Books & Spoons Review for CHASING HOPE by Nancy Stopper

17/6/2018

Justin Harper married the girl he loved with dreams of a house full of kids and love. But when that didn’t become a reality, their relationship strained. The tension builds until they bubble over, angry words are flung, and he moves out.

But beneath all the anger, he's still in love with the woman he married. Is there any way to get the old Maddie back?

Maddie Harper has always dreamed of a big family after growing up an only child. When her marriage with Justin collapses, she knows she has to take a tough look at herself or risk losing her chance at forever.

When Justin wages a campaign to reignite the flame that has died out, Maddie remembers the person she once was. But underneath their newfound love, both have reservations. Justin worries he'll never be enough for her unless he can give her another child and Maddie knows if she can't let go of that dream, she'll also have to let Justin go—forever.

Oh, be still my beating heart, what an amazing, heart wrenching, poignant love story Chasing Hope is!
I knew it was going to be an emotional journey for Justin Harper and his wife Maddie to find the romance and balance, and the long forgotten feelings they do have for each other, again. The first book in the series hinted about the trouble in paradise, but I am not sure if I was emotionally prepared for Maddie and Justin, but I was so glad I was able to take the journey with them, see them grow, find themselves again, and re-kindle the deep love and passion they have always had for each other.
The problems with infertility, the physical burden the hormone treatments are, and the emotional roll-a-coaster the constant battle against nature trying to get pregnant is, it was realistic, it was heartbreaking, the pain, worry, and despair both Maddie and Justin were feeling were tangible.
Even though the story broke my heart to bits, and brought tears to my eyes, I loved it immensely. The feelings go deep, both Justin and Maddie have issues and problems, emotions, and communication, that they need to work with. The road to finding that balance, to find the inner fire again, to learn to relate and connect with their partner like they used to do, it is filled with speed bumps and detours, but there is never a question of the desire to fix things, to find solutions or the existence of deepest affection they have for each other.
The matter of their new-found half-sister didn't get as much attention as I had hoped for. The tension around that issue has been building up from the original series, and the solution seemed a bit too easy after all the angst. But maybe the future books will return to the matter in more detail, as there was plenty of emotional turmoil with Justin and Maddie's story as it is.
This story is so filled with passion, adoration, deep, profound emotions that it took my breath away. The author shows how with just one kiss one can create such tension and energy that it lits the whole story on fire. I wept for and with the characters, I cheered for them to find their way, I adored their little family, and wished from the bottom of my heart that they would find peace of mind, and learn to appreciate what they had, instead of wanting and obsessing to get more.
An ardent, beautiful, emotional story about life, love, joy, sorrow, and loss in a marriage with infertility. A powerful and sensitive topic done well with a tender and understanding, respectful hand. Just be ready to be swept away with the multitude of emotions from bliss and wonder to anguish and pain.
~ Five Spoons!

Living in beautiful northern Virginia, Nancy dreams of small-town living where the everyone knows everyone else (including their business) and neighbors wave when you pass. Since she doesn’t live in one, she creates them for everyone else to enjoy through her books.

She’s a mom to (almost) 2 college students and 1 middle schooler who has spent more hours at the baseball field and the dance studio than she cares to admit. With her husband, her primary goal is to finish raising her 3 kids into productive adults!

Nancy writes small-town contemporary romance with sexy heroes and strong heroines. Her books tug at your emotional heartstrings and leave you with a warm feeling that lingers long after the last page. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Washington Romance Writers, and Virginia Romance Writers.

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