Ambar Cordova’s The Hope Once Lost is an angsty, grief fueled romance, and yet I found myself smiling many times. I really do love romances that dive into grief. Some of the best romances start with the way grief changes us. The Hope Once Lost is part of Cordova’s Baker Oaks series. Technically, it can be read as a stand alone, but I spent too much time trying to keep characters straight to recommend it.
After an aborted attempt to visit the father who abandoned him, Holden visits a coffee shop that also sells books, flowers, and wine. Natalie is a single mother who lost her husband in an act of violence, and she owns Blooming Wine. She spots Holden’s grief and offers him a fancy coffee with sprinkles and a little connection as a respite. He keeps coming back to the store and they start to build a friendship. The small acts of kindness that Natalie offers give Holden the courage to visit with his father, and in turn he offers his skills to help Natalie with the crumbling infrastructure at her house and business. They woo each other with acts of service, even when they aren’t actively wooing.
The Hope Once Lost is angsty, but also hopeful and rich in community. Neither Natalie or Holden are surviving alone, though both are reluctant at times to ask for help. Holden is a walking green flag. Natalie is still struggling to see who she is without her late husband, but Holden, learning from his father’s cautionary tale, doesn’t give up on them. I really appreciate that he remained patient, but refusing to give up on them did not look like stalking. Holden respected Natalie’s wishes and her relationship with her late husband.
As a side note, Holden is a retired hockey player and current coach for a teen girl’s team. He wouldn’t have laughed.
I’m looking forward to reading the whole series and seeing how that changes my experience with The Hope Once Lost.
