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eesh25's review
3.0
The book had a very strong beginning but, by the end, it lost me completely.
The beginning of the relationship was very tentative. There were small conversations and glances. There was a friendship formed. It moved slowly, and I was fully on-board. I liked both Jonah and Sean.
Honestly, for the first two-thirds of the novel, I was really liking it. And there are still parts of it that weren't ruined for me by the last third. I think the author did a good job of showing us Sean's grief. The writing in the book was good. I also liked some of the side-characters. And just the theme of healing, by giving yourself time and distance, was done well. I still had a couple of issues—like the L-word coming too soon—but no major complaints. But at around 65%, I started to get bored.
At that point, it felt like the plot of the novel was done. There was no conflict, and it was like the book paused to have an early, extended epilogue (there's one at the end, too) for a couple that I wasn't fully sold on yet. It was tedious to read.
And then, after like 40 pages of that, we finally got a conflict, except I didn't like the way it was handled. There were time jumps, lack of communication on Sean's part, and things glossed over. And by the end, I kinda wanted Sean and Jonah to not end up together. That, for a romance novel, is not good.
Overall though, this wasn't a bad read. Like I said, it started off strong. It just starting going downhill for me after a certain point. But that is, once again, an unpopular opinion. Most people who've read the book loved it. I wish I could have as well.
The beginning of the relationship was very tentative. There were small conversations and glances. There was a friendship formed. It moved slowly, and I was fully on-board. I liked both Jonah and Sean.
Honestly, for the first two-thirds of the novel, I was really liking it. And there are still parts of it that weren't ruined for me by the last third. I think the author did a good job of showing us Sean's grief. The writing in the book was good. I also liked some of the side-characters. And just the theme of healing, by giving yourself time and distance, was done well. I still had a couple of issues—like the L-word coming too soon—but no major complaints. But at around 65%, I started to get bored.
At that point, it felt like the plot of the novel was done. There was no conflict, and it was like the book paused to have an early, extended epilogue (there's one at the end, too) for a couple that I wasn't fully sold on yet. It was tedious to read.
And then, after like 40 pages of that, we finally got a conflict, except I didn't like the way it was handled. There were time jumps, lack of communication on Sean's part, and things glossed over. And by the end, I kinda wanted Sean and Jonah to not end up together. That, for a romance novel, is not good.
Overall though, this wasn't a bad read. Like I said, it started off strong. It just starting going downhill for me after a certain point. But that is, once again, an unpopular opinion. Most people who've read the book loved it. I wish I could have as well.
purple676's review
2.0
dnf at 57%
I really tried to like this book because it started good but then I couldn’t connect with anything in the story, not the characters or the romance or the plot.
I really tried to like this book because it started good but then I couldn’t connect with anything in the story, not the characters or the romance or the plot.
layla87's review
4.0
One word to describe this book... Dreamy
Title: Chasing Hope by Gwen Martin
I loved this book from start to finish.
1. The Characters:
Sean was beautiful in his pain, in his vulnerability and in his hidden strength. #IWillRise
Jonah was low-key powerful. he blew life into Sean with just being himself, caring for him and just being there. #HereForYou
2. The Plot..
It is a journey of healing, for both of the men. together and apart they find a way to clear their obstacle and be healthy enough to be together. #MakeMeWhole
3. The Romance...
It happens organically, over months of friendship, attraction and eventually love. it was soft, dreamy and natural. #Flawless
4. Steam-o-meter: Lowish Steam
5. Angst-o-meter: Angsty. Mind the trigger warning.
6. HEA...
It was the perfect ending to their journey. it shows how far they have both come to find their happy ending. #Forever
#HappyReading
Title: Chasing Hope by Gwen Martin
I loved this book from start to finish.
1. The Characters:
Sean was beautiful in his pain, in his vulnerability and in his hidden strength. #IWillRise
Jonah was low-key powerful. he blew life into Sean with just being himself, caring for him and just being there. #HereForYou
2. The Plot..
It is a journey of healing, for both of the men. together and apart they find a way to clear their obstacle and be healthy enough to be together. #MakeMeWhole
3. The Romance...
It happens organically, over months of friendship, attraction and eventually love. it was soft, dreamy and natural. #Flawless
4. Steam-o-meter: Lowish Steam
5. Angst-o-meter: Angsty. Mind the trigger warning.
6. HEA...
It was the perfect ending to their journey. it shows how far they have both come to find their happy ending. #Forever
#HappyReading
k8books's review
5.0
Oh my heart! This was book was absolutely heart breaking, but while it broke my heat it also sewed all the cuts it made back together again.
I am speechless. I wish I could make my review eloquent; however, all I want to do is scream READ THIS BOOK! Not very smooth, but I still believe it is sound advice.
