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Into the Hollow
The hollow was the perfect place to hide.
Or so Free’s dad thought. His plan: flee California with Free’s five-year-old brother illegally in tow, hide out in the mountains of West Virginia, make fast cash during ginseng season, then escape to a nicer place where the law can’t find them. Free isn’t thrilled about living in a holler alongside drug dealers and thieves, but she’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep her family safe. Unfortunately, with their father disappearing into the woods with increasing frequency, Free and her brother exist largely alone. Until their neighbor Cole appears with lots of questions.
Cole’s spent his entire life in the holler—and his entire life working out a way to leave his druggie mother and incarcerated brother. As the editor of the school newspaper, he’s an expert at getting to the bottom of a story, and he’s determined to crack Free—who seems un-crack-able.
When the family she was desperate to protect is ripped apart, Free turns to Cole for help, the only person willing. But while her plan escalates, Free can’t deny the pull she feels toward the boy with too many questions—and who holds just as many secrets. As they become closer, she finds that Cole might need her help as much as she needs his.
Or so Free’s dad thought. His plan: flee California with Free’s five-year-old brother illegally in tow, hide out in the mountains of West Virginia, make fast cash during ginseng season, then escape to a nicer place where the law can’t find them. Free isn’t thrilled about living in a holler alongside drug dealers and thieves, but she’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep her family safe. Unfortunately, with their father disappearing into the woods with increasing frequency, Free and her brother exist largely alone. Until their neighbor Cole appears with lots of questions.
Cole’s spent his entire life in the holler—and his entire life working out a way to leave his druggie mother and incarcerated brother. As the editor of the school newspaper, he’s an expert at getting to the bottom of a story, and he’s determined to crack Free—who seems un-crack-able.
When the family she was desperate to protect is ripped apart, Free turns to Cole for help, the only person willing. But while her plan escalates, Free can’t deny the pull she feels toward the boy with too many questions—and who holds just as many secrets. As they become closer, she finds that Cole might need her help as much as she needs his.
310 pages, Paperback
First published November 6, 2018
4 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Vroman
10 books389 followersBorn in Pennsylvania, Lynn spent most of her childhood, especially during math class, daydreaming. Today, she spends an obscene amount of time in her head, only now she writes down all the cool stuff.
With a degree in English Literature, Lynn used college as an excuse to read for four years straight. She lives in the Pocono Mountains with her husband, raising the four most incredible human beings on the planet. She writes young adult novels.
With a degree in English Literature, Lynn used college as an excuse to read for four years straight. She lives in the Pocono Mountains with her husband, raising the four most incredible human beings on the planet. She writes young adult novels.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 9, 2019
***Actual Rating: 4/5 Dreams-Unliving Stars***
Into the Hollow featured two teenagers, Free and Cole, living in the Appalachia Mountains Area, trying to figure out what was going on with their lives. When Free’s father went too far by dealing with the devil, her younger brother and her life was in serious jeopardy. They were hunted and threatened by the most notorious gangsters/drug dealers in the area so escaping their nightmare was hardly an option.
Mercifully, with the help of Cole, a cute neighbor who ended up going to the same school as Free, she regained her composure and found back the confidence and motivation she needed to keep moving forward. Little did Free know Cole may be fighting against his personal demons all this time he was doing his best giving her a hand.
As an aspiring journalist, Cole had a habit of putting down headlines in his notepad wherever he went. I loved his random thoughts and inner feelings for Free because he was such a sweet cinnamon roll with a kind heart and a soft spot for this math whizz girl (even though he doesn’t like math that much, ha!).
Despite the adversity both Free and Cole had to encounter, there was a pinch of humor in their daily banters that I absolutely adored. However awkward and inexperienced they were when it comes to love and life, they never backed away from stumbling through darkness just to find the silver lining.
In the beginning of the story, I was totally obsessed with the background setting and character development. I highly appreciated how mature and thoughtful Free and Cole were because in my opinion, that was the highlight of this book. To my slight disappointment, I got lost somewhere in the middle of the story since Cole had way too many questions about Free that were left completely unanswered, untouched. I found myself searching for answers but to no avail.
Thankfully, the story picked up its pace as the ending approached. As relieved as I was to see Free and Cole figure a tiny part of their messed-up lives out, which resulted in them staying clear of the rabbit hole, I would definitely appreciate more if there could be more detailed disclosures on the whereabouts of those villains. I mean, I was pretty curious about what happened to them since they were sort of a crucial part of the story. Don’t get me wrong, the story itself was indeed an awesome-sauce with its well-developed characters and realistically heartfelt plot; it’s just that there were too many unsolved problems to thoroughly enjoy it.
All in all, Into the Hollow is a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED book from me because I think everyone should meet Free and Cole and take a closer look at how they sought the light through darkness, baby step by baby step. It’s an uplifting story since the characters were flawed, stuck with their messed-up families, but somehow fought their way back to normalcy successfully. My favorite feature of the story? It’s undoubtedly its bittersweet touch of reality and helplessness I believe some people in real life are still struggling with, whatever dark corners in the world they are in. Enough said, please go give this book a try and let me know what you think!
”Idea 1082
A Rocket to the Moon—Two Seats”
Into the Hollow featured two teenagers, Free and Cole, living in the Appalachia Mountains Area, trying to figure out what was going on with their lives. When Free’s father went too far by dealing with the devil, her younger brother and her life was in serious jeopardy. They were hunted and threatened by the most notorious gangsters/drug dealers in the area so escaping their nightmare was hardly an option.
Mercifully, with the help of Cole, a cute neighbor who ended up going to the same school as Free, she regained her composure and found back the confidence and motivation she needed to keep moving forward. Little did Free know Cole may be fighting against his personal demons all this time he was doing his best giving her a hand.
For some reason, I felt closer to Free because of it (Amy brought in those clothes she’d promised, as Deacon had been doing for me in secret since the sixth grade), like she was made from the same fabric that constructed me. Except her fabric consisted of numbers where mine was sewn together with words.
As an aspiring journalist, Cole had a habit of putting down headlines in his notepad wherever he went. I loved his random thoughts and inner feelings for Free because he was such a sweet cinnamon roll with a kind heart and a soft spot for this math whizz girl (even though he doesn’t like math that much, ha!).
God, I wished I knew enough math to make her that happy all the time.
Despite the adversity both Free and Cole had to encounter, there was a pinch of humor in their daily banters that I absolutely adored. However awkward and inexperienced they were when it comes to love and life, they never backed away from stumbling through darkness just to find the silver lining.
I’d devoted the entire night to figuring out a way to find her. A waste of time. All I had to do was go into the cafeteria. Poof! There she stood, searching the room with a tray clutched in her hands, oblivious to the people staring at her—including me.
In the beginning of the story, I was totally obsessed with the background setting and character development. I highly appreciated how mature and thoughtful Free and Cole were because in my opinion, that was the highlight of this book. To my slight disappointment, I got lost somewhere in the middle of the story since Cole had way too many questions about Free that were left completely unanswered, untouched. I found myself searching for answers but to no avail.
Thankfully, the story picked up its pace as the ending approached. As relieved as I was to see Free and Cole figure a tiny part of their messed-up lives out, which resulted in them staying clear of the rabbit hole, I would definitely appreciate more if there could be more detailed disclosures on the whereabouts of those villains. I mean, I was pretty curious about what happened to them since they were sort of a crucial part of the story. Don’t get me wrong, the story itself was indeed an awesome-sauce with its well-developed characters and realistically heartfelt plot; it’s just that there were too many unsolved problems to thoroughly enjoy it.
All in all, Into the Hollow is a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED book from me because I think everyone should meet Free and Cole and take a closer look at how they sought the light through darkness, baby step by baby step. It’s an uplifting story since the characters were flawed, stuck with their messed-up families, but somehow fought their way back to normalcy successfully. My favorite feature of the story? It’s undoubtedly its bittersweet touch of reality and helplessness I believe some people in real life are still struggling with, whatever dark corners in the world they are in. Enough said, please go give this book a try and let me know what you think!
March 4, 2019
Wow, I haven't devoured a book like this in months!
I'm not quite sure what exactly I was expecting when I picked this book up, but it certainly wasn't the touching, profound read it turned out to be:
Wonderfully developed, damaged protagonists alongside a slew of amazing supporting characters, all of them struggling to survive and ultimately escape their bleak lives in a deprived coal town in the mountains of West Virginia. Love, friendship, family and loyalty are probably the prevailing themes in this book, and Vroman handled it so well without drifting off into clichés or sobstuff.
While I loved both Free and Cole and their sweet budding romance, it was Free's precious relationship with her little brother that really got to me and moved me most, and how she was willing to sacrifice everything for him. I'm not too proud to admit that it made me shed quite a few tears.
The atmosphere is a rather sad one thoughout the book, bordering on but never quite transgressing into depressing territory, but somehow, it never made me feel down. I just knew everything would work out in the end, Free and Cole being too smart and mature to allow anything else.
So why not 5 stars, you ask, if I adored this book so much?
There was a stretch somewhere in the middle that felt incredibly drawn out, as if the author didn't really know where to take the story from there. The pacing felt off, the characters' thoughts became redundant and I just wanted it to go back to the way it had been before. Thankfully, she managed to recover and once it was back on track, I enjoyed every remaining word of it. So much so that I wished there had been some sort of epilogue.
All in all, though, this was a fantastic read. Emotional, sweet and empowering. What more could you want?
Despite the protagonists being teens, due to some pretty graphic mature content such as domestic abuse, drug addiction and violence, I'm still not sure whether to shelve this book as YA or NA, so I decided on both.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2018
This book is absolutely beautiful. A deep, sweet, and subtly sensual YA that hits you smack in the heart and doesn't let up. It's a must-read for any YA lovers devoted to new voices they've never heard before, coming from characters they've never met before. I wouldn't have missed this delight for the world.
February 24, 2019
I really enjoyed this contemporary fiction novel I received via Netgalley. The story is set in The Hollow, in the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia. It's the story of a girl named Freedom, and her fight to find herself, save her family and get out of the hills. Good story telling and fun, believable characters.
October 17, 2018
There are a lot of YA books out there. Some are fun, some are exciting, some are terrifying, but most aren't quality YA literature. This book is. Into the Hollow is full of yearning, helplessness, hopefulness. It was a heartbreaking read, yet you end it with your heart hoping for the best for Free and Cole. I really cannot recommend this enough if you like YA contemporary books. It provides all the feels and all the hope.
Thank you to NetGally and the publisher for a copy of this book.
Thank you to NetGally and the publisher for a copy of this book.
January 10, 2019
Into the Hollow addresses the topic of poverty. Told with warmth and heart, it's a feel good and feel sad story all at once. We see how to overcome adversity in ways other than the typical. It teaches valuable lessons with loveable characters. I enjoyed this book.
September 24, 2018
Ugly cries at work.. i loved this read!
October 16, 2018
"I desperately wanted her to stay, and she desperately wanted to leave and never look back."
Freedom Paine survives in what is called the Hollow with her Dad and little brother. It is clear from the beginning that Free's Dad is always trying to do what he believes is the best for his family albeit a deluded sense of what is right and wrong. Unfortunately he ends up getting them in more trouble and winds up in jail himself.
Free has to protect her brother, nicknamed Little, who is almost like her own child. She has to bring money in and assume all adult responsibilities that her Dad should be taking care of.
Along the way she meets Cole, her neighbor.
This was where the story annoyed me. Cole seems to be instantly in love with Freedom, obsessed with her despite the fact he knows absolutely nothing about her. Freedom is very aloof. She decides she doesn't need to make friends as it's not necessary and often brushes Cole off. Yet, he still comes back for more! I just didn't get his obsession with her or fully buy it. I could understand, on the other hand, how Free began to have feelings for Cole because he was always there for her and wanted to help her. It just seems that Cole is infatuated with Freedom for no real reason other than for her looks which he mentions quite a lot.
It's not a spoiler to reveal how Free's father ends up in jail. As a result, Little is taken away from Free as she isn't yet 18. Throughout the latter part of the novel she is fighting to get back to him, convinced that all she needs is Little to feel complete and whole again.
This novel deals with young love, domestic abuse, cultural and status prejudices as well as the justification of crimes in order to protect your family. I did enjoy this book, I wouldn't say it gripped me to the point of not being able to put it down, it was more that I felt I had to finish it. I could have easily put this book down and not picked it up again for ages but I didn't entirely dislike the ride, hence the 3 stars.
I found Cole and Free's relationship bizarre and not realistic. Cole is portrayed as such a romantic and that's just not true to life for teenage boys. It's this dreamy charming persona that is portrayed in YA novels that ultimately manifests in disappointment in real life. It was a little annoying in all honesty. However I still enjoyed it for the most part, seeing them come together in the face of adversity was nice but it would have been just as nice had there been no romantic element there. I would have happily settled for them just being great friends.
At times Cole's character didn't feel entirely formed. To me he sometimes broke character into something he wasn't and then would revert back to how I think Cole was meant to be portrayed.
Cole is a writer and Free is more of a numbers type of gal. As a result I enjoyed some of the quotes from Cole's POV chapters.
"I felt closer to Free because of it, like she was made from the same fabric that constructed me. Except her fabric consisted of numbers where mine was sewn together with words."
The way her mask lifted to reveal vulnerability erased my anger and filled me with the need to slay her dragons."
I feel like more could have been done with this book, I was a little disappointed, but overall it's a sweet short read and does give you the feels at times, especially if you sympathize with any of the issues the characters are dealing with in the novel.
NetGalley provided me this advanced reader copy in turn for an honest review.
Freedom Paine survives in what is called the Hollow with her Dad and little brother. It is clear from the beginning that Free's Dad is always trying to do what he believes is the best for his family albeit a deluded sense of what is right and wrong. Unfortunately he ends up getting them in more trouble and winds up in jail himself.
Free has to protect her brother, nicknamed Little, who is almost like her own child. She has to bring money in and assume all adult responsibilities that her Dad should be taking care of.
Along the way she meets Cole, her neighbor.
This was where the story annoyed me. Cole seems to be instantly in love with Freedom, obsessed with her despite the fact he knows absolutely nothing about her. Freedom is very aloof. She decides she doesn't need to make friends as it's not necessary and often brushes Cole off. Yet, he still comes back for more! I just didn't get his obsession with her or fully buy it. I could understand, on the other hand, how Free began to have feelings for Cole because he was always there for her and wanted to help her. It just seems that Cole is infatuated with Freedom for no real reason other than for her looks which he mentions quite a lot.
It's not a spoiler to reveal how Free's father ends up in jail. As a result, Little is taken away from Free as she isn't yet 18. Throughout the latter part of the novel she is fighting to get back to him, convinced that all she needs is Little to feel complete and whole again.
This novel deals with young love, domestic abuse, cultural and status prejudices as well as the justification of crimes in order to protect your family. I did enjoy this book, I wouldn't say it gripped me to the point of not being able to put it down, it was more that I felt I had to finish it. I could have easily put this book down and not picked it up again for ages but I didn't entirely dislike the ride, hence the 3 stars.
