Blackberry Beach

Title: Blackberry Beach

Series: Hope Harbor #7

Author: Irene Hannon

Publisher: Revell

Genre: Christian Fiction

Synopsis:

Katherine Parker is on the cusp of having everything she ever wanted--fame, money, and acclaim. So why isn't she happy? In search of answers, she comes incognito to Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast for some R&R. Maybe in her secluded rental house overlooking the serene Pacific she'll be able to calm the storm inside.

Coffee shop owner Zach Garrett has found his niche after a traumatic loss--and he has no plans to change the life he's created. Nor does he want to get involved with his reticent new neighbor, whose past is shrouded in mystery. He's had enough drama to last a lifetime. But when Katherine and Zach are recruited to help rehab a home for foster children, sparks fly. And as their lives begin to intersect, might they find more common ground than they expected . . . and discover that, with love, all things are possible?

Bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon invites you to come home to Hope Harbor--where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

My Review:

Welcome back to Hope Harbor-where hearts heal and love blooms. Blackberry Beach is the seventh installment from well-known author Irene Hannon. Each book is set in Hope Harbor and can easily be read as a stand-alone novel. The stories are centered in Hope Harbor with a returning cast of characters: Charley and his taco truck, Gladys and Floyd, Reverand Baker, and Father Murphy. 

Katherine is ready for a break and time to think after a scandal rocks her world. She settles on Blackberry Beach in Hope Harbor for some R&R and uninterrupted time to think. Unfortunately her agent Simon did not get the memo and is constantly contacting Katherine. Katherine is afraid to venture too far from her retreat for fear of being recognized. However, once she meets Zach at Perfect Blend and then runs into him on the beach, she is pulled a little further from the shell she has placed around herself. "Sometimes the simplest gestures of kindness can touch a heart in unseen ways."

Zach has had his own issues to deal with, including a distant, unbending father. When his Aunt Stephanie comes to visit she brings news that could alter his relationship with his dad. When Aunt Stephanie meets Frank her short-term visit suddenly seems long-term and she immediately engages in the Hope Harbor project with Zack.

Irene Hannon is one of those rare authors that write suspense and contemporary fiction equally well. Her talent shows with her engaging characters, interesting dialogue, picturesque setting, and situations that are real and relatable. I love the Hope Harbor project in this story. Here lately more stories are featuring foster care situations, bringing greater awareness to this problem that plagues our country. 

There are many great quotes in this book that will stick with the reader long after the last page. I would highly recommend this book to fans of clean Christian fiction. I would also recommend this book to fans of Denise Hunter, Karen Kingsbury, Pepper Basham, Nicole Deese, Erin Bartels, Kim Vogel Sawyer, and Tracie Peterson.

Thank you to Revell and Net Galley for the opportunity to read Blackberry Beach. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.