What do you think?
Rate this book
Loveless #1
Loveless
The first book in Marissa Howard's vivid trilogy about a gray world, forgotten love, and the fight to find it again.Eighteen-year-old Laney spent the last thirteen years of her life in gray. Gray walls, gray clothes, gray napkins sitting next to gray plates and forks and knives. And gray air - air so thin, so far underground, that even the lights seem to be choking.Ever since the ban on love in the world went terribly wrong and Laney and 96 others took refuge in an old underground bunker they call the Dome, that's how life is.Gray. Cold. Silent.The rules inside the Dome are Don't speak to one another. Don't touch one another. Always walk in a line. Every vote must be unanimous. And don't ever, ever speak of love.Silence is the way to peace. Gray is the color of peace. Love is the opposite of peace.Laney believes every word. After all, she saw the world destroyed because of love.But then the perfect gray world cracks.The leaders suddenly announce that they are holding a competition where eight people will be chosen to leave the Dome and go above ground for the first time in thirteen years. The winners will get to see the world again - to breathe air, to see color. If any of it still exists.When the boy in Laney's studies - the tall one, with brown hair - illegally takes her hand during the competition and holds it up for everyone to see, Laney is stunned.And when Laney discovers the real reason behind the competition - to search for love in a world where it doesn't exist anymore - she realizes one simple, terrifying thing they all know nothing about - the thing they destroyed - might be the thing they need to keep them alive.Look for the sequel, Fearless, and the epic series finale, Pointless!
214 pages, Paperback
Published January 19, 2017
17 people are currently reading
65 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 26, 2018
The author does a fantastic job of illustrating the story with her words. I felt like I was there with the characters due to the imagery she created. I enjoyed reading this dystopian novel and I gained an appreciation for the things I take for granted on a day to day basis. If you enjoy the Hunger Games, this is a must read!
March 16, 2018
It was such a good book. I was hooked from the beginning. Enough twist it in to keep it interesting and to keep you reading.
November 15, 2017
Different type of a dystopian world
Loveless had me hooked from beginning to end! The descriptive storytelling helps to paint a picture between the soul-destroying gray to the beauty of a brand new world. Being able to experience a new world with Laney and seeing her story evolve is a must read for any YA dystopian fan.
Also, asking for a friend, what’s the normal cool-down time of when it’s ok to reread a book?
Loveless had me hooked from beginning to end! The descriptive storytelling helps to paint a picture between the soul-destroying gray to the beauty of a brand new world. Being able to experience a new world with Laney and seeing her story evolve is a must read for any YA dystopian fan.
Also, asking for a friend, what’s the normal cool-down time of when it’s ok to reread a book?
January 1, 2019
I grabbed this book because of the cover. And I’m so glad I did. I loved it!! Best thing I’ve read in a while. Great dystopian and romance in 1 book. Characters are well developed. There is a wide range of emotions going on....sadness, happiness,fear, anger. Just a brilliant read.
October 16, 2019
This was a slow start for me - I found the premise a bit unbelievable at the beginning - but once I got into it I couldn't put the book down and read the whole thing in one day. Really enjoyed all the different characters, the plot, and especially the emotional range of the book.
November 19, 2019
Beautiful imagery- you can feel every scene and such an interesting concept! A riveting, exciting, and thought provoking read. An easy read to get lost in and take your imagination even beyond the book. The start is a slow burn, but it picks up quickly!
February 24, 2018
Wonderful book that had me hooked the whole time. It was uplifting and showed love in such an invigorating way. I haven't read a story quite like this before. Highly recommended.
October 29, 2019
A remarkable, interesting story! BUY NOW
GET UP ☝ AND BUY THIS BOOK NOW!!!!!! 😍THEN RELAX AND ENJOY A SPECTACULAR BOOK! 😍 IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY! BUY THIS BOOK NOW!
GET UP ☝ AND BUY THIS BOOK NOW!!!!!! 😍THEN RELAX AND ENJOY A SPECTACULAR BOOK! 😍 IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY! BUY THIS BOOK NOW!
Want to Read
October 9, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/9/2022)! 🎁
March 6, 2017
Must read!!
This was an excellent book that held my attention. I couldn't put it down. Can't wait for Melissa's next book!
This was an excellent book that held my attention. I couldn't put it down. Can't wait for Melissa's next book!
February 3, 2025
An obvious 5⭐️
***I first picked up Loveless because I know Marissa personally—we worked together, and I was so excited to read her fiction work. Knowing her non-fiction talent firsthand, I had high expectations, and she ABSOLUTELY delivered! It’s always incredible to see someone you know bring a story to life in such a powerful way. I couldn’t be more proud of her for creating such an immersive, unforgettable book.
Summary: Loveless is a gripping dystopian tale that explores the consequences of a world stripped of love. Set in a society where love is outlawed and silence is the ultimate form of peace, the novel follows Laney, who has spent the past 13 years confined in an underground bunker known as the Dome. The rigid rules—no speaking, no touching, no individuality—have shaped her reality. But when a sudden competition offers a rare chance to see the outside world, Laney’s beliefs about love, survival, and freedom begin to unravel.
Laney is a verrry compelling protagonist, torn between what she’s been taught and what she begins to discover. The novel’s pacing kept me hooked!!
Structure y houghts: Marissa’s storytelling shines in her atmospheric world-building. The stark contrast between the colorless existence inside the Dome and the tantalizing mystery of what lies beyond makes for an engaging and immersive read. The concept of love being erased from human existence—and the consequences of its absence—adds depth to the novel, making it more than just any another dystopian adventure.
Personal opinion: I absolutely loveeeeee this book! It had me on the edge of my seat, and I couldn’t put it down. The tension, the mystery, and the slow unraveling of the world’s secrets kept me completely hooked. I’ve read this book so many times, and each time, I find something new to appreciate. Laney’s journey is so compelling, and the way Marissa builds suspense is masterful. The story is both thrilling and thought-provoking, making it one of those books that sticks with you long after you turn the last page.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) – A hauntingly beautiful take on love, survival, and rebellion.
***I first picked up Loveless because I know Marissa personally—we worked together, and I was so excited to read her fiction work. Knowing her non-fiction talent firsthand, I had high expectations, and she ABSOLUTELY delivered! It’s always incredible to see someone you know bring a story to life in such a powerful way. I couldn’t be more proud of her for creating such an immersive, unforgettable book.
Summary: Loveless is a gripping dystopian tale that explores the consequences of a world stripped of love. Set in a society where love is outlawed and silence is the ultimate form of peace, the novel follows Laney, who has spent the past 13 years confined in an underground bunker known as the Dome. The rigid rules—no speaking, no touching, no individuality—have shaped her reality. But when a sudden competition offers a rare chance to see the outside world, Laney’s beliefs about love, survival, and freedom begin to unravel.
Laney is a verrry compelling protagonist, torn between what she’s been taught and what she begins to discover. The novel’s pacing kept me hooked!!
Structure y houghts: Marissa’s storytelling shines in her atmospheric world-building. The stark contrast between the colorless existence inside the Dome and the tantalizing mystery of what lies beyond makes for an engaging and immersive read. The concept of love being erased from human existence—and the consequences of its absence—adds depth to the novel, making it more than just any another dystopian adventure.
Personal opinion: I absolutely loveeeeee this book! It had me on the edge of my seat, and I couldn’t put it down. The tension, the mystery, and the slow unraveling of the world’s secrets kept me completely hooked. I’ve read this book so many times, and each time, I find something new to appreciate. Laney’s journey is so compelling, and the way Marissa builds suspense is masterful. The story is both thrilling and thought-provoking, making it one of those books that sticks with you long after you turn the last page.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) – A hauntingly beautiful take on love, survival, and rebellion.
August 8, 2017
Overall: The test is, “can you believe a world or society like this would actually exist?” I couldn’t, and that frustrated me. But even I’ll acknowledge that if a reader can “go with it” and read the story for what it is, they’ll enjoy it.
Full review available at my blog: https://mlsweech.wordpress.com/2017/0...
April 15, 2017
Loveless is captivating. It explores a society that bans love and all that comes with it- touch, relationships, laughter, etc. The novel takes you through the world of 8 teenagers "discovering" love for the first time, and how it transforms their world view. Very beautifully written. Can't wait for the sequel!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews