things get revealed that had me shocked but more importantly relationships are rebuilt along with forgiveness and understanding.

“It annoys me when people try to convince other people that their anger or stress isn’t warranted if someone else in the world is worse off than them. Your emotions and reactions are valid. Don’t let anyone tell you any different. You’re the only one who feels them.”

This was such a thought provoking story and I devoured it in one sitting. This book put a lot of things in perspective in this thing called life. This book also teaches us about being judgmental over situations just because we don’t understand why a person is doing what they are doing. Maybe if we took a step back and stopped judging and listened relationships between people could be better. This book was different than I expected from Colleen Hoover but it didn’t disappoint me because I was able to do some of my own reflection while reading. I loved how Hoover chose to right a book that deals with mental health illness. Everyone wants to be normal but what is normal? This book lets you know it’s okay to not be okay.

*ARC Review*

In Without Merit, the Voss Family was full of interesting and flawed characters. Their family life was busy with people coming and going. It was easy to forget someone’s schedule or routine with how busy everyone was.

Merit was a spontaneous character and the keeper of family secrets. Merit struggled with her identity having been an identical twin who constantly compared herself with Honor. Merit felt isolated, alone, and often times ignored in her busy family, but that was her perception.

I knew Colleen had a fantastic sense of humor. In fact, I’m envious of that sense of humor because it makes me want to be near her in case her sense of humor is contagious. I could use some of that humor in my life. Colleen’s rebuttals for accusations was drawn from both sides allowing issues to be discussed from both perspectives.

Without Merit included a wild bunch of characters that were oddly fascinating. I felt compelled to turn each page eager for more words. I loved the oddity of these characters especially Merit’s character. Her insecurities about herself were warranted and noted. The dynamics of these characters was entertaining.

With themes of trust, perspective, honesty, and perception, Without Merit successfully illustrated the different dynamics in this household. Without Merit focused on many important elements. Together all characters played an intricate part of sharing this story. Each character had an issue that was special and unique to them.

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

Whenever I see or hear the name Colleen Hoover, I know the book is going to be damn good. She's never let me down when it comes to her amazing ability to tell a story and how relatable her characters are. So when I heard she had a new book coming out...I squealed, danced, and everything else in between. I go into every CoHo book blind and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love being surprised when it comes to her books and being shocked by the story.

Without Merit follows the story of a young high school girl Merit, and her story is anything but butterflies and unicorns...it's the truth. Her life is hard, complicated, raw, and amazing. It's such a true perspective on the struggles of being a teenager in todays society, along with a crazy family. Nobody could have written this story better than CoHo herself.

Merit has so many struggles that I have faced myself and this book really resinated with me in so many ways. And had me flipping the pages for more. I never wanted this story to end. The progression of the characters in this book is beautiful and every page will leave you reeling for more.

I loved the dynamic between Merit and Sagan. I found myself begging for more but I loved how this story was about life and love. It didn't revolve around the romance of the story, it revolved around the love of the family and love for herself. It's a gorgeous story on the struggles we face in life.

“So many people dream of living in a house with a white picket fence.   Little do they know, there’s no such thing as a perfect family, no matter how white the picket fence is.”

The house of Voss may have had a white picket fence, but inside you certainly aren’t going to find a perfect family.  In fact you are going to find the complete opposite.  You will find a house full of secrets harbored by one of the most diverse and unique families I’ve read about in a long time.  Merit is the main character here and is a girl who feels like she is holding everyone’s secrets.  Even the secret holder herself (as she feels) has a secret’s of her own, some she is very well aware of and some she isn’t.  She may be the main character here but all the others play just as big of a part in this story and my, what a story it is.  Merit, Honor, Utah, Sagan, Luck, Barnaby, both Victoria’s and even little Moby are about to take you on a journey and when it all unfolds you realize nothing is what you perceive it to be.

“Not every mistake deserves a consequence.  Sometimes the only thing a mistake deserves is forgiveness”   A lesson the entire Voss family will come to realize is the most important lesson of all. 

This book was a true Colleen Hoover masterpiece.  She has proven again and again that she can write from one end of the spectrum to the other and kill it.   I went into Without Merit blind and this book was nothing like I was expecting, which was perfection from my past experiences…It was much more, SO much more!   

The past couple CoHo books I've actually let them sit around for a while before I've dived into them. I think it's the anticipation of expecting an out of this world feeling while reading it. Now when her book's release I have a little bit of apprehension of when to start. Truthfully it's like I'm afraid it won't meet my expectations.

Without Merit meet all my expectations and more. I was so completely emerged in the Voss family & their quirks & eccentric behaviours that I just could not pull myself away from the pages.

This is not a romance novel. There's a little smidgen of romance but not enough to qualify as a romance novel. This book deals with growing up in a family where all Merit is trying to do is find her place. She feels that she is the keeper of secrets & when she begins to feel that she can no longer bear the weight of it all the downward spiral begins.

Then we have Sagan. The boy with his own story & the draw between these two is so very strong but Merit thinks he is spoken for & it would be so wrong for anything to happen between them.

Once Merit spills the secrets she can no longer hold in will the repercussions further split the family or will it open up their eyes to the mess that has become their family.

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

Well, that's one messed up family and I devoured every wicked and twisted thing they had going on. Without Merit takes us through the life of a teenager and the struggles that she has and will endure. It certainly isn't pretty but it's powerful and it sheds light on situations that many people can relate to. If this review seems vague, it's because I want to keep it as simple as possible in the hopes that readers go into this without any preconceived notion.

Merit goes through a lot of different emotions that most would consider typical teenager behavior but once you dive down into the heart of everything going on in that family, there's certainly something else shadowing over them. All families are bit dysfunctional, right? It's what makes us who we are. It's what you do with it that counts.

Every single character in Without Merit pays a very intricate role in the overall story. Each one being a piece of the puzzle and when they are finally all connected together, you start to realize just how powerful that story is. I actually gasped when the connection to the title was reviled. For me, this was a slow burn type of book. It took me a bit longer to fully connect but after reading it I realized why and I was actually thankful for it.

Without Merit is a powerful and enlightening story that is relatable to many and I think will make an impact on a lot of people. That's just Colleen Hoover's trademark, though. Making us cry, feel and relate to everything that she writes. That's the power in her writing and the stories that she tells.

"Far from ordinary" according to the synopsis, but I would say the Voss family puts the D in dysfunction.  With every CoHo book I read, I become more and more aware that living in her must always be an adventure.  Her imagination knows no bounds.  I'm thinking that Without Merit must be the embodiment of what a typical day in Ms. Hoover's daydreams HAVE to be like.

The challenge with a story like Merit's, is to balance the heavy subject with fairness, light, and objectivity.  While Merit may seem like a normal teenager, her life is anything but and the beginning of the story digs right with Merit purchasing a trophy and meeting Sagan.  The unconventional meeting sets the tone for the entire story, and it was one that I could not put down.

The Voss family is not perfect.  Each character carries baggage, each bag carries garments that belong to other family members.  There are a lot of lies, misunderstandings, and defiance.  It takes Sagan to bring to light the darkness that Merit truly feels.  The more she falls for him the more bleak her life and her family appear.  Eventually, it all has to come to a head.  The journey is difficult for Merit but she has Sagan to lean on right?  Ha!  Not so fast.  It's never that easy.

Even though I kept thinking how crazy, quirky, weird this Voss family was, I eventually realized, they really aren't that much different from all of us.  They're just wrapped up in a different package.

* I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader’s Copy of this book *

I’ve gotta be honest, I’m not sure what to say about this book. It felt like a different kind of Colleen Hoover book. (I don’t mean that in a bad way.) I’ll admit I never actually read the blurb for this book before I started reading. I rarely do with Colleen’s books. I just know I’m always going to read them. To me, she’s at her best when writing complicated love that seems… hopeless… Without Merit wasn’t that book. Yet still, it was as engrossing and emotional as those books.

I’m not going to get down into the details of the story in my review. I don’t think there’s any way I could do it justice. This was at it’s heart, to me, primarily a story about the complicated relationships between family members and a coming-of-age story for Merit. It was ugly and messy and tough to read at times. It had raw, sad moments that left tears in my eyes, but it wasn’t TOO heavy, still delivering a few smiles and chuckles. There was a beauty in the overall story that I don’t think anyone but Colleen could pull off successfully.

Without Merit isn’t my favorite of Colleen’s books — it’s hard to compete with Maybe Someday, November 9 and Slammed — but it’s still an important book. It was also a very good one. Don’t expect a lot in the way of romance in this one if you do read it. Honestly, I don’t think it needed it though. That wasn’t the point of the story. It’s far less about happily ever afters and more about finding yourself, accepting others and finding a way to move on.

