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Strings of Hope: A Lesbian Second Chance Romance
After leaving Louisiana for Nashville eight years ago, lesbian country singer Hope Monroe is finally hitting it big—singing the song she wrote for the girl she loved but never had. That girl, Evie Arcenaux, was once her closest friend, their bond teetering on the edge of something more.
Now Evie is back… engaged to a man. Hope’s ballad First to Fall is climbing the radio charts and headed for the Grand Ole Opry’s Pride Month showcase—but every lyric is still tied to the almost-love she’s never stopped carrying.
When Evie arrives in Nashville for her bachelorette party, old feelings surge to the surface. Late-night guitar sessions, rain-soaked confessions, and one almost-kiss threaten to unravel everything Evie thought she wanted—forcing her to choose between the life she’s built and the woman who’s always been her first and only true love.
Now Evie is back… engaged to a man. Hope’s ballad First to Fall is climbing the radio charts and headed for the Grand Ole Opry’s Pride Month showcase—but every lyric is still tied to the almost-love she’s never stopped carrying.
When Evie arrives in Nashville for her bachelorette party, old feelings surge to the surface. Late-night guitar sessions, rain-soaked confessions, and one almost-kiss threaten to unravel everything Evie thought she wanted—forcing her to choose between the life she’s built and the woman who’s always been her first and only true love.
- GenresFriends To Lovers
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 11, 2025
9 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 14, 2025
A wonderful read, celebrity romance that started with the 2 main characters who are close friends, torn apart due to circumstances and and met again years later. Plenty of angst to go around. The ending was somewhat abrupt…perhaps a lengthy epilogue is in the works or maybe a sequel to pick up where this story leaves off 🤔
December 16, 2025
Well-written country music story with good characters and realistic dialogue. The language fits the theme. Angsty with a will they or won’t they HEA.
September 17, 2025
When a Sapphic romance makes me cry, it’s one that I know I will remember. The second chance story of Hope and Evie is filled with angst, regrets, and shows the trauma that homophobic family can cause to LGBTQ people.
The story opens with Hope Monroe finally hitting the big time after finding the courage, words, and music to express what losing Evie had felt like years before. Suddenly, Hope is a hit item in Nashville, in queer music circles, and getting an invitation to sing at The Opry.
But while she’s playing and mixing at one of Nashville’s more popular bars, she notices that someone is having a bachelorette party that night. And then she sees that it’s Evie Arceneaux, the very girl she lost years before.
Evie’s getting married to a man but when she sees Hope, the entire safe Catholic facade she’s built for herself over many years begins to slowly crumble. And Hope seeing Evie sets Hope to wishing that something impossible could happen.
I won’t say more because that would be spoilers but these two spend the months leading up to Evie’s wedding dealing with raw new wounds, lying to themselves and to each other, and trying to convince themselves that they can and should move on without each other.
How this gets resolved gave me good happy tears, but Stacey Lee Powell wrote a tear jerker story, and you owe it to yourself to spend some time with Hope and Evie.
The story opens with Hope Monroe finally hitting the big time after finding the courage, words, and music to express what losing Evie had felt like years before. Suddenly, Hope is a hit item in Nashville, in queer music circles, and getting an invitation to sing at The Opry.
But while she’s playing and mixing at one of Nashville’s more popular bars, she notices that someone is having a bachelorette party that night. And then she sees that it’s Evie Arceneaux, the very girl she lost years before.
Evie’s getting married to a man but when she sees Hope, the entire safe Catholic facade she’s built for herself over many years begins to slowly crumble. And Hope seeing Evie sets Hope to wishing that something impossible could happen.
I won’t say more because that would be spoilers but these two spend the months leading up to Evie’s wedding dealing with raw new wounds, lying to themselves and to each other, and trying to convince themselves that they can and should move on without each other.
How this gets resolved gave me good happy tears, but Stacey Lee Powell wrote a tear jerker story, and you owe it to yourself to spend some time with Hope and Evie.
August 31, 2025
Strings of Hope is pure Nashville. Newbie author Stacey Powell nails the details, from legendary music joints to late-night fried food, giving you all the city vibes while sketching the chaos of a country music industry about to combust. We get to enjoy this crazy ride through long-suffering artist Hope Monroe who is finally getting her well-deserved a big break.
Hope’s world gets rattled when she reconnects with her old crush Evie—who, by the way, is about to get married. The slow burn is deliciously awkward (who wouldn't want to sing at the wedding of somebody you have the hots for 😬). It's equal parts longing and bad timing, with sparks slipping through in scenes that feel too real. I was laughing, wincing, and rooting for them, sometimes all at once.
The resolution races in during the final thirty pages, but I forgave the speed because it stuck the landing. Nashville is here, the music is shifting, and the sapphic romance will leave you wanting more from this author.
Hope’s world gets rattled when she reconnects with her old crush Evie—who, by the way, is about to get married. The slow burn is deliciously awkward (who wouldn't want to sing at the wedding of somebody you have the hots for 😬). It's equal parts longing and bad timing, with sparks slipping through in scenes that feel too real. I was laughing, wincing, and rooting for them, sometimes all at once.
The resolution races in during the final thirty pages, but I forgave the speed because it stuck the landing. Nashville is here, the music is shifting, and the sapphic romance will leave you wanting more from this author.
September 23, 2025
Oh what a beautiful love song!
Stacey Lee Powel has delivered quite a debut album full of musical ups and downs for us to devour and remember all the subtle notes and crescendos. The intensity of the music follows the heartache of the MC’s as they traverse memories of their youth and the complexities of the here and now in their lives. The final act is really well written and leaves the reader wanting for a second act!
Stacey Lee Powel has delivered quite a debut album full of musical ups and downs for us to devour and remember all the subtle notes and crescendos. The intensity of the music follows the heartache of the MC’s as they traverse memories of their youth and the complexities of the here and now in their lives. The final act is really well written and leaves the reader wanting for a second act!
September 20, 2025
Phew! What a ride! Second chance romances are hit or miss for me, but this was so wonderfully written and every single character was likable. I was shocked, happy, teary, just all of the emotions while reading this story. Even the acknowledgments got me misty.
As somebody who has a few “what ifs” from way back when, this was most refreshing. Well done. Cant wait to see what’s next!
As somebody who has a few “what ifs” from way back when, this was most refreshing. Well done. Cant wait to see what’s next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2025
Very enjoyable read
Very good read. Questioning your sexual identity. One out and proud lesbian and one afraid of what family and the church will think of her. Their love won out. Thanks for a great read.
Very good read. Questioning your sexual identity. One out and proud lesbian and one afraid of what family and the church will think of her. Their love won out. Thanks for a great read.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews