Sunrise Reef

Hope Harbor #11

by Irene Hannon

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Christian Romance, Christian, Fiction, Contemporary Romance

336 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2025

About the author

Irene Hannon, who writes both contemporary romance and romantic suspense, is the author of more than 65 novels. Her books have been honored with three coveted RITA awards from Romance Writers of America (the “Oscar” of romance fiction) and she is a member of that organization's elite Hall of Fame. She has also received a Career Achievement award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work. Other awards for individual books include National Readers' Choice, HOLT Medallion, Daphne du Maurier, Retailers Choice, Booksellers' Best, and Reviewers' Choice from RT Book Reviews. She is also a two-time Christy award finalist.

Millions of her books have been sold worldwide, and her novels have been translated into multiple languages.

A former corporate communications executive with a Fortune 500 company, Irene now writes full time. To learn more about Irene and her books, visit www.irenehannon.com.

Reviews

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hope Harbor series is such a heartwarming series set on the coast of Oregon in the town of Hope Harbor where one can find a new start of hope, faith, and maybe romance. In Sunrise Reef, we met two young women who have escaped a bad situation and find their way to Hope Harbor. Bren has been there for several years and pays forward the warm welcome she experienced when she saw the need in Emma. Noah is a workaholic and is visiting his dad, Fred, when he meets Bren, a total opposite. These people all have life changes to ponder. As always, Charley, artist and taco maker, two men of the cloth, and a couple of seagulls reappear. Lovely, emotional, and uplifting story.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my thoughts.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

“This beautiful world is full of opportunities for people who keep their eyes open.”

I thoroughly enjoyed my quick stop in the charming seaside town of Hope Springs along the Oregon Coast. At a time when lines are being drawn and politicians are cutting connectivity, this is a special read that shows us the beauty of community and the magic that happens when we interact with each other…regardless of where we come from or where we’ve been. Hope Harbor works its special magic with Brenna ‘Bren’ Ryan, Noah Ward and Emma Blair and shows them (1) the path they were meant to follow and (2) that ‘home’ is more than a place, it’s being with people you love.

Need renewed, uplifted or encouraged? Hope Haven is where you’ll want to be. It’s been described as “a place of emotional restoration”.

As the story opens, you’ll be inspired to hum Daniel Powter’s ‘Bad Day’. It doesn’t take long to realize that all three main characters are experiencing “a bad day”; one’s been living in her Sentra, one’s struggling with an elderly parent and one’s desperately needing temporary housing.

“When you’ve walked a mile in someone’s shoes, it can be easier to spot a kindred spirit.”

Because they’ve all walked a mile in someone’s shoes, they know the value in extending a hand up…and it makes all the difference in the world.

I’m sipping on a Cafe de Olla (with steamed milk) and listing ways I can pay it forward and offer chances for a fresh start to others in my community.

Don’t miss this inspirational read. It’s book 11 of a series, but it’s a great standalone.

I was gifted this copy by the publisher through NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[JaneReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved returning to the community of Hope Harbor. We had seen Bren in previous books but knew little about her, in this one we really get to know her. There are also new characters introduced along with old faves. I was able to relate to Noah so much, the way he questioned certain actions made by individuals and approached his career were very relatable. Fred, Noah's dad, made me laugh at his matchmaking attempts. As we get to know Bren we learn about the challenges she has been through in life but she has a huge heart and the way she treated Emma was inspiring. Emma was someone I cared about quickly and was glad that her and Bren crossed paths. The community taught Noah quite a bit and he comes to realize that his career isn't everything. The romance is a slow built, but I loved it and it felt so realistic based on the circumstances. In addition to loving the main characters I also liked Bev, the bookstore owner, who has befriended Bren and is the only one that really knows her story. I could not put this book, I connected so much with the characters and did not want to say goodbye. (I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)

[Cindy Davis- Cindy's Book Corner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sunrise Reef is the eleventh book in the Hope Harbor series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone novel.

I love this little town of Hope Harbor. It is the sweetest community, where people go for a safe haven, a place with a slower pace. I have enjoyed all the books in the series. However, Sunrise Reef, in my opinion, is not as good as the others. There is more telling than showing, and things come across as stilted.

