Member Reviews

Sandcastle Inn by Irene Hannon is book 10 in the Hope Harbor series. Set in the Pacific Northwest, the small town of Hope Harbor is a place where people do not often want to come but find unexpected healing and never want to leave. And who can resist the seemingly all knowing Charley’s fish tacos and pelicans? I’ve come to love each return to Hope Harbor and I loved this book as well. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Was this review helpful?

Always a great read with Irene Hannon. I appreciate her characters and the plot is believable. The book kept my attention and I was interested in what came next.

Was this review helpful?

Sandcastle Inn is a contemporary romance novel written by Irene Hannon. This is book ten in the Hope Harbor series. It is not necessary to have read any of the previous books in order to enjoy this one.

Summary: Vienna Price has returned to Hope Harbor. It’s not her ideal destination, but when her job is eliminated, she needs to regroup and decide what she wants next in her life.

Matt Quinn is still grieving the loss of his family. His business partner has insisted he take some time off, so what better way to spend it than helping his sister take on a broken-down inn?

Can Vienna and Matt find peace in Hope Harbor, and maybe, just maybe, find a way to move forward despite past regrets?

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book. The characters have problems, yes, but the town rallies around them, offering wisdom, and helping them evaluate what’s truly important.

I really enjoyed the side story with an additional couple as well, and how all of the stories already built into Hope Harbor wove together and enhanced the storyline.

This is a well-written light read that contains a nice romance, with a happy ending, and is worth the read.

I would like to thank Revell for providing me with a free digital book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

Was this review helpful?

Sandcastle Inn by Irene Hannon is the most delightful Christian contemporary novel that I absolutely adored. It is the tenth book in the Hope Harbor series but can be read as a stand-alone.
Hope Harbor is a positively idyllic setting. The scenery and the residents all come alive under Irene Hannon’s descriptive pen. A warm welcome reaches from the pages of the book to envelop the reader.
This is a place of refuge for the hurting and the lost. The community offers hope for the hurting and provides a new direction for the lost. “If someone in Hope Harbor is in need, everyone rallies.” This applies to strangers too, who are quickly taken into the bosom of the community. Hope Harbor is a place where there are some very huge hearts who not only notice others but they care. “Hope Harbor is a wonderful refuge for those seeking healing and peace.” The natural beauty and the openness of the locals ensures that those who enter as strangers, soon become friends who have new prospects ahead.
There is much love within the novel. We see the fallout from fractured family relationships. “Part of loving is giving the other person what they need, not what you thing they need.” We need to be careful that we don’t dictate to others but we give them space to grow.
Characters are carrying grief, guilt and burdens that were never meant for them. “God doesn’t hold our mistakes against us… So why should we hold them against ourselves?” We are often our own worst critics. We need to extend grace to ourselves.
Grief can be crushing. “No one ever told me grief felt so like fear.” It can be hard to live again. “When you lose … the centre of your world, it’s easier to bury the pain than deal with it.” Burying our feelings is akin to punishing ourselves daily. “He didn’t deserve another chance at happiness.” Everyone deserves a second chance, especially the face in the mirror. Grief will never go away but we need to learn how to face life and to love again. “It’s okay to start looking to the future instead of dwelling in the shadows of the past.”
We see the importance of letting go and letting God. “Say a prayer for me … and put everything in God’s hands.” At times the best thing we can do is to place our lives and our situations into the hands of God.
Within the tale there is an old hotel which is brought back to life but even better than before. This reminds the reader that God wants to renovate our lives and for our endings to be even better than our beginnings.
All the characters were wonderfully drawn. They were easy to empathise with and relate to.
I absolutely adored Sandcastle Inn and am sorry that it is ended. It was wonderfully warm and welcoming. I look forward to more visits to Hope Harbor.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Irene Hannon has written another great book in her series. Although this is the first book out of the ten that I have read, I found that it can stand on its own and has an intriguing plot. The books in this series are connected only by the town they are set in; they do not have any plot events that need to be carried over from one book to another.

