Hard to image that Virginia Hume can top this debut novel. Her characters are extraordinary in their ordinariness. Mother, Father, Son, Daughter, Son, Granddaughter, in a story so familiar it fits like a well worn shirt. In Maine there is an expression that you can’t get there from here - put more aptly you can’t belong here if you are from there.This theme repeats through the generations in a place called Haven Point.

This family saga was such a surprise. I did not expect to be sucked in so completely. What makes this story so successful is that it ties all the personalities and familial situations so effectively to the place. If Haven Point is the focus, Maren is the glue that holds all pieces of the puzzle from the first glimmer of love to the silent protection of her last family member. In the rarified places of Haven Point she is constantly reminded of her outlier status. She is an inspiration. She is bullied and rallies, betrayed and rallies, devastated and rallies. She finds reason in confusion, faith in uncertainty, friendship amidst snobbery and elitism. She is every woman who has loved, found true friendship, faced adversity, and lost more than can ever be explained. Much of it happens in the stronghold of Haven Point and what doesn’t circles back there as a place to find solace and strength.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy.

I went into reading Haven Point completely blind and I’m glad I did. Haven Point is about the women of the Demarest Family, one of the oldest families of Haven Point Maine. Maren is Annie’s mother and Skye’s grandmother. The story alternates timelines starting with the beginning of Maren’s story as a nurse cadet meeting Dr Oliver Demarest and their lives and Skye’s unstable life with Annie as a struggling alcoholic and eccentric artist. When Annie dies, Skye learns that things were not what they seemed and her outlook on life and Haven Point is very narrow minded.

This is a well written story about love, family, secrets and perceptions of each character throughout the book. The middle of the book drags a bit as it’s setting the stage for the big story reveal but the ending is worth it. A solid read for someone looking for a historical fiction or family/women’s fiction read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Haven Point by Virginia Hume is a multi-generational family saga starting with WWII to more recent times. I loved this book which reminded me of family sagas similar to The Thornbirds in the ’70s. The writing is excellent, the characters are compelling and the story is addictive. This plot revolves around three generations of women led by Maren, Annie, and Skye who are from the Boston blue-blood Demarest family and part of a tight click of families who spend their summers at Haven Point in Maine. Times are not always easy. But other women in this novel are supporters, who encourage and look after each other which is yet another reason to love this story. Strong friendships forged in hard times are long-lasting. There remain rivalries between old money and new money but, the presence of wars brings about equality whether wanted or not. There are so many great things about this book that I sincerely encourage you to read Haven Point. It will be one of my favorite reads not just this summer, but for the year.

This multi-generational story follows mother and granddaughter through the years, anchoring each in the idyllic town of Haven Point. Told in alternating viewpoints, we see how Haven Point has weighed into each of them throughout the years.

As a New Englander, the setting is appealing. I’m a fan of historical fiction, and I requested to read this from St. Martin’s because the blurb showed the timeline through two wars and beyond. It feels like a reach calling this historical fiction. While mentioning things in each generation is historical, the book is definitely more women’s fiction. I found myself drawn into Maren’s story the most, though Skye’s story is interesting too.

I confess to skimming pages occasionally when the book got repetitive in the day-to-day or the descriptions that didn’t feel necessary. But I gave this book 4-stars for a reason, and it’s because the storyline is a good read. I appreciate Hume tackled some heavy issues in a way that was relatable to the reader. Overall, this is an enjoyable read.

This is my first book by this author and I was very impressed. Three strong women that span 3 generations and keep a bond, no matter what; did not matter if it was war or secrets. Very moving and well written. This did not blow me away but it also was not lagging story-telling. I just may have read this at the wrong time.. Nothing I have not heard from other war historical fiction.

Still recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley, Viirginia Hume and St Martins Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 6/8/21

A beautifully written debut that goes back and forth from the past with Maren, the grandmother and the present with her granddaughter, Skye. I enjoyed Marens story a lot. She seemed to be a very strong heroine that overcame some rough trials in her life. Interesting characters and turn of events and although a bit sad, a good closure for all. Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the ARC

Washington D.C. and Haven Point, Maine - 1944 to 2008

The seemingly idyllic spot known as Haven Point along the Maine coast has been home to generations of families who have summered there. For Maren Demarest, it started out as the summer home of her husband's family, a place she had to grow accustomed to. Coming from a Midwest farming background, Maren was not used to the upper crust lifestyle that this enclosed community held to. But, as the years went by, taking her children to Maine to avoid the sweltering Washington D.C. weather, Maren felt that she was almost fitting in. She had a few close friends who understood her mother-in-law's alcoholism, as well as her father-in-law's miserable treatment of his wife. Maren's husband, Oliver, a surgeon who maintained his practice in D.C., came up on weekends. Now, it is home to Maren. Her in-laws are dead, her husband has passed away, and now her daughter, Annie, is gone. The one who will inherit Four Winds, the Demarest home in Haven Point, will be Skye, Annie's daughter, hopefully.

