A best friends-to-lovers, stand-alone romance from New York Times Bestselling Author, A.L. Jackson . . . Evan Bryant wasn’t your typical hero. But he was mine. Broken by the worlds’ standards, he was still the strongest boy I would ever know. My best friend. The boy I’d given everything to. My heart, my body, and the promise of forever.The day I’d needed him most, he walked away. He left me … walked away.
He left me shattered and questioning the love I’d thought we’d shared.
Three years later, I wasn’t prepared for him to return to Gingham Lakes.
It wouldn’t have mattered if he wasn’t the most beautiful man I’d ever seen.
My fingers still would have ached to caress his skin.
My body still would have begged to get lost in his touch.
And my heart . . . it would have always sung his name.
But time changes things. With it, secrets that could ruin everything.
Can we find a way to love again, or have the fears of our past stolen the hope of our forever . . .
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I’m a huge AL Jackson fan, so first I have to say I loved seeing old characters in this story. The love, family,and friendship from these characters never gets old. I loved Frankie and Evan when they were little. They each found a way to my heart in the previous stories. This story, their cosmic connection. (Who finds their soulmate at such a young age?) It was brilliant and so heartfelt. You really felt how they felt while reading the pages. It’s an extremely touching book with twists and turns that this author excels at. Truly magical. I loved it!
This book was like going home. I loved Frankie Leigh and Evan as kids in the Fight for Me series and as young adults- they are amazing. They were best friends growing up. Evan left to not burden his family, yet the core of this family is LOVE and everyone felt his absence until his return, including himself.
AL Jackson does not disappoint in Hold on to Hope. The book gives everything you want in a book: incredible characters you love and who love each other, drama, angst, history that affects their current lives, chemistry, devotion and a story that flows. It goes from their past to the current but it builds to understanding why Frankie Leigh and Evan are where they are today and how they go there.
It shouldn’t come as a surpise to anyone that I absolutely adore A.L. Jackson. Amy is the sweetest human and one of the most talented contemporary romance writers that I’ve ever read. Her heart and soul bleed into the pages of her books and this was no exception.
This wasn’t your average second chance romances. Our Hero, Evan, suffers from some health defects and it led him to push away the people who loved him. Mainly, our Heroine, Frankie Leigh.
She’s loved him as long as she could remember, her dedication and devotion to him were awe inspiring. Amy has an incredible ability to make you feel everything that her characters feel, never leaving you to wonder about where they’re at.
This was beautiful. SO SO GOOD!
And it’s out now you guys, go go go!
In true AL Jackson fashion, this book was full of feels and second chances! I love a good best friend to lovers book and this one did not disappoint.
Frankie has only ever loved one man,Evan, and when he left it shattered her. Evan always felt like a burden to people except Frankie. One day he couldn’t take the looks anymore and left. When his life changes quickly, he has to go back home but will anyone want him around? What will Frankie’s reaction be? Can they get another chance?
Al Jackson has given us another beautifully written heartfelt story that will suck you in and keep you hooked until the end. This novel encompassed two themes: friends to lovers and second chance romance into one fantastic story that was a spin-off from her previous Fight For Me Series.
Yes we’ve met Evan and Frankie Leigh when they were children, but as adults these characters will touch your heart even more. The story was intense and will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride and give you all the feels. Its a story about friendship, love, loss, redemption, hope and healing. I loved that we get to see the characters from the previous series and see the life and family they’ve created.
Hold on to Hope was a fantastic read and an excellent spin-off. I would highly recommend this emotionally charged story to all lovers of contemporary romance.
A.L. Jackson is a relatively new author for me and I have fallen in love with her books and characters, so when I saw Hold On To Hope was coming, I knew I had to read it. I had just finished listening to an audible version of Show Me The Way, the story of Frankie Leigh’s parents, Rex and Rynna. You can easily read Hold On To Hope as a stand-alone but if you read Show Me The Way first you will get to see Frankie as a young, sweet, adorable three year old.
Now we get to read all about the grown up version of Frankie in Hold On To Hope! She and Evan have stolen my heart in this beautiful love story about two people who have been destined to be together since they were young children. They have been best friends and have a special bond that they thought was unbreakable until Evan makes a decision that changes everything and puts their future on the back burner for three years. Now he is back with a surprise that even he didn’t expect. Can she forgive him so they can finally find the happily ever after they always thought was going to be in their future.
There is so much more to this friends to lovers story than I ever expected.