I found Cole and Free's relationship bizarre and not realistic. Cole is portrayed as such a romantic and that's just not true to life for teenage boys. It's this dreamy charming persona that is portrayed in YA novels that ultimately manifests in disappointment in real life. It was a little annoying in all honesty. However I still enjoyed it for the most part, seeing them come together in the face of adversity was nice but it would have been just as nice had there been no romantic element there. I would have happily settled for them just being great friends.
At times Cole's character didn't feel entirely formed. To me he sometimes broke character into something he wasn't and then would revert back to how I think Cole was meant to be portrayed.
Cole is a writer and Free is more of a numbers type of gal. As a result I enjoyed some of the quotes from Cole's POV chapters.
"I felt closer to Free because of it, like she was made from the same fabric that constructed me. Except her fabric consisted of numbers where mine was sewn together with words."
The way her mask lifted to reveal vulnerability erased my anger and filled me with the need to slay her dragons."
I feel like more could have been done with this book, I was a little disappointed, but overall it's a sweet short read and does give you the feels at times, especially if you sympathize with any of the issues the characters are dealing with in the novel.
NetGalley provided me this advanced reader copy in turn for an honest review.
April 29, 2019
Thank you so much to Owl Hollow Press and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This novel is set in the town of Poplar Beach, West Virginia where we meet 17-year-old Freedom who is living in a shack without water or electricity with her younger brother and her father. Neither of the children attend school and are not allowed to have any friends. Their father is always scheming ways to make money even if it means ripping people off while Freedom works at a grocery store. Enter Cole, another teenager who also has a troublesome home life. What starts as helping Freedom out after her dad is injured turns into so much more.
I went into this book expecting YA romance which I feel I have read a million times before. I was so not ready for what this book was actually about. It's not just a story about love, it's a story about family and survival and teenagers with crappy lives trying to make it better and be the adults.
Lynn Vroman has an amazing writing style that will keep you interested and wanting to know what happens next. The way she details her characters and the storyline is amazing and she has a true talent for this. I loved the characters Freedom and Cole and how they had such a slow building romance while trying to help each other out. This was such a great book!
This novel is set in the town of Poplar Beach, West Virginia where we meet 17-year-old Freedom who is living in a shack without water or electricity with her younger brother and her father. Neither of the children attend school and are not allowed to have any friends. Their father is always scheming ways to make money even if it means ripping people off while Freedom works at a grocery store. Enter Cole, another teenager who also has a troublesome home life. What starts as helping Freedom out after her dad is injured turns into so much more.
I went into this book expecting YA romance which I feel I have read a million times before. I was so not ready for what this book was actually about. It's not just a story about love, it's a story about family and survival and teenagers with crappy lives trying to make it better and be the adults.
Lynn Vroman has an amazing writing style that will keep you interested and wanting to know what happens next. The way she details her characters and the storyline is amazing and she has a true talent for this. I loved the characters Freedom and Cole and how they had such a slow building romance while trying to help each other out. This was such a great book!
October 29, 2018
This is the best NetGalley book I've read so far. I couldn't put it down. I loved Freedom and Cole and Little and crossed my fingers that the story would end on a positive note. Their lives were so realistic and sad, but they were able to overcome some of it. They had terrible home lives, but some good role models and people to help them succeed. And, honestly, Cole and Free had a very sweet relationship. Plus, her love for Little was so true.
And the writing was fluid and perfect.
And the writing was fluid and perfect.
December 20, 2018
I can’t seem to write this review. I’ve tried a couple of times now and I find myself trying to retell the story and all the great, awesome parts of this book instead of telling you what I love about it. You have to read this book for yourself. It was beautiful.
Since I can’t stop myself from telling you the story, instead I am going to just write up some bullet points about what I loved about this book and some things this book made me think about.
1. This isn’t a book you just read. This is a book you experience. At least it was that way for me. This book hit on some really tough topics – child abuse, drug abuse, extreme poverty, neglect, teen pregnancy, prejudice. But it was also a story about family, hope, discovery, and love. In the end, it really emphasized that sometimes the best action is to let go, rather than continue on a dead end and ultimately destructive path.
2. Everyone in the world should be loved the way Freedom and Little love each other. There was raw emotion there, definitely borne of hard life experiences, but a love deeper between siblings than I’ve ever experienced before in a book. It was pure, unconditional, and beautiful.
3. Everyone in the world should be respected and loved the way Cole respects and loves Freedom. Good guys do exist.
4. Poverty does not have to define you. You define you. Sometimes your decisions (good and bad) can define you (at least temporarily), and the right decisions are super hard to make! But you are never locked in – while it can be difficult, you can change your life if you want to!
5. Not all foster families are bad.
6. Guidance counselors can ROCK!
7. Girls can be unbelievably smart! I love that Freedom was a math prodigy and that it was so prominent in the book.
8. Saying goodbye can be the hardest thing in the world. There is a scene between Freedom and Little that made me ugly cry. It was painful, raw, heart wrenching and destroyed me for a bit. I actually had to put the book down for a while to recover.
9. SO MANY EMOTIONS! This book was a rollercoaster spanning from hate, dread, and despair to outright joy, hope and love. Quite a ride.
10. Sometimes survival means taking care of yourself first. Love yourself.
11. I loved that this is a YA book that did not go the catty high school girls route. Refreshing!
12. You are allowed to be happy!
13. Did I mention MATH!?!!
14. Family is everything. And sometimes the ones that are your best family aren’t even related to you.
15. You are stronger than you think, but you can ask for help when you need it. And when you need to, scream at the top of your lungs from a cliff!
There is so much in this book to love. I want to tell you about all of my favorite parts and provide quotes and describe the scenes, but I would be rewriting the book for you if I included it all. I seriously want to buy this book for everyone I know and hold them hostage until they read it and experience what I just experienced reading it!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Owl Hollow Press for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Since I can’t stop myself from telling you the story, instead I am going to just write up some bullet points about what I loved about this book and some things this book made me think about.
1. This isn’t a book you just read. This is a book you experience. At least it was that way for me. This book hit on some really tough topics – child abuse, drug abuse, extreme poverty, neglect, teen pregnancy, prejudice. But it was also a story about family, hope, discovery, and love. In the end, it really emphasized that sometimes the best action is to let go, rather than continue on a dead end and ultimately destructive path.
2. Everyone in the world should be loved the way Freedom and Little love each other. There was raw emotion there, definitely borne of hard life experiences, but a love deeper between siblings than I’ve ever experienced before in a book. It was pure, unconditional, and beautiful.
3. Everyone in the world should be respected and loved the way Cole respects and loves Freedom. Good guys do exist.
4. Poverty does not have to define you. You define you. Sometimes your decisions (good and bad) can define you (at least temporarily), and the right decisions are super hard to make! But you are never locked in – while it can be difficult, you can change your life if you want to!
5. Not all foster families are bad.
6. Guidance counselors can ROCK!
7. Girls can be unbelievably smart! I love that Freedom was a math prodigy and that it was so prominent in the book.
8. Saying goodbye can be the hardest thing in the world. There is a scene between Freedom and Little that made me ugly cry. It was painful, raw, heart wrenching and destroyed me for a bit. I actually had to put the book down for a while to recover.
9. SO MANY EMOTIONS! This book was a rollercoaster spanning from hate, dread, and despair to outright joy, hope and love. Quite a ride.
10. Sometimes survival means taking care of yourself first. Love yourself.
11. I loved that this is a YA book that did not go the catty high school girls route. Refreshing!
12. You are allowed to be happy!
13. Did I mention MATH!?!!
14. Family is everything. And sometimes the ones that are your best family aren’t even related to you.
15. You are stronger than you think, but you can ask for help when you need it. And when you need to, scream at the top of your lungs from a cliff!
