Stolen Hope

Dragonfly Creek #1

by Zoe York

When a gorgeous city girl’s junkheap of a car breaks down near my family's ranch, I instantly want to protect her and her daughter.

I want her trust.

That’s hard for a woman on the run from a violent ex.

Hope may look like she’s never worn cowboy boots in her life, but she quickly becomes indispensable both to my family, and to me. She still insists she's leaving as soon as her car is fixed.

There's no way.

Deep down, I have to admit I don’t just want to offer the beautiful single mother safe refuge.

I also want her. Her body, her sweetness, her secrets.

And that’s not on the table.

Not this summer.

Not ever.

If I want to make the sweetest woman I’ve ever met feel safe, I might have to let her go, even though it tears me up inside to think of her never looking back to see just how much I need to claim her little family as mine, forever.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Westerns, Family, Contemporary

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2026

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Zoe York is a busy working mom of two young boys, wife to a very understanding soldier, and creator of modern, sexy, small town contemporary romances.

She lives in London, Ontario and is currently chugging Americanos, wiping sticky fingers, and dreaming of heroes in and out of uniform.

Reviews

[Jen ♥]

Hope (22) ran with her daughter, Bellamy (3), from her abusive ex and ended up in the small town of Dragonfly Creek. On the road, she met Zane (32) when her car wouldn't start, leaving them stranded. He tried to help her, but she's skittish. Instead he just gave her some money and then left them even though that's the last thing he wanted. Anyway, two days after, she became the hired assistant of his mom, and they ended up sharing a house (employee perk is housing).

It was instant attraction/love but is a slow burn. There's also the drama with her psycho ex, who wouldn't let her go. Tbh, I didn't get hooked into the story. I honestly didn't feel that much chemistry between the MCs, but then that's probably because of the instant connection going on between them. I also wanted to see more bonding between the FMC and her kid, as well as between the MMC and her kid, but I felt like there wasn't enough of that. I also want to see Hope bonding with Zane's brother and his mom, aside from them just working. I just feel like she hasn't built much of a relationship with those people, but readers are supposed to believe that months have gone by and she, her daughter, and her soon-to-be-born son have been accepted by everyone. Idk, I just wanted to see more depth in the relationship she developed with Zane's family, I guess.

That said, although it was a short read, it didn't satisfy me enough with my single mom romance craving. Might work for others, though. As for me, I suppose I have to try another book. 🤷‍♀️


Book info:
- Small town romance
- Single mom on the run
- Strangers to lovers
- Insta-love
- Abuse (physical, emotional)
- No cheating, OM/OW, separation
- No V (h had been witth 2 men, the sperm donor of her daughter, then the ex who's the father of her unborn son, H - no history at all)
- HEA (married)
- Epilogue (many years later, they have two more kids)

[Samm Sciarratta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm working my way through the other Zoe York books (avid reader of Ainsley Booth) but I've been waiting for Zane since I met him in Garrett's book last Christmas & honestly, he did NOT disappoint! I loved how quickly they fell, the suspense, the fact he's a cowboy. I love his mama & his brothers and I cannot wait to see where the rest of the series takes me!

[jada · Rating 2 out of 5]

i usually eat UP books like this but this was just soooo fast paced!

fmc has a 3 year old and is pregnant and running from abusive ex and her car breaks down by the mmc’s ranch & small town. she’s determined she’s just passing through and does not want help from anyone and doesn’t want to depend on anyone ever again.
a day later she accepts help in the form of working for mmc’s mom in her kale fields & living at their house while waiting for her car to be fixed.
within a week her and the mmc are together. he tells her her baby is HIS and no one needs to know differently. she immediately flips from not wanting/trusting a man to trusting him and his whole family. ofc the ex eventually comes for her but it wasn’t that big of an ordeal to me tbh ….. she was scared but knew the mmc would come save her! 🙄

there are time jumps at the end after they’re together but honestly i would have liked this book a lot more had they happened when she was learning to trust the mmc and his family instead of diving in head first given her past ……

[Ayekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm an avid fan of Zoe York, but I felt this wasn't up to her usual stellar story telling and writing. It felt as though she wasn't even doing the writing. So disappointed in this one. I loved Luna, she was the star in this book and kept me from DNFing more than once. Not sure if I will continue the series, although I did like Cash and may read that one.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, absorbing read - toeing right up to the insta-love line, which I don’t love, but there was enough internal conflict to make it work. Loved the reproductive choice rep in Hope’s past.