Many times I had to pause and catch my breath. This is hurt/comfort, loss, love, therapy and growth. Cheers for Gwen Martin!
P.S. There are some triggers that should be taken into consideration prior to reading to ensure that it would be as enjoyable for you as a reader.
I am speechless. I wish I could make my review eloquent; however, all I want to do is scream READ THIS BOOK! Not very smooth, but I still believe it is sound advice.
Many times I had to pause and catch my breath. This is hurt/comfort, loss, love, therapy and growth. Cheers for Gwen Martin!
P.S. There are some triggers that should be taken into consideration prior to reading to ensure that it would be as enjoyable for you as a reader.
cutdeeptalkshit's review
4.0
Sometimes life sucks in little ways, big ways and then utterly devastating ways. The worst happens and you're left floundering, not sure how to move forward and you can't go back.
Chasing Hope was a well crafted story of loss and love, learning to let go of the people we love while honoring their memory with characters it was easy to fall in love with—even when they were being stupid.
Sean was one hell of a character suffering after the lose of his daughter who was still born. He was haunted by the memory of days that did not and could not ever happen. His whole life was in shambles with his daughter dead and his wife gone. Jonah was simply drifting through life, doing what was necessary and not much else. In his own way, I suppose he was lost as well.
The pair don't so much collide as slowly drift together in the sweetest way—from friends to lovers, over the course of months. This was definitely a slow burn story without a lot of heat. Usually, I like a little more sexual chemistry but it would have felt out of place considering what Sean was dealing with.
There were a lot of ups and downs as Sean worked through his loss. Eventually, he did deal with his issues but not before a maybe not so surprising climax.
The happy ever after was well deserved. I really enjoyed the Chasing Hope. The next time I feel like a good cry, I'll probably pull this up on my Kindle.
Chasing Hope was a well crafted story of loss and love, learning to let go of the people we love while honoring their memory with characters it was easy to fall in love with—even when they were being stupid.
Sean was one hell of a character suffering after the lose of his daughter who was still born. He was haunted by the memory of days that did not and could not ever happen. His whole life was in shambles with his daughter dead and his wife gone. Jonah was simply drifting through life, doing what was necessary and not much else. In his own way, I suppose he was lost as well.
The pair don't so much collide as slowly drift together in the sweetest way—from friends to lovers, over the course of months. This was definitely a slow burn story without a lot of heat. Usually, I like a little more sexual chemistry but it would have felt out of place considering what Sean was dealing with.
There were a lot of ups and downs as Sean worked through his loss. Eventually, he did deal with his issues but not before a maybe not so surprising climax.
The happy ever after was well deserved. I really enjoyed the Chasing Hope. The next time I feel like a good cry, I'll probably pull this up on my Kindle.
loulou87's review
4.0
One word to describe this book... Dreamy
Title: Chasing Hope by Gwen Martin
I loved this book from start to finish.
1. The Characters:
Sean was beautiful in his pain, in his vulnerability and in his hidden strength. #IWillRise
Jonah was low-key powerful. he blew life into Sean with just being himself, caring for him and just being there. #HereForYou
2. The Plot..
It is a journey of healing, for both of the men. together and apart they find a way to clear their obstacle and be healthy enough to be together. #MakeMeWhole
3. The Romance...
It happens organically, over months of friendship, attraction and eventually love. it was soft, dreamy and natural. #Flawless
4. Steam-o-meter: Lowish Steam
5. Angst-o-meter: Angsty. Mind the trigger warning.
6. HEA...
It was the perfect ending to their journey. it shows how far they have both come to find their happy ending. #Forever
#HappyReading
Title: Chasing Hope by Gwen Martin
I loved this book from start to finish.
1. The Characters:
Sean was beautiful in his pain, in his vulnerability and in his hidden strength. #IWillRise
Jonah was low-key powerful. he blew life into Sean with just being himself, caring for him and just being there. #HereForYou
2. The Plot..
It is a journey of healing, for both of the men. together and apart they find a way to clear their obstacle and be healthy enough to be together. #MakeMeWhole
3. The Romance...
It happens organically, over months of friendship, attraction and eventually love. it was soft, dreamy and natural. #Flawless
4. Steam-o-meter: Lowish Steam
5. Angst-o-meter: Angsty. Mind the trigger warning.
6. HEA...
It was the perfect ending to their journey. it shows how far they have both come to find their happy ending. #Forever
#HappyReading
xanthe87's review
5.0
*4.5*
Chasing Hope is a beautifully written story of loss and heartbreak, guilt and forgiveness.
Sean moves to Harmony Creek to get away from the family, friends and constant memories of his life that was he supposed to be living with his wife and daughter. He's buried under the weight of loss after the death of his daughter and then divorce. He has so much to work through just to get through every single day but meeting Jonah at the diner in town gives him a bright moment to each day that slowly develops into a minute, an hour, a day as something develops between them that he's never experienced before.
