Hope Over Fear (Over #1) by J.A. Derouen

Today is the day – the day that the man I love marries someone else. I don’t deserve pity or sympathy. I’ve made my bed. I left Mason and ripped his heart to pieces as I ran away. The guilt and sorrow consume me, threatening to choke me everyday.

But today is a new beginning. Today is the day I will wake up with a renewed resolve and determination to do better … to be better … to be worthy. My name is Sara Preston, and this is my story about what happens after.

Hope Over Fear can be read as a stand alone novel

Review

Before I even start I must compliment and thank JA  DeRouen for having her playlist divided per chapter , ingenious , loved it !

 I downloaded each song as I read , each chapter was an auditory and visual treat !

Sara and Mason break up and when he goes to her house to try and patch things up he leaves hurt and confused and sadly Sara does  nothing to fix the situation(Mason misunderstood the situation) instead she lets him come to his own conclusions and lives with the repucutions and rumours .In her defense ,  I believe what she did was out of love for Mason.

Months later Sara gets to meet up with Mason , hoping to clear the air , only to be told he's getting married .....OUCH !

Sara has 2 really good friends Alex and Marlo , Alex is an artist and from a veey wealthy family ,which nobody knows. Marlo is her neighbour and works with her at the hospital in the maternity ward.

Alex invites Sara for a weekend at her family home .Among the revelations Alex introduces " the ladies" , their  "GO FISH" games were fantastic ! I laughed so hard while reading and they were so well written that it actually felt like I was there , at the table participating in their shinanigans !

Sara starts volunteering at a community clinic and the atmosphere is warm , loving and without judgement.There she meets the delicious Adam and let's just say that the introductions didn't go smoothly ! I'll give it to Sara , she has some sass in her after all and isn't shy to put him in his place , OMW he's so full of it !

Ok so Adam and Sara did clash in rhe beginning but they become friends and let's not forget that Sara thinks he's HOT ! I can't help but wonder what he thinks of her !?

Adam gives a talk on STD'S at the clinic and includes Sara ( i think originally he thought he'd put her on the spot) and I must say as counselors they make a formiddable team. Sara also makes a discovery that I'm hoping makes a fire under her regarding matters of the heart! I must admit their casual chat about STD " herpagonasyphalaids" aka crotch rot had me giggling !

Adam and Sara have this thing where he "inks" her and it has me weak at the knees! I think when she gets her first ink he should design it and take her <3  His first "ink" is an Om symbol which is perfect as she's a labour and delivery nurse , she brings new life into the world <3 Wow arrogant Adam is actually deep and thoughtful !

Pleased as punch my douche dictionary has been enriched with " douchenozzle"

Adama has 2 of the sweetest secrets, which  he kept from Sara , sadly , but he did it out of fear but he had nothing to fear and when he shares his heartache with her I'm beside myself with emotion ! I'm crying for Adam , his sister , the twins and their situation. Adam is a wonderful human being with a big heart and he's got so much love to give !

I'm heartbroken at the events that unfold but at the same time I'm angry . Angry with Mason for assuming the worst , Adam for not talking to Sara and Sara for not telling Mason the truth feom the start and all this could've been avoided if people just communicated ! I saw a side to Adam that left a bitter taste in my mouth , he can get really nasty , OMW !

I must mention that I like the way we get to see into Adam and Sara's heads ansd see what they think and feel.

Eventually Adam does get to take Sara for her first ink and what she gets is really special <3

The last 2 paragraphs round off the story beautifully! A definite 5 star read * * * * *

Review by Heidi