Making her way up the cedar-lined driveway, tears fill her eyes at the sight of the cottageās faded trim and peeling turquoise shutters. Taking a deep breath, she grasps the heart-shaped iron door handle and steps inside the once-happy childhood home sheās been avoiding. It is time to face up to the pastā¦
When Emilyās fiancĆ© walks out on her while sheās still grieving the loss of her family in a terrible accident, she escapes back to Hope Haven on the remote Dune Island, where her family vacationed every summer. Emily hopes that fixing up the house will also mend her broken heart, but the cottage holds more than just bittersweet childhood memories. Emptying her fatherās antique writing desk, Emily finds a letter that reveals a devastating secret about her parents.
With a head full of questions that can never be answered, it seems like returning to the island was the worst decision Emily ever madeā¦ until she meets Lucas Socorro, saltwater dripping from his dark curls after a surf session. As they take long walks on the soft sand, and talk late into the firefly-lit night, Emily wonders if Dr Lukeāas the kids in the hospital call himācould be the one to help her heal. With Luke holding her hand, delving into her familyās painful past is a little easier.
Painting the gloomy cottage walls the colour of seashells, and revamping her grandmotherās flea-market furniture, Emily starts to feel she might call Dune Island home for goodāand that she could build that home right here with Luke. But when Emilyās family secret spreads through a network of local gossips, her fragile heart breaks all over again. Luke is the only one who could have started the rumours. Was she wrong to trust him so easily?
As the sun sets behind the dunes, Emily has a difficult decision to make. Does she pack her bags and leave the island for good? Or take a risk that Hope Haven has everything sheās been looking for?
A beautiful and emotional read that will make you long to feel the sand beneath your feet. Perfect for fans of Nancy Thayer, Tracy Brogan and Mary Alice Monroe.
Read what everyoneās saying about Summer at Hope Haven:
ā5 big stars! I loved everything about this book... The setting, the story, the characters, and the writing were all beautifully done. Perfect read.ā Goodreads Reviewer, āāāāā
āI loved this book! I laughed and cried and was full of emotions the whole time I read itā¦ wonderful charactersā¦ I highly recommend this book!ā Itās My Life, āāāāā
āThis is such a lovely book! A truly heart-wrenching storyā¦ really brought a smile to my faceā¦ I for one cannot wait for the other books in this seriesā¦ a great read and a classic example of a beach book with a heart.ā Goodreads Reviewer
āAn adorable book that is the perfect summer readā¦ This gorgeous book has so many beautiful threadsā¦ a masterpiece of storytelling!ā Goodreads Reviewer, āāāāā
āThis book will make you yearn for beach and that sand under your feetā¦. Such an emotional book about family, loss and love. Will touch a chord in everyone's heart.ā @thebookishbanker
āThe perfect beach readā¦ beautifully written.. a roller-coasterā¦ The plot is filled with love, friendship, loss, secrets, romance, sand, art and seals!!!... a perfectly romantic beach read that ticks all the boxes.ā BookWorm1986
āI loved this book from page one and ended up staying up ātil the wee hours to finish it!... I would love to read more books by Ms. Harperā¦ She has a great way of drawing the reader into the storyline.ā Goodreads Reviewer, āāāāā