5 Stars for ‘Hopeful’ by Louise Bay!

Goodreads Synopsis:

I’ve spent the last eight years working hard to put my career front and center in my life, dodging any personal complications. I have a strict no-dating policy. I’ve managed to piece together a reality that works for me.

Eight years ago, Joel Wentworth, the love of my life, left for New York. I’d refused to go with him and I haven’t seen him again. Never even spoken to him.

Until now.

Now, Joel’s coming back to London.

And I need to get over him before he gets over here.

*✿༻༺✿*

DaisyGal’s Review:

What a beautifully touching romance of true love and second chances!

‘Hopeful’ had me pulled in right from the very start. Ava Elliot could never imagine that anyone like Joel Wentworth could be interested in her. He was charming and confident and women flocked to him unabashedly. Ava was quiet and insecure and would rather be the wallflower in her group of friends than have anyone scrutinize or judge her. Joel was very intrigued by Ava’s simple beauty and pursued her relentlessly which resulted in them falling head over heels into a natural and effortless love. However, Ava was always afraid of letting anyone down, and instead of fighting for Joel, she lost him when he went to America. She made futile attempts to try and move on, but always knew and regretted her mistake. Then Joel came back…

This book is told in both past and present tense and in Ava’s point of view. I have to admit that I became super impatient about halfway through the book just dying to know what was going on in Joel’s head. The buildup was intense, and I found myself yearning for the answers to why they separated and if they could open up their feelings for each other and possibly be together again. When everything was finally put out on the table, I was full of anticipation. When Joel admitted that he was scared, I just melted. When he gave Ava a week to tell her friends about their relationship, I was pacing. I was totally rooting for them, and in the end I was ecstatic!

I’m actually kind of in love with Joel and his incredibly honest feelings for Ava (don’t tell Mr. DaisyGal). He only wanted her to be happy and completely believed in their love. However, he also was patiently waiting for her to be confident in herself, go after what she wanted, and prove her belief in their love as well.

‘You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope…I have loved none but you.’

Initially, I was a little skeptical in how two people that had been apart for 8 years could possibly find love again. I have to say that the way in which Bay intertwined the past and present and slowly unfolding all of the details throughout the story really made everything make perfect sense. They shared a very true love, and I thought it was incredibly sweet and touching.

I have been on a bit of a Louse Bay reading streak lately, and I am loving her writing! There is also another book with one of the characters from this story called ‘Faithful’ that was published around the same time. It is not available right now, but I am of the understanding that she will be re-releasing it soon and I can’t wait!

I simply adored this book! It was very well written and such a sweet and heartfelt love story. I highly recommend it!

*** 5 Stars for Me! ***