Hoodie

by S. Walden

Librarian Note: Alternate Cover Edition for B008UH0QUO.

Anton Robinson is a black high school senior six weeks shy of graduation. Six weeks shy of freedom. And six weeks shy of never seeing the girl of his dreams again. He’s resigned himself to this, albeit reluctantly and with a heavy heart, because he knows he has no legitimate reason to initiate a friendship with her. And he’s scared to. His love interest, Emma Chapman, moves in different circles, is clearly from a world of economic advantage, and just happens to be white. He cannot imagine she would ever be interested in a black boy from the ghetto. But his luck changes when he is paired with her for an end-of-term English assignment, and he hopes to flirt his way into her heart.

Emma never noticed Anton before the start of their project but quickly develops an attraction to him that is undeniable. Spending nearly every day together, they discover surprising similarities and sharp differences between each other that excite them and draw them closer until they find themselves embarking on a secret romance. They are too afraid of how their friends and family will react, but they recognize the impracticality of keeping their love secret. When they finally go public with their relationship, the consequences are shocking, swift, and life-changing.

This is a Mature YA novel that contains explicit language and some sexual situations.

Genres: New Adult, Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary, High School, Drama, Amazon

223 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 7, 2012

About the author

S. Walden used to teach English before making the best decision of her life by becoming a full-time writer. She lives in Georgia with her very supportive husband who prefers physics textbooks over fiction and has a difficult time understanding why her characters must have personality flaws. She is wary of small children, so she has a Westie instead. She is the USA Today bestselling author of Going Under. When she's not writing, she's thinking about it.

She loves her fans and loves to hear from them. Email her at swaldenauthor@hotmail.com and follow her twitter feed at @swaldenauthor.

Summer Walden

Reviews

[Tami · Rating 2 out of 5]

**Spoilers**
Ok, I agree with everyone in that this book was well written (why does it now seem rare to read a book that is grammatically correct...outside of the characters lines which assist in portraying who they are...and proper use of punctuation marks. Oooh you wonderful comma and semicolon, you are soon to be on the extinction list with the way some of the new authors are ignoring your existence).

Aaahhh, ok back to the review...characters were well written and belivable, and their issues were real. I got it! I bought into it, and was still a believer even afterher dad voiced his protective little spiel. Then suddenly the timline goes wacky and we leap into the future by a month + with no cler explanation with what happened (were the girls who hurt her ever caught...how did they react when he woke from her coma?). I mean up until this point the author had given us daily details and clear explanations on what the characters were thinking,then suddenly we head into vague land where we have to fill in the blanks ourselves??

So, ok, I'll be honest...I could have handled the month + jump....but then, ah, hello? Suddenly we are in an epilogue with some dream sequence of a happy ending, then the cold stark 'reality'? Uuuummmm, excuse me...Mz. Walden, you appear to HAVE LEFT OUT A WHOLE BUNCH OF STUFF! I am now left with the feeling that you wanted shock value...and it's too bad...such a strong story. Your ending left the characters almost the complet opposite of who you portrayed them as. Were you unsure how to work through their challenges of the voilence, then later college?

Yes, I believe in happy endings. No, I do not believe it should be easy...love struggled with and fought for is the only kind to stay true and believable. You ended with a bitter woman and a man who settled for mediocre...such weak characters who are an insult to their teenage selves. Very disappointing, like eating a beautiful club sandwich, and finding mold on the last bite.

Think I will be leaving your stories alone from now on...life IS hard but rewarding....and I like my hapy endings!

[Lazuli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved this book up until the last chapter - it seemed rushed and didn't have a solid ending. The rest of the book was fantastic - I couldn't put it down, so the ending really let the book down and resulted in the 3 star rating. I was all set to give the book 5 stars, so thats how much of a let down the ending was.

The story was all about the angst of not only being a teenager but crossing the cultural boundaries between black and white, rich and poor. With the story so well written and depicting the cultural difficulties experienced by both groups (rich/white versus poor/black), I can't stress how the ending didn't address any of those issues. Just when the story reached the point where it could really breach those boundaries and become an eye opener, it fizzled, jumped 10 years and then just stopped. No answers were given for the final events prior to the epilogue that occurs 10 years later. How did they get there? What happened inbetween? What happened to the girls who attack Emily right at the end? What happens to their relationship? None of it is answered.

Book was still good, but don't read it if you like an ending that is complete. This just left me confused about what the purpose of the story really was.

[Georgia Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS MY IMAGE AFTER READING THE EPILOGUE!!!

OHHOLYDAMNSHIT. My heart was like ripped to pieces after reading that effin' epilogue. I was a mess! It's like God open the floodgates and tears just keep coming and flowing until I can't read it through the blur of my tears. I'm not kidding. This author knows how to hurt a reader's heart. Seriously.

********
The story is very familiar but still it made me want to LOVE and HATE it. It is emotional and heart-piercing. The only thing I'm sure I really hated was the ending. Why did it have to end this way? WHY! *SOBS*

[Vani · Rating 2 out of 5]

¿POR QUÉEEEEEEEE? NO PUEDO SUPERARLO, I CRY.
*Tal vez un poco de spoilers*
Dios, tengo tantas cosas que decir sobre este libro.
Esperaba mucho, en serio, pero no sé en qué punto la autora arruinó todo.
No quiero dar spoilers pero al principio la autora te cuenta una pareja super linda, que es capaz de enfrentar todo por el amor que se tienen. Esto dura 6 meses, y luego como se dice: "si te he visto, no me acuerdo".
Te dejan con un final horrible en todos los puntos de vista. Porque, está bien, ellos se separaron por su bien, y no fueron egoistas y BLA,BLA,BLA. ¿Me explico? No me interesa. Soy de esas personas que necesitan ese final feliz o por lo menos algo que sea conforme a las circunstancias.
No lo fue. En absoluto.
¡Terminaron super infelices, en todos los jodidos aspectos!
Vacío, es lo único que me dejó este libro.

[Joymzz · Rating 5 out of 5]

i know i gave it 5 stars but only because the way it was written. But it just felt so wrong how the story ended. the following is an email i wrote to the author with tears in my eyes about the book.
-->

I usually try to stay away from sad books because i can't handle them... i just didn't think this one was one of them! TT__TT i have been crying for like 5 damn minutes, why did you do that me, us (readers) i can't hardly breathe. i loved the way you wrote the story and the points of views but i just hated that after everything.. they didn't make it. And that ANTON DIDN'T MAKE IT AS SOMEONE IMPORTANT IN LIFE. My heart really broke when they both saw each other again and how they both mistaken their awkwardness (because they still have feeling for each other) for something that was not! and how he went home to cry as she did the same. i really know it's pointless but please at least think about the possibility of making a book 2 out of this one. or write and alternate ending or something, make it better! make them over come the odds against their love, or continue the story where you left it, and make Anton actually call her or something. i felt like both main characters where so damn unhappy at the end that the joy of reading this book went right out the window, and i think most of the audience of the books are young adults so we like to read about couples that make it, about struggle and how to work hard for something and reach the "gold".
we need book two or something extra for this book. at least think about it.

[Shamika · Rating 4 out of 5]

That ending was heartbreaking, made me want to scream and cry!,!! Man what a beautiful story of two teens from very different worlds brought together by a school project and end up falling in love. Of course this type story has been told before but I really enjoyed this one. Anton and Emma are so cute. Emma is a white girl with rich parents and Anton is a black teen from the projects being raised by his single mom. Their chemistry is amazing and I loved how they interacted. Due to their very different backgrounds and the fact that they are in high school, their relationship and friendship are tested. This is a great read and felt so real.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously?! That ending ripped my heart out. An absolute spectacular read! S. Walden is becoming one of my new favorite authors. Hoodie was such a refreshing topic, a theme of Walden's books, regarding race and diversity. It follows Emma, a white rich girl, and Anton, a black boy living in the Projets, as they tackle a school project before graduation.

