Book Review: Belonging by Karen Ann Hopkins

Belonging
Temptation #2
Author: Karen Ann Hopkins
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Release Date: April 30th 2013
Review Source: NetGalley/Harlequin TEEN
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) I left everything I knew behind.

But it was worth it. He was worth it.

No one thought an ordinary girl like me would last two minutes living with the Amish, not even me. There are a lot more rules and a lot less freedom, and I miss my family and the life I once had. Worst of all, Noah and I aren't even allowed to see each other. Not until I've proven myself.

If I can find a way to make it work, we'll be NOAH & ROSE

together forever.

But not everybody believes this is where I belong.

Tempted by a love from a girl he couldn't have. Tempted by a love from a boy that was so different. Belonging to one another with a love so strong that neither one could deny, priceless.
Noah and Rose are inseparable. Faced with many challenges and extreme roadblocks ahead, they are each headed down a path with a common destination, however the path must be traveled alone. Belonging is the next chapter in this story of love and determination. Rose has found herself in a situation where she is excepted by many, however not all. The Amish community have given her the chance to prove herself. She has to prove that living the simple life is enough for her. She is willing to do this, because deep down inside she knows that the end of the path, means reaching Noah, her one and only love. Rose is up for the challenge. She strives to go above and beyond to prove herself worthy of the Amish way. The novel begins with a sense of comfort that the challenge may be an easy one however she learns quickly with the introduction of new characters and old, that the path to travel may be rocky.

An observation that I made very early regarding Belonging, was the cover. I understand that many authors do not have 100% final say on book cover picks. However, in the first book of the series, Temptation, it was left up to my imagination what Rose and Noah looked liked. The cover projected a shadow of true hidden passion. With Belonging, my visualization of what they look like has changed. This cover portrays a very older Noah and Rose. Her attire also threw me off a bit as well. Was the cover a deal breaker for me, NEVER! 

Belonging was filled with many unexpected story lines, twist and turns that I didn't see coming. Karen Ann Hopkins has truly captured her audience by providing a novel that is filled with well thought out character development and a descriptive plots that is sprinkled throughout the novel with just enough hope to push the reader on. I'm invested in Rose and Noah's story. Belonging is a novel that you won't put down until the last page. Thank you Karen Ann Hopkins for putting their world down on paper for all readers to enjoy. I shall wait patiently for the 3rd book in this wonderful series.