Author Colleen Hoover has the ability of being able to breathe life into her characters, providing them with a sense of realism that can make readers forget that the people involved are fictional. Without Merit is no exception, with main character Merit Voss leaping off of the page and into the real world.

Being part of her world is not that easy for Merit, so much so that she tries to escape from it by buying used trophies from someone else's life. Forced to keep secrets and to lie for the sake of her family, will Merit finally reach her breaking point? Will the possibility of future happiness be enough to keep Merit from self-destruction?

The thing that I appreciate the most about author Colleen Hoover is that her characters have issues and problems that often cannot be fixed easily. Life can be hard and people often need to compromise their principles for the sake of others. It is not easy to be the person in a family that feels like they are on the outside, looking in. Merit is such a person, trying to figure out her place in the larger world when she does not know where she fits in her own family. Without Merit has a good plot and well developed characters. Readers who enjoy reading realistic and romantic YA fiction will find this book to their liking.

Merits has an unusual living situation. She lives with her father, siblings, step sibling and step mother in an old church while her mother lives in the basement. Merit feels that she in invisible and holds too many secrets.
I empathize with Merit’s pain even if she is unlikeable. I guess this is kudos to the author because it is easier to sympathize with someone who is likeable. The author tackles quite a few tough subjects including depression, communication in families and how even with the best intentions we fail as parents/siblings/friends. We tend to focus on the big symptoms of depression but as Merit says indifference is a sign of depression which she surprises herself by admitting it.
I really liked that there is no cop out for Merit – she meets the perfect boy but things do not get better. As the author says "fall in love with yourself first".
The non-family members then to be likeable and voices of reason. I guess they are the Greek chorus of the story.
I really liked all the quirky characters and loved how Merit acknowledges that life can be with Merit.

Even when Colleen does a light, fun read, it’s not without a lesson. Through her words, Colleen is always teaching us with hidden thoughts and facts that hit you way after you finish the last chapter.

Without Merit started with a slow build. The backstory and character content was extensive. Merit is fighting for her voice among her modern day family. Feeling her voice was lost in a sea of people, Merit retreats into herself. It takes one boy and a string of unpredictable events to bring out the truth for not only Merit, but her whole family.

This simple story line is more than meets the eye. The use of imagery to convey feelings throughout the book pours off the pages, seeping deep into your soul. Once the slow build completed, the story took off with just about every range of emotion possible. Colleen has this gift for turning the simplest of words, thoughts, or feelings into works of art. This family was like most that I know, full of misunderstandings but at the core, love. No one will ever fully understand another’s actions. It’s only when you peel back the layers, ask the questions, and take the time to understand the answers, will you truly understand one another. Without Merit was the perfect lesson in taking these steps to understand the people you love. This story was quirky, with a powerful punch. The best lessons are the ones you never see coming and Colleen’s ability to school you through words has been proven time and time again.

You will never meet a family more unique than the Voss family. You will never meet more quirky characters. There's a ton of kids, an agoraphobic mother who lives in the basement, a step-mom that lives upstairs and a bunch of kids who really just don't know what the hell is going on.

You will never meet a family more unique than the Voss family. You will never meet more quirky characters.
There's a ton of kids, an agoraphobic mother who lives in the basement, a step-mom that lives upstairs and a bunch of kids who really just don't know what the heck is going on. There is Merit and her twin sister, Honor and their brothers and father who round out the story. There's also a really pissed off neighbor and a couple terminally ill people in the mix as well.

I think my favorite part of this book was the very beginning (even though whole book is one great scene after another) when Merit is browsing an antique shop for her next trophy to add to her collection (see what I mean about quirky?) when she unexpectedly ends up kissing a stranger out on the street. That escalated quickly, I bet you're thinking. And you're right. That's how this book goes. Just one quick, funny, interesting, "Wait, what?!" moment after another.

This book is like an onion. Not only did it make me cry, but just when you think you've discovered all you need to know, the characters reveal another layer about themselves.

It's rich with details, emotions, hard topics, but all of it comes out in a compassionate and deeply moving story.

Two chapters. Two chapters - that's all she needs. And if I'm honest, she didn't need the two complete chapters to draw me in. Colleen Hoover has set the stage for a hurt your heart, then heal your heart story. I like the tone of WITHOUT MERIT and that she's written a story with younger characters in a complicated family.

Merit and Sagan story is one of friendship and confusion. But this book isn't just about them, it's not the romance that most readers expect in a book by Colleen Hoover. It's about the people in Dollar Voss, a family, and their roles within the family.

Favorite Quotes:

"Your anger is valid, Merit."

"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."

This story about family and forgiveness and understanding really spoke to me. It's a perfect example of another book that is exactly what I needed when I read it.

Without Merit is a really special book. Definitely another favorite.

I was super excited to start this Audiobook and discover I recently listened to this narrator under another name in a much steamier book! I am absolutely sold on her engaging and passionate and delivery. Even though I am generally afraid of a Colleen Hoover story, I knew the narrator (Candace Thaxton) and I would get through it together!
The reason I fear Colleen is because she has a unique ability to make me ugly cry. My first read of hers was Ugly Love. If you've read it, enough said. I was RUINED. Although this story was certainly emotional and heavy at times, I am pleased to report it did not reduce me to a quivering puddle of emotions lying on the floor. This story wasn't at all what I was expecting. There was only a touch of romance which really isn't my normal read. However, I really didn't even mind. She crafted such an incredibly engaging and moving story filled with mysteries, emotional and even laugh out loud humor. At the end of the story, I still felt like the story was incomplete though. Maybe I just got greedy or didn't want to let go of the characters. I really hope Merit and Sagan, and the rest of the family, come back again because they have so many more places to go!

It has been a while since I read my last CoHo novel. In part it’s due to fact I adored it so much I was afraid what would follow would taint that experience for me. I couldn’t however pass up the opportunity once I’d read the blurb to Without Merit. I was instantly struck by how familiar her writing is and captured by the intrigue that makes reading her novels so pleasurable.

Like most we all on occasion secretly wonder if there is a family stranger than our own. But when it comes to Merit Voss and her family, they take the biscuit and the gravy. At first introductions the relationships and dynamic are puzzling at best, and as we the reader experience life through the eyes of Merit, we are confronted with a host of revelations and secrets.

Merit is an extremely interesting character. There’s a charm to brashness, even if it does serve to mask her inherent loneliness. Her closest relationships are the ones which are most strained, and she lacks the direction and connection she resentfully craves.

Although told through Merit’s voice, there are many things afoot in this novel. It’s difficult to say much without ruining the experience but I can say it’s engaging and entertaining, as well as being emotionally poignant. I consider myself an avid romance reader and was glad for the additional element to the story.

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

Colleen Hoover never fails to blow me away. I swear I say this every time, but this time I mean it. Without Merit is one of my new favorites by her.

Without Merit took me by complete surprise. This was not what I expected but was just what I needed. I don't know if I would call this a romance, though there is, but it is a love story. Merit's family is full of secrets and boy do they have a lot. Merit is pretty much an outcast in her own family and holds all the secrets, but she's tired of it and wants to throw them in everyone's face. But the hard part is dealing with them and facing things about herself that maybe she didn't even know.

It's really hard to write a review for this one without spoiling it. Typical Colleen book ;) I devoured this book in a matter of hours. It made me smile, laugh, and cry. I didn't expect the crying, but it hit me.

This is not one you want to miss and I think it would be a good book for teens, too. It is easy to get swept away by Merit. Though you really do experience and see things through her eyes. I know this is a like a "duh" moment but it's different with this book. Just trust me. Pick it up. You won't regret it.

***ARC provided in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!!!***

Disclaimer: I'm the the biggest Colleen Hoover fan who has never read one of her books. Although I own several, in ebook, paperback, and now hardback, I simply couldn't bring myself to actually read them. It's strangely similar to collecting trophies you didn't win. I'm a CoHorting, Bookworm Box subscribing, legit Heath knowing fan of Colleen Hoover as a human being. Who I've neither met, nor had a conversation with. What if author Colleen Hoover didn't measure up? Alas, Without Merit was much too intriguing to continue my author CoHo ignorance.

Without Merit is an emotional journey of discovery. Finding that your truth may not be someone else's truth. That you see only what truths others allow you to see, and only in the ways you allow yourself to see them. Although the main character is Merit, the remaining Voss family members are just as integral to the story and they are fantastically well developed. There are some readers that might find the depth of the family "unnecessary", if you are one of those readers, please go back and read the book again. There's SO much more to this story that you're missing out on! Colleen Hoover brilliantly addresses the delicate subject matter in an honest and reflective way. Without Merit is a beautiful look inside a not-so-typical family. Highly recommend!!!

WOW! Coho has left me speechless. Let me start with how much I like this cover. It fits this story perfectly!

