Susan F's Reviews > Blackberry Beach


This is a sweet story with a good reminder that having the big successful career just may not be everything one dreams of. Nothing is perfect. Having an island retreat is a great place to think things over. I think several characters in the story have found Hope Harbor to be the place of rescue when contemplating life changes. In particular Kat, Zach and even his Aunt Stephanie are in the midst of new change.
Blackberry Beach has a nice summer feel to it for an easy read. There is romance, an emphasis on friendship and conversation along with advice for Kat who is struggling with a major set of decisions. A slight bit of tension adds to the storyline. The characters are likeable with humor, caring natures and real life problems to deal with. They have faith and integrity in the clean read atmosphere of the book.
I received a copy of this book for my opinion of it. I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley. It is an interesting story for a relaxing read at the beach or anywhere the reader chooses to unwind.

Blackberry Beach is Irene Hannon's seventh book of the Hope Harbor series. I have not read the other books but this can be easily read as a stand alone novel. Hope Harbor is a fictional town on the Oregon coast. Katherine Parker is an actress going there to get away from it all and hoping no one recognizes her. Zach Garrett runs a coffee shop and his house actually shares a beach with the rental house Katherine is staying at. This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed the characters - the relationship of Katherine and Zach and all the marvelous secondary characters! Now I definitely have to go back and read all the other books in this series!

Blackberry Beach is the 7th book in Irene Hannon's Hope Harbor series. Those of us who have already fallen in love with Hope Harbor are going to love heading back for another visit and seeing some familiar characters. Still, those new to the series will certainly be able to read this on it's own... though I suspect you may want to go back and find out more about this fantastic town!

Be it a sweet romance or a heart racing suspense, I always know that when I pick up an Irene Hannon book that I am in for a treat. Blackberry Beach did not let me down! Irene does a great job of creating this world that as a reader I want to come back to time and time again. Hope Harbor is an easy town to fall in love with--- a safe haven where many go to find peace...and love! This romance between coffee shop owner Zach Garrett and actress Katherine Parker was a great story of second chances that I truly enjoyed... but it wasn't the only romance within the story. It was perhaps the side romance between a few supporting characters that I enjoyed even more--- a reminder that love can happen at any time and that God's timing is always perfect! Some appearances by previously introduced characters like Charley and his seagull friends make this story all the more delightful. I would say that the pace did perhaps seem a little slower than others I've read by the author, but honestly that could have just been timing (or lack of time to sit and truly get into the story) on my part. Either way, it was an enjoyable read and a fantastic addition to this series.

Whether you're returning to Hope Harbor or visiting for the first time, this is a great read that fans of Christian romance are sure to enjoy! I know I certainly did!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher, Revel for an early copy of this excellent Christian fiction book. The comments and review are my honest opinion. Author Irene Hanlon has created a quaint town near the Oregon coast called Hope Harbor. A town where Kat has come to decide what she wants out of her career in Hollywood. Wanting her solitude and staying incognito she rents a cottage next to Zach, who once was at the top of the proverbial executive ladder to give it up to be the barista owner of The Perfect Blend.
This book is written with a blend of reality and pursuing a dream. Whether it be from tragedy or principals, what could be gained by fame and fortune may not necessarily be the life you desire that resides in your heart.

Wow, while this entire series has been great. I loved Blackberry Beach (Hope Harbor #7) by Irene Hannon. I so enjoy a wonderful first line so this novel gets a thumbs up for having one that hooked me right in. From then on it is nothing but a pleasure to read. It is a novel of second guessing, reevaluation one’s goals and romance. All the while there is God’s divine help and guidance show in the lives of the characters.

I have said before I am not one to read books about actors/actresses but this one is superb. Never one to rush the story there is in-depth character development with relationship building as well interesting supporting character with their own subplot.

The sense of place and community have never been stronger than in Blackberry Beach. Hope Harbor is a special fictional place in my heart. Christian romance fiction at its best.

First I love visiting Hope Harbor again. Irene's characters totally come to life. Zach is a coffee shop owner that left a successful business career. Katherine is an actress at the crossroads in her life. When Katherine and Zach meet there are sparks of attraction. Zach is honorable and trustworthy. Katherine is immediately drawn to Zach. It takes her awhile to come out of her shell. When she does open up to Zach. They realize that have a lot in common. Both of them realize the dream they were pursuing was not the right one. One of themes of this book is we are all shaped by the events in our past. Sometimes you have to listen to your heart and take a leap of faith. Katherine realizes glamour does not take the place of having someone to love. Zach starts to take up residence in Katherine's heart. There was wonderful secondary love story in this book. Cannot wait for next book in this series.

