REVIEW – SOULMATES by Holly Bourne

Posted January 20, 2014 by Emma in Blog / 23 Comments

Soulmates
by Holly Bourne
Publisher – Usborne 
Release Date – September 1st 2013
Buy – Amazon | Book Despoistory

Every so often, two people are born who are the perfect matches for each other. Soulmates. But while the odds of this happening are about as likely as being struck by lightning, when these people do meet and fall in love…thunderstorms, lightning strikes and lashings of rain are only the beginning of their problems.

Enter Poppy, the 17-year-old cynic with a serious addiction to banana milk, and Noah, the heart-throb guitarist; residents of mediocre Middletown, sometime students, and…soulmates.

After a chance meeting at a local band night, Poppy and Noah find themselves swept up in a whirlwind romance unlike anything they’ve ever experienced before. But with a secret international agency preparing to separate them, a trail of destruction rumbling in their wake, (and a looming psychology coursework deadline), they are left with an impossible choice between the end of the world, or a life without love…

 Let me ask you this, what does Soulmate mean to you?
noun
plural noun: soulmates
1. a person ideally suited to another as a close friend or romantic partner. (source: Google)
That definition is only the beginning for Poppy and Noah…
 Soulmates is a YA Contemporary like no other… a story that has a dark side… a love that is Earth Shattering (literally)… 
Your probably thinking another contemporary review, I am sorry I have no order to my reviews but to be honest I would never class this as some ordinary YA contemporary, this is far more scientific, complex and is defined by the power of the Gods to destroy any hope of true love.  Yes… it is emotional which left me feeling hollow inside but its the emotion that you have to go through to fully understand the concept that love will never be happy ever afters (as much I would love them to be). 
I’m a hopeless romantic and I will always be; love songs, cringey rom-coms, falling for the dark, handsome guy, and happy ever afters. So when I meet Poppy she is a cynic, completely hates the ideal of love and the whole falling in love process, that may be seen as a bad aspect of her character but that only intrigues me even more. If a character starts out like that then you know that it can only get better for her, can’t it!? But she didn’t know what the higher powers had instore for her, especially not in the form of a beautiful guitarist. Not in her case, I’ll bet. But she can’t deny her feelings or let her head rule her heart in this particular situation. Noah is your cliche dark, handsome teen hearthrob who has a very entranced feel to his musical talents. Being part of a band makes him to be surrounded by beautiful girls but only one has ever captured his eyes literally. 
Holly Bourne captured their relationship as a definition of real love. Poppy and Noah never imagined a force beyond their capabilities could be their love entranced by eye contact or as simply one touch. What I loved was the scientific aspect and concept of the novel. Every page turned has your heart pounding, what will happen next, how can Poppy and Noah know, why hasn’t Anita, Dr Beaumont just idly watched by when the world is in danger through treacherous storm and unexplained weather???? All these questions, I guess that’s a consequence of being a reader when you can’t do anything, it ends the reader’s world. Holly’s written style was inspiring the use of another concept seeing it from both perspectives really captured the extent of the danger and scientific cross-over of power and science. But that lies where the frustration… you want the happy ending, a solution therefore love has its consequences in life, and there’s was immediately captivated by a world weakened by their very own peril. 
A refreshing, unique YA contemporary, Holly Bourne’s debut novel is the discovery of true love vs real love. I mean if that’s true love then what can you do…for me regardless of the the consequences you only get to experience it once and I think that is what Holly is trying to say as well as how real love is and not some happy ever after…which we all wish. 
Rating – 4.5
I received this book from Usborne in exchange for a honest review.
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23 responses to “REVIEW – SOULMATES by Holly Bourne”

  3. Zoe Crook

    Great review! I've heard of this book but I've never really known what it is about. So glad you enjoyed it 🙂 Unique contemporaries are so refreshing to read. As much as I love romcoms and chick lits, cliche romance does annoy me sometimes so it would be nice to read about "real" love where things aren't necessarily going to end in happy-ever-after. Thanks for sharing, Emma 🙂

    • admin

      Thank you Zoe. I know this one surprised me so much and because it was the opposite of a cliche. I enjoyed it so much more. I love surprises and twists you get addicted even more. Exactly. I guess that's what I loved about the whole ending even if I did have a tear to my eye. Thanks for stopping by Zoe. 🙂

    • admin

      Oh wow. I really hope you enjoy this… its brilliant. I'll look forward to your review. Thanks for stopping by Amenah. 🙂

  5. Rebekah Campbell

    EMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I'M TRYING SO HARD TO READ REVIEW BOOKS! WHY WOULD YOU MAKE ME PUSH THIS UP MY TBR?! I'm only kidding 😉 I've been looking for ANY excuse to read Soulmates sooner so thanks for the amazing review 😀

    • admin

      HAHA! Thanks Rebakah! It's a brilliant book and I would encourage you to read it sooner. It just truly inspiring. I'll look forward to your thoughts and review when you read it. Thank you for stopping by. 🙂

  6. Siiri

    "a love that is Earth Shattering (literally)…" WOW EMMA! That's intriguing. Oh, I love emotional stories 🙂 AND HEA's. WIN! It sure can get only better from that, but it sounds more like a trait for guys–not believing in love you know. And real love? WHOOP WHOOP! I love the cover so everything basically looks like a win for me at this point. So happy you enjoyed:)

    • admin

      Oh yes, earth-shattering if its anything like the weather in the UK at the mo. I wouldn't be surprised that it could be down to this book or review. Hehe. Yes, I always thought it would be the guy not believing in love, so that was a surprise and twist when I read it. It's full of them. Definitely WIN!! Thanks Siiri! 🙂

  7. Eileen

    I am such a huge fan of contemporaries and this one looks so cute and so heartbreaking. I love those books that perfectly balance a romance that makes your heart pound as well as an emotional level that makes you feel hollow inside and really think about the book. Great review, Emma! Glad you enjoyed this one <33

    • admin

      Contemporaries are my favourite. This one I think you would really enjoy Eileen. Definitely cute and heartbreaking but a great combination to have I think in a romance YA. Thanks for stopping by Eileen. 🙂

  8. Tanja - Tanychy

    Now you've got me. I'd never give this book a chance just because the whole story about soulmates I have seen so many time and it annoyed me. I'm so glad it's not a typical contemporary romance and that it offers much more. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Great review 🙂

    • admin

      It seems rather cliche but it really isn't, it was a total surprise and I love this sort novel. So many variables that coincide with one another. Its brilliant and I would recommend it to give it a try, you won't be disappointed. 🙂 Thanks Tanja.

  9. Keertana

    I haven't heard of this one before, but it sounds absolutely adorable! Contemporary isn't always my genre of preference, but I'll definitely have to look more carefully into this one. Wonderful review! 😀

    • admin

      Thanks Keertana. It is. I would really recommend it and I think you might enjoy this one. It has so many elements to it, scientific, paranormal and alike that there's nothing you couldn't enjoy. Thanks for stopping by.

  11. Rachel

    I am a total hopeless romantic, too, Emma! I'm so intrigued by your review, but also a little uneasy. I'm not sure everything works out for these two in the end. This does sound lovely, though. Excellent review! 🙂

    • admin

      I was like that in the beginning but actually the heartbreak is totally worth it in the end. Its a standalone which I loved because I don't think I could go through it again in the sequel, haha. I love being a hopeless romantic with any book I read. The romance is always key with me. 🙂 Thanks Rachel.

  12. Jenny

    How have I never heard of this one Emma?! It sounds like something I would love so I'm adding it to the list. I'm a romantic at heart too, so I'm sure Poppy will be a little bit of a challenge for me in the beginning, but in a good way. In a way that makes me want to know more about the differences between us. Lovely review!

    • admin

      I really enjoyed Poppy's character especially the knowing that she was a cynic at heart with love. But I overcame that obstacle and I thought it was quite comedic that she fell hopelessly in love with Noah. 🙂 I hope you get to read it soon. Thanks Jenny. 🙂