Without Merit is in the same vein as It Ends With Us, as heavy topic brought to us in a heartwarmingly unique and quirky way full of characters that you won’t forget anytime soon. This book was hard to put down. I was engrossed and invested in these characters from the first page.

The Voss’s are a unique family. They are led by Barnaby, his ex-wife Victoria and his current wife Victoria. Amongst the three of them there are four children, Utah, Honor, Merit and Moby. Yes, he was named after Moby Dick! Did I mention that they all live in the same house?!? That is where this crazy story begins. There are others that show up and join this crazy family along the way, Sagan and Luck.

Colleen did a fantastic job with this book. The way she approached the subject of depression, an illness that is often ignored. She addresses this in a unique way of perspective vs perception. How that can affect one’s life. While I read this book, I couldn't help but see glimpses of my friends or myself inside these characters. Ones who struggle with liking themselves, struggle with asking for help or even accepting the help that is offered and lastly the ones that struggle with forgiveness.

I have mixed feelings about this book. Some of it was great and interesting and fun to read. But some of it just made me roll my eyes. The main characters, who are all part of the same family, feel like they were created by the author drawing random words out of a hat and turning them into names, and then drawing random quirky traits out of another hat to create a bunch of eccentric people whose personalities would have been non-existent if not for these weird quirks. One character also makes a point to say that another character shouldn't jump into a relationship until she's found a way to deal with her depression, but then a few chapters later, those two characters start dating, despite the girl not yet having the resources to deal with her depression. Also, pretty much every conflict in this story could have been resolved immediately had the characters just had a 5-minute conversation with each other.

Genre: YA Fiction
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Female

I loved this book so much, I laughed until my mouth hurt and I felt sad at some parts. I didn’t cry but I loved the message the author wrote. At first you think what in the crazy world is going on?? this family is absolutely nuts!!!! Hahaha but towards the end I was so sad and shocked I can't helped loving the importance of this book.

This book dealt with twin sisters and also dealt with family issues and depression. I really believe is something very common that people don't realize is happening right now. All the characters were likable and some more than others.

Overall, this book will be appealing to readers who enjoy a fiction book about family and young teenager struggles and how everyone sees things in different perspectives. This book will have you thinking really hard about choices and also about how people see the world it was truly a great story perfectly written.

I read the audio copy and ebook via my library overdrive app.

Ok first I am a huge COH fan and have read all her books, two what I love about them is I never know what to expect and I dive into them waiting for the surprise story.

This book is no different other then the story itself, it wasn't a so call romance though there was presence of one. It was more of life lesson, a real family life experience not the clique white picket fence type. I don't care how rich or privileged you are everyone has problems within there family or some kind of difference. I also believe we in general can all relate to the Voss family, well at least I can and to be honest I laughed more then cried while reading.

I did feel it was more of a YA book, and I don't read much of them really. But hey its a COH book and I do love her humor and writing. I really enjoyed this book, and thought the story was brilliant as well as the message and Colleen does a great job of getting messages across. If I had to choose one person in the book I loved the most, it would be the Dad. His patients, love and banter that came from him and the family including Sagan and Luck which I know is Colleen humor were brilliant.

HELP! I'm not sure if I'm reading the same book as all the 5-stars reviers? So far Merit is a nasty piece of work. I'm only at chapter 8 but Merit just does/say one nasty thing after another that makes me want to jump into the book and throttle her. I don't recalled ever reading a book with a protagonist that I want to "b-tch" slap so much. If this wasn't a CoHo book, I would have burned it after chapter 4. Since it's a CoHo book and I love MOST of her books, I'm gonna keep chugging along as I have faith that Colleen won't failed me! I'm DYING to find out why Merit is so nasty and unlikable. I can NOT fathom HOW Sagan can feel anything but disgust towards her.

If you've finished the book, PLEASE tell me there is a GOOD reason for Merit to be way that she is and that I just need to have faith, hang on, and continue to read instead of tossing Merit (I mean the book) into the trash can? You don't have to give details. Just a...keep reading...will do because I'm about to lose it with Merit!

But CoHo sure knows how to keep me interest! I'd like to find out why/how Sagan end up with them (and the dad being OK with it?), what's Luck REAL story, What's up with Utah and Honor, and mainly - what's up with Merit's nastiness. Up to this point, this girl is DEFINITELY without merits!

Another great book by Colleen Hoover. This one did not have my chest aching like some of her previous books, however, it made my brain think more. Without Merit - I feel like I could pull different parts of my childhood and personality from Merit. I feel like portions of this book spoke to me more than others. There were definitely aspects that I could relate more.

Colleen made the reader really think about mental illness and how things are not as we perceive them. That just because something bad happened to you doesn't make someone else's pain or suffering not as painful. Every one has a different threshold for pain and stress. It shouldn't be compared.

Sagan, oh Sagan. You were perfect for Merit. I loved their relationship. It fit perfectly.

The names in this book. Oh man! I wonder where all of these names came from? Merit, Honor, Utah, Luck, and Moby. Very unique names for humans. Oh, we don't want to forget Barnaby. Victoria was the most normal name out of the bunch.

The Voss family was certainly a unique set of characters. Colleen Hoover has done it again - read this book!

I almost didn’t start this after reading other reviews saying this book is “not a romance” for fear that meant the main couple wouldn’t end up together at the end (I just don’t know why some people find Drama and Meaning in keeping people apart!). However, you can rest assured that in that aspect it IS a romance. IRL I would never end up in a passionate kiss within minutes of meeting someone. But here it makes sense and it is a wonderful kiss.

I think what folks mean by saying this isn’t a romance is that the romance isn’t the central story being told here, it’s more like a subplot. The main story is really about the main character Merit- her journey, her feelings, her family, and how all the many secrets impact her and the rest of the family. It’s an interesting, emotional, and ultimately positive journey to take with her.

Just about everyone in this book has Serious Issues and Quirks. It was a tad over-the-top IMO (thank God for the little brother). Even so, the story- and the sweet romance subplot- are still very much worth a read.

This was my first Colleen Hoover read and I was blown away! I listened to it on Audible and literally did not want to stop to do life because I wanted to know what was going to happen to these magical characters I fell in love with! Merit has an unusual family life. She lives in an old church with her father and step-mother, as well as her mother who lives in the basement and will not come out. Other characters include Merit's twin sister, her older brother, a younger brother, an uncle by marriage who comes along unexpectedly, and Merit's love interest, whom she believes to be her twin's boyfriend. Merit finds herself in the throes of depression and the story comes to a head when she writes a heartfelt letter after which she attempts to remove herself from her reality. Each character is so deliciously developed that you will feel that they are your personal friends. The reader will quickly become invested in the story which has a superb ending. I cannot wait to read more by Colleen Hoover, and luckily I discovered there is quite a collection to choose from!

Serious book hangover this morning after devouring Colleen Hoover’s Without Merit.. Colleen Hoover has an incredible talent for taking a dark subject - in this case depression and suicide - and shedding light on those topics in the most healing way... her characters are dynamic and vulnerable who evolve throughout their story with strength and courage to face their struggles and change their lives... To say Merit lives in a dysfunctional home- an actual church her father bought at a bargain price and moved them into to spite the residing pastor because of his barking dog- is an understatement.. 3 days she doesn’t speak a word and none of her family members even notice so would they notice if she was no longer part of the family? Will Merit’s oblivious father, overbearing step-mother, her mother who lives in the basement, her older brother, her twin sister and a new boyfriend, a step uncle she finds while buying dog food, her little half brother Moby learn what life is like Without Merit or will one of them save her just in time...
As a side note it’s not sad or a downer either?- just a really great book! Truely an eye opener on how communication is essential in any relationship

Well I am ashamed at saying this but its been a while since I have read a COHO book .. I know complete blasphemy on my part right! Well I am glad that I read this book as it was like a bright shining star into the mind of Mrs COHO. I would give this book a 4 stars and highly recommend to others.

This was a quirky read but I really did enjoy the whole story.. its quite different then what I would normally read but I knew I wouldn't be disappointed because HELLO CoHo wrote it! Not only that I liked that it was different and I actually had fun reading about Merit and Sagan and there journey they experience together.. and lets not forget all the side characters because there were awesome as well!

I will not divulge much on the story as you can read a book blurb just like I can... so no spoilers here.. sorry not sorry.. just know you need to pick up this book and dive right in!

My only hope for this book is that maybe??? Merit and Sagan have more to say?? I will be sitting her wishful thinking and wanting more! One Click Now!

WITHOUT MERIT is a quirky and candid look at a family through the eyes of a teenage self-imposed outsider, Merit. There is a blunt honesty that is woven throughout this book which instantly pulled me in. I will not reveal too much of the story, but the evolution of Merit and her family combined with the pure quirkiness of the story is what made me keep reading.

