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Baker Oaks #5
The Hope Once Lost
Not yet published
Expected 25 Feb 26Natalie Bradshaw—the name I’ve carried since I married my high school sweetheart over a decade ago. But then, in the blink of an eye, he was gone.
Now I’m a widowed single mom, drowning in responsibility and quiet grief, terrified that moving forward means betraying the only love I ever believed in. I don’t get to fall apart—not when my daughters are watching, not when our bookstore, our dream, still needs me standing.
My girls are my everything. The shop is my anchor. And somewhere along the way, I forgot how to breathe … or who I was before survival became my only skill.
Loving again was never part of the plan.
Until Holden Clay—retired hockey legend, powerful CEO—walks through the front doors, with sadness behind his whiskey eyes, the kind only someone carrying it too could recognize. He’s lost almost everyone he loves. His family history is tangled with secrets, betrayal, and a father who may be running out of time.
He’s learning how to forgive. I’m learning how to feel and how to open my heart for the first time since it shattered, but every step forward reminds me exactly why I shouldn’t.
He says he’s falling for me.
He says he’s patient.
But we both know this kind of love doesn’t come without risk.
And I don’t know if we can survive losing everything again.
Now I’m a widowed single mom, drowning in responsibility and quiet grief, terrified that moving forward means betraying the only love I ever believed in. I don’t get to fall apart—not when my daughters are watching, not when our bookstore, our dream, still needs me standing.
My girls are my everything. The shop is my anchor. And somewhere along the way, I forgot how to breathe … or who I was before survival became my only skill.
Loving again was never part of the plan.
Until Holden Clay—retired hockey legend, powerful CEO—walks through the front doors, with sadness behind his whiskey eyes, the kind only someone carrying it too could recognize. He’s lost almost everyone he loves. His family history is tangled with secrets, betrayal, and a father who may be running out of time.
He’s learning how to forgive. I’m learning how to feel and how to open my heart for the first time since it shattered, but every step forward reminds me exactly why I shouldn’t.
He says he’s falling for me.
He says he’s patient.
But we both know this kind of love doesn’t come without risk.
And I don’t know if we can survive losing everything again.
- GenresSports
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 25, 2026
343 people want to read
About the author
Ambar Cordova
8 books301 followersAmbar Cordova is a romance author of heartwarming and relatable multicultural stories. With a focus on raw, emotional storytelling, she creates relatable worlds with flawed characters that feel real. She grew up in the Dominican Republic and draws on the diversity of her homeland as inspiration for her stories. Ambar writes books that readers not only escape into but also find themselves in. She warns her readers that they will both laugh and cry 90% of the time with her stories, and she's not even a little bit sorry.
When Ambar is not writing she’s chasing chickens or children in a small town in Florida, spending time with her family, and fangirling big time about her favorite authors. Ambar enjoys boat rides, dancing, traveling, and spending time outside.
She is represented by Sadé Rena with Beck Literary Agency. For rights inquiries, please reach out to Sadé
at sade@beckliterary.com
CONNECT WITH AMBAR
•NEWSLETTER: acordovabooks.com/newsletter
•FACEBOOK: facebook.com/acordovabooks
•FACEBOOK READER GROUP: facebook.com/groups/735186988190607
•INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/acordovabooks
•TIKTOK: tiktok.com/@authorambarcordova
•WEBSITE: www.acordovabooks.com
When Ambar is not writing she’s chasing chickens or children in a small town in Florida, spending time with her family, and fangirling big time about her favorite authors. Ambar enjoys boat rides, dancing, traveling, and spending time outside.
She is represented by Sadé Rena with Beck Literary Agency. For rights inquiries, please reach out to Sadé
at sade@beckliterary.com
CONNECT WITH AMBAR
•NEWSLETTER: acordovabooks.com/newsletter
•FACEBOOK: facebook.com/acordovabooks
•FACEBOOK READER GROUP: facebook.com/groups/735186988190607
•INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/acordovabooks
•TIKTOK: tiktok.com/@authorambarcordova
•WEBSITE: www.acordovabooks.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Small Town Romance
Growth: 5
Spice Level: 2
Summary: Natalie is healing from loss as her house falls down around her. Holden’s past won’t stay buried. When he stumbles into her shop they both find a connection that defies logic. Even in grief their love grows. There can only be one thing holding them together: hope.
Y’all know I love Baker Oaks and all of Ambar’s stories. This one is truly something special. The pages are filled with grief fueled healing and the heaviness of hope after loss. Stay hydrated and grab a box of tissues or two as we close out our time in Baker Oaks. Expect to feel every emotion as the slow burn grows into something no one can deny. This single mom and retired hockey player both need a soft place to land. All they need to is to see is they are enough for love.
Growth: 5
Spice Level: 2
Summary: Natalie is healing from loss as her house falls down around her. Holden’s past won’t stay buried. When he stumbles into her shop they both find a connection that defies logic. Even in grief their love grows. There can only be one thing holding them together: hope.
Y’all know I love Baker Oaks and all of Ambar’s stories. This one is truly something special. The pages are filled with grief fueled healing and the heaviness of hope after loss. Stay hydrated and grab a box of tissues or two as we close out our time in Baker Oaks. Expect to feel every emotion as the slow burn grows into something no one can deny. This single mom and retired hockey player both need a soft place to land. All they need to is to see is they are enough for love.
Review of advance copy received from Author
BETA READER *FIFTH BOOK IN THE BAKER OAKS SERIES (all on KU)
We’ve seen Natalie as a friend, as a wife, as a mom, and after THAT life changing moment, we now we get her story. Her second chance romance woven with grief journey, healing and rediscovery story absolutely delivers the emotions. The added teenage daughter humor was a plus for me, relatable!
Holden Clay is on his own grief journey (heavy on the anger stage)but meeting Natalie reminds him how good having hope feels. Anyone living with grief knows the reminder is needed through the seasons.
While each walking their own path of love after loss, Ambar’s writing connects their lives beautifully grounding their story in real world struggles and worries.
We’ve seen Natalie as a friend, as a wife, as a mom, and after THAT life changing moment, we now we get her story. Her second chance romance woven with grief journey, healing and rediscovery story absolutely delivers the emotions. The added teenage daughter humor was a plus for me, relatable!
Holden Clay is on his own grief journey (heavy on the anger stage)but meeting Natalie reminds him how good having hope feels. Anyone living with grief knows the reminder is needed through the seasons.
While each walking their own path of love after loss, Ambar’s writing connects their lives beautifully grounding their story in real world struggles and worries.
January 31, 2026
I don't even know how to properly formulate a good review. Like my words won't do it justice. I don't even want to acknowledge that Baker Oaks is ending. Just know this story is pure raw healing and gives you hope. If you have ever lost someone, read it. If you've ever felt broken, read it. If you just want a good book, read it. Natalie and Holden go through so much together and individually and watching them heal and grow felt like a part of me was healing with them. I also won't ever eat white pizza without crying anymore so thanks for that, ambar. NOW I WILL BE PATIENTLY WAITING FOR ASPENS BOOK BYE.
January 13, 2026
4.75/5 ⭐️ (Subject to change but leaning heavily towards 5⭐️)
Felt ALL THE EMOTIONS while reading this one- if you’ve read the rest of Baker Oaks, idk if you’re ready 😭😭 Such a beautiful, vulnerable story and I can’t wait for others to read it 🩷
Felt ALL THE EMOTIONS while reading this one- if you’ve read the rest of Baker Oaks, idk if you’re ready 😭😭 Such a beautiful, vulnerable story and I can’t wait for others to read it 🩷
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January 13, 2026BETA
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January 13, 2026BETA
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews