Book Review: Hooked by Liz Fichera

  This book review post is sooo delayed! I always forget posting the review I made more than a month ago..Anyway, here it is: 

Title: Hooked

Author: Liz Fichera

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: January 29, 2013

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Source: publisher (through netgalley)

Get hooked on a girl named Fred...                                HE said: Fred Oday is a girl? Why is a girl taking my best friends spot on the boy's varsity golf team?      SHE said: Can I seriously do this? Can I join the boys' team? Everyone will hate me - especially Ryan Berenger.                                                                            HE said: Coach expects me to partner with Fred on the green? That is crazy bad. Fred's got to go - especially now that I can't get her out of my head. So not happening.                                                                                                                  SHE said: Ryan can be nice, when he's not being a jerk. Like the time he carried my golf bag. But the girl from the rez and the spoiled rich boy from the suburbs? So not happening.But there's no denying that things are happening as the girl with the killer swing takes on the boy with the killer smile...

My Thoughts:

I am so glad to have read this book. I've been reading another book for more than a week already, and I just can't seem to finish that one. S I decided to read Hooked first so I can prepare my character interview question for the blog tour. Ten, I learned my reasing magic is not gone for I finished the book in about a day or so. :)

I thought Hooked was a banter/love-hate relationship between two teenagers, but turns out it was pretty serious. Both Ryan and Fred (the girl) have family issues, though they were from opposite walks of life.  Fred is from an Indian res, while Ryan lives with a pretty high class life. When their paths crossed, there were no instant attraction thing that happened. What I liked most about Hooked is the sincerity and honesty of how it was written. They didn't love each other instantly, and "love" per se, wasn't even mentioned in the book (literally). The development of feelings of Fred and Ryan were slow, but it was building. By the time they hooked, it was real and immediate. But of course the story wouldn't be a good story without complications. There were Ryan's friends and sort-of girlfriend who sashays the scene. 

Golf, was a main factor in the story since it was both their sport, and it was what really brought them together. I like how Liz Fichera, the author, made Fred really good in golf and lacking in the financial status side, it gave a perfect balance. I certainly learned a lot about golf here, and I liked how I just kind of understood what was happening despite having little knowledge of the sport.  Reading alternately between Ryan and Fred was good as I was able to see where the story is going and the truth behind what's happening. Again, with my realization that the book had a bit of drama in it, was unexpected but welcome. Both parties having family and friend issues and how one certain incident brought all of them into civility and better relation. 

The ending was a bit of a beginning for the characters, and it was nice. 

*review copy was given for an honest review. And my reviews are my own and is not biased:)*