There is emotion, humor, and a reality to all the characters that only Colleen Hoover can bring to life within this narrative. The author always manages to deliver a story that I enjoy. However, with Merit, there is also the pushing of boundaries of what is depression and what is just a normal reaction to a life she is living. The author gives us kernels of hope, and then takes them away only to give the reader another layer which will lead to what I saw as the inevitable outcome of the book.

All in all, I think that Colleen has given her readers something fresh and real. Fans of the author will no doubt devour her latest. I know I did.

Beautiful. This book touched the topic of depression, but it did it so seamlessly that at first I was thinking, thats a usual teenager reaction. But then it goes deeper and you see all these signs that you finally realize just how clever Colleen is! The writing is spectacular. We all see Merit’s perspective but at the end you have like a “ah haaaa” moment and you realize that we all see what we want to see. And that emotions and feelings cloud your perspective but being a teenager is hard enough so add to that all the stress a family can cause then you have a time bomb.
I didn’t really know what the book was about, but being a Colleen book I knew I had to read it. The only thing that left me unsatisfied is the lack of epilogue. Especially about Sagan. I feel like I still need so much more info on him!! I have so many questions about him!!!
Despite of the lack of more info on him, I still give this book a 5 Star!!

Colleen Hoover has no problem tackling tough issues but she weaves her story so well that you sympathize instantly even if you have no experience with the topic. Just like her last book, It Ends With Us, you are reading and loving it but you also can't help but to think about the story long after you put the book down. She makes you think and feel as if this were happening to you.
I also think CoHo is the only author I know who can take totally bizarre families and/or situations and make them enthralling and completely believable. The Voss family is a hot mess and full of issues yet you don't really ever doubt their crazy situations. The most unbelievable thing was this entire group of people with the most bizarre names you'll ever hear. I don't know who she does it but she pulls you in from the start every time. I am not much of a YA reader but I always enjoy Colleen Hoover!

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!

Whew....I made it through another book by Colleen Hoover! I have started to spend a couple of days (or weeks) preparing before I start one of her books, and I know I'm not the only one who does this. Without Merit was a wonderful story, as expected. It dealt with a subject that I have personal experience with, so I felt especially connected to Merit. I loved Sagan for his wisdom and patience. Very few men, even men who are much older than Sagan, ever have as much empathy or wisdom. As for family......the Voss's were one of my most favorite. No family is perfect, no matter what you see from the outside there are always cracks on the inside. The quirks and oddities of the Voss family just made me love them more!

A wise and compassionate therapist once told me that dysfunction is a very misunderstood term. When broken down, it means to function with great pain. Merit and her family certainly fit that definition perfectly. As you follow her emotional roller coaster ride after the mind blowing kiss she shares with Sagan, you are unable to resist become enmeshed with the entire Voss family.
At first it's easy to dismiss or become annoyed with various members because on the surface they approach caricature status. However when you get further into the tale, you can't help but bleed a little for each one as their outer layers are peeled away and what truly happened and what drives them is revealed. I'm a big Colleen Hoover fan and this, while different than others I've read, might be her best yet. A definite must read for those who come from, or are fascinated by messy family dynamics.

4.5 Stars
I don’t even know where to begin. I absolutely loved this book and Colleen’s writing style. She has a way with telling a story about touchy subjects and keeping you invested in the characters. I am a huge fan of hers and always look forward to her next book.

I have to say I have never met a family like the Voss family. They are definitely unique. You will know exactly what I mean when you read the book. It’s crazy to live with not only your new step mom but for your mother to live there as well. That’s just crazy to me, but some how they manage to make it work.

You will fall in love with these characters and this story. I don’t want to give much away because it will take away from the experience of this story. Colleen did an amazing job in how she touched on the subject of depression. This is one book you don’t want to miss. Must Read

I found this book through Goodreads - it was the 2017 romance book category winner. When I started the book, i knew immediately that it was not really a true romance ( which was great). This was more of a light fiction with a 17-year old girl narrating, the focus being more on her and her eccentric, secretive family members. The romance is very G rated and is more of a catalyst for the events that unfold. The prose is well written and the character have depth. While flawed, they obviously care about each other and the story really dives into how each perception can distort one's reality. Great read, glad I picked it up and discovered an engaging story and writer.

I appreciate Ms. Hoover "branching out" per say from her usual new adult/contemporary romance style to give us what clearly was a very poignant and meaningful book for her. She broached a topic that we don't discuss enough, in my opinion, and the fact that it revolved around a seventeen year old was I'm sure eye opening for those who were parents reading it. I'm sure it also resonated with those who have dealt with depression, thoughts of suicide, and families that are really good at hiding secrets within the walls of their homes (that's everybody, right?)

Without Merit was not my "cup of tea" as the saying goes - but it won't prevent me from not owning it - I just may not read it as often as I do Maybe Someday (which is at least twice a year.) I applaud CoHo for writing what she loves and feels passionate about - and my measly little review probably won't even hit her radar which is perfectly fine with me. I'm still a CoHort - always a fan, and look forward to reading everything she puts out in the future.

Funny, smart, engaging...all these things. I love Colleen Hoover and I rarely have a negative thing to say about her books, but this one, as much as I loved it, still reminded me of a PSA for mental illness. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, there was just some dialogue about depression that I felt could have been done differently. It really was like Luck was doing a PSA at times. I know this is a YA book and this book is for sure about teens and depression, I get that, I do. Maybe its because I'm older and this is definitely a YA novel. I don't know. Over all, I really enjoyed this book. Some parts were very funny. Just not my favorite Colleen Hoover book. But again, very good.

First line: I have an impressive collection of trophies that I did not win.

Last line: This is the first time I've ever referred to Dollar Voss as home.

I just have to say i was hooked from the first few pages!! Definitely worth the 5 star rating!! But why end it on a cliff hanger??? Ugh!!! I hope theres a part 2!

I just would like to touch base on some very good points made in this book. I think i loved it right away bc i can definitely relate to merit on a personal level. Ive had an anxiety disorder my entire life and have always felt disconnected from everyone else in my family. Im 27 years old and still feel that way. I can definitely relate to her when she says she thinks everyone else is messed up but her. That everyone else has the issue. I think for me i really enjoyed how this is the first time ive ever been able to relate as much to a main character. Its like when i read this book, minus the bf issue, im looking at myself instead of merit. Its all definitely an issue not talked about as much. With that, there are so many good points made in this book. Peoples perception on life and others is talked about. Having a mental illness doesnt make you less normal than others is my favorite point that was made bc being someone who has a mental illness i can say when you look at others it makes you feel the outcast especially if you know these ppl dont have the same issue you do. It makes you feel alone and nobody wants to be around you. And yes there is no harm in finding help such as talking to someone. Sometimes thats all that needs to be done.

Also sagan and moby are my favorite characters. Moby made me laugh so much! Sagan...i feel i fell in love with him too. He really does a good job at showing merit a different way of looking at things. Most ppl dont know they are one sided until someone is there to open their eyes to a different view.

Thank you so much for writing a book that touches on these topics. It means the world to people like me. I definitely 100% recommend this book!! This is a MUST READ!

This was a very different type of book for me. I thought it might have been a romance book which, it did have some but it was not what I thought. With that said....

Merit had my full attention from the beginning and I wanted to see what secrets she was hiding or knew about. Now her family, that is another subject there!

Yes we all have family drama and crazy relatives, we don't get to choose who we are related to, unfortunately. Well Merit was no exception. As I read about her dysfunctional family there were somethings that had me saying, "What the H@ll"!!! My family is crazy but dang! And her sister Honor-well.....

Like I said this was a very different type of book for me and though it wasn't my favorite it doesn't mean I'll stop reading her books. 3.5 Stars

Why did this book have to end? I wasn't ready for it to be finished, as I believe there is so much more story to tell. The characters were very relatable and I was glad to see Colleen write about mental illness that affects so many people in one way or another. Merit is one of the 4 siblings that make up the Voss family. After years of struggling to keep everyone's secrets she begins to feel it's effects. Add in a mom who won't leave the basement - a step mom you can't stand, a couple of hot guys and you have one very interesting story. Here lately I haven't been satisfied at the end of Colleen's books. I mean don't get me wrong I love the stories but I ALWAYS want more... her characters and the stories she creates grab ahold of you and don't let go. I think this may be my favorite one yet!!

4.5 stars

I really liked this story. The flow is like non other - one that only Colleen Hoover can provide. And yet I want more to this story.

Merit is sick of it all and writes a letter about her family. A family that she thinks is crazy and disturbing. She is tired of holding in all these truths that have becomes lies of omission. What she doesn't realize is that when she reveals all those truths, everything is out in the open.

All those truths that have splintered Merit has left her open and vulnerable.

A beautiful story written, where you can't put down the damn book (how I feel about every Co-Ho book). But this was more. A inside depth of human frailties and forgiveness.

Please, for the love of God, give me a book two. I need so much more.