I loved loved loved Emma and Anton, both as a couple and as individuals. Emma is open and accepting. She is not judgemental or arrogant about Anton's upbringing or living situation. And Anton is so playful and light with Emma. These two are perfect when they are alone, but when the real world comes into play they both struggle immensely. From feelings of embarrassment, pride, and shame, they struggle with how to be friends in a high school world that is separated by race.

SPOILERS!

For much of the book, I thought I could predict the plot twists, but I never saw coming the turns that would change the lives of these two beautiful souls. It felt so cruel how after all the courage it took for them to be together that life could ruin something so perfect. And that ending? I'm still distraught. To give a happily ever after and then take it away? The utmost worst kind of torture! But I still loved it. I loved that these two could look past color and their friends and stereotypes and love another with everything they had. I loved that they fought for each other when the world seemed to want to keep them apart. And I loved that the author gave me a non-cliche ending. I whine when it's predictable and now that I have the alternative, what I asked for, I will keep my mouth shut on that matter from here on out.

Keep the amazing books coming S. Walden! This author has a voice that I can't get enough of.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I..I don't...this book....the story...loss for words. So raw and powerful. I KNEW. I just KNEW something was going to go 'that way'. I had that feeling in the pit of my stomach, that 'oh crap' feeling. Yeah, this book gives you that feeling while making you smile while you read it. How does that happen? And the end....I felt like Charlie Brown when Lucy kept pulling the football out from under him. ARRGGGG

Emma has lead a protected life. Her parents have plenty of money. She has a car. She goes to school and lives in her own social circle of people who are college bound and care about school. When she is assigned to work with Anton she discovers that not everyone at her school lives in that same world. Anton lives in the projects. He too has dreams for his life. He wants to get a job, make some money and get his mom to a better place.

Their class project is to share and compare their cultures in the context of a novel they have read. Great assignment by the way. As they spend time together, their feelings grow. I don't do spoilers, but let me say...this is a sweet, slightly steamy story that will have you not wanting to turn the page cause you know..you just know......think Romeo and Juliet in the 'hood.

[Jessica Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind is blown. This story is EVERYTHING.

I'm told this was S. Walden's debut. I should probably be shocked that this was ANYONE'S debut, since the writing is THAT amazing. But I'm not surprised. Having come to adore her stories and her brilliant writing in her other stories, I'd only be surprised if a book with her name on it was anything less than phenomenal. Her writing is superior, her story telling unbelievable. She was born to write, a gift to readers.

I don't think I can say anything about Hoodie that will do this story justice. It's unlike anything I've ever read.

Anton is a street smart, black teenager living in the projects with his single mother. Emma is a privileged, booksmart yet naive, white teenager living with her well off parents in the wealthy part of town. The two are thrown together to write a paper on learning about each other's cultures. But what they come to find in each other is so much more than they bargained for.

The writing in this story is amazing. Somewhere inside S. Walden lives a black teenager. The way she crafted the dialogue in this story, perfecting the dialect of Anton and his friends, my mind is blown.

There's nothing I can say, I have no words, you just need to read this book. This is a beautiful story of friendship and love. It's so much more than black vs white, wealth vs poverty, privilege vs struggle... it's also not the cliche story of overcoming those boundaries and finding a happily ever after. This story is humor and heartbreak, hope and despair, love and hate. This story is EVERYTHING.

[Jettie Woodruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the Sam hell was that??? I hate this fucking book. No I love it, no I hate it. Grrrr. What kind of ending was that? I am so happy for Anton, and I want to be happy for Emma too. Why can't I be happy for Emma too? I feel like throwing myself on the floor and going into a full blown three year old tantrum.
Okay Rant over. I loved the struggles between Emma and Anton. I loved the drama that the two of them faced over a love that was uncontrollable. There were parts that I wanted to punch Anton in his stomach, but when being put in his shoes, I understood his actions. I stopped reading during the bathroom scene for a whole day, afraid to see what happened. I love this book and highly recommend it. Its not my normal dirty girl read, although there are some pretty steamy dirty girl parts. I loved it Kudos to S. Walden.

