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New Hope
What do a city cop who’s never been with a man and an out-and-proud, small-town doctor have in common? Besides being single dads, more than they know.
A year after divorcing his wife, Ford Scott leaves his job as a big city police officer and moves to the small town of New Hope, Rhode Island with his eight-year-old daughter. His attraction to the sexy doctor in town comes as a surprise, awakening desires Ford pushed aside long ago.
Dr. River Adams is happy with his life. Being a pediatrician in the small town where he lives and a father to his little girl is incredibly fulfilling. Still, he can’t help wishing he had someone to share their life.
When their daughters become friends, the two dads spend a lot of time together, forging their own friendship. But simple companionship soon turns into heated looks, lingering touches, and mind-melting sexual tension. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but Ford worries that one more big change might be too much for his daughter.
Can River convince Ford to trust what is happening between them, allowing New Hope to heal Ford and his little girl’s damaged hearts?
If you love small towns, single dads, and bi awakening, you’ll love New Hope.
A year after divorcing his wife, Ford Scott leaves his job as a big city police officer and moves to the small town of New Hope, Rhode Island with his eight-year-old daughter. His attraction to the sexy doctor in town comes as a surprise, awakening desires Ford pushed aside long ago.
Dr. River Adams is happy with his life. Being a pediatrician in the small town where he lives and a father to his little girl is incredibly fulfilling. Still, he can’t help wishing he had someone to share their life.
When their daughters become friends, the two dads spend a lot of time together, forging their own friendship. But simple companionship soon turns into heated looks, lingering touches, and mind-melting sexual tension. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but Ford worries that one more big change might be too much for his daughter.
Can River convince Ford to trust what is happening between them, allowing New Hope to heal Ford and his little girl’s damaged hearts?
If you love small towns, single dads, and bi awakening, you’ll love New Hope.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 25, 2021
171 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
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November 11, 2025
New Hope is book one in the New Hope series by Annabella Michaels. This is my very first book by Annabella and I...AM...IN...LOVE!!! This was sweet, swoony, steamy and just plain wonderful. It is a slow burn, single dads romance. I pretty much fell for both of these men right from the start.
Ford Scott is a police officer and a single dad to his eight year old daughter, Ellie. Ford was an officer in New York but he and Ellie had had a rough year. Ellie had retreated into herself, gotten quiet and didn’t laugh. Ford decided they needed a reboot, a fresh start and he chose New Hope, Rhode Island as their new home. It was a small, quaint little town where being a police officer would be quite different than what he was used to.
On Ellie’s first day at her new school in second grade, she is befriended by the outgoing little Hannah Adams who proclaims them best friends. Which is just what they became. And in doing so, their dads met, which is truly the beginning of everything.
River Adams is the town doctor. He is openly gay and is the single dad to little Hannah. River loves his life in New Hope and his world revolves around his daughter, his work and has a close relationship with his parents. The only thing missing is someone to love, a partner to share everything with. But he has accepted that this might be it for him. When he is picking up his daughter from school and meets her new friend, and then her father, his world completely changed. But as far as he knows, this man is straight. And is clearly hurting and alone. He and Ellie need a friend more than anything else and he vows to be that for them.
As the four of them spend more and more time together, Ford and Ellie begin to heal. And with that, a new kind of feeling emerges, longing. Longing for this man who has become his world. Ellie is doing so much better, though. Can he risk all of her progress by changing the tone of the relationship between he and River? And what if it doesn’t work out? He can’t even imagine a life without River in it in some way.
These four were so sweet. Little Ellie made my eyes water more than once. And I loved the way that the love bloomed slowly between River (I love his name) and Ford. Together, these four were truly a family. The ending was wonderful. Now I can’t wait to read the next book, which is Ford’s co-worker, Mike’s book, Saving Hope. I’ve also added a couple more books by this author to my to read list! I suspect I will keep doing so as I check each one off my list.
