Member Reviews
Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Ashley has decided she needs a change after losing her job. She decides to be part owner of a gorgeous estate that she wants to host weddings. She meets a landscaper who keeps to himself due to the scars he suffered during tge war. The mire time Ashley spends with Jon, the more she loves him. This book was well written.
I think that Windswept, is my favorite of the Hope Harbor series. It wasn't only Jon and Ashley who needed healing. Rose, Ashley's business partner, was in need of healing also. The community comes through for them in a big way. True friends are hard to find. That seems to be what the people of Hope Harbor are.
This is a review of Windswept Way by Irene Hannon. I am writing this review with a tinge of selfish sadness.I didn’t want the story to be over! But the evidence of a great book is that you think about starting back at the beginning and reading it again. Windswept Way is that kind of book!
It is the story of Ashley who is following her dream by investing herself and her money into a beautiful home and property called Edgecliff in the town of Hope Harbor, Oregon. She plans to make Edgecliff an events venue and offer tours and programs. Anyone who has read Irene Hannon’s prior Hope Harbor books already love this fictional town. Who wouldn’t want to visit there and eat a fish taco with the owner, Charley?
There are so many interesting characters in this book. The recluse owner of Edgecliff, Rose, and many other characters from past books that wander in and out of the book. But one person in particular stands out and you will enjoy learning his story. Jon is a wounded veteran who owns the landscaping company that helps make Ashley’s dreams and plans a reality. Jon’s scars are extensive on the outside and inside. He has spent years hiding them.
You will love reading as the story unfolds. Can Ashley and Jon get past the scars to the courageous man inside? This book was one of the author’s best in my opinion. Couldn’t put it down. I was given a copy by NetGalley and the publisher but the review is my opinion.
In Windswept Way, Irene Hannon transports us back to the charming Oregon town of Hope Harbor. This book explores how past hurts can hold us back if we allow them from a life fully lived. Hannon also brings to light a wounded warrior and the daily struggles he faces both physically and mentally from the radical physical changes he is now faced with from war injures. I felt she did a wonderful job helping the reader to truly understand what he was experiencing.
Ashley is fresh on the heels of a bad break up and loss of her dream job when she visits Hope Harbor to potentially buy the house she used to drive past with her father on vacation. She finds herself presented with an excellent kept historic home with breathtaking views of the ocean and a potential partner who has become a recluse due to a shattering past. We follow the two as they form a partnership and tentative friendship into a new adventure bringing many changes for both of them.
Jonathan Gray lives his life hiding in the shadows after a bomb left his face and body permanently scarred. His landscaping business offers him the perfect escape from interacting with others and putting him in the spotlight. Ashley, as one of the new owners of his customer, Edgecliff, begins to make him wonder if he could really drop the disguises and learn to live again.
This is a beautiful, thought provoking story. Hope Harbor with its enduring characters make you want to pack your bags and move there. This latest installment did not disappoint and I cannot wait to visit Hope Harbor again between the pages of a book.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.
Memories of days with her father and driving by this historical home, now with a legacy left by him. It was a beauty and not in ruins, awaiting to be restored. The ground upon entering the estate was beautifully maintain. By Jon a man who seemed to want to stay in the shadows, and the baggage of the past. Could she restore in him, to come alive and enjoy life. A good story of forgiving the past. Reaching out to people in the community and excepting their friendship, Given ARC by Net Galley and Revel for my voluntary review.
Hope Harbor never disappoints. In these pages you'll find loss and sadness, but also hope and healing--all stemming from a remodel of a historical home. It was a good reminder to me not to judge others and their choices. We all have baggage to overcome. Recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I received a free copy of, Windswept Way, by Irene Hannon, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Ashley did not intend to buy a haunted house, but she did. When Ashley moves to Hope Harbor, a lot of things happened, storms, romance, even appendicitis. A nice enjoyable read, Ashley and Jon are a refreshing couple..
A sweet, gentle love story between a wounded hero and a shy yet determined heroine, “Windswept Way”, by Irene Hannon (Revell), shows how everyone might need to take a leap of faith outside their comfort zone to reach some kind of peace and happiness.
I enjoyed Jon and Ashley’s tranquil romance and the way the author dealt with the hero’s self-image issues.
I always love a story featuring a hero trying to lick his wounds privately and being rescued by the heroine’s redeeming love, a plot so often written but always appealing.
The transition from avoidance, hiding, camouflage, to gradual unveiling and assuming the ‘issues’ (Jon’s) was a natural journey, with some setbacks, not devoid of hesitations and fears.
I appreciated that several people in the community played a role in this process of making the wounded hero abandon his need for hiding.
The aura of mystery surrounding Jon leaves us curious but all that camouflage can be a bit problematic and unpractical in personal interaction and considering his job (a landscaper).
It’s poignant how Jon sees himself as damaged goods and is resigned to a life of loneliness.
The author doesn’t shy away from the impact of Jon’s issues on others and the constant attrition their reactions means to the hero. Ugliness is not a word we usually associate with heroes.
Ashley’s energy and enthusiasm are contagious and with her kindness she’s the ideal heroine to help the hero heal psychologically.
I liked the setting, the secondary characters and the way the main characters’ jobs are interwoven into the narrative.
I love the Hope Harbor series, and I’ve enjoyed every book. I do believe this one is my favorite. Ashley is a lovely character who is determined to honor her father and make her dream come true, despite her mother’s objections. Jon has suffered wounds from war and is having a hard time adapting, even as he runs his landscape business. And Rose is a lovely 80 something who hides her talents and needs a friend. This is a beautifully written book about people needing each other and overcoming personal obstacles to pursue love. Of course taco maker and artist, Charlie has a role, as do his two pigeon friends, and a few other Hope Harbor folks appear. If you enjoy a story written with elegance and grace, you’ll want to read Windswept Way.
Windswept Way by Irene Hannon is book #9 in the Hope Harbor series. A stand alone story.
This story is unique in the way that Ashley Scott and Jonathan Gray address issues which could make one uncomfortable. Jon, severely wounded in the war, has many deforming scars. He has hidden himself away, being a landscaper, avoiding people because of the rejection he has been subjected to. Ashley, recovering from a failed relationship, finds Jon to be kind and is fascinated with his integrity. As they both wonder if a romance could develop, they find their way through prejudice at Jon's appearance. Jon takes a chance by his willingness to let Ashley see who he is, both inside and out. The book is about beauty being only skin deep and it's the heart of the person that really matters. A lovely story.
I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I really enjoyed this read! I’m coming to love the uniqueness of Hope Harbor. There are a few mysteries to unravel along the way.
There are two big themes outlined in the storyline.
One, outward appearance can be deceiving. What is in the heart is the important thing.
And two, talents are not given to hide away. They are meant to be used!
This book was well done. It kept my interest. The romance was not overly done and the characters are always interesting.
Hope Harbor is a fictional town on the Oregon Coast and it is one of those places where everyone knows everyone else and newcomers are quickly assimilated into the warp and woof of the town, because that is what the native residents do, they accept. Windswept Way is the newest novel in this series by Irene Hannon. Some authors' writings become trite and trope-ish the further they go into a series. Irene stays fresh. It's inspiring. Also, Irene didn't use the "Romance Novel Formula" in writing this book
This particular book is a bit of a Beauty and the Beast vibe with a scarred vet and a beautiful woman who has a few inner scars that don't show to the outside world. This book has much to recommend it. There are characters from previous novels in the series, but their stories are not necessarily integral to this particular tale. The setting of an old Victorian home right on the coast is just magical. Ashley is a woman everyone would love! She is able to see beneath the surface and find the real person there. She is good at drawing out the reclusive Rose into a more public persona. I absolutely loved how Irene wove the rumors of a haunted house into Rose being the eighty year old instigator of the rumor. It was a touch of humor that was unexpected, but, oh so welcome! Jon is a great protagonist, well-educated, and talented. His heart of gold is revealed in the fact that he hires ex-cons in his landscaping business, believing everyone needs a second chance.
Jon's sister, Laura, and Ashley's mother are two characters I liked least. Laura's match-making and Ashley's mother's elitism are both turn-offs for me. But that is the role those particular characters were meant to fill and they did it well.
There is a realism in the way the weather plays a part in the novel and creates a bit of tension to move the plot along.
This is a hard book to put down and do other stuff. But other stuff will always be there, the time to read is always right now! 😍
Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and an old Victorian House on the coast for your next event.
