After tragedy upends her world, Jeannette Mason retreats to the tiny Oregon seaside town of Hope Harbor to create a new life. Vowing to avoid emotional attachments, she focuses on running her lavender farm and tea-room–until a new neighbor with a destructive dog and a forlorn little girl invades her turf. But she needn’t worry. Dr. Logan West is too busy coping with an unexpected family, a … radical lifestyle change, and an unruly pup to have any interest in his aloof and disagreeable neighbor.
Yet when both Jeanette and Logan find themselves pulled into the life of a tattered Christian family fleeing persecution in war-torn Syria, might they discover that love sometimes comes calling when it’s least expected?
Bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon invites readers back to the charming seaside town of Hope Harbor, where they are sure to find peace, healing, and a second chance at happiness.
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After tragedy upends her world, Jeannette Mason retreats to the tiny Oregon seaside town of Hope Harbor to create a new life. Vowing to avoid emotional attachments, she focuses on running her lavender farm and tea-room–until a new neighbor with a destructive dog and a forlorn little girl invades her turf. But she needn’t worry. Dr. Logan West is too busy coping with an unexpected family, a radical lifestyle change, and an unruly pup to have any interest in his aloof and disagreeable neighbor.
Yet when both Jeanette and Logan find themselves pulled into the life of a tattered Christian family fleeing persecution in war-torn Syria, might they discover that love sometimes comes calling when it’s least expected?
All Jeannette want to do is run her lavender farm and tea room. The rest of the time she wants to be left alone. She didn’t plan on Logan moving in next door and turning her world upside down. Unwilling she gets drawn into the world outside her lavender farm. I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it. It seems to draw you in as you keep reading.
I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
The titles of the books in the Hope Harbor series are Hope Harbor, Sea Rose Lane, Sandpiper Cove, Pelican Point and Driftwood Bay. The author has done a marvelous job of storytelling the author brings to readers hearts and minds a message of hope.
Each novel has characters that are continuations from previous books, while also introducing us to new characters and insights into familiar ones who inhabit Hope Harbor. In the latest tale, I was soon swept into the heart-touching story of a single man trying to raise his niece after the loss of his mother. Alongside that thread is the tale of an immigrant family brought to America from their former Syrian home after the loss of family members and so much more. Keeping both those threads going, we get to “see” how Marci is doing as a newlywed and running the local paper. These are but a few of the threads woven together and show us a masterpiece telling us hope from loss, new paths forged from the rubble of former lives, and of course there are other threads or themes I haven’t shared.
Irene Hannon’s touch of reality in the genre of fiction is astounding! The characters and their tales seem so lifelike. I wouldn’t be surprised if some readers have experienced the trials shared in the book. My heart was touched seeing how one particular character named Jeanette was rebuilding her life from ashes after she relocated while shielding herself from others.
Readers may enjoy the story more if they read the other tales in books 1-4 first. Whether you read this one first as a stand alone or not, here is a novel sure to uplift your heart!
DRIFTWOOD. BAY…Irene Hannon
Logan was sure he wasn’t thinking when he got a beagle,Toby, seeing the mess, that he had gotten into the trash again. Molly his niece coming into the kitchen, where was Toby she had let him out, without a leash.Being a single
parent, he wasn’t cut out for. As a doctor sewing up cuts he was. he was the
new ER Doctor.
Jeanette in her garden found the culvert of who was digging up her lavender plants, Toby.. The rate that dog was going, her Lavender Farm with the lavender for her tea room, would be out of business. What would Toby do when the tea room was busy. Thinking she came to be neighborly and now he knows what those straggly plants Toby brought home.
Both of them struggling over tragedy in their lives, wanting the serenity of Hope Harbor and the ocean. Finding the people cheerful and ready to help.
Once again we are back in Hope Harrbor , and meeting with a few new people. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion by
Net Galley and Revell.
From beginning to end this story tugs at your heart strings, and it doesn’t let go.
The author has set this book back in Hope Harbor, and as with the other books in this series, this town seems to be there for one another, and you have to love Charlie, and his seagull friends.
This story features two hurting little girls, not yet gone to school, but both have lost their mom’s or grand mom, and are grieving. Adjusting to a new place, and one a new country, they share a universal language and new friendship.
I loved that the author gives us and epilogue, it really wraps up the book beyond the ending, and completes the read for me.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Revell Reads Program, and was not required to give a positive review.
Previously I read Pelican Point of the Hope Harbor Novels and was just a bit disappointed with it. However, this book, Driftwood Bay, is the best one out of the two that I have read. Despite my misgivings based on the previous book, this one far outshined it.
For a brief synopsis, Jeanette has lived for the past three years on her lavender farm alone and happy with her choice. She has a few acquaintances in town but for the most part keeps them a bay from really knowing her. A new neighbor moves next to her. A doctor and his niece whom he is raising. Together these two figure out a way to coexist.
This story also had a subsequent story about a Syrian family who moves into the area. Jeanette plays a part in their family, along with Logan, her neighbor. This time the dueling stories were interacting and weaved throughout the book. There was a reason for the story of the Shabo family and I was so glad to see how seamlessly it melded together. There is a reason why Irene Hannon is a three-time Rita Award winner. This book proves her merit as an author.
The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book or advanced reading copy, with no requirements for a positive review.
Driftwood Bay is the latest Hope Harbor novel by author Irene Hannon. Dr. Logan West has relocated to Hope Harbor, Oregon, to take on the task of running the local clinic. He has purchased a nice little house for himself, his niece Molly, and their overactive beagle Toby. The untrained pup is a runner who escapes to the neighbor’s lavender farm and digs up the plants. Jeannette Mason is not amused, and her first contact with the new neighbor is not very pleasant.
