I enjoyed reading Sandcastle Inn, the tenth book in Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor series set in a fictional town on the Oregon Coast. It was fun visiting with side characters from earlier books in the series. The books are standalone romances that can be read in any order.
Vienna has a complicated relationship with her eccentric mother. It’s desperation that inspires Vienna to leave Denver and temporarily land in the small coastal town where her mother lives and owns a book store. Vienna’s hotel management career ambitions are in tatters despite the many sacrifices she made for her former employer.
Matt’s older sister, Kay, raised him after their parents passed, and Matt will do anything for his sister. That includes leaving behind his veterinarian practice in San Francisco and temporarily relocating to Hope Harbor to help rescue a failing B&B. Kay sank her life savings into purchasing the rundown B&B without thinking through the implications.
Matt and Vienna’s first meeting is memorable for all the wrong reasons. Matt discovers that Vienna’s boutique hotel background could be an answer to prayer and provide the solution for Kay’s financial dilemma.
A charming romance develops as Matt and Vienna become friends and work together to save the B&B. Matt has emotional wounds that need healing and Vienna is challenged to reassess her life goals.
I loved the subplot involving a young couple from Portland who are down on their luck and looking for a big dollop of hope in Hope…
