Hopeful

By: Louise Bay

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

How long does it take to get over your first love?

Eight years should be long enough. My mind knows that, but there's no convincing my heart.

Guys like Joel weren't supposed to fall for girls like me. He had his pick of women at University, but somehow the laws of nature were defied and we fell crazy in love.

After graduation, Joel left to pursue his career in New York. He wanted me to go with him but my life was in London.

We broke up and my heart split in two.

I haven't seen or spoken to him since he left.

If only I'd known that I'd love him this long, this painfully, this desperately. I might have said yes all those years ago. He might have been mine all this time in between.

Now, he's moving back to London and I need to get over him before he gets over here.

But how do I forget someone who gave me so much to remember?

©2015, 2016, 2017 Louise Bay (P)2017 Louise Bay

Good beginning, rough middle, great ending

I enjoyed the flashbacks as they gave me a better understanding of how they fell in love. I have to admit the present Ava in the beginning and middle was irritating. I understood the insecure college student angle so I gave her a pass. I almost stopped reading the book but I really loved all the previous Louise Bay books so I stuck it out. I must say that Ava does not seem to be a good friend, at least I would not be friends with her. I didn’t really think the writer brought out the part Joel played in them initially ending their relationship but other than that I really like the Joel character. How Ava proved to Joel how much she really loved him in the end made up for her ridiculous behavior throughout the book. If you can push past your dislike of Ava then you will enjoy the book. The ending is worth it.

less is more

The story was interesting but really dragged on. Many of the chapters felt repetitive and could've benefited from some editing.

Disappointing

The premise of second chance romance is lovely. This story is not that. I'm going against the tide in my review, but I thought Ava was an emotionally stunted immature child. The rest was hard to get into into given her behavior and it was all "poor poor me". Add some of her friends drove me nuts. Jules was just ugh. Why hold the door open and invite a narcissist in? I had to listen to at a faster speed and even gast forward through some of it to finish. Not a favorite.

Joel and Ava ❤️

This is a beautiful romantic storyline! So many emotions and feelings. It took almost ten years for this beautiful couple to confess to the world their love!
I fell in love with the main characters from the beginning. But, at times felt frustrated with Ava. Joel is so in love with her. Even though they were separated for such a long time their love was infinite.
I was so happy for them towards the end. And the narrator Saskia Maarveland is amazing!! She is so incredibly talented!

Ava the lead character is a lot

Well Ava was a true handful. She frustrated me so much. I was literally yelling in the car because she was sabatoging her relationship. Then throughout the story Ava is so smart. Yet continues to make Dumb Decisions. I was like Lady grow a back bone and stand up for yourself already. Hot sex though though that's always plus!

Did not like the main character Avery.

I found her to be weak. She did not fight for her love until she was forced too. The best part of the book was chapter 38. I struggled to finish the book because I didn't like the character Avery constant doubt in her herself and the love her man had for her.

Modern day Persuasion

This is a fun modern day take on Persuasion by Jane Austen. I just loved it! Saskia delivers, per usual. And I thought this was a unique writing style for Louise Bay with the flashbacks.

It’s alright…

If you are looking for a book that magnifies a woman that overthinks, is self sabotaging, and insecure then this is the book for you. It honestly has potential to be a great love story but it dragged in a lot of areas. Then in other areas the intimate moments are so exaggerated that it didn’t fit the story line. Overall it was a book that I listened to but wouldn’t recommend.

The premise is good but...

** spoiler alert **


Ok, I normally really love Louise Bay's love stories, but honestly I had to struggle to get through this one. The FMC (Ava), was just SO annoying. I honestly couldn't figure out why Joel got with her in the first place, and then waited for her for EIGHT YEARS?

I mean obviously I do love an HEA, but Ava just grated on my nerves the entire book.

OMG!!

Insecure much. Don’t get me wrong I love Louise Bay books but this woman too,tooooo insecure!! On and on F$@king make a bloody decision and get on with it! Any way I listened all the way through! Gluten for punishment