While this isn’t my favorite book that I’ve ever read by Cheyenne Blue, there is a lot to like about it. Great disability rep, not just informing the reader on what goes into daily life as an amputee, but great depiction of the inner strength and resilience that Hazel has to have to get through every day. Blue was able to invoke sympathy without pity and I thought that was very well done, as Hazel wouldn’t have had it any other way.

As much as I liked the character of Hazel, Imogen was a little meh. She was pretty tepid for an ice queen and I just didn’t find her as relatable. However, this is still a very enjoyable romance and I recommend it for anyone who likes enemies to lovers or grumpy/sunshine and is interested in reading a cute story with some well done amputee rep.

This book is like a warm hug with a side of stubbornness, banter, and unexpected chemistry. It’s a small-town meets big-city romance, but what really makes it shine is how much heart it has. Hazel and Imogen are polar opposites on the surface—one’s a small-town handywoman with a no-nonsense attitude, and the other is a polished executive who’s used to running the show. Sparks definitely fly when these two collide, but not in the way either of them expects.

Hazel is such a fun character to root for. She’s practical, charming, and unapologetically herself, and she’s got that steady resilience that comes from dealing with life’s curveballs. Imogen, on the other hand, starts off icy and bossy, but as the story unfolds, you start to see the cracks in her armor. Watching her loosen up (thanks to Hazel’s charm and her meddling Uncle George) is such a satisfying journey.

And speaking of Uncle George—he’s a gem. His matchmaking meddling could’ve been cheesy, but instead, it’s sweet and adds a lot of heart to the story. The dynamic between him, Hazel, and Imogen feels authentic, especially as they navigate questions about caregiving and independence.

What I really enjoyed was how the romance grows gradually. It’s not an instant spark; it’s two people who clash, challenge each other, and eventually find a connection neither of them expected. The small-town setting adds a cozy charm, but the story also doesn’t shy away from exploring heavier topics, like family responsibilities and how we define ourselves in the face of challenges.

Why 4 stars? There were a few moments where the pacing felt uneven—some scenes dragged while others wrapped up too quickly. But honestly, that didn’t take away from the overall warmth and depth of the story.

If you’re in the mood for a romance that’s sweet but grounded, with a good dose of humor and heartfelt moments, A Heart Full of Hope is worth checking out. Hazel and Imogen’s journey is proof that sometimes, opposites really do attract.

A Heart Full of Hope is a good, easy enemies to lovers and is very heartwarming. I requested this title for the disability rep and Cheyenne Blue did a great job of depicting the struggles that disabled people have in their daily lives. Hazel was a very easy character to like. She had had a great personality that didn’t centre entirely around her disability which is refreshing. She struggles with having confidence in herself due to her disabilities, but this is not done in a over the top, inspiration porn kind of way and is relatable and true. She’s a very likeable, down to earth character. I enjoyed that Imogen is a completely different person to Hazel. She is headstrong and driven and faces her own challenges.
She’s relatable and the kind of character you know you will root for.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ylva for the ARC

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!!

I love a good enemies to lovers and this one is incredibly heartwarming! The author did a great job of depicting the struggles that handicapped people have in their daily lives. Hazel was such and easy character to like. She had such a sunny personality and a huge heart. She struggles with having confidence in herself due to her disabilities. She is so impressive and down to earth! Imogen is a completely different person from Hazel. She is very driven and is often left making the hard decisions. She finds it hard to trust people and let them in. After finally pulling her head out of her ass she becomes the type of character you can root for.

Also George and Chip are some great secondary characters.

Overall I loved this book! The entire vibe just felt right!!

I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it has since come out. I loved the heck out of the book as a disabled sapphic, despite the heavy feature of the miscommunication trope (which my autistic ass dislikes). That first sensual scene that centered the disability in it? You could wipe me up, I was done, I needed that so much in my life.

So Cute!

Hazel enjoys her work and helping out with odd jobs for an elderly friend. When her friend’s niece, Imogen, turns up from the big city and starts questioning Hazel’s motives for helping, then tensions start running high. Her friend starts meddling when notices a spark between Hazel and Imogen and from then on fate appears to be playing a hand at keeping them in one another’s lives.

I loved the opposites attract theme of this story, and the ambition of both Hazel and Imogen when they were so completely different in their approaches to life and work. Hazel was just the sweetest person, and it was understandable why. With a prosthetic leg she’d had hardship and overcome fears, and could empathise with the difficulty her elderly friend George encountered. At first, I thought Imogen was really snooty and rude, but then I could understand why she’d be suspicious, she didn’t know as much about Hazel as we did.

As I got to know Imogen better I got a better understanding of why she was the way she was and I actually ended up empathising with her. The corporate world is hard, and when you put in as much effort as Imogen did only to not be rewarded, understanding the reasons she acted and did the things she did made more sense. I loved how despite all that, and her odd unfortunate moments with Hazel that once they started spending time together and growing closer, Imogen actually really cared about understanding how she could help and support Hazel in her own dreams, and learn something from her in the process about life and love.

