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Abandoned But Not Alone is the 4th book in the Spark of Hope series by Nicole Dykes and it's another heartbreaking addition filled with hope, love, and found family.
From the blurb:
Felix
So when I meet Henry, I immediately make it my mission to show him how great the world can be if he’ll only accept a little help.
Easier said than done. But I’ve always liked a challenge.
Henry
I have no idea why this complete stranger wants to help my daughter and me. But I can’t seem to shake him.
Life hasn’t been kind to us, and I clearly don’t see the world the same way he does. I want what’s best for my daughter, though, and if that means accepting help from Felix, then that might be what I have to do.
No matter what my instincts scream at me.
I’ve been abandoned by everyone in my life, and that’s what I expect now.
But Felix seems determined to make sure I know I’m not alone.
Jacqueleen the Reading Queen's Review:
"The only thing worse than actually being alone is the hope that someday you might not be."
Oh, my sweet Henry. He broke my heart for so much of this book. He was so much stronger than he gave himself credit for. Taking care of a newborn is hard enough. Doing it alone and then homeless? Next to impossible. But he did it and he did it well. There is no way baby Hazel would think she was anything other than loved and cared for. Accepting help isn't easy either when you've always been let down in the past, but Henry put his pride aside and took a chance for his daughter. A chance, it turns out, that gave him everything he could ever want, and most of all deserved.
Felix, bless him, was such a spot of sunshine. From the moment he met Henry and baby Hazel, he was determined to help them, no matter what. Henry pushed back at every turn at first, but that didn't deter Felix in the slightest. He just continued to help however he could until it became impossible for Henry not to trust him. It also helped that Felix was just as enamored with Hazel as she was with him, too. It was beautiful watching the three of them become a family and build the HEA that so many others, with Henri's story, don't always get. I know because I've seen it with my own two eyes. Addiction is a vicious animal and people don't always remember how much it not only affects the individual with the addiction, but their family members as well. I'm one of those family members. I felt this topic was handled well by the author and applaud her for putting a spotlight on it when so many others treat it as out of sight out of mind.
I'm very excited that Andrew and Miles' story is next, though sad it's the last. We got some insight into Andrew in this one and it made me that much more in awe of the man he is. I'm also hoping his book is going to include more information on a certain teenager we met. I'm really hoping that along with Andrew and Miles, he ends up with a happy ending of sort of his own too.
Rating: 5 Stars
Angel's Review:
'I may not know what's drawn me to this man, but I'm not someone who argues with fate.'
I have loved every single book in Nicole's Spark Of Hope series. She just writes characters so well!
Henry is a dad who has his daughter Hazel, and that's all he has. His world revolves around her now. Nothing else matters. He needed to find a place for them to stay, but he never expected what would happen when Felix insisted that stay at the gym. Henry and Hazel both got a family and more love than they've ever had before. They found their home.
Felix is a helper, that's just who he is. He always wants to try to help people the best way that he can. When Henry and Hazel walk into the gym's doors, he knows he is a goner. He slowly falls for this beautiful and strong man, and he's immediately captivated by Hazel's cuteness. From the first moment they met, Felix insists on being Henry's best friend, and overtime.... He becomes just that and more.
'I wrap him in my arms and hold onto him with everything I have.'
I really enjoyed Abandoned but not Alone, just like the others in this series. There has yet to be a bad book in this series. They have all been so good and so unique. And just in case you're wondering, these can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the series as a whole. You'll get so much more out of it and you'll also get an insight to the other characters' lives and backgrounds. One of my favorite parts of these books is getting glimpses of the other couples' lives. It makes me so happy to 'see' them again. This book is really well written, fantastic detail, and wonderful characters.
My heart was breaking when Henry was talking about Maggie, Hazel's mother. What he went through was definitely a form of trauma. Then my heart broke a separate time when Evan was introduced! He was such a sweet character, and I really wanted to know more. That's the only part of this book where I was a bit confused. He got introduced within the last couple of chapters, and then he wasn't really brought up again. Which was confusing. I hope he's in Andrew's story cause I really want to learn more about him.
I'm also really excited to read Andrew's story!
Rating: 5 Stars
Heather's Review:
All of Nicole's Spark of Hope books have had a sweet element to them, but Abandoned but not Alone is the sweetest yet... Henry has been subjected to so much trauma in his young life that he almost runs away from the kindness he's been shown from not only Felix, but the rest of the guys...and of course you also have the adorable baby Hazel in the mix!
This one is all about learning to trust the good and to appreciate the big and small gifts that can come along when you need them most... and the gift of love is the biggest one... it's emotional and at times heartbreaking to hear his backstory and to witness some of that, but it's so worth it!
I'm looking forward to the next book, and seeing Andrew get his HEA - there's a lot of foreshadowing in this book for his story and I hope I'm right about who he's matched with and how they get together - and no, I don't think Nicole Dykes will write a story with an underage protagonist, but I do see a sexy attorney in the future... and maybe a future HEA for Evan down the road...
Rating: 5 Stars
Tatted_book_freak's Review:
Another lovely addition to Nicole’s Spark of Hope series, filled with overcoming past hurts and learning to trust again. Nicole has a habit of efficiently tackling sensitive issues, never hesitating to bring these topics to life. There is a tad bit of angst, including but not limited to past abuse and mentioning addictions. She handles these sensitive topics with care and keenness, always adding a character filled with kindness and optimism.
𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙢𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙩, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬, 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖 𝙙𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙩, 𝙝𝙚’𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙚.
Oh, Felix and Henry, their relationship was a joy to watch unfold. Witnessing and understanding Henry’s skepticism to trust was so pure, even with such a traumatic history. And Felix was the best man to sweep in and show him it was okay to trust again. I appreciate the love both of these men have for Hazel, and the remaining guys, too. The mother leaving in this story was unfortunately for the best when about Hazel because some people aren't made to be parents.
𝙈𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙤𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝘼𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙬, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙚𝙭𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙞𝙨.
I cannot wait to get Andrew and Miles's history finally!! They have been a complete mystery, but there are hints of a past evident in their body language and interactions. Sadly, though, we're coming to an end.
Rating: 4 Stars
Abandoned but not Alone is available to buy as an ebook, paperback, or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.
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