My Review - Sandcastle Inn by Irene Hannon

3.5 out of 5 stars

SANDCASTLE INN, the tenth installment in the Hope Harbor series from Irene Hannon, was an enjoyable read. However, it didn’t hold my attention like most Irene Hannon books. 

Vienna Price finds herself needing time to regroup after being let go from her dream job. Home isn’t exactly where she was wants to go because of the tenuous relationship she has with her mom, but Hope Harbor is where she ends up.

Matt Quinn’s trip to Hope Harbor could be perceived as altruistic in nature. His sister’s B&B is failing, and an emergency has her needing time away. He agrees to step in and hold down the fort, but his own struggles have him needing this time to reflect on where he’s heading. Both Vienna and Matt end up in Hope Harbor by circumstances out of their control, but once there, their worlds overlap in a unique way. Though they both feel an electricity between them, they know their stay is temporary. No sense starting something that has no future. However, as time marches on, they each find themselves rethinking what it is they want in life, and where it is they’ll find it. Hope Harbor was supposed to be a temporary destination, but true to its name, maybe it’s where Vienna and Matt will find “hope” for a new beginning.

I liked the characters, the setting, and the storyline of SANDCASTLE INN, but somehow, it seemed to be missing depth. When the reader finally finds out why Matt feels so guilt-ridden, it seems his character is suddenly ready to move on. It was like a flip of a switch. I felt the same way about Vienna’s character. The setup is that she is very career driven, and we see that to start with, but then all of a sudden, she is ready to change her whole future because of her attraction for Matt. It just didn’t seem to be a natural progression. It felt abrupt. On the other hand, the secondary characters of Andrew and Paige seemed to have a more poignant depth to their storyline. Their story tugged at my heart, and I cheered for them when their lives started turning around. Their victories seemed sweeter because you felt their struggle.

SANDCASTLE INN was still an enjoyable read, just not as riveting as most Irene Hannon books.

Though I was given a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.