I just couldn't get into this book like all her others. It was actually a DNF book for me. I tried to pick it back up a couple of time but in the end just couldn't finish it. I loved her others but I feel like this one was just thrown together in a short amount of time.

Not only that but I was so disappointed with the store. I had this on Preorder since Dec 2016 and come release day my book still wasn't shipped. It still has bot shipped because there is no stock. How do the publishing company not have their ducks in a row when they were giving 9 months to have everything ready for release day. So I had to buy the Kindle edition because they have no stock. Ugh that's just makes me so mad. So I was just disappointed with this whole release. The book, the publisher mess. It was a disaster.... I jope this next book she's working on makes up for it.

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 another hit for Colleen Hoover. When I first started reading her work, I never imagined I would become so attached to her style of story telling. There is a magic in the way she writes that I haven't found in many authors. These plot lines and characters twist and turn and even when I think I know what is going to happen, something throws me for a loop. This story was no exception and even though I couldn't wait to finish so I could know how it all was going to turn out- I am always sad and depressed when it's all over.
This is a must have author for any book lover's collection, you won't be sorry.
Happy Reading...enjoy!

I have read a number of Colleen Hoover's books. Some that come to mind are Confess, It Ends With Us and Without Merit. I can say without reservations that she is an amazing author. Her stories are so interesting and plot lines so new that you cannot put her books down once you start reading them. Without Merit falls into that category. A story about a young girl with an identical twin who lives with a family that all have major issues. Wow - who would have thought to have this family live in an old church with a statue of Jesus hanging in the living room and a mom stuck in the basement. Like I said her plot lines are amazing. I highly recommend all the books I've read by Colleen Hoover including Without Merit.

I usually love reading books written by Colleen Hoover because she creates characters and stories that draw you in and are relatable. However, this book did not have that affect on me. I didn't like the female protagonist, Merit, a 17 year old high school senior who needed serious therapy help. I found her self righteous and judgemental. I blame the adults in her life who failed her for her issues. The book focused on Merit's undiagnosed depression which led to a cascading fall of family secrets that would rival any soap opera plot. I just couldn't connect with any character and the storyline became convoluted and random. I humbly say skip this book even though it had an educational message.

I highly anticipate every book written by Colleen Hoover. Her book are unlike anything else. Besides her magnificent writing style, her story are without a doubt unique and thought provoking. Without Merit isn’t like her other stories. It is deeply reflective and intensely emotional. Mental health is such difficult topic to write about but is handled so well you will rethink many of your preconceived beliefs on the topic. PERSPECTIVE is the name of the story. How it changes reality. The story shows us the power that perspective has to change what is perceived. It is definitely a book to be thoughtfully read. What exactly is “normal”?

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

Colleen Hoover is an amazing storyteller. It is a true gift. The Voss family, and it's dysfunction, held me captive with every word. I could care less if it's different from her other work. I crave something different, when sometimes, every book sounds the same as the next. I have never read about a family like this one, yet I empathized with each them. Merit seemed to be stuck, invisible, and caught in a web of lies. I really loved her quirkiness and the way she existed in her family dynamic. She was pretty much invisible at some times, which was heartbreaking. But, she was also the catalyst for change, that they all needed so badly. Another amazing story, and I will continue to look forward to any new release by Colleen Hoover.

If you like a story that will make you think, make you feel, and make you realize exactly why you love reading, then read this book. It's got to be one of the best I've read from Colleen Hoover. I just love the way I can get absorbed in one of her stories. It gets to the point where I'm no longer just enjoying a good book. I'm emotionally invested in the characters. I care about what's happening. And I have to know what's coming next. It's one of those stories that makes you not too sad about missing out on sleep because you needed to read every word you fit into that time.

These characters will stay with me for a while as will this story. And it's one I will need to revisit in future.

I have read all of Colleen's books multiple times, with this book though I was slightly disappointed. It to me was a solid 3.5 but I bumped it up to a 4 because it has Colleen's humor in it that I absolutely love!

I love the mental heath awareness in this book, I work in the MH field and I appreciate that aspect of it.

I was looking forward to it being a YA book that I could share with my niece and in a few years my daughter however due to the sexual content I don't feel I can.

I was prepared that this "wasn't like any of her other books" as many people put it, but neither was Too Late and I couldn't put that book down and read it in one evening. Without Merit was good don't get me wrong, it pulled me in and I finished it in a couple evenings of reading however it just never gave me that feeling Colleen's books usually do, the feeling that I would rather be finishing her books than doing anything else and hurrying home to do so.

All in all I would suggest it to others because it was a good book, just be prepared if you love Colleen's books on your level of expectations.

When I first heard about Colleen from a friend, I joined her group on Facebook. I thought she was overrated. I decided to read some of her books. Some were good, some were ok. Some blew my mind! I wasn't sure anything could top Hopeless, until November 9 came out. Samething when Too Late came out! I figured Without Merit would be an ok book. WRONG!!!! I read it in less than 24 hrs and cried like I never have while reading her books. The characters, the depth to which she writes about them, the storylines for each personal person go beyond what I expected. This book taught me lessons I thought I already knew. It also made me re-evaluate my life and the hard times I've been thru. Thank you Colleen for always pushing yourself to write books that mean something. I'm so happy to have went to this signing, met you and gotten this book personally signed by you. It means more than you could know.

The Voss family is a crazy mess, and I loved every minute of Without Merit. Colleen Hoover has this incredible way of weaving lessons and internal check points into her novels, and this YA novel is no exception. Of the many, the idea of perspective - how we form our assumptions and social queues around our own - really got me thinking. Far too often we don't seek out or try to understand how others see a similar situation or idea and focus our ideas around the tunnel vision we only see from our own path in life. Loved this story, the wacky family, and the relevant social issues Hoover brilliantly writes. This novel is powerful, emotional, and hilarious all at the same time.

I dunno, I just really liked this novel. I wasn't going to write a review, mostly because I'm late to the party and posting a review now feels useless and gratuitous. I suppose that's one of the many things this book has taught me (or maybe reminded me of), expressing oneself is neither useless nor gratuitous. It's a touching sentiment when you think about it, a novel full of characters that possibly don't deserve our attention, but we give it nonetheless. Though most of us remain convinced that the characters are despicable, exaggerated archetypes, we grant them an opportunity to explain themselves, be it through a spiteful letter, family meeting, curbside breakdown, or anything in between--we listen to what each of them has to say. Hoover's ability to entice us to listen, no matter how reluctant or repulsed we are to a character's explanation, is a feat that seems deserving of at least one star.
I suppose the other four stars that I have so graciously awarded this novel is due to its stubbornness. And maybe I am encouraging a bad habit here, but it's so refreshing to read a novel that does not bend to my will. While I read, I felt myself imposing my will onto characters that couldn't care less about my incessant need for a symbolic character arc or a traditional adrenaline inducing climax. I wanted so badly ( even more than I'd like to admit) for them to do what I wanted so that I could finally relate to them, so that I could finally like them, but they never did. I think wanting that was wrong of me, or at the very least, very very rude. I did not particularly like any of the characters. This has nothing to do with Hoover's character development, it just means that if these characters were real people, I wouldn't want to spend my Friday night with any of them (well, maybe Moby). And yet, I learned to tolerate them in spite of my distaste. And for whatever reason, this seems oddly profound. It is the first time ( that I can recall), that I have spent four hours surrounded by people I distrust, dislike, and disagree with, but left feeling nothing but compassion, understanding and empathy. I do not know what this says about me. I dunno what this says about Hoover. But I hope it is the first of many fictional and non-fictional experiences to come. Anyone can sit down and read for hours at a time about a character that they admire, relate to, or love. But not many can do the same for characters that are unlikeable, lost, selfish, superficial and disingenuous. I suppose my five star rating places me in the latter category. That's alright; I like what that says about me. Not every novel deserves a visceral, gut-wrenching, heart-warming response. Sometimes, all it deserves is quiet contemplation.

This story tells about a dysfunctional family and their extended family members who are just going through the motions each day. The foundation for a happy family has gotten buried over the years. Over time they just drifted apart and bitterness and old wounds keep them at a distance from each other. Some serious undertones and in between some very witty and inventive interactions between characters, there lies some very serious issues. So well written and despite the seriousness of the subject matters, it was humorous and a very special book that is reminiscent of Colleen Hoover’s earlier books. Loved it!

I'm not even what to say about this book. I absolutely loved it, even though it may not be typical Colleen Hoover. This book touched on so many topics and I believe there is something in it that everybody can relate to in one way or another. I couldn't wait to finish it as I had to know what was going to happen next. The writing is top notch, as can be expected, but the storyline in my opinion is something so different (not much romance here) that I really enjoyed it for a change of pace.