Wow, Blackberry Beach is a winner. I loved its charm, sweetness and light. It completely transported me to the small seaside town and rewarded me with a wonderful reading experience. How refreshing to read about adults in love who wait for marriage and realize God’s hand in their good fortune. I could recommend this book to anyone for a light, refreshing read.

Katherine Parker is on the cusp of having everything she ever wanted--fame, money, and acclaim. So why isn't she happy? In search of answers, she comes incognito to Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast for some R&R. Maybe in her secluded rental house overlooking the serene Pacific she'll be able to calm the storm inside.
Coffee shop owner Zach Garrett has found his niche after a traumatic loss--and he has no plans to change the life he's created. Nor does he want to get involved with his reticent new neighbor, whose past is shrouded in mystery. He's had enough drama to last a lifetime. But when Katherine and Zach are recruited to help rehab a home for foster children, sparks fly. And as their lives begin to intersect, might they find more common ground than they expected . . . and discover that, with love, all things are possible?

I think there are two stories in this book. Zach's Aunt Stephanie has retired and visits him in Hope Harbor. She has always put her career ahead of her personal life. She meets one of Zach's part time employees and has to decided if she's ready to give up New York and move to Hope Harbor. Katherine is in Hope Harbor trying to make a decision that can be life altering. Her agent knows how to manipulate her so she doesn't want to talk to him while she's in Hope Harbor. He ignores her wishes and starts hounding her. Zach is content owning and operating a coffee shop. He gave up a high stress job and is now happier than ever. Then he meets Kat and she makes him realize he doesn't have everything he wants.

This is a nice cozy read.

I was given this book by Revell Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

This is the first book that I have read in this series and I am definitely going to read the earlier ones. I really enjoyed this sweet romance. Hollywood has put a bad taste in Katherine's mouth, but she is not sure that she is ready to give up on acting. Katherine is keeping a low profile in Hope Harbor while she decides what to do about her career. Zach walked away from his high earning financial career to start a coffee business in Hope Harbor. Zach is intrigued by the mysterious woman who keeps to herself. Running into her on the beach, he realizes that she is his next door neighbor. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I love this sweet romance. As a bonus, there is a second older romance that adds so much to the story. I also love the scenes with Charley, the shrimp taco stand owner, who always gives Katherine and Zach the perfect advice like a guardian angel. I love the theme that if 'we don't have an answer, we have to listen to our hearts and take a leap of faith'. I recommend this Christian romance.

Irene Hannon brings us back to Hope Harbor for another delightful novel set in this quaint coastal community. This fictional Oregon town is one of my favorite settings, probably because I love to vacation on the Oregon coast in real life.
Blackberry Beach is beautifully written. The characters are each wrestling with difficult challenges and at times the obstacles seem insurmountable. Hannon expertly weaves several points of view into the story, which adds to the nuance of these characters' complex relationships. I loved the romantic tension between the couples as well. I appreciated that the author addressed some relatable issues: estrangement and finding love again after a painful loss.
And of course, Charley's ability to offer wisdom and guidance while serving tacos from his food truck is always one of my favorite parts of this series.
I highly recommend Blackberry Beach for fans of clean and wholesome romance who also value a subtle inspirational message.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions shared here are my own.

What a lovely and refreshing escapist read, especially in such dark and uncertain times. This charming Christian fiction book of courage, hope, love and forgiveness is set in beautiful Oregon and Irene Hannon's descriptions are crystal clear in my mind, so beautifully written.

Reserved Katherine is (sort of) a new young woman in town and has her reasons for anonymity as she lays low in a rural rented house near a tranquil beach. I could practically hear the gentle ripples of the water. Friendly and kind entrepreneur Zach is dealing with his tragic past and spots something intriguing and special about Katherine as she visits his popular coffee chop, a welcoming place to show care and love in the many details. Both have experienced heartache and disappointment, as we all do, and are searching for answers.

Charley, Stephanie and Frank are other loveable characters. Simon? Not so much. I love that the second romance is between older (but spunky!) people. Food descriptions in books always appeal to me and this book has several!

If you are seeking a light yet not too saccharine book do read this. Though the seventh in the Hope Harbor series reading the others first isn't essential to follow along.

My sincere thank you to Revell and NetGalley for the privilege of reading the delightful and hopeful early e-ARC of this book.

I couldn't get into it. Maybe it was me. I tried several different times just couldn't hop on. Sorry. I'm sure it is a good read. I've had a lot on my mind so I couldn't zone into it only. Sorry but I will continue to try to read.

Irene Hannon’s newest Hope Harbor story (releasing April 6th) is Blackberry Beach. Even though I didn’t know this was part of a series, it still works well as a standalone.

