Monday 7 January 2013

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

Hooked
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.


16 comments:

  1. I've heard just meh things for this book as well. The synopsis did kind of remind me of Catching Jordan as well, but the reviews I've seen for it are quite similar to yours. The romance and plot don't stand out much and it's just okay. I'm glad the author made golf fun to read about though! Thanks for the great review, Sharon!

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  2. I've heard meh things about this book so far. However I had some big problems with Catching Jordan so I'm hoping I'll at least like Hooked more. Better luck with your next read!

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  3. Well I read it and wasn't too thrilled with it. "Meh" is right! Bring on 2013 new books! One that I am dying to get my hands on is being released in March. It is called, "Stelladaur: Finding Tir Na Nog" by author S. L. Whyte. The story is a young adult fantasy novel with romance. The main character, a sixteen year-old boy, discovers he has unusual powers, which takes him on a journey of discovery. The video clip on the author's website looks amazing! I'm hooked! http://www.stelladaur.com/

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    1. Thanks Lauren, I will have to check that book out :)

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  4. When I saw that cover, I thought it was a paranormal book. I'm sorry this didn't work out for you completely, Sharon. I would be disappointed with the lack of chemistry between the characters. And I can see why you didn't see the appeal in Ryan since he treated her badly as well at first. At least the golf aspect is written well.
    Great honest review, Sharon!

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    1. I really like the cover but it doesn't match the story at all unfortunately.

      Thanks Nick.

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  5. I've been seeing Hooked around a lot, but yours is the first review I've read. I love the cover, and the synopsis appeals to me. The lack of connection to the characters would not make me a happy reader.
    Nice review, Sharon!

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    1. I really liked the synopsis & love the cover but I need to connect to the characters.

      Thanks Andrea.

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  6. Gah, stories like this annoy me like crazy! Girls have been golfing/on golfing teams in schools for at least 20 years, other sports (football, for heaven's sake!) have gone co-ed in some places and we actually have a law regulating the inclusion of girls' sports - this is a ridiculous plot device from the beginning and I can't believe actual YA authors are still perpetuating this garbage. Okay, whew. *-.-*

    I haven't really read any reviews either, just sort of "heard" it was a mediocre book - you were very fair with it! It does seem like some of these high school/sporty romances after Stealing Parker are getting very similar, doesn't it?

    (Pssst - golf is horrible to play!) lol

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    1. I completely agree, unfortunately there is nothing fresh and new.

      I'm not a fan of golf ;) but this aspect was written well.

      Thanks Barbara.

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  7. I love the cover, but not connecting can be tough. Awesome review!

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  8. Sorry you didn't connect with the charcters, I really liked the cover and the blurb.
    Happy reading,
    Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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  9. Oh no, I just saw you got this in your book haul and I was hoping it was going to be a good story but I am really not a fan of too much drama :/

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