January 31, 2025
Upon his arrival in Hope Harbor, OR, buttoned-up Noah Ward's first impression of rainbow-haired Bren Ryan is that she is not someone he wants to get to know better. But when Bren decides to befriend Emma Blair and offers her a space on the couch in Noah's father's guest cottage, where she's living, Noah's radar is on high alert. Who does that? Good Samaritan or not, he's sure Bren will be taken advantage of by Emma, although Noah eventually decides that maybe there's more to Bren than meets the eye. He has his future mapped out, however, and getting involved with Bren is not part of the plan, especially since she has no interest in moving away from Hope Harbor. Sparks fly every time they are together, complicating a future they both thought was set in stone. Together they plan a long-distance test: if, in six weeks, they still feel the spark, then maybe a long-distance relationship will work. Time will tell if absence truly makes the heart grow fonder. VERDICT Hannon's idyllic Oregon community comes together again in a tale of love and sweet beginnings. Readers won't want to miss this next installment in the "Hope Harbor" series, after Sandcastle Inn.--Jane Blue
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