[bookishWife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's a polished version of your review that keeps your enthusiasm and personal voice while improving the flow and readability:

It was a charming, heartwarming, and memorable read with a slightly fast-paced storyline. This book took me on an emotional journey filled with joy, tears, and contentment. It felt refreshing from beginning to end, and I genuinely enjoyed every part of it.

Hope just can't seem to catch a break. She was young and made mistakes that many teenagers do, but unlike most, she had to grow up far too quickly when she became a single mother. Life has thrown challenge after challenge her way, leaving her exhausted and struggling to stay afloat. While trying to escape her abusive ex, she meets a kind cowboy during a brief stop on her journey. His kindness leaves a lasting impression on her, even though their encounter is short.

That cowboy is Zane, a rancher from Dragonfly Creek. Having witnessed firsthand the struggles of single mothers, Zane's reaction to Hope isn't exactly what she expects. Her situation stirs up old fears and emotions, making him guarded and, at times, a bit of an ass when he discovers she'll be working on the ranch. Despite his rough edges, it's clear there's much more to him beneath the surface.

I absolutely loved Zane. Despite his difficult childhood, he comes across as mature, dependable, and remarkably calm. The only time his protective, alpha side really emerges is when it comes to Hope. He's kind, loyal, heroic, and honestly feels like the perfect match for her.

Hope is equally easy to root for. She's a strong young woman who refuses to let her past define her. Rather than dwelling on her mistakes, she keeps moving forward and finds the courage to build a better life for herself and her daughter. I especially admired her patience with her outspoken, no-filter daughter—particularly considering Hope is so young herself. At only twenty-two, she's closer in age to a big sister than the image many people have of a mother, yet she possesses a maturity that comes not from age, but from everything she's endured.

Overall, this is a beautiful small-town romance about healing, second chances, and finding people who see your worth even when you struggle to see it yourself. If you enjoy strong heroines, protective cowboys, and emotional love stories with plenty of heart, this book is definitely worth picking up.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stolen Hope by Zoe York is the first title I have read by this author and first in the new Dragonfly Creek series.
As a steamy, small town, slow burn, age gap, found family, forced proximity, cowboy romance, the plot and storyline had me hooked from the start especially with the engaging main characters of Zane Kincaid and Hope Waterford.
Hope and her three year old daughter Bellamy are on the run from her controlling, violent ex and end up in Dragonfly Creek with a broken down vehicle forcing her to accept help from some of the locals.
Zane Kincaid, ex-military turned cowboy, is running his family's ranch, Kincaid's Refuge, with his mother and brothers. Zane and his family have known physical and emotional hardship in the past and when Hope and her daughter end up on the ranch temporarily they recognise the fear, anxiety and trust issues she has.
Zane is captivated by Hope and falls deep and fast but knows that he should stay away and gives her space yet is still drawn to her. He offers support and kindness hoping that she'll feel safe and open up. Hope is wary of the kindness and protection offered but afraid that it will have to be repaid in some way, a result of her toxic relationship with her ex. Inexplicably though, she feels a pull towards Zane and slowly opens up and reveals her truths which only cements Zane's strong devotion and need to protect her. The Kincaid family rallies to support and protect Hope and Bellamy regardless of the potentially violent repercussions of Hope's ex tracking her down.
This was a well written story that encompassed a lot but done in a highly successful way that easily kept me turning the pages.
The aspects of the slow burn to spicy chemistry between Zane and Hope was entertaining to read especially with Zane's straight shooting approach with Hope as she started to trust him. He let her know in no uncertain terms that he was all in and would wait for as long as it took for her to feel safe and comfortable, letting her set the pace but carefully encouraging her.
Finding a family and a community that pulls together in the face of adversity was lovely to read and the warm heart felt emotions alongside some hot, steamy moments ensured you are invested the well deserved HEA.
I look forward to the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a fan of Zoe York’s stories. I’ve read several of her books. “Stolen Hope” was okay, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I hoped I would.

Let me start by saying that it was a really well written book. The story flowed well and kept me reading to the end. But there were a few things that I didn’t enjoy.

The characters didn’t seem all that complicated. Zane was a good man, who fell for Hope almost instantly and somehow always knew how to say and do the right things. Hope, meanwhile, left an abusive relationship with nothing but the clothes on her back and it made me wonder how she was able to care for herself and her daughter during their initial “getaway” from her ex. That was a mystery. And what would she have done if she hadn’t run into Zane and his family?

