Merit Voss collects trophies she hasn’t earned and secrets her family forces her to keep. While browsing the local antiques shop for her next trophy, she finds Sagan. His wit and unapologetic idealism disarm and spark renewed life into her—until she discovers that he’s completely unavailable. Merit retreats deeper into herself, watching her family from the sidelines when she learns a secret that no trophy in the world can fix.

Overall, this book wasn't what I expected. It isn't a romance, but more of a family drama story with a love aspect thrown in. It is also very depressing and bleak, so know that going in.En este caso, vemos la historia desde la perspectiva de Merit, y no es una perspectiva en la que podamos confiar definitivamente, desde el inicio se notaba su bias, la manera en la que se expresa de su hermana se burla de ella a pesar de que su hermana pasa por una tragedia que la cambio mucho. In fact, NO Colleen Hoover books are recommended for anyone under age 14. A few are recommended as appropriate for Young Adults aged 14 and over. Most are recommended for Mature Adults aged 17 and over. Lastly, a few are so dark and/or explicit that it’s best that only persons aged 21 and over read them. I sigh. Fallen is an understatement. It was more like collapsed. Plummeted. Crumpled at his feet. Anything but fallen” En algunos momentos yo veía claramente lo que sucedía, pero la protagonista no lo veía porque estaba demasiado encerrada en su propia cabeza, que no se permitía verlo. I also want to make one thing clear, this book is unlike anything else Hoover has written. She’s said so herself, but I think it merited reminding < ---- see what I did there? And I love that about Hoover. She never delivers the same thing twice, she continues to evolve and grow as a writer. As a reader, I really appreciate this, because it means I never know what to expect. And in a way, when she brings us something new it’s her way of respecting the reader, knowing that we will grow with her.

I think, because of where I am in my life right now, this book felt like one big book of validation and comfort. It felt like that hug that Merit needed from her dad. And I loved it. This story has many layers to it and they build. Like I said, it's the butterfly effect many times over. The writing is brilliant. And it builds so quietly that you don't even notice that a storm is brewing until the moment where everything just explodes. Implodes. Everything is turned on its end and as the reader you're RIGHT THERE with it. Here Colleen Hoover has emerged with a new story based on Sky, a high school senior who has her first romantic encounter with Dean Holder, a boy with a reputation and a mysterious past. Writing about dealing with people who have devastating pasts is very current theme for Colleen.

Once I hit that mark, the story really took off and I read the remainder in a single sitting. I found I couldn’t tear myself away from the quirky, sad bunch of characters who managed to still make me feel hopeful that things would turn around for them. Hoover has brought together a cast that shows what it truly means to be human; the vulnerability of each and every one of us is felt through these realistic people and I think that is one of Colleen’s major talents which results in bringing repeat readers to her new books. I love that every character had a purpose, and every character had a hand in helping Merit to start her journey in treating her depression. I love that these secrets she keeps, and watching her confront them, isn't glossed over. That each one is hard, and painful, and we see her work through them anyways. I love that she isn't miraculously "cured" in the end... but truly starting her journey with the help of a professional. 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. All I will provide is : This book will make you go through a roller coaster of endless feels. You will put this book down several times to just breathe. AND I MEAN BREATHEEEEEE BECAUSE OH LORD HAVE MERCY WHAT IS AIR??? It will keep you on the edge like I forever found myself gripping my chair, my bag, a random stranger's hand, literally EVERYTHING WITHIN REACH. The two are drawn to each other, even when they try to resist, and as secrets are revealed, their bond is intensified. Change in both of them is paramount and both characters hope to heal their emotional scars and live with less boundaries in their young lives. In the companion book Losing Hope, Colleen take the story further, but this time from the perspective of Dean, the troubled youth with secrets to reveal.

Poignant and powerful, Without Merit explores the layers of lies that tie a family together and the power of love and truth. In fact, I’d go as far as saying that WM isn’t actually a romance. GASP! Does it contain romance in the novel? Sure, but it’s more of a side plot and it most definitely isn’t the focal point of the story. As you can guess, this was a risky move for the author in veering so far from her normal writing style, but I’m pleased to admit that it worked well, SO well. This new direction is something I feel will keep Hoover fresh, unique, and in demand for many years to come. I would like to take a moment and say that I appreciate the fact that there are authors out there who are willing and motivated to write about issues close to their heart and issues that are happening in the world today. CoHo does this and once again, I feel like this book will have a great impact. With that being said, and the fact that I'm a huge Colleen Hoover fan (I've read them all except Too Late -- I'm getting there!), I don't have a problem with saying that this was not my favourite book of hers. And you know what? That's fine. Cool, even. Not every reader is going to like every book and that's just dandy. Doesn't mean she's not a fantastic author or I'm suddenly not a fan of hers, it just means that this story didn't work as well for me as it may for some other people. I mean, it's fiction, but that doesn't necessarily mean that such a mess of a family doesn't exist just because I haven't experienced it in my 27 years of living. The secrets, the lies, the dishonesty is something that is all too real and I love how everything came together towards the end. Without Merit by Colleen Hoover is a book unlike any other of hers that I have read, and I have read nearly her entire catalog. This is not a love story. This is a journey of self-discovery that showcases the power of love and family.

I’m still rounding up 2.5 stars to 3 because I’m not powerful enough to give any Colho books less than three stars and the opening of the story was still promising!