Losing Hope (Hopeless #2)

3.0

4.2 (2)

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Author(s)

Colleen Hoover

Publisher

Atria Books

Genre(s)

Age Range

14+

Release Date

July 08, 2013

ISBN

978-1476746555

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Sometimes in life, in order to move forward you must face the past…

#1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover held readers spellbound with her novel Hopeless, the story of what happened when a troubled girl named Sky encountered a long-lost childhood friend, Dean Holder. With Holder’s help, Sky uncovered shocking family secrets and came to terms with memories and emotions that had left deep scars.

Hopeless was Sky’s story. Now, in Losing Hope, we finally learn the truth about Dean Holder.

Haunted by the little girl he couldn’t save from imminent danger, Holder’s life has been overshadowed by feelings of guilt and remorse. He has never stopped searching for her, believing that finding her would bring him the peace he needs to move on. However, Holder could not have anticipated that he would be faced with even greater pain the moment they reconnect.

In Losing Hope, Holder reveals the way in which the events of Sky’s youth affected him and his family, leading him to seek his own redemption in the act of saving her. But it is only in loving Sky that he can finally begin to heal himself.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

Fans of HOPELESS and Dean Holder will enjoy this.

July 07, 2013 (Updated: June 12, 2026)

Overall rating

3.0

Plot

3.0

Characters

3.0

Writing Style

3.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

What I Liked: This is a well-crafted, well-written story with complex characters that deals with heartbreaking issues like sexual abuse and suicide. Holder and Skye are both enjoyable characters, and so mature I forgot at times that they're still in High School.

What Left Me Wanting More: Holder is eighteen but sounds more like a seasoned therapist when he talks to Skye about what she's been through and how she's handling it. This bothered me because while I don't doubt that there are boys his age who are incredibly mature, I think they are few and far between. I also worry that any girl whose been through what Skye has may expect the Holder in her life to respond in kind which would be unfair to both parties. And the fact that there were no consequences for what happened at her father's house was completely unrealistic.

Final Verdict: This is HOPELESS all over again, just from Holder's POV with some extra material thrown in, which means fans of both the original story and Dean Holder will enjoy it.

Jen Top 50 Reviewer 377 reviews

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User reviews

2 reviews

Overall rating

4.2

Plot

4.0(2)

Characters

4.5(2)

Writing Style

4.0(2)

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A(0)

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Hopeless #2 Review

March 18, 2026 (Updated: June 12, 2026)

Overall rating

4.3

Plot

4.0

Characters

5.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Losing Hope is the sequel to Hopeless, and it retells the story from Dean’s point of view. This shift gives a lot more insight into his thoughts, feelings, and past, which makes you understand him on a much deeper level. You see why he acts the way he does and how he struggles with his own pain while trying to protect Sky. I liked how the story added context to events we already knew, and it made me feel even more connected to the characters. The emotional intensity is just as strong as the first book, and some parts made me tear up, especially when Dean’s memories and regrets come to light.

On the downside, because it covers a lot of the same events as Hopeless, it can feel repetitive at times, and some moments don’t have the same shock factor. That said, it’s still compelling if you want to see the story from a new perspective. I appreciated the extra depth it gave to Dean and how the book explores themes of love, loss, and coping with trauma. It reminded me that everyone has their own struggles behind the way they act, which makes the story more realistic and heartfelt.

Good Points

Dean’s perspective adds new depth

Explores love and trauma more deeply

Emotional moments that hit hard

fantasyreads11 Top 50 Reviewer 125 reviews

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All the feels! Again!

March 18, 2015 (Updated: June 12, 2026)

Overall rating

4.0

Plot

4.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Usually I don't find it necessary to do an entire book from another characters perspective, but this was much appreciated.

I knew what was coming.

I've read Hopeless.

Yet still, the big reveal hit me just as hard as if I had no idea.

And maybe reading it from Holder's perspective was almost as heartbreaking as Sky's.

This book felt rushed, but I knew what was happening in those glossed over moments.

I still love it. I still love Holder. And I still cried like a big ole baby throughout most of this book.