I think my biggest problem, if you can call it that, was that everything was a little too perfect. Hope ends up in a place where everyone wants to take care of her and her daughter. And Zane wasn’t the only one who knew the right things to say and when to say them. It sounded like everyone was trained on how to deal with someone suffering from trauma.

And the looming threat of Hope’s ex was never really crystallized with an explanation, just that he was a bad guy. The resolution to almost an entire book’s worry was done and dusted in no time. That seemed a bit odd to me, too.

On the one hand, the author wrote about people who had lived through trauma and the ways they were coping with life on the other side. On the other hand, things felt oversimplified. While the author wrote about the subject with the seriousness it deserved, she also gave Hope a too-perfect escape.

And finally, if I may air a personal grievance: Why does the FMC always have to be so darned young? Yes, there are arguments for why the character was just past her teens in this book, but she didn’t have to be. Why do so many romance authors think women want to read about barely legal women finding love? And always with men so much older? Sigh.

So, while I thought this was a perfectly fine book, it won’t be on my re-read list. In the end, there was just too much insta-love, and all Hope’s troubles were brushed away far too easily.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lyn Brownlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such emotion
This is book 1 in the Dragonfly Creek series and introduces us to Cowboy Zane and runaway Hope.
She and her 3 year old daughter Bellamy are on the run from a controlling ex when her unreliable car happens to need a rest in Dragonfly Creek.
Zane is heading home when he passes her car on the lonely stretch of road near his property, stopping to help her out he realises that this beautiful woman and her child need a whole lot more than car assistance.
Trying not to scare her off he offers help and advice and then reluctantly drives away from her.
But as luck would have it they are destined to meet up again.
So emotional, heartbreaking and heartfelt was this beautiful story of a courageous mama bear fleeing for her life, requiring protection and finding her forever home along the way.
Zane was like a big teddy bear with her and her child and was willing to wait forever for her to realise that he was the man for her.
A powerful story of healing with danger looming at any moment.
Fantastic characters and storyline, I’m excited for the other brother’s stories.
Thank you Zoe York and Booksprout for the opportunity to read this book.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in a series about a family of big, strong, protective brothers set in the mountains of Alberta. Hope is on the run with her young daughter after escaping a bad situation. Zane finds her on the side of the road and can tell right from the beginning, there is something special about this one. Both with a history that makes it difficult to be together but really makes it just right. As the first book, there are a number of intriguing characters that I'm sure we're going to get to know throughout this series.

Except for the moustache, because ya that's not my thing, Zane is a cowboy with a a heart as big as an Alberta blue sky. He's so lovable that it almost hurts. Hope is young but had a hard life so far and so full of fear that she's not really interesting in letting anyone in but Zane breaks through quite effectively. I enjoyed it, it was sweet despite the mystery and violence. I really want to know more about the other brothers as they seem to be more than even Zane. This was a 3.5 star read for me.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope & Zane's story is so sweet!! It is full of longing & desire, and slow burn chemistry & fear...mixed with hope...and so much more...

I love the small town community that Hope landed in - Dragonfly Creek & look forward to the rest of the series!! This is Book 1 in the Dragonfly Creek series... I can't wait to see who the next book will be about! The characters are all so close knit & work well together & are caring to others, even strangers.

Zane is so perfect for Hope (& her daughter) & I love how caring & protective he is of them.

TW - there are some sensitive subjects dealt with (off page) - domestic violence & abortion is mentioned.

Spice: 3/5

*small town romance
*healing from abuse
*history of an abusive ex
*she ran away to have a clean start & protect her & her daughter
*Protective hero MMC
*found family
*romantic suspense
*forced proximity
*he falls first
*age gap
*western/ranch/cowboy

Thank you to the author (Zoe York) & Booksprout for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Tima · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This story is dual POV, well written, and a slowburn, contemporary, small town/western romance between Zane, the male cowboy lead whose mother escaped domestic violence, and Hope, the female lead currently escaping domestic violence with her daughter. I enjoyed Zane’s compassion and determination to help Hope however she’d accept. I empathised with Hope’s fear and wariness. I enjoyed seeing her increasing confidence in Zane and his family’s sincerity. I enjoyed the appropriately slow building intimacy between Zane and Hope. I enjoyed the development of Zane’s relationship with Hope’s daughter, separate from her mother. I enjoyed the consequences provided to Hope’s abuser and wish real life was as tidy. I enjoyed the world-building and the introduction of Zane’s family and the town. I’m looking forward to future stories in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stolen Hope by Zoe York is one of those rare books that manages to be both deeply engaging and emotionally weighty without ever feeling heavy-handed. I’d easily give it 4.5 stars.

The characters are where the book truly shines. Zane and Hope feel real in a way that’s sometimes hard to find—flawed, layered, and shaped by their experiences. Their decisions don’t always come easy, and that authenticity makes you invest in them almost immediately. I found myself thinking about them even when I wasn’t reading, which is always a sign of strong writing.

York also does a great job balancing tension and tenderness. The story moves at a steady pace, giving space for both plot development and emotional depth. The relationships, in particular, feel organic rather than forced, which makes their evolution all the more satisfying. It seemed as if more than just a few weeks had gone by.

I can’t wait for the next book in this new series!

[AR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap this was SO much better than I was expecting. And no, I didn't expect it to be bad just not as completely real, high stakes and emotional as it was.

Hope is exactly what this story is full of. Our FMC is wonderful and incredibly well written. Her reactions, the emotional pain, encompasses a true survivor.

Zane (and his mustache) are everything someone like Hope needs. His patience and ability to truly understand are her and protect her are paramount. He and the Kincaid family are truly amazing. Every character is developed and so encompassing as a person. (Rip's story is gonna be rough. He'll, so is Cash's)

The tension between the two is deliciously palpable. It's freaking HOT and we'll paced within the story.

The setting is gorgeous, the plot, and writing, everything is just perfect. This is one I will be revisiting.

[E-Reader Addict · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can’t remember when it’s ever taken me 11 days to read a Zoe York book. But this didn’t seem like a Zoe York book. At all.

I don’t feel like anything was well developed. Not the characters. Not the plot. Not the relationship. And speaking of the relationship…what’s the deal with having the main part of the story take place over about a week, when this was a woman who was running from an abusive relationship? The thing I usually love about this author is that things are realistic, and relationships develop organically. You can’t get me to believe an abused woman is going to fall in love so quickly after escaping her horrible relationship. Why not have things take place over a couple of months?

I’ve only rated one other Zoe York book with less than three stars. I really really hope this is the last one…

[Julia248- Pebblesinmichigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope & Love Found in Dragonfly Creek

Hope is a single mom running from an abusive ex, when she gets stranded in Dragonfly Creek and meets Zane Kincaid and his family. Hope and her young daughter take refuge at their ranch, where Zane lives & proves his cowboy values. It’s a slow burn with Hope dealing with her past trauma, while Zane can’t help feeling that she and her daughter not only belong in Dragonfly Creek but belong with him forever. I really enjoyed the dual POV.

This is the first book in the Dragonfly Creek series and is a standalone read. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.

Sexy 🔥
HEA ❤️
🐓 🐄 🥬

[Ulli Zaiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope and her little daughter are fleeing from an abusive ex when her car breaks down outside a little town in Alberta. Cowboy Zane wants to help them and they end up staying at his family's ranch for a few days. But feelings develop and danger might be following them.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It has such a hopeful vibe, a believable romance, lovely characters and a bit of suspense all rolled into one. I had trouble believing the instalove-vibe from Zane but when the story continued I forgot all about that and just had to know how the story continued and now I am already looking forward to reading Zane's brothers stories.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maria Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope when there's nothing left to hope for.
Find the strength to reinvent yourself
and fight for your survival.
Manifest your dream for life
and the people inside it.

And I wish you will receive it!

Zane and his weird premonition:
"wet dreams"!
The brave but tired girl.
He's determined to insert himself in her life
and he is doing it step by step
with little things like boots
or by offering his protection
and everything he owes,
even his life.
In order to build his little family
with patience and love!

I noticed the way the brothers put their reputation in line without a second thought
for a human in need.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

She just need to get her and her daughter away from the man that was quick with his fist and temper…she fell for his charm and that quickly turned to something dark. Isolated she planned her escape…just get far enough away and he wouldn’t be able to find them, what she didn’t plan for was her car breaking down on the side of the road…and she sure didn’t plan for a cowboy to stop and offer to help.
He wasn’t a hero but there was no way he could leave a woman and her child stranded on the side of the road,
That one day changed both of their lives…not just their lives but his entire family…a family that has seen their fair share of trauma.
Trauma✅
Angst✅
Drama✅
🐓🐓🐓
Smexy🔥
HEA❤️

[lezzy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Прочитала 20% и испытываю скорее непонимание/ неприязнь при прочтении, чем заинтересованность.
Главному герою, Зейну, что-то около 35 лет, а его мысли заполнены такой пошлостью, которая встречается разве что у подростков в пубертате. Это жутко неуместно и не в тему.
В одном предложении он говорит о маме и называет её «мама» и по имени «Луна». Зачем, почему? Это только путает.
В целом мы привыкли, что МГГ помогают и хотят помочь героине «в беде», тут же главный герой и вроде бы хочет ей помочь, но при этом не хочет чтобы она оставалась в их доме и видеть её он тоже не хочет. Логики - ноль.

