Thursday, August 7, 2014

Review: Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Firstly, thanks to Simon & Schuster Australia for this review copy <3

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Date Read: March 26 - 30 2014
Release Date: March 18th 2013
Publisher: Atria Books (Simon & Schuster Australia)
Source: Review copy via publisher
Genre: Contemporary
My rating: 

Synopsis:
"At twenty-two years old, aspiring musician Sydney Blake has a great life: She’s in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her good friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter cheating on her with Tori—and she is left trying to decide what to do next.
Sydney becomes captivated by her mysterious neighbor, Ridge Lawson. She can’t take her eyes off him or stop listening to the daily guitar playing he does out on his balcony. She can feel the harmony and vibrations in his music. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either: He seems to have finally found his muse. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one…"

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“There will never be a maybe someday.”

I don’t think Colleen Hoover can do wrong in terms of contemporaries. Hoover has a way of writing controversial issues in the most beautiful and lyrical manner. I love the way she incorporates poetry or music, or a combination of both in her books. Maybe Someday is no exception. Utilising music to drive the book, I was totally immersed in Sydney and Ridge’s world.

Sydney’s just moved into a new apartment with her best friend Tori. She’s studying what she loves – music – and in her opinion, has the best boyfriend in the world. Or so she thinks until she finds out that her best friend is screwing said boyfriend – right under her nose too. Sydney is taken in by Ridge – the composer who lives across the courtyard and the one who witnessed her boyfriend’s cheating ways. As the two grow closer, there is no denying their budding romance and attraction that is almost tangible.

Sydney is an alright character and I quite liked her. While she does spend the beginning of the book moping about her ex-boyfriend she does get better as she immerses herself in writing lyrics for Ridge’s music. What I loved about Sydney’s character though was her understanding of what it was like to be cheated on and she didn’t wish this on anyone. As she forms connections with the various people in Ridge’s apartment/life, I could see her trying to refrain from her feelings so as not to hurt anybody.

“I don't want to be someone's second choice.”

I love the guys Colleen Hoover writes. Ridge is so sweet and thoughtful and I loved the way he explained the way he felt music. The way he described vibrations, showed them to Sydney and matched these to the beat of their hearts to feel the notes was spectacular. I mean I know musicians like Beethoven (who was deaf) composed music based on vibrations but to see it explained from a first person perspective was so breathtaking and eye-opening. One of the best things Hoover did in this book was she didn’t write Ridge’s attractiveness based on his rock-hard abs or stunning physique. I’m not sure that was ever really mentioned. What she does use to describe him is the way he uses his eyes to speak and how they display so much emotion; his hands and fingers and the way they strum the guitar; and his musical talent. This is one of the few books of the genre I’ve read where the guy isn’t defined by his gorgeous body.

One of the biggest problems I had with this book was how Ridge viewed Sydney. He kept seeing her as a damsel in distress and not as a heroine. He didn’t see her strength, and to be honest I didn’t either – at times her need for Ridge left her in a mess and I thought it was a bit pathetic. I didn’t like how she seemed so dependent throughout the book, first on Hunter then on Ridge. I would have really liked to see some independence.

A lot of Sydney’s feelings (and Ridges) were shown through the lyrics written. I’ve always loved how Hoover uses poetry and music to tell stories. Through the songs, Sydney and Ridge unknowingly tell their most intimate feelings and innermost thoughts. Through the scratching of the lines that go back and forth between the two as they try to find the right words, I could clearly see each person’s worries and conflict. The songs were so beautiful and spoke about feelings that couldn’t be returned, letting go and wanting things we can’t have.

“Words can sometimes have a far greater effect on a heart than a kiss.”

Maybe Someday has one of the most controversial and thought provoking plots I’ve ever read. There was so much conflict and no definite right or wrong. How does one split their heart in two and try to make everybody happy? There was no black or white in this book, and as I read, there were some things I definitely agreed or disagreed with, but often than not I was left in a grey area. If I could use one word to describe the plot, it would be ironic.

“We try so hard to hide everything we're really feeling from those who probably need to know our true feelings the most.”

Hoover was able to bring music to life through words on pages. Through her lyrics, I got a piece of Ridge and Sydney’s story, I felt their pain and I lived through their conflict. An extremely thought provoking book told through beautiful writing, Maybe Someday is sometimes all people can hope for.

“I've learned that the heart can't be told when and who and how it should love.”

2 comments:

  1. GAH! I haven't read a Colleen Hoover book yet, but I've heard nothing except glowing things about her books. Definitely going to have to pick this up because I love the sound of how thought-provoking it is and the musical aspect. Thanks for sharing Jaz, and, as always, BRILLIANT review! <3

    ~ Zoe @ The Infinite To-Read Shelf

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  2. Beautiful review Jaz! Ridge sounds like an amazing guy (the name though...ugh), and it's so nice to see authors move away from the high school method of attraction, and onto something more realistic. Not everything is about a guy's 6-pack. I'd love to read about the incorporation of music in this novel, the way you described it makes it sound so whimsical, yet beautiful. Speaking through music/lyrics always sounds beautiful to me. Not sure how I'd feel about Sydney being a damsel though, so will have to see when I get around to this book!

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