There's something about contemporary novels I'm really starting to enjoy, especially ones where you have to face some kind of real-life issue.'Hooked' was no exception. Behind the golf and the sweet romance developing, there was also a tension that I think was the theme behind the book. I've always had a special place in my heart for the Native Americans. I think they got a raw deal when they lost their way of life so many years ago, and to read a book where the main character lives on a reservation was a new experience for me. I won't deny that I'm extremely ignorant when it comes to reservation life, so I really hope that the way it was portrayed in this book was accurate.'West Side Story' comes to mind when I think of 'Hooked' A story about how two people from different ends of the spectrum meet up and face their own issues while falling in love at the same time. As you can imagine by the blurb above, there is a level of hatred in 'Hooked' and one that just doesn't make any sense to me. And, I have to say I'm glad to be able to say that.'Fred' was a special character to me. She was an introvert, who took up a sport for reasons of her own and ended up being a natural at it. Despite her circumstances, she wanted more than what had been handed to her and she had support from a few unlikely allies. Ryan, her love interest, grew on me as the book continued. I can't really say I was a fan of his at first, but that didn't last long. I kind of like falling for a character during a book because it means that their character is developing and not remaining flat and boring. Ryan was not boring. He was lovely.Secondary characters can sometimes make or break a book and, I think in this case, it made it. Not so much the benevolent characters, but the malevolent ones. They gave the book the kind of tension that held my interest. The flow of the story went well and I loved the alternating voices. I enjoyed being able to get a sense of both characters and what drove them. And I really enjoyed that golf was chosen as the sport instead of the usual sports I see in books i.e. football or baseball.Overall, this book ticked most of the boxes I have, but the one that takes it over the edge - total engagement. There are some books where I lose myself in the writer's world and I hate it when the story ends. I didn't feel that with this book. That's not to say I didn't like it, because I did. And, I'd be happy to read anything else Liz Fichera decides to write because I like her writing style. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance.Now for my rating:-Three out of five stars.This review can be found herehttp://magicalmanuscriptsandwritingthings.blogspot.co.nz/