Maren and Oliver met at Walter Reed Army Hospital in 1944. A Cadet Nurse Corps member, Maren had come from Minnesota to do her duty. She met Oliver in the amputee ward where he was treating several of the patients she cared for. They started dating, and, despite Oliver being pursued by Haven Point girls, he asked Maren to marry him. To say that she was readily accepted at the Maine community was stretching it a bit, but Maren didn't let the snobbery get to her, well, too much anyway. She and Oliver had three children. Billy, the eldest, Annie, and Charlie. All three loved Haven Point for its freedom, for the sailing, and the friends they made. But an event happened when Annie was in her late teens that made Haven Point a place she would avoid forever.

Skye, Annie's only child, grew up with the feeling that Haven Point is not a place her mother ever loved. Visiting her grandparents there, Skye wasn't sure she was accepted despite the Demarest name (Skye's mother never told her who her father was). Most of the time when she visited Maine, it was because her mother was back in rehab, so Skye was never sure who in Haven Point knew what about her life. And she would never reveal why she was there or where her mother was. Her loyalty was to her mother, no matter what. As an adult, Skye wanted to be a writer, but ended up working in Washington D.C. for a politician in order to be closer to her mother. Skye always felt that she had to be there to pick her mother up when things went wrong. But she couldn't be there all of the time.

A multi-generational story, HAVEN POINT is a debut novel for author Virginia Hume. The characters are so real, so understandable, that it's not difficult to lose yourself quickly in this book. If readers have never been to the coast of Maine, the beautiful descriptions of its rocky shores will give the perfect vision. Maren's feelings of alienation at first are not far from the truth when it comes to New Englanders' ability to take time to warm up to strangers. But strong friendships are made and Maren realizes what is at the heart of this community. Annie's avoidance is made clear eventually, but will Skye ever warm to the Haven Point life?

A romance, a mystery, a story of life, HAVEN POINT is a terrific way to start off the summer reading time.

This is a beautiful story about family ties, secrets, and the power of community follows Maren Demarest, her daughter Annie Demarest, and her granddaughter, Skye Demarest, alternating between Maren’s point of view and Skye’s while revealing Annie’s struggles through the eyes of both women.

The story begins in WWII with Maren and Oliver meeting while working at Walter Reed Medical Center. Then alternates to Skye in 2008 who is dealing with her own fast paced life. Annie’s story is woven through both women and the setting is mainly Haven Point, Maine.

I enjoyed the raw family heartache, triumph, and struggle this story showed about a family who loves fiercely, radiates loyalty, and champions self-discovery. The imagery Virginia Hume uses made me want to pack my bags and travel to Maine.

I highly recommend this book; I was sucked in from the very beginning of this family’s journey.

Hume’s story of three generations of Demarest women who summer at Haven Point in Maine is excellent. It is told from three different viewpoints Marne, the grandmother, Annie, her daughter, and Skye, Annie’s daughter. It covers the time from the 1940s until present day. Multiple viewpoints and timelines are two literary structures I always enjoy and this was no exception. This would be an great beach read but it has more substance than typical summer fare. I highly recommend it! I thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Well Done! I thoroughly, thor-oughly enjoyed this book. I am very particular about books listed in the 'Fiction' category because they lack depth, and character development. Ms. Hume did an excellent job, presenting a story that had depth, with a sweeping family saga and interesting, well developed characters.
I enjoyed the setting, a rocky coastal town in Maine and the family legacy brought to life by this Author. I also thought she did an excellent job, with sensitive subjects such as alcoholism, family trauma and war.
I look forward to reading more books from this talented Author.
Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to review this book.
jb
https://seniorbooklounge.blogspot.com/

This well-written book was quite an emotional story. There is strong sense of place and well-developed characters especially Maren, Annie and Skye who each felt like outsiders in Haven Point. This impressive debut was a satisfying read as each woman tried to find their place in a community that was not accepting of people unlike themselves.

I’ll be anxious to read what Virginia Hume writes next.

Virginia Hume has written a bestseller that can’t be put down until finished. Haven Point is where the elite vacation in the summer and have for many generations. This is the story of one of those families and how the feeling of not belonging affects two more generations. The story is told over time and has many turns that are completely unexpected. Haven Point is a beautiful yet at times tragic book. I highly recommend this book and I am grateful to NetGalley for my requested ARC and the opinion given is all my own.

I had very high hopes for this book based on the synopsis however the book itself fell flat. I found it extremely difficult to get into and difficult to stay engaged.

Haven Point is a historical novel and the story of a family. It takes place in Haven Point, Maine from 1944 to 2008. It is the story of a family, of betrayal, and of a place.

I wanted to read this novel because I was intrigued with the time sweep from 1944 to 1970's to more recent days. I love an old fashioned family saga and always seek out this type of book.

The author skillfully interweaves a number of storylines taking place over a span of 70+ years. The historical details from earlier periods is interesting and well done. I recommend this novel for fans of historical fiction and especially for anyone who loves a multi-generational family story.

An interesting family saga involving a summertime community in Maine with plenty of misunderstandings and secrets. Going back and forth in time, it tells the story of the Demarest family and their summer home in Maine. It traces the story of the marriage of Maren and Oliver up to present day with Maren's granddaughter Skye. It did feel somewhat disjointed in places as though the author could not decide which direction to go in. Maren and Oliver had 3 children but only two were every really part of the story which seemed a little off. It was an entertaining read but not one of the best.

What a great story! Spanning decades of a family and their Maine summer residence. Amazing how they lived in shame and secrets. tragedy and turmoil unnecessarily! The truth prevails in the end! A must read!

5 Big Stars. Loved every minute of this debut novel by author Virginia Hume. Can not wait to read more by Virginia Hume. Once I started I could not put it down. Loved it!!
This is a multi-generational family saga that spans seven decades. With a interwoven plot line.. This story is beautifully written with powerful and endearing characters.
Thank You NetGalley for the opportunity to read and give an honest review.

I received a free e-ARC of this book through Netgalley.

It's a multi-generational story from two POV: Maren and her granddaughter Skye as they both try to take charge of their lives centered around Haven Point where Maren's husband's family lived for many generations in an insular well-to-do northeastern enclave. In-between them is Annie: Maren's daughter and Sky's mother who is an artist who veers between sobreiety and alcohol treatment.

It is an okay story, but the characters surrounding Maren and Skye are not very likable except for Sky's friend Adriene. It's also a bit slow at times, but in the end, it makes a worthwhile read.

Haven Point is a breathtaking family saga, beautifully written and completely enthralling. Told from the point of view of Maren and her granddaughter Skye, I was swept up in this highly emotional story. I felt deeply for Skye and Marin, caring about what happened to them, feeling their love, their grief, their confusion and their hope. Haven Point is a an enclave of privilege on the Maine Coast, and much of the story revolves around the tension between the people who’ve lived there for generations and the newcomers who are never sure if they will ever truly belong. Filled with complex and unforgettable characters, this book worked its way into all the crevices of my heart.

Love, Heartbreak, Forgiveness, Hope

This is a saga of a vacation home called Fourwinds set on a hill in Haven Point, Maine. A story is told of the family living there and the residents of this small community, the Haven pointers and the outsiders. It tells of their tragedies and their triumphs as each generation plays out their lives.

The story focuses on the Demarest family living at Fourwinds estate. It starts in 1944 when a young nurse cadet Maren from Minnesota meets and falls in love with Oliver Demarest from Haven Point, Maine.

The story then focuses on Anne the daughter of Maren and Oliver, Anne’s activities in the anti-Vietnam war activities and her relationship with a boy of whom her parents did not approve. Because of the relationship with Patrick a tragedy occurred that caused Anne to never return to Haven Point.

Last of all, the story is told of Skye, Anne’s daughter and Maren and Oliver’s granddaughter with her own unique challenges. She is rebellious and hurt because of the actions of her alcoholic mother and her untimely death. She is back at Haven Point with her grandmother Maren and now she must be told the truth of the events that happened so many years ago.

This book will cause you to laugh and to cry and to want to read more. The beauty of the setting at Haven Point is gorgeous and described so. You can see the beach and the house up on the hill. The walking trails, the flowers and the Yacht clubhouse which features prominently in the story. The description of the characters is flawless. I could see them in their different styles and even the expressions on their faces at times. I loved the beehive with the pink bow.

This was a wonderful story of a family, a home and a community. I did enjoy reading it and I would recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book for an honest review. The review and the words contained are my own.

Thanks to Virginia Hume, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review the book.