Hooked

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Author(s)

Liz Fichera

Publisher

Harlequin TEEN

Genre(s)

Age Range

12+

Release Date

January 31, 2013

ISBN

9780373210725

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HE said: Fred Oday is a girl? Why is a girl taking my best friends spot on the boy's varsity golf team?

SHE said: Can I seriously do this? Can I join the boys' team? Everyone will hate me - especially Ryan Berenger.

HE said: Coach expects me to partner with Fred on the green? That is crazy bad. Fred's got to go - especially now that I can't get her out of my head. So not happening.

SHE said: Ryan can be nice, when he's not being a jerk. Like the time he carried my golf bag. But the girl from the rez and the spoiled rich boy from the suburbs? So not happening.

But there's no denying that things are happening as the girl with the killer swing takes on the boy with the killer smile...

HE said: Fred Oday is a girl? Why is a girl taking my best friends spot on the boy's varsity golf team?

SHE said: Can I seriously do this? Can I join the boys' team? Everyone will hate me - especially Ryan Berenger.

HE said: Coach expects me to partner with Fred on the green? That is crazy bad. Fred's got to go - especially now that I can't get her out of my head. So not happening.

SHE said: Ryan can be nice, when he's not being a jerk. Like the time he carried my golf bag. But the girl from the rez and the spoiled rich boy from the suburbs? So not happening.

But there's no denying that things are happening as the girl with the killer swing takes on the boy with the killer smile...

Editor reviews

4 reviews

Overall rating

4.2

Plot

4.0(2)

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4.0(2)

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4.5(2)

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A Stunning Debut

January 05, 2013 (Updated: January 05, 2013)

Overall rating

4.7

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Hooked is exactly the right title for this one, because hooked is what I was from page one on. Liz Fichera has written a masterpiece about the troubles of high school, acceptance, and how to be yourself.

Hooked is a complete story of opposites. There are essentially two different worlds that the characters have known. Fred knows life on the reservation and Ryan knows his privileged life off the res. Both characters have so much to learn about the other and the lives they had led. There were so many great moments between Fred and Ryan - both on and off the golf course.

I loved Liz Fichera's choice in golf. It is a different sport that doesn't usually get focused in on, so it was fresh and new. I also just loved her writing. It is simply gorgeous.

The chemistry between Fred and Ryan was there from the start. I loved that they had their problems to work through and really had to commit to build their relationship. The prejudices and stereotypes of society play a large role into the problems in the basis of their relationship. The minor characters in the book really come to the forefront with Liz Fichera's great characterization. I loved Mr. Trueblood and Mr. Oday, I think they were my favorite two minor characters of the book.

The ending was one aspect of Hooked that left me wanting more. The entire story had a nice build up and I felt like the ending was just a little short. I wanted to know just a few more details on how some events were going to play out.

Hooked by Liz Fichera was just spectacular. I only put it down when I absolutely had to and when I did, I was constantly trying to find another chance to pick it back up. Liz Fichera is an author to watch and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.

Erica Top 50 Reviewer 192 reviews

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Engaging Read

December 07, 2012 (Updated: December 10, 2012)

Overall rating

3.7

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When I saw the summary for this book, I was totally expecting it to be lighthearted and funny, but it isn't. It took me a few chapters to get really into the story, but once I did, I was hooked. I enjoyed the alternating POV's and that it sheds a positive light on Native Americans. It also shows the long held negative attitudes and stereotypes from both sides of the coin and neither is very flattering.

Fred is a great role model for both girls as well as Native Americans, and I liked that she wants more for herself than what's usually expected of the people living on the Rez. Even her own mother doesn't expect Fred to do anything more than waitress after she graduates but her Dad is different. He's always encouraged Fred, knowing her only outlet is golf and that she's really good at it. When she gets the opportunity to play on the boys' team, he leaves the choice up to her even if it concerns him. Everyone she knows warns her about the white boys but Fred refuses to give up even when things get ugly and dangerous for her.