Evan and Frankie Leigh have a friendship that goes past differences and judgement and is all about pure, sweet love. From five and seven years old, Frankie Leigh and Evan were closer than two peas in a pod. But as they grew up, everything changed between them. But the differences that strengthened their bond can also tear it (and them) apart.
I loved everything about this book, from the characters and their flaws and strengths, to the way that Ms. Jackson showed glimpses of Evan and Frankie Leigh’s past to make me love these two characters so much!
Evan is such a sweet but misguided soul. He’s made so many mistakes, hurt his family, but once I understood his pain and fears all I wanted to do was cry for him. But I also couldn’t understand how Evan could forget Frankie’s selfless love for him, his family’s devotion. *Sigh*
Frankie Leigh is an absolute saint. I mean after all she has been through, she still has her selfless love that only belongs to her best friend or as Frankie Leigh calls Evan “her favorite, favorite.” I loved how she protected Evan, loved him beyond the pain, accepted his imperfections and saw her hero through it all.
I have to say that this book will definitely make you cry. I know I cried a lot, especially anytime the story shifted to the past. I love how this story is fueled on more than just angst, bittersweet love, and passion, it’s also about unconditional love that transcends every other emotion.
There isn’t quite anything like reading an A. L. Jackson novel! Always beautifully written, completely romantic, and utterly emotionally. Hold on to Hope consumed me just as intensely as I tried to consume the words on each page.
I loved finally getting Frankie Leigh and Evans story. I loved getting to see them find their way back to each other because it’s clear these two were meant to be! Their story had the perfect amounts of feels and I just loved getting swept away into them. I also enjoyed the glimpses into past characters of the Fighting series. This story just felt like coming home.
From the time we first met Hope Masterson and her adorable son Evan in Follow Me Back, I have held a very special place in my heart for the little boy who would become best friends with little Frankie Leigh who we met in Show Me the Way. I just knew that these two kids were going to have that magical, one of a kind friendship that would last a lifetime. And that was before my mind started traveling through the years and hoping and praying that they would grow into more than just best friends, that one day that friendship would evolve into a magical, one of a kind love.
Amy has truly outdone herself in bringing the readers a very grown up Evan. Evan, who Frankie Leigh has been in love with all her life. The boy she thought she would share her future with, but who suddenly left town three years ago and shattered all her hopes and dreams. Now he’s back, and her heart is once again caught up in a storm of feelings. Relief that he is okay, but at the same time devastated at the thought that her love was not enough to keep him grounded.
I was a riot of emotions while reading this story. I loved how Amy gave us past chapters that compliment the events happening in the present. And slowly as each chapter rolls out, we get the story of why Evan left, what took place while he was gone, and what has brought him back home to Gingham Lakes. We get to see his parents, Hope and Kale, and all the characters we fell in love with in the Fight For Me series, along with the new additions who were born along the way.
This story has a bit of a suspense element to it, events happening that are running parallel to the reason that Evan has come home seeking help from his family. Add to that a huge secret Frankie Leigh has been keeping that she needs to reveal to Evan. Yeah, this story has ALL THE FEELS and as much as some things broke my heart, I couldn’t help but fall in love all over again with Evan and Frankie Leigh and the unshakeable love they have always shared.
My heart is full and happy, and as much as I loved this book, I’m hoping Amy will gift us with little snippets of Evan and Frankie Leigh in future stories, just to give us a little more of Unicorn Girl and Froggy Boy. Gah….I love these crazy kids!!
YOU ARE MY FAVORITE
I’m having a hard time coming up with words for this review. How do you explain perfection?
Since I met him in Follow Me Back, Evan Bryant has been my favorite AL Jackson character. I shed more tears over him than should be possible, and he buried himself into my heart. And now? Now that he’s grown up and made mistakes and is trying to survive with all his issues and problems? Now I love him even more.
YOU ARE MY FAVORITE!
Frankie Leigh is all sunshine and sparkles, the girl a perfect match for a man like Evan. She loved him from the moment they met and my heart broke for her as her story came to light. Abandoned in her time of need, she never stopped loving Evan, and when he came back, she gave into the love in her heart.
I loved these two together. Their stories. Their love for each other. I loved their families, the glimpses at the characters from the Fight for Me series, and every single thing about this book.
I’m pretty sure Evan and Frankie Leigh will forever be my favorites.
