Susan's Review of Cindy Kirk's Forever in Good Hope

In the fourth installment of Cindy Kirk’s beloved Good Hope series, a ruse with an old flame grows into romance.

Delphinium “Fin” Bloom returns to her hometown with one goal: get the mayor—her former flame—to approve a location shoot in Good Hope. But business turns personal when the two become entangled in a fake engagement to comfort his ailing grandmother.

For Jeremy, the romantic façade hits close to his heart. Still reeling from the way things ended between Fin and him all those years ago, he sees the fake engagement as an opportunity to get her out of his system once and for all. But instead of laying the past to rest, Jeremy quickly discovers he can’t envision a life without her.

Now engaged to another man, Fin had long ago given up on the dream of a life with Jeremy. Why is it, then, that her fake engagement feels more genuine than her real one? As the sleepy days of summer come to a close in Good Hope, will Fin and Jeremy give love a second chance? Or will the revelation of a devastating secret put an end to the fairy tale?

Forever in Good Hope is an emotional, thoughtful second chance at love romance. The characters, the romance and the small town setting drew me into this well- paced story. Cindy Kirk’s descriptive voice and honest dialogue are spot on in this novel where the forgiveness, trust and love are explored.

Delphinium ‘Fin” Bloom has returned to Good Hope because her boyfriend, Xander Tillman, is interested in filming a movie in her hometown. However, the film’s shooting schedule would take place during the month of December; forcing the town to forego its traditional holiday festivities. Many treasured events including the popular Twelve Nights celebration would have to be cancelled or postponed. Mayor Jeremy Rakes cast the deciding vote against the proposal. But, Xander is used to getting his way. He has tasked Fin with trying to convince the town board members and local merchants to vote in favor of the proposal at a second meeting.

Second chances, family connections and happiness are three important themes in the novel. Jeremy and Fin agree to a phony engagement when Jeremy’s grandmother, Ruby, suffers a heart attack. Their engagement gives Ruby the incentive she needs for her surgery.

This is my favorite scene in the novel:

Her eyes lit up. ‘You’ll play?”

‘I’m willing to answer a question or two, so long as you reciprocate.’

Her sudden grin had Jeremy’s heart skipping a beat. For a second he forgot all about his grandmother.

She handed a card to Jeremy with a flourish. ‘You read it.’

‘If you could write a note to your younger self, what would you say in only three words?”

‘Three words.’ Fin chewed on her lower lip, her gaze unsettled. Don’t be afraid.”

Fin’s honest answer to the above question changes the direction of the story. It prompts Jeremy to confess that he knew there were two things he wanted when he was sixteen; to live in Good Hope and Fin. He admits that loosing Fin is his biggest regret. I enjoyed the scenes where Ruby played matchmaker and arranged premarital counseling for Fin and Jeremy and helped plan their wedding—these scenes were cleverly written and added an element of humor to the story. The chemistry between the couple sparks and their relationship becomes romantic. As she spends more time with Jeremy, Fin realizes what is missing in her relationship with Xander and she begins to appreciate and value the man Jeremy has become.

Fin shares a secret with Jeremy, something that she had not shared with her sisters or friends. Jeremy is deeply affected by the secret. Cindy Kirk hinted that Fin was hiding something from her past during the novel. The unveiling of the secret and Jeremy’s reaction were key elements in the couple’s journey and were perfectly written. Loved the conclusion to this heart felt story as it had several unexpected surprises for Jeremy and Fin!

Cindy Kirk has created a fabulous cast of characters in this series and I am looking forward to the next Good Hope novel!

5 Stars!
★★★★★

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the author