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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What a great story filled with love and angst and heartbreak! Frankie and Evan were childhood sweethearts throughout the years. He disappeared and devastated both Frankie and his family. Why?
And all of a sudden he comes back to Gingham Lakes. With a surprise! Imagine the shock and hurt Frankie felt. This story shares their love from the time they were little to the angst of when and why he returns. I loved the flashbacks from when they were young and in love.
“No. I gots to do it. They gots to be my hearts because he’s my best friend and Grammy said best friends make all the problems gets all better.
There are a lot of twists and turns that will have you guessing.
Such a heartfelt story, you can’t help but fall in love with these characters!!
“Unicorn Girl…let’s soar for the stars.”
Ahhh! I’m so glad Evan and Frankie Leigh got their story. Heartbreakingly beautiful with an element I did not see coming.
The energy crackles between them and their awareness of each other at all times is breathtaking. Their hearts, their spirit is good to the core.
Really enjoyed the series Fighting For You which I was able to read in audio followed by this book. It’s been a wild, emotional ride and I enjoyed every moment.
True love can never be forgotten. Evan and Frankie Leigh were meant to be all their lives, their souls were made for one another. Their story truly touched my heart.
Hold On To Hope was a heartwarming read. Evan and Frankie Leigh’s story was just so sweet. They had that special unbreakable bond. Even the years apart couldn’t change that connection. I loved seeing them find their way back to each other. I also enjoying seeing their families-that was great. A. L. Jackson writes the best books that gives you the emotions and the real as well as the sweet and sexy. Overall a heartfelt story.
A fantastic best friends-to-lovers, stand-alone romance!
Wow, just wow! I wish there was a 10 STAR rating because a 5 Star rating doesn’t do it justice. I read my first book by AL Jackson about 3 years ago and completely feel in love with her writing. Her stories are so deep, intense and emotional. They are beautifully written and the characters are so developed that you feel like you truly know them. Hold on to Hope was everything I expected it to be, such a beautiful story that grabbed my heart and held it from the beginning until the very end. Definitely a 2019 Must Read.
Hold on to Hope is AL Jackson’s newest friends to lovers romance that will break your heart and put it back together again. Amy’s writing is so lyrical and poetic that it almost hurts just to read it. Almost. She has this way of pulling so many emotions out of you that it’s beautiful. We knew Frankie Leigh and Evan as kids. They were destined to be best friends and more. But Evan left town when Frankie needed him the most. Now it’s three years later and he’s back. Frankie isn’t sure her heart can take it. She never stopped loving him and she can’t lose him again. Evan’s back for good. He realized he never should have left, but things have changed in the time he’s been gone. He needs to show Frankie Leigh that he came back for her. That he loves her and he’s not leaving again. Can Frankie and Evan finally follow their hearts? Will the pain and separation be worth it in the end? I loved this story! Evan is so great. So sweet, funny, protective. I loved him as a kid and he grew up to be a great man! Frankie is the same as she was a little girl! I love her personality and her style! Thank you Amy for giving me a book I didn’t even know I wanted!
So much sweet amazingness in this book. Evan is troubled but finds his way back to his family and best friend. He must find a way to win Frankie Leigh’s heart again after abandoning her. This book gutted me in the best way. Love the characters and love the ending. Second chance with best friends to lovers? Yes please.
Hold on to Hope!
Definitely one of A.L. Jackson’s best stories to date! I fell in love with both Frankie Leigh and Evan in the previous books, His Unicorn Girl and her Froggy boy.. however the two are now grown and ohhh the things they went through.. My heart hurt for these two.. . their love for each other so strong.. one always trying to protect the other.. that perfect, perfect love..
The writing of this story is just pure perfection.. Amy keeps you on the edge with the suspense.. and she truly keeps you holding on to Hope!
In this book, we jump back into the world of the last series that Jackson wrote. We follow two of the kids, Evan and Frankie Leigh. They have grown up together, making promises that young people make but have to struggle to keep those promises when it becomes to much for one of them.
Evan returns home after leaving for 3 years because he always felt he was a burden. A very common feeling i think would happen with people who have a disability. I have not personally experienced it, but i can appreciate the feeling that someone would have thinking that they were a burden to their family, though the family doesn’t even think that. I did enjoy reading the dynamic of Evan and his family and how he was able to return as if he didn’t leave for 3 years. Shows how much his family loves him and understands him.
