Series Review: Hooked by Liz Fichera

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

Hooked by Liz Fichera | Hooked Series

Other books in the series:

Series: Hooked
Author: Liz Fichera
# of Books: 2 (Hooked, Played)
Complete?: For now yes, but a 3rd book may be in the works
Genre: Young Adult, Sports, Romance
Heat Rating: cold
Point of View: First Person, Alternating

Thoughts:

**This post was originally posted as a Fresh Friday review of the first book of the series. It has now been updated to include the newest publications in the series.**

I liked this book more than I thought I would. I think that this book could have been really stereotypical (and often at times it is in its delivery) but I feel like it touches upon other important issues like gender and race which are often missed or not as well expanded in other novels. It really opens your eyes to how people treat others in high school and after reading I was thankful that I never had those issues in my high school (though I’m sure they do happen). This is probably a good point to mention that the plot mostly focuses on Ryan and Fred’s character development and not so much on their romance–so if you are looking for a hot romance novel like the cover might suggest, you won’t really get that here 😉

I was reading other reviews of this book to help jog my memory because I did read it a month or so ago. I found it interesting that some people really admired Fred’s ability to preserver while others critiqued her for not sticking up for herself. I personally liked Fred. Sometimes I wanted to give her a smack to set her straight but I think that she is someone to respect as she does carry herself extremely well despite everything thrown at her. When it comes to liking or disliking characters it is a completely subjective review so to each their own I say!

Ryan was a tough one to like though. He was a bit of a D-bag but I appreciate that his character grows throughout the novel.

The only character I really had a problem with was Seth–talk about over the top! I think if he was toned down a bit, I would have given this book a solid 4 instead of a 3.5. Also, I would have appreciated an epilogue.

UPDATED (July 8/14): When I finished Hooked, I was super excited to read Played. The two leads seemed like an unlikely pair based on my impressions of them in Hooked so I was interested in seeing where the sequel would go. Overall, Played follows a similar formula as its predecessor. It mostly focuses on the individual growth of each character and the romance takes a bit of a back seat–and I found that the romance here really took a back seat.

With the exception of a few plot points, I found Played to be very realistic for teens. I think a lot of the everyday scenarios are occurances that teenagers find themselves in–like house parties, disagreements with parents, and academic pressures. While readers might not identify completely with a character they will probably relate to one aspect of their life in some way. So I applaud Fichera for that focus in her novels.

Conclusion:

Overall, this book was refreshing in the sense that it isn’t just a story about a popular boy falling in love with a social outcast. There are other issues brought up that add a little something to this book that others in this genre often lack. I’m actually more excited to read the sequel than I think I was to read this book. I think it is going to be super cute! The sequel is definitely a great follow-up to the first book; again don’t expect a full on romance novel though.

Rating: 3.5/5

Similar Reads: Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally (Hundred Oaks Series, #1)

Synopsis for Hooked (from Goodreads):
When Native American Fredricka ‘Fred’ Oday is invited to become the only girl on the school’s golf team, she can’t say no. This is an opportunity to shine, win a scholarship and go to university, something no one in her family has done.

But Fred’s presence on the team isn’t exactly welcome — especially not to rich golden boy Ryan Berenger, whose best friend was kicked off the team to make a spot for Fred.

But there’s no denying that things are happening between the girl with the killer swing and the boy with the killer smile…

GET HOOKED ON A GIRL NAMED FRED.