Poor Bren is having the worst start to her birthday, and it doesn't end any better than it starts. You feel for her and want things to get better for her. This is where Noah enters. For the first part of this book, Noah got on my nerves. He is very distrustful, and it almost seems like he doesn't trust his dad's judgment.

While the book is labeled Christian fiction, it's not. It does have Christian characters, and they make a few appearances in church, but other than that, the content is not Christian; it is clean. There is more of a new age vibe, with leaving things up to the gods and fate.

Overall, this is a nice addition to the series, but not memorable or a standout. It is always fun to visit this little community.

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is always a joy to return to Hope Harbor and another romantic encounter in the place I want to be real so I could visit. Ms. Hannon has created a setting so welcoming and characters who show how a community can show kindness, caring and Christian love.
This time we meet workaholic CPA Noah who is visiting his dad Fred, with the idea of convincing him to move back to St Louis. And then there is Bren, a barista at The Perfect Blend, who we met in a previous book. In this case opposites attract. And boy does this meeting stand out!
As always there are characters who are old favorites like Father Murphy and Reverend Baker who rib eachother good naturedly and Charley and his taco stand where he serves up godly wisdom for free. This time his advice is to look beyond the surface to the heart inside.
Yay! There will be a book 12! And hopefully more as well.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through Interviews and Reviews via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

[Karen R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another refreshing visit to Hope Harbor! A charming contemporary romance, featuring two people who show that opposites can attract.

I enjoyed revisiting this setting on the Oregon coast where community comes together to help each other. Bren's character was a good example of someone who has grown through tough circumstances and moved forward with faith and hope. Her desire to help others motivates her to 'pay it forward', and brings hope to another hurting soul. I like how the author moved her out of her comfort zone and influenced Noah's outlook on life. Finding a place to call home and feel loved is a theme here.
"...home is more than a place. It's being with the people you love."
Recommend to readers who enjoy clean inspirational romances. Fine to read as a stand alone. 4.5 stars

(An ebook was provided by the author via NetGalley and LibraryThing. All opinions expressed are my own.)

[Hannah Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet, inspiring seaside read! It had all the feels with some tough real-life decisions, and I loved the way things worked out for our characters.

Bren was a darling—what was there not to like? Aside from her rainbow hair, of course… Noah did have a tough time with that. And in all honestly, I’m a little bummed she got rid of it so early in the book. Come on… couldn’t Noah have fallen in love with her spiked hair and all? She was dealing with a lot of garbage and working through trauma from her past, but still she had such a heart of gold, and I loved the way she helped Emma along.

Also… Emma??? She was like the bonus character I had no idea was coming, and her story added such a great layer to the book! I loved how she and Bren bonded, and how she brought things to the surface in Bren but also helped her heal. And ugh, I’m so happy with how things ended up for sweet Emma.

Noah was… Noah. He was very strait-laced and struggled to envision a future outside what he always planned for himself—he was dead set on that partnership. He’s such a real character—one that maybe doesn’t make it into books enough, because don’t so many of us get hung up on goals and career aspirations and miss out on what God has for us? And the way he stepped out of his box for Bren? <3

The only thing I would like to note is that the faith content was kind of light for my preference. Which is fine. It was hopeful and sweet and inspiring. There just wasn’t much meat. Also, near the end, Noah was having a rough time getting to a meeting, and it said, “unless the gods suddenly took pity on him…” which just felt out of place to me. The conversations between Reverend Baker and Father Murphy cracked me up, though. That was amazing.

Regardless, it was a good book with excellent themes! I just wish there could have been more faith content!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irene Hhannon Has never failed me with her books. Especially with this series. This was book number 11.....and I have read them all. (and saved them all to read again later).
I feel that each book could be read as a stand alone boob too)

These books have have always put a smile on my face.

[Christine Barth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't my favorite Hope Harbor read, there didn't seem to be as much spiritual content as some. And the word vibes was very overused.