The Sandcastle book scene is comfortable and well-described, making it easy to immerse oneself in the story. The main characters in the book are well thought out, and their character arcs are interesting. However, I found some of the supporting characters, such as Charley, who makes delicious street tacos, and Floyd and Gladys, the Seagull couple, intriguing as well.

This book deals with themes of faith, hope, grief, and forgiveness. Matt is the main male character, a veterinarian, who is trying to deal with a tragic loss. He takes some time off, but his sister calls him for help, and he finds himself in Hope Harbor. Vienna is the main female character, who has lost her job and returns home to her mother. They seem to have a better time than Vienna expected, but is it really that great?

The book has some romantic scenes, but it is mostly clean. There are a few spicier parts, like when Vienna is wearing a pair of holey socks, and her painted toenail sticks out, which seems to affect Matt. However, the book does not contain any swearing. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance, with a slight caution for minor overt mature themes.

I received a complimentary copy from the author through Celebrate Lit, for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

I always adore Irene Hannon books and this was probably my favorite! It was so well done and just adorable. A great story and I fell in love with the character right from the beginning.

Was this review helpful?

What a great romantic setting. I've always loved the thoughts of owning and managing a B&B so Sandcastle Inn spoke to me right from the start. The perfect setting.

The story follows two people who both have trouble with their jobs for personal and professional reasons. They come for rest and end up working together. I was wondering a long time for Matt's reason and couldn't get the images from my mind for awhile.

There were many great charactors who really cared about everyone. There were the clerics -funny, loveable, and had great wisdom. My favorite though was Charley, the taco chef. He tried to help people as much as he can. My favorite quote from Charley: "expecting perfection may be a bit arrogrant. Only God is perfect."

A great read!

Was this review helpful?

This book is so sweet. Matt and Vienna’s romance is a bit of a slow burn, but well worth it. I like the way Hannon explores grief in different forms through her characters. Vienna is grieving the end of her career, and Matt is grieving two people he loves. While the grief is different, it’s no less potent throughout the book.

I also liked the exploration of Vienna’s relationship with her mother and how they’ve both changed over the years. We get to see Vienna’s mother through Matt’s eyes and compare it to Vienna’s perception, which adds a lot of depth to Vienna’s character arc.

The subplot story about Andrew and Paige helping to renovate the inn as they struggle to rebuild their lives provides an honest but hopeful look at love after marriage.

And then there’s the town of Hope Harbor, which is a character in itself. I’ve loved getting to come back to this place and revisit with characters from previous novels, but I especially love seeing Charley again.

Overall, Sandcastle Inn is a sweet small town romance filled with hope.

Was this review helpful?

You will love Irene Hannon's latest story in Hope Harbor, Oregon! Vienna Price and her quirky mother have never had much in common and have had a rocky relationship all of her life but when Vienna's job suddenly ends, she pays a visit to her mother and finds that perhaps they have both changed and can appreciate each other now. Veterinarian Matt Quinn has not recovered from the loss of his wife and daughter but goes to Hope Harbor to help out his sister with the B&B she has purchased! Circumstances put Matt & Vienna together turning the B&B into a high class inn. If you have read Hannon's other books set in Hope Harbor, you will enjoy catching up with old friends like Charlie at the fish taco stand! I enjoyed Sandcastle Inn and recommend it to others. I received a complimentary e-book through NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

A lovely story with memorable and likable characters. Held my interest throughout.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Sandcastle Inn is a delightful story with a plot that matches its whimsical title. Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor is a wonderful little community with lovable community members that leaves a reader wishing for just such a place - whether to live or just to visit! Kay is in over her head at her new B&B and needs to take time off to help a loved one. Matt, ever the helpful little brother, needs a break from his veterinary practice, so he heads to the B&B to stay while Kay is gone. Matt and Kay both realize that they need some help and so does the B&B. Vienna comes to Hope Harbor to see her mother, Bev, at her new book shop. But, Vienna’s visit is not just about getting away for a while, and her mother seems to have changed since they last spent time together in Hope Harbor during Vienna’s childhood. Readers also meet Andrew and Paige, who are in a transition phase of their own. With so many wonderful characters to meet, readers are drawn into the story right away. I enjoyed the plot and was glad it has more meat than just a fluffy romance plot. Charley, the taco truck owner, adds some really good wisdom for each of the other characters and for the reader to ponder on, too. I highly recommend this book to anyone needing a good story or some encouragement during a time of transition in life.

