Sandcastle Inn by Irene Hannon Review

 Happy Friday Sweet Friends :)

I pray today finds you all doing well, and I'm so thankful you've taken the time to drop on by The Preppy Book Princess today for another book review.

I'm Kirby, and I'm so happy you're here.

One of my favorite things to do in my sometimes limited spare time is lose myself in the pages of beautiful fiction that honors Jesus and provides a bit of an escape from the often dark things happening daily in our cruel world.

One reason I love being a book blogger is that I get to have the pleasure of sharing about my recent reads with you all.

I'm excited to dive into today's review, but first if you'd like to check out my review of the previous title in the series, you can do so using the link below:

Windswept Way

Otherwise, grab a snack or a cup of your favorite cozy beverage, and join me down below for today's full review.

Sandcastle Inn by Irene Hannon:

Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: Revell

Publication Date: April 2nd, 2024

Genre: Christian Fiction/Contemporary/Small Town Romance

Series: Hope Harbor

Synopsis:

Vienna Price never intended to return for more than a passing visit to Oregon and all the bad memories she'd left behind. But when your career tanks, home is where you go to nurse your wounds and chart a new course. Only temporarily, of course--because as much as she loves her quirky mom, anything more than a short stay would drive them both crazy.

A trip to Oregon isn't in Matt Quinn's plans, either, until a perfectly timed appeal for help arrives from his sister. What better place to decompress after a shattering loss than a quiet, seaside town named Hope Harbor? But R&R isn't on the agenda when he arrives to find his sister's new enterprise on life support.

Vienna, however, may have just the skills needed to resuscitate the foundering B&B--if Matt can convince her to hang around long enough to mend an inn . . . and his heart.

(synopsis from goodreads)

My Review:

I'm a newcomer to Irene Hannon's Hope Harbor series, and actually, the last title Windswept Way was my first experience with one of these titles. I wholeheartedly enjoyed that one, and loved how idyllic and charming the town was, while the story still hit on a few deeper issues. When I saw there was a new book in the series coming out, I couldn't wait to give another of her beautiful small town romances a try. This one was every bit as good as the last one was, and left me thinking about it long after I finished it.

Hope Harbor's residents are part of what make the town and the stories so appealing, and it was lovely to get another visit with Charley, Bev and the hilarious clergy tasked with helping all of the town with their spiritual needs. Sandcastle Inn introduces us to several new characters, with Matt and Vienna being the main couple, and Andrew and Paige having a lovely side story all their own. Matt comes to town to help take care of his sister's struggling bed and breakfast while she's called away to help a friend. He's nowhere prepared for the amount of the work the inn needs, and that puts him into contact with Vienna, Andrew and Paige. He can't deny the sparks are flying between him and Vienna, but his past has left me incapable of moving on into the future. Can the two make their own way into happily ever after, all while trying to launch a successful idyllic inn?

With a swoon worthy romance, a wonderful setting, and a realistic portrayal of the way grief can affect every single area of someone's life, I loved my second visit to Hope Harbor, and I appreciated that this one could definitely be read as a stand alone. While I adored Matt and Vienna's story, I have to say that it was Andrew and Paige's that made this one a true winner in my eyes. Without spoiling anything, I have to say that I loved the emphasis on what it truly means to promise for better or for worse, and I adored how fiercely they cared for each other and everyone around them.

Another beautiful contemporary from Irene Hannon, and one that I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a heartwarming clean romance that has a light faith element.

Final Rating: 4/5.

Thanks so much to Revell for allowing me to advance read and review this title!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Revell) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.