ARC Review: Hooked (Hooked #1) by Liz Fichera

Author: Liz Fichera

Series: Hooked

Pages: 368

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Harlequin Teen Australia

Amazon: Hooked

                                       

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

When Native American Fredricka ‘Fred’ Oday is invited to become the only girl on the school’s golf team, she can’t say no. This is an opportunity to shine, win a scholarship and go to university, something no one in her family has done.

But Fred’s presence on the team isn’t exactly welcome — especially not to rich golden boy Ryan Berenger, whose best friend was kicked off the team to make a spot for Fred.

But there’s no denying that things are happening between the girl with the killer swing and the boy with the killer smile...

GET HOOKED ON A GIRL NAMED FRED.

Review: 3 out of 5 stars

Hooked by Liz Fichera was kindly provided to me by Harlequin Teen Australia

16 year-old Native American, Fredricka ‘Fred’ Oday resides on the reservation and has been approached by the coach of the Lone Butte High boys varsity golf team to join; it is her opportunity to hopefully obtain a scholarship to attend university, something no-one in her family has ever done and you can’t help but read along in the hope she succeeds.

Joining the boys’ team didn’t come without problems; she isn’t instantly accepted, is ridiculed and treated badly by the team including rich, golden boy Ryan Berenger and his best friend Seth who was kicked off so Fred could take his place.

The storyline was interesting but nothing fresh and I didn’t connect with any of the characters unfortunately, I found the romance to be bland, I didn’t see the appeal or connection between Fred and Ryan, what started off as disdain pretty much instantaneously went to them being attracted to each other and with a few misunderstandings and side relationships for both, I didn’t feel the chemistry.

I am clueless when it comes to golf but I found this aspect to be interesting, Ms. Fichera certainly knows the sport and wrote it in a way which was enjoyable.

Hooked contained a lot of drama as well as bullying; I would have loved Fred to stand up for herself and show emotion and it took a while before Ryan actually responded to how she was treated; I would have liked more of an emotional response rather than just letting it all go.

This was a decent read, although I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. I went into this sporting story in the hopes of finding another ‘Catching Jordan’ but unfortunately with the lackluster characters my expectations weren’t met.

Overall, Hooked is a story about self discovery, overcoming hardships and developing a sense of self. Ms Fichera’s writing flowed well and for a YA debut novel it was a nice start, it’s companion novel Played will be released in 2014.

Thank-you to Harlequin Teen Australia for the opportunity to read and review Hooked.