Confess

 
Confess by Colleen Hoover
Publication Date: March 10  


Auburn Reed has her entire life mapped out. Her goals are in sight and there’s no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.

For once, Auburn takes a risk and puts her heart in control, only to discover Owen is keeping major secrets from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.

The last thing Owen wants is to lose Auburn, but he can’t seem to convince her that truth is sometimes as subjective as art. All he would have to do to save their relationship is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin…

“Some secrets should never turn into confessions. I know that better than anyone.”

I have a confession...the ending of this book made me cry, and very few books have that ability. Colleen Hoover has yet again crafted a heart-wrenching, gripping novel that makes you feel every conceivable emotion and leave you begging for more. This novel caught my attention for many reasons (besides the fact that it was written by Colleen Hoover), but the main reason was because of the intriguing premise. The entire novel is very unique and interesting that you are compelled to read more and more. The incorporation of the artwork truly pushes this novel to the next level, and will make even those that aren't really into art, love art. The artwork featured in this novel (and this is why I highly recommend you get the paperback so that you can see these pieces in color) elevates the novel and adds so much to the story. It is as if you can feel the emotions behind the paintings coming off the page.

“Tell me something about yourself that no one else knows. Something I can keep for myself.”

This novel has it all: laugh out loud moments (Auburn drunk is one of the most hilarious things I have ever read), heart-wrenching scenes, and danger to the max. The story follows Auburn and Owen, and is told in alternating POVs, which just added to this book even more. You know all along that both Auburn and Owen are keeping secrets, but you find out those secrets only when the other finds out. The reader is kept in the dark, and it makes for some surprising reveals. Confess is like no other book in the way that you never knew what was going to happen when you turned the page. You think you have things figured out, and then next thing you know everything and everyone is changed. To truly understand what I mean by this though, you'll have to read the book. Just believe me when I say, this book takes you on an amazing journey from start to finish, and it is one you will never want to stop.

“Every day of my life it feels as if I'm
fighting my way up an escalator that only goes down.
And no matter how fast or how hard I run to try to reach the top, I stay in
the same place, sprinting, getting nowhere.”

Auburn was a fantastic lead. She was forced to grow up very quickly (for many reasons), and I loved her as a character. She was extremely relatable and Owen brought out a light in her that she hasn't had for a very long time. Owen was truly wonderful, and I adored his character. He too had to grow up very quickly, and I think this is why he and Auburn complement each other so well. They understand and support each other. They realize that not everyone is perfect. In fact, they are perfectly imperfect together. While there romance is sexy, it's not as steamy as previous Colleen Hoover books. However, it was beautiful. Despite the fact that the scenes weren't extremely steamy, this is still a very mature book. There is such a rawness and intensity in the scenes that very few authors manage to capture. And this is where the book shines.

Overall, this story was beautifully written, and will have you tearing up throughout the story. Everything is revealed by the end, and all questions are answered. And the ending is literally one of the most heart-touching, heart-warming endings I have ever read. You will find yourself wanting to go back and read the story all over again as soon as you're finished, and that is something only few authors can do. This was a very unique story, and I highly recommend checking this out. You won't be disappointed!

“I love you so much.” His voice is breathless and full of fear. “I’ll love you forever. Even when I can’t.” My tears fall harder at his words. “And I’ll love you forever. Even when I shouldn’t.”

Happy reading :)

~Cassie