Ford Scott is a police officer and a single dad to his eight year old daughter, Ellie. Ford was an officer in New York but he and Ellie had had a rough year. Ellie had retreated into herself, gotten quiet and didn’t laugh. Ford decided they needed a reboot, a fresh start and he chose New Hope, Rhode Island as their new home. It was a small, quaint little town where being a police officer would be quite different than what he was used to.
On Ellie’s first day at her new school in second grade, she is befriended by the outgoing little Hannah Adams who proclaims them best friends. Which is just what they became. And in doing so, their dads met, which is truly the beginning of everything.
River Adams is the town doctor. He is openly gay and is the single dad to little Hannah. River loves his life in New Hope and his world revolves around his daughter, his work and has a close relationship with his parents. The only thing missing is someone to love, a partner to share everything with. But he has accepted that this might be it for him. When he is picking up his daughter from school and meets her new friend, and then her father, his world completely changed. But as far as he knows, this man is straight. And is clearly hurting and alone. He and Ellie need a friend more than anything else and he vows to be that for them.
As the four of them spend more and more time together, Ford and Ellie begin to heal. And with that, a new kind of feeling emerges, longing. Longing for this man who has become his world. Ellie is doing so much better, though. Can he risk all of her progress by changing the tone of the relationship between he and River? And what if it doesn’t work out? He can’t even imagine a life without River in it in some way.
These four were so sweet. Little Ellie made my eyes water more than once. And I loved the way that the love bloomed slowly between River (I love his name) and Ford. Together, these four were truly a family. The ending was wonderful. Now I can’t wait to read the next book, which is Ford’s co-worker, Mike’s book, Saving Hope. I’ve also added a couple more books by this author to my to read list! I suspect I will keep doing so as I check each one off my list.
December 29, 2021
i couldn't feel their connection at all tbh! so little chemistry and it felt like so much more tell than show. they kept talking about how strong the connection between them was but i didn't feel it at all. it ended up feeling forced and rushed to me. this is a slow burn but the buildup wasn't all that enjoyable. the kids were sweet tho. my least favorite thing was the dialogue tho.
November 13, 2021
2.5 rounded up because rounding down feels mean. This was fine and kept me kind of engaged but it was VERY sweet, I mean I like sweetness and I have a toothache. Everything was WAY too perfect, everyone was perfect: both girls, the grandparents, both MCS. Everyone is good at their job, is reasonable and NEVER gets angry or frustrated. The other problem was a LOT of telling and not much showing . As a result, the whole thing lacked depth. Ford's backstory was very interesting and should have added angst but there is no angst here. We don't know much about River's past. Not a bad book but not great or memorable either.
November 25, 2021
Beautiful 😍
I loved the storyline so much, it gave me hope that no matter how broken one’s heart is it can be healed.
I did not like how the MC’s were portrayed, one minute they sound like mature adults which was very good and the next sounded as if they are still in college. Whilst reading I had to remind myself that they were dads and that Ford had a bit of grey hairs and he is not a teen or young adult. There was no consistency.
I loved the blended family so much , it was a truly sweet read and I’m glad I read it now with Christmas around the corner.
I loved the storyline so much, it gave me hope that no matter how broken one’s heart is it can be healed.
I did not like how the MC’s were portrayed, one minute they sound like mature adults which was very good and the next sounded as if they are still in college. Whilst reading I had to remind myself that they were dads and that Ford had a bit of grey hairs and he is not a teen or young adult. There was no consistency.
I loved the blended family so much , it was a truly sweet read and I’m glad I read it now with Christmas around the corner.
July 27, 2022
Dr. Adams is a family doctor in a small town raising his daughter, he has the life of a single dad and living it. Officer Scott has left NY to chance his and his daughters life. He has no idea that this small town with heal both their hearts and bring them best friends and so much more. From abandonment to finding dreams come true. Its a journey that has tears, laughter and the awwwh moments!
September 20, 2022
Eh. This book has been done dozens and dozens of times. It was just flat. The characters flat. The writing flat. One of the reasons why bi-awakenings are so exciting to read is because we get to experience the awakening from that character’s pov and we didn’t even get that. Most of the discovery was off page. This honestly read more like MF than MM with how it was written.
