Hope by William Neale

Title: Hope

Author: William Neale
Publisher: MLR Press
Publisher URL: www.mlrbooks.com
ISBN:  978-1-60820-629-2
Genre: {M/M} Contemporary Series
Rating: 5 Nymphs
Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 




Dumped by his closeted lover only to fall for a man who’s
already taken, Spencer Hawkins finishes up his fellowship
to discover he doesn’t have a job. For anyone on the outside
looking in, it seemed Spencer was failing miserably at life
in general, until one phone call changes everything. The
prospect of pulling up stakes and relocating to a new city
provides the one thing he needs most—Hope.

Hunter Harrison’s partner has left, abandoning not only
him but their adopted son whose heart defect has left them
in limbo awaiting a heart transplant that may not come in
time. It took meeting Spencer for Hunter and his son to
find something new to hold onto—Hope.
Building a love that can last a lifetime will take strength
and the one thing they found in each other—Hope

Review
The theme of Hope illustrates how acceptance, compassion and Hope work together for the contentment we seek in life.  The main characters exhibit these traits. Hope is the story of Spencer Hawkin’s journey to happiness with Hunter Harrison.

Spencer’s acceptance of who and what he is, was the source of his breakup with his now ex-boyfriend. Spencer is gay and he embraces what life presents to him with a good attitude illustrated by Spencer’s episode of unrequited love for Cade featured in the third book Always Faithful. Spencer has the ability to open his heart as well as connect with others in a positive way. Spencer is a gentleman whose compassion allows him to love easily whether it is a sick child, friends or a potential lover; Spencer’s perception allows him to recognize the good in most of the people he encounters. It is these qualities that inspired Lucas and Rogan, the main characters in the first book Home to help Spencer acquire a teaching job along with a fresh start in Cleveland, Ohio.    

 Hunter Harrison is a single dad caring for his adopted son whose heart defect has him desperately awaiting a heart transplant that may not come in time. Spencer is Hunter’s son Ethan’s idol. When Spencer moved to Cleveland and realized Ethan lived close by, Spencer made it a priority to visit the child he met through the Make-a-Wish Foundation. From their first meeting Hunter and Spencer knew there was an immediate attraction between them. However, dealing with the unfortunate circumstances of his child, Hunter rejected any relationship with Spencer other than friends. Yet fate along with the power of hope brings about a positive change leading to a happy ever after.

My impression of Hope is that William Neale has written a part of his life story. The extraordinarily enjoyable romance engages the reader, inspiring me for a while to reflect on a beneficial idealism rather than dwell in a negative reality.