Absolutely adored everything about this story, it started off a bit prickly, but it was like one big hug in the end. I definitely read it again, and it is a must for any romance lover.

Hazel is a handy-women, delivery driver, and aputee. Imogen is a corporate leader who suddenly finds herself headed to a small town to care for her aging and injured uncle. What Imogen isn't prepared for is Hazel being friends and caring for said uncle. Suddenly they're both around all of the time and Imogen has no idea what to do with this seemingly kind women who she sincerely wants to distrust. Turns out maybe people just are that nice? When her uncle starts trying to subtly play match maker, Imogen might just be swayed by the ultra sweet Hazel's charms.

A Heart Full of Hope” by Cheyenne Blue is a moving and multifaceted romance that invites readers into the lives of Imogen and Hazel, two complex women who face their own personal and relational challenges. The story beautifully balances romance with deeper social themes, notably addressing the need for improved healthcare for the elderly. Blue sheds light on the resilience required by individuals like Hazel, who confronts daily struggles with strength and grace. Imogen and Hazel’s journey—through tension, connection, and ultimately love—unfolds with emotional depth and authenticity. “A Heart Full of Hope” is a compassionate and thought-provoking read that resonates beyond its pages.

Another great read from down under with Cheyenne Blue telling us about the romance between two very different women. Hazel was only ten when she lost her leg below the knee and when she meets Imogen Alexander she’s had fifteen years to get comfortable using Petunia, the leg she wore most of the time.
Imogen worked for Whistlestop, a company that had numerous stores throughout the country, since she graduated. She feels she has a good chance at getting the promotion for regional manager.
It’s at this stage her father calls to tell her Uncle George had an accident and she needed to go help him so she takes a few days, goes to DryCreek where her uncle lived.
This is when she meets Hazel, whom she mistakes as a user trying to get George’s money. He didn’t have that much but she knew she didn’t want Hazel around her uncle. Now the fun/fights begin. Very, very enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley/YLVA

My favorite part of the book is the friendship between Hazel and George. The way they support each other and look out for each other, especially after George breaks his hip and requires more assistance than usual, but how they also seek to foster the other person's independence. Hazel is much more than her prosthetic leg and George is much more than a senior citizen who is experiencing the decreased physical abilities that come with aging. I also enjoyed the Hazel and Imogen dynamic with all its ups and downs.

My favorite moment in the story was probably during the mountain top date when Hazel takes off Petunia (her prosthetic leg) and Imogen sees the nubbin (the stump). Following Hazel's instructions, Imogen gently and caringly takes off Petunia. Imogen admits that the nubbin does not look quite like she expected. Yet, it does not repel her or offend her; instead, she caresses Hazel's thigh and then cups the nubbin, gently massaging it, telling Hazel that she is beautiful, all of her. As the author states in the book, "Never had she had this initial reaction to her nubbin. Not this concern, consideration, and acceptance." The author could have written this scene in many ways, with a myriad of positive or negative reactions by Imogen; I'm glad she chose such a beautiful way to portray this moment.

Shew. The plot, for this was very promising, however, the book was really long. It was very wordy and many places, and honestly, if it were about 1/3 shorter, the book would be much higher rated in my opinion. The storyline, while interesting, gives way too much will they or won’t they until you reach a point where you don’t care about the characters very much.

There are a lot of things I liked in this book. The initial tension between Hazel and Imogen, and seeing Hazel putting Imogen in her place, was really satisfying. Imogen is aloof and has that goal of getting promoted. Seeing her open up and find her way that wasn't her initial path felt rewarding. Hazel has a prosthetic leg, and it's my first time reading this kind of representation; it's refreshing. And you know what? I hadn't even noticed it on the cover at first. George's matchmaking adds some fun to the mix.

Nevertheless, I didn’t really feel the connection or the chemistry between the characters, especially from Hazel's POV. Imogen wasn't really endearing to me; I didn't really know her besides her ambitions. And sometimes, she didn't really give heartfelt apologies when she should have.

To me, it lacked scenes showing how she really gets close to George, to the point of making her want to move. Sure, we saw her trying to organize his care, making him eat healthy, and him pushing her into Hazel's arms, but what do they share on the emotional side that makes him a true parental figure to her?

Overall, it was a nice read, but it lacked some things to make me more invested.

This book is a really cozy f/f romance that focuses on the sense of community and taking care of each other, and lets the relatioship build up over the course of the book. It's not one of those romances where the leads start sniping at each other on page 1 and by page 5 they are already madly making out - as I said, the book leads you on a journey. I really liked the disability rep, and the opposites seemed, well, opposite enough to make the whole thawing of ice feel rewarding. One more thing that endeared the book to me is that it's set in Australia and not the US or the UK. Always welcome a variety!

4/5, enjoyed myself a lot and would look forward to more books from the author.