Colleen did it again. This book which I started a few days ago was so darn good. One reason I loved this book so much is the cover drew me in and then the description of this book and not to mention the little snippets i read from blogs for me. Merit Voss and her family hold lots of things in but when the inevitable happened that was the turning point they needed to actually see and own up to what has happened in their family and I'm so happy how it all turned out. Merit and Sagan were great together. I wish to read more about this family and obviously Merit and her condition along with Sagan and Metit's relationship.

First of all, let me start off by saying I have read every book published by COHO (including her Wattpad books!). She is one of my favorite authors. This book had a different feel to it than most of her past books. Perhaps the difference was there are several characters, instead of one or two main characters that the book focused on. Regardless, I still very much enjoyed the book despite the dysfunctional, sad circumstances these young people were living in. The book tells the story of some teenagers living with somewhat absent and/or mentally ill parents. There are several endearing moments and lots of perspective is found in the characters. This book departs from COHO's more traditional "love story" format but was overall a great read. I can't wait to read her next book that is coming out in July - All Your Perfects!

I’ve read a lot of CoHo’s books and I have loved them but WM wasn’t what I’m accustomed to from Ms. Hoover. I found myself struggling to get through the first quarter of the book and then the first half of the book. The first couple chapters held my attention but then there was so much going on that it took me out of the story. There’s a turning point for Merit herself about half way through. I did enjoy the last half of the book and could appreciate the message I took away from it. I’m very much looking forward to, as always, her next book.

Once again, Colleen Hoover did not disappoint! I was a little skittish to read this book due to some of the negative reviews, but I'll try anything Colleen puts out.
While this book was not like some of her others, I quite enjoyed it! I love that she brought real subjects to life in this novel!
On the outside the Voss family seems pretty messed up, but once you get to know each character (blood or not) you'll fall for every one of them!
I would love an epilogue or even another book to learn about more of the Voss family and what happens next!
5 Real Deal Stars!

What can I say, I love Colleen Hoover's writing. Most of all, I love that she writes about real issues. Tackling the issue of mental health is something that's long overdue. All too often, mental health issues like anxiety and depression aren't treated with the seriousness they deserve. As someone who has suffered with anxiety, depression, and panic attacks for 15+ years, it was great to read Merit's story and the support system she had. I feel like if I would've had more support when I was younger, I may not have suffered as much as I did. Getting help and talking about it is so important.

Thought provoking is how I would best describe Without Merit. Coming close would be engaging and oddly charming. Emphasis on odd. No, emphasis on charming!
A coming of age story set in a finest eccentric family makes for the most unconventional yet touching tale I’ve been given to read this year!

In Without Merit, Colleen Hoover sets the parameters of teenaged self acceptance and incertitude with keen sensitivity, delivering a powerful and deep-felt message without overwhelming the reader with gloomy thoughts. Quite the opposite actually.
The outcome? Beautifully up-lifting and heartfelt, what a performance!

I had no idea what I was going to find in this book, I didn’t even read the blurb. I just trusted Colleen Hoover to take me on an adventure and hoped to meet her peculiar brand of characters.
And peculiar I’ve been served! From page one, I was seduced by Merit’s voice, her quirkiness, her snark and cynicism made of this young girl someone I could identify myself to instantly.
And isn’t that the way into a reader’s heart? Being able to make us connect with a character in a blink of an eye? I felt concerned by Merit’s point of view and it had barely just started. Without Merit started full of promises and never wavered.

The feeling is confusing to say the least, It felt like being coerced into Merit’s story, the narration so on point, heartfelt and genuine, it had the ensnaring effect to make me read through the night, eager to know what would happen to her. I couldn’t look away!
The real and astute descriptions of a dysfunctional family hitting a little close to home, I was already involved and I found myself relate too much too quickly to the heroine’s situation.

The angst, the incertitudes and insecurities of being a growing young adult, all of which I remember loving reading in Miss Hoover’s first books, was a treat to read about through Merit’s voice. Her depiction of each family member captivating and entertaining, the portrayal of each character through Merit’s eyes, a delight of cynicism and acrimony. Merit is every teenager you know of—surly and testy. She actually reminded me a lot of myself as a teenager!
Her version of the facts largely colored by her own emotions, the world through Merit’s glasses is not what it seems to be.

It would be much too complicated and probably ruin your reading experience to even try telling you what this book is about exactly. I won’t tell you about all the entanglements, I won’t give you much really as in my opinion it’s best to dive in blind.

If you are looking for some romance, the answer is yes, there is a romance within the pages of this story, it’s woven tightly into a much serious theme and it’s also filled with little surprises and odd little gems. The romance is sparse but written like a life line, I know it hooked me through the whole story, wanting to know what would result of that life altering kiss.

I can’t recommend this book enough, it was a pleasure to read, a pleasure to experience, a pleasure to feel and a pleasure to reflect on a matter that affects so many and can be often kept silent or ignored until too late.

Colleen Hoover cleverly addressed a heavy theme with discerning astuteness and perceptive manner, and I’ve no doubts this story will be eye-opening to many, inviting reflection and discussion between readers.
Grab this book, enjoy it, and talk about it with someone! Feel free to drop by and talk to me about it, I’d be delighted to!

It was all too real for me. The struggles that the main character was facing. The way I got sucked into her hardships made the book that much more compelling. Like all Colleen Hoover's books, I started knowing virtually nothing about this book and ended with a heavy heart and eyes full of tears. There is a specific way that Colleen writes that leave her readers with a need for more. From the first sentence to the last, we all are stuck in this world of heartache, love, and hope. The heartache that the story had to end too soon; love, for the characters and how they persevere through their struggles; and hope for a better world. A world in which there is an awareness of the seriousness that is mental health. Knowing first hand what that feels like, I know that Colleen painted a pretty good picture of how those who struggle with depression feels like and because there is a stigma around it, so the people who are depressed do end up in denial.

This book is real, thought-provoking, beautiful and destructive all at the same time. Colleen writes this book in a way, that we become the character and we feel how she feels, but at the same time, we question all the moves she makes because WHAT IS SHE THINKING!? It makes you want to tear not only your hair out but also your heart.

Colleen Hoover does it again. I’ve never read one of her books I didn’t love. Without Merit is a very important YA novel in my opinion. It is one that deals with some pretty serious subjects such as sexuality, depression, fidelity, and sexual assault. While I wish she would have gone a little deeper on a few of the subjects, I feel like overall she did a pretty good job. As someone who suffers from depression, I really connected with Merit and truly understood where she was coming from most of the time. I didn’t always agree with decisions she made, but I could understand how she ended up making them. I really like how Colleen shows us that looking at things from a different perspective can really make a difference. Each person in this family kept secrets and it was so frustrating knowing that if they would just talk to each other a lot of the problems they had could have been avoided or at the very least, they could have started working on fixing things. This book really gave me a pit in my stomach knowing a teenager at my daughter’s school who was severely depressed committed suicide while I was in the middle of reading it. It was crazy how relevant this book was to my life both personally and what is going on around my family. I really liked how all of the characters were very flawed. It made them seem so much more real to me. I hate reading a book and the characters are just so very perfect. No one is like that in real life. Everyone makes mistakes. Because of that, there were many times throughout the book where I didn’t’t like Merit very much, actually the same can be said for each character. I also love that the book doesn’t really end. Its not really a happily ever after. The ending was kind of like if you got to look into the window of someone’s real life for a short period of time. There are resolutions to some of their issues and a plan to begin fixing others. The only negative thing I have to say about this book is that while she seemed to go pretty deep on a few of the issues, I really felt like she glossed over the others. I think the book could have benefited from another 100 pages or so. Overall though, I’d definitely recommend this book. This is not my favorite CoHo book, but is definitely still a 4 star read.

Anyone who knows me even a little bit, knows that I adore Colleen Hoover’s work. Her books have made me laugh, made me cry, given me anxiety and made me swoon all within a few chapters of each other. Without Merit doesn’t disappoint in any of these areas! She does it again my friends! While it has all the characteristics I love about a Colleen Hoover read, it is a very unique story and stands out on it’s own as well. It’s real, it’s relatable, it hurts and it heals. I love that Colleen Hoover isn’t afraid to go to these places that cut deep to your soul.

This is one of those books that you don’t want to give too much away in a review, but you trust that because Colleen Hoover wrote this book, you can dive in and know that it’s going to be worth the read! Trust me on that! I also love that this books is a tad more YA than her last few releases. It feels very similar to “Hopeless” in tone but not in story. So because of that, I would recommend everyone to read this book. Perfect for an older teen and up!

Colleen chose to bring mental health awareness into this book, which is a cause that is deeply close to my heart. I love a book that can reach me on that level, and hopefully everyone that reads it will come away with a different perspective then they might have gone into the book with! Tough subjects are addressed such as domestic abuse, depression and suicide but she handles it in such a tactful manner.

