It’s the best day of his life–the worst of hers.She left her soul behind in the dead silence of a hospital room.He is bright with hope after being so close to losing faith.One moment in time leaves their paths unavoidably entwined.An invisible connection held by one heart beating between them.***Previously part of the anthology; Then There Was You.
When Hope Ends: life begins
By freyabarker
I cried like a baby. I actually truly lived through this. It is an absolutely a wonderful story. Mika loses a lot in her life. Goes on a so called a break to get away only to comes across someone like Jude & Kelty to help her so to say heal. Its nice to see how someone can help heal heartache.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I am without words, so filled with emotion, crying happy tears and feeling so much.
This story takes the most heartbreaking moment in Mika’s life and uses it to lead her to a fulfilling life she would never have had otherwise. I love that it will make people think about honoring the death of a loved one by gifting their organs to prevent some one else fromlosing their loved one. Gifting organs makes sure the life of the one you love continues on living in some one else.
This is a story that shows sometimes we must look beyond our own pain to to how can I help someone else.
LOVED THIS BOOK.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When Hope Ends (life begins) is a heartbreaking and emotional story.
What do you do when there is no hope? How do you go on?
This story will wring tears from your eyes and your heart as you follow Mika, Jude, and Kelty on their journey to life. There are many touching scenes, the support of family members, and a chance for love.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The book is a good small town romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry. The story is an enjoyable, heartbreaking, and heartwarming romance read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a book, fantastic story line, compelling page turner, wonderful well developed characters, and my eyes would not stop leaking at the end.
I would defy anyone to read this and not feel the tug on their heart strings. The first few chapters are somewhat confusing, the author very carefully introduces the various characters to you and gives you some of the background to each of them, but withholds enough that your really not sure where this book is going to begin with. Slowly the penny begins to drop and the story starts to unfold, by which time you are immersed so deep that putting it down is just not an option. The emotions that both Mika and Jude go through, really do come out of the pages and straight into you. Kelty (Jude’s daughter) is a shining star, who will make you laugh with her “typical” child antics, yet creep into your heart. Relationships in this book are complex, yet so well written you feel like you know each and every character. An absolute must read, just have a few boxes of tissues to hand before you get to the end – you will need them.
Hopelessly falling in love with “When Hope Ends (Life Begins)”!. Strong characters, great plot, realistic pacing, and most of all a deep well of emotional depth. In our fast paced world the story between Mika and Jude made you stop, catch your breath and then take a moment to listen to our own heartbeat. This is not only a love story between two wonderful people but a thank you note to all those parents and their unending strength for their children. I received an advanced copy but because of all the wonderful goodness contained in it I also ordered a copy too!
Mika is an incredible mother who went through something that would have destroyed most people. I cried…ugly freaking tears Jude is a single dad who has a very unconventional, but beautiful relationship with his baby Momma, Cassie, and her husband, Mark. Together they all helped to raise their amazing little girl, Kelty. God I love that kid Through grief and illness, Mika and Jude found each other. Freya Barker is such an amazing storyteller and this story broke my heart and then put it back together again. I won’t give any spoilers here but I will say, have your tissue close by and start reading this one when you have enough time to read it from cover to cover. You won’t be sorry
What a heartbreakingly beautiful story. As one heart is breaking and a life ending another is just beginning. So well written. I was left with tears running down my face.
4.5 Stars
The title really says it all for this book. When Hope Ends (Life Begins) is a heartfelt and emotional story of fate and finding hope, love and purpose after loss.
Both heartbreaking and heartwarming I loved the strength and resilience of the heroine Mika.
This story really resonated with me as elements of the story touched quite close to home, and whilst it wasn’t an easy read because of that it’s a very well written title.
Freya is one of my go to authors, I love that she draws you into the story very quickly and then you can’t focus on anything else.
This story is filled with heart wrenching decisions, heart breaking worry for a child, and a heart healing journey to a new existence with soul healing love.
Mika and Jude’s story is absolutely beautiful but little Kelty will steal your heart.
P.S. I highly recommend having some tissues close at hand when reading. Maybe reading in private if you don’t want people to question your tears.
Oh my gosh! This book has left me a blubbering mess! It took me from the deepest of despair before pulling me into a place of bittersweet joy laced with the perfect transposition of a happy ever after. I feel as though I’ve been wrung through the wringer and I couldn’t be happier about the trip.
I could totally relate to Mika on so many levels as well as Jude. My heart was broken repeatedly for her experiences followed by even tougher decisions. While I was pretty sure where this book was going to take me, it pleased me that I was still surprised by many of the actions and reactions these characters had. But the biggest impact of this book was the heart of the story. It had so many highs and lows, but when I reached the last part, I was sobbing happy tears.
This author did an amazing job of bringing every character to life. I’m not sure how long it’s been since I felt so connected to not only a hero or heroine, but to the whole cast. I could claim that my own past experiences shed some insight, and maybe that’s true, but there’s no denying Ms. Barker mapped out a story filled with grief, love, joy and heart felt peace.