And for the love of god people can we please erase grown ass men tickling each other.
Meh.
And for the love of god people can we please erase grown ass men tickling each other.
Meh.
October 30, 2021
Annabella Michaels is one of my go to authors if I’m looking for something to warm my heart. When she announced a while back that she was writing a story set in Rhode Island, I kept checking my email for an update on its release. I am a native Rhode Islander and spent my first 28 years there. The cover is gorgeous and the name of the town was so appropriate.
I have to admit that after all the time I had spent in Providence, I was unaware of the extension of the Providence River called the Seekonk River. We just always called it the Providence River. I looked it up wondering if it was a fictitious place like New Hope. 🤣🤦🏻♀️
New Hope reminded me a lot of Wickford, Portsmouth, or even Jamestown, RI. I could imagine Ford on patrol there in the quaint towns on the water. My only complaint pertaining to the RI nature of the story was the coffee milk scene. I took a survey of family and friends who still live in RI and have been there for over 60 years and everyone agrees that coffee milk is always a COLD drink. It’s like chocolate milk, not hot chocolate. I have never heard of it being served as a hot drink.
I wish there had been more detail to this story. Many things were very vague. It felt too short and I wanted more time with Ford, River, and the girls. The timeline was wonky between when school started and how long it seemed for Halloween to arrive.
Nice and fluffy feel-good story. Speaking of “fluffy”, I was surprised that there was no mention of the official state sandwich, a Fluffernutter, in the book. 😉😁 Hannah and Ellie would have LOVED those!!
I have to admit that after all the time I had spent in Providence, I was unaware of the extension of the Providence River called the Seekonk River. We just always called it the Providence River. I looked it up wondering if it was a fictitious place like New Hope. 🤣🤦🏻♀️
New Hope reminded me a lot of Wickford, Portsmouth, or even Jamestown, RI. I could imagine Ford on patrol there in the quaint towns on the water. My only complaint pertaining to the RI nature of the story was the coffee milk scene. I took a survey of family and friends who still live in RI and have been there for over 60 years and everyone agrees that coffee milk is always a COLD drink. It’s like chocolate milk, not hot chocolate. I have never heard of it being served as a hot drink.
I wish there had been more detail to this story. Many things were very vague. It felt too short and I wanted more time with Ford, River, and the girls. The timeline was wonky between when school started and how long it seemed for Halloween to arrive.
Nice and fluffy feel-good story. Speaking of “fluffy”, I was surprised that there was no mention of the official state sandwich, a Fluffernutter, in the book. 😉😁 Hannah and Ellie would have LOVED those!!
December 21, 2021
When a romance starts out with 15 pages about daddy's 8 year old daughter, 10 pages about the other guy's family life, and last, but not least, 5 pages of the cop doing his very boring patrolling through this perfect little New England town ..... then I probably should not be reading it, since I was not looking for the nicest kids in the world and the most understanding towns people and sunshine all around and pages of smiling people. Until 30% through the book the couple didn't even meet! Holy romance!
April 23, 2023
New Hope - MM - Annabella Michaels
Ford Scott and his 8 year old daughter Ellie are struggling after their loss last year. When he decided to up roots from their home in NY City and move to New Hope in Rhode Island, he hopes the more relaxed lifestyle will help them both recover.
On his first day at his new job with New Hope Police he’s welcomed with open arms, and when he takes his daughter to her new school and she is happy he is starting to feel life could be good here in Rhode Island.
Collecting his daughter at end of school day he’s delighted when a classmate, Hannah Adams, comes over and introduces herself as Ellie’s new friend. She also pulls her Dad over and they shake hands.
Ellie Scott and Hannah Adams become besties and the friendship between Ford Scott and Dr. River Adams grows alongside their daughters. There are a few little surprises along the way which adds to their story.
This is an angst free story with all the warm feels you could hope for. I’ve not read any of Annabella Michaels books before, but I’d certainly recommend this one if you just want to curl up with a story that will make you laugh and cry with happiness.