Hope Harbor “harbors” the picturesque and enchanting Blackberry Beach, home to several idiosyncratic and unconventional people and birds. Needless to say, they were some of my favorite characters!

I would love to stop in at The Perfect Blend coffee shop and talk with the owner, Zach Garrett, and sample his fantastic blends and desserts. And, oh my, Charlie, the owner of the fish taco stand! Hannon has created a must-visit, perfect friend. Can you guess that I would love to live there?

Kat, the mystery woman, piques everyone’s interest, especially Zach’s, and uses her wonderful culinary skill to create blackberry and blackberry lavender truffles. So, is Kat a chocolatier? Why is she in Hope Harbor, and what is she hiding?

Hannon is amazingly skilled at creating a place you want to visit and characters you would love to have as friends. Not to mention, she leaves you starving for treats from the Perfect Blend, Kat’s chocolates and fish tacos, even though I have never really cared for fish tacos.

As you can see, Blackberry Beach features mystery and intrigue, along with romance and wonderful doses of Biblical insight.

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Revell through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews.

This was not the book for me. I didn’t connect with the heroine at all so I never got invested in the story. It took too long to get to understand why she was so shut down.

Irene is back in Harbor Hope to gift us with another beautiful and romantic story, actually two love stories, Zach and Kat and Stephanie and Frank. They will find againts all odds to find love and happinnes is Harbor Hope.

Very warm and touching without becoming to "syrupy". Characters were enjoyable, and just a good amount of suspense. Setting was great...would be a fun place to be in.

This book is set in Hope harbor, Oregon. Zach is the owner of The Perfect Blend coffee house. He is intrigued when a female customer comes in who is very evasive. As Kat begins to share more of her story with Zach, she begins to trust him as a friend.

This was a sweet story of forgiveness and making difficult career choices.

My favorite character was Charley who owned the fish taco stand. He was a wise friend in his many conversations.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

** “I expect most dreams are reachable, if a person’s willing to pay the price. The question is whether the goal is worth the cost — and whether the return on investment is positive or negative.” **

Take a trip back to Hope Harbor, the town of second chances, with Irene Hannon’s latest offering, “Blackberry Beach.”

Katherine Parker is escaping from her chaotic life, hoping to remain incognito, when she meets Zach Garrett, the owner of the local coffee shop. When electricity flies, they both realize they must overcome past doubts and insecurities while developing trust in one another.

While Katherine must make a major career decision, Zach must decide if he wants to rebuild a relationship with his estranged father — before it might become too late. And while they’re working through their issues, Zach’s Aunt Stephanie and employee Frank find themselves quickly attracted to each other, but also having to overcome assumptions and pasts.

“Blackberry Beach” is a delightful story filled with a lovely town and delightful characters. Many have very real and relatable issues, and we revisit many favorites from past books, including the very wise and prophetic Charley and his taco truck, as well as a belching harbor seal named Casper and two cuddling seagulls, Floyd and Gladys.

Hannon will put a smile on your face and a flutter in your heart, as well as offer you some great themes, like seeking sanctuary and tranquility; overcoming loneliness; having keen vision; beauty and hope can be found everywhere; good can often come from bad (“But cloudy days serve a purpose too. Without them, we’d take sunshine for granted.”); stop going through the motions of faith and hang on to God’s promises; and the heart can alter plans because it’s our best compass.

Even though this book is part of Hannon’s “Hope Harbor” series, you could read “Blackberry Beach,” which is due out April 6, as a standalone, but I would encourage you to go ahead and read the other stories in the series. The next book is due in April 2022.

Five stars out of five.

Revell provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

I enjoy Irene Hannon's stories. Her characters are ones you will genuinely care about. Even though Blackberry Beach is the seventh book in her Hope Harbor series, it does a great job of standing alone. I was half way through the book before I realized why it sounded familiar and that I had read several of the other books. I believe it was because I was so into the story and the two main characters. I instantly liked Zach Garrett. It took me awhile to warm up to Kat (Katherine Parker). The Oregon coast small town is one I would love to visit. I enjoyed and would recommend this latest book of Irene Hannon.

I thank Revell Publishers for allowing me, through NetGalley, to read this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I enjoyed the community of Harbor Hope and the characters. This is a sweet story that emphasizes overcoming the past. I loved the atmosphere of the coffee shop and the sayings Zach posted to encourage people. Katherine's struggle with her life decision was hard. Charlie is such a gruff, loveable character with his quips of wisdom. And as always, the two pelicans are a hit! The story moved a little slow at times and predictable but fans of the series will find out enjoyable.