Book Description
Buying a haunted house was never in Ashley Scott's plans, but when an intriguing opportunity drops into her lap after a major setback, she finds herself trekking cross-country to Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast to launch a new life.
Wounded warrior Jonathan Gray isn't sure what to make of the attractive woman on his reclusive older neighbor's isolated property, but her presence is none of his business--until she enlists his help with an ambitious project. When Jonathan finds his interest in the new arrival becoming more personal than professional, however, his defenses go up. There's no room in his life--or his heart--for romance.
Yet, as these three hurting people join forces to restore life, laughter, and love to a historic estate that has known too much sadness, they may also find healing, hope, and happiness for themselves.
Bestselling author Irene Hannon invites you back to Hope Harbor, where hearts heal and love blooms.
Wounded warrior Jonathan Gray isn't sure what to make of the attractive woman on his reclusive older neighbor's isolated property, but her presence is none of his business--until she enlists his help with an ambitious project. When Jonathan finds his interest in the new arrival becoming more personal than professional, however, his defenses go up. There's no room in his life--or his heart--for romance.
Yet, as these three hurting people join forces to restore life, laughter, and love to a historic estate that has known too much sadness, they may also find healing, hope, and happiness for themselves.
Bestselling author Irene Hannon invites you back to Hope Harbor, where hearts heal and love blooms.
Review
I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.
While this book is the ninth in the Hope Harbor series, it can be read as a standalone. This is the only book I've read in the series but the small town cast of characters enhanced the story and it wasn't confusing at all.
Windswept Way is the name of a road along the Pacific coastline that leads to a Victorian mansion that is the home of a recluse and loads of local rumors. Ashley sees the potential of the mansion as an events venue and strikes out to revive the historic home, with help from Jon, a war vet with visible scars that have made him leary of forming connctions in the small community. Ashley is also nursing a broken heart but they each see the kindness and generosity in each other and love blossoms.
I will say that I had a hard time settling into this book. The story premise was fine, the writing is fine it was very slow paced. Maybe I was also short on time. It sat unread about 1/3 of the way in for weeks. But as I came back to it and kept reading, it was okay and I was thinking it would be a two star read for me. It really redeemed itself in the last third of the book which drew me in more than the earlier portions of the book had. The final third of the book is filled with deep insight and I tabbed so many pages! The way Ashley and Jon both addressed their worries over a relationship between them - internally and with each other - was mature and absolutely refreshing. No whiny angst that drug on for pages, no beating around the bush with each other....I had to add a star which I did not see coming!
I certainly plan to pick up more by Irene Hannon and look forward to encountering the people in Hope Harbor again (Charley, the clergy and those seagulls!)
I received a ARC from the publisher; this is my honest review.
Windswept Way is the name of a road along the Pacific coastline that leads to a Victorian mansion that is the home of a recluse and loads of local rumors. Ashley sees the potential of the mansion as an events venue and strikes out to revive the historic home, with help from Jon, a war vet with visible scars that have made him leary of forming connctions in the small community. Ashley is also nursing a broken heart but they each see the kindness and generosity in each other and love blossoms.
I will say that I had a hard time settling into this book. The story premise was fine, the writing is fine it was very slow paced. Maybe I was also short on time. It sat unread about 1/3 of the way in for weeks. But as I came back to it and kept reading, it was okay and I was thinking it would be a two star read for me. It really redeemed itself in the last third of the book which drew me in more than the earlier portions of the book had. The final third of the book is filled with deep insight and I tabbed so many pages! The way Ashley and Jon both addressed their worries over a relationship between them - internally and with each other - was mature and absolutely refreshing. No whiny angst that drug on for pages, no beating around the bush with each other....I had to add a star which I did not see coming!
I certainly plan to pick up more by Irene Hannon and look forward to encountering the people in Hope Harbor again (Charley, the clergy and those seagulls!)
I received a ARC from the publisher; this is my honest review.
I gave this book: ★★★
★ = I did not like it ★★ = It was okay ★★★ = I liked it ★★★★ = I really liked it ★★★★★ = I loved it
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