There is so much in this book to love. I want to tell you about all of my favorite parts and provide quotes and describe the scenes, but I would be rewriting the book for you if I included it all. I seriously want to buy this book for everyone I know and hold them hostage until they read it and experience what I just experienced reading it!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Owl Hollow Press for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
October 1, 2018
Residing in the Hollow isn't about living - it's about surviving - something that both Freedom and Cole know all too well. Alike in their desperate need to see their hometown in the rearview mirror as soon as possible, Freedom and Cole's worlds collide in this gritty, heartbreaking, all to real tale.
Squatting in a shack in the mountains of West Virginia with no electricity and a father who is convinced that their luck is about to change, Freedom's only purpose in life (according to her) is taking care and protecting her little bother Little - nevermind having to watch her back at every turn because Little being with them isn't exactly legal in their case. She has no goals or ambitions that doesn't include keeping Little "safe" - including not attending school.
While Cole excels at school, his home life is the complete opposite - stressful, hard, abusive and he can't wait to graduate high school, attend college, and make something out of himself which is more than his mother and brother can ever say. Cole has always noticed Freedom in town, but once they start working together he takes this as an opportunity to try and get to know her better which Freedom isn't exactly fond of.
But when near tragedy strikes Cole is the only person Freedom can turn to for help and she is put into a situation that she has long since dreaded - a situation that forces her to face the tough question of 'what does she really want in life?'
I can honestly say that there wasn't ONE thing that I didn't like about Into the Hollow. From the characters, to the story itself, to the pacing, to the spectrum of emotions you experience, it is such a great, well rounded story. The single last sentence in this book honestly gave me chills because of what it implied and I was so happy because of it. While there is absolute sadness and anger within, you also get these sweet, tender, heartwarming moments too that show the real meaning of family, friends, and what it's like to actually live.
Absolutely recommend this in every way, don't miss it!
*Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review early!*
Squatting in a shack in the mountains of West Virginia with no electricity and a father who is convinced that their luck is about to change, Freedom's only purpose in life (according to her) is taking care and protecting her little bother Little - nevermind having to watch her back at every turn because Little being with them isn't exactly legal in their case. She has no goals or ambitions that doesn't include keeping Little "safe" - including not attending school.
While Cole excels at school, his home life is the complete opposite - stressful, hard, abusive and he can't wait to graduate high school, attend college, and make something out of himself which is more than his mother and brother can ever say. Cole has always noticed Freedom in town, but once they start working together he takes this as an opportunity to try and get to know her better which Freedom isn't exactly fond of.
But when near tragedy strikes Cole is the only person Freedom can turn to for help and she is put into a situation that she has long since dreaded - a situation that forces her to face the tough question of 'what does she really want in life?'
I can honestly say that there wasn't ONE thing that I didn't like about Into the Hollow. From the characters, to the story itself, to the pacing, to the spectrum of emotions you experience, it is such a great, well rounded story. The single last sentence in this book honestly gave me chills because of what it implied and I was so happy because of it. While there is absolute sadness and anger within, you also get these sweet, tender, heartwarming moments too that show the real meaning of family, friends, and what it's like to actually live.
Absolutely recommend this in every way, don't miss it!
*Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review early!*
October 4, 2018
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read Into The Hollow before its release date of November 6, 2018 (my birthday)!
This young adult novel is set in the town of Poplar Branch, West Virginia, in the holler. We meet Freedom Paine, 17, who is living in a shack with her younger brother and father. Neither Free nor her brother attend school or have any friends (in fact, it’s not allowed, it’s almost as if they are in hiding). Her father goes out and tries to scheme money where he can and is promising them a better life. There is so much mystery to her living situation and how her mother died. As the book progresses, we start to learn more and more.
We also meet Cole, a senior in high school. He has been sucked in to the holler life and is desperate to get himself out of there. His father and brother are in jail, his sister is a high school dropout with a child, and his mother is a junkie. Freedom catches Cole’s eye and eventually they end up working together at the same grocery store. They bond over being able to both take home stale food to fill their bare cupboards until Free’s father forbids her to see him anymore.
The characters develop as the story is told. I also could not help but read this story in my head with a very Southern twang. It sucked me in and I had to get to the bottom of every situation. Fair warning, I cried ugly tears twice in this book.
Free’s dad gets involved in a sticky situation and ends up seriously injured. Free turns to Cole for help and essentially her world falls apart. Once Freedom has to seek medical attention for her father, the police get involved because there are 2 minor children he has been caring for. I can’t say much more without ruining the book. Just know Cole is her constant and is there for her, always waiting, always willing. It turns out though, Cole needed Freedom just as much as she needed him. I don’t think I could written a better ending to the journey that Cole and Freedom end up taking together. I will say there is light for them at the end of the holler.
I am giving this book 4 stars. It is a solid, fantastic read. The character development is spot on and the way the story gives us bits and pieces into Cole’s and Free’s lives is delectable. The author makes you feel like you are about to go on a soul crushing ride when at the right moment she picks you up and leaves you with a smile. Absolutely terrific read. Once I got into part 2 I could barely put the book down. Don’t let the category of young adult fool you, this is a great read for anyone of any age.
This young adult novel is set in the town of Poplar Branch, West Virginia, in the holler. We meet Freedom Paine, 17, who is living in a shack with her younger brother and father. Neither Free nor her brother attend school or have any friends (in fact, it’s not allowed, it’s almost as if they are in hiding). Her father goes out and tries to scheme money where he can and is promising them a better life. There is so much mystery to her living situation and how her mother died. As the book progresses, we start to learn more and more.
We also meet Cole, a senior in high school. He has been sucked in to the holler life and is desperate to get himself out of there. His father and brother are in jail, his sister is a high school dropout with a child, and his mother is a junkie. Freedom catches Cole’s eye and eventually they end up working together at the same grocery store. They bond over being able to both take home stale food to fill their bare cupboards until Free’s father forbids her to see him anymore.
The characters develop as the story is told. I also could not help but read this story in my head with a very Southern twang. It sucked me in and I had to get to the bottom of every situation. Fair warning, I cried ugly tears twice in this book.
Free’s dad gets involved in a sticky situation and ends up seriously injured. Free turns to Cole for help and essentially her world falls apart. Once Freedom has to seek medical attention for her father, the police get involved because there are 2 minor children he has been caring for. I can’t say much more without ruining the book. Just know Cole is her constant and is there for her, always waiting, always willing. It turns out though, Cole needed Freedom just as much as she needed him. I don’t think I could written a better ending to the journey that Cole and Freedom end up taking together. I will say there is light for them at the end of the holler.
I am giving this book 4 stars. It is a solid, fantastic read. The character development is spot on and the way the story gives us bits and pieces into Cole’s and Free’s lives is delectable. The author makes you feel like you are about to go on a soul crushing ride when at the right moment she picks you up and leaves you with a smile. Absolutely terrific read. Once I got into part 2 I could barely put the book down. Don’t let the category of young adult fool you, this is a great read for anyone of any age.
August 4, 2023
Also on my blog, Snug Shelf.
Into the Hollow really surprised me, in a good way. I was expecting a novel about a girl finding love despite difficult life circumstances, but what I got was much more. This is a novel about family, hope, poverty, grief, and yes, love. It was unique, heart-wrenching, and pulled me in from the start. I loved Free, Cole, Little, and the supporting characters who helped them on their way and added context to this world.
Yays:
1) Slow-building romance
As I'm sure we can all attest to, insta-love is a huge trope in YA novels, and Cole's immediate obsession with Free made me think that their romance might progress too quickly to be believable. However, Free is understandably skittish and her standoffishness successfully prevents that from happening. I loved seeing the romance build from friendship and trust to something more. Cole is so sweet and respectful and tries his hardest not to push Free despite her secrets and mistrust.
