REVIEW: The Hook Up by Kristen Callihan
Dear Ms. Callihan:
Elyssa Patrick told me I’d love this book and she was right. There’s Drew, the loveable quarterback of an unnamed school who has two National Championships and a Heismann under his belt. I tried very hard not to envision Johnny Football during the reading of this because that would have ruined everything!
He’s got the world by the tail when he meets Anna Jones. Anna is skeptical about Drew. He’s good enough for a hook up but he’s not ever going to be boyfriend material. The fact that he’s good enough to have sex with but not good enough to kiss or even go on a date with gnaws at him.
Anna’s reasons are probably the only flaw in the book. Drew is such a nice guy, saying all the right things, telling Anna how much he likes her and not playing the field–that’s not his thing–that it’s hard for the reader to understand why Anna doesn’t just give him a chance.
But Anna’s appealing too. Her reasons for not believing in the permanency of relationships are grounded in her mother’s own failed dates. Anna’s mother is a successful doctor but she’s had a revolving door of men. I appreciated that the mother wasn’t portrayed as evil but rather as a woman trying to find love of her own even though it could damage the psyche of her daughter.
Secondary characters such as Anna’s roommate who is in a terrible relationship with a guy who cheats on her constantly, her roommate’s twin brother, and several guys from Drew’s team round out the cast.
They cast Drew in the light of the father figure for the team. He’s responsible for making sure that they aren’t drinking too much or getting in trouble. There’s a twist that happens late in the book that flips the situation for Anna and Drew and provides a way for Anna to be the pursuer in a situation where Drew exhibits reluctance.
The details of the football series were pretty well done but not overwhelming.The angst is believable, present but not overwhelming. Probably the worst thing about this book is that the second one isn’t due out until 2015. B
Best regards,
Jane
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My god, I loved this book.
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED. Read it twice in two sittings.
I felt like Callihan really nailed Drew’s voice, and that both Anna and Drew’s motivations were realistic. They had sexual chemistry for days, and the book had a sweetness about it, despite the angst that made it feel really refreshing to me. This was a solid A read for me.
I am so excited for the next in the series!
I loved this book. LOved it. I’m with Kati, for me this was an A book. And I can’t wait to read the next one.
Yay! I LOVE this book, as you and Kati (and probably some others) know. It just has it all for me–I remember reading this book and thinking holy fuckballs that was awesome and I want the next one right now. I’m really excited about this book and series, and I’m so glad you and Kati loved it.
Jane, picture Tim Tebow instead. Maybe minus the iron-clad hold on his virginity, but with everything else still intact. :)
I ADORED this book. I pretty much devoured in one sitting and I too hate that we have to wait so long for the next one in the series. Loved everything about this book.
Between this and the Sarina Bowen series my love for NA has been renewed. Loved it. Definitely recommend.