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Book Review: Hope Harbor

Hope Harbor

Hope Harbor – Irene Hannon – Revell – Published 7 July 2015

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Synopsis

Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life–and love–altered her plans.
When tragedy strikes and changes her plans yet again, she finds herself back in her hometown with a floundering farm to run and a heartbreaking secret. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter’s. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help save a struggling charitable organization, the winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives–including their own.

My thoughts

It took me a little while to get truly immersed in this story. Although I knew it was written by Irene Hannon, who consistently writes fantastic suspense and lovely contemporary, I was otherwise unaware of the true bones of this story. But when I did get further into the story, I was captivated by the town of Hope Harbor and its assortment of colourful residents.
Michael Hunter might have thought the town of Hope Harbor was the perfect vacation place to sort out his troubled thoughts, but he never quite expected how much it would impact him. From the taco vendor who offers him guidance, the woman who almost knocks him over with her bike and the grumpy elderly lady who grudgingly offers him a place to stay, Hope Harbor is set to change Michael’s life – and all this on the first day. But what is great about this book is the way Michael in turn impacts the inhabitants of Hope Harbor. Anna, the aforementioned reluctant landlady who has closed herself off from the world, and Tracy, a young and recently widowed, struggling cranberry farmer, are equally transformed by the visitor.

The whole story loops together, with intertwining story lines. The story is told from Michael, Tracy and Anna’s points of view, in third person, with a few chapters from Anna’s son. As is often the way with Irene Hannon’s contemporaries, you get two stories in one. Michael is charming, and I liked how the romance develops slowly between him and Tracy and how they carefully discuss each step together. The background setting of a foggy, seaside town provides the perfect ambience for this story of love, forgiveness and new beginnings.

The publishers provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

More information

Category: Fiction

Genre: Christian contemporary.

Themes: Romance. Contemporary.

Published: 7 July 2015 by Revell.

Format: Paperback, ebook. 336 pages.

Find it on Goodreads

2 Comments

  1. Irene Hannon

    I’m so glad you enjoyed this! Thank you for reviewing–and please watch for future stories set in Hope Harbor.

    • Madison's Library

      Thank you Irene. I will certainly look out for the next books set in Hope Harbor, and I’m particularly looking forward to Thin Ice, book two in the Men of Valor series. Can’t wait.

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