I did enjoy this book, but i admit it’s not one of my favorites. I had a hard time getting into the story and liking the characters. I felt that Evan’s character wasn’t built up enough at the beginning so when he showed this big change, i didn’t get that big reveal that i think Jackson was hoping for. Also, Frankie Leigh’s character wasn’t someone i can like as well. Evan essentially abandoned her in her time of need and she just accepts him right when he comes back because she could never get over the promises they made as kids? I just felt there should have been more of a struggle or reluctance there. And that whole situation with Jack? That was just a bad character development for her. Even though I felt sympathetic afterwards, when it was happening, it made me not like her very much.
What I did like about the story is the underlying theme of acceptance. Jackson really stresses the importance of accepting one another no matter what the differences may be. Evan is deaf and there are people in this world that would be able to understand it. I always liked that when we were in Frankie’s POV she always considered what others faults, his strengths. His scratchy voice for starters. She always stated it was ‘sexy’ and i loved that she did that.
Overall the story was enjoyable despite my feelings of difference towards the characters. The story was done well enough, and but didn’t really tickle my fancy.
All the stars in the sky!!!! Absolute perfection! I could not put this book down.
I was not sure exactly what I was expecting going in to a grown up Frankie Leigh and Evan’s story but words cannot accurately express the range of emotions I felt while reading their heartbreakingly beautiful, forever love story. It was so nice to revisit with Hope & Kale and Rynna & Rex too!
A.L. Jackson’s style is like no other and she clearly put her heart and soul into this book like she always does. Her beautiful words always have the intended effect on me. Can someone say emotional overload? I mean that in the best of ways! I want to feel everything when I read m.
Evan and Frankie’s story is nothing short of amazing!! I loved these two as children and just love them even more now!! They have both been through so much especially Evan. I love the snippets of the past we get to help us understand them better. And can we just talk about roly poly Everett? Oh my heart! So much sweetness!! And Milo the protector! Good doggy!
This book is everything a love story is supposed to be and so much more! Theirs is such an epic love!!
I adore Evan and Frankie Leigh so much and am so grateful for the gift of their story!
That was emotional for sure!!!
I felt every words, every promises, every tears and more.
Evan and Frankie Leigh put me through the ringer! The angst and the twists…. WOW!
The twist left me breathless!
This book is such a breath of fresh air. Jackson writes this so well you actually feel every emotion each character goes through in your soul. The connection between Frankie Leigh and Evan is like no other, it is spiritual, emotional, physical, it is EVERYTHING! They met as childhood friends, who fell in love at first sight, often times fighting these feeling due to personal and other factors, but find themselves face-to-face after years apart. Both of their lives have changed in so many ways, but is the love they built strong enough to tackle all the obstacles in their way? You have to grab a copy of this book to find out….Bravo AL Jackson, this is a masterpiece….!!!!!!
Another winner from A.L. Jackson. Every time I read something from this author I think there is no way she can do better next time. I am wrong every time. She always seems to outdo herself. This book is no exception. Hold on to Hope is my current favorite from this author. Per usual, the characters are real. They have real life struggles and challenges and I love that. It makes them more relatable for me. I loved seeing the journey from their early lives on. If you want to take your heart on a journey, this is the book for you. 5 big ole heart shaped stars!
All the froggy and unicorn-y stars!
Bravo to the author. Seriously.
This book is one of the best I’ve read. I finished is last night and I still don’t have the right words to describe it.
It had everything I loved in a book and even more than I was hoping to get.
Exquisitely written, the plot was poignant, compelling, bittersweet and so captivating.
I devoured this book and I’m still hungry for more.
Frankie Leigh is wild, caring, nurturing and a force of nature. She is this free spirit that calls to you, she has a strength you can’t deny but follow around, craving more.
She is so genuine, forgiving, a rock in all her vulnerability. She loves with everything she has, because she doesn’t know another way to love.
And she loves Evan. Her favorite. Her froggy boy. Her dream man.
Evan is special for so many reasons. I fell in love with him in Follow Me Back, somehow relating to his pain, his disability, his constant fear for the future. I understand first hand all of that. And now, reading a hero that faces all of that is so powerful and empowering.
Just writing about it right know brings unshed tears to my eyes.
He was this selfless and broken hero, desperate for love, craving it so deeply, but claiming he wasn’t good enough, when, in fact, he was just perfect the way he is.
Pure, kind, sweet, loving with the same force, willing to sacrifice his happiness thinking that would take the burden from his loved ones.
He only needed to understand that loving him and caring for him was never a burden, it was freeing and beautiful and magical.
After making a big mistake by walking away, he seeks his family again for help.
More than help, he finds all that love waiting for him, so ready to forgive, so willing to pour.
Even with all the danger that surrounds them, their love speaks louder, it signs undeniably in a way that he can hear .
