Ri ♡ 's Reviews > Hopeless

“No, sugar. When it comes to you, I’m downright hopeless.”

I want to pack my bags and leave for Chestnut Springs right now. This series is the best and my favourite small town I've ever read. The bond all the families and the couples shared, Eaton family and brothers, female friendships, the love and friendship, siblings love, parental love and responsibility and care. Everything about this place and series was filled with love, happiness and hope.

Hopeless is a perfect blend of humour, spice, banter and emotion. It's about two broken people finding their way on their own. It was bittersweet reading this book and I'm a little sad that this series is now completed but Hopeless was a beautiful read and a perfect book to end this epic small town series. Before Chesnut springs, small town romance books rarely worked for me. But the magic and beauty of chestnut springs that Elsie blended in with the relatable and amazing characters and their happy and incredible stories were everything for me to fall in love with this series. Reckless is my absolute favourite of this series and Theo is my favourite man but all the men in this series were Chef's kiss (Not the milk hater Rhett). And I like how Elsie writes her FMCs—strong willed and yet the sweetest and kindest women.

“We’re symbiotic, you and me. Without you, this version of me doesn’t exist. Without the next version of you, the next version of me doesn’t exist either. We’re going to grow together.”

Elsie is an amazing writer and I love how she never fails with any new tropes she writes. This book has age-gap and virgin fmc which is quite a hit or miss trope in books. I loved the fake-dating trope and all the swoon-worthy moments but I was bothered by how there was a little too much focus on Bailey being 22 year old and a virgin and how Beau can't stop thinking about how old he is and how little she is and how he didn't wanted to take advantage of her even though Bailey told him it was fine if they had sex or not. I wish of there was a bit more focus on the Bailey's character development than this whole she is virgin and I'm too old for her. I want to talk about that popular Bathtub scene but I don't know how I feel about that. It was hot but also a bit cringe for my taste or should I say unhygienic?


➸ Bailey Jensen

She seems all sweet and tender but behind all that facade is a girl with bold and valiant personality. She's broken by her own family and wants to escape her past and her miserable life by leaving Chesnut Springs. Her sense of humour was quirky and she has a penchant for asking sex related questions to Beau because she's a virgin and does not shy away from that fact. Honestly, all her questions were funny and stupid in a way and I liked the effect she had on Beau with them. I also liked how determined she was when it comes to her goals and how she navigated her life after all the struggles and pain she went through.

“Wherever you’re hanging from… I think I’m on the same hook.”

➸ Beau Eaton

The Chesnut Spring's prince and tortured hero as Bailey and Elsie likes to call him. He is amazing no doubt and he's my third favourite Eaton brother (Jasper is second and Yes Rhett you are the last.) I was so eagerly waiting for his book and to finally know about what broke him so much that turned him into this dark and lonely person. Beau was mostly described as this boy with golden retriever energy in all the past chapter of previous books of this series and it was apparent that something big and tragic must have happened to him to break him beyond repair. Bailey was like a ray of sunshine and hope in his life and he liked to be with her because of how she never treated him differently — like he was some broken thing need to be fixed.

“I adore every version of her.”

╰┈➤ Beau and Bailey

Beau was so hopelessly obsessed with her and the way he was so affectionate and protective of her. I mean he waited till midnight in the bar she worked drinking chamomile tea so she could be safe and even got fake-engaged so she could have a job. Their banter was hilarious. She acts up and he calls her a brat. Their dynamics worked so well. I was laughing my ass off everytime Bailey said or ask something inappropriate and Beau was always like “what the fuck Bailey”. Bailey being a little curious cat was a threat to his sanity. They are perfect for each other.

“Just ignore me. I’m having an out-of-body experience.”
“Bailey. I’m not ignoring you.” She licks her lips. “You should.”
“Impossible. I’m memorizing you,”

I loved the way they both helped each other to find their purpose in their life. It was lovely to see the way Beau always encouraged and empowered Bailey that she is whoever she wants to be and that her financial status and her family name doesn't define who she is. The way Bailey was their for him when he was having nightmares and how they made a new memories for the tragic 2.11 AM for Beau.

“Bailey makes 2:11 better.”

The ending didn't need that third-act breakup in my opinion and one of my reason for the 4 stars for this book. Anyway, I liked how they both are giving a try to their new future together and I loved the epilogue and it was most perfect thing in this book. Willa and Cade's wedding was the perfect ending to this series! I am gonna miss all of them so much 🥺🫶🏼

Bailey turns to me, eyes bright, smile wide, cheeks rosy. “This is… this doesn’t feel like alone together. This just feels like together- together.”
With one hand, I grip her chin, watching her eyes dance between mine. I kiss her hard. My better half. My other half.
“That’s us, sugar. Together- together.”