Confess by Colleen Hoover: A Book Review

Confess by Colleen Hoover: A Book Review

Main Characters: Auburn Mason Reed and Owen Mason Gentry (They are not blood related, fyi.)

Genre: Romance, Contemporary

Setting: Texas

Summary

Part One of the book introduces the tragic past of Auburn wherein she lost her first love named Adam because of a serious medical condition. The story unfolds to the present where Auburn was talking to a lawyer and it was also revealed that she has financial issues because she is considering about getting three part-time jobs to pay for the fee. She works as a hair cutter/stylist in a salon in Texas, which she recently moved in.

As fate has a great significance to the story, she came across this signage infront of a studio looking for a helper. As she was reading it, she noticed some notes written on the walls which turned out to be anonymous confessions. Owen suddenly opened the door with another “desperate” signage and that’s when he met Auburn.

Owen Mason Reed is a young painter. He knows Auburn from the past but of course, Auburn does not.

Owen did not tell Auburn about this throughout the novel. Going back, the two had felt their connections. For one night, Auburn helped Owen sell his paintings in an Art Exhibit. The inspiration of the paintings was also given light and it all ended with hanging up in a bar.

The story became more intense when Trey entered. He is the brother of Adam who works as a police officer who is in love with Auburn. Lydia, Trey’s mother also stepped in with a surprising twist – that Auburn has a child from Adam and his name is AJ. Auburn wants custody over her child.

Trey caught Owen for possession of drugs. He was imprisoned. Trey warned Auburn about him. Auburn and Trey started dating but Auburn likes Owen but still dates the former because of her son. Later on, Owen was released and the two got back together. They faced more struggles and Trey just kept on destroying their relationship even resorting to attempted rape. Eventually, Auburn had finally found the courage to defend herself and fight for what is right and she succeeded. She got her son and her second fate in love, Owen.

The ending went back five years earlier revealing how Owen met Adam in the hospital. It was another confession that you have to find out for yourself.

Highlight

1.       The idea of paintings inspired by a confession is new. I like that it is more realistic but it also adds suspense and mystery. Imagine if you wrote a confession then you saw the painting based on that, would you buy it? I am following Colleen Hoover on instagram and in her stories, she asked her readers about their confession and all just poured in. 

2.       There were photos of paintings on the book. All were sentimental and deep.

Favorite quotes

1.        “I’m afraid if I listen to my heart once, I’ll never figure out how to ignore it again.” – Owen

2.       “Selflessness. It should be the basis of every relationship. If a person truly cares about you, they’ll get more pleasure from the way they make you feel, rather than the way you make them feel.” – Auburn

3.       “I think love is a hard word to define. You can love a lot of things about a person but still not love the whole person.” – Owen

4.       “Sometimes we don’t get second chances, Owen. Sometimes things just end.” – Auburn

Reflection

        The story is not so extraordinary. If the confessions and paintings were removed, I would not have continued reading it. It did not give me the chills or intensity that I am looking for a romance novel. I want a novel that can make me cry or laugh or not go to sleep.

        Anyways, if you’re looking for something that shows a mother’s love despite young age, read this. If you are looking for a love story that has no psychological dilemma , read this.

               

Personal Say

        Reading this book made me question all the mistakes that I did and if I am ready to confess all of them. My secrets are safe with me but with time, maybe these will be revealed. The last time I confessed was when I was in grade 6- that was 16 years ago infront of a priest.  I remembered saying sorry for being a stubborn child. Until now, I am still a stubborn child and I might add a stubborn believer.

        I’ve been thinking about confessing but I always back off everytime. I am too scared to admit my sins and I am afraid that I might do those again after saying them. It’s a vicious cycle. Mind you,  I do not regret the decisions I made in the past because those are part of me now and I embraced them.