Author Irene Hannon steps away from her usual suspense genre with “Hope Harbor,” the first installment in a new series.
Michael Hunter is a CEO of a Chicago non-profit organization and is looking for major life answers while taking a respite in the coastal community of Hope Harbor, Oregon. On his first day in town he meets several people who will change his life — Charley, the mysterious taco truck operator who offers him free tacos and free inspiration in the form of Job 14:7-9; town recluse Anna Williams, who shockingly offers Michael a place to stay in her home’s annex; and the beautiful Tracy Campbell, who he literally runs into and who is struggling to keep her family’s cranberry farm afloat (no pun intended!).
And both Michael and Tracy must learn to let go of the secret pain in both of their pasts and learn to trust in the power of love again. As one character says: “Love can survive setbacks, you know.”
What follows is not just a lovely romantic tale, but a story filled with many deep truths: the power of forgiveness; dealing with grief and guilt; signs, symbols and omens; the ability to trust that God always has a plan and the ability to see God’s hands in everything; finding and believing in hope; reaching out and helping others is deeply rewarding; and the fact that it is never too late for redemption.
The book is filled with many moments of silliness, as well as seriousness, but Hannon also packs so many awesome nuggets in “Hope Harbor” (like “Let’s do our best and leave the outcome to God”) that the reader is left feeling happy and inspired and encouraged. She takes us on a beautiful journey as we watch Michael, Tracy, Anna and pregnant 16-year-old Grace grow into their God-ordained destinies.
This is a lovely book and I can’t wait to read the next installment.
Five stars out of five.
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, provided this complimentary copy for my honest, unbiased review.
“Hope Harbor” (Hope Harbor series, #1) by Irene Hannon