In “Blind Expectations,” Romance Meets Family Drama

Blind Expectations by C.D. Hamilton

Coming from a low-class neighborhood meant Pete had to work three jobs to afford a spot at Stepney Green, his prestigious New Jersey college. Most of all, he thought that college would be the perfect opportunity for finding true love. Instead, he graduates with a hard-earned degree, a promise to stay in touch with his best friend, Corinne, and a laundry list of failed romances. But what if the woman he’s meant to be with has been right in front of him this whole time?

Blind Expectations by C.D. Hamilton is a romance and family drama that focuses on reality, personal growth and true love. 

ROMANCE THAT HAS HEART

Pete enjoys romance movies — but swears to never watch them again when his best friend on campus, Corinne, says they might be putting ideas in his head. He needs to have realistic expectations about love. The irony lies in the fact that Pete isn’t aware he’s often living in his own romantic comedy. His life is a series of dating mishaps, first dates, love confessions and New Year’s Eve kisses in the snow. What could make a better rom-com?

A COMING OF AGE STORY

The best part of this novel is Pete’s growth as a character. He’s raised by a single mother and is trying to avoid becoming everything his brother is: unmotivated, cruel and jealous. His ambition is his greatest strength, and it’s magnified by his willingness to grow from and honor his past, rather than bury it.

Even Pete’s poor track record in dating never deters him from finding love. But woman after woman shatters his heart in cruel ways — by avoiding him, talking behind his back, or texting him that it’s done.

Focusing on his strength and the ability to overcome the darkest parts of his life helps Pete determine that he needs to move forward. Life starts looking up for him when he lands a job at a news station, moves out of his house and works on his very first novel — all about his romantic endeavors, with his cruel exes starring as the villains. Pete’s every dream comes true when he picks up an agent and a publisher and soars to fame. Still, he can’t shake the feeling that something is missing from his life, and his best friend reminds him of that.

TRUE LOVE CAN BE FOUND

Corinne never strays far from Pete. She is loyal, always offering advice and going to any length to ensure Pete’s safety and happiness. Readers will see how cleverly foreshadowed their relationship is, as each of them slowly begins to question their feelings. 

Even knowing Pete’s fate, I found myself hoping for every relationship of his to succeed. I wanted Pete to find happiness just as much as he wanted it for himself. It’s easy to root for the underdog, especially when he’s portrayed as earnestly and as realistically as Pete. Blind Expectations is a perfect read for hopeless romantics who adore the “friends to lovers” trope and anyone who wants a story where true love works out in the end.

 

About C.D. Hamilton:

C.D. Hamilton has worked professionally in the writing and editing field for more than two decades. In addition to his professional work, he enjoys creative writing. His debut novel, Blind Expectations, was inspired by his interest in stories that touch the human heart. C.D. Hamilton was interviewed by Tripwire Magazine to discuss his self-published novel, a love story with a family drama subplot, in October 2020. A fantasy short story by C.D. Hamilton is to appear in the Kent Menace comics series in 2023.