Review: Finding Hope by Colleen Nelson

Title: Finding Hope
Author: Colleen Nelson
Publisher: Dundurn 
Release Date: April 12, 2016
Pages: 200
Format: e-ARC
Source: Netgalley
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary 

Hope leaves her small town for a fresh start, but her plans are derailed by an online romance and the appearance of her brother.Hope lives in a small town with nothing to do and nowhere to go. With a drug addict for a brother, she focuses on the only thing that keeps her sane, writing poetry. To escape, she jumps at the chance to attend Ravenhurst Academy as a boarding student. She’ll even put up with the clique-ish Ravens if it means making a fresh start.At first, Ravenhurst is better than Hope could have dreamed. She has a boyfriend and a cool roommate, and she might finally have found a place she can fit in. But can she trust her online boyfriend? And what can she do after her brother shows up at the school gates, desperate for help, and the Ravens turn on her? Trapped and unsure, Hope realizes that if she wants to save her brother, she has to save herself first.

So as weird as this sound but I have been on this track of reading books from authors who I have heard of but never read a book from or an author who I have no clue who they are. And for me this is the best thing I could have done. I have not found myself in a reading rut for a while and I could not be any happier.

With this book before writing this review I do want to stress that this book does contain scenes of alcohol, vulgar language, discussion of rape, and sexual assault. So take in mind that even though this book is set for teens, I would recommend this book for the older generation of teens.

Finding Hope is a split perceptive book between characters Hope and her brother Eric.  Hope is on her way into the city where she will be attending a boarding school in hopes of getting away from the drama that there is at home, mainly dealing with her brother. Eric is battling with himself as he is under the influence but there is something much deeper than what we are introduced to.

I found Hope’s character to be okay. She was your average high school student who had to deal with the idea of being bullied and embarrassed. There were moments she lost herself but by the ending she came back with a punch which allowed her to get her back on her feet. Eric was in a much deeper boat. I really felt for him and I just wanted to give him a hug. Even though there were plenty of moments you would want to smack some sense into him, I knew there was something bigger like mentioned above causing him to go through what he does. I feel that he does go through a much rougher battle in the book but just like his sister he finds hope.

This book was just a really fast for me and I loved it. It was not a book I was thinking much about and my knowledge of the author was nothing. I went in with low expectations and came out with a satisfied heart. If you are looking for a read with some heavy topics and a different overall feeling, check out this book. A simple read that will capture your heart!

I give it 4 souls!