Hope's Folly

Dock Five Universe #3

by Linnea Sinclair, Christian Rummel (Narrator)

Admiral Philip Guthrie is in an unprecedented position: on the wrong end of the law, leading a ragtag band of rebels against the oppressive Imperial forces. Or he would be if he could get his command ship, the derelict cruiser called Hope's Folly, functioning. Not much can rattle Philips legendary cool, but the woman who helps him foil an assassination attempt on Kirro Station will. She's the daughter of his best friend and first commander, a man who died while under Philips command and whose death is on Philips conscience.

Rya Bennton has been in love with Philip Guthrie since she was a girl. But can her childhood fantasies survive an encounter with the hardened man, and newly minted rebel leader, once she learns the truth about her fathers death? Or will her passion for revenge put not only their hearts but their lives at risk?

Its an impossible mission: A man who feels he can't love. A woman who believes she's unlovable. And an enemy who will stop at nothing to crush them both.

Genres: Romance, Science Fiction, Science Fiction Romance, Space Opera, Fiction, Futuristic, Ebooks

Audiobook

First published February 24, 2009

About the author

Winner of the prestigious national book award, the RITA, science fiction romance author Linnea Sinclair has become a name synonymous for high-action, emotionally intense, character-driven novels. Reviewers note that Sinclair’s novels “have the wow-factor in spades,” earning her accolades from both the science fiction and romance communities. Sinclair’s current release is HOPE'S FOLLY and, scheduled for 2010 from Bantam Dell, REBELS AND LOVERS, book #4 in the Dock Five Universe. A former news reporter and retired private detective, Sinclair resides in Naples, Florida (winter) and Columbus, Ohio (summer) with her husband, Robert Bernadino, and their thoroughly spoiled cats. Readers can find her perched on the third barstool from the left in her Intergalactic Bar and Grille at www.linneasinclair.com .

Reviews

[Lizzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

* 3.5/3 stars *
Okay, a short review without great insights for Hope’s Folly is a straightforward book. This doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it, for it is a good suspense romance space opera. It was the third book in Linnea Sinclair’s Dock 5 Universe series, and it was good to be surprised by a fast-paced plot compared with the slower tempo of the previous Shades of Dark. Hope's Folly tells the story of Philip Guthrie (Chaz's ex-husband from previous novels) and the newcomer Rya Bennton.

After a failed kidnap and assassination attempt of Alliance’s higher ranking officer Phillip Guthrie, he took command of Hope’s Folly, a run-down and decommissioned imperial ship. Yes, the Alliance is only a long shot gamble, a mere fluke, against the nefarious Imperial Fleet, but how good it’s to cheer for the underdogs!

A good thriller, from the start there is suspense; there are anxiety and distrust, besides a flowering and very believable romance. Running to a crucial mission, the Folly seems to be in worst condition than expected, and there might be a spy and saboteur among his crew. Rya, a security officer, saves the day with the help of other trusted officers.

I may not have liked it as much as Shades of Dark, but as I already mentioned, they are so different that I thought I should forget that and rate it solely on the enjoyment its reading afforded me. Hope’s Folly is a satisfying story with many surprises as any real suspense and great characters. If you like suspense with a bit of romance, Hope’s Folly is for you. Go with the flow and enjoy!

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold on to your hats. Fasten your seatbelts. If you love Science Fiction Romance or action-adventure Space Opera, Linnea Sinclair’s newest addition to the Dock 5 Universe has been released! Hurry to your local bookstore, Amazon, Barn & Noble, Borders, or your best friend’s house and grab it. You are in for a non-stop, roller coaster, fun ride. Click on the title links below for my reviews of the prior books in the series to get a feel for the Dock 5 Universe. HOPE’S FOLLY is a “stand alone” but a quick background update will enhance your reading experience.

The first book in the Dock 5 series was the 2006 RITA Award winning GABRIEL'S GHOST , in which we meet Captain Chasidah (Chaz) Bergren, Gabriel (Sully) Sullivan, and Imperial Fleet Admiral, Philip Guthrie. Philip is Chaz’s ex-husband and a real tight-a$$ed, by-the-book, kinda guy, except…

In SHADES OF DARK , the second in the Dock 5 series, the Empire has fallen to pieces, and Chaz and Sully rescue Philip immediately after he sees all of his senior officers murdered. He is forced to reassess everything that he has ever believed. He finally understands Chaz and Sully’s deep love, and can only wish them the best. In the last conflict of SHADES, Philip’s leg is shattered and he almost loses his life to “once more” save Chas, Sully and the rebel Alliance. Perhaps he isn’t quite the up-tight, by-the-book guy that I first thought…

When HOPE’S FOLLY begins, Philip has lost everything and is on the run from the imperial bad guys. He is now a rebel Admiral without a fleet. Only partially recovered, with a still healing leg, he is traveling to take command of Hope’s Folly, a decommissioned imperial cruiser/orange hauling freighter, named after the resident cat, Captain Folly! What can Philip say? The price was right, and rebels (i.e. beggars) can’t be choosy. He knows there is going to be trouble when assassins try to kill him before he ever leaves the Kirro Space Station. He knows there is going to be trouble when the gorgeous woman aiding him turns out to be the daughter of his best friend, mentor, and one of his murdered officers. He remembered Rya Bennton as the green-pea flinging brat, Rya the Rebel, whom he first taught to shoot a gun. Now she’s a statuesque beauty and security expert who gets really turned on by big guns. “Can I fondle it?” That had to be one of the funniest lines that I have read in years.

After trials, tribulations, and foiled assassination/kidnap attempts, Phil assumes command of his new flagship…err, well, sort of. Nothing is going according to plan. They are running against a deadline (the imperial bad guys are coming and killing people along the way), and everything keeps suspiciously breaking down…and smelling of oranges. Philip’s got a cat in his bed when what he really wants is his security officer. He can’t trust anyone; there’s a spy onboard; and he can’t afford distractions. He’s already screwed up one marriage, is too old for Rya, and he’s too busy to love or be loved. He has a job to do…but (sigh), she certainly is incredible. Her father would kill him if he knew what he was thinking!

