Care for This Love by Hope Snyder Review
Care for This Love by Hope Snyder is a heartfelt contemporary military romance that follows Christiana “Tia” Lopez, a woman whose life has just been turned upside down when her boyfriend’s betrayal pushes her to leave Washington DC for sunny San Diego to reconnect with art, soccer, and herself. Determined to live on her own terms without expecting romance, Tia joins a recreational soccer team and leans into the simple joys she has long neglected. Then Cole Slaeden, a compassionate Navy corpsman with a gentle heart, enters her life in the most unexpected way, challenging her hard-earned independence and inviting her to consider courage, vulnerability, and what love might look like when you least expect it. Though this story is a closed-door romance with tender kisses and no heavy combat depictions, it offers a small-town beachy backdrop and a slow-blooming connection that feels authentic and warm.
From the very first chapter, I felt swept into Tia’s journey of rediscovery, and it was her evolving self-confidence that touched me most deeply. There were moments of laughter and breezy sunshine on the soccer field, and other moments that made me pause, thinking about what it means to heal after betrayal and to open your heart again despite your fears. Cole’s steady presence and genuine care grounded their attraction in something rich and soulful instead of rushed and superficial, and I loved how their sweet chemistry built over shared experiences rather than instant sparks. The setting in San Diego felt vivid and joyful, from beach walks to coffee shop chats, and the found family of friends around them added light and depth to the story. While a few early scenes felt slower to start as characters found their footing, by the midpoint the emotional momentum carried me along with a sincere smile. In the end, this book made me feel hopeful, comforted, and grateful for stories that show love as something worth tending to, even when it feels fragile at first.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Because the tender character growth and genuine warmth made this a cozy love story that stayed with me.