Ford Scott and his 8 year old daughter Ellie are struggling after their loss last year. When he decided to up roots from their home in NY City and move to New Hope in Rhode Island, he hopes the more relaxed lifestyle will help them both recover.
On his first day at his new job with New Hope Police he’s welcomed with open arms, and when he takes his daughter to her new school and she is happy he is starting to feel life could be good here in Rhode Island.
Collecting his daughter at end of school day he’s delighted when a classmate, Hannah Adams, comes over and introduces herself as Ellie’s new friend. She also pulls her Dad over and they shake hands.
Ellie Scott and Hannah Adams become besties and the friendship between Ford Scott and Dr. River Adams grows alongside their daughters. There are a few little surprises along the way which adds to their story.
This is an angst free story with all the warm feels you could hope for. I’ve not read any of Annabella Michaels books before, but I’d certainly recommend this one if you just want to curl up with a story that will make you laugh and cry with happiness.
August 2, 2022
This was such a sweet story. I just loved Ford and River's story.
Ford is a single father that has had his heart broken. He's trying to do everything he can think of to bring happiness and life back into his daughter Ellie. River is a single father to Hannah. He's always been hoping to find the love of his life to raise a family with.
These two men built such a wonderful friendship that blossomed into something so much more. Hannah and Ellie have become the best of friends.
It's hard not to have your heart break for Ford and Ellie. But it was so wonderful to feel River and Hannah piece their hearts back together. Such a great small-town romance.
Ford is a single father that has had his heart broken. He's trying to do everything he can think of to bring happiness and life back into his daughter Ellie. River is a single father to Hannah. He's always been hoping to find the love of his life to raise a family with.
These two men built such a wonderful friendship that blossomed into something so much more. Hannah and Ellie have become the best of friends.
It's hard not to have your heart break for Ford and Ellie. But it was so wonderful to feel River and Hannah piece their hearts back together. Such a great small-town romance.
November 3, 2021
Sweet
A sweet story about healing and love. There isn’t any drama or misunderstanding or even break ups that usually happen in stories like this. Just a straight forward story of love. And I loved it. Needed it. Sometimes I just need to know that the journey of love is enough and this was it. Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t insta love so don’t think that. It was just simply a journey. The writing was good the smexy was sweet and the kids weren’t too much.
A sweet story about healing and love. There isn’t any drama or misunderstanding or even break ups that usually happen in stories like this. Just a straight forward story of love. And I loved it. Needed it. Sometimes I just need to know that the journey of love is enough and this was it. Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t insta love so don’t think that. It was just simply a journey. The writing was good the smexy was sweet and the kids weren’t too much.
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April 24, 2023Another book that I Dnf this week. It was overly sweet, and I thought I would get a cavity.
March 2, 2022
3.5 ⭐
Well, I'm a diabetic now 😅
If what you want is a story with normal, real life scenarios, some drama and angst, then you'll completely abhor this book.
This story was like a Hallmark romance movie, only you know 'gay', to the 10th power.
Everything was PERFECT, the only thing missing in the story was a Naiad riding a unicorn in Ford's backyard or in River's parent's house 🤣
So much fluff and sweetness and never ending mush.
While it was a nice story overall, it's just so fictional and fantastic. I'm a sucker for a nice drama free romance, but dear Hades sometimes I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt.
I need to read something dark and angsty now to balance my sugar levels 🤣
PS: Those guys in the cover look absolutely nothing like I imagine Ford and River look like, just sayin' 🤷🏻♂️
Well, I'm a diabetic now 😅
If what you want is a story with normal, real life scenarios, some drama and angst, then you'll completely abhor this book.
This story was like a Hallmark romance movie, only you know 'gay', to the 10th power.
Everything was PERFECT, the only thing missing in the story was a Naiad riding a unicorn in Ford's backyard or in River's parent's house 🤣
So much fluff and sweetness and never ending mush.