Rya Bennton has had the best security training that the Empire has to offer…but they killed her father. She has come to Kirro Station to join the Alliance, and protects a distinguished “older/crippled” gentleman from an assassination attempt before she realizes that: 1) he isn’t “that” much older; 2) she knows him; and 3) he is the “always and forever dream hero” of her childhood.” He might not be interested in her, but she can keep him safe and be the best security officer he ever had. Besides, he has that really big gun.

Linnea does an especially good job of balancing the story from Philip’s and Rya’s Points of View. Philip and Rya are intelligent, principled, dedicated people, with terrific senses of humor. They are a perfect match for each other, and I thought their problems realistic. It’s wonderful to watch characters grow as individuals as their respect for each other develops. By the end of the book you know that what they have found will last. I particularly enjoyed Philip’s growth from being a “company man” to being a maverick doing whatever it takes, molding a totally dissimilar group of people into a team able outsmart the best that the Empire can throw at them. I liked seeing Rya learn to trust her instincts, and do what she knows to be right. I liked seeing her finally realize that she is attractive and loveable.

HOPE’S FOLLY is much lighter in tone than either GABRIEL’S GHOST, or SHADES OF DARK. Even though the majority of the book takes place in a shipyard, the layers of tension only escalate with each malfunction. There’s no doubt that they have a saboteur onboard. I couldn’t tell who it was and was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I kept asking myself, “Are there more than one?” Besides being a Science Fiction Romance, HOPE’S FOLLY is an excellent thriller. The stakes are raised on every page, so that I now have band-aids on my knuckles.

One additional thing that I would like to pass on to Romance fans: HOPE’S FOLLY is character driven with an excellent suspense plot. In addition to superb characterization, Linnea is a master of World Building. Many Romance readers are afraid of Science Fiction because they fear technology. Let me allay you fears. Her techno-babble is so expert and natural that you won’t even be aware of it. It’s rather like your cell phone or TV remote. Go with the flow, and enjoy.

Happy Reading,

Frances Drake

Writing Science Fiction Romance
Real Love in a Real Future
http://frances-writes.blogspot.com/

[Felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh gosh, guilty pleasure to the max! If you're a geek girl and liked Star Trek this author is for you. I enjoyed it, even though parts were silly, I was gobbling it up like candy. Totally will buy something else by the author. Such embarrassing cover art, thank god for Kindle!

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in the Dock Five Universe series by Linnea Sinclair. Admiral Phillip Guthrie is now with the Alliance fighting against the Imperial forces. He takes command of a fruit hauler named Hope's Folly. And Murphy's law reigns. Anything that can go wrong, will! Also aboard the ship is Rya Bennton. Her father once commanded the ship before it was decommissioned. Now her father is dead and she wants the man responsible to pay. She is former ImpSec and is put in charge of security on Hope's Folly. Its a race against time to get the ship up and running before someone within destroys them all.

Phillip was stationed under Rya's father's command early in his career and knew Rya as a child. Rya, of course had the proverbial crush on him. Phillip is not at 100% though, with his injuries sustained in Shades of Dark.

The first two books were written in first person point of view but this one is written in third person. We get both characters view point instead of just one. I think it was a wonderful continuation of the series and I am off to the fourth book, Rebels and Lovers. This series had been a good one for me. I enjoyed the Star Trek/Star Wars feel it has to it. There is lots of action and yes, a little bedroom action too. I loved it!

[Katie(babs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

One author I cannot stop raving about and who deserves much praise is Linnea Sinclair. She writes incredible and imaginative sci-fi stories that make you want to break out the Star Wars movie and watch them all over again. Whenever I read a book by Linnea, I am constantly in awe of her skill as a writer. Not only is she one of my all time favorite authors, but she is responsible for breaking down my own resistance over other genres and those authors I wouldn’t have normally read.

Hope’s Folly is the third book in her Dock 5 series. And I will tell you that in order to understand her world and get the true sense of what Hope’s Folly is all about, you MUST first read Gabriel’s Ghost and then Shades of Dark. The hero in Hope’s Folly is the ex-husband of Chasidah “Chaz” Bergren, the heroine from the first two novels. Philip received a bad wrap because in Chaz's eyes she thought Philip to be cold, stiff and disapproving. Where as Chaz could let loose, Philip was buttoned up and lived his life to a higher standard. He wouldn’t dare break the rules. In Shades of Dark we see a glimpse of the man that is in Hope’s Folly. Philip is still recovering from the wounds he received while saving Chaz and her lover, Gabriel in Shades of Dark. He is a man in his prime at forty-five who has a limp and must walk with a cane. Lately Philip is feeling pretty run down and old. He was a former Imperial Admiral. He has joined the newly formed Alliance of Independent Republics. The former Imperial Fleet was destroyed by Darius Tage who wants to rule the universe. Philip is now on the side that wants to defeat Tage. Philip also has a personal vendetta against this insane, power hungry man because has harmed many people Philip cares about.

Philip is called to lead a ship into battle. The ship in question is Hope’s Folly, named after a young girl who survived an attack by Tage. Her name is Hope and her pet cat is named Folly. Philip is not amused by with the name of the ship that is also a run down bucket of metal. But Philip has no choice in the matter since the Alliance doesn’t have many ships to go around. He also feels so out of place and wishes he could have Chaz by his side because even though they were far from being the perfect married couple, they are close friends. They have a lot of history together and Chaz is a woman Philip has always admired. Philip now thinks he is on his own. What he doesn’t know is that a woman from is past is about to come into his life again and pull him even more off center than he already is.

Rya Bennton was part of the Imperial Fleet Security Forces and has almost five years of experience under her belt. Rya’s father, who she had a great deal of respect and love for is dead. She has some residual guilt over his death because she couldn’t save him. As Rya makes her way to her dead father’s ship, she comes in contact with Philip. Philip doesn’t recognize Rya at first, but she certainly knows Philip. When Rya was a little girl, she met Philip who came to her house. Rya’s father, Captain Cory Bennton was a mentor to Philip. As most young girls Rya’s age, she had a bad crush on the much older male. Philip is fifteen years old than Rya, but regardless of their difference in age, Rya finds Philip magnetic and the only man she has ever dreamed about for more than just sex. He is her perfect man, the one she could be with and grow old with. But in her mind, she thinks Philip wouldn’t give her a second glance. Rya is a “big” girl, or so she believes. She feels she is too curvy in all the wrong places. Plus, the age factor as well as Philip being her superior does hinder any romance between the two. Fate intervenes and Philip takes Rya on his mission where she becomes a crew member on Hope’s Folly.