Ryan is a stereotypical spoiled rich kid who's used to having everything handed to him but as Fred learns, things aren't always as they seem. He struggles with anger issues and finds escape in partying it up with his BFF Seth and sometimes girlfriend, Gwyneth but it's obvious he's miserable. Golf is his only source of happiness, or so he thinks, until Fred comes along and turns his life inside out.

They challenge each other not only on the golf course but off as well, and together they might even be able to break down social barriers if Ryan can keep from screwing it all up.

I liked that Ryan is given the chance to redeem himself, however, I felt like his anger and family issues that seemed so prominent in the beginning were never fully explained. I also would've liked to have seen a little more of Fred and Ryan's story, which is not to say I didn't enjoy the ending, because I did, it just seemed a little short to me.

Good Points

The cover is what "hooked" me into reading this story at first.

Jen Top 10 Reviewer 415 reviews

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5 reviews

Overall rating

4.0

Plot

3.8(5)

Characters

4.0(5)

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4.2(5)

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HOOKED

July 18, 2014

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4.0

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HOOKED is a YA contemporary novel about a girl called Fred who joins the school golf team. She is the only girl on the team and the guys aren't accepting of her, especially as she unknowingly took the spot from one of their teammates/friend. But she pretty much wipes the floor with them, and catches the full attention of Ryan. Told in switching POV between Fred and Ryan, we get good insight into the development of their feelings for one another and the similarities in their home life, despite how different that seems at first. I thought I knew exactly what I was getting with this book after reading the description, but I was pleasantly surprised throughout. I loved how unpredictable the story was and I thoroughly enjoyed both the romance and the sport.

Kate Top 500 Reviewer 23 reviews

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Review: Hooked (Hooked #1)

July 15, 2013

Overall rating

5.0

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Hooked...

The cover just looks wrong. So wrong. Fortunately, none of what the cover is hinting is in the book. So parents, feel no need to hide this book due to possible, possible, inappropriate, and loveful events that do not exist.

The writing was excellent. No comments, but Ms. Fichera did a wonderful job writing about golf. And the love of golf of the main character. She certainly expanded my knowledge of golf. All those pars and bogeys. Now I know the difference between those two. (Par is 0 or good. Bogey is 1 or bad.)

The chemistry between Ryan (the love interest) and Fred (the main character) was cute and adorable. I practically squeal at any parts that included these lovebirds. They were a match made in heaven. Fred is a girl, BTW. Ryan is a boy. These two lovebirds remind me of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. (I am not sure why they do, but they do remind me of that love story.)

Fred is an outstanding character. Her mother is an alcoholic. Her father is a poor man. They are Native Americans living on a Reservation. (Reservations are lands reserved only for Native Americans). Fred's happiness is playing golf. We see how much she loves golf and how good she is at it.

Ryan is the guy on the boys golf team. He is one of "rich white boys." He is spoiled and a ridiculous character. Proud, yes. Arrogant, sort of. But he has a lot of attitude. Lots of it. It leaks off the book, literally. He is a good boy with a good heart. But he lets peer pressure and drugs and bad best bros/friends get to his head. They make him do things he doesn't want to do. He shuts up when he really needs to speak up. Ryan later learns an important lesson from Fred and others.

Seth, the evil boy. The enemy is this book. Seth is Ryan's bro and best friend. They had been friends ever since a shocking event, which I will not name. He is a crazy character with a lot of depth. He's not quite shallow unlike the females/Ryan's crazy girlfriend.

The switching POVs between Ryan and Fred makes the book much more entertaining. I love seeing their views and what they thought of each other. I enjoyed the twists and turns. The foreshadowing events, which are usually revealed by Ryan, are fascinating.

Did I mention the feud between the Indians and the whites? Oh yeah, there is a feud. It's not the type where they go "Your ancestor killed my ancestor. I will take revenge on your family by killing you." Nope. A completely different one.

