Summer At Hope Haven is about Emily coming to her family’s cottage to deal with the grief of losing her family in a plane crash. While spending the Summer there, she volunteered to paint the local hospital’s children’s wing, where she met Dr Luke. They began dating but that is not the main focus of the storyline. Overcoming her grief and discovering a family secret is the main plot.
I struggled to like Emily by herself and Emily and Lucas together. I saw her as weak and needy, not independent and strong. I felt that she and Lucas had an unhealthy relationship, where they’d storm off and ignore each other for days when there was conflict instead of listening to each other and working things out. My favorite character was Collette. If she was the focus of Summer at Hope Haven, I think I would’ve enjoyed it more.

New series, new author. Beautiful story of life, love and grief. Emily had a big dose of all three! The love of her wonderful family and fiancé. The heartbreak of loss and learning to deal with it. Emily moves to her family summer cabin across the country to be with friends and to get a handle on her life and grief. Of course thru her friends she meets Lucas, an all around good guy. There are many ups and downs, a few twists and surprises. I did predict early on the twists, so no surprise, but was well written and a fast read.

What a thourghly engaging book.
My heart cried for Emily and her loss.
Lucas, was just what the "doctor" ordered .
I love how Emily uses her art to help get through her grief.
A bevy of emotions were felt reading this book.
4.25

This was a really moving book about one woman’s despair over the loss of her family and her struggles with grief. Emily was a sympathetic character, though at times I found myself getting frustrated with her behaviour towards Lucas, and sometimes I struggled to work out what made her so appealing to him. I enjoyed it though and will definitely read more from this series

What a perfect beach read. I enjoyed getting to know the characters of Dune Island and can't wait to read the next installment.