While it was a nice story overall, it's just so fictional and fantastic. I'm a sucker for a nice drama free romance, but dear Hades sometimes I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt.
I need to read something dark and angsty now to balance my sugar levels 🤣
PS: Those guys in the cover look absolutely nothing like I imagine Ford and River look like, just sayin' 🤷🏻♂️
December 1, 2021
This book!!!
This is my favorite type of storyline and Annabella wrote it perfectly.
This tale is full of heart and warmth.
Two single dads who find love together, as their daughters are best friends and want to spent time together.
The sexual awakening/first times aspect is amazingly well done.
I could feel every emotion, every look, and every touch.
Love, love, love this book!!!!
This is my favorite type of storyline and Annabella wrote it perfectly.
This tale is full of heart and warmth.
Two single dads who find love together, as their daughters are best friends and want to spent time together.
The sexual awakening/first times aspect is amazingly well done.
I could feel every emotion, every look, and every touch.
Love, love, love this book!!!!
October 31, 2021
New Hope
So sweet and just what I needed to read today. I loved that both men were single dads and thought the girls were just as sweet as the main characters.
So sweet and just what I needed to read today. I loved that both men were single dads and thought the girls were just as sweet as the main characters.
March 19, 2023
Completely angst and drama free, very sweet story about a city cop and his daughter moving to a small town to start again after being left by his wife.
Meeting the doctor in the town, who has a daughter as well, Ford - the cop-starts to question his sexuality.
This was your typical small town romance, the only problem I had was that both main characters were so much alike, I constantly had to double check who was talking or which pov I was getting at the moment.
Overall a nice in between read but really nothing too memorable. 3 stars
Meeting the doctor in the town, who has a daughter as well, Ford - the cop-starts to question his sexuality.
This was your typical small town romance, the only problem I had was that both main characters were so much alike, I constantly had to double check who was talking or which pov I was getting at the moment.
Overall a nice in between read but really nothing too memorable. 3 stars
November 23, 2021
this book was bad.
the writing style, character growth was none.
the Author tell you more and its frustrating cause this book is all about more tell and no show.
time jumps and insta loved.
i hated it.
the ending though was somewhat manageable else i would have rated it a one star.
the writing style, character growth was none.
the Author tell you more and its frustrating cause this book is all about more tell and no show.
time jumps and insta loved.
i hated it.
the ending though was somewhat manageable else i would have rated it a one star.
October 27, 2021
Delightful, easy , no angst read and I enjoyed the hell out of it.
November 29, 2021
4.5 stars, rounded up.
This is a sweet slow burn, friends-to-lovers romance.
I loved watching Ford and sweet Ellie find the happiness that had eluded them for a year. I loved watching Ford and River come together as a couple. I absolutely adored Ellie and Hannah. I really loved watching the four of them become a family.
There’s a nice epilogue – actually two of them – that show the little family down the road. I admit to getting misty-eyed reading them. Definitely some major aww! moments, especially the first one because it wasn’t just about Ford and River. It was also about their daughters.
The only niggle I had with the story is the author’s overuse of exclamation points. They weren’t everywhere, but the ones there were a bit much. Otherwise, the story was pretty much perfect.
My first by this author, I think. I’ll definitely be reading more.
Full review can be found at -
This is a sweet slow burn, friends-to-lovers romance.
I loved watching Ford and sweet Ellie find the happiness that had eluded them for a year. I loved watching Ford and River come together as a couple. I absolutely adored Ellie and Hannah. I really loved watching the four of them become a family.
There’s a nice epilogue – actually two of them – that show the little family down the road. I admit to getting misty-eyed reading them. Definitely some major aww! moments, especially the first one because it wasn’t just about Ford and River. It was also about their daughters.
The only niggle I had with the story is the author’s overuse of exclamation points. They weren’t everywhere, but the ones there were a bit much. Otherwise, the story was pretty much perfect.
My first by this author, I think. I’ll definitely be reading more.
Full review can be found at -
December 28, 2021
Enjoyable Cheesiness!