For so many times I had unshed tears in my eyes. Feeling their grief and their dispair. Feeling their fears and hopes. Feeling their unquestionable love. And all of that since their childhood.
I think I never loved so much the memories an author wrote in a book. Everytime she told us about them in the past, my heart would soar.
Frankie willing to give him all her hearts, Evan trying to protect her from the future, both of them unable to deny and hide their love. Such a strong connection you only hope and wish you could find someday.
Their hearts, as broken and severed as they literally could be, were oh so full of love.
Because in all the ugliness and uncertainty of life, with all the grief and pain they had to endure, with all the story and loyalty they shared, they learnt how to hold on to hope and love .
A.L. Jackson’s Fight For Me series continues with Hold on to Hope. . . this time with characters we first fell in love with when they were only 5 and 7 years old in Follow Me Back. And, can I just say, holy emotional rollercoaster!!!
Frankie Leigh and Evan were best friends from day one, and always destined to be so much more to one another. But, when Evan left because he thought he needed to give everyone who constantly worried about his heart condition a break, he left not only his family, but Frankie Leigh completely destroyed and missing an integral piece of their own hearts.
But, when Evan walks back into town three years later with a secret that will change everything, he realizes he’s ready to fight for the unicorn girl who always loved and fought for him. But, Evan isn’t the only one with a secret, and Frankie Leigh’s has the power to shatter them yet again.
Hold on to Hope will give you all the feels. Best friend from a young age, Evan and Frankie were destined for an epic romance. I adored how this story was written, intertwining their pasts with flashbacks giving readers insight into how their relationship grew over the years with the drama of events unfolding in the present. I loved reconnecting with this family and seeing Kale and Hope again as an older couple with Evan now grown and pursuing his own love with Frankie Leigh.
This book is high on emotions and drama and will capture you in a beautifully written web of past and present friendships and love as well as hurt and betrayals. The story was unexpected in the best of ways and I couldn’t put it down. 5 stars!
Once again, Amy knocks it out of the park with another stellar book. I just love how I can get so lost in her story and truly feel all the emotions for the characters. Also, who doesn’t love a second chance romance. Evan and Frankie Leigh’s story started when they were younger and have been in love all their young lives. Then for reasons, Evan decides he has to leave town. Years goes by and he comes back with a little of a surprise. Where has he been all this time? Will he and Frankie Leigh pick up where they left off or has too much time passed? This is a true must-read book. Go grab it now and get lost in Evan and Frankie Leigh’s story!
„You find your purpose when your love for someone else becomes bigger than your fears.”
A.L. Jackson always makes an emotional wreck from me and I come back for more every single time. Her books are one of those that touch your soul with their beauty. You absorb every word like a sponge and you have an instant and undying love for the characters. It’s exactly the same with Hold On to Hope. This story is heartbreakingly beautiful, captivating and totally unforgettable. Evan and Frankie have stolen my heart completely with their unique relationship. From the very first chapter I was a bundle of emotions. But I knew that regardless of the amount of tears I’ve shed and the moments I held my breath, A.L. Jackson will reward me with her beautiful and flawless prose for every second of sadness.
Evan, despite his disability, is a perfect man. Kind, brave, loyal and ready to sacrifice everything to protect his loved ones. There’s kind of naturalness in him that makes him instantly loveable. Despite the fact that he was struggling with some issues, best interest and comfort of others were always the most important to him. He’s an admirable guy and I fell in love with him something fierce. Frankie is a ball of positivity. She shines bright and spreads her glow to others. This kind-hearted woman loves hard and she’s very protective of those she gives her love to. Together, Evan and Frankie were the most charming couple. Their encounters were heartwarming, sweet and wonderful. But there were also times, when my heart broke for them both and I could feel the sadness deep to the bones. But that’s the beauty of A.L. Jackson’s stories- she’ll put you through the emotional grinder, just so she could glue the pieces of your heart back together and kiss it better.
Hold On to Hope is an outstanding combination of friends to lovers and second chance romance. This book fills your heart to the brim with all possible emotions. This story will make even the biggest cynic believe in second chances and the power of true love. A.L. Jackson proved once again what an amazing storyteller she is. Hold On to Hope is a must read!
Another home run from Al Jackson. Loved to read the love story of 2 kids now adults we’ve met in a previous book.
This book has all the right feels. One click today. You won’t regret it.
This book is a spin off from “Fight For Me” series you get to see the kids as adults and get some back story and where the older character are at now. When the boy you have loved your hole life walks back into your life you will do anything to fight for him. Frankie has always been a kid that knew what she wanted from a very young age but when life goes in a different turn will she be able to move forward or will a piece of her always be waiting.