Review: "Blackberry Beach" by Irene Hannon

It's time for a return to Hope Harbor - one of my favorite book series!

Review: "Starfish Pier" by Irene Hannon

Now that Hallmark and Netflix are both into the "turn romance book series into TV shows" game, I'm thinking one of them needs to turn the Hope Harbor series into a show! I know I would love to connect with these characters on a weekly basis 🙂

Review: "Driftwood Bay" by Irene Hannon

Every return to Hope Harbor is like going home. Irene Hannon has created a wonderful town that's always a pleasure to visit—it's the hometown you wish you had.

"Pelican Point" by Irene Hannon

I know I sound like a broken record when it comes to Irene Hannon's Hope Harbor series ... but these books remind me of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series. And that's a very good thing!

"sea rose lane" by irene hannon

Last summer, Irene Hannon introduced readers to Hope Harbor, a small coastal Oregon town. In Sea Rose Lane, she returns to that setting for another delightful installment of small-town life.

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Two people starting over . . . in a town known for second chances

After a devastating layoff, attorney Eric Nash heads back to Hope Harbor--only to discover that his childhood home is being transformed into a bed and breakfast. Instead of plotting his next career move in peace, he's constantly distracted by noise, chaos--and BJ Stevens, the attractive but prickly blonde architect who's invaded the house with her motley crew. As for BJ, her client's son might be handsome, but after a disastrous romance, dating isn't high on her agenda. Yet when they join forces for to help Hope Harbor seniors, might they also find healing, hope, and a new beginning themselves?

Come home to Hope Harbor--where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

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When I reviewed Hope Harbor last summer, I said that it reminded me of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series. That Cedar Cove vibe is alive and well in Sea Rose Lane, and that's a great thing!

Sea Rose Lane focuses on contractor BJ and attorney Eric. Though their first meeting does not endear them to one another, their paths keep crossing, and they soon begin falling for each other. Their romance was sweet, and I also enjoyed their individual personal journeys. However, the characters I most cared for in Sea Rose Lane were involved in the secondary plot: Cuban refugee Luis and octogenarian Eleanor. Their stories intertwined in a way that I did not immediately anticipate, yet it made perfect sense. There was a realism to both of their stories that I found quite touching.

Other minor characters brought a liveliness to the town. Reverend Baker and Father Kevin provided some comic relief, and I hope to see more of them in future novels. I also loved, loved, loved Charley, the town taco truck owner and resident artist. He has appeared in both Hope Harbor and Sea Rose Lane, and there seems to be a bit of mysticism to him. I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that he's an angel ... but I guess I'll just have to keep reading the Hope Harbor series to find out!

While a few times the romantic dialogue registered a little high on the "cheese-o-meter," overall, Sea Rose Lane was a delightful read. I love visiting Hope Harbor, and I can't wait to return again next summer for Sandpiper Cove. 4 stars.

Note: Though Sea Rose Lane is the second book in Hannon's Hope Harbor series, it can be enjoyed without first having read Hope Harbor. The two novels share several supporting characters, but the main characters' stories are contained within each novel.

Buy the book.
Read my review of Hope Harbor (4-1/2 stars).

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Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than forty-five romantic suspense and contemporary romance/women's fiction novels, including the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series, along with That Certain Summer and One Perfect Spring. Her books have garnered dozens of honors, including two coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America. She is also a two-time Christy Award finalist. IreneHannon.com

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell through the Revell Reads program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"hope harbor" by irene hannon

Fans of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series will want to check out Irene Hannon's Hope Harbor!

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Come home to Hope Harbor--where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

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. Now she's home again--with a floundering farm to run . . . a tragic secret . . . and a wounded heart. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter's. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets and devastating regrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help with a project that is close to her heart, winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives--including their own.

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The instant I started reading Hope Harbor, I was reminded of Cedar Cove, the setting of many of Debbie Macomber's books (and the Hallmark Channel series of the same name). I love the Cedar Cove world, so the comparison is quite favorable. 

Hope Harbor is the story of three hurting people: Michael and Tracy, who both lost their spouses and carry a lot of guilt over their roles in the deaths, and Anna, who became a recluse after becoming estranged from her son. Though none are particularly ready to allow anyone else in, God (often through taco truck owner Charley) keeps throwing them together in ways that can't help but spur healing.

The novel moves fairly slowly, but it never becomes boring. Though there are serious subjects in the novel, the tone is light and breezy and warm. I did wish for more time with some of the other residents of Hope Harbor: one scene near the end of the novel involving Reverend Baker and Father Kevin, the town's two clergymen, had me snickering, and I wish their personalities had a chance to come through earlier on. Hopefully they, as well as other minor characters, will become more prominent in future novels. The next novel in the Hope Harbor series releases next summer, and you can bet I'll be looking for it! 4-1/2 stars.

Buy the book.
Read an excerpt. 

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Irene Hannon is the bestselling author of more than forty-five romantic suspense and contemporary romance/women's fiction novels, including the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series, along with That Certain Summer and One Perfect Spring. Her books have garnered dozens of honors, including two coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America. She is also a two-time Christy Award finalist. IreneHannon.com

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell through the Revell Reads program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."