This is a good book. I will recommend this book to my peers. The only problem is the cover. They will not touch this book with a ten foot long pole.

This book's rating is four out of five. Go Ryan!

-ofpaperandwords.blogspot.com

Alison Hong Top 500 Reviewer 37 reviews

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An honest and well told story.

February 28, 2013 (Updated: February 28, 2013)

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3.7

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Originally posted on "Confessions of an Opinionated Book Geek"
http://bookgeekconfessions.tumblr.com/post/40942654919/hooked-by-liz-fichera-view-the

Good Points

Fred likes to play golf. In fact, golf is the only thing in her life that makes her feel good. So, when the coach of the high school golf team asks her to join, Fred jumps at the chance. The problem is that everyone else on the team is male, privileged and white, three things that Fred is not. And the fact that a popular boy was kicked off the team to make space for Fred, doesn’t make things better for her. “Hooked” is told from the POVs of both Fred and school it-boy Ryan. Through their eyes we get to see both sides of the story. It’s all direction and misdirection and how easily it is for the smallest thing to be misconstrued and made into a much bigger problem.

After starting, but not finishing “Perfect Chemistry,” I became weary of reading teenaged interracial contemporary romance. “Perfect Chemistry” is one of the most ignorant and prejudiced books I have ever read. Reading the synopsis of “Hooked,” I was afraid to be bombarded with another ignorant authors idea of teenage romance and what it means to be a minority in this country. Fortunately, “Hooked” is not like that at all. “Hooked” is honest and well researched. The author did not try to pretend that the divide and distrust between the two groups at this high school was anything but racially charged confusion and ignorance. She didn’t offend my intelligence by trying to excuse, sugarcoat or over exaggerate the situation. She also doesn’t write cliche and stereotypical Native American characters. Both sides of the line have been separated and held back from the other. They do not know each other, they do not understand each other’s ways, but a girl with the strange name of Fred and the game of golf is about to change all that.

I recognized a problem with this book on the first page. I opened the book believing it to be about football/soccer, but it’s actually about golf. Golf is a sport I do not get. Footy I get. Rugby, cricket, basketball and American football and baseball, I get all of those. I even understand why people play on bowling leagues, but golf? I just don’t get why anyone competes in that and I was sure this would prevent my enjoyment of “Hooked.”

I was wrong. Golf in “Hooked” is not described from the point if view of the audience, but from the inner thoughts of the players mind. To Fred Golf is an escape, the one thing she is truly good at and a symbol of her hope for the future. Golf is the thing that can get her out of her family trailer on the reservation. Golf is also her hiding place from her problems. When life gets her down she picks up a nine iron and puts a few balls on the range. (Ha, I learned golf lingo, boom!)

Initially being in Ryan’s head did not endear him to me. His POV gave me the same reaction that meeting him in a high school hallway would give me; spoiled privileged kid who thought his life sucked, but had no earthly idea how lucky he was. I mean what kind of kid doesn’t recognize a girl he has classes with? This is not college where your in a lecture with 250 people! This is high school with what 20 kids per class? To make matters worse he called “The Great Gatsby” a lame 100 yr old book that never made any sense! That frame of thought did not endear him to me, as Gatsby is one of my favorite books.

One thing that works beautifully in “Hooked” is the evolution of Ryan’s character. Sometimes in life we meet people who move through our world like a tornado. They make you take a closer look at yourself and the people around you. They make you question the status quo of your life and as a result you begin to question who you are and what you stand for. Fred is the storm that blows through Ryan’s existence. His POV goes from whiny and cliche teenage angst to thoughtful and full of purpose. Ryan is still a teenager at the end, so there is still overblown angst, but he goes through a transformation that I enjoyed reading.