Oh my heart!!! AL Jackson did it again and took me on an all-consuming and addictive ride. Just when I think I can’t possibly love these characters any more from this series, Evan & Hope STOLE.THE.SHOW. Their chemistry, their connection – which starts at such a young age – their passion and loyalty to one another!!! GAHHHHH I couldn’t love them more if I tried.
This book is a perfect balance of friends-to-lovers, flashbacks to when they were younger, passion, and a bit of suspense. I was ALL IN from the first few pages, and could not put it down. I loved Evan’s character – his protective nature, determination to stand by those he loves, and the fact that he is so easy to love. His hearing disability never slowed him down – if anything, it made those closest to him step up to be able to communicate with him, and they did it effortlessly and easily. The amount of love and loyalty among this extended “family” fills my whole heart!
“Did I take something that was his? Seems to me that he had something that was mine.” – Evan SWOOOOOOON!!!
And Hope…this little girl had me wrapped around her finger in her daddy, Rex’s book. She is truly a “Unicorn girl” – sparkly, feisty, bubbly, and wears her heart on her sleeve. She isn’t afraid of anything, except for Evan breaking her heart. I loved her tenacity and the way she guarded herself, even as she allowed herself to truly feel her feelings. Her open heart did not come easily, and I loved every step along the way.
These characters will stay with me for a long, long time – I cried both tears of joy and sadness reading their story, but also laughed, grinned, sighed and swooned. AL Jackson knows how to get to my heart, and I can’t wait for her to do it again! Well done once again AL Jackson!
This features children from the Fight for Me series. We fell in love with Frankie Leigh and Evan in their parent’s stories and now they are all grown up and dealing with their own heartbreak.
Frankie Leigh and Evan were best friends since childhood and had become more, until one day Evan walked out and left them all behind and heartbroken. Frankie Leigh and his parents have suffered from his loss and missed him every day.
But three years later, they are unprepared to see him arrive back in town. And old wounds are reopened and old feelings are roaring back. He had his reasons for coming back and for leaving, but he is realizing that maybe his choices just made things worse.
And now he needs his family more than ever. And he wants to win back the love of his best friend and soulmate. And it is complicated and messy, and she is fighting her own fears.
Is it too late to make things right?
This book starts out intense and keeps ramping up with more tension, emotions, fear, and expectations. Not only is there such emotional turmoil and issues to deal with, but there is also an underlying mystery, threat, and suspense component to the story. So it just sucks you in and keeps you holding on trying to see how it is all going to end up. These two have such a unique bond and relationship only heightened by Evan’s special needs. But the way she sees past them to his deep core has always been beautiful.
This is an emotional and passionate friends-to-lovers and second chance love story full of hope and healing. It is told in dual points of view with some flashbacks mixed in giving us the full picture of their long term connection and exposing their secrets. I adore these two and their dynamics from children to adults. It brings back all of the characters that we loved in the Fight for Me series. I love this group and how they formed their own extended family and in turn, brought healing through love that was continued in this next generation.
This was not really what I was expecting from their story, but it ended up being perfect. Everything I did not know I needed for them. Evan might just be my favorite hero from this author. And I also enjoy it when plotlines surprise me. This book makes you believe in acceptance, hope, true love, and fighting for what is important. It leaves you breathless, but also puts a smile on your face.
I hope we see more with some of the other siblings or her friend, Carly in future stories in Gingham Lakes.
A definite read for everyone. A L Jackson has put every emotion in every word. You feel everything with this story. Frankie and Evan were the cutest when they were children and now they have grown up and their love and connection for each other has grown stronger. This is such an amazing story from the froggy hearts (I still tear up thinking about them) to Everett. Every single word, every single page is filled with love and emotion. By far the best AL Jackson has ever written. There is a part of her with every word. There aren’t enough stars in the sky for this story. You will cry happy tears, sad tears, and everything in between. But every tear will be worth it. This story is that good.
Wow! I have no clue where to start. Frankie Leigh met Evan and immediately these two had a special bond which just grew as they got older. Evan thinking that it was best if he left had no idea the destruction he left. Now that he is back with his son can be finally be able to claim Frankie as his own. Seriously amazing book!
When A.L. Jackson talked about making Frankie and Evan’s book I had mixed feelings. Making the secondary characters, main characters is tricky. Making the kids nice adults is harder I feel. However there should be no worry when it comes to Amy’s work. She did an amazing job telling this love story. I truly feel that is what this was a love story if 2 people destined to love a d be together no matter what. I love how we see them grow, and grow as people. Evan grows into a man, and takes care of what needs to be taken care of. Luke any any book there are twist and turns to keep you always on your feet. Loved, loved this story of love and hope!