[Dalimar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sra Walden, ahora mismo no sé si amarla u odiarla en este momento. Amarla por lo bien que escribe,lo original de sus historias, la manera que logro conectarme con ellas y comenzar un libro suyo y no soltarlo hasta acabarlo. Y odiarla por lo cruel que es,lo peor es que no se lo puedo reprochar,porque por mas que busco y pienso,sufro,me enojo... en realidad creo que de verdad ha sido justa con su final. No todos podemos tener finales felices,no todos podemos sobreponernos a las desgracias con las que nos encontramos en la vida. Sabemos lo que sentimos,lo que queremos, lo que nos hace feliz,pero la vida es cruel y en un abrir y cerrar de ojos todo cambia, quizás para bien o para mal.

Me alegró encontrarme con una relación interracial tan bien descrita,con los conflictos que lamentablemente aún en estos tiempos aún existen. Siempre hay prejuicios en todo en esta vida,pero por lo general cuando se discrimina con las parejas o relaciones interraciales, vemos o se habla del discriben de la parte blanca hacia los negros y no a la inversa, que lastimosamente también ocurre. Como fue el caso del desarrollo de esta historia.

Es tan agradable leer un libro NA en el que no hayan violaciones,ni chicos maltratados o abusados por sus padres. El mundo necesita libros como éste.

Sobre la relación de Emma y Anton,estuve muy complacida, si sentí que ella lo quería más a él, que él a ella. Ella lo buscaba siempre, pero ninguno dudó de sus sentimientos (gracias Walden,de verdad que lo aprecié),pero en general estoy muy conforme con el desarrollo de la historia. A lo mejor el fue un poco rudo al inicio, pero creo que la autora lo utilizo para hacer notar la diferencia de ambos protagonistas.La primera parte del epílogo, me tomó el pelo como creo que le ha pasado a la mayoría, no sé eso pienso pues leí el libro sin ler ni una sola reseña. Pero si,yo quería final feliz,pero en realidad estoy conforme con toda la historia,que acabo de terminar de leer hace 10 minutos,que no puedo darle otra puntuación, aunque el final es desgarrador, aunque ame los finales felices,la historia es muy realista y en la vida real lamentablemente no todos tienen su final feliz. Ame demasiado esta historia.

[Mayu · Rating 4 out of 5]

3/10

He devorado esta novela y me estaba gustando hasta que he llegado a las últimas sesenta páginas, y a ese final post-falso-epílogo. S. Walden ha roto a lo bestia mi corazon. Llevo una hora llorando. Y el dolor todavia me esta abrasando.

Es una novela preciosa, con una alta carga emocional, que rompe prejuicios y que narra bajo un punto de vista muy real, con un aire de melancolia y de esperanza a la vez, que cuenta con una buena chica, Emma, y que esconde a un protagonista masculino que me ha robado el corazon, Anton, un chico negro que ha puesto toda su alma en esta novela y que a mi me ha llegado muy adentro. Toda la historia de amor entre Anton y Emma es perfecta e imperfecta, es amor, punto.

Y el final... solo puedo tachar a su escritora de cruel, de muy cruel. Ojala la escritora hubiera dado a esta novela el final que se merecia. Pero como no es asi, aqui me quedo, llorando por Emma y Anton.

Le iba a dar un 3'5/5, pero con ese final destructor no puedo :('.

¿POR QUÉ, S. WALDEN?

Mi reseña de HOODIE Y GOOD en:

http://mayuamoraprimeravista.blogspot...

Os invito a que os paséis por ahí ;).

[Claudine · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIVE EYE OPENING STARS

Just so everybody knows, I'm crying my ass out here like a baby, I repeat, like a baby
I don't know what to do with the ending.
It's just too heartbreaking to handle.
It's like someone just slash my heart into two pieces and take the other away.

This book taught and realized me
That life's nothing but cruel
People are discriminating
This society is just plain fck up.

But tells me that LOVE never choose people, who to love... and how to love.