Revell Publishing provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Oh my I have truly loved this series. I loved the characters of Jonathan and Ashley. Also I never get tired of the seagull couple Floyd and Gladys. A beautiful heart warming story
This book is so heartfelt, so emotional. I loved Ashley and Jon’s story, a real Beauty and the Beast tale with so much depth. It’s about those things that keep people isolated, from the very obvious visual issues to the unseen issues of betrayal. It’s the story of friendship and the healing power of love. I loved the characters Ashley, Jon, and Rose, revisiting Hope Harbor and reading the story of the real hope that the town offers with its friendship and acceptance.
This is a nice story for fans or romance.
I received a copy from Netgalley and all opinions are my own.
In Windswept Way Irene Hannon retains her crown as queen of the slow burn romance! 5 stars!
Hope Harbor in all its small-town charm once again sets the stage for the unlikely pairing of historian and event planner Ashley Scott and war veteran turned landscaper Jonathan Gray. Both have endured past traumas in this poignant tale of love and loss. I really enjoyed their effort to fight the attraction as they gave it their best to remain neutral throughout their business dealings...even though it was to no avail. Which leads to the main theme of the story, is beauty only skin deep or is there more value to be found beyond a person's outward appearance? Hannon gives readers a lot to think about while putting Ashley and Jon through many ups and downs. The most touching scene comes when Jon is willing to take a chance and lets Ashley see the man he truly is, inside and out.
It was a pleasure to be back in this idyllic setting and visit with Charley, Reverend Baker and Father Murphy in addition to new characters Rose and Kyle. Rose had a lot of surprises up her sleeve and I love this secondary theme of never being too old to share your talents and be a part of your community.
I'm thrilled to know there will be a tenth book in the Hope Harbor series! I hope it never ends! I appreciate Revell Publishing making a copy of Windswept Way, via NetGalley, available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.
This is book 8 of the Hope Harbor series. As an avid reader and a big fan of Irene Hannon’s books, I’ve read all this series. This truly is one of the most beautiful, touching, heartwarming books I’ve ever read. Each of these books can be read as a standalone, although I highly recommend reading them all, so you don’t miss out on all the amazing things that happen in Hope Harbor. I enjoy that friends from previous books often make an appearance in another one. A few of my favorites are Charlie, the taco man, Floyd and Gladys, the seagull couple and always the beloved Reverend Baker and Father Murphy.
Ashley travels from Tennessee to Hope Harbor, a small coastal town in Oregon where she anticipates partnering with the owner of Edgecliff, a mansion she plans to turn into a sought-after event venue. Edgecliff, however, besides having a reputation of being haunted also has a history of both success and misfortune. Much happiness as well as unhappiness has dwelt within the walls.
Although the house and surrounding land needs a vast amount of repair and updating, the current owner and resident, 80-year-old Rose and Ashley come to a partnership agreement. The house was built by Rose’s ancestors, and she has lived in the gigantic house alone for many years and has the reputation of being reclusive.
The events surrounding the restoration of the beautiful, historic land and the updating of the spectacular Queen Anne Victorian are fascinating as Ashley and Rose get to know each other better, and Ashley works closely with the intriguing landscaper, Jon, who also seems reclusive. He consistently keeps most of his face covered up with a hat pulled down low, sunglasses and a scarf. He also avoids people as much as possible. As the transformation of Edgecliff takes place, it is obvious that at the same time demonstrating love and care for others is transforming lives at the same time.
I could hardly put this book down until the last page was turned. So many beautiful, unexpected twists and turns in the story, along with the revelation of surprising secrets. It is a beautiful, heartwarming story that left me with a happy, joy-filled heart, as well as thankful there will be another book in this heartfelt series, Hope Harbor.
Thank you to the publisher, Revell for a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and comment are my own.
This book has a beautiful message about beauty being skin deep. Irene's books often contain characters that have issues and the journey's they take to resolve them. I like that they aren't always easily solved but instead require the character to grow and progress.
The story is based on is one main arc but also a couple of side arcs that tie in and provided added value to the story. Windswept way is part of the 'Hope Harbour' series. It it not necessary to have read all the books in the series, but I do recommend this as characters often pop up in other books.
I receive complimentary books for various sources including, Netgalley, Authors, and other such sources. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received compensation.