The spectacular scenery and craggy beaches draw tourists to the small Oregon town of Sunset Bay. But Sanctuary Ranch offers a different kind of experience: a refuge for people—and animals—desperate for a new beginning . . . Haylee Hansen has made a career out of caring for and training the dogs and horses on her aunt’s ranch. Part halfway house, part work camp, it also gives troubled kids and … it also gives troubled kids and adults the tough love they so desperately need. Haylee should know. She was her aunt’s first success story. But now her turbulent past is about to show up on her doorstep . . .
After thirteen years running a level one emergency room in Portland, Dr. Aiden McCall arrives in Sunset Bay a broken man. Anger and anxiety have nearly taken over his life—and could sabotage his new job at the local hospital. Until someone proposes an unconventional solution: a therapy dog.
Haylee has seen her share of damaged people, but no one like Aiden. As she tries to match him with the perfect dog, he’ll help her to see that no one has a perfect life. And that opening yourself up to love is the only way to heal your soul . . .
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Sunset Bay Sanctuary by Roxanne Snopek
Sunset Bay #1
Great start to a new series set on the Oregon coast – I can’t wait to see who will have their story told yet – there were so many great characters waiting in the wings to step on stage!
Haylee Hanson has not had an easy life but has found her way through dark times to co-own Sunset Bay Sanctuary with her aunt Oliva. This is a ranch setting near the beach where they take in guests, help wayward youth and where Haylee trains dogs that will help others. The dogs were charming, the people intriguing, the backstories and subplots like a web with intricate threads…this was a story I could not put down.
Aiden McCall is working temporarily at the local emergency room. He has his own set of demons to deal with that include panic attacks, nightmares and other assorted issues that make work difficult and his life stressful in general. With the suggestion a dog might help he is off to see Haylee.
Sage is another person of interest that shows up pregnant and in need. Her story is a whopper and impacts more than one person in the book. I don’t want to say much more but I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was well plotted and written and a delight to read. I am eager to read book two in the series as soon as it comes out.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books – Zebra Shout for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
What a fantastic book to start what should be an absolutely amazing new series that I can’t wait to read more of. This book has so many incredible characters and a story that has so many facets it’s hard to boil it down to just a few lines without giving anything away. The author did a fantastic job of developing these characters and really giving us their backstories so we can understand the people they are today. She also painted a beautiful picture of the small Oregon town the story takes place in. Oh, and did I mention there’s puppies. And a baby. And so much more!!! Anyone who enjoys a small town romance will fall in love with this one from the very first page.
Put this on the must read list. I highly recommend it.
I would rate this story a solid 4.5 stars. The h and H are both hurting people, but are able to help each other grow and in the course of their relationship toward falling in love, other damaged characters also grow and improve/change their lives. I was very interested in the way the heroine, Haylee, was able to train stray dogs to work as service animals. I don’t know is this is actually possible in real life, but as an animal lover it definitely added to my interest in the story. And as a die-hard romantic, the happy-ever-after ending was perfect IMO. I should also add that this story is not all HEA romance…there is enough drama and suspense to keep you turning the pages. Thanks for a very enjoyable story Roxanne.
I was provided an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
WOW!!! Words cannot describe how much I loved and was moved by Sunset Bay Sanctuary by Roxanne Snopek, the first book in her Sunset Bay series. This is a story of two people who are struggling with soul-crushing pain, anxieties, and past decisions that have affected their lives. Haylee Hansen trains dog on her aunt’s ranch which is part halfway house and part work camp. It’s a place where troubled kids and adults receive the love they greatly need. Haylee understands, as she was once one of those teens, after losing the last of her family to 9-11. Only now, her troubled past ends up on her doorstep, turning her life upside down. Dr. Aidan McCall is a broken man when he arrived in Sunset Bay. He is controlled by the anger and anxiety from his past, affecting his life. He is fearful of this interfering with his new job at the Sunset Bay hospital, until someone suggests that he get a therapy dog. Haylee knows Aidan has baggage and is troubled but she wants to match him with the perfect dog to help him. As these two spend time together, Aidan helps Haylee see that no one has a perfect life and that opening yourself up to love is the only way you can heal your soul.
I really loved reading this heart-warming book, it moved me, and brought tears to my eyes. Ms. Snopek, is a wonderful story teller drawing me into her book, making me forget the world around me and not letting me go until I turned the last page. I did not want to put this book down to stop reading. I highly recommend this book to other readers and look forward to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Ms. Snopek makes it hard not to believe in happily ever after. The trials of being human are realistic and painful, but ever the optimist, Snopek finds a way to heal as she entertains. There will be tears, but there will also be moments of hope and that is something everyone needs. Sunset Bay Sanctuary opens the eyes to life’s missed opportunities, but it also unlocks the heart to endless possibilities. Informative, innovative, overflowing with that trademark Snopek humor and wisdom, Haylee and Aiden will prove faith can move mountains, if you believe.