One thing I can always count on with Colleen’s books is that she knows how to write a swoon worthy book boyfriend. Every time I read a COHO book I think “Oh HE’S Def my new favorite”. Then a new book comes out… and I say it again. This one is no different. Thank you Colleen for making me fall head over heels for your characters!

This book is nothing like any of Colleen's previous books!!
Her stories are never the same, however this was pure YA rather than romance!!

Without Merit is the story of Merit Voss. It's coming of age story and deals with her dysfunctional family.. When i started the book, i really didnt like many of the characters in the Voss family coz I got to know them from Merit's POV... However as the secrets were revealed, and as Merit's character evolved, I kind of understood each character and the reason for the family being dysfunctional!!

"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"

Colleen's writing and the way she writes characters have always been amazing and this book is no exception!!!
When i finished this book, i couldnt get over the Voss family... The writing and characters didnt leave my mind for a while...

It pains me to leave a three star review as Colleen Hoover is one of my top ten favorite authors & I've read all of her books but this is my least favorite one. I struggled with the plot which is mediocre, it's not concise, the ending was abrupt & I felt cheated. I was hoping this would be a beautiful & romantic book but I was very disappointed. It's definitely not what I thought it would be.

I try to read everyone of Colleen's books, she's such a fantastic writer, however I have now read everyone ( hangs head in shame)... but this one, I can definitely relate too more than any other book I have read....

Why cause it deals with real life issues such as depression. I can relate to merit who discovers she has depression. It's a hard disease to live with every day. I don't want spoil anything else for you so I'll leave there. But I will say I didn't like the ending though. I felt it could of ended a little differently. But oh well...

This is the BEST CoHo book I've ever read!!!! Better than Hopeless, better than It Ends With Us. I related sooooo much to Merit. I love how Colleen can suck you in and make you think one thing and then throw in a major plot twist and have it spinning in the other direction. This book kept me up all night because I just had to know all the family secrets. The only thing I didn't like was not knowing more about Sagan. (Love that name, BTW.) I wish he could've been more like Holder for me and played a bigger role in the story. If there's any bad parts of this then it's not having more Merit and Sagan scenes. The potential for his character was there and I loved his explanation for not pursuing a relationship with Merit. I love guys in books that can stand their ground and I thought it was refreshing that this wasn't portrayed as a star falling end of the world relationship. That's the one thing I love about CoHo books, the characters feel like normal people who are choosing to be together instead of starcrossed soulmates destined to defy their stars.

"Your emotions and reactions are valid...Don't let anyone tell you any differently. You're the only one who feels them"...Colleen Hoover

Like any other book from CoHo this is different. She gives me different feelings, experiences and food for thought

COMMUNICATION! As much as everyone says how important it is in relationships it's probly the one thing that most people don't do. This story started off a bit slow. I wasn't sure where it was going but it picked up and I was intrigued. The way the characters

This was definitely different from the typical CoHo book. I must say I enjoyed it just the same. This book deals with a lot deep issues like depression, suicide, and cheating. Life isn't all rainbows and unicorns and the Voss family is the epitome of that. The journey that this book takes you on is a extremely bumpy one but it opened my eyes to all the issues people deal with and how it can effect a whole family. I'm very happy I read this book!

It took me a minute to get into it after the first chapter. I was just trying to figure out what french toast was going on. But once I got more into it, I thought it was a pretty decent story. There was never a dull moment at Dollar Voss. Of course you have all the very interesting characters. I was however on the fence with Merit, I’m just not sure if I really like her. I did really like Sagan, I think he was my favorite. I don’t know, it didn’t blow me away but I am glad that I finally read it.

This one did not do anything for me, I had to make myself finish it and I've never felt that way with one of her books. I'm upset that I got so excited for this one and spent what I did on it. Not Colleen's best work.

Wow, just wow. Take all the worst things about people, create the most unlikeable characters, add WAY too much drama because the people are so unlikeable, and underwrite the most likeable character... and you have Without Merit. Ironic name because honestly this book would have been better Without Merit. It just drags on and on, then picks up a little in the middle where you’re thinking, “yes, Merit will be redeemed here and won’t be the worst female lead since Bella rejoiced over being watched in her sleep.” Never happens.
I’ve read all of Colleen’s books. I am a Super Fan! It Ends with Us - one of the best books I’ve ever read. This one is just terrible. Misses on all marks. Sadly I can’t recommend to anyone.

Now generally Colleen gets us with some heart wrenching, steamy, wanna throw the book against the wall then hug it stuff. Not this time. This was a whole new type of book I feel from her. Without Merit is full of quirky, odd and amusing characters with a family that aside from the strangeness we can all relate to. It addresses heavy issues but with a non heavy tone yet still impactful. It's heartwarming and I laughed more times than I didn't. I needed something light yet addictive and this was just the book! Another success!

I have been a fan of Colleen Hoover since I read Slammed a few years ago. I have read all of her previous books (Slammed, Hopeless and It Ends With Us are my favorite). This book just did not feel like a Colleen Hoover book. It was like her amazing voice changed. Maybe she has a new editor? The writing felt repetitive. I found myself jumping ahead to just get to the end. Too many "issues" were brought up without handling them in depth. The final straw for me was the lesson about Syria and the refugee crisis. It seemed so out of place in the book and preachy.

If EVER a book needed an epilogue or a sequel this was it!
When the words "The End" came up I wanted to scream! I want to know what happens next! What happens with their mom? Does Utah find love? Does Honor stop playing hospice nurse? What does Merit learn about herself next? Does Sagan last the long haul? What about his family? What becomes of Luck? What happens to Tuck and Dick??? Ugh!!! I wasn't ready for this story to be over!

I didn't think that the synopsis did the book justice. I actually enjoyed this book a lot. Yes there was a lot of drama and Merit was annoying sometimes but I feel that's how real life is. People annoy the crap out of me all the time. It was a quick and enjoyable read. A little amateur for a person in their thirty's but I still liked it. I recommend if you like amateur, over reacting main character, & drama filled books with romance & an HEA.

I have to say this is one of the best books I have ever read....it's unique, different, funny, through provoking, twisted, full of surprises, page turning, warm, and I could go on and on. I have never read a book like this one before. It is for anyone that wants to explore a dysfunctional family from the eyes of a 17 year old teenager. I don't want to say anymore. Read it yourself and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Without Merit captured my heart with it's quirky characters, trademark Colleen Hoover humor, and delicate subject matter that is handled with honesty and grit. At times it made me laugh out loud (numerous times) and also made me cry. It is a perfect blend of dysfunction, heartache, wit, and love. The Voss family is not to be missed...they are a bunch that you need in your life. And although this novel a bit of a departure from Colleen's other books...I loved it and give it 5 big trophies!

Without Merit by Colleen Hoover is refreshing, deep, poignant, and comical. It is impeccably well written as always, with her signature brand of humor, well developed characters, and a story that grabs your heart. As with all her books, I was hooked and read it in a few hours. I want to read it again and I never reread books. She delves into deep topics without making you feel like you're being preached to. Merit is a wonderful character with so much depth. If you are on the fence, buy it, you won't regret it.

Wonderfully written book that had to be by someone who has been there before. This one had quite a bit of feels and it was different to be in the mind of someone who was depressed who didn't know she was depressed. The struggles Merit goes through seems obvious as a reader, but, until she actually believes it, it's a roller coaster of emotions. I liked seeing everyone come around and her perspective changing. Good book!

I felt this book was amateurishly written. The story line attempted to introduce us to a group of quirky characters and to address a grab bag of social and psychological problems. Can one dysfunctional family really have so many concurrent issues? Yes, of course, but in this book they were presented shallowly. None of the characters is developed well enough to make them believable. This book is written in a style that reminds me of the young adult "pre-novels" I read as a kid.

I have never been let down by a book by this author. She continues to surprise and delight me with her incredibly unique stories. Stories that have simply never been told. Without Merit is both a romance novel and a women's fiction novel wrapped up together. The story is just as much about the heroines relationship with her family and how it has shaped her and her decisions as it is about falling in love. I simply adored it.

Colleen, you have been one of my very favorite authors since I first picked up Hopeless in 2013. I’ve loved every single one of your books since (including the ones written before that, but that happens to be the first of yours I read) but Hopeless always remained my favorite. Until now. Until Without Merit.
Thank you for writing this book. I didn’t go into it expecting to relate to it so much, but I did. So much. I loved it, even the messy parts, because it was real and it was honest. Also, it reminded me of myself. So thank you. Thank you for writing a story about something that people don’t like to talk about. Thank you for your characters and all of their odd names. I loved everything about it. It only took me five hours to read the whole thing and now I’m really sad that I read it so fast because I don’t want it to be over.
To anybody reading this who isn’t Colleen, I’ll just have you know that this is my new favorite book. I absolutely recommend.

