Hopeless

Hopeless is a contemporary, small-town romance novel by Canadian author Elsie Silver. Originally self-published in 2023, the title is the final installment in Silver’s Chestnut Springs series. Shortly after Beau Eaton returns from his military tour in Afghanistan, he starts frequenting the local bar, The Railspur, where he forms a connection with bartender Bailey Jansen. When Beau suggests that he and Bailey fake their wedding engagement to improve her reputation in town, Bailey agrees, but the ruse gets complicated when the characters start falling for each other. Told from Beau’s and Bailey’s alternating first-person points of view, Hopeless explores themes including the Transformative Power of Love, Combating Reputational Stigma in a Small-Town Community, and the Journey Toward Self-Discovery and Autonomy.

This guide refers to the 2024 Bloom Books paperback edition of the novel.

Content Warning: The source text and guide feature depictions of sexual content, cursing, substance use, mental illness, sexual harassment, bullying, and violence.

Plot Summary

After serving a military tour in Afghanistan, 35-year-old Beau Eaton returns to his hometown of Chestnut Springs. He finds it difficult to work with his family at their Wishing Well Ranch and gets into frequent spats with his brothers, Rhett and Cade Eaton. One day, he storms off the ranch and heads to the local bar, The Railspur. There, he strikes up a conversation with the bartender, 22-year-old Bailey Jansen. He knows most people in town don’t care for Bailey, but Beau feels relieved at being in her forgiving presence.

Beau frequents the bar every night during Bailey’s shift for the next few weeks. Then one night, Bailey sneaks off her own family’s property to get some air and runs into Beau down by the river behind his house. She admits that her brothers, Seth and Aaron Jansen, have been harassing her, and she doesn’t have air conditioning in the trailer she rents from them. Beau invites her in for the night, and they end up snuggling.

Not long after, Beau suggests that he and Bailey pretend to be engaged. He recognizes how hard she has it in Chestnut Springs and wants to help. Because of Bailey’s brothers’ negative reputation, no one will hire Bailey for a second job or approve her for her own apartment. Beau thinks that if she is associated with him, a hometown hero, her circumstances will improve. A hesitant Bailey agrees.

Beau helps Bailey move her trailer onto his property. Shortly thereafter, they visit Wishing Well Ranch and announce their engagement to Beau’s family. Bailey feels awkward, but everyone seems to believe their ruse. Afterward, however, Beau’s best friend Jasper Gervais learns the truth; he promises to keep Beau’s secret but warns Beau to be careful.

Beau and Bailey start spending all of their time together. Bailey temporarily vacates her trailer and moves into Beau’s house because of the heat. One night, she hears Beau screaming and moaning in the room across the hall. Although it is 2 am, she pushes into the room and holds him. He admits that he has the same nightmare every night. The dream is a replay of the night he saved his buddy Micah from a burning bunker. Bailey comforts him for a long time.

Over the following nights, Bailey starts waking Beau up before he has the bad dream. She invites him out to the river, and they skinny dip together. In the water, they start talking about their lives, sharing their fears and hardships, dreams and longings.

In the meantime, Bailey and Beau perform their alleged love for each other wherever they go. Beau defends Bailey when people harass her in public, and they kiss passionately at local restaurants and country events. Finally, one night, Bailey confronts Beau, asking why he never kisses her voluntarily in private. Beau gives in and kisses her.

Beau and Bailey become increasingly confused about the parameters of their relationship. Beau is developing feelings for Bailey but fears taking advantage of her or holding her back. He knows she is desperate to save money and leave town, and he does not want to quash her dreams with his own. Meanwhile, Bailey fears confessing her feelings to Beau. She thinks he wants a life in Chestnut Springs and does not want to keep him from his family or the ranch.

Finally, the lovers admit that they want to be together. They end their fake engagement and start dating for real. Not long later, however, Beau reveals that he owns The Railspur, angering Bailey. She has always seen the bar as the one place where she was able to gain respect without anyone else’s help. Now she feels as if Beau manipulated her fate and is treating her like a charity case. Beau tries to explain otherwise, insisting he bought the place a few years prior to ensure she kept her job. Three days later, Bailey finally forgives Beau.

Bailey heads into the city to tour a few college campuses. Beau asks her for a ride. When they arrive in the city, he asks her to drop him off at a local fire station where he plans to interview. Bailey is surprised and moved. While touring schools and viewing apartments, she realizes she must have Beau in her life. She speeds back to the firehouse and professes her love. The two decide to move to the city together.

Bailey and Beau buy a house in the city and settle into their new life. They host a family dinner with all their friends and family. Not long later, they attend Cade and Willa Grant’s wedding. At the reception, Bailey and Beau make plans for their own wedding.