2) Non-catty girls
Initially, it seems as though one of Cole's female friends is going to be a sort of arch-nemesis for Free, as she makes her jealousy pretty clear in the beginning. However, I was pleased with female friendships Free was able to cultivate (albeit through Cole) and Into the Hollow didn't really play on high school drama much at all - impressive since Free is an easy target with her ripped and out of fashion clothing, etc.
3) Math (ugh but also yay!)
Free is basically a math prodigy, able to solve complex equations in her head - she solves the math teacher's "unsolvable" riddle her first week in school. I love seeing girls represented in STEM and it was interesting to see Free use math as a coping mechanism. A sadder side of her gift is that her father doesn't seem to recognize it for what it is, even though her little brother is amazed by Free's mathematical prowess.
4) Unique chapter openers
I'm a sucker for little "extras" in chapter openers - I love extra illustrations, quotes, anything to give a hint of what might happen in a unique way. The story is told in alternating perspectives - Free's and Cole's. Free's sections begin with a math equation and example - for example, a + b = c (in theory, anyway) opens up the first chapter, followed by more complicated equations captioned "momentum," etc. You can probably tell by this explanation that I'm not very good at math, but I loved this little extra insight into Free's mind. Cole's dream is to be a journalist, so his entries open up with a news article style captions like "Mystery Girl Moves in Next Door".
5) Unexpected plot
I had an idea of what I thought the climax of the novel might be early on, but when this event happened in the first third of the book, I knew it would be different than expected. It was so much better, and gave more time for the characters to develop as well as let us see them in different circumstances.
6) A Dumbledore or Gandalf if you will
I love characters who are a sort of guiding force or Dumbledore, Gandalf, Yoda (pick your sci-fi/fantasy poison) if you will. The guidance counselor at Free's school gently pushes her to dream and expect more from her future without being annoying about it.
7) Appalachia
I feel like Appalachia is a region that has gotten a lot of attention in nonfiction and the news lately (i.e. Hillbilly Elegy and responses to it), so it's exciting to see the region represented in YA. The hopelessness and poverty that pervades the area in the novel is disheartening, but seems accurate. Cole's family is torn apart by opiate addiction and the incarceration of his father and his abusive brother, Free and her family are on the run and squatting at an abandoned house, and other characters grapple with issues related to poverty. However, the resilience and heart of other characters shine through and show another side of the community. Other scenes highlight the natural beauty of the area.
8) Strong supporting characters
I loved the development of even the smaller supporting characters. Lynn Vroman tricked me into thinking someone was a one-dimensional person, then show me another side of them later on in the novel.
9) Hero/heroine
When Cole first helps to "save" Free, I thought that dynamic would stick throughout the book. However, Free gets the chance to save Cole too, and their relationship becomes more built on mutual trust and understanding than a white knight/damsel in distress situation.
10) We are family
I LOVED Free's relationship with her little brother, Little. It was the both the most heartwarming and heartbreaking part of the novel, and their little phrase "You're my favorite" ("I love you" in Little speak) made my heart grow three sizes each time it appeared. I also loved Free's memories of her mother, and her love of the music her mother loved. Free's relationship with her father is very complicated - they're affectionate and obviously love one another, but her father doesn't seem to be able to put what's best for his children first, sadly.
Cole also has a complicated relationship with his family. His mother and sister have struggled with opiate addiction, with his mother still on the drugs. His brother Richie is in prison at the beginning of the novel, along with this father, and Cole strives every day to make enough money to get out of the "holler" and away from his family. Cole's sister and her daughter, Cole's niece, provide some sweet spots in all the trauma, but ultimately add to the sadness of the situation since they are stuck as well.
11) Road trip
'Nough said
12) Indie author
I'm ashamed to say that I typically avoid books from small or indie publishers and authors. This books shows me that that's a huge mistake. I think editing could be better (part of my only nay) but this story is too good to miss because of snobbery.
Nays:
1) A lil unbelievable
I sat here for a few moments trying to come up with negatives for this book, but they're hard to come by. I can say that Cole is the sweetest and most understanding teenage boy I've ever read, and it's hard to believe he's real. It's hard to describe, but there's some small something missing from Into the Hollow that keeps me from rating it a full 5 stars. I think the writing is a little off in places, especially dialogue portions, possibly because this is an indie book (as far as I can tell). As we speak though, I'm reading another of Lynn Vroman's novels because I can't believe I haven't heard more about her before.
I highly recommend Into the Hollow for anyone looking for an engrossing novel about family, love, and hope/hopelessness in a rich Appalachian setting.
Into the Hollow really surprised me, in a good way. I was expecting a novel about a girl finding love despite difficult life circumstances, but what I got was much more. This is a novel about family, hope, poverty, grief, and yes, love. It was unique, heart-wrenching, and pulled me in from the start. I loved Free, Cole, Little, and the supporting characters who helped them on their way and added context to this world.
Yays:
1) Slow-building romance
As I'm sure we can all attest to, insta-love is a huge trope in YA novels, and Cole's immediate obsession with Free made me think that their romance might progress too quickly to be believable. However, Free is understandably skittish and her standoffishness successfully prevents that from happening. I loved seeing the romance build from friendship and trust to something more. Cole is so sweet and respectful and tries his hardest not to push Free despite her secrets and mistrust.
2) Non-catty girls
Initially, it seems as though one of Cole's female friends is going to be a sort of arch-nemesis for Free, as she makes her jealousy pretty clear in the beginning. However, I was pleased with female friendships Free was able to cultivate (albeit through Cole) and Into the Hollow didn't really play on high school drama much at all - impressive since Free is an easy target with her ripped and out of fashion clothing, etc.
3) Math (ugh but also yay!)
Free is basically a math prodigy, able to solve complex equations in her head - she solves the math teacher's "unsolvable" riddle her first week in school. I love seeing girls represented in STEM and it was interesting to see Free use math as a coping mechanism. A sadder side of her gift is that her father doesn't seem to recognize it for what it is, even though her little brother is amazed by Free's mathematical prowess.
4) Unique chapter openers
I'm a sucker for little "extras" in chapter openers - I love extra illustrations, quotes, anything to give a hint of what might happen in a unique way. The story is told in alternating perspectives - Free's and Cole's. Free's sections begin with a math equation and example - for example, a + b = c (in theory, anyway) opens up the first chapter, followed by more complicated equations captioned "momentum," etc. You can probably tell by this explanation that I'm not very good at math, but I loved this little extra insight into Free's mind. Cole's dream is to be a journalist, so his entries open up with a news article style captions like "Mystery Girl Moves in Next Door".
5) Unexpected plot
I had an idea of what I thought the climax of the novel might be early on, but when this event happened in the first third of the book, I knew it would be different than expected. It was so much better, and gave more time for the characters to develop as well as let us see them in different circumstances.
6) A Dumbledore or Gandalf if you will
I love characters who are a sort of guiding force or Dumbledore, Gandalf, Yoda (pick your sci-fi/fantasy poison) if you will. The guidance counselor at Free's school gently pushes her to dream and expect more from her future without being annoying about it.
7) Appalachia
I feel like Appalachia is a region that has gotten a lot of attention in nonfiction and the news lately (i.e. Hillbilly Elegy and responses to it), so it's exciting to see the region represented in YA. The hopelessness and poverty that pervades the area in the novel is disheartening, but seems accurate. Cole's family is torn apart by opiate addiction and the incarceration of his father and his abusive brother, Free and her family are on the run and squatting at an abandoned house, and other characters grapple with issues related to poverty. However, the resilience and heart of other characters shine through and show another side of the community. Other scenes highlight the natural beauty of the area.