When Philip first meets Rya, he is impressed by the way she can handle herself and a gun. He is even in for more of a shock when he figures out that this gun totting woman is the former little girl who used to annoy him. He even nicknamed her, Rya the Rebel, and the last time he saw her was when she was ten and he was twenty-five. It may have been twenty years since they last saw each other, but Rya made quite the impression on Philip. Now as a grown woman, Philip appreciates her in a whole new way. Rya will become his security expert on Hope’s Folly and make sure she stays out of trouble. Rya will keep watch over Philip so no harm can come to him.

It seems Hope’s Folly is in worse shape than originally thought. Plus, there is a saboteur on the ship who wants to take them down and perhaps get rid of Philip. It is up to Rya and some of Philip’s most trusted crew to find the person responsible and get Hope’s Folly into working condition. Philip also has to control his growing attraction to his adorable rebel.

In Linnea’s past books, the action was not so contained as it is in Hope’s Folly. There is no jumping from planet to planet or extensive battles in space. I felt this was more a mystery if anything. A mystery set in space where no one can be trusted and everyone had a gun pointed at each other’s back. Things are very tense on Hope’s Folly as well as the undercurrent of another type of tension all together. The other tension I am talking about is the growing lust that the much older Philip has for the much younger Rya. Both are so far gone over one another, but both tip toe around their attraction for each other because of the situation they have been placed in. How can they act on their love for one another when the whole world is going to hell in a hand basket?

Philip beats himself up over his feelings for Rya. He feels like a dirty old man, and as a man in a position of great power, he doesn’t want to abuse it. He tries to be the constant professional. He also has a bit of a self confidence issue from his scars and limp. He thinks that Rya wouldn’t look at him twice. It was too funny to be privy to Philip’s thoughts about Rya and how he would argue with himself on why he couldn’t have anything with her. As for Rya, her internal thoughts are a great joy to read. Her issues are much like those of a woman unsure about herself and dealing with the man she so wants to love. Rya is not some innocent woman in the ways of sex. She proudly admits to herself that she has had many men and has enjoyed them. That was a bit refreshing since it is the heroine, and not the hero who has had a great deal of fun in bed. Rya is also at odds with her own appeal. She doesn’t seem to care for her body, but also at the same time she realizes she has generous curves and has to live with it. Of course Philip loves Rya’s curves, and everything else she embodies.

One thing I noticed in Hope’s Folly was that there was more of an importance on the relationship of Philip and Rya and how it grew from two co-workers who respected each other to a true loving bond. From the moment Philip and Rya meet, they are so in sync with one another. It was great to see these two people find each other in the vast universe during a time of great unrest. Philip and Rya became a true team who were able to save the day in the end, as well as find a great love with one another. There is passion between the two, but their love was more of a deep abiding one of respect.

Hope’s Folly may not have too many twists and turns, but it is a great story with great characters. There were some funny moments, especially with the way Philip tries to deal with the ship’s cat. I also let out a chuckle or two as Philip tries to come to terms with his feelings for Rya.

Linnea Sinclair constantly impresses with every story she writes. For the longest time I was so stuck on her hero, Gabriel “Sully” Sullivan. I can now say that Philip almost gives Sully a run for his money. Sully may always be my favorite Sinclair hero, but Philip comes in a very close second.

[Anna (Bobs Her Hair) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! This book had more romance than Shades of Dark, less sex, more mystery, and some pulse-pounding action. I just wish Linnea Sinclair's endings weren't so abrupt. Maybe Rebels & Lovers will reveal a little bit of Rya and Phillip's relationship similar to the way Hope's Folly gave us an update of Sully's eyesight.

In Hope's Folly, Admiral Phillip Gulthrie is now part of the new rebel Alliance of Independent Republics and wanted by the Empire. Not only is the Empire's Imperial Fleet seeking his capture but also the Farosians, who are greedily desperate to seize the Empire's power.

Phillip is given an "ugly, ungainly 850-ton beast" of a ship, formerly known as the Alric Stockwell and renamed Hope's Folly. Captain Cory Bennton, who was executed by the Imperial Fleet, once ran this ship twenty years ago. His assignment is to build a crew, get the ship in flying conditon, and take it to rebel miliary base for repair. Rya Bennton, Cory Bennton's daughter, becomes part of his new crew. She is a trained for security and assassin work. She also once had crush on Phillip when she first met him at the age of ten. Rya is tough, smart, fierce, and determined to protect Admiral Guthrie with her life.

I loved the mystery and suspense in this book. Who was sabotaging the ship? Farosian or Imperial? Death or capture? Then there was the strong attraction between Phillip and Rya. Rya sees not only a lonely man, but also a strong, intelligent, and sexy man. Phillip feels responsible for her father's death. He also feels guilty for being attracted to his former mentor's daughter. "Old Man" he calls himself. "Uncle Phillip" he rejects. To Rya he is her "long-lost always-forever dream hero." (sigh)

As I said before I loved this book! I just wish there had been more to the HEA, but abrupt endings seem consistent with Sinclair's writing. This book includes romance, sabotage, fight scenes, a couple of battles, an enemy in sheep's clothing, and a lucky cat. Overall, I give this book an A and or 5 stars.

I can't wait to read Rebels and Lovers, which features Philip's brother, Devin Guthrie. ;o)

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awful cover aside (my edition is probably self published), this is a fun romp. The hot cold attitude of the hero was a bit off putting, he's lucky she didn't throw a wrench on his head :), and the bad guy clearly telegraphed. But overall I enjoyed it. 3 stars as I really wasn't dying to end reading it. It could have remained on my nightstand without too many problems; )

Read again and bumped up the rating as I enjoyed it more

[Jen Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just when I thought I knew exactly where this series was going, this book proved me wrong. This is not a third installment of Chas and Sully’s story. Now we are breaking away to see Phillip get his HEA.