I requested a copy of this book for review. The opinions expressed here are wholly my own.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book. Hope Harbor is a wonderful place of healing and restoration and community. Its magic strikes again for Vienna and Matt who both need a break from their workaholic tendencies. It was fascinating watching them both work to transform the decrepit bed and breakfast into a beautiful inn.

I enjoyed all the relationships and seeing them grow. It's wonderful seeing a child come to understand their parent in a deeper way. I always laugh at the two pastors as they tease each other about golf and donuts. I appreciate Charley's wisdom and really hope his story will be told one day. I love the way people look out for each other. I wish Hope Harbor was a real place for I'd surely want to visit.

I would highly recommend this book and the whole series. If you love small town life and quaint places and memorable characters, you'll like it even more. I can't wait for the next book in the series. Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I think I have read every book (except possibly her oldest ones) that Irene Hannon has written. Her romantic suspense has me on the edge of my seat from the first page, and her sweet romance nearly always has me in tears at some point. Her Hope Harbor series, of which Sandcastle Inn is #10, is one of the best out there. I love that some of the characters carry through from first book to last. Each book feels like a visit to an undiscovered vacation destination that I can't wait to visit through the NEXT book.

Vienna Price ran from the chaos of living with her free-spirited mother as soon as she was old enough to be on her own. She's made a career for herself in the hospitality industry. She lives her life by the book, never taking her eyes off the next rung of the ladder she's climbing, until someone else steps ahead of her on that same ladder taking not just her promotion, but her job, too. Returning to Hope Harbor is all she knows to do, but living with her mother in her tiny one-bedroom apartment is out of the question. Much as she loves her mom, living with her would drive them both crazy, but when the room she's booked floods, and the other B&B is out of service for proposed renovation,

When Matt Quinn's sister, Kay, calls needing his help at her "new-to-her" B&B, his enforced time off from his veterinary practice seems almost providential. Near burn-out, Matt is ready to tackle something besides someone else's much loved pets, but he doesn't expect to find the B&B in such bad shape and with NO reservations. Can he help his sister make repairs and upgrades and how will he know which renovations are most critical. Learning from Bev Price that her daughter is in town and might be happy to share her knowledge of hotels with him, he seeks out Vienna, only to find that she's the woman he turned away when she first arrived looking for a reservation.

Touring the B&B, Vienna gets excited about the possibilities. Turning this beautiful B&B into an upscale inn would look great on her new resume. It would also give her something to occupy herself while she's searching for a new position. Vienna's eye for detail and skill in finding great deals show both Matt and Vienna that maybe the careers they've been working for aren't exactly what they want to continue doing. As they renovate the B&B into the upscale Sandcastle Inn, will they also renovate their own lives and hearts?

Every time I start a new Hope Harbor book I think, this can't possibly be as good as the last one, but Hannon always comes through. I don't know why I ever doubt her! I loved this story and would recommend it to anyone who loves sweet contemporary romance. It gets all the stars from me!

Was this review helpful?

Vienna and Matt have a wonderful story. I couldn't stop reading it. A protective older brother and a woman looking forward working together on the Inn for many different reasons. A great place to fall in love

Was this review helpful?