I do have to admit – I have not read all of Colleen Hoover’s books but the ones that I have, I thoroughly enjoyed with Without Merit, unfortunately, being the exception.

From the very beginning, the story made me feel extremely uncomfortable. As the story went on I thought I would be able to get over the blatant disrespect for the church but my unease never went away.

I knew then that because of this very reason it would be difficult for me to enjoy but I pushed through because it is, after all, a Colleen Hoover book. Needless to say, it took me about 60% to actually feel something for this dysfunctional family.

In the end, the depression, suicide attempt, incest, adultery, dealing with bisexuality and whatever Honor was doing ( can’t even categorize what that was) was a bit much for me. I felt like there were a lot of the issues that were left unresolved and this why I too rate this book a 2/5

I don't think there will ever be a Colleen Hoover novel I don't like. Without Merit was beautiful. The fact that the story was truly through her eyes and her clouded perspective because of her pain, gave you two stories in one. I found some of myself in Merit and wanted her healing as much as I fought for mine. I will say, I missed that peak of romance between the characters. When asked about my favorite books, I always run down my list of Colleen Hoover and now, Without Merit will be added to that list.

It pains me to give Colleen Hoover 2 stars. I absolutely adore her and all of the books she’s ever written but Without Merit was a disaster. I was bored and skimmed most of the book. I made myself finish the book just bc I love the author so much.

Without Merit was a wonderful book with a powerful message. Everyone walks through life seeing things from a perspective that is made up of prior experiences and the values and beliefs of ones self. That perspective changes dramatically from person to person and Without Merit walks you through the story of how OUR views on certain events in our lives have the capability to crush us.

One thing that I really enjoyed about this book was the fun facts. I literally looked them all up and they were all true! It was so fun to read a book and have that little surprise in there!!

I really liked the characters too. The depression was a little much for me at times but overall I still thought it was a good read!

Another amazing story from Colleen Hoover. I love how genuine and complex this book is. Incredibly heartfelt as it conveys the real struggles people go through. This eclectic family, biological and extended, dive thru deep waters and emerge stronger and closer them they ever thought possible. Without Merit without a doubt will become one of your favorite reads!

This novel was a mixed bag. The novel presented well developed characters engaging in interesting conversations. But the story came off like a checklist of current issues and didn’t spend much time on any of them. All were handled in a shallow manner. Some of the drama worked and some just fell flat.

Damn you Colleen Hoover ! I had to stop reading several times due to the words being blurred by my tears !!! Just when I think I’ve read the best book by you ever , you come out with another GREAT BOOK !!!

If you haven’t read this book yet get the F off here and start reading !
5 stars is not enough !

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed this story. Colleen Hoover tackles a complex topic using knowledge of the subject matter, humor, and a seriously dysfunctional family. I loved that while Sagan was the voice of reason; wacky, kilt wearing Luke was the enlightened one. I also enjoyed that love was the impetus of change and not the cure all. I will put this on my reread list and recommend it.

I loved this book. Probably wouldn’t have started it had I recognized the level of teenage angst since I am too elderly to think I’m interested in that but it grabbed me in the first chapter and maintained my usually fidgety interest through the entire middle all the way to the end. Well written and illustrated, it’s sweet and funny while doing a good job of portraying one face of depression.

This book has a story within a story, within a story. I loved it. It has so many feels to it. It has humor, depression, love, hate. You go through everything with each character. There's kids are so messed up but you want them to over come! Read this! You will learn things about life and yourself as well as others. It is a must read. HEA Stand alone.

This story is not a light one. It's quite heavy with family troubles, depression, sadness and just small glimpses of happiness. Colleen Hoover has a way of telling a disastrous story that's beautiful! The characters are amazing, and the story is like riding a roller coaster with so many ups and downs! Be ready for the ride!

I waited so long for this book and of course it was so worth it. It is different for Colleen but the story is still amazing. Merit is fun but struggling with a lot. The family drama is what keep you wanting more but makes Merit want less. It had a good meaning and all the feels of a coho story. It is definitely worth reading again and again.

Preachy and trying to teach me a lesson - I truly can see where this book will reach many people and hopefully help those in need-but for myself I prefer more romance and entertainment - not my Fav Colleen Book & May not pick up her next one that comes out- I am though very grateful for all her previous prints-very very good previous Books...

Every once in a while you read something at the exact right time in your life. I recently found myself going through what Merit went through in this book. Sometimes it isn't easy to recognize and admit that you need help. You never know what someone else is going through. Be kinder than is necessary. I did want more. Maybe one day!

I discovered Ms. Hoover's writing two years ago and I am so grateful I did. Her latest novel though labeled romance It felt to me it was more realistic fiction/women's fiction. Our protagonist is a seventeen year old girl name Merit(as the name of the book) who lives with her sister ,brother stepmother and few other individuals(I do not want to give away too much about the other characters).
When we first meet up with Merit she has bailed on school for that day again and ends up in an antique shop. She has this odd hobby which is buying trophies. She first meets Sagan when she looks up and he is staring at her. She is intrigued that this boy who is quite attractive is drawn to her she finds out later its not the reason she thinks why he is attracted to her. Merit family puts the d in dysfunction. There is many layers of issues in her family but just when you think all the family is responsible and she is just caught in their behavior you realize Merit is not an innocent bystander. As previous stated and others have said this is not a typical novel by Ms. Hoover but this novel definitely touches on many subject that are so relevant in our society today the refugees issue, depression, death, sexuality and the likes. Like I have said I personally do not see this is a clear cut romance but understand why it could be deemed that because obviously Merit finds out what it is too love and be loved.

This is going to be one of those reviews where I won’t discuss details of the plot (sorry!). But there is too much that happens to discuss without giving too much away.

Right from the start, this story will cause your jaw to drop. Colleen just drops bomb after bomb and doesn’t let up until the end. My eyes were glued to the pages and I didn’t want to put this down until I was able to finish it.

There’s a reason this woman hits best seller lists every time she releases a book. None of her books are like the last. They are always totally unique and refreshing, and Without Merit is no different. And while this may not be for everyone (especially those who like books that focus heavily on the romance), I can’t say enough how much I appreciate when authors write books outside of the norm for them.

This was a gripping and at times surprisingly humorous story about mental health, a dysfunctional family, perspective, compassion, and love that’s so well written you’ll have a hard time putting it down until you’re done.

Bravo to Colleen for going completely out of the box with this one. The characters were so unique, so quirky, so DIFFERENT, but their personalities or actions never once felt forced or disingenuous. I honestly felt like I was given an inside look into a real family and their issues while reading this. The characters felt that real. And THAT takes some talent.

Without Merit is out now!

The strangest family I have ever read about. A group of Unlikable and dysfunctional people that are hard to understand until Merit hits rock bottom . It isn’t until the end of the book that the light shines and you understand why everything has spun so out of control. When truths are revealed it is easier to understand why each person acts the way they do and appreciate them for who they are.
I have probably read and loved all of Colleen Hoover’s books.
This book was not one of my favorites .

I very much enjoyed this book! There are some very real issues with the characters in the novel. Merit was a very enjoyable character. I love the plot twists in the book. Colleen always keeps you coming back for more!

This book is age appropriate for teens with mention of sexual situations, but nothing past PG-13.

This is definitely a 5 star read. I love everything about Colleen's writing style. I haven't read a book yet of her's that I didn't like. They all leave me feeling better about myself and my outlook on life. I plan to get a signed copy of Without Merit from her website. It really changed my life. It isn't just for young adults.

This might be the only author that I just can't put down. I started the book this morning and finished tonight. Love her characters. They always have such meat to them. So many flaws like real people. Something about Colleen Hoover's writing draws you in and you just can't walk away u til you're done.

As always with Colleen Hoover I am surprised by yet another book. This book was not at all what I anticipated but I loved it none the less. Great characters and some really awkward moments. Great book overall and a great read.

This book hit all the feels that you would expect from Colleen Hoover. It deals with love and physical abuse and just how easy it is to find yourself in one of those situations... and how hard it is to get out of them.

Once again, Colleen Hoover astounds me with her page-turning, innovative stories. She has quickly become a must-read author for me and I am slowly making her way through all of her books. Can't wait for the next one!

What to say about another amazing read by Colleen Hoover? Probably something someone else has already written and written better than I could.

This touched my heart (like all her books have) so hard.

You will go through all the emotions. ALL.of.them.

Without Merit opens your eyes to many different obstacles that life can throw at you. Merit was such an incredible character and Sagan was the perfect balance to her uncertainty. I truly enjoyed this book. Every heartbreak and smile was definitely worth the ride!

A deep story that takes so many twists and turns. A deep subject that is handled and written so well
Colleen has a way of sucking Houdini her writing. You won't want to put this one down once you are half way through.