Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Stronger Than Hope
SERIES: Chesapeake Days (Book 1)
AUTHOR: Katherine McIntyre
PUBLISHER: Hot Tree Publishing
LENGTH: 252 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2022
BLURB:
One man looking to set down roots, the other looking to leave…
Fresh out of a relationship, Nate’s searching for a change—what better way is there than renovating his uncle’s old coffee shop in Chesapeake City? He has a new job, in a new town, and a new lease. And when he almost runs over his hot neighbor, Linc, who happens to be his contractor? Well, based on the explosive attraction between them, maybe he’ll find something new there too.
Linc’s been treading water ever since his wife passed away in childbirth, focusing all of his energy on raising his son, Beckett. The obvious solution? He needs to get the hell out of Chesapeake City. But when Nate charmingly fumbles his way into Linc’s life, he finds his defenses lowering for the first time in years. One date leads to another, and hell, this man makes him feel in ways he’d forgotten.
Even though Nate just finished piecing his heart back together, he falls fast. Yet Linc’s made it clear he’s a bad bet. The man hasn’t clicked with anyone since his wife, and if Nate ends up being “not enough” again, that won’t shatter just his heart—the fragile home he’s trying to build in this town will crumble too.
REVIEW:
This is my first time reading this author and I look forward to the rest of the series.
Nate has just come off living six months after being unceremoniously dumped by his long-time ex that said he just wasn’t enough or long-term material in Boston. Now he is branching out of his past and embracing a new future. A future that includes moving to Chesapeake City and remodeling the coffee shop left to him in his late uncle’s will. He has big plans to update the dated shop and make it a comfortable place to come get a great cup of coffee and gather. What he didn’t plan on was literally almost running over his drop dead gorgeous new neighbor who is also his new contractor! After several crazy moments running into each other the men settle into a comfortable friendship and working relationship. However, smoldering looks when the other isn’t looking and a “non-date” out to Linc’s best friend Nico’s bar lend to question…when will these two see what’s right before their eyes?
Who could not have warm, fuzzy feels for Nate? He’s sweet, kind and adorable, a bit clumsy but a total catch. Sam, his ex, didn’t deserve him! But Sam’s loss was Linc’s gain. If only he would pull his head out of his a$$ and see that Nate is perfect for him. He doesn’t want to erase Marissa’s memory. He knows Tha she was an important piece to Lincoln and Beck’s lives and would always be. He just wants to be a new piece so that they can keep her memories but make new ones. Even Marissa’s parents accepted that Lincoln should move on. And Mate was the perfect on for him to do so. His heart, no matter how hard he tried to battle it or write it off, knew that Nate was the one to finally let in.
I will say this, this book is a long, slow burn full of angst. Yes, Linc finally acknowledged that he wanted Nate and he started actually officially dating him. And yes he even broke his own iron-clad rule to have him spend time with his young son Beck. He even acknowledged that Nate was really good with and for Beck. Heck, he even had him spend the night in his house knowing that Beck would be up and awake and see that Nate spent the night! But he couldn’t call him his boyfriend? Really?!?! And that went on way too long. I know he was worried about Neck making friends and being bullied at school but he was in a relationship with Nate and moving wasn’t an option. His heart knew it he just had to get his mind on board but he left Nate dangling way too many times. Nate was just that sweet and non pushy. The final straw with those papers would have sent anyone running. And who puts their house up for sale, buys their estranged boyfriend’s house so they can move in together, and doesn’t talk to him first? All I can say is that Nate loved him with all his heart and let it go but Linc should have done more!
I did really like this book and can’t wait to revisit Chesapeake City again soon. I just wish the author hadn’t drug out the “will they get together or won’t they” for so long and gave us a bit more of the HEA story after they finally got together. Also, Nate put up with his conniving and jealous employee for way too long. That woman was bad news and bad for business. He should have fired her a long time before he did! He was just to sweet and kind of a person. The side characters were engaging and I want their future HEA’s too. Plus, I hope we get to see Nate, Linc and Beck more in the future.
RATING: 
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