[Dcw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having looked forward this next release with much anticipation, I was disappointed with the content. A disillusioned person arrives in Hope Harbor and takes most of the novel to discover it’s treasured people. Upon reflection, it seemed that many of the people of the town had overcome perhaps deeper disappointments or challenges than the lead male character. It moved quite slowly and repetitively and just didn’t seem to have the ah-ha moment or angst of awareness between what existed and what could be.

[Laura (kroosreadsandreviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Hope Harbor, especially Charley, the taco philosopher!

There were so many great characters highlighted in this story including Bren, Emma and Fred. I loved how Fred and Bren went out of their way to help people in need. Noah was a wild card and it was interesting to see his character develop throughout the book!

There are so many places that I want to visit in Hope Harbor but especially the book store and the bakery!

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

[Randi Sampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunrise Reef is the 11th book in the Hope Harbor series. While those who have enjoyed previous books in the series can enjoy seeing some familiar characters make appearances, this can absolutely be enjoyed as a standalone as well.

Hope Harbor is such a perfect name for this series, as every time I pick up one of the books, I know I am going to get a beautiful hope-filled romance... and this one was absolutely no exception. Bren and Noah drew me into their story right away with a meet cute that I couldn't help but enjoy. While they might have gotten off to an uncomfortable start, they had a really sweet chemistry, and I found myself enjoying seeing their relationship grow throughout the story. Seeing him realize there was more to life than work was also fantastic too. I thought Emma was such a fantastic addition to the story too, and really showed why so many- myself included- love this little fiction town- a town that always offers a place to land for those that need it. Whether this is your first visit to Hope Harbor or just most recent, this is definitely a must read for fans of Christian romance.

**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Hallie (Hallie Reads)]

another sweet romance for hope harbor, oregon!

noah ward's only intention for his vacation in hope harbor is to convince his dad to move back to st. louis. of course, his dad has no intention of being convinced—but he's not shy about working on a little convincing of his own. could two weeks in hope harbor be enough to upend noah's future plans of corporate success? might the colorful barista bren ryan contribute to the allure of small-town living?

noah and bren certainly have some issues to tackle in sunrise reef. while he's focused on pursuing one particular path for his life, bren has already achieved life she wanted—and is reluctant to trust anyone to really be a part of it (especially outside of hope harbor). mishaps, chance meetings, and an undeniable chemistry—along with some of charley's words of wisdom and general hope-harbor charm—abound throughout their story.

i loved this visit to the coastal oregon town and the reminder that a situation may not always be as complicated as it's made out to be. noah and bren were fun to get to know, and i'm sure other lovers of hope harbor and contemporary romance will love them, too.

(i received a complimentary copy from the author. i was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions i have expressed are my own.)
 
 
considerations: 
—language: none
—spice: kisses only
—faith: mentions of God and church—also, "the gods"
—content: abusive/toxic relationship with parent/stepparent, mentions of parental loss and cancer

[Cathy R Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noah is visiting Hope Harbor visiting his dad for one reason: to convince him to move back to St Louis to be close to him following the death of Noah's mum. But his plans to borrow an unoccupied guest cottage for the first night rather than disturbing his dad go sideways when it turns out to be occupied after all - somewhat disastrously. And the conditions of that occupancy - low price, unvetted tenant with rainbow hair - prove to Noah that his dad needs the support Noah can only provide in St Louis. Somehow, though, as he gets to know Bren, he starts to see a different side of life: the side that gives without expecting to receive, and without constantly looking for things to go wrong. However, whatever he might think of her, it's clear nothing can really happen between them, since she's unwilling to leave her haven and he's wedded to his job in St Louis - right? Or will they both learn to see the beauty beneath the surface and what really matters in life?

A delightful addition to the series. I always love visiting Hope Harbor (which lives up to its name beautifully), and this was no exception. With interesting, 'real' characters, inspiring lessons for them (and me) to learn as they go though life, a quirky and lovable cast of secondary characters, thought-provoking dialogue, humorous situations and a deeply satisfying ending, what more could one want? I really enjoyed getting to know Noah and Bren, not to mention Emma, and was thrilled to see Bren and Noah finally get their happy ending. In fact, I'm hoping Emma will get her own story in a future book, because I enjoyed getting to know her a bit and I want more! Charley's wisdom is a great addition, too - he'd be an intriguing (and possibly slightly scary at times) person to have around. All in all, a great read, completely standalone though sharing some characters across the series - highly recommended.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun trip back to Hope Harbor, and this was probably my favorite story so far in the series. I mean how can you resist a rainbow or purpled colored hair lady who is being wooed by a button up, number crunching, all work and no play gentleman? I couldn't and I was wondering how their relationship was going to work itself out.

Bren Ryan has just turned thirty, unfortunately her birthday is turning into a disaster. An electrical fire has her scrambling to find another shelter quick. That shelter happens to be a vacation cottage owned by Fred Ward, a recent widower who happens to have a son who is surprising his father by flying into Hope Harbor. Noah's and Bren's first meeting is certainly not romantic; in fact, it could be considered comical. However, thankfully Noah is a rather matter of fact guy and understands the situation.

These two couldn't be more opposites if they tried. But as they get to know one another, opening up about deep hurts even, they begin to have an undeniable connection. One that Noah is not about to let slip through his fingers even if he doesn't understand it. Bren on the other hand is trying so hard not to get hurt, that she turns into more of the overly cautious person. This was a fun and heartfelt romance of learning to trust and taking things slow for the better. And pretty romantic as well concerning Noah's pursuit of Bren.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

https://pausefortales.blogspot.com/20...

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opnieuw een bijzonder leuk boek van Irene Hannon. Deel 11 in de serie Hope Harbor. De auteur kondigt deel 12 al aan. Laat maar komen dat volgende deel. Ik vind het knap dat Irene Hannon steeds weer een mooi en positief verhaal schrijft.

[Beckie Burnham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every spring I look forward to a return visit to one of my favorite bookish places — Hope Harbor, Oregon. Irene Hannon’s long running contemporary romance series (11 books!) is so, so good! I love the peaceful setting with its lavender farm, quaint downtown pocket park, the towering sea stacks, lighthouse, and so much more. See, it has truly become a beautiful destination to at least vicariously visit. And the residents are warm, welcoming, sometimes quirky, and always a joy to meet again and again. In the latest book in the series, Sunrise Reef, the theme is the meaning of home. While Hope Harbor appeals to its visitors and residents for a number of reasons, the true test of a real home is the people that inhabit it with you. The main romantic storyline involves a woman with a troubled childhood who has found peace and place and purpose in Oregon. She clings to the idea that she is meant to stay forever. Bren is attracted to Noah and feels like her friendship with him could develop into a lasting relationship if only they lived in her town. I loved how Hannon brings the two together, allowing them to see that home is not a physical location, but people to love and do life with. The secondary storyline involves a young woman who is desperately trying to bring her brother home as well. While Bren and Noah are the focus of the novel, I really loved that storyline.

Small town vibes, lovely characters, strong and insightful themes, and subtle faith messages are part and parcel of the Hope Harbor series. And Irene Hannon does it all so well. Whether you are a frequent visitor or this is your first time in town, you are in for a real treat!

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(Thanks to Revell and NetGalley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what I needed during this busy end of the school year - a sweet, semi-predictable romance.

[Linda Causier · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Jaclyn Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

dnf

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunrise Reef is book 11 in the Hope Harbor series. A sweet heartwarming seaside story on the Oregon Coast. Readers will immediately fall in love with Bren and Noah with their opposites attract small town romance. This story is about faith, hope, and finding a place to belong and call home. It’s also about just being good to others because life can be tough. Readers will enjoy not just the romance between Bren and Noah, but how Bren takes teen Emma under her wing. An absolutely delightful and beautiful story that will have readers laughing, as well as a tug on their heartstrings. Although the 11th in the series, this story can be read as a stand alone. Another excellent story from author Irene Hannon that readers will definitely want to pick up!