Loved the concept, loved the sapphic rep and most importantly the disability rep was super well done! However, the book was a bit too cozy for my taste and leaned towards women’s fiction more than romance. I would recommend to people who like cozy, low stakes books along the lines of Frederik Backmann (I prefer silly, over the top, funny romances to cozy ones, but that’s just a personal preference)

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of A Heart Full of Hope. I thought this was a good read! I especially liked the disability representation. The grumpy dog added some comedic effects.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I wish I had enjoyed this one as much as anticipated. It's sapphic and heart felt and the ending DID make me cry.

However, the romance doesn't really get going until 70%, and then it feels rushed because they've spent the whole book sniping or just agreeing that they aren't compatible.

When the spice hits, it's lackluster, luke warm spice. And that's all you get.

I adored George and his role in the book. He was my favorite character. I also love the amputee/disability rep in the book as it's done so well.

I wish this hit better for me, because some moments were really cute but it was very slow and dragged on quite a bit in the middle.

I enjoyed this one though It's not my favourite from Cheyenne Blue (that's switcheroo), but it was still enjoyable. I wasn't super super invested in the romance but I did like them together, however, I really just loved the rest of the story. I liked Hazel and her story as an amputee, her relationship with George, and I just really loved seeing her growth throughout the book.

But most importantly so many bonus points for all the Matildas references!

This is a story about small town Handywoman Hazel who has a prosthetic leg and has learned to do more than a handicap person is expected to do. She’s very self confident and works two jobs to make ends meet. Imogen is business executive, whose uncle lives in the same small town as Hazel. Uncle George is suffering from a broken hip and Hazel is always helping him with small tasks.

Imogene comes to visit to make sure that Uncle George is ok. She immediately suspects that Hazel is trying to get money from Uncle George and confronts her with the accusation. Hazel of course is highly offended and thus begins dislike between them.

Uncle George was my favorite character in the book. His devious matchmaking skills were top notch. And his dog was a big part of the story. I liked Hazel best because of her positive and helpful personality. Imogene was all ice queen and not a happy person. They made an unlikely couple. Which made me find this book hard to fully enjoy.

Blue did a fantastic job with Hazel’s disability it showed her in a completely open and honest way and showed her character strength to overcome her handicap.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Cheyenne Blue returns with another charming rom-com style story with A Heart Full of Hope, set in a small Aussie country town with a couple of independent and relatable MCs, a lovable grumpy dog, and a meddling old man.

Hazel juggles her job as a delivery driver with growing her own handywoman business, though she feels it's progressing too slowly. Determined not to let her prosthesis hold her back, she never says no to helping a friend. So, when her elderly friend George takes a fall and needs extra care, Hazel steps up without hesitation.

Imogen, George’s sceptical niece, isn’t so sure of Hazel’s intentions. Coming in from the city, she wonders what this young woman could want with her uncle. But as she spends more time with Hazel, she finds herself drawn to her in ways she never expected. While focused on ensuring her uncle's comfort, Imogen also begins questioning her own life choices and what truly matters.

A Heart Full of Hope is a delightful mix of friends-to-lovers, opposites-attract, slow-burn romance with a perfect grumpy-sunshine dynamic. Blue infuses the story with just the right tropes for every mood, offering low angst and the steamy moments she’s known for. The story weaves through the lives of Hazel and Imogen, with George and his best mate adding humour and heartfelt moments, making this story both laugh-out-loud funny and deeply touching.

I received and ARC from YLVA Publishing via NetGalley and am leaving an honest review.

This small town romance began with doubts and mistrusts. As a reader, it was fun watching the ice melt as the embraceable characters were able to recognize the truth, realities and goodness in the other.

The center of story centered around George, an elderly man who lived alone with his dog, Chip. When George broke his hip, he needed help. Hazel was 25, an amputee with a prosthesis she called Petunia. She was generous with her time and her heart, always finding time to help him. She also used her skills as a handyman to make his house more manageable as he recovered from his hip surgery.

Hazel’s part time job was as a delivery driver for a local convenience store. She also volunteered at the library on “Borrow a Person days.” Patrons could borrow her for 20 minutes and ask whatever they wished to learn about her, an activity that involved changing prejudices one person at a time.

Imogen, age 34, was George’s niece who also loved her uncle and did what she could for him. She lived in another town, working in a management position, educated, dressing professionally and quite the contrast to Hazel.

When she first came upon the scene, Hazel saw Imogen as prickly, cold and untrusting, but also gorgeous. On the other hand, Imogen wondered if Hazel could be trusted, fearful that she may be trying to defraud him in some way.

Henry was caught in the middle, a wonderful, friendly, outgoing character who saw the good in all. He was actually responsible for instigating the romance as he prodded them both towards appreciating the other. At first I did have a bit of trouble imagining these two opposites together, but Henry was the wise man because the romance did become a lovely and unforgettable one.

This story had so many wonderful moments as Cheyenne Blue always builds great characters. I’ve enjoyed many books I’ve read by her. She also manages to be able to place the reader in the Australian setting. This was mostly true in Switcheroo, but I was also able to get the feeling in this story.

My thanks to NetGalley and Ylva Publishing for the arc in exchange for my honest review.