Jonah mostly lives to work to ensure his diner is successful. Since his father passed away, he's aimed hard to make it more his own and gets through with a couple of close friend but nobody closer than that. Sean's appearance at the diner sparks something in him and he wants to bring a smile to the sad looking man.
Their relationship is hard fought, as is the trust that takes a lot of time to build up especially with his hard Sean finds it to give up any details of his previous life. With such big moments weighing him down it's not long before things are revealed and it takes a great strength from both men to move forward, believe in what they have found together and trust in each other and the love that they kind of stumbled into.
This is definitely a story that tugs on your heart. I would say to be wary of any triggers for those that have lost someone but especially a child. The emotion pours from the pages with everything that both men have experienced but Sean's is a lot fresher and he's still struggling to move on, not to negate Jonah's memories and loss. They click straight away and can see something in each other that they need in their lives. Jonah is especially patient and seems aware of the emotional moments that Sean goes through. Something they have in common is the love and support of their best friends, always there for them at any moment.
I would recommend reading this, and the author's note at the end just makes it that much more poignant.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Chasing Hope is a beautifully written story of loss and heartbreak, guilt and forgiveness.
Sean moves to Harmony Creek to get away from the family, friends and constant memories of his life that was he supposed to be living with his wife and daughter. He's buried under the weight of loss after the death of his daughter and then divorce. He has so much to work through just to get through every single day but meeting Jonah at the diner in town gives him a bright moment to each day that slowly develops into a minute, an hour, a day as something develops between them that he's never experienced before.
Jonah mostly lives to work to ensure his diner is successful. Since his father passed away, he's aimed hard to make it more his own and gets through with a couple of close friend but nobody closer than that. Sean's appearance at the diner sparks something in him and he wants to bring a smile to the sad looking man.
Their relationship is hard fought, as is the trust that takes a lot of time to build up especially with his hard Sean finds it to give up any details of his previous life. With such big moments weighing him down it's not long before things are revealed and it takes a great strength from both men to move forward, believe in what they have found together and trust in each other and the love that they kind of stumbled into.
This is definitely a story that tugs on your heart. I would say to be wary of any triggers for those that have lost someone but especially a child. The emotion pours from the pages with everything that both men have experienced but Sean's is a lot fresher and he's still struggling to move on, not to negate Jonah's memories and loss. They click straight away and can see something in each other that they need in their lives. Jonah is especially patient and seems aware of the emotional moments that Sean goes through. Something they have in common is the love and support of their best friends, always there for them at any moment.
I would recommend reading this, and the author's note at the end just makes it that much more poignant.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
vicki_williams's review
5.0
This beautifully written book grabbed me heart, wrung it out and then put it back together.
Sean and Jonah are characters that will stay with me. Both are strongly developed characters who have issues of loss that need to be confronted. They are also both likeable, flawed and perfect for each other. The chemistry between them is undeniable but they take their time to get to know each other before taking the relationship further. There’s not many steamy moments but what they have together is real and emotional, with fumbles and angst along the way, before they get their well earned HEA.
I found this to be a well crafted, engaging read with great sensitivity and emotion regarding the subject matter.
Highly recommended but please be aware of the trigger warnings.
Sean and Jonah are characters that will stay with me. Both are strongly developed characters who have issues of loss that need to be confronted. They are also both likeable, flawed and perfect for each other. The chemistry between them is undeniable but they take their time to get to know each other before taking the relationship further. There’s not many steamy moments but what they have together is real and emotional, with fumbles and angst along the way, before they get their well earned HEA.
I found this to be a well crafted, engaging read with great sensitivity and emotion regarding the subject matter.
Highly recommended but please be aware of the trigger warnings.
ktomp17's review
5.0
Wow. This book had so many feels and it was wonderful. Sean is struggling with dealing with life after the death of his daughter and break up of his marriage. He’s in a really bad place. He meets Jonah and has trouble believing he is deserving of happiness, but finds acceptance and love with Jonah.
This broke my heart but was not overly angsty. I found myself sad a few times, but it was more that my heart was sad for Sean and really glad to see him come through the other side. These two went through a lot together, but together is when they were strongest.
I enjoyed the book a lot as I read, but the fact that I’m still thinking about it with a warm smile on my face after finishing it makes me give it 5 stars.
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by Gay Romance Reviews
This broke my heart but was not overly angsty. I found myself sad a few times, but it was more that my heart was sad for Sean and really glad to see him come through the other side. These two went through a lot together, but together is when they were strongest.
I enjoyed the book a lot as I read, but the fact that I’m still thinking about it with a warm smile on my face after finishing it makes me give it 5 stars.
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by Gay Romance Reviews
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