This is a emotional roller coaster from Freya that grips you from the first page. it is a story of despair and hope… Jude rushes to the hospital to be with his daughter who has been waiting for a heart transplant, whilst there he bumps into Mika who is completely distraught, after his daughters transplant he settles back into his life as a restaurateur and devoted father until his new tenant at his rental cottage arrives and is non other than Mika the woman he met a the hospital… Mika just wants to get away from her vile ex and her job as a TV sports reporter and start afresh after the tragic death of her son, it is not until she makes friends with her landlords daughter and the landlord that she puts 2 and 2 together a realises that the little girl now has the heart of her son.. As Jude and Mika get close things get complicated this is a heart warming story that is told in such a sensitive way that Freya is renown for great read.. But be advised Tissue’s at the ready are a must
The single parent trope has become one of my favorites these days so I was ecstatic when this story as released.
Mika and Jude’s story was heartbreaking and so beautiful at the same time. Mika had to make a gut-wrenching decision that gave Jude the ultimate gift. With the help of friends, Mika knew she was spiraling down a dangerous path so she knew she had to try to move on. For whatever reason, Mika and Jude’s path keeps crossing. Something in the universe seemed to know they belonged together. There were definite obstacles, but the connection between Mika, Jude and Kelty were real. This story had such heart, it was a story of extreme loss, but to witness the hope and healing and joy they were all able to find in each other was perfect.
When Hope Ends is a beautiful story of heartbreak that no parent should ever have to deal with but that’s what Mika and Jude’s story is about. This book will have you smiling and Kelty will steal your heart. You may need a tissue at the end. Definitely a 5 star read.
What a book , just what is needed for a new read in the New Year.
This book is one that I will guarantee stay with you for a long time. Don’t be surprised that when you review your top reads for 2020 When Hope Ends, is right up there in your best of books.
Mika , Jude and his daughter Kelty are 3 characters that you want the very best for, from the very first chapter of this book.
I’m finding it hard to put into words what a wonderful , emotional, moving book this is. Yes you will laugh, yes you will cry, but most of all you will devour this book.
Freya Barker writes with such a style, that has you invested from the get.go. She is an honest, emotive author, who builds such wonderful characters, stories locations, that you feel your right there in the middle of the story.
5 excellent shiny stars
The opening scene of this book is one of the best I’ve read this year. Mika’s pain is visceral; you need to know what has brough her to this point. And then Luke’s kindness and compassion in the midst of his own hope … And yes, the coincidences are vast, but maybe those are what give people hope. This book could so easily have been mawkish and sentimental; instead, it’s powerful and realistic in its portrayal of what Mika goes through after Jamie’s death, and in the ongoing care that Kelty needs. As always, Freya Barker’s characters are captivating. Luke’s father’s voice and attitude, the restaurant staff’s love for their boss – and then Cassie’s gift to Mika. If you want a book that’s hopeful, yet unflinching, read this one. I can’t think of a better way to start a new decade.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review for an outstanding book.
EMOTIONALLY Moving!
A very well executed story that instantly grabbed my attention and held it to the very end. I definite one sit read. It instantly grabs hold of your heart and makes you live through a parents worst nightmare of losing a child and living with a sick child. It took my breath away, stole my tears and made me feel a heartwrenching pain but it had a few light hearted laughs that help to break the somber mood that drifted through the pages and a happy yet so darn sad sobbing mess HEA that really brought this amazing read together. A read so worth reading that will definitely get deep into your heart and end with a sobbing puddle of tears as the moving HEA makes you feel so broken yet happy all at the same time.
Another wonderful story from Freya Barker. This story is an emotional roller coaster so be sure to have a box do tissues ready. Mika and Jude are fantastically written you can feel the emotion from these characters. I don’t want to spoil this book for anyone. Don’t miss out on this story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Extraordinary story!
The author hits another home run with this emotionally charged and gripping story!
I was easily swept into this heartfelt extraordinary story about ordinary characters.
I was so pleasantly surprised by this unique, thought provoking story.
It was unlike anything I’ve read in a very long time. It’s the type of story thats passionate and emotional and so much more than a contemporary romance.
Well written, with fantastic characters, I was impressed how this story had me reflecting on family, love and life circumstances. Mika and Jude meet under the most unconventional of circumstances.
What happens?
Was it fate or a coincidence?
The title says it all and I certainly won’t!
My only issue was that there were certain questions in the story that for me weren’t answered.
4.5 stars!
I had the pleasure of reading this as part of an anthology before and I can safely say I was no less blown away reading Mika and Jude’s story again. I also stand by what I said the first time I read this…
THIS BOOK DESERVES ALL THE FREAKING STARS!
Seriously. This one is amazing. It’s heartbreakingly beautiful. It will move you in ways you don’t even realize. It will fill your heart to bursting. It will make you cry. When Hope Ends (Life Begins) is a flat out phenomenal read.
All of that still rings true. This book is still one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read. It fills your soul in a way I cannot even begin to explain. Through life’s most unfathomable heartbreaks to the greatest joys they’re all captured magnificently in Freya Barker’s words. Jude and Mika have one of those stories that settles into your heart and stays with you long after you’ve reached the end.