BUT OVERALL

[Marse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historia super mega diferente. Trata sobre un "negro" y su "blanca" compañera de curso y nos muestra el mundo estos "negros", siento que se abordó de una muy buena manera. Ligera, fácil de leer. Solo tengo una queja......CÓMO DEMONIOS TERMINA ASÍ!?!!?!?!?!?! He leído muchos finales y este llegó a la cima de "peores finales en la vida de los peores finales" porque sí, la vida es cruel, no es como queremos pero como es posible que la autora nos muestre (cuente) una parte que no sabíamos y así como si nada. Luego está el hecho de que nada termina bien, NADA. Me vi obligada a leer el final de nuevo y llegué a la conclusión que el libro termina en dolor, tal cuál como empiezan los libros, COMO EMPIEZAN NO COMO TERMINAN!!! Ok, vamos, si se que no todos terminan bien pero esto es demasiado, EXIJO UNA SEGUNDA PARTE CON FINAL FELIZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, LO EXIJO!!

[María · Rating 3 out of 5]

HO-RRI-BLE el final... ¿En serio? ¿Ella se convierte en un caparazón vacío y el llora todavía por ella? ¿Pudo haber sido la mejor historia de amor de todos los tiempos y terminan casados con otras personas?!!!!
¿Y por qué sigo leyendo libros de esta autora? Tengo que ser un poco masoquista, después de Going Under y Honeysuckle Love pero al menos esos tenían un final feliz. Este tiene todo lo terrible de los otros y un final que no me dejó dormir!!!!!
H.O.R.R.I.B.L.E.

[Ricci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok WTF did I just read? Did I really just end like that? The book was so good then the ending had to be rushed and written in the most stupidest way possible. Don't bother reading this as you'll only be disappointed! Truly shameful for the author to do this to her readers. Terrible ending! AVOID!

[Sandy Ⓢ · Rating 2 out of 5]

¿Por quééééééé? Todo iba bien (bueno no tanto, pero que más da), agh!!! Me traumatizo ese final, no lo puedo superar aún me acuerdo.

[Kelster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a few months ago and after that ending I couldn't write my review right away. I loved that Walden flipped the script on the typical interracial romance and gave us a black male with a white female. I loved that her characters were authentic and that she was willing to use words and expressions that were sensitive but in complete character to the world and people that she was writing about. I believed in the love between the H and h and I loved them together. I also believed in their obstacles and challenges and the push back and resistance their relationship caused.

The ending seemed kinda rushed and while I "understand" why things ended up the way that they did...I HATED IT! It was realistic but it was so sad because it was realistic and because I can see a couple being beaten down because of the hardships and the plan lack of ease they would be forced to face and endure. Made me sad.

[Kellsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book. And I did. I loved everything except the epilogue. Now I'm going to ruin the ending for you. I balled me eyes out. They should have stayed together. Their life together would have been marvelous, a struggle and hard but their love would've made it right. But here they are 10 years later and married to other people and unhappy. All that pain and suffering was for nothing. I don't understand. Every person wants a happy ending and I didnt get it in this book. That is the only reason why this book didnt get a 5 star. I feel gyed.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It was so different from the books I normally read. I loved Emma and Anton. I loved how the author wrote each of their dialogue. I thought it realistically depicted what an interracial couple would face in high school, with friends and family. There really was not anything I did not like about this book until I got to the epilogue. Ughhh! Why??? Why?! A HEA would have made me recommend this book to everyone. Instead, I'll be sure to warn them of the sad ending before investing so much time in these characters.

[Davina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book and I have so many emotions right now. I almost feel cheated. Like I somehow received the unfinished version of this book. But I know that's not true. I almost feel like there should be a second book. I feel like Anton and Emma deserve another book. They deserve so much. I loved this book. It was perfect. Funny, real and so heartbreaking. This book was well written and I could not put it down. It all just felt so real. I just can't believe what happened happened. Its just not fair. Please let there be another part to this story.

[hugsandcookies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally. It was getting too much for me.