The Seacastle Inn is the tenth book in the Hope Harbor series, but it can be read as a stand alone, but I recommend reading them all because they are also good reads.
Irene Hannon is one of my favorite authors and I love every time I read a great story from the coastal town of Hope Harbor. It is a town that I would love to visit, I can imagine how fun it would be walking along the beautiful seaside, watching the seagulls, visiting the Taco Stand at the beach and meeting the owner, Charlie, who gives out good advice along with a great taco. Also, I would like watching the seagulls who Charlie has named, Floyd and Gladys!
The main story is about Matt Quinn and Vienna Price. Matt is a veterinarian who has taken a break from his practice in another town and goes to Hope Harbor to help his sister restore The Sandcastle Inn into a Bed and Breakfast. Upon arriving, he sees that it is going to take a lot of time, money and hard work to restore the run down Inn.
Vienna has worked in the hotel industry for many years, but recently lost her job. She was a very hard worker and is upset and doesn't know what she will do next so she goes to Hope Harbor to visit her mom and take some time to try and figure things out,
Both Matt and Vienna are at crossroads in their lives and are both just planning to be in Hope Harbor for a few weeks. But, Matt and Vienna become close as they work together on the Inn. They both have left behind a painful past, can Hope Harbor be where they can have a better future?
Irene Hannon is a great story teller and makes the characters seem so real. I love most that she writes clean Christian romance novels that deal with hurt, hope, forgiveness and trust.
I thank Netgalley for allowing me to read and review Sandcastle Inn and give my own opinions.

Was this review helpful?

Adding to the Hope Harbor series- Irene Hannon doesn't disappoint.... Character development is suberb! Plot holds the reader's interest--

Was this review helpful?

An engaging tale of plans being changed for the better. The reader really doesn't know for sure if the Inn is successful or not until the end of the book. Many moving parts come into place to make it happen just right. The characters are likable and the story moves along at a good pace.
Thank you Net Galley for an ARC. My review is my own opinion.

Was this review helpful?

This was such a fun return to Hope Harbor! Sandcastle Inn was such a wonderful place to visit. Not only do we get a romance between Matt and Vienna but a wonderful mother-daughter relationship as well. I love all the little nuggets of wisdom throughout the book. Charley is one of my all-time favorite characters...along with Floyd and Gladys. The banter between Father Murphy and Reverend Baker is top-notch as usual. I really hope there will be more Hope Harbor books!

I read/listened to this book in one day and love Therese Plummer's narration.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 2 April 2024

Was this review helpful?

First of all, I want to visit Hope Harbor. This was my first time reading a Hope Harbor novel and it can be read as a standalone, but now I want to read ALL of them! I love this little community.

This novel tells the story of a few individuals, and readers get to see some of the story through each of their perspectives. Ordinarily I enjoy the main characters who are falling in love the most, but the married couple rediscovering hope and rediscovering each other in a sense really stole the novel for me. This whole book was about renovating an inn, but the author did a fantastic job diving into the heart renovations of the characters. I was invested.

With that being said, there are certainly some heavier topics that are handled in this book that I wasn't anticipating. I'm not sure if it's just because I haven't read a lot of this author's work or if this book truly just has a little more than her usual work, but some heavier tragedies are lightly discussed.

Overall, I believe fans of contemporary romances (especially beach reads) will enjoy this novel with it's lovely setting and cast of characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher via Netgalley. All expressed opinions belong to me.

Was this review helpful?

#10 in the Hope Harbor series; it seems each is better than the previous ones.

Vienna Price never intended to return for more than a passing visit to Oregon after losing her high-stress job. But when your career tanks, home to Mom is where you go to nurse your wounds and chart a new course.

A trip to Oregon isn't in veterinarian Matt Quinn's plans, either, until a perfectly timed appeal for help arrives from his sister, whose new B&B needs a lot of help. What better place to come after a shattering loss than a quiet, seaside town named Hope Harbor?

Andrew and Paige are a married couple in dire straits who have been betrayed by a friend and have wound up in Hope Harbor. Just in time, Andrew is offered a job as a contractor renovating the B&B. And Vienna offers her expertise with the interior.

Of course, we are treated to some of the local characters from previous books, like Charley the famous artist and taco maker, who has snippets of wisdom for everyone, as well as Floyd and Gladys, two lovebird seagulls that always seem to be around, and the two ministers/priests with their humour..

I was offered a copy by NetGally; all opinions are mine.

Was this review helpful?