5 OH THE FEELS STARS!! This book had me sucked in from the first page and held my heart until the last word. The feels in this book are of the charts….Oh my poor heart was squeezed and twisted several times. Frankie and Evan are waiting to tell you their story, so go ahead and download this fantastic book.
MY HEART! EVAN BRYANT IS MY FAVORITE, FAVORITE!!
In “Follow Me Back,” I fell in love with the boy. Now, in “Hold on to Hope,” I’ve fallen in love with the man. At 8 years old, Evan Bryant captured my heart. 16 years later, he irrevocably owns it!
Evan and Frankie Leigh had always been so much more than friends–soulmates that connected during childhood and starry-eyed lovers, as young adults. But when the reality of Evan’s health ultimately broke through their dreamy bubble, it sent Evan spiraling into a sea of depression, immersing him in a vat of self-doubt.
Believing it was for the best, Evan embarked on a lonely journey, only to return 3 years later with regret in his eyes and a surprise in tow. But as Evan and Frankie Leigh begin to patch up the fabric that Evan had single-handedly torn apart, a secret that Frankie Leigh harbors threatens to tear that very fabric into shreds.
As is her usual “MO,” author AL Jackson delivers “all the feels” in this beautifully scripted story that is overflowing with heart and hope. I laughed… I cried… I laughed again… and then cried some more. But as I closed the final page to Evan and Frankie Leigh’s story, I did so with a tremendous smile on my face and an incredible warmth invading my heart.
“Froggy Boy” and “Unicorn Girl” forever…
“Never let go of the ones you love most. And no matter what life brings your way, forever hold on to hope…”
All the stars! Since we first meet Frankie and Evan as such small children, it was amazing to get to catch glimpses of them growing up. Their friendship is fast and strong and I loved every small glimpse into their history. It was so easy to fall in love with Evan as a small boy, but I was unsure how I would relate to a ‘disabled’ hero. I found that I absolutely adored him. He is still strong and stubborn and loyal. Evan’s disabilities play a big part of his story, but they do not define him. This is not simply a second chance romance as it has several extra elements that make it complex and exciting. This book is written with the same lyrical style as the rest of this series and it makes the words on the page fall away. Another beautiful story from AL Jackson.
No one writes heartbreak combined with an all-consuming love quite like AL Jackson does. With Hold on to Hope, the rich emotions bleed off of every single page and I felt each and every one. The friends to lovers story of Evan and Frankie-Leigh was clearly written in the stars they wished upon with hands clasped so long ago. Even from the very start, as Jackson seamlessly provides us with just enough of the past as children with the present as 20somethings, these two had a connection even their parents couldn’t always understand. But it’s that tethered rhythm that only Froggy Boy and his Unicorn girl can fathom that is ultimately the driving force of this book.
I was captivated from the very first pages as the Gingham Lakes crew comes to face to face with Evan and a sweet surprise after 3 long years away. Their reactions were gut-wrenching and Jackson does a stellar job in relaying the myriad of emotions that surround them all. And as he finally sees his Frankie-Leigh again, so begins the wildly turbulent reunion neither of them can seemingly handle. I was gobsmacked at what had gone down, as the story slowly unravels and we find out just why Evan left and what transpired while he was away.
For what I thought would be somewhat of a simple second chance romance turned into quite the adventure so to speak. There are two other elements of mystery that keep everyone on their toes, trying hard to focus on the here and now and not what might have happened in the past. The secrets and unfortunate decisions made by both Evan and Frankie-Leigh clearly give this book a bit of unexpected suspense and I was ultimately glad with the way everything played out. However, I did feel at times that there might have been too much going on at once and would have preferred the focus on Evan and Frankie figuring out how they move forward, which held enough angst on its own.
The true underlying theme of this book is love. The way the entire Gingham Lakes crew rallies around our couple is nothing short of beautiful. They support one another no matter what and I had tears in my eyes more than once as they reacted to the delicate nature of Evan and Frankie-Leigh’s relationship and their crazy-strong bond. They truly added the ultimate touch to this book.
Overall, it’s a wonderful story with thought-provoking characters and a deep love that cannot be denied no matter what may come their way. You can’t go wrong with an AL Jackson book since she always gives her all and writes from her very being each and every time. Hold on to Hope will undoubtedly give you all the feels and I happily give it a very solid 4 stars!