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High Hopes Kindle Edition
Best friends are rocked by a heart-breaking revelation. Their cosy world is blown apart, surely there can be no second chances. How can a future be built on the quicksand of secrets and lies? Steamy, passionate, and unpredictable. If you like sizzling love triangles, don't miss this uplifting romance.
Grace has a heart-rending secret - a love child she gave up for adoption. She was a penniless student, how could she raise a baby alone? Now, years later, her long-lost daughter is searching for answers and Grace gets a letter that will change everything.
The father is her best friend, who never knew about the baby. If Grace confesses now, she'll destroy his marriage. But Grace yearns to do the right thing by her daughter, so does she have a choice?
Highly recommended finalist in the Book Excellence Awards and the Wishing Shelf Book Awards, High Hopes is described as "...a cleverly plotted, sassy romance..."
Set in the wilds of Poldark-country - the stormy cliffs and windswept beaches of Cornwall, High Hopes is an engrossing saga filled with suspense. Will Grace risk everything for a chance of happy-ever-after? Her dilemma is sure to melt your heart.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateApril 18, 2016
- File size1.7 MB
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Her dialogue has the ring of authenticity. The theme may be sad, but Lilley brings a certain exuberance to her narrative. A genuinely touching read. A fine absorbing love story from a talented author, High Hopes confirms Lilley's place as an exciting new voice in Romantic Fiction. Highly recommended... BookViral
Unique and unpredictable. This book was terrific! Once I started reading I didn't want to stop. The themes of love, life, betrayal, and overall challenges were handled with respect and felt authentic. Definitely not your run-of-the-mill love story, but still real, poignant, and moving. Recommend for fans of drama and romance... Indie Book Reviewers
Excellent! I thoroughly enjoyed "High Hopes." It's honest, touching and funny, with an exciting plot of close friendship, sexual desire and secrets. We recommend High Hopes to all our chick lit readers that love a sassy, witty, sexy and smart read... Chicklit Cafe
Riveting, imaginative, and well- crafted. A really good read that I'd recommend to mature fans of romantic drama... Indie Book Reviewers
The writing is easy to get lost in. For me the real hero was Dixie - I kept thinking what I would do if I were her. This novel is broad in themes and isn't just a simple romance novel. I was almost in tears at a few points and loved that the characters were flawed, and so human, relatable and real... Indie Book Reviewers
About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : B01EIJYJAU
- Accessibility : Learn more
- Publication date : April 18, 2016
- Language : English
- File size : 1.7 MB
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 270 pages
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Best Sellers Rank: #993,394 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #4,860 in Coming of Age Fiction (Kindle Store)
- #21,335 in Contemporary Women Fiction
- #22,011 in Women's Romance Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Sue Lilley loves getting lost in a page-turning story and can never put a good book down. She’s published several well-received novels and short stories and is always engrossed in creating the next. Her tales of hope, dreams, temptations and impossible dilemmas are sexy and real. Her shameless love of eavesdropping is done in the name of research and inspiration. When she isn’t escaping somewhere else in her imagination, she lives in the stunning north east of England.
Praise for Sue from reviewers:
“…the author has a powerful voice for storytelling…” (Reading Alley)
“…her dialogue has the ring of authenticity…” (Book Viral)
“…the themes of love, life and betrayal were handled with respect and felt authentic…” (Indie Book Reviewers)
“… the plot and writing make this a hopeful and inspiring read…” (Readers’ Favorite)
You can email Sue: sue@suelilley.com
You can follow Sue on Twitter: @suelilleyauthor
You can sign up for news of special offers and new releases: http://suelilley.com/updates/
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book's story engaging, with one noting how it draws readers deeply into its intricate plot. Moreover, the characters are very believable, and the writing is beautifully crafted and realistic. The book is emotional, with customers appreciating its surprisingly positive ending, and they describe it as full of hope.
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Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting that the characters and locations are well written and very believable. One customer mentions that the story is well developed through the characters' dialogue.
"...Or as she phrases it, ‘My fast-paced stories have realistic characters who all have hopes, dreams, temptations and dilemmas...." Read more
"...this book to anyone who loves fast-paced, believable drama with likable characters. Another excellent job from this author." Read more
"...The characters where easy to understand and likable making you feel like they could have been either friends or family...." Read more
"I received an ARC for an honest review. This was a riveting story. No bad boys. No over-the-top sex scenes. Not my usual fare...." Read more
Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as beautifully and pretty realistic, with one customer noting its emotional depth.
"Loved this story. An easy read that kept my attention. And wow what a story." Read more
"...She comes by her observational talent and writing naturally, being a daydreamer and a compulsive people watcher...." Read more
"This book is very well written and does exactly what it intends to do: it involves the reader deeply in its intricate and many-layered webs of lies,..." Read more
"...Lilley’s writing is emotional and vivid; I quickly found myself pondering the same things—should she tell or just allow things to continue as they..." Read more
Customers find this book emotionally engaging, describing it as a wonderfully sad story with a surprisingly positive ending.
"...Don't get me wrong, it is an emotional book, but I found myself quickly sucked into Grace's story and unable to stop until the end...." Read more
"...I also loved the positive, satisfying, and happy ending! Overall, this is a great book for any person who loves dramatic romances with happy endings." Read more
"...The story is an emotional page-turner that will keep you interested to the end...." Read more
"...This is an emotional roller coaster that will make you laugh, cry, be happy, sad, with twists and turns. You might not see the end coming." Read more
Customers find the book full of hope, with one customer noting how it keeps the mood entertaining throughout.
"Loved this story. An easy read that kept my attention. And wow what a story." Read more
"...It’s about marriage, divorce, sex, family, fresh starts, and the consequences of the decisions we make...." Read more
"...In the end, it’s full of hope, it’s beautiful and refreshing...." Read more
"...I also loved the positive, satisfying, and happy ending! Overall, this is a great book for any person who loves dramatic romances with happy endings." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2025Format: KindleVerified PurchaseLoved this story. An easy read that kept my attention. And wow what a story.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2016Format: KindleVerified PurchaseBritish author Sue Lilley offered her debut novel ANOTHER SUMMER that introduced her into that popular realm of Chick Lit books. She comes by her observational talent and writing naturally, being a daydreamer and a compulsive people watcher. She and her artist husband live in the north east of England, and she enjoys a satisfying marriage from which she can relate to concepts of relationships that are not as secure as hers – fodder for novels about love and lust and coming together. Or as she phrases it, ‘My fast-paced stories have realistic characters who all have hopes, dreams, temptations and dilemmas. Oh, and hot men to fall in love with!’ And now she moves well into HIGH HOPES.
Sue has found that line between erotica and literary romance writing and uses that to her advantage. From her first chapter she offers glimpses into the aura of lustful thinking but then tapers that in to a story of a marriage bumping close to the rocks, as we read ‘If Alexander hadn’t kept the house after their divorce, the letter might have lain undiscovered on some stranger’s doormat. When he’d brought the cream envelope to their Thursday sushi night, Grace had been intrigued by the US postmark and the doodle of a purple flower across the flap. The contents had been a jolt but after so many years of hiding the truth from everyone, it was a relief to tell him her story. “How didn’t I know this about you before we got married?” he’d asked, remarkably calm under the circumstances. “Didn’t you trust me with your secrets?” “I told you enough bad things about me. I didn’t want to put you off.” “An adopted baby’s more important than that, Grace. And what happens now? After all this time, you can’t turn up on Sam’s doorstep and casually announce he’s the father of your secret lovechild.” “But I can’t turn her away, after twenty years of wondering about her.” Eventually, Alexander had fallen asleep. Grace envied the way he could always switch off but he had an early flight and she didn’t have the heart to wake him. She longed for the comfort of his arms around her while she battled with her conscience. She should never have married him at such a low point in her life, however kind and persuasive he’d been. But she was even more of an idiot for divorcing him.’
But on to the story – ‘Can a future be built on the quicksand of secrets and lies? Imagine you’re Grace … Twenty years ago you had a drunken one night stand with Sam, your oldest friend, when you both believed you’d been dumped. Sam got back with Dixie, his girlfriend and neither of you mentioned it again. Imagine … You got pregnant. You were a penniless student faced with a heartbreaking decision. Believing it was best for everyone, you had your baby in secret and gave her up for adoption, convinced you’d be giving her a better life. Imagine … Your daughter has now traced you and is asking questions about her father. After twenty years of sadness and guilt, you’re desperate to meet her but you never told Sam you had his child. Imagine … If you confess to Sam and Dixie now, the news of a secret daughter will tear their marriage to shreds and smash your lifelong friendship into smithereens. Imagine you’re Grace … What would you do? '
Solid character building, enough Eros to satisfy, and a touch of couple binding philosophy reinforces Sue’s steady climb into the Chick Lit realm. Grady Harp, May 16
- Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2016Format: KindleVerified PurchaseIf Sue Lilley’s High Hopes were a movie, you’d call it a drama. It’s an extremely well written story about a group of people whose lives intertwined, complicated, and very messy. The fact that they’re all British seems to entail that they have tried to avoid confronting each other about the more difficult aspects of their relationships with each other for twenty years. What novel deals with is the inevitable letting the proverbial cat out of the bag. Everything that’s wrong in their lives swirls together into a cataclysmic climax and how it resolves. You see in plain sight with eyes wide open the poor choices these characters have made and do make, but you also understand why they made those choices, even if they seem like huge mistakes in hindsight. It’s about marriage, divorce, sex, family, fresh starts, and the consequences of the decisions we make. I won’t try to even summarize the plot or characters because it’s too convoluted. What I will say, however, is that the author’s skill is such that you can’t help but empathize with each and every one of the main characters, even as you watch the slow-motion train wrecks they create with the decisions they make. Well done, Ms. Lilley.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2016Format: KindleVerified PurchaseHigh Hopes, a romance in e-book format by Sue Lilly.
Characters/Plot: Grace, the protagonist, was orphaned at twelve, sent to live with a maiden aunt where she is saved from bullies by a gangling nerd, Sam with whom she establishes a lifelong friendship. Later Dixie is added, they form a trio living together while attending the university and purportedly sharing everything even as years pass. Sam and Dixie marry, have a son, Josh whose godmother they insist is to be Grace. Grace later marries Alexander, a wealthy older man but divorces him shortly thereafter. The plot begins to develop as Grace is contacted by an illegitimate daughter, Ally, she gave up for adoption and now has traced and wants to meet her and learn more about her father. Grace feels compelled to return to Penrowan, the home now owned by Dixie from her hippy mother, Joyce (who had helped Grace when she was expecting the illegitimate child) because she must share a long-kept secret with Sam and Dixie. The situation is complicated by the fact that Dixie has just miscarried another child they had very much wanted, and Sam has just informed Dixie that he had had a brief affair with a young co-worker. Further complications arise with Danny, a young gardener, Duncan, suspected gay owner of a gallery where Dixie works, and a few others of lesser importance. The story line continues to advance to the final solution.
Discussion: The author has provided another of the confusingly complicated plots seemingly so enjoyed by romance lovers. A group of now mature individuals (Grace’s fortieth birthday is celebrated), still are involved in the thoughtless, or at least ‘not well thought out’, often alcoholic stimulated activity causing original as well as present problems. There is titillating romance as well as some surprisingly thoughtful activity by younger characters while important aspects of Grace’s secret gradually are revealed as perhaps not being so secret. Also unmasked are acts of betrayal, deceit and deception along with lingering hidden fears and animosities that long were held in abeyance.
Conclusion: Confused characters assembled in a complicated plot with an ending that romance devotees no doubt will devour but a story that is barely credible for more pragmatic readers.
Top reviews from other countries
- Mrs J MardlingReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down.....
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseTook this book on holiday and it got me in trouble as I was completely hooked and couldn't put it down. Whilst everyone else slept, I read for over two hours as I needed to know how it played out. The main characters are engaging and the book is well written hooking the reader in early. I have read both books currently released by this author and am looking forward to reading the next.
- lillixanderReviewed in Australia on April 22, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable read.
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseReading Sue's second novel has been an absolute pleasure.
Written in a clear and engaging tone the book is a page turner from the first lines.
I love that the story gets straight to the plot, no dull set ups to wade through. I was hooked by the first few pages.
The central characters are intelligent and interesting and you find yourself siding with each character as the story follows their point of view.
- Mimi JazmanReviewed in Australia on May 27, 2016
4.0 out of 5 stars Astounding Book
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI just love this book. It is a casual and calm reading with enough complications, it is perfect. I like the plot especially the beginning where there is my favourite character, Alexander. I like how the author write about Alexander first because he is the present life for Grace before going to Sam, which is someone from Graces past. I also like how she explained Alexander and Graces relationship to us in the beginning so we dont get confuse about their relationship when the story starts to develop. I could feel the tension since Josh mentioned Sarah and how bitter Sam is when he is talking about Dixie's boss in the uprising part. The climax is beautiful and I love the ending. It is exactly what I want it to be. As for characterisations, I like each and every character. Dixie is definitely a character that grow the most during the story development. She starts as someone who is miserable and a jealous friend to someone who hosted the birthday party for Grace. Sam, Grace and Danny are characters that is well developed as the plot start to thicken. Overall, it was a pleasant reading experience. I like everything about it and the author writing style is eloquent and very straight forward, which is something I really look forward into.
- T. S. DorrReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 1, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent read
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseThis is the first time I have read a book by Sue Lilley but won't be the la.st. The characters are engaging as you read their stories. THis is a romantic read with secrets and struggles to keep you gripped.
- Mrs C M JamesReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 23, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic book that draws you in from the first page
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI loved this 2nd book by this talented author. Intriguing from the first page, you are drawn into Grace's dilemma and I found myself getting more and more invloved......good job I was recovering from an operation as it meant I had time to read it in one sitting! The author writes in such a witty, engaging way and can also pull out some seriously sexy scenes (Danny mmmmm). Thoroughly recommend this book and looking forward to the next one.