Anton and Emma both young and high school sweethearts. They were both different yet their love wasn't was joke. They do things any teens would do but with them it was a whole lot of difference.

Being judged. Being mocked. Frowned upon.

I could name more but I've realized that no matter what, you cannot help who you love.

I smiled I laughed I felt sad and I cried all cause of what happened to them both. I never realized that the ending was IT (read to find out).

Anton and Emma I hope for more!!!!!

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will give you hope and then steal it away. It will make you smile and then cry like a small child and I promise that you won't be the same after you turn the last page...

http://www.martinitimes.com/1/post/20...

[Reearry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished the book and the ending broke my heart. I so did not see that coming. I am praying, wishing and hoping dearly for a sequel! I am all for portrayal of realistic relationships and storytelling but I so don't want this book to be the end of Anton and Emma.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worst ending ever! =(

***ONLY READ THE THE FIRST 2 PAGES OF THE EPILOGUE...OR THE BOOK WILL BE RUINED FOR YOU!!!***

[Aira · Rating 3 out of 5]

ending was a let down, I want my happy ending :( :(

[Rose Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hate the ending.

[Byron Washington · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was VERY compelling and the ending was, shall I say, different. Still a good story which could've been even better WITHOUT the "ebonics". Writers and authors, IT ISN'T NECESSARY IN ORDER TO LEND AUTHENTICITY TO YOUR STORY!!! That is all.

[My Own Bookshelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was warned. So, only fair to pass the warning along. This novel does not end with a HEA. It ends up breaking your heart for Emma and Anton. Their start is rocky. Two very different people purposely thrown together for a final senior project. In the process of writing a group paper, each character has to learn about each other culturally. What wasn't in the project outline was for them to fall in love.

"You're a senior. Know what I mean? It's time to grow up and deal with it. And when I say 'it' I mean, well, everything."

Emma and Anton go through everything. I mean everything. A rich white girl befriending a poor black boy is already tough enough. They have partial support of family and friends. And then there are others who feel that their relationship should never be. I loved both Emma and Anton. They tried so hard to strong. To want what they wanted no matter the odds were against them. They both fumble, yet learn how to be with the other. But it's not enough. The writing is done in third person POV that is often hard to get right in flow. I felt that Ms. Walden nailed the pace and dialogue of the characters. You really could feel and know where they were coming from. I gave the novel a .5 star deduction as I have to agree with a few other reviewers. The concluding chapters left me with a lot of questions unanswered and felt a bit rushed. However, the epilogue does attempt to give you closure - not the closure you want - but some closure.

This was a first time novel read from this author. I was very impressed with the storyline and writing. I really look forward to reading more from her. If you are looking for something different. Maybe a bit raw and real, this story is for you. You've been warned- be prepared for tissues.

4.5 out of 5 stars

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you could see me right now you would see tears running down my face making a mascara trail! this novel is a definite tear-jerker. Of course, going into it I knew it was going to be an emotional novel solely based on the fact that it dealt with an interracial relationship between a black male and a white female while they were in high school. I mean, after all, relationships in high school are nothing but drama anyway so the drama was exponentially increased.

Gah! I can't even write this review I'm so emotional! Now, why would I rate this novel with 5 stars if it put me through such turmoil? Because it put me through turmoil! I felt everything the characters felt! It was a surreal feeling. I literally felt like I was part of the relationship and at time I felt like I couldn't deal with the animosity the main characters faced. I felt like I was going to get crushed by the pressures and opinions of all of the other characters and at times didn't think I could turn the page because I was scared of what was going to happen.

The ending was perfect. The ending was literally like a knife to the gut. It hurt to read. It hurt to comprehend what was going to happen next. And it hurt to know that life doesn't always happen the way you had hoped. This isn't a happily ever after and although it was a refreshing change in novel endings for me, I really wished that it would have ended with an HEA because if anyone deserved a HEA it was Anton and Emma.

I so wish you could see the tears I cried (and still am crying) because of this novel! This novel will definitely stick with you. You feel it burrow itself in your bones and you know the feelings it gave you aren't going to be leaving you anytime soon.