Series: Hope Harbor
Genre: contemporary romance, opposites attract, small town romance, clean romance
Publisher: Revell
Publication date: April 5, 2025
Number of pages: 352
Books in the series:
1-Hope Harbor
2-Sea Side Lane
3-Sandpiper Cove
4-Pelican Point
5-Driftwood bay
6-Starfish Pier
7-Blackberry Beach
8-Sea Glass Cottage
9-Windswept Way
10-Sandcastle Inn
11-Sunrise Reef

Disclosure statement:
A complimentary copy of the book was provided. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

[June Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read featuring wonderful characters and a lovely setting . . .

The meet-up for the two main characters (in Chapter 2) is one of the most unique I've ever read—and I've read a lot of Christian romances over the past couple of decades!

Coffee barista, Bren Ryan, is having a really bad thirtieth birthday. Her rental catches on fire due to electrical issues in the morning, and then after dark she has a scary encounter with someone she doesn't know entering the cottage where she is staying temporarily.

The stranger is Noah Ward, the son of the cottage's owner. He is the complete opposite of Bren in almost every sense of the word, so their feathers are ruffled frequently causing both individuals to question why they were thrown together at this time.

As they work through their initial problems and learn to see the other as a friend rather than a foe, the story becomes very interesting. Their relationship grows and becomes more personal and more positive.

As always, the small Oregon coastal town of Hope Harbor has no shortage of great characters and side plots that provide readers with engaging scenes and great dialogue to enjoy.

This book is completely clean in language and content. I received a copy of this book from the publisher through JustRead Publicity Tours. All of my opinions and thoughts shared here are solely my own.

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[It's Sunrise Again · Rating 4 out of 5]

Return to the wonderful town of Hope Harbour for another instalment of this series. Once again, Charley provides wisdom and tacos along with the other members of this fantastic small town.

If you haven't read any of the books in the Hope Harbour series before, then you are in for a treat. Each of the books is a standalone stories. However, they often mention the other characters from previous books.

Bren, one of the Baristas from the Perfect Blend, who we met in Blackberry Beach, mets Noah, a workaholic accountant, and sparks fly!

Once again, there is a secondary storyline in Sunrise Reef, and without spoiling it, it is a sweet, non romantic story.

Sunrise Reef is filled with themes of a small town community, second chances, and deciding what matters most.

I received an ARC, but this does not impact my thoughts or opinions on this book and review.

[Loraine Nunley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bren has been a recurring character in previous books of this series and I was happy for her to finally have her story told. There had to be something behind her rebellious yet pleasant façade.

Like with most people, Bren was so much deeper than she appeared. This made Noah, who was cynical and great at jumping to conclusions, have to learn some hard lessons while re-evaluating his own life. While Noah was a tough guy to get behind initially, I did grow to like him. I especially loved the way he met Bren. It turned out that he was deeper than he seemed as well.

The sparks that flew between the two were obvious to everyone watching and I really enjoyed when the romance began to deepen between them. Visiting the town of Hope Harbor once again was a fun excursion. Favorite characters showed up in the pages with the mandatory presence of Charley and his famous fish tacos.

I received this book complimentary as a participant of the JustReads reviewer tour. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed here are honest and my own.

[writer... · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt charm of characters and Oregon seaside setting..

[Melmo2610 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure perfection in book form! This is one of my most beloved series, and my yearly trip to Hope Harbor is one of my most anticipated things each year. The stories transcend the pages and I feel like I am part of the community of Hope Harbor. The latest installment which features Bren & Noah was beautifully written and I loved every page of it. I also really enjoyed the secondary story with Emma and her brother. That storyline complimented the original story and the differences between Bren and Noah really well. It was a great way to create further tension between them as the story progressed. A phenomenal read as expected!

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I fell head over heels for Hope Harbor way back when I read the first book in Irene Hannon’s long-running series ten years ago, and it still remains my very fave fictional town to visit, eleven books later. There’s something so special about this town and its close knit community, not to mention Charley who provides a dose of divinely-appointed wisdom with his fish tacos. In fact, my excitement each time I open a new Hope Harbor book is due in large part to getting to hang out with Charley again on the pages. But it only takes me a paragraph or two to become just as invested in the new story Hannon is telling and the new characters who will undoubtedly find home, hope, and healing – and of course romance – in Hope Harbor, too.

