What do you think?
Rate this book
The Sound of You
Hallie Clarke has been through the rumor mill so many times that she barely feels the sting of the lies anymore. With her impenetrable walls steady and in place, she leaves her infamous high school days behind and sets off for University of Michigan, with only her beat up, old guitar for company. Determined not to repeat past mistakes, Hallie vows to live her life differently and free from the rumors that can destroy a person so easily.
Or so she thinks.
It isn’t long before she attracts the attention of her too hot to handle neighbor, Nate Harris. She tries to fight her intense attraction to him, but with his sweet words and chiseled abs, her walls of ice begin to crumble around her. Hallie soon finds herself opening up to Nate, letting him in to her world of music, and sharing secrets she swore she’d take to the grave.
The hot new romance causes more than a few heads to turn on campus, and old rumors begin to surface, threatening to pull them apart. Their connection is strong, but will it be enough to hold them together when the rumors take a dangerous turn?
Or will Hallie be left to fight it all alone?
Or so she thinks.
It isn’t long before she attracts the attention of her too hot to handle neighbor, Nate Harris. She tries to fight her intense attraction to him, but with his sweet words and chiseled abs, her walls of ice begin to crumble around her. Hallie soon finds herself opening up to Nate, letting him in to her world of music, and sharing secrets she swore she’d take to the grave.
The hot new romance causes more than a few heads to turn on campus, and old rumors begin to surface, threatening to pull them apart. Their connection is strong, but will it be enough to hold them together when the rumors take a dangerous turn?
Or will Hallie be left to fight it all alone?
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2016
36 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Want to read
March 2, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/2/2019)! 🎁
Blurb:
Hallie Clarke has been through the rumor mill so many times that she barely feels the sting of the lies anymore. With her impenetrable walls steady and in place, she leaves her infamous high school days behind and sets off for University of Michigan, with only her beat up, old guitar for company. Determined not to repeat past mistakes, Hallie vows to live her life differently and free from the rumors that can destroy a person so easily.
Or so she thinks.
It isn’t long before she attracts the attention of her too hot to handle neighbor, Nate Harris. She tries to fight her intense attraction to him, but with his sweet words and chiseled abs, her walls of ice begin to crumble around her. Hallie soon finds herself opening up to Nate, letting him in to her world of music, and sharing secrets she swore she’d take to the grave.
The hot new romance causes more than a few heads to turn on campus, and old rumors begin to surface, threatening to pull them apart. Their connection is strong, but will it be enough to hold them together when the rumors take a dangerous turn?
Or will Hallie be left to fight it all alone?
Blurb:
Hallie Clarke has been through the rumor mill so many times that she barely feels the sting of the lies anymore. With her impenetrable walls steady and in place, she leaves her infamous high school days behind and sets off for University of Michigan, with only her beat up, old guitar for company. Determined not to repeat past mistakes, Hallie vows to live her life differently and free from the rumors that can destroy a person so easily.
Or so she thinks.
It isn’t long before she attracts the attention of her too hot to handle neighbor, Nate Harris. She tries to fight her intense attraction to him, but with his sweet words and chiseled abs, her walls of ice begin to crumble around her. Hallie soon finds herself opening up to Nate, letting him in to her world of music, and sharing secrets she swore she’d take to the grave.
The hot new romance causes more than a few heads to turn on campus, and old rumors begin to surface, threatening to pull them apart. Their connection is strong, but will it be enough to hold them together when the rumors take a dangerous turn?
Or will Hallie be left to fight it all alone?
March 26, 2016
l loved this book. I liked Hallie and how she kept her chin up after how the horrible the people have been. It wasn't easy for her and I am glad at how she didn't mope around and moved on to better things no matter what dark hole people tried to drag her to. I felt so angry throughout the book at people and how cruel they have been. I wanted to throw things at them, yell and wanted to instill some humanity in them. Though it was a book, it felt so real and I can't imagine it to be happening with me. I would break down. So salute to Hallie for being brave when it was so hard. For being strong and doesn't matter if they call her bitch.
Nate- I loved how sweet he was, how he saw more than what Hallie was. He managed to break down her wall. Yes, I am angry at him for what happened but I hope things go well.
I can't wait for second book!!
Nate- I loved how sweet he was, how he saw more than what Hallie was. He managed to break down her wall. Yes, I am angry at him for what happened but I hope things go well.
I can't wait for second book!!
March 26, 2016
5 Emotional Stars
This is the first book I have ventured to read from Annie Hughes but if her writing in this book is anything to go by I will definitely be checking out her other titles.
Hallie was an amazing heroine for me, sure people said she was like ice but I understood the reason behind her behaviour. My heart completely broke for her throughout this story. I felt like she handled everything so well and honestly she is one of my favourite heroines from a book.
I loved Nate for the majority of this book but I have to say I lost some respect for him at one point. He really let me down and I was so disgusted with him. Before this though he was a complete heartthrob, he won me round instantly and I loved the relationship he had with Ryan.
The supporting characters were also big hits in my opinion, Ryan had me in stitches at times and I loved how Codie didn't give Hallie a choice with being her friend.
This book was a lot more than I was expecting, my emotions were kind of all over the place and I went from all out rage at times to complete and utter heartbreak! The emotion jumped off the page for me and I felt like every emotion Hallie felt I got to feel too!
I highly recommend this book, it is one that is going to stay with me long after I have finished reading it.
I can't wait to see what comes next for this group of characters, I know I'm going to be waiting impatiently for the next book to come along.
This is the first book I have ventured to read from Annie Hughes but if her writing in this book is anything to go by I will definitely be checking out her other titles.
Hallie was an amazing heroine for me, sure people said she was like ice but I understood the reason behind her behaviour. My heart completely broke for her throughout this story. I felt like she handled everything so well and honestly she is one of my favourite heroines from a book.
I loved Nate for the majority of this book but I have to say I lost some respect for him at one point. He really let me down and I was so disgusted with him. Before this though he was a complete heartthrob, he won me round instantly and I loved the relationship he had with Ryan.