This was a low angst happily ever after. Pretty easy read. Plenty of cute and over the top moments. Nothing extraordinary but it’s a light read and guaranteed pick me up.
This was a low angst happily ever after. Pretty easy read. Plenty of cute and over the top moments. Nothing extraordinary but it’s a light read and guaranteed pick me up.
February 17, 2022
This was cotton candy sweet. Everyone and everything was perfectly perfect. It hit the spot.
November 1, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Loved Ford and River! They are soo sweet. Ellie and Hannah are the sweetest kids. If you are looking for a low angst book look no further
Loved Ford and River! They are soo sweet. Ellie and Hannah are the sweetest kids. If you are looking for a low angst book look no further
October 28, 2021
Beautiful name
This story was very aptly named. It showed a little family unit starting over and finding hope when they meet new friends who morph into family throughout the book. I especially enjoyed how much we got to see of the children as they were the center of their dad’s lives.
This story was very aptly named. It showed a little family unit starting over and finding hope when they meet new friends who morph into family throughout the book. I especially enjoyed how much we got to see of the children as they were the center of their dad’s lives.
October 29, 2021
a very nice story loved the book very much
October 31, 2021
I really enjoyed this one and the MCs were so cute together. Very little angst outside of a (kinda) bi-awakening and figuring out what that means to one of the characters. I loved that they formed a friendship first and were, for the most part, amazing at communicating. My only issue was that there was some steamy times mentioned but not featured on page and I wanted more steam than what we got. Would definitely recommend to others.
October 31, 2021
What an amazing and beautiful love story between two professional men, one who has never been with a man and the other out and proud gay , both with each a daughter who attend school together who inadvertently bring them together. I highly recommend this book as it is truly a beautiful love story.
November 8, 2021
Be still my aching heart… What a heart wrenching and amazingly beautiful love story. Gah… My heart went out to Ford and his sweet daughter Ellie who I wanted to hug and tell her everything will be ok. I loved them both instantly. River and his outspoken sweet daughter I loved instantly as well and I always smiled reading River’s chapters. I so happy River and his daughter came into Ford and his daughters life and changed their world and made them happy and be able to love again and get a happily ever after. I was in tears a lot reading the book but the epilogue had tears spilling down my cheeks, happy ones of course, I loved it! A slow burn love story in a new place to start a new life for a heartbroken Police Officer and his eight year old daughter. A Must Read!!
December 7, 2021
I really loved this book. I could have read it in one sitting but for some reason my family thinks they have to eat. Someone has to earn the bacon
December 3, 2021
This is a brand new author to me and I’m loving her! This book was absolutely fantastic! It was a quick and drama free palette cleanser about 2 people who healed and loved each other without conflict and total understanding.
Ford and River were such a joy! I loved that the story didn’t have conflict and was about a man and daughter opening up to two people who were able to heal their broken hearts. I loved how their community embraced and encouraged them. It was just wonderful.
Sometimes I need a romance that simply works. Drama can be exciting but this was good for the soul.
Ford and River were such a joy! I loved that the story didn’t have conflict and was about a man and daughter opening up to two people who were able to heal their broken hearts. I loved how their community embraced and encouraged them. It was just wonderful.
Sometimes I need a romance that simply works. Drama can be exciting but this was good for the soul.
November 5, 2021
What the hell was that
I mean this is like a Cinderella story for adults. It was so bad I could not put it down. The telling, the cheesiness and over the top sweetness 😂😂😂 I don’t know why I did that to myself but this feels like me attempting to write a romance novel for the first time & throwing everything at it and the kitchen sink. Let me stop there because anything said after this will be unnecessarily mean 2 🌟
I mean this is like a Cinderella story for adults. It was so bad I could not put it down. The telling, the cheesiness and over the top sweetness 😂😂😂 I don’t know why I did that to myself but this feels like me attempting to write a romance novel for the first time & throwing everything at it and the kitchen sink. Let me stop there because anything said after this will be unnecessarily mean 2 🌟
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews