Hopeful Paperback

A SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE.​Set in London with British characters. Joel Wentworth is the hot sexy guy in college. Ava Elliot is a shy girl, lacks confidence and sees Joel as out of her league.When Joel becomes interested in Ava and they become study partners Ava struggles with seeing herself as worthy of Joel and doesn't share their relationship with her friends.Joel and Ava live in a bubble, they meet daily in the library, study, they have hot passionate sex, they share thoughts and words of love and forever but Ava lacks confidence and in the end that confidence ends their relationship.Joel and Ava have chemistry and are destined to be together, Hopful is a story of regrets, mistakes and maturity.Joel and Ava are part of a close knit group of friends so despite there growing love for one-another they keep it a secret. Joel would shout it from the roof tops but Ava wants to keep it between them, have their own little bubble with no-one making judgement."A long time ago, Joel Wentworth told me he’d love me for infinity . . . and I can’t give up hope that it might have been true".Joel eventually left for New York and Ava stayed not able to stand up for what she feels or what she believes in.8 years later Joel returns and Ava has never got over him and it's time to prove she belongs to him and has always belonged to him and time to come clean to her friends that the reason why she has never dated is because there has only ever been one guy for her.....JoelThe plot goes from past to present. The past shares how Joel and Ava meet, their journey to love, the encounters while studying, the secret meetings, the hot passionate sex, rotating from one chapter in the past then going to to the present.The Present plot is Ava's apprehension of Joels return and her thoughts of would he hate me for not leaving with him, would he still love me?, is he married?Ava still has the same friends from college and they all live in London so meeting Joel is inevitable or maybe destiny?.I loved this group of friends with the British banter, I listened this on audio and it had that Bridgette Jones feel. You could picture them all sat in a pub, laughing and joking taking the p*ss out of one another.Hopful is a hot steamy read with a story that does actually give you hope for the characters.A great story told in Ava's pov, leads to hea with no cheating, angst or drama. A feel good read with plenty hot scenes.

I am no stranger to Louise Bay's books and this one does not disappoint at all (hence the 5 Stars). The beauty of Louise Bay's work is that her writing is effortless. She draws you into the story, making you fall in love with the characters before you even realise it has happened.Let me start with the main characters; Ava and Joel. Ava is just a gem of a character. She is funny, doesn't take herself too seriously, gorgeous (according to her friends), the same insecurities as most women and just going through life trying to find true love. Whilst reading the book, I found myself thinking that Ava doesn't realise how amazing and gorgeous she really is. She is always wondering why would a guy like Joel like her, when he could have the pick of the bunch. Joel's character is a fantastic 'book boyfriend'; hot, lots of charisma, understanding, patient and kind."But I saved your spot." He'd saved me a seat, he'd saved me a seat!. I really shouldn't have been so excited.The story is a beautiful and realistic love story. The characters are convincing - you could actually imagine someone re-telling this magical story of lost love in real life. The author has created the story using details from the past and present. It is entwined together so naturally that it draws you in, making you feel what the character is feeling.The love scenes in the book are HOT and sensual. They range from intimate, leaving the reader to use their imagination - "Then I felt his tongue on me. Softly, almost not touching me, just a fraction heavier than air." To RED HOT - 'He was a man on a mission. A mission to f**k me senseless.'A beautiful love story by Louise Bay.

After reading faithful and loving it ,I new Hopeful was going to be special .From the start I was pulled into the story . With just the right mix of humour and sweetness and hot sex.The story alternated between past and present unravelling the story as it goes along . I found Ava frustrating at times ,but that only added to the appeal of the book ,as for Joel everyone would love a Joel of there own smart ,sexy ,funny need I say more.I would gladly give this book more stars where they there to give .I have already recommend this book to various groups and friend and will quite happily sing Louise's praises to all who will listen.Another excellent read, can't wait to see what you have in store for us next.

I was really looking forward to this book and I certainly was not disappointed. I loved the delectable Joel Wentworth, a gentlemanly alpha. I was actually gutted when I got to the end of this book because I don't get to snuggle up on the sofa with him anymore!Ava is a female lead that women can relate to and the same can be said about the support characters, including the gorgeous couple, Daniel and Leah. Who are the leading characters in Louise Bay's first book, Faithful.I really like the authors writing style. It's sassy, witty yet sensual. I eagerly await her next book.A fabulous five star read for me...I thoroughly enjoyed it!!

80% of this book was written in the past making the book a "coming of age" and "new adult" book which I do not like. The female character questions and doubts every single thing to the point of annoyance. Why didn't he kiss me ? Did he kiss me ? Maybe he wants to kiss somebody else ? It just goes on and on the entire book ! I have enjoyed Louise Bay's other books but this was just awful.