The supporting characters were also big hits in my opinion, Ryan had me in stitches at times and I loved how Codie didn't give Hallie a choice with being her friend.
This book was a lot more than I was expecting, my emotions were kind of all over the place and I went from all out rage at times to complete and utter heartbreak! The emotion jumped off the page for me and I felt like every emotion Hallie felt I got to feel too!
I highly recommend this book, it is one that is going to stay with me long after I have finished reading it.
I can't wait to see what comes next for this group of characters, I know I'm going to be waiting impatiently for the next book to come along.
April 18, 2016
Absolutely LOVED this book! Hughes has a great way with words, with bringing characters to live to vividly. I was hooked from the first page to the last...and now I have a book hangover. With no second book. Not cool, Annie, not cool!
April 17, 2018
Bully you!!!!!
Ok lots of things to say about this book but not going to. I don't want to spoil it for other readers. I will say I feel so sorry and heartbroken for Hallie. Hallie also really ticks me off to no end. She may seem hard, disinterested and disconnected from everyone but she's not she has a heart so big. The meanness of others is a fact of everyday life, self entitlement, self importance, and just pure jealousy is a big motivator = bully.
Love the characters, Codie is such a funny, loyal bestie. Nate really disappointed me. Her father I think might be redeemable??? Hallie needs time to recover, regroup and hopefully come back in book two with more backbone of actually sticking up for herself. Can't wait to read book two to find out what unfolds.
Thanks for keeping this avid reader entertained.
Thanks Jamie Nibarger Ellis
Ok lots of things to say about this book but not going to. I don't want to spoil it for other readers. I will say I feel so sorry and heartbroken for Hallie. Hallie also really ticks me off to no end. She may seem hard, disinterested and disconnected from everyone but she's not she has a heart so big. The meanness of others is a fact of everyday life, self entitlement, self importance, and just pure jealousy is a big motivator = bully.
Love the characters, Codie is such a funny, loyal bestie. Nate really disappointed me. Her father I think might be redeemable??? Hallie needs time to recover, regroup and hopefully come back in book two with more backbone of actually sticking up for herself. Can't wait to read book two to find out what unfolds.
Thanks for keeping this avid reader entertained.
Thanks Jamie Nibarger Ellis
January 5, 2017
I can’t resist a good first love college romance and this one was so much more than that. Nate plays an important role in it and the romance is so sweet and steamy too. However, this really seemed to me like Hallie’s journey more than theirs together. It’s a great well rounded story and I had a hard time putting it down.
Hallie’s been through a lot in her past which has made her strong but, forced her to put walls up to protect herself. She doesn’t do the friend thing, since an absolutely horrible high school experience of bullying, lies, and hate. I really hurt for her, just when she starts to make progress there’s something else around the corner waiting for her. Her strength is both a good and bad thing. Good because she is determined to make it on her own (bad for the same reason); that’s why she chose a fresh start at the University of Michigan. Unfortunately, as she quickly finds out, in our day of social media, your past isn’t always in your past. sometimes it’s also your present and your future.
She’s quickly finds herself friends with a “don’t take no for an answer” roommate, Codie, and their new neighbors Ryan, and Nate. They all push her in different ways. Nate is so sweet and patient. I think he’s good for her, challenging her with conversation and situations opening her eyes to this new social world. I love the times when her fight comes out, whether a snide comment or action that shows her strength. I cheered her on. There are a few turns in the story that frustrated me and a few that had me tearing up. I love the progress she makes throughout the book when it comes to friendships, love and trust.
I really loved this story and can't wait to reading more by Annie Hughes, starting with book 2, The Sound of Us, which should be coming out soon.; I’m excited to see this come together.
Hallie’s been through a lot in her past which has made her strong but, forced her to put walls up to protect herself. She doesn’t do the friend thing, since an absolutely horrible high school experience of bullying, lies, and hate. I really hurt for her, just when she starts to make progress there’s something else around the corner waiting for her. Her strength is both a good and bad thing. Good because she is determined to make it on her own (bad for the same reason); that’s why she chose a fresh start at the University of Michigan. Unfortunately, as she quickly finds out, in our day of social media, your past isn’t always in your past. sometimes it’s also your present and your future.
She’s quickly finds herself friends with a “don’t take no for an answer” roommate, Codie, and their new neighbors Ryan, and Nate. They all push her in different ways. Nate is so sweet and patient. I think he’s good for her, challenging her with conversation and situations opening her eyes to this new social world. I love the times when her fight comes out, whether a snide comment or action that shows her strength. I cheered her on. There are a few turns in the story that frustrated me and a few that had me tearing up. I love the progress she makes throughout the book when it comes to friendships, love and trust.
I really loved this story and can't wait to reading more by Annie Hughes, starting with book 2, The Sound of Us, which should be coming out soon.; I’m excited to see this come together.
January 10, 2020
This was a sweet story of teenage love but it’s a love that’s overshadowed by an unexpected turn of events.
I love my college dramas so reading this was a must. Another new author to me but with strong past reviews, I happily dipped a toe into the Annie Hughes book pool.
This book tells the sad story of Hallie Clarke. Having been treated despicably by boys to date, she heads off to college to hopefully start a new life away from her painful past. Arriving at college though, and wanting to keep herself to herself, Hallie finds her roommate to be the opposite of what she had hoped for as Codie quickly decides that Hallie is going to be her new BFF. Hallie’s problems escalate though when she meets her neighbours: Ryan and Nate. Immediately attracted to Nate, Hallie does her best to resist his charms but with Codie, Hallie’s roommate enamoured with Ryan, her avoidance plan proves to be more difficult than she anticipated.
Sadly, it’s not long before Hallie’s past catches up with her, thanks to the new Queen Bee who also happens to be the Dean’s daughter. Tami wants Nate and will do anything she can to break his attraction to Hallie. What she didn’t expect though is Nate’s determination to make Hallie his, despite Hallie’s repeated attempts to keep him at a distance. What Hallie experiences in college is sadly all too familiar with bullying and cruel attempts to break her. Despite this, Hallie is outwardly strong though and when Tami’s attempts to damage her seem fruitless, we’re shocked when her life suddenly becomes even more miserable when she realises that a person she thought she could trust has developed a dangerous attraction to her. It was apparent that this story was heading towards something unexpected right from the beginning. However, the turn of events was completely unexpected and left me stunned as Hallie finds herself fighting a battle that no-one would have expected.