The love story in “Hooked” is well crafted and filled with dozens of emotions. Fred and Ryan do not look at each other across the room and are instantly in an epic romance. This story, like love, takes its time. It is bumpy in places, smooth in others and has a lot of hurdles to jump over. These characters go from enemies, to tentative team mates, hesitant friends and then finally it becomes more. It is not easy for these two and it is not a match made in heaven. No matter our age group, we all have baggage. We come with family, friends, traditions, expectations and prejudices. It is just a matter of deciding that the other person is worth it.

“Hooked” is not a unique story and at moments it is filled with overblown drama, but it is sweet. By the middle of this book you will be rooting for these kids and hoping that they can figure it out. This story is complicated and filled with half starts and full stops. Your emotions will be all over the place and your frustration will rise, but it will be worth it to finish this journey with Fred and Ryan.

Naomi Davis Top 500 Reviewer

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An amazing debut about a girl named Fred!

January 30, 2013

Overall rating

4.3

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I never thought that I would fall for a girl named Fred; but I did, I really did...

Liz Fichera puts it all out there in Hooked - bullying, inequality, racism, addictions, the test of relationships, loyalty and love. I love when an author can be completely honest with her characters and their situations. Makes the characters stronger, believable and memorable. Both main characters are teens that are raw and definitely not perfect by making some bad mistakes and, sometimes, learning from those mistakes.

Fred is a Native American girl who loves to play golf. Golf is a lifeline for Fred, not only does she enjoy and excel at it, but it also helps distract her from the stresses in her life. Her family lives on the reservation; her father works as the groundskeeper at the local golf course and her mother is an alcoholic who tries to help make ends meet as a waitress at an upscale restaurant. Life is not easy for Fred, especially at school, surrounded by 'rich white kids' who tease and bully her because of her heritage.
So when the high school golf coach asks Fred to be on their all-boy team, it is no surprise when Fred hesitates and almost says no. It is no surprise when her teammates ignore her and the whispers and teasing from her classmates get worse. Fred remains quiet and does what she knows best, golf.

Ryan, the school's golden-boy-golf-star, really took me by surprise. His best friend, Seth, was kicked-off the golf team for more than one reason and Ryan was just as angry about the decision and changes. When Seth went overboard to bully and hurt Fred, I thought that Ryan would step up and be the good guy, the typical 'knight in shining armor' - and I was so wrong to assume. He was anything but that. Peer pressure influenced Ryan's decisions so many times. Even though as time went along and he was getting to know more about Fred, like her, help her. When the real stuff would happen, he would give in to his peers and pull away. This made me so angry. But, as difficult as it was, I understood where Ryan was coming from - and he needed to go through the things that he went through with Fred in order to become the person that he did in the end. Just like Fred.

I really liked how the story was told from both Fred's and Ryan's point-of-views; being able to see exactly what they were thinking and going through made me understand their differences and choices which was definitely needed for this book.

I am very much looking forward to Hooked's companion novel,
Played, which is to hopefully be released in 2014!

Margie Cortina Top 100 Reviewer 63 reviews

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A decent read,though would have been better left as a stand-alone.

January 21, 2013 (Updated: January 21, 2013)

Overall rating

3.0

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Recommended by: Harlequin Teen via Netgalley

Recommended for: Girls and girly guys who like sweet love stories.

**An ARC e-galley was provided by Harlequin Teen via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Hooked,for me,was a decent read.It was not an intense feisty read which I was expecting,judging from the cover.I mean,just look at it! O.O It's hot,admit it!!!

So if you're looking for a hot and intense read,do NOT turn to this book to meet your desires.On the other hand,if you want a book which is unbelievably sweet and has a strong and admirable female protagonist,well look no further!! Hooked might just be the next big thing for you!So whether you'll like it or not really depends on your taste.But one thing's for sure,it can be a perfect travel read,despite the fact that it's a part of a series.Which leads to my next musing.Why IN THE WORLD is it a part of a series?!It could have been a perfect stand-alone! >.< So as for my conclusion on the sequel, Played,it will either stand out in the limelight or burn to ashes.But we'll see what happens. **smirks**