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Dark Hope
Rose is an independent, free spirited woman, ready to kick start her own business and forge her way in the world. A night out at the newest exclusive venue in the city ends in a brutal assault, leaving her bruised, traumatised and unsure of who to trust.
Until she meets Isaac.
Isaac is attractive, wealthy and lonely, moving through life from one casual encounter to another. When he witnesses Rose’s violent attack, he realises he cannot stay away from her. He is as compelled by her as she is by him.
Their attraction inescapable, Rose gives herself to him, body and soul. They embark on a passionate affair; Rose learning to trust; Isaac learning to love, all under the watchful eye of Rose’s tormentor, who has made it clear she belongs to him.
Until she meets Isaac.
Isaac is attractive, wealthy and lonely, moving through life from one casual encounter to another. When he witnesses Rose’s violent attack, he realises he cannot stay away from her. He is as compelled by her as she is by him.
Their attraction inescapable, Rose gives herself to him, body and soul. They embark on a passionate affair; Rose learning to trust; Isaac learning to love, all under the watchful eye of Rose’s tormentor, who has made it clear she belongs to him.
229 pages, Paperback
Published July 29, 2021
1 person is currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
R.L. Stokes
3 books3 followersR L Stokes was born and raised in South Yorkshire, England. She has a regular 9-5 but her passion is writing when her nose isn’t stuck in a book. Wine drinker and animal lover, she is a born romantic and loves a happy ever after. She lives with her husband and is owned by her two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 31, 2021
Dark Hope is the debut novel from RL Stokes and what a good debut it is!
Rebecca very kindly reached out to me to review. I always like to discover new authors when I can and I literally read Dark Hope in one session. It had me gripped from the very start. The first few chapters are quite harrowing and very well written considering the situation that Rose is in.
What happens to Rose is devastating, but this situation happens in the real world unfortunately, so I’m glad Rebecca dealt with the aftermath of such an assault on Rose.
What follows is quite a suspenseful tale, I really didn’t know how it was going to end. This story is written well and I did love both main characters Rose and Isaac. I also loved the fact that this story is based in York and not London like most stories I read when they are set in the UK. I love York, so this was quite a refreshing change.
My only slight issue, I did feel the ending was a little rushed and I would have liked an epilogue that went maybe a few years into the future. However for a debut, Dark Hope is a very good debut and I can’t wait to read more from Rebecca.
Dark Hope is told via duel POV and like I said before, there are issues that may cause triggers (sexual assault).
Rebecca very kindly reached out to me to review. I always like to discover new authors when I can and I literally read Dark Hope in one session. It had me gripped from the very start. The first few chapters are quite harrowing and very well written considering the situation that Rose is in.
What happens to Rose is devastating, but this situation happens in the real world unfortunately, so I’m glad Rebecca dealt with the aftermath of such an assault on Rose.
What follows is quite a suspenseful tale, I really didn’t know how it was going to end. This story is written well and I did love both main characters Rose and Isaac. I also loved the fact that this story is based in York and not London like most stories I read when they are set in the UK. I love York, so this was quite a refreshing change.
My only slight issue, I did feel the ending was a little rushed and I would have liked an epilogue that went maybe a few years into the future. However for a debut, Dark Hope is a very good debut and I can’t wait to read more from Rebecca.
Dark Hope is told via duel POV and like I said before, there are issues that may cause triggers (sexual assault).
August 15, 2021
It's my first time reading a book by R.L Stokes and I devoured it in one evening. Normally I spread a good book over a few days but I couldn't stop reading.
I was completely and utterly obsessed with Issac- RL Stokes succeeds in creating a swoon-worthy lead who you can't help but root for. Rose was also a dream to read with her quirky humor and fashion sense- a breath of fresh air.
To avoid spoilers, I'm so glad I stumbled across this book and will be reading more of this authors in the future.
I was completely and utterly obsessed with Issac- RL Stokes succeeds in creating a swoon-worthy lead who you can't help but root for. Rose was also a dream to read with her quirky humor and fashion sense- a breath of fresh air.
To avoid spoilers, I'm so glad I stumbled across this book and will be reading more of this authors in the future.
September 13, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, practically devoured it in one sitting!
We first meet Rose after she has suffered a traumatic event. It’s also through this that Isaac has come into her life. The reader is then taken on their emotional journey of finding new love while trying to move on from such a horrific trauma.
I thought this was a fab romantic drama, I was hooked from page 1! I particularly liked Rose, an independent woman who knows her own mind, strong willed. I also really enjoyed the parts with her Nan and the love of that relationship.
I didn’t need to know more about Isaac, I thought it was very apt that we focussed more on Rose, as the female lead character. I thought that balance of the two main characters was right for this story.
Be prepared for a gripping, emotional rollercoaster. A brilliant debut novel, I would recommend.
We first meet Rose after she has suffered a traumatic event. It’s also through this that Isaac has come into her life. The reader is then taken on their emotional journey of finding new love while trying to move on from such a horrific trauma.
I thought this was a fab romantic drama, I was hooked from page 1! I particularly liked Rose, an independent woman who knows her own mind, strong willed. I also really enjoyed the parts with her Nan and the love of that relationship.
I didn’t need to know more about Isaac, I thought it was very apt that we focussed more on Rose, as the female lead character. I thought that balance of the two main characters was right for this story.
Be prepared for a gripping, emotional rollercoaster. A brilliant debut novel, I would recommend.
August 21, 2021
3.5 stars.
What I liked:
- MFC, she was strong, unusual (compared to the usual stereotypes)
-Book setting
- Flow of story
-The book cover (its beautiful)
What I didn't get on with:
The main characters fell too hard to quickly (in my personal taste) and there seemed to be no real depth to their relationship. I struggled to follow their path and often found myself putting the book down.
I'd have liked the writer to explore Isacc in more depth as I felt he had more to give. It was always skimming the surface with him. Once I got through the slumps I was so glad I did. The story was a good distraction and I'll be up for reading more from this writer.
What I liked:
- MFC, she was strong, unusual (compared to the usual stereotypes)
-Book setting
- Flow of story
-The book cover (its beautiful)
What I didn't get on with:
The main characters fell too hard to quickly (in my personal taste) and there seemed to be no real depth to their relationship. I struggled to follow their path and often found myself putting the book down.
I'd have liked the writer to explore Isacc in more depth as I felt he had more to give. It was always skimming the surface with him. Once I got through the slumps I was so glad I did. The story was a good distraction and I'll be up for reading more from this writer.
August 3, 2021
Heart breaking but beautiful
I loved this book, a story that kept pulling me back every time I had a spare minute i picked it back up. Didn't want it to end but couldn't put it down.
I loved this book, a story that kept pulling me back every time I had a spare minute i picked it back up. Didn't want it to end but couldn't put it down.
August 4, 2021
Although this story has a very harrowing beginning, I found myself drawn in to Rose's plight. I was invested in finding out what happened, and wasn't disappointed! The story is very well written and is certainly a page-turner.
August 7, 2021
Couldn’t put it down once I started. Loved the storyline, the main characters and the ending. I would agree that the epilogue was slightly rushed but definitely not enough to love it any less. I needed more and hopefully there will be more to come.
January 22, 2022
Five stars!!
I really liked this story!! The way Rose tried to still be strong. Then, how Isaac was always there for her, and so patient and understanding. I would definitely read more by this author.
I really liked this story!! The way Rose tried to still be strong. Then, how Isaac was always there for her, and so patient and understanding. I would definitely read more by this author.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews