High Hopes

High Hopes

Sue Lilley

  • 4.2 out of 5
  • 220 ratings
  • 270 pages
  • PG-13
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Overall Content Rating: Parents Strongly Cautioned PG-13

This is adult contemporary fiction about middle-aged friends whose lives unravel when old secrets surface: a one-night liaison years ago, a concealed pregnancy and adoption, marriages strained by affairs and loss, and a grown child seeking connection. Expect emotional confrontations, drinking, and messy loyalty among people who have known each other for decades. Parents should expect moderate strong language and moderate sexual content among adults, including topless sunbathing, party behavior, and short intimate scenes. Themes include miscarriage and longing for children, infertility grief, betrayal between spouses and friends, and a minor reference to a possibly gay supporting character. Violence is minimal; profanity and sexual situations are the main maturity factors.

How content ratings are chosen

Reviews first uploaded September 29, 2026 10:20 pm. Revised October 7, 2026 1:59 pm. Page updated October 7, 2026 1:59 pm.

These summaries are AI-generated from relevant Amazon reviews of this book.

Crude Mild

28

Characters often call themselves or others foolish in blunt terms during guilt, divorce talk, and secret-keeping; this is verbal roughness rather than graphic vulgar jokes.

Amazon reviews mentioning crude

Specific words
  • stupid: 21
  • idiot: 6
  • suck: 1

Fbombs Moderate

26

Strong four-letter language appears on a recurring basis across the book, often tied to surprise, sexual tension, anger, and high-stress confrontations rather than constant every-page use.

Amazon reviews mentioning swearing

Specific words
  • fuck: 26

Profanity Moderate

56

Adult characters regularly use mild and moderate swearing in internal monologue, banter, and arguments, including insults aimed at ex-partners and family. Emphasis and frustration appear throughout social scenes and reconciliations.

Amazon reviews mentioning profanity

Specific words
  • hell: 20
  • shit: 19
  • bastard: 7
  • damn: 7
  • bitch: 3

Sex Moderate

9

The story centers on adult relationships, a long-ago drunken encounter, and present-day attraction. There are a few brief steamy scenes including partial nudity, groping, and one explicit moment of climax; reviews describe the sexual material as moderate rather than prolonged or graphic throughout.

Amazon reviews mentioning sex

Specific words
  • topless: 3
  • grope: 2
  • tit: 2
  • boob: 1
  • orgasm: 1

Violence Mild

4

Physical harm is limited: past school bullying is referenced, a door is forced open in an emergency, and an object is broken in emotional distress. There is no sustained graphic violence.

Amazon reviews mentioning violence

Specific words
  • kick: 3
  • smash: 1

LGBTQ+ Mild

A supporting gallery owner is described as suspected to be gay; identity is background color in the ensemble rather than a main plot lane.

Amazon reviews mentioning lgbtq

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About this book

"It was one stolen night. He was my soulmate and I'd never felt more alive. I couldn't tell him I got pregnant. It would've ruined everything. But now his daughter wants to meet him and I need to make things right." Another tear escaped down her cheek. "Everybody's going to hate me." Best friends are rocked by a heart-breaking revelation. Their cosy world is blown apart, surely there can be no second chances. How can a future be built on the quicksand of secrets and lies? Steamy, passionate, and unpredictable. If you like sizzling love triangles, don't miss this uplifting romance. Grace has a heart-rending secret - a love child she gave up for adoption. She was a penniless student, how could she raise a baby alone? Now, years later, her long-lost daughter is searching for answers and Grace gets a letter that will change everything. The father is her best friend, who never knew about the baby. If Grace confesses now, she'll destroy his marriage. But Grace yearns to do the right thing by her daughter, so does she have a choice? Highly recommended finalist in the Book Excellence Awards and the Wishing Shelf Book Awards , High Hopes is described as "...a cleverly plotted, sassy romance..." Set in the wilds of Poldark-country - the stormy cliffs and windswept beaches of Cornwall, High Hopes is an engrossing saga filled with suspense. Will Grace risk everything for a chance of happy-ever-after? Her dilemma is sure to melt your heart. Read more