In Sunrise Reef, we learn more about creative & warmhearted Bren’s story and her less-than-ideal family of origin. Which is why the family she’s built for herself in Hope Harbor means so much and why she never wants to leave. It also makes her more empathetic to other people who need a helping hand, like young Emma who finds herself unexpectedly stranded in town by a broken-down car and nowhere to stay. If this isn’t your first visit to Hope Harbor, you’ll likely be thinking to yourself right about now, “Ah here comes a divine appointment,” and you’d be right! I really loved this subplot – not only in how Bren extends her a lifeline and a friendship but also in how Emma becomes part of Hope Harbor just as it becomes part of her.

But Emma isn’t Bren’s only God-orchestrated meeting in Sunrise Reef, though Bren’s first encounter with Noah feels (to him at least) like it originated in a place quite a bit fierier than Heaven. LOL. This meet cute is hilarious and awkward and oh boy I felt sorry for Noah … at least until he started behaving like a stick in the mud and I wanted to shake him a little bit. Don’t worry though, my irritation with him was mostly short-lived (with a couple of exceptions) as Hope Harbor and Bren both start to get under his skin in the best of ways. The chemistry between Noah and Bren is wonderful, but the friendship they build while trying to ignore that chemistry was even sweeter to me. I also adored Noah’s dad and especially his not-so-subtle hints nudging Noah in Bren’s direction.

Bottom Line: Sunrise Reef by Irene Hannon delivers a picturesque story from beginning to end, the rocky obstacles along the way making the final vista all the more meaningful and full of grace. Hope Harbor shines in this eleventh installment as much for the generous heart of its community as for its gorgeous coastal views and quaint charm. And of course, its fish taco stand, or rather the man who runs it. I loved watching Emma – and even Noah – discover how special a town this is, and I had fun getting to spend time with Bev again as well. Bren and Noah each have some lessons to take away from this story – perhaps you do too – and the icing on the cake is their opposites-attract, buttoned-up CPA meets creative free spirit, romance. I am excited that there’s a twelfth Hope Harbor book on the horizon, and I am rooting for at least twelve more!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Susan Wachtel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sunrise Reef by Irene Hannon – An enjoyable visit to Hope Harbor

I enjoy Irene Hannon’s books, and looked forward to reading her newest novel is Sunrise Reef, the 11th book in the Hope Harbor series.

Bren Ryan has made Hope Harbor her home. She loves the beauty of the town, the friendly people, and lovely kind neighbors who are always ready to help one another. Her life is full, but her heart is closed to romance and she has no expectation of finding love. Bren continues to try to mend her hurting heart and be content with what she has. Romance is not on her radar, especially after the unpleasant accidental meeting of Noah Ward. Bren has a heart for those who are going through a rough patch in their lives. That why she reaches out to Emma even though she is passing through town. Noah is not very trusting and is overly protective of his father. He is suspicious of almost everyone he meets, starting with Bren. Will he take the time to enjoy Hope Harbor and get to know some of the townspeople?

It is always enjoyable to return to Hope Harbor and to catch up with old friends in the community. What I liked about Sunrise Reef, I appreciated the kind and caring community where people are willing to help a friend or ever a stranger in need. The people are involved in each other’s lives and seem to think and believe the best about their friends and neighbors. The characters make time for one another. I liked Bren’s open-hearted mindset who was willing to take a risk to help someone she did not know. I appreciated that Emma was motivated and willing to work hard to achieve her goals and help her brother. I liked Fred and his positive, upbeat and trusting mindset.

I struggled with Noah. When his character is first introduced, he is very negative and judgmental about most everyone and everything. His first encounter with Bren was so negative, it was his fault, and he did not apologize. I struggled with Noah going from Mr. Negative to the man who was suddenly finding free-spirited Bren attractive. I did not find that transition in the character believable.

I would have liked to have seen the Christian faith a central part of the story. Kindness and charity played a part in the storyline and how the characters treated one another. But it did not seem hinged and driven by their Christian faith. I would loved to have seen the pastor and priest in the town have a more serious roll. That they would bring biblical wisdom and weightiness in their interactions with their congregations.

While there were elements that I liked and appreciated about Sunrise Reef, there were characters and elements that I struggled with. There seemed to be some worldly views in some of the characters, even those who were Christians.

If you like Irene Hannon’s writing, you may enjoy another visit to the lovely community of Hope Harbor in her newest book Sunrise Reef.

I would like to thank Revell Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Sunrise Reef by Irene Hannon. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

[Conny Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Was he saying a romance between an Oxford-shirt-wearing CPA and a barista with purple-hued hair wasn’t as far-fetched as it sounded?” Brea ponders in Irene Hannon’s novel, Sunrise Reef.

~ What ~
The eleventh in the Hope Harbor series, this three-hundred-fifty-two-page paperback targets those interested in a romance about how being apart can decide the future when living in a small town. Using slang words such as heck, darn, dang, and crud, there is no profanity or overtly sexual scenes; the topics of mental abuse and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes an excerpt from another book series, acknowledgments, the author’s biography, and advertisements.

In this current-day story based in a fictional coastal town in Oregon, Bren is a carefree barista trying to reinvent herself now that she is thirty-years old. After a fire damages her apartment and she moves into an elder man’s cottage, it is his high-strung CPA son, Noah, who starts to get under her skin. As the two keep running into each other, they must deal with their growing attraction toward each other to find out if romance is in their future.

~ Why ~
This is an enjoyable story of adapting to different situations that God arranges between two people who think they have little in common. I appreciate how Bren reached out to Emma, a young girl who had a similar background. If you have read others in the series, you will remember some of the cherished characters such as Charlie, the clerics, and two seagulls. I live in Oregon, and I like how the book’s scenery is well-depicted and the town is realistic. It can be read as a stand-alone book.

~ Why Not ~
Those who do not like continuing stories of small town living and everyone knowing each other’s business may not care for this clean Christian romance. Those who do not believe in God may pass it up, although it is not mentioned much in the book. The romance is cookie-cutter predictable.

~ Wish ~
I like the maps of the town were included, but a list of characters would be helpful. Since it is a Christian read, it would be thoughtful if plan of salvation were given.

~ Want ~
If you like a romance that focuses on finding love based on opposite attractions, this story would be a casual beach read where the waves of love lap upon its pages.

Thanks to Revell and Interviews & Reviews for this complimentary book. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.

[Ian Mcnamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

After years of searching, Bren Ryan has found her place in Hope Harbor. Working as a barista suits her to a T, as does the laid-back vibe of her adopted town. Nothing is lacking in her life--except romance. But that's okay. Men are a complication she doesn't need.

Buttoned-up CPA Noah Ward isn't looking for love, either, when he arrives in town on a mission to convince his father to move closer to him. And he certainly doesn't intend to fall for the quirky, free-spirited woman who's taken up residence in his father's guest cottage. But when he finds himself sucked into her quest to help a struggling teen, might the two of them discover there's more to each other than meets the eye

Bestselling author Irene Hannon invites you back to the charming town of Hope Harbor--where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

My Comments:

I was looking forward to this book from the moment I finished the last one and heard an 11th book was going to be coming out. As usual I was not disappointed as every book in this series has been amazing and this one did not disappoint. Noah and Bren were characters I really related to straight away, I could understand Noah being sceptical and having issues around job stability which I found relatable. The way Bren payed forward the help she received by helping Emma was really lovely and again made her a relatable character. Emma was such a lovely young woman, for someone of that age despite what she went through had a good head on her shoulders and her determination to do what ever it took to have her brother with her was amazing. I'm really hoping this is not the end of hope Harbor and there will be more books, I believe there are a lot of characters in the town who could end up with a potential story. The woman in the 9th book who played the piano at the end and who the owner of the events centre helped for one. I'm looking forward to seeing what this author is going to bring out next. I'd love Charley to find a love interest as I think that could be an interesting story given his querks and the way he is. Again it was wonderful to have Charlie as a regular fixture in the book giving his insites he's got to be one of my favourite long-standing characters in the series if not my favourite. Hopefully we'll see more people come to hope Harbour to find love and healing as for a small town there are a lot of posibilities.