The Hopeful Romantic — Susan Colleen Browne

Kerry McCormack, a young Dublin wife and mother, dreams of trading her cubicle-bound job for a simpler life. After years of a satisfying marriage, she's grown apart from her husband Stephen, the strong, silent type whose practical nature masks his longing for a close family. Unresolved grief is only creating more distance between them…just as a dilemma from Kerry's past suddenly comes to light. When Kerry accepts an unexpected invitation from an old friend of Stephen's -- a friend she once fancied -- to spend a weekend in the little village of Ballydara, she's anticipating an idyllic family holiday with free-spirited Will and his family. Yet the grief shadowing her makes her a little too susceptible to Will's charm. He's the catalyst that exposes long-buried secrets between Kerry and Stephen, and the regrets that haunt them both. As Kerry's hopes for love and following her dreams are turned upside down, she wonders: will she have the courage for a fresh start? “The Hopeful Romantic was a pleasure to read for its engaging characters, its authenticity, and its unforgettable moments…a poignant and sometimes humorous, old-fashioned romantic story.” -- Chanticleer Reviews