This is a standalone romance, but the bigger picture of the story arc is really a continuation from the first two books, so I would suggest you read those first. When we first met Philip in Gabriel’s Ghost, I really thought he would be fodder for a love triangle, but it didn’t go that way. And though the author did establish he was not the right man for Chas, she did a great job of setting him up as a guy who deserved a happy ending. Philip is a good man who takes his service seriously. And now he has joined the rag tag group of rebels fighting against those plotting to unravel society.

Rya, the heroine, is a new character. She is 29 years old and an elite soldier in her own right. Her father was one of those killed by the machinations of the bad guys. She wants revenge, but more than that, she wants to put things right. So she joins Phillip’s crew. I mention her age because she is 16 years younger than Philip. Generally, I am not a fan of a May-December romance, but with Rya almost 30 years old, I didn’t feel like it was gross. She is clearly a grown woman capable of making her own choices without daddy issues getting in the way.

Of course, the age thing is a factor for Phillip. He knew Rya’s father and there’s a whole dynamic about that and being attracted to one of his subordinates. But that thread of the forbidden is like candy for me and I was excited and on the edge of my seat waiting for these two to finally act on their attraction.

This book feels less sweeping then the others. It takes place in a very short period of time and it’s more about the journey in the first leg of their efforts than the big picture mission. There is less cool alien stuff than in the first two books, which I kind of missed, but it helped give this book its own identity. Though it obviously happens on a spaceship, in some ways it feels a little less sci-fi and more about the suspense of figuring out which crew members are actually undercover bad guys trying to sabotage the mission.

I liked Rya, though her constant insecurities about her appearance detracted at times for me. Her constant berating of herself for the 30 pounds she thought she needed to lose made me a little sad, though I guess it rings a little true when many of us feel like we would be more attractive if we could just change something about our bodies.

I liked that Philip had this uptight and contained side, but underneath he is a man with feelings and passions that are hard to hold back. Rya is far more overt which is cool too, but it makes for an interesting dynamic between them.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, even as it felt like a little bit of a departure from the other installments in the series. I am a little disappointed that the final book in the series features two characters we’ve never met before. In my heart, I was still holding out for Wren getting a book. But it’s not to be. At least we got some updates on Chas and Sully here, even if we don’t see the characters on page. Hopefully, the last book will dip into the characters I’ve grown to know and love.

Linnea Sinclair really is a great author in this genre.

Rating: B

[Literary Lusts · Rating 3 out of 5]

So in Hope's Folly, Linnea Sinclair's third novel in her Dock Five Universe, it centers around Philip Guthrie (Chaz's ex-husband from previous novels) and Rya Bennton. Rya's father was close to Philip when she was a child and she has grown up with a mild case of hero-worship of him. However that changes with time as she meets him again years later while he's leading the Alliance and Rya's decided to join. Philip has mixed feelings for Rya, he finds her attractive but they have a large gap in their ages. Not to mention his guilt over unknowingly having played a part in her father's recent death. Their lives are constantly in danger leaving little time for either to mull over their emotions. However, somehow they are both drawn closer to each other and both Rya and Philip are in danger of losing more than their lives.

I was kinda surprised with this book. For the most part I've enjoyed Linnea Sinclair's writing but I had a hard time seeing Philip as a romantic hero. In previous books he's certainly dashing but his personality came off pretty dry and devoted to little else besides his work. He got better in later books but I still didn't know how interested I would be in his story. But thankfully I was pleasantly surprised. For me the romance was really slow going since for the majority of the book both of the characters are trying to not show emotion for the other. It also to me seemed really quickly for Philip to admit to Rya that he loved her. But that's just me being nitpicky. I did enjoy other books by her more, but I still thought this was a pretty good addition to the series.

[Sandy Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to preface this review by stating how incredibly disappointed I am that this book didn't include a sneak peak for whatever book Sinclair is publishing next. It makes me feel like there's not a "next", which is a frightening thought.

Anyway, I loved Hope's Folly. And, yes, once again Sinclair's made me swoon over her hero. I really started to like Philip Guthrie in Shades of Dark. I'm glad he got his own book and lived up to my expectations. Rya, on the other hand, is probably my second to the least favorite female character. I can't quite put my finger on why. At first, I thought it was because she's so forward, but Lady Sass was pretty darn forward too, and I loved her. Maybe it's because she's taken on the role of Guthrie's personal bodyguard? I think I have this mental blockage against heroines taking care of heros, and Rya had to do that a lot. Understandably, since Guthrie was injured throughout the book, but I think it must have bothered me on some level. *shrug*

I very much enjoyed the plot of this book. Guthrie's working on building a new government to confront the old, evil one, and it's not exactly an easy thing to do. It's a pretty straightforward plot, no big surprises or twists and turns, but a very enjoyable read. I did miss Chaz and Sully, though.

[Shasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid SFR with the feels!

I had to finish this all at once so my day was shot. The problems of fixing up an old spaceship, getting trustworthy crew, having more than one mole, grief over lost comrades/family, plus the sexual tension made this a complex but fascinating story.

There are a lot of crew and it was overwhelming at first. There's multiple suspicious people so the mystery kept me guessing. Both of the main characters have doubts about themselves that draw out the pursuit of a relationship.

This is a story I would be happy to read again.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's a typical "we're so in love but can't get out of our own way" romance except for that it's not typical in how well it's done and in the solid and exciting story that goes with it outside of their relationship.

I was nervous as to whether I'd like it or not because of the change in point of view from the first two books, as well as the change in narrator. But the author did such a good job of introducing Phillip in the first two books that it made me eager for his story and made it easy to get into this book.

The characters in this book are just great. They're people that I wish I could become dear friends with. They aren't perfect and make a lot of mistakes. But they're good, smart, interesting and fun. Even the supporting characters are well-developed and felt very real. And of course I loved Captain Folly, I'm always a sucker for a good pet. It was nice that he had such a good story behind his presence on the ship and that his presence was used in key ways to develop the story.

What I love best about this book and this series is that it's extremely well balanced between romance and adventure. There's a solid, interesting story here about the political situation in the galaxy overall and about the attempt of these rebels to establish themselves as leaders in the new Alliance. The ragtag team of people trying to get this ship up and running again as a military vessel are interesting, as are their struggles and interactions. People who enjoy science fiction will enjoy this story, even if they aren't usually romance novel readers. It isn't a romance novel, it's a science fiction adventure with a strong romantic element.