I didn’t expect a cliffie but that’s exactly how the story ended and by doing so, it sets the scene for part two of this series. The writing was strong and the story maintained a steady pace right up until its shocking conclusion. At times I felt the story fell a little flat and scenes, which I would have liked to have seen developed, seemed to be edited out or deliberately avoided. I would have also liked to have seen some of the character traits and personalities developed more in order to acquire additional insight into their emotions. I bonded with the characters immediately but I didn’t fall head over heels in love with them and this connection held my emotions at bay.
For YA/NA lovers though, this really is a sweet read and one which keeps you on the edge of your seat. The ending was painful though, and without a HEA, so read this book with the warning that you will have to wait to find out exactly what life has in store next for Nate and Hallie.
This ebook was kindly provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
We are proud to provide honest and unbiased reviews written from the heart.
Email: jezabellgirlandfriends@gmail.com
Web: http://jezabellgirlandfriends.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/jezabellgirlandfr...
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Jezabell_girl
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/jezabellg...
Google+: http://google.com/+JezabellGirl
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/JezabellGirl
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jezabell_girl
I love my college dramas so reading this was a must. Another new author to me but with strong past reviews, I happily dipped a toe into the Annie Hughes book pool.
This book tells the sad story of Hallie Clarke. Having been treated despicably by boys to date, she heads off to college to hopefully start a new life away from her painful past. Arriving at college though, and wanting to keep herself to herself, Hallie finds her roommate to be the opposite of what she had hoped for as Codie quickly decides that Hallie is going to be her new BFF. Hallie’s problems escalate though when she meets her neighbours: Ryan and Nate. Immediately attracted to Nate, Hallie does her best to resist his charms but with Codie, Hallie’s roommate enamoured with Ryan, her avoidance plan proves to be more difficult than she anticipated.
Sadly, it’s not long before Hallie’s past catches up with her, thanks to the new Queen Bee who also happens to be the Dean’s daughter. Tami wants Nate and will do anything she can to break his attraction to Hallie. What she didn’t expect though is Nate’s determination to make Hallie his, despite Hallie’s repeated attempts to keep him at a distance. What Hallie experiences in college is sadly all too familiar with bullying and cruel attempts to break her. Despite this, Hallie is outwardly strong though and when Tami’s attempts to damage her seem fruitless, we’re shocked when her life suddenly becomes even more miserable when she realises that a person she thought she could trust has developed a dangerous attraction to her. It was apparent that this story was heading towards something unexpected right from the beginning. However, the turn of events was completely unexpected and left me stunned as Hallie finds herself fighting a battle that no-one would have expected.
I didn’t expect a cliffie but that’s exactly how the story ended and by doing so, it sets the scene for part two of this series. The writing was strong and the story maintained a steady pace right up until its shocking conclusion. At times I felt the story fell a little flat and scenes, which I would have liked to have seen developed, seemed to be edited out or deliberately avoided. I would have also liked to have seen some of the character traits and personalities developed more in order to acquire additional insight into their emotions. I bonded with the characters immediately but I didn’t fall head over heels in love with them and this connection held my emotions at bay.
For YA/NA lovers though, this really is a sweet read and one which keeps you on the edge of your seat. The ending was painful though, and without a HEA, so read this book with the warning that you will have to wait to find out exactly what life has in store next for Nate and Hallie.
This ebook was kindly provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
We are proud to provide honest and unbiased reviews written from the heart.
Email: jezabellgirlandfriends@gmail.com
Web: http://jezabellgirlandfriends.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/jezabellgirlandfr...
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Jezabell_girl
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/jezabellg...
Google+: http://google.com/+JezabellGirl
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/JezabellGirl
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jezabell_girl
January 15, 2017
Hero(s) rating: 3 stars
Heroine rating: 4.5 stars
Sexual tension rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 3.5 stars
Plot rating: 5 stars
Dialogue rating: 5 stars
Storytelling rating: 5 stars
Story ending rating: 5 stars
Other woman/men drama:
Cheating:
Cliffhanger:
HEA:
**********************************************
Overall rating: 5 stars
I can't even put into words how amazing this book was!!
Hallie was just my spirit animal in a way...learned not give two f**ks what people said about her after the horror of being erroneously slut-shamed in high school. She thought she was getting a fresh start in college. But, misery sometimes seems to follow you everywhere you go.
I loved Nate...until I didn't. He was such a dynamic character in Hallie's life (along with her roommate Codie and her booty call/boyfriend (?), Ryan aka Nate's best friend and roommate.
Nate was such a fresh of breath air in Hallie's life and I was TOTALLY rooting for these two. Until I wasn't. Until Nate did the exact thing everyone else did to Hallie - believed in lies and rumors w/o explanation.
Then, when something happens to Hallie in the end, you would think he'd get his head out of his ass, right? Wrong. Too little, too late and I applaud the way this story ended on Hallie's behalf.
Sometimes, people show their true colors when you need them to be there for you the most. In the case of Nate, I was so shocked and disappointed by his complete 180.
No clue if this if officially the end of their story or not. If it is, I'm totally cool with it. If it's not, Nate better redeem himself like no other male character ever has in a book of this nature.
Heroine rating: 4.5 stars
Sexual tension rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 3.5 stars
Plot rating: 5 stars
Dialogue rating: 5 stars
Storytelling rating: 5 stars
Story ending rating: 5 stars
Other woman/men drama:
Cheating:
Cliffhanger:
HEA:
**********************************************
Overall rating: 5 stars
I can't even put into words how amazing this book was!!
Hallie was just my spirit animal in a way...learned not give two f**ks what people said about her after the horror of being erroneously slut-shamed in high school. She thought she was getting a fresh start in college. But, misery sometimes seems to follow you everywhere you go.
I loved Nate...until I didn't. He was such a dynamic character in Hallie's life (along with her roommate Codie and her booty call/boyfriend (?), Ryan aka Nate's best friend and roommate.
Nate was such a fresh of breath air in Hallie's life and I was TOTALLY rooting for these two. Until I wasn't. Until Nate did the exact thing everyone else did to Hallie - believed in lies and rumors w/o explanation.
Then, when something happens to Hallie in the end, you would think he'd get his head out of his ass, right? Wrong. Too little, too late and I applaud the way this story ended on Hallie's behalf.
Sometimes, people show their true colors when you need them to be there for you the most. In the case of Nate, I was so shocked and disappointed by his complete 180.
No clue if this if officially the end of their story or not. If it is, I'm totally cool with it. If it's not, Nate better redeem himself like no other male character ever has in a book of this nature.
March 26, 2016
Argh! you have no idea how much I loved this book! I could put the damn thing down, I took it to the toilet, the bedroom. I even had to take it with me on the car journey (which I never do) as I had to finish it before going to see a movie I've been wait forever for, otherwise I wouldn't be able to concentrate! Even throughout the movie Hallie and Nate were on my mind!
let's talk about Hallie! She has to deal with a lot of crapola in her life, some of it due to childish bullies that want to make her life hell! her attitude to them... She didn't give a hooha about it! She let them get on with it. but like everyone else, there's only so much one person can take before they break. I connected with Hallie from the first page and I wanted to protect her much like Nate wanted to.
now Nate *Le sigh* hello new book boyfriend material! He's hot, geeky and he's a protector! I love love love when men go all alpha and will do anything to protect their women, it just does something to me! I wanted to punch him a couple of times and tell him to get his head out of his behind!
The ending is totally not what I was expecting but I'm actually happy with ghe way it did. I hope it's maybe a sign that there could possibly be a book 2? Annie? Yes? Please?
well done Annie on another amazing read! one that will be in my heart for a very long time!!! if I could give it more than 5 stars, I would!
**Copy given in exchange for an honest review, for my co-run blog United by Books**
let's talk about Hallie! She has to deal with a lot of crapola in her life, some of it due to childish bullies that want to make her life hell! her attitude to them... She didn't give a hooha about it! She let them get on with it. but like everyone else, there's only so much one person can take before they break. I connected with Hallie from the first page and I wanted to protect her much like Nate wanted to.
now Nate *Le sigh* hello new book boyfriend material! He's hot, geeky and he's a protector! I love love love when men go all alpha and will do anything to protect their women, it just does something to me! I wanted to punch him a couple of times and tell him to get his head out of his behind!
The ending is totally not what I was expecting but I'm actually happy with ghe way it did. I hope it's maybe a sign that there could possibly be a book 2? Annie? Yes? Please?
well done Annie on another amazing read! one that will be in my heart for a very long time!!! if I could give it more than 5 stars, I would!
**Copy given in exchange for an honest review, for my co-run blog United by Books**
April 8, 2016
Hallie Clarke heads off to college hoping to start fresh & leave the painful high school years behind her. Her new roommate Codie is outgoing & wants them to be best friends. Ryan & Nate are their suite neighbors & Hallie finds herself attracted towards Nate & is trying to stay as far away as possible. Just when Hallie thinks her walls can come down a little, rumors about her start circulating around, just like in high school. Codie defends her & Nate refuses to give up on her. Hallie has dealt with so much for only being 19 years old, an absentee mother, a constant criticizing father, & treated horribly from the people she went to high school with. A girl can only take so much before she learns to shut everyone & everything out. Just when Hallie thinks she has what she’s been looking for in her small circle the one person she counted on let her down & now she has to let him go. So many emotions throughout this book. UGH!!! Didn’t expect to end in a cliffhanger!!! Cannot wait until The Sound of Us. Read & reviewed for an honest opionion by RazzReader with Pop Fizz Clink Read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2016
I don't know how to feel...lol I loved the storyline and was completely entangled in Hallie's life, so much so I didn't want it to end when I realized I was 98% in...Why did it have to end???? The good news is there is a book#2, the bad news is it hasn't been released yet. Highly recommend!
December 11, 2016
I enjoyed the premise of this book very much. It deals with the aftermath of bullying from high school and how it continues in college. While bullying is a somewhat common theme in young adult books I felt this one had a fresh feel to it. The characters in this book were all likeable and surprisingly I think Ryan, a secondary character, became my favorite.
There were a few grammatical errors as well as continuity errors that I felt messed a bit with the flow of the scene but it didn't keep me from understanding what was happening. I also felt like the pace of the book dragged in a few places.
I am looking forward to the second book. I'm interested in finding out what happens to and with these characters next.
There were a few grammatical errors as well as continuity errors that I felt messed a bit with the flow of the scene but it didn't keep me from understanding what was happening. I also felt like the pace of the book dragged in a few places.
I am looking forward to the second book. I'm interested in finding out what happens to and with these characters next.
March 29, 2018
This was a tough read the story made me so tense and upset I know it happens but reading all the bullying that happened in this book makes me so sad for our youth. It is hard to read such horrible things and how some people choose to accept it and try to ignore it. Where are the teachers and other people should stand up to bullies. Social Media should monitor such horrible things and shut down the bad stuff, free speech is one thing but bullying is never acceptable.
I cannot wait for the possibility of a next book with the way this story ends
I cannot wait for the possibility of a next book with the way this story ends
April 10, 2018
So wow this book was heartbreakingly awesome. It definitely made me laugh and cry and want to punch a few people. It's a book about a closed off girl whom rumors abound about falling for her neighbor in college. When the rumors take a turn for the worse will he stick by her or let her get away? You'll have to read it to find out. I loved her crazy roommate who stuck by her side and yelled at everyone. I'd definitely recommend this book to people who like college romances with a twist.
April 6, 2019
Good storyline but...
I enjoyed the story but the editing drove me crazy. There were multiple times the wrong tense of a word was used, words were left out, or the wrong word was used completely. This happened throughout the whole book. I also felt the ending was rather anticlimactic and a little unbelievable. As I mentioned above I did enjoy the story and plan to move on to book two now.
I enjoyed the story but the editing drove me crazy. There were multiple times the wrong tense of a word was used, words were left out, or the wrong word was used completely. This happened throughout the whole book. I also felt the ending was rather anticlimactic and a little unbelievable. As I mentioned above I did enjoy the story and plan to move on to book two now.
June 23, 2018
Okay
This sounds awful, but book was good enough. I know it's not something you might want to hear. I have read tons of contemporary romance books in past few years. And if I had read this earlier, I might have given more stars.. but now.. I liked it, it was good, I read in in one sitting. I will read the next book of the series. So good enough.
This sounds awful, but book was good enough. I know it's not something you might want to hear. I have read tons of contemporary romance books in past few years. And if I had read this earlier, I might have given more stars.. but now.. I liked it, it was good, I read in in one sitting. I will read the next book of the series. So good enough.
June 13, 2019
I really wish Authors would be more upfront when a book you think is a standalone, winds up not being one. Hallie is majorly annoying, with a chip on shoulder the size of Rhode Island. Nate is boring.
This yawn fest was not for me - If you are a fan of YA go for it. But there has to be better out there with full disclosure.
This yawn fest was not for me - If you are a fan of YA go for it. But there has to be better out there with full disclosure.
March 18, 2018
Must read!
I read this book in one day.. I couldn't put in down once I started.. I love hals and codie, I really can't wait to read what cokmes next.
Hal's has started college leaving the past life behind her or trying to then she meets nate and he grows on het!
I read this book in one day.. I couldn't put in down once I started.. I love hals and codie, I really can't wait to read what cokmes next.
Hal's has started college leaving the past life behind her or trying to then she meets nate and he grows on het!
March 12, 2019
Learning to trust is hard especially when you've experienced it's loss. This is a good look into a girl learning to try. A great YA read!
December 27, 2019
A brutal heartbreaking read
Love the characters and the storyline. A young woman trying her best and being judged so unfairly. A great read
Love the characters and the storyline. A young woman trying her best and being judged so unfairly. A great read
March 31, 2016
3.5 stars
This book had many things that fans of college romance reads would love; pages full of angst, sorority snobs & fraternity jerk faces, fun roommate/bestie bonding time, secret revelations & a little sweet lovin'! The characters got me all riled-up, made me laugh, left me scratching my head, had me rolling my eyes at times & made me thirsty for more!!
Hallie went through a lot of crap back home & even more when she arrived at college. That damn rumor mill started spinning full blast again & she couldn't help but put her shields in place. I didn't blame her for doing that (because so many people were complete a**hats to her) but it didn't quite endear me to her either. The constant disappearing acts, negative attitude & quick judgments of EVERY character grated on my nerves after a while. I'm still not a fan of her father (that two-page change of heart won't change my feelings just yet) but I'm happy that she took him up on his offer. Her talent (which I'm looking forward to hearing more about) & a fresh start are just what she needs to be able to heal both on the inside & on the outside! Get it girl!!
Nate seemed like a pretty good guy for the majority of the book. I liked the hottie bad boy vibe he had going on & I liked how protective he was of Hallie BUT… I wasn't over-the-moon-in-love with him. He just didn't twist my panties up in knots. I totally thought he would because the cover of the book practically screams, "DREAMY BOOK BOYFRIEND INSIDE!" but… no. His reaction to a certain situation towards the end of the story left much to be desired. I really wished he would've pulled one of those grand gesture scenes out of his back pocket after his run-in with Hallie's dad at the airport (think John Cusack in Say Anything, but with Bon Jovi music) but unfortunately, we just got radio silence. Hopefully, Nate gets the chance to make it up to Hallie soon!
The supporting cast of characters brought this story to life, especially Hallie & Nate's fan-freakin'-tastic BFFs, Codie & Ryan. They were quirky, true to themselves, protective of their friends & incredibly hilarious. In fact, I wish I could have injected a little bit of their personalities into Hallie & Nate, themselves! I looked forward to every scene they shared with one another!
Good gods, I did NOT see that ending coming! It pains me just thinking about it. I mean, I checked the bottom right hand corner of my kindle & saw that it had reached the 99% mark & I still hadn't gotten my last horizontal mambo scene in yet but man… I was NOT expecting a second book!! The silver lining of that semi-dark cloud… Few things are better than reading about a man on a mission, especially when that mission is earning back the trust of his woman. Bring. It. On. Nate. :)
***ARC given in exchange for an honest review!***
~ Review by Calla
This book had many things that fans of college romance reads would love; pages full of angst, sorority snobs & fraternity jerk faces, fun roommate/bestie bonding time, secret revelations & a little sweet lovin'! The characters got me all riled-up, made me laugh, left me scratching my head, had me rolling my eyes at times & made me thirsty for more!!
Hallie went through a lot of crap back home & even more when she arrived at college. That damn rumor mill started spinning full blast again & she couldn't help but put her shields in place. I didn't blame her for doing that (because so many people were complete a**hats to her) but it didn't quite endear me to her either. The constant disappearing acts, negative attitude & quick judgments of EVERY character grated on my nerves after a while. I'm still not a fan of her father (that two-page change of heart won't change my feelings just yet) but I'm happy that she took him up on his offer. Her talent (which I'm looking forward to hearing more about) & a fresh start are just what she needs to be able to heal both on the inside & on the outside! Get it girl!!
Nate seemed like a pretty good guy for the majority of the book. I liked the hottie bad boy vibe he had going on & I liked how protective he was of Hallie BUT… I wasn't over-the-moon-in-love with him. He just didn't twist my panties up in knots. I totally thought he would because the cover of the book practically screams, "DREAMY BOOK BOYFRIEND INSIDE!" but… no. His reaction to a certain situation towards the end of the story left much to be desired. I really wished he would've pulled one of those grand gesture scenes out of his back pocket after his run-in with Hallie's dad at the airport (think John Cusack in Say Anything, but with Bon Jovi music) but unfortunately, we just got radio silence. Hopefully, Nate gets the chance to make it up to Hallie soon!
The supporting cast of characters brought this story to life, especially Hallie & Nate's fan-freakin'-tastic BFFs, Codie & Ryan. They were quirky, true to themselves, protective of their friends & incredibly hilarious. In fact, I wish I could have injected a little bit of their personalities into Hallie & Nate, themselves! I looked forward to every scene they shared with one another!
Good gods, I did NOT see that ending coming! It pains me just thinking about it. I mean, I checked the bottom right hand corner of my kindle & saw that it had reached the 99% mark & I still hadn't gotten my last horizontal mambo scene in yet but man… I was NOT expecting a second book!! The silver lining of that semi-dark cloud… Few things are better than reading about a man on a mission, especially when that mission is earning back the trust of his woman. Bring. It. On. Nate. :)
***ARC given in exchange for an honest review!***
~ Review by Calla
April 15, 2016
* I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review. *
This was my first book by author Annie Hughes, but it will not be my last - mostly because I need to know what happens to Hallie and Nate (since the author left us hanging) and also because I did enjoy the author's writing style as well. The reason for the 4 star review and not a 5 star is because the author needs to do a bit more proof-reading, editing and grammar checking in her books. On the second page of the book I started highlighting the errors, mostly because I had to re-read some sentences several times to fully understand what she was trying to say. There was also a really annoying and excessive use of the word "whilst" - I lost count of how many times she used this word after I was about 1/2 way through the story.
The story itself was good. The author had the typical teenage, college angst but she added in a bit of mystery, lots of parental drama and music. She really went overboard with making sure that her characters had personality and fun! I loved Haille and her "ice queen" attitude....she took no crap from anyone and it really endeared her to me. Nate was "swoon worthy" and described like the total bad boy hottie that every girl wants to date. Enter Ryan and Codie and the reader couldn't help but love the characters. I wanted to live with Codie and have Ryan and Nate as my neighbors!
The plot is quick moving, fun and exciting. It keeps the reader on the edge of their seats and makes them want more - it was really hard to turn my kindle off for bed as I was ready to go back to my college days and pull an all nighter! There was mystery, drama and lots of anger from all of the characters. I really wanted to dislike some of them but I couldn't. The author wanted the reader to like all of them no matter how devious or evil they may or may not have been. There were a few subplots that seemed like the author had forgotten them, but the overall flow of the story was quick and fun!
Once you reach the end of the book you will check and double check that the story really has ended because you just weren't ready. It isn't easy to accept that you have to now wait to see what happens next to any of the characters that just became your instant BFF's. I was more than a little upset that there was nothing left for me to read once i hit that 99% mark on my kindle! Be prepared for a book hangover and be prepared to be mad about it!
Add this book to your TBR list and we can wait around together to see where the author takes these characters next! This is the perfect lazy afternoon read, but be warned that once you start reading you won't want to stop!
***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***
This was my first book by author Annie Hughes, but it will not be my last - mostly because I need to know what happens to Hallie and Nate (since the author left us hanging) and also because I did enjoy the author's writing style as well. The reason for the 4 star review and not a 5 star is because the author needs to do a bit more proof-reading, editing and grammar checking in her books. On the second page of the book I started highlighting the errors, mostly because I had to re-read some sentences several times to fully understand what she was trying to say. There was also a really annoying and excessive use of the word "whilst" - I lost count of how many times she used this word after I was about 1/2 way through the story.
The story itself was good. The author had the typical teenage, college angst but she added in a bit of mystery, lots of parental drama and music. She really went overboard with making sure that her characters had personality and fun! I loved Haille and her "ice queen" attitude....she took no crap from anyone and it really endeared her to me. Nate was "swoon worthy" and described like the total bad boy hottie that every girl wants to date. Enter Ryan and Codie and the reader couldn't help but love the characters. I wanted to live with Codie and have Ryan and Nate as my neighbors!
The plot is quick moving, fun and exciting. It keeps the reader on the edge of their seats and makes them want more - it was really hard to turn my kindle off for bed as I was ready to go back to my college days and pull an all nighter! There was mystery, drama and lots of anger from all of the characters. I really wanted to dislike some of them but I couldn't. The author wanted the reader to like all of them no matter how devious or evil they may or may not have been. There were a few subplots that seemed like the author had forgotten them, but the overall flow of the story was quick and fun!
Once you reach the end of the book you will check and double check that the story really has ended because you just weren't ready. It isn't easy to accept that you have to now wait to see what happens next to any of the characters that just became your instant BFF's. I was more than a little upset that there was nothing left for me to read once i hit that 99% mark on my kindle! Be prepared for a book hangover and be prepared to be mad about it!
Add this book to your TBR list and we can wait around together to see where the author takes these characters next! This is the perfect lazy afternoon read, but be warned that once you start reading you won't want to stop!
***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***
March 31, 2016
This is the first book by Annie Hughes that I've read, and I really enjoyed it.
The book's told mostly from Hallie's POV as she starts college. She's closed off, strong willed, and determined to leave her past behind her. I admit, during the first few chapters, I was torn between wanting to hug and slap her. The way she kept pushing people away irritated the hell out of me, but as her past is revealed, I completely understood her thought process and the need to start afresh.
Codie, her roommate, sees Hallie for who she is and is determined for the two of them to become friends - and her loyalty to Hallie far surpasses first impressions.
These two characters are realistic and elicited real emotion from me. I could imagine myself hanging out with them. It's relateability that I loved about them.
Then there's Nate and his sidekick Ryan. At first the reader is led to believe that these two guys are walking, talking man whores, but they manage to worm their way into Hallie's heart, and that of the reader.
While I enjoyed this book, it's not quite a five star read because some parts of it slip into slight cliche territory - particularly Hallie's character. It seemed that, despite her past, she can do no wrong and only thinks of others. This isn't a bad thing by any means, I just felt sometimes that she was a little too good to be true.
The Sound of You is a solid start to the series, and even though it ends on a cliffhanger, it didn't leave you wanting to rip the author's head off. It's a natural end to this part of the story and felt true to the characters. The book is well paced and never falls flat, and you find yourself rooting for each of the four main characters. I can't wait for book 2. Hurry up Hughes and get it written!
The book's told mostly from Hallie's POV as she starts college. She's closed off, strong willed, and determined to leave her past behind her. I admit, during the first few chapters, I was torn between wanting to hug and slap her. The way she kept pushing people away irritated the hell out of me, but as her past is revealed, I completely understood her thought process and the need to start afresh.
Codie, her roommate, sees Hallie for who she is and is determined for the two of them to become friends - and her loyalty to Hallie far surpasses first impressions.
These two characters are realistic and elicited real emotion from me. I could imagine myself hanging out with them. It's relateability that I loved about them.
Then there's Nate and his sidekick Ryan. At first the reader is led to believe that these two guys are walking, talking man whores, but they manage to worm their way into Hallie's heart, and that of the reader.
While I enjoyed this book, it's not quite a five star read because some parts of it slip into slight cliche territory - particularly Hallie's character. It seemed that, despite her past, she can do no wrong and only thinks of others. This isn't a bad thing by any means, I just felt sometimes that she was a little too good to be true.
The Sound of You is a solid start to the series, and even though it ends on a cliffhanger, it didn't leave you wanting to rip the author's head off. It's a natural end to this part of the story and felt true to the characters. The book is well paced and never falls flat, and you find yourself rooting for each of the four main characters. I can't wait for book 2. Hurry up Hughes and get it written!
April 16, 2016
Hallie had a rough go of it. She got screwed over in high school buy the guy she gave her virginity too and was hoping to escape the lies and whispers about her when she went away to college. She was really closed off because of everything that had happened to her add in the fact that her dad believed the rumors and her mom wasn't there for her she had to come up with a way to protect herself and that was a strong wall that she didn't let people get through. She's a strange one, she's closed off but also super sweet and caring about others who have it worse than her. She cooks for people who don't get a good meal and volunteers her time at a music store because it makes her feel good.
Nate is her next door neighbor and was instantly interested in her even with her attitude. He's a nice guy and eventually broke down her walls . They were super cute together but his crazy ex girlfriend took it upon herself to make Hallie's life miserable and managed to even get her kicked out of school and break up Nate and Hallie in one swoop. The silver lining for her was that all the bad things that happened help rebuild her relationships with her parents. Hallie has a lot of growing to do and I respect the way the book ended because of that and I'm excited to see what happens in the next book and how she's changed. Reviewed for HeadTripping Books by Alisha!
Nate is her next door neighbor and was instantly interested in her even with her attitude. He's a nice guy and eventually broke down her walls . They were super cute together but his crazy ex girlfriend took it upon herself to make Hallie's life miserable and managed to even get her kicked out of school and break up Nate and Hallie in one swoop. The silver lining for her was that all the bad things that happened help rebuild her relationships with her parents. Hallie has a lot of growing to do and I respect the way the book ended because of that and I'm excited to see what happens in the next book and how she's changed. Reviewed for HeadTripping Books by Alisha!
November 15, 2016
Hallie wants a fresh start at college, away from the nasty bullies she’s left behind in her home town. But because of those bullies, Hallie has become closed off from everyone. It’s easier to let no one in, that way you don’t get hurt.
Nate’s excited for college and living in the dorms with his best friend. He never imagined the girl of his dreams would be living next door and closed off to the world, and him. But he can’t get her from his mind. He’s determined to do whatever it takes to make her his.
Oh, I loved the way Nate and Hallie’s relationship evolved. There was no insta love, Nate had to work hard, and he did. You have to love him for that alone. Hallie has so many layers to her and you have to feel for her and what she went through.
Another thing I loved was Hallie’s roommate, Cody. She had other ideas when it came to Hallie keeping her distance from the world and was relentless, finally Hallie getting the best friend she deserves. There was some real moments that made me laugh with their interactions.
Now, this ends with a cliff-hanger, and normally I hate a cliff-hanger, but with this story I loved the ending. If it had been one book it would have been really rushed. Also I think we are going to get so much more with book two and I really look forward to seeing how the characters develop.
November 20, 2016
I was given this book and the only thing required of me was an honest review.
How do you escape from a reputation that isn't true today? That's the issue that Hallie has. Starting college should be exciting and the beginning of new opportunities but when this doesn't happen and someone seeks out your past then you can be pulled back into that reputation.
Hallie hasn't had support from her parents when she really needed it and this caused her to shut down emotionally, what else can she do when she has no one to champion her and stand beside her when her peers turn against her?
I like her, I like that even though she has been the victim of group bullying, she stands strong and won't let anyone's comments or physical violence stop her.
Nate wants Hallie and his patience finally pays off. They are strong together but hidden forces want them apart.
I need this story to continue. When I got to the end of the book, I was thinking “nope, where's book no. 2”
Annie Hughes writes about issues that young adults face with an understanding and compassion that makes you want to champion them. You remember what it was like for you as a teenager and helps you connect to your own relationships with any teenagers you may know.
She's written another book that makes me stop doing any housework, so I just need her to keep writing lol.
How do you escape from a reputation that isn't true today? That's the issue that Hallie has. Starting college should be exciting and the beginning of new opportunities but when this doesn't happen and someone seeks out your past then you can be pulled back into that reputation.
Hallie hasn't had support from her parents when she really needed it and this caused her to shut down emotionally, what else can she do when she has no one to champion her and stand beside her when her peers turn against her?
I like her, I like that even though she has been the victim of group bullying, she stands strong and won't let anyone's comments or physical violence stop her.
Nate wants Hallie and his patience finally pays off. They are strong together but hidden forces want them apart.
I need this story to continue. When I got to the end of the book, I was thinking “nope, where's book no. 2”
Annie Hughes writes about issues that young adults face with an understanding and compassion that makes you want to champion them. You remember what it was like for you as a teenager and helps you connect to your own relationships with any teenagers you may know.
