I wouldn't consider myself a die-hard CoHo fan, like so many other readers would. And I'm not really sure why. Prior to Regretting You, I had read three of her books, which is only a very small percentage of how many she's published, and have really enjoyed each one. I think part of why I don't always gravitate towards her books is because sometimes I don't want to feel as much as her books make you feel. They're heart wrenching and angsty and full of love (and sometimes anger) and so many other strong feelings. That's what makes her books so good. But I find I can only read so many of those kinds of stories before I feel a bit wrung out. All that to say, I'm really happy I read Regretting You, her newest novel which is just out today.
Here's the synopsis:
Morgan Grant and her sixteen-year-old daughter, Clara, would like nothing more than to be nothing alike.I really wasn't sure what to expect with this book. Or, more accurately, how I would feel about the book. Typically I stay away from stories about mothers or accidental pregnancies (which is hard to avoid because they're usually, you know, a surprise). That's not a life I want and I don't really get it. So, I just tend to steer clear because I might not like a book and it probably wouldn't be the book's fault because it's my own personal (very weird) bias. But I could sense that Regretting You would be different. And it was.
Morgan is determined to prevent her daughter from making the same mistakes she did. By getting pregnant and married way too young, Morgan put her own dreams on hold. Clara doesn’t want to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Her predictable mother doesn’t have a spontaneous bone in her body.
With warring personalities and conflicting goals, Morgan and Clara find it increasingly difficult to coexist. The only person who can bring peace to the household is Chris—Morgan’s husband, Clara’s father, and the family anchor. But that peace is shattered when Chris is involved in a tragic and questionable accident. The heartbreaking and long-lasting consequences will reach far beyond just Morgan and Clara.
While struggling to rebuild everything that crashed around them, Morgan finds comfort in the last person she expects to, and Clara turns to the one boy she’s been forbidden to see. With each passing day, new secrets, resentment, and misunderstandings make mother and daughter fall further apart. So far apart, it might be impossible for them to ever fall back together.
I loved the dual narrative. I don't think it would have been as strong a story had it not been both Morgan and Clara's story. I hadn't fully realized until reading a Q&A with Hoover (I've included parts of it at the end of this review), that this is a novel that combines YA and adult into a wonderfully blended contemporary story. I loved both characters and really appreciated that, despite all the swoony bits, this was a story of a teenager and a woman who have been knocked down by the most devastating news and work through that grief separately and then together. They grow up a bit, Clara especially, and realize what needs to be done to change their lives - and it doesn't have to involve a romance (though that's a nice bonus if it happens).
Side note: it was super weird to realize that Morgan was just two years older than me and had an almost 17 year old daughter. I'm still not OK with the fact that I'm supposed to be an Adult in Certain Situations and to read someone who is so close to my age have a kid in her late teens was very odd. I can't explain it well and it so was not a bad thing. I guess it kind of opened my eyes a little bit, which is why I think everyone should read all sorts of books, because it gives a glimpse into a life that isn't your own and allows you to think about things from a different perspective.
As expected, this novel made me feel all the feels. There were times I wanted to bawl my eyes out (I did cry but I tried to keep it from being too explosive and violent. Didn't want to startle my rabbit, who was near me as I was reading) and there were moments where I was so angry at some of the characters. There were super swoony moments too which made my heart warm and cheer for a Happily Ever After for these characters I had come to love.
Regretting You is a novel you need to put on your TBR list if you enjoy contemporary stories that are raw, emotional, and oh so wonderful. Colleen Hoover has given readers an absolutely wonderful novel to read and I hope you all do - and love it like I did.
*A copy of this novel was provided by Thomas Allen & Son and Montlake, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*
Bonus! Below is a Q&A with Hoover, as well as a giveaway link!
You are ‘label-less’ in the fact that you write in several genres. Readers never know what to expect next. If someone asks, how do you label yourself?
When I self-published my first novel I had no idea what genre to put it in. I thought I had written a drama but it turns to that I had written a romance. I’ve learned a lot since then, but I still don’t put a lot of weight in genre when I write. When your best friend is begging you to read a book, it’s not going to matter what genre it is when someone you trust is passionate about the story.
What can you tell readers about your latest release Regretting You?
I would spoil it if I told you about it! Most of my books are like that. I can’t say what they are about or it spoils it. But I can say that Regretting You is told from a dual point-of-view centered on the inner lives of both a teen and adult protagonist.
Sounds like lots of different types of readers will be interested!
Absolutely. I wanted to write a book that bridged the gap between young adult and contemporary romance so that mothers can read with their daughters. I think it’s exciting to see people sharing reading experiences.
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(out tomorrow...yep, on November 10th). This is even more ridiculous when I tell you that I've met her...twice. I've always wanted to. I own a few of her books but I just haven't read them yet. An ARC of this one fell in my lap, though, so I decided I'd take the plunge and finally read a CoHo book. And I did it in one day!