Although Logan West has put himself out to be kind and neighborly with Jeannette, she has thwarted his every overture. But when circumstances occur that force Jeannette to examine her heart and rise to the occasion to help her neighbor and the little girl left in his care, she finds herself drawn to do so. As much as Jeannette tries to pull away, something bigger keeps pushing her to do the right thing.
Jeannette has suffered great loss in her few decades. With such heartache, Jeannette had decided to lead a singular existence, protecting her heart yet denying herself life’s experiences. But will the sweet little girl next door, who has also experienced such great losses, show Jeannette how to reclaim her life?
This is a well written multilayered story which investigates great loss, human resilience, and strong relationships. The reader will root for the characters and be rewarded. I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it.
COMFORTING READ!
I always enjoy reading Irene Hannon’s books. Her writing is always believable, moving and full of insights. Driftwood Bay (Hope Harbor #5) is a prime example of all the above! It is the story of individuals struggling with the loss of loved ones and deciding whether or not they are going to choose to allow anyone to ever again cross the doorway to their hearts.
What I like most about Driftwood Bay is that Hannon doesn’t just choose to tell about the hurt of losing someone you love from one point of view. Instead, she chooses several characters of different ages, sexes and even ethnicities to tell her story. It adds to the believability as you read about how each of the characters is attempting to deal (or NOT deal) with their loss. A young woman who has lost her entire family in an accident, a young man who lost his family members at different times & became “Daddy” to his niece & a family of Syrian refugees (Grandma, her son & his daughter) who lost the rest of their family in a bombing. The people of the town are so caring and join together to help two families when different crises arise. Hannon creates a community where we would all enjoy living, where people truly care for one another and do what is necessary to help their neighbors or friends. It’s a wonderful story of opening doors to second chances. I was provided an ARC of this book by Revell Publishing and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
This is about people who try to run from relationship entanglements because of the hurt they may cause. Jeanette has a tea shop and lavender farm that she purchased when her entire family was suddenly killed. Although she never married, she feels the loss so deeply that she shuts out all the people who want to love her. Her new neighbor is a doctor with a newly acquired five year-old niece. The little girl is afraid to love for fear that she will lose him, too. I really like the way the author handled all these situations. You didn’t feel like you wanted to smack a character for not seeing what was right in front of them. Instead, you felt their pain and anguish. Throw into the mix a rambunctious beagle and you’ll catch yourself laughing at the scene depicted by the author. The wisdom found in the pages of this book is amazing. Perhaps it’s something you’ll need in your heart.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
A delightful return to Hope Harbor! I’ve enjoyed this series, getting to know the characters, getting to catch up with them in each book, and book #5 is a great return to Hope Harbor. Having read the previous books isn’t necessary, but anyone who reads books in a series knows how nice it is to revisit old friends. Jeanette has known unimaginable loss. Logan is dealing with loss as well, while trying to figure out how to be father to his 5-year-old niece, who has suffered her own loss. Together they have the chance to create a new happy place, but first they have to be willing to risk loss in order to open up to the possibility of love. A story of loss, love, friendship, opening your heart, and hope. A great read!
I absolutely LOVED the 5th installment of the Hope Harbor Series! Irene Hannon took such a raw and real approach to this story, it was very moving! 3 different families all struggling with some sort of grief and pain, learning how to love each other and the season that they’re in. It was a beautiful story and one I would definitely read again!
‘Ignoring a need would be wrong.’
Irene Hannon takes her readers back to Hope Harbor for this fifth offering in the wonderful series. I love this little town on the Oregon coast and its inhabitants, especially Charley, the fish taco man, who, I’m convinced, is an angel.
Jeannette Mason has come to Hope Harbor after a grievous loss and is determined to shut herself off from every sharing her heart again. She has a wonderful business with her lavender farm and tea room and is completely happy with her life. But is her heart happy? Logan West has moved to Hope Harbor after his mother and brother die and he is left to raise his 5 year old niece alone. He thinks a small town will be best for the little girl, who doesn’t seem to have an ounce of happiness in her. Even the beagle puppy he buys for her has upended his life.
Then both Jeannette and Logan find themselves joining the town in making welcome a Syrian Christian family fleeing war torn Syria and begin to discover that love sometimes involves risks and doors God opens need to be walked through.
Once again Hannon has crafted believable and human characters, people with heartaches and fears and struggles with their Christian walk. I am a forever fan. Loved this and finished in one day. Recommended.
*My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book via Net Galley. No review was required. The opinions stated here are expressly my own.
This is a story of loss, pain, love & recovery. Logan & Jeanette have both tragically lost their families. Where Jeanette was left alone & chose to retreat from life & love, Logan isn’t allowed that luxury. He has one family member left, his niece Molly. He has to draw her out of her shell so that she can thrive & grow. As they are all drawn into the town activities & drama, they each end up helping out a refuge family in their own ways. By seeing the struggles of this father, daughter & grandmother while they attempt to move forward in a new & foreign place, Logan, Jeanette & Molly grow closer & gain their own strengths. Truly a sweet, inspiring story.
Irene Hannon visits her iconic Hope Harbor with a new-to-him single father and a woman trying to flee her past with her Lavender garden. With a hint of romance, Hannon flows through the pages of Driftwood Bay with flair and hints of love. The predictable plot moved along at a nice rate. I really liked the idea of the community coming together to support a Syrian refugee family who needed to learn English, have a place to stay, and earn their own money. Hope Harbor appears to be a wonderful place to live. If you are a fan of contemporary romance with a feel good ending, then this might be just the book for you. If you are fans of Courtney Walsh, Becky Wade, Melissa Tagg, or Kara Issac, then Driftwood Bay might be right up your alley.
I received a complimentary copy of Driftwood Bay by Irene Hannon from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.