DNF на 25%. Никакого удовольствия от прочтения. Не вижу смысла себя мучать этой книгой дальше.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 of Dragonfly Creek. And a wonderful start it is! Look forward to more from this world.

'If I want to make the sweetest woman I’ve ever met feel safe, I might have to let her go, even though it tears me up inside to think of her never looking back to see just how much I need to claim her little family as mine, forever.'

The characters were very appealing and likeable and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zane, oh wow. This story has me wishing I could find my own Canadian cowboy. The premise drew me in from the beginning, four sons taking care of their mom who worked so hard to take care of them as kids. The big ranch with greenhouses, and cows, and horses. Luna is a trip and steals many a scene. Yes, Hope is a decade younger than Zane but she is stronger than her years. I love the dual POVs, in this angsty tale we need it. The baddie doesn’t take up too much page space, thank goodness. The rest is just a fun, sexy, sweet, building forever, joy to read!

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I liked this one a lot! It was a great start to a new series and has a tiny connection to a previous series by the author (no need to read that one but I do think they’re all great!). I read it quickly and couldn’t put it down. There was very much an instalove feel to this- Zade gets one look at Hope and is like well damn, I need to make her mine. But in a non-red flag kind of way. 😂 This has a lot of tropes I typically love- single parent, protective MMC, pregnant but not his, found family…it all worked so well for me and I can’t wait for the next one!

[Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is there anything better than a sweet-talking cowboy? I think not! Zane has been through a lot in life, and so has Hope. Parts of their trauma’s intersect, and that allows them to have an understanding of each other they might not otherwise feel. It takes time, it takes bravery, and it takes hope, but moment by moment, they get there. And once they get there, it is all the more special and beautiful because of the paths their lives took to get to those moments <3

[Silke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stolen Hope is the 1st book in the Dragonfly Creek series and so it introduces the small town and the Kincaid family. Kane is the first brother to meet his match in Hope, a single mom on the run from an abusive ex. Their story is an endearing, close-to-instalove romance with a touch of suspense and trauma. I loved the family dynamics as well as the side characters and am looking forward to Cash's story next! I received an early copy and am leaving this review voluntarily and honestly.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story with Zane and Hope. Having left an abusive relationship, she’s just trying to do what’s best for her and her daughter. But when her car breaks down and Zane sees her, he wants her to stay, to be his. Allow him to protect the two of them. But she doesn’t want that. I loved the emotions in this. The understanding on Zane’s part. And the way the two of them slowly navigated life.

[Andrea Freeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good...I am glad I was given an opportunity to read it early (even when my review is late due to life). Hope was basically a single mom that was in an abusive relationship and she ran and found Zane and his mother Luna. Luna was in a similar spot she was younger and it helped Hope alot. It was an amazing story with amazing characters, and a definite happily ever after.
I recieved an advance reader copy of this book for an honest voluntary review.

[Kelly Calhoun · Rating 1 out of 5]

Writing was choppy and too much of it was being told to me. I also found it extremely pervy the way the MMC’s attraction to the FMC was written. I gave it a fair chance to get better but it only got worse especially when he kept talking about how young she was and how he assumed she could be a teenager while he’s in his 30s. All his inner thoughts made him sound like a pedo who couldn’t control his “urges”. Super gross.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zane fell for Hope and her daughter right away, despite his best effort. Their love story was fantastic! He was so kind and tender and protective in all of the best ways. I'm super excited to have a new series from Zoe - she's an autobuy author for me. I'm looking forward to Cash, but REALLY want to get to know Ridge.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a good not his baby book. Found this on IG and immediately downloaded it.
Loved how sweet and patient Zane was! He was very swoony.
While over the book was good the pacing and timeline didn’t work for me. It was like slow burn mixed with a inst-love that spanned a week through like 70% and then the rest felt kinda crammed in to last 30%