8) Strong supporting characters
I loved the development of even the smaller supporting characters. Lynn Vroman tricked me into thinking someone was a one-dimensional person, then show me another side of them later on in the novel.
9) Hero/heroine
When Cole first helps to "save" Free, I thought that dynamic would stick throughout the book. However, Free gets the chance to save Cole too, and their relationship becomes more built on mutual trust and understanding than a white knight/damsel in distress situation.
10) We are family
I LOVED Free's relationship with her little brother, Little. It was the both the most heartwarming and heartbreaking part of the novel, and their little phrase "You're my favorite" ("I love you" in Little speak) made my heart grow three sizes each time it appeared. I also loved Free's memories of her mother, and her love of the music her mother loved. Free's relationship with her father is very complicated - they're affectionate and obviously love one another, but her father doesn't seem to be able to put what's best for his children first, sadly.
Cole also has a complicated relationship with his family. His mother and sister have struggled with opiate addiction, with his mother still on the drugs. His brother Richie is in prison at the beginning of the novel, along with this father, and Cole strives every day to make enough money to get out of the "holler" and away from his family. Cole's sister and her daughter, Cole's niece, provide some sweet spots in all the trauma, but ultimately add to the sadness of the situation since they are stuck as well.
11) Road trip
'Nough said
12) Indie author
I'm ashamed to say that I typically avoid books from small or indie publishers and authors. This books shows me that that's a huge mistake. I think editing could be better (part of my only nay) but this story is too good to miss because of snobbery.
Nays:
1) A lil unbelievable
I sat here for a few moments trying to come up with negatives for this book, but they're hard to come by. I can say that Cole is the sweetest and most understanding teenage boy I've ever read, and it's hard to believe he's real. It's hard to describe, but there's some small something missing from Into the Hollow that keeps me from rating it a full 5 stars. I think the writing is a little off in places, especially dialogue portions, possibly because this is an indie book (as far as I can tell). As we speak though, I'm reading another of Lynn Vroman's novels because I can't believe I haven't heard more about her before.
I highly recommend Into the Hollow for anyone looking for an engrossing novel about family, love, and hope/hopelessness in a rich Appalachian setting.
October 16, 2018
Into the Hollow was a really sweet book in a contemporary setting.
Free, our heroine, has a little brother that she loves, and a daddy that isn't too smart. They are trying to survive in this run down old shack without electricity or running water in a poor county where nobody seems to escape from.
She works at the grocery store, where she meets Cole. Cole is in a similar situation to her: his family has also made a lot of unwise decisions, and it seems like he's the only responsible teenager in the family. His only dream is to graduate from high school and move out to a crappy apartment.
They seem to be drawn to each other, even before they meet, although Free doesn't want to admit it. She pushes him away, in fact, until fate intervenes and she needs his help. He doesn't know it yet, but he also needs her help as well...
I loved this story, which is told from both Free and Cole's perspective. I really like these two characters, who are good people, trying to do the right thing, living in messed up family situations. The setting is fairly unique... I haven't read a great deal of books set in Appalachia.
This was a book that I didn't want to put down. I highly recommend it.
Free, our heroine, has a little brother that she loves, and a daddy that isn't too smart. They are trying to survive in this run down old shack without electricity or running water in a poor county where nobody seems to escape from.
She works at the grocery store, where she meets Cole. Cole is in a similar situation to her: his family has also made a lot of unwise decisions, and it seems like he's the only responsible teenager in the family. His only dream is to graduate from high school and move out to a crappy apartment.
They seem to be drawn to each other, even before they meet, although Free doesn't want to admit it. She pushes him away, in fact, until fate intervenes and she needs his help. He doesn't know it yet, but he also needs her help as well...
I loved this story, which is told from both Free and Cole's perspective. I really like these two characters, who are good people, trying to do the right thing, living in messed up family situations. The setting is fairly unique... I haven't read a great deal of books set in Appalachia.
This was a book that I didn't want to put down. I highly recommend it.
November 10, 2018
Free, her father and brother are living in a shack without electricity in West Virginia. Free doesn't have any friends or go to school, but she does have a job at a grocery store while her father devises plans to make money. Free doesn't have any friends, her background is mysterious, but from the beginning she is not helpless. She is doing what she can to help her family.
The book is written from 2 POVs. We meet Cole, a senior in high school who also has a desperate home life. His mother is junkie, his sister has a child and his brother and father are in jail. By 15% of book, Free has caught Cole's eye and they meet when they both work together at the grocery store, bonding over the generosity of the owner who gives them stale and unsaleable foods.
Not surprisingly, Free's dad gets involved in a bad situation, turning her world upside down. Cole is there to help and he is a constant fixture in the story from then on. Cole and Free help each other, it isn't a story of just a boy who helps a girl in need.
This is a heartbreaking read, filled with hope, friendship and love. The character development is great, giving you small pieces of Free and Cole's lives. There was no unnecessary drama and it does have a happy ending.
The book is written from 2 POVs. We meet Cole, a senior in high school who also has a desperate home life. His mother is junkie, his sister has a child and his brother and father are in jail. By 15% of book, Free has caught Cole's eye and they meet when they both work together at the grocery store, bonding over the generosity of the owner who gives them stale and unsaleable foods.
Not surprisingly, Free's dad gets involved in a bad situation, turning her world upside down. Cole is there to help and he is a constant fixture in the story from then on. Cole and Free help each other, it isn't a story of just a boy who helps a girl in need.
This is a heartbreaking read, filled with hope, friendship and love. The character development is great, giving you small pieces of Free and Cole's lives. There was no unnecessary drama and it does have a happy ending.
December 3, 2018
This is a gem.
There's so much to love about this novel. The writing is so smooth and fluid; the dialogue is realistic and the story glides along the page. Lynn Vroman has an amazing style and a great talent. I haven't read any of her other work but will absolutely make a point to do so soon. Honestly, there's such a lovely fluidity to her work that I am straight up jealous.
The story is heartbreaking and hopeful at equal turns. The characters are rich and rounded. It's not often we see a group of young adults band together through thick and thin. Girls welcome new competition without the cattiness that comes so easily to storylines. Adults help and guide but don't make promises they can't keep. Family betrays one another. Family finds a way to come back together.
This was a peek into the lives of the tough people that poverty keeps down. There's no hiding the ugly in this story and there is plenty to see. But there are shining moments of love and hope. The people we meet in this story will resonate for a long time. Thank you to NetGalley and Owl Hollow Press for providing me with a review copy.
There's so much to love about this novel. The writing is so smooth and fluid; the dialogue is realistic and the story glides along the page. Lynn Vroman has an amazing style and a great talent. I haven't read any of her other work but will absolutely make a point to do so soon. Honestly, there's such a lovely fluidity to her work that I am straight up jealous.
The story is heartbreaking and hopeful at equal turns. The characters are rich and rounded. It's not often we see a group of young adults band together through thick and thin. Girls welcome new competition without the cattiness that comes so easily to storylines. Adults help and guide but don't make promises they can't keep. Family betrays one another. Family finds a way to come back together.
This was a peek into the lives of the tough people that poverty keeps down. There's no hiding the ugly in this story and there is plenty to see. But there are shining moments of love and hope. The people we meet in this story will resonate for a long time. Thank you to NetGalley and Owl Hollow Press for providing me with a review copy.
January 9, 2019
Into the Hollow is more than a YA contemporary , it’s also a coming of age story which portraits the value of hard work, the importance of family and the difference realist and fake dreams. In this story we follow the perspectives of our two main characters : Freedom and Cole and the cruel reality of their lives. Not only that but how their environment also affects the decisions they make about their future.
This story is heartbreaking but also a warm fuzzy one (trust me ) . It’s deep and filled with emotion: anger, sadness and joy are some of the many feelings you will get while reading this book. It’s extremely fast paced . Lynn did a wonderful job with the writing , making you feel like you’re part of the story .
I decided to give this book 4.5 /5 stars because I had an issue with a part of the story (which I will not talk about because it will be a spoiler) but that didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the book. Highly recommend it .
This story is heartbreaking but also a warm fuzzy one (trust me ) . It’s deep and filled with emotion: anger, sadness and joy are some of the many feelings you will get while reading this book. It’s extremely fast paced . Lynn did a wonderful job with the writing , making you feel like you’re part of the story .
I decided to give this book 4.5 /5 stars because I had an issue with a part of the story (which I will not talk about because it will be a spoiler) but that didn’t affect my overall enjoyment of the book. Highly recommend it .
October 4, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley for opportunity to review before release date of November 6th!
People growing up in the Hollow have a difficult time. For Freedom (Free) and her young brother, Little, getting though a day can be difficult. Squatting in the Appalachian mountains with their father, Free's entire purpose in life is to care of her young brother. Until she meets Cole. New love and tragedy occur for both Cole and Free as their young lives spiral.
A love story filled with tragedy and sadness, but also so much HOPE.
I loved the setting of this story. Vroman does a wonderful job of juxtaposing the depressing situation of living in the "holler" and "squatting" with young love and possibilities. And Free was a wonderful female protagonist. I loved her devotion to Little, her relationship with both Cole and Mim, and her desire to make something better for herself.
People growing up in the Hollow have a difficult time. For Freedom (Free) and her young brother, Little, getting though a day can be difficult. Squatting in the Appalachian mountains with their father, Free's entire purpose in life is to care of her young brother. Until she meets Cole. New love and tragedy occur for both Cole and Free as their young lives spiral.
A love story filled with tragedy and sadness, but also so much HOPE.
I loved the setting of this story. Vroman does a wonderful job of juxtaposing the depressing situation of living in the "holler" and "squatting" with young love and possibilities. And Free was a wonderful female protagonist. I loved her devotion to Little, her relationship with both Cole and Mim, and her desire to make something better for herself.
November 16, 2018
This book was beautifully heartbreaking
This book comes in two POV’s Cole’s and Freedom. It took me till about 20% to get into the book but once I did I wasn’t able to put it down. We meet Free who meets Cole while she’s working at the grocery store. She lives with her dad and brother in a shack that doesn’t have electricity. (I think will all need to do that at some point to just be able to unplug from the world) Cole is a senior in high school and he doesn’t have the greatest home life with this mom being on drugs, his dad is in jail and his sister has a child of his own.
This was a well written coming of age story. There were times where I was laughing, crying, laughing and crying again. The relationship that Cole and Freedom develop is bitter sweet.
This is one that I defiantly think that you all should check out and read for yourself.
This book comes in two POV’s Cole’s and Freedom. It took me till about 20% to get into the book but once I did I wasn’t able to put it down. We meet Free who meets Cole while she’s working at the grocery store. She lives with her dad and brother in a shack that doesn’t have electricity. (I think will all need to do that at some point to just be able to unplug from the world) Cole is a senior in high school and he doesn’t have the greatest home life with this mom being on drugs, his dad is in jail and his sister has a child of his own.
This was a well written coming of age story. There were times where I was laughing, crying, laughing and crying again. The relationship that Cole and Freedom develop is bitter sweet.
This is one that I defiantly think that you all should check out and read for yourself.
October 9, 2018
I loved this! If you are a fan of Netflix’s Ozark show then you have to pick this one up! Weird comment, I know but even though it’s West Virginia vs. Missouri it feels so similar, the desperation of the setting and the people.
Free is such an interesting character, so tough and frail at the same time. Cole is so well written, his perseverance and decency in such a horrible situation was almost beyond comprehension. The relationships that develop and the dialogue were so real.
The journey and growth experienced by these two characters really moved me. I was happy with the ending. This was a great story and I highly recommend it! I will read more by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, Owl Hollow Press for a copy in exchange for a review.
Free is such an interesting character, so tough and frail at the same time. Cole is so well written, his perseverance and decency in such a horrible situation was almost beyond comprehension. The relationships that develop and the dialogue were so real.
The journey and growth experienced by these two characters really moved me. I was happy with the ending. This was a great story and I highly recommend it! I will read more by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, Owl Hollow Press for a copy in exchange for a review.
July 14, 2020
I want to shout from the rooftops like a crazy lady: READ THIS BOOK!!!! I went into this book thinking that I was going to enjoy it. It exceeded that expectation. I rooted for these characters. I cried for these characters. I yelled at these characters. Most importantly, I found myself PROUD of these characters. For a truthful insight into the poverty and struggles of the mountains of West Virginia, read this book. For a story so unbelievably heartfelt and characters that are absolutely wonderful, read this book.
A con that I found was that it was pretty insta-lovey. But for me personally that wasn't a huge deal and the book just shines!
Thank you Lynn Vroman for writing such a story that resonates with me so deeply.
A con that I found was that it was pretty insta-lovey. But for me personally that wasn't a huge deal and the book just shines!
Thank you Lynn Vroman for writing such a story that resonates with me so deeply.
June 14, 2022
This was a beautiful story. It really puts life into perspective for you.
Free is a teen living in a shack with her father and brother. They have no power or running water, even though it’s modern day America, and are scraping to even feed themselves.
They are running from something, and when it catches then it turns Free’s world upside down.
Into the Hollow has complicated family dynamics, romance, humor, and a poignant portrayal of breaking free from inter generational trauma and poverty.
It’s not the normal genre that I read but I still enjoyed it!
Free is a teen living in a shack with her father and brother. They have no power or running water, even though it’s modern day America, and are scraping to even feed themselves.
They are running from something, and when it catches then it turns Free’s world upside down.
Into the Hollow has complicated family dynamics, romance, humor, and a poignant portrayal of breaking free from inter generational trauma and poverty.
It’s not the normal genre that I read but I still enjoyed it!
September 27, 2018
This book was well written and evenly paced. The characters were well developed and I really liked them all except the obvious bad guys.
As a mother to a 5yr old (Free's brother's age)
there was some tear jerker moments for me and I could relate to how she felt in those moments.
SPOILER ALERT:
I do wish they would have shown the reunion of her going back to Cole, I really wanted to read that from his POV.
Overall a really good book
As a mother to a 5yr old (Free's brother's age)
there was some tear jerker moments for me and I could relate to how she felt in those moments.
SPOILER ALERT:
I do wish they would have shown the reunion of her going back to Cole, I really wanted to read that from his POV.
Overall a really good book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2018
This story tugged at my emotions in all the good ways. I'm not a huge fan of contemporary YA, but Lynn Vroman's INTO THE HOLLOW stole my heart. I do love strong family ties, and the bond between the characters, especially Free and Little, was a pure delight. Highly recommended.
May 14, 2019
~I received an ARC of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ~
~~~
Lynn Vroman's Into The Hollow is a beautiful story about survival, the harsh landscape of rural Appalachia, destructive families, poverty, friendship and the striking, unforgettable rawness of love. The story follows Free, a girl who loves her younger brother Little more than anything and follows her dad's "winging it" plans which always fall through because she has no choice if she wants her family to stay together. They've had to run away from their old life, leaving them with the bare minimum for survival and limited options for the future. One day, her neighbour Cole, who lives in the same poverty-ridden part of the world as her, finally approaches her and starts asking the questions he's always wanted to know, the ones Free doesn't want to answer. As the pair grow closer, Free discovers that it might actually be Cole who needs her the most. And that might just cost her everything she's ever known.
I am so incredibly happy I got to read this ARC and I would so love to buy a copy when it comes out in November. I was really blown away by this story and it comes down to three things that are so important to me in every book I read: the writing, the original story and the characters that felt larger than life.
First of all, Lynn Vroman's writing is so exquisitely subtle, it's breathtaking. Her style was simple and easy to follow, but it had a delicate bite to it that was powerful and perfect for getting across the scope of the rural landscape, the sorrow and fear of the characters and beauty of a life full of moments that are always changing and always so precious. I was really, really impressed as a reader.
For me, the story felt so fresh and different to a lot of YA I've read recently. It has a completely different feeling to it, in the sense that it begins with exploring the struggles of poverty, homelessness and the loyalty young people feel toward their families even if they are not good for them. I found it fascinating to get a look into Free and Cole's lives, so different to mine growing up. They are living to survive and get by. Free wants nothing more than to keep her brother safe and Cole wants nothing more than to escape his destructive family. It was chilling to read about. The plot is so tender and exciting, with both the harsh and the beautiful thrown in as the characters move through their world and adapt to changes.
The characters really come to life in this book and I adored each and every one of them. Free is a math genius, loyal to her family, tough and protective of her little brother, Little, who is the most adorable five year old you're likely to read about this year, and desperate to keep her family together no matter how much she has to sacrifice. Cole has lived a difficult life and dreams of escaping it, which he writes about along with his Journalistic headlines in his countless notebooks. He's friendly, generous and feels everything strongly and head on. Cole and Free's budding friendship is wonderful to read, I loved seeing how it developed. There are also many other minor characters, such as Cole's friend group, fantastic teachers and some characters I won't mention that I either felt sorry for or hated. Each character has an integral role to play, but it's especially Free and Cole that shine in this book.
I'm not usually one to care about giving ratings. I give stars on my finished reads on Goodreads, but that's about as far as I go. There was only really reason why Into The Hollow didn't get the full five stars from me, and that was only that I felt towards the end of the book some of the plot felt a little rushed or that there hadn't been quite enough backbone. That didn't spoil my overall feeling of the book, though, just meant it was just a little under perfect, like a 4.7 if I'm being precise. I absolutely loved Into The Hollow. I'm so inspired by Lynn Vroman's writing style and the story she has breathed into these pages. Free and Cole with always live in my heart.
~~~
Lynn Vroman's Into The Hollow is a beautiful story about survival, the harsh landscape of rural Appalachia, destructive families, poverty, friendship and the striking, unforgettable rawness of love. The story follows Free, a girl who loves her younger brother Little more than anything and follows her dad's "winging it" plans which always fall through because she has no choice if she wants her family to stay together. They've had to run away from their old life, leaving them with the bare minimum for survival and limited options for the future. One day, her neighbour Cole, who lives in the same poverty-ridden part of the world as her, finally approaches her and starts asking the questions he's always wanted to know, the ones Free doesn't want to answer. As the pair grow closer, Free discovers that it might actually be Cole who needs her the most. And that might just cost her everything she's ever known.
I am so incredibly happy I got to read this ARC and I would so love to buy a copy when it comes out in November. I was really blown away by this story and it comes down to three things that are so important to me in every book I read: the writing, the original story and the characters that felt larger than life.
First of all, Lynn Vroman's writing is so exquisitely subtle, it's breathtaking. Her style was simple and easy to follow, but it had a delicate bite to it that was powerful and perfect for getting across the scope of the rural landscape, the sorrow and fear of the characters and beauty of a life full of moments that are always changing and always so precious. I was really, really impressed as a reader.
For me, the story felt so fresh and different to a lot of YA I've read recently. It has a completely different feeling to it, in the sense that it begins with exploring the struggles of poverty, homelessness and the loyalty young people feel toward their families even if they are not good for them. I found it fascinating to get a look into Free and Cole's lives, so different to mine growing up. They are living to survive and get by. Free wants nothing more than to keep her brother safe and Cole wants nothing more than to escape his destructive family. It was chilling to read about. The plot is so tender and exciting, with both the harsh and the beautiful thrown in as the characters move through their world and adapt to changes.
The characters really come to life in this book and I adored each and every one of them. Free is a math genius, loyal to her family, tough and protective of her little brother, Little, who is the most adorable five year old you're likely to read about this year, and desperate to keep her family together no matter how much she has to sacrifice. Cole has lived a difficult life and dreams of escaping it, which he writes about along with his Journalistic headlines in his countless notebooks. He's friendly, generous and feels everything strongly and head on. Cole and Free's budding friendship is wonderful to read, I loved seeing how it developed. There are also many other minor characters, such as Cole's friend group, fantastic teachers and some characters I won't mention that I either felt sorry for or hated. Each character has an integral role to play, but it's especially Free and Cole that shine in this book.
I'm not usually one to care about giving ratings. I give stars on my finished reads on Goodreads, but that's about as far as I go. There was only really reason why Into The Hollow didn't get the full five stars from me, and that was only that I felt towards the end of the book some of the plot felt a little rushed or that there hadn't been quite enough backbone. That didn't spoil my overall feeling of the book, though, just meant it was just a little under perfect, like a 4.7 if I'm being precise. I absolutely loved Into The Hollow. I'm so inspired by Lynn Vroman's writing style and the story she has breathed into these pages. Free and Cole with always live in my heart.
October 17, 2021
The story is told in a way that reveals the many sides of Free, first as the main provider in her family and second as a student with a bright future. The introduction to Cole was also done well because he shows a different side to a similar life. There was a good balance between the darkness of their struggles and the brightness of their potential as well as how else life could look like for Free and Cole, separately and together.
The story started suspenseful with secrecy and twists and slowly became more of a romance. It read to me a bit like a New Adult novel, without the sexual content. The way the characters started a bit mysteriously and with their own baggage, and then the story evolved into how they find solitude in each other as a way to escape their struggles was very similar to how New Adult stories are structured.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys young adult contemporary stories with characters who are rough around the edges, who also discover themselves and come into their own. It’s a solid story about teens who are forced to grow up fast, sacrifice for their families, and have more adult experiences than any senior in high school should have to face.
An ARC copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story started suspenseful with secrecy and twists and slowly became more of a romance. It read to me a bit like a New Adult novel, without the sexual content. The way the characters started a bit mysteriously and with their own baggage, and then the story evolved into how they find solitude in each other as a way to escape their struggles was very similar to how New Adult stories are structured.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys young adult contemporary stories with characters who are rough around the edges, who also discover themselves and come into their own. It’s a solid story about teens who are forced to grow up fast, sacrifice for their families, and have more adult experiences than any senior in high school should have to face.
An ARC copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2018
What a fantastic and deeply engrossing story! I loved the unusual setting in dirt poor coal country, and the circumstances of the characters fit the setting quite well. The characters had so much depth and the story was so plausible that it was hard not to try to read cover to cover in one sitting. I laughed, my heart broke a bit, and I cheered on our hero and heroine as they grew and found their way in their world. I highly recommend this book to readers.
January 19, 2019
This book was just absolutely gorgeous. Heartbreaking and sweet, it follows 17 year old Freedom and 18 year old Cole through their hard times and their sweet budding romance.
Incredibly poignant. I am still crying. I can not recommend this one enough. Thanks netgalley for giving me a chance to read Into the Hollow.
Incredibly poignant. I am still crying. I can not recommend this one enough. Thanks netgalley for giving me a chance to read Into the Hollow.
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