Christine Manzari

If you ask the confident and snarky skater girl, and she's in the mood to share, she'll tell you her name is Cat. She might even tell you that she's hooked on graffiti, 80s movies, and having fun—the riskier the better. Cat will share a good time with you, but she won't ever trust you enough to share her heart. It's protected by secrets and she'd like to keep it that way. Cat knows one thing for certain: Love isn't really her thing. If you ask the confident and rich pretty boy, he might tell you his name is Huck. He might even tell you he loves a challenge and is used to getting his way. He won't tell you that his life is a mess because he risked his heart by trusting the wrong girl. Huck is ready for a change, he just wasn't ready to get hooked on someone like Cat. Huck knows one thing for certain: Love hasn't done him any favors, but Cat just might be worth the risk. Cat and Huck think a one-night stand seems harmless, but when all the little secrets they didn't share turn out to be toxic truths, they realize how easily a one-night stand (or a few) could ruin everything. The thing is, you can be ruined in more than one way. Once you're HOOKED, what wouldn't you risk for the chance at more?

Hooked

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After listening to my friend Ethan talk about Christine's books over and over again, I decided to jump on the opportunity to read and review this book. I am so very glad I did. It's absolutely one of my top books of the year so far – and I have a pretty good feeling it just might finish the year as one, too. I'm struggling to put my feelings about this book into words that will do it justice. It really was the perfect book at the perfect time for me. I might even have read it twice. 

On the surface, Hooked might sound like any other new adult book. It's so far from that though. Christine's writing and the characters – main and secondary – make this book so very special. It had absolutely everything I look for in a book – strong and sassy female lead, hot and swoony male lead, incredible secondary characters and strong relationships with them, sexy times, humor, heart and a whole load of feels. 

Hooked is told from both Cat and Huck's points of view. I love this when it's done well, as it was here. It gives me a chance to really get to know both characters without prejudice. There's no wondering what the guy is thinking when he does something or why the girl is acting like she is. I'm in the characters' heads and I feel like I'm right there with them the whole time. Both Cat and Huck's voices were so clear in this book. I loved both of these characters so hard. 

Cat was a tough lady. She had no time for relationships. The only person she really let get close was her best friend, Jay, and her mom. When she sees Huck the first time at the beach, there's a definite attraction and when they talk, they click. It was never meant to be anything real. One night just wouldn't be enough for these two, however. Huck is new to town and just getting over a bad breakup. Cat isn't the type of woman he usually dates, but he can't help but be drawn to her. When things get complicated and Cat's ready to cut and run, Huck is the one who refuses to let her. What he felt for her was real and he wasn't going to let her get away just because it was inconvenient and she was scared. 

I can't tell you just how much I loved these two characters together. They had chemistry from the very beginning. Their banter was perfection. The sexy times were hot. I loved reading along as they let down their walls and began to let each other in. What was developing between them might not have been something either of them was looking for when they met, but it was undeniable. They were a great match – just different enough to bring out another side in each other, but similar enough that they understood the other well. 

As much as I loved the romance between Cat and Huck, I loved the secondary relationships and their impact nearly as much. Cat's roommate and best friend, Jay, was a fantastic character. He reminds me so much of some of my friends. I love when a book showcases strong friendships. Not only was Jay a source of support for Cat, he was also there to give her a kick in the pants when she needed it. You know, like real friends are. I adored how he and Huck were able to become friends, too. There were some great bromance moments between them. Cat's mom was another special character. In so many books, the characters don't have a good relationship with their parents – and as someone who has always been close to her mom and dad, I have a difficult time relating. The relationship between Cat and her mom was full of so many good things, and ultimately, what helped Cat realize she didn't need to run any more. 

I read Hooked in one sitting. On a plane, no less. I was so invested in these characters' stories that I couldn't even think of putting it down. I laughed and cried. It punched me in the feels. A couple times. Everything about this story was real and raw and I loved every single minute of it. (Ok, maybe not EVERY minute... there were some parts that were difficult to read. But they were important and necessary.) I appreciated how each character evolved throughout the book. I can't say a single bad thing about this book. It was pure perfection in my eyes. 

This book is everything. If you're a new adult fan, you must pick this up immediately if not sooner. Christine's writing style was refreshing and she's on my auto buy author list after Hooked. Books like this are why I read. I can't wait to see what she gives us next. 

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Farah Khaled 

Author: Christine Manzari

Genre: NA, Romance

Stars: 2/5

*The author of this book sent me this paperback copy in exchange for an honest review, so don’t expect anything less than that. I will always give an honest review, be it a positive one or a negative one.*

After reading two books that I didn’t love in a row, I was really really hoping that this one would do the trick and get me out of my reading slump. After reading the description of the book, I figured I’d give it a try.

I enjoyed HOOKED, but I didn’t fall in love with it..It started really good then everything changed and it started to get predictable which I hate. The problem is with the main characters.

First Cat: Cat isn’t an easy woman to live with. She’s not an easy woman to handle. She is strong and surrounded by walls, unbreakable walls -she thought so- I loved Cat, I connected with her. She was a passionate woman, about almost everything she loved. Aaaaand then she started to get annoying. Kept arguing about everything and making a big deal out of nothing.

Huck was different. I couldn’t predict which route he would be picking. He surprised me and amazed me. Meeting Cat was his turning point, from day one and he somehow admitted and accepted it. I loved Huck, a lot. But I always wanted more from him. I didn’t like it when he gave the chance for Cat’s dominance. It didn’t sit right with me. And let’s not forget the love at first sight!!

Jay was awesome!! I loved him and how he became fast friends with Huck. I loved him and the relationship between him and Cat. He’s probably my favorite character!

I understood Cat in the beginning although I never approved of her actions and that impeded my enjoyment of the book but as it progressed, I just became fed up and annoyed. It is so predictable and uses a formula common in YA contemporaries. The writing is lovely at first but afterwards I found it rather excessive and just started skimming parts.

Hooked

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