Finding Hope (A Nugget Romance Book 2)

If you're looking for a book to get lost in, a small town full of good people, a beautiful setting, a few tears and some new beginnings - you've found it!!

This series is my latest obsession. While I do have some bugaboos about it (nothing is perfect) right now it's satisfying my need for a friendly place with lots of good looking guys, women with strength, and where everyone knows your name. (Oops, thinking of Cheers, but hey, same feeling)This specific entry into the series is particularly good. It tackles tough subjects yet still moves the character's relationships along. It's gotten to the point where I'm making my own time-line to figure out exactly how long it took for the MMC to figure out his feelings for the FMC after his last date with the OW (the other woman).The OW subplot is maddening, just like it is in "Getting Lucky" (but that's a different situation). Finz doesn't go overboard in making the OW entirely unlikable, but enough that you know the MMC & OW are using each other. I found the MMC understandably dense when it came to his feelings.The characters weren't politically correct when it came to the country-western singer who visits town, and that's okay, but hammering the slut-shaming through several mentions was a bit much.It's taken me several read-throughs to get into the Older/Younger character's on-running subplot. Griffin and Lina's romance runs through several of the books, which makes sense since their story takes a couple of years instead of the several months the main characters' stories take.And that's the other thing I enjoy about this series; all the characters know each other in varying degrees, and have their own independent relationships to each other. They're woven into each other's lives in a way that feels realistic and is a whole lotta fun.One thing I noticed, that another reviewer mentioned, was how Clay was never brought to task by Emily for some of his hurtful comments. While I think they do make a good couple, I do agree he could have been confronted on how much he was being a jack-ass to Emily by Emily. He seems to get a pass, as do the other guys in this series, for hurtful comments made to the women characters, but are never brought to task for it. It's the only thing that dissatisfies me about the Nugget series.I have a couple of other objections to plot points in other books that get swept under the rug by Finz (sexual assault, anyone?) that don't feel particularly though through. But the feel-good aspect of Nugget tends to overcome them. But.I do highly recommend this book in particular and the series in general.

This is the story of Clay and Emily, Stacy Finz’ second book in her Nugget Romance series. Clay is a rancher, a widower with two sons. Emily is a cookbook author/editor/ghostwriter, divorced with a daughter Hope who has been missing since she was four years old. Despite her misgivings, Emily develops a relationship with Clay and his sons. With wonderful descriptions and heartfelt emotions, we see Nugget from the perspective of someone who needs to regain her strength to face the world.I love that this author is not in a hurry. She lets the story build naturally while she subtly educates her readers on a variety of topics – each book something different. This book details the fallout and emotions of a missing child – the love, guilt and never-ending need to know. It also teaches us about cookbooks - what goes in to writing and promoting them, from the recipe creation process through to the photos in the book. Above all, though, this book is about recovering from life’s traumas and learning to love again. Stacy Finz writes what we feel, with depth and passion, curiosity and tenderness, and hope and humor! Don’t forget the humor!

This is book #2 in the Nugget series by Finz. I fell in love with book #1. Finz has outdone herself here, not only crafting a lovely romance but also working in the issue of missing children in an honest and realistic way. No spoilers but her book ending is more brave than a lot of authors would attempt. I love the chemistry between Clay and Emily as well as his children from his earlier marriage. You also get more insight on the characters from book 1 and see their progression.Nugget becomes real through Finz' writing and it is easy to develop a mental image of these characters and their locale. This is a very fast paced read which I inhaled in one day. Terrific addition to this series.

The story of two people, damaged by life events and how they find each other and begin to heal makes this story so powerful and moving. Emily has suffered the worst nightmare that can happen to a parent. Her marriage fails under the terrible circumstances and she hopes that moving to a new home and immersing herself in her passion for cooking and writing cookbooks can help her deal with her grief. The barn Emily is renting is owned by Clay, a rancher. He is a widower with two sons and is coping with the loss of his wife in a tragic accident. The story is emotional and highly satisfying, with many touches of humor. Readers who enjoyed the first book in the nugget series will be pleased to revisit old friends and the Northern California mountain town of Nugget – a town I would move to in a heartbeat!Make a coffee cake from your favorite celebrity cookbook and read this book with a warm slice and a hot latte.

Believable and likeable characters, interesting plot with twists and turns, and a breathtaking rural location. Finding Hope was a beautifully crafted love story between two very different, but equally wounded people. Author artfully explored the messy side of life in dealing with the sorrow of loss, the heartache of betrayal, and the stress of raising children. (Yes, that can be messy.) At times I was in tears finding the story achingly sad (Emily reflects on her missing child) and like real life, the story would turn on a dime and a hilariously funny scene had me in stitches (Clay baking with his sons'-and that's all I will say about that).Bravo to Stacy Finz. You are a true artist and I anxiously look forward to reading another one of your novels. Julie Gaskill-Author of The Man in the Tool Shed.

Good read.