Hope Blooms

Starred review from March 20, 2017
In the wake of tragedy, first loves are reunited and given a second chance at the life they lost in Pope’s remarkable, perfectly paced interracial romance set in Aquinnah, a town on Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. Cass and Terrance, both black, were best friends growing up. Wylie, who’s white, moved in with Terrance after being orphaned; he and Cass fell in love, but they kept it a secret from Terrance, who’d always had unrequited romantic feelings for Cass. When Terrance learned of the romance, he guilted Wylie into leaving, and months later a heartbroken Cass (unaware that they’d been found out) agreed to marry Terrance. Fast forward to the present day, when Cass and Terrance are both injured in a school shooting. Cass survives, but Terrance and their unborn child die. Cass confines herself to her bed for weeks, overcome with grief. Her mother calls Wylie, recently returned from a stint in the Marines, to intervene. When Wylie moves Cass in with him, their lives intertwine seamlessly. Long-dormant feelings spring to life and their passion is reignited. Their loyalty and unconditional love for one another will tug at heartstrings as they grapple with complicated feelings about race and the past. Readers will root for and demand more of this enchanting couple.

April 1, 2017
A teacher finds healing and hope in the aftermath of a school shooting that took the life of her husband and unborn child.Pope's (Mine at Midnight, 2017, etc.) latest multicultural romantic women's fiction opens with a terrifying flashback to the elementary school shooting that ended both Cassandra Miller's pregnancy and her husband's life. A year later, Cassandra's deep depression has settled like an iron weight, guilt and pain keeping her in bed with the curtains drawn. Cass' desperate mother turns to Wylie Everett, the man who walked away a decade earlier, breaking Cass' heart. Wylie carries Cass out of the house and brings her to his home in Aquinnah, Martha's Vineyard, where his tough love helps her recover. Wylie admonishes: "You're going through what any person who lived through that hell would go through, and I want you to stop thinking that there is something wrong with you." In the past 10 years, Wylie has made something of himself from his impoverished beginnings, first with the Marines and then with a construction business on the island. But he never moved past his love for Cassandra. Cassandra has to work through layer upon layer of unresolved feelings, including not just the shooting and losses, but also the truth about Wylie's disappearance and her marriage to his best friend. On Martha's Vineyard, Wylie's sister, nephew, and friends create a community that embraces Cassandra. While the subject matter is heavy, the sexual heat between Wylie and Cassandra, as well as frequent bursts of humorous dialogue, livens things up.An intensely emotional read with flawed characters who share a complicated history but desperately need each other to survive. Ultimately hopeful and romantic.

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Starred review from April 15, 2017

Kindergarten teacher Cassandra Miller's life was shattered when an abusive father's bullet killed her husband and her unborn child. Now almost a year later, she is wasting away, still grieving, not caring whether she lives or dies. At her wit's end, Cass's mother calls on the one person who might help--former marine Wylie James Everett, once Cass's dearest friend and lover as well as foster brother to her husband--and the man who walked out on them both ten years ago. One look at Cass, and Wylie James knows he has to do something, so he takes her home with him to Martha's Vineyard, determined to help her learn to live again. A cast of entertaining characters you hope to meet again add gentle humor, warmth, and authenticity. VERDICT This tender, exquisitely written romance runs the emotional gamut and touches the heart; a poignant, uplifting story. Pope (Mine at Midnight) lives in New York.

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