I really enjoyed watching (listening to) Rya's crush on Phillip play out. Who hasn't fantasized about meeting their one big childhood crush and falling in love with each other? It made her story really relatable. Plus it helped make the typical romance novel super fast true love story make more sense; they weren't strangers and she was strongly predisposed to fall for him. Phillip falling for her so fast was a bit of a stretch, but it made more sense in light of his back story as seen in the first two books in the series. The guy loves a woman who knows her way around weapons. He loves smart, strong, determined women. And after seeing his ex-wife and dear friend so happily in love, he was feeling lonely and ready to finally find the right woman.

There was a lot of action and a good dose of humor. I found myself talking back to the book a lot, but in a good, soapy "no, no, Phillip, what are you thinking" way, not in a "this is so dumb" way. And boy was there a lot of that! For a mature, experience guy he sure did a lot of dumb stuff when it came to Rya. But it actually all made sense in the context of the well-developed story. It was one of those books where if the characters had just talked to each other they'd have avoided all sorts of heartache, but of course if they'd done that then there wouldn't have been much of a book.

The author also does an extremely good job of describing life on board the ship without it becoming cumbersome or too technical. There are tons of details that made me imagine the ship from corridors and rooms to functions and shipboard lifestyle perfectly, but I never got bogged down in the details.

I actually liked Phillip even better than Sully, the hero in the first two books. Without the psychic stuff, Phillip is more relatable and felt more real. He's become one of my favorite characters ever, although I suspect that narrator had something to do with that, but in his voice and in his portrayal. I liked Rya as much as I liked Chaz, the female lead and narrator of the first two books, even though Rya was younger and a bit more naive. I really enjoyed the foundation, the basic story that's being told through these great characters. There is really solid storytelling here.

I hope the fact that this is science fiction doesn't turn off urban fantasy lovers, because i think they would love it. There are no elves, magic or swords, but there are strong women and men fighting for what they think is right against terrible oppression. There's big time adventure, exciting battles, fun banter, and believable romance. So give it a try!

As for the audiobook aspect of the book, it took me a few minutes to get into the narrator, Christian Rummel. I liked the voice that he used as narrator just fine, but at the very beginning he used a kind of formal, Bostonian-sounding voice for Phillip that put me off a little. But it turned out to be good. It established a bit of Phillip's character as a member of one of the leading families in the galaxy, but soon evened out into one of the warmest, sexiest voices I've heard. He's just terrible at portraying women, but since most of the story is either Philip or narration, it was OK. The truth is that I miss his voice terribly already and have already lined up a few books that he narrated to listen to after I finish the next book in this series.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been too long since I let myself slip into Linnea Sinclair's Dock Five universe. Way too long. I love science fiction. I love space opera. And this series is just one of the best out there. I read the first book--Gabriel's Ghost--a couple of years ago now and I've read several of Sinclair's other non-Dock Five books in between then and now and thoroughly enjoyed each of them. Games of Command is still my favorite. That Kel-Paten. Gets to me every time. But when I finally picked up HOPE'S FOLLY the other night in desperate need of some good action and romance, I wasn't prepared for how quickly the world would suck me in again. This installment follows a side character from the earlier books--Chaz's ex-husband and confirmed lifer Admiral Philip Guthrie. I love getting the real story on what's going on with a character we've previously only seen through other characters' eyes. And I wasn't disappointed with Philip's story.

Having lost pretty much everything that kept his highly structured life together, Admiral Philip Guthrie isn't exactly comfortable on the other side of the fence. Once an esteemed fleet official and member of one of the most revered (and loaded) families around, Philip now finds himself pulling together an unlikely and undisciplined band of rebels in a last ditch effort to hold off the ever-expanding Imperial fleet. With a wounded leg as a souvenir to remember them by, Philip is older and slower and more thoughtful than he used to be. None of which particularly please him, but all of which endear him to his new crew. And sub-lieutenant Rya Bennton is no exception, though she'd like to be. Rya actually knew Philip as a kid, when she was a wild tomboy and he a handsome soldier with a knack for weapons and strategy. She's idolized him ever since, never thinking she'd actually see him again after her father was killed and Philip disappeared off the map. But suddenly they're on the same beat up cruiser ship together--Hope's Folly--, he's her commanding officer, and he certainly doesn't remember one young girl he once taught how to shoot. Determined to put aside her reservations, Rya ignores her personal feelings in favor of helping keep Admiral Guthrie safe and uncovering what really happened the day her father died.

Delectable. That's what this book is. I read it in two large gulps and felt happily sated afterward. Philip and Rya are the kind of protagonists Ms. Sinclair excel at--essentially noble (if slightly reckless) individuals who put duty before personal desires and are drawn against their formidable wills to the other person for their strength, courage, and taste in weapons. I wondered just how I would like Philip after being slightly prejudiced against him from reading Chaz's version of events. Turns out I like him just fine. Better than fine. He's a gem and he totally deserved his own story and at least a chance at a happy ending after everything he went through. Rya was a different kind of heroine from Sinclair's others. Full-bodied and fully capable of keeping herself safe and dismantling a weapon or a man as needed, I liked the way she took on Philip and his forceful personality. There was less focus in this one on the greater conflict between the Alliance and the Imperial Fleet, though it certainly hangs over every step they take. But I guess I felt as though the relationships between the various people on the Folly took precedence. And wouldn't you know that's exactly what I was in the mood for. The age difference between these two didn't bother me either. They complemented each other so well that other things faded away in the wake of my enjoyment of their antics and halting steps toward understanding. Definitely recommended for fans of space opera and the Dock 5 universe.

Reading Order: Gabriel's Ghost, Shades of Dark, HOPE'S FOLLY, Rebels and Lovers

[PointyEars42 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is this even by the same author as book #1?! If that hadn't been a VFH book club pick I would never have gotten past the first few chapters. Yes, there's so much familiar material worked in here that I can't believe Lucas Film haven't unleashed their lawyers on it, but Rya has a brain, Philip is a silver fox, their universe is about to go up in flames... and I'm having fun! No way is this by the same author!

I kept picturing Philip as DI Lestrade in BBC's Sherlock, and not entirely for the silver-haired good looks. It is SO refreshing to read a romance-focused story in which, instead of being an epically dick-ish Alpha Male like Sully in the 1st book in this series, the hero is calm and flawed and talented and able to defer to others with different skill sets without feeling threatened.

I kept picturing Rya as Jo Lupo on Eureka: a curvy gun enthusiast, completely certain of her own talents even if her love-life is a bit wobblier, who - unlike 95% of romance heroines - doesn't forget her job & her training & her dignity when the hero enters the room.

My main complaints: it was too short. There were characters and incidences that needed fleshing out. Of course, it also needed more Captain Folly. Yay Captain Folly!

[Erica Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, which is a fast-moving military SF romance with an older hero/younger heroine. Virtually all of the action takes place aboard a military ship commanded by the hero. Although I classify it as a romance, a ship sabotage plot and interactions between the officers are front and center for most of the book.

Heroine is a kick-ass security officer and there is a lot of dialogue revolving around weapons, so if you don't personally fondle your Glock, you should expect a heroine who does. The hero is an alpha male, but in a noble, sacrificial "women and children into the lifeboats first" kind of way. I especially enjoyed his internal monologues in which he struggles between his physical desire for the heroine and his concern that he's too old to be attractive any more.

If you've read David Weber's Honor Harrington series and like a bit of romance, Hope's Folly is a great choice. Although there are references to events that occurred earlier in the series (Hope's is book 3), you don't need to have read the first two books to fully appreciate this one.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that the Empire has been blown wide open by hostile takeover and conspiracy, an Alliance is born to stabilize, to hold the line, and to save as many as possible against all odds. And, leading the charge is a war-worn Admiral, a misfit crew, and an old converted cargo ship known as Hope's Folly. It just keeps getting more intense and exciting.

Hope's Folly is the third of the Dock Five Universe books and connects strongly to the two that came before it.

Admiral Phillip Guthrie was never in the miracle business, but now with terrorists on one side and Tage in charge of the government and military on the other, he and the newly formed Alliance need to pull a space fleet together and get underway before they get taken out early in the game. His flagship awaits him and it's a doozy. Once a military ship that wasn't the best engineering marvel in its heyday, but even less of a prime ship after years hauling fruit for the growers, Hope's Folly is waiting for him and a crew to get her fitted out and smashing Tage's blockades before they can tighten at all the ports and gates. Finding the refit materials is the easy part of the tough list. Two attempts to kidnap him by the terrorists so he can be used in hostage exchange and sabotage acts when he only has half a crew are capped by the stunning appearance of his former captain's fiery, impulsive daughter his first day on the job. Too bad he can't seem to remember she's one of his crew and too young for him. Her expertise with weapons and skill on the job coupled with her looks are more than a distraction.

Rya Benneton once part of the security division and lately nothing more than a glorified station cop has left it all behind to join up with the Alliance. She wants Tage who had her beloved father killed, but her goal is challenged and expanded when she finds herself guarding a certain gorgeous Admiral's six. The rest of the crew might side-eye a former security officer especially since her group were responsible for assassinating the former Admiral's Council and other hits, but she finds a ship full of potential danger and a mission needing her particular skill set. Phillip Guthrie challenges her in many ways, but he forces her to reconsider her thirst for revenge in light of the big picture. He's so far out of her sphere from his rank to his family wealth and position, but a gal can have hope, right?

Hope's Folly turns the spotlight from Chaz and Sully to Phillip and a new heroine with the struggle against the usurping and powerful Tage and the Faroian terrorists still happening. Things got off to an exciting beginning and never really slowed down. Phillip and Rya are military and the tone and pace of the book reflects this. This one felt more like space opera than the first two the way the romance was there, but ran along side the driving element of fitting out the ship, rooting out those who were intriguing against them from within while fighting off those from the outside. There is a new ship's crew coming together on a quirky rag tag ship with a scrappy cat as their mascot. It was thrusters at full and fire away and I gladly belted in for the rush of a ride.

In the two previous books, Phillip acted the role of Chaz's ex who still had feelings for her and she for him until it was obvious to both that their time was past and he had never really been the love of Chaz's life. They had a strong, enduring friendship that would help them work for a common goal. I was curious to see him move on with his own story and who he would get matched with. Rya was much younger, his old friend's daughter, working in a section of the military that the others were wary of because she worked shadow ops and had a rep for tossing the regs or at the very least bending them to get the job done. Their connection was what her dad taught them both though they went down two different paths with what they learned. Rya was not a kid- she's 29- and she matched up well with the strong, powerful and personable Phillip. He pulled a few stunts when fighting his attraction that I was glad she called him on or made it clear was unacceptable. I liked how he was remembering how he went wrong before with Chaz and knew how to apologize when he screwed up. They both had baggage from the past, but were mature enough to work through it and figure out they were better together.

And, that brings me to the action. I figured out quickly who the ship-board saboteur was with some obvious hints, but Rya and Phillip weren't slow on working stuff out. It was great seeing her work things out as she watched, listened, and then acted even while Phillip was juking and jiving his way out of tough spots to keep them all alive. There was a great camaraderie among Phillip and his officers that built as they faced crisis after crisis and pulled through. Folly, the cat, was a hoot. He played a pivotal role a few times and was hilarious the way he kept Phillip in his place from their first meeting. The ship, Hope's Folly, practically had its own personality, too. There were some great action and suspenseful fighting moments, but the climax was epic.

Things were left in a good place, but it is obvious this was merely a skirmish that left them in a game with plenty still needed to happen. I am eager to pick up the next book in the series though I have my suspicions that I just read my favorite of the series. The couple dazzled, the action sizzled, and the overall story kept me flipping pages and disappointed at seeing the last page. Dock Five Universe series got even better.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. After the darkness of the previous book I was dubious when I picked this one up - but the only reason I didn't finish it one sitting is because my husband made me go to previously arranged meetings, doctor's appointments, etc. Great characters, great writing, great plot. A 'stellar' [in all meanings of the word:] performance!

Currently available - read in order or you won't have a clue...
1. Gabriel's Ghost
2. Shades of Dark
3. Hope's Folly

[Meradeth Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, not to be a total jerk, but that cover is UGH. As in, I wanted to cover it while reading on the plane. But, the book itself was awesome! So, that did make up for the eye-roll-worthy cover ;) Sinclair does a great job bringing this world to full and detailed life, and her characters are fully capable of leaping off the pages. And while, yes, this was technically a romance novel, it was so much more. I loved the interplay of the mounting tension outside the ship with the coming war, and that within it between the characters. It was very well done. There were a few times when I just wanted to say to either Guthrie or Rya something along the lines of "just TALK TO THEM" instead of assuming all sorts of things that created trouble in their budding relationship. Still, that's a pretty normal trope in romance, and really, all novels, so it didn't bother me too much. Overall, a very fun read and all kinds of interesting. I really need to read more sci-fi like this!

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read, even if a little predictable.

(Bookaholic’s Review Note: Make sure to read Gabriel’s Ghost and Shades of Dark before reading this one. That’s a must!)

Admiral Philip Guthrie finds himself now aboard Hope’s Folly, what was once part of the Imperial fleet. Converted to a fruit carrier, the ship was sold to the Alliance under a few conditions: that the ship retain its name, and the cat, Captain Folly, is to remain onboard. Now Philip is in command of the ship, and they are trying desperately to get it in working order to fight against the Imperial fleet. Philip, still recuperating from a shattered hip and leg (Shades of Dark), was attacked before getting onboard. It seems the ‘law’ wants him alive. Philip can well imagine why, but he’ll do whatever it takes not to end up in the enemies’ hands.

Rya Bennton had been an Imperial Assassin before her father had been killed. Seeing what is happening to the Empire, she is now on the other side of the law, wanting revenge. Now aboard the Folly, she wants in on the action to bring the Empire down. Philip asks her, if she was ever in the same room with the man who took her father’s life and handed a gun, would she kill him? She answers she would, without a doubt or hesitation. But when Philip hands her his gun, Rya the Rebel is confused. While Philip didn’t actually kill her father, he puts the responsibility on his own shoulders, and Rya won’t shoot him, for she’s been in love with the man since she was a kid, when her father brought Philip home to meet the family.

After the attack on Kirro Station, Rya has put herself in the position of guarding Admiral Guthrie against any more attacks. It seems that, at every turn, their efforts to get the Folly functioning, something happens to set them back. The more Rya looks into it, the more she’s convinced their have a saboteur on their ship. And now she’s determined, not only to keep the man she loves alive, but to find the person who doesn’t want the ship to fly.

**While I liked the book, I sort of found it predictable. Philip believes himself a man who can’t love, and yet, even though he refuses to, his feelings for Rya grow. A strong man, he’s determined to thwart the enemy. It’s his knowledge and determination, his personality and inner struggles that readers will love.

Rya - I loved her. She’s just as strong and determined as Philip. I liked her ‘action first, think later’ attitude, and how she’ll do whatever is necessary.

What bugged me a little was how predictable the romance part of the story was. Woman is in love with the man - man falls in love with the woman - believes it’s his responsability to protect her and is determined to put her out of harms way. Once, just once, I’d love to read the romance part of any book where the male keeps the female with him, no matter what. For once, I want the man to hold her there without the female having to fight to stay there. Just once, I want the male’s chauvinistic pride and arrogant attitude to either take a backseat or not appear at all in a love story. Will I ever get my wish? *eyeroll* I’ll let you know if and when it happens. But then again, I guess most lead male characters have to have a little alpha male attitude. *shrug*

However, besides my romance rant, I loved the action and mystery in the story. The author writes it all so well that it’s as if you’re aboard the ship, watching it all unfold in front of you. Her descriptions put you in the thick of it. I loved the characters’ inner battles. I loved the tension you feel between characters, primary and secondary. Way to go, Ms. Sinclair! Can’t wait for the next installment in the Gabriel’s Ghost universe.

[Eliza Baum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never read much sci-fi. Mostly, it's because I don't care about the technical know-how of space travel and things like that, and I get annoyed by all the details of it. I liked and was good at science, but I don't like feeling like I need an advanced degree in it to enjoy a book. However, a not-so-slight (and rather unexpected) obsession with the Mass Effect video game series has made me rethink that position. It's not that I dislike sci-fi--it's that I need a certain type of sci-fi. Thus, a search began.

I can't say this book filled the Mass Effect-sized hole in my heart, but it certainly wasn't a disappointment. I really only have two complaints:

1) I could tell I was reading the third book of the series. Yep, my own fault, but hey, it was the only book in the series available from my library's ebook catalog! I didn't want to spend the money if I wasn't going to enjoy it, so I sucked it up and pushed through all the previous book references. [Note: No stars were deducted for this. Just wanted to point it out.]

2) The romance happened WAY fast. The characters were pulling long hours on the ship, so they were probably in each other's company double what that number of days would have meant under normal circumstances, but still. I think the whole thing took place in something like a week. Maybe less. The romance was otherwise good, which is why I hated being reminded of the timeline so often. (Sure, the whole story was a series of ticking time bombs, so that was important, but it detracted from the romance for me.)

There were enough things that I liked to keep me engaged in the story, though, so most of the time I could ignore it.

1) I loved that the main male character was older (40s), had [prematurely] gray hair, and was injured for the entire book. (Due to something that happened in book 2, I'm pretty sure. Kinda wish I'd gotten to enjoy that carryover, but oh well. I'll wait a few months before reading the others, and I'm sure I'll have mostly forgotten this one anyway. I suck at remembering plots. It's kind of a blessing. :D ) He was definitely an alpha male--I mean, he's a freakin' Admiral--but not in the beat-your-chest and dominate kind of way. He took advantage of the strengths of those around him, and the only time he really put his foot down and was a bit big-headed was when Rya is trying to convince him to let her take his place or go along on his self-sacrificing plan near the end. But he loves her, and I think his refusal was fairly reasonable in that case.

2) Rya was capable and pretty badass, but she makes mistakes and miscalculations. In some ways, she lives up to the perception that people have of her (that she's scary), but you can also see the side of her that's torn up over losing her father, terrified of not measuring up, and desperate to keep up with the big dogs she's been thrown alongside. She was a heroine I truly liked and wouldn't mind spending more time with.

3) The plot was just fun. Again, I can tell it's just a small part of a larger story. (Is there another book after this? Mental note. Must check.) That said, it was still one disaster and tough decision and death-defying event after another, and that made it a fun and super easy read. Too many names and ships and titles and political things, but I'm chalking that up to sci-fi and book 3. I didn't try too hard to memorize it all, and that didn't affect my enjoyment.

4) Captain Folly.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The coolest thing about this book (and there are a number of cool things to choose from) is that our hero, Philip Guthrie, is the ex-husband of Chaz, the romantic heroine of two other novels in this series. I've read so many novels (romantic and otherwise) that demonize the romantic heroine's ex. It was nice to not only read books where the exes genuinely liked each other but weren't meant for each other. And then to get to see BOTH characters in new and fitting romances? That was icing.

The most uncomfortable thing about this book (for me) is that our hero, Philip Guthrie, was friends with the father of our herione, Rya Bennton. True, he was a little younger than her father, but not a lot. In many of her other novels, Sinclair is big on the older man/younger-looking woman trope, but usually the women just look younger. Here, she really went for it whole hog. It's a testament to how well-executed this book is that I still give it four stars.

There aren't a lot of science-fiction romances that successfully balance the space opera and the romance. Hope's Folly does so admirably. In fact, the romance and the adventure are intrinsically linked. The characters probably wouldn't fall in love were it not for the adventure, and the romantic feelings the characters have for each other helps them get through some life-threatening issues that they otherwise would not have solved. The plot kept me guessing, both about who the bad guy was and about how our characters would get their HEA. All in all, very enjoyable - probably my favorite Sinclair to date.

[Chessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok. So, this book has a sense of humor, which is maybe the only thing it has going for it. I do like a good sense of humor.

But it wasn't enough to save the overblown language of romance. I cannot abide overblown romantic. I just can't. I do not swoon. I cackle and then hide my face or smack myself in the head with the book to make the ridiculousness fade.

This book also suffers from one of my least favorite book characteristics: it's like an *episode* of a TV show, not a season. I swear to god the plot of this book (when you take out the frustrating romance) was: take a ship somewhere, fight, take another ship somewhere, stuff breaks, they fix it, fight. THE END. Nothing happened except people moved a ship through space to another point in space. SO WHAT?! I get that this is book 3 in a longer arc, but SERIOUSLY. Nothing. Happened. At. All.

And I'll never know what happens in the longer arc because, yeah, nope. Life's too short.

[gert · Rating 2 out of 5]

wow. what an utter disappointment! there is no comparison between this book and sinclair's previous - both this series and stand alones. the love story was soooo lame, totally unbelievable and super insulting. Sinclair kept inserting the same, lame rationale for Guthrie, admiral of the rebel fleet, to have fallen hopelessly in love with rya I.e. "the only explanation can be I've lost my mind" .

the sf element was also severely less then previous books. and by less, I don't mean less detail or content. the exact opposite. the whole ships's technology is thrown all over the place, the relationship between all the factions is gone into far more unnecessary detail then easily understood. generally, ALL sf elements are so convoluted as to make the story outside of the LAME romance as unsatisfying as the unrealistic relationship between hero and heroine.

complete drivel. so bummed.

[G.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dock Five Universe books just keep getting better and better. Admiral Philip Guthrie--the older ex-husband of the first two books' heroine--is the main protagonist of Hope's Folly. He's now part of the resistance, countering a coup at the heart of the Empire. He fights his immediate attraction to the daughter of one of his very good friends, a man that Philip accidentally led to his death. And the attraction is mutual. The romance is hot--or would be, if everything on his ship weren't continually going wrong. Can the ship be as decrepit as it seems? Or is there a saboteur and spy on board?

I'm not going to go into any spoilers, I'll just say that this book is full of fun and suspense. And there is an absolutely terrific cat on board, too.

[A.B. Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the unusual characters who star in this book. The hero, Philip Guthrie, who is trying to come to terms with his loss of mobility and being continually reminded of his age and now being less than perfect. And Rya, not your typical weak feminine TSTL heroine who still sees the integrity of the man underneath and worships the man he was and the man he is now.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started on this yesterday, and got sucked in so tight, I had to finish it last night. Excellent read--lots of fast, fast paced action. Right up my alley. :) Oh, and the romance was good too.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reread this annually. My favorite sci-fi romance.

[The Book Worm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope's Folly is my favorite book in this Dock Five series so far. While it closely follows the previous two books, it can be read as a stand alone and focuses on related but different main characters. Actually, in terms of writing it's fairly different from the previous two books: it's written in the third person (while the other books were written in the first person) and presents alternate points of view between Phillip and Rya (versus only Chaz's point of view in Gabriel's Ghost and Shades of Dark).

Other than the above, it's still a book filled with great characters (main and secondary), a fast moving plot, a very nice romance, and enough twists and turns to keep you glued to the story from the first to the last page.

I loved Philip (what I could glimpse of him) in the first two books, and he certainly lives up to his fame in Hope's Folly. I did wish we could see more of Chaz and Sully, but even without their presence the story still fits very well within the context of the rest of the series.

[Vleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

So disappointed this did not include Chaz & Sully. So many things still bothering me about their relationship. This story was great -- with none of the paranormal powers of the characters in the first two books. Chaz's ex husband Peter is a renegade Admiral trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear with an old ship and mostly junior crew. And he's still in recovery from a serious injury and feeling his age when romance appears with a woman 16 years younger. He kicks himself around the block a majority of the time for doing it. Loved all the other crises the H/h had to handle in addition to their mutual attraction. Not the ending I expected but very much enjoyed the action and adventure.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always saying it's hard to find good science fiction romance. They are often this whole human woman kidnapped by aliens and rescued by another alien then falls in love or something along those lines, I'm generally not a fan of those. But a good space ship/space station type romance I am all for. I'm only sad I'm going to run out of books by Linnea Sinclair soon. I think I have about 3 more books from her left to read. Anyways, the point is, I really like her style of scifi romance.