🐚⭐🐠🏖️ Starfish Pier (Hope Harbor Series #6) 🏖️🐠⭐🐚 (2020) - Book Review
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| [Current Books in the "Hope Harbor" Series by Irene Hannon] |
MY REVIEW
Paperback:
352 pages
Publisher:
Revell (March 31, 2020)
Language:
English
ISBN-10:
0800736141
ISBN-13:
978-0800736149
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“A year
ago, ex-Delta Force operator Steven Roark left the rigors of combat behind to
run fishing charters in Hope Harbor, decompress, and talk some sense into his
kid brother. Business is good--but making peace with his past is more
challenging than he expected.
First-grade
teacher Holly Miller leads a quiet, low-profile existence--until she's
recruited to advocate for a cause that's dear to her heart. When she solicits
Steven's assistance, sparks fly--especially after they find themselves on
opposite sides of an issue that disrupts their placid seaside community.
As these
two seemingly incompatible souls search for common ground, might they discover
a deeper connection--and find that love can banish darkness and light the way
to a future filled with promise?”
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell, and Interviews and Reviews providing a complimentary advance review copy. A positive review was not required. All words and thoughts are my own.
It is worth noting that with Christian and/or Clean Reads I hardly have to add trigger or content warnings. However, with this novel, I have to add both. It starts right off with two hotbed issues that both characters are seemingly on different sides:
* Abortion
* Death Penalty
As two of the items are divisive issues, readers who feel very strongly about them (either side), may want to exercise caution in reading this.
There are also “trigger” warnings as well and readers that are sensitive to the subjects will definitely want to exercise caution:
* Alcoholism
* PTSD
* Suicide/Right to Die
* Cancer
“Starfish Pier” is the sixth (6th) book in the “Hope Harbor” series. Some of the characters from the previous novels are hinted to in this book. This is easily a standalone read, but it would likely be better enjoyed with the entire series.
While the cover depicts a clear, calm, soothing, and tranquil setting – this novel is anything but that – or is it about finding that calm, soothing, and tranquil way of life?
Right off Hannon hits with the issues – it’s clear, in the beginning where Holly and Steven stand on those issues.
But, that isn’t all this book is about.
Hannon has a lot going on in this novel – tackling hot social issues, trigger issues, realities of war/training and the emotional toll, along with tackling disabilities and independence.
Some might consider having all these plot lines “cluttered”, however the author takes great steps in presenting the story without feeling like it is busy. This is a refreshing realistic take. She balances it all with scripture and Christian references; however it isn’t a full-fledged sermon.
The main characters (Steven, Patrick, Holly, Charley, and Pete) were realistically written and all had such diversity to them – a war hero who felt anything but, a mill worker who had to grow up in the shadow of his brother, a teacher living with a disability, a mystic/cook, and a sad older man. Each one of them finds a connection and the reason for it.
Steven is trying to make peace with a violent past, Patrick is finally coming to terms and healing from an embarrassing secret, Holly is trying to navigate her disability along with her life while raising money for charity, Charley is the wise taco maker, and Pete is waiting for everything to end.
In the middle of their drama, an old cannon is found which turns out to belong to a ship once owned by Steven and Patrick’s great-great-grandfather. Thus begins a debate as to what to do with it – display it and celebrate the history, or would they be glorifying a weapon of war?
Charley puts it best – we shouldn’t be in a rush to judge.
Hannon expertly tackles the “opposing views” on each subject in the middle of this romance. The author presented Holly and Steven’s attraction in an amazing realistic manner – they had problems to overcome and didn’t want to get into a relationship. This showed not only great restraint, but also great maturity. However, it also demonstrated an inability to communicate to through the challenges.
The author also points out how being informed on issues helps us make better opinions, especially after an incident with Holly.
Controversial, sad, uplifting, inspiring, beautiful, and poignant – Starfish Pier also has a message of redemption. God forgives us and gives us a second chance. We owe it to ourselves to take the chances and live the life he has given us.
Hannon teaches us that we can consider all sides of an argument without straying from our personal beliefs, along with respecting divergent opinions and recognize the good in imperfect people.
With the way this began, I was a bit cautious and holding on as I didn’t know where the author was taking this. No heated debates, but an honest conversation that shows how our views come from our life experiences, what we’ve been exposed to, and how we were raised.
This was very well written and structured with an easy, natural flow so that it kept my interest. I definitely enjoyed it as I was reading it, and after getting into it, it was difficult to walk away from it. I also have the previous five novels on the TBR (to be read) list.
Fans of the author; and those who enjoy clean and/or Christian reads will probably enjoy this book. As I haven’t read the others in this series, I don’t know if they have similar content in the way of social issues and/or trigger issues though.
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐–
Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐– Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐–
Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Other Books in the Series:
Series:
Hope Harbor (Book #1)
Paperback:
352 pages
Publisher:
Revell (July 7, 2015)
Language:
English
ISBN-10:
0800724526
ISBN-13:
978-0800724528
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“Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the
idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life--and
love--altered her plans. When tragedy strikes and changes her plans yet again,
she finds herself back in her hometown with a floundering farm to run and a
heartbreaking secret. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael
Hunter's. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets of his own. But when
Tracy recruits him to help save a struggling charitable organization, the winds
of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love
to countless lives--including their own.”
Sea Rose Lane
Series:
Hope Harbor (Book #2)
Paperback:
368 pages
Publisher:
Revell (June 7, 2016)
Language:
English
ISBN-10:
0800 727541
ISBN-13:
978-0800727543
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“After a devastating layoff, attorney Eric Nash heads back to the town
where he grew up--only to discover that his childhood home is being transformed
into a bed & breakfast. Instead of plotting his next career move in peace,
he's constantly distracted by noise, chaos--and BJ Stevens, the attractive but
prickly blonde architect and construction chief who's invaded the house with
her motley crew.
As for BJ, her client's son might be handsome, but after a
disastrous romance, dating isn't high on her agenda. Yet when they join forces
to create a program for Hope Harbor seniors, might they also find healing,
hope, and a new beginning themselves?”
Sandpiper Cove
Series:
Hope Harbor (Book #3)
Paperback:
352 pages
Publisher:
Revell (April 4, 2017)
Language:
English
ISBN-10:
0800727681
ISBN-13:
978-0800727680
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“Hope
Harbor police chief Lexie Graham has plenty on her plate raising her son alone
and dealing with a sudden rash of petty theft and vandalism in her coastal
Oregon hometown. As a result, she has zero time for extracurricular
activities--including romance. Ex-con Adam Stone isn't looking for love
either--but how ironic is it that the first woman to catch his eye is a police
chief? Yet wishing for things that can never be is foolish.
Nevertheless,
when Lexie enlists Adam's help to keep a young man from falling into a life of
crime, sparks begin to fly. And as they work together, it soon becomes apparent
that God may have a different--and better--future planned for them than either
could imagine.”
Pelican Point
Series:
Hope Harbor (Book #4)
Paperback:
368 pages
Publisher:
Revell (April 3, 2018)
Language:
English
ISBN-10:
0800728807
ISBN-13:
978-0800728809
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“A crumbling lighthouse is not part of the inheritance Army doctor Ben
Garrison expects to claim when he journeys to Hope Harbor. Fresh out of the
service, he wants only to unload the tower of bricks, decompress from years of
treating battlefield trauma, and prepare to launch his civilian career.
Hope Harbor Herald editor Marci Weber has other ideas. She may
not be a Hope Harbor native, but the small Oregon seaside town has become
home--and she's determined to save the Pelican Point landmark.
Sparks fly as the two go head to head over the fate of the
lighthouse. But when they start to cooperate, a different kind of fire ignites.
And as they work together, might Hope Harbor heal the hearts of these two
romance-wary souls?”
Driftwood Bay
Series:
Hope Harbor (Book #5)
Paperback:
368 pages
Publisher:
Revell (April 2, 2019)
Language:
English
ISBN-10:
0800728815
ISBN-13:
978-0800728816
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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?”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Irene Hannon
is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than fifty contemporary romance
and romantic suspense novels. She is also a three-time winner of the RITA Award –
the “Oscar” of romance fiction – from Romance Writers of America and is a
member of that organization’s elite Hall of Fame.
Her
many other awards include National Reader’s Choice, Daphne du Maurier,
Retailers’ Choice, Booksellers’ Choice, Carol, and Reviewers’ Choice from RT Book Reviews magazine, which also
honored her work with a Career Achievement award for her entire body of work.
In addition, she is a two-time Christy award finalist.
Millions
of her books have been sold worldwide, and her novels have been translated into
multiple languages.
Irene,
who holds a BA in psychology and an MA in journalism, juggled two careers for
many years until she gave up her executive corporate communications position
with a Fortune 500 company to write full-time. She is happy to say she has no
regrets.
A
trained vocalist, Irene has sung the leading role in numerous community musical
theater productions and is also a soloist at her church. She and her husband
enjoy traveling, long hikes, Saturday mornings at their favorite coffee shop,
and spending time with family. They make their home in Missouri.
To
learn more about Irene and her books, visit www.irenehannon.com.
She posts on Twitter and Instagram, but is most active on Facebook, where she
loves to chat with readers.
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/irenehannonauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IreneHannon
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