She's written another book that makes me stop doing any housework, so I just need her to keep writing lol.
April 7, 2016
This book was so awesome. It hits on a lot of points that most females deal with in school as teenagers. Bullying is everywhere whether it be in high school or college for that matter. Annie hits on quite a few points that will just hit you where it hurts.
Hallie is a girl that although had been with a few guys, was portrayed as a promiscuous young lady. Needless to say she had to watch her back, take care of herself, and make sure she kept everyone at a distance for fear of them getting hurt. Hallie was a great girl but was misread by so many people and then her past caught up with her and started to ruin everything for her.
Other than Hallie there were a few other characters that played big rolls and are hard to put it all in here without make this a huge review. lol
Nate was the love interest that didn't want to settle with anyone period but had a soft spot for Hallie.
Codie is Hallies roommate and new best friend that has her back through this whole book.
Ryan is Codies boyfriend and Nates' roommate. Ryan and Nate are the girls next door neighbors as well.
There are so many awesome parts of this book that are hard to mention without spilling the beans on the whole book. Thank you Annie for the opportunity to review this book!!
Hallie is a girl that although had been with a few guys, was portrayed as a promiscuous young lady. Needless to say she had to watch her back, take care of herself, and make sure she kept everyone at a distance for fear of them getting hurt. Hallie was a great girl but was misread by so many people and then her past caught up with her and started to ruin everything for her.
Other than Hallie there were a few other characters that played big rolls and are hard to put it all in here without make this a huge review. lol
Nate was the love interest that didn't want to settle with anyone period but had a soft spot for Hallie.
Codie is Hallies roommate and new best friend that has her back through this whole book.
Ryan is Codies boyfriend and Nates' roommate. Ryan and Nate are the girls next door neighbors as well.
There are so many awesome parts of this book that are hard to mention without spilling the beans on the whole book. Thank you Annie for the opportunity to review this book!!
March 28, 2016
I was pleasantly surprised by this book as it it the first one that I have read from Annie Hughes and I loved it.
Let's talk Hallie. She is strong willed, determined, intelligent, and compassionate.
Hallie has had to put up with single minded people who are followers and like to make other people's lives miserable. Bullied, beaten and made an outcast all of her school life she decides to hell with everyone and to never be the naive young girl who once believed in love.
Once at college her roommate Codie, is determined to become her friend and stands by Hallie when no one else will.
Then there is Nate, the neighbour. For some reason he is drawn to Hallie and he seems to be able to see the "real" Hallie and goes all Alpha Male and wants to protect his woman. At times he is an idiot and I want to slap in up the side of his face but he always seems to redeem himself, until one day he couldn't .
I was quite surprised with the ending (cliffhanger) and I did not think it was going to go that way.
I received an ARC for an honest review and I now can't wait for the next book.
Let's talk Hallie. She is strong willed, determined, intelligent, and compassionate.
Hallie has had to put up with single minded people who are followers and like to make other people's lives miserable. Bullied, beaten and made an outcast all of her school life she decides to hell with everyone and to never be the naive young girl who once believed in love.
Once at college her roommate Codie, is determined to become her friend and stands by Hallie when no one else will.
Then there is Nate, the neighbour. For some reason he is drawn to Hallie and he seems to be able to see the "real" Hallie and goes all Alpha Male and wants to protect his woman. At times he is an idiot and I want to slap in up the side of his face but he always seems to redeem himself, until one day he couldn't .
I was quite surprised with the ending (cliffhanger) and I did not think it was going to go that way.
I received an ARC for an honest review and I now can't wait for the next book.
March 28, 2016
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Crazy Cajun Book Addicts for an honest review.
This is the second book I have read by Annie Hughes and the second one that's left me desperately needing more.
Annie gives us these characters that are a little bit broken but have strong personalities and you can't help but be pulled into their stories.
Hallie Clarke didn't have the best experience in high school she had to live with other students spreading rumours about her and generally making her life hell she eventually built up walls and she's determined to never get close enough to anyone to enable them to break them down. She's now off to University hoping this will be a new start for her. No sooner is she there she meets her new neighbour. hot and sexy Nate Harris. She tries to stay away from him but eventually he starts to break down her walls but when old rumours come back to haunt her is their relationship strong enough to weather the storm?
This is the second book I have read by Annie Hughes and the second one that's left me desperately needing more.
Annie gives us these characters that are a little bit broken but have strong personalities and you can't help but be pulled into their stories.
Hallie Clarke didn't have the best experience in high school she had to live with other students spreading rumours about her and generally making her life hell she eventually built up walls and she's determined to never get close enough to anyone to enable them to break them down. She's now off to University hoping this will be a new start for her. No sooner is she there she meets her new neighbour. hot and sexy Nate Harris. She tries to stay away from him but eventually he starts to break down her walls but when old rumours come back to haunt her is their relationship strong enough to weather the storm?
March 31, 2016
This is not my first Annie Hughes book and it won't be my last. This author manages to write a romance story that goes deeper than most. She touches on subjects and topics that others just gloss over or shy away from and this book is no different.
Hallie is a young girl struggling with some serious bullying issues. The things this girl has had to deal with were both scary and heart breaking. When Hallie attends college she makes some friends who support her and help her come out of her shell but understandably she has some major trust issues.
The friendships in this story are lovely and believable. We all have that one friend that is so positive all of the time they almost make you sick. The love interest is beautiful and I just wanted to eat Nate up.
I certainly did not predict the ending and hope the next part comes quickly.
If you are looking for a romance story that is so much more than sex and air head characters than this book is for you.
Hallie is a young girl struggling with some serious bullying issues. The things this girl has had to deal with were both scary and heart breaking. When Hallie attends college she makes some friends who support her and help her come out of her shell but understandably she has some major trust issues.
The friendships in this story are lovely and believable. We all have that one friend that is so positive all of the time they almost make you sick. The love interest is beautiful and I just wanted to eat Nate up.
I certainly did not predict the ending and hope the next part comes quickly.
If you are looking for a romance story that is so much more than sex and air head characters than this book is for you.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews